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      I was one of the biggest names on Sky Sport’s F1 coverage before sacking… I still have no idea why they got rid of me

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      JOHNNY HERBERT has revealed he has no idea why Sky Sports decided to sack him from their F1 presenting team after 11 years.Herbert joined the broadcaster during the 2012 season when it won the rights to show the F1 action in the UK.
      Johnny Herbert was a central figure in the Sky Sports F1 commentary teamCredit: Getty
      The pundit raced in Formula 1 himselfCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He became a central figure in the coverage of the sport, often reminiscing about his own time in Formula One with teams like Jaguar and Sauber.
      However, Sky Sports decided to axe him from the commentary team two months before this year’s coverage started, along with fellow pundit and former driver Paul di Resta.
      Both were at the end of their respective contracts but were not offered extensions.
      It was speculated that cost-cutting was behind Sky Sports’ decision not to have the two back.
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      Herbert posted a photo of the Sky Sports F1 team to Instagram to confirm his departure from the broadcaster.
      It was captioned: “Going to miss this team.”
      Speaking to The Mirror, Herbert has now revealed that he still doesn’t know why the broadcaster decided against renewing his contract.
      He said: “I didn’t decide to step away – I thought everything was going ahead!
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      “And then I got a call in December, I think it was, when I was told things were changing.
      “It wasn’t really explained why or what was changing. There was a mention of social media stuff and that was about it, really. I really don’t know.
      “I was always aware – at Sky they do these subscriber checks where you’re given points out of 10 – and I’ve always known I was always quite popular on that side.
      “It’s a shame, but I’m over it. Moving on.”
      Herbert is now presenting his own podcast called Lift the Lid, which he co-hosts with fellow racer Billy Monger.
      The two give their opinions on current F1 stories, and were brought together through their own near-fatal crashes.
      Herbert said about the podcast “This is great to do with Billy, for example.
      “There are other opportunities out there, once again just proving that if you work hard you can find different avenues to carry on being involved in the sport we love.
      “So there’s other things going on, which is fine.
      “Yes, it’s disappointing, but I’ve moved on.”
      The 59-year old added that he didn’t think he would be returning to TV screens this season.
      He added: “I did my 11 years at Sky and it was good. Now there are other things I am doing.
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      “Because it was in December it was all quite late in terms of sorting other things out.
      “There are a lot of other opportunities but, in terms of seeing me on a TV screen, there’s probably nothing planned on that front.”
      Herbert posted that he’d miss the team after he was axed
      Herbert now co-hosts a podcast with former British F4 racer Billy Monger, who suffered a horrific crash in 2017Credit: PA More

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      Brad Pitt will get behind the wheel at British Grand Prix at Silverstone as F1 is set to get huge Hollywood treatment

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs hope their new Hollywood movie will help the sport’s popularity take off.Filming starts at this week’s British Grand Prix where Brad Pitt will get behind the wheel of a modified race car to film shots for the as yet unnamed movie.
      Iconic actor Brad Pitt is swapping the silver screen for SilverstoneCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton and Co will be under the eye of Hollywood legendsCredit: Rex
      Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski will oversee the multi-million pound project, which is being produced by Hollywood legend Jerry Bruckheimer.
      F1 is enjoying a sensational surge in popularity across the globe thanks to TV shows like Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the majority of races are now sold out.
      And in an exclusive interview with SunSport, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says the film will help them capitalise on a whole new market.
      He revealed: “We have the best producer in Hollywood, one of the best directors in Hollywood, one of the best stars, and the investment they are making is huge.
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      “The technology too is beautiful and a project for us to develop together, it is because we believe it is another way to take F1 to people who do not know anything about us.
      “We have the opportunity to capture them. It will be an intense project we will do together.
      “The next five years will be interesting to anticipate. In the beginning, we were criticised for talking about F1 using different channels, such as Netflix.
      “But now, like the movie, it is an evolution on how we need to talk about F1.”
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      Track time will be set aside at Silverstone and there has been a garage built for the fictional 11th team in the film.
      But Domenicali is adamant that the increased hype around the project will not detract from the actual racing.
      He added: “The live coverage of the sport will stay pure, it will not be compromised, that’s the first thing I said.
      “The purestic racing will not be touched. Everything will be around and it will be interesting to see something new, it will be Hollywood action.”
      The movie is one approach to increase the lure of F1 in the US while the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, plan to pull out all the stops for the Las Vegas GP later in the year.
      Sin City hosted the ill-fated Caesars Palace Grand Prix between 1981 and 1984 that was under Bernie Ecclestone’s stewardship.
      But Domenicali says they have invested heavily and managed to unify the city behind the sporting event.
      He said: “Crucial is the right word but it is important that when there is something new, it is done because there is an opportunity to develop the business.
      “It is a new project. Quite crazy when you think about it because when I went there for the first time, the reaction of the community of Vegas was not really super positive.
      “There was F1 history there in the 1980s in a car park and at that time, Bernie tried to be in a lot of American venues.
      Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski will be thereCredit: AFP
      “I remember the first time I presented the idea to my shareholders and the first time I went there, the community was mixed.
      “Vegas is huge for entertainment but every casino has their own business, this is the first time we have them united together.
      “I am sure the outcome will be fantastic. It is about not being afraid to try something with no fear.
      “I have such respect for Bernie. We have to be thankful for his vision but like every moment in life there is a need for a revolution.
      “I think he is happy to have seen his baby grow to a size that maybe he didn’t think was possible.”
      Meanwhile, Domenicali says F1 are in advanced discussions about extending Silverstone’s contract beyond 2024.
      The Italian says that despite interest from new circuits, the British GP HAS to remain on the schedule.
      In a move that will please British F1 fans, he said: “Silverstone is a very important race, seven teams out of 10 are in the UK.
      “British tradition of motorsport is phenomenal and it has a special place in our calendar and it will always have it.
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      “We have a very strong relationship and we are looking towards an even longer term and to announce shortly, because it is normal for Formula One to be there.
      “We are more than talking because it is natural when you are so close to the deadline in the way we are looking to the future that something will be announced soon.
      “Silverstone is lucky because it is the only place that we cannot lose because of the British teams and the traditions.
      “It is something unique. Removing Silverstone is not an option.”
      Domenicali, 58, also dismissed the chance of switching venues saying that while the idea of a London street race would be appealing, it would not be practical to put on a race in the capital.
      He added: “Of course London is an incredible city but incredible cities also have incredible challenges to manage.
      “In terms of an iconic view it would be amazing but realistically it would be very difficult.
      “The complexity would be too big today for the dimension of F1 to consider such a project.
      “I see more problems. It could be fantastic but complexity wise it would be very difficult.”
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      F1 will unveil their calendar for the 2024 season today, with the season expected to start in Bahrain on Saturday 2nd March.
      The second race will be a week later in Saudi Arabia – also on a Saturday – so as not to clash with Ramadan.  More

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      F1 bosses considering major change to races which hasn’t been done for 38 YEARS

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs are considering holding more races on a SATURDAY.There is widespread belief that the schedule could see the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia switched from Sunday so as not to clash with Ramadan.
      Race fans could soon see some F1 GPs switch from Sunday to SaturdayCredit: Getty
      This year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix is also scheduled for a Saturday and will become the first time in 38 years a full world championship race is not held on a Sunday.
      The Las Vegas GP will start at 10pm local time which will be 6am in the UK due to the time difference.
      The last race to be held on a Saturday was the 1985 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, which was won by Nigel Mansell.
      It comes as world champion Max Verstappen dominates the standings ahead of this weekend’s British GP at Silverstone.
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      He’s on 229 points, well clear of second-placed Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez on 148.
      Verstappen won last Sunday’s Austrian GP ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Perez.
      But stewards had to re-watch the race after failing to hand out penalties correctly.
      Farcically, that meant EIGHT drivers were issued with post-race penalties – changing the race five hours after it finished.
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      No wonder Monegasque star Leclerc said: “I am already looking forward to Silverstone.
      “It’s a very different track and the team has done an incredible job. We are all flat out to get back winning as soon as possible.
      “Even though we are 150 points behind, a win would feel nice and we are all working towards that target.” More

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      Forget changes to circuit and sort out trial by video chaos with drivers handed penalties FIVE HOURS after race finished

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      YOU have to marvel at the audacity of FIA race director Niels Wittich.He suggested the Red Bull Ring make changes to stop a repeat of Sunday’s farce.
      Niels Wittich should accept the VAR-style room at Geneva didn’t workCredit: Splash
      Haas driver Kevin Magnussen veered onto gravel at the Red Bull Ring, which Wittich wants added to the final two corners of the circuitCredit: EPA
      Eight drivers were handed a range of penalties well after Sunday’s raceCredit: Splash
      The Austrian Grand Prix turned into an embarrassment as the stewards were forced to re-watch the race after failing to dish out penalties correctly.
      You had a ridiculous scenario that saw EIGHT drivers issued with post-race penalties that meant the results of the race, which had finished FIVE HOURS earlier, had to be changed.
      Wittich was brought in to replace Michael Masi — the former race director who mucked up the outcome of the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
      Now he wants the Red Bull Ring to install gravel at the final two corners.
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      Doing so would prevent drivers from running wide, the rule his stewards were in charge of monitoring — and issuing penalties.
      But the circuit, also host to the Austrian MotoGP race where gravel is not an option, is not to blame.
      The biggest failure was the FIA’s much-lorded VAR-style room at their Geneva HQ, which was designed for the very purpose of issuing penalties in real time.
      Introduced in the wake of Masi’s cock-up, it is supposed to act as extra pairs of eyes with correct and swift decision making.
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      The Austrian GP showed that it simply doesn’t work and the sport has been made to look amateurish.
      Not only that but it will drive a  bigger wedge between F1 and the FIA.
      There is now a feeling in the paddock that Wittich is simply not up to the task of managing an F1 race.
      He is the  former race director of the DTM series and also held the position in F2 and F3.
      Maybe it is not the Red Bull Ring that needs changing but in fact the race director himself. More

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      Bizarre moment man hovering over Austrian GP in jet pack CRASHES on track leaving F1 star and commentators in shock

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      THE Austrian Grand Prix was engulfed in chaos yesterday as the final standings had to be torn up.And before the race, one very awkward moment was a sign of things to come.
      A performer in a jet pack was seen crashing on the track before the Austrian Grand PrixCredit: Twitter @F1
      Oscar Piastri’s reaction was compared to The OfficeCredit: Twitter @F1
      The big event was supposed to be launched by a synchronised jet pack show.
      However, things went horribly wrong for one unlucky performer, who was seen losing to control and crashing onto the track to gasps from the astonished crowd.
      Yet McLaren driver Oscar Piastri seemed nonplussed as he watched from the garage.
      The official F1 account even commented: “Oscar Piastri nailing ‘The Office’ camera look after this jet-pack mishap!
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      “Glad to see the jet-pack flier in good spirits after too.”
      And after a chaotic race which saw eight drivers given penalties, Piastri, who finished 16th, took the joke in good humour.
      He tweeted: “Wasn’t the only one to have a tricky day.”
      And fans were in hysterics at Piastri’s reaction.
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      One wrote: “Genuinely think it took every fibre of that man’s being to not laugh and my god…. he actually did it.”
      Another tweeted: “Missed that. Damn. Piastri’s reaction is priceless.”
      After seeing the jet pack artist was ok, some fans even wondered if he would be getting punished by the FIA, in the spirit of Sunday’s bizarre race.
      One fan wrote: “Way to go, @OscarPiastri/Michael Scott?
      “Glad the jet-pack flier wasn’t literally blown away by the turbulence of his magnificence. In other words: glad he’s OK!
      “But hey, did he just commit a track limit violation?😅 Or are airborne shortcuts allowed?”
      And another tweeted: “BREAKING NEWS: jet-packer penalized”
      Max Verstappen secured another comfortable victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, which was just about the only thing in the race that went according to the script. More

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      F1 Austrian Grand Prix result CHANGED with new position for Lewis Hamilton after Aston Martin protest is upheld

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      THE F1 Austrian Grand Prix standings have changed after Aston Martin’s protest regarding cars exceeding track limits was upheld.There was no doubt about the winner, with Max Verstappen claiming another comfortable victory ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
      Max Verstappen, centre right, won the Austrian Grand Prix ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio PerezCredit: Reuters
      Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll, left, and Fernando Alonso had their positions changedCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton was pushed down a place after the raceCredit: AP
      But the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have been promoted after initially coming sixth and 10th respectively.
      These positions were changed after the stewards confirmed the British team’s protest had been successful.
      The stewards said: “The protest was lodged against the accuracy of the Provisional Classification.
      “The Stewards first considered if the protest was admissible.
      “The Stewards determined that as it was lodged on time and complied with the requirements of Chapter 13 of the FIA International Sporting Code, it was an admissible protest.
      “An examination of the list of deleted lap times provided to the Stewards by Race Control, revealed that a number of track limit infringements had not previously been referred to the Stewards for potential penalty.
      “It was determined that some of these infringements warranted a penalty that was not previously applied when the Provisional Classification was published.
      “These penalties will be reflected in the Final Classification.
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      “Accordingly, the Protest is upheld and the Protest Fee is returned to the Competitor.”
      Lewis Hamilton, who had finished seventh, received a five-second penalty from the stewards for exceeding track limits and was pushed down to eighth after the race.
      And he was critical of the rule during his post-race interview.
      He said: “They need to find a new solution for this track.
      “Years ago when we didn’t have track limits, the track was much more enjoyable to drive.
      “It’s strange to be driving and have to comment on the car ahead because that’s what the team have asked you to do. That’s not racing.”
      Alonso moved up to fifth while Stroll was promoted to ninth.
      Meanwhile, Perez was eliminated in Q2 of qualifying earlier in the weekend after he saw THREE flying laps deleted – all for exceeding track limits.
      And when Hamilton was racing behind the Mexican during Sunday’s race, he was insistent the Red Bull driver was also violating track regulations.
      On the team radio, he could be heard saying: “This guy’s been off every single time. Turn 10. Again.”
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      Hamilton had warned Mercedes earlier on about the struggles he was having to stay within the lines.
      He said: “I can’t keep it on the track, the car won’t turn.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton told off by Mercedes after fuming ‘this car’s slow mate’ as F1 champ Verstappen wins AGAIN at Austrian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON earned a ticking off from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as he was left for dust by Max Verstappen.The Dutchman blasted his way to his fifth straight win and took the fastest lap bonus point on the final lap.
      Max Verstappen won again in AustriaCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton had another disaster dayCredit: AP
      It was a clean sweep, having qualified on pole and taken victory in the sprint race the previous day.
      Verstappen is simply unstoppable and now has an 81 point lead in the championship over Sergio Perez, who finished third, despite starting in 15th.
      Verstappen said: “Most important was staying in front and doing my own race and follow our normal strategy. It was a great day, I enjoyed it a lot.
      “I don’t like to think of [another title]. I have to keep working with the team. A lot of things can go wrong, but a lot of things went right this weekend.”
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      Charles Leclerc was second in a much-needed boost for Ferrari while Lando Norris was fifth behind Carlos Sainz.
      Hamilton was seventh, but was left unhappy after falling foul to the stewards, who punished him with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.
      Verstappen made a good start from pole and was able to cover off the threat of Leclerc and Sainz as the two Ferraris looked to make progress.
      Hamilton was next in line but he did not have the pace to keep up with the front three.
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      He quickly found himself in a battle for fourth with Norris, who was quick to report that the Mercedes man was sliding off track.
      Hamilton was not happy and radioed his team saying “this car’s slow, mate”.
      A few laps later he added, “I can’t keep it on the track, the car won’t turn”.
      The seven-time world champion was soon hit with a five second time penalty by the stewards for running wide at the final turn.
      Hamilton was unhappy and started questioning whether Perez was also being penalised.
      In a series of radio exchanges, Hamilton vented his frustration saying “this guy’s been off every single time. Turn 10. Again”.
      Meanwhile, Verstappen was not having any problems sticking between the white lines.
      And when he pitted from the front on lap 25 for fresh tyres, it was the first time he had not been the race leader in the last 248 consecutive laps.
      It was an impressive run that stretched from lap 47 in the Miami GP some five races ago.
      However, it was not too long before he was at the front again. He passed Sainz on lap 26 and then sailed past Leclerc on lap 35.
      While Verstappen was untroubled, Hamilton was unhappy and earned a rebuke from Merc boss Wolff over the team’s radio.
      Hamilton again asked to find out why others were not being penalised, and Wolff cut in saying “Lewis the car is bad, we know. Please drive it.”
      Hamilton served his penalty on his second pitstop and that killed off any lingering hope of an unlikely podium.
      But there was a good fight for the final podium place as Perez and Sainz battled for third with the Mexican coming out on top.
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      Yet there was time for a huge flex from Verstappen as he pitted on the penultimate lap for new tyres.
      His Red Bull team executed the perfect pitstop and he was able to go and set the fastest lap on the final lap.
      Red Bull put in another strong displayCredit: Reuters More

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      F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE RESULT: Max Verstappen seals dominant win, Lewis Hamilton given penalty

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has increased his mammoth lead at the top of the Driver’s Standings with victory at the Austria Grand Prix!Charles Leclerc came in second while Sergio Perez was third.
      Lewis Hamilton picked up a five second penalty as he endured an unhappy afternoon.
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      Follow all the action with our live blog below…
      Move that won the race
      Coming out of the pit lanes, Verstappen found himself in third position.
      Both of the Ferraris were ahead of him and he needed to do something about it.

      Lando capitalises on grid position
      Lando Norris started the race fourth on the grid and drove a good race today to finish fifth.
      Throughout the latter stages he put pressure on Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez to try and move into the podium positions.
      Credit: @F1
      Red Bull dominates Austrian podium
      Christian Horner will be pleased with his drivers’ performances today as they occupy two of the three podium places.
      Max Verstappen continues his domination of the F1 season.
      Sergio Perez rediscovers some of his form we saw at the start of the season.
      Credit: Reuters
      Red Bull share victory together
      As he leapt out of his car, Verstappen was straight over to his team to celebrate his win.
      They know that it is a team effort at every venue and they are giving the drivers all they need to succeed.
      No one can seem to touch Red Bull this season.
      Credit: AFP
      Orange wall celebrates Verstappen win
      It was never any clearer who the fans were supporting today.
      As Max Verstappen crossed the finish line, the party officially started.
      Orange flares being let off, they got what they wanted to see today.
      Credit: @F1
      Red Bull have dominant day on track
      With two of the three podium places in the bag, Red Bull now move 199 points clear in the constructor’s championship.
      It is surely an impossibility for them to lose from this position.
      Their pit stops were by far the best today and the finishes of Verstappen and Perez were a real team effort.
      Verstappen moves one step closer
      Not many would bet against Max Verstappen winning yet another world title.
      With each race, he heads closer to that target.
      An army of Dutch fans celebrating, it was another great drive by Verstappen.
      Credit: AFP
      Bold move by Red Bull
      With only two laps to go, Max Verstappen pitted and changed to soft tyres to try and set the fastest lap.
      A perfect pit stop and the plan works as the Dutch driver sets the fastest time on his last lap of the race.

      Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
      Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
      Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
      Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
      Lando Norris (Maclaren)

      Max Verstappen wins the Austrian Grand Prix
      Lap 69/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Lando Norris takes a corner very wide and is likely to see a black and white flag for that.
      The last thing he wants now is a five second penalty.
      Sergio Perez has managed to build a 3 second lead on Carlos Sainz.
      Lap 67/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Time is running out for the drivers looking to take third place from Sergio Perez.
      Max Verstappen is heading towards his fifth victory in Austria.
      That is the most wins he has had at any track.
      Lap 65/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      The battle for the final podium place is enthralling.
      Three drivers all have their eyes on it.
      Only four seconds separates Norris, Sainz and Perez.
      Credit: AP
      Lap 63/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Leclerc has a 12.5 second lead over Perez in third.
      Verstappen seems on course for yet another victory.
      Meanwhile, Norris and Sainz are still trying to put pressure on Perez in third.
      Lap 61/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Max Verstappen now has a 20.4 second lead over Charles Leclerc.
      Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz are having some fight for the podium places.
      Eventually, the Red Bull manages to edge his way into third place.
      Lap 59/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      The battle for third is really heating up.
      With both Perez and Sainz having DRS available it is a titanic battle.
      Only half a second separates the two drivers.
      Lap 57/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Sergio Perez has clocked the fastest lap of the day.
      As he puts pressure on Lando Norris, the Red Bull manages to take him on the corner and move into fourth.
      Perez will now be targeting Sainz in third place.
      Lap 55/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Hamilton complains to his team about other drivers not receiving penalties for breaking track limits.
      Toto Wolff tells him to “just drive the car” despite the problems they are having with it today.
      Meanwhile, Verstappen has a 16.3 second lead over Leclerc in second.
      Lap 53/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Perez comes out of the pits in fifth position.
      Hamilton has now dropped into seventh place.
      Lando Norris is looking to put some pressure on Carlos Sainz in third position.
      Credit: AFP
      Lap 51/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      It has been a while since we saw two Red Bulls leading the race.
      Perez has had a real dip in form, with qualifying being a real problem for the Mexican.
      As he heads into the pits, Charles Leclerc takes second place back.
      Lap 49/71 – Verstappen leads, Perez second
      As Charles Leclerc heads into the pits, Sergio Perez takes second place.
      It is a Red Bull first and second as it stands.
      Leclerc currently sits in third place, seven seconds behind the Red Bull.
      Lap 47/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Carlos Sainz is not messing around as he takes Lando Norris on the corner after serving his five second penalty.
      There are big gaps between the top four drivers now.
      Sainz will be looking to close the gap on Perez in third.
      Lap 45/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Max Verstappen now has a 12.4 second lead on Charles Leclerc.
      The Dutch driver is proving to be more of a machine than his car.
      Lando Norris now moves up into fourth place.
      Lap 43/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Sergio Perez overtakes Fernando Alonso with ease.
      The Red Bull driver moves into fifth but is quickly in fourth as Lewis Hamilton enters the pits and has to serve his penalty.
      Fernando Alonso now sits in fifth place as Hamilton re-enters the race in eighth position.
      Credit: AP
      Lap 41/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Lando Norris will get a warning for track limit violation.
      Max Verstappen now holds the fastest lap of the day.
      Carlos Sainz is in third and try to put pressure on his Ferrari teammate.
      Lap 39/71 – Verstappen leads, Leclerc second
      Max Verstappen looks focussed having to surrender his lead when he came out of the pit lanes.
      Having only just overtaken Leclerc, he is building a bigger lead by each lap.
      The gap between first and second is now 4 seconds.
      Load more entries… More