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      Michael Schumacher’s iconic 200mph Ferrari F1 car that racing legend won first world championship with goes up for sale

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s legendary F1 car from his 2000 season is going up for auction.The Ferrari in which Schuey won his third world championship and first with Ferrari could be yours if you put up enough money.
      The shiny Ferrari could be yours if you join the auction in Hong KongCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The F1 legend won four back to back world championshipsCredit: Getty
      He secured the Aussie championship with the vehicleCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The 2000 Ferrari F2000 – chassis 198 – is being sold in Hong Kong by RM Sotheby’s from April 3 to April 12.
      The V-12 engine car was driven to victory by Schumacher at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2000.
      The race car can hit speeds of up to 200mph or more – making it a great addition to any thrill seeker’s life.
      He also drove it to pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix – the only pole position achieved by Schumacher at that circuit with Ferrari.
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      RM Sotheby’s said of the car: “There is no greater name in the pantheon of motorsport than Ferrari, and few more decorated or celebrated drivers than Michael Schumacher.
      “The Prancing Horse’s total domination of the sport from the turn of the millennium was due in no small part to Schumacher’s incredible once-in-a-generation talent.”
      When the Ferrari made its debut in 2000, it boasted amazing aerodynamics and a redesigned V-10 engine – which lowers the car’s centre of gravity.
      RM Sotheby’s added: “Chassis 198, the car offered here, proved vital to the success of Schumacher’s Championship-winning 2000 season.
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      “Serving initially as the Scuderia’s spare car, it played a pivotal role from just the second round of the championship after Schumacher ran wide during qualifying at Interlagos for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
      “Having badly damaged the undercarriage of his first car, chassis 198 was called up during qualifying and subsequently started the race third on the grid.
      “The car put Schumacher into pole position in that competition, winning him the title.
      “The car’s next competitive outing would come at Monaco, on the hallowed asphalt of Monte-Carlo.”
      Schumacher’s first Ferrari set him on a path to success, as he went on to win the next four world championships.
      The now-54-year-old also won an additional seven world titles, putting him in a tie with Brit driver Lewis Hamilton.
      Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013, and has since lived privately in Switzerland.
      Last month, a touching photo of Schumacher and Max Verstappen was released.
      Seven-time champ Michael is seen smiling as he sits in a hanging chair with the baby driver in his lap alongside his own daughter, Gina-Maria.
      The photo was released as part of Netflix’s hit F1 show Drive to Survive and features in episode 4 – Like Father, Like Son? – with the series being released tomorrow.
      The double world champion – who broke Sir Lewis Hamilton’s four-year stranglehold on the F1 title – is the son of Michael’s former Benetton teammate Jos Verstappen.
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      The Schumachers and the Verstappens became very close, with Mick, 23, and Max, 25, sharing a bond which endured as they both rose through the racing ranks into the top flight.
      The auction ends on April 12Credit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The low centre of gravity of the engine makes this car a winnerCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      It’s an amazing addition to add to an F1 fanatic collectionCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The details on the championship winning vehicle are amazingCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra More

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      F1 farce that saw Fernando Alonso wait FOUR HOURS hours to confirm podium place proves FIA is not fit for purpose

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE once pondered the idea of a water sprinkler system to liven up dull F1 races. He believed that by forcing drivers to pit for wet tyres would add some jeopardy and keep people watching at home until the end.
      Fernando Alonso celebrated on the podium, then had his third place stripped off him, before the decision was reversed at Jeddah yesterdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It was a silly idea but at least we would know who ended up on the podium at the end of the race. 
      However, at Sunday’s Saudi Arabia GP we were left waiting almost four hours after the race had ended – at around 2am local time – to find out whether Fernando Alonso was third or not.
      The farcical outcome did indeed liven up an otherwise dreary race but it is not a look the current F1 custodians want to have.
      They were left embarrassed and angry as the FIA once again proved they are not fit for purpose when it comes to refereeing races.
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      The stewards flipped and flopped their decision before siding with the Spaniard but not without a bawling from F1.
      It was hugely embarrassing given the dignitary who presented the trophy to Alonso on the podium was the CEO of Aramco – the state-owner oil business.
      The same company who sponsors Alonso’s Aston Martin team, have a handsome deal with F1, plus other F1-related deals. 
      It looked ridiculous as the governing body published emails detailing how a report came to light in the final few laps triggering the investigation into Alonso’s incorrectly-served penalty (conveniently when he did not have enough time to build up a big enough gap to protect him from a demotion). 
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      There was no indication as to where this report came from but the smart money is on Mercedes as they were telling George Russell to speed up because Alonso could get a time penalty and stood to inherit third place.
      Of course there were missing details, you’d not expect anything less as the FIA seem absolved of any accountability. 
      At least Michael Masi, the former race director who controversially fudged the 2021 Abu Dhabi and subsequently lost his job, had the decency and front up after races to tell us why he made the decisions he did – save for the final race of his tenure.
      Oh, but don’t worry we have been told, there is a meeting on Thursday to tighten up the rules. Until the next time it happens.
      And that is the problem. This keeps on happening. 
      Even after the spectacular fall out from the Abu Dhabi finale and the introduction of a state-of-the-art VAR-type set up,  it is simply not working well enough.
      F1 and the teams are understandably running out of patience. Last Sunday was a mess and it needs to be addressed, not in the form of an amendment to an out-of-date rulebook that’s open to interpretation, but by establishing a set group of professional stewards who oversee all the races and are answerable for their decisions. 
      Because if we are to have this unknown extending beyond the chequered flag, then I’d rather take Bernie’s idea of sprinklers.
      Red Rag to a Bull
      Despite their victory on track there seemed to be a touch of tension at Red Bull yesterdayCredit: Reuters
      There could be trouble brewing again between Red Bull’s two drivers. 
      After last year’s rift, centering on Sergio Perez’s accident in Monaco that allowed him to take a decisive pole position – much to Verstappen’s suspicion, trust is again proving thin.
      In the final stages of Sunday’s GP both drivers were given targets to stick to in order to maintain a gap and bring both cars home in first and second place.
      Only Verstappen went quicker and quicker leaving Perez surprised that the Dutchman had closed the gap, and breached the team’s clear instructions. He has now called on the team to review the process.
      Will I Never
      F1 bosses have asked Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am to produce some music that can be used before and after qualifying and races.
      The singer, rapper, producer, DJ, was filming a video in Saudi to accompany his music.
      While it is likely the traditional Prelude Act I Carmen ditty will be retained for the podium celebration, Will.i.am’s tracks will fill up the rest of the playlist over a weekend.
      In doing so, it will avoid any music rights issues that could occur when TV broadcasters pick up audio from guest DJs, who perform immediately after the podium presentation.
      Slippery Slope
      It was ironic in the land of oil that it would cause such a problem on the drivers’ parade.
      The fleet of old US motors brought in for the usual pre-race presentation around the track had to be scrapped – because they were leaking too much oil on the track.
      Masi Back?
      Could Michael Masi make his first return to F1 since his cock-up in the Abu Dhabi GP that cost Lewis Hamilton a record eighth title?
      Masi is now the chairman of the Australian Supercars Commission, which is on the bill for the Aussie GP later this month.
      Michael Masi left F1 as a divisive figure after the controversial ending to the 2021 seasonCredit: PA
      Flight Risk
      Drones caused a big problem for the Saudi GP bosses last year – with one being flown into a nearby fuel depot.
      But there were an incredible 1,600 of the flying devices being used to put on an impressive light display on race day.
      The drone show also featured one of the world’s most powerful laser beams, which was capable of being seen from as far away as Egypt, some 150 miles away.
      Hitting the Right Notes
      MOTO GP have enlisted the help of Hollywood composer Marco Beltrami to help them get on-song with the sport’s fans.
      F1 used American composer Brian Tyler for their theme tune, which has been a huge success, particular among new fans in the US.
      MotoGP chiefs have done something similar by asking Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer Marco Beltrami to produce a score for the series.
      The new MotoGP season kicks off March 25th in Portugal and this season will feature more GPs than ever before, plus the introduction of shorter sprint races.
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      Motorsport fans already bored by F1 can look forward to the return of Moto GP this weekCredit: EPA
      New Man at Merc
      Former F1 driver and Formula E team boss Jerome d’Ambrosio has been appointed as Mercedes’ new director of driver development.D’Ambrosio, who drove for Marussia in F1 before switching to FE where he worked with Toto Wolff’s wife, Susie.
      He will oversee the development of the team’s young drivers, a role that was previously held by James Vowles, who left to become boss of Williams. More

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      F1 ace Lando Norris ‘robbed of his incredibly rare £144,000 designer watch while leaving Wembley after Euro 2020 final’

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      F1 ACE Lando Norris was robbed of his “unique” £144,000 designer watch in Wembley Stadium’s VIP car park, a court heard yesterday.The McLaren driver, 23, was targeted for his Richard Mille timepiece – one of only five in the world – as he walked to his £165,000 McLaren GT after the Euro 2020 final.
      Lando Norris’ watch was stolen in July 2021 as he left Wembley StadiumCredit: Getty
      Liam Williams, 25, has denied robbing the F1 starCredit: Dan Charity
      The Richard Mille “prototype limited edition McLaren watch”, also known as the RM6702, was the only one in the world with a blue strap made to measure for the driver’s wrist.
      Despite never being made available for sale, the designer estimates the value to be around £144,000 – excluding VAT.
      Liam Williams, 25, from Merseyside has denied robbing the Belgian-British F1 star on July 11, 2021.
      He appeared at court today wearing a navy-blue t-shirt and grey ripped jeans.

      The robbery came after England’s defeat to Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
      Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said the attack happened in the VIP yellow car park at Wembley Stadium following the final.
      Mr Norris told Harrow Crown Court it was midnight and raining as he spoke to members of the public next to his McLaren.
      He then realised two suspects were circling the car.
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      He added: “I noticed the suspect looking around my car and myself while keeping his head down. I believe his right hand was near, or on, his pocket.”
      The first suspect “slowly approached”, he added.
      “When I turned towards him, he asked me ‘is this your car?’ I do not recall exactly what happened.
      “Suspect 1 then went behind me and put his right arm around my neck and his left arm was under my back.
      “Suspect 1 pushed me into him and pulled me back by my neck.”
      Lando was left looking up at the sky as the first man told the second to “grab the watch”.
      He added: “Suspect 2 struggled to get the watch for a while however they used force to pull the watch off leaving scratches on my arm.
      “When suspect 1 had his arm around my neck the suspect manages to get the watch off my left wrist.”
      After just 30 seconds the attackers ran away via a nearby pedestrian walkway.
      Cops took two swabs from the F1 driver, two from his neck and two from his left wrist, where the watch was stolen.
      The prosecutor said the tests suggested a match with Williams’ DNA.
      And Williams’ phone records show he travelled to Wembley from Liverpool on the day of the theft.
      His phone was logged near Wembley Stadium in the early hours of July 12, 2021 before travelling back to Liverpool on July 13, 2021.
      Williams was arrested in Liverpool on July 18, 2021 on suspicion of robbery and attended a voluntary interview that day, where he answered no comment to all questions.
      He was interviewed again on July 19 and answered no comment again to all questions.
      On that same day a “video identification” took place, however Mr Norris was unable to identify him as one of the robbers, jurors heard.
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      He then attended a third interview on December 12, 2021 where he again answered no comment to all questions.
      The trial continues. More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car is fastest he has EVER seen in F1 career after Saudi GP annihilation

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      LEWIS HAMILTON claimed he had never “seen a car so fast” after Red Bull completed another annihilation.Sergio Perez took the chequered flag while Max Verstappen came from 15th on the grid to finish second, as this season is becoming a procession.
      Hamilton has struggled to compete with the Red Bulls this seasonCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Perez have dominated the gridCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman even pumped in a fastest lap at the death – on a knackered set of old tyres that was still a second quicker than the rest – to secure a bonus point.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021. Since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      But it was the manner in which he breezed past the Brit on lap 12 of this dreary race which astounded the seven-times world champion.
      He said: “I’ve definitely never seen a car so fast.
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      “When we were fast, we weren’t that fast. I don’t know how or why but he came past me at such a serious speed, I did not bother to block because it was a massive speed difference.
      “Of course, everyone wants to see everyone closer but that isn’t the way it is, but that’s not my fault.”
      The result was a reversal of the outcome of the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point means he leads the championship from his team-mate.
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso coming third despite a controversial post-race penalty.
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      The Spaniard was hit with a 10-second time penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race – much to Aston’s frustration – and F1’s embarrassment given Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi oil firm, Aramco, had presented Alonso with his trophy on the podium.
      The fall-out was spectacular but had an unexpected benefit for Russell, who was promoted into third place.
      Alonso said: “Today is not good for the fans. When you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and you wait after the podium, there is something wrong in the system.”
      In another incredible post-race twist, Alonso was later re-instated onto the podium after another FIA U-turn.
      Hamilton cut a lonely figure before the race as there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations for the past seven years.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton scooted down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones, he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull procession.
      Despite qualifying down in 15th place to a drive shaft problem, the pre-race talk was still about whether Verstappen could challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only not on for a top three finish but for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places. By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Out in front Perez was keeping out of Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by his initial penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 while Verstappen completed the maximum points haul for the Milton Keynes-based team.
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      Meanwhile, Merc boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out copying his rivals’ designs as they look to get back to winning ways, despite being second in the constructors’ championship.
      He added: “I don’t know if you can call it a Red Bull or Aston Martin concept. At the end of the day, if it looks like a double-decker bus we would do it if it was fast!” More

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      Late Formula 1 drama as Fernando Alonso is demoted from podium spot in 100th race before dramatically being RE-INSTATED

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      FERNANDO ALONSO celebrated a podium finish before being demoted to fourth – only to the then be re-instated BACK to third.In a farcical outcome hours after the chequered flag, the Spaniard was stripped of third place – after the podium celebrations – before being reinstalled when the stewards reversed their decision.
      Fernando was awarded third place after stewards reversed a 10-second time penaltyCredit: Reuters
      A bizarre stewards’ decision to award him a post-race penalty was overturned nearly FOUR HOURS after the race.
      The Spaniard was hit with a ten-second penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race after a rival team had questioned the legality of the pitstop.
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      It all came in Alonso’s 100th F1 race.
      Red Bull continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.
      It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
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      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Verstappen qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      In the end, Red Bull cruised to the one and two positions. More

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      Verstappen storms from 15th to finish second as Perez wins in Red Bull 1-2 at Saudi Arabian GP with Hamilton fifth

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      RED BULL continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      Mexico’s Sergio Perez started the Saudi Grand Prix in pole positionCredit: Reuters
      Defending champion Max Verstappen aggressively hunted down his team-mate after starting in 15th placeCredit: AFP
      But the Mexican held firm to claim victory in JeddahCredit: Getty
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso again the best of the rest yet still over 30 seconds behind.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Before the race, it was a strange sight, as Hamilton pulled onto the grid and climbed from the cockpit of his Mercedes.
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      For the first time in seven years, there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations.
      Depending on who you talk to in the paddock, the story is either that two had a fall-out in Bahrain at the season opener, or that Hamilton and Cullen mutually agreed to go separate ways.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton looked a little lost as his new helper handed him his scooter, and he made his way off the grid for a pre-race comfort break.
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      Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Top Ten

      Sergio Perez
      Max Verstappen
      George Russell
      Fernando Alonso
      Lewis Hamilton
      Carlos Sainz
      Chares Leclerc
      Esteban Ocon
      Pierre Gasley
      Kevin Magnussen

      He cut a lonely figure as he scooted back down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull annihilation.
      A drive shaft problem during Saturday’s qualifying had given some weight to the claim that this year is not going to be a cakewalk for Verstappen.
      He qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton mustered a fifth-placed finish after starting in seventhCredit: Rex
      Out in front, Perez was keeping out of Fernando Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by a five-second time penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Hamilton meanwhile was given a warning by the stewards for weaving on the straight, with him radioing the team and saying “the grip sucks on this tyre”.
      The Brit was then passed by Charles Leclerc and then Verstappen, as the Dutchman coasted by with such ease.
      Such is his car advantage, and in fairness his skill behind the wheel, at the halfway stage of this otherwise dreary race he had moved into second place.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      Read More on The Sun
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 but lost out on the fastest lap, set by Verstappen on a set of hard tyres that were 32 laps old. More

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      F1 legend Lewis Hamilton wishes both his mums a Happy Mother’s Day in heartwarming post before Saudi GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has posted a heartwarming message to both his mums for Mother’s Day ahead of the Saudi GP.The F1 driver grew up with a mum, Carmen, and step-mum, Linda, as influences on his life.
      Lewis Hamilton has wished both his mums a happy Mother’s DayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He was influenced by both his mum Carmen (right) and step mum Linda (left)Credit: INSTAGRAM
      And to commemorate the day, he posted a lovely message to them on Instagram.
      The 38-year-old also extended his wishes to “all amazing mums” in the world.
      He wrote: “Growing up with a Mum and a step Mum who have always supported me is such a gift.
      “No matter what happened in school or on the track, the amount of love and care never changed.
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      “Making them both proud is one of my top achievements, so I’ll do everything I can to make them proud today.
      “Happy Mother’s Day to them and all amazing Mums out there.”
      Hamilton will be hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot on the grid.
      He has a decent headstart on Max Verstappen, who starts the race in 15th.
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      The F1 icon will start down the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      However Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell will start 3rd on the grid. More

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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen STARTS in 15th while Hamilton looks to win from 7th – latest updates

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      FORMULA ONE returns TODAY with the Saudi Grand Prix – but 2022 winner Max Verstappen has his work cut out.The F1 icon will start down in 15th on the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      While British superstar Lewis Hamilton is hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot.

      Start time: 5pm GMT
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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