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    Charles Leclerc takes pole for Spanish GP while Lewis Hamilton will start in SIXTH behind Mercedes team-mate

    CHARLES LECLERC took pole for tomorrow’s Spanish Grand Prix with a last-gasp flying lap.Max Verstappen had set a provisional pole time with a cracking first run while championship leader Leclerc spun on his maiden attempt.
    Ferrari star Charles Leclerc celebrates after taking poll at the Spanish GPCredit: AP
    But the Ferrari man made up for it on his second attempt with a blistering run that eventually proved to be 0.323 quicker than the Red Bull man, who did have some power problems.
    Carlos Sainz qualified in third place as he strung together some clean laps while Mercedes were encouraged by George Russell’s fourth place start.
    The Silver Arrows had looked much-improved after a terrible start to the season and Russell’s performance, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton starting in sixth behind Sergio Perez, will give them more reasons to feel optimistic.
    Meanwhile, Haas were left delighted after both Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher reached the top 10 – despite the team bringing no upgrades to this race.
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    While the likes of McLaren and Aston Martin chomped into their budget, with spending on development limited to £112million this season, Haas spent nothing and still outperformed them.
    All the talk pre-qualifying was about Aston Martin’s car looking similar to Red Bull’s design.
    But while it might look the same – it doesn’t go the same.
    While the Red Bulls made it into Q3 comfortably with Verstappen leading the way, both Aston Martins were eliminated in Q1 with Sebastian Vettel starting 16th and Lance Stroll in 18th.
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Verstappen, Hamilton in running
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    There was also some disappointment for the home fans in the 110,000 strong crowd as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was given the boot from qualifying in Q1.
    The Spaniard qualified in 17th in his Alpine after appearing to get blocked by Lando Norris.
    However, having blasted the stewards the previous day for their poor decision making, they failed to take any action against the McLaren driver.

    Lewis Hamilton will settle for sixth at the Spanish GPCredit: Reuters More

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    Formula One in TWO rows in Spain with Red Bull and Aston Martin at war and Fernando Alonso fuming at race stewards

    FORMULA ONE has become embroiled in TWO rows at the Spanish Grand Prix.Red Bull are at loggerheads with Aston Martin over claims that the latter have copied their car design.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his team are at loggerheads with Aston MartinCredit: Reuters
    Aston are accused of copying the car design of Red BullCredit: Getty
    And Fernando Alonso launched a scathing attack on the FIA race stewards, accusing them of being incompetent and “not very professional”.
    The two flashpoints have ignited this sold-out race in Barcelona where local hero Alonso now faces a grilling by the FIA after his blasts.
    Meanwhile, Red Bull have also taken aim at the FIA after the governing body said they were satisfied that Aston Martin had NOT stolen their design.
    Eyebrows were raised when Aston Martin unveiled a host of new updates for their car here in Spain – with the sidepods and floor design looking similar to Red Bull’s – prompting them to seek clarification from the FIA.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}F1 SPANISH GP .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Hamilton +0.2000 seconds behind Russell who now trails Leclerc in P1
    But after the FIA released their statement clearing Aston of any wrongdoing, Red Bull issued their own statement.
    The Milton Keynes-based team are unhappy as Aston have recruited a number of their staff over the past 12 months.
    Their statement said: “Red Bull Racing have noted the FIA’s statement with interest.  While imitation is the greatest form of flattery, any replication of design would obviously need to comply with the FIA’s rules around ‘Reverse Engineering’.  
    “However, should any transfer of IP have taken place that would clearly be a breach of regulations and would be a serious concern.”
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#dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-14dqn90{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(4px/2);margin-right:calc(4px/2);}.css-12an5ma{font-family:The Sun;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;padding:1px 0px;}.css-12an5ma::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.261875em + -1px);}.css-12an5ma::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:calc(-0.25em + -1.3px);}.css-dzrove{color:rgba(37,129,145,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;margin-right:4px;}.css-dzrove:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}F1 SPANISH GP .css-1efa55o{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1efa55o:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Leclerc cruises Practice Two ahead of Russell, Hamilton secures third
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    It is not the first time the team have been accused of copying. In 2020 under their previous name, Racing Point, they produced a “pink Mercedes” – a design that looked like a carbon copy of Lewis Hamilton’s title-winning car from the previous season.
    And in another dig, Red Bull appeared to poke fun at what has become known in the paddock as the “green Red Bull” by swapping their usual pitwall drinks for a different variety in a green can, seemingly a reference to Aston’s green car.
    Red Bull boss, Christian Horner said: ” It is no coincidence that a few individuals have transferred from Red Bull to Aston Martin over the winter and during the early part of the season. 
    “It was brought to our attention actually by the FIA earlier this week who said: ‘There is a car that looks remarkably like your car, can we have a list of your levers?’
    “Of course that immediately raises alarm bells. What is permissible, we see it up and down the paddock, where individuals move from team to team after a garden leave period, what they take in their head, that’s fair game.
    “That’s their knowledge. What isn’t fair and what is totally unacceptable is if there has been any transfer of IP.
    “I’m not going to disclose exactly where we are with certain individuals. It would be a criminal offence because IP is a team’s lifeblood, it’s what we invest millions of pounds into it.
    “You wouldn’t want to see that turn up in a rival’s organisation. Otherwise, we may as well franchise it and be able to sell aerodynamics.
    “We will have an internal investigation. We have got our own software protection, we know exactly software is locked out and where it is controlled.
    “But it is the job of the regulator, the FIA, because they have the access, and we rely very heavily on them to make sure that there has been no transfer of IP and no abuse of that. So it’s very much their job to police that.”
    Fernando Alonso blasted FIA race stewardsCredit: Reuters
    Meanwhile, Alonso will have to explain his comments to the FIA after his spectacular blast.
    Alonso, 40, was demoted out of the points at the Miami GP after being given a post-race time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
    And while he says the decision was wrong, he also says F1 should not tolerate such a poor quality of officiating.
    He said: “It was very unfair and it was just incompetence from the stewards.
    “They were not very professional in Miami. I missed one corner and they took the decision without asking for any proof.
    “We arrived after the race with all the proof that I had given the time back and they were just packing up. They were not even in the room.
    “So it was very bad. It is something that should not happen in Formula One, with professionalism and standards Formula One has right now.”
    LACK OF EXPERIENCE
    Alonso’s rant  comes just five months after the FIA were forced to ditch former race director Michael Masi after he failed to obey the safety car rules in the title-decider in Abu Dhabi.
    But Alonso is not happy with Masi’s replacement, Niels Wittich, and says he lacks experience.
    He added: “We have seen a couple of things already that proves that we still need to improve a lot.
    “You need to have some knowledge about racing before being a race director or trying to monitor a race. And I don’t think that knowledge is in place at the moment.
    “When you don’t have that knowledge of racing it’s difficult to talk.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton given huge boost at Spanish Grand Prix as Mercedes finish second and third in afternoon practice

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S hopes of winning a race this season were handed a huge boost as Mercedes kicked themselves back into gear. Hamilton’s chances of landing a record eighth world championship this season were handed a huge blow as an underperforming car leaves him 68 points behind leader Charles Leclerc. 
    Lewis Hamilton was all smiles as his car looked better than it has done all season in SpainCredit: Reuters
    The Mercedes finished second and third after a host of upgradesCredit: Getty
    But after a host of upgrades there is renewed hope as the Silver Arrows went second and third during the afternoon practice session in Spain. 
    Team-mate George Russell clocked in just short of Ferrari driver Leclerc with Hamilton just behind.
    The Silver Arrows driver said: “It’s positive, I’m super happy with the progress. “Thank you to everyone back at the factory for not giving up. 
    “We are not the quickest but we are on our own way. It is the first time we have driven down the straight without bouncing. 

    “We are starting to eke into a bit of potential with our car but we still have improvements to make.” 
    Ferrari will also be hoping that upgrades they brought to Spain can help them match the race speed that Red Bull has enjoyed.
    Max Verstappen has beat Leclerc to win the last two races.
    “Hopefully [the upgrade] will be a good one and enough to be in front of Red Bull again,” Leclerc said.
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300ms;animation:fadeIn 300ms;}@-webkit-keyframes fadeIn{from{opacity:0;}to{opacity:1;}}@keyframes fadeIn{from{opacity:0;}to{opacity:1;}}.css-1b3rpqk{width:470px;height:104px;margin:0;padding:0 16px 0 16px;border:1px solid #dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-1ip4d38{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-4px/2);margin-right:calc(-4px/2);width:470px;height:104px;margin:0;padding:0 16px 0 16px;border:1px solid #dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-14dqn90{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(4px/2);margin-right:calc(4px/2);}.css-12an5ma{font-family:The Sun;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;padding:1px 0px;}.css-12an5ma::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.261875em + -1px);}.css-12an5ma::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:calc(-0.25em + -1.3px);}.css-dzrove{color:rgba(37,129,145,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;margin-right:4px;}.css-dzrove:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}F1 SPANISH GP .css-1efa55o{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1efa55o:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Leclerc cruises Practice Two ahead of Russell, Hamilton secures third
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    Verstappen said his team won’t roll out any surprises but are planning to reduce the weight of the car.
    “Our car is a bit fat so we need to slim it down,” Verstappen said before getting behind the wheel on Friday.
    It appears that focusing on the cars reliability is the top priority for Red Bull, after car failures kept Verstappen from finishing in Bahrain and Australia, where Leclerc won.
    Verstappen added: “[Ferrari] are coming with a few upgrades so it will be interesting to see what that gives them at the end of the day.
    “We just need to focus on our package. We want a clean weekend.” More

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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix practice LIVE: Bottas pulls OUT of session with ‘broke’ car as Vettel leads sectors – latest

    MAX VERSTAPPEN is hoping to pull away in the F1 Championship standings this weekend as the Spanish Grand Prix rolls around. However, it was Charles Leclerc who finished quickest in Practice One whilst Verstappen secured third spot.
    As for Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion showed signs of improvement but could only land sixth place this morning.

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    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Russell goes behind Leclerc after a flying lap
    The Mercedes driver is putting the changes the Silver Arrows have made to good use with alap of 1:19:787
    Max leading sectors one and three

    Vettel goes quickest
    The Aston Martin man shoots to the top of the time sheets with a lap of 1:20:703
    That’s bad luck for Bottas
    He has been looking strong this season but was only 17th quickest in FP1 and has now been denied a chunk of time in FP2.
    Valtteri Bottas is out of this session
    He has pulled to the side of the track in his Alfa Romeo and says “something is broke”.
    Virtual Safety Car is deployed.

    FP2 is Go
    Green light for the second session and already a good start for Verstappen.

    The order from FP1

    Session is done – Leclerc stays top.
    The Ferrari man is quickest, Sainz is second and Verstappen is third.
    Russell is fourth in an encouraging session for Mercedes. Hamilton is sixth on the timesheets.
    Alonso will be investigated
    The Spaniard will be quizzed by the stewards after the session for blocking Hamilton.
    Verstappen and Bottas will also be looked at.
    Could be a busy lunch time in the stewards’ room.
    Leclerc tops the times
    The Ferrari man just beats Sainz while Verstappen is in third place.
    Great turn out in Barcelona
    Organisers say that Saturday and Sunday are both sold out. F1 is certainly in good health.

    The FIA have also investigated Aston Martin upgrades – and are satisfied they have not broken the rules.
    The governing body have spoken with team officials and seem happy with their explanation.
    A statement said: “The FIA carried out a routine pre-event legality check of the planned aerodynamic upgrade of the Aston Martin team for the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. During this process, it became apparent that a number of features on the Aston Martin resembled those of another Competitor. The FIA therefore launched an investigation to check compliance with Article 17.3 of the Technical Regulations, and in particular the topic of “Reverse Engineering” and potential illicit IP transfer.
    “Both teams collaborated fully with the FIA in this investigation and provided all the relevant information. The investigation, which involved CAD checks and a detailed analysis of the development process adopted by Aston Martin, confirmed that no wrongdoing had been committed, and therefore the FIA considers that the Aston Martin aerodynamic upgrades are compliant.
    “Article 17.3 specifically defines and prohibits “Reverse Engineering”, i.e. the digital process of converting photographs (or other data) to CAD models, and prohibits IP transfer between teams, but equally, this Article permits car designs getting influenced by those of competitors, as has always been the case in Formula 1. In the analysis we carried out we confirmed that the processes followed by Aston Martin were consistent with this Article’s requirements.”
    Our development journey continues as the AMR22 hits the track for FP1. 👊A huge well done and thanks to the team for all their hard work in getting both cars ready. Playing our joker meant we could work past curfew to ensure we could get both cars out today.#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/LTgNvDS35Z— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) May 20, 2022

    Here is what Red Bull boss Christian Horner has had to say on the subject.
    “It is quite a thing to instruct your team to come up with a very close-looking clone of our car,” he said.
    “A few people have moved over the winter period, and what you can’t control is what they take in their heads.”
    Plenty of eyes on the Aston Martin…
    You might remember the row over the “pink Mercedes” when the same team copied the design of the previous year’s Mercedes.
    The team were then known as Racing Point and their 2020 car was a striking resemblance to the one Lewis Hamilton won the title with in 2019.
    Well, this time their new updates have made their green Aston look a bit like the Red Dull.

    Green light in Barcelona
    We are go for first practice. This could be a busy session on track, plenty of new parts on the cars for this weekend’s Spanish GP.

    Load more entries… More

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    F1 star Fernando Alonso slams ‘not very professional’ FIA race stewards over Miami GP penalty ahead of Spanish GP

    FERNANDO ALONSO has slammed the FIA race stewards and accused them of being incompetent and “not very professional”.The two-time world champion erupted ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix when asked about a penalty handed to him at the last race.
    Fernando Alonso hasn’t held back in the build up to the Spanish GPCredit: Reuters
    Alonso was demoted out of the points at the Miami GP after being given a post-race time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
    Unhappy Alonso says the decision was wrong and that F1 should not tolerate such a poor quality of officiating and called on the sport’s governing body to up their standards.
    He said: “We believe that it was very unfair and it was just incompetence from the stewards.
    “They were not very professional in Miami. I missed one corner and they took the decision without asking for any proof.
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    “We arrived after the race with all the proof that I had given the time back and they were just packing up. They were not even in the room.
    “We went there, we showed them all the data, they said give us five minutes and then they found themselves with their hands tied, probably because they had already issued the penalty.
    “So it was very bad, and honestly, I mean… yeah, it’s already the past but it is something that should not happen in Formula One, with professionalism and standards Formula One has right now.”
    Alonso’s blast comes just five months after the FIA were forced to ditch former race director Michael Masi after he failed to obey the safety car rules in the title-decider in Abu Dhabi.
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    But Alonso is not happy with Masi’s replacement, Niels Wittich, and says he lacks experience.
    He added: “We have seen a couple of things already that proves that we still need to improve a lot.
    “You need to have some knowledge about racing before being a race director or trying to monitor a race. And I don’t think that knowledge is in place at the moment.
    “When you don’t have that knowledge of racing it’s difficult to talk.” More

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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, practice and qualifying for big race

    THE Spanish Grand Prix is next up on the F1 race calendar as the world’s fastest drivers descend upon Catalunya today. Max Verstappen has had a hell of a season so far, winning three of the five races on offer, but Charles Leclerc isn’t far behind.
    Max Verstappen won the F1 Miami Grand Prix two weeks agoCredit: Splash
    The man from Monaco won the opening race of the season in Bahrain and was also victorious in Australia.
    Lewis Hamilton has had to endure a tricky season so far as Mercedes continue to deal with porpoising issues.
    Hamilton will be hopeful he can secure his second podium finish of the season in Spain, but team-mate George Russell is someone he’s having to contend with as well.
    It’s set to be an exciting race, with all the usual twists and turns a typical F1 weekend brings up.
    When is the F1 Spanish Grand Prix?

    The F1 Spanish Grand Prix will get underway from 2pm UK time on Sunday, May 22.
    The race will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
    There should be a 140,000 capacity in attendance at the race.
    Practice One and Two will take place TODAY.
    Qualifying and Practice Three will get underway on Saturday, May 21.

    What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    The F1 Spanish Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK.
    You can live stream the action from the Sky Go or NOW TV apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
    Coverage will get underway from 12.30pm BST on Sunday, May 22.

    🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix full schedule
    Friday, May 20

    Practice One – 1pm BST
    Practice Two – 4pm BST

    Saturday, May 21

    Practice Three – 12pm BST
    Qualifying – 3pm BST

    Sunday, May 22

    Spanish Grand Prix – 2pm BST More

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    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes hold top-secret track day in bid to save F1 season ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes team have taken part in top-secret track day as they look to get back to the front of the grid at this weekend’s Spanish GP.F1 rules allow teams to run two track days over a season for filming purposes, with Merc using their second allocation at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France on Wednesday.
    The mechanics and engineers have been hard at work on the underperforming Mercedes carCredit: AFP
    Seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton is already 68 points off Charles LeclercCredit: Splash
    Hamilton’s team-mate, George Russell drove the permitted 62-mile distance at the behind-closed-doors event.
    Boss Toto Wolff is desperately trying to return the team to the top step of the podium after this year’s car suffered aerodynamic problems, causing their cars to bounce at high speed.
    And as the Silver Arrows unloaded their cars for this weekend’s race in Barcelona, it is already clear they have a host of upgraded parts to help solve their woes.
    Hamilton, who narrowly missed out on winning an eighth title last year in controversial circumstances, is 68 points adrift of championship leader Charles Leclerc.
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15px;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-16djrfc{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-1skzs3j{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}READ MORE ON F1.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-h98a3b{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LEW CAN DO IT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Hamilton is driving as well as he has in last eight years, says Alonso
    Meanwhile, Russell is 23 points ahead of Hamilton, as the duo struggle to get to grips with this year’s challenger.
    Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has urged F1 to rethink their rulebook which has caused this year’s cars to suffer such turbulence in the cockpit.
    Sainz, whose crash in Miami was measured at 51G, says he will speak to the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director, Russell, about his concerns over the impact of these cars on his long-term health.
    He said: “We need to consider how much of a toll a driver should be paying for his back and his health in a Formula One career.
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    “With this kind of cars’ philosophy we need to open a debate more than anything.
    “I have done checks on my back and neck tightness and this year it is tighter everywhere, I am already feeling it.
    “I don’t need expert advice to know that ten years like this is going to be tough.
    “How much a driver needs to pay a price in his career and his health in order to combat it. I am thinking long term.
    “I need to talk to other drivers like George that are struggling with the same phenomenon, to sit together to see what we can offer or propose.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton is driving as well as he has in last eight years but Mercedes car letting him down, says Fernando Alonso

    LEWIS HAMILTON is driving as well as he has been for the last eight years, claims Fernando Alonso.The Mercedes star has struggled for results so far this season, in the much criticised new W13 car.
    Fernando Alonso has had his say on Lewis Hamilton’s start to the seasonCredit: EPA
    Hamilton, 37, finds himself sixth in the driver standings going into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
    His former team-mate Alonso, however, puts the blame entirely on Hamilton’s car.
    The Spaniard told the BBC: “Sometimes you have a better car, sometimes you have not such a good car and you still need to fight and make some progress.
    “This year we see that the driver is very important in F1 but not crucial.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BOY RACER .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Lewis posts brilliant throwback pic of him as a kid – and he’s ‘still the same’
    “Lewis is driving as good as he has been the last eight years.
    “He was dominating the sport and breaking all the records and 100-and-something pole positions.
    “And now he is doing a mega lap – as he said in Australia or somewhere like that – and he is one second behind. So, yeah – welcome.”
    Expanding on Hamilton’s incredible success, the Alpine driver continued: “This is F1. It is not going to be a fair sport in terms of numbers.
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    “This is a team sport more than anything and we tend to forget this, especially when we have success.
    “We are so happy for what we are achieving that even if we try to share with the team, all the headlines are for the driver.
    “It happened to me when I won the two championships. I was beating Michael Schumacher.
    “This was a big topic, but my car was more reliable at that time and had very good performance and you cannot praise enough that package because the headlines will still be the driver. And with Lewis it’s the same.
    “To have more than 100 pole positions in F1 is something unthinkable. You need to have the best car and package for many, many years.
    “We were doing magic laps sometimes and we were P15, and how do you explain that to people? It will be impossible.
    I still believe Lewis will eventually finish the championship in frontFernando Alonso
    “He deserves everything he’s achieved in the past but this year is a good reminder that in all those records and numbers there is a big part on what you have in your hands as a package in the car.”
    Silver Arrows new boy George Russell appears to have taken to the W13 more easily than Hamilton has so far, managing to achieve top five finishes in each race this season.
    Asked if Russell’s early joy is a surprise, Alonso replied: “Yes and no. George has been very fast in the last few years and I think everyone was expecting him to be a tough competitor for Lewis.
    “But I still believe Lewis will eventually finish the championship in front.
    “This is just a five-race championship, but eventually when things are more tricky or [there are] difficult situations, Lewis will still have more experience and maybe more talent.”
    George Russell has produced some impressive performancesCredit: Splash More