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      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen says Lewis Hamilton is SCARED of him as he taunts title rival before winner-takes-all Abu Dhabi showdown

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      COCKY Max Verstappen taunted bitter F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton by saying: He’s afraid of me.Red Bull’s Verstappen struck a hammer blow by snatching pole position for Sunday’s world championship decider in the Abu Dhabi desert.
      Max Verstappen reckons Lewis Hamilton gets nervous when he sees the Dutchman in his mirrors as they prepare for their title deciderCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton could he haunted as well as taunted by Max Verstappen if the Red Bull star pips him to the world title this weekendCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman, 24, vowed to continue driving aggressively, says he makes the seven-time world champ “nervous” and claims he is the better driver.
      Verstappen said: “I make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He’s a different driver to me, less aggressive.”
      And when quizzed if Hamilton was afraid of him, Verstappen replied: “He will never admit that. At least I’m not afraid of him!
      “He doesn’t know how to race like I do. I can’t blame him for that either, because he was never able to learn that like I did from my father.”
      I make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He’s a different driver to me, less aggressive.Max Verstappen
      Verstappen’s dad Jos is a former F1 driver, who made 106 Grand Prix starts between 1994 and 2003, while Hamilton’s dad Anthony took on multiple jobs to pay for his son’s karting career.
      The two warring drivers are level on points and will both be on the front row of the Yas Marina Circuit grid today.
      But while Verstappen’s car is on soft tyres, Hamilton’s Mercedes will wear medium rubber.
      Hamilton, 36, who was booed by Dutch fans in parc ferme, hailed Verstappen’s qualifying performance, saying: “It was a fantastic lap from him.”
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      Red Bull chief Christian Horner branded the pole-clinching lap “absolutely insane” and added: “That was one of Max’s best laps of the year.”
      While Verstappen said: “It is an amazing feeling. I’m incredibly happy.”
      The last six races in Abu Dhabi have all been won from pole position.
      Merc boss Toto Wolff admitted: “It’s 1-0 to them today. But I’d much rather be starting on the medium tyres.”
      The drivers’ bitter feud has led to the FIA warning they will be docked points for unsporting behaviour following three crashes between them this season — at Silverstone, Monza and in Saudi Arabia.
      Verstappen claims Hamilton drove into him “on purpose” at the British Grand Prix in a high-speed shunt which put the Dutchman in hospital.

      Hamilton suffered a sore neck at Monza after Verstappen launched his Red Bull on TOP of his Merc. And Verstappen was punished by stewards in Saudi Arabia after Hamilton crashed into him.
      Verstappen will be crowned champion if neither driver scores points on Sunday as he has won nine GPs to Hamilton’s eight.
      But Hamilton laughed off fears of a first corner collision as he starts second on the grid, adding: “I am grateful I can see where he is!”
      Verstappen and Hamilton have clashed repeatedly this season alreadyCredit: Getty More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton can win TEN world titles if he stays at Mercedes, says Nigel Mansell ahead of Max Verstappen showdown

      by

      NIGEL MANSELL is tipping fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton to land TEN world titles — if he stays at Mercedes.The 1992 world champ believes super “confident” Hamilton will win Sunday’s championship shootout with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi to claim a record-breaking eighth crown.
      Mansell has tipped Hamilton to come out on top on Sunday… and go on to win even more titlesCredit: Getty
      Verstappen will start from pole ahead of Hamilton in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
      But Mansell, 68, also advised the title protagonists: “Keep it squeaky clean” on the track.
      Mansell, talking from his Clearwater home in America, told Sun Sport: “The hot favourite is Lewis. The confidence he has and the team and team has in him just puts him way out in front of the others.
      “If he races long enough he will get ten world titles.
      “If he stays at Mercedes and they stay interested in the sport he can keep on winning because he is on a different level.”
      Mansell stressed he is not concerned Sunday’s showdown will be decided by dirty tricks.
      All season Hamilton and Verstappen have battled it out wheel to wheel with several unsavoury incidents between them.
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      Last weekend Hamilton labelled the Dutchman “f****** crazy” after ramming into the back of the Red Bull when Verstappen appeared to give the Englishman a brake test.
      And now they head for a “winner takes all” contest with both on 369.5 points at the top of the drivers’ table.
      Yet, Verstappen will celebrate his first world crown should both cars fail to finish on countback of races won this season as he leads the Englishman 9-8.
      There are fears this finale could be decided by an accident, too, like it has done three times before in controversial fashion.
      Alain Prost sealed the 1990 title in the Japanese GP after crashing into Ayrton Senna.
      And four years later Schumacher took out Damon Hill to claim the top prize in Australia.
      Schumacher courted yet more controversy in 1997 in Spain when he collided with Jacques Villenueve, who somehow kept his Williams on track to win the championship.
      But Mansell insisted: “No, I don’t think it will end in any accident but both drivers have to be squeaky clean.
      “It would be bad if the title was decided, as it was in years gone past, with great controversy.

      “The Red Bull and Mercedes teams are too professional for that and the technology is such these days that if anything was to happen, and could be proved, it would be detrimental to the team and the driver.
      “You have to hand it to Red Bull they have pushed Mercedes all the way but this last race will see Mercedes produce something special.
      “The astonishing thing for me was the speed of the Mercedes in Saudi Arabia. They even set the fastest lap with a broken wing! To be as quick down the straight they have got to have something in reserve.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen insists he would have won F1 title ‘long ago’ if he was driving Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN claims he would have been world champion “long ago” had he been driving Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes supercar.The Dutchman has made no secret of the fact he feels he’s been victimised by race stewards as his 19-point advantage was wiped out in the last three races.
      Max Verstappen believes he’s been unfairly treated in the neck-and-neck title raceCredit: Rex
      This Mercedes could have given Max Verstappen the title already, had he been driving it, according to the Red Bull aceCredit: AP
      But the Red Bull racer is under no doubt as to who has been the best driver in 2021, given his rival’s superior car.
      Verstappen said: “You should think like that if you are a Formula One driver, so I say yes.
      “But I don’t need to hear that from anyone else. I don’t need that recognition. I find it much more important what I think and what people who are close to me think.
      “If I had been in his car, the season would have been decided long ago.”
      That is some shade thrown in Hamilton’s, direction given the two have often traded accusations about the legality of each other’s car all season.
      Hamilton was quick to question Red Bull’s rear wing while Verstappen himself picked up a £43,000 fine for breaking F1 rules and touching the Merc rear wing in parc ferme in Brazil.
      Clearly the suspicion over whether the Merc is completely within the rules remains and Red Bull boss failed to rule out the possibility of a protest on Sunday in Abu Dhabi when he was asked directly by SunSport on Thursday.
      Such is the bitterness that now runs between the two teams, Verstappen cannot even bring himself to say Hamilton’s name.
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      After it was pointed out to him, he confirmed: “That’s right. That happens during a season like this. Too much has happened for that.
      “Not just through that moment [the first lap crash at Silverstone], but throughout the season. The image I have of certain people has changed. And no, not in a positive way.
      “It doesn’t matter to me, it’s not that I hate it. But I’ve seen that when the pressure comes on, certain people show a different face. Then their true colours come out.”
      Verstappen has been warned by the FIA that he must keep the fight clean – or risk being hit with a points penalty.
      If I had been in his car, the season would have been decided long ago.Max Verstappen
      It was an unprecedented step from the race stewards to remind the drivers of their conduct ahead of this finale in Abu Dhabi.
      However, Verstappen says he will NOT be changing his tactics having taken pole for Sunday’s crunch race.
      He said in an interview with De Telegraaf: “I don’t want to take him out, I want to beat him. That’s another word. Some people find me aggressive, others very aggressive and some people don’t.
      “I am myself. The last races I have to defend more because we are a bit slower. I don’t have the luxury of pulling away in the lead now.
      Lewis Hamilton must beat Max Verstappen in the final race to retain the titleCredit: Getty
      “Yes, I do everything I can to win. If I don’t think like that, I’d better stay home.
      “If I hadn’t had that attitude, we wouldn’t be here with an equal number of points. Then he would already be the champion.”
      There was a clear sense of relief on Saturday as Verstappen took pole with a comfortable 0.371 second advantage over Hamilton.
      He celebrated with a clenched fist while his rival was already starting his debrief into his own performance.
      Former world champion, Nico Rosberg, says he could not sleep before his duel with Hamilton in 2016 – and last night, Verstappen was looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep.
      He added: “I was very relaxed going into qualifying.
      “I always do the best I can and I know my team always gives me the best possible car.
      An amazing battle. I am grateful I have had such a close battle with Max and his team.Lewis Hamilton
      “We have been doing that already the whole year and again, it worked really well. This year we have been pushing each other to the limit.
      “We really are trying to get everything out of our cars to the last lap, the last corner. It has been really enjoyable for most of the time.
      “In 20 years time myself and people will look back on it and remember this year.”
      Even Hamilton had to agree with his rival that this season has been a titanic tussle for the title.
      He said: “It has been an incredible year. An amazing battle. I am grateful I have had such a close battle with Max and his team.
      “They have done an exceptional job, shown true strength and pushed us to the limit in ways that we needed, I hope we have many more seasons like this.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton hints at Max Verstappen tyre ‘CONSPIRACY’ as title rival ‘deliberately’ locked up before Abu Dhabi pole

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON says Max Verstappen DELIBERATELY locked up in qualifying as part of a title decider ‘conspiracy’.The Dutchman took a scintillating pole position lap hailed by Red Bull boss Christian Horner as one of the best of the year.
      Lewis Hamilton believes Max Verstappen deliberately locked-up at Turn OneCredit: EPA
      It was a far cry from his disappointment just seven days ago when he hit the wall at the final turn on another flying lap.
      But the small lock-up – in the unusually dramatic middle section – could have huge implications in this weekend’s thrilling championship battle, Verstappen now set to start in Abu Dhabi on different tyres to Hamilton.
      And it did not go unnoticed by Hamilton, who seemed to accuse his rival of ruining his tyres on purpose.
      Hamilton said: “It was interesting that lock-up into Turn One. A conspiracy but no one locks up into Turn One and if you do it is not a big one.
      “I think they did it deliberately so they chose to go on to the soft tyre.”
      Why could it prove so crucial? F1 rules state that drivers have to start the race on the same set of tyres they set their quickest lap in Q2.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.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-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.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-zkaekv{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-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::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);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{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:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Verstappen’s lock-up came on a set of medium, yellow-walled, tyres, as he slid while trying to slow down his Red Bull.
      It caused a flat-spot on his tyre – the upshot was it would hamper his performance at the start of the race.
      It meant that Red Bull were forced to swap him on to the quicker but less durable soft tyre, with the red walls.
      That means Verstappen will likely benefit from better pace off the line.
      However he could be reeled in by Hamilton in the race as they are less durable and Verstappen will have to pit first.
      It leaves the race delicately poised as Hamilton and Verstappen will start the race on different strategies in what will prove to pitch the two team’s at each other.
      “I think they did it deliberately so they chose to go on to the soft tyre.”Lewis Hamilton
      Hamilton however, thinks he is on the right tyre choice.
      He added: “I hope we are on the right one and time will tell, but if they have the degradation we think will happen to the soft tyre, we will be in a good place.”
      Pole position means the omens are good for Verstappen, as the last six winners of this race have started P1, the strategic game of chess promises to be captivating.
      For Hamilton, he took another swipe at Verstappen saying that he actually prefers to be starting BEHIND the Dutchman.
      He quipped: “I’m still on the front row, we’ve got the difference between the tyres and I’m grateful I can see where he is.”
      The reference was to their controversial coming together in Monza where Verstappen went over the top of his Merc, or perhaps their recent duel in Saudi Arabia.
      Despite having missed out on pole, Hamilton was nonetheless pleased with lining up in second but did fire a shot at teammate, Valtteri Bottas.
      He also said he felt Red Bull’s tactics of using Sergio Perez to give Verstappen a tow should be outlawed.
      Max Verstappen will start in pole position at the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      The Red Bull team tactics were also slammed by HamiltonCredit: Rex
      It is difficult to agree with the Brit, who has ironically benefited from the tactic in the past where one driver is sacrificed to give the other the benefit of slipstream.
      In this instance the Mexican performed the perfect slingshot around Turn Nine of Verstappen’s flying lap that secured him pole.
      Verstappen said: “That first run was very nice, and a nice tow and nicely executed as well.
      “Whatever the gap was, I might have gained a tenth towards turn nine, which is not a massively long straight.
      “Nevertheless, Checo [Perez] is a great team-mate, a real pleasure to work with, so a big thank you to him.”
      Hamilton, however, said the practice should be stopped and added: “We’ve never, ever really done that.
      “I like Valtteri to focus on…we work as a team and Valtteri needed to get the best job done for himself to have both of us as high up as possible.
      “It’s never something we discuss or we work on and I don’t believe it should have been done.”
      Meanwhile, Hamilton, who was booed after qualifying by the orange-clad Verstappen fans, said he would use the jeers as “fuel”.
      And he said he is feeling “a million times better” than when he was last fighting for the title on the final day of the season – back in 2016 when he lost out to Nico Rosberg.
      He said: “I feel] a million times different. It’s a much, much different scenario. Completely different and a million times better I feel now than I did then. I feel good.
      “It is not something I particularly want to go into. I am just in a different place in life than in 2016
      “[I’m] facing different resistance in life and this time I’m just in a different and much happier place.”
      When asked if he is a better driver now than when he battled with Rosberg, Hamilton added: “Yes. And teammate.” More

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      F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE results: Verstappen starts on POLE with Hamilton second – latest from Yas Marina

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pole position after setting the fastest time in qualifying at Yas Marina.Lewis Hamilton will be next to him on the front row after stopping the clock marginally slower.
      Fellow Brit Lando Norris will be third on the grid in Sunday’s race.
      The pair are level on F1 driver’s championship points going into the final race of the 2021 season with 369.5 points apiece.

      Grand Prix start time: 1pm UK (5pm local) on Sunday, December 12
      Grid: 1 Max Verstappen 2 Lewis Hamilton 3 Lando Norris 4 Sergio Perez 5 Carlos Sainz 6 Valtteri Bottas

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Yas Marina in our live blog…
      MAGIC MAX
      Nico Rosberg claims Max Verstappen delivered something magical with his spectacular pole-winning lap at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      The Dutchman took pole position ahead of tomorrow’s finale in Abu Dhabi and Rosberg thinks he delivered a spell-binding display.
      Rosberg told Sky Sports F1: “With all this discussion, it’s so damn simple, this guy just delivered something magical. That’s it. It just comes down to that.
      “But, as Max said, the interesting thing is he didn’t want to be on the soft for tomorrow so that is what keeps it full of suspense for the race.”
      WOLFF SPEAKS
      Totto Wolff gave his assessment of Qualifying.
      He said: “I think there is nothing you need to say [to Hamilton]. I think he’s going to be angry and that’s good.
      “Motivated for tomorrow to hunt him down. Sometimes you need to see the positive and that’s not bad. 
      “If he can keep it in P2 obviously that’s an advantage. If you lose positions then it becomes more and more difficult.
      “I think they have  put on the small wing so they will have lots of straight line speed… it’s only with tyre offset [that you can overtake].”
      TOP NO-TCH
      Norris will start from P3 tomorrow.
      Credit: EPA
      HORNER SPEAKS
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner has revealed Perez gave up his optimal lap to allow Verstappen to clock in his fastest time.
      Speaking after qualifying, Horner said: “I think that’s one of Max’s best laps of the year. Even on the following lap he matched the time.
      “The tow was probably worth a tenth or two… not half a second. 
      “I think that Max is giving it everything. He’s driving his heart out. He’s thrown everything at this session.
      “Checo has sacrificed an optimal lap for him to give his team-mate that performance.”
      ‘INCREDIBLY HAPPY’
      Max Verstappen is ‘incredibly happy’ with his performance in qualifying.
      He said: “It’s of course an amazing feeling. We definitely improved the car again in qualifying.
      “Incredibly happy with this. It’s never easy with their form the last few races. I am just looking forward to tomorrow because that’s where the points are. 
      “I felt good on both tyres. Naturally now in the evening it’s a bit cooler so it should be easier on the soft tyres. We’ll see where we end up.”
      Credit: AFP
      HAMILTON HAILS MAX
      Lewis Hamilton has hailed title rival Max Verstappen after the Dutchman took pole position ahead of tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      The Brit admitted he ‘couldn’t compete’ with the lap time Verstappen set early on in Q3.
      He said: “Firstly Max did a great lap today. We just couldn’t compete with that time at the end.
      “It was looking really strong through practice. We just couldn’t answer to that lap. We’re in a good position I’d like to think with our tyres tomorrow. 
      “The last lap was nice and clean, I just couldn’t go any quicker. I couldn’t beat that time he did today, he deserved pole. 
      “I’m still on the front row. I’m grateful I can see where he is!”
      Q3 – PUSH IT TO THE MAX
      MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL BE ON POLE!
      Hamilton goes 0.371 slower than his title rival.
      Norris takes 3rd!

      Verstappen – 1:22.109
      Hamilton
      Norris
      Perez
      Sainz
      Bottas
      Leclerc
      Tsunoda
      Ocon
      Ricciardo
      Alonso
      Gasly
      Stroll
      Giovinazzi
      Vettel
      Latifi
      Russell
      Raikkonen
      Schumacher
      Mazepin

      Credit: GETTY IMAGES
      Q3 – ONE MINUTE TO GO
      Last chance for Hamilton to steal the show.
      He’s out on soft tyres.
      Q3 – VERSTAPPEN BESTS HAMILTON
      WOW!
      Verstappen looks incredibly fast through S2….. can he ace S3? He does!
      He clocks in a time of 1:22.109!
      Over to Hamilton.
      The Brit looks shaky as he heads in S3…… will he beat Verstappen?
      No he can’t!
      Hamilton is 0.551 slower than the championship-leading Dutchman!
      Verstappen takes provisional pole.
      Credit: REUTERS
      Q3 STARTS
      Here we go…. Q3 is underway!
      ‘FOOD WOULDN’T GO DOWN’
      Rosberg says he was unable to sleep or eat before the final race of the season in 2016 and took to eating cereal if he could, writes BEN HUNT.
      He added: “It was like two, maximum three, hours per night. I couldn’t even eat properly.
      “The food wouldn’t go down. So I had to revert back to my childhood food which was Frosties and milk. That was the only thing that would go down.
      “And it’s all these troubles that you are then fighting throughout the weekend, you just have to try and spare the energy to when it matters.”
      ROSBERG TIPS LEW TO WIN
      Lewis Hamilton’s old enemy, Nico Rosberg, has tipped the Brit to win the title, writes BEN HUNT.
      Rosberg is the only man to beat Hamilton to the title since 2014 when he pipped him to the crown in 2016.
      Rosberg was left so drained after his battle with Hamilton he retired from F1 just days later.
      And he says that Hamilton is the favourite as he’s been in this situation before, fighting for titles.
      He said: “Lewis is on fire, he has such great form, winning three in a row and he’s brought it here. You feel he has to be a little bit the favourite at the moment.
      “I was in such a title battle in 2016 and it’s a lot, just the intensity. The nerves.
      “Someone like Max, from outside, sometimes you think ‘This guy doesn’t even get nervous’ but that’s not true.
      “Inside we’re still all humans and both of them will be on the edge of their seats this weekend.”
      END OF Q2
      Good stuff from Perez as he goes strong through S2 and S3.
      Hamilton thought he had come top, but the Red Bull pair knock him off top spot!
      Verstappen clocks in a time of 1:22.8 right on the end of Q2, and Perez is 0.3 slower.
      Alonso, Gasly, Stroll, Giovinazzi and Vettel are eliminated.
      Q3 will start shortly, here’s who’s left:

      Verstappen
      Perez
      Hamilton
      Sainz
      Leclerc
      Bottas
      Norris
      Tsunoda
      Ocon
      Ricciardo

      Q2 – ‘I LOVE THIS GAME’
      Sainz still leads…. Verstappen is back out on the softs with three minutes to go.
      In other news, Man Utd legend Patrice Evra is in Abu Dhabi!
      Credit: GETTY IMAGES
      Q2 – SAINZ GOES QUICKEST
      Ferrari’s Sainz goes quickest in Q2 with seven minutes to go.
      He clocks in a time of 1:23.174, 0.011 quicker than Hamilton.
      Verstappen, meanwhile, locks up on turn one.
      Q2 – LEW LOOKING FAST
      Hamilton goes quickest through S1 and S2.
      Verstappen manages to clock in a quicker time in S3.
      But the seven-time F1 champ comes out on top with a lap time of 1:23.185.
      Verstappen is just 0.004 off Hamilton.
      Q2 STARTS
      Mercedes lead the way as Q2 starts with just 15 drivers left.
      Looks like the majority are running on medium tyres….. Aston Martin duo Stroll and Vettel are on the softs.
      They have 15 minutes.
      Q1 ENDS
      Latifi, Russell, Raikkonen, Schumacher and Mazepin fail to beat the drop zone and their qualifying comes to an end.
      Credit: AP
      Q1 – LEW BEAUTY
      Hamilton and Merc team-mate Bottas improve on their earlier speeds.
      The Brit clocks in a time of 1:22.845 and Bottas is 0.272 slower.
      Q1 – MERC’S BACK OUT
      Both Hamilton and Bottas are back out from the pits with just under three minutes to go in Q1.
      They will look to improve on their earlier times.
      Hamilton still leads with a time of 1:23.266.
      Q1 – QUALIFYING BACK UNDERWAY
      There’s five minutes left of Q1 and some cars are back out on the track.
      Ferrari’s Sainz and Leclerc are out at the moment warming up.
      Both find themselves 11th and 12th at the moment.
      Vettel tries to clock in a fast time, but he’s blocked on his way through to the line.
      Q1 – SESSION STOPPED
      RED FLAG!
      The session has been temporarily stopped.
      Norris’ car is caught by a bollard in the final corner – not entirely sure how.
      Q1 – NORRIS ON 4TH
      Lando Norris is making a good account of himself early on here.
      He’s up into P4 for the time being.
      Aston Martin’s Lance StrollCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Q1 – PEREZ AND VERSTAPPEN FALL SHORT
      Red Bull’s Perez looks quick as he flies through S1 and S2.
      But as he comes into the home straight he falls short by 0.311.
      Verstappen, meanwhile, improves on his time but falls short of Hamilton by 0.056.
      Q1 – MERC ONE AND TWO
      So far so good for Mercedes as Hamilton and Bottas occupy the top two spots.
      Load more entries… More

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      Max Verstappen storms to pole position for Abu Dhabi GP title decider with Lewis Hamilton made to settle for second

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      MAX Verstappen has drawn first blood in his battle with Lewis Hamilton for the F1 crown by taking pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.It is advantage Red Bull going into Sunday’s final showdown, with Hamilton second on the grid and McLaren’s Lando Norris qualifying in third place.
      Max Verstappen celebrates after taking pole position in Abu DhabiCredit: AFP
      Lewis Hamilton was fastest after Q1 but had to settle for second placeCredit: AFP
      Hamilton set a blistering pace round the track and led the pack from Q1 but Verstappen responded well to record the fastest time of Q2.
      And the Dutchman maintained his composure going into Q3, beating Hamilton by three-hundredths of a second to take pole.
      Hamilton will have to call on his 14 years experience as he looks to overtake Verstappen across the 58 laps tomorrow.
      Hamilton has a brilliant record in Abu Dhabi having won four of the last seven races in the UAE capital.
      But it was Verstappen who stood atop the podium in 2020 after taking pole.
      Verstappen will also take confidence from his performance in Saudi Arabia and will aim to hold off Hamilton once more.
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      Verstappen had to overcome a last-minute change to his car with Red Bull identifying an issue with his rear wing minutes before the start of qualifying.
      A delighted Verstappen said after the race: “It was an amazing feeling, we definitely improved the car again in qualifying.
      “I’m very happy with this it is what we wanted.
      “Now I am looking forward to tomorrow because that is most important.
      “I was very relaxed going into qualifying and I know my team always give me the best car.”

      And Hamilton said: “First Max did a great lap and we couldn’t compete with that time.
      “We couldn’t answer to that lap, it was a fantastic lap from him.
      “But we’re in a good position with our tyres tomorrow and hopefully its a good race.
      “The last lap was nice and clean I just couldn’t go any quicker…I couldn’t beat that time, he fully deserves top spot.
      “I’m still on the front row, I’m grateful I can see where he is!” More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Gullit compares F1 title showdown to FA Cup final and urges Verstappen to ‘get physical’ with Hamilton

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen go head to head in Abu Dhabi on Sunday in a winner-takes-all race for the F1 world championship. And ahead of the Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, former Chelsea man Gullit has likened the battle to a classic FA Cup tie.
      Verstappen and Hamilton will battle it out for the F1 world title on SundayCredit: PA
      Gullit has advised Verstappen on how to get the edge over his fierce rivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 59-year-old compared the tussle between Mercedes and Red Bull to a Premier league club being drawn against a lower-league team in the cup.
      And to come out on top Gullit has urged fellow Dutchman Verstappen to ‘get physical’ with Hamilton, despite the Dutchman coming under criticism for his hard-line style of racing.
      Speaking to fans on his Instagram account, Gullit said: “I follow the newspapers in England and the Netherlands and it reminds me of football. One says something about this, the other about that.
      “Take playing in the FA Cup in England. There you get nothing for free when you play as a Premier League team against a team from a lower division. 
      “Hamilton has a better car than Verstappen, so that is comparable. They both fight for what they’re worth. 
      “But Max has to do more, has to get physical, to beat Hamilton. That happens in the FA Cup too.”
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      FA Cup giant-killings often come when lower ranked sides use a more physical style of play to good effect against Premier League opposition.
      Hamilton won a thrilling Saudi GP last week after Verstappen was forced to give first-place up after a collision with the Brit.
      It means Hamilton and Verstappen go into Sunday’s final race of the season LEVEL on points.
      So in all likelihood whoever crosses the line first will be crowned world champion.
      However, the two title challengers can still finish level on points if they finish in ninth and tenth position.
      Ninth picks up two points in the championship and tenth only generates one.
      But should the tenth-placed driver set the fastest lap of the race, they will pick up an extra point, meaning both pick up two for Abu Dhabi – therefore finishing level on 371.5 points.
      And in a scenario where they end the season level on points, Verstappen would finish top by virtue of having nine GP wins to Hamilton’s eight across the course of the season. More

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      in Motorsport

      Red Bull forced to change Verstappen’s rear wing minutes before qualifying as Christian Horner confirms ‘new problem’

      by

      RED BULL made a last-minute change to Max Verstappen’s car ahead of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The decision to make the change was made late with Red Bull chief Christian Horner revealing it was a new problem with the rear wing.
      Red Bull made a last-minute change to fix the problem on the rear wing on Max Verstappen’s carCredit: Getty
      Christian Horner remained cool and composed despite the change in plansCredit: Getty
      Red Bull mechanics were seen frantically preparing the car – but with ten minutes to go it was still being worked on.
      Fortunately for Verstappen, his car was ready to go in time and he battled Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas for the fastest lap of Q1.
      Horner told Sky Sports: “The rear wing was a new problem. The cars are getting tired now and are at the end of their lives. Some parts are two years old.
      “It would’ve been alright to continue running, but as a precaution we changed the parts and have checked Checo’s car as well.”
      Despite the late drama Horner appeared to be the most relaxed man in the paddock when talking to the press.
      Hamilton’s former team-mate Nico Rosberg questioned Horner about the pressure in trying to win a world championship.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.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-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.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-zkaekv{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-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::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);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{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:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      Horner responded: “For us this year this journey has been so exciting, coming into the season we never expected to be in a position to challenge for this world championship – both championships – at this final race.
      “There’s an anticipation, there’s an excitement. The team have been wonderful this year.
      “It’s great to be part of this, it’s great to be pushing Mercedes so hard.” More