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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton starts race on POLE, Verstappen can win title TODAY – latest updates

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      LEWIS HAMILTON goes off on pole at today’s huge Saudi Arabian GP – and the title is on the line. The Brit star will be joined by Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas on the front of the grid, while Driver’s Championship leader Max Verstappen is third.
      Verstappen can win the title today if he outscores Hamilton by 18 points or more.

      Race: 5.30pm GMT
      TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1/NOW TV
      Grid: 1st Hamilton 2nd Bottas 3rd Verstappen 4th Leclerc

      Follow all the action with SunSport’s live blog below…
      TWO HOURS TO GO
      Lewis Hamilton will start the Saudi GP from pole position as he looks to eat into Max Verstappen’s eight-point lead in the championship.
      Verstappen starts in third after clipping the barrier in qualifying.

      HORNER ON VERSTAPPEN 
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner spoke to Sky Sports after watching Max Verstappen crash out on the final lap of qualifying earlier today. 
      He said: “That was looking like the lap of the year. It’s a great shame. He just grabbed the front in the last corner there.
      “He tried to keep the momentum because he could see on his dash that he was four-tenths of a second up going into the corner and, unfortunately, he’s run out of road. 
      “[It’s] pretty brutal, but let’s hope his gearbox isn’t damaged, and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.
      “He knows what a good lap it was. He just needs to put that behind him now. He will still be third on the grid. 
      “He needs to have a good start and anything can still happen in this race.’
      CHAMPION OFFER
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will go to the wire in this year’s Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, writes JAMES ANDERSON.
      And William Hill are offering brand new customers two HUGE odds boosts with Hamilton available at 30/1, or Verstappen at 40/1 to lift the title!
      What’s the offer?
      William Hill are offering a massive price boost on the F1 Drivers’ Championship. Max Verstappen is available at 40/1, while Lewis Hamilton can be backed at 30/1 to win.
      How to claim?
      Simply visit the William Hill website via your mobile device using this link HERE*.
      Register a new account and deposit using the Promo Code: EPV40 to back Max Verstappen at 40/1, OR use the Promo Code: EPH30 to back Lewis Hamilton at 30/1.
      After that, place a maximum £1 bet on your selection.
      RECORD BREAKER
      Lewis Hamilton is looking to claim his eighth F1 world championship.

      F1-2-3
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are fighting out one of the most spectacular Formula One seasons in living memory, writes ALEX TERRELL.
      The two drivers are separated by eight points going into the last four races of the season with the Saudi Grand Prix taking place next.
      The season has seen casual fans finally switch back on to motorsport after dominant spells from the likes of Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel before him.
      But it can be confusing how the scoring works for each F1 race.
      How does F1 point scoring work?
      Points are awarded on a sliding scale for a Grand Prix victory, with first place taking 25 points and the rest of the field to 10th place scoring.

      1st place – 25 points
      2nd – 18 points
      3rd – 15 points
      4th – 12 points
      5th – 10 points
      6th – 8 points
      7th – 6 points
      8th – 4 points
      9th – 2 points
      10th – 1 point
      11-last – 0 points

      Are points awarded for the fastest lap?
      Yes. One championship point is awarded to the driver with the fastest lap of any Formula One Grand Prix.
      But only if they finish in the top 10 positions of a Grand Prix race.
      This is to avoid a driver who is at the back of the field giving up on winning a race but hanging back in order to set the fastest lap.
      ‘TERRIBLE’
      Max Verstappen was left disappointed after tagging the barrier on turn 27 during qualifying.
      The title-chasing Red Bull driver will start today’s Saudi GP from P3.
      On the incident, he said: “It’s of course terrible.
      “In general it was a good qualifying, I knew the pace was there and it showed at the end.
      “I don’t really understand what happened but I locked up, I still tried to keep the car on track and keep going but clipped the rear and had to stop.”
      LIGHTS OUT
      The Saudi Arabian GP gets underway at 5.30pm!

      GOOD MORNING F1 FANS
      Lewis Hamilton starts today’s Saudi Arabian GP in pole position, with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas behind him.
      Title rival Max Verstappen starts third after crashing out on the final corner of qualifying yesterday.
      The Dutchman can win the title today, but in all likelihood the championship will go to the final race in Abu Dhabi next week.
      Speaking yesterday after qualifying in P1, seven-time world champ Hamilton said: “This place is one of the hardest tracks to get right, I was on the limit the whole way round and the car was on a knife-edge.
      “Trying to pull out the maximum with the tyres was so tough.
      “It’s difficult to understand why – it’s so warm here but we were having trouble getting the temperature in the front and rears at the same time to have grip at the start of the lap.
      “I’m very proud and thankful that we were able to put it on the front row for tomorrow, it’s going to be an intense race.”
      MAX DISAPPOINTMENT
      Max Verstappen has admitted that he is ‘upset’ after crashing out on the final lap of qualifying for Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
      Reacting to qualifying, the Dutchman said: “I was on a really good lap until I lost it on the final corner, I thought I had approached it in the same way I had been doing all session, but I lost the rear.
      “I’m upset with myself and it is of course disappointing but there are two races to go and anything can happen. We had a good car in qualifying and everything was coming together which gives me hope going into the race tomorrow, also knowing that the pace was there today.
      “I hope we can follow well tomorrow and if that’s the case, there should be some good opportunities and we should have a good shot.”
      TOTO TALKS
      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described Saturday’s qualifying as a ‘crazy session’.
      After Lewis Hamilton qualified in P1, Wolff said: “What a crazy session! We expected to be stronger today, we have a quick car and it looked like those quick corners would suit us, but like so many times this season, you’re constantly surprised.
      “Austin should have been our track and wasn’t, and then suddenly in Brazil we were performing really well, so you just never know.
      “It was important today that we kept attacking and attacking, and we’ve ended up with a front row lockout which is a big advantage for tomorrow.
      “There is a brutal energy running through the whole Team.
      “We just look forward and keep pushing, and pushing, and when you go in the debrief room or in the garage, you don’t need to talk because you can feel the energy and how buzzed everyone is.”
      LEWIS’ LOWDOWN
      Lewis Hamilton offers his assessment of today’s qualifying from Saudi Arabia.
      He said: “This place is one of the hardest tracks to get right, I was on the limit the whole way round and the car was on a knife-edge.
      “Trying to pull out the maximum with the tyres was so tough.
      “It’s difficult to understand why – it’s so warm here but we were having trouble getting temperature in the front and rears at the same time to have grip at the start of the lap.
      “I’m very proud and thankful that we were able to put it on the front row for tomorrow, it’s going to be an intense race.
      “It’s always important to have Valtteri beside me, particularly in this part of the year, he’s been driving exceptionally well and hopefully tomorrow we can do a good job together.”
      ‘CRAZY’
      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted he thought pole position was off the cards for Lewis Hamilton until Max Verstappen crashed out in dramatic fashion on the final corner of qualifying.
      Wolff told Sky Sports: “Formula 1 is crazy and full of surprises.
      “They [Red Bull] had a very dominant package today, their car was really great.
      “He [Verstappen] was up by about half a second and pole was basically gone, but we are ending up one and two which is obviously a big advantage for tomorrow. It’s just crazy.”
      HORNER ON VERSTAPPEN
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner spoke to Sky Sports after watching Max Verstappen crash out on the final lap of qualifying earlier today.
      He said: “That was looking like the lap of the year. It’s a great shame. He just grabbed the front in the last corner there.
      “He tried to keep the momentum because he could see on his dash that he was four-tenths of a second up going into the corner and, unfortunately, he’s run out of road.
      “[It’s] pretty brutal, but let’s hope his gearbox isn’t damaged, and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.
      “He knows what a good lap it was. He just needs to put that behind him now. He will still be third on the grid.
      “He needs to have a good start and anything can still happen in this race.
      NOT APPEALING
      Red Bull will NOT be appealing against the decision not to punish Lewis Hamilton for his yellow flag infringement.
      That’s contrary to public statements from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
      But according to Racing365, Red Bull sources have now confirmed that they will not be appealing.
      NERVOUS WAIT
      Red Bull are waiting to discover whether Max Verstappen suffered a damaged gearbox during today’s action.
      Verstappen crashed out on the final lap of qualifying, and could potentially have picked up some damage to his car in the process.
      If a gearbox change is needed, he will take a five-place penalty on the grid.
      That means he would start tomorrow’s race eighth, rather than third.
      RED BULL APPEAL
      Red Bull are set to APPEAL the decision not to punish Lewis Hamilton for a yellow flag infringement.
      Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko told Servus TV: “We have appealed against this decision.
      “In Qatar, Max gets five penalty points. Here, suddenly a yellow is no longer a yellow. There is another interpretation.
      “But it can’t go on like this, that you interpret it in such an arbitrary way.”
      BEST MATES
      Lewis Hamilton has praised the efforts of team-mate Valteri Bottas after the Mercedes pair secured P1 and P2 for tomorrow’s race.
      Hamilton gushed: “For us to get a one-two, I’m really proud of Valtteri [Bottas] and everyone on the team, this is a great result. The men and the women in our team have just been working so hard.
      “This was the goal. We’ve worked so hard through simulation, through set-up, the collaboration has just been epic with Valtteri, he’s the best team-mate there has ever been in the sport.
      “And we’ve worked together to work in the setup, to get the car to where it needs to be.”
      ONE-TWO
      Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valteri Bottas celebrate after securing one-two on the grid for tomorrow’s Saudi Arabia GP.
      Credit: EPA
      VERTSAPPEN REACTS
      Max Verstappen has admitted he doesn’t ‘understand what happened’ after crashing into a wall on the final corner of qualifying.
      It means he has to settle for P3 on the grid tomorrow, while Lewis Hamilton is on pole.
      Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said: “I don’t really understand what happened but I locked up and I still tried to keep the car on the track.
      “[I] tried to finish the lap but I clipped the rear and had to stop.
      “But yeah, P3 is a bit disappointing today knowing what lap I was on but, nevertheless, it shows that the car is quick, and let’s see what we can do in the race.”
      TAKE IT TO THE MAX
      Being on pole position tomorrow is absolutely huge for Lewis Hamilton, with Max Verstappen able to win the title tomorrow.
      Today’s qualifying means Verstappen is up against it to wrap things up in Jeddah, but here’s what the Dutchman needs to do to claim a maiden F1 title tomorrow:

      Verstappen wins with fastest lap bonus point, and Hamilton finishes 6th or below.
      Verstappen wins and Hamilton finishes 7th or lower
      Verstappen finishes 2nd with fastest lap bonus point, and Hamilton comes 10th or lower.
      Verstappen finishes 2nd and Hamilton comes 11th or lower.

      ON POLE
      Lewis Hamilton’s title hopes remain alive after securing pole position in Jeddah.
      NINTCHDBPICT000698020956Credit: AFP
      Q3 RESULTS
      Here’s how it looks after the qualifying stage.
      Hamilton takes pole with Verstappen finishing third after hitting the wall at the last corner

      Q3 RESULTS
      Hamilton has taken pole following a dramatic last lap.
      Max Verstappen was set to finish first but he hit the wall at the very last corner!
      Bottas finishes second with the Red Bull star third
      Q3 LATEST
      HAMILTON TAKES POLE!
      Q3 LATEST
      One more lap to go and Verstappen is closely following Hamilton!
      This is going to be so intense. Can Hamilton hold on?
      Load more entries… More

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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, schedule for TODAY’S race in Jeddah

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      THE battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is going to the wire as they arrive in Saudi Arabia.Verstappen has an eight-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship but all the momentum is currently with Hamilton – and the Brit will start on pole.
      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE: Follow all the action from Jeddah
      The Driver’s Championship is going down to the wireCredit: EPA
      Hamilton overcame what amounted to a 25-place grid penalty to beat Verstappen to the chequered flag in Brazil, then eased to victory in Qatar two weeks ago.
      However, his use of four engines has caused controversy with former McLaren rival Fernando Alonso calling for Hamilton to be sent to the back of the grid again.
      The Alpine driver said: “Those who have exceeded a certain number of engines per year should be sent to the back of the grid.”
      What time is the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

      F1 heads to Saudi Arabia on the weekend of Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5.
      The race is set for 5.30pm on Sunday.

      What TV channel is the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?

      The F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is live on Sky Sports F1.
      You can stream all the action live with a Sky Go account or the Sky Sports app.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch the whole race day with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix schedule
      Friday

      Practice One – 1.30pm (4.30pm local time)
      Practice Two – 5pm (8pm local time)

      Saturday

      Practice Three – 2pm (5pm local time)
      Qualifying – 5pm (8pm local time)

      Sunday

      Race – 5.30pm (8.30pm local time) More

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      Max Verstappen’s ex-F1 driver dad Jos claims he has no respect for Lewis Hamilton as a man ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S dad claims he has no respect for Lewis Hamilton as a man.The heat is rising in Saudi Arabia this weekend with the 24-year-old Dutchman knowing he could end the day as Formula One world champion.
      Jos Verstappen, dad of Max, hit out at Lewis Hamilton in a fiery slam at the Mercedes starCredit: Getty
      Hamilton is aiming to win his eighth world championship title this yearCredit: Splash
      And their rivalry is not just limited to the track.
      Jos Verstappen, himself a former F1 driver, hit out at the seven-time and reigning champ.
      He told the Daily Mail: “I never speak to Lewis.
      “He doesn’t need to speak to me. I’m nothing to him. I respect him as a driver, but the rest… nothing.
      “Max and Lewis only speak on the podium, very little.
      “When I see Max with other drivers, I think they get on very well. But with Lewis nothing. Lewis is in his own world.

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      “I did F1 — compared to Max I was nowhere — but I talk to some of the drivers and they are all very friendly, or just say hello or whatever.
      “We are on the plane together many times, always the same group of drivers and we have a lot of fun.
      “But there are ‘some’ drivers who don’t look at you, who look at the ground.”
      Verstappen Sr, a former team-mate of another great Michael Schumacher, added: “Michael and I had good contacts. We met personally too. He changed a little bit at the circuit, but he would still be friendly.
      “Lewis does it his own way, which you can’t say is wrong because he wins a lot. Yes, he has had team-mates, but he has been in the right environment.
      “He made the right decision to go to Mercedes and has had the fastest car for a long time. But he is good, for sure. I respect him as a driver. The rest…
      “Max is how he is. Some people like it. Some people don’t. He says what he thinks but doesn’t get involved in political matters, such as what is happening in other countries, like Lewis does.
      “Max sees it as a case of doing a job as a sportsman and leaving it at that. Everybody does it their way and that is Max’s way.”
      I don’t like his attitude… I don’t like how he behaved at SilverstoneJos Verstappen on Toto Wolff
      Verstappen and Hamilton crashed at Silverstone and Monza this season in two of the biggest moments of this captivating title race.
      The former, a 180mph collision, saw the Red Bull star smash into the tyre wall and require checks at hospital.
      But that incident also spelt the end of the friendly relationship between Jos and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
      He added: “It is not there any more.
      “I don’t like his attitude. I don’t like how he behaved, starting at Silverstone.
      “One of the drivers was in hospital and they are on the podium celebrating as if they’ve won the world championship. 
      “I didn’t think Toto was like that but I learned about a different Wolff. We didn’t have any contact from him, any message or whatever.
      “And to think he had spoken to us in the new year – I am not saying he was trying to bring Max over at that stage, but let’s say we had a good relationship before Silverstone.”
      The title rivals crashed out in Italy when Verstappen landed on Hamilton’s carCredit: Alamy More

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      How does F1 point scoring work? How many points for a Grand Prix race win in Hamilton vs Verstappen title battle

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen are fighting out one of the most spectacular Formula One seasons in living memory.The two drivers are separated by eight points going into the last four races of the season with the Saudi Grand Prix taking place next.
      Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been fighting out one of the most thrilling F1 seasons everCredit: Rex
      The season has seen casual fans finally switch back on to motorsport after dominant spells from the likes of Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel before him.
      But it can be confusing how the scoring works for each F1 race.
      How does F1 point scoring work?
      Points are awarded on a sliding scale for a Grand Prix victory, with first place taking 25 points and the rest of the field to 10th place scoring.

      1st place – 25 points
      2nd – 18 points
      3rd – 15 points
      4th – 12 points
      5th – 10 points
      6th – 8 points
      7th – 6 points
      8th – 4 points
      9th – 2 points
      10th – 1 point
      11-last – 0 points

      Are F1 points awarded for the fastest lap?
      Yes. One championship point is awarded to the driver with the fastest lap of any Formula One Grand Prix.
      But only if they finish in the top 10 positions of a Grand Prix race.
      This is to avoid a driver who is at the back of the field giving up on winning a race but hanging back in order to set the fastest lap.
      How are points awarded if F1 race is abandoned?
      If a race is abandoned before 75 per cent of the distance has been completed all points are halved.
      This happened in the 2021 season at the Belgian Grand Prix.
      Are championship points awarded in the F1 Sprint Race?
      Yes. The F1 Sprint Race is a new format introduced in 2021 for the first time to break the sometimes dull cycle of practice-qualifying-grand prix.
      The top three places in a Sprint Race are rewarded as follows:

      1st – three points
      2nd – two points
      3rd – one point More

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      How Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen compare, from their luxury homes to their expensive cars and designer pets

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      IT is the most thrilling F1 championship in years.Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are vying for the title – with just two races left.
      F1 rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are vying for the championshipCredit: PA
      Next up, they’ll face off against one another at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prx.
      But it’s been a turbulent season between the pair, with a fiery rivalry threatening to get nasty after a collision in Monza saw Verstappen’s car land on top of Hamilton’s.
      However, despite their differences on the race track they share similar interests off it.
      Both boast luxury properties, they have amazing car collections, and a mutual love of animals.
      THE HOMES
      For much of the year, Verstappen, who has a £40m fortune at the age of just 24, lives in a £13million penthouse in Monte Carlo, which he is said to rent.
      The Dutch driver’s home is in the same apartment block as Felipe Massa and Daniel Ricciardo.
      Not much is known about its size, but Verstappen regularly shares his workouts on the vast balcony that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
      Hamilton, believed to have around £280million in the bank, also has a Monaco pad in the exclusive Fontvieille district.
      But he is planning to move back to London permanently when work is completed on his stunning £18million six bedroom villa.
      Back in 2019, Hamilton splashed £32million on a New York apartment in a condo project part-owned by NFL great Tom Brady and his model wife Gisele Bundchen.
      Hamilton paid £32m for a New York apartment overlooking the Hudson RiverCredit: Vestry
      An 18 bedroom villa in West London owned by Hamilton is still under construction
      Hamilton’s favourite home is his Colorado mansion where he stays in the winter
      Verstappen likes to to work out on the balcony of his Monte Carlo penthouseCredit: Instagram
      The 6,547 square-foot penthouse includes a huge outdoor area and has views of the Hudson River, as well as a swimming pool, fitness centre, squash court, library and wine cellar.
      Neighbours include Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and Austin Powers star Mike Myers.
      And there’s also his Colorado mansion, which 36-year-old Lewis calls his favourite home and where he likes to spend the winter months on a snow mobile riding around the mountains.
      CARS
      With their mega pay packets and love of cars, it’s no surprise that Hamilton and Verstappen have an impressive fleet of motors.
      Today, Lewis is more eco-friendly and has moved to driving electric vehicles, including a recent £80,000 Mercedes EQS.
      But in the past, he has been seen behind the wheels of a Pagani Zonda worth £1.5m, cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in a £4million 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra, and parked outside a restaurant in a £2million LaFerrari.
      He’s also got a Mercedes AMG Project One on order, that’ll cost north of £2.5million.
      Verstappen has a love of British motors, prominently Aston Martin.
      He has their concept super car, the £2million Valkyrie on order and due to be received next year.
      Hamilton poses with his £1.5m Pagani ZondaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Lewis’s stunning £2m LaFerrari is a work of artCredit: Instagram, @kingbach
      Eco-friendly Lewis shows off his £80,000 Mercedes EQS
      Verstappen has ordered a £2m Aston Martin ValkyrieCredit: The Times
      Hamilton and his entourage only fly privately
      In the past, he’s been spotted driving a DB11 (£150,000) and DBS Superleggera (£225,000).
      But when he feels the need for speed, he has a £1.5million Ferrari Monza to drive, as well as a Renault R.S. 01 worth around £300,000 that can hit 186 mph.
      Both, of course, have access to private jets.
      GIRLFRIENDS
      Rich, successful, and living life in the fast lane, Hamilton and Verstappen will always be an attractive proposition.
      Lewis’s lovelife has been played out in front of the media since he exploded on to the scene.
      His most famous relationship was with Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger, who he dated on/off until 2015.
      In recent years, he’s been linked with Barbara Palvin, Winnie Harlow, Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Rita Ora.
      Verstappen, on the other hand, dates 32-year-old Brazilian model Kelly Piquet.
      She used to see Russian racing driver Daniil Kvyat’s girlfriend, and they welcomed a daughter in 2019.
      Verstappen currently dates Brazilian model Kelly PiquetCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      Hamilton was in a long-term romance with Nicole ScherzingerCredit: Gary Stone – The Sun
      Seven-time F1 champ Hamilton had a reported fling with Rita OraCredit: Getty – Contributor
      PETS
      When it comes to animals, Verstappen and Hamilton have a common ground.
      Lewis has a pampered pooch, English bulldog Roscoe who rides on private jets with him and is often seen at various Grand Prixs.
      Sadly, he lost his other bulldog Coco last year, who suffered a heart attack and passed away in his arms.
      Verstappen too suffered heartbreak when his dog Spyke died aged 11, sharing a snap on Instagram of his beloved pet.
      Animal lover Max also has adopted some cats, which sometimes travel with him.
      On top of that, he grew up with a cockatoo.
      Roscoe, Hamilton’s beloved English bulldog, goes everywhere with himCredit: Rex
      Verstappen said goodbye to his beloved pooch Spyke last year
      Dutch driver Verstappen adopted two catsCredit: Instagram @maxverstappen1
      THRILL-SEEKING
      When you drive a racing car for a job, that exhilaration needs to be found elsewhere.
      Hamilton and Verstappen are thrill-seekers, taking on hobbies to fuel their need for an adrenaline rush.
      Over the last couple of years, the seven-time world champion, who has a penchant for firing rifles at a gun range, has been learning how to sky dive.
      He even shared his exploits on Instagram, hurtling through the sky from a small plane.
      In the past few years Hamilton has learned how to skydiveCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Verstappen shows off his jet-ski skillsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Thrill-seeker Hamilton fires a rifle at a gun rangeCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton

      Verstappen wasn’t amused, though, declaring he wouldn’t be doing the same when asked in a press conference his thoughts on Lewis’s new talent.
      However, on sea he is game to zoom around on a jet-ski.
      Perhaps, when he can boast multiple F1 championship wins, he’ll be more daring. More

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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, full race schedule from Jeddah

      by

      THE battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is going to the wire as they arrive in Saudi Arabia.Verstappen has an eight-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship but all the momentum is currently with Hamilton – and the Brit will start on pole.
      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE: Follow all the action from Jeddah
      The Driver’s Championship is going down to the wireCredit: EPA
      Hamilton overcame what amounted to a 25-place grid penalty to beat Verstappen to the chequered flag in Brazil, then eased to victory in Qatar two weeks ago.
      However, his use of four engines has caused controversy with former McLaren rival Fernando Alonso calling for Hamilton to be sent to the back of the grid again.
      The Alpine driver said: “Those who have exceeded a certain number of engines per year should be sent to the back of the grid.”
      What time is F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying?

      F1 heads to Saudi Arabia on the weekend of Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5.
      The race is set for 5.30pm on Sunday.

      What TV channel is the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?

      The F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is live on Sky Sports F1.
      You can stream all the action live with a Sky Go account or the Sky Sports app.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch the whole race day with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix schedule
      Friday

      Practice One – 1.30pm (4.30pm local time)
      Practice Two – 5pm (8pm local time)

      Saturday

      Practice Three – 2pm (5pm local time)
      Qualifying – 5pm (8pm local time)

      Sunday

      Race – 5.30pm (8.30pm local time) More

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      Lewis Hamilton bags Saudi Arabian GP pole with Bottas second as Max Verstappen CRASHES into wall in pursuit of top spot

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON was given a HUGE boost ahead of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian GP.The defending world champion escaped a grid penalty for two offences and saw championship leader Max Verstappen crash out of qualifying on the FINAL CORNER.
      Lewis Hamilton has taken pole for the Saudi Arabian GPCredit: Getty
      Championship leader Max Verstappen will start in third after hitting a wallCredit: AFP
      In dramatic scenes in Jeddah, the Red Bull man looked nailed-on for a sensational pole position until he hit the barriers.
      It means Hamilton starts on pole for the penultimate race in this championship, where he knows he needs to win.
      Hamilton had a nervy wait before qualifying. First he was investigated for ignoring doubled-waved yellow warning flags during final practice.
      And he was also scrutinised for impeding Nikita Mazepin, a more clear-cut case of pootling along on the racing line while the Russian was on a flying lap.
      But he went unpunished for the first offence, with the FIA blaming a marshal’s mistake, while the second infringement earned him a reprimand and his Mercedes team a £21,300 fine.
      Those two decisions will anger rivals Red Bull – especially the first let off given the impact of a similar offence in Qatar.

      At the previous race, Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen was slapped with a five-place grid penalty for the same offence – failing to slow for doubled-waved yellow flags – used to indicate danger on the track ahead.
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner was also given a ticking off for blaming a “rogue marshal” for waving those flags incorrectly.
      But here the marshals were exonerated from blame by the race stewards.
      Hamilton responded to his boost by hammering out the fast laps around this terrifying high-speed street circuit.
      At one point during Q3 he almost came a cropper and narrowly avoided the barriers but managed to snatch provisional pole.
      But Verstappen was on his flying lap – and was comfortably quicker than his rival – until he overdid it at the last turn.
      There’s just eight points between Verstappen and HamiltonCredit: AP
      Saudi Arabia is the penultimate race of the F1 seasonCredit: AP
      The Dutchman was gutted and said: “It’s terrible, considering the lap I was on.”
      It means the situation is simple for Hamilton.
      If he wins the race on Sunday AND takes the point for the fastest lap, he will wipe out Verstappen’s eight-point lead in the championship heading to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
      He said: “That’s the goal [winning the final two races]. We have worked so hard and the collaboration with Valtteri has been epic.
      “Those guys are so fast but that Red Bull is so fast. We always get closer in race pace and they were rapid and it will be a close battle but Valtteri and I will be on it.”
      “What a tough track this is, incredibly technical and complex the speed is phenomenal, but we were struggling with the pace, so to get a one-two is incredible.”
      HOW VERSTAPPEN CAN WIN THE TITLE ON SUNDAYMAX VERSTAPPEN can become champion tomorrow if…

      Verstappen is 1st, plus fastest lap (bonus point) and Hamilton is 6th or lower

      Verstappen is 1st and Hamilton 7th or lower

      Verstappen is 2nd, plus fastest lap (bonus point) and Hamilton is 10th or lower

      Verstappen is 2nd and Hamilton is 11th or lower

      Hamilton has built up some head of steam over the last two races but even so, Merc boss Toto Wolff says the odds are still stacked against them.
      He said: “The probabilities are the odds are against us. It’s very simple – we need to win both races. This is the simplified summary.
      “Winning a race is not only down to the fastest car and the fastest driver but reliability has a massive influence. That is just the essence of motor racing.
      “In summary, we never imagined we would be playing for the championship at this stage of the season.
      “But we’ve had two fantastic race weekends and we just need to have more in order to fight for this championship.”
      “I very much hope it goes all the way to Abu Dhabi because that means we have a chance to win it there and it is the best man and best machine wins, and whoever wins merits the win.” More

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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Qualifying build-up, Verstappen fastest in FP3 – latest updates

      by

      WE’RE at the business end of the Formula One season as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen vye for the title. The pair go at it again in Saudi Arabia this weekend, before finishing up the season in Abu Dhabi next week – and both should be absolute crackers.

      Qualifying start time: 5pm GMT
      TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1

      Follow all the action with SunSport’s live blog below…
      STATE OF PLAY
      Max Verstappen ends FP3 top!

      FP3 IS UNDERWAY
      Practice is underway in Saudi Arabia and Lewis Hamilton locked up at turn one.
      A yellow flag is up, but the Brit is back on the track.
      Kimi Raikkonen tops the speed trap.
      PUSH IT TO THE MAX
      Max Verstappen says his Red Bull team will be doing everything they can overnight to get ‘more pace’ out of the car.
      He said: “Overall, it’s a really cool track, there are a lot of fast corners and it’s fun to drive.
      “We struggled to get heat into the tyres in FP2, which we will of course look into.
      “Then we made a few changes from FP1 to FP2 which didn’t quite work but hopefully we can find the right balance come qualifying tomorrow. There are of course a lot of things to work on and improve so we’ll see what we can do to get more pace out of the car overnight.
      “Looking ahead to qualifying, I think it might be quite difficult with the traffic but in general it’s hard to tell how Saturday is going to go as anything can happen but we’ll push hard and give it everything.”
      GO TIME
      Qualifying gets underway at 5PM UK time!

      ‘INCREDIBLY FAST’
      Lewis Hamilton says the Saudi track is ‘incredibly fast’.
      He said: “[Jeddah is] unbelievably quick. It really is incredibly fast.
      “And a lot of grip as well. But if you can get the rhythm, it’s beautiful to drive.
      “What I noticed straight away is that the grip is very, very high, from the moment we went out – I don’t know if we were much quicker or not in this session [FP2].
      “I think we were very much the same; our long run pace was similar.”
      HEAT IS ON
      Formula One is set for a thrilling climax to an unforgettable season as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battle it out for glory, writes BEN HUNT.
      Verstappen currently leads the championship by eight points and can clinch the title – his first – should he outscore Hamilton by 18 points on Sunday at the Saudi Arabian GP.
      The Middle Eastern country is hosting its inaugural race in Jeddah on a rapidly-constructed 6km circuit that promises to be one of the fastest on the calendar.
      In fact, it is so new, building work is still going on as they try to get as much completed in time for Sunday’s showdown.
      But not only is this track quick, despite having nearly 30 corners, it is also a street circuit – like Monaco and Singapore.
      And that means it could also spell double-jeopardy for F1’s title contenders, as a high-speed dirty track bordered by concrete crash barriers all make things rather tricky.

      HAMILTON SLAMS LGBTQ+ LAWS
      Lewis Hamilton has said he doesn’t feel comfortable racing at Saudi Arabia’s GP due to concerns about human rights in the kingdom.
      The seven-time F1 world champion says he felt ‘duty-bound’ to speak out.
      Hamilton said: “Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say that I do.
      “But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken the choice to be here.
      “There’s changes that need to be made. For example women’s rights of being able to drive [legally] in 2018, it’s how they are policed. Some of the women are still in prison from driving many, many years ago.
      “So there’s a lot of changes that need to happen and I think our sport needs to do more.”
      ‘THIS PLACE WILL BITE’
      There are some concerns over the track after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ploughed into the barriers at 160mph.
      Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
      “These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty. 
      “They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
      “But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year  – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
      QUALIFYING DAY
      Charles Leclerc had a lucky escape yesterday when his Ferrari ploughed into the barriers at 160mph at turn 22 – already earmarked as the most treacherous place.
      The Frenchman climbed from the wreckage of his write-off car unscathed.
      But the accident raised more safety concerns about this hastily constructed track.

      WILL IT BE EIGHT?
      Lewis Hamilton is on the title charge and has the wind in his sails.
      But will he turn the season around in the final two races to secure a record breaking eighth F1 championship?

      MORNING, F1 FANS
      Lew couldn’t make it up as the title race hots up.
      Britain’s seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton topped both Saudi Arabian GP practice sessions yesterday as he eyes the victory needed to set up a thrilling last-race decider.
      The Mercedes ace trails Red Bull’s Championship leader Max Verstappen by eight points.
      Hamilton would move level with the Dutchman if he wins tomorrow, plus earns a bonus point for the fastest lap and Verstappen finishes second.
      But first Hamilton has to conquer Jeddah’s terrifying high-speed street circuit – quickly put together for the country’s first-ever F1 GP.
      Amazingly, there were no test events despite average speeds of 155mph, top pace of more than 200mph and thick concrete barriers all the way around.
      In fact, Charles Leclerc had a lucky escape when his Ferrari ploughed into the barriers at 160mph at turn 22 – already earmarked as the most treacherous place.
      The Frenchman climbed from the wreckage of his write-off car unscathed.
      But the accident raised more safety concerns about this hastily constructed track.
      Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
      “These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty. 
      “They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
      “But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year  – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
      KENDRA SPARKS BEN RUMOURS
      Model Camila Kendra appears to be in the lap of luxury after moving on from F1 ace Lewis Hamilton — and putting Chelsea star Ben Chilwell in pole position.
      Camila, 27, shared snaps from plush surroundings, and eagle-eyed fans recognised them as the England full-back’s home.
      Camila Kendra looks sizzlingly hot as she takes a dip in the ocean
      Chilwell, 24, has also been quick to like her pics. One pal said: “Ben thinks they get on swimmingly.”
      Camilo was also seen at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground after their 4-0 demolition of Juventus in the Champions League last month.
      The Sun told earlier this year how Camila posted a photo from the home of race ace Hamilton, 36, and was seen in some of his clothes.
      Camila – born in the Dominican Republic – recently split up with Tyler Cameron, from US reality show The Bachelor, after eight months.
      The Sun has approached Chilwell for a comment.

      BRUNDLE PREDICTS ALMIGHTY RUMBLE
      Martin Brundle is predicting a thrilling finale to the F1 title race.
      The Sky F1 pundit said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
      “These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty. They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
      “But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year  – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
      And of hamilton’s title chances, he added: “A good football analogy is you’d rather have the points than the games in hand.
      “If Lewis carries on at that rate of knots and if Valtteri Bottas can get involved and have one of his on-form days, then who knows?
      “We’ve seen some good wheel-to-wheel action. We’ve seen some shooting from the hip and shooting from the lip from the team bosses.
      “We’ve had it all. The high drama, the massive accidents, Max parked on Lewis’ head at Monza. It’s had everything; the brilliant moments, the scary moments, but it has to end somewhere.”
      LEWIS ‘NOT COMFORTABLE’ IN SAUDI ARABIA
      Lewis Hamilton admits he is in uncomfortable racing in Saudi Arabia but promised to try to ‘raise awareness’ of human rights concerns.
      Britain’s world champion needs victory and ideally a poor performance from title leader Max Verstappen to leave him well placed for an eighth crown.
      And Hamilton said: “Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do.
      “But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken a choice to be here.
      “And whether it’s right or wrong, while we are here, it’s important we do try to raise awareness.”
      Credit: AFP
      LECLERC’S AMAZING ESCAPE
      Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc miraculously walked away from a 150mph crash as Lewis Hamilton finished second practice fastest at the Saudi Arabian GP.
      Leclerc lost control at the notorious Turn 22 on the new Jeddah street circuit.
      The crash badly smashed Leclerc’s car and ended the session five minutes early.
      Hamilton beat fourth-placed title-rival Max Verstappen by 0.195 seconds.
      Credit: EPA
      Credit: EPA
      SCORCHING GAS
      Alpha Tauri are clearly delighted with Frenchman Pierre Gasly’s showing in second practice…

      WOLFF’S STATEMENT ON KINGSPAN DEAL
      Toto Wolff responded to anger over Mercedes agreeing a deal with the heavily-criticised Kingspan company with an open letter.
      It read: “The tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire was beyond imaginable to me, and it should never have happened.
      “On behalf of our team, I would sincerely like to apologise to you for the additional hurt that this announcement has caused. It was never our intention to do so.
      “The work of the public inquiry to establish the full causes of the tragedy is crucially important. Prior to concluding our partnership, we engaged with Kingspan in depth to understand what role their products played in what happened at Grenfell.
      “Kingspan have stated that they played no role in the design or construction of the cladding system on Grenfell Tower, and that a small percentage of their product was used as a substitute without their knowledge in part of the system which was not compliant with building regulations and was unsafe.
      “I know that this does not change in any way the awful tragedy you suffered, or the deep and ongoing pain felt in your community, and I would like to thank Grenfell United for the offer to meet in person for me to learn and understand better.
      “I look forward to coming together as soon as we can.”
      TOTO OFFRS TO MEET GRENFELL FAMILIES
      Toto Wolff has offered to meet the survivors and bereaved families of the Grenfell tragedy after a backlash over a sponsorship deal with Kingspan, writes BEN HUNT.
      Merc confirmed a partnership with the insulation and building firm ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP.
      However, there was heavy criticism from survivors and those families impacted by the fire in the tower block in 2017, which killed 72 people.
      The Grenfell United group sought to speak to Merc while Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, also said he would write to the Brackley-based F1 team.
      WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE TITLE RACE
      Lewis Hamilton heading big rival Max Verstappen in first practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is the first step towards a victory that Britain’s world champ surely needs to stay in the title pursuit.
      If Red Bull’s Verstappen beats Hamilton on Sunday, the Mercedes star would need the Dutchman to have a disastrous final GP at Abu Dhabi.
      In contrast, should Verstappen finish second behind Hamilton this weekend then the title fight will be neck and neck.
      FULL CLASSIFICATION
      Here are the results in full.
      Feast your eyes over these!

      P1 RESULTS
      Here’s your full top ten times from P1.

      Hamilton 1:29.786
      Verstappen 1:29.842
      Bottas 1:30.009
      Gasly 1:30.263
      Giovinazzi 1:30.318
      Sainz 1:30.564
      Leclerc 1:30.600
      Ricciardo 1:30.608
      Alonso 1:30.842
      Vettel 1:30.886

      P1 FINISHED
      That’s it from P1, we’ll have full results to come.

      CHEQUERED FLAG
      That’s it from P1!
      In their first drive around the new Jeddah track, it’s Lewis Hamilton that posted the quickest time.
      Team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, while early pace-setter Max Verstappen was between the two in second.
      FINAL FIVE
      We’re into the final five minutes of P1.
      And it remains a familiar looking top three, with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas – and Max Verstappen in third.
      TOTO-LLY BRILLIANT
      Toto Wolff’s smiling.
      And no wonder, as it’s currently a Mercedes one-two at the top of the leaderboard – ahead of Max Verstappen.

      Hamilton 1:29.786
      Bottas 1:30.009
      Verstappen 1:30.014

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