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    ‘I wanna cry’ – Watch Lewis Hamilton stun kids by dressing up in disguise before revealing his true identity

    HERE is Lewis Hamilton as you’ve never seen before – as he played a prank on a group of school children visiting his Mercedes team’s HQ.Hamilton, 36, was disguised in a rubber mask with a beard and wore glasses in the stunt.
    Hamilton wore a hat with a bearded maskCredit: TWITTER: UBSF1
    The seven-time F1 champ revealed his true identity to the children after touching his cars steering wheel, something he warned them not to doCredit: TWITTER: UBSF1
    The children were in disbelief with one saying they wanted to ‘shake his hand’Credit: TWITTER: UBSF1

    The seven-time world champion spoke to the children as they took part in a factory tour before he revealed his real identity.
    The kids, who had all expressed an interest in working in engineering and automotive industries, were left stunned after meeting their hero.
    One of the boys said: “I met Lewis Hamilton!”
    Another kid said: “I’m dreaming. I wanna cry. I wanna shake his hand.”
    The stunt was run in conjunction with sponsors UBS and a subject close to Hamilton, who launched his own commission to identify why there were so few black engineers working in F1.
    As a result of his study, earlier this month the star launched a scheme to recruit black teachers in STEM subjects.

    He said: “Education I know is key for every child and we’re in a time more than ever before where we need to make sure we’re providing opportunities and also enabling the younger generation to understand what they are.
    “There are a lot of youngsters who don’t realise that being an engineer, for example, is an avenue that they can go down.
    “We’re really trying to have a positive impact on the people that we meet, in particular the youth, and I’m proud of the things we are doing together.”
    Watch Lewis Hamilton’s incredible reaction to meeting 104-year-old fan as he takes break from F1 title battle More

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    Daniel Ricciardo ‘dating Heidi Berger – daughter of ex-F1 star Gerhard – after being spotted with stunning actress’

    McLAREN F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly dating actress Heidi Berger – the daughter of ex-F1 star Gerhard. The Italian-Australian is currently fifth in the standings with rival Max Verstappen leading.
    Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly dating actress Heidi BergerCredit: Alamy
    Heidi Berger is based in AmericaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/heidiberger_/?hl=en
    The aspiring actress is the daughter of Austrian F1 driver GerhardCredit: https://www.instagram.com/heidiberger_/?hl=en
    Heidi Berger is said to have been spending time with Daniel Ricciardo in New YorkCredit: https://www.instagram.com/heidiberger_/?hl=en
    And Ricciardo is known for keeping his personal life private, but according to gossip site Deux Moi, he has been dating 24-year-old Heidi.
    The aspiring performer is based in America, studying at New York University, and is the daughter of Austrian F1 driver Gerhard. 
    Gerhard, now 62, formerly raced for Ferrari and won ten Grands Prix over ten seasons before retiring in 1997.
    His daughter is believed to have recently celebrated Ricciardo’s 32nd birthday together in Austria. 
    The report also claims they were spotted together in New York in the past week, shopping and enjoying brunch, before entering a hotel. 
    Ricciardo in September celebrated victory at the Italian GP – which won him a bet with McLaren boss Zak Brown.

    The Aussie struck a deal with Brown that if he were to achieve a podium in his first season with the team, he’d get to drive one of the cars in Brown’s private collection.
    Ricciardo, 32, had his eye on Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR.
    Brown agreed to the wager at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, saying ‘get us that podium, and the drive is all yours’.
    After Ricciardo’s victory in the Italian GP last month, Brown honoured his word, tweeting ‘a deal is a deal’.
    Ricciardo’s victory in Monza was his first Grand Prix win since Monaco in 2018, in his one season with Aston Martin.
    Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team celebrate the F1 win in the USA More

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    ‘Why is he giving the game away?’ – Ex-F1 star Damon Hill ‘surprised’ by Lewis Hamilton’s radio complaint during US GP

    FORMULA ONE icon Damon Hill has spoke of his surprise at Lewis Hamilton ‘giving the game away’ on the team radio during the United States Grand Prix.The Mercedes driver voiced concerns over his pace during Sunday’s race as he finished second behind Max Verstappen at the Circuit of the Americas.
    Lewis Hamilton finished as runner-up to Max Verstappen in Sunday’s United States Grand PrixCredit: AFP
    Former world champion Damon Hill has discussed Hamilton’s comments over the team radioCredit: AFP
    Hamilton, 36, was leading the GP until lap 37 when Mercedes decided to pit him, resulting in Verstappen retaking first place.
    And after being heard questioning whether he could maintain his speed, 1996 world champion Hill wonders if there are games being played on the radio between his British compatriot and Verstappen.
    Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, he said: “It was a terrific race, because it was so finely-balanced all the way through.
    “And there’s a little bit of gamesmanship [with] some of those radio calls.
    “I was surprised that Lewis was on the radio saying, ‘I can’t keep up the pace’, as he does sometimes.
    “You think, ‘Why are you giving the game away?’ Then Max was saying, ‘I can see him sliding around’, and then pitted and completely outfoxed Mercedes.

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    “[Verstappen] got track position back from his pole position that he lost in effect, and then controlled a very, very tight race. It was thrilling from beginning to end.”
    He added: “The first lap of that [race] was right up there with all the top first laps we’ve ever seen.
    “But the nail-biter was whether or not Lewis would get within the one second and get his DRS open. He seemed to get close enough, and then he couldn’t.
    “He obviously couldn’t get close enough because he didn’t open his DRS. So he never got a shot at that passing move, and ran out of laps before we ran out of tyres.
    “But the tension I think was great, all the way through. The other thing was the fans in the crowd seemed to be relating to it and getting in.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    “Everyone seemed to be clued in as to the importance of the strategy and what the guys were really doing in the cars.”
    Hamilton now trails Verstappen by 12 points with just five races to go, and the seven-time champ believes his rival has the edge in the upcoming Mexican and Brazilian Grand Prix’s.
    His claim has been rubbished by Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who has declared that it would be difficult for his team to come out on top.
    Inside Lewis Hamilton’s birthday party for Roscoe the bulldog with bone shaped cake and fancy dress More

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    F1 calendar 2021: Mexico NEXT WEEKEND, before Brazil and Qatar – Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks

    LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen are continuing their battle for the Formula One title as the season reaches its climactic chapters with Mexico up next.The Turkish Grand Prix is the latest race on the schedule after months of rejigs and rearrangements to the race calendar.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    The Japanese Grand Prix is the latest race to get axed from the F1 calendar, following on from Singapore and Australia, while Qatar has stepped in signing a 10-year deal with F1 in the slot that was originally set for Melbourne.
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    The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.
    In a season that has already seen shifts and changes to the calendar, the Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21.
    Then the Melbourne event was cancelled altogether due to rising Covid cases Down Under and replaced by Istanbul.
    And in April the world governing body approved sprint races in the British, Brazilian and Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for qualifying.
    Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
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    F1 calendar 2021
    All timings below are UK time.
    🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
    Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

    🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Lando Norris

    Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
    Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

    🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
    Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

    🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
    Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

    🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Carlos Sainz 3. Lando Norris

    Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
    Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Sergio Perez 2. Sebastian Vettel 3. Pierre Gasly

    Venue: Baku City Circuit
    Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

    🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix – CANCELLED

    🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix – POSTPONED

    🇫🇷 French Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Sergio Perez

    Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
    Friday, June 18: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 19: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 20: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇹 Styrian Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3.Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
    Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Valtteri Bottas 3. Lando Norris

    Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
    Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

    🇬🇧 British Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Charles Leclerc 3. Valtteri Bottas
    *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

    Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
    Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (4.30pm)
    Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), SPRINT RACE (3pm)*
    Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

    🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Esteban Ocon 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Carlos Sainz Jr

    Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
    Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

    🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. George Russell 3. Lewis Hamilton

    Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
    Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

    🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Zandvoort
    Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

    🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Daniel Ricciardo 2. Lando Norris 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
    Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), SPRINT RACE (2PM)
    Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

    🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Carlos Sainz

    Venue: Sochi Autodrom
    Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

    🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Valtteri Bottas 2. Max Verstappen 3. Sergio Perez

    Venue: Intercity Istanbul Park
    Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, October 10: Race (1pm)

    🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix – CANCELLED

    🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix – CANCELLED

    🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Sergio Perez

    Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
    Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
    Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

    🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix – NEXT

    Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
    Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
    Sunday, November 7: Race (7pm)

    🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
    Friday, November 12: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
    Saturday, November 13: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
    Sunday, November 14: Race (5pm)

    🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix – CANCELLED

    Race axed due to Covid restrictions in the country.

    🇶🇦 Qatar Grand Prix

    Venue: Losail International Circuit, Lusail
    Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm).
    Sunday, November 21: Race (2pm)

    🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

    Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
    Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
    Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
    Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

    Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
    Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

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    ‘Very tight’ – Lewis Hamilton’s claims Red Bull are guaranteed wins in next two F1 races rubbished by Christian Horner

    RED BULL boss Christian Horner has rubbished Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion his team are assured of victory in the next two F1 races.Max Verstappen’s win in the US GP – traditionally a Mercedes stronghold – saw the Dutchman open up a 12 point lead in the championship.
    Horner does not believe Red Bull have an advantage in Mexico and BrazilCredit: EPA
    Afterwards, Hamilton admitted the races in Mexico and Brazil would be very difficult for his team to win based on Red Bull’s previous results there.
    However, Horner says those results count for nothing as this season’s title fight is too close to call.
    He said: “You’ve got to chuck the form book away. It’s very tight between the two teams.
    “Mexico has been a good track for us, but it’s been a good track for them as well, on occasion. So we don’t underestimate them.
    “You’ve got to attack. So 12 points is nothing, it can disappear very, very quickly, as we’ve seen previously.
    “So we’ve got to keep attacking race weekends and get the most out of them that we possibly can. And five to go, the pressure only gets bigger.”

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    Meanwhile, Horner says his team would not be seeking clarification from the FIA over Mercedes’s rear suspension.
    Sky pundits were excited to show pictures of the rear of Hamilton’s car seemingly moving up and down of his own accord in Texas.
    However, Merc and Red Bull both see no issue with its legality, with Horner saying his team would not be lodging a protest.
    He added: “We’ve never said we don’t think it’s legal, so therefore there’d be absolutely no reason to protest.
    “It’s something that has been used historically. We’ve seen it with them in the past.”
    Verstappen has edged ahead in the championship race with three consecutive podium finishes, but a strong finish from Hamilton could take it right to the wire.
    The season is set for a thrilling conclusion in Abu Dhabi on 12 December in what could be a championship deciding race, which Hamilton has already won a record five times.
    Redbull Racing celebrate Max Verstappen’s US Grand Prix win More

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    Inside Lewis Hamilton’s birthday party for Roscoe the bulldog with bone shaped cake and fancy dress

    LEWIS Hamilton threw a lavish party for his “best friend” – his British bulldog, Roscoe.The racing champ rushed back to his dog after finishing in second place in the US Grand Prix in Texas on Sunday, to celebrate the hound’s ninth birthday.
    Roscoe celebrated his ninth birthday after Lewis Hamilton got back from the US Grand Prix
    Roscoe tucks into his birthday cakeCredit: INSTAGRAM/ADVENTURESINDOGTRAINING
    Roscoe appeared to fully enjoy his birthday celebrationsCredit: INSTAGRAM/ADVENTURESINDOGTRAINING
    Roscoe was pictured devouring a pricey, vegan, bone-shaped birthday cake covered with his name written on it in blue icing.
    Hamilton, 36, also shared videos online of his pooch surrounded by doggy pals who were dressed up wearing brightly coloured outfits and party hats for the occasion.
    The posts were made through his dog’s Instagram account, which boasts 414,000 followers.
    Alongside one video, Lewis pretended to be the dog and wrote: “It’s my’s birthdays today’s.
    “Hads the best times excepts whens my friends starteds to eats my cakes.”
    Responding to footage of the party on Twitter, one fan @carolthethird wrote: “Man got a better birthday than me this year.”

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    Last month, Lewis revealed Roscoe was his closest confidant.
    He said: “He’s my best friend. I can confide in him, and he brings me happiness every day.“
    “When I go training, he’s sad when I leave. And when I get back, he’s super happy.”
    He was criticised last year after revealing Roscoe was now a vegan, claiming that a plant-based diet had the dog acting “like a puppy again.”
    Lewis switched his dog’s diet after his other bulldog Coco died aged six following a heart attack last year.
    Roscoe was surrounded by pals for the event
    Hamilton with best pal Roscoe More

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    ‘It’s going to be tough’ – Lewis Hamilton admits next two F1 tracks are perfect for Red Bull rivals in title fight

    LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted that it will be ‘tough’ to beat Red Bull at either of the next two grands prix.The Brit was edged out by rival Max Verstappen during a thrilling climax to the US Grand Prix yesterday.
    Lewis Hamilton has admitted that the next few weeks will be ‘tough’Credit: Reuters
    The Brit poses on the podium with his Red Bulls rivalsCredit: Alamy
    Verstappen’s win took him 12 points clear of Hamilton – the largest lead either rival has had in the Driver’s Standings since Silverstone in July.
    The seven-time world champion is still in the mix with five races remaining – but has admitted that the Red Bulls have the advantage in the next two GPs at altitude.
    Their battle recommences on November 7 in Mexico, before going to Brazil a week later.
    On the next two races, Hamilton, 36, said: “At least the next two tracks for sure, very strong circuits for Red Bull so it’s going to be tough, for sure.”
    The Mercedes star has split the last four Mexican Grands Prix with Verstappen.
    It’s believed that the higher altitude and thin air puts extra strain on engines, which could favour the Red Bull.

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    Hamilton did actually win the most recent edition of the Mexican GP in 2019.
    Verstappen triumphed in the two prior years, with Hamilton grabbing victory in 2016.
    It’s been a similar story in Brazil – with the more experienced star winning in 2016 and 2018 – before Verstappen’s victory in 2019.
    Expanding on his narrow defeat on Sunday, Hamilton added: “Unfortunately we weren’t quick enough to win the race today but yeah, we just look forward and take it one race at a time.
    “We have no idea… they are two circuits that are strong for Red Bull so we just try to minimise how strong they can be compared to us and see if we can do a better job.”
    Verstappen claimed that the pulsating last few laps in Texas were ‘fun’.
    Although Red Bull boss Christian Horner may disagree, after admitting that it felt like he ‘aged 25 years’.
    Hamilton triumphed last time out in MexicoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Watch Lewis Hamilton’s incredible reaction to meeting 104-year-old fan as he takes break from F1 title battle More

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    Christian Horner ‘aged about 25 years’ during Hamilton’s late charge at US Grand Prix as Red Bull boss feared the worst

    CHRISTIAN HORNER has admitted that he ‘aged about 25 years’ during the climax to last night’s thrilling US Grand Prix.The Red Bull boss could only watch and hope as Max Verstappen was chased down by Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton.
    Christian Horner embraces Sergio Perez after the raceCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen hoists his trophy into the airCredit: Rex
    While appearing faster than Hamilton in Austin, Texas – the Dutchman’s last pit stop came eight laps earlier than the Brit’s – giving the seven-time world champion fresh rubber for his epic late chase.
    Despite his ageing tyres, Verstappen somehow managed to stay out of DRS range as the race reached its crescendo, finishing just a second before his rival.
    Following the race, in which Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also grabbed third, Horner told Sky Sports that he ‘aged about 25 years’ during the closing stages.
    He then added: “I really didn’t think he was going to pull that off.
    “Lewis had eight laps newer tyres, and the first set of hard tyres that came off were pretty much down to the canvas.
    “We were thinking we’re not going to have much at the end here but Max managed that tyre in the last stint.

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    “You know Lewis at the end of the race is so strong and he had gone long and got himself an advantage.
    “I think to lose in the last few laps would have been really painful but Max held on, he did a great job, managed the job really smartly and had just about enough at the end there.”
    Verstappen himself described the last few laps as ‘fun’ and his victory ‘incredible’.
    He said: “Of course we lost out in the start so we had to try and do something else,.
    “The tyre wear is quite high around this track, we went aggressive and I was not sure it was going to work but the last few laps were fun. A bit sideways through the high-speed corners but super happy to hang on.
    We gave it everything we had and they were just quicker than us this weekend, for whatever reasonLewis Hamilton
    “It was exciting. The whole race the pressure was on, not knowing how quick Lewis was going to get you. It’s incredible to win here.”
    The crucial victory sees Verstappen go 12 points clear of Hamilton with just five races remaining.
    Hamilton, 36, said: “We gave it everything we had and they were just quicker than us this weekend, for whatever reason.
    “I thought for a second that we might be able to win the race.”

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Watch Lewis Hamilton’s incredible reaction to meeting 104-year-old fan as he takes break from F1 title battle More