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      Lewis Hamilton sorry after wiping out mechanic as he misses his Mercedes box in Russian Grand Prix pit lane

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      HORRIFIED Lewis Hamilton has apologised for wiping out a mechanic during practice for the Russian Grand Prix.Hamilton says “my heart was in my mouth” after knocking the man over when he broke too late entering Mercedes’ box in the pit lane.

      Lewis Hamilton was late in braking, flooring this ‘courageous’ mechanic
      The mechanic had stood his ground but scrambled backwards quickly when he realised Hamilton’s car was going to hit him.
      But after he was sent flying to the ground he climbed back up and gave a thumbs-up sign.
      Britain’s seven-time world F1 champ Hamilton could be heard saying: “Man, Magic, sorry about that. Is he OK?”
      Mercedes confirmed their team member was uninjured, leaving Hamilton to admit just how scared he was by his error.
      He posted on Instagram: “I believe this is the first time I’ve taken out a mechanic in 14 years. 
      World champ Lewis Hamilton admits he was worried for the mechanic’s safetyCredit: Splash
      “My heart was in my mouth, I was so worried. 
      “Thankfully he was OK, pretty courageous to stand in front of the car like that. 
      “We all make mistakes, it’s part of the journey, but it’s how we come back from them that matters.”
      Mercedes added: “For everyone asking, our front jack man is OK.”

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      The mechanic tried to shuffle backwards quickly but it was too late to stop the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton bowling him over
      Reigning champ Hamilton had otherwise shone in practice as he seeks to erase Max Verstappen’s five-point lead.
      Only Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was quicker than Hamilton.
      And Verstappen will start Sunday’s race at the back of the grid after being penalised for changing his engine.
      Boxing champion Anthony Joshua and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton’s cameo roles in FIFA 22’s new Career Mode storyline More

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      F1 Russian Grand Prix LIVE: Bottas goes fastest in FP1, Hamilton and Verstappen next – stream, TV, latest updates

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      GET ready for more high-octane racing as the Formula One season moves to Russia.Sochi plays host to what could be a pivotal race in the Driver’s Championship, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen grappling for crucial points.
      First up though there are two practice sessions today, before qualifying on Saturday.

      Practice start times: 9.30am/1pm BST
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

      Follow ALL the latest with our live blog below…
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      MAX STILL OPTIMISTIC
      Max Verstappen had the penalty hanging over his head and he explained the reasoning behind the decision to take it in Russia.
      He told Sky Sports: “It’s not only the results, we took everything into account, also the weather for tomorrow. We thought it would be best to take it here.
      “In 2018 the gaps to the midfield were bigger so I think it will be a bit more difficult to cut through. We had to take a penalty anyway and if we hadn’t have taken it here we’d have to take it somewhere else so we thought we’ll decide to do it here and try and make the best of it.
      “We just try to make the best possible race car for this weekend after we decided to take that engine. Of course it’s going to work out and let’s first see how the weather will be tomorrow.”
      ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’
      Christian Horner believes that Lewis Hamilton is “under way more pressure” to win the 2021 title than Max Verstappen is.
      Ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, Hamilton suggested that Verstappen was feeling the pressure of going for his first World Championship and said he could empathise as he felt the same when he was doing so in 2007.
      He said: “I think Lewis trying to get his eighth title is under way more pressure than Max going for his first.
      “Max is just enjoying what he’s doing, he’s driving better than ever. If you want to look at how he deals with pressure just go and look at Zandvoort, the intense pressure that he was under that weekend.
      “Look, he’s driving better than he’s ever driven, he’s enjoying driving the car, he’s enjoying the challenge, he’s enjoying the competition.
      “He’s got nothing to lose.”
      ‘BIG SHAME FOR MAX’
      Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes must make the most of the opportunity offered by Max Verstappen’s grid penalty at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
      Hamilton, who lies five points behind Verstappen at the top of the championship table, said the development “doesn’t really change anything for us” but admitted it gave him a valuable opportunity.
      He said: “We’ve just got to do our thing and focus. It’s a tough year, I think, for everyone with reliability. That’s definitely a shame for him.
      “But we’ve got to try and capitalise on that, get a maximum result. A one-two would be spectacular for us as a team.”
      LEW-K OUT
      Lewis Hamilton had a successful practice run but he messed up when he arrived back in the pits.
      The Brit pressed on the brakes a fraction too late and almost hit his mechanic.
      The mechanic quickly took a few steps backwards but lost his balance and ended up on his back – fortunately he got up right away and appears to be okay.

      CRASH!
      Giovinazzi crashes his Alfa Romeo! Red flag!
      He’s understeered at Turn 8 and spins and then slams backwards into the barriers.
      That’s made a mess of his rear wing, and the barriers.
      The session is suspended to recover the car, and fix the barriers.
      LANDO GOING WELL
      In third is Pierre Gasly with Brit Lando Norris finishing up fourth.
      Max Verstappen could not improve on his FP1 run and is down in sixth place.
      MERCEDES HIT BACK
      FP2 ends in the same way as FP1 with Valtteri Bottas leading the way followed by Lewis Hamilton.
      The pair recorded times of 1:33:593 and 1:33:637 respectively.
      LECLERC THE MAN TO BEAT
      Charles Leclerc is the early pacesetter in FP2, and is now ahead of Mercedes pair Valteri Bottas and lewis Hamitlon.
      The Ferrari driver recorded the third-fastest time in FP1 but has improved on that return.
      MAX BLOW
      Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid after being hit with a penalty due to Red Bull opting to take a new Honda power unit at Sochi.
      Verstappen lost his second engine of the season after his heavy crash at Silverstone, caused by contact with title rival Lewis Hamilton.
      He had to switch to a brand new power unit for the next race in Hungary, as a crack was discovered in the repaired engine after qualifying, which moved him onto his third set of major engine components of the season.
      Drivers can only use three each of the international combustion engine, MGU-H, turbocharger and MGU-K in a season before grid penalties start being applied.
      Honda attempted to salvage the cracked power unit but it cannot be used in races again this season, leaving Verstappen with only the engine introduced in Hungary and a high-mileage engine from early in the season to get to the end of the year without a penalty.
      ‘LEWIS WON’T BAIL’
      Lewis Hamilton has decided not to back out of on-track battles when he believes he has a right to the corner, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says.
      Wolff said it followed discussions over the aggressive approach to racing of title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
      Wolff said: “The change in approach is that Lewis pretty much decided not to bail out any more when he thinks the corner is his.
      “Now it needs two to understand when a collision can be avoided.”
      ‘NICE TO BE FIGHTING’
      Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in practice one and he is glad to be competing with the race leaders.
      Leclerc told The Race: “They have two different styles. Max is a bit more on the aggressive side, Lewis a bit more on the clean side. It’s nice to be fighting with both of them.
      “Lewis is always very, very clever in the way he positions his car to put you in a difficult situation. And he most of the time manages to make the pass in a clean way.
      “But I enjoy racing with both, and if anything I quite like fighting with Max because it’s always really on the limit.”
      NINTCHDBPICT000682061343Credit: Reuters
      ‘WE NEED CHAOS’
      Fernando Alonso is feeling confident ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix but admits he would near close to a miracle to win.
      He told Autosport: “I think we are the fifth or sixth team in the field. So to take a podium we need a very chaotic race. Without that, P6 or P7 is our maximum achievable position.
      “A clean Friday is important, because it could be the only dry run of the weekend.
      “You never know, but at least we have more confidence here than in Monza.”

      Lando Norris crashed into the wall and damaged the front wing on his McLaren as he made his way back to the pits at the end of first practice at the 2021 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix.
      He somehow managed to clip a concrete barrier on his way into the pits and ended up in a spin.
      It was a momentary lapse in concentration of an otherwise positive opening session for the Brit, who recorded the sixth-fastest time in first practice.
      MERCEDES ON TOP
      We’re halfway through first practice and it is Mercedes pair Valterri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton who have set the fastest times so far.
      Charles Leclerc follows closely behind and then comes Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen, just under a second down on the Brit.
      It is heating up to be an exciting qualification.

      FP1 LATEST
      More good speed from Bottas on a glorious morning in Russia, with the Mercedes man going fastest to top the leaderboards.
      Let’s hope that the rain forecast doesn’t wreak havoc on FP2 and FP3, because the track looks in terrific condition for racing.
      TO THE MAX
      Verstappen on the soft tyres and he finally puts his foot to the floor.
      The Driver’s Championship leader goes fastest in FP1.
      BOTTAS ON THE CHARGE
      Valtterri isn’t half bad at this track – and is showing good early pace on the hard tyres.
      A terrific last sector puts him fastest with a 1:36.4, Leclerc and Hamilton nex.t
      FP1 LIVE
      Hamilton, Bottas and Leclerc showing good early pace on this pancake of a track.
      There’s just under 2m of elevation through the entire thing.
      We mentioned the weather earlier and that’s something to keep an eye on for qualifying and the race itself on Sunday – the forecast is for heavy rain…

      LECLERC PENALTY
      An upgrade to Ferrari’s power unit has put Leclerc on the back of the grid on Sunday.
      Carlos Sainz though, he still has the old unit and will have NO penalty. Ferrari didn’t want both their cars starting at the back.
      They’re out on the track now, with the two Mercedes’ also joining the fray.
      HAMMER TIME
      Lewis Hamilton is adamant he will not crack under the pressure of his intense F1 title fight with Max Verstappen.
      The rivalry has exploded on track with the two coming to blows at the British and Italian Grands Prix.
      Last out at Monza, Hamilton said he was lucky to be alive after Verstappen landed his Red Bull racecar on to the top of his Mercedes – earning the Dutchman a three-place grid penalty here in Sochi.
      Hamilton, who is locked in to his 10th title fight, was quizzed whether Verstappen’s actions were showing he is struggling to cope with the added pressure.
      He said: “Obviously he won’t admit to it, I’m not going to make an assumption.
      “But I’m just saying I remember [my first one] was difficult. It was intense. I was going through a lot of different emotions, I didn’t always handle it the best. And that’s to be expected, it’s a lot of pressure.
      “You’re working in a big team, there’s a lot of self-expectation and pressure because the desire to win is huge.”

      MERC TERRITORY
      This is Mercedes’ track, if previous years are anything to go by.

      FP1 IS GO!
      Time for action in Russia, where there’s just been an impressive fly-past from the military.
      This could be one of those practice sessions that tells us everything – or nothing.
      But it wouldn’t be F1 without that unpredictability.
      The drivers just about to head out on track under clear skies.
      MAX ATTACKS
      Max Verstappen has taken another swipe at Lewis Hamilton as their F1 battle is set to erupt in Russia.
      The two clashed at the Italian GP where Hamilton claimed he was lucky to be ALIVE after Verstappen launched his Red Bull off a kerb and on to the roof of the Brit’s Mercedes.
      And they have looked horns again after Hamilton had hinted that the pressure could be getting to the 23-year-old, who is in his first title fight, with Verstappen hitting back saying: “You don’t even know me.”
      Hamilton was quizzed whether Verstappen’s desperate lunge in Monza showed he is struggling to cope with the added pressure.
      He said: “Obviously Max won’t admit to it, I’m not going to make an assumption!
      “But I remember [my first title battle] was difficult. It was intense. I was going through a lot of different emotions.
      “I didn’t always handle it the best. And that’s to be expected, it’s a lot of pressure.”

      SCHEDULE
      There’s no sprint qualifying at the Russian Grand Prix, so the weekend takes on a familiar pattern.
      First and second practice will be held on Friday, September 24 at 9.30am BST and 1pm BST.
      Qualifying follows on Saturday, with the action getting underway at 1pm.
      And the big race itself will be held on Sunday, September 26 with lights out at 1pm.
      You can catch all of the action live on Sky Sports F1.
      Coverage of first practice begins at 9am on Friday, with streaming available on Sky Go.
      WE GO AGAIN
      Ready for more?
      After Monza threw up thrills and spills galore, F1 is back this weekend for the Russian Grand Prix.
      Neither Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen finished the race in Italy, crashing together mid-race and further fuelling their ongoing rivalry.
      The Dutchman has been slapped with a three-place grid penalty ahead of this weekend’s Russian GP for causing the smash that took them both out.
      Ahead of the big race on Sunday, we have two practice sessions today (9am and 1pm) before qualifying tomorrow.
      We could be in for a real treat – don’t miss a second with our live blog from Sochi.

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      Lewis Hamilton handed huge boost in F1 title race with fierce rival Max Verstappen to start Russian GP from back of grid

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a major boost in his battle with Max Verstappen for the Formula One title after the Dutchman was demoted to the back of the grid.Verstappen, who came into this weekend’s Russian GP with a three-place grid penalty for causing the crash that took both drivers out in Monza, has now been shifted to the very back for Sunday’s race.
      Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at the Russian GP in Sochi after replacing his engineCredit: AFP
      Verstappen had already been handed a three-place grid penalty following his Monza smash with HamiltonCredit: Getty
      It comes after his Red Bull team decided to replace his engine and components on his car, triggering a number of sanctions.
      It is a blow to Verstappen and his Red Bull team given Mercedes’ domination of the Sochi circuit where they have never lost.
      And it puts Hamilton in pole position to overturn Verstappen’s five point advantage in the title race.
      Hamilton said: “[Max’s penalty] does not really change anything for us. We have to focus and do our thing.
      “It is a shame for him but I have to try to capitalise on that and go for the maximum result and a one-two finish would be a great result for the team.
      “It seems like we have started on the right foot and we are trying to progress but generally it was a good session pace-wise.”

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      Meanwhile, Merc boss Toto Wolff says Hamilton WILL now change his driving style to combat Verstappen’s aggression after the two clashed at Silverstone and the Italian GP.
      Hamilton has backed out of three close calls with Verstappen this season – on the first laps of the Emilia Romagna, Spanish and Italian Grands Prix – while the Dutchman has never given way.
      Wolff said: “The change in approach is that Lewis pretty much decided not to bail out any more when he thinks the corner is his.
      “Now it needs two to understand when a collision can be avoided.”
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner said he has spoken to his driver about their on-track incidents but also says he does not expect him to shirk his gung-ho approach.
      He added: “We always review any incident and look at it very carefully and you always think ‘could I have done anything different? Could I have done anything better?’
      “Max is always very open to that. He is extremely self-critical. You’re always learning.
      “But he’s a hard racer. It is part of his character – it is part of why he has the following he does.
      “You know he is going to give 110 per cent and that has an impact on the driver he is racing, because they just know he is going to go for it.
      “It’s part of his make-up and I don’t think it’s going to change.”

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton holds the advantage now going into Sunday’s race in SochiCredit: AP
      Valtteri Bottas set the pace in Sochi having topped both practice sessions on Friday with Hamilton finishing second-quickest in FP2.
      However, the Brit did have a nervy moment when he overshot his pitstop and floored his front jack-man, who was thankfully not hurt despite being sent flying.
      Sky F1 analyst Johnny Herbert said: “Lewis commented that the brake magic button wasn’t doing what he wanted it to do.
      “Luckily the mechanic is OK, which is great, and hopefully they will be able to carry on in the normal way.
      “But it’s the situation, with the Championship how it is, none of this stuff can happen when it comes to the race on Sunday, that’s for sure.”
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to dangerous crash More

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      F1 Russian Grand Prix practice: UK start time, live stream, TV channel and full schedule from Sochi

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      THE dramatic 2021 Formula One season continues this weekend as the drivers head to Russia.After another action-packed weekend at Monza, it’s on to Sochi as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen renew their rivalry.
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      Verstappen and Hamilton were involved in a nerve-shredding crash at the Italian GPCredit: AP
      When is F1 Russian Grand Prix?

      There’s no sprint qualifying at the Russian Grand Prix, so the weekend takes on a familiar pattern.
      First and second practice will be held on Friday, September 24 at 9.30am BST and 1pm BST.
      Qualifying follows on Saturday, with the action getting underway at 1pm.
      And the big race itself will be held on Sunday, September 26 with lights out at 1pm.

      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You can catch all of the action live on Sky Sports F1.
      Coverage of first practice begins at 9am on Friday, with streaming available on Sky Go.
      If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can still watch the weekend’s entertainment by grabbing a NOW TV pass.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

      Full schedule
      Friday, September 24

      First practice – 9.30am BST
      Second practice – 1pm BST

      Saturday, September 25

      Third practice – 10am
      Qualifying – 1pm

      Sunday, September 26

      Race – 1pm More

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      Lewis Hamilton says Max Verstappen is under pressure to win F1 title but he won’t crack in his own fight to win

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is adamant he will not crack under the pressure of his intense F1 title fight with Max Verstappen.The rivalry has exploded on track with the two coming to blows at the British and Italian Grands Prix.
      The pair were forced to retire at the Italian GP after a crashCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton is currently five points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ ChampionshipCredit: AFP
      Last out at Monza, Hamilton said he was lucky to be alive after Verstappen landed his Red Bull racecar on to the top of his Mercedes – earning the Dutchman a three-place grid penalty for this weekend’s Russian GP.
      Hamilton, who is locked in to his 10th title fight, was quizzed whether Verstappen’s actions were showing he is struggling to cope with the added pressure.
      He said: “Obviously he won’t admit to it, I’m not going to make an assumption.
      “But I’m just saying I remember [my first one] was difficult. It was intense. I was going through a lot of different emotions, I didn’t always handle it the best. And that’s to be expected, it’s a lot of pressure.
      “You’re working in a big team, there’s a lot of self-expectation and pressure because the desire to win is huge.”
      While this is Verstappen’s first crack at the title, Hamilton almost won the crown on his debut season at McLaren in 2007.

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      And he says that over his 15 years in the sport he had learnt how to cope with those expectations.
      He added: “It’s a lot easier to handle than my first one. But I’ve been here a long time so it’s much easier to deal with it now.
      “In my first year I was very young and didn’t have the tools to be able to handle the sort of pressures that were being put on me so it’s a lot different for me.”
      Hamilton says he is feeling fine after suffering a bang to the head when Verstappen crashed into him in Italy.
      TV footage has shown that the Brit was saved from serious injury by the halo cockpit protection.
      But despite the serious smash, he does not expect the 23-year-old to change his aggressive driving style, even with his warning from the race stewards.
      He said: “Naturally we’re battling for a championship. I remember what it was like battling for my first championship and obviously I’m fighting in my tenth battle
      “But I remember what it was like and I know the pressures that come with it and the experience that go with it so I can empathise with that.
      “I think what’s important is that we continue to race hard but fair. I have no doubt that we will both be professional and learn from the past.
      “But I never expect a driver to back down. That’s not how I approach racing any drivers

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “I think ultimately we all have to be smart and know there’s a time that you’re not going to make a corner.
      It’s all about making sure you live to fight the next corner. And that’s really just through experience you find that balance and you know that it’s not all won on one corner so there will be other opportunities.
      “As I said, I know what it’s like having your first fight for your first championship and your eagerness, you go through lots of different experiences and emotions during that time.
      “I do believe that we’ll continue to get stronger and I’m hopeful we won’t have any more incidents throughout the year.”
      Lewis Hamilton inches from tragedy as Max Verstappen’s car LANDS on him in terrifying Italian GP crash More

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      Ralf Schumacher says Lewis Hamilton ‘dramatised’ things after F1 star’s crash with Max Verstappen at Italian Grand Prix

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      RALF SCHUMACHER reckons Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to an Italian Grand Prix crash with Max Verstappen was exaggerated. The dramatic incident saw the two red hot rivals collide for the second time this season resulting in both being knocked out of the race. 
      Lewis Hamilton, fortunately, came away relatively unscathed following a collision with Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand PrixCredit: Sportphoto24/Marco Canoniero
      Verstappen’s tyre skimmed the top of Hamilton’s helmet during the race in MonzaCredit: AP
      Slow-motion footage shows Versappen’s rear tyre on the right-hand side of his car had brushed Hamilton’s crash helmet during the accident. 
      Observers claim the outcome of the incident could have been far worse had the halo not been in place to soften the impact. 
      And the seven-time World Champion, 36, seemed to escape relatively unharmed with some strapping provided for his neck after stating it was stiff in the aftermath.
      Schumacher, 46, who highlighted Hamilton attending the Met Gala days after the incident, told Sport1: “I think Lewis was too dramatising of it, considering that he flew to New York the next day to attend an event.”
      The collision between Hamilton and Verstappen in Monza is the second crash involving the pair this year. 
      The Belgian-born racer, 23, also collided with the Brit earlier in the year at the British Grand Prix. 

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      And while Hamilton carried on, Verstappen was unable to continue. 
      And his former team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has suggested Verstappen is still upset about the crash. 
       Speaking to the Pardon My Take podcast, Ricciardo said: “I know Max, we were team-mates for a few years.
      “That’s him, he is a competitor he’ll leave it on the track and that’s it.

      “I guess he still maybe was carrying a bit of anger or a little bit of frustration from Silverstone.” 
      Hamilton and Verstappen are expected to return to the track for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi. 
      The collision at Monza led to a three-place grid penalty for Verstappen which the F1 championship contender is expected to take this weekend. 
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to dangerous crash More

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      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ‘very likely’ to crash again this season as rivalry heats up, says F1 drivers’ chief

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      TITLE rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are ‘very likely’ to crash for a third time this season, Alex Wurz says.The chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association thinks another shunt could happen with both men trying to ‘mark their territory’.
      Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crashed at the Italian Grand Prix last time outCredit: Rex
      The shunt was their second this season after a collision at the British Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
      Hamilton and Verstappen had a scary collision during the Italian Grand Prix which forced them both to retire from the race.
      Verstappen’s Red Bull landed on top of Hamilton’s Mercedes – and the Brit said he was saved by the Halo safety technology.
      The Red Bull man leads seven-time champion Hamilton by just five points with eight races still scheduled to take place.
      And when asked about another crash between the title rivals, Wurz told Sky Sports: “I think it’s very likely, to be honest. Both have to mark their territory.
      “Outside the car I talk to both and they talk to each other, and they have great respect for each other, which is really nice to see.
      “But on the other side, on the track it’s, ‘hey, we are here to fight, we are here to win the Formula 1 world championship’. It’s one of the most prestigious titles you can have in the world of sport.
      “They have to fight, it’s part of the game. Hopefully with the respect they need for their own team and their own results, and not only for each other, because to finish first you have to finish, so they can’t afford too many crashes.”
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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      The pair collided at the British Grand Prix earlier in the summer.
      Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty for his involvement but still went on to claim a famous win in front of his home fans.
      The battle for the drivers’ championship will resume this weekend with the Russian Grand Prix.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to dangerous crash More

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      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will ‘kick off’ after becoming F1 Mercedes team-mates, predicts David Coulthard

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      F1 LEGEND David Coulthard reckons Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will clash after becoming Mercedes team-mates.Hamilton, 36, is the No1 driver at Mercedes but Russell, 23, will be keen on winning his maiden world title in their colours.
      George Russell will be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at Mercedes next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And F1 legend David Coulthard reckons the pair will clashCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      As quoted by The Independent, Coulthard claimed it will ‘absolutely’ kick-off between the seven-time world champ and the youngster next year.
      The retired British driver added: “It will be the making of George up against the driver of a couple of generations.
      “This is where George Russell becomes the making of a future world champion.
      “Because he hasn’t been pushed by any of his team-mates, it will be very different with Lewis.
      “In the beginning, he will just be young and full of energy, he will be fresh and then he will get worn down by the relentlessness of Lewis.
      “And that’s the point at which he will grow as a man.”

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      Russell was confirmed as Hamilton’s partner for 2022 after Mercedes decided to drop Valtteri Bottas, 32, from their roster.
      But chief Toto Wolff doesn’t want a repeat of Hamilton’s fierce rivalry with former team-mate Nico Rosberg that dominated the sport.
      The Brit and the retired German endured a frosty relationship during their four-year spell as colleagues at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016.
      Both drivers were competing for the Drivers’ Championship and Rosberg eventually won the title in 2016 before quitting the sport days later.
      Hamilton and Nico Rosberg endured a frosty relationship at MercedesCredit: Getty
      Discussing his new driver, Wolff said: “He has proven that he deserves to have a seat in a top car and now we need to get him properly adjusted into the Mercedes situation.
      “There’s a lot more pressure, he’s having an unbelievable team-mate with the biggest records and there it’s important that you condition him and you calibrate him in the right way.
      “We’ve seen situations in the past where they’ve failed. Lewis was part of one where I think the team didn’t quite understand how it could potentially go.
      “I think we’re maybe a little bit better prepared for that situation but nevertheless, he has all the ambition to be a future world champion and so has Lewis, to add another one, so it’s about calibration.”
      George Russell in profile after Mercedes move More