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      F1 introduce new rule to ban Lewis Hamilton and Co from driving too slowly at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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      LEWIS HAMILTON could be punished at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – for driving too slowly.While the Brit endured a difficult day during practice as he was off the pace, race bosses have warned ALL F1 drivers that driving unnecessarily slowly will not be tolerated.
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      Lewis Hamilton could be punished in Azerbaijan for driving too slowly during qualifyingCredit: Splash
      In the past, drivers have slowed down on their qualifying laps to give themselves a gap in the traffic so they can pump in a flying lap.
      However, that has caused some cars to bunch up, which is notoriously difficult on the twisty Baku circuit, particularly towards the end of the track.
      And race bosses say they will punish any driver who backs up the traffic.
      FIA race director Michael Masi said in his race notes: “For reasons of safety, during each practice session, acts such as weaving across the track to hinder another car may be referred to the stewards.
      “During free practice session three and the qualifying practice, the time published in the race directors’ event notes will be used as a guide by the stewards to determine if a driver is considered to be driving unnecessarily slowly.
      “For the avoidance of doubt, the pit exit is considered a part of the track and the provisions apply in this area.
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      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “During any practice session, any driver intending to create a gap in front of him in order to get a clear lap should not attempt to do this between the entry to Turn 17 through to the exit of Turn 20.
      “Any driver seen to have done this will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of the sporting regulations.”
      Hamilton is under pressure in the drivers’ championship after Max Verstappen won the Monaco Grand Prix to move four points clear at the top.
      The Brit is vying for a record eighth world title, with his 23-year-old rival aiming to become Red Bull’s first champion since Sebastian Vettel won his fourth crown in 2013.
      The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the sixth of the season, with 22 races in total.

      Sports pundits reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s career as he prepares to start a potentially historic F1 season More

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      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks with Azerbaijan Grand Prix NEXT and Singapore GP CANCELLED

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      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is two races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title.But Hamilton seems to have all the early momentum after winning the last two races in Portugal and Spain, with Monte Carlo up next.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
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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 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
      Turkey had replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, but it was then axed by F1 chiefs on safety grounds.
      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.
      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 – NEXT
      KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE ACTION FROM BAKU IN OUR LIVE BLOG

      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 – CANCELLED

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix – new dates

      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

      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

      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
      *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

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

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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)

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

      Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
      Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
      Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
      Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

      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

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
      Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

      🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
      Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
      Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

      Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
      Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
      Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
      Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

      🇸🇦 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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      F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 latest updates as Hamilton and Verstappen get used to the course in Baku

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen head to Azerbaijan as they do battle again in an enthralling F1 campaign.Hamilton had been in control of the championship but slipped behind Verstappen after a seventh placed finish in Monaco.
      Get all the latest F1 updates from Baku here…
      F1 CHIEFS’ WING WATCH
      Red Bull’s ‘flexi-wing’ at the back of their car will be monitored by F1 bosses this weekend ahead of a potential ban.
      Mercedes are concerned their rivals are gaining an unfair advantage by having a rear wing that drops down to reduce drag on the straights.
      Max Verstappen has dismissed complaints as jealously.
      He stated: “I can understand people complaining… but it’s all within the rules so far. There’s nothing wrong with it.
      “Of course, they try to slow us down.”
      But Lewis Hamilton said: “It doesn’t really matter what I think about it, it is what it is. They’re approved based on current testing methods and they’re valid this weekend. So we can’t do much against it.”
      SINGAPORE GP CANCELLED
      The Singapore Grand Prix has been called off this year leaving F1 chiefs desperately searching for a new race.
      Motor racing bosses are looking at options to replace the event from October 1-3.
      Travel complications have put paid to this year’s Singapore Grand Prix
      The Marina Bay Street Circuit was due to host round 16 of this year’s championship.
      But travel issues to the Asian city state have forced F1 bosses to look elsewhere.
      Singapore has kept Covid infections relatively low thanks to their strict border controls and test-and-trace system.
      FOUR FOR LEW FORMATION?
      World champ Lewis Hamilton is gunning for his fourth win in the first six grands prix – whilst Max Verstappen hopes to level it at 3-3.

      NO BOTT-ER
      Valtteri Bottas has remained coy on his Mercedes future by indicating his focus is on the current season.
      Both Bottas, 31, and Lewis Hamilton, 36, have contracts with Mercedes that are due to expire at the end of 2021.
      When asked about his future ahead of Friday practice, he said: “I’m quite open minded.
      “Like in life in general, you need to always take opportunities and you just never know what is around the corner. And that’s also, having clear goals, what you’re pushing for and that has taken me this far.
      “I always want to kind of follow my heart and follow my passion and I am still enjoying Formula One very much and racing at the front. I really, really love it.”
      HAMILTON REACTION
      Lewis Hamilton is very calm and matter-of-fact as he speaks after practice, admitting Mercedes have more to do and yet are far from out of it.
      He said: “I feel like I’m driving well and the car felt better in FP1.
      “We’re definitely quite a chunk down and everyone will be scratching their heads into how we can improve.
      “The long run was better.
      “The car is limited, there’s no more grip, but we’ll work at it and I don’t really know why we are where we are.”
      Credit: Splash
      OFF YU POP
      Yuki Tsunoda has been ordered to move from Milton Keynes and sent to Italy to get his career back on track.
      The 21-year-old has gone in reverse since finishing ninth in his first race of the season and the AlpaTauri man was told to relocate to Faenza to be closer to his team to help his development.
      He said: “I got told [to move] while I was in Monaco. When I crashed in FP2 it was not a good thing. And I think Red Bull wasn’t happy after that.
      “It’s good to have a little bit of a big change for me, because I think the last three races or four races, I haven’t had good races and to change something, you know, you need [to do things] a bit different.
      “I didn’t enjoy last week, but it is what it is. And I think the engineer meeting especially, that makes a very good understanding to the car.
      “But mainly the gym session, the time is much, much longer than usual. So hopefully I will not be like a bodybuilder at the end of the year.”
      WHAT WENT WRONG FOR MERCEDES?
      Stuck in 11th and 16th would be a panic result for the Mercs at the best of times, but after their Monaco woe this truly is a worrying situation.
      Lewis Hamilton had a hot lap ruined by Charles Leclerc but was nowhere near with only slightly older tyres when he got it together.
      He complained: “I’m not going to go faster, I don’t know where the time is.”
      Meanwhile Valtteri Bottas was simply never able to put in a truly quick time on the Softs, having been nowhere in FP1 too.
      It could be a matter of warming up the tyres in time plus a sense that much of the pack has been catching the Mercs up more generally.
      Toto Wolff has cancelled his media duties with Sky F1 – no such delays for Christian Horner who jumps straight in front of the cameras.
      TOP TEN IN FP2
      1. PER – 1:42.1152. VER – 0.1 seconds back3. SAI – Only 0.128 off first in more good news for Ferrari4. LEC – Crashed and lost front wing at Turn 15, wrecking many others’ laps5. GAS – Most laps (26)6. ALO7. GIO – Alfa Romeo surprise fastest in quick Sector 38. NOR9. OCO10. TSU
      Credit: Getty
      CHECO FLAG
      It is all smiles for Red Bull and all question marks for Mercedes after second practice in Baku.
      Sergio Perez takes first place ahead of Max Verstappen, who have backed up good qualifying simulations with quick race runs.
      Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in the Ferraris are third and fourth, respectively, leaving Lewis Hamilton 11th. Yikes.
      WIDE OF THE MARK
      Valtteri Bottas and Yuki Tsunoda go wide to keep our ‘run-off area’ tally ticking over.
      Max Verstappen would have joined them had Turn 3 had a run-off area – instead he very nearly drifts into the wall. Five minutes to go.
      Credit: AP
      ‘DONE!’
      Nikita Mazepin cracks a joke as he fiddles with his steering wheel under instruction from his Haas team.
      Told to do the configurations whenever he is free, the Russian immediately shoots back: “Done!”
      He then jokes: “We’re not in Monaco anymore!”
      SCHUMACHER ISSUES
      More problems for the Haas as Mick Schumacher slumps back into the pits reporting of issues.
      We have 15 minutes of running and race simulations are likely to be the order of the day.
      LECLERC BACK ON TRACK
      Those Mercedes woes have kept Ferrari in P3 and P4.
      Charles Leclerc is all fixed up after his Turn 15 crash and racing again.
      Credit: AFP
      PAST HALFWAY
      We’re into the last 25 minutes of a session best summed up by the phrase higgledy-piggledy.
      Max Verstappen has gone second, 0.1 seconds off team-mate Sergio Perez.
      Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is 16th without a hot lap to speak of and Lewis Hamilton 11th and complaining on the radio.
      He says: “I’m not going to go faster, I don’t know where the time is.”
      TAKE TWO
      The likes of Lewis Hamilton are back on track pushing in qualifying sims.
      However, those Soft tyres are no longer as fresh as they were five minutes ago and lighting them up is difficult.
      Hamilton goes eighth and Sergio Perez takes top spot as Pierre Gasly runs wide at Turn 15.
      FRONT ON
      Charles Leclerc locked his right-front up and squirted straight into the barrier late on in what was looking a good lap.
      Without a front-wing, he reverses out safely and heads back to the pits.
      A Virtual Safety Car is ordered and basically everyone else’s hot laps on fresh tyres are ruined…

      IN THE WALL
      And that is Charles Leclerc in the barrier at Turn 15!
      LECLERC UPPING THE ANTE
      Qualifying simulations are underway and Carlos Sainz leads Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari one-two that is likely to change as new sets of the Softs are bolted on.
      BACK UNDERWAY
      Nicholas Latifi’s car sounded like a Viking God rudely awoken from a lie-in as it broke down for that red flag.
      It’s now been moved off the track and, with 41 minutes to go, practice has resumed.

      WILLIAMS WOE
      Still 45 minutes left in the session – and the clock will keep ticking while the car is recovered.
      But that may not be a quick fix for Williams, who need all the track time they can get in the hunt for a championship point.
      RED FLAG
      We have a stoppage after Nicholas Latifi ran out of engine.
      The Canadian’s Williams dribbles into a run-off area, manages to reverse out, and then comes to a halt on track.
      FERRARI FURY
      Nikita Mazepin and Carlos Sainz jostle for position on the main straight.
      The Russian complains over the radio that he is being blamed for not getting out of the way while nobody gets out of his way.
      THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG
      Speak of the devil… The run-off area at Turn 1 is made use of by Valtteri Bottas.
      The Finn, whose plane to Azerbaijan refused to take off until late last night, runs wide and pulls out of a lap before it really begins.
      Lando Norris runs wide shortly after before Sebastian Vettel enjoys a tank-slapper at Turn 16.
      WHAT’S IN STORE THIS HOUR?
      Expect plenty more traffic problems and darts into the run-off areas, if FP1 is anything to go by.
      Drivers have largely kept it out of the wall so far but any street circuit is vulnerable to some concrete disruption.
      We will also see some practice race runs as cars fill up on fuel and put in an extended run of laps, plus a few hot lap attempts on the Soft tyre.
      LIGHTS OUT
      Free practice 2 is underway. Let’s do this!
      Credit: Getty
      Load more entries… More

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      Singapore Grand Prix CANCELLED due to Covid travel rules as F1 consider other three race alternatives

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs face a logistical headache after the Singapore Grand Prix was cancelled due to Covid restrictions.The race was due to take place on the weekend of October 1-3 but local authorities say it would not be possible due to immigration fears.
      The Singapore Grand Prix this year has been axed due to Covid travel complicationsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It is the third race to be cancelled altogether after the Canadian and Turkish GPs were also scrapped while the dates for the Chinese GP were never confirmed.
      A spokesperson for the Singapore GP said: “We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed.”
      F1 bosses are keen to deliver a record-breaking 23-race season and have plugged one gap by hosting two races in Austria.
      An option to supplement the loss of the Singapore GP could be to have two races in Austin Texas, or to resurrect the Turkish GP later in the year.
      Another option would be to reinstall the Chinese GP, which was shifted back from its initial date in April.
      However, there are also concerns that like Singapore, local authorities could prevent the arrival of F1 personnel in Australia, while covid cases in Brazil could also put the Sao Paulo race in jeopardy.
      Singapore has implemented tight border controls and managed to keep Covid infections fairly low.
      Australia has also been strict on international arrivals and quarantine periods in hotels.
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      Last year’s 17-race season took place almost exclusively in Europe with the final three races in the Middle East.
      This year’s schedule began in Bahrain before heading to Europe for races in Italy, Portugal, Spain and Monaco.
      The teams and drivers are in Azerbaijan this weekend after their race around the streets of Baku last year was cancelled.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton’s post race reaction to winning the 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix More

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      Fernando Alonso admits he was ‘wasting time’ in F1 before taking two-year break from the sport

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      FERNANDO ALONSO has admitted that he quit Formula 1 almost three years ago because he felt he was ‘wasting my time’.The Spaniard is back on the grid after a two-year break since he walked out of McLaren in 2018.
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      Fernando Alonso has claimed he was wasting his time before taking a break from F1Credit: Alamy
      He is the second-oldest driver on the grid, behind Kimi Raikkonen, 41, and a full 19-years older than AlpaTauri’s rookie driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
      The two-time world champion revealed he’s not feeling old earlier this year but has now admitted it was necessary to stop when he did.
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      The Alpine driver said: “It was necessary to stop.
      “I had been racing in Formula 1 for 18 seasons in a row without stopping, and staying fully dedicated had become too difficult.
      “Besides, I had other challenges to do – I needed to do them.
      “I was even feeling like I was wasting my time in Formula 1, but now I have come back happier. Now I am free to have fun every weekend.”
      Ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alonso claimed that that he is enjoying his comeback more than he expected.
      He added: “In terms of happiness or how I feel coming back, it’s better than I expected, honestly.

      “I’m enjoying every weekend so much, enjoying driving so much.
      “Even the weekends where we don’t have racing, I miss the grand prix.
      “So now that we have three races, France and two [in] Austria, I will enjoy because I like the back-to-back.”
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      Lando Norris signs new £6m-a-year McLaren deal More

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      Valtteri Bottas ‘open minded’ about F1 future and reveals Mercedes contract talks haven’t yet started

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      VALTTERI BOTAS has remained coy on his Mercedes future by indicating his focus is on the current season.Both Bottas, 31, and Lewis Hamilton, 36, have contracts with Mercedes that are due to expire at the end of 2021.
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      Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton are into their fifth year as teammates at Mercedes
      Bottas says he is “open minded” about his future but enjoying life at Mercedes
      Hamilton has hinted at staying with the German team for at least another year but Bottas is less willing to commit.
      The Finn was asked if discussions over a contract had taken place but he looked to downplay the issue.
      Bottas said: “We haven’t yet talked about anything, because this is a pretty demanding championship and we know how much it matters to be able to work in peace.
      “When you can focus on the main thing, that is performance, but that time will come, for sure. It (contract talks) hasn’t come yet, but for sure time flies, especially as we’re soon going to go to triple headers.
      “So I would imagine that, naturally, over the next month or so you need to start to speak and I know from previous experiences that the sooner you can sort things out, the better for everyone. It will come soon, but not yet.
      “About my future, what are my thoughts? I’m quite open minded.
      “Like in life in general, you need to always take opportunities and you just never know what is around the corner. And that’s also, having clear goals, what you’re pushing for and that has taken me this far.
      “I always want to kind of follow my heart and follow my passion and I am still enjoying Formula One very much and racing at the front.
      “I really, really love it and I still enjoy it as much as I did in example first year with Mercedes, no doubt.”

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

      Bottas hints at prolonging his stay with Mercedes but with George Russell’s Williams’ contract running out at the end of the year, Hamilton could have a new teammate.
      Russell has recently been linked with a move to Mercedes and could sign a two-year deal to replace Bottas.
      And Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reportedly has a total of four options to replace Bottas, should he leave.
      Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

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      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks with Azerbaijan Grand Prix next after Styrian GP added

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      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is two races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title.But Hamilton seems to have all the early momentum after winning the last two races in Portugal and Spain, with Monte Carlo up next.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
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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 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
      Turkey had replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, but it was then axed by F1 chiefs on safety grounds.
      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.
      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 – NEXT
      KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE ACTION FROM BAKU IN OUR LIVE BLOG

      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 – cancelled

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix – new dates

      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

      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

      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
      *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

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

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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)

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix

      Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit
      Friday, October 1: Practice 1 (10am), Practice 2 (1.30pm)
      Saturday, October 2: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, October 3: Race (1pm)

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

      Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
      Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
      Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
      Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

      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

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
      Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

      🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
      Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
      Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

      Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
      Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
      Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
      Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

      🇸🇦 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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      F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice: UK start time, TV channel and full race schedule as Hamilton aims for glory

      by

      F1 is back this weekend as the world’s best drivers head out to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will be looking to make it two race wins in a row while Lewis Hamilton is hoping to get back to winning ways following his stutter in Monaco.
      Max Verstappen won the F1 Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      The Monaco GP proved to be one of the most exciting races of the year as Brit Hamilton finished SEVENTH after a disastrous qualifying.
      And the Baku City Circuit awaits as the F1 season continues to hot up.
      When is F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice?

      The F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix first practice will get underway from 9.30am UK time on Friday, June 4.
      The race will take place at the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan’s capital.
      There will be no fans in attendance for the race due to coronavirus restrictions.
      The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will start at 1pm on Sunday, June 6.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      All of this weekend’s F1 action from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1.
      You can live stream all the action from first practice all the way to Sunday’s race from the NOW TV and Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile device, tablet or Smart TV.

      Lewis Hamilton is hoping to get back to winning ways in BakuCredit: Getty
      Full F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix race schedule
      Friday, June 4

      Practice One – 9.30am
      Practice Two – 1pm

      Saturday, June 5

      Practice Three – 10am
      Qualifying – 1pm

      Sunday, June 6

      Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 1pm More