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    Lewis Hamilton, 36, can race into his 40s and could put off retirement, claims Mercedes chief Toto Wolff

    LEWIS HAMILTON can race well into his 40s according to his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.Hamilton, who told SunSport on Sunday that he was open to signing a new deal with the team before F1’s summer break, will turn 37 in January.
    Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton can race into his 40sCredit: Getty
    Wolff hopes Hamilton will sign a new long-term Mercedes dealCredit: PA
    However, following his win in Barcelona, he declared there was “more life in the old dog, yet”.
    And Wolff says the Brit, who is enjoying his best ever-start to an F1 season, despite the threat of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, should be looking at signing a new long-term deal.
    He said: “Yes, it should be [more than a year]. We don’t want to be in a stressful situation every single year where we are absolutely flat-out trying to win races and needing to negotiate.
    “I would rather that doesn’t happen every year. We just need to spend a day or two together, put it out there, and decide which are the difficult components.
    “We will then lock the door and won’t walk out until it is sorted. That works best for us and it has worked best for us in the past. ”
    Hamilton has a 14-point lead in the championship as he goes in search of an eighth world title that would move him clear of the joint-record he currently holds with Michael Schumacher.
    And Wolff has drawn a comparison with Tom Brady, the NFL star who won his seventh Super Bowl at the age of 43 earlier this year.
    Asked if Hamilton can compete into his 40s, Wolff said: “Yes, absolutely. I have no doubt about that. He is so disciplined that in a way it is inspiring.
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    “As long as Lewis continues to look after himself mentally and physically, continues to develop cognitively, then he can go on for much longer.
    “Look at Tom Brady and we are talking about an athlete that is on the field. Here is a racing driver that has utilised all his senses.”
    Meanwhile, Hamilton is now just two race wins away from achieving 100 victories in F1.
    And after spending 59 laps behind Verstappen in the Spanish GP he says he picked up some secret tips on the Dutchman’s driving style and his Red Bull car.
    He said: “I learned a lot about Max, perhaps more than all the other races put together.
    “When you are with people on track you get to see different things and watch closely. I was following relatively closely and I learned a lot about his car and how he uses it, so it was a good race in that respect.”
    Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

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    Lewis Hamilton wants Mercedes contract talks as seven-time F1 world champion enters final seven months of deal

    LEWIS HAMILTON wants to start negotiations with Mercedes about a new contract.The world champion only signed a ten-month deal in February, just weeks ahead of the new season.
    Lewis Hamilton, 36, revealed he is ready to open talks with Mercedes over a new contract after winning the Spanish GPCredit: AP
    Lewis Hamilton penned a ten-month deal in February and has just seven months leftCredit: Getty
    The short nature of the deal raised fears that Hamilton could quit Formula One at the end of the year.
    However, the 36-year-old, who is expected to earn around £40million this year, says he is feeling fighting fit and ready to open talks with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
    When quizzed by SunSport about his thoughts towards the 2022 season, Hamilton gave a huge hint that he intends to stay in F1, irrespective of whether he wins an eighth world title.
    Hamilton – who won the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday having clinched his 100th pole a day earlier – said: “There is still some life in this old dog.
    “I would say that I am more conscious about my body and I have been training myself for a long time.
    “I am constantly learning about getting the best out of myself and I am feeling great.
    “Contract-wise, we never want to be in the position we were in January and February.
    “It ruined my whole winter and I am sure it was not helpful for Toto in terms of being off and time to relax, so it did not feel like we had much of a break.
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    Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner

    “So I think we have to be sensible.
    “We don’t have to rush anything but we have to be sensible and start these conversations.
    “They are very complex and it is never a simple procedure and so hopefully soon we can start, so long as it does not interfere with the actual job.
    “We still have 19 races to do but it would be great to get something in place before the break so we can be in that time and have a clear picture of the future.”
    Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 and has now won 77 times with the Silver Arrows and a further 21 times at McLaren.

    Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton WINS after brilliant battle with Verstappen – latest updates

    LEWIS HAMILTON has won the Spanish Grand Prix after a brilliant tussle with Max Verstappen in Barcelona.The Brit strengthens his grip in the Driver’s Championship after taking this race for a record SIXTH time.

    Live result: 1st Hamilton 2nd Verstappen 3rd Bottas 4th Leclerc

    Stay up to date with all the latest from Barcelona in our live blog below…

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    RACE RESULTS
    Here’s the Spanish GP result.
    Lewis Hamilton’s late charge has given him his third victory of the season.
    He needs just two more to reach 100 wins.
    Max Verstappen was second and Valtteri Bottas finished in third.

    KING OF SPAIN – LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE SPANISH GP
    A perfectly executed strategy to win this race as Verstappen had lead from the first corner of the first lap right up until lap 60.
    But with seven laps to go, Hamilton passed the Red Bull man for glory. The Dutchman gets a bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
    Bottas in third place ahead of Leclerc. Perez in fifth. Ricciardo in sixth.
    LAP 63 VERSTAPPEN SETS FASTEST LAP
    He is on for a bonus point, which is scant consolation given he was leading until the last seven laps.
    LAP 61
    Verstappen pits for tyres as he gets new tyres and has a shot at setting the fastest lap and earning the bonus point.
    LAP 60
    Hamilton gets Verstappen. He passes him in to Turn One and in to the lead.
    Good job that all round from Mercedes.
    LAP 57
    Bottas gets past Leclerc and in to third place. It is Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Leclerc, Perez, Ricciardo, Sainz, Ocon, Norris, Alonso.
    HAMILTON GETS PAST BOTTAS
    Back to Hamilton verses Verstappen. The Red Bull man leads for the time being but his tyres are shot.
    LAP 52
    Bottas told not to hold Hamilton up. But the Finn ignored the order. Hamilton had to pull off an overtake to get past his team mate.
    RUSSELL HUNTING FOR POINTS

    LAP 49
    Verstappen is 16 seconds ahead of Hamilton. Still 16 laps to go.
    LAP 48
    Verstappen says: “I don’t see how we are going to make it to the end.”
    HAMILTON GETTING CLOSER TO VERSTAPPEN

    HAMILTON STOPS FOR TYRES
    The Brit darted in to the pits at the last minute on lap 44 to stop for tyres.
    He will lose time but of course now had fresh tyres. Verstappen now has to get to the end on these tyres.
    This is shaping up for a great final.
    VERSTAPPEN VERSUS HAMILTON
    This is turning into an epic fight. Maybe not the most exciting on track battle but intriguing nonetheless. Final laps will be exciting.
    QUESTIONS OVER MERCEDES STRATEGY
    After Red Bull’s slow stop of 4 seconds, Mercedes could have called in Hamilton for tyres on the following lap.
    Had they done that, he would be in the lead. At the moment, however, he is behind Verstappen but is quicker and on fresher tyres.
    LAP 28
    Hamilton called in for tyres. It is a solid stop that takes 2.7 seconds.
    That has put Verstappen back in front.
    HAMILTON HELD UP BY MAZEPIN
    Toto Wolff complaining to Race Control that the Russian was holding his driver up.
    Hamilton now prolonging his stint on his first set of tyres. It means he will have fresher tyres late in the race.
    HAMILTON TURNS UP THE WICK
    He has put pressure on Verstappen, who stops for tyres. Red Bull, usually so reliable with their pitstops, make a slow one. Almost four seconds.
    That has given Hamilton a huge advantage. He has stayed out on track and is now blasting out the laps on his remaining tyres.
    LAP 21
    The top two are pulling away from the rest of the field. This is a great battle between them.
    Fourth race of the season and the fourth time they have slugged it out. Great stuff.
    Ignore the top two and the fight for third – Leclerc versus Bottas – is also close.
    Ricciardo, Perez, Ocon, Sainz, Norris, Stroll is the top 10.
    LAP 17
    Verstappen v Hamilton. Just 1.2 seconds in it. But this is a two-horse race. These two are relentless. Thumping out the laps, despite having a heavy fuel load.

    LAP 11 RACE RESTART
    Safety Car is in and the racing resumes. Verstappen keeps the lead. Leclerc stays in front of Bottas.
    Stroll passes Alonso to move in to 10th place.
    UNLUCKY FOR TSUNODA

    TSUNODA HAS STOPPED ON TRACK – SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED
    He is getting out of his AlphaTauri after it conked out. The Safety Car has been deployed while a crane will be used to recover his stricken motor.
    This will reel in Verstappen’s advantage. And give Bottas a good chance of getting past Leclerc.
    LAP 6
    Verstappen still holds that 1.4 second gap, which keeps him out of the DRS zone. Hamilton on P2.
    Leclerc is in P3 and holding off Bottas in fourth. The Finn is like a sinking ship.
    LAP 1
    Verstappen has pulled a 1.2 second gap on Hamilton. He is absolutely motoring.
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    Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix despite losing lead to rival Max Verstappen at first corner after smart pit stop

    LEWIS HAMILTON sealed a stunning fifth straight win in Spain as he overtook Max Verstappen with just SIX laps remaining for victory.The Mercedes ace was beaten off the line by his Red Bull rival, who led in Barcelona for most of the race.
    Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish GP for the fifth straight time with a great comeback driveCredit: Getty
    Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen with just six laps remaining for victoryCredit: Getty
    But Hamilton took advantage of two pit stops and much better tyres to close down Verstappen’s 22-second lead.
    And Hamilton eventually overtook his chief title rival with six laps left to secure a third win in the season’s opening four races.
    The victory sees Hamilton extend his lead over the Red Bull star to 14 points – with the Dutchman claiming the fastest lap bonus.
    Hailing his team’s strategy, Hamilton told his team over the radio: “Great job with that strategy. Definitely had to work for it”.
    Mercedes chief Toto Wolff told him: “Lewis perfect combination. Great strategy, bold and great driving.”
    Valterri Bottas finished third with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth.
    Sergio Perez was fifth ahead of Daniel Ricciardo in sixth, Carlos Sainz in seventh and Lando Norris eighth.
    Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly picked up the final points.
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    Hamilton’s two pit-stops strategy paid off brilliantlyCredit: AFP
    Verstappen will be left wondering how he didn’t winCredit: AP

    Hamilton said after the race: “First I want to acknowledge the fans that are here. It is great to see. I saw a British flag out there which I haven’t seen for a long, long time. I feel great after this. I feel like I could go again.
    “I was so close [behind Verstappen] for so long but just managed to keep the tyres in somehow. 22 seconds was a long way to come back but it was a good gamble – a really great strategy from the team.
    “I was about to get a shot to get past him as I pitted. I was really conflicted – ‘do I come in or ignore the call’. I did what the team asked because there is a great trust between us. Remarkable job by everyone in this team. What a day.”

    Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton takes pole AGAIN in Spain – stream, TV channel, latest updates

    F1 is BACK this weekend as Lewis Hamilton aims for a third win in four races at the Spanish Grand Prix – and the Brit is back on pole. The English star has been bested just once this season, by Max Verstappen at the Emilia Romagna GP in March.

    GET HUGE 20/1 OFFER ON LEWIS HAMILTON TO PODIUM

    What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    ALL of the F1 action from Friday to Sunday will be shown live on the Sky Sports F1 channel.
    Coverage of the Grand Prix will begin at 12.30pm on Sunday, May 9.
    You can live stream all of the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    FULL F1 Spanish Grand Prix schedule
    Friday, May 7

    Spanish GP Practice One – 10.30am
    Spanish GP Practice Two – 2pm

    Saturday, May 8

    Spanish GP Practice Three – 11am
    Spanish GP Qualifying – 2pm

    Sunday, May 9

    Spanish Grand Prix – 2pm

    Stay up to date with all the latest from Barcelona in our live blog…

    ICYMI – LEW BEAUTY
    Lewis Hamilton was overjoyed after clinching his 100th pole position this afternoon.
    He said: “P3 was looking really good, we have been strong all weekend. I made some changes, I had a bit of anxiety about the changes we were going make. You always try to make them better but it’s a bit of a gamble. It was my call in the end.
    “We made this change and as soon as I got out it was immediately: ‘This is the wrong way.’ That’s why I was behind the whole way through qualifying.
    “I was making changes all the way through to try to elevate the pace.
    “I can’t believe we are at 100. It’s down to the men and women back at the factory who are just continuing to raise the bar and never giving up. It has been a dream to work these guys. Who would have thought when I made the move at the end of 2012 that we would get to 100? I am ecstatic, like it’s my first.
    “The set-up that I made I just had so much understeer. The car was very lazy and wouldn’t turn around the corners in the way I wanted.
    “I was making small adjustments within what we are able to change to get the car to turn and then it is just pulling everything together. It was my cleanest lap. I will always remember that.”
    100 POLES! I can’t even begin to describe how this feels. I can’t thank the team and everyone back at the factory enough for everything they’ve done to help us secure this incredible milestone. I feel so humbled and very grateful. This feels like my first win all over again 🙌🏾💯 pic.twitter.com/KkCgShdhq2— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 8, 2021

    YEARS IN THE MAKING
    It turns out you can achieve a lot in 5,000 days!
    Take a look at Lewis Hamilton’s first pole all the way back in 2007, compared to his hundredth earlier today.

    LEW MUST BE KIDDING
    After Lewis Hamilton sealed his stunning 100th pole position this weekend at the Spanish GP, feast your eyes on his astonishing record down the years.
    His consistency is something quite phenomenal!

    ‘ABSOLUTELY STAGGERING’
    Fans and pundits alike have been left awestruck by Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable achievement of reaching 100 poles this afternoon.
    And Matt Gallagher put it about as well as anyone.
    Lewis Hamilton again proving why he’s one of the greatest of all time. 100 pole positions is absolutely staggering. We’re witnessing history right before our eyes.I hope whether you love or hate him, you can at least appreciate what he’s achieving in the sport we all love.— Matt Gallagher (@MattyWTF1) May 8, 2021

    ONE HUNDRED NOT OUT
    Lewis Hamilton earned pole position for the hundredth time in his career today, edging out Max Verstappen in Spanish GP qualifying.
    Here’s his 100th pole lap in full, for your viewing pleasure.

    ‘I CAN BE HAPPY’
    Max Verstappen has spoken, after being beaten to pole position by Lewis Hamilton this afternoon.
    The Red Bull star said: “Both laps were pretty decent, the second run was a little worse for whatever reason but second for us here on this track is very good today.
    “We know they are hard to beat around here but to be that close I can be very happy with that.”
    Max Verstappen wasn’t too downhearted after being beaten to poleCredit: Reuters
    LEW BEAUTY
    Lewis Hamilton was overjoyed after clinching his 100th pole position this afternoon.
    He said: “P3 was looking really good, we have been strong all weekend. I made some changes, I had a bit of anxiety about the changes we were going make. You always try to make them better but it’s a bit of a gamble. It was my call in the end.
    “We made this change and as soon as I got out it was immediately: ‘This is the wrong way.’ That’s why I was behind the whole way through qualifying.
    “I was making changes all the way through to try to elevate the pace.
    “I can’t believe we are at 100. It’s down to the men and women back at the factory who are just continuing to raise the bar and never giving up. It has been a dream to work these guys. Who would have thought when I made the move at the end of 2012 that we would get to 100? I am ecstatic, like it’s my first.
    “The set-up that I made I just had so much understeer. The car was very lazy and wouldn’t turn around the corners in the way I wanted.
    “I was making small adjustments within what we are able to change to get the car to turn and then it is just pulling everything together. It was my cleanest lap. I will always remember that.”
    Lewis Hamilton reached a special milestoneCredit: Rex
    HAMIL-TON
    Report by SunSport’s Ben Hunt
    Lewis Hamilton clinched a 100th career pole position as he beat world championship rival Max Verstappen in Saturday’s qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.
    It was the Red Bull driver who looked to be primed to top the leaderboard in the final round of qualification after showing good pace early on.
    But despite Hamilton failing to improve on his first run in the dying moments of qualifying, Verstappen could not find the pace to clinch pole as he had to settle for second, three hundredths of a second off his British rival.
    Click here to read more of Ben’s report from Spanish Grand Prix qualifying.
    WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT!
    It’s a pole with a difference for Lewis Hamilton this weekend.
    What an amazing achievement by the Brit.
    100 POLES! I can’t even begin to describe how this feels. I can’t thank the team and everyone back at the factory enough for everything they’ve done to help us secure this incredible milestone. I feel so humbled and very grateful. This feels like my first win all over again 🙌🏾💯 pic.twitter.com/KkCgShdhq2— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 8, 2021

    QUALIFYING RE-CAP
    Lewis Hamilton clinched a 100th career pole position as he beat world championship rival Max Verstappen in Saturday’s qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.
    It was the Red Bull driver who looked to be primed to top the leaderboard in the final round of qualification after showing good pace early on.
    But despite Hamilton failing to improve on his first run in the dying moments of qualifying, Verstappen could not find the pace to clinch pole as he had to settle for second, three hundredths of a second off his British rival.
    Valtteri Bottas secured third place in the other Mercedes, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc impressed again in fourth.
    Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was down in eighth behind Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.
    Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel missed out on the final round of qualification once more as he could only manage 13th.

    HAMILTON TAKES POLE POSITION FOR THE SPANISH GP.His 100th in F1. Astonishing.
    VERSTAPPEN IS DOWN ON HIS LAP TIME
    A Hamilton makes a mistake but it is enough for pole.
    HAMILTON GOES FIRST
    And he is quicker. His sector times are better than his pervious best.
    TWO MINUTES TO GO
    Busy track for the final runs of Q3. Could be traffic issues here.
    FIVE MINUTES TO GO
    And it is Hamilton then Verstappen but just 0.036 seconds in it!
    The Bottas, Ocon, Sainz, Ricciardo, Leclerc, Norris, Alonso and then Perez, who has yet to set a time.
    BLOW FOR PEREZ AND HAMILTON
    The Mexican spun and caused Hamilton to lift on his flying lap.
    But Hamilton still takes provisional pole. He has more in the tank though.

    GREEN LIGHT – WE ARE GO FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE SPANISH GP
    Verstappen going for his first pole in Spain.
    Hamilton going for his sixth in Spain, and his 100th in F1.
    HAMILTON VERSES VERSTAPPEN FOR POLE

    ASTON MARTINS ELIMINATED
    Both Stroll and Vettel are OUT of Q2. Russell, Giovinazzi and Gasly are also eliminated from qualifying.
    No real shocks here, despite it being Gasly’s first failure to reach the top 10. Alpine are looking resurgent.
    IN THE ELIMINATION ZONE – FOUR MINUTES TO GO
    Russell, Giovinazzi, Vettel, Perez and Ocon are in the bottom five.
    STONKING FIRST RUN IN Q2 FROM VERSTAPPEN, WHO IS TOP
    He is half a second up on second-placed Bottas. That will have Mercedes worried. They could have shown their hand here.
    What can Mercedes do in response? That Red Bull looks dialled in.
    GREEN LIGHT Q2 IS GO – BOTTAS IS FIRST OUT
    Aside from Russell and Giovinazzi, who else will fail to make the top 10 shoot out. Both Aston Martins looking vulnerable.
    ELIMINATED FROM Q1
    Mazepin, Latifi, Schumacher, Raikkonen and Tsunoda are all booted out at the first hurdle.
    NORRIS LEAVES IT LATE
    The McLaren man was held up during qualifying but he is in to Q2 after topping the session.
    IN THE DROPZONE
    Mazepin, Latifi, Schumacher, Stroll and Raikkonen are all in the drop zone with around three minutes to go.
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    F1 Spanish Grand Prix qualifying LIVE: Hamilton takes pole AGAIN – stream, TV channel, latest updates

    F1 is BACK this weekend as Lewis Hamilton aims for a third win in four races at the Spanish Grand Prix starting with today’s first practice.The Englishman has been bested just once this season, by Max Verstappen at the Emilia Romagna GP in March.

    GET HUGE 20/1 OFFER ON LEWIS HAMILTON TO PODIUM

    What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    ALL of the F1 action from Friday to Sunday will be shown live on the Sky Sports F1 channel.
    First practice coverage will begin from 10am on Friday, May 7.
    Coverage of the Grand Prix will begin at 12.30pm on Sunday, May 9.
    You can live stream all of the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    FULL F1 Spanish Grand Prix schedule
    Friday, May 7

    Spanish GP Practice One – 10.30am
    Spanish GP Practice Two – 2pm

    Saturday, May 8

    Spanish GP Practice Three – 11am
    Spanish GP Qualifying – 2pm

    Sunday, May 9

    Spanish Grand Prix – 2pm

    Stay up to date with all the latest from Barcelona in our live blog…

    WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT!
    It’s a pole with a difference for Lewis Hamilton this weekend.
    What an amazing achievement by the Brit.
    100 POLES! I can’t even begin to describe how this feels. I can’t thank the team and everyone back at the factory enough for everything they’ve done to help us secure this incredible milestone. I feel so humbled and very grateful. This feels like my first win all over again 🙌🏾💯 pic.twitter.com/KkCgShdhq2— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 8, 2021

    QUALIFYING RE-CAP
    Lewis Hamilton clinched a 100th career pole position as he beat world championship rival Max Verstappen in Saturday’s qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.
    It was the Red Bull driver who looked to be primed to top the leaderboard in the final round of qualification after showing good pace early on.
    But despite Hamilton failing to improve on his first run in the dying moments of qualifying, Verstappen could not find the pace to clinch pole as he had to settle for second, three hundredths of a second off his British rival.
    Valtteri Bottas secured third place in the other Mercedes, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc impressed again in fourth.
    Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was down in eighth behind Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.
    Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel missed out on the final round of qualification once more as he could only manage 13th.

    HAMILTON TAKES POLE POSITION FOR THE SPANISH GP.His 100th in F1. Astonishing.
    VERSTAPPEN IS DOWN ON HIS LAP TIME
    A Hamilton makes a mistake but it is enough for pole.
    HAMILTON GOES FIRST
    And he is quicker. His sector times are better than his pervious best.
    TWO MINUTES TO GO
    Busy track for the final runs of Q3. Could be traffic issues here.
    FIVE MINUTES TO GO
    And it is Hamilton then Verstappen but just 0.036 seconds in it!
    The Bottas, Ocon, Sainz, Ricciardo, Leclerc, Norris, Alonso and then Perez, who has yet to set a time.
    BLOW FOR PEREZ AND HAMILTON
    The Mexican spun and caused Hamilton to lift on his flying lap.
    But Hamilton still takes provisional pole. He has more in the tank though.

    GREEN LIGHT – WE ARE GO FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE SPANISH GP
    Verstappen going for his first pole in Spain.
    Hamilton going for his sixth in Spain, and his 100th in F1.
    HAMILTON VERSES VERSTAPPEN FOR POLE

    ASTON MARTINS ELIMINATED
    Both Stroll and Vettel are OUT of Q2. Russell, Giovinazzi and Gasly are also eliminated from qualifying.
    No real shocks here, despite it being Gasly’s first failure to reach the top 10. Alpine are looking resurgent.
    IN THE ELIMINATION ZONE – FOUR MINUTES TO GO
    Russell, Giovinazzi, Vettel, Perez and Ocon are in the bottom five.
    STONKING FIRST RUN IN Q2 FROM VERSTAPPEN, WHO IS TOP
    He is half a second up on second-placed Bottas. That will have Mercedes worried. They could have shown their hand here.
    What can Mercedes do in response? That Red Bull looks dialled in.
    GREEN LIGHT Q2 IS GO – BOTTAS IS FIRST OUT
    Aside from Russell and Giovinazzi, who else will fail to make the top 10 shoot out. Both Aston Martins looking vulnerable.
    ELIMINATED FROM Q1
    Mazepin, Latifi, Schumacher, Raikkonen and Tsunoda are all booted out at the first hurdle.
    NORRIS LEAVES IT LATE
    The McLaren man was held up during qualifying but he is in to Q2 after topping the session.
    IN THE DROPZONE
    Mazepin, Latifi, Schumacher, Stroll and Raikkonen are all in the drop zone with around three minutes to go.
    EARLY PACE FOR VERSTAPPEN, HAMILTON AND PEREZ
    All three should be safely in to Q3. All eyes on the bottom five in this section.
    The track is in fantastic condition. No excuses from anyone today.
    GREEN LIGHT – WE ARE GO FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE SPANISH GP
    Q1 has started and it is an early run for the Williams and Haas boys.
    LEWIS HAMILTON IS GOING FOR HIS 100th POLE POSITION
    He has won this race four years in a row.
    Mercedes have taken pole every year since 2013.
    90 percent of the races in Spain have been won from the front of the grid.
    10 MINUTE DELAY TO QUALIFYING DUE TO SOME BARRIER REPAIRS
    There was an accident in a support race at Turn 9, which is currently being repaired.
    LEWIS HAMILTON IS GOING FOR HIS 100th POLE POSITION TODAY

    Q3 IS DONE AND VERSTAPPEN IS TOP
    The Red Bull man leads the way in final practice from Hamilton. Leclerc in P3, Sainz P4. Bottas down in P5.
    GAME ON
    Verstappen replaces Hamilton at the top. He betters the Brit’s time by 0.235 seconds.
    It is close. This is shaping up to be another three-horse race for pole position.
    LECLERC BACK IN THE MIX

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    Lewis Hamilton takes 100th F1 pole at Spanish Grand Prix with rival Max Verstappen second on grid after qualifying

    LEWIS HAMILTON clinched a 100th career pole position as he beat world championship rival Max Verstappen in Saturday’s qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.It was the Red Bull driver who looked to be primed to top the leaderboard in the final round of qualification after showing good pace early on.
    Hamilton successfully took pole in Barcelona with a brilliant early lap in Q3Credit: Splash
    Verstappen sandwiched himself in between the two Mercedes drivers once moreCredit: Getty
    But despite Hamilton failing to improve on his first run in the dying moments of qualifying, Verstappen could not find the pace to clinch pole as he had to settle for second, three hundredths of a second off his British rival.
    Valtteri Bottas secured third place in the other Mercedes, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc impressed again in fourth.
    Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was down in eighth behind Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Danie Ricciardo.
    Four-time world champion Sebastien Vettel missed out on the final round of qualification once more as he could only manage 13th.
    More to follow.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Verstappen narrowly missed out on pole position on SaturdayCredit: AFP
    Verstappen showed appreciation for Hamilton’s performanceCredit: Getty
    Hamilton and Verstappen will do battle once again on SundayCredit: AFP More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team forked out a WHOPPING £325m to secure the Formula One title last season

    LEWIS HAMILTON’s Mercedes team spent a whopping £325million to win the F1 title last season.New figures posted in the team’s accounts show that the Silver Arrows invested heavily despite it being a Covid-hit 17-race season.
    Lewis Hamilton’s title win did not come cheaplyCredit: Imago/Actionplus
    This year, however, the team have undergone a restructuring process as F1 has introduced a new cost-cap of £115million, although that excludes driver’s salaries.
    The figures also show that Merc had a turnover of £355.5million posting a profit of £13.6million after tax.
    Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff is quoted in the report, saying: “In 2021 the team will continue to develop its financial sustainability, aided by delivering maximum competitiveness under the new financial regulations and by diversifying and leveraging the capability of the team through the Applied Science division.
    “Thanks to the range of revenue streams during the year, the company is still able to maintain profitability and to meet all financial obligations.
    “A prudent approach will continue to be taken in regard to possible impacts on the business, and contingency plans are regularly reviewed to mitigate effects of the virus on the business.”
    Perhaps the most important figure for Mercedes about their F1 operation is that the car brand has grown in value from $31.9billion in 2013 to $49.3billion in 2020.
    Furthermore, the team received 19.2 percent of the TV coverage last year. generating advertising revenue estimated to be worth $5.873billion.
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    Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner

    Hamilton is competing this weekend at the Spanish GP as he looks to boost this season’s title defence.
    He starts on pole – his 100th – after an impressive qualifying lap.
    The Mercedes star won the Portuguese GP last week as he held off the challenge of Max Verstappen.
    His win helped open up an eight-point lead over Red Bull challenger Verstappen.

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