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    F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule and tracks with Portuguese Grand Prix NEXT and Turkish GP replacing Canada

    THE 2021 Formula 1 season is two races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title and the two favourites rev up in Portugal THIS weekend. 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.

    🏁 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 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 has replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, due to concerns over Covid-19 restrictions in the North American country.
    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 – NEXT

    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

    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

    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

    Venue: Baku City Circuit
    Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

    🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix – cancelled

    🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix

    Venue: Istanbul Park
    Friday, June 11: Practice 1 (TBC), Practice 2 (TBC)
    Saturday, June 12: Practice 3 (TBC), Qualifying (TBC)
    Sunday, June 13: Race (TBC)

    🇫🇷 French Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
    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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    Lewis Hamilton lets slip plans to STAY in F1 next season after volunteering to test new Pirelli tyres

    LEWIS HAMILTON has dropped a massive hint that he plans to stay in F1 next season.The Brit stalled on signing a new deal before eventually committing to Mercedes for just 10 months back in February.
    Lewis Hamilton let slip his plans to stay in F1 next seasonCredit: EPA
    The seven-time world champion in practice in Portugal on FridayCredit: Splash
    It means Hamilton, 36, will again be out of contract in December, leading to speculation that this could be his final season in the sport.
    However, the seven-time world champion says he intends to race in 2022 after letting it slip after taking the unusual step of volunteering for testing Pirelli’s new 18-inch tyres.
    He said: “Well firstly I don’t ever volunteer for test days and it’s probably one of the first ones I have volunteered for, so I immediately regretted it when I woke up in the morning on the day!
    “I was like, ‘dammit!’ But no honestly, firstly it was at a really great track to test at, so I enjoyed the day and the weather was good.
    “And I plan to be here next year and I want to help Pirelli and help lead towards them having a better product.
    “The drivers, all of us, have wished for more performance tyres and so it was important for me to gauge where the starting point is and what the difference is.
    “So, I think it was a good test and obviously the first step with the tyres.”Hamilton was picked up on his remark that he “plans to be” in F1 in 2022 and admitted his decision-making is always “pretty spontaneous”.
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    Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
    However, he said that he is still enjoying his time with Mercedes and this season’s battle with Max Verstappen, with Hamilton edging the championship by just a point from the Dutchman.
    He added: “The thing is, I’m pretty spontaneous so it can always change but I don’t know, I’m enjoying this battle.
    “It’s getting more exciting, it’s been even more of a challenge. As I’ve said I continue to love working with this team. I don’t know how long I can stay though, we’ll see.”

    Meanwhile, Verstappen has promised to continue to race hard against Hamilton at this weekend’s Portugal GP.
    He said: “I think we both have a lot of respect for each other and we will race hard against each other. But I think that’s normal too.
    “To be honest, I’m not so concerned with that. I always focus on myself and try to get the best out of myself.
    “Of course it looks like it’s between Lewis and me at the moment, but it’s still a long season and a lot of things can happen.”
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    F1 Portuguese Grand Prix practice: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, race schedule from Portimao

    FORMULA ONE is back this weekend as the season moves on to the picturesque Portuguese Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton leads the early rankings with one win and one podium, but Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is just one point behind.
    Hamilton returns to the scene of his win last yearCredit: EPA
    Last season it was Hamilton who took the chequered flag at Portimao, with teammate Valterri Bottas in second.
    When is the Portuguese Grand Prix?
    As ever, the race weekend takes place over three gruelling days.

    Practice 1 is all set for Friday, April 30 and will start at 11.30am UK time.
    The second practice session will follow on the same afternoon at 3pm.
    Qualifying is on Saturday, May 1 and begins at 3pm BST.
    While the big race itself will see lights out at the same time on Sunday, May 2.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    What TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
    You can catch all of the action live on Sky Sports F1.
    Coverage of the practice sessions begins at 11am on Friday.
    If you’re not a Sky customer, grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream wherever you are.

    Full race schedule
    Friday, April 30

    Practice 1 – 11.30am to 12.30pm
    Practice 2 – 3pm to 4pm

    Saturday, May 1

    Practice 3 – 12pm to 1pm
    Qualifying – 3pm to 4pm

    Sunday, May 2

    Race – 3pm More

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    F1 Portuguese Grand Prix practice: UK start time, TV channel, live stream and race schedule from Portimao

    FORMULA ONE is back this weekend as the season moves on to the picturesque Portuguese Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton leads the early rankings with one win and one podium, but Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is just one point behind.
    Hamilton returns to the scene of his win last yearCredit: EPA
    Last season it was Hamilton who took the chequered flag at Portimao, with teammate Valterri Bottas in second.
    When is the Portuguese Grand Prix?
    As ever, the race weekend takes place over three gruelling days.

    Practice 1 is all set for Friday, April 30 and will start at 11.30am UK time.
    The second practice session will follow on the same afternoon at 3pm.
    Qualifying is on Saturday, May 1 and begins at 3pm BST.
    While the big race itself will see lights out at the same time on Sunday, May 2.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    What TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
    You can catch all of the action live on Sky Sports F1.
    Coverage of the practice sessions begins at 11am on Friday.
    If you’re not a Sky customer, grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream wherever you are.

    Full race schedule
    Friday, April 30

    Practice 1 – 11.30am to 12.30pm
    Practice 2 – 3pm to 4pm

    Saturday, May 1

    Practice 3 – 12pm to 1pm
    Qualifying – 3pm to 4pm

    Sunday, May 2

    Race – 3pm More

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    Lewis Hamilton joins social media blackout as F1 superstar continues to fight racism

    LEWIS HAMILTON intends to boycott social media over the weekend in a bid to combat racist abuse online.Football League clubs, England’s cricket board, the Lawn Tennis Association and Premiership Rugby have all supported the blackout from Friday to Monday.
    Lewis Hamilton will join British sport in boycotting social media to take a stand against racist abuseCredit: Getty
    And while F1 is not planning to support the movement, F1’s champion says he will.
    He said: “It’s clear, and clearly in this sport, it’s clear that racism continues to be an issue.
    “I think social media platforms do need to do more in order to combat this, so I’m fully supportive of the initiative.
    “If me also doing it helps put pressure on those platforms to help fight against it, then for sure, I’m happy to do so.
    “I’m really proud to hear that there are so many organisations getting involved.
    “I’m not sure why Formula One is not part of that, but I probably will follow and support this weekend.”
    Hamilton has been pioneering F1’s recent diversity and anti-racism messages.
    The seven-time world champion said ahead of this weekend’s Portugal GP that he received abuse online earlier in his career and would come off social media as a result.
    The Sun joins social media boycott
    THE Sun is standing united with English football this weekend in response to the ongoing discriminatory abuse of players on social media.
    All of our Twitter accounts including Sport, Football, TV and Showbiz will stop posting from 3pm, Friday 30th April until 11.59pm, Monday 3rd May. 
    We will also support any of our journalists who want to stand with the boycott.
    We are proud to back this initiative and continue our opposition to discrimination on social media. 
    The Sun has consistently taken a stand against this despicable and unacceptable behaviour, no more so than in recent weeks.  

    And he called on organisations like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to clamp down on the abuse.
    He added: “I was subject to abuse a long, long time ago, at a time when I was younger, when I was reading social media, reading like many people do, trying to engage with people.
    “But there was a period of time where I had to understand that firstly you can’t read every comment that’s on there, and you can’t take it personally.
    “If you let those things get to you, then they can ruin your day.
    “But I do believe that social media companies need to do more.
    “There’s algorithms, there’s things they’re able to see, they’re able to take steps to help and create more of an anti-racist society. That’s what we’ve got to be pushing towards.”
    Hamilton will race at the Portugal GP at the Algarve Circuit this weekendCredit: Rex

    Lewis Hamilton talks to The Sun about his ‘sporting icon’ Muhammed Ali, Black History Month and how sport is tackling racism in 2020 More

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    Canadian GP scrapped for second year in a row and replaced by Turkish GP on F1 schedule due to Covid pandemic

    THE CANADIAN GP has been replaced by the Turkish GP on the F1 schedule due to the Covid pandemic.The race in Montreal had been scheduled for June 13 but has been scrapped for the second year in a row.
    The coronavirus pandemic has put paid to the 2021 Canadian GP, just as last yearCredit: Reuters
    Authorities in Montreal feared F1 staff would mix with volunteers from outside the bubble at the June 13 raceCredit: AP:Associated Press
    It comes after authorities refused to allow F1 to bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine period on all arrivals to the country.
    With teams and drivers competing in Azerbaijan the previous week, staff and drivers would not be able to travel any earlier.
    Montreal’s health officials were concerned that despite assurances, F1 personnel would be mixing with hundreds of volunteers who would be outside the bubble.
    It means the race at Istanbul Park will be granted another reprieve to make up this year’s record-breaking 23-race calendar.
    Lewis Hamilton won the title at the circuit last year despite the tricky conditions.
    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, said: “While it is disappointing we cannot be in Canada this season we are excited to confirm that Turkey will host a Grand Prix in 2021 after an amazing race last season.
    “I know all our fans are excited by the dramatic start to the season and Turkey is a great circuit that delivers great battles on the track.
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    “I want to thank the promoter and authorities in Canada for all of their efforts in recent weeks but the travel situation made our plans impossible.
    “I equally want to thank the promoter and authorities in Turkey for their ongoing willingness to host a Formula One race that shows the huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix.
    “We have had very good conversations with all the other promoters since the start of the year and continue to work closely with them during this period.”
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    Formula One icon Eddie Irvine flogs Dalkey mansion with hot tub and pool that Matt Damon fell in love with for £2.6m

    FORMULA ONE legend Eddie Irvine has sold his plush Irish mansion for £2.6million.Hollywood star Matt Damon is said to have fallen in love with the swanky pad – which comes complete with hot tub and swimming pool – when he stayed there last year.
    Eddie Irvine has sold his stunning Irish mansion
    The F1 icon has banked £2.6m for the padCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Hollywood start Matt Damon is said to have fallen in love with the houseCredit: Getty
    Irvine, 55, finally found a buyer for the south Dublin mansion.
    The County Down native had been looking for a buyer for the property for a number of years, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
    And he finally offloaded the stunning mansion, which overlooks the Irish capital, in mid-April.
    The new owner will be able to enjoy a games room with snooker and pool tables as well as a large timber decking area for barbeques.
    Movie star Damon stayed at the house during lockdown last year and described his time in Ireland as ‘like a fairytale’.
    The A-lister was full of praise for Dublin, saying: “It’s incredible, one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been.”
    Irvine made his name as a Formula 1 driver – competing between 1993 and 2002.
    He famously lost out on the world title by just two points to Mika Hakkinen in 1999, although he did help Ferrari win the Constructor’s Championship that season.
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    The mansion boasts sprawling living spaces
    The modern kitchen has space to cook and host guests
    The swanky hot tub is done out in plush marble
    The pad offers stunning views of Dublin
    And it even has a dedicated snooker room
    The modern exterior is an architectural marvel
    The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

    The Irishman retired from F1 in 2002 but had built up a huge property portfolio while he was competing.
    Irvine recently sold a number of properties in the exclusive Venetian Islands area of Miami, Florida.
    Elsewhere in F1, Lewis Hamilton has been warned that Max Verstappen is the real deal this season – and that the F1 title is at the mercy of the racing gods.
    Former F1 star David Coulthard believes the Red Bull man now has the pace and maturity to take a title fight to the reigning champion.
    Verstappen and Hamilton have slugged it out in this season’s opening two races, with the Dutchman getting revenge in Imola after the Brit won the season-opener in Bahrain.
    With one victory each, Hamilton holds a slender one-point lead in the championships after setting the fastest lap last out.
    And Coulthard expects another close battle this weekend at the Portugal Grand Prix.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
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    Lewis Hamilton warned that Max Verstappen is real deal and F1 title is at mercy of racing gods ahead of Portugal GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned that Max Verstappen is the real deal this season and that the Formula One title is at the mercy of the racing gods.Former F1 star David Coulthard believes the Red Bull man now has the pace and maturity to take a title fight to the reigning champion.
    Lewis Hamilton has been warned that Max Verstappen will be his biggest threat this seasonCredit: AFP
    Verstappen and Hamilton have slugged it out in this season’s opening two races with the Dutchman getting revenge in Imola after the Brit won the season-opener in Bahrain.
    Hamilton holds a slender one-point lead in the championships after setting the fastest lap last out – and Coulthard expects another close battle this weekend at the Portugal Grand Prix.
    “Red Bull are the real deal in terms of outright pace.
    “There’s no question if you can deliver the lap time in qualifying and then you don’t have reliability issues in the race.
    “That’s where Mercedes have been so strong over the last several years, they have had qualifying pace and they have had unbelievable reliability.
    “So the only thing that I think can stand in the way of Max and Red Bull Racing really taking this championship is the racing Gods getting involved in a few things with reliability because he is definitely experienced enough.
    “He is definitely mature enough, which at 23 seems incredible but he is ready. He is more than ready.”
    In the interview with MailOnline, Coulthard said he hopes the pair’s rivalry develops along the lines of Prost-Senna.
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    He added: “We’ve seen two great races, hopefully we will have a third and at some point those guys are going to come to blows.
    “There was a little bit of contact at the first corner in Imola, I think anyone who has followed Formula One for a long time will remember Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna coming together at Suzuka twice and all these other situations.
    “I’m not, of course, advocating contact between two race cars but God, does it give us some memorable moments! It has got all the hallmarks of a classic season.”

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped body More