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      Lewis Hamilton admits he was wrong to ’embarrass people’ after calling out sports biggest names in fight against racism

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he intends to tackle racism within Formula 1 in a different way, rather than ’embarrassing people’ for their actions.The seven-time world champion has been the driving force behind an F1 campaign against racism by calling on the FIA to do more to tackle inequality.
      Hamilton has previously called out fellow drivers for not taking the kneeCredit: Getty
      He has now admitted he has changed the way he is trying to tackle racism in the sportCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
      He then went on to cite specific individuals for failing to do more to bring F1 drivers together to take the knee, most notably ex-director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association Romain Grosjean.
      But now the Brit believes there is a better approach to making change happen.
      While he remains dedicated to the cause, his tireless work might not be so obvious this year.
      He told WIRED UK: “At the beginning of the year [2020] I was very outspoken and calling out the sport.
      “At the time that was the right thing for me, but I discovered that there’s times where you have to be very diplomatic, where there’s more you can do by discussions in the background, rather than embarrassing people.
      “I’m having conversations, trying to hold people in the sport more accountable.
      “I’m constantly sending emails, I’m constantly on Zoom calls with Formula One and challenging them like they wouldn’t want to be challenged.”
      At the first race of the 2021 season, Hamilton wore a shirt which read ‘actions speak louder than words’.
      He has also declared that he will continue to take the knee before races despite some F1 drivers sticking by their decision to remain standing.
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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Hamilton made the best possible start in his bid for a record-breaking eighth world title at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
      The 35-year-old outfoxed Max Verstappen in a sensational battle which came down to the final lap to take the opening race of the season.
      The next race comes at the Imola circuit in Italy on April 18.
      See the full feature in the May/June issue of WIRED UK available on newsstands and via digital download now.
      Hamilton’s remarks were part of an exclusive interview with WIREDCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
      The seven-time champion made the perfect start to his 2021 season last weekendCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to epic Bahrain opener More

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      Confusion as Max Verstappen punished during F1 opener when Lewis Hamilton exceeded track limit 30 TIMES at Bahrain GP

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      AS LEWIS HAMILTON won an epic battle with Max Verstappen in Bahrain, fans were left confused by Formula One track limit rules.The sport has long been split over how strictly guidelines on circuit boundaries need to be enforced.
      Confusion reigned following the tussle for the lead on SundayCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were both called up for running wide at Turn 4Credit: Splash
      Certain tracks, chiefly those with large run-off areas, provide drivers with opportunities to nab an extra tenth of a second by keeping their foot to the floor and briefly going outside the line.
      Bahrain’s Turn 4 was one particular area of concern on the weekend.
      As found by Reddit user RiggyBiggy, via the Telegraph, Hamilton left the track limits almost 30 times during the race.
      Drivers had initially been told that they would not be punished for doing so ahead of the season opener, but that changed after first practice.
      Race stewards’ guidelines stated that ‘cutting behind the red and white kerb’ would lead to punishment, and Hamilton duly remained inside the line for the qualifying lap that put him second on the grid.
      During the race, he faced no punishment for continuing to run off-line before being reined in by his Mercedes bosses.
      He replied over team radio: “I thought there were no track limits. I have been doing the same thing all race.”
      Moments earlier, Red Bull had told Verstappen to follow Hamilton in taking the faster, wider line at Turn 4.
      Neither driver exceeded the Turn 4 limit in qualifying, with clear instruction it would lead to their lap time being deletedCredit: YouTube / F1
      Verstappen was well wide of Hamilton as he took the lead
      But the Red Bull was clearly off the track in the overtake
      The Dutchman hunted Hamilton down for their incredible late duel for the lead.
      Finally catching up on lap 53, Verstappen grabbed the lead at Turn 4 but clearly ran wide of the track limits in doing so, despite being given room by the Merc.
      Overtaking while off the track is not allowed in F1, regardless of discussions over track limits, and Red Bull boss Christian Horner told the new race leader to hand back the position.
      Verstappen complied but initially questioned the call, as fans debated how Hamilton was allowed an advantage but his rival was not.
      Had he not returned the position, a time penalty of five or ten seconds would have been dished out by the stewards.
      At first, Verstappen felt he could have opened up such a gap but it would have taken a monumental effort – with the race chiefs also capable of handing down whatever punishment was necessary to ensure he did not win to fully deter future breaches.
      The other question is whether the Red Bull ace would have won had Hamilton not gained the slight advantage every time he ran wide.
      Ironically, the Brit later claimed to have benefited from the instruction to keep it on the track, as it helped save his aging tyres amid Verstappen’s pursuit.

      Hamilton described the situation as ‘confusing’ and said: “Halfway through the race they basically changed their minds and all of a sudden you’re not allowed to go outside that white line.
      “Which is fine for me, it’s actually I think faster in the end for me, and helped me look after my tyres, actually. So I’m grateful for the call.”
      And Verstappen added: “In qualifying, of course, it was not allowed, your lap time got deleted.
      “And so I don’t know how it got to the point where people were doing it without getting warnings.
      “But at the end of the day when I was fighting Lewis, I went outside of the track limits. I think quite quickly the race director was onto us to tell me to give the position back, so that’s exactly what I did.”
      FIA race director Michael Masi later insisted that rules did not change halfway through and that few drivers broke the limits.
      But Horner said: “It was frustrating. We could see as soon as Mercedes started to push they just used that part of the track.
      “We questioned with Race Control that if that’s the case, can we do it? In a nip and tuck battle, there’s a two-tenths advantage using that part of the circuit.
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      You can’t say it’s okay to use it in the race, but you can’t overtake out there; it should be black or white, it shouldn’t be shaded grey.Christian Horner

      “Obviously Max ran wide on the pass there, which had been made clear before the race that if someone got an advantage by going out there, they’d have to give it back. He did that immediately, the team instructed him to do it following Race Control instructing us.
      “With these track limit things, they’re always going to be contentious. But we do need to just have a consistent situation.
      “You can’t say it’s okay to use it in the race, but you can’t overtake out there; it should be black or white, it shouldn’t be shaded grey.”
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to epic Bahrain opener More

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      How Fernando Alonso’s emotional F1 return was cut short by a stray sandwich bag at Bahrain GP

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      FERNANDO ALONSO’S ’emotional’ Formula One return was cut short by a stray sandwich bag.The Spaniard, 39, made his comeback to the sport at Sunday’s season-opening Bahrain GP.
      Fernando Alonso had his F1 return scuppered by a stray sandwich bag in BahrainCredit: Splash
      But after two years away from the F1 track, he failed to complete his first race back.
      Veteran Alonso is racing for Renault-backed Alpine in 2021 and the team realised his brake temperatures had rocketed, forcing him to retire on lap 32 of 56.
      And Alpine executive director Marcin Budlowski revealed the wedged sarnie packaging was the bizarre reason which forced the two-time world champ back into the pits.
      Budlowski said: “After the first [pit] stop we had a small issue that forced us to reduce the performance of the car.
      “Then, after the second stop, a sandwich wrap paper got stuck inside the rear brake duct of Fernando’s car, which led to high temperatures and caused some damage to the brake system, so we retired him for safety reasons.
      “It was an unlucky first race for Fernando considering how strong he looked.”
      Alonso started at Sakhir ninth on the grid but got as high as seventh earlier in the race before the freak incident scuppered his emotional day as Lewis Hamilton edged out Max Verstappen to claim the win and the early lead in the championship standings.
      But despite the bitter – or, err, butter – disappointment, the 2005 and 2006 king remained upbeat about being back in the cockpit.
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      He said: “It was a shame that we could not see the chequered flag today, because I really enjoyed the whole thing.
      “It was nice to be back at the racing, it was nice to feel again the adrenaline on the starting grid, the national anthem. All these procedures felt very emotional today for me.
      “The race itself was fun at the beginning with the start, a couple of good battles on track in the first stint.
      “And then unfortunately we had to retire the car with a brake issue – apparently there is some debris on the rear brake duct.
      “Nothing we can do now more than thinking now into Imola, and hopefully get some points there.”
      Next up in the F1 calendar is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Italy on April 18.
      The Spaniard’s Alpine car’s brakes overheated during the second half of the raceCredit: Rex

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to epic Bahrain opener More

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      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, practice and qualifying schedules plus racetracks ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix opener

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      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is UNDER WAY and Lewis Hamilton has dealt the first blow with victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. 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
      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 and China are still hoping to host races in 2021, meaning the calendar could be expanded and Saudi Arabia is awaiting official approval of its circuit as the season gets under way.
      Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1
      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)

      🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix

      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

      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

      Venue: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal
      Friday, June 11: Practice 1 (4.30pm), Practice 2 (8pm)
      Saturday, June 12: Practice 3 (4pm), Qualifying (7pm)
      Sunday, June 13: Race (7pm)

      🇫🇷 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

      Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
      Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (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), Qualifying (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), Qualifying (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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      Red Bull set for talks with FIA after Max Verstappen forced to give up lead to Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN remains upbeat about beating Lewis Hamilton to the title – despite missing out on victory in the Bahrain GP.The Dutchman squeezed past Hamilton three laps from the end but was ordered to give the place back by race bosses.
      Max Verstappen remains confident of maintaining his title challengeCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton went on to claim victory on opening day in BahrainCredit: Splash
      And now his Red Bull team are seeking clarification from the sport’s governing body, the FIA, about track limits in the future.
      Verstappen said: “Of course, I was outside of track limits when I passed Lewis, so they told me to give the position back.
      “I’m disappointed but last year we’d be super happy with a race like this so it also shows how much we have grown.
      “It’s still a positive start to the season, and still a long season ahead. I see it as only seven points dropped and we’ll try to do better next time.”
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that he would speak to FIA Race Director, Michael Masi, about some urgent clarification about when cars are allowed to exceed track limits.
      He added: “It was frustrating. We could see as soon as Mercedes started to push they just used that part of the track.
      “We questioned with Race Control that if that’s the case, can we do it? In a nip and tuck battle, there’s a two-tenths advantage using that part of the circuit.
      “So [Mercedes] did it lap after lap, the Race Director then asked them to respect the limits otherwise they’d get a black and white flag.

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      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      “Obviously Max ran wide on the pass there, which had been made clear before the race that if someone got an advantage by going out there, they’d have to give it back.
      “He did that immediately, the team instructed him to do it following Race Control instructing us.
      “With these track limit things, they’re always going to be contentious but we do need to just have a consistent situation.
      “You can’t say it’s OK to use it in the race, but you can’t overtake out there. It should be black or white, it shouldn’t be shaded grey.”
      The Australian also said he made it ‘very clear’ in the drivers’ briefing on Friday.

      However, Masi shrugged off the incident at Turn Four and said it was all explained within his race notes, so Red Bull can have no reason to complain.
      He said: “If an overtake takes place with a car off track and gains a lasting advantage, I will go on the radio and suggest to the team that they immediately relinquish that position.
      “With regard to tolerance given with people running outside of the track limits during the race, that was mentioned very clearly in the meeting and the notes.
      “It will always be monitored in accordance with the Sporting Regulations that a lasting advantage overall must not be gained.
      “We had two people that were looking in that area at every car at every lap and pretty much every car bar one was doing the right thing within what we expected.
      “There was the occasional car that had a bit of a moment or went out there but it wasn’t a constant thing.”
      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      Take a virtual lap of the Bahrain race track ahead of Grand Prix Formula 1 start More

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      Mick Schumacher spins off on F1 debut in Bahrain… but 16th spot is better than legend dad Michael did 30 years earlier

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      MICK SCHUMACHER came home in 16th place on his Formula One debut – despite spinning off track.The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was always going to have a difficult season with the under-strength Haas team.
      Mick Schumacher, 22, spun off in Bahrain but still finished 16th on debut – better than his legendary dad’s first raceCredit: AFP
      Mick Schumacher is happy to have recovered from his spin to finish his first-ever raceCredit: Getty
      Mick’s dad Michael made his debut with Jordan at the 1991 Belgian GP in SpaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But the 22-year-old is using the season to get some F1 experience and declared he is still making progress at the back of the grid.
      Schumacher ultimately finished 16th as Lewis Hamilton won a thrilling season opener having qualified second behind Max Verstappen.
      He said: “I’d say I was 90 per cent happy and 10 per cent not – because of the mistake I made, the spin, at the safety car restart.
      “Luckily the car was still drivable, everything was alright so I could keep going and continue to build on my experience through the race.
      “Overall, I feel like I’ve learned a lot, and hopefully I’m able to convert that into something positive for the next race.”
      Legendary dad Michael is arguably the greatest F1 racer ever.
      But even he didn’t fare as well on his debut.
      In 1991 – all of 30 years ago – Schumacher entered his first race with Jordan in Spa, Belgium.
      The German legend qualified a superb seventh after learning the tricky track’s twists and turns by doing laps on his fold-up bike.
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      Michael Schumacher retired in his first lap of his debut race at Spa, Belgium in 1991Credit: Corbis – Getty
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      However, Schumacher retired in the first lap of the race after his Jordan suffered clutch problems.
      Meanwhile, Mick’s team-mate, Nikita Mazepin saw his debut last three corners before spinning off.
      The Russian said: “It was very simple – I made a mistake.
      “I’m very sorry for the team as they deserved to do much better than that.”

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

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      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton WINS ahead of Verstappen as Schumacher spins and Mazepin crashes – LATEST

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has started the F1 season in winning fashion in Bahrain.The Brit finished ahead of Max Verstappen as F1 kicked off with a thriller today.
      Follow ALL of the latest reaction from Bahrain below…
      CELEBR-EIGHT GOOD TIMES?
      Credit: AP
      Credit: Getty
      IN THE PITS
      Valtteri Bottas lamented the pit-stop howler and said: “Disappointing for sure but a good thing for the team we got good points.
      “It feels for me that it was on the defensive side and not attacking. Not ideal and I had a slow pit stop which in the end took away any opportunities.
      “We managed to have two cars with different tyre choice so we could play with the strategy.”
      MAX VERSTAPPEN EYEING THE POSITIVES
      The Dutchman said: “It’s a shame but you also have to see the positive.
      “We are really taking the fight to them, and I think that’s great to start the year like that.
      “I don’t know what happened with the car early on.
      “It don’t think it was completely solved in the low speed corners, so we’ll have al look at that. Overall, we managed to finish the race and score good points.”
      ‘I LOVE THE CHALLENGE’
      Lewis Hamilton said after the race: “Wow. What a difficult race that was. Stopping early we knew would be difficult but we had to cover Max, they have had an amazing performance all weekend.
      “We suffered the last stint. Max was all over me at the end and I was just about able to hold him off.
      “That was one of the hardest races I’ve had for a while.
      “I definitely am. Each year they are talking about when you hit your peak and timing is everything. I think I am at that and Max is doing really well at the moment.
      “I love the challenge.”
      IN FOR A TREAT
      Well if that season opener is anything to go by, we’re in for a thrilling F1 season.
      Red Bull appear closer than ever to end Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ seven-year reign at the top.
      Even the Brit admitted that was one of the hardest races he’s had in a while…
      TOP TEN
      And breath… here’s the final top 10 standings

      SUMMED UP NICELY
      WHAT JUST HAPPENED.— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 28, 2021

      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE BAHRAIN GP
      Verstappen did not mange to get past the Mercedes man.
      What a race. Thrilling end.
      NO HE’S NOT!
      He has given the place back as he moved ahead of Hamilton by going off track.Hamilton P1, Verstappen p2.
      THIS IS EPIC RACING
      Verstappen is ahead.
      HAMILTON IS STRUGGLING
      And the gap is to under a second.
      Verstappen smells blood. He is going to use DRS.
      SIX LAPS TO GO…
      Gap is now 1.3 seconds.
      HAMILTON v VERSTAPPEN

      GAP AT THE TOP
      Just 2.7 seconds between Hamilton and Verstappen as the Red Bull man inches closer the world champion.
      MISTAKE FOR VETTEL
      The German locks up and clatters into the back of Esteban Ocon. That was his mistake, despite what he says over the team’s radio.
      TEAM SPORT

      VERSTAPPEN PITS – HAMILTON LEADS
      Lap 40 and a super stop for Red Bull, less than two seconds.He is in second place BUT has the better tyres.
      FERNANDO ALONSO IS OUT
      The Spaniard retires on lap 34 with a brake failure.
      DISASTER BOTTAS
      Mercedes made the strange call as Bottas is brought into the pits for tyres.The team have a problem with their front right wheel, as it appears stuck on his car.The stop takes 10.9 seconds. He has lost a place to Norris, who is into third.
      LAP 33
      Verstappen leads, Hamilton is 19 seconds behind in second.
      Then Norris in P3. Bottas P4, Perez in P5.
      DISASTER BOTTAS
      Mercedes made the strange call as Bottas is brought into the pits for tyres.The team have a problem with their front right wheel, as it appears stuck on his car.The stop takes 10.9 seconds. He has lost a place to Norris, who is into third.
      LAP 29 HAMILTON PITS – VERSTAPPEN LEADS
      All change at the top as Hamilton gets another set of tyres but in doing so he has dropped to third behind Bottas.
      MISTAKE FROM VETTEL
      He locks up his tyres and now Alonso and Raikkonen get past. The German is down to 12th.
      GREAT BATTLE FOR EIGHTH
      Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are slugging it out. Great racing as Alonso is passed.
      A QUICK RUN DOWN

      Load more entries… More

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      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Max Verstappen on pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton as season STARTS NOW – latest updates

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is back as he looks to become the first man in history to win eight F1 world championships.But he won’t be starting on pole today as the F1 season kicks off in Sakir, with Max Verstappen topping qualifying.

      Race start time: 4pm
      TV/ live stream: Sky Sports F1

      Get Lewis Hamilton to make PODIUM at F1 Bahrain GP at 20/1!

      Follow ALL of the latest from Bahrain below…
      HAMILTON STOPS FOR TYRES
      Lap 14 and the Brit has the first roll of the dice as he stops for fresh rubber.
      MERC IN 2-3
      Back racing in Bahrain 👊 LH stays P2 – 1.3s behind VERVB puts a tidy move on LEC and is up to P3, so we’re back where we started! pic.twitter.com/4OwSEYgCMl— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 28, 2021

      MICK SCHUMACHER SPINS OFF
      The son of seven-time world has repeated Mazepin’s mistake. He copies his Haas teammate by lighting up the rear tyres and spinning off.
      RACE RESTARTS
      It is Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc… this is a fantastic battle.
      Norris is now chasing Bottas in fourth.
      PROBLEM FOR VERSTAPPEN
      He says he has a weird sensation from the peddles. His team are investigating.
      BIG CRASH FOR NIKITA MAZEPIN
      His debut is over after three corners as he spins off and goes into the barriers.
      Safety Car is out.

      GO GO GO…
      The lights go green in Bahrain.
      Verstappen gets away quickly and Hamilton gets in behind the Dutchman. Bottas hold P3 from Leclerc.
      PROBLEM FOR PEREZ
      His Red Bull has switched off while on the way to the grid. That is another shocker for the Mexican on his debut for his new team.
      Another formation lap as Perez now gets his car going. He is starting from the pitlane.
      FORMATION LAP
      Max Verstappen is not hanging about here. He is setting pace already on his way to the grid.
      I’d image he’s all rather excited, starting P1 in race 1.
      F1’s PRE RACE MESSAGE

      A REMINDER THAT SEBASTIAN VETTEL STARTS LAST
      The Aston Martin man was penalised earlier for ignoring yellow flags during qualifying.He is demoted from 18th to 20th on the grid on his debut for his new team. Not the start he was hoping for.
      PRE RACE MESSAGE
      Again, F1’s pre-race message is confusing. Some drivers standing, some kneeling. Some in t-shirts, some are not.Lewis Hamilton did take a knee and is wearing a t-shirt saying “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”.
      20 MINUTES TO GO
      The season opener is close to getting the green light.
      Can Max Verstappen continue his form and covert his pole into a win?
      Or will Lewis Hamilton bounce back? You cannot rule the seven-time world champion out of this.
      Valtteri Bottas starts in P3. Also keep an eye on Charles Leclerc in P4. And for both the McLarens.
      GOOD MORNING F1 FANS
      Max Verstappen is on pole for the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
      The Red Bull driver was 0.388 of a second faster than defending champion Lewis Hamilton.
      Hamilton accepts he is not going to have it all his own way this season with the pace of rivals Red Bull.
      Hamilton said: “Congratulations to Max. He did such an amazing job, so fast on that last lap.
      “I absolutely gave it everything I had, but unfortunately it wasn’t good enough.”
      TAKE SOME ‘STAPPEN
      Lewis Hamilton knows he is not going to get it all his own way this season after seeing how tough his title defence is going to be.
      Max Verstappen took pole in the Bahrain GP with a sensational lap that gave Red Bull their first back-to-back pole positions since 2013.
      Lewis Hamilton faces a bigger challenge this seasonCredit: Getty
      Hamilton said: “Every deficit is difficult to take and it is the first race of the season and Red Bull have the quicker car in Bahrain than us.
      “I am proud of how we recovered from the test, that was suboptimal and now the fight is on.
      “If we analysed the regulations and say ‘that’s it,’ then we could not be fighters.
      “We just need to get that car in its sweet spot so it can combat with our competitors.”
      MAX POWER
      A reminder of Max Verstappen’s reaction to taking pole position for the opening Grand Prix of the season.
      Verstappen held off the challenge of Lewis Hamilton to take first place on the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
      Sparks were flying in an electrifying qualification from Max VerstappenCredit: Pro Sports Images
      The Red Bull star said: “We had a good week of testing.
      “There are no guarantees but it’s been great so far, really enjoyable to drive.
      “With the wind conditions changing, it’s not easy to change the set up of the car but I’m really happy with pole position.
      “My first lap in Q3 wasn’t amazing but finally, the balance was there. You have to be careful not to overheat the rear tyres.
      “The car has been steady on the short and long runs, we have a good car. We need a good, clean start.”
      POLE POSITION
      Watch Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton give their reaction to qualifying for the season opener in Bahrain.
      Max Verstappen says the whole weekend has been going really well while Lewis Hamilton reacts to starting Bahrain GP in second
      ON YOUR MARKS
      If you listen to most people inside the paddock, there are only small changes to the rulebook for the new season.
      This was supposed to be the radical season that F1’s owners, Liberty Media, had hoped would transform the sport.
      The new season starts this weekendCredit: Avalon.red
      But the Covid-19 pandemic and decrease in revenues across the board saw them delay those plans for 2022.
      The biggest change to the aerodynamics is to do with the car’s floor.
      Essentially these have been reduced in size so there is less surface area to generate downforce.
      The introduction of a cost-cap, set at $145million or £106million is an F1 first.
      That covers the cost of running the F1 team for a season, but it excludes drivers salaries, the three highest-paid members of staff and marketing costs.
      GREEN FLAG
      Another reminder of course that the season opener gets underway tomorrow afternoon.
      The Bahrain Grand Prix starts at 4pm on Sunday with Max Verstappen on pole for Red Bull.
      Max Verstappen is on poleCredit: Getty
      Will Verstappen be able to hold off world champion Lewis Hamilton and claim victory in the first race of the season?
      CHANGING GEARS
      IT is just 103 days since the final race of the 2020 season in Abu Dhabi, but over the winter there have been plenty of changes.
      A total of 12 drivers have moved to F1, or left, or changed teams, that’s over half of the grid.
      Fernando Alonso is back in F1Credit: PA
      Some of the biggest stories include Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-times world champion Michael, selected for the Haas team.
      There is also a return for Fernando Alonso with the two-times world champion back following a two-year break.
      How will they get on in tomorrow’s season opener?
      NO STOPPING VERSTAPPEN
      All the talk coming in this week was about the pace of the Red Bull.
      And Max Verstappen certainly backed this up with a dominant performance in qualifying.
      Max Verstappen took pole positionCredit: AP
      The Dutchman was quickest in all three practice sessions and the qualifying sessions as he stormed to pole.
      NO SCHU IN
      It was a tough introduction for Mick Schumacher as he ended up 19th – ahead of only Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin.
      The German was nearly two seconds off the pace of Q1 leader Verstappen.
      It was a tough introduction for Mick SchumacherCredit: Rex
      HAMILTON REACTS
      The world champ will start tomorrow on the front row and just behind Max Verstappen.
      He said: “Congratulations to Max. He did such an amazing job, so fast on that last lap.
      “I absolutely gave it everything I had, but unfortunately it wasn’t good enough.
      “There’s always more, but it was the best I could do, I got everything I could from the car.”
      LEWIS: “Congratulations to Max, so fast on that last lap!”I absolutely gave it everything I had, but unfortunately it wasn’t good enough. There’s always more, but it was the best I could do, I got everything I could from the car.”#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NWFlQT94Ip— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2021

      DUTCH COURAGE
      Verstappen tells Sky Sports’ David Coulthard: “We had a good week of testing.
      “There are no guarantees but it’s been great so far, really enjoyable to drive.
      “With the wind conditions changing, it’s not easy to change the set up of the car but I’m really happy with pole position.
      “My first lap in Q3 wasn’t amazing but finally, the balance was there. You have to be careful not to overheat the rear tyres.
      “The car has been steady on the short and long runs, we have a good car. We need a good, clean start.”
      TOP 10
      Here is how they finished after Q3 in Bahrain.
      A handy .388 of a second advantage for Max Verstappen shows just how fast that Red Bull has been.

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