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      Inside Jenson Button’s amazing £8m LA home he shares with model fiancee that boasts a home cinema and is listed for sale

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      JENSON BUTTON and his model fiancée have put their stunning £8million Los Angeles mansion back on the market just a year after buying the place.The Formula One legend, 41, and Brittny Ward, 30, splashed out £6.6m on the incomplete luxury pad in the Bel Air region of the city.
      Jenson Button and Brittny Ward have put their luxury mansion back on the marketCredit: BackGrid
      The stunning house has plenty of awesome rooms including this home cinemaCredit: BackGrid
      The couple only bought the incomplete place a year ago before getting it finished up but are now hoping to move onCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But now all finished, it is up for sale again with a guide price of £8m.
      And whoever does stump up the cash for the gorgeous home is in for a real treat.
      Measuring 8,000sq ft, the house – described as a mix of vintage and contemporary design – has no fewer than six bedrooms, including one gigantic master suite.
      And there will be no waiting for the bathroom to be free because there are six ‘full’ ones to choose from, plus an additional two ‘half’ bathrooms.
      But as well as the kitchen with not one but two islands and spacious family and breakfast rooms, the real excitement comes elsewhere: the bar and home cinema.
      That’s right, 2009 world champion Button spared no expenses by getting the builders to put in a fully-fitted home bar complete with climate-controlled wine storage as well as a brilliant entertainment room.
      The massive TV screen and comfy, tiered sofa seating is the perfect setting for a movie night – or to watch Lewis Hamilton and Co racing around the track in the F1 season.
      Button may not be under the same pressure to keep in such pristine physical condition these days – but he and Ward are taking no chances by installing a home gym complete with a treadmill, cross trainer, bike and weights.
      The kitchen features not one but two islands – any cook’s dream Credit: BackGrid
      The kitchen is completed with chic charcoal cupboards and matching islandCredit: BackGrid
      There is plenty of room in this bathroom, one of eight in the house, to get all fresh and readyCredit: BackGrid
      The house features a classy blend of vintage and contemporary designsCredit: BackGrid
      The interior is classy throughout – even the utility room and pair of double garages bookending the property – but the garden is just as impressive.
      A perfect lawn any golf course green keeper would be proud of takes a back seat to allow for the swimming pool to be the main focal point.
      With the sun beating down on the garden during the day and the hills to the back providing security and privacy, it really is the perfect spot to relax on a hot Californian afternoon.
      Come the evening, there is plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate a large group of guests, regardless of the occasion.
      Any person owning this place would undoubtedly be desperate to have people over and make full use of the barbecue area.
      But although Button and Ward got the house into fine shape, they have clearly decided they want to move on.
      One of the standout highlights is the professional fully-fitted home barCredit: BackGrid
      Button and Ward will be keeping in shape with the home gym which looks out on to the gardenCredit: BackGrid
      The garden’s focal point is the gorgeous swimming pool with sun loungers. to soak up the Californian raysCredit: BackGrid
      It is the perfect garden to host a dinner party with plenty of outdoor seatingCredit: BackGrid

      The couple, who started dating in 2016, got engaged in June 2018.
      But they have twice had to postpone their wedding day – firstly after unexpectedly falling pregnant with their first child, son Hendrix who was born in 2019, and then due to the coronavirus crisis.
      Back in December, the two welcomed a daughter called Lenny. They plan to finally wed in Italy this year.
      Button and Ward welcomes their first son Hendrix into the world in the summer of 2019Credit: Instagram @brittnyward
      Their rearranged wedding day was once again postponed, this time due to coronavirus, and will now tie the knot in 2021Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      Button and Ward started dating in 2016 and got engaged two years later
      The garden basks in the sun during the afternoon and is protected by the hillsCredit: BackGrid
      The outdoor sofa and comfy seats give another more relaxed optionCredit: BackGrid
      There are a total of six bedrooms in the mansionCredit: BackGrid
      The house is situated in the Bel Air region of Los AngelesCredit: BackGrid
      They bought it for £6.66m last year but the guide price is now £8mCredit: BackGrid
      A climate-controlled storage is the perfect extra gimmick for any wine lovers Credit: BackGrid
      Button and Ward no doubt made the most of the barbecue and speakers for a brilliant evening in Credit: BackGrid
      The house measures approximately 8,000sq ft, giving plenty of space for any familyCredit: BackGrid
      The big glass doors and windows allow for plenty of light to flood in during the dayCredit: BackGrid
      Ex-Playboy model and Jenson Button’s fiancee Brittny Ward does lockdown fashion show with nothing but pillow More

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      Lewis Hamilton warned Mercedes will NOT wait around to pick F1 driver team for 2022 and will be axed if deal runs out

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned Mercedes won’t hang around in picking their driver line up for 2022.The world champion stalled on agreeing new terms for this season to the point he was eventually out of contract.
      Toto Wolff has warned Lewis Hamilton that Mercedes will not wait around to pick their F1 driver team for 2022Credit: PA
      However, with the sport introducing the biggest rule change in its history next season, Merc boss Toto Wolff is eager to nail-down his driver pairing early.
      It comes after McLaren boss Zak Brown predicted that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could join the team alongside George Russell in an all-new line up.
      That would mean Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both getting the boot and while Wolff would not be drawn on the speculation, he did admit they needed a quick decision.
      He said: “I want to keep out of the discussion about who is going to drive for Mercedes but we don’t want to leave it until January to confirm our two drivers.
      “Valtteri was pretty regular in terms of the summer announcement last year, which is when it should happen to give the driver some peace of mind and be able to concentrate on the job.
      “Next year, there are a lot of balls in the air and we will always try to do the best for the team in the long term while also giving total loyalty to our current driver line up.
      “We do not doubt Valtteri or Lewis but obviously discussions are going to happen but not in January next year.”
      Hamilton, who only agreed a 10-month deal with Merc, said on Thursday that this year did not ‘feel like it is the end’.
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      However, cryptically he added: “Only the next eight months or so will let me know and I’ll find out if I’m ready to stop or not. I don’t think I will, personally. But you never know.”
      But Wolff, who joined Mercedes in 2014 the same year as Hamilton arrived from McLaren, is hopeful the Brit does stay on for another year.
      When asked about Hamilton’s desire to remain with the team, Wolff said: “I hope so.
      “The journey we have had together has been very successful. He has been a Mercedes driver since he was a kid and in his karting years.
      “He has never raced a single weekend in Formula One without a Mercedes power unit so it is the logical continuation of the story.”
      The speculation stemmed from Brown’s comment as Hamilton, Bottas and Russell are all out of contract at the end of the year.
      And Verstappen’s Red Bull deal is understood to contain exit clauses that Merc could exploit.
      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      Brown said: “Someone asked me what I thought the driver market would look like next year.
      “I believe Geroege is out of contract and has a Mercedes relationship and did a great job in Bahrain last year.
      “And Max, I have never seen his contract but understand there is a possibility for him to drive elsewhere.
      “Mercedes and Toto are able to attract an awesome line up, so if those two were available and floating around, depending on what Toto does with his current line up, you can see that happening.”
      Meanwhile, Verstappen laid down an early marker of intent after topping both practice sessions for the season opener in Bahrain.
      The Dutchman was quickest in FP1 and FP2 ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Hamilton, who was third-quickest.

      What does the 2021 Grand Prix hold for Lewis Hamilton More

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      Max Verstappen fires warning to F1 rival Lewis Hamilton and vows to end dream of breaking Schumacher’s record

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has fired a warning to Lewis Hamilton as he aims to bring the fight to Mercedes at EVERY race this season.Verstappen believes he is well equipped to consistently battle with Mercedes with his new teammate Sergio Perez alongside him.
      Hamilton and Verstappen’s rivalry is set to explode
      The Dutchman has fallen short in the past two seasons as his former teammates Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have failed to keep up with him on track.
      Verstappen said: “I have known Perez for many years here in the paddock.
      “Of course now that we are teammates you get a bit more of an insight into how he’s working and everything so far is running very smoothly.
      “And with the feedback we’re heading in the same direction… which I hope is the right direction!
      “It’s all going very smoothly and it’s nice to get a bit more of an insight from his side, from his past experience from other teams.
      “I just hope as a team now, we can really score a good amount of points and really put the pressure on Mercedes every single race weekend.”
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1
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      Verstappen refused to be drawn into criticising his former teammate Albon, who struggled in the Red Bull before being dropped at the end of last season.
      The 23-year-old was asked about the shortcomings of his former teammate, after he out-qualified Albon at every race last season.
      He added: “I cannot comment from the other side of the garage what was happening and why that was.”

      Perez declared he is out to beat his teammate next season as he looks to better Verstappen, rather than operate as a support act.
      Perez said: “I want to beat Max, and Max wants to beat me.
      “We want to push the team forward and if we are able to create that competition between us, that will be in the benefit of the team.
      “We are both very mature and we’ve been here long enough to cope with that.
      “I just hope that I am able to put the pressure onto Max and we can both grow together and push the team forward.”
      Sports pundits reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s career as he prepares to start a potentially historic F1 season More

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      Red Bull chief Horner fires warning to Hamilton and Mercedes as Max Verstappen tops first practice at Bahrain GP

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER believes Red Bull are primed to finally top Mercedes – with a fresh warning shot fired in Friday practice.Max Verstappen topped the first timesheet of 2021 in Bahrain, leaving world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth.
      Red Bull and Max Verstappen are tipped for a big championship tilt this yearCredit: Splash
      Christian Horner hopes to finally reclaim the Formula One crown from MercedesCredit: Getty
      The Silver Arrows already appeared to hit a bump in the road during pre-season testing and Red Bull are ready to pounce.
      Horner, whose team won four doubles in a row between 2010 and 2013 with Sebastian Vettel, said ahead of practice: “Sport is always cyclical.
      “Teams go through dominant phases and at some point it comes to a close.
      “There will come a time when someone will beat them and we need to make sure it is us.
      “I believe we have great depth in the team. We have had a busy winter and everybody has pulled together and worked incredibly hard in difficult circumstances.
      “But the whole team is fully galvanised and this car will be competitive from the first race.
      “People are very much hoping for there to be a challenge to Mercedes. It has been seven years of dominance.
      “We used to get accused of it but we have achieved nothing like what Mercedes have in recent years.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      “As probably their closest challenger over the last six years or so – we have won races in every year – and we need to do that on a sustained basis.
      “We went into the winter on a positive note. Winning that last race in Abu Dhabi lifted the organisation through the winter.”
      Red Bull will be pinning their title challenge on Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman heavily linked as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton when he does retire.
      But the 23-year-old is remarkably calm about his prospects with the team and has no reason to leave if they can produce a title-winning car for him.
      Verstappen said: “I am pretty relaxed at the moment. I just want to drive the car.
      “Every year it is a new challenge to beat the rest and that is the aim again this year.
      “I am not a person who is easily distracted by talk about my future. I am fine. I feel good in the team, which is the most important thing.
      “We will see what happens in the future but for the moment I am looking forward to a few race wins.
      Verstappen is yet to put together a serious world title shot in F1Credit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton is hunting down a record eighth crownCredit: Reuters
      “We had a few races last season where we were close and we won two races, but in general we were not close enough to make it difficult for Mercedes.
      “So I hope we can do that this year, that’s what I am excited for. I don’t play mind games. I am very chilled and relaxed and I know I can do it.
      “It doesn’t matter who you are fighting against, I just focus on myself and do the best I can. There is nothing new that I have to adjust.”
      Meanwhile, Horner is confident of keeping hold of the team’s prized asset.
      He added: “Max has a lot of faith in the team. We just have to deliver a competitive car.
      “We had a good test with him and I hope that we can build on that.

      “Over the last couple of years, he has really stepped up and is now the driver most-likely to challenge Lewis.
      “We are just focusing on ourselves. We cannot control what others are doing.
      “Sometimes the situation is different internally than how it looks externally.
      “I have been around long enough to stop worrying about what others are doing.”

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

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      Williams pay touching tribute to F1 legend Murray Walker with inscription on new car at Bahrain GP after his death at 97

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      WILLIAMS have paid tribute to broadcasting legend Murray Walker on their cars at the Bahrain Grand Prix.Walker, who headed up F1’s commentary on BBC and ITV between 1976 and 2001, passed away on March 13 at the age of 97.
      Both Williams cars sported the tribute to Murray Walker on Friday
      The much-loved commentator passed away earlier this monthCredit: The Sun
      Walker was famed for his Murrayisms and excitement behind the mic, as well as his emotion.
      And Williams paid their respects by carrying his famous quote from when Damon Hill won the F1 title in 1996 while driving for the team.
      The message on the car’s halo says, “And I have got to stop, because I’ve got a lump in my throat”.
      The inscription is designed to be clearly visible from the television camera perched atop each F1 car.
      Fans reacted warmly when the message was first shown in Friday practice, one online deeming it ‘lovely’ and another wrote of how they were ‘thinking of marvellous Murray today’.
      Meanwhile, Williams have confirmed that Formula 2 racer Dan Ticktum will continue as a development driver for this season.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      The Brit joined the team in the same role last season, one year after being dropped from the Red Bull junior programme.
      Ticktum, 21, said: “I am very happy to be continuing my partnership with Williams as development driver.
      “It will be fun to get more time trackside this year as last year was quite difficult, so it will be nice to get more involved with the team at the track.”

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

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      Sebastian Vettel gives new Aston Martin F1 car nickname ‘Honey Ryder’ after iconic James Bond girl Ursula Andress

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL is looking to reignite his Formula One career in a car dubbed the ‘Honey Ryder’.As the German hops over to Aston Martin for the new season, he has continued his tradition of naming his cars.
      Sebastian Vettel has given his Aston Martin F1 car a James Bond-inspired nicknameCredit: Splash
      Dr. No actress Ursula Andress played Honey Ryder in the 1962 filmCredit: Alamy
      Aston unveiled their British Racing Green design for 2021 with a James Bond themed launch, featuring Daniel Craig and Gemma Arterton.
      Vettel’s favourite Bond film is Dr. No and he decided to honour Swiss actress Ursula Andress, who played the first ‘Bond girl’ in the 1962 film.
      Speaking ahead of the new season, the 33-year-old explained his love affair with the iconic series.
      He said: “My favourite Bond film? Probably the first one that kicked it off. Obviously because of Honey Ryder in it!
      “My favourite Bond actor is Sean Connery and to be fair, Pierce Brosnan, because that is my youth, be he had some good style.
      “And the car? The DB5 is an iconic car, pretty cool and it is nice that it came back a few years ago.”
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      The ex-Ferrari star is a huge fan of the UK and lists his favourite TV shows as Little Britain and Monty Python while he’s also previously said The Beatles were his favourite band.
      And when asked where he’d like to spend a month-long road trip, should the opportunity arise, he picked the UK.
      He added: “If I had a month, I would tackle the UK. I have not seen that much yet.
      “Obviously, with Silverstone I am an expert but other than that and the Midlands, I would like to explore the north of England and then Scotland.”
      Ex-F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit, Johnny Herbert, says seeing the British car brand back in F1 is great news.
      He said: “To have the addition of another manufacturer like Aston Martin to come back into F1 is brilliant.
      Vettel took the Aston for its first Grand Prix weekend spin on FridayCredit: AFP

      “It’s great we have that lovely British brand back racing. If it all works out, we have the Aston Martin brand winning races and maybe a world championship, it would be great for the British car industry.
      “I also hope we see the best of Vettel again. I don’t think the enjoyment factor and the motivation was there, especially at the end at Ferrari.
      “I remember seeing him last year in Russia, and he was looking forward to going back to a British team.
      “That goes back to his happy days at Red Bull, so that’s very important. If Aston Martin can give him the tools, I think we will see a resurgence of Vettel.”

      Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel looks forward to Formula 1 return More

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      Fernando Alonso insists he does not feel old boy of F1 despite returning at Renault aged 39 after three-year absence

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      FERNANDO ALONSO says he does not feel like the old man of Formula One as he prepares for his second debut at 39.The Spaniard is back after a two-year break since he walked out of McLaren in 2018.
      Fernando Alonso says he does not feel like the old man of Formula One as he prepares for his second debut at 39Credit: EPA
      He is the second-oldest driver on the grid, behind Kimi Raikkonen, 41, and a full 19-years older than AlpaTauri’s rookie driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
      But the two-time world champion says he’s not feeling old, and pointed to how Lewis Hamilton is the reigning champion at 36.
      He said: “I am trying to make it as fun and enjoyable as possible and working as possible to get the results you dream about in your head.
      “So it is no different to me, trying to make this comeback to me and be as competitive without a time limit set on it.
      “I know the repeated questions are about my age and I am a little bit surprised by that because I am not so old.
      “The world champion and the guy dominating the sport is 36, so I am not 20 years old or something.”
      Alonso was confirmed last July but says he agreed to return much earlier than that.
      And he says he has been impressed since rejoining the former Renault team, now called Alpine.
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      He added: “The decision was made around March, so it was before the championship had started.
      “It was a time for me after finishing the Dakar Rally to think about my next challenge and Formula One was the most attractive option.
      “There is a big difference to 2009, which I see as a positive signal. If it was still the same after ten years, it wouldn’t have been so good news.
      “There are more people working there now too. The level of technology we have reached now has also changed enormously compared to fifteen years ago.
      “I am very happy with the things I have seen. We have a talented staff. Some of the mechanics I know from my time here, so that’s also a retrospective.”

      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 practice LIVE: Second Practice . Verstappen quickest in FP1, Hamilton FOURTH – 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.The Brit stormed to title number seven last year, matching Michael Schumacher, and Mercedes will be hoping for more of the same after signing a bumper new deal with the Brit.

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

      SUNRISE, SUNSET
      Join us later this afternoon for another hour-long session.
      Expect plenty of race runs in FP2 following that remarkably clean shakedown first practice.
      The floodlights will be on when the session gets underway at 3pm.
      Credit: Getty
      FP1 TOP 10
      1 – Verstappen2 – Bottas3 – Norris4 – Hamilton5 – Leclerc6 – Perez7 – Gasly8 – Sainz9 – Ricciardo10 – Giovinazzi

      VERSTAPPEN TAKES FP1
      A solid start from Max Verstappen in what is admittedly a rather unrepresentative session, given the day-night switch in Bahrain.
      Valtteri Bottas takes second before Lando Norris sits third to separate to two Mercedes cars.
      FINAL TIMES COMING IN
      No quicker from Bottas but he does appear set to finish above his team-mate in this session.
      BIG MARGIN?
      A healthy three-tenth lead for Verstappen and that came on new Softs.
      Replays also showed a fairly big tow from the car in front down the straight as he began the lap, which would have shaved off a bit of time.
      MAX POWER
      And there is the fastest time of the session from Verstappen, clocking 1:31.394.
      FINAL FIVE MINUTES
      Verstappen darts around the Mercs on his out lap while they cool down.
      Currently seventh, expect that to change as he begins another quick attempt.
      HAMILTON THIRD
      Hamilton misses the apex at the final turn and ends up 0.024 off Norris.
      No such problems for Bottas as he goes top with a 1:31.692, two tenths clear.
      What can the Red Bulls do in reply?
      TOP 10 WITH 10 TO GO
      1 – Norris2 – Leclerc3 – Gasly4 – Hamilton5 – Sainz6 – Ricciardo7 – Verstappen8 – Bottas9 – Perez 10 – Giovinazzi
      YU GO YUKI
      “C’mon I’ve got f****** traffic!”
      Yuki Tsunoda delivering our first furious radio message of the season after going a touch wide at the final turn in dirty air.
      How we’ve missed this.
      BACK RUNNERS
      We don’t know the run plans, making these assessments rather limited.
      But a look at the bottom of the timesheet suggests who may be struggling for points in 2021.
      Both Williams and Haas cars are in the bottom five.
      Esteban Ocon’s Alpine sits 20th with Fernando Alonso not far higher, in 14th.
      FINAL 15 COMING UP
      This session has flown by with tonnes of on-track action to keep an eye on.
      A few minor slips here and there but drivers are doing very well to keep it on the road so far, with there also no big technical issues to speak of.
      That second point may well be a product of the rule continuity from last year, with these cars certainly evolutions rather than revolutions.
      Credit: Splash
      RICCIARDO GOING FOR IT
      The McLarens begin to show off their stuff with Ricciardo chasing Norris’ fastest time.
      Just over half a second off his team-mate, he goes third overall.
      VETTEL DOES BETTER
      Sebastian Vettel locked up on his last run but re-emerges to clock in the seventh-best time.
      FUEL OF IT
      A reminder that we do not know the fuel loads each team runs during practice.
      If any team knows they have a veritable jet-powered car this year and doesn’t want to show it yet, that is well within their right.
      LANDO HOPE AND GLORY
      Hamilton runs wide at Turn 4 and doesn’t enjoy Turn 14 as he puts in a time over a second off his best.
      Meanwhile, Lando Norris arrives in 2021 with a 1:31.897 to go first, some three tenths clear of the previous top time.
      HAMILTON OUT AGAIN
      The Merc is back out with the same set of Soft tyres.
      The teams have eight sets to play with but, given the unrepresentative nature of these times just mentioned, Hamilton is on an interesting run plan.

      TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
      1 – Hamilton2 – Verstappen3 – Bottas4 – Perez 5 – Leclerc6 – Gasly7 – Norris8 – Tsunoda9 – Sainz10 – Vettel
      HOW MUCH DOES THIS SESSION MATTER?
      Typically this is a rather unrepresentative session for the race itself, which takes place at night time with the circuit currently bathed in 30-degree heat during the mid-afternoon.
      But the 2020 first practice session did see Lewis Hamilton lead Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – a top three which could well have held in the race bar the latter two’s issues on the Sunday.
      Credit: Getty
      FIRST SIGN OF THE HAAS
      Mick Schumacher is putting in his first run on an F1 GP weekend.
      Everywhere you look right now there are iconic firsts, comebacks, and epic narratives taking place!
      LEWIS GOES FASTEST
      How many times will we be writing that sentence this season?
      With a 1:32.214, Lewis Hamilton is back top, with the front-four going: Merc, Red Bull, Merc, Red Bull.
      Best of the rest right now is Charles Leclerc, just under seven tenths off Lewis.
      WILLIAMS TRIBUTE
      A heartfelt message on the Williams halo this weekend with a famous quote from Murray Walker.
      The British commentator, much loved by fans worldwide, died at the age of 97 earlier this month.
      Murray’s comments after Damon Hill’s world title win for Williams is one of many iconic moments from his long career in the sport.
      “I’ve got to stop because I’ve got a lump in my throat.”

      VERSTAPPEN GOES TOP
      Max Verstappen nudges ahead in a very tight top four already at this stage.
      The Dutchman’s 1:32.591 holds a one-tenth advantage over Valtteri Bottas, who has put himself between Verstappen and a new time from Perez.
      That Hamilton time is still only two tenths off the top, though.
      LAYING DOWN A MARKER
      Lewis Hamilton already beaming around Sakhir on the Softs, and puts in the fastest time so far.
      His 1:32.844 is almost four tenths clear of Sergio Perez in the Red Bull.
      WELCOME BACK FERNANDO
      It is great to see Fernando Alonso back in F1, especially after coming trough his bike crash scare earlier in the year.
      Credit: Getty
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