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      Silverstone chiefs giving away thousands of free F1 tickets to key workers this summer as thank you for ‘risking lives’

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      SILVERSTONE chiefs are giving away thousands of free tickets to key workers this summer.A total of 10,000 tickets will be issued to those who have worked during the COVID 19 pandemic for the circuit’s three major events –  the British GP, MotoGP and Silverstone Classic.
      Racing chiefs at Silverstone are giving away thousands of free tickets to key workersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      10,000 freebies are being handed out to front line staffCredit: Getty
      The ballot will be run in association with Blue Light Tickets, a sister company of the Blue Light Card discount scheme set up to reward workers in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces and social care sectors.
      There are currently two million Blue Light Card holders who could be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets at their website bluelighttickets.co.uk.
      Silverstone chief, Stuart Pringle said: “Working with Blue Light Card gives us the reassurance that our tickets will reach those we are all so indebted to and we hope as many as possible can join us this summer to experience live motorsport, something we have all missed over the past 12 months.
      “The last year has been a challenge for everyone but particularly for those working on the frontline, putting their lives at risk, to keep our country and population safe under very difficult circumstances.  
      “I hope that this gesture goes some way to demonstrating to this community that their work is very much appreciated.”
      Elsewhere, David Coulthard said Lewis Hamilton will know when the time is right to quit Formula One – and when he does he will stop racing for good.
      Coulthard left F1 in 2008 after 15 years in the sport.
      Eyebrows were raised when Hamilton, 36, agreed just a 10-month deal with Mercedes when he was expected to sign for at least two more years.
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      The short-term contract, followed by the world champion’s miserable pre-season test last weekend in Bahrain, has raised question marks over whether he will leave F1 at the end of this year, when new rules will come in for the 2022 season.
      Coulthard, who will be on Channel 4’s coverage at the season opener in Bahrain on March 27 and 28, said: “If he truly believed it was time [to quit now], he would not have been in Bahrain for pre-season testing.
      “I think he has got inner peace and if he had that feeling, we would have had that announcement he was leaving.
      “But when he does decide that’s it, I don’t believe he will drive one more lap in a racing car. I very much doubt you will see him rocking up at Le Mans or anything like that.
      “You know when to quit when you wake up one day, or even after a lap. Niki Lauda who knew during a lap in Canada, or James Hunt, who walked away midseason.

      “In my case, I got the realisation at the beginning of 2008 pre-season test. I jumped in the car with hopes and desires that we’d made a big step forward and it just didn’t feel like it.
      “Having had 14 previous seasons and known how long it takes to develop a car, that was the time I thought it was not going to be a winning year.
      “I remember Mark Webber asking me how I knew when it was enough. I knew it was time for him to stop having asked me the question.
      “It is like any relationship, you just knew in your heart that it is the right time. You just know.”

      Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More

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      Incredible pics of Saudi Arabia Grand Prix revealed with cars racing around Jeddah streets at average speed of 155mph

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      F1 chiefs have released details of the inaugural Saudi Arabian GP, which is expected to have an average speed of over 155mph – despite having 27 corners.The street circuit in Jeddah will host this year’s race in December while a permanent track is being built.
      F1 bosses have revealed details of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in DecemberCredit: Instagram / @f1
      The streets of Jeddah will host the race this year while a permanent track is builtCredit: Instagram / @f1
      The circuit will have an average speed of 155mphCredit: Instagram / @f1
      The layout is the second-longest on the calendar at 3.84miles but it is the fast-flowing nature of the track that will be most appealing.
      High-speed chicanes and esses will be hemmed in by catch fencing making the track look a lot like a temporary Formula E circuit.
      Ross Brawn, Formula One Managing Director Motorsport, said: “It’s always very exciting to release the details of a new circuit and the Saudi Arabia Street Circuit is no exception.
      “We have worked very closely with the design team and with the promoter to ensure we have a track that provides exciting wheel-to-wheel racing for our fans and challenges all of the drivers.
      “The design brings out the best of a modern street circuit but also has fast paced free flowing areas that will create fast speeds and overtaking opportunities.
      “The setting is incredible, on the Red Sea, and we can’t wait to see the cars on the track in December.”
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      High-speed chicanes and esses will be hemmed in by catch fencingCredit: Instagram / @f1
      The track in the Middle East will have 27 cornersCredit: Instagram / @f1
      The race in Saudi Arabia is set to take place in December a week before the season finale in Abu DhabiCredit: AFP
      The race is scheduled for December 5 and has attracted plenty of opposition, with groups accusing the government of “sportswashing” their dreadful human rights record.
      HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Automobile & Motorsport Federation added: “We are looking forward to welcoming motorsport fans to Saudi Arabia.

      “Next December will be a huge moment, when we host the biggest event in motorsports.
      “This is a continuation of the endless support that sports in general, and motorsport in particular, is receiving from His Royal Highness King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
      “Even though this is the first time we will host a Formula One Grand Prix, delivering such important international events is further confirmation of the Kingdom’s ability to manage and organise these events to the highest standards for our fans and growing young population.”
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      Lewis Hamilton will know exactly when to leave F1 and I think he will quit for good, claims David Coulthard

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will know when the time is right to quit Formula One – and when he does he will stop racing for good.That’s the view of former McLaren driver David Coulthard, who left F1 in 2008 after 15 years in the sport.
      Lewis Hamilton could be entering his final year in Formula OneCredit: Splash
      David Coulthard has told SunSport that drivers always know the right time to leave F1Credit: Reuters
      Eyebrows were raised when Hamilton, 36, agreed just a 10-month deal with Mercedes when he was expected to sign for at least two more years.
      The short-term contract, followed by the world champion’s miserable pre-season test last weekend in Bahrain, has raised question marks over whether he will leave F1 at the end of this year, when new rules will come in for the 2022 season.
      Coulthard, who will be on Channel 4’s coverage at the season opener in Bahrain on March 27th and 28th, said: “If he truly believed it was time [to quit now], he would not have been in Bahrain for pre-season testing.
      “I think he has got inner peace and if he had that feeling, we would have had that announcement he was leaving.
      “But when he does decide that’s it, I don’t believe he will drive one more lap in a racing car. I very much doubt you will see him rocking up at Le Mans or anything like that.
      “You know when to quit when you wake up one day, or even after a lap. Niki Lauda who knew during a lap in Canada, or James Hunt, who walked away midseason.
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      “In my case, I got the realisation at the beginning of 2008 pre-season test. I jumped in the car with hopes and desires that we’d made a big step forward and it just didn’t feel like it.
      “Having had 14 previous seasons and known how long it takes to develop a car, that was the time I thought it was not going to be a winning year.
      “I remember Mark Webber asking me how I knew when it was enough. I knew it was time for him to stop having asked me the question.
      “It is like any relationship, you just knew in your heart that it is the right time. You just know.”
      Hamilton is going in search of an eighth world title this season, which would move him clear of the joint-record he currently holds with Michael Schumacher.
      And while judging from the pre-season test he appears on the back foot, Coulthard says the Brit is capable of springing a surprise in Bahrain.
      I don’t doubt for one moment that, if he has a sniff of performance, then he would not be the man who can deliver it.David Coulthard
      Coulthard believes Hamilton cannot be ruled out after a poor pre-seasonCredit: Getty
      He added: “I was reading all the reviews of testing but you will find out where you are when you get to the first race weekend.
      “Now of course, you get an indication about reliability and general form from testing but nothing you could go to the bookies with.
      “So, what do I think? It clearly was not a smooth few days as they would have liked and may well have ticked a nerve.
      “But we have to remember as well, this is not his first pre-season rodeo.
      “He has done it all before and, depending on his mood, will depend on if he engages with the media.
      “It has been an unusual route to this point in terms of the contract being so late in being announced.
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      “But I don’t think with Lewis you can use historical trend. He is very much his own man and at this stage at his career where he has found a way of operating.
      “I don’t doubt for one moment that if he has a sniff of performance then he would not be the man who can deliver it.
      “Just when you think he’s down, he bounced back, a bit like Muhammad Ali when he was doing the old rope-a-dope. He’s not as easy to read as the others.”
      Mercedes release video of Lewis Hamilton’s new F1 2021 car which Brit helped engineers build to go for another title More

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      Lewis Hamilton fears ‘different animal’ Red Bull this year with rival F1 team looking to break Mercedes dominance

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      LEWIS HAMILTON believes Red Bull are a “different animal” this year as they look to break Mercedes’ seven-year domination of F1. World champion Hamilton endured a miserable pre-season test as his team suffered reliability issues while he spun twice as he made uncharacteristic errors.
      Lewis Hamilton expects a strong challenge from Red BullCredit: Splash
      Red Bull are likely to be a bigger threat this seasonCredit: Rex
      And the Brit admits their rivals from Milton Keynes could be installed as the bookies’ favourites to win the season opener in Bahrain on March 28th.
      He said: “They can be favourites if they want. I mean, they’re looking strong. I don’t really focus on that kind of stuff and they’ve had some really good running.
      “Both the drivers have been looking quite strong.
      “They’re going to be a different machine or animal this year with a really good, strong line-up for two drivers and a really good car.”
      Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also was delighted with the team’s trouble-free three-day test as Max Verstappen set the quickest overall time.
      But he is also curious that Mercedes could still turn up with a race-winning car at the opening race of 2021.
      He added: “That was certainly the best test since Red Bull Racing came into existence.
      “Everything worked right from the start but we know that Mercedes is the favourite, and I assume that they drove with much more fuel than we did.

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      “The fact that they didn’t really align with others in terms of fuel load, that already shows that they must have a lot of confidence. So we assume they still have a lot up their sleeves.
      “Mercedes is the favourite and we are the first challenger. That’s how I see the situation.
      “Behind them, it’s going to be a battle. I think McLaren will stand out a bit, but not at the level of Mercedes and us. The midfield is certainly closer together.”
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      Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More

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      Michael Schumacher’s son Mick reveals he was ‘really scared’ after leaving F1 pitlane with tyre jack still attached

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      HAAS driver Mick Schumacher was ‘really scared’ during a frightening incident in pre-season testing in Bahrain.The son of seven-time world champion Michael, Mick is preparing for his first season in Formula One after winning the 2020 F2 title with Prema Racing.
      Mick Schumacher has spoken of his scary situation during pre-season testing in BahrainCredit: Getty
      Haas driver Schumacher left the pitlane with the jack still attacked to the carCredit: Sky Sports
      The 21-year-old drove 181 laps during his first pre-season testing, but he was involved in a worrying situation towards the end of Saturday’s session.
      Schumacher pitted for a tyre change and after receiving the signal to leave, the youngster then took the jack with him down the pitlane, where thankfully no-one was hurt.
      Quoted by Motorsport-Total, Schumacher said of the incident: “I was really scared because suddenly I didn’t know what was going on, whether I did something wrong or not.
      “In the end, it was a misunderstanding.”
      Haas team principal Guenther Steiner refused to put the blame on the German, as he instead praised him for his strong presence of mind.
      He remarked: “Mick reacted very well. When the radio message came that he should stop, he stopped immediately.
      “This did not cause any damage. I could say now it was part of his training because we have already hit so many pit stops! But it wasn’t like that.”
      Attention has now turned to the Bahrain Grand Prix, with the season’s opening race taking place on March 28.
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      Commenting after testing, Schumacher stated: “A bit sad that it was the last day and the last time driving before the Grand Prix.
      “But nevertheless we have 23 races coming up which is obviously great.
      “We managed to get a lot of laps in, which was good. We had no more issues, which is a bonus, and we’ve managed to catch up for the losses on day one.
      “I’m very impatient and very much looking forward to the season. It can’t come soon enough.
      “I feel very prepared, very ready. Hopefully we can understand every test we’ve done and be able to convert that into performance.”

      Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More

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      Lewis Hamilton warns Mercedes have ‘lots of work to do’ after spinning out of control in F1 pre-season testing

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has warned Mercedes that they have ‘lots of work to do’ after their dreadful start to the season.The world champion cut a dejected figure this weekend after he spun off in Bahrain and was left stuck in the gravel.
      Lewis Hamilton is gearing up to make his title defence at Bahrain later this monthCredit: Getty
      The world champion spun off and was left stuck in the gravel during testing
      That followed on from Friday’s session where he finished 10th on the timesheets, while his team-mate Valtteri Bottas suffered a gearbox problem.
      It resulted in Mercedes completing fewer miles than any other team when usually they display bullet-proof reliability during testing.
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      Speaking to F1 after the final day, Hamilton said: “I’ve never been a massive fan of testing, I just love racing.
      “On the other end, it might have been good to have had more days.
      “It’s probably the only time I’d have ever asked for more days.”
      Mercedes were the only team who didn’t use their allocated 100km filming day to test their new car.
      And Hamilton, who had two surprising spins over the weekend, admitted the W12 was not yet performing to expectations.
      He added: “We’ve got lots of work to do, it’s going to be tough.”
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      Speaking in a team social media video, Hamilton said: “It does appear we are perhaps not quick enough at the moment, but I have every faith in the team.
      “We love challenges and this definitely is a challenge for us with the [rule] changes.
      “A couple of spins which are rare for me, but generally have been unhappy with the balance of the car and struggled with it. But nonetheless the car is still in one piece and we still got through the programme.”
      Mercedes release video of Lewis Hamilton’s new F1 2021 car which Brit helped engineers build to go for another title More

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      Lewis Hamilton drops hint he will return to live in £18million west London mansion he’s been renovating since 2017

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has dropped a big hint that he could return to the UK to live in London.
      The F1 world champion is renovating an £18million home in west London that he purchased in 2017 but has never moved in.

      Lewis Hamilton could be set to return to his £18million west London mansion

      The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has been renovating the London home since buying it in 2017

      Scaffolding can be seen covering much of the house at the moment

      The Mercedes ace says he still intends to live in Monaco for the time being, insisting his London mansion is all part of his plans for the future.
      He said: “Currently, I have no plans on changing where I live. I live in a dream place that all the other drivers live in too, in Monaco.
      “I do have a home in England, which I am really excited to be finished, so when I do come to England I finally have an anchor.
      “A place to call my own, rather than staying in hotels, which is never particularly enjoyable considering I do that a lot throughout the year.

      “I think it is the start of something great and a place I will naturally have my family come to and maybe, in the future, have a family.”
      Hamilton has been in Bahrain where he has been taking part in preseason testing ahead of the new F1 season, which also kicks off in the Gulf Kingdom on March 28th.
      But it has been far from ideal practice as his Mercedes team have been plagued by reliability and handling issues, while rivals Red Bull look quick.
      Hamilton, who was only fifth quickest yesterday (SUN) on the final day of the three-day test, added: “I think it is better when it doesn’t go smoothly.

      “It’s better that it doesn’t go smooth now and go smooth once we get into the racing season.
      “This is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems. I welcome that.
      “We’re a multi championship-winning team and we know how to pull together and keep our head down and focus on the job but, without doubt, it’s quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams.
      “Red Bull are looking particularly strong. And it’s great to see McLaren, also looking strong and also Alpine, so I’m excited. That means more fun.
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      Hamilton struggled during the F1 testing weekend as he looks to clinch an eighth world titleCredit: AFP or Licensors
      “[Red Bull] are going to be a different machine or animal this year, with I think, a real good, strong lineup of the two drivers and, I think, a really good car.
      “You can only assume they’re going to be right there at the front at the first race and it’s going to be a great long battle with them throughout the year.”
      Hamilton is coming into this new season in search of an eighth world title that would move him clear of the joint-record he holds with Michael Schumacher.
      But he will do it without the help of his right-hand man, former racer and advisor, Marc Hynes while he searches for a replacement.
      Speaking of their amicable split, Hamilton said: “Marc is one of my best friends and he is moving on to do some other great things.
      “We had an amazing partnership together and I am really proud of the work we achieved.
      “I am going through some restructuring now moving forwards and have some plans I am working on in the future.
      “There will be someone potentially for the short term and I will figure it out as I go along.”

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      Murray Walker funniest quotes – including his F1 classic line ‘there’s nothing wrong with the car except it’s on fire’

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      MURRAY WALKER, the voice of Formula 1, produced some of the greatest ever lines in sporting commentary.
      The motorsport legend, who passed away at the age of 97 on Saturday, is responsible for countless iconic quotes during his storied broadcasting career.

      Tributes poured in for Walker on Saturday after his death was announcedCredit: Reuters

      Here are just 20 of the best lines from a commentating icon.
      “There’s nothing wrong with the car except it’s on fire.”
      “You can cut the tension with a cricket stump.”
      “With half the race gone there is half the race to go.”

      “IF is a very long word in Formula One; in fact, IF is F1 spelled backwards.”
      “I imagine the conditions in those cars are totally unimaginable.”
      “Even in five years time, he will still be four years younger than Damon Hill.”
      “Either that car is stationary or it’s on the move.”

      Walker received an OBE in 1996 for his services to broadcasting and motorsportCredit: Reuters
      “That’s history. I say history because it happened in the past.”
      “Do my eyes deceive me or is Senna’s car sounding a bit rough?”
      “There are seven winners of the Monaco Grand Prix on the starting line today, and four of them are Michael Schumacher.”
      “And the first five places are filled with five different cars.”
      “The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical.”

      “And this is the third-placed car about to lap the second-placed car.”
      “And now, excuse me while I interrupt myself.”
      “The battle is well and truly on if it wasn’t on before, and it certainly was.”
      “You might not think that’s cricket, and it’s not, it’s motor racing.””Two laps to go, then the action will begin. Unless this is the action, which it is.”
      “I’m going for first,” (Explaining away a British Touring car driver putting up his middle finger).
      Murray: “There’s a firey glow coming from the back of the Ferrari!” – James Hunt: “No Murray, that’s his rear safety light.”
      “I want to say so much more than I have time for.”

      Legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker has died aged 97 More