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GEORGE RUSSELL has been told to forget about driving for Mercedes next season as Valtteri Bottas will be keeping his seat. The 22-year-old was impressive when he filled in for Covid-hit Lewis Hamilton last weekend and was only denied a debut win for the team after a bungled pitstop. After the race, the Brit said […] More
LEWIS HAMILTON admits he is still struggling with Covid-19 after an out-of-sorts performance in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP. Hamilton coughed and spluttered in the press conference after he sealed third place on the grid behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen, who took pole. The Dutchman’s flying lap was sensational as he claimed […] More
WORLD CHAMPION Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in third place on the grid after Max Verstappen set the fastest time in qualifying. Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas is going in second with Lando Norris in fourth. Race: 1.10pm, Sunday December 13 Follow ALL the action from Abu Dhabi below… More
MAX VERSTAPPEN secured the final pole position of 2020 as he narrowly edged out Valterri Bottas to start at the front for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver secured his first pole position in the last race of 2020, with the 23-year-old now looking to win his second GP of 2020. Verstappen […] More
LEWIS HAMILTON is back this weekend as the F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi.
The Brit star missed the Sakhir GP after testing positive for coronavirus, but will be back in his Mercedes for the season finale.
Practice 1 start time: 9am BST
Qualifying: 1pm, Saturday December 12
Race: 1.10pm, Sunday December 13
Follow ALL the action from Abu Dhabi below…
FLAMING HECK
Kimi Raikkonen’s burned out Alfa Romeo was a sorry sight in the track in Abu Dhabi after it caught fire during FP2.
Flames started coming from the rear of the car before the Finn put the flames out himself.
KAREFUL KIMI!
FP2 was brought to a temporary halt in Abu Dhabi after Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo caught fire.
The Fin escaped unharmed as the driver proceeded to put out the flames himself with the marshal’s extinguisher.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION!
Mercedes and Red Bull led the way in FP2 as the Mercedes drivers appear to have found their feet.
FP2 IS FINISHED!
Mercedes lead the way after FP2 in Abu Dhabi.
But it’s Valtteri Bottas not Lewis Hamilton who led the pack with the Brit coming in second.
FP2 IS DONE
A fire for Kimi Raikkonen while George Russell also has an engine problem.Valtteri Bottas tops the session ahead of Lewis Hamilton and then the two Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Alex Albon.Lando Norris will be pleased with P5 ahead of Esteban Ocon in P6.
HAMILTON GETS A NEW STEERING WHEEL
The Brit is back in the pitlane and swapped steering wheels after the mechanical glitch.He now has a new steering wheel and is on his way again. Currently in P2 with seconds remaining.
AND NOW HAMILTON HAS A PROBLEM
The world champion is stuck in the pitlane in front of the Haas garage.He says he cannot find gear.
Mercedes mechanics are now running to his car, but he is now moving again.
BIT OF A CONCERN FOR RAIKKONEN
TV replays show that Raikkonen had a bit of trouble getting out of his burning car.It appears that his radio lead was still attached to the car and unable to allow him to get out of his cockpit.A big tug and it’s free, but that was not good to see.
SESSION RED FLAGGED
Raikkonen is tending to his burning car, squirting the foam where he sees the flames but the damage is already done.
He is going to need a new engine in that car for tomorrow.
MERCEDES WHITEWASH
Normal service has resumed with an hour gone in FP2 in Abu Dhabi.
Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton sitting pretty as the two fastest with 2/3 of the session gone.
RAIKKONEN’S ALFA ROMEO IS ON FIRE
The Finn pulls over and takes a fire extinguisher from the fire marshal
PROBLEM FOR RUSSELLHe is into the pits with smoke from the back of his Williams.
25 MINUTES TO GO
It is Bottas, Hamilton, Verstappen, Albon as Mercedes and Red Bull show once again that they are in a class of their own.Next it is Lando Norris as McLaren are still locked in a battle with Racing Point for third place in the constructors’ championship.
LEW-KING BETTER
After coming in fifth fastest in FP1, Lewis Hamilton has upped his game in Abu Dhabi and is looking much better in the second session.
HAM-BRAKE OFF
Lewis Hamilton started FP2 much better.
Second fastest after 1/4 of the session.
FINAL WEEKEND FOR A FEW DRIVERS WITH THEIR CURRENT TEAMS
Sergio Perez, who won last out in Bahrain, will be leaving Racing Point at the end of this race.Carlos Sainz is quitting McLaren for Ferrari.Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari for Racing Point, who will become Aston Martin.Kevin Magnussen is leaving Haas, along with the missing Romain Grosjean, who is continuing his recover from burns.While Daniil Kvyat is expected to be shown the door by AlphaTauri.
NO WORRIES FOR HAMILTON
CONCERN FOR ALBON
The Red Bull man is down in 20th in the timesheets 3.7seconds off the pace.
This weekend is the final time he will get to impress the bosses on track before discovering whether he will get a new deal for next season.
FP2 IS GO!
The second round of practice is off and underway in Abu Dhabi.
Stay here for all your updates as the results come in…
FP2 AND HAMILTON GOES QUICKEST
He is back in the car and back in P1. Yes it is only FP2 but Hamilton is showing no signs of his Covid-19 lay off.
GEORGE-OUS GESTURE
George Russell paid tribute to Frank and Claire Williams who ended their association with F1 after the Italian GP.
Russell had the words ‘Thank you Frank & Claire’ embossed into his helmet and posted a touching photo on Twitter.
Frank, Claire, this one is for you, to celebrate your incredible journey in F1. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, the team and the sport. Hope you like it 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3O1mmXBy7X
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) December 11, 2020
FERRARI CEO RETIRES – BREAKING
Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri has retired from his position with immediate effect.
He has reportedly been battling Covid-19 for a number of weeks which is said to have guided his decision.
The Italian spent time in hospital with the virus and informed senior figures of his decision before FP1 in Abu Dhabi.
Camilleri said: “Ferrari has been a part of my life and serving as its Chief Executive has been a great privilege.
“My admiration for the extraordinary men and women of Maranello and for the passion and dedication they apply to everything they do, knows no bounds.
“I’m proud of the company’s numerous achievements since 2018 and know that Ferrari’s best years are still to come.”
FP1 RESULTS
Max Verstappen led the way at first practice in Abu Dhabi while Haas’ Pietro Fittipaldi was the slowest finisher.
MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL
Max Verstappen finsihed just 0.034 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the first practice at Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull star pipped his Mercedes counterpart by the finest of margins setting the benchmark at 1m 37.378s at the Yas Marina circuit.
Renault’s Esteban Ocon was third with Red Bull’s Alex Albon was fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
FP1 IS DONE – VERSTAPPEN LEADS THE WAY
Verstappen is quickest but these conditions are largely irrelevant. It’s hot and sunny in Abu Dhabi whereas Sunday’s race is at night under the spotlights.But a confidence boost for the Dutchman, who crashed out on the first lap in Bahrain last weekend.Valtteri Bottas in P2 while Esteban Ocon in third and Alex Albon in fourth.Lewis Hamilton goes fifth quickest on his return from Covid, but he sets that time on the slower, hard tyre. He was also denied some running owing to a faulty brake pedal.
Load more entries… More
KIMI RAIKKONEN was involved in a scary incident during the second free practice session in Abu Dhabi as his car burst into flames.
The veteran Formula One racer, 41, was racing around the track as his Alfa Romeo suddenly spat fire out of the back.
Kimi Raikkonen’s car burst into flames during Abu Dhabi GP free practice
Veteran star Raikkonen jumped out of the car and helped put the fire out
With the fire getting worse, Raikkonen was quick to pull over and jump out of the car after his team ordered him to escape.
An Alfa Romeo team member shouted a warning through the radio, saying: “Big fire. Get the hell out of there, quick.”
Eventually, help arrived and the flames died down after a heavy dousing from a fire extinguisher.
Using all of his experience, Raikkonen then took the extinguisher himself and aimed it right at the heart of the fire, ensuring there were no sparks remaining.
The Finnish star appeared to be unharmed as he circled his Alfa Romeo, ensuring no further damage would be done, before catching a lift back to the paddock on a marshal’s vehicle.
The car was lifted onto the back of a tow-truck by a crane, in no fit state to be driven back to the team garage.
The incident brought with it a ten-minute red flag, meaning Raikkonen could face a penalty for Sunday’s race.
The incident came just two weeks after Romain Grosjean was involved in a horror, 140mph crash in Bahrain.
Raikkonen’s car was taken away on a tow truck after the fire was put outCredit: Splash News
Raikkonen caught a lift back to the paddock on the back of a marshal’s buggyCredit: Splash News
The Haas star sustained just severe burns to his hands, with his life saved only by his halo device after his car smashed through the guardrails.
Back in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton was back on the track as he made his return following his coronavirus scare in Bahrain.
The British star, 35 – already world champion for the 2020 season – missed the Sakhir GP with the virus, admitting to enduring the ‘hardest week’.
But Hamilton didn’t miss a beat during his absence, finishing second in free practice two, just 0.203 seconds behind Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished third as George Russell – Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement in Sakhir – ended up 18th back at Williams.
Lewis Hamilton expresses appreciation for support after testing positive for COVID-19 coronavirus More
LEWIS HAMILTON has arrived in Abu Dhabi as he prepares to return to Formula One following his coronavirus scare.
The British star, 35, missed the most-recent race at the Sakhir GP after testing positive for coronavirus.
Lewis Hamilton arrived in Abu Dhabi wearing a black and white matching outfit as he prepares to return to F1 following his coronavirus scareCredit: Getty Images – Getty
George Russell replaced him for the race in Bahrain and was on course to win but for what Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called a ‘colossal f*** up’ from the team.
Earlier this week, seven-time world champion Hamilton opened up on the ‘hardest week in some time’ after struggling with the virus.
At the time, he hinted he would return for the final race of the 2020 season in Abu Dhabi, despite having already clinched the title.
And now, having returned a negative coronavirus test and spent ten days in quarantine in Bahrain, Hamilton is ready to return to Mercedes.
In a statement on Thursday night, Mercedes revealed: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is pleased to confirm that Lewis Hamilton will drive for the team in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix..
“Lewis tested negative for Covid-19 on Wednesday prior to completion of his self-isolation period in Bahrain.
“This enabled him to travel to Abu Dhabi on Thursday afternoon, and he tested negative on arrival.
“Lewis has therefore completed the protocols required by the FIA for his entry to the paddock and will be able to take part in the race weekend.
Hamilton’s dog, Roscoe, also arrived at Yas Marina on Friday morningCredit: Getty – Pool
Hamilton will return to his Mercedes this weekend, with Russell heading back to WilliamsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“George Russell will return to Williams Racing for the final event of the 2020 season.”
On Friday morning, Hamilton arrived at Yas Marina alongside his dog, Roscoe, ready to get his race weekend underway.
The British style icon wore a daring black and white matching outfit paired with a bucket hat as he prepared to finish 2020 with a bang.
Hamilton is expected to take part in Friday’s practice sessions, ahead of qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s big race.
His return is bad news for Russell, who would have been hoping to have been given another shot in the Mercedes.
Instead, the British star will return to his loan spell at Williams for Abu Dhabi.
Earlier this week, Russell and Merc star Valtteri Bottas set tongues wagging they could swap seats for 2021.
Bottas removed ‘Mercedes’ from his Instagram bio, while Russell took ‘Williams’ off his.
However, Mercedes have shut down speculation, insisting Bottas’ seat for 2021 is safe.
But Russell seemed more than happy to be back at Williams.
On Thursday he proudly tweeted a picture of himself in his full team gear.
Russell captioned the post: “Back home @WilliamsRacing, checking it still fits! Did I miss much?”
And he revealed he was thrilled to see Hamilton fit and well, adding: “Seriously though, glad to see @LewisHamilton back and fighting fit
“Had a blast with @MercedesAMGF1 but now I’m buzzing to put everything I’ve learned into action with my team @WilliamsRacing.
“Gonna give it everything this weekend – just as they do for me week in, week out.” More
LEWIS HAMILTON will race in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after winning his battle with COVID-19.
The F1 world champion was forced to miss last weekend’s Sakhir GP after testing positive following his victory the previous week in Bahrain.
Lewis Hamilton will return for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after his self-isolationCredit: AFP
Hamilton was placed into isolation for 10 days – a timeframe that elapsed on Wednesday – and underwent further tests, which came back negative.
The 35-year-old was given permission to travel to Abu Dhabi where he was tested on arrival on Thursday and the rapid test also produced a negative result.
As that test falls within the 96 hour window stipulated by the FIA, Hamilton has been granted entry to the paddock and will take part in today’s practice sessions.
It means George Russell, who filled in for Hamilton in the Sakhir GP and was denied a win on his debut for the team after Merc cocked-up his pitstop, will return on loan to Williams.
A Mercedes statement said: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is pleased to confirm that Lewis Hamilton will drive for the team in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Lewis tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday prior to completion of his self-isolation period in Bahrain.
“This enabled him to travel to Abu Dhabi on Thursday afternoon, and he tested negative on arrival.
“Lewis has therefore completed the protocols required by the FIA for his entry to the paddock tomorrow and will be able to take part in the race weekend.
“George Russell will return to Williams Racing for the final event of the 2020 season.”
Russell, 22, says his family were reduced to tears after the pitstop fiasco while a late puncture saw him finish ninth.
Russell said: “My mum was in tears, bless her, afterwards, and my sister as well.
“We live this together, this sport, and it’s so passionate, emotions are so high and this was my first opportunity not just to win but to actually score points and that was such a big difference, and having that taken away from us not once, but twice, was difficult.
“Having time to reflect on that weekend I’ve left with my head held high and [I’m] proud of the job I managed to achieve last weekend.”
Hamilton has already secured his seventh world title and is going in search of his 12th win this season.
Lewis Hamilton expresses appreciation for support after testing positive for COVID-19 coronavirus More
