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RACING POINT driver Lance Stroll was flipped upside down at the Bahrain Grand Prix after colliding with Daniil Kvyat. It was the second major incident of the race following Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash that saw his car burst into flames. The 34-year-old miraculously escaped serious injury after he smashed into the barriers at 140mph. Marshals […] More
THE Bahrain GP has been suspended after a horrendous crash involving Romain Grosjean on the first lap of the race.
Currently the action remains red-flagged but Grosjean has miraculously escaped with just minor burns despite a huge fireball upon impact with the barrier.
TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1/NOW TV
Follow all the latest with our live blog below…
‘HALO MAY HAVE SAVED HIS LIFE’
Former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer has said to the BBC: “You have to say the halo may well have saved his life at this point.
“Then there are just flames, everywhere, in the cockpit where Grosjean is, in his survival cell.
“How he has walked away from it is just quite incredible. It is testament to the strength of Formula 1 cars. Just a crazy accident.”
12 MINUTES UNTIL THE RESTART
The race will resume now the barriers have been fixed.
AND HAAS BOSS GUNTHER STEINER
“Romain is doing okay, I don’t want to make a medical comment but he had light burns on his hands and ankles.
“Obviously he’s shaken… I want to thank the rescue crews who are very quick. The marshals and FIA people they did a great job, it was scary”
WORDS FROM LEWIS HAMILTON
“I’m so grateful Romain is safe. Wow… the risk we take is no joke, for those of you out there that forget that we put our life on the line for this sport and for what we love to do.
“Thankful to the FIA for the massive strides we’ve taken for Romain to walk away from that safely”
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
A MINIMUM OF A 45 MINUTE DELAY
As they repair the barriers.
Grosjean is shaken up and going to see the doctors for checks.
UPDATE ON GROSJEAN
The Haas team say he has “minor burns on his hands an ankles”.
BREAK IN ACTION
There is going to be a long delay while they repair the barriers.
NO IDEA HOW HE ESCAPED THAT
Incredible that he walked away from that smash.
LENGTHY DELAY
It’s miraculous that Grosjean escaped the crash intact – the halo appears to have taken the full impact into the barrier.
WOW THAT WAS A LUCKY ESCAPE
Grosjean’s Haas has been ripped in two, it exploded on impact and, somehow, he was able to walk away from that.
GROSJEAN IS OK
He is in the medical car already and speaking to the medics.
That was astonishing.
His car literally burst into flames.
RED FLAG
Romain Grosjean has gone into the barriers and his Haas has exploded in flames.
Crikey, that was spectacular.
Big shunt that.
Race has been stopped.
Hamilton had got away cleanly while Bottas sank like a stone.
Awaiting news on Grosjean.
FORMATION LAP
All the cars have got away. No mechanical problems so far.
Should be a decent start. This track usually delivers a good race.
FLY PAST COMPLETE
Sure it looks impressive for sponsors Gulf Air, but somewhat against F1’s drive to be carbon neutral by 2030.
20 MINUTES UNTIL THE RACE
Just set for the anthem and the anti-racism message as we edge closer to the start of the race.
Can anyone stop Lewis Hamilton from converting his pole into an 11th win of the season?
My money is on Max Verstappen as being best placed to do so. The Dutchman is in P3.
TYRE STRATEGIES
Moving onto today’s action – but staying with burning rubber – here are the possible race strategies as we approach lights out in Bahrain.
Our live coverage comes at you right here from 2pm…
TYRED OF THIS
Lewis Hamilton has suggested that F1 reintroduce a tyre war – with Pirelli’s 2021 rubber prototype in the firing line.
The champ wasn’t impressed after samping the C3 tyres in practice, stating that the company had been given ‘two years to develop a better’ effort.
He said: “It’s difficult for us drivers to say [what we think about the tyres].
“We try to be constructive, we try to be supportive in the background and nothing changes.
“And then even when we say something not too positive in the media nothing changes.
“I do miss the tyre war that used to happen in Formula 1. I think with that, it’s great.
“When you don’t have any competition, you’ve got no one to base yourself on.
“Formula 1 needs to do something different in the future and that’s something we need to do.”
ICYMI – BIG STAPP FORWARD
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is “pretty positive” about his chances as he starts in third place for the Bahrain GP.
The Belgian-Dutch driver said: “Just lacking a little bit in qualifying.
“It is quite aggressive on tyres here and it should be quite an interesting race.”
WEATHER REPORT
We’ve had some horrific conditions the last few weeks, including that skating rink in Turkey.
No such worries today – 27c currently in Sakhir, with less than five percent chance of rain.
THE GRID
With the countdown well and truly on to the Bahrain GP, let’s take a look at how the drivers will line-up in a few hours time…
ICYMI
Lewis Hamilton continued his stranglehold on the Formula One season after taking pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
It was Hamilton’s tenth pole of the season and he will now go in search of his 11th win of the campaign – despite having already wrapped up the title.
Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, will line up in second place on the grid as Mercedes made it 11 front-row lockouts in 2020.
The world champion had promised that he would not let up on his quest to keep on winning – and he showed that with a commanding performance for his 98th pole position.
Max Verstappen will line up in third place on the grid with the Dutchman the best of the rest.
His Red Bull teammate, Alex Albon, is in fourth and Sergio Perez will line up in fifth place for today’s race.
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
Race day in Bahrain and the excitement is building ahead of lights out at 2.10pm GMT.
YOU HAAS TO BE JOKING
It was a day to forget yesterday for Haas, who were the slowest team in qualifying – and it hardly looks like they are looking forward to racing today.
Team principal Guenther Steiner was fairly scathing of their chances on the outer circuit next week after another sub-par performance.
“It’s not that I’m looking forward to next week, to be honest. If you think this is bad, wait for next week.
“We know why we are where we are at the moment, so we just try to make the best out of it.
“You never know what can happen. Obviously we have the slowest car here this weekend and we have to live with it.”
CLEWLESS
Lewis Hamilton’s rivals have no idea how to stop him from setting more Formula One records.
Hamilton, who has already sewn up a joint-record seventh world title, is on course to set a new benchmark for wins in a season.
Hamilton was unstoppable as he took pole for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix and is now poised to win this season’s remaining three races.
If he can do that, it would take his tally to 13 victories in 17 GPs.
That would not only mean he levels Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins in a year, but it would give him a win percentage of 76.47 per cent — beating Alberto Ascari’s record from 1952.
No wonder then that his nearest competitors are left feeling that the only way they can stop him winning is by locking him up in a cupboard.
Champ Hamilton, 35, said: “I came today and I was like, let’s just have fun and enjoy it.
“That’s the most important thing, to enjoy what you’re doing.”
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THIS is the terrifying moment Romain Grosjean’s F1 car split in half and burst into flames after smashing into a barrier today.
The Haas driver was airlifted to hospital with suspected broken ribs and suffered minor burns after a scary incident in Bahrain.
Romain Grosjean’s car burst into flames after crashing into the barriers at the Bahrain Grand PrixCredit: Sky Sports
Marshals rushed to the scene after the horror smash in BahrainCredit: Splash News
It’s a miracle how Grosjean didn’t suffer any serious injuries from the incidentCredit: AFP
Grosjean incredibly escaped serious injury but was airlifted to hospital with suspected broken ribsCredit: Getty Images
The incident happened at the start of this afternoon’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 34-year-old pulled out to overtake out but clipped Daniil Kvyat’s car and ploughed into the barriers.
His car was then instantly engulfed by flames as marshals rushed to help the French driver out of the wreckage.
But he incredibly managed to walk to the medical car and escaped without a serious injury after cheating death.
It was testament to F1’s incredible safety technology that Grosjean was able to walk away.
His team Haas tweeted: “That was scary. We’ve heard over the radio that Romain is out of the car and ok.”
And they later added: “Romain has some minor burns on his hands and ankles but otherwise he is ok. He is with the doctors just now.”
The French driver was taken to a local hospital for further checks while the race was stopped while the barriers he smashed into were repaired.
The Press Association reported that he was suspected to have suffered broken ribs from the incident.
UPDATE: Romain has some minor burns on his hands and ankles but otherwise he is ok. He is with the doctors just now.#HaasF1 #BahrainGP
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 29, 2020
The wreckage of Romain Grosjean’s carCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Frenchman was taken to hospital after walking away from the smashCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He left a massive dent in the barrier and forced the race to be stoppedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
His car is lifted away from the scene of the crashCredit: AFP
The Haas split in half and burst into flamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said: “I am so grateful Romain is safe, wow.
“The risk we take is no joke for those of you out there who forget that we put our life on the line for this sport and for what we love to do.
“This is a reminder to us all.”
Haas boss Gunther Steiner said: “Romain is doing okay, I don’t want to make a medical comment but he had light burns on his hands and ankles.
“Obviously he’s shaken. I want to thank the rescue crews who are very quick. The marshals and FIA people they did a great job, it was scary”.
Grosjean has raced in F1 every year since 2012 after a seven-race cameo in 2009.
He joined Lotus in 2012 and left for current team Haas after the 2016 season.
F1 drivers earlier this year paid tribute to former F2 racer Anthoine Hubert – who died in a crash at Spa in Belgium last year.
Frenchman Jules Bianchi died aged 25 after a crash with a recovery vehicle during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
He was the first Formula One driver to die as a result of a racing accident since Ayrton Senna in 1994. More
LEWIS HAMILTON has continued his great form in Bahrain by taking pole position for today’s race.
The Brit clinched the title with one of his greatest wins on a drenched track in Turkey last weekend and will be looking for another victory in presumably drier conditions in the desert.
F1 returns to Bahrain this weekendCredit: AP:Associated Press
What time does F1 Bahrain Grand Prix start?
The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend takes place from Friday, November 27 to Saturday, November 29.
The big race itself is at 2.10pm GMT TODAY.
What TV channel is the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?
The entire F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend is live on Sky Sports F1.
To stream the race live, head to your Sky Go account.
Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
Race schedule
Friday, November 27
Practice One – 11am
Practice Two – 3pm
Saturday, November 28
Practice Three – 11am
Qualifying – 2pm
Sunday, November 29
Race – 2.10pm More
LEWIS HAMILTON’S rivals have no idea how to stop him from setting more Formula One records.
Hamilton, who has already sewn up a joint-record seventh world title, is on course to set a new benchmark for wins in a season.
Lewis Hamilton claimed his tenth pole of the season at the Bahrain Grand PrixCredit: EPA
Hamilton was unstoppable as he took pole for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix and is now poised to win this season’s remaining three races.
If he can do that, it would take his tally to 13 victories in 17 GPs.
That would not only mean he levels Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins in a year, but it would give him a win percentage of 76.47 per cent — beating Alberto Ascari’s record from 1952.
No wonder then that his nearest competitors are left feeling that the only way they can stop him winning is by locking him up in a cupboard.
Champ Hamilton, 35, said: “I came today and I was like, let’s just have fun and enjoy it.
“That’s the most important thing, to enjoy what you’re doing.
“And with the pressure a little bit off, it’s a bit of a release to go and drive like I just did.
“I have not thought that I could finish the season on 100 pole positions for my career.
Hamilton is on course to set a new benchmark for wins in a seasonCredit: EPA
“It has already been such an incredible year so anything from now is just an added bonus.
“It is close between the three of us and we have some tricky races ahead of us and it is not something I am thinking about.
“But we will get there eventually and I am pushing as hard as I can for sure.”
Hamilton’s boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, praised his driver’s relentless attitude to dominate the sport, despite picking up the title in the last race.
And Wolff also admitted for the first time that he HAS started talks with Hamilton about extending his stay with the team, with a new deal expected to be worth £40million a season.
He added: “It is unbelievable. Lewis won the championship and is still so motivated to show these kinds of performances.
“On the contract, we are talking, which is good. Just little initial steps but we know we have to do something before the end of the year.”
Hamilton starts ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton claimed pole with a time of 1:27.264
And Bottas was left scratching his head as to how he can better the Brit.
He groaned: “I am trying my best — he has got the title this year.
“I am here to win and I know that starting from second on the grid you have all the opportunities. But you need a perfect race and, for sure, we will push hard and try.
“And I am pretty sure that is what Max is thinking as well.”
Verstappen, who starts in third in his Red Bull, says that he cannot take the fight to Hamilton because the Brit has a superior car.
The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
He said: “As Lewis has shown, he is one of the best drivers in F1 but at the moment I don’t have equal chances.
“I am pushing as hard as I can with the material I have got and sometimes it is closer and sometimes it is further away.
“Today it was less competitive.”
Lewis Hamilton to be awarded knighthood in New Year’s Honours after 7th F1 world championship win More
MICK SCHUMACHER produced a stunning opening lap to bolster his Formula 2 championship bid on Saturday.
A disappointing qualifying run left the German tenth on the grid ahead of the feature race in Bahrain.
But Schumacher channeled Ferrari legend dad Michael to launch up the rankings on lap one.
Incredible traction off the line saw the 21-year-old pass SIX cars on the opening straight.
At the first turn, he took the inside line and was right on the money with the brakes – allowing him to swoop past his competitors.
And not only did Prema racer Schumacher enjoy a great start, he also saw championship rival Callum Ilott drop from first to second.
An entertaining feature race in the desert saw the rivals battle for position, Ilott temporarily leading after the pit stops before finishing second.
Schumacher’s fourth-placed finish meant the Brit chewed six points into his championship lead.
Mick Schumacher remains top of the F2 leaderboard going into the final racesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Prema driver raced to fourth in Saturday’s feature raceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A 12-point gap keeps the Ferrari academy youngsters apart at the top of the table, before Sunday’s sprint race.
The F2 calendar ends next weekend with the Sakhir GP around the outer circuit of Bahrain’s track.
Whether he can secure the title or not, Schumacher is expected to be awarded a seat in Formula One next year.
Along with Russian starlet Nikita Mazepin, he is tipped to sign for Haas and continue his ascent in the sport his dad dominated for over a decade.
Michael Schumacher’s son Mick’s FIRE EXTINGUISHER goes off in cockpit More
LEWIS HAMILTON continued his stranglehold on the Formula One season after taking pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix. It was Hamilton’s tenth pole of the season and he will now go in search of his 11th win of the campaign – despite having already wrapped up the title. Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, will line […] More
THE Formula One season is back after a fortnight break – and ready for an adrenaline-filled weekend in the desert. Bahrain plays host as title winner Lewis Hamilton looks to claim a fourth career victory at the Sakhir Circuit. TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1/NOW TV Qualifying time: 2pm – UNDERWAY Bahrain Grand Prix: 2.10pm – […] More
