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      F1 Sakhir Grand Prix qualifying LIVE: Bottas on pole ahead of Russell with Verstappen third for Sunday’s race

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      THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX is taking place this weekend – but there’s no Lewis Hamilton.
      The reigning champion has tested positive for coronavirus and been replaced by fellow Brit George Russell for Mercedes.
      Qualifying time: Saturday, 5pm
      Race time: Sunday, 5.15pm

      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

      TIME FOR TIMES
      Here’s how the entire pack shook down today.

      DAN THE MAN
      Daniil Kvyat is sixth and tells Sky Sport ‘I liked it’.
      The Alpha Tauri ace calls his ‘consistent’ run the ‘best qualifying of the year for me’.
      Like Sergio Perez, he predicts a ‘big train’ on the track tomorrow.

      PEREZ FIFTH
      Sergio Perez telling Sky Sports about the ‘unknowns’ drivers face tomorrow.
      With it ‘difficult to overtake’ he is prioritising ‘making it to the end’ after his late heartbreak last time out.
      He starts fifth.

      THUMBS UP
      George Russell looks happy with his qualifying.
      He has been in superb form on Saturdays for Williams so tomorrow is going to be very interesting for the young Brit.

      Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      CHARLES CHUFFED
      Ferrari have a car on fourth tomorrow and Charles Leclerc is delighted with his performance talking to Sky Sports.
      Having just one set of Softs for Q3, he wanted to go early in case traffic was a ‘mess’ and to ‘get out on track and do the job’.
      He says he ‘couldn’t have done anything better’ – and he’s probably right.

      ROMAIN RETURNS
      An aside from qualy – here is Romain Grosjean getting reacquainted with his Haas.
      The Frenchman is still keen to race in next week’s Abu Dhabi GP as he recovers from hand and foot injuries.

      VERSTAPPEN OPTIMISTIC
      Max Verstappen wants Red Bull to have ‘a bit of fun’ tomorrow with ‘nothing to lose’.
      He promises an ‘interesting’ race with Red Bull ‘a bit closer than normal’.

      MERCS DOMINATE
      George Russell saying he hasn’t started a race without any drivers in front of him off the grid ‘for a long long time’.

      RUSSELL STILL LEARNING
      The man in P2 describes the ‘incredibly intense’ session and the ‘alien’ feel he has had in the Merc.
      But he is ‘very pleased’ to get so close to Valtteri Bottas.

      ‘NOT MY BEST’
      Valtteri Bottas a tad disappointed with is run – which he calls ‘not his best’ qualifying.

      REST OF THE PACK
      An intriguing grid will line up with Sergio Perez fifth and another man soon to be out of F1, Daniil Kvyat, sixth.
      Daniel Ricciardo is seventh before Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll.

      Q3 COMPLETE
      Valtteri Bottas muted in his celebrations as he exits the car, knowing he will have two very talented young drivers on his backside tomorrow evening.
      George Russell with a great performance in second and Max Verstappen wondering what might have been in third.
      Charles Leclerc arguably the driver of the day as he clocks fourth.

      BOTTAS P1
      That was mighty, mighty close!
      Just 0.056 seconds from first to third, where Max Verstappen will start.
      ‘Nice to be on pole’ says a droll Valtteri Bottas over radio.

      Q3: RUSSELL SECOND, BOTTAS POLE!
      George Russell is 0.026 seconds off Valtteri Bottas who takes pole!

      Q3: TIME’S UP
      Valtteri Bottas cannot improve!

      Q3: NOT GREAT FROM THE MERCS
      Neither man can improve their Sector 1 times…

      Q3: 1 MIN TO GO
      The Mercs are again first out so we will get their times first in just over a minute.
      Valtteri Bottas could give George Russell a tow, with Max Verstappen on the Brit’s tail.

      Q3: HERE WE GO
      The final runs of the day are underway…
      Valtteri Bottas leads George Russell, Max Verstappen, the finished Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in the fight for pole.

      Q3: FERRARI FINISHED
      Charles Leclerc looks to be done with his only fresh Softs used up – he sits fourth as things stand.

      Q3: 3 MINS TO GO
      The pack is back in the pits now.
      Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly bringing up the rear with Lance Stroll eighth, Carlos Sainz seventh and Daniel Ricciardo sixth.

      Q3: BOTTAS TAKES P1
      Okay, there we go.
      Valtteri Bottas goes top by 0.2 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.
      George Russell is a blink behind to shove the Dutchman off the front row.

      Q3: MERCS GO AGAIN
      The Mercedes probably did that run on used tyres as they are heading out again immediately.
      That will mean two hot laps each on fresh Softs.

      Q3: 7 MINS TO GO
      Don’t forget Sergio Perez…
      The Racing Point cannot match Max Verstappen though and is 0.2 seconds back in fourth.
      Lance Stroll goes eighth.

      Q3: LECLERC SECOND
      That is a surprise – Charles Leclerc puts his Ferrari second!
      Just 0.022 seconds separate the front two.
      George Russell is 0.381 back in fourth…

      Q3: FIRST POINT TO MAX
      A 53.760 from Valtteri Bottas isn’t enough!
      Max Verstappen is just under two-tenths quicker to take provisional pole…

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      Sakhir GP: Valtteri Bottas on pole after edging out Mercedes team-mate George Russell into second

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      VALTTERI BOTTAS clinched pole position by the smallest margins from George Russell, who will start second.
      The Brit was filling in for Lewis Hamilton after he tested positive for Covid-19.

      Valterri Bottas will start Sunday’s race on poleCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He turned in a sensational qualifying performance that was just 0.026 seconds shy of Bottas’ time.
      Max Verstappen qualified in third place while Charles Leclerc will line up in fourth in a shock for the Ferrari man.
      Bottas’s pole lap of just 53.377 seconds is a new F1 record, beating the 58.79second lap Niki Lauda set at the French GP in 1974.
      But there was disappointment again for Red Bull’s under-pressure driver Alex Albon.

      He was again miles off the pace of Verstappen.
      The London-born Thai racer qualified down in 12th place after struggling for pace all weekend.
      Sebastian Vettel only just made it into qualifying after his Ferrari needed an engine change before the session.
      And Lando Norris was left cursing his mistake after he was caught out by traffic and failed to get in a second flying lap and will start in 15th place.

      After the race, Bottas said: “It’s good to see George locking the front row.
      “It’s good to be on pole, not my best qualifying, but happy it was enough.”
      Russell said: “Really pleased but gutted to miss out on pole. If you told me I was qualifying in P2 last week I wouldn’t have believed you.
      “Tomorrow’s going to be tricky, but I’ll see what I can do.”

      F1 driver George Russell thanks Williams for allowing him to race for Mercedes replacing Lewis Hamilton More

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      Watch brave Romain Grosjean hit the weights just SIX DAYS after crash which left him in hospital with burns to his hands

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      ROMAIN GROSJEAN hit the gym just days after his crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
      The Haas driver’s car split in half and burst into flames after he smashed into a barrier.

      Romain Grosjean stepped up his recovery just days after being released from hospital Credit: Instagram / @grosjeanromain

      He was trapped in his car for more than 20 seconds after the smash but walked away with only burns on his hands and ankles.
      Since being released from hospital on Wednesday, Grosjean has made incredible progress.
      The 34-year-old returned to the site of the crash on Thursday to meet the heroes who saved his life.
      And Grosjean, with both hands in bandages, stepped up his recovery as he hit the gym on Friday.

      He shared a video of himself curling a small set of dumbbells with his 1.3 million followers.
      Grosjean added the caption: “Work work work #roadtoAbuDhabi.”
      He followed that up with a picture of himself sitting back where he belongs – in the driving seat of a Haas car.
      The French driver has admitted accepting he was going to die after the crash.

      Roman Grosjean’s Formula 1 car ended up in bits after the crash Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But he was saved thanks to the halo cockpit canopy on his F1 car.
      The halo was introduced in 2018 and while it was not universally liked, it has already saved many F1 drivers.
      The super-strong structure can withstand a weight of 12,000kgs and is also used to deflect debris from striking a driver’s helmet.

      The 34-year-old’s car went up in flames after he hit the barrier at high speedCredit: Getty – Pool

      Romain Grosjean’s helmet visor MELTED in fireball Bahrain GP crash, reveals hero doctor who saved F1 star More

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      F1 Sakhir Grand Prix qualifying: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, full race schedule

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      AFTER one of the most dramatic Grand Prix’s of recent years last weekend, F1 has remained in Bahrain for another go.
      Romain Grosjean miraculously escaped serious injury after a horrendous fireball crash last Sunday, before Lance Stroll flipped his car when the race restarted.

      Grosjean walked away from one of the worst F1 crashes in recent years – and the Halo system has been praised Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Eventually, it was the familiar sight of Lewis Hamilton taking the chequered flag – but we will definitely have a new winner at Sahkir after the Brit was ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus.
      When is Sakhir Grand Prix practice?
      The race weekend follows a familiar format with Practice 1 and 2 on day one, Practice 3 and qualifying day two before the race on day three.
      Practice 1 and 2 were on Friday and George Russell – in for Hamilton – went fastest in the Mercedes.
      Qualifying is set for 5pm GMT on Saturday, December 5.
      Sunday, December 6 sees the big race go off at 5.10pm GMT.
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You can watch all of the weekend’s action live on Sky Sports F1.
      If you don’t have a Sky account, grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.

      Race schedule
      Friday, December 4
      Practice 1 – 1.30pm to 3pm GMT
      Practice 2 – 5.30pm to 7pm
      Saturday, December 5
      Practice 3 – 2pm to 3pm
      Qualifying – 5pm
      Sunday, December 6
      Race – 5.10pm More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘not great’ after catching coronavirus as F1 superstar self-isolates from Sakhir GP

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      TOTO WOLFF says Lewis Hamilton is “not great” as he self-isolates after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.
      The Mercedes boss says Hamilton is struggling with missing this weekend’s Sakhir GP in Bahrain – the first F1 race he has missed since his 2007 debut .

      Britain’s F1 king Lewis Hamilton is feeling the frustration of both having Covid-19 and being away from the racing trackCredit: EPA

      George Russell will fill in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain but must wait to see if Mercedes also want him for the final race in Abu DhabiCredit: Reuters

      Hamilton will remain in isolation until Thursday before undergoing another test to see if he will be granted permission to travel to Abu Dhabi and race in the season finale.
      Wolff said: “Lewis is not great. Covid-19 is something you mustn’t take lightly and he is in safe hands, that is the most important.
      “But it is those early days that are always not so nice.

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “Mild symptoms and then obviously, as you can imagine, a race driver out of his car and combine it with Covid, he would rather sit in the garage.”

      Wolff says he will wait to discover the results of Hamilton’s test before confirming whether George Russell would continue to fill in for the world champion.
      He added: “We have seen tests that were negative within 10 days and it is feasible and a positive development [if he can travel to Abu Dhabi].
      “But there are many athletes who have also tested positive for a long time. It is something the FIA have to look into anyway.”
      Wolff also says that he does not know how Hamilton picked up Covid-19 – believed to be at a private engagement in Dubai.

      But nonetheless he says the Brit has not breached any team protocols in making his own travel arrangements.

      Lewis doesn’t need permission from us. He arrives when he wants and jumps out of an airplane if he wants.
      Toto Wolff

      He said: “Lewis doesn’t need to have permission from us. He arrives when he wants and jumps out of an airplane if he wants to.
      “He is a grown up man and contracting Covid is just unfortunate. He has been protecting himself and wearing a mask. These things happen.”
      Hamilton’s positive test means that Wolff has also had to put their contract talks on ice.

      But with time ticking down on Hamilton’s deal, which expires on December 31, both he and Wolff know they need to get the contract signed.
      He added: “The timeline for the contract is being pushed back until he recovers.
      “We know we need to get it done but the priority is getting him back on his feet and then we will meet or on Zoom and put pen to paper.”

      F1 driver George Russell thanks Williams for allowing him to race for Mercedes replacing Lewis Hamilton More

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      George Russell gives glimpse into F1 future without Lewis Hamilton after topping BOTH practice sessions at Sakhir GP

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      GEORGE RUSSELL gave a glimpse into life after Lewis Hamilton by topping the timesheets for BOTH practices in place of the Covid-struck world champ.
      Hamilton is lying low in a Bahraini hotel room after testing positive and has been replaced by his countryman for the Sakhir GP.

      George Russell got off to a flyer as he replaces Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes this weekend in BahrainCredit: Splash News

      Russell is on loan at Williams but was given permission to return after Hamilton caught CovidCredit: Splash News

      And, despite wearing a size ten raceboot, rather than his usual size 11s, Russell quickly proved he is capable of filling Hamilton’s shoes when he does eventually quit F1.
      Hamilton has not yet signed a new deal beyond this season and Russell is putting himself in the shop window to become his full-time replacement.
      Russell, 22, was quicker than Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, in FP1 and FP2, with the Finn in danger of being upstaged.
      But the young Brit played down his chances of winning Sunday’s race and said: “Just because I was quickest today it doesn’t mean I will be there tomorrow but we will see. We are getting better.

      “I found it good. I am working with the best in business and learning every lap.”
      Russell, who has not scored a single point in his previous 36 starts, could now be in for a podium finish.
      But as he squeezes his 6ft 1in frame into Hamilton’s cockpit, he knows it won’t be a comfy run to the chequered flag.
      He added: “I still have a lot of work to do to get comfortable in the car.

      “I am pretty battered and bruised and we have gone through what needs to be changed in time for Sunday.
      “There is so much to take in and learn and I am doing my absolute best to be as good as possible and it is tricky. It was a good first day but there is more to come.”

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

      Bottas is now under pressure to ensure he qualifies and finishes the race ahead of Russell on his Mercedes debut.
      The Finn, who was down in 10th in FP1 and 11th during FP2, added: “It was quite a tricky day.
      “In the first session the floor of the car was broken and the rest of FP1 was a waste.
      “Second practice too was ok, I had one decent lap but that was deleted. Red Bull look quick and George looks quick, so there is still a bit of work for me to do.”
      Merc boss Toto Wolff said that weekend was not a ‘shoot-out’ between the two for a spot in the team.
      He said: “You can’t call it a ‘shoot-out’ when it’s about one or two races. That doesn’t give you any meaningful data whatsoever.
      “If George does well it’s an indication that one day he’s going to be in a good car and hopefully race for victories and championships.

      Valtteri Bottas (right) is racing with new team-mate George Russell (left)Credit: Splash News

      Finn Bottas was sluggish in practice out in BahrainCredit: EPA
      “But that is far away. He knows that. He just needs to deliver a solid job and not make any mistakes.
      “We know that we [will] race next year with Lewis and Valtteri. Where we are in 2022 is not going to depend on George’s performance on an oval in Bahrain and in Abu Dhabi.”
      Meanwhile, Wolff says Hamilton is ‘not great’ as he self-isolates and misses this weekend’s race in Bahrain – the first F1 race he has missed since his debut in 2007.
      Wolff added: “Lewis is not great. Covid-19 is something you mustn’t take lightly and he is in safe hands, that is the most important.
      “But it is those early days that are always not so nice. Mild symptoms and then obviously, as you can imagine, a race driver out of his car and combine it with Covid, he would rather sit in the garage.”
      Wolff also says that he does not know how Hamilton picked up Covid-19 – believed to be at a private engagement in Dubai.
      But nonetheless says he has not breached any team protocols in making his own travel arrangements.

      Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton celebrate his seventh world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He added: “Lewis doesn’t need to have permission from us. He arrives when he wants and jumps out of an airplane if he wants to.
      “He is a grown up man and contracting Covid is just unfortunate. He has been protecting himself and wearing a mask. These things happen.”
      Hamilton’s positive test means that Wolff has also had to put their contract talks on ice.
      But with time ticking down on Hamilton’s deal, which expires on December 31, both he and Wolff know they need to get the contract signed.
      He said: “The timeline for the contract is being pushed back until he recovers.
      “We know we need to get it done but the priority is getting him back on his feet and then we will meet or on Zoom and put pen to paper.”

      F1 driver George Russell thanks Williams for allowing him to race for Mercedes replacing Lewis Hamilton More

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      Mick Schumacher in horror F2 crash as Roy Nissany slams into back of F1 legend’s son and mounts on top of him

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      MICK SCHUMACHER was involved in a horror crash in Formula 2 qualifying as Roy Nissany’s car MOUNTED on top of him.
      The son of Ferrari F1 legend Michael, Schumacher’s nasty collision came days after it was announced he would graduate to F1 in 2021.

      Mick Schumacher’s F2 crash where Roy Nissany slammed into his backCredit: Formula 2

      The two cars spun off the track in qualifying in BahrainCredit: Formula 2

      Prema Racing’s Schumacher is believed to have escaped unscathed from the incident – just a week after Romain Grosjean’s near-death F1 smash at the same track shocked the motorsport world.
      But his discontent was audible as he fumed on the team radio ‘why is this guy crashing into me?’.
      The 21-year-old will drive for Haas next season, following in the footsteps of his famous father who won seven F1 world titles.
      Schumacher is currently leading the F2 championship by 14 points from Brit Callum Ilott and can clinch the title this weekend in Bahrain.

      He will partner fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin, the son of a Russian billionaire, next season.
      Schumacher shared his joy at the news, saying: “The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless.
      “I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me.
      “I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything.

      “I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.
      “A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career.
      “I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”

      Mick Schumacher announces he will race in F1 next season after being named in Haas team More

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      F1 Sakhir Grand Prix practice LIVE: Russell FASTEST in P1, Bottas and Albon struggle – latest updates, results

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      THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX is taking place this weekend.
      Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for coronavirus and has been replaced by fellow Brit George Russell for Mercedes.
      Practice 2 start time: 5.30pm GMT

      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

      RUSSELL QUICKEST – BRIT IMPRESSES ON MERC DEBUT
      George Russell finishes P1 in his first session for Mercedes having stepped in for Lewis Hamilton, who will miss this weekend after testing positive for Covid.Max Verstappen in P2 while his Red Bull teammate, Alex Albon is third quickest.Valtteri Bottas had a miserable session and was in P4 and now under pressure from Russell.

      BOTTAS BACK ON TRACK
      But he does not look happy on track. He is locking up and running wide. He is making too many mistakes given his experience in that car.

      THESE TIMES ARE TUMBLING
      This is going to be a very quick lap for qualifying. Russell in P1 with a 54.546secs.But just as the these cars are picking up speed, there are mistakes for Bottas and Albon, who lose control but both avoid making contact with the barriers.

      VERSTAPPEN NOW IN P1 BUT….
      He has a steering wheel issue. He says the positioning has changed mid-lap. That will be a concern.28 minutes to go and it is Verstappen, Kvyat, Russell and Bottas.

      BOTTAS MUCKS UP HIS LAPS
      Just the opposite to what he needed. He sees Russell go quickest and then stuffs up his own flying laps.He is under pressure now from the Brit. If he is beaten by him on Sunday, his whole career will be questioned.

      RUSSELL IS QUICKER THAN BOTTAS
      It is still early days but Russell has gone to the top of the time sheets and beating teammate Valtteri Bottas, that is going to sting the Finn.

      ALMOST DARK IN THE DESERT

      FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THIS TRACK
      It is remarkably bumpy in parts, and a very, very short lap. Qualifying is going to be very interesting and perhaps, very messy.
      Short lap and high speeds will be a concern, factor in the bumps too and it could be very tricky for the drivers to control.

      TRACK IS EMPTY
      Not a single driver on the surface. Tyre changes and bodywork tweaks being done in the garages.

      BOTTAS AND VERSTAPPEN HEAD THE TIMESHEETS
      No surprise at the top as Bottas and Verstappen sit in P1 and P2, the Dutchman is reporting that he has brake problems and Red Bull have called him into the pits for a check.

      GOOD TO SEE A BRAZILIAN BACK IN F1

      RUSSELL NOW IMPROVING ON HIS TIME
      He is now lapping at 1.002 his next run should be sub-one minute. Aitkin in P18 and Fittipaldi in P19.

      RUSSELL IS OUT ON TRACK
      The Brit has a straightforward programme for this run. He has been given time to acclimatise to the new car and the new track. He’s currently gone P6 with his first run in the car. All ok so far.

      SUN SETTING IN SAKHIR

      F1 RECORDS SET TO TUMBLE
      This Outer track at the Bahrain International Circuit is very short and we are expected to see the quickest laps in F1 history. Already, Carlos Sainz has a lap on the board that took just 56.631 seconds.

      ALSO DEBUTS FOR FITTIPALDI AND AITKEN
      Pietro Fittipaldi is replacing Romain Grosjean, who is recovering from his injuries following his fiery smash last week. The American-born Brazilian is driving for the Haas team.And Jack Aitken is filling in for George Russell at Williams. The Brit is the team’s reserve driver.

      FP1 FOR THE SAKHIR GP IS GO
      All eyes on George Russell in this session. His first run in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. He has a excellent chance of earning his first points in F1 this weekend…In fact, he could win it!

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