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      Defiant Lewis Hamilton refusing to give up on record F1 world title dream and vows to fight Max Verstappen until the end

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is defiant and says he will not give up his Formula One crown to Max Verstappen without a fight.The world champion was reeling after Verstappen’s stonking victory last weekend and the bombshell that his Mercedes team would NOT be upgrading his car.
      Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is currently top of the Drivers ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      But defending champion Lewis Hamilton has vowed not to give up his title without a fightCredit: Splash
      Instead, while Red Bull continue to refine and improve the Dutchman’s car, Merc are focussing all their efforts on next year’s challenger.
      However, when quizzed about his title defence, defiant Hamilton says he will not surrender that easily.
      He said: “I don’t accept anything. I think we’ve still got many races ahead of us and we’ve got to keep pushing.
      “We are the world champions and we can definitely improve if we have put our minds to it.
      “If we’re not going to develop and improve our car for the rest of the year, this is the result you’re going to see.
      “Because Red Bull have really eked our performance in these last few races, wherever it’s been in France with the engine or the new wing, whichever it is.

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      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “But there’s another TD (technical directive) coming out for the wings. I don’t know if they’re stopping the bendiness or not but maybe that will level the playing field.”
      Meanwhile, Red Bull boss Christian Horner does not believe Merc boss Toto Wolff will throw in the towel that easily.
      He added: “What Mercedes do is very much their business, so we’re just focused on ourselves.
      “We know Toto loves to throw the light somewhere else, so I cannot believe they’ll go through the rest of this year without putting a single component on the car.
      “All we can do is focus on our own job.
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner expects Mercedes to put up a fight right until the endCredit: Splash

      “Of course it is a balancing act between this year and next year, but if that means we’ve got to work a bit harder than the other teams, we’re fully up for it.
      “For the first time in quite a while we’ve come out of the blocks this year with a competitive car and we’ve managed to optimise that and tune it.
      “When you look at the new car for next year, every time it goes through a development cycle it’s significant steps.
      “It’s getting the balance right between marginal gains for this year and big steps for next year. But that’s no different to how it’s been in the past.
      “We’ve just got to keep turning the screw, keep our heads down, keep doing what we’re doing, keep doing the basics well.”
      Lewis Hamilton says winning a record-breaking eighth world championship will not determine whether he quits Formula One at the end of the year More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims it is ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ for Mercedes to keep up with Red Bull and have ‘no answer’ to F1 rivals

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      LEWIS HAMILTON called on Mercedes to ditch their plan of focusing fully on 2022 and deliver him an upgrade to catch Max Verstappen.While the reigning world champions have been dominant in Formula One for years, Red Bull are pulling away this season.
      Lewis Hamilton (left) finished second in Austria on Sunday and is now 18 points behind Max Verstappen in the race for the championshipCredit: Reuters
      Verstappen won again in Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix to go 18 points clear of Hamilton atop the championship standings.
      And the Brit admitted it was ‘impossible’ to keep up with his rival around Red Bull Ring.
      Hamilton summarised: “It was a bit of a lonely race.
      “I was trying to stay with Max but they have made some improvements and it was impossible to keep up.
      “We got good points as a team and we have to keep pushing.
      “I try not to concern myself with the championship but they are just faster and there is not a lot I can do in that respect but just try and do the best I can. We need to find performance.”
      Verstappen led from start to finish in Spielberg and F1 will race at the same circuit next weekend.
      Hamilton had won three of the first four races in 2021 but now finds himself comfortably beaten by the Dutchman for the second week in a row.

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      They have definitely made big steps over the past couple of races and we haven’t really got an answer for it.Lewis Hamilton
      He described the gap between the cars and said: “It was around three to four tenths [of a second per lap] – it was pretty impressive speed they had.
      “There was nothing I could do. I gave it absolutely everything.
      “I don’t know where they are gaining speed but it was everywhere in general, particularly on the straights.
      “They have definitely made big steps over the past couple of races and we haven’t really got an answer for it.”
      Mercedes have admitted that they will not be adding any more upgrades to this season’s car to help them prepare for a huge rule overhaul next year.
      But Hamilton is desperate for some instant extra development to help his bid for eight world titles.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      The 36-year-old said: “We need to find performance. We need an upgrade of some sort.
      “We have not brought any upgrades. I don’t remember the last time we had any upgrades, but Red Bull have.
      “They have clearly brought an engine upgrade and some other part of the package and it has eked them ahead and there is not too much we can do.
      “We would love to have upgrades and improvements but I don’t think that is on the cards, but when we do our debrief, we will talk about it.

      “I am not going to question the team’s logic or process. I would love an update. Give us an upgrade, but I don’t think it is in the pipeline at the moment.
      “We are down on a few areas. It was close at the beginning of the season but they have taken a decent step forwards.
      “We did a decent job but it is going to get harder, especially if Sergio Perez has a better weekend.”
      Lewis Hamilton says winning a record-breaking eighth world championship will not determine whether he quits Formula One at the end of the year More

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      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks with Styrian GP this weekend as Hamilton duels with Verstappen

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      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is seven races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title.But Verstappen seems to have all the caught up with his Brit rival in recent weeks after winning in Monte Carlo and Le Castellet.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
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      The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.
      In a season that has already seen shifts and changes to the calendar, the Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
      Turkey had replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, but it was then axed by F1 chiefs on safety grounds.
      And in April the world governing body approved sprint races in the British, Brazilian and Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for qualifying.
      Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
      F1 calendar 2021
      All timings below are UK time.
      🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
      Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

      🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
      Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

      🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
      Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

      🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
      Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

      🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Carlos Sainz 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
      Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Sergio Perez 2. Sebastian Vettel 3. Pierre Gasly

      Venue: Baku City Circuit
      Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

      🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix – NEXT
      FRENCH GP LIVE: All the updates from Le Castellet this weekend
      🏆 Grand Prix result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Sergio Perez

      Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
      Friday, June 18: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 19: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 20: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Styrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

      🇬🇧 British Grand Prix
      *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

      Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
      Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), SPRINT RACE (3pm)*
      Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

      Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
      Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

      🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
      Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

      🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix

      Venue: Zandvoort
      Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

      🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2

      Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
      Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), SPRINT RACE (2PM)
      Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

      🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix

      Venue: Sochi Autodrom
      Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

      Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
      Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
      Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
      Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
      Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
      Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

      🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
      Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

      🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
      Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
      Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

      Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
      Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
      Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
      Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

      🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

      Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
      Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
      Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
      Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

      🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

      Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
      Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

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      Lewis Hamilton begins talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over new contract with current £40m deal expiring this winter

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has started negotiations with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over a new deal for next season.The 36-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year after only agreeing a 10-month deal in February, worth around £40million.
      Lewis Hamilton is negotiating his 2022 contract while chasing Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      The Brit had maintained that he was keeping his options open but has now given a firm indication he wants to continue to fight for championships in 2022.
      When quizzed by SunSport as to whether he had started talks with the team, Hamilton said: “We have begun discussions, and, not a lot to say.
      “It’s just that we have had discussions and things are positive.”
      While Hamilton is trying to resolve his future, his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas remains in the dark as to whether he will be kept on next year.
      The Finn has been off the pace this year and down in fifth place in the drivers’ championship with George Russell likely to replace him.
      However, Hamilton says he would like to see Bottas remain with the team rather than being replaced by Russell.
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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

      He added: “Valtteri is my team-mate now, and both of us have had ups and downs in our careers.
      “But as I said he is a fantastic team-mate and I don’t necessarily think that needs to change.”
      When asked to comment on the prospect of Russell joining the team, Hamilton was bullish and said: “He’s not my team-mate currently. So I don’t need to say anything about it.”
      Lewis Hamilton says winning a record-breaking eighth world championship will not determine whether he quits Formula One at the end of the year More

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      Toto Wolff reveals ‘mid-life crisis’ before Mercedes F1 career and thoughts of quitting amid Covid mental health strife

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      MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff has revealed he considered walking away from Formula One while struggling during the coronavirus lockdown.Having put together a hugely successful record as team principal of the seven-time double world champions, the Austrian has opened up on how he very nearly didn’t get into motorsport at all.
      Toto Wolff is guiding Lewis Hamilton in their latest world title bidCredit: PA
      After a career behind the wheel, the 49-year-old opened up on a ‘mid-life crisis’ he experienced before getting involved with the Williams F1 team just over ten years ago.
      Wolff told a University of Oxford discussion, via GPfans: “I found out that as someone who is more in the spotlight in front of a camera representing fantastic brands such as Mercedes and Petronas, I need to be authentic.
      “But I have also seen that when I see people that have, let’s say, more visible roles, you tend to think they are happy and have everything in their lives.
      “Good relationships, money and success… The truth is, that is not a universal rule.
      “I myself, before I joined F1, I had a real mid-life crisis. I didn’t know whether I should stay in finance or whether I should do something else and I found myself at the Monaco Grand Prix, by sheer coincidence.
      “For me, everybody who was there working for the teams was living just the perfect life, so fast forward 20 years and I find myself in the same situation.
      Covid came and I didn’t know if I wanted to continue in the sport, if I was a one-trick pony.Toto Wolff
      “We just need to understand that we all have bad days, bad weeks or bad months where we need to spend time with ourselves and comprehend what makes us happy and not.
      “I think this reflection helps you better understand how you want to structure your life.
      “Like many other people, I’ve struggled from mental health issues and I have a great team.
      “This is not a universal, ‘I am pathologically ill’, it is more that I acknowledge that all the best people I have worked with, they have down time.
      “And if they have a great group around them, the group will carry the ball. For me, that was last year.
      “Covid came and I didn’t know if I wanted to continue in the sport, if I was a one-trick pony or whether finance was where I wanted to come back [to].

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “And for months, I couldn’t find an answer to my question and then you are not your best self.
      “In order to protect the organisation, in order to create the best possible framework, you need to look after yourself.”
      Wolff is guiding Lewis Hamilton towards a potential record-breaking eighth championship.
      And he paid tribute to the work of the entire Mercedes team in ensuring everyone is able to look after their mental health.
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      He continued: “This is something my technical director [James Allison] used when I said, ‘I am just not the best me and I will come back in a few days’.
      “He said, ‘Take all the time because when you come back, you need to sprinkle your magic dust. If you don’t feel like you can at the moment then that is okay, we will carry the ball’.
      “That is something that I found really reassuring and showed that the organisation that we have all been a part of is really strong, that if you need to put yourself out for a moment, someone else is going to carry the ball.”
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      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton’s new £40m deal was never in doubt More

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      Lewis Hamilton rules out move into politics after F1 career as Mercedes star says ‘I’m just trying to make contribution’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has distanced himself from a future career in politics despite his continued success as a campaigner for equality.At 36, the beknighted Formula One world champion’s racing career is in its final stretch and speculation continues over what he will dedicate his time to when he lets go of the steering wheel.
      Lewis Hamilton has not been afraid to discuss political issues in recent yearsCredit: Getty
      The Brit has been invigorated by the increased calls for racial justice since the police killing of George Floyd in the United States.
      F1 has been compelled to enhance its own anti-racism message as a result with Hamilton regularly donning T-shirts in support of Black Lives Matter and the Justice for Breonna Taylor movement in the paddock.
      But he will not be pulling on a rosette and seeking election after he calls it a day in F1.
      Hamilton laughed when asked about the move by Corriere della Sera, and said: “No! I’m not good at politics.
      “I’m just trying to make my contribution, to find a way to get messages across.
      “To make sure my five-year-old nephew, and those of his generation, don’t live what we have. So that they find a more open world.”

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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Hamilton is one of a growing number of sports stars getting involved in how society operates, alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford.
      Yet many of the great and the good stay away from potentially volatile political topics, something which the Mercedes star understands but feels shows a disconnect to the real world.
      Hamilton added: “Many don’t talk because they don’t know enough, and I respect them.
      “But I also don’t see why they can’t learn.
      We live in times when everyone comments on everything, sometimes without even trying to understand. Lewis Hamilton

      “We live in times when everyone comments on everything, sometimes without even trying to understand.
      “I was reading reactions to the war between Israel and Palestine, the majority are people who have never set foot in those places or who have not read anything.
      “There are those who say who cares and those who are worried, I feel responsibility.”
      Lewis Hamilton says winning a record-breaking eighth world championship will not determine whether he quits Formula One at the end of the year More

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      F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedule, tracks with French Grand Prix NEXT and Singapore GP CANCELLED

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      THE 2021 Formula 1 season is two races in with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set for a season-long scrap for the title.But Hamilton seems to have all the early momentum after winning the last two races in Portugal and Spain, with Monte Carlo up next.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
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      The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.
      In a season that has already seen shifts and changes to the calendar, the Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
      Turkey had replaced Canada as the Grand Prix destination on June 13, but it was then axed by F1 chiefs on safety grounds.
      And in April the world governing body approved sprint races in the British, Brazilian and Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for qualifying.
      Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
      F1 calendar 2021
      All timings below are UK time.
      🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
      Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

      🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
      Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

      🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
      Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
      Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

      🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

      Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
      Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

      🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Max Verstappen 2. Carlos Sainz 3. Lando Norris

      Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
      Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Sergio Perez 2. Sebastian Vettel 3. Pierre Gasly

      Venue: Baku City Circuit
      Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

      🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇹🇷 Turkish Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix – NEXT

      Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
      Friday, June 18: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 19: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 20: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Styrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

      🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

      🇬🇧 British Grand Prix
      *Inaugural sprint race replaces classic qualifying.

      Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
      Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
      Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), SPRINT RACE (3pm)*
      Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

      Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
      Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

      🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
      Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

      🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix

      Venue: Zandvoort
      Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
      Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

      🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2

      Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
      Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
      Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), SPRINT RACE (2PM)
      Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

      🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix

      Venue: Sochi Autodrom
      Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix – CANCELLED

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

      Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
      Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
      Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
      Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

      Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
      Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
      Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

      🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
      Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
      Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

      🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
      Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), SPRINT RACE (6PM)
      Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

      Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
      Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
      Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
      Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

      🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

      Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
      Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
      Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
      Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

      🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

      Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
      Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
      Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
      Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

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      in Motorsport

      Valtteri Bottas MUST win French GP this weekend to have ANY chance of avoiding Mercedes axe at end of season

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      VALTTERI BOTTAS must win the French Grand Prix this weekend to have any chance of staying with Mercedes next season – and even that might not be enough to stop him getting the axe.Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is expected to start finalising his driver pairing for 2021 with SunSport understanding that the team see Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as the future.
      It’s do or die team for BottasCredit: Alamy
      Bottas has failed to score points in the past two races and currently sits down in sixth place in the drivers’ championship and somewhat crucially, has yet to start talks over a new deal.
      Wolff has made it clear that they will not drag negotiations out like they did to sign Hamilton for this season – and a quick decision is imminent, with F1 insiders believing that Bottas’s deal will be set to expire on December 31st.
      Bottas is hoping that whatever news he receives from Wolff, that he can stay in Formula One.
      Ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, the 31-year-old said he still has the desire to race at the top level.
      He said: “I’m quite open-minded like in life in general, you need to always take opportunities and you just never know what’s around the corner.
      “And that’s, also having clear goals, what you’re pushing for, it has taken me this far, and yes [I] always want to follow my heart and follow my passion.
      “And I am still enjoying Formula One, of course, very much and racing at the front, and I really love it and I still enjoy it as much as I did, for example, in my first year with Mercedes, no doubt.
      Mercedes chiefs see George Russell as the futureCredit: Splash

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “If I look at the big picture, for sure I still have a good few years in me. I feel like year on year I keep improving on certain areas and keep getting better.
      “I’m quite far from the oldest drivers on the grid so, in theory, I still have time, but you just don’t know what the future holds. I take it weekend by weekend and see what comes.”
      However,  his performances this season, plus a lack of suitable options, could mean Bottas’s best chance of staying in F1 would be to return to Williams.
      Ironically, he could be Russell’s replacement with the Brit moving in the opposite direction.
      Lewis Hamilton says winning a record-breaking eighth world championship will not determine whether he quits Formula One at the end of the year More