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      Lewis Hamilton on track for more F1 records with Bahrain pole as Max Verstappen admits he cannot be stopped

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      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

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      Bahrain GP: World champion Lewis Hamilton continues 2020 dominance by storming to pole in Middle East

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      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

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      Lewis Hamilton closes door on Ferrari switch because Mercedes F1 star does not believe ‘values’ are aligned

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will NOT drive for Ferrari in Formula One due to a clash of ‘values’.
      A record-equalling seven world titles have been won by the Brit, 35, in a career with motor racing giants McLaren and Mercedes.

      Lewis Hamilton has insisted he does not want a move to FerrariCredit: Reuters

      Many fans of the Prancing Horse would love to see Hamilton wear red before he retires from F1.
      But he is not invigorated about a potential move – despite being a ‘Ferrari fan’.
      Hamilton told GQ: “That’s not going to happen. The Ferrari thing is not going to happen… I think.
      “I’ve always been positive about Ferrari. I watched Michael [Schumacher] win there. I’ve always been a Ferrari fan.

      “I remember one of the first cars I ever bought was a Ferrari. And I think it’s a hugely iconic team and brand, particularly.
      “I think the team has, in my period of time… There have been things I’ve seen that I don’t necessarily feel mirror my values and my approach.

      “However, it is a team that every driver, I think, has dreamed of what it would be like to sit in the red cockpit.
      “No disrespect to them, but when I stop I want to work with Mercedes in helping them be even better in the outside world.

      “You know, they’ll always have beautiful cars, but how can we be a more diverse industry?”
      Hamilton, still yet to agree a new Mercedes contract for next year, has become an even greater advocate for racial diversity in motor racing in 2020.
      Regularly donning the Black Lives Matter logo around the paddock, he successfully persuaded Mercedes to adopt a black livery for the current campaign.
      After capturing his seventh world crown, he sent a heartfelt message to any youngsters watching who hoped to match his inexorable rise.
      He declared: “That’s for all the kids out there that dream the impossible. You can do it too, man. I believe in you.”
      There have been calls for Hamilton to receive a knighthood in honour of his stunning career – a prospect the champ is remaining modest about.

      Hamilton has increased his demands for racial diversity in motor racingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Mercedes man has gone toe-to-toe with Ferrari for his entire career on the trackCredit: Getty – Pool
      He added: “My granddad served in the Second World War – I’ve got all his medals – and I was so proud to see Captain Sir Tom get his knighthood this year.
      “I think the unsung heroes are the ones that deserve these things.
      “If I’m one day honoured, I don’t think it’s something I’d say no to, but it’s not an issue for me right now.”

      Lewis Hamilton reveals sickening racist abuse after British F1 legend was told ‘go back to your own country’ More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims he has worked harder than ever on and off track to win seventh F1 world title ahead of knighthood

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says he has worked harder than ever this year to win his record-equalling seventh world title.
      The 35-year-old, who SunSport have revealed will be knighted in the New Year, has made this season look easy with ten wins in 14 races but says it is all down to his hard work.

      Lewis Hamilton has discussed how the coronavirus pandemic forced him to work harder for his seventh world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Brit has spent more time at home this year due to the pandemic and has used the time to study his car’s performance and understand the multi-function steering wheel.
      Hamilton said: “People may think it looks easy, but I tell you man it’s far from it. It has taken a long, long time to be as good as I am.
      “I think I’ve always had the talent. I have probably always had the tools, but I’ve been messing around in the toolbox not knowing what to do with those tools.
      “I’ve been fine tuning them. And I think it’s just focusing on things.

      “Every year, I write down where I’m not great, as there are plenty of places I’m not great, and then ask, ‘So how do we do that?’.
      “I’m not great at communicating sometimes, so how can I do that better with the guys in the team?

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “How can I be more positive every time I come to work and be more uplifting rather than drag on people? In the car, how can I better understand all the buttons?

      “It’s a lot of studying, I’ve done more this year than I would have done last year [because of coronavirus and its restrictions on life].
      “I never understood that when I was younger, I’d just arrive and drive.
      “The amount of homework I do in the background is probably the reason you see the results that I get today.”
      Meanwhile, his Mercedes team are looking to finish the season strongly in the final triple-header as the races swing to the Middle East, starting with Bahrain this weekend.
      Boss Toto Wolff added: “We witnessed something truly remarkable at the last race in Turkey with Lewis winning his seventh Drivers’ Championship and the way in which he did it was spectacular.

      Lewis has cemented his position among the all-time best sportspeople in the world.
      Toto Wolff

      “In general, it was a difficult weekend for us as a team and a big challenge for everyone, but Lewis did an outstanding job to come from sixth on the grid to take victory and he has cemented his position among the all-time best sportspeople in the world.
      “We had some mixed fortunes as it was a tough weekend for Valtteri, but we know how resilient and strong he is. I know he will bounce back stronger in these final three races.
      “Now we look ahead to Bahrain and returning to a familiar circuit. It always presents an interesting challenge, because of the variation in track conditions and temperatures between the sessions.
      “This makes it challenging to set up the car and gather the right information when it counts.” More

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      From knighthood to SPOTY… what’s next for Lewis Hamilton after matching Michael Schumacher’s record?

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has the world at his feet having matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula 1 titles.
      The British legend is swarmed with options as his future remains bright and here SunSport looks at what could be next for the champ.

      Lewis Hamilton won his seventh world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher’s recordCredit: Rex Features
      New Contract

      The top priority for Hamilton, after allowing his achievement to sink in, is to get his new Mercedes deal signed.
      It is likely to be a three-year deal with earnings of around £40million a season, a similar contract to his current one that expires on December 31st.
      He will use the time over the next three races in the Middle East to discuss terms with Merc boss Toto Wolff.
      Expect less media and sponsorship days to be part of the package – as a seven time world champion, he is in a powerful position to dictate his terms.

      The top priority for Lewis Hamilton is to get his new Mercedes deal signedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Knighthood
      Hamilton was quizzed about becoming Sir Lewis. There is no doubt he would welcome a knighthood, but it is not the priority.
      He said: “When I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who fought in the war, or Captain Tom for what he did.
      “Or the people in the hospitals who are saving us during this hardest of times. I think about those unsung heroes.
      “I am not a hero. I am not saving anybody. It is an incredible honour that a small group of people have bestowed on them.

      “But what I can say is that I am a very proud Brit and it is a special moment to be representing a nation with the flag above your head in P1.”

      There is no doubt Hamilton would welcome a knighthoodCredit: PA:Press Association

      SPOTY
      He has won it before and missed out before.
      It is fair to assume that Hamilton’s desire to win over the British public remains as strong as it ever was.
      However, there is also an understanding that perhaps he will never enjoy universal support from us Brits.
      Perhaps we should not be surprised that an F1 star misses out on the award.
      Think of Ryan Giggs beating Jenson Button to the SPOTY Award in 2009.
      Like the Knighthood, Hamilton would no doubt love it, but he is also realistic to know that it is not the be all and end all.

      It is fair to assume that Hamilton’s desire to win over the British public remains as strong as it ever wasCredit: PA:Press Association
      Retirement
      Despite claiming to be as fresh as ever, Hamilton is planning for his retirement.
      He has made a few investments in property and, given the fortune he has amassed – estimated to be around £225million – he won’t be going hungry.
      Whichever way his career takes when he eventually does decide to retire, it is likely to be away from the F1 race track.
      He has spent 14 years in F1 so far and has previously stated that he has no interest in being a TV pundit like many others.

      Despite claiming to be as fresh as ever, Hamilton is planning for his retirementCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Other interests
      Fashion remains a big one for Hamilton but we can also expect a big contribution to his aspirations with music.
      He has recently posted a lot about the work he is doing in the studio. He has only just admitted he contributed to singing vocals in Christina Aguilera’s 2018 track ‘Pipe’, appearing as the artist XNDA.
      Other projects include being a boss of his own race team.
      He has entered a team in the Extreme E racing series that will race in remote parts of the world to highlight problems with climate change.

      Fashion remains a big one for HamiltonCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Lewis Hamilton wins 7th world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher record More

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      Six great Lewis Hamilton wins after his rain masterclass in Turkey to win seventh world title

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      THIS was a typical Hamilton triumph — rain and drama as the Brit conjured up a victory from nothing for his tenth win in 14 grands prix.
      Here SunSport looks at six other great wins from his career . . . 

      Lewis Hamilton won his tenth grand prix in 14 races in TurkeyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hamilton celebrates his seventh world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      BRITISH GRAND PRIX, 2008

      Hamilton won on home soil in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      He drove magnificently in the wet for McLarenCredit: PA:Press Association

      Hamilton had an incredible debut season with McLaren but he won his first title in 2008.
      In the pouring rain at Silverstone, he produced one of the greatest drives in the wet.
      His decision to go for intermediate tyres was ballsy and brilliant and when the others needed to stop later on, he was well clear, finishing more than a minute ahead of Nick Heidfeld in second.
      CHINESE GP, 2011

      Hamilton won in China despite Red Bull’s dominance in 2011Credit: Action Images – Reuters

      A three-stop strategy helped him blast through the field in ShanghaiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      He only wins in the best car? Well Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel had the better car on this day.

      Hamilton stuck to a three-stop strategy and when he emerged late on with fresh tyres, he blasted through the field. At the time, he rated it as one of his best-ever drives.
      HUNGARIAN GP, 2013

      Hamilton pops the champers after winning his first race with MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It was a phenomenal start to life with his new team in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Oh, how we questioned what he was doing but at the Hungaroring he finally proved us all wrong, winning his first grand prix for Mercedes.
      He took an unlikely pole and worked his car while preserving tyre life, to give his team flexibility to make their pitstops.
      GERMAN GP, 2018

      Hamilton celebrates with his team after winning in GermanyCredit: AFP or licensors

      Hamilton incredibly came from 14th spot to winCredit: AFP or licensors
      An unthinkable victory. The day before, in qualifying, his car suffered hydraulic failure.

      He started 14th, well behind Vettel’s Ferrari on pole. But as the rain fell, the German crashed out.
      Greater drama followed when the Brit made a last-minute decision to cancel a pitstop, while Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen stopped for tyres.

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

      MONACO GP, 2019

      Hamilton sprays the bubbly in Monaco last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hamilton paid tribute to the late F1 legend Niki Lauda Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hamilton choked back tears as he honoured the memory of F1 legend Niki Lauda, who had died six days earlier.
      He took pole but a gamble to use medium tyres left him a sitting duck for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman raced him hard but Hamilton defended like his life depended on it.
      PORTUGUESE GP, 2020

      Hamilton eclipsed Michael Schumacher’s 91-win record in PortugalCredit: Splash News

      Hamilton made his way to the front and held off team-mate Valtteri Bottas Credit: Splash News
      The victory that moved him clear of Michael Schumacher’s 91-win record was a typical Hamilton performance.
      He kept his cool after a slow start to work his way back to the front. Team-mate Bottas could not catch him, as Hamilton crossed the line an incredible 25.5sec ahead of the Finn.

      Lewis Hamilton wins 7th world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher record More

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      Lewis Hamilton has found his voice this year and stood up for what he believes… he’s the best UK sportsman ever

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      THERE was a moment this season that proved Lewis Hamilton is now bigger than Formula One itself.
      It was not his record-breaking 92nd win or this, his seventh world crown.

      This season Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been afraid to voice his opinionCredit: Getty – Pool

      In fact, it was back in March in Melbourne at a press conference.Drivers before him said the FIA were right to press ahead with the race, despite the coronavirus pandemic looming large.
      Not Hamilton. When asked why the race was on, he replied cryptically, “Cash is king”.
      And he added: “I am really very, very surprised that we are here.
      “It is shocking that we are all sitting in this room.”

      He was right and, as we now know, the race was cancelled following a positive test in the McLaren team.
      Hamilton called it. He stood up and gave his opinion when others had been too afraid to talk negatively against F1.
      He’d previously spoken about Donald Trump, environmental causes and racism. And he continues to do so.
      Whether you agree with his stances on racism, the environment, veganism or politics, it doesn’t matter.

      Hamilton celebrates becoming world champion for a record-equalling seventh timeCredit: Splash News
      What matters is he is not afraid to give his opinion.
      Over the past few years, he has found his voice and is using his platform as a seven-time F1 champion to speak out and educate those who follow him.
      When was the last time a sports star at the very top of their game — and with so much to lose — was confident enough to speak out on a subject without worrying about upsetting a sponsor?
      Over the years I have covered his races, I’ve seen the sulks and reported on them. I’ve also got to witness some sensational performances on track.
      But this season, it is his off-track work that has made me appreciate Hamilton as the UK’s best sportsman of all-time.
      People disagree. I know this because they tell me all the time and Hamilton now knows he will never enjoy the universal support of us Brits.

      Lewis Hamilton can lay claim to being the UK’s greatest ever sportsmanCredit: AFP

      The reasons? Maybe the accent, maybe the tax debate — for the record he does pay UK tax and is in the country’s top 5,000 payers — or maybe because people feel they cannot identify with an F1 driver.
      But like him or not, you have to appreciate the fact that he is willing to say exactly what he thinks.
      Yes, he’s damn good at what he does, but he also stands up for what he believes in. And that goes beyond sport. More

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      From Brazil drama in 2008 to Turkey 2020, how Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s record seven F1 world titles

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has done it.
      The perky kid from Stevenage, who could never be told he wasn’t good enough, is now standing atop the podium for all-time Formula One world titles.

      Lewis Hamilton took a stunning victory at Istanbul to secure the Drivers’ ChampionshipCredit: Getty – Pool

      The win equalled Michael Schumacher’s seven F1 titles recordCredit: AFP

      Alongside Michael Schumacher, the Brit now holds seven Drivers’ Championship crowns.
      It all started in dramatic circumstances with McLaren in Brazil, overtaking Timo Glock at the final corner to shock home hero Felipe Massa.
      Fast forward 12 years and five more titles, and Hamilton reigned supreme once again as he drove through the wet in Istanbul to secure a trademark victory.
      Here, SunSport recounts the seven titles that the 35-year-old calls his own.

      #1 – 2008
      Hamilton took his maiden F1 title in dramatic circumstances.
      The Brit passed Timo Glock on the final lap in Brazil to finish in fifth place and clinch the title by a point. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa breaks down in tears at missing out to the McLaren man.

      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first crown with mentor Ron Dennis and brother NicolasCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A fresh-faced Lewis with his first Championship trophyCredit: Reuters
      #2 – 2014
      Hamilton won his second title and Mercedes’ first of the new hybrid-turbo era, beating Nico Rosberg to it.
      Hamilton went into the final race with a 17-point lead but the season is denied a grandstand finish as Rosberg suffered reliability issues and Hamilton won in Abu Dhabi.

      A move to Mercedes was proven successful with the first of many titles in 2014Credit: PA:Press Association

      The Brit struck up a strong working relationship with Merc team principal Toto WolffCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      #3 – 2015
      A crushing win for Hamilton as he secured the title with three races to go. The Brit’s victory in the US GP stopped Rosberg’s challenge dead.
      However, the German did still win the remaining three races of the season in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

      Hamilton pulled off a second consecutive title in 2015Credit: PA:Press Association

      Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg would snatch the crown in the following year’s epic battleCredit: PA:Press Association
      #4 – 2017
      After being denied n 2016 by Rosberg, who subsequently retired, Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel on four world titles the following year.
      He won it in Mexico, with two races to go as he traded wins with the German over the course of the season.

      With Rosberg out of the picture, Hamilton stormed to victory in 2017Credit: Reuters

      This triumph levelled Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel’s tallyCredit: PA:Press Association
      #5 – 2018
      Another crushing win for Hamilton, who finished the season with 11 victories. He wrapped the title up in Mexico and finished a whopping 88 points clear of second-placed Vettel.
      The defining moment came when Vettel crashed out of his home GP and Hamilton, who started 14th, won the race.

      Mexico was again the destination as Hamilton won again in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ferrari star Vettel put up a good fight in the pair’s race to a fifth crownCredit: AFP or licensors
      #6 – 2019
      A straightforward season for Hamilton as the early threat to his crown initially posed by Bottas quickly dropped away.
      Hamilton was unchallenged as he romped to the title as Ferrari’s engine advantage was stopped by the FIA, following an investigation that remained private.

      Hamilton’s domination of the British GP personified his title superiorityCredit: PA:Press Association

      Mercedes continued to lead the pack amid Ferrari’s challengeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      #7 – 2020
      The coronavirus-affected season produced an incredibly unusual F1 season – but Hamilton took it all in his stride.
      Social justice issues became a focal point of the veteran’s persona and he beat Schumacher’s race victories record before levelling the German legend’s titles tally.

      Hamilton has become a powerful speaker off the track in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Formula One awarded a Michael Schumacher race helmet after he matched, and later surpassed, the legend’s 92 race winsCredit: AFP

      Lewis Hamilton admits he doesn’t know if he’ll be in F1 next year after winning Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix More