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      Valtteri Bottas signs £12m one-year contract extension with Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton set for talks over new deal

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      VALTTERI BOTTAS has signed a one-year extension to his Mercedes deal – with the team set to switch their attention to Lewis Hamilton.
      The Finn, who is currently second in the championship, will remain with the team until 2021.

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      Valtteri Bottas will remain with Mercedes until 2021 after signing a contract extensionCredit: PA:Press Association
      The 30-year-old’s deal is worth around £12million a year as Merc decided against breaking up their winning partnership.
      Bottas, 30, has eight wins and 48 podiums for the Silver Arrows and is incredibly low-maintenance in his relationship with Hamilton.
      He said: “I’m very happy to stay with Mercedes in 2021 and build on the success we’ve enjoyed together already.
      “The past few years have been all about continuous improvement, working on every aspect of my performance.

      “I’m confident that today I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, but I can always raise the bar. Mercedes embraces the same philosophy: They always want to get better and are always hungry for more.
      “Ever since I fell in love with F1 as a kid it’s been my dream to one day become world champion.
      “I’m in the fight for the title this year and staying with Mercedes puts me in the best possible position to compete for it next season as well.”

      Merc boss Toto Wolff is now expected to start talks with Hamilton as his deal expires at the end of this year.

      Wolff added: “We are very excited that Valtteri will stay with the team for at least one more season.
      “We’re seeing the strongest Valtteri we’ve ever seen this year — in terms of his on-track performance, but also physically and mentally.
      “He is second in the championship, finished the last season in P2 and plays a very important part in our overall team performance.

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      Bottas and Lewis Hamilton are team-mates at MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      “I’m confident that we have the strongest driver pairing in F1 today and signing Valtteri is an important first step in retaining this strength for the future.
      “Valtteri is a hard-working, straightforward guy who has a good relationship with the entire team — including his team-mate, which is not a given when both drivers are fighting for the championship.
      “I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to raise the bar together with us this year and in 2021.”

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      Lewis Hamilton’s jaw-dropping British GP tyre blowout blamed on Mercedes and not debris on Silverstone track

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      FORMULA ONE teams have been told the dangerous blow-outs suffered at Silverstone were NOT caused by debris on the track.
      Lewis Hamilton crossed the line with only three wheels after a last-lap puncture while Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz also suffered front-left failures in the closing laps of the race.

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      Tyre manufacturers Pirelli confirmed the punctures on Sunday were down to the teams leaving them on for too long and not debris on the trackCredit: EPA
      Bottas and Sainz finished outside of the points while Hamilton said he was left feeling like his heart was going to stop.
      The world champion said he believed debris had caused the tyres to all puncture but worryingly Pirelli say that was not the case.
      The Italian company conducted an investigation and said it was the teams’ faults for leaving their drivers for too long on the old tyres, citing “the biggest forces ever seen on tyres generated by the fastest Formula One cars in history”.
      A Pirelli statement said: “The key reason is down to a set of individual race circumstances that led to an extremely long use of the second set of tyres.

      “The second safety car period prompted nearly all the teams to anticipate their planned pit stop and so carry out a particularly long final stint, around 40 laps, which is more than three-quarters the total race length on one of the most demanding tracks of the calendar.
      “Combined with the notably-increased pace of the 2020 Formula One cars (pole position was 1.2 seconds faster compared to 2019) this made the final laps of the British Grand Prix especially tough, as a consequence of the biggest forces ever seen on tyres generated by the fastest Formula One cars in history.

      That last lap almost had me 😅 We still got this 🏆🏁 I can’t express how grateful I am to all the fans, and to my incredible team. To think this is the 7th home win is just insane. Thanks for the positive energy everyone, we did this together. #BritishGP #TeamLH #StillWeRise @F1 pic.twitter.com/PyAPZ6SZrI
      — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) August 2, 2020

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      “The overall result was the most challenging operating conditions for tyres. These led to the front-left tyre (which is well-known for working hardest at Silverstone) being placed under maximum stress after a very high number of laps, with the resulting high wear meaning that it was less protected from the extreme forces in play.”
      The findings will concern teams as Sainz, Bottas and Hamilton had no warning that the tyre would burst, while Daniil Kvyat also had a strange blow out.

      Pirelli will stick with its original plan to go one step softer for this weekend’s 70th Anniversary GP at Silverstone, however they will insist on them inflated to a higher minimum pressures as a safety precaution.

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      Hamilton held on to just about claim victory at his home Grand Prix for the seventh timeCredit: Splash News

      Watch from inside Lewis Hamilton’s car as he spins during qualifying at Silverstone in rare mistake before British GP More

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      Watch moment Lewis Hamilton’s tyre bursts from INSIDE his Mercedes as he sensationally holds on to beat Max Verstappen

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      LEWIS HAMILTON kept his cool in remarkable fashion as he drove to British Grand Prix victory on three wheels.
      Footage from on-board the world championship leader’s Mercedes shows the moment his front-left tyre burst on the final lap.

      He’s had some pretty hair-raising final laps in his career… 🤯Jump onboard as @LewisHamilton uses every ounce of skill to bring his three-wheeled Mercedes home for the win#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1
      — Formula 1 (@F1) August 3, 2020

      Hamilton’s car is, at first, a picture of tranquility around the empty Silverstone while others fell away in the demanding race.
      Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz both experienced late punctures, prompting a message of calm coming over the Brit’s radio.
      Engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington tells Hamilton: “Please don’t go for the fastest lap, we just need to get the car home. Tyre integrity is the predominant thing.”
      The driver confirms the message before the news of Bottas’ nightmare, dropping the Finn from second to 11th, is relayed to him.

      As Hamilton pulls around Luffield, his front-left bursts and he checks in: “Think something has happened to my left tyre also.”
      From then on, the six-time world champ is fully concentrated as he masterfully guides the car home while Bono keeps him updated on Max Verstappen’s pursuit.

      That is the most dramatic ending to a race I remember having.
      Lewis Hamilton

      Having overtaken Bottas, the Red Bull ace pitted and found himself having to close a gap of over 30 seconds in just half a lap.
      Crossing the line with just 5.8 seconds spare, Hamilton didn’t spot the chequered flag and quickly asked to confirm his victory.

      A jubilant Bono replies: “That’s it mate, you’ve done it! You’ve done it!”
      Such is Hamilton’s confidence in piloting the F1 three-wheeler, he decides against Bono’s calls to stop the car on track and gently rides back to the pits.
      The victory bumped the Mercedes man’s lead at the top of the championship up to a healthy 30 points.
      He said afterwards: “That is the most dramatic ending to a race I remember having.

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      Lewis Hamilton manages to control the car with Max Verstappen encroaching

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      The Dutchman was only seconds away as Hamilton edged round the final corner
      “It was heated, a real challenge. I was super cool during the whole experience.
      “I guess it hadn’t really sunk in, then afterwards it started to dawn on me what I had just faced so I had a delayed reaction.
      “There was the race in Formula Renault where the rear suspension had snapped, I remember driving through the corners with one wheel in the air.
      “I still managed to win just, I don’t know how. It was similar today but it was much more extreme.”

      4

      Lewis Hamilton peered inside his shredded tyre after the winCredit: Reuters

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      The Mercedes star described the race as the “most dramatic” finish he had ever hadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Meanwhile, the recriminations have begun at Pirelli with three cars experiencing failures late in the race.
      The tyre manufacturer has vowed to investigate with most teams pitting for the hard tyres on lap 12 after Daniil Kvyat’s crash – slightly earlier than expected for optimum strategy.
      Pirelli’s F1 boss Mario Isola pondered: “It could be high wear, because for sure tyres with 38 laps or more on this circuit are quite worn, but I’m not saying that the wear is the cause of the issue.
      “It can be debris, because we had the pieces of the front wing of Kimi that were on track, but also some other debris.”

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      Watch moment Lewis Hamilton’s tyre bursts from inside his Mercedes as sparks fly from car in thrilling end to British GP

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON kept his cool in remarkable fashion as he drove to victory in the British Grand Prix on three wheels.
      Footage from on-board the world championship leader’s car shows the moment his front-left tyre burst on the final lap.

      He’s had some pretty hair-raising final laps in his career… 🤯Jump onboard as @LewisHamilton uses every ounce of skill to bring his three-wheeled Mercedes home for the win#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1
      — Formula 1 (@F1) August 3, 2020

      Hamilton’s car is, at first, a picture of tranquility around the empty Silverstone while others fell away in the demanding race.
      Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz both experienced late punctures, prompting a message of calm coming over the Brit’s radio.
      Engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington tells Hamilton: “Please don’t go for the fastest lap, we just need to get the car home. Tyre integrity is the predominant thing.”
      The driver confirms the message before the news of Bottas’ nightmare, dropping the Finn from second to 11th, is relayed to him.

      As Hamilton pulls around Luffield, his front-left bursts and he checks in: “Think something has happened to my left tyre also.”
      From then on, the six-time world champ is fully concentrated as he masterfully guides the car home while Bono keeps him updated on Max Verstappen’s pursuit.

      That is the most dramatic ending to a race I remember having.
      Lewis Hamilton

      Having overtaken Bottas, the Red Bull ace pitted and found himself having to close a gap of over 30 seconds in just half a lap.
      Crossing the line with just 5.8 seconds spare, Hamilton didn’t spot the chequered flag and quickly asked to confirm his victory.

      A jubilant Bono replies: “That’s it mate, you’ve done it! You’ve done it!”
      Such is Hamilton’s confidence in piloting the F1 three-wheeler, he decides against Bono’s calls to stop the car on track and gently rides back to the pits.
      The victory bumped the Mercedes man’s lead at the top of the championship up to a healthy 30 points.
      He said afterwards: “That is the most dramatic ending to a race I remember having.

      4

      Lewis Hamilton manages to control the car with Max Verstappen encroaching

      4

      The Dutchman was only seconds away as Hamilton edged round the final corner
      “It was heated, a real challenge. I was super cool during the whole experience.
      “I guess it hadn’t really sunk in, then afterwards it started to dawn on me what I had just faced so I had a delayed reaction.
      “There was the race in Formula Renault where the rear suspension had snapped, I remember driving through the corners with one wheel in the air.
      “I still managed to win just, I don’t know how. It was similar today but it was much more extreme.”

      4

      Lewis Hamilton peered inside his shredded tyre after the winCredit: Reuters

      4

      The Mercedes star described the race as the “most dramatic” finish he had ever hadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Meanwhile, the recriminations have begun at Pirelli with three cars experiencing failures late in the race.
      The tyre manufacturer has vowed to investigate with most teams pitting for the hard tyres on lap 12 after Daniil Kvyat’s crash – slightly earlier than expected for optimum strategy.
      Pirelli’s F1 boss Mario Isola pondered: “It could be high wear, because for sure tyres with 38 laps or more on this circuit are quite worn, but I’m not saying that the wear is the cause of the issue.
      “It can be debris, because we had the pieces of the front wing of Kimi that were on track, but also some other debris.”

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      Lewis Hamilton picks his dog as ideal passenger, reveals love of Smart cars and his hopes for a diverse future in F1

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed that he has gone electric with a newfound love of Smart cars.
      The Formula One world champion has taken up an increasingly green mantra in recent years despite previously thinking he would always remain a petrolhead.

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      Lewis Hamilton has gone electric while not racing his F1 carCredit: Getty – Pool

      4

      The Mercedes star criticised F1 for its Hungarian GP anti-racism display and wants a more diverse sport in the futureCredit: AP:Associated Press
      In discussion with his championship-winning team Mercedes, the Brit opened up on why he changed his mind.
      And Hamilton also named his ideal passenger in the Q&A and spoke on his hopes for more diversity in F1.
      If you weren’t a Formula One driver, what would you be instead?
      It’s a difficult one. Probably… in a band.

      What instrument?
      Guitar.
      Many people talk about sustainability these days. What does it mean to you?
      Sustainability is the future. And it’s the only way that we’re going to be able to save this planet. So it is something that people need to get their minds around, that people need to embrace – companies particularly – but also each of us individually, in our household and in our daily lives.

      What gives you hope about the world today?
      People. Ultimately, everyone has their own opinion and there are those that are less willing to change. And then I see a lot more positivity out there of people willing to change their mindsets.
      Electric cars or petrol cars?
      That’s a good question. I was growing up in the petrol era. I’d been one of those people who were kind of thinking ‘I’m never going to drive an electric car’.

      And now I have the EQC and I have an electric Smart car, which I love and I only drive those cars now. All of us have to make adjustments in our mind. I’ve just been more open minded and now I love it so much, that I’m changing all my cars to electric. And the great thing is it has a positive impact on the environment.
      You’re going on a five-hour drive. Who do you want in the passenger seat?
      Roscoe.
      That’s your dog, right? Sounds relaxed. Speaking of that: How can you best relax?
      I think I’m most relaxed when I’ve got my feet up, got Roscoe next to me. Watching TV, watching a movie with some sort of sweets. [Laughs.] Actually probably even more so is being around family. Not even having to talk, but just being around family. That for me is super relaxing.
      You like social media because….
      It’s the bridge between my fans and I.
      What was your first thought when you saw the new all-black livery for the Silver Arrows?
      I’m just so proud of my team for being open-minded, for shifting. Ultimately, we all have to get out of the way of ourselves in order to allow change.
      How do you picture Formula One ten years from now?
      It will hopefully be much more inclusive, a much more diverse sight for people when they’re watching. When young kids can watch, no matter what their background is and say ‘I can get there, because there is someone that looks like me there.
      It seems to be very, very open and obviously the sport is supportive of inclusion and diversity’. So I am hoping to see a lot more women involved, I am hoping to see more people of color.

      4

      Hamilton is often accompanied by his dog RoscoeCredit: BVA

      4

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      What makes you laugh?
      Comedies, Eddie Murphy… I love watching movies. Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell. My uncle Terry. My brother. I think they are probably the people that make me laugh the most.
      And what frightens you?
      Spiders. Tarantulas. The thought of a tarantula. I couldn’t get near one of them. No.
      What does “winning” mean to you?
      Winning is a kind of validation for all the hard work you put in.

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      Mercedes set to confirm Valtteri Bottas contract extension until end of 2021 season – with Lewis Hamilton not far behind

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      MERCEDES are expected to confirm that Valtteri Bottas has signed a new deal to remain as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate next season.
      The Finn is understood to have agreed a one-year extension to his current deal to take him up to the end of the 2021 season.

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      Valtteri Bottas is expected to sign a new deal and remain a Mercedes driver
      Bottas is currently top of the drivers’ championship having won the first race back after the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
      Hamilton lagged behind his colleague on the opening weekend, finishing fourth in the Austrian Grand Prix after a penalty.
      But the 35-year-old turned things around this weekend and Mercedes will now turn their attention to signing up the world champion.
      The Brit is just behind Bottas in the current standings despite winning the Styrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

      It was a Mercedes one-two as Bottas held off the challenge of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to claim his second successive podium finish.
      And the duo look set to continue their fruitful partnership into the coming seasons.

      It is understood that Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius has given his blessing for the team to retain its current pairing, despite the availability of Sebastian Vettel.
      Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of this season and had been tipped as an outsider to partner Hamilton in 2021, as he is friends with Merc boss Toto Wolff.

      The four-time World Champ previously revealed his exit from the Italian team was anything but mutual.
      The German, 33, explained how he was brutally snubbed as no new contract was ever offered to him.
      Ferrari have had a disastrous start to the season with both drivers way off the pace and things went from bad to worse on Sunday.
      Vettel and team-mate Charles Leclerc were forced into early retirements after smashing into EACH OTHER on the very first lap.
      Leclerc later apologised for his role in the calamitous race for Ferrari.

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      Bottas’ new deal would kill off any hope that Vettel would be offered a competitive car, forcing him to take a sabbatical next year or call time on his F1 career all-together.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton is expected to start talks over a new deal worth up to £40million a year.
      The 35-year-old has made no secret of the fact that he wishes to remain with the team while driver salaries are not subject to being part of F1’s incoming cost cap.

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      Huge F1 cheat storm as stewards confiscate Racing Point car parts amid claims of illegally copying Mercedes designs

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      FORMULA ONE stewards have impounded parts of Racing Points’ F1 car amid claims it is illegal. A protest was launched by the Renault team after the Styrian GP as they claim the Silverstone-based team have copied Mercedes’ designs from 2019. Racing Point were one of the quicker cars on track in the season-opening double-headerCredit: AP:Associated […] More