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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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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
LEWIS HAMILTON says his campaign to promote equality means more to him than a seventh world title.
The Brit can equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships in Turkey on Sunday — as long as he finishes ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Lewis Hamilton says fight for equality means more than a seventh F1 world titleCredit: AP:Associated Press
Hamilton, 35, has been unstoppable during this Covid-hit season, winning nine of the 13 races.
While off the track, he has promoted Black Lives Matter and highlighted inequality and environmental issues across the world.
He has used his platform as Formula One’s most successful driver of all time to help raise awareness — and says that is more special to him than another title.
Hamilton said: “The numbers and the figures and the titles and all that stuff, it perhaps appears to mean more from the outside.
“Watching the TV and watching Michael get the seventh and being like, ‘Wow, that’s seven’.
“But when you’re in it, it’s different. We’re going to continue to fight for more championships, we’re going to continue to try and improve and continue to race and do what we love doing.
“What’s important is that journey. This year has been combined with the fight for equality and learning what’s happening around the world and being a little bit more aware of surroundings.
“Naturally, matching an icon like Michael, I’d be incredibly proud of that. But I think it’s more the message that it sends to people.
“Not just kids but hopefully mostly kids because they’re the future, that you have to dream bigger than you think and don’t let anyone tell you can’t go for that.”
Perhaps, given that the title takes second billing to his work for equality, Hamilton says he is not thinking about matching Schumacher’s total this weekend.
Instead he wants to take it all in his stride knowing he has a comfortable 85-point margin over Bottas with four races to go.
He added: “I am just focused on trying to do a good job, just taking it one race at a time, trying to do the best we can as a team, not thinking about anything else.
“I have learned not to add pressure that’s unnecessary. I have four races to battle for those points, so I don’t put it all on to one weekend, one day.
“For me, it is another race. I need to approach it exactly as I have in the past.
“Maybe then that’s why sometimes it’s a shock. All of a sudden it hits you because you have not thought about it much and you don’t know what to say, because you never truly know whether it is going to happen.
“I am not focused on the ‘what if?’ I am focused on preparing myself the same as before to try to deliver the way I have all season.”
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Nonetheless it seems a formality — although it could have been a lot different had he not decided to join Mercedes from McLaren in 2013.
Hamilton admits it took some convincing from Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda — who were both working for Mercedes at the time — when they first approached him about signing.
He said: “I had first spoken to Niki. I was back home in Monaco and he’s like, ‘You’ve got to come to the team’. And I wasn’t convinced necessarily at the beginning.
“I think the convincing stage, which really made me look into it more, was when Ross came around my mum’s house and sat in the kitchen and we had tea.
“He showed me what the plan was for the team. That was the real, in-depth insight into what the team was planning and the changes they were trying to do.
“So that was really the ‘selling’ point. With Niki we worked on the layout of the deal.”
Once his seventh title is wrapped up, either this weekend on the outskirts of Istanbul or in the next race in Bahrain, Hamilton will switch his attention to signing a new deal.
It is expected to be a three-year contract worth around £40million a year — but as yet, nothing is signed.
He added: “I am very conscious of the idea I want to continue with Mercedes. I’d love to help them on this quest of pushing for change.
“They are taking their cars green, electrifying more and I want to help them on that road, I want to help them push for diversity.
“There is a lot to discuss and go through but it is something we will do if not after the job is done, then at the end of the year.
“Nothing is set in stone — it is just about talking about it. I don’t feel I’m finished. I don’t feel moving forward . . . there are always areas to improve.
“I love racing and the challenge and I don’t think that is going to change any time soon.”
Hamilton branded the Turkish track as ‘s**t with a capital S’Credit: EPA
Hamilton’s title-winning hopes got off to a slippery start in yesterday’s practice.
With no running since being resurfaced, the track was thick with dust, meaning the drivers were left struggling for grip.
Hamilton sat out a large chunk of first practice as others tiptoed their way around, while in the afternoon session, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen topped the time-sheets.
Charles Leclerc was second quickest for Ferrari, with Bottas third and Hamilton fourth.
Hamilton said: “It was a bit of a disaster today.
“This track is such a fantastic circuit and I don’t fully understand why they spent millions to re-do the surface of a track.
“They could have cleaned it instead of wasting their money and now the track is worse than Portimao.
“So for us, the tyres aren’t working and you see it.
“It is like an ice rink out there, so you don’t get the enjoyment of the lap out there and I don’t see that change there.
“It is terrifying the whole way around. It is like having wet patches the whole way around and I guess the oil is seeping from the Tarmac.
“It is s**t with a capital S.”
Lewis Hamilton admits he doesn’t know if he’ll be in F1 next year after winning Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix More
