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      Max Verstappen storms to Belgium GP win after starting in 14TH place and extends title lead after Hamilton crashes out

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      LET’S hand out the trophy now.There is no point dragging this out and waiting for the end of the season.
      Max Verstappen won in Belgium for the second year runningCredit: Alamy
      Sir Lewis Hamilton crashed out in the first lapCredit: Reuters
      Hamilton was sent into the air after colliding with Fernando AlonsoCredit: AFP
      Max Verstappen has this all wrapped up – and we still have eight races to go.
      If there was a dark cloud hanging over his maiden F1 world title – won at the controversial Abu Dhabi GP last December – there is simply nothing but brilliance about his performances this season.
      He smashed qualifying on Saturday – only to be bumped down to 14th on the grid due to engine and gearbox penalties.
      But it took him just 12 laps on Sunday to get to the front – three of which were run behind the safety car – and 15 laps to claim the outright lead.
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      No wonder he hailed it as his most dominant victory of his 29 wins in F1 as he opened up a 93-point lead over Sergio Perez and a whopping 98 points over Charles Leclerc.
      He said: “It is my most dominant weekend if you look at the whole weekend. The car was incredible from practice.
      “You don’t expect it to be that good but it is nice when things surprise you and it was so good to drive.
      “I stayed out of trouble on lap one and that was not easy. I knew with the car we had not to risk too much, but that makes it even harder to stay out of trouble.
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      “Once it settled down, I started overtaking one at a time and in the end I knew there was a possibility to win.”
      Verstappen’s pace was not even close to being matched by his own teammate, Perez, who said the Dutchman was “on another planet”.
      He added: “I really hoped for more today. It was a good opportunity, but Max was just flying. He was on another planet and was untouchable.”
      The Mexican has now replaced Leclerc in second place in the standings after a disappointing weekend for the Monaco-born racer.
      Leclerc had also been subjected to grid penalties but he was also undone by yet more Ferrari strategy complications.
      His own title challenge has been hamstrung by reliability and tactical mistakes – while he was also partly responsible for losing more ground on the champion-elect.
      Leclerc had battled his way back up to fifth place, despite being forced to pit early when a visor tear-off got stuck in his brakes.
      After plenty of discussions over the radio, Ferrari called him in for fresh tyres with two laps to go in an attempt to get the fastest lap bonus point.
      But he was unable to better Verstappen’s lap time as he was caught up behind Fernando Alonso.
      To add insult to injury, he was also caught speeding in the pitlane, triggering a five-second penalty that dropped him down to sixth place in the final classifications.
      Leclerc said: “It’s more frustrating to see the delta of pace there was between Red Bull and us, which is the thing we need to work on.
      “If you look at Red Bull, they were on another level, and they found something this weekend that is a bit worrying for us.
      “For now, we don’t exactly understand [it]. “They are still extremely quick in the straights, it looks like they have no downforce, but then they get into the corner and they are as quick as us, or quicker.
      “So it’s a bit worrying.”
      Perhaps what should be more worrying for him – and the rest of the field – is that next up is Verstappen’s home race.
      He thrived there in 2021 and is expected to do the same next Sunday, surely making it a case of when – not if – he wins the title.
      Lewis Hamilton crashed out in the first lap after colliding with Alonso – with the Brit taking responsibility for the crash.
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      He said after the race: “Looking back he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space.
      “It is my fault. “I could not see him. I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.” More

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      ‘I could not see him’ – Lewis Hamilton admits Fernando Alonso crash was HIS fault after dramatic Belgian GP

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      MERCEDES star Lewis Hamilton has insisted his crash with Fernando Alonso was his fault at the Belgian Grand Prix after he was branded as an “idiot” by the Alpine ace.The 37-year-old was forced to retire after he made contact with the Spanish icon in the first lap at Spa.
      Lewis Hamilton collided with Fernando Alonso which saw him crash out of the Belgian Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      Hamilton has since stated that the incident was his fault after Alonso hit out at himCredit: Getty
      A spectacular impact between the legends of Formula One saw Hamilton going over the top of Alonso as he flew through the air.
      Raging over the team radio, Alonso fumed: “What an idiot!
      “Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start.
      “But this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
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      And Hamilton has responded to Alonso’s remarks as he acknowledged it was his fault.
      He told Sky Sports: “I’m looking back at the footage and he was in my blind spot and I didn’t leave him enough space.
      “So it was my fault today.
      “I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.”
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      Hamilton was then asked for his opinion of Alonso’s harsh words, though he insisted he didn’t care what his rival had to say.
      He commented: “It doesn’t really matter what he said.. I don’t really care.
      “Like I said, It was my fault. I couldn’t see him, he was right in my blind spot.”
      It is the first time this season that Hamilton has failed to finish a race, with the GP won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
      Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell came home in fourth spot behind Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz, with Alonso completing the top five. More

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      Lewis Hamilton turns heads after turning up to Belgium Grand Prix wearing knitted ‘tea cosy’ pink balaclava

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON took fashion to a new extreme at the Belgium Grand Prix – even by his standards.The Mercedes star, 37, wore a pink knitted balaclava on Saturday as he turned up to take a look at the Spa track.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton dressed in pink and wore a knitted balaclava as he turned up at Spa on SaturdayCredit: Rex
      Some fans mocked Hamilton for the unusual accessoryCredit: Rex
      The headgear was adorned with knitted daisies and covered up most of Hamilton’s face – showing only his eyes and nose.
      Hamilton matched the balaclave with a pink cardigan and jumper, as well as purple cargo pants.
      But it was his interesting knitted garment that drew fans’ attention on social media.
      One fan remarked: “I dont care what everyone says. This is not fashion, this is ridiculous.”
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      Another jokingly added: “Me nan wants her tea cosy back…”
      And a third said: “It’s like his nan knitted it specifically for this event so he had to promise to wear it.”
      Hamilton had a weekend to forget in Belgium as he crashed out in the first lap of the Grand Prix.
      The seven-time champion went over the top of Fernando Alonso after colliding with the Alpine ace in the second corner of the Spa race.
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      Hamilton soared through the air but miraculously didn’t harm the Spaniard and continued driving until his team told him to stop.
      After the race the Brit admitted he was at fault for the crash.
      He said: “Looking back he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It is my fault.
      “I could not see him. I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.” More

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      F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE RESULT: Verstappen WINS from 14th as Hamilton crashes into Alonso – reaction

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has thrown away a massive opportunity to secure a first race win of the season.The Brit crashed into Fernando Alonso on the opening lap, which led to him retiring from the race.
      And that has led current world champion Max Verstappen to storm to another victory, despite starting down in 14th..

      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: NowTV
      Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps…
      Alonso taking no prisoners
      Following the crash which lead to the end of Lewis Hamilton’s race, Alonso said over the radio:
      “Yeah, what an idiot! Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
      Promise for Williams
      The speed of Alex Albon in particular will have impressed many today, with him bringing another point home for Williams.
      After starting as high as P6 yesterday, it could be promising signs for the team currently last on the grid.
      Verstappen driver of the day
      Perhaps the easiest choice of the season since… well the last race.

      Plenty of points for Alpine
      Despite starting third on the grid, Alpine will surely be happy with finishing P5 and P7 this afternoon.
      Even more so when considering Ocon began the race at the rear following an grid penalty.
      Questions for Ferrari
      Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be sat there wondering again why they were so far away from the Red Bulls today.
      It’s another poor weekend for them.
      Heartbreak for Hamilton
      Certainly not how the Mercedes man wanted his afternoon to go

      Verstappen: “We want more”
      The World Championship leader told SkySports:
      “It was a hectic first lap to stay out of trouble.
      “This whole weekend has been incredible.
      “We want more of them, we keep working hard.”
      Perez: I hoped for more
      Speaking to Sky Sports, Sergio Perez said:
      “Max was flying, he was untouchable
      “It was a bit of chaos on lap one, I had a really poor start.
      Leclerc penalised
      Uh oh. A five second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane will see the Ferrari man finish sixth, behind Fernando Alonso.
      Good performance from Russell
      The Mercedes man was threatening taking the final podium place, but fourth is still a great result for the Englishman.
      Statement drive from Verstappen
      Wow. From 14th on the grid to one of the more dominant wins of the season.
      Leclerc also failed to take the fastest lap off him on the last race of the season.
      Red Bull 1-2
      Sergio Perez follows his teammate over the line, with Sainz holding on to the final podium place.
      VERSTAPPEN WINS!
      MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX!
      Oh no Ferrari
      Leclerc’s been overtaken by Alonso on the second last lap, with him now down in 6th.
      They do love to make things difficult for themselves.
      Leclerc pits late
      Clearly pushing for a fastest lap point, with Alonso pushing to take 5th away from him.
      Crucial Russell error
      The Mercedes man went wide a few laps ago, which has probably left him too much to do with two laps to go.
      Tsunoda overtakes Zhou to move into 13th.
      Verstappen coasting home
      17.1 seconds is the lead for the man who started 14th today.
      He’s unmatched right about now.
      Four laps to go
      Sainz has reacted well to the pressure of Russell, now extending his lead on fourth.
      Norris struggling
      The McLaren man has been told it’s too late for ‘Plan G’, with him claiming he’s struggling in 12th.
      Battle for 10th hotting up
      Albon, Stroll, Norris and Zhou are all scrapping for the final points place, with the Williams under pressure from the chasing pack.
      Russell taking chunks out of Sainz’s times
      Russell is driving brilliantly today, as he sits about 2.3 seconds behind Sainz for the final podium place.
      Vintage Vettel
      A lovely little exchange in the midfield, with Vettel overtaking Gasly before Ocon speeds past them both in a thrilling battle.
      Scary dominance from Red Bull
      Verstappen leads his teammate Perez by over 13 seconds, who in himself leads third by 9.4.
      Staggering stuff.
      Ferrari in trouble
      Russell is again gaining on Sainz, who has reiterated to his engineers that he’s doing everything he can.
      Hamilton: “It was my fault”
      A disconsolate Lewis Hamilton told Sky Sports:
      “Looking back at the footage, he was in blind spot and I just didn’t see it.
      “It was my fault.”
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      ‘What an idiot’ – Lewis Hamilton OUT after crashing into F1 rival Fernando Alonso on first lap of dramatic Belgium GP

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON was forced to retire in the first round of the Belgian Grand Prix after a dramatic crash in the opening lap.The Stevenage speedster went over the top of Fernando Alonso after colliding with the Apline ace in the second corner of the Spa race.

      Lewis Hamilton went over the top of Fernando Alonso in the opening lap of the Belgian Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Hamilton’s Mercedes was badly damaged from the crashCredit: Getty
      Hamilton soared through the air but miraculously didn’t harm the Spaniard and was able to continue driving – albeit not very well.
      After the collision, Mercedes chiefs told the Brit: “Stop, stop, stop!”
      The seven-time champion begrudgingly listened to their advice, bringing his race to a premature end.
      A furious Alonso raged on the Apline team radio: “Yeah. What an idiot!
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      “Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start.
      “But this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
      F1 fans were quick to react to the dramatic opening lap, with one saying: “All on Lewis there, anyway who says otherwise doesn’t watch F1.”
      Another said: “Lu lu can only drive at the front with a fast car.”
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      And another said: “As Fernando, said he only knows how to drive from 1st in the fastest car, complete fraud.”
      One remarked: “Alonso just turned in on him.”
      Another chimed in: “How’s that happened then?”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton was confident of picking up his first win of the season ahead of this afternoon’s race.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has yet to taste victory this seasonCredit: AP
      He said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
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      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
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      Carlos Sainz to start Belgian Grand Prix on pole despite NOT finishing fastest with Lewis Hamilton fourth on grid

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      CARLOS SAINZ will start on pole in Spa tomorrow after penalties saw the starting grid reshuffled.Championship leader Max Verstappen set the pace in qualifying for tomorrow’s Belgian GP – but will line up for the start down in 15th place after taking on a new engine.
      Carlos Sainz is on pole for tomorrow’s Belgian GPCredit: AP
      Max Verstappen was quickest in qualifying but a penalty means he will not be on poleCredit: AP
      Lewis Hamilton will start fourth on the gridCredit: AP
      The Dutchman is one of SEVEN drivers carrying engine and gearbox-related grid drops.
      But Verstappen was the fastest out on the track and could still force his way into contention tomorrow.
      The reigning world champion himself said it would be “a shame” to not be on the podium by the time he takes the chequered flag.
      Verstappen set a fastest time of one minute 43.665 seconds to beat second fastest Sainz by a comfortable 0.632 seconds.
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      He will still start ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, his closest title rival, who was fourth fastest.
      Leclerc is another who has taken a penalty for adding new power units – and drops to 16th as a result.
      Sergio Perez was third quickest for Red Bull and will move up to the front row alongside Sainz with Alpines Fernando Alonso behind on the second row.
      Lewis Hamilton could only set the seventh-fastest time in Spa but the penalties mean will start the raced in fourth.
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      His Mercedes team mate George Russell is one place behind in fifth.
      Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said: “We need to move forward, especially with a car like this it would be a shame not to be on the podium.”
      The 24-year-old leads Leclerc by a whopping 80 points in the standings with just nine races to go.
      Sainz, starting from pole for the second time in his Formula One career, was keen to seize on the opportunity to take a second win but wary of Red Bulls speed.
      He said: “Happy to be starting on pole but obviously not so happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap that Red Bull has on us.”
      Alex Albon will start an impressive sixth for Williams ahead of McLarens Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauris Pierre Gasly and Aston Martins Lance Stroll.
      His team mate Sebastian Vettel will start 10th. More

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      F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen QUICKEST at qualifying but NOT on pole after penalty, Hamilton 4th – updates

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost in his chances of securing a first place finish at the Belgian GP with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc facing back of grid penalties.Leclerc and Verstappen are two of six drivers who have been penalised for using more engine parts than required.
      However, Hamilton hasn’t done himself any favours having finished 12th in Practice Three
      But the seven-time champion will get another chance to secure a good grid position for tomorrow’s GP in qualifying this afternoon.

      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: NowTV
      Saturday, August 27: Qualifying 3pm
      Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps…
      Top 10 on the grid
      With the penalties applied it is:
      Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Albon, Ricciardo, Gasly, Stroll and Vettel.
      Verstappen tops the timesheets
      It is Verstappen, Sainz, Perez, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Albon and Norris.
      Verstappen looks done for the day
      Hardly unlikely anyone will beat that lap time, but with his engine and gearbox penalties, he will start in 15th place.
      Sainz is second quickest
      The Ferrari man is a whopping 0.632 seconds behind the Red Bull. Perez in P3 and Leclerc in P4.
      Verstappen has blasted his way to P1
      The Red Bull man is unstoppable and rifles in the quickest lap of the day. – He’s got penalties looming though…
      Ferrari mistake!
      “Wait! What are these tyres?” asks Leclerc over the radio to his team.
      “Sorry, that’s our mistake”, replies his engineer.
      Q3 is go
      Grid penalties mean we are still waiting to see who will line up in 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th in the race.
      Albon assured at least a sixth place start.
      Albon is through
      Ricciardo is given the boot from Q2 at the expense of the Williams.
      Schumacher, Stroll, Zhou, Gasly are joining him.
      Final seconds of Q2
      Hamilton is dangerously close to being eliminated here.
      Scrappy stuff from Leclerc
      The Ferrari man is pushing hard and nearly loses the rear of his Ferrari. He is not happy with the set-up of his car. he is currently in P6.
      Q2 is go
      We are off again at Spa and the battle to reach the top 10. Hamilton and Russell are already out on track.
      Eliminated from Q1
      Vettel, Latifi, Magnussen, Tsunoda and Bottas are all eliminated at the first hurdle.
      Great stuff from Albon
      The Williams man has got into Q2 with a fine final lap. He pushes Vettel into the drop zone.
      Mercedes are struggling
      Russell is in 10th and Hamilton is in 11th, but their car is all over the place. Big problems right now.
      Red Bull set the pace
      Early indication that Red Bull have the pace as Verstappen goes half a second quicker than Sainz after his first flying lap.
      Perez in P3 and Leclerc in P4.
      We are underway at Spa
      After the delay, there is a green light in the pitlane.
      Qualifying will start in 15 minutes
      Finally, we are due to get underway here at Spa. Barrier has been repaired and it is declared safe.
      Delay to qualifying
      There was damage to a crash barrier during the Porsche Supercup, which has forced a delay to qualifying.
      The repairs have now been completed and we are waiting for a time for when this session will start.
      Leclerc was in the gravel.
      Charles Leclerc spun off of the track in FP3, but managed to avoid a big crash with the barriers.
      The man from Monaco also had an interesting chat via the radio with his team, as he said:
      “Can we take off the noises that go with the toggles because they are a bit weird, when I hear it I think it is the engine all the time.”
      Ferrari’s engine troubles have been well documented so far this season, and that is clearly taking its toll on their drivers.
      Leclerc was in the gravel in FP3 today.Credit: Getty
      Qualifying just an hour away
      The Qualifying for the Spa GP will begin in just under an hours time.
      Sergio Perez set the fastest time in FP3, after teammate Max Verstappen appeared to have the faster car in FP1 and FP2.
      After the red flag period ended, Perez posted the quickest lap of the session so far. An even more impressive feat considering light rain was creeping in…
      Disappointing for Hamilton.
      Lewis Hamilton ended the final practice in 12th place today, ahead of qualifying.
      This is not good news for the Brit, who will be hoping for a better performance in qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s Grand Prix in Spa.
      This was expected to be a big race for Lewis, with many of his usual competitors starting from the back of the grid due to penalties.
      Perez tops the session
      The Red Bull man finishes as the quickest driver in the final practice ahead of Verstappen, who could face a further penalty for ignoring yellow flags.
      Sainz, Norris, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Vettel, Ocon and Gasly make up the top 10.
      Hamilton? He’s down in 12th place.
      Leclerc spins – Red flag
      The Ferrari man was pushing too hard and spins. He bounces his car off the tyre wall.
      The race director has already red flagged the session. The clock is still counting down. We have just over six minutes to go.
      Perez leads Sainz
      Finally, the big teams are getting their quick laps in. Red Bull and Ferrari both showing their hands.
      Verstappen could be in trouble here
      He’s failed to slow down for yellow flags. Maybe a penalty incoming….
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      Lewis Hamilton releases new +44 clothing range based on lucky number ahead of Belgium GP as he chases first F1 win

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      SIR Lewis Hamilton has launched his own clothing brand after finally breaking his Instagram following duck – and it involves his lucky number.Fans of the F1 superstar went into a frenzy after he recently followed +44 on the social media app.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has long used the number 44Credit: GETTY
      And he’s launched a clothing brand with the numberCredit: PLUS 44
      And the account has since revealed it’ll be selling merchandise designed by the seven-time champion.
      Hamilton shared a picture of himself donning a white top with the logo on his Twitter on Friday night.
      His accompanying caption read: “Eye of the storm.”
      Plus 44 is currently selling short and long-sleeved t-shirts and a fluorescent yellow poncho.
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      Forty-four, of course, is Hamilton’s race number – which he’s used since F1 drivers were allowed to have them in 2014.
      But the Stevenage speedster didn’t randomly choose the number.
      He said: “Of course, each year I start, basically it’s a new fresh start for everyone.
      “I always start with the number 44 because that’s the number that I had on my go-kart when I was eight years old.
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      “It was my dad’s car registration number, F44, so each year it’s just a new chance to rise to the challenge.”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton has yet to taste victory this season, although he’s confident of picking up his first win.
      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Belgian Grand Prix, he said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
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