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      Lewis Hamilton outshone by departing team-mate Bottas for sprint qualifying race at Italian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was outshone by axed team-mate Valtteri Bottas for Saturday’s sprint qualifying race.The Finn, who has been shown the door at Mercedes and signed for Alfa Romeo next season, could not hide his delight at taking P1 for Formula One’s new Saturday race, designed to help spice up the action.
      Lewis Hamilton was beaten to P1 by departing team-mate Valtteri BottasCredit: Getty
      The Finn pipped Hamilton ahead of Saturday’s sprint qualifying raceCredit: Getty
      It is the second time F1 have tried the sprint qualifying idea after its debut at Silverstone — a 30-minute race to decide the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.
      And Hamilton, who will start in second place Saturday, is eyeing up landing pole for the actual Italian GP on Sunday, which would also earn him three bonus points.
      The seven-time champion — who was interviewed by Felipe Massa, the man he beat to the title by a point in 2008 — said: “Every point counts and it was looking pretty good for us until the end, and then Valtteri went quicker.
      “But it was well deserved. As we’ve seen, a championship can be lost by one point.
      “There has been a lot of points lost on both sides. These sprint races can help close that gap.”
      Hamilton’s main championship rival, Max Verstappen — who leads the drivers’ standings by three points following his win in his home grand prix in Holland last weekend — will line up in third place.
      The Red Bull star said: “For us, it was always going to be difficult.
      “We struggled a little bit and for the race hopefully it will be a bit closer.”

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      Bottas, who faces grid penalties in Sunday’s race for taking a new engine, said: “I am relaxed now everything is sorted for the future and pleased for the team today.
      “The car felt so good and I am now focused on the race and to do the best job I can on Sunday.”
      His replacement at Mercedes, George Russell, will start down in 15th place for the sprint qualifying race in his Williams, while fellow Brit Lando Norris, starts in fourth for McLaren.

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      Mercedes confirm George Russell as Lewis Hamilton’s new F1 team-mate for 2022 season More

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      F1 Italian Grand Prix qualifying LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton looks to overhaul Verstappen in Monza

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will be gunning to take top spot back from Max Verstappen as the F1 season heads to Italy this weekend.The Dutchman Verstappen went to the top of the Driver’s Championship after his victory at home in the Dutch Grand Prix last week.

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      Follow all of the latest updates below…
      QUICKEST IN PRACTICE
      Lewis Hamilton was the quickest man in practice, but can he keep that pace up throughout the weekend?
      The Brit went almost half a second quicker than rival Max Verstappen in the first practice in what was a perfect start for the seven-time World Champion.
      There’s still a long way to go until that chequered flag on Sunday though…

      QUALIFYING COUNTDOWN
      The drivers will re-take to the track in Monzo in just over an 90 minutes time.
      Qualifying for tomorrow’s sprint race is set to get underway at 5pm (UK time).
      Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man in practice earlier this afternoon, with Max Verstappen almost half a second slower.
      TOTO TALKS
      Here’s Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff’s assessment of the first practice.
      He said: “I was quite pleased – we only saw one lap with the engine properly turned up, but you know how it goes – three hours later you get one on the nose.
      “I think we are all struggling on power units, they work hard.
      “We haven’t come to a conclusion yet.”
      PRACTICE LEADERBOARD
      Lance Stroll has gone fourth fastest in practice, 0.750 seconds off Lewis Hamilton’s benchmark time of 1:20:926.
      Last year’s winner Pierre Gasly is fifth fastest, with Sebastian Vettel sixth.
      Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez round off the top ten.
      HAMILTON TOPS PRACTICE
      And it is Lewis Hamilton who ends the first practice session as the fastest driver.
      It’s by quite a distance actually.
      He’s 0.452s ahead of Max Verstappen.
      Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valteri Bottas is third fastest.
      LEWIS TAKES THE LEAD
      And now Hamilton posts the fastest time as he dons a new set of medium tyres.
      He clocks a 1:20:926.
      VERSTAPPEN GOES TOP
      Max Verstappen is now the quickest man on the track.
      He’s 0.073seconds ahead of Valteri Bottas in second place.
      The Red Bull man just posted a lap time of 1:21:378.
      PIRELLI UPDATE
      Midway through the first practice in Monza and it’s Lewis Hamilton who is currently the quickest man around the track.
      Tyre provider Pirelli have taken to Twitter to confirm the seven-time World Champion is enjoying his practice session.
      They said: “So far it’s @LewisHamilton fastest on the medium tyre for @MercedesAMGF1.
      “There’s a lot riding on this race, and more opportunity to score points too, with extra points given to the sprint qualifying race winner tomorrow.”
      TRACK COOKING
      The heat in Monza means the track temperature is nearing 40C.
      It’s a hot day in North-East Italy.
      TEN MINUTE WARNING
      There’s just TEN minutes to go now until the drivers take to the track in Monza for their practice session.
      It’s a warm day in Monza, with temperatures set to reach up to 28C.
      No rain is predicted for today’s practice and qualifying, or for the rest of the weekend.
      HOW IT WORKS
      As the action in Italy edges ever-closer to getting underway, here’s how the weekend’s racing will unfold.

      PIERRE PREVIEWS
      AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly is confident ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
      The Frenchman won the race last year, and believes he will be ‘competitive’ again this time around.
      He said: “We won last year, we were pretty competitive.
      “Yeah obviously I think the last few races have been extremely good for us and we’re confident we’re in a good position to perform again this weekend.
      “[It’s a] very different track, but yeah, I believe we will have a good performance.”
      WINNERS ON THE GRID
      Other than Lewis Hamilton, there are four other drivers on the current circuit that have won the Italian Grand Prix before.
      They are:

      Sebastian Vettel (2008, 2011, 2013)
      Fernando Alonso (2007, 2010)
      Charles Leclerc (2019)
      Pierre Gasly (2020)

      Hamilton himself won the race in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 AND 2018.
      COUNTDOWN TO ACTION
      There’s just over two hours to go now until Practice One gets underway in Monza.
      1.30pm is the scheduled start time, before qualifying begins at 5pm (UK time).
      CIRCUIT STATS
      The DRS Zones for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza are as follows:
      DRS 1

      Detection – 95metres before Turn 7
      Activation – 170metres after Turn 7

      DRS 2

      Detection – 20metres before Turn 11
      Activation – 115metres after Finish Line

      PAST WINNERS
      Lewis Hamilton has won five out of the last ten Italian GP’s.
      And a win at Monza this weekend would see him become the most successful driver in the history of the Italian GP.

      2020 – Pierre Gasly
      2019 – Charles Leclerc
      2018 – Lewis Hamilton
      2017 – Lewis Hamilton
      2016 – Nico Rosberg
      2015 – Lewis Hamilton
      2014 – Lewis Hamilton
      2013 – Sebastian Vettel
      2012 – Lewis Hamilton
      2011 – Sebastian Vettel

      WEEKEND TIMINGS
      And here’s what is to come from Monza for the rest of the weekend:

      Saturday: Qualifying 11pm-12pm (UK time)
      Sunday: Race – 2pm (UK time)

      TODAY’S TIMINGS
      Here’s what is to come from Monza today:

      Free Practice One: 1.30pm-2.30pm (UK time)
      Qualifying: 5pm-6pm (UK time)

      GOOD MORNING F1 FANS
      Attention in the world of Formula One turns back to the Grand Prix action after an action packed week of driver movements.
      And this week the racing comes from Monza, one of the most historic tracks on the circuit.
      It’s the most used circuit on the calendar, hosting the F1 Grand Prix 71 times.
      Only once has the Italian Grand Prix not been held at the famous Monza circuit, home of the Tifosi.
      After last week’s fiasco at the Belgian Grand Prix Max Verstappen comes into the weekend leading Lewis Hamilton in the driver standings by just three points.
      The Red Bull driver has 224.5 points to his name, while Hamilton has 221.5 points.
      But if Hamilton crosses the line first this weekend he will become the stand-alone most successful driver in the history of the Italian Grand Prix.
      He has won the race on five occasions before, tied with F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
      And a win this weekend in Monza would also be the 100th Grand Prix win of his career.
      That is some incentive…
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      George Russell takes swipe at ‘reckless and ruthless’ Red Bull as he prepares to link up with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

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      GEORGE RUSSELL couldn’t resist taking a swipe at rival team Red Bull after his arrival at Mercedes a few days ago.The 23-year-old, who was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s partner for the upcoming F1 season, thanked Mercedes for promoting him from their Williams academy after three years.
      Russell’s glad that he’ll get the chance to learn and develop alongside Hamilton at Mercedes who treat their drivers better than Red Bull doCredit: Reuters
      Russell believes he’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop at Mercedes.
      Russell claims Red Bull, who signed, dropped then re-signed his pal Alex Albon when he was with them, are a bit more ‘ruthless’.
      Speaking to ESPN, reported by GP Today, Russell said: “I think I’ve been really happy with how Mercedes has given me this opportunity to go out there and learn.
      “Obviously, the way Red Bull do things is pretty reckless and ruthless at times, and that’s why I’m so grateful that I have had this opportunity to go out there and learn, build and develop.”
      And Albon may get to experience the stability at Mercedes that Russell is on about after he replaced him at Williams.
      But despite Russell wanting time to develop and grow with Mercedes, he warned Hamilton that he’s gunning for his spot.

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      The Brit, who replaced Valtteri Bottas in Toto Wolff’s Mercedes team, says he has no intention of being Hamilton’s wingman like the Finnish star was.
      He said: “I’m definitely going in on level terms and that was made very clear to me.
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “Mercedes have always been respectful in that regard, giving both the drivers the best opportunity.
      “And obviously and naturally I believe in myself, and I have high aspirations. But equally I know how tough it’s going to be.
      “Mercedes have had clear experience of a poor dynamic within the team and they’ve made it absolutely clear that they don’t want a repeat.”
      George Russell in profile after Mercedes move More

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      F1 Italian Grand Prix qualifying: UK start time, live stream and full schedule as Formula One heads to Monza

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      FORMULA ONE returns to the iconic Monza this weekend as Max Verstappen looks to build on his Holland victory.The Dutch star is embroiled in a tussle for the Driver’s Championship with Lewis Hamilton, who has won five times at this track.

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      Max Verstappen arrives in Italy on the back of victory in his home GPCredit: AP
      This year’s race will see the return of the sprint qualifying, which was first trialled earlier in the season at Silverstone.
      When is the Italian GP?

      First practice from Monza will be held on Friday, Saturday 10.
      It will get underway at 1.30pm.
      Qualifying will then follow at 5pm BST.
      Sprint qualifying will then take place on Saturday at 3.30pm, before the big race on Sunday at 2pm.

      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You can catch all of the action live on Sky Sports F1.
      Coverage of a manic Friday schedule will begin at midday.
      If you want to stream and don’t have a Sky account, you can grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99.

      Full schedule
      Friday, September 10

      First practice – 1.30pm
      Qualifying – 5pm

      Saturday, September 11

      Second practice – 11am
      Sprint qualifying – 3.30pm

      Sunday, September 12

      Italian GP – 2pm More

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      George Russell warns Lewis Hamilton he is NOT joining Mercedes to be his ‘wingman’ like Valtteri Bottas

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      GEORGE RUSSELL has warned seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton he is not coming to Mercedes as his No 2.Next season Williams star Russell, 23, will replace Valtteri Bottas, 32, who was once referred to as a “wingman” for Hamilton by Merc boss Toto Wolff.
      George Russell says he is going to Mercedes to compete with Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Valtteri Bottas has been referred to as Lewis Hamilton’s ‘wingman’ at MercedesCredit: EPA
      Merc tried to balance the team’s harmony between Hamilton and Bottas following 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg’s turbulent relationship with the Brit during their time as team-mates.
      Finnish star Bottas is on his way to Alfa Romeo and Russell says he has been assured he will get equal status at Merc when he goes up against Hamilton in 2022.
      He said: “I’m definitely going in on level terms and that was made very clear to me.
      “Mercedes have always been respectful in that regard, giving both the drivers the best opportunity.
      “And obviously and naturally I believe in myself, and I have high aspirations. But equally I know how tough it’s going to be.
      “Mercedes have had clear experience of a poor dynamic within the team and they’ve made it absolutely clear that they don’t want a repeat.”

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      Hamilton, 36, who had explosive battles with Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button when they were at McLaren, believes it is down to Wolff to manage the situation.
      He said: “History has shown it can work – and it can’t. It is different in each team and ultimately it is how it is managed.
      “You have two championships and individually you want to finish ahead and then also get the team ahead.
      “It is a difficult one to navigate through but we have experienced it and learnt from it and should be well set moving forwards.
      “Ever since I joined this team in 2013, I wanted equal opportunities.
      “Winning when someone’s wings are clipped, that is not something that interests me.”
      Lewis Hamilton says he is happy to compete on an even playing field with incoming Mercedes team-mate George RussellCredit: SPLASH NEWS
      Mercedes confirm George Russell as Lewis Hamilton’s new F1 team-mate for 2022 season More

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      Lewis Hamilton has been dominant for ‘too long’ and F1 needed Max Verstappen title duel, says legend Jackie Stewart

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      JACKIE STEWART is excited by Max Verstappen’s duel with Lewis Hamilton for the F1 title, as the Brit has been dominant for ‘too long’.No driver could get near Hamilton, 36, in the last four seasons with the seven-time champion and Mercedes a step above the rest.
      Lewis Hamilton has dominated F1 in recent yearsCredit: AFP
      Max Verstappen’s title push has invigorated F1, according to Jackie StewartCredit: Rex
      But the 2021 campaign has seen Verstappen and Red Bull launch an ambush on the world crown.
      The Dutch star leads Hamilton by three points following his victory in front of his home Zandvoort crowd.
      And 82-year-old Stewart, who won three titles during a prestigious career, believes Formula One has been yearning for a challenger to the throne.
      In an interview with Ziggo Sport, via Sports Mole, he said: “It’s always nice to see a young challenger who can attack the leader.
      “Lewis Hamilton has been the leader for too long. His team has been dominant for so long that we haven’t experienced this for a long time.
      “Max Verstappen has put the sport back on the map, because it’s so important that there is someone in F1 who provides the action and tension.

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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “The Honda engine is now good enough for Verstappen can take the fight to them. He’s also hungrier than Hamilton.”
      The title rivals will do battle again this weekend at Monza.
      Despite his slender lead atop the championship, Verstappen heads to Italy having won the last six races where he has not crashed out or suffered damage.

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      Red Bull racing celebrate as Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP More

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      Williams F1 team sign Red Bull’s Alex Albon for 2022 season to replace Lewis Hamilton’s new team-mate George Russell

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      ALEX ALBON will race for the Williams F1 team next season after replacing Mercedes-bound George Russell.London-born Albon, who raced for Red Bull last year, will partner Nicholas Latifi, who remains at Williams.
      Alex Albon joins Williams after two podiums in 18 months at Red BullCredit: Reuters
      Albon has spent this year as Red Bull’s reserve and test driver and also won in German touring car series, DTM.
      The 25-year-old, who was replaced for this season by Sergio Perez, is delighted to be back in the Formula One grid.
      He said: “I am really excited and looking forward to returning to a Formula One race seat in 2022.
      “When you take a year out of F1 it’s never certain you will make a return so I’m extremely thankful to Red Bull and Williams for believing in me and helping me on my journey back to the grid.
      “It’s also been great to see all the progress Williams have been making as a team this year and I look forward to helping them continue that journey in 2022.”
      Jost Capito, CEO of Williams Racing, added: “It is fantastic to be able to confirm our driver line-up for 2022 and I am delighted to be welcoming Alex to the team.

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      “We are extremely excited by our new line-up, with both drivers bringing a great blend of youth and experience that will not only be a great fit for the team but also help us take the next step in our journey.”
      Williams were in need of a new driver after George Russell’s move to Mercedes was confirmed.
      Albon’s switch completes the chain of changes on next year’s grid with Valtteri Bottas leaving his Merc to replace the retiring Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo.

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      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      George Russell in profile after Mercedes move More

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      Jorge Lis dead at 46: Ex-motorcyclist who refused Covid vaccine dies of coronavirus after six weeks in intensive care

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      A FORMER Spanish motorcycle rider who refused to take the Covid vaccine has died from coronavirus, aged 46.Jorge Lis, who had embraced Covid denial theories during the pandemic, came runner-up in the Spanish 125cc category in 1996.
      Former motorcycle rider Jorge Lis has passed away after a six-week battle in hospitalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lismotoagent/?hl=en
      He later went on to become an agent for motorbike riders and coaches, but his life was tragically cut short due to coronavirus after six weeks in intensive care.
      Last month, his sister Elena revealed a WhatsApp message she had received from him on July 13 in which he stated his regret at not getting the vaccine.
      It said: “This week was suddenly one of my biggest life lessons.
      “Spending a lot of time on Twitter etc. had radicalized me to the extreme. I should have been vaccinated.”
      Just a few days after the message, Lis was admitted to hospital.
      Elena also released a letter urging for everyone in the country to get the vaccine.

      Ana Barcelo, a councillor for health of the Valencian Community, sent his condolences following Lis’ death.
      He also praised Elena’s decision to send a public letter to the people of Spain urging them to take the vaccine.
      Barcelo said: “Sadness for the news of Jorge’s death. The testimony of his sister helps to save lives.”
      Spain’s coronavirus death toll has crept above 85,000, while the global number of deaths from Covid is now more than 4.5million.
      Olympic boxer and European bronze medallist Vasile Belous dead at 33 after car crash in Moldova More