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    Russell will ring Bottas to apologise after calling Mercedes team-mate ‘f***ing p****’ following 200mph Imola smash

    GEORGE RUSSELL will make an apologetic phone call to Valtteri Bottas this week after their spectacular smash at Imola.The Brit labelled Bottas a ‘f****** p****’ and questioned if the Finn was “trying to kill” him as they made contact at 200mph causing both cars to slam into the barriers.
    The alarming incident took place at the Emilia Romagna GPCredit: Rex
    George Russell was fuming after his collision with BottasCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1
    Both drivers were unscathed, albeit shaken, but Russell, 23, was livid and angrily confronted Bottas, who flicked him the middle finger.
    Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he would speak to both drivers, who are on the team’s payroll, with Russell now back-tracking on his original blast.
    He said: “Valtteri and I will talk afterwards and we will clear the air. Obviously in the heat of the moment, there are a lot of emotions.
    “But I’ve got no intentions to hold any grudges or have any bad relationship with any driver on the grid.
    “I mean it is in my intentions to clear the air with him. I’m sure we will probably have a phone call this week just to put it behind us and move on.
    “We’re all racers. We’re all battling for position. And at the moment it’s incredibly disappointing, sour, for all of us.
    “You know, your heart stops for a moment when you crash at over 200 miles an hour. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.
    “My anger towards him at the time was more that I thought he put us both in harm’s way and it was an incredibly scary incident to be honest, at that speed.
    Russell didn’t mince his words after the raceCredit: Rex
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    “Fortunately we both walked away from it with no battle scars. But obviously it could have been very different.”
    Russell, who has been tipped to replace Bottas at the Silver Arrows, said after the shunt that he felt as though he was targeted.
    In the TV pen, Russell said: “Perhaps if it was another driver, he wouldn’t have.”
    But the thought of Bottas holding a grudge was dismissed as ‘b*******’ by Wolff.
    Russell again corrected his comments after the red mist had later cleared and added: “There is no tension at all between Valtteri and I.
    But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s just fighting for absolutely every position. And as I said, he is his right to do soGeorge Russell
    “But obviously you can take that comment as you wish really. I think it was pretty clear how it was intended.
    “But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s just fighting for absolutely every position. And as I said, it is his right to do so.”
    When Bottas was also quizzed about the incident, he labelled Russell’s initial accusation ‘quite a theory’ before adding, “I have lost my aluminium foil hat somewhere”.
    Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More

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    F1 star George Russell in bust-up as he calls Valtteri Bottas ‘f***ing p****’ after huge crash at Emilia-Romagna GP

    GEORGE RUSSELL furiously called Valtteri Bottas a ‘f***ing p****’ after the pair crashed into one another at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.The British driver attempted to pass the Mercedes on the high-speed approach to the opening corner in Imola.
    Russell and Bottas were both left in a messy heap at the side of the trackCredit: Avalon.red
    Russell proceeded to go over to Bottas’ car who gave him the middle fingerCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1
    Russell was left raging with Bottas after their collision saw them both crash out
    But Russell’s front tyre was forced onto the wet grass which saw him lose control of the car, collide with Bottas and end both of their hopes of world championship points at the end of the day.
    Immediately after both cars crashed into the wall, a fuming Russell got straight onto his team radio to rage at Bottas.
    As reported by The Mail, Russell said: “What the f*** was he doing? Honestly. Is he a f***ing p**** or what?”
    Russell then leapt out of his car and stormed over to Bottas’ damaged machine.
    He also appeared to slap the Finn on the helmet as his anger boiled over at the Italian circuit.
    Bottas then flashed the middle finger at the Brit.
    Russell confirmed afterwards that he had asked Bottas why he was ‘trying to kill them both’ at that moment.
    The Williams driver is a Mercedes junior academy prospect who is hoping to be promoted to one of the team’s two F1 seats in the near future.
    After the crash, the race was stopped on lap 34 of 63 as the large amount of debris was removed from the track.
    Reacting on social media, one person said: “So after a 200mph+ crash, in his moment of fury, GPDA director George Russell decides to wack Valterri Bottas on the head before he knows Bottas has any issues. This is the man that is expected to drive the Mercedes F1 team to future victories?”
    And another added: “Neither Russell or Bottas were at fault. Russell had the run with DRS and rightly went for it. Bottas was taking the normal racing line. The unusual circumstance was that it was also the only dry line.”
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    Max Verstappen went on to win the race after a brilliant start saw him overtake both teammate Sergio Perez and pole position starter Lewis Hamilton.
    Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Hamilton produced a superb recovery drive to secure second place.
    The Brit spun off the track and looked to be all but out of the race on lap 31, but fought back excellently to secure a podium and pick up an extra point for the fastest lap of the day.
    Watch Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen talk about kids’ future in F1 16 YEARS ago as Mick and Max prepare for 2021 More

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    Verstappen storms to Emilia Romagna GP win while Hamilton bounces back from spinning off to finish second at Imola

    MAX VERSTAPPEN overtook Lewis Hamilton at the first turn of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and never looked back to win at Imola.The Brit had taken something of a surprise pole on Saturday but was unable to match his title rival in the race.
    Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton in the second race of the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: Reuters
    An unexpected period of pre-race drizzle led to an plenty of wobbles and an early safety car due to Nicholas Latifi’s shunt.
    Hamilton was struggling to get into gear and put his car in the barrier midway through the race.
    As he crawled back to the pits, team-mate Valtteri Bottas and George Russell came together for a huge high-speed crash.
    The rivals were furious with each other as they walked away from the incident, which brought about a red flag.
    At the restart, Verstappen pulled away from Lando Norris and the trailing Ferraris.
    Hamilton was able to push through from ninth to claim second-place with young McLaren star Norris third.
    And a fastest lap point keeps the Brit top of the championship after two rounds.
    Full report to follow… More

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    F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix LIVE: Hamilton with surge to second but can’t catch victorious Verstappen as Norris third

    LEWIS HAMILTON put down an incredible surge up the field after an early mistake and finished second behind dominant Max Verstappen in Imola.Hamilton overtook Lando Norris two laps from the end, as the fellow Brit finished third, but he couldn’t catch Dutchman Verstappen.
    Follow ALL the action from Italy with our live blog below…
    MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS IN IMOLA
    He wins in Italy for the first time and crossed the line 22 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was ninth at one point. Hamilton is second. Norris in third.
    Leclerc is fourth and Sainz fifth. Ricciardo in sixth. Stroll seventh. Gasly eighth.
    LAP 63
    Verstappen is on his way to victory here, but Hamilton has the point for the fastest lap.
    LAP 60
    Hamilton gets in to second place. He gets past Norris
    FIVE LAPS TO GO
    Verstappen still out in front. He is untroubled.
    NORRIS VERSES HAMILTON
    The McLaren man is struggling with his tyres and Hamilton is about to take full advantage.
    LAP 55
    Hamilton gets into third place. He was a lap down and in ninth place when the race was suspended.
    He is now up in to the podium places.
    EVENTFUL RACE FOR HAMILTON

    LAP 49
    Verstappen has opened up a big gap at the front. 12.3 seconds over Norris. Leclerc still close.
    Hamilton has now passed Sainz and is in fourth place. He is really going for it.
    LAP 42
    Hamilton now up to 5th. He benefited from the Red Flag and the Safety Car period as his car is now patched up following Lap 1 damage.
    LAP 39
    Hamilton gets past Stroll an in to 6th. He is on the charge.
    PEREZ SPINS
    He carelessly spins off and is down to 14th. That is a poor mistake from the Mexican.
    WORDS FROM RUSSELL
    Thanks for all the messages. I’m fine, just disappointed. At the end of the day, it’s an unfortunate incident. You’re entitled to defend your position. But at 330kph, you have to respect the speed and the conditions when doing so. Gutted for the team. They deserved more today.— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) April 18, 2021

    LAP 36
    Hamilton now up to 8th behind Stroll.
    RACE RESUMES
    And Norris gets past Leclerc and in to second place. That is brilliant from Norris.
    VERSTAPPEN SPINS
    He almost lost position then behind the Safety Car.
    RACE WILL RESUME WITH A ROLLING START
    Bit of a shame, but smacks of a safety concern from the Race Director.
    NINE MINUTES UNTIL THE RESTART
    The drivers will now prepare for the restart as the session resumes.
    BOTTAS VERSUS RUSSELL
    TV replays show Bottas moves to the right and that spooked Russell, who was on the outside and on to the grass.
    The lost control and slid into the Mercedes man. The two are furious with each other.
    IT WAS A RARE MISTAKE FROM THE WORLD CHAMPION
    He was out of position having lapped Russell and he was on the slippery part of the track and slid into the barriers.
    HAMILTON UPSET WITH HIMSELF

    RED FLAG – RACE STOPPED
    Too much debris on track.
    RUSSELL BLAMES BOTTAS
    The Brit moves on to the grass to overtake Bottas and he hits the Finn, sending him into the barriers.
    Both drivers are furious with each other.
    BIG CRASH BETWEEN BOTTAS AND RUSSELL
    That’s a huge one. Both drivers are ok, but that is a big, big smash
    HAMILTON CRASHES
    Drama as Lewis Hamilton spins and is in the gravel. He has hit the barrier. He has broken off his front wing
    LAP 30
    Verstappen Hamilton Leclerc Norris Perez Sainz Ricciardo StrollBottas Russell Raikkonen Tsunoda Giovinazzi Ocon Alonso Gasly Vettel Schumacher Mazepin
    Load more entries… More

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    Bottas gives Russell middle finger after huge crash at F1 Emilia Romagna GP as Brit slaps him on helmet

    GEORGE RUSSELL and Valtteri Bottas were left fuming after a huge crash during Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.An enthralling Formula One race at Imola was halted on Lap 33 after stewards were forced to show the red flag.
    Valtteri Bottas flicked a middle finger at George Russell after their crash
    Williams driver Russell was fuming at a huge smash on Sunday
    Bottas’ Mercedes and Russell’s Williams (behind) showed the force of the hitCredit: Splash
    Fighting at the back of the points places, Williams ace Russell attempted to overtake Bottas’ Mercedes as they raced into Tamburello.
    Earlier rain meant certain parts of the tack were damp and the Finn moved slightly to the right as his rival came up alongside him, who then jolted onto the grass and spun out.
    Russell’s car collected Bottas at high speed, sending them into the left-hand barrier and bouncing back across the track to hit the other Armco.
    Fortunately, both men were able to walk away from the incident although the Mercedes star, 31, appeared to have been winded and was later given the all-clear from the medical centre.
    Russell, 23, fumed over the radio that Bottas had caused the crash as fans and pundits pored over the footage for fault.
    Many felt neither driver was solely to blame for the crash.

    As the Brit exited the track, he walked past Bottas’ vehicle and slapped him on the helmet while earning a middle-finger riposte with both drivers evidently unhappy with the other one.
    The pair are both signed to Mercedes with Russell earning experience at Williams.
    In was a very difficult afternoon for the Oxford team after team-mate Nicholas Latifi put it in the wall early on.
    When called up to replace Lewis Hamilton for last year’s Sakhir GP, he pushed Bottas hard and appeared set for a maiden F1 win until a number of unfortunate issues ended his hopes.
    Russell saw a gap and clipped the grass after Bottas moved over slightly
    Both cars smashed into the barriers in the high-speed crashCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1

    Hamilton started Sunday’s race on pole but lost his position to Max Verstappen at Turn 1 in the drizzle.
    In a tough first half to the Grand Prix, the world champion lost control of his car moments before the crash and broke his front wing in the barrier.
    He was able to escape back to the pits and restarted the race after the red flag period in ninth place.
    And Hamilton launched through the pack to claim second and finish behind Verstappen.
    Sports pundits reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s career as he prepares to start a potentially historic F1 season More

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    F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Live stream, start time UK, TV channel and full race schedule for Imola TODAY

    LEWIS HAMILTON put down an incredible surge up the field after an early mistake and finished second behind dominant Max Verstappen in Imola.Hamilton overtook Lando Norris two laps from the end, as the fellow Brit finished third, but he couldn’t catch Dutchman Verstappen.
    Follow ALL the action from Italy with our live blog below…
    MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS IN IMOLA
    He wins in Italy for the first time and crossed the line 22 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was ninth at one point. Hamilton is second. Norris in third.
    Leclerc is fourth and Sainz fifth. Ricciardo in sixth. Stroll seventh. Gasly eighth.
    LAP 63
    Verstappen is on his way to victory here, but Hamilton has the point for the fastest lap.
    LAP 60
    Hamilton gets in to second place. He gets past Norris
    FIVE LAPS TO GO
    Verstappen still out in front. He is untroubled.
    NORRIS VERSES HAMILTON
    The McLaren man is struggling with his tyres and Hamilton is about to take full advantage.
    LAP 55
    Hamilton gets into third place. He was a lap down and in ninth place when the race was suspended.
    He is now up in to the podium places.
    EVENTFUL RACE FOR HAMILTON

    LAP 49
    Verstappen has opened up a big gap at the front. 12.3 seconds over Norris. Leclerc still close.
    Hamilton has now passed Sainz and is in fourth place. He is really going for it.
    LAP 42
    Hamilton now up to 5th. He benefited from the Red Flag and the Safety Car period as his car is now patched up following Lap 1 damage.
    LAP 39
    Hamilton gets past Stroll an in to 6th. He is on the charge.
    PEREZ SPINS
    He carelessly spins off and is down to 14th. That is a poor mistake from the Mexican.
    WORDS FROM RUSSELL
    Thanks for all the messages. I’m fine, just disappointed. At the end of the day, it’s an unfortunate incident. You’re entitled to defend your position. But at 330kph, you have to respect the speed and the conditions when doing so. Gutted for the team. They deserved more today.— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) April 18, 2021

    LAP 36
    Hamilton now up to 8th behind Stroll.
    RACE RESUMES
    And Norris gets past Leclerc and in to second place. That is brilliant from Norris.
    VERSTAPPEN SPINS
    He almost lost position then behind the Safety Car.
    RACE WILL RESUME WITH A ROLLING START
    Bit of a shame, but smacks of a safety concern from the Race Director.
    NINE MINUTES UNTIL THE RESTART
    The drivers will now prepare for the restart as the session resumes.
    BOTTAS VERSUS RUSSELL
    TV replays show Bottas moves to the right and that spooked Russell, who was on the outside and on to the grass.
    The lost control and slid into the Mercedes man. The two are furious with each other.
    IT WAS A RARE MISTAKE FROM THE WORLD CHAMPION
    He was out of position having lapped Russell and he was on the slippery part of the track and slid into the barriers.
    HAMILTON UPSET WITH HIMSELF

    RED FLAG – RACE STOPPED
    Too much debris on track.
    RUSSELL BLAMES BOTTAS
    The Brit moves on to the grass to overtake Bottas and he hits the Finn, sending him into the barriers.
    Both drivers are furious with each other.
    BIG CRASH BETWEEN BOTTAS AND RUSSELL
    That’s a huge one. Both drivers are ok, but that is a big, big smash
    HAMILTON CRASHES
    Drama as Lewis Hamilton spins and is in the gravel. He has hit the barrier. He has broken off his front wing
    LAP 30
    Verstappen Hamilton Leclerc Norris Perez Sainz Ricciardo StrollBottas Russell Raikkonen Tsunoda Giovinazzi Ocon Alonso Gasly Vettel Schumacher Mazepin
    Load more entries… More

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    F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, schedules and tracks ahead of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

    THE 2021 Formula 1 season is UNDERWAY and Lewis Hamilton has dealt the first blow with victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
    The Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
    Turkey and China are still hoping to host races in 2021, meaning the calendar could be expanded and Saudi Arabia is awaiting official approval of its circuit as the season gets under way.
    Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
    F1 calendar 2021
    All timings below are UK time.
    🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
    🏆 Grand Prix Result: 1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Max Verstappen 3. Valtteri Bottas

    Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
    Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

    🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
    Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

    🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
    Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

    🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
    Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

    🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
    Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

    Venue: Baku City Circuit
    Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

    🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal
    Friday, June 11: Practice 1 (4.30pm), Practice 2 (8pm)
    Saturday, June 12: Practice 3 (4pm), Qualifying (7pm)
    Sunday, June 13: Race (7pm)

    🇫🇷 French Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
    Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix

    Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
    Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

    🇬🇧 British Grand Prix

    Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
    Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

    🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

    Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
    Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

    🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
    Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

    🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix

    Venue: Zandvoort
    Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

    🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2

    Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
    Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

    🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix

    Venue: Sochi Autodrom
    Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

    🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix

    Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit
    Friday, October 1: Practice 1 (10am), Practice 2 (1.30pm)
    Saturday, October 2: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, October 3: Race (1pm)

    🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

    Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
    Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
    Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
    Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

    🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
    Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
    Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

    🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
    Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
    Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

    🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
    Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
    Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), Qualifying (6pm)
    Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

    🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

    Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
    Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
    Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
    Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

    🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

    Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
    Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
    Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
    Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

    Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
    Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

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    Miami GP added into F1 calendar for next year with circuit around Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium

    FORMULA ONE chiefs have struck a deal to host the Miami Grand Prix from next season.The 10-year contract is a huge shot in the arm for the sport after a difficult 13 months due to the Covid pandemic.
    The Miami GP will be on the 2022 race calendar
    There are a total of 19 corners on the Miami GP circuit
    F1 already has a race in the US in Austin Texas, but it has always been the sport’s target to have more than one race in the States.
    The track will be 5.41km long, have 19 corners, 3 straights and will race around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, said: “We are looking forward to bringing the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to Miami for the first time in our sport’s history.
    “We always said that the US is a very important area which we need to develop our business. There is a lot of opportunity to catch and having two races in the US means that we have taken the right direction for the future.
    “We will try to keep the two races separate to keep the right space and this is crucial.
    “We are all proud as F1 because at this moment, 2020 was so difficult, we are now looking ahead and we have put down the foundations for an incredible future for F1.
    “This is an important milestone and once we showed the teams, everyone was like ‘wow, that is where we should be’ and this is the direction we are going in for F1.”
    Red Bull’s Max Verstappen added: “It’s always interesting to go to a new place where we’ve never driven before and Miami is a great city.”
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    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    And Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto said: “We are delighted that F1 has added a new Grand Prix in the USA, a country where there is great untapped potential interest for this sport and which represents a very important market for our road cars.
    “This event in Miami will certainly be fascinating, taking place in one of the most iconic cities in the USA.
    “This news is yet another sign of the growth and vitality of F1 and the increasing interest it is generating around the world.”
    The 2021 F1 race calendar consists of 23 races and runs until the season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 12.
    This year’s world championship got underway at the end of last month in breathtaking fashion.
    Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton became embroiled in a sensational battle for the race victory, with the seven-time champion eventually coming out on top for Mercedes.
    And the Brit strengthened his case as the favourite for this year’s title by taking pole position at the Emilia Romagna GP on Saturday.
    Red Bull’s Sergio Perez occupies second on the grid ahead of Verstappen, with Charles LeClerc’s Ferrari completing the front two rows.
    Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas could only manage eighth fastest heading into Sunday’s race.
    Take a virtual lap of the Bahrain race track ahead of Grand Prix Formula 1 start More