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    Lewis Hamilton to be knighted at Windsor tomorrow just days after world title defeat

    LEWIS Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor tomorrow — three days after his controversial world title defeat.The Formula One racing legend was awarded the honour last year for services to motorsports.
    Lewis Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor tomorrow — three days after his controversial world title defeatCredit: PA
    The 36-year-old is the fourth F1 driver to become a Sir after Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham.
    The investiture will bring comfort to Hamilton after the devastating end to a nail-biting season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday when he was pipped by Max Verstappen.
    Furious fans claimed he had been robbed of a record eighth world crown after leading for most of the race.
    Hamilton, awarded an MBE in 2009, was set for a win with an 11-second lead only for Verstappen, 24, to snatch a dramatic last-lap victory after the Dutchman was allowed to catch up while racing was halted for a crash.
    Gracious Lewis — who has campaigned for BLM and LGBTQ+ issues in the sport — congratulated his rival and tomorrow will put his pain to one side when he is told: “Arise, Sir Lewis.”
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    Furious fans claimed he had been robbed of a record eighth world crown after leading for most of the raceCredit: Getty
    The investiture will bring comfort to Hamilton after the devastating end to a nail-biting season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday when he was pipped by Max VerstappenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Tyson Fury could SUE BBC after being named on SPOTY 2021 shortlist despite legal threat while Lewis Hamilton misses out
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    Wayne Rooney’s £150k Land Rover daubed with obscenities after parking it at busy Christmas market

    WAYNE Rooney’s £150,000 Land Rover was daubed with giant penises and the word “w****r” after he parked it in a busy Christmas market.The former Manchester United ace, 36, abandoned his Overfinch Defender in a town centre — ignoring signs telling drivers not to leave vehicles on the road.
    Furious locals retaliated by daubing the Land Rover in obscenities
    Rooney left his luxury motor in a space meant for church bell ringersCredit: Rex
    The street had been reserved for stalls for an annual Christmas market.
    But Rooney left his luxury motor in a space meant for church bell ringers.
    Sources claimed he then refused to move it when asked by organisers and instead spent the evening drinking with two friends in pubs just 50 yards away.
    Furious locals retaliated by daubing the Land Rover in obscenities and drawing giant penises in the dirt on the bonnet and sides, as well as inscribing “w*****r” on the rear windscreen.
    The words “lose weight” were scrawled next to one of the rude images.
    His 4×4 was also surrounded with orange traffic cones and a local stuck a “no parking” sign under one of his wipers.
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    A source said: “What a Christmas Grinch. The street was full of thousands of people — most of them families with young kids.
    “Those setting up had to put up the stalls around the car and move the bell ringers to a different spot.
    “Rooney must have known he was in the way, but he just cracked on with his night in the pub.”
    The market, in Prestbury, Cheshire, is less than a mile from Rooney’s £6million home.
    The star, known as Wazza, who is now manager of Derby County FC, looked sheepish as he picked up his motor at 2.30pm yesterday, 24 hours after he abandoned it.
    When approached by The Sun, he declined to comment.
    Rooney abandoned his Overfinch Defender in a town centre — ignoring signs telling drivers not to leave vehicles on the roadCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media
    Locals drew giant penises in the dirt on the bonnet and sides, as well as inscribing “w*****r” on the rear windscreen
    The market, in Prestbury, Cheshire, is less than a mile from Rooney’s £6million home
    Man Utd legend Wayne Ronney arrives at Old Trafford in his black Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
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    Alphonso Davies was wanted by Swansea in £3m transfer in 2017 but £100m wonderkid couldn’t get work permit

    ALPHONSO DAVIES is tipped to become the world’s first £100million left-back if he leaves Bayern Munich.But the super-quick Canadian star could have signed for a Premier League club in 2017 for a bargain £3MILLION.
    Alphonso Davies could have been playing for Swansea and not Bayern MunichCredit: EPA
    Davies, 21, was a talented youngster at Vancouver Whitecaps and was offered around by top agent Dave Baldwin.
    Swansea led the race for the defender, who was recommended by his Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson.
    To the Swans, he looked a great investment and would have suited their style when they were in the top flight.
    Crystal Palace also liked Davies — who also plays as a wing-back — after watching him in action for his club.
    But Davies’ dream was shattered because of work permit regulations. He was a Liberian citizen who gained a Canadian passport.
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    Even the fact that he was singled out as a leading player of his age and won a full cap at 16 did not help his case for a transfer.
    Canada’s Fifa ranking was too low and the fee and wages on offer were not large enough to sway his application — so the interested Premier League clubs went away in disappointment.
    In January 2019, Bayern snapped up Davies for £10m with extras and he has blossomed into one of Europe’s best left-backs.
    Alphonso Davies could become the first £100m full-backCredit: AFP
    Thomas Muller does hilarious roadrunner impression as he lauds Alphonso Davies’ display in Bayern Munich win at Dortmund More

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    Leeds United star Patrick Bamford set to become a father for the first time

    ENGLAND striker Patrick Bamford is going to be a father.The Leeds forward, 28, shared snaps with loved ones of his heavily pregnant model partner Michaela Ireland, 30.
    Patrick Bamford is said to be over the moon after learning he is set to become a dadCredit: Getty
    Patrick Bamford’s girlfriend Micheala Ireland announced her pregnancy with the footballer by her sideCredit: Instagram / Michaela Ireland
    The pair, dating for more than three years, cuddled her bump while Bamford gave it a kiss.
    They are said to be expecting a girl in the new year.
    One pal said: “Patrick is in heaven.
    “It’s better news than scoring a dozen hat-tricks.”
    Bamford netted for Leeds last week against Brentford after a lengthy injury lay-off.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in The Sun.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    But he picked up another injury and missed yesterday’s game against Chelsea.
    The striker played in England’s 4-0 win over Andorra in August.
    Patrick Bamford gets first shock England call-up by Gareth Southgate for World Cup qualifiers We pay for your stories!Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? More

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    Legendary Murray Walker would have loved Hamilton vs Verstappen drama… let’s just hope this epic is decided on the track

    MURRAY WALKER, of course, would have loved all this.The Voice of Formula One would have been thrilled at his beloved sport gripping the nation like the good old days, as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen stage a winner-takes-all duel for the title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen conclude a classic title race, with purists hoping the battle is over as soon as the cars cross the finishing lineCredit: AFP
    The F1 finale would have captivated Murray Walker even by the the much-loved F1 commentator’s excitable standardsCredit: Getty
    Walker died in March, aged 97, but he left behind an encyclopaedia of memorable quotes.
    Many of them were bloopers, born out of the extreme excitement of a much-loved enthusiast whose motormouth could not keep up with the 200mph action he was trying to make sense of.
    One of these ‘Murrayisms’ has been brought to mind during this compelling but chaotic title race.
    “Unless I’m very much mistaken … I AM very much mistaken.”
    Because, while this great modern rivalry has enthralled us, it has also bewildered us.
    Last Sunday’s Saudi Grand Prix may have been box-office — featuring yet another prang between the two title contenders — but it was settled by rules and regulations rather than two cars racing.
    In Saudi, as in the opening race in Bahrain, Verstappen was punished for overtaking Hamilton while going outside the track limits.
    As the bad blood reached boiling point at Silverstone in July, Hamilton was punished for a crash which ended his rival’s race, yet roared back to win anyway — a red rag to Red Bull.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Today we will sit down to watch the action from the Middle East, expecting to find out whether Hamilton or Verstappen is crowned world champion.
    But will we even get an answer on the day?
    Extraordinarily, after 21 races, the reigning champion in the Mercedes and the young Dutch tyro in the Red Bull, begin the final race tied on 369.5 points.
    Yet if neither man finishes, Verstappen would prevail by virtue of having taken one more chequered flag than the Brit. So what if Verstappen takes the nuclear option and shunts Hamilton out — as many believe Michael Schumacher did to Damon Hill in their title decider in Australia in 1994?
    Race director Michael Masi tells us he has power to deduct points from Verstappen — or any other driver — although he may not.
    And both Hamilton and Verstappen claim they are unsure about the exact rules of combat.
    So, what price a stewards’ inquiry and a lengthy legal battle?
    Let’s hope not. Let’s hope for an actual car race. Perhaps even Hamilton and Verstappen overtaking one another legitimately.
    When the F1 season began in March, there was little fanfare.
    Even if Hamilton fails, he will gain more respect from defeat than in many victories.
    Britain may have boasted a record-equalling seven-time world champion in Sir Lewis the knight rider — but too many grands prix, and too many title races, had felt like processions.
    Hamilton won the previous four titles.
    But F1 needed a young challenger such as Verstappen, no respecter of reputation, determined to disrupt.
    Verstappen, 24, was labelled ‘a f***ing crazy guy’ by Hamilton last Sunday — but he has been a godsend for his sport.
    Formula One was becoming a niche sport as for too long, it had lacked the scenario laid out today.
    Hamilton’s early jousts for the world title — when he lost out to Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 and when he pipped Felipe Massa on the final lap a year later — are in the dim and distant past.
    Now, though, the 36-year-old can surpass Schumacher to become motor racing’s undisputed GOAT with an eighth world title.
    And even if Hamilton fails, he will have gained more respect from defeat than in many of his previous victories. Either way, let us hope it is settled on the track.
    Let us hope we can all watch a damned good race, that the best driver wins, and that our eyes — unlike dear old Murray’s — do not deceive us. More

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    Max Verstappen says Lewis Hamilton is SCARED of him as he taunts title rival before winner-takes-all Abu Dhabi showdown

    COCKY Max Verstappen taunted bitter F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton by saying: He’s afraid of me.Red Bull’s Verstappen struck a hammer blow by snatching pole position for Sunday’s world championship decider in the Abu Dhabi desert.
    Max Verstappen reckons Lewis Hamilton gets nervous when he sees the Dutchman in his mirrors as they prepare for their title deciderCredit: Rex
    Lewis Hamilton could he haunted as well as taunted by Max Verstappen if the Red Bull star pips him to the world title this weekendCredit: Getty
    The Dutchman, 24, vowed to continue driving aggressively, says he makes the seven-time world champ “nervous” and claims he is the better driver.
    Verstappen said: “I make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He’s a different driver to me, less aggressive.”
    And when quizzed if Hamilton was afraid of him, Verstappen replied: “He will never admit that. At least I’m not afraid of him!
    “He doesn’t know how to race like I do. I can’t blame him for that either, because he was never able to learn that like I did from my father.”
    I make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He’s a different driver to me, less aggressive.Max Verstappen
    Verstappen’s dad Jos is a former F1 driver, who made 106 Grand Prix starts between 1994 and 2003, while Hamilton’s dad Anthony took on multiple jobs to pay for his son’s karting career.
    The two warring drivers are level on points and will both be on the front row of the Yas Marina Circuit grid today.
    But while Verstappen’s car is on soft tyres, Hamilton’s Mercedes will wear medium rubber.
    Hamilton, 36, who was booed by Dutch fans in parc ferme, hailed Verstappen’s qualifying performance, saying: “It was a fantastic lap from him.”
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    Red Bull chief Christian Horner branded the pole-clinching lap “absolutely insane” and added: “That was one of Max’s best laps of the year.”
    While Verstappen said: “It is an amazing feeling. I’m incredibly happy.”
    The last six races in Abu Dhabi have all been won from pole position.
    Merc boss Toto Wolff admitted: “It’s 1-0 to them today. But I’d much rather be starting on the medium tyres.”
    The drivers’ bitter feud has led to the FIA warning they will be docked points for unsporting behaviour following three crashes between them this season — at Silverstone, Monza and in Saudi Arabia.
    Verstappen claims Hamilton drove into him “on purpose” at the British Grand Prix in a high-speed shunt which put the Dutchman in hospital.

    Hamilton suffered a sore neck at Monza after Verstappen launched his Red Bull on TOP of his Merc. And Verstappen was punished by stewards in Saudi Arabia after Hamilton crashed into him.
    Verstappen will be crowned champion if neither driver scores points on Sunday as he has won nine GPs to Hamilton’s eight.
    But Hamilton laughed off fears of a first corner collision as he starts second on the grid, adding: “I am grateful I can see where he is!”
    Verstappen and Hamilton have clashed repeatedly this season alreadyCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton can win TEN world titles if he stays at Mercedes, says Nigel Mansell ahead of Max Verstappen showdown

    NIGEL MANSELL is tipping fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton to land TEN world titles — if he stays at Mercedes.The 1992 world champ believes super “confident” Hamilton will win Sunday’s championship shootout with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi to claim a record-breaking eighth crown.
    Mansell has tipped Hamilton to come out on top on Sunday… and go on to win even more titlesCredit: Getty
    Verstappen will start from pole ahead of Hamilton in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    But Mansell, 68, also advised the title protagonists: “Keep it squeaky clean” on the track.
    Mansell, talking from his Clearwater home in America, told Sun Sport: “The hot favourite is Lewis. The confidence he has and the team and team has in him just puts him way out in front of the others.
    “If he races long enough he will get ten world titles.
    “If he stays at Mercedes and they stay interested in the sport he can keep on winning because he is on a different level.”
    Mansell stressed he is not concerned Sunday’s showdown will be decided by dirty tricks.
    All season Hamilton and Verstappen have battled it out wheel to wheel with several unsavoury incidents between them.
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    Last weekend Hamilton labelled the Dutchman “f****** crazy” after ramming into the back of the Red Bull when Verstappen appeared to give the Englishman a brake test.
    And now they head for a “winner takes all” contest with both on 369.5 points at the top of the drivers’ table.
    Yet, Verstappen will celebrate his first world crown should both cars fail to finish on countback of races won this season as he leads the Englishman 9-8.
    There are fears this finale could be decided by an accident, too, like it has done three times before in controversial fashion.
    Alain Prost sealed the 1990 title in the Japanese GP after crashing into Ayrton Senna.
    And four years later Schumacher took out Damon Hill to claim the top prize in Australia.
    Schumacher courted yet more controversy in 1997 in Spain when he collided with Jacques Villenueve, who somehow kept his Williams on track to win the championship.
    But Mansell insisted: “No, I don’t think it will end in any accident but both drivers have to be squeaky clean.
    “It would be bad if the title was decided, as it was in years gone past, with great controversy.

    “The Red Bull and Mercedes teams are too professional for that and the technology is such these days that if anything was to happen, and could be proved, it would be detrimental to the team and the driver.
    “You have to hand it to Red Bull they have pushed Mercedes all the way but this last race will see Mercedes produce something special.
    “The astonishing thing for me was the speed of the Mercedes in Saudi Arabia. They even set the fastest lap with a broken wing! To be as quick down the straight they have got to have something in reserve.” More

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    Leeds eyeing Blackburn goal machine Ben Brereton Diaz but Rovers want £25m transfer fee for Chile striker

    LEEDS are checking out Blackburn goal machine Ben Brereton Diaz — but the asking price is putting off bidders.The Whites are desperate for an extra attacker after struggling for goals when Patrick Bamford was sidelined.
    Ben Brereton Diaz is a target for Leeds United after his stunning Championship goal spreeCredit: Rex
    And Brereton Diaz, who has 17 goals in the Championship this term, could be the man to fit the bill.
    Leeds will not want to rely on just Bamford staying fit for the rest of the campaign.
    Especially, given he faces more time on the treatment table after suffering a hamstring injury while celebrating a goal against Brentford.
    However, they will face competition from Spanish side Sevilla who, are also keen on the 22-year-old.
    Brighton are also said to be in the running for Brereton Diaz’s signature, if he moves in January.
    The new Chile international is in the form of his life for club and country, but clubs are now aware he could cost around £25million.
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    Rovers will take up the one-year option on Brereton Diaz and are also trying again to give him a long-term deal.
    Meanwhile, Rovers are close to agreeing a new long-term deal with striker Sam Gallagher.
    The 26-year-old’s current contract has just 18 months left to run.
    He is one of a handful of stars Rovers will be looking to tie down in new deals, or risk losing them for nothing.
    Ben Brereton stars in Chilean Pepsi advert as Stoke-born Blackburn striker switches between Spanish and English More