Ferrari had hoped to step up and take the fight to dominant Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday but ended up with their weaknesses exposed and even further off the pace.

Team boss Mattia Binotto said the experience would ultimately make Ferrari stronger but the disappointment was evident.

Mercedes have now won the first five races one-two while Ferrari have taken just three third places and were off the podium entirely at the Circuit de Catalunya, behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

"Before we judge our performance, I think compliments to Mercedes," Binotto told reporters, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc alongside. "They have been really very strong so far in the season.

"On our side, we can work very hard and well and the season is still long. We will never give up. I think that is our approach."

Binotto said there was much for Ferrari, who brought upgrades to the first round of the traditional European season, to learn.

"We are disappointed for the race, disappointed for the performance in the weekend. Our hope was to deliver more," he added.

"We brought some upgrades, aero and engine, and were expecting somehow to be in the fight but it has not been the case.

"I think power-wise, straight line speed, we are good enough but certainly we have some weaknesses on the car that were highlighted this weekend. It's up to us try to understand and assess and to improve in the future."

Vettel, a four times world champion, finished fourth with Leclerc fifth.

Ferrari are losing a lot of time in the corners, which does not bode well for the next round in tight and twisty Monaco, and are also finding the new Pirelli tyres tricky to manage.

Vettel damaged his on the opening lap and both drivers also lost time in the pits with a wheel nut cross-threading problem.

Binotto said the limitations seen on Sunday were also evident in the earlier races and was unable to offer a time frame for a solution.

"(The) more important (thing) for us is first to understand really how to address them and then I'm pretty sure we can do it quickly," he said.

"We still believe development will be a key factor in the season."

Ferrari had hoped to step up and take the fight to dominant Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday but ended up with their weaknesses exposed and even further off the pace.

Ferrari had hoped to step up and take the fight to dominant Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday but ended up with their weaknesses exposed and even further off the pace. Team boss Mattia Binotto said the experience would ultimately make Ferrari stronger but the disappointment was evident. Mercedes have now won the first five races one-two while Ferrari have taken just three third places and were off the podium entirely at the Circuit de Catalunya, behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. "Before we judge our performance, I think compliments to Mercedes," Binotto told reporters, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc alongside. "They have been really very strong so far in the season. "On our side, we can work very hard and well and the season is still long. We will never give up. I think that is our approach." Binotto said there was much for Ferrari, who brought upgrades to the first round of the traditional European season, to learn. "We are disappointed for the race, disappointed for the performance in the weekend. Our hope was to deliver more," he added. "We brought some upgrades, aero and engine, and were expecting somehow to be in the fight but it has not been the case. "I think power-wise, straight line speed, we are good enough but certainly we have some weaknesses on the car that were highlighted this weekend. It's up to us try to understand and assess and to improve in the future." Vettel, a four times world champion, finished fourth with Leclerc fifth. Ferrari are losing a lot of time in the corners, which does not bode well for the next round in tight and twisty Monaco, and are also finding the new Pirelli tyres tricky to manage. Vettel damaged his on the opening lap and both drivers also lost time in the pits with a wheel nut cross-threading problem. Binotto said the limitations seen on Sunday were also evident in the earlier races and was unable to offer a time frame for a solution. "(The) more important (thing) for us is first to understand really how to address them and then I'm pretty sure we can do it quickly," he said. "We still believe development will be a key factor in the season."

Formula One: Disappointed Ferrari 'not in the fight'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Lewis+Hamilton">Lewis Hamilton</a> beat Valtteri Bottas in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to replace his team-mate as world championship leader as Mercedes' extended their record start to the season with a fifth 1-2 finish.

The defending five-time world champion seized the initiative at the start in Barcelona and led from lights to flag with a consummate demonstration of his speed and race-craft at the Circuit de Catalunya.

It was his third win this year, the 76th of his career and his fourth in Spain following victories in 2014, 2017 and 2018. &nbsp;

Responding to being outpaced by Bottas in qualifying, Hamilton came home 4.074 seconds ahead of the Finn who was second ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Pierre Gasly was a solid sixth in the second Red Bull ahead of Kevin Magnussen of Haas, home hero Carlos Sainz of McLaren, Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and Romain Grosjean in the second Haas.

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A first <a href="https://twitter.com/DHL_Motorsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DHL_Motorsports</a> Fastest Lap Award of the season for <a href="https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LewisHamilton</a> ⏱️ 
 
And a valuable bonus point for him in the title race 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpanishGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpanishGP</a> 🇪🇸 <a href="https://t.co/ojtyIRoIBL">pic.twitter.com/ojtyIRoIBL</a>
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It was the 16th time that Hamilton won a Grand Prix after leading every lap of the race.

Hamilton’s triumph hoisted him back to the top of the standings with 112 points, including one for fastest lap, ahead of Bottas on 105

"I have to put it down to this incredible team,” said Hamilton. “This is history in the making to have five 1-2’s. I am very proud of that!

"It's definitely been a bit of a hard first four races. Naturally we have a great car, but we don't always get along. I'm grateful in the race that we managed to settle our differences.”

Bottas said: “I lost it there, at the start. The clutch was strange – bite and release, bite and release. I’ve never had that before.”&nbsp;

Lewis Hamilton beat Valtteri Bottas in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to replace his team-mate as world championship leader as Mercedes' extended their record start to the season with a fifth 1-2 finish.

Lewis Hamilton beat Valtteri Bottas in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to replace his team-mate as world championship leader as Mercedes' extended their record start to the season with a fifth 1-2 finish. The defending five-time world champion seized the initiative at the start in Barcelona and led from lights to flag with a consummate demonstration of his speed and race-craft at the Circuit de Catalunya. It was his third win this year, the 76th of his career and his fourth in Spain following victories in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Responding to being outpaced by Bottas in qualifying, Hamilton came home 4.074 seconds ahead of the Finn who was second ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. Pierre Gasly was a solid sixth in the second Red Bull ahead of Kevin Magnussen of Haas, home hero Carlos Sainz of McLaren, Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and Romain Grosjean in the second Haas. A first @DHL_Motorsports Fastest Lap Award of the season for @LewisHamilton ⏱️ And a valuable bonus point for him in the title race 🏆#F1 #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/ojtyIRoIBL — Formula 1 (@F1) May 12, 2019 × It was the 16th time that Hamilton won a Grand Prix after leading every lap of the race. Hamilton’s triumph hoisted him back to the top of the standings with 112 points, including one for fastest lap, ahead of Bottas on 105 "I have to put it down to this incredible team,” said Hamilton. “This is history in the making to have five 1-2’s. I am very proud of that! "It's definitely been a bit of a hard first four races. Naturally we have a great car, but we don't always get along. I'm grateful in the race that we managed to settle our differences.” Bottas said: “I lost it there, at the start. The clutch was strange – bite and release, bite and release. I’ve never had that before.”

Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix, takes championship lead

Formula One leader Valtteri Bottas put his Mercedes on pole position by a massive margin at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday (May 11) with team mate Lewis Hamilton having to settle for second in a front row lockout.

The pole was a third in a row for the re-energised Finn, who leads Hamilton by a single point after four of the 21 races, and he did it in a track record time of one minute 15.406 seconds.

That was a hefty 0.634 quicker than Hamilton's best effort, dashing the five-times world champion's hopes of record-extending 85th career pole.

Sebastian Vettel qualified in third place, in 1:16.272, with Red Bull's 2016 Spanish Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen fourth and sandwiched between the Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc fifth.

"I really enjoyed that, I enjoyed the adrenaline rush we get from those laps, I'm very pleased," said the Finn, who will be chasing his third win of the season on Sunday.

Hamilton said his laps in the final phase of qualifying could have been better, with a scrappy first effort kicking up gravel, but the upgrades brought by Mercedes to the start of the traditional European part of the campaign were working well.

The Briton, winner for the past two seasons in Barcelona and three times in all, said Bottas had simply been quicker on the day.

Mercedes have won the first four races one-two, a record start for any team, despite Ferrari setting the pace in pre-season testing.

Formula One leader Valtteri Bottas put his Mercedes on pole position by a massive margin at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday (May 11) with team mate Lewis Hamilton having to settle for second in a front row lockout.

Formula One leader Valtteri Bottas put his Mercedes on pole position by a massive margin at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday (May 11) with team mate Lewis Hamilton having to settle for second in a front row lockout. The pole was a third in a row for the re-energised Finn, who leads Hamilton by a single point after four of the 21 races, and he did it in a track record time of one minute 15.406 seconds. That was a hefty 0.634 quicker than Hamilton's best effort, dashing the five-times world champion's hopes of record-extending 85th career pole. Sebastian Vettel qualified in third place, in 1:16.272, with Red Bull's 2016 Spanish Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen fourth and sandwiched between the Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc fifth. "I really enjoyed that, I enjoyed the adrenaline rush we get from those laps, I'm very pleased," said the Finn, who will be chasing his third win of the season on Sunday. Hamilton said his laps in the final phase of qualifying could have been better, with a scrappy first effort kicking up gravel, but the upgrades brought by Mercedes to the start of the traditional European part of the campaign were working well. The Briton, winner for the past two seasons in Barcelona and three times in all, said Bottas had simply been quicker on the day. Mercedes have won the first four races one-two, a record start for any team, despite Ferrari setting the pace in pre-season testing.

Valtteri Bottas on pole in Spain for third race in a row

Formula One championship leader Valtteri Bottas led both practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday with Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton a close second and Ferrari still off the pace.

The times dampened hopes of an immediate return to pre-season testing form for Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, who have been eclipsed by Mercedes in the first four races.

The reigning champions have notched up four successive one-two finishes, leaving Ferrari 74 points adrift in the constructors' standings.

"It's always an interesting day when you're bringing new parts to the car to get a feel for it and see if they bring the performance they should," said Bottas.

"The car felt really good today, completely different to how it was in winter testing, and it seems like our cornering performance has improved.

"The balance around the lap is also better, so it looks like we've taken the right direction since the winter

Bottas produced his quickest lap in the day's afternoon session, a time of one minute 17.284 seconds after a 1:17.951 in the morning.

Five-times world champion Hamilton was second on the timesheets, 0.049 slower than Bottas, while Leclerc was third and three tenths adrift but still ahead of Vettel who lapped in 1:17.673 on the same soft tyres.

Ferrari, who dominated pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, were using a new specification engine and hoping for a step up in the first race of the traditional European part of the campaign.

Vettel, third in the drivers' standings, is already 35 points behind Bottas.

"I think overall we've been seeing what we expected," said the German, who was struggling for grip in the slower corners. "Certainly not as happy as we wanted to be so still a lot of homework for us.

"I think engine-wise we're happy," he added. "Obviously it's Friday so a bit difficult to know what we are doing compared to other people...feeling-wise it's a different story."

Bottas, who leads Hamilton by a single point thanks to his fastest lap in Australia, had missed the last half hour of the first session due to an oil leak that shut down the car and had to be investigated.

Hamilton was unhappy with the performance of his car's tyres in the first session when he was fourth fastest and set his best lap on softs.

"Tyre prep terrible. Rear tyres are done," the Briton said over the radio. He said later that there was work to do on the balance of the car.

Romain Grosjean, who has yet to score a point this year, was fifth and sixth fastest respectively for the Haas team with McLaren's Carlos Sainz, the only Spanish driver now that Fernando Alonso has left, sixth in the morning.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, a winner in Spain in 2016, was only 12th fastest in the first session when his car had an oil leak, but moved up to fifth in the afternoon.

"I have a good feeling about the upgrades, which work for sure, and the tyres seem to be working quite well, too," said the Dutchman.

"The long runs were OK and we still need to find a little bit of pace, but we have the whole night to find it."

Canadian Lance Stroll provided the only incident of the first practice, crashing his Racing Point into the tyre wall at turn nine and bringing out red flags to close the session.

Formula One championship leader Valtteri Bottas led both practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday with Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton a close second and Ferrari still off the pace.

Formula One championship leader Valtteri Bottas led both practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday with Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton a close second and Ferrari still off the pace. The times dampened hopes of an immediate return to pre-season testing form for Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, who have been eclipsed by Mercedes in the first four races. The reigning champions have notched up four successive one-two finishes, leaving Ferrari 74 points adrift in the constructors' standings. "It's always an interesting day when you're bringing new parts to the car to get a feel for it and see if they bring the performance they should," said Bottas. "The car felt really good today, completely different to how it was in winter testing, and it seems like our cornering performance has improved. "The balance around the lap is also better, so it looks like we've taken the right direction since the winter Bottas produced his quickest lap in the day's afternoon session, a time of one minute 17.284 seconds after a 1:17.951 in the morning. Five-times world champion Hamilton was second on the timesheets, 0.049 slower than Bottas, while Leclerc was third and three tenths adrift but still ahead of Vettel who lapped in 1:17.673 on the same soft tyres. Ferrari, who dominated pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, were using a new specification engine and hoping for a step up in the first race of the traditional European part of the campaign. Vettel, third in the drivers' standings, is already 35 points behind Bottas. "I think overall we've been seeing what we expected," said the German, who was struggling for grip in the slower corners. "Certainly not as happy as we wanted to be so still a lot of homework for us. "I think engine-wise we're happy," he added. "Obviously it's Friday so a bit difficult to know what we are doing compared to other people...feeling-wise it's a different story." Bottas, who leads Hamilton by a single point thanks to his fastest lap in Australia, had missed the last half hour of the first session due to an oil leak that shut down the car and had to be investigated. Hamilton was unhappy with the performance of his car's tyres in the first session when he was fourth fastest and set his best lap on softs. "Tyre prep terrible. Rear tyres are done," the Briton said over the radio. He said later that there was work to do on the balance of the car. Romain Grosjean, who has yet to score a point this year, was fifth and sixth fastest respectively for the Haas team with McLaren's Carlos Sainz, the only Spanish driver now that Fernando Alonso has left, sixth in the morning. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, a winner in Spain in 2016, was only 12th fastest in the first session when his car had an oil leak, but moved up to fifth in the afternoon. "I have a good feeling about the upgrades, which work for sure, and the tyres seem to be working quite well, too," said the Dutchman. "The long runs were OK and we still need to find a little bit of pace, but we have the whole night to find it." Canadian Lance Stroll provided the only incident of the first practice, crashing his Racing Point into the tyre wall at turn nine and bringing out red flags to close the session.

Valtteri Bottas leads Mercedes one-two in Spanish GP practice

How Ayrton Senna's death made Formula One safer

Valtteri Bottas won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday to retake the Formula One world championship lead from team mate Lewis Hamilton after a stunning fourth successive one-two finish for Mercedes.

The Finn, who started on pole position, crossed the line 1.524 seconds ahead of Hamilton to make up for the agony of 2018 when he was denied victory in Baku by a late puncture.

The pair are now separated by just one point with 17 races remaining, with Mercedes 70 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

"It was actually a tough race," said Bottas, who went side-by-side with Hamilton on the opening lap and showed plenty of grit and determination in fending off the Briton to hold position.

"Lewis was putting pressure all the time, I could not do any mistakes," added the 29-year-old who came under renewed threat from Hamilton in the dying laps.

Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari was a distant third as the Italian pre-season favourites again failed to convert their promise into a result.

The win around the streets of capital Baku was the fifth of Bottas’ career and he became the first driver this season to win from pole.

Like Hamilton, he now has two wins and two second places from the first four races but is ahead thanks to the extra point he scored for setting the fastest lap on his way to victory in the Australian season opener.

"I was too friendly at turn one and basically gave it to him," said Hamilton.

Mercedes are the first two-car team in Formula One's 70-year history to open a season with four straight one-twos.

Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque, the pole-position favourite who started eighth after crashing in qualifying, led the race at one point after staying out longer than rivals on softer tyres.

While he ultimately had to settle for fifth, Leclerc took the extra point for fastest lap after making a second stop for fresh tyres with a comfortable buffer to those behind and no risk of losing position.

Sergio Perez was sixth for Racing Point ahead of McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris.

Lance Stroll gave Racing Point a double points finish with ninth place, while Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen took 10th after starting from the pitlane.

The main surprise of the day was the lack of upsets, with no safety car on track for the first time and no major crashes on unforgiving streets that have given the race a reputation for unpredictability.

The most notable incident involved Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat, with the Australian running straight onto the runoff while trying overtake the Russian.

He then reversed his Renault into the Toro Rosso, which had also failed to make the corner. Both drivers retired shortly after, with the incident being investigated by stewards.

Pierre Gasly's Red Bull lost power in the late stages of the race, parking down an escape road but prompting the deployment of the virtual safety car as marshals moved it.

Robert Kubica, who started from the pitlane after a qualifying crash, was hit with a drive-through penalty for leaving the garage too early.

Valtteri Bottas won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday to retake the Formula One world championship lead from team mate Lewis Hamilton after a stunning fourth successive one-two finish for Mercedes.

Valtteri Bottas won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday to retake the Formula One world championship lead from team mate Lewis Hamilton after a stunning fourth successive one-two finish for Mercedes. The Finn, who started on pole position, crossed the line 1.524 seconds ahead of Hamilton to make up for the agony of 2018 when he was denied victory in Baku by a late puncture. The pair are now separated by just one point with 17 races remaining, with Mercedes 70 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' standings. "It was actually a tough race," said Bottas, who went side-by-side with Hamilton on the opening lap and showed plenty of grit and determination in fending off the Briton to hold position. "Lewis was putting pressure all the time, I could not do any mistakes," added the 29-year-old who came under renewed threat from Hamilton in the dying laps. Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari was a distant third as the Italian pre-season favourites again failed to convert their promise into a result. The win around the streets of capital Baku was the fifth of Bottas’ career and he became the first driver this season to win from pole. Like Hamilton, he now has two wins and two second places from the first four races but is ahead thanks to the extra point he scored for setting the fastest lap on his way to victory in the Australian season opener. "I was too friendly at turn one and basically gave it to him," said Hamilton. Mercedes are the first two-car team in Formula One's 70-year history to open a season with four straight one-twos. Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque, the pole-position favourite who started eighth after crashing in qualifying, led the race at one point after staying out longer than rivals on softer tyres. While he ultimately had to settle for fifth, Leclerc took the extra point for fastest lap after making a second stop for fresh tyres with a comfortable buffer to those behind and no risk of losing position. Sergio Perez was sixth for Racing Point ahead of McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. Lance Stroll gave Racing Point a double points finish with ninth place, while Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen took 10th after starting from the pitlane. The main surprise of the day was the lack of upsets, with no safety car on track for the first time and no major crashes on unforgiving streets that have given the race a reputation for unpredictability. The most notable incident involved Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat, with the Australian running straight onto the runoff while trying overtake the Russian. He then reversed his Renault into the Toro Rosso, which had also failed to make the corner. Both drivers retired shortly after, with the incident being investigated by stewards. Pierre Gasly's Red Bull lost power in the late stages of the race, parking down an escape road but prompting the deployment of the virtual safety car as marshals moved it. Robert Kubica, who started from the pitlane after a qualifying crash, was hit with a drive-through penalty for leaving the garage too early.

Valtteri Bottas wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas snatched pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday in an incident-packed qualifying session that saw Mercedes lock out the front row and Ferrari favourite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/charles-leclerc-leads-ferrari-one-two-in-azerbaijan-grand-prix-practice-213807">Charles Leclerc</a> crash out.

The Finn lapped the six-km Baku street circuit in one minute, 40.495 seconds, just 0.059 seconds faster than teammate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel, the sole Ferrari driver chasing pole after Leclerc crashed out in the second phase of qualifying, will line up in third place after his fastest lap was 0.302 seconds off Bottas’s pace.

Hamilton had been fastest after the first flying laps in the third and final phase but Bottas found the extra speed just when it mattered.

"It was a nice feeling getting it done on the last lap,” said the Finn, after the eighth pole position of his career and second in a row. The 29-year-old also started the previous race in China from the front.

"I managed to hit the sweet spot," added the Finn.

Hamilton’s second-fastest time gave Mercedes their third front-row lockout of the season, leaving the German marque well-placed to extend their streak of three straight one-two finishes in as many races.

"Ferrari have looked incredibly quick," said Hamilton, who won in Baku last year and leads Bottas by six points in the overall standings.

"This is a massively great result for us. We came here, we didn't have an upgrade so for us to lock out the front row, it puts us in a great position for tomorrow. Pace-wise we are closer in race trim," added the five-time champion.

Ferrari had started the session looking dominant after Leclerc had led every practice session.

However, the Monegasque -- fired up after being ordered to move over for Vettel in China and denied a maiden Formula One win by engine trouble in Bahrain -- hit the wall. He will still start ninth, however.

Red Flags

With the session running late after two lengthy red-flag delays, and with temperatures dropping and no slipstream, Vettel was unable to extract the lap time from his Ferrari.

"It was quite tricky, the track cooled down, it was difficult to find the right balance," he said. "In the end, I had a good lap but I had no tow."

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, fastest in the second phase of qualifying, was fourth ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez -- the only driver to have stood on the Baku podium more than once.

Russian Daniil Kvyat was sixth for Toro Rosso ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi set the eighth-fastest time but the Italian will drop 10 places after being hit with an engine-related grid penalty. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen will, therefore, move up to eighth.

Robert Kubica brought out the first red flag, the Pole ploughing his Williams into the barriers at exactly the same spot as Leclerc in the opening phase.

That crash was the latest blow on a difficult weekend for struggling Williams with rookie George Russell striking a loose manhole cover in Friday practice and wrecking his car.

Several other drivers, including Vettel and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, clipped the barriers or had close escapes at the same turn eight.

Bottas was on course for victory in Baku last year when a blown tyre three laps from the end handed it to Hamilton instead.

No driver has won from pole so far this season while retired champion Nico Rosberg in 2016 is the only driver to have converted pole to victory in Baku.

Valtteri Bottas snatched pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday in an incident-packed qualifying session that saw Mercedes lock out the front row and Ferrari favourite Charles Leclerc crash out.

Valtteri Bottas snatched pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday in an incident-packed qualifying session that saw Mercedes lock out the front row and Ferrari favourite Charles Leclerc crash out. The Finn lapped the six-km Baku street circuit in one minute, 40.495 seconds, just 0.059 seconds faster than teammate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel, the sole Ferrari driver chasing pole after Leclerc crashed out in the second phase of qualifying, will line up in third place after his fastest lap was 0.302 seconds off Bottas’s pace. Hamilton had been fastest after the first flying laps in the third and final phase but Bottas found the extra speed just when it mattered. "It was a nice feeling getting it done on the last lap,” said the Finn, after the eighth pole position of his career and second in a row. The 29-year-old also started the previous race in China from the front. "I managed to hit the sweet spot," added the Finn. Hamilton’s second-fastest time gave Mercedes their third front-row lockout of the season, leaving the German marque well-placed to extend their streak of three straight one-two finishes in as many races. "Ferrari have looked incredibly quick," said Hamilton, who won in Baku last year and leads Bottas by six points in the overall standings. "This is a massively great result for us. We came here, we didn't have an upgrade so for us to lock out the front row, it puts us in a great position for tomorrow. Pace-wise we are closer in race trim," added the five-time champion. Ferrari had started the session looking dominant after Leclerc had led every practice session. However, the Monegasque -- fired up after being ordered to move over for Vettel in China and denied a maiden Formula One win by engine trouble in Bahrain -- hit the wall. He will still start ninth, however. Red Flags With the session running late after two lengthy red-flag delays, and with temperatures dropping and no slipstream, Vettel was unable to extract the lap time from his Ferrari. "It was quite tricky, the track cooled down, it was difficult to find the right balance," he said. "In the end, I had a good lap but I had no tow." Red Bull's Max Verstappen, fastest in the second phase of qualifying, was fourth ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez -- the only driver to have stood on the Baku podium more than once. Russian Daniil Kvyat was sixth for Toro Rosso ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi set the eighth-fastest time but the Italian will drop 10 places after being hit with an engine-related grid penalty. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen will, therefore, move up to eighth. Robert Kubica brought out the first red flag, the Pole ploughing his Williams into the barriers at exactly the same spot as Leclerc in the opening phase. That crash was the latest blow on a difficult weekend for struggling Williams with rookie George Russell striking a loose manhole cover in Friday practice and wrecking his car. Several other drivers, including Vettel and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, clipped the barriers or had close escapes at the same turn eight. Bottas was on course for victory in Baku last year when a blown tyre three laps from the end handed it to Hamilton instead. No driver has won from pole so far this season while retired champion Nico Rosberg in 2016 is the only driver to have converted pole to victory in Baku.

Valtteri Bottas takes Baku pole after Charles Leclerc crashes

Charles Leclerc set a scorching pace on an incident-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix Friday with Ferrari top of the practice timesheets after an early drain drama that wrecked George Russell's Williams.

The 21-year-old Monegasque lapped the six km Baku street circuit with the best time of one minute 42.872 seconds, 0.324 quicker than his German teammate Sebastian Vettel.

The Ferraris were comfortably clear of their closest challenger Lewis Hamilton, the champion and overall leader for Mercedes, who was 0.669 slower than Leclerc on a sunny afternoon.

Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas in fifth.

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After a severely shortened FP1, the drivers were itching to get out in FP2 
 
And it was <a href="https://twitter.com/ScuderiaFerrari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScuderiaFerrari</a> who came out on top in Baku ⏱️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AzerbaijanGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AzerbaijanGP</a> 🇦🇿 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://t.co/NvD52nsFgY">pic.twitter.com/NvD52nsFgY</a>
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"I think we are pretty strong," said Leclerc, who scored his first Formula One points last year in Baku and in 2017 won a Formula Two race from pole position just days after his father’s death.

"I am confident with the track, the car felt good today and that’s all that matters."

Mercedes have opened the year with three one-two finishes in as many races, marking the strongest start to a season for any team since Williams in 1992.

Pre-season favourites Ferrari have managed only a pair of third-place finishes and are 57 points behind their rivals in the overall standings.

The Italian team marked themselves out as the ones to beat following Friday’s running, however.

Fired up after being ordered to move over for Vettel in China and denied a maiden Formula One victory by engine trouble in Bahrain, Leclerc looked like he had the edge on his rivals.

"The Ferraris are clearly very quick and it looks like they’re quite a bit ahead of us," said Hamilton, the five-times world champion who won last year in Baku and heads into Sunday’s race with two wins from three races.

"It’s unlikely that we’ll find seven tenths overnight but we’ll do everything we can to push the car in the right direction."

Drain Drama

Friday’s running was interrupted by a number of incidents.

The opening 90-minute session was abandoned with 12 minutes on the clock, and only the two Ferrari drivers setting a time, after Russell struck a loose drain cover that destroyed the underside of his car in a shower of debris.

"If that was 10-15mm higher, it was going straight into where I'm sat," said the Briton, who was unhurt but will need a new chassis for qualifying and the race. "It could have been much worse."

Replays showed Leclerc had driven over the cover first, with the governing International Automobile Federation confirming a broken mounting as the cause.

Friday’s second session ran the full 90 minutes but was still interrupted by red flags as drivers, eager to make up for lost track time, impatiently probed the limits of the unforgiving layout.

Canadian Lance Stroll, a 2017 podium finisher with Williams in Baku, was the first casualty when he clouted the barriers and broke the front suspension of his Racing Point car.

Daniel Kvyat’s session also ended with his Toro Rosso in the barriers, its front suspension mangled. The Russian, celebrating his 25th birthday, was still sixth.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz was seventh for McLaren ahead of Thailand’s Alexander Albon in the Toro Rosso.

Pierre Gasly, who spun multiple times, was ninth for Red Bull. The Frenchman missed a call to stop at the weighbridge at the end of the session and will start Sunday’s race from the pitlane as punishment for the offence.

Rookie Lando Norris rounded out the top 10 for McLaren.

Hamilton was nearly involved in an incident with Kevin Magnussen, the Dane’s Haas almost clipping the front wing of the Mercedes as the Briton overtook.

Hamilton leads the overall standings by six points from team mate Bottas with 18 of the season’s 21 races, including Sunday’s round in Baku, remaining.

Charles Leclerc set a scorching pace on an incident-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix Friday with Ferrari top of the practice timesheets after an early drain drama that wrecked George Russell's Williams.

Charles Leclerc set a scorching pace on an incident-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix Friday with Ferrari top of the practice timesheets after an early drain drama that wrecked George Russell's Williams. The 21-year-old Monegasque lapped the six km Baku street circuit with the best time of one minute 42.872 seconds, 0.324 quicker than his German teammate Sebastian Vettel. The Ferraris were comfortably clear of their closest challenger Lewis Hamilton, the champion and overall leader for Mercedes, who was 0.669 slower than Leclerc on a sunny afternoon. Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas in fifth. After a severely shortened FP1, the drivers were itching to get out in FP2 And it was @ScuderiaFerrari who came out on top in Baku ⏱️#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NvD52nsFgY — Formula 1 (@F1) April 26, 2019 × "I think we are pretty strong," said Leclerc, who scored his first Formula One points last year in Baku and in 2017 won a Formula Two race from pole position just days after his father’s death. "I am confident with the track, the car felt good today and that’s all that matters." Mercedes have opened the year with three one-two finishes in as many races, marking the strongest start to a season for any team since Williams in 1992. Pre-season favourites Ferrari have managed only a pair of third-place finishes and are 57 points behind their rivals in the overall standings. The Italian team marked themselves out as the ones to beat following Friday’s running, however. Fired up after being ordered to move over for Vettel in China and denied a maiden Formula One victory by engine trouble in Bahrain, Leclerc looked like he had the edge on his rivals. "The Ferraris are clearly very quick and it looks like they’re quite a bit ahead of us," said Hamilton, the five-times world champion who won last year in Baku and heads into Sunday’s race with two wins from three races. "It’s unlikely that we’ll find seven tenths overnight but we’ll do everything we can to push the car in the right direction." Drain Drama Friday’s running was interrupted by a number of incidents. The opening 90-minute session was abandoned with 12 minutes on the clock, and only the two Ferrari drivers setting a time, after Russell struck a loose drain cover that destroyed the underside of his car in a shower of debris. "If that was 10-15mm higher, it was going straight into where I'm sat," said the Briton, who was unhurt but will need a new chassis for qualifying and the race. "It could have been much worse." Replays showed Leclerc had driven over the cover first, with the governing International Automobile Federation confirming a broken mounting as the cause. Friday’s second session ran the full 90 minutes but was still interrupted by red flags as drivers, eager to make up for lost track time, impatiently probed the limits of the unforgiving layout. Canadian Lance Stroll, a 2017 podium finisher with Williams in Baku, was the first casualty when he clouted the barriers and broke the front suspension of his Racing Point car. Daniel Kvyat’s session also ended with his Toro Rosso in the barriers, its front suspension mangled. The Russian, celebrating his 25th birthday, was still sixth. Spaniard Carlos Sainz was seventh for McLaren ahead of Thailand’s Alexander Albon in the Toro Rosso. Pierre Gasly, who spun multiple times, was ninth for Red Bull. The Frenchman missed a call to stop at the weighbridge at the end of the session and will start Sunday’s race from the pitlane as punishment for the offence. Rookie Lando Norris rounded out the top 10 for McLaren. Hamilton was nearly involved in an incident with Kevin Magnussen, the Dane’s Haas almost clipping the front wing of the Mercedes as the Briton overtook. Hamilton leads the overall standings by six points from team mate Bottas with 18 of the season’s 21 races, including Sunday’s round in Baku, remaining.

Charles Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two in Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice

Hamilton peerless, Vettel favoured: Major takeaways from Chinese Grand Prix

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Lewis+Hamilton">Lewis Hamilton</a> won the 1,000th Formula One grand prix Sunday after grabbing the lead from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the first corner and powering to victory in blustery Shanghai.

Hamilton, who started from second on the grid, took the world championship lead after romping home to win the Chinese Grand Prix by more than 6.5 seconds from Bottas, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel third.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull was fourth and Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was fifth.

This was world champion Hamilton's sixth victory at the Chinese Grand Prix and second in a row this season.

"To have a one-two (for Mercedes) is really special in the 1,000th grand prix but the start was where it made the difference and the rest is history," said the Briton.

Hamilton was pipped for pole position by Bottas by just 0.023 seconds in qualifying and had said that he was "struggling with the car".

But the Finn laboured out of the blocks, allowing Hamilton to nip in and grab the lead at the first corner.

"I lost it on the start, honestly, shame about the start, I got some wheel spin on the start line," said Bottas, who also relinquished his hold on the standings after three races.

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Your top three in China! 
 
Seb's first podium sine Abu Dhabi 2018 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChineseGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChineseGP</a> 🇨🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Race1000?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Race1000</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rw9E4d5jPD">pic.twitter.com/Rw9E4d5jPD</a>
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Talented 21-year-old Leclerc meanwhile pulled off the same trick at the start at the expense of his team-mate Vettel, darting into third.

There was more early drama when Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat tangled with both McLarens of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, earning the Russian a drive-through penalty.

On lap 11, four-time world champion Vettel leapfrogged back in front of Monaco's Leclerc into third following radio orders from Ferrari telling the youngster to let him pass.

"We do our job, stay focused," Leclerc -- agonisingly denied victory last time out in Bahrain after his Ferrari lost power late on -- was informed on team radio after he briefly protested.

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HAMILTON: "It wasn't the most straightforward of race weekends... to have a 1-2 together in the 100th race is really special!"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChineseGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChineseGP</a> 🇨🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Race1000?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Race1000</a> <a href="https://t.co/6AiUQSGmhr">pic.twitter.com/6AiUQSGmhr</a>
— Formula 1 (@F1) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1/status/1117335657695850496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Back at the front, the 34-year-old Hamilton began pulling away, establishing a more than five-second gap on Bottas with a third of the race gone.

With five-time world champion Hamilton -- winner in Bahrain two weeks ago -- serene up top, the real battles unfolded behind him.

Vettel, under pressure after a number of unforced errors going back to last season, went wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen after both pitted for fresh tyres.

Vettel, Bottas and then Toro Rosso's Alexander Albon, who missed qualifying after a nasty crash in final practice, all exchanged fastest laps.

On lap 38 of the 56 it was Leclerc and Bottas who had a skirmish in the compelling battle for second.

Leclerc then pitted and was momentarily held up by a comparatively sluggish change of tyres.&nbsp;

Nico Hulkenberg, who qualified eighth for Renault, saw his race come to an early conclusion after the team retired his faltering car.

Norris and Kvyat were also forced out before the end.

The fourth race of the season takes place on the streets of Baku, in Azerbaijan, in a fortnight.

Lewis Hamilton won the 1,000th Formula One grand prix Sunday after grabbing the lead from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the first corner and powering to victory in blustery Shanghai.

Lewis Hamilton won the 1,000th Formula One grand prix Sunday after grabbing the lead from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the first corner and powering to victory in blustery Shanghai. Hamilton, who started from second on the grid, took the world championship lead after romping home to win the Chinese Grand Prix by more than 6.5 seconds from Bottas, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel third. Max Verstappen of Red Bull was fourth and Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was fifth. This was world champion Hamilton's sixth victory at the Chinese Grand Prix and second in a row this season. "To have a one-two (for Mercedes) is really special in the 1,000th grand prix but the start was where it made the difference and the rest is history," said the Briton. Hamilton was pipped for pole position by Bottas by just 0.023 seconds in qualifying and had said that he was "struggling with the car". But the Finn laboured out of the blocks, allowing Hamilton to nip in and grab the lead at the first corner. "I lost it on the start, honestly, shame about the start, I got some wheel spin on the start line," said Bottas, who also relinquished his hold on the standings after three races. Your top three in China! Seb's first podium sine Abu Dhabi 2018 🏆#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/Rw9E4d5jPD — Formula 1 (@F1) April 14, 2019 × Talented 21-year-old Leclerc meanwhile pulled off the same trick at the start at the expense of his team-mate Vettel, darting into third. There was more early drama when Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat tangled with both McLarens of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, earning the Russian a drive-through penalty. On lap 11, four-time world champion Vettel leapfrogged back in front of Monaco's Leclerc into third following radio orders from Ferrari telling the youngster to let him pass. "We do our job, stay focused," Leclerc -- agonisingly denied victory last time out in Bahrain after his Ferrari lost power late on -- was informed on team radio after he briefly protested. HAMILTON: "It wasn't the most straightforward of race weekends... to have a 1-2 together in the 100th race is really special!"#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/6AiUQSGmhr — Formula 1 (@F1) April 14, 2019 × Back at the front, the 34-year-old Hamilton began pulling away, establishing a more than five-second gap on Bottas with a third of the race gone. With five-time world champion Hamilton -- winner in Bahrain two weeks ago -- serene up top, the real battles unfolded behind him. Vettel, under pressure after a number of unforced errors going back to last season, went wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen after both pitted for fresh tyres. Vettel, Bottas and then Toro Rosso's Alexander Albon, who missed qualifying after a nasty crash in final practice, all exchanged fastest laps. On lap 38 of the 56 it was Leclerc and Bottas who had a skirmish in the compelling battle for second. Leclerc then pitted and was momentarily held up by a comparatively sluggish change of tyres. Nico Hulkenberg, who qualified eighth for Renault, saw his race come to an early conclusion after the team retired his faltering car. Norris and Kvyat were also forced out before the end. The fourth race of the season takes place on the streets of Baku, in Azerbaijan, in a fortnight.

Lewis Hamilton wins Formula One's 1,000th race

Kimi Raikkonen says Formula One has become something of a 'hobby' for him, now that his Ferrari days are over and as he races towards his 40th birthday and a record number of starts.

The 2007 world champion, whose birthday is in October, told reporters at the Chinese Grand Prix that he was enjoying life at Alfa Romeo.

"I don’t have any special things that I try to motivate myself. It’s become more of a hobby for me lately than anything else and probably that’s why it’s more fun again," said the Finn, who was much more in the spotlight at Ferrari.

"I always try to do the best that I can. Some days it goes a bit better than others – but that’s how it goes when you do a lot of racing. Some days it’s a bit more tricky than others. It’s never really been an issue.

"When I feel that it’s not what I expect from myself, then obviously I try to find a new hobby after that."

Formula One is celebrating its 1,000th world championship race in Shanghai and Raikkonen, who made his debut with Sauber -- the team that is now Alfa -- in 2001 has started 293 of them and won 21.

Retired Brazilian Rubens Barrichello holds the record of 322 starts which means Raikkonen, whose contract runs to the end of next year, is on course to overtake him midway through the 2020 season.

Raikkonen, who joined Alfa from Ferrari at the end of last season, has made a strong start with 10 points from two races and is sixth overall. Team mate Antonio Giovinazzi has yet to open his tally.

Asked whether the performance had changed his goals for the season, Raikkonen shrugged.

"No, it hasn’t. I didn’t really have any goals, so it’s pretty hard to change them. I can’t really talk about last year’s car," he said.

"So from my side it’s hard to say what is better on this car than the one they had last year... but I think in general it’s quite a good, solid package and we understand it pretty OK and they seem to have good guys on all areas to bring new stuff."

With several other drivers set to race with special helmet designs to commemorate the 1,000th race, Raikkonen said he had nothing new.

"I wanted to have an open-face helmet but there were some regulation issues," said the Finn, who has said before he would have liked to race in the much more dangerous 1960s and 70s.

Kimi Raikkonen says Formula One has become something of a 'hobby' for him, now that his Ferrari days are over and as he races towards his 40th birthday and a record number of starts.

Kimi Raikkonen says Formula One has become something of a 'hobby' for him, now that his Ferrari days are over and as he races towards his 40th birthday and a record number of starts. The 2007 world champion, whose birthday is in October, told reporters at the Chinese Grand Prix that he was enjoying life at Alfa Romeo. "I don’t have any special things that I try to motivate myself. It’s become more of a hobby for me lately than anything else and probably that’s why it’s more fun again," said the Finn, who was much more in the spotlight at Ferrari. "I always try to do the best that I can. Some days it goes a bit better than others – but that’s how it goes when you do a lot of racing. Some days it’s a bit more tricky than others. It’s never really been an issue. "When I feel that it’s not what I expect from myself, then obviously I try to find a new hobby after that." Formula One is celebrating its 1,000th world championship race in Shanghai and Raikkonen, who made his debut with Sauber -- the team that is now Alfa -- in 2001 has started 293 of them and won 21. Retired Brazilian Rubens Barrichello holds the record of 322 starts which means Raikkonen, whose contract runs to the end of next year, is on course to overtake him midway through the 2020 season. Raikkonen, who joined Alfa from Ferrari at the end of last season, has made a strong start with 10 points from two races and is sixth overall. Team mate Antonio Giovinazzi has yet to open his tally. Asked whether the performance had changed his goals for the season, Raikkonen shrugged. "No, it hasn’t. I didn’t really have any goals, so it’s pretty hard to change them. I can’t really talk about last year’s car," he said. "So from my side it’s hard to say what is better on this car than the one they had last year... but I think in general it’s quite a good, solid package and we understand it pretty OK and they seem to have good guys on all areas to bring new stuff." With several other drivers set to race with special helmet designs to commemorate the 1,000th race, Raikkonen said he had nothing new. "I wanted to have an open-face helmet but there were some regulation issues," said the Finn, who has said before he would have liked to race in the much more dangerous 1960s and 70s.

Kimi Raikkonen says Formula One has become a bit of a hobby

Formula One world champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Lewis+Hamilton">Lewis Hamilton</a> praised Ferrari's young driver Charles Leclerc, who made his first F1 podium finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Briton said that the young racing sensation deserved to win and hoped for great battles in future.&nbsp;

Hamilton said, "He thoroughly deserved the win today. He did an exceptional job all weekend, so really proud of him and I know it's a really tough experience to go through what he's going through, but he will learn. He's already so strong this weekend. He'll bounce back. He'll grow."

"This will be another layer to his young greatness already and I'm looking forward to many battles with him hopefully in the future," Hamilton added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Leclerc emerged as a star when he took his first Formula One pole position with a stunning display in qualifying for the Bahrain GP on Saturday.&nbsp;

But in a dramatic twist, race leader Leclerc's engine started losing power with under 10 laps left and he faced a disappointment for a maiden F1 win.&nbsp;

Leclerc, who joined Ferrari ahead of this season, faced the undesired misfortune when a single cylinder of his car failed.&nbsp;

With the win, Ferrari's Leclerc would have become the third-youngest winner of an F1 race.&nbsp;

Although, he&nbsp;became the 50th driver to lead a race for Ferrari. He also became the sixth youngest driver in F1 history to stand on an F1 podium.&nbsp;

Instead, he was dropped to third as Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished first and second respectively.&nbsp;

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"We have been pretty lucky in an unlucky situation" 
 
Some <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MondayMotivation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MondayMotivation</a> from a driver wise beyond his years - even if <a href="https://twitter.com/Charles_Leclerc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charles_leclerc</a> wasn't sure where he was going, he knew what to say 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://t.co/dDn6D9qiyT">pic.twitter.com/dDn6D9qiyT</a>
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Leclerc is the second youngest pole sitter of all time. Vettel did it at 21 years and 73 days with Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008.&nbsp;

He will also be the first driver from Monaco to start at the front since the world championship started in 1950.&nbsp;

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton praised Ferrari's young driver Charles Leclerc, who made his first F1 podium finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Briton said that the young racing sensation deserved to win and hoped for great battles in future.

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton praised Ferrari's young driver Charles Leclerc, who made his first F1 podium finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Briton said that the young racing sensation deserved to win and hoped for great battles in future. Hamilton said, "He thoroughly deserved the win today. He did an exceptional job all weekend, so really proud of him and I know it's a really tough experience to go through what he's going through, but he will learn. He's already so strong this weekend. He'll bounce back. He'll grow." "This will be another layer to his young greatness already and I'm looking forward to many battles with him hopefully in the future," Hamilton added. Leclerc emerged as a star when he took his first Formula One pole position with a stunning display in qualifying for the Bahrain GP on Saturday. But in a dramatic twist, race leader Leclerc's engine started losing power with under 10 laps left and he faced a disappointment for a maiden F1 win. Leclerc, who joined Ferrari ahead of this season, faced the undesired misfortune when a single cylinder of his car failed. With the win, Ferrari's Leclerc would have become the third-youngest winner of an F1 race. Although, he became the 50th driver to lead a race for Ferrari. He also became the sixth youngest driver in F1 history to stand on an F1 podium. Instead, he was dropped to third as Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished first and second respectively. "We have been pretty lucky in an unlucky situation" Some #MondayMotivation from a driver wise beyond his years - even if @charles_leclerc wasn't sure where he was going, he knew what to say 👏#F1 pic.twitter.com/dDn6D9qiyT — Formula 1 (@F1) April 1, 2019 × Leclerc is the second youngest pole sitter of all time. Vettel did it at 21 years and 73 days with Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008. He will also be the first driver from Monaco to start at the front since the world championship started in 1950.

Lewis Hamilton praises Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and hopes for great future battles

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his first Formula One pole position with a stunning display under the floodlights in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.

Calm and composed ahead of only his second race for the Italian team, the 21-year-old Monegasque was 0.294 seconds clear of last year’s pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel who secured Ferrari's front row lockout.

Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was Ferrari's closest challenger in third for Mercedes, but the Briton was still 0.324 seconds off the pace with teammate Valtteri Bottas alongside in fourth.

"Thanks guys! The car was amazing," Leclerc said over the team radio after his track record time of one minute 27.866 seconds.

"Today is a good beginning, I'll try and finish the job tomorrow," added the youngster, who was fastest in two of the three practice sessions before qualifying and can take his first F1 win on Sunday.

Leclerc, a rookie with Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) last season after winning the Formula Two title, is the second youngest pole sitter of all time. Vettel did it at 21 years and 73 days with Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008.

He will also be the first driver from Monaco to start at the front since the world championship started in 1950.

Ferrari, mysteriously off the pace at the season-opening race in Australia won by Bottas, were in a league of their own and restored to their position as race favourites.

The pole was the team's first since September’s Italian Grand Prix, when they also swept the front row but lost to Hamilton in the race.&nbsp;

"We have been focused on ourselves, we worked hard to understand the issues and I think the result of today somehow gives us confidence," team boss Mattia Binotto told Sky Sports television.

"This is great for the team, great for him. It will not be his last one."

Incredible pace

Vettel, who has more poles in Bahrain than any other driver, could put in only one run in the final pole-position shootout as the four times champion had to run twice in qualifying's second phase after being held up by traffic.

That forced the German to leave a bit of a margin in the fight for pole.

"Maybe I was a bit shy in the second sector," said the 31-year-old. "But in the end I think Charles did a very good job today, and he deserves to be on pole."

Hamilton said there was still plenty to fight for.

"They’ve shown incredible pace," said the Briton. "But it doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten. We’re going to work at it. We’ll just keep our heads down and try and see what happens."

Behind the top four, Max Verstappen qualified fifth for Red Bull ahead of Kevin Magnussen in the Haas, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Romain Grosjean, also for Haas.

Grosjean was later handed a three-place drop for impeding McLaren's British rookie Lando Norris in the first phase, lifting Kimi Raikkonen to eighth for Alfa Romeo and Norris to ninth.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo completed the top 10 for Renault, thanks to Grosjean's penalty, with Thailand's Alexander Albon 12th for Toro Rosso.

Ricciardo's German teammate Nico Hulkenberg, having been impressive all weekend, was a surprise early casualty and will line up 17th.

Fallen champions Williams unsurprisingly propped up the timesheets with rookie George Russell edging out experienced Pole Robert Kubica.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his first Formula One pole position with a stunning display under the floodlights in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his first Formula One pole position with a stunning display under the floodlights in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday. Calm and composed ahead of only his second race for the Italian team, the 21-year-old Monegasque was 0.294 seconds clear of last year’s pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel who secured Ferrari's front row lockout. Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was Ferrari's closest challenger in third for Mercedes, but the Briton was still 0.324 seconds off the pace with teammate Valtteri Bottas alongside in fourth. "Thanks guys! The car was amazing," Leclerc said over the team radio after his track record time of one minute 27.866 seconds. "Today is a good beginning, I'll try and finish the job tomorrow," added the youngster, who was fastest in two of the three practice sessions before qualifying and can take his first F1 win on Sunday. Leclerc, a rookie with Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) last season after winning the Formula Two title, is the second youngest pole sitter of all time. Vettel did it at 21 years and 73 days with Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008. He will also be the first driver from Monaco to start at the front since the world championship started in 1950. Ferrari, mysteriously off the pace at the season-opening race in Australia won by Bottas, were in a league of their own and restored to their position as race favourites. The pole was the team's first since September’s Italian Grand Prix, when they also swept the front row but lost to Hamilton in the race. "We have been focused on ourselves, we worked hard to understand the issues and I think the result of today somehow gives us confidence," team boss Mattia Binotto told Sky Sports television. "This is great for the team, great for him. It will not be his last one." Incredible pace Vettel, who has more poles in Bahrain than any other driver, could put in only one run in the final pole-position shootout as the four times champion had to run twice in qualifying's second phase after being held up by traffic. That forced the German to leave a bit of a margin in the fight for pole. "Maybe I was a bit shy in the second sector," said the 31-year-old. "But in the end I think Charles did a very good job today, and he deserves to be on pole." Hamilton said there was still plenty to fight for. "They’ve shown incredible pace," said the Briton. "But it doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten. We’re going to work at it. We’ll just keep our heads down and try and see what happens." Behind the top four, Max Verstappen qualified fifth for Red Bull ahead of Kevin Magnussen in the Haas, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Romain Grosjean, also for Haas. Grosjean was later handed a three-place drop for impeding McLaren's British rookie Lando Norris in the first phase, lifting Kimi Raikkonen to eighth for Alfa Romeo and Norris to ninth. Australian Daniel Ricciardo completed the top 10 for Renault, thanks to Grosjean's penalty, with Thailand's Alexander Albon 12th for Toro Rosso. Ricciardo's German teammate Nico Hulkenberg, having been impressive all weekend, was a surprise early casualty and will line up 17th. Fallen champions Williams unsurprisingly propped up the timesheets with rookie George Russell edging out experienced Pole Robert Kubica.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc storms to first F1 pole in Bahrain

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton took a lucky Bahrain Grand Prix win for Mercedes on Sunday after engine trouble in the dying stages denied Charles Leclerc a first Formula One victory.

The 21-year-old Monegasque, who had started from pole position and finished third, had been set to become Ferrari’s youngest winner in just his second race for the Italian team when his car started losing power.

Hamilton and team mate Valtteri Bottas, both as much as four seconds a lap faster than the stricken Ferrari, reeled him in and breezed past to secure the team's second one-two finish in as many races.

"That was extremely unfortunate for Charles,” said Hamilton as he crossed the line, with the race finishing behind the safety car which was deployed to clear away Daniel Ricciardo’s stranded Renault.

"He drove such a great race. We’ve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails,” added the Briton, who hugged Leclerc after they stepped out of their cars.

Leclerc’s problems capped an already difficult day for Ferrari, who had swept the front row in qualifying, with Sebastian Vettel’s race having already unravelled.

The German, who finished fifth, spun while defending second place from Hamilton and then lost his front wing in a spectacular shower of sparks.

The only consolation for Leclerc, on the podium for the first time in his F1 career, was an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race.

"It's a very hard one to take,” said the youngster. "It's a shame to only finish third, but it's part of racing and we'll come back stronger."

Hamilton’s win in Bahrain was the 74th of his career but first this season.

The Briton stayed second in the championship but is now just one point shy of overall leader Bottas, who won and scored the extra point for fastest lap in Australia.

Max Verstappen finished fourth for Red Bull ahead of Vettel.

British rookie Lando Norris put in a fine drive for McLaren to finish sixth ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, Leclerc's predecessor at Ferrari.

Frenchman Pierre Gasly brought his Red Bull home in eighth ahead of Toro Rosso’s Thai driver Alexander Albon and Mexican Sergio Perez, who rounded out the top 10 for Racing Point.

Hamilton is now 17 wins short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91.

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton took a lucky Bahrain Grand Prix win for Mercedes on Sunday after engine trouble in the dying stages denied Charles Leclerc a first Formula One victory.

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton took a lucky Bahrain Grand Prix win for Mercedes on Sunday after engine trouble in the dying stages denied Charles Leclerc a first Formula One victory. The 21-year-old Monegasque, who had started from pole position and finished third, had been set to become Ferrari’s youngest winner in just his second race for the Italian team when his car started losing power. Hamilton and team mate Valtteri Bottas, both as much as four seconds a lap faster than the stricken Ferrari, reeled him in and breezed past to secure the team's second one-two finish in as many races. "That was extremely unfortunate for Charles,” said Hamilton as he crossed the line, with the race finishing behind the safety car which was deployed to clear away Daniel Ricciardo’s stranded Renault. "He drove such a great race. We’ve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails,” added the Briton, who hugged Leclerc after they stepped out of their cars. Leclerc’s problems capped an already difficult day for Ferrari, who had swept the front row in qualifying, with Sebastian Vettel’s race having already unravelled. The German, who finished fifth, spun while defending second place from Hamilton and then lost his front wing in a spectacular shower of sparks. The only consolation for Leclerc, on the podium for the first time in his F1 career, was an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race. "It's a very hard one to take,” said the youngster. "It's a shame to only finish third, but it's part of racing and we'll come back stronger." Hamilton’s win in Bahrain was the 74th of his career but first this season. The Briton stayed second in the championship but is now just one point shy of overall leader Bottas, who won and scored the extra point for fastest lap in Australia. Max Verstappen finished fourth for Red Bull ahead of Vettel. British rookie Lando Norris put in a fine drive for McLaren to finish sixth ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, Leclerc's predecessor at Ferrari. Frenchman Pierre Gasly brought his Red Bull home in eighth ahead of Toro Rosso’s Thai driver Alexander Albon and Mexican Sergio Perez, who rounded out the top 10 for Racing Point. Hamilton is now 17 wins short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91.

Formula one: Heartbreak for Charles Leclerc as Lewis Hamilton wins in Bahrain

Valtteri Bottas won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes with the fastest lap on Sunday and in the process achieved a Formula One first, while also ignoring team instructions to play safe.

The Finn was the first driver since the 1950s to win a point for the fastest lap, under a new rule introduced this year, and also the only one ever to score more than 25 points in a race on more than one occasion.&nbsp;

The only other race in which drivers have been able to score more than the maximum allocated for a victory was the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when double points were handed out for the first and only time.

Bottas finished third in that race at Yas Marina for Williams, behind winner Lewis Hamilton and now-retired Brazilian Felipe Massa, and banked 30 points. On Sunday he scored 26.

A point for fastest lap was awarded between 1950 and 1959 but in those days a win was worth only eight points.

The Finn said he had been determined to get the maximum score, despite the risk of trying to set a fastest lap on worn tyres and being told before the race not to try and get it if in a podium position.

Bottas pulled it off on the penultimate lap of the race to deny Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

With 21 races, and therefore an extra 21 points available so long as the fastest lap is set by a driver finishing in the top 10, the tweak to the scoring system has become an important consideration.

Team bosses agreed it had added something to the show.

"It's exciting," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "We were even debating do we take it with Pierre (Gasly), because he’s not in the top 10, to try and take it off Mercedes. So you’ve got all kinds of dynamics.

"Max had a go at it, he had it in the bag for a couple of laps and then Valtteri does a 1.25 (1:25.580) or something and OK we can’t do that.

"I thought it added an extra strategic dynamic which was really quite interesting."

Gasly finished 11th and out of the points. Had he been able to go fastest, he would have been credited with the best lap but the point -- which is also valid for the constructors' championship -- would not have been awarded to anyone.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff agreed the novelty provided another element, even if he had some reservations.

"In the morning meeting when we talked about strategy, I forbade them to go for the fastest lap if we were running first, second or third," he added.

"They ignored me. All of them.

"At the end I'm very happy. Collecting that extra point I think is good. It's entertaining. It's a great new part of the spectacle."

Valtteri Bottas won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes with the fastest lap on Sunday and in the process achieved a Formula One first, while also ignoring team instructions to play safe.

Valtteri Bottas won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes with the fastest lap on Sunday and in the process achieved a Formula One first, while also ignoring team instructions to play safe. The Finn was the first driver since the 1950s to win a point for the fastest lap, under a new rule introduced this year, and also the only one ever to score more than 25 points in a race on more than one occasion. The only other race in which drivers have been able to score more than the maximum allocated for a victory was the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when double points were handed out for the first and only time. Bottas finished third in that race at Yas Marina for Williams, behind winner Lewis Hamilton and now-retired Brazilian Felipe Massa, and banked 30 points. On Sunday he scored 26. A point for fastest lap was awarded between 1950 and 1959 but in those days a win was worth only eight points. The Finn said he had been determined to get the maximum score, despite the risk of trying to set a fastest lap on worn tyres and being told before the race not to try and get it if in a podium position. Bottas pulled it off on the penultimate lap of the race to deny Red Bull's Max Verstappen. With 21 races, and therefore an extra 21 points available so long as the fastest lap is set by a driver finishing in the top 10, the tweak to the scoring system has become an important consideration. Team bosses agreed it had added something to the show. "It's exciting," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "We were even debating do we take it with Pierre (Gasly), because he’s not in the top 10, to try and take it off Mercedes. So you’ve got all kinds of dynamics. "Max had a go at it, he had it in the bag for a couple of laps and then Valtteri does a 1.25 (1:25.580) or something and OK we can’t do that. "I thought it added an extra strategic dynamic which was really quite interesting." Gasly finished 11th and out of the points. Had he been able to go fastest, he would have been credited with the best lap but the point -- which is also valid for the constructors' championship -- would not have been awarded to anyone. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff agreed the novelty provided another element, even if he had some reservations. "In the morning meeting when we talked about strategy, I forbade them to go for the fastest lap if we were running first, second or third," he added. "They ignored me. All of them. "At the end I'm very happy. Collecting that extra point I think is good. It's entertaining. It's a great new part of the spectacle."

Fastest lap point helps Valtteri Bottas make F1 history

Seemingly destined for disappointment at his home Grand Prix, Australian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-formula-one-racer-daniel-ricciardo-meets-a-fan-who-gave-him-funny-nickname-daniel-avocado-203733">Daniel Ricciardo</a> might have hoped for an end to the curse after switching from Red Bull to Renault.

Instead, the home hero's hoodoo continued on Sunday as he suffered a calamitous start and ended up retiring for a third time at Albert Park.

While pondering his fate from the team garage, his former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen grabbed a podium behind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/motor-racing-valtteri-bottas-wins-australian-grand-prix-for-mercedes-203820">Mercedes winner Valtteri Bottas</a> and runner-up Lewis Hamilton.

Both Ricciardo and Verstappen had fumed over the performance of their Renault-powered cars last season, so the Australian might have felt a tinge of regret seeing Red Bull's successful debut with the engines of once-maligned Honda.

Ricciardo was already underwhelmed by Renault's performance during winter testing, and worked hard to lower expectations to success-starved fans in the leadup to Melbourne.

But even those low expectations were not met.

He lined up 12th on the grid after a poor qualifying on Saturday, and within seconds of the start, he had destroyed his front wing on a gutter after being pushed into the grass near the pit lane.

It prompted an immediate pitstop and his retirement midway through the race, with damage to broken barge-boards reducing performance and wearing tyres.

"I won’t swear, it’s alright. I’ve done enough of that," the seven-times race winner told reporters ruefully.

"No-one to blame other than just grass and then a big bump of concrete or something. A gutter. It was harsh, the bump.

"Just a shame, a shame it’s over so quickly."

A proven talent with a dependable smile, Ricciardo is beloved in Australia as the nation's sole Formula One racer.

But his popularity has become a chore, with the first race week of the year an endless procession of sponsorship and media commitments.

His inability to reach the podium in Australia has added to the frustration of a race where his desperation for success is matched only by his misfortune.

Ricciardo said it had all taken a toll.

"I don’t know how I’m smiling," said the 29-year-old, who was disqualified from a podium spot on his Red Bull debut at the same circuit in 2014.

"This week’s so long and I don’t seem to ever really have a good break here. I think we’re too busy pleasing everyone else and not worrying about ourselves.

"For sure I’m frustrated this week because again it’s like everyone expects so much but the reality is I’ve got to show up on Sunday and when the race is over in five seconds, whether it’s bad luck or not, I feel like well, preparation wasn’t where it should be."

His teammate Nico Hulkenberg had a better weekend, earning six points for seventh place, a result Ricciardo felt was on par for the car.

"I think we should be a top-eight car all of the first part of the season and then hopefully even better," he said.

"I think Bahrain is going to be a lot easier, that’s like a holiday week. There’s really nothing going on so I can actually prepare properly."

Seemingly destined for disappointment at his home Grand Prix, Australian Daniel Ricciardo might have hoped for an end to the curse after switching from Red Bull to Renault.

Seemingly destined for disappointment at his home Grand Prix, Australian Daniel Ricciardo might have hoped for an end to the curse after switching from Red Bull to Renault. Instead, the home hero's hoodoo continued on Sunday as he suffered a calamitous start and ended up retiring for a third time at Albert Park. While pondering his fate from the team garage, his former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen grabbed a podium behind Mercedes winner Valtteri Bottas and runner-up Lewis Hamilton. Both Ricciardo and Verstappen had fumed over the performance of their Renault-powered cars last season, so the Australian might have felt a tinge of regret seeing Red Bull's successful debut with the engines of once-maligned Honda. Ricciardo was already underwhelmed by Renault's performance during winter testing, and worked hard to lower expectations to success-starved fans in the leadup to Melbourne. But even those low expectations were not met. He lined up 12th on the grid after a poor qualifying on Saturday, and within seconds of the start, he had destroyed his front wing on a gutter after being pushed into the grass near the pit lane. It prompted an immediate pitstop and his retirement midway through the race, with damage to broken barge-boards reducing performance and wearing tyres. "I won’t swear, it’s alright. I’ve done enough of that," the seven-times race winner told reporters ruefully. "No-one to blame other than just grass and then a big bump of concrete or something. A gutter. It was harsh, the bump. "Just a shame, a shame it’s over so quickly." A proven talent with a dependable smile, Ricciardo is beloved in Australia as the nation's sole Formula One racer. But his popularity has become a chore, with the first race week of the year an endless procession of sponsorship and media commitments. His inability to reach the podium in Australia has added to the frustration of a race where his desperation for success is matched only by his misfortune. Ricciardo said it had all taken a toll. "I don’t know how I’m smiling," said the 29-year-old, who was disqualified from a podium spot on his Red Bull debut at the same circuit in 2014. "This week’s so long and I don’t seem to ever really have a good break here. I think we’re too busy pleasing everyone else and not worrying about ourselves. "For sure I’m frustrated this week because again it’s like everyone expects so much but the reality is I’ve got to show up on Sunday and when the race is over in five seconds, whether it’s bad luck or not, I feel like well, preparation wasn’t where it should be." His teammate Nico Hulkenberg had a better weekend, earning six points for seventh place, a result Ricciardo felt was on par for the car. "I think we should be a top-eight car all of the first part of the season and then hopefully even better," he said. "I think Bahrain is going to be a lot easier, that’s like a holiday week. There’s really nothing going on so I can actually prepare properly."

Australian Grand Prix: New team, same sinking feeling for Daniel Ricciardo

A five-year-old Formula One fan, Louis Pope, has no idea that he is ruling the internet with a funny reference to his favourite F1 racer.&nbsp;

The 29-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/daniel-ricciardo-joins-renault-f1-team-on-two-year-deal-156798">Daniel Ricciardo</a>, who transferred from Red Bull to Renault in the off-season, got a strange nickname after the kid referred to him as "Daniel Avocado".&nbsp;

Ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lewis-hamilton-takes-pole-at-australian-grand-prix-203692">Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix</a> in Melbourne, a reporter asked Louis&nbsp;his&nbsp;favourite F1 driver, on which he replied, "Daniel Avocado".&nbsp;

The video went viral and the fans started the trend of giving funny names to&nbsp;their favourite racer. Like Ferrari driver&nbsp;Sebastian Vettel became Sebastian "Pretzel" and McLaren driver Lando Norris was named as "Mango" Norris.&nbsp;

Even the official F1 Twitter handle mentioned Ricciardo as "Mr Avocado" in their tweets sharing info that Renault's new recruit Ricciardo might be lining up on the grid alongside "Kiwi" Raikkonen.&nbsp;

One of their tweets read, "Daniel Avocado. We just love it. Lining up on the grid with Kiwi Raikkonen...?"&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Yeah him and Sebastian Pretzel😂
— F1Cyberman (@F1Cyberman) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1Cyberman/status/1105394406415319040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Ricciardo thanked Louis in person and gave him a new Renault cap adorned with his signature.&nbsp;

Watch the video:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Daniel Avocado 🥑 <a href="https://twitter.com/danielricciardo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danielricciardo</a> loved his new nickname so much he wanted to meet the boy who made it. <a href="https://twitter.com/10NewsFirst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10NewsFirst</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/10SportAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10SportAU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/F1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ausgrandprix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ausgrandprix</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RenaultF1Team?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RenaultF1Team</a> <a href="https://t.co/xx6K12u2sZ">pic.twitter.com/xx6K12u2sZ</a>
— Annie Kearney (@anniemaykearney) <a href="https://twitter.com/anniemaykearney/status/1106740035028541440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Nice to meet you, Mr Avocado 🥑 😂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusGP</a> 🇦🇺 <a href="https://twitter.com/danielricciardo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danielricciardo</a> <a href="https://t.co/HBeEXalqcY">pic.twitter.com/HBeEXalqcY</a>
— Formula 1 (@F1) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1/status/1106873690933858304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At the Australian Grand Prix, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton to a record-extending eighth pole and sixth in succession.&nbsp;

While the Australian Daniel Ricciardo was a big casualty, finishing 12th in his first outing for new team Renault after moving from Red Bull.&nbsp;

A five-year-old Formula One fan, Louis Pope, has no idea that he is ruling the internet with a funny reference to his favourite F1 racer. The 29-year-old Daniel Ricciardo, who transferred from Red Bull to Renault in the off-season, got a strange nickname after the kid referred to him as "Daniel Avocado".

A five-year-old Formula One fan, Louis Pope, has no idea that he is ruling the internet with a funny reference to his favourite F1 racer. The 29-year-old Daniel Ricciardo, who transferred from Red Bull to Renault in the off-season, got a strange nickname after the kid referred to him as "Daniel Avocado". Ahead of Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, a reporter asked Louis his favourite F1 driver, on which he replied, "Daniel Avocado". The video went viral and the fans started the trend of giving funny names to their favourite racer. Like Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel became Sebastian "Pretzel" and McLaren driver Lando Norris was named as "Mango" Norris. Even the official F1 Twitter handle mentioned Ricciardo as "Mr Avocado" in their tweets sharing info that Renault's new recruit Ricciardo might be lining up on the grid alongside "Kiwi" Raikkonen. One of their tweets read, "Daniel Avocado. We just love it. Lining up on the grid with Kiwi Raikkonen...?" Yeah him and Sebastian Pretzel😂 — F1Cyberman (@F1Cyberman) March 12, 2019 × Ricciardo thanked Louis in person and gave him a new Renault cap adorned with his signature. Watch the video: Daniel Avocado 🥑 @danielricciardo loved his new nickname so much he wanted to meet the boy who made it. @10NewsFirst @10SportAU @F1 @ausgrandprix @RenaultF1Team pic.twitter.com/xx6K12u2sZ — Annie Kearney (@anniemaykearney) March 16, 2019 × Nice to meet you, Mr Avocado 🥑 😂#F1 #AusGP 🇦🇺 @danielricciardo pic.twitter.com/HBeEXalqcY — Formula 1 (@F1) March 16, 2019 × At the Australian Grand Prix, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton to a record-extending eighth pole and sixth in succession. While the Australian Daniel Ricciardo was a big casualty, finishing 12th in his first outing for new team Renault after moving from Red Bull.

Watch: Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo meets a fan who gave him funny nickname, 'Daniel Avocado'

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton blazed to a record-extending eighth pole and sixth in succession at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday to lead Valtteri Bottas to a Mercedes sweep of the front row of the grid.

Hamilton struggled with a brake problem during the frenetic final session at Albert Park but nosed in front of his Finnish teammate with a record lap of one minute 20.486 seconds at the lakeside circuit.

Briton Hamilton matched Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher for the record number of poles at the same race track.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel will be third on the grid for Sunday's race, separated from his new teammate Charles Leclerc by fourth-placed Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

"Oh man, I'm shaking it was so close out there," Hamilton said.

"Coming from winter testing, we had no idea where we would be. We were hoping to be where we are ... Valterri did an exceptional job out there, it was very close."

In a blow for Red Bull on their debut with engine maker Honda, Pierre Gasly was eliminated in Q1 and will line up 17th on the grid.

While Red Bull may have smarted over Gasly, it was an even tougher session for Renault, with neither of their cars able to reach Q3.

Their expensive new recruit Daniel Ricciardo, who transferred from Red Bull in the off-season, qualified 12th behind his 11th-placed team mate Nico Hulkenberg.

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen's debut for Alfa Romeo, the team formerly known as Sauber, went better as he qualified ninth.

Formula One rookie Lando Norris enjoyed a good day out with McLaren to qualify eighth, outshining senior teammate Carlos Sainz who was knocked out in Q1 after being blocked on his last flying lap by Williams driver Robert Kubica.

Toro Rosso's Anglo-Thai debutant Alexander Albon made it through Q1 to secure 13th on the grid.

Kubica's first F1 qualifying in over eight years was blighted by a right rear puncture and he ended up skidding over the grass on his final effort in Q1.

The Pole will line up last on the grid behind his 19th-placed teammate George Russell, the Williams team proving decisively they are well off the pace after their off-season troubles.

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton blazed to a record-extending eighth pole and sixth in succession at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday to lead Valtteri Bottas to a Mercedes sweep of the front row of the grid.

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton blazed to a record-extending eighth pole and sixth in succession at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday to lead Valtteri Bottas to a Mercedes sweep of the front row of the grid. Hamilton struggled with a brake problem during the frenetic final session at Albert Park but nosed in front of his Finnish teammate with a record lap of one minute 20.486 seconds at the lakeside circuit. Briton Hamilton matched Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher for the record number of poles at the same race track. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel will be third on the grid for Sunday's race, separated from his new teammate Charles Leclerc by fourth-placed Max Verstappen of Red Bull. "Oh man, I'm shaking it was so close out there," Hamilton said. "Coming from winter testing, we had no idea where we would be. We were hoping to be where we are ... Valterri did an exceptional job out there, it was very close." In a blow for Red Bull on their debut with engine maker Honda, Pierre Gasly was eliminated in Q1 and will line up 17th on the grid. While Red Bull may have smarted over Gasly, it was an even tougher session for Renault, with neither of their cars able to reach Q3. Their expensive new recruit Daniel Ricciardo, who transferred from Red Bull in the off-season, qualified 12th behind his 11th-placed team mate Nico Hulkenberg. Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen's debut for Alfa Romeo, the team formerly known as Sauber, went better as he qualified ninth. Formula One rookie Lando Norris enjoyed a good day out with McLaren to qualify eighth, outshining senior teammate Carlos Sainz who was knocked out in Q1 after being blocked on his last flying lap by Williams driver Robert Kubica. Toro Rosso's Anglo-Thai debutant Alexander Albon made it through Q1 to secure 13th on the grid. Kubica's first F1 qualifying in over eight years was blighted by a right rear puncture and he ended up skidding over the grass on his final effort in Q1. The Pole will line up last on the grid behind his 19th-placed teammate George Russell, the Williams team proving decisively they are well off the pace after their off-season troubles.

Lewis Hamilton takes pole at Australian Grand Prix

Five-times champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Lewis+Hamilton">Lewis Hamilton</a> dominated Friday practice at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, topping the timesheets for Mercedes in both sessions to deliver an ominous warning to his Formula One title rivals.

After pipping Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel with a lap of one minute 23.599 seconds in first practice, the Briton shaved almost a second off that time in the second session, his quickest lap timed at 1:22.60.

His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was 0.048 seconds off the time of Hamilton, who had a yawning 0.800 seconds gap to Max Verstappen in third, with Red Bull's other driver, Pierre Gasly, a further 0.042 seconds behind in fourth.

Vettel was fifth fastest after taking a skid into the grass and complaining of a reliability problem, while new teammate Charles Leclerc posted the ninth fastest time after he too spun into the grass in the dying minutes of the session.

It was a more encouraging session for Kimi Raikkonen and Alfa Romeo, the team formerly known as Sauber. The Finnish former world champion was sixth fastest in the second session, giving them hope of being the best of the midfield racers.

Raikkonen was quicker than both Renaults, with Nico Hulkenberg and home hope Daniel Ricciardo seventh and eighth.

Ricciardo, who switched from Red Bull last season, improved after an underwhelming start, clocking only the 17th fastest lap in the opening session earlier on Friday.

British-born Thai debutant Alexander Albon had a tough day, crashing his Toro Rosso to lose his front wing and causing a brief halt in the first session before spinning off track several times in the second.

Williams appear set for another season of toil as their Polish driver Robert Kubica, returning to Formula One after an absence of more than eight years, was 20th in second practice, one place behind rookie teammate George Russell.

Five-times champion Lewis Hamilton dominated Friday practice at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, topping the timesheets for Mercedes in both sessions to deliver an ominous warning to his Formula One title rivals.

Five-times champion Lewis Hamilton dominated Friday practice at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, topping the timesheets for Mercedes in both sessions to deliver an ominous warning to his Formula One title rivals. After pipping Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel with a lap of one minute 23.599 seconds in first practice, the Briton shaved almost a second off that time in the second session, his quickest lap timed at 1:22.60. His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was 0.048 seconds off the time of Hamilton, who had a yawning 0.800 seconds gap to Max Verstappen in third, with Red Bull's other driver, Pierre Gasly, a further 0.042 seconds behind in fourth. Vettel was fifth fastest after taking a skid into the grass and complaining of a reliability problem, while new teammate Charles Leclerc posted the ninth fastest time after he too spun into the grass in the dying minutes of the session. It was a more encouraging session for Kimi Raikkonen and Alfa Romeo, the team formerly known as Sauber. The Finnish former world champion was sixth fastest in the second session, giving them hope of being the best of the midfield racers. Raikkonen was quicker than both Renaults, with Nico Hulkenberg and home hope Daniel Ricciardo seventh and eighth. Ricciardo, who switched from Red Bull last season, improved after an underwhelming start, clocking only the 17th fastest lap in the opening session earlier on Friday. British-born Thai debutant Alexander Albon had a tough day, crashing his Toro Rosso to lose his front wing and causing a brief halt in the first session before spinning off track several times in the second. Williams appear set for another season of toil as their Polish driver Robert Kubica, returning to Formula One after an absence of more than eight years, was 20th in second practice, one place behind rookie teammate George Russell.

Lewis Hamilton dominates practice as Mercedes lay down marker

New recruit Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari on top of the timesheets with a full race distance before lunchtime on the second day of Formula One's pre-season testing in Spain on Tuesday.

After teammate Sebastian Vettel led the way on Monday with the fastest time and most laps, Kimi Raikkonen's 21-year-old replacement slotted in seamlessly with a time not far off the German's best.

The Monegasque produced a best time of one minute 18.247 seconds and did 73 laps, compared with Vettel's Monday 1:18.161 and 72 laps, in partially cloudy conditions and an ambient temperature of 14 degrees Celsius.

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton, working through the Mercedes testing programme, did one more lap than Leclerc however.

Ferrari's times have been quicker than anything from last year's weather-affected first four-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Rule changes, with new aerodynamic regulations, were expected to make the cars around 1.5 seconds a lap slower. But the evidence so far has been that much of the lost time has been regained.

By the time the season starts in Australia on March 17 cars can be expected to be going even faster, but Pirelli's F1 tyre boss Mario Isola cautioned that the picture might be distorted.

He said the asphalt had been new for testing last year, with a very smooth surface that had evolved further.

"I believe the influence of the Tarmac is higher, and the (warmer) temperature is playing a big effect. We know that," he told reporters.

Ferrari-powered Haas were second fastest, with Denmark's Kevin Magnussen taking his turn and producing a best lap of 1:19.234.

Alfa Romeo were third with Italian newcomer Antonio Giovinazzi taking over from Raikkonen who tested on Monday and using harder tyres than others.

In terms of mileage, Red Bull did the third most with Frenchman Pierre Gasly putting in 69 laps in another strong showing for the new partnership with Honda.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who has joined Renault from Red Bull, did the least laps of the morning (28) but that was due to his rear wing flying off at speed.

He returned to the pits with the Renault engineers setting to work.

"On-track fun for Daniel. We're testing his reaction skills. They're good," the team said jokingly on Twitter. "Car and driver are back in the garage. Rear-wing assessing is in full flow."

Williams were again absent, with the team hoping to get their car to Barcelona for Wednesday's third day amid speculation that senior heads could roll as a result of the delay.

New recruit Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari on top of the timesheets with a full race distance before lunchtime on the second day of Formula One's pre-season testing in Spain on Tuesday.

New recruit Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari on top of the timesheets with a full race distance before lunchtime on the second day of Formula One's pre-season testing in Spain on Tuesday. After teammate Sebastian Vettel led the way on Monday with the fastest time and most laps, Kimi Raikkonen's 21-year-old replacement slotted in seamlessly with a time not far off the German's best. The Monegasque produced a best time of one minute 18.247 seconds and did 73 laps, compared with Vettel's Monday 1:18.161 and 72 laps, in partially cloudy conditions and an ambient temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton, working through the Mercedes testing programme, did one more lap than Leclerc however. Ferrari's times have been quicker than anything from last year's weather-affected first four-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya. Rule changes, with new aerodynamic regulations, were expected to make the cars around 1.5 seconds a lap slower. But the evidence so far has been that much of the lost time has been regained. By the time the season starts in Australia on March 17 cars can be expected to be going even faster, but Pirelli's F1 tyre boss Mario Isola cautioned that the picture might be distorted. He said the asphalt had been new for testing last year, with a very smooth surface that had evolved further. "I believe the influence of the Tarmac is higher, and the (warmer) temperature is playing a big effect. We know that," he told reporters. Ferrari-powered Haas were second fastest, with Denmark's Kevin Magnussen taking his turn and producing a best lap of 1:19.234. Alfa Romeo were third with Italian newcomer Antonio Giovinazzi taking over from Raikkonen who tested on Monday and using harder tyres than others. In terms of mileage, Red Bull did the third most with Frenchman Pierre Gasly putting in 69 laps in another strong showing for the new partnership with Honda. Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who has joined Renault from Red Bull, did the least laps of the morning (28) but that was due to his rear wing flying off at speed. He returned to the pits with the Renault engineers setting to work. "On-track fun for Daniel. We're testing his reaction skills. They're good," the team said jokingly on Twitter. "Car and driver are back in the garage. Rear-wing assessing is in full flow." Williams were again absent, with the team hoping to get their car to Barcelona for Wednesday's third day amid speculation that senior heads could roll as a result of the delay.

Charles Leclerc keeps Ferrari on top in testing

Ferrari made a strong start to the first day of Formula One testing on Monday with four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel top of the timesheets at lunchtime with 72 laps completed.

The Italian team won six of the 21 races last year, finishing overall runners-up, and are hoping the new SF90 car can end Mercedes's five-year stranglehold on both championships.

Vettel's fastest lap of one minute 18.161 seconds, on a sunny morning at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, was already quicker than anything set during the weather-hit first four-day test of 2018.

The German was also nearly two seconds faster than the best of the rest.

Racing Point's Mexican Sergio Perez was next on the timesheets, with a 1.19.944, on a day when mileage mattered more than outright speed as teams get to grips with their new cars for the first time and focus on getting in plenty of laps.

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Feels great to be back! 👊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1Testing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1Testing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://t.co/zH4IwM44yj">pic.twitter.com/zH4IwM44yj</a>
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Reigning champions Mercedes, with Valtteri Bottas first behind the wheel of the silver W10, completed the second most laps -- three fewer than Ferrari -- with Renault's Nico Hulkenberg doing 65.

Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton will take over from Bottas, who was third fastest, in the afternoon.

Former champions McLaren also made a solid start with Spaniard Carlos Sainz, stepping into the shoes of departed compatriot Fernando Alonso, completing 56 laps with the sixth fastest time.

Red Bull, now powered by Honda after their split from Renault, managed 52 laps with Dutch driver Max Verstappen in action.

Alfa Romeo, the renamed former Sauber team, had 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen in new overalls after leaving Ferrari and completing 46 laps after an early trip into the gravel that brought out the first red flag of 2019.

The Finn was fourth fastest at the lunch break.

Russian Daniil Kvyat was slowest in the Honda-powered Toro Rosso but did more laps than Romain Grosjean, who did only 18 for Haas, while Perez took Racing Point's tally to 20.

Only nine of the 10 teams appeared on track, with struggling Williams failing to get their car ready on time and not expecting to test until Wednesday at the earliest.

Ferrari made a strong start to the first day of Formula One testing on Monday with four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel top of the timesheets at lunchtime with 72 laps completed.

Ferrari made a strong start to the first day of Formula One testing on Monday with four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel top of the timesheets at lunchtime with 72 laps completed. The Italian team won six of the 21 races last year, finishing overall runners-up, and are hoping the new SF90 car can end Mercedes's five-year stranglehold on both championships. Vettel's fastest lap of one minute 18.161 seconds, on a sunny morning at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, was already quicker than anything set during the weather-hit first four-day test of 2018. The German was also nearly two seconds faster than the best of the rest. Racing Point's Mexican Sergio Perez was next on the timesheets, with a 1.19.944, on a day when mileage mattered more than outright speed as teams get to grips with their new cars for the first time and focus on getting in plenty of laps. Feels great to be back! 👊#F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/zH4IwM44yj — Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2019 × Reigning champions Mercedes, with Valtteri Bottas first behind the wheel of the silver W10, completed the second most laps -- three fewer than Ferrari -- with Renault's Nico Hulkenberg doing 65. Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton will take over from Bottas, who was third fastest, in the afternoon. Former champions McLaren also made a solid start with Spaniard Carlos Sainz, stepping into the shoes of departed compatriot Fernando Alonso, completing 56 laps with the sixth fastest time. Red Bull, now powered by Honda after their split from Renault, managed 52 laps with Dutch driver Max Verstappen in action. Alfa Romeo, the renamed former Sauber team, had 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen in new overalls after leaving Ferrari and completing 46 laps after an early trip into the gravel that brought out the first red flag of 2019. The Finn was fourth fastest at the lunch break. Russian Daniil Kvyat was slowest in the Honda-powered Toro Rosso but did more laps than Romain Grosjean, who did only 18 for Haas, while Perez took Racing Point's tally to 20. Only nine of the 10 teams appeared on track, with struggling Williams failing to get their car ready on time and not expecting to test until Wednesday at the earliest.

Sebastian Vettel gets Ferrari off to strong start in F1 testing

Ferrari turned a page on their recent past&nbsp;as they unveiled the Formula One car designed to end an era of Mercedes domination and shatter Lewis Hamilton's dreams of a sixth championship this season.&nbsp;

The sport's oldest and most successful team, who last won a title more than a decade ago and finished runners-up last year, presented the SF90 with plenty of fanfare at their Maranello factory.&nbsp;

"I'm looking forward to this year. I think the team is on the right path and hopefully we can continue improving," four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, winner of five races in 2018, assured the audience.&nbsp;

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Newborn <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SF90?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SF90</a> 
 
Discover all contents at <a href="https://t.co/bS2YGkBDkv">https://t.co/bS2YGkBDkv</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/essereFerrari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#essereFerrari</a> <a href="https://t.co/FvzpUdWrGt">pic.twitter.com/FvzpUdWrGt</a>
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The German has a new team mate in Charles Leclerc, replacing 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, and a new principal following the departure of Maurizio Arrivabene and appointment of Mattia Binotto.&nbsp;

"I'm extremely excited to start this new adventure," said Leclerc. "It's a dream since childhood. I've always been looking at the red cars, hoping to be one day in this car, so it's a very emotional day for me."&nbsp;

Testing starts in Spain on Monday with the first race in Australia on March 17.&nbsp;

Ferrari turned a page on their recent past as they unveiled the Formula One car designed to end an era of Mercedes domination and shatter Lewis Hamilton's dreams of a sixth championship this season.

Ferrari turned a page on their recent past as they unveiled the Formula One car designed to end an era of Mercedes domination and shatter Lewis Hamilton's dreams of a sixth championship this season. The sport's oldest and most successful team, who last won a title more than a decade ago and finished runners-up last year, presented the SF90 with plenty of fanfare at their Maranello factory. "I'm looking forward to this year. I think the team is on the right path and hopefully we can continue improving," four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, winner of five races in 2018, assured the audience. Newborn #SF90 Discover all contents at https://t.co/bS2YGkBDkv#essereFerrari pic.twitter.com/FvzpUdWrGt — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 15, 2019 × The German has a new team mate in Charles Leclerc, replacing 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, and a new principal following the departure of Maurizio Arrivabene and appointment of Mattia Binotto. "I'm extremely excited to start this new adventure," said Leclerc. "It's a dream since childhood. I've always been looking at the red cars, hoping to be one day in this car, so it's a very emotional day for me." Testing starts in Spain on Monday with the first race in Australia on March 17.

Ferrari launch new SF90 looking to end F1 title drought

Lewis Hamilton said it was a good first date ahead of the 2019 Formula One season on Wednesday as the new Mercedes challenger - which Hamilton hopes will propel him to a fifth world title in six years - was launched.&nbsp;

"It was a great first date, which was probably one of the best ones that, that we've had in all these years," said Hamilton as Formula One champions Mercedes ran their new car for the first time at Silverstone.&nbsp;

"The excitement I had today was the same as I had when I first got in a Formula One car, which is really weird. I was not expecting that but, I'm happy that I have that," Hamilton added.&nbsp;

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Getting comfortable 🔥 The talent and sheer skill put into this unbelievable car never ceases to amaze me. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeW10?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeW10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MercedesAMGF1</a> <a href="https://t.co/ke6mMaOlHp">pic.twitter.com/ke6mMaOlHp</a>
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Hamilton stated that he felt 2019 could turn out even better than last season and added that his intention is to improve his 2018 championship-winning campaign.&nbsp;

Should he achieve that feat, it would also be six career world titles for Hamilton - one short of Michael Schumacher's record.&nbsp;

The 34-year-old Briton will be partnered at Mercedes by Finland's Valtteri Bottas for a third straight season.&nbsp;

The opening winter test gets underway in Barcelona, Spain on Monday before Hamilton starts his title defence in Melbourne, Australia on March 17.&nbsp;

Lewis Hamilton said it was a good first date ahead of the 2019 Formula One season on Wednesday as the new Mercedes challenger - which Hamilton hopes will propel him to a fifth world title in six years - was launched.

Lewis Hamilton said it was a good first date ahead of the 2019 Formula One season on Wednesday as the new Mercedes challenger - which Hamilton hopes will propel him to a fifth world title in six years - was launched. "It was a great first date, which was probably one of the best ones that, that we've had in all these years," said Hamilton as Formula One champions Mercedes ran their new car for the first time at Silverstone. "The excitement I had today was the same as I had when I first got in a Formula One car, which is really weird. I was not expecting that but, I'm happy that I have that," Hamilton added. Getting comfortable 🔥 The talent and sheer skill put into this unbelievable car never ceases to amaze me. #WelcomeW10 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/ke6mMaOlHp — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) February 13, 2019 × Hamilton stated that he felt 2019 could turn out even better than last season and added that his intention is to improve his 2018 championship-winning campaign. Should he achieve that feat, it would also be six career world titles for Hamilton - one short of Michael Schumacher's record. The 34-year-old Briton will be partnered at Mercedes by Finland's Valtteri Bottas for a third straight season. The opening winter test gets underway in Barcelona, Spain on Monday before Hamilton starts his title defence in Melbourne, Australia on March 17.

Here is Lewis Hamilton's 'great first date'

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Speaking to reporters before the 2019 cars break cover next week, the Briton was also scathing of technical changes he said had been expensive to implement but would change little on track.

The agreements between teams, the rights holders and governing body expire at the end of 2020 and US-based Liberty, who took control two years ago, want closer racing and a more level playing field.

That includes a budget cap and distributing revenues more equally, as well as technical changes so that cars can follow at close quarters and overtake more easily.

The detail has yet to be defined, however, with resistance from wealthy teams who have historically enjoyed special privileges.

"I think they probably thought there was some very low hanging fruit there and I think it's proved an awful lot harder than they perhaps thought," Horner said of Liberty's initial approach to the sport.

"You can window dress and promote a movie as much as you like, but if the movie has not got the substance and isn't an exciting movie, people won't watch it."

Horner said Liberty had taken positive steps in areas such as esports, digital platforms and promotion, but they needed to set out a clear post-2020 blueprint.

"As the owner of the sport they need to take a position of 'this is what we want Formula One to be, here's the set of regulations and here's the financials', and go with it," declared the Briton.

Promoters representing a majority of the tracks on the calendar last week voiced concern about Liberty's handling of the sport.

Horner said former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ran the sport for decades with an iron fist until 2017, would have had a firmer response to that.

"The problem is the way that Liberty are operating, trying to operate in a democratic way," he said.

"Bernie ran a really tight and hardship. A dictatorship. If you didn't like it, than you wouldn’t have a race the following year."

Formula One cars will have wider and simpler front wings this season, but Horner was sceptical about the changes improving racing.

"They've cherry-picked something in isolation of a future concept for 2021 and rushed it through onto the current car. There's no silver bullet," he said.

"It has to be everything working in harmony with everything else. Just taking the front wing and saying that will make racing better, it's quite a naive and ultimately expensive approach."

Red Bull's motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has put the cost of developing the aerodynamic changes at an extra 15 million euros ($17.07 million) for the team.

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. Speaking to reporters before the 2019 cars break cover next week, the Briton was also scathing of technical changes he said had been expensive to implement but would change little on track. The agreements between teams, the rights holders and governing body expire at the end of 2020 and US-based Liberty, who took control two years ago, want closer racing and a more level playing field. That includes a budget cap and distributing revenues more equally, as well as technical changes so that cars can follow at close quarters and overtake more easily. The detail has yet to be defined, however, with resistance from wealthy teams who have historically enjoyed special privileges. "I think they probably thought there was some very low hanging fruit there and I think it's proved an awful lot harder than they perhaps thought," Horner said of Liberty's initial approach to the sport. "You can window dress and promote a movie as much as you like, but if the movie has not got the substance and isn't an exciting movie, people won't watch it." Horner said Liberty had taken positive steps in areas such as esports, digital platforms and promotion, but they needed to set out a clear post-2020 blueprint. "As the owner of the sport they need to take a position of 'this is what we want Formula One to be, here's the set of regulations and here's the financials', and go with it," declared the Briton. Promoters representing a majority of the tracks on the calendar last week voiced concern about Liberty's handling of the sport. Horner said former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ran the sport for decades with an iron fist until 2017, would have had a firmer response to that. "The problem is the way that Liberty are operating, trying to operate in a democratic way," he said. "Bernie ran a really tight and hardship. A dictatorship. If you didn't like it, than you wouldn’t have a race the following year." Formula One cars will have wider and simpler front wings this season, but Horner was sceptical about the changes improving racing. "They've cherry-picked something in isolation of a future concept for 2021 and rushed it through onto the current car. There's no silver bullet," he said. "It has to be everything working in harmony with everything else. Just taking the front wing and saying that will make racing better, it's quite a naive and ultimately expensive approach." Red Bull's motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has put the cost of developing the aerodynamic changes at an extra 15 million euros ($17.07 million) for the team.

Liberty have under-estimated challenge of F1, says Red Bull boss Horner

The Sauber name will disappear from the Formula One grid this season after the Swiss-based team announced on Friday it had been renamed Alfa Romeo Racing as part of an extended sponsorship deal.

The team, who finished eighth out of 10 in the constructors' championship last year, will remain under the same independent ownership and management with Frenchman Frederic Vasseur as principal.

Sauber made their Formula One debut as a privately-owned team in 1993, taking their sole victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix while racing as BMW's factory team.

They have been partnered by Fiat Chrysler brand Alfa Romeo since last year.

The team use the same engines as Ferrari, with whom they have close ties, and have Finland's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi in an all-new driver lineup for 2019.

Alfa Romeo has a strong heritage in Formula One with the first two world championships in 1950 and 1951 won by Italian Giuseppe "Nino" Farina and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in cars carrying the four-leaf clover emblem.

Ferrari's late founder Enzo also started out racing and managing a team for Alfa Romeo, before setting up on his own in the late 1930s.

Founded in 1910, Alfa Romeo supplied Formula One engines in the 1960s and 1970s and returned as a constructor in 1979 before again withdrawing at the end of 1985.&nbsp;

The Sauber name will disappear from the Formula One grid this season after the Swiss-based team announced on Friday it had been renamed Alfa Romeo Racing as part of an extended sponsorship deal.

The Sauber name will disappear from the Formula One grid this season after the Swiss-based team announced on Friday it had been renamed Alfa Romeo Racing as part of an extended sponsorship deal. The team, who finished eighth out of 10 in the constructors' championship last year, will remain under the same independent ownership and management with Frenchman Frederic Vasseur as principal. Sauber made their Formula One debut as a privately-owned team in 1993, taking their sole victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix while racing as BMW's factory team. They have been partnered by Fiat Chrysler brand Alfa Romeo since last year. The team use the same engines as Ferrari, with whom they have close ties, and have Finland's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi in an all-new driver lineup for 2019. Alfa Romeo has a strong heritage in Formula One with the first two world championships in 1950 and 1951 won by Italian Giuseppe "Nino" Farina and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in cars carrying the four-leaf clover emblem. Ferrari's late founder Enzo also started out racing and managing a team for Alfa Romeo, before setting up on his own in the late 1930s. Founded in 1910, Alfa Romeo supplied Formula One engines in the 1960s and 1970s and returned as a constructor in 1979 before again withdrawing at the end of 1985.

Sauber F1 team changes name to Alfa Romeo Racing

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won their fifth Formula One championships in 2018 but, even if nothing actually changed at the top, the season at least added an exciting twist to the same old story.

Yes, the top three -- the 'Silver Arrows' along with Ferrari and Red Bull -- again won all the races, just as they have for the past five years.

And yes, their drivers also filled all but one of the 63 podium places in what was more than ever a two-tier championship.

At the front, however, the fight for supremacy was far closer, with the outcome far from clear and Mercedes having to wait until the fourth race to open their win account.

Ferrari won six, their best effort since 2008 but still some way short of what might have been, and were hit hard by the death mid-season of combative chairman Sergio Marchionne and their own mistakes.

Red Bull ended their Renault partnership with four victories, their biggest haul since 2013 when they were last champions, to set new engine suppliers Honda a high benchmark for 2019.

Hamilton moved onto another level, however.

His success, with 11 wins from 21 races and 11 poles, was all the more impressive given that Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel could claim to have the faster car for at least the first half of the season.

Unlike Vettel and Ferrari, Hamilton barely put a wheel wrong as he equalled the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's five titles, with only Michael Schumacher ahead on seven.

The highlights included storming from 14th on the grid to victory in Germany, while Vettel skidded off as he led in the wet, and an astonishing pole position lap in Singapore.

The 33-year-old Briton staged an epic recovery from last to second at Silverstone, and ended the year on 73 wins with Schumacher's all-time record of 91 coming into range.

"I've grown, I've understood myself more," Hamilton said when asked what he had learned from a year that left Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas winless, mentally battered and bruised.

"I've just been able to be a better me all year long and that's never going to stop."

Hamilton's continuing reign was echoed elsewhere in motorsport, with Spaniard Marc Marquez collecting his fifth MotoGP crown while Frenchman Sebastien Ogier went one better to end a closely-fought rally championship as a six-times champion.

Hefty Push

Formula One's youth revolution continued, with fresh faces lined up for 2019 as teams gave the driver merry-go-round a hefty push.

Only Mercedes and fifth-placed Haas will be carrying unchanged line-ups into 2019, also a crucial year off the track with commercial rights holders Liberty Media facing tough discussions over the sport's future direction.

Another, very real, shove landed Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who turned 21 and delighted Dutch fans with two race wins in 2018, in hot water after an altercation with Force India's Esteban Ocon.

Sauber's Charles Leclerc was rookie of the year and the exciting young Monegasque will begin a new chapter at Ferrari next year, trading places with 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen -- who won in Texas for his first victory in 113 races.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso called it a day, leaving as one of the greats but with McLaren still agonisingly slow and ushering out racing director Eric Boullier among others.

Alonso will now chase the Indianapolis 500, and Triple Crown glory, after winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota at the first attempt in 2018.

The return of the French Grand Prix after a 10-year absence was a popular comeback, the traffic jams around Le Castellet much less so as fans fumed in tailbacks for hours.

New faces coming in for 2019 will include Britain's Formula Two champion George Russell, at Williams, and teenage compatriot Lando Norris at McLaren.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo will also have a new team after leaving Red Bull for Renault -- now the sport's fourth-ranked team.

Force India who had previously been best-of-the-rest, went into administration and emerged under the new ownership of a Canadian consortium led by Lance Stroll's billionaire father Lawrence.

In the year's least surprising move, Stroll junior moved from Williams -- the former champions now 10th and last -- to his father's team for 2019.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won their fifth Formula One championships in 2018 but, even if nothing actually changed at the top, the season at least added an exciting twist to the same old story.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won their fifth Formula One championships in 2018 but, even if nothing actually changed at the top, the season at least added an exciting twist to the same old story. Yes, the top three -- the 'Silver Arrows' along with Ferrari and Red Bull -- again won all the races, just as they have for the past five years. And yes, their drivers also filled all but one of the 63 podium places in what was more than ever a two-tier championship. At the front, however, the fight for supremacy was far closer, with the outcome far from clear and Mercedes having to wait until the fourth race to open their win account. Ferrari won six, their best effort since 2008 but still some way short of what might have been, and were hit hard by the death mid-season of combative chairman Sergio Marchionne and their own mistakes. Red Bull ended their Renault partnership with four victories, their biggest haul since 2013 when they were last champions, to set new engine suppliers Honda a high benchmark for 2019. Hamilton moved onto another level, however. His success, with 11 wins from 21 races and 11 poles, was all the more impressive given that Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel could claim to have the faster car for at least the first half of the season. Unlike Vettel and Ferrari, Hamilton barely put a wheel wrong as he equalled the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's five titles, with only Michael Schumacher ahead on seven. The highlights included storming from 14th on the grid to victory in Germany, while Vettel skidded off as he led in the wet, and an astonishing pole position lap in Singapore. The 33-year-old Briton staged an epic recovery from last to second at Silverstone, and ended the year on 73 wins with Schumacher's all-time record of 91 coming into range. "I've grown, I've understood myself more," Hamilton said when asked what he had learned from a year that left Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas winless, mentally battered and bruised. "I've just been able to be a better me all year long and that's never going to stop." Hamilton's continuing reign was echoed elsewhere in motorsport, with Spaniard Marc Marquez collecting his fifth MotoGP crown while Frenchman Sebastien Ogier went one better to end a closely-fought rally championship as a six-times champion. Hefty Push Formula One's youth revolution continued, with fresh faces lined up for 2019 as teams gave the driver merry-go-round a hefty push. Only Mercedes and fifth-placed Haas will be carrying unchanged line-ups into 2019, also a crucial year off the track with commercial rights holders Liberty Media facing tough discussions over the sport's future direction. Another, very real, shove landed Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who turned 21 and delighted Dutch fans with two race wins in 2018, in hot water after an altercation with Force India's Esteban Ocon. Sauber's Charles Leclerc was rookie of the year and the exciting young Monegasque will begin a new chapter at Ferrari next year, trading places with 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen -- who won in Texas for his first victory in 113 races. Double world champion Fernando Alonso called it a day, leaving as one of the greats but with McLaren still agonisingly slow and ushering out racing director Eric Boullier among others. Alonso will now chase the Indianapolis 500, and Triple Crown glory, after winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota at the first attempt in 2018. The return of the French Grand Prix after a 10-year absence was a popular comeback, the traffic jams around Le Castellet much less so as fans fumed in tailbacks for hours. New faces coming in for 2019 will include Britain's Formula Two champion George Russell, at Williams, and teenage compatriot Lando Norris at McLaren. Australian Daniel Ricciardo will also have a new team after leaving Red Bull for Renault -- now the sport's fourth-ranked team. Force India who had previously been best-of-the-rest, went into administration and emerged under the new ownership of a Canadian consortium led by Lance Stroll's billionaire father Lawrence. In the year's least surprising move, Stroll junior moved from Williams -- the former champions now 10th and last -- to his father's team for 2019.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes shift from fourth to fifth

The Force India name will disappear from Formula One next season, after 11 years of competition, with the British-based team entered as Racing Point F1 on a list published by the governing FIA on Friday.

The chassis name was listed as Racing Point, with the company name Racing Point UK Limited.

The team, who became Force India in 2008 after Indian beer baron Vijay Mallya bought Spyker F1, were taken over in August by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll after going into administration.

They then competed in the second part of the 2018 season as a new Racing Point Force India team to distinguish them from the defunct Sahara Force India co-owned by Mallya and India's Sahara Group.

The team's 2019 drivers will be Mexican Sergio Perez and Stroll's son Lance.

Ferrari's official team name also changes to Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow and Haas becomes Rich Energy Haas F1 team to reflect sponsorship arrangements.

The 2019 entry list also revealed that Formula Two champion George Russell will race for Williams with the number 63 while McLaren rookie Lando Norris will have a four on his car.

Polish driver Robert Kubica, returning from an eight year absence after a near-fatal rally accident in 2011, will race with the number 88 on his Williams.

Thailand's Alexander Albon, debuting at Toro Rosso, had yet to have a number assigned.

The Force India name will disappear from Formula One next season, after 11 years of competition, with the British-based team entered as Racing Point F1 on a list published by the governing FIA on Friday.

The Force India name will disappear from Formula One next season, after 11 years of competition, with the British-based team entered as Racing Point F1 on a list published by the governing FIA on Friday. The chassis name was listed as Racing Point, with the company name Racing Point UK Limited. The team, who became Force India in 2008 after Indian beer baron Vijay Mallya bought Spyker F1, were taken over in August by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll after going into administration. They then competed in the second part of the 2018 season as a new Racing Point Force India team to distinguish them from the defunct Sahara Force India co-owned by Mallya and India's Sahara Group. The team's 2019 drivers will be Mexican Sergio Perez and Stroll's son Lance. Ferrari's official team name also changes to Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow and Haas becomes Rich Energy Haas F1 team to reflect sponsorship arrangements. The 2019 entry list also revealed that Formula Two champion George Russell will race for Williams with the number 63 while McLaren rookie Lando Norris will have a four on his car. Polish driver Robert Kubica, returning from an eight year absence after a near-fatal rally accident in 2011, will race with the number 88 on his Williams. Thailand's Alexander Albon, debuting at Toro Rosso, had yet to have a number assigned.

Force India name vanishes from Formula One

Kimi Raikkonen retired from his last Formula One race with Ferrari on Sunday, his car losing power and coasting to a halt on the main straight after just seven laps of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"What's happening? I don't have power," exclaimed the 2007 world champion, who is moving to Sauber next season, before parking up.

The 39-year-old Finn, who had started in fourth place and alongside teammate Sebastian Vettel, stepped out of the car and walked back to the paddock with his helmet on as the virtual safety car was deployed.

Raikkonen still finished third in the championship, with Mercedes rival and compatriot Valtteri Bottas failing to take advantage.

"Obviously I'm a bit disappointed. It's not the way we wanted this last race together to finish," said Raikkonen.

"We wanted to do well and I think we would have had a pretty good car for the job. Unfortunately, we had an electrical issue; in the back straight, I felt I was lacking power and then everything shut down."

The retirement brought down the curtain on what has otherwise been a stand-out season for Formula One's oldest current driver.

Raikkonen's win in Austin, Texas, in October ended a winless run of 113 races dating back to victory with Lotus in Australia in March 2013, and he has been on the podium 12 times in 21 races.

The Finn ends the season as Ferrari's most recent champion, their latest race winner and last driver to take a pole position.

"It's been a pretty decent season, but the four retirements were not in our plans and obviously did not help; we wanted more for sure," he said, thanking Ferrari fans for their support over the years.

"We went through good and bad times together...of course, we wanted a better finish, but that's part of the sport. We will always have the memories of winning the drivers' championship and two constructors' championships together."

Kimi Raikkonen retired from his last Formula One race with Ferrari on Sunday, his car losing power and coasting to a halt on the main straight after just seven laps of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Kimi Raikkonen retired from his last Formula One race with Ferrari on Sunday, his car losing power and coasting to a halt on the main straight after just seven laps of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. "What's happening? I don't have power," exclaimed the 2007 world champion, who is moving to Sauber next season, before parking up. The 39-year-old Finn, who had started in fourth place and alongside teammate Sebastian Vettel, stepped out of the car and walked back to the paddock with his helmet on as the virtual safety car was deployed. Raikkonen still finished third in the championship, with Mercedes rival and compatriot Valtteri Bottas failing to take advantage. "Obviously I'm a bit disappointed. It's not the way we wanted this last race together to finish," said Raikkonen. "We wanted to do well and I think we would have had a pretty good car for the job. Unfortunately, we had an electrical issue; in the back straight, I felt I was lacking power and then everything shut down." The retirement brought down the curtain on what has otherwise been a stand-out season for Formula One's oldest current driver. Raikkonen's win in Austin, Texas, in October ended a winless run of 113 races dating back to victory with Lotus in Australia in March 2013, and he has been on the podium 12 times in 21 races. The Finn ends the season as Ferrari's most recent champion, their latest race winner and last driver to take a pole position. "It's been a pretty decent season, but the four retirements were not in our plans and obviously did not help; we wanted more for sure," he said, thanking Ferrari fans for their support over the years. "We went through good and bad times together...of course, we wanted a better finish, but that's part of the sport. We will always have the memories of winning the drivers' championship and two constructors' championships together."

Kimi Raikkonen retires from final race for Ferrari

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton signed off in style on the Formula One season on Sunday with victory in Abu Dhabi, his 11th win of the campaign, and a points record.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finished second with Red Bull's Max Verstappen third.

"I am so happy right now," said Hamilton after Hollywood actor Will Smith brought down the chequered flag at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit on Hamilton's 73rd career win.

The Briton, who has won 51 of the 100 races in the V6 turbo hybrid era, became the first driver to score more than 400 points in a season with a final tally of 408.

His victory also left him 18 wins away from Michael Schumacher's all-time record.

Two times world champion Fernando Alonso, in his farewell race with McLaren, had hoped to sign off in the points but finished 11th.

With both championships already won, Hamilton taking his in Mexico with two races to spare and Mercedes sealing their fifth successive constructors' and drivers' double in Brazil, Sunday's focus was on the race and those moving on - particularly Alonso.

Hamilton, Vettel and the Spaniard - three great champions - spun their cars in a cloud of smoke at the end of their slowing down lap, before stepping out for hugs and words of mutual respect.

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton signed off in style on the Formula One season on Sunday with victory in Abu Dhabi, his 11th win of the campaign, and a points record.

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton signed off in style on the Formula One season on Sunday with victory in Abu Dhabi, his 11th win of the campaign, and a points record. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finished second with Red Bull's Max Verstappen third. "I am so happy right now," said Hamilton after Hollywood actor Will Smith brought down the chequered flag at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit on Hamilton's 73rd career win. The Briton, who has won 51 of the 100 races in the V6 turbo hybrid era, became the first driver to score more than 400 points in a season with a final tally of 408. His victory also left him 18 wins away from Michael Schumacher's all-time record. Two times world champion Fernando Alonso, in his farewell race with McLaren, had hoped to sign off in the points but finished 11th. With both championships already won, Hamilton taking his in Mexico with two races to spare and Mercedes sealing their fifth successive constructors' and drivers' double in Brazil, Sunday's focus was on the race and those moving on - particularly Alonso. Hamilton, Vettel and the Spaniard - three great champions - spun their cars in a cloud of smoke at the end of their slowing down lap, before stepping out for hugs and words of mutual respect.

Lewis Hamilton ends season with a win in Abu Dhabi

Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fastest for Mercedes in the final practice session of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The Briton, who clinched the title in Mexico with two races to spare, lapped the Yas Marina circuit with a best time of one minute 37.176 seconds.

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion preparing for his last race with Ferrari before joining Sauber, was second fastest and 0.288 slower than Hamilton with four-times champion team mate Sebastian Vettel third.

The Finn was summoned to the stewards, however, after an incident at the pitlane entry where he slowed and then returned to the track.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fourth on the timesheets, with Hamilton's Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas -- last year's race winner from pole position -- only fifth after going fastest on Friday.

Bottas has yet to win this season, while Hamilton will be chasing his 11th of the campaign on Sunday. Mercedes have already won the constructors' title for the fifth year in a row.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, in his last race for Red Bull before joining Renault, was sixth fastest but stopped on track with minutes remaining.

"I think realistically we are looking at fifth and sixth (in qualifying), unless something sensational happens," said Red Bull principal Christian Horner, who felt Ricciardo's problem could just be a sensor issue.

Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly gesticulated angrily at Haas's Romain Grosjean after an on-track clash between the two Frenchmen.

Gasly and Grosjean were also summoned to the stewards.

Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fastest for Mercedes in the final practice session of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The Briton, who clinched the title in Mexico with two races to spare, lapped the Yas Marina circuit with a best time of one minute 37.

Five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fastest for Mercedes in the final practice session of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The Briton, who clinched the title in Mexico with two races to spare, lapped the Yas Marina circuit with a best time of one minute 37.176 seconds. Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion preparing for his last race with Ferrari before joining Sauber, was second fastest and 0.288 slower than Hamilton with four-times champion team mate Sebastian Vettel third. The Finn was summoned to the stewards, however, after an incident at the pitlane entry where he slowed and then returned to the track. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fourth on the timesheets, with Hamilton's Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas -- last year's race winner from pole position -- only fifth after going fastest on Friday. Bottas has yet to win this season, while Hamilton will be chasing his 11th of the campaign on Sunday. Mercedes have already won the constructors' title for the fifth year in a row. Australian Daniel Ricciardo, in his last race for Red Bull before joining Renault, was sixth fastest but stopped on track with minutes remaining. "I think realistically we are looking at fifth and sixth (in qualifying), unless something sensational happens," said Red Bull principal Christian Horner, who felt Ricciardo's problem could just be a sensor issue. Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly gesticulated angrily at Haas's Romain Grosjean after an on-track clash between the two Frenchmen. Gasly and Grosjean were also summoned to the stewards.

Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice of 2018 season

Valtteri Bottas kept up his hopes of ending the year on a high after setting the fastest lap in practice for Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday.

The Mercedes driver, still winless in 2018 while teammate Lewis Hamilton has taken 10 victories and clinched a fifth title with two races to spare, lapped the floodlit Yas Marina circuit with a best time of one minute 37.236 seconds.

Bottas won last year's finale from pole position and also set the fastest lap.

"It's nice to be on top of the timesheets, but we now need to build on that, we need to try and make the right set-up changes and I also need to find more performance from myself," he said.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, fastest in the first session with a lap of 1:38.491, was second fastest in the evening and 0.044 slower than the Finn.

The 21-year-old Dutch driver damaged his car on a kerb, requiring repairs.

"The car seems to be working really well again, better than expected just like we experienced in Brazil," said Verstappen, who was runner-up in that race two weeks ago.

"I would expect this to be another circuit where tyre management is key to a good result, hopefully it plays into our hands again. Both long runs and short runs look good for the tyres so I’m pleased with how it has gone so far."

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, in his last race with Red Bull before leaving for Renault, was second and third respectively in the sessions.

With both titles already won by Mercedes for the fifth year in a row, Sunday's race should be a no-holds-barred battle for victory without team orders or other considerations.

Verstappen, at the centre of attention in Brazil after a collision with Force India back-marker Esteban Ocon that cost him victory and led to a post-race confrontation, can on Saturday become the sport's youngest driver to take pole position.

Hamilton was fourth in both sessions.

"Red Bull looked quick today, they're usually fast in practice and in the race, so I have no doubts it will be the same this weekend," said the Briton, who replaced his usual number 44 with a one on his car for the first stint.

The Briton won in Brazil despite concerns his car's engine was about to fail.

He used the same engine for practice, after the team found a failure in the variable inlet system that caused unstable combustion, with some permitted hardware changes.

Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin said everything looked normal after the two sessions.

Ocon was fifth fastest in the afternoon, in what looks likely to be his last race for a while with Canadian Lance Stroll set to take his place.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, preparing for his last race with the team before joining Sauber, and season's runner-up Sebastian Vettel were seventh and eighth in session one and then fifth and sixth.

McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso had a special livery on his car, matching his helmet colours, for his last race before leaving Formula One.

Poland's Robert Kubica, announced on Thursday as a 2019 Williams driver, was also on track testing car developments and without chasing a quick time in first practice.

He was last on the timesheets, more than four seconds slower than Verstappen.

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson, also moving on after Sunday's race, spun at turn one and hit the barriers in the afternoon.

Valtteri Bottas kept up his hopes of ending the year on a high after setting the fastest lap in practice for Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday.

Valtteri Bottas kept up his hopes of ending the year on a high after setting the fastest lap in practice for Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday. The Mercedes driver, still winless in 2018 while teammate Lewis Hamilton has taken 10 victories and clinched a fifth title with two races to spare, lapped the floodlit Yas Marina circuit with a best time of one minute 37.236 seconds. Bottas won last year's finale from pole position and also set the fastest lap. "It's nice to be on top of the timesheets, but we now need to build on that, we need to try and make the right set-up changes and I also need to find more performance from myself," he said. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, fastest in the first session with a lap of 1:38.491, was second fastest in the evening and 0.044 slower than the Finn. The 21-year-old Dutch driver damaged his car on a kerb, requiring repairs. "The car seems to be working really well again, better than expected just like we experienced in Brazil," said Verstappen, who was runner-up in that race two weeks ago. "I would expect this to be another circuit where tyre management is key to a good result, hopefully it plays into our hands again. Both long runs and short runs look good for the tyres so I’m pleased with how it has gone so far." Australian Daniel Ricciardo, in his last race with Red Bull before leaving for Renault, was second and third respectively in the sessions. With both titles already won by Mercedes for the fifth year in a row, Sunday's race should be a no-holds-barred battle for victory without team orders or other considerations. Verstappen, at the centre of attention in Brazil after a collision with Force India back-marker Esteban Ocon that cost him victory and led to a post-race confrontation, can on Saturday become the sport's youngest driver to take pole position. Hamilton was fourth in both sessions. "Red Bull looked quick today, they're usually fast in practice and in the race, so I have no doubts it will be the same this weekend," said the Briton, who replaced his usual number 44 with a one on his car for the first stint. The Briton won in Brazil despite concerns his car's engine was about to fail. He used the same engine for practice, after the team found a failure in the variable inlet system that caused unstable combustion, with some permitted hardware changes. Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin said everything looked normal after the two sessions. Ocon was fifth fastest in the afternoon, in what looks likely to be his last race for a while with Canadian Lance Stroll set to take his place. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, preparing for his last race with the team before joining Sauber, and season's runner-up Sebastian Vettel were seventh and eighth in session one and then fifth and sixth. McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso had a special livery on his car, matching his helmet colours, for his last race before leaving Formula One. Poland's Robert Kubica, announced on Thursday as a 2019 Williams driver, was also on track testing car developments and without chasing a quick time in first practice. He was last on the timesheets, more than four seconds slower than Verstappen. Sauber's Marcus Ericsson, also moving on after Sunday's race, spun at turn one and hit the barriers in the afternoon.

Valtteri Bottas puts Mercedes on top in Abu Dhabi practice

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