Ferrari's Formula One championship leader Sebastian&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;completed a pole position hat-trick on Saturday by beating title rival Lewis Hamilton to the top slot at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The German, nine points ahead of Mercedes's reigning champion, will be hoping to convert his third pole in a row into a third victory in four races on Sunday.

Vettel&nbsp;pulled out the fastest lap of one minute 41.498 seconds, compared to the Briton's 1:41.677, on the quick street circuit along the shores of the Caspian Sea and around the walled old town.

Hamilton's Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas was third with Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of a chaotic race in Baku last year and in China two weekends ago, qualifying fourth for Red Bull on an overcast and gusty evening.

"I think it will be an intense race. Anything can happen here and safety cars are very likely," saidVettel, who had struggled to break into the top 10 on Friday but led Saturday's final session.

"The good point is that our car was really good this afternoon so it should be in a good place tomorrow," added the four times world champion after his 53rd career pole.

"Yesterday I struggled a bit with confidence, with trust in the car and rhythm but today, when it clicks, it just keeps coming and it was really enjoyable."

Hamilton, also a four times champion but yet to win a race this season, lost time in the final sector and said it had been hard to keep the car straight in the crosswinds.

Second on the grid was still his best start position since pole in the Australian season-opener, with Ferrari sweeping the front row at the last two.

"That was close. We did the best job we could," said Hamilton.

"They were the quickest all weekend and they've obviously got a phenomenal car this year. But I'm really happy with the job the team did to get us from where we were yesterday to where we are today," said Hamilton.

"We're in the mix. I will try to give Sebastian a hard time tomorrow."

Raikkonen error

Red Bull's 20-year-old Dutchman Max Verstappen starts fifth alongside Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who had looked like he could join&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;on the front row for the third race in a row, and possibly beat him, but made a big mistake on his last lap.

"It's a pity for Kimi because until the last corner he could have been on pole," said Ferrari principal Maurizio Arrivabene.

The Force India pair of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, who tangled in Baku last year in a clash that cost the team a likely podium, will line up together on the fourth row.

Nico Hulkenberg qualified ninth for Renault but the tall German will collect a five place drop for an unscheduled gearbox change, lifting his Spanish team mate Carlos Sainz to that position instead.

Canadian Lance Stroll, third in Baku last year, will start 10th for Williams -- the only team yet to score a point this season.

There was early drama when the Toro Rosso cars of Frenchman Pierre Gasly and New Zealander Brendon Hartley nearly collided.

Hartley was going slow due to a puncture, with Gasly swerving dramatically to avoid a huge collision and then driving down an escape road.

"That is unacceptable," exclaimed the startled Frenchman over the team radio.

"I was trying to get out of the way of Gasly, but I went the wrong way, sorry guys. I feel pretty stupid about Gasly," explained Hartley.

Haas's French driver Romain Grosjean qualified last and without setting a time after a gearbox failure.

Ferrari's Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel completed a pole position hat-trick on Saturday by beating title rival Lewis Hamilton to the top slot at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Ferrari's Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel completed a pole position hat-trick on Saturday by beating title rival Lewis Hamilton to the top slot at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The German, nine points ahead of Mercedes's reigning champion, will be hoping to convert his third pole in a row into a third victory in four races on Sunday. Vettel pulled out the fastest lap of one minute 41.498 seconds, compared to the Briton's 1:41.677, on the quick street circuit along the shores of the Caspian Sea and around the walled old town. Hamilton's Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas was third with Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of a chaotic race in Baku last year and in China two weekends ago, qualifying fourth for Red Bull on an overcast and gusty evening. "I think it will be an intense race. Anything can happen here and safety cars are very likely," saidVettel, who had struggled to break into the top 10 on Friday but led Saturday's final session. "The good point is that our car was really good this afternoon so it should be in a good place tomorrow," added the four times world champion after his 53rd career pole. "Yesterday I struggled a bit with confidence, with trust in the car and rhythm but today, when it clicks, it just keeps coming and it was really enjoyable." Hamilton, also a four times champion but yet to win a race this season, lost time in the final sector and said it had been hard to keep the car straight in the crosswinds. Second on the grid was still his best start position since pole in the Australian season-opener, with Ferrari sweeping the front row at the last two. "That was close. We did the best job we could," said Hamilton. "They were the quickest all weekend and they've obviously got a phenomenal car this year. But I'm really happy with the job the team did to get us from where we were yesterday to where we are today," said Hamilton. "We're in the mix. I will try to give Sebastian a hard time tomorrow." Raikkonen error Red Bull's 20-year-old Dutchman Max Verstappen starts fifth alongside Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who had looked like he could join Vettel on the front row for the third race in a row, and possibly beat him, but made a big mistake on his last lap. "It's a pity for Kimi because until the last corner he could have been on pole," said Ferrari principal Maurizio Arrivabene. The Force India pair of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, who tangled in Baku last year in a clash that cost the team a likely podium, will line up together on the fourth row. Nico Hulkenberg qualified ninth for Renault but the tall German will collect a five place drop for an unscheduled gearbox change, lifting his Spanish team mate Carlos Sainz to that position instead. Canadian Lance Stroll, third in Baku last year, will start 10th for Williams -- the only team yet to score a point this season. There was early drama when the Toro Rosso cars of Frenchman Pierre Gasly and New Zealander Brendon Hartley nearly collided. Hartley was going slow due to a puncture, with Gasly swerving dramatically to avoid a huge collision and then driving down an escape road. "That is unacceptable," exclaimed the startled Frenchman over the team radio. "I was trying to get out of the way of Gasly, but I went the wrong way, sorry guys. I feel pretty stupid about Gasly," explained Hartley. Haas's French driver Romain Grosjean qualified last and without setting a time after a gearbox failure.

Sebastian Vettel beats Hamilton to pole hat-trick in Baku

Four times world champion Lewis Hamilton set a Formula One record of 28 successive scoring finishes on Sunday but was in no mood for celebrating.

"I was in no man`s land today. I had no pace so I was just trying to hold on for whatever I had," the Mercedes driver told reporters at the Chinese Grand Prix.

"I had the older tyre on and I was running out of it."

The Briton finished fifth on track but moved up to fourth after a 10 second penalty was applied to Red Bull`s Max Verstappen.

That allowed him to cut Sebastian Vettel`s overall lead from 17 points to nine, with the Ferrari driver finishing only eighth.

"Obviously it`s a tough battle ahead of us. I would say on my side but also us as a team, we`ve been underperforming," said Hamilton.

"Yesterday and today have been a disaster on my side so I have got to try and rectify that and get myself back into normal performance mode, otherwise more valuable points will be lost," said Hamilton.

The Briton had also said in Bahrain last weekend, when he finished third after starting ninth, that he had felt he was driving around in no-man`s land.

But he arrived in Shanghai with an envious record, winner an unprecedented five times at a Chinese circuit that has long favoured Mercedes.

Hamilton was never a force to reckon with this time, however, qualifying only fourth and losing a place immediately at the start.

With Red Bull`s Daniel Ricciardo winning the race, champions Mercedes have now been beaten three races in a row for the first time in the V6 turbo hybrid era that started in 2014.

Hamilton could at least depend on his car`s impressive reliability, collecting points for the 28th race in a row and claiming outright a record he had previously held jointly with Ferrari`s Kimi Raikkonen.

The Briton finished fifth on track but moved up to fourth

Four times world champion Lewis Hamilton set a Formula One record of 28 successive scoring finishes on Sunday but was in no mood for celebrating. "I was in no man`s land today. I had no pace so I was just trying to hold on for whatever I had," the Mercedes driver told reporters at the Chinese Grand Prix. "I had the older tyre on and I was running out of it." The Briton finished fifth on track but moved up to fourth after a 10 second penalty was applied to Red Bull`s Max Verstappen. That allowed him to cut Sebastian Vettel`s overall lead from 17 points to nine, with the Ferrari driver finishing only eighth. "Obviously it`s a tough battle ahead of us. I would say on my side but also us as a team, we`ve been underperforming," said Hamilton. "Yesterday and today have been a disaster on my side so I have got to try and rectify that and get myself back into normal performance mode, otherwise more valuable points will be lost," said Hamilton. The Briton had also said in Bahrain last weekend, when he finished third after starting ninth, that he had felt he was driving around in no-man`s land. But he arrived in Shanghai with an envious record, winner an unprecedented five times at a Chinese circuit that has long favoured Mercedes. Hamilton was never a force to reckon with this time, however, qualifying only fourth and losing a place immediately at the start. With Red Bull`s Daniel Ricciardo winning the race, champions Mercedes have now been beaten three races in a row for the first time in the V6 turbo hybrid era that started in 2014. Hamilton could at least depend on his car`s impressive reliability, collecting points for the 28th race in a row and claiming outright a record he had previously held jointly with Ferrari`s Kimi Raikkonen.

Motor racing: Hamilton takes a record but still in no-man's land

Four times world champion Lewis Hamilton ended the final practice session of the Formula One season with an Abu Dhabi track record and a Mercedes one-two at the top of the timesheets on Saturday.

The Briton, who clinched the title in Mexico last month, lapped in one minute 37.627 seconds with Finnish team-mate Valtteri Bottas second and 0.273 slower.

Hamilton, who won at Yas Marina from pole position last year, had set the previous track record of 1:37.877 in Friday practice.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/formula-one-bottas-shines-on-troubled-day-for-mercedes-and-hamilton-24013">Bottas shines on a troubled day for a Mercedes and Hamilton</a>

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Ferrari&#39;s Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest, ahead of team-mate and four times champion Sebastian Vettel but half a second behind Hamilton.

The conditions will be different for the later qualifying and Sunday`s floodlit dusk-to-dark race, however.

Vettel is second in the championship, 22 points clear of Bottas and set to become the first non-Mercedes driver in four years to finish the season in the top two.

Hamilton, who can take his 12th pole of the season later on Saturday, is aiming to round out the year with a 10th victory.

The Red Bull pairing of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Dutch 20-year-old Max Verstappen were fifth and sixth with McLaren`s Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne seventh and eighth.

The virtual safety car was activated midway through the session when a large white umbrella blew onto the track and had to be retrieved by a marshal.&nbsp;

Hamilton, who won at Yas Marina from pole position last year, had set the previous track record of 1:37.877 in Friday practice

Four times world champion Lewis Hamilton ended the final practice session of the Formula One season with an Abu Dhabi track record and a Mercedes one-two at the top of the timesheets on Saturday. The Briton, who clinched the title in Mexico last month, lapped in one minute 37.627 seconds with Finnish team-mate Valtteri Bottas second and 0.273 slower. Hamilton, who won at Yas Marina from pole position last year, had set the previous track record of 1:37.877 in Friday practice. Also read: Bottas shines on a troubled day for a Mercedes and Hamilton Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest, ahead of team-mate and four times champion Sebastian Vettel but half a second behind Hamilton. The conditions will be different for the later qualifying and Sunday`s floodlit dusk-to-dark race, however. Vettel is second in the championship, 22 points clear of Bottas and set to become the first non-Mercedes driver in four years to finish the season in the top two. Hamilton, who can take his 12th pole of the season later on Saturday, is aiming to round out the year with a 10th victory. The Red Bull pairing of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Dutch 20-year-old Max Verstappen were fifth and sixth with McLaren`s Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne seventh and eighth. The virtual safety car was activated midway through the session when a large white umbrella blew onto the track and had to be retrieved by a marshal.

Formula One: Hamilton ends the final practice of the season

An Australian publisher has shelved plans to release a book detailing alleged Chinese interference in the country over fears of legal attacks by Beijing, the author said Monday.

Academic Clive Hamilton said his book &quot;Silent Invasion&quot; was pulled by publisher Allen &amp; Unwin last week just as it was about to go to press.

He told AFP that Allen &amp; Unwin had cited &quot;serious...threats&quot; of possible legal action from Beijing should the company release the work.

The book, which was to be his ninth with the publishing house, included the names of individuals and organisations trying to influence Australian society and politics in China&#39;s interests, Hamilton said.

He described it as &quot;very factual, very deeply researched&quot;.

In an email exchange with Allen &amp; Unwin which Hamilton shared with AFP, the publisher said there was a &quot;very high chance&quot; the company could be sued for defamation if the book was published.

&quot;If pursued with malice, this kind of vexatious legal action... could result in the book being withdrawn from sale, and both you and Allen &amp; Unwin being tied up in expensive legal action for months on end or longer,&quot; it said.

Hamilton, a prominent author and professor of ethics and Charles Sturt University, called the decision &quot;a watershed moment in Australia, when Beijing can suppress free speech&quot;.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that he was not aware of the situation involving the pulled publication.

&quot;China has been developing exchanges and cooperation in various areas with Australia based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,&quot; spokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing.

&quot;We hope relevant parties can put this in perspective and do more things that are conducive to the sound and steady development of China-Australia relations.&quot;

The incident came amid heightened anxieties in Australia over the extent of Beijing&#39;s soft power.

Canberra in June ordered an inquiry into espionage laws and foreign government activities following a media investigation into large political donations by two Chinese billionaires with reported links to China&#39;s Communist Party.

The probe, by the ABC and Fairfax Media, said intelligence agencies had major concerns that Beijing was interfering in Australian institutions and using the political donations system to gain access.

Last month Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warned Chinese students in Australia they should abide by the nation&#39;s values of &quot;openness and upholding freedom of speech&quot;.

Hamilton said Allen &amp; Unwin had suggested delaying his book&#39;s publication until court cases brought by Beijing against other Australian media were settled.

But he rejected letting his manuscript &quot;sit on a shelf gathering dust for a year or more&quot; and insisted he would find another publisher for the work.

Other Western publishers have reported being pressured by Chinese authorities over content inside China.

In August, another foreign publisher, Britain&#39;s Cambridge University Press, temporarily removed 300 academic articles covering sensitive Chinese political issues from a journal&#39;s website in China at the request of an import agency, only to revive the texts in response to public outcry.

That same month, US-based Association for Asian Studies said it had received a similar request from China&#39;s publications administration, but it did not comply.

In a statement to several media outlets, global publisher Springer Nature said this month that it has blocked access within mainland China to &quot;a small percentage of our content (less than one percent) in compliance with local distribution laws&quot;.

The censored articles, covering topics such as Tibet and the Tiananmen Square protests, are still viewable outside mainland China.

An Australian publisher has shelved plans to release a book detailing alleged Chinese interference in the country over fears of legal attacks by Beijing, the author said Monday.

An Australian publisher has shelved plans to release a book detailing alleged Chinese interference in the country over fears of legal attacks by Beijing, the author said Monday. Academic Clive Hamilton said his book "Silent Invasion" was pulled by publisher Allen & Unwin last week just as it was about to go to press. He told AFP that Allen & Unwin had cited "serious...threats" of possible legal action from Beijing should the company release the work. The book, which was to be his ninth with the publishing house, included the names of individuals and organisations trying to influence Australian society and politics in China's interests, Hamilton said. He described it as "very factual, very deeply researched". In an email exchange with Allen & Unwin which Hamilton shared with AFP, the publisher said there was a "very high chance" the company could be sued for defamation if the book was published. "If pursued with malice, this kind of vexatious legal action... could result in the book being withdrawn from sale, and both you and Allen & Unwin being tied up in expensive legal action for months on end or longer," it said. Hamilton, a prominent author and professor of ethics and Charles Sturt University, called the decision "a watershed moment in Australia, when Beijing can suppress free speech". A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that he was not aware of the situation involving the pulled publication. "China has been developing exchanges and cooperation in various areas with Australia based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," spokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing. "We hope relevant parties can put this in perspective and do more things that are conducive to the sound and steady development of China-Australia relations." The incident came amid heightened anxieties in Australia over the extent of Beijing's soft power. Canberra in June ordered an inquiry into espionage laws and foreign government activities following a media investigation into large political donations by two Chinese billionaires with reported links to China's Communist Party. The probe, by the ABC and Fairfax Media, said intelligence agencies had major concerns that Beijing was interfering in Australian institutions and using the political donations system to gain access. Last month Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warned Chinese students in Australia they should abide by the nation's values of "openness and upholding freedom of speech". Hamilton said Allen & Unwin had suggested delaying his book's publication until court cases brought by Beijing against other Australian media were settled. But he rejected letting his manuscript "sit on a shelf gathering dust for a year or more" and insisted he would find another publisher for the work. Other Western publishers have reported being pressured by Chinese authorities over content inside China. In August, another foreign publisher, Britain's Cambridge University Press, temporarily removed 300 academic articles covering sensitive Chinese political issues from a journal's website in China at the request of an import agency, only to revive the texts in response to public outcry. That same month, US-based Association for Asian Studies said it had received a similar request from China's publications administration, but it did not comply. In a statement to several media outlets, global publisher Springer Nature said this month that it has blocked access within mainland China to "a small percentage of our content (less than one percent) in compliance with local distribution laws". The censored articles, covering topics such as Tibet and the Tiananmen Square protests, are still viewable outside mainland China.

Australian academic's book pulled over China backlash fears

Lewis Hamilton&nbsp;romped to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday to close in on a fourth world title after&nbsp;Sebastian Vettel&nbsp;retired with engine failure four laps in. 
 
The Briton dominated from pole, steering his Mercedes to a crushing eighth win of the year, stretching his Formula One championship lead over Vettel to 59 points with just 100 left to play for. 
 
&quot;Honestly I could only have dreamed of having this kind of gap,&quot; said Hamilton after holding off a late charge from Max Verstappen in Suzuka. 
 
&quot;The team has done a phenomenal job, they&#39;re just so meticulous so a big thank you to the guys.&quot; 
 
The Red Bulls of Verstappen -- who stunned Hamilton to win in Malaysia last week -- and&nbsp;Daniel Ricciardo&nbsp;secured a double podium for the second successive race. 
 
Valtteri Bottas finished fourth in the second Mercedes with Kimi Raikkonen&#39;s&nbsp;Ferrari&nbsp;taking fifth and Esteban Ocon sixth for Force India. 
 
As Hamilton powered to his fourth victory in Japan, Vettel&#39;s title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow with four races left after a nightmare start from the front row. 
 
Ferrari mechanics worked frantically on the grid to fix a spark plug issue before lights out and Vettel was quickly complaining of a lack of power. 
 
The German, who finished fourth in Malaysia and crashed from pole in Singapore before that, plummeted to sixth on the first lap before being told to retire the car as Hamilton roared away into the distance. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s just a pity in the two races with the reliability issues,&quot; said Vettel, who led the championship just six weeks ago.

&quot;But now it&#39;s important to get some rest and give my all for the last four races and see what happens.&quot; 
 
The warmer conditions were supposed to favour the Ferraris but Hamilton ruthlessly took a stranglehold on the 53-lap race, backing up his record-breaking pole performance on Saturday.

Verstappen raised pulses over the final two laps but ultimately his charge was too little too late to prevent a fourth successive Suzuka win for Mercedes. 
 
Also in the points,&nbsp;Sergio Perez&nbsp;finished seventh for Force India ahead of the two Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean with&nbsp;Felipe Massa&nbsp;holding off Fernando Alonso&#39;s&nbsp;McLaren&nbsp;to take 10th for Williams.

Lewis Hamilton romped to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday to close in on a fourth world title after Sebastian Vettel retired with engine failure four laps in. The Briton dominated from pole, steering his Mercedes to a crushing eighth win of the year, stretching his Formula One championship lead over Vettel to 59 points with just 100 left to play for. "Honestly I could only have dreamed of having this kind of gap," said Hamilton after holding off a late charge from Max Verstappen in Suzuka. "The team has done a phenomenal job, they're just so meticulous so a big thank you to the guys." The Red Bulls of Verstappen -- who stunned Hamilton to win in Malaysia last week -- and Daniel Ricciardo secured a double podium for the second successive race. Valtteri Bottas finished fourth in the second Mercedes with Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari taking fifth and Esteban Ocon sixth for Force India. As Hamilton powered to his fourth victory in Japan, Vettel's title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow with four races left after a nightmare start from the front row. Ferrari mechanics worked frantically on the grid to fix a spark plug issue before lights out and Vettel was quickly complaining of a lack of power. The German, who finished fourth in Malaysia and crashed from pole in Singapore before that, plummeted to sixth on the first lap before being told to retire the car as Hamilton roared away into the distance. "It's just a pity in the two races with the reliability issues," said Vettel, who led the championship just six weeks ago. "But now it's important to get some rest and give my all for the last four races and see what happens." The warmer conditions were supposed to favour the Ferraris but Hamilton ruthlessly took a stranglehold on the 53-lap race, backing up his record-breaking pole performance on Saturday. Verstappen raised pulses over the final two laps but ultimately his charge was too little too late to prevent a fourth successive Suzuka win for Mercedes. Also in the points, Sergio Perez finished seventh for Force India ahead of the two Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean with Felipe Massa holding off Fernando Alonso's McLaren to take 10th for Williams.

Formula One: Ruthless Hamilton roars to Japan victory

Lewis Hamilton struck a huge psychological blow in the Formula One title race Saturday with a sizzling qualifying drive to take pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Briton, who leads Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel by 34 points with five races left, steered his Mercedes to a sizzling track record of one minute, 27.319 seconds -- a remarkable 10th pole in 16 races this season.

Valtteri Bottas clocked the second-best time, but Vettel will join Hamilton on the front row after the Finn incurred a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change to his Mercedes on Friday.

&quot;The car is crazy here,&quot; said Hamilton after his 71st career pole, and first at Suzuka.

&quot;This track has always been one of the greatest and with this car it&#39;s just mind-blowing,&quot; added the triple world champion, looking to hit back in Japan after being stunned by Red Bull&#39;s Max Verstappen in Malaysia last weekend.

&quot;It&#39;s just insane speeds that this car is throwing us around inside and the way you can throw the car around is like the craziest roller-coaster ride.

&quot;It&#39;s incredible, it&#39;s been 10 years trying to get that pole position -- 10th time lucky!&quot;

A three-time winner of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton fired a clear warning to Vettel, who realistically needs to win this weekend to revive his fading title hopes.

&quot;The car is a lot different this weekend and a lot more enjoyable to drive,&quot; said Hamilton.

&quot;It&#39;s definitely great when it comes together like this. Naturally, the Ferraris will be rapid tomorrow but the plan is to keep them behind.&quot; 
 
Vettel, who finished fourth in Malaysia after starting from last, set the tempo in Friday&#39;s rain-hit practice but was well off the pace in qualifying.

&quot;I tried everything on that last lap as I knew I had to take a bit more risks,&quot; said the German.

&quot;I knew that we&#39;d be on the front row because of Valtteri&#39;s penalty so I&#39;m pretty happy.&quot;

Daniel Ricciardo was fourth fastest, followed by Verstappen -- putting the two Red Bulls on the second row.

The Force India pair of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez start on row three with Bottas and the Williams of Felipe Massa behind them on row four.

Ferrari&#39;s Kimi Raikkonen qualified sixth quickest has also been demoted five places after switching his gearbox following a shunt in Saturday&#39;s practice.

There were more hair-raising moments in qualifying as Bottas, who crashed in the morning&#39;s free practice, almost lost control again early on.

&quot;It&#39;s been a tricky weekend,&quot; said Bottas, who confessed to having a crisis of confidence after finishing fifth in Malaysia. &quot;The incident in practice made a massive difference.&quot;

Romain Grosjean provided the biggest scare in qualifying when he smashed into a wall, mangling his Haas machine.

&quot;I don&#39;t know what happened,&quot; barked Grosjean over team radio. &quot;The car just went on a massive snap.&quot;

Former world champion Fernando Alonso out-qualified McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne but it mattered little as the Spaniard will start the race from last after changing his engine overnight. 
As a result, Vandoorne will be promoted from 11th to 10th on the starting grid.

Hamilton steered his Mercedes to a sizzling track record of one minute, 27.319 seconds

Lewis Hamilton struck a huge psychological blow in the Formula One title race Saturday with a sizzling qualifying drive to take pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Briton, who leads Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by 34 points with five races left, steered his Mercedes to a sizzling track record of one minute, 27.319 seconds -- a remarkable 10th pole in 16 races this season. Valtteri Bottas clocked the second-best time, but Vettel will join Hamilton on the front row after the Finn incurred a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change to his Mercedes on Friday. "The car is crazy here," said Hamilton after his 71st career pole, and first at Suzuka. "This track has always been one of the greatest and with this car it's just mind-blowing," added the triple world champion, looking to hit back in Japan after being stunned by Red Bull's Max Verstappen in Malaysia last weekend. "It's just insane speeds that this car is throwing us around inside and the way you can throw the car around is like the craziest roller-coaster ride. "It's incredible, it's been 10 years trying to get that pole position -- 10th time lucky!" A three-time winner of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton fired a clear warning to Vettel, who realistically needs to win this weekend to revive his fading title hopes. "The car is a lot different this weekend and a lot more enjoyable to drive," said Hamilton. "It's definitely great when it comes together like this. Naturally, the Ferraris will be rapid tomorrow but the plan is to keep them behind." Vettel, who finished fourth in Malaysia after starting from last, set the tempo in Friday's rain-hit practice but was well off the pace in qualifying. "I tried everything on that last lap as I knew I had to take a bit more risks," said the German. "I knew that we'd be on the front row because of Valtteri's penalty so I'm pretty happy." Daniel Ricciardo was fourth fastest, followed by Verstappen -- putting the two Red Bulls on the second row. The Force India pair of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez start on row three with Bottas and the Williams of Felipe Massa behind them on row four. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen qualified sixth quickest has also been demoted five places after switching his gearbox following a shunt in Saturday's practice. There were more hair-raising moments in qualifying as Bottas, who crashed in the morning's free practice, almost lost control again early on. "It's been a tricky weekend," said Bottas, who confessed to having a crisis of confidence after finishing fifth in Malaysia. "The incident in practice made a massive difference." Romain Grosjean provided the biggest scare in qualifying when he smashed into a wall, mangling his Haas machine. "I don't know what happened," barked Grosjean over team radio. "The car just went on a massive snap." Former world champion Fernando Alonso out-qualified McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne but it mattered little as the Spaniard will start the race from last after changing his engine overnight. As a result, Vandoorne will be promoted from 11th to 10th on the starting grid.

Formula One: Hamilton hits back with 'crazy' Japan pole

Lewis Hamilton completed his 200th Grand Prix in victorious style on Sunday when he claimed a much-needed win for Mercedes to trim Sebastian Vettel&rsquo;s championship lead to seven points.

The 32-year-old Briton made the most of his record-equalling 68th pole position to take the lead, but had to survive some concerted attacks from Vettel&rsquo;s Ferrari before emerging triumphant for the fifth time this season.

It was the three-time world champion&rsquo;s third Belgian victory and the 58th of his career, lifting him back into serious contention for the title.

Another victory in next Sunday&rsquo;s Italian Grand Prix could give him the lead for the first time this year.

Four-time champion Vettel came home second ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari and his compatriot Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes.

Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth for Renault ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas, Felipe Massa of Williams, Esteban Ocon of Force India with in 10th place, Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso.

Lewis Hamilton claimed a much-needed win for Mercedes to trim Sebastian Vettel?s championship lead to 7 points

Lewis Hamilton completed his 200th Grand Prix in victorious style on Sunday when he claimed a much-needed win for Mercedes to trim Sebastian Vettel’s championship lead to seven points. The 32-year-old Briton made the most of his record-equalling 68th pole position to take the lead, but had to survive some concerted attacks from Vettel’s Ferrari before emerging triumphant for the fifth time this season. It was the three-time world champion’s third Belgian victory and the 58th of his career, lifting him back into serious contention for the title. Another victory in next Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix could give him the lead for the first time this year. Four-time champion Vettel came home second ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari and his compatriot Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes. Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth for Renault ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas, Felipe Massa of Williams, Esteban Ocon of Force India with in 10th place, Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso.

Lewis Hamilton marks 200th race with Belgium Grand Prix win

Lewis Hamilton won his home British Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row on Sunday while Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel suffered a penultimate lap puncture that slashed his championship lead to a single point.

The Briton&#39;s drive from pole to flag on an overcast afternoon was lonely, uneventful and dominant with Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas finishing 14 seconds behind to secure the one-two.

Vettel, who had battled on worn tyres but looked like securing the final podium position until the blowout, finished seventh with Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen third after also suffering a late puncture.

Hamilton became only the third driver, after his late compatriot Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost, to win the British Grand Prix five times and the first to take four successive victories at Silverstone.

Clark won four in a row in the 1960s, but one was at Aintree and another at Brands Hatch.

The Briton's drive from pole to flag on an overcast afternoon was lonely, uneventful and dominant with Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas finishing 14 seconds behind to secure the one-two

Lewis Hamilton won his home British Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row on Sunday while Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel suffered a penultimate lap puncture that slashed his championship lead to a single point. The Briton's drive from pole to flag on an overcast afternoon was lonely, uneventful and dominant with Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas finishing 14 seconds behind to secure the one-two. Vettel, who had battled on worn tyres but looked like securing the final podium position until the blowout, finished seventh with Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen third after also suffering a late puncture. Hamilton became only the third driver, after his late compatriot Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost, to win the British Grand Prix five times and the first to take four successive victories at Silverstone. Clark won four in a row in the 1960s, but one was at Aintree and another at Brands Hatch.

Formula One: Four in a row for Hamilton as blowout hits Vettel

Valtteri Bottas roared to the second victory of his career on Sunday when he won the Austrian Grand Prix for Mercedes ahead of championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

The Finn, in his first season with Mercedes after replacing 2016 champion Nico Rosberg, came home 0.658 seconds clear of Vettel who increased his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers championship to 20 points.

Hamilton, in the second Mercedes, did his utmost to grab a podium finish after starting from eighth on the grid, but had to settle for fourth behind Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull.

&ldquo;I had a bit of d&eacute;j&agrave; vu in the end to what happened in Russia when he was right behind me,&rdquo; said Bottas, who is now 19 points behind Hamilton in third.

&quot;In the last stint, I had a massive blister on the rear left tyre, so that made it quite tricky. And I think it was the start of my life! I was just really on it today.&rdquo;

Vettel said: &quot;I was struggling a bit in the first part and much happier in the second stint. The last laps were very close &ndash; I think I needed one more lap because he was struggling to get up the hill.&quot;

For Ricciardo, on his team&rsquo;s &lsquo;home&rsquo; Red Bull Ring circuit, it was a fifth consecutive podium finish and the 22nd of his career.

The Australian smiled: &quot;It was a fun race with some decisive moments at the start and then defending Lewis in the last laps. It got pretty close!&rdquo;

Vettel now leads the drivers championship with 171 points ahead of Hamilton on 151 and Bottas on 136, while in the constructors title race Mercedes lead with 287 ahead of Ferrari on 254.

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, came home fifth in the second Ferrari ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas, the two Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon.

Perfect start

On a warm afternoon in the Styrian Alps more than 12,000 Dutch fans had descended on the Red Bull Ring to add a festive atmosphere.

As the lights went out, Bottas made a perfect start &ndash; so perfect that his rivals were soon protesting and suggesting he had &lsquo;jumped&rsquo; &ndash; and pulled clear, while behind him, in a cloud of carnage and debris, the &lsquo;orange army&rsquo; sighed as their teenage hero Max Verstappen was forced into retirement under their grandstand at the first corner.

The luckless Red Bull driver had struggled at the start, due to a clutch problem, and was then caught when Russian Daniil Kvyat drove his Toro Rosso into the McLaren of Fernando Alonso.

Alonso&rsquo;s car suffered serious rear damage and he was helpless as he rammed into Verstappen&rsquo;s car. He was also forced to retire, again, with an extravagant shrug. It was Verstappen&rsquo;s fifth retirement in seven races.

Amid this mayhem, the voice of Sebastian Vettel was heard on Ferrari team radio. Given his escape from further Baku &lsquo;road rage&rsquo; punishment in Paris last Monday, it was ironic to hear him call for the stewards to penalise the Finn, who made the most of his second pole.

A stewards&rsquo; investigation followed during the race and found there was no evidence against Bottas, who had settled into a strong rhythm at the head of the field.

By lap 12, the field had settled with Bottas leading Vettel by eight seconds and Ricciardo, Raikkonen and Hamilton, who was the first of the leading men to pit on lap 32, switching to ultra-softs.

Vettel soon followed but Bottas stayed out for a further seven laps &nbsp;when he came in, re-joining second behind Raikkonen, who had yet to stop.

On fresh super-soft tyres, Bottas swept past Raikkonen on lap 44 to take command again. The Ferrari man pitted immediately, re-joining fourth behind Hamilton who was struggling for outright pace behind Ricciardo.

Vettel, second, began trading fastest laps with Bottas, who responded. By lap 51, with 20 to go, the Finn led by only four seconds ahead of Ricciardo and Hamilton.

With seven laps remaining, Bottas led Vettel by two seconds and Ricciardo led Hamilton by just one &ndash; perfect for the tense finish that unfolded.

Bottas made a perfect start ? so perfect that his rivals were soon protesting and suggesting he had ?jumped? ? and pulled clear

Valtteri Bottas roared to the second victory of his career on Sunday when he won the Austrian Grand Prix for Mercedes ahead of championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. The Finn, in his first season with Mercedes after replacing 2016 champion Nico Rosberg, came home 0.658 seconds clear of Vettel who increased his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers championship to 20 points. Hamilton, in the second Mercedes, did his utmost to grab a podium finish after starting from eighth on the grid, but had to settle for fourth behind Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull. “I had a bit of déjà vu in the end to what happened in Russia when he was right behind me,” said Bottas, who is now 19 points behind Hamilton in third. "In the last stint, I had a massive blister on the rear left tyre, so that made it quite tricky. And I think it was the start of my life! I was just really on it today.” Vettel said: "I was struggling a bit in the first part and much happier in the second stint. The last laps were very close – I think I needed one more lap because he was struggling to get up the hill." For Ricciardo, on his team’s ‘home’ Red Bull Ring circuit, it was a fifth consecutive podium finish and the 22nd of his career. The Australian smiled: "It was a fun race with some decisive moments at the start and then defending Lewis in the last laps. It got pretty close!” Vettel now leads the drivers championship with 171 points ahead of Hamilton on 151 and Bottas on 136, while in the constructors title race Mercedes lead with 287 ahead of Ferrari on 254. Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, came home fifth in the second Ferrari ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas, the two Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. Perfect start On a warm afternoon in the Styrian Alps more than 12,000 Dutch fans had descended on the Red Bull Ring to add a festive atmosphere. As the lights went out, Bottas made a perfect start – so perfect that his rivals were soon protesting and suggesting he had ‘jumped’ – and pulled clear, while behind him, in a cloud of carnage and debris, the ‘orange army’ sighed as their teenage hero Max Verstappen was forced into retirement under their grandstand at the first corner. The luckless Red Bull driver had struggled at the start, due to a clutch problem, and was then caught when Russian Daniil Kvyat drove his Toro Rosso into the McLaren of Fernando Alonso. Alonso’s car suffered serious rear damage and he was helpless as he rammed into Verstappen’s car. He was also forced to retire, again, with an extravagant shrug. It was Verstappen’s fifth retirement in seven races. Amid this mayhem, the voice of Sebastian Vettel was heard on Ferrari team radio. Given his escape from further Baku ‘road rage’ punishment in Paris last Monday, it was ironic to hear him call for the stewards to penalise the Finn, who made the most of his second pole. A stewards’ investigation followed during the race and found there was no evidence against Bottas, who had settled into a strong rhythm at the head of the field. By lap 12, the field had settled with Bottas leading Vettel by eight seconds and Ricciardo, Raikkonen and Hamilton, who was the first of the leading men to pit on lap 32, switching to ultra-softs. Vettel soon followed but Bottas stayed out for a further seven laps when he came in, re-joining second behind Raikkonen, who had yet to stop. On fresh super-soft tyres, Bottas swept past Raikkonen on lap 44 to take command again. The Ferrari man pitted immediately, re-joining fourth behind Hamilton who was struggling for outright pace behind Ricciardo. Vettel, second, began trading fastest laps with Bottas, who responded. By lap 51, with 20 to go, the Finn led by only four seconds ahead of Ricciardo and Hamilton. With seven laps remaining, Bottas led Vettel by two seconds and Ricciardo led Hamilton by just one – perfect for the tense finish that unfolded.

Formula One: Bottas beats Vettel in Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton fourth

Sebastian&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;secured a memorable one-two for Ferrari in Sunday&#39;s 75th Monaco Grand Prix to extend his world championship lead to a luxurious 25 points over Lewis Hamilton.

Taking full advantage of generous, if grim-faced, support from his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who led from pole position until the pit-stops, the four-time champion came home 3.1 seconds clear of the Finn in glorious Mediterranean sunshine.

Vettel&rsquo;s success was Ferrari&rsquo;s first in the principality in 16 years since seven-time champion Michael Schumacher triumphed in 2001.

It was the 82nd 1-2 in the team&rsquo;s history and celebrated noisily by the tifosi who had thronged into the circuit overnight. &nbsp;

It was also the 29-year-old German&rsquo;s second Monaco triumph, his third win this year and the 45th of his career, lifting him 25 points clear of Mercedes&#39; Hamilton in the title racxe.

Vettel&nbsp;now has 129 points after six rounds of this year&rsquo;s 20-race championship ahead of Hamilton on 104.

&ldquo;Yes, yes, yes,&rdquo; screeched&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;after winning before launching into thanks for his team. &ldquo;The two laps with old tyres, I gave it everything I had,&rdquo; he said.

Raikkonen was stoney-faced and more taciturn than usual when retired 2016 champion Nico Rosberg interviewed him by the podium.

&ldquo;Hard to say, really,&rdquo; he responded when asked about his feelings. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s second place and it doesn&rsquo;t feel good. This is how it is sometimes.&rdquo;

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was unlucky not to win last year, finished third for Red Bull, despite hitting the barrier at Ste Devote, ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull.

Safety car&nbsp;

&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t enjoy that!&rdquo; said Ricciardo. &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t sure if I damaged anything. These tyres are like driving on ice when you get a Safety Car&hellip;&rdquo;

Carlos Sainz was a well-judged sixth for Toro Rosso ahead of Hamilton, who had started 13th, and Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas.

Briton Jenson Button, back for one race to replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso, racing at the Indianapolis 500 later Sunday, retired his McLaren fter a collision with Pascal Wehrlein&rsquo;s Sauber.

The crash left Wehrlein&rsquo;s car on its side at Portier, but he was unhurt in the crash, which required a Safety Car intervention for six laps in the closing stages.

Vettel&nbsp;was quick to ask if his compatriot was ok before the action resumed.

He added: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s unbelievable. This was such an intense race. I hoped to have a better launch, but Kimi had a really good start so I had to be patient.

&ldquo;It is very special to win here and we will have a fun night and then enough time to prepare for Canada&hellip;

&ldquo;I had a couple of really good laps when I could take control of the pace and I was able to use the Safety Car.&rdquo;

Vettel&rsquo;s joy appeared not to be shared by Raikkonen who remained evasive in interviews after the race and, under specific questions, conceded that it was not his idea to be the first to pit when he was leading.

&ldquo;I was called in&hellip; That was about it,&rdquo; he said.

Shrugging his shoulders, he later added: &ldquo;It is a great result for the team and that is the main thing&hellip;&rdquo;

Minute&#39;s silence&nbsp;

On a perfect afternoon on the Cote d&rsquo;Azur, the track temperature was 50 degrees and the air 26 as the drivers stood for a minute&rsquo;s silence in memory of the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack.

The conditions were ideal for sunbathing, but not for race incidents.

When&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;pitted after 39 laps, he rejoined in the lead ahead of Raikkonen with Ricciardo third, thanks to fast pre-stop laps, and Bottas fourth.

For Ferrari, it seemed a perfectly executed plan to enable&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;to win, and boost his drivers&rsquo; championship bid, had unfolded.

Hamilton finally came in after 45 laps from sixth, rejoining seventh, but&nbsp;Vettel&nbsp;was out of sight, nine seconds down the road and clear of Raikkonen, with Ricciardo a further five seconds adrift in third.

By lap 50, it was 10.2 seconds and the paddock was abuzz with claims about&nbsp;Vettel&rsquo;s undisputed status as Ferrari&rsquo;s number one driver.

Attention was soon refocused on the track when, on lap 60, the Safety Car was deployed after Wehrlein was tipped into the barrier at Portier.

Verstappen took advantage of the pause to pit for fresh ultra-soft tyres before, when the action resumed after 66 laps, the final chase, and battle of attrition, began.

(AFP)

Vettel?s success was Ferrari?s first in the principality in 16 years; Raikkonen came second and Hamilton finished seventh

Sebastian Vettel secured a memorable one-two for Ferrari in Sunday's 75th Monaco Grand Prix to extend his world championship lead to a luxurious 25 points over Lewis Hamilton. Taking full advantage of generous, if grim-faced, support from his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who led from pole position until the pit-stops, the four-time champion came home 3.1 seconds clear of the Finn in glorious Mediterranean sunshine. Vettel’s success was Ferrari’s first in the principality in 16 years since seven-time champion Michael Schumacher triumphed in 2001. It was the 82nd 1-2 in the team’s history and celebrated noisily by the tifosi who had thronged into the circuit overnight. It was also the 29-year-old German’s second Monaco triumph, his third win this year and the 45th of his career, lifting him 25 points clear of Mercedes' Hamilton in the title racxe. Vettel now has 129 points after six rounds of this year’s 20-race championship ahead of Hamilton on 104. “Yes, yes, yes,” screeched Vettel after winning before launching into thanks for his team. “The two laps with old tyres, I gave it everything I had,” he said. Raikkonen was stoney-faced and more taciturn than usual when retired 2016 champion Nico Rosberg interviewed him by the podium. “Hard to say, really,” he responded when asked about his feelings. “It’s second place and it doesn’t feel good. This is how it is sometimes.” Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was unlucky not to win last year, finished third for Red Bull, despite hitting the barrier at Ste Devote, ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull. Safety car “I didn’t enjoy that!” said Ricciardo. “I wasn’t sure if I damaged anything. These tyres are like driving on ice when you get a Safety Car…” Carlos Sainz was a well-judged sixth for Toro Rosso ahead of Hamilton, who had started 13th, and Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas. Briton Jenson Button, back for one race to replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso, racing at the Indianapolis 500 later Sunday, retired his McLaren fter a collision with Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber. The crash left Wehrlein’s car on its side at Portier, but he was unhurt in the crash, which required a Safety Car intervention for six laps in the closing stages. Vettel was quick to ask if his compatriot was ok before the action resumed. He added: “It’s unbelievable. This was such an intense race. I hoped to have a better launch, but Kimi had a really good start so I had to be patient. “It is very special to win here and we will have a fun night and then enough time to prepare for Canada… “I had a couple of really good laps when I could take control of the pace and I was able to use the Safety Car.” Vettel’s joy appeared not to be shared by Raikkonen who remained evasive in interviews after the race and, under specific questions, conceded that it was not his idea to be the first to pit when he was leading. “I was called in… That was about it,” he said. Shrugging his shoulders, he later added: “It is a great result for the team and that is the main thing…” Minute's silence On a perfect afternoon on the Cote d’Azur, the track temperature was 50 degrees and the air 26 as the drivers stood for a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack. The conditions were ideal for sunbathing, but not for race incidents. When Vettel pitted after 39 laps, he rejoined in the lead ahead of Raikkonen with Ricciardo third, thanks to fast pre-stop laps, and Bottas fourth. For Ferrari, it seemed a perfectly executed plan to enable Vettel to win, and boost his drivers’ championship bid, had unfolded. Hamilton finally came in after 45 laps from sixth, rejoining seventh, but Vettel was out of sight, nine seconds down the road and clear of Raikkonen, with Ricciardo a further five seconds adrift in third. By lap 50, it was 10.2 seconds and the paddock was abuzz with claims about Vettel’s undisputed status as Ferrari’s number one driver. Attention was soon refocused on the track when, on lap 60, the Safety Car was deployed after Wehrlein was tipped into the barrier at Portier. Verstappen took advantage of the pause to pit for fresh ultra-soft tyres before, when the action resumed after 66 laps, the final chase, and battle of attrition, began. (AFP)

Vettel wins Monaco GP to extend lead over Hamilton

Kimi Raikkonen secured his first pole for nine years and Ferrari a first front row lockout at the Monaco Grand Prix since 2008 after qualifying for Formula One&#39;s glamour race on Saturday.&nbsp;

The Italian team&#39;s domination that left Lewis Hamilton struggling to take 14th for Mercedes sparked celebration from the tifosi perched on terraces below the Monegasque palace.

As softly-spoken Raikkonen savoured his first pole since the 2008 French Grand Prix, just weeks after he had been second behind Felipe Massa on the Monte Carlo grid, Hamilton knew he faced a daunting challenge in Sunday&rsquo;s classic 78-laps race around the Mediterranean street circuit.

The 37-year-old Finn had not taken pole for 128 races, but dominated the afternoon&rsquo;s action to clock a fastest lap of one minute and 12.178 seconds, a new record for the circuit and an endorsement of the speed of this season&rsquo;s new era machines.&nbsp; &nbsp;

That left him 0.043 seconds ahead of the world championship leader and three-time champion Vettel who in turn was just two-thousandths of a second faster than third-placed Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes.

The Finn&rsquo;s Mercedes team-mate, three-time champion Hamilton, who is six points behind Vettel in the title race, failed to make the cut for the top ten shootout, qualifying 14th after a miserable afternoon.

&quot;Obviously, it&rsquo;s great,&quot; said a mumbling and taciturn Raikkonen afterwards, showing little emotion.&nbsp;

&quot;We&rsquo;ll try to make the best of it tomorrow&hellip; Yes, of course it is good, but here it is all about the fine details.&rdquo;

&quot;I don&rsquo;t know what was wrong there,&quot; said Vettel of Mercedes&rsquo; problems. &ldquo;But this is one of my highlights of the season &ndash; to race at Monaco. It is a difficult one to get right, but if you do, it is great&hellip;&rdquo;

&#39;Yes, toasted&#39;&nbsp;

Like Raikkonen, Vettel stressed that he and the &lsquo;iceman&rsquo; would be free to race and not constrained by team orders, in advance, at the first corner. &ldquo;We are here to race,&rdquo; said the German. Raikkonen, obediently, reminded reporters that both men raced for the same team &ndash; Ferrari.

Hamilton was crestfallen. &ldquo;The opportunity was not there for me today,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I just struggled with the car.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&#39;t really know what to say at the moment. I&#39;m deflated, but will keep pushing tomorrow.

&ldquo;That&#39;s pretty much the weekend done. Tomorrow I will just be driving around in whatever position. I will try to get into the top 10, but it will be a nice Sunday drive I imagine.&rdquo;

History may encourage Hamilton, but it is unlikely.

Frenchman Olivier Panis&rsquo;s 1996 victory from 14th on the grid for Ligier came in a madcap race run in a deluge and not under the blue skies forecast here for Sunday.

Bottas, who will carry Mercedes hopes of preventing a Ferrari triumph, added: &ldquo;It was a really good lap for me. This is one of the most mentally-demanding circuits and am glad I felt support from the fans and appreciated it.

&ldquo;It has been a tricky weekend for us. We lost some valuable practice on Thursday, in FP2, and it was difficult to get a lap time -- and Lewis had problems with traffic.&rdquo;

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen took fourth place ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso, Sergio Perez of Force India and Romain Grosjean of Haas.

Briton Jenson Button, back from retirement to replace Fernando Alonso who is racing in the Indianapolis 500, was ninth for McLaren ahead of his team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne.

Button has a 15-place grid penalty for engine replacements and that is expected to lift Hamilton up to 13th.

&quot;I&rsquo;m happy enough with that,&quot; said Button.&nbsp;

&quot;My one and only qualifying session this year and I&rsquo;m ninth &ndash; but I start 20th!&rdquo;

Hamilton failed to make it out of Q2 when he was deprived of a late clean lap in the dying seconds.

Hamilton&rsquo;s hopes were ruined when Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne went into the barriers at the Swimming Pool exit, yellow flags flying.

&ldquo;That&rsquo;s me out, right?&rdquo; said Hamilton, deprived of a clean lap and condemned to qualify 14th, one of five men eliminated.

&quot;Yes, toasted,&quot; came the reply as he pulled in to the pits, his chest heaving and hands waving with frustration.

(AFP)

Kimi Raikkonen bagged his first pole position since 2009

Kimi Raikkonen secured his first pole for nine years and Ferrari a first front row lockout at the Monaco Grand Prix since 2008 after qualifying for Formula One's glamour race on Saturday. The Italian team's domination that left Lewis Hamilton struggling to take 14th for Mercedes sparked celebration from the tifosi perched on terraces below the Monegasque palace. As softly-spoken Raikkonen savoured his first pole since the 2008 French Grand Prix, just weeks after he had been second behind Felipe Massa on the Monte Carlo grid, Hamilton knew he faced a daunting challenge in Sunday’s classic 78-laps race around the Mediterranean street circuit. The 37-year-old Finn had not taken pole for 128 races, but dominated the afternoon’s action to clock a fastest lap of one minute and 12.178 seconds, a new record for the circuit and an endorsement of the speed of this season’s new era machines. That left him 0.043 seconds ahead of the world championship leader and three-time champion Vettel who in turn was just two-thousandths of a second faster than third-placed Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes. The Finn’s Mercedes team-mate, three-time champion Hamilton, who is six points behind Vettel in the title race, failed to make the cut for the top ten shootout, qualifying 14th after a miserable afternoon. "Obviously, it’s great," said a mumbling and taciturn Raikkonen afterwards, showing little emotion. "We’ll try to make the best of it tomorrow… Yes, of course it is good, but here it is all about the fine details.” "I don’t know what was wrong there," said Vettel of Mercedes’ problems. “But this is one of my highlights of the season – to race at Monaco. It is a difficult one to get right, but if you do, it is great…” 'Yes, toasted' Like Raikkonen, Vettel stressed that he and the ‘iceman’ would be free to race and not constrained by team orders, in advance, at the first corner. “We are here to race,” said the German. Raikkonen, obediently, reminded reporters that both men raced for the same team – Ferrari. Hamilton was crestfallen. “The opportunity was not there for me today,” he said. “I just struggled with the car. "I don't really know what to say at the moment. I'm deflated, but will keep pushing tomorrow. “That's pretty much the weekend done. Tomorrow I will just be driving around in whatever position. I will try to get into the top 10, but it will be a nice Sunday drive I imagine.” History may encourage Hamilton, but it is unlikely. Frenchman Olivier Panis’s 1996 victory from 14th on the grid for Ligier came in a madcap race run in a deluge and not under the blue skies forecast here for Sunday. Bottas, who will carry Mercedes hopes of preventing a Ferrari triumph, added: “It was a really good lap for me. This is one of the most mentally-demanding circuits and am glad I felt support from the fans and appreciated it. “It has been a tricky weekend for us. We lost some valuable practice on Thursday, in FP2, and it was difficult to get a lap time -- and Lewis had problems with traffic.” Dutch teenager Max Verstappen took fourth place ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso, Sergio Perez of Force India and Romain Grosjean of Haas. Briton Jenson Button, back from retirement to replace Fernando Alonso who is racing in the Indianapolis 500, was ninth for McLaren ahead of his team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne. Button has a 15-place grid penalty for engine replacements and that is expected to lift Hamilton up to 13th. "I’m happy enough with that," said Button. "My one and only qualifying session this year and I’m ninth – but I start 20th!” Hamilton failed to make it out of Q2 when he was deprived of a late clean lap in the dying seconds. Hamilton’s hopes were ruined when Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne went into the barriers at the Swimming Pool exit, yellow flags flying. “That’s me out, right?” said Hamilton, deprived of a clean lap and condemned to qualify 14th, one of five men eliminated. "Yes, toasted," came the reply as he pulled in to the pits, his chest heaving and hands waving with frustration. (AFP)

Monaco GP qualifying: Raikkonen heads Ferrari's front-row lockout, Hamilton 14th

Valtteri Bottas claimed his maiden Formula One victory on Sunday when he resisted intense pressure from championship leader Sebastian Vettel to triumph for Mercedes in a tense Russian Grand Prix.

The Finnish driver, starting from third place on the grid, grabbed the initiative at the start by powering past both Ferraris and into the lead while his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton struggled home fourth.

Four-time champion Vettel finished second ahead of Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen who claimed his first podium finish since last year&#39;s Austrian Grand Prix.

The popular Bottas&#39;s first win was warmly received by his fellow drivers and the paddock, Hamilton hugging him after he had jumped into the arms of his crew and Vettel joining the reception, Russian President Vladimir Putin also present for congratulations and prize giving.

&quot;Worth the wait!&quot; said the unflappable Bottas in typical understated style after coming home just six-tenths of a second ahead of Vettel at the flag.

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen finished fifth for Red Bull ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez and his Force India team-mate Esteban Ocon, German Nico Hulkenberg of Renault and Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams.

The result lifted Vettel clear at the top of the drivers championship with 86 points ahead of Hamilton on 73 with Bottas up to third with 63 points. Mercedes lead the constructors title race with 136 points to Ferrari on 135 after four rounds of this year&rsquo;s championship.

Bottas became Finland&rsquo;s fifth Formula One race winner following Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen, who was the last from the Nordic country to triumph, at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix.

&#39;This is Valtteri&#39;s day&#39;&nbsp;

Vettel was seemingly as pleased for Bottas as if he had won himself.

&quot;I tried everything to catch him and I thought there would be an opportunity on the back straight,&quot; the German said.

&quot;I thought I could do it, but I wasn&rsquo;t sure what Felipe Massa would do and I ended up losing out. It doesn&rsquo;t matter though. Big congratulations to Valtteri. This is his day.&quot;

Raikkonen said: &quot;I have had a bit of a rough start to the season, but this week has been a step forward, but we still only finished third. So, we&rsquo;ll keep trying.&quot;

On a balmy Spring day by the Black Sea, two-time champion Fernando Alonso was an instant retirement before the start when the Spaniard abandoned his troublesome McLaren Honda.

This delayed the start for an additional formation lap before Bottas made his exhilarating getaway.

Almost immediately, Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas collided with the Renault of Briton Jolyon Palmer at Turn Two, the cars crashing heavily to trigger a red-flagged halt and a Safety Car intervention.

After a six-minute stoppage, Bottas was sharpest at the re-start when the Safety Car pulled in and he dominated, pulling 3.1 seconds clear of Vettel by lap 10 as Hamilton, back in fourth, struggled with intermittent power and over-heating problems.

Ricciardo was another early departure after just seven laps with brake problems.

By lap 18, Bottas was controlling events with a 4.5-sec lead and the top four were separated by less than 14 seconds.

The leading positions remained unchanged until the pit-stops, which saw Bottas first in for super-softs followed by Raikkonen and Hamilton, Vettel leading from lap 27 until lap 34 when he finally pitted for new rubber. &nbsp;

This enabled Bottas to regain the initiative, but an error at Turn 13 on lap 38, when he had a serious lock-up and narrowly avoided the wall, invited Vettel, on fresher tyres, back into contention.

Needing no second invitation, the German closed the gap to 1.5 seconds with 10 laps to go and set up a grandstand finish, but Bottas hung on to take his first emotional and welcome victory in his 81st Grand Prix.

(AFP)

Bottas, in a Mercedes, jumped into the lead from third in the grid and never ceded his place

Valtteri Bottas claimed his maiden Formula One victory on Sunday when he resisted intense pressure from championship leader Sebastian Vettel to triumph for Mercedes in a tense Russian Grand Prix. The Finnish driver, starting from third place on the grid, grabbed the initiative at the start by powering past both Ferraris and into the lead while his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton struggled home fourth. Four-time champion Vettel finished second ahead of Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen who claimed his first podium finish since last year's Austrian Grand Prix. The popular Bottas's first win was warmly received by his fellow drivers and the paddock, Hamilton hugging him after he had jumped into the arms of his crew and Vettel joining the reception, Russian President Vladimir Putin also present for congratulations and prize giving. "Worth the wait!" said the unflappable Bottas in typical understated style after coming home just six-tenths of a second ahead of Vettel at the flag. Dutch teenager Max Verstappen finished fifth for Red Bull ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez and his Force India team-mate Esteban Ocon, German Nico Hulkenberg of Renault and Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams. The result lifted Vettel clear at the top of the drivers championship with 86 points ahead of Hamilton on 73 with Bottas up to third with 63 points. Mercedes lead the constructors title race with 136 points to Ferrari on 135 after four rounds of this year’s championship. Bottas became Finland’s fifth Formula One race winner following Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen, who was the last from the Nordic country to triumph, at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix. 'This is Valtteri's day' Vettel was seemingly as pleased for Bottas as if he had won himself. "I tried everything to catch him and I thought there would be an opportunity on the back straight," the German said. "I thought I could do it, but I wasn’t sure what Felipe Massa would do and I ended up losing out. It doesn’t matter though. Big congratulations to Valtteri. This is his day." Raikkonen said: "I have had a bit of a rough start to the season, but this week has been a step forward, but we still only finished third. So, we’ll keep trying." On a balmy Spring day by the Black Sea, two-time champion Fernando Alonso was an instant retirement before the start when the Spaniard abandoned his troublesome McLaren Honda. This delayed the start for an additional formation lap before Bottas made his exhilarating getaway. Almost immediately, Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas collided with the Renault of Briton Jolyon Palmer at Turn Two, the cars crashing heavily to trigger a red-flagged halt and a Safety Car intervention. After a six-minute stoppage, Bottas was sharpest at the re-start when the Safety Car pulled in and he dominated, pulling 3.1 seconds clear of Vettel by lap 10 as Hamilton, back in fourth, struggled with intermittent power and over-heating problems. Ricciardo was another early departure after just seven laps with brake problems. By lap 18, Bottas was controlling events with a 4.5-sec lead and the top four were separated by less than 14 seconds. The leading positions remained unchanged until the pit-stops, which saw Bottas first in for super-softs followed by Raikkonen and Hamilton, Vettel leading from lap 27 until lap 34 when he finally pitted for new rubber. This enabled Bottas to regain the initiative, but an error at Turn 13 on lap 38, when he had a serious lock-up and narrowly avoided the wall, invited Vettel, on fresher tyres, back into contention. Needing no second invitation, the German closed the gap to 1.5 seconds with 10 laps to go and set up a grandstand finish, but Bottas hung on to take his first emotional and welcome victory in his 81st Grand Prix. (AFP)

Russian GP: Bottas staves off Vettel challenge for maiden win

A cool, calm and collected Valtteri Bottas claimed his first pole position on Saturday when he beat his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton with a well-controlled fastest lap in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old Finn, who joined the team as replacement for retired 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, made the most of a less competitive final lap by the Briton to claim the prime starting position for Sunday`s race.

&quot;Obviously, I am really happy,&quot; said Bottas. &quot;It took a few races, but hopefully it`s the first of many.&quot;

Bottas clocked a best lap of one minute and 28.769 seconds in the final seconds and it was, as Hamilton admitted, too good for him to beat. Hamilton had clocked 1:28.792.

&quot;He&#39;s been working so hard and today he was just quicker and he did a better job,&quot; said Hamilton. &quot;The first sector was my weaker point. I&#39;ll work on it for tomorrow.

&quot;That&#39;s how close qualifying should always be. It forces us to be on the limit.&quot;

Bottas&#39;&nbsp;lap was comfortably faster than Rosberg&#39;s pole time last year of 1:29.493,&nbsp;but the overall speed of the new era &#39;fatter-and-faster&#39;&nbsp;machines was less notable in the desert heat than it had been at the two previous races.

Hamilton, who was seeking his seventh successive pole position and third in a row this season, gave his team-mate a generous hug after the session.

Rosberg was amongst the first to congratulate the pole sittter.

&quot;Congrats Valtteri Bottas 1st pole! Great lap. Happy for all you guys at Merc,&quot; tweeted the German.

Three-time champion Hamilton who shares the championship lead with Sebastian Vettel, and who had been quickest until the final runs, was unable to find the extra speed he needed on his second run in Q3 to retain pole position.

Four-time champion Vettel was third fastest for Ferrari, unable to make an impact on the two Mercedes men who took the front row. It was the sixth consecutive year in Bahrain that Mercedes won pole.

&quot;I was very happy with my first lap, crossed the line and then looked up and saw both (Mercedes) were ahead,&quot; said Vettel. &quot;When I got the time, I was a bit down to be honest. Four-tenths is a lot more than I expected.&quot;

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull and Nico Hulkenberg who qualified seventh for Renault.

Felipe Massa was eighth for Williams ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas and Jolyon Palmer in the second Renault.

The conditions at the start of qualifying were cooler, and calmer, than they had been earlier in the day. The air temperature was down to 29 degrees Celsius and the track 31, down by six and eight degrees respectively compared to the earlier free practice session.

The first qualifying session saw exits for Carlos Sainz, who lost power with his Red Bull, and Stoffel Vandoorne of McLaren, Sergio Perez of Force India, Marcus Ericsson of Sauber and Kevin Magnussen of Haas.

In Q2, Indy 500-bound two-time champion Fernando Alonso took it easy.

After another Honda power-unit failure, he decided not to bother at all and was unzipping his overalls without seeking a place in the top ten shootout.

The McLaren man qualified 15th behind the four who were eliminated -- Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Canadian rookie Lance Stroll of Williams, Pascal Wehrlein of Sauber and Esteban Ocon of Force India.

Another impressive lap from Hulkenberg secured him the fifth-best lap and a place in the shootout for Renault.&nbsp;

Team-mate Palmer grabbed 10th to secure Renault`s first double showing in Q1 since the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix.

As the shootout began, the Red Bulls led the two Mercedes out for their final flurry, Ricciardo starting with a 1:30.007. That time was overhauled by Bottas in 1:28.844 -- the first man inside Hamilton&#39;s 2016 pole lap -- and then by the Briton in 1:28.792.

Vettel was four-tenths down for Ferrari after the first runs, which saw Raikkonen adrift by a similar gap before the final drama unfolded.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Bottas clocked a best lap of one minute and 28.769 seconds in the final seconds

A cool, calm and collected Valtteri Bottas claimed his first pole position on Saturday when he beat his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton with a well-controlled fastest lap in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 26-year-old Finn, who joined the team as replacement for retired 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, made the most of a less competitive final lap by the Briton to claim the prime starting position for Sunday`s race. "Obviously, I am really happy," said Bottas. "It took a few races, but hopefully it`s the first of many." Bottas clocked a best lap of one minute and 28.769 seconds in the final seconds and it was, as Hamilton admitted, too good for him to beat. Hamilton had clocked 1:28.792. "He's been working so hard and today he was just quicker and he did a better job," said Hamilton. "The first sector was my weaker point. I'll work on it for tomorrow. "That's how close qualifying should always be. It forces us to be on the limit." Bottas' lap was comfortably faster than Rosberg's pole time last year of 1:29.493, but the overall speed of the new era 'fatter-and-faster' machines was less notable in the desert heat than it had been at the two previous races. Hamilton, who was seeking his seventh successive pole position and third in a row this season, gave his team-mate a generous hug after the session. Rosberg was amongst the first to congratulate the pole sittter. "Congrats Valtteri Bottas 1st pole! Great lap. Happy for all you guys at Merc," tweeted the German. Three-time champion Hamilton who shares the championship lead with Sebastian Vettel, and who had been quickest until the final runs, was unable to find the extra speed he needed on his second run in Q3 to retain pole position. Four-time champion Vettel was third fastest for Ferrari, unable to make an impact on the two Mercedes men who took the front row. It was the sixth consecutive year in Bahrain that Mercedes won pole. "I was very happy with my first lap, crossed the line and then looked up and saw both (Mercedes) were ahead," said Vettel. "When I got the time, I was a bit down to be honest. Four-tenths is a lot more than I expected." Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull and Nico Hulkenberg who qualified seventh for Renault. Felipe Massa was eighth for Williams ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas and Jolyon Palmer in the second Renault. The conditions at the start of qualifying were cooler, and calmer, than they had been earlier in the day. The air temperature was down to 29 degrees Celsius and the track 31, down by six and eight degrees respectively compared to the earlier free practice session. The first qualifying session saw exits for Carlos Sainz, who lost power with his Red Bull, and Stoffel Vandoorne of McLaren, Sergio Perez of Force India, Marcus Ericsson of Sauber and Kevin Magnussen of Haas. In Q2, Indy 500-bound two-time champion Fernando Alonso took it easy. After another Honda power-unit failure, he decided not to bother at all and was unzipping his overalls without seeking a place in the top ten shootout. The McLaren man qualified 15th behind the four who were eliminated -- Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Canadian rookie Lance Stroll of Williams, Pascal Wehrlein of Sauber and Esteban Ocon of Force India. Another impressive lap from Hulkenberg secured him the fifth-best lap and a place in the shootout for Renault. Team-mate Palmer grabbed 10th to secure Renault`s first double showing in Q1 since the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix. As the shootout began, the Red Bulls led the two Mercedes out for their final flurry, Ricciardo starting with a 1:30.007. That time was overhauled by Bottas in 1:28.844 -- the first man inside Hamilton's 2016 pole lap -- and then by the Briton in 1:28.792. Vettel was four-tenths down for Ferrari after the first runs, which saw Raikkonen adrift by a similar gap before the final drama unfolded. (AFP)

Formula One: Bottas ends Hamilton run for first career pole

Lewis Hamilton powered to victory in a chaotic Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday, taking swift revenge for his defeat by Sebastian Vettel in the Formula One season-opener.

The Briton, who started on pole, steered his Mercedes to his fifth Chinese Grand Prix win, beating Vettel&#39;s Ferrari by just over six seconds with Red Bull&#39;s Max Verstappen finishing third after early safety car drama.

&quot;Get in there Lewis!&quot; Hamilton&#39;s engineer said over team radio after the three-time world champion took the chequered flag in China for the third time in the last four years.

&quot;That&#39;s a great race, mate. An absolute masterclass.&quot;

Hamilton replied: &quot;We&#39;ve worked really hard for this, we&#39;ve got to keep pushing.&quot;

Vettel recovered from a poor start from row one and, after being stuck behind Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen early on, began to show the pace that swept the German to victory in Melbourne two weeks ago.

First Vettel blew past Raikkonen before going wheel-to-wheel with Red Bull&#39;s Daniel Ricciardo at turn seven, producing puffs of blue smoke as the cars touched tyres.

Verstappen loomed ahead but the young Dutchman, who produced an astonishing first lap after starting from 16th on the grid, suffered a lock-up going into the hairpin allowing Vettel, rather anti-climactically, to take second place.

Hamilton, meanwhile, never looked seriously threatened despite a sequence of fastest laps from his German title rival.

&quot;Grazie a tutti!&quot; said Vettel over the radio. &quot;I think we were a bit unlucky. It felt like we were the quickest, man. We couldn&#39;t prove that today but next time we will.&quot;

Ricciardo took fourth behind Verstappen after a furious late scrap between the two Red Bulls with Raikkonen finishing in fifth ahead of fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas&#39;s Mercedes.

Carlos Sainz finished seventh for Toro Rosso with Kevin Magnussen&#39;s Haas eighth and the Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon rounding out the top 10.

Bottas apologised to his team for an embarrassing spin while weaving to warm his tyres behind the safety car, which dropped him down to 12th.

&quot;Really sorry, guys, for the amateur mistake,&quot; said Bottas, who had earlier been called &quot;Nico&quot; over team radio. &quot;I&#39;ll make up for it in the next race.&quot;

A wet track caused havoc early on with the virtual safety car deployed on lap one after Lance Stroll spun off in his Williams.

The safety car was called again after Antonio Giovinazzi smashed his Sauber into a wall.

(AFP)

Multiple world champion Vettel came second while Verstappen climbed from 16th on the grid to take the third spot

Lewis Hamilton powered to victory in a chaotic Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday, taking swift revenge for his defeat by Sebastian Vettel in the Formula One season-opener. The Briton, who started on pole, steered his Mercedes to his fifth Chinese Grand Prix win, beating Vettel's Ferrari by just over six seconds with Red Bull's Max Verstappen finishing third after early safety car drama. "Get in there Lewis!" Hamilton's engineer said over team radio after the three-time world champion took the chequered flag in China for the third time in the last four years. "That's a great race, mate. An absolute masterclass." Hamilton replied: "We've worked really hard for this, we've got to keep pushing." Vettel recovered from a poor start from row one and, after being stuck behind Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen early on, began to show the pace that swept the German to victory in Melbourne two weeks ago. First Vettel blew past Raikkonen before going wheel-to-wheel with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo at turn seven, producing puffs of blue smoke as the cars touched tyres. Verstappen loomed ahead but the young Dutchman, who produced an astonishing first lap after starting from 16th on the grid, suffered a lock-up going into the hairpin allowing Vettel, rather anti-climactically, to take second place. Hamilton, meanwhile, never looked seriously threatened despite a sequence of fastest laps from his German title rival. "Grazie a tutti!" said Vettel over the radio. "I think we were a bit unlucky. It felt like we were the quickest, man. We couldn't prove that today but next time we will." Ricciardo took fourth behind Verstappen after a furious late scrap between the two Red Bulls with Raikkonen finishing in fifth ahead of fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas's Mercedes. Carlos Sainz finished seventh for Toro Rosso with Kevin Magnussen's Haas eighth and the Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon rounding out the top 10. Bottas apologised to his team for an embarrassing spin while weaving to warm his tyres behind the safety car, which dropped him down to 12th. "Really sorry, guys, for the amateur mistake," said Bottas, who had earlier been called "Nico" over team radio. "I'll make up for it in the next race." A wet track caused havoc early on with the virtual safety car deployed on lap one after Lance Stroll spun off in his Williams. The safety car was called again after Antonio Giovinazzi smashed his Sauber into a wall. (AFP)

Hamilton wins chaotic Chinese Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel out-manoeuvred Lewis Hamilton and the world champion Mercedes team with a stunning victory in the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

Vettel won by almost 10 seconds from Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in a commanding victory of tactics and speed around the Albert Street circuit.

It was Ferrari&#39;s first win in Melbourne since Kimi Raikkonen&#39;s victory in 2007 and Vettel&#39;s second in Australia after winning the 2011 race with Red Bull.

It was a major fillip for the new season after Ferrari&#39;s superior pre-season test times as they chase their first world constructors&#39; title since 2008.

It was the German four-time world champion&#39;s fourth win for Ferrari and his first since Singapore in 2015 and his 43rd career win.

Ferrari got the better of Mercedes in the sole round of tyre changes which ultimately decided the race.

Hamilton&#39;s early stop meant he rejoined behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen which allowed Vettel to open up&nbsp;decisive gap at the head of the field.

Ferrari&#39;s Kimi Raikkonen was fourth with Verstappen &nbsp;fifth ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the Williams.

Australia&#39;s big hope Daniel Ricciardo had a heartbreaking day with gear box problems ending his race on the 29th lap after he was forced to start from pit lane when his Red Bull car broke down on the warm-up lap.

(AFP)

Finland?s Valtteri Bottas completed the podium on his debut for Mercedes

Sebastian Vettel out-manoeuvred Lewis Hamilton and the world champion Mercedes team with a stunning victory in the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday. Vettel won by almost 10 seconds from Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in a commanding victory of tactics and speed around the Albert Street circuit. It was Ferrari's first win in Melbourne since Kimi Raikkonen's victory in 2007 and Vettel's second in Australia after winning the 2011 race with Red Bull. It was a major fillip for the new season after Ferrari's superior pre-season test times as they chase their first world constructors' title since 2008. It was the German four-time world champion's fourth win for Ferrari and his first since Singapore in 2015 and his 43rd career win. Ferrari got the better of Mercedes in the sole round of tyre changes which ultimately decided the race. Hamilton's early stop meant he rejoined behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen which allowed Vettel to open up decisive gap at the head of the field. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was fourth with Verstappen fifth ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the Williams. Australia's big hope Daniel Ricciardo had a heartbreaking day with gear box problems ending his race on the 29th lap after he was forced to start from pit lane when his Red Bull car broke down on the warm-up lap. (AFP)

Vettel beats Hamilton to win Australian GP

Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton will start off the pole in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after winning qualifying on Saturday.

Hamilton in a Mercedes clocked a record lap of one minute 22.188 seconds to take his 62nd career pole and sixth in Australia into Sunday&#39;s race in Melbourne.

Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel was second with Hamilton&#39;s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas third.

Hamilton has been on pole in Melbourne in each of the last four seasons, and in five out the last six Australian GPs.

&quot;It&#39;s been a fantastic weekend so far. I&#39;m incredibly proud of my team,&quot; Hamilton said.

&quot;Valtteri did a great job and it&#39;s great for us as Mercedes. It&#39;s going to be a tight race.

&quot;Tomorrow is about putting all the work together and making sure I come back stronger than ever.&quot;

He was pushed in the final Q3 stage first by Bottas and then by Vettel before clinching the fastest lap.

&quot;I lost a bit in turn one and in turn nine I tried a bit too much, but I don&#39;t think it would have been enough,&quot; said Vettel, who&nbsp;claimed Ferrari&#39;s first front row since 2015 in knocking Bottas&nbsp;out of second place.

Hamilton&#39;s pole time was 1.7 seconds quicker than his qualifying time last year.

&quot;Third position is not ideal,&quot; Bottas said.

&quot;In general I&#39;m not happy for the result. But I&#39;m proud of what the team has done.

&quot;I only saw a very small part of the preparation and it&#39;s nice to see the work has pulled off and we&#39;re fighting at the front.&quot;

Australia&#39;s big hope Daniel Ricciardo crashed his Red Bull at turn 14 looking to post a good time in Q3 and will start 10th off the grid.

Ricciardo damaged the rear of his RB13 car and was heard over the team radio as saying: &quot;I&#39;m alright... sorry guys.&quot;

The final session of qualifying was suspended while Ricciardo&#39;s car was removed from the gravel alongside the track.

&quot;He&#39;s absolutely fine. It&#39;s a shame. He&#39;s lost the rear of the car at turn 14. He&#39;s come on the radio and apologised. Just pushing a bit too hard in that corner,&quot; team principal Christian Horner said.

Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon and Marcus Ericsson all failed to make it through the top ten shootout.

Red Bull&#39;s Max Verstappen had a lock-up into turn six on ultrasoft tyres before he posted a time to stay alive into Q2.

McLaren&#39;s Stoffel Vandoorne had a fuel-flow issue which sent the Belgian to the pits and knocked out in Q1.

Vandoorne was joined by Antonio Giovinazzi, Kevin Magnussen, Lance Stroll and Jolyon Palmer to be eliminated in the first session of qualifying.

Giovinazzi is making his F1 debut after replacing Williams team-mate Pascal Wehrlein, who has not sufficiently recovered from a back injury sustained in a pre-season crash.

(AFP)

Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Bottas came third followed by Raikkonen

Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton will start off the pole in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after winning qualifying on Saturday. Hamilton in a Mercedes clocked a record lap of one minute 22.188 seconds to take his 62nd career pole and sixth in Australia into Sunday's race in Melbourne. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was second with Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas third. Hamilton has been on pole in Melbourne in each of the last four seasons, and in five out the last six Australian GPs. "It's been a fantastic weekend so far. I'm incredibly proud of my team," Hamilton said. "Valtteri did a great job and it's great for us as Mercedes. It's going to be a tight race. "Tomorrow is about putting all the work together and making sure I come back stronger than ever." He was pushed in the final Q3 stage first by Bottas and then by Vettel before clinching the fastest lap. "I lost a bit in turn one and in turn nine I tried a bit too much, but I don't think it would have been enough," said Vettel, who claimed Ferrari's first front row since 2015 in knocking Bottas out of second place. Hamilton's pole time was 1.7 seconds quicker than his qualifying time last year. "Third position is not ideal," Bottas said. "In general I'm not happy for the result. But I'm proud of what the team has done. "I only saw a very small part of the preparation and it's nice to see the work has pulled off and we're fighting at the front." Australia's big hope Daniel Ricciardo crashed his Red Bull at turn 14 looking to post a good time in Q3 and will start 10th off the grid. Ricciardo damaged the rear of his RB13 car and was heard over the team radio as saying: "I'm alright... sorry guys." The final session of qualifying was suspended while Ricciardo's car was removed from the gravel alongside the track. "He's absolutely fine. It's a shame. He's lost the rear of the car at turn 14. He's come on the radio and apologised. Just pushing a bit too hard in that corner," team principal Christian Horner said. Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon and Marcus Ericsson all failed to make it through the top ten shootout. Red Bull's Max Verstappen had a lock-up into turn six on ultrasoft tyres before he posted a time to stay alive into Q2. McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne had a fuel-flow issue which sent the Belgian to the pits and knocked out in Q1. Vandoorne was joined by Antonio Giovinazzi, Kevin Magnussen, Lance Stroll and Jolyon Palmer to be eliminated in the first session of qualifying. Giovinazzi is making his F1 debut after replacing Williams team-mate Pascal Wehrlein, who has not sufficiently recovered from a back injury sustained in a pre-season crash. (AFP)

Australian GP: Hamilton secures pole, Vettel second

Lewis Hamilton sizzled in the opening practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix as he sent an ominous message to his rivals for the new Formula One season on Friday.

The triple world champion&nbsp;bossed the field in the afternoon run to hold a half-second gap over Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel and his new Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton followed up his field-leading fastest lap of 1:24.220 in the first session with a blistering 1:23.620 around Albert Park in the late afternoon.

It was around one-tenth of a second off Vettel&#39;s record lap in Melbourne of 1:23.529, posted for Red Bull in qualifying ahead of his 2011 race victory.

Ferrari were expected to press Hamilton and the Mercedes team after superior times in pre-season testing, but on the evidence of the opening two sessions Hamilton again looked the driver to beat in Sunday&#39;s race.

Hamilton&#39;s time was more than three seconds faster than his best lap in last year&#39;s corresponding free practice in Melbourne.

Finland&#39;s Bottas slotted smoothly into the Mercedes team environment with a best lap of&nbsp;1:24.176.

Ferrari improved on their opening practice with Vettel unleashing the second best lap time in FP2 with 1:24.167 while team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was fourth with 1:24.525.

The Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo&nbsp;and&nbsp;Max Verstappen&nbsp;were over a second behind Hamilton and half-a-second off Vettel&#39;s Ferrari.

&quot;Daniel&#39;s not quite got the balance that he wants. I think a couple of changes we&#39;ve made on the car over lunch he&#39;s not liked so we&#39;re going back on them now,&quot; team boss Christian Horner said.

&quot;Hopefully we can get a sensible long run-in.&nbsp;You can see Lewis has probably got four or five-tenths on the field but after that it could be pretty tight.

&quot;We know Ferrari have had a good winter but we&#39;re hopeful we can close that overnight. We&#39;ll get a better indication tomorrow but we&#39;ve got some work to do tonight.&quot;

The second session was stopped after a big crash for Renault&#39;s Jolyon Palmer, who lost the rear of his car on the last corner and spun into the barriers.

&quot;I&#39;m fine,&quot; Palmer told his team over the radio. The shunt damaged the car&#39;s rear suspension, while the rear wing was detached.

Palmer missed the remainder of the session, in a blow to his preparations for the weekend race.

Brazilian Felipe Massa&nbsp;stopped his&nbsp;Williams&nbsp;car at Turn 11 after reporting he could not engage gears, and walked back to the team garage.

The troubled McLaren team had no on-track breakdowns on the opening day with Fernando Alonso finishing in a respectable 12th place.

(AFP)

The triple world champion?bossed the field in the afternoon run to hold a half-second gap over Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel

Lewis Hamilton sizzled in the opening practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix as he sent an ominous message to his rivals for the new Formula One season on Friday. The triple world champion bossed the field in the afternoon run to hold a half-second gap over Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel and his new Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton followed up his field-leading fastest lap of 1:24.220 in the first session with a blistering 1:23.620 around Albert Park in the late afternoon. It was around one-tenth of a second off Vettel's record lap in Melbourne of 1:23.529, posted for Red Bull in qualifying ahead of his 2011 race victory. Ferrari were expected to press Hamilton and the Mercedes team after superior times in pre-season testing, but on the evidence of the opening two sessions Hamilton again looked the driver to beat in Sunday's race. Hamilton's time was more than three seconds faster than his best lap in last year's corresponding free practice in Melbourne. Finland's Bottas slotted smoothly into the Mercedes team environment with a best lap of 1:24.176. Ferrari improved on their opening practice with Vettel unleashing the second best lap time in FP2 with 1:24.167 while team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was fourth with 1:24.525. The Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were over a second behind Hamilton and half-a-second off Vettel's Ferrari. "Daniel's not quite got the balance that he wants. I think a couple of changes we've made on the car over lunch he's not liked so we're going back on them now," team boss Christian Horner said. "Hopefully we can get a sensible long run-in. You can see Lewis has probably got four or five-tenths on the field but after that it could be pretty tight. "We know Ferrari have had a good winter but we're hopeful we can close that overnight. We'll get a better indication tomorrow but we've got some work to do tonight." The second session was stopped after a big crash for Renault's Jolyon Palmer, who lost the rear of his car on the last corner and spun into the barriers. "I'm fine," Palmer told his team over the radio. The shunt damaged the car's rear suspension, while the rear wing was detached. Palmer missed the remainder of the session, in a blow to his preparations for the weekend race. Brazilian Felipe Massa stopped his Williams car at Turn 11 after reporting he could not engage gears, and walked back to the team garage. The troubled McLaren team had no on-track breakdowns on the opening day with Fernando Alonso finishing in a respectable 12th place. (AFP)

Australian GP: Hamilton sizzles in practice sessions

New signing Valtteri Bottas put champions Mercedes on top of the timesheets on Wednesday with the fastest lap so far in Formula One&#39;s pre-season testing, while Kimi Raikkonen crashed his Ferrari.

Bottas&#39;s best lap of one minute 19.310 seconds came on supersoft tyres in the morning session, with the Finn then handing over to triple champion team mate Lewis Hamilton (79 laps) for the afternoon.

The time was 0.395 faster than the best set last week, also by Bottas on ultrasoft tyres, and quicker than any Spanish Grand Prix pole position time since the Circuit de Catalunya layout was changed in 2007.

It was also nearly three seconds faster than Hamilton&#39;s 2016 pole time.

Bottas, who did 70 laps on Wednesday, joined from Williams in January as replacement for retired world champion Nico Rosberg.

The Finn&#39;s former team mate Felipe Massa, who was fastest on Tuesday when he did an eye-catching 168 laps equal to 2-1/2 race distances, was second quickest and completed another 63 laps.

The Brazilian handed over the Williams to Canadian rookie Lance Stroll, who managed to stay out of trouble after mishaps last week and did 59 laps with the fifth best time.

Raikkonen was third with a time of 1:20.406 but spent some time in the garage while Ferrari carried out a fluid systems check and he completed just 39 laps before lunch.

The Finn crashed into the barriers at turn three in the afternoon.

Red Bull had to carry out an engine change over the lunch break with Max Verstappen managing only 34 laps - the second lowest of any team in the morning session. With the problem resolved, he ended the day with 102 under his belt.

McLaren&#39;s Fernando Alonso was 3.7 seconds off the pace and managed only 46 timed laps with the team still struggling with their latest Honda engines.

Racing director Eric Boullier told reporters that the lack of speed and mileage was a concern for the former champions with the season starting in Australia on March 26.

&quot;If you are not running fast enough, you do not put the right energy into the tyres, you don&#39;t put the right energy in the brakes of the car, and your ride height targets are different,&quot; he said.

&quot;There are a lot of consequences to run 15kph or 18kph slower in a straight line. But still, we make the most of the data we can gather just by running the car, and that is what we want to see.&quot;

(Reuters)

Double world champion Fernando Alonso continued to struggle, with his McLaren car 3.7 seconds off the fastest time

New signing Valtteri Bottas put champions Mercedes on top of the timesheets on Wednesday with the fastest lap so far in Formula One's pre-season testing, while Kimi Raikkonen crashed his Ferrari. Bottas's best lap of one minute 19.310 seconds came on supersoft tyres in the morning session, with the Finn then handing over to triple champion team mate Lewis Hamilton (79 laps) for the afternoon. The time was 0.395 faster than the best set last week, also by Bottas on ultrasoft tyres, and quicker than any Spanish Grand Prix pole position time since the Circuit de Catalunya layout was changed in 2007. It was also nearly three seconds faster than Hamilton's 2016 pole time. Bottas, who did 70 laps on Wednesday, joined from Williams in January as replacement for retired world champion Nico Rosberg. The Finn's former team mate Felipe Massa, who was fastest on Tuesday when he did an eye-catching 168 laps equal to 2-1/2 race distances, was second quickest and completed another 63 laps. The Brazilian handed over the Williams to Canadian rookie Lance Stroll, who managed to stay out of trouble after mishaps last week and did 59 laps with the fifth best time. Raikkonen was third with a time of 1:20.406 but spent some time in the garage while Ferrari carried out a fluid systems check and he completed just 39 laps before lunch. The Finn crashed into the barriers at turn three in the afternoon. Red Bull had to carry out an engine change over the lunch break with Max Verstappen managing only 34 laps - the second lowest of any team in the morning session. With the problem resolved, he ended the day with 102 under his belt. McLaren's Fernando Alonso was 3.7 seconds off the pace and managed only 46 timed laps with the team still struggling with their latest Honda engines. Racing director Eric Boullier told reporters that the lack of speed and mileage was a concern for the former champions with the season starting in Australia on March 26. "If you are not running fast enough, you do not put the right energy into the tyres, you don't put the right energy in the brakes of the car, and your ride height targets are different," he said. "There are a lot of consequences to run 15kph or 18kph slower in a straight line. But still, we make the most of the data we can gather just by running the car, and that is what we want to see." (Reuters)

F1 testing: Bottas goes fastest as Raikkonen crashes

Saturday morning, New York time, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that his future vice president, Mike Pence, was &quot;harassed&quot; by the cast of the Broadway play, &quot;Hamilton&quot;.&nbsp;

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Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/799972624713420804">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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When Mike Pence arrived in the New York theater he was booed by the crowd. Pence has a record of making homophobic laws, such as voting to ban same sex marriage, signing a bill to jail same-sex couples applying for a marriage license, wanting to divert funds from HIV prevention to conversion therapy, and others.

Brandon Victor Dixon --&nbsp;one of the stars of Hamilton, a cast which contains several&nbsp;members of the gay and queer community&nbsp;--&nbsp;pleaded with the crowd to stop booing, and asked that the future vice president protect all Americans.

Dixon said: &quot;We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us.&quot;&nbsp;The crowd applauded.&nbsp;

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Yes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MikePence?src=hash">#MikePence</a> was at <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonMusical">@HamiltonMusical</a> here&#39;s what we had to say <a href="https://t.co/YIjt7JZ3gF">pic.twitter.com/YIjt7JZ3gF</a>
&mdash; G R E G O R Y (@ghaney22) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghaney22/status/799824250630762500">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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In response to this&nbsp;plea to the vice president-elect,&nbsp;the president-elect demanded an apology.

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The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/799974635274194947">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

&nbsp;

The lead actor stopped the crowd from booing and asked Pence for protection, for which Trump demanded he apologize

Saturday morning, New York time, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that his future vice president, Mike Pence, was "harassed" by the cast of the Broadway play, "Hamilton". Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016 × When Mike Pence arrived in the New York theater he was booed by the crowd. Pence has a record of making homophobic laws, such as voting to ban same sex marriage, signing a bill to jail same-sex couples applying for a marriage license, wanting to divert funds from HIV prevention to conversion therapy, and others. Brandon Victor Dixon -- one of the stars of Hamilton, a cast which contains several members of the gay and queer community -- pleaded with the crowd to stop booing, and asked that the future vice president protect all Americans. Dixon said: "We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us." The crowd applauded. Yes #MikePence was at @HamiltonMusical here's what we had to say pic.twitter.com/YIjt7JZ3gF — G R E G O R Y (@ghaney22) November 19, 2016 × In response to this plea to the vice president-elect, the president-elect demanded an apology. The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016 × (WION)

Trump says Broadway actor 'harassed' vice president-elect Mike Pence

Lewis&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;enhanced his hopes of taking the title fight down to the wire on Saturday when he outpaced Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg to grab pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The defending world champion&nbsp;Hamilton, who was suffering with a cold, must stop the German from winning on Sunday to take the title race to the final grand prix of the season, at Abu Dhabi in two weeks.

It was the perfect moment for the Briton to become only the third driver ever to secure 60 Formula One pole positions, behind&nbsp;Hamilton&rsquo;s hero Ayrton Senna (65 poles) and Michael Schumacher (68).

The three-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.736 seconds to pip Rosberg by 0.102 seconds as the pair duelled in the final seconds of a tense qualifying session.

&ldquo;Honestly, I felt quite comfortable all through qualifying as I have all weekend,&quot; said a cool and calm&nbsp;Hamilton, despite suffering from a cold.&nbsp;

&quot;Nico&rsquo;s been going quicker and quicker, but I&rsquo;ve generally had it covered. This is the best I could have hoped for coming to Brazil.

&quot;It&rsquo;s always been a track I&rsquo;ve struggled at so I&rsquo;m glad to be up there at the front.&quot;

Hamilton, who has never won in Brazil, said he was not worried by the forecasts of rain for Sunday at Interlagos.

&quot;I don&rsquo;t mind at all, I&rsquo;m ready for whatever,&quot; he said.

Rosberg has one hand on his first F1 title.

He took pole and won in Brazil in 2014 and 2015 and will secure the championship at last if he completes a hat-trick of wins.

&quot;It was exciting and it was very close,&quot; said Rosberg.&nbsp;

&quot;Lewis was marginally quicker than me in the end. But that&rsquo;s ok, pole isn&rsquo;t always the guy who wins the race so I&rsquo;m still optimistic for tomorrow.&rdquo;

Massa disappoints home crowd

Behind the two Mercedes, Kimi Raikkonen produced an unexpected fast late lap to take third for Ferrari narrowly ahead of Dutch teenager Max Verstappen of Red Bull, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in the second Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull.

&quot;Well done mate, great job,&rdquo; Ferrari told Raikkonen. &quot;That&rsquo;s a surprise because the first part of the lap was no good,&quot; replied the Finn.&nbsp;

When his race engineer congratulated him, he added: &quot;Thanks, I was pretty average!&quot;

Frenchman Romain Grosjean was seventh for Haas ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and his Force India team-mate Sergio Perez, with two-time champion Fernando Alonso taking 10th for McLaren.

Heavy clouds had threatened rain as the Q1 session began with&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;heading the queue out of the pit lane ahead of Rosberg.

The Mercedes pair were soon setting the pace,&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;going top with a lap in 1:11.511, giving him an advantage of three-tenths on Rosberg&rsquo;s first flying run behind him.

They stayed there while the rest slithered and scrapped for times, Jenson Button failing to make the cut for McLaren in a lowly 17th place.

Hamilton&nbsp;was out rapidly again for Q2 and Valtteri Bottas gave Williams a boost by going third temporarily before Felipe Massa, in his last home race, radioed in to say he felt that his Williams had a puncture.&nbsp;

&quot;The front tyres aren&rsquo;t working,&quot; he said.

The session ended in drama as the home hero failed to make the cut along with team-mate Bottas, qualifying in 13th and 11th respectively.&nbsp;

For retirement-bound Massa, in his 13th and final Brazil race, 13th will be the worst grid position of his career for his home event.

(AFP)

The three-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.736 seconds to pip Rosberg by 0.102 seconds

Lewis Hamilton enhanced his hopes of taking the title fight down to the wire on Saturday when he outpaced Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg to grab pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The defending world champion Hamilton, who was suffering with a cold, must stop the German from winning on Sunday to take the title race to the final grand prix of the season, at Abu Dhabi in two weeks. It was the perfect moment for the Briton to become only the third driver ever to secure 60 Formula One pole positions, behind Hamilton’s hero Ayrton Senna (65 poles) and Michael Schumacher (68). The three-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.736 seconds to pip Rosberg by 0.102 seconds as the pair duelled in the final seconds of a tense qualifying session. “Honestly, I felt quite comfortable all through qualifying as I have all weekend," said a cool and calm Hamilton, despite suffering from a cold. "Nico’s been going quicker and quicker, but I’ve generally had it covered. This is the best I could have hoped for coming to Brazil. "It’s always been a track I’ve struggled at so I’m glad to be up there at the front." Hamilton, who has never won in Brazil, said he was not worried by the forecasts of rain for Sunday at Interlagos. "I don’t mind at all, I’m ready for whatever," he said. Rosberg has one hand on his first F1 title. He took pole and won in Brazil in 2014 and 2015 and will secure the championship at last if he completes a hat-trick of wins. "It was exciting and it was very close," said Rosberg. "Lewis was marginally quicker than me in the end. But that’s ok, pole isn’t always the guy who wins the race so I’m still optimistic for tomorrow.” Massa disappoints home crowd Behind the two Mercedes, Kimi Raikkonen produced an unexpected fast late lap to take third for Ferrari narrowly ahead of Dutch teenager Max Verstappen of Red Bull, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in the second Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull. "Well done mate, great job,” Ferrari told Raikkonen. "That’s a surprise because the first part of the lap was no good," replied the Finn. When his race engineer congratulated him, he added: "Thanks, I was pretty average!" Frenchman Romain Grosjean was seventh for Haas ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and his Force India team-mate Sergio Perez, with two-time champion Fernando Alonso taking 10th for McLaren. Heavy clouds had threatened rain as the Q1 session began with Hamilton heading the queue out of the pit lane ahead of Rosberg. The Mercedes pair were soon setting the pace, Hamilton going top with a lap in 1:11.511, giving him an advantage of three-tenths on Rosberg’s first flying run behind him. They stayed there while the rest slithered and scrapped for times, Jenson Button failing to make the cut for McLaren in a lowly 17th place. Hamilton was out rapidly again for Q2 and Valtteri Bottas gave Williams a boost by going third temporarily before Felipe Massa, in his last home race, radioed in to say he felt that his Williams had a puncture. "The front tyres aren’t working," he said. The session ended in drama as the home hero failed to make the cut along with team-mate Bottas, qualifying in 13th and 11th respectively. For retirement-bound Massa, in his 13th and final Brazil race, 13th will be the worst grid position of his career for his home event. (AFP)

Brazil Grand Prix: Hamilton pips Rosberg to bag pole

Lewis&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;won the Mexican Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, his landmark 51st career victory cutting Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg&#39;s overall lead to 19 points and keeping the German waiting for a first title.

The pole-to-flag victory was the triple world champion&#39;s eighth of the season and put him level with France&#39;s Alain Prost in the all-time lists of winners. Only Michael Schumacher (91) has more.

Rosberg, who would have clinched the title had he won and&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;finished 10th or lower, crossed the line 8.354 seconds behind to anchor champions Mercedes to a sixth one-two finish of the season.

The German can still clinch the title with a race in hand if he wins at Sao Paulo&#39;s Interlagos circuit in Brazil in two weeks&#39; time.

&quot;Lewis has been too fast this weekend,&quot; said Rosberg. &quot;I just have to accept second place.&quot;

The race was largely processional until it exploded into controversy in the final laps with Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel finishing fourth and then promoted to the podium before demotion back to fifth.

Red Bull&#39;s Max Verstappen was third on the track but was then handed a five second penalty for gaining an advantage by going off, pushing him down to fifth before Vettel&#39;s penalty for dangerous driving lifted him back to fourth.

That left Australian Daniel Ricciardo in third place but without a podium appearance and the chance to pour the champagne into his boot for another trademark &#39;shoey&#39; celebration.

The Vettel-Verstappen-Ricciardo controversy provided the major talking point of the day, with bad language flying and accusations going to and fro.

&quot;He has to let me go, he has to let me go,&quot; Vettel, who had been trying to pass Verstappen on the 67th of the 71 laps, exclaimed furiously over the team radio as the Dutchman refused to concede the place.

Vettel also directed a foul-mouthed outburst at race director Charlie Whiting, which was heard on television and for which he apologised, and then swerved across to the Red Bull driver after the finish with a finger raised and wagging.

&quot;I was using a lot of sign language. You have to understand the adrenaline,&quot; said the four-times champion.

Verstappen said Vettel should go back to school.

&quot;I don&#39;t know how many times he is using very bad language,&quot; said the teenager. &quot;I will speak to him because this is how ridiculous he is handling it, he is just a very frustrated guy at the moment.&quot;

Post-race confusion

Verstappen joined the Mercedes drivers in the waiting room before the podium ceremony but was hauled out after his penalty was imposed, with Vettel running hastily down the pit lane.

The arguments and accusations continued afterwards, with Vettel and Ricciardo then summoned to stewards and the German accused of changing his line while braking as Ricciardo tried to pass him.

The stewards decided to elevate Ricciardo to third spot.&nbsp;

Ricciardo, who originally finished fifth in the race, was bumped up after both Verstappen and Vettel received time penalties.

Vettel&#39;s retrospective 10-second penalty meant Ricciardo finished third, Verstappen fourth and the multiple world champion fifth.

(Reuters)

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo was elevated to third spot after his teammate Verstappen and Ferrari's Vettel were handed time penalties

Lewis Hamilton won the Mexican Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, his landmark 51st career victory cutting Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg's overall lead to 19 points and keeping the German waiting for a first title. The pole-to-flag victory was the triple world champion's eighth of the season and put him level with France's Alain Prost in the all-time lists of winners. Only Michael Schumacher (91) has more. Rosberg, who would have clinched the title had he won and Hamilton finished 10th or lower, crossed the line 8.354 seconds behind to anchor champions Mercedes to a sixth one-two finish of the season. The German can still clinch the title with a race in hand if he wins at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit in Brazil in two weeks' time. "Lewis has been too fast this weekend," said Rosberg. "I just have to accept second place." The race was largely processional until it exploded into controversy in the final laps with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finishing fourth and then promoted to the podium before demotion back to fifth. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third on the track but was then handed a five second penalty for gaining an advantage by going off, pushing him down to fifth before Vettel's penalty for dangerous driving lifted him back to fourth. That left Australian Daniel Ricciardo in third place but without a podium appearance and the chance to pour the champagne into his boot for another trademark 'shoey' celebration. The Vettel-Verstappen-Ricciardo controversy provided the major talking point of the day, with bad language flying and accusations going to and fro. "He has to let me go, he has to let me go," Vettel, who had been trying to pass Verstappen on the 67th of the 71 laps, exclaimed furiously over the team radio as the Dutchman refused to concede the place. Vettel also directed a foul-mouthed outburst at race director Charlie Whiting, which was heard on television and for which he apologised, and then swerved across to the Red Bull driver after the finish with a finger raised and wagging. "I was using a lot of sign language. You have to understand the adrenaline," said the four-times champion. Verstappen said Vettel should go back to school. "I don't know how many times he is using very bad language," said the teenager. "I will speak to him because this is how ridiculous he is handling it, he is just a very frustrated guy at the moment." Post-race confusion Verstappen joined the Mercedes drivers in the waiting room before the podium ceremony but was hauled out after his penalty was imposed, with Vettel running hastily down the pit lane. The arguments and accusations continued afterwards, with Vettel and Ricciardo then summoned to stewards and the German accused of changing his line while braking as Ricciardo tried to pass him. The stewards decided to elevate Ricciardo to third spot. Ricciardo, who originally finished fifth in the race, was bumped up after both Verstappen and Vettel received time penalties. Vettel's retrospective 10-second penalty meant Ricciardo finished third, Verstappen fourth and the multiple world champion fifth. (Reuters)

Mexican GP: Hamilton's win snips Rosberg's championship lead

Nico Rosberg eased to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday with a drive that handed Mercedes their third straight constructors championship and extended the German&#39;s lead in his pursuit of a maiden Formula One title.

Max Verstappen crossed the line in second in his Red Bull, fending off a late-charging world champion Lewis Hamilton, who recovered from a botched start to finish third in the other Mercedes.

Rosberg now leads Hamilton by 33 points in the overall standings and, with just four races to go, can claim the title without winning any more races this year.

(Reuters)

Mercedes win the constructor's championship as Rosberg comes first, Hamilton third

Nico Rosberg eased to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday with a drive that handed Mercedes their third straight constructors championship and extended the German's lead in his pursuit of a maiden Formula One title. Max Verstappen crossed the line in second in his Red Bull, fending off a late-charging world champion Lewis Hamilton, who recovered from a botched start to finish third in the other Mercedes. Rosberg now leads Hamilton by 33 points in the overall standings and, with just four races to go, can claim the title without winning any more races this year. (Reuters)

Japanese GP: Rosberg stretches championship lead over Hamilton

Mercedes&#39; Nico Rosberg bagged pole position in dominant fashion at the Singapore Grand Prix, with teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing third.&nbsp; 
 
Red Bull&#39;s Daniel Ricciardo managed to split the Mercedes pair by finishing second. 
 
Rosberg, who is trailing Hamilton in the Drivers&#39; Championship by just two points, will be looking to win his third straight race on Sunday. 
 
&quot;I am definitely happy. It was one of my top three laps ever,&quot; Rosberg said, moments after the stunning display to win his maiden pole position in Singapore and the 29th of his career. 
 
A disappointed Hamilton gave credit fo his teammate for the &quot;great job&quot; during Q3 of the qualifying round.&nbsp; 
 
Ricciardo&#39;s partner Max Verstappen came fourth, followed by Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari). The Toro Rosso duo of Carlos Sainz Junior and Daniil Kvyat came sixth and seventh, followed by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez.&nbsp; 
 
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will start last due to an anti-roll bar failure.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

The German will be looking to win his third straight race and leapfrog his teammate in the drivers' championship

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg bagged pole position in dominant fashion at the Singapore Grand Prix, with teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing third. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo managed to split the Mercedes pair by finishing second. Rosberg, who is trailing Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship by just two points, will be looking to win his third straight race on Sunday. "I am definitely happy. It was one of my top three laps ever," Rosberg said, moments after the stunning display to win his maiden pole position in Singapore and the 29th of his career. A disappointed Hamilton gave credit fo his teammate for the "great job" during Q3 of the qualifying round. Ricciardo's partner Max Verstappen came fourth, followed by Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari). The Toro Rosso duo of Carlos Sainz Junior and Daniil Kvyat came sixth and seventh, followed by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will start last due to an anti-roll bar failure. (WION)

Singapore GP: Rosberg storms to pole position, Hamilton third

Mercedes&#39;s Nico Rosberg took advantage of his teammate Lewis Hamilton&#39;s poor start to win the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. 
 
Rosberg&#39;s seventh win of the season helped him cut short Lewis Hamilton&#39;s championship lead&nbsp;to just two points. 
 
Briton Hamilton started the race in pole position but his poor start from the grid gave Rosberg the chance to overtake him.&nbsp; 
 
The Ferrari pair Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen came third and fourth respectively. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s great to win in Italy,&quot;Rosberg said after his maiden win at the Monza track. It was also his 50th podium finish of his career. 
 
This was also the first time in seven years that the pole-sitter didn&#39;t manage to win the Italian GP. 
 
Race result: 
 
1. Nico Rosberg 
 
2. Lewis Hamilton 
 
3. Sebastian Vettel 
 
4. Kimi Raikkonen 
 
5. Daniel Ricciardo 
 
6. Valtteri Bottas 
 
7. Max Verstappen 
 
8. Sergio Perez 
 
9. Felipo Massa 
 
10. Nico Hulkenberg 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Rosberg's seventh GP win of the season helped him cut short Lewis Hamilton's championship lead?to just two points

Mercedes's Nico Rosberg took advantage of his teammate Lewis Hamilton's poor start to win the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. Rosberg's seventh win of the season helped him cut short Lewis Hamilton's championship lead to just two points. Briton Hamilton started the race in pole position but his poor start from the grid gave Rosberg the chance to overtake him. The Ferrari pair Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen came third and fourth respectively. "It's great to win in Italy,"Rosberg said after his maiden win at the Monza track. It was also his 50th podium finish of his career. This was also the first time in seven years that the pole-sitter didn't manage to win the Italian GP. Race result: 1. Nico Rosberg 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Sebastian Vettel 4. Kimi Raikkonen 5. Daniel Ricciardo 6. Valtteri Bottas 7. Max Verstappen 8. Sergio Perez 9. Felipo Massa 10. Nico Hulkenberg (WION with inputs from agencies)

Italian GP: Rosberg preys on Hamilton's poor start to win

Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in the Formula One drivers championship to 19 points after winning the German Grand Prix with ease today, with Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg only fourth. 
 
Rosberg surrendered his lead from pole to the Briton, who stormed away to claim his sixth win in seven races and strengthen his grip in the title chase. 
 
Second was Daniel Ricciardo, with Max Verstappen, his Red Bull teammate, third. 
 
Reigning world champion Hamilton took full advantage of a poor start by Rosberg, who also received a five second pit-stop penalty for an over-aggressive passing move, to deliver a flawless drive. 
 
&ldquo;Get in there, Lewis,&rdquo; said his team engineer over the radio. &ldquo;Great work, mate, a beautiful start and fantastically managed.&rdquo; 
 
The Briton responded: &ldquo;As always, thanks to you all, brilliant pit stops and now have a well-deserved summer break.&rdquo; 
 
For Rosberg, who was seeking to repeat his 2014 triumph, it ended up as a day of disappointment on home soil. 
 
The home fans at Hockenheim had another German to cheer as four-time champion Sebastian Vettel finished fifth ahead of his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen and compatriot Nico Hulkenberg, who was seventh on home turf for Force India. 
 
Briton Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, finished eighth ahead of Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Mexican Sergio Perez of Force India. 
 
&quot;What a race,&quot; Hamilton, who started second on the grid, told the crowd from the podium. &quot;Big thank you to the team, who did an amazing job. &quot;I didn&#39;t make any mistakes. Yesterday was not perfect, but you learn from those things.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

It ended up as a day of disappointment for Nico Rosberg, who was seeking to repeat his 2014 triumph on home soil

Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in the Formula One drivers championship to 19 points after winning the German Grand Prix with ease today, with Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg only fourth. Rosberg surrendered his lead from pole to the Briton, who stormed away to claim his sixth win in seven races and strengthen his grip in the title chase. Second was Daniel Ricciardo, with Max Verstappen, his Red Bull teammate, third. Reigning world champion Hamilton took full advantage of a poor start by Rosberg, who also received a five second pit-stop penalty for an over-aggressive passing move, to deliver a flawless drive. “Get in there, Lewis,” said his team engineer over the radio. “Great work, mate, a beautiful start and fantastically managed.” The Briton responded: “As always, thanks to you all, brilliant pit stops and now have a well-deserved summer break.” For Rosberg, who was seeking to repeat his 2014 triumph, it ended up as a day of disappointment on home soil. The home fans at Hockenheim had another German to cheer as four-time champion Sebastian Vettel finished fifth ahead of his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen and compatriot Nico Hulkenberg, who was seventh on home turf for Force India. Briton Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, finished eighth ahead of Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Mexican Sergio Perez of Force India. "What a race," Hamilton, who started second on the grid, told the crowd from the podium. "Big thank you to the team, who did an amazing job. "I didn't make any mistakes. Yesterday was not perfect, but you learn from those things." (AFP)

Lewis Hamilton wins German Grand Prix

Leslie Odom Jr, winner of the 2016 Tony Award for best leading actor in a musical for his role in the smash Broadway hit Hamilton,&nbsp;became on Sunday the latest member of the cast to announce his departure. 
 
Odom, 34, said on his Facebook page he would make his last performance in the show on July 9, the same day the show&#39;s co-star and creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, bows out. 
 
Odom plays Aaron Burr in the musical, which blends hip-hop and other musical genres to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the US Founding Fathers and the first Treasury secretary. The show won 11 of Broadway&rsquo;s top honors at the Tony Awards on June 12. 
 
&ldquo;It has just been the most completely wonderful, totally healing and inspiring experience from beginning to end,&rdquo; Odom said in a video statement from his dressing room, posted on Facebook. &ldquo;I will never forget the people I have met. I will never forget you.&rdquo; 
 
Odom said rehearsals were the most exciting part of his work on Hamilton&nbsp;because the show held such great potential. 
 
&ldquo;I am excited to have a blank page now,&rdquo; Odom said. He said he was looking for something fresh to work on. 
 
In addition to Miranda, who plays the title character in the musical, Phillipa Soo, who plays Eliza Hamilton, is also leaving. 
(Reuters)

'I will never forget the people I have met' Odom said in a Facebook video, adding that he was looking for something fresh to work on

Leslie Odom Jr, winner of the 2016 Tony Award for best leading actor in a musical for his role in the smash Broadway hit Hamilton, became on Sunday the latest member of the cast to announce his departure. Odom, 34, said on his Facebook page he would make his last performance in the show on July 9, the same day the show's co-star and creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, bows out. Odom plays Aaron Burr in the musical, which blends hip-hop and other musical genres to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the US Founding Fathers and the first Treasury secretary. The show won 11 of Broadway’s top honors at the Tony Awards on June 12. “It has just been the most completely wonderful, totally healing and inspiring experience from beginning to end,” Odom said in a video statement from his dressing room, posted on Facebook. “I will never forget the people I have met. I will never forget you.” Odom said rehearsals were the most exciting part of his work on Hamilton because the show held such great potential. “I am excited to have a blank page now,” Odom said. He said he was looking for something fresh to work on. In addition to Miranda, who plays the title character in the musical, Phillipa Soo, who plays Eliza Hamilton, is also leaving. (Reuters)

Actor Leslie Odom Jr to exit hit Broadway show 'Hamilton'

Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton completed his domination of practice for Azerbaijan&#39;s first Formula One grand prix with the fastest time in Saturday&#39;s final session before qualifying. 
 
The Mercedes driver, who was fastest in both Friday practices at the Baku street circuit, lapped with a best time of one minute 44.352 seconds late in the session, slower than his best the previous day. 
 
Team mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg was second, with a timing that was 0.258 seconds slower. 
 
Force India&#39;s Nico Hulkenberg, who won the Le Mans 24-hours sportscar race this time last year but is unable to defend the title due to the calendar clash, was best of the rest on the timesheets. 
 
Hamilton was 1.188 seconds clear of Hulkenberg. 
 
The session was halted shortly before the scheduled finish when Hulkenberg&#39;s Mexican team mate Sergio Perez hit the wall at Turn 15, the same spot where Red Bull&#39;s Daniel Ricciardo crashed on Friday. Ricciardo was fourth on Saturday, ahead of Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel, Perez and the Australian&#39;s 18-year-old Dutch team mate Max Verstappen. 
 
Team workers modified the track overnight, removing kerbs that had lifted in Friday practice and moving the white lines at the pit lane entry. However, there was still a worrying moment when a loose drain cover flipped up in the pitlane after Valtteri Bottas&#39;s Williams passed over it. The car was damaged and returned to the garage while marshals placed a traffic cone in front of the hole. 
 
Some drivers, notably Rosberg and McLaren&#39;s Jenson Button, had complained about the lack of runoff areas and pitlane entry but they got short shrift from commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone. 
 
&quot;If they don&#39;t want to drive, they don&#39;t have to,&quot; said the 85-year-old. &quot;It&#39;s up to them. This is the circuit. If they don&#39;t like it, go home. One of them, I think Nico, was complaining about the speed into the pitlane. So I said to the people &#39;go and have a look and see if he&#39;s got a brake on the car&#39;. It&#39;s up to him how quick he is.&quot; 
(Reuters) 
 
&nbsp;

Has the fastest time on Saturday, and was fastest in both practice sessions on Friday

Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton completed his domination of practice for Azerbaijan's first Formula One grand prix with the fastest time in Saturday's final session before qualifying. The Mercedes driver, who was fastest in both Friday practices at the Baku street circuit, lapped with a best time of one minute 44.352 seconds late in the session, slower than his best the previous day. Team mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg was second, with a timing that was 0.258 seconds slower. Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, who won the Le Mans 24-hours sportscar race this time last year but is unable to defend the title due to the calendar clash, was best of the rest on the timesheets. Hamilton was 1.188 seconds clear of Hulkenberg. The session was halted shortly before the scheduled finish when Hulkenberg's Mexican team mate Sergio Perez hit the wall at Turn 15, the same spot where Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo crashed on Friday. Ricciardo was fourth on Saturday, ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, Perez and the Australian's 18-year-old Dutch team mate Max Verstappen. Team workers modified the track overnight, removing kerbs that had lifted in Friday practice and moving the white lines at the pit lane entry. However, there was still a worrying moment when a loose drain cover flipped up in the pitlane after Valtteri Bottas's Williams passed over it. The car was damaged and returned to the garage while marshals placed a traffic cone in front of the hole. Some drivers, notably Rosberg and McLaren's Jenson Button, had complained about the lack of runoff areas and pitlane entry but they got short shrift from commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone. "If they don't want to drive, they don't have to," said the 85-year-old. "It's up to them. This is the circuit. If they don't like it, go home. One of them, I think Nico, was complaining about the speed into the pitlane. So I said to the people 'go and have a look and see if he's got a brake on the car'. It's up to him how quick he is." (Reuters)

Hamilton completes practice sweep in Baku

Formula One takes a step into the unknown this weekend with its first grand prix in Azerbaijan, but, triple world champion Lewis Hamilton hopes the race will take him back to familiar, successful territory. 
 
A win in Baku would not only complete a hat-trick of victories for the Briton but would also see him overtake Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg at the top of the standings for the first time this year. 
 
After winning the last two races in Monaco and Montreal, while championship leader Rosberg finished off the podium, Hamilton slashed the gap between them from 43 points to nine. 
 
If Hamilton makes it three in a row by winning a race billed as the &#39;European Grand Prix&#39;, Rosberg must finish second to avoid falling behind his rival, who has beaten him to the championship for the last two years. 
 
&quot;We need to try to keep on a roll if possible,&quot; Hamilton said after winning in Canada on Sunday for the fifth time. &quot;Onwards and upwards, hopefully.&quot; 
 
Rosberg, winner of the first four races of the season as well as the last three of 2015, needs to hit back in Baku. 
 
He won last season&#39;s &#39;new&#39; race, the Mexican Grand Prix that was returning for the first time since 1992, but Hamilton had just won his third title and taken his foot off the gas. 
 
&quot;Canada unfortunately didn&#39;t work out as planned. But that&#39;s how things go when you&#39;re pushing the limits and I&#39;m not going to change my approach or start backing down,&quot; said Rosberg after making a quick getaway from Montreal. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m in this championship battle to win it, not to settle for second best.&quot; 
 
While the spotlight remains on the fierce duel between the two Mercedes drivers, who have clashed on the opening lap twice in the last three races, the champions are no longer in a battle of their own. 
 
Ferrari and Red Bull have closed the performance gap and could be a real threat in Baku where the circuit has long straight and tight turns around the old city, a UNESCO world heritage site. 
 
&quot;The speed of both the Ferrari and Red Bull is pretty much where we are now,&quot; commented Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after Ferrari&#39;s Sebastian Vettel made a lightning start in Canada and finished second. 
 
&quot;We are seeing the convergence of performance between teams that naturally comes with stable regulations, and that has made the competition tougher than ever.&quot; 
 
Formula One teams began setting up on Tuesday for a race that, despite campaigners calling for the sport to take a stance on human rights issues, has created a buzz throughout the paddock. 
 
&quot;It looks spectacular when you see what they have built up in downtown Baku, going through the old city,&quot; said Ferrari&#39;s track operations head Jock Clear. 
 
&quot;It looks a very exciting circuit. The stuff we&rsquo;ve done on simulators and the photographs we&rsquo;ve seen, it looks like it&rsquo;s going to be a great place to race. I think both drivers are really up for that kind of street circuit.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Formula One takes a step into the unknown this weekend with its first grand prix in Azerbaijan, but, triple world champion Lewis Hamilton hopes the race will take him back to familiar, successful territory. A win in Baku would not only complete a hat-trick of victories for the Briton but would also see him overtake Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg at the top of the standings for the first time this year. After winning the last two races in Monaco and Montreal, while championship leader Rosberg finished off the podium, Hamilton slashed the gap between them from 43 points to nine. If Hamilton makes it three in a row by winning a race billed as the 'European Grand Prix', Rosberg must finish second to avoid falling behind his rival, who has beaten him to the championship for the last two years. "We need to try to keep on a roll if possible," Hamilton said after winning in Canada on Sunday for the fifth time. "Onwards and upwards, hopefully." Rosberg, winner of the first four races of the season as well as the last three of 2015, needs to hit back in Baku. He won last season's 'new' race, the Mexican Grand Prix that was returning for the first time since 1992, but Hamilton had just won his third title and taken his foot off the gas. "Canada unfortunately didn't work out as planned. But that's how things go when you're pushing the limits and I'm not going to change my approach or start backing down," said Rosberg after making a quick getaway from Montreal. "I'm in this championship battle to win it, not to settle for second best." While the spotlight remains on the fierce duel between the two Mercedes drivers, who have clashed on the opening lap twice in the last three races, the champions are no longer in a battle of their own. Ferrari and Red Bull have closed the performance gap and could be a real threat in Baku where the circuit has long straight and tight turns around the old city, a UNESCO world heritage site. "The speed of both the Ferrari and Red Bull is pretty much where we are now," commented Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel made a lightning start in Canada and finished second. "We are seeing the convergence of performance between teams that naturally comes with stable regulations, and that has made the competition tougher than ever." Formula One teams began setting up on Tuesday for a race that, despite campaigners calling for the sport to take a stance on human rights issues, has created a buzz throughout the paddock. "It looks spectacular when you see what they have built up in downtown Baku, going through the old city," said Ferrari's track operations head Jock Clear. "It looks a very exciting circuit. The stuff we’ve done on simulators and the photographs we’ve seen, it looks like it’s going to be a great place to race. I think both drivers are really up for that kind of street circuit." (Reuters)

Hamilton hoping for a hat-trick in Baku

Tickets to the smash-hit Broadway musical &quot;Hamilton&quot; are going for record-breaking prices -- skyrocketing to more than $6,000 apiece. 
 
Fans are shelling out to see the July 9 final performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show&#39;s creator, and current leading actor. Since debuting in July 2015, the musical focused on America&#39;s founding fathers has won fans as high-profile as US President Barack Obama and swiftly become Broadway&#39;s most popular. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re calling &#39;Hamilton&#39; the cultural equivalent of the Super Bowl,&quot; said a spokesperson for the ticket resale website StubHub, referencing the annual American football championship. 
 
Miranda -- who wrote and composed the musical -- announced June 2 he would perform the lead, Alexander Hamilton, for the last time, taking a break to devote time to other projects. 
 
It&#39;s not the final performance of the musical itself, which will run on Broadway at least until 2017, but the star power of Miranda has fans clamouring for seats. 
 
Tickets have already gone for $6,500 on StubHub and $6,600 on another website, TiqIQ, the two outlets confirmed to AFP. 
 
The average ticket cost for Miranda&#39;s last show is $1,747 on StubHub and $4,798 on TiqIQ. 
 
Some tickets went on sale for $14,800 on StubHub, though buyers have yet to drop that kind of money. 
 
Miranda has repeatedly spoken out against the ticket resale system, which allows companies to use software capable of buying up large numbers of tickets and then reselling them at inflated prices. 
 
Producers recently decided to raise the base prices of the best tickets to $475-$849. 
 
At the same time, they reduced the price of tickets that normally sell between $21-$46 to $10 a piece, which fans can try and snag through a lottery system. 
 
&quot;Hamilton&quot; has been nominated for a record-setting 16 Tony Awards, given out to recognize achievement in Broadway productions. The ceremony will take place Sunday in New York.

Miranda, the musical's writer and composer, announces this will be his last performance as the lead, Alexander Hamilton

Tickets to the smash-hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" are going for record-breaking prices -- skyrocketing to more than $6,000 apiece. Fans are shelling out to see the July 9 final performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's creator, and current leading actor. Since debuting in July 2015, the musical focused on America's founding fathers has won fans as high-profile as US President Barack Obama and swiftly become Broadway's most popular. "We're calling 'Hamilton' the cultural equivalent of the Super Bowl," said a spokesperson for the ticket resale website StubHub, referencing the annual American football championship. Miranda -- who wrote and composed the musical -- announced June 2 he would perform the lead, Alexander Hamilton, for the last time, taking a break to devote time to other projects. It's not the final performance of the musical itself, which will run on Broadway at least until 2017, but the star power of Miranda has fans clamouring for seats. Tickets have already gone for $6,500 on StubHub and $6,600 on another website, TiqIQ, the two outlets confirmed to AFP. The average ticket cost for Miranda's last show is $1,747 on StubHub and $4,798 on TiqIQ. Some tickets went on sale for $14,800 on StubHub, though buyers have yet to drop that kind of money. Miranda has repeatedly spoken out against the ticket resale system, which allows companies to use software capable of buying up large numbers of tickets and then reselling them at inflated prices. Producers recently decided to raise the base prices of the best tickets to $475-$849. At the same time, they reduced the price of tickets that normally sell between $21-$46 to $10 a piece, which fans can try and snag through a lottery system. "Hamilton" has been nominated for a record-setting 16 Tony Awards, given out to recognize achievement in Broadway productions. The ceremony will take place Sunday in New York.

'Hamilton' musical tickets to sell for jaw-dropping $6,000

Britain&#39;s beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screens, this time with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway smash-hit &quot;Hamilton,&quot; as her sidekick, Walt Disney Co&nbsp;said on Tuesday. 
 
&quot;Mary Poppins Returns,&quot; a sequel to the 1964 classic film &quot;Mary Poppins,&quot; is scheduled for release in theatres on Christmas Day 2018 and will star British actress Blunt in the titular role made famous by Julie Andrews.&nbsp; 
 
Miranda, who recently won a Pulitzer Prize for creating and starring in Broadway`s historical, hip-hop musical &quot;Hamilton,&quot; will play a new character named Jack, a street lamplighter. 
 
&quot;Mary Poppins,&quot; the movie based on the popular children`s books by author P.L. Travers, followed a magical flying British nanny as she improved the lives of the unhappy Banks family with the aid of chirpy Cockney chimneysweep Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke. 
 
The new film will be set in Depression-era London, the setting of Travers` stories, and will see Mary Poppins return to the now grownup Jane Banks, Michael Banks and his three children after they suffer a personal loss, Disney said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives,&quot; the studio said. 
 
The studio did not say in its statement whether Andrews, now 80, or Van Dyke, 90, will appear in any capacity and representatives for the actors did not immediately respond to Reuters` request for comment. 
 
&quot;Mary Poppins Returns&quot; is the latest in a slate of reboots from Disney, which last year remade animated fairytale &quot;Cinderella&quot; into a live action film. Disney will also release the live action &quot;Beauty and the Beast,&quot; starring Emma Watson, next year. 
 
The studio also owns George Lucas` &quot;Star Wars&quot; science-fiction adventure franchise and the Marvel superhero franchise.

Britain's beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screen, this time beside Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of Broadway smash-hit "Hamilton".

Britain's beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screens, this time with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway smash-hit "Hamilton," as her sidekick, Walt Disney Co said on Tuesday. "Mary Poppins Returns," a sequel to the 1964 classic film "Mary Poppins," is scheduled for release in theatres on Christmas Day 2018 and will star British actress Blunt in the titular role made famous by Julie Andrews. Miranda, who recently won a Pulitzer Prize for creating and starring in Broadway`s historical, hip-hop musical "Hamilton," will play a new character named Jack, a street lamplighter. "Mary Poppins," the movie based on the popular children`s books by author P.L. Travers, followed a magical flying British nanny as she improved the lives of the unhappy Banks family with the aid of chirpy Cockney chimneysweep Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke. The new film will be set in Depression-era London, the setting of Travers` stories, and will see Mary Poppins return to the now grownup Jane Banks, Michael Banks and his three children after they suffer a personal loss, Disney said. "Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives," the studio said. The studio did not say in its statement whether Andrews, now 80, or Van Dyke, 90, will appear in any capacity and representatives for the actors did not immediately respond to Reuters` request for comment. "Mary Poppins Returns" is the latest in a slate of reboots from Disney, which last year remade animated fairytale "Cinderella" into a live action film. Disney will also release the live action "Beauty and the Beast," starring Emma Watson, next year. The studio also owns George Lucas` "Star Wars" science-fiction adventure franchise and the Marvel superhero franchise.

''Mary Poppins Returns'' with Blunt, ''Hamilton'' star Miranda

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