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LEWIS HAMILTON is ready to defend his F1 world championship as a truncated season begins in Austria next weekend after being hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

And the world champ has blasted former owner Bernie Ecclestone after controversial comments on the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Get all the latest F1 news and updates here…

  • GOOD MORNING F1 FANS,

    F1 hopes to boost its 2020 campaign from eight to 18 races – despite the delayed season starting in Austria this Sunday.

    And reigning champion Lewis Hamilton has spoken of his pride at his new Mercedes bedecked in black livery – as he continues to press for more racial equality and diversity.

    Australia, Netherlands, Monaco, France, Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have all lost their grands prix.

    But races could still yet be held as originally planned in China, Canada, Vietnam, Russia, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi.

    Meanwhile, Brit Hamilton said of his car's dramatic colour scheme: “It’s so important we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity.

    “I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.”

    Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas will also wear black overalls this year, with “End Racism” on both their cars.

    Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff insists Austra will still be a great spectacle despite the “weirdness” of fans being banned.

    He said: “I think we know what to do, I think we know that protecting our staff and everybody who attends is the main priority

    “F1 has always been able to take out the positives, and if we're able to provide a great show on Saturday and Sunday I think that's going to compensate for the weirdness.”

  • LEW: OUR TOUGHEST SEASON

    Lewis Hamilton says he is bracing himself for a tough time once he gets back behind the wheel of a car in the F1 opener in Austria.

    With a shortened calendar and extensive health and safety protocols, life will be very different in pit lane and beyond.

    Hamilton is embracing the challenge.

    He said: “We are preparing the best way we can for what is going to be the most difficult season that Formula One and all of us has experienced, with the difficult times that we're facing and the changes that we have to make in order to operate.”

  • LEWIS BID TO DE-LIVER EQUALITY

    Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas will make a visually dramatic stand for racial equality for F1's delayed 2020 season.

    They will race in black liveried cars during the shortened campaign.

  • NO 'INSANE' NO GAIN

    Daniel Ricciardo is well up for Mugello being part of the 2020 race season.

    He branded the track “insane” and think it's definitely worthy of inclusion – despite never having held an F1 race before.

    Ricciardo said: “I was very excited to hear [about it]. The first circuit I heard was Mugello, and that was a circuit I raced back in 2007 for the first time, and it was my favourite circuit that season.

    “I loved the flowing high-speed corners, and I think in F1 it would be amazing.

    “We had a test there back in 2012 in F1, but the cars now, these 2020 cars around there, would be insane, so certainly excited if that one takes place.”

  • WHAT THE ECC?

    Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he had no idea he still had a job in F1 until a few days ago.

    He has hit the headlines for controversial comments suggesting “in lots of cases, black people are more racist than white people are”.

    Ecclestone's role as chairman emeritus expired in January but he explained the confusion after the Liberty Media takeover three years ago.

    He told GPFans: “They said they wanted to give me a very honourable position, which in America is important, the sort of thing they give to a president [of a company] when he retires.

    “So they gave me that, but I didn't know it was only for a period of three years, which was the period of my contract anyway, and which, in fairness, they paid under that contract.

    “But I didn't know about the period of time for this position.”

  • WOLFF WHISTLE

    Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff thinks this weekend's return to racing in Austria will still be a great spectacle despite the “weirdness” of fans being banned.

    “I think we know what to do, I think we know that protecting our staff and everybody who attends is the main priority,” said Wolff in an F1 vodcast.

    “But equally, it's new ground, we've never been in this situation.

    “We're talking a lot about bubbles, less interaction with the other teams, you guys [the media] and the fans, and that will be a new experience.

    “F1 has always been able to take out the positives, and if we're able to provide a great show on Saturday and Sunday I think that's going to compensate for the weirdness.”

  • GUESS WHO'S BACK

    F1 returns this week with the Austrian GP on Sunday.

    Check out the confirmed 2020 race dates so far.

  • 'MOST DIFFICULT SEASON'

    Lewis Hamilton says he is bracing himself for a tough time once he gets back behind the wheel of a car this weekend.

    With a shortened calendar and extensive health and safety protocols, life will be very different in pit lane and beyond.

    Hamilton is embracing the challenge.

    He said: “We are preparing the best way we can for what is going to be the most difficult season that Formula One and all of us has experienced, with the difficult times that we're facing and the changes that we have to make in order to operate.”

  • SEASON STILL UNDECIDED

    F1 gets back underway on Sunday – but there are doubts about exactly how many races will be held this season.

    Eight have been announced so far – all without fans.

    But F1 chiefs are still hoping for an eventual schedule of up to 18 races.

    Australia, Netherlands, Monaco, France, Azerbaijan, Singapore, Japan have all had GPs cancelled.

    China, Canada, Vietnam, Russia, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi are all still to have races scheduled.

    Some of these circuits may host more than one race, others are likely to be cancelled, with the possibility of tracks not on the original calendar being used (Mugello in Italy and Portimao in Portugal).

  • 'SEIZE THIS MOMENT'

    Lewis Hamilton has spoken of his pride at Mercedes' new car.

    The F1 world champ will get his season underway in a car featuring new black livery this weekend – you can see a picture of it below.

    Speaking of the new colour scheme, Hamilton, who has been a vocal supporter of Black Lives Matter, said: “It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity.

    “I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.

    “When I spoke to [Mercedes boss] Toto Wolff about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.

    “I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business.”

    Hamilton and his team-mate Valtteri Bottas will also wear black overalls this year.

    The “End Racism” message will feature on both of their cars.

    Hamilton added: “We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change.”

  • BLACK BEAUTY

    Mercedes have revealed their new black livery for this season.

    And it looks glorious.

  • DAN PLAN

    Daniel Ricciardo is well up for Mugello being part of the 2020 race season.

    He branded the track “insane” and think it's definitely worthy of inclusion – despite never having held an F1 race before.

    Ricciardo said: “I was very excited to hear [about it]. The first circuit I heard was Mugello, and that was a circuit I raced back in 2007 for the first time, and it was my favourite circuit that season.

    “I loved the flowing high-speed corners, and I think in F1 it would be amazing.

    “We had a test there back in 2012 in F1, but the cars now, these 2020 cars around there, would be insane, so certainly excited if that one takes place.”

  • SCHEDULE UPDATE

    The second and final part of Formula 1’s ‘corona calendar’ for 2020 will be released TODAY, according to reports.

    Mugello, a Ferrari-owned circuit, is tipped to secure the sport’s 1000th race a week after Monza.

    Italian reports claim the FIA will approve the schedule and release it today – or in the next few days at least.

    The first eight races of the 2020 season – including a behind-closed-doors double-header at Silverstone – have been confirmed.

    Racing will finally get underway in Austria on July 5.

    A week later, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg will host a second GP before a race in Hungary completes three consecutive weekends of action to make up for lost time.

    The British GP will take place at Silverstone on August 2 with the double-header completed a week later.

    On August 16, during a period usually reserved for the summer break, will be the Spanish GP at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    And the current calendar is completed with races at Spa and Monza on August 30 and September 6.

  • SNOOZE YOU LEWZE

    Ferrari's decision to sign Carlos Sainz does not mean Hamilton will not sign for them in 2023, says Martin Brundle.

    2020 is Vettel's final year for the Scuderia, with Sainz to be Charles Leclerc's team-mate from 2021.

    But the Spaniard only has a two-year deal in place, leaving the door open for Hamilton to possibly join Ferrari in 2023.

    And Brundle said: “I doubt Sainz has got anything locked down in terms of anything beyond one season.

    “If Toto [Wolff] left Mercedes and they rowed back a bit with the global pandemic issues and cost cuts coming in F1, the whole scene is changing, then I think his [Hamilton’s] mind might have to turn again to have a look at Ferrari. I would if I was him.

    “I’ve spoken to him about being dressed in red and standing on that podium at Monza and looking at the crowd in Ferrari overalls. He said ‘I love red, I’ve got red in my crash helmet, it’s the colour of passion’ but his stock answer was ‘I’ve raced for Mercedes all of my F1 career.’

    “Think about it commercially, he can be an ambassador forever for that company so it would be a lot to walk away from.”

  • GOOD MORNING FORMULA ONE FANS,

    Bernie Ecclestone has DEFENDED his comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement as he stated “It's not my fault I'm white”.

    The former F1 boss caused uproar when he claimed that “a lot of black people are more racist than white people”, with Lewis Hamilton left saddened.

    Speaking to the Mail on Sunday about his views, he said: ” I am not anti black people. Quite the opposite. I have always been very much in favour. In fact, Lewis’s dad wanted to go into business with me. He made some nice rowing machines. I would never even have considered it if I had been anti-black. If the project had been right, I would have done it.

    “Over the years, I have met a lot of white people I didn’t like, but never a black person I didn’t like.

    “I’ve been mugged a couple of times, once by three black guys. I ended up in hospital, but even after that I was never against anyone who was black. I don’t think of Lewis as black or anything else. He’s just Lewis to me.

    “If a black person or a white person gets turned down for a job you have to ask why. Was it because of their skin colour, or was it because they weren’t up to the job? That is what I was saying.

    “And then people go on these marches, organised by quasi-Marxists who want to bring down the police, which would be a disaster for the country. If you asked most of them what exactly they were protesting about they probably wouldn’t know.

    “It’s not my fault I am white, or that I am a little shorter than the next man. I was called Titch at school. I realised I had to do something about it. Black people should look after themselves.”

    While Lewis Hamilton has called on F1 to bring back an African race to the circuit for the first time since South Africa in 1993.

    When asked in a Q&A where in the world would he like to see a new race held, he said: “Easy, Africa. It's such an important place to go back.

    “At the moment, Formula One goes to countries and doesn't really leave much behind if anything.

    “Formula One has to shift into being a sport that does go to places and leaves behind something that can really help the communities.

    “Bringing the attention back to Africa and really highlighting the beautiful place that it is.”

  • MASK MY EMOTIONS

    Ferrari Sporting Director Laurent Mekies has highlighted the challenge of wearing a mask for long periods as part of F1's new safety protocols.

    Speaking to media via video conference, he said: “In a very basic way the biggest challenge, especially for the guys in the garage, will be to wear the mask at all time.

    “We have started to get used to it, as it’s becoming part of our normal life.

    “We wear it in the factory and the office, but it’s one thing to wear it in an office environment, it’s something else to wear it when it’s 40C or very hot at the race track so we think this will be the biggest challenge.”

  • GOLD STANDARD

    Stefan Johansson has shared his belief that five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon could have added a F1 World Championship to impressive CV.

    When asked why Dixon, who he now manages, had never had a crack at F1, he told the Beyond The Grid podcast: “It was just timing.

    “When he won the championship the first time [in 2003], we had the test with Williams, which went very well. And we were due to have a test with Ferrari as well, we had some meetings with [then Ferrari team boss] Jean Todt. They wanted to do a test as well.

    “But with Williams, BMW was the main partner and they didn’t want a rookie in the car, basically. So at the time we managed to leverage that in getting a really, really, really good deal from Chip [Ganassi] for IndyCar, so we ended up in IndyCar, and that’s where the career ended up going.”

    “I think he would have been world champion.

    “In F1 you have to be in the right car at the right time. Timing is so crucial in F1… but if all the stars had lined up, no question he would be world champion.

    “I think he’s absolutely one of the best in history of any category, in my opinion.”

  • ONE WEEK TO GO

  • NO MARGIN FOR ERROR

    McLaren boss Zak Brown has admitted that Formula 1's ever-competitive midfield will be “tighter than ever” in 2020.

    He told Sky Sports: “I do think this year is going to be tougher.

    “Racing Point are clearly very quick with what appears to be last year's Mercedes, and one would think it would be quick because it won the championship last year! They're going to be very tough and I think they made the most off-season progress.

    “Renault were very quick, Alfa [Romeo] were quick, AlphaTauri put in a very quick time at the end of testing and Williams showed a lot more pace than they did last year.

    “So I do think this year is going to be tougher than last year and I could see us being fourth, and I could see us sliding to sixth because others have challenged.

    “I think it's going to come down to reliability, drivers continuing to do a good job, team executing, because I think there's not much pace difference between the cars.”

  • FRENCH FANCY

  • LEW BEAUTY

    Lewis Hamilton has called on F1 to bring back an African race to the circuit for the first time since South Africa in 1993.

    When asked in a Q&A where in the world would he like to see a new race held, he said: “Easy, Africa. It's such an important place to go back.

    “At the moment, Formula One goes to countries and doesn't really leave much behind if anything.

    “Formula One has to shift into being a sport that does go to places and leaves behind something that can really help the communities.

    “Bringing the attention back to Africa and really highlighting the beautiful place that it is.

    “I think that's the most important place that we have to go to.

    “It needs to be held where it's not all about money, it's about the people.

    “In business, that's not always the case so that's something I'm really pushing for.”

  • HEART OF STONE

    Bernie Ecclestone has DEFENDED his comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement as he stated “It's not my fault I'm white”.

    The former F1 boss caused uproar when he claimed that “a lot of black people are more racist than white people”, with Lewis Hamilton left saddened.

    Speaking to the Mail on Sunday about his views, he said: ” I am not anti black people. Quite the opposite. I have always been very much in favour. In fact, Lewis’s dad wanted to go into business with me. He made some nice rowing machines. I would never even have considered it if I had been anti-black. If the project had been right, I would have done it.

    “Over the years, I have met a lot of white people I didn’t like, but never a black person I didn’t like.

    “I’ve been mugged a couple of times, once by three black guys. I ended up in hospital, but even after that I was never against anyone who was black. I don’t think of Lewis as black or anything else. He’s just Lewis to me.

    “If a black person or a white person gets turned down for a job you have to ask why. Was it because of their skin colour, or was it because they weren’t up to the job? That is what I was saying.

    “And then people go on these marches, organised by quasi-Marxists who want to bring down the police, which would be a disaster for the country. If you asked most of them what exactly they were protesting about they probably wouldn’t know.

    “It’s not my fault I am white, or that I am a little shorter than the next man. I was called Titch at school. I realised I had to do something about it. Black people should look after themselves.”

  • SAFETY MEASURES

  • GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE

  • GOOD MORNING FORMULA ONE FANS

    Lewis Hamilton has had his say on Bernie Ecclestone's controversial views on the Black Lives Matter movement.

    He said: “Bernie is out of the sport and a different generation but this is exactly what is wrong – ignorant and uneducated comments which show us how far we as a society need to go before real equality can happen.

    “It makes complete sense to me now that nothing was said or done to make our sport more diverse or to address the racial abuse I received throughout my career.

    “If someone who has run the sport for decades has such a lack of understanding of the deep routed issues we as black people deal with every day, how can we expect all the people who work under him to understand. It starts at the top.

    “Now the time has come for change. I will not stop pushing to create an inclusive future for our sport with equal opportunity for all.

    “To create a world that provides equal opportunity for minorities. I will continue to use my voice to represent those who don't have one, and to speak for those who are underrepresented to provide an opportunity to have a chance in our sport.”

    Formula 1 have also issued a statement distancing themselves from their former CEO's comments on racism and equality.

    It read: “At a time when unity is needed to tackle racism and inequality, we completely disagree with Bernie Ecclestone’s comments that have no place in Formula 1 or society.

    “Mr Ecclestone has played no role in Formula 1 since he left our organisation in 2017, his title Chairman Emeritus, being honorific, expired in January 2020.”

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