WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020 13 Hamilton eyes Schumacher record as F1 steps into brave new world Lewis Hamilton is looking to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles

AFP | London fans, sponsors’ agents and guests it begins, will deliver the same even months after they last and only a handful of reporters likely story. competed in earnest, the restricted to the media centre. Lewis Hamilton, powered by SFormula One circus will The usual high-rise motor the all-conquering Mercedes, push a post-lockdown reset but- homes will be replaced by tents goes in search of a seventh driv- ton to open the 2020 season in and awnings while the teams, ers’ title to equal the record of Austria on Sunday. cut to 80 members and all in pro- Michael Schumacher. The event at Spielberg is be- tective gear, will operate in san- “It has been unbearable – I ing held on its original calendar itised “bubbles within bubbles” have missed the racing and date, but is not the once-antic- in a paddock bereft of human the competition so much, so it ipated 11th round of the cham- contact and the usual swell of will be great to be back,” said pionship, but the first – a sea- rumour and speculation. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. son-opener delayed by the glob- For all involved, who are test- Even during lockdown, driv- al coronavirus pandemic. ed four days before the event ers moves for next year took More than three months after and five days later, it will be an place, Ferrari announcing the the Australian Grand Prix was unprecedented and unique ex- release of four-time champion abandoned on the eve of opening perience. Sebastian Vettel, to be succeed- practice in Melbourne, the race Yet, despite all the change and ed by Carlos Sainz of McLaren in the Styrian Alps will be run the surreal atmosphere it is ex- and Daniel Ricciardo signing to behind closed doors, without pected that the action, when leave Renault and be the Span- iard’s replacement at the cash- starved outfit so badly hit by the pandemic. Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen steers his car during the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg (file photo) without any fans,” especially On the move at the sweeping circuit where Those 2021 moves will not af- Max Verstappen was roared to Lewis fect this year’s line-ups, but may It has been victory by a huge orange wave Hamilton affect relationships between unbearable – I have of Dutch supporters last year. departing drivers and teams Verstappen and Red Bull anxious not to allow unique missed the racing are expected to challenge operational and performance and the competition Mercedes, with Ferrari and intelligence to leave with them. so much, so it will be Racing Point, newly dubbed If anywhere, this is likely to great to be back “the pink Mercedes” team after have most effect at Ferrari as TOTO WOLFF copying the champions’ cars, the Italian team strives to avoid in close pursuit in the opening open conflict between rising star also Mercedes. events where it will be intrigu- Charles Leclerc and Vettel, who The pair, who were intense ing to see if Hamilton’s focus has General view of a Union Jack flag being carried out on to the track by service is a free agent and a potential rivals last year, tested in Italy been affected by his active and personnel before the 2019 British GP race (file photo) target for not only Renault, but last week ahead of the opening vocal support for the current “double-header” with two suc- anti-racism protests. cessive races at Austria’s Red Last week, just days Bull Ring circuit before a third after launching the race in Hungary. Hamilton Commis- “I have no experience of head- sion to boost diversi- ing back to the same track and ty in motorsport, he having a second race, but I’ve slammed remarks been around for a while,” said made by former F1 Vettel. supremo Bernie “I guess the level of perfection Ecclestone as “ig- will be higher the second week- norant and uned- end - the level of errors will be ucated” before even smaller. calling for the “It will be a chance to review restoration of strategy just seven days after- Grand Prix in wards so that’s a first and let’s Africa. see how we tackle that chal - “It’s a real- lenge.” ly weird time in the world Orange aid and the big - The opening three races form gest challenge just part of an intensive spell in my mind is of eight European races in 10 not about the weeks, which may become nine championship in 11 if a round at Mugello, in necessarily,” Italy, is added. he said. “It’s Vettel added that he “can’t im- not a normal F1 cars in action during Bahrain GP (file photo) agine what it will be like to race year.” Liverpool can stay on top without major signings, says Klopp AFP | London But Klopp said even if he had outs, that is completely normal, “We cannot spend millions iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a significant war chest, spending and it’s just not likely that it will and millions and millions be- Ldoes not believe he has to it would not necessarily be easy be the most busy summer in the cause we want to or we think it is spend “millions” in the transfer or the right thing to do. world,” Klopp told reporters. nice to do,” he added. “We never market, saying it is a tricky task The club decided not to com- “But maybe at a later point in wanted that.” to improve his Premier League pete with Chelsea for RB Leip- the year, if the transfer window Klopp’s last big buy was the winners. Klopp’s side were last zig striker Timo Werner even is still open, we will know more. purchase of Alisson Becker for week crowned English champi- though he had been heavily But this squad... look at it. £65 million ($80m) in 2018. ons for the first time in 30 years linked with a move to Anfield. “It is not a squad you have Since then the outlay has been with a record seven games to go. Fringe players Xherdan Shaqi- to change now and say ‘OK, we relatively small. Teenagers Har- The coronavirus outbreak, ri and Adam Lallana look likely need this position and this po- vey Elliott and Sepp van den which put the Premier League to be among those who will be sition’.” Berg have joined the club along on hold for three months, is like- leaving the club. The Liverpool boss said he with Adrian and Takumi Mi - ly to have a significant impact “COVID has of course influ- had a “first 16 or 17” who could namino, who arrived from RB on the football transfer market. enced both sides with ins and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on during a match (file photo) all play at the same level. Salzburg for £7.25m in January.