Bahrain lose in P23 straight sets to SPORTS 2424 Saturday, August 26, 2017 Hami fired 200th

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium young at heart -- so it’s good. It’s crazy to ahead of of Red Bull ewis Hamilton insisted yesterday that think that I haverace been in and championship leader Vettel. he has no intention of slowing down as long as I have. I feel very privileged.” , who was 1.32sec off toL mark his 200th Formula One race at Having enjoyed the three-week break the leading pace, was sixth in the second this weekend’s keenly anticipated Belgian from racing, Hamilton said he felt ready Red Bull ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Grand Prix. to mount a serious challenge for his , of , After being outpaced in the morning’s fourth world title. Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso and Jolyon free practice, he bounced back to top the “I want the next nine (races) to all Palmer in the second Renault. afternoon times before rain swept across be (perfect),” he said. “I’m going to be Felipe Massa of Williams took no the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead in every single race from now on part in the session after crashing and where on Sunday he will seek to trim and that’s my goal. No games. I am here damaging his car on his opening lap in ’s 14-point lead with his to win. I want it just as much if not more the first session yesterday, an accident he third Belgian victory. than anyone else.” said was not attributable in any way to a “You would think after 200 races that Hamilton topped the second session dose of vertigo that sidelined him during your passion or desire to win might times ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix. fade, but it’s stronger than ever,” said , who was fastest ahead of him in For Hamilton, it was an excellent start the three-time world champion, who is the morning session. He clocked a best to a key weekend. (AFP) also bidding to draw level with Michael lap in one minute and 44.753 seconds Schumacher in the record books on to finish 0.262sec ahead of Raikkonen Belgian GP free practice times Saturday with his 68th career pole who marked the confirmation of his position. Ferrari contract for 2018 with a speedy 1. (GBR/Mercedes) 1:44.753 (17 laps) It might be an emotional achievement showing in Belgium. 2. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:45.015 (21) as the Schumacher family is marking The session began in bright and dry 3. (FIN/Mercedes) 1:45.180 (17) the 25th anniversary of the German’s conditions, but finished in teeming 4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:45.225 (16) maiden victory, in Belgium in 1992, with rain as the micro-climate of the forests 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:45.235 (20) son Mick driving the track in his father’s of the Belgian Ardennes delivered 6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:46.072 (15) 1994 Benetton car to honour his father’s a capricious dose of its changeable 7. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:46.441 (24) achievements. weather. 8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1:46.473 (19) “It’s crazy to think that I’m reaching Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) 1:46.561 (19) that milestone,” said Hamilton. “I still feel Valtteri Bottas was third quickest 10. (GBR/Renault) 1:46.670 (23) Lewis Hamilton

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