F2 stars Nobuharu Matsushita and Nikita Mazepin were involved in a horror crash at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Both drivers were rushed to hospital after smashing into the wall during the first lap of the Sochi race, which was postponed as a result.
There were fears for both drivers, particularly Matsushita, who appeared worse off
F1 Feeder Series @F1FeederSeries1/ F1 TV
The FIA allayed fears surrounding Matsushita and Mazepin by confirming neither of them suffered fractures.
“Both Nobuharu Matsushita and Nikita Mazepin are being transferred to hospital,” an FIA tweet read.
“Neither driver suffered fractures as a result of the Lap 1 incident.”
LATEST SPORT NEWS
one step closer
Hamilton takes advantage of Ferrari meltdown to win Russian Grand Prix
huge win
Wales edge out Australia in nail-biting Rugby World Cup thriller
It’s on
Deontay Wilder next fight: When does star return to action? Who is he facing?
EDUCATED MOVE
Leicester ace reveals he turned down Arsenal transfer and explains why
TOUGH NIGHT
Nicola Adams suffers first blip of professional career on Daniel Dubois card
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Anthony Joshua reveals who he’d rather face – Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury?
CONFIRMED
Deontay Wilder’s next fight officially announced with opponent, date and venue
RUTHLESS
Daniel Dubois destroys Ebenezer Tetteh with brutal first-round knockout
Mazepin was allegedly responsible for the collision after going off-course at Turn 2 before trying to rejoin the race.
He touched with Jack Aitken and then hit Matsushita – and now could be hit with a heavy penalty.
Antoine Hubert tragically died at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this month
AFP or licensors
The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile scares in recent weeks.
Earlier in September, Anthoine Hubert tragicallt died after crashing in the Belgian race while Alex Peroni suffered a broken back the following week when his F3 car suddenly took off mid-race.
Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a Ferrari meltdown to win the Russian Grand Prix and tighten his grip on a sixth world championship.
In a calamitous few laps for Ferrari, the Italian team threw away a certain one-two finish after Sebastian Vettel broke down and Charles Leclerc dropped from first to third.
Hamilton edged closer to another world title
Getty Images – Getty
Valtteri Bottas followed team-mate Hamilton home at the Sochi Autodrome as Mercedes secured the full quota of points on a day to forget for those dressed in red.
Hamilton now leads Bottas in the championship by 73 points with just 130 remaining. Leclerc is 107 points behind the British driver.
Max Verstappen finished fourth ahead of Red Bull team-mate Alex Albon, who started last after he crashed out of qualifying.
“What an effort, guys,” said a jubilant Hamilton on the radio. “What an incredible job. That is exactly what we needed. We never give up.”
Ferrari had already got themselves into a needless mess before Vettel retired with an engine failure on lap 28.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
in the book
Premier League yellow and red cards: Who faces a ban soon?
golden boot
Premier League top scorer: Who has most goals? Who has most assists?
Top-flight action
Premier League 2019/20 results: Fixtures, dates and kick-off times
big game
Man United vs Arsenal: Watch Premier League clash – kick-off, channel, team news
SCARY
Defoe shaken but unhurt following horror three-way car collision
no laughing matter
Gary Neville slams Jordan Pickford for chuckling during Man City defeat
mr nice guy
Mata lifts lids on fractious relationship with former boss Mourinho
frozen out
Frustrated Pulisic reveals what Lampard told him amid lack of Chelsea game time
Vettel got the jump on pole-sitter Leclerc on the long drag down to the second corner here, but a curious pre-race arrangement had Leclerc calling for the roles to be reversed.
Seemingly it had been agreed that if Vettel benefited from the slipstream and moved ahead of Leclerc off the start line, he would have to concede the position.
Ferrari were on the radio to tell Vettel to let Leclerc by, but the four-time world champion resisted the order.
Leclerc protested from his cockpit. “You put me behind and I respected everything,” he said. “We will talk later.”
The Ferrari pit wall were on to Vettel again, but again the German did not want to budge, fearing that he would be exposed to Hamilton if he slowed down.
Ferrari had a shocker in Sochi
AFP or licensors
Leclerc was the first to stop on lap 22, but instead of calling in Vettel the next time around, as would be the expected protocol, Vettel was left on old tyres as his team-mate lit up the time sheets on new rubber.
Four laps after Leclerc pitted, Vettel was eventually stopped, and by the time he emerged he had fallen behind his team-mate and into a net second.
Ferrari had got their wish, but just moments after leaving the pits, Vettel broke down with an engine failure. “Bring back the f****** V12s,” yelled Vettel with Ferrari blaming his retirement on the hybrid technology.
It was then to get worse for the Scuderia. With Vettel’s broken down machine in a precarious position, the virtual safety car was deployed to slow down the field, allowing Hamilton, who had yet to pit, a free stop for tyres and the lead of the race.
Is there any stopping Hamilton this year?
AFP or licensors
George Russell then crashed out in his Williams and the full safety car was put on track. Ferrari decided to stop Leclerc and put him on new tyres for the remaining 20 laps.
But their decision saw him lose a position to Bottas, and on a track where overtaking is nigh-on impossible, Leclerc was unable to pass the Mercedes driver.
Hamilton crossed the line 3.8 seconds clear of his team-mate to claim his ninth win of the season and end Ferrari’s three-round winning streak.
“It is incredible to have this result considering how quick (Ferrari) were off the start,” said Hamilton.
“To keep up with them was an incredibly hard task.”
There were familiar scenes for Hamilton at the top of the podium
Getty Images – Getty
Reflecting on his probable sixth title, the Mercedes driver added: “I try not to think about the championship and take it one race at a time.
“We don’t want to stumble. It feels like a long time coming, but the first time, too, so that is why this win is special.”
Leclerc added: “I will always trust the team but the tactic was me giving the slipstream and for us to be one-two, which happened, but then I don’t know.
“I need to speak to the team to know the situation better.”
Sebastian Vettel ended his 22-race losing streak by controversially beating Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc to victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion jumped a furious Leclerc in the only round of pit stops to take to the top step of the podium for the first time since last year’s Belgian Grand Prix in August.
Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull with Lewis Hamilton only fourth.
Vettel celebrates his victory in Singapore
AFP or licensors
Hamilton had been in contention for victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, but a poor strategy by his Mercedes team ensured the championship leader dropped two places.
Hamilton, however, extends his title lead over team-mate Valtteri Bottas to 65 points with just six rounds remaining. Bottas finished fifth ahead of Red Bull’s Alex Albon.
Leclerc, 21, had looked on course to win for a third time in as many appearances after controlling the opening third of the 61-lap race from pole position.
But the race turned on its head when Ferrari stopped Vettel for tyres first. Leclerc came in a lap later, but Vettel had taken advantage of his new rubber to leapfrog his team-mate.
LATEST FOOTBALL STORIES
DAMNING
The alarming defensive statistic which will seriously worry United boss Solskjaer
Poor
Roy Keane makes ‘shocking and sad’ admission after Man United’s West Ham defeat
BOBBY’S BEAT
Firmino song: What are the lyrics to Liverpool fans’ chant ‘Si Senor’?
WOEFUL
Mourinho blasts United loss to West Ham, ‘don’t see improvement’ since he was sacked
Round-up
Man United want Spurs pair as Juventus enter Haaland chase, and more transfer news
spotlight
Arsenal wonderkid ‘looks better’ than £72m ace as Emery rewards ‘special player’
CLOSE
Jota’s last-gasp strike earns 10-man Wolves a point at Palace
DEVILS DECKED
Solskjaer left reeling as woeful Man United lose and Rashford picks up injury
OPINION
Mourinho: De Gea ‘lucky’ to get ‘phenomenal’ new United contract
STARTERS
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Confirmed teams as Blues boosted by three back from injury
YOUNG GUN
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Confirmed teams as Emery hands wonderkid start
KILLERS
Man City star Rodri predicted Watford result a week before it happened
Naturally, the move by Ferrari angered Leclerc. “To be completely honest with you I don’t understand the undercut,” he moaned over the radio. “We will discuss after the race,” He added.
Over at Mercedes, the world champions decided to keep Hamilton on track as their rivals changed tyres, but the 34-year-old was rapidly losing time on worn rubber.
Hamilton was soon in no-man’s land, and when he did eventually stop, six laps later than Leclerc and seven laps later than Vettel, the Briton re-joined the race behind both Ferrari cars and Verstappen, too. Indeed, Hamilton only stayed ahead of Bottas for fourth position after Mercedes ordered the Finn to slow down.
The spectacular night race is notorious for safety cars, and there were three here, the first of which entered the action following George Russell’s coming together with Romain Grosjean on lap 35.
Charles LeClerc reacts in Singapore
Getty Images – Getty
Four laps after the action resumed, the safety car was back on track when Sergio Perez’s broken-down Racing Point had to be cleared from danger.
Leclerc was also back on the radio to protest Ferrari’s decision to stop Vettel first. “I won’t do anything stupid,” he said. “But I just think it is unfair.”
A third safety car period ensued when Kimi Raikkonen and Daniil Kvyat collided at the first corner in the closing stages.
But despite the drama around him Vettel kept his cool to bounce back from his horror show in Monza to end his barren run and claim the 53rd win of his career.
His Ferrari team celebrated three consecutive victories for the first time in 11 years. British teenager Lando Norris finished seventh for McLaren.
Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher is ‘conscious’ after being admitted to hospital for stem cell treatment, a nurse has revealed.
French newspaper Le Parisien claimed on Monday that Schumacher, who has not been seen in public for almost six years following his skiing accident, had been taken to a Paris hospital for ‘secret treatment’.
Schumacher reportedly arrived at the Paris hospital under tight security
AFP – Getty
And now, the paper has quoted an unnamed nurse in cardiology saying: “Yes he is in my service.
“And I can assure you that he is conscious.”
Schumacher’s management have declined to comment on the latest report.
Schumacher has been recovering at his family home in Lausanne, Switzerland since sustaining serious head injuries in December 2013. There have been few updates about his well-being in the six years since.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
return of the king
How Fury became ‘more dangerous than ever’ as Wilder rematch beckons
BIG PLANS
Jarrell Miller in ‘advanced talks’ with Top Rank and could face Tyson Fury
reply
‘I fed you to the canvas in 90 seconds’ – McGregor hits out at Poirier after call out
FAN FAVOURITE
Tyson Fury given huge reception as he arrives for workout in lucha libre mask
UP NEXT
Tyson Fury next fight: Otto Wallin bout details – When it is? Where? Tale of tape?
JOKER
Tyson Fury reveals other sports stars he rings after confirming AJ ‘KO’ phone calls
TEST
Gervonta Davis gives confident answer when asked if Vasyl Lomachenko fight will happen
‘didn’t want it’
Tyson Fury says AJ is the reason Joshua vs Wilder never got made
To coincide with his 50th birthday last January, the family issued a rare statement, saying they ‘are doing everything humanely possible’ to help the seven-time world champion, and ‘that he is in the very best of hands’.
The wall of secrecy, enforced at the request of Schumacher’s wife Corinna, was established to protect one of the biggest names in modern sporting times.
But writing in his forthcoming book, Nick Fry, who worked alongside Schumacher for three years at Mercedes, believes the sporadic offerings about a driver who won a record seven world championships, 91 grands prix, and commanded a following of millions around the world, are not enough.
Schumacher suffered horrific head injuries in a skiing accident almost six years ago
Getty Images – Getty
“Corinna and the family have kept a very tight control on information about his treatment which, I think, is a pity,” Fry writes in his book, Survive. Drive. Win.
“There are millions of people out there who have a genuine affection for Michael, and that’s not just his fans in Germany or fans of Mercedes Benz.
“Because of what he achieved, people would like to know about his condition; they are inquisitive and they genuinely feel for him.
“I do think that reporting on how he is, regardless of whether it is good or bad news – and possibly it is bad news – is important because people can empathise with him.”
Rafael Nadal was in tears as he won his 19th Grand Slam title with a thrilling five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.
The Spaniard was full of emotion after his New York triumph saw him close to within one major title of Roger Federer’s record tally of 20.
Nadal was made to work hard for his fourth US Open triumph
AFP
Nadal had led by two sets and a break, but he needed to halt a stunning comeback from Russian rebel Medvedev to win an epic showdown 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4.
The 33-year-old admitted he feared he had blown his chance of victory, saying: “Did I think I might lose? Of course, when you have break point against in the beginning of the fifth, losing the last two sets, you are in trouble.
“But I really try to avoid this thought. I always believe that I going to keep having chances. That’s the way that I approach.
“It’s different in his position after two sets to love and break for me, it’s human that he had that feeling. But I always was in front of the score until the end. Is difficult for me to think I am going to lose.
“Of course, I was in trouble. But I played a not very good game at the 3-2 of that third set.
“At that moment things looked under control, but then Daniil increased a lot and changed a lot of things.”
Nadal is showing no signs of slowing down at 33
AFP
Most men’s Grand Slam singles wins
Roger Federer – 20
Rafael Nadal – 19
Novak Djokovic – 16
Pete Sampras – 14
Roy Emerson – 12
Medvedev’s brave efforts earned him praise from the crowd. The hot-headed Russian, playing in his first grand slam final, had previously been public enemy number one in New York.
He had been jeered by those in the stands throughout the fortnight after he flipped them the middle finger during the third round.
After that match the 23-year-old had goaded the paying public, saying the boos had helped him win the match.
Yet when he launched his unlikely counter-attack it was like Rocky in reverse, the fans around a packed Arthur Ashe suddenly chanting his name.
Medvedev went from villain to hero in New York
GETTY
Afterwards Medvedev said to the crowd: “I want to talk about you guys. Earlier I said it in a bad way, now I mean it in a good way. It’s because of your energy that I’m here in the final.”
He later added: “It was amazing match. It’s an amazing story.
“In the third set I was thinking ‘OK, in 20 minutes I have to give a speech. What do I say? Something like that.
“So I was like, ‘OK, OK, just fight for every point, don’t think about these things’. It worked out not bad.
“Was I close to winning? Yes, one set away. I mean, had break points at 5-4. I will remember everything of it.
“I will be disappointed with the result, but I will be happy with the way I played the whole summer, the whole US Open.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won a thrilling Italian Grand Prix where he held off the challenges from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton hustled Leclerc during a remarkable spell of wheel-to-wheel action at Monza – but the world champion was kept at bay.
Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand Prix
Getty Images – Getty
The 21-year-old registered his second win in as many weeks and Ferrari’s first on home soil in nine years.
With 11 laps remaining, Hamilton then made a mistake at the first corner in his pursuit of Leclerc, falling off the road and allowing Bottas to take second.
On fresher tyres, Bottas took over from Hamilton in his pursuit of Leclerc but crossed the line just eight-tenths shy of the Ferrari star.
In contrast to Leclerc’s heroics at the Cathedral of Speed, Sebastian Vettel endured yet another torrid afternoon in the sister Ferrari.
Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton were on the podium with Leclerc
AFP
The four-time world champion took the chequered flag a dismal 13th and one lap down after a spin at the Ascari chicane on lap six.
Vettel had to stop for a new front wing after he clumsily collided with Lance Stroll in his attempt to rejoin the track following his mistake. He was hit with a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for his part in the incident.
Hamilton’s late error allowed Bottas to reduce the championship deficit to 63 points with seven rounds left.
Leclerc managed to hold off the challenges of Bottas and Hamilton
Getty Images – Getty
“What a race,” said Leclerc. “I have never been so tired. I made a few mistakes, but in the end I finished first so I am very happy.”
“Charles did a great job,” said Hamilton. “He came under a lot of pressure from Valtteri and I.
“I did the best I could, but following so closely for so many laps, the tyres just went off the cliff. It was not our day.”
Leclerc’s credentials were tested to the absolute limit as Hamilton hunted the 21-year-old around the high-speed Monza track.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
defeated
Williams loses fourth Grand Slam final as Andreescu claims US Open triumph
shots fired
Khabib can’t even say McGregor’s name when talking about respect
rematch
Fans not happy with Conor McGregor’s tweet after Khabib defeated Dustin Poirier
the best
Khabib totally dominates Poirier to become undisputed UFC lightweight champion
Re-write history
Khabib Nurmagomedov vaults the octagon again following Dustin Poirier win
desert showdown
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier live, plus UFC 242 results
NEW GROUND
Canelo Alvarez reportedly finalising fight with huge Russian on November 2
ON THE BRINK
England’s Ashes hopes hanging by a thread as Pat Cummins strikes twice
Leclerc was shown a black-and-white flag, Formula One’s version of a yellow card, after Hamilton claimed he was pushed off the road by the Ferrari driver.
On lap 23, Hamilton launched an attack on Leclerc at the second chicane, but was forced to take to the run-off area.
“He didn’t leave me a car’s width,” said Hamilton on the radio. “He pushed me off.”
Thirteen laps later, Leclerc then ran over the kerbs at the first chicane but rejoined in front of Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton finished in third
AFP or licensors
“There is some dangerous driving going on,” said Hamilton. The stewards noted the incident but took no further action.
The partisan Ferrari fans stood on their feet to applaud Leclerc as he whistled past on the main straight, and they burst into unanimous cheers when Hamilton was forced to take to the escape road after going too hot on his brakes at the first corner.
Bottas took over second position as Hamilton stopped for a set of fresh tyres, claiming a bonus point for the fastest lap of the race in the closing stages.
Bottas lined up a move on Leclerc for the win with just two laps to run, but the Finn locked up, affording Leclerc much-needed breathing space.
The Renault duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg finished fourth and fifth ahead of Red Bull’s Alex Albon.
Serena Williams’ bid to break the women’s all-time Grand Slam singles titles record suffered a blow on Saturday as she lost in straight sets at the US Open final.
Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title in New York as she swept aside the 37-year-old American.
Williams was widely expected to brush aside 19-year-old Andreescu, playing in her first Grand Slam final, to bring up her record-equalling 24th major title.
But, for the fourth time of asking since she returned to the sport after giving birth, Williams fell at the final hurdle, Andreescu shocking a packed and partisan Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-3 7-5 win.
Serena Williams was beaten by Bianca Andreescu at the US Open final
Getty Images – Getty
Williams had lost acrimoniously at the same stage here last year to Naomi Osaka, as well as in the last two Wimbledon finals, as she desperately attempts to match Margaret Court’s all-time record.
The American’s footwork, and her first serve, deserted her for most of the match until, at 5-1 down in the second set and facing championship point, she mounted an unlikely comeback.
But Andreescu, who was not even born when Williams won her first US Open title in 1999, stood up to her illustrious opponent and held her nerve for a famous win.
The youngster has enjoyed a rapid rise, climbing from 208 in the world this time last year, when she lost in qualifying, to a projected place in the top five.
Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title
Getty Images – Getty
Andreescu is now the first Canadian grand slam champion and the first woman to win here on their main draw debut.
With her close friend Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, watching with her mother, husband and coach, Williams began well enough with an ace, but successive double faults at deuce gave Andreescu a break in the opening game.
A fierce exchange of volleys at the net was won by Williams and seemed to wake her up as she got on the board for 2-1.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
shots fired
Khabib can’t even say McGregor’s name when talking about respect
rematch
Fans not happy with Conor McGregor’s tweet after Khabib defeated Dustin Poirier
the best
Khabib totally dominates Poirier to become undisputed UFC lightweight champion
Re-write history
Khabib Nurmagomedov vaults the octagon again following Dustin Poirier win
desert showdown
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier live, plus UFC 242 results
NEW GROUND
Canelo Alvarez reportedly finalising fight with huge Russian on November 2
ON THE BRINK
England’s Ashes hopes hanging by a thread as Pat Cummins strikes twice
comeback
Khabib vs Poirier: Fight time, TV channel and fight card as McGregor rival returns
But, by the time the score reached 4-2, Andreescu was the one cranking up the pressure and, as one winner flashed past, Williams turned to her box, swinging her racket in frustration.
Williams somehow survived five break points and in the next game forced one of her own.
Andreescu wriggled out of that with an ace and then promptly broke to close out the opening set before racing into a 2-0 lead in the second.
Williams got back on serve, though, needing four break points and a lucky net chord to finally lay a glove on her opponent.
Even that did not faze Andreescu, who pounced on more misfiring serves and broke straight back.
Serena Williams is still searching for her 24th Grand Slam title
Getty Images – Getty
Leading 5-1 and with the finishing line in sight Adreescu understandably tightened, Williams saving a championship point before twice breaking back as the crowd volume increased to ear-splitting levels.
At 5-5 Andreescu managed a gutsy hold and then brought up two more championship points, seizing her chance with the second of them, a clubbing forehand winner for a remarkable victory.
Formula Three star Alex Peroni survived a shocking crash during the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday.
The 19-year-old’s car spun metres up into the air before landing on a safety fence, and while visibly shaken, Peroni was fortunately able to walk away from the incident.
Fox
The car flew into the air after hitting the kerb[/caption]
The vehicle eventually landed on a safety fence
Fox
His team confirmed the Australian appears to be unhurt but will go to hospital for further tests.
Lewis Hamilton immediately feared for Anthoine Hubert when he saw his fatal crash on television.
Hamilton was conducting an interview at Spa when he was distracted by events in Formula Two’s feature race on Saturday and was heard saying ‘I hope that kid’s good,” adding “that’s terrifying.”
Drivers held a minute’s silence for Hubert on the grid
Getty Images – Getty
Tragically, the 22-year-old was killed in the crash, while American Juan Manuel Correa suffered fractures to both of his legs and a spinal injury.
Watching the incident, five-time world champion Hamilton looked seriously concerned and then ended his interview, while Mercedes and other teams also cut their media duties short.
There was no customary champagne-spraying, while Daniel Ricciardo later admitted he contemplated withdrawing from Sunday’s Grand Prix.
British teenager, Lando Norris, 19, said he was left shaken by the fatal accident.
Motor racing’s world governing body,the FIA has opened an investigation into Hubert’s death which took place at 160mph on the exit of the fearsome Eau Rouge corner.
Hamilton’s attention is drawn to the tragic scene on the track where Anthoine Hubert’s catastrophic crash occurred
FOX SPORT 3
Leclerc dedicated his first win to Hubert
Getty Images – Getty
F1 held a one-minute silence on the grid before the Belgium GP, with drivers and team personnel from the respective championships joined by members of Hubert’s family.
Drivers wore black armbands while their cars carried ‘Racing for Anthoine’ messages in tribute to the Frenchman.
Sunday morning’s F2 sprint race was cancelled out of respect.
Charles Leclerc registered the maiden win of his Formula One career after romping to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Less than 24 hours after Leclerc’s French motor racing contemporary, Anthoine Hubert, was killed at the Spa-Francorchamps venue, the young Monegasque driver delivered a dominant display to take the chequered flag in his friend’s honour.
Charles Leclerc was a comfortable winner
Getty – Contributor
Lewis Hamilton finished second after fighting his way past Sebastian Vettel with 12 laps remaining. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas also managed to see off Vettel after the Ferrari driver was forced to make an additional stop for tyres.
Hamilton extended his lead over Bottas in the championship to 65 points.
“This one is for Anthoine,” said an emotional Leclerc on the radio.
“It feels good but it is difficult to enjoy a weekend like this.”
Hubert raced for the British-owned Arden team
He added: “On one hand I have realised a dream, but on the other hand it has been a difficult weekend.
“I have lost a friend, so I would like to dedicate my win to him.
“We have grown up together. It is a shame what happened yesterday, so I cannot enjoy my first victory.”
Leclerc posted a childhood picture with his arm around Hubert upon news of his death following a horrifying 160mph crash in Saturday’s Formula Two race. He accompanied the picture with the words: “I can’t believe it.”
Lewis Hamilton finished second with Sebastian Vettel fourth
Getty Images – Getty
Leclerc, who is 22 next month, the same age as Hubert, was visibly moved by the tragedy. Prior to the race, he hugged Hubert’s mother, Nathalie.
A moment of silence was observed before the race in the French driver’s memory. Nathalie held her son’s pink and white crash helmet. Hubert’s brother, Victhor, stood alongside her as the Formula One and grieving Formula Two drivers formed an arc, bowing their heads in honour of their fallen colleague.
Daniel Ricciardo, the usually jovial Australian, kept his eyes closed throughout the silence and ensuing national anthem.
Leclerc celebrated with his team
Getty Images – Getty
He then appeared to wipe away tears, summing up the sombre mood before the start of Sunday’s race. All 20 of the drivers’ cars were adorned with “Racing for Anthoine” stickers.
Leclerc made the perfect start, racing away to the slow, right-handed La Source turn, to retain the lead. Hamilton, starting from third, got the jump on Vettel before Max Verstappen bumped wheels with Kimi Raikkonen.
The force of the impact sent Raikkonen temporarily on to two wheels. Verstappen sustained damage to his car and slammed into the barriers at the top of Eau Rouge, the corner which claimed Hubert’s life.
LATEST F1 NEWS
THIS ONE’S FOR HIM
Charles Leclerc dedicates Belgian Grand Prix triumph to Anthoine Hubert
IN DOUBT
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes battered after heavy crash in final Belgian GP practice
Exciting
F1 release provincial record-breaking 22-race schedule for 2020
big interview
Jamie Chadwick: ‘F1 wants a female driver, but they must be there on merit’
lead extended
Hamilton overtakes Verstappen late on to win Hungarian Grand Prix
not this time
Hamilton denied by crash as Verstappen wins dramatic German Grand Prix
Diary dates
Formula 1 race calendar 2019: When is the German Grand Prix?
proud brit
F1 legend hits back at claims Lewis Hamilton is ‘not patriotic’ after record win
unstoppable
Lewis Hamilton seals record sixth British Grand Prix title at Silverstone
race day
Who is on pole for British Grand Prix? Free live stream as Lewis Hamilton eyes win
saved
Silverstone contract extension confirmed to secure future of British Grand Prix
blocked
Angry Raikkonen gives Hamilton the middle finger during Austrian GP qualifying
Verstappen walked away unscathed from the high-speed shunt, but the safety car was quickly deployed. Vettel had managed to re-pass Hamilton for second on the Kemmel Straight, while British teenager Lando Norris took advantage of the chaotic opening exchanges to move up six spots to fifth.
Following the safety car period, Leclerc retained his lead, with Hamilton hot on Vettel’s heels. The German stopped on lap 16, but it was not until lap 21 that Leclerc dived in for a change of rubber. Hamilton pitted on the next lap.
The early stop had helped Vettel take the lead, but his tyres would not last the course. On lap 27, he was told by Ferrari to move out of Leclerc’s way, which he duly did. Then, on lap 32, Hamilton fought his way past with Vettel struggling on ageing rubber.
Leclerc started on pole
Getty – Contributor
Leclerc was six seconds up the road on Hamilton, and the world champion kept Leclerc honest to the flag, crossing the line just one second behind the Ferrari driver.
But Leclerc would hold on to take an emotional victory ahead of Hamilton, Bottas and Vettel.
Norris looked set to claim a career-best fifth in his McLaren, but stopped with an apparent mechanical failure as he began his final lap.
The London-born Alex Albon took the flag in fifth after starting 18th in an impressive start to his Red Bull career.
