MOTORSPORT ROUND-UP

LEWIS HAMILTON WILL WIN A SIXTH F1 TITLE – AND MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL BE HIS CLOSEST CHALLENGER As Formula 1 predictions go, picking Lewis Hamilton to win a sixth title feels a bit too easy. Given Mercedes has been an oasis of calm in an off-season of change and Hamilton remains the benchmark for speed, it’s hardly a bold shout. So we’ll stick our neck out and tip Red Bull’s Max Verstappen as his closest rival.

Why? The Honda engine isn’t as bad as many think, Red Bull will have Honda’s attention in a way Renault never did and, with Daniel Ricciardo gone, Verstappen will be the team’s focal point.

And what of Sebastian Vettel? Well, Ferrari should be in the mix, but there are increasing signs of tension between driver and team, and new arrival Charles Leclerc should pose more of a challenge than Kimi Raikkonen.

Another tip: with only the British Grand Prix live on terrestrial TV this year, expect viewing figures to drop substantially.