LEWIS’ HOPES SINKING WITH MAX ON TOP AT YAS MARINA

MAX VERSTAPPEN has returned to the track where he controversially won last year’s crown – and set the fastest time in practice for tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A year on from taking his first world championship, which denied Lewis Hamilton a record eighth title, the Dutch driver (right) set the pace under the lights of the Yas Marina Circuit. The Red Bull racer, who has won 14 of the 21 races so far in his gallop to a second crown, finished ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc third.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton topped the time sheets on Friday, but ended yesterday six tenths adrift in fourth.

Hamilton, who has tried to erase the memory of last year’s defeat, is facing the prospect of a season without a victory for the first time.

Formula One ruler Mohammed Ben Sulayem, meanwhile, has revealed he still speaks to Aussie Michael Masi – the man accused of costing Hamilton that record eighth world championship.

Masi was sacked as F1 race director after he fudged the safety car rules at last year’s finale, allowing Verstappen to beat Hamilton and take the title.

But Ben Sulayem admitted: “I’m still in touch with Michael. Michael has a lot of experience.”

And he added: “We now have a roster for refereeing and for the race director. We cannot rely on just one or two race directors – but I do trust the current and growing team that we have.”