HE’S FASTAND FURIOUS

After getting involved in Black Lives Matter activism during lockdown, Hamilton is ready to fly out of the blocks says Coulthard

DAVID COULTHARD expects Lewis Hamilton to be on the pace this weekend despite seven months without racing.

The Formula One season finally starts in Austria after the traditional Australia season opener in March was axed at the 11th hour because of the global coronavirus crisis.

Hamilton has since used his profile to campaign for greater diversity in the sport and against racism, but now he turns his attention back to his pursuit of history.

Mercedes’ six-time world champion can equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles and is only eight wins away from becoming the sport’s most successful race winner.

And former F1 star Coulthard expects Hamilton to be switched on despite last racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the beginning of December.

“Lewis will, of course, be asked about his lockdown activities, his views on various things, and he’s taken a public position on that which is admirable I think,” said Coulthard. “He’s in a other hand there will be a group of people going, ‘Thank goodness – it’s time’. Hamilton, as a world champion and the first black world champion, has got the biggest voice. “There’s clearly a feeling that the sport hasn’t been

JAMES GRAHAM has promised St Helens he will go “all in” for the rest of the year as he prepares for a final curtain call at his boyhood club.

Graham (above) has refused to be drawn on whether he will retire once the 2020 season concludes, having agreed a short-term return to Saints after eight and a half years in Australia’s unforgiving NRL.

But he has vowed to give everything he has to a club he first joined as an 11-year-old and won a Super League title and three Challenge Cups with.

Graham, 34, said: “I’ve spoken to St Helens and said I’m all in for this year – that’s all I can promise and all I want to do. Then we’ll see what comes of it after that.

“The body feels pretty good. With the pandemic break and a few more games, I’ve been training most days until St George gave me the release.

“All I can do is my best for the club and the coaching staff and the players. I’m coming home because I want to and St Helens want me to.”

Graham is set to spend two weeks in quarantine when he arrives back in this country early next week.

He has been playing for St George Illawarra and instigated his return to Super League.