JEROME PUGMIRE
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain attends the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix press conference in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, March 25,2021. (Dan Istitene, Pool via AP)
Hamilton: F1 can't ignore race hosts' human rights issues

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 25, 2021 02:57 PM EDT
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday urged the global racing series

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 file photo, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany arrives at the paddock ahead of the first free practice at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The new season starts Sunday March 28, 2021 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and ends in December 2021 at Abu Dhabi. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP, File)
Redemption beckons for Vettel after miserable end at Ferrari

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 24, 2021 01:03 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — Sebastian Vettel is feeling optimistic about his new Formula One

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 file photo, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Lewis Hamilton is chasing an eighth Formula One title to stand alone among racing greats. The season starts Sunday March 28, 2021 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and ends in December 2021 at Abu Dhabi. Hamilton might see another successful season as the perfect time to walk away from F1. (Giuseppe Cacace/Pool via AP, File)
Bottas targets an improved mindset in latest F1 title bid

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 23, 2021 01:12 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — After finishing even further behind his Mercedes teammate Lewis

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 11, 2020 file photo, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands reacts after qualifying at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The season starts Sunday March 28, 2021 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and ends in December 2021 at Abu Dhabi. Red Bull star Max Verstappen won last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi in style and looked hugely confident in testing. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, Pool, File)
Driving diversity: Hamilton ready to chase 8th F1 title

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 22, 2021 01:21 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — If Lewis Hamilton wins an eighth Formula One title, he will stand

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland in action during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP)
F1 teams approve qualifying changes, engine freeze

By Jerome Pugmire Feb. 11, 2021 12:46 PM EST
PARIS (AP) — Formula One teams gave their approval Thursday to testing out a

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates wining as Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland ,left, looks on after the Formula One at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec.13, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)
Victorious Verstappen offers sign of things to come in 2021

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 13, 2020 10:01 AM EST
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen offered a sign of things to come next year by

CORRECTS NAME In this undated photo supplied by Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Ahmed holds his drawing of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton's racing car with his appeal for help in saving his father from execution. The 11-year old Ahmed is son of a Bahraini man on death row and at risk of imminent execution in Bahrain. BIRD has received letters from alleged torture victims in Bahrain, with pleas for seven-time F1 champion Hamilton to help political prisoners in Bahrain. (Photo by mother of Ahmed/BIRD via AP)
F1 star Hamilton vows to fight to improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 12, 2020 03:17 PM EST
World champion Lewis Hamilton vowed not to ignore pleas to improve human rights

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland in action during second practice at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec, 10, 2020. (Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP)
Bottas leads 2nd practice while Raikkonen puts out flames

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 11, 2020 06:31 AM EST
While Valtteri Bottas enjoyed the fastest time in the second practice for the

Renault driver Esteban Ocon of France competes at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Brynn Lennon, Pool via AP)
Perez stays calm to win chaotic Sakhir GP for 1st F1 win

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 06, 2020 02:17 PM EST
Sergio Perez waited 190 races to finally stand on the podium as a Formula One

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France arrives to paddock to thank the marshals Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Grosjean escaped with only minor burns when his Haas car exploded into a fireball after crashing on the first lap at last weekend's Bahrain GP. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Grosjean to miss F1 finale, flying home for burns treatment

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 06, 2020 08:27 AM EST
Formula One driver Romain Grosjean will not race at next Sunday’s Abu Dhabi

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, Pool)
Russell gets chance to shine for Mercedes at Sakhir GP

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 03, 2020 12:56 PM EST
George Russell has been touted as the future of Formula One by Lewis Hamilton,

Staff extinguish flames from Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France's car after a crash during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Brynn Lennon, Pool via AP)
Investigation opened into F1 driver Romain Grosjean's crash

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 03, 2020 07:11 AM EST
PARIS (AP) — An investigation has been opened into Formula One driver Romain

Staff extinguish flames from Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France's car after a crash during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Brynn Lennon, Pool via AP)
Grosjean expects psychological help after horrific F1 crash

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 01, 2020 01:30 PM EST
PARIS (AP) — Formula One driver Romain Grosjean expects he will need

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France is helped by medical staff after he crashed his car during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)
Hamilton wins Bahrain GP, Grosjean escapes burning car

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 29, 2020 12:32 PM EST
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton won a crash-marred Bahrain Grand Prix where

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France is helped by medical staff after he crashed his car during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)
Grosjean escapes F1 fireball at Bahrain GP after huge crash

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 29, 2020 09:39 AM EST
It was like a scene from an action movie, except totally unscripted and

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (Mario Renzi, Pool via AP)
Hamilton praised for urging F1 to help improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 27, 2020 02:26 PM EST
Lewis Hamilton has been praised by a human rights group for urging Formula One

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates with his team after winning the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (Clive Mason/Pool via AP)
Hamilton lets tears flow as he clinches record 7th F1 title

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 15, 2020 07:07 AM EST
After winning a difficult race to equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven

Racing Point driver Lance Stroll of Canada, front, celebrates his pole position with his team's mechanics after the qualifying session at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. The Formula One Turkish Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (Clive Mason/Pool via AP)
Stroll takes pole at wet Turkish GP, struggling Hamilton 6th

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 14, 2020 05:39 AM EST
A rare sight in Formula One qualifying saw record-breaking Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during a practice session at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The Formula One Turkish Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (Murad Sezer/Pool via AP)
Verstappen best on a Turkey track Hamilton calls 'ice rink'

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 13, 2020 04:59 AM EST
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was fastest in both practices for the Turkish

Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas of Finland, left and Lewis Hamilton of Britain attend a news conference at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, ahead of the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix that will take place on Sunday. (Antonin Vincent/Pool via AP)
Hamilton poised for record-equaling 7th F1 title in Turkey

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 12, 2020 02:30 PM EST
Having already broken the record for Formula One race wins, Lewis Hamilton can