AUTO RACING: Hamilton closing in Formula One title chase
All Times Eastern
FORMULA ONE
Qatar Grand Prix
Site: Losail, Qatar.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 5:30 a.m., and 9 a.m.; Saturday, practice, 6 a.m., and qualifying, 9 a.m.; Sunday, race, 9 a.m. (ESPN).
Track: Losail International Circuit.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of The Netherlands, left, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, center, and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, of Finland, celebrate their podium finish in the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. Hamilton came in first, Verstappen second and Bottas third. (Lars Baron, Pool Photo via AP)
Race distance: 57 laps, 190.549 miles.
Last year: Did not race.
Last race: Lewis Hamilton charged from the 10th starting position to win the Brazilian Grand Prix, ending the points leader Max Verstappen's two-race winning streak.
Fast facts: The victory moved the seven-time series champion to within 14 points of Verstappen, the race runner-up, with three races remaining. ... It was Hamilton´s sixth victory of the season. Verstappen leads with nine wins through 19 races. ... Hamilton was forced to start the sprint race from last place after being disqualified from Friday´s qualifying session due to a technical infringement by Mercedes. He was penalized again - and sent to 10th on the grid - for undoing his seat belts on the track.
Next race: Dec. 5, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Last race: Kyle Larson completed a dominating 10-win season by holding off Martin Truex Jr. for his first championship.
Next race: Feb. 20, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Last race: Daniel Hemric made the first victory of his career a good one, beating reigning champion Austin Cindric to win the championship.
Next race: Feb. 19, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
Last race: Ben Rhodes won his first series championship.
Next race: Feb. 18, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Online: https://www.nascar.com/
INDYCAR
Last race: Colton Herta won the season finale at Long Beach, California, as Alex Palou wrapped up the series championship.
Next race: Feb. 27, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Last event: Steve Torrense won the Top Fuel championship and Bob Tasca won the Funny Car title in the Auto Club NHRA Nationals.
Next event: Feb. 17-20, Pomona, California.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Next event: Feb. 10-12, Barberville, Florida.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, celebrates his first place victory in the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool Photo via AP)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, celebrates his victory in the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Lars Baron, Pool Photo via AP)
