DHAR HAND

Magic Max looks set to deny Lewis again

MAX VERSTAPPEN returned to the track where he won his controversial world championship last year by setting the fastest time in practice for tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A year on from taking his maiden title, which denied Lewis Hamilton a record eighth crown, the Dutch driver set the pace under the lights of the Yas Marina Circuit.

The Red Bull driver, who has won 14 of the 21 races staged so far on his unstoppable gallop to championship No.2, finished ahead of George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third. Hamilton finished fourth.

He was top of the time sheets in the opening running but ended yesterday six-tenths adrift of Verstappen.