F1: Lewis Hamilton saddened by McLaren and Williams troubles

British Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton hopes there is “light at the end of the tunnel” for strugglers McLaren and Williams, Sky Sports reports.

Despite having 36 championships between them, neither of the British F1 teams have won a race since 2012. At last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix they were the two slowest qualifiers in Sochi.

With just seven points so far this year, Williams are on course to finish bottom of the constructors’ standings for the first time in their history.

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Hamilton, who won his first F1 title with McLaren in 2008, says it’s disappointing to see the two teams struggle. He said: “I’ve never hidden the fact that it’s sad to see... just as it is sad to see a team that I grew up watching like Williams not be there.

“It is crazy to think we’ve got Williams right at the back of the field who once had Nigel Mansell in the car and Damon Hill winning championships. And McLaren, who were really the founding family for me, also having a struggle for a long period of time.

“I really just hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for them.”

Corinthians unveil Senna football kit

Ayrton Senna’s 1988 F1 world championship victory is being commemorated by the Brazilian football club Corinthians.

To mark 30 years since Senna secured his first title at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, the team have launched a new third kit ahead of this weekend’s race.

ESPN reports that the kit features 41 golden lines for each of Senna’s grand prix victories and his signature is on the front of the shirt. The colours – black and gold – are a nod to the John Player Special livery that Lotus cars had when Senna drove for the team.

Senna, a Corinthians fan, also won the F1 championship in 1990 and 1991. He died aged 34 after a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

Kvyat has matured

Red Bull Racing director Helmut Marko says Daniil Kvyat deserves to return to F1 because he’s proved he’s more mature.

It was announced last weekend that Kvyat will race for Toro Rosso next season in what will be his third stint with Red Bull’s junior team.

“Daniil changed – he is a far more mature personality,” Marko told Sky Sports F1. “We give him a third chance because we always believed he was very fast, but his mental problems, we think he has solved. He is a far more mature driver and I’m sure we will see some very positive races from him.”