Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton said he was "happy to be alive" after recovering from coronavirus to finish the season with a third place. The world champion missed the penultimate race in Bahrain a week ago after contracting Covid-19 but recovered in time to race in Abu Dhabi. He said after the race: "I am destroyed. I do not feel good.

"But I'm happy and grateful I am alive. I live to fight another day and I still managed to finish with a podium."

Following his comeback, Silverstone owners the British Racing Drivers' Club have named the track's pit straight after the Hertfordshire-born driver in honour of his achievements this year.

The 35-year-old Mercedes driver, who tested positive for Covid-19 a day after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix last month, was forced to skip the Sakhir GP at the same track a week later, and spent 10 days in isolation before a negative test freed him to travel to Abu Dhabi.

He became the most successful Formula 1 driver in history after clinching his seventh world title and breaking the record for most wins.

On his recent absence Hamilton said: "Covid is no joke. I never thought it was. I knew at some stage if I got it it would be tough because there are people out there losing their lives. So I knew it was serious.

"I always find it very strange to see world leaders laughing it off like it is nothing. To be able to come back here this weekend, I knew I wouldn't physically be where I have been the rest of the season but I made it. Where there is a will, there is a way."

The season was initially suspended in March and F1 set up a system of protocols that has kept people apart as much as possible to start it up again. And the drivers have had to isolate themselves as much as possible in order to minimise the risks of catching the virus and derailing their seasons.

On naming Silverstone’s pit straight after Hamilton, BRDC president David Coulthard said he was "delighted to share the news with Lewis" at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It is the first time part of the track has been named after any individual.

"Lewis has become a huge part of the circuit's history and the directors of the club and I felt there was no better way to mark this than to rename the iconic pits straight in recognition of his record-breaking achievements."

The Mercedes driver has won a record seven British Grands Prix and has celebrated six of them on the podium that overlooks the new Hamilton Straight.

The boss of one of Europe's biggest independent Ford car dealers has warned jobs could be lost in his industry, after the UK leaves the EU.

Peoples chairman Brian Gilda, who runs six dealerships in Scotland and the north of England, said Brexit tariffs could push costs up 15%.

The dealership announced a 17% drop in profit in the last year, to £4.5m.

That came as the UK carmakers' industry body, the SMMT, said it needed Brexit "like a hole in the head".

New investment in the UK car industry has plummeted as manufacturers concentrated on getting ready for a possible no-deal Brexit.

The government said that the automotive industry "remains one of our great success stories", adding that it had been helping businesses to prepare.

Peoples, which employs 400 staff, saw record turnover of £277m in the past year but said the profit fall showed trading conditions were "difficult".

Gilda said of the post-Brexit landscape: "At some stage, tariffs are going to be introduced.

"You could have an engine which is built in Dagenham, which gets exported into Europe which will have a tariff.

"It then gets fitted into a Fiesta in Cologne and comes back in, and will have a tariff."

He added: "It looks as those these tariffs are going to add somewhere between 10% and 15% to the price of a car.

"The manufacturers can't afford that right now. They're in the grubber financially, so something's going to happen in terms of production.

"That's going to affect consumer confidence and that in-turn will affect the economy and jobs."

Asked if that could force the closure of car dealerships, he said: "I'm sure that's the case.

"Some privately-owned companies who are lacking in resource might just say, 'enough is enough, this is worse than a recession'."

Gilda said he had been putting his own Brexit plans in place, adding: "I am hopeful that we will get a result, but determined not to fall apart if we don't."

MOT exemptions which kept motorists moving during the coronavirus pandemic have been lifted from Saturday (1 August 2020). The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is encouraging motorists whose MOT is due this autumn to get their test done as soon as possible to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive.

Getting a test done early may also help motorists beat the rush and avoid a busy period for garages.

Chris Price, head of MOT policy at DVSA, said: “MOT exemptions were issued to allow people to continue to use their vehicles for essential travel during the pandemic.

“The MOT is an important test to ensure a vehicle remains safe and roadworthy. We know that garages are likely to be very busy this autumn with double* the usual demand. We are encouraging motorists to consider bringing their MOT forward to help beat the rush.”

Vehicles due an MOT on or after 30 March were issued with a 6-month exemption.

As a result, DVSA is predicting that September, October and November are likely to be very busy months for garages, as motorists who were granted an exemption – and those whose tests would usually be due – both look to book their MOT.

Motorists who want to keep their MOT date can book a test up to a month (minus a day) before it’s due and still retain their original date. DVSA is encouraging customers to consider whether they could bring their MOT forward in this way to help manage demand.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Garages are ready to ensure millions of vehicles on UK roads remain safe and provide peace of mind to owners. Although the six-month MOT extension provision ends on August 1, deferred tests have created increased demand this autumn so owners are strongly encouraged to get their vehicle’s test done as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

“Motorists can be reassured that the sector has full COVID safety measures in place and many workshops are on hand to collect and deliver vehicles for vulnerable customers.”

Motorists are reminded that they can sign up for free MOT reminders at GOV.UK and can also access the free MOT history check service.

The Formula 1 2019 season is fast-approaching with Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel expected to do battle for the title once again.

Mercedes star Hamilton won his fifth World Championship in 2018 and is closing in on Michael Schumacher’s legendary total of seven.

There have been plenty of intriguing storylines building over the break with Daniel Ricciardo under the microscope following his switch from Red Bull to Renault.

Just before today’s first Grand Prix of a new season – in Australia – defending, and 5-times, champion, Lewis Hamilton said: “We've got this incredible crowd here today. What a beautiful day. Coming from testing, from winter, we had no idea where we would be. We were hoping of course to be where we are, we've been working towards that; the guys back at the factory have been working so hard.”

Closest challenger to Hamilton’s title run, Sebastian Vettel said after qualifying: “I tried, obviously, to find the limits in Q2, and went a little bit over the limit. Fortunately the car was fine. Q3, run one, or generally Q3 was fine. Overall, that fortunately did not impact our qualifying.”

The margin between Mercedes and Ferrari is more or less the same as it was last year, so this, the first of a 21-Grand Prix season is the start of another exciting season on track.

The concept of ‘flying cars’ was once restricted to the realm of science fiction. Now a German aeronautics firm has taken a big step towards making it a reality.

£500million worth of classic cars, supercars and hypercars are set to feature at the fifth edition of historic British racing weekend experience the Chateau Impney Hill Climb, taking place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2019.

The popular event will welcome an audience of up to 20,000 motorsport fanatics, families, VIP guests and international visitors for a programme of classic car racing, rallies, exhibitions, world record attempts, activities and events based around the 885m course.

Held at the iconic Louis XIII-style Grade II* listed venue and across its stunning parkland in the charming English Midlands town of Droitwich Spa, crowds at the 2019 Chateau Impney Hill Climb are set to be wowed by over 200 pre-1967 cars competing to make or break records in various races, classes, awards, and memorable moments like the prestigious Footman James Concourse D’elegance and the second stage of Ralli 22.

Joining 1960s Formula 1 motors, World Rally Championship models and some of the world’s rarest cars at the event - including a Lotus 19, Bugatti Type 35, Leyland-Thomas No.1, and Lola T70 MkII - will be a large number of historic Bentleys and Minis marking the motor brands’ centenary and 60th anniversary celebrations, respectively.

The off-track experience at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb this year will welcome back the Michelin Supercar Expo’s Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bugatti and McLaren static exhibitions, Q&A sessions and ‘In Conversations With’. Highlights for families include thrilling RAF flyovers; a unique opportunity to offroad in tanks on a custom built track, Land Rover driving experiences, the popular free Vintage Fun Fair, a British Army military grade climbing wall, a world record attempt at drifting into a parallel parking space, and remote-control boat racing on the River Salwarpe.

Visitors to the July event, recognised as the Midlands most stylish summer party, can enjoy an exceptional dining, shopping, hospitality and VIP experience with many independent food offers and brands - such as Ferrari, Morgan, Lamborghini  and Aston Martin - across the picturesque site, which also features live race relay at a number of locations.

Speaking ahead of the event, Rod Spollen - managing director of Greyfort Group which owns and operates the event - said, “Chateau Impney Hill Climb - set up to realise the childhood dreams of three generations of motoring enthusiasts - prides itself on being the Midlands’ most stylish and relaxed summer garden party, and this year will be no exception. We’re absolutely delighted to be announcing details of our programme for 2019, including the 100th anniversary of Bentley Motors and the 60th anniversary of the iconic Mini amongst a whole raft of on and off-track events, activities and experiences. We look forward to welcoming friends old and new to this event, which promises to be one of the most memorable yet, raising valuable funds for our chosen charity Cauldwell Children at the same time.”

The Worcestershire-based and family-owned Morgan Motor Company, marking 110 years of their British hand-built car business this year, will also have a presence at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb 2019.

From 1957 to 1967, Chateau Impney played host to a series of speed trials, attracting some of the best-known hill-climb competitors and thousands of thrill-seeking spectators. The Chateau Impney Hill Climb has brought motorsport back to the Midlands as an annual event, celebrating the Chateau’s unique and exciting motoring heritage and transforming the country estate into one of the most picturesque motorsport venues in the country.

Highlights of the 2018 Chateau Impney Hill Climb weekend were seen by an estimated 170,000 viewers via the Escape to the Chateau hour long special broadcast by Channel 4, and repeated on Motors TV.