After four races to open the Formula One season that have at times ebbed and flowed with a glorious unpredictability, it is not entirely surprising that it should be the sport’s long-standing test track that should return a flawless and dominant processional victory for Lewis Hamilton. But it was a win his team identified as crucial to his self-belief and confidence for his title defence.

For the British driver and Mercedes this was the controlled and perfectly orchestrated race they have craved all season. It was in stark contrast to Ferrari, whose tactics proved costly, with Sebastian Vettel’s fourth place dropping him 17 points behind Hamilton in the title fight. Valtteri Bottas backed his team-mate up in second, concluding Mercedes’ first one-two of the season, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking his first podium of the year in third.

An owner has demanded action from Ascot and racing’s ruling body to ensure the scenes of fighting which have marred the past two Saturdays will not be repeated at the Royal meeting next month.

Matthew Lincoln, a syndicate owner involved in the Royal Hunt Cup contender Raising Sand, said on social media that the prospect of further violence means he is “seriously considering staying away” from the race meeting, forsaking the chance to see his horse take part.

• Briton retains the pink jersey going into rest day
• Chris Froome loses ground and slips out of top 10

Simon Yates extended his overall lead in the Giro d’Italia to more than half a minute with victory on stage nine at Gran Sasso d’Italia.

Yates pounced in the final 100 metres of a climb that finished above the snow line to beat Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and his Mitchelton-Scott team-mate Esteban Chaves, putting him 32 seconds clear of Chaves in the standings going into Monday’s rest day.

Minnesota is interested in re-signing Derrick Rose, who signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract in March.

Koepka shot nine-under (63) during his round Sunday to jump all the way up into a tie for third on The Players Championship leaderboard.

Toronto dismissed Casey, who posted a 320-238 record and made five playoff appearances in seven seasons with the Raptors, on Friday.

Given his place on the leaderboard, Tiger Woods’ score in the final round of The Players Championship on Sunday will be worth watching. Follow along for live updates as Tiger tries to catch the leader.

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4.01pm BST

“For the few people not watching the Baggies’ last appearance in the Premier League for a while,” writes JR, “their only highlight of the first half was a drilled diagonal pass by Chris Brunt in added time. Oof.”

4.00pm BST

I’d like to thank all the eagle-eyed readers out there for reminding me that Liverpool are playing Brighton rather than Bournemouth, and that Manchester City are playing Southampton rather than Brighton. It’s just all so dizzyingly exciting, isn’t it?

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3.47pm BST

Half-time reading

Related: Gareth Southgate will be playing Russian roulette if he picks Wilshere | Daniel Taylor

3.46pm BST

Peep peep! Liverpool lead by two, have missed a number of good chances and had three excellent penalty appeals turned down. That aside, it’s been neck and neck.