Israel Latest: Leaders to Meet in Cairo After Hostage Release
Leaders and senior officials from the Middle East and Europe will meet in Cairo on Saturday in a
2023-10-21 15:18
George Russell perplexed after ‘strange’ day at US Grand Prix qualifying
George Russell admits he was “off the pace” during Friday’s action at the United States Grand Prix. Russell was fifth-fastest during qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, while his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton was third-quickest at the Circuit of the Americas. Yet after a difficult first practice session too, Russell seemed somewhat confused as to why he struggled but stated given his shortcomings, he was satisfied with his fifth-place starting spot for Sunday. “For me, it’s been a challenging day,” Russell said after qualifying. “Been off the pace, don’t know why. Strange day for me so I’m actually pleased with P5. “There were times that it didn’t look like we’d make Q3. I’ll take it on my shoulders, I’ve been off the pace today and don’t know why. “P5 is a great place to start on Sunday and we could have been much further down the order, so I’m satisfied with that position.” Charles Leclerc claimed pole position after an impressive Q3 in Austin, with Lando Norris alongside him in second. Max Verstappen was on pole but his final lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits at the penultimate turn, moments after he slammed his team on radio too. The 2023 world champion will start sixth on the grid with his team-mate Sergio Perez in ninth on what was a tricky day for Red Bull. Read More Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US Grand Prix qualifying Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs ‘Let’s not get too soft’: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme
2023-10-21 08:29
Charles Leclerc snatches pole position after Max Verstappen’s lap was deleted
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took pole position for the United States Grand Prix after Max Verstappen’s lap was deleted for exceeding track limits. Verstappen looked to have qualified first in his Red Bull at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, only to see his lap – five thousandths of a second quicker than Leclerc – chalked off by the stewards. Verstappen dropped from first to sixth with Lando Norris taking second for McLaren ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz finished fourth with George Russell fifth for Mercedes. Verstappen, who wrapped up his third world title in Qatar a fortnight ago, is bidding to join Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel by reaching 50 victories. But the Dutchman’s quest will start from back down the grid after he put all four wheels off the track at Turn 18 following a rare mistake. Verstappen headed into the final runs a quarter of a second down after he took aim at his team for putting him on track too close to Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull. “Well f****** done there,” he yelled over the radio. “What the f*** was that in the last corner?!” His subsequent error then allowed Leclerc to take the 21st pole of his career, 0.130 sec ahead of Norris, who finished nine thousandths clear of Hamilton. “It wasn’t easy for everybody so I am really happy to start on pole for Sunday,” said Leclerc. “It is a surprise for us because we didn’t expect to be fighting for pole. “Going into Turn 1 it is tricky here, but it is always better to start at the front than the back.” Hamilton, who has only finished off the podium once in Austin, said: “I love being in the States. The circuit is incredible and is one of my favourites, right up there with Silverstone. it is a legendary layout and incredibly challenging.” Hamilton, in his upgraded Mercedes, was fastest in the opening sector, but was unable to better Leclerc’s time. He added: “We have taken a step closer to the front which I know everyone is working so hard for. They are still a little bit ahead but we will give it another shot tomorrow. With this crowd, anything is possible.” Daniel Ricciardo is back in the saddle after missing five races with a broken hand sustained in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on August 25. The 34-year-old Australian progressed to Q2 before lining up in 15th, one second off the pace and four places behind Yuki Tsunoda in the other AlphaTauri. Aston Martin have brought a number of upgrades across the pond, but both their drivers were sent for an early bath. Fernando Alonso managed only 17th with team-mate Lance Stroll – on a torrid run of form – two places further back. Meanwhile, American rookie Logan Sargeant, whose seat with Williams has not been confirmed for next season, will line up from last position at his home race. A sprint race will follow on Saturday before Sunday’s 56-lap grand prix. Read More Daniel Ricciardo ready for AlphaTauri return at United States Grand Prix On this day in 2009: Jenson Button crowned Formula One world champion in Brazil FIA to review Qatar GP as ‘dangerous’ temperatures prompt driver complaints Lewis Hamilton and George Russell vent anger on radio after collision in Qatar Lewis Hamilton crashes out after first-corner collision with George Russell In his own words: Christian Horner on world champion Max Verstappen
2023-10-21 06:52
Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US qualifying
Max Verstappen was livid with his Red Bull pit wall on Friday - after the end of one of his final qualifying laps was impacted by team-mate Sergio Perez. The 2023 world champion was entering the final turn at the Circuit of the Americas in his first flying run in Q3, but lost control of his Red Bull slightly with Perez ahead of him. The dirty air of Perez’s car seemingly had an impact, meaning he was only third-fastest at the time behind Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. “Well done, well f****** done there!” shouted Verstappen over his team radio. “What the f*** was that in the last corner!” Verstappen, ultimately, qualified only sixth on the grid after exceeding track limits in his final run, demoting him down the order. Leclerc took pole for Sunday’s grand prix, with Lando Norris in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. More to follow.. Read More Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs ‘Let’s not get too soft’: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme F1 United States GP LIVE: Qualifying updates and results from Austin
2023-10-21 06:29
Lewis Hamilton could give Max Verstappen a run for his money in Austin
Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of challenging Max Verstappen for pole position at the United States Grand Prix after he finished third in practice. Hamilton trailed Verstappen by 0.281 seconds in the sole running before qualifying later on Friday with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc splitting the rivals. But the seven-time world champion, in his upgraded Mercedes, clocked the fastest first and second sectors before hitting traffic in the final part of his speediest lap at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. Verstappen claimed his third world title in as many years at the previous round in Qatar. But Hamilton’s early pace at a track where he has enjoyed so much success over the years suggests he might be able to give the Dutchman a run for his money in qualifying for Sunday’s 56-lap race. Leclerc could also be a contender in the Lone Star State after he finished just 0.156 sec behind Verstappen. Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez took fourth spot, three tenths back, a place ahead of Haas’ Kevin Magnussen with George Russell sixth for Mercedes. Oscar Piastri survived a hairy moment when he temporarily lost control of his McLaren through Turn 8. The Australian rookie, who won the sprint race in Lusail a fortnight ago, looked destined for the barriers after he ran on to the grass at high speed. Piastri wiggled one way to the next but managed to catch his out-of-control machine to avoid a big shunt. He sustained minor damage to the floor of his McLaren in the accident and finished only 19th. Lance Stroll was rooted to the foot of the time charts after he completed just five laps following a brake failure on his Aston Martin. Qualifying takes place at 4pm local time (10pm BST). Read More Daniel Ricciardo ready for AlphaTauri return at United States Grand Prix On this day in 2009: Jenson Button crowned Formula One world champion in Brazil FIA to review Qatar GP as ‘dangerous’ temperatures prompt driver complaints Lewis Hamilton and George Russell vent anger on radio after collision in Qatar Lewis Hamilton crashes out after first-corner collision with George Russell In his own words: Christian Horner on world champion Max Verstappen
2023-10-21 03:25
F1 United States Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and FP1 results from Austin
F1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the US Grand Prix – and the fifth sprint weekend of the season. Max Verstappen sealed the 2023 world title last time out in Qatar and also claimed his 14th grand prix victory of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was driver of the weekend, however, winning the sprint race and coming second in the grand prix on Sunday. PREVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget, crashing into Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were among the chasing pack. Lando Norris finished third to secure a double podium for McLaren. Verstappen won a thrilling race at COTA last year, edging out Lewis Hamilton who has still not won a race since the 2021 season. Hamilton is, however, a five-time winner at the circuit. Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent Read More Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme: ‘Let’s not get too soft’ Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
2023-10-21 02:46
Lewis Hamilton wants Formula One to remain ‘extreme’ amid Qatar complaints
Lewis Hamilton said Formula One must not become “too soft” and challenged his fellow drivers to embrace pain amid a safety backlash following the last round in Qatar. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell branded the race a fortnight ago “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” as temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees. Canadian Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity in Lusail. London-born driver Alex Albon was treated for acute heat exposure, while his rookie Williams team-mate Logan Sargeant was forced to park his car through illness. Alpine’s French driver Esteban Ocon also vomited during the race. Following a series of complaints, F1’s governing body, the FIA, launched a review and said it noted with “concern” the impact the race had on the “well-being” of those who took part. But speaking ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Texas, Hamilton, 38, said: “This is an extreme sport and you don’t have marathon runners who pass out after a marathon saying the event should be shorter. “We get paid very highly for what we do, and, from my perspective, when I have not been feeling great at the end of a race I just train harder. “So I don’t want them to shorten the races and make it easier for us. I want it to be extreme. I want to feel the difference. I want to feel pain in my body. That’s what this is about. We have got to be careful with the changes we make. It’s like, ‘let’s not get too soft’.” Hamilton’s participation in Qatar lasted a handful of seconds following his race-ending collision with Russell at the opening bend. But the seven-time world champion, second only to Fernando Alonso, 42, in terms of age and experience on the current grid, believes the conditions in Malaysia – last seen on the calendar in 2017 – were more challenging than those in Qatar. He continued: “Obviously I didn’t do the race, so I didn’t get to feel the pain that the drivers felt. But I have been here a long time. And Malaysia was much hotter. “If I was in the race in Qatar, of course I would have struggled to get out afterwards. But I know what it’s like to lose four or more kilos and barely being able to stand. I love that. “That’s what makes it closer to what it was like back in the day. We are supposed to be elite athletes and to be elite, you need to be pushing to the limit.” The drivers are set for another challenging weekend with record-breaking temperatures of more than 30 degrees anticipated in Austin. Qualifying for Sunday’s 56-lap race at the Circuit of the Americas takes place at 4pm local time (10pm BST) on Friday. Read More Daniel Ricciardo ready for AlphaTauri return at United States Grand Prix On this day in 2009: Jenson Button crowned Formula One world champion in Brazil FIA to review Qatar GP as ‘dangerous’ temperatures prompt driver complaints Lewis Hamilton and George Russell vent anger on radio after collision in Qatar Lewis Hamilton crashes out after first-corner collision with George Russell In his own words: Christian Horner on world champion Max Verstappen
2023-10-20 21:51
Paulson’s $1 Billion Caribbean Empire Faces Crisis and Betrayal
In the decade since hedge fund billionaire John Paulson took a grand gamble on Puerto Rico, he’s faced
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Hong Kong Existing-Home Prices Drop to Six-Year Low
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BOE Governor Signals UK’s Inflation Fight Has Further to Run
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UK Retail Sales Fall More Than Expected in Spell of Warm Weather
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Israel Latest: US Downs Missiles Targeting Israel From Yemen
The Pentagon said it’s experiencing an increase in drone attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria,
2023-10-20 14:21