FIA take action against Helmut Marko after comments about Sergio Perez
Helmut Marko has received a written warning from the FIA and was “reminded of his responsibilities as a public figure in motorsport” after his ”offensive remark” about Sergio Perez. The 80-year-old, who works as a special advisor for Red Bull, apologised after comments made after the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago. Marko referred to Perez’s background when discussing his poor form, saying: “Let’s remember that he (Perez) is South American and so he is not as focused as Max Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel was.” While Marko apologised for the “offensive remark”, with Perez accepting the apology, Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff were among the figures to condemn Marko’s actions when speaking this weekend in Singapore. Now, the FIA have confirmed that Marko has "received a written warning and been reminded of his responsibilities as a public figure in motorsport in line with the FIA Code of Ethics." Hamilton, 38, labelled Marko’s comments as “completely unacceptable” on Thursday. “This is not something you just apologise for and it is all OK,” the seven-time world champion said. “Whilst we say there is no room for any type of discrimination in this sport – and there should be no room for it – to have leaders and people in his position making comments like this is not good for us moving forward. “There are a lot of people in the background that really are combating these kind of things, but it is hard to manoeuvre if people at the top have mindsets which stop us from progressing. “But it is not my team and not how we move as a team. We still have a lot of work to do to make this a more inclusive environment.” Mercedes boss Wolff added: “That thing is so embarrassing for Formula 1., overall. “It’s not even saying it, it’s to have the mindset. To come up with these things. We are trying to do so much on diversity and equality, not only because we need to it’s because it needs it. “This is a role model environment, we are a global sport, we are going to every country, we are embracing the cultural differences. That hasn’t got any place in Formula 1. Not now and not in the future.” Read More Red Bull chief apologises to Sergio Perez over ‘offensive remark’ Sergio Pérez says he received personal apology from Red Bull boss over heritage comments Lewis Hamilton labels Helmut Marko’s comments about Sergio Perez ‘completely unacceptable’ F1 Singapore Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and lap times at Marina Bay Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure – only winners stay in F1’ Max Verstappen tells Toto Wolff to focus on Mercedes after snipe
2023-09-15 23:22
Max Verstappen struggles in Singapore practice under the lights
Max Verstappen’s unprecedented winning streak in Formula One could be under threat after the Red Bull driver finished only eighth in practice for the Singapore Grand Prix. Verstappen romped to victory in Italy a fortnight ago to become the first driver in the sport’s 73-year history to win 10 consecutive races as he closes in on a hat-trick of world championships. But under the thousands of bulbs that light up the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Verstappen ended the day more than seven tenths behind Ferrari pace-setter Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard who took pole position in Monza. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari as the Italian team completed a practice one-two, with George Russell third for Mercedes, 0.235 sec adrift. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was fourth, with Lewis Hamilton fifth in his Mercedes, one place ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Red Bull are unbeaten this season, but they did not have a car inside the top six on Friday, with Sergio Perez, who triumphed here last year, seventh. Verstappen, who has won 12 of the 14 rounds so far, has not lost a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30. But the Dutch driver has never triumphed in Singapore and he suggested ahead of Friday’s running that the high-downforce, low-speed nature of the city-state track could play into the hands of Red Bull’s rivals. While times in practice must be treated with caution as teams trial varying fuel loads and tyre strategies, it is Ferrari who hold the upper hand heading into qualifying on Saturday at a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Indeed, eight of the 13 races here have been won from pole. Although the removal of turns 16 to 19 in favour of one long straight could improve the action for Sunday’s 62-lap race. “Ferrari are fast and we are just way worse than we expected,” said Verstappen. “We were struggling with the balance, and we never got the car together so there are a few things for us to figure out. We will try to improve but it is a big gap.” While the second running passed off without major drama, the opening session was disrupted on three occasions when a lizard invaded the three-mile circuit. Verstappen was the first to report the reptile at turn nine midway through the running. “There is a lizard on track again,” said the Red Bull driver, who had a similar encounter here back in 2016. “It is a smaller one this time.” Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase replied: “Maybe Godzilla has had a kid.” There was a second interruption, and then a third, as yellow flags were deployed. “Another lizard, but a different one this time,” said Russell. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day in 2021: George Russell joins Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz gets goosebumps after landing pole for Italian Grand Prix Carlos Sainz’s pace in practice gives Ferrari fans hope for Italian Grand Prix
2023-09-15 23:15
Get Your Hands On Uniqlo’s Newest Collaboration While You Can
We all know Uniqlo for its sleek and simple clothing and accessories. Japanese casual wear is always fashionable but nearly never trendy (which is not a diss, by the way — all the cool kids wear Uniqlo and its many collabs). The classic pieces are the building blocks of a high-quality, long-lasting wardrobe. And that’s even more true for the brand’s LifeWear collection, a range of elevated everyday essentials, which is soon to get refreshed through a collaboration with British designer Clare Waight Keller.
2023-09-15 22:17
Ferrari duo set early Singapore pace as lizards disrupt first practice session
Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari one-two in an opening practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix disrupted by three lizards. Leclerc ended the one-hour running at the Marina Bay circuit just 0.078 seconds clear of team-mate Carlos Sainz, with championship leader Max Verstappen third. Lando Norris finished fourth for McLaren, 0.172 sec back, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took fifth and sixth respectively for Mercedes. But the session was disturbed on several occasions when a lizard walked across the three-mile street venue. Verstappen was the first to report the reptile at Turn 9 midway through the running. “There is a lizard on track again,” said the Red Bull driver, who had a similar encounter here back in 2016. “It is a smaller one this time.” Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase replied: “Maybe Godzilla has had a kid.” There was a second interruption, and then a third, as yellow flags were deployed. “Another lizard, but a different one this time,” said Russell. Verstappen, who is chasing an 11th straight victory on his waltz to a third world championship, warned on Thursday that Red Bull could be vulnerable at this unique street venue. And the chasing pack, led by Ferrari, will be encouraged that Red Bull did not have it all their own way in the opening running of the weekend. Sergio Perez, who won here last year, finished seventh, ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. The second running gets under way at 2100 local time (1400 BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day in 2021: George Russell joins Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz gets goosebumps after landing pole for Italian Grand Prix Carlos Sainz’s pace in practice gives Ferrari fans hope for Italian Grand Prix
2023-09-15 19:50
F1 drivers ready for the heat and humidity in Singapore, where their drinking water is like hot tea
Staying hydrated can be a massive challenge for drivers at the Singapore Grand Prix, which is known for its heat and stifling humidity
2023-09-15 19:20
Breaking up is hard to do in 'Our Flag Means Death' Season 2 trailer
Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Ed "Blackbeard" Teach (Taika Waititi) are broken up.
2023-09-15 18:54
EU faces deadline on extending Ukrainian grain ban as countries threaten to pass their own
The European Union is facing a Friday deadline to decide whether to extend a ban on Ukrainian food imports in five nearby countries
2023-09-15 18:50
Sienna Miller channels Rihanna with bold maternity look at Vogue World
First Rihanna, now Sienna: maternity fashion is officially a staple on the red carpet. Sienna Miller became the latest star to opt for a bold look that accentuated, rather than hid, her pregnancy bump at the lavish Vogue World event at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where the glitterati gathered to celebrate fashion’s best and brightest. Miller wore a romantic two-piece from Schiaparelli, with a couture crop top and puff-ball skirt both in a white silk material, paired with velvet peep-toe heels and sheer black tights. The 41-year-old’s ensemble follows pop star and Fenty Beauty mogul Rihanna’s trend-setting style while pregnant, including her look at the Gucci autumn/winter 2022 show, and the dramatic lingerie-inspired sheer dress worn to Dior’s autumn/winter 2022 event. “It's a lot of custom lately,” Rihanna told Fashionista at the opening of her Los Angeles Savage x Fenty store in March last year. “I'm pushing myself to just go for it, and I'm having fun. So the stuff that's more strappy or more revealing or that's not for maternity, I want that.” “My body is doing incredible things right now, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that,” she told Vogue that same year. “This time should feel celebratory. Because why should you be hiding your pregnancy?” Rihanna famously unveiled her second pregnancy while performing live at the Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year, while wearing a red lace bodysuit with arm-length gloves and stiletto heels. In a Voices piece for The Independent, Lucy Gray praised the Barbados-born “Diamonds” artist for empowering women to dress however they want. “Rather than elicit any feelings of inadequacy, she served to make mothers seem powerful, sexy, and ultimately cool. In an event focused on men’s strength, this halftime show karate-chopped the game and said, “Oh? Didn’t they tell you that I was savage?” she wrote. “All too often in television and film, pregnant and postpartum women are portrayed as not sexual, as frumpy and grumpy. As a childless woman, I salute any pregnant person and say be as grumpy as you damn well please, but for millions around the world to see a portrayal like this can only be positive.” Other celebrity women have swiftly followed suit. Tennis star Serena Williams announced her second pregnancy with her appearance at this year’s Met Gala, while wearing a sparkling pink and black Gucci blazer and matching Gucci dress with tulle mermaid tail and Tiffany pearls. Schiaparelli’s creative director Daniel Roseberry told Vogue.co.uk that the past “rule” for how women should dress while pregnant was one to “consider, question, and in [Miller’s] case, disregard entirely”. “Her choice is our honour,” he told the publication. “Nothing but our love and congratulations to Sienna and her little one in the making.” Miller shares her first child, Marlow, with former partner Tom Sturridge, who also attended the event with new girlfriend Alexa Chung. Miller is currently dating actor Oli Green. Her stylist Harry Lambert said he was “super proud and excited” for Miller’s look, remarking that it “deserves to make headlines”. The Layer Cake star later changed into a red tartan set to perform onstage at Vogue World, joining her acting peers including Damien Lewis, James McAvoy, James Corden and Cush Jumbo. Hailed as London’s answer to the Met Gala, the star-studded extravaganza on Thursday night was helmed by legendary American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and featured a dramatic catwalk show spotlighting British labels on the eve of London Fashion Week. The “multi-act celebration of the British performing arts” aimed to raise money for a variety of arts institutions, including the Royal Ballet, the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House. The blockbuster show opened with model Kate Moss walking across the stage, and closed with the appearance of four of the “original supers”: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who will debut an Apple TV+ docuseries tracking their rise to fame on 20 September. Read More Celebrities mingle with royals at glam Vogue World party in London Coco Chanel: Nazi collaborator AND brave resistance fighter in wartime Paris? Sienna Miller pregnant with her second child Celebrities mingle with royals at glam Vogue World party in London Sienna Miller bares baby bump at celebrity and royal-studded Vogue event Bella Hadid seen with shaved head in new Marc Jacobs campaign
2023-09-15 18:27
Naomi Campbell on her PrettyLittleThing line: 'I get to speak to a younger generation of which I didn't think even knew who I was'
Naomi Campbell hopes to connect with younger generation through her PrettyLitteThing collection.
2023-09-15 18:26
'Interview with the Vampire' is a brilliant gay fever dream
In the final moments of the premiere episode of AMC's Interview With the Vampire reboot,
2023-09-15 17:48
F1 Singapore Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and lap times at Marina Bay
Max Verstappen is chasing another victory - what would be his 11th in a row - as Formula 1 returns to Asia for the popular Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Verstappen broke the record for the most consecutive race wins last time out at Monza, overtaking Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to win his 10th race in a row. The Dutchman is cruising to a third-straight F1 world championship and currently has a 145-point lead in the standings to team-mate Sergio Perez, though cannot clinch the title in Singapore. Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’ It was an improved performance from Ferrari in Italy, with Sainz securing his first podium of the year and Charles Leclerc finishing fourth, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell followed up their new contracts with sixth and fifth place respectively. Williams’ Alex Albon was a standout once again, finishing seventh. Perez won last year’s wet race under the lights in Singapore - a venue where Verstappen is yet to triumph in his career. Lewis Hamilton is a four-time winner in Marina Bay. Follow live updates from the Singapore Grand Prix with The Independent Read More Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’ Alfa Romeo confirm driver line-up for 2024 F1 season Alex Albon, James Vowles and the start of a Williams renaissance
2023-09-15 16:55
Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’
There’s no place like home. For most of the Formula 1 grid, a return to familiar comforts at a much-loved circuit is something to behold, thrive and revel in. In fact, it’s only the Haas pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen and the Alfa Romeo team of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu who have not basked in such an experience in 2023. But all eyes for Zhou – Formula 1’s first Chinese driver in its 73-year history – now point firmly towards 21 April 2024. The sport’s return to one of the world’s powerhouses has, four times, been put on hold due to the pandemic – both the world-altering event itself and the country’s controversial zero-covid policy in the aftermath. Yet next year will see the Shanghai International Circuit host once more; all that was left was for Zhou’s presence to be confirmed. That came on Thursday morning. Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, the 24-year-old penned a one-year extension with Alfa Romeo to race with the Sauber-works team for a third-straight year. F1’s worldwide popularity boom has not diverted past China – and next spring we will see the full impact of Zhou’s spot on the grid. “It’s the dream fulfilled – the first Chinese driver in F1, it’s a huge thing for a massive country like us,” Zhou tells The Independent. “So many more Chinese fans are engaged in F1 compared to the past, obviously me getting into the sport means more people follow the races. “The pressure started two to three years ago, so it’s no longer a surprise. I’ve been through that period. I’m fine with the pressure. Now, it’s all about having a good example to set and inspire younger generations.” That pressure, both from the fanbase and within the paddock itself, is inescapable. Just ask Nyck de Vries: a Formula 2 and Formula E champion, he was ruthlessly axed from his AlphaTauri seat in July after just 10 races. For all the riches of the globe-trotting spectacle, F1 remains undeniably cut-throat. Yet you won’t see Zhou having too much sympathy. “There’s a lot of pressure in Formula 1,” he states. “Only winners stay in this sport. If you can’t perform, if you’re outperformed by others, you’re going to lose the seat. That’s the reality. It’s the way everyone lives. The pressure is there, you don’t have a lot of time and you’ve really got to get on with it. “If you can’t do that, then you won’t stay here for long.” Zhou’s performances behind the wheel of a struggling Alfa car this year – languishing ninth in the Constructors’ Standings no less – have clearly impressed enough for a third bite at the cherry. Four points from 14 races would, typically, be a topic of major concern. Yet with experienced team-mate Bottas only two points up the standings, it is difficult to place too much blame on the drivers in the cockpit. With Audi’s takeover looming large for 2026, work is hurriedly being done in the background. “The results have been difficult to take,” he says. “We didn’t expect Aston Martin and McLaren to be so fast this year. It basically means we are fighting for two positions every week. My total points don’t show how much I’ve improved as a driver. I made some mistakes last year, but this year it’s more about the car.” Zhou’s assuredness stems from a childhood of contrasts: his formative years spent in the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, followed by time as a teenager in the Steel City. Learning a new language and new culture, he went by the name of Steven at Westbourne School in Sheffield. “The culture and language are obviously completely different,” he says. “The education system too…” He pauses. He reflects on memories which quickened his acclimatisation process. “While in Sheffield, I really enjoyed playing pool. Not snooker, that’s more difficult! But also I was very surprised at how many Chinese people were going to university in Sheffield and at how many shops and restaurants there are. It’s quite far from London but you don’t feel like you’re too far out! Everyone was very laid back.” His ascension to F1 came as something of a surprise. Three seasons spent with the Alpine Academy in F2 – with a 2021 finish of third his best showing – saw Alfa come calling. He scored a point on his F1 debut in Bahrain last March. His start was impressive. But then came Silverstone. “It definitely set me back,” Zhou says now, recalling the time his Alfa spun upside-down towards a barrier at the start of the British Grand Prix. Miraculous images with a miraculous outcome: Zhou barely had a graze on him. “It happens. I recovered quite quickly mentally. It was just a shame because I had some very good momentum, I’d twice been in Q3, but I had to have a recharge afterwards. It wasn’t too bad.” Zhou is not one to reminisce too much. Everything is possible for the Chinese driver with a slice of Sheffield inside him. Audi’s arrival in less than three years is “still so far away.” However, he does admit: “Hopefully I can stay when Audi come.” But that’s in the distant future. For now, it’s on to this weekend and the twists and turns of Marina Bay. Read More Alfa Romeo confirm driver line-up for 2024 F1 season Max Verstappen breaks new ground with record victory at Italian Grand Prix Max Verstappen tells Toto Wolff to focus on Mercedes after snipe Hamilton labels Marko’s comments about Perez ‘completely unacceptable’ Sebastian Vettel refuses to rule out return to Formula 1
2023-09-15 15:19