MONTMELO: Lewis Hamilton had no problems with his tires this time as he coasted to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his championship lead to 37 points and clinching an 88th career victory to move within three of Michael Schumacher’s Formula One record.
The talk before the race was whether Mercedes’ tires would be vulnerable in the searing summer heat of Spain, after experiencing problems in the last two races at Silverstone. But there were no such issues as Hamilton finished a sizable 24 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen — who has eight podiums in the past nine races stretching back to last season.
“I was just in a daze out there. I felt really good … I didn’t even know it was the last lap I was so zoned in,” a jubilant Hamilton said. “It was a surprise because we had that problem with the tires last weekend, but we seem to have understood it.”
Valtteri Bottas placed third to fall six points behind second-place Verstappen in the standings.
The winding 4.7-kilometer ( 2.9-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with its combination of slow and fast corners, is one of the hardest for overtaking.
After narrowly securing a record-extending 92nd career pole position Hamilton made a strong start on the long straight to the first corner. But Bottas was overtaken by Verstappen and the Racing Point of Lance Stroll — who jumped from fifth to third with a fine move on Bottas’ right flank.
Track temperatures on the circuit were around 50 degrees C (122 F) and Mercedes was concerned about catching too much sun.
“These black overalls are hot,” Bottas said during the race, throwing in an expletive for emphasis.
It was another miserable day for struggling Ferrari, with Sebastian Vettel seventh and Charles Leclerc abandoning after his engine cut out on track.
“I don’t know why the car switched off completely,” Leclerc said.
He crawled into the pits but the mechanics seemed at a loss to figure out what was wrong and his race was over on lap 41.
Had he stayed out on track, he would likely have been lapped by Hamilton just as Vettel was.
Hamilton set the pace with a confident start.
While he and Verstappen swapped fastest lap times, Bottas was stuck behind Stroll for four laps.
It was Verstappen — and not Hamilton or Bottas — who was complaining about his rear tires at this point and by lap 20 of 66 he said there was “nothing left” in them.
The ice-cool Dutchman was getting flustered.
“Do you want me to repeat it again?” he shouted moments later on his radio, using an expletive. “I’m losing so much time.”
Finally, his team brought him in for new tires on lap 22, by which time he was nearly 10 seconds behind Hamilton and only just ahead of Bottas.
Hamilton and Bottas pitted for new tires on the next lap. But a blip attaching the rear lift cost Hamilton two seconds and he emerged about four seconds clear of Verstappen, who told off his engineer for talking too much about Mercedes.
“Let’s focus on our race first,” he snapped.
Verstappen was given a brief glimmer of hope as Hamilton’s tire was showing signs of blistering only six laps after being fitted.
But Hamilton was soon pulling away again.
After Hamilton made his second change he was about 10 seconds ahead of Verstappen with 15 laps left and the gap kept growing.
Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, who missed the last two races as he recovered from the coronavirus, finished in fourth place ahead of Stroll with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in sixth.
Vettel is having his worst start since 2008 but drove very well with just the one tire stop.
It proved the right choice but came after a tense exchange between Vettel and his race engineer.
“What do you think about going to the end on these tires?” his engineer asked.
After barking out an expletive, Vettel replied: “I asked you this before!”
Minutes earlier, Vettel had asked his team whether they thought he could go to the end on the same tires — and got no response.
His final season with Ferrari could prove to be long and arduous while Hamilton is odds-on to end it with a seventh title to equal Schumacher — Vettel’s childhood hero.
Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish GP for 88th career victory in F1
https://arab.news/mtgk4
Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish GP for 88th career victory in F1
- The latest win extends the British driver's championship lead to 37 points clear
- Hamilton is fast approaching F1-great Schumacher's record
Fighting for Morocco: Ilias Ennahachi aims for bantamweight glory
RIYADH: Morocco’s former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi is preparing to face former bantamweight champ Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 171: Qatar, presented by Visit Qatar.
The fight is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha and victory could secure Ennahachi the coveted No. 1 contender spot for the bantamweight title.
“Winning this fight means everything to me: It’s for the fans, my country, and my future,” he said.
Having already made his mark as a flyweight champion, Ennahachi is determined to dominate a second division and establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in ONE Championship history. “I’m ranked No. 2 now, so if I win this fight, I believe I’ll get the title shot next,” he said.
Beyond the fight itself, Ennahachi acknowledges the significance of being an Arab competing in Qatar. “Fighting in an Arab country feels special,” he said. “It’s like fighting at home. Events like this inspire young fighters in the region to dream big and show them that they can reach the highest levels of martial arts.”
Despite the competitive nature of the bout, Ennahachi and Petchtanong respect each other.
“We’ve talked a lot on Instagram,” the Moroccan said of his Thai opponent. “He’s a great guy and very respectful, but inside the ring, it’s business. I’ve studied his strengths and weaknesses, and I’m ready to capitalize on them.”
Facing an experienced southpaw has required a focused and tailored approach from Ennahachi.
“I’ve been sparring a lot with southpaw partners to familiarize myself with his angles and movements. His boxing isn’t his strongest asset, and I’ve been working to exploit that. Cardio is everything in a fight like this, and I’ve been pushing myself to the limit to ensure I can maintain pressure for the entire fight.”
Speaking from the Netherlands before his trip to Qatar, Ennahachi is taking added inspiration from Morocco’s historic World Cup run in the country three years ago. “Watching Morocco make history brought so much pride to the country,” he said. “Moments like that push you to perform at your best and show the world what you’re capable of.”
That same determination fuels Ennahachi as he balances his career with his responsibilities as a father and mentor to troubled young people in the Netherlands. “Everything I do is for my family and my community,” he said. “It motivates me to push harder every day.”
With martial arts growing in popularity in the Middle East, Ennahachi sees this as a chance to inspire others. “ONE Championship is one of the biggest martial arts organizations in the world, and having events in Qatar shows the potential for the sport to grow in the region. This is about creating role models and showing aspiring fighters that they can achieve their dreams.”
When he steps into the Lusail Sports Arena, Ilias Ennahachi will be ready to prove why he belongs at the top, driven by a desire to create a legacy that will inspire Arab fighters and fans worldwide.
5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend
- The awards take place on Friday at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City
- 19 categories will highlight individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the esports scene
RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation will host the organization’s fifth awards this weekend in a celebration of the past year’s exceptional achievements in the Kingdom’s esports sector.
Taking place at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, the 2024 awards aim to inspire and recognize both amateurs and professionals, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position in the global esports industry.
This year’s event will feature 19 award categories, highlighting the individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on the esports scene.
They include Best Rising Player of the Year; Best Rising Talent of the Year; Best Female Player of the Year, presented by Hilton; Best Club of the Year, presented by Richy; Best Content Creator, presented by SAIB; and Best Roster of the Year, presented by Golden Scent.
The awards reflect the federation’s commitment to celebrating excellence in esports while inspiring the next generation to aim higher and dream bigger, said SEF CEO Turki Al-Fawzan: “As we mark the fifth edition, we are proud to see how far the Kingdom has come in establishing itself as a leader in this dynamic industry.
“This has been a monumental year for esports in Saudi Arabia, with Team Falcons’ historic victory at the Esports World Cup and Team Saudi’s triumph in the FIFAe World Cup™ Rocket League competition particularly worthy of note.!
He added: “These achievements further highlight the exceptional talent we have in the Kingdom and demonstrate our potential to lead the global esports stage. We look forward to building on the ecosystem in Saudi esports that leads to this success and developing even greater achievements in the future.”
The SEF Awards also recognize the efforts of key contributors to the industry, such as content creators, streamers, coaches and esports professionals. Their efforts are critical to building an inclusive and dynamic esports ecosystem.
Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind successfully defends lightweight title at Karate event in Florida
- Rind, 26, defeats three-time world champion Edgars Skivers 7-0
- Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Karate fighter Shahzaib Rind successfully defended his lightweight title against former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers, defeating him 7-0 at the Karate Combat (KC) 52 event in Miami, the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) announced on Sunday.
The KC52, a professional full-contact karate league, is part of a global karate MMA series featuring skilled fighters in action-packed competitions.
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two and half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
“In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rind has claimed his second championship title after a hard-fought victory against Edgars Skrivers,” the PMMAF said.
“The intense showdown unfolded on Friday in Miami, captivating audiences with its electrifying energy and showcasing the best of competitive spirit.”
The statement said Rind delivered an “extraordinary” performance that kept his fans excited throughout the match, adding that his “dedication, relentless training, and remarkable skill” had solidified his position as one of the top contenders.
“Rind’s triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work,” the sports body said. “As fans celebrate this incredible achievement, they eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.”
The Pakistan Embassy in New York congratulated Rind on defending his title.
“Heartfelt congratulations to MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind, the brave son of Pakistan who hails from Balochistan, on defending his lightweight title in Miami, Florida, USA and becoming the world champion for the second time,” the embassy said on X. “Shahzaib Rind dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan.”
Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4, the majority of which was attained while training himself by watching YouTube videos. He is currently training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami.
Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, a brand that promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018.
Elite field set for inaugural Challenge Sir Bani Yas Triathlon
- Sam Laidlow, Sara Perez Sala, Henri Schoeman and Milan Agnew among the world champions, Olympic athletes and rising stars taking part in the 4-day event
ABU DHABI: Sam Laidlow, Sara Perez Sala, Henri Schoeman and Milan Agnew will be among a strong field competing in the inaugural Challenge Sir Bani Yas Triathlon this April, the Middle East’s first long-distance event of its kind.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the ruler’s representative in the Al-Dhafra region, the contest is the latest addition to the Challenge Family triathlon series.
Over 3,000 athletes are expected to take part in the event from April 3 to 7.
Throughout the year, challenge events of varying distances and locations take place across the globe, including New Zealand, Brazil, Turkiye, Italy and Taiwan.
And now with the Challenge Sir Bani Yas added to the roster — and becoming one of only four locations to host the event — participants and spectators can expect to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best triathletes.
French professional Laidlow, the youngest-ever Ironman World Champion, has chalked his name on the start line. After having an injury-ending season in 2024, the world No. 9 will be looking to make an impact to kickstart his year.
He will be joined by, among others, South African Olympic medalist Schoeman, who will no doubt feel confident after a solid 2024 season.
“I am excited to race Sir Bani Yas Challenge this year, it’s not often a completely new race comes along in what looks to be an amazing location,” said Laidlow. “There’s always something special about being part of an inaugural event, and I’m determined to take the top step.”
Looking to channel her 2022 victory at the series’ flagship race, The Championship, will be Spain’s Perez Sala. The former Olympic swimmer, who has been competing since the age of 6, will not be the only athlete to embrace the cooler Sir Bani Yas Island climate this April.
Young up-and-coming Australian, Agnew, who took the top spot in the Challenge Turku last year, as well as third at Challenge Cagnes-sur-Mer, also makes her way to Abu Dhabi this April.
Britons Lottie Lucas and Max Stapley, who both call the UAE home, will be among the local athletes taking part.
“I am really looking forward to racing at the inaugural Challenge Sir Bani Yas, which promises to be an exciting weekend for the triathlon community based in the UAE and beyond,” Lucas said.
“The entire weekend experience looks fantastic, and there will be plenty of time to put your feet up, relax and enjoy all the off-track fun.”
The event features both long- and middle-distance racing, with registration still open. The long-distance event features a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and 42.2 km run.
Additionally, a middle-distance triathlon is offered, featuring a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycle and 21.1 km run. The event includes various community, sports and tourism activities.
Barca shred Valencia to restore La Liga shine
BARCELONA: Barcelona blew away a miserable Valencia 7-1 on Sunday to get back on track in La Liga with a ruthless victory.
Fermin Lopez struck twice for the Catalans in the first half, along with goals from Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres and Raphinha which gave Barcelona a commanding five-goal lead at the break.
Hugo Duro pulled one back early in the second half before Robert Lewandowski pounced for Barca, followed by a Cesar Tarrega own goal, with the third-placed hosts earning just their second win in their last nine league matches.
Hansi Flick’s side trail La Liga leaders Real Madrid by seven points and second-placed Atletico Madrid by three.
Flick shuffled his pack against Valencia in order to spark a response given the club’s poor domestic form.
The coach began with Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo on the bench, while Pedri was absent because of a stomach bug, leading to De Jong, Ferran Torres and the superb Lopez all starting.
It took just three minutes for De Jong to open the scoring, with teenage star Lamine Yamal crossing for him in the area virtually unmarked, and he fired home.
Barcelona soon had their second, with Torres tucking home from Alejandro Balde’s cross, in similar fashion to the first goal but from the opposite flank.
The hosts moved three goals ahead in the 14th minute when Lopez clipped a fine ball over the top for Raphinha to run onto.
The Brazilian winger rounded Giorgi Mamardashvili and rolled home for his 12th league goal of the season.
Valencia, without the suspended Cristhian Mosquera, were struggling badly in defense and Barcelona broke in seemingly at will.
Lopez collected a perfectly measured Pau Cubarsi long pass for the fourth and although it was initially ruled offside, the decision was corrected by VAR.
Valencia thought they had won a penalty when Wojciech Szczesny brought down Hugo Duro but play was eventually brought back for a foul on Jules Kounde after another video review.
Lopez rattled home the fifth on the volley before half-time when Raphinha’s effort hit the post and fell nicely for him with the goalkeeper stranded.
Hugo Duro pulled one back for Valencia early in the second half from Diego Lopez’s low cross and Flick responded by sending on La Liga’s top goalscorer Lewandowski.
The Polish forward finished clinically for his 17th league goal of the season after being sent through by Lopez for Barca’s sixth on the night.
Barcelona netted their seventh when Torres’s hammered cross was deflected into his own net by Tarrega.
Seven goals did not flatter Barcelona by any means and the thrashing is a setback for Carlos Corberan’s Valencia, 19th and four points from safety.
Earlier Athletic Bilbao, fourth, could only produce a 0-0 draw at home against Leganes, and now trail Barcelona by two points.
Relegation-battling Getafe earned an impressive 3-0 win at Real Sociedad to climb to 14th, while Rayo Vallecano came from behind to beat Girona 2-1.
