MONZA: Max Verstappen won the Formula One Italian Grand Prix on Sunday to leave himself in touching distance of his second straight Formula One title.
Championship leader Verstappen claimed his first win at Monza and his fifth GP in a row after fighting from seventh on the grid to beat Charles Leclerc over the line on another difficult day for Ferrari.
The Red Bull driver is 116 points ahead of Leclerc in the drivers’ standings after winning a race whose final six laps were run with the safety car after Daniel Ricciardo lost his engine and ended up at the side of the track.
“We had a great race, we were quickest on every compound,” said Verstappen, who had never even made the podium at Monza and started Sunday’s race with a grid penalty.
With six races left, the Dutchman can win the driver’s crown at next month’s Singapore GP.
The Monza crowd booed and whistled loudly as the cars came over the line as they were denied the chance to see their man Leclerc try to overtake dominant Verstappen, who won his 11th race of the season.
“The end was frustrating, I wish could have had a bit of racing at the end, unfortunately we were second because of what happened before,” said Leclerc.
The Monegasque appeared frustrated after Ferrari’s plan of pitting early to change from soft to medium tires backfired.
“Obviously we finished P2 so I’m not extremely happy with the race but we will work on that,” added Leclerc.
“I think the pace was quite strong today, we will have to look into it as we were quite strong but it was not enough.”
George Russell of Mercedes rounded off the podium, while Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz surged from 18th on the starting grid to fourth.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also raced from the back of the Mercedes to finish an impressive fifth while a delighted Nyck de Vries scored points on his F1 debut by finishing ninth as a stand-in for Williams’ Alex Albon.
Leclerc started on pole and held off an early overtake attempt from Russell to keep first place while Verstappen was already bursting through the pack.
Having started in seventh, Verstappen shifted up four places by the end of the first lap. He moved ahead of Russell on lap five to put Leclerc in his sights.
Verstappen took the lead on lap 13 when a virtual safety car was introduced after Sebastian Vettel crashed out and Leclerc pitted.
Leclerc re-entered the track with no major mishaps unlike at last week’s Dutch GP but Ferrari’s tactical move would eventually cost them the race.
Verstappen pitted on lap 26 to change from his softs to mediums and rejoined the fray just behind Leclerc with the same compound in which his Ferrari rival had already driven around the track 13 times.
That tire wear made the difference when Leclerc handed Verstappen the win by pitting again to go back to softs seven laps later.
“It was really good on the tires, it was really enjoyable to drive today,” Verstappen said. “A great day for us. It took a bit of time, but finally we won it.”
Daniel Ricciardo’s race ended with six laps remaining and with his car stuck beside the track that allowed everyone to pit knowing a safety car would come out.
What they didn’t know was that the car would remain on the track until the end of the race, meaning Verstappen strolled over the line for a victory which would likely have come regardless.
Max Verstappen wins Italian Grand Prix to close in on F1 title
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Max Verstappen wins Italian Grand Prix to close in on F1 title
- The Monza crowd booed and whistled loudly as the cars came over the line as they were denied the chance to see their man Leclerc try to overtake dominant Verstappen
- The Red Bull driver is 116 points ahead of Leclerc in the drivers’ standings
F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules
- Similar punishments also apply for “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA“
- The standard fine is 10,000 euros but punishments for F1 drivers are multiplied by four
PARIS: Formula 1 drivers could be suspended from racing or lose championship points for swearing or making political statements under new rules from the series’ governing body, the FIA.
That could deepen a rift with the drivers, who criticized the FIA last year after Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were punished for swearing in FIA news conferences.
These measures published by the FIA on Wednesday apply to “misconduct,” which is defined by the FIA as including both offensive language and physical assault, or for acts deemed to cause “moral injury or loss” to the FIA and auto racing in general.
Similar punishments also apply for “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA” without written approval in advance.
The new regulations are labeled as a “guideline to assist stewards” on punishments and fines starting from 40,000 euros ($41,600) for an F1 driver’s first offense. The standard fine is 10,000 euros but punishments for F1 drivers are multiplied by four.
The suggested fine doubles for a second offense, along with a suspended one-month ban. A third offense within a two-year period carries a proposed fine of 120,000 euros ($125,000) for an F1 driver, a one-month ban and the loss of an unspecified number of championship points.
In cases involving political, religious or personal statements, the FIA regulations also specify the stewards should demand a “public apology and repudiation of comments.”
Becoming Man City’s first Egyptian player an ‘honor’ says Marmoush
- 25-year-old joins Premier League champions from Eintracht Frankfurt on four-and-a-half-year deal for undisclosed fee
- Omar Marmoush: ‘I’m very happy to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City - it’s an honor for me to raise my country’s name here in the English league’
MANCHESTER: Egyptian international forward Omar Marmoush has completed his move from Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt to English Premier League champions Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Although the transfer fee was not officially disclosed by the clubs, UK media have speculated it is close to $72.8 million.
Since joining Eintracht Frankfurt from VfL Wolfsburg in 2023, Marmoush has netted 37 goals and registered 20 assists in 67 appearances.
The 25-year-old spoke to Manchester City’s official club channel.
On being the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City
I’m very happy to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City. It’s an honor for me to raise my country’s name here in the English league. This is just the beginning, and it will be a successful start. I can’t wait to be on the field and show everyone what I can do. Over the coming days, we’ll work hard to prove that and make it happen.
On support from fans in the Middle East
I’m honored to be here, and I’m very happy to be here. God willing, this will be a successful start. In the coming period, I hope it will be great for me, the club, and the fans. We’ll hope to achieve many championships and victories.
On having former City players as role models
Ever since I was young, I used to watch Sergio Aguero, because he had a playing style similar to mine. He wasn’t a big striker but he always moved into spaces and when the ball reached his feet, he was dangerous. So Aguero, of course.
India’s struggle to meet expectations
- An early sign of concern emerged with the unexpected, and surprisingly timed, decision of Ravichandra Ashwin to announce his retirement from international cricket
At first all seemed well for India’s men’s team on their recent five-Test series tour of Australia.
In early December the opening Test at Perth witnessed a handsome 295 runs victory for the tourists. This came on the back of a surprise home series defeat by New Zealand. By the end of the Perth Test, it was Australia who were in disarray, faced with accusations of being underprepared. If the team were stung by this opprobrium, they achieved a sharp turnaround in fortunes, drawing the second Test and winning the last three.
Ultimately, the Indian squad were in serious disarray. An early sign of this emerged with the unexpected, and surprisingly timed, decision of Ravichandra Ashwin to announce his retirement from international cricket. This occurred in a press conference after the third Test in Brisbane, for which he was not selected, when he sat alongside his captain, Rohit Sharma.
It was a very low-key manner in which to end an illustrious career. Ashwin played 106 Tests, becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, with 537. Undoubtedly, this number would have been higher had he not been frequently overlooked for selection in overseas conditions. This pattern continued in Australia and it seems that Ashwin had reached the end of his tether.
Many observers were of the view that such a glittering career ought to have been marked by a farewell Test in front of appreciative supporters. This would have been a fitting tribute to his immense contribution to the game. A part of that was his intellectual approach, which facilitated his continual evolvement as a player.
As if to prove the point, he said that a farewell Test was not necessary, observing: “I’ve learned one thing: not everything goes the way you want it to.” He added that he still had plenty of cricket left in him but the place for that to happen was “obviously not in the Indian dressing room.”
Anyone who has played team sport, at any level, will be familiar with the fragile nature of team and dressing room culture. It takes much time, effort and psychology to nurture, and sometimes can be broken by a single incident. More often, in my experience, it is broken by steady, often imperceptible, erosion.
India’s team are in transition. Ashwin has gone, Sharma and Kohli appear to be near the end. Several others are on the brink. India’s current coach, Gautam Gambhir, has been in post for six months and inherited a team culture built largely by his predecessor, Ravi Shastri, and the aggressively driven Kohli.
Gambhir’s task is to effect a transition but the Indian cricketing fan base is impatient and demanding. Disappointment with the series result in Australia has been swiftly addressed by India’s selectors, but not in a way that was expected.
There has been no culling of the squad for the Champions Trophy, which will be played in one-day-international format. Instead, in an astonishing and extraordinary move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has issued a “10-point diktat.” This specifies restrictions on what players can and cannot do and is designed to “promote discipline, unity and a positive environment” by reining in its errant troops.
These are no ordinary troops. They are exceedingly wealthy, have film star lives, are the center of attraction in India and are largely cocooned within a protective entourage. Something seems to have snapped within the BCCI’s hierarchy. One might ask how it came to this stage. It is guaranteed that the restrictions will irritate the players.
In particular, families can now only join players for a maximum of two weeks during tours exceeding 45 days. Also, players will now be required to travel with the team for matches and practice sessions. Apparently, this measure is a reaction to instances of several high-profile players travelling separately. This also seems to have been the case at scheduled practice sessions. Now they are required to stay for the entire duration of practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue.
Another measure is that personal staff, including managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel will now be restricted from accompanying players on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. It may seem incredulous to mere spectators that individual players have a traveling entourage as opposed to one for the whole team or one provided by the high-end hotels where they stay.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for players to participate in domestic matches, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to grassroots cricket. Exemptions from this mandate will require formal notification and approval from Ajit Agarkar, the chair of selectors. Sharma has already baulked at this, pointing out that there is so little opportunity within a crowded international calendar. He last played in a Ranji Trophy match in 2015, whilst Kohli’s last appearance was in 2012.
These measures could be interpreted as ones designed to challenge the resolve of those close to the end of their international careers. Ashwin has ended his and one of the 10 BCCI measures might be a nod in his direction. Now players must stay with the team even if matches or series conclude earlier than scheduled. Of course, this does not imply that mid-series retirements are disallowed, but it does suggest they are unwelcome.
It remains to be seen how the players will react to the 10 points. All national boards and teams have policies in place for expected behaviors. The BCCI appears to be attempting to reclaim lost territory. India now have a T20 and ODI series against England, followed by the Champions Trophy and a summer tour to England. After that, a much-altered team may emerge.
Apart from this domestic skirmish, the BCCI is true to form externally. It is a month before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy and reports suggest that India have objected to the host nation, Pakistan, being printed on their team jerseys. In addition, there is rumor that the BCCI does not want to send its captain to the opening ceremony.
This, for many, is petty behavior. India has riches of cricketing talent, an abundance of money and boundless ambition, but a failure, so far, to translate that into a clean sweep of trophies.
Genesis presents luxury cars to Al-Hilal football stars
- ‘Moving in Elegance’ campaign part of company’s official team sponsorship
- Handover ceremony embodies partnership between Genesis and Saudi Pro League champions
RIYADH: Luxury vehicle brand Genesis Riyadh has presented its latest top-of-the-range cars to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.
The handover to the club’s personnel, including players and management, was part of the company’s larger agreement as Al-Hilal’s official car sponsor.
The slogan “Moving in Elegance” reflects the stature of the football club and cements the start of the car company’s activities in Riyadh for 2025.
“This special ceremony between Genesis and Al-Hilal, the leading team in the region, reaffirms a long-term strategic partnership that we and the club cherish. The strong partnership is emphasized by the shared values that unite us, which are excellence and elegance,” said Ahmed Marshidi, chief operating officer at Genesis Al-Wallan.
Last season, Al-Hilal made football history by setting an unparalleled record of 34 consecutive victories across various competitions. This remarkable winning streak, which spanned September 2023 to April 2024, captured global headlines and cemented the club’s place in sporting history.
Abu Dhabi set to host first edition of UAE National MMA Championship
- The mixed martial arts competition will take place at Mubadala Arena on Jan. 25-26
ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced the launch of the first edition of the UAE National Mixed Martial Arts Championship, scheduled for Jan. 25-26 at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The championship, initially planned as a one-day event, has been extended to two days due to the high number of registrations. It will feature male and female athletes representing various clubs and academies across the UAE.
Competitors will take to the cage in youth and senior categories, including Youth C (12–13 years), Youth B (14–15 years), and Youth A (16–17 years).For the first time in local mixed martial arts championships, the event will also include a Youth D category (11–12 years).
The championship will also feature competitions in the senior category (18 years and above), adding a heightened level of excitement and competition to the event.
Mohammed Jassim Al-Hosani, a member of the Mixed Martial Arts Committee at the Federation, said the championship reflected the vision of the country’s leadership in supporting sports and athletes.
“The addition of the senior category to the championship underscores the continuous development of mixed martial arts in the UAE. This category contributes to raising the overall level of competition while enriching the experiences of younger athletes,” he added.
