Lewis Hamilton gate crashes Sebastian Vettel's title party

November 19, 2012

GP_party

Austin (Texas), November 19: Lewis Hamilton gate-crashed Sebastian Vettel's title party on Sunday when he produced a dazzling drive for McLaren to win a thrilling United States Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Briton, who started second on the grid alongside the defending champion, made the most of his superior outright speed to pass Vettel on lap 42 and claim the 21st victory of his career.

For Vettel, it was a personal disappointment, but not enough to prevent his Red Bull team from winning the constructors title for the third successive season.

Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished third after starting seventh on the grid -- thanks to his team's pragmatic decision to break the gearbox seal on Felipe Massa's car -- and his podium finish ensured that the title battle will go down to the wire at next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

Vettel goes to Interlagos with a lead of 13 points, on 273 points compared to Alonso on 260.

Hamilton, who leaves McLaren for Mercedes next year, was intent on delivering another win for the team before his departure and did so with elan as he seized his fourth win this year.

Amazingly, it was the first time F1's best three drivers of the current crop had shared a podium and, to mark the Texan location, all three wore Stetson cowboy hats as they celebrated.

Interviewed by the 1978 world champion, American Mario Andretti, Hamilton said: "First-time winner! I'm so happy. The fans were amazing, thank you. It was such a warm welcome and one of the best, if not the best, race of the year - especially for me and the team.

"It's been a long time since we had a win. I'm so proud of the team and grateful for the support we've had."

Vettel said: "I did my first race, five years ago, in the United States. It's nice to come back for my 100th GP.

"I'm happy for the team -- we won the constructors' championship, so thanks to all of you.

"Now we have another step to make in Brazil. In terms of the championship, it's looking a bit better after today."

Alonso, greeted by chants of 'Alonso, Alonso' from a raucous crowd that included many Mexicans and Latin Americans, said: "The circuit is fantastic and the fans were fantastic all weekend."

In front of a sellout crowd of 135,000 at the new Circuit of the Americas and under a solid blue sky, Vettel made a near-perfect start to pull clear from his 36th pole position and into the lead with Red Bull team-mate Webber advancing to second behind him.

Hamilton, starting second, struggled with lack of grip on the slippery side of the track and could not defend against Webber, but stayed third up the hill and into the sweeping left-hander turn one as the field hustled together in the pack.

Alonso, starting seventh thanks to Ferrari's strategic decision to break the seal on Massa's gearbox and take a five-place penalty for the Brazilian, had a clean start and went round the outside of turn one and into fourth, taking full advantage of a poor start by Raikkonen.

It was a thrilling vision as the cars stretched out and began to heat their tyres to optimim levels, but the focus was clearly at the front of the field where Vettel was unable to shake off his pursuers.

Webber, racing in third, had the task of defending Vettel's position, but his part in the race ended after 17 laps when he was forced to retire due to a grearbox failure.

By lap 34, after a series of pit stops for tyre changes, Hamilton had closed to within two car lengths of Vettel.

This created a sequence of dramatic laps during which Hamilton tantalised Vettel and the crowd by setting up a passing move, using his power advantage and Drag Reduction System (DRS) on the back straight, but without executing it until lap 42 when, after being held up by a back marker, Vettel could not resist him and Hamilton dummied one way and then passed him on the outside.

Alonso, driving steadily and quickly, knew his podium position was enough to heep his title dream alive and, thanks to a superb drive from Massa, knew also that he had a Ferrari in fourth behind him to protect him in the closing laps.




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Agencies
July 31,2020

Northamptonshire, Jul 31: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez has tested positive for coronavirus, and as a result, he will miss the British Grand Prix.

The Racing Point driver was absent from the circuit on Thursday after self-isolating following what his team called an "inconclusive" test. Perez then re-tested later in the day and it returned positive.

Formula 1 is following a strict testing regime as part of the safety protocols put in place when racing resumed earlier this month, and this is the first time a driver has tested positive.

"Perez has entered self-quarantine in accordance with the instructions of the relevant public health authorities, and will continue to follow the procedure mandated by those authorities," Formula 1 and the FIA said in a statement.

"With the assistance of the local organiser of the British Grand Prix, local health authorities and the FIA COVID-19 delegate, a full track and trace initiative has been undertaken and all close contacts have been quarantined," the statement added.

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Agencies
February 12,2020

Mumbai, Feb 12: Former Indian greats Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin have been left disappointed by the behaviour of the Under-19 team after the World Cup final where they were involved in an altercation with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

After Bangladesh won the final beating India by three wickets (via DLS) at the Senwes Park on Sunday, the players of the two teams were seen engaging in an exchange of words and even some pushing and shoving on the field.

"I would like to see the board (BCCI) take some strict action against the players to set an example. Cricket is not about abusing the opponent. I am sure there is enough reason for these youngsters to be dealt with firmly by BCCI," Kapil was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

"I welcome aggression, nothing wrong in it. But it has to be controlled aggression. You can't cross the line of decency in the name of being competitive. I would say it was unacceptable that youngsters put up such an obnoxious display on the cricket field," he added.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned five players, including three from Bangladesh -- Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan --and two from India --Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi for the scuffle.

Azharuddin also reiterated what Kapil said, insisting that players need to be disciplined.

"I would take action against the errant Under 19 players, but I also want to know what role has the support staff played in educating these youngsters. Act now before it is too late. The players have to be disciplined," Azharuddin said.

Earlier, Bishan Singh Bedi has lashed out at the Priyam Garg-led team, saying their behaviour was disgusting and disgraceful.

"You bat, bowl and field badly�happens, but there's no excuse for behaving badly. The behaviour was disgusting and most disgraceful. The innocence of that age was not visible at all," Bedi told Mid Day.

Bedi, who represented India in 67 Tests and 10 ODIs, said the behaviour of the Bangladesh cricketers is not our problem.

"Look, what Bangladesh do is their problem, what our boys do is our problem. You could see that there was abusive language used," he said.

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News Network
May 6,2020

New Delhi, May 6: He has flattered to deceive on umpteen occasions but highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson says he has learnt to accept his failures in pursuit of the calm demeanour that former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni possesses.

The 25-year-old from Kerala has always been talked about by the likes of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir but it hasn't translated into international success with only four T20 Internationals in his kitty in the last five years.

"I have learnt to understand and focus more on my strengths and (be more) accepting (of) the failures. I try to contribute to the team's cause and try to take the team over the line. I am learning to focus and control my emotions while batting like MS Dhoni," Samson said during a podcast organised by Rajasthan Royals.

He recently made a comeback in India's T20 side and it was a worthy experience for him.

"It was great to be a part of the Indian team again. To be a part of one of the best teams in the world, surrounded by players like Virat bhai and Rohit bhai, it was a fantastic experience," Samson said.

In one of the games in New Zealand, Samson was sent to bat in the Super Over, something which made him feel wanted in the Indian set-up.

"It was a great feeling to be trusted by the players such as Virat bhai and Rohit bhai to go out there and bat in the crucial moments. It's a great feeling when the team and the players consider you to be a match winner."

On a lighter note, Samson revealed that he refers to Steve Smith as "chachu" (uncle) after Brad Hodge once started calling him by that name.

"I share a very good relationship with 'Chachu' Steve Smith. He is one of the best brains in world cricket and we all enjoy a lot playing under him."

Asked what's the back story of the nickname, Samson said: "It started with Brad Hodge, he used to call Smith 'Chachu', then when Hodgy left, I started calling Smith 'Chachu'. In return Smith also started calling me 'Chachu'. We both really enjoy and continue calling each other that."

While Dhoni is his idol, he also loves watching Jos Buttler in Royals and makes notes on how the star Englishman prepares for games.

"I observe Jos especially given he too is a wicketkeeper-batsman. He's always working on his skills and his game and never sits idle.

"He's either working on his keeping, batting in the nets or running around the park. I love to observe and know how he thinks and prepares as a keeper before a game.

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