18 Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Sports Rollercoaster season leaves highs and lows at Mercedes Despite Hamilton’s victory, Bottas inished a distant ifth citing mental fatigue REUTERS LONDON

MERCEDES Formula One Mick Schumacher boss Toto Wolff joked at Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he would be book- ing himself into rehab after Schumacher moves a rollercoaster season that ended with his team winning both titles for the fifth year in closer to F1, signs a row. If he did, the Austrian might find one of his drivers Formula Two deal there already. Valtteri Bottas started the REUTERS maturity and skills needed to year determined to fight, and LONDON make it.” The young German beat, team mate Lewis Ham- said the move was “a logical ilton to the title but the Finn- MICHAEL Schumacher’s step” on the ladder and would ish driver ended it mentally 19-year-old son Mick has help him improve his skills and drained and further away moved a step closer to follow- gain more experience. than ever from his goal. ing his father into Formula “I can’t thank the Prema “He said to me he just One after the Prema team an- family enough for what we wants to disappear back home, Finish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG GP during the drivers parade ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on nounced that he will race for achieved together as a team, recharge the battery, forget, Sunday. (EPA-EFE) them in Formula Two next sea- especially this year, how we recover and recuperate and son. continued to develop together,” then come back next year,” some as no more than a use- “We’ve seen him do better next season in similar fash- The series feeds into For- he added. Wolff told reporters. “I can un- ful wingman for Hamilton -- and I hope he can find his way ion, when he will be chasing a mula One, and this year’s top The young Schumacher will derstand the frustration.” even if he did take the award again.” sixth world crown and closing three finishers - George Russell, be testing with Prema in Abu Mercedes have hailed for most fastest laps. Hamilton won more than in on Schumacher’s all-time Lando Norris and Alexander Dhabi later this week. Bottas as a team player, a “It’s been a mentally twice as many races as any- record of 91 wins. Albon - have all secured seats Five times world champion driver who does not play poli- pretty tough year so I need one else this year but Mer- The bad news for Bottas with grand prix teams for 2019. Lewis Hamilton said in Oc- tics, and Hamilton has said a break,” Bottas, who has no cedes had their least domi- is that Mercedes have seen Mick Schumacher won tober that he expected Schu- they could be Formula One’s guarantee of staying in his nant showing of the last five a change in their champi- the Formula Three European macher to go all the way. best pairing ever. The statis- coveted seat beyond next seasons. They won 11 of 21, on, which will not make the championship this year with “There will 100 percent be tics are less complimentary, year, said on Sunday. compared to 12 in 2017, 19 Finn’s task any easier. eight wins, seven pole positions a Schumacher back in Formu- however. Some of it is down to bad in 2016 and 16 in 2015 and “He’s actually driven and 14 podium finishes. That la One, partly because of the Bottas, who was testing luck, Hamilton’s genius and 2014. stronger after winning the title means he is already quali- name, but secondly because again in Abu Dhabi on Tues- the rise of Ferrari and Red Ferrari won six, their big- driver’s title,” Wolff said. fied to race in Formula One. he’s doing a great job,” the day, was alone among the top Bull as challengers in the gest tally since 2008, while “I feel he’s just so embed- “He is an extremely tal- Mercedes driver said then. three teams’ drivers in failing toughest season yet for Mer- Red Bull’s four was their Need a recharge ded in the team and inte- ented and dedicated racer, Michael Schumacher won to win a race in 2018, the first cedes as the team to beat, but most since 2013. grated that the driver’s title working with him is a pleas- a record seven Formula One winless in a Mercedes since there were also painful mis- Hamilton made the dif- He said to me he just wants felt incomplete, which for a ure and we can’t wait to begin championships, including Michael Schumacher in his takes. ference -- equalling his best to disappear back home, driver is really strange. this adventure together,” said five in a row with Ferrari, and final 2012 season. “Confidence is not at the ever season’s haul of 11 wins, recharge the battery, forget, “When you look at his Rene Rosin, principal of the also holds the record for race Since the V6 turbo hybrid highest and he needs to try for a career tally of 73, with recover and recuperate and face, there was almost more Mercedes-powered team, in a wins with 91. era began in 2014 Mercedes and pick it up again in the 11 poles. He also became the then come back next year. I relief and happiness about statement on Tuesday. The 49-year-old, whose have always had both drivers winter, because he can do bet- first driver to score more than sealing the constructors’ title “This series is not an easy privacy is closely guarded, has finish the season in the top ter,” said retired 2016 world 400 points in a campaign and can understand the (than the drivers’). one due to its learning curve not been seen in public since he three -- until Bottas. champion Nico Rosberg, the won the title with two races to frustration. “That’s why he just didn’t for rookies, especially with the suffered severe head injuries in The Finn ended up fifth man Bottas replaced, after spare. take the foot off the throt- introduction of the new car, a skiing accident in France in overall, a slide from third the Finn finished fifth on The Briton signed off with Mercedes team boss tle until the very end. That is but we think that Mick has the December 2013. last year, and dismissed by track on Sunday. a victory and intends to start Toto Wolff on Valtteri Bottas somehow a new Lewis.” Wallabies should accept more overseas Manny Pacquiao says trainer players, says ex-World Cup coach Dwyer Roach ‘never left’ his team AFP REUTERS pit where (overseas teams) MANILA MELBOURNE can take every player in Aus- tralia – and are we any worse MANNY Pacquiao said on AUSTRALIA should consider off than say people like Argen- Tuesday that veteran trainer easing eligibility restrictions on tina?” Dwyer said. Freddie Roach never left his overseas-based players to boost “I think we need to make an orbit, despite a public split, and the Wallabies’ competitiveness, environment available for play- was helping the Filipino boxing former World Cup-winning ers in Australia which will make legend get ready for his upcom- coach Bob Dwyer has said. them want to play here, because ing bout in Las Vegas. ’s Aus- it offers them their best chance Pacquiao was training in tralia wrapped up their worst of becoming a better player.” Manila ahead of the January test season in 60 years with a Dwyer repeated a common 19 showdown against Adrien thumping defeat by England complaint in Australia that the Broner, a fight that may be a at Twickenham on Saturday, Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer speaks with the media after his domestic teams prelude to a long-speculated Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a boxing gym in leaving fans pessimistic about side beat England to win the 1991 Rugby World Cup. had failed to prepare their play- on rematch with Floyd May- Manila on Tuesday ahead of his WBA Welterweight bout title with US their chances at next year’s ers adequately for test rugby. weather. boxer Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, on January 19, 2019. (AFP) World Cup in Japan. lose top line players,” Dwyer, Skelton and Japan-based loose “I look at all of the players The Roach-Pacquiao reun- Players based at overseas who guided the Wallabies to forward Sean McMahon, are who have played in the UK in ion comes after the men abrupt- reporters after hitting the mitts. old American, for his first US teams are ineligible for Walla- their first World Cup triumph plying their trade overseas and recent years, or some who are ly parted ways, breaking up one “He is still involved in the train- fight since 2016. bies selection unless they have in 1991, told Australian Asso- are ineligible for selection. still playing there, and you look of boxing’s most famous dou- ing.” Pacquiao, the only fighter “I am already excited. (Af- played 60 tests under the so- ciated Press. has been at their condition now com- ble-acts, following the Filipino’s to win world titles in eight dif- ter) more than two years I am called “Giteau rule”, which was “We probably need to look loathe to ease the restriction, pared with their condition when defeat to Jeff Horn in 2017. ferent weight divisions, got a coming back to Vegas to fight,” introduced in 2015. hard at who we can pick who is fearing it could trigger an exo- they were playing in Australia,” Roach was reported to have boost to his storied, but slowing said Pacquiao. Dwyer said Australia could not playing in Australia, I know dus as players desert local Super he said. “The perfect example been upset by his dismissal, but boxing career, after stopping Speculation remains high ill-afford to limit their playing at the moment we’ve got the 60- Rugby teams for more lucrative is Will Skelton. He doesn’t look agreed to return after late-night Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in that the Broner bout could be a pool given the lack of depth in test rule. For me, we can change contracts overseas. like the same person as he was talks with the fighter last week. July in Kuala Lumpur. warm-up for a sequel to 2015’s domestic rugby. that any time we want to.” A Dwyer felt such fears were when he played for the Wara- “I tell people even in Ameri- Just over six months later “Fight of the Century”, that “We’re not that well off in number of capped Wallabies, overblown. tahs. That’s no good, that’s an ca that Freddie never left Team he will be back in the ring, this Pacquiao lost to Mayweather depth that we can afford to including Saracens lock Will “There’s not a bottomless indictment on us.” Pacquiao,” Pacquiao, 39, told time against Broner, a 29-year- on points. Wizards overcome Rockets; Durant explodes for 49 in Warriors win

AFP Harden missed five of his for, to be on the big stage, a skill and your game,” said Thompson finished with 29 LOS ANGELES seven shots in the fourth. In big moment, going against a Durant. points, including six three overtime, Harden was one of guy like that.” “I feel like I am relaxed in pointers and 19 points in the JOHN Wall scored six of his two from the field and had Eric Gordon scored a those moments and it is all fourth quarter. 36 points in overtime as the two free throws. He had 11 season-high 36 for the short- about getting the best shot I The past three games, Washington Wizards out- turnovers, including three in handed Rockets, who played can get. If I focus on getting Durant has scored 125 points lasted the Houston Rockets overtime. without Chris Paul for the the best shot from the start and Thompson 91. They were 135-131 in overtime on Mon- “It’s not even about my- second straight game. of the game to the end of the the only two Warriors in dou- day despite James Harden’s self,” Harden said. “It’s about Washington’s Otto Porter game then I feel comfortable ble figures on Monday. season-high 54 points. our entire team. We had a re- opened the scoring in over- in the fourth quarter when my Durant became the sev- Bradley Beal equaled his ally good start to the game and time with 4:47 to play and the team needs me. enth player in franchise season-best with 32 points kind of let our guard down.” Wizards maintained the lead “Tonight one of my fa- history to post consecutive and Markieff Morris fin- Harden played a season- the rest of the way. vorite shots came to me at 40-point games, joining Cur- ished with 22 points and 10 high 47 minutes and Rockets Elsewhere, Kevin Durant the end I was able to knock it ry, Thompson, Rick Barry, rebounds. Wall had two bas- coach Mike D’Antoni said he continued his hot streak, scor- down.” Wilt Chamberlain, Antawn kets in overtime and dished knows he is asking a lot of his ing a season-high 49 points On Monday, Durant gave Jamison and Purvis Short. out 11 assists. superstar. Monday as the two-time de- the Warriors the lead on a Nikola Vucevic had 30 Harden scored 12 points “We’re asking you know fending NBA champion Gold- three-point play with 79 sec- points, 12 rebounds and six in the first quarter, 11 in the what? Play (47) minutes, en State Warriors beat the Or- onds remaining before nailing assists for the Magic, who are second and 21 points in the make every play,” D’Antoni lando Magic 116-110. another from beyond the arc coming off a victory over the third quarter. His career high said. “There are going to Durant’s explosive even- with 22 seconds to go. Los Angeles Lakers. is 60 points. be periods where he’s just ing came just two nights after Golden State’s deep talent The Warriors now embark He started the fourth gassed.” Wall said Beal en- he torched the Sacramento pool was on display as they on a five-game road trip that quarter on the bench then joys the challenge of facing Kings for 44 in a 117-116 War- were without stars Stephen begins on Thursday against Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant goes up for a shot on Orlando added six more as the teams Harden. rior victory. Curry and Draymond Green. the league-leading Toronto Magic’s Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba during their NBA game at remained deadlocked 125-125 “It’s what you dream of,” “You not born with any- Durant got help from Raptors in which they hope to ORACLE Arena in Oakland on Monday. (AFP) at the end of regulation. Wall said. “It’s what you live thing, you have to craft your his supporting cast. Klay have Curry back in the lineup.