FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 20

Marc Marquez (L) and Valentino Rossi during a MotoGP race Rossi renews Marquez rivalry

AFP | Milan the washout. most recently in 2014. far from the tiny republic from are 12 and 13 points further back. Torrential rain forced officials The nine-time MotoGP win- which the race takes its name. Marquez, meanwhile, said he talian Valentino Rossi chas- to cancel the Silverstone race ner sits second in the world The 25-year-old Marquez has would like to patch things up It’s always special es his first win of the sea- two weeks ago given the high championship standings behind won twice in the past three years with Rossi smoothing the rival- when you arrive at Ison and renews his risk on the rain-flooded Honda’s Marquez. for Honda. ry between the two that goes your home GP. There rivalry with world surface. “It’s always special when you Marquez has suffered a two- back to 2015 and was fuelled by will be many friends champion Marc And Yamaha ace arrive at your home GP,” said race blip, but so dominant is the a collision in Argentina this year. and fans at the Marquez at home in Rossi wants to make 39-year-old Rossi. Spanish world champion that “I would like to make peace circuit and we’ll give the San Marino Mo- the most of his home “There will be many friends he still increased his lead in the with him, I have no problem it our all to make it toGP as the motorcy- advantage to post and fans at the circuit and we’ll MotoGP standings without win- with Valentino,” said six-time cling world champi- his first win of the give it our all to make it a nice ning. world champion Marquez. a nice weekend. We onship series revs up season, at Misano, in weekend. We were in Misano The Honda star had taken five “In Argentina, everything was were in Misano for again this week- Italy, a venue where for a test a few weeks ago and of the previous nine races be- quieter. I made a mistake and a test a few weeks end after h e has won three we will have to pick up our work fore starting August by finishing with it came bad luck with Rossi. ago and we will have times - again from where we left off. third in the Czech Republic and I also tried to apologise.” to pick up our work “We’ll give our maximum to second in Austria. Because Rossi The Spaniard said he disliked again from where start the weekend in the best failed to make either podium, being whistled by Rossi’s fans. we left off way possible and do a good race, Marquez added 13 points to his “I don’t like the whistles ... fighting for the podium. I hope lead. we’re on track at 300kph, we VALENTINO ROSSI the weather will be good, so With seven races to go, risk our life every time we get everybody can enjoy this week- Marquez is 59 points ahead of on the bike. end.” Rossi. Jorge Lorenzo and An- “I have always asked my fans In recent years, Spaniards drea Dovizioso, the two Ducati to respect all the riders because have dominated at the track riders who took the other podi- after one race there is another Valentino Rossi on Italy’s Adriatic coast, not um places in the last two races, one, life goes on.” Kimi Raikkonen ousted by in favour of

EssentiallySports | Rome would then win the championship on his debut in Ferrari overalls. 007 World Champion Kimi Raikko- However, needing a change of scen- 2nen will be racing his final few races ery, he left F1 and joined the World in the Scuderia colours. This is because, Rally Championship. He also tried out it has been reported that Ferrari are his hand at stock car racing (NASCAR) replacing him with Charles LeClerc 20 for a while. But then, he was coaxed He has won 19 races in 2019. and made 100 podium back into F1 with the Lotus team. This may or may not come as a sur- appearances in his career He rejoined Ferrari in 2014 alongside prise, given that the Finn has been fellow veteran, . He racing in F1 since 2001. Although he remained there with the team for future left in 2010 to pursue other sports, he seasons, partnering . returned in 2012 with Lotus. He won But since then, he has not been as com- his only title in 2007 for the Scuderia petitive as his German teammate. Ferrari team ahead of . and try and aid Sebastian Vettel in his Moving on to the subject of his suc- The Finn has very few options com- quest for the 2018 crown. cessor, Charles LeClerc is a product of ing his way with several doors closing The 38-year old has come a long way the . When he in his face. The news was confirmed on since he debuted for Sauber in 2001. was promoted to -Sauber, Twitter but a statement from Ferrari In 2002, he joined McLaren as Mika he began to showcase his talent. Almost and Raikkonen is yet to be made. Hakkinen’s successor. He would remain immediately, he caught the eye of the In the meantime, Kimi Raikkonen there until 2007 when he succeeded the late and was touted Kimi Raikkonen will see out the rest of the 2018 season retiring . The Finn to be a future Ferrari driver.