THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 12

Visionary Lechner honoured

TDT | Manama Daruvala fastest again he Bahrain International TCircuit mourns the loss of a visionary of Motorsport in the region; a close friend and partner of the circuit whose in F2 post-season testing impact on racing in Bahrain, the Middle East and Europe is both immeasurable and en- Daruvala clocked a fastest time of 1min 41.686secs during the afternoon session during. Walter first came to Bahrain in 2005, bringing his epony- Lechner mous racing team to compete in the Porsche Supercup, a in 2006. In fact, Walter was so support series for the Formula well prepared for this event, 1 race that year. He would go the Bahrain team was the only on to win the championship one to have brought rain tyres that year, together with a fur- with them. It rained for over ther two season victories in half of the entire race… 2008 and 2009. On his arrival Walter was always passion- to Bahrain, he floated the idea ate about motorsport, dedi- of setting up a Porsche Cup cating well over forty years for the Middle East, a region of his career to the sport. In which had only just begun its 1975, inspired by the Jim Rus- journey into global motor- sell Racing School in the UK, sport. It was a challenge that he sold his highly successful required incredible effort, per- nightclub business and es - severance and personal ambi- tablished the Walter Lechner tion. Walter was single-hand- Racing School, which quick- Jehan Daruvala steers his car during testing An F2 car exits the pits during testing at BIC edly responsible for achieving ly became a breeding ground that aim. It swiftly became the for the highest level of mot- three-hour afternoon session, of testing over three hours in platform for the most prom- orsport in the world. As a rac- which wrapped up under lights. daylight conditions. ising drivers in the region to ing school owner and team • Daruvala completed a total of Daruvala was just 0.027secs develop their skills in what is principal, he developed the of Prema Racing 34 laps of work. slower in the session, while now known as The Porsche skills of Alex Wurtz in Formula followed 0.167secs off Robert Shwartzman of Prema Lawson followed 0.093secs Sprint Challenge Middle East, Ford, similarly for Rowland the pace, while Dan Racing followed 0.167secs off KNOW WHAT back. which has had its home at the Razenburger, both of which Ticktum of Carlin was the pace, while Juri Vips of Hitech, Chris - BIC ever since its first race in went on to become successful of Carlin was 0.364secs behind tian Lundgaard of ART Grand 2009. As the most prominent F1 drivers. Other notable in- 0.364secs behind in third in third. Prix, Drugovich, Armstrong and one make series for up-and- dividuals whose careers were of Hitech The tests follow the Ticktum, driving coming drivers in the Gulf, it influenced by him were Franz TDT | Manama Grand Prix was fourth on the completion of the the second Dams, and Marino is also the longest running re- Tost, currently team boss at times, of 2020 F2 season, which Sato of Trident were all in the gional racing championship AlphaTauri, who was one of ehan Daruvala topped the Dams fifth, held its final two top 10. in the Gulf and his legacy in his instructors and perhaps timesheet for the second of Uni-Virtuosi sixth and Louis rounds at BIC over the A total of 22 runners took part Bahrain will always be remem- most notably Toto Wolff, who Jsuccessive day of Formula Deletraz of MP Motorsport sev- past couple of weeks in the day’s tests. bered for his incredible efforts went on to become the most 2 post-season testing today at enth, with of Another two sessions will in building this series to what successful team principal F1 Bahrain International Circuit round- take place today on the final it is today. In the early days of has ever seen. (BIC) in Sakhir. ing out the top eight. Daruvala’s time was quicker day of testing. The tests follow his work in Bahrain, Walter Whilst best known for his The Carlin driver clocked a Guillerme Samala in the oth- than the best lap of 1:42.244 set the completion of the 2020 F2 was also instrumental in es- success as a team principal, fastest time of 1min 41.686secs er Charouz car and Clement in the morning session by Ralph season, which held its final two tablishing the Bahrain team in Walter was a formidable driver around BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Novalak of Trident completed Boschung of . rounds at BIC over the past cou- the 24 Hours of Bahrain back in his own right. Grand Prix track during the the top 10. Boschung completed 33 laps ple of weeks. Griezmann hopes Juve Never saw Messi as a rival, says Ronaldo AFP | Barcelona defeat awakens drowsy Barca hey defined the ‘El Clasico’ Reuters | Barcelona Trivalry between Real Ma- drid and Barcelona for the past decade but Cristiano Ronaldo arcelona forward Antoine said he has always got on well BGriezmann believes his with Lionel Messi and never side’s 3-0 defeat by Juventus in saw him as a rival. the Champions League could Ronaldo, now playing for Ju- be just what his stuttering team ventus, scored two penalties needs to knock them back into to help the Italian champions shape. secure a 3-0 win over Messi’s The loss followed Satur - Barcelona in the Champions day’s shock defeat by Cadiz League on Tuesday. and meant Barca failed to fin- It was the first meeting be- ish top of their group for the tween Ronaldo and Messi since first time in 13 seasons and the Portuguese forward left will be unseeded for the last-16 draw. But Griezmann hopes it Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann heads the ball during the match against Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (R) challenges Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo serves as a wake up call to his I have always had a Juventus Real Madrid for Juventus in ry to create more excitement.” side, who have made their 12-point deficit on La Liga lead- cordial relationship 2018. Between them the pair Ronaldo is hoping the win worst start to a league cam - ers Atletico Madrid, who face with Messi. As I have have won the Ballon d’Or in 11 could provide an “injection of paign in 33 years. champions Real Madrid. said before, for 12, of the past 12 years. confidence” for Juventus, who “This is a tough blow but “Who else’s fault could 13, 14 years (I have “I have always had a cordial are currently fourth in the Ital- it will serve us well to put it be other than the players? been) sharing prizes relationship with Messi,” Ron- ian Serie A standings. KNOW WHAT everything in perspective and Everything is going wrong but with him. I never saw aldo told Movistar. “As I have Barcelona are also looking wake us up,” Griezmann said. we cannot look for excuses. We him as a rival. He said before, for 12, 13, 14 years to recover from a below-par “This can also show us that must work hard and win on (I have been) sharing prizes start to their domestic league every game is important.” Sunday, we have to give a bet- always tried the best with him. campaign. Barca failed to finish Barca’s terrible run of results ter image than we gave here,” for his team, and I “I never saw him as a rival. “Messi is the same as ever top of their Cham- has left coach Ronald Koeman Griezmann added. tried the best for He always tried the best for his (on the pitch),” Ronaldo said. pions League group exposed but Griezmann said “We have the level and the mine. I always got on team, and I tried the best for “Barcelona are in a difficult mo- for the first time in the only people who could be talent to achieve what we want well with him. I am mine. I always got on well with ment, but they are still Barca. 13 seasons and will blamed for the team’s predica- to. We know how to work hard sure he will say the him. I am sure he will say the I am sure they will come out be unseeded for the ment was the players. and run, we need to do that in same if you ask him same if you ask him. of it. All teams have bad runs, last-16 draw Barca host Levante on Sun- every game. We cannot be as “But we know in football, but Barcelona are a very good day hoping to eat into their lifeless as we were today.” CRISTIANO RONALDO people always look for a rival- team.”

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 36458394, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing