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Established 1961 25 Sports Monday, November 4, 2019 Bottas on pole at US Grand Prix, Hamilton starts in fifth Hamilton without a pole since German Grand Prix in July AUSTIN: Valtteri Bottas kept alive his hopes of ing session following an engine failure. delaying Lewis Hamilton’s sixth drivers’ world champi- He posted an early marker lap before Norris took onship celebrations by claiming pole position with a top spot briefly ahead of a reinvigorated Hamilton, who record lap on Saturday in qualifying for the United went fastest in 1:33.454. Verstappen, still itching with States Grand Prix. frustration after being stripped of pole in Mexico a The Finn, who has to win today’s race and hope his week earlier, was second-quickest for Red Bull, ahead Mercedes team-mate finishes outside the top eight to of Bottas, in the second Mercedes. keep the championship alive, clocked a best lap in one The Finn, unflappable as ever, could only keep his minute and 32.029 seconds to outpace second-placed title bid alive by winning and hoping for a rare flop, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari by 0.012 seconds. outside the top eight, from his team-mate. Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari and Hamilton, who ‘TRACK HAS IMPROVED’ was fifth. It was the champion-elect’s equal worst quali- “We think the track has improved, so we’ll take fying of his career on American soil, but he was only another lap,” said Bottas’s engineer as he and Hamilton three-tenths adrift of his team-mate. stayed out to gain more understanding of the track in Hamilton is now without a pole since the German the changing conditions. Unexpectedly, as they did so, Grand Prix in July. For Bottas, it was a first pole in the Norris topped the Q1 times while out went Alfa United States, his fifth this season and the 11th of his Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen and career, his best lap on his first run in Q3 remaining fast the two Williams men, George Russell and Robert enough to put him on the prime starting spot. Kubica, split by Racing Point’s Sergio Perez. Alex Albon was sixth in the second Red Bull ahead The Mexican will start from the pit-lane on Sunday of the two McLarens of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris after being penalised for a weighbridge transgression with Daniel Ricciardo ninth for Renault and Pierre on Friday. The Mercedes men, both on medium com- Gasly 10th for Toro Rosso. “I’m really happy about that pound tyres, were first out for Q2 with the Ferraris fol- AUSTIN: Pole position qualifier Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP is presented with the Pirelli Pole Position and it was a nice lap — and to get those kind of laps on lowing on the same rubber. trophy by racing legend Mario Andretti in parc ferme during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The a track like this is a good feeling,” said Bottas. Hamilton set the pace ahead of Bottas until Red Americas in Austin, Texas. — AFP “On my last lap, I was losing grip overall so I am glad Bull’s Verstappen, on mediums, and Albon, on softs, nobody improved in the end on the second runs. It was went third and first, sandwiching Hamilton. Albon’s tricky for me yesterday (Friday) so I was do the work lap in 1:32.898 put him within reach of Hamilton’s to lead the way into the top ten shootout while out were also qualifying to start their 100th Grand Prix today and find what I needed in Q3.” 2018 qualifying lap record and the top six were sep- went Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Renault’s Nico race. In Q3, Bottas smashed Hamilton’s qualifying In significantly warmer conditions, prompting many arated by only three-tenths of a second before their Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen of Haas, Lance Stroll of record in 1:32.029 on his first run to lead Vettel, to discard jackets and coats, Leclerc was keen to make second flying runs. Racing Point and Romain Grosjean in the second Haas. Verstappen and Leclerc with the Briton back in fifth, an early entry impression in Q1 after missing the morn- Leclerc went top ahead of Ferrari team-mate Vettel Along with Verstappen, both Magnussen and Sainz three-tenths adrift. — AFP Alvarez KOs ‘Krusher’ Kovalev to claim WBO light heavyweight title Vinales storms LAS VEGAS: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez Mike McCallum. knocked out Sergey Kovalev with a Alvarez is also the second fighter vicious combination in the 11th round to from Mexico to win a light heavyweight to Malaysian win the WBO light heavyweight title on belt, joining Julio Gonzalez who did it in Saturday, moving up two weight classes 2003 and 2004. MotoGP victory to become a four division champ. The 29-year-old Mexican superstar ‘VERY CLOSE’ SEPANG: Spain’s Maverick Vinales stormed to a caught Russia’s Kovalev with a left Despite giving up a size and reach dominant victory in the Malaysian MotoGP yester- hook-right hand combination that sent advantage, Alvarez’s best punch day as world champion Marc Marquez fought his the former champion almost crashing throughout was the left hook which he way from near the back of the starting grid to finish through the ropes near the end of the used in the 11th to initially send Kovalev second. Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso came in third 11th round at the MGM Grand Garden staggering backwards to the ropes. As a but there was disappointment for French rookie Arena in Las Vegas. defenceless Kovalev was going down, Fabio Quartararo, who only managed a lacklustre “This is just one step in my history,” Alvarez then landed a vicious right hand seventh-place after starting from pole. Alvarez said. “Be patient because Canelo to the face that knocked the champion Vinales’s second win of the season was a major will make history. It’s a guarantee.” out cold. “It was a very close fight. He boost following last week’s Australian MotoGP, ‘Krusher’ Kovalev was officially knocked was defensive, closing up his guard. All LAS VEGAS: Canelo Alvarez poses with referee Russell Mora following his victory over Sergey where he crashed out after leading for much of the out at 2:15 of the 11th and stayed down he was doing was establishing his points, Kovalev in WBO light heavyweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. race — and compatriot Marquez went on to win. for some time while being attended to by getting points. But we knew it was com- Alvarez won with an 11th-round knockout. —AFP The Monster Energy Yamaha rider said the victory his corner and the doctor. ing and everything came out the way we felt “amazing” after his disappointing performance It was one of the most devastating had planned,” Alvarez said. in Phillip Island. knockouts of the brilliant career of box- This was Alvarez’s first fight since a me,” he said. “We fought 24 rounds and SHORT BREAK “In Phillip Island, I felt like I had the victory in my ing’s biggest star Alvarez, who was fight- unanimous decision over Daniel Jacobs we beat him. But if it represents business Kovalev was coming off an 11th- hands but I made a mistake and I crashed,” he told ing in the 175 pound division for the first in May. Alvarez is now riding a four fight then why not.” round knockout of mandatory challenger reporters at the Sepang circuit following the penul- time. “The plan was patience, to have winning streak with his lone blemish Kovalev was the biggest name in the Anthony Yarde in August, making this timate race of the season. patience. We knew it would take time for being a majority draw against Gennady light heavyweight division having boxed one of the shortest breaks between “Here all weekend I’ve been very consistent. I me to get to him. I am new at this divi- Golovkin in their first of two bouts. there his entire career, which began in fights in his career. Even though he beat knew if I got first place I had a chance to push, push sion, but overall it was successful,” He sought out Kovalev to add another 2009. “I tired after the sixth round,” said Yarde, Kovalev still found himself in and push.” The 24-year-old surged into an early Alvarez said. belt to his impressive collection which Kovalev. “I had instructions to use more trouble and was nearly stopped in the lead at Sepang after starting second on the grid and The fight had been close throughout includes titles at junior middleweight, mid- jabs. Just not enough stamina. It is okay, eighth round. never looked threatened. By the halfway mark, he with Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) winning dleweight and super middleweight. Many I will be back.” In bizarre move for a major boxing had opened up a two second lead over second- most of the early rounds by using a boxing fans would have liked to have seen The Russian was hoping that a win card, Saturday’s main event was delayed placed Marquez, and was over three seconds ahead steady jab to keep the burly Alvarez at a Alvarez face rival and former unified title- over pound-for-pound king Alvarez for over an hour with both fighters left to of him when he crossed the finish line.

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