14 Tuesday 29th November, 2011 Drivers hoping Barrichello returns to F1 next year Rameez Raja Restoring cricket ties with India most important: Rameez Karachi, Nov 27: “I think he (Zaka Pakistan’s former captain Ashraf) has made just the Rameez Raja feels restoring right start, since this (Indo- bilateral cricket ties with Pak) series benefits both India should be the top pri- countries and benefits ority of the PCB. cricket. There is no bigger “Our cricket has got a series than India-Pakistan Williams driver Rubens Barrichello, of Brazil, center, shares a moment with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, also from Brazil, right, as Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, few very important priori- and they should anoint it from Spain, stands next during a meeting to celebrate Massa’s 100th grand prix as a Ferrari driver. The Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix was held on Sunday. (AP ties which need to be as an ‘icon’ series, as Test looked at. First one obvi- cricket is already getting Photo/Victor R. Caivano) ously is how to relaunch ‘knockout punches’ from BY TALES AZZONI Brazilian GP on Sunday because would be in his longtime friend’s time I can do something like this.” cricket back in Pakistan. the limited overs formats,” Williams is yet to announce its best interests. Teammate Pastor Maldonado Number two is how to the cricketer turned com- SAO PAULO (AP) — If driver lineup. There have been rumors Massa said he advised will start 18th in Sunday’s season- improve our standing and mentator said. support counted, Rubens that Kimi Raikkonen may return Barrichello to retire to avoid hav- ending Brazilian GP. promote our cricket in the Rameez claimed that he Barrichello wouldn’t have a prob- to F1 to replace the Brazilian, who ing to beg for a drive next season. Barrichello has struggled in his ICC. Thirdly I guess would had also done his bit to lem finding a Formula One team would have to scramble to try to Massa said Barrichello, one of his second season with Williams be to pay attention to the encourage flamboyant all- next season. find another team. idols, shouldn’t be in a position because of the car’s lack of com- domestic cricket structure. rounder Shahid Afridi who The veteran Brazilian is yet to “It’s great that he still wants to where he has to pay smaller teams petitiveness, and is only 17th in the “Fourthly I would sug- publicly thanked him dur- secure a deal to race in F1 in 2012 race,” McLaren’s Jenson Button to let him drive for another year. drivers’ standings. gest, we have to name our ing a ceremony in the one- but is getting plenty of backing said. “I really hope he gets a drive Barrichello said he is not losing “Obviously this year he hasn’t coaching unit. So these are day series against Sri from fellow drivers who don’t want next year. I hope he’s racing next much sleep over next year because had a very competitive car but it his main priorities, and of Lanka. to see him retiring just yet. year. The hunger obviously is still he knows he has had “19 lovely sea- would be great to have him around course the most important “Afridi is a perfect “It would be a real shame to there for Rubens.” sons” in F1 and would not feel like again next year,” Red Bull’s Mark one is to play India,” advertisement for Pakistan lose Rubens for the future, because If Barrichello does reach a deal a failure if he can’t find a drive for Webber said. Rameez told cricket, because that is how he belongs here,” said Sebastian with Williams or another team, 2012. He does want to come back, Barrichello has competed in ‘pakpassion.net’ website. we should be perceived as a Vettel, who has won his second next season would be his 20th in though and feels confident he will more F1 races than any other driv- The former captain also cricket nation - aggressive consecutive F1 title. “He has been racing’s top level. He’s made more get a deal soon. er. He finished second in the driv- felt that the new Chairman but not unpredictable and here for a long time. Pretty crazy friends than enemies in F1 and In what could have been his last ers’ standings in 2002 and 2004, of the board, Zaka Ashraf with flair. Afridi is a head- to imagine yourself to be around remains one of the most-liked driv- F1 qualifying session, Barrichello both times with Ferrari behind had made the right start by line-grabber and a head that long.” ers on the circuit. finished 12th on Saturday in front seven-time world champion emphasising on restoring turner with his perform- The 39-year-old Barrichello, Felipe Massa earlier in the of his home fans, a result better Michael Schumacher. He was third international cricket in ance and his talent,” he who made his F1 debut with week said Barrichello would be than he expected. with Brawn GP in 2009 after being Pakistan and bilateral ties said. Jordan in 1993, could be participat- better off retiring, but claimed it “It was like a victory to me,” he outpaced by teammate and eventu- with India. (PTI) ing in his final F1 race at the was only because he thought it said. “Hopefully it’s not the last al champion Jenson Button. But Tsonga, who became the first player to rally from a two-set deficit to beat Federer in a F1 boss not optimistic Grand Slam tournament in this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinals, couldn’t pull off another surprise this time. about US race in 2012 Playing in his 100th career final, Federer broke for a 5-3 lead in the decider and served out the match to love, sealing his 70th career title BY TALES AZZONI ers. with an easy volley. SAO PAULO (AP) — The statement also said “I think that was the difference to other Formula One boss Bernie that Circuit of The matches this year, where I lost so closely,” Ecclestone isn’t optimistic Americas offered to estab- Federer said. “This time around I was still able about the U.S. Grand Prix lish an advance payment to find a way through. I think that was the dif- taking place next year and schedule for F1 races in the ference at times during the year, which didn’t has set American organiz- United States beyond 2012, maybe make this an absolutely phenomenal year.” ers a Wednesday deadline thus providing the long- term financial guarantees Federer finished the season without a Grand to guarantee its long-term Slam title for the first time since 2002, after also asked for by Ecclestone. financial backing. wasting a two-set lead against Novak Djokovic in Organizers for the pro- The F1 boss said the the U.S. Open semifinals — where the top-ranked posed race in Austin, race in Austin would be Serb saved two match points in the fifth set. Texas, say they have agreed canceled if no deal was Federer took a six-week break shortly after to pay the sanctioning fee reached by next Wednesday. that — in part, he said, to sort out his head after to secure a spot on next Two weeks ago at the Abu those losses to Tsonga and Djokovic. year’s race calendar, but Dhabi GP, he said the dead- “I feel when it happens maybe that often, I do that’s not enough for line was Sunday. have to question myself that maybe I did some- Ecclestone. The race in Texas would thing wrong,” Federer said. “I don’t want to say “They might pay some- be in November and mark underestimate or overestimate the mental part of the game, but there is a lot of time that goes thing now, but it’s the the return of F1 to the U.S. by out on tour, during a match, you’re just trying future we are looking for, after a five-year absence. Indianapolis was the last to stay positive. But you can’t always be positive we are not looking for (a) host in 2007. Previously, out there. You know, it’s just too difficult. That’s short term (solution),” he Phoenix was host from where maybe the doubts were just a bit too said Friday at the Brazilian 1989-91, while Watkins Glen strong during certain important moments.” Grand Prix. “They haven’t The break seems to have worked, as Federer in upstate New York staged gotten enough security, we is undefeated since that U.S. Open loss, and fin- the race from 1961-80. are looking for security in ished the year with a 17-match winning streak Ecclestone also said the the long term.” following titles in Basel and Paris before coming 2012 Bahrain GP would Federer beats Tsonga to to London. Ecclestone said he has remain on the schedule yet to receive any money While Nadal and Djokovic both lost twice to despite the recent increase be eliminated in the group stage, Federer played and that organizers don’t in violent clashes in the some of his best tennis of the year and beat have to sign the contract if country. David Ferrer in the semifinals without facing a they’re unhappy with the win 6th ATP finals title “No problem with that,” break point. terms. Ecclestone said. “We “He’s the best player indoors for the Bobby Epstein, found- should’ve been there this moment,” Tsonga said.