TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 12 Haas hopeful of speedy Grosjean recovery Brazilian to make F1 race debut in place of recuperating Frenchman at this weekend’s Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix

Fittipaldi has attended• the majority of F1 races this season in his test and reserve driver role with the team

TDT | Manama

aas F1 team members have been united in Htheir support of following his horrify- ing crash at Sunday’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020, and until his full re - covery, announced yesterday that Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi Pietro Fittipaldi will race in the Frenchman’s place. best thing for Romain was to Fittipaldi will therefore make skip at least one race, the choice his F1 debut with Haas at this to put Pietro in the car was pret- coming weekend’s F1 Rolex ty easy,” stated Haas team prin- Grosjean lays on a stretcher is he is attended to by medical team personnel Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain cipal Guenther Steiner. working on simulator sessions, are thankful for all the safety International Circuit (BIC), the “Pietro will drive the VF20 KNOW WHAT so I’m familiar with the team’s advancements in modern F1 penultimate round of the 2020 and he’s familiar with us, having operating procedures on a grand in order to protect the drivers. FIA F1 World Championship. been around the team for the prix weekend. We send a thank you to the FIA Fittipaldi has attended the past two seasons as a test and “It’s going to be exciting to Most importantly I’m safety team and the marshals majority of F1 races this season reserve driver. Pietro Fittipaldi is the make my first career start in F1 happy Romain is safe who were on-site immediately in his test and reserve driver “It’s the right thing to do and grandson of former – I’ll be giving it my all and I and healthy. We’re all to help Romain get away from role with the team. The 24-year- it’s obviously a good opportunity F1 World Champion look forward to starting in free very happy his injuries the scene. old Miami-born driver holds a for him. He’s been patient and Emerson Fittipaldi, practice on Friday in Bahrain.” are relatively minor “As I said, I think we got lucky career resume which includes was always prepared for this who won his two driv- Racing in the F1 Rolex Sakhir after such a huge – there’s not a lot more to say. a Formula V8 3.5 Champion - opportunity – and now it has er’s titles in 1972 and Grand Prix will be held along incident. Obviously, We hope Romain will recover ship title and several starts in come. That’s why we want him 1974. He had also won BIC’s 3.543-kilometre Outer quickly from the injuries he sus- IndyCar. in the car and I’m sure he’ll do Track. It will be the first time it’s not an ideal set of tained.” He is the grandson of two- a good job. the world-famous Indy that circuit layout will be used circumstances to get Magnussen added: “Firstly, time F1 World Champion and “It’s very demanding being 500 race in 1989 and for competition. my first opportunity I’m just very, very happy to see double Indy 500 winner Emer- called in at the last minute, but 1993 Romain walk away from that Fortunate to compete in F1, but son Fittipaldi. as I said, I think it’s the right I’m extremely grateful crash – it was unbelievable. To He has tested previously with thing to do for .” first opportunity to compete in Meanwhile, Steiner and Gros- to and see him survive that is frankly the team in 2019, and in Fri - Fittipaldi commented: “Most F1, but I’m extremely grateful jean’s teammate Kevin Mag - a miracle. day’s opening practice sessions importantly I’m happy Romain to Gene Haas and Guenther nussen have wished Grosjean a Guenther Steiner for “I’m so happy that the halo at the Sakhir Grand Prix will be is safe and healthy. We’re all very Steiner for their faith in put - speedy recovery. their faith in putting was introduced, and it was on making his first time behind the happy his injuries are relatively ting me behind the wheel this “We got fortunate today,” me behind the wheel his car. Without it I’m sure it wheel of Haas’ VF-20 car this minor after such a huge incident. weekend. Steiner said. “The good news is this weekend would have been very different. season. “Obviously, it’s not an ideal “I’ve been with the team a lot that Romain is doing well con- PIETRO FITTIPALDI I’m just happy that we’ve still “After it was decided that the set of circumstances to get my this season, both trackside and sidering what happened. We got Romain.” Bahrain secures place in qualification for FIBA World Cup 2023 • World Cup qualifiers Standings after qualifiers in Bahrain will be played over a (*already qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2021) period of 15 months, Group A beginning in November P W L Pts of next year Philippines 3 3 0 6 Korea 2 2 0 4 TDT | Manama Indonesia 3 1 2 4 ahrain’s senior men’s nation- Thailand 4 0 4 4 Bal basketball have doubled Group D their reasons to celebrate fol- P W L Pts lowing their victories the past few days against Iraq and India. Lebanon* 4 4 0 8 Not only have they booked Bahrain* 4 3 1 7 their tickets to the FIBA Asia India 4 1 3 5 Cup 2021, which will be their first appearance in the conti- Iraq 4 0 4 4 nental tournament since 2013 and ninth overall, but they have also secured their place in the Bahrain will be one of 80 coun- qualification competition for the tries from around the world FIBA World Cup 2023. competing for 32 spots in bas- This was confirmed yesterday ketball’s showcase tournament, by the Bahrain Basketball Asso- ciation, who said that the World KNOW WHAT which will be jointly hosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Phil- Cup qualifiers will be played Bahrain national team members celebrate after their win over India on Sunday, securing their qualification for the FIBA over a period of 15 months, be- Asia Cup 2021 ippines ginning in November of next year. ippines. have already secured their seats Meanwhile, the FIBA Asia Cup way and went ahead by as many pace the Thais in the loss. Bahrain will be one of 80 The World Cup field will in- as hosts, while co-host Indone- 2021 qualifiers held in Bahrain as 28 points. With the result, the Philip - countries from around the world clude eight teams from Asia and sia must finish amongst the top over the past few days wrapped Javier Gomez De Liano top pines conclude their campaign competing for 32 spots in bas- Oceania, 12 from Europe, seven eight teams in next year’s FIBA up last night with the Philip - scored for the victors with 19, in Bahrain with two wins ketball’s showcase tournament, from the Americas, and five from Asia Cup to gain qualification. pines routing Thailand 93-69 in while Juan Gomez De Liano from as many games, while which will be jointly hosted by Africa. the day’s lone fixture. added 14 and Dwight Ramos 13. the Thais lost all three of their Indonesia, Japan and the Phil- Japan and the Philippines Philippines rout Thailand The Filipinos led the entire Chanatip Jakrawan had 34 to contests.

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