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Sports Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Hamilton’s success ‘getting a bit boring’ for Verstappen Verstappen has 100 starts, seven wins since becoming sport’s youngest driver MILTON KEYNES: Lewis Hamilton’s domination of power compared to Mercedes and Renault, we are very is “getting a bit boring” and the time is fast close to Mercedes now so that is very promising for next approaching for the younger generation to take over at the year,” he added. top, says Red Bull youngster . CarNext.com Chief Executive Ewout van Jarwaarde The Dutch driver hopes he and Ferrari’s Charles said Verstappen and his company were both disruptive Leclerc, also 22-years-old, will be fighting for the forces in their own arenas, but the driver was eager to Mercedes driver’s throne next year. “I think it’s good for douse the flames of recent controversies. the sport to have the young guys now coming up and In Texas last month he labelled comments by Hamilton hopefully taking over very soon,” Verstappen said ahead after a Mexican Grand Prix clash as “disrespectful” and of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, the first race since “silly” while accusing Ferrari of cheating. “It’s a very sensi- Hamilton clinched his sixth title in Texas. tive subject, so for me I try not to go there anymore,” he “It’s getting a bit boring seeing Lewis win, so we have said when asked about words that angered Ferrari. “I pre- to try and change that,” he added at an event to announce fer just to go ahead, leave everything behind ... just focus a personal sponsorship with pan-European online used on Brazil.” car marketplace CarNext.com. Verstappen has 100 starts Of his relationship with Hamilton, Verstappen said the and seven wins to his name since becoming the sport’s Briton was “very special and definitely one of the best youngest driver and next season he could yet become the drivers ever” and said he had never really had a problem youngest champion. with him. “We talked on the grid (in Austin). I respect Hamilton, who can equal Michael Schumacher’s record Lewis, of course, but we are also hard racers and some- seven titles and surpass the great German’s 91 wins, will be times it can be a bit more tough. But we talked and it’s all 35 in January. “He’s getting older ... so for sure it will stop good.” Verstappen recognised he had made mistakes this at one point,” said Verstappen. year, despite a strong and consistent season, but would “It’s just going to depend on the team, to be honest. It’s not have it any other way. not going to depend on Lewis. “If Mercedes keeps build- “Everybody makes mistakes, otherwise it’s better to put ing really dominant cars, for sure he’s going to win. So we a robot in,” he said. “It’s good to make mistakes as well, you just have to make sure as a team that we can beat them.” learn from it.” He said he was happy at Red Bull, despite Verstappen said engine partners Honda had a break- speculation he might one day replace or join Hamilton at AUSTIN: File photo shows Formula One World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and through year in 2019 and he was confident former champi- Mercedes. “I really want to win with Red Bull,” he said. “I Mercedes GP celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on November 03, 2019 in ons Red Bull, third overall, could be in the mix in 2020. “I really feel at home, which I think is also very important for Austin, Texas. — AFP think we are on the right path. When you see the engine a driver — that you feel appreciated.” — Reuters

GR TS050 HEVs steadily stretched their advantage. Their even more important to win this race because we have a GAZOO Racing lead was further strengthened by the fastest pit work in lot of Japanese fans supporting us and some very impor- the field, although the No. 7 TS050 HEV was unable to tant guests, so everyone is very happy. Now we’re equal mount a challenge for first place throughout the race due on points in the championship with the No. 7 guys, so Rally Australia wins 6 hours of to the 0.4 seconds-per-lap difference in success handicap. is going to be an interesting weekend.” The gap remained stable, with the No. 8 TS050 HEV , Driver of the No. 8 TS050 HEV, Fuji for seventh taking the chequered flag in the TS050 HEVs’ final race in added: “It’s great to win again here in Fuji in front of our cancelled because Japan, 33.955secs ahead of the No. 7 TS050 HEV. The home fans; congratulations to everyone in the team. It was time in eight years result marked Buemi’s 16th outright WEC victory, extend- important to us to get a one-two in the last Japanese race of raging bushfires ing his series record, and the fourth time Nakajima has for the TS050 HYBRID because we have experienced so won his home race. Meanwhile, Hartley stood on the top of many emotions with this vehicle. It’s like an old friend, so COFFS HARBOUR: Organisers yesterday cancelled the podium for the first time as a GAZOO Racing driver. we had to give it a last win at home. It was a tough race in FUJI: The GAZOO Racing (GR) team maintained its per- this week’s Rally Australia, the final round of the “I would like to congratulate the team on their brilliant changing conditions but we kept a strong pace and were fect record in the 2019-2020 FIA World Endurance 2019 FIA World Rally Championship, because of performance. We are thrilled to achieve our second perfect quick on the intermediate tires. We controlled the race and Championship (WEC) season with a one-two victory on bushfires raging near the Coffs Harbour venue in result of the season, especially here at our home circuit,” managed the traffic well, so I am very happy.” home ground in the recently. The reigning New South Wales. said Yugo Miyamoto, Chief Representative, Middle East Over the years, has been participating in many world champions won at Fuji Speedway for the seventh The event had been scheduled to begin tomorrow and Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the time in eight years, with the No. 8 TS050 Hybrid Electric and had already been scaled back as Australia strug- Corporation. “The newly implemented handicap system World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the N¸rbur- Vehicle (HEV) driven by Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki gles to control the blazes that have killed three people. imposes some regulations on our vehicles, but the team gring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota’s participation in Nakajima and earning victory from pole “Considering the best interests and safety of everyone still managed to achieve an outstanding one-two victory these events was overseen by separate entities within the position. , , and Jose MarÌa involved in the rally, and of course the wider communi- with the superior performance of the Toyota TS050 HEV.” company until April 2015, when Toyota established Lopez finished second in the No. 7 TS050 HEV, leaving ty, it is not appropriate to conduct the rally,” event “Toyota has been pioneering hybrid electric technology GAZOO Racing (GR), to consolidate all of its motorsports both crews tied for first place in the drivers’ championship, chairman Andrew Papadopoulos said in a statement. for more than 20 years. Through this journey, we have activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota’s while the GR team stretched its lead in the manufacturer’s “Our thoughts are with the NSW community, been continuously developing and testing our machines belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build championship by 35 points. especially the people who have lost loved ones, liveli- under extremely challenging road conditions, including the cars,’ GR highlights the role of motorsports as a funda- The newly-introduced Success Handicap system was hoods and homes.” Estonia’s Ott Tanak wrapped up racing events such as WEC. These events provide us with mental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making ‘ever-bet- implemented for the first time during the event, which his first World Rally title when he finished second to learnings and invaluable insights that inspire our efforts to ter’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the imposes lap time penalties on LMP vehicles based on their Thierry Neuville in the rally of Catalonia just over create environmentally friendly vehicles that are engaging extreme conditions of various motorsports events, GR current standing in the championship leaderboard. The two weeks ago. and fun to drive. We extend our gratitude to our loyal fans aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring impact of the regulations became apparent during the Tanak, who drives for Toyota but will switch to for their constant encouragement, and look forward to the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone. opening laps. With Buemi at the wheel, the No. 8 TS050 Hyundai next season, now finishes the season 36 their support during this promising season,” Miyamoto Following the team’s second one-two finish of the sea- HEV carried a one second-per-lap handicap, successfully points ahead of Belgian Thierry Neuville. Tanak is added. son, the success handicap on both vehicles will be holding off a strong challenge to lead from the start. the first non-Frenchman to win the title since Sebastien Buemi, Driver of the No. 8 TS050 HEV, said: increased for the next race, the on 10 Meanwhile, Kobayashi faced a 1.4 seconds lap-time penal- Norwegian Petter Solberg in 2003. Sebastien Loeb “I am really pleased with the race and the results. We exe- November. The lap time penalty will be identical for both ty in the No. 7 TS050 HEV, resulting in an exciting fight won it nine years straight with Sebastien Ogier win- cuted a clean race and managed the conditions well, so TS050 HYBRIDs, as they now have the same number of for second position. ning the last six. thanks a lot to the team for their hard work. Of course, it’s World Championship points. After taking their places in the top two positions, the Hyundai will win the manufacturers crown by virtue of being 18 points ahead of Toyota going into the now-cancelled Australian race. The cancellation announcement came after growing tension among drivers and crews who feared if the rally went ahead it would be in impossible conditions. With ash and thick smoke in the air, the teams had been told to vacate the service area and return to their hotels. Hyundai Motorsport said in a statement it had been “saddened” to witness the devastating bushfires and “we trust that this decision, taken by the organis- ers and the authorities, is the correct one and consid- ers the best interests and safety of everyone involved in the rally, and the wider community. “First and foremost, our thoughts and best wishes are with local firefighters, residents and officials who are affected by this critical situation.” Toyota Gazoo Racing said the cancellation “was the only right thing to do as our thoughts are with all those affected, their loved ones and people of NSW impacted by the dev- astating bushfires. “We’d like to send our deepest respect to the fire- fighters protecting and keeping us safe!” Toyota tweeted. Dozens of bushfires were burning out of con- trol in New South Wales as temperatures approached 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) with winds forecast to top 60 kilometres (40 miles) per hour. — AFP

ance and then lying to cover up the order. The GMC’s Bull driver, would continue as their lineup next season. Aussie Sutton accused case is that the testosterone was used for “micro-dos- Albon to race Yesterday’s announcements left only struggling former ing” as a way of improving an athlete’s performance. champions Williams with a seat to be filled, although Their lawyer Simon Jackson has said that 62-year-old that is expected to go to 24-year-old Canadian of being a ‘doper’ by Sutton is being used as a scapegoat by Freeman. on at Red Bull Formula Two driver and team reserve Nicholas Latifi. Freeman denies the charge. Earlier yesterday, the tribu- Albon was tipped by Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost ex-Team Sky doctor nal ruled the general topic of erectile dysfunction could F1 team in 2020 before the season started as the year’s likely surprise be the subject of questions to Sutton in public. package and he has cemented his reputation with Any other questions about his medical history must strong performances alongside Verstappen, winner of LONDON: Former Team Sky head coach Shane Sutton be asked in private. The GMC had applied for all of LONDON: British-born Thai racer Alexander Albon two races in 2019. has been called “a doper” and a “serial liar” by the Sutton’s health matters to be heard in private session, will continue to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull The Thai has finished all his seven races for Red lawyer of the team’s one-time doctor Richard Freeman at saying his anonymity had been “stripped away” by in 2020, the Formula One team announced yesterday. Bull in the top six, scoring 68 points in addition to the a medical tribunal in Manchester. Sutton, who resigned O’Rourke. The 23-year-old made his debut with Red Bull- 16 he took with Toro Rosso in the first half of the year. as British Cycling’s technical director in 2016 after The tribunal said Jackson had already brought up owned Toro Rosso this season but replaced under- He is now sixth in the overall standings. Last season, enjoying success with their track team, has been named erectile dysfunction in public session and the usual performing French driver at the energy however, Albon was racing in Formula Two and seem- as the person Freeman ordered testosterone for in 2011. process to secure anonymity for Sutton was “always drink brand’s senior team from the Belgian Grand ingly destined for a future with Nissan in the all-elec- “Our case about Mr Sutton is that he’s a habitual and bound here to be more illusionary than real” because of Prix in August. tric Formula E series before Red Bull stepped in. serial liar,” said Freeman’s lawyer Mary O’Rourke. “He’s a the Australian’s public profile. “Alex has performed extremely well since his debut “I am really excited to be partnering Max again for doper, with a doping history.” Sutton, who was accused Meanwhile, British cycling champion Harry Tanfield with the team in Belgium and his results — seven fin- next year and I know how fortunate I am to be given of discriminatory language while he was at British has signed on with AG2R La Mondiale for next season, ishes in the top-six — speak for themselves,” said this opportunity,” he said. “I’m hugely thankful that Cycling but cleared of all but one of the nine accusa- the French team said yesterday. team principal Christian Horner in a statement. Red Bull have put their trust in me and believed in my tions, denies he “bullied” Freeman into ordering 30 The 24-year-old who won the individual pursuit at “It’s extremely hard to deny that level of consisten- results since I joined the Team and for them to keep Testogel sachets to treat his erectile dysfunction. the British track championships last year will line up with cy and in tandem with a growing reputation as a tena- me in the car next year is a big deal. He is due to give evidence later yesterday. Freeman, Romain Bardet, top climber in the 2019 Tour de France, cious, fiercely committed racer, Alex has proved that “This year has been an incredible year for me and who was British Cycling and Team Sky’s doctor from in a team that has brought in four newcomers ahead of he fully deserves to continue his progress with Aston getting the call up to Red Bull mid-season was already 2009 till he resigned in 2017, is facing a charge of med- the 2020 season. Martin .” a big step, so now I will use the learnings from this ical misconduct from the General Medical Council. Team director Vincent Lavenu said he came close to Italy-based Toro Rosso confirmed separately that season and use the experience to improve and fight at They allege he ordered the Testogel sachets for the signing the Briton a year ago. “He is a talented rider who Gasly and Russian , another former Red the front in 2020.” — Reuters National Cycling Centre in May 2011 knowing or believ- is going to help us in the time trials,” Lavenu said. “He ing it was intended for an athlete to enhance perform- will bring quality to the classics races.” — AFP