WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 SPORTS F1 still chasing American dream

AUSTIN: A year after making a splashy return to the an important market that I think we have to treat it Even in Austin, known as “The Weirdest City In told Reuters he would like to see grandson Marco, , ’s American dream has as a new market. Texas,” F1 had to battle for attention with a college who currently races on the IndyCar series, give F1 a yet to come true with the glamour sport unable to “I know there have been lots of races in the States football showdown between the University of Texas shot but has no desire to be involved. captivate a market it has long coveted. before but we have never cracked the States in the and Oklahoma State stealing the buzz during “I have no interest in creating a team, the only While motor racing fans across the globe way we should have done and I think the opportuni- Saturday qualifying then going head-to-head thing I would be interested in seeing is my grandson planned their Sunday around the US Grand Prix, for ty is there and all of the stakeholders, the commer- against the NFL goliath on Sunday. Marco getting some proper testing and evaluation,” Americans it was just another event on an action- cial rights holders, the teams, the promoters all of us Three day attendance was announced at 250,324, Andretti told Reuters. packed day of National Football League (NFL) games should be working together and harder to make a drop of 6 percent from last year’s inaugural event “That in itself could be interesting but I agree and NASCAR. The Circuit of the Americas carved out sure we demonstrate to the great US public what a but remains one of the most well-attended events with Bernie, you don’t necessarily have to have a of the south Texas scrubland, one of the most popu- fantastic sport Formula One is. on the circuit. team but if you have a driver representing the US lar stops on the calendar for paddock regulars and “I think it is reasonable to say we are not doing The main reason for a lack of interest in the with a top team it would make all the difference in praised by drivers, teams and spectators alike, was enough.” Unable to find a permanent home in the United States is that F1 is almost devoid of American the world as far as press interest.” supposed to provide the launching pad for a new United States, Formula One has been forced into a content with no US teams or drivers on the starting American Alexander Rossi could be the next era for F1 in the US but has so far failed to take off. string of unsatisfying one-night stands with Austin, grid. Attempts to form a US-based team with a fac- American to appear on the F1 starting grid after When Formula One returned to the United States the Texas capital, becoming the 10th venue to host tory in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2010 failed and leaving home at 16 to pursue his F1 dream in in 2012 after a five-year hiatus F1 commercial supre- the series after Sebring (Florida), Riverside there has been no American driver on the circuit Europe. A winner in F1 feeder series GP2 and cur- mo Bernie Ecclestone stood in the paddock and (California), Watkins Glen (New York), Phoenix since Scott Speed left in 2007. rently a reserve driver for Caterham, Rossi made enthusiastically outlined a coast-to-coast vision for (Arizona), Dallas (Texas), Detroit (Michigan), Las Even Ecclestone has acknowledged that in order brief appearance in Austin during the first practice the sport in America with races in Austin, New Jersey Vegas (Nevada), Long Beach (California) and for F1 to grow in the United States they need to session but it is still uncertain when, or if, a full-time and Los Angeles. Indianapolis (Indiana). develop an American driver who can win or, at the F1 seat will ever come. A year later, talk of a race in Los Angeles has dis- Americans have had a long-standing love affair very least, be competitive. “It doesn’t matter if you win every junior champi- appeared while the elfin Ecclestone breezed with the automobile but the romance of Formula Mario Andretti, who handed out trophies after onship in America you have to go to Europe and through the Austin paddock on the weekend avoid- One, which sets hearts of motor sports fans around Sunday’s race won by Sebastian Vettel, remains start all over again and prove to them (F1 teams) ing questions about a New Jersey race that is strug- the world aflutter, has never managed to get pulses America’s best known F1 driver 35 years after he you can race in Europe and compete against the gling to get off the ground. racing in the United States. claimed the series drivers’ championship. Europeans,” Rossi told Reuters. “We can always do more,” said McLaren team The Circuit of the Americas, the only purpose- No American has won a Formula One race since. “That’s just the way the sport is. Formula One is a principal Martin Whitmarsh, noting that the US is a built F1 track in the United States, has provided an Andretti’s son Michael followed his father to Europe European-dominated sport and they don’t believe major market for many F1 sponsors especially car attractive foundation for the sport in the US but one and competed briefly in F1 for McLaren alongside anyone deserves a chance unless they won and makers such as Ferrari and Mercedes. “This is such promoters have since been unable to build on. the triple World Champion . Andretti competed in Europe.” — Reuters Macau GP quenches thirst for speed, danger

MACAU: Lewis Hamilton calls it the world’s “coolest street circuit” and some of the greatest names in motorsport such as Ayrton Senna and have savored its super-fast straights and treacherous corners, but for many the is all about the danger. Each year fans flock to the southern Chinese territory to see motorcycles and cars flirt with barriers at breakneck speeds as they hurtle around the 6.2-kilometre Guia street circuit. The racing festival marked its diamond jubilee this month, with 13 races spread out over two weekends, and while there were plenty of spectacular spills on both two wheels and four, there were no fatalities. It was a different story last year, however. Kobe Bryant Hong Kong driver Phillip Yau crashed and died on the frighteningly fast Mandarin Bend, and Portuguese motorcycle rider Luis Filipe de Lakers eagerly await Sousa Carreira was killed when he smashed into a wall at high speed during qualifying. , who clinched the 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup return of ace Bryant title this year, was good friends with Yau. “I was speaking to him on the Monday, told LOS ANGELES: While the Los Angeles Lakers Though several backup Lakers players such him I was going to go see him on Thursday, then have made a better start to this season than as Meeks, Jordan Hill, Xavier Henry and Nick decided to not go and watched from the hotel many had expected in the absence of Kobe Young have all flourished at times this season, Bryant, there is no question that their 15-time D’Antoni knows the team have badly missed the instead,” the 23-year-old told Reuters. All-Star shooting guard has been sorely missed. steel, late points and sheer grit provided by “It happened right underneath the hotel.” The Lakers have lurched between a few sur- Bryant. “He’s a presence, no doubt, and we need Fong said thinking about the danger would hold drivers back. “It’s like stepping into a coliseum prising wins, most notably against the Los that presence, especially at the end of games,” MACAU: Carlin team’s Jazeman Jaafar of (front) and other drivers power their cars in with walls and grandstands. It’s a gamble each Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, and sev- D’Antoni said of the Lakers, who are 5-7 this sea- this file photo during the Macau Grand Prix. — AFP eral disappointing losses, where they suffered son and occupy 12th place in the 15-team time, like walking into a casino - you’re taking due to the lack of a dominating presence in the Western Conference. chances and you don’t know what the conse- the track,” he said in a news conference ahead of wall hard in qualifying this year and a video of final quarter. “But we’ve got games to win and there’s quences will be. the festival. his dramatic crash went viral. Bryant is widely regarded as one of the going to be a bunch of them before he comes “When you step into a racing car everyone “The two accidents could happen either in For those on two wheels, the barriers come greatest closers in the game and his teammates back, so we’re going to have to do our business.” should be prepared for the worst, but you have Macau or anywhere in the world,” he said, uncomfortably close. British rider Dean are eagerly awaiting the return of the ‘Black Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, may be to put it in the back of your mind, because death adding that safety “is always our first priority.” Harrison’s bike and body sustained damage Mamba,’ who has been sidelined since mid-April well short of game fitness at the moment but he is the only thing that causes fear and when you Since its humble beginnings as a motorized when he highsided during the Motorcycle Grand with a torn left Achilles’ tendon. certainly impressed his teammates with his have fear, you can’t drive fast.” treasure hunt in 1954, the festival has attracted Prix. Harrison said he had experienced far worse. “He’s so intelligent that he helps guys get in practice form over the weekend. Fong’s father said his son’s fate was out of his some of the sport’s biggest names, with Formula “I broke my neck at Brands (Hatch) last year. I the right spots and makes the game a lot easier “He looked real good,” Hill said of Bryant, hands. “God gave us our son and God will 1 champions Senna, Schumacher, Sebastian rode the next day. I didn’t know I’d done it until not only for myself but for the whole team,” after pouring in a career-high 24 points and 17 decide when to take him away,” he said. Vettel and among those drawn to the Monday,” he told Reuters. When he was final- backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks told rebounds in the Lakers’ 114-99 victory over the Prior to last year, the last two fatalities on the the race. ly diagnosed with a cracked C7 vertebra, his reporters. on Sunday. track were in 1994 and 2005, while a spectator Racers talk about the importance of track time on the sidelines lasted just three weeks “He’s been in the league for almost 20 years, “He was going real hard. I thought he wasn’t died in 2000 after a car left the track, prompting knowledge on the challenging circuit, with its before he was racing once again. he knows it all inside and out. He’s the alpha going to be able to go that hard but he was real- unique undulations, narrow, twisting turns and German driver Maro Engel, who was leading dog. He tells everybody where to go, gets every- ly pushing it. I know he’s not ready yet but he’s the installation of more safety fences, a far cry one in the right spots and gives everyone confi- coming along and he should be ready pretty from the bamboo barriers used in the early days. high-speed straights. this year’s GT Cup race until a puncture from dence.” Bryant was given full medical clearance soon.” Spanish forward Pau Gasol agreed. “He Macau Grand Prix race coordinator Joao Carreira and Yau did not lack for experience, debris on the track forced his retirement, said to resume all activities over the week- looked good and did a few moves I didn’t expect Manuel Costa Antunes said the safety of drivers, however. Portuguese rider Carreira was taking there was no question what made the race so end and the 35-year-old certainly gave his team- him to do right away,” said Gasol. “I’m very happy riders and fans was paramount and that last part in his seventh race in Macau, while Yau had appealing. mates a welcome boost when he joined them for him and for us, and definitely looking for- year’s incidents could have happened anywhere. previously notched two wins on the track. “The danger absolutely makes it more excit- on Saturday for several practice drills. ward to when he’ll play in a game.” “We cannot say the accidents happened Even drivers used to Formula 1 speeds strug- ing. That’s why we’re here,” he said. “It’s the great- However, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has As for Bryant, he was happy enough with his because of the track or because of the safety of gle on the circuit. Malaysian Alex Yoong hit the est track in the world.” — Reuters urged caution, and does not want to see his star overall shape during the drills. “The fade-away player rushed back into action. “Everybody’s still works, the ball-handling and being able to excited and I’m sure he’s excited, but (it’s) a little post,” he told NBA TV. UCLA down Sacramento State bit premature right now,” D’Antoni told reporters “Those are things that I can do right now. But on Sunday about Bryant’s participation in 5-on-0 it’s not the playoffs, thank God.” The Lakers, drills and half-court work. “You’re dealing with, whose next game is against the Golden State LOS ANGELES: With three players out and another ‘Is he sore today? Is there a setback tomorrow?’ Warriors in Los Angeles on Friday, have not yet ailing, five of the UCLA Bruins who logged major That’s the first step and there’s a lot of steps to laid out a timetable for the likely return of their minutes Monday night scored in double figures. be taken. We need to be cautious.” most influential player. — Reuters After a slow start, the 22nd-ranked Bruins cranked up their offense in an 86-50 victory over Sacramento State. Jordan Adams scored 21 points, including sev- Concussion expert: en straight during a 14-0 second-half run. He’s led the Bruins (3-0) in scoring in each of their games after breaking his foot to end last season. Players still in fear “It’s good to establish your rhythm early against a team like this,” he said. “I just went after it.” Zach MELBOURNE: A leading concussion expert to see it. LaVine and added 14 points each, from the United States says players in high- “You would think so, particularly is a David Wear had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and level contact sports still are often fearful of player is mishandled,” Nowinski said of the Tony Parker scored 10 points. Kyle Anderson had a sitting out games after head injuries threat of legal action against teams by their career-high eight assists and Adams had a career- because they might lose their positions in players over head injuries. best eight steals in the first of three games for the the team. “There is no reason now why a player Bruins this week. Chris Nowinski, a Harvard graduate and can’t come back to the team and say he “Kyle’s always looking to give us guys passes,” former wrestler, is a co-director of the had permanent brain damage and it was LaVine said. “We got to keep our heads up and look Center for the Study of Traumatic because of lack of proper treatment by the Encephalopathy at Boston University, oth- team doctors.” for them.” The Bruins were without starter Travis erwise known as the “Brain Bank,” one of One of those players seriously affected Wear, although coach said he will the leading research groups in the world by head injuries is Shaun Valentine, a for- return for Friday’s game against Morehead State on the effects concussions are having on mer rugby league player in Australia who after being out since having an appendectomy on athletes, highlighted by recent cases retired in 2003 after suffering seven con- Oct. 28. Also out were freshman Waanah Bail, who involving National Football League players. cussions in 18 months while playing for the has yet to be cleared for game action, and reserve Nowinski has been in Melbourne meet- North Queensland Cowboys. Noah Allen. He had surgery last week for fractures ing with officials from the Australian Valentine, whose short-term memory is to his face after getting hit going for a loose ball in Football League players association and the terrible, is one of nearly 200 athletes who the closing seconds against Oakland. Alford said LOS ANGELES: Cody Demps No. 2 of the Sacramento State Hornets is defended by Jordan National Rugby League. have donated their brains to Nowinski’s Bail may possibly play next week. Adams (left) and David Wear No. 12 of the UCLA Bruins in the second half at Pauley “There still has to be a culture change Boston center for posthumous research. Bryce Alford played 24 minutes, with seven Pavilion. — AFP with the players, they need to take that The only way to confirm Chronic Traumatic points and five assists, despite a virus. His brother the Hornets 27-6, including a 14-0 run, to extend 10 minutes into the game. “That was huge know- time off,” Nowinski said in an interview with Encephalopathy (CTE) caused by concus- Kory joined him in the final minutes. They are the their lead to 72-35. ing that we were short-handed,” Steve Alford said. The Associated Press yesterday. sions is by examining brains after death. coach’s sons. “I felt really bad this morning and just Six UCLA players scored in the spurt, including The Bruins easily exceeded their 81.5-point “They still have that impression that Nowinski said he met the 37-year fought through it,” Bryce Alford said. Dylan Garrity their job or role might be at risk. And I’m Valentine for the first time over dinner on scored 18 points - all on a career-high six 3-pointers eight points by LaVine, whose dunk enlivened the scoring average while holding the Hornets to 34 still not sure that players anywhere, even Monday night in Melbourne. - to lead Sacramento State (1-2). announced crowd of 5,489 at Pauley Pavilion. percent shooting. Sacramento State had 18 now, appreciate or understand the risk they “It was good to see him, we had a lot in “That’s my role on the team, to be aggressive, to Adams’ seven straight points came on a 3-pointer turnovers. UCLA had 10 turnovers and 19 assists. are exposing themselves to.” common as we both are now about 10 look to shoot the ball,” Garrity said. “Playing in and two layups, including one off his own . “Hopefully we’re making some progress,” Steve He said Australian officials and those in years out since we had our concussions,” Pauley Pavilion is a lot of fun. It’s brand new, it’s a Anderson added five points. Alford said. The Bruins used a 16-6 run to end the the United States have become more aware Nowinski said. “We talked about how we good time, but we didn’t get the win so I’m not “It’s obvious that UCLA will be a good team this first half leading 36-23. The Hornets led by one of rest and recovery needed after concus- can make things better in the future. “How happy.” The Hornets, of the Big Sky Conference, fell year,” Hornets coach Brian Katz said. “They are a point and tied the game once early on before UCLA sions and head injuries, but even the he’s feeling, his experience of having those to 0-13 against ranked opponents since joining team that can explode and they did. They have a gradually pulled away to a 14-point lead. The prominent lawsuits in the NFL haven’t concussions over such a short period,” Division I in 1991-92, and 3-36 all-time against Pac- lot of weapons, and when Adams got going the Hornets never made it to the line, where improved the situation as much as he’d like Nowinski added. —AP 12 schools. The Bruins led 45-29 when they put way he was shooting it was going to be a long the Bruins were 12 of 18 and five times missed hit- together the game’s biggest run. They outscored night for us.” UCLA didn’t commit a foul until nearly ting the front end of a 1-and-1. — AP