42 Friday S p o r t s Friday, October 6, 2017 on the hunt for fourth title lead

Hamilton able to capitalize on Vettel’s misfortune

SUZUKA: Lewis Hamilton says there will second-places he needed to stay ahead in be no easing off the throttle even if he does the standings. Vettel crashed out on the not have to win another race after Sunday’s opening lap in Singapore and finished fourth to secure a fourth in Malaysia last weekend after starting last Formula One title. The Mercedes driver following a power unit problem that side- leads Ferrari rival by 34 lined him in qualifying. points in the overall standings with just five Hamilton has been able to capitalize on races remaining. Vettel’s misfortune, winning in Singapore As long as Hamilton leaves Suzuka with and finishing second in Malaysia, even an advantage of at least 29 points, with sev- though Mercedes were only the third- en points the difference between first and quickest team on both occasions. The cham- second, he can poten- pionship leader said the tially beat the German to cooler conditions in the title without step- Japan should suit his car ping on the top step of better than the swelter- the podium again. “I I think for me, “ ing heat of Singapore think for me, the goal is the goal is to and Malaysia. to continue to win races “ But he could not be even if I don’t have to continue to win sure how the car, win another grand prix described as a “diva” by through the rest of the team-boss , year,” said Hamilton. “I would stack up against think that’s the best way. Ferrari and a resurgent “I’m still hunting for it, I’m not defending Red Bull. “Me and the car I think have lots it. I’m still chasing that championship. “So of things in common- it’s got great potential until that last flag, until I’ve actually got it but doesn’t always want to do what you tell sewn up, then that’s what you’ve got to keep it to do,”“ he joked. doing,” said the Briton, who added that he “There’s constantly something new will not be taking any unnecessary risks. thrown in the mix that can catch us off SUZUKA: Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) takes part in an Hamilton lost the title last year despite guard and that’s the exciting thing about this autograph session at Suzuka circuit yesterday, one day before the start of winning the last four races, with now-retired sport. “If the car was perfect every weekend practice sessions for the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix. — AFP team-mate chalking up the it would be boring.” — Reuters

Massa wants a All Blacks recall decision on his big guns for future by Brazil S Africa clash

CAPE TOWN: Normal service has their 57-0 humiliation when they played SUZUKA: wants a decision on his been restored to the All Blacks who will the All Blacks in New Zealand last Formula One future before next month’s Brazilian put their strongest available side on the month. Grand Prix and has questioned the value of park for tomorrow’s Rugby “We know we’ll be playing a proud Williams testing would-be replacements Robert Championship dead rubber against Springbok side which will be deter- Kubica and in a 2014 car. South Africa. While Brodie Retallick mined to rectify what happened (in Mercedes-powered Williams have yet to finalise has remained at home following a family Auckland),” he said when naming his their 2018 driver line-up, with Brazilian Massa’s tragedy, five other senior players were side yesterday. “Our skill execution, our place in doubt at the former champions. Lance recalled after being rested when New physicality and our ability to play our Stroll, the 18-year-old rookie who is backed by bil- Felipe Massa Zealand played Argentina last week. ‘triple threat’ game will be critical,” he lionaire father Lawrence and secured the team’s New Zealand already have the added, referring to the All Blacks plan to only podium of the season so far when he finished the end of last year only to return when Valtteri championship wrapped up, but coach keep the opposition guessing whether third in Azerbaijan, is set to stay. Bottas left Williams to replace retired champion Steve Hansen said they were taking no they will run, pass or kick. Williams will assess Kubica at Silverstone after Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. chances against their arch enemy. Sam Hansen is also concerned about the this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix and then in “Even if they do a test in a car that is four years Whitelock returns to the second row, impact the travel over the past fortnight Hungary in a direct comparison with di Resta. The before (old), (that is) completely different. You can- Liam Square and Sam Cane are back as will have on their target of going plan has yet to be confirmed officially but is an not evaluate too much,” he added. Kubica, 32, has the flankers, backline organiser Ryan through the Southern Hemisphere open secret in the paddock. tested already this season with Renault, his former Crotty will play at centre with Nehe championship unbeaten. “Our prepara- Former Force India driver Di Resta is the experi- team, completing 142 laps of the Hungaroring in Milner-Skudder on the right wing. tion has been different because of the enced reserve who stood in for an unwell Massa at August in a contemporary car. The five were sidelined for last need to recover well from all the travel,” this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Kubica has been But the French manufacturer picked Carlos week’s match in Buenos Aires to keep he said. “This has meant that there’s out of Formula One since a 2011 rally crash that Sainz to replace under-performing Briton Jolyon them fresh for the Springboks been less time on the park and an even partially severed his right forearm but is seeking a Palmer instead for 2018. “Definitely I think it encounter at the end of a fortnight of greater emphasis than normal on the comeback, assisted by former Williams driver and would be good for the team and also for myself arduous travel from New Zealand to mental side of our preparation. “While 2006 world champion Nico Rosberg. that we know what’s going to happen before the Argentina and then to South Africa. it’s necessary for us to try and antici- Massa told reporters yesterday he did not know race in Brazil,” said Massa, who was given a Despite Springbok coach Allister pate what they’re going to bring to the about any test plans but it changed nothing for him. touching send-off by fans at Sao Paulo’s Coetzee publicly writing off his side’s match, it’s more important for us to “Williams knows 100 percent what I can give to the Interlagos track last year. “We’ll see if this is pos- chances, Hansen believes that behind focus on what we’re going to bring to team,” said the 36-year-old, who briefly retired at sible but I really hope so.” — Reuters the scenes they will be seething over the encounter.” — AFP