SPORTS Wednesday, November 8, 2017 23 Russell gets F1 practice Rosberg hits debut with Force India back at Hamilton London championship and said team as we had, well, when ico Rosberg has of Rosberg’s exit: “It has the battle is within the Nhit back at Lewis helped the harmony in the team, it’s like a hurricane Hamilton after the team. with strong energy and it is George Russell (file pic) Mercedes driver claimed “On my part, it’s enabled just stuck in the room.’ the atmosphere within me to enjoy my job a lot “That’s a quote from London coming talent”. the team had improved more. Lewis and I’ll take that as P3 champion George Russell “George has already been in our since the 2016 champion’s “But l think that has also a compliment!” (express. will make his F1 practice debut simulator several times and has retirement. come hand-in-hand with co.uk) inG a Force India at this weekend’s worked well with the team. Now Hamilton and Rosberg fighting another team.” Brazilian Grand Prix. that we have secured fourth place in were team-mates at the It has since been revealed Russell will drive Sergio Perez’s the championship, it’s the ideal time all-conquering Mercedes Hamilton and Rosberg car during the Friday practice to look to the future and handing for three seasons with the were threatened with the session at Interlagos. He will also George his free practice debut will pair having several run- sack as a consequence of drive for the team at Yas Marina, allow us to evaluate his potential.” ins, including incidents their fractious relationship. taking over Esteban Ocon’s car for Russell won the GP3 title at in Spain, Austria and It has since been revealed the first practice session. Jerez last month by pulling clear Belgium. Hamilton and Rosberg “I’ve never driven the VJM10 of ART team mate Jack Aitken in Hamilton won the were threatened with the before or driven at Interlagos, but the championship standings. Russell drivers’ championship in sack as a consequence of I’m really looking forward to the has taken four wins this year, all 2014 and 2015 but was their fractious relationship. challenge,” said Russell. of which have come in feature stunned as Rosberg fought But Rosberg refuses to “I would like to say a big ‘thank races. He also won the BRDC F4 back to win in 2016. look at it negatively and you’ to Sahara Force India for championship in 2014 and placed Then to the surprise of when asked for his reaction this opportunity and also thank third in European Formula Three many, Rosberg announced to Hamilton’s comments, Mercedes for their continued last year behind Lance Stroll and his retirement from racing he opted to look for support.” Maximilian Gunther. and was then replaced by positives. The 19-year-old has already Force India has already run Valtteri Bottas. Rosberg told Motorsport. tested for Mercedes and is part of Alfonso Celis three times in And this season, com: “I’ll read you a quote. the world champions’ young driver practice sessions this year. The Hamilton dominated This quote is from Lewis programme. team also tested Lucas Auer and his Finnish team-mate Hamilton: ‘When you have Force India co owner Vijay Nikita Mazepin at the Hungaroring. to win his fourth world two strong drivers in the Nico Rosberg (file pic) Mallya described him as “an up-and- (f1fanatic.co.uk) London negotiations hit a stumbling Marseille to host Alonso nearly ed Bull block when it emerged that Marathon RRacing Alonso would only commit to a live F1 street principal one-year deal. champion went to Red Christian Horner “He would only sign up for one has revealed how year. We said Red Bull’s position Sumgong event in 2018 the team nearly was a two-year deal or nothing, London Bull, Horner signed up two- and he wouldn’t commit to that.” handed four arseille will host a live Formula 1 street time world At the time, Red Bull were event in 2018 to promote the returning champion casting around for a replacement year ban MFrench Grand Prix. reveals Fernando for David Coulthard, who was London The event will be similar to the one held in Alonso. retiring from Formula 1 at the enya’s Olympic London earlier this year ahead of the British The end of the season. marathon champion GP at Silverstone. Spaniard was After talks with Alonso broke KJemima Sumgong has been French GP organisers said the Marseille driving for down, the team promoted suspended for four years for event will be a “big show” organised by the Renault Sebastian Vettel from the sister doping. Formula One Management. F1 team in Toro Rosso squad to parter Mark The 32-year-old was found France will return to the F1 calendar in 2008, but was Webber. to have taken banned blood 2018 after an absence of 10 years, racing at looking to make Horner believed that Alonso booster EPO in an out-of- the Paul Ricard circuit for the first time since a move for the probably already a deal in his competition test in her home 1990. following season. pocket to drive for Ferrari in country. “There will be a big show in Marseille, “We got very close 2009. That turned out not to be Sumgong, who also in the build-up to the race, like what was to signing Alonso,” Horner the case, however. tested positive for a banned done in London this year before Silverstone,” told Motor Sport Magazine. “Flavio was involved as well, substance in 2012, won the French GP director Gilles Dufeigneux told He explained how he and Red but he was trying to get him for London Marathon in 2016 Autosport. Bull motorsport consultant Dr Renault which he was managing before claiming gold in Rio, “As far as the grand prix itself is concerned, Helmut Marko had held talks at the time,” Horner explained. becoming the first Kenyan there will be a fan zone like the one that’s been with Alonso’s manager, Flavio “In the end, he drove for Renault woman to take the title. developed this year since the Spanish Grand Briatore. for 10 years.” Her ban runs from 3 April, Prix. It was very impressive at Silverstone “Helmut and I went to Another season at Renault when she was provisionally and Spa. see his management at the proved frustrating for Alonso, suspended. EPO, also “We were in Mexico last week, it was end of 2008 for the ‘09 however. Horner said that known as erythropoietin, is the same, the drivers will agree. It was and ‘10 season, and we midway through the following a hormone that can increase very professional. The fan zones include offered him a two-year year there had been more contact endurance and, in athletics, is simulators, tyre changing in the pits, waving contract.” between Red Bull and the driver. used mainly by long distance- the chequered flags and merchandising with Fernando Alonso (file pic) However, (f1i) runners. (BBC) a lot of F1-themed merchandise. (autosport).