List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

They’ve been talking about it for weeks. In fact since the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix at the beginning of March, Mercedes have pinpointed this weekend in Imola as a new beginning not only this season, but in this new phase of ground-effect regulations first brought in last year. Toto Wolff has made no secret of F1’s return to traditional European circuits as marking a line in the sand for his team’s prospects in 2023, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell waiting eagerly in the cockpit to see how far they can reduce the hefty gap – 128 points in the constructors’ standings – to Red Bull out in front. News on Wednesday then of the cancellation of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix comes as a bitter blow to their development plans. In the wider scheme of things, though, Mercedes’ fortunes are very much not a priority. The swiftness of those at Formula 1 on the ground in Imola has not gone unnoticed in the past few days. F1 made the right call to cancel given the severe flooding in the region, even if as expected the race cannot be rescheduled this year. For a sporting entity and a governing body, the FIA, who have repeatedly blundered in recent months, this time the communication between executives, teams and the media was clear throughout in an ever-changing situation. As opposed to Australia in 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak, as well as Spa in 2021 with heavy rain eventually rendering racing redundant, the call here was decisive while matters of far more importance to local bodies in northern Italy, not least the emergency services, take greater hold. However, given the sheer anticipation at Mercedes for an upgrade package which was set to include a trio of new sidepods, floor and front suspension, this delay is far from ideal. As recently as the weekend, engineering director Andrew Shovlin said: “We took some decisions on how we develop the car – how the car works aerodynamically, how we shape the characteristics of the car, how it is in terms of handling. "What we are going to be bringing to the track in Imola is the first step of that work. This takes quite a long time to develop in the wind tunnel, you can’t just do these things overnight. But the Imola package is the first step in that direction.” At Imola, with three practice sessions, qualifying and a 63-lap race on a traditional European circuit with 19 turns – even if rain was forecast – the technicians and engineers at Mercedes would have gathered swathes of useful data regarding the W14’s performance, consistency and raw speed. An immediate evaluation would have been collated: have the upgrades made the car quicker? But it is no longer the Imola package. Rather unsatisfactorily, it is now the Monaco package. Out of all 23 race circuits on the 2023 schedule, the twisty turns of the principality are perhaps the last place upgrades would want to be tested first time out. The unique dimensions of the Monaco street circuit are out of quilter with the vast majority of tracks on the calendar, meaning upgrades designed to improve the quality of the car over the course of a season may not have a positive impact in Monaco. Thankfully, the race that follows is in Barcelona – a track which before the pandemic was traditionally used for testing. A more appropriate analysis can be ascertained during that weekend in Spain. While Ferrari were also expected to bring improvements this weekend, the focus was undeniably on the Mercedes garage. Now, that anticipation and development plan will have to be re-routed. Hamilton stated after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April that he was “counting down the days” until the anticipated upgrades at Imola: the scene of his ultimate humiliation when he was lapped by old foe Max Verstappen in last year’s race. Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, he will have to wait that little bit longer. Read More F1 Imola Grand Prix cancelled F1 Grand Prix – live: Lewis Hamilton reacts after Imola race cancelled Will Imola Grand Prix be rescheduled? Where are Mercedes and Ferrari? Frankly, you don’t want to hear the answer ‘Nasty piece of work’: Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff Lewis Hamilton would be taking gamble by leaving Mercedes, says former rival

By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed into law a bill that bans gender-affirming medical care

President Joe Biden has cut short a foreign trip as both sides race to strike a deal before 1 June.

As the St. Louis Cardinals continue to look for ways to climb up the rankings in the National League Central, a change in the rotation is coming.Matthew Liberatore is expected to make his 2023 MLB debut on Wednesday night as the St. Louis Cardinals wrap up a series with the division-leading Milw...

By Michael S. Derby NEW YORK Risks to the economic outlook in a time of a rapid Federal

The NFL is a quarterback league now more than ever. However, the quarterback position is hardly thriving like the primes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Where do teams fall in the pecking order regarding the position as a whole?Last season, 94 players completed a pass in the NFL during the regu...

SAO PAULO Brazil's retail sales smashed market estimates in March, growing more than the highest forecast in a

Lewis Hamilton said the right decision has been taken to cancel this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix amid severe flooding in the region. Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali took the decision to call off the sixth round of the season in northern Italy following an emergency meeting with local authorities and race officials on Wednesday. Domenicali’s swift move arrived on the day F1 personnel were under instruction not to travel to the circuit in Imola. The paddock was also evacuated on Tuesday because of the risk of flooding. Although the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is not yet under water, surrounding areas are struggling to cope with the extreme weather, and there were grave concerns over the safety of transporting 300,000 spectators to and from the event over the course of three days, and diverting emergency services from troubled spots. The Emilia Romagna region has been badly affected by torrential rain this month, killing two people and forcing hundreds to be evacuated from their homes. It is the second F1 race to be cancelled on the eve of the event after the 2020 Australian Grand Prix was called off when a McLaren mechanic contracted coronavirus. “Hoping everyone in Emilia Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now,” said Hamilton, who was deeply critical of F1’s decision to travel to Melbourne amid the outbreak of the global pandemic three years ago. “Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground. “We were getting ramped up for the weekend and excited to get going but this is definitely the right decision. “We wish we could be racing. But I know we all understand that safety comes first. I can’t wait to see you all at the next race.” The race in Imola had been due to kick off F1’s first triple header of the season, with rounds to follow on consecutive weekends in Monaco and Spain. Due to complexities of the sport’s packed schedule, at this stage it is not thought it will be possible to reschedule the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for later in the year, dropping the number of rounds from 23 to 22. It is understood that F1’s American owners’ Liberty Media will not charge Imola their hosting fee, thought to be around 20 million USD (£16m), and could add an additional year to their current deal which is up for renewal in 2025. Fans attending the grand prix are likely to have the cost of their tickets reimbursed or rolled over for another season. A statement from F1 read: “The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region. “It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.” Domenicali informed the grid’s 10 team principals of his decision in a virtual call on Wednesday. It is believed they all supported the Italian’s verdict. “It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected,” said Domenicali. “I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredible emergency services who are working tirelessly to help those who need help and alleviate the situation – they are heroes and the whole of Italy is proud on them. “The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation.”

Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore says it is still too easy for people to send racist messages online after being on the receiving end this weekend. The Owls manager was racially abused after his side lost their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg 4-0 at Peterborough last Friday night, with Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri also the subject of vile messages. Wednesday have banned the individual responsible for Moore’s abuse while also involving the police and are carrying out the same process with Chansiri’s abuser. Moore, who has thanked the club and fans for their support, says the work to stop these types of incidents is ongoing. “It would seem too easy, the perpetrators can create these anonymous accounts,” Moore said. “We are trying to work hard to shut these things down. People in the social spotlight at clubs are trying to work hard to shut these down. “It is too easy but we are doing good work. There is still a lot of work to be done because it is a problem that has raised its head again. “We want to talk about the social-media platforms as a positive and not a negative. We are trying to promote those positive messages for the next generation. “I thank the club for standing with me. It is something for me that I didn’t see, but it was spotted, the club have worked closely with the governing bodies and they have acted really sharp on it. We have done our bit as best we can to try and combat this. “I didn’t read it because it is looking back and you are spending energy on something that doesn’t really need energy on it. “I am fine, what I am going to say is thank you to all the supportive messages that have come in. “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support, thank you so much to friends, to fans not just at Sheffield Wednesday, all over really.” The abuse came after Wednesday’s promotion hopes were left in tatters following the first-leg spanking and they face the unenviable task of trying to overcome their 4-0 deficit at Hillsborough on Thursday night. The Owls racked up 96 points during the regular campaign, which would have been enough to win promotion in any of last 30 years, but Moore’s position will come under scrutiny if they do not pull off mission impossible. Whatever happens, Moore wants to stay at the club. “Absolutely 100 per cent, without a doubt. It’s a wonderful, beautiful club, it has a wonderful passionate fanbase and and when you see the fanbase you understand the magnitude of this football club,” he said. “The club is to be embraced in the history, the nostalgia and what it stands for in the pyramid of football. “To be a manager of this football club is an absolute honour and that is why I have always gone about my business working tirelessly. Over the two seasons there have been significant changes, but I have got a real love and affection for this football club because of the tremendous fanbase.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live He wanted it this way – Roberto De Zerbi explains Robert Sanchez absence James Anderson ready to miss Ireland Test and ‘desperate’ to make Ashes opener Xabi Alonso ‘happy’ and committed to Bayer Leverkusen amid Tottenham links

TACOMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2023--

No one can say yet which day the US Treasury would no longer be able to pay all the bills of the United States in full and on time if lawmakers refuse to raise the debt limit.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2023--