Accor is in talks for Potel & Chabot takeover
Europe's biggest hotel group Accor announced on Friday it has entered exclusive negotiations with Andera Partners and partner
1970-01-01 08:00
Nervous, Checo? Sergio Perez crashes in practice as Daniel Ricciardo returns in Hungary
Two practice laps. That’s all it took for Sergio Perez to show – much to his own astonishment – how the Red Bull pendulum has swung ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. From a position of such strength three months ago off the back of two wins in four races, the Mexican’s spot at the runaway leaders in Formula 1 looks to be shrouded in more doubt as the weeks go on. On Friday, barely five minutes into first practice at the short and twisty Hungaroring in Budapest, Perez inexplicably clipped the grass and crashed heavily into the barrier at turn five. The shunt is a sign of the times. As much as everyone at Red Bull insist the 33-year-old will remain with the team until at least the end of his contract and the end of the 2024 season, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have shown they won’t wait. Patience is not a virtue adhered to at Red Bull. First, there’s been Perez’s own bad form. Since qualifying on pole in Miami at the start of May, he has not made the final qualifying session in five attempts; three of those have been an overwhelmingly poor Q1 elimination. Whilst the Mexican is second in the world championship, he is 99 points behind Max Verstappen in the same machinery. Results in comparison to your team-mate remain the ultimate barometer in F1 and right now, Perez is woefully short of pace and consistency. And second, here comes Daniel RIcciardo. The Australian, so forlorn of confidence in his final year at McLaren in 2022, is back in the sport having replaced Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri. More significantly, the looks a figure completely rejuvenated for his eight months off. Having told The Independent that race wins and a world championship remains his ultimate goal, the popular Australian did not wilt when asked if a Red Bull seat – perhaps as soon as 2024, more likely in 2025 – was the long-term target. “It’s kind of another chance to make things better,” Ricciardo said in Budapest. “I think that’s why I was excited to get back behind the wheel and just kind of show my true self. Even the thought of that excites me. “Obviously the dream is a Red Bull seat. Of course that was my wish, but you need to be realistic, and if I want to get back into Red Bull it will be a process, and this is the best path for me at the moment.” That path starts with beating AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in the remaining 12 races this season, in what is distinguishably the worst car on the grid. In his first running in 2023, Ricciardo was 14th in second practice on Friday, while FP1 earlier in the day was foiled by a few red flags and variable weather, rendering it largely irrelevant in terms of action. As for Perez, he was only 18th-fastest in second practice, ahead of an alternative qualifying format on Saturday where each of the three sessions will require a different tyre. Charles Leclerc was fastest for Ferrari, with Lando Norris second for McLaren and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in third. Max Verstappen could only manage 11th in a session which was difficult to read, though Mercedes really struggled – Lewis Hamilton was only 16th on the leaderboard and last year’s pole-sitter George Russell was dead last. A tough day to decipher. Expect Verstappen’s usual season dominance to return over the weekend, especially with a package which should improve the RB19’s already imperious aerodynamic performance. One element which was not hard to read, though, was Perez’s current anxiety in the cockpit. And a need to reverse his damaging slide, for his own sake, as soon as possible. Read More Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top Sergio Perez crashes out of practice in more woe for Red Bull driver Lewis Hamilton reacts to Nyck de Vries axing: ‘That’s how Red Bull work’ F1 Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and FP2 results as Ricciardo returns What time is qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday? F1 2023 race schedule: When is the Hungarian Grand Prix?
1970-01-01 08:00
Open Championship payout distribution 2023: Prize money, purse for Royal Liverpool
Breaking down The Open Championship payout distribution at Royal Liverpool in 2023 from the purse with prize money for the winner and every finishing position.Given that the last two winners of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club were Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, golf fans were e...
1970-01-01 08:00
Man Utd transfer notebook: Bailly & Alex Telles close to Al Nassr, PSG progress on Ramos
Eric Bailly is in talks with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr over a potential transfer from Manchester United, and Alex Telles may join him.
1970-01-01 08:00
New Jersey sues over New York City's congestion pricing plan
New Jersey is suing to stop New York City's landmark congestion price plan to charge drivers entering downtown Manhattan.
1970-01-01 08:00
Seychelles media guide
An overview of the media in Seychelles, including links to broadcasters and newspapers.
1970-01-01 08:00
McIlroy targeting British Open glory despite slow start
Rory McIlroy says he still has a "really good chance" of winning a fifth major despite languishing nine shots behind leader Brian Harman at the halfway stage...
1970-01-01 08:00
8 Misconceptions About Japan
Not all Japanese game shows feature life-threatening challenges, and not all ramen lovers slurp loudly. Let's debunk a few more misconceptions about Japan.
1970-01-01 08:00
United States at the Women's World Cup 2023: Best players, fixtures, route to final & more
The United States' best players, fixtures and potential route to the final at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
1970-01-01 08:00
Justice Department planning legal action against Texas over floating border barrier
The Justice Department told Texas Thursday that it intends to file legal action against the placement of floating barriers in the Rio Grande River as part of the state's operation along the Texas-Mexico border, according to sources familiar and a letter obtained by CNN.
1970-01-01 08:00
Alabama GOP shows little willingness to follow court orders for 2nd Black congressional district
Alabama lawmakers face an imminent deadline to draw a new congressional district that would give a larger voice to Black voters
1970-01-01 08:00
Mohorič sheds happy tears after winning Tour de France 19th stage as Vingegaard protects lead
Matej Mohorič has edged Kasper Asgreen in a photo finish to win the Tour de France’s 19th stage and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard has protected his commanding lead
1970-01-01 08:00
