F1 returns with the now inevitable question: can anyone beat Max Verstappen?
When the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 – after a 36-year absence – organisers could frankly not have foreseen a future more favourable. A Dutch race reincarnated by-and-large due to a Dutch hero, timed exquisitely for his era of ultra-domination. To the extent that, now, anything other than a Max Verstappen triumph come Sunday would be as big a shock as Formula 1 has seen all season. Verstappen-mania in the Netherlands has long been at fever pitch, with the ‘Orange Army’ previously travelling across Europe to support the man born in Belgium but with Holland in his heart. But now Zandvoort, on the coast of the North Sea, sees thousands make the journey from Amsterdam and beyond to revel and rave in this electro-music, orange-clad razzmatazz amid the sand dunes. Verstappen, coasting to a third-straight F1 championship title this season with a 125-point lead with 10 races remaining, is on track to break more ground. Win on Sunday and he will equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories from 10 years ago, also set while at Red Bull. On Friday, fresh from a four-week break, he set down an ominous marker by going fastest in first practice – and only marginally sniffed out of first spot in practice two by his friend Lando Norris, a session delayed by a bizarre double-crash involving Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo. Formula 1’s return in the Netherlands this weekend feels all the more appropriate given the sheer levels Verstappen is reaching this season. The 25-year-old is on track to reach a half-century knock of victories by the time the year is out – he is currently on 45 with 10 to go – and powered by a Red Bull which is the standout car this year, nothing has stopped his ascent to near-perfection. Not even his team-mate Sergio Perez, armed with the same machinery, has proved a match for Verstappen. Since Azerbaijan in April, Verstappen has won eight races on the trot – 10 if you include sprints – and has been repeatedly unfazed on the occasions he has not started on pole, simply picking off his rivals with supreme ease when needed. Saturdays do offer the chasing pack a glimmer of hope, though. If there is any weakness in this Verstappen-Red Bull partnership, it is qualifying. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have claimed pole position this season, with Fernando Alonso a shave away in Monaco too. For Leclerc though, speaking to the media on Thursday, it mattered not an an iota. In fact, the pessimism made for a grim forecast for all non-Verstappen fans out there: two-and-a-half years of the current trajectory continuing. “They [Red Bull] have a really big margin,” the Ferrari driver said. “It’s going to be very, very difficult to catch them before the change of regulations [in 2026].” Lewis Hamilton was a tad more measured, but remained far from optimistic: “The fact is Red Bull are ahead and they have most likely started development on next year’s car a month before anybody else. It is very, very possible that Charles could be right.” Beyond the expectancy, even inevitability now, of a Verstappen victory on Sunday, there are always potential avenues for something different. Rain is forecast, intermittently, over the next two days which could bring some unpredictability. The last two races in Zandvoort have been close-run affairs, though ultimately Verstappen ended up on top of the podium. A non-Red Bull pole-sitter would certainly make at least the early stages intriguing. But the man who is on track to be one of the Netherlands’ biggest sporting stars ever does not feel any burden. “It doesn’t bring a weight on my shoulders of extra pressure,” he said on Thursday. “"It is just amazing to be here, see all of the fans and drive such an incredible track. “Hopefully it [the race] will continue for a while,” A third championship is simply a matter of when for Verstappen and Red Bull. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin are in their own battle for second-place. The more pertinent question now, for the history-books, is can anybody stop them? And can they really complete an unprecedented perfect season? Read More Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice Lewis Hamilton gives blunt response to Felipe Massa’s legal action over 2008 F1 title Charles Leclerc gives gloomy prediction on how quick Ferrari will catch Red Bull Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice F1 Dutch Grand Prix: When is practice on Friday in Zandvoort? F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns
1970-01-01 08:00
NASA moves a step closer to supersonic passenger flights
A new study by NASA's Glenn Research Center has looked at the possibility of supersonic passenger jets. Its "high-speed strategy" is mooting commercial flights that travel at up to Mach 4 -- over 3,000 miles per hour -- starting with transoceanic routes.
1970-01-01 08:00
Lando Norris quickest in Dutch GP practice but Daniel Ricciardo injured in crash
Lando Norris denied Max Verstappen a practice double by setting the pace for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix – after Daniel Ricciardo crashed out and was taken to hospital. More than 300,000 spectators will descend on the coastal town of Zandvoort, 30 miles outside of Amsterdam, as Formula One emerges from its summer slumber. The majority of whom will do so in the expectation of watching Verstappen march to his ninth consecutive victory – equalling a record set by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull in 2013 – as he closes in on a hat-trick of world championships. But McLaren’s Norris raised the suggestion he could spoil Verstappen’s homecoming party after he ended the day with the fastest time. While practice speed is treated with caution, the British driver edged out Verstappen, who was fastest in the first running, by just 0.023 seconds. The impressive Alex Albon finished third for Williams, one place ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion finished three tenths adrift in his Mercedes with team-mate George Russell only 14th in the order. The second session was suspended after just 10 minutes when Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Ricciardo crashed out at the same corner. Australian Piastri, who has enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, lost control of his McLaren through the banked left-handed Turn 3 before slamming into the barriers. Moments later, Ricciardo, who appeared distracted by the sight of Piastri’s wounded McLaren, locked up under braking before following his compatriot into the tyre wall. “Ah f***, my hand, f***,” the 34-year-old said over the radio after the incident. Both men played no further part in the running as their damaged cars were towed back to their respective garages. Ricciardo was still holding the steering wheel as he hit the wall, and he was taken to the medical centre. He was then pictured leaving with his left arm in a sling, and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for further checks on his wrist, raising some doubt over his participation for the remainder of the weekend. Ferrari have endured a lacklustre campaign and there was little for the Italian giants to cheer on Friday, with Charles Leclerc 11th and team-mate Carlos Sainz 16th. Ricciardo’s team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, finished fifth with Pierre Gasly sixth and Sergio Perez, 125 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship, seventh. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Haas announce Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg staying for 2024 F1 returns with the now inevitable question: can anyone beat Max Verstappen? F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns
1970-01-01 08:00
China country profile
Provides an overview of China, including key dates and facts about this Asian country.
1970-01-01 08:00
Tibet profile
Provides an overview of Tibet, including key dates and facts about this autonomous region of China.
1970-01-01 08:00
Former Premier League referee says he purposely chose not to correct a mistake on video review
A former Premier League referee says he failed to correct a mistake while on video-review duty for a match last season to spare the on-field official “any more grief.”
1970-01-01 08:00
PGMOL respond to Mike Dean's astonishing Marc Cucurella hair pull claims
PGMOL respond to former Premier League referee Mike Dean's claim that he failed to send Anthony Taylor to the VAR monitor in order to protect his friend from further scrutiny.
1970-01-01 08:00
Estonia's pro-Ukrainian PM faces pressure to quit over husband's indirect Russian business links
Estonia’s strongly pro-Ukrainian prime minister is under increasing pressure to resign, after Estonian media revealed her husband’s role in a company that indirectly did business in Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year
1970-01-01 08:00
Fed's Powell says central bank may need to raise interest rates further
NEW YORK/LONDON The U.S. Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates further to ensure inflation is contained,
1970-01-01 08:00
Largest U.S. women's group makes early Biden endorsement, citing abortion rights threats
WASHINGTON The largest U.S. women's group on Friday endorsed President Joe Biden's re-election bid, pledging to use its
1970-01-01 08:00
Jamaal Bowman leads Democrats in hilarious reaction to Trump’s mugshot
New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman shared his gleeful reaction to Donald Trump’s mug shot after the former president surrendered for arrest at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr Bowman, a former educator who won his seat back in 2020, shared a video of himself laughing at the mug shot, saying “we got you, and more to come” before calling Mr Trump a “crook,” “clown,” “criminal,” and a “thug”. Like Mr Trump, Mr Bowman used the mug shot to fundraise for the Democratic effort to take back the House. In a lengthy statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Mr Bowman wrote: “In a normal world, Donald Trump’s mugshot would be the end of his political career. But in this world, his poll numbers are actually going up.” He continued: “This mugshot is not what you think it is. It’s a jackpot for Trump who will use this image to raise MILLIONS of dollars from his cult – and the worst part is they are going to use it to win even more elections so they can change our laws to make it easier to steal our Democracy. “It’s a symbol of everything that is wrong with our country. It is a reminder of the deep divisions that exist, the hatred that is spewed, and hate is tolerated. It is a sign that our democracy is in danger.” The New York representative said that the GOP “will solidify their support around Trump and our fate will be sealed ... because Republican voters trust Trump more than their own friends and families. They believe that Trump is one of them and they want revenge”. Other Democrats also reacted to Mr Trump’s arrest. At 7.30pm on Thursday night, just as Mr Trump arrived at the Atlanta jail, President Joe Biden’s account on X also called for donations. “Apropos of nothing, I think today’s a great day to give to my campaign,” the memo read. Maine Democrat Chellie Pingree tweeted: “In the United States, no one is above the law. No one.” Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Democrat Madeleine Dean wrote: “Four indictments and 91 charges in total now against the former President. This is not normal. “I’m sad for our country; hopeful for justice; thoughtful for Mr. Trump’s day in court; disappointed yet confident for our democracy and rule of law. No one is above the law.” Mr Trump’s mug shot has also prompted plenty of memes, including several from the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump campaign group operated by former Republicans. Kari Lake, the 2020 Republican nominee for Arizona governor, tweeted a heavily edited image of Mr Trump in sunglasses and a mullet. Comedian Jordan Klepper of The Daily Show responded by tweeting a mug shot of his own. One X user compared Mr Trump’s mug shot pose to “The Kubrick Stare”. “A method of shot composition where a character stares at the camera with a forward tilt, to convey to the audience that they are at the peak of their derangement,” they wrote. But, some people warned that Democrats in particular won’t be laughing for long as Mr Trump’s arrest and mug shot could help his 2024 bid. “The Democrats are likely going to regret the Trump mug shot politically. It’s over the top,” Republican consultant Ford O’Connell told NBC News. Presidential historian Craig Shirley added to the outlet: “On a political level, this only strengthens Donald Trump’s hand. “The Fulton County DA represents the establishment. Joe Biden represents the establishment. [Attorney General] Merrick Garland represents the establishment. All of these establishment forces have been arrayed against Donald Trump, who is the epitome of the anti-establishment,” he added. “Everyone has a tale of woe about their run-ins with some form of government. There’s no downside for Donald Trump. He’ll laugh all the way to the White House.” Read More Trump cashes in on historic mug shot with ‘never surrender’ merch as codefendants’ arrest deadline looms: Live From smiling Jenna Ellis to scowling Donald Trump: All of the mugshots from the Georgia election arrests Trump’s mugshot was a theatrical masterstroke with a showman’s flair for the outrageous
1970-01-01 08:00
US Open 2023: Iga Swiatek wants to win, of course. She wants to be heard on key issues, too
Iga Swiatek wants to win the U.S. Open again, of course
1970-01-01 08:00
