Lewis Hamilton third in opening practice in Monaco as crash ends session early
Lewis Hamilton was third in opening practice at the Monaco Grand Prix which ended early after Alex Albon crashed out. Hamilton, armed with a major Mercedes upgrade, finished the first running in Monte Carlo behind only Carlos Sainz, who topped the order for Ferrari, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Hamilton was ahead of both Red Bulls – with Sergio Perez fourth and world champion Max Verstappen, who complained on multiple occasions about the handling of his Red Bull, sixth. The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc split the Red Bull pair. The red flags were deployed in the closing minutes when Albon lost control of his Williams through the opening Sainte Devote corner. The London-born Thai slammed into the wall, but, despite admitting to banging his knees, he emerged relatively unscathed from the 100mph accident. The same could however, not be said for Albon’s Williams following significant damage to the left-hand side of his machine. After giving up on this season’s car on the eve of the opening race, Mercedes have arrived for the sixth round of the season in the sun-cooked principality with a new concept. The Silver Arrows have abandoned their controversial zero-sidepod design, and introduced a new front suspension, new floor and cooling system in a change of development on a car which has contributed to the longest losing streak of Hamilton’s career. On Sunday, it will be 539 days since Hamilton last stood on the top step of the podium at the penultimate round of the contentious 2021 season in Saudi Arabia. And although Hamilton ended the opening running 0.663 sec behind Sainz, the seven-time world champion and his Mercedes team might take confidence from finishing ahead of both Red Bull drivers. Verstappen and team-mate Perez are the only men to have won a race this year, but their rapid Red Bull is not necessarily suited to the narrow and slow-speed confines of the unique Monte Carlo configuration. Sainz lapped a third of a second quicker than Alonso, with Verstappen 0.872 sec off the pace. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was only 15th, 1.6 sec back. Elsewhere, Lando Norris finished seventh for McLaren as Nico Hulkenberg completed the fewest laps after he spun his Haas at the chicane on the exit of the tunnel. Second practice gets under way at 1700 local time (1600 UK). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Lewis Hamilton: Racist abuse of Vinicius Junior really hits home for me Bernie Ecclestone would be surprised if Lewis Hamilton wanted to leave Mercedes Lewis Hamilton insists right decision is made as Emilia Romagna GP cancelled
1970-01-01 08:00
Russian attack on Ukrainian clinic kills two and wounds 23, Kyiv says
By Olena Harmash and Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -A Russian missile hit a clinic in the eastern Ukrainian city of
1970-01-01 08:00
Pope skipped audiences on Friday because of a fever, Vatican says
By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis did not receive anyone in audiences on Friday because he has a
1970-01-01 08:00
Kelsey Grammer, 68, locks lips with wife Kayte Walsh, 44, after romantic dinner in Beverly Hills
Kelsey Grammer married Kayte Walsh in 2011 just two weeks after his divorce from his wife Camille Grammer was finalized
1970-01-01 08:00
Roy Hodgson expects to be leading Crystal Palace for last time on Sunday
Roy Hodgson insisted he expects to be taking charge of Crystal Palace for the final time in Sunday’s Premier League season-ender at home to Nottingham Forest, but did not rule out staying on. Hodgson took the reins at his boyhood club for the second time on a short-term contract after the sacking of Patrick Vieira, and has taken 17 points from nine games to steer Palace well clear of relegation trouble. Such has been the turnaround in form that Hodgson has been seen as a candidate to take the job on a longer-term basis, but the 75-year-old said that was not on his mind. “As far as I’m concerned, this is my last game,” Hodgson said. “I signed a contract here until the end of the season and I was grateful to do so. All along, I have seen this as my last game on my contract and as far as I’m concerned that’s what it is.” When asked if he would be open to staying on if asked by chairman Steve Parish, Hodgson added: “I don’t know, I’ll wait until that day arrives if it ever arrives. At the moment I don’t have to concern myself with that. “What’s on my table is to see my contract out, thank everyone for the last two and a half months and hopefully help the team get a result…I hope to leave all my options open.” Hodgson confirmed that Wilfried Zaha – out of contract this summer – will miss Sunday’s match through injury, raising the possibility that the in-demand forward has played his final game for the club. “Wilfried’s injury was sufficiently severe to keep him out of the next game,” Hodgson said. “He’ll need a week or two more to recover, so it won’t keep him out of next season. He will be fit for pre-season, but we won’t have the benefit of him on Sunday.” Palace forward Ebere Eze has been celebrating his first international call up after being included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad to face Malta and North Macedonia next month, and former Three Lions boss Hodgson has offered the 24-year-old some pointers. “The advice basically, after the congratulations – because as you say I am delighted for him and I’m happy Gareth (Southgate) and Steve (Holland) have seen what we have seen in him as well – but the only advice I can give him is to be himself,” he said. “Go there and be relaxed enough to show how good he is. Show how good he is in training when he is here. If he does that, Gareth and Steve will be more than happy with him.” The pressure will be off for both sides in Sunday’s match at Selhurst Park, with Forest’s victory over Arsenal last weekend having ended the threat of relegation at the end of their first season back in the top flight. “[Cooper] has done a very good job,” Hodgson said. “In particular I think the last five games they have had an incredible upsurge in form. They have taken 10 points from their last five games. That’s top of table form not avoiding relegation form. “They have taken everyone by surprise at the bottom who are fighting relegation, because many clubs thought they wouldn’t do that well. Hats off to him, hats off to his players and staff. It was very touching last weekend when they beat Arsenal and you saw the scenes after the game. “It makes you realise how much staying in this league and doing well means to everyone, not just to your staff and people at the club but also to the fans.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Stormers boss John Dobson praises Munster’s ‘phenomenal’ run to URC final Jonny Hill urges Sale to seize the moment in Premiership final against Saracens Man City claim title for third successive time – The 2022-23 season in pictures
1970-01-01 08:00
This $25 eSIM Eliminates Travel Roaming Charges, Includes $50 of Credit
Summer is almost here, and if you plan to travel abroad, you might be budgeting
1970-01-01 08:00
Celine Dion cancels 2023-2024 shows over health
Pop icon Celine Dion on Friday cancelled all her remaining shows scheduled for 2023-2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour as she...
1970-01-01 08:00
A measure of inflation that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve increased in April
A key index of U.S. prices ticked higher in April as consumer spending rebounded, a sign that inflationary pressures in the economy remain high
1970-01-01 08:00
Arne Slot signs new Feyenoord contract after failed Tottenham approach
Arne Slot has signed a new contract with Feyenoord despite interest from Tottenham.
1970-01-01 08:00
'OK if she hates me': Sabalenka faces no Ukraine handshake at French Open
Aryna Sabalenka said Friday that "it's OK if she hates me" as the Belarusian star braced to face Ukraine rival Marta Kostyuk in...
1970-01-01 08:00
Japan unveils policy blueprint featuring childcare, no mention of funding
By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Yoshifumi Takemoto TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan on Friday announced its mid-term economic policy framework, featuring Prime Minister
1970-01-01 08:00
An unexpected increase: Fed's favorite inflation measure heated up last month
The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge bounced higher in April, underscoring Fed Chair Jerome Powell's warning that reining in price hikes "is likely to be bumpy," but also increasing the odds for further rate hikes.
1970-01-01 08:00
