Formula One (F1) drivers have slammed officials for keeping this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix as a twilight race, saying conditions will be dangerous and their concerns have been ignored.
The race will begin at 5pm local time, meaning it will end in twilight, with drivers looking directly into a setting sun when they make the final turn into the start-finish straight.
“Last year it was extremely dangerous, the last 20 laps of the race,” Renault’s Robert Kubica said. “Going through the last corner was like going through a blind place, it was impossible to see.”
PHOTO: EPA
“It’s not nice to go in an F1 car through a corner where its really very difficult to see anything,” he said. “To be honest, I am surprised to see it was this time.”
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association made its views plain after the twilight race was pioneered last year to better suit European television audiences, demanding changes for this year.
“If we want it to change for next year, maybe we have to say we are very happy at the end of the race,” Lotus’ Jarno Trulli said. “We could start the race an hour before, which would not hurt anyone.”
Red Bull’s Mark Webber said “that is where it is, for lots of commercial reasons.”
Meanwhile, Williams’ Rubens Barrichello had his own queries for F1 officialdom, saying the rule change that narrowed the front tires this season had further reduced the possibility of overtaking, contributing to the opening race of the season earlier this month in Bahrain resembling something of a procession.
“Its not the weakness of the tire, its the weakness of the rule,” Barrichello said. “We need more mechanical grip, its the only solution.”
“Its very dodgy to overtake a car in front because we don’t have the front tires,” Barrichello said, adding that he would like to see the rules further tweaked during the season to improve the spectacle, but said no decision should be made yet.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and