Red Bull lived up to expectations yesterday with Sebastian Vettel denying disappointed teammate Mark Webber pole position for the Australian’s home grand prix.
The German, still only 22 but heavily fancied for this year’s Formula One (F1) title, lapped Albert Park’s tight street circuit in one minute, 23.919 seconds under overcast skies for his second pole in two races.
While the Red Bull drivers showed their pace in locking out the front row, former world champion Lewis Hamilton missed out on the final stage of qualifying.
PHOT0: REUTERS
The British McLaren Mercedes driver was 11th fastest in the second qualifying stage at one minute, 25.184 seconds and missed out on the top 10 cars into the third and final stage by 0.062 seconds.
Vettel, who finished fourth in the Bahrain season-opener after a spark plug failure robbed him of the lead, will be chasing Red Bull’s fourth win in five races today.
“First of all, it was a great result for both of us and the team,” said the German, who won four races last year and was runner-up in the championship. “I think that’s a great achievement — it’s better than having two Ferraris up here. I think the car has been working well yesterday already.”
PHOTO: AFP
Webber, bidding to become his country’s first home winner, was just over a tenth of a second slower than Vettel and felt disappointed after setting the early pace in the third session.
“Not really [happy], I would love to be on pole,” he said. “It’s a lot better than my qualifying in Bahrain ... In the end I did my best.”
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, winner on his debut for the Italian team in Bahrain, will line up third on the grid with McLaren’s world champion Jenson Button.
PHOTO: EPA
Michael Schumacher, the seven-times world champion who made a comeback to F1 in Bahrain after a three-year absence, qualified seventh, one place behind Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.
Alonso’s Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa will start fifth on the grid.
In an off-track incident, British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton apologized yesterday after having his private car impounded by police for reckless driving in Melbourne after practice for the Australian Grand Prix.
The former world champion had only hours earlier set the fastest time in practice for today’s Australian race when he was stopped by police as he left the Albert Park street circuit in his Mercedes road car late on Friday.
Police said the McLaren Mercedes ace was pulled over by a police patrol and had his car impounded for doing a burnout as he turned into a busy street outside the Melbourne track.
Senior police constable Scott Woodford said Hamilton’s car had “accelerated heavily and lost traction to the rear wheels” in making a turn and will be impounded until tomorrow.
Hamilton, 25, later confirmed the incident and apologized for his behavior in a statement released through his McLaren team.
“This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police,” Hamilton said in the statement. “What I did was silly, and I want to apologize for it.”
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely