Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton kept their Formula One feud simmering on Thursday as bookmakers offered odds on them colliding again in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The two drivers have had a magnetic attraction for each other on the track this season, chalking up six incidents in 17 races.
The most recent was in India at the end of last month, with Massa punished by stewards for causing a collision and then presenting himself as the wronged party.
Asked whether he had spoken to Hamilton since India, Massa told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that there had been no conversation and he was still clearly aggrieved at getting the drive-through penalty.
Hamilton said he felt the whole incident was “done and dusted” without any need for a meeting.
The 2008 champion denied it was getting harder to mend fences as more time passed.
“Not really. If you want to be a man about it, be a man about it and sort it out,” Hamilton said. “But it has to come from two people, and if one doesn’t want to do that, then you just continue going down the route you are going down and you try to be professional.”
British bookmakers saw a commercial opportunity.
William Hill were taking bets at 14-1 on a seventh coming together at the Yas Marina circuit, while Ladbrokes offered a less generous 5-1.
Massa was not impressed by either.
“I don’t think so, and anyway, I will do everything right, which is what I’ve done all the time,” he said when asked if it was a good bet. “I’ve not done anything wrong. Even though we’ve touched this year it has not been my fault.”
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