Motor racing-Russell puts Mercedes on pole in Canada with Verstappen alongside
Formula One F1 - Canadian Grand Prix - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - June 14, 2025 Mercedes' George Russell during qualifying REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
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The Star
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Rugby-Larkham laments challenge of Super Rugby away days after another semi-final loss
(Reuters) -Coach Stephen Larkham did not believe his ACT Brumbies side went into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waikato Chiefs in a negative frame of mind despite the team's dismal semi-final track record. The Brumbies crashed out in the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row as Larkham's side lost 37-17 to the Chiefs, who set up an all-New Zealand final against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next week. "Psychologically, I thought we were in a good place, I thought our preparation was really good to build into this game from the other games that we've played," said Larkham. "I don't know if that was a factor. We certainly have spoken a lot to make sure that that doesn't come into it. "It's hard to play away from home, whether it's in Australia or New Zealand. There is an advantage to the home side and I thought they played really well." Larkham has been at the helm for three of the Brumbies' four semi-final losses, having also overseen a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023 ahead of last year's reversal against the Auckland Blues. Those defeats prompted the former Wallaby to launch reviews into his team's operations and Larkham vowed to go through a similar process when the current season concludes after his side's clash with the British and Irish Lions next month. "We'll go through the process of identifying, particularly in these last two games, what wasn't robust, what isn't good enough yet and spend enough time in the off-season to put us in a better position," he said. "The British and Irish Lions game for us is around the corner. We'll have a short prep going into that. We'll run the same program that we've been running into this game, we'll just see if we can do it better." (Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Russell grabs dazzling Canadian GP pole then jokes at Verstappen's expense
MONTREAL: Mercedes' George Russell grabbed a dazzling pole position and then enjoyed cracking a joke at rival Max Verstappen's expense on Saturday after clocking a sensational lap in qualifying for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Briton was delighted with what he described as "one of the most exhilarating laps of my life" and said, when asked about the prospect of starting alongside Red Bull's four-time champion, that he had "a few more penalty points to play with." His light-hearted jibe referred to his verbal rivalry with Verstappen since last season and their recent clash at the Spanish Grand Prix – where the Dutchman rammed into Russell's car in the closing stages. Verstappen was handed a timed penalty that dropped him to 10th and also given three points on his drivers' super-licence, taking him to a total of 11 and within one point of a ban if he commits any further misdemeanors. Fans in the capacity crowd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve roared their approval as Russell warmed to his theme after clocking the only sub 1.11 lap of the weekend to date. "We're mates, so it's all good," insisted Russell, despite his tense and often strained relationship with Verstappen who, in Barcelona, said "give him some tissues" after their clash. "But I've got a few more points on my license to play with so, yeah, let's see," Russell said. It may have been good-natured fun, but it was also a reminder to Verstappen that he cannot risk repeating his "red mist" aggression and a possible race ban on Sunday. Russell captured his first pole this year at the end of a thrilling session. Russell clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.899 seconds to outpace Verstappen by 0.160 seconds. "On my steering wheel, you've got the delta and I just saw every corner that I was just going one-tenth quicker and I got into the last corner and I was six-tenths off so I knew the lap was mighty," Russell said. "Crossing the line and seeing we were P1 was a real surprise, but I was so chuffed with it. It was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life, an awesome experience in front of this amazing crowd." Verstappen, who is third in this year's drivers' title race behind the McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, shook hands with Russell to congratulate him, but will harbour hopes of claiming an unprecedented fourth consecutive Canadian win. Last year, Russell led from pole for 20 laps before pitting to hand the lead to Norris for five laps until he also pitted. Verstappen then took control to win ahead of Norris with Russell coming home third. "I'm very happy with what we have achieved to be on the front row," said Verstappen, having claimed Red Bull's 200th front row start. "Tomorrow, we can have a solid race. We did the right thing with the tyres." Asked about starting alongside Russell, the champion refused to comment, showing real irritation about the speculation on penalty points and bans. "I'm not talking about it anymore," he said, having already confirmed he would not change his aggressive style. "It's a waste of time to discuss this. It's so childish and it is really annoying." Russell's sixth career pole confirmed Mercedes' potential for success at the high-speed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The late-session drama lifted the oft-warring pair clear of championship leader Piastri and Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Ferrari ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Norris in the second McLaren and Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari. Impressive rookie Isack Hadjar was ninth for Racing Bulls and Alex Albon 10th for Williams. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points in the title race after nine of this year's 24 races, was happy to recover form after a difficult practice. "To be honest, after how practice went, I am pretty happy," he said. "We chose to go with softs ... We wanted to keep it safe." --AFP
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Tennis-Sinner seeks to put disappointment of French Open defeat behind him
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner with the runner up trophy after losing the men's singles final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo (Reuters) -World number one Jannik Sinner wants to use the Halle Open as a chance to bounce back from sleepless nights after his agonising loss to rival Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final this month. In a thrilling showdown, Sinner took the first two sets and had three match points in the fourth set, but Spaniard Alcaraz persevered to grind out a 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) win in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest final at Roland Garros. Asked if he had thought about the championship points he failed to convert, Sinner told reporters on Saturday: "Often. It happens. I don't know how it will look in the future. "I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here" in Halle. "I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. Yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better." The 23-year-old Italian is the reigning champion at Halle and will seek to defend his crown at the tournament, which starts on Monday, as he gears up for Wimbledon, which will be held from June 30 to July 13 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. "The first practice session was OK. I hadn't played since Paris, so my general feelings on the court were not so perfect," Sinner said. "I think a good grass-court player can move well. The ball can bounce a bit funny because of the grass, and you have to serve intelligently. "But in general, it is a surface on which I took a step forward last year and we will see how it goes this year." (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
