Liam Lawson gifted Whittaker's chocolate by Kiwi Formula 1 fan
But a fellow Kiwi's gift of several Whittaker's chocolate blocks must surely come close.
Todd Kirkwood, a Formula 1 fan, kept the blocks in his luggage for a month while on a two-month
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Otago Daily Times
a few seconds ago
- Otago Daily Times
Liam Lawson to start ninth at Hungarian Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc stunned favourites McLaren by seizing pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, as Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton described himself as useless and suggested he should be replaced. Formula 1 leader Oscar Piastri joined Leclerc on the front row with McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris qualifying a close third in a session they had been expected to dominate. George Russell completed the second row for Mercedes. New Zealand's Liam Lawson put his Racing Bulls into ninth on the grid with team-mate Isack Hadjar beside him. "It's good to be in Q3, particularly given it's been quite a difficult weekend so far, so it was a great recovery," said Lawson. "Qualifying is important here and the car has been very good recently, particularly with our pace in the long runs." The pole was Ferrari's first of the season in a regular grand prix but the contrast between Hamilton and Leclerc was painful for the Briton, who took a sprint pole in Shanghai in March but qualified only 12th. "It's me every time," the seven-times world champion told Sky Sports television when explaining why he said "every time, every time" over the radio after failing to make the cut. "I'm useless, absolutely useless. "The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole," he added, referring to Leclerc's feat. "So we probably need to change driver." The Hungaroring was once Hamilton's domain, the driver enjoying an unrivalled record of eight wins and nine poles there, but he has yet to stand on a podium for Ferrari. Leclerc has had five top-three positions, although the Monegasque had to pinch himself at Saturday's entirely unexpected outcome. "Today, I don't understand anything in Formula 1," commented the driver, who exclaimed over the radio "What? Mamma Mia!" when told he was on pole by 0.026 of a second. "It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure." The pole was his first since Azerbaijan last September. Piastri, 16 points clear of Norris in what looks like a two-horse race for the title, was almost as surprised after he and Norris were first and second after the first flying laps of the final shootout. McLaren had taken eight previous poles this season and qualified one-two in Hungary last time around. McLaren have also won 10 of 13 races so far, with six one-two finishes, but overtaking is not easy at the comparatively slow and twisty circuit outside Budapest. Leclerc now has a real chance of securing Ferrari's first win of 2025 if he can stave off the McLarens on Sunday, when rain is a possible complication. Behind the top four, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualified fifth and sixth in a marked improvement for that team who had been last on the grid a weekend ago in Belgium. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will line up seventh for resurgent Sauber, the future Audi factory team, with reigning champion Max Verstappen eighth fastest for Red Bull. Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it through the first phase - dropping out after his predecessor in the Red Bull seat Lawson went faster - and will start 16th. - RNZ/Reuters
RNZ News
31 minutes ago
- RNZ News
F1: Charles Leclerc on Hungary pole, Liam Lawson makes top 10
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari Photo: Eric Alonso / photosport Charles Leclerc stunned favourites McLaren by seizing pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday as Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton described himself as useless and suggested he should be replaced. Formula 1 leader Oscar Piastri joined Leclerc on the front row with McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris qualifying a close third in a session they had been expected to dominate. George Russell completed the second row for Mercedes. New Zealand's Liam Lawson put his Racing Bulls into ninth on the grid with team-mate Isack Hadjar beside him. "It's good to be in Q3, particularly given it's been quite a difficult weekend so far, so it was a great recovery," said Lawson. "Qualifying is important here and the car has been very good recently, particularly with our pace in the long runs." The pole was Ferrari's first of the season in a regular grand prix but the contrast between Hamilton and Leclerc was painful for the Briton, who took a sprint pole in Shanghai in March but qualified only 12th. "It's me every time," the seven-times world champion told Sky Sports television when explaining why he said "every time, every time" over the radio after failing to make the cut. "I'm useless, absolutely useless. "The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole," he added, referring to Leclerc's feat. "So we probably need to change driver." The Hungaroring was once Hamilton's domain, the driver enjoying an unrivalled record of eight wins and nine poles there, but he has yet to stand on a podium for Ferrari. New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Photo: FLORENT GOODEN / PHOTOSPORT Leclerc has had five top-three positions, although the Monegasque had to pinch himself at Saturday's entirely unexpected outcome. "Today, I don't understand anything in Formula 1," commented the driver, who exclaimed over the radio "What? Mamma Mia!" when told he was on pole by 0.026 of a second. "It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure." The pole was his first since Azerbaijan last September. Piastri, 16 points clear of Norris in what looks like a two-horse race for the title, was almost as surprised after he and Norris were first and second after the first flying laps of the final shootout. McLaren had taken eight previous poles this season and qualified one-two in Hungary last time around. McLaren have also won 10 of 13 races so far, with six one-two finishes, but overtaking is not easy at the comparatively slow and twisty circuit outside Budapest. Leclerc now has a real chance of securing Ferrari's first win of 2025 if he can stave off the McLarens on Sunday, when rain is a possible complication. Behind the top four, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualified fifth and sixth in a marked improvement for that team who had been last on the grid a weekend ago in Belgium. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will line up seventh for resurgent Sauber, the future Audi factory team, with reigning champion Max Verstappen eighth fastest for Red Bull. Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it through the first phase - dropping out after his predecessor in the Red Bull seat Lawson went faster - and will start 16th. - Reuters / RNZ
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Travel Alerts: Food, pride, nature and culture in Aotearoa and abroad
Champagnes and opera Champagne and Opera Fridays at Bellini Bar offer an elegant escape for Kiwi travellers seeking a touch of Europe right in the heart of Auckland. Set against the glittering Waitematā Harbour, this free event at Hilton Auckland brings together live opera, Champagne Pommery and gourmet bites in one unforgettable evening. Every Friday from 6.30 to 7.30pm, guests can sip fine bubbles while rising stars from the New Zealand Opera School serenade the room. It is a rare chance to experience world-class music in an intimate waterfront setting. Whether you are an opera aficionado or simply curious, this is a refined way to start your weekend. Entry is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. Enjoy champagne while listening to opera at the Bellini Bar event. Photo / 123rf Pride at the slopes Winter Pride Queenstown returns from August 15 to 24, with an action-packed lineup of over 40 events celebrating love, diversity and community. Set in New Zealand's alpine playground, this Southern Hemisphere rainbow festival promises 10 unforgettable days of parties, ski adventures and heartfelt moments. Festival-goers can hit the slopes during themed ski days at Cardrona and The Remarkables, dance through epic après-skis and enjoy nightly events like Balls & Bingo, Enigma F2F Strip Night, and drag shows at SkyCity. Daytime favourites include the Pride Park Run, Fierce Farmyard at Walter Peak and Superhero Day. Unmissable night parties include Hotel Lavender Lounge, Wig'It Just a Little Bit and the Hawaii Honeymoon closing session at Sundeck. Visit for tickets and updates. Tickets are on sale for the Winter Pride Queenstown events. Improved Skyrail Soaring above one of the world's oldest rainforests is about to get even better. Cairns' iconic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has announced an ambitious $85 million redevelopment to mark its 30th anniversary, securing its place as a must-visit attraction for decades to come. The upgrade will feature whisper-quiet gondolas with floor-to-ceiling views, new high-tech cable systems and a staged construction plan to minimise disruption while preserving the fragile ecosystem below. With more than 100,000 hours of operation since it opened, Skyrail is one of the most complex gondola systems in the world and a symbol of Australian eco-tourism. This new chapter, set to be completed in 2027, reaffirms Skyrail's commitment to sustainability and innovation and offers Kiwis an upgraded way to explore the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest in spectacular style. Learn more at The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway gondola runs above Kuranda Range Rd. Photo / Tourism Tropical North Queensland More great food at sea Ponant Ex;lporations is setting the table for a truly extraordinary voyage. In January 2027, its polar exploration ship Le Commandant Charcot will sail through the icy Gulf of Bothnia between Sweden and Finland for a one-of-a-kind culinary and cultural journey. This immersive cruise brings together the world's most elite chefs and diplomats through a partnership with the Club des Chefs des Chefs: the exclusive society of chefs who cook for heads of state. Guests will dine on iconic dishes once served at White House and Élysée Palace State Dinners, enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from former presidential chefs and experience first-hand how food bridges cultures. With former White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford and French culinary ambassador Guillaume Gomez on board, this journey blends high gastronomy with Arctic adventure.
