Latest news with #RedBull
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Piastri Leads Practice Ahead of Tight Spanish GP Qualifying
SERIES LEADER Oscar Piastri expects a tight fight for pole position in Saturday's qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix after topping the times in Friday practice for McLaren. The 24-year-old Australian, who leads team-mate Lando Norris by three points in the title race, clocked a best lap of 1 minute and 12.760 seconds to beat Mercedes' George Russell by 0.286 seconds. On a hot day at the Circuit de Catalunya, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was third, three-tenths adrift, ahead of Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes. Piastri said: 'It's been a bit of an up and down day, ending on an up, which is good, but our competitors look quick. 'Verstappen's been quick all day. Ferrari have been there, Mercedes popped up at the end, so it is going to be a tight battle, but there's definitely things to try and work on.' He added that McLaren had expected a stronger performance from Red Bull on a track with medium and high-speed corners after struggling in Monaco, where Norris won last Sunday. 'We definitely expected Red Bull to be quick so that's not a big surprise. We're just trying to make the car a bit faster, really, that's all. We've tried a few things today. Some have been good, some not so good and we're learning.' Norris, who topped FP1, set an identical time to Verstappen in 1:13.070 to take fourth after he had experimented with his set-up. 'I felt better in FP1 than in FP2. We were trying things and will keep trying to improve,' he said. 'It is just tiny things.' Verstappen observed that the new rule clamping down on flexible front wings had little effect. 'If you look at the standings, obviously not a lot, but from my side, that was also not really expected... Anyway, this track is always enjoyable to drive,' he said. 'It was quite hot out there, especially for the tyres, but it was an ok Friday. I mean, we've had worse Fridays!' Local hero two-time champion Fernando Alonso was seventh for Aston Martin ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly and RB rookies Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson. After a promising FP1, when he was third, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to 11th in his Ferrari and described it as 'undriveable' on a day when his former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg suggested his age, 40, was affecting him. Rosberg, the 2016 champion, told SkyF1: 'Even if he's the greatest of all time, at some point you are going to get a little bit slower and that's age related. 'And when you are 40, it's going to happen sooner rather than later. 'Even a tenth makes a huge difference in this sport especially if you are up against some of the greatest from the new generation - namely Charles Leclerc, who is one of the absolute best qualifiers.'
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Piastri bounces back in second practice at the Spanish Grand Prix
SERIES LEADER Oscar Piastri expects a tight fight for pole position in Saturday's qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix after topping the times in Friday practice for McLaren. The 24-year-old Australian, who leads team-mate Lando Norris by three points in the title race, clocked a best lap of 1 minute and 12.760 seconds to beat Mercedes' George Russell by 0.286 seconds. On a hot day at the Circuit de Catalunya, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was third, three-tenths adrift, ahead of Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes. Piastri said: 'It's been a bit of an up and down day, ending on an up, which is good, but our competitors look quick. 'Verstappen's been quick all day. Ferrari have been there, Mercedes popped up at the end, so it is going to be a tight battle, but there's definitely things to try and work on.' He added that McLaren had expected a stronger performance from Red Bull on a track with medium and high-speed corners after struggling in Monaco, where Norris won last Sunday. 'We definitely expected Red Bull to be quick so that's not a big surprise. We're just trying to make the car a bit faster, really, that's all. We've tried a few things today. Some have been good, some not so good and we're learning.' Norris, who topped FP1, set an identical time to Verstappen in 1:13.070 to take fourth after he had experimented with his set-up. 'I felt better in FP1 than in FP2. We were trying things and will keep trying to improve,' he said. 'It is just tiny things.' Verstappen observed that the new rule clamping down on flexible front wings had little effect. 'If you look at the standings, obviously not a lot, but from my side, that was also not really expected... Anyway, this track is always enjoyable to drive,' he said. 'It was quite hot out there, especially for the tyres, but it was an ok Friday. I mean, we've had worse Fridays!' Local hero two-time champion Fernando Alonso was seventh for Aston Martin ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly and RB rookies Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson. After a promising FP1, when he was third, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to 11th in his Ferrari and described it as 'undriveable' on a day when his former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg suggested his age, 40, was affecting him. Rosberg, the 2016 champion, told SkyF1: 'Even if he's the greatest of all time, at some point you are going to get a little bit slower and that's age related. 'And when you are 40, it's going to happen sooner rather than later. 'Even a tenth makes a huge difference in this sport especially if you are up against some of the greatest from the new generation - namely Charles Leclerc, who is one of the absolute best qualifiers.'
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Piastri's early boost as he defends title lead in Spain
He faces a battle to retain his pole position in the world championship race but Australia's Oscar Piastri has shown he is up for the fight after setting the pace in practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri scorched around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, leaving McLaren teammate and nearest challenger Lando Norris back in fourth place. It was a statement of intent from Piastri, whose championship lead had been reduced to just three points after Norris held firm to win last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Defending a shrinking lead brings a mental challenge of its own but Piastri talked a good game when, before practice, he discussed the situation with reporters in McLaren's motorhome at the track. He said: "Ultimately we want to be fighting for a championship, beating everyone on the grid. "And if you've got someone there pushing you, then whilst that gives you some challenges at times as a team and as a driver, it also increases your level, which is ultimately what you want." His intent was clear as he lapped in a quickest time of 1 minute 12.760 seconds to eclipse Norris, who had earlier set a best of 1:13.718 in first practice, where Piastri had finished fifth. Red Bull's Max Max Verstappen, last year's winner, was second and third respectively in the sessions. Mercedes' George Russell was Piastri's closest rival in practice two, 0.286 slower. Verstappen, who took his first F1 win at the circuit in 2016, missed some 20 minutes of the first session with mechanics working to change his car's rear suspension. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who has won a record-equalling six times in Spain, was third on the timesheets in practice one but only 11th later on when teammate Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest. "The car is not driveable, mate," said Hamilton. Friday was the first sighting of the new front wings required to meet stricter flex tests introduced for the Spanish weekend, but there was no immediate indication of any significant change. "I think it's going to take more than one session to see if there is an impact. Or if so, how it's affected the different cars," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It didn't sound from the drivers' comments too different to a normal Friday." Horner also aired his views on McLaren's top two. "You have got to say that McLaren have to be favourite, they have looked incredibly strong throughout the early races. "We have got to make sure to keep in touch, and to beat them you have to start taking points off them." Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was sixth fastest in practice two with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso seventh and Alpine's Pierre Gasly eighth. With agencies He faces a battle to retain his pole position in the world championship race but Australia's Oscar Piastri has shown he is up for the fight after setting the pace in practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri scorched around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, leaving McLaren teammate and nearest challenger Lando Norris back in fourth place. It was a statement of intent from Piastri, whose championship lead had been reduced to just three points after Norris held firm to win last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Defending a shrinking lead brings a mental challenge of its own but Piastri talked a good game when, before practice, he discussed the situation with reporters in McLaren's motorhome at the track. He said: "Ultimately we want to be fighting for a championship, beating everyone on the grid. "And if you've got someone there pushing you, then whilst that gives you some challenges at times as a team and as a driver, it also increases your level, which is ultimately what you want." His intent was clear as he lapped in a quickest time of 1 minute 12.760 seconds to eclipse Norris, who had earlier set a best of 1:13.718 in first practice, where Piastri had finished fifth. Red Bull's Max Max Verstappen, last year's winner, was second and third respectively in the sessions. Mercedes' George Russell was Piastri's closest rival in practice two, 0.286 slower. Verstappen, who took his first F1 win at the circuit in 2016, missed some 20 minutes of the first session with mechanics working to change his car's rear suspension. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who has won a record-equalling six times in Spain, was third on the timesheets in practice one but only 11th later on when teammate Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest. "The car is not driveable, mate," said Hamilton. Friday was the first sighting of the new front wings required to meet stricter flex tests introduced for the Spanish weekend, but there was no immediate indication of any significant change. "I think it's going to take more than one session to see if there is an impact. Or if so, how it's affected the different cars," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It didn't sound from the drivers' comments too different to a normal Friday." Horner also aired his views on McLaren's top two. "You have got to say that McLaren have to be favourite, they have looked incredibly strong throughout the early races. "We have got to make sure to keep in touch, and to beat them you have to start taking points off them." Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was sixth fastest in practice two with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso seventh and Alpine's Pierre Gasly eighth. With agencies He faces a battle to retain his pole position in the world championship race but Australia's Oscar Piastri has shown he is up for the fight after setting the pace in practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri scorched around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, leaving McLaren teammate and nearest challenger Lando Norris back in fourth place. It was a statement of intent from Piastri, whose championship lead had been reduced to just three points after Norris held firm to win last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Defending a shrinking lead brings a mental challenge of its own but Piastri talked a good game when, before practice, he discussed the situation with reporters in McLaren's motorhome at the track. He said: "Ultimately we want to be fighting for a championship, beating everyone on the grid. "And if you've got someone there pushing you, then whilst that gives you some challenges at times as a team and as a driver, it also increases your level, which is ultimately what you want." His intent was clear as he lapped in a quickest time of 1 minute 12.760 seconds to eclipse Norris, who had earlier set a best of 1:13.718 in first practice, where Piastri had finished fifth. Red Bull's Max Max Verstappen, last year's winner, was second and third respectively in the sessions. Mercedes' George Russell was Piastri's closest rival in practice two, 0.286 slower. Verstappen, who took his first F1 win at the circuit in 2016, missed some 20 minutes of the first session with mechanics working to change his car's rear suspension. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who has won a record-equalling six times in Spain, was third on the timesheets in practice one but only 11th later on when teammate Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest. "The car is not driveable, mate," said Hamilton. Friday was the first sighting of the new front wings required to meet stricter flex tests introduced for the Spanish weekend, but there was no immediate indication of any significant change. "I think it's going to take more than one session to see if there is an impact. Or if so, how it's affected the different cars," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It didn't sound from the drivers' comments too different to a normal Friday." Horner also aired his views on McLaren's top two. "You have got to say that McLaren have to be favourite, they have looked incredibly strong throughout the early races. "We have got to make sure to keep in touch, and to beat them you have to start taking points off them." Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was sixth fastest in practice two with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso seventh and Alpine's Pierre Gasly eighth. With agencies He faces a battle to retain his pole position in the world championship race but Australia's Oscar Piastri has shown he is up for the fight after setting the pace in practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri scorched around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, leaving McLaren teammate and nearest challenger Lando Norris back in fourth place. It was a statement of intent from Piastri, whose championship lead had been reduced to just three points after Norris held firm to win last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Defending a shrinking lead brings a mental challenge of its own but Piastri talked a good game when, before practice, he discussed the situation with reporters in McLaren's motorhome at the track. He said: "Ultimately we want to be fighting for a championship, beating everyone on the grid. "And if you've got someone there pushing you, then whilst that gives you some challenges at times as a team and as a driver, it also increases your level, which is ultimately what you want." His intent was clear as he lapped in a quickest time of 1 minute 12.760 seconds to eclipse Norris, who had earlier set a best of 1:13.718 in first practice, where Piastri had finished fifth. Red Bull's Max Max Verstappen, last year's winner, was second and third respectively in the sessions. Mercedes' George Russell was Piastri's closest rival in practice two, 0.286 slower. Verstappen, who took his first F1 win at the circuit in 2016, missed some 20 minutes of the first session with mechanics working to change his car's rear suspension. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who has won a record-equalling six times in Spain, was third on the timesheets in practice one but only 11th later on when teammate Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest. "The car is not driveable, mate," said Hamilton. Friday was the first sighting of the new front wings required to meet stricter flex tests introduced for the Spanish weekend, but there was no immediate indication of any significant change. "I think it's going to take more than one session to see if there is an impact. Or if so, how it's affected the different cars," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It didn't sound from the drivers' comments too different to a normal Friday." Horner also aired his views on McLaren's top two. "You have got to say that McLaren have to be favourite, they have looked incredibly strong throughout the early races. "We have got to make sure to keep in touch, and to beat them you have to start taking points off them." Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was sixth fastest in practice two with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso seventh and Alpine's Pierre Gasly eighth. With agencies
LeMonde
9 hours ago
- Health
- LeMonde
In Côte d'Ivoire, the dangerous rise of the alcoholic beverage Vody
Letter from Abidjan Caffeine, taurine, lots of sugar, and 18% to 22% vodka. While people in France have only recently discovered Vody – a budget version of the vodka Red Bull cocktail – popular among young people, especially those of Caribbean descent and the West African diaspora, the drink has long been a staple in Côte d'Ivoire. The government even banned its importation into Côte d'Ivoire in October 2023 after the so-called "Gaddafi" trend, in which young internet users filmed themselves swallowing Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, washing it down with large amounts of Vody. The combination led to incidents among some of Abidjan's most underserved youth. Despite news reports and articles, the drink's popularity has shown no signs of waning. This has raised concerns for French Health Minister Yannick Neuder, who addressed the issue on May 21, speaking in the Assemblée Nationale after a question from Guadeloupe MP Olivier Serva. Calling Vody a "real scourge," Neuder condemned "extremely aggressive marketing targeting our youth, with impacts on their health, including cardiovascular and neurological effects," and said he was considering banning the product, or even pushing for European-level regulation.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Christian Horner breaks silence on ‘flattering' Ferrari rumours after being tipped to join Lewis Hamilton at F1 giants
LOAD OF BULL? Christian Horner breaks silence on 'flattering' Ferrari rumours after being tipped to join Lewis Hamilton at F1 giants Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHRISTIAN HORNER has shut down rumours of a move to Ferrari. The Red Bull boss was linked with Lewis Hamilton's team with Ferrari chairman John Elkann said to be a huge admirer of the British 51-year-old. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Christian Horner has been with Red Bull since 2005 Credit: Getty Horner is one of the most successful team principals in F1 history, overseeing eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships at Red Bull. He most recently signed a new deal in 2021 but is out of contract next year, sparking speculation about his future. When asked if Ferrari contacted him and if it was a job he would ever consider, he replied: 'Of course it's always flattering to be associated with other teams but my commitment 100 per cent is with Red Bull. 'It always has been and certainly will be for the long-term. There's a bunch of speculation always in this business. READ MORE IN SPORT RED-EMPTION Man Utd stars celebrate Defining Education Challenge Cup after win vs Hong Kong 'People coming here, going there or whatever. I think people within the team know exactly what the situation is. "My Italian is worse than Flavio [Briatore's] English, so how on earth would that work?' There has been plenty of infighting at Red Bull in recent years involving Max Verstappen's dad Jos and senior adviser Helmut Marko. Four-time world champion Verstappen even declared that he would quit the team if Marko was sacked following rumours he might be suspended. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 2 Ferrari have an enviable pair of drivers on their roster Credit: Getty A recent clash between the pair saw them support different drivers for the No2 spot following Sergio Perez's departure. Marko is said to have preferred Liam Lawson while Horner was keen on Franco Colapinto after he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams.
