
Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university
A Jesuit university in Nicaragua said Wednesday it is suspending classes and all other activities after the leftist government announced the seizure of all its...
2023-08-17 11:22

What Lewis Hamilton’s clash with George Russell tells us about state of play at Mercedes
The post-race video on Mercedes’ social media channels was exquisitely timed. It captured Lewis Hamilton walking over to George Russell in the Silver Arrows motorhome in Qatar: an apology, an embrace. “Sorry about that, it wasn’t your fault,” said the seven-time world champion. No fallout. No outrage. The message was clear: let it be known that the collision which derailed both drivers’ race on Sunday night is unequivocally brushed under the carpet. Incidents like this happens. It is, after all, racing. However, the reality is that this one has been brewing for some time. The initial rumblings on team radio tell a better story. Russell, sandwiched in-between Max Verstappen and Hamilton at turn one, bellowing: “Come on, what the hell! That is two races in a row.” Somewhat remarkably, he recovered from dead last to finish fourth. Hamilton, though later taking full responsibility, insisted he was “taken out by his team-mate.” The 38-year-old was left beached in the gravel, his race run after a matter of seconds. All in all, it marks the end of quite a tumultuous month for Mercedes in Asia. Because what has largely characterised Hamilton and Russell’s relationship since the latter joined from Williams at the start of 2022 – his long-awaited opportunity of a lifetime – is respect. Two British drivers, 13 years apart. Hamilton: one of the greatest of all time. Russell: the next big thing. Both have grown equally frustrated at Mercedes’ underperformance in the past 18 months. A period defined by a car with a misdirected philosophy. A period of anguish and pain, both literally with last year’s porpoising and mentally with constant problems and a lack of pace. A period of one win in 39 races. But despite all the issues, respect had been maintained. And, they both say now, it still is. The video – captioned “actions speak louder than words” – points to that. But the touch paper has most certainly been lit. It started in Singapore, when Russell’s eagerness to taste victory resulted in a last lap mistake and shunt into the wall. Hamilton was on his tail then and profiteered to finish on the podium. A week later, in Japan, it intensified. The pair scrapped on numerous occasions, both on track in feisty moves and off track with different strategies and approaches. Russell, upon resisting an initial team order to let Hamilton pass, was told in no uncertain terms: “This is an instruction, George.” Hamilton was also unsatisfied with his team’s tactics in Suzuka, told to stay within DRS range to Russell behind to help his team-mate defend from Carlos Sainz. In the end, the elder statesman finished fifth, two places clear of his junior. So contrary to what both may believe, Sunday’s first turn collision – when both had a sniff and a glimpse of the lead – had been in the offing for Hamilton and Russell. And while both may well want to leave the Middle East with a mantra of forgive and forget, it points to a deeper tale emerging within the team. Both signed new deals last month until the end of the 2025 season. Both are desperate for success: Hamilton for that record-breaking eighth title, a title unjustly snatched from him in Abu Dhabi in 2021, and Russell to simply be in a fight for a championship. But when two competitive animals, vying to be No 1, are left fighting for every point and position, clashes are something of an inevitability. This incident will not be the last. We saw it with Hamilton and Nico Rosberg; a partnership with blew up at various points in 2016. Further back, you only have to go to Hamilton’s rookie season when he squared up to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso across the garage. It is little wonder Hamilton says his team-mate between 2017-2021 – when he won four of his seven titles – was his favourite. Valtteri Bottas never quite had the pace to match-up to the indomitable Hamilton. But Russell does not want to fall into that same bracket. Telling The Independent a year ago of his “ultimate goal” to win a world championship, his ambitions are sky-high. So much so, in fact, that he finished above his team-mate in last season’s standings and will be ruing a few errors this year which means he currently trails Hamilton by 62 points and is languishing in eighth spot, now below Lando Norris. Behind the impeccable politeness is an intense competitiveness and Russell is not interested in playing second fiddle. It all makes for an intriguing sub-plot to play out in the remaining five races of the season as we cross over to the Americas. The state of play in the Mercedes garage is bubbling up, to a point where something may well have to give. Toto Wolff was absent in Japan and Qatar due to undergoing knee surgery, but dialled in on Sunday to calm Russell down. After the incidents in the past two races, no doubt he will be back present in Austin in two weeks’ time and, frankly, both drivers might just need their boss back in town. The respect still seems present between the two Brits – but for how much longer? Read More Lewis Hamilton apologises to George Russell after crash in Qatar: ‘It wasn’t your fault’ F1 drivers unhappy after ‘dangerous’ Qatar Grand Prix causes fainting and vomiting Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar F1 drivers unhappy after ‘dangerous’ Qatar Grand Prix causes fainting and vomiting ‘I was passing out in the car’: Lance Stroll explains how Qatar heat took its toll Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar
2023-10-09 20:29

China's August services activity slows amid sluggish demand - Caixin PMI
BEIJING China's services activity expanded at the slowest pace in eight months in August, a private-sector survey showed
2023-09-05 09:50

Ukraine tensions, budget infighting: another testy week in Washington
Washington lawmakers' last-minute dodge to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend will keep the lights on for another few weeks -- but the deal leaves significant questions unanswered, including whether the United States will continue sending aid to Ukraine and whether...
2023-10-03 02:47

Family in 'unbearable pain' after alligator kills woman in Florida
Breauna Dorris says her mother may have been walking to or from a campsite when the animal attacked.
2023-09-25 23:29

Kelly Clarkson reportedly won't return as 'The Voice' Season 24 coach as Reba McEntire set to join show
Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire off camera feud have a long history
2023-05-24 13:49

F1 fans can get married at Las Vegas Grand Prix with first-ever 'Race To The Altar' chapel
The inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend in one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and in true Sin City style, there is going to be an F1 wedding chapel where couples can tie the knot. For those F1 fans who are racing to walk down the aisle, the first-ever (and aptly named) 'Race To The Altar' chapel will be located inside the paddock. In the video posted by the official F1 Las Vegas account, the entrance to the chapel has a bright led heart-shaped arch with a floral wall behind with a sign that reads: "Lights Out And Together We Go." There is also an F1 show car that has “Just Married” on the back of the rear wing. While this isn't your typical F1 Grand Prix feature, it is of course in Las Vegas - the home of speedy marriage licenses and weddings. Though the addition to the paddock has clearly divided F1 fans. Some F1 fans weren't impressed with the announcement, calling the chapel "cringe." While others were excited at the idea of an F1-themed chapel, so much so they would get married again. An idea for those F1 fans who wanted an on-theme divorce if the marriage doesn't work out... The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place this weekend from November 17-19. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-11-14 01:26

Ukrainian forces ‘enjoy success’ near Bakhmut as Putin deploys reserves
Ukrainian troops “enjoyed success” in villages near Bakhmut, a key town seized by Russian forces in May after some of the heaviest fighting in the 19-month-old war. Ilia Yevlash, spokesperson for Ukraine’s forces in the east, told national television that Russia trained fire on Ukrainian soldiers 580 times on this front and used aircraft four times. “On the southern flank, we continue the offensive operation. In particular, we have had successes near Zaitseve, Klishchiivka, Odradivka and Ivanivske. There, our defenders continue to knock out the enemy. Under heavy fire, they are holding the defence and consolidating positions,” he said during the 24/7 national forecast. The Ukrainian army killed 141 Russian troops and destroyed several pieces of Russian artillery equipment, the spokesperson said. On the southern front, Russian forces were bringing in reserves as Ukrainian troops dug in and were poised to move on the village of Verbove as part of their advance to the Sea of Azov, said Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for the troops in the south. "I believe we will soon have good news," the spokesperson said. The battlefield’s “loud” successes were cheered on by president Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly address who confirmed damage to Russian logistics and headquarters. “The first is the actual situation at the front, our offensive and defensive operations. Important reports on the east and south. On the destruction of logistics and headquarters of the occupiers. There are good details. Loud details. I thank all the Ukrainian warriors who distinguished themselves!” he said on Tuesday evening. While Russian forces aimed their strikes on Ukraine’s grain exporting district, Kyiv’s forces also struck back on Monday and Tuesday with a growing number of attacks inside Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. The governor of Russia’s Kursk region said power had been cut off to about seven settlements in the latest reported attack. Russia’s defence ministry said a drone had been destroyed over the Kursk region at around 5.30 am local time. Ukraine fired its counteroffensive operations in early June and is gradually progressing with gains in eastern and southern Ukraine where Russian forces have managed to breach the territory. But Ukrainian troops have targeted these regions in its bid to push back Russian soldiers off its territory. After a grinding slow start in June, Ukraine has reported a chain of success in recapturing its settlements and villages in Bakhmut, Zaporizhzhia and southern regions as it continues to move through heavily mined and destroyed towns and cities. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin planning new ‘assault units’ despite Moscow’s ‘mobilisation issues’ Destruction in Ukraine’s eastern village of Klishchiivka captured in aerial footage Explosions from Russian drone attack on Odesa region seen from ferry on Danube Russia tries to rejoin UN Human Rights Council
2023-09-27 12:46

'Asteroid City': Scarlett Johansson earned way less for Wes Anderson film compared to her MCU roles
It is unclear why Scarlett Johansson settled for a salary this low but it looks like you can’t put a price on the Wes Anderson experience
2023-06-16 18:58

Moscow bans '500 Americans' from Russia including CNN journalists
Former United States President Barack Obama, late night television host Stephen Colbert, and CNN's Erin Burnett are some of the "500 Americans" Russia has banned from entering the country.
2023-05-20 04:22

Who is Scarlett Billingsley? Mother of Pava LaPere’s suspected killer Jason Billingsley asks him to surrender
Scarlett Billingsley's son Jason has a history of violence and has been arrested multiple times in the past
2023-09-28 09:19

US aircraft carrier makes Da Nang port call as America looks to strengthen ties with Vietnam
A U.S. aircraft carrier and two guided missile cruisers are visiting Vietnam in a rare port call that comes as the United States and China increasingly vie for influence in Southeast Asia
2023-06-26 13:53
You Might Like...

China Allows a Trickle of Critical Minerals Exports Ahead of Graphite Curbs

MLB Rumors: Mets trade plans for Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander revealed

'RHOC' star Heather Dubrow compares Ozempic with Botox, defends weight loss drug despite husband Terry's 'deadly' warning

Ugandan police foil ADF plot to bomb churches - Yoweri Museveni

Conservative Muslims in Indonesia protest Coldplay concert over the band's LGBTQ+ support

Save $20 on a lifetime plan to this stock screening app

Turkish elections: Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu offer stark choices for presidency

EEX bourse requires EU antitrust okay for Nasdaq deal, EU says