By Marianna Parraga and Tom Hals HOUSTON/WILMINGTON (Reuters) -Venezuela-owned oil refiner Citgo Petroleum has been valued by its parent company

There’s no place like home. For most of the Formula 1 grid, a return to familiar comforts at a much-loved circuit is something to behold, thrive and revel in. In fact, it’s only the Haas pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen and the Alfa Romeo team of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu who have not basked in such an experience in 2023. But all eyes for Zhou – Formula 1’s first Chinese driver in its 73-year history – now point firmly towards 21 April 2024. The sport’s return to one of the world’s powerhouses has, four times, been put on hold due to the pandemic – both the world-altering event itself and the country’s controversial zero-covid policy in the aftermath. Yet next year will see the Shanghai International Circuit host once more; all that was left was for Zhou’s presence to be confirmed. That came on Thursday morning. Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, the 24-year-old penned a one-year extension with Alfa Romeo to race with the Sauber-works team for a third-straight year. F1’s worldwide popularity boom has not diverted past China – and next spring we will see the full impact of Zhou’s spot on the grid. “It’s the dream fulfilled – the first Chinese driver in F1, it’s a huge thing for a massive country like us,” Zhou tells The Independent. “So many more Chinese fans are engaged in F1 compared to the past, obviously me getting into the sport means more people follow the races. “The pressure started two to three years ago, so it’s no longer a surprise. I’ve been through that period. I’m fine with the pressure. Now, it’s all about having a good example to set and inspire younger generations.” That pressure, both from the fanbase and within the paddock itself, is inescapable. Just ask Nyck de Vries: a Formula 2 and Formula E champion, he was ruthlessly axed from his AlphaTauri seat in July after just 10 races. For all the riches of the globe-trotting spectacle, F1 remains undeniably cut-throat. Yet you won’t see Zhou having too much sympathy. “There’s a lot of pressure in Formula 1,” he states. “Only winners stay in this sport. If you can’t perform, if you’re outperformed by others, you’re going to lose the seat. That’s the reality. It’s the way everyone lives. The pressure is there, you don’t have a lot of time and you’ve really got to get on with it. “If you can’t do that, then you won’t stay here for long.” Zhou’s performances behind the wheel of a struggling Alfa car this year – languishing ninth in the Constructors’ Standings no less – have clearly impressed enough for a third bite at the cherry. Four points from 14 races would, typically, be a topic of major concern. Yet with experienced team-mate Bottas only two points up the standings, it is difficult to place too much blame on the drivers in the cockpit. With Audi’s takeover looming large for 2026, work is hurriedly being done in the background. “The results have been difficult to take,” he says. “We didn’t expect Aston Martin and McLaren to be so fast this year. It basically means we are fighting for two positions every week. My total points don’t show how much I’ve improved as a driver. I made some mistakes last year, but this year it’s more about the car.” Zhou’s assuredness stems from a childhood of contrasts: his formative years spent in the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, followed by time as a teenager in the Steel City. Learning a new language and new culture, he went by the name of Steven at Westbourne School in Sheffield. “The culture and language are obviously completely different,” he says. “The education system too…” He pauses. He reflects on memories which quickened his acclimatisation process. “While in Sheffield, I really enjoyed playing pool. Not snooker, that’s more difficult! But also I was very surprised at how many Chinese people were going to university in Sheffield and at how many shops and restaurants there are. It’s quite far from London but you don’t feel like you’re too far out! Everyone was very laid back.” His ascension to F1 came as something of a surprise. Three seasons spent with the Alpine Academy in F2 – with a 2021 finish of third his best showing – saw Alfa come calling. He scored a point on his F1 debut in Bahrain last March. His start was impressive. But then came Silverstone. “It definitely set me back,” Zhou says now, recalling the time his Alfa spun upside-down towards a barrier at the start of the British Grand Prix. Miraculous images with a miraculous outcome: Zhou barely had a graze on him. “It happens. I recovered quite quickly mentally. It was just a shame because I had some very good momentum, I’d twice been in Q3, but I had to have a recharge afterwards. It wasn’t too bad.” Zhou is not one to reminisce too much. Everything is possible for the Chinese driver with a slice of Sheffield inside him. Audi’s arrival in less than three years is “still so far away.” However, he does admit: “Hopefully I can stay when Audi come.” But that’s in the distant future. For now, it’s on to this weekend and the twists and turns of Marina Bay. Read More Alfa Romeo confirm driver line-up for 2024 F1 season Max Verstappen breaks new ground with record victory at Italian Grand Prix Max Verstappen tells Toto Wolff to focus on Mercedes after snipe Hamilton labels Marko’s comments about Perez ‘completely unacceptable’ Sebastian Vettel refuses to rule out return to Formula 1

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BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 19, 2023--

England boss Sarina Wiegman is happy in her current role and has no desire to work in the men’s game. Wiegman has done a brilliant job with the Lionesses since taking over in 2021, guiding them to Euro 2022 success before finishing as runners-up in this summer’s World Cup. Following her exploits with the women’s national team, she has released a book called ‘What It Takes’, detailing her life as a coach and her philosophy in getting the best out of players. In the book, the 54-year-old, who is under contract until 2025, writes about being open to returning to club football, but insists she has no immediate wish to leave her job with the Lionesses. “I’m really happy here with the team, with the Football Association, I get all the support,” she said. “I have so much expertise around me and I work with the best players and they’re so committed and really enjoying it. “I have the impression that they’re still enjoying it too. I’m not thinking, things go so fast in football, and time flies too, but I still have a contract for two years. I’m in a good place.” Wiegman has been so impressive in her role with the Lionesses that the possibility of her replacing Gareth Southgate as the men’s boss has been mooted. The Dutchwoman believes she would be capable of succeeding, but is not enthralled by the spotlight she would come under. I’m really happy here with the team, with the Football Association, I get all the support Sarina Wiegman “In football, it’s still the question of can a female coach a male team?” she said. “I think in every sector females are in higher positions, so that’s a little bit strange (it isn’t in football). “I think a female can coach a men’s team. My thoughts are not there. I am just really happy in the role I work in now and I am really enjoying it. “And, as you say, sometimes I think when I see it, it is so personal, also with men in the men’s game. I think, how much fun is that? “We know Corinne Diacre coached a men’s team in France and more females also in Italy coached men. I think it is a matter of time and I think when first one happens it will be really big – but I think then more will follow. “When I was a little kid I was not allowed to play football as a girl, but now everyone says, ‘Oh why not?’ Hopefully in 20 years we say, ‘Why did we think females couldn’t coach males?’ Hopefully that will change quickly.” Wiegman has won praise for her people skills, even though her direct nature has potential to cause problems. Her book features contributions from people that she has worked with over her career and one contribution from a coach at the Dutch FA described her as a “pain in the ass”. “That was funny,” Wiegman said. “I sent him a text the other day, ‘pain in the ass?’. “We can act like everything is always right, the sun’s always shining, but that’s not the case, it’s not always nice. “We’ve seen lots of nice things like the end product but it’s very hard work and it’s overcoming setbacks, and getting critics but also learning from it. “It’s good to share because no one in life has only good experiences, everyone makes mistakes too and try to learn from the mistakes and do things better every day. “That’s part of life, I think that makes people more powerful to share some vulnerability. “That’s what they say, that we (the Dutch) are direct, what’s important for me is that I’m clear in my messages. “Clarity of how we want to play, how we want to treat each other, clarity on performances, that’s key to improve. “There’s no grey area. Direct doesn’t mean rude. “We should not confuse those two because you don’t have to be rude to be clear; you can also be nice and kind but saying what you see and think. “We all want to perform at our highest level, then you need to give honest feedback.” Read More Erik ten Hag: Harsh Marcus Rashford red card changed everything in Man Utd loss Mikel Arteta allays Bukayo Saka injury fears after starring role for Arsenal Australia skipper Meg Lanning calls time on glittering international career Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse Gareth Southgate ponders defensive options ahead of naming latest England squad Jos Buttler wants to remain as England one-day captain despite poor World Cup

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