Lando Norris narrows gap on Max Verstappen at final practice in Japan
Lando Norris raised hopes that he could challenge Max Verstappen for pole at the Japanese Grand Prix by finishing final practice within three tenths of the Red Bull driver. Verstappen’s record 10-race winning run and Red Bull’s unbeaten season came to an end in Singapore last weekend. He had set a blistering pace on Friday to suggest the team have put their struggles in the city-state behind them. The Dutchman’s margin in opening practice was a huge 0.626 seconds over Ferrari’s Singapore-winner Carlos Sainz before beating Charles Leclerc by 0.320sec in P2. That raised fears that Verstappen, who is closing in on a hat-trick of world titles, could dominate the weekend in a Red Bull car which Lewis Hamilton predicted would be “phenomenal” around the high-speed corner track at Suzuka. But Norris finished just 0.240 seconds adrift of the 25-year-old and just 0.048 ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri as the British team continued to show strong pace. Mercedes pair Hamilton and George Russell enjoyed a more promising session but remained off the pace of Red Bull and McLaren. Hamilton in particular struggled badly in Friday’s two practice sessions, finishing 16th and 14th, with the seven-time world champion admitting Mercedes had work to do before qualifying. The 38-year-old finished seventh in P3, albeit 0.892sec behind pace-setter Verstappen, with Russell eighth. Mercedes are battling with Ferrari to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari, who are running a new floor at Suzuka, claimed the edge by finishing fifth and sixth but were over half-a-second adrift of the two McLarens. Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull claimed fourth, 0.737sec behind his team-mate. A large number of the teams are struggling with tyre degradation due to the higher-than-usual heat at Suzuka, with a track temperature of over 48 degrees Celsius recorded during P3, raising the possibility of a three-stop race on Sunday. Qualifying gets under way at 1500 local time (0700 BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen returns to form in Japanese Grand Prix practice Lance Stroll to sit out Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying ‘You can forget about that’ – Max Verstappen rules out another win in Singapore
2023-09-23 12:19
AP PHOTOS: King Charles and Camilla share moments both regal and ordinary on landmark trip to France
PARIS (AP) — Playing ping-pong, strolling through a Bordeaux vineyard, dodging raindrops at a Paris flower market — Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla paid a special state visit to France that at times looked richly royal, and at times strikingly ordinary.
2023-09-23 12:15
With the future of AM unclear, a look back at the powerful role radio plays in baseball history
Many baseball fans, especially older ones, originally fell in love with America’s pastime by listening to ballgames on AM radio
2023-09-23 11:17
Panic in Nagorno-Karabakh but Azerbaijan rejects fears of ethnic cleansing
Thousands of ethnic Armenians fear for their safety despite Azerbaijan's promises.
2023-09-23 10:19
California attorney general sues groups over abortion reversal claims
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that his office has filed a lawsuit against two organizations that operate crisis pregnancy centers, saying the organizations used "fraudulent and misleading claims" about a procedure they claim can reverse medication abortions.
2023-09-23 09:16
Britain uses UN speech to show that it wants to be a leader on how the world handles AI
Britain is pitching itself to the world as a ready leader in shaping an international response to the rise of artificial intelligence
2023-09-23 09:16
Charlie Morton removed vs. Nationals as Braves pitching injury worries grow
Charlie Morton was removed from his most recent start, sparking concerns from fans after a previous injury to ace pitcher Max Fried was revealed.
2023-09-23 08:52
Ukraine war: US to give Kyiv long-range ATACMS missiles - media reports
Kyiv has been long pushing for ATACMS missiles capable of hitting Russian targets far behind the front line.
2023-09-23 08:52
‘The state says our kids don’t exist’ - how LGBT life is changing in Italy
Italy is removing children from registers and stopping surrogacy abroad in new rules affecting same-sex couples.
2023-09-23 08:28
Nursery fentanyl death provokes horror and fear in Bronx
Residents of New York City's Bronx said the child's death is a symptom of a much larger problem.
2023-09-23 08:24
UAW union files labor complaint against US Senator Tim Scott
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has filed a labor complaint against Republican presidential
2023-09-23 08:20
The Philippines accuses China's shadowy maritime militia of destroying coral reefs in South China Sea
Vibrant reefs filled with colorful fish and seaweed just two years ago have been turned into a wasteland of crushed corals in the South China Sea and the Philippines says it has identified a culprit -- China's shadowy maritime militia.
2023-09-23 08:18