‘It’s better not to talk’: Max Verstappen claims criticism is impossible in F1
Max Verstappen has implied it is all but impossible to express an opinion for risk of censure by Formula One’s governing body the FIA, when he refused to air his clear displeasure at the penalty he was given during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix,Verstappen declined to discuss the race after the top three drivers climbed from their cars in parc ferme,He was fined by the FIA for swearing in a press conference at the Singapore GP last year and this season has been far more guarded and short in answering questions,Speaking to the media in Jeddah he suggested he felt constrained by the rulebook,“The problem is I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalised so it’s better not to talk about,” he said.
“Anything I say or try to say about it might get me in trouble.”The inference that was impossible to ignore is that any negative remarks about the FIA or its stewards’ decisions may prompt punishment.“I know I cannot swear in here but at the same time you also cannot be critical in any form that might harm or danger,” he said.“Then you get the sheet out, there is a lot of lines.That’s why it is better not to talk about it because you can put yourself in trouble and I don’t think anyone wants that.
”Verstappen added that another concern “has to do with social media and the way the world is”.“I’d prefer not to talk – sometimes your words can be twisted or interpreted in a different way,” he said.“You can’t share your opinions because it’s not appreciated as it used to be.People can’t handle the truth.”McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won the race from second on the grid, beating Verstappen by 2.
8sec but the decisive moment as far as Red Bull and the world champion were concerned had come within seconds of the lights going out.Verstappen had started from pole on the short run to the first corner but Piastri made a very quick start and had eased just in front as they went through turn one.Piastri held his line and Verstappen went wide, cutting the corner at turn to maintain his lead.The world champion believed he had not been given enough room, while Piastri felt that Verstappen had not even tried to make the corner.Red Bull opted not to give the place back and the stewards investigated awarded Verstappen a five-second penalty.
Sign up to The RecapThe best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s actionafter newsletter promotionWhen he took it during his pit stop, Piastri went into the lead from which point, in clean air he could not be caughtHis Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, did observe that he felt the penalty had been too much.“We have this notion of let them race,” he said.“I don’t know where Max was supposed to go at that first corner.We have lost the race by 2.8 seconds so yeah it’s tough.
”The McLaren chief executive, Zak Brown, felt it had been the correct decision.“I definitely thought a penalty was deserved,” he said.“Oscar was clearly up the inside.Got a better start, you need to use the racetrack, whether it’s a five-second penalty or give the position back you could go either way, but I think it was definitely appropriate.It was Oscar’s corner and at some point you have just got to concede.
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USA beat Canada in overtime in women’s world ice hockey championship final – as it happened
The player of the tournament is announced, and it’s Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin.So on that note, we’ll sign off. USA-Canada women’s hockey games rarely disappoint, and this one certainly didn’t.PWHL action resumes Saturday. Enjoy
F1: Oscar Piastri wins Saudi Arabian GP to lead drivers’ standings – as it happened
Here’s our initial race report, with Giles Richards’ verdict to come later on. Next up in two weeks’ time, we head to the 305 for the Miami Grand Prix. Thanks for joining me, it was fun. Bye!Lando Norris had a chat with Sky. “It was hot out there,” he says with a smile
County cricket: Pope and Lawrence hit centuries for Surrey against Sussex – as it happened
The Surrey teammates Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence gave the Hove faithful an Easter treat with hundreds of a deliciously attacking hue. Pope’s 102 was his first Championship hundred for two years, and his first away from The Oval for eight. Lawrence survived one fluffed catch and flayed six sixes in his 92-ball century.An awful last half‑hour of the day left Lancashire in deep trouble against Leicestershire. Set eight overs to survive, the steady Old Trafford pitch turned toxic track in the hands of Ian Holland and Logan van Beek
Oscar Piastri storms to Saudi Arabian F1 GP win and now leads title race
Maintaining a focus and equilibrium under pressure has always been one of the hallmarks of Formula One’s greatest proponents and Oscar Piastri is demonstrating it with striking assurance for one so young.His victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, beating the world champion Max Verstappen, was an object lesson in the 24-year-old’s calm and confidence and his potential to take the title in only his third season.Seven days ago at the Bahrain GP, Piastri had controlled the race from pole to flag with insouciant ease and while in Jeddah he had more to do, starting from second on the grid after Verstappen had taken an unexpected and brilliant pole, the Australian and his McLaren team kept their composure and once he had the lead, gained through the pit stops after Verstappen was given a five-second penalty, Piastri was once more untouchable.For all that Verstappen and Red Bull had managed to find the right window for their car this weekend, a far cry from Bahrain, the McLaren remains very much the class of the field in race pace and was notably easier on its tyres than its competitors.Piastri and his team duly executed with perfection in what was something of a procession to secure the victory and one largely decided in the opening moments when Verstappen held his lead from the off but had to go off wide at turn two as Piastri went up the inside
Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push
In theory it was a day for Bristol to consolidate second place and reaffirm their Premiership title credentials. The sun shone, the pitch was hard and fast and the free-scoring Bears welcomed back the inspirational wing, Gabriel Ibitoye, after a four-month injury absence.In reality what materialised was a largely dominant Leicester victory that took them past their opponents into second, on points difference, with four games remaining. Michael Cheika’s one-year assignment as Tigers coach will soon be over but the possibility of him departing a champion cannot be discounted.Looming over the buildup was the memory of the game last December when Pat Lam’s side won 54-24 at Welford Road
Skjelmose stuns Pogacar and Evenepoel with sprint to Amstel Gold Race win
Mattias Skjelmose claimed a shock victory at the men’s Amstel Gold Race as he won a sprint finish against the favourite, Tadej Pogacar, and the Olympic champion, Remco Evenepoel.It was supposed to be a fight between Pogacar – the world champion – and Evenepoel but Denmark’s Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) had not read the script as he beat Pogacar by the width of a tyre. Evenepoel, who recently returned from serious injuries sustained in a crash, was third.The race took place over 255km from Maastricht in the Netherlands and concluded in gripping circumstances in Valkenburg. “I was riding for the podium,” Skjelmose said
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