Archive May 15, 2025

Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

Venue: Imola Dates: 16-18 May Race start: 14:00 BST on Sunday

Mercedes’ George Russell says the back-and-forth controversy over punishing Formula 1 drivers for swearing is “all a bit suspect”.

Governing body the FIA this week climbed down on its previous stance of drivers facing potential bans for swearing or criticising officials, and dramatically reduced the possible fines that could be issued.

Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said: “We’re talking about a situation where things have been reverted because it was a little bit ludicrous in the first place.

“Of course we’re happy to see that it (has been changed), but it should never have been there in the first place, if that makes sense.

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton added that the situation was “ridiculous”.

The seven-time champion said: “It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There’s lots of changes that are needed, for sure.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – who last year was the first driver to be punished for swearing, with a form of community service – said the change was “a bit better – it’s a start”.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said when the change of rules was announced on Wednesday that he had “led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships”.

However, speaking during media day at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Russell said: “We’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA. So yeah, it’s all a bit suspect.”

Russell did not expand on his meaning, but it is likely that he was referring to the series of controversies that have surrounded Ben Sulayem in his three years as president, including his desire to change the statutes of the governing body to further extend his control, as BBC Sport revealed this week.

Asked why the drivers had not had dialogue with Ben Sulayem, Russell said: “That’s a good question. It seems more challenging than it should be really, but we’ve all put our views forward.

“I wouldn’t say it’s gotten to a point of no return, but you at least want to see willingness from the other party.

“I think we feel we’ve put our views forward and we want to have conversations and dialogue and there’s only so much you can ask.”

World championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren said: “The fact there has been changes made is good. The stewards have a lot more control now, in the fine print, which is good because the circumstances definitely need to be taken into account.

“It’s a good step forward. One of the big things for the FIA was putting something for abusing officials which I think is very fair and reasonable.

“I think maybe some of the other areas got caught up in that and it felt a bit harsh. But there are some genuine reasons for what they are doing.”

Russell also backed the potential bid of rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr in this December’s FIA presidential election.

Sainz is the father of Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr.

“It could only benefit the sport having Carlos with the inside knowledge of Formula 1 from a driver’s perspective and then Carlos Sr’s knowledge from motorsport generally. It could be a brilliant recipe,” he said.

Russell dismissed the idea there could be a conflict of interest because of Sainz’s son, who is also a GPDA director.

He said: “You’re so far sort of removed ultimately from a technical standpoint. It’s down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers.

“The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we’ve seen recently and far less visible.

Jasmine Paolini will face Coco Gauff in the Italian Open final on Saturday as she bids to become the event’s first home women’s singles champion for 40 years.

A 7-5 6-1 victory against Peyton Stearns on Thursday carried Italian Paolini through to the title match.

World number five Paolini struggled in the early stages and faced a set point when trailing 5-3 in the opener, but American Stearns was unable to hold serve.

Crowd favourite Paolini overturned the deficit to take the opening set before growing in confidence and dominating the second.

Paolini’s win makes her the first Italian woman to reach the singles final in Rome since 2014 when her current doubles partner, Sara Errani, was beaten by Serena Williams.

Raffaella Reggi was the last Italian woman to win the singles title, in 1985.

Awaiting Paolini in the final will be fourth seed Gauff after the American overcame Chinese opponent Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) in a marathon last-four clash.

Olympic gold medallist Zheng, who knocked out world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals this week, gave Gauff a real battle with the match lasting over three and a half hours.

Former French Open finalist Gauff is guaranteed to become the new number two in the world rankings, overtaking Iga Swiatek, after hitting a rich vein of form on clay to win 10 of her past 11 matches.

She defeated Britain’s Emma Raducanu earlier in this tournament.

Paolini, who was a surprise finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon last year, was pleased to eventually find her groove against Sterns.

“At the beginning, I was feeling so slow,” Paolini, 29, told Sky Sports.

“I told myself I had to hit the ball harder because she was playing amazing, but I managed to stay in there somehow and I won the match and I’m really happy about it.

“In the first round I was nervous and in the second also, and maybe again today, but the crowd was unbelievable and they helped me a lot. It’s beautiful to play here in Italy and they support us no matter what, so that is the most important thing.”

Paolini has recent experience of lifting a trophy at this tournament, albeit in doubles.

Jasmine Paolini recovered from a slow start to reach the Italian Open final with a 7-5 6-1 victory against Peyton Stearns.

World number five Paolini struggled in the early stages and faced a set point when trailing 5-3 in the opener, but American Stearns was unable to hold serve.

The home favourite overturned the deficit to take the opening set before growing in confidence in the second.

Paolini’s win makes her the first Italian woman to reach the singles final in Rome since 2014 when her current doubles partner, Sara Errani, was beaten by Serena Williams.

Last year’s surprise French Open and Wimbledon runner-up, Paolini is attempting to become Italy’s first women’s singles champion in Rome for 40 years.

Her final opponent will be American world number three Coco Gauff or China’s Zheng Qinwen, who knocked out world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

“At the beginning, I was feeling so slow,” Paolini, 29, told Sky Sports.

“I told myself I had to hit the ball harder because she was playing amazing, but I managed to stay in there somehow and I won the match and I’m really happy about it.

“In the first round I was nervous and in the second also, and maybe again today, but the crowd was unbelievable and they helped me a lot. It’s beautiful to play here in Italy and they support us no matter what, so that is the most important thing.”

Asked about the final, Paolini said of her prospective opponents: “They are both very strong players with good forehands and can play with speed on the clay court. For sure, my coach will watch their match and we will prepare our tactics.”

Raffaella Reggi was the last Italian woman to win the singles title, in 1985.

Pride Of Arras was a surprise winner of the Dante Stakes at York as odds-on favourite The Lion In Winter could only finish sixth.

The 18-1 victor, ridden by Rossa Ryan for trainer Ralph Beckett, won by a length and a quarter from Damysus, with Wimbledon Hawkeye third.

Pride Of Arras is now as low as 4-1 for the Derby at Epsom on 7 June.

“You’d be getting excited about him, that’s for sure. He’s got a great mentality and bright future,” said Ryan of his mount.

O’Brien, trainer of 8-11 favourite The Lion In Winter, had been looking for another Classic trial victory after sweeping the board at Lingfield, Leopardstown, Chester and York.

But he had warned the Sea The Stars colt would “come on a ton” for the run and he is now out to 5-1 from 5-2 for the Derby after pulling hard in the early stages.

Stablemate Delacroix is about 11-4 favourite for the big race at Epsom, ahead of Godolphin’s 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court

But O’Brien said jockey Ryan Moore was “still positive” about The Lion In Winter and he would “improve an awful lot” on his next outing.

Pride Of Arras, a son of 2015 winner New Bay, was racing for only the second time after victory at Sandown last summer.

James Anderson is set for his first appearance since retiring from Test cricket after being named in Lancashire’s squad to face Derbyshire in the County Championship from Friday.

His last game was for England against West Indies at Lord’s last July in his 188th Test.

Anderson has missed the opening five games in the County Championship after picking up a calf injury in pre-season.

It would be Anderson’s first county game since last July, when he took 7-35 against Nottinghamshire at Southport.

After retiring from international duty with 704 Test wickets to his name, he acted as a bowling consultant for the England team for the rest of last summer and put his name forward for the Indian Premier League without being selected.

But he signed a deal to play for Lancashire in the Championship and the T20 Blast.

His return is a welcome boost for the Red Rose county, who after being pre-season favourites for an immediate return to Division One, have drawn four and lost one of their five games.

It led to the resignation of captain Keaton Jennings earlier this week and a statement apologising for the club’s poor start to the season.