Leclerc fastest but cautious about Monaco chances

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Monaco Grand Prix

Dates: 23 May 2019 Start time: 14:00 BST on Sunday

Despite participating in both Friday practice sessions, Charles Leclerc said he was still unsure whether Ferrari would be able to compete at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc finished the day 0.038 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, the current world champion, with Lewis Hamilton coming in third.

He claimed that his chances of winning the race at home last year were “low” before the practice began.

Even after a strong performance on time, he continued, “I’m not convinced the other way around, for now. It will be difficult.

Although the Friday was very positive for us, it is too early to express how optimistic the weekend is.

Oliver Bearman, a British Haas driver who crashed for Piastri, overtook Carlos Sainz for the Williams of Carlos Sainz at the weekend with a 10-place grid penalty.

Leclerc veered into the Ferrari’s path during a slow lap before heading into Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.

Leclerc was able to continue driving despite the Ferrari’s front wing being damaged. However, Stroll was unable to continue participating in the session because his gearbox needed to be changed and his rear suspension had to be repaired.

For his lack of awareness, the Canadian received a one-place grid penalty.

Leclerc said, “I’ve been enjoying the car a lot.” With the crash with Lance, it hasn’t started the way I wanted, but it has since been fairly smooth and I’m happy with the car overall.

The one-lap pace was fast,” she said. I was feeling quite at ease with the compound, and lap time was fairly quick. This is always a positive sign.

“Qualifying is going to be fundamental, and we need to start early if we want to get a good result.”

Piastri, who crashed into the barrier at the first corner, Sainte Devote, before breaking his front wing, came out on top in the race to finish second.

On a positive day for the Italian team, Hamilton was 0.105secs clear of Leclerc.

The day has been a little up and down, according to Piastri. The pace is good when everything is put together, but it’s not currently that simple. Some things to consider.

It has been a messy day, especially for me. Because of the car’s current pace, schedule a timeout for tomorrow.

Ferrari appear to be much stronger than they have been in this regard. Today, it has been a lot more complicated on my side. There is a lot to learn, and I think tomorrow will be interesting.

The coolest track to drive, Hamilton declared. the funniest. It’s a blast every year. Whatever vehicle you’re driving is irrelevant.

“Of course, it helps when you’re driving a quick, comfortable car. However, it has the best rollercoaster ride of the year thanks to the grip, the speeds, it’s narrow, it’s fast, and it’s a privilege.

I texted Ellen, who has worked as my assistant for 20 years, this morning, and she said she was so excited for the day that she could not believe I still be able to do this every year.

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Lando Norris of McLaren was fourth fastest, 0.32 seconds off the pace, ahead of Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, both of whom suffered two crashes in the second session.

Hadjar’s initial encounter caused him to smash into the wall at the Nouvelle Chicane’s top. He made it up with a wheel damage and a puncture.

However, after a Sainte Devote oversteering moment, he slid wide and broke his left rear suspension.

Fernando Alonso, a teammate of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, led Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and Williams’ Alex Albon, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who was seventh fastest when managing technical partner Adrian Newey made his debut grand prix appearance.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix winner from last Sunday had a troubled session. Verstappen sabotaged the pace and even went down the escape route at Mirabeau late in the session.

Verstappen remarked, “P1 was quite positive, but we later made some adjustments for P2 to see how far we could push the balance, and we slightly overdid it.”

“So then I just couldn’t really attack the corners any more,” he said, and you’re shadowing a lot of pace and failing to pass the lap time.

“I don’t anticipate us to be the quickest,” he said. However, we want to be significantly more similar to P2. I’m also fairly certain that things will get better.

Ferrari appears to be moving very quickly once more. Ferrari made a significant step forward in this regard despite the close proximity of the McLarens.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc collide at the hairpin in MonacoPA Media
The McLaren of Oscar Piastri with a damaged front wing during Monaco Grand Prix second practicePA Media

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Nigeria, Germany Strengthen Strategic Partnership On Energy, Trade And Migration

In Berlin, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs, and Johann Wadephul, his German counterpart, have a meeting.

The high-level bilateral discussions aim to deepen Nigeria-Germany’s cooperation in a number of crucial areas, including migration, trade, and energy.

Nigeria is already its second-largest trading partner in the region, according to Germany, which reiterated its recognition of the country as a strategic partner in sub-Saharan Africa. The two ministers reviewed progress made in bilateral negotiations, particularly the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership, which was founded in 2008 and expanded to 2021 with the opening of an office in Abuja in accordance with Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s economic and demographic significance in his remarks.

With more than 220 million people under its belt and a 400 million population projected by 2050, Nigeria’s main focus is not on exporting people but talent. He stated that we are committed to working with partners like Germany to develop structured pathways for the development of employment and address the root causes of irregular migration.

Wadephul referred to Nigeria as a “key partner” in Africa and reaffirmed Berlin’s desire to expand cooperation, particularly in the fields of vocational training, economic diversification, and renewable energy.

Read more: Tinubu’s APC Not A Failure: Our Economic Reforms Are Working.

Africa is the continent of the future, according to both Germany and the UE. In this vision, Nigeria is crucial. There are significant potentials for cooperating in the fields of energy transition, private sector involvement, and critical minerals, according to Wadephul.

Minister Tuggar praised Nigeria’s abundance of crucial raw materials and argued that trade and investment could be beneficial in both ways.

“Nigeria is well-positioned to help Germany achieve its industrial and green transition goals.” He remarked that the value-added partnerships we have with our minerals can provide the foundation for long-term growth on both sides.

The ministers came to a consensus to improve cooperation in both legal migration and skill mobility, with an emphasis on developing streamlined migration arrangements that benefit both nations.

This engagement is the start of a new chapter in the relationship between Nigeria and Germany, which is supported by mutual respect for shared values, economic cohesion, and a commitment to regional stability and long-term stability.

Tuggar organized a number of strategic meetings to strengthen Nigeria-German cooperation in terms of global engagement, migration, and economic development as part of his official visit to Germany.

His bilateral meeting with Svenja Willem-Alabali Radovan, the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, was a key part of his engagement. There, discussions centered on strengthening development partnerships, fostering economic cooperation, and establishing standardized legal pathways for migration. Both ministers stressed the value of coordinating economic growth with migration policies that promote job creation and skill mobility.

Additionally, Tuggar had a meeting with German Parliamentarian Chair Nicolas Zippelius, who has just been appointed. In terms of potential legislative opportunities for improved collaboration between Nigeria and Germany, particularly in those that might result in parliamentary recommendations and Bundestag policy recommendations.

Barca The Team Others Look Up To Now, Says Bonmati

Aitana Bonmati, a Barcelona midfielder, described the Catalans as the “catalans” as the “catalans” who have come to mind as they have become in the lead up to the women’s Champions League final game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Lyon, the record eight-time champions, lost to Barca in the final last year and last won in 2022.

In contrast, Bonmati’s Barcelona have triumphed in three of the competition’s previous four contests and advanced to six finals in seven years, establishing them as Europe’s dominant force.

“They had their path, and now we have our path,” Bonmati said, “I don’t want to compare us to Lyon.”

We used to speak very well of them, saying that many teams were their mirrors in the past, and that is now.

We are proud of our journey, and we’ll try to be even more “historical” tomorrow.

At the Lisbon-based Jose Alvalade stadium, Barcelona take on Arsenal for the first time since winning the competition in 2007, which was the UEFA Women’s Cup.

Twelve years after their 100th game against Arsenal, the Catalans will play their 100th in Europe.

The English side’s round of 32 defeats Barcelona 7-0 over two legs in the 2012-13 Champions League, with Alexia Putellas the only player to survive.

There’s no need to mention the scoreline, “laughed Putellas, who is a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, like Bonmati.”

It was impossible to imagine what would come after our first European game, which was Barca Femeni’s history, would have been… it’s incredible how much there has changed and evolved.

We recently transitioned to professionalism, and we made it to the top six. I consider myself fortunate to have traveled this route.

With this trophy in hand, the first game was against Arsenal, and tomorrow’s is also that way.

After losing to Levante and Real Madrid in the league for the first time in a loss to their Clasico rival, Barcelona faced criticism earlier in the season.

After defeating English treble-winning Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate, Putellas claimed the team was in excellent form for the game against Renee Slegers’ side.

We leave (at the end) feeling very good, have a lot of energy, and have worked well all year, Putellas said.

We feel good both physically and mentally about our game play.

However, she claimed that Barca won’t take a victory for granted just because it has a long history.

The playmaker added, “We’ve won three Champions Leagues, but that doesn’t mean we start one game up 1-0 tomorrow.”

We’ll leave our skins on to take home the trophy.

Last year, Barcelona won the quadruple under Pere Romeu, who left at the end of the season and replaced Jonatan Giraldez.

The team has already won Liga F and the Spanish Super Cup, but it took them some time to come up with their best level.

The coach remarked, “It’s a special game because it’s a final.”

This team has worked well in the past, has a lot of work done this week, and has spoken to all the staff, which gives me the (feel of) security that we’ll do well.

“We have to go out there and try to dominate,” he said.

Stokes and Bennett shine before Zimbabwe follow on

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Trent Bridge, the only test, is the second of four days.

England 565-6 dec (Pope 171, Duckett 140, Crawley 124, Muzarabani 3-143)

Zimbabwe 265 (Bennett 139, Bashir 3-62) &amp, 30-2 (Williams 22*)

Zimbabwe are 270 runs back.

Before England made Zimbabwe follow on the second day of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge, Ben Stokes made a hint about a return to his best and Brian Bennett delivered a stunning century.

Stokes, England’s skipper, had surgery on his hamstring for the first time in his impressive 3.2 overs, and he took a commanding 2-11.

With Zimbabwe’s fastest Test hundred, from 97 balls, Opener Bennett delighted Nottingham’s dancing fans. His 265 overall was the tourists’ backbone, with his 139 being the hero.

Shoaib Bashir, an off-spinner, was awarded a 3-62 run, while Sam Cook and Josh Tongue each took a wicket each on their debut.

England asked Zimbabwe to bat again, bowling for the second time before the end of the third Test, which had a horrifying 300-run lead over the opening day.

Gus Atkinson had previously trapped him in his leg, while Craig Ervine slammed Tongue to the short leg to leave Zimbabwe 30-2, still 270 behind.

England earlier declared 565-6, moving up from their overnight 498-3.

Harry Brook hit a 48-ball half-century despite only scoring nine runs from 27 deliveries on Friday morning, before falling short of Ollie Pope for 171.

Trent Bridge is lit up by Stokes and Bennett.

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Due to its unilateral nature, England’s gluttonous run-scoring on the opening day was almost on point.

At the conclusion of the second day, the hosts’ grip on the match is still as strong, but Friday at least had elements of back-and-forth, some captivating cricket, and an upbeat atmosphere brought on by Zimbabwe supporters.

The 21-year-old Bennett, who was not born the last time these two teams played a Test against one another, picked up Brook after he blazed away in the first hour. What a wonderful moment his joyful celebration of achieving three figures was.

Bennett’s strokeplay demonstrated the relaxed nature of the surface, just like the previous home batters, and there were instances when England’s bowlers were called in for action.

After six months, Stokes’ sight of him finishing his run sprang into a frisson of excitement around Trent Bridge. The captain delivered 20 thrilling deliveries, which indicated he is back in top form and prepared for the challenges awaiting India and Australia.

England workout features Stokes as the headliner

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With 13 previous victories, Atkinson, Tongue, and Cook make the most inexperienced specialist pace trio that England have faced in a home test since Zimbabwe last won it in 2003. Even so, Stokes, who has more than 200 wickets to his name, is discounted.

Whether or not the captain intended to bowl, he was at his best when he did when he did. His pace was quick and explosive, and Stokes sabotaged the pace of the other England pacers.

Cook frequently lost his line, but Ben Curran at least prodded it as it bounced and nipped. Atkinson looked uneasy about bite until he scored two late wickets, while Tongue impressed in a fiery opening partnership and later blasted out Bennett.

Stokes appeared determined to give Bashir a lengthy bowl. His three wickets totaled more than the two he had earlier this year. When Bashir cut his finger while trying to take a return catch, which required Stokes to call himself, four balls into the thirteenth over of the spell.

His first delivery was a no-ball, and Joe Root dropped him at first slip in his second, which took Bennett’s lead. Wesley Madhevere was chopped on in the following over, and Stokes had Sikandar Raza fight off in the following.

Brian’s life

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Zimbabwe might have fallen off the hook after a demoralizing day and a half. Bennett, the swashbuckling opener who scored his first Test century against Afghanistan in a Boxing Day Test last year, was largely responsible for that conflict.

He made some money. He inside-edged past his own stumps and twice edged Cook at a height that was catching up to the slips. Stokes was dropped off, and later, he fended Tongue to the Pope’s short-legged off a no-ball.

Bennett’s conviction for his shot-making was also commendable. There were a few T20 hacks on occasion, but some dreamy on-drives outperformed them. With only 42, Sean Williams and Tafadzwa Tsiga passing 20, Bennett added 65, while captain Ervine added 42.

He became the third Zimbabwean to reach a Test hundred against England and the first since Murray Goodwin 25 years ago when he reached three figures with a cut off Atkinson.

The final four wickets for 19 runs were eventually saved by Bennett when Pope was caught off a legal Tongue short ball. Richard Ngarava, who was injured, did not bat.

What they said was “gulf in class but Zimbabwe show fight.”

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Former England captain Michael Vaughan: “England had a good day. You had a really good day when you got 12 wickets. I enjoyed the declaration, even though Harry Brook was smoking it all the way through. They had the opportunity to bat on.

Bennett’s innings was special, special. I enjoyed the fight shown by Zimbabwe, but the gap in class has once more been obvious.

On the Test Match Special, Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett said, “It was obviously a wonderful day. I’m really proud to have spent that long fielding, to go out, open the batting, and do what I did.

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Brazil Great Ronaldo Sells Majority Stake In Valladolid

Real Valladolid announced on Friday that Brazilian legend Ronaldo will sell his stake in the Spanish club to a company based in North America.

Real Valladolid’s chairman of the board of directors and majority shareholder, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, today announces a deal has been signed to transfer a majority stake in the club to a North American investment group with the support of a European fund.

More details will be made available soon from the club, which was recently relegated from La Liga following a poor campaign, and the agreement is subject to approval from the Spanish sports council.

In recent weeks, Ronaldo’s fans had been begging him to “go home” after losing 29 of his 37 league games this season.

Ronaldo, who won the World Cup as a player in 1994 and 2002, purchased a 51% stake in Valladolid in September 2018.

In 2022, Ronaldo attempted to update the club badge, but in 2024, he reversed it in response to widespread opposition.

Before the club returned to the top tier for their disastrous 2024-25 campaign, Valladolid was relegated to the second division in 2021, but they immediately bounced back.