San Francisco Bay Area to host Super Bowl for third time after being confirmed as venue for 2026; Levi’s Stadium to stage Super Bowl LX; game also played in Bay Area in 1985 and 2016
Last Updated: 22/05/23 11:30pm
Super Bowl 50 was held at Levi’s Stadium in 2016, with the event to return to the venue in 2026
Super Bowl LX will head to the San Francisco Bay Area with Levi’s Stadium confirmed as the host venue in 2026.
The stadium, home of the San Franciso 49ers, last held the showpiece match in 2016 when Denver Broncos beat Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
The Bay Area will stage its third Super Bowl, with the game also taking place at Stanford Stadium in 1985.
On that occasion, the 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement on Monday: “The Bay Area was an incredible host for Super Bowl 50, and we are thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back.
“We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.”
49ers president Al Guido said: “We are honored to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
“Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi’s Stadium has cemented its reputation as a world-class venue. I’m confident Super Bowl LX will be a terrific event that benefits the entire community.”
Super Bowl LVIII will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11 2024, with the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans to stage Super Bowl LIX on February 9 2025.
Laura Turner upsets Beau Greaves at the PDC Women’s Series which sees four different winners as the race to reach the Women’s World Matchplay hots up; The Premier League Play-Offs return to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm
Last Updated: 20/05/23 10:34am
Laura Turner upset Beau Greaves and reached the Event Seven final at the PDC Women’s Series in Milton Keynes
Sky Sports’ Laura Turner upset Beau Greaves after another dramatic weekend of action at the PDC Women’s Series with the race to reach Blackpool heating up nicely.
Greaves dominated the opening weekend of the 2023 Women’s Series in February, claiming a hat-trick of titles at Leicester’s Morningside Arena, before Japanese sensation Mikuru Suzuki ended her remarkable 70-match winning run with Event Three success.
Live Premier League Darts
May 25, 2023, 7:00pm
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Beau Greaves spoke about her experience at the World Championship and how she would do things differently next time
Speaking on Love The Darts, Beau Greaves spoke about her experience at the World Championship and how she would do things differently next time
Teenage sensation ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ came through a 118-player field to claim the £2,000 top prize in Event Five, while Welsh star Rhian O’Sullivan underlined her credentials to claim a maiden Women’s Series crown against Greaves in Event Six.
Ireland’s Robyn Byrne won her first title with success in Event Seven, defeating Turner 5-1 in the final before Suzuki swept to victory in Event Eight.
Turner recorded arguably the biggest scalp of her career to date as the Surrey thrower stunned Greaves 5-4 in the quarter-finals of Event Seven en route to the final.
“To beat Beau, who is the in-form player, I was really pleased,” she said. “I just ran out of steam in the end against Robyn, but she played really well all weekend. I would have taken that beforehand.
“We know the averages that Beau can put in although she didn’t quite find that top gear against me, but from my point of view it was all about holding my nerve. She missed three darts at double in the deciding leg. She gave me a chance and I was just pleased to have taken it.”
Greaves saw her remarkable 70-match winning streak come to an end at the Women’s Series
Turner believes the latest Women’s Series showcased the strength in depth on the tour, while the race to reach the Women’s Matchplay is still very much up for grabs.
“Beau has dominated the series since she joined the tour last year, but even before that it was always Lisa (Ashton) and Fallon (Sherrock) winning, so I think it’s great just to see the depth coming through,” Turner said. “Having four different winners and four quality winners, I think it’s testament because we are pushing and trying to compete.
“There really isn’t any easy games because you know that it’s such an open draw there can be some brutal matches. There is no switch-off time. You have to hit the ground running.”
1. Beau Greaves £18,100
2. Mikuru Suzuki £9,800
3. Rhian O’Sullivan £4,900
4. Robyn Byrne £4,500
5. Fallon Sherrock £4,150
6. Lisa Ashton £4,100
7. Aileen de Graaf £3,000
8. Lorraine Winstanley £2,700
11. Laura Turner £2,050
The Women’s Series returns on June 24-25 for a further four events, which will take place at Halle 39 in Hildesheim, with the top eight players on the rolling Women’s Series Order of Merit after Event 12 qualifying for the Women’s World Matchplay, which takes place on Sunday, July 23 at the Winter Gardens.
On the race to Blackpool, Turner said: “It’s still very open so it’s going to be an interesting one and it will go down to the wire.
“The weekend in Hildesheim is going to be big depending on who travels but I’m hoping to see quite a high number of entries heading over to Germany. It’s all down to performance on the day and the draw.”
“When the series has been dominated by the same players, you know you have to improve and you have to take those opportunities as and when they present themselves. We’re also getting used to playing in that environment. It’s competitive and exciting.
“I will be practising because I want to give myself an opportunity to do well. I want to progress and I want to make the Matchplay but I also want to perform and play well so there’s something I can keep taking forward.”
Mikuru Suzuki, who averaged over 94 in three of her six games in Event Eight, sits in second place on the Women’s Series Order of Merit
Turner, who works as a recruitment coordinator for her day job, also moonlights as a darts analyst for Sky Sports as well as playing regular events for her local team and on the Women’s Series, which makes for a hectic lifestyle.
Giving a run-down of her routine, Turner said: “I worked the day and then travelled up to Sheffield for Thursday night’s Premier League then left at 5 o’clock in the morning to get back for work and then I was up at the crack of dawn to head to Milton Keynes for the Women’s Series, so it can be tough but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“I love the commentary side. I love playing the darts and appreciate everything that’s being put out there for us on the Women’s Series. By the time I got to the fourth event, I was pretty tired.”
The top two players from the final PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit will qualify to compete in the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, alongside the winner of the 2023 Women’s World Matchplay.
We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from London’s O2 for the Play-Offs on Thursday, May 25 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm.
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During the first round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Tom Kim fell in a muddy ditch trying to retrieve his golf ball…much to the enjoyment of the Sky Sports commentary team.
One week after the expiration of Title 42 brought masses of people seeking asylum in the US, border towns are now facing a surge of those same migrants seeking to flee the country.
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As Manchester City get ever closer to winning the treble, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville pick their combined teams from Manchester United’s legendary 1999 side and City’s 2023 squad.
After weeks of speculation, Mercedes’ long-awaited upgrades to their W14 car are finally set to arrive for this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
The Silver Arrows realised as early as the beginning of March at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix that they had made an error by sticking with their design concept from the previous year.
There had been hope that untapped potential remained in the eye-catching ‘zero-sidepod’ look first seen on their previous W13 model, but it quickly became clear the new car would be unable to challenge Red Bull, who in 2022 emphatically ended Mercedes’ eight-year streak of constructors’ titles and have won all five races to start the new campaign.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said as early as Friday practice in Bahrain that they were on the “wrong track” before team principal Toto Wolff conceded that the W14 design “didn’t work out”.
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Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around Imola
Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around Imola
Since then, it has been a case of damage limitation with Mercedes battling Aston Martin and Ferrari to finish behind the Red Bulls, and seven-time world champion Hamilton admitting he has been “counting the days” until the upgrades arrive.
There have already been repercussions in Mercedes’ senior leadership team, with James Allison returning as technical director in place of Mike Elliott, who moved into the broader chief technical officer role.
With the waiting almost over, we have collated the most notable comments coming from the Brackley outfit to answer the key questions ahead of the upgrades being unveiled at Friday practice in Imola, live on Sky Sports F1.
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Sky Sports’ Natalie Pinkham breaks down what to expect from the Emilia Romagna GP as F1 heads to the iconic Italian circuit
Sky Sports’ Natalie Pinkham breaks down what to expect from the Emilia Romagna GP as F1 heads to the iconic Italian circuit
Why have the upgrades taken this long?
Given Mercedes realised they needed to make major changes at the first race of the season, some may wonder why it has taken them two-and-a-half months to have them ready.
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Toto Wolff made an early concession that Mercedes had gone wrong with their 2023 car design
Toto Wolff made an early concession that Mercedes had gone wrong with their 2023 car design
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin last week explained: “If we go all the way back to the test and race in Bahrain, that was where we realised that we didn’t have a package that was going to allow us to fight for a world championship – if we continued on that same development direction, we wouldn’t end up in a position where we felt we could challenge Red Bull.
“It was around that time that we took some decisions on how we develop the car, how the car works aerodynamically, and how we shape the characteristics of the car. In essence, how it is in terms of handling for the drivers to drive.
“What we are going to be bringing to the track in Imola is the first step of that work. This takes quite a long time to develop in the wind tunnel and you can’t just do these things overnight.”
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has been explaining the upgrade process
Discussing upgrades on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Karun Chandok added: “They take as long as they take. I think that’s what people don’t understand – you can’t just think of an idea and just put it on the car for the next race.
“There’s a six-to-eight week lead time. You come up with an idea, design it in CFD (computational fluid dynamics) in the virtual world, then once you’re happy with that, you make a model which goes in the wind tunnel – there’s x amount of testing that has to happen with that.
“Then it goes to the composite department to make the parts and get them to the actual race, and that whole process is six-seven weeks at least.”
Are Mercedes ditching their ‘zero-sidepod’ concept?
When Mercedes unveiled their 2022 W13 model in Bahrain last year, the car’s lack of sidepods stunned the paddock.
Given the team’s incredible streak of titles and reputation for excellence, most assumed it was another moment of genius that would ensure more success.
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Mercedes’ ‘zero-sidepod’ look was first revealed at 2022 pre-season testing
Mercedes’ ‘zero-sidepod’ look was first revealed at 2022 pre-season testing
While the sidepods aren’t the only reason Mercedes haven’t reached the level they aspire to, they are undoubtedly a key element and appear set for a radical change in Imola.
As early as the Bahrain GP, then technical director Elliott said of new planned sidepods: “It won’t be the same as other people’s and it won’t be the same as we’ve got, it’ll be different.
“We have got a very different sidepod coming – I say very different, a different sidepod that’s coming.”
So yes, we can be pretty sure the sidepods are going to look different, but plenty of mystery remains around exactly what form they will take.
What other changes will there be?
Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, Hamilton made it very clear that changing the sidepods alone wouldn’t solve Mercedes’ issues.
“People keep talking about getting the new sidepods on the car but it’s not as simple as that,” the Brit said.
“You put the Red Bull sidepods on our car and it won’t change a thing, it literally won’t change a thing, it might even go slower.
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Ted Kravitz looks at Mercedes’ changes at technical director, where James Allison returns to the role replacing Mike Elliott
Ted Kravitz looks at Mercedes’ changes at technical director, where James Allison returns to the role replacing Mike Elliott
“It’s about aero characteristics, it’s how the car is balanced through the corners. There’s so many different elements that people of course would not know because they’re not aerodynamicists and you can’t see it – there’s a lot more to it.”
Aside from the sidepods, Mercedes had largely been reluctant to share much information about what would be changing, but Wolff gave his most detailed answer at the Miami Grand Prix earlier in May.
“What we are doing is we’re introducing a new bodywork and we’re introducing a new floor and we’re doing a new front suspension,” he said.
“That’s a pretty large operation, a large surgery and so there is going to be a lot of learning.”
Will the upgrades enable Mercedes to challenge Red Bull?
Red Bull have won all five races this season in dominant fashion, with Max Verstappen topping the drivers’ standings as he seeks a third successive title.
Given the stunning pace of the RB19, it’s difficult to see anyone closing the 122-point lead Red Bull have already opened up in the constructors’ standings, but just competing with them for wins would undoubtedly be a triumph.
Asked in Miami what he is expecting from the upgrades, Wolff said that in the “virtual world” the car is producing a “good lap time” but has repeatedly warned that suddenly challenging Red Bull is highly unlikely.
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Max Verstappen wins the Miami Grand Prix, Sergio Perez finishes in second to bring home another Red Bull one-two, with Fernando Alonso claiming another podium
Max Verstappen wins the Miami Grand Prix, Sergio Perez finishes in second to bring home another Red Bull one-two, with Fernando Alonso claiming another podium
“We need to manage our own expectations,” Wolff said. “Because we are bringing an update package that is going to consist of new suspension parts and bodywork and some other things but I have never in my 15 years in Formula 1 seen a silver bullet being introduced where suddenly you unlock half a second of performance. I very much doubt this is going to happen here.
“What I’m looking for is that we take certain variables off the table where we believe we could have introduced something that we don’t understand in the car and to have a stable platform. We shall see what our baseline is and what we can do from there.”
While Wolff is keen to manage expectations, Hamilton’s revelation that he’s been “counting the days” until the upgrades suggests that there is internal confidence of significant improvement.
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Sky F1’s Martin Brundle and Nico Roseberg explain how Mercedes’ concept differs from Red Bull’s and assess the ‘massive job’ they face to close the gap
Sky F1’s Martin Brundle and Nico Roseberg explain how Mercedes’ concept differs from Red Bull’s and assess the ‘massive job’ they face to close the gap
While it must be noted that Ferrari are also expected to bring major upgrades to Imola, Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok believes Mercedes are hoping to establish themselves as Red Bull’s nearest challengers.
“I believe there’s a decent upgrade coming to the Mercedes in Imola, and I’m really intrigued to see where that moves them,” Chandhok said.
“I don’t think it will move them into Red Bull territory, but I think they’re hoping it will clear them ahead of Aston and Ferrari, that’s their ambition I think, but we’ll see.”
Will more Mercedes upgrades follow?
Once upon a time, Mercedes would have quite literally been able to build a completely different ‘B-spec’ car, but Formula 1’s budget cap and the sliding scale of aero testing allowed puts limitations on what they can do.
Despite those measures, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes have enough funds remaining to continue on the path they will reveal in Imola.
Wolff said: “Yes we do, because if you embark on a new development direction it’s that one project you concentrate on so that should be fine.”
While Wolff has said he believes Mercedes can win races this season, the ultimate aim of the concept change is to ensure the Silver Arrows can get back to competing with Red Bull over a full campaign.
Shovlin explained in his Miami GP review: “We do hope that it is quicker, we hope that it’s better in terms of qualifying and race pace.
“The key thing though is that we are not just looking to bring a lap time update, we are looking to head off in a different development direction. One that we think gives us a better chance in the long term of being able to challenge for race wins and world championships.”
Formula 1 returns to Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix from May 19-21. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 including the race from 2pm on Sunday May 21.
Michael Smith storms to a third consecutive nightly win with a 6-3 success against Gerwyn Price in Sheffield; P&J Live, Aberdeen will be the 16th of 17 individual venues on Thursday May 11 with the Play-Offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday May 25
Last Updated: 11/05/23 11:42pm
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A look back at the best of the action from Night 15 of the Premier League in Sheffield as Michael Smith stormed to a third consecutive nightly win
A look back at the best of the action from Night 15 of the Premier League in Sheffield as Michael Smith stormed to a third consecutive nightly win
Michael Smith secured a hat-trick of Premier League Darts nightly wins by defeating Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price en route to more stunning success in Sheffield.
Price could have guaranteed top spot with victory in the Night 15 showpiece, but the St Helens star cut the Welshman’s lead at the summit to just three points after claiming the spoils in the Steel City.
Premier League – Night 15 in Sheffield Results
Quarter-finals
Gerwyn Price
6-2
Nathan Aspinall
Chris Dobey
6-4
Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen
4-6
Michael Smith
Jonny Clayton
6-4
Dimitri Van den Bergh
Semi-finals
Gerwyn Price
6-2
Chris Dobey
Michael Smith
6-4
Jonny Clayton
Final
Gerwyn Price
3-6
Michael Smith
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Smith ended Michael van Gerwen’s hopes in Sheffield with this sensational 130 checkout on the bullseye
Smith ended Michael van Gerwen’s hopes in Sheffield with this sensational 130 checkout on the bullseye
Smith began his campaign with a 6-4 win over reigning champion Van Gerwen, converting a stunning 130 checkout on the bull to defeat the Dutchman for a second week in succession.
The world No 1 continued his charge to defeat Clayton in a repeat of last week’s decider, averaging almost 108 and sealing the deal with a superb 11-darter.
Smith then capped off a terrific night of action by claiming the £10,000 winner’s bonus, extending his winning Premier League run to nine matches in the process.
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Van Gerwen produced this brilliant 154 checkout against Smith
Van Gerwen produced this brilliant 154 checkout against Smith
“Three in a row, it took me 15 weeks to win one night last year and now I’ve won four,” reflected Smith, who has leapfrogged Van Gerwen into second spot after his fourth nightly win overall. “I am still in with a chance of finishing top.
“Me and Gez spoke about it backstage before the match, if it’s me and him in the final next week he finishes top. Hopefully I can be top.
“I know you get nothing out of finishing top but it is the prestige. I have qualified last week and I could have just laid down and let anyone beat me. But I still need to go to The O2 playing well and winning.”
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Smith says he spoke to Gerwyn Price after their match and reminded the Welshman he can still finish in top spot
Smith says he spoke to Gerwyn Price after their match and reminded the Welshman he can still finish in top spot
Price – who was victorious in Sheffield 12 months ago – retained top spot after storming through to his eighth nightly final of 2023 with 6-2 wins over Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey.
In the evening’s other quarter-finals, Clayton moved two points clear of Aspinall ahead of their decisive Night 16 showdown, courtesy of a battling 6-4 victory against Dimitri Van den Bergh.
The 2021 champion conjured up a spectacular 170 checkout midway through the tie, and registered his sixth ton-plus average of the campaign to see off the Belgian.
‘The Ferret’ is in a straight shootout with Aspinall for the final spot, with the pair going head-to-head in the quarter-final next week in Aberdeen.
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Jonny Clayton took out this brilliant 170 during his victory against Dimitri Van den Bergh
Jonny Clayton took out this brilliant 170 during his victory against Dimitri Van den Bergh
Victory will assure the Welshman another appearance at The O2 while even if Aspinall wins the quarter-final he also has to win his semi-final.
“It’s massive,” Clayton said. “All the pressure is on Nathan next week. He has to win, the ball is in my court because if I win I am through. I am going to try and relax and play my game.
“I was shaking like hell up there. It’s two points that are going to be massive.”
Meanwhile, Dobey cemented sixth spot in the table with an impressive 6-4 success against Peter Wright, crashing in six 180s and reeling off four straight legs from 4-2 down to advance.
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Peter Wright found this 126 checkout after Chris Dobey just missed out on a spectacular 170 finish
Peter Wright found this 126 checkout after Chris Dobey just missed out on a spectacular 170 finish
Live Premier League Darts
May 18, 2023, 7:00pm
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Where are we heading next?
Night 16 in Aberdeen: Thursday, May 18
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price vs Peter Wright
Jonny Clayton vs Nathan Aspinall
Michael Smith vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey
The Premier League roadshow heads to P&J Live, Aberdeen on Thursday May 18 for Night 16 of the league phase.
League leader Price meets Wright in his quarter-final tie, knowing that a run to next Thursday’s final will see him top the table for the first time in his Premier League career.
Clayton and Aspinall meet in a huge encounter with fourth spot on the line.
Clayton would confirm his Play-Off qualification with victory, while Aspinall must progress to the Night 16 final to overhaul his Welsh rival, who will qualify via nights won if the pair finish level on points.
Smith will begin his bid for an unprecedented fourth straight nightly win against Van den Bergh, while Van Gerwen and Dobey also collide for a place in the semi-finals.
2023 Premier League Schedule
Night 16
P&J Live, Aberdeen
May 18
Play-Offs
The O2, London
May 25
We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from the P&J Live, Aberdeen on Thursday May 18 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm.
Lachlan Coote will hang up his boots at the end of the Super League season
Hull KR full-back Lachlan Coote will retire at the end of the Super League season after a 15-year career that also saw him play in the NRL.
Coote won three Super League Grand Finals during his time with St Helens from 2019 to 2021 as well as an NRL Grand Final while with the North Queensland Cowboys.
“I’m happy to announce that I will be retiring at the end of the 2023 season, it has been a very tough decision to make but I know it’s the right one for me and my family,” said Coote.
“Over the past 15 years, I have met so many great people and I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons within the sport. I’ll always be grateful for what rugby league has given me, thank you to everyone that has been a part of my career.”
ALVIN, TX – A gunman opened fire on an outlet mall in a Houston-area outlet mall this morning, killing nine people and wounding ten more before being shot dead by another mass shooter firing on the same mall, authorities said.
Formula 1’s drivers were introduced to the grid at the Miami Grand Prix by musician LL Cool J in a ceremony that lasted more than seven minutes; Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and several others offered a range of opinions on the event
Last Updated: 08/05/23 7:01am
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Musician LL Cool J introduces the starting grid at the Miami Grand Prix
Musician LL Cool J introduces the starting grid at the Miami Grand Prix
Formula 1 drivers have offered a split verdict after the sport tried out a new look with musician LL Cool J introducing the drivers onto the grid ahead of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
The 20 drivers were introduced one-by-one in a ceremony that lasted more than seven minutes, and required the usual pre-race schedule to be altered.
Formula 1’s rapid growth in recent years has motivated those running the sport to maintain an innovative approach, as they seek to continue to extend its reach.
Along with LL Cool J’s appearance, fellow musician Will.i.am released an F1 inspired single on Sunday to coincide with the race.
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Highlights of the Miami Grand Prix at the fifth race of the season
Highlights of the Miami Grand Prix at the fifth race of the season
The proceedings appeared to have little negative impact on the drivers, with an extremely clean race playing out as Max Verstappen caught Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez to extend his world championship lead.
However, the consensus after the race appeared to be that drivers feel like too much is being asked of them as they prepare to deliver an elite performance.
Here’s what they had to say:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull:
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen reflects on victory at Miami after climbing up from P9 to P1
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen reflects on victory at Miami after climbing up from P9 to P1
“Personally, I think it is just a personality thing. Some people like to be more in the spotlight, some other people don’t. I personally don’t, so for me I think that naturally what they did today is not necessary.
“I prefer to just talk to my engineers then put my helmet on and drive but of course I understand the entertainment value.
“I just hope we don’t have that every single time because it is a long season so we don’t need an entry like that every time but it also depends a bit on the crowd I think in terms of what you want.
“I think it is just a personal preference as well from the drivers.”
Sergio Perez, Red Bull:
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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez pays homage to teammate Max Verstappen for being the stronger driver and taking victory at the Miami Grand Prix
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez pays homage to teammate Max Verstappen for being the stronger driver and taking victory at the Miami Grand Prix
“I think as long as we don’t do it on too many occasions.
“I think it is nice to do it once for the crowd but we also have to be very respectful of the drivers.
“We need our own time to get ready and it is just minutes before the race starts and I think as long as it doesn’t happen very often it is ok.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin:
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Following his third-place finish at the Miami Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso says victory was ‘a little bit too easy for Max Verstappen’
Following his third-place finish at the Miami Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso says victory was ‘a little bit too easy for Max Verstappen’
“I understand the point of view of everybody but I am not a big fan of those things just before the race.
“If we have to do it, I think we need to remove some of the other stuff we are doing like the parade lap or something like that because it is really in the middle of the preparations and the strategy meeting.
“I disagree a little bit with if we do it we don’t have to do it everywhere because I don’t think the Miami fans are better than the Italian fans in Imola or in Spain or in Mexico or in Japan.
“I think we need to make everyone with the same rules and the same show before the race.”
George Russell, Mercedes:
“We spoke about it as drivers on Friday night. Everybody has got different personalities, I guess it is the American way of doing things and doing sport.
“Personally, it is probably not for me but that is just my personal opinion because I am here to race. I am not here for the show, I am here to drive and I am here to win, but I guess we have to roll with it.
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Mercedes driver George Russell reflects on a successful Miami Grand Prix
Mercedes driver George Russell reflects on a successful Miami Grand Prix
“It is distracting because we were on the grid for half an hour in our overalls in the sun and I don’t think there is any other sport in the world where 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that you are out there in the sun, all the cameras on you, making a bit of a show of it.
“I can appreciate that in the entertainment world but, as I said, we only want the best for the sport and we are open to changes but we wouldn’t want to see it every weekend.
“I don’t think it will be at every weekend, I think it will be at the big races.
“The thing I love every single race is the national anthem. That sort of pumps you up and is respectful to the country you are racing at but I have mixed feelings on the additional show.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes:
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he enjoyed racing at the Miami Grand Prix
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he enjoyed racing at the Miami Grand Prix
“I think it is cool that the sport is continuously growing and evolving and they are not just doing the same things they have done in the past.
“They are trying new things, they are trying to improve the show and I am in full support of it.
“I grew up listening to LL Cool J and then he is there, that was cool.
“You have got Will.i.am, who is an incredible artist. You have got Serena and Venus (Williams) standing there. It was cool.”
What’s next?
There’s a brief pause for breath before Formula 1 returns to Europe for a triple-header of back-to-back races.
The first of those is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola from May 19-21, with Mercedes and Ferrari expected to bring significant upgrades which they hope will move them closer to Red Bull.
All eyes will be on Ferrari at the first of their two home races this season, with the team’s inconsistent start to the campaign likely to come under major scrutiny in front of the tifosi.
Charles Leclerc crashed at Turn Seven in the closing stages of Q3 at the Miami GP having hit barriers at same corner in practice; Leclerc to start Sunday’s race from seventh; watch Miami GP live on Sky Sports F1 at 8:30pm Sunday
Last Updated: 07/05/23 12:30am
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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reflects on a disappointing qualifying session after he crashed into the barriers at the Miami Grand Prix.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reflects on a disappointing qualifying session after he crashed into the barriers at the Miami Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc admits his crash in Miami GP Qualifying was “unacceptable” after also hitting the barriers in the same place during Friday practice.
Leclerc was pitched into a high-speed spin after losing control of his Ferrari at Turn Seven during his final Q3 run. The crash brought out the red flag and prevented anyone else getting in a second lap as Sergio Perez took pole.
It was a case of déjà vu for Leclerc after his Friday practice had been curtailed by a crash through the same corner.
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Charles Leclerc had a massive crash in his Ferrari towards the end of Q3, bringing out the red flag and in the process handing pole to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
Charles Leclerc had a massive crash in his Ferrari towards the end of Q3, bringing out the red flag and in the process handing pole to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
Having also made an error on his first Q3 run, Leclerc will start seventh on Sunday and he could not hide his anger at himself afterwards.
“More than the track, I think what’s unacceptable is doing twice the same mistake in the same corner. I am really disappointed with myself,” Leclerc told Sky Sports F1.
“You can always find excuses in those situations, the wind was really strong, it was really tricky, the set up of the car was really tricky also but I put myself in this condition. I wanted this set up and I knew it would be tricky, but I thought I would be able to extract the maximum out the car in Q3, which is normally one of my strong points.
“I know that I’m also taking more risks than others in Q3, which is why most of the time why I’m doing good Q3s but this is too much.
“Very disappointed with myself, I did the same mistake yesterday and this shouldn’t happen.”
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had a heavy collision with the wall as a red flag was brought out during P2.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had a heavy collision with the wall as a red flag was brought out during P2.
Asked if he was putting too much pressure on himself in Q3 sessions, Leclerc replied: “I don’t think so. It’s paying off most of the time, but this weekend I did too much and I cannot hide my disappointment.”
There is the possibility of rain affecting Sunday’s race, and Leclerc says his initial focus is just on staying out of trouble.
“Now looking forward to tomorrow we are starting seventh, weather looks to be quite tricky so hopefully we’ll have a clean race and be able to come back to the front,” he said.
“The Astons look strong in race pace so I don’t know exactly where we are going to be, a podium would be a really good finish tomorrow considering our race pace.”
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Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to analyse how Charles Leclerc could have avoided crashing his Ferrari in the final part of qualifying.
Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to analyse how Charles Leclerc could have avoided crashing his Ferrari in the final part of qualifying.
Brundle: Leclerc doing a lot of damage at key times
As well as his crash on Friday, Leclerc ended up in the barriers of the Sprint Shootout at last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP when trying to improve his SQ3 time.
High-profile crashes have littered Leclerc’s F1 career, and Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle thinks the 25-year-old is too often pushing beyond his limits.
“Leclerc was just totally lit up through there, too hard. We see that a lot with Charles, he doesn’t seem to quite know where the limit is,” Brundle said on commentary.
“His determination and his speed is so incredible, but there’s no cut off point until he hits something, we’ve seen it a lot through his career and a lot lately as well.
“He’s just got to take a quarter of a per cent out of it somewhere. He’s doing a lot of damage to that Ferrari and at critical times.”
The Formula 1 season continues with the Miami GP – watch Sunday’s race live on Sky Sports F1 from 7pm, lights out at 8.30pm. Get Sky Sports
