IMOLA, Italy – Max Verstappen will aim to recover and put his friend Lando Norris back in his place among the chasing pack this weekend as Formula One returns to Europe for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The three-time world champion, who leads this year’s title race for Red Bull, knows however that after suffering two defeats in six season-opening races he may be vulnerable and McLaren’s Norris will be armed with upgrades as he seeks to add to his popular maiden triumph in Miami.
Most if not all teams will bring revised cars for the seventh race of the season with Ferrari and Mercedes both hoping to reduce Verstappen’s advantage at the cramped and atmospheric circuit set in the rolling vineyards of Ferrari’s Italian heartland.
Three decades after the blackest F1 weekend in modern times, when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were killed on successive days at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the sport will also pay tributes and remember that bleak May weekend.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly will wear a race helmet repainted in yellow to remember Senna while retired four-time champion Sebastian Vettel is set to drive the Brazilian’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8 car at the track on Sunday morning.
Verstappen, however, will keep it all simple as he seeks to repeat Red Bull’s success at Imola in 2022 when he led teammate Sergio Perez home in a convincing one-two triumph.
The race was called off last year due to flooding, but in k inder weather it is expected to launch a run of six races in eight weeks as the 24-race championship enters a key period.
“Imola is an iconic track to race at and we are excited to be back after last year’s race was cancelled,” said Verstappen, who leads the title race with 13 6 points ahead of Perez on 103.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has 98 points with Norris on 83 level with Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari.
“We have had some great team results here and it’s always interesting to race at a really old-school track like this – very technical, with complex combinations and breaking zones.
“The team has been working hard and I’ve been at the factory to work in the simulator. We’re looking forward to this.”
Red Bull may be wary of the threat from several rival teams after a difficult opening period of the year beset by controversies including the recent confirmation that technical chief Adrian Newey is to leave.
Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff, however, stressed that despite a major upgrade package his team, who are without a podium finish this season, are not yet ready to threaten the leaders.
“We’re a quarter of the way through the season,” he said.
“The first six races have not been straightforward for us, but we do have a clear understanding of where we need to improve.
“It will be several races before we see this bear fruit, but everyone is working hard to bring the improvements as soon as is possible.”
For Mercedes’ seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, this weekend will mark his first racing appearance in Italy since Ferrari announced they had signed him for 2025.
As an adopted Brazilian and a fan of Senna — and Ferrari — since childhood, Hamilton is one of the few drivers old enough to remember watching Senna and is sure to experience an emotional weekend.
Vettel, another of the older generation prompted to make a brief comeback, said: “Ayrton Senna was not only a driver who I valued highly for being one of the best racing has ever seen, but also a man of great compassion.
“It’s been 30 years since his accident and I want to pay tribute to Ayrton.”
MANILA, Philippines — Although Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings are not an item in real life, they admitted that they still felt excited to shoot one of their most iconic scenes in the hit ABS-CBN and Netflix series “Can’t Buy Me Love” – their first date – as the star-crossed love team SnoRene.
“Sa’kin, special s’ya, ‘yung mga first dates kasi matagal mo s’yang inaasam-asam, ‘di ba? Kasi first date is the attraction, gusto mo s’ya makausap,” Maris shared at her and Anthony’s recent launch as new Coca-Cola endorsers in Binondo, Manila.
“Wala lang, kilig lang,” said Maris, who has portrayed Irene on the series, on what she feels during a first date.
“Ako kasi sa first date, parang doon palang magkakapaan, kikilalanin n’yo palang ‘yung isa’t isa,” added Anthony, who played Snoop.
“So hundred percent pa ‘yung kilig noon, and ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Magiging core memory mo s’ya.”
Related: ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ creates new clamor for Binondo restaurant
For those who are going on their first date, Maris advised to “Be present – no distractions, have genuine connections, magkuwentuhan kayo.”
As for Anthony, “Live the moment. Maging totoo ka lang sa sarili mo.”
Coca-Cola Foodmarks campaign aims to put a spotlight on unique “food landmarks” that define vibrant Filipino culture. As part of the program, the beverage brand designated a “Foodmarks” signage on heritage food destinations in Binondo, and soon all over the Philippines, which can be accessed as a suggested dining list for food trippers via a mobile application map, https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/offerings/foodmarks. — Video by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo, video editing by Martin Ramos
RELATED: WATCH: Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings recreate SnoRene’s ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ date
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The father of British boxer Tyson Fury said he means “no harm to any Ukrainian” on Wednesday after an altercation ahead of this week’s undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
John Fury was sporting a mark in the center of his forehead after apparently head-butting a member of Usyk’s entourage during Monday’s media day.
“It’s a sport where you have big guys full of testosterone and things happen, emotions run high,” he said at the pre-fight open workout in Riyadh.
“Hear this: I mean no harm to any Ukrainian. I respect them, they’re going through all their troubles. But listen, we’re all fighters and that’s what you get from fighters,” Fury told the crowd.
Footage shared on X appeared to show Fury senior go eyeball-to-eyeball with a man wearing an Usyk team tracksuit before lashing out at him with his head.
The 59-year-old was later seen with a cut forehead and two streams of blood pouring down his face, either side of his nose.
After his apology of sorts, Usyk and Tyson Fury took to the open-air ring in the sweltering Saudi evening for separate routines of shadow boxing and light sparring.
“I’m on top of the world, baby!” Fury said afterwards, when asked about his mood. “Who wouldn’t be enjoying it?”
The 6-foot-9 Fury, 39, will face the 37-year-old, 6-foot-3 Usyk on Saturday in the first heavyweight unification fight in 25 years.