Latest news with #Pole
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Heroic Kubica nets first Le Mans win and third-in-a-row for Ferrari
A marathon stint by the Pole was enough to give the Prancing Horse its third victory since returning to the endurance classic's top class in 2023. AF Corse's team principal Amato Ferrari, and drivers Yifei Ye, Robert Kubica and Phil Hanson, together with the Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti Antonello Coletta celebrate with the trophies on the podium after their victory in the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica stayed off possible fatigue over a final three hour stint to give Ferrari its third victory in a row at the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend. In becoming the first Pole to win the endurance classic, former Sauber F1 driver Kubica and teammates, Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye, also became the first privateer team to win since 2005 when Champion Racing took victory with the ex-works Audi R8 campaigned by Marco Werner, JJ Lehto and Tom Kristensen. Results Hypercar A race described as comparatively uneventful with only 12 of the 62 entrants falling out and only one safety car period, the winning #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P covered 387 laps to finish ahead of the #6 Penske Porsche 963 of Matt Campbell, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor. Despite crossing the line third to make it a 1-3 for the Prancing Horse, the #50 works Ferrari AF Corse entry of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen were disqualified after post-race inspection determined that the rear wing supports did comply with regulations. In a statement on Monday evening (16 June) by event organisers, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the disqualification involved missing bolts from the wing support, as well as an overall deflection of 52 mm versus the recommended 15 mm. ALSO READ: Ferrari takes second straight win in dramatic 24 Hours of Le Mans This resulted in the fourth place #51 Ferrari AF Corse entry of James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi and another former F1 driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, moving up a notch to third, and the #12 Hertz Team Jota Cadillac of Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens to fourth. After a comparatively quiet race where neither it nor its #8 sister car had the pace to compete – not helped by a wheel nut coming off after a pitstop for the latter – the #7 works Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 of former winners Mike Conway, Nyck de Vries and Kamui Kobayashi finished sixth, which ultimately became fifth following the #50 Ferrari's disqualification. Out of the 21 cars entered, 18 finished, with the only casualties being the second works Cadillac with engine failure during the night, and the private Whelen entry that stopped on the run to the first corner with the same trouble on Sunday morning. LMP2 In the second-tier LMP2 class, a late race mishap by the #48 VDS Panis Racing team of Oliver Gray, Esteban Masson and Franck Perera saw victory go to the #43 Inter Europol Competition entry of Tom Dillmann, Jakub Śmiechowski and Nick Yelloly, who themselves were one of the many crews slapped with penalties for speeding in the pitlane during the race. Taking third in a class making exclusive use of the Gibson-powered Oreca 07 was the #199 AO by TF team of Dane Cameron, Louis Delétraz, P. J. Hyett, and in fourth, the Iron Lynx Proton #9 of Macéo Capietto, Reshad de Gerus and Jonas Ried. Rounding the top of five of 14 classified LMP2 finishers out of the 17 that started, was the TDS Racing #22 of Mathias Beche, Clément Novalak and Rodrigo Sales. LM GT3 In the LMP GT3 class, race long leaders, WRT, were forced into an retirement during the night when an electrical problem send their BMW M4 into the gravel with South Africa's Kelvin van der Linde at wheel. Never challenged since the BMW's departure, victory went to the Porsche factory supposed Manthey 1st Phorm-run 911 GT3 R of Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera. In a top five occupied five different manufactures, the #34 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 of François Hériau, Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera finished second, with the final spot on the podium going to the TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette of Rui Andrade, Charlie Eastwood and Tom van Rompuy. Filling the remainder of the top five in the 16 class car classified, with one not being classified and six others failing to finishing, was the Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage crewed by Mattia Drudi, Ian James and Zacharie Robichon, and the Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F of José María López, Clemens Schmid and Răzvan Umbrărescu. NOW READ: Ferrari returns to top spot at Le Mans after over five decades
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Frech stuns sixth-seed Andreeva, lucky loser Jabeur powers through
Poland's Magdalena Frech came from a set down to battle past world number seven Mirra Andreeva of Russia 2-6 7-5 6-0 on Monday, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, sealing her win when Andreeva sent another forehand wide. It is the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career, and it was Frech's second top ten win of her career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third Grand Slam in London starting on June 30. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World number nine Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. Navarro broke her opponent three times, raced through the first set 6-2 in half an hour with Kostyuk's serve a source of constant concern. The American broke her twice more to move 4-1 clear in the second set and wrapped up her win after 77 minutes when Kostyuk sent a forehand volley two metres past the baseline. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa in the round of 16 after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova also caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour to set up a clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16. Reuters
Observer
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Observer
Kubica wins ‘mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans
*Ferrari win Le Mans for third year in a row *Kubica takes chequered flag for customer AF Corse team *Ye becomes first Chinese driver to win *Porsche Penske second, factory Ferrari third LE MANS, France: Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica has long since tackled the demons of a near-fatal accident 14 years ago but Sunday's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is arguably his greatest achievement yet. The 40-year-old Pole roared to victory in his bright yellow "privateer" Ferrari to give the Italian marque a third consecutive win in the most famous endurance race in the world. In a thrilling 93rd edition of the race, which saw the top four separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes, Kubica and his AF Corse co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei (#83) finished just 14.084sec ahead of a Porsche (#6) driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor. In so doing they knocked the two factory Ferraris, who started the race as favourites, into third and fourth. "It's been a long 24 hours but an enjoyable one. Grazie mille, grazie a tutti," said Kubica over the team radio as he took the chequered flag. AF Corse's Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Philip Hanson celebrate on the podium. — Reuters Kubica was one of Formula One's brightest prospects when he won the 2008 Canada Grand Prix but a harrowing accident in a rally in Andorra in 2011 almost cost him his life. Trapped upside down in his car before being freed and whisked to hospital, Kubica suffered several serious injuries and underwent a partial amputation of his right forearm. "What happened was very unfortunate, but I was very lucky," he said after Sunday's victory. "It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally. "What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing." He returned to racing cars, however, winning the WRC2 championship and taking part in sports car races. In 2017 he moved back into Formula One, testing for Renault before racing for Williams in 2019. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT But Sunday's win which made him the first Pole ever to win Le Mans tops any of his other achievements behind the wheel. "It was quite difficult to live with, but I'm happy to have achieved my personal goals," he said. "The best thing I've achieved in my life - it's nothing to do with racing - it's more the battle I won with my mind." Both of Kubica's co-drivers were also first-time winners with Ye the first Chinese driver to triumph. "I'm at a loss for words," said Ye who arrived in Le Mans at the age of 14 on an exchange programme to try and become a professional driver. "It's going to take me some time to realise everything that's happened today. Right now I feel like I'm dreaming. Maybe in two seconds I'll wake up and none of this will exist. "In China, the car industry has come a long way. When my father was my age, there were no cars on the roads, and we're talking about the 1990s. Becoming a professional driver was impossible." With three of the top four, it was certainly a good day for Ferrari but there will undoubtedly be some at headquarters in Maranello who might not be so happy. As the winning car was not entered directly by the manufacturer, but by the AF Corse team, Ferrari will not take the points for victory in the World Endurance Championship. Cadillac locked out the front row of the grid but #12 of Will Stephens, who had taken pole, had to settle for fifth with the second car (#38), featuring former Formula One world champion Jensen Button, coming home in eighth. — AFP
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Teen tennis star bageled and beaten in Berlin
Poland's Magdalena Frech has come from a set down to battle past world No.7 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-5 6-0, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide on Monday. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third grand slam. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World No.9 Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in a similar time. In the Nottingham WTA 250 Queenslander Kim Birrell lost to Danish Mo.2 seed Clara Tauson 7-5 6-2. Poland's Magdalena Frech has come from a set down to battle past world No.7 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-5 6-0, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide on Monday. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third grand slam. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World No.9 Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in a similar time. In the Nottingham WTA 250 Queenslander Kim Birrell lost to Danish Mo.2 seed Clara Tauson 7-5 6-2. Poland's Magdalena Frech has come from a set down to battle past world No.7 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-5 6-0, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide on Monday. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third grand slam. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World No.9 Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in a similar time. In the Nottingham WTA 250 Queenslander Kim Birrell lost to Danish Mo.2 seed Clara Tauson 7-5 6-2. Poland's Magdalena Frech has come from a set down to battle past world No.7 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-5 6-0, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide on Monday. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third grand slam. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World No.9 Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in a similar time. In the Nottingham WTA 250 Queenslander Kim Birrell lost to Danish Mo.2 seed Clara Tauson 7-5 6-2.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Teen tennis star bageled and beaten in Berlin
Poland's Magdalena Frech has come from a set down to battle past world No.7 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-5 6-0, booking a place in the Berlin Open round of 16 and staging the upset of the tournament. The 18-year-old sixth seed looked to be cruising to victory when she bagged the first set with an audacious backhand slice dropshot on her fourth set point against Frech. The world number 25, however, was far from finished, breaking at the start of the second set with Andreeva losing her calm and hitting a ball high out of the court. With Andreeva's composure rapidly eroding and her unforced error count shooting up, Frech levelled when the Russian teenager's slice forehand sailed long. The Pole then powered past Andreeva with a bagel in the third, the first time Andreeva has lost a deciding set with a 6-0 scoreline in her professional career. Lucky loser Ons Jabeur, beaten on Sunday in the last qualifying round, made the most of her unexpected chance with a 7-6 6-1 win over American Caroline Dolehide on Monday. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, looked comfortable on grass ahead of the season's third grand slam. The Tunisian, who has slipped to 61st in the world, earned a win for only the second time in her last five tournaments, and will come up against fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. World No.9 Emma Navarro also advanced, with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She will next play eighth seed Paula Badosa after the Spaniard dispatched local hope Eva Lys 6-1 6-3 in 61 minutes. Swiss underdog Rebeka Masarova caused a minor upset, eliminating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-3 6-2 in a similar time. In the Nottingham WTA 250 Queenslander Kim Birrell lost to Danish Mo.2 seed Clara Tauson 7-5 6-2.
