McLaren have unveiled the first fundamentally new colour scheme on their Formula 1 car for 18 years. The team have ditched the predominantly silver livery they have sported since 1997 in favour of graphite grey, with day-glo orange highlights. It is only the second major change of colour scheme for the team since 1974. A spokesman described the new design as “a dynamic, predatory graphite-grey colouration, complemented by McLaren day-glow ‘speedmarks’ and key lines”. He added that the idea was to “optimise (the car) not only for bright sunshine but also for floodlights used in twilight and night races”. The livery will make its first appearance at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. The team hope for a step forward in performance at the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, following a troubled start to the season in which they have begun a new engine partnership with Honda. McLaren have failed to score any points so far and have only once managed to get a car through the first knock-out part of qualifying. The team have upgrades on both chassis and engine for this weekend’s race. Racing director Eric Boullier said: “We know that one fix or upgrade won’t provide a significant upturn in performance, so we’re united in our continued efforts to bring further gains to both chassis and power unit, in terms of both reliability and outright performance, step by step.”
Archive | May 6, 2015
Pacquiao sued over injury….
Manny Pacquiao is the subject of a lawsuit in Nevada after being accused of lying over a shoulder injury sustained before his fight against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, BBC reports. The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) says Pacquiao did not declare he had a problem on a pre-fight questionnaire. But he says he was up front about his injury and had agreed a treatment plan. Two people in Nevada have alleged the boxer defrauded ticket buyers, television viewers and gamblers. They have opened lawsuits just hours after the NAC accused Pacquiao of being dishonest. If the Filipino, 36, is found guilty of that charge, the penalty for perjury could be a jail sentence of between one and four years, and a fine of up to $5,000 (£3,305).
Qatar arrest journalists….
Journalists have been arrested and held in Qatar while filming a documentary on conditions facing migrant workers ahead of the World Cup in 2022. A German television crew was held for 14 hours and say their equipment was seized and their recordings wiped. Qatari officials said the arrests in March were made because the TV crew did not have permission to film in the country – not because of the content. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about conditions for workers.
Sturridge undergoes a successful surgery….
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has had “successful” surgery on a hip injury in the United States. The 25-year-old England international has played just twice since he picked up the injury in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on 22 March. “Just want to let the world know I’ve had a successful operation on my hip and I want to thank God for allowing that to be possible,” Sturridge said. “Onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the support.”
Benni McCarthy robbed….
Former South Africa international and Champions League winner Benni McCarthy has been robbed at gunpoint at a barber’s shop in South Africa, according to the AP news agency. The agent of McCarthy – who played for Blackburn and West Ham in the Premier league – said the 2004 Champions League-winner with Porto was targeted in the Johannesburg shop, where armed men stole jewellery from him. A man reportedly pointed a gun at McCarthy’s face and demanded his watch, earrings and wedding ring, but the footballer – who called time on his career in 2013 after a spell at South African club Orlando Pirates – was not hurt in the incident
AC Milan braced for takeover….
It looks like AC Milan are about to be bought out, or at the very least, a large portion of the club will be acquired by a Thai businessman. Bee Taechaubol, who runs a number of companies through his investment vehicle Thai Prime, has met with the club’s controlling shareholder Silvio Berlusconi and wants to purchase a minimum 49% of the club, reports BBC Sport’s Richard Conway. “This is a sound investment, and I am looking forward to tremendous success on all fronts with AC Milan,” said Taechaubol in a statement. “Once we have concluded the deal, we will roll up our sleeves and get to work. The club is not where it should be: fighting for the Serie A title, and in the final stages of the Champions League.”
Thiago’s testing night….
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara will face off against his brother – Rafinha – when Bayern Munich travel to Barcelona for tonight’s Champions League semi-final. Thiago is two years older than the Barcelona full-back and their rivalry at the Nou Camp will pose an issue for their father – Mazinho – who famously performed a rocking baby celebration alongside Bebeto at the 1994 World Cup. “His heart will be divided,” Thiago says of his father. “He’ll have to get two scarves, cut them in half and sew them together.” As for facing his old club, Thiago speaks highly of Xavi Hernandez ahead of what will be his last Champions League game at Barca’s famous stadium but is also colourful on the goalscoring talents of Lionel Messi. “He’s spectacular, incredible,” adds Thiago. “He’s playing further from goal and he’s still scored 40 in the league. If he played in goal he’d score 25. There’s no comparison; he’s the best, a competitive animal.”
Thiago’s father, Mazinho (left), Bebeto (middle) and Romario (right) celebrating a goal for brazil during USA’94 World Cup.
Adebayor lays troubles bare….
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has publicly laid bare some of the personal issues that have disrupted his career, saying he has faced “dark moments”. The 31-year-old was granted personal leave by Tottenham in October but has managed just two goals in 17 outings this season. In a lengthy Facebook post, he outlines internal family feuding, stating: “I have kept these stories for a long time but I think today it is worth sharing some of them with you. “It’s true that family matters should be solved internally and not in public but I am doing this so that hopefully all families can learn from what happened in mine.”
Champions League Semifinal result….
Tuesday 5 May 2015:
Juventus 2 – 1 Real Madrid
Wednesday 6 May 2015:
Barcelona 3 – 0 Bayern Munich
Nigerian Premier League results….
Sunday 3 May 2015:
Kwara United 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
Ifeanyi Uba 1 – 0 Enyimba
Giwa 3 – 1 Bayelsa United
Dolphin 2 – 0 Lobi Stars
El-Kanemi Warriors 1 – 0 Akwa United
Wikki Tourists 4 – 2 Enugu Rangers
Heartland 0 – 3 Sunshine Stars
Sharks 2 – 2 Taraba
Nasarawa United 2 – 0 Abia Warriors
Dangote could buy Arsenal FC….
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote claims he still harbours hopes of one day buying Arsenal. The Nigerian has an estimated fortune of 15billion US dollars (£10.4billion) and is reported to have wanted to buy into the Gunners when former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was selling her shares in 2010. Arsenal’s current majority shareholder is American tycoon Stan Kroenke, who remains committed to the Barclays Premier League club for the long-term. Uzbek magnate Alisher Usmanov controls around 30 per cent and has also expressed no desire to offload any of his stock. Nevertheless Dangote, whose business interests include sugar, flour and oil, remains keen to become part of the Emirates Stadium club sometime in the future. Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: ‘I still hope, one day at the right price, that I will buy the team. ‘I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.’ Dangote, though, added no imminent bid was in the pipeline. ‘We have 16billion dollars-worth of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe,’ he said. Dangote, however, suggested Arsene Wenger’s side should be achieving more. He added: ‘(Wenger) needs to change his style a bit. They need new direction.’