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☆ Germany signals shift in veto on Leopard tanks for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Leopard tanks, which are held by an array of NATO countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin's approval, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine. Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week but they failed to persuade Germany to lift its veto on providing the tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Ukraine Leclerc tanks. Ukraine has never publicly said that the town was taken by Russian forces. On Sunday, the general staff of its armed forces said in a daily update that Russian forces had fired on Ukrainian positions in the area.

☆ Germany will coordinate with allies on Ukraine weapons decisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Jan 22 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, under pressure to allow the shipment of German-made tanks to Ukraine, said on Sunday all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in coordination with allies including the United States. Last week Germany and Western allies reached no decision on whether Germany would agree to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, or permit other countries that have them to do so, despite Ukraine's pleas for modern tanks to boost its defence efforts. Scholz, asked at a news conference in Paris about providing tanks to Ukraine, said all weapons deliveries to Ukraine so far had taken place in close coordination with Western partners. Speaking at the same news conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File PhotoMacron said that sending tanks must not escalate the situation, must take into account the time to train Ukrainians to be effective, and must not endanger France's own security.

☆ Explainer: West mulls sending German Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

BERLIN APPROVALThe re-export of Leopards requires German government approval, so other countries with such tanks could not send them to Ukraine without it. WHY HAS THE WEST NOT SENT BATTLE TANKS TO KYIV SO FAR? The Leopard 2 is one of the most widely used Western tanks. Germany has about 350 Leopard 2 tanks today, compared to some 4,000 battle main tanks at the height of the Cold War, German military expert Carl Schulze says. WHAT OTHER WESTERN BATTLE TANKS ARE THERE?

☆ Vasseur starts a new era for Ferrari with big targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Schumacher won an unprecedented five crowns in a row from 2000-04 under Todt's leadership while Ferrari won seven constructors' championships between 1999 and the end of 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen took their last drivers' title. Vasseur, 54, is an old hand and on his third F1 team after joining Renault in 2016. The team have still not won a title since 2008 and have been making some glaring mistakes with their fans increasingly frustrated. Vasseur, who joins from Swiss-based Sauber where he ran the Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo team, has more than nationality in common with Todt. Nicolas Todt manages Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, last year's runner-up who also raced for Vasseur at Sauber in his debut season.

☆ Ukraine War Spurs NATO to Improve Transport of Military Equipment
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Daniel Michaels | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

BUCHAREST—When France wanted to send Leclerc tanks to bolster the defenses of NATO ally Romania in September, fellow alliance member Germany opposed trucking them across its highways. The problem wasn’t peace protesters or political opposition. It was the heavy French tank-transporters. The flatbeds’ weight on each axle exceeded the legal limits for most German roads, said government authorities, who proposed a route that Paris deemed unacceptable. Instead, France sent the tanks by rail, delaying the shipment.

☆ Crunch time: U.N. puts baguette on cultural heritage list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS — The humble baguette — the crunchy ambassador for French baking around the world — is being added to the U.N.’s list of intangible cultural heritage as a cherished tradition to be preserved by humanity. With the bread’s new status, the French government said it planned to create an artisanal baguette day, called the “Open Bakehouse Day,” to connect the French better with their heritage. With the bread’s new status, the French government said it planned to create an artisanal baguette day. It’s the traditional baguette from the traditional bakery that’s in danger. The “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” was inscribed at the Morocco meeting among other global cultural heritage items, including Japan’s Furyu-odori ritual dances, and Cuba’s light rum masters.

☆ Red Bull driver rift adds spice to Abu Dhabi finale
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Abhishek Takle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Red Bull rift could bring fresh drama to Yas Marina, the circuit where last year Verstappen won his first title and denied Lewis Hamilton a record eighth in a massively controversial clash. read moreVerstappen has little at stake this time, having wrapped up his second title in Japan last month, but can expect a grilling from the world's media after leaving his motives a mystery at Interlagos. read morePerez acidly accused Verstappen of showing "who he really is" in refusing to hand back a place as requested by Red Bull who want the Mexican to end the season second overall. "I am sure that this race will bring back plenty of happy memories from the last 15 years," said the 35-year-old. The German could join them on the sidelines with Haas widely tipped to announce Nico Hulkenberg alongside Kevin Magnussen for next season.

☆ George Russell wins maiden Grand Prix after collision-ridden race in Brazil
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —George Russell won his maiden Grand Prix on Sunday after a collision-ridden race in Brazil. With one race left on the 2022 calendar, Russell moves up to fourth in the driver’s standings, a place ahead of eight-time world champion and teammate Hamilton. Russell celebrates after winning the Sao Paolo Grand Prix. Verstappen and Hamilton collide during the Sao Paolo Grand Prix. Even with a late safety car bunching the pack up, Russell was faster than his more experienced teammate Hamilton, racing home for his first ever Grand Prix victory.

☆ Unhappy Perez says Verstappen showed "who he really is"
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 13 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Sergio Perez said team mate Max Verstappen showed "who he really is" after the double Formula One world champion refused to give back a place in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The radio comment came after the Mexican let Verstappen overtake on the understanding that the position would be returned if the Dutch driver could not pass Alpine's Fernando Alonso for fifth place. Perez needs every point to beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to overall runner-up while Verstappen has already clinched the title. Perez and Leclerc are now tied on 290 points, with Leclerc ahead 3-2 on race wins. Verstappen, who had been penalised for a collision with Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton, was told by his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to let Perez through at the finish but ignored it and took sixth, with Perez seventh.

☆ Perez fastest in Sao Paulo GP practice
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Sergio Perez lapped fastest in first free practice for the Sao Paulo Formula One Grand Prix at Interlagos on Friday with the top three drivers separated by just 0.008 of a second. Double world champion Max Verstappen, Perez's team mate, was a further 0.004 adrift. Red Bull are chasing their 10th win in a row this weekend while Verstappen is seeking a record-extending 15th win of the season. Four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel, heading for retirement after the final race in Abu Dhabi, lapped seventh fastest for Aston Martin and fellow-German Mick Schumacher was eighth for Haas. McLaren's Lando Norris, who cancelled his media engagements due to suspected food poisoning on Thursday, took part in the session and was 15th fastest.

☆ Magnussen takes stunning first F1 pole for Haas in Brazil
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NO KIDDING"You're kidding," Magnussen had said over the team radio when told he was fastest as the red flags were waved. Saturday will be the third such race of the season, with Verstappen winning the two previous ones at Imola and in Austria. Seven-times world champion Hamilton suffered as a result of his team mate's spin and will start the sprint from eighth place. "I will speak to the team and understand what we can do better in those conditions," he said. "I accepted the decision to go on the inters and then I waited for the rain that never came."

CNN —Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished in first place at the Mexican Grand Prix to claim his record-setting 14th win of the season on Sunday. Earlier in October, Verstappen claimed his second career world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, and last week he won the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, which saw him share the record for number of season race wins. Red Bull pitted their drivers first, opting for medium tires while Hamilton fitted hard tires so that he would not have to pit again. RBR were found to have breached the cost cap by £432,652 ($501,409). That comes in from now, it has a direct effect on next year’s car and it will be in place for a 12-month period.”Two races remain on the F1 calendar for Verstappen to add to his record tally with the Brazilian Grand Prix scheduled on November 13 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 20.

☆ Verstappen on pole in Mexico and chasing F1 record
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Janina Nuno Rios | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Verstappen on pole in Mexico CityRed Bull driver can take record 14th win of the seasonMercedes have Russell and Hamilton second and thirdHome favourite Perez qualified fourthMEXICO CITY, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Red Bull's double world champion Max Verstappen swept to pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday with his sights set on a record 14th victory of the season. "It was a close one," said Verstappen, who was 0.304 faster than Russell. The driver on pole has not won since 2016 and Hamilton won from third in 2019. Lando Norris will line up eighth for McLaren with Alpine's Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon completing the top 10. Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Clare Fallon and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Max Verstappen equals single-season win record at US Grand Prix on emotional weekend for Red Bull
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Max Verstappen fought back after pit-stop drama to win the US Grand Prix on Sunday, handing Red Bull the constructors’ championship on an emotional weekend for the team. The Dutchman’s victory came just one day after it was announced that owner and co-founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, had died aged 78. The stop lasted over 11 seconds with Red Bull mechanics scrambling for a replacement wheel gun after Verstappen’s front left tire was not tightened sufficiently. Verstappen poses with the Red Bull team to celebrate winning the constructors' championship. “A very emotional moment, a big moment for the team and for everyone at Red Bull,” he told reporters.

☆ Energised Hamilton says he will return Mercedes to the top
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain waves to the fans after the running of the U.S. Grand Prix F1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"We are much closer now, the upgrade worked and we were racing for a win," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Hamilton has had two other runnerup results this season in France and Hungary but it was the manner of the fight in Texas that had both the Englishman and his Mercedes team looking ahead to next year. "What's happened this year in terms of our performance and everything to get a win would be a huge triumph for us," said Hamilton. "I felt amazing to even just be in shooting distance of Max for some parts of the race," said Hamilton.

☆ Sainz retires from U.S. GP after first lap collision
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 21, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; A view of sunset and the Texas flag as Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz (55) of Team Spain drives during practice for the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsAUSTIN, Texas, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz retired from the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday after starting from pole position and then suffering a first corner collision with Mercedes' George Russell. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, chasing a record-equalling 13th win of the season, seized the lead at the start with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc starting 12th. Ferrari said they had retired Sainz in the pits due to a water leak caused by the collision.

☆ Verstappen wins U.S. GP as Red Bull take constructors' crown
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"That one was for Dietrich," said Verstappen after taking the chequered flag. Ferrari had needed to score 19 points more than Red Bull at the Texas track but Charles Leclerc was the Italian team's sole finisher, fighting his way to third from 12th on the grid. Red Bull now have an unbeatable 656 points to Ferrari's 469. The Dutch 25-year-old secured his second title in Japan two weeks ago. Red Bull's Sergio Perez was fourth with Russell, who secured a bonus point for fastest lap, fifth and Lando Norris sixth for McLaren.

☆ Verstappen fastest in final U.S. Grand Prix practice
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Formula One F1 - United States Grand Prix - Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. - October 22, 2022 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during practice REUTERS/Brian SnyderAUSTIN, Texas, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Double Formula One world champion Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice on Saturday for a U.S. Grand Prix likely to hand the constructors' title to his Red Bull team. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe Ferrari drivers had led both practice sessions on Friday. Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who has a five-place grid penalty, was fourth fastest and seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Mercedes. Verstappen has won 12 of 18 races so far this season and a 13th would equal the single-season record held by German greats Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Leclerc to drop 10 places on U.S. GP starting grid
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will take a 10-place grid drop for Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix due to engine and turbocharger changes, dealing a blow to his team's hopes of denying Red Bull the Formula One constructors' title for another week. Ferrari need to score 19 points more than Red Bull at Austin's Circuit of the Americas to keep the constructors' title battle alive until next weekend's race in Mexico City. Leclerc is battling Red Bull's Sergio Perez for second place overall and is one point behind the Mexican, who incurred a five-place grid drop on Friday. The sport's governing FIA said Leclerc had triggered the drop by taking a sixth internal combustion engine and turbocharger for final practice. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sainz on pole in Austin as F1 mourns Mateschitz
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I think for tomorrow Red Bull are still the favourites and they normally have the better race pace," he added. The Monegasque was 0.065 slower than Sainz's pole time of one minute 34.356 seconds in a windy session at the undulating circuit outside Austin. "The last lap wasn't the best, Carlos did a better job today and deserves to be on pole," said Leclerc. Ferrari need to score 19 points more than Red Bull, who have won the last seven races, to keep the constructors' championship alive with three rounds remaining. Aston Martin's four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, who won his titles with Red Bull, starts 10th.

The F1 US Grand Prix is scheduled for October 23 at 3 p.m. If you don't have access to broadcast TV, you can stream the race with a service like Sling TV. How to watch the F1 US Grand Prix 2022You can watch Formula 1's United States Grand Prix on ABC and ESPN3 at 3 p.m. Sling TV Orange starts at $35 a month, but new subscribers can get their first month for 50% off. F1 US Grand Prix schedule

☆ Can Max Verstappen and Red Bull become Formula One’s new dynasty?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —For much of the 2022 Formula One season, Max Verstappen’s inevitable march to a second consecutive world championship felt more like a procession than a competition. “We note the findings by the FIA of ‘minor overspend breaches of the financial regulations’ with surprise and disappointment,” Red Bull said in a statement earlier this month. The FIA has yet to announce how Red Bull will be penalized for breaching the cost cap. “But Red Bull have not only made the best of the new regulations, but they seem to have a driver in Max that is driving at a level that I’ve not seen since Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen celebrates becoming F1 world champion with his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.

☆ Verstappen shoots for record to end Mercedes' title streak
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At the same time Red Bull can clinch their first constructors' championship since 2013. If Ferrari fail to score 19 points more than Red Bull in Texas, the contest is over. "If we can make a step, hopefully, we can get into the fight with the Ferraris and the Red Bulls," said trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin. Mexican fans will be relishing the battle for second place in the drivers' championship, with Red Bull's Sergio Perez only a point ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The Circuit of the Americas is celebrating its 10th anniversary as U.S. Grand Prix host and organisers expect a record 440,000-strong three-day crowd as the sport continues to surge in popularity in America.

☆ Max Verstappen crowned world champion in chaotic circumstances at Japanese Grand Prix
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-09 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Max Verstappen was crowned Formula One world champion in bizarre circumstances following a dominant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. So when Verstappen finished, he initially only celebrated a race victory – his 12th of the season – and completed his first post-race interview accordingly. I am hearing different things,” Verstappen said, after he was initially crowned world champion during a second post-race interview. It was confirmed again, and he sat down in front of a ‘World Champion’ banner in a throne room. “Am I the world champion?” Verstappen asked Jensen Button before his interview on the podium.

☆ Verstappen wins chaotic, rain-shortened Japanese GP to clinch title
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen poses on the podium with the trophy following his victory at the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Mie prefecture on Oct. 9, 2022. Max Verstappen sealed his second Formula 1 world championship amid huge confusion after winning a chaotic, rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix. With between 50 per cent and 75 per cent of the laps completed, most of the F1 paddock believed Verstappen would only be awarded 19 points for his victory. But for the Japanese GP there was a different interpretation of the rules, which state that the reduced points are only applied if a race is suspended "and cannot be resumed". "The first one is a little more emotional, the second one is more beautiful," Verstappen said.

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