Verstappen becomes youngest ever F1 winner in Spain

Yahoo – AFP, Timothy Collings, May 15, 2016

Max Verstappen celebrates his first Grand Prix win, taking the top spot in Spain
 on May 15, 2016 and becoming the youngest ever Formula One winner at 18 years
of age (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene)

Barcelona (AFP) - Teenager Max Verstappen became Formula One's youngest ever winner on Sunday when he took full advantage of a first lap crash that eliminated both Mercedes cars to claim a memorable triumph in the Spanish Grand Prix.

In his maiden outing with Red Bull following his unexpected promotion from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old Dutchman showed supreme composure under pressure as he resisted all attacks to claim a stunning victory in only his 24th F1 race.

He became the youngest race winner, at 18 years and 228 days, replacing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who had also taken that record as a Red Bull driver.

Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen of the

 Netherlands attends a press conference at the 

Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just 

outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 12, 2016. 

The Formula One race will be held on Sunday. 

(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

"It feels amazing, I can't believe it," said Verstappen.

"It was a great race and it felt like an endurance race. To win straight away, in my first race, it's an amazing feeling. From a very young age, my dad has helped me a lot – it’s just amazing."

Verstappen, heralded as the sport's hottest property, proved he has everything required to be a future world champion, but owed some of his good fortune also to Red Bull’s decision to put him on a three-stop strategy while his senior team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was on a two-stop plan.

That prevented the Australian from turning his early control of the race into victory after the opening lap collision between championship leader Nico Rosberg and his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton had left them fuming in a gravel trap at Turn Four and out of the race.

Ricciardo eventually came home fourth, despite suffering a puncture on the penultimate 65th lap, behind the two Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen who finished second ahead of Vettel.

Verstappen's maiden win on his Red Bull debut was the first in the sport by a Dutchman and the first by the team without Vettel involved in one of their cars.

"It's unbelievable, I can't believe this," said Verstappen's father Jos, who on Saturday had announced he was standing down as his son’s manager.

Valtteri Bottas came home fifth for Williams ahead of Carlos Sainz in a Toro Rosso, Sergio Perez of Force India, Felipe Massa in the second Williams, Jenson Button of McLaren Honda and Daniil Kvyat on his return to Toro Rosso.

Ricciardo was understandably frustrated.

"It's mixed emotions for me," he said. "I was leading and then was pulled to a three-stop strategy and had to pass three cars – that wasn't the plan.

Infiniti Red Bull racing driver Max Verstappen pictured during the during the Spanish

 Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo outside Barcelona

on May 15, 2016 (AFP Photo/Tom Gandolfini)

"In hindsight, it was wrong. Not to be on the podium – that sucks for me. The puncture at the end was just salt in the wounds.

"I don't want to come across as a bad sportsman and, whatever happened on the track, Max crossed the line first. I’m bitter, but not at Max.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: “We are as much in shock as anyone is… We knew there was a chance when both Mercedes went off, but what Max has done is unbelievable.

"He made a two-stop, which was right on the limit, and it worked beautifully for him. It is fantastic for F1 to have a new winner – a youngster on the top step at 18. He can’t even drink the champagne!"

Vettel was generous to his successor as the youngest winner.

“Many congratulations to Max, it is a great achievement to win your first race and this is his day."

Raikkonen, whose second place finish lifted him to second behind Rosberg in the drivers’ championship, said: "I am happy for Max, but disappointed for myself.

"But that’s racing. We tried and we tried. I was fast and I got close, but it was not enough."

After Red Bull promoted Max Verstappen from Toro Rosso, the youngster has \

been losing sleep ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Raikkonen, a 36-year-old veteran of 235 Grands Prix, added: "I raced against his father. In Formula One! And that is scary…"

In an extraordinary race, there was drama from start to finish.

World championship leader Rosberg and Hamilton were scrapping for the lead when they wrecked the team’s hopes of another one-two triumph and revived bitter memories of their collision in the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix on Turn Four.

"We have spoken to both drivers and it is not a clear cut decision – we have lost 43 points after lots of effort by the team in the last few difficult weeks," said a strained Toto Wolff, the team chief.

"Let's see what the stewards decide."

Another reprimand for Hamilton, if it was to come, would be his third of the season and signal an automatic 10-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix, diminishing his ability to revive a serious title defence.

On the day of Verstappen's emphatic arrival, it seemed also to be a signal that times are changing and a new era may be about to unfold.

Related Articles:

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen wins the Spanish Grand Prix

"The Energy of the Future" - Dec 7, 2014 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

“… The New 'Message' from Space

Let me tell you what the message is that is being communicated: Unlock to 44 percent! This is the message: The Human race has passed the marker and is ready for the next step in evolution. I am talking about the old soul. You are the ones who will be first to get this message. It is you, and some of your "old soul" children, who are starting to feel and accept this!

Let me tell you in this lesson today that the first thing that this unlocking will begin to create is what we're going to call Akashic acuity. You're going to start remembering, and it's about time. Can you celebrate this? It's about time that when you're born you don't start from scratch, in the dark, and doing everything all over again. Instead, you remember!

I want to talk to some individuals who are listening to this and are in this room. Have your grandchildren had the audacity to tell you who they used to be? Don't raise your hand; I know you're here. They feel it, and they know it, and out of the mouths of these babes come the most profound information that this planet has ever heard! They knew who they were! Some will point their fingers at you and say, “Don't you remember? I was your mum in another life.” That's a bit disconcerting, isn't it?

I want you to remember one of the premises of incarnation, the one that we have given you over and over. You incarnate in family groups. There's a reason for this, so there is comfort and joy. It's so you don't have to learn the energy of each related person, all over again, each time. The energies of the family stay together and you can accomplish more that way. There's always a benevolent reason for these things. Every single attribute of the esoteric system of life, whether it's your grids or reincarnation, is benevolent. Did you hear that? It's a beautiful system, and not random. It's not about judgment; it's not about punishment. It is, instead, about the love of God for you, and what I'm about to tell you is what is changing is energy.

Akashic Acuity

So we have established that you are moving into this new radiation, and we have established that it intersects the sun. The sun blasts your magnetic field with it (via the solar wind) and the magnetic field talks to your DNA. Suddenly, there is the potential some of your DNA is being unlocked. The attributes of unlocking Akashic acuity will help you to remember who you've been. Now, with this remembrance comes energy - not about who you were, but rather it gives you the energy of what you did. I don't mean physically; I mean energetically and mentally. Old souls carry with them experience. When you look into the eyes of a child, you're going to see wisdom just waiting to break out. Dear ones, these children are different. They are not going to go through what you did! They have a whole new set of issues, and most of their issues are trying to navigate the old issues you create for them!

There's something we brought up in a former channelling called the wisdom factor. Now, the wisdom factor is caused by Akashic acuity. After living Human life over and over, you start remembering the wisdom that you have gained through these past lifetimes. You don't necessarily remember who you were, but rather the fact that you were at all and the experiences you had. Imagine a child coming into the planet knowing how to read? Imagine a child coming into the planet knowing not to touch something hot? Where did it come from? You're going to see more of this, and a feeling of "been there, done that".

Akashic acuity is remembrance of experience during past lifetimes. As the child grows, that remembrance becomes pure wisdom. As the child starts to awaken and the pineal opens, something else happens. The grid starts talking to the child through the DNA, and in the grid is also the information from the time capsules we spoke about in past channellings. The time capsules start feeding the planet with increased wisdom and knowledge. You don't have to reincarnate to awaken even further! Akashic acuity means suddenly Humans know more than other children have in the past - much more. …”

Sparks fly as Di Grassi wins first electric car race

Yahoo – AFP, Neil Connor, 13 Sep 2014

Lucas di Grassi drives during the Formula E race at the circuit near the Bird's 

Nest stadium in Beijing on September 13, 2014. AFP Photo / Wang Zhao (AFP Photo)

Beijing (AFP) - A spectacular crash at the last corner that ended leader Nicolas Prost's race and sent ex-F1 driver Nick Heidfeld flying into the fencing gave Brazil's Lucas di Grassi victory in the first ever Formula E electric race in Beijing Saturday.

The Frenchman, son of four-time Formula One champion Alain, led the gripping race until the final moments.

But Heidfeld made contact with the left side of Prost's E.Dams Renault shortly before the finish outside the Bird's Nest stadium in the Chinese capital and went barrelling into the air.

Lucas di Grassi of Brazil (left) celebrates

 after winning the Formula E race at the

 circuit near the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing

on September 13, 2014 (AFP Photo/Wang

Zhao)

The German wriggled out of the wreckage of his vehicle and appeared to confront Prost, who looked to be gesturing his innocence.

Prost told AFP after the race: "I would not have expected for him to have attempted a suicide move at the end of the race.

"My victory was stolen. It is really hard."

Heidfeld, racing for the Venturi team backed by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, had clawed his way up from 17th on the grid to push Prost in the final few laps.

But the crash left the way open for Brazilian Di Grassi, who was racing for Audi Sport ABT.

"When I realised that they were off, yeah it was like a dream come true," he said.

"I was alone and have won the race, and I am really, really really happy to be in this position."

"I was very lucky, to be lucky you also need to be in the right place."

Frenchman Frank Montagny from the Andretti team finished second, while Briton Sam Bird of Virgin Racing, the team backed by British tycoon Richard Branson, took third.

Senna collides

Bruno Senna -- the nephew of Ayrton Senna, a huge rival of Alain Prost's -- suffered a miserable afternoon after the front left side of his axle appeared to give way after he collided with another car in the first lap.

He has earlier failed to record a lap time in qualification after having problems with his battery, and started the race near the back of the grid.

Lucas di Grassi of Brazil drives in the Formula E race at the circuit near the

Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on September 13, 2014 (AFP Photo/Wang Zhao)

Chinese fans packed the main grandstands around the emblematic stadium that hosted the 2008 Olympics.

Some lined the tracksides, carrying children on their shoulders as the futuristic whine of the cars sounded across the track, and techno music added to the atmosphere.

Many fans were upset that Senna went out early.

"It is such a shame to see his car being lifted off the track," said one female fan, surnamed Zhao.

"Motorsport is not that popular in China yet, but a lot of people have heard of Ayrton Senna," she added.

The Formula E series will see 10 races on different street circuits around the world involving 20 drivers from 10 different teams.

Nelson Piquet Junior, also the son of a former motor sport great, finished eighth.

Reigning Champs Set Quick Pace for Tour d'Indonesia Field

The Jakarta Globe, Ami Afriatni

DKI Jakarta riders passing through the Semanggi area in Jakarta during the opening team trial on Sunday. DI Jogjakarta emerged as the fastest local team in the first stage, finishing fifth overall. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Defending Tour d’Indonesia champion Tabriz Petrochemical wasted little time setting itself apart from the rest of the field.

Averaging 48 kilometers per hour, the Iranian team blew away the field in the first stage in Jakarta on Sunday and won the opening team time trial in 15 minutes.

Another Iranian team, Azad University, finished second in 15:28.368, with the Japanese national team third with a time of 16:02.659. Plan B of Australia was fourth in 16:03.045, and DI Jogjakarta was the fastest Indonesian side after it took fifth in 16:14.757.

Tabriz’s riders are confident they can continue having success in the race, including the sprint events, despite one less mountain stage this year.

The Iranians dominated in the mountains in 2008, but organizers removed a steep climb from the fifth stage, from Purwokerto to Yogyakarta, because of safety concerns.

“We’re not really happy with the route because basically we’re all climbers,” 2008 individual champion Ghader Mizbani Iranagh said.

“But we’ll also try in the sprints. I hope we still can win the yellow jersey and I myself can defend my title.”

Mehdi Sohrabi of Tabriz, who claimed top spot in the Asian rankings this month, won the yellow jersey after posting the fastest time. Azad sprinter Amir Zargari took the green jersey for being the top sprinter.

Though there was no climb in the first stage, organizers awarded the polka-dot jersey to Kazuki Aoyanagi, who was the fastest on the third-place Japanese national team. Nugroho Kisnanto of DI Jogjakarta took the red and white jersey, which is awarded to the top Indonesian rider.

Nugroho, runner-up for the green jersey last year, said he has a chance to do one better after 2008 sprint champion Anuar Manan of Malaysia did not enter this year’s race.

“This is a good opportunity for me. I want to win the green jersey this year,” the 25-year-old said.

The 19 participating teams were transferred to Bandung following the time trial. Today’s second stage runs from Bandung to Tasikmalaya, West Java.

Sunday’s results

1. Tabriz Petrochemical (15:00.068)
2. Azad University (15:28.368)
3. Japan National Team (16:02.659)
4. Plan B Racing (16:03.045)
5. DI Jogjakarta (16:14.757)
6. Polygon Sweet Nice (16:21.158)
7. United Bike Kencana Kota Malang (16:28.000)
8. Putra Perjuangan Kota Bandung (16:33.327)
9. Road Bike Phils-7 Eleven (16:34.331)
10. Customs Cycling Club (16:35.017) Cycling
    
    

Related Article:

New route for Tour d'Indonesia cycling race

Gliding by numbers

The Jakarta Post

Antara | Wed, 09/09/2009 4:06 PM

Spectators watch as paragliders fly above Timbis Beach in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday, in an attempt to break a national record. Ninety-nine gliders took to the air for 9 hours and 9 minutes during the event, held on ninth day of the ninth month of 2009. Antara/Nyoman Budhiana

Green Map introduces new way to tour Jakarta

Triwik Kurniasari, THE JAKARTA POST, JAKARTA | Mon, 03/16/2009 4:26 PM  

Jakartans can now enjoy the excitement of finding interesting , lesser known locations, including green spaces and historical sites, by using environmentally friendly modes of transportation, by following the recently launched 2009 Jakarta Green Map. 

The green map includes 100 places of interest and neighborhoods with green activities located along bus and train routes and bicycle lanes. 

Nirwono Joga, who coordinated the making of Green Map Jakarta, said that the map was designed to promote a healthy and sustainable city and features, among other things, green areas, old buildings, rare trees and bird-watching sites. 

"We want to encourage people to get to know more about Jakarta, including its green areas," Nirwono Yoga said on Sunday. 

"We also encourage them to travel in more environmentally friendly ways, by taking nonmotorized transportation, like walking and riding a bike, or by using public transportation, like the TransJakarta bus or trains," he said. 

The 2009 Jakarta Green Map is the fifth edition. The first map, of Kemang, South Jakarta, was made in 2001 by a group of residents, architects and media workers. The second, of Kebayoran Baru, also in South Jakarta, was made in 2002. A year later, Menteng in Central Jakarta, had its turn, while the fourth green map, of Old Town in West and North Jakarta, was made in 2005. 

The launch of the green map was marked by a tour of Senayan, in South and Central Jakarta and the Museum Taman Prasasti (Inscription Museum) in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. 

During the tour, participants had a chance to visit Krida Loka Park and see its big, old and rare trees, which include mahogany, lobi-lobi, tamarind, bay leaf and matoa (Papuan fruits) species. 

Besides rare trees, people also viewed birds including parrots and kepodangs, Evi Fadliah, from the Green Monster NGO said. 

"Birds in the city often go to this area to get a rest and find food, like seeds and fruits. Many Jakartans don't know about this and it is a good opportunity for us to disperse this information," Evi said.

Tour d'Indonesia offers cyclists challenges

Niken Prathivi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta  | Sun, 11/23/2008 10:31 AM  

The organizers of newly resumed 2008 Speedy Tour d'Indonesia are confident the event, which starts Sunday, promises cyclists greater challenges. 

"We have 17 teams participating. The minimum number of participation for the event is between 10 and 15 teams, so 17 teams is an OK number," race director Sofyan Ruzian told The Jakarta Post over the phone Saturday. 

The annual event, which was listed on world cycling body International Cycling Union's (UCI) calendar in 2003, was absent last year due to sponsorship woes. 

In 2006, 24 teams from nine countries took part in the Tour. Initially, 10 foreign teams and eight local teams were expected to take part in the event this year. 

Following the withdrawal of three foreign teams -- Jajo Spirit of Switzerland, Mes Kerman of Iran and Nordland Hamburg-Palmares of Germany -- the organizers allowed two additional local teams to take part, taking the number of participating teams to seven foreign teams and 10 local teams. 

The German team Nordland Hamburg-Palmares signed up for the race, but reportedly canceled their participation because they could not afford the soaring airfare prices as a result of the global economic crisis. 

Jazy Sports Beacon of the Philippines, National Team of Japan, Tinelli Collosi of Australia/New Zealand, National Team of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Cycling Association and Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team of Iran will be among the participating teams. 

The Tabriz team is one of the strongest teams on the Tour. Its cyclist, Mehdi Faridi, came out as the King of Mountain at the 2006 Tour. The team was also crowned the best Asian team in 2007. 

The US$100,000 tour will run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 5. The cyclists will travel a 1,726-km route, from Jakarta to Bali. The route this year is longer than that of the 2006 tour, which was 1,352.2 km and completed in nine stages. 

The tour's 80-km Jakarta stage will kick off at 8 a.m. at the South Plaza of the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Central Jakarta. 

Two cyclists from the Kuala Lumpur team were disqualified because they were below the 18-year-old age requirement, Sofyan said.