Pole for Norris; "You can't beat McLaren": Mad Max

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 29, 2025, p. a11

Vienna. British driver Lando Norris (McLaren) claimed pole position yesterday for the Austrian Grand Prix, his third of the season, after setting the fastest time around the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg. The track didn't allow reigning champion Max Verstappen to perform well, resulting in him finishing seventh. The Dutch driver acknowledged that McLaren is unbeatable.

The Briton beat Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri, championship leader, by 521 and 583 thousandths of a second, respectively.

Two weeks after the error that led to his retirement from the Canadian Grand Prix, following a collision with his teammate Piastri, Norris dominated the competition, leaving them more than half a second behind, a feat even greater considering the short duration of the lap, which barely exceeded a minute.

This Sunday, the reigning world championship runner-up will need to confirm his positive performance in the race to close the 22-point gap that currently separates him from Piastri in the Formula 1 World Championship standings.

"It was a very good lap, that's clear. I'm very happy, it's a great day and a good weekend so far. I hope to continue this momentum tomorrow (Sunday), but it's going to be a long race," Norris said.

Despite the difficulties that Ferraris usually show in qualifying sessions, Leclerc achieved the second best time and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) the fourth, followed by his compatriot George Russell (Mercedes), winner last year in Spielberg and winner two weeks ago in Montreal.

New Zealander Liam Lawson, driving for Racing Bulls, overtook the first Red Bull driver, that of seven-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Mad Max , who had achieved the four most recent pole positions at his team's home, did not go beyond seventh position and will start alongside Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), alongside Lawson, the big surprise of the day.

We haven't been going well throughout qualifying. There isn't a single corner where the car feels good, and that's a big problem , admitted the Dutchman after the session.

"I don't think we're in a position to compete against McLaren. They're on another level, but hopefully tomorrow we can compete at least with Ferrari or Mercedes ," the reigning F1 champion added.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 29, 2025, p. a11

Kenya Lechuga, a member of the Navy, won the gold medal at the second 2025 World Rowing Cup, held in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The Monterrey native took first place in the lightweight single scull, which means her fifth World Cup medal and second gold medal (both this year).

Three-time Olympian Lechuga clocked a time of 7:34.51, followed by Austrian Lara Tiefenthaler, who won silver, and Norwegian Maia Emilie Lund, who took bronze.

The Mexican, who just a few days ago won another gold medal at the Cup held in Varese, Italy, is preparing for the World Rowing Championships, which will take place from September 21 to 28 in Shanghai, China.

COM, concerned about migrants

Marijose Alcalá, head of the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM), expressed concern about the immigration status of Mexicans in the United States.

During the Olympic Day celebrations at the CDOM facilities, the former diver expressed her intention to provide advice to athletes and their families applying for visas for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

We've received letters from USA Olympics requesting visas for athletes, coaches, and the entire multidisciplinary team. We must begin reviewing and planning how they can help us , Alcalá commented.

The leader hopes that the COM's good relationship with USA Olympics will ensure that the selected athletes and their companions have no problems entering the Olympic venue.

It's worrying because our fellow countrymen are people who contribute a lot; furthermore, the athletes will want their parents and friends to accompany them to the Games, and we'll have to implement a strategy to help everyone who needs it.