Hamilton, Vettel chasing 5th Formula 1 title to match Fangio
PARIS:Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel start the Formula One season in Australia on March 25 within touching distance of further greatness.
A fifth world title would move one of the drivers level with Juan Manuel Fangio and second only to Michael Schumacher’s seven. Hamilton and Vettel share 109 wins (Hamilton 62, Vettel 47), 216 podiums (117-99) and 122 pole positions (72-50). Hamilton got his first title 10 years ago before Vettel won four straight from 2010-13.
But Hamilton has dominated since joining Mercedes. Last year’s title was the British driver’s third in four seasons to level at 4-4 with his Ferrari rival.
Next Sunday’s season-opening Australian GP will be Vettel’s 200th race, and fittingly the German is seeking his 100th F1 podium. Hamilton, meanwhile, seeks a record-extending 73rd pole and a 63rd GP win.
Matching Fangio, the daring Argentine who won his titles in the 1950s when driving circumstances were extremely challenging, will make one of them truly stand out.
Anirban Lahiri fired back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes on his back nine to squeeze inside the cut line at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Lahiri had four each of birdies and bogeys in his even round and is tied-66th at one-over 145. Tiger Woods did not make a birdie until the 12th hole and shot 72 and at four-under 140.
I-LEAGUE DIV 2
NEW DELHI: Hindustan FC will play the opening match of Group-A of 2nd Division ILeague on Tuesday against Delhi United at Ambedkar Stadium. Two ISL reserve teams Delhi Dynamos and Pune City FC are also in the group besides Lonestar Kashmir and Real Kashmir. Hindustan FC are under training with Vikrant Sharma and Bishwanath Kundu for the last two months. HFC have signed Mithun Samanta (from Mohan Bagan), and Nitesh Chhikara (from Md. Sporting).