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Watch out for Kimi Russell biggest F1 fight is with teammate Antonelli, says Norris BY SCOTT HUNT

Roland Garros has special feeling: Sinner

Mercerdes’ George Russell (left) and Kimi Antonelli at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix tomorrow. – REUTERSPIC

LANDO NORRIS warned George Russell he is facing a challenge like he has never dealt with before as he fights teammate Kimi Antonelli for the world championship. Russell was the pre-season championship favourite as Mercedes delivered the strongest car for the sport’s new regula tions and an opening win in Melbourne only strengthened that case but Antonelli, 19, has turned the tables by winning the next three races. Norris found himself in a very similar situation last season, slip ping behind McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri early in the season before ultimately clinching a maiden championship. The 26-year-old believes Russell has the mettle for the title scrap – one which Norris and McLaren would very much like to muscle their way into – but says having a dangerous chal lenger across the garage will make life much harder. “I think any situation that he’s ever dealt with is different to fighting for a world champion ship,” Norris said. “Forget everything that’s ever happened, I think as soon as you’re fighting for a world cham

she did not win, Sabalenka’s answer showed a No. 1’s mindset. “I think all of us are here just for one reason, you know.” Sabalenka said that her improved consistency is not only the product of physical health but also of over coming her tendency to melt down mentally on court when things didn’t go her way. “My emotions were destroying my game, and my level was drop ping dramatically when I would just start overreacting on everything,” she said. “At the same time, my opponents would see that and they would step in and play better.” – AFP WORLD NO. 1 Jannik Sinner said yester day that coming back to the home of the French Open was “nice” despite it bring ing back memories of the iconic final last year, which he lost in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz. The 24-year-old gave up three championship points in that gut wrenching loss but returns to Paris 12 months later the overwhelming favour ite to complete his career Grand Slam. Ahead of speaking to reporters at the media day before the tournament proper starts today, Sinner has had time to practise on Roland Garros’ showpiece court, Philippe Chatrier. He said stepping back on centre court for a hit was a “special feeling”, adding: “It’s a very special tournament for me, and it has been increasingly bet ter year after year, and last year we were very close (to winning). “But the feelings and the connection with the crowd was very nice. A lot of kids, which I really like to see. Yeah, it was very nice also, the stairs up, the walk-on. And of course I still have some, I think back what happened, but still very positive feelings.” With Alcaraz out of action due to injury and Sinner being on a 29-match win streak, it would seem there is little to stand in the Italian’s way to a first Roland Garros title – and fifth major victory overall. However, he is aware that his unprecedented period of dominance has put a target on his back coming into Roland Garros. “Everyone is trying, you know, to beat (me), but that’s also the most normal thing,” he said. “You need to be ready. Best-of-five (set) matches, they are a bit different. It gives you a little bit more time to under stand how to beat a player, and even if you have a wrong start, then potentially you can find a way in. “I’m very sure I have very, very tough matches in front of me. I try to focus on myself.” – AFP

pionship, and then you also have a strong teammate, that’s a very different situation. “The last few years, I’ve had a very strong teammate that as

gap to Mercedes and reflected on his own triumph last season where he clinched the championship at the final race – holding off Verstappen and Piastri after a campaign where he had been questioned on a regular basis. “The beginning of last year was one where I was consistently a bit behind. That’s when you start to feel a bit more like, ‘where do I start now’?” Norris said. “I wouldn’t say I ever got into a panic. I don’t think I really ever panic. But I cer tainly wasn’t the most happy. “I needed those people around me at that time to help me get back to being my normal self. “Just going back to just believing in myself a little bit more and just knowing that I have what it takes to fight for a world championship.” – The Independent

soon as I wasn’t on my A game, I was way off. That always makes your life a lot, lot tougher. “Certainly (George) puts up a good fight. I think he’s shown that already when he tried to fight Max (Verstappen) off the track. “He certainly wanted to stand up for himself. I think he’s smart as well. I think he’s definitely one of the smartest drivers on track.” Russell was teammates with seven-time world cham pion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and, across their seasons together, came out on top. “Overall George,” Norris added on that battle. But he also didn’t get consistently beaten as much as he has done over the last two, three races. “And that’s just a very different situation to be in.” Norris remains optimistic that McLaren can close their

Notices

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FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267) FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025 RULE 3 NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWS The Mayor has received an application for proposed demolition of the existing hotel building (Corus Hotel) and redevelopment into a 77-storey serviced apartment and luxury serviced apartment tower (582 units) comprising a parking basement, commercial space, lobby and amenities, a parking podium, and M&E space on Lot 236, Jalan Ampang, Section 43, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. (Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 1243/59 JLD 1) Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application. If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: jprb@dbkl.gov.my . These views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number. Date: 22 ND MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267) FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025 RULE 3 NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWS Datuk Bandar has received an application for a proposed development of two apartment suite towers a 61-storey tower (Tower A - 460 units) and a 46-storey tower (Tower B - 119 units), including retails spaces, office spaces, parking podiums, mechanical rooms, and residents' facilities, with a plot ratio of 1:9.77 on Lot 147, Section 87, Jalan Tun Razak, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. (Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 6340/95 T) Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application. If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: jprb@dbkl.gov.my . These views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number. Date: 24 TH MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR

Sabalenka poised to ‘go for it’ in Paris ARYNA SABALENKA said yesterday she is ready, in body and mind, to conquer clay and take a first Roland Garros title. fight, and, of course, I hope to do a little bit better than I did last year,” said the Belarusian, who turned 28 earlier in May. Sabalenka completed a victori

“I know how to play on clay, and it’s all about being physically and mentally healthy, to go for it, and to be ready to fight,” she said at the media day ahead of the tourna ment’s start today. Sabalenka, the top-ranked woman for approaching two years, has only won three titles on clay, all in Madrid. Her best showing in the clay-court Grand Slam was last year when she lost the final in three sets to Coco Gauff. “All I can say is that I’m ready to

ous “sunshine double” on the hard courts at Indian Wells and Miami, before losing momentum on clay. At Madrid, she lost in the quarter finals to Hailey Baptiste. In Rome, she only won one match before fal ling to Sorana Cirstea. “I struggled the beginning of the clay season physically, to be honest,” she said yesterday. “Right now I feel 100%. I’m healed everywhere and I’m ready to go.” Asked if she would be satisfied if