Max Verstappen topped the timesheet in a less than straightforward FP2 session at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The Dutchman set a 1:13.085 on the ultrasoft tyres during the qualifying simulation programmes but his afternoon was affected by a problem discovered on his car which prevented him completing a full race sim. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, fresh from committing their futures to Mercedes, completed the top three in close quarters, while just three tenths separated the top six with Ferrari also showing good pace. Both Haas cars were firmly inside the top 10; Charles Leclerc, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon followed next. Daniel Ricciardo fell to P13 after not completing a qualifying sim, while the McLaren cars could only manage P17 and P20 after completing theirs. The opening stints in FP2 saw a slight variation between the top three; Vettel and Raikkonen, both on mediums, were within half a second of Red Bull and Mercedes as they gathered more data on the softs. … [Read more...] about FP2: Red Bull remain on top in Germany
Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton in German Grand Prix second practice
Red Bull completed a Friday double at the German Grand Prix as Verstappen edged out Hamilton in second practice at Hockenheim. Verstappen posted a best effort of one minute and 13.085 seconds to beat Hamilton to the top spot by a little less than three hundredths of a second. Valtteri Bottas, who earlier on Friday followed Hamilton in extending his stay at Mercedes, finished third. Vettel was fourth, a quarter of a second down on Verstappen. His Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen placed fifth Final times after second practice: Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1min 13.085secs Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:13.111 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:13.190 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:13.310 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:13.427 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:13.973 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:14.189 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Sauber-Ferrari 1:14.374 Nico Hulkenburg (Ger) Renault 1:14.496 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:14.508 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:14.552 … [Read more...] about Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton in German Grand Prix second practice
How Lewis Hamilton’s new Mercedes contract puts him within reach of Schumacher-like greatness
Lewis Hamilton is already one of Formula One's all-time greats. A McLaren prodigy, he very nearly won the championship in his debut season, beating team-mate and two-time champion Fernando Alonso in the process. 11 years later, he now has four world titles, 65 race wins and 76 pole positions, putting him ahead of the names of almost everyone to have ever driven an F1 car. Alain Prost, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda and his hero Ayrton Senna have all been surpassed in one way or another. Should Hamilton win the drivers' title in 2018 he will match the five titles of Juan Manuel Fangio. But there is still one name that sits above all others: Michael Schumacher. His numerical superiority - seven drivers' titles and 91 wins - is huge and may never be surpassed. With Hamilton signing another two-year contract with Mercedes - taking him until the end of the 2020 season - there is a chance that Hamilton could match or even surpass the German's once-seemingly insurmountable records. … [Read more...] about How Lewis Hamilton’s new Mercedes contract puts him within reach of Schumacher-like greatness
Woman sentenced in son’s beating death
Associated Press Published 2:27 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Grand Rapids – A western Michigan woman faces prison time has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in connection with the beating death of her 4-year-old son. A Kent County judge sentenced Sonja Hernandez on Thursday to 57 to 120 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to second-degree child abuse and perjury. Her former boyfriend, Elis Ortiz-Nieves, was sentenced in January to life in prison without parole after being convicted of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the June 2017 death of Giovanni Mejias in Gaines Township. An autopsy showed the boy died from internal bleeding. He also suffered seven blows to his head, and cigarettes were extinguished on his body. In court, Hernandez acknowledged she has made mistakes. … [Read more...] about Woman sentenced in son’s beating death
Truck driver convicted in Mich. crash that left 3 dead
Associated Press Published 2:48 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Howell – A truck driver has been convicted in connection with a multi-vehicle crash that killed three people on U.S. 23 in southeastern Michigan. A jury this week found 62-year-old Gary Bryce Erard of Snover guilty of three misdemeanor counts of moving violation causing death in the April 23, 2017 crash. Sentencing is scheduled Aug. 27 in a Livingston County courtroom. He faces up to a year behind bars. Erard has said there’s nothing he could say or do to bring peace to the victims’ families. He earlier pleaded no contest to the charges, but withdrew his plea and opted for trial after a judge sentenced him to six months in jail. Authorities say Erard failed to stop as he approached traffic that was stopped in a construction area in Livingston County. … [Read more...] about Truck driver convicted in Mich. crash that left 3 dead
Detroit police seek help identifying Woodward assault suspect
Blake Alsup The Detroit News Published 2:38 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 The Detroit Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying and locating a suspect wanted for an assault in the downtown area earlier this month. A 53-year-old man was leaving a convenience store behind a group of males around 11 a.m. on July 4 in the 2000 block of Woodward. A male suspect broke away from the group and approached the victim, striking him in the left eye with an unknown object, police said in a press release. The victim was transported to the hospital by EMS and was in serious condition at the time, police said. Surveillance photos have been released and police are asking for the public's help. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Detroit Police Department’s third Precinct at (313) 596-1340, or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. … [Read more...] about Detroit police seek help identifying Woodward assault suspect
Worker injured in blast at Army depot in Pa. dies
Associated Press Published 2:52 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Chambersburg, Pa. – The U.S. Army says one of five civilian employees injured in an explosion and fire at a military depot in Pennsylvania has died. Letterkenny Army Depot commander Col. Stephen Ledbetter announced the death of the unidentified employee Friday. Two others remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition. A base spokeswoman declined to provide any other information about the worker who died. The explosion occurred in a painting area for vehicles on Thursday morning at the facility in Chambersburg, about 160 miles west of Philadelphia. The cause is under investigation. The depot handles air defense tactical missile ground support equipment, mobile electric power generation equipment, Patriot missile recertification and route guidance vehicles. … [Read more...] about Worker injured in blast at Army depot in Pa. dies
Mich. man enters plea in death of 20-month-old
Associated Press Published 2:30 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Midland – A Michigan man who authorities say threw his 20-month-old daughter against a wall near her crib has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and child abuse. The Midland Daily News reports 25-year-old Zachary Quinn Bieski of Midland entered pleas to resolve the case Thursday. He originally faced charges including first-degree murder in the death of Delilah Quinn Bieski. Sentencing is Sept. 27. He faces 15-25 years in prison for second-degree murder and up to 10 years for child abuse. Midland County Prosecutor J. Dee Brooks, Bieski and his lawyer drafted a written description of what occurred on Oct. 24, the night Delilah was hurt. It states Bieski had argued with his live-in girlfriend before he threw the child, who died a few days later. She had a fractured skull. … [Read more...] about Mich. man enters plea in death of 20-month-old
Southfield chief chosen as Albany’s top cop
Associated Press Published 2:36 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Albany, N.Y. – Southfield’s police chief has been chosen as the next police chief in Albany. The Albany Police Department has been led the past 18 months by Acting Police Chief Bob Sears, who is set to retire next week. The Times Union of Albany reports Democratic Mayor Kathy Sheehan has appointed 50-year-old Eric Hawkins to lead the 350-strong force. Sheehan says Hawkins’ experience as police chief in Southfield made him the best candidate for the job. The Albany Common Council has 45 days to confirm or reject the appointment. Earlier this week, the council approved increasing the salary for the next chief to $145,000. If confirmed, Hawkins would be Albany’s second black police chief. John Dale, Albany’s first black police chief, ran the department from 1989 until his retirement in 1995. … [Read more...] about Southfield chief chosen as Albany’s top cop
Boy, 16, critically injured in drive-by shooting
The Detroit News Published 2:34 p.m. UTC Jul 20, 2018 Detroit Police officials are investigating the early morning shooting Friday of a 16-year-old that has left him in critical condition. The unidentified teen was shot around 12:15 a.m., police said, after an altercation in the 20100 block of Yacama in a drive-by fashion. The area is west of Interstate 75 and south of Eight Mile. He was hit in the upper stomach, lower chest and right tricep. Police officials said they have no further details regarding the shooting. … [Read more...] about Boy, 16, critically injured in drive-by shooting