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Novak Djokovic hit out at the BBC over how he was reported on for refusing the…
Novak Djokovic hit out at the BBC over how he was reported on for refusing the…
Novak Djokovic has hit out at the BBC’s coverage of him refusing the Covid vaccine and being denied entry to the Australian and US Opens. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was detained by the Australian Border Force in late 2021 and held for over a week before being deported.
Djokovic then gave an interview to the Beeb where he stated that he would rather miss out on future Majors than be forced to get vaccinated, though recently claimed that the broadcaster “eliminated many sentences” from their chat as he slammed their coverage of the situation.
Speaking to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera during the Italian Open, Djokovic reflected: “I suffered everything on my skin. Many people have appreciated that I have remained consistent. 95 percent of what has been written and said on TV about me in the last three years is false.”
Novak Djokovic hit out at the BBC over how he was reported on for refusing the…
The 35-year-old was specifically asked about his nickname ‘Novax’ to which he reiterated that he is not against vaccinations. “I am not no-vax and I have never said in my life that I am,” he added.
“I’m not even pro-vax. I am pro-choice: I defend freedom of choice. It is a fundamental human right to be free to decide what things to inject into one’s body and what not. I explained it once to the BBC, on my return from Australia, but they eliminated many sentences, the ones that weren’t convenient. So I never spoke of this story again.”
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic’s son Stefan takes the applause as he hits the practice courts
He further detailed the experience of being held in Australia alongside a young Syrian who he hopes to reconnect with at this year’s US Open – which he is now permitted to attend. “A prison,” Djokovic recalled. “I couldn’t open the window.
“I stayed less than a week, but I found young people, war refugees, who had been there for a very long time. My case has served to shed light on them, almost all of them have been freed, and this consoles me. A young Syrian had been there for nine years.
“Now he’s in America, when I go back this summer I want to find him again and invite him to see me at the US Open; I also feel connected with him. The Australian judge accepted my appeal; but the Minister of Immigration, who has the power to deport whoever he wants without reason, expelled me.
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H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
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“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
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