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SPORTS Thursday 14 November 2019

In this March 31, 2018 file photo Los Angeles Galaxy's Zlatan
Ibrahimovic, of Sweden, acknowledges fans as he walks off the
field after an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles FC in
Carson, Calif.
Associated Press
LA Galaxy, Zlatan

Ibrahimović mutually

part ways after 2 years Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, celebrates following the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix
auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
Associated Press
By GREG BEACHAM in a statement announc-
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — grateful for his work ethic Hamilton hopes new 2021 rules
AP Sports Writer
ing the departure. “We are
You’re welcome and and passion. We thank
goodbye, Los Angeles. Zlatan for his professional- bring F1’s best era in years
Zlatan Ibrahimović and ism and immeasurable im-
the LA Galaxy are offi- pact on the Los Angeles
cially parting ways after community and the soccer SAO PAULO (AP) — Six-time racing that we have seen Hamilton said. “I don’t
two eventful seasons, the community in North Ameri- Formula One champion in a long, long time. And I want to have to race in a
38-year-old Swedish su- ca as a whole.” Lewis Hamilton believes want to be there if it is the new circuit that has dam-
perstar and the club an- Ibrahimović’s MLS jaunt was new rules in place for the case. It will be another op- aged beautiful lands.”
nounced Wednesday. a mixed success, at least 2021 season onward could portunity to show my abili- Company Rio Motorpark
“I came, I saw, I con- by his lofty standards. He give the racing series its ties,” Hamilton said, adding insists the track will be built
quered,” Ibrahimović was an elite, steady scorer best era for a long time. F1 currently has a “massive in accordance with envi-
wrote on Twitter. “Thank for the five-time league The 34-year-old Mercedes problem” over being more ronmental legislation and
you (at)LAGalaxy for mak- champions and was likely driver, who spoke on competitive. paid for by private stake-
ing me feel alive again. the league’s top box-office Wednesday ahead of this “We got these great cars holders.
To the Galaxy fans - you draw on the road, and he weekend’s Brazilian Grand with great power and grip, The negotiations are open
wanted Zlatan, I gave you kept the market in thrall Prix, hopes the rule chang- but you can’t get close until May.
Zlatan. You are welcome. with his bold pronounce- es will enable him to test his enough in the races. That Hamilton said he would
The story continues...Now ments and rivalries with op- abilities further in a more means less excitement for like to spend time in Rio,
go back to watch base- ponents and clubs, partic- closely competitive racing all of you. That means we though, because of fre-
ball.” ularly LAFC in the Galaxy’s environment. have to have a DRS (drag quent invitations from his
The Swedish superstar El Trafico rivalry series. F1 announced its new rules reduction system), which friend and Brazil soccer
scored 56 goals in 52 MLS But the Galaxy won just one for 2021 late last month is a band-aid for the poor star Neymar to attend New
games after joining the playoff game in Zlatan’s ahead of the Nov. 3 United characteristics of the cur- Year and Carnival celebra-
Galaxy in March 2018, in- tenure, and they finished States GP, in which Hamil- rent regulations,” the driver tions.
jecting his inimitable blend eighth in the overall league ton secured his sixth title to said. Asked about the 2020 sea-
of talent and swagger into table this season after miss- move one behind Michael Red Bull driver Max Ver- son, Hamilton said he ex-
a stagnating club. This sea- ing the playoffs in his de- Schumacher’s all-time F1 stappen said on Tuesday pects a tougher challenger
son, he scored a franchise- but campaign. He lost the record. that “it is getting a bit bor- from Ferrari.
record 30 goals — more MLS MVP award this year F1 owners want closer rac- ing seeing Lewis win.” “Ferrari has the better
than the rest of the Galaxy to LAFC’s Carlos Vela, who ing and budget caps to The Mercedes driver has chance of providing a car
roster combined (28). scored a league-record 34 reduce the financial gap won 10 out of 19 races this and an engine that could
A week before Zlatan de- goals. between traditional big season, with only Brazil and fight for a title in the short
buted with a dramatic Although Ibrahimović was spenders — like Ferrari, Red Abu Dhabi left. term,” Hamilton said, add-
two-goal performance as their most important player Bull and Mercedes — and Hamilton has previously ex- ing Red Bull to the short list
a substitute in a win over for the past two seasons, more modest teams. pressed concerns on envi- of possible contenders next
crosstown rival Los Angeles the Galaxy didn’t expect Cars will be heavier and ronmental issues connect- year. Hamilton also said F1
FC, he announced his ar- Ibrahimović to end his ca- slower, too, wheel-to- ed with the sport, and said getting more expensive
rival in Hollywood by taking reer with them, and he wheel racing is set to be im- he is against a Rio de Ja- each year until now was a
out a full-page ad in the does not appear to be proved, and the calendar neiro bid to build a track in move “in the wrong direc-
Los Angeles Times reading close to retirement. could be expanded from an area of 200,000 trees to tion.” “If it were today, I
simply: “Dear Los Angeles, Rumors of his departure 21 to 25 races — although host the Brazilian GP from wouldn’t have been able
You’re welcome.” have been heard for drivers are not in unani- 2021 onwards. The con- to get to F1,” he said.
“Since his arrival in 2018, months, and Ibrahimović mous agreement on more tract with Sao Paulo ends Hamilton won his first title
Zlatan has positively influ- has never stayed at any races. next year. here in 2008, snatching it
enced the sport of soccer club for more than four “If it (the new rules) does “Does it mean they will away from home favorite
in Los Angeles,” Galaxy seasons in his peripatetic what it says on paper, it knock down any trees? Felipe Massa on the last lap
President Chris Klein said career.q could be the best era of Well, I am not for that,” of the Brazilian GP.q