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SPORTS Monday 1 July 2019

Verstappen wins Austrian GP to end Mercedes' unbeaten streak

By ERIC WILLEMSEN ish to the race came after
Associated Press Verstappen had to work his
SPIELBERG, Austria (AP) — way up to the front of the
Max Verstappen showed pack after dropping down
off his risky racing style to eighth due to a difficult
Sunday to win the Austrian start.
Grand Prix for a second "The start was disappoint-
straight year and end Mer- ing but we never gave up
cedes' unbeaten streak this and to come back like this
season. is amazing," Verstappen
Chasing the leading trio, said.
the Red Bull driver used all "This is very important, also
of his overtaking skills to get for the future and for Hon-
past Sebastian Vettel and da as well," he added, re-
Valtteri Bottas in the clos- ferring to Red Bull's engine
ing stages of the race be- supplier getting its first vic-
fore passing leader Charles tory in the hybrid era, which
Leclerc in a Ferrari with just started in 2014.
two of the 71 laps to go. "I am happy that it hap-
However, Verstappen had pened today. Maybe a
to wait more than three few doubts go away. At
hours after the race to get the moment it is an amaz-
his win confirmed. Race Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Austrian Formula ing feeling," said Verstap-
stewards investigated the One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, southern Austria, Sunday, June 30, pen, who earned his sixth
Dutchman's pass of Leclerc 2019. career victory.
as the wheels of both cars Associated Press Mercedes driver Valtteri
touched in a duel full of ex- Bottas completed the po-
citement which was often Verstappen on the inside predominantly to blame for racing, it is just hard racing," dium, ahead of Ferrari's Se-
lacking in recent F1 races. pushing Leclerc off the the incident." Verstappen said. bastian Vettel and cham-
Leclerc held off an attempt track. When still unaware of the Leclerc, however, claimed pionship leader Lewis Ham-
by Verstappen in lap 68, FIA considered it "a racing verdict, Verstappen had "the second overtaking ilton, who started fourth
but failed to do it again the incident" and "in the total- denied any wrongdoing. was not done correctly. and lost time to replace the
next lap. The cars came out ity of the circumstances, "The second time I braked There was contact and I front wing of his Mercedes
of Turn 3 side-by-side when we did not consider that a little bit deeper in the had to go wide." after 31 laps and finished
their wheels bumped, with either driver was wholly or corner. From my side this is The much-debated fin- fifth.q

Kevin Durant to sign with Brooklyn Nets

By BRIAN MAHONEY team lost the NBA Finals in at 34.2 points per game
AP Basketball Writer six games to the Toronto when he strained his right
NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Raptors. calf on May 8 in Game 5
Durant is headed to the A ruptured right Achilles of the Western Conference
Brooklyn Nets, leaving the tendon could keep him out semifinals against the Rock-
Golden State Warriors after the entire next season, and ets. He had seven 30-point
three seasons. whenever he returns it will performances during the
His decision was an- be in the Brooklyn black. recent playoffs.
nounced Sunday at the ESPN first reported Durant's It's unclear how he will play
start of the NBA free agen- decision, saying he had whenever he can return,
cy period on the Instagram agreed to a four-year deal but the Nets were willing to
page for The Boardroom, worth $164 million. Durant take a chance with a team
an online series looking at could have gotten five on the rise. Brooklyn finished
sports business produced years and about $221 mil- 42-40 this season and lost in
by Durant and business lion to remain with the War- the first round of the play-
partner Rich Kleiman. riors. offs, then got a huge vic- Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts as he
Durant won titles with Gold- Durant, a 10-time All-Star tory Sunday when it beat leaves the court after sustaining an injury during first-half bas-
en State in 2017 and '18 who just completed his out the Warriors, New York ketball action against the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA
then was injured for much 12th NBA season, was lead- Knicks and Los Angeles Finals in Toronto, Monday, June 10, 2019.
of this postseason as the ing all postseason scorers Clippers out for Durant.q Associated Press