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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 27 November 2018
Leclerc not feeling the pressure ahead of Ferrari move

By JEROME PUGMIRE appraisal. Leclerc did not
AP Sports Writer hide from his errors but em-
ABU DHABI, United Arab braced them and worked
Emirates (AP) — Pressure through them.
does not seem to affect "I don't have many re-
Charles Leclerc, which is grets because, even in
just as well given where his the weekends things went
career is taking him. badly, that's when I learnt
The 21-year-old driver from the most," he told the AP.
Monaco has earned a "They helped me become
prestigious move to Fer- the driver I am now. I
rari following strong per- learned the mistakes you
formances for unheralded shouldn't make in Formula
Sauber in his debut Formula One."
One season. Leclerc has already expe-
Leclerc will race alongside rienced a lot of emotional
four-time world champion turmoil — losing his father
Sebastian Vettel in 2019 and his close friend Jules
at Ferrari. Vettel has 52 Bianchi — and those set-
wins and 111 podiums, but backs forged a remarkably
Leclerc is expected to be strong mental strength.
free to compete evenly Last year in F2, Leclerc took
against the German driver. pole position and won in
Along with Red Bull's Max Baku, Azerbaijan, shortly af-
Verstappen — who is the Sauber driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco poses with the team before the first free practice at the ter the death of his father.
same age — Leclerc is Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday Nov. 23, 2018. That was only two years
tipped to follow Lewis Ham- Associated Press after losing his childhood
ilton and Vettel as F1's next 13th, 12th and 19th in his didn't go unnoticed either in the hard-nosed world friend Bianchi, the highly
stars. first three races. and people were asking of elite competition. But rated French driver who
Leclerc won last year's F2 "I remember when I made questions of me." Leclerc speaks without a died in July 2015 at the age
championship at the first mistakes three weekends Asked if he is affected by hint of arrogance and in of 25 from head injuries sus-
attempt, fast-tracking him in a row it seemed like an any questioning of him, precise sentences woven tained in a collision during
into F1 and casting him into eternity," Leclerc told The Leclerc replied firmly. around an immense in- the 2014 Japanese GP.
the spotlight. But by his own Associated Press on the "No, not at all," he said, "It ner belief. One of Leclerc's Adversity helped Leclerc
admission, he made errors Sauber motorhome rooftop doesn't get to me." strengths, and a key rea- withstand other pressures
as he forced the car too at the Abu Dhabi Grand A veneer of confidence son why Ferrari rates him and develop a clinical
much on track, finishing Prix. "From the outside it can be quickly exposed highly, is a capacity for self- perspective.q

England wins 3rd test, completes whitewash in Sri Lanka

By REX CLEMENTINE them to lead England to
Associated Press victory.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) England had won the first
— England claimed a hard- test in Galle by 211 runs and
fought 42-run win over Sri the second in Pallekele by
Lanka in the third test with 57 runs to win their first series
a day to spare Monday to in Sri Lanka in 17 years.
complete a 3-0 whitewash. England became only the
Chasing a target of 327 at third team to complete a
Sinhalese Sports Club, Sri 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka.
Lanka was reduced to 226- Australia did it in 2004 and
9 but the last wicket pair of then India in 2017.
captain Suranga Lakmal "The way we've played
(11) and Malinda Pushpak- has been exceptional and
umara (42) shared a 58-run a great motivator to keep
stand off 75 balls to delay doing what we are," Root
the final result. said. "To keep looking to
Despite tea being extend- get better and drive each
ed by 30 minutes, England other on."
failed to make the break- After a poor start at 54-4
through as the last pair England's Jack Leach, left, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lakshan Sandakan during on the third day, Sri Lanka
picked up runs. The victory the fourth day of the third test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo, Sri fought back through a 102-
eventually came in the first Lanka, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Associated Press run stand for the sixth wick-
over after tea when Jack et between Kusal Mendis
Leach trapped Lakmal leg two-hour session and it's hot "Sometimes that extra half things down again, simpli- (86) and Roshen Silva (65).
before wicket. so you look forward to the hour can go against you fy it and finish the job very Leach produced a direct
"It was frustrating because 20-minute break when you and it felt like it did today professionally." hit to run out Mendis after
you're looking at 10 minutes can regroup, dust yourself but we very quickly dusted Spinners Moeen Ali (4-92) lunch to allow the tourists
before tea and you get down and go again," Eng- ourselves down and took and Leach (4-72) shared to take a firm grip on the
them nine down. It's a long land captain Joe Root said. the opportunity to calm eight wickets between game.q