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31 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 DECEMBER 2018 SPORTS AMERICAN FOOTBALL LANCE Stroll has been confirmed as a Force India driver for next season. The Canadian's move from Williams has been an open secret since his fash- ion billionaire father, Lawrence Stroll, led a buyout to take over Force India in August. Stroll, 20, leaves Williams after two seasons with a podium finish at last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, one of few highlights. He replaces Esteban Ocon, who will be the reserve driver for Mercedes next year, to team up with Sergio Perez. "This is the beginning of an incredibly exciting journey alongside a successful team with a great culture," said Stroll. "It's a new challenge and I am excited to embrace this new opportunity." Force India team principal Otmar Szafnauer added: "I'm pleased that we can finally confirm Lance's arrival to race alongside Sergio next year. "It gives us an exciting line-up with the perfect blend of youth, talent, and experience. "We see huge potential in Lance and believe we can create an environment in which he can flourish. "Our team has enjoyed great success nurturing and developing young and talented drivers, and we are very ex- cited to begin our journey with Lance." British rookie George Russell will race alongside the returning Robert Kubica at Stroll's former team Wil- liams next year. Lance Stroll secures Force India drive for 2019 Formula One season THE Kansas City Chiefs have released running back Kareem Hunt after video surfaced show- ing him knocking over and kick- ing a woman in a Cleveland ho- tel hallway in February. The NFL's reigning rushing champion was released by the franchise on Friday evening, shortly after he had been placed on the commissioner's exemp- tion list. "Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt," the Chiefs' statement said. "At that time, the National Football League and law en- forcement initiated investiga- tions into the issue. As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video re- leased today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem im- mediately." The 23-year-old Hunt had been at the Chiefs' practice fa- cility earlier on Friday in prepa- ration for Sunday's trip to Oak- land before he was sent home shortly after TMZ posted the video online. The footage shows Hunt be- ing restrained several times by friends before pushing a woman to the ground where he proceeds to kick her. Police were called to the scene during the incident, but no charges were filed. "I want to apologise for my ac- tions. I deeply regret what I did," Hunt said in a statement issued to several outlets shortly after he was released. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell faced criticism in 2014 when Baltimore Ravens run- ning back Ray Rice was initially only given a two-game suspen- sion after video surfaced of him assaulting his then-fiancee in a hotel lift. Rice was later suspended in- definitely by the NFL and al- though he won an appeal, the three-time Pro Bowl running back never returned to the league. After being selected in the third round of last year's NFL draft, Hunt led the league in rushing as a rookie with 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns. He had maintained his form this season, running 824 yards as the Chiefs have taken control of the AFC West with a 9-2 start to their campaign. Kareem Hunt cut by Kansas City Chiefs over video of alleged attack FORMULA 1