Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/678126
22 THE much-anticipated engine update is expected to be intro- duced for the Canadian GP, with the power unit still struggling for competitiveness against the Mer- cedes and Ferrari units. Renault have already spent one of their development tokens this sea- son ahead of the Bahrain GP. The French team will also bring a host of updates to Barcelona for both the race and the subsequent test. New front and rear wings will be trailed during the grand prix weekend, while Jolyon Palmer will also have a new chassis for the event. "For the race, we have an updated rear wing as well as some updates for the front wing," said chassis technical director Nick Chester. "For the test, we have a full raft of things to try; new suspension, further aero updates over various areas of the car, some mods to cooling as well as evaluating the B-spec power unit, so we should have a full two days. "Jolyon will run with a new chas- sis - R.S.16-03, which we used at our filming day this week to shake down." Palmer had already been given a new floor ahead of the Russian GP after struggling to find a car balance he was happy with in the opening part of the season. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016 Sport FORMULA 1 WEIGHTLIFTING Renault to test new engine Renault will evaluate their B-spec power unit during the two-day test which follows the Spanish Grand Prix The Renault team will test a new power unit later this month Ecclestone reveals London plan Formula One could be coming to the streets of London as early as next year if Bernie Ecclestone has his way THE billionaire said it would be "fantastic" to have a race in the middle of the capital, and believes it would be popular with viewers. A proposed London Grand Prix, including sections past Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, has pre- viously been sketched out, but plans have been held up as sec- ondary legislation is required to allow councils to close roads for high-speed road races. A spokesman for the Depart- ment for Transport said this would be addressed in "due course". Speaking to ITV News London, Ecclestone, chief executive of the Formula One Group which man- ages F1 rights, said: "The answer is if it can be done, then yes, we'd love to do it. "There is a small technical issue, who is going to pay for it, but apart from that I can't see any dramas." Races in the Formula E, which used electric-powered cars travel- ling at up to 140mph, were held in Battersea Park last year. Ecclestone believes Lewis Ham- ilton, who is currently second in the drivers' standings and 43 points behind team-mate Nico Rosberg, will come back and win this season's championship. He said: "He's been a bit unlucky this year. I think he'll win the championship but he's just been a bit unlucky. He could be a lot more upset. "He's upset for sure cause he's a guy who's used to winning and doesn't want to be second but to be second with all the problems he's had is very good." The 85-year-old also responded to British racing driver Alice Pow- ell's comments that his views on women in Formula One could stop female drivers being given a chance in the sport. "It's pretty factual, isn't it re- ally?" he said. "If you think of all the ladies who have tried to be in Formula One or tried to be in motorsport and what's happened - it's not that easy. "People don't take them serious- ly. To put someone in a Formula One car it's going to cost a team probably £25-30million so they have to decide whether or not it's worth doing that or getting someone else in and they prob- ably think at the moment it's a bit of a risk." When asked if he would like to see more female drivers, he re- sponded that he'd 'love' to see that happening, adding: "Stranger things have happened." Great results for the young Maltese Weightlifters in international event held locally LAST weekend, Malta Weight- lifting Association had the pleas- ure to host the European Union Weightlifting Cup and the Malta International Open at the Cotton- era Sports Complex. Eighteen countries around Eu- rope participated in this event including, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Poland, Great Britain, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Neth- erland and Malta in the EU cup. Turkey, Serbia, Scotland and Mal- ta participated in the Malta Inter- national open. The event started on Thursday 5th with training sessions. The following day morning it was held the European Union Weightlift- ing Electoral Congress (EUWC) in a local Hotel. During this con- gress, Mr. Jesmond Caruana, the president of the Malta Weightlift- ing Association, was elected vice president. The opening ceremony followed the congress. The Parliamentary Secretary of Sport Hon. Chris Agi- us and the European Weightlifting Federation president Dr. Antonio Urso among other dignities were present at the ceremony and gave an opening speech, during which they showed their support towards the athletes and the organization of such events. The competition continued throughout Friday and Saturday. This event also includ- ed the Malta International Open Weightlifting Tournament. Three young female athletes, Shelby Vassallo, Shazel Gusman and Rebecaa Fitz, and four young males, Owen Bugeja, Andy Grech, Rylee Borg and Shawn Incor- vaja represented our country in this event. Both Shelby and Rylee placed second in the Open Com- petition under 15 category, while Shazel placed second in the under 17 category and Rebecca second in the under 20 category respectively. In the team classification award for the EU cup was won by Po- land followed by Italy and Austria. Good result for Malta placing in 6th place. The Malta International open was won by Turkey followed by Malta, Scotland and Serbia. Bernie Ecclestone