Lewis Hamilton cruised to a comfortable victory in the Styrian Grand Prix after the World Champion led the majority of drivers in taking the knee ahead of the race - and then raised his fist in a Black Power salute twice after the race, as he stood on the front of his car with his helmet still on, and again on the podium.

The Mercedes driver led from pole as team-mate Valtteri Bottas overtook Red Bull's Max Verstappen late on for second. The Ferraris retired early after colliding with each other on lap one.

His first victory of the year was founded on a stupendous performance in wet qualifying, in which he took pole by more than 1.2 seconds.

A handful of drivers were not present for the moment ahead of the playing of the Styrian regional anthem, but all who were wore ‘end racism’ T-shirts other than Hamilton's, whose said ‘Black Lives Matter’.

Of those who were there, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniil Kvyat chose not to kneel.

With his statesman-like presence coming to the fore throughout the Styrian GP, Hamilton, who has pledged to continue the fight against racism this year in parallel with his quest for a record-equalling seventh world title, was in total control of the race from the start.

The likes of McLaren and Renault said before the race that they were concerned about the pace of Racing Point, and their worries were well founded, with Renault launching a protest at the end of the race.

The six-time world champion converted his pole position into a lead at the first corner, survived an early safety car period following a collision between the two Ferrari drivers, and never looked back.

The fight was all behind him, as Mercedes sought to get Bottas ahead of Verstappen.
The Finn had qualified fourth in the rain, 1.4secs slower than Hamilton, passed McLaren's Carlos Sainz by lap six, but was not able to make much progress towards the Red Bull.
When Red Bull made Verstappen's pit stop for fresh tyres on lap 24, Hamilton was brought in three laps later, while Bottas was left out 10 laps longer than the Dutchman.
The aim was to give him a tyre off-set and greater pace at the end of the race.
And it worked. Bottas crept up on Verstappen and was with him with five laps to go.
Bottas looked to have the move down on the straight towards Turn Four on lap 66, but Verstappen fought back around the outside of the corner and held on to the place.
But his valiant defence lasted only another lap before Bottas was able to storm past to complete a Mercedes one-two.
He retains the championship lead over Hamilton, but it is now down to eight points.

Ferrari had worked flat out to bring upgrades to their car ahead of this race, after showing a dismal pace the week before.
But they did not have the effect they had hoped and the cars could qualify only 10th and 11th. Leclerc started a further three places back after a three-place grid penalty for blocking in qualifying.
But things got much worse in the race. Leclerc made an over-ambitious move up the inside of Turn Three on the first lap as Vettel was hemmed in on the outside and the two cars collided.
Vettel's rear wing was torn off and Leclerc suffered floor damage and both had to retire.
Sergio Perez in particular and Racing Point in general did not have a good day in the wet in qualifying, with the Mexican down in 17th on the grid, but the so-called 'Pink Mercedes' was soon making up ground.
Perez picked off driver after driver in a car that has drawn criticisms because of its likeness to last year's Mercedes - which Racing Point admit they have copied - until he was up into the top six after the pit stops.
He passed Daniel Ricciardo's Renault on lap 48, with just over 20 to go, and set off after Alexander Albon.
Perez was soon with Albon, but while the Anglo-Thai had been having an unremarkable race in the second Red Bull, he picked up his pace and was able to hold Perez back.
The Mexican finally made a bid for the position with two laps to go but came to grief as he tried to pass at Turn Four in a mirror of the collision between Hamilton and Albon at the same point last week.
Perez was alongside Albon, on the inside, but the Red Bull driver tried to hang on around the outside of the turn and tagged Perez's front wing on the exit.
Perez limped around the remaining two laps, but was passed by McLaren's Lando Norris for fifth at the final two corners of the last lap.
Their scrap was part of a hectic midfield battle in the closing laps, as Norris took advantage of Perez's team-mate Lance Stroll racing with Renault's Daniel Ricciardo for seventh and McLaren's Carlos Sainz, who qualified a brilliant third, faded in the race to finish ninth.

Lewis Hamilton's statesman-like presence comes to the fore after Styrian GP

After three successful seasons, Leicester Riders have confirmed this morning that they will be without the services of Rema Lascelles next season as he ends his professional basketball career to take up a new challenge.

“I’d like to thank both Rob and Russell for giving me an opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level this country has to offer,” said Rema.

“I loved my time at the Riders. From competing with some amazingly talented players day in day out to travelling the country and Europe showcasing our own skills, including playing in front of 15k people at the O2. I have made some lifelong memories and friends.

“I felt like it was the right time to end my pro career and to take steps into the next chapter in my life. My girlfriend and I are starting a family together and I am embarking on a career which I am hopeful can provide the same amount of enjoyment and fulfilment from that I got from basketball.”

Rema clocked up 87 appearances for the Riders including two treble winning seasons and the FIBA Europe adventure.

“We are all happy for Rema and wish him well for the future,” reflected Head Coach Rob Paternostro. “He was a winning player with the club and was an important part of some very good teams.

“He was a very unique player, he had great size at the point guard position and did a great job passing the ball and running the offence and was always a guy that teammates enjoyed playing with.”

Managing Director Russell Levenston added, “We wish Rema all the best with his career. He has been a tremendous asset for our club over the past three seasons and really contributed to the success of our team.

“We are really proud of him, and although we’ll miss him at the Arena, he goes with our blessing and good wishes.”

Several Great Britain and Northern Ireland stars have confirmed their participation at the Müller British Athletics Championships which will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September.

Among those athletes who have committed to the Championships to date are eight finalists from the 2019 World Athletics Championships and six reigning British outdoor champions.

European indoor silver medallist and seven-time British outdoor champion Holly Bradshaw will make a return to action in the women’s pole vault. World finalist and reigning British champion Abigail Irozuru will take on 2016 European silver medallist Jazmin Sawyers in the women’s long jump.

Jodie Williams claimed the 200m title in 2019 and is among the entries for the Championships, while Laviai Nielsen claimed her first British title over 400m last August and will be seeking a defence of her title in September. In the endurance events, after a seventh-place finish in the 20km race walk at the world championship last year, Tom Bosworth will take on the 5000m race walk.

World 5000m finalists Eilish McColgan and Laura Weightman will also be in action. The Scottish athlete is a three-time British gold medallist outdoors, while the Morpeth athlete is a four-time national champion over 1500m, and she also sealed bronze over the 5000m distance last year.

Jake Wightman - fifth in the men’s 1500m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships - is ready for a tilt at his first outdoor British title following two silvers and a bronze medal since 2016. Other athletes confirmed are Trafford’s Naomi Ogbeta who will make the short journey to the Manchester Regional Arena for the women’s triple jump, while European indoor pentathlon silver medallist Niamh Emerson and last year’s 400m hurdles bronze medallist Chris McAlister also join the entry list.

Cherry Alexander, Major Events Director at British Athletics, added: “At last, I am delighted to commence the announcements of athletes who will be competing at the Müller British Athletics Championships in September at the Manchester Regional Arena. There has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes to make the organisation and delivery of this event possible. We are delighted to be welcoming our world class athletes back to competition in Manchester.

“These are unprecedented times so the Championships will have a different feel to them this year, but we will do everything possible to make this a special event for the athletes and coaches, and the fans watching on the BBC.”

With the championships being broadcast live on Friday night on BBC2, and Saturday, afternoon on BBC1, Britain’s best athletes will be lining up to provide athletics fans with their fix of the country’s favourite Olympic and Paralympic sport.

The format and shape of the competition and guidelines that will be adhered to for competitors and those helping to stage the championship will be subject to the government guidelines in place and will be communicated in due course.

Following a period of closure due to the lockdown, TeamSport Indoor Karting, Birmingham premier go-karting track, has reopened its doors, with thorough COVID-19 precautionary measures in place to continue to keep customers safe whilst they’re having fun.
 
Thanks to new state-of-the-art, Ozone sanitisation equipment, installed at every TeamSport track, all items of clothing that racers are required to wear, including helmets, race suits and gloves, will be sanitised before being issued to each customer. This in conjunction with increased additional race wear having been purchased means that customers will now have freshly sanitised kit for their exclusive use for the duration of their visit.  Customers are also welcome to bring their own racewear and helmet as long as it complies to the required safety standard.
 
Once out on track, racers will continue to be able to enjoy the thrill of karting just as they would have before.  Popular ‘Ultimate Race Experience’ sessions are a great opportunity to improve your driving skills and lower your lap time and for those who love an offer,  ‘3-4-2’ sessions provide great value for those looking to get even more time on track.  Some race events however, such as kids birthday party packages, will be unavailable initially, due to the current social distancing guidelines. 
 
To keep racers refuelled drinks and snacks (excluding hot food) will be readily available and customers will be required to pay for items with a card as a cashless payment policy is now in place throughout TeamSport venues. 
 
Dominic Gaynor, CEO of TeamSport Indoor Karting, said: “The whole TeamSport team are delighted to reopen and be able to share the joy of go-karting again.”
 
“We understand that in the current climate people will be concerned about COVID-19, in regards to both their personal wellbeing and that of their family and friends, and would like to reassure customers that we have put in place a set of thorough precautionary measures to keep our customers and crew safe. 

“Our karting experience out on track remains the same exciting experience; being in a kart, racing round corners and having a great time is what karting is all about, and we hope people will come with family and friends to experience the fun.”
 
All bookings made online at www.team-sport.co.uk will receive an ‘online exclusive’ 10% discount.
 

England World Cup winner and ex-Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton dies

Jack Charlton, a World Cup winner with England and former Republic of Ireland boss, has died.

The former Leeds defender had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and also had dementia.

One of English football's most popular characters, he was in the team that won the World Cup at Wembley in 1966, alongside his brother Bobby.

He made a record number of appearances for Leeds and achieved unprecedented success with the Republic of Ireland.

A family statement read: "Jack died peacefully on Friday, July 10 at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side.

"As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

"We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.

"He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.

"His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories."

Charlton had spells in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

He led the Republic of Ireland to their first major finals at Euro 88 and the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia 90.

Leeds United, where he spent his entire 21-year playing career and made a joint club record 773 appearances before retiring as a player in 1973, said the club was "deeply saddened".

Charlton, part of the Leeds side that won the 1969 League title and the 1972 FA Cup, is the third club legend and former England international to die this year after Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry.

He was 85.

Local key worker heroes honoured by England stars ahead of first #raisethebat Test

Ahead of the start of the first #raisethebat Test against the West Indies two members of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Edgbaston family were among those recognised for their response to the COVID-19 outbreak by the England Men’s Test team.

Mohammed Banaris, who works on-site at Edgbaston as Operations Manager for Club partners G4S and has led the COVID-19 testing centre on the stadium car park, and Dr Nasir Ali, Event Doctor at Edgbaston and Emergency Medicine Consultant at QE Hospital, are two of 25 key worker heroes who had their names displayed on the training shirts of the England Men’s Test team.

The England Men’s players and coaches took to the pitch at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, with Warwickshire and England opening batsman Dom Sibley wearing Mohammed’s name and Sussex fast bowler Olly Robinson wearing Nasir’s name on their training shirts before the start of the match. All people named on the shirts were nominated by their respective county or international cricket venue or local cricket clubs and include teachers, doctors, nurses, carers and other vital professions.

Each key worker will now receive the shirt bearing their name, signed by the player who wore it, to thank them for the work they’ve been doing. Their names and photos will also be highlighted in broadcast partners’ Sky and BBC’s coverage and displayed across the ground on the big screens and LED banners.  

“Both Mohammed and Nasir have played an instrumental role in the national response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Warwickshire CCC’s Safety Officer David Clarke, who nominated both through the ECB #raisethebat initiative.

“Mohammed and his team have been on the front line throughout this period and leading operations at the COVID-19 testing centre within the Edgbaston car park. This was initially planned for use by NHS staff but soon expanded to incorporate wider key workers and referrals through the NHS 111 service thanks to the great work from the team.

“Dr Ali contracted the virus early on in the period of lockdown but made a full recovery and returned to work as soon as it was safe to do so to support the Accident & Emergency ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We’re very grateful for the work that he and his amazing colleagues at the NHS have delivered throughout this period.”

Ben Stokes, who is captaining England in the opening #raisethebat Test match said: “We’re only able to play this Test match because of the amazing job that key workers up and down the country have done to help us through this pandemic.

“Wearing their names is a real honour for us and is a small sign of our appreciation for the incredible work they have done. They have truly gone into bat for us all, and it makes me proud of how the whole cricket family has responded to help us get through these unprecedented times.”