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Vettel tops table on 1st day of F1 pre-season testing
Barcelona, Feb 19 (IANS) Germany’s Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was the fastest driver on the first day of the 2019 Formula One pre-season testing here, while Spaniard Carlos Sainz gave the McLaren team their best start in five years.
Just as he did on the first day of the 2018 pre-season, Vettel led all competitors with a fastest run of 1:18.161 on Monday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, reports Efe news.
He also completed the highest number of laps at the track.
For the Mercedes team, which has dominated both the driver’s and constructor’s competitions in recent years, Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and British five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished in the eighth and ninth place, respectively, out of 11 cars.
The unimpressive times match the results Mercedes has had in the first tests in previous years, as the team usually treats the opening session as an opportunity to gauge the reliability of their cars.
“We couldn’t have hoped for a better day,” Vettel said at the end of the session.
“I think it was unbelievable. The car was working really well, we had no issues slowing us down, we did the program just the way we wanted we were able to squeeze a little bit more out, even.”
Sainz, in his debut with McLaren, set the second-fastest time. He was the only driver to use the faster ultra-soft tires.
“Definitely a good day. I think everyone in the team has to be proud and has to be happy. The hard work over the winter, the plan we put together to have the car ready nice and early for the presentation to be out on track at 9 a.m. and, as the morning was going by, not having any issue with the car at a ll to complete almost 120 laps, is definitely a good place to start the year,” the Spanish driver said.
The start of pre-season testing was also the debut of the new F1 regulations on aerodynamics and of Pirelli’s 2019 tire selection, which offers five com pounds rather than seven.
Another novelty was the appearance of the team previously known as Sauber under their new name, Alfa Romeo, reflecting a deepening of the Italian automaker’s existing technical and commercial relationship with the squad.
Driving for Alfa here on Monday was Kimi Raikkonen, who decided last year to return to his old team, Sauber, after Ferrari declined to renew his contract for 2019.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.