ekansekans's blog: "df"

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Sebastian Vettel found himself spinning around on the track just after the start, watching helplessly as other cars whizzed past him. His Formula One title hopes seemed to be drifting away with them. It was only the start of Vettels problems Sunday in what he called the toughest race of his career. But he overcame all of them and walked away with the only prize that mattered -- his third straight championship title. Vettel shook off a first-lap crash and other difficulties to finish sixth at the Brazilian Grand Prix, good enough to protect his lead over challenger Fernando Alonso and become F1s youngest three-time champion at age 25. "Its very difficult to find the right words, especially after the race today," he said. "Everything that could go wrong went wrong." Jenson Button of McLaren won the race at Interlagos, with Alonso second and Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa third. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, F1s most successful driver, finished seventh in his final race after 19 seasons. But they were all overshadowed by Vettel, who had to overcome a poor start, the early crash, a damaged car, a broken radio, a botched pit stop and pouring rain to capture the championship title. "Just look at the stuff that went wrong. It was for sure the toughest race," Vettel said. "We kept believing. It was never game over." Vettel appeared to be in big trouble when he was bumped shortly after the start and spun. He dropped to last place before he could turn his car around and begin a difficult pursuit. But he steadily worked his way up the field despite a slightly damaged car and no radio communication. "You are the man, you are a triple world champion," a team official told Vettel on the radio after he crossed the line, without being able to hear the drivers response. Vettel is the first driver with three titles in a row since Schumacher won five straight from 2000-04. The only other driver to win at least three consecutive championships was Juan Manuel Fangio from 1954-57. "Its unbelievable," Vettel said. "Its still full of adrenaline. Incredible race today." Schumacher was the first to congratulate Vettel, having just bid his own farewell to the sport. Minutes before the race, he lapped the track with a flag with the words "Thank You" written on it. He used the radio to thank the mechanics and engineers he has worked with, as well as his fans watching on television. The 43-year-old German is retiring for the second time after struggling in his return with Mercedes. He had ended his career following the 2006 season and managed only one podium finish after retuning in 2010, at the European GP in July. Schumacher is leaving F1 with numbers unmatched by any other driver. He retires with the most wins (91), pole positions (68), fastest laps (77) and most podium finishes (155). Vettel needed to finish fourth or better to clinch the title regardless of Alonsos result. The Spaniard, who needed to finish on the podium to have a chance of overtaking Vettel, looked to have the advantage after a superb start and a chaotic first lap, but in the end couldnt erase Vettels 13-point lead in the standings. Lewis Hamilton was leading in his final race with McLaren when Nico Hulkenberg crashed into him while trying to pass on a slippery track with 17 laps to go. Hamilton received a standing ovation from his McLaren team when he returned to the garage. "I feel a bit numb," said Hamilton, who will replace Schumacher at Mercedes next season. "Its been a day of mixed emotions. Im sad that I didnt finish the race, but Im excited about the future." While the race was filled with drama and potentially title-deciding swings, it had an anticlimactic finish behind the safety car after Paul Di Resta crashed just before the final lap. That meant Vettel could simply cruise safely toward the title. It rained on and off throughout the race, making conditions difficult and forcing drivers to come in and out of the pits several times. "It was more or less was what we wanted, mixed conditions and very, very difficult race," Alonso said. "It was one of the most difficult races we ever drove. You feel you are with the wrong tire every lap. It was a risk to crash and have an accident on every lap. Obviously you are not in control of what your rivals do. We were hoping for a little miracle." And for a while, they had reason to believe in one. Alonso moved from seventh to fifth after the first corner, while Vettel dropped from fourth to seventh. Vettel then was hit from behind by the Williams of Bruno Senna and spun at the end of the back straightaway, dropping to last place after sitting backward on the track with several cars having to go around him. "I had a lot of cars coming and I was in the wrong way," Vetter said. Moments later, Alonso passed Massa and Vettels Red Bull teammate Mark Webber at the same time to move to third. But the Spaniard lost a position after locking his front tire and briefly running off the track at the first corner. Vettel began making his way back to the front, easily passing the slower cars near the end of the pack. He was already in sixth by lap 15. Alonso briefly had the title in his hands again after more rain fell with 14 laps to go. Red Bull lost time while putting the wet tires on Vettels car, dropping him to 11th place while Alonso moved into third. "The (tires) werent ready because we had no radio communication, they couldnt hear me," Vettel said. But after all cars pitted, Vettel was back in sixth place. Alonso moved to second after passing Massa, but he needed Vettel to drop a few more spots to take the title. Hamilton started from the pole and kept his spot for a few laps before being overtaken by teammate Button on the sixth lap, and Hulkenberg got past the British driver on Lap 18. Hamilton retook the lead with 22 laps to go, but was hit by Hulkenberg when the Force India driver came in too hard to make the pass. Vettel got off to a slow start this season, winning only once in the first 13 races, but he eventually picked up the pace with Red Bull and won four straight beginning at the Singapore GP to get back in contention for the title. "We really had to fight until the end," Vettel said. Robert Griffin III Jersey . El Shaarawy scored his seventh league goal of the season 10 minutes from time to prevent Milan from slipping to its sixth loss of the campaign. Fabrizio Miccoli had put Palermo in front from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime following a handball from Ignazio Abate. Griffin III Elite Jersey . "Rick continues to build championship calibre teams and is one of the best field managers in independent baseball. We are pleased that he will remain with the organization for at least the next three seasons," said Goldeyes owner and president Sam Katz. http://www.dancewithmeusa.com/new.html . The Tide still have a chance to win another title, but they need a lot of help to even get back to the championship game. Nick Sabans squad wont lose to Western Carolina and Auburn, and a victory over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game will bring the Tide to 12-1, the same exact record they had after defeating LSU back in January.Every week, the CFL on TSN panel discusses the hottest topic in the league in "Three Downs". Now is your chance to hear the arguments and make your own by using the Your Call feature at the bottom of the page. QUESTION 1: The Khalif Mitchell two-game suspension - just right, too much, not enough? Milt Stegall: I say not enough, but I understand why the commissioner only went with two games. Theres never been a suspension more than one game before. But personally, I would have given him three game. Matt Dunigan: Im going with not enough, too. The CFL Players Association does a great job for its players and usually whatever is doled out (by the league) is cut in half. I thought they should have started at four so the end result would have been two. Chris Schultz: Im going with just right, because two games of pro football also means two paycheques. So when you think about it, heres the punishment; hes going to miss the games, hes going to miss the paycheques and he let his team down. QUESTION 2: In this collective bargaining agreement with the CFL, players can appeal their suspension. It goes before an arbitrator and the suspension itself is stayed until their is a decision ruled. Should the appeal process that is currently in place stay the same or do the CFL and the CFLPA need to change it? Jock Climie (who is also a labour and employment lawyer):  I can tell you that in the real world, the vast majority of collective agreements call for a situation where you serve your suspension and if you win your arbitration hearing but get paid back. Dunigan: I think it needs to change and the appeal needs to be heard immediately. The Players Association is not going to relinquish the right for an arbitrator to hear these cases, so get it over with, because I really fear you are going to put yourself in a tough spot with players on the field instead of serving the suspension, with two weeks to play before he does actually sit.dddddddddddd People could take matters into their own hands (on the field) and then youve got a big problem. Stegall: I think it can remain the same. Youve got to give the player a chance to voice his opinion, to voice his side. If not, then its a one-sided thing. The players are the league. Without the players there is no league. Its got to remain the same. Schultz: I say change it and hear the appeal immediately. It diffuses the energy if you give it time. Get this over with and have the punishment instilled on the player. Change it to be heard immediately. QUESTION 3: If you were Marc Trestman, what would you do with Anthony Calvillo - sit him down or let him keep playing hurt and take your chances? Schultz: I would sit him down until he is 100 percent healthy. The key to CFL football is to be at your best in October and November. Sit him down and make sure that quarterback is healthy. Dunigan: Ride it out. His shoulder is getting better week to week.  Ive talked to him and heard about it. Hes getting better. And this is Trestmans history. Hes going to ride Anthony whether hes 20 or 40 years old. Stegall: Ride him, ride him, ride him. They have to - have you seen their defence? Theyre horrible. They cant stop anybody. Without Anthony Calvillo,they dont have a chance of winning. Ride him, ride him, ride him. Climie: I agree with Chris. They have got to give Adrian McPherson a chance to play and get AC healthy because without him, theyre nothing. ' ' '