South African closes on title

Binder claims honours in Moto3 at Silverstone


The South African’s exploits is among the leading news in the high powered racing world.


South African rider Brad Binder looks unstoppable in his pursuit of the Moto3 title after he won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday on his Red Bull KTM.
The 21-year-old - who had suffered a rare hiccough when he fell in the Czech Grand Prix last time out - came home ahead of Francesco Bagnaia of Italy with Dutchman Bo Bendsneyder claiming third for his first ever podium finish.
Binder's task in winning the title became markedly easier when closest rival Jorge Navarro came to grief with just two laps remaining.
Binder holds a massive 86-point lead over Navarro - 204 points to 118 - with six races remaining.


F1 sale
Meanwhile, speed freaks have been surprised that the long-awaited sale of Formula One to an American media group is to be completed next week, according to media reports.
The well-sourced German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said that the sport's veteran commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone had confirmed the deal at the Italian Grand Prix.
The magazine reported that Ecclestone said Liberty Media will make the first of two payments tomorrow, in a deal valued at £6.5 billion (N$125.2 billion).
If that goes through, according to well-informed paddock sources, current owners CVC Capital Parners, who hold a 35% stake, will leave the sport.
Liberty Media Group, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is expected to take control of the company that will run Formula One.
Ecclestone, 85, said his future with the business would remain in his hands. He told Auto Motor Und Sport: " I will do what I have always done. What role I play is my decision."


Turned down
In related news, F1 driver Jenson Button turned down offers from rival teams before he chose to remain as an ambassador and development driver with McLaren, team chief Ron Dennis has confirmed.
The 36-year-old Briton, world champion in 2009, announced on Saturday that he was stepping out of his race seat with the team next year to be replaced by Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne.
But he could make a comeback in 2018, the team having retained an option on him as a race driver - especially if team-mate Fernando Alonso decides not to stay beyond the end of his contract when it expires.
" Jenson had offers to drive next year in other teams and declined those offers," said Dennis, who declined to add much detail to the terms under which Button has been retained.
Vandoorne said he had " big shoes to fill" in replacing Button.
" Stepping into Jenson's seat is not easy as a young driver but I'm totally up for a challenge," he said.
" Both are world champions. I've been in a reserve driver position this year where I've been following them on track from a very different position.
" I've been learning a lot from how they push a team forward, how they help with the development and with all three of us pushing this team forward, we could be very successful."
Button was strongly linked with a return to his first team Williams who have a vacancy following Brazilian Felipe Massa's announcement on Thursday that he intends to retire this year.


NAMPA/AFP