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we dont get exposure like that very often,
BARCELONA, Spain - Mercedes rivals hope a busy three weeks of tinkering on their slower cars and the move to European tracks will be enough to at least threaten Lewis Hamiltons and Nico Rosbergs stranglehold on Formula One. Dallas Stars Shirts . The Mercedes pair head into Sundays Spanish Grand Prix after sweeping the first four races in impressive style, with the most compelling driving coming between the teammates while the pack puttered away in the distance. The switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines has dislodged Red Bull as F1s dominant team after four seasons, and Mercedes was also dealing far better than the rest with the new powertrain and other rule changes. Hamilton has led a Mercedes one-two finish with Rosberg in the last three races after the German won the season opener. The silver-and-teal duo have also taken all four pole positions, and set the fastest lap at each grand prix. "We are now four races into the 2014 season and hold a strong position in both championships," Mercedes team executive director Toto Wolff said. "However, the first European round of the year always provides a prime opportunity for teams to arrive with improvements to their cars. Of course, we are no different to any other team in that respect and our aim must be to increase the advantage we enjoyed at the last race in China." Neither Hamilton nor Rosberg has yet to win at the Circuit de Catalunya, although they did take the top two positions in qualifying here last year. Rosberg, who has a four-point lead over Hamilton in the championship, said that after years of racing and preseason tests at Barcelona "there is probably no other track in the world" that he knows better. "I also have some good memories of race weekends in Barcelona," Rosberg said. "Last year (...) I started from pole position so Im looking forward to going back there again, and maybe repeating that particular feat. Each team will have been pushing hard during the break to find some extra performance from new parts. So it will certainly be an interesting weekend." Red Bull will be counting on making strides after a dismal start to Sebastian Vettels title defence. Vettel has yet to finish better than third place, and has twice been ordered by his team to let new teammate Daniel Ricciardo pass him for higher finishes in the last two races. Vettel said a lot would depend on doing well in Saturdays qualifying because the track design offers few chances to challenge front-runners. The Montmelo circuit features one long straightaway before the first corner, which is considered the best for overtaking. It is also known to be tough on tires. Paul Hembery, the director of tire provider Pirelli, said that despite the tracks abrasive surface and high temperatures they expected teams to need only three pit stops instead of four as they have made in the past. Ferraris Fernando Alonso proved last season that wise tire management and smooth pit stops can be enough to compensate for a lack of overall speed. Alonso enters the race in a distant third place, with 41 points to Rosbergs 79 and Hamiltons 75, but after managing to finally reach the podium at Shanghai in Ferraris first race under new team principal Marco Mattiacci. The two-time former world champion has a strong record in front of his home fans, with wins here both last year and in 2006 to give him seven career podium finishes at the Spanish GP. His victory one year ago was Ferraris last as a team. With Alonso and teammate Kimi Raikkonen far behind the pacesetters, the Italian team will need a near perfect weekend to break its poor run. "With Fernando weve seen an extraordinary level of performance, scavenging every possible point at every possible opportunity," Ferrari technical director James Allison said. "We are learning how to get performance out of this new set of regulations, and hopefully to make this car more competitive. The key to a successful season is to keep improving your car at every race." Stars Jerseys 2020 . -- Top-ranked Stacy Lewis birdied the last three holes and five of the final six Thursday for an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with Mi Jung Hur in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. Wholesale Stars Jerseys . It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Clay Matthews biceps are getting movie-star treatment.The Green Bay Packers offensive linemen are showing off their fancy footwork in a film about an a cappella competition.A cameo appearance by Matthews, and linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, David Bakhtiari and Don Barclay in a new trailer for the upcoming movie Pitch Perfect 2 drew about as much chatter Thursday after practice as coach Mike McCarthys prolific offence.Even McCarthy is impressed.I got a free T-shirt out of the deal, McCarthy joked. I was excited about it. Its big stuff in my household and Im the only that has the T-shirt. So I got a lot of jealous kids and a jealous wife over my Pitch Perfect 2 T-shirt.The movie comes out in May. The Hollywood buzz provided a brief but pleasant diversion from the more pressing matter of getting ready for Sundays game against the Minnesota Vikings.Matthews was limited for a second straight day with what appears to be a minor groin injury. The star linebacker said he doesnt think that hell have any limitations Sunday.Lang was limited with a left ankle injury, while Sitton was limited with a left big toe injury. The Packers best offensive linemen are following the same practice blueprint that theyve had the last couple weeks with their lingering ailments.The injuries havent affected the quality of play. The line is keeping quarterback Aaron Rodgers clean and upright. McCarthy has said this line, which includes rookie centre Corey Linsley, left tackle David Bakhtiari and right tackle Bryan Bulaga, has a chance to be one of his best starting fives in his nine seasons as head coach.The line has allowed just one sack overall in the last two games, during which the Packers have outscored opponents a combined 108-34.I think its the best line that Ive been a part of. I havent been shy about saying that all year, Sitton, a seven-year veteran, said this week. We just keep grinding and keep working at practice and finding ways to get better.But enough about football.Only football questions, Bakhtiari deadpanned when approached by a media throng at his locker about the movie.It started with a Twitter post in the off-season by Bakhtiari, a fan of the initial Pitch Perfecct, which stars Anna Kendrick as a college freshman who joins an all-girls singing group and competes against a rival all-male group on campus. Stars Jerseys China. ccording to Bakhtiari, movie producer Max Handelman first read about his interest in the movie after seeing a couple articles online. Handelman then started following Bakhtiari on Twitter.Lang had a slightly different take.If you talk to Bakhtiari, he will definitely refute it. But basically started with him tweeting at all the producers and everybody, telling them what big fans we are. You could research that for yourself — true story, Lang said tongue-in-cheek. And, basically, just begging them to let us in their movie, which is kind of embarrassing.Not embarrassing enough, though, for the quintet to make the cameos. They were also joined by Rodgers younger brother, Jordan Rodgers, in the scene filmed in June.I put myself out there saying, Id love to be a part of the film, Bakhtiari said. We worked around a lot of obstacles. It wasnt easy. You have five high-profile NFL football players, trying to schedule within a month and a half they have to film.The trailer online shows the quintet onstage wearing dark suits at what appears to be the start of a singing competition. Lang, Matthews and Sitton stand in front, before the two linemen pull down on Matthews tear-away jacket sleeves.The pony-tailed linebacker then strikes a pose as if he was celebrating a sack.Obviously, as a fan of the original Pitch Perfect movie, David Bakhtiari and his affinity for social media and reaching out to other people — in weird, direct messages, and replies — was somehow able to get in the right touch with other people and to me like that, Matthews said. So I thank him for his creepiness.Lang said the Green Bay five had just one song, lasting no more than 45 seconds. He didnt want to give away the tune. The scene in the movie was pretty short.For us, most of us being offensive linemen, we dont get exposure like that very often, Lang said. To be a part of that, to be a part of the big screen, we had a lot of fun.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP ' ' '
- Created: Jan 18 '20
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