Michael Masi replaced as F1 race director after controversial Abu Dhabi finale

Feb 17 2022

The FIA have today announced that Michael Masi will not return next season as Formula One race director, after his controversial actions in last years Abu Dhabi finale. He has been under immense pressure ever since his debatable safety car decision that ultimately led to Max Verstappen winning his first World Championship.

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He will be replaced by experienced FIA officials Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will alternate throughout the 23 race season. Niels Wittich has previously served as a DTM race director and Eduardo also having experience in the role, previously being a WEC race director. It is being reported that Michael Masi will continue working with the FIA in another safety role.

The replacement of Michael Masi with Niels and Eduardo wasn’t the only announcement to come out of Formula One today, with them announcing a new Virtual Race Control room. This will have a similar role to what VAR in football does, further assisting whoever the F1 race director be in a certain race.

The new race control team will be in place next week for the first pre season tests in Barcelona.

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Carisma Collections’ Carlos Borg designs Malta Eurovision Song Contest trophy

Feb 17 2022

The Eurovision Song Contest Trophy, designed by Borg

With the 51st edition of Malta Eurovision Song Contest to kick off in a few hours, images of the winner’s trophy have started making the rounds and it is quite a sight to see.

Thursday’s semifinal will see 22 performers exhibit their talents with hopes to get to Saturday’s final and ultimately, represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. Speaking to the national broadcaster, Carlos Borg, who designed this year’s Eurovision trophy, gave a bit of insight on the trophy’s design.

Borg stated that they wanted to included the ‘classic mic’ which creates a sense of nostalgia, whilst also including the five lines which represent the score, also referring to the different elements which the winner will take with them to the Eurovision song contest in Turin. After a 3-year absence, Eurovision lovers across the island look forward the return of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, which will be broadcast as three-hour shows across three nights.

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Carlos is also the mind behind most of Carisma Collection‘s pieces, the jewellery brand which has taken the island by storm since they first launched.

Send this to a Eurovision lover.

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Beloved local pizzeria Sotto to open new St. Julian’s outlet

Feb 17 2022

Pizza lovers in Malta will rejoice at the fact that Zero Sei group’s Fausto Soldini will be expanding his empire and opening a third Sotto outlet in St. Julian’s.

Local food page foodblog.mt broke the news that Sotto will open in Malta’s bustling entertainment hub, reportedly close to Pendergardens and while an official opening date hasn’t been revealed yet, it could be opening as early as March 2022.

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After opening up shop in Valletta and garnering national attention for serving arguably one of the best pizzas on the island, Sotto opened a second outlet in Marsascala and will now branch out in the north of Malta. The popular pizzeria is well known for serving authentic pinsas, a traditional take on Roman artisanal pizza that makes use of different flours and hand-pressed dough to create a lighter, airer crust.

Have you ever tried a Sotto slice?

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Photo Source: foodblog.mt / Sotto FB

Liverpool beat Inter in close game

Feb 17 2022

English team Liverpool have beaten Italian champions Inter, 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. The match was closer than the score line suggests, with the Nerazzuri dominating many stretches of the game especially in the second half were they had numerous chances to take the lead. Liverpool will be very happy with the result and now will focus on the second leg which will be played in Anfield.

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The first half saw both teams dominating certain times, with even the possession stats coming close. Inter were a bit more cautious, with them targeting the left hand side of Ivan Perisic to counter Liverpool. However the Nerazzuri’s lack of pace in the striker department hurt their attack and this was an issue seen even in the second half. Liverpool looked more calm and relaxed as the more experienced team. The best chance of the half was Inter’s, when midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu smashed the ball hitting the crossbar.

The second half started very well for the Italian side. They looked more confident and seemed more hungry to get the first goal, however their strikers Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez weren’t having the best of games and couldn’t find the back of the net. The game changed when Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp decided to do three substitutions, with elite players Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino entering the pitch.

The difference of quality in the respective benches was something that divided the two teams. Liverpool with their newfound energy opened the scoresheet in the 75th minute from a Roberto Firmino header from a corner. In the 83rd minute Egyptain superstar Mohammed Salah shattered any chance of an Inter comeback as he coolly slotted the ball in the back of the net from an undefended free kick this time.

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