Formula one: Air tragedy overshadows Valencia's first grand prix

Fernando Alonso yesterday called for a minute's silence at Sunday's European grand prix in Valencia for the victims of the Madrid air disaster. The Spaniard's plea was echoed around formula one's pitlane by his fellow drivers, including Britain's Lewis Hamilton. "I would like to send my heartfelt thoughts and best wishes to all those touched by this tragedy," said Hamilton, while the Ferrari driver Felipe Massa added: "It is very sad news and we [formula one] should do anything we can to help." Valencia is gearing up for the first formula one race on its new waterfront street circuit but a burgeoning festival atmosphere was checked by Wednesday's tragedy in the capital. Although the country will be in the second of three days of national mourning today, it will be business as usual as the cars accelerate out of the pits for... [read full story]