MONACO (AP) — Formula 1 extended a contract with the Monaco Grand Prix for six more years on Thursday.
The famed city circuit will stage F1 till 2031.
“I’m delighted,” F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.
“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.”
Under the new deal with the Automobile Club of Monaco, starting in 2026, the grand prix will be contested on the first full weekend in June.
Next year’s race is on May 25 and will mark the 75th anniversary of its official F1 debut. Monaco was first raced in 1929.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc won this year, becoming the first local to win the grand prix.
That weekend was the most watched edition of the race in U.S. history, and the third most-viewed F1 race of all time in the U.S., F1 said.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FILE - Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car as two sunbathers relaxes on a terrace during the qualifying session at the Monaco racetrack, on May 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn't sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team's 24 first-quarter points on Wednesday night.
But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks' 127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo's career high of 64 set last season against the Indiana Pacers.
“I've seen a lot of great games as a player. Sitting next to Dominique (Wilkins) you obviously see a lot of great games," Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. "It's funny how a coach thinks, though. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. This ain't good. I'm thinking the exact opposite. We've got to get somebody else involved in this.
“After the game, you realize how special this is. But during the game you're in a panic."
Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.
They played Wednesday without point guard Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and forward Bobby Portis because of injuries.
“Coming into this game, I realized I have to be aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. "While I was doing that, it was not working. We were down by 15, 18.
“In the second half, I had to keep my aggressiveness but keep on moving the ball. Now as a leader, you keep on going with that energy and mentality. Sometimes you've got to be able to do both.”
Brook Lopez added 29 points and Taurean Prince, Andre Jackson Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. contributed to Milwaukee's rally.
Antetokounmpo was whistled for a foul with one second left in regulation and the score tied at 111, but Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed two free throws. That gave the Bucks a reprieve and they took advantage with a quick 8-0 run to open overtime, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Antetokounmpo.
“He has no quit in him,” Lopez said. “Just to be able to watch it the last seven years, to see the way he was tonight. I'm still seeing new stuff.”
Detroit's Isaiah Stewart was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected when he tugged Antetokounmpo down by the jersey late in the third quarter. That play proved pivotal as the Bucks outscored the Pistons 38-24 in the quarter and erased an 18-point deficit.
“I've been in that position many times in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. "I have two older brothers that pushed me on the floor, were tough on me. It doesn't really faze me anymore. All I could think about was ‘get up and make two free throws.’
“At the same time it's a dangerous play. It's not a basketball play.”
Antetokounmpo said he gave his teammates a brief speech before the game.
“The first year I came to the Bucks (in 2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. "I was able to get a lot of opportunity and I was able to develop. Guys are missing right now. Instead of thinking Dame's not here, Khris is not here, Bobby is not playing, we should be thinking Andre (Jackson) is going to play, AJ (Green) is going to play.
“Don't take this moment for granted. All you can do is compete and you hope that your teammates follow.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates with Gary Trent Jr. during overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo gets past Detroit Pistons' Tobias Harris during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham shoots past Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Detroit Pistons' Tobias Harris during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Detroit Pistons' Tobias Harris fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Detroit Pistons' Wendell Moore Jr. fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates after an overtime win against the Detroit Pistons after an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots past Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart pulls down Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. Stewart was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
