F1 heads to the US again for the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix on the world-famous strip and the penultimate race of the 2023 season. Max Verstappen won his 17th grand prix of a sensational season last time out in Brazil, with Lando Norris claiming second place once again and Fernando Alonso clinching third spot ahead of Sergio Perez after a tremendous late battle in Interlagos. Mercedes endured a torrid weekend to forget in Sao Paulo, while Charles Leclerc was forced to retire before the race even began due to a mechanical issue with his Ferrari car. F1 now returns to Vegas for the first time in 41 years for a 50-lap race around the picturesque 3.8 mile, 17-turn circuit. The race has a 10-year contract and will take place under the lights on Saturday night in Sin City. There will also be a unique opening ceremony tonight. Follow live updates from the Las Vegas Grand Prix with The Independent Read More How Formula 1 cracked America Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals ‘I would not be shocked if King Charles showed up’: Las Vegas opens its doors to Formula One

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Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz beat Max Verstappen to top spot in final practice for the Italian Grand Prix. Sainz’s lap in the closing moments of the one-hour running in Monza drew a huge roar from the tifosi, providing the Ferrari faithful with hope a scarlet car might secure pole position at the team’s home event. Sainz, who was also quickest in Friday’s second running, saw off Verstappen by 0.086 seconds. Lewis Hamilton finished third for Mercedes. Charles Leclerc made a mistake on his speediest lap and had to settle for fourth, half-a-second slower than team-mate Sainz. Verstappen is bidding to become the first driver to win 10 consecutive races, but Ferrari appear to have a car capable of denying the Dutchman pole. For Hamilton, the seven-time world champion will be pleased to be back at the sharp end of the pack after he finished 17th in practice on Friday. However, the British driver was still 0.541 seconds back from Sainz, with team-mate George Russell sixth. Fernando Alonso finished fifth for Aston Martin, with Sergio Perez 10th and McLaren’s Lando Norris 17th. Qualifying for the 14th round of the season takes place at 4pm (3pm BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Chef Michel Roux Jr has announced that he will be closing Le Gavroche, his two Michelin-starred restaurant, after 56 years. The former Masterchef: The Professionals judge said the decision had been made so he could spend “more time with his family”. Le Gavroche, located in Mayfair, central London, was opened in 1967 by French restaurateur brothers Albert and Michel Roux Sr. At the time it was the only French restaurant of its kind in London, offering classical French food and the highest standards of cooking and service. Roux Jr, son of Albert Roux, has run the restaurant since 1991, earning two Michelin stars – one of the most prestigious accolades in the restaurant business. Other celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White have “earned their stripes” at Le Gavroche, according to the restaurant’s website. In a lengthy Instagram post announcing the closure on Friday (18 August), Roux Jr announced the restaurant would be closing in January 2024. The chef, 63, said he had “very mixed emotions” about the decision to close, but that the restaurant’s name would “live on”. “This decision has not been made lightly,” Roux Jr wrote. “Le Gavroche means so much, not just to myself and the Roux family, but to the wider Gavroche team and you, our guests, who have become our family over so many years. “I have always felt that should Le Gavroche ever close, it must be on a high. Le Gavroche continues to be fully booked, week in, week out, but I have known for a while that I must make time for a better work/life balance, so I can spend more time with my family and on my other business ventures.” Roux Jr added that a series of “celebratory dinners”, starting in November, would be held until the restaurant’s closure. “This is not the end of Le Gavroche – the restaurant may be closing, but the name will live on,” he said. “I could not be more grateful for the restaurant team, who have loved the restaurant as if it were their own. “The entire team both past and present, will forever have my gratitude, and will always be considered as part of the Roux family.” He added: “And to you, our guests. Our success is all down to you. I would like to extend a personal thank you to every single person that has dined with us. Your support means everything to us.” As well as being part of the judging panel on MasterChef: The Professionals, Roux Jr has appeared as a guest chef on MasterChef Australia. He has also appeared on Ramsay’s show Hell’s Kitchen, and presented two series of Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking. Food critic and journalist Jay Rayner wrote: “Very few emails make my eyebrows genuinely raise. This one did. I totally understand the thinking but, boy that really is the end of something, allowing for the fact the name will live on.” Additional reporting by Press Association. Read More Britney Spears shares first statement after ‘shock’ Sam Asghari divorce: ‘I couldn’t take the pain anymore’ The best outdoor restaurants, terraces and rooftop bars in London to book now Tiffany Gomas: Woman in viral plane rant video shares tearful apology to fellow passengers The best outdoor restaurants, terraces and rooftop bars in London to book now What to know about eating raw oysters safely Michelle Obama had the same thing for breakfast each day ‘for most of her life’

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