Movistar+ announced it signed ANTONIO LOBATO, "who will once again be the voice of Formula 1 in Spain." He will announce races for the Movistar+ F1 channel, which is part of Movistar's "package of motorsports channels" (MARCA, 2/12). ... Barcelona's GERARD PIQUÉ reportedly "will open a new restaurant in Barcelona that will be located near the city's W Hotel and feature views of the sea." Pique is partnering with TOMÁS TARRUELLA on the venture (AS, 2/12). ... Former Benetton and Renault Formula 1 Managing Dir FLAVIO BRIATORE was handed an 18-month jail term for "tax evasion." The Italian is accused of "avoiding to pay tax" on his superyacht, "Force Blue," which was "often a feature" of the Monte Carlo harbor during the Monaco Grand Prix (MOTORSPORT WEEK, 2/12). ... Jockey BRYONY FROST was named a group-wide ambassador for Jockey Club Racecourses. Frost, whose father, JIMMY, won the Grand National aboard LITTLE POLVEIR at Aintree Racecourse in '89, "has lit up jumps racing this season with a string of superb victories." The partnership is the "first of its kind" for Jockey Club Racecourses (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 2/11). ... Rugby union commentator IAN ROBERTSON will retire at the end of the year after 46 years with the BBC. The former Scotland fly-half, 73, will "call time on his broadcasting career after the 2018 autumn internationals" (BBC). ... Former New Zealand test cricket captain BEVAN CONGDON died on Saturday, "one day shy of his 80th birthday." He played 61 tests, scoring 3,448 runs at an average of 32.22, including seven centuries (NZ HERALD, 2/10). ... Korea Republic and Tottenham forward SON HEUNG-MIN was presented with the Asian Football Confederation's Asian Int'l Player of the Year award. The 25-year-old won the award over Australia’s AARON MOOY and Japan and Borussia Dortmund player SHINJI KAGAWA (AFC).
