Lewis Hamilton believes he’s had stronger team-mates than Max Verstappen and says he is “no more impressed” by the Red Bull driver compared to Formula 1’s previous world champions; watch all sessions from the Singapore GP live on Sky Sports F1 from September 15-17
Last Updated: 08/09/23 6:24pm
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Jenson Button gives his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s latest comments on Max Verstappen’s driving partners, as well as looking at the future for Lando Norris.
Jenson Button gives his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s latest comments on Max Verstappen’s driving partners, as well as looking at the future for Lando Norris.
Jenson Button has revealed he would be “more fearful” against Max Verstappen rather than Lewis Hamilton.
Button was named when Hamilton told Sky Italy that all of his team-mates have been stronger than Verstappen’s during their respective Formula 1 careers.
Hamilton and Button were team-mates together from 2010 to 2012 at McLaren and the latter outscored his team-mate over the three seasons.
“I think Lewis has had some very tough team-mates. But, for me, I would be more fearful going up against Max in the same car,” Button told Sky Sports News.
“I think it is because the car is designed around his style, or he can drive a car that Adrian Newey gives him. Adrian Newey gives him a car that says ‘this is the quickest car in the world. If you take away front downforce, it will go slower but be easier to drive’.
“And Max is like ‘right, I have to drive how you made this car and I need to drive it as good as I can’. I think he’s very good at that and I think a lot of drivers struggle to compete with that.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff questions whether Max Verstappen would hold any importance to setting a new record of 10 consecutive Grand Prix wins.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff questions whether Max Verstappen would hold any importance to setting a new record of 10 consecutive Grand Prix wins.
“They are all unbelievable drivers – the best in the world. And some of the best we have ever seen in F1. I wish there was more competition at the front between Max, Lewis and Fernando. Those are the three that stand out for me.
“But it’s not the way in F1. It’s a technology race and Red Bull, fair play to them, they are doing a better job right now.”
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen team-mates in F1
Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen
Fernando Alonso (2007)
Carlos Sainz (2015-16)
Heikki Kovalainen (2008-2009)
Daniel Ricciardo (2016-2018)
Jenson Button (2010-2012)
Pierre Gasly (2019)
Nico Rosberg (2013-2016)
Alex Albon (2019-2020)
Valtteri Bottas (2017-2021)
Sergio Perez (2021-present)
George Russell (2022-present)
Button: Norris may have to look elsewhere
A future team-mate of Verstappen could be Lando Norris, as the British driver has previously held talks with Red Bull to join the team.
Verstappen, who is looking for a record-extending 11th straight Grand Prix win this weekend in Singapore, has also stated the pair have “talked” about being team-mates.
Norris’ contract at McLaren expires at the end of 2025 and Button thinks the 23-year-old needs to consider his options.
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After Lando Norris broke Max Verstappen’s trophy at the Hungarian GP, take a look back at his previous bottle-slamming celebrations on the podium.
After Lando Norris broke Max Verstappen’s trophy at the Hungarian GP, take a look back at his previous bottle-slamming celebrations on the podium.
“The issue is you have to beat the best to be world champion. When I left Brawn, I was like ‘I have to go to McLaren because I need to race against Lewis Hamilton’, who was regarded as the best,” said Button.
“I think that’s what he has to decide what he has to do. If he’s clever, he will decide on a car that suits his style. I think we have seen from a lot of drivers the Red Bull doesn’t suit many drivers apart from Max, so it’s not an easy decision for him.
“He’s not a guy that can win right now and probably won’t next year either. So, he’s got to be looking elsewhere for 2025, or he puts his trust in McLaren. They won races, they won championships and it can come back around.
“As long as he can see the future and think that they are in a good place as a team and it gives him confidence, stay there. If not, go and fight Max Verstappen in his own team.”
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Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Nico Rosberg reveals the extreme physical challenge drivers face during a race weekend in Singapore.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Nico Rosberg reveals the extreme physical challenge drivers face during a race weekend in Singapore.
Sky Sports F1’s live Singapore GP schedule
Friday 15 September 10am: Singapore GP Practice One (session starts at 10.30pm) 1.45pm: Singapore GP Practice Two (session starts at 2pm) 3.30pm: The F1 Show
Saturday 16 September 10.15am: Singapore GP Practice Three (session starts at 10.30am) 1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up 2pm: Singapore GP Qualifying 3.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday 17 September 11.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up 1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction 4pm: Ted’s Notebook
Next up for the F1 circus are the stunning streets of Singapore under the lights. All sessions from the Singapore GP will be live on Sky Sports F1 from September 15-17. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime
Ndamukong Suh is joining the Sky Sports NFL coverage later this season!
Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will join the Sky Sports NFL coverage for four weeks during the 2023 season.
The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro brings with him 13 seasons worth of expert knowledge, during which he has recorded 600 tackles and 71.5 sacks while winning one Championship ring across spells with five teams since being drafted by the Detroit Lions as the No 2 overall pick in 2010.
Suh arrives on the back of featuring in the Philadelphia Eagles team that reached Super Bowl LVII, where Nick Sirianni’s side were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs.
He previously starred in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, led by Tom Brady, that toppled Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV at the end of the 2020 season, having made the first of his three Super Bowl appearances with the Los Angeles Rams team that came up short against the New England Patriots in 2018/19.
The former Defensive Rookie of the Year is now set to bring his insight to your screens as part of Sky Sports NFL’s Sunday coverage in a four-week stint starting from October 1.
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Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh discusses Lions head coach Dan Campbell and explains why their fans deserve a Championship run.
Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh discusses Lions head coach Dan Campbell and explains why their fans deserve a Championship run.
“You can expect a lot of excitement, great insights on football, especially from somebody who’s been doing it for 13 years plus and potentially 14 years,” Suh told Sky Sports.
“We’ll see how things pan out after my amazing time over in the UK with you guys so just looking to have a lot of fun and give great insights.
“I’ve explored the UK a lot. I think this will be probably my seventh or eighth time over. I’m looking forward to getting to my favourite restaurant in London, and then obviously to go check out some great football as you guys call it over there. I grew up playing since I was three and love watching the Premier League.
“UK fans, I’m excited to spend time with you guys. We’re gonna have lots of fun, lots of exclusive insights, and look to share many of those with you, not only in the studio, but also in person and around the game. So tune in and then let’s enjoy!”
The key to winning a Super Bowl…
The race to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas is on, with Suh able to vouch for the prime ingredients to any Championship contender.
“Outside of the little bit of luck, a lot of hard work,” he says. “Along with consistency and a team coming together, you’ve been able to see teams, dynasties that have core members for long periods of time, but then you’ve been on the flipside to see a team just put it together at the right time, which I think when you look at my run with Tampa Bay and winning a Super Bowl.
“We had an amazing group of guys on defense, amazing group of guys on offense and we all put it together collectively as a team at the right time. Because we went through plenty of struggles throughout that season and it was not smooth sailing like it was when I was in Los Angeles.
“My first Super Bowl, when I went to it was smooth sailing outside of one blemish during the regular season against the Saints and then maybe a couple towards the end of the year. But overall it’s like we’re just running over most of the NFC, even the league when we got into the playoffs, and then just at the very end, we couldn’t put it together to cement the deal. But I think there’s a combination of ways you get to this to the Super Bowl but it always comes down to hard work.”
The winning feeling
Suh finally captured his first Super Bowl ring a decade after entering the league, the wait only making the feeling of eventual victory even sweeter.
“That emotion was pure joy and excitement,” he recalls. “It was probably one of the best years of my life, if not the best year of my life. One not only winning a Super Bowl but bringing my kids in, my twin boys into the world as champions.
“And I’ve always said this, my wife is been a huge part of my success. She first moved in when I was living in Los Angeles, and that was my first year to get to a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win it, but I was in the NFC Championship Game and then ever since then have been vying for one and been in three of the last six Super Bowls.
“She’s a big part of my corner, so you’ve got to have a strong woman behind every great man.”
Suh is coming to the Sky Sports studio!
Can Suh’s Lions surprise the NFL?
Suh’s introduction coincides with a season in which his former team Detroit have been touted as one of the league’s potential surprise packages after a sparkling end to the 2022 campaign.
“I think the biggest story I’m excited to watch and see is the city of Detroit and the Lions,” said Suh. “I’m excited to see them hopefully get back to an elite level like we were when I was playing there. We had some great seasons but 2014 especially.
“Aidan Hutchinson. Jared Goff, who I played with, and then obviously I wish the best for Dan Campbell, who was my interim head coach in Miami and spent some good time with him. Always respected him and and loved playing for him and then also against him when he was at the Saints.
“He (Campbell) is a ball of energy, just full non-stop bouncing off the walls. Great energy guy. There’s no quiet time around him from recollection. But a coach that you love to play for. Always brings excitement to the game, even through tough times. He finds a way to be very positive and push people, which I’ve always appreciated about him.”
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Peter Schrager has predicted that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be this season’s Rookie of the Year
Peter Schrager has predicted that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be this season’s Rookie of the Year
Having spent five seasons with Detroit from 2010-2014, the former Nebraska Cornhusker is eager to see Lions fans treated to another Super Bowl run.
“There’s no question you wanna see about some loyal fans,” he added.
“Detroit has some of the most loyal fans and normally the only fans that I would pick over them as loyal fans would be the University of Nebraska, which are obviously the best fans in college football!
“I definitely believe that city is deserving of a Super Bowl, and I wish I could be there. Part of something of that nature because I know it would be amazing. I got so much joy and support from them and I love that city deeply.”
Watch the 49ers at Steelers live on Sky Sports NFL on Sunday, with coverage beginning from 4.30pm ahead of kickoff at 6pm, followed by the Dolphins at Chargers at 9.25pm. Stream with NOW.
Alex Mitchell and Jonny May were not included in England’s original World Cup squad; Tom Curry has recovered from an ankle injury and will play for the first time since May; Dan Cole starts in his fourth World Cup
Last Updated: 07/09/23 3:05pm
Jonny May scores vs Fiji
Alex Mitchell and Jonny May will start for England in their World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday.
The pair were not in Steve Borthwick’s initial World Cup squad but were called up after injuries and will now take to the field in The Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Elsewhere, Tom Curry starts for the first time since May having recovered from an ankle injury and Dan Cole starts in his fourth World Cup.
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Courtney Lawes (c), 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence.
Argentina pick six forwards on the bench against England
Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia returns at fullback to face England as coach Michael Cheika opted for six forwards on the bench.
Mallia is part of a back three with goal-kicker Emiliano Boffelli and Mateo Carreras on the wings and a powerful midfield of Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti. Santiago Carreras is at flyhalf and Gonzalo Bertranou gets the nod at number nine.
The team is captained by hooker Julian Montoya, who packs down with props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela, while the second row is made up of Matias Alemanno and Tomas Lavanini. Former captain Pablo Matera is on the flank along with Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martin Gonzalez is at number eight, as Cheika took the unusual step, for him at least, of naming a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on his bench.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo
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Max Verstappen set a new record for the most consecutive wins in Formula 1 after an action-packed Italian GP at Monza; Sergio Perez fought hard to make it a Red Bull one-two, while Carlos Sainz just held off Charles Leclerc in the final laps to take third place
By By Nigel Chiu at Monza
Last Updated: 03/09/23 3:48pm
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Max Verstappen breaks the record for most consecutive race wins as Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz almost collide on the final lap.
Max Verstappen breaks the record for most consecutive race wins as Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz almost collide on the final lap.
Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix from Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz to become the first driver to win 10 consecutive F1 races.
Verstappen, who started from second, overtook pole-sitter Sainz before the first and only pit stops to secure victory and surpass Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine straight wins from 2013.
The triumph extends Verstappen’s lead to 145 points in the drivers’ championship from Perez, as Red Bull maintain their unbeaten record in 2023.
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Carlos Sainz remains in the lead after the opening lap of the Italian GP, holding off Max Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz remains in the lead after the opening lap of the Italian GP, holding off Max Verstappen.
Perez was involved in an almighty battle behind Verstappen for the podium places, as Charles Leclerc nearly ran into the back of Sainz on the final lap in the fight for third.
George Russell took fifth from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who used an alternative tyre strategy to finish in sixth despite a late collision with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.
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Lewis Hamilton makes contact with Oscar Piastri which leads to him getting a five-second penalty for causing a collision.
Lewis Hamilton makes contact with Oscar Piastri which leads to him getting a five-second penalty for causing a collision.
Italian GP result 1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull 3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari 4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 5) George Russell, Mercedes 6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 7) Alex Albon, Williams 8) Lando Norris, McLaren 9) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin 10) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
Watch the Walker Cup live on Sky Sports from 6pm on Saturday and 5.30pm on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 01/09/23 6:59pm
The Walker Cup trophy takes place at St Andrews this weekend
Great Britain and Ireland captain Stuart Wilson has welcomed being given a selection headache for the 49th Walker Cup against the United States at the Old Course at St Andrews.
The visitors are odds-on favourites to secure a fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest for the top male amateur golfers, with eight of Mike McCoy’s 10-man side ranked in the world’s top 10.
Only Stewart Hagestad (19th) is ranked lower than GB&I’s top-ranked player John Gough (14th), while the home side includes 16-year-old Scot Connor Graham, the youngest player to contest the Walker Cup for either side.
The last win for the hosts came in 2015 at Royal Lytham, where Jimmy Mullen compiled a perfect 4-0 record in a seven-point win over an American side which included this year’s captain McCoy and Bryson DeChambeau.
“The team has done a fantastic job this week of preparing,” said Wilson, who also captained the side to a narrow 14-12 defeat at Seminole in 2021.
“It’s been a long week. I don’t think there’s many weeks like this in the golfing calendar when there’s so much preparation.
“But we had our two practice rounds early in the week and then we had a little break over to Kingsbarns, which was a bit more of a social kind of relaxed day, and then rounding them up Thursday and Friday here for the official practice days.
“Preparations have gone well and the guys are all playing well, which is great to see.
“Playing well and practising creates a nice situation but a difficult situation, as well, giving us a little bit of a headache as to pairings, and obviously we’ve got to leave two players out of each of the first three sessions, so the guys have made my job difficult by deciding who to leave out.”
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England’s Barclay Brown and Ireland’s Mark Power are the only players from the 2021 side to have returned this year, Power having won three of his four matches at Seminole.
“I’m trying to help some of the younger guys out and even some of the guys who haven’t played here before,” Power said.
“I suppose it’s a different feeling than last time. Circumstances were a little bit different with Covid and everything.
“I feel like this week has been a lot longer, and I feel like our preparations have been great. I feel like everyone is confident we’ve done the right things.
“It’s just about getting into the matches now, and I suppose just locking into your own process, not trying to do anything too different. That’s a big thing I would say.
“Last time around there was a restricted crowd, so it wasn’t quite the full experience. It was still probably the best week of my golfing career so far. I’d imagine this week will top it.
“We’ll definitely be leaning on the home crowd to give us a little extra support, but we’re all really going to embrace it and it’s going to be amazing. At the Home of Golf it’s extra special, so really looking forward to it.”
The teams will contest four foursomes matches and eight singles on Saturday, followed by four more foursomes and 10 singles on Sunday.
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USA sprinter Noah Lyles calls out the NBA for labelling its winners as ‘World Champions’ after he won the 100m and 200m titles at the World Athletics Championships.
Could good friends Max Verstappen and Lando Norris one day drive for the same Formula 1 team? Max admits the topic has come up in conversation between them; Verstappen also explains how lessons from his father Jos’ rollercoaster F1 career have affected his own
Last Updated: 29/08/23 6:01am
Max Verstappen says he and Lando Norris have “talked about” becoming team-mates later in their Formula 1 careers.
Norris, widely considered to be the best driver on the grid without a race win, has previously been linked with a move to Verstappen’s dominant Red Bull team.
However, Norris is contracted to McLaren until the end of 2025, and the team’s remarkable mid-season resurgence has quietened talk that the 23-year-old could seek an early exit from his deal.
Verstappen, who won Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine successive F1 victories, currently drives alongside Sergio Perez, whose Red Bull contract expires at the end of the 2024 season.
“We talk about it,” said Verstappen, who has previously described Norris as his “best friend” on the grid, in an interview with Sky Sports in Italy.
“But he’s contracted to McLaren for a long time.
“We’ll see what happens in the future.”
Asked who his dream team-mate would be, Verstappen opted for a sentimental approach, choosing his father, Jos, who drove in F1 from 1994-2003.
“For me personally, dream team, if I could choose and could bring people back, it would be with my dad.”
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Check out the funniest moments from the Dutch Grand Prix, including dancing stewards and Hollywood legend Steve Carell joining the team on the grid!
Check out the funniest moments from the Dutch Grand Prix, including dancing stewards and Hollywood legend Steve Carell joining the team on the grid!
Max on the lessons Jos taught him from his career
Not too dissimilar to his son, Jos Verstappen arrived in F1 as a young driver with a promising reputation in the mid-1990s.
His first chance came at a title-chasing Benetton team as team-mate to Michael Schumacher for 10 races in the 1994 season.
Aged two, Max Verstappen tries out his dad’s Arrows F1 car for size at the European GP in 2000
But while he twice finished on the podium that season, he was moved to the smaller Simtek team for the following year and then spent the remainder of his 106-race career driving for teams in the midfield and towards the back of the grid, with only a handful of further points-scoring results to show for it.
“From my dad’s side, I think his career didn’t go to plan, and I think it had a lot of potential,” reflected Max.
“But again, he knew what went wrong, and he knew that it was very important to have the right people around you from a young age, to be guided in the right way.
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Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok finds out what Max Verstappen means to the Netherlands and the Dutch fans
Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok finds out what Max Verstappen means to the Netherlands and the Dutch fans
“And I think that’s what he did with me.
“So from all that happened in his career and what went wrong, he tried to prevent me from having really, and that’s why I think when I grew up and got all the way to Formula 1 with him by my side, it helped me a lot to prepare.
“He was constantly trying to make me aware of things, what could happen, [telling me] I need to be ready, I need to be fit, I need to also be aware of what’s going on in the paddock, you know that’s a difficult world.
“So he prepared me in a very professional way, I think from a very young age, to be ready for all certain kind of scenarios.”
Alex Albon will start fourth on the grid for Williams in Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix after equalling his career-best qualifying performance; watch the Dutch GP from 12.30pm live on Sky Sports F1, with lights out at 2pm at Zandvoort
Last Updated: 26/08/23 7:02pm
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Alex Albon believes the ‘right kind of wind’ helped him claim an impressive fourth place in qualifying of the Dutch GP
Alex Albon believes the ‘right kind of wind’ helped him claim an impressive fourth place in qualifying of the Dutch GP
Alex Albon earned high praise from his rivals after equalling his career-best qualifying performance to claim fourth on the grid for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.
While Max Verstappen lived up to his billing as the star of the show by taking pole in Zandvoort, Saturday’s most eye-catching performance undoubtedly came from his former Red Bull team-mate.
Having delivered performances across the opening 12 races of the season that have seen him linked with a return to some of the sport’s top teams, Albon picked up where he left off in the first race after the summer break.
After impressing in practice, the British-born Thai driver topped Q1, before producing a sensational lap to match the multiple fourth places he claimed during his 18-month stint at Red Bull.
He was only denied a top-three start by two peers who have to this point overshadowed his achievements, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Russell and Albon congratulated each other after their impressive qualifying performances in Zandvoort
Albon’s long-term prospects as an F1 driver appeared uncertain when he was let go by Red Bull, but the way he has rebuilt his career at Williams after a year out hasn’t gone unnoticed by his fellow drivers.
“I’m really pleased to see him up there and it shows when you get your confidence how that can really transform the performance,” said Russell, who spent three seasons with Williams before earning his Mercedes seat.
The British driver also praised the impact of Williams team principal James Vowles, who left his role as Mercedes motorsport strategy director to take up the position.
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“Williams are making a huge amount of progress at the moment,” Russell said. “I think James Vowles is having a really positive impact there.
“I think he’s definitely the best man for the job for what Williams need at the moment for their sort of resurgence.
“So it’s great to see more than just the top teams fighting and that’s what we want in Formula 1. We want everybody to have a chance if they do a good job.”
Verstappen ‘impressed’ by Williams
Albon’s season driving alongside Verstappen left question marks over his pedigree, but the similar struggles endured by other talented drivers alongside the Dutchman put that in perspective.
While Verstappen’s generational talent is undeniable, there is a suspicion that the way Red Bull develop their cars to suit the two-time world champion’s driving style has also hindered his team-mates.
Despite the brutal nature of his Red Bull departure, Albon has maintained strong relationships with his former colleagues and has been talked about as a potential candidate to replace Sergio Perez when the Mexican’s contract expires at the end of 2024.
“I didn’t know what to expect with other teams coming in,” Verstappen said. “But they (Williams) have been quick all weekend in the wet and dry.
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Max Verstappen takes pole ahead of Lando Norris, George Russell and an impressive fourth place from Alex Albon at the Dutch GP
Max Verstappen takes pole ahead of Lando Norris, George Russell and an impressive fourth place from Alex Albon at the Dutch GP
“That’s impressive to see and it’s great for the sport as well to have more teams up there.
“I’m very happy for Alex himself. He’s a great guy, he was my team-mate before and we always had a good time, so I’m very happy for him to be up there and have a very competitive car.”
Norris is best placed, in terms of recency, to understand the struggle of being a talented driver at the back of the grid.
While McLaren’s remarkable mid-season turnaround has catapulted him to regular front-row berths, Norris has also clearly been paying attention to Williams’ gradual improvement.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a big surprise because they have been very competitive at certain places,” he said
“But every now and then, like Silverstone he (Albon) was P1 in Practice and now they just managed to keep it more through qualifying and into Q3 especially.
“So happy for him and the whole team. Logan (Sargeant) was there all the way pretty much until Q3, so they look strong. They made some big progress this season, so it’s good to have them in the battle.”
Albon reveals ‘strange’ secret to Zandvoort success
Perhaps most surprised by their success on Saturday were Albon and Williams themselves, with the 27-year-old revealing what he thinks might be behind the outstanding qualifying display.
“All conditions – slicks, wets, yesterday in the dry – we have been quite surprised, actually. We are not normally known for our high downforce performance but it’s been working well this weekend.
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The team debate which driver on the grid has made the biggest improvements this year. You can listen to the latest episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast now
The team debate which driver on the grid has made the biggest improvements this year. You can listen to the latest episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast now
“I have been surprised, but the wind this weekend is perfect for our car.
“It sounds very strange, but in the corners where we are normally quite weak there’s a head wind, and in the corners where we’re normally quite strong there’s a tail wind.
“It sounds strange to say, but the wind has been very good for us. The car has been working really well. It’s been a lot of fun to drive around here so far.”
With more unpredictable weather forecast for Sunday, Albon will undoubtedly be hoping that the breeze – and his momentum – continues to blow in the same direction.
Sky Sports F1’s live Dutch GP schedule
SUNDAY AUGUST 27 8.55am: F2 Feature Race 12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up 2pm: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX 4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction 5.30pm: Dutch GP highlights
Max Verstappen topped final practice at his home race; George Russell took an impressive second for Mercedes; Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu and Liam Lawson each caused red flags; watch Dutch GP Qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 2pm on Saturday
Last Updated: 26/08/23 12:10pm
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Kevin Magnussen brings out the red flag after taking a spin into the barriers during P3 of the Dutch GP – much to the anger of Guenther Steiner
Kevin Magnussen brings out the red flag after taking a spin into the barriers during P3 of the Dutch GP – much to the anger of Guenther Steiner
Max Verstappen topped a chaotic final practice at the Dutch Grand Prix as wet conditions in Zandvoort led to three red flag interruptions.
World championship leader Verstappen underlined his status as the favourite for Qualifying later on Saturday at his home Grand Prix by outpacing Mercedes’ George Russell and his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen, who holds a 125-point lead at the top of the drivers’ standings and is seeking a record-equalling ninth successive race win, once more showcased his and the RB19’s ability to lead the 2023 Formula 1 field in all conditions.
However, the difficulty of the challenge drivers were facing was highlighted by the Dutchman himself almost going into the wall early in the session and later running across the gravel.
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Max Verstappen loses control and goes offroading during P3 of the Dutch GP
Max Verstappen loses control and goes offroading during P3 of the Dutch GP
Others were less fortunate, with Kevin Magnussen crashing his Haas out of the session within 10 minutes, leaving the team short on their upgraded front wing after team-mate Nico Hulkenberg crashed on Friday.
Zhou Guanyu brought out a second red flag of the session when the Chinese driver beached his Alfa Romeo in the gravel, before Liam Lawson, deputising for the injured Daniel Ricciardo following the Australian’s crash on Friday, caused a third and final stoppage as he spun and crashed.
Fernando Alonso was fourth for Aston Martin, ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, while McLaren’s Oscar PIastri and Lando Norris were seventh and 10th respectively, having shown impressive pace earlier in the session.
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Zhou Guanyu spins off the track and gets beached in the gravel
Zhou Guanyu spins off the track and gets beached in the gravel
Having struggled on Friday, Ferrari once more appeared to be significantly off the pace as Charles Leclerc took ninth after twice narrowly avoiding collisions with the barrier at the first corner. His team-mate Carlos Sainz fared little better, finishing 12th.
More rain is set to fall throughout the afternoon in the Dutch coastal town, but the forecast suggests the rain will ease around the time that Qualifying begins.
It would at least appear likely that the session will begin on a drying circuit, which could leave the entire field vulnerable to an early exit on what would likely be a rapidly improving track.
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Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement Liam Lawson clips the barriers in his Alpha Tauri and brings out the third red flag of P3
Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement Liam Lawson clips the barriers in his Alpha Tauri and brings out the third red flag of P3
Given the mixture of conditions the three practice sessions have taken place in, and mystery over how the track will be later on Saturday, little can be assumed other than Verstappen being the driver to beat.
Russell, who was on a poor run of form before the sport’s summer break, suddenly came to life on the improving track at the end of the session to offer a reminder of his talent.
His team-mate Hamilton has been impressive throughout the weekend, while Norris must be considered the other clear threat to Verstappen having topped second practice in dry conditions on Friday.
Dutch GP Practice Three Timesheet
Driver
Team
Time
1) Max Verstappen
Red Bull
1:21.631
2) George Russell
Mercedes
+0.379
3) Sergio Perez
Red Bull
+1.000
4) Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
+1.003
5) Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
+1.092
6) Alex Albon
Williams
+1.119
7) Oscar Piastri
McLaren
+1.261
8) Valtteri Bottas
Alfa Romeo
+1.334
9) Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
+1.462
10) Lando Norris
McLaren
+1.527
11) Pierre Gasly
Alpine
+1.579
12) Carlos Sainz
Ferrari
+1.807
13) Yuki Tsunoda
AlphaTauri
+1.913
14) Logan Sargeant
Williams
+1.939
15) Nico Hulkenberg
Haas
+2.009
16) Esteban Ocon
Alpine
+2.175
17) Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
+2.427
18) Liam Lawson
AlphaTauri
+4.712
19) Zhou Guanyu
Alfa Romeo
+6.851
20) Kevin Magnussen
Haas
No time
Sky Sports F1’s live Dutch GP schedule
SATURDAY AUGUST 26 1.15pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up 2pm: Dutch GP Qualifying
SUNDAY AUGUST 27 8.55am: F2 Feature Race 12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up 2pm: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX 4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction 5.30pm: Dutch GP highlights
Daniel Ricciardo had previously said his return to the grid was motivated by sealing a return to Red Bull; watch the Dutch Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1, with the track action under way on Friday and Sunday’s race starting at 2pm
Last Updated: 25/08/23 1:58pm
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AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo admits his aim is to stay ‘within the Red Bull family’ and says his dream is to return to the ‘big team’
AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo admits his aim is to stay ‘within the Red Bull family’ and says his dream is to return to the ‘big team’
Daniel Ricciardo says he wants to spend the remainder of his career within the Red Bull family even if he fails to earn a promotion from AlphaTauri to the senior team.
Having been let go by McLaren at the end of last season, Ricciardo signed up as Red Bull’s third driver for 2023 before making a surprise early return to the grid in place of Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri.
Ricciardo has repeatedly made it clear his ultimate desire is to earn a return to Red Bull, but has now made it clear he would favour staying with AlphaTauri over a move to any other team.
“I made it clear to the big boys that now I’m back in the Red Bull family, it’s the only place I want to be and stay,” Ricciardo told Sky Sports at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix. “However much longer my career is, it’s where I want to, let’s say, end my career.
“I think going through a bit of change the last few years, it was all good and all part of the journey so to speak.
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Rachel Brookes looks back at Ricciardo’s career and his return to F1 with AlphaTauri
Rachel Brookes looks back at Ricciardo’s career and his return to F1 with AlphaTauri
“But now coming back it feels like it’s the perfect way to kind of finish this second part of my career and of course the dream is to get back to the big team. But if it’s not that, I made it clear I want to be here.”
Ricciardo, who claimed seven of his eight F1 victories during his five seasons with Red Bull, produced impressive moments as he returned to the grid in Hungary and Belgium before the sport’s summer break.
Any change to the Red Bull driver line-up appears unlikely to come before the end of next season, with world champion Max Verstappen signed to a long-term deal and Sergio Perez’s contract running until the end of 2024.
It is at that point where Ricciardo hopes an opportunity could come, but his first task in mounting a case for his return is to outperform AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who has also been talked about as a potential candidate to replace Perez.
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Mercedes’ George Russell reveals what he has been up to during the Formula 1 summer break, including a night out with Ricciardo
Mercedes’ George Russell reveals what he has been up to during the Formula 1 summer break, including a night out with Ricciardo
“It was really good to have a couple of races before the break,” Ricciardo added. “At first, when I got the news, in my head I was like, ‘OK, it would probably make more sense after the break. I get a few more weeks to kind of prepare and that’.
“But in the end I think having the two races was the best preparation because it gave me a lot to think about during the break and gave me a chance to catch up a little bit as well on race fitness and things like that.
“I’ve really been, let’s say been back in it now. I’m really loving it and I’m fully immersed. After Spa we did a debrief with the team and I was watching tons of on-boards and just trying to keep learning and figuring out where we’re at with the car.
“I did that for the first week after Spa and then switched off mentally, but physically I stayed pretty on shape.”
Chandhok, Hill surprised by Ricciardo comments
Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok and Damon Hill analyse Ricciardo’s comments:
“I think he’s definitely hoping for that promotion to the big team,” Chandhok said.
“For me, I was somewhat surprised to hear him say that he would be content with staying at AlphaTauri for the rest of his career.
“This is a driver who not very long ago was a world championship contender we thought.
“Clearly, the two years at McLaren and the time away has given him a perspective of, ‘I would rather be in F1 than not and if that means with a midfield team. I will take that’.”
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Check out some highlights from Ricciardo’s incredible career in Formula 1
Check out some highlights from Ricciardo’s incredible career in Formula 1
Hill added: “He’s back in, he’s got a chance. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and he’s got a chance to show what he can do.
“I would not personally have said, ‘I’m just thinking Red Bull’. I would say, ‘I’m here to compete, and I want every opportunity that can come my way’.
“You can show your loyalty, but you don’t have to say, ‘I’m going to stay here for the rest of my life’.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Dutch GP schedule
SATURDAY AUGUST 26 10.15am: Dutch GP Practice Three (session starts 10.30am) 12.10pm: F2 Sprint Race 1.15pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up 2pm: Dutch GP Qualifying
SUNDAY AUGUST 27 8.55am: F2 Feature Race 12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up 2pm: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX 4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction 5.30pm: Dutch GP highlights
England wing Anthony Watson in action against Ireland
England wing Anthony Watson has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to a calf problem.
Watson picked up the injury in last week’s warm-up defeat to Ireland and has now been withdrawn from the 33-player squad.
The 29-year-old is the second England player to be forced out of the tournament in recent weeks, with scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet absent due to an ankle issue.
England will be without captain and fly-half Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola for the start of the competition after both were handed suspensions for high tackles.
Farrell will sit out the games against Argentina and Japan, while Vunipola will miss the Argentina fixture.
San Francisco 49ers reportedly “considering all options” with regards to quarterback Trey Lance with Sam Darnold to act as back-up to Brock Purdy; Lance was signed by San Francisco less than three years ago but has been hampered by injuries and started just four games
Last Updated: 23/08/23 9:23pm
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance’s future is unclear
Sam Darnold has won the back-up quarterback role for San Francisco 49ers, casting doubt over Trey Lance’s future with the California team.
The 49ers traded three first-round draft picks to acquire Lance less than three years ago but are now reportedly “considering all options” with regards to their next move.
NFL Network first reported that Darnold had beaten out Lance for the back-up job behind No 1 Brock Purdy.
Lance spent his rookie season supporting Jimmy Garoppolo, starting just two games as an injury replacement and being hampered by a finger injury on his throwing hand.
Sam Darnold (left) will be back-up quarterback to Brock Purdy for 49ers this season
The 23-year-old was handed the starting position last season, but that lasted less than five quarters as he broke his ankle early in Week 2 and was sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
Purdy, taken with the last draft pick in 2022, came on late in the season and won his first seven starts to take over the starting slot.
San Francisco signed Darnold in free agency and he did enough in training and preseason games to beat out Lance.
Lance has completed 56 of 102 passes in his brief NFL career for 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
If San Francisco can find a trade partner for Lance, his four starts will be the fewest for any quarterback for the team that drafted him in the top five in the common draft era.
Jack Thompson started five games for Cincinnati after being taken third overall in 1979.
Viktor Hovland mixed 10 birdies with a lone bogey in a stunning final-round 61, setting the course record and earning a two-shot win; Scottie Scheffler leads FedExCup standings after finishing tied-second with Matt Fitzpatrick
By Ali Stafford
Last Updated: 21/08/23 12:50am
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Highlights of the final round of the BMW Championship from the Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois
Highlights of the final round of the BMW Championship from the Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois
Viktor Hovland produced a sensational back-nine birdie barrage to stun world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and claim a dramatic victory at the BMW Championship.
Hovland overturned a three-stroke deficit during a gripping final round at Olympia Fields Country Club, where he fired seven birdies in a back-nine 28 to set the course record with an incredible nine-under 61.
The Norwegian ended the week on 17 under to register a second PGA Tour title of the season and fifth overall, with the latest success also seeing him close the gap on Scheffler at the top of the FedExCup standings heading into the Tour Championship.
Scottie Scheffler will start with a two-shot lead at the Tour Championship on Thursday
Scheffler held at least a share of the lead for the majority of the day but saw his hopes ended with a penultimate-hole bogey, with the American finishing tied-second on 15 under with Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy a further three strokes back in fourth.
Special Sunday on the PGA Tour
Scheffler missed a six-foot chance at the par-five first but edged ahead when he converted from 10 feet at the next, with the world No 1 almost holing his approach into the third to set up a tap-in birdie.
Fitzpatrick poured in from 20 feet to match his playing partner’s birdie and added another from close range at the next to pull level, with both then firing tee shots to inside six feet and picking up shots at the par-three sixth to move to 14 under.
Matt Fitzpatrick ended the week on 15 under alongside Scheffler
Hovland – playing two groups ahead – had birdied three of his opening five holes to briefly get within one of the lead but then bogeyed the seventh, resulting in him turning in 33, while playing partner McIlroy was a further stroke back after finishing his front nine with a bogey.
Scheffler burned another birdie opportunity at the seventh and watched Fitzpatrick produce a remarkable up and down from the sand to save par at the eighth, only for the Englishman to bogey the ninth and fall one behind at the turn.
Scottie Scheffler was chasing a third victory of the season on the PGA Tour
Fitzpatrick converted from 12 feet to join Scheffler in birdieing the 10th and temporarily moved back tied for the lead when the American bogeyed the par-four next, while Hovland charged into contention by starting his back nine with three consecutive birdies.
Hovland responded to a missed birdie chance at the 13th by making a tap-in birdie at the next to temporarily make it a three-way tie, only for Scheffler to roll in from 15 feet and 25 feet over his next two holes to card back-to-back birdies and go two clear.
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Watch the best shots from Viktor Hovland’s brilliant final-round 61 as he triumphed at the BMW Championship
Watch the best shots from Viktor Hovland’s brilliant final-round 61 as he triumphed at the BMW Championship
Fitzpatrick recovered from bogeying the 14th by birdieing his next two holes to get back within one, as Hovland took advantage of the par-five 15th and added to his birdie tally at the par-four 17th to pull back alongside Scheffler on 16 under.
Scheffler had to settle for a par at the 15th and squandered a look from six feet after a brilliant tee shot at the 16th, which saw him fall behind for the first time when Hovland capped off an incredible back nine by slotting in an eight-foot birdie at the last to set the clubhouse target.
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Viktor Hovland was ecstatic after shooting 61 to win the BMW Championship by two shots
Viktor Hovland was ecstatic after shooting 61 to win the BMW Championship by two shots
Hovland’s lead doubled when Scheffler inexplicably carded a three-putt bogey at the 17th, with victory secure when neither Scheffler or Fitzpatrick could hole their second shots into the last and both settled for closing pars.
McIlroy birdied three of his last five holes to post a four-under 66 and take fourth, with Open champion Brian Harman and halfway leader Max Homa a further shot back in tied-fifth.
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August 24, 2023, 5:00pm
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Hovland: My best round ever!
Asked where that round ranked in his career, Hovland told Sky Sports: “It has to be number one. I remember playing a pretty special round of golf my first year on Tour, I shot seven under at Torrey Pines when it was hailing and windy and raining and that’s probably the best I’ve ever struck it throughout a round.
“But to shoot 61 and shoot 28 on the back nine at this golf course and under the circumstances, I have nothing that beats that.”
Viktor Hovland is now second in the FedExCup standings
Hovland, who started the day three off the lead, added: “I was thinking if I post a score like I did yesterday (65) I could at least have a chance, but it’s hard when you have so many guys in front of you that are really good and playing awesome. Catching heat on the back nine was what I had to do.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour season reaches its climax on Thursday at the Tour Championship, where only the top 30 in the FedExCup standings get to feature and players are given a strokes-based advantage based on their position.
Scheffler will start with a two-shot lead over Hovland and McIlroy will begin on seven under in third spot, while Jon Rahm begins in fourth ahead of Lucas Glover.
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Just four minutes into his Bundesliga debut, Harry Kane gets his first assist for his new club, setting up Leroy Sane to give Bayern Munich the lead at Werder Bremen.
