Daily News 19

Category: Sports

Sports news, viral moments, athletes, teams, and major competitions.

  • David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    Sky Sports Formula 1 lead commentator David Croft has backed Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to become a younger world champion than Max Verstappen, citing the Italian’s rapid development and exceptional maturity.

    Historic Monza Victory Extends Championship Lead

    Antonelli delivered an incredible performance at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, driving from 19th on the grid to victory in front of his home crowd. The 20-year-old became the first home driver to win at Monza in 60 years, extending his championship lead over his team-mate George Russell to 66 points ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

    Croft Draws Parallels With Verstappen’s Early Career

    During an appearance on the Sky Sports F1 Show, Croft compared Antonelli’s current trajectory to that of Verstappen, who made his F1 debut at 17, won his first race at 18 and his first championship at 24.

    “12 months ago he was at Monza and was just coming out of a very difficult period where, from the podium in Canada, things had started to go wrong and he wasn’t happy,” Croft explained. “He was working really hard with Bono [Peter Bonnington] to try and put things right and then went on a really good run towards the end of the season.

    “It’s almost like he’s growing up with less experience than Max. Max had that experience with Toro Rosso for a season and then a couple of races before he went up to the Red Bull team.

    “He’s doing things earlier than Max. He’s going to be a younger world champion than Max was. He is a younger polesitter. He is a younger grand prix winner. He’s getting everything done very, very early indeed and showing a lot of maturity with it.

    Emotional Control Marks Generational Talent

    Croft emphasized that Antonelli’s emotional control distinguishes him as a generational talent, noting visible improvement in the youngster’s racecraft.

    “I’ve seen and heard signs on the track this year where he’s controlling his emotions. He’s calming down. He’s keeping a lid on things that might have got the better of him 12 months ago.

    “That is why people are saying this man is a generational talent because it’s one thing to have an ability, it’s another to have that controlled ability and to start being very mature at an age where I think all three of us can agree we certainly wouldn’t have been capable of doing anything near what Kimi Antonelli is doing.”

    Record-Breaking Season Underway

    Antonelli took the lead of the standings after back-to-back wins in the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. He went on to secure four more victories before the summer break and his win in Italy was his seventh F1 win.

    For context, Sebastian Vettel became the youngest F1 champion in history, claiming his first title in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Singing Robot Approaches Steph Curry, Starts Making Shots Beside Him

    Singing Robot Approaches Steph Curry, Starts Making Shots Beside Him

    A robot made a surprise appearance at a basketball gym, entering while singing as Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry looked on with a smile. The unusual entrance created a scene far removed from the typical practice environment of the NBA’s all-time three-point leader.

    Machine Meets Marksman on the Court

    After its musical arrival, the robot positioned itself next to Curry and began taking shots alongside the four-time champion. The impromptu shooting session blended elite athletic skill with advanced robotics, drawing enthusiastic cheers from students in attendance who celebrated every attempt by the mechanical visitor and the basketball icon.

    Viral Moment Highlights Sports-Tech Crossover

    The encounter underscores the growing intersection of professional sports and interactive technology. While Curry is accustomed to defenses designed to stop him, sharing the floor with an autonomous, singing robot presented a novel challenge—one that delighted the audience and highlighted the entertainment potential of humanoid robotics in mainstream sports settings.

  • Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye Make Unexpected History as Last Season’s 1-2 MVP Finishers

    Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye Make Unexpected History as Last Season’s 1-2 MVP Finishers

    NFL Week 1 Takeaways: Defensive Dominance, Historic MVP Struggles, and Early-Season Rust Define Opening Weekend

    The first two games of the 272-game NFL regular-season slate are officially in the books, with a pair of NFC West powerhouses asserting early dominance. The Seattle Seahawks dispatched the New England Patriots 13-10 without starting quarterback Sam Darnold for all but one drive, while the San Francisco 49ers rolled past the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams 27-7 during the league’s historic debut in Australia.

    Suffocating Defenses and Offensive Rust Set the Tone

    While both defensive units showcased suffocating prowess, low-scoring affairs defined the opening window across the board. NFL offenses battled early-season rust, exacerbated by the lack of playing time for starters during the preseason. The trend underscores a growing strategic shift where teams prioritize health over preseason rhythm, leaving quarterbacks and offensive lines to find their footing under the brightest lights.

    Historic Statistical Anomaly: Top Two MVP Finishers Flounder

    According to historical records, this week’s struggles delivered an unprecedented statistical anomaly: this is the first time in NFL history that the top two finishers in the previous season’s MVP voting each saw their respective teams score 10 or fewer points in the season opener.

    Matthew Stafford finished the night with just 155 passing yards, his lowest output since Week 11 of last year, along with zero touchdowns and one interception. On the opposing sideline, Drake Maye managed 178 passing yards, one touchdown, and, mirroring his struggles from the previous Super Bowl, tossed three interceptions against a fierce Seattle secondary.

    Contrasting Recent MVP Title Defenses

    Such opening-week turbulence starkly contrasts with how recent MVP award winners fared to begin their title-defense campaigns. Looking back at recent history, Josh Allen opened his post-MVP slate in 2025 by delivering a legendary 424 total yards of offense (394 passing, 30 rushing) and four touchdowns in an epic comeback win against Baltimore.

    Prior to that, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes historically experienced varied opening results following their MVP crowns, with Mahomes launching his 2023 campaign throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns against Detroit.

    History Suggests Patience for Stafford and Maye

    As Stafford and Maye look to bounce back, history proves that early offensive slumps rarely define a true superstar’s trajectory over a grueling 17-game season. The sample size of one game remains statistically insignificant, and both quarterbacks have demonstrated the resilience and talent to correct course as the season unfolds.

  • Thomas Meunier Explains Sunderland Transfer Choice Despite Manchester United Dream

    Thomas Meunier Explains Sunderland Transfer Choice Despite Manchester United Dream

    Thomas Meunier Reveals Why He Chose Sunderland Over Dream Moves to Manchester United, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid

    Sunderland’s new signing Thomas Meunier has opened up about his decision to join the Black Cats this summer, admitting he would have preferred transfers to European giants Manchester United, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

    Free Transfer from Lille

    The 34-year-old right-back arrived at the Stadium of Light on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with French side Lille. Despite harbouring ambitions to play for one of Europe’s elite clubs, Meunier explained that Sunderland’s approach ultimately convinced him to accept the move.

    Black Cats’ Persuasion Proved Decisive

    According to Walfoot, the Belgian international stated that the Black Cats’ approach convinced him to accept the move, turning down the possibility of waiting for offers from his preferred destinations.

  • McLaren confirms gearbox issue as Lando Norris misses FP2 ahead of Spanish Grand Prix: ‘A big setback’

    McLaren confirms gearbox issue as Lando Norris misses FP2 ahead of Spanish Grand Prix: ‘A big setback’

    McLaren have confirmed a gearbox issue sidelined Lando Norris for the entirety of Free Practice 2 at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Technical Director for Performance Mark Temple describing the lost running as “a big setback” for the reigning World Champion.

    Norris Limited to Two Laps in FP2

    Drivers and teams sampled the new Madring layout for the first time on Friday. The circuit’s hybrid configuration—part street circuit, part purpose-built facility—presented an immediate challenge, making every minute of track time critical for data gathering. Norris completed only two laps in the second session before pulling his MCL39 into the garage with a mechanical problem that the team could not resolve before the checkered flag.

    McLaren Response: Focus on FP3 Recovery

    Speaking after the session, Temple outlined the scale of the deficit and the plan for Saturday’s final practice hour.

    “Gearbox problem for Lando, that’s obviously a big setback for him,” said Mark Temple, McLaren’s Technical Director for Performance, after the session. “Going into FP3 we’ll be trying to do as much as we can to give him back track time.

    “It was as expected, a very technical, tough track for the drivers, trying to find their way and learn the track. Deal with the very hot temperatures on the tyres. For sure track time for Lando will be very important tomorrow.”

    Mixed Friday for McLaren

    The British driver had shown competitive pace earlier in the day, finishing sixth in FP1—just under nine tenths adrift of George Russell’s pace-setting Mercedes. By contrast, team-mate Oscar Piastri completed a full programme, ending the day seventh and eighth across the two sessions as he worked to master the new venue.

    Piastri Highlights Balance and Tyre Management Struggle

    The Australian identified car balance and thermal management as the primary hurdles on a layout that demands a compromised set-up for both straight-line speed and high-speed corners.

    “I felt like we got a bit closer in FP2, which was good, but we’re still lacking a bit of pace it seems,” he said.

    “We’ll try and improve, it’s been an interesting day learning a new circuit. It’s certainly tough to get on top of but it’s been a day full of learning. Hopefully we can find a bit more tomorrow.

    “Trying to extract the performance on a street circuit like this is pretty challenging. That’s the biggest thing for us at the moment. Hopefully tomorrow we can make things a bit easier and find just a bit more consistency and a bit more ability to get that time out of the car.”

    With Norris facing a compressed preparation window in FP3, McLaren’s priority shifts to maximizing his limited running ahead of qualifying, while Piastri’s data will be crucial for refining the baseline set-up on a circuit where tyre temperature and consistency are proving decisive.

  • ‘I experienced that’: Ruben Amorim says AC Milan in better position than Man United as he addresses critics

    ‘I experienced that’: Ruben Amorim says AC Milan in better position than Man United as he addresses critics

    Amorim Claims Milan Hold Better Dynamic Than Manchester United

    Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has stated that AC Milan are currently operating in a superior dynamic compared to the Premier League club. The assessment comes after the Portuguese manager oversaw a strong start to the season for the Italian side.

    Back-Three System Requires Player Connection

    During a recent press conference, Amorim responded to criticism surrounding his preferred three-at-the-back tactical setup. He insisted the system’s success is entirely dependent on the players’ ability to link up effectively on the pitch.

  • Granit Xhaka Opens Up About Failed Chelsea Transfer

    Granit Xhaka Opens Up About Failed Chelsea Transfer

    Granit Xhaka has opened up about the collapsed transfer that would have seen him join Chelsea during the summer window, confirming he stayed at Sunderland after the Blues’ pursuit fell through.

    Chelsea Targeted Xhaka for Midfield Experience

    According to the report, Chelsea made a concerted effort to sign the Switzerland international as part of a strategy to bolster their midfield options. The move was reportedly driven by Xabi Alonso’s plans to inject greater experience into the center of the park at Stamford Bridge.

    Despite the London club’s interest, the transfer did not materialize, leaving Xhaka to continue his career at Sunderland. The midfielder has since reflected on the sequence of events that kept him in the North East rather than moving to West London.

  • Raphinha Assured of Long-Term Barcelona Future After Raising His Level, Reports Say

    Raphinha Assured of Long-Term Barcelona Future After Raising His Level, Reports Say

    Raphinha Secures Long-Term Barcelona Future After Explosive Start Under Hansi Flick

    Barcelona winger Raphinha has received assurances regarding his long-term future at the club following an exceptional start to the season under new manager Hansi Flick, according to a report from Diario Sport.

    Injury Struggles Behind Him, Brazilian Emerges as Key Leader

    The Brazilian international has effectively put his past injury troubles behind him, establishing himself as a pivotal leader within the squad. His current form represents a dramatic turnaround, with the attacker recording eight goals across his opening five official matches of the campaign.

    Flick’s System Unlocks Raphinha’s Peak Potential

    Under Flick’s tactical setup, Raphinha has flourished, demonstrating the clinical finishing and creative influence that initially attracted Barcelona to the player. The early-season statistics underscore his importance to the team’s attacking structure, positioning him as one of the most in-form forwards in European football.

    The club’s decision to secure his long-term commitment reflects confidence in his current trajectory and his central role in the project moving forward.

  • 2026 Spanish Grand Prix FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Timesheets Ahead of Charles Leclerc

    2026 Spanish Grand Prix FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Timesheets Ahead of Charles Leclerc

    Kimi Antonelli Tops Spanish GP FP2 as Ferrari Duo Chase at Madring

    Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli ended Friday’s running at the Spanish Grand Prix as the fastest driver on track, heading a Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the second hour of practice at the Madring circuit.

    Antonelli Sets Unbeatable Benchmark

    The Italian posted a session-best time of 1m 33.662s before the session was halted to recover Arvid Lindblad‘s damaged Racing Bulls car. No driver managed to improve on Antonelli’s lap in the closing minutes, giving him an advantage of just over a tenth of a second over Leclerc in second place.

    With a limited amount of time to learn the new Madrid circuit, all 22 drivers were eager to maximize Free Practice 2 and begin pushing the limits—ideally while avoiding the daunting walls that line the Madring layout.

    Alonso Misses Early Running With Clutch Issue

    Unfortunately for Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin confirmed the home favorite would miss the beginning of the session due to a clutch issue suffered following his practice starts in FP1.

    Haas pair Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman were the first to head out in the high temperatures, leading a long queue of competitors before George Russell—who topped the times in FP1—set an early benchmark of 1m 36.011s.

    Ferrari Strong on Mediums as Track Evolves

    Russell was soon demoted down the timesheets as Ferrari continued their impressive showing on the medium tyres. Leclerc claimed the top spot until the standings leader completed his first effort to go over a second clear.

    As expected on a track with a freshly laid surface, the evolution was notable. Leclerc closed the gap to just 0.001s, ensuring that Mercedes and Ferrari drivers occupied P1 through P4 in the opening 15 minutes.

    Despite his impressive lap, Ferrari were struggling in the final sector, where they were significantly down on the likes of Antonelli. They weren’t the only ones facing issues—McLaren opted to change Lando Norris‘ gearbox, restricting him to the garage, while Oscar Piastri complained about a lack of rear grip.

    Lindblad Impresses Before Turn 13 Crash

    Although Piastri managed to improve on the soft compound, his lap was eclipsed by Lindblad. The Racing Bulls driver consistently impressed through the first sector to wind up just two tenths off Antonelli’s fastest time.

    But the lack of incidents couldn’t last forever. Coming into Turn 13, Lindblad lost the rear and crashed into the barriers, bringing an early end to his day at the Madring and triggering a red flag period.

    Final Classification After Red Flag

    Once the subsequent red flag period concluded, Antonelli remained P1 thanks to his earlier rapid time, leaving him ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton on the timesheets. Lindblad similarly held onto P4 ahead of Russell, Max Verstappen, and Piastri.

    Yuki Tsunoda was eighth for Racing Bulls, followed by Haas’ Ocon and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson. Pierre Gasly claimed P11, the Frenchman leading the Audi pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Bearman, Franco Colapinto, and home favorite Carlos Sainz.

    Despite his shorter running, Alonso took P17 while Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas completed the order, with Norris unable to set a representative time for McLaren.

    Saturday Running Ahead

    With the first day of action in Madrid complete, the teams and drivers will have the chance to delve into their learnings overnight before the final hour of practice takes place at 12:30 local time on Saturday, September 12.

  • F1 Spanish GP FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Tricky Session as Arvid Lindblad Crashes

    F1 Spanish GP FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Tricky Session as Arvid Lindblad Crashes

    Kimi Antonelli Leads FP2 at Spanish Grand Prix as Mercedes Shines in Madrid

    Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli topped the second practice session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix on Friday, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the challenging new Madring circuit in Madrid. The championship leader set the benchmark early and improved steadily as track conditions evolved, ultimately posting a 1m33.662s on soft tyres to lead the timesheets.

    Tricky Madrid Layout Tests Drivers from the Outset

    The 5.4-kilometre hybrid layout — combining street sections with a purpose-built high-speed loop — proved difficult to master from the opening session. With virtually no runoff areas, teams adopted a cautious approach in FP1, prioritising rhythm and muscle memory over outright pace. That conservatism carried into the early stages of FP2, though lap times began to tumble as grip levels improved.

    Antonelli set the initial pace on medium tyres with a 1m34.428s, only for Max Verstappen to briefly take over before the Mercedes driver responded with a 1m33.926s. Turn 17 emerged as a particular flashpoint, with multiple drivers running wide on exit and triggering track-limits violations.

    Soft-Tyre Runs Shuffle Order Before Red Flag Halts Action

    The session intensified at the halfway mark as most drivers switched to the soft compound, which proved demanding to keep in its optimal temperature window under sustained lateral loads. Antonelli again set the reference with his session-best 1m33.662s. Team-mate George Russell slotted in just a tenth behind, while Ferrari duo Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc followed in third and fourth.

    Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad delivered an eye-catching performance to sit fourth before his afternoon ended abruptly. The British rookie slid into the barriers at Turn 13, a medium-speed left-hander, bringing out the red flags with 25 minutes remaining. Lindblad escaped unharmed, but the TecPro barrier repairs consumed the remaining session time, freezing the order at the top.

    Norris Sidelined by Gearbox Issue; Home Heroes Struggle

    McLaren endured a difficult Friday. Reigning world champion Lando Norris completed just two laps before a transmission issue forced him into the garage for a gearbox change, leaving Oscar Piastri as the team’s sole representative in seventh. Meanwhile, local favourites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso finished 16th and 17th respectively, with Alonso’s start delayed by a clutch problem on his Aston Martin.

    Spanish GP FP2 Classification – Top 10

    1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1m33.662s
    2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
    3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
    4. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
    5. George Russell (Mercedes)
    6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
    7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
    8. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
    9. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
    10. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

    Tsunoda, making his third appearance of the season while Isack Hadjar recovers from a wrist injury, impressed in eighth. Haas driver Esteban Ocon and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson rounded out the top 10.

    With the Madring circuit continuing to evolve and tyre management critical, Saturday’s final practice and qualifying sessions promise further shifts in the competitive order.