Daily News 19

Category: Sports

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

  • 7 Overlooked Moments at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix

    7 Overlooked Moments at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix

    Vettel Honors Schumacher with F2002 Demonstration at Monza

    Thirty years after Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari debut, the Temple of Speed hosted a poignant tribute from another German great. Ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel — who raced for the Scuderia from 2015 to 2020 — piloted Schumacher’s championship-winning Ferrari F2002 around Monza in front of the Tifosi. The F2002, one of Ferrari’s most successful cars with 15 victories across the 2002 and 2003 seasons, turned heads with the unmistakable scream of its V10 engine. “There is still a race to win, for my friend Michael,” Vettel wrote on social media.

    Tifosi Paint Piazza Del Duomo Red

    Nothing captures Italian Grand Prix weekend quite like a Piazza Del Duomo in Milan overflowing with Ferrari fans. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and special guests entertained the crowd on a sunny afternoon. South Korean DJ Peggy Gou headlined the musical entertainment, and Leclerc even tried his hand at spinning the decks — though the two-time Italian GP winner might be better off sticking to driving. Hamilton chose to share the moment with his mother, Linda, who received one of the loudest cheers of the day and a true Tifosi welcome.

    The seven-time World Champion explained the significance of her visit: “And my mum’s here this weekend because she’s never experienced — she’s never actually, I don’t think, been to Monza — but also particularly on a Ferrari weekend. And I wanted her to experience that and, you know, bring any of the lucky dust she can bring.”

    Sainz Shines on the Venice Red Carpet

    Carlos Sainz swapped his race suit for Giorgio Armani elegance at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The Williams driver looked perfectly at home on the red carpet for the premiere of Danny Boyle’s new film Ink, accompanied by his partner Rebecca Donaldson.

    Lightning McQueen Celebrates 20 Years at the Temple of Speed

    Disney-Pixar’s Cars turns 20 this year, and the seven-time Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen made a special appearance at Monza. While the iconic movie car didn’t race, the Safety Car wore a commemorative livery marking the anniversary. For drivers like Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto, meeting their childhood hero in the paddock was a dream come true.

    Antonelli’s Helmet Pays Homage to Valentino Rossi

    Home hero Kimi Antonelli arrived at Monza leading the drivers’ standings and marked the occasion with a bespoke helmet design inspired by Italian MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. The livery echoes the helmet Rossi wore at the 2002 Mugello Grand Prix, featuring the Italian flag, vignettes of daily life — an espresso cup, a slice of pizza — the sun, the sea, a family, and at the rear, two cartoon figures representing Antonelli and Rossi.

    Antonelli Enters the Disney Universe as Kimi Paperelli

    In a unique career milestone, a cartoon version of Antonelli — Kimi Paperelli — debuted in Topolino magazine this weekend, placing the Italian driver in the world of Duckburg. Joss Hastings, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Disney Consumer Products, explained the collaboration: “Fuel the Magic is all about bringing Disney storytelling into the world of Formula 1 in unexpected and creative ways. Seeing Kimi become Kimi Paperelli is especially meaningful knowing that he grew up reading Topolino and loving Donald Duck.”

    Barilla Transforms the Grid into a Dining Room

    Continuing an Italian tradition, F1’s Official Pasta Partner Barilla brought the Formula 1 family together for a special pre-race dinner. The starting grid was transformed into a unique dining room with an F1-inspired three-course menu, each course presented as a different ‘lap’. Few dinner reservations offer a view quite like the Monza grid.

  • Former F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Reportedly Arrested in Portugal for Carrying Shotgun

    Former F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Reportedly Arrested in Portugal for Carrying Shotgun

    Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly detained in Portugal this week after authorities discovered a shotgun in his luggage during a routine airport inspection, according to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã.

    Incident at Tires Aerodrome

    The 95-year-old motorsport magnate was reportedly stopped after his private jet landed at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, a general aviation airfield located just outside Lisbon. The publication reported that “his arrest was carried out by officers from the Airport Division of the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police).”

    Ecclestone Confirms Details, Denies Formal Arrest

    Speaking to Daily Mail Sport, Ecclestone confirmed he had traveled with the firearm for clay-pigeon shooting but acknowledged he lacked the required import documentation. He disputed the characterization of the event as a formal arrest, describing it instead as a prolonged administrative delay.

    “I had a gun that I was bringing over from Switzerland to Portugal for clay-pigeon shooting. It’s as simple as that. I have guns at home there that are licensed,”

    he explained.

    “We cleared customs on arriving here – I know the guys there – and they were fine with everything. No problems. Then a policeman afterwards asked to search the bag. It could have been [his six-year-old son] Ace’s fishing tackle for all it looked like, but it wasn’t.

    “They asked if I had a ‘blue book’, which is apparently the documentation you need, and I told them I never travel with documents like that, any documents at all, practically. They said they would arrest me, but after what seemed like hours, we sorted it out, but it has been wall-to-wall aggravation.”

    Resolution Underway

    Ecclestone indicated the matter is being resolved. His wife, Fabiana Flosi, has traveled to Lisbon to handle the necessary procedures regarding the weapon.

    “But it seems it can be put right. Fabi [his wife, Fabiana Flosi] has gone to Lisbon to surrender the gun, or pay the tax or whatever you need to bring it in, or to hand it over in the end. I said I would go too, but I didn’t as it happened, and I am sitting at home waiting for the situation to be put to bed.”

    Second Firearm Incident in Four Years

    This marks the second time since 2022 that Ecclestone has faced police questioning over a firearm at an airport.

    In a well-documented 2022 incident in São Paulo, Brazilian authorities detained him prior to a flight to Switzerland after discovering an unloaded LW Seecamp .32 calibre pistol inside his luggage. He posted bail and dismissed the ordeal as a minor misunderstanding, explaining he had purchased the weapon as a home deterrent and forgotten it was in his bag.

    Ecclestone denied he had been formally arrested in that instance as well, though São Paulo’s public security office confirmed in a statement that a businessman was arrested for possession of a firearm at Campinas airport.

  • All Goals from Women’s Super League Opening Weekend

    All Goals from Women’s Super League Opening Weekend

    Women’s Super League 2026-27: Opening Weekend Goals Highlights

    The new Women’s Super League campaign is underway. Relive all the action from the opening weekend with our comprehensive goals roundup.

    This video package compiles every goal scored across the first set of fixtures in the 2026-27 season. From early strikes to late winners, watch the moments that defined the start of the title race and the battle for European qualification.

    Catch Up on Every Strike

    Whether you missed the live matches or want to revisit the best finishes, this highlights reel ensures you don’t miss a single net-ripper. The opening weekend often sets the tone for the months ahead, and the goals on display offer an early glimpse into team form and standout performers.

    Press play above to watch every goal from the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League 2026-27 season.

  • Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli described his Italian Grand Prix victory as a “dream come true” in a message to fans after becoming the first home driver to win at Monza since 1966.

    Antonelli Overcomes Grid Penalty to Claim Historic Monza Win

    The 20-year-old Italian recovered from an engine penalty that dropped him to 19th on the starting grid to win Sunday’s race. Antonelli passed teammate George Russell in the closing stages to secure his seventh victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

    Italian Driver Thanks Monza Crowd on Social Media

    Taking to social media on Monday morning, Antonelli thanked the local crowd for their reception during the post-race podium ceremony.

    “P1 at home!! It’s hard to describe yesterday. It’s a dream come true,” Antonelli posted. “What I experienced is something I will never forget, the Monza podium is indescribable, the warmth of all the fans and the sea of people that never ends.

    “I really want to thank all the people who made this possible and who are making this year special.”

    Championship Lead Extended After Monza Triumph

    Following his win at Monza, Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers’ standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who sits second in the championship.

    Antonelli Refuses to Get Ahead of Himself in Title Fight

    Antonelli was quizzed on the championship fight after the race. When asked by Sky Sports F1 if he was now of the mindset that the title is his to lose, he explained:

    “No, not at all. I just take race by race because you never know what can happen. Today went well, we had a massive opportunity and we took it, but of course next week we have Madrid and it’s going to be a new challenge. 

    “We will have to be on top of our game because it’s a new track for everyone and it’s going to be important to be on point in order to maximise the track time and everything. I’m going to enjoy this moment and then focus on the next one and then focus on the next one again until the end of the season.”

  • Ferrari Still “Missing Pure Power” Despite ADUO 2 Upgrade

    Ferrari Still “Missing Pure Power” Despite ADUO 2 Upgrade

    Ferrari Concedes 2026 Engine Power Deficit to Mercedes After Monza Struggles

    Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that the Scuderia was never realistically positioned to match Mercedes on engine power for the 2026 season. The admission comes after a difficult Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, where the team’s power unit deficit was laid bare on the calendar’s most power-sensitive circuit.

    ADUO System Fails to Close Gap

    Since F1 introduced new technical regulations this year, Mercedes has fielded the most puissant power unit. The Additional Development and Upgrades Opportunities system (ADUO) was designed to help manufacturers lagging in performance catch up. Assessments based on the internal combustion engine actually identified Red Bull as having the most powerful unit. Consequently, Mercedes received one upgrade token for 2026 and 2027, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were each granted two.

    Despite this advantage, Ferrari’s ADUO upgrades — debuting in Austria and at Monza — have not bridged the gap. Mercedes has yet to introduce its sole update for the year, expected in October. At Monza, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth and fifth respectively. Leclerc crashed out after contact with his teammate at the start. In qualifying trim, the Ferrari power unit was 5.6 km/h slower on top speed compared to the benchmark, a figure mirrored by Oliver Bearman in the Haas.

    “At least I was right on something,”

    Vasseur quipped after the race, referencing his prior insistence that the ADUO upgrade would not be a game-changer. When asked if the upgrade met expectations and whether energy deployment contributed to the deficit, Vasseur was candid.

    “I don’t want to give details, but when you have a lack of pure power, then you start to play with deployment to try to compensate in one straight line. But if you deploy more somewhere, for sure you will deploy less somewhere else and then you are going in the wrong spiral to try to play with this when you are fighting.

    Honestly, it’s not about deployment. I think deployment was okay-ish, that even McLaren, they were playing a little bit Friday and Saturday morning. At the end, we are missing pure power.”

    Quantifying the Power Deficit

    Vasseur used a theoretical framework to explain how the deficit scales across different circuit layouts.

    “The reality of this is that if you are missing X in Zandvoort, you are two or three tenths [down]. If you are missing X minus – I’m using letters because you will try to extrapolate – if you are missing a bit less than X in Monza, the delta with the Merc is two times bigger.”

    Cost Cap and Lead Times Constrain Development

    Pressed on whether specific design choices caused the power shortfall, Vasseur highlighted the structural challenges of power unit development under the current cost cap.

    “On the engine, the process is mega long because the lead time of the parts is long and the cost cap is not easy. You have to produce the engine for the season. You are already a bit like this and if you want to start to do the development, you have to produce a new batch of engines, and it’s tricky.

    We were not expecting to recover [with] ADUO 1 or ADUO 2. We are doing small steps, but what you have to keep in mind is that if you make a small step on the engine, even if you make a couple of horsepower, it’s a good step on the grid.”

    The competitiveness of the midfield underscores this point. In Monza qualifying, just 0.127 seconds separated third-placed Oscar Piastri from seventh-placed Kimi Antonelli.

    Focus Shifts to 2025 Power Unit

    “That means that now we will have a new engine next year. For sure, the target is to catch up, to catch up as soon as possible, but I was not expecting that in two months we will recover the delta with Mercedes.”

    Championship Standings Widen

    The Monza result compounded Ferrari’s championship woes. The Scuderia’s deficit to Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship has ballooned from 87 to 122 points. In the Drivers’ standings, Hamilton now trails by 76 points after finishing only sixth at his future team’s home race.

  • Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc Monza Clash: What Doesn’t Make Sense

    Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc Monza Clash: What Doesn’t Make Sense

    Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s on-track clash and post-race tension at Monza follows a familiar pattern in Formula 1 history, yet the underlying motive remains unusually opaque. While teammate rivalries are a staple of the sport, the Ferrari duo’s current friction lacks the clear championship stakes that defined the sport’s most famous feuds.

    Historical Context: When Rivals Fight for the Title

    The great teammate battles — Ayrton Senna versus Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell versus Nelson Piquet, Mark Webber versus Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg versus Hamilton — all ignited when both drivers had machinery capable of winning the world championship. In those eras, the title depended almost entirely on beating the person across the garage.

    Consider the most recent parallel. In Hamilton’s first Mercedes season (2013), the W04 yielded one win for him and two for Rosberg. The car was not a title contender, and their relationship remained cordial. Everything shifted in 2014 when Mercedes’ hybrid power unit arrived; suddenly the ultimate prize was at stake, and the pair transitioned from sharing pizza in Monaco to an intense rivalry extending well beyond the circuit.

    No Championship, No Contracts, No Financial Pressure

    With Leclerc and Hamilton, the incentives are missing. Ferrari’s public ambition notwithstanding, the 2025 season’s results and standings make a credible world-title challenge difficult to argue. Neither driver is fighting for a 2027 seat — both have long-term deals secured — and both command salaries that render a “fighting over crumbs” narrative, joked about in the Monza paddock, entirely wide of the mark.

    Crucially, both are employed by Ferrari to deliver for Ferrari. As established stars, they are expected to prioritize the team’s interests, especially when the car cannot realistically contest a championship.

    Shifting Dynamics: From Frustration to Form

    Hamilton spent much of 2025 absorbing frustration while Leclerc consistently outperformed him. Having rediscovered his pace, the seven-time champion now appears keen to make a statement — to the paddock and to his teammate. Conversely, Leclerc’s stock rose sharply last year on the back of that superiority; twelve months later, Hamilton leads comfortably in the championship table, altering the internal pecking order.

    This need to prove oneself against a teammate typically drives midfield battles, where a single podium can define a season and job security is fragile. For two veterans with secured futures, beating each other at all costs should be a lower priority.

    Vasseur’s Next Move

    The onus now falls on team principal Frédéric Vasseur. He met both drivers in his Monza office before the race, but a follow-up discussion appears necessary. The principle is straightforward: team interests must supersede individual ambitions, particularly when the prize is not a world championship.

    A rivalry can be an asset when it propels a team toward success. When no title is at stake and the friction begins to undermine collective performance, it becomes just another problem — and Ferrari already carries enough of those.

  • Why Toto Wolff Already Knew Kimi Antonelli “Would Walk on Water” at F1 Italian GP

    Why Toto Wolff Already Knew Kimi Antonelli “Would Walk on Water” at F1 Italian GP

    Just as Pierre Gasly delivered AlphaTauri a shock victory at Monza six years ago, 6 September 2026 became another historic date at the Temple of Speed. Home favorite Kimi Antonelli ignited the Italian tifosi with a stunning comeback drive, turning a weekend that began with tears after Charles Leclerc’s heavy Parabolica crash into pure euphoria.

    From 19th on the Grid to Victory Lane

    Antonelli’s triumph appeared impossible on paper. A power-unit change relegated him to 19th on the starting grid, a strategic move designed to remove pressure rather than chase glory. Yet the championship leader had already carved his way up to 12th by the time a red flag neutralized the race. After the restart, he sliced through the field with surgical precision, producing what he later described as the best Formula 1 victory of his young career.

    Wolff’s Premonition: “He’s Going to Walk on Water Here”

    Fernando Alonso’s podium prediction for Antonelli seemed optimistic, but Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff sensed something extraordinary brewing. He revealed the conviction he felt even before lights out:

    “I thought one of our two drivers was going to win. Either George, because he was on pole [Russell started second behind Gasly in the race], or Kimi, because he’s going to walk on water here in Monza. And I felt that yesterday also.”

    Wolff explained that the feeling crystallized after qualifying, rooted in the driver’s demeanor and a conversation with Antonelli’s father:

    “It’s been a while that I’ve seen driver’s energy levels, attitude, mindset, or behavioural patterns, and I knew that that was his mission today, to win the race.
    “I chatted with his father yesterday and the father also saw that coming.
    “These are those moments where you can see how a weekend is panning out through the sessions, feeling that a special moment could come. But it’s still a mechanical sport, so it can change quickly.”

    A Victory for the History Books

    Only John Watson’s 1983 Long Beach win from 22nd on the grid surpasses Antonelli’s climb from 19th. Asked where this ranks among his most memorable F1 victories, Wolff answered with characteristic pragmatism:

    “This sounds very unromantic now, but I forget about wins,” he said. “There’s a few that I remember. Maybe my first one, but it isn’t as glamorous as you would like. It’s Pastor Maldonado in Barcelona. Or Nico Rosberg with Mercedes-Benz, the first one in Monaco. And Lewis Hamilton winning in Singapore.
    “So there’s a few of these big ones. And certainly this is one that I will remember.”

    Full Circle: From FP1 Crash to “Biggest Glory”

    Beyond the on-track heroics, Wolff highlighted the profound narrative arc. Two years earlier, Antonelli endured a heavy crash during his Formula 1 practice debut at Monza in FP1 — a moment Wolff called “probably the toughest moment in his career for himself and his family.”

    “It’s how the circle closed,” he said. “Two years ago in FP1, it was probably the toughest moment in his career for himself and his family. A moment where everyone doubted, including himself.
    “And then two years later, it’s the biggest glory, the biggest moment of his career that’s probably going to be one of his biggest moments overall in the future.
    “Even if he wins another 200 grand prix, that one will always remain special. And I think that’s the perspective under which I want to see it.”

    Antonelli’s Monza masterclass stands as a testament to resilience, timing, and the unique magic of the Italian Grand Prix — a victory that transcends statistics and etches itself into Formula 1 folklore.

  • Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted the on-track battle between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix “could have ended in disaster” and left the team looking “like idiots” after the pair traded the lead repeatedly at Monza.

    Antonelli’s Charge from 19th Sets Up Teammate Duel

    Starting 19th on the grid due to a power-unit penalty, Antonelli carved through the field to reach second place within 16 laps. A 12-lap wheel-to-wheel fight with Russell followed, with the Silver Arrows swapping the race lead several times before a virtual safety car (VSC) period allowed Antonelli to pit. He rejoined 14 seconds behind his teammate but, on fresher tyres, closed the gap rapidly and launched a decisive attack with six laps remaining.

    Late-Race Scare at Turn 2

    The climax arrived on lap 49 when Russell ran wide at Turn 2 while defending, and Antonelli slid into the gravel trap on the marbles. Both cars recovered to secure a Mercedes 1-2 — Antonelli leading Russell by four seconds, with Max Verstappen third, 15 seconds adrift — but the moment left Wolff visibly tense.

    Wolff: “We Would Have Looked Like Idiots”

    Speaking after the race, Wolff revealed he had his finger on the radio button to intervene but held back.

    “We’re trying to anticipate possible scenarios, and the two of them have been great in understanding and embracing the team component – which is difficult for a race driver that tries to win a grand prix, especially for Kimi in Monza, especially for George, who needs to keep scoring points in order to stay in the Toto Wolff uneasy as Mercedes drivers fought at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster” race,” the Austrian pondered. “But they’ve always been clean.”

    “At times, we were thinking, ‘It’s clean, but it’s a bit close’. And I had a finger on the button to Marcus, to Bono, to Kimi, to George, but I didn’t push it.”

    “The last incident was unfortunate. George tried to not cut the corner, and Kimi then obviously on the marbles, going straight, and that could have ended up in a disaster when it comes to the race result. We would have looked like idiots.”

    “We will be talking about that situation as another building block of how we want to race in the future. But I think it was worth to show the racing spirit in the team and have them go at each other.”

    Russell Ruues Lost Duel After VSC Pitstop

    Russell acknowledged parallels to the drawn-out Mercedes fight at the Canadian Grand Prix but expressed frustration that the VSC timing ended their extended battle.

    “I would have loved to have continued on the same strategy because I felt in a good position in that battle,” he said. “I sort of knew exactly what I needed to do with the energy management to defend, but also when to attack and make those moves, and I put a lot of preparation into this race in that regard.

    “Then, of course, when the VSC came out, it kind of came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. And, yeah, here we are.”

    Championship Implications

    With his fifth consecutive winless weekend, Russell now trails Antonelli by 66 points in the drivers’ standings, underscoring the shifting dynamic within the Mercedes garage as the Italian rookie announces himself as a genuine title contender.

  • Kerjota Scores 96th-Minute Winner for Hearts Against Dundee

    Kerjota Scores 96th-Minute Winner for Hearts Against Dundee

    Hearts Extend Unbeaten Run to Eight with Dramatic Win Over Dundee

    Heart of Midlothian secured a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee, stretching their unbeaten run across all competitions to eight matches. The Edinburgh side relied on a composed penalty from Claudio Braga and a brilliant low drive from Sabah Kerjota to claim all three points in a tightly contested fixture.

    Key Moments Decide Tight Encounter

    The match turned on two moments of clinical finishing. Braga stepped up to convert a spot-kick with precision, handing Hearts the lead. Dundee responded with resilience, but Kerjota settled the contest with a superb low strike that found the corner of the net, showcasing the attacking quality that has underpinned the team’s recent form.

    Unbeaten Momentum Builds for Hearts

    The result extends Hearts’ impressive sequence without defeat to eight games in all competitions. The run has solidified their position in the upper reaches of the Premiership table and reflects growing cohesion within the squad. Both goalscorers have played pivotal roles during this stretch, contributing crucial goals at decisive moments.

    Dundee Left to Rue Missed Opportunities

    Despite the defeat, Dundee offered stiff resistance throughout and created openings of their own. However, an inability to convert pressure into goals proved costly against a Hearts side demonstrating the composure and efficiency characteristic of teams on a winning run.