Daily News 19

Category: Sports

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

  • Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the opening-lap clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix was “not good for the team” following a disappointing weekend for the Scuderia at Monza.

    First-lap incident drops Hamilton to tenth

    Leclerc defended aggressively against his teammate on lap one after both Ferraris started from the second row. The Monegasque driver refused to yield, pushing Hamilton wide at the exit of Turn 2 and forcing the seven-time champion into the gravel. Hamilton plummeted to 10th place as a result.

    Vasseur: ‘Outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team’

    Addressing the media on Sunday night, Vasseur kept his initial remarks brief.

    “I spoke to Lewis for two seconds and not at all with Charles,” Vasseur said when asked about the incident during his media session on Sunday night. “We’ll have time to discuss that. I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you. For sure, the outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team, if it’s the question.”

    Team orders debate: too early before Monza

    Ferrari has resisted imposing team orders this season despite external pressure to support Hamilton, who has been the quicker Ferrari driver relative to the Mercedes pair. Vasseur maintained that such a move would have been premature before the Italian round, though he signaled the stance could shift.

    “Now, to see if we [need to] have a team order or whatever, I think that the good comparison that I made was that last year,” he said. “Piastri was leading McLaren at this stage of the season and if McLaren put everything on Piastri, Max Verstappen would have been champion.

    “For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision, but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza. Now I will have time to discuss with the guys.

    “For a team, it’s never good to lose points. This is clear. Now, basically at the beginning of the season, I think every single team principal in the world would love to let them race. To freeze positions when you are the team principal, don’t imagine that it’s an easy choice. You do it for the team, you do it for the results at the end, but it’s never an easy call.

    “By definition, I would love to let them race all the weekend. Now, by reason, you have to take a decision at one stage. Each team is different. We will have to take a decision when we’ll decide.”

    Drivers offer contrasting views on the clash

    Leclerc, who later retired after crashing at the Parabolica, admitted the incident went too far. “we went too far”, he said.

    Hamilton rejected the collective framing when Leclerc’s comment was put to him.

    “I was ahead in Turn 2, by the apex, I was ahead. There was no we in it.”

    Championship implications

    Following Kimi Antonelli’s victory at Monza, Hamilton now trails the Italian driver by 76 points in the drivers’ championship. In the constructors’ standings, Ferrari sits 122 points behind Mercedes.

  • Alonso: Chelsea Defeat to Arsenal Hurts

    Alonso: Chelsea Defeat to Arsenal Hurts

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has responded to his side’s 2-1 loss against Arsenal in a dramatic London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

  • ‘What is she wearing?’: Taylor Townsend’s bold US Open outfit vs. Sabalenka stuns fans

    ‘What is she wearing?’: Taylor Townsend’s bold US Open outfit vs. Sabalenka stuns fans

    Taylor Townsend’s Bold Fashion Statement Steals Spotlight Before US Open Showdown With Aryna Sabalenka

    Before striking a single ball in her fourth-round clash against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Townsend captured the attention of Arthur Ashe Stadium spectators and social media with a dramatic all-black entrance ensemble that quickly became a talking point at the 2024 US Open.

    Townsend’s Feathered Hooded Look Goes Viral

    The American arrived on court wearing a flowing, feathered black outfit complete with a hood pulled over her head, creating an immediate visual spectacle. Photos and videos of the entrance spread rapidly across social platforms, generating a mixture of amusement, criticism, and disbelief from fans. Commentary ranged from questioning the unconventional aesthetic to comparisons with mysterious fictional characters and even the legendary Sasquatch.

    Fashion Takes Center Stage at Flushing Meadows

    Townsend’s entrance added another chapter to an increasingly fashion-forward US Open, where players are using their on-court wardrobes to express personality and individuality rather than adhering strictly to traditional tennis attire. The 30-year-old, who has become one of the most recognizable American players on the circuit, has embraced fashion throughout her time in New York. Beyond her match-day looks, she has been involved in designing clothing and hosted a pop-up shop in Brooklyn ahead of this year’s tournament.

    Sabalenka and Osaka Continue Style Narrative

    Townsend was far from the only player attracting wardrobe attention at Flushing Meadows. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka repeatedly made headlines with unconventional designs during the tournament, including basketball-inspired ensembles and eye-catching orange-and-black combinations. The defending champion initially turned heads with a black basketball-style outfit featuring a bright orange sports bra and matching briefs, later rotating through an all-orange version before returning to another black look.

    Naomi Osaka continued her reputation for bold Grand Slam fashion, appearing in outfits featuring oversized layers, dramatic silhouettes, and distinctive tailoring. A striking white ensemble with a long overshirt decorated with tennis-racket details exemplified her approach, though the trailing fabric occasionally created practical challenges — notably catching around her feet as she approached the net for a coin toss.

    Townsend’s Run Ends in Fourth Round

    The fashion headlines preceded one of the biggest matches of Townsend’s tournament. The 30-year-old reached the round of 16 after overcoming Diana Shnaider in a three-set battle, earning her place among the final 16 players in the women’s singles draw.

    Standing in her way was a formidable opponent in Sabalenka, the top seed chasing a third consecutive US Open title. The match itself produced plenty of on-court drama following the pre-match fashion buzz. The opening five games featured five breaks of serve, with Sabalenka eventually taking control to lead 4-2 before securing the first set 6-4.

    Townsend responded strongly in the second set, breaking Sabalenka to establish a 3-1 advantage. However, the American couldn’t maintain her momentum. Sabalenka answered by winning five consecutive games, turning the set around and completing a 6-4, 6-3 victory to reach the quarterfinals.

    While Sabalenka ultimately had the final say on the scoreboard, Townsend ensured she made her presence felt before the match even began, reinforcing the US Open’s evolving identity as a stage for both elite tennis and personal expression.

  • Women’s Super League: New Contenders Emerge as Manchester City Start Strong

    Women’s Super League: New Contenders Emerge as Manchester City Start Strong

    Another title contender emerged as Tottenham Hotspur Women laid down a marker with a convincing 3-1 victory over West Ham United. Martin Ho’s side built on last season’s fifth-place finish, and new signing Kirsty Hanson announced her arrival with a brace on debut. The forward, recruited from Aston Villa after finishing as their top scorer in the 2025-26 campaign, hit the ground running in London.

    Liverpool Women Make Early Statement

    The surprise package of the opening weekend was undoubtedly Liverpool Women. Gareth Taylor’s side has been active in the transfer market and looked formidable in a 4-0 drubbing of newly promoted Charlton Athletic. While tougher tests await, the team oozed confidence, with new signing Vivien Endemann standing out as a standout performer. The contrast is stark: last season, Liverpool did not secure their first victory until January while battling at the bottom of the table. They have already laid down a significant marker this time around.

    “It feels very, very good. We had a clean sheet, scored four goals and won the first match,” goalscorer Endemann told Sky Sports.

    “Last season, it was really tough, so now to start with a win is very important for us. We want to keep going.”

    Crystal Palace Stun Everton in Promoted Clash

    Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s 1-0 victory over Everton proved there is hope for the promoted sides in the expanded 14-team league, despite opening-day losses for Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic. Jo Potter’s Palace edged in front during the first half thanks to Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s clinical finish and held firm under pressure, limiting Everton to a single shot on target that arrived in stoppage time.

    “No words can explain. I’m buzzing. To get to do this in front of my friends and family, it was an unbelievable feeling,” said Lloyd-Smith.

    “We knew it was going to be hard, we knew we were going into these games as underdogs. It’s so good that in the first game we show we’re here to put out a statement. “I feel like we’ve got a lot to give.”

  • Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Escapes Penalty After Monza Grid Position Investigation

    Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda has avoided punishment following a stewards’ investigation into his grid positioning during an early restart at the Italian Grand Prix. The Japanese driver retained his tenth-place finish and first point of the season after officials accepted the team’s explanation that he did not gain an advantage.

    Incident During Lap 6 Restart

    The incident occurred during a lap 6 restart triggered by a red flag for Charles Leclerc’s accident on lap 2. As Tsunoda took up 14th position on the grid, race control noted he appeared to park outside his designated grid box. Officials responded by adding an extra formation lap, and the stewards summoned Tsunoda and team representatives after the race for an alleged breach of Article B5.9.4 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations regarding start procedure infringement.

    The investigation put Tsunoda’s hard-earned point at risk. The driver had returned to Racing Bulls this weekend, deputising for Liam Lawson after Lawson moved to Red Bull to replace the injured Isack Hadjar. Tsunoda had lost his regular seat at the end of the 2024 season and was serving as Red Bull’s reserve driver prior to this call-up.

    Tsunoda Explains Grid Confusion

    Tsunoda clarified that confusion over his starting position caused the unusual angle of his car on the grid.

    “I was a bit confused starting between 14th and 15th,” Tsunoda explained. “In my view, I didn’t really gain the position before the red flag. I thought I was 15th. But at least I parked behind the box, pretty far, so I don’t think I gained any advantage for that.”

    According to Tsunoda, he initially prepared to line up 15th on the left-hand side of the grid before realising he needed to cross the track to the right-hand side for 14th position.

    Stewards Accept Team Arguments

    The stewards agreed with Racing Bulls that Tsunoda was not in a false start position and that no other competitors were impacted. They determined the extra formation lap was a discretionary decision by the race director rather than a direct consequence of Tsunoda’s actions, noting the team had not been informed they were considered the cause.

    FIA Verdict Details

    The stewards’ full decision outlined several key findings verified through multiple camera angles:

    Car 22 approached the grid initially heading for the left hand side of the grid, then realising he was headed for the wrong grid position, the driver changed direction and positioned his car in the correct grid box and in the correct position within the grid box. This was verified by the Stewards with video from multiple camera angles.

    The Race Director, in evidence, stated that it was his call, based on the behaviour of the car on the approach to the grid box, to commence an extra formation lap. He stated he was not comfortable starting the race with the car in that position.

    The team representative presented five arguments:

    The team representative stated that:
    (i) The car was not in a “false start” position – referring to Article B5.1.1c of the F1 regulations, because no contact patch of the front tyres was outside the grid box lines (front and side)
    (ii) At the Drivers meeting, the Race Director advised that for the start, the track limits were the pit walls and in this case, even though the car was pointed to the right, it had at least 4 metres of space to move off from the start
    (iii) No other driver was impacted by the position of Car 22
    (iv) The driver of Car 22 was not the “cause” of the extra formation lap.
    (v) At no time was the team advised that Race Control considered Car 22 to be the cause of the extra formation lap.

    Regulatory Technicality Prevents Penalty

    The stewards analysed Article B5.9.4, which specifies that a driver who causes an extra formation lap must enter the pit lane at the end of that lap and start from there. A stop-and-go penalty applies only if the driver fails to comply with that requirement.

    Further, Article B5.9.4 goes on to specify that if a driver who causes the extra formation lap and is then able to start the extra formation lap, he must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and start from the Pit Lane. It is only then, if the driver fails to do this, that the mandatory penalty of a Stop and Go penalty is imposed.

    In other words, the penalty is for failing to come into the Pit Lane and start from there. The penalty is not for causing the extra formation lap, if indeed, he caused the extra formation lap in the first place.

    A critical issue emerged regarding driver awareness. The team cited precedents where extra formation laps were ordered for extraneous reasons such as photographer positioning.

    A critical issue emerges here, in that in order to comply with the requirement to enter and start from the Pit Lane, a driver would need to know that he was the cause of the extra formation lap. The team representative quoted situations where extra formation laps have been commenced due to extraneous circumstances such as the position of a photographer etc. In this case, no message was sent to the team or the driver, advising them that they were the cause of the extra formation lap.

    The team, based on the fact that the car was positioned within its starting grid box in compliance with the regulations, had, in our determination, no reason to instruct its driver to enter and start from the Pit Lane.

    No Further Action Taken

    The stewards concluded they could not impose a penalty because the team and driver were unaware they were considered the cause of the extra formation lap. They acknowledged the race director acted in good faith and suggested the FIA consider implementing a formal notification process for future incidents.

    Accordingly, irrespective of whether or not the driver directly caused the extra formation lap, the team and driver were unaware that they were being considered as the cause, therefore we determine that we are unable to impose a Stop and Go penalty in this case, and decide to take no further action.

    We note that the Race Director acted in good faith and out of an abundance of caution in ordering an extra formation lap. We further note that the FIA might wish to consider implementing a process to advise teams and drivers if they are considered to be the cause of an extra formation lap, so that they are then able to comply with the requirements of Article B5.9.4.

    Tsunoda’s tenth-place finish stands, securing his first championship point of the 2025 season in just his second grand prix appearance for Racing Bulls.

  • Max Verstappen: Red Bull Felt Like a “turtle” Against Mercedes at Monza

    Max Verstappen: Red Bull Felt Like a “turtle” Against Mercedes at Monza

    Max Verstappen secured a hard-fought third place at the Italian Grand Prix, reaching the iconic Monza podium a day after describing his Red Bull RB20 as fragile. Despite the strong result, the four-time world champion emphasized that the fundamental handling issues plaguing the car persisted throughout the race.

    Rear Axle Issues Continue to Hinder Performance

    Verstappen revealed that the rear-end instability he flagged on Saturday—referring to a phenomenon he calls “car degradation” where rear components deteriorate during a session—remained a significant factor on Sunday.

    “It was still there, nothing changed. It’s just not good. You struggle on the bumps, the kerbs, and especially in the low-speed,”

    the Dutchman said in the post-race press conference.

    “It’s still like the rear axle is just not very compliant. So, for sure, it was again not ideal today and costing us performance, but it is what it is.”

    Mercedes Power Unit Efficiency Proves Decisive

    Beyond the chassis issues, Verstappen identified a straight-line deficit caused by the Mercedes power unit’s superior energy deployment compared to the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit. This disadvantage was amplified at Monza’s high-speed layout.

    “I think it was quite clear during the race that we just can’t keep up with the deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars, and that is, of course, very tough on a track like Monza,”

    he said.

    The power deficit forced Verstappen into aggressive defensive driving, particularly at the second chicane where he repeatedly re-passed rivals around the outside after losing positions through Curva Grande.

    “[I didn’t enjoy it] a lot when people just drive by you like you’re a turtle,”

    he said.

    “But, yeah, just send it back around the outside. The car is good on the brakes, so that helps. I had good confidence to attack the braking zones. Two times I managed to do that in Turn 2 and 4. That is enjoyable, but at the same time also frustrating. I just try to maximise everything that I can.”

    Overtake Mode Masks Deficit Temporarily

    Verstappen noted that the additional energy deployment available when running within one second of the car ahead allowed him to stay with the leading Mercedes cars longer than expected. However, once the gap exceeded that threshold, his challenge faded.

    “Of course, with the overtake mode it looked quite promising, but as soon as I got in the lead, it was very hard to defend. And that has been my problem a bit throughout the whole race,”

    he said.

    “Even when we had the VSC, we boxed, had better tyres, I’m overtaking cars, but as soon as they can hang in that overtake mode, it’s just too powerful for us to actually defend that, even on better tyres. So, it took me a while even to clear the McLarens.”

    Positive Turnaround After Difficult Zandvoort Weekend

    Despite the ongoing limitations, Verstappen framed the Monza podium as a significant recovery following a crash at his home race in Zandvoort and a difficult Friday practice session in Italy.

    “For us to be on the podium after a very difficult weekend in Zandvoort, where the car was not really to my liking, [is positive],”

    he concluded.

    “We managed to have a strong turnaround from Friday to Saturday and the car was definitely in a better window. But we still have a few bits and areas that we know we need to be better at, plus, the obvious deployment on the straights.”

  • George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded that mounting a Formula 1 title comeback against team-mate Kimi Antonelli appears increasingly unlikely, acknowledging the Italian’s 66-point championship lead is a formidable obstacle with only ten grands prix remaining.

    Antonelli Turns Monza Deficit into Dominant Victory

    The situation shifted dramatically at Monza. Starting from second on the grid while Antonelli lined up 19th, Russell had a prime opportunity to slash a 59-point deficit. Instead, Antonelli produced a stunning recovery drive, vaulting to sixth following the lap-six restart before setting his sights on the race lead.

    After passing Russell on lap 19 and exchanging positions several times, the 20-year-old capitalized on a timely Virtual Safety Car period. Antonelli pitted for fresh medium tyres, rejoining behind Russell—who was struggling on worn hard compounds—and hunted him down to claim a seventh victory of the season. The win extended Antonelli’s title advantage to 66 points rather than minimizing the damage Russell had hoped for.

    Russell Accepts the Reality of the Points Gap

    That decisive swing appeared to move Russell into a stage of acceptance regarding the championship fight.

    “Yeah, Kimi’s definitely in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” Russell admitted. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend.

    “He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is. I’m just going to enjoy it from here on in and try and win as many races as possible.”

    Strategy Split and the VSC Turning Point

    Russell held no reservations about Mercedes’ decision to split tyre strategies. He started on mediums before switching to the hard compound for the bulk of the race, while Antonelli began on hards and moved to mediums under the red flag.

    Initially, the strategy looked favorable for Russell. Antonelli faced the prospect of nursing his mediums to the finish or attacking without a strategic safety net. However, the VSC intervention flipped the script, handing Antonelli a low-cost pit stop for fresh rubber at the perfect moment.

    “Well, [the hard] was definitely the best tyre to take to the end,” Russell said.

    “When I saw Max [Verstappen] and Kimi on the medium, I was feeling pretty good because I knew they were going to drop off more than me, so in that middle stage of the race, I was really happy with my position.

    “The VSC came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. It would have been very interesting to see how the race would have panned out if there was no VSC.”

    With the title race tilting heavily in Antonelli’s favor, Russell has shifted his focus to race-by-race performance and maximizing every remaining weekend.

  • Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit Naomi Schiff declared Kimi Antonelli a generational talent after the Mercedes driver produced a stunning comeback victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian started 19th on the grid at Monza but sliced through the field, leveraging a mid-race virtual safety car to fit fresh medium tyres before hunting down and passing his race-leading teammate George Russell to win in front of the passionate Tifosi.

    Schiff: Antonelli Proved ‘Generational Talent’ Status at Monza

    Analyzing the drive for Sky Sports, Schiff emphasized the magnitude of the performance on home soil.

    “Today, everybody is so impressed by what Kimi Antonelli has done. And obviously, to have a home hero like him who clearly proved today the generational talent that he is,”

    Schiff highlighted the composure Antonelli showed after his pit stop to close the gap to Russell and secure the win.

    “I mean, not only did he climb through the field, but then after that pitstop, he had to close up that gap again, and he just did it. And he took the victory here at home. Incredible.”

    The Decisive Moment: Hunting Down Russell

    Schiff detailed the critical phase of the race where Antonelli caught Russell, who was managing older hard tyres while also battling Max Verstappen early on.

    “It took him about six or seven laps before he was behind George. Obviously, George and Max were going at it as well in the beginning. And then I just had a feeling in my heart like, ‘Oh gosh, if George looks in the mirrors now and realises his team-mate is already behind him, oh my God, I would have sunk a little bit in that moment.’”

    Record-Breaking Start to Second Season

    The Monza triumph marks Antonelli’s seventh career Grand Prix victory in only his second season. He became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after securing back-to-back wins at the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix. He added four more victories before the summer break, establishing a commanding 66-point lead over teammate Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Baum Scores on Debut as Arsenal Edge Brighton

    Baum Scores on Debut as Arsenal Edge Brighton

    Lisa Baum Scores on Debut as Arsenal Edge Brighton

    Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League, with new signing Lisa Baum marking her debut with the decisive goal.

  • Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda Summoned for Restart Infringement, Risks Losing F1 Point

    Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda Summoned for Restart Infringement, Risks Losing F1 Point

    Yuki Tsunoda is under investigation by the FIA race stewards following a potential grid-box infringement during the restart at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.

    Restart Incident Triggers Stewards’ Inquiry

    The investigation centers on the lap 6 restart, which followed a red flag period triggered by Charles Leclerc’s accident on lap 2. As Tsunoda lined up for 14th position on the grid at Monza, he appeared to stop outside his designated grid box. Race control flagged the potential breach immediately, but the stewards deferred their decision until after the race.

    Tsunoda and his Racing Bulls team have been summoned to the stewards’ office for an alleged breach of Article B5.9.4 of the FIA F1 Regulations – Start Procedure infringement at 15:41.

    Strong Race Result Amid Uncertainty

    Despite the looming investigation, Tsunoda delivered a strong performance at Monza’s high-speed circuit. He secured his first championship point of the season with a tenth-place finish in just his second Grand Prix appearance of the campaign. His Racing Bulls teammate, Arvid Lindblad, finished eighth after an extended slipstreaming battle in the competitive midfield.

    Tsunoda Returns as Reserve Driver Stand-In

    Tsunoda lost his full-time race seat at the end of the previous season and moved into a Red Bull reserve driver role. He returned to his former team, Racing Bulls, to deputize for Liam Lawson. Lawson was promoted to Red Bull Racing to replace the injured Isack Hadjar.

    Driver’s Perspective on the Grid Incident

    Speaking after the race, Tsunoda offered his view on the restart procedure.

    “I was a bit confused starting between 14 and 15,” Tsunoda explained. “In my view, I didn’t really gain the position before the red flag. I thought I was 15th.

    “But at least I parked behind the box, pretty far, so I don’t think I gained any advantage for that. So let’s see. I hope everything is okay.”