Category: SPORTS

Lando Norris took house the victory within the F1 Dash race Saturday morning at Interlagos.

However the large factors in São Paulo are handed out tomorrow.

Norris’ win within the F1 Dash race on the São Paulo Grand Prix — coming as teammate and Drivers’ Championship rival Oscar Piastri crashed within the early going — prolonged his lead over Piastri to 9 factors. Norris now leads the way in which with 365 factors, adopted by Piastri in second with 356. Max Verstappen completed fourth within the F1 Dash race to choose up 5 factors, growing his season tally to 326.

Norris has a little bit of momentum as qualifying looms, coming off a win in each the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix in addition to the F1 Dash race at Interlagos.

Now we are going to see if Piastri can reply.

The Australian driver, who led the Drivers’ Championship for 15 races till Norris regained the lead after the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, has endured a troublesome stretch over the previous month. After successful the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri completed third at Monza. From there, he crashed out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, crashed out of the F1 Dash race in Austin, and as famous above, crashed out in São Paulo earlier at this time.

He left Zandvoort with a 34-point lead over Norris, and a 104-point lead over Verstappen. Since then, Verstappen has closed to inside 30 factors of him, and Norris has taken the Drivers’ Championship lead.

However the group to look at simply is perhaps Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli completed second, and George Russell completed third, within the F1 Dash race earlier at this time. The Silver Arrows are locked in a three-way battle for second within the Constructors’ Championship, and is perhaps on the entrance foot this weekend in Brazil.

Observe alongside because the grid is ready for the São Paulo Grand Prix.

São Paulo Grand Prix provisional grid

Right here is the provisional beginning order for the São Paulo Grand Prix, which will probably be stuffed in all through the session.

São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying

Observe alongside right here as qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix unfolds.

The beginning of qualifying was delayed by 5 minutes as race officers made repairs to the limitations following a crash in a help race, which was welcome information down on the Sauber storage. After Nico Hülkenberg’s crash early within the F1 Dash race and Gabriel Bortoleto’s laborious shunt within the closing laps, the group was furiously repairing Hülkenberg’s automobile whereas constructing a brand new one utilizing the backup chassis for Bortoleto.

When the session started, it was the Williams pair of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alexander Albon on the observe first, adopted by none aside from Hülkenberg. Sauber had managed to get his C45 prepared for the beginning of Q1, whereas they continued to work on Bortoleto’s challenger.

These had been simply set up laps for the Williams duo, as each Sainz and Albon returned to the pits reasonably than try a push lap.

Hülkenberg then returned to pit lane himself, with Sauber doubtless wanting to verify that the repairs had been in working order.

Lap instances began to return in, with Liam Lawson main the way in which early. Piastri’s first lap got here on a set of used smooth tires, and a lockup at Flip 1 hampered all the lap; his preliminary effort was solely good for P7. As extra instances got here in, Piastri’s time tumbled down the order, and he was quickly shuffled right down to P12.

Norris, nevertheless, delivered a robust opening gambit as he went purple via all three sectors and jumped to the highest of the desk with a 1:10.404 effort.

Verstappen’s first effort was solely ok for P4, as he was behind Norris, Lawson, and Oliver Bearman.

He was then dropped to fifth, as Lewis Hamilton rocketed to the highest of the timing sheets with a 1:10.233.

Down at Sauber, the mechanics continued to work on Bortoleto’s C45, however time was working out.

Because the clock struck ten minutes remaining, Bortloleto remained within the storage, and within the drop zone. Down within the backside 5 with him? Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, and none aside from Piastri, whose opening lap was ultimately dropped right down to P18.

However there was time to be discovered on the circuit, evidenced by a lap from Bearman that got here in at 1:09.891, placing the Haas rookie into P1 for the second. That was most likely a welcome sight for Piastri, whose second try clocked in at 1:09.928, sliding him into P2 behind Bearman.

That lap was certainly one of a number of that dropped Verstappen into the elimination zone, because the four-time Drivers’ Champion was sitting in P16 with six minutes remaining in Q1. Verstappen discovered some clear air on his subsequent push lap as he had Interlagos largely to himself, and his second lap of Q1 clocked in at 1:10.727.

Which stored him in P16, within the elimination zone together with Colapinto, Esteban Ocon, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto.

“Oh my god mate, the automobile and the experience is a tiny bit higher however now sliding in Flip 1,” reported Verstappen over the radio as he crawled again across the circuit.

As the ultimate push laps had been posted, Norris went again to P1, going purple as soon as extra via all three sectors with a 1:09.656. Lance Stroll jumped into P5 with a strong lap, and a robust effort from Isack Hadjar put him into P7.

Hadjar was dropped right down to P7 when Charles Leclerc lower the beam with a lap ok for P4.

Then Verstappen completed his last push lap, and as Alex Jacques famous, the “day of shocks continues,” as his lap was solely ok for P16.

Verstappen had been eradicated, together with Ocon, Colapinto, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto, because the Sauber crew couldn’t make the repairs in time.

Whether it is any solace for Verstappen, he gained within the rain from P17 at Interlagos a yr in the past.

On the entrance finish, a surprising lap from Gasly noticed him end Q1 in P2. Norris led the way in which, adopted by Gasly, Bearman, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Stroll, Hadjar, and Lawson to spherical out the highest ten.

Q2 started with quarter-hour on the clock, and Verstappen on his solution to the media pen to place his robust Q1 into context. As soon as once more, it was the Williams pair of Albon and Sainz on the observe first, as the remainder of the grid remained on pit lane.

As instances began to return in, Bearman’s sturdy session continued. He went again into P1 — forward of Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, and extra — with a 1:09.755. Most notable was the truth that Bearman was quickest within the third sector, a promising signal for the tires on the VF-25.

Norris’ first effort was solely good for P3, placing him behind each Bearman and Piastri. He was then dropped to fourth when Antonelli’s lap got here in second, placing a pair of rookies atop the timing sheets at Interlagos with 5 minutes remaining.

It’s value noting, nevertheless, that Norris’ lap got here on a set of used smooth tires.

As last efforts started, the strain was on Leclerc, who was within the elimination zone together with Gasly, Stroll, Hülkenberg, and Sainz. Leclerc’s first sector was a slight enchancment, and his second sector was as properly. The Ferrari driver lower the beam with a lap good for third for the second.

Gasly’s last effort got here in at P5, which put Alonso, Albon, Hamilton, Stroll, and Sainz down into the drop zone with a minute remaining. Norris was on the circuit, going purple via each Sector 1 and Sector 2. He crossed the road with a 1:09.616, placing him into P1 as soon as extra and placing the strain on Hamilton, who was nonetheless within the elimination zone.

Hamilton couldn’t discover the time he wanted, and the Ferrari driver was eradicated, together with Alonso, Albon, Stroll, and Sainz.

Norris led the way in which among the many ten drivers who superior, adopted by Bearman. Antonelli superior in P3, adopted by Leclerc, Piastri, Gasly, Russell, Lawson, Hadjar, and Hülkenberg. Kudos to the group at Sauber at getting that challenger prepared for Hülkenberg for the beginning of the session.

The inexperienced gentle illuminated on the finish of pit lane, and 12 minutes had been placed on the clock, however it was a quiet begin to Q3 as all ten drivers remained within the storage for the second. Ultimately two of the extra shocking drivers remaining rumbled onto the observe, with Bearman forward of Hülkenberg.

Bearman’s first lap got here in at 1:09.977. That set the benchmark, however Jolyon Palmer famous that he “left himself work to do.”

Another person who left himself some work to do? Norris. Whereas he was purple via each Sector 2 and Sector 3, a slip within the first sector left him off the tempo, and his preliminary effort was solely good for eighth.

Piastri went to the highest of the board, simply 0.002 seconds forward of Leclerc. It was over to Mercedes, and Antonelli slotted in fourth, with Russell in fifth.

After the primary laps, Piastri was up in P1, with Norris down in P10. Right here was the working order after the preliminary push laps:

Piastri
Leclerc
Bearman
Antonelli
Russell
Gasly
Lawson
Hadjar
Hülkenberg
Norris

Replays confirmed that Norris had a lockup at Flip 1 on his effort, costing him essential time initially of his lap.

Hülkenberg and Bearman had been the primary two drivers to take to the observe once more for the ultimate push laps, adopted by Leclerc and Norris.

“For a dry session, it’s nearly bewilderly large open,” famous Alex Jacques within the F1TV commentary field.

Leclerc’s last effort put him on provisional pole, however that lap was instantly topped by Norris, who crossed the beam 0.294 seconds forward of Leclerc. Then it was over to Piastri, whose last lap was good via the primary sector, however he was then yellow via the second. A slight enchancment within the third sector pulled Piastri shut, however his effort was solely good for third.

The entrance row tomorrow will look precisely because it did initially of the F1 Dash, with Norris in P1 and Antonelli in P2.

Leclerc will begin third, with Piastri in fourth.

Ja Morant’s angle is changing into an issue for the Memphis Grizzlies as soon as once more, and this time there’s extra commerce hypothesis across the star level guard than ever earlier than. The Grizzlies suspended Morant for one recreation final week after he reportedly beefed with coaches following a listless efficiency in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Morant’s latest media periods have been even much less unenthusiastic, and he’s on the document saying he has no pleasure taking part in basketball in Memphis proper now.

Grizzlies lead govt Zach Kleiman emphatically denied any curiosity in buying and selling Morant following final yr’s commerce deadline, however the Grizzlies have primarily collapsed since he gave that quote. It’s onerous to think about there could be a sustainable relationship between the participant and workforce going ahead with out a radical transformation. Whereas the Grizzlies pile up losses this season amid a myriad of accidents, Morant’s manufacturing and effectivity have each suffered.

This appears like a traditional case of a participant who wants an opportunity of surroundings. Right here’s seven groups that ought to be if the Grizzlies are keen to play ball.

I don’t suppose the Rockets are an excellent match for Morant, however their dire want for a talented ball handler and probably quick timeline with this model of Kevin Durant means they at the very least deserve a point out. The Rockets have put up implausible offensive effectivity numbers to date with out a reliable level guard on the roster, however the schedule has been gentle, and it’s onerous to think about them surviving the Western Convention gauntlet with out one. Houston has loads of future draft picks to spare, and it’s potential the value on Morant will get low sufficient that he’s definitely worth the danger. Ime Udoka’s tradition of accountability may very well be simply what Morant wants, and on Houston he can be one of many guys as a substitute of The Man. I’m nonetheless not likely shopping for it.

The Rockets are a really low-volume three-point capturing workforce — No. 29 in three-point charge coming into Friday — and Morant is a really low-volume three-point capturing level guard. Whereas his ball dealing with in opposition to strain can be welcome, Morant can be not a very good defender and would compromise what’s shaping as much as be an elite unit. I’m intrigued by how Morant may enhance Houston’s tempo because the Rockets at the moment sit with the third-slowest offense in basketball, but it surely feels just like the workforce doesn’t have to swing this massive to repair their ball dealing with points.

The elephant within the room with any potential Suns deal is that they’ve already traded all of their future first-round picks via 2032. There’s not a lot on Phoenix’s roster that will curiosity Memphis outdoors of Khaman Maluach, and the Suns possible wouldn’t be keen to incorporate him in a deal. It nonetheless feels just like the Suns are value together with on this listing simply because a) they’ve at all times been hyper-aggressive in looking star expertise below Mat Ishbia, b) they might actually use an upside swing with youth, c) this roster nonetheless wants some extent guard except they wish to go full-time Level Guide. If Memphis actually will get determined to maneuver off Morant, perhaps there’s a small probability the Suns can land him in a multi-team deal. I may see Phoenix being , however this touchdown spot nonetheless feels extremely unlikely.

The Raptors have been stable to date regardless of getting completely nothing from their highly-paid start line guard. Immanuel Quickley is struggling to date in a prove-it yr coming off an injury-shortened season, and it’s straightforward to think about Toronto looking for artistic options if he fails to get it going quickly. The Raptors’ offense by no means will get to the rim — No. 29 in rim frequency at time of publish — they usually take a ton of mid-range pictures, which is smart for a workforce led by Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. Morant would add rim strain, and he’d give this roster a degree of playmaking it doesn’t at the moment have. Toronto ideally wants some pull-up three-point capturing out of its level guard that Morant doesn’t present, and regardless of his passing excellence, I fear he’d conflict with Ingram and Barnes for shot makes an attempt with out reliable spacing round him. I don’t love the match right here, however there’s a chance within the East this yr, and the Raptors have a gap at lead guard. A deal constructed round R.J. Barrett and Grady Dick is at the very least one thing to consider.

The Warmth look fairly good to start out the season, they usually nonetheless don’t have Tyler Herro within the lineup but as he recovers from an ankle/foot damage. Miami’s tradition of self-discipline may very well be the very best match for Morant if he’s keen to buy-in. Erik Spoelstra stays an S-tier head coach, and he would possible work out a strategy to get the most effective out of the mercurial level guard. Proper now, Miami’s offense is taking part in at by far the quickest tempo within the league, and Morant is a straightforward slot in that model. The catch is that the Warmth don’t set any ball screens this yr, preferring to assault in isolation, and it’s potential Morant that wouldn’t love that. The Warmth have a historical past of going star-hunting, and Morant figures to pique their curiosity as the kind of the kind of youthful star who hardly ever turns into out there. If the Grizzlies are intrigued by Kel’el Ware or Kasparas Jakucionis, there may very well be a pathway to a deal right here. I believe Miami is the very best touchdown spot for Morant if he’s traded, however it could require a degree of buy-in he hasn’t been giving in Memphis. I’m simply unsure the Warmth can out-bid different groups.

The Wizards are poised to have a ton of cap house subsequent offseason, they usually’re primarily doing an “moral tank” this yr by permitting an excellent younger roster to check the boundaries of their ability units as losses pile up. Washington needs Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer or A.J. Dybantsa, but when they fall out of a top-3 of the lottery, buying and selling for Morant in the summertime makes numerous sense. Washington doesn’t have a excessive degree playmaker on the roster to arrange the likes of Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, and Morant may present that. With a much less intriguing 2027 draft looming, the Wizards can’t play the lottery recreation without end, and Morant would provide them a possible franchise star who nonetheless suits the timeline of their younger items with a ability set to assist them develop.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Would the Grizzlies have any curiosity in Rob Dillingham? It certain looks like the Wolves don’t. After buying and selling a premium future draft decide to maneuver up into the top-10 of the 2024 draft to pick out Dillingham, Minnesota has hardly ever performed him this yr, as a substitute opting to go along with an older model of him with out as a lot upside in Bones Hyland. The Wolves clearly has an enormous challenge at level guard going ahead with Mike Conley ageing out of relevance. A backcourt of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo doesn’t have fairly sufficient playmaking, and it’s clear the Wolves didn’t wish to totally put money into a Level Ant look judging by the unique Dillingham deal. It’s been onerous to get a really feel for Minnesota to date partly as a result of what was imagined to be an elite protection has been struggling horribly to date. The protection ought to return to kind quickly, and if that occurs the Wolves are theoretically in the midst of their championship window, which makes a dangerous guess on Morant probably intriguing. Morant and Edwards can be a show-stopping backcourt, whereas I’ve some questions on how practical it could be, I’d be extraordinarily invested in seeing the way it performs out. That is most likely essentially the most enjoyable potential touchdown spot for Morant, and it appears considerably believable.

The Kings want youth, the Kings want an upside swing, and the Kings nonetheless want a long-term answer at level guard. Sacramento already tried to amass Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors this offseason, and Morant appears like a equally distressed asset that might curiosity the workforce. The Beam Crew was solely two years in the past, but it surely appears like a decade in the past as most of that roster has damaged aside and been changed by Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Russell Westbrook. New lead govt Scott Perry goes to place his stamp on this workforce finally, and attempting to land Morant is definitely one strategy to do it. I don’t suppose Sacramento is a superb match from Morant’s perspective, as a result of Sacramento isn’t an excellent match for anybody historically-speaking, however they might construct their schemes round his strengths and probably deploy his rim strain subsequent to an excellent dribble-handoff operator in Domantas Sabonis and an elite shooter in Zach LaVine. Begin with Malik Monk for a possible deal and add items from there. The Kings have to inject some pleasure, and swinging for Morant will surely qualify.

In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays got here out of nowhere and shocked the baseball world by successful the AL East earlier than making a spirited run to the World Collection. That was a prolonged soar from 2024 the place they totaled 74 wins and seemed to be a group with no route.

Toronto was reportedly in on quite a few massive title free brokers however appeared to all the time come up simply quick. Moreover, it seemed like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be set to stroll out the door as nicely in free company. A rebuild seemed to be extra doubtless than a World Collection run.

Nonetheless, the Blue Jays inked Guerrero Jr. to a mega-extension and remodeled themselves into one of the best defensive group within the league. All of the items clicked which led to them taking the two-time champion Dodgers to the brink in a traditional Sport 7.

Fortunes can change shortly in baseball and under are three groups that might be poised to make a leap once more in 2026.

The obvious candidate to be “the following Blue Jays” truly comes from the identical division. Earlier than this season, the Baltimore Orioles had been seen as a group on the rise and a perennial playoff group. They’d made the postseason in back-to-back seasons, with most of their finest gamers nonetheless of their mid-20’s. 2025 was imagined to be extra of the identical.

The Orioles’ younger core of place gamers led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman was the envy of the league at one level. Nonetheless, their season went off the rails in a short time. The pitching workers was one thing that they didn’t tackle within the earlier offseason and it turned out to be even worse than anticipated. Between accidents and regression to some older starters, Baltimore obtained off to a nightmare begin.

After beginning the season 15-28, they fired former supervisor of the yr Brandon Hyde. By season’s finish, the Orioles completed with a disappointing 75-87 file.

2025 was just about a worst case state of affairs in the identical method 2024 was for the Jays. We talked concerning the pitching, however the offense additionally suffered from accidents and inconsistencies. Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser and Adley Rutschman all missed a number of time.

Whereas Gunnar Henderson didn’t miss many video games, he was not at his finest. He had a very good season by most gamers’ requirements, with 5.3 bWAR, 17 homers and a .787 OPS. Nonetheless, it was a far cry from his 9.1 WAR, 37 homer 2024 season.

A whole lot of younger gamers who’ve these monster years at 22 or 23 years outdated have a tendency to return right down to earth a bit the following yr. Nonetheless, placing up a 9-win season places him in elite firm.

The entrance workplace must also study from its errors and look to solidify the rotation with a frontline addition. With the emergence of Trevor Rogers, and the returns of Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish from damage, Baltimore’s rotation must be in a lot better form subsequent season.

It wasn’t that way back that the Orioles had been a group on the rise. 2025 was a step again however the items are in place.

One other group that might be 2026’s reply to the Blue Jays is the Atlanta Braves. After making the playoffs yearly from 2018 to 2024, the Braves missed out on October baseball after ending with a disappointing 76-86 file.

Just like the Orioles, the Braves handled a number of accidents in 2025. Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from his second ACL damage in late Might however the complete Opening Day rotation spent vital time on the injured listing. That included Spencer Strider, who returned from an inside brace process however then was sidelined once more with a hamstring problem. Austin Riley’s season led to early August and the group’s solely notable offseason addition, Jurickson Profar was hit with an 80-game PED suspension after simply 4 video games.

Brian Snitker retired after 49 years with the Braves group and was changed by bench coach Walt Weiss. Atlanta will head into the offseason trying so as to add pitching depth and to shake up a core that has gotten older and a bit stale since their breakthrough World Collection win in 2021.

Since their magical 107 win season in 2021, the Giants have been the definition of mediocre. Within the 4 seasons since, San Francisco has received 81, 79, 80 and 81 video games. Speak about being in no man’s land.

The Giants obtained a headstart on their offseason by changing supervisor Bob Melvin with former College of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello. Vitello was one of the profitable faculty coaches and can be a extremely charismatic determine. Whereas he’s unproven on the main league degree, the Giants are betting that Vitello can present a lift of power to the roster.

The Giants have some fascinating items already in place. Mat Chapman turned in one other strong season and Willy Adames overcame a gradual begin to lead the group in fWAR. The addition of Rafael Devers gave the group a lefty energy bat to fit into the center of the order. Logan Webb is among the most underrated pitchers within the Nationwide League so there are items in place to work with.

It’s straightforward to get missed if you share a division with the Dodgers however a very good offseason and a modern-day method by Vitello could lead on the Giants again to rivalry in a giant method.

It’s been one other offseason of large teaching turnover within the WNBA. The Seattle Storm let go of Noelle Quinn, the New York Liberty opted to not renew Sandy Brondello’s contract, and the Dallas Wings fired Chris Koclanes after one season.

As well as, each of the WNBA’s enlargement groups — the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fireplace — every started (and concluded) their very own head coach searches.

Now, only a few weeks into the offseason, just one head coach place stays open: the Liberty’s.

The Storm employed former Liberty assistant coach Sonia Raman, the Wings chosen longtime South Florida coach Jose Fernandez, and the Fireplace opted for Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Alex Sarama. The Tempo, in the meantime, rapidly picked up Brondello herself and formally launched her on Tuesday morning.

New York stays seeking Brondello’s alternative.

Per Madeline Kenney of the New York Submit, the Liberty have interviewed and regarded former Nets assistant Will Weaver, Mercury affiliate head coach Kristi Toliver, and Rockets G League coach Joseph Blair. Raman was beforehand within the operating, too, however accepted the Storm place final month.

Based on Kenney, Lakers assistant Lindsey Harding was additionally thought of a candidate, and the Liberty have interviewed a number of different unnamed coaches.

A more in-depth have a look at the potential Liberty coach candidates

Assuming the listing has primarily narrowed to Will Weaver, Kristi Toliver, and Joseph Blair, let’s check out what every candidate would deliver to a Liberty group seeking to contend for a title.

Weaver is presently a training advisor for the Charlotte Hornets and is a longtime NBA assistant coach with stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Houston Rockets. He was additionally the G League Coach of the Yr in 2019 and beforehand served as an assistant coach for the Australian nationwide basketball group. Weaver has been within the combine for head teaching positions earlier than and was a runner-up for the Oklahoma Metropolis head teaching job in 2020.

Toliver is a former WNBA level guard who performed abroad for many of her profession after being chosen because the No. 3 general choose in 2009. She served as an NBA assistant coach from 2018 to 2023, first with the Washington Wizards (2018-2020) after which with the Dallas Mavericks (2021-2023). For the previous two years, she’s served because the affiliate head coach of the Phoenix Mercury below Nate Thibbets. Toliver serves as one of the vital skilled assistant coaches within the WNBA and has broadly been thought to be a head coach candidate.

Blair is a former skilled basketball participant who has been within the teaching world since 2013. At the moment the pinnacle coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers within the G League, Blair beforehand served as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards. He’s now part of the Houston Rockets group, however has lengthy been

The Liberty teaching search is anticipated to return to an in depth within the coming days. Who the franchise chooses to go along with stays to be seen, however expectations will probably be sky-high from Day 1.