Sunday, 5 April 2026
LEWIS HAMILTON CONTRACT AT FERRARI QUESTIONED: 'THIS WILL PROBABLY ATTRACT A LOT OF CRITICISM '
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| @Eric Alonso |
Lewis Hamilton has made an encouraging start to the F1 season, but Ralf Schumacher believes there may be a deeper reason behind his resurgence.
After a difficult 2025 campaign— his first with Ferrari —in which Hamilton struggled for consistency and took time to adapt to a new environment, the seven-time world champion appears rejuvenated this year.
A first grand prix podium for Ferrari in China marked a clear step forward, and Hamilton has spoken positively about the racing under the latest regulations.
While he has been critical of aspects such as super clipping linked to energy deployment, Hamilton has welcomed the improved ability for drivers to follow each other more closely. Despite some overtakes appearing artificial, he has largely viewed the changes as a step in the right direction.
His upturn in form has also coincided with a series of eye-catching on-track battles with team-mate Charles Leclerc. In Shanghai, the pair went wheel-to-wheel in a hard but fair fight as Hamilton secured his maiden Ferrari podium, underlining a more competitive dynamic within the team.
Schumacher, however, suspects there is more behind Hamilton's improved form.
"I'm actually of the opinion — and this will probably attract a lot of criticism again, but I don't care — that Hamilton has a contract which gives him exactly that freedom [on track]," Schumacher said on Sky Sport Germany's F1 podcast Backstage Boxengasse. "It does make me very happy that he is clearly back in the mix this year."
He went further by suggesting that even team principal Fred Vasseur may have limited influence over the Briton's on-track decisions.
"I can imagine that even Fred Vasseur has no say in it, even if he wanted to. Hamilton can probably decide for himself what he does.
"He will likely have some kind of number one status, I think. That means Ferrari has no real way of controlling it; he decides that himself. But that naturally has an impact within a team."
Contract concerns raised
Schumacher pointed directly to contractual arrangements as a potential source of tension.
"I think it mainly comes down to the contracts, and that's actually the main problem. You shouldn't underestimate that there are two egos in those cars," the six-time grand prix winner said.
"I completely understand that — it was the same in the past. But it does have an impact on the team."
The German highlighted the broader effect such dynamics can have beyond the drivers themselves.
"The mechanic who is there from morning to evening, giving everything — just like everyone in the team — feels that as well," he explained.
"And if those two 'bulls' at the front lose a position, or five seconds, or maybe even damage parts because they collide, then that affects the entire team. Sometimes you simply have to respond to that."
Despite his concerns, Schumacher acknowledged that the situation adds intrigue from a spectator's perspective.
The former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said: "For us, it's obviously great: we have something to talk about and it makes things exciting.
"And as long as they don't hit each other, it's fine. But as we also said after the previous race, for the team, it's obviously not the fastest way to win a race. That's beyond doubt."
- RacingNews365 Staff
ALUCE PEREIRA DELIVERS KNOCKOUT OF YEAR CONTENDER AT UFC VEGAS 115
UFC Vegas 115 was another night filled with that trope that a card that seems weak on paper and is filled with a lot of unknown names can be more entertaining than some of the bigger cards the UFC puts on. From Renato Moicano’s submission win over Chris Duncan, to any of the other exciting finishes on the night, to a seemingly soccer-kick KO (that wasn’t a KO), which generated a lot of controversy, UFC Vegas 115 was a fire card.
And yet, one of the bigger highlights from the night came from the undercard. And for the second straight week, a fight on a UFC card has produced a Knockout of the Year contender. Last week, it was Alexa Grasso sending Maycee Barber into oblivion. This week, it was the strength of the hard-hitting Alice Pereira.
First of all, no, Alice Pereira is not related to Alex Pereira. But when you look at what Alice Pereira did on this night, it might be hard for some fans not to draw a connection between the two.
During the UFC Vegas 115 prelims, Alice Pereira squared off with Hailey Cowan. The first round proved well for Pereira, known as “Golden Girl.” Pereira was able to beat her opponent to the (literal) punch, using her quickness and power to batter Cowan during the opening five minutes. Cowan, in fact, was visibly bruised around her face as a result of that frame.
But Cowan is a tough fighter who was not to be deterred. In the second round, Cowan landed a major slam in the center of the Octagon, and it appeared that she was in control of the action. Cowan was unable to do much with her ground game, however, and she didn’t seem to put up much of a fight as Pereira got the action back to the feet.
And then, just as round two was coming to an end, Pereira unleashed a devastating knee that landed directly on Cowan’s face. Cowan dropped in a heap, and the referee quickly stepped in to wave off the fight.
It was definitely a needed performance from Pereira. She dropped her UFC debut to Montse Rendon at Noche UFC 3 in September, a performance that Pereira has openly admitted she’d like to move on from. Well, here, move on is what she did.
Pereira displayed the power that got her attention from the UFC in the first place. And the thing is, even though her name is “Golden Girl,” she isn’t an elderly woman from the classic TV show. Pereira is just 20 years old.
- TOM ALBANO
DEONTAY WILDER SLAMS REF AFTER DEREK CHISORA FIGHT: "I WAS FIGHTING HIM TOO"
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| Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images |
Deontay Wilder defeated Derek Chisora by split decision on April 4, 2026, at The O2 Arena. The Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora fight went the full 12 rounds, with judges scoring it 115-111 and 115-113 for Wilder, while one judge scored it 115-112 for Chisora.
The contest featured heavy exchanges, a knockdown, and sustained pressure from both sides. Wilder improved his record with the win, but after the final bell, the focus shifted to his comments about officiating during the fight.
Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora Features Action Fight
The Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora bout began at a fast pace. Chisora pushed forward early, while Wilder used his reach to land clean punches.
In the opening rounds, Wilder connected with strong shots and appeared close to stopping the fight in the third round. However, the fight continued as Chisora stayed active and kept moving forward.
- DOGLI WILBERFORCE
ARSENAL: MIKEL ARTETA REVEALS WHO MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AFTER FA CUP EXIT
Gunners have seen their quadruple dream vanish in the pace of a fortnight
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| VERDICT: MIKEL ARTETA AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES |
Mikel Arteta refused to criticise his Arsenal players despite their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton.
The Gunners were beaten 2-1 by the Championship side on Saturday night, thus missing out on a place at Wembley in the semi-finals later this month.
It is now back-to-back defeats for the first time this season for Arsenal, a fortnight on from their tame Carabao Cup final showing against Manchester City.
Arsenal were poor again at St Mary's, struggling almost every time Southampton countered. Ben White misjudged a cross to allow the Saints to take the lead and the defending was weak in the final minutes for Shea Charles' winner.
Arteta's side must swiftly rediscover some confidence, with a trip to Sporting in the Champions League to come on Tuesday night to come before the Premier League title run-in resumes.
The Arsenal manager was keen to emphasise the physical toll his players continue to put themselves through as he vowed to "defend them more than ever".
"I love my players," Arteta said.
"What they have done for nine months - I'm not going to criticise them because we lost a game here in the manner that they tried.
"And the way they are putting their bodies through everything. Some of them probably didn't even have to be here today. I'm not going to do that at all. I'm going to defend them more than ever.
"Someone has to take responsibility. That's me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us. And now is the moment.
“In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have with a certain level of difficulty.
"So stand up, make yourself accountable and deliver like we’ve been doing all season."
- MATT VERRI
ARSENAL THREATEN TOTAL TROPHY COLLAPSE WITH SHOCK FA CUP DEFEAT AT SOUTHAMPTON
Arsenal have lost out on another trophy after a shock 2-1 defeat away to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Shea Charles came off the bench to score the decisive goal with only five minutes to play at St Mary's on Saturday night.
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| Charles has sent Southampton into the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: Getty |
Arsenal looked to be heading for extra time when Viktor Gyokeres levelled after Ross Stewart opened the scoring for Southampton.
But the Gunners, who lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final less than two weeks ago, are now out of the FA Cup.
It's a significant moment in the season run-in, and comes just weeks after Arsenal were eyeing up a historic quadruple.
They remain top of the Premier League and will play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
However, the pressure will really begin to kick in when they navigate the final weeks of the campaign.
"Southampton have dumped out the Premier League leaders," said Alex Crook on talkSPORT. "The treble dream is over."
Former Gunner Perry Groves added: "Southampton thoroughly deserved it, both goals they scored were top quality."
"(Taylor) Harwood-Bellis was perfect, every Southampton player to a man did their job to perfection," he also said.
Arsenal were dealt a blow before the full-time whistle as Gabriel was substituted with an injury..
He was seen sitting on the bench with ice on his leg, with Mikel Arteta and co. now set for an anxious wait to see how bad the knock is.
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| Arsenal have lost out on two pieces of silverware in two weeksCredit: Getty |
Is this when it comes crashing down?
Arsenal have been the most impressive side in the Premier League this season and looked strong when competing on all fronts.
However, as seen in recent years, the final weeks of the season have been too much to handle - and history could be repeating itself.
Southampton, who will play in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2021, were the deserved winners on the night.
Arsenal on the other hand were void of any real quality, and have lost back-to-back games for the first time all season.
They return to action on Tuesday night against Sporting for their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Some of the players' heads may well have dropped after defeat at Southampton, with Groves concerned about their mentality.
"It could have a huge impact, we won't know until the Sporting game," he said. "The treble dream is done and dusted, now they're going for the double.
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| The Gunners have gone from potentially winning four trophies, to only two |
"This has got to hurt…they looked disjointed.
"It wasn't due to lack of effort, but they couldn't match the intensity of the Southampton players."
'It's really special'
Speaking post-match, winning goalscorer Charles told BBC Sport: "I got told to come on and try and get hold of the game, try and keep the ball a bit.
"We did OK, but to score was just special. I thought just try and place it in the corner.
"It's really special. These fans deserve this and you heard how loud they were tonight."
On the prospect of promotion to the Premier League and winning the FA Cup in the same season, he added: "To do something like that with this team would be unbelievable."
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| Another week, another cup defeat for Arsenal Credit: GETTY |
Cheeky dig
Southampton's joy on Saturday spilt onto social media after the game too, with them taking a cheeky swipe at a fan.
An Arsenal supporter commented on their full-time post, writing: "Fluke win."
But they replied, saying: "Enjoy your quadruple, pal."
The Saints have certainly had the last laugh tonight.
- Robert Calcutt
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