Monday, 6 April 2026
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
