FIA PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT AS GROWING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT THREATENS OPENING RACES

 

The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has issued a statement amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the sport's governing body continuing to "monitor developments carefully and responsibly."

US and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend has been followed with a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, primarily targeting US military bases across the region.

Speculation has since increased that the opening races of the F1 2026 season will be affected, particularly in Bahrain and Jeddah with F1 races scheduled in April, due to air traffic freezes in the Middle East that have impacted important travel hubs in the region.

'Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions,' says FIA President

In a statement on social media, FIA President Ben Sulayem said the governing body are "deeply saddened" by the ongoing events in Middle East, and that the "dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

Ben Sulayem said: "As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.

"At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

The FIA President also emphasised that "safety and wellbeing" are to guide the governing body's decision making with regard to forthcoming scheduled events in the Middle East.

"We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.

"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose.

"That unity matters now more than ever."

Melbourne F1 boss provides update on Australian Grand Prix amid Middle East unrest

Despite the Middle East travel freeze reportedly affecting up to 1000 F1 personnel, Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld has issued an update on the season-opener, with the Melbourne boss "confident" the race will not be impacted.

- byHenry Eccles

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NBA FANS REACT TO GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS STEPH CURRY ANNOUNCEMENT

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after defeating the Houston Rockets 103-89 in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

On Monday night, the Golden State Warriors will play the LA Clippers on their home floor in San Francisco.

The Warriors have been without their best player since the end of January, as two-time MVP Steph Curry continues to deal with an injury.

Golden State Warriors Make Steph Curry Announcement

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to fouling out during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

On Sunday, the Warriors announced an update on Curry.

Yahoo Sports wrote: “Steph Curry will be sidelined at least more 10 days after being re-evaluated for lingering knee issues, the Warriors announced. Curry last played on Jan. 30 and has missed the last 10 games with patella-femoral syndrome/bone bruising in his right knee.”

Before the injury, the four-time NBA Champion had been averaging 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range in 39 games.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he had an assist to Gary Payton II against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Here’s what people were saying about the news:

@DrNiravPandya: “This is not surprising given the tricky nature of patellofemoral syndrome (with bone bruising as reported by the team). Unlike other conditions, the recovery is not linear. As it largely stems from overuse, pushing too quickly can lead to a flare up and more time missed.”

@Gene_February: “Speedy recovery to the Greatest player of our Generation”

@WarriorsAdamo: “They know he isn’t coming back, just shut him down for the season. They can afford the ticket sales dropping”

@Luigi__457: “Geez man Warriors are cooked.”

@diptimahapatra: “Steph go on a long vacation with Ayesha. This team is beyond saving and I would hate to see Steph get a catastrophic injury trying to salvage this season.”

@CuffsTheLegend: “Warriors should shut Steph Curry down for the rest of the season. This season is cooked anyway for Golden State. Let Steph get healthy and keep developing your young players.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 30, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Warriors have had an up-and-down season that currently has them as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 31-29 record in 60 games.

They are 19-12 in the 31 games they have hosted at the Chase Center.

Curry was the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Davidson.

He has spent all 17 years of his career with Golden State.

In that span, Curry and the Warriors have made the NBA Finals six times (and won four titles).

- Ben Stinar

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SHANE LOWRY MAKES HEARTBREAKING ADMISSION ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER AFTER BARELY BELIEVABLE PGA COLLAPSE

After somehow blowing a three-shot lead in the final stages of the Cognizant Classic on Sunday afternoon, Shane Lowry's agony was compounded by having his young daughter watching the nightmare unfold.

The Irishman looked on course for a commanding victory at Palm Beach Gardens with youngest daughter Ivy, four, watching on and hoping to see her dad win for the first time. 

But then the ghosts Lowry has faced at this tournament before came back to haunt him. He inexplicably hit his tee shots into water on the 16th and 17th holes to record costly back-to-back double bogeys and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

To his credit, Lowry still stepped up and spoke to the media moments after his scarcely believable collapse and said the heartbreak hit harder with his daughter nearby.

'I'm obviously extremely disappointed,' Lowry said. 'I had the tournament in my hands and I threw it away. What more can I say?  

'The hardest thing about today is that I've never won in front of my four-year-old.

'She was there waiting for me and I only wanted it for her today. I didn't care about anything else, I wanted so bad to see her little ginger head running out on the 18th green would have been the most special thing in the world.

Lowry has scar tissue from this particular event, having led until the latter, rain-hit stages in 2022 and also failing to convert a final-day advantage into victory two years ago.  

His errors cleared the way for Nico Echavarria of Colombia to close out a two-stroke victory on 17 under, with Lowry slipping back into a three-way tie for second on 15 under. 

'I played unbelievable all day and then one bad shot on 16 and it completely threw me for the last three holes. It's never happened to me before,' he explained.

'I said to Darren (Reynolds, his caddie) "how do I feel like this now when I went through what I did last September at Bethpage (at the Ryder Cup) and I got through it fine?"'

'It was weird out there, I just couldn't feel the club face on the last three holes after my tee shot on 16, it was strange.'

'I thought I had it, I thought I was going to win. I didn't get ahead of myself but I was so comfortable out there. And then... I did the only thing I couldn't really do.'

Lowry said the loss hurt because he has never won with daughter Ivy watching him play

Lowry has two children, Iris and Ivy, with his wife Wendy. It is Ivy who Lowry, a major winner at the 2019 British Open, has never won in front of.

Lowry has scar tissue from this particular event, having led until the latter, rain-hit stages in 2022 and also failing to convert a final-day advantage into victory two years ago.  

His errors cleared the way for Nico Echavarria of Colombia to close out a two-stroke victory on 17 under, with Lowry slipping back into a three-way tie for second on 15 under. 

'I played unbelievable all day and then one bad shot on 16 and it completely threw me for the last three holes. It's never happened to me before,' he explained.

'I said to Darren (Reynolds, his caddie) "how do I feel like this now when I went through what I did last September at Bethpage (at the Ryder Cup) and I got through it fine?"'

'It was weird out there, I just couldn't feel the club face on the last three holes after my tee shot on 16, it was strange.'

Echavarria, meanwhile, posted a flawless 66 for his final round to claim victory. 

Brooks Koepka, meanwhile, finished in a tie for ninth on 10 under after a final-round 65, his best showing since returning to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf. 

- JACK BEZANTS

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Picture this scene. The narrow streets of Monaco glowing under soft afternoon light. The harbor in the background. And Leclerc behind the wheel of a legendary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.

It is not just a drive. It is history on wheels. The 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most iconic racing Ferraris ever built. Open top. Deep red paint. Raw V12 sound echoing between the buildings. In Monaco that sound feels even more personal.

Beside him sits his Mexican wife, relaxed, sunglasses on, enjoying the calm side of a city that usually roars during race weekend. No helmets. No pressure. Just a slow cruise through the place that shaped his Formula 1 story.

The contrast makes it powerful. A modern F1 star in a classic machine from Ferrari’s golden era. Old school engineering meeting today’s generation. Monaco is not just his home circuit. It is part of his identity.

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