Sunday, 5 July 2026
TOTO WOLFF ISSUES CLARIFICATION AFTER FRED VASSEUR 'CHEATING' COMMENT
Toto Wolff has tried to calm Fred Vasseur's fears over claims Ferrari is 'cheating' in F1.
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| © XPBimages |
Toto Wolff has clarified his comments over Ferrari's relentless upgrade pace in F1, after Fred Vasseur felt the Mercedes boss was insinuating the Scuderia was "cheating."
After the Austrian GP, Wolff wondered if Ferrari would run out of cost cap money following its strong upgrade pace, which has included big packages in both Miami and Barcelona, and an engine upgrade in Austria.
In contrast, Mercedes' sole big package came in Canada, and although Wolff did not claim that he felt Ferrari was "cheating", Vasseur used the word when first asked about Wolff's comments on Friday at Silverstone.
"When Red Bull is developing or Mercedes is developing, they are geniuses, but when we are developing, we are cheating," the Ferrari boss had said, before adding,: "if you think we overshoot the cost cap, for me, it is going in this direction."
Responding to Vasseur's comments, Wolff did his best to soothe the concerns of the Ferrari boss.
"Fred is very emotional, and if he would have read my comments rather than just a headline, he would have seen that what I said was an observation," Wolff told Sky Sports F1.
"[I said] it would be interesting to see how many updates one can pull out at the end of the season.
"It’s just the emotionality that we all have, and being passionate about team success. I’m fine with that.
"It was misunderstood. If I say things that I want to be understood, I will do so too, but in that case I didn’t mean it."
- Jake Nichol
ALEXANDRA EALA MAKES HISTORY AT WIMBLEDON 2026
Alexabdra Eala became the first Filipino player to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament 🇵🇭
UCI BANS TOUR DE FRANCE RIDERS FROM USING ICE SOCKS FOR COOLING IN STAGE 1 TEAM TIME TRIAL
Despite 30° heat, riders are forced to remove ice socks as UCI says it "changes their morphology"
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| Image credit: Josh Croxton) |
At the start of the Tour de France stage one team time trial in Barcelona, as riders left the makeshift warm-up area behind the start ramp, I watched as rider after rider was stopped by UCI officials and forced to remove any ice socks that they'd stuffed into their skinsuits.
On a day where temperatures soared past 30° C, riders were using every trick in the book to keep their core temperatures down before the start; ice vests, misting fans, alcohol sprays and even a strange cold water tub for the Netcompany Ineos riders' arms were on show, as well as the oldest tactic of them all: ice socks.
For the uninitiated, these are simply pairs of tights, cut down, stuffed with ice cubes and then tied off, and riders generally put them into the back of their skinsuits behind their necks.
Not only does the cold help to chill the rider, but as the ice melts and the water then evaporates, it removes heat in the process.
They are a common sight at the start of – and indeed during – almost every warm race in the calendar, but the UCI is seemingly now cracking down on their use.
“I know it’s only a little thing, but you have to draw the line. If you allow sometimes but not others, it’s not fair. And if you allow a little, riders may take more,” he said.
Indeed, article 1.3.032 of the UCI's technical regulations states: “Clothing and other items or accessories worn by a rider (including but not limited to helmets, glasses, shoes or in-race communication devices) may not modify the morphology of the rider.
"Moreover, any non-essential element which is added on (or under) or integrated in any clothing, or other item or accessory worn by a rider shall be forbidden. A non-essential element shall be any element which does not have a purpose which is exclusively of clothing or protection, or which is not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing, or other item or accessory. This shall also apply regarding any material or substance applied onto the skin or clothing and which is not itself an item of clothing or another item or accessory worn by a rider."
There's little doubt that a pair of tights is clothing, and that an ice sock down the back of a skinsuit can be classed as an element added under clothing, but I'm sure some would argue against the 'non-essential' part of the rule's wording, given the blistering heat on the streets of Barcelona on Saturday.
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| Many ice socks were abandoned at the start line over the course of the day. (Image credit: Future) |
The confusion among staff and riders of various teams as they were stopped from entering the start ramp suggested it was a new rule to some of them, but Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Head of Engineering, Dan Bigham, tells Cyclingnews that it’s actually been in force for a little while. "The rules are now explicit in that it’s only a radio down the front," he explained.
Visma-Lease a Bike's head of performance equipment, Jenco Drost, concurred.
"Since last year, they're quite sharp on items under your suit."
Despite this, images from the recent Tour de Suisse, which show a few different riders with ice packs in their jerseys, suggest the rule is yet to be enforced as consistently as the UCI might like.
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| Marcel Camprubi of Team Pinarello Q36.5 was among many riders seen using ice during stage 5 of the recent Tour de Suisse. (Image credit: Getty Images) |
"It was shared in the Tour de France equipment meeting," Drost continued, "but with this weather, riders try to keep it as long as possible."
- Josh Croxton
CANADA OUSTED FROM WORLD CUP WITH 3-0 LOSS TO MOROCCO
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| Canada's Jonathan David (10) reacts as Morocco players celebrate their second goal during second half FIFA World Cup round of 16 soccer action, in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn |
HOUSTON — Canada is out of the FIFA World Cup after falling 3-0 to Morocco in the round of 16 on Saturday.
Azzedine Ounahi broke a 0-0 deadlock in the 50th minute, then added a second goal in the 82nd for a brace. Soufiane Rahimi converted a rolling shot in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal the score.
Canada controlled the game early and registered four chances in the first half, but couldn’t get a shot past Morocco’s Montreal-born keeper Yassine Bounou.
The Moroccans will meet the winner of a round-of-16 tilt between Paraguay and France in a quarterfinal matchup in Boston on July 9.
Morocco was the higher-ranked nation, entering the tournament sitting at No. 7 in FIFA’s official standings while Canada was No. 30.
The result ends a historic run in which the national squad nabbed its first point and first win in the men’s tournament and earned a spot in the knockout round for the first time.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch once again switched up his starting lineup, bringing midfielder Niko Sigur in for his first-ever World Cup start. He also opted for defenders Moïse Bombito and Luc de Fougerolles, and brought midfielder Ali Ahmed into the initial 11. Midfielders Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar, and defender Derek Cornelius started on the bench.
Canada controlled play through much of the opening 25 minutes, keeping Morocco hemmed in its own end and getting several solid scoring opportunities.
The first came just five minutes in when vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio sent a corner swinging in toward the Morocco goal, only to see Bounou punch the ball away.
The keeper, known as Bono, came up big again five minutes later, stopping a strike from Tani Oluwaseyi just above the six-yard box.
Morocco’s lone chance of the first half came in the 27th minute when midfielder Soufiane Rahimi launched a shot from distance and Canada’s Maxime Crépeau dove to stop the rolling shot.
There was pushing and shoving in the 39th minute when Achraf Hakimi body-checked Richie Laryea, sending the Canadian defender to the turf. Laryea confronted Hakimi and a scrum ensued, with both Laryea and Hakimi coming out with yellow cards.
Referee Michael Oliver gave six cautions across the first half, with four going to Moroccan players and two to Canadians.
The Atlas Lions held 56 per cent possession across the first half, but it was Les Rouges who had the chances. Canada outshot Morocco 4-1 and held a 2-1 edge in on-target shots.
Morocco came into the second half as the aggressors and took the lead in the 50th minute after de Fougerolles was booked for a bad tackle.
Hakimi lined up for the free kick at the side of the penalty area and sent the ball to Ounahi, stationed at the top. The midfielder got a right-footed shot off, sailing the ball through traffic and into the net to give Morocco a 1-0 advantage.
Canada had a prime opportunity to equalize in the 77th minute with a free kick from just above the area, but Jonathan David sent his shot well over Morocco’s net.
A giveaway in Moroccan territory turned deadly for the Canadians in the 82nd minute.
Striker Brahim Diaz carried the ball up the field, then sliced it to Ounahi inside the area. The midfielder wasted no time blasting a shot off to give the Atlas Lions a 2-0 lead.
Rahimi came within inches of making it 3-0 three minutes later, but his unimpeded shot went off the crossbar.
He instead rolled a low shot in past Crepeau in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal the score.
Marsch made several second-half substitutions in an apparent bid to juice the offence, bringing Cyle Larin in for Oluwaseyi in the 63rd minute, then replacing Laryea with Jacob Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed with Promise David in the 79th.
His final substitutions of the day saw Jayden Nelson and Jonathan Osorio enter for Tajon Buchanan and Sigur.
Marsch did not bring on Canada captain Alphonso Davies, who saw action in just one game across the tournament, coming on in the 74th minute of the country’s victory over South Africa.
Davies picked up a hamstring injury playing in a Champions League semifinal for Bayern Munich in early May.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2026.
- Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Saturday, 4 July 2026
CRISTIAN HORNER TO RELEASE TELL-ALL MEMOIR
Christian Horner will release his first memoir later this year as the former Red Bull boss prepares to tell his side of more than two decades at the top of the sport.
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| Christian Horner will release a memoir later this year. Image: XPB Images |
The 52-year-old announced the release of Drive, which will be published on October 22, with the book covering his time in charge of Red Bull after taking over the team when the energy drink company entered Formula 1 in 2005 following its acquisition of Jaguar.
Horner said the book would serve as a reflection on his successful time in charge of one of the most decorated teams in F1 history.
“Formula 1 is ultimately a people business,” Horner said.
“While the sport is often defined by the cars, the victories and the championships, what stays with me most are the people, the decisions, the challenges and the extraordinary cast of characters I encountered along the way.
“This book is my reflection on an incredible 20-year journey and the many individuals who helped shape it.”
Horner went on to become one of the most successful team bosses in F1 history, overseeing Red Bull’s rise from midfield operation to multiple championship-winning force.
During his tenure, Red Bull won eight drivers’ championships, six constructors’ titles and 124 grands prix, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen delivering the team’s two dominant eras.
The book’s publisher, Transworld, described the memoir as an inside account of how Red Bull went from an operation bought for £1 to one of the most valuable and recognisable teams in world sport.
The publisher said Drive would give Horner’s view on the pressure of leading a team at the sharp end of Formula 1, as well as the personalities, rivalries and private challenges that shaped his time in charge.
“It exposes the incredible pressures of that role, the psychological demands negotiated during each race, and the instinctive decision-making required to win (and win again) in a sport of maximum risk with the very finest of margins,” Transworld said.
The announcement comes almost a year after Horner’s departure from Red Bull, with last year’s British Grand Prix marking his final race in charge of the team.
He was removed from his role before the Belgian Grand Prix, ending a tenure that had stretched across Red Bull’s entire F1 history.
Horner has kept a relatively low public profile since leaving Red Bull, although he has remained heavily linked with a return to F1.
He has held talks around several potential opportunities, but has made clear he is not interested in coming back unless the right project emerges.
Horner is also set to return to Australia later this year for a speaking tour, while he is expected to appear at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend, which would mark his first F1 race appearance since leaving Red Bull.
- Ben Waterworth
MATTEO BERRETTINI DATES MODEL WHO INJURED HER FOOTBALLER'S EX WITH SEX '10 TIMES A WEEK'
Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini is back in action on Centre Court and his love life has brought plenty of attention
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| Matteo Berrettini and Melissa Satta dated for more than a year (Image: Getty) |
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini is gunning for a repeat at SW19 this week, with a huge third-round match against Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court on Saturday. Much has been made of both players’ private lives, with Dimitrov counting Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger among his former partners. Berrettini also previously dated a fellow tennis star, Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia, but a more recent involvement with Melissa Satta brought plenty of attention.
American-born Italian model and TV host Satta, who is 10 years Berrettini’s senior, started dating the Rome-born pro in 2023. Before then, though, she was married to former Tottenham and Barcelona footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng. She has one child with the Ghana international, named Maddox Prince. However, she also attracted attention for comments she made about her sex life with her husband of four years.
"The reason why he is always injured is because we have sex seven to ten times a week,” Satta said of her relationship with Boateng. “I hate foreplay, I want to go straight for it. I prefer to be on top so that I can be in control."
However, she was also wary of her words giving her a reputation, telling Italian media: "You have to be very careful about what you say in football, especially when it comes to sex. Just because we have sex so often doesn't make me a nymphomaniac."
Satta and Berrettini dated for a little over a year, breaking up in early 2024. What I can say is that we had a beautiful, intense relationship and we have great respect for each other,” the tennis star said.
"I won't go beyond this, I don't like sharing my private life too much. Nothing special happened."
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| Satta was married to footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng (Image: Getty) |
- Tom Victor
INDIA BAT FIRST AND HAND SOORYAVANSHI HIS DEBUT IN MANCHESTER
England brought back Jora Archer to their eleven and handed Josh Tongue his debut in white-ball internationals
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| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got his India cap at 15 years and 99 days • Getty Images |
India won the toss and opted to bat in the second T20I at Old Trafford. They made one change to their XI, bringing in 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a hotly anticipated debut - in the process overwriting Sachin Tendulkar's record as the youngest man to represent India.
India's management had dead-batted the prospect of Sooryavanshi making the step up after a stellar IPL campaign, but having left him on the sidelines for two T20Is in Belfast, as well as the first game of the series against England, they have given into temptation. He received his cap from Tilak Varma, and replaces Sanju Samson - India's Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup earlier this year - after a run of 5, 0 and 1.
"He completely deserves [it], the way he has performed that last couple of months," India's captain, Shreyas Iyer, said of Sooryavanshi at the toss. "He doesn't take pressure, you see him in the dressing room and he has that unflinching nature."
Sooryavanshi will get first go on an Old Trafford surface that last year yielded a total of 304 for 2 when England took on South Africa. Conditions were a little overcast and blustery, with Iyer losing his cap as the coin went up.
England had named their team in advance, with two changes from the washed-out first T20I at Chester-le-Street: Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue - the latter making his debut - in for Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood. "We're happy with selections, Jof coming back in is a very strong player," Harry Brook said. "Tonguey has been knocking the door down and I think it's the right time for him
On the prospect of facing down India's teenage phenom, Brook said: "We've been thinking about tactical decisions, it's just about executing them."
England 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Harry Brook (capt), 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue
India 1 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Harshit Rana, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarth
- Alan Gardner
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