Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
FORMER RED BULL MECHANIC SAYS HANNA SCHMITZ COULD BE NEXT TO LEAVE AFTER GIANPIERO LAMBIASE
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| Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images |
Ex-Red Bull mechanic Kenny Handkammer has claimed that Hannah Schmitz could be the next senior figure to leave the team.
In recent times, Red Bull have been hit with several high-profile exits, including the likes of Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.
Last week, another senior departure was confirmed as Gianpiero Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028.
Lambiase is set to become Chief Racing Officer at McLaren and will report to team principal Andrea Stella.
Less than a week after Lambiase’s departure was confirmed, it has been claimed that another senior figure could leave.
Hannah Schmitz could be next to leave Red Bull after Gianpiero Lambiase
Speaking on The Two Mechanics podcast, Handkammer claimed that the current Head of Strategy, Schmitz, could be next in line to leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Handkammer said: “The decline of Red Bull is quite sad. If I were the CEO of Red Bull global, I’d be thinking. Look who he has lost, Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Gianpiero Lambiase and Will Courtenay.
“It looks like Hannah Schmitz, Head of Strategy, is rumoured to go too, all these massive key people and talks are there’s going to be more. That’s a real head scratcher. How do you reconfigure the team?”
Who is Hannah Schmitz and what is her role at Red Bull?
Schmitz, 40, is regarded as one of the most talented figures in the Formula 1 paddock, having joined Red Bull back in 2009 as a Modelling and Strategy Engineer.
In 2011, Schmitz became Senior Strategy Engineer before being promoted to Principal Strategy Engineer in 2021. In 2026, she became Red Bull’s Head of Race Strategy following Courtenay’s move to McLaren.
Schmitz has previously been praised for playing a major role in a number of Red Bull victories.
Following the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen labelled Schmitz as ‘insanely calm’ after the Dutchman won the race from P10.
He said: “You can’t afford many mistakes. It’s of course very hard to always be on the good side, let’s say it like that. But I think we have a lot of good guys and girls in the team.
“Today, I think Hannah, our strategist, was insanely calm. Yeah, she’s very good.”
With several big names already out the door, Red Bull will have to keep the likes of Schmitz in the team if they want to prevent Verstappen from engineering his own exit.
BLESSIN MUZARABANI HANDED TWO-YEAR PSL BAN AFTER PULLING OUT OF IPL
Blessing Muzarabani had been signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL edition, but later opted out to take up an opportunity in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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| Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL season but later decided to pursue an opportunity with KKR in the IPL. (KKR) |
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years after he backed out of a contract for the 2026 season.
Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL season but later decided to pursue an opportunity in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 29-year-old joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026, leading the PCB to take disciplinary action against the pacer.
The PCB released a statement highlighting the importance of honouring contracts in franchise cricket.
“After a thorough review, the PCB has declared that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the HBL PSL, effective immediately. This decision results from his failure to honor agreed commitments, which undermines the league’s professional structure.
“The PCB believes that professional cricket depends on trust and the certainty of agreements. In this case, despite a clear offer and a definite acceptance of the essential terms, the player chose to ignore these obligations for another opportunity,” the statement said.
Muzarabani quickly made a mark for KKR in IPL 2026, taking 4/41 in his second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The development comes at a time when T20 leagues are tightening rules around player withdrawals. The IPL introduced a regulation ahead of the 2025 season stating that any player who pulls out after being picked at the auction, without a valid reason, would face a two-season ban.
England’s Ben Duckett, who withdrew from the 2026 season despite being signed by Delhi Capitals, and Harry Brook, who had taken a similar call earlier, are among those impacted.
This season marks a rare overlap of the PSL and IPL, with both leagues running simultaneously, creating scheduling conflicts and forcing players to choose between commitments.
- Express News Service
MAX VERSTAPPEN EXPECTED TO QUIT F1 FOLLOWING SHOCK RED BULL DEPARTURE
Not only is Max Verstappen unhappy with F1's current regulations, his long-time ally Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving
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| @XPBimages |
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes the exit of Gianpiero Lambiase has all but guaranteed that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull at the end of the current season.
It was announced last week that Lambiase will leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit when his contract concludes at the end of 2027, completing a shock move to McLaren.
At McLaren, Lambiase’s role will be chief racing officer, rather than race engineer for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
It is believed that McLaren’s plan is eventually to make Lambiase its team principal, kickstarting a new chapter for the 45-year-old.
Lambiase has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, with the pair building an exceptional working relationship during that time.
In Palmer’s view, the departure of Verstappen’s long-time ally is just another nail in the coffin at a time when the Dutchman is already unhappy, making an exit this year highly likely.
Asked if Lambiase's exit increases the chances of Verstappen leaving Red Bull, Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast: "That’s exactly how I see it. I think we’re already talking about Max probably leaving the team at some point.
"You’ve got Red Bull not being competitive, and not having the easiest route back to being competitive, given where they’re at when you factor in all the personnel who have left.
"For me, GP is such a linchpin for him; it sort of connects the driver to the team. I see this news as offering a more in-depth understanding of another reason why Max isn’t particularly happy in the team.
"And on many levels, I just don’t see him sticking around particularly long, probably beyond the end of this year, unless they have a concrete plan in place and a clear sign of progress."
- Nick Golding
GHANA MIDFIELDER THOMAS PARTEY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO NEW RAPE CHARGES
Ghana footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rapes.
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| Then-Atletico Madrid football player Thomas Partey - Copyright © africanews Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved |
The 32-year-old midfielder appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London (United Kingdom) on Monday (13 April).
He denied twice raping a woman in the English capital in December 2020.
In July 2025, Partey was already charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to alleged incidents from 2021 and 2022, Sky Sports reported.
He also pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The new accusations were announced in February. On Monday, Judge Tony Baumgartner agreed for all the charges to be tried together, possibly delaying the trial until January 2027.
In total, the former Arsenal player faces seven allegations of rape and one of sexual assault from four different women. He denies all the accusations.
“Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated with the police throughout,” his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said on Monday.
Partey, who joined La Liga club Villareal last summer, remains out on bail throughout the legal proceedings.
The Ghana midfielder is expected to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup starting in June, although a new muscle injury is raising concerns regarding his participation.
In the meantime, Partey’s case is due to be listed in court for a pre-trial hearing on 14 May, according to Sky Sports.
-Sarah Miansoni
GHANA: GFA APPOINTS CARLOS QUEIROZ AS BLACK STARS HEAD COACH FOR 2026 WORLD CUP
The Ghana Football Association has appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of Ghana's senior national team, the Black Stars, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to a statement from the GFA Communications Department, the decision was made by the Executive Council in collaboration with key stakeholders in Ghana football.
Queiroz, a highly experienced coach, has previously managed top teams including Real Madrid, Manchester United, and national teams such as Portugal and Iran.
He is expected to lead Ghana's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The GFA noted that Queiroz brings significant World Cup experience.
He led South Africa to qualification for the 2002 tournament, guided Portugal to the knockout stage in 2010, and managed Iran at both the 2014 and 2018 editions.
In addition, the Portuguese coach has worked with national teams including Egypt, Oman, Japan, and Qatar.
The GFA stated that Queiroz is expected to use his experience to strengthen the Black Stars as they prepare for the global tournament.
He is set to begin work immediately, with the World Cup scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026.
Ghana will play its first group match against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto, before taking on England and Croatia in the remaining group games.
Background: Carlos Queiroz is a Portuguese football coach with decades of experience at both club and international levels.
He served as an assistant coach at Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, and later took up head coaching roles with Real Madrid and several national teams.
Known for his tactical discipline and defensive organisation, Queiroz has built a reputation for guiding teams to major tournaments and competing strongly on the global stage.
- Jacob Aggrey
Monday, 13 April 2026
ARTETA COULD BE SACKED BY ARSENAL, WITH A REPLACEMENT ALREADY IN SIGHT
A major victory has saved the Spanish manager's job.
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| AFP |
Doubts are mounting over Mikel Arteta’s future at Arsenal, according to a Spanish report, amid growing pressure within the club despite the team continuing to compete for titles this season.
The speculation follows a shock 32nd-round Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, which has reignited questions about the club’s trophy prospects despite substantial board investment in recent years.
Mundo Deportivo claims the Gunners can still rescue the campaign in both the Premier League and the Champions League, where they recently recorded a vital away win against Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Yet the report insists his future now hinges on silverware: another trophy-less campaign could see the club’s hierarchy lose patience.
The likely successor
Should Arsenal end the campaign empty-handed, the board has a “ready-made alternative” in Cesc Fàbregas, whose impressive work in his current coaching role makes him the favoured candidate to take over.
Fàbregas is currently guiding Como with an attractive, attack-minded approach that has the club challenging for European qualification—a profile that has already drawn the attention of Arsenal officials.
The former Spanish star also has an additional advantage, namely his intimate knowledge of the London club, having played for them for eight seasons as a player, which could facilitate his transition to the manager’s seat should a decision be taken to sack Arteta at the end of the season.
The loss to Bournemouth, which left Arsenal on 70 points after 32 games, has only intensified the debate.
In contrast, Bournemouth moved up to 45 points, climbing to ninth place in the table.
That result handed Manchester City, second on 61 points from 30 games, a valuable chance to narrow the gap and reignite the title race.
- Ahmed Abdelhamid
SCOTTIE SCHAEFFER MAKES MASTERS HISTORY DESPITE FALLING SHORT TO RORY MCILROY
Scottie Schaeffer came up just short of another green jacket, but his performance at Augusta National still etched his name into Masters history.
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| Andrew Redington/Getty |
The world No. 1 finished one shot behind Rory McIlroy at 12 under, settling for runner-up in the 2026 Masters. While McIlroy claimed the spotlight with his second straight win, Scheffler’s historic weekend and late surge told a story that will likely get overlooked.
After sitting 12 shots off the lead at the halfway point, Scheffler mounted a stunning comeback. He carded a 7 under round on Saturday and followed it with a 4 under 68 on Sunday, putting serious pressure on McIlroy down the stretch.
More impressively, Scheffler did not record a single bogey over the final 36 holes. According to PGA TOUR Communications, he became the first player in 82 years to play the third and final rounds bogey-free at the Masters.
The last time that happened was in 1942.
Historic Masters Weekend Puts Scheffler in Rare Company
Scheffler’s weekend was extremely impressive.
Across the final two rounds, he recorded nine birdies and an eagle while avoiding any mistakes on the scorecard.
His 133 weekend total also stood as a personal best at the Masters.
Even more remarkable, Scheffler nearly completed a full tournament without a bogey, something not seen in over eight decades. His precision and consistency allowed him to erase a massive deficit and nearly force a playoff.
He had just five bogeys all tournament, with four coming on Friday.
He pointed toward his Friday struggles as the reason he wasn’t able to win a third green jacket.
“I’d say Friday probably hurt the most in terms of my chances of winning,” Scheffler said. “I didn’t see many birdies out there Thursday afternoon, so going out on Friday, whatever they did to the greens to soften them up, they did some stuff. And I just wasn’t able to take advantage of that going out early on Friday.”
Despite the loss, this performance also extended his incredible run at Augusta. Scheffler has now finished inside the top five in five straight Masters appearances, reinforcing his dominance at the sport’s most prestigious event.
Scottie Scheffler Reflects on 2026 Masters
Speaking after his round, Scheffler reflected on where things slipped away.
“Overall I’m not going to hold too many regrets, but yeah, definitely a little disappointed now,” Scheffler said. “But like I said, I started the weekend 12 shots back and ended up only one shot back. If I am going to blame anything, I should probably blame the first two rounds before I start looking at stuff from my last couple.”
He also pointed to a few key moments late in Sunday’s round that could have changed everything.
“Disappointing par on 13, and wasn’t able to get it in the fairway on 14, that was a shot I’d like to have back,” Scheffler said. “But then good birdies on 15 and 16, and really great stuff on 17. I hit two really good shots into 18 and the second shot just came up short.”
Scheffler hit a perfect putt on 17 that came within inches of dropping. Had it fallen, it likely would have forced a playoff with McIlroy, setting up a head-to-head battle between the two best players in the world for the green jacket. While it was a bummer for fans that it didn’t happen, Scheffler still etched his name into Masters history despite the loss.
- Dylan Tracy-Lindenbaum
Sunday, 12 April 2026
UNION BERLIN MAKE HISTORY AS MARIE-LOUISE ETA BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD BUNDESLIGA MEN'S TEAM
She becomes the first woman to take charge of a men’s team across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” football leagues.
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| STRONG UNION: Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female head coach in the men’s Bundesliga as they bid to ensure its league survival. Pic: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images for DFB |
Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female head coach in the men’s Bundesliga as they bid to ensure its league survival.
She becomes the first woman to take charge of a men’s team across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” football leagues.
The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired late Saturday with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the team’s 3-1 loss at last-place Heidenheim, Union announced just before midnight.
Eta, who was coaching Union’s Under-19 men’s team and agreed earlier this month to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to secure the Köpenick-based club’s Bundesliga survival.
“Staying in the Bundesliga is not yet guaranteed given the point-differences in the lower half of the table. I’m happy that the club entrusts me with this challenging task,” Eta told the club website.
”One of Union’s strengths has always been our ability to pull together in such situations. And of course I’m convinced that we’ll get the decisive points with the team.”
Eta already made history with Union in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of the “big five” leagues. She had to step in for media duties for head coach Nenad Bjelica when he was suspended for three games in 2024.
“I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement.
Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-25 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.
“We’ve had a completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not letting the table fool us — our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.”
Defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.
“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn things around with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start,” Heldt said.
Union next hosts Wolfsburg, which is also fighting for survival, next weekend.
- AP NEWS
Saturday, 11 April 2026
Friday, 10 April 2026
CARLOS ALCARAZ REACTS AS HE ECLIPSES DJOKOVIC, NADAL, FEDERER WITH MILESTONE AT MINTE CARLO MASTERS
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| Carlos Alcaraz hits a backhand |
Carlos Alcaraz became the third-fastest player to reach a significant ATP Tour milestone as he advanced to the semi-finals at the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters.
The Spanish superstar crushed world No 11 Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-0 in just over an hour in the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Alcaraz won the first two games before Bublik fought back to take a 3-2 lead after saving four break points to avoid going down a double break
From 2-3 behind, Alcaraz reeled off the next 10 games in a devastating sequence as he surged to the finish line in his first-ever meeting with Bublik
The world No 1 is vying to win his second successive Monte Carlo Masters crown after his maiden triumph in the Principality last year.
In his on-court interview with Tennis TV, Alcaraz shared his thoughts on the match.
“Well, first of all, I think I did start pretty well, I just had points to be two breaks up in the first set, I didn’t make it. And then all of a sudden I lost a little bit the feeling of the ball,” said Alcaraz.
ATP Tour News
“But yeah, after that, I think he just pulled off great shots, great games, I had to run side to side a lot, try to defend my best and I think I just saved a few games that gave me a lot of confidence coming into the match again.
“And then playing aggressive… I would say I played a great and a solid match against him — that is probably a player that you don’t know what’s gonna be next. Just happy to get through and playing another semi-final here.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also reacted to being told he had achieved his 300th victory on the ATP Tour.
“Obviously I’m really happy about my 300th win in the ATP Tour, and hopefully many more to come,” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz lost only 67 matches en route to amassing 300 victories, which is fewer than the Big Three (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer) lost before reaching this milestone.
Tennis icons Rod Laver and Jimmy Connors are the only players to reach 300 victories in fewer matches than Alcaraz in the Open Era of men’s tennis.
The 22-year-old arrived at the 300-win landmark in the same number of matches as American legend John McEnroe (367).
- Ewan West
PEP GUARDIOLA ADDRESSES BERNARDO SILVA EXIT WITH MAN CITY STAR'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Bernardo Silva is widely expected to leave Manchester City in the summer and Pep Guardiola has now given the latest on what he knows about the midfielder's situation
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| Pep Guardiola spoke about Bernardo Silva's potential departure(Image: Aitor Alcalde/UEFA via Getty Images) |
Pep Guardiola jokingly claimed he was livid with Bernardo Silva for failing to inform him about his departure from Manchester City, while insisting that no decision had yet been reached. City's assistant Pep Lijnders hinted last week that Silva's exit this summer was a foregone conclusion, yet Guardiola suggested that any announcement would come directly from the player himself.
Silva has considered moves away from the club at various stages throughout his nine years there, but committed last season to honouring the final year of his deal, with Guardiola having handed him the captaincy. He told journalists in September that he had reached a decision regarding next season - with most expecting him to depart - but has remained tight-lipped ever since.
Speaking following the Liverpool match, Lijnders seemingly confirmed his exit by wishing him a fond farewell over the remaining six weeks. Nevertheless, there has still been no official word from either the club or the player, and Guardiola jokingly admitted he was fuming with his skipper for leaving him completely in the dark.
"I'm so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said 'if you take a decision I have to be the first to [know]' and he didn't say anything to me yet," he said, reports the Manchester Evening News.
"I think the proper one must be Bernardo, I don't know if he has already decided. I said, jokingly, 'tell me I deserve it' but he didn't tell me so I don't know what's going on.
"It looks like a farewell press conference for Bernardo - he didn't tell me! I'm pretty sure all the managers he has had would say how much they love him because he is always thinking, he is incredibly competitive, has a fire inside and always in the toughest moments on the biggest stages he is always there.
"Big, big games, it's not about playing good or playing bad, it is being yourself and not being afraid. Bernie has had all of these attributes since the first day he arrived from Monaco.
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| Bernardo Silva is expected to leave this summer(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) |
"He has been an incredible signing for us and because I love this club amazingly I would love him to stay and finish his career here but he's going to decide his decision when he is going to decide and announce to the club, to the media, and everyone.
"But he has been an incredible signing for numbers and minutes and titles and especially in bad moments. I define players in bad moments when everything is difficult, how he always made a step up and said I'm here to help."
- Simon Bajkowski
MOBUTU’S GIFT TO HEROES: THE 1974 STORY OF ZAIRE’S WORLD CUP TEAM
In 1974, Zaire’s national football team—today known as the Democratic Republic of Congo—made history as the first sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, held that year in West Germany. Their stunning qualification sent waves of pride across the country and caught the attention of President Mobutu Sese Seko, whose government was keen to use sports as a symbol of national strength and identity.
To celebrate the team’s achievement, President Mobutu organized a lavish ceremony in Kinshasa, where each player received a brand-new Volkswagen car, a house, and cash rewards. These gestures served both as a personal thank-you to the players and as part of Mobutu’s broader political theater—a show of prosperity and success under his rule.
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| Dusan Bajevic inscrit l’un de ses trois buts de la rencontre, face au malheureux gardien Dimbi Tubilandu, entré en jeu en cours de match. STAFF / AFP |
At the time, Zaire was deep into Mobutu’s “Authenticité” campaign, a program urging citizens to embrace African cultural identity and reject foreign influence. The players, hailed as national heroes, became the face of this movement, embodying the pride and power of a new Zaire on the global stage.
Yet behind the triumphant display lay pressure and fear. Reports that surfaced later suggested that the government expected nothing short of victory in the World Cup, and when results did not meet expectations, tension and intimidation followed. Some players spoke of unfulfilled promises and threats from political officials—signs of how tightly politics was intertwined with sport during the Mobutu era.
Even so, the 1974 World Cup remains a defining chapter in African football history. It was a moment when the dreams of a nation converged with the ambitions of its leader, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be remembered today—not only for the reward of cars and glory but also for what it revealed about power, pride, and the politics of sport in Africa.
- Muhidin Issa Michuxi
Thursday, 9 April 2026
GIANPIERO LAMBIASE'S RED BULL EXIT LEAVES F1 FANS WITH ONE QUESTION
Fans fear Gianpiero Lambiase’s move to McLaren could signal Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit
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| Gianpiero Lambiase, Race Engineer, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, on the podium Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images |
The news that Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to move to McLaren has left Formula 1 fans with one question: what does this mean for the four-time champion?
Lambiase has signed a long-term deal with McLaren from 2028 after his current contract expires, unless an earlier release is negotiated. Lambiase will take the role of chief racing officer at the Woking outfit, reporting to team principal Andrea Stella.
Lambiase's upcoming move comes after a slew of high-profile exits from Red Bull, including Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.
The news has also come amid retirement talk from Verstappen. The Dutchman has been clear that he would consider leaving F1 before the end of his contract, which currently expires at the end of 2028, if he does not enjoy the new regulations.
"I guess Max is either leaving the sport or the team soon," one fan commented on Reddit, while another responded: "Could even be a decision by the both of them. If you leave, I leave, just give the other one enough time to find something else. Max has no interest in F1 if the regs remain like this, and would rather do anything else. GP knows this and has been shopping around. My money is on that they quit RB at the same time."
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| Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing with Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase |
"Wow! Totally didn’t see this coming. Wonder what it means for Max," another fan wrote, while someone else commented: "I think this all but confirms Max is taking a break, probably through the rest of these sh***y regulations. I don't see him trying to chase GP when GP will not be his race engineer anymore regardless in his new role."
One fan also commented: "What in the world is happening. Max must be quitting."
Another fan hoped that it would not lead to Verstappen's exit from the championship altogether, but a team move. "I hope this means Max will leave for Mercedes, I don't want him to retire just yet," they posted.
Verstappen is yet to comment on this news, but in 2021 he told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport: "I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too. Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too.
"He has to tell me when I'm being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that."
- Lydia Mee
TALKS ARE UNDERWAY FOR TYSON FURY V ANTHONY JOSHUA FIGHT AT CROCK PARK IN WHAT COULD BE KATIE TAYLOR'S FAREWELL SHOW
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| Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could be set to meet at Croke Park (Zac Goodwin/Bradley Collyer/PA) |
Rumours that Anthony Joshua’s long-awaited heavyweight fight against Tyson Fury could be staged in Dublin later this year have been rippling through the boxing grapevine over the last few weeks and now it has been confirmed that talks are underway to stage the contest at Croke Park in September.
Fury will make his return to boxing when he takes on Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night and he has been speaking about the prospect of finally facing Joshua later this year in the build-up to the fight.
The two British fighters have come close to a showdown on numerous occasions in the past, but deals for the fight to take place have fallen through.
Now influential Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh is pushing to get the fight into the diary at last, with Dublin appearing to be the favoured venue for the fight.
A Joshua vs Fury bout in Dublin would also give Katie Taylor a chance to realise her last big dream of a fight at Croke Park, with the stadium’s chief executive Peter McKenna telling the BBC that a deal is being negotiated.
"The real hope is that we will get Tyson Fury here later on in the year. That would be such a world-billing event that we would be able to facilitate a Katie Taylor fight here," said McKenna.
"A lot of stars need to align. Katie's manager needs to agree, Katie's promoter needs to agree, Tyson Fury's promoter needs to agree.
"I am very confident that all three are coming to the sense that this is one of Ireland's greatest sporting athletes and it would be such a 'wow' to have her here and for her to finish her career here."
Security costs have been cited as one of the reasons why Taylor has been denied the chance to fight at Croke Park throughout her professional career, with her promoter Eddie Hearn failing to reach an agreement to allow the Bray-born boxer to fight in front of what is certain to be a sell-out crowd.
Joshua’s last fight came against YouTuber Jake Paul last December and he has yet to confirm when he will make a return to the ring after he was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
- Kevin Palmer
MUSIC LEGEND DR. DRE PRACTICING BASKETBALL 🏀 AT 94 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 🔥 🥵
Dr. Dre understands it now!🏀 94degrees and he trained for almost two hrs! He’s a living legend that deserves his flowers.👏🏾👏🏾
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Player: @drdre
Passer: @wiggidy_whack
Film: @niceshotnate
Trainer: ( @lethalshooter )
#NBA #DrDre #LethalShooter #Basketball
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE GETS THROUGH TOUGH THIRD STAGE IN ITZULIA BASQUE COUNTRY, TULETT 13TH DESPITE CRASH
In the third stage of Itzulia Basque Country, the breakaway riders battled for the stage win. Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader Ben Tulett crashed in the peloton but still made a strong impression in the finale. The Brit remains in the top five of the general classification.
On the third day of the Basque stage race, the riders faced 153 kilometers, starting and finishing in Basauri. After an opening phase over rolling roads, the focus of the stage came in the final section. In total, three categorized climbs had to be tackled. Tulett started the stage fifth overall.
The day’s breakaway only formed after more than an hour of racing. A strong group of fifteen riders quickly built up a significant lead. In the peloton, things briefly went wrong for Tulett. The 24-year-old Brit, together with teammate Tim Rex, was involved in a crash on the approach to the first climb of the day. Fortunately, both were able to continue and rejoined the peloton shortly afterward.
On the final two climbs, the lead group was gradually reduced. In the peloton, the favorites remained calm, allowing the early breakaway riders to fight for the stage win. In the end, Frenchman Axel Laurance proved strongest after attacking together with Igor Arrieta. In the peloton, race leader Paul Seixas tried to gain a few seconds in the steep final kilometer, but Tulett responded attentively to the young Frenchman’s last move. The Brit finished thirteenth.
"A SOLID RESULT GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES" - DS FRANS MAASSEN
“A solid result given the circumstances,” said sports director Frans Maassen. “Ben had a heavy crash, so it’s a relief that he came away without too much damage. He was well supported by his teammates and still managed to show himself in the finale. We hope the damage is limited with the coming stages in mind. Today was a very tough transition stage, and the next few days will also feature demanding stages. We’ll have to take it day by day.”
Itzulia Basque Country
Stage 3
Result & Rankings
1
Axel Laurance
INEOS Grenadiers
03:38:33
2
Igor Arrieta
UAE Team Emirates - XRG
+00:00:02
3
Natnael Tesfatsion
Movistar Team
+00:00:14
13
Ben Tulett
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:04
36
Tijmen Graat
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:09
56
Steven Kruijswijk
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:58
65
Filippo Fiorelli
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:02:30
99
Bruno Armirail
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:11:34
103
Tim Rex
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:13:09
133
Menno Huising
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:17:34
- Team Visma
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