Sunday, 25 October 2026
A DOMINANT SEASON: PALMOWSKI SECURES F1 ACADEMY TITLE WITH THREE RACES TO SPARE
Alisha Palmowski is the 2026 F1 Academy Champion. The Red Bull Racing-backed driver sealed the title in Austin with three races still remaining on the calendar, capping off a season of relentless consistency and raw pace that left her rivals with no answer.
The championship was clinched in Saturday's Reverse Grid Race at the Circuit of the Americas. Starting from eighth—hardly the ideal grid slot for a title coronation—Palmowski carved her way through the field to finish second behind Alba Larsen . That result, combined with her nearest rival Emma Felbermayr's fourth-place finish, gave Palmowski an unassailable 70-point lead with only 67 points left on the table .
A Season of Supremacy
The statistics tell the story of a driver operating at another level. Palmowski has won five of the eleven races contested so far, securing six pole positions in the process . Her dominance has been particularly pronounced in the Opening and Feature Races, where she has amassed 153 of her 161 points—a remarkable 95% of her total haul coming from formats that reward pure qualifying pace and racecraft .
The weekend in Austin perfectly encapsulated her season. On Friday, she started from pole and survived two Safety Car restarts to claim victory in the Opening Race, extending her lead to 63 points . The only question remaining was whether she could seal the deal one day later in the Reverse Grid—a format that had historically been her weakest, yielding just eight points all season .
She answered that question emphatically.
The Deciding Moment
The Reverse Grid Race was not without drama. Felbermayr, knowing nothing short of a miracle would keep her title hopes alive, charged through the field in the early laps. But Palmowski was methodical. She picked off competitors one by one, moving into second place by Lap 10 and securing the finish she needed to make history .
As she crossed the line, the cheers from the Red Bull and Campos Racing pit walls told the full story. At 20 years old, Palmowski becomes the youngest champion in the series' history and the first driver from Campos Racing to lift the crown .
"We Left No Stone Unturned"
Speaking after the race, an emotional Palmowski struggled to find the words.
"We did it guys! It's incredible. I don't know what to say. I'm trying not to cry," she said. "There's so much hard work gone on behind the scenes, not just from myself, but all the people you won't see. They have lived it day and night. We have worked so hard as a team, Campos Racing and Red Bull Racing. We have left no stone unturned" .
She also reflected on her development within the Red Bull programme, which has supported her since her GB4 days. "I've learned so much in the last 18 months to two years being with Red Bull," she noted. "I've developed so much, not only as a driver but a person as well. I've matured so much in the last 12 months. It's a dream come true" .
What Comes Next
With the title secure, Palmowski will start Sunday's Feature Race from pole position, hunting a sixth win of the campaign . Beyond Austin, attention turns to 2027. Previous F1 Academy champions have graduated to Formula Regional and endurance racing, and Palmowski is clear about her ambitions.
"I want to go as far up the single-seater ladder as possible," she said. "I'm a big believer that when you go in a car, the helmet goes on, the car doesn't have a gender and we are fighting for the same thing" .
For now, though, the celebration belongs to Palmowski, Campos Racing, and Red Bull. A dominant season has found its deserving champion—and she did it with three races to spare.
#F1Academy #AlishaPalmowski #RedBullRacing #Champion
MAKING WAVES: CELEBTATING TEAM TANZANIA’S TRIUMPH AT THE AFRICA AQUATICS ZONE 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS
There are moments in sports that transcend the final scoreboard. This week, the aquatic community witnessed one of those moments as Team Tanzania delivered a performance of grit, determination, and historic significance at the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships.
The hashtag #TeamTanzania has been trending for good reason. From the starting blocks to the final touch, Tanzanian swimmers demonstrated that the future of the sport in East Africa is brighter than ever. Surrounded by fierce competition from across the Zone 3 region, the team did not just show up to participate—they showed up to compete.
A Display of Grit and Glory
The championships, held under the banner of Africa Aquatics (formerly CANA), serve as a critical proving ground for emerging talent. For Team Tanzania, this event was a statement of intent. The swimmers delivered personal bests, shattered national records, and secured podium finishes that will be remembered for years to come.
What stood out most was not just the physical speed, but the tactical maturity of the squad. In the pool, the athletes maintained composure under pressure, executing race strategies with precision. Whether in the sprint events or the grueling distance races, the Tanzanian flag flew high, symbolizing a new era of competitiveness.
The Power of "Team"
While swimming is often viewed as an individual sport, the success in Zone 3 was a testament to the power of the collective. The cheers from the sidelines, the support of the coaching staff, and the relentless encouragement of teammates created an environment where excellence was the only option.
This victory is also a reflection of the growing investment in aquatic sports back home. The dedication of the Tanzania Swimming Association and the support of the National Sports Council have laid a foundation that is now yielding tangible results on the continental stage. The "Congratulations" echoing across social media is not just for the medals, but for the discipline and sportsmanship displayed by every member of the delegation.
Looking Ahead
As the team returns home, they carry with them more than just hardware. They carry the inspiration they have provided to young swimmers in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and beyond. They have proven that with hard work and the right support, Tanzanian athletes can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in Africa.
The #AfricaAquatics Zone 3 Championships have concluded, but the ripple effect of Team Tanzania’s performance is just beginning. Congratulations to the swimmers, the coaches, and the entire support staff. You have made the nation proud.
#TeamTanzania #AfricaAquatics #Zone3 #Swimming #Tanzania
Saturday, 24 October 2026
BAYERN MUNICH YOUTH PLAYERS SHOOK UP, SENIOR TEAM ATTEMPTING TO RALLY AFTER VINCENT KOMPANY’S COLLAPSE
FC Bayern is trying to understand what is going on with Vincent Kompany.
 |
| (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images |
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has provided an update on Vincent Kompany after the head coach collapsed during a training session on Friday and was taken to the hospital.
Kompany had finished overseeing the first team’s training before heading over to watch Bayern Munich II’s session. He was standing alongside second-team coach Dante when he collapsed, prompting the immediate cancellation of training and his hospitalization.
Per Bild (via @iMiaSanMia), the incident also led to the postponement of Bayern Munich II’s Regionalliga fixture against DJK Vilzing, originally scheduled for Saturday. Given the shock experienced by the young players who witnessed the incident, both clubs quickly agreed that postponing the match was the right decision.
According to reports from Tz journalists Philipp Kessler and Mano Bonke (via @iMiaSanMia), Kompany had also spent a night in the hospital earlier in the week after experiencing health issues, although the initial examinations reportedly returned negative results. Despite recovering sufficiently to return towork, the Belgian had continued pushing himself, something that has reportedly become a concern within the club.
Eberl confirmed that Kompany remains stable but will stay in the hospital for further examinations.
“First of all, the good news is that he is stable. Obviously, it was a difficult moment for all of us. He collapsed on the pitch yesterday and is now in the hospital, where he will remain for a few more days while they establish exactly what happened, carry out all the examinations, and check everything thoroughly. It just goes to show once again that football isn’t the most important thing in life. The most important thing is your health. We’re all sending Vinnie our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” Eberl said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Only then can they determine the appropriate treatment. I’m not a doctor, so I’m not going to draw any conclusions or make any assumptions. He is in the best possible hands, and that’s the most important thing. What we can do in the meantime is support him emotionally, give him positive energy, and show him our love as he goes through this difficult phase.”
Eberl also explained that doctors are continuing to investigate what caused the collapse, emphasizing that the club will not speculate before the necessary examinations are complete.
“He had experienced some minor issues last week as well. He is now in the hospital, and since yesterday evening, the doctors have naturally been focused on finding out what the problem is. The examinations are ongoing, and they have yielded some results, but further tests are needed to establish exactly what is wrong,” said Eberl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Only then can they determine the appropriate treatment. I’m not a doctor, so I’m not going to draw any conclusions or make any assumptions. He is in the best possible hands, and that’s the most important thing. What we can do in the meantime is support him emotionally, give him positive energy, and show him our love as he goes through this difficult phase.”
Why Bayern Munich II’s match was postponed
Asked whether Bayern Munich should also consider postponing Saturday’s Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg, Eberl distinguished between the circumstances surrounding the two fixtures.
“With the second team, it happened during their training session, so they experienced it firsthand. For the 17- and 18-year-old boys, it was quite something — many haven’t had to experience anything negative like that yet. Sometimes things just happen. And the boys were a bit overwhelmed; that’s only human. Thanks to Vilzing and the Bavarian Football Association for being able to say so quickly: let’s postpone the game,” said Eberl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “There are more important things than football. As for our fans against Freiburg, we didn’t consider canceling it. We’ve had the situation with Jamal, the dramatic event with Jo’s dad, and now Vinnie. These things affect us as people. Everyone looks out for each other; that’s what FC Bayern is all about: that everyone is there for everyone else.
“We’re there for ourselves and for everyone else who’s affected. That’s Bayern Munich, it’s what truly defines us, it strengthens us as a family, that we go through this together and are there for each other, that’s the most important thing.”
Could Bayern have done more to prevent Kompany from overworking?
Naturally, questions have emerged about whether Bayern Munich could have intervened sooner to prevent Kompany from pushing himself too hard. Eberl explained that the club had already taken precautions before the Champions League match against Arsenal,but the coach had felt well enough to resume his responsibilities.
“Of course, people can try to find someone to blame, but the fact is that we protect our coach wherever we can. When a coach says, ‘I feel ready to do things,’ we are not in a position to know exactly how he is feeling. We cannot simply say, ‘Okay, we’re not going to allow you to do that.’ We had already held him back for two days. The coaching staff kept him out for two days before the Arsenal game because we knew he had this virus,” said Eberl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “However, he had recovered well and felt fine. At that point, it becomes difficult to tell him, ‘You’re not allowed to do this.’ He has his own voice, of course, and the right to express himself. He wanted to be involved in the game, and everything seemed fine. He felt well. But now this has happened. Of course, there is also a certain degree of personal responsibility involved in recognizing when to say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore. I can’t carry on.’ And I think Vinnie is such an outstanding personality and such an incredible worker that he tends to push himself beyond that point.
“Perhaps something has been lost in our society in this regard, but there are still people like him who simply say, ‘I want to getthings done. I want to work.’ There is also a great saying: ‘If you don’t listen to the quietest signals your body sends you, eventually your body will scream.’ And that’s what has happened now, unfortunately, and we all have to respect that. I would also really appreciate it if we could give everyone involved some time at this stage.
“Of course, we will answer the questions we can, and we will do our best to shed light on what remains unclear, as far as possible. But this is not an easy situation for us either, and I would be very grateful if we could allow everyone the time they need. Vinnie will be given that time. We will also continue to make an even greater effort than before to protect him from himself, so to speak. But if we turn to the game tomorrow in Freiburg, I think the greatest joy for Vinnie would be for us to play well tomorrow and, ideally, get a positive result. That would probably be one of thebest things we could do to help him recover.”
No return date set for Kompany
Eberl made it clear that Bayern Munich will not rush Kompany back into the dugout, stressing that the clubmust first understand what happened before determining the next steps.
“Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We’re not starting to build any timeframes. We need to figure out what it is, and then we’ll discuss what recovery time means. We won’t be talking about days, but weeks. We all understand that. And we have such a fantastic coaching staff, with Vinnie at its head. But the success is based on an outstanding team behind the scenes,” said Eberl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).“There’s absolutely no thought of changing anything. All the guys who are here are outstanding—and therefore we can all approach the next few weeks in the spirit of Vinnie, which everyone has within them.”
The priority for Bayern Munich is now straightforward — establish the cause of Kompany’s collapse, ensure that he receives the appropriate treatment, and give him the time necessary to recover fully.
Football can wait. Kompany’s health comes first.
- CSmith1919
ROBERTO DE ZERBI DEFENDS SPURS 'HIGH LEVEL' STAFF AMID INJURY CRISIS
Roberto De Zerbi has defended Tottenham's medical staff despite an ongoing injury crisis.
Spurs travel to rivals Chelsea on Saturday night, but will be without several key figures and Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are doubts following disrupted training this week after they featured in Monday's win over Coventry.
Destiny Udogie remains sidelined and Tosin Adarabioyo may not recover in time. Pedro Porro is available in a welcome boost, but fitness problems have been a frequent issue for Tottenham this season and during recent campaigns.
Yet De Zerbi said: "It's football. I am convinced our medical staff this season is high level.
"I follow them. I believe in them. I have big confidence because I know how they are working.
"I think they are good enough to believe in them. Nothing more. We are suffering a normal situation in football."
 |
| Roberto De Zerbi will be without several notable players on Saturday. (Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images) |
De Zerbi went on to highlight three players and the unique circumstances surrounding their fitness issues.
Porro "suffered in the World Cup the muscular problem of the hamstring," which was behind his absence at the start of the season.
The Spanish right-back returned against Aston Villa, but "pushed to come back before the right time and he suffered another injury."
De Zerbi pointed out: "What is the responsibility of the medical team?"
On the sidelined Lucas Bergvall, De Zerbi added: "In the beginning of the [Manchester United] game, in the tackle, he turned his knee and felt pain.
"He finished the game and the day after he felt pain. What is the responsibility of the medical staff? Nothing.
"[Andy] Robertson played four games in a row with the national team.
"[Against Coventry] was fatigued. It's normal fatigue for a player who played six games in 20 days.
"At the end of this season we make the total report and we analyse the situation but so far we can't say anything bad about the medical staff or another reason."
What cannot be debated is Tottenham's horrendous away record at Chelsea which includes only one win in 41 matches at Stamford Bridge but De Zerbi, who won there with Brighton in 2023, has a positive experience to lean on.
"When I was the coach of Foggia. League Three against League Two, many, many times Foggia did not win in the [Bari] stadium but it was one motivation more, not one pressure more," De Zerbi said. "And yes, we won [in 2015]."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)