(L/R) McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri shakes hands with teammate and British driver Lando Norris after Norris won the pole position during Sprint qualifying ahead of the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 1, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

McLaren boss Andrea Stella is proud of the way F1 world champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri have conducted themselves following last season’s battle for the drivers’ championship.

British driver Norris eventually overcame the Australian in a three-way fight, also involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, to clinch his maiden world title, even though Piastri had held a 34-point lead with nine races remaining.

There were several occasions where McLaren’s wish to ensure both Norris and Piastri raced on even terms were put to the test but relations between the pair remained cordial.

READ: F1: Norris-Piastri clash overshadows McLaren title win

McLaren has been off the pace so far under new regulations for the 2026 season, with Mercedes leading the way from Ferrari.

But Stella has been pleased by the professionalism of his drivers.

“It wasn’t a given that, after last year –- when they found themselves battling for the world title right up to the final race -– the harmony they’d built would remain intact: yet not only has this not changed, but the relationship between them and with the team has actually become even stronger,” team principal Stella said in a McLaren Q&A.

“And whilst this might, in a sense, have been expected of Lando –- given that he was ultimately the one to become champion –- it was not quite so predictable for Oscar, who, instead, has relied even more heavily on the team to accelerate his development, both on and off the track.”

READ: F1 tension builds as Oscar Piastri, Lando Norries resume title fight

Mercedes teenage rising star Kimi Antonelli is 50 points clear of Ferrari’s seven-time former world champion Lewis Hamilton at the top of the 2026 drivers’ standings, with fifth-placed Norris a huge 91 points off the lead.

Norris, however, did win his first race of the season in Hungary before the current summer break and an optimistic Stella added: “If we can continue the season as we did in Budapest, I think we can still achieve a great deal.

“To do so, we must keep pushing with the development and ensure we outpace our rivals –- who certainly aren’t standing still.

“There are still 12 races left on the calendar, so there are plenty of opportunities given that 546 points are up for grabs.”

Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprise defeat in the Canadian Open weeks before she begins her US Open title defence, while Britain’s Cameron Norrie also bowed out in the last 16.

Sabalenka lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a match lasting almost two and a half hours in Toronto.

The Belarusian recovered from a set down to force a decider, but a double fault when serving to stay in the match handed the number 16 seed victory.

It is the latest defeat in what has been a difficult summer for Sabalenka, who was knocked out in the quarter-finals and last 16 of the French Open and Wimbledon respectively.

“I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don’t [get] a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova said.

“I’m super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought [the chance] was already past me.”

The Russian will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina for a place in the semi-finals, after she defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.

Third seed Jessica Pegula suffered a first career loss to Diana Shnaider, as the 22-year-old finished both sets strongly to win 6-3 6-3.

The Russian will face Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, after the seventh seed overcame opening set service troubles to defeat 10th seed Marta Kostyuk 3-6 6-1 6-2.

The six-time Grand Slam winner retired to the locker room after Kostyuk broke her serve four times during a shambolic a 39-minute opening set, but looked much improved when she returned.

In the men’s event in Montreal, British number two Cameron Norrie spurned two set-point opportunities as he was defeated 6-2 7-6 (10-8) by 18th seed Arthur Fils.

Norrie saved three match points in the second set to force a tie-break, but the Frenchman broke his serve to win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Fils will meet Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals, after the 19-year-old upset eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-3.

Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi also progressed to the next round with gruelling three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges respectively.

Italian Darderi used a mid-match changeover to enjoy an espresso as he battled to a 4-6 6-3 7-5 win.

Amy Hunt has always done things a little differently. As well as Olympic ambitions on the track, the University of Cambridge graduate has plans to return to academia.

First though, she intends to be one of the stars of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, which take place between 10-16 August.

Lining up over 100m and 200m, as well as in a pair of relays at the Alexander Stadium, Hunt will be in constant action at her second Europeans, having won a gold medal as part of the women’s 4x100m relay in Rome two years ago.

That came a matter of weeks before she won Olympic silver in the same relay in Paris, before her true breakthrough last September when she won World Championship silver over 200m in Tokyo.

Add in a 100m silver in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games and the 24-year-old now has medals at every major championships, at a time when many of her GB teammates chose to skip the trip north.

She may well be Britain’s busiest athlete, but, after a quadriceps rupture that threatened to derail her career altogether, it’s little wonder Hunt is desperate to take advantage of every medal opportunity that comes her way.

She said: “I don’t want to go on my Wikipedia page in 30 years’ time and just see one or two medals. I want to see lots of medals. That’s really important to me.

“We don’t get much representation in terms of media. We’re not NBA players who are on TV three times a week and everyone’s seeing our faces.”

Hunt competed in just the shorter of her two sprint events in Glasgow, with her priority being Birmingham, where she will be much busier.

That includes being part of the first ever mixed 4x100m relay at European level, a race that she believes can be “iconic”.

Working out her schedule is not always easy, but when it came to the chance to compete in Birmingham, it was a straightforward decision.

She said: “One of the great things about being a versatile sprinter is that I can compete over both the 100m and 200m. The downside is there are lots of opportunities, so sometimes it’s difficult to say no.

“Our No 1 priority is the European Championships. It’s the first time they’ve been held in the UK, so we’re aiming to compete in the full programme there: the 100m, 200m, women’s 4x100m and the new mixed 4x100m, because that would be really iconic.

“I’ll be doing everything, so you’ll probably be seeing a lot of me every day.”

Living in Italy, where she trains under Marco Airale in Padua, Hunt spends her downtime visiting nearby Venice each weekend.

That thirst for knowledge and culture is a throwback to her degree in English literature from the University of Cambridge, with Hunt keen to step outside of the athletics bubble when she can.

She added: “I’ve always said I’d like to do a master’s degree at some point. That hasn’t happened yet, partly because I now live in a country where I’m still not fluent in the language. But I’d definitely like to return to academia one day because I really enjoy it.

“I’m a human being before I’m an athlete. I want to experience the world, keep learning, grow intellectually, and be inspired by things outside my own little sporting bubble.

“I think it’s healthy to live as broad a life as possible. Athletes, particularly women, are increasingly showing that our lives can be much broader than just track. We can study, have careers alongside athletics and pursue different interests. Life is much bigger than the nine lanes out there.”

Finding that balance between athletics and the wider world is crucial for Hunt and will arguably be just as crucial in the long term as her balance while sprinting on the track at the Alexander Stadium over the next week.

Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at novuna.co.uk

Sportsbeat

US businessman John Stewart experienced a high-profile bidding war two years ago for a daughter of Winx, but he was ultimately successful in acquiring another blueblood from that year’s Inglis Easter Sale. After finishing as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to the champion’s owner, Debbie Kepitis, Stewart secured another six yearlings. Among these was an I Am Invincible filly out of Group 1 winner Booker, purchased for $3 million.

Named Ernaux, the filly took seven starts to break her maiden in midweek company. It took another ten races for her to achieve success in Saturday metropolitan grade, which she did in spectacular fashion at Randwick.

Settling back in the field under Tyler Schiller, Ernaux ($4.20 fav) had to weave between runners in the straight before powering through a late gap to score by 1-3/4 lengths over the fast-finishing Mareth ($4.60).

“It was hold-your-breath stuff at the top of the straight,” trainer Chris Waller said. “Tyler, he knew what he was doing. He knew what he had under him, and she really exploded late.”

Waller further elaborated on the mare’s performance, stating, “Her form has been terrible on wet tracks. As soon as she had a better track last start, and again today, she’s a different horse. There is certainly something there. She’s very well bred, so we’ll see what’s around the corner.”

Despite Ernaux’s significant price tag, Waller confirmed there had been no pressure from her ownership group, which includes Stewart’s Resolute Racing and Coolmore. Her win in Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m) gives the four-year-old a valuable Saturday win and may also keep her in training for another season.

“They’re fantastic to train for, and it’s good to see she’s won a good Saturday race for them,” Waller commented. “It was getting borderline whether we breed from her. That will give us a bit of confidence.”

The Winx filly by Pierro, named Quinceanera, was retired to stud unraced.

Explore the latest racing odds for the next big event at the Randwick track.

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Sunderland put in an utterly dominant and convincing performance away in France against RC Lens, a side who have just won a major trophy, pushed PSG at the top of Ligue 1 last season, and will play in the Champions League in the coming campaign… so are we right to feel a little bit chuffed about how the Lads did? Join Gav, Kelvin, James and Andrew as they dissect all the action, including:

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Arsenal completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle on Saturday.

The Premier League champion paid a reported 75 million pounds ($101 million) for Guimaraes, who signed a long-term deal at the Emirates.

“I’m very excited,” Guimaraes said. “I’m at the point of my life where I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it.” 
Newcastle did not want to sell its captain, but the 28-year-old Guimaraes had told the club he wanted to leave.

Newcastle signed Guimaraes from Ligue 1 club Lyon in January 2022 and he swiftly established himself as a talisman for the team, as well as one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League.

Guimaraes helped Newcastle win the English League Cup in 2025 – the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years – and also played a pivotal role in the team twice qualifying for the Champions League.

He joins an Arsenal midfield anchored by Declan Rice as the team bids for back-to-back Premier League titles.

Guimaraes has made 48 appearances for Brazil, including at the recent World Cup. He won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“It’s massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. I want to win more trophies in my career, and I think I’m in the right place, at my peak at 28 years old,” Guimaraes said.

“I want to put my name in the club history. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.” 
Guimaraes’ departure is a further blow to Newcastle after star players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali also left during this transfer window. Eddie Howe stepped down as coach at the end of last month after nearly five years in charge.

Howe was replaced by Matthias Jaissle.

“This is one of the toughest decisions of my life,” Guimaraes said in a statement on Newcastle’s website. “When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. I fell in love with this place. I really mean that.

“This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family. I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.” 
Guimaraes will continue his tradition of wearing shirt number 39 – the dispatch number of his father’s taxi in Rio de Janeiro.

“It means everything to me. I have the tattoo of the 39 as well,” Guimaraes said. “My father was a taxi driver in Brazil for more than 20 years. The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything.

“So when I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: No, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.

A number of Welsh players have secured moves during the summer going into the 2026-27 season.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow left Leeds United to join Manchester United while Harry Wilson, arguably the star performer of the Bellamy era, moved from Fulham to Leeds.

Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas, who scored his first international goal against Ghana in June, is also expected to secure another loan switch away from Anfield having had spells with Birmingham City and Hull City last season.

“I’ve seen Lewis quite a lot in pre-season, he looks very, very good,” said Rush, who scored 28 times in 73 appearances for his country.

“Harry Wilson, he came on in the second half, he was a major influence for Leeds in beating Liverpool.

“We’re looking forward, but we’ve got to keep it as a team, it’s up to them to do that, but I can see us doing alright.”

Wales start their Nations League campaign against Portugal in Lisbon on 24 September and face Denmark in Copenhagen three days later.

Bellamy’s side then host Norway and Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium in October.

The final two matches of the campaign take place in November with Wales travelling to Norway before hosting Portugal.

Real Madrid paid Liverpool a reported 10m euros (£8.4m) for Alexander-Arnold, releasing him from his contract on 1 June 2025, a month early.

But an eagerly awaited debut campaign never reached the heights many expected.

Two separate injuries affected him. A hamstring issue last September sidelined him for seven weeks, while a thigh problem in December kept him out for a further two months.

That denied Alexander-Arnold the sustained run of games needed to build momentum and a connection with supporters.

Overall, he featured in 35 of Real Madrid’s 62 matches across all competitions last season, but was not first choice, starting 27 times as he shared the right-back role with club legend Dani Carvajal.

However, the defensive doubts that plagued him throughout his Liverpool career remained part of the conversation in Madrid – even as his quality in possession continued to stand out.

He showed glimpses of his undoubted ability, but there was a feeling among some supporters that they had not yet seen enough of Alexander-Arnold to judge his impact.

By the end of a season which had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa in charge of Real as they failed to win a major trophy, he had begun to show signs of his best form – finishing the campaign strongly before thanking supporters for their backing in a message on social media.

“Madridistas you have welcomed me with open arms.” he wrote. “From the first day I arrived you have had my back. It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment but I feel completely at home now.

“I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season.”