The first official track run of the new Madring circuit is complete with FIA Formula 3 Championship cars in action across two days, that saw 19 red flag stoppages.

On preparedness side, the circuit seems all right after a two-day official running of F3 cars at the new Madring circuit. In the lead-up to the grand prix, the new home of F1 Spanish GP has been rumoured to be not ready on time for its debut on September 11-13.

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However, after filming run from Ferrari in July and first official test run of F3 cars in August, it seems it is ready to host the F1 grand prix in two weeks time. Of course, there will be smaller things around the paddock and circuit that will need addressing, like for any brand new facility.

One of the bigger headlines emerging from the two-day F3 test has been the number of red flags that were displayed. As per F3’s own live blog, there were nine red flags on Day 1 and 10 on Day 2, which was combination of car stoppages, crashes, spins and debris clearance.

Who and what happened with red flags

From the nine red flags on Day 1, six of them were for crashes/spins at different point. The drivers involved were Christian Ho (barrier contact), Fernando Barrichello (barrier contact at Turn 17), Jin Nakamura (barrier contact at Turn 17), Maciej Gladysz (barrier contact at Turn 5 & 6), Freddie Slater (wall contact at Turn 10) and an unnamed driver spin.

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There was another red flag for Bruno Del Pino stopping at Turn 12, while reasons for two other were not disclosed. As for Day 2, there were five red flags for crashes, with Michael Shin (wall contact at Turn 5) involved along with Hiyu Yamakoshi (barrier contact at Turn 11), Nicola Lacorte (wall contact at Turn 14), Kanato Le (barrier contact at Turn 7) and Barrichello (barrier contact at Turn 7).

There were three spins, with Barrichello (Turn 8) involved along with Mattia Colnaghi (Turn 7) and an unnamed driver, while there were two stoppages involving Fionn McLaughlin and Matteo De Palo. It brings the total to 19 across two days, as opposed to some reports noting all that in a day.

Drone footage by police and car noise at football training

As per Spanish reporter Carlos Miquel, the F3 drivers felt good vibes driving around Madring, which they termed it as fast and demanding. The local police shared a drone view of the F3 cars going around, while DAZN spotted an unusual problem faced by Real Madrid football team training nearby.

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As per the timesheet, the first day saw Audi F1 development driver Slater set the benchmark of 1m50.343s in his Trident machine. It was eventually beaten by Campos Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu on Day 2, who set the best time of 1m49.034s – a good 1.309s quicker on a rubbered track.

What did Audi F1’s Freddie Slater think

Slater was impressed by the running on a bit ‘old-school’ type circuit, where a driver can enjoy pushing to the limit. “I think it was a really positive day,” he said to F3 website. “I think this track is incredible to drive, it’s a bit old-school, got some interesting corners and it’s got a lot of character to it.

“It’s probably one of the most enjoyable on a push lap on the calendar. I’m just enjoying it. I’m having fun. Today has been a really positive day. I’m just learning about the track and trying to adapt my driving style to it and also adapt the car a bit to it.

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“I’ve actually had a couple of experiences around street tracks, obviously, Macau, Monaco this year, and it’s about going out, being on the limit, but not being too over the limit that you end up risking crashing. I think that was very important this morning to build up to it, to get multiple laps under the belt so you actually could work out what was going on.

“I think it’s been a positive way of building up to it. But I love the whole thing. I think it’s incredible. I think it’s one of the best tracks I’ve driven. Like all the best tracks, like your Macau’s, your Monaco’s, the tracks that have got character, and I think that’s what’s the most special thing that they’ve done here. I can’t name a favourite part, but I do like the Turn 5 and 6 chicane,” summed up Slater.

Ravindra Jadeja in action during 2nd Test against Sri Lanka© Getty Images

The UK is set to gain a world-class health, fitness and sports destination with the regeneration of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, which will see the restoration of its landmark aquatics facilities, the creation of a raft of new indoor and outdoor sports facilities and an extensive gym.

The £130 million (US$173.5 million, €149.8 million) redevelopment has been approved by the London Borough of Bromley, subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement, with work expected to start later this year on the 15-hectare site and the main sports centre reopening targeted for 2028.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is behind the project, while Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is continuing to seek partners and funders to deliver the longer-term redevelopment of the athletics stadium.

John Powell MBE, chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, said: “After over 12 years of campaigning this is a massive moment for London as one of its most iconic sporting venues can at last rise from the ashes.

“We’re indebted to the dozens of partners, not least the GLA and the Mayor of London who have worked tirelessly with us for over a decade to guarantee the future for a huge sporting asset not only for the local community but the wider sporting fraternity.

“The work doesn’t stop here though – with planning permission in place we now need to secure willing partners and stakeholders to help with funding and renovating the athletics stadium and complete the return of world class sporting facilities in South London.”

The scheme includes the return of the 50m swimming and diving pools, which have been closed since 2020. The reconfigured aquatics hall will provide shallow-water, 25m and 50m swimming and diving on one level for the first time.

The wider indoor sports offering will include an enlarged gym, indoor 100m track, specialist weightlifting facility and climbing centre, as well as dedicated spaces for sports clubs.

Outside, the plans include a six-court padel centre, 3×3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.

A new community sports and leisure space will include a café, 200m running track, 3×3 basketball court and outdoor gym, with these facilities free to access.

The athletics stadium is also earmarked for major redevelopment, with existing stands renovated and a new North Stand completing the bowl to increase capacity to around 25,000.

However, this element is dependent on further investment, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan continuing to seek partners and funders to bring forward the stadium redevelopment.

The ambition is to restore Crystal Palace as a major athletics venue capable of hosting national and international competition. The stadium element has previously been targeted for opening around 2030.

Accessibility improvements will include accessible stadium seating for the first time and a new step-free route between the Penge and Crystal Palace sides of the park.

Khan said: “This historic and much-loved national sports facility has created so many UK sporting stars, but it needs major investment and refurbishment and I am committed to delivering this.

“We now look forward to starting the next phase of work alongside partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue.”

Sustainability is also a major component of the project, with the design targeting a 98 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. Photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps will help make the centre all-electric, while a new glazed screen between wet and dry areas will address longstanding problems with humidity from the pool.

The Mayor provided a £23 million (US$30.7 million, €26.5 million) boost from his Green Finance Fund in 2024 to support the decarbonisation work.

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed by the GLA to deliver the project, working with a team including FaulknerBrowns on the leisure centre refurbishment, WOO Architects on the sports masterplan, Max Fordham on sustainability and Alan Baxter Associates on conservation of the historic structure.

BACKGROUND: Crystal Palace – the architecture

Architecturally, the project will involve a sensitive reworking of one of Britain’s most important post-war sports buildings.

Designed in 1953–54 by the London County Council Architects’ Department under Leslie Martin, with Norman Engleback playing a leading role, the centre was the first indoor multi-functional sports hall of its kind designed in Britain.

The spectacular Grade II* listed building is constructed around an exposed reinforced-concrete A-frame, with the aquatics hall on one side and dry sports facilities on the other, linked visually across a central circulation and spectator spine. Extensive glazing, dramatic concrete structures and an oversailing roof lined with teak create the vast, light-filled interior for which the building is known.

However, one of the qualities that made the design so radical – bringing wet and dry sports together within one open volume – also created environmental problems. The original design provided no separation between the humid pool hall and the dry sports areas, contributing to longstanding issues with humidity and thermal comfort.

FaulknerBrowns’ refurbishment will address this by introducing a glazed screen along the line of the existing concrete A-frames, environmentally separating the wet and dry sides of the building for the first time while retaining views through the interior.

A new displacement ventilation system will also reverse the existing ventilation strategy, while upgrades to the heritage façades will improve thermal performance.

Historic England has backed the approach, saying it will improve environmental conditions without compromising the sense of a large, naturally lit, open-plan interior that is fundamental to the building.

Crystal Palace is also a physical expression of Britain’s post-war ambitions for sport. Conceived in the 1950s, it was unusual in deliberately bringing elite international athletes and ordinary local users together within the same complex – a breadth of social and sporting vision that Historic England now identifies as part of the significance of its Grade II* listing.

Its architecture embodied that confidence and ambition. The 50m competition pool and athletics facilities were joined by a spectacular sculptural reinforced-concrete diving platform, now considered a rare surviving example of its type. Together, these facilities represented a new level of investment in the infrastructure needed both to develop sporting talent and to enable the wider population to participate.

In many ways, Crystal Palace can be seen as part of the foundations on which Britain’s modern sporting culture was subsequently built – a national centre for high-performance sport that was simultaneously a place where generations of Londoners could swim, train, compete and discover sport for themselves.

Josh Tongue has revealed that direct-speaking England captain Joe Root left the squad under no illusions regarding expected behavioural standards as they attempt to clean up their public image.

Root was clearly annoyed on Tuesday while responding to the latest off-field controversy surrounding the squad, describing himself as “hacked off” following an incident where fast bowler Brydon Carse was briefly arrested outside a venue in Derby on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

Carse was dropped from the squad pending an inquiry by the Cricket Regulator, leading Root to hold a ‘robust’ team discussion prior to Thursday’s second Rothesay Test against Pakistan, setting out his expectations just a fortnight after making his return as skipper.

Tongue insists that the message was received loud and clear following ten months regularly disrupted by unwelcome stories concerning team discipline off the pitch.

“We had a chat before training yesterday as Joe said. It was a very good conversation and he made it clear what he expects from us,” he said.

“He’s been around the England dressing room for plenty of years now, he knows what it takes to be the top professional and I think we’ve just got to do the best we can moving forward.

“I think we’ve just got to make sure we’re as professional as we can be. Obviously things have happened and we need to try and move on from them to show all the youngsters growing up wanting to play for England that it’s an amazing place to be.

“Playing for England is obviously a privilege. We want to give the next generation the best place that they can be really.”

Tongue is one of eight centrally contracted players who have been present during or involved with late-night incidents in recent times.

He was present with white-ball captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell in Wellington when the former was hit by a bouncer the day before an ODI, though the Cricket Regulator ultimately cleared Tongue of any wrongdoing because he was not in the matchday squad.

In the time since, the 28-year-old fast bowler has become one of England’s most reliable figures, offering a bright spark in a difficult Ashes campaign and cementing his place across all three formats during the current summer.

“I just tried to move on from that (Wellington) situation really and focus on the cricket. It’s an absolute privilege to play for England, especially walking out and thousands of people watching you,” he said.

“Things have been happening off the field but I’ve been personally trying to sort of forget about it and try and play as best cricket as I can for England and try to put England in best positions to win games of cricket. That’s why we’re here and that’s what we want to do for the fans.”

England have failed to secure a multi-match Test series victory since visiting New Zealand in December 2024, drawing at home against India before enduring a 4-1 loss in Australia and a defeat to the Kiwis that ended the Bazball era led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

Consequently, Tongue is still waiting for a first series success, despite a personal record showing 65 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 27.38. The upcoming five days at Lord’s represent a major opportunity to put that right against a visiting side dominated in every area at Headingley last week.

“Yeah, it’d be amazing to win a series,” said Tongue.

“Obviously it would be my first one in the red ball stuff. We’ve just got to focus, make sure we play our best cricket just be nice and relaxed out there and hopefully we get over the line.”

File photo of Will Pucovski© AFP

The Indian men’s hockey team will face Argentina in a must-win Pool E encounter of the 2026 Hockey World Cup at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday, August 24, with their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.

India entered the second phase without any carryover points after finishing second in Pool D, while Argentina carried three points into Pool E after topping Pool A. However, the equation has changed after both teams suffered defeats in their opening Pool E matches. India went down 1-3 to defending champions the Netherlands, while Argentina lost 1-3 to England.

With the top two teams from Pool E advancing to the semi-finals, India must beat Argentina by atleast 3 goals margin and hope for a favourable result in the Netherlands-England match. 

India face a do-or-die battle

India’s campaign has been marked by attacking quality but also moments of inconsistency. They bounced back from a 2-4 defeat to England in the pool stage by beating Pakistan 5-3 to secure second place in Pool D and progress to the second phase. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each in that victory, while Hardik Singh also found the net.

Against the Netherlands, India showed considerable defensive resilience for long periods and went into half-time level at 0-0. However, the Dutch eventually broke through in the third quarter before adding two more goals in the final quarter. Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner to briefly bring India back into the contest, but Thijs van Dam’s goal four minutes later ended India’s hopes of a comeback.

Harmanpreet’s penalty-corner threat will again be crucial against Argentina. The Indian captain has been among his team’s leading performers at the tournament, while Abhishek’s pace and ability to attack space provide another major outlet.

Argentina remain a dangerous opponent

Argentina enter the contest with renewed confidence after beating England 3-1 in their second-phase match. The result kept their own campaign alive and, importantly for India, ensured that Harmanpreet Singh’s side still have a mathematical route to the semi-finals.

Argentina had also impressed during the first phase, winning all three of their matches. They defeated Japan 3-0 in their opening game before recording victories over the Netherlands and New Zealand, including a 7-1 demolition of New Zealand.

Their attacking depth and ability to create pressure inside the circle will present another stern test for India’s defence. Argentina’s speed in transition can also punish misplaced passes and turnovers, something India will need to guard against after conceding three goals to the Netherlands.

India’s recent record against Argentina will nevertheless offer some encouragement. The two sides have regularly produced competitive contests in the FIH Pro League, and India have the quality to trouble Argentina if they can maintain possession and execute their attacking moves with greater precision.

India have no room for error

The Netherlands have already put themselves in a commanding position in Pool E after beating India, while the result between Argentina and England has left India with a narrow route into the last four.

For Harmanpreet and his teammates, the equation is straightforward: they need to beat Argentina, preferably by a convincing margin, and then hope the Netherlands defeat England. Goal difference could determine which team finishes second in the pool.

India therefore face their biggest test of the tournament so far. Against an Argentina side that has already shown its attacking quality, India will need defensive discipline, better conversion from penalty corners and greater composure in possession.

Anything less than victory will end India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, making the Argentina clash a true do-or-die World Cup encounter.

India vs Argentina Men’s Hockey World Cup Phase 2: Live telecast and streaming

When will India vs Argentina men’s match in Phase 2 of Men’s Hockey World Cup be played?

The India vs Argentina FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Phase 2 match will be played on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Where will India vs Argentina men’s match in Phase 2 of Men’s Hockey World Cup be played?

The match will take place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

What time does India vs Argentina men’s hockey match in Phase 2 of Men’s Hockey World Cup start?

The India vs Argentina FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Phase 2 match is scheduled to begin at 6:15 pm IST.

Where can I watch India vs Argentina men’s hockey match in Phase 2 of Men’s Hockey World Cup live on TV?

The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is being broadcast live on the Star Sports network in India.

Where can I watch India vs Argentina men’s hockey match in Phase 2 of Men’s Hockey World Cup live online?

The India vs Argentina FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Phase 2 match will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar through its app and website.

There is an odd loophole that Notre Dame has been included right as the season is set to begin, players gaining an extra year of eligibility that didn’t expect it.

We saw now former Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka take advantage of this ruling committing to LSU, and others are doing the same, but with different circumstances. The edge wasn’t in an NFL camp, as Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright had been. They’ve both committed to the Tigers after being in the professional ranks.

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Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Both the Big Ten and SEC have come out against “signing players who have been part of professional organization’s” according to Ross Dellenger. He’d go on to add that Notre Dame also is joining the two power conferences in opposing those kind of additions.

This is the right move for the Irish, as head coach Marcus Freeman has already spoken on the issue, and gave the reason why Tuihalamaka couldn’t rejoin the team. It’s the right move for every team honestly, as it doesn’t have the college football-feel to it. Hopefully this all gets resolved soon, but the good news is that this will be the only time it will ever happen due to the lateness of the court ruling.

Liverpool will not be allowed to host Real Madrid in the league phase of this year’s Champions League under new rules.

Real Madrid have visited Anfield during the group stage for the past two seasons running, with Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo sealing a 2-0 victory in the 2024-25 season and Mac Allister scoring the only goal of their encounter the following campaign.

However, Uefa has introduced a ruling to avoid the same exact fixture being repeated in the league phase of Europe’s premier competition – which was revamped to the current format for the 2024/25 season – for three years running.

Andoni Iraola’s side could still be drawn to visit the Bernabeu in the league phase, which would not fall foul of the regulations.

Paragraph 16.03 of last season’s Champions League regulations notes: “Uefa administration may determine alternative conditions for the draw in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee and may adapt any of the conditions of the draw to avoid deadlock situations and/or take into account any relevant constraints in light of decisions taken by the UEFA Executive Committee.

“The Uefa Club Competitions Committee has determined an additional condition that may be applicable to the Uefa Champions League draw for the 2026/27 season, deciding that any individual fixture between the same two teams may not be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.

“This means that if any teams that already played against each other in the league phase of the Uefa Champions League in the 2024/25 season are again drawn against each other, with the same home team, in the league phase of the Uefa Champions League in this 2025/26 season, those teams will not be able to be drawn against each other with the same home team in the 2026/27 season.”

The draw for this season’s league phase will be made on Thursday at a ceremony in Monaco.

The draw will arrange the eight matches each team contests in the 36-team first phase – facing two teams from pots one, two, three and four. Half of the matches will be at home, the other half away.

WBSC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s baseball team recorded its first-ever win in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup after blanking Cuba, 6-0, on Wednesday in Tainan, Taiwan.

A five-run fourth inning enabled the Filipina batters to pull away and register a breakthrough result after being handed a 3-0 defeat by defending champion Japan to begin their debut campaign the other night.

Madaelene Domaug, Chastene Jover, Veronica Velasco and Mae Langga each had an RBI in that decisive inning to give winning pitcher Maria Christine Bautista enough run support.

READ: PH falls to Japan to start Women’s Baseball World Cup campaign

Bautista allowed just two hits and struck out two batters in 4 2/3 innings for coach Saki Bacarisas’ squad.

Team Philippines improved to 1-1 in the group, with a game at hand against Great Britain being played as of posting time.

Martine Dominique Francisco put the Philippines on board in the bottom half of the first when she singled off losing pitcher Adriana Carrazana Urquiza to score Richelle Toledo from second.

Toledo scored after reaching base on a fielding error by third baseman Jessica Herrera before stealing second during Mary Nichole Padasas’ at-bat.

READ: Philippines chases Finals berth in Women’s Baseball World Cup

The Philippines began to pull away with one out in the fourth when Angel Kaye Bedano drew a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on Helga Campos’ fielder’s choice.

Domaug, at-bat, reached safely at first on a bunt that scored Bedano. Jover also got to first on a bunt that enabled Domaug, who earlier reached second on a fielder’s choice, to reach home to make it 4-0.

Jover would score on the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly by Velasco before Langga capped off the onslaught two batters late with a single to center to drive in Toledo.