Sport

Max Verstappen: Issues such as swearing punishment ‘not a way of continuing’ in Formula 1

Published

4 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Max Verstappen: Issues such as swearing punishment 'not a way of continuing' in Formula 1

On Friday in Singapore, Verstappen was ordered by race stewards to “accomplish some work of public interest”. It was a punishment for swearing while describing his car’s performance at the previous race in Baku while speaking in the official pre-event news conference on Thursday.

He staged a protest against the decision by giving short answers in the official post-qualifying news conference on Saturday, before speaking to journalists outside the room.

He called the penalty “ridiculous” and was backed by title rival Lando Norris and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

After finishing second to Norris in the grand prix, Verstappen conducted the post-race news conference in a similar manner, before speaking to the written media extensively in the Red Bull hospitality unit.

He described the situation as “silly”, and said he was being deprived of the ability to be his authentic self.

“If you can’t really be yourself to the fullest, then it’s better not to speak,” Verstappen said. “But that’s what no one wants because then you become a robot and that’s not how you should be going about it in the sport.

“You should be able to show emotions in a way. That’s what racing is about. Any sport.

“Anyone on the pitch, if they get tackled, or get pushed or they are not happy with something or there is a frustrating moment, or something they get asked about, it’s quite normal there can be a sort of reaction.”

Asked whether he had told governing body the FIA it risked pushing him out of the sport, he said: “I don’t know how seriously they will take that kind of stuff, but for me when it’s enough, it’s enough and we’ll see.

“Racing will go on, F1 will go on without me. It’s not a problem. But also it’s not a problem for me. It’s how it is.”

Verstappen said he felt he had been treated unfairly, especially as he had always tried to help out the governing body if asked.

“There is of course no desire to then give long answers there when you get treated like that,” he said. “I never really felt like I had a bad relationship with them.

“Even this year I did voluntary work with junior stewards. I gave them half an hour interview. It was all set up. I try to help out if they have little favours or whatever.

“I am not a difficult person to say no, I am like: ‘OK, sure, if that’s what you guys like, I like to help out.’ And then I get treated like that. Well, that’s just not how it works.

“So for me it was just quite straightforward, I know I have to answer [in the news conference] but it doesn’t say how long you have to answer for.”

Verstappen said the other F1 drivers, who work together on rules issues under the auspices of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), backed him.

“I wrote in the GPDA [WhatsApp chat] the ruling and everyone was almost laughing,” he said. “Like, ‘what the hell is that?’ So it is very silly.”

Verstappen was asked how long he would continue to behave in such a manner in news conferences, and said he would “see where we are at” by the time of the next race, the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on 18-20 October.

Implying that other decisions by officials were ill-considered, he referenced the decision to fine Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz 25,000 euros (£21,000) for crossing the track after crashing in qualifying.

“Carlos got a fine for crossing the track as well, right?” Verstappen said. “I mean, what are we talking about? It’s a red flag, cars are coming in, it’s quite safe and he knows what he’s doing. We are not stupid.

“These kind of things – when I saw it even getting noted [by the stewards], I was like, ‘My god, what are we dealing with?’ These kinds of things are super-silly.”

Asked whether he was prepared to discuss the matter with Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of FIA, Verstappen said: “It’s not only FIA, it’s also F1. It’s a whole how you operate together.”

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Sport

MOTD analysis: How Kaoru Mitoma shone for Brighton

Published

9 mins ago

September 23, 2024

NewsAdmin

MOTD analysis: How Kaoru Mitoma shone for Brighton

Match of the Day 2 pundit Shay Given analyses how Kaoru Mitoma’s “fantastic performance” helped create opportunities for himself and his Brighton team-mates as they drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest.

MATCH REPORT: Brighton 2-2 Nottingham Forest

Available to UK users only.

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MMA

Video: Colby Covington puts rapper Lil’ Pump to sleep with brutal rear-naked choke

Published

10 mins ago

September 23, 2024

NewsAdmin

Video: Colby Covington puts rapper Lil’ Pump to sleep with brutal rear-naked choke

Colby Covington’s last submission win in the UFC came with a rear-naked choke against Jonathan Meunier back in 2016 but he dusted off that move for a new video he made with rapper Lil Pump.

For some reason, a great number of athletes and influencers who are not trained mixed martial artists love to feel what it’s like to get choked out by a professional fighter. So Covington obviously granted Lil Pump’s wish when he applied a submission to put the 24-year-old rapper to sleep.

In the video, the three-time UFC title challenger applies the choke and initially uses a Gable grip to lock up the submission but Lil Pump ends up tapping his own chest rather than Covington’s arm to signify he’s done.

So Covington then switches to the more traditional rear-naked choke with his arms wrapped around Lil Pump’s head and neck to secure the submission. A moment later, the rapper falls unconscious from the choke and Covington finally releases the hold when he’s told Lil Pump is out.

“Look at his eyes,” Covington said in the video. “He’s out.”

Lil Pump is soon revived with a look of confusion on his face that eventually gives way to a smile when he realizes what happened. He also posted the video on his social media with a comment about getting choked out by Covington.

“Don’t miss my next kick stream It’s getting crazier by the day,” the rapper wrote on his Instagram account. “Don’t try this at home. I got put to sleep.”

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Sport

Women’s Super League: York & St Helens set up Grand Final showdown

Published

30 mins ago

September 22, 2024

NewsAdmin

Women's Super League: York & St Helens set up Grand Final showdown

Leeds pipped defending champions York to second place in the league on points difference to gain home advantage for the semi-finals.

But Valkyrie dominated the opening quarter and were ahead when Gentles twisted over for her first try of the season.

Georgie Hetherington almost added a second, but knocked-on as she crashed over from close range, and York had Carrie Roberts to thank for preserving the 6-0 lead at half-time with a try-saving tackle on Olivia Whitehead.

Andrade powered over straight after the break, but Ebony Stead sped past the York defence to cross and Keara Bennett’s goal cut the deficit to 12-6 with 13 minutes left.

Valkyrie had Tamzin Renouf sin-binned in the 74th minute for late contact, and Leeds had a chance to level when 2024 Woman of Steel nominee Lucy Murray touched down with two minutes left.

But Bennett could not land the touchline conversion and York held on to reach their third successive Grand Final.

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Football

Watch Clark's sublime free-kick double for St Johnstone

Published

47 mins ago

September 22, 2024

NewsAdmin

Watch Clark's sublime free-kick double for St Johnstone

Nicky Clark scores his first St Johnstone goals of the season in stunning style with a pair of second-half free-kicks in the 3-3 draw at Ross County.

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Sport

Football gossip: Musiala, Calvert-Lewin, Alexander-Arnold, Potter, Gyokeres

Published

51 mins ago

September 22, 2024

NewsAdmin

Football gossip: Musiala, Calvert-Lewin, Alexander-Arnold, Potter, Gyokeres

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala in demand, Newcastle keeping tabs on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Premier League trio chasing Sporting striker.

Manchester City are firmly in the mix to sign Germany’s Jamal Musiala, 21, but face competition from Real Madrid for the Bayern Munich midfielder. (Teamtalk), external

England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not close to signing a new contract beyond next summer with Everton, as Newcastle United continue to monitor the 27-year-old’s situation. (CaughtOffisde), external

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deal runs out next summer and the 25-year-old England international says winning trophies will be a key part of his thinking when it comes to signing a contract extension. (Liverpool Echo), external

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are all interested in Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 26. (Teamtalk), external

Newcastle are the latest Premier League club to enter the race to sign American-born Italy U21s forward Luca Koleosho, 20, who has impressed at Burnley. (HITC), external

The Premier League, along with Europe’s top leagues, are trying to agree a plan which would mean next summer’s transfer window closes before the start of the season. (Mirror), external

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Sport

English Open final: Neil Robertson holds off Wu Yize comeback to win English Open

Published

1 hour ago

September 22, 2024

NewsAdmin

English Open final: Neil Robertson holds off Wu Yize comeback to win English Open

Neil Robertson has won the English Open title for a second time by beating China’s Wu Yize in a thrilling final.

Australian Robertson raced into a 7-1 lead at the interval in the best-of-17-frame match in Brentwood, Essex.

Wu shifted the momentum when they returned to the table, winning six of the following seven frames to force his way back into contention at 8-7.

But Robertson, who also won the 2021 edition, recovered just in time to win 9-7.

“It was nice to get in off a fluke – it was probably the only way I was going to pot a ball,” Robertson told Eurosport.

“He completely froze me out. He played the best snooker I’ve ever seen in a five or six-frame period.

“You start thinking of potentially runner-up speeches and how humble you’re going to have to be after being 8-2 in front.”

Wu, 20, was featuring in his first ranking-event final and has enjoyed a dream 10 days at the Brentwood Centre, including beating world number one Judd Trump in the quarter-finals.

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