McLaren’s decision not to introduce a new floor design for the United States Grand Prix was made to assess its other new components without “any confusion”.

The Woking team brought a revised front wing and front suspension package, in addition to a series of changes to its rear brake duct furniture and rear wing.

However, McLaren stopped short of introducing a new floor design that has been in progress at its base, electing not to spend the four-week gap between Singapore and Austin fast-tracking it.

Engineering technical director Neil Houldey revealed that the team needed to be completely sure that the in-development floor works before manufacturing it.

He added that the scope of updates that McLaren brought to Austin was quite small, but “should give us a little bit of performance opportunity” further down the line.

Lando Norris appeared to confirm this yesterday after sprint qualifying, noting that the car was “basically the same” as the Singapore spec. The Briton had been given the full set of upgrades for Austin, while Piastri was without the new front wing.

Houldey felt that it was important to judge the other updates in isolation, rather than putting everything together in one package.

“We brought a lot of small upgrades for this event. I don’t really want to go into too many details about what will appear at the next events, but there’ll be more coming, for sure,” Houldey explained.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Andreas Beil

“What we’ve been doing is just continue our development progress throughout the year and at the moment, it turns out, really, that what we want to do is bring something that we know works.

“So we’re not trying to deliver something early. We’re in a good position in the championship.

“But what we don’t want to do is bring any confusion into the team about the results of the components we’re bringing. So we’re waiting and bringing them when they’re ready.

“We want it on the car. We want the performance on the car as soon as we can possibly get it.”

Houldey denied that the limited practice available in a sprint weekend was a factor, reiterating that McLaren simply wanted to make sure any floor upgrades were worthy of being added to the car.

He felt that, although McLaren’s presence in the title battle adds scrutiny to its upgrade path, the team was dealing with it in the right way.

“We’re just ensuring that when we bring the parts, they’re the right ones, and they’re going to bring performance to the track,” Houldey continued.

“Aerodynamically, we already know the upgrades that we’re going to be bringing to the next couple of events. So they’re ready in that sense, but they’re very much in manufacture back at the factory.

“We just bring it to the event that we can get it to in the fastest possible way. So whether it’s a sprint or a standard event, doesn’t make a difference to us.

“From our perspective, we’re fully focused on our own technical development, and it’s important for us to just focus on where we are and what we bring to the races and not what other teams are doing.

“We’re learning what it’s like to be back at the front again. So for sure, the scrutiny that that brings is new to us, and I think we’re dealing with it in the right way.”

New Zealand retained the America’s Cup by beating Great Britain in the 37th edition of the event.

Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Britannia team were 6-2 behind going into Saturday’s racing and needed to win race nine to stay in the best-of-13 series in Barcelona.

However, despite some pressure from the British boat, Emirates Team New Zealand secured victory by 37 seconds to take an unassailable 7-2 lead.

New Zealand, who won the competition in 2017 and 2021, have become the first team to lift the Auld Mug on three consecutive occasions since the USA (1987-1992).

Great Britain, who have never won the trophy in the competition’s 173-year history, were appearing in their first final since 1964.

“Firstly, I’ve got to say a huge well done to Team New Zealand,” said British captain Ainslie.

“What an amazing campaign and team. In my view, they are the best team ever in the America’s Cup.

“To our team, I just can’t say enough thanks to everyone for all the effort they’ve put in over the years to get us this far.

“We had our moments in the finals but, at the end of the day, the better team won.”

He added: “This isn’t going to be the end of the journey for us. We set out 10 years ago to win the America’s Cup [and] we’re getting closer each time.

“The trick is to keep going and get it home next time.”

Michel Pereira and Anthony Hernandez might not be the first names that come to mind when you think “future title challenger,” but that’s exactly what the UFC Vegas 99 main event winner could be after Saturday.

“Demolidor”—currently holding on to the No. 15 spot at 185 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings—has evolved into a legitimate contender after beginning his UFC career as an oddity. Following a run at welterweight that was foiled more by the scale than his opposition, Pereira made the shrewd decision to move to middleweight where he’s racked up three straight finishes. He faces his toughest challenge in the division yet, though, with Hernandez having won five straight fights.

Since a disappointing knockout loss to Kevin Holland, Hernandez has racked up a series of strong performances, including a stunning submission of grappling ace Rodolfo Vieira, and a streak-busting win over Roman Kopylov in his most recent appearance. “Fluffy” has been saying all the right things about wanting to take on a champion someday and he’s working his way to that opportunity one win at a time.

Not only is Pereira vs. Hernandez unlikely to disappoint from an action standpoint, but we’ll also find out how close either man is to joining the middleweight elite.

In other main card action, Rob Font looks to snap a skid and the three-fight win streak of Kyler Phillips, Charles Johnson is out to prove he’s a player at 125 pounds as he fights Sumudaerji, Jake Hadley takes on short-notice replacement Cameron Smotherman, and Darren Elkins meets Daniel Pineda in a battle of featherweight veterans.

What: UFC Vegas 99

Where: UFC APEX in Las Vegas

When: Saturday, Oct. 19. The six-fight preliminary card begins at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by a five-fight main card at 7 p.m. ET also on ESPN+.

(Numbers in parentheses indicate standing in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings)

Michel Pereira (15) vs. Anthony Hernandez

Michel Pereira’s plans for world domination are going swimmingly.

First, he dialed back his one-of-a-kind fighting style, going from full-on jazz odyssey every time he went out there to a more technical and, yes, winning approach.

Second, he saved himself an extra 15 pounds of weight cutting by moving to middleweight, which is where he belongs at this stage of his career. Dude is massive.

Third, and most importantly, bring back some of the craziness while still adhering to the more mature tactics that have put you on a career-best eight-fight win streak.

It’s almost too simple.

Anthony Hernandez has the style needed to ruin Pereira’s unlikely championship charge, with a deep reserve of wrestling and grappling techniques in his arsenal. He knows he has to take Pereira down to win, it’s just a matter of executing. We have seen Pereira fall prey to a wrestling-heavy attack before, but that was a bizarre fight against Tristan Connelly in which we clearly didn’t get the best version of “Demolidor,” so I wouldn’t use that as a strong point of comparison.

If Hernandez can take this fight to the championship rounds, Pereira’s cardio might not be up to snuff, so that’s another factor to consider. But I like Pereira’s chances of keeping the fight standing and scoring a knockout before Round 4.

Pick: Pereira

Rob Font (14) vs. Kyler Phillips

Saturday’s main event isn’t the only fight with title contender implications.

Kyler Phillips has been a sleeper at 135 pounds for some time now, his rise to the top only hindered by inactivity and a narrow decision loss. Otherwise, Phillips just needs more quality wins to continue building his résumé. Pedro Munhoz and Song Yadong were good ones, and Rob Font could be the most important victory yet.

That’s not to say Font is a walk-over for Phillips. If Font is a gatekeeper, he’s one of the best, as evidenced by his having gone five rounds with names like Jose Aldo, Cory Sandhagen, and Marlon Vera. All losses, but all fights in which Font’s opponent had to work hard to get by.

The same will be true of Phillips, who has to put forth a career-best effort to avoid losing momentum. Both of these fighters are outstanding technical strikers, with Phillips having the slight edge in activity, speed, and agility. He can’t let up for a second, because all it takes is a couple of mistakes for Font to steal rounds and cause Phillips’ night to end in disappointment.

Phillips keeps it together and wins a decision.

Pick: Phillips

Charles Johnson vs. Sumudaerji

Charles Johnson has shown some great hands during this unexpected three-fight win streak, but it’s his versatility that could be the difference against Sumudaerji. “The Tibetan Eagle” has proven susceptible to submissions throughout his career and if Johnson wants to make it four in a row, he should be sure to include takedowns in his game plan.

Sumudaerji is a threat on the feet and if he hurts Johnson early, it could be a long—or even worse, short—night for “InnerG.” The length of Sumudaerji is one of his strengths and if he controls distance, he’ll work his way to a decision win.

But his defensive shortcomings are too significant to ignore, so I’m actually picking Johnson to catch him on the feet sometime after the opening five minutes. From there, Johnson will find an opening to grapple, either wrestling Sumudaerji down or scrambling to take his back. A choke and a tap are soon to follow.

Pick: Johnson

Jake Hadley vs. Cameron Smotherman

If you’ve never seen Cameron Smotherman fight before, the strategy to foil him is pretty clear so far: Take this dude down.

That’s not to say that Smotherman isn’t capable on the ground—in fact, he’s difficult to attack even if put on his back—but you’re much better off wrestling with him there than trading shots on the feet. “The Baby-Faced Killer” is a speedy and accurate striker, always looking for an opening and a threat to finish for all 15 minutes. He could have Jake Hadley on skates early if Hadley isn’t careful.

Fortunately for Hadley, he’s got good hands, too, and Smotherman isn’t always the most defensively responsible fighter. Add in Hadley’s potential to take Smotherman down and he has a clear path to victory so long as he doesn’t freelance too much on the feet.

I have Hadley winning a decision after a tense three rounds, but Smotherman is an exciting addition to the roster and I look forward to his next fight when he has a full training camp.

Pick: Hadley

Darren Elkins vs. Daniel Pineda

Combined, Darren Elkins and Daniel Pineda have 41 UFC appearances and 86 pro bouts overall. To put it lightly, they’ve been through it.

It was only a matter of time until these two faced off and the only complaint one can have is that it’s taking place at the APEX as opposed to being witnessed live by thousands of appreciative fans. It’s just weird to think about how Elkins and Pineda clawed their way up from fighting in local bars to competing at packed venues and now back to an empty building.

Sigh.

None of that matters once the cage door shuts and these fighters rush headfirst into a scrap. How does one even begin to break this one down? It’s not as if Elkins and Pineda are devoid of technique, it’s just that they’re quick to throw it out the window once the poop hits the fan. And it definitely will.

I see the grappling game being dead even here, so they’re going to have to slug it out, and in that scenario I favor “The Damage.” He might not put Pineda down for the count, but he’ll do enough to win a decision in a bout that will likely see both warriors bloody and battered by the end.

Pick: Elkins

Preliminaries

Asu Almabayev (15) def. Matheus Nicolau (13)

Brad Katona def. Jean Matsumoto

Tamires Vidal def. Joselyne Edwards

Jessica Penne def. Elise Reed

Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean

Robelis Despaigne def. Austen Lane

DORTMUND coach Nuri Sahin has lashed out at reporters in a tense post-match TV interview.

The former Liverpool midfielder saw his BVB side beat St Pauli 2-1 on Friday night.

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Sahin took over at the Bundesliga club over the summer after Edin Terzic’s departure.

Dortmund have made a mixed start to the new campaign, losing two of their opening 7 league games.

Sahin’s side needed a late Serhou Guirassy winner to see off newly-promoted St Pauli at Signal Iduna Park.

And he didn’t mince his words after being confronted by DAZN over his team’s “mentality.”

Sahin, 36, fired back: “This team does not have a mentality problem.

“Playing at the level of Borussia Dortmund, you cannot have a bad mentality.

“I will not allow people to talk about my team like that, for God’s sake.”

Despite defending his players, Sahin did call out their lax work off the ball in the narrow win.

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Pauli midfielder Eric Smith stunned the hosts with a late leveller and had earlier had a goal ruled out for offside.

While Adam Dzwigala was given acres of space late in the contest to almost snatch an unlikely point.

Sahin continued: “The way we defend really annoys me.

“Scenes like [the Dzwigala chance] make the difference between whether we have eleven or 13 points here.

“We’ve already conceded goals like that against Celtic and Union. That’s not acceptable.”

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During his playing days, Sahin made 274 appearances for BVB, winning both the Bundesliga and the German Cup.

He also enjoyed time at Real Madrid and Liverpool throughout his career.

Sahin made 12 appearances for the Reds in the 2012/13 season when he signed on a six month loan deal.

Qualifying was also wet for Coppa Shell + 488, the rain twice bringing a halt to the sessions with a flooded track. The first to set off from the pitlane were the Ferrari 488 competitors.

Qwin Wietlisbach (CDP – D&C Racing) set the fastest time in 2m00.983s, which was half a second quicker than the German Schoemer. Wietlisbach was the only man to get under the 2m01s mark, but the times were all high due to the massive amount of rain that was falling on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Schoemer, after securing second place, was the cause of the third red flag of the session 21 seconds from the end of Qualifying when he went off and remained stuck in the gravel with the 488 of the Ferrari Katowice team.

Fabrizio Fontana, in third, finished the session ahead of Komarov, Pittorri, Shair, Frascaro and Lindroth, who were the only other drivers to venture out on track, and the top 6 will now go on to dispute the Superpole.

Then it was the turn of the Coppa Shell competitors, expert Ernst Kirchmayr setting the quickest time in 1m58.642s, just a fraction ahead of Dhillon and Bernier.

Acosta and Nussbaumer, two more protagonists of the Ferrari Challenge at Imola, completed Qualifying in fourth and fifth place ahead of another Ferrari stalwart Fons Scheltema. The latter also went off the track at a certain point, but he was able to avoid the barriers.

The fourth red flag of the session was caused by Mitchell Green on the exit of the first Rivazza and he remained stuck in the gravel. The car was quickly removed and the session resumed a few minutes later.

The red flag then came out for the fifth time a few minutes later, when Abe (Formula Racing) ended against the barriers at the Tamburello chicane at high speed after losing control of his 296 under braking. At that moment, the rain was falling copiously, causing the session to be abandoned, and this also contributed to the error of the driver of the #170 Ferrari 296.