Haas driver Oliver Bearman has avoided serious injury following a massive 50G crash during the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Briton lost control of his car on lap 21 while chasing down Alpine’s Franco Colapinto for 17th place.
Veering onto the grass at high speed, the young racer spun violently into the barriers at Suzuka’s notoriously difficult Spoon Curve.
He was immediately assisted by trackside marshals and was seen limping, requiring a moment to sit down after extracting himself from the wrecked chassis.
Medical checks clear driver of fractures
Following the severe impact, the shaken competitor was swiftly transported to the track’s medical centre for a full clinical evaluation.
An X-ray confirmed there were no broken bones, bringing a huge sense of relief to the American racing team.
A spokesperson for the constructor provided a detailed update on his physical condition shortly after the incident.
“50G impact – has had X-ray at Medical Centre. No fractures – a right knee contusion following the impact.”
The team subsequently reassured worried fans via social media that their promising prospect was recovering well.
Safety car shakes up race leaders
The severity of the barrier collision immediately triggered a safety car period, dramatically altering the complexion of the race at the front of the pack.
Kimi Antonelli capitalized on the resulting neutralization, leapfrogging both Oscar Piastri and George Russell to seize the grand prix lead.
Formula 1 action will resume next month with the Miami Grand Prix, marking the second Sprint weekend of the 2026 season.
Alvaro Arbeloa has successfully revitalised Real Madrid’s season and unlocked the goalscoring form of Vinicius Jr since taking charge at the Bernabeu in January.
The former Liverpool defender inherited a squad navigating a packed fixture schedule with little time for a gradual introduction.
Spanish media immediately warned the new head coach about the immense challenge of managing a dressing room filled with global superstars.
However, the incoming manager remained unfazed by the intense pressure associated with the Spanish capital.
“It’s not something that worries me much,” Arbeloa stated at his unveiling earlier this year.
Building crucial squad relationships
Two months into his tenure, the former Spanish international is seeing his foundational work yield impressive results on the pitch.
Throughout March, Los Blancos secured monumental victories against some of the most elite tactical minds in European football.
His revitalised side dismantled Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in rapid succession.
Those crucial triumphs have kept the reigning European champions within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
A defining Clasico looms in May, while a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich awaits.
Overcoming mid-season challenges
Following last week’s thrilling 3-2 derby victory over Atletico, the manager reflected on his growing bond with the squad.
“I’m getting to know the players more and more,” said the Madrid boss.
He openly acknowledged that stepping into the dugout mid-season created unique and demanding hurdles.
“I arrived at a time when I practically had no time to work with the players, to understand where they felt comfortable, and to see how they mixed with each other.”
The relentless schedule initially prevented him from implementing immediate, sweeping tactical changes on the training ground.
“For me, it’s not easy to arrive mid-season and observe how the team functions, and that’s what has changed over these two months.”
The head coach now believes he possesses the personal and professional insight required to maximise his squad’s overall performance.
Unlocking Vinicius Junior’s potential
One key figure thriving under this newfound managerial approach is Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr.
The dynamic winger has started 16 of the 17 matches since the managerial change, experiencing a massive surge in attacking output.
He has already netted 11 times under the new regime, starkly contrasting the six goals he managed in 27 appearances under predecessor Xabi Alonso.
Instead of implementing restrictive tactical instructions, the coaching staff has actively encouraged the attacker to play with complete freedom.
“I’m lucky to have Vini, he’s loved by all the fans,” Arbeloa noted during his initial press briefing.
“We want to see the Vini who enjoys playing, who laughs, who dances… that’s the Vini I want to see.”
Restoring confidence after tension
This supportive environment represents a dramatic shift from the reported dressing room friction during Alonso’s previous tenure.
The frustrated forward was allegedly caught muttering his desire to leave the club after being substituted during October’s tense Clasico defeat.
Since arriving, his new manager has fiercely defended him from external criticism and solidified his status as an untouchable asset.
“He’s one of the most dangerous players, if not the most dangerous, in the world and he embodies what a Real Madrid player is,” added the coach.
Following this unwavering public backing, the electric attacker has officially put transfer talks on hold and recommitted his future to the Spanish giants.
British boxer Ellie Scotney will attempt to become the UK’s youngest undisputed world champion of the four-belt era when she faces Mexico’s Mayelli Flores in London on 5 April.
The Catford native is aiming to unify the WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF championships at 122lbs.
A victory at Kensington’s Olympia would cement her legacy at the pinnacle of the sport.
From hardware store to boxing history
The British fighter’s professional journey began under difficult circumstances during the global pandemic.
After leaving the Great Britain amateur setup in early 2020, strict lockdown restrictions forced her to halt her fighting ambitions.
To make ends meet, the future unified champion took a job as a key worker at a B&Q hardware store.
“I used to work with the nails and that. I didn’t have a clue, I used to blag it.”
“Someone could ask me a question and I’d tell them to go that end of the store knowing it weren’t there and I’d hide. It was a nightmare.”
An old-school path to the summit
Once her professional career finally commenced late in 2020, the super-bantamweight advanced with terrifying speed.
She secured the European title in just her sixth bout before claiming the IBF crown.
The Londoner then systematically defeated the reigning titleholders to add the WBC and WBO belts to her collection.
“I feel like it’s the right way to do things and it’s the old school way.”
“You become undisputed but you haven’t fought for a vacant belt, you literally beat every champion on the way, there’s no better way in my opinion.”
The ultimate prize awaits
Defeating Flores will require overcoming a resilient opponent, but the rising star remains entirely focused on her objective.
Having previously worked in supermarkets and garden centres, she maintains a grounded perspective on her rapid ascent.
“It’s much easier getting punched in the face. It’s so much easier.”
“It’ll mean everything. This is the pinnacle that I’m boxing for.”
Sebastian Fundora retained his WBC super-welterweight title by handing Keith Thurman the first stoppage defeat of his career in a dominant six-round victory in Las Vegas.
The 28-year-old champion overpowered his fellow American to secure a technical knockout victory just under the halfway stage of the scheduled 12-round contest.
The referee waved off the bout with the challenger sporting a bloodied face and entirely unable to defend against a relentless barrage of punches.
It marks the first time the former unified welterweight champion has been stopped, with his only previous defeat coming on points against Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
Towering champion exploits physical advantage
Standing at over six feet five inches, the reigning titleholder held a distinct height and reach advantage over his much smaller opponent.
He utilised this significant physical superiority effectively, consistently keeping the 37-year-old veteran at bay throughout the one-sided encounter.
The challenger’s severe ring rust was quickly apparent, having fought only twice in the seven years since his landmark defeat to Pacquiao.
His legs were visibly buckled early in the fight by a potent left hand from the defending champion.
‘It was a lot easier than I expected’
Following the victory, which improved his professional record to 24 wins, one loss, and one draw, the victor admitted the contest was surprisingly straightforward.
“It was a lot easier than I expected,” Fundora stated.
“I was a little nervous because he’s such a big name, but we got in there and I remind myself as soon as we step through everything, this is my world.”
“I think 154 is the best division right now, so whoever wants it next, we can get it.”
Thurman frustrated by premature stoppage
Despite being comprehensively outgunned, the beaten Floridian expressed deep frustration at the referee’s decision to halt proceedings.
“Win, lose, or draw, I thought it was a little bit premature,” Thurman argued.
“The fight was getting really good. The fans were loving the action and the referee stopped it too early.”
However, the veteran gracefully acknowledged his opponent’s quality, praising the devastating and awkward uppercut that ultimately caused the fight-ending cut.
Dominic Smith became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his team debut as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Saturday.
The dramatic ninth-inning strike came less than two weeks after the designated hitter lost his mother to cancer.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no other player has ever ended their first appearance for a new franchise with a game-winning grand slam.
A bittersweet milestone
The left-handed batter was one of the final additions to the Opening Day roster following a challenging spring training period.
He had temporarily left the squad when his mother suffered a health scare but returned to compete for his place in the lineup.
“This team is just so awesome,” Smith said.
“I’m so blessed because of the love they showed me, the support every day. They didn’t care about baseball.”
Dramatic ninth-inning comeback
The home side trailed 2-0 heading into the final frame before RBI singles from Mike Yastrzemski and Michael Harris II loaded the bases with only one out.
Facing Royals closer Carlos Estevez, who registered 42 saves last season, the debuting star worked a full count before calling a crucial timeout to compose himself.
On the next pitch, the powerful slugger launched a fly ball into the right-field seats to send the capacity crowd into joyous celebrations.
“It’s just amazing,” said the match-winner.
“Played against the Braves for a long time, and being on the other side a lot of these endings kind of hurt, so to be on the right side of it this time was so fun.”
Remembering his mother
Amid the chaotic scenes at home plate, the emotional hero admitted he struggled to hold back his tears.
The batter will soon travel with the franchise to California, allowing him to reunite with family and officially say his goodbyes to his late mother.
“I feel her every day. I miss her dearly. It’s not a moment I don’t think about her,” he added.
“I’m just so thankful because this team knows what I’m going through. They really picked me up the last few weeks.”
Top seeds the Arizona Wildcats have secured their first Final Four appearance in 23 years with a decisive 79-64 victory over Purdue in San Jose.
The historic triumph also set a new school record for victories in a single season, taking their tally to 36.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd’s side will now travel to Indianapolis to face either Michigan or Tennessee.
It marks a monumental milestone for the basketball programme, whose last Final Four appearance came under legendary coach Lute Olson in 2001.
Freshmen shine on the biggest stage
Despite facing a veteran Boilermakers outfit, the victors were propelled by an outstanding display from their youngest talents.
First-year starters Brayden Burries, Ivan Kharchenkov and Koa Peat combined for a remarkable 52 points.
Senior guard Jaden Bradley offered vital experience, contributing a further 14 points to the historic win.
The top-seeded side initially raced into a 19-12 advantage before their opponents mounted a spirited comeback.
Purdue introduced 7ft 4in sophomore Daniel Jacobsen to disrupt the rhythm, with his sheer size temporarily shifting the momentum.
Lloyd breaks collegiate coaching records
However, the Wildcats required just five second-half minutes to regain control and definitively pull away.
The result cements Lloyd’s historic impact during his fifth season at the helm.
The former Gonzaga assistant has now amassed 148 victories over his first five campaigns, eclipsing Brad Stevens’ previous collegiate coaching record.
Having previously guided his squad to three Sweet 16 appearances, the elusive Final Four hurdle has finally been cleared.
End of an era for Purdue
Defeat spells the conclusion of a remarkable collegiate career for Purdue point guard Braden Smith.
The veteran finished with a team-high 13 points but struggled from the floor, converting just four of his 15 attempts.
Smith departs collegiate basketball as the all-time career assist leader with 1,103, having broken Bobby Hurley’s longstanding record earlier this season.
The Boilermakers finish their campaign with a 30-9 record, falling short in their bid for a second Final Four trip in three years.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool are aiming to conquer Europe as the Champions League quarter-final stage approaches.
Only two of the six English clubs remain in the prestigious competition following a dramatic knockout round.
The Gunners secured their progression by defeating Bayer Leverkusen, while the Merseyside outfit overcame Galatasaray.
Familiar foes await in the last eight
The Reds will face a tricky rematch against Paris Saint-Germain in their upcoming tie.
The French powerhouses eliminated the six-time European champions on penalties last season and recently knocked out Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the North Londoners must navigate past Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
That clash is a repeat of a dramatic Europa League encounter from the 2022-23 campaign, which the Lisbon side won via a penalty shootout.
Pundits predict ultimate European glory
Former England defender Jamie Carragher is confident that the trophy will finally head to the Emirates Stadium.
The television broadcaster predicts Mikel Arteta’s squad will beat Barcelona in the semi-finals before edging past PSG in the Budapest showpiece.
Most people will say Bayern are a better team than PSG this season but that will not sway me. PSG will be in the final.
That high line will cost Barcelona in the semi-final against Arsenal.
So a PSG-Arsenal final and then the winner will be… Arsenal will win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Henry torn between former clubs
Fellow pundit Thierry Henry faces a conflict of interest when assessing the potential semi-finalists.
The legendary French striker remains torn between backing his former English employers and Spanish heavyweights Barcelona.
However, the World Cup winner also highlighted Bayern Munich as serious contenders to lift the coveted trophy.
The Bavarian titans are scheduled to face Real Madrid in a mouth-watering fixture after Los Blancos eliminated Manchester City.
Elsewhere in the draw, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid face a formidable test against Barcelona following their victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Top seeds South Carolina and third seeds TCU have advanced to the Elite Eight of the Women’s NCAA Tournament following commanding Sweet 16 victories on Saturday.
The pair will now face each other for a coveted spot in the Final Four after a thrilling day of collegiate basketball.
Michigan and Texas also demonstrated their might, controlling their respective matchups to successfully book their places in the next round.
Gamecocks stifle Sooners to advance
South Carolina ruthlessly dismantled Oklahoma 94-68 to highlight their championship credentials.
The tournament favourites completely disrupted the offensive rhythm of their opponents from the opening tip-off.
They restricted the Sooners to fewer than 70 points for just the fourth time this season.
A major key to the emphatic victory was the defensive containment of Raegan Beers.
The imposing 6ft 4in senior centre was frequently double-teamed by a physically imposing rotation, limiting her to just five made field goals on the night.
Miles and Suarez power Horned Frogs
Earlier in the day, TCU overcame a sluggish start to defeat tenth seeds Virginia 79-69 and reach their second consecutive Elite Eight.
Trailing at the end of the first half, the Horned Frogs sparked into life with a devastating 11-point scoring streak immediately after the break.
The dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez were utterly unplayable, combining for a staggering 61 points.
Remarkably, the pair scored or assisted on every single one of their team’s 79 points during the contest.
Virginia’s Kymora Johnson fought valiantly to energise her squad and apply pressure in the paint.
However, the Cavaliers simply could not match the blistering second-half pace dictated by the masterful passing of Miles.
A heavyweight Elite Eight clash awaits
TCU must now prepare for a daunting encounter against a formidable South Carolina defence.
If the Texas-based programme are to cause a monumental upset, they cannot afford another slow start.
They will need to establish early offensive dominance and capitalise on the playmaking brilliance of their star guard to break down the top seeds.