George Russell says his smooth driving style is to blame for his significant qualifying deficit to Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the Miami Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old Italian claimed a superb pole position for Sunday’s race, beating his more experienced garage partner by almost four-tenths of a second.

That pace advantage left the Briton settling for fifth on the grid at the Miami International Autodrome.

The teenage sensation currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by seven points, having secured back-to-back victories in China and Japan earlier this season.

Low-grip struggles

The pair’s qualifying form continued a clear trend established throughout the Florida weekend.

While the former Williams driver managed to outscore his rival in Friday’s Sprint, that was solely due to the championship leader receiving a post-race penalty for track limits.

“I just struggle on these low-grip circuits, so here, Zandvoort, Brazil,”

Russell explained after qualifying.

“It was the same last year; it’s something I want to work on but there are three tracks out of the 24 that are outliers, and Miami is definitely top of that list.”

Sliding in the Florida heat

The British racer noted that the unique circuit characteristics actively work against his natural approach behind the wheel.

“I’m quite a smooth, precise driver, and that’s always been my style,”

he added.

“On these tracks you have to be happy with the car just sliding.”

“It’s so hot, the tyre pressures are high, the grip is really low, so it doesn’t feel that pleasant, whereas tracks like Saudi the grip is super high.”

Championship battle intensifies

The King’s Lynn-born racer entered the 2026 campaign as a heavy pre-season favourite to claim his maiden world title.

He initially delivered on those lofty expectations by comfortably winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

However, his rookie team-mate has dramatically shifted the momentum within the Silver Arrows camp during the subsequent rounds.

With grid positions locked in, the established Mercedes team leader faces a daunting uphill battle to close the points gap in Sunday’s showpiece event.

The San Diego Padres have agreed to sell a controlling stake in the franchise to an investor group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano in a Major League Baseball record deal.

The family of the late owner Peter Seidler formally announced the historic agreement on Saturday.

The proposed transaction, which remains subject to approval by Major League Baseball, values the franchise at a staggering $3.9bn (£3.08bn).

Sources indicate the private equity billionaire and his wife are expected to secure approximately a 40% equity stake in the team.

Building on a strong foundation

The Seidler family will retain a minority interest in the Californian organisation following the takeover.

“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection and belonging.”

A joint statement from the new prospective owners emphasised their commitment to earning the trust of the local fanbase.

“This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations.”

Continuing the Seidler legacy

The decision to explore a sale began last November, two years following the passing of the immensely popular Peter Seidler.

His brother, John Seidler, has served as the club’s chairman since that tragic event and facilitated the handover.

“As I pass the baton to Kwanza and José, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision as well as the Padres’ deep commitment to San Diego.”

The outgoing chairman added that his primary goal had always been to continue building on their recent success in pursuit of a championship.

A thriving franchise

Peter Seidler originally joined the ownership group in 2012 when the team was purchased from John Moores for $800m.

He later assumed primary ownership in 2020 and quickly endeared himself to supporters through aggressive financial investment.

That backing allowed general manager A.J. Preller to assemble a highly competitive roster that has reached the postseason in four of the past six years.

The organisation continues to draw massive crowds as the only major North American sports franchise in the city, ranking second in MLB attendance last season.

On the field, the team has enjoyed a strong start to the current campaign, sitting second in the National League West with a 19-12 record.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid played through a foot and ankle fracture during their six-game playoff defeat to the Anaheim Ducks, head coach Kris Knoblauch has revealed.

The revelation came on Saturday during the club’s final media availability of the season following their elimination from the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Knoblauch confirmed that forward Jason Dickinson also battled a similar injury during the tightly contested series.

“Obviously, it affected their play,” the Edmonton head coach explained.

“But we have a lot of admiration for them for wanting to be out there, and contributing as much as they did during the playoffs.”

Pace severely restricted

The Oilers captain was a game-time decision for the fifth match of the series before ultimately taking to the ice with his teammates.

However, the Canadian admitted the severe injury heavily compromised his trademark explosive skating ability.

“My advantage is my speed burst, you know, that quick step,” he told reporters.

“I had none of that.”

Star duo question franchise direction

Beyond the physical toll, both the former first-overall draft pick and teammate Leon Draisaitl voiced deep concerns about the franchise’s current trajectory.

The Canadian outfit had advanced to consecutive Stanley Cup finals over the past two seasons and were heavily favoured to launch another deep postseason run.

Instead, their premature exit marked the first time since the 2020-21 campaign that they failed to advance past the opening round.

Draisaitl did not hold back when asked if he was worried about the underlying standards slipping within the locker room.

“We didn’t do a good enough job of properly winning games,” the German international stated.

“I am concerned because we are not trending in the right direction.”

Taking responsibility for regression

The dynamic attacking pair acknowledged that the rising power of the rebuilding Ducks has further complicated the fiercely competitive Western Conference landscape.

Despite achieving a seventh consecutive postseason appearance, the mood around the Alberta-based organisation remains sombre.

When informed of his teammate’s stark assessment, the injured captain fully endorsed the harsh critique.

“I agree with Leon that the organisation as a whole has taken a step back. I think that starts with me, that starts with Leon, we all can be better and we all need to be better.”

Connor McDavid

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is expected to leave St James’ Park this summer following a difficult Premier League campaign, according to broadcaster Richard Keys.

Mounting pressure on Tyneside

The Magpies recently ended a five-match losing streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton.

That crucial weekend win lifted the Tyneside club to 13th place in the top-flight standings.

However, inconsistent performances throughout the season have led to intense speculation regarding the long-term future of the English head coach.

Behind-the-scenes conversations

Broadcaster Richard Keys claims to have received inside information regarding an impending managerial change.

Speaking on beIN Sports, the presenter suggested that the club’s ownership are preparing to part ways with the former Bournemouth boss.

“I think there’s going to be significant change in the Premier League,” Keys stated.
“I’ve been making a number of calls, and having spoken to a number of high-end sources, I think he’s gone.”

A crossroad for the Magpies

The 46-year-old tactician fundamentally transformed the club following his appointment in November 2021.

He successfully guided the North East side back into the Champions League and led them to their first domestic cup final in decades.

Despite those historic achievements, a challenging current campaign has seemingly brought the present squad cycle to a premature conclusion.

With several high-profile managers expected to be available this summer, Newcastle face a pivotal decision in their ambitious rebuilding project.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Arsenal are closely monitoring a standout member of the current squad ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Manchester United are considering a summer move for former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann as the Premier League braces for significant coaching upheaval.

The English top flight is expecting unprecedented turbulence in the dugout at the end of the current campaign.

Several elite clubs are anticipated to have vacancies, echoing the transformative summer of 2016.

During that pivotal period, Manchester City, Chelsea and United reacted to Leicester City’s shock title win by bringing in Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

Carrick stakes his claim

Michael Carrick has made a strong case to secure the Old Trafford role on a permanent basis following an impressive second spell as interim boss.

Under the former England midfielder’s stewardship, underlying performance metrics have improved significantly.

A tactical masterclass against Manchester City in January showcased his ability to stretch opposition presses through fluid movement.

However, the club hierarchy are reportedly evaluating external candidates to lead the next phase of their rebuild.

The case for Nagelsmann

While alternative options like Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Eddie Howe possess distinct qualities, their tactical models present certain limitations.

Managing the Red Devils requires a team to consistently dominate possession, whereas several linked candidates thrive primarily in transition.

Mauricio Pochettino has also been mooted as a potential option, despite questions over his adaptation to the modern tactical landscape.

Instead, it is the highly-rated German tactician who represents the most tangible upgrade on the current interim setup.

A proven European pedigree

The 37-year-old boasts an impressive developmental trajectory, having initially burst onto the scene by saving a struggling Hoffenheim in 2016.

He subsequently guided the Bundesliga outfit to successive Champions League qualifications before earning a high-profile switch to Bayern.

Securing his signature would represent a major statement of intent for the Old Trafford board amid an expected summer of flux.

Rangers must overcome a four-point deficit against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday to keep their fading title hopes alive.

The Ibrox club suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Motherwell last week, dropping to third place in a highly competitive post-split battle.

Celtic had previously secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Falkirk to maintain their own aggressive championship push.

If Martin O’Neill’s side defeat Hibernian on Sunday, the Glasgow giants will also move four points clear of their city rivals.

Tactical rethink required for Rohl

Rangers manager Danny Rohl faces severe tactical dilemmas following a sobering first-half display against Jens Berthel Askou’s Motherwell.

The German head coach watched his preferred 4-2-2-2 system get completely overrun in midfield before a half-time switch to a 4-3-3 formation sparked a brief revival.

Substitutes Mohamed Diomande and Mikey Moore helped drag the hosts back into the contest, only for the fearless visitors to snatch a late winner.

Rohl must now decide whether to abandon the shape that previously secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Hearts in February.

Tynecastle fortress awaits

Hearts have yet to lose a home match in the Premiership this season, setting a formidable challenge for the travelling Rangers squad.

The Edinburgh outfit showed immense resilience in their last outing by overcoming nine-man Hibernian in a fraught capital derby.

Rohl’s tactical choices ahead of the crucial trip may depend heavily on the fitness of key duo Ryan Naderi and Tuur Rommens.

Club captain Lawrence Shankland has made the league leaders’ intentions perfectly clear ahead of the Monday evening showdown.

“We will be aiming to eliminate Rangers from the title race in what could be one of the biggest Tynecastle matches.”

Marta Kostyuk has won her first WTA 1000 title by defeating Mirra Andreeva 6-3 7-5 in the Madrid Open final on Saturday.

The 23-year-old overpowered her teenage opponent in an impressive straight-sets victory in the Spanish capital.

Securing the biggest triumph of her career to date, the Ukrainian celebrated the landmark win by performing an acrobatic backflip on the clay court.

Dominant display on the clay

Kostyuk dictated the tempo from the baseline during the opening set, breaking serve decisively to establish an early advantage.

Despite facing firmer resistance in the second set, the newly crowned champion held her nerve to close out the match without dropping a set.

This impressive result highlights an exceptional run of form on the red dirt as the European clay-court swing gathers momentum.

Building momentum ahead of Roland Garros

Claiming a trophy of this magnitude provides a significant boost to her ranking and confidence with the French Open rapidly approaching.

Meanwhile, reaching a prestigious WTA 1000 final represents another major milestone in the rapidly developing career of her highly touted opponent.

Both players will now look to carry this promising form into the upcoming Italian Open in Rome.

Leinster have secured their place in a fourth Champions Cup final in five seasons by surviving a dramatic late fightback to defeat Toulon 29-25 in Dublin.

The four-time winners banished the demons of last year’s shock semi-final exit to Northampton with a tense victory over their French opponents.

Leo Cullen’s side appeared to be cruising toward Bilbao after building a commanding 18-point advantage with just 11 minutes remaining.

Toulon stage dramatic late fightback

The visitors suddenly flipped the momentum of the contest when replacement Baptiste Serin darted over from close range.

Anxiety began to spread through the home crowd in the 75th minute as winger Gael Drean touched down for a third Toulon try.

That rapid score slashed the deficit to just four points and brought painful memories of recent European failures flooding back for the Irish province.

Hosts hold firm to keep European dream alive

Despite the immense late pressure, the Dublin-based outfit showed vital defensive resilience to close out the final four minutes.

Tries from Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Caelan Doris ultimately provided enough of a scoring cushion to ensure progression.

The hosts have suffered heartbreak in three successive finals and are desperately chasing their first top-tier European crown since 2018.

They will now travel to Spain in three weeks to face either Bordeaux-Begles or Bath for the ultimate prize in northern hemisphere club rugby.

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