F1’s new era demands a new driving style as ‘big four’ seek opening victory in Australia
Formula 1’s new era of regulations could upend the series in some unexpected ways when the season begins in Australia next week. Look out for chaotic starts, near-impossible overtaking, and lifting off the gas on straights. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are the two most successful drivers on the grid and have been critical in preseason testing. They say the cars’ complex electrical hybrid systems promote unusual driving styles and make racing more strategic. Four-time champion Verstappen has branded the cars “no fun” and suggested they might be a factor in considering retirement. Seven-time champ Hamilton suggests the rules are too complex for fans to grasp.
NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Cousins and maybe Tagovailoa and Murray, too
A handful of NFL teams either at a crossroad or committed to starting over at quarterback will find scant options for upgrades. The rookie class thins quickly after expected first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Finding a new starter through free agency or a trade is always tricky at a position of such scarce quality but not impossible. Kirk Cousins will again be the most certain option on the market. The Atlanta Falcons plan to release him next month. The Miami Dolphins are considering moving Tua Tagovailoa. Kyler Murray could be dealt by the Arizona Cardinals as well.
Vrabel calls for increased staffing at NFL replay center to help cut down on mistakes
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel called on the league to increase staffing at the replay command center to make sure that reviews from all games are treated equally in the future. Vrabel spoke at the NFL scouting combine Wednesday and was asked about comments earlier this week made by NFL executive Troy Vincent that there were a handful of mistakes made in replay last season in games played in the early Sunday afternoon window when as many as nine games were played at the same time.
FIFA’s Infantino has ‘complete confidence’ in Mexico to host World Cup games despite cartel violence
MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has “complete confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead. FIFA says Mexico can still safely co-host the World Cup despite deadly cartel violence linked to a top drug lord’s death. On Monday, authorities report at least 70 deaths after cartel members burn cars and block roads in many states. The unrest follows the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Some local league matches have already been postponed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he trusts President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico’s authorities.
New York Yankees to retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52 on Sept. 26
NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia’s No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia will be the 24th man to have his number retired by the Yankees, the first since Paul O’Neill was honored with the retirement of No. 21 in 2022. Twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 set aside for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. Sabathia will join former teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte with plaques in Monument Park, beyond Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.
Reed powers No. 6 UConn to 72-40 rout against No. 15 St. John’s
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Tarris Reed Jr. had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and No. 6 UConn held 15th-ranked St. John’s to 20% shooting in a 72-40 blowout that snapped the Red Storm’s 13-game winning streak. Alex Karaban added 14 points and five rebounds for the Huskies, who moved back into first place in the Big East by avenging an 81-72 loss to St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6. St. John’s missed 12 consecutive shots in the first half and then its final 24 field goal attempts of the game as the Huskies romped to their most lopsided victory in series history. It was by far the largest defeat for the Johnnies in three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
Joel Quenneville reaches 1,000 victories, joining Scotty Bowman in an elite club for NHL coaches
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games when his Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in this exclusive hockey club with a milestone win Wednesday night in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Bowman became the first coach to reach the mark in 1997. The 67-year-old Quenneville has made a successful return to the NHL this season in Anaheim after a four-year absence from the league following his resignation from the Florida Panthers in late 2021 over his inaction during the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse scandal 11 years earlier.
Champions League: Vinicius helps Real Madrid advance, PSG and Atalanta also through
Vinícius Júnior fittingly had the final say in an emotionally charged rematch with Benfica to guide Real Madrid into the round of 16 of the Champions League. Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also advanced out of the playoffs while Atalanta completed a remarkable comeback with a last-second goal to maintain Italian involvement in the competition. Juventus fell short of completing its own stunning second-leg recovery against Galatasaray, though. Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg against Benfica, Vinícius wrapped up Madrid’s 2-1 win over the Portuguese team and a 3-1 victory on aggregate with his team’s second goal in the 80th minute.