McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and riders in action at the start of the sprint race. (Reuters)
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and riders in action at the start of the sprint race. (Reuters)
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Updated 02 November 2024

McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen

McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen
  • Norris started second on the grid and, late into the 24 laps of the sprint race, teammate Oscar Piastri gave way to him

SAO PAULO: McLaren driver Lando Norris won Saturday’s Formula 1 sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix to cut his deficit to championship leader Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s Verstappen is also under investigation for a potential virtual safety car infringement.
The gap between the two drivers, with four grands prix and a final sprint race to the end of the season, is now 45 points.
Norris started second on the grid and, late into the 24 laps of the sprint race, teammate Oscar Piastri gave way to him.
Verstappen finished third and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who also has a long shot at the title, ended fourth.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. was fifth, with Mercedes’ George Russell, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez next best.
Norris appeared to be upset about leader Piastri’s pace for most of the sprint race. “I am not sure what I am doing here, mate,” he said on the team radio. “I thought we spoke about this.”
Later, Norris said McLaren had done a good job.
“I am not proud about it but we worked well as a team together so I thank Oscar,” Norris said. “Oscar deserved (a win) but we did what we had to do.”
Piastri did not elaborate on the McLaren decision. “A great day for the team and a lot of points. We learned a lot for the race tomorrow,” he said.


‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026
Updated 17 sec ago

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026
  • Rallye du Maroc, offering terrains and weather conditions resembling those of Dakar Rally, prepares drivers for world-famous endurance rally taking place in in January

FEZ, MOROCO: ’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi is set to conclude his 2025 season with his ongoing participation in the Rallye du Maroc, the fifth and final round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, or W2RC.

The event runs from Oct. 10-17, featuring some of the world’s top drivers and manufacturers in a challenging desert showdown.

As one of the most significant rounds of the W2RC calendar, the Rallye du Maroc serves as the ultimate pre-Dakar test, offering terrains and weather conditions that closely resemble those of the legendary Dakar Rally. It serves as an ideal opportunity for teams and drivers to evaluate their physical, mental, and technical readiness ahead of the 2026 season.

Al-Rajhi entered the Moroccan round alongside his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, with whom he recently competed in two preparatory events — Baja Sharish and Baja Portugal — as part of a structured recovery and conditioning plan following his crash at Baja Jordan on April 25. Those rallies marked key steps in his gradual return to top-level competition and endurance form.

“I feel in excellent condition, Alhamdulillah,” said Al-Rajhi. “The Rallye du Maroc is a crucial step for us — it’s where we test everything: my fitness, the car’s setup, and the overall team coordination. The goal is to start Dakar 2026 at 100 percent readiness.”

This year’s Rallye du Maroc covers a total distance of 2,299 km, including 1,478 km of timed special stages spread across five loop stages, all starting and finishing in the same region.

Four stages will be based around Erfoud, known for its demanding dunes and navigation challenges, with an opening ceremonial stage in Fez.

The Moroccan desert’s combination of sand, rocky tracks, and variable terrain makes it one of the toughest events on the calendar, a true endurance benchmark ahead of Dakar 2026.


Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round

Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round
Updated 7 min 3 sec ago

Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round

Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round
  • The eighth round of the competition, taking place in Abu Dhabi, also saw Baniyas in second place and Al-Ain in third

ABU DHABI: The eighth and final round of the second edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued on Saturday in Abu Dhabi with Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club leading the standing at the end of the second day of competition.

The action took place at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, which also saw Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club finish the day in second place with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

Saturday’s competition featured the U-14 and U-16 divisions in the Gi category. Male and female athletes delivered impressive performances, combining technical precision with tactical discipline and strong physical conditioning.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The intensity of today’s matches and the skill level on display show that the UAE has a strong generation of young athletes ready to take the sport forward.”

He added: “It will be more than a celebration of athletic excellence. It will be a testament to how far the championship has come in promoting jiu-jitsu, developing talent, and reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a global leader in the sport.”

Majid Saeed Al-Nahdi from Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, who won gold in the U-14 (45kg) gray belt division, said winning in the final round was particularly special.

“Standing on the podium today feels amazing,” he said. “My dream is to represent the UAE national team at international championships in the future.”

The championship concludes on Sunday with the U-12 and Kids divisions, followed by the awards ceremony to crown the Gi and No-Gi overall champions.


Pakistan win toss, bat in first South Africa Test

Pakistan win toss, bat in first South Africa Test
Updated 12 October 2025

Pakistan win toss, bat in first South Africa Test

Pakistan win toss, bat in first South Africa Test
  • Pakistan entered the match with two frontline spinners in Noman Ali and Sajid Khan
  • South Africa included three spinners, Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen

LAHORE: Pakistan skipper Shan Masood won the toss and opted to bat in the first Test against South Africa in Lahore on Sunday.

Pakistan entered the match with two frontline spinners in Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Sajid recovered from viral flu to get the nod while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali will lead the pace attack.

South Africa included three spinners in Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen with Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder to share the new ball.

The second and final Test will be in Rawalpindi from October 20.

TEAMS

Pakistan: Shan Masood (capt), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan

South Africa: Aiden Markram (capt), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne


Tadej Pogacar caps incredible season with record-equaling fifth Tour of Lombardy title

Tadej Pogacar caps incredible season with record-equaling fifth Tour of Lombardy title
Updated 12 October 2025

Tadej Pogacar caps incredible season with record-equaling fifth Tour of Lombardy title

Tadej Pogacar caps incredible season with record-equaling fifth Tour of Lombardy title
  • It capped an incredible season, which includes a fourth Tour de France title
  • Pogacar’s winning streak has come in consecutive years

BERGAMO, Italy: Tadej Pogacar crossed the finish line first at the Tour of Lombardy and held up his open hand, each finger representing the record-equaling five times he won the Italian classic.

It capped an incredible season, which includes a fourth Tour de France title, with a successful defense of the world road race crown as he matched Fausto Coppi’s five wins at the Italian race on Saturday.

“Seven years in a row I’ve said this is my best season so far, and I can say it again today,” Pogacar said after thanking his UAE Emirates teammates for their part in his victory.

Pogacar’s winning streak has come in consecutive years, while Coppi won the Lombardy event in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1954.

The Slovenian cycling star completed the 241-kilometer (150-mile) race, which included six climbs, in 5 hours, 45 minutes.

Top challenger Remco Evenepoel was second, 1 minute, 48 seconds behind. Michael Storer finished third, more than three minutes behind.

Pogacar has won three of the five one-day “monument” races this season, after also prevailing in the Tour de Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He is the first rider to do that since Eddy Merckx in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1975.


Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, casting doubt on future comeback

Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, casting doubt on future comeback
Updated 12 October 2025

Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, casting doubt on future comeback

Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, casting doubt on future comeback
  • The operation adds to an extensive medical history for Woods, who has endured a string of surgeries on his back, knees, leg and Achilles over the past decade
  • The 15-time major champion’s latest setback likely rules out appearances in December’s Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, and the PNC Championship, where he has played alongside his son Charlie

NEW YORK: Tiger Woods has undergone his seventh back surgery – his second in just over a year – after doctors discovered a collapsed lumbar disc that had caused severe pain and mobility issues.

The 49-year-old golfer announced on social media Saturday that the latest procedure, a disc replacement, was performed Friday in New York.

“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods wrote. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”

The operation adds to an extensive medical history for Woods, who has endured a string of surgeries on his back, knees, leg and Achilles over the past decade.

He has not competed this year while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in March, and it is unclear when – or if – he will return to competitive golf.

The 15-time major champion’s latest setback likely rules out appearances in December’s Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, and the PNC Championship, where he has played alongside his son Charlie.

Since surviving a 2021 car crash that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg, Woods has played only sparingly – just 15 official events in four years, often withdrawing mid-tournament due to pain.

His most recent competitive round came in the TGL simulator league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, though his October surgery now makes participation in the league’s upcoming season improbable.