Oscar Piastri wins in Spain with McLaren one-two, Verstappen demoted

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia approaches the finish line to win the Spanish Grand Prix Formula One race at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia approaches the finish line to win the Spanish Grand Prix Formula One race at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 01 June 2025

Oscar Piastri wins in Spain with McLaren one-two, Verstappen demoted

Oscar Piastri wins in Spain with McLaren one-two, Verstappen demoted
  • Piastri extends lead to 10 points with fifth win of season with Norris second, Leclerc third
  • Verstappen demoted from fifth to 10th after Red Bull driver clashed with Leclerc and Russell

BARCELONA: Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two on Sunday to forge 10 points clear of teammate Lando Norris in the title battle.

The Australian’s win, by 2.4 seconds, was his fifth in nine races this season and McLaren’s seventh.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium after passing Max Verstappen’s Red Bull six laps from the end following a safety car period that triggered the main talking point of the afternoon with the champion demoted from fifth to 10th.

“It’s a nice way to bounce back from Monaco. A superb weekend,” said Piastri, who finished third last weekend in a race won from pole by Norris.

Verstappen, who made four stops in total and ended up on the slower hard tires against rivals on softs, collided with Leclerc and twice with Mercedes’ George Russell after the safety car restart.

The angry Dutch driver was given a 10-second penalty added to his overall time for the second Russell collision that was clearly his fault.

He and Leclerc also faced a post-race investigation for their clash that could lead to further sanctions.

“I tried to push him to the left, there was a bit of contact but fortunately no consequences,” said Leclerc. Verstappen claimed the Monegasque had rammed into him and should have given back the place.

Russell finished fourth after eventually being let through by Verstappen, who reluctantly did as his team told him.

Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg finished a surprising and morale-boosting fifth for the future Audi team after passing Ferrari’s seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton on the penultimate lap.

Hamilton was a disappointing sixth, Isack Hadjar seventh for Racing Bulls and Pierre Gasly eighth for Renault-owned Alpine.

FIRST POINTS

Home hero Fernando Alonso scored his first points of the season with Aston Martin, who had only one car on the grid due to Lance Stroll’s withdrawal through injury after Saturday’s qualifying.

Piastri led away cleanly at the start with Verstappen seizing second from Norris while Hamilton and Leclerc moved up to fourth and fifth as Russell lost out.

Hamilton let Leclerc through on lap 10 of 66 after the two Ferraris had run nose to tail.

Norris took back second place from Verstappen on lap 13, the Dutch driver making no attempt to defend against the quicker McLaren and pitting in the next lap for fresh tires.

Verstappen took the lead again on lap 23 after Piastri pitted, with Norris making his first stop on lap 21 and coming out behind the Red Bull, but that lasted only until Verstappen pitted for a second time on lap 30.

He came in for a third stop on lap 47 but Norris pitted the lap after to defend second place.

A safety car deployment on lap 55, after Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli beached his Mercedes in the gravel, bunched up the field and triggered a rash of stops.

The McLarens came in together for fresh tires, double-stacking, and resumed ahead of Verstappen who questioned the switch to a set of hards but was told that was the only option available.


Liverpool suffer third successive loss as Estevao strikes late for Chelsea

Liverpool suffer third successive loss as Estevao strikes late for Chelsea
Updated 04 October 2025

Liverpool suffer third successive loss as Estevao strikes late for Chelsea

Liverpool suffer third successive loss as Estevao strikes late for Chelsea
  • Arne Slot’s side were rocked by Estevao’s close-range finish in the final seconds at Stamford Bridge

LONDON: Liverpool crashed to a third successive defeat as Estevao Willian’s last-gasp strike condemned the spluttering Premier League champions to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea on Saturday.

Arne Slot’s side were rocked by Estevao’s close-range finish in the final seconds at Stamford Bridge after Cody Gakpo’s second half equalizer had canceled out Moises Caicedo’s brilliant opener for the Blues.

After making a perfect start to the season with seven wins in all competitions, including five in the Premier League, Liverpool have suffered an unexpected blip with shock defeats at Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.

Having lost to Palace in the closing moments last weekend, this was another agonizing blow for Liverpool, who had made a habit of scoring late winners themselves in the early weeks of the season.

Those late goals had papered over the cracks as Liverpool struggle to gel following Slot’s close-season spending spree.

Once again the second-placed Reds were below the standards that carried them to the title last season despite splashing out more than £400 million ($539 million) on new signings.

They have surrendered first place to Arsenal, who climbed one point above them after beating West Ham on Saturday.

Chelsea’s late show lifted them to sixth place as under-fire boss Enzo Maresca avoided a third successive league defeat.

Maresca’s men snatched the lead with a bolt from the blue in the 14th minute.

When Liverpool carelessly conceded possession, Caicedo pounced on the loose ball and advanced unchecked as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate backed off, allowing the 23-year-old midfielder to lash a sublime strike into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Caicedo’s third goal this season was the kind of breathtaking moment that underlined why Liverpool were so keen to sign him from Brighton before Chelsea outbid them for the Ecuadorian in 2023.

- Liverpool rocked -

The Reds lacked their usual fluency and Alejandro Garnacho almost added to Slot’s angst with a curler that clipped the outside of the post as Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili stood rooted to the spot.

Garnacho was denied a penalty just before half-time after Dominik Szoboszlai shoved the Argentine to the turf, with the incensed Maresca earning a booking after becoming embroiled in a row with Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero.

Alexander Isak was anonymous for long periods and when he did get a sight of goal, Liverpool’s British record signing headed wastefully over.

Slot replaced Conor Bradley with Florian Wirtz at half-time in a bid to spark Liverpool and the move nearly paid instant dividends.

Wirtz’s clever turn and pass inside the Chelsea area teed up Mohamed Salah, but the Egypt star blazed wide.

It took Liverpool until the 51st minute to muster a shot on target as Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range drive was held by Robert Sanchez.

Salah squandered another sight of goal with a wayward finish that summed up his recent dip in form.

When Chelsea lost Benoit Badiashile to an injury, Reece James was forced to move to center-back in a switch that Liverpool quickly exposed.

Given too much time by Marc Cucurella, Szoboszlai whipped a cross into the six-yard box.

James was slow to react and Isak flicked the ball toward Gakpo, who stabbed home from close-range for his first goal in eight games.

Adding to Maresca’s problems, Josh Acheampong limped off to join Chelsea’s long list of defensive injuries.

But Chelsea finished strongly and Mamardashvili made good saves to deny Jamie Gittens and Estevao before Enzo Fernandez’s glancing header smacked off the post.

The Blues’ late barrage was rewarded deep into stoppage-time as Cucurella whipped a cross into the six-yard box and Estevao stretched to slot home from an acute angle.

Maresca embarked on a jubilant sprint down the touchline to celebrate with his players, earning a red card in the process.

With Stamford Bridge rocking in triumph, Slot stood ashen-faced on the touchline as Liverpool’s latest loss hit home.


Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final

Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final
Updated 04 October 2025

Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final

Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final
  • The 21-year-old reigning French Open winner double-faulted twice to give Anisimova two set points before finally getting herself on the scoreboard

BEIJING: US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in 58 minutes on Saturday to reach the China Open final and will face Linda Noskova.

The 26th-seeded Noskova of the Czech Republic saved three match points in her semifinal to stun fifth seed Jessica Pegula in three sets.

“I felt really good throughout the whole match,” third-seeded American Anisimova, beaten in the final in New York by Aryna Sabalenka a month ago, said.

“All my shots were working today, which is my favorite way to play.

“Coco’s a really tough player, so I knew I was gonna really have to step it up.”

Anisimova said she was surprised to be back in another final so soon, having taken time off after the US Open and removing a tooth the day of her flight.

“I didn’t really feel like I was match fit ahead of the tournament,” said the 24-year-old, who is one win away from a fourth career title.

“I was like, is it a mistake that I’m flying there (Beijing) and everything’s just off to a bad start?

“But I think I learned ... when I’m not feeling my best physically or I’m facing a challenge, I actually play better because I don’t have as much pressure.”

Anisimova stormed into a 5-0 first-set lead in 15 minutes as an uncharacteristically shaky Gauff hit a slew of shots long and into the net.

The 21-year-old reigning French Open winner double-faulted twice to give Anisimova two set points before finally getting herself on the scoreboard. But it was far too little, far too late.

Gauff’s nightmare continued in the second set as Anisimova again raced into a 5-0 lead over her compatriot.

Gauff managed to close that deficit by two games but a commanding Anisimova closed out in less than an hour.

It was Anisimova’s quickest win yet in the Chinese capital, where she pulled off two three-set comebacks.

“She’s definitely one of the best,” Gauff said.

“Today I would have liked to perform better and I need to step up my game.”

Gauff’s only previous loss on Beijing’s center Diamond Court had been to Poland’s world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in 2023, also in the semifinals.

“It’s been a great year for me,” Anisimova, who qualified for the WTA Finals this week in Beijing, added.

Noskova surprised the more fancied American Pegula 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8/6) to pull through in 2h 28min and will contest the biggest match of her career on Sunday.

“(Pegula) played incredible,” Noskova, 20, said.

“It was just two points away from a win or a lose.

“I’m just too happy that I would win.”

The two played smart over intense rallies, moving each other around the court.

The deciding set was a nail-biter, with the more experienced Pegula double-faulting on match point, before they went to a tiebreak.

“It was quite a tough match mentally and physically and everything else, so I’m just gonna cherish this win,” Noskova said.

She is after the second title of her career and first at the 1000 level.


Arsenal go top of Premier League as Man Utd ease pressure on Amorim

Arsenal go top of Premier League as Man Utd ease pressure on Amorim
Updated 04 October 2025

Arsenal go top of Premier League as Man Utd ease pressure on Amorim

Arsenal go top of Premier League as Man Utd ease pressure on Amorim
  • Victory came at a cost for Arsenal as captain Martin Odegaard was forced off injured
  • Amorim’s bold calls with his team selection paid off

LONDON: Declan Rice came back to haunt former club West Ham as Arsenal moved top of the Premier League, while Manchester United handed Ruben Amorim some relief with a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

In Mikel Arteta’s 300th match in charge, the Gunners proved far too strong for the struggling Hammers in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium to further their ambitions of a first Premier League title for 22 years.

Victory came at a cost for Arsenal as captain Martin Odegaard was forced off injured before half-time for the third time this season.

However, the strength in depth now on offer to Arteta has made light of Arsenal’s injury troubles.

“We dominated and fully deserved to win this,” said Arteta. “To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries... we were able to respond.”

Rice, who left West Ham for a club record £105 million ($141 million) in 2023, ended the visitors’ resistence by blasting high into the net on the rebound after Alphonse Areola parried Eberechi Eze’s drive.

Bukayo Saka made the points safe midway through the second half from the penalty spot on his 200th Arsenal appearance after Jurrien Timber was brought down by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Arsenal edge one point ahead of Liverpool, who are in action later at Chelsea.

Defeat leaves West Ham still languishing in the relegation zone.

- Breathing space for Amorim -

Amorim conceded on the eve of Sunderland’s visit to Old Trafford he needs results quickly to avoid becoming the latest United manager to suffer the sack.

The Portuguese had taken just 34 points from his previous 33 Premier League games in charge, but enjoyed a rare convincing win to give him some breathing space over the international break.

“We were a competitive and adult team today,” said Amorim. “We need to do this kind of performance away as well — it’s our responsibility to play like this.”

Before kick-off Old Trafford fell silent to honor the victims of a terror attack on a Manchester synagogue this week.

Amorim’s bold calls with his team selection paid off as goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept a clean sheet on debut, while Mason Mount justified his place over Matheus Cunha with the opening goal.

Mount eased the home fans’ tension with a fine finish from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross on eight minutes.

Bruno Fernandes saw a shot tipped onto the woodwork by Robin Roefs as United dominated the first half.

Benjamin Sesko doubled the Red Devils’ advantage with a predatory finish from a long throw-in for his first Old Trafford goal since a £74 million move from RB Leipzig.

There was nearly a twist at the end of the half as Sunderland were initially awarded a penalty, only for VAR to intervene due to insufficent contact by Sesko on Trai Hume.

Sunderland began the weekend in fifth after a dream start to their return to the top flight, but the Black Cats were dealt a reality check to end their four-game unbeaten run.

Tottenham showed their newfound defensive resolve under Thomas Frank to end Leeds’ year-long unbeaten league run at Elland Road with a 2-1 victory.

Mohammed Kudus’ first goal for Spurs secured all three points after Noah Okafor canceled out Mathys Tel’s opener for the visitors.

“That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big,” said Frank after his side moved up to third.


George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix
Updated 04 October 2025

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix
  • Russell crashed in practice on Friday but drove brilliantly around the Marina Bay track in the final round of qualifying
  • McLaren need 13 points from their two drivers in Sunday’s race to clinch a second consecutive constructors’ championship title

SINGAPORE: George Russell put Mercedes on pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking the second spot on the front row and complaining of being obstructed as he tried to chase down the Englishman.

Russell crashed in practice on Friday but drove brilliantly around the Marina Bay track in the final round of qualifying to put in two laps worthy of pole, his best timed at one minute 29.158 seconds.

“Amazing to be on pole position,” said Russell. “Yesterday was a very challenging day for many different reasons, but it’s good to come back and get a good result today. Of course, there’s a long, sweaty race tomorrow.”

Dutchman Verstappen, who won the last two rounds of the championship from pole, was 0.182 seconds back but disgruntled after being blocked by the McLaren of Lando Norris and making a mistake on his final flying lap.

“That’s what happens when there’s a car in front of you, just cruising two seconds in front,” said the four-times world champion.

“I think it’s quite clear that that’s not nice when it happens. It could have been avoided.”

Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who leads Verstappen by 69 points in the drivers’ standings, will start on the second row after clocking the third fastest time.

“Obviously, I would have wanted more, but I don’t think we had four tenths in it to go and get pole,” said the Australian.

“It was a pretty clean session so that’s all I can ask for.”

Kimi Antonelli will start in the other Mercedes on the second row of the grid alongside Piastri, whose teammate Norris was fifth fastest and will line up in row three with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren need 13 points from their two drivers in Sunday’s race to clinch a second consecutive constructors’ championship title.


Kuwait to host French Super Cup in January

Kuwait to host French Super Cup in January
Updated 04 October 2025

Kuwait to host French Super Cup in January

Kuwait to host French Super Cup in January
  • President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah has signed an agreement with Ligue 1

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait will host the French Super Cup match between Paris St. Germain and Olympique de Marseille early next year, the Kuwait football association said on Saturday.

“President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah has signed an agreement with Ligue 1 to stage the match on the 8th of January at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium,” the KFA said on X.

It will be the second consecutive edition of the Trophee des Champions to be played outside France after Qatar hosted last year’s match.

PSG have won the French Super Cup in each of the past three seasons, extending their record to 13 titles. Marseille have lifted the trophy three times, most recently in 2011.