F1 Academy's Susie Wolff
Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy, about how she's helping more female racers try to advance into the ranks of Formula One. (Source: Bloomberg)
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Motor 1
25 minutes ago
- Motor 1
VW's New EV Platform Still Supports Combustion Engines
It's been a little over four years since Volkswagen announced SSP, its all-encompassing electric vehicle architecture. The Scalable Systems Platform was originally expected to be ready by now, but it has been delayed until later this decade. Multiple reports from German media attributed the setback to VW's software division, Cariad. However, the automotive conglomerate is now ready to discuss SSP, and there's a surprise. Although SSP is primarily an electric platform, it will also support combustion engines. VW Group plans to introduce range extenders, with internal combustion engines functioning solely as generators to charge the battery. Like the BMW i3, Mazda's rotary MX-30 , and the upcoming Ramcharger, these engines won't have a mechanical link to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power technology follows a similar principle: the gasoline engine powers the battery, not the drivetrain. Photo by: Volkswagen Volkswagen had already indicated its interest in range extenders. Its newly established Scout brand will launch a pickup and an SUV equipped with naturally aspirated ICE generators . In China, the recently unveiled ID. Era concept previews a three-row SUV developed with SAIC, also featuring a gasoline-powered generator. SSP is a major initiative for VW. It will serve as the foundation for models across all its brands and will eventually replace all existing electric platforms. A teaser image shows five different body styles, ranging from a city hatchback to a large SUV. Automotive News reports that there will be eight derivatives in total, covering every segment of the market. Next-generation EVs based on SSP are expected to begin rolling out in 2026, likely debuting in China before arriving in Europe a year later. We may not see this technology in Europe, where VW CEO Thomas Schäfer believes plug-in hybrids are the more viable option. He told Autocar that range extenders are expensive to engineer, while today's plug-in hybrids already offer decent electric range and fast charging. According to Schäfer, offering both solutions wouldn't be economically feasible. Photo by: Volkswagen One of the most significant models to use the SSP platform will be the ninth-generation, electric-only Golf. It's scheduled to arrive near the end of the decade and will coexist with the combustion-engine Mk8 for several years. VW may keep the current Golf on sale until the mid-2030s . The electric Golf will be built in Wolfsburg, while production of the ICE model will move to the Puebla plant in Mexico in 2027. With SSP's key specifications now finalized, VW Group CEO Oliver Blume stated: 'We aim to be the global technology driver for the automotive industry. SSP will play a crucial role in this. We've reached an important milestone in developing our electric future platform. Now it's full steam ahead to implementation.' Catch Up With VW: Volkswagen Is Making Less Money Because It's Selling More EVs Volkswagen Could Give Ford More Reskinned Cars Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Volkswagen Group Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Rafael Nadal's first French Open title, according to Toni Nadal, his opponents, and Rafa himself
ROLAND GARROS, PARIS — Twenty years ago this weekend, a 19-year-old Spanish tennis player named Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the first time, at the first attempt. By the time his career ended almost two decades later, Nadal had amassed 14 French Open titles, posting a Roland Garros record of 112 wins and four defeats. The tournament organisers built a statue of him before he had finished winning titles there. And at the start of this year's French Open, 15,000 people gathered on Court Philippe-Chatrier to celebrate one of the greatest achievements in sport. Advertisement But in June 2005, Nadal was a richly talented teenager, with the promise of a successful career but not yet an all-time stint that would help define men's tennis in the 2000s. This is the story of how, across two weeks, Nadal went from hopeful to champion, setting in motion his unprecedented dominance. Told by those who saw it first-hand: All via interviews, except for news conferences from Nadal and Gasquet, and a voice note from Carillo. Although Nadal had never competed at the French Open, having been injured the two previous editions, he was a pre-tournament favorite as a debutant. As would become familiar, he had cut a swathe through the clay-court season, winning titles in Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Rome in the build-up. During the Monte Carlo Masters, the previous year's Roland Garros runner-up and clay specialist Guillermo Coria said: 'Nadal is the best player on this surface in the world.' Roger Federer, the world No. 1, who had won four of the previous seven Grand Slams, was expected to lift the trophy, but Nadal, ranked No. 5, wasn't far behind. Rafael Nadal: It was the first tournament I approached with the feeling that something special could happen. It was the first Slam where I was one of the candidates. So I was nervous, 100 percent. But at the same time, when you are 18, you have plenty of energy, and in some way, you are less worried about everything. You have this fresh mentality about not thinking much about the negative things that can happen. Toni Nadal: When we got to Roland Garros, after Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome, I thought Rafael was maybe favorite. Him or Federer. Benito Perez-Barbadillo: I'd known Rafa well for a couple of years, and when he arrived at the French Open, he was in a unique position. I can't think of anybody else at a major who has arrived in a position where they were playing somewhere for the first time and were basically the favorite. But you just never know until they do it. He wasn't scared, though. He'd be in the locker room jumping around, he never stopped moving. When you put him with the media room, he was shy — but in the locker room, he was a different person. In the first round, Nadal was drawn against Lars Burgsmüller, the world No. 96 from Germany. Wearing three-quarter length shorts and a green singlet, Nadal powered his way to a 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-1 win on his first and last appearance on the old No. 1 Court. In his first point at Roland Garros, some of the future staples take over: the bullet inside-in forehand followed by the nerveless smash. Burgsmüller is now a radiologist treating cancer patients in Essen, Germany. Advertisement Lars Burgsmüller: I knew it wasn't a good draw. Already, people were saying he could be one of the best in the world. We'd played on a hard court before, but I remember at Roland Garros, his balls were so heavy. And I remember I had to really win a point, not only once, but two or three times. He's the best in defense and even when you think you've won the point, he is still passing you. My goal was to keep the balls short, but sometimes I was rushing too much. But then I knew if I stayed on the baseline and tried to grind and play long rallies, I'd have even less chance. So I tried to get to the net. Afterwards, I thought he could do well in the tournament, but I didn't think that he was going to win the whole thing. I still have the DVD of the match, but I've only watched a few minutes. Occasionally, my kids (three boys aged 15, 13 and nine) try to watch it on YouTube, and they are like, 'Look, it's daddy,' and then after five minutes they find something different to watch. They're like: 'Why are you making so many mistakes?' In the second round, Nadal eased past Belgium's Xavier Malisse, a 2002 Wimbledon semifinalist ranked No. 46, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Nadal was feeling comfortable on the Paris clay — his main challenge was fighting a penchant for the city's chocolate croissants. His next match looked a lot tougher: Richard Gasquet. The pair had come through the junior ranks together and were seen as the joint 'next big things' in the sport. They'd just played an extremely close three-setter in Monte Carlo, won by Nadal, but Gasquet had beaten Federer earlier in that tournament and frequently got the better of Nadal when they were juniors. Nadal ended up thrashing Gasquet 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in a match that set the pair on hugely divergent paths. Gasquet ended up losing all 18 ATP matches against his one-time rival and while he had a successful career by most standards, he was never a serious contender to win a Grand Slam. During his Roland Garros farewell ceremony a couple of weeks ago, Nadal said of that Gasquet win: 'From that day, I truly understood what Roland Garros meant.' The match gave a glimpse into another Nadal truism: when it got hot in Paris, making his topspin forehand kick high off the clay, his opponents may as well have not turned up. Advertisement Toni Nadal: As soon as we saw the draw, the thing that stood out was that we have to play against Gasquet in the third round. We were a little afraid. The French journalists talked a lot about this match — it was more difficult for Gasquet than for us in the end, they put a lot of pressure on Gasquet. Gasquet played not too good, the match was too big for him. Perez-Barbadillo: Beating Richard was crucial because he was one of Rafa's biggest rivals. As a kid, he always used to lose against Richard, so he was very nervous before that match. But then he handled it very well and he won easily. Richard Gasquet: I remember it was really hot on the court. I played him a month or so earlier in Monaco, a big match. Then I played here against him again and he was different, much better than in Monaco. The bounce was really high. It was very tough to play. He was just better. When I finished the match, I remember my last coach here, I told him he would win Roland Garros this year. I wouldn't imagine he would win 13 times more, but I knew he was going to win the tournament. He was just playing unbelievable. I was a bit surprised. Perez-Barbadillo: We'd wanted to do some pictures with Rafa for a booklet for the ATP during the tournament, but he kept saying, 'Let's do it if I beat Gasquet. If I win that match, then we do whatever you want.' And we did a little breakfast with some media, near the Eiffel Tower, and I remember there's a picture of him with some croissants and the tower behind him. To do something like that now during a tournament would be very strange. Next up for Nadal was another Frenchman, the skilful No. 23 seed Sebastien Grosjean, who had been ranked as high as No. 4 and had been a semifinalist at three of the four majors. Their match started on a damp day, and Nadal found himself having to deal with an extremely hostile crowd when the umpire, Damian Steiner, refused to check a mark at the start of the second set. The match was stopped for 10 minutes as the crowd jeered and whistled, affecting Nadal's concentration. He gave up a break to lose the second set. Rain then stopped play overnight, with the match level at one set all. The players came back out on a much warmer day and Nadal polished off the victory 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. He said in a post-match news conference that: 'The crowd did not behave well at all, but this is France and what they did was a silly thing.' When footage of the incident resurfaced during Indian Wells three years ago, Nadal was asked about it in a news conference and said: 'I remember that match and for a moment, it was unplayable.' Sebastien Grosjean: The crowd were not against Rafa. They were against the umpire. I was looking at the mark, I wanted him to go down, he didn't want to go. And then it's tough to control a crowd when they start screaming. You can try to calm them down, but you're not going to do it. Toni Nadal: It was a tough moment, but nothing more than this. And for Rafa to get through it was important. Grosjean knew that, within the rules, the umpire did not need to come down. Advertisement Grosjean: The match itself, the first day was easier because of the weather. It was a little bit heavier, so Rafa's ball didn't bounce that high. But once we started again the day after, it was a different match. We knew at that time that Rafa was special. And playing him on that big Chatrier court, he can attack, he can defend because he has so much space to move. He loves the court, he loves the balls and he was forcing you to give 100 percent effort every time. Playing Rafa on clay is the biggest challenge in the sport but the atmosphere on Chatrier was great — it always is with a French player. If you want to beat him, you have to suffer. To win a point. To win a game. To win a set. It was almost impossible and that's why over the years, he was winning matches before starting the match. The other guy would be thinking that it's going to be impossible. A far more routine quarterfinal followed, with Nadal hammering compatriot David Ferrer, the No. 20 seed and a specialist on the surface, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0. That win set up the semifinal everyone had been hoping for: Federer against Nadal. The pair had met twice before, with Nadal winning in straight sets in Miami the previous year, before Federer got his revenge by beating his rival in five sets at the same tournament 12 months later. Now they would meet in a Grand Slam for the first time. Perez-Barbadillo: Before the match, we did another photo shoot. Rafa was with the Spanish flag, and he was eating ice cream, and we did a little shoot for everybody, all the photographers at Roland Garros that day before the semifinals. Crazy. Can you imagine that now? Cristopher Clarey: I'd interviewed Federer a few days before the tournament at the Hôtel de Crillon. He was feeling very confident and was looking to complete the career Grand Slam. I thought Rafa was a slight favorite based on what we'd seen already and the beast that you could tell he was going to be. Roger was very matter-of-fact about Rafa, and he talked about him as if he was describing some kind of natural phenomenon. He would call him 'it' and said things like: 'Quite impressive, isn't it? He's already bigger than me, and he's five years younger. Imagine how he looks in five years.' As well as Nadal was playing, Federer was also cruising — he hadn't lost a set and had thrashed Nadal's good friend Moya, a former Roland Garros champion, in the fourth round. He had come to Paris early to get extra practice time on Chatrier, having struggled with its huge dimensions in the past. The very first point of the match, the opening of arguably the best Grand Slam rivalry in men's tennis history, was a beauty. Federer tried to put away a forehand, but there was Nadal, on his 19th birthday, running it down and whipping a forehand passing shot down the line for a winner. They split the first two sets, but in the fading light, with Federer wanting the match to stop, Nadal toughed out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win. Advertisement Clarey: It was a tighter match than people remember. Roger had his chances. The pattern that became the bugaboo for Roger was clear. There was that breakdown on the third or fourth backhand above the shoulder. Not the first, usually. A lot of extended points as well. I just think the matchup was a bad one for Roger. Worse on clay than anywhere. That match was a real indicator that Nadal had the gravitas and the ability to live up to the hype and block everything out. There were some players who were mentally strong but their games weren't as locked in but Rafa at 18 when he came here he was a fully formed mental competitor — he was a beast mentally already. Toni Nadal: Federer is more specialised in hard and grass courts, but had a wonderful serve, and many good shots. It was a very difficult match. Everyone knew how good Federer was. But after that, beating the world No. 1, we thought we could win the tournament. All that stood between Nadal and a first Grand Slam title was the unseeded Mariano Puerta. The Argentine, a left-hander and an accomplished clay-courter, posed Nadal different problems. He was back from a nine-month anti-doping ban issued in 2003, and he tested positive for etilefrine, a cardiac substance, shortly after his final against Nadal. On the day before the final, Nadal was given a very special hitting partner — three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander. Stylistically, Wilander made little sense as a rightie who didn't play with much topspin, but he and Nadal shared an agent in Carlos Costa, and the idea was that Nadal would be inspired by hitting with one of the greats of the game. Mats Wilander: My main memory of that was that I couldn't hit one forehand in the court because there was so much topspin. My backhand was OK, because I've got two hands, but it was really difficult to play against him — I'd never seen that much spin before in my life. Advertisement You can see it, but it's different when you actually play against it. There's a huge difference. And then, obviously, he got more and more spin and more and power the older he got. But in the beginning, it was mainly spin, and it was ridiculous. I was expecting him to win (Roland Garros), maybe not that year necessarily, but you could see straight away that this guy was. Perez-Barbadillo: There was tension the day before the final but also we were playing a football game on the PlayStation in his room. It turned out to be good preparation. Nadal picked up an early break in the first set, but Puerta's level lifted after he received treatment for a thigh injury. Puerta recovered to take the first set, playing a daring brand of tennis, full of darts to the net and big swings with his forehand. Nadal rallied to take the next two sets, but found himself down 5-4 in the fourth, with Puerta serving to take the match into a decider and up two set points at 40-15. When a diving Puerta netted a volley to lose the second, Nadal leapt child-like into the air, a rare reminder of how young he was. He saved a third set point with an absurd reflex volley, and Puerta knew the moment had gone. Two games later, Nadal was on his back in what would become his trademark celebration, winning 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3, 7-5. Covered in clay, he clambered up to his box, and shared a warm embrace with his family, including his uncle Toni, who had guided him to this point. He even shook hands with King Juan Carlos of Spain, who was in attendance. 'People say he dreams with his feet on the ground,' said Mary Carillo in her commentary on NBC. 'He knows he belongs out here.' Toni Nadal: I was very, very happy because I knew that for the big players, for the people who want to be very good, they all want to win a slam. And Rafael was 19 and he had one, and this is what I said to him that day. At least we know that we have one Grand Slam. Advertisement It was a very close match. Puerta played really well and made it difficult. Rafael played a little better in the key moments. If Puerta had won the set points he had in the fourth set, maybe we cannot win the match from there. Mary Carillo: I forgot how good Puerta played but what what strikes me most watching it back was how fast Nadal was, and how incredible his defences were. He was so damn young, the scissor kicks he did when he won big points and the fact that he was so fast, he wasn't using what became a great shot in and of itself, his backhand, he was quick enough to run around and hit his big forehands. The three set points he saved when Puerta had a chance to take it into a fourth. Just, wow, it was fun stuff. The king, by the way, gave Nadal a standing ovation, along with a lot of other people, when he got it to 5-5 in the fourth. Carlos Moya: It was a roller-coaster of a match, so open and Puerta was playing amazing. We all thought Rafa could do it but until you win one, you don't know mentally if someone is going to be ready. And if they got to the fifth set, you never know what can happen, because Puerta physically was a beast. Clarey: A lot of the things that made 14 possible are there in that final. The point-to-point focus, the resistance to hype, the resistance to other people labeling him and creating his own scenario for himself. And the enjoyment and embrace of adversity. Toni Nadal: I thought he could win more Roland Garros titles because I am a logical man. When you win at 19, then I thought, 'OK, if we win with 19, we can win when we're 20,' and so on. Every year, I thought the next year he could win, but I never thought he could win 14 titles. After the match, I wrote Rafael a note that said, 'Puerta played better than you, but you won the match. If next year you play exactly the same, you cannot repeat the title, so we have to improve.' Clarey: I got invited to the celebrations that night at the Café de l'Homme, which has a trillion-dollar view of the Eiffel Tower terrace. That's where Rafa had his early victory parties, and the whole family was there. And I thought I would sort of go into a scene similar to what we saw in the Carlos Alcaraz documentary, you know, big celebrations kind of vibe. But it wasn't that at all. It was very sober and dignified. Rafa was wearing an open shirt, no tie, looking nothing at all like the beast that he had been a few hours before, who had jumped around and was covered in clay. It was a little bit like Clark Kent and Superman. Nadal sees that version of himself in simpler terms, and the final word belongs to the man himself. Rafael Nadal: What I remember is a guy with plenty of energy, with an amazing passion and motivation for what I was doing. (Top photos: Getty Images; Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic)
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Budweiser Kicks Off New 'Celebration in the Making' Global Platform for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2025-- Today, Budweiser (Brussel:ABI) (BMV:ANB) (JSE:ANH) (NYSE:BUD) unveils its new global platform 'Celebration in the Making' and full campaign details as the Official Global Beer Sponsor of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. This summer, as football supporters around the globe bring their energy to the groundbreaking tournament, Budweiser will be there to elevate celebrations at every stage – from the opening touch to the final whistle, and beyond. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Budweiser Kicks Off New 'Celebration in the Making' Global Platform for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ To inspire celebrations from the start, Budweiser is officially kicking off the platform with a new film set to an iconic score, and announces the return of its acclaimed 'Bring Home The Bud' campaign to deliver the ultimate prize of free beer for the winning club* and its supporters. Budweiser will also leverage exclusive FIFA-created 'Celebration of the Match' content featuring the top celebrations from each matchday, and has released new LTO tournament-inspired packaging and designs on its products. 'In partnership with FIFA, Budweiser has been celebrating football culture and its legions of fans for nearly 40 years, and we're proud to launch this global platform to match the energy, scale and excitement of this unique competition,' said Richard Oppy, Global President, Premium Company at AB InBev, brewer of Budweiser. 'Whether it's being in a local pub at match kickoff or being in a packed stadium cheering the return of a champion club, Budweiser will be there to ensure every moment of this FIFA Club World Cup feels like an epic celebration in the making.' Bring Home The Bud Budweiser's celebrated 'Bring Home The Bud' campaign first debuted during the FIFA World Cup 2022™ and then again for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™, giving fans of those winning countries a celebration fitting of a world champion: free beer for those of a legal drinking age. The 'Bring Home The Bud' football tradition continues this tournament, as the signature Budweiser-branded red beer crates are already making appearances in cities across Brazil, UK, and China to build excitement for the ultimate payoff for the winning club* and its home supporters. Details about how 'Bring Home The Bud' will come to life for the winning club will continue to unfold throughout the tournament. To learn more, visit Unleashing Celebration in the Making Budweiser channels the passion and raw energy of football fans in its new film, 'ThunderBud,' set to AC/DC's legendary 'Thunderstruck.' The spot captures the moment a Budweiser can cracks open in a crowded stadium, unleashing an electrifying anthem that raises fans and players alike toward victory. In a first-of-its-kind integration, Budweiser will celebrate standout moments on the pitch through 'Celebration of the Match' content created by FIFA for each matchday, which Budweiser will amplify across social media. Fans will have the chance to vote online for their favorite highlights — whether it's an unbelievable goal or a game-saving goalkeeper stop — tying the emotional pinnacle of each match to the idea that fans are the ones who power the game. Watch 'ThunderBud' on YouTube, and follow all the 'Celebration of the Match' action across social media at @budweiser and @budfootball on Instagram, Facebook and X during the tournament. The Beer of Celebration Unique for this year's tournament, Budweiser has launched limited-edition LTO packaging at retail for Budweiser and Budweiser Zero with an updated crest and creed, crafted to include bespoke gold elements for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. Budweiser Zero will keep its same design while featuring FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ branding, now with a white base to signal its no-alcohol badge of honor. As the Official Beer of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Budweiser continues its legacy of championing football and fan passion on the world's biggest stages, elevating celebrations wherever the game is played. About Budweiser Budweiser is a globally iconic lager born from a bold vision. In 1876, founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States' first truly national beer brand – brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Today, Budweiser is recognized as the world's second most valuable beer brand in Kantar's BrandZ global 2025 rankings, enjoyed in more than 80 countries and brewed with the same unwavering commitment to quality and consistency. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp beer with layers of premium American hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including 'kraeusening' for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character. About AB InBev Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona®, Stella Artois® and Michelob Ultra®; multi-country brands Beck's®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 144 000 colleagues based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2024, AB InBev's reported revenue was 59.8 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates). *Where applicable; subject to restriction. View source version on CONTACT: AB InBev Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED KINGDOM EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS GENERAL SPORTS WINE & SPIRITS SOCCER OTHER TRAVEL VACATION DESTINATIONS RETAIL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TRAVEL SOURCE: Budweiser Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/06/2025 04:00 AM/DISC: 06/06/2025 04:01 AM
