Powerboat racing-DJ Aoki's team wins in Dubrovnik as Lebron claims first E1 podium
Former Formula 1 test driver Dani Clos, a new addition to Aoki Racing Team for 2025, took the chequered flag in a tight finish at the E1 Dubrovnik Grand Prix, with Team Brady securing second place and NBA superstar LeBron James celebrating his first podium finish with Team AlUla in third.
The victory unfolded against the backdrop of Dubrovnik's historic walls, where thousands gathered for Croatia's debut on the UIM E1 World Championship calendar, the series dedicated to all-electric powerboat racing.
The result intensified the rivalry between Aoki's team and Nadal's, which could only manage fourth place despite qualifying strongly. Both teams have emerged as the dominant forces in the 2025 season as they vie for the "Champions of the Water" title, to be decided in Miami in November.
The championship, which features teams owned by global celebrities including actor Will Smith and former footballer Didier Drogba, now heads to Italy's Lake Maggiore in late June for the midpoint of the season.
The E1 World Championship is the first all-electric raceboat series sanctioned by powerboating's global governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), and is designed to accelerate innovation in sustainable marine technology and coastal conservation. REUTERS
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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
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Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Benjamin Sesko scored 39 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions for RB Leipzig. LONDON – Benjamin Sesko believes that Manchester United are the 'perfect place' to reach his potential, as the Slovenia striker signed for the Red Devils from Germany's RB Leipzig on a contract until 2030 on Aug 9. The transfer fee is 76.5 million euros with 8.5 million bonuses. The 22-year-old Sesko, who joined Leipzig from Austrian club RB Salzburg in 2023, scored 39 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions for the German team. The official announcement came just before United welcomed back former goalkeeper David de Gea to Old Trafford for a pre-season friendly with his Fiorentina side. 'The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future,' said Sesko. 'When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon. 'From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions. 'I cannot wait to start learning from Ruben (Amorim) and connecting with my teammates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together.' Jason Wilcox, director of football, said: 'Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football. 'We have followed Benjamin's career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United. 'Working under the guidance of Ruben and our excellent performance team, Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his world-class potential.' United, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, have also signed forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for the new campaign which starts at home to Arsenal on August 17. The trio were presented to the crowd at Old Trafford. Sesko's confirmation as a new United player also came a day after the club opened the doors to their 50 million pound redevelopment of their men's first team building at the Carrington Training Complex – a week before the Premier League season kicks off. United's renovated training base features smart urinals that measure a player's level of hydration, dry flotation tanks, an underwater treadmill, a padel court, a Formula 1 simulator, and even a barber shop. Redesigned with input from players and staff, with ideas borrowed from the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the England team base at St. George's Park, among others, the state-of-the-art training hub opened just as manager Amorim and his squad returned following their pre-season tour of the United States. 'All credit to Sir Jim (Ratcliffe, United's co-owner) and his team, I think they did a unbelievable job,' said United defender Diogo Dalot. 'I think finally we're getting to a level where this club deserves and now it's up to us on the pitch.' Ratcliffe cut the ribbon to open the centre alongside the players, Amorim, chief executive officer Omar Berrada, the team's former manager Alex Ferguson, and others. The year-long project was led by Mancunian architect Norman Foster and his firm Foster + Partners and financed with part of the 300 million pound capital injection into the club by Ratcliffe last year. 'We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club,' said the Briton. The medical and recovery facilities feature MRI and CT scans, a DEXA scan that measures everything from body fat to bone density, sleep pods, a heat and altitude chamber used for acclimatization to different temperatures, humidity and oxygen levels, and hyperbaric and cryotherapy chambers. The players' dining lounge has floor to ceiling windows, a pool table and the F1 simulator. On the menu on Friday was everything from grilled salmon to sushi to smoothie bowls. REUTERS, AFP
Business Times
01-08-2025
- Business Times
Brad Pitt has a lesson for Formula 1's green makeover
Every film star entering their seventh decade knows they've reached an age when they have to play to type. If only venerable sports franchises had the same self-awareness. F1: The Movie, the Brad Pitt-Formula 1 crossover currently in cinemas, illustrates this contradiction perfectly. Pitt used to appear as romantic leads and sword-and-sandals heroes, and in comedy turns and art-film roles. As he's aged into his sixties, that range has been boiled down to its original essence, leaving him typecast as a pretty, and increasingly rugged, maverick. Audiences don't seem to mind. F1: The Movie saw the biggest US opening for a Pitt vehicle since 2013's World War Z. F1, the sport, is taking a different approach. It wants to broaden its appeal – to younger people, women and particularly to Americans, who've long favoured the IndyCar and Nascar championships instead. That charm offensive has spawned the latest film, as well as a Netflix documentary series now in its seventh season. 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Straits Times
01-08-2025
- Straits Times
Djokovic becomes a part-owner of Ligue 2 club Le Mans
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 11, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his semi final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/ File Photo Tennis great Novak Djokovic has become a part-owner of French Ligue 2 club Le Mans FC with former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen also acquiring stakes, the newly promoted club announced on Friday. The investment is led by Brazilian group OutField, an international consortium co-founded by Pedro Olivera, and includes Georgios Frangulis, CEO of global health-food brand OakBerry. "Djokovic, the most successful player in history, whose mental strength and unique approach will bring considerable added value," the club said in a statement. "Massa (15 seasons in Formula 1) and Magnussen (10 seasons), who will help create a bridge between football and motorsport – a distinctive strength of the Le Mans brand." Le Mans begin their Ligue 2 campaign on August 9, away at Guingamp. REUTERS
