The F1 title fight is increasingly focused on McLaren. Verstappen says he's still hopeful
Ahead of Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this Formula 1 season is looking like McLaren vs. McLaren. Still, defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull says he hasn't lost hope.
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are the only one to consistently have the pace through the first four rounds of the championship. Norris has a three-point lead but admits he isn't at his best, while Piastri is the driver with momentum after winning in Bahrain last week.
Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes have all their had their moments, but none has been a consistent challenger, as McLaren's 58-point constructors' championship lead shows.
Verstappen is the only non-McLaren driver to win a Grand Prix this season but in Bahrain he was struggling so much that Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said he was concerned Verstappen might consider his future.
Verstappen said this week he wasn't considering the championship picture this early in the season.
'I'm not thinking about that. I just go race by race,' Verstappen said. 'I think at the moment, of course, we are not the quickest. So then naturally, it's very tough to to fight for a championship, but it's still a very long road... I'm hopeful that we can still improve things and we'll see what we get.'
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso dampened speculation Verstappen could seek to join his team, Aston Martin, after Red Bull car designer Adrian Newey made that move last year.
Asked if he'd welcome being Verstappen's teammate, Alonso said Thursday: 'Yes, but it's unlikely to happen. Very unlikely.' Alonso's current teammate is Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Busy schedule
Jeddah hosts the fifth race in six weeks in a hectic start to the season, which stays at a record 24 races. There's a little respite after Saudi Arabia, with two weeks till the next race in Miami.
'I think it's on the upper end of the limit. It feels like race 10 already,' said Williams driver Alex Albon, adding it's especially tough on mechanics and other crew members.
'As drivers, we travel better than everyone else in the paddock. We stay in better hotels than everyone else in the paddock — it's just a function of being in a privileged position. With mechanics... these are people with families. These are the people that really struggle.'
The rookies are still enjoying their first taste of F1, though.
'It's just the beginning of my career, so I just want to keep racing and keep driving,' said Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto. 'I'm learning new things every single weekend, so for me, if I could have another race next weekend, I would be very happy as well.'
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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Why LVMH's $1.5B Formula 1 Bet Is No Average Luxury Partnership
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Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
ICE and Border Patrol will be at the Club World Cup in Miami. Is that normal?
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NBC News also reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent a statement saying it would also be part of the tournament's security team, and advised that 'all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status.' Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz tried to quell fears, stating that her office would lead stadium security, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is not a priority during the event. 'We are in charge of security at the stadium for the Club World Cup,' Cordero-Stutz said to CBS. 'While we're working with our state and local partners, that is not our priority that day.' A sheriff's office spokesperson said that they are working in collaboration with Hard Rock Stadium security. However, it is unclear in what capacity CBP and ICE are collaborating. CBP at major events The involvement of CBP in major sporting events is not uncommon. In February, they were touting their participation in security for this year's super bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chief in New Orleans. A press release said that 100 Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, Air and Marine Operations agents had been involved in security measures leading up to and during the big game. The scope of their work is described as patrolling the Mississippi River, X-ray examinations of food, drink and merchandise trucks that entered the venue area, air sorties as well as deploying several units to support local, state and federal law enforcement. They have a similar press release about their participation in security for Super Bowl LIV in 2020, which took place at the Hard Rock Stadium. Juan Perez, a former Miami-Dade police director, said concerts and games large enough to merit a special federal security designation — like a Super Bowl— will see federal law enforcement officers deployed around a stadium. 'It's not unusual for ICE to work major sporting events,' he said. 'It's not unusual to bring in agents to help.' The Miami Herald requested clarification from both CBP and ICE regarding the scope of their involvement in the tournament. A CBP spokesperson suggested that public concerns stemmed from a 'misunderstanding,' but declined to elaborate. A formal statement, originally promised, has not yet been released. When the Herald asked ICE to clarify what it meant by advising that 'all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status' as part of security measures, an ICE spokesperson responded in a statement: 'As is customary for an event of this magnitude with national security implications, ICE will be working alongside our Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice partners to help ensure the safety and security of the event.' 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However, Saturday's match may not draw the same crowds as last year's Copa América final. According to Sports Illustrated, FIFA was forced to slash ticket prices for the opening fixture of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup due to sluggish sales. After the tournament draw in December, the cheapest seats were priced at $349. That figure dropped to $230 the following month, then to around $110—and as of early June, tickets have fallen to as low as $55 for fans hoping to see Inter Miami face Egypt's Al-Ahly on Saturday, June 14. Hostile environment While the presence of federal agents at major sporting events like the Super Bowl is not unusual, the political climate has dramatically shifted. For many immigrant advocates, CBP's tone and visibility suggest something more than routine security measures. Thomas Kennedy, an immigration advocate with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said the rhetoric is troubling. Although checking legal status for every attendee would be logistically difficult, he said, the mere suggestion that non-citizens should carry proof of legal status could be enough to deter participation. 'Detentions have clearly increased, and there's such a hostile immigration enforcement environment right now,' Kennedy said. 'It's not just Miami—international fans with valid visas could feel intimidated. There are real financial and emotional consequences.' He added: 'I'd be worried and disturbed if I were going to the games,' Kennedy said. 'If I didn't have status, I would probably stay away altogether.' FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who oversaw the 2022 tournament in Qatar, said they are prepared to create a safe environment at the matches. 'The most important thing for us is to guarantee security for fans who come to the games,' he said. 'Nobody should think they can come to a game and create problems. We want everyone to have a good time.' At a press event Wednesday at the Pérez Art Museum, marking the one-year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will include seven matches in Miami, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was asked whether fears of immigration enforcement might deter fans from attending. 'I'm not the sheriff, I'm not a police officer, and I'm focusing on how the games are going to continue for the protection of everyone,' she told the Herald. 'We want to focus on the well-being and safety of all participants. That's my priority.' Miami Herald staff writer Vivienne Serret, Douglas Hanks, and Michelle Kaufman contributed to this story.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florentino Perez did not want Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid manager for Club World Cup
This summer's Club World Cup will be the start of Xabi Alonso's reign as head coach of Real Madrid, following his move from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the domestic season. The former Galactico replaced Carlo Ancelotti, although this was not the plan that the club had in mind. In the final few weeks of the season, it became apparent that Ancelotti would not be continuing at Real Madrid for the remainder of his contract, which was due to expire in 2026. His replacement was always going to be Alonso, but according to El Confidencial (via Sport), the plan had been for the Spaniard to take charge after the Club World Cup. Advertisement Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was the driving force behind this, as he believed a poor Club World Cup would add early and unnecessary pressure on to Alonso for the start of the 2025-26. And that is why Los Blancos wanted Santiago Solari in charge for this summer's tournament in the United States. VIGO, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Santiago Solari of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid CF at Abanca-Balaidos on November 11, 2018 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by) But as revealed by the report, Solari turned down the offer, which greatly infuriated Perez. And it was not the only proposal that the Argentine, who has been Real Madrid interim manager on multiple occasions, opted to turn down, as he rejected the chance to take charge of the woman's team. As a result, it was quickly decided that Alonso should be in charge of Real Madrid for the Club World Cup. And while it does bring a risk of him being on the back foot early on with a poor campaign, there is a chance that early momentum is built with a successful tournament in the United States.