1. Max Verstappen

He may have lost his crown, but this season has served as perhaps the clearest indication yet of Verstappen’s status as the greatest driver of his era. His campaign wasn’t perfect as he lost his head in Spain and spun out in the wet in Silverstone. Saddled with an uncompetitive car, there was little even Verstappen could do to stop the McLarens from streaking clear in the first half of the season. However, as Red Bull found form after the summer break, Verstappen was soon back to his brilliant best. Dominant drives in Monza and Baku laid the foundation for an unlikely title challenge and rare was the weekend when Verstappen didn’t extract every ounce of performance from the RB21. Podium finishes in each of the last ten grand prix as well as six wins (an unmatched eight in total) meant Verstappen was able to take the fight all the way to Abu Dhabi. He may have lost out by just two points, but there’s little denying who has been head and shoulders above the rest with regard to consistency, mindset and race craft (as was made clear by his pole lap in Japan as well as that turn one overtake at Imola). He may not have the number one on his nose next season, but Verstappen’s place among the pantheon of F1 greats is well and truly confirmed.

2. Lando Norris

Piastri came close, but it was his teammate who stuck the landing. Regarded by many as the pre-season favourite, Lando Norris’ road to a first world championship was far from straightforward. As Piastri hit form in the early part of the season, Norris began to struggle as dissatisfaction with the MCL-39’s cornering abilities left him unable to match his teammate in the opening races. Norris’ woes were compounded by a series of errors in China, Jeddah, Bahrain, and Canada that dented his confidence.

‍

However, even at his shakiest, Norris was a regular fixture on the podium. Of the first 15 races, he failed to make the top three on just three occasions, and while Saudi Arabia and Canada were down to human error, the engine failure in Zandvoort certainly wasn’t. What’s more, as the season neared its climax, Norris found his feet. Despite trailing Piastri by 34 points after Zandvoort, Norris held his nerve, delivered crushing victories in Mexico and Brazil, kept his head even after the double disqualification in Las Vegas (a weekend that also saw him prevail in a treacherous qualifying session), and did precisely what he needed to at the season finale in Abu Dhabi to secure a thoroughly deserved world championship. It remains to be seen how, or if, Norris’s mindset will evolve going forward, but what is certain is that this championship was one he definitely earned.

3. Oscar Piastri

2025 will, among other things, be remembered as the year Oscar Piastri established himself as one of this generation’s biggest stars. Having played second fiddle to his teammate last season, Piastri’s false start in Melbourne was followed by an inspired run of form. Five wins from the following eight races (including a run of three in a row) saw him emerge as a leading contender for the world championship. During this run, Piastri dispelled the qualifying woes and tyre management issues that hindered him last year, prevailed in multiple wheel-to-wheel exchanges with Max Verstappen and spent a total of 15 races atop the world championship table.

‍

A loss of momentum in the second half of the season led to a series of mistakes and lacklustre weekends. Piastri endured what he himself described as his worst ever weekend in Baku, crashed out of the sprint in Sao Paulo and was simply unable to contend with his teammate in Austin and Mexico City. That barren second half of the season ultimately cost him a shot at the title; that said, Piastri is nothing if not a quick learner. Let’s not forget, this is only his third season in F1. Should McLaren’s imperious form carry over into 2026, there’s nothing to suggest Piastri won’t emerge as a firm favourite for the world championship.  

4. George Russell

Deciding which of these two should get fourth place was not easy. Both are worthy candidates who have regularly gotten the very best out of their machinery. However, the expectations under which George Russell has performed give him a slight edge. He may have demonstrated his raw speed on more than one occasion, but with Lewis Hamilton now gone, Russell came into 2025 saddled with a fair few questions. Could he rise to the occasion and take on the role of team leader? Could he contend with a rising start in Kimi Antonelli? The short answer to all that has been, absolutely.

‍

In a year that cemented Mercedes’ middling form in the ground effect era, Russell has been a model of consistency. Nine podiums and 18 top-five finishes meant he ended the season a comfortable fourth in the drivers’ standings. Off-colour performances, such as those at Monaco and Silverstone, were few and far between. On the rare occasions when Mercedes were able to produce a race-winning car, Russell always capitalised and secured two commanding victories in Canada and Singapore. And while Antonelli was able to emerge from his mid-season slump and occasionally outpace Russell in the second half of the season, the 27-year-old was still the team’s standout performer. Preliminary speculation points to Mercedes having the strongest power unit for 2026. Should that turn out to be the case, Russell could find himself in the title-challenging car he so richly deserves.

5. Charles Leclerc

His team may have underdelivered, but Charles Leclerc’s status as one of the sport’s most capable drivers is as robust as ever. The arrival of a certain seven-time world champion could have daunted a lesser driver, but Leclerc has more than risen to the occasion.  

‍

Dazzling as ever over one lap, the Monegasque claimed Ferrari’s only pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix and bested his teammate in 23 of the 30 qualifying sessions they contested, with an average gap of over two tenths of a second.

‍

Additionally, Leclerc’s race pace has continued to impress. He resisted the advances of a charging Max Verstappen in Mexico, came agonisingly close to a second home win in Monaco, put on a defensive masterclass when duelling Lando Norris at the U.S. Grand Prix and claimed all seven of his team’s podiums.

‍

A scrappy performance at Silverstone, where he finished outside the points, was the only major black mark on an otherwise commendable year, as Leclerc scored 60.8% of Ferrari’s total points.

‍

In his seventh season in Formula 1, Leclerc can now claim to have beaten two of the sport’s greatest drivers in equal machinery, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. However, while his form is undeniable, his team’s certainly isn’t. Yet more underwhelming equipment meant Leclerc went winless for the fourth time in seven years. The 28-year-old has publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to Ferrari and is rumoured to be contracted to the team until 2029. However, should the Scuderia start the new regulation cycle on the back foot, Leclerc – who has already poured seven of his prime years into this project – will surely start to consider pastures new.

‍

He's a formidable racing driver who has what it takes to challenge the very best in the business, and Ferrari need to deliver that long-promised championship-winning car soon, if they’re to have any hope in keeping him.

Sinner, meanwhile, anticipated the Spaniard’s rise. Two years older than Alcaraz, the Italian was already beating the likes of Alex de Minaur at just 18 in 2019, lifting the Next Gen ATP trophy against the Australian. Yet his ascent proved more measured: Sinner would wait until 2024 to claim his first Grand Slam, at the Australian Open, a reminder that his path to the summit was built on patience and method rather than meteoric rise.

‍

Together, they have set a daunting benchmark for the generations to come. And as fans begin to ask whether a third force might one day rise to challenge them — as Djokovic once did to Federer and Nadal — the Next Gen ATP Finals may well offer the first clues. It is here that the next wave reveals itself, testing the foundations of the Sinner–Alcaraz era and hinting at what could follow.

Another UAE member in 2025, Pablo Polito Pieres, has chosen a move that may be risky but also promising: he will join La Irenita 2026 project with his cousin Pablo Mac Donough, Matías Mac Donough (Jr.), and Paco de Narváez. Why risky? Because due to the points of the latter two, it seems likely that this team will need to go through the Qualification tournament if they wish to enter the Palermo main draw next year.

‍

Several teams yet to define their official names are nonetheless already qualified for the 2026 Triple Crown based on their lineups. Among them is the team announced by Bautista Bayugar, Joaquín Pittaluga, and Iñaki Laprida — who played for La Hache Cría & Polo in 2025. Joining them will be Alfredo Bigatti of Los Machitos. Two players who have been teammates since 2023 — Victorino Ruiz and Teodoro Lacau — both from Los Machitos in 2025, will join forces again in 2026 with Francisco Elizalde and Gonzalo Ferrari, one of the standout revelations of the 2025 season.

‍

Another confirmed lineup is La Ensenada, featuring Jerónimo Del Carril and Juan Britos, joined by Juan Martín Zubía from Sol de Agosto and Diego Cavanagh, who played for Los Machitos in 2025. Also expected to compete — and expected to enter through Qualification — is La Zeta Kazak. Nicolás Pieres’ project with Lorenzo Chavanne and Beltrán Laulhé will add Guillermo Sapo Caset.

‍

It should be noted, however, that the Argentine Polo Association’s Board of Directors is currently holding meetings that could significantly impact the 2026 season. Changes are expected in the format of the Triple Crown and the Qualification tournament. Although nothing is confirmed yet, several proposals are being considered, and they could alter many of the scenarios described in this article — for example, allowing some teams currently bound for Qualification direct access to Palermo, or pushing others to prepare for 2027 instead. The Ranking system and the method for collecting points are also under review. It is a year-end period filled with certainties, but also with enormous anticipation for what lies ahead in 2026.

‍

This Tuesday, on the other hand, the Argentine Polo Association announced the handicap changes, the most notable being Antonio Heguy’s rise from 8 to 9 goals following a season in which the son of Pepe Heguy proved he can perform in big games and thrive as part of a top-tier team. Other increases from 7 to 8 goals include Lorenzo Chavanne, Lucas Criado (Jr.), Paco de Narváez, Beltrán Laulhé, and Felipe Vercellino; and from 6 to 7 goals: Kristos Magrini, Louis Hine, José Riglos, and Ignacio Viana. The most significant decreases were those of Juan Martín Nero, from 10 to 9 goals, and Jerónimo del Carril and Ignatius du Plessis, from 9 to 8. Finally, after winning the Argentine Women’s Open, Mía Cambiaso — Adolfo Cambiaso’s eldest daughter — was raised from 9 to 10 goals in the women’s handicap.

La Natividad and La Dolfina, now competing together, have monopolized recent Palermo finals. In 2021, 2023 and 2024, La Natividad claimed the title; in 2022, La Dolfina emerged victorious. For their opponents this Sunday, the picture is quite different. Ellerstina last reached the Palermo final in 2020, and their most recent title dates back to 2012. Indios Chapaleufú last contested this decisive match in 2004, when Eduardo and Alberto Heguy—fathers of Cruz and Antonio respectively—lifted the trophy.

‍

It is hard to imagine a final margin greater than two goals this Sunday, with La Natividad La Dolfina starting as clear favorites. Even so, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú’s chances are very real. To make their dream a reality, they will need a top-class defensive performance and a high success rate from the penalty line. If they excel in those areas, they can dare to dream of the title. Otherwise, it will be difficult to deny the Cañuelas side not only the Palermo crown, but also the overall Triple Crown—an achievement not seen since 2015, when La Dolfina pulled off the remarkable feat of winning the Triple Crown three seasons in a row.

‍

FINAL 132nd ARGENTINE OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: LA NATIVIDAD LA DOLFINA vs. ELLERSTINA INDIOS CHAPALEUFÚ

La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10, Adolfo Poroto Cambiaso 10, Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10. Total: 40.

Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú Vista: Facundo Pieres 10, Antonio Heguy 8, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9, Cruz Heguy 9. Total: 36.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva.

‍Third man: Matías Baibiene.

Behind them, Charles Leclerc briefly seemed well placed to influence this world championship. Starting fifth, the Ferrari driver got past George Russell and briefly pressured Norris during the opening exchanges. A two-stop strategy saw him hold station in fourth, but Leclerc was unable to keep pace with the McLarens. In the end, he came home fourth to cap off a year Ferrari will be keen to see the back of.

‍

After being hotly tipped to mix it in with the big three, George Russell had a quiet race. The Mercedes driver lost out to Leclerc at the start and soon found himself under threat from Fernando Alonso. Russell eventually prevailed and had a steady run to fifth. A result with which Mercedes have secured second in the constructors’ championship.

‍

Unable to contend with Russell and Mercedes, Alonso ran his own race and secured his tenth points finish in sixth. With Adrian Newey now on board and a brand-new set of regulations inbound, Aston Martin will be under a great deal of scrutiny going into 2026.

‍

Esteban Ocon made good on his commendable qualifying performance with seventh. The Haas driver came out on top after an eye-catching duel with Lewis Hamilton on lap 53.

‍

Hamilton had to settle for eighth but was at the very least, able to complete a noteworthy recovery drive from 16th on the grid.

‍

Similarly impressive was Nico Hulkenberg, who marked his 250th grand prix start with a rise through the ranks from 18th to ninth. A fitting farewell for the Sauber Team. Lance Stroll took the final points paying position in tenth ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who couldn’t convert his seventh place starting position into points.

‍

Ollie Bearman finished 12th ahead of Carlos Sainz, who was one of the first to congratulate Norris on his title success. Instructed by his team to try and defend against Norris, Yuki Tsunoda made two separate movements down on back straight and forced the McLaren driver off the track. The incident earned Tsunoda a five-second penalty, and he eventually finished 14th in his final race for Red Bull.

‍

Alex Albon finished 15th ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who failed to make progress after a disappointing qualifying. Isack Hadjar finished 17th ahead of Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

‍

It's been a long, varied and enthralling Formula 1 season. One in which Oscar Piastri showed the world what he was capable of, and Max Verstappen reaffirmed his status as the greatest driver of his era. In the end, however, it was Lando Norris who made good on both his pre-season potential and solid reputation. The boy from Bristol has just come of age. Lando Norris: your champion for 2025.

After having to complete a second run in Q1 to avoid elimination and struggling for grip throughout, Charles Leclerc did well to secure fifth by the end of Q3. However, with doubts looming over Ferrari’s race pace, it remains to be seen if Leclerc will be able to mix it in with those ahead of him.

‍

Aston Martin’s solid free practice pace persisted through qualifying as Fernando Alonso claimed sixth after what he described as a “happy day” ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who equalled his best qualifying performance in seventh. Having endured a middling run of races, the Brazilian is well placed to end his season on a high in what will be Sauber’s F1 swansong ahead of the 2026 Audi takeover.

‍

Esteban Ocon made Q3 for the first time since Monaco back in May and will start eighth, one place ahead of Isack Hadjar.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda made it into Q3 but failed to set a time in the final part of qualifying. He will therefore start tenth for his final race as a Red Bull driver.

‍

After a strong showing in free practice and briefly going quickest in Q2, Ollie Bearman missed out on Q3 by just 0.007s. He will share the sixth row with Carlos Sainz, who starts ahead of Liam Lawson, whose Q3 prospects were curtailed by his teammate.

‍

Kimi Antonelli ended up a disappointing 14th, having struggled with rear instability throughout. Lance Stroll couldn’t match his teammate and will start 15th ahead of a dejected Lewis Hamilton. After making a series of setup changes after free practice, the seven-time world champion struggled for pace and was knocked out of Q1 for the third race in succession. When asked about his qualifying woes, Hamilton struggled for words and was clearly frustrated with his performance. Alex Albon will start 17th ahead of Nico Hülkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

‍

Verstappen has done all he can to keep himself in the running. But with all three contenders at the front of the grid, turn one a potential hotbed for chaos, and 58 laps still left to run, this title is anything but settled.

Verstappen comes to Yas Marina as Norris’ nearest challenger, but with 12 points separating the pair, Verstappen will have to win with Norris fourth or lower if he’s to have any chance of a fifth consecutive title.

‍

Every full-time driver is required to make way for a rookie in at least two free practice sessions over the course of the year. With Abu Dhabi being the season finale, it was rookies galore in FP1.

‍

Luke Browning took Alex Albon’s place at Williams and inadvertently impeded Isack Hadjar at turn 13. 31-year-old Le Mans winner Ryo Hirakawa took to the track for Haas, while Paul Aron made his third appearance for Alpine. The former Formula 2 driver suffered a snap of oversteer out of the final corner en route to P13. Both Aston Martin drivers made way for Cian Shields and Jak Crawford, while Arthur Leclerc joined his elder brother Charles at Ferrari. Ayumu Iswasa took Liam Lawson’s place at Racing Bulls, while Arvid Lindblad, who will be driving for the team next year, took the departing Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull. IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward contested the session for McLaren, which meant Oscar Piastri had to spend FP1 on the sidelines.

‍

When he finally did return in FP2, the Australian had a largely trouble-free run and ended the final session 0.255s off his teammate in fifth. After being denied victory last time out in Qatar, Piastri now finds himself 16 points off the championship lead. Were he to win, Norris would have to finish sixth or lower for Piastri to be champion. Given his slim title hopes and recent form, Piastri has nothing to lose and is likely to be in the mix going forward.  

‍

After benching both their drivers in FP1, Aston Martin was the first team out on track in FP2. Lance Stroll briefly topped the timesheets in the final part of practice but eventually ended the session 14th. His teammate Fernando Alonso fared better as he ended FP3 in fourth.

‍

Haas look strong after free practice. Ollie Bearman vehemently praised his car’s handling in FP2 and ended the final session in 7th, one place behind his teammate Esteban Ocon.  

‍

Charles Leclerc recorded the eighth fastest time ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who suffered a collision with Yuki Tsunoda in the pit lane.

‍

Alex Albon struggled with engine issues in FP2 and ended the following session 10th ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg.

‍

Liam Lawson recorded the 15th fastest time in FP3 ahead of the Red Bull-bound Isack Hadjar. Pierre Gasly ended up 17th ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who suffered a major crash at turn nine in FP3 that brought out the red flag. The seven-time world champion reported a sense of ‘buckling’ at the front end that “snapped the rear”.

‍

Franco Colapinto finished the session 19th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, in his final weekend as a Red Bull driver.

‍

Its advantage: Norris after free practice. However, with Russell having entered the equation and Verstappen and Piastri looming large, it's anyone's guess as to who will take the final, crucial pole of 2025.

The other ticket to the final will be decided between La Irenita La Hache and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú. La Irenita comes off a loss in their latest match, against La Hache Cría & Polo, but that did not prevent them from arriving with chances to this decisive Thursday clash. If they win, they will reach the final. Expectations hinge on the return of 13-time Argentine Open champion Pablo Mac Donough, who missed the last two matches due to injury. Alongside him, Hilario Ulloa —the tournament’s top scorer— Francisco Elizalde, and South African Nachi Du Plessis will try to cap their inconsistent season by reaching the most important match on the international calendar.

‍

Facing them will be Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, the team that has performed best against La Natividad La Dolfina and has also shown many moments of excellent polo. Finalists in Tortugas, their first goal of the season was to reach the Palermo final; the ultimate goal, the title. The union of two giants of world polo —the Pieres and the Heguys— has yielded results, and on paper they come in as favorites for this semifinal. Facundo Pieres, Antonio Heguy, Gonzalo Pieres, and Cruz Heguy are having a strong Argentine Open, but they know that everything resets on Thursday as they seek a place in the grand final.

‍

Palermo will also witness key matches at the lower end of the standings: La Zeta Kazak —against Los Machitos on Wednesday— and La Dolfina II —against La Ensenada on Thursday— must win if they hope to qualify directly for the 2026 Triple Crown. If both win, they will face each other in a tiebreaker to determine who will play a Play-off game against La Aguada, the recent winner of the Cámara de Diputados Cup. If both lose, the team earning that spot will be Sol de Agosto, currently in eighth place in the season’s overall standings. If only one of them wins, that team will qualify for the aforementioned Repechaje for a place in the 2026 Triple Crown.

‍

A truly compelling scenario, with four unmissable matches, and all eyes already set on the grand final this weekend.

A podium in Abu Dhabi will be enough for Norris to win his first world championship; however, with Verstappen and Piastri looming large in his mirrors, Norris’ prospects now look far less secure.

‍

Behind them, George Russell recovered from a messy opening lap to take sixth, ahead of Fernando Alonso, who survived a high-speed spin to secure his ninth points finish of the season.

‍

Charles Leclerc capped off a torrid weekend for both himself and Ferrari with eighth ahead of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who did well to salvage a point after starting 16th.

‍

Alex Albon finished 11th ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had a lonely run to 12th on a weekend that has seen Ferrari get locked into fourth place in the constructors’ championship. A disappointing result to cap off an underwhelming season for the Scuderia.

‍

Franco Colapinto finished 14th ahead of Esteban Ocon, who was hit with a five second penalty for a false start. Pierre Gasly’s Q3 appearance came to nought after that collision with Hulkenberg on lap seven; he finished 16th. Lance Stroll failed to finish, as did Isack Hadjar, who was running in the points until a puncture on lap 56. Ollie Bearman endured a torrid race and also failed to finish, while the damage incurred from his tangle with Gasly forced Hulkenberg out of the running.

‍

With 12 points in hand, a podium in Abu Dhabi will be enough for Norris, but with Piastri still in contention and Verstappen in the form of his life, we are set for a thrilling end to what has been a thoroughly absorbing season.

Ferrari’s struggles look set to continue as Charles Leclerc suffered a massive high-speed spin in Q3 and could only manage 10th. Leclerc was at a loss to explain the car’s lacklustre pace stating that he feels as though everything that can be extracted has.

‍

Nico Hulkenberg missed out on Q3 but will start the race 11th ahead of Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto and Alex Albon. However, Bortoleto will have to serve a five-place gird penalty, which he received for a first corner crash at the previous race in Las Vegas.

‍

After securing a fine fifth in the sprint race, Yuki Tsunoda failed to get out of Q1 and qualified 16th ahead of Esteban Ocon and a disheartened Lewis Hamilton. After making yet more changes to the setup after a poor showing in the sprint, Hamilton was once again unable to string a clear lap together and could only manage 18th. Lance Stroll qualified 19th ahead of Franco Colapinto.

‍

The FIA has ruled that no single set of tyres can complete more than 25 laps in Qatar, such is the strain the Lusail International Circuit puts on the tyres. With all teams committing to a minimum of two pitstops, the drivers will have no choice but to push throughout.

‍

With the three title contenders at the front of the grid, tomorrow looks set to be a pivotal race that could see the crowning of a new world champion.

Behind them, Carlos Sainz took the final points-paying position in eighth, despite losing some bodywork. Isack Hadjar finished ninth ahead of Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman.

‍

Charles Leclerc suffered a poor start and spent much of the sprint in 13th. Liam Lawson briefly overtook Leclerc on lap 11 but did so off the circuit and was forced to hand the place back. Esteban Ocon finished 15th ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, Lewis Hamilton, who started from the pitlane after only qualifying 18th, and Pierre Gasly. Lance Stroll finished 19th despite pitting for a set of soft tyres on lap ahead of Franco Colapinto.

‍

This sprint win could not have come at a more crucial time for Oscar Piastri. However, with Norris still the man in possession and Verstappen in with a shout, the rest of this weekend is going to be vital for all three contenders.

In contrast to his teammate’s upturn in form, Verstappen endured a disappointing session. Numerous bouts of excessive vibrations led to an off-road excursion in SQ3. As a result, the reigning world champion only had time for a single fast lap in the final part of sprint qualifying. Clearly unhappy with the car, Verstappen struggled to sixth. With both his title rivals a long way up the road, tomorrow could mark the end of Verstappen’s championship hopes.

‍

Elsewhere, Kimi Antonelli briefly looked to have failed to get out of SQ2. However, a track limit violation for Hadjar led to his lap time getting deleted, which allowed Antonelli to progress. The rookie eventually secured eighth, one place ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Alex Albon in 10th, rounded off a solid day for Williams.  

‍

Hadjar’s deleted time relegated him to 12th, ahead of Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, who suffered a snap of oversteer out of the last corner in SQ2. Esteban Ocon qualified 15th ahead of Lance Stroll, who was unable to match his teammate, Liam Lawson and Lewis Hamilton.

‍

After struggling in free practice, the seven-time world champion opted for a new, high downforce setup in sprint qualifying. The change in setup did not have the desired effect. A poor lap in SQ1 left the seven-time world champion at risk of elimination, and he was promptly knocked out by Antonelli. Hamilton lamented his lack of pace, stating that he could not get any more speed out of the SF-25. Alpine will occupy the last row of the grid with Pierre Gasly two tenths of a second ahead of his teammate, Franco Colapinto.  

‍

An ever-changing story that refuses to peter out, this year’s title battle has taken yet another turn. With the leading contenders spread out, tomorrow could see either the end of the road or the arrival of yet another curveball.

Fernando Alonso took third in the dying stages of the session. the Spaniard has been a vical critic of this generation of F1 car and has said he will “treat these last two races as celebratory races” as this is the last year of thw current regulations cycle. Carlos Sainz ended the session fourth ahead of Isack Hadjar, who was the first driver to switch from hard to soft tyres and briefly went fastest with less than ten minutes remaining.

‍

Alex Albon recorded the seventh fastest time, while Charles Leclerc struggled with balance and steering issues en route to eighth. Lance Stroll underlined Aston Martin’s initial pace by taking ninth ahead of Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda.

‍

George Russell traded fastest times with Verstappen during his initial runs but eventually had to settle for 14th. Russell has form in Qatar, having taken pole last year and completed a commendable recovery drive to fourth after a first corner tangle in 2023. With all the attention on Verstappen and the McLarens, Russell could upset the established order this weekend.

‍

Oliver Bearman went 15th fastest ahead of Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.

McLaren took a knock in Las Vegas; however, if their free practice pace is anything to go by, Norris and Piastri appear to have the car of choice in Qatar. A race that could see the crowning of a new world champion.

After qualifying 17th and receiving a five-second penalty for jumping the start, Kimi Antonelli’s race looked to be a lost cause. However, a 48-lap final stint, as well as the Mercedes’ formidable race pace, allowed the rookie to surge through the field, finish ahead of Piastri on track and hold on for fifth place. A brilliant result given his Saturday woes.

‍

Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc enjoyed a rapid first stint on the medium tyres to briefly run as high as fifth. Despite a slight drop-off in pace, Leclerc was able to finish sixth, narrowly missing out on passing Antonelli once the latter’s penalty was applied.

‍

With no rainfall on race day, Carlos Sainz was unable to hold on to the impressive third he secured in qualifying. However, the Spaniard did enough to hang on to seventh, scoring eight crucial championship points.

‍

Isack Hadjar enjoyed a few punchy exchanges with Piastri and Leclerc en route to eighth ahead of Nico Hülkenberg, who scored points for the third time in the last four races. After a disappointing qualifying, Lewis Hamilton evaded the opening lap chaos and put in a solid first stint to secure the final points-paying position in tenth, while the two Haas’ of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman came home in 11th and 12th respectively. Fernando Alonso finished 13th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson (who was forced to make an early pitstop after his first corner collision with Piastri) and Franco Colapinto.

‍

Alex Albon was forced to retire after damage incurred from contact with Hamilton, while Gabriel Bortoleto lost control at the first corner and took both himself and Lance Stroll out of contention.

‍

Verstappen may have hit the jackpot in Vegas, but with Norris now 30 points clear, it now seems to be a matter of when, not if, the Brit takes his first world championship. Something he could do at the very next race in Qatar.

Charles Leclerc suffered numerous lockups throughout qualifying and will line up ninth, one place ahead of Pierre Gasly, who was delighted to secure a Q3 spot despite the ‘mental’ conditions. Nico Hulkenberg had the measure of his teammate and will start 11th ahead of Lance Stroll, whose decision to gamble on the intermediate tyres in Q2 did not pay dividends. A disappointing result given the impressive pace he showed throughout Q1. Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman will start 13th and 14th, respectively, ahead of Franco Colapinto, whose spectacular turn 16 save was not enough to secure a place in Q3. Alex Albon hit the wall at the end of Q1 which locked him into 16th.

‍

Kimi Antonelli struggled for grip on the full wet tyres and could only manage 17th, as did Gabriel Bortoleto in 18th. Yuki Tsunoda failed to make Q2 for the seventh time this season, while Lewis Hamilton set an unwanted personal record. After hitting a bollard while preparing for his final flying lap, a miscommunication with the team meant Hamilton was unable to improve on his initial run. For the first time in his career, the seven-time world champion will start last after setting a time in Q1.

‍

Free practice left little room for race simulations. As a result, tomorrow’s race will be a step into the unknown. What is certain is that Norris has the opportunity to knock Verstappen out of the title fight and put yet more distance between himself and Piastri.

Despite a lack of rainfall, the track was once again damp come the start of free practice three, so much so that all the early runs were conducted on intermediate tyres.

‍

Norris was the first to switch to softs but did so prematurely. Implored by his race engineer to exercise caution, the championship leader struggled for grip and could not set a representative lap time. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, had telemetry issues and also failed to get a complete lap in, as a result, the two McLaren drivers ended the session 19th and 20th.

‍

This may not be indicative of their one-lap pace, but the amount of time lost has put Norris and Piastri on the back foot. As the session neared its end, the track began to dry. Less than 15 minutes remained, which ruled out the possibility of any race simulations; all the drivers ran softs, and the lap times began to tumble. George Russell went fastest with three minutes to go, only to be outdone by Albon and Verstappen in quick succession. Russell regained the initiative but was under threat from Verstappen once again, that was until the Red Bull driver went deep at turn 17 and aborted his final run.

‍

Verstappen voiced his frustration at the slow-moving cars ahead as he was forced to leave the racing line and take to the damp sections of the track. In the end, it was Russell on top ahead of Verstappen, Albon, Hadjar, Hamilton (who's widely tipped to be a possible podium contender this weekend), Lawson, Stroll and Alonso. Pierre Gasly rounded off the top ten despite an off-road excursion in FP3.

As expected, Mercedes and Red Bull look to have strong pace in Vegas. However, with raindrops falling at the end of FP3 and the track evolution significant, qualifying in Sin City will be a hotly contested affair.

Behind them, Oliver Bearman capitalised on his eighth-place starting position, pulled off some eye-catching overtakes, came out on top after a memorable tussle with Nico Hulkenberg on lap 48, and eventually secured sixth, his fifth points finish in eight races.

‍

Once the initial flurry of pitstops had ended and the running order had been established, Liam Lawson found himself in seventh at the head of a very tight DRS train. In the end, seventh through 14th were covered by just 3.1 seconds. Lawson hung on ahead of his teammate, Isack Hadjar, while Nico Hulkenberg was able to take ninth. Pierre Gasly in tenth, secured his and Alpine’s first grand prix points finish since Silverstone ahead of Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Franco Colapinto.

‍

Lance Stroll tangled with Gabriel Bortoleto on the opening lap and was later spun round by Yuki Tsunoda, who ended up with two ten-second penalties after incorrectly serving his first.

‍

Ferrari had a race to forget. Charles Leclerc was forced to retire after that lap five collision, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton made contact with Sainz on the opening lap before running into the back of Colapinto. The resulting wing and floor damage caused a significant drop-off in pace, and Hamilton eventually retired on lap 38.

‍

After missing out on qualifying thanks to a crash in the sprint, Gabriel Bortoleto’s first home race lasted just half a lap. A tangle with Lance Stroll in the middle sector sent him spinning into the barriers, a sad end to a painful weekend for the 20-year-old.

‍

With three races and a sprint remaining, Norris now has a 24-point buffer to Piastri. If his current form is anything to go by, nothing short of a major implosion can deny Norris the 2025 world championship.

Nico Hulkenberg recovered from his sprint race shunt with a controlled drive to tenth, while Fernando Alonso was “not comfortable in the cockpit” and could only manage 11th. Having struggled with setup issues all weekend, Alex Albon admitted to not having found the ideal operating window. He will start 12th ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who reported rear instability and tire issues in qualifying. Lance Stroll qualified 15th ahead of Carlos Sainz and the session's biggest surprise: Max Verstappen. A new setup, inadequate grip, and subsequent loss of confidence meant the world champion failed to get out of Q1 for the first time since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. He may have won from 17th on the grid in Sao Paulo last year, but with heavy rain not expected on race day and Norris on pole, this could mark the end of Verstappen’s shaky championship hopes.

‍

Esteban Ocon in 17th was once again unable to contend with his teammate’s one-lap pace. Franco Colapinto will start 18th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who underlined Red Bull’s drop off in pace and mentioned issues with tyre warmup.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto did not contest qualifying. After a heavy crash in the sprint race, the Sauber mechanics were unable to fix the car in time for the session.

‍

It is unquestionably advantage Norris in the title race, but with light drizzle expected on Sunday, Interlagos looks set to deliver yet another absorbing grand prix.

After that aggressive restart, Alonso found himself under pressure from both the Ferraris. Alonso was obstinate in his defence but eventually lost out to Charles Leclerc on lap 22. Alonso came home fifth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, whose sliced his way through the opening lap traffic to climb from 11th to 7th. Pierre Gasly benefitted from the carnage ahead of him to claim the last points-paying position in eighth, ahead of Lance Stroll and Isack Hadjar. Esteban Ocon completed a memorable move on Liam Lawson at turn four on lap 17 en route to 11th ahead of his teammate Ollie Bearman.

‍

Liam Lawson came home 13th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. After qualifying last, Carlos Sainz started from the pit lane and recovered to 15th ahead of Nico Hulkenberg. His valiant efforts in sprint qualifying ultimately amounted to very little as he finished 16th. Alex Albon finished 17th after narrowly avoiding a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto, who dove down the inside at the start of the final lap, only to lose traction and spear into the barriers.  With his car severely damaged it remains unclear as to whether or not Bortoleto will be able to partake in qualifying later today.

‍

This weekend is far from over, but with Norris having had the measure of both his title rivals thus far, it's safe to say Piastri and Verstappen have a lot of work to do if they’re to have any hope of catching him.

Max Verstappen looked to be on the pace during the initial hard tyre runs. However, the reigning world champion was unable to set a representative time on the softs at the end of the session and was therefore classified 17th, just ahead of the two Ferraris. Charles Leclerc’s best time was set on the hards and was only good enough for P18. The same was true of Lewis Hamilton, who also suffered a 720-degree spin in the final sector.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda found himself at the bottom of the timesheet, thanks in part to a crash early in the session. A wayward moment on the exit of turn four sent him spinning into the barriers. Tsunoda was able to continue despite the resulting contact.  

‍

McLaren may have taken the spoils in free practice, but with Verstappen’s true pace a mystery, it is difficult to pick a favourite as we head into sprint qualifying.

Lance Stroll underlined Aston Martin’s strong pace with a commendable run to seventh, while Charles Leclerc considered his eighth place to be representative of Ferrari’s pace. Despite a couple of lockups early in the session, Isack Hadjar was able to secure ninth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg.

‍

Lewis Hamilton endured yet another frustrating session. After failing to secure a place in the top ten after his initial run in SQ2, a late session spin for Leclerc brought out a double waved yellow flag and prevented Hamilton from getting to the line fast enough to set a final flying lap. As a result, Hamilton qualified 11^th but is currently under investigation for failing to slow sufficiently for the double waved yellows and could face a grid penalty for the sprint race.

‍

Alex Albon qualified 12^th ahead of Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto and Ollie Bearman. Franco Colapinto came within two tenths of SQ2 but had to settle for 16^th ahead of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda who couldn’t get to grips with the RB21’s tricky low downforce setup. Esteban Ocon was once again unable to match his teammate’s one lap pace and will line up 19^th ahead of Carlos Sainz who struggled throughout and was the only driver not to break the 1m11s barrier.

‍

So far McLaren have been the team to beat with Norris the inform driver, but with rain a possibility on both Saturday and Sunday, Interlagos may spring a surprise or two.

Fresh from pocketing his Saudi cheque, Jannik Sinner doubled down and headed to the Vienna Open. There, he faced the usual Grand Slam suspects — Cobolli, Bublik, de Minaur and Zverev — and dispatched them all once again to lift the title before a delighted Austrian crowd. Still, signs of fatigue from a long season were visible early in the final: a brief hamstring cramp raised alarms, even if it didn’t derail his form. Vienna also marked a personal milestone — Sinner surpassed $50 million in career prize money and entered the home stretch of 2025 with momentum firmly on his side.

‍

But season endings have a way of ushering in new names. In Basel, the indoor Swiss classic, 19-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca (World No. 28) stunned Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-4 to claim his second career title — and the biggest of his young career. His fearless run lit up a quiet fortnight on tour and hinted that 2026 may be poised with more from him.

‍

The cherry on top of the cake? Alcaraz’s case for a perfect ending

Alcaraz’s season defies easy description. Only he knows the effort it took to reclaim the World No. 1 spot after that gruelling US Open triumph over Jannik Sinner. 2025 has tilted decisively his way, and the Spaniard now aims to close it in style. His Paris Masters campaign begins against Britain’s Cameron Norrie — a match he’s widely expected to navigate — before a possible run through Jiri Lehečka (No. 14), Casper Ruud (No. 8), Félix Auger-Aliassime (No. 9), Taylor Fritz (No. 4) or Alex de Minaur (No. 6). And, if the draw holds, perhaps one final showdown with Sinner to cap the year. There’s added incentive, too: should Alcaraz reach the semifinals, Sinner’s chances of overtaking him as world No. 1 before 2026 will vanish.

‍

Memories still linger from their last Paris encounter — a five-and-a-half-hour epic in which Alcaraz’s comeback left his Italian rival drained both physically and mentally. That night will surely echo in Sinner’s mind. Yet the conditions at La Défense Arena — hard court and indoors— tilt ever so slightly in his favour this time.

‍

But talk only goes so far — what we want now is action. Alcaraz takes on Cameron Norrie this evening, while Jannik Sinner opens his campaign against Zizou Bergs on Tuesday night. The Paris Masters final is set for Sunday, 2 November — one last stage for brilliance before the curtain falls on 2025.

There will be plenty at stake beyond the immediate trophy. For cousins Antonio and Cruz Heguy, both 22, this will be their first-ever Triple Crown final. Their teammate Facundo Pieres will be chasing his 12th Tortugas title, which would allow him to equal Pablo Mac Donough as the tournament’s all-time top winner. His brother Gonzalo, meanwhile, will be going for his 11th championship. Ellerstina remains the most successful team in Tortugas history with 13 titles, having first won in 1992 and most recently in 2021. Indios Chapaleufú, on the other hand, has claimed 12 trophies in Tortugas — five as Indios Chapaleufú I, four as Los Indios, two as Indios Chapaleufú II, and one as Indios Chapaleufú.

‍

As for La Natividad La Dolfina, Adolfo Cambiaso will seek his 10th Tortugas title, while his nephews Barto and Camilo Castagnola will look to lift the trophy for the third time. For Poroto Cambiaso, this could be his first-ever Tortugas championship. Individually, La Natividad owns two Tortugas titles (2022 and 2023), while La Dolfina claimed six consecutive wins between 2013 and 2018.

‍

LINE-UPS

La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10, Adolfo Cambiaso (n) 10, Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10. Total: 40 goals.

Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú Vista: Facundo Pieres 10, Antonio Heguy 8, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9, Cruz Heguy 9. Total: 36 goals.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero and Guillermo Villanueva.  

‍Third Man: Matías Baibiene.

Venue: Tortugas Country Club, Field #7.

Kick-Off: October 30, 5pm (Argentina).

For the second week in a row, Oscar Piastri has been unable to contend with his teammate. Starting seventh, Piastri spent much of his race stuck behind the Mercedes’ of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. The Australian was one of many drivers who decided to switch to a two-stop strategy and pitted on lap 48. After jumping Antonelli in the pits, Piastri overtook Russell on lap 61 but was unable to pass Bearman and had to settle for fifth, relinquishing the championship lead for the first time since April. With Verstappen 34 points behind him in third, Piastri has work to do if he's to rediscover the rhythm and consistency he showed in the early part of this season.

‍

Kimi Antonelli finished sixth, albeit after a late race swap with a dissatisfied George Russell. Starting fourth, Russell lost out to Verstappen on lap one and soon found himself sandwiched between his teammate and Piastri. Believing himself to be faster than Antonelli, Russell repeatedly urged his team to let him pass, but Mercedes declined to do so until lap 41. After losing out to Piastri, Russell let his teammate back past and later lamented the questionable calls made by the stewards over the numerous corner-cutting incidents.  

‍

Having lost track position to Verstappen on lap six, Lewis Hamilton locked up and ran wide at turn five. The seven-time world champion failed to follow the escape road and cut across the grass while rejoining the circuit. An incident that earned him a ten-second penalty. A late switch to a two-stop strategy on lap 48 did little to improve his fortunes as Hamilton came home eighth. Although disappointed with the penalty, Hamilton said there were positives to take from his and the car’s performance this weekend.

‍

Esteban Ocon took ninth to cap off a great weekend for Haas as they leapfrogged Sauber for eighth in the constructors’ championship. A bold move around the outside of Isack Hadjar on lap 53 was enough to seal tenth for Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon. Hadjar suffered a major drop-off in tyre performance during the latter stages of the grand prix and had to settle for 13th, ahead of Lance Stroll. Pierre Gasly finished 15th ahead of Franco Colapinto, while Carlos Sainz capped off a disappointing weekend with a mechanical failure on lap 67. Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, and Liam Lawson also failed to finish.

‍

A single point is all that separates the McLarens. With Verstappen continuing his charge in third, it's safe to say every remaining point will be precious for every remaining contender as the season nears its climax.

Behind him, Kimi Antonelli narrowly avoided a Q1 exit and recovered to a creditable sixth, ahead of Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman showed solid pace throughout qualifying, going so far as to top the timesheets in Q1 and will start the race seventh, one place ahead of another eye-catching midfield runner: Ollie Bearman. Yuki Tsunoda ran a different rear wing to his teammate and missed out on Q3 but will start 10th due to Sainz’s demotion. Esteban Ocon will line up 11th, while Sainz, having gone seventh fastest in Q3, will serve a five-place grid penalty for a collision with Antonelli in Austin.

‍

Sauber’s solid pace in free practice did not carry over into qualifying as Nico Hulkenberg could only manage 13th, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson. Unable to match his teammate, both Lawson’s Q2 runs fell victim to mistakes. He could only manage 15th and cited a lack of grip as the main concern.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto will start 16th ahead of Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, and Franco Colapinto. Any hopes the Argentinian had of escaping Q1 were dashed by a wayward moment at turn three, much to Flavio Briatore’s disappointment.

‍

With all the recent speculation having revolved around Max Verstappen, an emphatic pole was just the result Norris needed. He’s got the best seat in the house for the race, but given the 890-meter dash down to turn one as well as the tight right-hander at the end of it. It's still anyone’s guess as to who will take the spoils in Mexico.

Normal service resumed in FP2, with Max Verstappen returning to the track and promptly setting the fastest time, despite a lockup at Turn 4. Leclerc ended the session second ahead of Antonelli, fuelling speculation over Mercedes and Ferrari’s true pace. Red Bull have vowed to develop the RB21 until the end of the season in order to give Verstappen the best opportunity to take the title, but the six-time constructors’ champions are one of six teams that have brought upgraded components to Mexico. Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Williams, Sauber, and Alpine have all brought new parts with the primary aim of improving cooling. A major concern, given the thinner air that results from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez being situated over 2,200 meters above sea level. Russell went deep at turn 10 en route to sixth place at the end of the session, while Oscar Piastri could only manage 12th in FP2.

‍

Hamilton pushed from the beginning of FP3 and was able to secure P2 with his teammate Leclerc in fourth. Norris posted a time of 1m16.633s with less than 10 minutes to go, a time no one could outdo. Verstappen voiced his concerns over poor grip and inadequate race pace and could only manage sixth come session’s end, one place behind Oscar Piastri, who has looked to be the lesser of the two McLaren drivers thus far. Piastri comes to Mexico in desperate need of a good result, having lost 64 points to Verstappen since the summer break, with Norris just 14 points off the championship lead in second. Kimi Antonelli ended up seventh, ahead of Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda. Sauber look to be in the midfield fight with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg ending the final session in 10th and 14th respectively. Esteban Ocon ended FP3 12th despite a turn error in FP2.

‍

Carlos Sainz could only manage 15th, while his teammate Alex Albon brushed the wall coming out of the final corner in FP2 and suffered three separate lockups in FP3. Oliver Bearman ended the final session 17th ahead of the two Alpines, while Fernando Alonso ended up last after a team detected “a small issue with the front right” on his Aston Martin.

‍

Norris and McLaren have laid down the gauntlet in free practice, but with altitude a factor and a plethora of teams in contention already, there’s little telling as to who will take pole in Mexico.  

Behind him, George Russell tried to reclaim his starting position, but the Mercedes’ lacklustre race pace left him unable to catch Piastri despite the latter’s tyre issues. Yuki Tsunoda made up for his qualifying woes with seventh, despite a skirmish with Ollie Bearman on lap 35. A very late move by Tsunoda at turn 16 forced Bearman to take to the gravel, which caused a spin. Bearman did not mince words in his post-race interviews, stating that there was no point in even speaking to Tsunoda. The incident did not result in a penalty, but Bearman was able to recover to ninth, a deserved points finish given the impressive pace he’s shown all weekend. After colliding with Piastri in the sprint and failing to make Q3 for the race, Nico Hulkenberg was able to make the most of his first set of mediums and come home a valiant eighth.

‍

Fernando Alonso took the final points-paying position in tenth ahead of Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, and Kimi Antonelli, all of whom loomed large in his mirrors in the closing stages. Antonelli was spun to the back of the grid after a coming together with Carlos Sainz at turn 16 on lap seven and ended the race 13th, one place ahead of Alex Albon. Esteban Ocon suffered a slow pitstop and could only manage 15th ahead of Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto, who defied team orders and passed his teammate Pierre Gasly on lap 55. Gasly lost out to Gabriel Bortoleto a lap later and was the last car over the line.

‍

The damage Carlos Sainz incurred from his collision with Antonelli proved terminal, Sainz was deemed to be predominantly at fault will incur a five-place grid penalty at the next race in Mexico.

‍

With this win, Verstappen is now 40 points behind Piastri in the driver’s championship. McLaren may be upbeat about their prospects heading into Mexico, but with Verstappen on the march and the gap between Norris and Piastri too small to warrant team orders, there’s plenty more to play for in 2025.

Kimi Antonelli made it into Q3 for the 13th time this year and will line up seventh, just in front of Ollie Bearman, who delighted the Haas pit wall with his best qualifying result of the season. A great showing given the fact that Bearman has never before competed at the Circuit of The Americas.

‍

Carlos Sainz carried the Williams flag in ninth ahead of his compatriot Fernando Alonso.

‍

There was no repeat of Nico Hulkenberg’s sprint qualifying heroics as he fell just short of Q3 in 11th. Liam Lawson will line up 12th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who reported multiple cases of impediment throughout qualifying. Pierre Gasly will start 14th ahead of his teammate Franco Colapinto, who made it into Q2 for only the fifth time this season.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto could only manage 16th, 0.011s ahead of Esteban Ocon, who had no answer to his teammate’s one-lap pace. Lance Stroll looked to have gotten out of Q1, only to have his lap time deleted. He ended the session 18^th, but has to serve a five-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Ocon in the sprint race.

‍

Behind him, Alex Albon, who suffered a similar fate. After securing a spot in Q2 and knocking Franco Colapinto out in the process, Albon was found to have exceeded track limits at turn 15. He will therefore start 18th ahead of the session’s only casualty, Isack Hadjar, who crashed out during his first flying lap in Q1 and failed to get a time on the board. Having aimed for a points finish coming into this weekend, that task now looks all but impossible for the RB driver.

‍

A long race lies ahead, but with Verstappen on pole, Norris in second, and Piastri down in the midfield, this year’s United States Grand Prix has the potential to blow this championship wide open.

Alex Albon was unhappy with his race pace but nevertheless enjoyed a quiet but commendable run to sixth, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who managed to thread his way through the carnage at turn one, make up 11 places and secure seventh, despite running over Hulkenberg’s dislodged front wing.

‍

Kimi Antonelli spent much of the sprint in ninth as he hounded Ollie Bearman for the final points position. A memorable tussle on lap 14 saw Bearman hang on to eighth; however, the stewards concluded that Bearman had retained the place by going off track at turn 16. A ten-second penalty demoted him to 15th and handed Antonelli the final points-paying position.

‍

A solid showing from Liam Lawson saw him move from 15th to ninth, one place ahead of Pierre Gasly and the sprint’s biggest mover: Gabriel Bortoleto.

‍

After failing to set a time in SQ1 and starting from the back of the grid, Bortoleto made up nine positions in the sprint. Isack Hadjar finished 12th ahead of Hulkenberg, whose stunning performance in sprint qualifying was undone by the first corner incident. After pitting for a new front wing and rejoining at the back of the field, Hulkenberg had diced with Hadjar on lap 12 but ultimately lost out. Franco Colapinto finished 14th with Bearman last over the line.

‍

On lap 16, Lance Stroll attempted a lunge on Esteban Ocon but locked up and made contact. The collision forced both drivers out of the race and brought out the safety car behind which the race was concluded.

‍

With this win, Verstappen has cut Piastri’s championship lead to 55 points and now sits 33 points behind Norris. This marks McLaren’s first double DNF of the season, one their drivers will have to swiftly put behind them as they head straight into qualifying.

Carlos Sainz made up for his free practice woes with a controlled drive to seventh despite the limited running. Ferrari appears to be some way adrift of the frontrunners as both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc narrowly avoided Q2 elimination. The decision to run two flying laps in SQ3 did not pay dividends, with the pair only managing eighth and tenth, respectively. Leclerc admitted to losing time virtually everywhere and did not expect any major improvements in the sprint race. While Hamilton expressed surprise at the drop off in pace relative to free practice and said he had a “mountain to climb” for the rest of the weekend.

‍

By contrast, Alex Albon capped off an encouraging day for Williams by splitting the Ferraris in ninth, despite struggling more than he did in free practice. Kimi Antonelli missed out on SQ3 by just 0.006s and will start 11th, ahead of Isack Hadjar, who also narrowly missed out on the final part of Sprint qualifying. Pierre Gasly did well to get his Alpine out of SQ1 and will line up 13th ahead of Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson, whose final run in SQ2 was scuppered by a track limit violation at turn 19.  

‍

Haas look to be in no man’s land ahead of their home grand prix. Ollie Bearman will start 16th ahead of Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda. Traffic was a major issue in SQ1 with a bevy of midfield runners all jostling for the same piece of tarmac on their out laps. As a result, Tsunoda was left frustrated at not being able to set a final flying lap, as was Gabriel Bortoleto, who will start from the back of the grid behind Esteban Ocon. A disappointing result given what the Sauber is clearly capable of.

‍

It may only be the sprint, but Austin’s infamous first corner is seldom void of chaos. A mixed-up grid headed by the three title protagonists is going to be one to watch on Saturday, as is the remainder of the weekend. Whichever way you cut it, this championship is very far from over.

Isack Hadjar had an unusual miscommunication with his race engineer as he was repeatedly told of Valtteri Bottas’ whereabouts on track, despite the Finn not being on the grid this year. His fastest time was enough for ninth place, one place ahead of Ollie Bearman.

‍

Esteban Ocon took to the gravel, before reporting that the brake pedal “stayed 100 per cent the whole way” en route to 11th. Gabriel Bortoleto could not replicate his teammate’s heroics and ended the session 12th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll, whose off-road excursion at turn 19 dragged debris onto the track and engendered the red flag with 40 minutes remaining. Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Kimi Antonelli filled the remaining positions ahead of the session’s two biggest casualties: Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who both found themselves the victims of mechanical issues.

‍

Sainz managed to complete just nine laps before suffering a gearbox problem and ending up 19th, while Leclerc’s non-representative time of 1m 36.080 was the slowest of the session. Not the result either driver needed as they look to bounce back after frustrating weekends last time out in Singapore.

‍

With three drivers in with a shout of the world title and the contractors’ title wrapped up, the typically enthralling Circuit of the Americas looks set to serve up another thriller.

There’s also a difference in approach. Most rallies take place over three days and can cover up to 350 kilometres worth of point-to-point stages. The stages themselves can last up to 35 kilometres, and the slightest mistake can ruin an entire weekend’s work. FIA single seater commission president Emmanuele Piro believes that the measured approach required of top-tier rally drivers is worlds away from the flat-out attacking style needed to thrive in circuit racing, and that failure to embrace the former is what causes most circuit racers to crash incessantly when they make the switch to rallying. This was certainly true of Kimi Raikkonen, who famously joined the WRC for two years during his break from F1 in 2010 and 2011. He secured 11 points finishes but was never far from a major shunt.

‍

Whether the inverse is true remains to be seen, as there are very few instances of successful rally drivers making the switch to Formula 1. The likes of Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, and Sebastien Loeb have all tested F1 machinery, with the latter very nearly securing a drive for Toro Rosso in 2009, but the feasibility of Rovanperä’s switch is up in the air. Super Formula should be a good litmus test, it's a highly competitive series in which the likes of Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson have competed, and while success there would likely warrant a Formula 2 seat for ’27, Rovanperä would have to win the series and finish at least sixth in Formula 2 in order to earn the required 40 super license points needed for Formula 1.

‍

There’s also the small matter of a seat. If all goes as planned, Rovanperä will be at least 27 by the time of his Formula 1 debut. It’s therefore understandable why some may inquire as to who will give him a drive. Fortunately, Rovanperä has some big names behind him. He is a Red Bull athlete after all, backing that could help land a seat in Formula 2, and if there’s any F1 operation that would be willing to take a punt on an unconventional driver, it's surely Red Bull. Given the ever-changing nature of their driver landscape (Verstappen has had six different teammates in the last seven years, in case you were wondering), the Austrian outfit cannot be ruled out.

‍

Toyota is another viable option; the Japanese giants signed Rovanperä when he was just 19 and have presided over all his WRC success. Toyota has a history in Formula 1 and returned to the sport in 2024 as a partner for Haas. In addition to supplying a fresh injection of funds (which is reported to be worth tens of millions a year and has allowed the midfield squad to test its old F1 machinery for the first time ever) Toyota has voiced its intention to use this partnership to provide opportunities for its factory drivers. Ritomo Miyata and Ryo Hirakawa have both driven Haas cars this year, and it's hard to imagine Rovanperä not being granted similar opportunities, seeing as how Toyota have agreed to back his circuit racing endeavours.

‍

So, could Kalle Rovanperä do the unthinkable and make it all the way to Formula 1? Right now, it’s impossible to say. His Super Formula campaign is going to be a revealing one, and while he has some serious backing behind him, the road to F1 is seldom void of obstacles. What is certain is that this is unlikely to be a wasted exercise. Should Rovanperä perform in either Super Formula or Formula 2, he will almost certainly have the chance to compete in the World Endurance Championship.

‍

Toyota is an entrant in the series’ top Hypercar class and has won the famed Le Mans 24 Hours on four previous occasions. Rovanperä has been vocal in his desire to contest the most famous endurance race of them all, and with Toyota on side, it's hard to see him not making it work, assuming he can adapt to single-seater racing.

‍

Kalle Rovanperä’s future is as exciting as it is uncertain, but even if he doesn’t go all the way, his exploits over the coming years are going to be worth watching. If nothing else, we are witnessing one of the world’s most talented drivers embark on an unprecedented racing tangent.

A vital day for tennis

It was a defining day for tennis — one that broke the usual script. The familiar dominance of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic faded into silence, leaving space for a different kind of story. This was a day to celebrate the heartbeat of the sport: the players who travel the world chasing progress, testing themselves week after week beneath the glare reserved for the elite. The 2025 Shanghai Masters will be remembered as the tournament that gave us a family affair between two outsiders — a quiet rebellion against hierarchy and a rare moment of tennis redistributing its glory to those who’ve long played in its shadows.

‍

At the trophy ceremony, Rinderknech could barely find the words — or the energy — to describe what this final had meant for him and his family. Who could have imagined they’d meet across the net on such a stage? Or that the younger cousin would triumph and leap to world No. 40? Not even their families dared to dream it. Stories like this come once in a decade. And for those who tuned in on Sunday found a rare kind of magic: a fairytale of underdog effort and kinship. One that still feels rare amid the beautiful brutality of this sport.

Rinderknech bounced back with some extra motivation

Just after Djokovic’s exit, Daniil Medvedev took to the court to face Arthur Rinderknech. Perhaps the Serb’s shock defeat lingered in his mind — if the world’s greatest could fall to the world No. 204, then rankings suddenly felt irrelevant. For Rinderknech, the motivation was clear: he wouldn’t be facing the legend, but with a win, he might just earn the chance to face his younger cousin.

‍

Their encounter was charged with emotion — a test of resilience and nerve. Medvedev took the first set 6–4 after a cautious start, capitalising on Rinderknech’s early jitters and a string of unforced errors. As the set concluded, both players headed for a break, but when Medvedev returned promptly to the court, Rinderknech lingered a little longer. At that stage, any tactic to rattle the Russian felt worth a try.

‍

Rinderknech stormed back with fierce determination to take the second set 6–2. He wasn’t about to miss the chance of facing his own cousin, was he? The match would now be decided in a third and defining set. And the Frenchman didn’t shy away — on the contrary, he rose to the moment. At 4–4, the duel hung finely in the balance, but Rinderknech held firm to lead 5–4 on serve. All he needed now was a break — or the nerve to survive a tie-break. It was the kind of pivotal moment that reminds us tennis is, above all, a mental game. Rinderknech piled on the pressure, pushing Medvedev to 40–30. The Russian flirted with defeat through a double fault, recovered to deuce, but the momentum had shifted. Another double fault sealed it — and with it, a career-defining moment for Arthur Rinderknech: a Masters 1000 final, against his own cousin.

‍

The family affair is set for Sunday, 12 October — two cousins facing off for the Shanghai title. After the Rinderknech–Medvedev semifinal, they shared a warm embrace; but come tomorrow, one question remains: will family affection give way to fierce ambition, or will this final gift us a duel played with brotherly charm?

A similar scene unfolded in Wuhan, where Emma Raducanu was forced to retire under punishing conditions — 31 °C heat and 67% humidity. The Briton was trailing Ann Li 6–1, 6–1 when play was halted for a medical check on her blood pressure. Moments later, she walked off the court, citing dizziness.

‍

Many for this have blamed the ATP for lacking what both the Grand Slams and the WTA already enforce: extreme-heat policies designed to protect players from dangerous weather conditions that can force them out of competition. Tennis remains a sport where standards are far from unified, a reality that, as The Guardian’s Tumaini Carayol notes, stems from governing bodies ‘protecting their own interests’. If the sport truly wants to present itself as consistent and player-focused, this week’s events in China suggest that systemic change is long overdue.

‍

…but didn’t take down the legend

As much as the heatwave posed a serious obstacle for many players, tennis is, after all, a summer sport — high temperatures come with it. We’ve seen them peak at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Yet what unfolded in Shanghai this week demanded something extraordinary — and special praise belongs to the greatest of them all, Novak Djokovic. Even he wasn’t spared of the brutal toll the heat can take on a body returning serves at 200 kilometers per hour.

‍

Djokovic vomited in two consecutive matches, visibly shaken by the conditions. Against Jaume Munar, he vomited twice and fell to the ground for about a minute — at one point appearing close to giving up. But legends rarely back down. At 38 years old, helped briefly by a doctor and cleared to continue after a vital check, he somehow summoned the strength to prevail 6–3, 5–7, 6–2 over the 28-year-old Spaniard. Two days later, on Thursday, October 9, Djokovic marched on to secure his 10th Shanghai Masters semifinal. When asked afterwards how it felt, his answer was as raw as it was human: ‘I was just trying to stay alive in the court’.

‍

The other quarterfinals unfolded in equally punishing conditions — a battle of sweaty bodies and stubborn minds. Arthur Rinderknech defeated Félix Auger-Aliassime 6–3, 6–4 to reach his first-ever Masters 1000 semifinal, delivering a clean, first-strike performance in which his superiority at the net gave him the upper hand. Though there were no medical timeouts, the oppressive heat clearly favoured Rinderknech’s quick-point strategy, rewarding those who could end rallies fast.

‍

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev faced Alex de Minaur in what promised to be one of the most gruelling duels of the tournament. In the end, the Russian prevailed 6–4, 6–4, advancing to his first Shanghai semifinal since lifting the title in 2019. Medvedev played with intelligence, saving his best shots for the closing moments of each set and mixing in timely net approaches to secure key points. Even so, the sauna-like humidity took its toll — he required a medical timeout for cramping midway through the match, another reminder of how extreme the conditions have been all week.

‍

Finally, the biggest surprise of the quarterfinals came from Valentin Vacherot, the Monegasque ranked world No. 204, who stunned Holger Rune in a three-set battle — 2–6, 7–6(4), 6–4. Rune missed his chances in the second-set tiebreak, while Vacherot showed remarkable composure in the pressure moments of what has been a breakthrough week in spite of luckily playing Griekspoor instead of Sinner in the Round of 16.

‍

But what makes Vacherot’s story even more captivating is not just his arrival in a Masters 1000 semifinal, but the possibility of an all-family final. His cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, is on the opposite side of the draw and the idea of a ‘family affair’ final has captured the imagination of fans and media alike.

‍

Tomorrow, Novak Djokovic will face Vacherot in the afternoon session at 10:30 a.m. EST, followed by Daniil Medvedev against Rinderknech in the night session at 1:30 p.m. EST — a schedule that could deliver either a cousin showdown or perhaps Djokovic’s last Masters 1000 final.

Hamilton was placed under investigation for track limit violations and received a post-race five-second penalty that dropped him to eighth.

‍

After seeing his Q3 efforts scuppered by a slow stop, Alonso converted his frustration into speed. The two-time world champion came out on top after a memorable dice with Isack Hadjar, pressured Alex Albon into a lockup on lap 43 and secured a credible seventh, ahead of Hamilton and Ollie Bearman, who survived a first corner collision with Hadjar to finish ninth.

‍

After being excluded from qualifying through no fault of his own, Carlos Sainz opted for a lengthy first stint, only ditching his medium tyres on lap 50. The strategy paid off as Sainz was able to snatch the final points paying position in 10th.  Engine trouble meant Isack Hadjar was unable to maintain his eighth-place starting position and slipped to 11th, one place ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. Lance Stroll’s lengthy first stint did not pay dividends as he finished 13th ahead of Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg. The latter spun out of contention on lap 45 and was the last car over the line.

‍

Verstappen leaves Singapore having gained just three points on Oscar Piastri. However, with tension simmering in the McLaren camp and Norris just 22 points behind his teammate, none of the leading trio can be ruled out completely.  

On an individual note, Adolfo Cambiaso achieved his 16th career victory at the Hurlingham Open, making him the most successful player in the tournament’s history. Meanwhile, Barto and Camilo Castagnola and their cousin Poroto Cambiaso now boast three titles each.

‍

With the Hurlingham Open concluded, the focus now shifts to the Tortugas Country Club Open, the second leg of the Argentine Triple Crown, featuring the same eight teams that competed in Hurlingham. Weather permitting, the tournament will run from Tuesday, October 7, through Saturday, October 25, serving as the prelude to the season’s grand finale: the 132nd Argentine Open Championship in Palermo.

‍

With its triumph at Hurlingham, La Natividad La Dolfina has struck the first blow and positioned itself as a top contender for the Triple Crown, a feat that has not been achieved since 2015, when La Dolfina completed the remarkable sweep.

‍

Hurlingham Open Final: La Natividad La Dolfina 12-9 UAE Polo

La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10 (8 goals, four penalties), Adolfo Cambiaso (grandson) 10 (1), Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. 10 (2), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10 (1). Total: 40.

‍UAE Polo: Pablo Pieres 9 (6, four penalties), Lucas Monteverde (grandson) 9 (2), Tomás Panelo 9 (1), Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 37.

‍Score La Natividad La Dolfina: 1-1, 2-4, 5-5, 8-6, 9-7, 10-7, 11-9, 12-9.

‍Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Gonzalo López Vargas.

‍Third man: José I. Araya.

‍Juan Carlos Harriott Award to the MVP: Camilo Castagnola.

‍Javier Novillo Astrada Award to the Best Player: Camilo Castagnola.

‍Fair Play Award: Juan Martín Nero.

Daniel Kearney Award to the Best Playing Pone: Baysur Clara, played by Adolfo Cambiaso Jr.

AAP Award to the Best Playing Pony: Show Down, played by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Best Argentine Bred: Baysur Clara, played by Adolfo Cambiaso Jr.

Top Scorer of the Final Award: Camilo Castagnola, 8 goals.

Yuki Tsunoda could not make the most of the RB21’s reworked front wing and will line up 13^th ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto and Lance Stroll. Franco Colapinto outqualified his teammate for only the fourth time this year in 16th, ahead of Esteban Ocon, who has been unable to contend with his teammate’s searing pace; he’ll start 17^th. A mechanical issue at the end of Q1 put an end to Pierre Gasly’s prospects and relegated him to what would have been the back of the grid, were it not for Williams’ misfortune.

Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th and 13th, respectively, only for post-session scrutineering to reveal that the DRS flap on both cars exceeded the 85mm limit on both sides of the rear wing. Both drivers were promptly disqualified, allowing those behind to shuffle up a place. A disastrous end to qualifying, given the solid pace Williams showed throughout free practice.

‍

Russell’s one-lap pace proved too hot for anyone to handle. But with a long race ahead and at least three teams in with a shout of victory, this year’s Singapore Grand Prix looks set to be an engaging affair.

Ferrari look to be some way off the likes of Red Bull and McLaren. Lewis Hamilton had a hair-raising brush with the wall at turn 14 in FP2 en route to eighth in FP3. Charles Leclerc had an unusual coming together with Lando Norris in the pitlane as both drivers left their respective garages simultaneously before ending the final session in tenth.

‍

Sauber look to be on form as Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto ended FP3 in ninth and 12th respectively, while the two Haas’s of Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearmen had a relatively uneventful run to 13th and 14th.

‍

Fernando Alonso looked to be on course for a major upset as he topped the timesheets in FP1. However, this pace did not persist as Alonso ended FP3 15th, two places and four tenths ahead of his teammate, Lance Stroll. That said, Alonso still hailed this Friday as among his best of that year.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda in 18th was unable to capitalise on Red Bull’s reworked front wing, while Alpine look set to bring up the rear. Pierre Gasly ran wide at turn 14 in FP1 and could only manage 19th, while Franco Colapinto nearly hit Verstappen in the closing seconds of FP3 as he made way for his teammate. Sixteenth was all the Argentinian could manage.

‍

With Verstappen, Mercedes, and McLaren all in the mix, we look set for a thrilling qualifying ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. A race that could prove pivotal in determining the destiny of this world championship.  

Last week, Alcaraz turned his ankle in his Tokyo opener against Argentina’s Sebastián Báez. After a medical timeout, he resumed, winning 6-4, 6-2, and dropped only a single set en route to the final. In form and sporting a striking blonde-tinted haircut, Alcaraz powered through to the title, extending his cushion over Jannik Sinner at the top of the rankings. By withdrawing from Shanghai, he will still hold a lead of 1,590 points — even if the Italian triumphs — leaving him poised to return for the year’s final Masters and close 2025 as world No. 1.

‍

The top seeds set for battle

The Rolex Shanghai Masters, an ATP 1000 event, offers a prime late-season chance for players to capture valuable points and climb the rankings. While Chinese fans will miss the spectacle of Carlos Alcaraz on home soil, the field remains stacked: a host of top seeds are ready to light up the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena with world-class tennis.

‍

Beyond the usual hard-court contenders — Zverev, Fritz, Auger-Aliassime — one name stands out: Ben Shelton. After an injury cut short his US Open campaign in the middle of a strong season, which also forced his withdrawal from the Japan Open, Shelton returns to action in Shanghai. All eyes will be on whether he can rediscover the fearless game that lit up 2025. If fully recovered, this could be the catalyst to launch a statement 2026 campaign.

‍

The Shanghai Open runs from October 1st until Sunday, October 12th.

Three wins, nine poles, two pole positions, and third in the overall standings with just one questionable on-track incident to his name. Max Verstappen had come of age.

‍

Come 2020, the metronomic form showed no signs of easing up. A single ill-timed move in Turkey was the only blemish on an otherwise credible season. Of the 12 races Verstappen finished, he secured podiums in 11 of them. He ended the season third in the championship, just nine points behind Valtteri Bottas, despite the latter being armed with one of the most dominant F1 cars of all time. Were it not for any one of his five DNFs (none of which were his fault), Verstappen could have split the Mercedes’ at the very peak of their powers.

‍

By the end of 2020, Max Verstappen was ready to challenge for a world championship, and while the pressure of that epic 2021 title fight caused him to occasionally overstep the mark (something of which both he and Hamilton could be accused), Verstappen’s indefensible conduct in Brazil and Saudi Arabia was countered by a bold move around the outside in Mexico and an intelligent, Prost - like defence in Austin.

‍

There have been controversial moments since then, of that there’s no doubt. But this notion that Verstappen reverts to his old, desperate self every time the pressure is on is laughable. His duels with Charles Leclerc in 2022 were as clean as could be, his moves in Spain 2022 and Imola 2025 were both bold and precise, and that’s before we get to last year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Fresh off a reactive, retaliatory lunge on Lando Norris in Mexico, Verstappen produced one of the greatest wet-weather drives of all time. Never mind the surgical precision with which he scythed through the field; not once did Verstappen spin, cause a collision, or force another driver off the track. It was as measured and complete a drive as you are ever likely to see, one that (effectively) sealed a fourth consecutive world title.

‍

Upon clinching the crown at the next race in Las Vegas, Verstappen’s rhetoric and conduct were worlds away from his 18-year-old self. His trademark bluntness was now mixed in with an admirable sense of perspective, as Verstappen acknowledged both his racing aspirations outside of F1 as well as his desire to prioritise his family.

‍

Like him or loathe him, Max Verstappen has undergone a distinct evolution both in and out of the car. The immense speed and devil-may-care approach that defined his early years will always be a part of his makeup, but with patience and refinement now in his arsenal, Verstappen is already set for a well-earned spot among the pantheon of Formula 1 greats.

Conclusion

As is so often the case, the truth lies somewhere in between. Verstappen is the in form driver, and Red Bull have found an incredible turn of pace. But whether or not this is a sign of things to come or a flash in the pan remains to be seen. Not least because Singapore is up next, a race that could determine the validity of Verstappen’s championship chances. Singapore has been something of a bogey track for Max Verstappen. It’s the only circuit on the current calendar where he is yet to take victory and was famously the only race Red Bull failed to win in 2023. Verstappen ended last year’s race a distant second, and, rather amusingly, at the time of writing, Antonio Giovinazzi has led more laps around Marina Bay than Verstappen.

‍

Red Bull have been at their strongest on low downforce tracks, where their skinnier rear wing has allowed for greater straight-line speed. Conversely, they’ve generally been at their worst at the more technical venues. Verstappen’s 9th-place finish in Hungary is perhaps the best example. But let’s assume Verstappen defies the odds in Singapore and goes on an absolute tear for the rest of the season, both McLaren drivers will also have to trip up. Possible, but by no means certain.

‍

Norris has proved to be nigh on unstoppable when everything aligns for him, and Piastri’s ability to shrug off pressure and go wheel to wheel with Verstappen is undeniable. What’s more, Piastri seems to think it's all business as usual. While Andrea Stella stated that Verstappen is a title contender (a statement that could also be interpreted as an attempt to divert attention away from his drivers), Piastri has said he is “not yet worried” about the Dutchman.

‍

Realistically, the two McLarens will have to either DNF or have a couple of lacklustre weekends for Verstappen to have a chance. As the world champion himself put it, “I don’t rely on hope”. Whichever way you cut it, Piastri and Norris are still the most viable contenders for the title.

‍

Can Verstappen pull off a stunning upset and take win the championship? Yes. Will he do it? On balance, the answer is probably no. What is certain is that he will push as hard as he can to catch the McLarens, and that Norris and Piastri will have no choice but to give it all they’ve got to keep him at bay. Whichever way you cut it, we are set for an absorbing end to this 2025 season.

Another interesting merger for 2025 is Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, uniting the Pieres and Heguy dynasties. The much-anticipated return of Facundo Pieres to his family’s team after two seasons with La Natividad has delighted Ellerstina fans. Alongside his brother Gonzalo Pieres, he has already won every major polo title in the world. Completing the lineup are young talents Antonio and Cruz Heguy, cousins who impressed in Palermo 2024 and are eager for more.

‍

One of the big storylines for 2025 is that none of the lineups from 2024 remain intact. At 34 goals, La Ensenada will begin the season without Sapo Caset, sidelined by injury. His spot will be taken by Gonzalo Ferrari, joining Rufino Bensadon, Juan Britos, and Jerónimo Del Carril—a team that will rely on speed and firepower.

‍

Rounding out the field are three 32-goal teams: La Hache Cría & Polo, Los Machitos, and Sol de Agosto. The latter features the highly anticipated top-flight debut of Paquito de Narváez, fresh off a British Open win and widely seen as one of polo’s brightest young prospects. All three teams will aim to surprise, knowing that their performance this season could determine whether they secure their place in 2026.

On the other side of the Mercedes garage, Kimi Antonelli had his best weekend in recent memory. After holding fourth place off the start, Antonelli thundered past Lawson on lap 22. He was later leapfrogged by Russell thanks to the Brit’s tyre and pace advantage, but with fourth place, Antonelli will leave Baku having scored more points than he has in the last six races combined.

‍

With all the fanfare surrounding Sainz and Williams, Liam Lawson’s efforts should not go unnoticed. After qualifying a career-best third, Lawson held firm for 22 laps before conceding to Antonelli. Russell’s overcut relegated him to fifth, but once there, Lawson produced the best defensive display of his career to date. In the closing stages, Lawson found himself under attack from Yuki Tsunoda, Lando Norris (on the comeback trail after qualifying P7), and Lewis Hamilton. Of the four combatants, Lawson was the only one without DRS and yet, through some consistent pace and immaculate car placement, Lawson hung on to take a career-best fifth-place finish. Quite the turnaround given his shambolic start to the season.

‍

Behind that four-way battle, Charles Leclerc was unable to make any significant gains after his crash in qualifying. He may have passed Norris at the safety car restart, but as the race unfolded, his pace tailed off. Leclerc was eventually forced to let Hamilton pass for P8, as the latter tried to catch Norris. Who failed to make the most of his teammate’s misfortune and only finished seventh.

‍

Isack Hadjar made some early gains and briefly ran as high as eighth, but as Norris and Hamilton got up to speed, the Frenchman was forced to settle for tenth place.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto finished eleventh ahead of Oliver Bearman and Alex Albon. The Williams driver originally finished 11th but was handed a ten-second penalty after colliding with Franco Colapinto on lap 17. Esteban Ocon collided with Nico Hulkenberg on the opening lap and finished 14th. Fernando Alonso incurred a five-second penalty for jumping the start and came home 15th, ahead of Hulkenberg, Stroll, Gasly, and Colapinto.

‍

Verstappen's title hopes remain incredibly slim. However, with Red Bull having found a new turn of pace, Piastri having made a rare mistake and Norris failing to capitalise, this year’s driver's title is anything but a foregone conclusion.

As the times came in, Verstappen headed to the top of the timesheets with the McLarens in close attendance. Mercedes looked stronger than their free practice pace might have suggested, to the point where both Ferrari drivers were forced to attempt final laps in order to secure spots in Q3. Leclerc clipped the wall on his run but was nevertheless able to go fourth fastest, while Hamilton’s final lap was only good enough for 12th. His fifth Q2 exit of the season. Fernando Alonso qualified 11th ahead of his old rival, while Gabriel Bortoleto, Lance Stroll, and Bearman made up the rest of the Q2 knockouts.

‍

Having languished in last place in the constructors’ standings for much of this season, Alpine had a disastrous qualifying in Baku.

‍

As the session neared its end, Pierre Gasly ran wide at turn four and ruled himself out of contention. Seconds later, his teammate Franco Colapinto arrived on the scene and crashed out mere meters away from Gasly. The session was red flagged for a third and final time with Colapinto locked into 16th ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who crashed out earlier in the session, Esteban Ocon who suffered a puncture, Gasly and Alex Albon. After a solid showing in free practice, the Williams driver clipped the inside wall at turn one, damaged his suspension, and will therefore start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.

‍

McLaren came to Baku on the verge of constructors’ glory. But after the chaos in qualifying and Verstappen on pole, there are no safe bets ahead of either the race or the world championship.

Mercedes’ pace in free practice suggests they are unlikely to challenge the McLarens. George Russell managed a best result of 3rd in FP2, before enduring a series of lockups in FP3 en route to P6. One place and nine hundredths of a second off his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who comes to Baku in need of a good result after an Italian Grand Prix that Toto Wolff described as ‘underwhelming’.

‍

Alex Albon had a solid run to seventh in FP3, despite a brush with the barriers at turn four. Ollie Bearman ended the final practice session in eighth, one place ahead of Liam Lawson, who suffered a massive spin at turn 16. Leclerc touched the barriers at turn 16 and ended FP3 in tenth.

‍

Isack Hadjar went eleventh quickest, despite his concern about stronger winds brought on by overnight rain ahead of Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Yuki Tsunoda, who was once again unable to match his teammate.

‍

Esteban Ocon locked up at turn 15 in FP1 before finishing the final session 17th, ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly. The Alpine driver scraped the wall at turn four before running wide at turn one, en route to a disappointing 19th, while Lance Stroll ended FP3 at the bottom of the timesheets.

‍

McLaren seem to have the edge going into qualifying ,but with Ferrari and Verstappen looming large in their mirrors, it's anyone's guess as to whom will claim pole position in Baku.

The Dutch city, Groningen, will host the Argentine delegation, who have firepower with Francisco Cerundolo, Tomas Etcheverry and the best doubles players Zeballos (recent US Open champion) and Molteni. In front of a less favored local — none of their players are amongst the top 20 — the Southern team is the favourite. Yet, Dutch fandom is well known for its conditioning atmosphere, especially since the two countries’ rivalry spiralled at the 2022 World Cup.

‍

Marbella is a city well known for its beaches, luxury hotels and an affluent worldwide elite. This weekend, it’s the tennis that joins the show of the Andalucian coastal town, and it’s not set to disappoint. Spain will not be counting on Carlos Alcaraz, who’s taken some time off to recover — and enjoy — his spectacular US Open championship. Pressure will be on Jaume Munar, the Balearic right-hander who’s been on his best season yet. He’ll be lifting his nation against Denmark’s Holger Rune on clay courts — a favourable condition for the locals — in what will prove to be a very close, hard-fought duel.

‍

Jump to the other side of the world, and you might be able to catch Alex de Minaur or Alexei Popyrin in Sydney, swooshing past their Belgian counterparts. The Ozzies are clear favourites on home turf  — something local fans would appreciate before their long-awaited Slam that will take place in January 2026.

‍

Other Davis Cup duels to reach the Final 8 feature Germany vs Japan in Tokyo, and Hungary vs Austria in Debrecen.

After losing out to Piastri, Charles Leclerc had a steady run to fourth and did well to resist George Russell’s early advances. Russell was unable to keep pace with the Ferrari and had to settle for fifth, his 13th top five finish of the season.

‍

After being handed a five-place grid penalty for failing to acknowledge yellow flags during his reconnaissance lap at Zandvoort, Lewis Hamilton completed a credible recovery drive to sixth after passing Antonelli, Alonso, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto in quick succession. The seven-time world champion later regretted not attempting an undercut on Russell but nevertheless described his performance as “solid”.

‍

Behind him, Alex Albon made up for an underwhelming Saturday with seventh. Gabriel Bortoleto’s great form carried over into the race, as he rose to sixth during the opening exchanges and briefly hounded Russell for P5. Eventually, Bortoleto came home eighth for his fourth points finish of the season.

‍

After receiving a late race penalty for erratic driving, Kimi Antonelli hung on to take ninth, while Isack Hadjar rebounded from a first-ever Q1 exit with tenth.

‍

A collision with Ollie Bearman on lap 41 put an end to Carlos Sainz’s prospects as he could only manage 11th ahead of Bearman, Tsunoda, Lawson, Ocon, Gasly, Colapinto, and Stroll.

‍

Fernando Alonso looked set for a points finish until his suspension failed on lap 26, while Nico Hulkenberg failed to make the start due to a hydraulic issue on the formation lap.

‍

With 31 points in hand, Piastri is still the odds-on favourite for the championship. But with eight races remaining, it would be foolish to write Norris off.

As a result, George Russell’s sixth place in qualifying will become fifth on race day. At one point, the Russell looked to be a viable candidate for pole position. The two Mercedes were the only cars to run the medium tyre in Q1, and while Kimi Antonelli switched to the softs, Russell stayed on the yellow-walled tyre and duly topped the session. He later voiced his bewilderment at being given a set of softs for Q3, such was his confidence on the mediums. He eventually qualified one place ahead of Antonelli, who recovered from his spin in FP2 to secure his first Q3 appearance since Silverstone.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto’s impressive one-lap pace is showing no signs of easing up, as he went eighth fastest, four places ahead of his teammate Nico Hulkenberg. Fernando Alonso qualified ninth, one place ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who made it into Q3 for only the second time in ten races. Despite a battery issue in Q3.

‍

Ollie Bearman will start 11th, an impressive result given Haas’s lacklustre showing in free practice, while Williams’ early pace did not carry through to qualifying. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon only managed 13th and 14th, respectively.

‍

Esteban Ocon will line up 15th, one place behind Isack Hadjar, who, in contrast to his heroics at Zandvoort last week, found himself out of Q1 for the first time in his career. Lance Stroll found himself in the bottom five for the 11th time this season in 17th, while Franco Colapinto outqualified his teammate Pierre Gasly for only the third time this year. Liam Lawson will start from the back of the grid, having run wide in Q1 and had his lap time deleted.  

‍

Verstappen may have taken the spoils on Saturday but given the McLaren’s searing race pace and the ongoing championship battle, we look set for an absorbing Italian Grand Prix.

Elsewhere, Sauber enjoyed a decent session with Nico Hulkenberg managing eighth in FP2 and Gabriel Bortoleto sixth in FP3, despite an off at turn one.

‍

After a run of so-called ‘bogey tracks’, Williams come to Zandvoort brimming with confidence, given their recent run of form here (the Grove-based squad have scored points in five of the last seven Italian Grand Prix). Carlos Sainz underlined this form by securing third in FP1 and FP2, and despite an apparent drop-off in pace come FP3, the team remains confident of a good result in Italy.

‍

Haas and Alpine once again find themselves at the lower end of the time sheets, with Esteban Ocon ending the final session in 20th and Pierre Gasly 18th. The latter suffering from a plank issue in FP3.

‍

McLaren look to have the edge going into qualifying, but with Ferrari in close attendance and Verstappen looking confident, qualifying at Monza looks set to be a thriller.

Atonement on the Women’s side

Credit goes first to Anisimova, who turned the page on her bruising Wimbledon loss to Swiatek by knocking the Pole out on home soil. She then rallied past Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, overturning a first-set deficit to win 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 and secure her second Grand Slam final of 2025 — a testament to her remarkable form. Once ranked No. 13, the American has now toppled both the world No. 1 and No. 2 in the space of two months and is aiming for a celebration on Saturday.

‍

Sabalenka, meanwhile, remains laser-focused on defending her crown. Though she dropped the opening set to Jessica Pegula, her trademark intensity and resilience pulled her back into the match, ensuring her title defence is still very much alive.

‍

What’s next?

On the Women’s side, Anisimova now meets the relentless force of the world’s No.1, Aryna Sabalenka, to play the US Open final. She bested the Belarusian in the Wimbledon quarterfinals earlier this year, but this rematch promises to be as much a mental battle as a physical one — a clash of raw power against tactical guile, with Anisimova more than capable of unsettling her opponent. It promises to be a contest to remember on Saturday, September 6th at 10pm EST.

‍

For the US Open’s day session, Djokovic meets Carlos Alcaraz next in the semi-finals. The greatest of all time has his sights set on one number: 25. That’s the Grand Slam he’s chasing to extend his already historic tally of 24. Yet Alcaraz has owned this championship from start to finish, showcasing the full spectrum of modern tennis. Youth and fire will take on experience and legacy — and the Spaniard looks poised to drive his way into yet another final.

‍

On the other side of the draw, Sinner will take on an in-form Auger-Aliassime under the Friday night lights at Arthur Ashe. Yet form appears firmly on the South Tyrolean’s side: his commanding wins over Bublik and Musetti suggest his focus is already fixed on a Cincinnati rematch with Alcaraz. Auger-Aliassime may stretch him, but he has yet to truly convince as a potential upsetter.

‍

A Sunday showdown between Sinner and Alcaraz could not only decide this year’s battle for world No. 1, but also set the tone for the 2026 season to come.

This triumph capped a historic season for Amanara, as the team also won the Silver Cup, achieving a rare double not seen since Dubai in 2022. It marked Castagnola’s second Gold Cup title, while Chavanne and Laulhé lifted the trophy for the first time. Barto Castagnola was the Most Valuable Player of the final. Regarding the best horses of the final, Ve Ocho Grappa, by Lorenzo Chavanne, was the Best Playing Pony, while Gete Jade, also by Lorenzo Chavanne, was picked by the Argentine Polo Breeders Association as the Best Argentine Polo Bred Pony.

‍

Saturday also saw Hartog Polo Team take the Low Goal Gold Cup, beating Essso 8-5 in a solid performance over five chukkers. Kevin Korst was the standout of the match and was named best player of the final.

‍

Award ceremonies featured representatives from Ayala Polo Club, local authorities, and tournament sponsors, including Paola Zóbel, president of Ayala Polo Club; Oscar Ledesma, acting mayor of San Roque; as well as executives from Bionesta, U.S. Polo Assn., Covetsol, JP Financial, and Citi Re Reinsurance.

‍

Beyond the sporting spectacle, Last Chukker offered a complete leisure and dining experience with food trucks, the Croft Twist bar, shops, and a mercadillo available every Friday and Saturday. The evening closed with live music from Grupo Delajet, who brought energy and rhythm to the celebrations.

‍

The 54th International Polo Tournament once again reaffirmed Sotogrande’s status as one of the world’s most prestigious polo venues, combining competitive excellence, tradition, and entertainment in a free-to-attend event that draws thousands of fans and families each year.

Leclerc’s retirement capped off a disappointing weekend for Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton slid wide at turn three and collided with the barriers on lap 23. Making this Ferrari’s first double DNF since 2023.

‍

After missing out on Q3 on Saturday, Alex Albon was a man on a mission. The Williams driver made up five places on the first lap and ran in the points for the majority of the race. After benefitting from Antonelli’s woes and Norris’ late retirement, Albon ended the race fifth. His best result since Imola.

‍

Haas’ strategic calls were emblematic of a team with nothing to lose. Oliver Bearman ran a bold one-stop strategy after starting from the pitlane, and though he benefited from some well-timed safety cars, the rookie was able to fire up his final set of mediums and came home a career-best sixth. Teammate Esteban Ocon was another man on the move; his one-stop strategy yielded the final points-paying position in tenth.

‍

Despite his frustration at being caught up in traffic early on, Fernando Alonso came home eighth, one place behind his teammate, Lance Stroll, who managed to end his rollercoaster weekend on a high with seventh.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda ended his seven-race points drought with ninth, while Franco Colapinto survived a skirmish with Ocon to secure his best result of the season in 11th. Liam Lawson and Carlos Sainz collided on lap 27. Lawson picked up a puncture while Sainz was hit with a controversial 10-second penalty.

‍

The Sauber pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto came home in 14th and 15th, respectively, while Pierre Gasly was last over the line.  

‍

The 2025 title race is by no means done and dusted, but with only nine races to go, it's safe to say this is now Piastri’s championship to lose.

Yuki Tsunoda had no major qualifying drama but could only manage 12th fastest, making this the eighth time in nine races that he has failed to make Q3. The Japanese driver currently holds the unwanted record for most consecutive pointless race finishes in Red Bull history (seven) and will be looking to end that drought on Sunday.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto’s Q3 streak has come to an end. That said, the Brazilian did have the measure of his more experienced teammate in qualifying. He’ll start 13th, four places ahead of Nico Hulkenberg.

‍

Alpine’s poor form looks set to continue with Pierre Gasly only managing 14th, one place ahead of Alex Albon, who did little to hide his frustration with his tyres at the end of Q2. Franco Colapinto will start 16th, ahead of the two Haas’, Esteban Ocon having beaten Ollie Bearman by seven hundredths of a second.

‍

Having worked through the night to get his damaged car ready for action after that FP2 shunt, Lance Stroll’s mechanics were faced with yet another repair job. The Canadian got onto the grass and spun out of contention at turn 13. Having failed to set a time in Q1, Stroll will be starting tomorrow’s race from the back.

‍

McLaren look set for top honours on Sunday. However, with third to tenth covered by just seven-tenths of a second, there’s still plenty to play for at Zandvoort.

In contrast to his impressive pace in FP1 during which he secured the third fastest time one place ahead of his teammate, Lance Stroll crashed heavily in FP2. The Aston Martin driver locked up at turn three and brought out the red flag. Bad news for his mechanics who had to perform an overnight survival cell change on his AMR-25. His teammate went on to secure P2 in that session before finishing FP3 in tenth. Despite the team’s eye-catching pace, Alonso insists that expectations are to be kept in check ahead of qualifying and the race.

‍

Despite shifting focus to 2026, Williams had a strong showing in free practice. Carlos Sainz ended FP3 in fourth while Alex Albon secured seventh. However, the route there was not without incident. Albon slid into the gravel at turn 11 in FP2, before damaging his front wing at turn one. Sainz also had an off at turn 11 in FP1, the former Ferrari driver having expressed regret at not making the most of Williams’ early-season pace.

‍

Elsewhere, Isack Hadjar’s FP2 running was interrupted by a power unit issue, though he was able to recover to 9th in FP3 with a fastest time 0.134s faster than his teammate Liam Lawson.

‍

In contrast to the chaos up front, Sauber and Haas had relatively quiet sessions. Oliver Bearman was obstructed by Stroll in FP1 but ended FP3 in 15th, the places up on Esteban Ocon. Sauber managed 13th and 16th in the final part of practice with Gabriel Bortoletoahead of Nico Hulkenberg, while Alpine brought up the rear.

‍

McLaren, more specifically Norris, looks to have the edge. But given Zandvoort’s proven ability to spring a surprise, it remains to be seen who will take the spoils in the Netherlands.  

The Low Goal semifinals will be played on Thursday, August 28, with much anticipation. On one side, unbeaten Essso will face La Martina, while in the other bracket Hartog Polo Team will take on 1896 Adrenalina. The winners will meet in the final, also set for Saturday, August 30, rounding off a weekend of decisive matches across all categories.

‍

The Sotogrande International Polo Tournament has, for more than half a century, been an unmissable event for the sport’s elite. The Gold Cup has consolidated its reputation as one of the most prestigious competitions on the global calendar, bringing together renowned players such as Poroto Cambiaso, Barto Castagnola, Polito Pieres, Pablo Mac Donough, among others.

‍

With the finalists now in sight, anticipation grows among fans and players alike. The spectacle is guaranteed: high-intensity chukkers, horses at their peak, and the unmistakable setting of Sotogrande, where tradition and passion for polo are renewed year after year.

‍

Next weekend, the 54th Sotogrande International Polo Tournament will crown the champions of all three categories, and everything points to this edition continuing to write memorable chapters in the history of the tournament.

While Nole brings attention and excitement, it is difficult to look beyond Sinner and Alcaraz for finalist contenders. Sinner appears stronger and fitter after his illness-forced withdrawal from the Cincinnati final and his absence from mixed doubles in New York. His section of the draw could pit him against Tommy Paul [14] in the Round of 16, Jack Draper [5] in the quarterfinals, and Alexander Zverev [3] in the semifinals. On form, his tennis should carry him through to the final. The lingering questions are whether he is physically ready to withstand the two-week run — and whether he has mentally recovered from the disappointment of Cincinnati.

‍

On the other side of the draw, Carlos Alcaraz stands as the favorite to reach the final. A potential semifinal against Novak Djokovic [7] would be a spectacle, though first he may meet Ben Shelton [6] in the quarterfinals. That clash promises fireworks: the American has enjoyed a strong season, is anchored in the top 10 and will be eager to raise his level on home soil. All in all, the expectation is for Alcaraz and Sinner to meet again on Sunday, September 4. Should Alcaraz triumph, he would reclaim the No. 1 ranking he lost in September 2023. Still, we advise to keep an eye on Taylor Fritz, last year’s finalist, who could yet spring a surprise.

‍

The 2025 US Open schedule:

• Tournament Start: Sunday, August 24
• Round of 16: Sunday, August 31 – Monday, September 1
• Quarterfinals: Tuesday, September 2 – Wednesday, September 3
• Women’s Semifinals: Thursday, September 4
• Men’s Semifinals: Friday, September 5
• Women’s Final: Saturday, September 6
• Men’s Final: Sunday, September 7

However, the Canadian was nothing if not intensely honourable. He respected Scheckter as a senior figure within the team and duly played the role of a reliable rear gunner. The combined powers of Villeneuve and Scheckter dominated the opening exchanges, winning four of the first seven grand prix and despite a mid-season wobble, Scheckter claimed what would turn out to be Ferrari’s last drivers’ championship of the 20^th century. Villeneuve came home a close second with their joint efforts yielding a sixth constructor’s crown for the team. Ferrari had bucked the trend, in era that seemed to revolve around ground effects, the Scuderia stuck to its guns and came out on top regardless. Having helped the team to three drivers and four constructors’ titles, another evolution of the 312 T would surely be enough to keep them in contention, right?

‍

Wrong.

‍

Having held all the aces in 1979, Ferrari in 1980 served as a sobering demonstration of what happens when a competitive outfit stands still. The writing was on the wall in the back end of ’79. Ferrari may have taken the double, but Williams came on strong in the second half of the season. Introduced at round five in Spain, the FW08’s boxy side pods, ‘underwing’ panels and spring-loaded skirts made it the preeminent ground effect car of the time. While Ferrari’s early advantage would prove unassailable, Williams won five out of the last seven races.

‍

For 1980, Williams unveiled the FW07 B, an upgraded variant that succeeded where its immediate predecessor had failed. With five wins and five further podiums, Alan Jones waltzed to the title as teammate Carlos Reutemann picked up a further victory en route to third. While Williams cruised to a maiden constructor’s crown, Ferrari were nowhere to be seen.

‍

With ground effects now relied upon by virtually the entire grid, the new 312 T5 was now a relic of a bygone age. Slow, cumbersome and notoriously unreliable with ten DNF’s across the season, Ferrari were quick to abandon development of the T5 and focus all its efforts on 1981. As a result, there was little even its illustrious drivers could do to save face. While Villeneuve’s drive remained intact as he dragged the petulant T5 to results it didn’t deserve (though even he could only manage four points finishes with a best result of 5^th), Scheckter admitted to a loss of motivation after claiming the ultimate prize the previous year. The off-colour Scheckter finished just nine of 1980’s 14 races, failed to outright qualify in Canada and ended the season 19^th in the drivers’ standings with just two points to his name, in what remains the worst full season title defence in Formula 1 history.

‍

Having enjoyed a near perfect campaign in 1979, Ferrari ended 1980 tenth in the constructor’s championship having managed just eight points all season. They’ve had some shockers since, of that there’s no doubt, but the lowly depths of 1980 have thankfully never been revisited by Formula 1’s most successful team.

On Saturday, August 16, the High and Low Goal finals concluded the Silver Cup weekend. In the High Goal (20–22 goals), Amanara defeated Black Bears 12–9 on Field 3 after six intense chukkers. The standout was Bartolomé “Barto” Castagnola, who scored five goals and was named Most Valuable Player of the final. Alongside Lorenzo Chavanne, he anchored his team in key moments against a strong Black Bears side led by an inspired Tomás Panelo. This triumph marked Amanara’s first High Goal title in Sotogrande, adding extra significance to their win.

‍

Meanwhile, on Field 4, Calatagan triumphed in the Low Goal final, defeating La Capilla 12–8. Led by the outstanding performance of Ciro Urturi, Calatagan captured back-to-back titles in the Silver Cup in this category, underlining their consistency and growth.

‍

The tournament also recognized excellence in horsemanship, awarding blankets to the best horses. In the High Goal, Tole Bombay (ridden by Castagnola) was named Best Playing Pony of the final, while Meta Alegra (also by Castagnola) won Best Argentine Polo-Bred. In the Medium Goal, Irenita Narración (ridden by Custodio Eleno) and Irenita Esperada (ridden by Rosendo Torreguitar) received awards for Best Playing Pony and AACCP Best Argentine Polo-Bred, respectively. In the Low Goal, Open Zelda (ridden by Santiago Irastorza) was honored as Best Playing Pony of the final.

‍

The spotlight now shifts to the prestigious Gold Cup, which began on Monday, August 18. First held in 1971, this year’s edition features 20 teams: 8 in the High Goal, 5 in the Medium Goal, and 7 in the Low Goal. The finals will take place on August 29 and 30, promising another weekend of top-class polo in Sotogrande.

Sinner vs Alcaraz’s: a disappointing fourth encounter due to ‘illness’

Under a packed ‘Lindner Family Tennis Center’ and a clear Ohio sky pushing temperatures close to 30°C, fans gathered for yet another chapter in the saga that has defined the past two years. Yet sport rarely follows a perfect script, especially when health becomes a factor.

‍

Sinner looked far from his best early against Carlos Alcaraz —frequently clutching his stomach and sweating more heavily than usual, was his body ready for a full-throttle duel? The first signs came from his first shots: he missed his first serve, then hit balls to the net and beyond the lines, conceding the first game. Some blamed nerves, others the heat, as his shots lacked balance. Alcaraz, meanwhile, served cleanly and took a 2–0 lead after Sinner’s double fault, with the Italian already expressing discomfort through his facial expression.

‍

At 4–0 down, Sinner barely glanced at his box, as if already aware he would be laying down his towel in the next game. When an elite player isn’t well, every ball feels heavier — and against such an explosive opponent as Alcaraz, that burden can be enough to even break your will. Then, Sinner stopped chasing drop shots, walking away from rallies. It was clear he wouldn’t finish the match. After just 22 minutes, Jannik retired, leaving Alcaraz to become champion —though with a bitter, unsatisfying taste.

‍

While Ohio hoped for another battle, attention now shifts to New York, where the US Open begins on Sunday, August 24. The lingering question remains: will Sinner be fit to compete at the highest level here?

In the Low Goal category, Legacy Polo Team emerged as champions, celebrating their historic first participation in the International Polo Tournament. In the final, they convincingly defeated Hartog Polo Team 13–8. Legacy displayed dominance for most of the match, consolidating their control from the second chukker onward and securing the title with dynamic, well-coordinated play. Bautista Riglos, top scorer of the game, was awarded as the Most Valuable Player of the final, while his horse Mr Buena Gringa was the Best Playing Pony.

‍

The Copa de Plata Terralpa (Silver Cup) kicked off on Monday, August 4th, and will run until Saturday, August 16th, featuring a total of 20 teams; 8 of which will compete in the High Goal division. Fans will have the chance to enjoy the talents of players like Pablo Mac Donough and Lukin Monteverde with MB Polo Team; Poroto Cambiaso with La Dolfina Herederos del Marqués de Riscal; Gonzalito Pieres and Sapo Caset with Whizmo; Barto Castagnola representing Amanara; Antonio Heguy with Dos Lunas; Hilario Ulloa as a key figure for Les Lions / Sainte Mesme; Tomás Panelo with Black Bears; and Polito Pieres, aiming to bring home a title for Calatagan, among other great players.

‍

With free admission, the Torneo Internacional de Polo continues to establish itself as one of the most prominent sporting and social events of the summer in Southern Spain, known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches, blending top-tier polo with a family-friendly experience.

After stunning the entire paddock in qualifying, Aston Martin’s race pace took something of a dive; even so, Fernando Alonso had a quiet but fruitful Sunday. The double world champion chose not to chase those ahead of him and came home a creditable fifth ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who survived an investigation over a potential jump start to secure his best finish in Formula One with sixth.

‍

Behind him, Lance Stroll finished seventh, making it a double points haul for Aston Martin, while Liam Lawson fended off a disappointed Max Verstappen to come home eighth.

‍

Having struggled throughout free practice and qualifying, Verstappen’s race followed a similar trend. The reigning world champion dropped to ninth off the start but enjoyed an initial burst of pace and passed Lawson and Stroll in quick succession. However, Verstappen was soon stuck behind Bortoleto and Alonso and attempted an undercut on lap 18. Some audacious moves, including a memorable pass on Isack Hadjar at the chicane, did little to ease the situation.

‍

Verstappen was later placed under investigation after having a look up the inside of Lewis Hamilton at turn four, which caused the Brit to run wide and concede the place. In the end, Verstappen could only manage ninth, his worst result at the Hungaroring since 2021.

‍

After toiling in the midfield all race long, Kimi Antonelli’s efforts were, at the very least, rewarded with tenth place, his first points finish since Canada. Behind him, Isack Hadjar secured 11th ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was unable to make any progress in the race after his disappointing qualifying.

‍

After starting 20th and earning a five-second penalty for moving before the lights went out, Nico Hulkenberg completed a noteworthy recovery drive to 13th, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.

‍

Esteban Ocon capped off a disappointing weekend with 16th, while Yuki Tsunoda could only manage 17th. Alpine’s race pace was arguably weakest of all as Franco Colapinto went from 14th to 18th ahead of his teammate Pierre Gasly, with Ollie Bearman the only retirement.

‍

With this win, Norris has cut Piastri’s championship lead to nine points. With ten races to go and little to split the McLarens, it will be all to play for in the second half of the season.  

Too often this year, we have seen the Silverstone-based squad show decent pace in free practice, only to tail off as the weekend progresses. However, with the AMR 25 sporting floor and wing upgrades for this weekend, both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were able to mix it up with the frontrunners. Whereas Stroll went out twice in Q2, Alonso did not and therefore had a fresh set of soft tyres to use in Q3. Stroll’s initial run was good enough for P3, while Alonso went second fastest. They may have been superseded by the likes of Leclerc, Russell, and the McLarens later on, but locking out the third row of the grid is by far the team’s best qualifying result of the season.

Further back, Gabriel Bortoleto made it into Q3 for the second consecutive time with a strong run to seventh, while Max Verstappen confirmed Red Bull’s poor form by only managing eighth. The reigning world champion later admitted to not being able to solve the issues with balance and likened the instability to driving on ice during the session.

‍

A strong showing from RB saw both drivers make it into Q3. Liam Lawson will line up ninth ahead of Isack Hadjar.

‍

Ollie Bearman qualified a familiar 11th, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. In contrast to his teammates’ jubilation, Hamilton’s frustration was clear for all to see. The seven-time world champion was brutally honest in his self-assessment, describing his performance as ‘useless’ and not one he could attribute to the car.

‍

Carlos Sainz was the stronger of the two Williams drivers but could only manage 13th ahead of Franco Colapinto, who outqualified his teammate for only the second time this season. Kimi Antonelli briefly looked to have gotten out of Q1 with a ragged but rapid run to eighth but was found to have exceeded track limits at turn 13 and had his lap time deleted, relegating him to 15th on the grid.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda underlined Red Bull’s poor form by qualifying 16th ahead of Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg, and Alex Albon.

‍

Sunday’s race looks set to be a dry affair; however, with qualifying having been turned on its head by a drop in temperature, it's safe to say nothing looks certain ahead of the grand prix.  

After ending FP2 in last place, Franco Colapinto managed to secure 13th in FP3. The Argentine needs a solid result as, having failed to score points in his seven Grand Prix thus far, rumours of a second Alpine driver swap are rife.

‍

Liam Lawson was lucky to escape FP1 intact after nearly coming together with a spinning Isack Hadjar. The RB driver was further hindered by Carlos Sainz in FP2, who suffered a temporary loss of both telemetry and radio communications. Even so, Lawson ended FP3 14th, one place ahead of Sainz.

‍

Alex Albon ended up one place behind his teammate in 16th, ahead of Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, and Isack Hadjar.

‍

McLaren may be the clear favourites, but with just 16 points separating Piastri and Norris at the top of the standings, it's anyone's guess as to who will head into the summer break on a high.  

The eight milliseconds that separated Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in qualifying would prove invaluable on race day. The Monegasque struggled for grip on the intermediate tyres and nearly conceded third on laps ten and eleven. However, as the track dried, Leclerc was able to put some distance between himself and the Dutchman and secured his fifth podium finish of the season.

Red Bull’s decision to prioritise downforce over straight-line speed did not pay dividends. Despite hovering around DRS range for much of the race, Verstappen was unable to make any inroads into Leclerc’s advantage and had to settle for fourth.

‍

Having suffered a slow stop on lap 13, Verstappen found himself jammed in behind the Haas of Esteban Ocon when leaving the pits, the Frenchman having yet to stop for slicks. The obstruction allowed George Russell to momentarily pressure Verstappen, but when the water cleared, the Mercedes driver could do little more than hang on for fifth, having passed Alex Albon on lap six.

‍

Despite losing out to his compatriot, Albon did well to hold on to P6, despite a race-long assault from the biggest mover of the Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton. After qualifying 18th, the decision was made to start Hamilton from the pit lane to allow the team to make setup changes that might optimise his race pace. Hamilton flew on the intermediates, jumping the likes of Sainz, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, and Gasly in quick succession. In the end, Hamilton made up eleven places, thanks in part to the decision to switch to slicks before any of the front runners. A noteworthy recovery drive that earned him driver of the day.

‍

In contrast to Hamilton’s heroics, Liam Lawson had a quiet but commendable run to eighth for his third points finish of the season, one place ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who was able to make good on his second-ever Q3 appearance.

‍

Pierre Gasly once again made the most of his lacklustre machinery by claiming the final point in tenth ahead of Oliver Bearman, Nico Hulkenberg, and Yuki Tsunoda. Whose seventh-place starting position was scuppered by the chaotic opening exchanges. Lance Stroll finished 14th ahead of Esteban Ocon in 15th. Kimi Antonelli capped off another disappointing weekend with sixteenth, ahead of Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman the only driver to get lapped during the race.

‍

Having been beaten by his teammate in the last two races, an emphatic win was just the tonic Piastri needed. However, with Norris just sixteen points behind him, this title battle is very far from over.

Pierre Gasly qualified 13th ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz, while Lewis Hamilton, having failed to get out of the first part of sprint qualifying, suffered another Q1 exit. After initially going seventh fastest at the end of the session, Hamilton was found to have exceeded track limits at Raidillon. With his final lap time deleted, the seven-time world champion was relegated to 16th, his first Q1 exit since Abu Dhabi 2024 and Ferrari’s first since Abu Dhabi 2023.

‍

Franco Colapinto will start 17th, ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who was unable to put his sprint woes behind him and could only manage 18^th, while Aston Martin’s qualifying was one to forget. After a decent showing in free practice and failing to reach SQ3 on Saturday, Fernando Alonso qualified a lowly 19th, while his teammate, Lance Stroll, will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.

‍

McLaren may have the edge in the dry, but with rain forecast for Saturday, it's still very much all to play for at Spa-Francorchamps.

With the exception of Verstappen’s lap one overtake and the ensuing game of cat and mouse between him and the McLarens, the sprint was largely void of any drama. After qualifying 13th, George Russell failed to make any gains on those in front of him and had to settle for 12th. Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso were also beneficiaries of Gasly’s retirement in 13th and 14th, respectively, with Stroll getting past his teammate.

‍

After being relegated to 18th after a spin in SQ1, Lewis Hamilton was one of the few movers during the sprint race. The seven-time world champion was a beneficiary of Gasly’s misfortune, but also managed to get past the likes of Nico Hulkenberg and Alexander Albon for 15th. After spinning in SQ1 and qualifying last (eventually elevated to 19th by Franco Colapinto starting in the pitlane), Kimi Antonelli had to settle for 17th. Hulkenberg finished 18th with Colapinto the last classified finisher.

‍

Verstappen may have beaten the McLarens in the sprint, but given the performance he had to pull off in order to secure this win and the constructors’ champions’ clear pace advantage, it's safe to say Norris and Piastri have the car of choice for both qualifying and the grand prix itself.

Alex Albon was hindered by both yellow flags and a persistent engine issue and could only manage 16th ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and the most high-profile SQ1 casualty: Lewis Hamilton. After suffering a snap of oversteer at turn 14, the seven-time world champion had a major spin while braking for the final Bus Stop chicane. Hamilton believed it to be the first rear-brake lockup he’s ever experienced and stated that the new upgrades have not brought the changes he hoped for.

‍

Franco Colapinto will start 19th, having struggled to string a clean lap together, ahead of Antonelli, who has hinted at the possibility of a gust of wind being the cause of his SQ1 spin.  

Isack Hadjar was hot on the Aston Martin’s heels in tenth (a hundredth of a second was all that separated him, Stroll, and Alonso) while Carlos Sainz secured 11th, one place ahead of his teammate Alex Albon. Sainz’s session was dogged by fuel issues that caused him to sit out the first half of free practice, though he was able to set a representative lap time by the end. Both drivers have been open about the lack of recent upgrades and the team’s desire to prioritise the 2026 regulations.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto was 13th ahead of the newest member of Formula 1’s podium club, Nico Hulkenberg. Liam Lawson was 15th ahead of old rivals Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Yuki Tsunoda was once again unable to contend with his teammate and ended the session 18th, while Franco Colapinto experienced a lock-up at La Source en route to 19th ahead of Ollie Bearman.

‍

This being a sprint weekend, free practice has been crucial. Teams with fresh upgrades have had very little time to gauge the differences in performance. With sprint qualifying set to begin at 16:30 local time, it won’t be long until the pecking order is established ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

A Smile That Doesn’t Fade - Even in Defeat

Wimbledon was ready to witness another Carlos Alcaraz triumph - another final, another trophy lift. The world No. 2 strolled through the corridors of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, greeting everyone with his signature smile and humility. Truth be told, the Murcian had already done it twice in the past two years, defeating Novak Djokovic, and had recently claimed titles at Queen’s, Roland Garros, and the Rome Open.

Yet, even with a first-set lead on Centre Court, there were early signs that this final might not go his way. A part of his game that had been remarkably polished throughout the season - his serve - began to falter. He hit a worrying seven double faults, and in the third set, landed only 43% of his first serves.

‍

We did witness glimpses of his genius - those unreachable drop shots curling back toward the net, and fifteen clinical aces delivered with precision. But this wasn’t Carlos’ day. He began to feel it in the second set, and by the end of the third, he was expressing it aloud. ‘He’s better from the baseline than I am’ he shouted toward his box, gesturing with his hands to show the perceived distance between them.

‍

As the match began to tilt decisively in Sinner’s favor, Alcaraz answered with defiant power - firing a 139 mph serve, the fastest of the match, and flashing a resilient grin to the crowd as if to say he still had fight left in him. Perhaps that flicker of hope was the hardest to let go of, especially as Sinner absorbed his best shots and responded with even greater ferocity, speed, and precision.

‍

To seal the day, both players exchanged words of respect and goodwill, acknowledging each other’s journey to the final. Though their personalities stand in sharp contrast - Alcaraz’s emotional, charismatic flair versus Sinner’s methodical and composed demeanour - the trophy ceremony was marked by laughter, smiles, shared jokes, and the announcement that Sinner had been named a new Honorary Member of the All Lawn Tennis Club.

The 2025 Women’s Season Ahead

Iga Swiatek has moved up to No. 3 in the WTA rankings, now trailing only Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka. She is set to return to the court at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, beginning July 26, as she prepares for the next Grand Slam on the calendar: the US Open, starting August 24. In her sights now is completing a Career Grand Slam: that is, winning all four majors over the course of her career. Notably, Iga has never lost a Women’s Singles Grand Slam final. Meanwhile, Anisimova has confirmed her participation in the DC Open in Washington, beginning July 19, as she looks to bounce back from her recent final and reassert herself on hard courts.
‍

We wish both players a well-deserved break before they return to the tour and pick up their rackets once more.

With the attention on Norris and Hulkenberg, the achievements of Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll should not go unnoticed. Gasly benefited from the chaotic opening exchanges to run in the top six for most of the race. He may have lost out to Hamilton on lap 30, but sixth place is still his and Alpine’s best result of the season.
‍

One place behind Gasly was another standout midfield entry: Lance Stroll. After starting only 17th, the decision to pit during the virtual safety car on lap seven was inspired. Stroll’s undercut put him in an ideal position to capitalise on the uncertainty up ahead, and after Verstappen’s spin on lap 21, the Canadian was elevated to third. The Aston Martin was somewhat exposed as the track dried later on, but with seventh place, Stroll secured his first points since the sprint race in Miami.
‍

Alex Albon was another beneficiary of the changing conditions; the Williams driver made up for his qualifying woes with a controlled drive to eighth. Fernando Alonso secured ninth ahead of George Russell, whose early and late race gambles did not pay off.
‍

After completing the formation lap on intermediate tyres, the drying track prompted Russell and Charles Leclerc to dive into the pits for slicks. The arrival of rain on lap 11 scuppered Russell and Leclerc’s races as they both found themselves bogged down in traffic. An early switch back to slicks proved equally unedifying as Russell spun on lap 40. Tenth place was all the Brit could manage.
‍

Oliver Bearman completed a credible recovery drive to 11th, despite colliding with his teammate Esteban Ocon on lap 44. Carlos Sainz came home 12th ahead of Ocon and Leclerc, whose strategic misadventure left him stranded outside the points in 14th. Yuki Tsunoda was the last classified finisher in 15th place.
‍

Isack Hadjar ploughed unsighted into the back of Kimi Antonelli on lap 17, an incident that forced them both out of the race. Liam Lawson was forced to retire after a collision with Esteban Ocon on lap one, while Gabriel Bortoleto broke his rear wing on lap three.

Undeterred by the ten-place grid penalty he received for his crash in FP3, Oliver Bearman did well to make it into Q3. The Brit qualifying seven places higher than his teammate Esteban Ocon. Fernando Alonso qualified ninth, one place ahead of Pierre Gasly, who later admitted to expecting a Q1 exit, such were his struggles in free practice. Carlos Sainz described eleventh place as the best he and his team could have hoped for, while Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it into Q3 for the seventh time this season. The Japanese driver was at a loss to explain his poor result.
‍

Isack Hadjar claimed to have reached the limit of the VCARB 02 in 13th, one place ahead of Alex Albon, who attributed his inconsistent runs to the unpredictable gusts of wind, a common characteristic of Silverstone. Esteban Ocon was hampered by a flat spot and qualified 15th ahead of a frustrated Liam Lawson, who felt his 16th place was not indicative of the RB’s pace this weekend.
‍

Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 17th, a tenth, and two places ahead of his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg. Lance Stroll split the Saubers in 18th, while Franco Colapinto ruled himself out of contention early. A snap of oversteer out of the final corner sent the Alpine driver spinning into the crash barriers and put him out of qualifying.
‍

McLaren and Ferrari’s pace is evident; however, with rain forecast for race day, a possible five-way fight for the win could be on the cards.

Gabriel Bortoleto suffered a sizeable spin in FP3 and broke his suspension, while Oliver Bearman crashed in the pitlane entry after clocking what would go on to be the sixth fastest lap of the session. The shunt earned Bearman a ten-place grid drop for the race and led to four penalty points being added to his super license.

‍

Max Verstappen struggled for much of free practice; the reigning world champion was vocally dissatisfied with his RB21’s lack of mid-corner balance. Having come to Silverstone 61 points off the championship lead, it's safe to say this weekend could determine the validity of Verstappen’s title aspirations.

‍

Mercedes look to be someway adrift of the top two teams, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli only managing 8th and 14th respectively by the end of FP3. Racing Bulls appear to be one of the strongest midfield contenders as Isack Hadjar ended the final session in 9th, one place ahead of his teammate Liam Lawson, who was impeded by Lindblad in FP1.

‍

McLaren look to have the edge on pace, but with Ferrari in close attendance and the weather likely to be a factor, the pecking order for the British Grand Prix is anything but settled.

With the world champion out, Ferrari were clearly the best of the rest. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made short work of the fast-starting George Russell on lap one and ran largely untroubled in third and fourth for the rest of the race. Leclerc picked up his and the team’s fourth podium of the season, while Hamilton equaled his best-ever finish in red.

‍

Behind them, Liam Lawson secured a career-best sixth-place finish, ahead of Fernando Alonso and this weekend’s standout midfield entry: Gabriel Bortoleto. After landing a career-best eighth place in qualifying, Bortoleto continued his strong form in the race. Running as high as fifth at one point, the Brazilian was unable to contend with the one-stopping Lawson and would eventually lose out in a last-lap tussle for seventh with Alonso. The two-time world champion’s experience kept him in front, despite Bortoleto’s tire advantage. Even so, the Brazilian’s efforts were enough for a first-point finish, Alonso being among the first to congratulate the youngster in parc ferme. Nico Hulkenberg completed an impressive comeback from 20th to 9th, making it a memorable day for Sauber.
‍

Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon had a quiet but commendable drive to tenth, one place ahead of his teammate Oliver Bearman. Isack Hadjar survived his opening lap skirmish with Antonelli to take 12th ahead of Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll. Franco Colapinto’s prolonged scrap with Yuki Tsunoda yielded a 15th-place finish, while the Japanese driver capped off a poor weekend for Red Bull as the last car over the line.
‍

Williams also had a race to forget as having limped to 19th in qualifying, Carlos Sainz suffered a brake issue on the grid that led to an aborted start and forced the Spaniard out of contention before the race even began. Alex Albon looked set to give his team something to cheer about before engine trouble forced him out of the running on lap 15.
‍

With this win, Norris has reduced the championship deficit to 15 points. Having faced mounting scrutiny over his crash in Montreal, an emphatic weekend like this was just the riposte Norris needed. It remains to be seen how often he will be able to produce these world-beating performances against his formidable teammate.

The All Lawn Tennis Club

Grass courts. British elegance and classy etiquette. Strawberries and cream. Actors, kings and queens, athletes, businessmen and celebrities. Pimm’s in hand - and perhaps a touch of rain, as one might expect in the British summer. The All Lawn Tennis Club - home of the Wimbledon Championships - was founded in 1868 and is hosting its 138th edition to date. From next Monday, June 30th, until July 13th, the most prestigious of tournaments for players and attendees alike is set to take place in what promises to be an eventful, fierce and emotional competition.
‍

If you’ve ever attended Wimbledon, you would know that from the moment you arrive at the grounds entrance, something of global significance and historical magnitude is about to unfold. Once the gates are crossed, you will be greeted by the massive walls around Court No.1 and Centre Court, which, put together, can accommodate more than 27,000 people. This is where you first realise that attending Wimbledon is not a simple task of getting to your seat at the court you want. It feels more like an amusement park, where you can wander around the grounds to get a glimpse of all the small courts, the medium-sized courts or even walk up to The Hill. On the way, you might cross a player heading to his court or about to warm up - very casual.
‍

Moreover, Wimbledon’s staff operate with impeccable precision - nothing is left to chance. Don’t expect to simply stroll into your seat. At the tennis courts, ushers will ask you to wait for a changeover before allowing entry, giving departing spectators time to exit before guiding you to your place.  On the smaller courts, the atmosphere is more relaxed, allowing you to slip into the stands with ease and catch casually a Top-40 match up close. Just be sure to have a drink in hand - those courts are fully exposed to the sun.
‍

Men’s Names to Watch

This year’s competition promises to be nothing short of competitive. If Roland Garros felt intense, Wimbledon will raise the stakes even higher. Here, players push themselves to their absolute limits, drawn in by the tournament’s unmistakable aura. In the men’s draw, the favourites are familiar names -  seasoned contenders ready to make their mark once again on the sport’s most hallowed grounds.
‍

Alcaraz

Alcaraz is expected to reach the finals with relative ease, having just claimed the Queen’s Club title just a few days ago after a brief holiday in Ibiza. There, he displayed signs of  significant improvement on his serve - living up to the ‘servebot’ nickname with newfound authority. His first test comes against veteran Fabio Fognini (ranked 130), in Centre Court clash Monday, the 30th.
‍

Sinner

There’s a collective hope that the Italian will reach the final and treat us to another electrifying showdown with Alcaraz. Since returning from a three-month suspension, his level of play has been absolutely electrifying: Until the semifinals, potential challengers appear unlikely to pose a serious threat - where a much-anticipated clash with Novak Djokovic could await. A minor setback occurred just before Wimbledon, with a second-round exit at the Halle Open against Alexander Bublik. Yet, Wimbledon seems to be the perfect place for Sinner to reaffirm his status as the world No.1.
‍

Djokovic

How could we ever count out the most decorated player in tennis history? While Djokovic has struggled for consistency this season - marked by irregular breakthroughs and downfalls and signs of physical decline - his presence always sparks fear in opponents. Just last year, he reached the Wimbledon final, falling only to Alcaraz’s power and relentless intensity. This year, he could face Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, followed by a potential semifinal showdown with Sinner - both young players who could test his endurance limits. Still, Nole can never be ruled out.
‍

Draper

Draper will once again be playing in front of a home crowd, just as he did at Queen’s in 2025. Yet, while the crowd's energy may lift him, it won’t guarantee the deep run he undoubtedly hopes for. The young Brit is expected to navigate the early rounds, but the third round could present his first true test:  Alexander Bublik, fresh off a title win in Halle, where he overcame both Sinner and Medvedev with jaw-dropping performances. Should Draper advance, a potential quarter-final with Djokovic will be yet another test to Draper’s grass ability.

‍

The wild card: Alexander Bublik

The 28-year-old Kazakh has often been characterised as an irregular talent who can simply lose focus in an important match. Yet, his conditions and talent are superb. At one point he ranked as low as 80 in the world, coming close to retiring from the sport. But he chose to fight - coming back and defeating Jack Draper to reach the Roland Garros quarterfinals, where he fell to Sinner. His recent triumph at the Halle Open in Germany has put him back on the map. We ask ourselves: could Wimbledon be the stage for the performance of his life?
‍

Let the grass season begin!

Kimi Antonelli could only manage ninth, a daunting 1.3 seconds off pole, while Pierre Gaslywas able to keep it out of the barriers during his late spin, thereby ensuring P10. Aston Martin’s pace in free practice has proven to be a red herring. Fernando Alonso could only manage 11th, while his teammate Lance Stroll failed to get out of Q1 for the seventh time this season.

‍

Williams also had a qualifying they’d rather forget, as Alex Albon had to make do with 12th, while Carlos Sainz’s torrid Q1—a session epitomized by the numerous bouts of oversteer with which he was saddled on his final lap—meant he could do no better than 19th. Alex Brundle and Davide Valsecchi later raised the possibility of a mechanical issue, such was the extent of Sainz’s struggles.

‍

Isack Hadjar had to play second fiddle to his teammate in qualifying and will start 13th, one place ahead of Franco Colapinto. Having endured some unedifying qualifying performances of late, Oliver Bearman did well to get out of Q1—unlike his more experienced teammate Esteban Ocon, who starts 18th. Lance Stroll split the two Haas’ while Yuki Tsunoda’sSaturday struggles are showing no signs of easing up. Eighteenth place is a far cry from what he and Red Bull are looking for. Carlos Sainz will share the last row of the grid with Nico Hülkenberg, the German very much the slower of the two Sauber drivers so far this weekend.

‍

The Red Bull Ring has been kind to Norris in the past. This was, after all, the site of his first podium in 2020 and first front-row start in 2021. Having missed out on a potential victory here last year after a late-race scuffle with Max Verstappen and faced mounting criticism over his DNF in Canada, it's safe to say Lando Norris has come to Spielberg with a point to prove. And as statements go, his scorching run to pole position has been a powerful one.

Max Verstappen will have a new race engineer for this weekend, as Gianpiero Lambiase has had to step aside due to unforeseen circumstances. His place will be taken by Simon Rennie, who long-time fans may remember as the voice in Daniel Ricciardo’s ear when he was at Red Bull.‍ Despite suffering a spin out of the final corner in FP3, Verstappen was able to secure top-three times in every session. The world champion was a noticeable three-tenths of a second off Norris in FP2 but was able to find a tenth relative to his rival in FP3.

‍

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda ran wide at Turn 3 in FP1 before suffering a spin in FP3, eventually ending the session in ninth.‍ Turn 3 proved to be a point of contention for much of the grid. In addition to Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, and Alexander Albon were all caught out by the tricky right-hander.‍

‍

Having made way for academy driver Dino Beganovic in FP1, Charles Leclerc suffered a couple of off-road excursions in FP2 before clocking the fourth-fastest time in FP3. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, inadvertently obstructed Kimi Antonelli during the second practice session before sending FP3 in fifth, two-tenths behind Leclerc.‍

‍

Fresh off his first win of the season in Canada, George Russell topped the timesheets in FP1 before securing the sixth-fastest time in both FP2 and FP3. On the other side of the Mercedes garage, Antonelli struggled for grip early on and would eventually end the final session in 11th. With McLaren and Max leading the way thus far, Mercedes and Ferrari look set to scrap over the leftovers.‍

‍

Aston Martin looks to be the class of the midfield so far, with Lance Stroll going fourth-fastest in FP2 and eighth-fastest in FP3, the Canadian keen to add to his points tally — something he hasn’t done since the sprint race in Miami. Fernando Alonso suffered a massive spin at the end of what he described as the “worst out lap we can do” in FP1, before wryly observing that the error had, at the very least, been made early on.‍

‍

Elsewhere in the midfield, Sauber look to have found pace, with Gabriel Bortoleto securing top-ten times in each of the free practice sessions — the Brazilian desperate to secure his first career points. His teammate Nico Hülkenberg has done much of the heavy lifting so far this season, having scored all of the team’s 20 points. But having ended FP3 just a tenth off Bortoleto, the Hinwil-based outfit has reason to smile going into qualifying.

Norris’ race craft has also left something to be desired. After repeatedly coming off worse in his wheel-to-wheel exchanges with Max Verstappen in 2024, Norris still seems unable to fully contend with Verstappen’s uniquely aggressive brand of race craft. His vein attempt to hold it around the outside of turn two in Miami led to him running wide and losing places, while that strange bid to go wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen at the pitlane exit at Suzuka cost Norris his only realistic chance at victory. The most discouraging facet of this is not the other on track battles in which Norris has lost out (Russell holding him off in Bahrain and off the start in China are but two examples), it's the speed with which Piastri seems to have figured Verstappen out.  

‍

Regardless of whether or not he benefitted from being able to watch Norris go up against Verstappen in 2024. Piastri’s first wheel-to-wheel exchange with the Dutchman, saw him jump Verstappen off the start in Jeddah, ensure he was ahead at the apex, and hold his line en route to taking the win. In Miami, Piastri had no trouble catching Verstappen after starting fourth and, after exercising patience and performing a switchback in response to a desperate divebomb on lap 14, proved beyond all doubt his ability to play the world champion at his own game.

‍

As stated at the beginning, Norris’ title hopes are by no means gone, over the years we’ve seen drivers overcome similar points deficits in far shorter periods of time. But with his qualifying pace not what it once was, his mistakes under pressure both costly and common, the car not one with which he is gelling, and a teammate whose rapid improvement has made him a force to be reckoned with, it's safe to say Lando Norris has a lot of work to do if he’s to have any chance of fulfilling his pre-season potential and becoming the 2025 world champion.  

The final was low-scoring but gripping and closely contested until the very end. It was decided in the sixth and final chukker by a solo play from Hilario Ulloa, who scored the decisive goal with about three minutes left on the clock. Ulloa, who had fallen short in five previous finals—three of them with Park Place—finally completed the trifecta of major titles with Park Place in England, the United States, and Spain. It was also the first Queen’s Cup title for both Andrey Borodin and Rufino Bensadon, while Rosendo Torreguitar claimed his second title. Hilario Ulloa was named Most Valuable Player of the final, and his horse Why Not I’m Easy was awarded Best Playing Pony.

‍

Now, all eyes in the English high-goal season turn to Cowdray Park Polo Club, where a highly anticipated edition of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup is set to unfold. Eighteen teams with up to 22 goals will compete from June 24 to July 20. In addition, the English high goal season has featured other tournaments. Prior to the start of the Queen’s Cup, Aureus claimed the Prince of Wales Trophy at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, while Gaston Polo Team won the Trippetts Challenge, organized by Cowdray Park Polo Club. Also, Cirencester Park Polo Club is hosting the Warwickshire Cup from June 16 to 21, and Guards Polo Club will host the Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup from July 27 to August 10.

Norris made contact with Piastri’s rear, lost his front wing and was out of the race. Having lost twelve points to Piastri and 18 to Verstappen, Norris’ title aspirations have taken a serious knock in Canada. 

‍

Detached from the drama up front, Ferrari endured a middling grand prix. Lewis Hamilton struggled to sixth after striking a groundhog on lap 13. His teammate Charles Leclerc was left equally frustrated. 

‍

After starting on the hards, Leclerc was called in after just 29 laps, despite there being no apparent drop-off in pace.

‍

Ferrari opted for a two-stop strategy and fit Leclerc with a second set of hards for his middle stint, a decision he admitted to not understanding. Additionally, Leclerc criticised his delayed switch to mediums in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. The Monegasque eventually finished fifth.

‍

Fernando Alonso underlined Aston Martin’s improved form with seventh, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who secured a second consecutive points finish for both him and Sauber.

‍

Esteban Ocon managed to secure points in Haas’s 200th grand prix in ninth, while Carlos Sainz made up for his Q1 exit on Saturday with a controlled drive to tenth. 

‍

Yuki Tsunoda capped off a disappointing weekend with 12th, one place behind Oliver Bearman. Franco Colapinto came to blows with Alex Albon on the opening lap and eventually had to settle for 13th with Bortoleto, Gasly Hadjar and Stroll the last cars to take the flag. 

‍

With, this win, Russell retains fourth place in the drivers’ championship. But the Mercedes driver has extended his advantage over Leclerc. Piastri has also extended his advantage over Norris but with second place, Verstappen has kept himself in contention. The Dutchman is now 43 points behind Piastri and 11 behind Norris.

Fernando Alonso has proven, beyond all doubt, the progress Aston Martin has made in qualifying with sixth, while Charles Leclerc, the other big name to lose out in qualifying, will start eighth. 

‍

After going purple in the first sector on his final run, two major snaps of oversteer at turns five and six forced Leclerc to abandon his lap.

‍

 The Monegasque’s frustration was clear for all to see as he attributed his mishap to dirty air caused by the slow-moving Isack Hadjar in front of him. 

‍

Alex Albon’s engine cover came apart in Q1, the resulting debris caused the session to be briefly red-flagged. Albon was nevertheless able to progress and secured tenth on the grid for Sunday’s race ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. 

‍

Having failed to make it into Q3 once again, Tsunoda has been hit with a ten-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in FP3. Not the result he needed, given his recent form. 

‍

After struggling to find his rhythm in free practice, Franco Colapinto did well to secure what is by far his best qualifying result of the season with 12th. 

‍

Nico Hulkenberg qualified 13th one place ahead of Ollie Bearman who, despite an uneven lap at the end of Q1, managed to progress and eventually secure 14th. Esteban Ocon will start one place behind his teammate for Haas’s 200th grand prix. 

‍

Gabriel Bortoloeto qualified 16th ahead of Sainz who suffered a second consecutive Q1 exit after being impeded by Isack Hadjar during his last run. 

‍

The incident earned Hadjar a three-place grid penalty which will drop him from 9th to 12th on the grid. Liam Lawson could only manage 19th while Pierre Gasly was the last classified runner. 

‍

Verstappen comes into this weekend with 11 penalty points on his license (one short of a race ban). As a result, the reigning world champion has been the subject of much pitlane chatter since Thursday. When pressed about what might transpire between himself and Russell tomorrow, Verstappen did little to hide his annoyance, describing the speculation as “childish”. 

‍

With Russell keen to get his first win of the season, Verstappen in desperate need of a good result and Piastri intent on extending his championship lead, it's safe to say that tomorrow has the makings of a thoroughly absorbing grand prix.

After sitting out the Spanish Grand Prix due to a wrist injury, Lance Stroll has returned for his home race. However, the local hero had a troubled start to his weekend. A brush with the wall at turn 7 forced him out of FP2 with nearly 50 minutes of running left. 

‍

Leclerc was forced to sit out the session in its entirety, such was the severity of his crash in FP1. 

‍

Hamilton ran wide at turn 13 once again, as did both McLaren drivers, Albon and Verstappen. 

‍

Isack Hadjar found himself impeded by Franco Colapinto, although the rookie was able to recover well to P10. Colapinto suffered a second spin at turn two, while his teammate Pierre Gasly suffered a snap of oversteer on the exit of turn four. 

‍

Last year saw George Russell claim pole position in dramatic fashion. The Brit set an identical time to Max Verstappen but started in front due to his having set the time first. 

‍

This year, the Mercedes driver topped the timesheets in FP2 with a time of 1.12.123, two hundredths ahead of second place Norris. Mercedes’ strong form was reinforced by Antonelli securing third. 

‍

Having crashed out in FP1 and missed all of FP2, Charles Leclerc did well to recover in the final part of practice, securing a time of 1.11.877 just seven-hundredths of a second off Norris. 

‍

Stroll also had ground to make up, the Canadian managed to go 14th quickest in FP3, half a second and six places behind his teammate. 

‍

Pirelli have brought the C4, C5 and C6 tyres to Montreal, the softest compounds in their range. The data from free practice reveals a negligible difference in pace between the softs and the mediums. Choosing the right compound for qualifying looks set to be a major talking point.

‍

Piastri’s final practice session was hindered by a brush with the Wall of Champions, the Australian suffering a puncture as a result of the collision. Nico Hulkenberg was another to come unstuck at the famed final corner, the Sauber driver spinning out of the final chicane.

‍

As the track improved towards the end of the session, lap times began to tumble. Norris went quickest ahead of Leclerc, Russell and Hamilton. Verstappen could only manage fourth after grappling with brake problems in FP3. 

‍

With three different drivers going quickest in each of the three practice sessions, qualifying looks set to be an unpredictable affair.

The running order looked to be set in stone until lap 55. Kimi Antonelli retired with his second mechanical issue in three races and brought out the safety car. Piastri, Norris and Verstappen all dove into the pits, however, the Dutchman was the only one to be given a set of hard tyres. 

‍

Clearly frustrated with the decision, Verstappen was unable to defend himself at the restart. After suffering a massive slide out of the final corner, Verstappen found himself under attack from Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque pulled alongside but misjudged the margins and made contact with his rival’s sidepod. 

‍

Having lost his place on the podium, Verstappen then had George Russell for company into turn one. The Mercedes driver’s late lunge forced Verstappen to take to the runoff after which Red Bull asked him to give the place back, despite there being no directive from the stewards instructing them to do so. 

‍

An irate Verstappen pulled over to the left-hand side in an apparent attempt to let Russell through. However, Verstappen proceeded to run into Russell at turn four, a manoeuvre many pundits considered deliberate. 

‍

Verstappen was handed a ten-second penalty that dropped him to tenth. The world champion was unwilling to talk about the incident, saying it didn’t matter in the wider context of the Grand Prix. In addition to the time penalty, Verstappen had two penalty points added to his license for a grand total of 11. Should he earn one more before the 30th of June, the reigning world champion could face a one-race ban. 

‍

With the F1 circus fixated on Verstappen’s situation, little attention has been given to Nico Hulkenberg’s outstanding drive. Having hovered around the points for much of the grand prix, Hulkenberg benefitted from Antonelli’s retirement, the ensuing safety car and the chaos up ahead, to pass Hamilton at the restart for sixth place before being elevated to fifth after Verstappen’s penalty. His best result since Monza 2019 and the team’s best since Imola 2022. 

‍

Piastri continues to lead the world championship but with Norris just ten points adrift, the season is far from sealed.   

Fernando Alonso gave his home fans something to cheer about by briefly grabbing P5, however, the two-time world champion had to settle for tenth by the end of the session. His second consecutive Q3 appearance.

‍

Elsewhere, Isack Hadjar got the most out of his machinery with the ninth fastest time, as did Pierre Gasly who, in contrast to his teammate’s Q1 exit was able to secure P8. A welcome return to form after a disappointing weekend last time out in Monaco. 

‍

Williams’ struggles in free practice proved not to be a red herring. Alex Albon missed out on Q3 and will start 11th, while his teammate Carlos Sainz was one of the most surprising Q1 exits alongside Yuki Tsunoda. Who will start tomorrow’s race last on the grid, the Japanese driver lamenting the lack of “an overall step forward”. Franco Colapinto will start 19th, having suffered a mechanical failure at the end of Q1. 

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto put together what he himself described as the “best qualy of the year” with 12th, a tenth, and four places ahead of his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg. 

‍

Liam Lawson will start 13th having failed to follow his teammate into Q3. Lance Stroll ended the session 14th ahead of Oliver Bearman who voiced both his surprise at getting into Q2 given his struggles in practice, as well as his disappointment at having used all his fresh tires prior to the second part of qualifying. 

‍

His teammate Esteban Ocon will start 17th one place ahead of Carlos Sainz. The local hero attributed his result to an abundance of traffic as well as the resulting dirty air.   

‍

Having dominated the weekend thus far, McLaren are the odds-on favourites for victory on Sunday. However, as both George Russell and Max Verstappen proved last season, pole position in Spain does not guarantee the race win. With Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton right behind them, both Piastri and Norris will have plenty to think about during the 579-meter dash down to turn one.

Overall, the eight-time constructors champions appear to be fourth best on race pace and third quickest with regard to qualifying pace. McLaren and Red Bull may be out of reach, but Russell and Antonelli are looking to secure credible results in qualifying. 

‍

Despite being the standout midfield entry for much of the season thus far, Williams are playing down their chances. Believing the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya to be ill-suited to the FW47. Alex Albon sat out FP1 to make room for Formula 2 driver Victor Martins before setting the 15th fastest time upon his return in FP2, a tenth and a place behind his teammate Carlos Sainz. 

‍

Having demonstrated their improved one-lap pace in Monaco, Aston Martin looks set to continue that upward trajectory in Spain. Despite voicing his dissatisfaction with the AMR 25 in FP1, Fernando Alonso gave his home fans something to cheer about with seventh in FP2 and eighth in FP3. 

‍

Sauber have come to Spain with a new floor and amended bodywork. Upgrades that look to be yielding results as Nico Hulkenberg ended FP3 in 12th place. His teammate Gabriel Bortoleto ran wide at turn 10 in FP2 en route to 11th in FP3.

‍

Haas have struggled for pace throughout free practice. Ollie Bearman suffered a spin in FP3 and ended the session last a daunting two seconds off the pace. Moreover his teammate Esteban Ocon could only manage 18th, the Frenchman having vacated his seat for reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. The 2022 Le Mans winner managed the 17th fastest time in FP1 despite a trip into the gravel traps. 

‍

Despite run-ins with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, both Racing Bulls drivers made it into the top ten in FP2 and fp3, Isack Hadjar ahead of his teammate Liam Lawson. The pair looking to continue their solid form having secured a valuable double points finish last time out at Monaco. 

‍

McLaren looks to have the edge going into qualifying with Max Verstappen in close attendance. Mercedes and Ferrari look to be evenly matched with Racing Bulls the initial standout midfield contender.

The display of French elegance at Roland Garros extended far beyond the chic Nike overalls Alcaraz and Sinner wore to the final. Two days earlier, ahead of the Novak Djokovic–Cameron Norrie clash, we witnessed a flawlessly executed sporting crossover. Ousmane Dembélé, leader of Paris Saint-Germain’s men’s football team and fresh from lifting their first-ever Champions League trophy, stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier in a smart outfit and with a grin that said it all. For a player once more renowned for his love of video games than the glamour of Roland Garros, it was a surprising yet delightful moment.

‍

Two entirely different sports overlapping as effortlessly as neighbours sharing a table. Some might call it the power of proximity (Parc des Princes is only a ten-minute walk away). I’d call it the power of winning. Well done to the tournament’s marketing team.

‍

The now-usual cool-off: Ibiza

Carlos Alcaraz is no ordinary champion. In a recent Netflix-produced documentary, he made his ambition clear: to become the greatest in tennis history – but on his own terms. He is neither Nadal, nor Federer, nor Djokovic. Alcaraz embodies a generational mindset: the pursuit of excellence and performance, tempered by balance. For him, joy and enjoyment are as essential as glory. This explains why, after each Roland Garros conquest, the Murcian continues to head off to Ibiza – to unwind with friends and family before getting back on the road and resetting for the grass season. Wimbledon – tennis’s most anticipated tournament of the year – is just around the corner. And for those curious and looking to take a break from it all: yes, the Balearic season has already begun.

Three laps after Russell cleared Antonelli by cutting the chicane, Antonelli adopted a similar approach. However, the decision to go long on his final set of tyres did not pay dividends and Antonelli ended up as the last classified finisher, three laps down in 18th.

‍

In addition to Norris and Piastri now being separated by a scant three points at the top of the table. Ferrari’s solid showing coupled with Mercedes’ blunders sees the Scuderia close to within a single point of Red Bull in third and five points of Mercedes in second.

‍

With McLaren currently on top in both the driver’s and constructors’ races, the three-way fight for second looks set to intensify as we near the end of this triple header.

Despite briefly leapfrogging his teammate at the end of Q3, Lewis Hamilton was unable to match the leading trio. The seven-time world champion secured the fourth-fastest time but will start seventh due to a grid penalty he incurred for impeding Max Verstappen in FP3.

‍

Verstappen also lacked pace with slow corners a particular point of concern. The reigning world champion qualified fifth a sizeable seven-tenths of a second off pole.

‍

The standout midfield entry in Q3 was undoubtedly Racing Bulls. Liam Lawson made it into Q3 for the first time this season with ninth, while his teammate Isack Hadjar continued his sterling form with sixth.

‍

The Frenchman will start from a career-best fifth on Sunday thanks to Hamilton’s grid penalty, a performance Hadjar himself described as “mighty”.

‍

Aston Martin’s upgrades have continued to yield one lap pace as Fernando Alonso secured his best starting position of the season so far with seventh. A result that puts him in good stead to end his pointless drought. His former teammate Esteban Ocon will start eighth having set a time less than two hundredths of a second off the two-time world champion.

‍

Williams’ strong form in practice didn’t quite translate to qualifying. Alex Albon made it into Q3 with 10th, one place ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz but neither were able to match the searing pace of the Racing Bulls.

‍

Yuki Tsunoda could only manage 12th for Red Bull, one place ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, the Japanese driver gave little in the way of insight after the fact, simply stating that “I know what’s happened and I don’t need to talk here”.

‍

This is not a day on which Mercedes will look back with much fondness. Kimi Antonelli relegated himself to 15th after clipping the barriers at Nouvelle Chicane in Q2, while George Russell’s hopes were dashed by a battery failure that left him stranded in the tunnel.

‍

Having not set a time in Q2 prior, the three-time grand prix winner will start 14th on Sunday after a torrid session that marks the second time in two weeks the team has been hindered by mechanical failure.

‍

Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 16^th for Sauber ahead of Ollie Bearman, who along with Lance Stroll in 19^th was some way off the pace of his teammate. Having been hit with a ten-place grid penalty for violating red flag procedures in free practice, Bearman will start last on Sunday. However, the Haas driver nevertheless lamented his inability to capitalise on the car’s qualifying pace.

‍

Having struggled with traffic throughout free practice, Pierre Gasly’s frustrations were magnified by a difficult qualifying. The Frenchman having to make do with 18th on the grid, while his teammate Franco Colapinto set the slowest time in qualifying. A difficult session all round for the Enstone based team.

McLaren on form

McLaren looks to be the nearest challenger to Leclerc with at least one of their drivers securing top three times in each of the free practice sessions. Of the two, it was Oscar Piastri who got the closest to Leclerc, the championship leader clocking a time of 1.11.393 in FP3, just 0.038s off the home favourite.

‍

Williams’ strong form looks set to continue once again. The Grove-based squad encountered little drama as Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz graced the top ten in two out of the three sessions. The only minor disruption was a run-in between Sainz and Hamilton in FP1.

‍

On the whole, McLaren looks to have the edge in terms of pace. Hamilton’s grid penalty has ruled him out of the running for pole position, but with his teammate up at the front throughout free practice, qualifying looks set to be a shootout between perennial rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

Elsewhere, Aston Martin’s impressive showing in qualifying amounted to very little. Excessive tire wear relegated Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso to 15th and 11th respectively, the two-time world champion doing little to hide his frustration over team radio. After crashing out in Q1, Yuki Tsunoda was able to recover to tenth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg whose solid pace saw him run in the points until the final safety car restart. In his first race for Alpine in place of Jack Doohan, Franco Colapinto was the subject of much paddock scrutiny particularly after his crash in Q2. On Sunday, the new signing ran a trouble-free race, allowing teammate Pierre Gasly through on the orders of the team. The Frenchman’s tenth place start falling by the wait side after an off-road excursion while battling with Leclerc on lap 3.

Another home hero with little to celebrate was Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes protégé could only manage 13^th after a trouble session in which he struggled for both grip and rhythm. Gabriel Bortoleto made it into Q2 with 14^th, a result he saw as more of a surprise than his last Q2 appearance in Miami. Having been announced as Alpine’s race driver in place of Jack Doohan earlier in the week, all eyes were on Franco Colapinto. However, the Argentinian’s return to Formula 1 did not get off to a flying start. A heavy crash in Q2 left him stranded in 15^th and left his mechanics with a seismic repair job ahead of the grand prix on Sunday. Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg will line up 16^th and 17^th respectively, ahead of the two Haas’, Estaban Ocon an eye-catching three tenths of a second clear of his teammate Ollie Bearman. Yuki Tsunoda will start at the back having crashed out heavily in Q1. A fraction too much kerb unsettled the car and sent him into a barrel roll. His first Q1 exit as a Red Bull Driver, Tsunoda has his work cut out of he’s to threaten the points paying positions on Sunday.