Madrid arrives on 24-race Formula One calendar in 2026
The 2026 Formula One season will kick off in Melbourne in March and again feature 24 races as Madrid arrives on the calendar.
F1 Sport News
Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui
Qatar are within “touching distance” of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will go all out against Iran and Uzbekistan over the next week to keep their dream alive, says new coach Julen Lopetegui. Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup but have never reached the tournament via the qualification route, cannot finish in the top two in Group A to earn an automatic berth in 2027 but can still secure a spot in the playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth. The Gulf side are currently fourth on 10 points, four ahead of Kyrgyzstan. Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui takes charge of Qatar for the first time when they face group leaders Iran in Doha on Thursday before they close out the third round by visiting second-placed Uzbekistan on June 10. “Qatar has never qualified for a World Cup through the qualifiers before, and it’s a dream we’re determined to fight for,” Lopetegui told FIFA’s website in an interview published on Tuesday. “It’s within touching distance. We’ve got two games left to play, both of which will be incredibly difficult, and in quick succession. “However, despite all the difficulties, we’re determined to give it our best shot to earn ourselves another chance of qualifying in October.” Qatar have enjoyed considerable continental success in recent years, winning back-to-back Asian Cup titles, but Lopetegui said they are in a transitional phase and still finding their feet. “There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that this generation has achieved some very impressive things in the Asian Cup,” added the Spaniard, who was appointed coach in May. “However, generations come to an end, and now we need to turn our attention to starting the process again, which will be no mean feat.
FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges
NEW YORK: FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble to revolutionize club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States.
Djokovic, Sinner into French Open quarters as No.361 Boisson springs upset
PARIS: Novak Djokovic sailed into a record 19th French Open quarter-final on Monday, while world number one Jannik Sinner dismantled Andrey Rublev in straight sets.
It was not right – Max Verstappen takes blame for crash with George Russell
Max Verstappen has issued a veiled apology for his wild crash with George Russell by admitting it “was not right and should have not happened”.
Max Verstappen blames frustration for a ‘move that was not right’ after colliding with Russell
Max Verstappen said Monday that frustration caused “a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened”, a day after he initially seemed unrepentant over his collision with George Russell at Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen had been asked by his Red Bull team to give up a place to Russell following an earlier incident between the two drivers when he hit Russell’s Mercedes. The race stewards ruled Verstappen had “suddenly accelerated” before the collision and Russell said it “felt very deliberate”. The stewards gave Verstappen a 10-second penalty which dropped him from fifth to 10th and left him 49 points off standings leader Oscar Piastri, who won Sunday’s race. “We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out.
MENA clubs back Ben Sulayem for second term as FIA president
DUBAI: National motor sport and mobility authorities from across the Middle East and North Africa region have delivered another major vote of confidence in Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile and urged him to seek re-election as president.
Oscar Piastri wins Spanish Grand Prix as Lando Norris slips back in title fight
Lando Norris lost ground in the championship race after McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri produced a flawless performance to win Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.