arabnews.com - Isack Hadjar on Red Bull rumors: ‘I didn’t sign anything’

Isack Hadjar on Red Bull rumors: ‘I didn’t sign anything’

BAKU: Isack Hadjar downplayed rumors that he is set to replace Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2026, saying “I didn’t sign anything.” Tsunoda has struggled to consistently generate points since being promoted to the main team ahead of the third race of the season, and enters this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix with just 12 . Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Hadjar has recovered from a crash in his first race in Australia to produce 38 points for the junior team. With Tsunoda currently 19th place in the driver’s standings and Hadjar in ninth, speculation has been rampant that the young Frenchman is set to be Red Bull’s next attempt to find a consistent points producer alongside Verstappen. Telling reporters this week that he “couldn’t care less” about the rumors, Hadjar added, “I think it’s very funny.

Spain overtake Messi’s Argentina to lead FIFA rankings for first time since 2014

ZURICH: Spain and Lamine Yamal took top spot from Argentina and Lionel Messi in the FIFA men’s rankings published on Thursday, and lead for the first time since being dethroned as world champion in June 2014. Spain’s two-win start to a 2026 World Cup qualifying group this month — against Turkiye and Bulgaria — lifted the European champion up from second place behind 2022 World Cup winner Argentina, which fell to third. Argentina’s loss in a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador also let France rise one place to No. 2. England stayed at No. 4, and Portugal climbed one place to No.

De Bruyne returns to Etihad as City face Napoli in Champions League

MANCHESTER: Manchester City welcome a familiar face back to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday as they kick off their Champions League campaign against Napoli and Kevin de Bruyne. But while City boss Pep Guardiola shed tears when the Belgium midfielder made his final appearance for his team last season, the Spaniard said he will enjoy De Bruyne’s return on Thursday “after the game.” De Bruyne, who won 19 trophies during his glittering 10-year spell at City and captained the side through some of its most dominant seasons, makes a swift return to Manchester following his summer move to Naples. Though he now wears Napoli blue, “King Kev” remains a beloved figure at the Etihad. Guardiola is not surprised how seamlessly De Bruyne has slotted into Antonio Conte’s Italian team, scoring two goals in three matches.

Ligue 1 leader PSG face bitter rival Marseille and Lille look to stay unbeaten

PARIS: Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain face their biggest rival Marseille at Parc des Princes on Sunday. Marseille’s longstanding bragging rights as the only French side to win the Champions League finally ended when PSG won it in emphatic style last season. On the domestic front, PSG have pulled away from Marseille with 13 Ligue 1 titles compared to nine. PSG have won their four league games so far. “We know the importance of this match, for the fans and the club,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said.

Naoya Inoue to headline Riyadh’s ‘Night of the Samurai’

RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced that Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) will defend his WBC super-bantamweight title against Mexico’s Alan Picasso Romero (32-0-1, 17 KOs) on Dec. 27.

‘It’s not cricket’: Political divisions cast a growing shadow over the game

In England and across Europe, the sun is setting on an eventful 2025 cricket season. It will be remembered for the visit of India to England for a hard fought, sometimes acrimonious, five-match Test series, which was shared two wins apiece.

‘Fantastic’ — Ben Sulayem welcomes FAI Extreme H World Cup debut

DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said he is delighted Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in October, hailing it a pioneering development for sustainable racing.

Racing big names set for Taif Season’s penultimate meeting

TAIF: Star names are on show for the penultimate meeting of the Taif racing season, and none are bigger than multiple Grade 1 winner Tilal AI-Khalediah (Saudi Arabia), who heads the field for the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup at King Khalid Racecourse.

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Isack Hadjar on Red Bull rumors: ‘I didn’t sign anything’

Spain overtake Messi’s Argentina to lead FIFA rankings for first time since 2014

De Bruyne returns to Etihad as City face Napoli in Champions League

Ligue 1 leader PSG face bitter rival Marseille and Lille look to stay unbeaten

Naoya Inoue to headline Riyadh’s ‘Night of the Samurai’

‘It’s not cricket’: Political divisions cast a growing shadow over the game

‘Fantastic’ — Ben Sulayem welcomes FAI Extreme H World Cup debut

Racing big names set for Taif Season’s penultimate meeting