Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko vowed to keep fighting for the Formula One title as long as it remains mathematically possible for Max Verstappen, despite Christian Horner’s recent dismissal as team principal.

Following Horner’s 20-year tenure and the appointment of Laurent Mekies, Marko quickly shut down speculation that the team is already shifting focus to 2026.

“With 12 races left, we will continue to push for the drivers’ championship as long as it’s mathematically within reach,” Marko said in a statement.

This comes after Verstappen, currently third and 69 points behind the leader, appeared pessimistic about his title defense. Just last month, Marko told Austrian TV the team might have to “write off” the championship if performance didn’t improve.

There was no mention Thursday of the constructors’ standings, where Red Bull is far adrift of McLaren.

Turning around a disappointing season is just one of many urgent demands facing Mekies on his first full day as Red Bull’s new team principal.

The defending champion last week refused to commit to staying with Red Bull for 2026, even while Horner claimed Verstappen’s “intention is that he will be there.”

It likely will become clearer in the coming weeks whether Horner’s departure has made Verstappen more willing to stay.

If Verstappen leaves, it would likely be for rival Mercedes. Losing its star driver relatively late in 2025 could hamper Red Bull’s development work for next year, and few experienced options are available.

The two sides of the Red Bull garage seem like different teams.

Verstappen has scored 165 of Red Bull’s 172 points this year despite frequent complaints about the car.

For anyone else, it seems undriveable.

The last Red Bull podium for a driver other than Verstappen was in April 2024. The last win came in April 2023.

Last week, Horner said Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda would be given the rest of the season to show what he can do. Whatever happens, Mekies has to choose who will fill that seat for 2026.

One option is Isack Hadjar, the impressive rookie at Red Bull’s junior team, Red Bull Racing Bulls. However, Mekies was at Racing Bulls when Liam Lawson was first promoted, then sent back down with shattered confidence.

Getting the best out of Red Bull means dealing with its internal politics.

In his previous role with Racing Bulls, Mekies worked with 82-year-old Marko, who is employed by Red Bull’s parent company and oversees both of its F1 teams. The Austrian is influential, but his authority and position are vaguely defined.

Another influential figure who isn’t a team employee is Jos Verstappen. The star driver’s father is a regular presence in the paddock and wasn’t afraid to criticize Horner in public.

Since Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death in 2022, the parent company’s shareholders in Thailand have shaped the team’s direction. They’re rarely seen at races and avoid commenting publicly.

The most sweeping changes to F1 cars in a generation could reshape the sport.

Red Bull aced the last big regulation change in 2022 with a car designed by Adrian Newey. He left last year for Aston Martin, an ambitious team that has been planning for this moment for years. It’s just one of several rivals with their eyes on Red Bull’s place as a title challenger.

Mekies will need to quickly grasp Red Bull’s plans for 2026 and a major expansion of its in-house engine production program, which includes Ford returning to F1 next year as Red Bull’s partner.

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Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will meet on Sunday in a heavyweight final to crown the first-ever champion of FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup.

The all-European clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey brings together two continental powerhouses with something to prove and everything to win.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT in front of a sold-out crowd at the 82,500-seat venue, which has already hosted both semifinals and will also stage the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

The matchup marks a fitting conclusion to a monthlong tournament that brought clubs from every corner of the globe to the U.S.

For FIFA, the spectacle is more than a title decider – it is the ultimate test of its new global vision for club football.

Parisian flare

On paper, PSG enter the final as the more imposing force.

Fresh off their Champions League triumph earlier this year, Luis Enrique’s side delivered a statement in the semifinal, dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in one of the tournament’s most complete performances.

Ousmane Dembele returned from injury to spearhead the attack and looked every bit the Ballon d’Or contender, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue flanked him with menace and flair.

The French champions have blended youthful energy with tactical discipline throughout the tournament.

Midfielders Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz have dominated possession and dictated tempo, offering a mix of tenacity and creativity.

Their only blemish came in the group stage, where a sluggish display saw them fall to Botafogo.

Since then, PSG has tightened its grip on every match, showcasing a ruthless streak that has made them favorites to lift the trophy.

London firepower

Chelsea, meanwhile, have taken a less dominant but no less determined path to the final. Under head coach Enzo Maresca, the London club has steadily grown in confidence.

A 2-0 semifinal win over Fluminense highlighted their efficiency and tactical maturity.

Joao Pedro, signed earlier this season and formerly of Fluminense, scored both goals in a breakout performance that has complicated Maresca’s selection plans for the final.

With Liam Delap returning from suspension, Maresca faces a tough decision over his forward line.

Pedro’s form makes him difficult to bench, but Delap offers a more direct physical threat against a PSG backline that will be without the suspended Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.

Lucas Beraldo, just 21, will again partner veteran Marquinhos in central defense, a potential vulnerability that Chelsea’s attack may look to exploit.

In midfield, Chelsea are sweating over the availability of Moises Caicedo, who limped off with an ankle injury late in the semifinal.

His absence would leave a sizable void in the heart of the team and force Maresca to reshuffle against one of Europe’s most cohesive midfield trios.

Cole Palmer will be key to Chelsea’s creativity, with the young playmaker tasked with unlocking PSG’s lines through moments of ingenuity.

At the back, Levi Colwill returns from suspension and is expected to pair with Trevoh Chalobah, while Reece James is pushing for a starting spot after a substitute appearance midweek.

Both clubs have a history of continental battles, including tense Champions League knockout duels in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Chelsea triumphed on away goals in 2014, while PSG won the next two encounters. That shared history adds an edge to a fixture already steeped in stakes and symbolism.

For Chelsea, the final is a chance to cap an impressive turnaround season, which included a top-four Premier League finish and victory in the UEFA Conference League.

For PSG, it is a shot at completing a rare treble and sealing their global credentials with the one major title that has long eluded them.

The setting could hardly be more fitting. MetLife Stadium, a venue known for hosting the NFL’s biggest games and some of the world’s most iconic concerts, is embracing its new identity as a football fortress. Sunday’s final is not just a battle between clubs – it is a showcase of what global football can become.

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A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, to one year in prison for tax fraud dating back to his tenure as Real Madrid manager in 2014.

The Madrid court also imposed a fine of 386,000 euros ($452,187) on Ancelotti.

Spanish prosecutors accused him of evading 1 million euros ($1 million) in taxes during 2014 and 2015 and had sought a prison term of up to four years and nine months on two counts of tax fraud.

In March 2024, prosecutors alleged Ancelotti used shell companies – including one based in the Virgin Islands with no real economic activity – to conceal his true earnings.

In Spain, a judge can suspend a sentence of less than two years for first-time offenders.

A staffer on Ancelotti’s team said that his lawyers welcomed the court’s decision, which also ruled that Ancelotti was not formally a Spanish resident in 2015.

The staffer spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Brazil’s football confederation has not publicly commented on the court’s ruling.

The Italian coach is the latest in a string of major football figures to face a crackdown by Spanish authorities over unpaid taxes, although none have actually been sent to prison so far.

That list includes star players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Jose Mourinho, another former Madrid coach.

Ancelotti, who turned 66 last month, is one of football’s most successful coaches. He is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times – three with Madrid and twice with AC Milan – and the only coach to have won domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

Ancelotti left his second stint at Real Madrid to take over Brazil’s national team.

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This weekend marks a pivotal chapter for Turkish motorcycle racing, as four riders – Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Bahattin Sofuoğlu, Can Öncü and Deniz Öncü – gear up to make their mark across Europe.

The speedsters will grace two key venues, the World Superbike and Supersport Championships at Donington Park, England, and the Moto2 World Championship at Sachsenring, Germany.

Under Kenan Sofuoğlu, the Turkish Motorcycle Federation’s National Teams captain and multiple-time WSSP world champion, they aim to shine on these fiercely competitive global stages.

At Donington Park, a 4.02-kilometer layout famed for its flowing corners and elevation shifts, the seventh WSBK round promises high-speed drama over three races scheduled across Saturday and Sunday.

Razgatlıoğlu’s dominance

The reigning 2024 World Superbike champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, returns on his BMW M 1000 RR, riding with the coveted No. 1 plate as he chases a third WSBK title in what will be his final championship season before moving to MotoGP in 2026 with Prima Pramac Racing.

Toprak’s dominance at Donington is undeniable – last year, he swept all three races with a commanding performance that included a staggering 11.3-second victory margin in the first race and a streak of seven consecutive wins at the track.

Despite a setback last season with a pneumothorax after a crash in Magny-Cours, Toprak’s resilience shone through as he clinched the title at Jerez and returned strong for podiums in subsequent rounds.

His preparation, overseen by Kenan Sofuoğlu, and his recent adjustments to the bike and tires highlight his intent to defend his crown against fierce rivals such as Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista, as well as British favorites eager to excel on home turf.

Sofuoğlu’s momentum

In the World Supersport Championship, Turkish hope Bahattin Sofuoğlu, also mentored by Kenan, looks to build momentum after a challenging 2024 season.

Riding for Yamaha Motoxracing, Bahattin arrives at Donington aiming to convert potential into points and possibly podium finishes.

The technical demands of the Donington layout suit his riding style, but he faces stiff competition from seasoned riders like Stefano Manzi and compatriot Can Öncü, who also competes in the Supersport class under Kawasaki Puccetti Racing.

Can, a former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion, is hungry for his first WSSP victory.

Although consistency has eluded him, his pace and determination have grown steadily, setting the stage for a breakthrough performance at Donington.

Both Bahattin and Can will contest two races each weekend, with qualifying and practice sessions starting July 11.

Another Öncü

Meanwhile, the Moto2 World Championship’s 11th round unfolds at Germany’s demanding Sachsenring circuit, known for tight corners and technical challenges.

Deniz Öncü, Can Öncü’s twin brother and a promising young talent with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Team, hopes to capitalize on his growing experience to secure a podium finish.

At just 20 years old, Deniz Öncü is carving a path toward MotoGP, facing fierce rivals such as Jake Dixon and Tony Arbolino.

His weekend begins with practice and qualifying on July 12, followed by the 25-lap main race on July 13.

This weekend is not just about races; it’s about the rise of Turkish motorcycle racing on the global stage.

Under Kenan Sofuoğlu’s mentorship, the quartet of Toprak, Bahattin, Can, and Deniz symbolizes Türkiye’s growing presence and ambition in the sport.

Toprak’s title defense and record-chasing runs at Donington, combined with the Öncü twins’ potential in Supersport and Moto2, frame a narrative of resilience, youth, and tactical mastery.

With British riders like Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes pushing hard at home and top Supersport and Moto2 contenders in pursuit, the battles on track will be fierce and unpredictable.

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Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are headed for a seismic semifinal clash at Wimbledon, where the world No. 1 Italian and the seven-time champion Serbian will meet on Friday.

At the same time, the women’s draw promises intrigue as Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic prepare to square off for a place in the final.

Sinner, 23, has stormed into his second consecutive Wimbledon semifinal, riding a wave of form and growing belief.

He swept past American Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, despite carrying an elbow injury sustained during a harrowing fourth-round battle with Grigor Dimitrov.

That match had seen Sinner fall awkwardly in the first game and require a medical timeout.

Down two sets, he clawed back before Dimitrov was forced to retire due to his own injury.

Against Shelton, Sinner wore a sleeve and strapping on his racquet arm, playing through discomfort and relying on painkillers to stay sharp.

He also switched to new shoes designed for extra grip on the slick grass, a tactical adjustment after slipping earlier in the tournament.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, he said, “The pain is getting better. I played today with some painkillers which helped me to get through. I played with completely new shoes to have more grip.”

Now comes the real test. While Sinner has won his last four matches against Djokovic – including a straight-sets triumph in the French Open semifinals just weeks ago – he has yet to beat the Serbian on Wimbledon’s grass.

“I’ve never won against him here in Wimbledon, so it’s going to be a very, very tough challenge,” Sinner said.

On the other side of the net, Djokovic continues to defy age and expectation.

At 38, the Serbian advanced to his 14th Wimbledon semifinal, breaking Roger Federer’s record for most appearances at this stage of the tournament.

His four-set win over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli wasn’t without drama; leading 5-4 in the fourth set, Djokovic slipped awkwardly while serving for the match, prompting concerns over his physical condition.

“There is a concern, but we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Djokovic told BBC Sport. “It was an awkward, nasty fall.” Still, he closed out the match and extended his all-time record to 52 Grand Slam semifinal appearances. He knows what lies ahead. “It’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik,” he said, emphasizing the physical demands he expects from the upcoming duel.

Their head-to-head is rich with storylines.

While Djokovic holds two previous Wimbledon victories over Sinner – in the 2022 quarterfinals and the 2023 semifinals – the Italian has turned the tide in recent meetings.

The contrast in styles is sharp: Sinner’s aggressive baseline game and flat, powerful groundstrokes against Djokovic’s unmatched court sense and shot variation.

Both come into the match nursing injuries, adding an unpredictable layer to an already heavyweight encounter.

Women on fire

As the men’s semifinal draws most of the spotlight, the women’s competition is building its own compelling narrative.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek reached the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Liudmila Samsonova, while Olympic champion Belinda Bencic eased past 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-2. Swiatek, long dominant on clay and hard courts, is now chasing her first Wimbledon title, the final piece in her surface sweep.

Bencic, meanwhile, has rediscovered her rhythm on grass, using her all-court game and steady mentality to navigate a tough draw.

Their semifinal presents an intriguing contrast.

Swiatek’s heavy topspin and relentless baseline pressure will face a stern test against Bencic’s adaptability, clean timing, and grass-court intelligence. Both players have looked composed, clinical, and confident heading into this stage.

At this point in the tournament, everything sharpens – movement, mind, margins.

Sinner is aiming to announce himself as the new face of men’s tennis. Djokovic is fighting to extend his reign and add a 25th Grand Slam title to a record-smashing career.

Swiatek seeks to expand her dominance across surfaces, while Bencic is bidding for a breakthrough on the sport’s biggest stage.

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Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning two-time champion and world No. 2, will face off against Taylor Fritz, the red-hot American seeded fifth, who’s making his first Wimbledon semifinal appearance on Friday.

Alcaraz is chasing history. Still only 22, the Spaniard has won 23 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and is undefeated on Centre Court since 2023.

A third straight title would place him among the game’s greatest grass-court champions, joining names like Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

But standing in his path is Fritz, a man on a mission.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed the best grass-court season of his career, winning titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne and notching a tour-leading 18 victories on grass this year.

Alcaraz’s route to the final four hasn’t been entirely smooth, but it’s been commanding.

He survived a five-set test against veteran Fabio Fognini in the first round, then dispatched Oliver Tarvet, Jan-Lennard Struff and 14th seed Andrey Rublev before breezing past Cameron Norrie in straight sets in the quarterfinals.

Against Norrie, he produced arguably his cleanest performance of the tournament, blasting 13 aces, firing 39 winners and winning 89% of his first-serve points – his highest mark in any major match to date.

He never allowed the Brit to settle, converting three of five break points and dominating from start to finish.

Alcaraz has already won three clay-court titles this season, including his second straight French Open, and added a Queen’s Club crown on grass.

With 34 wins in 37 career matches on grass and a 23-match win streak across all surfaces, he enters the semifinals as the tournament’s most in-form player.

If he goes on to lift the trophy again, he would become only the fifth man in the Open era to win three straight Wimbledon titles and only the third to complete back-to-back French Open-Wimbledon doubles – a feat not seen since the days of Borg and Nadal.

Off the court, the Spaniard has stayed relaxed, even hitting the golf course with Andy Murray between matches.

Fritz, meanwhile, started his campaign with back-to-back five-set marathons, outlasting Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Gabriel Diallo.

In the third round, he eased past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, then advanced via walkover in the fourth after Jordan Thompson withdrew.

In the quarterfinals, Fritz overcame a nagging foot injury and a momentary third-set collapse to defeat 17th seed Karen Khachanov in four sets.

He dominated the early going with a 90% first-serve win rate and 16 aces but struggled in the third before regaining control in a fourth-set tiebreak.

There was even controversy when Wimbledon’s new electronic line-calling system malfunctioned, forcing a replayed point, but Fritz kept his cool.

This breakthrough run marks a personal redemption arc.

Twice before – in 2022 and 2024 – Fritz had reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals, only to fall in five sets.

He admitted after the Khachanov win that a third heartbreak would’ve been tough to take.

Now, he has a chance to become the first American man in a Wimbledon final since Andy Roddick in 2009 and the first champion since Sampras in 2000.

Though Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 2-0, both matches came on hard courts in 2023, and the two have never met on grass.

That fact alone injects fresh intrigue into the contest.

Alcaraz’s all-court game, movement and shot variety have translated superbly to grass, but Fritz’s booming serve and aggressive baseline play have made him one of the most dangerous players on the surface this year.

Tactically, Alcaraz will aim to attack Fritz’s second serve and extend rallies to draw errors.

His ability to mix in drop shots and take control at the net will be crucial in disrupting Fritz’s rhythm.

On the other side, Fritz must hit a high first-serve percentage – north of 70 – and take control early in points.

His forehand will be a weapon, and he may mix in serve-and-volley tactics to keep rallies short and exploit the low bounce.

The semifinal will be played on Centre Court, where Alcaraz has a perfect 19-0 record since 2023.

London’s unpredictable weather could force the roof to close, potentially favoring Fritz’s flatter power game.

Conditions are expected to be mild, with a chance of light showers, which may speed up the court slightly under the roof.

Predictive models give Alcaraz a 78% chance of advancing to the final, where either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic awaits.

The Spaniard’s superior grass-court record and proven big-match mentality make him the favorite, but Fritz’s confidence and serving form make him a real threat, especially if he starts strong and keeps the pressure on.

The broader context adds more weight to the moment.

For Alcaraz, a win would mean a third straight Wimbledon final and a chance to raise a sixth Grand Slam trophy. For Fritz, it’s a shot at ending a 25-year drought for American men at the All England Club and etching his name in tennis history.

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