Lewis Hamilton admits he is staggered by how far Mercedes are still behind the Red Bulls after Max Verstappen blew away the field to take pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen hit back in style after seeing his record 10-race winning run and Red Bull’s unbeaten season ended in Singapore a week ago by finishing a massive 0.581 seconds clear of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris was third in the second McLaren ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez. But Mercedes struggled again, with Hamilton qualifying seventh and George Russell eighth – the seven-time world champion over a second adrift of Verstappen’s pole lap. The Dutchman and Red Bull have dominated the sport over the last two seasons and Hamilton admits the gap that still exists between the two teams is a major concern. “We as a team really need to when we go back and do the debrief – I hope the team already realise – but a second gap is huge. And it is real,” Hamilton said. “To be two years in and still be a second down to the Red Bulls is not a good showing and we need to make sure we work hard over the winter to get back at least half that gap before next year. “We have a very peaky car. It is like trying to balance a knife on its tip. “It is never perfectly balanced, it is one way or the other. You try and get it as close as you can to the middle but it is very hard to do each weekend.” Verstappen topped every practice session but Norris and Piastri had closed the gap in P3 to hint at a fight for pole at Suzuka. But it never materialised thanks to Verstappen’s incredible pace on new tyres in the final session. To be two years in and still be a second down to the Red Bulls is not a good showing and we need to make sure we work hard over the winter to get back at least half that gap before next year Lewis Hamilton McLaren impressed again – especially Piastri who had never even been to Japan before this week. “It’s been a very good day for us. A P2 and a P3 – a great job by Oscar today and as usual, by Max – but a good day,” Norris said. “I was pretty happy with my laps. It’s a tricky circuit; not easy to put everything together but it’s so quick around here and the smallest mistake can take a big amount of lap time. “I’m happy. It’s been a good day and good positions for tomorrow.” Mercedes are unlikely to be in the fight with Red Bull or McLaren but are set for a scrap with Ferrari as they tussle over second position in the Constructors’ Championship – which Red Bull are almost certain to clinch on Sunday. Leclerc delivered a strong lap for the Scuderia to line up on the second row – although he does face an investigation for exceeding the maximum lap time – while Singapore-winner Carlos Sainz starts sixth. “I hope we can have a good battle with Ferrari tomorrow,” Hamilton said. “They had an upgrade this weekend so they are a little bit ahead of us and it is not an easy track to overtake. “But I am still going to give it everything and hope I can give them a run for their money tomorrow.” Yuki Tsunoda, who was confirmed to be driving for AlphaTauri next season alongside Daniel Ricciardo, delighted his home fans by qualifying ninth. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen pips Oscar Piastri to pole after tense qualifying for Japanese GP Lando Norris narrows gap on Max Verstappen at final practice in Japan Max Verstappen returns to form in Japanese Grand Prix practice

As Ange Postecoglou made his way to the far end of Tottenham’s stadium to applaud supporters after his first home game as Spurs manager, he was greeted by a white wall of fans giving him a standing ovation

This was not so much a turning back of the clock by Katie Taylor, but a defiant stopping of it, on a night when boxing and Ireland itself stopped in their tracks. It was the same city, the same arena and the same ring where the Irish icon suffered her first ever professional defeat in May, and it was the same opponent in Chantelle Cameron. But the stakes were different in Dublin this time, and the result had to be for Taylor. In the end, it was: a majority decision like six months ago, but this time in her favour, not Cameron’s. This time, it was the Englishwoman whose zero had to go, along with her undisputed super-lightweight titles. In a fight that was often messy, always mesmerising, and ultimately marginal, Taylor took all of those belts and added them to her undisputed lightweight gold. It was another stupefying moment in a career full of them, as a pioneer of women’s boxing – the pioneer – collected more accolades, not just in Cameron’s belts but in avenging a loss for the first time. And to do that, the Olympic gold medalist, now 37, had to fight her conqueror, fatigue, demons and more. But in her corner was a sea of Irish souls, flags and voices, willing her to a monumental victory. The first round, in truth, felt like the 11th round of Taylor and Cameron’s first clash, with the champion trekking forward in pursuit of Taylor and finding her with jabs. Taylor’s counter left hook was on point, though, and what looked like a knockdown of the “Bray Bomber” was merely a trip. In the second round, Taylor would lay the foundations for a lead that would prove crucial come the end of the fight. While Cameron, 32, attempted to corner the home favourite and use her size advantage, Taylor showed off brilliant head movement and ended the round strongly with clean hooks. Every shot Taylor landed was greeted by an eruption of noise, and there were plenty of shots to cheer as she continued to connect with left hooks before adding a flurry with a flourish. Taylor was still going backwards yet was determined not to be bullied. Then, at the end of the round, a clash of heads opened up Cameron’s forehead, after one of many frenzied exchanges. Taylor’s speed was her greatest tool as she continued to carve ahead at the midway point, using straight punches to blitz the defending champion. But then came Cameron’s best spell of the fight, as she began to invest in the body, spear Taylor with jabs, and weigh on the home fighter. Come the eighth round, Taylor looked to be standing only by virtue of leaning on Cameron. Perhaps she was hurt, for certain she was tired, yet still Taylor found reserves to unfurl hooks when needed. And in the ninth, Taylor was ferociously spirited, waiting for Cameron to close in then punishing the champion by unleashing combinations, as crimson crawled down Cameron’s forehead. It was the ultimate display of Taylor’s fighting soul, and it would seal her ultimate redemption. An ugly, stilted final round ensued, but Taylor and Cameron had arrived at the end – just not the very end, as some feared might be the case for Taylor. Two scorecards were hers – one more comfortably than it should have been, in all honesty – while the third was even. Cameron, a game competitor from start to finish, soon departed, but only after graciously applauding Taylor upon the revelation that the gold would be staying in Dublin. And Taylor will be staying in this sport for now, having defied every doubter on a night that the city desperately needed, amid a week of tragedy and shame. The trilogy, at the iconic Croke Park no less, awaits. But tonight Dublin needed this. Dublin needed Katie Taylor. Read More ‘She’s not an athlete, she’s a deity’: Katie Taylor and a nation in awe Katie Taylor and Conor McGregor’s relationship: ‘We have very different personalities’ Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron LIVE: Boxing results and reaction after Irish icon creates history in Dublin Taylor vs Cameron punch stats reveal narrow nature of epic rematch Ed Sheeran congratulates Katie Taylor after attending fight in Dublin Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron LIVE: Boxing results and reaction

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