List of All Articles with Tag 'eppersons'

Fernando Alonso insists he would keep Lewis Hamilton “until he’s 80 years old” over picking a young F2 driver after the seven-time world champion signed a new contract with Mercedes. Hamilton, 38, penned an extension until the end of the 2025 season – alongside team-mate George Russell – which will keep him racing in F1 into his 40s. Alonso, himself 42, has shown with his seven podiums for Aston Martin this season that age is no factor when it comes to performance – a point he reiterated when speaking to the press in Monza about Hamilton’s new deal. Asked whether age should count for something in a team principal’s decision for keeping a driver, Alonso replied: “No, I think they choose time, as has always been [the case] in motorsport. “I have never seen any rally, Moto GP or F1 team choose the slowest between two drivers. If I were a team boss now and I had to choose Hamilton or the youngest on the grid or a promising F2 driver, I’d stay with Hamilton until he’s 80 years old, until someone shows me that he’s faster than Hamilton. “In the case of Hamilton, who continues to perform at 100% and his only life concern is F1, as can be the case for me too, ‘when someone faster comes, we’ll talk’ but at the moment Hamilton is faster than anyone.” Alonso endured a tumultuous one-year partnership in Hamilton’s rookie season at McLaren in 2007, with the pair falling out as both fought for the world championship, eventually won by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The pair have been rivals ever since but are now on cordial terms as the two elder statesman of the paddock. The duo are fighting for championship position again this season: Alonso, who joined Aston Martin from Alpine prior to this season, is in third place and is 12 points ahead of Hamilton in fourth. Hamilton emphasised after signing his new deal – reported to be worth £50m-a-year – that he has “unfinished business” in the sport as he continues to hunt for a record-breaking eighth world championship. Both Alonso and Hamilton have won at Monza before – Alonso twice and Hamilton five times – ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Read More Lewis Hamilton reveals reason for signing new Mercedes deal: ‘Unfinished business’ Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future ahead of Italian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton gives update on F1 movie starring Brad Pitt amid Hollywood strikes Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future How does Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Vettel’s?

Max Verstappen is eyeing a record-breaking 10th F1 win in a row as the paddock rolls around to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. Verstappen, picking up where he left off before the summer break, won his home race in the Netherlands last week to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive grand prix triumphs. The Dutchman, who now has a mammoth 138-point lead in the championship over team-mate Sergio Perez, is the overwhelming favourite in Italy having also won in Monza last year. Mercedes endured a difficult weekend last time out in Zandvoort but will be buoyed by the news that both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have signed contract extensions until the end of the 2025 season. As for Ferrari, they head into their home race short of form having not won a race since Austria last year but will be hoping for a strong performance in front of the home tifosi crowd. Fernando Alonso, too, will be looking to back up his podium in Zandvoort with another top-three showing at Monza. Follow live updates from the Italian Grand Prix with The Independent Read More Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract Lewis Hamilton reveals reason for signing new Mercedes deal: ‘Unfinished business’ How does Max Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Sebastian Vettel’s?

Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, widely regarded as the architect who helped build the Dallas Cowboys into one of the most successful and popular sports franchises of all time, died on Thursday, according to the Cowboys. Brandt was 91.

Max Verstappen has hit back at criticism of his dominance and set the target of remaining unbeaten for the final nine races of the season. The all-conquering Dutchman will become the first driver in history to win 10 consecutive races if he takes the chequered flag at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen has been in imperious form this year, winning 11 of the 13 rounds staged as he closes in on a hat-trick of World Championships. With a lead of 183 points heading into this weekend’s race in Monza there is a chance he could even close out the title with six rounds still remaining at the Japanese Grand Prix on September 24. However, Verstappen’s emphatic streak has led to suggestions that the sport has become boring. But responding to the accusations in an interview with the PA news agency, Verstappen, 25, said: “They cannot appreciate dominance or just people executing their jobs. “It is nothing really new in Formula One, and I cannot do much with those kind of comments. Does it bother me? No. It would probably be worse if they were talking about other stuff. I am enjoying what I am doing and I hope I can do it for a while. “I don’t want it to stop. We have another good opportunity this weekend. I believe I can win every single race.” Verstappen’s victory on his home track in Zandvoort – which drew him level with Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine straight wins – was among the very best of the 46 of his career so far. At one stage, he was lapping four seconds faster than Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull, and two seconds quicker than anybody else. His virtuoso display in the inclement conditions prompted double world champion Fernando Alonso to say Verstappen’s achievements are being underestimated. “It is not about getting the recognition because I know how hard it is to do,” said Verstappen. “If it was very easy, more drivers would have won nine in a row, and more teams would have done it, and that is not the case. “It hasn’t been straightforward either. In Zandvoort especially, a lot of things could have gone wrong, and in the end we still handled that really well. “I never thought I would get to nine. I remember watching Seb do it, and I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, that is extremely difficult’, and now I am here and it is amazing.” Verstappen will share the grid with long-time rival Lewis Hamilton for at least another two seasons after the British driver signed a new £50million-a-year deal to remain with Mercedes. The contract extension will take Hamilton beyond his 40th birthday, and provides the possibility of a championship rematch with Verstappen if Mercedes can somehow close the gap to Red Bull. Hamilton, who was denied an eighth world title after race director Michael Masi failed to follow the correct rules in Abu Dhabi in 2021, alluded to “unfinished business” after signing his latest deal. Twenty months on from F1’s most contentious race, does Verstappen – who, on new tyres, had to pass Hamilton on the final lap to take the title – feel his maiden championship triumph was tainted? “It was not like it was given to me,” he said. “I still had to do it. “People always have short memories and they can forget a lot of stuff very quickly. “It was a great year, and we had a lot of great battles with two teams going at it and that was amazing for Formula One. “But you will always have a winner, and you will always have a loser. That is how this sport works, and I was also ready to lose. “It was a 50-50 chance and it fell my way. But in the future I could be in a situation where it doesn’t fall my way and that is how life goes. “I don’t really care a lot about other people’s opinions. I only care about people that are very close to me so whatever people say or write, I am like ‘whatever’. “I grew up my whole life wanting to be a Formula One driver and I will do everything it takes to try and be successful at it. “I make my choices and my decisions and that is why I am very relaxed about these things. I go home, I switch off from Formula One, and I am happy with my career. And when I come back to the race weekends I do my thing, and that is it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How Max Verstappen equalled Sebastien Vettel’s record for consecutive race wins Max Verstappen reveals Sebastian Vettel prediction as he closes on GP record run Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers in F1 history – Lando Norris

Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci’s potential move to Union Berlin and Bayern Munich’s search for a defensive midfielder are among the outstanding matters to be cleared up on the final day of the transfer window in Germany

Transfer deadline day live updates, news and completed transfers as Premier League clubs look to complete their summer business. Ryan Gravenberch, Sergio Reguilon and Joao Palhinha among the players expected to make last-minute moves.

Julius Poppinga died following a severe asthma attack that resulted in a collapsed lung

Transfer deadline day is upon us as Premier League clubs have until 11pm BST this evening to wrap up their deals, with some frantic last-minute buying and selling guaranteed. Liverpool look set to give their midfield a further boost with the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, while Tottenham Hotspur are chasing Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson as a potential Harry Kane replacement. Elsewhere, Man City could be set to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea, while the latter could offload Callum Hudson-Odoi after his return from loan. Manchester United, meanwhile, are still looking for at least two more additions – including Spurs left-back Sergio Reguilon – but did sell goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace on Thursday evening, with a potential replacement lined up. Brighton look set to sign Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona, while several other Premier League teams could also conclude deals late on before the window shuts. Follow all the latest news and transfer rumour updates below; get all the latest football betting sites offers here and the latest odds on transfer deadline day deals here.

BERLIN Borussia Dortmund have signed Germany international and last season's Bundesliga top scorer Niclas Fuellkrug from Werder Bremen

The Europa League is nearly upon us for the new 2023/24 season, with the group stage draw set to take place in Monaco on Friday. Four British sides will be in the hat: Liverpool and Brighton finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League, while West Ham won the Europa Conference League to book their spot. Rangers finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership to reach the Champions League play-offs, but they lost to PSV Eindhoven. For the final time before the competition takes on the new Swiss-system format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group. The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 22 May 2024. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here or sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here. When is the Europa League draw? The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco on Friday 1 September, at 12pm BST. Which clubs have qualified? There were 22 clubs qualified directly for the Europa League group stage, with ten play-offs deciding the remaining places. England: Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham Spain: Real Betis, Villarreal France: Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse Italy: Atalanta, Roma Germany: Freiburg, Leverkusen Austria: Sturm Graz, LASK Azerbaijan: Qarabag Belgium: Union Saint Gilloise Czechia: Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague Cyprus: Aris Limassol Greece: AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos Israel: Maccabi Haifa Moldova: Sheriff Netherlands: Ajax Norway: Molde Poland: Rakow CzÄ™stochowa Portugal: Sporting CP Scotland: Rangers Serbia: TSC Sweden: Hacken Switzerland: Servette What are the Europa League group stage dates? Matchday 1: 21 September Matchday 2: 5 October Matchday 3: 26 October Matchday 4: 9 November Matchday 5: 30 November Matchday 6: 14 December Read More Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa How to watch the Europa League group stage draw on TV and online On This Day in 2016: David Luiz returns to Chelsea Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven Football rumours: Tottenham take pursuit of Brennan Johnson to deadline day Premier League leads the way as global transfer spending record smashed

The Europa League is nearly upon us for the new 2023/24 season, with the group stage draw taking place today in Monaco. Three English clubs and one Scottish team will be in the draw: Liverpool and Brighton finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League, while West Ham won the Europa Conference League to book their spot. Rangers finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership to reach the Champions League play-offs, but they lost to PSV Eindhoven. For the final time before the competition takes on the new Swiss-system format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group. The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 22 May 2024. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here or sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here. When is the Europa League draw? The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco on Friday 1 September, at 12pm BST. How to watch on TV and online The Europa League draw will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) for subscribing customers, and will be available on the TNT Sports app. You can also live stream the draw for free on the Uefa website and YouTube channel. Which clubs have qualified? There are 32 clubs qualified for the Europa League group stage. England: Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham Spain: Real Betis, Villarreal France: Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse Italy: Atalanta, Roma Germany: Freiburg, Leverkusen Austria: Sturm Graz, LASK Azerbaijan: Qarabag Belgium: Union Saint Gilloise Czechia: Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague Cyprus: Aris Limassol Greece: AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos Israel: Maccabi Haifa Moldova: Sheriff Netherlands: Ajax Norway: Molde Poland: Rakow CzÄ™stochowa Portugal: Sporting CP Scotland: Rangers Serbia: TSC Sweden: Hacken Switzerland: Servette What are the Europa League group stage dates? Matchday 1: 21 September Matchday 2: 5 October Matchday 3: 26 October Matchday 4: 9 November Matchday 5: 30 November Matchday 6: 14 December Read More What time is the Europa League group stage draw today? Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa On This Day in 2016: David Luiz returns to Chelsea Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven Football rumours: Tottenham take pursuit of Brennan Johnson to deadline day Premier League leads the way as global transfer spending record smashed

Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam on his wedding night to become the first player with 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in a season, and the Atlanta Braves overcame a pair of Mookie Betts home runs to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7