BAKU: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured pole for the fourth consecutive year at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
As title challenger Lando Norris of McLaren qualified only 17th, the Monegasque driver, who won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in his last outing, continued his supreme single lap form to wind up three-tenths of a second ahead of Piastri.
It was the 26th pole of his career at a track where he has yet to win.
Carlos Sainz was third in the second Ferrari and Sergio Perez fourth for Red Bull ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Three-time world champion and series leader Max Verstappen was sixth in the second Red Bull as his recent struggles continued.
Verstappen leads Norris by 62 points in the title race with eight races of the season remaining.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was seventh for Mercedes ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Argentine new boy Franco Colapinto of Williams and his team-mate Alex Albon.
“It’s one of my favorite tracks of the season,” said Leclerc.
“It hasn’t been an easy weekend for me with the crash in first practice and then a problem in second practice with a new part.
“I wasnt worried, but the pace was already there and in my last lap I went for it a bit more. It is amazing to be on pole again!“
The session began in slanting sunshine across the old city by the Caspian Sea, the Mercedes duo quick to enter the fray on medium tires for two exploratory laps of the slippery street track.
As the conditions improved, Leclerc produced a lap in 1:42.775 to go top while Mercedes switched to softs, Russell swiftly jumping to second and Hamilton to fourth.
But in a final scrabble for places, as Piastri went third behind Leclerc and Albon, Norris pitted and missed the cut, eliminated in 17th place ahead of only the Saubers and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. RB’s Daniel Ricciardo was also out.
It was Norris’s first Q1 elimination since the Las Vegas race last year (2023).
“The lap was good enough, but it was a yellow flag so I had to back off,” said Norris.
Q2 saw Verstappen on top ahead of Leclerc with Perez and Sainz third and fourth.
After a final flurry, Alonso rose to fifth and Colapinto to sixth while Albon hung on to 10th to push Bearman out in 11th along with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.
The top-ten shootout began with Leclerc, in 1:46.610, on top ahead of Sainz after an early lap by Russell.
As the final laps began, Albon left the pits with an airbox fan still attached to his Williams car. He pulled it off and threw it to a marshal.
This bizarre incident did not distract Ferrari or Leclerc, however, as he reeled off 1:43.365 to grab his fourth consecutive Baku pole.
Ferrari’s Charle Leclerc claims fourth straight pole in Baku
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Ferrari’s Charle Leclerc claims fourth straight pole in Baku
- Title challenger Lando Norris of McLaren qualified only 17th
- Max Verstappen was sixth in the second Red Bull as his recent struggles continued
No dream too big for ‘Muggsy’ Bogues as he looks to inspire basketball fans at NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024
- Shortest player in NBA history enjoyed a long NBA career that included an 11-year run with Charlotte Hornets
- Bogues expects a fierce contest between the Celtics and Nuggets for early bragging rights on Oct. 4 and 6 at Etihad Arena
ABU DHABI: Few figures embody the spirit of overcoming odds and inspiring future generations as powerfully as Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues.
At just 1.60 meters, Muggsy may be the shortest player in NBA history, but his impact on the game has been monumental.
The former NBA star enjoyed a 14-year career playing for the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors.
This October, basketball fans in the UAE and the region will have the chance to see the “man who made a dream come true” up close during the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024, presented by ADQ.
Bogues will be in the UAE capital as a part of the basketball experience that sees the Boston Celtics take on the Denver Nuggets twice in three days.
Sharing his story of perseverance and the power of the game to inspire, as well as his pride in the global growth of basketball, the 59-year-old spoke with Arab News just weeks ahead of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
Bogues said of representing the NBA in Abu Dhabi: “I’m excited to be part of it. It’s not just about basketball; it’s about inspiring kids to think that maybe one day they could be on that court, pursuing a career in the sport.”
For Bogues, this international event is more than just pre-season games. It is about showcasing the global appeal of basketball in places where the sport might not be dominant.
“People love seeing what it’s like on the other side of the world, and social media helps share all the stories leading up to the games,” he said.
“To be able to showcase great basketball worldwide, especially in places where basketball isn’t the No. 1 sport, it creates interest. Kids see these games and dream of pursuing basketball, even if it’s not the first option in their country.”
Bogues has witnessed firsthand how the NBA has evolved: “The game has become truly global. In my time, there weren’t as many overseas players, but now you see players from all over the world bringing their unique styles.
“European players, for example, are known for being more fundamentally sound, while in the US we tend to rely more on athletic ability. Now you see a combination of both in the NBA, and it makes the game even more exciting.”
Bogues is living testament to the idea that size does not determine success: “No matter your size or where you come from, like in my case, being 5 feet, 3 inches, you can dream of making it to the NBA. It’s all about mastering the game and believing in yourself.”
While these games are part of the NBA’s pre-season, Bogues stressed their significance for teams. “Pre-season games are very important. After a long summer, teams come back with a short training camp, and these games give them a chance to rebuild the bond and create unity,” he explained.
“It’s all about getting that cohesion back, creating a culture, and familiarizing with one another again. These games are also key in helping to prevent injuries by getting players back into the rhythm.”
With both the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics vying for early bragging rights, the matchups in Abu Dhabi are bound to be intense. “There’s definitely going to be a lot of pride on display,” Bogues said.
“You have this year’s champions, the Denver Nuggets, going up against last year’s champions, the Boston Celtics. These teams haven’t won back-to-back titles in a while, so they’ll be playing for bragging rights.
“Even though it’s a pre-season game, it’s not taking place in their hometown, so they’ll want to show their best basketball early on.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the Celtics and Nuggets in the Finals again. They’ve got the talent, and they haven’t made too many changes to their rosters.”
Bogues says he is “honored and grateful” to be spreading the game globally. “It gives kids the opportunity to dream and believe that maybe one day, it could be them,” he said.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games, presented by ADQ, will feature two pre-season matchups between the Celtics, the 17-time NBA champions, and the Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, on Friday Oct. 4, and Sunday Oct. 6 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Fans can meet Bogues at the NBA District from Oct. 3 to 6 at Manarat Al-Saadiyat, where there will be basketball activities, interactive experiences, and exclusive merchandise.
He will also appear at NBA Fan Appreciation Day on Oct. 5 at Etihad Arena, alongside other NBA legends, as well as Celtics and Nuggets players.
Team Abu Dhabi duo set for battle to decide world powerboating title race
- Rashed Al-Qemzi aims for place in record books as teammate Mansoor Al-Mansoori targets first F2 world crown
Vila Velha de Rodao, Portugal: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi and Mansoor Al-Mansoori are primed for a tense climax to the UIM F2 World Championship in Portugal this weekend, which could see either of them crowned world champion on Sunday.
Four-time champion and strong favorite Al-Qemzi goes into the final round of the championship at Vila Velha de Rodao holding a six-point lead over Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who is four points ahead of Al-Mansoori in third position.
This means that second place in the Grand Prix of Portugal II would be enough to clinch the title for Al-Qemzi and take him into the record books as the first-ever five-time winner of the F2 crown.
However, a repeat of last weekend’s result, which saw Al-Mansoori win the penultimate round in Peso da Regua, would see him installed as world champion for the first time should Abu Dhabi teammate Al-Qemzi finish fourth for the second race in eight days.
While there is no question of team orders giving priority to either of them, the two Emirati drivers will be taking no unnecessary risks that could jeopardize the arrival of an 18th world title at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club since Guido Cappellini became team manager nine years ago.
“We’re teammates and friends, but we both want to win the title, and we both know what we have to do,” said Al-Qemzi, who had already secured his fourth F2 triumph before rounding off last season with victory on the Tagus river in Vila Velha de Rodao.
“The team will make sure both boats are set up perfectly, as they are for every race. Then it’s up to us. It’s also up to us not to do anything that could hurt the team.”
Al-Mansoori’s first target is to aim for a second successive pole position on Saturday. “That can make a huge difference on Sunday, but it will be tough to qualify first, as it was last weekend, and all season,” he said.
“It’s the last race of the season and apart from the top three, all the other drivers will be fighting hard for a good start position. I want to get the best out of myself and my boat. I can’t do more than that.”
Riabko finished third last Sunday in Peso da Regua, where he won the penultimate round last season, and he will be aiming for a third career victory in Portugal in the hope that it will be enough to secure the world title.
While the top three battle it out for F2 glory, Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, Britain’s Matthew Palfreyman and Frenchman Nelson Morin are among a cluster of drivers who could still have a big say in the championship decider.
Leading championship positions:
1. Rashed Al-Qemzi UAE 61 pts
2. Edgaras Riabko LTU 55
3. Mansoor Al-Mansoori UAE 51
4. Mathilda Wiberg SWE 44
5. Matthew Palfreyman GBR 44
6. Nelson Morin FRA 27
Jordan’s Al-Selawe banking on experience for victory at PFL MENA 3
- MMA star takes on Omar El Dafrawy of Egypt in Riyadh on Sept. 20
RIYADH: When Jarrah “The Jordanian Lion” Al-Selawe first burst onto the Professional Fighters League, he was already one of the Middle East’s best homegrown talents, and was seen as a trailblazer, opening doors for other fighters from the region to reach a global platform like the PFL.
On Friday, a worldwide audience will get to see him in top-class MMA action at PFL MENA 3 in Riyadh, but getting here has not been a straightforward ride for the welterweight fighter.
A two-division champion in the Brave Combat Federation, Al-Selawe was already a star on the regional circuit and planning to become a household name on the world stage. Early on, it looked as if he was well on his way, impressing in the PFL Challengers Series to earn a spot on the league’s global roster.
With an opportunity at a million-dollar purse during the 2022 PFL regular season, the Jordanian star defeated UFC veteran Gleison Tibau in his league debut and put himself in prime position to make the playoffs. He lost to Magomed Umalatov in his next outing, denying him a spot in the postseason that year, but he looked a likely contender in years to come.
The following season, a PFL playoffs berth continued to elude him as Al-Selawe suffered losses in both his regular season assignments and it looked as if his days in the SmartCage were done.
After a quick stint back in Brave CF where he scored a bounce-back win, the man who was once seen as the blueprint for Middle Eastern stars to succeed in the PFL is now back ine the PFL’s SmartCage and just two wins away from capturing PFL gold.
At PFL MENA 3 on Sept. 20, Al-Selawe makes his postseason debut when he faces Omar El Dafrawy in the welterweight semifinal co-main event at Boulevard Riyadh City, with the winner punching his ticket into the inaugural PFL MENA Championships.
With his experience in the PFL’s million-dollar global tournament, Al-Selawe believes that he has the edge over his Egyptian opponent.
“I’ve faced more skilled fighters in the past, and I’ve beaten them,” the 32-year-old said. “I have a lot of respect for Omar, and I am not underestimating his abilities, but I have complete confidence in myself and I believe that my experience makes victory more within my reach.”
The significance of the moment is not lost on Al-Selawe — a championship win could be his ticket back to the PFL’s million-dollar regular season, the way it helped, for example, Dakota Ditcheva, who was crowned PFL Europe Champion last season, and is now on track for a PFL World Championship.
“Winning the PFL MENA Championship is what every fighter strives for, because it means so much for us to become champions,” he said.
Speaking of the PFL’s global tournament, Al-Selawe looks back at his difficult experiences there as ways to improve his game and become an even better version of himself.
“I’ve worked hard during my training sessions to address the mistakes that I made during my previous fights,” he said. “Since then, I’ve developed my skills and focused on every small detail in preparation for this upcoming fight.”
“I’m looking to be at the highest level that I can be, and with good preparation, I will be able to claim victory. El-Dafrawy won’t be able to defeat me,” he said.
PFL MENA 3 will feature semifinal bouts in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Bayern hit nine, Real Madrid and Liverpool triumph as new Champions League kicks off
- UEFA, European football’s governing body, introduced the new format to ward off the threat of a breakaway Super League by the biggest clubs
- Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in Turin, with Kenan Yildiz opening the scoring in some style
AFP PARIS: Bayern Munich became the first team to score nine goals in a game in the modern Champions League as the new format of Europe’s elite club competition kicked off on Tuesday, with title holders Real Madrid and Liverpool also among the winners.
Harry Kane scored four goals, including three penalties, as Vincent Kompany’s Bayern hammered Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at the Allianz Arena.
Michael Olize scored twice on his Champions League debut, while Raphael Guerreiro, Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka were also on target for the home team in Germany.
Dinamo were 3-0 down at the break but scored twice in two minutes just after half-time to give the hosts a scare, with Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara on target. But Bayern then scored six times from the 57th minute onwards.
“An amazing game, a bit of a crazy game,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN.
“It’s the first time I’ve scored three (penalties) in a game. That doesn’t happen at all really.”
Bayern had been the last team to score eight in a Champions League match, when they beat Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-finals in 2020.
It was a remarkable way to mark the opening night of the brand-new Champions League, with the competition now featuring 36 teams all pooled together in one giant league instead of the old group stage.
Every participant now plays eight games against eight different opponents, with the top eight teams at the end of the league phase advancing automatically to the last 16.
Those finishing from ninth to 24th will go through to a play-off round to decide the remaining sides in the last 16, while the bottom 12 will be eliminated.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, introduced the new format to ward off the threat of a breakaway Super League by the biggest clubs, but it also hopes the changes will breathe new life into the competition.
There was plenty of excitement around the continent on Tuesday, with reigning champions Madrid made to work hard before beating VfB Stuttgart 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe marked his first game in the competition with Real by scoring the opening goal just after halftime.
However, Deniz Undav equalized midway through the second half for a Stuttgart side appearing in the Champions League for the first time since 2010.
Real nevertheless emerged victorious as Antonio Rudiger headed them back in front against his old side seven minutes from time, and Brazilian youngster Endrick got the third goal in stoppage time.
“I know I can do more, each game I feel better and now I’m scoring goals, and I’m happy here,” new signing Mbappe told broadcaster Movistar.
“What we know is that the Champions League has changed and it’s important to win quickly to see if we can qualify quickly or not.”
Liverpool marked their return to Europe’s top table by coming from behind to win 3-1 away to seven-time champions AC Milan in Italy.
Christian Pulisic gave Milan an early lead, but Ibrahima Konate equalized and Virgil van Dijk headed the away side in front before the interval. Dominik Szoboszlai then wrapped up the victory for Liverpool at San Siro.
Aston Villa enjoyed a 3-0 win away to Swiss champions Young Boys in Bern in their first ever match in the modern Champions League, 41 years after they last appeared in the old European Cup.
Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey scored in the first half for the 1982 European champions, and Amadou Onana completed their victory late on.
Villa boss Unai Emery wanted his team to take three points as a tribute to the club’s former striker Gary Shaw, a member of their European Cup-winning side who died on Monday aged 63 after being injured in a fall.
“Forty-two years (ago) they achieved winning the Champions League. We want to try and follow what that team achieved,” Emery said.
Elsewhere Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in Turin, with Kenan Yildiz opening the scoring in some style and Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez also netting. Ismael Saibari pulled one back.
Portuguese champions Sporting beat Lille 2-0 at home, with impressive Swedish striker Viktor Gyoekeres on target before a Zeno Debast piledriver. The French side had Angel Gomes sent off.
The action continues on Wednesday, including a rematch of the 2023 final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Man United rout third-division Barnsley 7-0 in English League Cup
- It was United’s biggest margin of victory under the Dutchman, who has been in charge for more than two years
- Everton’s troubled campaign went from bad to worse after it was eliminated by second-to-last Southampton — losing 6-5 on penalties
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag savored the “perfect night” after routing third-division Barnsley 7-0 in the English League Cup on Tuesday.
It was United’s biggest margin of victory under the Dutchman, who has been in charge for more than two years.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen all scored two goals each in the third round match at Old Trafford, with Antony also on target.
“Not for me, but for the team, this is the perfect night. I think we could do everything that we planned to do. We won, (we are in) next round, scored some great goals, entertained the fans and we worked on our game model, so we are happy,” Ten Hag said.
The size of the victory surpassed United’s previous best under Ten Hag: 4-1 wins against Real Betis and Chelsea in his first season at the club. It was the biggest since a 9-0 win over Southampton under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.
Encouragingly for Ten Hag, Rashford’s scoring touch appears to have returned after a troubled season last year when he managed just nine goals.
Rashford’s double came after he ended a 12-game barren run with a goal against Southampton over the weekend.
“Football is football. Sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs, but we have to use these games to get momentum and consistency,” Rashford said.
Garnacho also scored in that 3-0 win in the Premier League and emulated Rashford by making it three goals in his last two games.
Eriksen struck twice late on.
Rashford blasted United in front after cutting inside Marc Roberts in the 16th minute. Antony doubled the lead when winning and then converting a penalty in the 35th.
Garnacho poked home from close range in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
United overpowered Barnsley after the break with Garnacho scoring his second when racing through on goal in the 49th. Rashford scored again in the 58th.
It was the first time Rashford has scored more than one goal in a game since February 2023.
Eriksen’s double came in the 81st and 85th.
Everton troubles
Bottom of the Premier League and without a point, Everton’s troubled campaign went from bad to worse after it was eliminated by second-to-last Southampton — losing 6-5 on penalties.
The Merseyside team had taken the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure in the 20th at Goodison Park, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis evened the game in the 32nd.
Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy saved Ashley Young’s penalty in sudden death to seal Everton’s fate.
Eberechi Eze struck the winner as Crystal Palace beat second-division Queens Park Rangers 2-1 and Brentford survived an early scare against third-tier Leyton Orient to win 3-1.
Brandon Cooper fired Orient ahead in the 11th, but Fabio Carvalho, Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard eased Brentford to victory.
Shootout drama
Second-division Preston secured the biggest shock of the night by beating Fulham 16-15 in an epic penalty shootout.
The game ended 1-1 at full time with Ryan Ledson putting Preston ahead in the 35th and Reiss Nelson equalizing for Fulham in the 61st.
What followed was the longest shootout in League Cup history with Preston eventually triumphing after 34 spot kicks.
After 32 penalties were successfully converted, Fulham’s Timothy Castagne missed the target and Ledson made no mistake to fire Preston into the fourth round.
It was a different story as Stoke overcame Fleetwood 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Sheffield Wednesday beat Blackpool 1-0.
