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CARLOS SAINZ recovered from appendicitis to win the Australian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen retired with a brake failure.

The Spanish driver was forced to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and was replaced by British driver Oliver Bearman in Jeddah.

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Max Verstappen started the Aussie Grand Prix on poleCredit: GETTY

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But the defending champion was forced to retire in the third roundCredit: Rex

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Verstappen’s rear break caught fire

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His Red Bull was enveloped by smokeCredit: AP
However, despite undergoing surgery just 16 days ago, Sainz was in position to capitalise on a rare retirement from the reigning world champion.

Sainz, 29, scored his third win of the season and boosts his chances of earning a seat on the grid in 2025 after Ferrari decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton, who was forced out of the race with an engine issue.

Sainz, who later pointed out he is ‘still jobless for next year’ said: “It was a really good race. I felt really good out there.

“Of course a bit stiff and especially physically it wasn’t the easiest but I was lucky I was more or less on my own and I could manage my pace, my tyres, manage everything, and it wasn’t the toughest race of all.

LeBron James is available for Tuesday’s game.

On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

For the game, the Lakers will have their best player in the starting lineup, as four-time NBA Champion LeBron James has been upgraded to available.

James had missed the team’s last game, so he returns after just a one-game absence.

Via Jovan Buha of The Athletic: “LeBron James is available tonight against the Warriors, per the Lakers.”

LeBron James is available tonight against the Warriors, per the Lakers.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 10, 2024

James comes into the evening with averages of 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 53.6% from the field and 41.3% from the three-point range in 68 games.

The Lakers are the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 45-34 record in 79 games.

They have gone 8-2 over their last ten games and most recently lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves (in Los Angeles) by a score of 127-117.

Following their showdown with Golden State, the Lakers will play their next game on Friday evening when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.

Last home game of the regular season🕗: 7:00 PM PST📺: @SpectrumSN, TNT/TRUTV💻: Spectrum SportsNet+📻: ESPN LA 710/1330 KWKW pic.twitter.com/oxpMbNAJF0

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 9, 2024

As for the Warriors, they are one spot behind the Lakers as the tenth seed in the Western Conference with a 43-35 record in 78 games.

They have gone 7-3 over their last ten games and most recently beat the Utah Jazz by a score of 118-110.

Following Tuesday’s matchup with the Los Angeles, the Warriors will play their next game on Thursday evening when they travel to Oregon for a showdown with Deandre Ayton and the Portland Trail Blazers.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, basketball legend LeBron James, often referred to as “King James,” has made a grand return ahead of the new NBA season. The four-time NBA champion has reportedly purchased an entire island exclusively for his pre-season training regimen.

LeBron James, known for his dedication to the game and relentless pursuit of excellence, has taken his training to new heights by securing a private island for his basketball preparations. Sources close to the athlete reveаl that the island offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a customized basketball court with panoramic ocean views, top-tier fitness amenities, and luxury accommodations for LeBron and his training team.

The island’s acquisition has sparked excitement and speculation about the lengths to which LeBron James is willing to go to maintain his elite status in the NBA. Fans and sports analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the impact of this unconventional training approach on LeBron’s performance in the upcoming season.

LeBron’s announcement came via social media, where he shared a glimpse of the island’s scenic basketball court along with a message to his fans: “New season, new challenges, new grounds. Ready to put in the work on my very own court. #StriveForGreatness.”

As the basketball world buzzes with anticipation, LeBron James’ bold move is already being hailed as a testament to his unparalleled work ethic and commitment to pushing the boundaries of the sport. The island training facility adds an exciting chapter to the storied career of one of basketball’s greatest players, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the King’s return to the court.

Credits: IMAGO / VCG

Daniel Ricciardo won the 2018 Chinese GP despite starting from P6 on the grid. Red Bull’s strategic masterclass following a safety car period helped Ricciardo earn his sixth F1 win at the Shanghai International Circuit that weekend. For the Aussie, it was a memorable affair, not just because of the win but because he equaled a fascinating record held by Michael Schumacher.

Ricciardo qualified in sixth before the race on Sunday. This wasn’t ideal for him or Red Bull, because both the Ferrari and Mercedes drivers were ahead of him. Additionally, his teammate Max Verstappen started from fifth, a place higher. Chances of victory looked bleak but after a collision between Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, the race changed its course.

Red Bull decided to bring Ricciardo and Verstappen in for fresher tires during the safety car period that followed the crash. This put them in an advantageous situation. Ricciardo managed to breeze past the field, while Verstappen lost out on places due to his battle with Lewis Hamilton on the track. The Grand Prix then ended with Ricciardo crossing the chequered flag first.

To date, 6th remains the furthest starting position for a driver winning the Chinese GP. Interestingly, Michael Schumacher too, won his 91st and final F1 race in China starting from 6th position. Ricciardo matched it in his last ever season for Red Bull, after which he joined Renault for a fresh challenge. The Honey Badger was at the peak of his career with the Milton-Keynes-based team, and what followed was a real fall from grace.

Daniel Ricciardo’s horrendous slump

Ricciardo wanted a fresh start in his career away from Verstappen and Red Bull. For that, he trusted Renault had the capability to develop a winning car, a gamble that turned out to be a mistake. The French team was struggling, and Ricciardo never really managed to hit the ground running in his two-year stint there.

He had two podium finishes with Renault after which he joined McLaren in 2021. This was a move well received, because of the Woking-based outfit’s ascendency at the time. Unfortunately, Ricciardo’s struggles grew tenfold and Lando Norris outperformed him in every aspect.

Ricciardo’s confidence took a major hit, and he parted ways with McLaren in 2023 despite having a year left on his contract. Thankfully, his job as a Red Bull development driver upon returning to Milton-Keynes that year earned him a place back on the grid.

Currently driving for Red Bull’s sister team V-CARB, Ricciardo is still in a rough patch of form. Time is running out for him, and to save his F1 future, the 34-year-old has to step up soon.

Michael Jordaп’s υпparalleled sυccess aпd legacy as a competitor are deeply rooted iп his extraordiпary miпdset, which set him apart from his peers aпd propelled him to greatпess.

First aпd foremost, Jordaп possessed aп iпsatiable hυпger for wiппiпg. He approached every game, practice, aпd challeпge with aп υпwaveriпg determiпatioп to emerge victorioυs. This releпtless drive pυshed him to coпtiпυoυsly improve his skills aпd elevate his performaпce, settiпg a staпdard of excelleпce that iпspired teammates aпd iпtimidated oppoпeпts.

Moreover, Jordaп was reпowпed for his υпparalleled work ethic. He υпderstood that taleпt aloпe was пot eпoυgh to sυcceed at the highest level, aпd thυs, he committed himself to releпtless practice aпd preparatioп. Whether it was refiпiпg his shootiпg techпiqυe, stυdyiпg his oppoпeпts’ teпdeпcies, or hoпiпg his physical coпditioпiпg, Jordaп left пo stoпe υпtυrпed iп his qυest for perfectioп.

Additioпally, Jordaп possessed aп υпshakeable coпfideпce iп his abilities. He thrived υпder pressυre, embraciпg crυcial momeпts with a fearless miпdset that allowed him to deliver clυtch performaпces time aпd time agaiп. His self-belief was coпtagioυs, empoweriпg his teammates aпd demoraliziпg his adversaries.

Fυrthermore, Jordaп was a master of meпtal resilieпce. He viewed setbacks aпd failυres пot as obstacles bυt as opportυпities for growth. Iпstead of dwelliпg oп past losses or setbacks, he υsed them as fυel to propel himself to greater heights, emergiпg stroпger aпd more determiпed thaп ever before

Fiпally, Jordaп’s competitiveпess exteпded beyoпd the coпfiпes of the basketball coυrt. He approached every aspect of his life with the same level of iпteпsity aпd determiпatioп, whether it was his philaпthropic eпdeavors, bυsiпess veпtυres, or persoпal relatioпships. This holistic approach to competitioп allowed him to excel пot oпly as a basketball player bυt also as a leader aпd a role model.

Iп esseпce, Michael Jordaп’s miпdset was the driviпg force behiпd his υпparalleled sυccess as a competitor. His υпyieldiпg desire to wiп, releпtless work ethic, υпwaveriпg coпfideпce, meпtal resilieпce, aпd holistic approach to competitioп set him apart as oпe of the greatest athletes of all time.

How fortunes can change in the space of only a few hours.

On Saturday morning there was a smile the size of the Huangpu etched across Lewis Hamilton’s face after he claimed second in the first sprint race of the season in Shanghai. A moment of sweet relief amidst a season of setbacks for Mercedes and Hamilton.

A short while later and Hamilton was still, somehow, able to muster a grin.

 

But this time his expression did not tell the full story of what had just unfolded in qualifying for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix as Hamilton failed to make it out of Q1 for the first time since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2022.

The finger of blame cannot be pointed solely at the car for Hamilton’s showing. Not this time.

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Lewis Hamilton will start the Chinese Grand Prix in 18th place after struggling in qualifying

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Hamilton failed to make it out of Q1 for the first time since Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2022

The youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reportedly returned to the esteemed high school basketball program six months after leaving.

After his sophomore year, Bryce switched to Campbell High School in May.

Meanwhile, his brother Bronny left Sierra Canyon to enroll in his freshman year of college at USC.

He participated in the Section 7 tournament in Arizona and worked out with Chris Paul Jr., the son of Chris Paul, at Campbell High School.....

Bryce also played in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball league during the summer.

According to ESPN, the James family made a contribution to the building of a new sports complex on the Campbell High school campus.

But in August, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard was back in action, this time lending his abilities to Notre Dame, the reigning Division I winners of the CIF State.

After just three months with the squad, he apparently went back to Sierra Canyon, according to Sports Illustrated.

If Bryce had stayed at Notre Dame, he would have missed half the season because the James family did not move after the 16-year-old enrolled in the fall at the Sherman Oaks school.

This isn’t the situation at Sierra Canyon, and since the guard didn’t play in any games for Notre Dame, he might be able to return to the court as soon as this week.

The Trailblazers started the 2023–24 season with three straight wins.

Bryce made just 12 varsity appearances for Sierra Canyon as a sophomore, scoring an average of just 3.8 points per contest.

College schools have, nevertheless, kept a careful eye on the progress of the athletic prospect.

Bryce, who will be eligible to declare for the NBA draft in 2026, is already getting offers from Ohio State and Duquesne University. He is considered a four-star recruit.

He signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Klutch Sports, LeBron’s agency, a year ago.

While waiting, the 19-time NBA All-Star recently passed 39,000 points in his career during Tuesday’s 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz.

The 2023–24 NBA season saw LeBron average 25.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in the first fourteen games.

MERCEDES are pursuing Fernando Alonso to replace Lewis Hamilton, according to reports.

The Silver Arrows are set to have huge shoes to fill, with seven-time world champion Hamilton, 39, joining Ferrari next season.

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Fernando Alonso is set to be a free agent at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex

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Toto Wolff is on the hunt for a Lewis Hamilton replacementCredit: Getty
Team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that he would love to have Max Verstappen onboard.

He said of the Red Bull star: “There is no team that wouldn’t do handstands to have him in the car.”

With Verstappen under contract until 2028, however, Wolff is likely to have to look elsewhere.

Prior to the season, the 52-year-old admitted that he will have a big decision to make whether to go with youth or experience when replacing Hamilton.

Anirban Aly Mandal|PublishedApr 16, 2024

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Credits: IMAGO HochZwei

Lewis Hamilton recently dropped an appearance at the GQ Global Creativity Awards in New York. At the event, the seven-time world champion was lauded as “the Formula 1 transcending powerhouse.” He was then also asked about his 2024 F1 campaign. While he was blunt enough to accept his struggles so far, he did share his optimism as well. He believes that since the season is long, Mercedes have ample time to make progress and close the gap to the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari.

As quoted by the Associated Press, Hamilton said, “It’s going pretty bad at the moment but it’s a long, long season so there’s plenty of time for progress.” The #44 driver’s assessment of his early season form is spot on.

Mercedes have indeed again failed to get on top of the ground-effect regulations as the team is still struggling to find pace and predictability with the W15. The biggest concern faced by the Silver Arrows at the moment is their apparent lack of clarity about where they have gone wrong with their car concept.

As admitted by Toto Wolff, the data on their simulators has failed to correlate with their performance on track. Step one towards the progress Hamilton hinted at would be to pinpoint the problems with their design philosophy.

Hamilton’s optimism comes from what the likes of Ferrari and McLaren managed last year in terms of cutting down the gap to Red Bull over the course of the 2o23 season and the winter break. However, Mercedes aren’t in a similar position as Ferrari and McLaren are in at the moment.

While McLaren and Ferrari have both managed to find more pace against Red Bull, they’ve done so by improving on their basic foundations from the 2023 season. On the flip side, Mercedes failed to get their concepts right at first, and hence, find themselves in a difficult position. At the moment, all they can do is experiment with the car until they figure out a way to find more pace with the W15.

Mercedes look forward to the post-Lewis Hamilton era with optimism

Mercedes mostly do not have any sense of optimism when it comes to the 2024 season after a difficult start to the new campaign. Similar struggles will most likely follow suit next year with the regulations carrying forward. However, 2026 sees a regulation overhaul in the power unit department.

Mercedes have naturally pinned their hopes on acing their new engine to give them their best chance of fighting back to the front of the field. The team also has considerable expertise in this region, given how they dominated the turbo-hybrid era of the sport by winning eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships.

But coming to the present, it seems as though Mercedes are struggling both on and off the track. Lewis Hamilton’s departure is also going to be a big blow for them.

Moreover, while they were reportedly expecting to sign Fernando Alonso as a replacement for the Briton, the Spanish racing ace has now signed an extension with Aston Martin instead. This leaves the Silver Arrows with few options to choose from to partner with George Russell from next season onwards.

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One option Mercedes could consider is signing Carlos Sainz, who will leave Ferrari to make way for Hamilton. Meanwhile, another option Toto Wolff can consider is giving 17-year-old Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli a huge promotion to F1.

Lewis Hamilton has hit out at those ‘talking s***’ about his decision to ditch Mercedes and join Ferrari from the start of next season.

The 39-year-old shocked the sport on the eve of the 2024 season by announcing his bombshell departure from the team he has won all but one of his seven world titles with.

Results and performances so far this season suggest Hamilton’s decision was a wise one.

 

While Ferrari look to be improving each week, cementing their place as Red Bull’s closest, albeit distant, title challengers, there seems to be no end in sight for Mercedes’ struggles following the team’s worst ever start to a season.

Heading into this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton clearly has no doubts in his mind over the switch.

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Lewis Hamilton has hit out at those ‘talking s***’ about his move to Ferrari ahead of next season

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The 39-year-old shocked the sport when he announced the switch from long-term constructors Mercedes

His decision may prove a shrewd one as he currently languishes ninth in the drivers’ standings\

‘I don’t feel like I need my decision vindicating. I know what is right for me and that hasn’t changed from the moment I made the decision,’ said Hamilton, who sits ninth in the drivers standings on just 10 points.

READ MORE: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED from Japanese GP

‘There’s not been a moment that I’ve questioned it and I’m not swayed by other people’s comments. Even today, there’s people continuing to talk s*** and will continue on for the rest of the year I’ll have to just do what I do.

‘Only you can know what’s right for you and this will be an exciting time for me.’

When pressed on what he meant by people ‘talking s***’, Hamilton said: ‘Just read what’s out there.’

It is thought Hamilton’s comments may refer to his 14-word exchange with print journalists following the Japanese Grand Prix where the Brit was asked whether he was jealous of Ferrari’s strong start to the season.

Hamilton will be 40 by the time he pulls on the famous red of Ferrari next season. But he won’t be the oldest on the grid, with that title belonging to Fernando Alonso, as things stand.

The Spaniard, a two-time world champion and former team-mate of Hamilton, penned a new multi-year contract with Aston Martin this week, which will see him race until he is at least 45.

‘I never thought I’d be racing into my forties. I’m pretty sure I said I wouldn’t race into my forties,’ joked Hamilton.

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Although Hamilton will join Ferrari at 40, his appearance on the 2025 grid won’t make him the oldest driver – that honour will sit with Fernando Alonso (pictured)

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The Spaniard announced a new contract with Aston Martin which will keep him in his seat for two more seasons

‘I think it’s such a crazy trick, life. I don’t feel like I’m nearing 40 years old, I feel like I’m pretty young still.

‘It’s a real positive because it means I’m not the oldest driver here… that’s the best part! But also Fernando is one of the best drivers we’ve had in the sport so for him to continue to be here and continue to have the output that he’s had just shows what’s possible.

‘It just shows the new era of athletes and what the human body can do and continue to do if you nurture it.

‘I’m going to be racing for quite some time still so it’s definitely good he’s still around and keeps going on for a bit longer.’

For now, Hamilton’s attention remains solely on salvaging some positives from his final season with Mercedes.

There are no upgrades to the car in which Hamilton and team-mate George Russell limped to finishes of ninth and seventh-place respectively two weeks ago at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Those results left Mercedes fourth in the constructors championship, already 107 points behind the mighty pacesetters Red Bull.

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Mercedes will hope for a boost after the Japanese Grand Prix, which saw Hamilton finish ninth

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But Hamilton has stressed that little has changed with the car ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix

And while there has been some optimism amongst drivers that the first Sprint Race weekend of the season at a circuit hosting a race for the first time in five years could spring some surprises, Hamilton seemed less hopeful.

‘Nothing has changed with our car so it will be the same car this weekend but we understand it a little bit more,’ he explained.

‘(In Japan) we did make improvements so bringing some of those into this weekend on top of some new direction again. I think if we go back we would have done things differently, that’s the benefit of hindsight and experience.

‘So we’re trying to bring that here this weekend and implement some of those changes that we would have perhaps done in Suzuka and hopefully that can find us a bit of performance.’