Antonelli wins as Norris loses out under virtual safety car

MADRID, Spain, September 13, 2026 – Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Spanish Grand Prix after McLaren’s Lando Norris lost out because of the timing of a virtual safety car.

Norris was leading comfortably from pole position when the VSC was called on lap 15. The timing was terrible for the world champion – he had already passed the pit entry when the VSC was called. newsbetting.club

That meant Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were able to pit under the VSC, saving time, while the caution period ended before Norris could make it around to the pits again.

He did then come in but, to make matters worse, the stop was slow and he rejoined in fifth place.

Norris was able to recover only to third around the new Madring track in Madrid where overtaking is next to impossible.

Antonelli’s eighth win in 14 races this year puts an even tighter stranglehold on the championship for the Italian.

He is now 81 points ahead of team-mate George Russell, who finished fifth after a difficult race on a confusing strategy, and 101 clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who retired early on with brake failure.

“It’s good to win but it doesn’t feel as good because Lando deserved to win,” Antonelli said.

Norris said: “We’ll take it on the chin. There could be more wins this year.”

The key stories of the maiden Madring race were:

• Norris’ terrible luck with the VSC depriving him of a likely third victory this year after a brilliant pole on Saturday
• Antonelli’s fortune in a season that is surrendering to him, as well as him grabbing it by the throat with his performances
• The difficulty of overtaking on a new track designed from a clean sheet of paper, yet without obvious passing places

How the title race is developing

Norris knew that holding on to the lead would be tough from pole but he robustly defended from Antonelli into the first corner.

The Mercedes driver cut the chicanes at Turns One and Two, and again at Turns Five and Six, each time getting into the lead, each time having to give it back.

After that, Norris looked to be in control of the race as he extended his advantage progressively, moving 5.6 seconds clear 10 laps in, and 6.2 when Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped at Turn 20 with brake failure.

The VSC was called, but Norris had already reached the pit straight, while Antonelli and Verstappen had not and could come in.

Norris came in the next time around, but the VSC ended a couple of corners before he reached the entry to the pits, allowing the cars still on track to get back up to racing speed – a stop under a safety car saves a driver about 10 seconds over one under green-flag conditions.

To make matters worse, McLaren’s mechanics had trouble with both the right-hand side wheels, and the stop took seven seconds rather than the usual two.

Norris came out in fifth place, 6.3secs behind Russell, and his hopes of winning were gone.

At the front, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had been running fourth before the VSC, stayed out, having started the race on hard tyres rather than the mediums chosen by Antonelli and Norris and the softs Verstappen had.

Leclerc stayed out, and led the race with Antonelli close behind but the gap fluctuated as the Mercedes driver managed his tyres.

Ferrari kept Leclerc out as long as possible, hoping for a second safety car to enable him to make his own cheap stop.

But one never came, and Leclerc had to pit eventually, on lap 48 with nine to go. He resumed in fourth behind Antonelli, Verstappen and Norris.

Norris had closed all his deficit to Verstappen by the final stages and was running right on the Dutchman’s tail in the closing laps, but was unable to pass.

The closest he came was with two laps to go as Verstappen stumbled over some lapped cars, but despite a mistake at Turn Five, the Dutchman was able to hold on.

Officials briefly looked at an incident with two laps to go when he cut a chicane while fighting to stay ahead of Norris, who complained Verstappen should give the place up. But no action was taken.

Overtaking proves to be almost impossible

Russell ended up a lonely fifth after starting on the hard tyres and then moving on to a strategy that saw him switch to medium tyres at the VSC, and then have to stop again for hards at about half distance.

He spent much of the race debating strategy with his team before being told to be quiet and they would debate it afterwards.

Red Bull’s Liam Lawson took sixth, ahead of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, delayed by a front wing issue after colliding with Russell on the first lap.

Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad took ninth place from Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg with two laps to go.

The drivers had warned that overtaking would be almost impossible, and so it proved.

The pressure that was already there to rethink the layout for next year and provide a longer straight and big braking zone to allow overtaking will be significant.

Rethinking the fractured and overly extensive breadth of the paddock and pits complex – which covers a vastly greater distance than anywhere else – would also be a good idea.

Top 10

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

6. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

7. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

8. Oscar Piastri (Mclaren)

9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

What’s next?

Formula 1 says goodbye to Europe and heads to Azerbaijan for the first of a triple header, from 24-26 September. The race in Baku takes place on a Saturday to avoid a clash with an Azerbaijani national day on the Sunday.

MANCHESTER, England, September 13, 2026 – Erling Haaland’s goal helped Manchester City win a highly controversial Manchester derby at rivals Manchester United despite playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes.

City midfielder Phil Foden was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes and United followed it with a period of dominance, hitting the post either side of half-time.

But City scored the game’s only goal on the break in the 60th minute when Haaland tapped in Josko Gvardiol’s low, deflected cross at the back post.

Haaland had immediately been flagged for offside but a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check ruled the Norwegian to be on, while the offside Enzo Fernandez was not deemed to be affecting play as he stretched to connect with the cross before it reached the scorer.

The result continued City’s perfect start to the Premier League season under new manager Enzo Maresca and moved them level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table.

United dropped points for the third time in four league matches and stayed 13th.

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For parts of City’s first derby without Pep Guardiola as their manager in more than 10 years, it felt unlikely they would be keeping pace with title rivals Arsenal.

Foden became just the second City player to be sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby, the other being Bernardo Corradi in December 2006, after catching Fernandes’ chest with his studs while sitting on the ground.

Just before Foden’s action, Fernandes appeared to kick his back while he was on the floor.

The United captain escaped a booking.

City defended solidly and then benefited from their own controversial call to go ahead.

Haaland was only just played onside by Patrick Dorgu’s toe while Fernandez, who was clearly offside, was fortunate not to have been flagged for interfering with play while trying to meet the ball with a diving header.

United keeper Senne Lammens, who was scrambling across his goal, did react briefly to Fernandez’s attempt to play the ball.

Man Utd analysis: Cracks beginning to show after poor start

For Manchester United this match was a huge opportunity missed, and was strikingly similar to their 1-0 loss to 10-men Everton last November.

After gaining a man advantage, they first hit the post in the 45th minute through Marcus Rashford’s dipping free-kick.

They then struck the woodwork again in the 50th minute through Kobbie Mainoo’s curling effort from range which bounced off the post and hit the back of City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma but landed safely for the Italian to gather.

United’s only other major chance came right at the end when Fernandes found Bryan Mbeumo in the area and his sharp shot was palmed behind by Donnarumma.

Otherwise United looked laboured going forward against 10 men, especially after City took the lead.

The Red Devils finished last season well but have started this campaign poorly, winning just one Premier League match and conceding in every league game.

Opener Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 from just 32 balls as India hammered Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first T20 international in New Delhi on Sunday.

Chasing 157 for victory, India rode on Abhishek’s blitz, which included seven sixes and seven fours, to achieve the target in 13.4 overs and lead the three-match series 1-0.

Abhishek got his first runs with a six off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the opening over and there was no looking back for the swashbuckling left-handed batter.

He lost opening partner Sanju Samson for 10 but kept up the charge with a flurry of fours and sixes to raise his fifty off 22 balls.

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Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, who made 42, put on 121 runs as the pair tore into the opposition attack to raise the noise of over 25,000 fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

“The shots Abhishek played were flawless, exemplary,” said India captain Shreyas Iyer.

“Kishan has been in great form. He’s very relaxed, calm and knows his game.”

Abhishek fell to off-spinner Mohammad Nabi as Rashid Khan took a good catch in the deep.

Nabi soon sent back Kishan before Tilak Varma (3) and Iyer (8) saw the team home.

India’s left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh set up victory with figures of 3-19 in his four overs as he helped restrict Afghanistan to 156-8.

Put in to bat, Afghanistan slipped to 43-5 before Azmatullah Omarzai hit an unbeaten 64.

Returning pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah started with a wide down the leg side for five extras but struck on the second legal delivery to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, caught at first slip.

Iyer praised Bumrah, calling the pace spearhead, who returned to the team after an injury in the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16, a “great asset”.

Skipper Ibrahim Zadran attempted to hit back with two fours but was soon run out for 11 after a mix up with Sediqullah Atal to give India the upper hand.

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“I would say that run out was the turning point,” said Zadran. “Ishan Kishan grabbed the ball and threw it to the bowler. They got the momentum.”

Wickets kept tumbling as spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one each as Afghanistan lost half their side in seven overs.

Omarzai, who survived a dropped catch on 39, and Nabi (33) then combined to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 83.

Arshdeep broke the stand as he bowled Nabi off a slower yorker.

Omarzai stuck around until the end as Afghanistan got 21 runs off the last over from Shivam Dube but it was not enough against the reigning T20 world champions.

Afghanistan, who have long used India and the United Arab Emirates as home venues, are the official hosts for the series.

AFRICA PICKS: Cricket tips and predictions

–AFP

Photo: BCCI/X

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The Springboks are the champions of the world and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks. The 3-1 series score is an emphatic statement of their standing in the world game.

The Springboks beat the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore, scoring six tries to four and finishing this historic four-Test series with three successive victories.

The Springboks, with their 15 points win against the second best team, reach a world rankings high.

The Springboks lost the opening Test 33-16 at Ellis Park. They responded by winning 33-26 in Cape Town, 29-24 at the FNB Stadium and then delivered their most complete attacking performance of the series at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.

This was not simply another Springbok victory founded on the scrum, defensive brutality and the power of the Bomb Squad.

The Boks played.

They attacked with ambition, carried with conviction and punished the All Blacks whenever the match opened up.

Damian de Allende and Morné van den Berg scored South Africa’s first-half tries, with the outstanding Van den Berg rewarded as the official player of the match. The Boks led 17-14 at halftime, but the contest remained brutally balanced

Then came the Springbok surge.

Malcolm Marx scored from the lineout maul and Pieter-Steph du Toit finished another powerful assault four minutes later. In the space of five minutes, the Boks had turned a three-point advantage into a 15-point statement.

The All Blacks responded through Ethan Blackadder, having scored first-half tries through Codie Taylor and Will Jordan. They refused to disappear and, with their speed of attack, continued to threaten.

But Kurt-Lee Arendse ended the argument.

His solo strike from beyond halfway was a finish worthy of the occasion and the series. Cameron Hanekom then powered over in the final minutes before Beauden Barrett scored New Zealand’s fourth try after the outcome had been settled.

The Boks won in Baltimore because they had more ways to win.

They could squeeze New Zealand through the set piece, dominate territory, defend for long periods and then strike from anywhere. Their forwards provided the brutality, but their backs delivered the beauty.

That balance is what makes this Springbok team so formidable.

Siya Kolisi again led a team whose collective strength remains greater than any individual performance. Rassie Erasmus used his replacements to change the energy and direction of the Test.

The All Blacks contributed enormously to an outstanding contest and an unforgettable series. Their attacking rugby repeatedly reminded everyone why this rivalry remains unique.

But the final judgement belongs to South Africa.

From 0-1 down, the Springboks won three in succession and finished with 43 points and six tries in Baltimore.

The world champions did not merely win Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. They owned it.

Le Bayern Munich a dû s’employer pour préserver son sans-faute. En déplacement chez le surprenant promu Elversberg, vainqueur de ses deux premiers matches de Bundesliga, les Bavarois se sont imposés (2-1) ce dimanche lors de la troisième journée. Longtemps dominateur mais trop imprécis, le Bayern a finalement pu compter sur Harry Kane, auteur du but de la victoire à la 72e minute.

Le Bayern domine, Elversberg résiste

Les hommes de Vincent Kompany ont rapidement pris le contrôle du match et multiplié les situations dans le camp adverse. Leur domination a été récompensée à la 26e minute lorsque Lennart Karl a ouvert le score. Le jeune Allemand a repris un centre à ras de terre d’Ismaël Saibari, passé à travers la défense d’Elversberg, pour donner l’avantage aux visiteurs.

Le Bayern aurait pu se mettre davantage à l’abri avant la pause, mais son manque d’efficacité a maintenu Elversberg dans le match. Le promu a même cru égaliser juste avant la mi-temps, avant que son but ne soit refusé pour hors-jeu. Sans le moindre tir cadré durant les 45 premières minutes, les locaux sont pourtant revenus au score après la pause.

Krattenmacher égalise, Kane répond

Entré à la mi-temps, Krattenmacher a remis Elversberg à hauteur à l’heure de jeu. Profitant d’un espace à l’entrée de la surface, il a déclenché une superbe frappe qui a terminé dans la lucarne opposée de Manuel Neuer (1-1). Il s’agissait déjà de son troisième but en trois journées, tous inscrits après son entrée en jeu.

Le Bayern devait alors accélérer pour éviter une mauvaise surprise. La réponse est venue de son meilleur buteur. À la 72e minute, Harry Kane a été trouvé par Aleksandar Pavlovic dans la surface, avant de contourner son défenseur et de décocher une frappe puissante sous la barre au premier poteau (1-2). Cette fois, Elversberg ne reviendra pas.

Avec plus d’une vingtaine de tentatives, le Bayern a largement dominé les débats, mais son manque de réalisme lui aura compliqué la tâche jusqu’au bout. Le club munichois signe néanmoins une semaine parfaite après son succès contre Bodø/Glimt en Ligue des champions et remonte à la quatrième place de Bundesliga. Elversberg, de son côté, concède sa première défaite de la saison mais reste sixième avant son déplacement à Schalke 04.

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