Cadillac have gone for experience for their debut season in Formula 1, with the American outfit signing race winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. F1 Correspondent Lawrence Barretto explains more…
Ever since General Motors got the green light to enter Formula 1 in 2026 through their Cadillac brand, speculation has been rife about who they would place their trust in to get behind the wheel of their first F1 car.
Understandably, the squad’s senior leaders, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and TWG Motorsports and Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss, remained tight-lipped throughout the process.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is convinced his side is better off without having a European campaign to distract them this season.
As a consequence of their 15th-placed Premier League finish and Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, United are missing out on Europe for only the second time since English clubs returned to Uefa competition after a five-year ban in 1990.
It means they must start their Carabao Cup campaign a round earlier than usual, with Wednesday’s tie at League Two Grimsby their first meeting since 1948.
However, Amorim feels this is a minor issue compared to the free midweeks he will get to work with his players as the season progresses.
“We were not prepared to play in Europe and the Premier League,” he said.
“We need time to develop as a team.”
United’s previous entry into round two of the competition was in 2014 and ended in embarrassing fashion with a 4-0 defeat at then League One MK Dons, who had an 18-year-old Dele Alli in their side.
Now, as then, the intention is to make changes to the team that started Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.
“We have three games this week and we have quality players, so we need rotation to try to win every game,” said Amorim.
England duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, plus midfielder Manuel Ugarte and striker Joshua Zirkzee are among the senior players who have been among the substitutes but had limited – or none in the case of Mainoo and Zirkzee – playing time so far this season.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is also likely to come into contention, along with youngsters Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson.
Noussair Mazraoui is yet to feature as he recovers from an injury that kept him out of pre-season and the trip to Blundell Park may come too soon for the versatile Morocco defender.
“He is near,” said Amorim. “We are just finishing some drills with him to be sure he is not going to have another problem.”
It is not expected striker Rasmus Hojlund will play with negotiations continuing over a loan move to Serie A title holders Napoli. Sources feel that move is likely to happen more quickly than the exits of the four remaining members of Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ of Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia.
Manchester United have collected one point from their opening two Premier League games, after losing to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, and Amorim needs to take the Carabao Cup seriously given the winners qualify for Europe, which is the club’s stated aim for the season.
One year free from midweek European distractions offers the chance of a reset. Any more than that would bring a massive financial headache.
“We need time to build a base and then, in the future, to move forward,” said Amorim.
“We will reach a moment where we need to have Europe so everybody can play games.”
Cadillac have announced that Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will drive for the team in their first Formula 1 season in 2026. The pair bring a combined 16 race wins, 103 podiums and 26 seasons of experience.
Both drivers were without seats in 2025. Perez, 35, left Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season and took time away from racing, while Bottas, also 35, lost his Sauber drive but remained in the paddock as Mercedes’ reserve driver. The Cadillac deal provides both with a route back to full-time competition.
The American manufacturer, owned by General Motors, will join the grid as Formula 1’s 11th team in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of new engine and chassis regulations. The team will be based across Silverstone, Indiana and North Carolina.
Bottas said in a press release: “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision.”
Perez added: “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility.”
Team principal Graeme Lowdon explained the choice: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. Their leadership, feedback, instincts and speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life.”
Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss and 1978 world champion Mario Andretti are advising the project. The team’s first race will take place at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 2026.
The long wait for Pakistan football’s most-anticipated diaspora star may finally be coming to an end with reports suggesting that Etzaz Hussain, the Norway-based midfielder, could finally represent Pakistan on the international stage after clearing the final hurdles.
According to On the Mic, the 32-year-old’s FIFA clearance to change his allegiance from Norway to Pakistan is in the final stages, clearing the way for him to make his first appearance for the Green Shirts in October when Pakistan face Afghanistan at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium.
For years, Etzaz Hussain has been linked with the Pakistan national team, often seen as a player who could transform the side’s midfield. With multiple league titles and domestic cups in Norway’s top division with Molde FK, Etzaz will be one of the most decorated players in Pakistan’s locker room.
The midfielder has plenty of experience in the international arena as well, having represented Norway at various youth levels, making appearances for their U17, U18, U19, U21 and U23 teams, although a senior cap eluded him. His grounding in European football gives him a pedigree rarely found in the Pakistan setup.
Last year, Etzaz Hussain reportedly came close to making his Pakistan debut but was unable to feature after an alleged bust-up with then head coach Stephen Constantine. Now, with a new coach who is actively seeking diaspora players, he is ready to showcase his talents on the international stage.
Hussain’s arrival would not just be another addition to the squad—it would represent one of the most significant steps in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen their ranks with overseas talent. Against Afghanistan, his presence could offer both quality and experience, while sending a message that Pakistan football is serious about competing at a higher level.
For supporters, October’s clash may become more than just a routine international. It could mark the beginning of a new chapter—with Etzaz Hussain at the heart of Pakistan’s midfield.
Gerry Harrison (centre) with reporters Stuart Jarrold (left) and Tony Jones (right) at Anglia Television
A television sports commentator whose voice was synonymous with football across the region has died.
Gerry Harrison was known for his work on Norwich City and Ipswich Town matches from the 1970s to 1990s on ITV Anglia, and also commentated on several World Cups for the national channel.
He presented a motorsport show, called Wheels, during the 1980s.
Fellow commentator Tony Jones paid tribute to Harrison as a “tremendous colleague” and “an inspirational boss [who] demanded the highest standards”.
In a time before satellite television and the internet, Harrison became widely known for his work on ITV’s Sunday highlights show, Match of the Week.
He also chronicled Ipswich Town’s fortunes under Sir Bobby Robson when the team won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.
Harrison also covered fixtures involving Cambridge United, Luton Town, Peterborough United and Northampton Town.
Gerry Harrison, pictured in 1967, receiving radio training in London ahead of the launch of the BBC local radio network
Jones, who lives in Suffolk and retired from football commentating earlier this year, said Harrison had given him his first television job in 1982 and described him as “exceptional”.
“It was impossible not to learn from Gerry,” he said.
“It was such a distinctive voice – not just in Anglia TV coverage, but network coverage as well because Gerry was part of the team at several World Cups and Championships as well, going back to 1970.
“But commentating was only part of Gerry’s role, because he was a presenter on About Anglia, presented sport on About Anglia [and] he did the same for Thames Television.”
Mistaken identity
Jones also said the Wheels series, of which Harrison had been a “driving force” during the 1980s, was at the forefront of UK television by ensuring other sports apart from football gained airtime.
Harrison started his broadcasting career on radio at the BBC in Merseyside before he applied for a BBC competition to commentate at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
He made it through to the final six candidates before being taken on for the competition by ITV.
Jones said it was while Harrison was in Mexico City that he became mistaken for one of The Beatles.
He received numerous calls to his hotel room and there was an influx of visitors to the hotel reception after word spread that a “G Harrison” had been booked in by ITV.
Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk in 2020, Harrison said it was not the only difficulty he had faced in the job, as he recounted starting at Anglia TV and covering Norwich City.
“It was my first job in television; I didn’t know the area, I didn’t know the teams and I didn’t know anything about television, so not a great start,” he said.
“What I discovered to my horror was that the commentary position was at the top end of the back of the River End stand, so you’re looking all the way down the pitch and the players at the Barclay End are miles away from you.”
BBC Radio Norfolk football commentator Chris Goreham (left) with Gerry Harrison and Rob Butler (right)
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter Rob Butler also remembered Harrison as “inspirational” when the pair worked together at Anglia TV.
“I learnt a lot from him and he was always so kind and supportive,” said Butler.
World-leading experts in sports science and medical care will gather in Tokyo this September as the World Athletics Health & Science Department presents the Global Summit on Athletics Science & Medicine.
The summit will take place on 19 September at the prestigious Ono Auditorium, Waseda University, during the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. It is aimed at physicians, sport scientists, coaches, physical therapists and other professionals involved in the care and performance of elite track and field athletes.
The one-day event will focus on contemporary medical and performance issues in athletics, delivered through keynote presentations, expert-led interactive sessions and live audience polling.
Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.
Topics on the agenda include:
• Gender diverse athletes in athletics • Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) • Cardiac screening protocols in athletics • EHS (exertional heat stroke) prevention and treatment • Exercise-associated hyponatremia • Use of baking soda as a performance aid • Predictive tools for race dropout and heat illness risk • Innovations in connected devices and data in athletics • Pre-participation medical screening • No-needle policy enforcement in elite sport • Japan’s national experience in cardiac emergency response during marathons
Featured guest speakers
This year’s summit welcomes a distinguished group of international experts who bring deep insights into athlete health and safety:
• Dr Yuri Hosokawa, Associate Professor at Waseda University and renowned expert in heat illness prevention and sport safety, will co-present on emerging strategies in EHS prevention and response.
• Dr Douglas Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute (University of Connecticut), will share global best practices for managing exertional heat stroke and preventing sudden death in sport.
• Dr David Bandiera, researcher specialising in athlete monitoring and heat illness prediction, will introduce new approaches to race risk assessment beyond traditional WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature) models.
• Dr Tomohiro Manabe, Medical Director of the local organising committee for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, emergency physician and marathon medical response leader in Japan, will present insights from Japan’s national protocols in cardiac arrest response during endurance events.
The summit will feature highly interactive discussions using real-time polling tools to explore controversial and rapidly evolving topics in sports medicine. Participants will gain practical insights to improve athlete health, safety and performance.
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, a well-established healthcare company providing innovative products to help people maintain or improve their health, will be present throughout the conference to support the global summit and present their products to participants.
Full programme details and speaker bios are available here.
For more information, contact: healthandscienceevents@worldathletics.org
Hockey fans are bombarded with gambling logos and adverts – sometimes as often as every 13 seconds – during TV coverage of high-profile games, according to exclusive research shared with the Guardian.
Viewers of June’s Stanley Cup finals encountered an average of 3.5 marketing messages from betting firms every minute, a new study by the University of Bristol found.
Since the supreme court overturned a federal ban on sports betting in 2018, the US gambling industry has surged. Today, sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington DC – and online betting companies have spent billions of dollars in a bid to attract users in an increasingly competitive market.
As they invest heavily in ads, billboards and sponsorship deals, industry operators stand accused by critics of transforming high-profile sports games into a “second-by-second gambling opportunity”.
Paul Tonko, a Democratic congressman, told the Guardian: “The constant barrage of marketing is especially dangerous for young and vulnerable groups and opens the doors for a new generation of potential gamblers to engage with this known, addictive product.”
The study by researchers at the University of Bristol analyzed gambling marketing during the six Stanley Cup finals games this year between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, and the seven NBA finals games between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Across those 13 games, researchers recorded 6,282 instances of gambling-related marketing. This included gambling company logos on jerseys, rinkside and courtside ads, in-game mentions and commercials. Notably 94% of the instances were recorded during the NHL broadcasts.
The report found that, on average, gambling logos and ads were shown 3.5 times per minute during the NHL games, with the most saturated game featuring 4.7 gambling-related marketing instances per minute – equating to one every 13 seconds.
In contrast, the NBA broadcasts averaged just 0.26 gambling references per minute. This disparity may be partly due to the NBA’s growing use of platforms like YouTube, which imposes stricter limits on gambling ads, the researchers noted.
The academics reviewed each broadcast as well as the pre-game coverage. The study found that the most common formats for gambling messaging were in-stadium visuals, which appeared on rinkside boards, electronic boards, jersey patches, and other static structures.
This type of advertising, they noted, gives brands “persistent exposure” throughout the game. Logo placement was the most prevalent type of advertising during the games. Commercials were less frequent but still contributed to the overall volume.
Calls for a crackdown
Things have changed dramatically in just seven years since the supreme court decision. Before 2018, “most sports organizations wanted nothing to do with gambling”, Stephen Shapiro, a sports management professor at the University of South Carolina, told the Guardian.
But now, he said: “You can see it in terms of partnerships between leagues and teams and sport gambling entities, and athlete marketing being part of the marketing efforts, and that really has kind of torn down that barrier that existed there in terms of public perception, to make it a more acceptable and supported activity.”
In-game advertising has long been an effective strategy across industries, and is especially valuable for sports betting companies, Shapiro noted, as viewers can place bets in real time during the entirety of the live event. Even subtle ad placements, such as logos on jerseys or around the stadium, can help build a brand’s credibility, he added.
In the UK, a similar study conducted by psychology experts at four UK universities in 2023 found that betting logos appeared as many as 3,500 times during the course of a televised premier league football match, most commonly on pitchside hoardings.
The betting line for Game One of the Stanley Cup Final shows the Vegas Golden Knights favored over the Washington Capitals at the Race & Sports SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on 23 May 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
“When you think about it, in just about any other form of media content, we either pay to not have commercials, or we do our best to try to skip commercials,” said Andrew Billings, director of the University of Alabama’s sports communication program. But with sports, he added, you can count on most of the audience “seeing that advertisement because they are tuned into the live game”.
In this new study, the researchers recommend that the US introduce federal legislation to regulate gambling marketing in sports, including defining how it can appear and potentially limiting the volume of gambling messages allowed per broadcast.
Billings said he believes the US may need “both national legalization and then consistent regulation to try to combat what seems to be the early signs of escalating sports gambling addiction”.
The Responsible Online Gaming Association, the NHL and the NBA did not respond to requests for comment.
Joe Maloney, the spokesperson for the American Gaming Association, a lobby group for the gambling industry, said: “If UK professors are interested in the robust AGA member company commitments to responsible advertising, they’re welcome to engage with us directly in lieu of their now annual and predictable leaks to UK-based media outlets.”
Maloney pointed to AGA research released earlier this year showing that sports betting comprised just 0.4% of total US TV advertising in 2024, less than alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
A July survey from the National Council on Problem Gambling found that, while the spike in risky gambling behavior observed during the Covid-19 pandemic has eased, gambling-related harm “remains widespread, particularly among younger adults, sports bettors, and those who gamble online”.
Nearly 20 million US adults reported experiencing at least one problematic gambling behavior “many times” in the past year, per the survey.
Over the years, numerous studies conducted in various countries have drawn links between exposure to gambling ads and increased participation in gambling, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Representative Tonko has introduced the Safe Bet Act in Congress, which he said would “establish baseline standards” protecting consumers and public health. “Now more than ever, we need a strong, public health centered approach to this growing crisis,” he said.
But John Fortunato, a professor at Fordham University who specializes in sports media, doesn’t expect to see gambling advertising curtailed any time soon. That kind of regulation, he said, would currently “have to happen through legislation and all these state governments like the tax revenue that they’re getting”.
“Everyone’s sort of making money off of it,” Fortunato added.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar shed light on Cheteshwar Pujara’s struggles in his career and said that life wasn’t easy for him on the cricket field. Pujara recently announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, though some critics felt he deserved an extended run in Tests before being left out following the 2023 World Test Championship Final. The talismanic batter continued to play domestic cricket for Saurashtra after being dropped from the Indian team, consistently piling up runs. Despite his strong performances at the domestic level, the senior team selectors ultimately chose to move on from him.
Sanjay Manjrekar heaped massive praise on Cheteshwar Pujara.(X and AP Images)
Manjrekar asserted that if Pujara had travelled to England for the recently concluded series, he could have scored a triple century, considering the conditions and quality of the hosts’ bowlers.
“Had he (Cheteshwar Pujara) gone to England this time around, the kind of bowling attack England had, the pitches that were there in that series, Pujara, even at this stage, would have ended up getting 300,” Manjrekar said on a video he posted on social media.
Pujara made his international debut in 2010. He went on to become one of the best Test batters in Indian cricket history, racking up 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60.
Manjrekar emphasised on the tough phases in Pujara’s career as he lavished praise on the 37-year-old for handling every challenge with a smile.
“A couple of times, he was dropped from the Indian team, and one comeback that he made was in Sri Lanka, and he had to come back into the playing XI as an opener. And guess what he did? He batted right through the innings. That is Pujara for you, just unbelievable. A very likeable person, no matter what. The career wasn’t easy, and for a defensive batter, the kind of grappling that he did, life was tough for him on the cricket field, but he always had this very pleasant smile on his face,” he added.
‘Naam mein hi puja hai’
Manjrekar went onto pay a heartfelt tribute to Pujara, describing his calm and composed batting style as meditative, even likening him to a monk at the crease, unfazed by challenges and treating every innings like a long prayer.
“Naam mein hi puja hai (There is prayer in the name itself). Every time he was out on the cricket field and batting, especially, it seemed like ek lambi puja woh kar raha hai (he is doing a long prayer). It was like he was meditating with the bat in hand. I often called him a monk who likes to bat because it seemed like nothing rattled him,” he added.
Cadillac have signed Grand Prix winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to be their drivers when the team joins the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026.
The American squad, who are backed by General Motors and will be led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon, will become the sport’s 11th team next season.
Cadillac have opted for experience with their line-up, signing ‘Checo’ Perez and Mercedes reserve Bottas – who boast 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 Grand Prix wins between them – on multi-year deals.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” said Lowdon. “They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team.
“Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.”
It marks a remarkable return for the veteran duo, both 35, after they lost their respective F1 race seats at the end of last season.
Perez took some time out to consider his future goals and spend time with his family after leaving Red Bull, while Bottas stayed in the paddock as reserve for Mercedes following his Sauber exit.
Mexican Perez brings immense F1 experience, having competed for Sauber, McLaren and Force India/Racing Point before moving to Red Bull, where he helped the team win the Teams’ Championship in 2022 and 2023.
“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” said Perez. “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.
“It’s an honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.
“I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”
Finland’s Bottas enjoyed incredible success at Mercedes, playing a key role in the Silver Arrows winning the Teams’ Championship every year from 2017 to 2021.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas. “This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision.
“It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.
“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here.
“This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.”
CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and TWG Motorsports, a division of TWG Global, Dan Towriss said: “Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive.
“They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”
GM President Mark Reuss added: “Our new drivers are a welcome addition to the Cadillac racing family – each brings a depth of experience, and an unwavering passion to win.
“Together, we’re building the foundation for American motorsports that will be an extraordinary legacy for Cadillac, GM and the sport.”
Wolves are close to signing Girona defender Ladislav Krejci for £26m.
The 26-year-old is expected to have a medical this week and become Vitor Pereira’s fifth summer signing.
Krejci is a Czech Republic international who moved to Girona last summer and made 35 appearances in all competitions as they finished 16th in La Liga, surviving by a point.
He joined Girona from Sparta Prague, having spent five years at the club from the Czech capital, where he won two league titles.
Wolves have already signed full-backs Jackson Tchatchoua and David Moller Wolfe and forwards Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has made his loan from Celta Vigo permanent for £23m, with Wolves rejecting a £50m offer from Newcastle for the striker on Monday.
They have no desire to sell the forward, with the limited time they have to sign a replacement – the transfer window closes on Monday – and current market prices both factors in their thinking.
Newcastle are an attractive option but the striker, who scored 14 goals in 30 Premier League starts on loan last season, has remained professional and could start in the EFL Cup against West Ham at Molineux on Tuesday.
Wolves have lost their opening two Premier League games without scoring and are looking to sign another striker.
Getafe forward Christantus Uche, who played in Getafe’s 2-1 La Liga win at Sevilla on Monday, is a target.
