Sport shorts: F1 icon Schumacher ‘continues to fight’, Ronaldo confident Juventus can win Champions League, WBC ‘suspends’ Whyte

Michael Schumacher won five of his seven Formula 1 world titles with Ferrari

(Image credit: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images)

published 31 July 2019

1. Todt gives Schumacher update

Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt has revealed he spent last weekend watching the Formula 1 German Grand Prix with Michael Schumacher.

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Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner believes there is no reason why Max Verstappen would leave the team. The 21-year-old reportedly has a performance-related exit clause in his contract, but in the past three races he has secured wins in Austria and Germany. Horner said: “I’m totally relaxed about it. I think Max is enjoying driving within the team, he sees the progress that we’re making.”

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that the Italian giants can win the Uefa Champions League within the next two seasons. The Portugal captain, who has five Champions League winners’ medals in his career, said: “As I always say, we can’t be obsessed by the Champions League. Juve will win it - if not this year, then hopefully yes, it will be the next one. Within the next two years, for the way we’re working and how we’re planning it, we deserve it. We have everything it takes to win it.”

Arsenal are expected to officially unveil Nicolas Pepe today after pictures of him wearing a Gunners shirt were leaked online. The former Lille winger was proudly posing in a red and white shirt, and according to reports the £72m move is a done deal. The Ivorian spent yesterday at the Gunners’ multi-million pound Colney training complex, and the 24-year-old is tipped to face the press this week.

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he has no say over Tottenham’s transfer plans and feels that the club should change his job title from manager to head coach. When asked about the futures of some of his squad the Spurs boss said: “I am not in charge, I know nothing about the situation of my players. I am only coaching them, trying to get the best from them. Maybe the club need to change my title description, because my job now is to coach the team.”

British boxer Dillian Whyte has been provisionally suspended by the World Boxing Council (WBC) following reports he tested positive for a banned substance ahead of his fight against Oscar Rivas. With his win against Rivas on 20 July Whyte became the WBC’s interim title holder and mandatory challenger for Deontay Wilder’s WBC heavyweight belt. Boxing News reports that the recognition has now been suspended pending an investigation.

The Ashes starts at Edgbaston tomorrow with Australia looking to defend the legendary little urn that they took from England in a 4-0 series thrashing in 2017-2018. That victory was Down Under, however, and the Aussies haven’t won an Ashes series in England since 2001. This year’s contest is being tipped as a close one, with both teams boasting strong bowling attacks but having weaknesses in their batting line-up.