Sport shorts: Ferrari admit ‘social’ talks with F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Andy Ruiz Jr is branded a ‘disgrace’ to boxing
Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 12 December
1. Ferrari admit ‘social’ talks with Hamilton
Sky Sports reports that Ferrari president John Elkann has had “social” talks with Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton but the Italian team have played down the meeting.
Hamilton’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of the 2020 season and recent reports speculated that he could join Ferrari in 2021 to partner Charles Leclerc.
However, when asked about Elkann’s meeting with the Briton, Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri said: “Obviously, it was a social event, which has sort of been blown somewhat out of proportion, but it was a social event. They have some common friends.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, F1 star Hamilton has described his machine swap with MotoGP ace Valentino Rossi as “epic” and the “best day ever”.
In Valencia on Monday Hamilton rode a 2019 Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 bike while Rossi drove a 2017 Mercedes W08 F1 car.
Hamilton and Rossi swap machines - video, pictures and social media posts
2. Ferrari set 2020 car launch date
Formula1.com senior writer Lawrence Barretto has tweeted that Ferrari will reveal their 2020 F1 car on 11 February next year. Ferrari are the first team to confirm their plans.
3. Arteta ‘desperate’ to be next Arsenal manager
Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta is “desperate” to be the next manager of Arsenal but before he puts pen to paper the Spaniard wants “guarantees off the board”.
According to The Sun, Arteta would “love a return to the former club he captained” but only if he can thrash out the fine print of his contract on his terms, and in the process not upset Man City.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. England women win ODI series against Pakistan
England women’s cricket team have taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan. Natalie Sciver hit an unbeaten century as England won by 127 runs. The final match of the series is on Saturday.
5. Team International take 4-1 lead
Team International will take a 4-1 advantage in today’s second day of the Presidents Cup golf event against Team United States. Captain Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas scored Team USA’s only point in Melbourne, Australia.
International captain Ernie Els said: “We haven’t had a start like this for many years. It’s really nice to have some points on the board. There were a lot of tight matches and a lot of crucial putts, and great golf shots.”
6. WBO formally orders Joshua to fight Usyk
ESPN reports that the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has formally ordered two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to fight No.1 mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. The fight is supposed to happen within 180 days.
7. Warren: Ruiz is a ‘disgrace to boxing’
Former champion Andy Ruiz Jr, who was beaten by Anthony Joshua last weekend in Saudi Arabia, has been branded a “disgrace” by boxing promoter Frank Warren. Mexican-American Ruiz Jr admitted that he failed to prepare properly for the rematch against Joshua and stepped into the ring 15lbs heavier than in the first fight.
Writing in his column, Warren said: “Andy Ruiz Jr brought disgrace to himself and the sport by simply failing to prepare to any sort of required level. Just because you are a heavyweight it shouldn’t mean you don’t have an obligation to display a certain degree of athletic intention.
“Yes, he was heavy last time around and usually wobbles a bit around the middle, but this was ridiculous.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
8. BT Sport launch new monthly pass
Champions League and Europa League broadcaster BT Sport has launched a new contract-free monthly pass. Costing £25 per month, the Daily Mail says the pass will give users access to all BT Sport’s channels and can be accessed via BT Sport’s mobile app, website as well as on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Apple TV, Samsung smart TVs and Google Chromecast. See more at bt.com
9. Ronaldo extends UCL goals record
Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his lead as the all-time highest Champions League goalscorer after netting Juventus’s opener in last night’s 2-0 victory against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Ronaldo has now scored 128 career goals in the Champions League - 105 for Real Madrid, 15 for Manchester United and eight for Juventus. His great rival, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, is second on the all-time list with 114.
Messi vs. Ronaldo: all-time records and career goals
10. Atalanta and Atletico reach the UCL last 16
Champions League debutants Atalanta and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have secured the final two places in Monday’s round of 16 draw.
Despite losing their first three matches in group C, Italian outfit Atalanta found their form late on and a brilliant 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk last night earned them a runners-up spot behind Manchester City.
Today’s back pages
Man City boss Guardiola hails Jesus for his ‘goaly trinity’
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published