Sports
7 Experts Predict Who Will Win 2026 Drivers’ Championship
The 2026 Formula One season is upon us. The packed 24-race calendar will finally be underway on the 8th of March, as the 22 drivers head Down Under to kick off the season at the Australian Grand Prix.
Pre-season and winter testing often provide a few strong bellwethers ahead of the season’s opening laps, but there’s nothing quite like the first race to show where the championship’s biggest contenders are at ahead of a long season of racing.
British fans were able to celebrate a first home champion in five years, as Lando Norris finally won his maiden Drivers’ Championship in 2025. But the story of the season, and maybe this season as well, was the closely-fought battle between himself, his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, and four-time champion Max Verstappen. Piastri led the standings for much of the season, but perhaps it was the young driver’s nerves that saw him just miss out on title gold in the end. The experience will no doubt prove invaluable as he looks to avenge last season’s missed opportunity.
As for Verstappen, he will be hungry for revenge. The Dutchman had won the last four Drivers’ Championships before Norris ended his streak. The Red Bull ace will be determined to regain his title at the first time of asking and secure an impressive fifth championship. A fifth title would put him joint third in the all-time rankings alongside Juan Manuel Fangio and only two behind the joint record holders Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
F1 Pundits Pick Their 2026 Drivers’ Championship Winner
Based on the events of last season, surely it has to be a McLaren or Verstappen as the title favourite? But according to the experts, it seems that this is not the case for 2026.
Sky Sports brought together its esteemed group of pundits to make their Drivers’ Championship predictions, and it looked like everyone was looking just below those three standout drivers from the 2025 season.
When conversation turned to title predictions, Natalie Pinkham was first out of the gate with an interesting suggestion: George Russell. The British driver finished fourth in the standings, providing an early-season dark horse in the title race. His challenge waned as the season progressed, but in an inferior Mercedes, he proved that he still had the ability to push McLaren and Red Bull.
Outside the top three, Russell was the only driver to record race victories, doing so in Canada and Singapore respectively. He also secured a further seven podiums. And his sustained quality in 2025, as well as the addition of an improved Mercedes, has convinced the other pundits that he is the surprise favourite heading into the new season. Martin Brundle and Karun Chandhok echoed Pinkham’s prediction.
David Croft also gave the nod to Russell, but predicted that Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari would all be in the mix for race wins.
“George can cope with a lot of adversity, but also knows the preparation that he’ll need to put in for each and every race and is prepared to do it,” he said. “So George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar. George will be the favourite, but I think Lando and Oscar and Max are running close.”
Rachel Brookes had similar thoughts, predicting a tightly-fought championship battle before eventually settling on Russell.
“He will be pushed all the way, but I think George will win it.”
Anthony Davidson pointed to the newfound consistency of the Mercedes and Russell’s maturity in his prediction, saying: “George Russell. I think he seems to have started off on the right footing. The car is quick enough to consistently be up there now, rather than the odd performance that was good enough, and he’s ready to win a world championship.”
And finally, Simon Lazenby also suggested that this is the season that Russell fully comes of age, concluding: “George Russell. I think he’s ready, and he will have the car to do it.”
Sports
Liverpool Star Wanted By Three Clubs As Transfer Deadline Set
Liverpool are set for a busy summer transfer window, as Andoni Iraola is in the middle of building a squad capable of playing his style of play for next season.
Work has already been done to land some new signings, with Jeremy Jacquet arriving after a deal was agreed earlier this year, while Victor Munoz was signed from Osasuna as an early arrival.
However, there is an expectation that more deals will be on the way for Liverpool. A move for Yan Diomande is in the works, with a deal that could exceed £100 million.
While that would add some firepower, the Reds will also need to consider some sales. Among those angling for an exit is Federico Chiesa.
Federico Chiesa Eyed By Clubs
Chiesa continues to be linked with an exit this summer, as the forward looks for a new challenge to get himself back in and around some first-team action.
The Italian international has struggled since his move to Anfield, as injuries impacted his early time, while he has failed to regain his best form with the limited opportunities he has received since.
A move away seems likely, but it will depend on the interest he receives and whether it matches the valuation set by Liverpool. According to Calciomercato, there are three teams eyeing up a potential move.
Juventus are linked with a return for Chiesa, where he impressed a few years ago, with the star already admitting that the club has a special place in his heart.
That may not stop a move to their rivals, however, as Inter Milan and Napoli have also been linked with interest in the winger for this summer.
The report adds that Chiesa will have a month to decide on his future, and it’s unclear exactly which of those three clubs he could end up at.
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Competition Is Good For Chiesa Sale
As Liverpool look for a potential sale for Chiesa, there will be some hope that competition for his signature will help maximise the value they can extract this summer.
The Reds paid just £12.5 million for the winger, a fee that can easily be matched or exceeded this summer by the Serie A clubs showing interest.
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Any money from that deal could then help balance the books, especially with the expensive move for Diomande, as well as the deal for Munoz.
Considering the recent transfer spend, it’s important that Liverpool continue to find ways to raise funds to be active in the market going forward.
Sports
Spain’s Nico Williams Calls Out Uruguay Ace After He Suffers Injury
Nico Williams has opened up on the mental and physical toll of the past year and a half after suffering a fresh injury during Spain’s group stage win over Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, leaving his involvement in the rest of the tournament in doubt.
The Athletic Club winger had only come on as a substitute in the 76th minute, before picking up the issue following a challenge from Nicolas de la Cruz, who was booked for the tackle.
Williams has endured persistent fitness problems in the last 18 months, and this latest setback has clearly hit hard, with the 23-year-old reflecting on just how much he’s had to overcome to get back on the pitch.
Nico Williams Details Year Of “Suffering” And “Anxiety”
Williams, who has been subject to transfer interest from Arsenal, didn’t hold back when describing what he’s been through before reflecting on the latest blow.
“Today is one of the worst days of my life. I’ve gotten injured again after a very tough year, one in which the pubic symphysis pain won many battles against me, but not the war.”
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He continued by detailing just how much the injury affected his daily life, admitting: “It was a year and a half of suffering, sadness, uncertainty, and anxiety. I didn’t know when I’d be able to play without pain again or when I’d get back to a normal life. I even got to the point of living with the pain in things as simple as going to the bathroom, getting in and out of the car, or just enjoying day-to-day life.”
See what Williams had to say in full below:
Spain Winger Vows Latest Setback “Won’t Stop” Him
Turning to the incident involving De la Cruz, Williams suggested frustration played a part in the challenge that caused his injury.
“Yesterday, I was caused a new injury after an action in which a fellow professional acted out of frustration, discontent, and sadness over the situation he was going through.”
“It was a play that, in my opinion, could have been avoided because it was completely unnecessary.”
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Despite the disappointment, Williams remained defiant, insisting that there’s a chance he’ll be seen playing again during the tournament: “But this won’t stop me either. I know God has a plan for me, and I’ll keep fighting until the very last moment to get back to doing what I love most: playing soccer, being happy, and bringing joy to many.” Before going on to say that “the story isn’t over—we’ll see each other as soon as possible in this World Cup.”
It’s been a forgettable World Cup for Uruguay, and the manner of their exit has only added to that reputation. Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card in the same match for diving in on Pau Cubarsi, leading to some chaotic scenes as tempers flared late on.
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The defeat means Uruguay finish bottom of Group H and head home without a single win to their name this summer, leaving Williams’ injury as just one of several incidents that have left a sour taste from their campaign.
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Sports
Everton Now Want World Cup Record-Breaker As Transfer Advantage Revealed
Everton are looking at potential midfield additions this summer, as Marca claims the Toffees are eyeing a deal for a World Cup star in the transfer market.
There is uncertainty specifically surrounding the future of Idrissa Gana Gueye, as the experienced midfielder’s contract comes to an end at the beginning of next month.
In the retained list, the club confirmed that talks were continuing over a potential extension for the 36-year-old, with no confirmation over fresh terms as things stand.
While that could yet signal an exit for him, Everton are looking at other midfield options, one of which is an international teammate of Gueye.
Everton Want Pape Gueye Transfer
A potential replacement for Idrissa Gueye could be his international teammate Pape Gueye, who has been impressing for Senegal in the World Cup this summer.
Marca reports that Everton are keen on a deal for the 27-year-old midfielder, with Villarreal expecting to sell the star for a big fee in the coming weeks of the transfer market.
The Toffees hold an advantage over some of their rivals in the race, as it’s claimed that Gueye is prioritising a move to the Premier League over any other option.
That only remains an advantage if they are the only team from England eyeing up a deal, as others in the division could soon enter the race for his signature.
Gueye made 39 appearances for Villarreal last season, scoring five goals and assisting twice. While he impressed with those displays, it’s at the World Cup where the Senegal star is really showing his class and quality.
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Gueye Impresses At The World Cup
The World Cup is platforming plenty of top stars, with the competition likely to play a huge part in some key transfer switches across the world.
Everton could benefit from that, with Gueye being among those who have impressed in the tournament so far, following three group stage matches.
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The 27-year-old’s most recent appearance came against Iraq, where he picked up two goals and an assist in a 5-0 win. In the process, he became the first African player in the World Cup to get three goal involvements in one match.
That was the moment he became a record-breaker in the competition, with Senegal now dreaming of putting together a deep run with Gueye at the heart of the midfield.
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