Sports
F1 Paddock ‘Starting to Fear’ For Nico Hulkenberg’s Future as Carlos Sainz Wanted
By the time we get to this stage of the year in the Formula 1 calendar, talk of Silly Season is always high. It’s hard to beat the mess of Oscar Piastri‘s Alpine–McLaren saga, but this year is already providing some crazy stories.
The most recent news to take the paddock by storm was Max Verstappen to McLaren, though, CEO Zak Brown was eager to shut down said rumours when talking to Sky Sports on Sunday’s grid.
With several contracts up at the end of the season, whose decision will be the domino effect to trigger mass change?
While many drivers are tied to ‘multi-year deals’, others are set to be out of contract soon. Fernando Alonso is one of those names; news that will only continue with Aston Martin‘s lack of performance.
Younger drivers like Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and Arvid Lindblad are all on short-term deals too. However, with the trio all impressing, it’s hard to imagine they won’t be on the grid next year.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz has been tipped for a move away from Williams. The project under the leadership of James Vowles hasn’t gone to plan, with the new regulations only setting the Grove outfit back. There’s no surprise Sainz could be weighing up his options, with even his own father putting pressure on him to leave, especially after the expectations when joining Williams. The question is, where does he go?
Carlos Sainz Leaving Williams Could Spark Other Moves
There have been heavy links between Sainz and Audi. It makes sense given his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, represented the brand in 2024 when he achieved a historic Dakar Rally victory.
Reports are suggesting that Sainz is looking for a way out of his current team amid dissatisfaction with them. He is free to leave in 2026 through an exit clause in his contract, and Audi could be the big winners if they can add a driver of Sainz’s quality.
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Bringing in the former Ferrari driver will have to come at a cost, however, and the F1 paddock is starting to fear it could be Nico Hulkenberg who makes way. Gabriel Bortoleto currently leads the German in the Drivers’ Championship, picking up their only two points of the season so far.
However, it isn’t just performance that would play a part in a potential exit. Talking to F1 Insider, journalist Ralf Bach touched on the inter-team issues that may be plaguing Hulkenberg’s chances.
“Att Audi, I get the feeling anyway that there might be a bit too much political manoeuvring going on again,” he said.
“There are a few signs that, well, there’s the Swiss group, and then there are the Germans. I don’t yet have the impression that things are being pulled together, and I reckon, well, maybe Nico Hulkenberg is even starting to run into problems because of this.”
It will be interesting to see how this all pans out, and whether or not anybody will look to keep Hulkenberg on the grid for 2027. Interestingly, next up is the British GP, as the German returns to the track where he ended his historical run without a podium.
Iran have posted a statement hitting out at US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for his comments after their World Cup exit.
Iran’s time at this year’s tournament in North America came to an end last weekend in dramatic fashion. After draws against Belgium and New Zealand, Team Melli knew a victory over Egypt in their final group match on Saturday would see them progress to the last 32.
Amir Ghalenoei’s side thought they had scored a last-gasp winner at Seattle Stadium when Shoja Khalilzadeh found the back of the net. The goal was chalked off for the tightest of offside calls, though, meaning they had to settle for a draw.
Despite that disappointment, Iran still had a chance of progressing as one of the eight best-performing third-placed sides. However, they were knocked out of the competition after Austria’s 96th minute equaliser against Algeria.
‘One of Donald Trump’s Key Allies’ Celebrates Iran’s World Cup Exit
Iran’s football team has faced multiple hardships during this summer’s World Cup amid the war between the two countries.
While Iran were allowed to play their matches in the United States, they were not allowed to stay in the country for a prolonged period and were forced to travel to and from Mexico in between games.
Iran lodged an official complaint to FIFA due to their travel issues, with head coach Amir Ghalenoei describing themselves as ‘the most oppressed’ team at the World Cup, while captain Mehdi Terami also hit out at FIFA and the United States for the hardships they were forced to endure.
Mullin, described as ‘one of Donald Trump’s key allies, has now expressed his relief at Iran’s group stage elimination in a World Cup briefing at the government’s Special Event Coordination Centre on Monday. He told reporters, per the Telegraph:
“I’m just glad they’re [Iran] done, and they’re not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. I’m very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”
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Iran Hit Out at Mullin
Iran have not reacted well to Mullin’s comments. An official for the FFIRI said: “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks.
“These remarks once again demonstrate that U.S. officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organising a global sporting event.
“The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage.
“After our match against New Zealand, our head coach [Amir Ghalenoei] said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief.”
Manchester United are pushing to sign multiple midfielders in the summer transfer window, and one has now travelled to Manchester in order to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
The Red Devils are in the market for midfielders, and they have reached a full agreement to sign Atalanta star Ederson in the summer transfer window.
It appears that the Brazilian international isn’t the only midfielder who is going to be arriving through the door at Old Trafford before the window closes in September.
The Manchester club are heavily focusing on reinforcements in the middle of the park after Casemiro left the club earlier this summer.
An injury to Manuel Ugarte isn’t going to impact their plans, according to David Ornstein, with Mateus Fernandes their immediate priority.
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Midfielder Heads to Man Utd for Medical
According to a report from The Athletic, young midfielder Cristian Orozco has travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move from Fortaleza CF.
The 17-year-old will officially become a United player when he turns 18 next month, with a deal agreed back in September.
The youngster turns 18 in July, and he’s represented Colombia at under-17 level, playing his domestic football in the Colombian top flight.
Orozco is unlikely to come in and become a first-team signing for United at the moment, considering his age. There’s no doubt they’re likely to sign another midfielder this summer.
It looks set to be a busy few weeks for United as they look to get multiple deals over the line.
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England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Man Utd Leading Fernandes Race
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Fernandes despite strong interest from Tottenham.
Both clubs are in the race to secure the signature of Fernandes, and the Portuguese midfielder is seemingly keen on a move to either club.
Alongside strengthening the first team, United are also looking to improve their academy as they aim to head back in the right direction after a difficult few years.
There was a vast improvement in the second half of last season, but there’s no doubt they still need to go to the next level.
Fernandes would certainly help improve their starting XI, giving them fresh options ahead of a season in the Champions League.
Manchester United are pushing to sign multiple midfielders in the summer transfer window, and one has now travelled to Manchester in order to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
The Red Devils are in the market for midfielders, and they have reached a full agreement to sign Atalanta star Ederson in the summer transfer window.
It appears that the Brazilian international isn’t the only midfielder who is going to be arriving through the door at Old Trafford before the window closes in September.
The Manchester club are heavily focusing on reinforcements in the middle of the park after Casemiro left the club earlier this summer.
An injury to Manuel Ugarte isn’t going to impact their plans, according to David Ornstein, with Mateus Fernandes their immediate priority.
Club in Pole Position to Sign Mateus Fernandes After Man Utd and Tottenham Talks
Manchester United and Spurs are trying to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer
Midfielder Heads to Man Utd for Medical
According to a report from The Athletic, young midfielder Cristian Orozco has travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move from Fortaleza CF.
The 17-year-old will officially become a United player when he turns 18 next month, with a deal agreed back in September.
The youngster turns 18 in July, and he’s represented Colombia at under-17 level, playing his domestic football in the Colombian top flight.
Orozco is unlikely to come in and become a first-team signing for United at the moment, considering his age. There’s no doubt they’re likely to sign another midfielder this summer.
It looks set to be a busy few weeks for United as they look to get multiple deals over the line.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Man Utd Leading Fernandes Race
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Fernandes despite strong interest from Tottenham.
Both clubs are in the race to secure the signature of Fernandes, and the Portuguese midfielder is seemingly keen on a move to either club.
Alongside strengthening the first team, United are also looking to improve their academy as they aim to head back in the right direction after a difficult few years.
There was a vast improvement in the second half of last season, but there’s no doubt they still need to go to the next level.
Fernandes would certainly help improve their starting XI, giving them fresh options ahead of a season in the Champions League.
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