27/07/2025

theSun on Sunday JULY 27, 2025

SPORTS 12

Wolff pooh-poohs Verstappen theory

SHORTS

MAX BEGINS NEW RED BULL ERA WITH SPRINT WIN Max Verstappen welcomed new Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies to the race team yesterday with an immaculate gift-wrapped triumph in the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman, who started from second on the grid, seized the lead on the opening lap and then resisted all threats from series leader Oscar Piastri who had to defend attacks from McLaren teammate Lando Norris who finished third. It was a consummate performance from Verstappen who ran with a low downforce set up to give him a straight-line speed advantage – for which he was congratulated by Mekies, appointed on July 9 to replace Red Bull’s former boss Christian Horner who was dismissed unexpectedly after 20 years at the helm. “That worked out really well,” said a delighted Verstappen after thanking Mekies on the team radio. “We got an opportunity at turn five and took it and then it was tough to keep those two behind. “It was cat and mouse with battery usage and I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, although I had one lock-up - it is so difficult to keep faster cars behind so it was all really at the limit. Not easy! But we did it.” Mekies was equally satisfied. “Max was brilliant and all the guys did a great job,” said the former boss of Reb Bull’s ‘B’ team Racing Bulls. “He was under massive pressure and he made almost no mistakes and the team extracted everything from the car and the tyres.” SHELTON TOPS TIAFOE IN DC Ben Shelton beat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-4 in an electrifying match at the Washington Open yesterday to advance to the semifinals on a day marked by suffocating humidity in the nation’s capital. Shelton blasted an ace on match point to seal the win and avenge his five-set loss to Tiafoe at last year’s U.S. Open as the 22 year-old continues to make strides in his breakout season. “It was a tough one for sure but enjoyable nonetheless,“ Shelton told Tennis Channel . “I love playing against Foe. Difficult guy to play against but playing him here in the US, especially being here in DC, it was packed, it was a great atmosphere. I couldn’t be happier.” On the women’s side, Canadian Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu both overcame the stifling heat and their opponents to advance to the semifinals, setting up a potential rematch of the 2021 US Open final that was won by the Englishwoman. For that to happen Raducanu, who beat Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Friday, will have to best Russian Anna Kalinskaya. Fernandez takes on third seed Elena Rybakina in the semis of the ATP and WTA 500 event overnight.

“That’s what Max and all the others will do.” Brundle now believes that Verstappen is “certain” to remain at Red Bull after the departure of Horner, citing a “conversation” he had in the Belgian Grand Prix paddock as evidence. “I think that (performance element) is part of it,“ Brundle told Sky Sports F1 . “(On Friday), Max was like: ‘It is all about having a fast car, I just want a fast car,‘ and I think (Horner’s sacking) means he will now stay. “I’m certain he will now stay at Red Bull for 2026 and see what happens, a conversation I had last night seemed to confirm that. “But the performance is not exactly diabolical, is it? “With a wet Sunday here, he could win the grand prix, and the team’s got momentum.” – Express Newspapers

worked against the long-serving boss. Ahead of the sprint shootout at the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff was asked by Sky Sports F1 reporter Martin Brundle whether or not his public chase for Verstappen caused his long-time rival’s sacking. “No,” he replied emphatically. “There is much more in the background that we probably don’t know with Red Bull. Looking after drivers, in my position as team principal of Mercedes, I need to explore what Max is going to do in the next few years, not only next year.” Wolff was then asked whether Horner’s exit would impact Verstappen’s decision about his future. “I think drivers will always seek the quickest car, much more than any monetary incentives,” he continued. “It’s about the quickest car and analysing that.

TOTO WOLFF has denied that his public courting of Max Verstappen played a role in the sacking of Christian Horner, insisting that there was “much more in the background” that led to the 51-year-old’s dismissal. The long-serving Red Bull boss was relieved of his duties ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. When Red Bull confirmed Horner’s exit, they made no mention of a reason for the decision. Since then, reports have alleged that a number of factors contributed to his departure, Chief among them were fears regarding the future of star driver Verstappen, who was heavily linked with a move to Mercedes. The team principal’s tense relations with the Dutchman’s entourage also reportedly

Mekies salutes Horner

Pays tribute to Briton’s work over 20 years at Red Bull

NEW Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted he does not know why Christian Horner was relieved of his duties a fortnight ago. French engineer Mekies, previously team principal at Red Bull’s sister F1 team Racing Bulls, has taken over from Horner and is at the helm this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix. Mekies previously enjoyed a near-decade stint at Toro Rosso, the old name for Red Bull’s sister team, and also has experience to his name at Ferrari and the FIA. Yet a brief Red Bull statement announcing Horner’s departure did not spell out the specific reason why the Briton lost his job, with drivers

Olesen said. Knapp is bogey-free through 36 holes as he seeks his second PGA Tour win. He opened his round with three straight birdies at Nos. 10-12. “Feel like I’m kind of doing everything pretty good for the most part,” Knapp said. “I haven’t made too many putts, but yeah, I feel like it’s been, you know, kind of mistake-free for the most part. I haven’t really had to scramble too much.” Tied for fifth at 11-under were Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, German Matti Schmid and Chris Kirk. A collection of notable names at 10 under included Wyndham Clark, Chris Gotterup, Akshay Bhatia and Joel Dahmen. – Field Level Media “All I’ve been seeing in these two weeks is incredible talent and racing spirit at the team. “These guys go to the edge, there’s not a single department which is lying back. They are really at war, if I may say, in every single aspect.” – The Independent Mekies revealed that he has been in contact with Horner and paid tribute to his work over 20 years at Red Bull Racing. “Yes we have spoken, he has been nothing other than supportive,” the 48-year-old said. “Even this morning and yesterday, we texted. It’s very impressive in the context. “I got a call from Oliver and Helmut a few hours before (the announcement). They asked me if I was interested, it came out of the blue. It was difficult to digest. “My first thoughts go to Christian, it’s not something I could have expected. He has been extremely supportive with me in these last two years, he brought me back to the Red Bull family. “That’s the mix of emotions you get but the dominant one is Red Bull calling. It’s a matter of loyalty to the brand.” The future of Red Bull’s star driver, four-time world champion Verstappen, has been shrouded in speculation in recent months, with Mercedes lurking in the background. Mekies did not comment directly on the Dutchman’s future but acknowledged that his driver’s ambitions for the team this season are simple. “Max wants a fast car,” he said. “If we get him a fast car, it cancels out all the other stuff. “It’s about building the next step of competitiveness and, hence, to make it an easy call for Max.

Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies. – AFPPIC

Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda also unable to give a clear cause on Friday. When asked if Red Bull bosses Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko have informed him why he was replacing Horner, Mekies responded: “The short answer is no they haven’t. We didn’t get into the why or why now.” Speaking for the first time in an FIA press conference setting yesterday at Spa-Francorchamps,

Dane Olesen moves in front at 3M Open

birdies on the front nine. “There was two great shots there.” Olesen said. “On (No. 16), I hit it to I think 3 or 4 feet, and also on 17 I hit it really close. “Yeah, I mean, my iron play has been great. I didn’t – I felt pretty comfortable even though I made a double still, so that’s a good thing.” Olesen, 35, is a veteran with eight wins on the DP World Tour but none in the United States. He started the week No. 129 in the FedEx Cup standings but said he’s simply taking every week as it comes. “Every week is an opportunity to try and bounce back and do something special,”

DENMARK’S Thorbjorn Olesen overcame a double bogey and took over the lead at the 3M Open by posting a 5-under 66 yesterday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. Olesen entered the weekend at 14 under 128, one shot above Jake Knapp and two ahead of Pierceson Coody and Sam Stevens. Olesen was 1-over six holes into his round after hitting his tee shot out of bounds at the par-4 15th and hitting a poor shot off his drop. He proceeded to birdie the next two holes to erase that blemish, then add four