SportsCatch

Mexican GP's Day of the Dead tribute honours F1 legends — and Hamilton's bulldog Roscoe

The Mexican Grand Prix paddock features a Day of the Dead display honouring late Formula 1 figures including Ayrton Senna, Enzo Ferrari and Juan Manuel Fangio — with Lewis Hamilton's recently deceased bulldog Roscoe given a place among them.

Formula 1 Oct 31

Hamilton backs Ferrari for pole despite technical setback in Mexican GP practice

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari has "a really good car" at the Mexican Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions, even though a power issue in FP2 cut Hamilton's long-run programme short.

Formula 1 Oct 31

Lio-Willie embraces All Blacks 'curveball' after surprise Nations Championship call-up

Christian Lio-Willie had been preparing for his Super Rugby off-season when the All Blacks came calling. The Crusaders No.8 says the unexpected Nations Championship selection — his first official squad naming — is the kind of surprise you welcome.

Rugby Oct 31

Luana Santos targets UFC bantamweight title shot with finish over Yana Santos at Vegas 123

Luana Santos believes an emphatic victory over Yana Santos at UFC Vegas 123 on Oct. 31 could leapfrog her past Ailin Perez and Joselyne Edwards into contention for the bantamweight title, with the Harrison vs. Nunes bout at UFC 334 looming on Nov. 14.

MMA Oct 31

Verstappen warns seat-threatened Lawson after FP2 collision at Mexican GP

Max Verstappen publicly criticised Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson following a contact incident during second practice at the Mexican Grand Prix, telling him it was 'not very smart behaviour' for a driver fighting to keep his seat.

Formula 1 Oct 31

Piastri upbeat after Mexico FP2 despite messy lap as Ferrari loom large

Oscar Piastri says McLaren handled the high-altitude conditions at Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez better than expected in FP2, though he acknowledged a scrappy soft-tyre lap and warned that beating Ferrari on Saturday will be very tough.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Aston Villa launch legal action against Jamie Carragher over 'unacceptable insults' to club and fans

Aston Villa have confirmed they will pursue legal action against Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after he told Villa supporters to 'shut the f*** up' amid a row over Unai Emery's future. The statement, signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, was posted on the club's social media on Friday night.

Football Oct 30

Leclerc tops both practice sessions in Mexico despite Hamilton retirement

Charles Leclerc set the pace across both Friday practice sessions at the Mexico Grand Prix, clocking a 1m17.827s in FP2 to edge Lando Norris by 0.103s. Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton retired from the session after losing power on lap 28.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Carrick admits 'hard truth' talks with players and United hierarchy as club sits 16th

Michael Carrick has revealed that blunt, uncomfortable conversations are taking place between himself, Manchester United's players, and senior figures including CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox as the club sits 16th in the Premier League after eight games without a win.

Football Oct 30

Arteta backs Dowman to grow from red card as four Arsenal players return for Liverpool clash

Mikel Arteta held face-to-face talks with 16-year-old Max Dowman after the FA upheld his three-match ban, insisting the teenager has the talent to emerge stronger. Declan Rice, Christos Tzolis, Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke are all in contention to face Liverpool at Anfield.

Football Oct 30

Kane claims first Ballon d'Or by just 28 points to end England's 25-year wait

Harry Kane edged Kylian Mbappé by a margin of just 28 points — 1,055 to 1,027 — to win the Ballon d'Or in London on Monday, becoming the first English winner in 25 years and claiming the award for the first time in his career.

Football Oct 30

Haas boss Komatsu dismisses €6m Bearman contract rumours as "absolute nonsense"

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has hit back at claims that Oliver Bearman's management is demanding €6 million to extend his contract, tracing the story to an unverified blogger whose figure was amplified across social media ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Makhachev signals career nearing end as welterweight title wait draws backlash

Islam Makhachev has hinted his fighting days are numbered, posting on social media that his next bout will be 'one of the last in my career' — a response to mounting criticism over his decision to delay a UFC welterweight title defence until after Ramadan.

MMA Oct 30

Ballon d'Or 2026: Revealed votes expose indefensible choices

Four days after Harry Kane's triumph, France Football published the full voting records of 100 jurors. Several ballots sparked controversy, marked by nationalist picks and inexplicable omissions of major contenders.

Football Oct 30

Red Bull's new wind tunnel won't arrive until mid-2027, Mekies confirms

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed the team's new Milton Keynes wind tunnel will not come online until sometime during the 2027 season — at least a year later than originally planned — meaning it will likely only benefit the second half of that year's car development.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Mekies fires back at Horner's claim Red Bull has 'lost its mojo' since his exit

New Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has rejected Christian Horner's assertion that the team lost its identity after his July 2025 departure, pointing to a 'very remarkable' mid-season turnaround as proof of the squad's enduring spirit.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Santo Taumata ruled out of Black Ferns' France Test two months after ending four-year injury absence

Black Ferns tighthead prop Santo Taumata has re-aggravated a neck injury and will miss New Zealand's third WXV Global Series Test against France in Christchurch on Saturday, just two months after returning from a 1,379-day absence from international rugby.

Rugby Oct 30

Bryce Hall attacked by group at Halloween party weeks after domestic violence arrest

Social media personality and BKFC competitor Bryce Hall was punched and kicked by multiple assailants outside a Halloween party hosted by streamer N3ON. Hall posted footage of his minor injuries afterwards and challenged each attacker to a fight.

MMA Oct 30

Steiner warns Mercedes will replace Russell if struggles persist into 2027

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has cautioned that Mercedes will consider changing their driver line-up if George Russell cannot close the gap on team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the 2026 championship by 123 points.

Formula 1 Oct 30

Haaland and five others return as Brighton carry six injury doubts into Premier League clash

Erling Haaland is set to return for Manchester City's Premier League meeting with Brighton after being rested for the Carabao Cup tie, while the Seagulls head into Saturday's match with six players sidelined, including long-term absentees Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson.

Football Oct 30