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Zak Brown: McLaren would be ‘crazy’ not to use team orders at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Zak Brown: McLaren would be ‘crazy’ not to use team orders at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed on Friday that if a scenario arises in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where team orders would guarantee either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri would win their maiden Drivers’ Championship, that the team would be “crazy” not to issue such an order.

Norris enters the final race of the season with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen in second place, with Piastri four points behind Verstappen. Norris is the only driver of the three who controls his own destiny in the title race, as he will win his first Drivers’ Championship if he finishes on the podium, regardless of where Verstappen or Piastri finish.

However, there is a scenario where Norris could need some help to secure his first title. As we outlined earlier in the week, Verstappen can win his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship if he wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Norris finishes fourth or worse.

Meaning that if Verstappen is leading in the closing laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Norris is stuck behind Piastri in fourth place, McLaren could instruct Piastri to let his teammate through, guaranteeing Norris both a podium finish, and his first Drivers’ Championship.

Speaking with Sky Sports F1, Brown confirmed that McLaren are “realistic” regarding the various title scenarios.

”Yes, of course. We’re realistic. We want to win this Drivers’ Championship,” began the McLaren boss.

”We’re coming into the weekend knowing that [Norris and Piastri] both have equal opportunity, even though there’s obviously a point spread.

”You don’t know how qualifying is going to go, reliability, but if we get into the race and it’s becoming pretty clear that one has a chance and the other doesn’t, we’re going to do what we can to win the Drivers’ Championship. It would be crazy not to.”

Brown also brushed aside the idea of Norris or McLaren facing any backlash, should team orders lead to a title.

”It’s a team sport, right? So, we’re trying to win the Constructors’ (title) as a team and we’re trying to win the Drivers’ as a team,” said Brown.

”I know that kind of sounds a bit strange, but if one of them can’t win, they want the other to win. And that’s what the team wants. And they are team players and we’ve already seen that last year, right?”

Team orders have been a frequent topic of discussion regarding McLaren, dating back to last season when Norris let Piastri through at the Hungarian Grand Prix. But Brown has no concerns that either driver would ignore a team order in the last race of the season.

“Yes, our drivers have always complied with team wishes just as we comply with their wishes. I’ve got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they’ve done brilliantly in the best interest of the team,” added Brown in the FIA Press Conference.

Norris topped the timing sheets in the first hour of practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Piastri sat out the session as Pato O’Ward drove his car in FP1, satisfying the final rookie practice session requirement McLaren faced this season under F1 regulations.

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A high-performance national coach for rifle shooters, who is involved in preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, is facing an inquiry by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for allegedly conducting private coaching at the government-owned Karni Singh Range and discriminating against those who do not attend his sessions.

Manoj Kumar, the head coach for 50m rifle events, is under investigation, and it has been reliably learnt that a hearing was held at the headquarters here on Monday in which grievances from the affected shooters and their guardians were heard.

“We have received not one, but several complaints against this individual and therefore an inquiry is underway right now,” a well-placed SAI source told PTI.

The hearing on Monday was conducted by SAI Deputy Director General Manjushree Dayanand, who heads the SAI’s operations division. Manoj, however, was not in attendance during the hearing but was spoken to individually by SAI officials at an earlier date. He is currently in Hangzhou with the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup starting July 22.

When contacted by PTI, he said, “I have given my reply to SAI, and I have nothing more to say on this.” One of the complainants is the mother of a shooter, who has competed in multiple World Championships, World Cups and Asian Championships.

“We had sent an email to SAI (listing our grievances), and based on that, they called us and our ward. We had written against the High-Performance Coach for rifle shooting,” she told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“We have provided evidence to SAI that the coach in question conducts private coaching at the Karni Singh Range. Even during the national squad camp, he provides personal coaching to select shooters and pressures them into naming him as their coach, insisting that they state he is their official coach,” she asserted.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary general, Pawan Singh, refuted the charge against the coach and claimed that he was not aware of any ongoing inquiry.

“I am unaware of the matter. Talking about conflict of interest, I don’t think it is true. He is a High-Performance coach appointed by SAI. Definitely, there should be an inquiry to know the truth,” he said.

The mother of the affected shooter also alleged that her daughter had been mentally affected by the coach’s handling of the camp.

“When my ward was part of the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) before 2025, shooters were required to submit a requisition for a specified quantity of ammunition for practice, competition and the finals.

“When my ward requested 500 rounds, she was allotted only 300. However, when she went to sign the register, she noticed that some TOPS shooters, who were personally coached by the said coach and attended his private coaching sessions, had been allotted 800 rounds of ammunition,” she said.

According to a source, this is not the only case of private coaching at the government facility, as even foreign coaches are indulging in the practice.

Published on Jul 20, 2026

#Rifle #coach #faces #SAI #inquiry #private #coaching #discrimination #Karni #Singh #Range">Rifle coach faces SAI inquiry for private coaching, discrimination at Karni Singh Range  A high-performance national coach for rifle shooters, who is involved in preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, is facing an inquiry by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for allegedly conducting private coaching at the government-owned Karni Singh Range and discriminating against those who do not attend his sessions.Manoj Kumar, the head coach for 50m rifle events, is under investigation, and it has been reliably learnt that a hearing was held at the headquarters here on Monday in which grievances from the affected shooters and their guardians were heard.“We have received not one, but several complaints against this individual and therefore an inquiry is underway right now,” a well-placed SAI source told PTI.The hearing on Monday was conducted by SAI Deputy Director General Manjushree Dayanand, who heads the SAI’s operations division. Manoj, however, was not in attendance during the hearing but was spoken to individually by SAI officials at an earlier date. He is currently in Hangzhou with the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup starting July 22.When contacted by        PTI, he said, “I have given my reply to SAI, and I have nothing more to say on this.” One of the complainants is the mother of a shooter, who has competed in multiple World Championships, World Cups and Asian Championships.“We had sent an email to SAI (listing our grievances), and based on that, they called us and our ward. We had written against the High-Performance Coach for rifle shooting,” she told PTI on condition of anonymity.“We have provided evidence to SAI that the coach in question conducts private coaching at the Karni Singh Range. Even during the national squad camp, he provides personal coaching to select shooters and pressures them into naming him as their coach, insisting that they state he is their official coach,” she asserted.The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary general, Pawan Singh, refuted the charge against the coach and claimed that he was not aware of any ongoing inquiry.“I am unaware of the matter. Talking about conflict of interest, I don’t think it is true. He is a High-Performance coach appointed by SAI. Definitely, there should be an inquiry to know the truth,” he said.The mother of the affected shooter also alleged that her daughter had been mentally affected by the coach’s handling of the camp.“When my ward was part of the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) before 2025, shooters were required to submit a requisition for a specified quantity of ammunition for practice, competition and the finals.“When my ward requested 500 rounds, she was allotted only 300. However, when she went to sign the register, she noticed that some TOPS shooters, who were personally coached by the said coach and attended his private coaching sessions, had been allotted 800 rounds of ammunition,” she said.According to a source, this is not the only case of private coaching at the government facility, as even foreign coaches are indulging in the practice.Published on Jul 20, 2026  #Rifle #coach #faces #SAI #inquiry #private #coaching #discrimination #Karni #Singh #Range

Deadspin | White Sox playing hard to beat, face challenge from Rangers  Jul 19, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) reacts after his single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning  at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images   Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery summed up his team’s mentality in one word after their 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday: “Relentlessness.”  That attitude is serving the White Sox well, as they are currently one game up on the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central after winning five of their last six.  They will look to rely on that same mindset as they begin a three-game set against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers on Monday in Arlington, Texas.  Facing someone Montgomery called “a true competitor” in Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage on Sunday, the White Sox hitters were ready for a battle at the plate.  “We knew we had to be disciplined with our plan,” Montgomery said.   “We just tried to stay positive,” he added. “And I think we just pulled through.”  Montgomery was a vital part of the 3-0 victory, hitting his team-leading 24th home run off Yesavage in the sixth inning.  There’s no secret ingredient to the surprise turnaround by the White Sox, but Montgomery credits the youth of the team for their day-to-day camaraderie.  “We’re all young, we’re all pretty inexperienced,” he said, “so we’re all just staying together.”  Erick Fedde (5-6, 4.15 ERA) will start for Chicago in Monday’s opener. Fedde’s last appearance came in relief on July 11, but he picked up the win after throwing four shutout innings in a 1-0 win against the visiting Athletics.   Fedde is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Rangers.  Texas power-hitting outfielder Wyatt Langford, who homered in the team’s 8-5 road loss to Atlanta on Sunday, has been slowed down only by the injury bug in 2026.  Langford has played in only 47 of the Rangers’ 99 games this season due to quad and forearm injuries in April and a hamstring strain in late June, but he’s not allowed the stop-start nature of his availability to throw off his rhythm. Seven of Langford’s 10 homers this season have come in his last 16 games, over which time he’s hitting .368 (25-for-68) with 17 RBIs.  Texas comes home after dropping two of three to the Braves in their first series after the break.  The Rangers will turn to veteran Jacob deGrom (7-5, 3.49) on the mound. The right-hander is coming off a health scare, as he was scratched from his last scheduled start on July 12 with a glute injury. Fortunately for Texas, their ace will avoid a stint on the injured list as he gets ready to face Chicago.  Texas manager Skip Schumaker said he waited to make the decision to start deGrom until he threw a pain-free bullpen session over the weekend, saying, “You want to check every box.”  “His health is good after the break, which is great news,” the manager said.  The last time deGrom took the mound, he had a no-decision in the Rangers’ 8-3 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on July 7, giving up two runs and striking out seven in five innings.  The White Sox are one of just five teams that deGrom has not beaten in his 13-year career. A five-time All-Star and two-time winner of the National League Cy Young Award, he has a 0-0 record and 1.80 ERA in three previous starts against Chicago.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #White #Sox #playing #hard #beat #face #challenge #RangersJul 19, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) reacts after his single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery summed up his team’s mentality in one word after their 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday: “Relentlessness.”

That attitude is serving the White Sox well, as they are currently one game up on the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central after winning five of their last six.

They will look to rely on that same mindset as they begin a three-game set against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers on Monday in Arlington, Texas.

Facing someone Montgomery called “a true competitor” in Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage on Sunday, the White Sox hitters were ready for a battle at the plate.

“We knew we had to be disciplined with our plan,” Montgomery said.

“We just tried to stay positive,” he added. “And I think we just pulled through.”

Montgomery was a vital part of the 3-0 victory, hitting his team-leading 24th home run off Yesavage in the sixth inning.

There’s no secret ingredient to the surprise turnaround by the White Sox, but Montgomery credits the youth of the team for their day-to-day camaraderie.

“We’re all young, we’re all pretty inexperienced,” he said, “so we’re all just staying together.”


Erick Fedde (5-6, 4.15 ERA) will start for Chicago in Monday’s opener. Fedde’s last appearance came in relief on July 11, but he picked up the win after throwing four shutout innings in a 1-0 win against the visiting Athletics.

Fedde is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Rangers.

Texas power-hitting outfielder Wyatt Langford, who homered in the team’s 8-5 road loss to Atlanta on Sunday, has been slowed down only by the injury bug in 2026.

Langford has played in only 47 of the Rangers’ 99 games this season due to quad and forearm injuries in April and a hamstring strain in late June, but he’s not allowed the stop-start nature of his availability to throw off his rhythm. Seven of Langford’s 10 homers this season have come in his last 16 games, over which time he’s hitting .368 (25-for-68) with 17 RBIs.

Texas comes home after dropping two of three to the Braves in their first series after the break.

The Rangers will turn to veteran Jacob deGrom (7-5, 3.49) on the mound. The right-hander is coming off a health scare, as he was scratched from his last scheduled start on July 12 with a glute injury. Fortunately for Texas, their ace will avoid a stint on the injured list as he gets ready to face Chicago.

Texas manager Skip Schumaker said he waited to make the decision to start deGrom until he threw a pain-free bullpen session over the weekend, saying, “You want to check every box.”

“His health is good after the break, which is great news,” the manager said.

The last time deGrom took the mound, he had a no-decision in the Rangers’ 8-3 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on July 7, giving up two runs and striking out seven in five innings.

The White Sox are one of just five teams that deGrom has not beaten in his 13-year career. A five-time All-Star and two-time winner of the National League Cy Young Award, he has a 0-0 record and 1.80 ERA in three previous starts against Chicago.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #White #Sox #playing #hard #beat #face #challenge #Rangers">Deadspin | White Sox playing hard to beat, face challenge from Rangers  Jul 19, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) reacts after his single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning  at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images   Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery summed up his team’s mentality in one word after their 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday: “Relentlessness.”  That attitude is serving the White Sox well, as they are currently one game up on the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central after winning five of their last six.  They will look to rely on that same mindset as they begin a three-game set against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers on Monday in Arlington, Texas.  Facing someone Montgomery called “a true competitor” in Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage on Sunday, the White Sox hitters were ready for a battle at the plate.  “We knew we had to be disciplined with our plan,” Montgomery said.   “We just tried to stay positive,” he added. “And I think we just pulled through.”  Montgomery was a vital part of the 3-0 victory, hitting his team-leading 24th home run off Yesavage in the sixth inning.  There’s no secret ingredient to the surprise turnaround by the White Sox, but Montgomery credits the youth of the team for their day-to-day camaraderie.  “We’re all young, we’re all pretty inexperienced,” he said, “so we’re all just staying together.”  Erick Fedde (5-6, 4.15 ERA) will start for Chicago in Monday’s opener. Fedde’s last appearance came in relief on July 11, but he picked up the win after throwing four shutout innings in a 1-0 win against the visiting Athletics.   Fedde is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Rangers.  Texas power-hitting outfielder Wyatt Langford, who homered in the team’s 8-5 road loss to Atlanta on Sunday, has been slowed down only by the injury bug in 2026.  Langford has played in only 47 of the Rangers’ 99 games this season due to quad and forearm injuries in April and a hamstring strain in late June, but he’s not allowed the stop-start nature of his availability to throw off his rhythm. Seven of Langford’s 10 homers this season have come in his last 16 games, over which time he’s hitting .368 (25-for-68) with 17 RBIs.  Texas comes home after dropping two of three to the Braves in their first series after the break.  The Rangers will turn to veteran Jacob deGrom (7-5, 3.49) on the mound. The right-hander is coming off a health scare, as he was scratched from his last scheduled start on July 12 with a glute injury. Fortunately for Texas, their ace will avoid a stint on the injured list as he gets ready to face Chicago.  Texas manager Skip Schumaker said he waited to make the decision to start deGrom until he threw a pain-free bullpen session over the weekend, saying, “You want to check every box.”  “His health is good after the break, which is great news,” the manager said.  The last time deGrom took the mound, he had a no-decision in the Rangers’ 8-3 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on July 7, giving up two runs and striking out seven in five innings.  The White Sox are one of just five teams that deGrom has not beaten in his 13-year career. A five-time All-Star and two-time winner of the National League Cy Young Award, he has a 0-0 record and 1.80 ERA in three previous starts against Chicago.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #White #Sox #playing #hard #beat #face #challenge #Rangers

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