‘Come and speak to us’: Hamilton calls for more driver involvement in F1 rules

Lewis Hamilton believes Formula One drivers should have a “seat at the table” in discussion on directions the sport should take in future, to have an input alongside key stakeholders such as the teams and the FIA. Hamilton’s view was largely echoed across the paddock including by the current world champion, Lando Norris.Hamilton was speaking before this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix where the rule changes implemented after driver dissatisfaction with this year’s new regulations are taking effect for the first time.“All the drivers we do work together, we all meet but the fact is we don’t have a seat at the table,” Hamilton said. “We do engage with the FIA and F1; F1’s more often a little bit more responsive

Is this the end for LIV? Where does Saudi withdrawal leave golf and the players?

Can LIV find new backers and what are the options for Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Lee Westwood and others?Confirmation that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cease funding the LIV Golf tour will have huge ramifications, for the future of the tour itself, the players and across golf’s traditional heartlands. Where does PIF’s withdrawal leave them all?Certainly in its present form, as a 14-event entity worth $30m per tournament. LIV was entirely reliant on Saudi Arabian money, to the tune of more than $5bn since 2021. The cash burn rate, albeit slowed down recently, has always been unsustainable.It is feasible that Scott O’Neil, LIV’s chief executive, will find backers for the business at a level which means it can be prolonged in some way

LIV Golf races against time for investment with confirmation Saudi funding will end in 2026

LIV Golf’s race to secure at least a watered-down future is formally under way after Saudi Arabia’s ­Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it will cease to fund the breakaway ­circuit at the end of this year. Fears over LIV’s existence are inescapable given the PIF has bestowed in excess of $5bn on the tour since 2021. Tournaments started in the following year; there is a very real chance the 2026 season will prove LIV’s last.LIV had already confirmed appointment of new board ­members, aimed with the specific task of ­raising finance, by the time the PIF stipulated its position on Thursday. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” read a statement

Blues win Women’s State of Origin opener in fast fight with Maroons – as it happened

Here is Jack Snape’s match report:What an exciting game to start the series – NSW will be very relieved to get the win with the next two games being played in Queensland and will feel confident that they can snatch a win up there.The Maroons will take a lot of heart from that performance though. They lost two players to HIAs, both important players to their side, and they still were in the match right until the final whistle. They will have a lot of belief that they can win the final two matches with home crowds behind them.Thank you so much for joining us tonight – I hope you enjoyed this game as much as I did! Champagne rugby league out there in Newcastle tonight

Marauding Blues hold off luckless Maroons to take Women’s Origin series lead

In the end, it had to be Jesse Southwell. The Blues halfback may have chosen to leave her home town club Newcastle for Brisbane this year, but in familiar surrounds at McDonald Jones Stadium in front of 20,000 fans on Thursday it was her who proved coolest as New South Wales won the opening Women’s State of Origin game, 11-6.Her field goal with seven minutes to go stole the glory from a valiant Queensland, who went close to the winning try before Blues centre Jess Sergis scored a sealer on the whistle.Southwell described it as “probably the fastest” and “definitely the toughest” game she had ever played.“It was end-to-end and Queensland never let up,” she said

Adam Coleman escapes from rugby purgatory to the peaks with Bordeaux

Bordeaux Bègles lock says Champions Cup holders are primed for Sunday’s clash of cultures against BathThere are in truth few Union Bordeaux Bègles players better qualified to explain just how it feels to be in the eye of the storm with European rugby’s newest force than Adam Coleman. Three years ago their paths collided with almost perfect timing, with Bordeaux mid-table and Coleman unceremoniously dropped into rugby purgatory.Coleman’s career looked to be over when London Irish went out of business in the summer of 2023 before a move to France with Bordeaux. It has proved to be an inspired decision for both parties, with Coleman playing a pivotal role in UBB’s rise to the top of the club game, culminating in their Champions Cup final triumph over Northampton last year.As a dual-international with the Wallabies and Tonga, as well as experiencing rugby in almost all corners of the sport’s geographical footprint, Coleman is used to the unconventional