Daniel Ricciardo admitted he thought there was a possibility he could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Before the mid-season break, there was a lot of speculation over the Mexican's future after a difficult first half of the campaign despite him recently signing a two-year contract.

After four podium finishes across the first five races, Perez failed to finish above fourth across the next nine.

During the break, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner released a statement to confirm Perez would continue alongside Max Verstappen from this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.

Ricciardo, who races for RB, was one of the names linked with Perez's seat if he was let go, and he says he would not have turned down the move if it was a possibility.

"I didn't rule it out," he said. "I thought maybe something could happen, but I also didn't expect it or get my hopes up.

"I was aware 'maybe something changes', but I just thought: 'Do what I'm doing and if I get a call, I get a call.' I didn't get a call, but that's what I mentally prepared myself for."

Ricciardo's contract is up at the end of the year, and with Liam Lawson "certain" of being in one of the Red Bull or RB cars next year, according to team advisor Helmut Marko, the Australian could find himself without a seat in 2025.

Lawson has been on the sidelines as a reserve driver so far this season, though impressed when he filled in for Ricciardo for five race weekends last year.

The 35-year-old believes Lawson deserves his place on the team next year, but is relaxed about his own future, which is still up in the air.

"I have every opportunity in front of me and that's the beauty, it's up to me," Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1. "Yes, there is always pressure from myself and that of the Red Bull system, but I know if I do a job, I will have a seat and somewhere to race.

"I got to see Liam drive the car last year and I think he did a great job and is worthy of a seat on the grid," said Ricciardo.

"In a way, I'm happy for him. If he's guaranteed a seat on the grid next year, that's good because he is a deserving driver.

"What that means for me is probably a bit unknown, but if I perform, they will find a spot for me somewhere!"

Kimi Antonelli has credited Mercedes boss Toto Wolff with giving him confidence in his ability during difficult moments at the start of his Formula 2 career. 

Antonelli, who currently sits seventh in the F2 standings, has enjoyed a rapid rise through the motorsport ranks, bypassing F3 to compete in the category, although it hasn't all been smooth sailing. 

Antonelli endured a difficult start to the campaign with PREMA racing, but finally finished on the podium as he claimed his maiden F2 victory at Silverstone in July. 

He has since gone on to claim a win in Hungary, explaining that after a tough qualifying session at Silverstone, Wolff was on hand to deliver him some guidance. 

"I am also very happy with the relationship I have [with Wolff],” said Antonelli. “In difficult moments I ask him for advice and he always looks for a way to give me confidence.

"I'll give you an example. After the disappointing qualifying in Silverstone I called him because it was a bit of a tough time.

"We talked a lot and that conversation gave me back my confidence, and the next day I won and it was really nice to see him under the podium.

"When you go through difficult times, I think you come out stronger in the end, also in terms of attitude. Silverstone and Budapest confirmed it."

While Antonelli's focus has been on his F2 campaign, as well as taking part in several test sessions with Mercedes, he has remained at the centre of speculation. 

The Italian is among the favourites to replace the departing Lewis Hamilton, who is joining Ferrari for the 2025 season having spent 11 years with the team. 

But with no confirmation yet on who will join George Russell at the squad, Antonelli is keeping his feet on the ground.

"I'm very happy to be considered [for F1], but I'm not asking for anything," he commented. "At the moment my goal is to do well in Formula 2, then we'll see.

"I still see it as a dream. I did happen to think about it, but it is a passing thought. In all honesty, I can tell you that for me today it is still a dream. We'll see if it comes true."

The Atlanta Falcons are making A.J. Terrell the second highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, handing him a four-year contract extension worth $81million.

Terrell will receive $65.8m in guaranteed money, according to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

The Green Bay Packers' Jaire Alexander, who signed a four-year, $84m extension in 2022, is the only cornerback to earn more than Terrell will make on his new deal.

Terrell was selected 16th overall by Atlanta in the 2020 NFL draft and has only missed seven games through his first four seasons with the team.

He was set to play on his fifth-year rookie option, worth $12.3m, in 2024, but the team have moved to tie him down for the long-term with his bumper new deal.

Terrell was voted into the second All-Pro team in 2021 and has compiled 247 tackles, 43 passes defensed, four interceptions and one sack for the Falcons to date.

He was an ever-present as they went 7-10 for a third straight season under Arthur Smith in 2023, prompting them to fire the head coach and bring in Raheem Morris as his replacement.

Atlanta have been busy revitalising their offense during the offseason, completing a huge free agency move for former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins before drafting Michael Pinix Jr. eighth overall as his long-term successor.

Tying Terrell down was seen as a key requirement on the defensive side of the ledger, and news of his extension comes as a major boost ahead of their season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 8. 

Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his Manchester City players must improve on their opening day showing as they welcome Ipswich Town to the Etihad on Saturday. 

City kickstarted their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 win against Chelsea, but Guardiola was left wanting more from his squad 

Despite having more shots and shots on target, the Citizens underperformed their expected goals (xG) total by 1.23, something the Spaniard said surprised him. 

"I didn't expect it. We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us," Guardiola said. 

"We have an advantage, it's our ninth season together so we know each other well.

"There is a plan, defensive, offensive. But afterwards, it's how we celebrate the good moments and come back from the bad moments.

"That's what defines these teams and no one talks about it."

Meanwhile, Ipswich marked their return to the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, although the result did not tell the full story of the contest at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys restricted Arne Slot's side to just three shots in the first half, none of which were on target, while also registering two shots on Alisson's goal of their own. 

But the Reds' quality shone through after the break, with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah securing an opening day win for their new manager. 

And Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna insisted that lessons will be learned from their second half showing, with the result a solid foundation to build on moving forward. 

“We know we can improve in the second half. Liverpool really hit their stride during that period and there’s bits we can do better there to make the game more competitive," McKenna said. 

“There’s positives to take and lessons to learn, and I think it’s a game that stands us in pretty good stead.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Man City – Erling Haaland

Having opened his account for the season against Chelsea last weekend, Erling Haaland will be licking his lips when Ipswich visit the Etihad on Saturday.

Haaland has scored at least once against all 22 sides he has faced since his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. 

The Norwegian has also netted 13 goals in nine appearances during August in the competition, more than he’s struck in any other month.

Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson

While the Tractors Boys face the daunting task of visiting the reigning champions, they showed signs of promise in their first half performance against Liverpool, none more so than Omari Hutchinson.

Hutchinson registered an expected goals (xG) of 0.27 to Ipswich’s 0.45 total, producing the most shots (three) and winning possession on more occasions (six) than any other Ipswich player against the Reds.

MATCH PREDICTION: MAN CITY WIN

City are the overwhelming favourites to continue their unbeaten start to the season, winning 81.6% of Opta’s data-led simulations, with Ipswich given a 7.3% chance of causing a monumental upset.

Guardiola’s side have won 17 of their last 18 Premier League games against promoted sides (D1) since a 2-1 home loss to Leeds in April 2021.

They are also unbeaten in their last 44 home games in all competitions (W37 D7) since a 2-1 loss to Brentford in November 2022. It’s the eighth longest such run among English top-flight clubs in history, and the longest since Chelsea’s run of 74 between February 2006 and October 2008.

This will be Ipswich’s first ever meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium after winning their last two visits to Maine Road, triumphing in a Premier League game 3-2 in November 2000 and a League Cup tie 2-1 the following month.

However, Ipswich haven’t scored in any of their last seven away league games against the reigning top-flight champions (D1 L6), losing the last three by an aggregate score of 15-0. They last scored in such a game in April 1984 (2-2 v Liverpool), while their last such victory was in October 1981 (1-0 v Aston Villa).

Should the Tractor Boys lose at the Etihad, it will be the first time since the 2006-07 Championship season that they have started a league campaign with two straight defeats, last doing so in the top flight in 1985-86.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 81.6%

Draw – 11.1%

Ipswich – 7.3%

Teenage winger Bobby Clark has left Liverpool to join Salzburg on a permanent deal.

Clark joined Liverpool in 2021 after coming through Newcastle United's youth system and was handed his senior debut by Jurgen Klopp in a 9-0 victory over Bournemouth in August 2022.

He went on to make a further five Premier League appearances in 2023-24, also featuring in the Reds' extra-time victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final and scoring his first goal for the club in a 6-1 Europa League win over Sparta Praha.

That strike made the 19-year-old the youngest Liverpool goalscorer in European competitions since Trent Alexander-Arnold netted against Maribor in the Champions League in 2017.

However, with fierce competition for places hampering his chances of regular first-team football, Clark has made the move to Austria on a contract to run until 2029.

In a farewell post on X, Clark wrote: "After an incredible three years at Liverpool, I've decided it's time for a new challenge. 

"I've learned so much during my time at the club and am very thankful for the opportunities and experiences I've had. 

"Thank you to all the fans who supported me on this journey. YNWA."

Salzburg took a huge step towards sealing a place in the Champions League's new 36-team league phase on Wednesday, beating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in the first leg of their play-off tie.

Lothar Matthaus is confident that former club Bayern Munich can reclaim their Bundesliga crown this season under the guidance of new head coach Vincent Kompany.

Kompany, who endured a difficult campaign with Burnley in the Premier League, was appointed Thoms Tuchel's successor at the German club in May. 

The 38-year-old won 41 of his 96 games in charge of the Clarets (D24 L31), although only five of those victories came in English football's top flight. 

Bayern kick off their Bundesliga campaign away to Wolfsburg on Sunday, hopeful of avenging their first season without a trophy in 12 years.

The 33-time Bundesliga champions were upstaged by Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, who stormed to a domestic league and cup double without defeat. 

However, Matthaus, who played 410 times for Bayern, is confident Kompany can get the club back to where they belong in his maiden campaign in Bavaria. 

"Last year they had the same quality in the team but communication between the coach and players was not perfect," Matthaus said. 

"Bayern means 'we are a family' and this we have to live by day after day. Kompany is the coach who can bring that atmosphere back to the team."

Bayern have strengthened in the transfer window, welcoming four new players to the club, including Crystal Palace's Michael Olise and Fulham's Joao Palhinha. 

They also signed defender Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart to shore up a backline that conceded 45 goals last term, 21 more than champions Leverkusen. 

"I have a positive feeling regarding this team that seems again to be inspired and ready to attack once more," said Bayern sports director Max Eberl.

However, Leverkusen will be confident of continuing last year's success into this season, having kept most of their squad intact and retaining head coach Alonso. 

Die Werkself started the 2024-25 campaign with a victory in the German Super Cup against Stuttgart, prevailing on penalties having seen Patrik Schick level late on following Martin Terrier's red card in the first half. 

"They have less pressure in Leverkusen than Munich this season," said Matthaeus.

"Leverkusen don't have to win. Bayern, after their last two seasons, not only have to win but have to perform as well. Now that is pressure."

Leverkusen officially open the Bundesliga season with Friday's game at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Dimitar Berbatov believes Rasmus Hojlund should grasp the opportunity of working with Manchester United great Ruud van Nistelrooy with both hands this season. 

Hojlund, who arrived from Atalanta for a reported £72m fee last year, scored 16 goals in 43 appearances in his debut season at Old Trafford. 

He endured a mixed year for the Red Devils, and was ruled out for the opening fixtures of the 2024-25 campaign with a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. 

Erik ten Hag appointed former United legend Van Nistelrooy as his new assistant manager ahead of the new term as part of a coaching reshuffle at the club. 

The former Dutch international scored 150 goals in 219 games during his five-year stint in Manchester and is the club's eighth all-time top scorer. 

And his arrival is something Berbatov believes Hojlund needs to take advantage of upon his return from injury.  

"This is the moment where he has to work even harder which won't be easy but it’ll be beneficial," Berbatov said in an interview with Futbin. 

"Especially now that United have Ruud van Nistelrooy in the coaching team. So now if you don’t take this opportunity to learn from one of the best who used to score goals for fun, you’re wasting your time.

"Speak to Ruud, ask questions, visit his home if you have to, be respectful, listen to him, learn, ask questions and try to add that to your game.”

Hojlund was United's joint-top scorer in the Premier League last year alongside Bruno Fernandes, scoring 10 times as Ten Hag's side finished eighth in the division. 

The Danish international overperformed his expected goals (xG) total by 2.36 in the league, averaging a goal every 216.9 minutes for the Red Devils. 

He also managed 21 shots on target from the 38 he attempted, averaging the highest shot conversion rate (26.32) of anyone in the United squad to attempt over 20 shots.

However, Berbatov was able to pinpoint the areas in which Hojlund could improve, saying: "Hojlund's goal ratio must improve.

"He should be better and I think he can be better. He can do better but it comes down to concentration levels.

"Keeping his concentration levels high throughout all the games because he had good goal-scoring opportunities and didn't score them.”

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has insisted his Chelsea team-mates will not be distracted by the constant transfer speculation surrounding the club. 

Dewsbury-Hall, who arrived from Leicester City in a reported £30m deal, is one of 10 new arrivals during the transfer window at Stamford Bridge. 

The midfielder starred for Enzo Maresca in the Foxes' Championship success, notching 26 goal involvements (12 goals and 14 assists) in the league last year. 

But with the Blues' overhaul of players, Dewsbury-Hall found himself on the bench for their opening Premier League fixture against Manchester City last Sunday. 

Maresca is continuing to trim his bloated squad, with the Italian confirming that both Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are among a group of more than 15 players who are not training with the first-team. 

Despite the troubles off the pitch, Dewsbury-Hall was keen to focus on the variables within his control ahead of their Europa Conference League play-off tie against Servette on Thursday. 

"No, we're in a bubble with it. You can't let that sort of thing affect you," Dewsbury-Hall said. 

"The only thing we're doing is just going out every day and training as well as we can, getting ready for the matches.

"Everything that happens outside, it's not up to us.

"Probably when the transfer window finishes, then it can just be pure focus on the season. Of course, when it's open, you get speculations."

Maresca's arrival from Leicester continued the carousel of managers at Stamford Bridge during Todd Boehly's time in charge at the club. 

But the Italian's no-nonsense approach when communicating with players is something that has turned heads. 

However, Dewsbury-Hall revealed that the Chelsea squad respects the decisions taken by their new head coach. 

"I think people respect him for (his honesty)," Dewsbury-Hall added."As a player you want to have clarity in terms of what's happening and he (Maresca) is certainly a person that gives you that. I don't think you can have any complaints on that side.

"I think it would cause more upset in any aspect of life if you're not honest with people. The fact that he is, is a good thing."

John McEnroe believes Novak Djokovic's triumph at the Paris Olympics has separated him from the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. 

Djokovic, who won gold at the Games against Carlos Alcaraz, is preparing for the US Open in a bid to claim a 25th grand slam title at Flushing Meadows. 

The Serbian's win at Roland-Garros saw him become only the second player in the Open Era to have won all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.

He also became the oldest player to secure a gold medal in either the men’s or women’s Singles at the Games, since the sport’s reinstatement as an Olympic event in 1988.

Djokovic has won three US Open titles across his illustrious career, with his success over Daniil Medvedev in 2023 the last time he won a grand slam. 

That victory saw him move two ahead of Nadal as the player with the most grand slam titles, while also going four clear of the retired Federer in the process. 

The trio once had a two-decade-long stranglehold on the men's game, but the current world number two is the last man standing this year.

And McEnroe, who lined up alongside Djokovic in a practice match against Alcaraz and Agassi on Thursday, believes the Serbian has already assumed the greatest of all time status. 

"He's looking to sort of separate himself from Federer and Nadal, that's really is what it boils down to," said McEnroe. 

"He seems to have already done that in a way. He's won the Olympics, won everything, won more than those guys.

"To me, you’d have to ask him, but it (more success) is gravy. He sort of put himself there already."

Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 46th and 47th home runs and Juan Soto also went deep and drove in five runs as the New York Yankees snapped a three-game skid with an 8-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.

Judge hit a two-run homer in the third and added a solo shot in the seventh to give him six home runs in his last nine games and 12 in his last 23. He is on pace to hit 60 home runs.

Soto hit his career-high 36th homer on rookie Joey Cantillo’s sixth pitch, a 2-2 offering he sent onto the netting above Monument Park in center field. He eclipsed his career best set last season with San Diego.

Soto homered for the eighth time in nine games, a stretch that began with his three-homer game last week in Chicago against the White Sox.

Judge and Soto homered in the same contest for the second straight game and 11th time overall. The Yankees improved to 9-2 this season when the powerful duo go deep in the same game.

Nestor Cortes pitched three-hit ball over seven scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

Rookie Jhonkensy Noel homered for the AL Central-leading Guardians, who have lost four of five.

Mets walk-off Orioles again

Pinch-hitter Jesse Winker opened the ninth inning with his first home run for the New York Mets to give them a 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

After Francisco Alvarez took Seranthony Dominguez deep for a walk-off 4-3 win on Monday, Winker fought back from an 0-2 count to a full count against the Baltimore reliever and drove a 98 mph fastball the other way to left-center for his second walk-off homer in the majors.

His 12th home run of the season was his second as a pinch hitter and the sixth of his career.

Mets starter Sean Manaea retired his first 17 batters and Mark Vientos put New York ahead 3-2 with a solo homer in the seventh.

Francisco Lindor also went deep and J.D. Martinez drove in a run with a grounder to help the Mets take two of three in the series.

The Orioles managed just three hits, including a tying two-run homer by Austin Slater.

Arenado’s walk-off slam cools Brewers

Nolan Arenado hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals scored six unanswered runs to end the Milwaukee Brewers’ six-game winning streak, 10-6.

Arenado’s fifth career walk-off homer and sixth career grand slam gave the Cardinals their second win in their last eight games.

The Brewers led 6-4 after Joey Ortiz’s two-run double in the eighth inning, but St. Louis scored twice in the ninth against Devin Williams, who issued bases-loaded walks to Matt Carpenter and Tommy Pham.

Jackson Chourio had a career-high four hits and Ortiz finished with three RBIs for NL Central-leading Milwaukee, which still has an 11-game lead in the division.

Emiliano Martinez wants to win a trophy with Aston Villa after penning a new long-term contract with the club.

The Argentina goalkeeper has signed a new deal to remain at Villa Park until 2029, having impressed since joining the club from Arsenal in September 2020.

The World Cup winner is delighted with the constant progression of the club, culminating in Champions League qualification last season, but he still hopes to achieve more success in the coming years.

He told the club's website: "Since I joined the club, my dream was to be in the Champions League. We have achieved that. Like I said, the club is improving every year."

Martinez, who has won two Copa America titles with his national side along with the World Cup, now wants to translate his international success to the club stage, as Villa have been without a major honour since 1996.

He added: “I achieved everything in international football with Argentina and now I still think we can win a trophy here.

“That is something missing in this club. And I will have a go here in the next four years to achieve that.”

A late Filip Ugrinic penalty gave Young Boys a crucial 3-2 first-leg lead over Galatasaray in their Champions League play-off tie after an enthralling contest in Bern.

Ugrinic scored from the spot after Abdulkerim Bardakci was sent off for a handball in the penalty area following a VAR review.

A Michy Batshuayi brace had looked to have boosted Galatasaray's hopes of reaching the Champions League's new league phase, dragging the visitors level after Joel Monteiro scored either side of half-time.

However, Ugrinic's 86th-minute spot-kick gave the Swiss side the advantage as they bid to reach the Champions League proper for a second straight campaign.

Galatasaray remain in the tie ahead of next Tuesday's second leg, though, and will look to hit back in front of a boisterous home crowd in Istanbul.

Data Debrief: Batshuayi shines despite Gala defeat

Despite the disappointment of a first-leg loss, Batshuayi showed his quality after coming off the bench, scoring twice despite having just three touches inside the opposition box.

Monteiro matched him by scoring a brace for Young Boys, also creating three big chances, two more than any other player on the pitch.