Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play a reduced schedule of 22 or 23 events in 2025, acknowledging he must take care of his body after a challenging year.
McIlroy endured a series of agonising near misses in 2024, most notably when losing to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open in June, when he made three bogeys in his last four holes to relinquish the lead.
While the Northern Irishman has not won a major crown since 2014, he is closing in on a sixth Race to Dubai crown, holding a lead of 1,785 points over Thriston Lawrence ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
As McIlroy prepares for his 18th season as a professional, he has revealed his intention to skip a series of events, mostly those staged in the United States.
"If I can trim it down to 22 or 23, that will be good for me in the long run," McIlory said in an interview with BBC Sport.
"I have to remember I'm 35, I'm knocking on a little bit – I have the grey hairs to prove it.
"At 35, I've been on tour for 17 or 18 years, I'm not slowing down but I just have to take care of myself and my body a little bit more.
"I'm not going to miss these tournaments in the Middle East, I'm not going to miss Wentworth, the Irish Open or the Scottish Open.
"There were a few events I played in America this season that I don't typically play, and I think that's where I'm going to have to trim a little bit."
McIlroy has previously won the DP World Tour Championship on two occasions, beating Justin Rose by two strokes in 2012 and edging out Andy Sullivan in 2015.
The Birmingham Panthers have announced the appointment of former Jamaica netballer and Sunshine Girls coach Connie Francis as their new Director of Netball. This strategic addition brings Francis’s renowned expertise to the Panthers’ leadership, where she will work closely with Head Coach Jo Trip to drive the team’s competitive edge in the Netball Super League (NSL).
Francis, an accomplished coach with a legacy of international success, has previously led Jamaica to impressive achievements, including a silver medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and bronze medals at both the 2007 and 2023 Netball World Cups. Her career, marked by nearly two decades of contributions to netball as both an elite player and a seasoned coach, is built on a commitment to tactical innovation and excellence.
Together, Francis and Trip aim to bolster the Panthers' on-court performance and team culture, emphasizing resilience, respect, and unity. This approach aligns seamlessly with the Panthers' mission to establish themselves as a powerful force within the NSL while representing the passion and diversity of Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Beyond her role on the court, Francis will serve as a community ambassador, focusing on raising the profile of netball throughout the region. Her vision includes connecting with schools and underserved communities, a key element of the Panthers’ strategy to create pathways for young players to progress from grassroots development to elite competition. This outreach aims to cultivate future netball talent and inspire a new generation of fans.
Commenting on her appointment, Francis shared, “I am thrilled to be here in England and to join the Birmingham Panthers franchise at such an exciting moment in the league’s development. I look forward to embracing the challenges of this role and to collaborating closely with the athletes, stakeholders, and everyone involved.”
Head Coach Jo Trip also expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Connie’s experience at every level of the game and her dedication to athlete development will be invaluable. With Connie on board, we look forward to a season of growth, development, and success.”
With Francis and Trip at the helm, the Birmingham Panthers are set to make a lasting impact both in the NSL and within the local community, embodying a vision of sporting excellence and engagement that promises to shape the future of netball in Birmingham.
The inaugural Badminton Summit, held on Saturday, proved a resounding success, drawing in 93 attendees throughout the day and surpassing 100 participants with the inclusion of panelists. The event offered a platform for badminton players, parents, sports professionals, and fans to delve into essential topics related to athlete development, mental health, and personal branding, all within a supportive and interactive setting.
Patrons left the summit equipped with crucial insights into holistic athletic development, covering everything from training, sleep, and nutrition, to the importance of warm-ups and recovery routines. Additionally, the discussions highlighted the mind-body connection, emphasizing the value of setting SMART goals and understanding that anxiety, though often perceived negatively, can be a normal and even beneficial response, indicating genuine interest and engagement.
One of the key lessons from the summit was the importance of mental health management, social media presence, and building a support team to help achieve athletic goals. These insights offered attendees a comprehensive view of what it takes to succeed not only in badminton but in any high-performance sporting environment.
Mariah Ramharack, moderator for the event and a presenter on the popular SportsMax show SportsMax Zone, praised the summit's wide-reaching impact. "Overall, the summit was a success in multiple aspects! Firstly, as the moderator, I must say the turnout was very encouraging and not only limited to badminton players. The age group of the participants ranged from the bright-eyed little boy or girl enthusiastic about sport to their parents, grandparents, and key stakeholders in sport."
Ramharack also commended the summit’s openness, which allowed participants to engage directly with experts, ensuring no questions went unanswered. "At the end of the summit, even I benefited from the fruitful discussions. What I enjoyed most was the openness afforded at the forum—the ability for the participants to ask their questions directly to the experts. In that way, no one left the room with an unanswered question, and each person felt involved in what was happening."
The summit’s sessions were thoughtfully designed to address key aspects of athlete development. The first topic, titled "The Power Play," delved into the importance of effective athlete management, where experts discussed strategies to optimize training and performance while balancing the demands of competitive sports. Following that, "Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within" explored the mental and physical synergy required to achieve peak performance. Panelists emphasized the importance of the mind-body connection, sharing insights into mental resilience, focus, and the role of physical conditioning in building a champion mindset.
Finally, the session on "Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy Beyond the Court" highlighted the importance of personal branding for athletes, guiding participants on how to build a lasting legacy that extends beyond their sporting achievements. This session covered the effective use of social media to engage fans and attract potential sponsors, as well as strategies for establishing a personal brand that reflects athletes' values and aspirations.
These topics provided attendees with a holistic view of what it takes to succeed both on and off the court, underscoring the importance of mental fortitude, physical preparation, and the ability to create a meaningful impact beyond competition.
The sessions were brought to life by a stellar lineup of speakers, including IAAF World Championship silver medalist Fedrick Dacres, Jamaica Olympic Association Vice President Robert Scott, PFJL CEO Owen Hill, West Indies cricketer Chadwick Walton, and Bruce James, co-founder and President of MVP Track and Field Club. Their experiences and insights gave attendees a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Ramharack summed up her enthusiasm for the event, expressing her eagerness for future summits: "The topics explored and the choice of panelists per segment were also very impressive. Looking forward to Part Two!"
The success of this inaugural event not only provided valuable lessons for all involved but set the stage for further engagements aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s athletic community and inspiring future champions across sports.
The San Antonio Spurs announced on Wednesday that Gregg Popovich has been away from the team due to a mild stroke the Hall of Fame head coach suffered earlier this month.
The 75-year-old Popovich suffered the stroke on November 2 at San Antonio’s arena before the Spurs faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.
San Antonio initially said Popovich would not coach that night because of an undisclosed illness.
Popovich has started a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery, the Spurs said Wednesday.
“During this time, the organisation is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the team said in a release.
Mike Johnson has taken over as head coach and led San Antonio to a 3-3 record after the Spurs opened 2-3 under Popovich.
Popovich is the NBA's all-time leader with 1,393 victories and has won five NBA titles while coaching San Antonio since the 1996-97 season.
The San Antonio Spurs announced on Wednesday that Gregg Popovich has been away from the team due to a mild stroke the Hall of Fame head coach suffered earlier this month.
The 75-year-old Popovich suffered the stroke on November 2 at San Antonio’s arena before the Spurs faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.
San Antonio initially said Popovich would not coach that night because of an undisclosed illness.
Popovich has started a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery, the Spurs said Wednesday.
“During this time, the organisation is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the team said in a release.
Mike Johnson has taken over as head coach and led San Antonio to a 3-3 record after the Spurs opened 2-3 under Popovich.
Popovich is the NBA's all-time leader with 1,393 victories and has won five NBA titles while coaching San Antonio since the 1996-97 season.
The Indianapolis Colts are reversing course once again in their search for stability at the quarterback position, as head coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday that Anthony Richardson has regained the starting job for the remainder of the season.
Steichen said Richardson will be under center for Sunday's key game against the New York Jets. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick was benched in favour of veteran Joe Flacco for the team's two previous contests, losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.
"He will start this week," Steichen said of Richardson. "He will start the rest of the season, and we're going to go from there."
Richardson was removed from the starting role after noticeably struggling in Indianapolis' 23-20 loss to the AFC South-rival Houston Texans in Week 8, a game in which he completed just 31.3 per cent of his pass attempts and had two turnovers.
The offence has failed to receive a spark from Flacco, however, as the 39-year-old managed just 179 passing yards in the loss to Minnesota and was intercepted three times in last week's 30-20 defeat to the Bills.
Steichen told reporters on Monday that Flacco would remain the starter, but said he changed his mind after witnessing improvement in Richardson's work habits and focus.
"I've said the process, the process for a long time, and what I mean by that is the attention to detail in everything [Richardson] does," Steichen said Wednesday. "From the classrooms, to the walk-throughs to practice, the weight room, all those little things just got to be at a higher standard. That was discussed with him two weeks ago. Those were the conversations that took place. And over the last two weeks he's made strides in those areas, big-time strides, becoming a pro's pro.
"Is he a finished product? No, he's not, and it's my job to help him get there along with the rest of the coaching staff. But he's a hell of a talent. We never lost faith and belief in him and his abilities, and he's shown strides, he really has."
Richardson's second NFL season has been plagued by inconsistent play. Among all quarterbacks with at least 125 pass attempts in 2024, the 22-year-old ranks last in completion percentage (44.4), interception percentage (5.3) and passer rating (57.2).
Staying healthy has also been an issue for the former University of Florida standout. He missed two games in October with an oblique injury and had his rookie campaign cut short after four starts due to a sprained right shoulder that required surgery.
The Colts enter Sunday's matchup having lost three straight games and are a game back of the Denver Broncos in the race for the AFC's final play-off spot.
Cian Healy is set to equal Brian O'Driscoll's Ireland cap record when they face New Zealand in Friday's autumn international in Dublin.
The 37-year-old prop has represented his country on 132 occasions and, after being named on the bench, will equal O'Driscoll's mark if introduced versus the Pumas.
Ireland suffered their first home defeat since 2021 last time out, going down by a 23-13 scoreline against New Zealand.
Despite that loss, head coach Andy Farrell has only made one change to Ireland's starting lineup, bringing Robbie Henshaw in at inside centre in place of Bundee Aki.
Argentina also named their team on Wednesday, with vice-captain Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Matias Moroni replacing Santiago Grondona, Franco Molina and Matias Orlando.
Ireland team: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Peter O'Mahony, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne.
Argentina team: Juan Cruz Mallia; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya, Joel Sclavi; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Garcia, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo.
Carlos Alcaraz surprised himself with the level of performance he was able to produce in his win over Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals on Tuesday.
Alcaraz emerged a 6-3 7-6 (10-8) victor against the Russian in his second match of the tournament, keeping his hopes of advancing to the next round in Turin alive.
The Spaniard fell to defeat in his opening game against Casper Ruud, citing a stomach issue that left him feeling unwell before and during that match.
But the world number three looked back to his brilliant best against Rublev, claiming the first set in 37 minutes before edging a thrilling tie-break in the second.
"Yes, I surprised myself a lot," Alcaraz said shortly after the victory.
"The way I played today from the baseline, I was really calm and tried to just focus on my game and what I had to do - forget that I'm not really feeling well.
"Once you step on the court, you have to forget everything you're struggling with outside the court."
Alcaraz, though, said he was still not feeling 100% ahead of facing Alexander Zverev, who is in action against Ruud later on Tuesday.
It will be the pair's first meeting since the Spaniard's triumph in the French Open final in June, but Zverev has not let that defeat ruin a fine season.
His own opening win over Rublev was his ATP Tour-leading 67th win of the campaign, with only Jannik Sinner matching the German for victories this year.
"I could be better, healthier. I'm just trying to step on the court and play good tennis, try not to think about my issues right now," Alcaraz said.
"I've been struggling the last week and that's going to be the case over the next day too, for sure.
"Zverev is playing great tennis. He is one of the toughest players in the world right now, that's for sure.
"I will try to play good tennis and enjoy the same way I did today. Then let's see."
Carlos Alcaraz overcame his recent illness to keep his hopes of progressing at the ATP Finals alive with a straight-sets triumph over Andrey Rublev on Tuesday.
Alcaraz had complained about feeling unwell in his defeat to Casper Ruud, but returned to winning ways with a 6-3 7-6 (10-8) victory in 96 minutes against his Russian opponent.
The Spaniard, sporting a pink nasal strip to aid his breathing, exchanged blows with Rublev early on but was able to take control of the encounter after the fifth game.
Alcaraz reeled off four consecutive games from 3-2 down to seal the opening set, closing in on a second consecutive win against Rublev at the year-end tournament in Turin.
The enthralling affair continued to produce some sensational tennis, most notably when Alcaraz brilliantly turned defence into attack during a long rally in the third game.
The four-time grand slam champion later kept his cool in the second-set tie-break, saving two set points before closing out the win to kickstart his campaign.
Alcaraz now sits at the top of the John Newcombe Group ahead of Alexander Zverev's meeting with Ruud later on Tuesday, with the German up next for the world number three.
Data Debrief: Winning the best medicine
After a rocky start to his ATP Finals campaign, Alcaraz's latest showing confirmed that, despite not feeling at his best, he can still pose a threat at the tournament.
The Spaniard struck 31 winners compared to Rublev's 14, but did match his opponent for unforced errors during the contest (20 each).
But it was another victory on a favoured surface for the world number three. Since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973, Alcaraz (21 years and 192 days) is the second-youngest player to claim 20 top-10 wins on hard courts, older only than Lleyton Hewitt.
Rory McIlroy said his heartbreaking loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open in June still "stings", after assessing his 2024 season.
McIlroy's campaign will come to an end in the Middle East this week, with the Northern Irishman closing in on a sixth Race to Dubai crown at the DP World Tour Championship.
He currently holds a lead of 1,785 points over Thriston Lawrence, and knows a top-11 finish on Sunday will guarantee him the season-long crown for the third year in a row.
Should McIlroy emerge victorious, it will also be his sixth Race to Dubai title and match Seve Ballesteros' total, just two away from record eight-time winner Colin Montgomerie.
But when reflecting on 2024, he said that after making three bogeys in his last four holes to lose the US Open to DeChambeau, the battle scars still remain.
"Incredibly consistent again. I've been really proud of that over the past few years," he said in Wednesday's pre-tournament press conference in Dubai.
"But then, at the same time, thinking about the ones that have got away.
"I should be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I'm not, so that stings and that's something that I've had to come to terms with. But at the same time, I've got plenty more opportunities in the future.
"But I really just tried to focus on the positives this year of consistently performing at the highest level. You know, still having three wins with an opportunity to get a fourth here this week, to win another Race to Dubai title.
"Did I achieve every goal I set myself this year? Probably not, but I still consider it a successful season."
McIlroy won once on the DP World Tour when he claimed the Dubai Desert Classic in January.
But he has also had four runner-up finishes, including the US Open, the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down and the BMW PGA.
Winning a sixth Harry Vardon Trophy and matching his father’s golfing hero, Ballesteros, still means a lot to him.
"I guess I am a little too young to remember a lot of Seve's career and things that he did. Seve is almost like, not a mythical character to me, but was just a little bit before my time," he said.
"But he was my dad's favourite player. The immense impact he had on European golf from a Ryder Cup and from what he did for the European Tour, he means a lot to the overall game of golf but specifically in this part of the world and on this tour.
"To draw level with him and to have a career that can somewhat stack up against his is very cool."
Senior England coach Richard Wigglesworth believes that the pressure to win matches is part of the privilege of playing for the national team.
England face world champions South Africa at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday with displeasure growing after four straight defeats.
Included in that run were narrow losses in their first two Autumn Nations Series games against New Zealand and Australia.
Though England have won three of their last four games against South Africa at Allianz Stadium, Wigglesworth insisted everyone within the squad wants to improve.
"This job of being part of the England team is such a privilege, because so many people care, which makes your feeling on the matter really big," Wigglesworth told BBC Sport.
"Our job is to step back from that and see what was right, what was wrong, and what can we fix.
"We need to see the game for what it is, make the decisions for what they are, and get better every week.
"It is our job to make sure the players understand as much as they can that they can’t get affected by that as well.
"We know the attention the team gets is result-dependent, and rightly so."
The last time England and South Africa faced one another was in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in 2023, in which the Springboks came back from 15-6 down to win 16-15.
England will have to be wise to how the visitors have evolved since that game according to Wigglesworth.
"They have a squad and a plan they have done for a while, and when you are successful you tend to stick to things," he said.
"I have really enjoyed watching what they do, and how they do it. It is our job to meet that and rise to it."
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed deep emotions regarding Klay Thompson's return to the Bay Area, this time as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Thompson finished with 22 points in an emotional return to Chase Center for the first time since he departed, though former team-mate Steph Curry stole the show.
Curry scored 37 points, including Golden State's final 12, to rally the Warriors past the Mavericks 120-117 in the NBA Cup on Tuesday.
Thompson spent 13 successful years with Kerr in San Francisco, winning four NBA Championships.
After the game, Kerr revealed the surreal moment between himself and Curry before he went out to meet with his former “Splash Brother” Thompson.
"We went over our pre-game scout and the matchups,” Kerr said. “It was almost surreal saying, ‘Steph, you got Klay.’ Steph smiled.”
In Thompson’s time in California, he was part of the core alongside Curry and Draymond Green, who also helped to bring so much success to the team.
However, Thompson missed more than two years after suffering back-to-back injuries.
First, an ACL tear and then a torn right Achilles tendon – before making a return in January 2022, with Kerr lauding his resilience to come back to the sport.
“I think what he overcame is almost unprecedented,” Kerr told reporters.
“The last couple of years after he came back, he struggled reconciling all of that, losing those prime seasons. We all saw that, saw him struggle with it emotionally.
"We saw him fight to get his game back. He helped us win a championship, led the league in threes two years ago, he did a lot of amazing things.
“We wished that this had gone forever, that Klay would have finished his career with us, but circumstances always dictate these things.
"In the end, I think he made the right choice. He was not happy and that was hard to see, because he deserves to be happy. At his core, he’s a very happy person.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed deep emotions regarding Klay Thompson's return to the Bay Area, this time as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Thompson finished with 22 points in an emotional return to Chase Center for the first time since he departed, though former team-mate Steph Curry stole the show.
Curry scored 37 points, including Golden State's final 12, to rally the Warriors past the Mavericks 120-117 in the NBA Cup on Tuesday.
Thompson spent 13 successful years with Kerr in San Francisco, winning four NBA Championships.
After the game, Kerr revealed the surreal moment between himself and Curry before he went out to meet with his former “Splash Brother” Thompson.
"We went over our pre-game scout and the matchups,” Kerr said. “It was almost surreal saying, ‘Steph, you got Klay.’ Steph smiled.”
In Thompson’s time in California, he was part of the core alongside Curry and Draymond Green, who also helped to bring so much success to the team.
However, Thompson missed more than two years after suffering back-to-back injuries.
First, an ACL tear and then a torn right Achilles tendon – before making a return in January 2022, with Kerr lauding his resilience to come back to the sport.
“I think what he overcame is almost unprecedented,” Kerr told reporters.
“The last couple of years after he came back, he struggled reconciling all of that, losing those prime seasons. We all saw that, saw him struggle with it emotionally.
"We saw him fight to get his game back. He helped us win a championship, led the league in threes two years ago, he did a lot of amazing things.
“We wished that this had gone forever, that Klay would have finished his career with us, but circumstances always dictate these things.
"In the end, I think he made the right choice. He was not happy and that was hard to see, because he deserves to be happy. At his core, he’s a very happy person.”
Benjamin Martin of Trinidad and Tobago clinched his first title at the 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championship, held at the scenic Tryall Golf Course in Sandy Bay, Hanover, from Sunday, November 10, to Tuesday, November 12. Martin, who held a shared lead on day two with Mac McLear, maintained his composure on the final day, ultimately pulling ahead to secure a one-stroke victory.
Martin’s final round featured five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, finishing with a one-under-par 71 for a cumulative three-day score of seven-under-par 209. Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Martin said, “It was good. I didn’t quite have my A game today, but coming down the stretch, there was a good birdie on 16 and 17, so that was nice. I am very proud to be a champion here at the Jamaica Open. I came close twice with a third and a fourth, and I am happy to get it over the line and win this time.”
Close on Martin’s heels was Canada’s Jacob Lehman, who finished in second place with a score of six-under-par 210. The UK’s Mac McLear and France’s Pierre Viallneix shared third place, each ending with a five-under-par 211. Defending champion Andrew Arft of the United States struggled on the final day, finishing tenth at six-over-par 222.
Among Jamaican golfers, Justin Burrowes was the best-placed local pro, finishing ninth with a total score of 219. Burrowes expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged room for improvement. “It was a good finish, but I would have wanted a better finish today. I shot three over but feel like I easily left three or four shots out there. Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good performance—something to build on—and this is a tournament that I really want to win at some point in time,” Burrowes remarked.
Sebert Walker Jr., another top Jamaican finisher, placed 17th with a score of 229. Reflecting on his performance, Walker said, “It was a good event. Obviously, I could have played better. I wanted to be in the top 10 or whatever they paid out regularly, but it was a good finish nonetheless, so I can’t complain.”
In the senior categories, Canada’s Allan McLean led the senior pro division with a score of 212, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Wayne Baptiste emerged victorious in the senior amateur section with a score of 235.
Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) President Jodi Munn-Barrow was thrilled with the successful outcome of the tournament. “We are so grateful. We had more players than expected, and they all came down. It was three thrilling days of golf. Benjamin Martin, our winner, had to get up and down on 18 to win by a shot, so we could not have wanted a better outcome. We are very grateful that the weather held out as well, and we were once again able to stage a very successful Jamaica Open.”
Scott Summy of Aqua Bay, a major sponsor, along with new sponsor Vybwear, echoed the sentiments of excitement. “I think it’s been great. Obviously, this is our fifth year, and we are very happy with the tournament. We love the Jamaica Open Golf Tournament and part of what we like is the beauty of Tryall, the beauty of Jamaica, the beauty of the people, and seeing competitors from all over the world come and compete in the Jamaica Open.”
Martin’s victory, sealed in a thrilling final day, marks a memorable chapter in the storied history of the Jamaica Open and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Lewis Hamilton said watching Ferrari and McLaren overhaul Red Bull in the Constructors' Championship has been "quite incredible" ahead of his move to the Italian team.
Red Bull appeared to be set for another dominant year on track after Max Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races, with team-mate Sergio Perez also securing four podiums.
However, Red Bull endured a mid-season struggle, with Verstappen failing to win in 10 races before his stunning wet-weather display at the Brazilian Grand Prix last time out.
The Dutchman is on the cusp of a fourth world championship after title rival Lando Norris could only manage sixth in Interlagos, leaving him 62 points behind in the standings.
But going into the final three races of the season, Red Bull find themselves third in the constructors' championship, 44 points behind leaders McLaren and 13 adrift of Ferrari.
Before Verstappen's victory in Brazil, Ferrari had claimed back-to-back victories in the United States and Mexico.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's team-mate for the Scuderia next season, won in Austin to emerge victorious for the eighth time in the competition.
That triumph was then followed up by a win at the Autrodromo Hermanos Rodriguez by Carlos Sainz, who will make way for Hamilton and join Williams next season.
And Ferrari's recent displays on track have Hamilton excited about the potential of challenging for an eighth world championship next season.
"I'm very interested in my future, of course," said Hamilton. "And so, in that respect, keeping an eye, yeah. Watching everything that happens."
"If you look at somewhere like maybe China already, the Red Bull was like a second ahead.
"And it's been quite incredible to see the McLaren rise and then the Ferrari in the last few races, to see their progress and just trying to keep an eye on everyone's car and what they're changing and what they're adding.
"You know, we all watch the video, all the drivers, we all watch the onboard laps and we're always trying to see where we can gain time.
"And there's some cars that just react differently and better or worse in certain areas.
"And you're trying to figure out how you can find that within either your balance or get the team to develop the car in that direction."
Joel Embiid said the first five minutes of his NBA return were "tough", but knows he will become more comfortable as he eases back in with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Embiid made his first appearance in nine games on Tuesday due to the management of a left knee ailment stemming from the previous season and a three-match suspension.
However, he was unable to stop the 76ers' rough start to the season, going down 111-99 in the NBA Cup to the New York Knicks to move to 2-8 for the season.
Embiid looked understandably rusty in his 26-minute cameo, registering 13 points on 2-for-11 shooting from the field (but 8-for-8 from the free throw line), plus three rebounds, five assists and one block.
"I felt OK," Embiid said afterward. "The first five minutes were rough, but I guess that’s what happens when you haven’t played in a while. I felt after that, I still should be rusty.
"That’s expected, but I thought overall, I felt pretty good health-wise. I think it’s just my trust in myself.
"I thought I was a little timid, so I stuck with a lot of jumpers just to get myself a little comfortable, but as the games go, and I’ll get back to myself, it’s going to be easier."
The first play of the game included Embiid throwing a perfect pass to Paul George for a layup, who cut baseline to get an easy look at the basket.
George had his best game as a Sixer, scoring 29 points on 10-for-19 shooting and 7-for-11 from deep with 10 rebounds as he and Embiid finally got on the floor together for the first time.
"It felt good," Embiid said of the pairing with George. "I thought tonight, he had a nice rhythm which we’re going to need him to keep doing.
"Like I said, my job is to try and make the game easy for all those guys.
"Setting screens and getting them open. Just try to make the game simple. Especially as I’m getting back and trying to feel more confident."
But up next for the 76ers, who find themselves 14th in the Eastern Conference, are the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Chicago Bulls 119-113 on Tuesday.
Embiid has been on record saying he won't play in back-to-backs ever again in his career, but he stated that he will try to give it a go against the Cavs.
"I mean, I want to," Embiid said. "That’s up to those guys. I know I said I’ll never play back-to-backs, but I’m a troll so I’m sure at some point, I’ll play, but if I feel good.
"I feel good right now. We’re gonna see, but it’s up to them."
Stephen Curry scored 37 points, including Golden State's final 12, to rally the Warriors past Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks 120-117 on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup game.
Thompson finished with 22 points in an emotional return to Chase Center for the first time since he departed to join Dallas in July.
Luka Dončić started and had 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists after the team decided his left groin strain was healthy to play once he went through his warmup routine.
The Warriors gifted captain hats to fans in a tribute to Thompson's tradition of taking his boat across the bay to games. Thompson embraced Curry shortly before tipoff and his 3-pointer gave Dallas a 110-105 lead before his old Splash Brother took over.
Curry shot 14 for 27 with five 3s and added nine assists and six rebounds, also sparking a 20-3 burst to begin the third quarter.
Dereck Lively II, questionable to play because of a sprained right shoulder, contributed 12 points and eight rebounds for Dallas, which committed 18 turnovers, leading to 21 Warriors points.
Golden State got 16 points from Jonathan Kuminga and 14 from Buddy Hield.
Curry fouled Thompson 15 seconds into the game and Thompson scored the initial two points of the contest at the free-throw line. But Thompson missed his initial two field-goal attempts before knocking down a 3-pointer with 1:26 remaining in the opening quarter.
Knicks handle Embiid, struggling 76ers
OG Anunoby scored 24 points and the New York Knicks spoiled 76ers star Joel Embiid's season debut, beating Philadelphia 111-99 in the opener of NBA Cup group play for both teams.
Embiid was rusty in his first action since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 10. He finished with 13 points on 2 of 11 from the field with three rebounds in 26 minutes and was unable to lift the struggling Sixers, who fell to 2-8. Paul George led Philadelphia with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
Josh Hart added 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 13 boards, while Jalen Brunson scored 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
New York started the fourth quarter on a 13-2 run that broke open a three-point game. Anunoby had three dunks during the run, often taking dead aim at a vacancy caused by Embiid, who was slow to defend the rim.
The Knicks recorded 31 assists on 44 field goals and shot 49% from the floor.
Hawks rally past Celtics
Onyeka Okongwu tipped in a missed shot with 6.1 seconds left, and Jaylen Brown missed a jumper at the buzzer as the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 117-116 in their NBA Cup opener.
Dyson Daniels scored a career-high 28 points, and Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as Atlanta snapped a two-game losing streak despite playing without star Trae Young.
Brown scored a season-high 37 points and Derrick White added 31 for Boston as it opened the in-season tournament on a green floor with a special parquet design. The defending NBA champions had a two-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the third time this season.
Jayson Tatum's 3-point attempt from the left corner with 24 seconds left and Boston leading 116-115 rimmed out. Daniels missed a floater, but Okongwu tipped it in to give the Hawks their first lead since the final seconds of the first quarter.
The teams traded turnovers on inbounds passes before White found Brown, who pulled up from 13 feet and shot off the rim.
Jannik Sinner insisted he was prepared for the "aggressive" Taylor Fritz in their first meeting since the US Open final in September at the ATP Finals on Tuesday.
Sinner improved his record over Fritz to 3-1 with a 6-4 6-4 victory in Turin, going level with Alexander Zverev with a Tour-leading 67th victory of the season.
The Italian now sits at the top of the Ilie Nastase Group after two games, and faces Daniil Medvedev on Thursday, with the Russian beating Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
"It was a very tough match. We got to know each other from a grand slam final," Sinner said.
"We knew exactly what to expect today. He was very aggressive, but I was prepared too. I just tried to serve well in the important moments.
"In the return positions, his quality of tennis was very, very high, so I was struggling to return his serve, but I was happy with the situation.
"It was a very important day for me today, and I'm very happy that I got through."
Sinner fought off tough resistance from Fritz in front of a home crowd in Turin, hitting 22 winners compared to his opponent's 19.
Fritz had initially earned the first break point of the match, but was unable to make it count before fighting back from 0-40 to level the first set at 4-4.
Sinner ultimately piled the pressure on to win the first set and capitalised on a double fault in the second to break Fritz and win. Fritz will now face de Minaur on Thursday.
Jannik Sinner continued his quest to end his stellar season with the ATP Finals title after downing Taylor Fritz in straight-sets to earn his second win of the tournament.
Sinner emerged a 6-4 6-4 victor in an hour and 40 minutes in Turin, with his latest triumph improving his record to 7-0 on indoor hard courts in 2024.
The Italian showed his intentions with a love service game to open the first set, but was matched by his American opponent, who was also looking to maintain his perfect start.
Sinner missed four break points in the eighth game, but made no mistake in Fritz's following service game to claim the early advantage in Turin.
Fritz again traded blows with the year-end world number one, but would again lose a decisive break late in the second set that put Sinner within touching distance.
The American exchanged in another pulsating rally with his opponent, but sent a backhand wide to send Sinner through and to the top of the Ilie Nastase Group after two matches.
Up next for Sinner is Daniil Medvedev, who beat Alex de Minaur earlier on Tuesday, while Fritz will face the Australian on Thursday.
Data Debrief: The Italian Job
In a back-and-forth tussle with Alexander Zverev to end the year with the most wins, Sinner levelled the German with his Tour-leading 67th victory in 2024 on Tuesday.
He also sealed a 12th win against an American opponent this season, only managing more wins against Ben Shelton (three) this season than Fritz (two, level with Alex Michelsen).
Sinner (2023-24) is only the third player in the Open Era to claim 47+ ATP match wins on hard court in consecutive seasons after Roger Federer (2005-06) and Novak Djokovic (2012-13, 15-16).
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