The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a one-year deal for the return of free agent Tristan Thompson, according to his agency.
Thompson, who spent his first nine professional seasons with the Cavs and is represented by Klutch Sports, played a key role in their first championship success back in 2016 alongside LeBron James.
The 33-year-old has since turned out for the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers, but his best years have come with the Cavaliers.
He was the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and has averaged nine points and 8.3 rebounds for the Cavaliers in 10 seasons.
Thompson was re-signed by the Cavs as a free agent before the 2023-24 season, appearing in 49 games around a 25-game suspension he received after testing positive for a banned substance.
With Thompson's impending arrival, the Cavs are hoping they can make a deeper run in the playoffs this campaign after falling to the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs last season.
They will be doing so under new management, after parting ways with J.B. Bickerstaff and bringing in Kenny Atkinson, who had been the assistant at the Golden State Warriors for the last four campaigns.
Mattia Binotto insists the opportunity to have "full control" over Audi's Formula One venture is the only project that could have enticed him back into the sport after leaving Ferrari.
Binotto spent 18 months out of F1 after leaving his role as Ferrari team principal at the end of the 2022 season, when the Scuderia's title challenge faded in disappointing fashion.
But in July it was confirmed he would take over from Andreas Seidl as the figurehead of Audi's F1 project, with the German manufacturer set to take Sauber's place on the grid from the 2026 season onwards.
Binotto had been part of Ferrari's team since 1995, contributing to eight constructors' championship triumphs before stepping up to become team principal in 2019.
He says the Scuderia still feels like his family, but the chance to mould the Audi team in his image was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"To be back is great for me. I'm very happy with the new challenge. All my past life has been with Ferrari – 28 years is a long time," he told the Formula One website.
"I started there as a graduate – it has become my family but now that is the past. Now I'm coming back in the paddock wearing a new shirt.
"After Ferrari, I thought I would accept only a real challenge. Honestly, Audi was the only team I hoped to join, because of the challenge, because of the ambition, because it's for Audi, the very first time in F1.
"I'm lucky they called me. It had been very sudden. In a couple of days, we decided. It was simple.
"The opportunity was to be empowered for the entire project, full power – and that was what I was looking for. I'm so grateful and thankful for the offer, but very conscious how much there is to do.
"The gap is very big to be a winning team. But we have the resources, we have the support from Audi. I think we have all we need to achieve it."
Sauber are the only team yet to pick up a point in the constructors' championship this season, sitting six points behind Williams at the foot of the standings.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is excited to see what comes next from Saquon Barkley after he scored three touchdowns on a memorable debut for the team on Friday.
Barkley shone as the Eagles started the season with a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL's first international game to take place in Sao Paulo.
The former New York Giants back rushed for two touchdowns and caught a Jalen Hurts pass for another, becoming the first player to score three touchdowns on his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.
Barkley finished with 109 rushing yards and 23 receiving off two catches, including a terrific 18-yard reception for his first score – the first touchdown to be scored in South America.
Sirianni hailed the two-time Pro Bowler's influence after the win, saying: "We are so excited to have him. He made some huge, huge plays throughout this entire game.
"He made it in the pass game. He made plays in the run game. He made some huge plays in critical moments and scored a bunch of touchdowns.
"To have him on our football team means a lot. [General manager] Howie [Roseman] did a great job of putting this team together.
"He's a playmaker and he's a great leader and a great person. People feed off his energy and so you could feel all of that, not only in the plays he was making but the energy he had."
Barkley, meanwhile, was delighted to make NFL history as he became the first player to score a touchdown on three different continents, having previously done so in London with the Giants in 2022.
"I'm the first person to ever score in South America!" Barkley said. "That's cool. I'm definitely trying to get the game ball and that's something to hang up and put in my house.
"The O-line played great. That's a big reason why I wanted to come to Philly when I had the opportunity and why it was a no-brainer for me.
"We still have a lot to improve on, including myself. So, it meant a lot to come out here and take advantage of the opportunity to be the first team to play in South America. Not only just play, but to take care of business and get the W too."
Mark Vientos’ second home run of the game was a walk-off two-run shot in the 10th inning that gave the New York Mets their season-high eighth straight win, 6-4 over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.
New York is riding its longest winning streak since an eight-game run in August 2019. Vientos also connected in the first inning for the Mets, who remained tied with Atlanta for the last National League wild card.
Mets closer Edwin Díaz and younger brother Alexis, the Reds' ace reliever, pitched in the same game for the first time in their major league careers.
Edwin Díaz struck out all three batters in the top of the ninth, fanning Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer with 100 mph fastballs.
Alexis Díaz worked a hitless bottom of the ninth to keep the score tied.
With automatic runner Brandon Nimmo on second base, Vientos drove a 2-2 fastball from Justin Wilson to left field for his 24th home run.
Cincinnati was coming off a three-game sweep of AL West-leading Houston and had won four in a row overall.
Machado ties Padres’ home run record
Manny Machado hit a pair of home runs to tie Nate Colbert for the franchise’s all-time record with 163 as the San Diego Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants, 5-1.
Machado had a solo shot in the first and then matched Colbert with a drive into the second deck in left field leading off the eighth.
He tied Colbert with 20 games to go in his sixth season in San Diego. Colbert hit 163 in six seasons with the Padres, from their expansion season of 1969 through 1974. He played for four other teams in his career and had 173 total homers.
Machado's 25th of the season gave him 42 multi-homer games since his rookie year of 2012.
Machado has 338 homers in his 13-year career. He had 162 with Baltimore and then 13 after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18, 2018. He signed as a free agent with the Padres on Feb. 21, 2019.
Astros’ Alvarez hits pair of 3-run homers
Yordan Alvarez hit two three-run homers and Framber Valdez pitched seven innings in the Houston Astros' 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
AL West-leading Houston got back on track after being swept in a three-game series at Cincinnati to remain 4 ½ games ahead of Seattle.
Houston led by a run when Alvarez, whose six RBIs are a season high, connected off Brandon Pfaadt in the fifth inning to make it 4-0. Jose Altuve hit an RBI single in the sixth, and Alvarez homered again in his next at-bat, this time to the bullpen in right-center off Jordan Montgomery, to extend it to 8-0.
Alvarez had his seventh multi-homer game to tie Chris Carter (2014) for the most in a season in franchise history. It’s his second this week after also slugging two in a win over Kansas City at home Sunday after he hadn’t homered at Minute Maid Park since June 22.
Valdez allowed just two singles and struck out seven after pitching seven innings of no-hit ball in his last start.
Toto Wolff understands that any mistakes made by Kimi Antonelli will be placed under the microscope, even more so than future team-mate George Russell experienced at Williams.
Antonelli, who currently sits sixth in the Formula 2 drivers' championship, was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for Mercedes in the 2025 season last month.
The news broke merely 24 hours after the Italian made his debut in the opening practice session at Monza, impressing in his first few laps.
However, the 18-year-old's time behind the wheel quickly came to an end when he spun wildly entering the final corner of the track after just 10 minutes of running.
Before making the step up to Mercedes in 2022, future team-mate Russell spent three years with Williams, who found themselves as consistent back markers during his time there.
And while Wolff felt Russell's time with Williams should have been shorter, he acknowledged that his mistakes went largely unnoticed given the team's position in the constructors' championship, something that will be different for Antonelli.
“Obviously, maybe we’ve learned the lesson, George was maybe too long at Williams,” said Wolff.
“[He] did some of the mistakes at Williams where he was not so visible. Now we’ve fast-tracked Kimi, mistakes are going to be more visible because it’s in a Mercedes.
“But we’re absolutely ready for that investment, and having these two guys – full Mercedes juniors now in Formula 1 – is really great to see.
"It’s testament to the work of the junior team, looking at the minis today, the under-10s that are racing in karting.”
It took Russell 81 starts to claim his first triumph in the competition, coming in Sao Paulo two years ago.
He has since claimed 13 podiums for Mercedes, securing a second career victory earlier this season at the Austrian Grand Prix.
And despite a nervy start to his F1 career, Russell is confident that any mistakes Antonelli makes will be crucial for his development.
“When I look back to when I was 18 years old, there’s obviously so much to learn,” Russell conceded.
“But I think, as a driver, you have the speed or you don’t have the speed, and I’m very confident Kimi has the speed.
“I think everybody on their journey is going to make mistakes, and that’s part of life and part of this sport. I’ve no doubt Kimi’s going to learn from [his FP1 at Monza].
“He’s definitely got the speed to help Mercedes get back to the front of the grid for next year onwards, and that’s why he’s going to be in the car alongside me next year.”
Corporal Shayon Francis, one of Jamaica’s accomplished female pistol shooters and brand ambassador for Spectrum Systems Limited, once again showcased her exceptional skills at the recently-concluded Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition in Barbados.
Francis, whose passion for sport shooting unleashes her competitive edge, secured the prestigious High Lady Award as the highest-placed female shooter overall.
The St Thomas native, who honed her skills competing against some of the top shooters locally and internationally, again demonstrated that prowess as she outshone several of her top-tier male counterparts from across the Caribbean and beyond.
The outstanding performance by Francis underscores her dedication to the sport, and the unwavering support of Spectrum Systems Limited has been integral to her achieving these significant milestones.
“We are incredibly proud of Shayon’s achievements on the international stage,” said Andrew Stanigar, Managing Director of Spectrum Systems Limited.
Stanigar pointed out that Spectrum Systems Limited remains committed to supporting Francis’ journey and promoting excellence in sports as she continues to chart a dazzling course in her shooting career.
“Her success is a testament to her hard work and the values we uphold at Spectrum Systems. We are honoured to have her represent our brand,” he added.
For Francis, the performance was a result of her unflinching desire to succeed each time she gets on course. As such, she believes there is still room for improvements.
“My performance was solid, and although there is always room for growth, I’m thrilled to have represented Jamaica with pride. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to my amazing sponsor, Spectrum Systems Limited, for their continued support on my journey to the World Shoot in South Africa 2025. I am grateful for their belief in me,” Francis declared.
Marksmanship is a skill that can be developed and must be maintained. But speed and fitness are also critical components in practical pistol shooting, something that Francis is well aware of.
It is with that in mind why she has no intentions of sitting on her laurels, as she targets more positive performances in the build up for that World Shoot.
“My overall goal is to be on the podium each time I go out to compete and so the aim is to build on this performance, but it will take constant training to make that happen. So, again, I intend to put in some more training time to reap more success,” Francis noted.
Jannik Sinner is confident the wrist issue that troubled him during Friday's US Open semi-final win over Jack Draper is "nothing to be concerned about" ahead of Sunday's final.
Sinner reached his first final at Flushing Meadows with an impressive 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 success over Draper, who had not dropped a single set en route to the final four.
While Draper vomited at the side of the court after struggling with anxiety, Sinner also called for medical attention after tweaking his left wrist in the second set.
The world number one stayed in a brutal rally despite falling awkwardly when playing a lob from deep on the court, then got up to slam a brilliant forehand winner past Draper.
He immediately received treatment on the affected wrist but showed few signs of discomfort from then on to become Italy's first-ever male finalist at the US Open.
"The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then after it went away by playing, which is good," Sinner told reporters after his win.
"Let's see how it is tomorrow when it's cold. It's going to be a different feeling. Hopefully it is nothing to be concerned about.
"I'm quite relaxed, because if it's something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more."
At the age of 23 years and 21 days, Sinner is the youngest man to reach the final at both the Australian Open and the US Open in a single year since the former event switched from grass surfaces in 1988, surpassing Roger Federer in 2004 (23 years, 34 days).
He will be up against a home favourite in Taylor Fritz on Sunday, and he accepts he will have to play the role of villain in the eyes of a raucous crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"It's normal. It's like when I play in Italy, so I'm going to accept that. I have my team and my people who are close to me," he said.
"In my mind, I know that there are many people watching from home from Italy, and I'll just take some support from them."
Fritz rallied to beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in five sets having been both 1-0 and 2-1 down in Friday's second semi-final, and he said reaching the showpiece match represented the realisation of a lifelong dream in an emotional press conference.
"It's just how I am. I'm more of an emotional person when I'm happy. When I'm really happy I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That's just how I am," Fritz said.
"It's just joy, the crowd cheering and that realisation, like, 'wow, I'm in the finals of the US Open.
"It's such a lifelong dream come true. It's something I've worked my whole life for, to be in this situation. Realising that got me a little bit choked up."
Jack Draper believes it is "only a matter of time" before he goes all the way at a grand slam, having come up short in the US Open semi-finals versus Jannik Sinner.
Draper enjoyed a breakout campaign at Flushing Meadows, reaching the last four without dropping a set having never previously gone beyond the second round at any major.
However, he was beaten 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 by Sinner, later saying he had struggled with anxiety after being seen vomiting at the side of the court on several occasions.
"I'm a bit spent but that's the nature of sport, especially tennis, it's relentless, mentally, physically, emotionally," Draper told Sky Sports.
"You have to have everything as a tennis player. I'm obviously very proud of myself, and I can look back on it.
"Right now, I'm a bit emotional, a bit 'gone' that it had to end in that way but you have to respect that Jannik is the number one player in the world and he's incredible.
"I came a bit unstuck today but hopefully I will have many opportunities in the future."
The Brit does not expect this to be his final chance on the biggest stage, targeting regular appearances at the back end of grand slams in future.
"I've still got a lot to improve. At the end of the day, I need to keep on improving my physicality, my mentality, the way I play," Draper added.
"But there's no reason why I don't belong at the top of the game with these guys. I proved that to myself on a few occasions this year.
"My goal now is to try and do it more consistently and put myself in front of these guys on a regular basis at the back end of tournaments.
"I think that is something I'm capable of. But it's just a matter of time."
The Green Bay Packers are waiting to discover the severity of an injury suffered by quarterback Jordan Love in the closing stages of their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Packers were beaten 34-29 by Philadelphia in the NFL's first international game in Sao Paulo, letting a halftime lead slip as debutant Saquon Barkley inspired the Eagles to victory.
Running back Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns as well as catching two Jalen Hurts passes for 23 yards and another score, becoming the first player with three touchdowns on their Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.
Things got worse for the Packers on the final drive of the game, as Love dropped back to pass and was caught between Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter and outside linebacker Josh Sweat.
Love appeared to twist his lower left leg and had to be helped from the field, with Malik Willis coming in to take the final two snaps as Green Bay failed to fight back.
Love's injury came in his first game since he was handed a new four-year, $220million contract that made him the league's joint-highest paid player, leaving the Packers nervous about his condition.
"That's the franchise right there," defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. "Hopefully, he can be back next week and he can be all right."
Head coach Matt LaFleur was twice asked about Love's condition in his post-game press conference, simply responding: "I don't know".
Love completed 17 of his 34 passing attempts in Friday's game for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.
The Packers are next in action versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on September 15, before visiting the Tennessee Titans for their first road game one week later.
Taylor Fritz will face Jannik Sinner in the US Open final after overcoming fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set classic at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Both men were looking to take a huge step towards ending the United States' 21-year wait for a male champion at Flushing Meadows, and it was Tiafoe who took the opener despite giving up an early break, hitting back with two of his own in the fifth and seventh games.
Fritz rallied to take the second set, but Tiafoe came on strong again in the third, harnessing the support of the crowd and using his power to dominate rallies.
An early break proved enough for Tiafoe to go 2-1 up, and he found himself two games from victory at 4-4 in the fourth set.
However, a missed forehand at deuce gave Fritz set point, and Tiafoe then failed with an attempted drop shot to let his opponent force a decider.
The momentum switched from then on, with Fritz never looking back. He hit a massive backhand winner in his first return game of the decider to break, and though he later let a double-break advantage slip with a double fault, that was a momentary blip as he ran away with the fifth set.
After the win, Fritz hailed his coach Michael Russell for the calming effect he was able to exert after a tough start to the encounter.
"I felt I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was just getting overwhelmed," Fritz said. "I was freaking out a little bit and he told me to keep doing what I was doing, accept it was okay and keep making him do it. That helped to calm me down and let me know I was doing the right thing."
Data Debrief: Fritz the late bloomer
Among male players representing the United States, Fritz – at the age of 26 years and 313 days – is the second-oldest in the Open Era to reach a maiden grand slam final, after MaliVai Washington (27 years, 15 days) at Wimbledon in 1996.
It took Fritz 33 main-draw campaigns to reach his first major final, with only David Ferrer (42), Stanislas Wawrinka (36) and Kevin Anderson (34) requiring more in the Open Era.
He could become the first home winner of the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 on Sunday, when he faces Sinner in the showpiece match.
Jannik Sinner booked his place in the US Open final after overcoming a valiant effort from an unwell Jack Draper in straight sets at Flushing Meadows.
Sinner needed just over three hours to confirm the triumph, ending the Briton's impressive run in New York with a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 triumph.
The world number one impressed on serve, producing 11 aces to Draper's eight, with the Briton also serving 10 double faults, six of which came in the first set.
In a contest decided by fine margins, an opening set that saw back-to-back break points was settled by Sinner with a love game to take the early advantage.
But in testing conditions, Draper struggled and was seen vomiting, and was then unable to inflict enough damage on the Italian's service game as the second set went in the way of Sinner.
The Italian also recieved treatment to his left wrist after falling during a point he managed to win, going on to seal the win with an emphatic final set to end Draper's hopes of following in Andy Murray's footsteps at Flushing Meadows.
"First of all, me and Jack know each other very well, we are good friends off the court," Sinner started.
"It was a very physical match as we see. I just try to stay there mentally and he is so tough to beat.
"It is a very special occasion, thanks everyone for coming out. The support has been amazing. Just happy to be in the final here."
Sinner will look to secure his second major title of the year against either Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final taking place late on Friday.
Data Debrief: The Italian job close to completion
Sinner is the first Italian player to reach multiple men’s singles grand slam finals in the Open Era, and the second in tennis history after Nicola Pietrangeli.
Moving to a win-loss record of 60-18, only three players since 2000 have recorded 60 men’s singles wins in fewer grand slam matches than Sinner (78) – Carlos Alcaraz (70), Rafael Nadal (72) and Novak Djokovic (77).
Only Jimmy Connors (1974 and 1975) and Roger Federer (2004) have made the men’s singles finals at the Australian and US Open the same year, younger than the Italian (23 years and 21 days).
Ja'Marr Chase has committed to giving his all for the Cincinnati Bengals this season despite failing to agree a contract extension with the franchise.
Chase, who caught seven touchdown passes and tallied 1,216 receiving yards last season, described his current situation as "aggravating" to reporters.
The Bengals kickstart their 2024 season this weekend against the New England Patriots, and Chase suited up for practice on Friday after skipping a workout earlier this week.
"It's my decision," said Chase, whom the Bengals listed as questionable to play.
Chase compiled 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons with the Bengals.
In 2023, he caught a career-high 100 passes, tying for second-most in a season in Bengals history.
He is also one of only eight players in NFL history who have reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons in the league.
The Bengals are keen to keep one of their prized assets, with Chase indicating talks are continuing as their Week 1 assignment draws closer.
"It's a small chance, but who knows what'll happen in these next couple hours?" Chase said.
Chase still has two years remaining on his rookie deal as he had his fifth-year option picked up, which will see him earn $9.8million this season and $21.8m in 2025.
This offseason, though, has seen several receivers get big-money deals, including A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles (three years, $96m), CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys (four years, $136 m), and Chase's former LSU team-mate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings (four years, $140m).
Asked about a report that suggested he wanted to top Jefferson's $140m deal by one cent, Chase said: "If I want to beat Justin, I'm gonna beat the s*** out of Justin.
"Not by a penny, brother."
Renowned American jockey Arnaldo Bocachica will grace Jamaican soil for the first time this weekend as he prepares to compete in the prestigious Winston Griffiths Classic at Caymanas Park.
With over 15 years of experience at top-tier tracks and multiple awards to his name, Bocachica is set to make waves among horse racing enthusiasts in Jamaica with his entry into this year’s race.
Having built a stellar career in the United States and established himself as one of the sport’s top jockeys, Bocachica is recognized for his tactical precision and consistent performances.
His participation in the Winston Griffiths Classic marks a milestone in his career and brings an international spotlight to the event.
“I am incredibly excited to be racing in Jamaica for the first time,” said Bocachica. “I’ve heard so
much about the country’s vibrant horse racing culture, and I’m honoured to be part of such an
important event as the Winston Griffiths Classic.”
The Winston Griffiths Classic, named after the legendary Jamaican jockey Winston “Fanna” Griffiths, is one of the island’s most anticipated annual racing events.
Bocachica will be riding against some of Jamaica’s finest jockeys, making for an exhilarating weekend of competition at Caymanas Park.
The weekend of racing on September 7-8 promises to deliver high-energy performances, with Bocachica’s appearance adding international flair to the line-up.
Jalen Ramsey is once again the NFL's highest-paid defensive back, as multiple outlets reported Friday that the Miami Dolphins star has agreed to a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension through the 2028 season.
The $24.1 million average annual value of Ramsey's new deal slightly exceeds the $24 million per year the Denver Broncos will pay cornerback Patrick Surtain, who signed a four-year, $96 million extension earlier this week.
Ramsey previously held the title of the league's top-earning defensive back after signing a five-year, $105 million extension in 2020, while then a member of the Los Angeles Rams. That contract was surpassed earlier this offseason, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave safety Antoine Winfield a new four-year deal that will pay him $21.025 million per season.
The Dolphins acquired Ramsey from the Rams during the 2023 offseason. The seven-time Pro Bowler didn't debut with his new team until Week 8 while recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, but re-established himself as one of the league's top cover men during his first season in Miami.
Opposing quarterbacks produced just a 44.5 passer rating on attempts thrown in Ramsey's direction over his 10 regular-season starts in 2023. The 29-year-old had five passes defenced and three interceptions, and is one of only four players with at least three interceptions in each of the past three seasons.
Ramsey has received All-Pro honours three times over his eight-year career, which began with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. He was traded to the Rams midway through the 2019 season and played a key role in Los Angeles' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals to conclude the 2021 campaign.
In 118 career regular-season games, Ramsey has compiled 474 tackles, 22 interceptions and 97 passes defenced.
Ramsey's extension continues an active summer for the Dolphins, who previously got starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under contract through 2028 with a new four-year, $212 million deal. Miami also extended head coach Mike McDaniel's contract for three years last week.
Christian Horner has praised Max Verstappen's attitude during Red Bull's recent struggles, but he is confident the team can make a comeback in the final eight races.
Verstappen saw his lead cut at the top of the drivers' championship to 62 points by McLaren's Lando Norris in Monza, with Charles Leclerc also closing the gap.
The Dutchman has now gone five Grand Prix's without a pole position, his worst streak since the sixth race of the 2021 season (five).
He has also failed to emerge victorious in his last six Grand Prix's, with the last time he stood on the top step being at Barcelona in June.
“What’s really impressed me with Max is how he’s really engaged in this process,” said Horner.
“He’s not panicking, he’s working with the engineers, he’s explaining very clearly where the issues are, he’s putting the time and effort in.
“He was in early this morning, he was on Zoom calls last week, he’ll be on the simulator before the next race, and he’s really working hard at this.
"I think he’s shown great maturity as a world champion, the way he’s working with the engineering group.
“Nobody likes the situation we’re in at the moment, nobody’s happy with it and we’ve got to work really hard to turn it around.
"But the one thing this team has is strength and depth in talent, and we’ll come back.”
Red Bull's struggles have also seen their advantage at the top of the constructors' standings evaporate, and are now only eight points clear of McLaren, with Ferrari 39 points off the pace.
But a return to action next weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix offers the team a chance to bridge the gap to those below them.
Only one driver has achieved more than one victory on the streets of Baku, with that man being Verstappen's team-mate, Sergio Perez, who won in 2021 and 2023.
The Mexican has scored the most points on the circuit (100), with only a Lewis Hamilton victory and fastest lap being enough to overtake the Red Bull driver (75).
But Perez has now gone 10 consecutive Grands Prix without finishing in the top five of the standings, the same number of times as in his previous 41 races in Formula 1.
However, Horner is optimistic that solutions can be put in place prior to the upcoming double header of Azerbaijan and Singapore.
“The most important thing is understanding the issue, and I think there are certain fixes that potentially can be introduced, perhaps not the resolve the whole issue but address some of it,” Horner said.
“I think we have a two-week period before Baku and Singapore and then we have another mini-break where we can work in-between Singapore and Austin, so this time now is crucial.”
Dak Prescott does not see the Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season opener versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as a deadline for the team to make him an acceptable contract offer.
Prescott is set to enter the final season of the four-year, $160million contract he penned in 2021, and talks over a new deal have been ongoing for several weeks.
The ninth-year quarterback is set to hit free agency in 2025, though he has repeatedly expressed confidence his agent Todd France will reach a deal with the team.
The Cowboys begin the new campaign with a potentially tricky visit to Cleveland, but Prescott says his approach to the season will not change if his new contract is not signed before then.
"I'd say they're working. I don't know if that's necessarily the timeline," Prescott told reporters when asked if a new deal could be announced before the game.
"I can't say, 'I'll put a timeline to Todd and [Dallas executive] Stephen [Jones] if we don't get this done, this or that'. I know they're working.
"I'm going to still be working. That's the only thing that matters to me."
Prescott's 410 completions and passer rating of 105.9 in 2023 were career-best figures, while he also played all 17 regular-season games for the first time since being drafted in the fourth round in 2016.
However, the Cowboys collapsed to a stunning 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round of the NFL Playoffs, ensuring their wait for a record-equalling sixth Super Bowl crown will reach at least 20 years.
Roger Staubach (in 1971 and 1977) and Troy Aikman (1992, 1993 and 1995) remain the only quarterbacks to lead Dallas to Super Bowl glory, and Prescott maintains that winning it all with the Cowboys would mean more than doing so elsewhere.
"I don't think winning it any other place would be the same as winning it here," Prescott said. "That is a number one reason in wanting to be here, to be honest with you."
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb held out on the Cowboys' training camp to force through his own new contract during the offseason, but Prescott's team-mate expects him to show nothing but full commitment while he waits on an agreement.
"Obviously, Dak is doing a great job of not really bringing it into the workspace, but I know personally that it can take a toll on you," Lamb said.
"He's doing a great job of leading us in the right direction. He knows that we're rooting for him. Me, the most, for sure.
"We need to hurry up and get this done, so we can just put this all behind us and go win more ballgames."
Oliver Bearman will replace the suspended Kevin Magnussen for Haas at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following his incident at Monza last weekend.
Magnussen, who finished 10th at the Italian Grand Prix, was handed a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points after a clash with Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
The Dane was subsequently banned for one race after reaching the maximum 12 penalty points on his Super Licence within the space of a year.
Magnussen is the first driver since Romain Grosjean back in 2012 to recieve a ban after the Frenchman caused a multi-car incident at the Belgian Grand Prix.
With Bearman part of Haas' all-new driver line-up next year alongside Esteban Ocon, it provides an opportunity to familiarise himself with the car he will be driving in 2025.
The 19-year-old made his Formula 1 debut earlier this year when he stood-in for the unwell Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman finished in seventh place, scoring points on his first start for Ferrari and is looking forward to the challenge of Baku's street circuit next week.
“It’s definitely more of a challenge stepping in to race as a reserve driver, with limited prep-time and so on," Bearman said.
"But I’m in the fortunate position of having done it earlier in the year with Ferrari, so I can at least call on that experience.
"I’ve also had four FP1 sessions with the Haas F1 Team in the VF-24 this season, so undoubtedly, that will also prove to be valuable in tackling the full race weekend.
"The team is in good form at the moment and I’ll do my best to be prepared with the time we have available.
"The aim is to get out there and have a solid weekend in Azerbaijan.”
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu added: “I’m excited that Ollie will be driving the VF-24 alongside Nico in Baku.
"He’s already shown great promise in his FP1 outings and post-season test, and he performed very well when he drove for Scuderia Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, picking up points in the process.
"This is another excellent opportunity for both Ollie and the team to work together, this time throughout an entire race weekend, and he couldn’t ask for better teammate than Nico to provide him with a reference.”
Jack Draper feels he belongs at the highest level ahead of his US Open semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner, pointing to June's Stuttgart Open success as a turning point in his career.
Draper will face Sinner for a place in the final of 2024's final grand slam on Friday, having crushed Alex de Minaur in straight sets in the last eight on Wednesday.
He could become the first British player to reach the men's singles final at Flushing Meadows since 2012, when Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic.
It has been a breakthrough tournament for the 22-year-old, who had never previously gone beyond the second round of a major, and he feels his maiden ATP success, which saw him beat Matteo Berrettini in the final in Germany, provided a major confidence boost.
"Winning Stuttgart was a huge moment for me," Draper told Tim Henman in an interview for Sky Sports. "I played two finals before that and both times I came up short.
"It was like I was a good enough player to do it but I just wasn't getting over the line and I think whatever level you're playing at, winning five matches and winning a tournament is an incredible achievement.
"When I won that one, it felt strange. There was a massive sigh of relief and it actually made me believe in myself a lot more.
"It made me a lot more confident in my own skin and really made me believe that by beating the players that I beat, especially to win the tournament, I felt like I belonged a lot more at the really highest level."
Draper has only dropped 36 games at the US Open thus far. In the last 40 years (since 1985), only Djokovic (27 in 2016, 32 in 2012 and 33 in 2013) and Ivan Lendl (34 in 1987) have ever reached the men's semi-finals at the US Open while losing fewer games.
"A lot of the players know my talent and know my tennis capabilities and probably see me as a dangerous player," Draper added.
"It's been important for me to show my face on the tour most weeks and show that I'm physically robust. That mentally, I'm all in, and I'm doing all the right things, and that also gains respect from the other players."
Justin Rose has urged Jon Rahm to make sure he is eligible for the Ryder Cup next year.
The Spaniard, who plays on the LIV circuit, needs to play three events on the DP World Tour before the end of the season in November to be available for selection.
The Spanish Open looks to be the most likely solution for the two-time major winner, but he has not yet submitted an entry, which would need to be in by September 12.
If he fails to meet the requirements needed for his tour membership, Luke Donald will not be able to call on him, even for one of the wild card spots, as Europe look to defend their trophy at Bethpage next September.
Rose believes not having Rahm in the team would be a huge blow to Team Europe's chances in New York last year, but understands the Tour's need to enforce the regulations.
"No matter where the world rankings say he is or the golf that he is competing against, we know what a great player he is," Rose said, speaking after an event at Brocket Hall.
"My point is you want him on the team. There is a pathway for him to play the Ryder Cup if he wants it.
"I think that's all the DP World Tour can do, and they have their interests to protect, and I still think that it is a doable situation should the player want to choose to do it."
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