Formula E’s Gen4 car which was unveiled last month represents a major step forward across every performance parameter for when it makes its debut in the 2026/27 campaign.

The all-electric series predicts it will deliver 600kW of power - over 800hp - marking a substantial increase over current cars, with the Gen3 Evo peaking at 350kW (469hp).

The Gen4 package will also introduce permanent four-wheel drive, where the system is only activated in qualifying duels, at the start, and in attack mode.

It will additionally feature two aerodynamic configurations - a high-downforce spec for qualifying and a low-downforce alternative designed for race running - and the car itself will be noticeably larger and wider than its predecessor.

Together, these changes support one of Formula E’s long-standing ambitions: establishing a world-class motorsport platform capable of competing with Formula 1.

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told Motorsport.com: “The jump we’re making with Gen4 over Gen3 is bigger than any single jump we’ve ever made in a generation. All-wheel drive, 71% more power, about 10 seconds a lap faster than the current Gen3 car. So there’s no question it shuts the gap right down on Formula 1.

F1 Dutch Grand Prix

“And actually, the next car for Formula 1 probably gets a bit slower, by the way. So the gap will be very small. But the cost of investing in building the car and owning a race team is a fraction of a Formula 1 team.

“So you’re basically getting 95% or 98% of the performance for a fraction of the investment. I think Gen4 gets us right on the heels (of F1), and Gen5 is probably faster.”

The mention of Gen5 is deliberate, as early development work on the car that will follow Gen4 is already under way.

“Of course, the thinking never stops,” Dodds said, expressing early enthusiasm for what lies ahead. “We don’t even race on slick tyres. We’re racing on road tyres. We don’t have a lot of aerodynamic downforce - we’re not in wind tunnels, and the teams aren’t developing different aero packages.

“We’re achieving this speed on the basis of the battery, the powertrain and the software. So yes, Gen5 will benefit from better battery development and battery development is incredible at the moment.”

Gen4 car will attract “best drivers in the world”

Formula E has recently attracted talents such as Taylor Barnard and Zane Maloney directly from Formula 2. This season, Pepe Marti and Felipe Drugovich will make a similar transition - although the Brazilian made the switch three years after winning the F2 title, having waited on the sidelines as Aston Martin’s reserve driver for an F1 opportunity that never came.

Taylor Barnard, DS Penske

But with the Gen4 package, Dodds expects drivers to begin viewing Formula E as a destination rather than a fallback.

“I could talk about lots of drivers, but the two I think are particularly interesting are Taylor Barnard, who made the decision to come straight from F2 to Formula E and not really look at F1. And you have Felipe Drugovich, who was obviously Aston Martin’s reserve driver and has come across and they’re doing that in anticipation of the next car,” he said.

“I think when people see the car and have the chance to drive it, you’re going to have a number of F1 drivers - the best drivers in the world - seeing this as a potential place to build their future.”

Coincidentally, Dodds believes the same logic applies to fans, as the series looks to expand its following heading into the Gen4 era.

“In the end, we can do a lot of things right, but motorsport fans want to see the fastest, they want to see speed,” he added. “So the fact that we can show a material jump in speed and power in this car, I think it’s just more exciting for everyone.”

Felipe Drugovich at peace as he starts his Formula E journey in Sao Paulo

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Nick Cassidy says his move to the World Endurance Championship has been eased by simpler hypercar systems, which he claims is "like a bit of a holiday” compared to Formula E machinery.

Cassidy will combine his Citroen Formula E commitments with a full campaign in the WEC’s top category at the factory Peugeot team in 2026.

It will mark just the second season in the WEC for the Kiwi, who previously raced a Ferrari 488 GTE for AF Corse in the final year of the GTE Am class in 2022.

Modern LMH and LMDh prototypes remain complex in their own right, featuring hybrid systems that pair an electric motor with an internal combustion engine. 

But for Cassidy, learning hypercar software has been relatively straightforward after five seasons in Formula E, where drivers constantly manage energy, regeneration and a wide range of system settings.

“I'm just going to grow in confidence all the time, and I hope that I'm just going to continue improving. But I’m happy with my initial level,” he said following his second test with the Peugeot 9X8 in Bahrain.

“In terms of the complexities and systems, it's probably 30% now of what we have in Formula E. So it's almost like a bit of a holiday for me in terms of systems.”

Nick Cassidy, Citroen Racing

Cassidy arrives in the WEC with extensive experience in both single-seaters and high-downforce sportscars. 

During the second half of the 2010s, he raced in Japan’s two biggest categories, winning titles in both Super Formula and Super GT’s GT500 class before switching to Formula E in 2021.

While the WEC’s top class once featured the fastest prototypes in the world, current-generation hypercars are notably slower than the LMP1 machines they replaced.

Asked to compare hypercars with the GT500s he raced in the past, Cassidy said: “I think the actual manoeuvring through traffic or the lap time difference to GT3 is similar. I hope that's going to make the adaptation for [multi-class] racing easier. I'm quite comfortable with that.

“The mechanical grip, the tyre grip and the downforce level is just quite a lot lower in hypercars. As a driver, you don't have the feeling you are attacking the car. You're almost driving on eggshells.”

He added: “I've been very surprised by the lack of grip in hypercars these days, and the lack of downforce performance.

“If you look at hypercars now, not to sound negative, but compared to what I was used to in Super GT or Super Formula, it's a different world.

“It's almost more in line with Formula E than the adaptation I've done in the past [when I first moved to Formula E after racing in Japan]. It helps me to have two categories that are similar.”

Cassidy faces a packed schedule in 2026 as he balances his new WEC programme with another season in Formula E. He is also adjusting to a new environment in the all-electric series after leaving Jaguar to join Citroen, which previously competed under the Maserati banner.

Formula E commitments will occupy even more of his time as the year progresses, with manufacturers already starting to shift resources to Gen4 powertrain development.

The 31-year-old admitted time isn’t on his side as he prepares for 2026, but credited Peugeot for helping him balance the two championships.

“I'm blown away [by Peugeot]. They've been super great to work with, super kind in terms of understanding my schedule. Doing their best to integrate me with the almost limited time I have.

“I'm trying at the moment to give full focus to two programs. But it's true, with Gen 4 coming in Formula E, with the current season in Formula E, and making that move across, that's been extremely busy. And obviously with WEC as well to integrate.

"I'm short on time, in terms of days I can spend on simulators, in meetings and things. But I'm [working] five days a week across all programs for the last two-and-a-half months just to make sure I can be prepared for both championships.”

Peugeot appoints new Hypercar team principal for WEC 2026

From DNFs to Bahrain podium: Inside Mercedes’ turbulent first WEC season

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ESPN closed the final season of its coverage of Formula 1 in the United States with an all-time viewership record.

The broadcaster has revealed that it experienced an average of 1.3 million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for each race in 2025.

The 2025 season featured a tense intra-team battle between McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. A late surge from Red Bull's Max Verstappen added to the excitement at the end of the season, with the drivers' championship coming down to the wire at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While the Red Bull driver took the final victory of the year, Norris's third-place finish at the Yas Marina Circuit was enough to clinch his first drivers' title.

For ESPN, the tense season finale in Abu Dhabi brought in an average of 1.5 million viewers, peaking at 1.8 million, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data.

Average ESPN race viewership per F1 season

2018 – 554,000
2019 – 672,000
2020 – 608,000
2021 – 948,000
2022 – 1.21 million
2023 – 1.1 million
2024 – 1.1 million
2025 – 1.3 million

It was announced in October 2025 that F1 had signed a new US broadcasting rights deal, which would see the coverage move in the United States to Apple TV from 2026.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

The Disney-owned broadcaster had held the broadcasting rights to F1 in the US since 2018 and also had a stint of broadcasting the championship from 1984 to 1997.

"We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future," a statement from ESPN read at the time.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: "I think that our duty is to look into the future and try to make sure that F1 can have the right platform of developing our growth. And therefore I really want to thank ESPN for what they did today together, because they invested in us when no one was really ready to invest in us many, many years ago."

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Honda's 2026 Formula 1 engine is almost here, but before we slip into our Christmas food comas, the Japanese manufacturer has offered the first hint at what next year's power unit will sound like. 

An audio clip, posted by Honda and shared by Aston Martin on social media, has received huge praise after the sound of the 1.6-litre turbo V6 was recorded on a test stand. You can cleanly hear the honky bark of Honda's power unit as it rips through its rev range. On the downshift - lightning quick - burbles can be heard as the revs blip.

Within hours, the video received over 200,000 likes on the Aston Martin Formula 1 team's Instagram account, with it also collecting over 2000 comments. "Okayyyy Honda we hear you LOUD & CLEAR," one commenter posted as another added: "Best sounding engine since the V8 era."

Unfortunately, Honda and Aston Martin failed to give any more information on the build, but the sound was good enough to keep us all going for the time being.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Honda Racing F1 (@hondaracingf1)

From 2026, F1 will see a substantial change in the regulations. One of these changes sees powertrains increasing their reliance on electrical power, and many fans have been worried that this would result in a softened soundtrack on track. Fortunately, Honda's tease has partly put this worry to bed, with it suggesting that these new powertrains will have plenty of character when the time comes while also being more sustainable. 

With the 2025 season coming to an end, Honda will join Aston Martin, which will become a works team for the 2026 season. This comes after a long stint of success with Red Bull, with the pairing achieving four drivers' and two constructors' championships. Red Bull will instead bring Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford, into 2026.

As with everything in F1, Honda's time in the championship has been mixed overall, but its peaks have been incredible. It won its first grand prix in 1965 and saw success through the late 1980s and early 1990s with Williams and McLaren. 

The Red Bull Racing team celebrate and Thank Honda

Since then, Honda struggled when it powered McLaren in 2015, but its partnership with Red Bull was a prosperous one, with it powering all of Max Verstappen's championship wins. 

With Aston Martin now adopting what has been a very successful manufacturer, supporters of the team will be more than happy with what they're now seeing - and hearing. 

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San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama is expected to return from a 12-game injury absence just in time for the Spurs' NBA Cup semi-final clash with the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder after being listed as "probable" Friday on the team's injury report.

The French phenom has been sidelined with a left calf strain since November 14.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had confirmed on Wednesday -- when the Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Cup quarter-finals -- that the 21-year-old Wembanyama had resumed five-on-five practice and was nearing a return.

The Spurs have gone 9-3 in Wembanyama's absence, but they will face a tough challenge on Saturday against the reigning NBA champion Thunder and NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

At 24-1, the Thunder have tied the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start to a season.

Since their lone defeat, in Portland on November 5, the Thunder have won 16 straight games.

bb/js

A video of Lando Norris revealing that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had promised to purchase the Briton his dream car if he won a Formula 1 drivers' championship has resurfaced after his 2025 victory.

Norris secured his first drivers' championship victory in Abu Dhabi after finishing the race at the Yas Marina Circuit in third behind championship rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Since his win, footage has resurfaced which would indicate that if Brown keeps his side of the deal, he could owe Norris a Pagani Zonda.

The footage is a compilation of clips following on from a 2024 interview Norris did with The Telegraph. "I’ve got a deal with Zak – that if I win the championship he has to get me a car," he said at the time. "I’ve specified which car. We shook on it, but that’s all I’m saying. There’s a long way to go, it’s still a lot of points. But who knows?"

The video then cuts to an interview with Heart Radio, where he confirms that the car that he and Brown have made a deal on is his dream car since he was a child. "I can't say it! It's my dream car since I was a kid but it's not a McLaren," he explained.

In a later on-stage interview, the 26-year-old confirms his dream car is the Pagani Zonda. The sports car can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of pounds for a special edition.

If Norris does in fact receive a Zonda, it will be added to an already impressive car collection. Included in his garage are a Ferrari F40, a Porsche Carrera GT, a bespoke Land Rover Defender, a Liberty Walk R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R, a McLaren 765LT Spider, a McLaren Senna and a Lamborghini Miura.

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Ryanair has launched a new Winter 2025 service connecting Liverpool and Turin. The weekly flights open a convenient route for travelers looking for a mix of Alpine adventure and Italian cultural charm. The airline has positioned the service to support growing demand for affordable winter travel, especially among people seeking skiing weekends or short European city breaks.

This new connection is valuable for travelers in northwest England because it cuts travel time to Italy’s Piedmont region. Turin is one of the closest major cities to the Alps, making it a practical entry point for skiers. It also offers historic streets, ornate buildings, museums, and food markets for travelers who prefer cultural exploration.

A Winter Gateway to the Italian Alps

The new Liverpool–Turin service gives British travelers an easier way to reach some of the most accessible slopes in northern Italy. The region is well known for winter sports, and many popular resorts sit within a comfortable transfer distance from the city. The flight schedule makes it possible to plan weekend ski trips or longer winter holidays without complicated connections.

Because winter travel can be busy, especially during holiday weeks, travelers are encouraged to organize transfer bookings early. Turin is a major transport hub, and during peak snow season, many shuttle and coach operators increase their frequencies to popular mountain areas.

A Cultural City Break for Non-Skiers

Turin is not only a base for winter sports. The city attracts visitors for its elegant boulevards, grand piazzas, and famous cafés. It is known for royal palaces, historic museums, and rich culinary traditions. Travelers who prefer food, architecture, and culture will find Turin appealing even without stepping into the mountains.

The city is also a strong option for short break travelers. With the direct flight from Liverpool, visitors can plan a two-day or three-day trip that includes museums, coffee houses, markets, and walks along the Po River. Many travelers pair Turin with day trips to nearby villages and wine-producing areas in Piedmont.

Easy Transport from Turin Airport

Turin Airport provides several reliable transport choices. Travelers can use buses, trains, taxis, or car rentals to reach the city. The airport maintains clear schedules and offers winter-specific transport options to mountain destinations when ski season is at its peak.

For city visitors, public transport is usually the simplest choice. For travelers heading to Alpine resorts, pre-booked shuttles or rental cars are common. Winter visitors should prepare for colder temperatures and may need vehicles fitted with snow chains or winter tyres when driving in mountain areas.

Practical Travel Advice for Visitors

Before traveling, passengers should check official government travel guidance for Italy. Standard advice includes checking passport validity, ensuring travel insurance coverage, and reviewing any seasonal updates affecting travelers. Winter travelers should pay attention to weather alerts, mountain safety conditions, and travel recommendations for high-altitude regions.

Travel insurance is important for all international trips, but especially for skiers. Policies should include winter sports coverage, medical assistance, and equipment protection when necessary. Travelers who plan to rent ski gear can also look for insurance options that cover rented items.

Money, Local Transport, and Seasonal Preparation

Turin’s public transport system is traveler-friendly. Metro lines, buses, and trams make it easy to navigate the city. Many travelers choose to walk because the city center is compact and filled with pedestrian-friendly streets.

Most places in Turin accept major cards, but smaller towns may prefer cash for minor purchases. Visitors who plan to explore rural Piedmont or mountain villages should carry some local currency.

Winter conditions can change quickly in the Alps. Travelers should pack warm layers, waterproof jackets, gloves, and appropriate footwear. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also useful, as snow can reflect sunlight strongly.

Why This Flight Matters for Travelers

The Liverpool to Turin route gives tourists a convenient winter escape. It offers England-based skiers a smoother path to Italian resorts and gives city break enthusiasts a new destination for short, affordable European travel. For many travelers, this route opens up a new mix of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and culinary exploration.

With simple planning, early bookings, and smart preparation, travelers can use this new flight to enjoy a relaxed winter holiday in one of Italy’s most scenic and diverse regions.

The Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport is a dual-format tool, available both in physical and digital forms, designed to allow visitors to document their travel journey across Kenya. The passport provides a unique way for tourists to record their experiences at different destinations, including national parks, museums, cultural hubs, and local attractions, by collecting official stamps at each location they visit. This passport aims to guide tourists not only to popular spots but also to lesser-known, hidden gems across Kenya.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano elaborated on the tool’s potential, saying, “We’ve unveiled the Kenya Souvenir Passport to document your journey with official stamps at every destination. This will allow both Kenyans and international visitors to document their stay, explore more regions, and engage more deeply with our heritage.”

Engaging Visitors with Kenya’s Rich Heritage and Hidden Gems
The Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport is designed to encourage tourists to venture beyond the usual, well-known attractions. Kenya boasts an array of natural wonders and cultural treasures that are often overshadowed by more popular tourist destinations. This new passport will make it easier for visitors to explore regions that may not typically make it onto the tourist map. The aim is to provide tourists with an immersive experience that showcases Kenya’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and traditions.

One of the standout features of the passport is the Hapa Ni Wapi platform, which acts as a guide to some of Kenya’s hidden gems. The platform helps tourists uncover lesser-known areas of the country, offering insights into regions that offer unique experiences but are often overlooked by the general tourist crowd. This feature will allow travelers to plan more comprehensive itineraries, ensuring that they see not just Kenya’s famous landmarks but also the quiet corners that make the country truly special.

A Personalized and Interactive Travel Experience
The Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport is more than just a travel tool; it’s a personalized travel companion that helps visitors create lasting memories of their time in Kenya. By collecting stamps at each destination they visit, tourists will have a tangible record of their journey. Whether they visit the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, the beaches of Diani, or the bustling streets of Nairobi, the passport allows tourists to document their experiences and create a scrapbook of their Kenyan adventure.

In addition to the stamps, the passport will offer access to exclusive deals, promotions, and information about local attractions. This added value will enhance the visitor experience, encouraging tourists to engage with more of what Kenya has to offer.

Impact on Domestic and International Tourism
The launch of the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport marks a major step forward in Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a global tourism leader. The tool is set to attract both domestic and international visitors by providing them with an engaging and unique way to explore the country. For local tourists, it offers a new way to rediscover Kenya’s rich cultural and natural heritage, while international travelers will have a more interactive way to explore Kenya’s many wonders.

President William Ruto’s administration has made it clear that the tourism sector is a priority for economic development, and this initiative is part of a broader strategy to elevate Kenya’s tourism profile on the global stage. As the country targets 5.5 million tourist arrivals by 2027, the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport serves as a key element in increasing both local and international visitor numbers.

CS Rebecca Miano expressed her optimism about the initiative, noting, “The launch of the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport is a major step in elevating Kenya’s position in the global travel landscape. It has the potential to ignite fresh interest among both domestic and international visitors, and we are excited about the opportunities it will bring to Kenya’s tourism sector.”

A New Era for Kenyan Tourism: Sustainability and Innovation
Beyond its role in boosting tourism numbers, the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport is also aligned with the government’s broader tourism strategy of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. The passport encourages tourists to visit multiple regions and engage with the local communities in a way that benefits both the environment and the economy. This approach aligns with Kenya’s long-term goals of developing a tourism industry that supports local communities while preserving its rich cultural and natural heritage.

The passport also encourages responsible tourism by guiding visitors to engage with Kenya’s cultural sites and natural landscapes in a manner that respects local traditions and promotes sustainability. This focus on responsible travel is in line with the broader global trends of seeking out authentic, low-impact travel experiences that contribute to the well-being of the destinations they visit.

A Gateway to More Diverse Travel in Kenya

The Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport presents an attractive and fresh interactive platform for tourists to engage with and experience the cultures and diversity that exist within Kenya. As Kenya aims to be among the premier tourist destinations across the world, the souvenir passport will be an efficient tool in placing Kenya on the global map as an ‘must-visit’ destination for tourists who would like to participate and engage with special and sustainable travel experiences.

Helmut Marko has revealed the reasons why he’s leaving Red Bull’s Formula 1 project at the end of the year, citing Max Verstappen’s 2025 title loss as a major factor.

Marko is ending a 25-year stint as one of Red Bull’s bosses in motorsport, having led its Junior Team since 2001 and acted as an advisor for the brand’s F1 squads since 2005. The Austrian played a key role in the rise of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and helped Red Bull secure Verstappen’s services when the Dutch youngster was in Formula 3.

A common assumption was that Marko was squeezed out because of his uncontrolled speech in the media, which was sometimes at odds with Red Bull’s PR discourse and came under fire when the 82-year-old unwittingly contributed to a wave of abuse against Mercedes teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli following this year’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Why Helmut Marko isn't the sole culprit in the Kimi Antonelli abuse storm

However, Marko confirmed to Austrian broadcaster ORF that leaving his current role was his own idea, after a tough 2025 season ended in disappointment as dark horse Verstappen narrowly lost the title to McLaren’s Lando Norris.

“We had a difficult season this year,” Marko explained. “It was particularly bumpy in the middle. We were 104 points behind in Holland. Then we started a comeback that was certainly unique. But unfortunately, it didn't work out in the last race. We lost the championship by two points.

“Although this comeback was unique, it was still a very bitter disappointment. It hit us particularly hard. Even after the race, I felt that something had been lost.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing

“I then stayed in Dubai on Monday. That's when I made my decision. Even if we had won, it would have been a good reason to leave this job. But now, in hindsight, because we lost, it's also a good point.”

Marko added that F1’s new chassis and power unit regulations for 2026 meant this was perfect timing for him to bow out, though the former driver wasn’t involved in designing Red Bull’s F1 cars.

Marko also quashed rumours that head of race engineering Gianpiero Lambiase, who also acts as Verstappen’s race engineer, might be leaving too.

Asked whether he discussed his potential exit with Verstappen, whom he is very close to, Marko clarified: “I didn't discuss it with anyone, but called Oliver Mintzlaff, the manager responsible at Red Bull, in Dubai and asked if we could meet briefly. A kind of championship dinner was planned. And we met before the dinner.

“I told him what I wanted. We discussed for a while whether a partial solution was still possible. I said that if we were going to do it, we had to do it completely.

Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing director of Red Bull GmbH

“That happened ad hoc. The other shareholder from the Thai family was also present. But it was all very amicable and went very well.

“Max should have been there too. There were some problems with his flight, so he wasn't there.

“I called him the next day. It wasn't a normal conversation. There was a certain melancholy in the air. He said he never could have imagined that he would ever achieve such success.”

What’s really behind Helmut Marko’s Red Bull exit, and what does it mean for Max Verstappen?

Red Bull bought the Jaguar and Minardi outfits, neither of which ever won a grand prix, ahead of the 2005 and 2006 seasons respectively. The Milton Keynes-based team went on to claim 14 world titles – eight drivers’ and six constructors’ – and a whopping 130 victories in 418 grands prix, more than any other team; Mercedes is on 122 since its return in 2010. The Faenza minnow, meanwhile, won two races as Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri.

“Let’s try it, maybe we’ll win a grand prix,” Marko quoted Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz as saying. Success eventually stretched far beyond what sounded like bold ambition 20 years ago.

Additional reporting by Ruben Zimmermann

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In a book about LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s only fitting that one memorable scene involves a Hollywood star: Will Smith.

Yaron Weitzman’s latest book is titled A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers. Suffice to say the plot thickens when Smith goes to the Lakers’ film room to speak to the team in 2022.

Six months had passed since Smith had slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Now Smith was participating in a series of celebrity talks to the Lakers, an innovation brought in by general manager Rob Pelinka. According to the book, James asked Smith question after question until a scheduled half-hour visit had ballooned to nearly twice that amount, with fellow Laker Russell Westbrook growing visibly frustrated, frowning in a team photo with Smith.

“You get to see the personal, intra-office dynamics that impact the game that you don’t always think about,” Weitzman says of the scene.

He notes that those who’ve read the excerpt “seem to be cheering on Westbrook” and “latching on to the idea that it was LeBron’s fault, LeBron was a phony.” He points out that Westbrook has played for multiple NBA teams, and in LA, he was “awful on the court, hardheaded, no willingness to adjust his game.”

As for James: “He is the defining, not just basketball player … but athlete of my generation,” says the 37-year-old Weitzman. And, the author adds, “It seemed like the ‘merger’ between LeBron and the Lakers was fertile ground for the sort of reporting and storytelling” that’s fueled by what Weitzman calls behind the scenes drama.

Weitzman is no stranger to dissecting NBA franchises. It’s what he did in his previous book, about the Philadelphia 76ers, Tanking to the Top. With the Lakers, though, the spotlight was more intense. There was the team’s location in America’s entertainment epicenter. There was a legacy of championships won by stars from Magic Johnson to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O’Neal, the last two coached by the legendary Phil Jackson. (Last season brought another addition to the pantheon – Luka Dončić – but we’ll get to him later.) There was the role of the Buss family, especially the late longtime team owner Jerry Buss and his daughter, Jeanie, who succeeded him in the executive office. Then there was what Weitzman called the “merger” between the Lakers and James, who brought a star power all his own – as well as the increasingly powerful agency that represented him: Klutch Sports Group, run by James’ friend Rich Paul.

Related: The Luka Era begins: inside the transformation powering the post-LeBron Lakers

How rare is James’s status in the NBA? The book notes his estimated billion-dollar-plus worth while still on an NBA roster, and his dream of someday owning a franchise. Weitzman tracks the impact of James’ comments to the media – including some much-scrutinized remarks at a press conference after the Lakers’ 2023 playoff exit: “I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”

Neither James nor team ownership would talk with Weitzman for the book. He filled in the gaps by reading the news coverage from as far back as 15 years ago, supplementing this by watching documentaries, listening to podcasts and speaking with whoever would talk to him, a list that grew to almost 300. Keep an eye out for the footnotes while reading the book. Weitzman describes them as “like someone winking at the reader.”

On page 54, you’ll find not one but two footnotes relating to Daenerys Targaryen. Why? Bryant is quoted urging Jeanie Buss to emulate the Game of Thrones character in early 2017. That’s when, according to the book, she won a George RR Martin-esque power struggle for control of the team. The next year, James came to LA for four years and $154m.

“The Lakers were in a dark period,” Weitzman says. “They certainly needed LeBron. LeBron saved Jeanie Buss’ legacy by coming there.” He adds that unlike past stars such as Magic, Kobe or Shaq, LeBron came to the Lakers as “a fully formed icon, which they had not had before.”

There were significant if not immediate benefits: A championship in James’ second season with the Lakers, 2019-20 – a season that ended amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests. It was also a season that saw the death of Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash. Coach Frank Vogel kept the team focused as it played before empty stands in the NBA bubble. It was title No 17 for the Lakers, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the all-time league mark.

Would there be an encore? Pelinka tried to add more talent around James, and in 2021 he brought in Westbrook. Yet the 2021-22 team couldn’t even qualify for the playoffs to defend its title, and Vogel lost his job.

Darvin Ham succeeded Vogel as coach. James continued to dazzle on the court, yet the team struggled around him. The book finds a perfect microcosm: On 7 February 2023, James broke the all-time NBA scoring record, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar, in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. There were cheers for James after he set the mark late in the third quarter, and a salute from commissioner Adam Silver. However, as the book points out, it was the Thunder who won the game. The Lakers stood at 25-30, in danger of missing the playoffs once more.

Cue more plot twists. The Lakers traded away Westbrook, and saw their fortunes surge. They made the playoffs, going all the way to the West finals, which Denver swept. It was an encouraging first season for Ham, yet the following season the Nuggets ousted the Lakers again, this time in the first round of the playoffs. The hated Celtics won the title that season, moving them ahead of LA for that record 18th banner.

Parting ways with Ham, the Lakers flirted with UConn coach Dan Hurley before he ultimately turned LA down. The Lakers hired player-turned-podcaster JJ Redick and made a unique decision in the draft: They selected James’ son Bronny at No 54, setting up a rare father-son pairing in the lineup. Then, earlier this year, Pelinka made a league-shattering move, dealing Anthony Davis for Mavericks superstar Dončić, who is already one his way to replacing James as the face of the Lakers.

By that point, Weitzman thought he was finished with the manuscript, which initially ended with Bronny joining James on the Lakers. As they say in Hollywood, get me a rewrite.

“I live in New York. The Lakers were playing the Knicks that night at Madison Square Garden,” Weitzman recalls of the Dončić trade. “I was at the game, then I was driving my way home, saw the tweet – oh my God.”

The book wraps up in where-are-they-now style, giving readers updates on the cast. Among them: The Buss family has sold its majority stake to Mark Walter, the owner of the cross-town LA Dodgers, with Jeanie Buss remaining as governor and keeping 15% ownership.

“I’m curious to see where this goes,” Weitzman says. “Is she going to stay or go? I’m dubious whether she actually can stay … Usually, people who pay the money want to be in charge.”

As for James?

“Playing into his 40s, it’s something unparalleled,” Weitzman marvels. “In the major professional American sports, the four major sports, Tom Brady is the only comparison. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The short-handed Milwaukee Bucks shook off a slow start and dominated in the second half to beat Boston 116-101 on Thursday and halt the Celtics' five-game NBA winning streak.

Milwaukee's two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo was again sidelined by a calf injury.

But Kyle Kuzma stepped up with 31 points, Kevin Porter Jr. added a triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, and Bobby Portis Jr. chipped in 27 points off the bench for a Bucks team that had lost 10 of their prior 12 games.

Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Jordan Walsh added 20 for the Celtics, who led by as many as 14 on the way to a 67-60 halftime lead.

But the Celtics went cold in the second half, connecting on just three of 26 from three-point range after the break.

Milwaukee out-scored Boston 27-13 in the pivotal third quarter to seize control.

"You know, they jumped on us at the beginning of the game," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. "We got right back in. We came out in the third quarter, I thought our defense was phenomenal.

"We basically took away their threes, and that's what they kept hunting and we kept taking them away -- and I thought it was great."

Kuzma drove for a layup to tie it at 73-73 midway through the third and the Bucks then took their first lead since the first period on a Porter free-throw, and never trailed again.

"I thought we went through some good moments of advantage creation and missing shots, but then they turned their pressure up and we just weren't sharp on the execution in the second half there," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

"I think a lot of it came from just their ability to break us down, spread us out and then make passes for open shots."

The Houston Rockets, fueled by 22 points and 15 rebounds from center Alperen Sengun, held off the LA Clippers 115-113 in a tight battle in Los Angeles in which neither team led by more than nine points.

Clippers star James Harden tied it at 110-110 with 37.1sec remaining, but Amen Thompson promptly put the Rockets up for good, finally getting his put-back to drop on the fifth opportunity of Houston's next possession.

Sengun had come up with three offensive rebounds but couldn't get the ball in the basket. Thompson grabbed his last miss and scored, drawing a foul and making the ensuing free-throw.

Rockets star Kevin Durant produced just three points on dismal 1-of-7 shooting in the first half but added 13 points in the second half as Houston rallied from a 54-51 halftime deficit.

Center Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles with 33 points and Kawhi Leonard added 24 points and nine rebounds, but the Clippers lost their third straight and their eighth in nine games.

bb/pst

Transport for London (TfL) has taken a significant step forward in expanding and enhancing the Santander Cyclesscheme with the announcement of a new contract awarded to cycle hire operator Serco. This agreement ensures that Serco will continue to run London’s iconic cycle hire service until 2031, with the possibility of extending the contract by an additional five years. The partnership promises to bring innovative improvements to the service, further elevating London’s cycling experience and meeting the growing demand for e-bikes.

A Growing Demand for E-Bikes and the Need for Innovation

The Santander Cycles scheme has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, especially with the surge in demand for rental e-bikes. Recognizing this shift, TfL has devised an ambitious plan to keep up with the demand and modernize the service to better cater to its users. This includes a host of new features and upgrades aimed at improving the overall customer experience. With e-bikes becoming a significant part of the fleet, TfL intends to streamline the process of bike hire to make it more accessible, convenient, and reliable for both Londoners and visitors alike.

The next six years will see some exciting changes, including a new mobile app that will improve the ease of booking and a QR Code bike release system. This system will ensure that the process of hiring a bike is smoother and more efficient, removing any potential obstacles for users. These changes are particularly crucial for keeping the pace with the rapid growth of the rental e-bike sector, which has exploded in popularity in recent years.

Introducing the UK’s First In-Dock Charging System

One of the most anticipated upgrades is the introduction of the UK’s first in-dock charging system. This innovative technology will be implemented across the Santander Cycles terminals in London. The system will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of the scheme by ensuring that e-bikes are always fully charged and ready to go. In the past, issues with low battery levels have sometimes resulted in unreliable or inconvenient experiences for riders. With the new in-dock charging system, this problem will be eliminated, ensuring that customers can enjoy a consistent and dependable service.

The in-dock charging system will not only make the bikes more reliable but also provide a more seamless experience for customers who rely on the service for quick and efficient travel. By addressing concerns over battery life and charging logistics, the scheme is set to provide a more sustainable and user-friendly transport option for both residents and visitors.

Significant Growth and Success in the Scheme

The Santander Cycles scheme has enjoyed one of its most successful years to date, and this new contract marks an exciting chapter for its future. In recent months, the service has seen impressive figures, including the introduction of over 2,000 e-bikes into the fleet. This expansion has contributed to a rise in the number of longer bike hires, as more people turn to e-bikes for both short and long journeys across the city. As of October 2025, the scheme reached a major milestone, surpassing 109 million hires since its launch in 2015. The success of the service is further evidenced by the 3.1 million e-bike hires recorded, a clear sign of the increasing reliance on e-bikes in urban transport.

In the past 12 months alone (from November 2024 to October 2025), more than 9 million hires were made, marking a four percent increase from the previous year. This surge in usage highlights the growing popularity of cycling in London, as well as the increasing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Supporting Sustainable and Flexible Travel Choices

The expansion of the Santander Cycles service is part of TfL’s broader goal to support a more sustainable transport system in the city. In addition to the improvements to the cycle hire scheme, TfL is working with boroughs and operators to grow and manage dockless e-bike schemes in a safe and sustainable manner. This includes the introduction of designated parking bays for bikes and the establishment of clear standards for operators, ensuring that the schemes are organized and meet the needs of riders.

By investing in both traditional bike hire and dockless e-bike options, TfL is providing users with a wide range of choices for affordable, flexible, and environmentally friendly transportation. This approach aligns with the city’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting green transport solutions. The modernisation of the cycle hire scheme, along with the increased rollout of e-bikes, offers Londoners and visitors a more accessible, convenient, and sustainable way to travel across the capital.

Continued Investment in Sustainable Transport

The Santander Cycle Hire scheme remains a cornerstone of TfL’s efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive transport options. This new contract with Serco is a clear reflection of TfL’s commitment to continuously improving the service, ensuring that it remains a top choice for urban commuters and tourists alike. The partnership will enable the scheme to continue evolving, incorporating new technologies and features that make cycling in London even more attractive.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, expressed his excitement about the future of the Santander Cycles scheme, noting that the city’s boom in cycling shows no signs of slowing down. With further investment in upgrades, including the introduction of in-dock charging for e-bikes and a new mobile app, TfL and the Mayor of London are working to create a greener, fairer, and more accessible city for everyone.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Cycling in London

As cycling continues to grow in popularity across London, the Santander Cycles scheme is set to play an even more important role in the city’s transportation network. With its upcoming upgrades, including the in-dock charging system, the introduction of a new app, and continued investment in e-bike infrastructure, TfL is paving the way for a more sustainable, accessible, and efficient cycling experience for all.

The partnership with Serco ensures that Santander Cycles will remain at the forefront of urban mobility in London, offering a reliable and green transport option for residents, commuters, and visitors to the capital.

United Autosports will exit its Supercars joint venture to focus on its other commitments, including McLaren’s factory Hypercar programme in the World Endurance Championship from 2027.

As per the agreement, Walkinshaw Group and Andretti’s parent company TWG Global will consolidate their ownership and acquire United’s existing shareholding in the outfit.

The change will come into effect on 3 February and will see the team rebrand as Walkinshaw TWG Racing. 

With this announcement, Supercars becomes the second category United will leave in 2026, having also handed over the running of McLaren’s LMGT3 effort to Garage 59.

Most of the Anglo-American team’s resources next year will be directed towards the development of McLaren’s new LMDh prototype, which will debut in the WEC’s top category in 2027.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to step away from Walkinshaw Andretti United, one that we didn’t take lightly. But with our WEC program and other racing  commitments growing rapidly, the time was right to put our complete focus and energy into that,” said United co-owner Zak Brown. 

“Personally, I have loved every moment with the entire team, with the drivers, and being involved in Supercars. To win the championship in our final event together seems like the perfect ending, but also, the Bathurst 10000 win is something that I will never forget.

“The sport itself is in great shape, it’s no-doubt one of the best racing categories in the world. I want to thank the team for not only welcoming us in 2018, but for all the hard work and dedication since."

Ryan Walkinshaw from Walkinshaw Andretti United and Zak Brown

Walkinshaw Andretti United was formed in 2018 when United Autosports and Andretti Autosport joined forces with Ryan Walkinshaw in the erstwhile factory Holden squad. Andretti and Walkinshaw each took a 37.5% stake in the rejigged organisation, with United acquiring the remaining 25%.

During its eight-year stint in Australia’s biggest championship, WAU achieved plenty of success against stern opposition from Dick Johnson Racing and Triple Eight Racing, scoring 17 victories in total - including at the Bathurst 1000 in 2021.

It added another milestone this year when Chaz Mostert snatched the drivers’ title from Triple Eight duo Will Brown and Broc Feeney under Supercars’ new Finals system in Adelaide.

Walkinshaw TWG stressed there will be no changes to its day-to-day operations and staffing levels following United’s departure.

The Melbourne-based squad will continue its preparations for 2026 as it leaves Ford’s stable to become Toyota’s homologation partner.

“United Autosports, and more specifically, Zak Brown and Richard Dean, have been nothing but fantastic to work with since 2018. While we are all sad to see them go, we completely respect their decision,” said Ryan Walkinshaw. 

“We’ve shared in some fantastic moments together, none bigger than the championship in Adelaide a few weeks ago, or winning Bathurst in 2021, and personally, I’ve really enjoyed working alongside them. It started as an idea to bring Andretti Autosport into the fold, and it wasn’t long before Zak was making sure he didn’t miss out!"

TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss added: “We’re thankful for everything United Autosports has contributed to this team since 2018 and for the success we shared along the way. Their role in building where we are  today will always be an important part of our story, and we thank the entire  organisation, as well as Zak and Richard."

The 2026 Supercars season will begin at Sydney Motorsport Park on 20-22 February. Walkinshaw TWG will enter a pair of new Toyota GR Supra cars next year for newly-crowned champion Mostert and one-time race winner Ryan Wood. 

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Michael Johnson's troubled Grand Slam Track athletics circuit filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday, saying the move was necessary to stabilize finances after a crisis-hit inaugural season.

US Olympic legend Johnson launched Grand Slam Track earlier this year with the bold goal of transforming athletics, promising a concentrated format featuring more frequent head-to-head races between the world's best athletes.

However the circuit stalled amid financing issues, with Johnson forced to cancel the fourth and final leg of the circuit in Los Angeles following meets in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia.

Johnson said in August the circuit would not take place in 2026 as planned until athletes waiting to receive prize money for competing in 2025 had been paid.

In a statement on Thursday, Grand Slam Track said the circuit had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US state of Delaware in order to "position the league for sustainable long-term growth."

"GST intends to utilize the Chapter 11 process to stabilize its finances, implement a more efficient cost and operating model, and position GST for long-term success," the statement said.

Johnson insisted in the statement that he had not abandoned his dream of a viable version of the circuit.

"Grand Slam Track was founded to create a professional platform that reflects the talent and dedication of this sport's athletes," Johnson said. 

"While GST has faced significant challenges that have caused frustrations for many –- myself included -– I refuse to give up on the mission of Grand Slam Track and the future we are building together."

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