Zhou Guanyu Joins Ferrari as a Reserve Driver for 2025 F1 Season 

Zhou Guanyu. (AFP)
Zhou Guanyu. (AFP)
TT

Zhou Guanyu Joins Ferrari as a Reserve Driver for 2025 F1 Season 

Zhou Guanyu. (AFP)
Zhou Guanyu. (AFP)

The first Chinese driver in Formula 1, Zhou Guanyu, is heading back to Ferrari as one of its reserve drivers for the 2025 season.

Zhou doesn't have a race seat for 2025 after leaving Sauber at the end of last year but could step in if Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton can't race.

The 25-year-old Zhou first raced in F1 in 2022 for what was then the Alfa Romeo team, before it reverted back to the Sauber name. He has a best finish of eighth and has strong commercial and sponsorship backing in China. He was a Ferrari academy driver earlier in his career.

Zhou is one of two reserves for Ferrari alongside another ex-Sauber driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, who last raced in F1 in 2021 and is a long-time reserve who has yet to drive for the team.

When Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. was unable to race because of appendicitis at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last year, the team opted instead to promote then-Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman.

A strong seventh-place finish at an unfamiliar circuit helped Bearman build momentum and secure a full-time F1 drive for 2025 with Haas.



Modric Undergoes Cheekbone Surgery Weeks Before World Cup

AC Milan's Croatian midfielder #14 Luka Modric leaves the pitch after being injured during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on April 26, 2026. (AFP)
AC Milan's Croatian midfielder #14 Luka Modric leaves the pitch after being injured during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on April 26, 2026. (AFP)
TT

Modric Undergoes Cheekbone Surgery Weeks Before World Cup

AC Milan's Croatian midfielder #14 Luka Modric leaves the pitch after being injured during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on April 26, 2026. (AFP)
AC Milan's Croatian midfielder #14 Luka Modric leaves the pitch after being injured during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on April 26, 2026. (AFP)

Luka Modric has undergone successful surgery after fracturing his left cheekbone, the Croatian Football Federation said on Monday, weeks before the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder is due to participate in his fifth World Cup.

Modric sustained the injury following a clash of heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli during Sunday's 0-0 Serie A draw at the San Siro. ‌He left the ‌field with 10 minutes left.

Although ‌clearly ⁠in pain, Modric ⁠remained on the bench until the end of the game without receiving medical treatment.

The Croatian federation said national medical staff remained in contact with Modric, who captains the side, as well as his club.

"I've been talking to Luka, ⁠and wished him a successful surgery ‌and a quality ‌and speedy recovery," Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said ‌in a statement.

"I am convinced that he ‌will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we'll provide full support.

"I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan ‌and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major ⁠competition this ⁠summer."

Milan are third in the standings, 12 points behind leaders Inter Milan with four games remaining, and Modric is doubtful to take any part in their season run-in. A protective mask may be needed should he recover in time for the World Cup.

The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, starts on June 11, and Croatia will face England, Ghana and Panama in Group L.


Nobody Better Than PSG, Says Luis Enrique Ahead of Bayern Semi

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
TT

Nobody Better Than PSG, Says Luis Enrique Ahead of Bayern Semi

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)

Holders Paris St Germain take on Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final clash of two of the top attacking teams in Europe, and while Luis Enrique says the German club are the most consistent, no team is better than his side.

Three of the last four teams, PSG, Bayern and Arsenal, are top of their domestic leagues and the German side have clinched the Bundesliga, losing one game, having also lost once in Europe.

While PSG and Atletico Madrid had to come through the playoffs, Arsenal and Bayern were the top two in the league phase. In the last ‌16 and quarter-finals, ‌PSG netted 12 goals and Bayern 16.

"It's not just about ‌attacking ⁠statistics, but if ⁠you look at the defensive ones too, these are the best teams in Europe," Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Tuesday's first leg at home.

"Arsenal have done an incredible job this season also, in terms of consistency. Bayern are a bit ahead of us because they have only lost two games, but if we speak about what we have shown as a team, we're right up there.

"And no team is ⁠better than us. I said this after we didn't finish ‌in the top eight in the league ‌phase that I didn't see any teams better than us."

Last season, PSG also finished outside ‌the top eight in the league stage before going on to lift the ‌trophy, and in Ligue 1, having battled with Lens for long periods, they are six points clear.

"Every coach wants to head into the run-in in the best possible conditions," the PSG manager said.

"It's the magic of the Champions League which gives special energy to the ‌players, everyone wants to be there and to make the most of this time."

NO NEGOTIATING

Luis Enrique is well aware of ⁠the attacking threat ⁠posed by Bayern, including wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, but that will not change the way his side approach the tie.

"We won the Champions League last season with (full backs) Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes doing what they do," he said.

"Of course they have to defend as well, but we know that they have to attack more than they defend if we want to win.

"We know how difficult it will be and we have to know how to defend well."

The French club had long set their sights on winning the Champions League, and having finally realized that dream last season, there is no chance of a less ambitious PSG this time.

"The first run was a relief, now it's a different source of motivation because last year was great," Luis Enrique said. "We made history. And now, we're hungry for more."


Salah Will Get Fitting Liverpool Farewell Despite Injury, Says Van Dijk

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 25, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 25, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
TT

Salah Will Get Fitting Liverpool Farewell Despite Injury, Says Van Dijk

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 25, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 25, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is certain Mohamed Salah will get the send-off his glittering career deserves, even if injury prevents the Egyptian from playing again for the Reds.

Salah, who will leave Anfield after nine years at the end of the season, was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury in Saturday's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Liverpool are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the problem, but with just four games of the campaign remaining, the 33-year-old may not feature again this season.

"If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there is only two more home games left for him, it's a combination of feelings that go through your mind," said Van Dijk.

"He will get the send-off regardless. I don't think that is the thing at this point, we shouldn't think too far ahead.

"Knowing Mo, he is a quick healer and with the right people around him let's see."

Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool's list of leading goalscorers.

The winger has been integral to the club's rise back to the top of English and European football, winning the Champions League and two Premier League titles among a clutch of trophies.

Salah also scooped the players' player of the year award a record three times and was the Premier League's top scorer on four occasions.