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Oscar Piastri future; showdown with Alpine, Daniel Ricciardo McLaren, Lewis Hamilton turned down role in Top Gun

Oscar Piastri future; showdown with Alpine, Daniel Ricciardo McLaren, Lewis Hamilton turned down role in Top Gun

Alpine is reportedly set for a legal showdown with Oscar Piastri amid reports the Australian driver will join McLaren next season.

The 21-year-old was announced last week as Fernando Alonso’s replacement at Alpine only for Piastri to take to social media to declare he would not be driving for the team.

It came amid reports that McLaren had told Daniel Ricciardo he would not have a seat in 2023.

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Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer said they could seek compensation, expected to be in the millions.

“Going to the High Court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we’ll do,” he told Reuters.

“If the [board] says ‘your license is only valid at Alpine’ and then he [Piastri] says ‘that’s great but I’m never driving for them, I’ll just sit out a year,’ then you’ve got to go to the High Court for compensation.”

Szafnauer said Alpine would assess how much money they have invested in Piastri’s development.

This figure would include the costs associated with independent tests as well as thousands of kilometers in the team’s 2021 car.

According to Reuters, one power unit costs as much as $2.55 million (AUD)

“We haven’t sat down with the accountants to figure out everything we’ve spent,” said Szafnauer.

“We will have to do that if we go to the High Court.”

According to TheRace.com, the fact Alpine believe the matter will head to the court implies that the team is resigned to losing Piastri to McLaren with their focus now on compensation rather than holding onto its rising star.

Oscar Piastri has said he will not drive for Alpine in 2023.
Oscar Piastri has said he will not drive for Alpine in 2023.Source: Getty Images

HAMILTON’S REVEALS BIG HOLLYWOOD BLOW

Lewis Hamilton has sensationally revealed he had to turn down a role as a fighter pilot in Top Gun: Maverick, describing it as “the most upsetting call” he’s ever made.

The seven-time world champion counts himself as a good friend of actor Tom Cruise, who played the lead role in the 1986 original and the recent Hollywood blockbuster that has grossed a whopping $AUD1.8 billion.

Hamilton recalls being invited to the set of one of Cruise’s movies as the starting point of their friendship.

“One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Hamilton told Vanity Fair.

“He invited me to his set years ago when he was doing Edge of Tomorrow, and then we just built a friendship over time.”

Once Hamilton caught wind a Top Gun sequel was in the works, he was desperate to be involved given his love of the film as a child.

“So when I heard the second one was coming out, I was like, ‘Oh my god, I have to ask him,’” Hamilton said.

Tom Cruise bumps fists with Lewis Hamilton before the British GP at Silverstone. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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“I said, ‘I don’t care what role it is. I’ll even sweep something, be a cleaner in the back.’”

Cruise obliged, but he wasn’t going to give Hamilton a cameo appearance.

Instead, the megastar wanted the Mercedes driver to be one of the fighter pilots.

There was just one catch: filming was set to take place during the back-end of the 2021 F1 season when Hamilton was locked in a tense battle with Max Verstappen for the world championship.

Knowing he had to turn down the chance of a lifetime, Hamilton was devastated when he made the call.

“I’m a perfectionist,” Hamilton said.

“The most upsetting call that I think I’ve ever had.”

F1 TRACK SET TO MAKE APPEARANCE IN … CALL OF DUTY?

Christmas has come early for the cross section of F1 and Call of Duty fans.

Infinity Ward, the developers of the video game, released a trailer that confirmed the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore will be a playable map in the latest edition of the famous franchise.

In an official statement, Infinity Ward confirmed the map would be playable in the Modern Warfare II Beta for fans to get a taste of what’s to come.

“The Modern Warfare II Beta is set to feature a robust multiplayer experience going beyond the Core 6v6 experience with a variety of meticulously designed maps of various sizes, and an equally impressive set of Modes, Progression experiences, and other aspects that will be more thoroughly revealed at Call of Duty: Next,” the statement read.

“In addition, we revealed a fly-through of Marina Bay Grand Prix, where combat occurs within the main infield of an urban race circuit, one of the 6v6 Multiplayer maps confirmed for the Beta.”

The pit lane in Singapore will look a little different in this year’s Call of Duty. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

There does not look to be any official F1 branding or names of the drivers, suggesting it is not an official partnership between them and Call of Duty.

Funnily enough, the worlds of F1 and Call of Duty have intertwined previously, as Lewis Hamilton was a non-playable character in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, released in 2016.

LONG LIVE VEGAS! F1’S FIRST DATE IN SIN CITY LEAKED

What happens in Vegas might very well have great implications in the title race as the date for the Las Vegas GP has been leaked.

A Letter of Intent for the race between Liberty Media and the Convention Bureau was posted on Twitter and eagle-eyed fans noted the date.

The Las Vegas GP is slated to take place on November 18 and it would remain on that date until 2027 when the contract expires.

Based on the current F1 calendar, it would mean the race in Sin City would be the penultimate race of the season as the Abu Dhabi GP will take place on November 20 this year.

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Jason Horne-Francis dropped for North Melbourne clash with Adelaide Crows, strange call

Jason Horne-Francis dropped for North Melbourne clash with Adelaide Crows, strange call

AFL pundits have been left surprised by North Melbourne’s decision to drop No. 1 pick Jason Horne Francis for Saturday’s clash against the Crows in Adelaide.

The Kangaroos have named three inclusions for the match against Adelaide, with star veteran Ben Cunnington to make his highly-anticipated AFL return after beating cancer. Cunnington is joined on the side by key defender Ben McKay and father-son draftee Jackson Archer.

But the Roos also made a statement with their exclusions, dropping Horne-Francis, recruit Hugh Greenwood and key defender Josh Walker, while Flynn Perez was the club’s unused medical sub against Sydney last Sunday.

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Horne-Francis also wasn’t named in the emergencies, which is made up of Walker, Greenwood Atu Bosenavulagi and Josh Goater.

The 2021 No. 1 draft pick played in 12 of North’s first 13 games this season before copping a two-match suspension and returning via the VFL. But in his past four AFL games, Horne-Francis has kicked one goal and averaged 14.3 disposals.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 Plus on Thursday night, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt thought the call to drop Horne-Francis was “strange”.

“There’s two games to go in the year, I would think you’re trying to get games into these guys to expose them as much as you possibly can, give a potential coach like Alastair Clarkson a look at the young players and the game’s in Adelaide – that’s where all his family and friends (are). He was desperate to get back there earlier in the year, which created some issue,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King was also surprised by the decision.

“Why would you drop Horne-Francis? He’s going back to Adelaide to play in front of family and friends, why wouldn’t you give him that opportunity? I don’t understand that,” King told SEN.

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“Just put him there in front of his friends and family because he’ll want to perform.”

Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy told 3AW’s sports day that Horne-Francis’ non-selection for the Crows game was “a bookend to a pretty disappointing season”.

As well as reports Horne-Francis flew home to South Australia without the club’s awareness earlier this season, he also copped criticism for liking a ‘fake trade’ post on social media that involved him heading to Port Adelaide, while an on-field interaction with club great Todd Goldstein was also picked apart by footy commentators.

Jason Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images

There’s also been speculation around Horne-Francis’ future and talk he could return to South Australia after putting off contract talks with the Kangaroos on a new deal beyond 2023.

While dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna thought it was an “unusual” selection move, he told AFL 360 Plus “tough love can hold you in better stead in the long term”.

“I think that’s the general consensus, ‘why not just play them’, but we’ve seen with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan sometimes some tough love in the short-term can actually hold players in better stead in the long-term,” Montagna told Fox Footy.

“Maybe there are still elements in his game that we don’t know about that he’s working on or he’s not buying into some goals that they want.”

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Kane Cornes says Fremantle Dockers should chase Josh Kennedy for their pursuit of a maiden premiership

Kane Cornes says Fremantle Dockers should chase Josh Kennedy for their pursuit of a maiden premiership

Fremantle should make a play for retired West Coast Eagles great Josh Kennedy to fill a whole in their forward-line as they chase a maiden premiership, according to Kane Cornes.

The former Port Adelaide player and media commentator wrote in his exclusive column for The West Australian that the Dockers should sound out the legendary Eagle in a bid to lure him across town.

The Dockers are finals-bound for the first time since 2015 this year, but are preparing for the widely tipped departure of talisman Rory Lobb to the Western Bulldogs.

READ KANE CORNES’ FULL COLUMN ON WHY FREMANTLE SHOULD CHASE WEST COAST LEGEND JOSH KENNEDY HERE

The durability of fellow key forward Matt Taberner has also come under question in recent weeks as the Dockers put the tall on ice until finals.

Cornes said Fremantle should plead with Kennedy to back-flip on his recent retirement decision on a set of generous terms which would see him not train before Christmas and be rested for a number of games, particularly away from home.

Kennedy kicked 723 goals across a 17-year career at Carlton and West Coast, eight of which came during a moving farewell to Eagles fans against Adelaide on Sunday.

West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows. Optus Stadium, Perth. Josh Kennedy's final game.
Camera IconKennedy kicked eight goals in his final game for West Coast on Sunday.
 Credit: simon santi/The West Australian

“West Coast’s all-time greatest goal-kickers still has plenty of petrol in his tank,” Cornes wrote.

“His stunning eight-goal display against Adelaide in his final game on Sunday proved it.

“Fremantle needs Kennedy. The Dockers must pitch him an offer he cannot refuse so that he ignores the option of retirement to become a critical part of Fremantle’s premiership push.

Cornes ruled the Dockers out of premiership contention, despite them circling a top-four finish, but said they could put themselves well and truly in the mix next season with the recruitment of a big key forward.

“Unfortunately, Fremantle is not good enough to win this year’s flag,” he wrote.

“However, the Dockers are capable of saluting next season if they address the big, critical need to find a match-winning forward.

“Lobb will not be at Fremantle next season. He is joining the Western Bulldogs.”

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NRLnews | Paul Green death, last ever interview at Cronulla Sharks v Dragons Old Boys day

Days before his shock death, rugby league great and premiership-winning coach Paul Green walked a lap of the field with old teammates in a moment of reflection.

It was the Cronulla Sharks’ Old Boys day and, in what would be the last interview he would give before his passing, a smiling Green expressed gratitude for what the club had done.

READMORE: Family, NRL community ‘devastated’ by Paul Green death

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“It’s great to be back, terrific night, a great crowd and good for Shark Park, so let’s hope the footy’s great,” Green said in an on-camera interview that was published on Cronulla’s website (watch it in the player above).

“Plenty of good memories and great to catch up with all the Old Boys today. It’s been a tonne of laughs and really well done by the club.”

With that Green was left to enjoy the rest of the night with other greats of the club he left an indelible mark on, winning the Rothmans Medal (what is now the Dally M Medal) in just his second season of first grade in 1995.

The Sharks capped it off, beating fierce local rivals the Dragons 24-18 to cement their place in the top four and keep their top-two ambitions burning.

It was a fitting way for Green to make his final public appearance: a lap of honor to thank him for what he’s done for the game. Yet he certainly wasn’t the type to seek the limelight.

Green was a quiet family man with a deep love of the game and the gift of a large, analytical brain.

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As a player he was quick for a little man, standing at just 167cm, but it was his speed between the ears that made him a formidable halfback and then a champion coach.

On Thursday, as news of his death spread, the depth of emotion in the tributes told his story best.

His shattered family released a beautiful statement. And one by one the players he mixed with as a star halfback and then as a coach who reached the top said their piece.

“This is so sad,” Green’s former Sharks teammate Martin Lang wrote in a Twitter post.

“Paul was a close mate, we moved to Sydney together in 1993….the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career. My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad. Rest In Peace mate.”

NRL rocked by sudden death of Paul Green

Michael Morgan, the man who threw that flick pass to set up the last-minute try that leveled the 2015 grand final, before the Cowboys won it in golden point, added that he had “never been able to thank him enough.”

“He was more than influential, he helped me carve out the career that I did have,” Morgan said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Leisel, Liam and Dobbo.

“It’s no coincidence once he took over that he gave me an opportunity at fullback, it’s a position I’d never played in before and taught me, and I said it throughout my career when he unfortunately moved on from the Cowboys, how much he taught me about the game.

“You grow up playing it, you think you know everything but he just opened up a whole new world to the actual knowledge of the game for me.”

The world, and particularly the rugby league community, is a little emptier now as a result of the 49-year-old’s passing.

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Paul Green’s life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach

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Carlton star Patrick Cripps successfully overturns judicial verdict, is free to play against Melbourne

Patrick Cripps runs with his jersey torn heavily at the shoulder

Carlton’s finals hopes have received a huge boost after Captain Patrick Cripps had his two-match suspension overturned at the AFL Tribunal Appeals Board.

Cripps was unsuccessful in overturning a rough conduct charge at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night, and his hearing at the Appeals Board on Thursday night loomed as his final hope of having his two-match suspension squashed.

The 27-year-old’s airborne collision, which left Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee with concussion, was graded as careless, high impact and high contact.

Christopher Townshend QC, acting for Cripps, argued that there was a “denial of natural justice” because AFL Court chairman Jeff Gleeson failed to give directions to the jury on Tuesday night before they retired to consider their verdict.

Townshend said Gleeson himself had created confusion by effectively stating Cripps’ action was a bump.

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Martin on track for any finals, Tiger guns set to face Hawks

Martin on track for any finals, Tiger guns set to face Hawks

Dustin Martin has been ruled out of the rest of the home-and-away season but Richmond expects the superstar to be back should they qualify for the finals.

The three-time Norm Smith Medalist hasn’t played since hurting his hamstring during the Tigers’ win against West Coast on July 3.

The 31-year-old has played just eight games this season as he has dealt with personal issues and soft-tissue injuries, so the Tigers are taking a cautious approach.

“The regular season he won’t play any further part, and if we make it (finals), he’ll be putting his hand up to play,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said at Punt Road Oval on Thursday morning.

“Probably speaking to Dustin really how he feels and where our medical staff think it is, just to give himself the best opportunity.

“We want to give him the very best opportunity to play at his best, we know what he’s like at this time of year (in finals)

“If we get there, he’ll certainly have a significant part to play.”

Meanwhile, star defender Nick Vlastuin remains a chance to face Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday after suffering a rib injury in the win over Port Adelaide last Saturday night.

Veteran Shane Edwards is expected to return to take on the Hawks after being rested following his 300th game in round 20.

Richmond (11-1-8) sit eighth on the ladder ahead of games against Hawthorn and Essendon.

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Patrick Cripps, appeals board, decision, result, bump, video, Carlton, Brisbane Lions, Callum Ah Chee

By Simon Brunsdon, Zachary Gates

Carlton has succeeded in its bid to have Patrick Cripps’ two-match ban overturned at the AFL’s appeals board on Thursday night.

It took a marathon hearing that lasted more than four-and-a-half hours, with the deliberation alone taking two hours.

After Carlton failed to have Cripps’ two-game suspension for a high shot on Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee scrapped at the tribunal on Tuesday night, the Blues attempted to free the gun midfielder for their games against Melbourne and Collingwood at the appeals board.

EXCLUSIVE: The Green feat that trumps epic 2015 grand final win

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READMORE: Green’s last interview before shock death at 49

There were three grounds on which Carlton was able to fight the court result: error in law, the decision was unreasonable, or the classification of offense or the sanction was manifestly excessive.

The captain is now available to suit up for the remainder of the season.

Cripps’ hit at the Gabba on Sunday concussed Ah Chee and saw him substituted out of the game, with the 24-year-old missing five training days and expected to be sidelined for one to two matches.

The AFL’s match review officer graded the incident as careless conduct, high contact and high impact.

Carlton, which won eight of its first 10 games of the season before tumbling down the ladder, must win at least one of its last two matches to qualify for its first finals campaign since 2013.

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The sporting figures we’ve lost in 2022

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Paul Green fondly remembered by Cronulla and Queensland teammate Mat Rogers

An archive photo of Paul Green passing the ball for Cronulla during a match in 1996.

A shocked Mat Rogers says his former rugby league teammate, Paul Green, will be remembered as an “incredible competitor” who never took a backward step.

The rugby league world is in mourning following the sudden death of 49-year-old Green, who represented Queensland in State of Origin and was a premiership-winning coach.

Rogers spent the past weekend in Sydney with Green at a Cronulla players reunion, with the pair having been teammates at the Sharks for three seasons since 1995.

They were roommates in the Queensland Super League representative team in 1997, before spending two years together in the Maroons State of Origin side.

Paul Green in Origin jersey raising his hand.
Paul Green represented Queensland in State of Origin.(Getty Images: Darren England)

Green later enjoyed a successful coaching career, guiding North Queensland to its first NRL premiership in 2015.

Rogers said he and Green played golf and then sat next to each other to watch the Sharks beat St George Illawarra on Saturday night.

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“It was great — we played golf on Friday together and spent time at the reunion together,” Rogers said.

“He was telling me about the new boat he’d just bought for the family and I was looking forward to going for a ride.

“I can’t believe he’s gone… it makes me appreciate that time I got to spend with him.”

Rogers said half-back Green — who stood at just 167 centimeters tall — played well above his diminutive size.

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Team Selection: Round 22

Team Selection: Round 22

Adelaide has made two changes for its Round 22 clash against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Defend Tom Doedee returns to the side after spending the past two weeks on the sidelines, as I have addressed niggling injury concerns.

young-forward Riley Thilthorpe has also been named in the team after missing the past two AFL games while recovering from a rolled ankle.

backman Will Hamill comes out of the side under the AFL’s concussion protocols, while forward Elliott Himmelberg you have been omitted.

“Doedee will come into the side refreshed after two weeks out recovering from various ailments,” Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly said.

“In what was a tough decision, especially given our team performance over the past couple of weeks, we have opted for Riley Thilthorpe, who was in good AFL form before being a late withdrawal for the Carlton game due to an ankle injury.”

Kelly also said Hamill would be ruled out for the remainder of the season, given he would not qualify to play in the upcoming SANFL finals.

“We have actually made the decision to rule Will out for next week as well,” Kelly said.

“While Will is recovering well, we need to acknowledge his concussion history and take every care with his management.

“It’s a disappointing end to what was another year of positive progression for Will.”

Matt Crouch, ben davis, james rowe and Himmelberg have been named on the emergency list, with one to be confirmed as the medical substitute an hour before the game.

Adelaide will celebrate RAA Member’s Round during its last home game this Saturday against the Kangaroos, with the first bounce at 1.40pm.

IN:

Doedee, Thilthorpe

OUT:

Hamill (injured), Himmelberg (omitted)

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Serena Williams’ parting shot at Margaret Court, nod to Ash Barty in retirement announcement

Serena Williams' parting shot at Margaret Court, nod to Ash Barty in retirement announcement

Serena Williams sounded just the tiniest little bit salty as she reflected on likely finishing her tennis career with one less grand slam title than Australian legend Margaret Court.

Williams’ crusade to win an elusive 24th major title and draw level with Court has been a five-year saga that looks almost certain to end fruitlessly when she retires at this year’s US Open.

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The 40-year-old American revealed her plans to end her career to focus on having another child in an article in Vogue Magazine published on Tuesday night (AEST).

Williams referenced Court twice in the piece, and while she was careful with her words left the impression she should be remembered as tennis’ greatest ever player.

“There are people who say I’m not the GOAT because I didn’t pass Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam titles, which she achieved before the ‘open era’ that began in 1968,” Williams wrote.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that record. Obviously I do. But day to day, I’m really not thinking about her. If I’m in a grand slam final, then yes, I am thinking about that record. Maybe I thought about it too much, and that didn’t help.

“The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus grand slams. I had my chances after coming back from giving birth. I went from a C-section to a second pulmonary embolism to a grand slam final. I played while breastfeeding. I played through postpartum depression.

“But I didn’t get there. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I didn’t show up the way I should have or could have. But I showed up 23 times, and that’s fine. Actually it’s extraordinary. But these days, if I have to choose between building my tennis resume and building my family, I choose the latter.”

Williams stepped onto a hardcourt for the first time in a year and a half on Monday in the WTA Toronto tournament where she fought through to the second round with a straight sets victory over Nuria Parrizas Diaz.

It was her first singles victory since the 2021 French Open, some 14 months ago. The former world number one had played her first singles match in a year during a first round defeat at Wimbledon in June.

“I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, ‘See ya!’ I get that. It’s a good fantasy,” she wrote.

“But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.”

Another Aussie champion, Ash Barty, also got a mention in Williams’ self-penned article as she revealed how hard she was finding it to walk away.

Barty stunned the tennis world by retiring at age 25 earlier this year.

“I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way,” Williams wrote. “Ashleigh Barty was number one in the world when she left the sport this March, and I believe she really felt ready to move on. Caroline Wozniacki, who is one of my best friends, felt a sense of relief when she retired in 2020.

“Praise these people, but I’m going to be honest. There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at these crossroads. I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not.”

Read related topics:Ash Barty

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