BTCC Brands Hatch: Smiley tops free practice

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina condemned the hateful online abuse she faced from frustrated gamblers following her match loss in Canada, receiving disturbing messages that wished her death and celebrated the deaths of her fellow countrymen due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. This incident highlights the troubling intersection of sports and online harassment, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions. Want More Context? 🔎

Ducati dispatched seven units of its Panigale V4 super sport bike to Hungary for a private test session, allowing riders to familiarize themselves with the new Balaton Park circuit ahead of its MotoGP debut later this month. Despite leading the riders’, teams’, and constructors’ championships, the Italian manufacturer is taking proactive steps to ensure competitive readiness. Want More Context? 🔎

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is being considered as a backup option for Manchester United and Newcastle, depending on the outcome of their pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. Meanwhile, Sunderland is interested in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while West Ham is targeting Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey. Want More Context? 🔎

Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the team's difficulties cannot be resolved merely by imitating the more consistent Racing Bulls car, as their drivers have outperformed Red Bull's second driver, whether it be Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, throughout the 2025 season, with Racing Bulls accumulating 45 points compared to Red Bull's zero. Want More Context? 🔎

La Liga will not accept Barcelona's medical report for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen without his signature, hindering the club's ability to register a replacement. Despite Barcelona's belief in legal grounds to submit the report without consent, La Liga refuses to entertain this, leaving the club at risk of not being able to register their new signing, Joan Garcia. Want More Context? 🔎

Birmingham City has set a new record for the highest points total in English football history, marking a significant achievement for the club. Despite Chris Davies boasting a higher win percentage than Pep Guardiola, he remains focused on future goals, indicating that this success is just the beginning for both him and Birmingham. Want More Context? 🔎