Formula 1 Standings

A lot has changed over the years in Formula 1 – from rule changes boosting overtaking opportunities to technological shifts altering how fast cars go. But one thing has remained constant – the rankings, which determine how drivers and teams finish in each race.

At the end of each season the top-ranked driver and team are crowned champions in the FIA World Drivers Championship and Constructors’ Championship, respectively. It’s not uncommon for it to come down to the last race, with drivers fighting for every point on offer.

During the race drivers score points for their position on the finishing grid and the fastest lap they set in Q3. These points count towards the individual’s total throughout the season. The driver with the most points is awarded pole position on the starting grid, while the team that finishes in the highest positions wins the Constructors’ Championship.

Dead heats between teams happen regularly – though as yet they’ve never been enough to decide the destination of the championship itself. If two or more teams are level on points at the end of the year, it’s decided by a countback of results. The team with the most wins is placed higher, followed by those with more second place finishes and so on.

Sports Technology Trends

Across the sports industry, technology is reshaping how games are played and watched. Wearable devices, VR and AR, smart equipment, data analytics, and other advanced tools enhance performance and create new avenues for fan engagement and revenue generation.

One of the biggest trends in sports technology is the increasing emphasis on personalized and individualized training programs. Different positions and physical demands of a sport require specialized training regimens, and advanced tools help coaches develop individualized strategies for athletes to maximize career longevity and minimize injuries. The increased use of AI and other technologies in semi-professional environments is also enabling better data collection to identify trends in athlete development and inform future investment decisions.

The rising popularity of e-sports is another major sports tech trend. Advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are allowing fans to immerse themselves in the game and bring more of a personal connection with their favorite players. This enhanced engagement is boosting fan loyalty and opening new revenue streams for sports teams and stadiums.

The high cost of advanced sports technology can be a barrier to adoption, particularly for amateur and lower-tier clubs. This can limit the ability of sports organizations to compete with elite teams and widen the gap between professional and non-elite athletics. However, the development of affordable and accessible sports tech is reducing this gap. For example, sports venues and teams can leverage a range of affordable tools such as asset tracking, geofencing, and AI coaching to attract more customers.

What is the World Athletics Championship?

As you may have seen, the world of athletics has been a bit rocked by controversies at this year’s championships. It’s not just the athletes who are upset, though. Even the governing body seems to have had enough and is ready to take some radical steps in 2026, when it will host a new competition designed around elite athletes.

Known as the World Athletics Championship, it will be held every two years between Olympic and World Championship years, with athletes selected through world rankings. This should streamline action and make for more enticing racing and high-stakes competition. Currently, a maximum of three athletes per country can compete in individual events. The event will also be shortened, to focus on the most exciting disciplines, and include only the top athletes from the world’s leading countries.

It’s a bold move that could transform track and field and bring it back to the public’s attention. But what exactly is the World Championships, and how did it get its start? It began in 1983, the brainchild of Dutch president Adriaan Paulen, who wanted to drag amateur sport into a professional era. It was his last year as president of the International Association of Athletic Federations, the organization that would become World Athletics. Its major aims are to establish friendly cooperation among its member federations, eliminate hindrance to participation in international meets on racial, religious, or political grounds, and compile rules and regulations governing competition.

International Sports and Power Imbalances

International sports bring together people from all over the globe to share a love of sport and help to build world peace and understanding. But as sport becomes more global, the power imbalances that exist between countries are becoming more apparent. For example, in a study of international athletics by Linkoping University in Sweden, researchers found that European competitors had entire medical teams on hand, while young East African athletes often had no support apart from family members. This is partly because international organisations like FIFA and the IOC are based in Europe, meaning that they have the first say on who gets to play for their nation and which rules they make.

Soccer (or football) is the most popular sport in the world, with a global fan base of over 4 billion. Its accessibility – requiring only a ball and open space – as well as events like the FIFA World Cup and the European leagues of La Liga, Serie A and the English Premier League attract millions of viewers.

Cricket is another global favourite, with 2.5 billion fans. Its formats ranging from Test matches to the high-octane T20 leagues of the Indian Premier League capture audiences worldwide.

Surfing is a global passion, with fans across the US, Australia and Brazil embracing its athleticism and deep connection to the ocean. Wrestling, spanning professional entertainment and Olympic disciplines like freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, is popular for its theatricality and physicality.

The World Cup and International Qualifiers

In order to take part in the World Cup each country must first qualify through a series of matches, usually over two legs. The winners of each round are then given a place at the finals and the remaining places will be decided from intercontinental play-offs involving teams from Africa, Asia, North/Central America and Oceania.

The process is not simple. Each confederation has its own qualifying rounds, with the top teams from Europe and South America earning berths through their performances in UEFA and CONCACAF respectively. In addition, the hosts and the best runners-up from each federation are guaranteed spots in the tournament.

Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has already started. The three lowest-ranked nations in CONCACAF, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands, competed in two-legged ties to determine who would join the rest of the continent’s nations in the second round of qualifying.

In a bid to make the qualifying process fairer, UEFA introduced a new system in November 2023. It saw the 54 FIFA-affiliated countries split into nine groups of five or six nations who played each other in a home-and-away hexa-format. The group winners and the six best runners-up then went through to a second round of qualification that concluded in June.

While this was designed to improve fairness, it has raised issues of its own. Academics Laszlo Csato, Kjetil Haugen and Alex Krumer have argued that the coexistence of the Nations League with the Euro qualifiers means that sides that reach the finals through the league can gain advantage over those who have a traditional route to qualification.

World Series Highlights

NEW YORK — This year’s World Series featured some of the most thrilling finishes in baseball history. The Yankees and Dodgers fought to the bitter end with home runs and gutsy performances on both sides.

One of the best World Series moments was the tying grand slam by Yankee shortstop Anthony Volpe in game four. This was a special moment for Volpe as he went from being a fan to a member of the pinstriped club in just his second season. It also gave the Yankees some comfort and momentum with one game left to win the title.

There were some other exciting moments during this World Series, too. In game five, Giancarlo Stanton restored order after the Yankees had blown a five-run lead in the fifth inning with a two-run sacrifice fly against a struggling Gerrit Cole. It’s a play that will forever be remembered for its impact on the Series, as well as the fact that it earned Reggie Jackson a new nickname of “Mr. October.”

Another amazing moment was Jim Leyritz’s game-tying home run in Game 4 of the 96 World Series. It was a play that not only helped the Yankees rally back from a two-game deficit, but also marked the start of one of baseball’s most successful dynasties.

In the era of globalization, the World Series has become known for having a wide variety of talented players from all over the world. This is thanks to the opportunity for many players to reach a high level of skill in their countries and then defect to the Major Leagues. This gives the Series a unique feel that fans from all over the country can appreciate.

Gender Equality in Sports

Since recorded history, women have encountered issues of equity in their relationships, careers and athletic opportunities. The perception of dominance, physical strength and power typically portrayed by men has manifested itself in violence against women, exploitation, non-inclusion and discrimination, all of which are still prevalent today. While Title IX greatly increased the number of women participating in athletics, gender equality (GE) is far from achieved in sports.

Research suggests that a direct relationship exists between sports participation and support for GE in sport. However, it is important to note that awareness campaigns are not enough without a commitment from the institutions involved to implement GE policies.

Gender equality in sports is a complex issue that includes multiple dimensions and elements, such as gender bias, gender role expectations, sexism and lesbianism, that affect how women are perceived by others. As sport has always been a masculinized activity, women are often seen as an intrusion into male territory and only taken seriously when they are beautiful and graceful athletes. Any women who deviate from this norm are labeled as masculine or lesbian, which limits their ability to succeed in sports.

Another issue affecting gender equality in sports is the lack of representation of women in leadership positions of sport organizations. The lack of women in leadership roles may contribute to a culture where discrimination is viewed as normal and acceptable. This can be in the form of access or treatment discrimination, whereby women are denied organizational resources that they would otherwise legitimately earn.

The Most Memorable and Viral Sports Moments of 2024

Whether it’s a jaw-dropping play or an act of sportsmanship, viral sports moments capture the world’s imagination and spread like wildfire across social media. They help build bridges to new fans, create global communities of team loyalty, and turn athletes into heroes. In the digital age, viral moments are more prevalent than ever before.

This year’s Olympics brought us an incredible amount of viral sports moments, from an unexpected swimmer to a casual Turkish shooter. All of them had one thing in common: they were uniquely Olympic, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s shared by thousands in Paris and millions across the globe.

While some of these moments are purely for entertainment value, others serve as social commentary or a reminder of the human element that surrounds sport. Regardless of their purpose, they are among the most memorable and viral sports moments of 2024.

For example, when Syracuse center Zaila Avant-garde won the Scripps National Spelling Bee championship in March, it gave WNBA followers an opportunity to celebrate their favorite athletes outside of basketball, and showed how the unique aspects of a sport can resonate with fans.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the sport landscape, there were still many moments that showcased the fun side of sports and captured the attention of fans and journalists. Throughout the month of June, we saw viral sports content about a feisty WNBA coach, a little league sensation, and even a Phillies Phanatic.

Olympic Ice Hockey

Olympic ice hockey has been a part of the Winter Games since 1924.

While the Soviets dominated early Olympic tournaments, the Americans had a chance to beat them at Lake Placid in 1960 and again in 1980. The latter game, known as ‘The Miracle on Ice’, is considered one of the greatest sports and cultural moments in history.

During a semifinal against the Soviets, it looked like the Americans were going to lose. The Soviets had a 2-1 lead late in the third period. Their goaltender Pelle Lindbergh was smothering every U.S. opportunity, and a power-play attempt with six minutes remaining came up empty.

Then, with ten minutes left in the game, captain Mike Eruzione picked up the puck off the boards behind the net and used a defenseman as a screen to rip a wrist shot past the goalie. The Americans won the game 4-3, and went on to win gold.

In addition to playing on a larger rink, Olympic ice hockey differs from the NHL in a few other ways. For example, the game is played with three 20-minute periods with 15-minute intermissions. And, unlike the NHL, if the game is tied at the end of overtime, penalty shootouts determine the winner.

Another difference between the Olympics and the NHL is the ice markings that guide faceoffs. The center circle, for instance, is larger at the Olympics to help players find each other and establish defensive zones. In the NHL, on the other hand, it is smaller and more rounded.

NFL Draft 2025

NFL draft 2025

After a hectic free agency period, teams will take to the field once again for this year’s NFL draft. The first round kicks off Thursday, with the second and third taking place Friday and the final four rounds on Saturday.

Teams will have their pick of 257 prospects over seven rounds of drafting. They’ll try to reshape their rosters in an attempt to improve upon last season and compete for a playoff berth. While some prospects will have immediate fantasy value, others may require time to develop in the league.

Fantasy managers can find plenty of value in this year’s crop of rookies. Whether it’s a top-tier quarterback, an intriguing running back or a promising wide receiver, the 2025 draft is full of interesting options for owners in every format.

The order of selection in the first round can make or break some picks, and the NFL allows teams to trade their pick before, during or after the draft. This makes for some dramatic moments and can lead to some surprises.

The Tennessee Titans hold the top overall pick while the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants follow suit in descending order. Each team can select a player by communicating that choice to an NFL staff member at the Selection Square table. The staff member writes the player’s name, position and school down on a card that is passed to an NFL runner who immediately passes it on to the representatives of the next team in line.