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Suzuka sells asphalt: When Formula 1 history becomes tangible

Sotd Editor
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Suzuka sells asphalt: When Formula 1 history becomes tangible

A piece of the race track for your home: Why Suzuka is selling its asphalt and what the first pictures reveal about these collector’s items

Formula 1 fans have the opportunity to secure a piece of the legendary Suzuka International Racing Course. The venue for the Japanese Grand Prix is being resurfaced in sections ahead of the 2026 race, and parts of the existing track surface are being sold. However, the price is still to be determined.

The race track wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “As part of the construction work on the West Course, we are offering the asphalt on which numerous major races such as Formula 1 and the Suzuka 8 Hours have been held for sale.”

The X post features several pictures showing how asphalt cylinders are being removed – in the area of the chicane before the start and finish, which has been the scene of many special moments in Formula 1 history. It was here in 1989 that the famous collision between McLaren title rivals Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna took place, which led to Prost winning the world championship.

However, the Suzuka International Racing Course’s post received mixed reactions on social media. One user wrote: “If you want to, you can really turn anything into a product these days.” Another said: “Please produce a large quantity of these and set a low price.” Another commented: “That’s the core, right? About 20 centimeters thick? Surprisingly massive!”

The post does not explain why the famous Formula 1 track is being partially resurfaced before the next Grand Prix. It is probably a routine measure. There had been no problems with the track surface at Suzuka recently, but there were interruptions to the Formula 1 race due to grass fires next to the track.
Suzuka has been the venue for the Japanese Grand Prix since 1987 and was only absent in the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic. Suzuka was also absent from the Formula 1 calendar in 2007 and 2008, when the Japanese Grand Prix moved to Fuji for two years – a track owned by the Toyota Group. Suzuka is owned by Toyota’s competitor Honda.

Gabriel Bortoleto reveals: Max Verstappen’s simple formula for success

Phil Laffertey
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Gabriel Bortoleto reveals: Max Verstappen’s simple formula for success

Max Verstappen takes Gabriel Bortoleto under his wing – the world champion gave the rookie a crucial tip for dealing with mistakes

Gabriel Bortoleto has a prominent advocate and advisor at his side in his still young career: Max Verstappen. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is not only a friend to the young driver, but also his mentor.

Especially in a rookie season, where the pressure is enormous, one piece of advice from the Dutchman was particularly valuable to Bortoleto – namely, how to deal with the inevitable setbacks.

“He gave me a lot of advice. It’s hard to pick just one piece,” says Bortoleto when asked about the most unexpected tip he received this season. “But I’ll take one that I heard from him recently.”

It was mainly about the mental approach to mistakes. “The point is that I was in my rookie season and had already achieved a lot. And that I shouldn’t worry too much if mistakes happen,” explains Bortoleto.

Verstappen’s advice: See mistakes as learning opportunities

The philosophy that Verstappen imparted to the youngster is simple but effective: perfection is not possible right away, and mistakes are part of the growth process. “Mistakes are the moments when you learn the most,” Bortoleto quotes his mentor. “And they will happen to everyone.”

Particularly important for Bortoleto was the message not to beat himself up after a mishap. “I shouldn’t beat myself up just because I’ve made a mistake once or twice,” the Brazilian continued. “They’re bound to happen at some point. I just have to learn from them and move on.”

Although this wisdom sounds like a standard saying in motorsport, for Bortoleto, it’s who said it that makes the difference: “It’s a simple thing that many people say. But when you hear it from someone who has achieved so much in the sport, I think it means a lot more.”

No excuses based on past successes

For a perfectionist like Bortoleto, however, putting this advice into practice is not always easy. After a solid season overall, it could be tempting to dismiss poorer weekends by pointing to the good performances. But that’s exactly the kind of thinking he rejects.

“I’ve always been like that, ever since I was very young,” he explains. “I don’t really care about what happened in the past. I know how the season went and I’m proud of it. But I’m very focused on where I am right now.”

Even if he can look back on some great races, that doesn’t serve as an excuse for a slip-up. “When you have a difficult race, I don’t say to myself, ‘Okay, I had a difficult race, but I had 18 others that were fantastic. So I’ll just forget about this one,’“ Bortoleto clarifies. Instead, he demands a harsh analysis of himself: ”I think I should see my mistakes and try to learn from them to do better next time.” He doesn’t want to accept or justify his mistakes just because he has “done better things” in the past. “Every race should be considered a race in its own right. I’ll learn from it and just move on. And hopefully I’ll do better next time,” Bortoleto concludes.

Is Max Verstappen facing the same fate as Vettel? Günther Steiner dismisses the idea

Phil Laffertey
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Is Max Verstappen facing the same fate as Vettel? Günther Steiner dismisses the idea

Is Max Verstappen facing the same fate as Sebastian Vettel in 2026? Günther Steiner doesn’t think so and sees a crucial difference

Former team boss Günther Steiner does not believe that four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is facing a similar crash in 2026 to that experienced by former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel after his fourth title win and the subsequent rule change.

“No,” Steiner replies to a question on this topic in The Red Flags podcast. “I think that’s because Vettel was always in the dominant car. Max, on the other hand, has shown that he can do it even when he’s not in the dominant car, because Red Bull wasn’t the best car out there this year.”

Verstappen secured four consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, following in the footsteps of Vettel, who also won four consecutive championships with the Milton Keynes-based team from 2010 to 2013. However, after the German won his last title in 2013, he had a winless year with Red Bull in 2014 and moved to Ferrari for the 2015 season. When comparing the two four-time Red Bull world champions, Steiner comes to a clear conclusion. “As much as I respect Vettel and what he has achieved, I think Max is in a different league. Vettel came to Ferrari and he didn’t make much of an impact there. He won races, but it was never a Michael Schumacher success story. So I think Max is simply in a different league.”
Steiner also does not believe that Verstappen is facing a similar fate to Fernando Alonso, who was often in the wrong team at the wrong time during his career and therefore won no more than two world titles.

“I don’t think Max will make that mistake because his father Jos and Raymond [Vermeulen, manager] will make sure they get him into the right car. So I don’t think we need to worry about that. Max will be in the best car or, if not, the second-best car.”

That was the cause of Joshua’s accident

Sotd Editor
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That was the cause of Joshua’s accident

According to preliminary investigations, a burst front tire led to the fatal crash. The vehicle was traveling at excessive speed.

A burst tire caused the serious car accident in which former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (36) was injured and two people were killed in Nigeria on Monday.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by the traffic safety authority TRACE, the front tire on the passenger side burst while the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed. The vehicle then lost control and crashed into a parked truck at high speed.

“The preliminary investigation clearly shows that the SUV in which Anthony Joshua was traveling was traveling at excessive speed,” TRACE spokesman Babatunde Akinbiyi told the AFP news agency. The accident occurred on Monday morning on the main road between Lagos and Ibadan in Ogun State.

Joshua was taken to hospital after the accident

Professional boxer Joshua survived the accident and was taken to a hospital in Lagos for examination. Two of his close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were killed. According to police, they died at the scene of the accident. Social media footage showed the Briton leaving the car with a pained expression on his face. Joshua’s family comes from the city in southwestern Nigeria. He is known to visit them when he is in the country.

Joshua sent Wladimir Klitschko into boxing retirement in a spectacular duel in 2017 and then dominated the heavyweight division for a time, but in recent years the 2012 Olympic champion has suffered numerous setbacks. Most recently, Joshua won a fight of little sporting significance against influencer Jake Paul. The fight earned him a purse of at least $30 million.

Curious goals on both sides: South Africa follows Egypt into the round of 16

T0m@dmin1
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Curious goals on both sides: South Africa follows Egypt into the round of 16

South Africa secured second place in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations and thus follows Egypt into the round of 16. In a direct duel against Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana narrowly won 3-2—with some of the goals on both sides coming about in curious fashion.

With three points from their first two games, South Africa had the better starting position ahead of their final group game against Zimbabwe – a win would mean they would advance to the round of 16 on their own. And the start of the game also played into South Africa’s hands. A shot from Moremi was unfortunately deflected by Zimbabwe’s left-back Lunga and flew in a high arc over keeper Arubi and into the net (7th minute).

Zimbabwe did not let this deter them, however, and equalized through Maswanhise, who finished off a strong solo run after a pass from Aue player Fabisch (19′). The score remained 1-1 at half-time. After the break, South Africa took the lead again. Foster ran onto a slightly short header from Lunga towards his goalkeeper and got to the ball a fraction earlier than Arubi, who had hesitated for a moment as he came off his line (50′).

Curious own goal followed by handball penalty

However, Zimbabwe struck back again – and this goal was also quite curious. After a great deep pass from Chirewa, Maswanhise initially failed to beat South African goalkeeper Williams, but the ball bounced off Modiba’s chest and into his own goal in ping-pong fashion (73′). Zimbabwe was unable to capitalize on this, however, as Nakamba committed a handball shortly afterwards while attempting to clear a shot with his head as he fell. After VAR intervention, a penalty was awarded, which Appollis converted.

The final score remained 3-2 to South Africa, who will now face the second-placed team in Group F in the round of 16 on Sunday (8 p.m.) – that will be either Cameroon, Ivory Coast or Mozambique.

Emotional De Rossi return and a crazy league table after Roma victory

Jeffrey Gooding
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Emotional De Rossi return and a crazy league table after Roma victory

In the last game of 2025, Roma welcomed bottom-of-the-table CFC Genoa and secured a deserved 3-1 win on the return of club legend Daniele de Rossi. This resulted in a really interesting league table at the end of the year for the Giallorossi.

It was a very special game on Monday, just before the turn of the year, for Daniele de Rossi, who has only been coaching Genoa since November 2025 and celebrated his return to his eternal love on this 17th matchday of Serie A. Born in Rome, the 2006 World Cup winner rose to become an absolute club legend alongside Francesco Totti between 2000 and 2019. In addition, the 42-year-old had coached the capital club in 2024 before a surprise departure followed in the same year.

Now active with the Giallorossi: Gian Piero Gasperini, who had even led his protégés to first place in what has been a good season so far and a good year overall (almost reaching the Champions League in the summer under savior and current club advisor Claudio Ranieri).

Most recently, however, there was a narrow 1-2 defeat to Juventus, which the hosts wanted to follow up with a clean three points against CFC Genoa from 2025. An endeavor that succeeded.

1, 2, 3: Rome makes short work of Genoa

After a manageable first ten minutes, the hosts took full control of the game at the Olimpico and showed the underdogs a series of strong combination plays. De Rossi’s protégés were often left watching from behind, appearing overwhelmed and simply not good enough.

The early consequences were that Soulé was left unmarked after an unfortunate header from opponent Vasquez and, thanks to a decisive touch from Otoa, scored to make it 1-0 (14′). Just five minutes later, former Gladbach player Koné scored after a neat passing move, making it 2-0 after less than 20 minutes.

But that wasn’t all: Malinovskyi, who had won the ball in his own penalty area, fatally passed it back into the box to the lurking Soulé. Sommariva was able to parry his shot, but Ferguson pounced on the rebound to make it 3-0 (31′). The score at halftime remained unchanged, partly because Koné hit the post (38′), Vitinha shot over after a mistake by Cristante (41′), and Östigaard failed to get his header past Svilar from close range and was denied a penalty after being punched (45’+2). Thus, the underdog was still in the game.

Serie A race: It couldn’t be any closer

The Genoese, who are in the midst of a relegation battle, were unable to make any real headway in this final Serie A game of 2025. The Giallorossi continued to dominate the second 45 minutes with players such as Dybala in fine form, repeatedly passing the ball around neatly. Cristante had a chance to make it 4-0 (72nd minute, great save by Sommariva) and El Shaarawy had two chances. The substitute first sent a volley just wide to the left (73rd minute) before a well-executed overhead kick was blocked before it could hit the target (82nd minute).

In the end, a late deflected shot from Genoa’s Ekhator (87′) sealed a comfortable 3-1 home win – and a minor setback for the loudly celebrated returnee de Rossi and his CFC protégés. With a successful end to the year, the Giallorossi also ensured a crazy table picture. In 2026, leaders Inter Milan and their pursuers Milan, champions Napoli, Roma and record champions Juventus are all on 36, 35, 34, 33 and 32 points respectively.

Assistant for the first time: Toprak follows Matarazzo to Real Sociedad

Jeffrey Gooding
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Assistant for the first time: Toprak follows Matarazzo to Real Sociedad

The only surprise, if any, is the timing: Ömer Toprak (36) is starting his coaching career as Pellegrino Matarazzo’s assistant at Real Sociedad.

Last Saturday, Pellegrino Matarazzo took up his post as the new head coach of Spanish first division club Real Sociedad, which is surprisingly threatened with relegation. The American brought two assistants with him, who were also present at the start of training on Monday: Australian John Maisano and Ömer Toprak.

The latter ended his active professional career in mid-November 2024. Even then, he had announced his intention to enroll in the DFB’s A-license course, stating: “The goal is to work as a professional coach.”

Toprak is now one step closer to realizing this dream. And the task is a challenging one: instead of joining a youth club, the 27-time Turkish international, who has 263 Bundesliga and 39 Champions League appearances to his name, is heading to the traditional Basque club Real Sociedad.

After finishing fourth in the 2022/23 season and sixth in the 2023/24 season, last year’s eleventh-placed team is currently only 16th in La Liga, two points ahead of the first relegation spot. There is considerable pressure in San Sebastian. For Matarazzo and Toprak, the initial focus will be on unlocking the offensive potential that exists with players such as Goncalo Guedes, Takefusa Kubo, and European champion Mikel Oyarzabal. Twenty-one goals from 17 games is a disappointing interim result.

Most recently active in amateur football

Alongside his brother Harun, who is a coach, Toprak had most recently been playing for amateur club SK Weingarten. Now, the holder of a B license is finally focusing on his post-playing career.

Matarazzo seems convinced that the new coaching team will succeed in turning things around: “It’s a great club with a strong identity, a special institution that focuses on young talent. I come with great respect and anticipation for what we can build together. It’s a team with a lot of potential.”

Sports director Erik Bretos admitted during the coaching appointment that Matarazzo had already been contacted in October, “when we weren’t planning to change coaches yet. We tried to find someone who would complement us, who would work on development and do so with the young players, someone who would come in from outside and make us better.”

Matarazzo and Toprak will make their debut on Sunday, when the team faces a tough home game against Atlético Madrid.

Catheter ablation: Lazio coach Sarri undergoes heart surgery

Andrew Jackson
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Catheter ablation: Lazio coach Sarri undergoes heart surgery

As Lazio Rome officially announced on Monday, coach Maurizio Sarri has successfully undergone heart surgery.

In an official club statement shortly before the end of the year, Lazio Rome announced “that coach Maurizio Sarri underwent catheter ablation with PFA technology at the Policlinico Tor Vergata after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.”

The procedure was successful and was performed by an experienced doctor in this field. The Biancocelesti’s team doctor (Dr. Italo Leo) was also present during the operation.

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure for treating diagnosed cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), in which probes (catheters) are guided through blood vessels to the heart in order to specifically ablate the affected tissue causing the arrhythmias.

Sarri back immediately

In addition, the Romans announced that the 66-year-old self-confessed smoker will be able to resume work in the coming days.

This means that Sarri should be able to actively support the team, which is currently in a respectable 8th place after 17 Serie A games (24 points from six wins, six draws, and five defeats) and is looking to break into the international ranks, having not lost in five competitive games, as early as this Sunday in the clash with champions Napoli. Assistant coach Marco Ianni will step in as a temporary replacement and lead training for the time being.

For veteran Sarri, who has been coaching since the 1990s and, after years in amateur leagues and what feels like countless stints in the lower divisions, has also been employed by big clubs such as Chelsea FC and Juventus Turin, this will be a reunion. The Neapolitan-born coach also coached the Neapolitans between 2015 and 2018, including being named Serie A Coach of the Year in 2017. He returned to Lazio immediately after his first stint between 2021 and 2024, including his resignation this year after a break.

30:6 quarter included: Berlin outclasses Ludwigsburg

Andrew Jackson
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30:6 quarter included: Berlin outclasses Ludwigsburg

After a few initial difficulties, Berlin found its rhythm and laid the foundation for a commanding home victory with a 23:0 run. In the end, they celebrated their highest win of the season so far.

Alba Berlin secured its second victory in four days in the BBL. On Monday evening, the Berliners won a rescheduled game at home against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 80:47 (41:22). Alba thus remains fourth in the table. The top Berlin scorers in front of 8,532 spectators were Justin Bean with 19 points, as well as Jonas Mattisseck and Martin Hermannsson with 11 points each.

The game began with a series of missed shots on both sides. However, the visitors gradually found their rhythm and took the lead in the middle of the first quarter. Alba’s offense was virtually non-existent at first. In the first quarter, none of their nine three-point attempts found their way into the basket. Only thanks to good defensive work did they manage to keep the deficit within limits (11:16).

Alba on a roll in the second quarter

In the second quarter, however, the hosts woke up and even went on a brief roll. Suddenly, everything was working on offense. Every shot was on target—even from distance—and they kept winning the ball. With a 23:0 run, they steamrolled Ludwigsburg, who suddenly couldn’t do anything right.

And even after the break, the hosts had the game under control. In the third quarter, they extended their lead to 27 points (54-27). With a clear lead behind them, Alba then shifted down a few gears and rested some of their stars – without the visitors being able to take advantage of it, however. Alba’s next home game against Löwen Braunschweig is already coming up on New Year’s Eve (12:30 p.m./Dyn).

Role model Michael Schumacher: DTM champion Güven will never forget this encounter

Jeffrey Gooding
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Role model Michael Schumacher: DTM champion Güven will never forget this encounter

DTM champion Ayhancan Güven was greatly influenced by Michael Schumacher: why he copied everything he did and how meeting his idol affected him

Ayhancan Güven, the first Turkish DTM champion, comes from a country with no motorsport tradition. But the Turkish driver, who started going to the kart track with his father Hakan at the age of six, learned a lot from Michael Schumacher in his early years. “My father taught me how to race—and he always used Michael Schumacher as an example when I was that age.”

This is no surprise, as Güven started motorsport during Schumacher’s great Ferrari era. “Michael wore this T-shirt, so we had to wear one too. Michael used this brand of gloves, so we had to have them too. Michael did this training. Okay, we have to train like that too,” says Güven, citing examples from his childhood.

Behind this approach was primarily Güven’s father, who is an amateur racing driver himself and saw Schumacher as the perfect role model for his son. “We come from a country with no knowledge of racing – and we had to learn,” explains Güven.

Role model Schumacher: “We have to work on your heart rate”

“We always tried to learn from him when we had books, newspapers, or interviews with Michael or other Formula 1 drivers. And I remember: when I was five, six, or seven years old, Michael was always the role model.”

But it wasn’t just about the outfit and the equipment, it was also about fitness, Güven recalls his father’s words: “He said: ‘Okay, Can, before the start, Michael’s heart rate is as if he were asleep. We need to work on your heart rate.’”

Even as a kart driver, the talented Turkish driver had big goals, even if they weren’t always taken seriously in his home country. “When I said I was going to drive in the DTM, they probably laughed. They said, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah…’,” he says. “And now I’m DTM champion. I’ve made history for myself and my country, and I couldn’t be prouder because I love my country.”

A touching encounter with Schumacher at the kart track

But has Güven ever met his childhood idol Michael Schumacher? “Yes, that was in 2010, 2011 or 2013 in Italy at the La Conga kart track,” he recalls, but can’t remember the exact year. “He was driving himself at the time, and I ran up to him and took a photo. I have a very special photo with him.” Güven was still competing in one of the junior classes at the time and happened to be at the same place.

One thing amazed the young Turk about his idol at the time: “He prepared his kart himself with a mechanic. But it was he himself who put the kart on the table. When I saw that, I thought to myself: This guy is so humble. He’s Michael Schumacher, but he’s at the kart track, racing against the young drivers and preparing his kart himself.“

When he remembers the images, it still makes him ‘humble’ today, says Güven. ”It touched my whole life. He’s my idol.”

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