The Denver Broncos selected Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock with the 257th overall pick to conclud...

<p>The Denver Broncos selected Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock with the 257th overall pick to conclude the 2026 NFL Draft, making him this year's "Mr. Irrelevant."</p><p>The Broncos owned the final two picks of the draft and took Utah tight end Dallen Bentley with the penultimate selection.</p><p>Murdock recorded 142 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in his final collegiate season with Buffalo. Over his final two years, he tallied 298 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Buffalo product also owns the NCAA record of 17 career forced fumbles. </p><p>It's the fourth draft in a row where a defensive player has been the final pick. An offensive player hasn't been "Mr. Irrelevant" since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174189" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174189">Brock Purdy</a> in 2022.</p><p>The Broncos made seven selections in the draft, including Murdock. Their first pick was defensive tackle <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/231975" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/231975">Tyler Onyedim</a> in the third round. </p>

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Red Murdock of the Buffalo Bulls speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Broncos make Red Murdock 'Mr. Irrelevant'

Follow the 2026 NFL Draft with theScore's live tracker to see all picks as they happen.  The Kans...

<p><em>Follow the 2026 NFL Draft with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501335" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501335">theScore's live tracker</a> to see all picks as they happen.</em></p><p>The Kansas City Chiefs traded up three spots to No. 6 overall to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.</p><p>The Chiefs sent the ninth, 74th, and 148th picks to the Cleveland Browns in exchange.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Kansas City needed a top corner after trading All-Pro cornerback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/173979" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/173979">Trent McDuffie</a> to the Los Angeles Rams in March.</p><p>"They made the best move in the draft," Delane <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2047478026099957998?s=20">said</a> about the Chiefs' decision after being selected.</p><h3>Delane's predraft profile</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Mansoor Delane" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-bJUag" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/bJUag/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="259" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Delane is one of the best players in this entire class. The experienced corner took his game to another level after transferring to LSU for his final collegiate season, giving up just 14 catches on 35 targets (40%) while recording a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups, according to PFF. His 31.3 passer rating allowed ranked second among all FBS corners with at least 300 coverage snaps. Based on the tape, it's not hard to figure out what led to that production.</p><p>Delane's an incredibly talented cover man who has the speed, fluidity, and patience for sticky man coverage at all levels of the field. He demonstrates the instincts to break on routes from zone drops, and he's got the ball skills to either disrupt the catch point or take the ball away. He's also far more capable in run support than most players his size. The only issue here is his frame. At 187 pounds with 30-inch arms (eighth percentile), Delane could occasionally struggle against physical, big-bodied receivers on the outside. But it's a minor gripe when considering the upside of his unique coverage skills. It might not be long before Delane emerges as a high-end starter at the next level.</p>

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Mansoor Delane (R) of LSU hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Chiefs trade up to No. 6, select cornerback Delane

The New York Mets plan to activate star outfielder Juan Soto from the 10-day injured list before ...

<p>The New York Mets plan to activate star outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a> from the 10-day injured list before Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed Tuesday, according to <a href="https://x.com/SNYtv/status/2046681481582366886?s=20">SNY</a>.</p><p>However, Mendoza added that Soto will need days off and starts as the designated hitter as he continues to recover from a calf strain, per <a href="https://x.com/DeeshaThosar/status/2046681604232208526?s=20">Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports</a>.</p><p>New York placed the 27-year-old on the IL on April 6. He was initially expected to miss two-to-three weeks.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Mets are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak, their longest since 2004. The club went 3-11 with Soto sidelined.</p><p>The four-time All Star was off to a hot start, batting .355 with one home run, five RBIs, and a .928 OPS through eight games.</p><p>Expectations were high for the Mets after an offseason overhaul that brought in <a href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a>, <a href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3420">Marcus Semien</a>, <a href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3558">Jorge Polanco</a>, <a href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9624">Luis Robert Jr.</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11736" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11736">Devin Williams</a>, and <a href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9771">Freddy Peralta</a>.</p>

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 19: New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) bats during a MLB spring training game against the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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Mets plan to activate Soto on Wednesday, will manage workload

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is joining NBC's Sunday Night Football pregame ...

<p>Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is joining NBC's Sunday Night Football pregame show "Football Night in America" as a studio analyst, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7215273/2026/04/21/mike-tomlin-nbc-sunday-nfl-steelers/?redirected=1">The Athletic's Andrew Marchand</a>.</p><p>Fox was initially considered the favorite to land Tomlin due to his friendship with reporter Jay Glazer, Marchand adds, but Tomlin was NBC's top target.</p><p>NBC moved on from analyst and former NFL head coach Tony Dungy earlier this year. The futures of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth, and Chris Simms are reportedly uncertain.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Tomlin stepped down as coach of the Steelers earlier this year after 19 seasons. There's long been speculation that Tomlin might move into a television role after his coaching career.</p><p>The 54-year-old follows in the footsteps of Bill Cowher, who became a studio analyst with CBS after he resigned as Steelers head coach following the 2006 season. Cowher is still employed in that role today.</p><p>The Steelers never finished a season with a losing record during Tomlin's tenure. He also led the franchise to one Super Bowl victory in two appearances.</p>

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 26: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Report: Tomlin joining NBC's SNF pregame show

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week, and doctors ...

<p>Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/108432" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/108432">Nnamdi Madubuike</a> underwent neck surgery last week, and doctors believe he should be able to play in 2026, sources told <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2046574925079593450?s=20">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a>.</p><p>Madubuike suffered a career-threatening neck injury in Week 2 of the 2025 campaign that left his playing future uncertain.</p><p>The 28-year-old has been a force for the Ravens' defensive front when healthy, recording 19.5 sacks and 50 quarterback hits across 2023 and 2024 to earn two Pro Bowl nods.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Baltimore drafted Madubuike in the third round in 2020. He's registered 30 sacks and 69 quarterback hits since entering the league.</p>

BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 11: Nnamdi Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens lines up before the snap during an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Report: Ravens' Madubuike has neck surgery, could play in 2026

We often analyze draft classes in isolation, which can produce an incomplete picture of how well ...

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Grading every NFL team's 1st-round haul over last 5 drafts

The Baltimore Ravens revealed a new uniform collection for the first time in 26 years.  Baltimore...

<p>The Baltimore Ravens revealed a new uniform collection for the first time in 26 years.</p><p>Baltimore showed off its "the next flight" uniform combinations Thursday night, marking the beginning of a new era of Ravens football.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Next Flight takes off <a href="https://t.co/qLggrzB5Fi">pic.twitter.com/qLggrzB5Fi</a></p>— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/2044923806670639356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">New heat <a href="https://t.co/2zNJxIQoRz">pic.twitter.com/2zNJxIQoRz</a></p>— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/2044928231988511071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Ravens' new look includes changes such as two new helmets, a "midnight purple" color, raven wings on the jerseys, and a midnight purple trim on uniform numbers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The full lineup 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/m0fZAkkwEh">pic.twitter.com/m0fZAkkwEh</a></p>— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/2044927592914911344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The biggest update is the Ravens' new "darkness helmet," which features a Ravens logo that has red eyes. Initially introduced in 2024, the team's "purple rising" lid has also received a fresh makeover.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/cropped_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/w220xh124_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/w320xh180_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/w640xh360_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/w768xh432_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/831079/w1080xh607_HGEI8KJWAAA0cVp.jpg?ts=1776384732 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ravens</span></figcaption></figure><p>Baltimore enters the 2026 season with a new head coach in Jesse Minter after moving on from John Harbaugh, who led the franchise for 18 seasons.</p>

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Ravens reveal new jerseys

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston isn't on the trade block despite rumors sugge...

<p>Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188106" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188106">Quentin Johnston</a> isn't on the trade block despite rumors suggesting otherwise, general manager Joe Hortiz said Thursday.</p><p>"There's a lot of rumors out there on Twitter," Hortiz said, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48505918/chargers-gm-joe-hortiz-shuts-quentin-johnston-trade-rumors">ESPN's Kris Rhim</a>. "And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I've had zero calls regarding Quentin."</p><p>Speculation about Johnston's future has ramped up as the Chargers approach the May 1 deadline to exercise the wideout's fully guaranteed $18.1-million option on the fifth season of his rookie contract.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Hortiz added that the team is still weighing the decision.</p><p>Johnston, 24, has developed into a key downfield target for the Chargers. His yards per reception have increased each of the last two years, peaking at 14.4 in 2025. He also produced 700-plus yards and eight touchdowns each of the previous two campaigns.</p>

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Quentin Johnston #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers gets set during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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Chargers GM: Johnston not on trade block

Welcome to the first edition of our Formula 1 driver rankings for the 2026 season. Here's how the...

<p><em>Welcome to the first edition of our Formula 1 driver rankings for the 2026 season. Here's how theScore's lead F1 writer Daniel Valente sees the grid's pecking order after the season's first month.</em></p><h3>1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/cropped_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/w220xh124_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/w320xh180_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/w640xh360_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/w768xh432_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829907/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2269561740.jpg?ts=1775653390 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>While most of the paddock has been focusing on Mercedes' dominant start and Max Verstappen's weekly commentary on the new cars, Leclerc has been quietly putting in uber-consistent performances. Two third-place results and a fourth-place finish don't jump off the page, but Leclerc has essentially been operating at this level for a while. His approach isn't volatile with extreme highs or lows; instead, he's threading the needle like no one else.</p><h3>2. Pierre Gasly, Alpine</h3><p>You don't need to do a double-take - Gasly is undeniably one of this season's best performers. Of the five drivers who have scored points in all three grand prix races so far (sprints excluded), Gasly is the only one not driving for Mercedes or Ferrari. From fending off Verstappen in Suzuka to finishing in the top six in Shanghai, the Frenchman has been a force this year. With Alpine using a Mercedes power unit in 2026, Gasly is making the most of his opportunity to showcase his talent in front of F1's entire audience.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>3. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes</h3><p>The 19-year-old sensation has taken the paddock by storm. In just weeks, Antonelli has become the youngest pole-sitter and the youngest driver ever to lead the F1 championship. Though he desperately needs to clean up his starts, Antonelli has shown moments of sheer brilliance, such as his performance in China, and remarkable resilience, as seen in Japan. What Antonelli is doing is unprecedented, earning him a spot in the top three.</p><h3>4. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/cropped_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829908/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268535423.jpg?ts=1775653508 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Clive Mason / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If there's one silver lining to the new cars, it's that they've allowed the seven-time world champion to find his groove again. It took only two races for Hamilton to accomplish what he couldn't do all of last season: stand on the podium as a Ferrari driver. He's looked like his old self in two of the three races this season, with Japan the only outlier. If Ferrari can keep up in the development war, the 41-year-old looks poised for his best year in half a decade.</p><h3>5. George Russell, Mercedes</h3><p>Mercedes winning three races from pole hasn't been all that surprising since the German team was considered the favorite in the preseason. The real shock is that Russell isn't leading Mercedes' charge, as he's won only one race and been out-qualified by his teenage teammate in both Japan and China. Though Lando Norris overcame Oscar Piastri's early onslaught during last year's championship run, proving early results aren't always decisive, it's still disappointing that Russell hasn't stretched his legs yet.</p><h3>6. Ollie Bearman, Haas</h3><p>Bearman, the master of the midfield, picked up right where he left off after a strong end to the 2025 campaign. The 20-year-old has firmly cemented himself as the best of the rest, picking up 17 points - the most of any driver outside the top three teams. Bearman is also shouldering the bulk of Haas' success, contributing 17 of the outfit's 18 points and putting clear distance between himself and teammate Esteban Ocon.</p><h3>7. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/cropped_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825272/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265211406.jpg?ts=1772982656 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jayce Illman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Lindblad is only 18 years old, but the teenager already carries the composure of a seasoned veteran and has looked fearless in his opening F1 races. In his debut, the Racing Bulls rookie overtook Hamilton and Norris - a combined eight championships between them - on Lap 1. He's also held his own against four-time champ Verstappen. While Red Bull has produced notable youngsters in recent years - like Gasly, Isack Hadjar, and Alex Albon - it's been a while since one as promising as Lindblad has emerged so quickly.</p><h3>8. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull</h3><p>Red Bull has four Q3 appearances, with Hadjar responsible for three and Verstappen contributing one. Who would've thought that would be the case? Although Hadjar hasn't had much luck converting those to points with a DNF in Australia and a non-points finish in Suzuka, at least the pace is there. The most telling stat of the 21-year-old's early Red Bull career: he has already out-qualified Verstappen twice, surpassing the combined total of all the Dutchman's teammates in 2024 and 2025. Hadjar might be the answer to ending the curse of Red Bull's second seat, and perhaps he can keep Verstappen on his toes, too.</p><h3>9. Oscar Piastri, McLaren</h3><p>Piastri has been terrific when he has raced this season. Unfortunately, he's only done that once. A clumsy crash during the reconnaissance laps left him out of the Australian Grand Prix, and a power unit problem ended his Chinese GP before it started. However, his first race of the season in Suzuka went as well as he could've hoped. Piastri had a terrific start, taking the lead on Lap 1, and then went on to finish second behind only Antonelli. Notably, he has out-qualified his teammate and reigning world champion, Norris, in all three races.</p><h3>10. Lando Norris, McLaren</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/cropped_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825120/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265206749.jpg?ts=1772892540 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Sutton - Formula 1 / Formula 1 / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Persistent issues affecting Norris' ability to run properly on the track have hampered him this season. Whether it be in practice, qualifying, or the race, the reigning world champion, through mostly no fault of his own, has yet to have a clean weekend from start to finish. However, the British driver has done a tremendous job at limiting damage when he has featured on the track, securing two fifth-place finishes in his two race starts. Hopefully, McLaren has tidied up its concerns by the time F1 returns for the Miami GP, giving Norris ample time to unleash the lightning pace we all know he possesses.</p><h3>11. Max Verstappen, Red Bull</h3><p>It's become clear that Verstappen dreads stepping into his new Red Bull car, and that displeasure is showing in his results. He crashed out in Q1 in Australia and was then eliminated in Q2 in Japan, while his teammate made Q3 on both occasions. The four-time world champion recovered to score points each time, but no driver's talent has been more neutralized by the new generation of cars than Verstappen's. His gripes are compounded by the RB22's nightmare handling, which is proving a challenge even for the remarkably adaptable Verstappen.</p><h3>12. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls</h3><p>Almost all of the Red Bull-controlled drivers have made waves for either good reasons (Lindblad and Hadjar) or not-so-good reasons (Verstappen). Then there's Lawson. The Kiwi driver has scored 10 points, which is only two behind Verstappen and more than Lindblad and Hadjar's combined total of eight. Lawson also impressively notched back-to-back points finishes in China and Japan. It's been quite a pleasant turnaround for a driver who just a year ago was demoted by Red Bull after a disastrous start to the season.</p><h3>13. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/cropped_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829909/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268408627.jpg?ts=1775653602 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bortoleto has been Audi's showman so far. Over three races, the Brazilian has been responsible for the team's two total points and both of its Q3 appearances. He's also bested teammate Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying in two of the three events so far. Still only 21 years old, Audi seems to have inherited a long-term asset in Bortoleto.</p><h3>14. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi</h3><p>"Close but no cigar" could be the slogan for Hulkenberg's year. He hasn't scored points or made Q3, but no one has been closer to breaking through. In his two race starts, the German veteran finished just outside the points in 11th. He's also qualified 11th twice, narrowly missing out on Q3. While Hulkenberg might not have any results to show for himself, that doesn't mean the 38-year-old is slouching around in the midfield.</p><h3>15. Carlos Sainz, Williams</h3><p>The Williams FW48 has been a dreadful car to drive due to its excessive weight. So far, Sainz has been the only driver to drag it across the line in a points-scoring position. His ninth-place result in China was nothing short of miraculous.</p><h3>16. Franco Colapinto, Alpine</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/cropped_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829910/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268874945.jpg?ts=1775653653 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Clive Mason / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Colapinto's 2026 season has already been miles better than his first year with Alpine. The Argentine needed just two races to score points, the first time he's done so for the French team. That's a good base to build off. Next, Colapinto will aim to improve his one-lap performance as he's still seeking his first Q3 appearance since the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.</p><h3>17. Esteban Ocon, Haas</h3><p>The pressure was on Ocon to deliver after getting properly outperformed by his teammate last year. Through three races, there's still a lot to be desired, with Ocon scoring only one point to Bearman's 17. While the margins seem a tad closer in qualifying between the two, Ocon's still not where he needs to be. Even more concerning is that the French driver is lagging further behind on race day.</p><h3>18. Alex Albon, Williams</h3><p>As mentioned prior, the FW48 isn't allowing either Williams driver to show off their full potential, but Albon has been the most frustrated by the car. The Thai driver is still looking for his first Q3 appearance since last July, when he qualified fifth at Spa.</p><h3>19. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/cropped_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822936/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262458276.jpg?ts=1771613561 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sona Maleterova / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Alonso nearly made it out of Q1 at the first race of the season in Australia. Considering the state of the AMR26, that should've been celebrated as if the Spaniard was fighting for pole. Perhaps the biggest disappointment of Aston Martin's disastrous start is that the paddock has been deprived of witnessing more Alonso magic. Who knows how many more years of that we have left?</p><h3>20. Sergio Perez, Cadillac</h3><p>Much like Aston Martin, the Cadillac drivers are competing in their own championship at the back of the grid. It's been Perez leading that fight after twice out-qualifying Valtteri Bottas. Maybe we were too harsh on the 36-year-old during his ousting from Red Bull.</p><h3>21. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac</h3><p>If Bottas can take any satisfaction from the start of this season, it's that he's been the closest Cadillac driver to scoring points, thanks to his 13th-place result in China. Otherwise, it's been head-scratching to see the pilot with 20 career poles struggle to hold a significant advantage over his teammate Perez in qualifying.</p><h3>22. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/cropped_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824695/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262585311.jpg?ts=1772714488 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kym Illman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There just isn't enough to work with to rank Stroll anywhere other than last. He has yet to finish a race this season: his Aston Martin car failed to start one race and retired in the other two. And in the two qualifying sessions Stroll participated in, he placed 21st in China and last in Japan.</p><p><em>Daniel Valente is theScore's lead Formula 1 writer. Daniel has covered the sport for multiple years, conducting analysis and interviewing key figures inside the paddock. His expertise is breaking down data and discovering unique stats. Follow Daniel on X at <a href="https://x.com/F1GuyDan?s=20">@F1GuyDan</a>.</em></p>

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The New York Giants have engaged with teams about a potential Dexter Lawrence trade after contrac...

<p>The New York Giants have engaged with teams about a potential <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/105300" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/105300">Dexter Lawrence</a> trade after contract talks between the two sides reached an impasse, sources told <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2044240067426660860?s=20">NFL Network's Ian Rapoport</a>.</p><p>The situation surrounding the three-time Pro Bowler should have a conclusion by next week's NFL draft, Rapoport adds. </p><p>Lawrence requested a trade earlier in April, but the Giants have publicly expressed optimism that they can find a way to retain him. Head coach John Harbaugh said last week that he believed Lawrence wanted to stay with the team, but understood there was business involved. General manager Joe Schoen expressed a similar sentiment Tuesday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'll echo what coach said last week," Schoen said, per <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2044241365538615798?s=20">Rapoport</a>. "We'd like for Dexter to be here, and at some point, we'll come to a resolution here, whatever that may be. We'll see."</p><p>Despite coming off three consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns, the 28-year-old defensive tackle posted a career-low 0.5 sacks in 2025. Lawrence has two years left on his contract.</p>

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants yells out in a huddle prior to the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Report: Giants engage with teams about potential Lawrence trade

Louisville had a big day Sunday, picking up commitments from former Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad...

<p>Louisville had a big day Sunday, picking up commitments from former Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad and Kansas forward Flory Bidunga, a source told <a href="https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2043385798947443128?s=20">ESPN's Pete Thamel</a>.</p><p>Considered one of the top players in the portal, Bidunga averaged 13.3 points, nine rebounds, and 1.5 assists this past season.</p><p>Duke was also rumored to be interested in adding Bidunga, who was one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year award.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Shelstad averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 assists this past campaign.</p><p>Louisville was aggressive in pitching its vision for assembling a championship-caliber squad, Thamel adds.</p><p>The Cardinals were eliminated by Michigan State in the second round of this year's NCAA Tournament.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the second half against the St. John's Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.

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Report: Louisville lands Bidunga, Shelstad in portal

The Toronto Blue Jays placed designated hitter George Springer on the 10-day injured list due to ...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays placed designated hitter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a> on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left big toe, the team announced Sunday.</p><p>Springer injured his toe when he fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning of Saturday's loss to the Minnesota Twins. Although he finished the at-bat, he was lifted for pinch hitter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8938" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8938">Myles Straw</a> in the sixth inning.</p><p>Former Silver Slugger winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8146" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8146">Eloy Jiménez</a> was recalled after Springer was placed on the reserve list. The 29-year-old last appeared in the majors in 2024 and is hitting .257/.372/.371 with Triple-A Buffalo. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Springer's injury is yet another blow to the reigning AL champions, who've been decimated by injuries to start the 2026 season. Catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11875" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11875">Alejandro Kirk</a> and outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> landed on the IL last weekend, while right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8204" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8204">Cody Ponce</a> tore his ACL in his first outing and is likely done for the year. Additionally, outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8303" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8303">Anthony Santander</a>, starting pitchers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4769" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4769">José Berríos</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a>, and reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3943" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3943">Yimi García</a> all began their seasons on the IL.</p><p>Springer won a Silver Slugger at DH last year, and the Blue Jays were counting on him to keep serving as a stabilizing presence out of the leadoff spot in 2026. He put up a .660 OPS with two homers, six RBIs, and eight walks in 62 plate appearances before the injury.</p><p>The 36-year-old is in the final season of a six-year, $150-million contract with Toronto.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 6: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays swings against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on April 6, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Blue Jays' Springer placed on 10-day IL with fractured toe

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson is due to miss the start of the postseason.  Dobson sus...

<p>Montreal Canadiens defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7911" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7911">Noah Dobson</a> is due to miss the start of the postseason.</p><p>Dobson sustained an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Sunday. The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday.</p><p>The 26-year-old appeared to suffer the injury on a blocked shot in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Habs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Habs</a> Noah Dobson will not return to tonight's game. He headed to the dressing room during the second period after blocking a shot. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHabsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHabsGo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/QAIgq4qUu0">pic.twitter.com/QAIgq4qUu0</a></p>— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisHabs360/status/2043133124389794102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Dobson had 12 goals and 35 assists for 47 points while averaging 22:29 of ice time this season.</p><p>The Canadiens have recalled defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13819" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13819">David Reinbacher</a>. The 21-year-old was selected fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He recorded five goals and 19 assists with the Laval Rocket in the AHL this season.</p>

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 11: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (53) skates during the Columbus Blue Jackets versus the Montreal Canadiens game on April 11, 2026, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

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Canadiens' Dobson out at least 2 weeks with upper-body injury

Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028, bo...

<p>Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028, both teams announced Thursday.</p><p>Liambiase's new role at McLaren will see him as the chief racing officer and he will report to team principal Andrea Stella. The move will help support Stella, who is already managing the duties of the chief racing officer position in addition to his responsibilities as team boss.</p><p>Lambiase has been Verstappen's race engineer since the Dutch driver's first race with the team, a record-breaking victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. That triumph made Verstappen the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history at the age of 18. The duo have partnered for 71 victories together and four consecutive drivers' championships from 2021-24.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Lambiase is just the latest departure to hit the Red Bull empire. Other exits in recent years include former senior advisor Helmut Marko, team principal Christian Horner, chief technical officer Adrian Newey, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, among others. At McLaren, Lambiase will also reunite with former Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall and sporting director Will Courtenay.</p><p>"The team’s ability to attract and secure top talent, like Lambiase, and previously Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, alongside the retention and promotion of highly-talented people already within the team, is a testament to the strategic vision and culture that are integrally embodied in the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts," McLaren said in a statement.</p><p>Liambiase's exit would leave Verstappen as one of the few recognizable faces left from Red Bull's dominant era this past decade. However, the four-time world champion's own future is uncertain, with Verstappen publicly pondering an early retirement from F1 due to his dissatisfaction with the sport's new regulations and cars.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: 2024 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Verstappen's race engineer Lambiase to join McLaren

Three races with the new regulations have passed, giving the Formula 1 community an ample taste o...

<p>Three races with the new regulations have passed, giving the Formula 1 community an ample taste of the new cars. There have been some pleasant surprises, but the rules haven't come without their share of criticism. theScore's lead Formula 1 writer, Daniel Valente, will call fact or fiction on all the biggest complaints.</p><h3>The need for driver skill has been reduced</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/cropped_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829103/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268527460.jpg?ts=1775093732 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Let's be frank: One manufacturer typically gains a huge advantage anytime F1 opts for regulation changes that involve the power units, but this has nothing to do with 2026 appearing to be a two-horse race between the Mercedes pilots. Drivers have complained about feeling passive with these cars, specifically the complicated power units that now obtain 50% of their power from the electrical side.</p><p>Fernando Alonso has labeled this year the "battery world championship." There have been a lot of unusual and, truthfully, anti-driver consequences resulting from the new regulations. A small lift off throttle can lead to suboptimal deployment, causing drivers to lose significant amounts of power on the straights, which is what happened to Charles Leclerc in Japan. But my favorite moment from that weekend is George Russell accidentally hitting a button while changing gears, which induced a software glitch that caused his battery to start charging.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Try explaining that to someone who doesn't watch F1.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">George Russell had a issue in Sunday's race where "a bug in the software code, triggered by a button press &amp; a gear shift at the same time, caused the power unit to go into superclip &amp; charge the battery."<br><br>This led him to him being overtaken. <a href="https://t.co/pLQ5y49OLD">pic.twitter.com/pLQ5y49OLD</a></p>— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1GuyDan/status/2038589769119097159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Don't get it twisted though; I'm not saying there's zero driver skill involved. Pilots still need to be quick and maximize every inch of grip available. However, it's never been more important to be as calculated as they are talented. Drivers must consider when and where to deploy energy to avoid leaving themselves vulnerable. The intuitive side is almost as crucial as their foot being on the pedal.</p><p>F1 is literally a series designed around a formula. The team that best figures out the formula and regulations typically wins the championship. Then again, the sport has been marketed as the home of the bravest and best drivers on the planet. This is supposed to be where legends are separated from mere mortals, as drivers attempt to tame some of the fastest machinery created. So far, it hasn't given off that feeling.</p><p><strong>Verdict: Fact</strong></p><h3>The racing has become artificial</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/cropped_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829104/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268463610.jpg?ts=1775093783 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>F1 operates in a unique area of the sports landscape where it not only changes the rules for technical reasons but also keeps the audience's interest top of mind (even if it doesn't always say so directly). The show is just as important as the sport itself. If the question is, do the new regulations create artificial racing? The answer is an easy "yes."</p><p>But we shouldn't pretend as if previous iterations of F1 were the purest form of racing either.</p><p>In 2011, the sport introduced the Drag Reduction System (DRS). When a trailing car is within one second of another car at the detection point, the rear wing opens and the pursuing car gets a helping hand of DRS. The car in front is powerless in its ability to counter and essentially penalized for leading. The system was introduced to promote more overtaking. Sounds pretty artificial, wouldn't you say? F1 is lucky that its boom in popularity over the last handful of years means that a significant portion of the fan base doesn't know what the sport was like before the DRS era. Had the system been introduced today, there would almost surely be cries of artificiality.</p><p>Let's not stop there. Pirelli, F1's exclusive tire supplier since 2011, was brought back in hopes that its rubber could add another element of strategy. The change was made in response to complaints that racing on the Bridgestone tires had become too dull. A 2010 Pirelli press release <a href="https://press.pirelli.com/pirelli-begins-formula-one-tyre-testing/">states</a> that the Italian company aimed to find a compromise "between performance, durability, and spectacle." Doesn't that also sound artificial?</p><p>We could spend an eternity asking, "Well, what about this?" Regardless, the racing in 2026 can be considered artificial as well. F1 has fallen victim to the belief that more invariably means better. The more overtakes, the better the race is - except that's not always the case.</p><p>If a driver makes a pass using their battery but they're immediately overtaken because they have no energy to defend, then artificial forces are at play. The drivers are simply limited by their power units, and the final number of overtakes becomes nothing more than an inflated figure on a graphic. There's no single recipe for a great race; some may feature one suspenseful overtake, while others might be filled with passes, but the one necessary factor is that it has to be organic.</p><p>Not every bit of action has been the equivalent of drivers throwing Koopa shells at opponents or using mushrooms for a burst of speed. So far, the best moment to come from these regulations has been Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton battling through corners in China. Nothing about it was inauthentic, as it felt like the outcome was in the drivers' hands. The worst moments happened in Australia and Japan, where many of the overtakes seemed to be a result of the battery rather than the driver.</p><p><strong>Verdict: It's complicated</strong></p><h3>There's nothing F1 can do to improve the cars</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/cropped_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829106/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268204291.jpg?ts=1775093878 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There's no denying that all isn't well in the sport. Many drivers have been outspoken about the new rules, and criticism from beyond the paddock only appears to be growing. F1 is in a jam right now. Seemingly obvious solutions, such as adjusting the 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power in favor of the former, cannot happen in the short term. Teams simply don't have enough time or money under the cost cap to redesign an engine or increase the size of their fuel tanks, which would then complicate their chassis design and once again make the cars heavier.</p><p>However, that doesn't mean potential tweaks can't be considered for next year.</p><p>Plus, F1 can still make a few temporary fixes this season. Reintroducing flat-out qualifying laps is at the top of the agenda, and it may be possible, depending on alterations made to deployment and battery-charging allowances. What exactly that would look like has yet to be determined, but the FIA is scheduled to meet later in April to discuss potential revisions, which <a href="https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-plan-six-2026-rules-fixes-explained/">reportedly</a> could include reducing the amount of energy that can be recharged and decreasing the maximum deployment limit, among other ideas.</p><p>While I've been outspoken about the impact of the new regulations, it's important to recognize that it's only Year 1. F1 and the FIA were very ambitious in their efforts, and they didn't get everything right, but that doesn't mean the flaws are baked in permanently. And you can bet your last dollar that the two governing bodies wouldn't hesitate to make drastic changes if the new rules start to affect the commercial success of their product.</p><p><strong>Verdict: Fiction</strong></p><h3>The ground-effect era was better</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/cropped_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/w220xh124_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/w320xh180_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/w640xh360_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/w768xh432_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829107/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2252202655.jpg?ts=1775093962 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite the ongoing hiccups, we can't let revisionist history alter the truth about the last generation of cars.</p><p>The ground-effect era began on an unthinkable high in 2022. Cars were able to follow closely, and Ferrari and Red Bull were locked into battle. By the end of 2025, though, the cars couldn't follow well at all, and most races became a push to reach Turn 1 first. The majority of the drivers and fans grew tired of the overweight, stiff, and rigid cars that dominated the period.</p><p>The new generation of cars is definitely more aesthetically pleasing than its predecessor. They're also lighter and nimbler. Essentially, they're polar opposites of the ground-effect cars given that one particular setup - running the car as low to the ground as possible - proved to be most effective during the previous era. While there's no sugarcoating the fact that the power units inside the 2026 cars need modifications, the ceiling for this era is much higher than the last one. It'll just require some patience.</p><p><strong>Verdict: Fiction</strong></p><p><em>Daniel Valente is theScore's lead Formula 1 writer. Daniel has covered the sport for multiple years, conducting analysis and interviewing key figures inside the paddock. His expertise is breaking down data and discovering unique stats. Follow Daniel on X at <a href="https://x.com/F1GuyDan?s=20">@F1GuyDan</a>.</em></p>

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<p>The New York Mets placed outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a> on the 10-day injured list due to a right calf strain, the team announced Monday.</p><p>The club noted that a typical recovery timeline for this injury is around two-to-three weeks. The move is retroactive to Saturday.</p><p>Soto suffered the injury while running the bases during Friday night's win over the San Francisco Giants. He was deemed day-to-day after undergoing an MRI on Saturday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The four-time All Star was batting .355 with one home run, five RBIs, and a .928 OPS through eight games.</p><p>The Mets are 6-4 and riding a three-game winning streak. They have an off day Monday before resuming play against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.</p><p>New York called up infielder Ronny Mauricio in a corresponding move.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 04, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

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<p>James Franklin is hungry to lead Virginia Tech and erase any lingering memories of a disappointing 2025 season with Penn State that resulted in his termination.</p><p>"I got a huge chip on my shoulder," Franklin said to <a href="https://x.com/On3/status/2039781531464630619?s=20">On3 Sports</a>. "Kind of an unusual situation. Six games earlier, we're playing for national championship. Now obviously some things happened that were in my control and I take total responsibility for that. But, yeah I got a big chip on my shoulder. Extremely motivated."</p><p>Penn State was one of the favorites to win the national title ahead of last season, but fell woefully short of expectations. The Nittany Lions ended up firing Franklin after a three-game losing streak dropped the team to 3-3. Franklin managed to make the College Football Playoff semifinal during the 2024 campaign before his inability to win versus a top opponent once again came to fruition. The head coach carried an unspectacular 4-21 mark against top-10 opponents with Penn State.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He'll be looking to revive a Virginia Tech program that has only won 10 or more games once since 2012. </p><p>"We got a lot of work to do," Franklin remarked. "Most importantly, our players are driven, excited, and motivated. We got a really good core group of guys that stayed at Virginia Tech and guys that we brought from a number of other places too."</p><p>The Hokies open the season at home against VMI on Sept. 5.</p>

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Virginia Tech Hokies walks on the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

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<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/50078" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/50078">Odell Beckham Jr.</a> met with New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh on Monday at the league's annual meetings to discuss a potential return to the franchise where his career started, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48360179/sources-beckham-jr-meets-harbaugh-giants-nfl-meetings">ESPN's Jordan Raanan</a>.</p><p>Although a deal isn't imminent, there's a possibility the Giants schedule a workout for Beckham in the near future, Raanan reports.</p><p>Interest in a reunion hasn't been one-sided either, as New York has left the door open for Beckham's return. Harbaugh <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3511120" href="https://thescore.com/news/3511120">said</a> Monday that the 33-year-old might be an option for the Giants this season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/209911" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/209911">Jaxson Dart</a> and wide receiver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/199759" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/199759">Malik Nabers</a> have told the franchise they would be in favor of adding Beckham, Raanan adds.</p><p>In addition to his ties with the Giants, Beckham played under Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.</p><p>Beckham last played in the NFL in 2024, catching nine passes for 55 yards with the Miami Dolphins. His last 1,000-yard season came in 2019, with the 537 yards he posted in 2023 marking his highest single-season total since.</p><p>Drafted in the first round by the Giants in 2014, Beckham became a superstar during his time in New York. He began his career with three straight Pro Bowl seasons, recording at least 90 receptions, 1,300 yards, and 10 touchdowns in each of those campaigns. The Giants traded Beckham to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2019 campaign.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Wildcats FFC looks on during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

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<p>If Formula 1 doesn't do something to refine these regulations, the 2026 season could be Max Verstappen's last appearance in the sport.</p><p>Although the 28-year-old has long insisted he doesn't plan to spend his entire racing career in F1, the end seems even closer after his comments Sunday in Japan, where he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3510350" href="https://thescore.com/news/3510350">questioned</a> whether returning in 2027 was worthwhile.</p><p>But Verstappen's retirement may ultimately not be his decision alone, as it seems the governing bodies above him will help him choose.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>When discussing whether the FIA and F1 changing the regulations could impact his future, the four-time world champion replied, "They know what to do."</p><p>With a rule set geared toward attracting new manufacturers amid the rise in electrification, Verstappen appears to be trying to tip the balance back in favor of the driver.</p><p>At the moment, there's little enticing him to stay.</p><p>Verstappen had another difficult Sunday, finishing eighth and stuck behind Alpine's Pierre Gasly for most of the race. He now sits ninth in the drivers' standings and has collected only 12 points, making this his worst start after three events since he was a 17-year-old rookie in a Toro Rosso in 2015.</p><p>While this marks his first three-race run without a top-five finish since 2017, Verstappen's criticism of the new rules has grown more frequent. And though his latest comments weren't his best zingers - like comparing the new cars to Mario Kart or Formula E on steroids - he still described the machinery as "anti-driving" and "not what I want to do."</p><p>Thankfully for Verstappen, if the new rules push him out of F1, there's still plenty of driving elsewhere.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/cropped_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828669/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268719768.jpg?ts=1774840675 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mark Thompson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>He used his weekend off between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix to complete a four-hour race at the Nurburgring in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. He handily delivered the pole and won the race before his team was eventually disqualified for using an extra set of tires. Still, it wasn't hard to notice that Verstappen seemed to have more fun at the Nurburgring than at any F1 event this year. The Dutch driver is also gearing up for the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, a race he said is on his "bucket list."</p><p>Verstappen has pretty much won everything there is in F1, and he's always maintained that winning one title was his dream, with everything else a bonus. His motivation isn't to break records. He just wants to drive the best cars that motorsports have to offer.</p><p>That isn't F1 right now.</p><p>The 35-day gap between Suzuka and the next race in Miami will be pivotal in shaping F1's future, as the FIA plans to meet in April to assess whether any changes to the regulations are necessary.</p><p>The series will survive without Verstappen and has weathered worse storms. But Verstappen can survive without F1, too, and pushing out one of the biggest talents ever - a driver any motorsport series would beg to have - feels shortsighted compared to confronting the issues that Verstappen and others have vocalized.</p><p>Both sides will endure, but one will suffer a bigger blow in the eyes of the public - and it won't be Verstappen.</p><p>The same decision-makers who helped pen the regulations will now be asked if they wish to write Verstappen's retirement notice with the same ink. It would be a shame if that's how Verstappen's F1 story ends.</p><p><em>Daniel Valente is theScore's lead Formula 1 writer. Daniel has covered the sport for multiple years, conducting analysis and interviewing key figures inside the paddock. His expertise is breaking down data and discovering unique stats. Follow Daniel on X at <a href="https://x.com/F1GuyDan?s=20">@F1GuyDan</a>.</em></p>

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