1. Wolff urges Mercedes to put on a great show
After a disappointing result in Brazil Formula 1 world champions Mercedes will head to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looking to finish the year on a high.
Valtteri Bottas failed to complete the race in Brazil and Lewis Hamilton had to settle for seventh after receiving a five-second penalty.
The Silver Arrows have wrapped up a sixth successive championship double but team boss Toto Wolff feels they have a “point to prove” this weekend.
Speaking ahead of the F1 season finale, Wolff said: “The underperformance in Brazil means we head to Abu Dhabi with a point to prove.
“The race is one last opportunity for us to add another victory to the record of the W10 and it’s one more chance to put on a great show for the fans before the winter break.
“We’re looking forward to the fight because we know that in Formula 1, you’re only as good as your last result.”
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: preview, predictions and circuit guide
2. Honda to power Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2021
Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso have confirmed that their cars will continue to be powered by Honda engines in 2021.
Formula 1’s new regulations are introduced the season after next and the two teams have extended their deals with the Japanese firm.
Toro Rosso were the first of the Red Bull teams to switch to Honda in 2018. Then this year the senior outfit followed suit.
F1: Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has no plans to retire just yet
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3. Santo the favourite to replace Emery
Are Arsenal about to wrong foot the press pack and appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their next manager?
In recent days the talk has been all about Mikel Arteta and Massimiliano Allegri as the favourites to replace Unai Emery, but the Daily Mail reports that Wolves boss Santo is now the bookies’ surprise choice.
The news is a shock given the strong belief that it was a two-horse race to replace Emery, but Portuguese gaffer Santo has come up on the outside to “overtake” Arteta and Allegri.
Aubameyang wanted: Barcelona and Real Madrid eye January swoop
4. Ruiz out to shock Joshua again
World heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr is confident he can “make history again” by defeating Britain’s Anthony Joshua for a second time.
Ruiz Jr won the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles with a shock win in June and on 7 December the fighters will go head-to-head in a rematch in Saudi Arabia.
“It feels good,” said the Mexican-American. “You know I made history in New York and I’ll make history again in Saudi Arabia.”
5. City Football Group valued at £3.73bn
Manchester City’s holding company, City Football Group, has been valued at £3.73bn ($4.8bn) following a 10% investment from US private equity firm Silver Lake. The £3.73bn valuation is a record for a sports organisation.
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6. Bristol Bears sign Fiji flyer Radradra
English rugby union side Bristol Bears have announced the high-profile signing of Fiji winger Semi Radradra. The 27-year-old will join Bristol from next season and director of rugby Pat Lam said: “There’s no doubt Semi is one of the best players in the world – a world-class performer.”
7. Stokes: England squad back Root 100%
Ben Stokes says the England cricket squad is 100% behind captain Joe Root.
Speaking ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, starting tomorrow in Hamilton, Stokes told Sky Sports: “He’s fine. He’s Joe Root, he is England captain – there’s no one else to do it.
“He knows he’s got the backing of everyone in the changing room, the backroom staff and management. That’s the main thing that counts for us as players. We’re a tight-knit group and everyone knows that everyone in that changing room 100% backs him, as I do.”
8. Moyes on West Ham shortlist
The Daily Telegraph reports that David Moyes is on West Ham United’s shortlist should they sack current boss Manuel Pellegrini. Moyes previously managed the Hammers on a short-term contract and left the club in June last year.
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9. Zlatan becomes part-owner of Swedish club
It had been speculated yesterday that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be joining Hammarby as a player after leaving LA Galaxy. However, it has since been confirmed that the 38-year-old has become a part-owner of the Swedish club.
He said: “Hammarby is a fantastic club with passionate supporters and has great respect in both Stockholm and Sweden.”
ESPN reports that Ibrahimovic has yet to confirm whether he intends to keep playing football following his departure from the MLS.
10. Spurs fight back to qualify
Jose Mourinho enjoyed a rollercoaster night in north London as Tottenham qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with a dramatic 4-2 defeat of Olympiakos.
On Mourinho’s home debut Olympiakos took an early two-goal lead, but goals from Harry Kane (two), Dele Alli and Serge Aurier secured the win.
Manchester City have also joined Spurs, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the competition.
Today’s back pages
‘Ball boy done good’ as Mourinho’s Spurs fight back to qualify
