Norris drives to victory in F1 opener

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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, right, of Australia and teammate Lando Norris of Britain pose for the drivers portrait photo session ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 01: ESPN commentator Dick Vitale poses with the Tennessee Volunteers fans prior to the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 01, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Matt Targett and Dan Burn of Newcastle United inspect the pitch prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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Norris drives to victory in F1 opener

McLaren’s Lando Norris won a chaotic rain-affected Australian Grand Prix, his first victory at Albert Park, with the British driver just managing to stay ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following a third safety car late in Sunday’s season-opening Formula 1 race. Lewis Hamilton had a miserable Ferrari debut. The seven-time seriews champion finished 10th and was annoyed by constant radio messages from his pit team. Norris started Melbourne’s first wet race since 2010 from pole position. Verstappen, the four-time reigning series champion, finished 0.895 behind Norris after starting from third on the grid. Mercedes’ George Russell closed out the top three. “I know what I’m capable of, I know what I can do, but obviously it’s just round one, so we need to go and do it again next weekend and then continue from there,” said the 25-year-old Norris, who secured McLaren’s 12th victory in Australia to take the outright record from Ferrari. “... A long season ahead, we’ve just got to keep our head down and keep pushing.”

Vitale emotional during broadcast

Dick Vitale became emotional Saturday night while talking about his most recent cancer battle while announcing top-ranked Duke’s 73-62 victory over No. 13 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship. The 85-year-old ESPN college basketball analyst announced in December he was cancer-free. It was his fourth battle in just more than three years with the disease. Vitale teared up as he looked into the camera while sitting between fellow announcers Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander. “It’s like to me a miracle to sit here with you guys,” Vitale said. “I can’t tell you how much you’ve meant to me. It’s been unbelievable. A tough three years. Those four cancer battles. I don’t wish it on anybody. Cancer sucks.” “It’s my last game this year and I’m praying, hopefully, I can be back next year, maybe even better,” Vitale continued. “I hope and pray my doctor really helps me with my voice.” The Basketball Hall of Famer and former NBA and college coach has been with ESPN since it launched in 1979.

Newcastle ends long trophy drought

Newcastle ended its 70-year-wait for a major domestic trophy by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the English League Cup final on Sunday. Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored either side of halftime to seal victory at Wembley Stadium in London. Substitute Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back for Liverpool in added time, to set up a tense finish, but Newcastle held on. Newcastle’s last major domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955 and this was its first piece of silverware since being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021. Liverpool is 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and looks on course to win a record-equaling 20th English league title this season. The powerful header by Burn, above, fired Newcastle ahead just before halftime and Isak doubled the lead in the 52nd minute. Newcastle’s last major trophy was the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. There have been near misses and painful lows in the intervening years including back-to-back FA Cup final losses in 1998 and ’99 and defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup final two years ago. —AP