Red Bull has appointed Roger Schmidt as its new Global Head of Soccer, succeeding Jürgen Klopp. Schmidt will assume the role on October 1, overseeing the sporting direction of Red Bull's seven clubs worldwide.
Red Bull has appointed Roger Schmidt as its new Global Head of Soccer, succeeding Jürgen Klopp, who left to coach the German national team. Schmidt, 59, will oversee the sporting direction of Red Bull’s seven clubs worldwide, including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and FC Salzburg, starting October 1. Known for his attacking pressing style and youth development, Schmidt previously coached Red Bull Salzburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, and PSV Eindhoven.
Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.
On July 6, 2026, Tadej Pogacar won the third stage of the 113th Tour de France in Les Angles, taking the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard. The stage proceeded despite devastating wildfires in southwestern France, with temperatures up to 40°C. Organizers banned public access and canceled the advertising caravan; over 10,000 people were evacuated and 4,600 hectares burned. Pogacar and Vingegaard are now tied on time, with Pogacar leading on bonuses.
Florian Lipowitz, a 25-year-old German podium contender, crashed heavily during Stage 16 of the Tour de France, an individual time trial from Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains. He lost control on a right-hand turn, slammed his shoulder into the curb, and suffered a broken collarbone, ending his race. Lipowitz underwent successful surgery at a Lake Geneva clinic and is recovering. His Red Bull teammate Remco Evenepoel won the stage, while overall leader Tadej Pogacar nearly crashed at the same corner.
Ahead of Germany's 2026 World Cup opener against Curaçao in Houston, TV expert Jürgen Klopp jokingly remarked that Julian Nagelsmann is "still" setting the lineup, implying his tenure may be temporary. Nagelsmann refused to comment, while former players criticized Klopp for disrespect. The incident fuels speculation about Klopp as a future national coach, highlighting friction between the two figures.
Following Germany's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, Julian Nagelsmann resigned as head coach. The German Football Association (DFB) has reached an agreement in principle with Jürgen Klopp, currently Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, to take over on a four-year contract through the 2030 World Cup. DFB officials met Klopp in New York to finalize terms, including salary and coaching staff. Red Bull is expected to release Klopp for a multi-million euro transfer fee, a first for a German national coach.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. Lando Norris qualified third but dropped to 13th due to a ten-place grid penalty for exceeding control electronics limits, promoting George Russell to third. Multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, also received penalties, reshuffling the grid. Antonelli dedicated the pole to his father. The race is scheduled for Sunday.
Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier won multiple stages of the 2026 Tour de France, including Stage 7 in Bordeaux and Stage 12, solidifying his status as the race's fastest rider. German debutant Max Kanter missed a podium due to a bump on the finishing straight. Overall leader Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey, while Mads Pedersen led the points classification. The event highlighted a decline in German sprinting success.
After Germany's shock round-of-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (hosted by Mexico, USA, and Canada), head coach Julian Nagelsmann resigned on July 3, 2026. The German Football Association (DFB) immediately opened talks with former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who confirmed he is "ready" to take the role. Klopp, currently head of football at Red Bull, is expected to finalize the deal in the coming days, according to multiple reports, including transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The decision marks a major shift for the four-time world champions as they rebuild ahead of the 2028 home European Championship.
At the 2026 Tour de France, Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel publicly criticized German teammate Florian Lipowitz after Stage 6 for refusing to lead him out in a sprint, citing exhaustion. The incident escalated tensions in Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe’s dual leadership, with Evenepoel later backtracking after a team reconciliation. The team aims to challenge top favorites, but internal friction and Evenepoel’s history of abandoning the race raise concerns.
Red Bull has appointed Roger Schmidt as its new Global Head of Soccer, succeeding Jürgen Klopp, who left to coach the German national team. Schmidt, 59, will oversee the sporting direction of Red Bull’s seven clubs worldwide, including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and FC Salzburg, starting October 1. Known for his attacking pressing style and youth development, Schmidt previously coached Red Bull Salzburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, and PSV Eindhoven.
Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.
Lewis Hamilton expressed regret over Ferrari's decision to pit him for a third time during the Hungarian Grand Prix under a Virtual Safety Car, stating it 'opened the door' to a subsequent five-second penalty for pit-lane speeding. Hamilton, who had just inherited second place, lost track position to Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, ultimately finishing fifth after the penalty was applied. The seven-time world champion admitted to making 'lots of mistakes' in recent races, having received penalties in the previous two Grands Prix as well. The result dropped him further behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who now holds a 50-point advantage heading into the summer break.
Ahead of Germany's 2026 World Cup opener against Curaçao in Houston, TV expert Jürgen Klopp jokingly remarked that Julian Nagelsmann is "still" setting the lineup, implying his tenure may be temporary. Nagelsmann refused to comment, while former players criticized Klopp for disrespect. The incident fuels speculation about Klopp as a future national coach, highlighting friction between the two figures.
During the first practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap time of 1:19.075, outpacing Red Bull's Max Verstappen and teammate Lewis Hamilton by half a second. However, Leclerc's session ended early when he reported a mechanical issue on his SF-26 car. Aston Martin's heavily upgraded AMR26 car suffered a suspected rear suspension failure, causing Lance Stroll to spin off at Turn Three and triggering a red flag. Stroll completed only 11 laps, while teammate Fernando Alonso finished 13th fastest. Additionally, Max Verstappen and Williams' Carlos Sainz were summoned to stewards for erratic driving after an incident where Sainz blocked Verstappen. The session was eventful with multiple technical issues and driving controversies.
A Japanese mountain bike trials rider, sponsored by Red Bull, has set a world record by riding backwards down an Olympic ski jump hill, balancing only on the front wheel. The stunt, described as 'madness,' reached a speed of 60 km/h. The event took place on a ski jump hill, and the rider performed the entire descent in reverse, showcasing extreme balance and control. The record was confirmed by Red Bull Media House, and the feat was reported by Bild Sport on July 23, 2026.
The Tour de France enters its decisive final four stages, with three brutal Alpine stages including double ascents of Alpe d'Huez. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) holds a comfortable 4-minute 32-second lead over Remco Evenepoel. However, the team faces internal problems: Adam Yates is reportedly ill with gastroenteritis symptoms (vomiting, chills, lost over 26 minutes on stage 17), and Isaac del Toro showed difficulties but managed to rejoin the favorites. There is also uncertainty about Brandon McNulty's condition after a collision with a car during time trial reconnaissance. Team director Matxin confirmed Yates' illness but denied Del Toro is sick. Pogacar's lead appears secure, but team depth concerns could affect support in the mountains.
Bayern Munich supervisory board chairman Herbert Hainer publicly endorsed Jürgen Klopp as the incoming head coach of the German national football team, breaking weeks of silence. Speaking at a Bayern basketball event in Munich, Hainer emphasized that German football needs 'momentum and a fresh start' after three consecutive World Cup failures, including group-stage exits and a round-of-16 elimination. He praised Klopp's track record at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool, highlighting his ability to unite teams, inspire fighting spirit, and create a fresh-start atmosphere. Hainer stated that Klopp is 'a leader who can move people at every level' and that all contractual obstacles with Red Bull have been cleared, with Red Bull agreeing to an early termination. The article reflects optimism about Klopp's potential to revitalize the struggling German national team.
Florian Lipowitz, a 25-year-old German podium contender, crashed heavily during Stage 16 of the Tour de France, an individual time trial from Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains. He lost control on a right-hand turn, slammed his shoulder into the curb, and suffered a broken collarbone, ending his race. Lipowitz underwent successful surgery at a Lake Geneva clinic and is recovering. His Red Bull teammate Remco Evenepoel won the stage, while overall leader Tadej Pogacar nearly crashed at the same corner.
Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has publicly endorsed Jürgen Klopp as the next head coach of the German national football team, breaking the club's long silence on the matter. Speaking at a Bayern basketball event, Hainer praised Klopp's ability to inspire teams and create a spirit of optimism, citing his successful stints at Mainz, Dortmund, and Liverpool. Hainer expressed that as fans, Bayern would love to see Germany succeed again after early World Cup exits, including a round-of-32 elimination in 2026 under Julian Nagelsmann. According to media reports, Klopp's signing and presentation could happen as early as Friday, with Red Bull having agreed to release him from his contract. Klopp is expected to sign a deal until the 2030 World Cup.
A Red Bull athlete has set a world record by riding a bicycle backwards down an Olympic ski jump hill, balancing only on the front wheel. The stunt, described as 'world record madness,' was captured on video and published by Red Bull Media House. The feat involves descending the ski jump in reverse orientation while maintaining a wheelie-like position on the front wheel. The article, from Bild Sport, highlights the extreme nature of the achievement and the skill required to perform the dangerous maneuver. The publication date is July 22, 2026.
A Red Bull athlete has set a world record by cycling backwards down an Olympic ski jump hill, riding only on the front wheel. The stunt, described as 'world record madness,' was performed on a bike and captured on video. The event took place on July 22, 2026, and was reported by Bild Sport. The athlete's identity is not specified in the provided text, but the feat involved descending a ski jump hill in reverse while balancing on the front wheel, a highly dangerous and skillful maneuver. The record was confirmed by Red Bull Media House.
A major controversy is brewing ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Ferrari, Honda, and Audi demanding that the FIA ban or alter Mercedes' new engine design. The dispute centers on Mercedes allegedly exploiting a loophole in the new technical regulations, which cap engine compression ratios at 16:1. Rivals claim Mercedes' design uses thermal expansion to achieve a non-compliant ratio of around 18:1 at operating temperature, providing an unfair performance and fuel consumption advantage. Mercedes, supported by customer teams McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, insists the engine is legal and was initially approved by the FIA. The FIA faces a dilemma: ban the engine and force four teams to redesign weeks before pre-season testing, or allow it and risk an unlevel playing field. A crucial meeting with all engine manufacturers was scheduled for January 22, 2026. The article also lists pre-season testing dates in Barcelona and Bahrain.
German media Bild reports that Jürgen Klopp's departure from his role as Red Bull football director to become the German national team head coach is causing significant upheaval within the Red Bull football empire. Klopp, who expanded the football department to nearly 20 employees, insisted on the appointment of Martin Demichelis as RB Leipzig's head coach before leaving, despite internal disputes. His exit leaves Demichelis without his biggest supporter and creates uncertainty for other Klopp-appointed officials like David Wagner and Marco Neppe. The new football director will need to restructure the department, clarify responsibilities, and unify the playing philosophy. Short-term, Leipzig sports director Marcel Schäfer benefits as he resumes closer collaboration with supervisory board member Oliver Mintzlaff and technical director Mario Gómez, exemplified by the recent signing of French player Estève.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz crashed heavily during the individual time trial at the Tour de France on July 21, 2026, and was forced to abandon the race. His team, Red Bull, later confirmed he suffered a broken collarbone. Lipowitz, who was fifth overall at the time, had been delivering an excellent ride until his front wheel slipped in a right-hand bend about eight kilometers from the finish. The stage was won by his teammate Remco Evenepoel, who finished 28 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar continues to lead the overall classification by 4:32 minutes over Evenepoel. The crash is a major blow to Red Bull, as Lipowitz was a key podium contender. The article also notes that the team underwent routine evening doping controls the night before, and that another rider, Brandon McNulty, had a minor collision with a car before the stage.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz, third-place finisher in the previous year's Tour de France, suffered a heavy crash during the 16th stage individual time trial from Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains, forcing him to abandon the race injured. The stage was won by his Red Bull teammate Remco Evenepoel, who dominated the competition, finishing 28 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar continues safely in the yellow jersey. Lipowitz's withdrawal is a major blow to German hopes in the race.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visits the White House for the first presidential summit in nearly two decades, seeking Donald Trump's assistance to rebuild the country amid a severe financial crisis, ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, and war damage from clashes with Israel. The Economist podcast also covers threats to Red Bull's marketing machine and the declining trend of trophy wives, as age gaps between wealthy men and their spouses shrink. The episode features correspondents Gregg Carlstrom, Vendeline von Bredow, and data journalist Doug Dowson, hosted by Rosie Blau and Jason Palmer.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visits the White House to seek Donald Trump's help in rebuilding Lebanon, marking the first presidential summit in nearly two decades. The country faces a severe financial crisis, a power struggle with Hezbollah, and damage from conflict with Israel. The Economist podcast also covers threats to Red Bull's marketing machine and the declining trend of trophy wives, as the age gap between wealthy men and their spouses shrinks. The episode features correspondents Gregg Carlstrom, Vendeline von Bredow, and data journalist Doug Dowson.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli extended his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points by winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, his sixth victory of the 2026 season. After building a 66-point lead in Monaco, Antonelli saw his advantage slashed to 25 points following a series of misfortunes, including a late retirement in Barcelona and a point-less finish at Silverstone. He bounced back at Spa, converting pole position into a win. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, and Max Verstappen took third for Red Bull. Title rival George Russell retired on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton, dropping to third in the standings. Hamilton finished fourth but received a penalty for causing the collision. In the constructors' championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 73 points. Cadillac remains the only team without points after 10 rounds.
The Tour de France enters its final stretch with a demanding 26.1 km individual time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains. Belgian Remco Evenepoel, Olympic champion and three-time world champion in the specialty, has an opportunity to challenge Slovenian Tadej Pogacar's overall lead. Evenepoel, who won Sunday's stage and rose to 2nd overall after Jonas Vingegaard's crash and withdrawal, acknowledges that making up the 5-minute deficit is unrealistic but aims to win another stage. Pogacar considers Evenepoel the big favorite for the time trial. The route features nine kilometers of climbing, eight kilometers of descent, and nine kilometers of flat terrain. Meanwhile, Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier, winner of three stages, withdrew due to physical exhaustion.
This article from Sky Sports provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 Formula 1 team-mate head-to-head statistics following the Belgian Grand Prix. It covers all 11 teams, detailing qualifying, sprint, and grand prix scores between each pair of drivers. Key highlights include Kimi Antonelli leading George Russell at Mercedes with 204 points to 154, Lewis Hamilton outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari (159-126 points), and Max Verstappen dominating Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in both qualifying and race counts. Other notable matchups include Lando Norris leading Oscar Piastri at McLaren in qualifying but trailing in race wins, and Oliver Bearman significantly outperforming Esteban Ocon at Haas. The data reflects the competitive dynamics within each team as the season progresses.
Martin Brundle analyzes the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, highlighting Kimi Antonelli's dominant victory and ongoing issues for George Russell, including a clash with Lewis Hamilton and battery power problems. Brundle criticizes the current F1 power unit regulations that have dulled high-speed corners at Spa and Silverstone, calling for a major philosophy change. He notes the race was held in sunny conditions with a safety car deployment, and praises the circuit improvements but laments the loss of driver-defining corners due to hybrid battery charging requirements. The article also previews the upcoming Hungarian GP.
This live blog from RMC Sport covers transfer news and rumors following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The main story is Jürgen Klopp confirming he will become the next head coach of Germany, having reached an agreement with Red Bull, though he will not hold a dual role. Other notable updates include Moroccan international Issa Diop moving from Fulham to Ipswich Town for €10 million, and OGC Nice showing interest in Olympique Lyonnais' 18-year-old striker Enzo Molebe, with talks of a loan with option to buy. The blog also references top articles about the World Cup final, including Spain's victory over Argentina and related controversies.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. Lando Norris qualified third but dropped to 13th due to a ten-place grid penalty for exceeding control electronics limits, promoting George Russell to third. Multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, also received penalties, reshuffling the grid. Antonelli dedicated the pole to his father. The race is scheduled for Sunday.
A major controversy is brewing ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Ferrari, Honda, and Audi demanding that the FIA ban or alter Mercedes' new engine design. The dispute centers on Mercedes allegedly exploiting a loophole in the new technical regulations that cap engine compression ratios at 16:1. While Mercedes' engine complies when measured at ambient temperature, rivals claim it uses thermal expansion to achieve a non-compliant ratio of around 18:1 during races, providing an unfair performance and fuel consumption advantage. Mercedes, supported by customer teams McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, insists the design is legal and was initially approved by the FIA. A crucial meeting with all engine manufacturers is scheduled for January 22, 2026. The FIA faces a dilemma: ban the engine and force a redesign weeks before pre-season testing, or allow it and risk protests. A potential compromise would permit the engine temporarily if brought into full compliance by 2027.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured his sixth pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, acknowledges that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Spa-Francorchamps will be challenging. The track's unique layout, with a short run to La Source and a long uphill section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to Les Combes, often makes the polesitter vulnerable to slipstream overtakes. None of the last four polesitters have won the race. Despite a recent dip in form due to reliability issues, Antonelli remains optimistic about his pace and tire degradation management. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted the difficulty of leading through Eau Rouge, while Antonelli emphasized the importance of a good start to maintain position into Turn Five.
Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari can reduce their deficit to rivals during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, despite admitting the gap in Friday practice was 'bigger than anticipated'. Hamilton finished close to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice but was seven-tenths behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice. Antonelli leads the championship standings, with Hamilton third. Hamilton noted Ferrari needs to improve in the middle sector. Verstappen, who topped FP1 but was third in FP2, said Red Bull's balance was good but unsure of further pace. McLaren's Lando Norris, second in FP2, faces a 10-place grid penalty. The article includes driver reactions and analysis of team performances at Spa-Francorchamps.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz (25) of Red Bull has issued a declaration of war ahead of the mountain stages of the 2026 Tour de France, eyeing second-placed Jonas Vingegaard. The article reports that Lipowitz, currently seventh overall, is motivated by thousands of German fans lining the route near the border. His team boss Ralph Denk expressed confidence, stating they are exactly where they want to be as the big mountains begin. The stage on Friday was won by Swiss rider Mauro Schmid from a breakaway, while Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock surprised by moving ahead of Lipowitz in the overall standings. Red Bull has yet to achieve its stated goal of a stage win, but Lipowitz remains optimistic about the weekend. Tadej Pogacar continues in yellow, ahead of Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz (25) of Red Bull is preparing for the decisive mountain stages of the Tour de France, starting Saturday with the 155 km stage from Mühlhausen to Le Markstein. Lipowitz, currently seventh overall, is targeting second-placed Jonas Vingegaard. His team boss Ralph Denk expressed confidence, stating the team is exactly where they want to be. On Friday's longest stage (206 km), Swiss rider Mauro Schmid won from a breakaway, while Lipowitz finished safely in the peloton. However, Lipowitz lost one place in the overall standings due to a surprise ride by Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock, who now sits fourth. Red Bull's stated goal of a stage win remains unfulfilled, but Lipowitz remains optimistic about the weekend. Tadej Pogacar continues in yellow, ahead of Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.
World championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the second practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, finishing nearly two-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. Antonelli recovered from an off-pace first practice to dominate, while his Mercedes teammate George Russell, second in the standings, struggled to eighth place, 1.285 seconds behind. Max Verstappen, who led first practice for Red Bull, finished third but complained about gear shift issues. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, outpacing his teammate Charles Leclerc who managed only 11th. The session featured two red flags: one for gravel on track and another for a crash involving Alpine's Pierre Gasly, which ended the session early. Franco Colapinto impressed in seventh for Alpine, while Oscar Piastri dealt with a hydraulic issue in sixth.