Max Verstappen has won Formula One's penultimate race of the season in Qatar

Starting second, the champion-elect took the lead off the line, and held to finish ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.

McLaren's lead in the constructor's championship is not enough to lock away the title yet, with one race remaining in Abu Dhabi.

Liam Lawson was 14th.



The Breakers have been unable to nullify a rampant Bryce Cotton, who's sunk 59 points in Perth's 123-112 victory over New Zealand in the Australian basketball league.

Cotton's efforts are a league record in the modern era.



The Olympic champion Black Ferns Sevens have been pipped by Australia 28-24 in the final of the season-opening Dubai World Series event.

New Zealand twice came from behind to take the lead, but gave an intercept to Australia's Maddison Levi who darted 80 metres to score the match winning try.

The New Zealand men were knocked out by Spain in the semifinals - who went on to fall to Fiji in the decider.



Liverpool's opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the English Premier League ladder, after a 2-nil win at home over Manchester City.

Chelsea and Manchester United have posted clean sheet wins, while Tottenham and Fulham have drawn one-all.



England pace bowler Brydon Carse has earned player-of-the-match in the eight-wicket cricket test win over New Zealand.

He finished with match figures of 10 for 106, and a batting cameo of 33 not out.

The second test of three starts in Wellington on Friday.



Daniel Hillier's finished the best of the New Zealand men, in a tie for 23rd at the Australian golf Open.

Hanee Song in 10th was the best-placed Kiwi in the women's event, finishing on two-under par, 15 shots off Korean winner Jiyai Shin.



Hamilton rain has robbed leaders Northern Districts of a Plunket Shield victory over Otago.

Play was stopped on the final day when ND were just 22 runs from the win with eight wickets in hand.



Auckland City FC have won the men's football National League Championship, beating Birkenhead 2-1 in extra time in the grand final at North Harbour Stadium.

Auckland United defended their women's tile, beating Wellington's Waterside Karori 3-1 to wrap up an unbeaten season.