Hubli Tigers 152 for 6 in 20 overs (Aditya Somanna 47, Luvnith Sisodia 29, KP Appanna 2-19) beat Ballari Tuskers 144 all out in 20 overs (CM Gautam 29, Devdutt Padikkal 68; Abhilash Shetty 3-34, Aditya Somanna 3-24) by 8 runs.

Vinay Kumar may have moved on from Karnataka, but continued to make his presence felt as a leader, inspiring Hubli Tigers to their maiden IPL crown on Saturday. They beat Ballari Tuskers in the finale by eight runs in Mysore.

Tuskers started poorly in their chase of 153 but recovered through 19-year old Devdutt Padikkal (68) and CM Gautam (29), before the Tigers applied the choke through the pace duo of Abhilash Shetty (3 for 34) and Aditya Somanna (3 for 24).

Earlier in the evening, Vinay may have rued for a while his decision to bat as Prasidh Krishna and KP Appanna, the left-arm spinner, left their mark with some exceptional bowling. Tigers were then powered by a 62-run stand between Somanna (47) and Luvnith Sisodia (29). The late lift was provided by Praveen Dubey (26*) and Shreyas Gopal (14*).

Tuskers lost three wickets inside the first four overs. Then, Padikkal and Gautam added 75 in just 66 balls to come within 53 runs of victory off the last five overs, before stuttering again by losing the set pair. It proved to be costly, but Padikkal had some consolation as he walked away as the highest run-getter in the tournament with 310 runs.

French driver Anthoine Hubert has been killed in an accident during the Formula 2 feature race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

Hubert, 22, lost control of his car on the second lap of the race at the top of the Raidillon corner, which follows the famous Eau Rouge section of the Belgian race track. Raidillon is a blind corner at the crest of a hill. After an initial impact with the barriers, Hubert's car came back onto the race track and was hit at upwards of 200 km/h by American driver Juan Manuel Correa. Hubert's car was split in two pieces by the crash.

A third driver, Giuliano Alesi, was involved but was unharmed after his car came to a halt without a rear wing and a punctured rear tyre.

TV cameras quickly cut away from the scene, and no replays were shown. The race was immediately red flagged and, once the other cars had returned to the pits, it was soon confirmed it would not restart.

F2 is the official feeder series to Formula One and the race was taking place shortly after qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday. There is also an F2 sprint race allocated on Sunday's schedule.

Just before 7 p.m. local time, the FIA confirmed Hubert had succumbed to his injuries. Correa is in stable condition in CHU Liège hospital.

"The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regrets to advise that a serious incident involving cars #12, #19 and #20 occurred at 17:07 on 31/08/19 as a part of the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps, round 17 of the season.

"The scene was immediately attended by emergency and medical crews, and all drivers were taken to the medical centre.

"As a result of the incident, the FIA regrets to inform that the driver of car #19, Antoine Hubert (FRA), succumbed to his injuries, and passed away at 18:35.

"The driver of car #12, Juan-Manuel Correa (USA), is in a stable condition and is being treated at the CHU Liège hospital. More information on his condition will be provided when it becomes available.

"The driver of car #20 Giuliano Alesi (FRA) was checked and declared fit at the medical centre.

"The FIA is providing support to the event organisers and the relevant authorities, and has commenced an investigation into the incident."

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton posted his condolances to Instagram shortly after the news was confirmed.

"This is devastating. God rest your soul Anthoine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family today."

In a follow-up post, he said: "If a single one of you watching and enjoying this sport think for a second what we do is safe your hugely mistaken. All these drivers put their life on the line when they hit the track and people need to appreciate that in a serious way because it is not appreciated enough. Not from the fans nor some of the people actually working in the sport.

"Anthoine is a Hero as far as I'm concerned, for taking the risk he did to chase his dreams. I'm so sad that this has happened. Let's lift him up and remember him. Rest in peace brother."

Hubert, the reigning GP3 champion, was part of the Renault F1 team's junior driver academy.

Born in Lyon, France, he started karting at age 12. Once he made his debut in single-seater racing in the French F4 championship in 2013, he rose through the ranks quickly. He won the French F4 series at the first attempt, before spending two seasons in Formula Renault 2.0. He stepped up to Formula 3, claiming a race win at the Norisring.

He moved up to GP3 with ART in 2017. His first season in the series was winless, but he followed it up with a championship-winning campaign in 2018. This year he stepped up to F1's official feeder series and claimed victories at sprint races in Monaco and France. Arriving at Belgium, hosting the 17th and 18th rounds of the 2019 season, he was eighth in the championship.

The last fatality caused by injuries sustained at a Formula One event was Jules Bianchi, who suffered severe head injuries at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and died in July 2015.

In the first of our series in which Stuart Weir speaks to reigning world champions, pole vault winner Stefanidi shares her experience of striking gold in London two years ago

What do you remember about the London 2017 World Championships?

I remember the whole stadium dancing with great songs playing – both when I was jumping and during the ceremony the next day. That is definitely my No.1 memory. I remember very much the feeling of confidence. I went into the competition and I almost knew that I would win. I think that’s very important in any event but especially in the pole vault when it is such a mental event. And now I’m finally getting that feeling back.

What does it mean to you to be world champion?

That’s a hard one. It is something that you dream of as a kid and I think for me maybe more than other people because I started so young – I started pole vaulting aged 10 and even before that I was already doing track and field. The idea of being Olympic champion, world champion, European champion was this big goal and my dream from a very early age. Even at 12 years old I would cross the road and I would say “you need to be very careful because if you get hit by a car, how can you be world champion and break the world record?” I mean, a 12-year-old doesn’t think that way. My parents and coach at the time pushed me so much to think that way and that’s probably why I care so much more about medals right now than I do about records. It’s hard to say exactly what it feels like but I think that gives you an idea of how important it is for me.

“I almost knew that I would win”

As world champion, Olympic champion and European champion do you feel unbeatable?

I don’t! My coach would like me to, but I don’t. Every year is new and I think you build that confidence, of going into the meeting feeling like you will win no matter what, throughout the season. So for me, every year is new. I was European champion last year but now I need to come out and jump good again and build that confidence. And kind of catch up mentally with where I am physically. But there is definitely some confidence and it is not just me being confident, it’s about the other girls thinking ‘she has been able to perform well when it mattered’ but at the end of the day I still need to do it again.

How do you peak for Doha when it is such a long season?

I would almost say that it is an advantage for me because every year it takes me a little while to get used to the longer poles because I mostly only use them in competition. With having an extra month to the season I think it would allow me to do a few more competitions, be a little more consistent and maybe be able to raise my grip. I’ve said in the last three years that the only thing I think I’m missing from breaking the world record is the grip. I have pushed as far as (three-time world champion Yelena) Isinbayeva has, I’m just gripping lower on the same poles. Every year by the end of the year I slowly raise my grip but now I have an extra month or maybe a little more and I think it can definitely get us a little closer to those five-metre or five and above heights.

Wales coach Warren Gatland says he faces a major decision on whether to take Dragons captain Cory Hill to the World Cup after the lock suffered a small fracture in his leg.

The 27-year-old will miss the World Cup opener against Georgia on 23 September and is a major doubt against Australia six days later.

Wales select their 31-man squad on Saturday evening and name it on Sunday.

"Our big discussion is with Cory Hill," said Gatland.

"He has got a really small fracture in his leg which we got scanned yesterday.

"It could keep him out until game two or three [of the World Cup] so there will be a big discussion point whether we take him or not."

After Wales face Australia on 29 September they have a break before they play Fiji on 9 October and Uruguay four days later.

Hill, who can also play in the back-row, has not played since scoring a try against England in February 2019 during the Six Nations victory.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Beard, Jake Ball and Bradley Davies are the other specialist second-rows in the extended 40-man squad, with flanker Aaron Shingler also capable of playing at lock.

Gatland played down fears over Dragons back-rower Ross Moriarty, who was a late withdrawal from the bench for Saturday's 17-22 loss against Ireland because of a hip problem aggravated in training.

GEARY, New Brunswick – The McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 and SpeedWeekend 2019 are fast approaching and the field of pro stocks is beginning to assemble for the final Maritime Crown Jewel race of the year.

More than 20 of the top talents from New Brunswick and some big names from outside provincial borders are getting ready to gather for the 19th annual edition of the 250 on Sunday. Qualifying heat races for the $15,000-to-win McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 will begin on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Ryan Messer led an all New Brunswick podium in the 2018 edition of the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 and all three drivers have signaled their intentions to compete for the win again. Messer took the lead in last year’s 250 with 16 laps to go over two-time podium finisher Steve Halpin to lock down the biggest win of his young racing career. Lonnie Sommerville finished third in that race and the two-time 250 champion will look to add a third to his resume coming up this Sunday.

Joining Messer and Sommerville as former McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 champions in the field are three time event champions Cassius Clark and Shawn Tucker. Clark is looking to sweep all three Maritime 250-lap races after winning the IWK 250 at Riverside International Speedway in July and the Toromont Cat 250 at Scotia Speedworld earlier this month. Tucker returned to the driver’s seat earlier this season and has split the season in the Geary woods driving with his son, Dustin. Both will look to break the tie Sunday and become the most decorated driver in the race’s 19 year history with four titles.

The RE/MAX East Coast Elite Pro Stock division track championship came down to Brent Roy, Greg Fahey and Ian Rasmussen. While Roy and Fahey each have multiple championships at their home track, neither have a 250 win on their resume. Rasmussen, in his third year as a Pro Stock driver, has continued to improve each and every lap on the track and will look to impress on Sunday in the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250.

Cole Butcher is readying his car for Sunday’s McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250. Butcher is a two-time Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour champion, two-time Toromont Cat 250 winner and a former Parts for Trucks Tour feature winner at Speedway 660. The two-time Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist and the sixth place finisher from last Sunday’s Oxford 250 has one previous McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 start.

Matt Harris and Chris Duncan are both familiar faces to Speedway 660 and have a long list of accomplishments at the track. Both are looking to crack Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Sunday to put the cherry on the top of their storied careers with a 250 win. Kevin Moore is always a factor in extended distance races and brought a strong No. 88 car home to a top five finish last season in the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250. Robert Tomlinson has been in the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division and will look for a big night on Sunday. Robert Lee has also filed an entry for Sunday’s marquee attraction for SpeedWeekend 2019.

With the experience in the field also come a youth movement. Ashton Tucker has a podium finish in the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 on his resume and was a podium finisher earlier in the year on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour at Petty Raceway in May. He and Ben Pelletier are former Bandolero graduates and will be looking to notch their first extended distance Pro Stock feature on Sunday.

Devin Snell and John Rankin have both proven themselves in Late Model competition in Geary and would be popular winners with their home track fans should they be able to pull a victory out in the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250. Andrew Rodgers has split his time in 2019 between racing on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and competing in a Late Model Sportsman, with his most recent resulting being a top five finish in last weekend’s River Glade International Sportsman 100.

Robbie MacEwen enters his first McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 on a career season. MacEwen scored his first Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour win at his home track at Oyster Bed Speedway in August. Like MacEwen, Wyatt Alexander is making his first McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 start on Sunday. Alexander, the winner of Valvoline’s Fast Track to Fame contest in 2018, has several starts between the CARS Tour and the Pro All Stars Series on his resume. The 19-year old finished fourth at Speedway 660 in a RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division race on Aug. 17.

STAVELOT, Belgium – Charles Leclerc continued Ferrari’s strong form this weekend at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday by winning the pole for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Leclerc, who led two of the three Formula One practice sessions ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session, earned his third pole of the year thanks to his 1:42.519 lap in Q3.

Ferrari swept the front row, with Leclerc’s teammate Sebastian Vettel qualifying second with a fast time of 1:43.267.

Lewis Hamilton qualified third for Mercedes, overcoming a practice crash earlier in the day that had his Mercedes crew scrambling to get his car ready as Q1 began.

An engine failure in Williams’ of Robert Kubica early in the first round of qualifying gave Mercedes extra time to get Hamilton’s car ready, allowing him to make it on track for qualifying.

Valtteri Bottas qualified fourth in the second Mercedes, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the Renault duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg, Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen.

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Touring Car driver’s championship points leader Johan Schwartz continued his hot streak by scoring the TC pole for Saturday’s 40-minute race at Watkins Glen Int’l.

Presented by CrowdStrike, the TC America weekend will showcase two 40-minute TC contests at the renowned 11-turn, 3.4-mile road course.

The 15-minute qualifying session was held under sunny 60-degree Fahrenheit conditions. Early on Rearden Racing’s Paul Terry took his No. 33 Nissan 370z to the top of the charts with a 2:03.319, followed by Joseph Federl (2:03.644) and Jeff Ricca (2:03.675).

A lap later, Schwartz, driving the Rooster Hall Racing No. 80 BMW M240iR Cup assumed the top slot posting a 2:02.490, while Auto Technic Racing’s Tom Capizzi slotted in behind Schwartz with a 2:03.022.

With under five minutes remaining in the session, Federl popped back up to second with a 2:02.862, while Schwartz solidified his top position with a 2:02.482. A lap later Federl improved to a 2:02.686.

At the checkered the times held – Schwartz secured his fourth pole of the 2019 season. Federl will start alongside Schwartz while Terry will start third (2:02.871). Chandler Hull (2:02.919), Schwartz’ teammate Steve Streimer (2:02.938) and Capizzi (2:03.022) round out the top three rows.

In TCR, a red flag with roughly eight minutes to go prematurely ended the session, but not before Michael McCann Jr. put down a lap of 1:57.134 in his No. 3 McCann Racing Audi RS3 LMS.

“It was a long night for the team last night getting the car sorted out, so a big shout out to the guys.  Pole feels great,” said McCann.

Mason Filippi and his No. 12 Copeland Motorsports Hyundai Veloster N will start from the second position with James Walker and the No. 34 Risi Competizione Alfa Romeo third.

TCR championship leader Michael Hurczyn will start his No. 71 FCP Euro VW Golf GTI fourth with teammate Nate Vincent starting fifth in the No. 72 FCP Euro entry.  Bryan Putt and the No. 15 eEuroparts.com Rowe Racing Audi RS3 LMS took the TCR Cup class pole.

Tyler Maxson wheeled his No. 74 Copeland Motorsports Mazda MX5 Cup to the TCA-class pole with a 2:09.986 fastest lap.

“It was a pretty good qualifying session. We only had one lap, but the guys made some adjustments and the car was perfect,” said Maxson.

Nick Wittmer will start from second in his No. 91 TechSport Racing Subaru BRZ tS with Mark Pombo and the No. 59 MINI Cooper JCW third.  Taylor Hagler in the No. 77 X-Factory Racing Honda Civic Si and Nate Norenberg in the No. 60 MINI Cooper JCW round out the top five.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The poachers who have turned gamekeepers have been working hard to improve the Formula One game.

All that work will come to fruition when the major new technical rules package is introduced in 2021. The plan is to improve the show, increase overtaking, cut costs and make F-1 more entertaining, more accessible, and more sustainable from a both commercial and environmental perspectives.

Ross Brawn, Nikolas Tombazis, Pat Symonds, Steve Nielson and Rob Smedley all worked for F-1 teams as technical directors and engineers. Now they work for the FIA or Liberty Media’s Formula One company. They are working with other members of the FIA, Formula One, the teams and even the drivers to create an all round better F-1 in the future.

“In the past, the drivers never ran F-1,” Nico Hulkenberg said, “and I think they shouldn’t! But we can be listened to. If there are some crazy ideas, because we drive the cars and know how certain things would impact the driving, the show and the racing, we can say hang on guys this is a bit crazy or too extreme.”

Representing all the drivers, Hulkenberg and Lewis Hamilton attended meeting with the FIA and Formula One.

“It is going to be a group thing,” Hamilton said. “But what is really encouraging was that the drivers were there, and they (the FIA and Formula One) really took it on board.”

One thing the drivers and fans really want is more passing and fewer processional races. The problem with modern F-1 cars is that they create so much “dirty” air that the car behind loses downforce and the driver can’t get close enough to attempt a pass. Much of that dirty wake is created by the complicated front wings and bargeboards, so 2021 will see the return of ground effects downforce that uses Venturi-type tunnels under the car that do not create as much turbulence. Ground effects first appeared in F-1 in the late 1970s and was eventually banned at the end of 1982.

Tombazis, the FIA’s head of Single-Seater Technical Matters, said the 2021 car will go from the current 50 percent loss of downforce for the following car at two car distances to about a 5-10 percent loss.

On the tire front, wheel rim size in 2021 will be 18 inches compared to the 13 inches used for decades. Pirelli will create tires that will enable drivers to race, and don’t degrade or force drivers to manage them so much.

“They will need a broader working range and will not be as sensitive as the current tires,” Tombazis said.

Pat Symonds, the chief technical officer at Formula One, said that altering the characteristics of the tires will be a key component in creating closer racing, although requesting Pirelli to produce a super-hard, “Le Mans-type tire” that will go on and on and on is not part of the plan.

“The high degradation target is not the way to go,” he said, “however, we do believe that pit stops are important in F-1 and we know our fans enjoy these two-second stops. Some of the teams are going to help us with this task through simulation.”

A budget cap of $175 million and other cost controls – including a long list of standardized parts — will be introduced.

Formula One’s managing director of Motorsport Ross Brawn states that the performance gap between teams is too great. A key objective is to tighten the field up in 2021 by a nominal factor of around half.

“We have three teams that can win races at the moment, that’s all,” said Brawn. “Over the next couple of years, F-1 will be on a much better path where a really good, moderately-funded team, can cause a lot of trouble. That’s what we want. If you get a Charles Leclerc or a Max Verstappen in a midfield team, it can make a difference.”

The complete 2021 rules package must be in place by the end of October so that the teams can begin designing their 2021 cars.

F-1 engineers and designers are notorious for finding and exploiting loopholes in the regulations, so the poachers turned gamekeepers plan to put the new rules under a “stress test” to eliminate those loopholes. And if there is anybody who knows about loopholes it is these guys!