Sports News Roundup: Andretti’s entry into F1 would be a logical step, Says Stroll; Wild deserve wild OT victories over jets and more

Below is a summary of the latest sports news.

Motorsport F1 Reserve Hulkenberg for testing with McLaren’s IndyCar team

Former German Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg will get a first impression of IndyCar on Monday with a one-time evaluation test for Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, the team said in a statement. The 34-year-old is currently the reserve driver for the Aston Martin F1 team, which will be lining up in Austin, Texas this weekend.

Golf Olympic champion Schauffele fought for the Zozo Championship in Japan

American Xander Schauffele is returning for the Zozo Championship in Japan this week, almost two and a half months after winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Games. The tournament returns to Japan on Thursday at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club after last year’s edition was relocated to California due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Racing Andretti to join F1 would be a logical step, says Stroll

US-based Andretti Autosport would be a great addition to Formula 1 if the reported takeover talks with Sauber come to fruition, according to Aston Martin’s Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. Switzerland-based Sauber heads the Alfa Romeo team and there is growing speculation that Michael Andretti, a former Grand Prix racer and son of 1978 champion Mario, is about to make a deal.

Football UAE will host the Club World Cup in early 2022

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host this year’s Club World Cup in early 2022, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday. Japan was originally supposed to host the tournament in December this year, but pulled back last month due to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Soccer double Super Bowl winner Jenkins makes a minority stake in Burnley

Two-time Super Bowl winner Malcolm Jenkins acquired a minority stake in Burnley after being acquired by American firm ALK Capital last year, the Premier League club said in a statement https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/nfl- star-invested-in-burnley-fc on Wednesday. Burnley said the 33-year-old American, who plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL), was part of ALK Capital, which acquired an 84% stake in Burnley in December.

Tennis Djokovic needs to be vaccinated to play the Australian Open: Minister

Novak Djokovic will not be able to travel to Australia to defend his Australian Open title unless he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the country’s immigration minister said on Wednesday, setting the record Grand Slam bid of the Serbs in question. World number one Djokovic, who is on par with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in 20 Grand Slam titles, has refused to reveal his vaccination status and said he was not sure he would defend his Australian Open crown.

NHL Roundup: Wild deserve wild OT victories over jets

Joel Eriksson Ek’s overtime winner completed his hat trick and Mats Zuccarello scored two goals and added two assists to give the Minnesota Wild an incredible 6-5 comeback win over the Winnipeg Jets in their home opener on Tuesday in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to lead scored for the Wild, who won three straight wins at the start of the season. Goalkeeper Cam Talbot stopped 25 shots. Minnesota made up four deficits, including a two-goal hole in the final five minutes of the third period to force overtime.

Olympic Beijing ignites flame to be the first city to host summer and winter games

China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens ahead of the Chinese capital to host the 2022 Winter Games in February. The Winter Games will take place February 4-20, when Beijing becomes the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics amid a COVID-19 pandemic that means foreign viewers will be excluded.

Rugby USA launch campaign to host men’s and women’s World Cups

The United States officially launched its campaign to host an upcoming rugby world cup for men and women on Wednesday to expand North American interest and participation in the sport for generations to come. The U.S., which was admitted as a candidate in June, plans to host the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029.

Ailing Brazilian soccer star Pele says he’s “getting closer to the goal”

Former Brazilian soccer player Pele, who was discharged from hospital shortly after surgery to remove a tumor, urged fans on Wednesday to celebrate his life as he was “getting closer to the goal”. “I suggest that you start catching your breath to celebrate with me because with each passing day I get closer to my goal,” Pele wrote on Twitter.

(With contributions from agencies.)