Russell aims to trim Antonelli's F1 lead at Italian GP, but starts behind surprise polesitter Gasly

MONZA, Italy (AP) — George Russell will be looking to make up some ground on Kimi Antonelli in the Formula 1 title race, with his Mercedes teammate starting from the back of the grid at the Italian Grand Prix.

But he will start second, behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly, who stunned everyone by snatching top spot for the first time in qualifying on Saturday.

Russell will also have both Ferrari cars breathing down his neck as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton fill out the second row in the scuderia’s home race, where they will be cheered on by the hordes of passionate, red-clad tifosi.

Russell is second in the overall standings, level with Hamilton and 59 points behind Antonelli, who is bidding to become F1’s youngest champion.

The 20-year-old Antonelli has taken on a hefty grid penalty at Monza after Mercedes opted to swap his car’s power unit to head off potential reliability problems in the second half of the season.

Lando Norris is hoping to make it a hat trick of victories to turbocharge his title defense but he starts in eighth. The McLaren driver triumphed in Hungary and the Netherlands to cut the gap to Antonelli to 83 points.

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain smiles in his garage during the third free practice ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly of France celebrates with his pole position trophy after the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the pits after the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the third free practice ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

BERLIN (AP) — Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points as Australia reached the final phase of the Women’s Basketball World Cup with a physical 87-71 win over Turkey on Sunday.

Turkey, led by Sevgi Uzun with 24 points, was down 8-0 at the start but fought back after a timeout to lead 15-14. That was brief, however, as the Opals rallied to end the first quarter 21-15 up and they did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

Turkey’s Goksen Fitik went off with what appeared to be a right-ankle injury in the third quarter but she returned in the fourth.

The Australian team features seven World Cup debutants. Team captain Sami Whitcomb of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury had to withdraw before the tournament with a lingering knee injury.

Australia next plays European champion Belgium on Monday in a showdown that will likely decide which side progresses directly to the quarterfinals as group winner. Australia, after two wins, is already assured of at least a playoff place in the final phase of the competition.

Belgium faced Puerto Rico in their second group game later Sunday.

Also later, the United States played Italy with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers bidding to stretch the Americans’ winning run to 32 games. The U.S. hasn’t lost a game at the World Cup since the semifinal game of the 2006 tournament.

Also, China with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu was playing the Czech Republic with both teams looking for their first wins.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

United States' Caitlin Clark holds the trophy for the player of the game during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

United States' Caitlin Clark shoots a free throw during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)