A Reinvigorated Williams Climbs Into Fifth Place in Formula 1
'We put work into this, but what you see today is just the result of getting a thousand people pointing in the right way, with some basic foundations in place,' James Vowles, the team principal, said in an interview in May. 'I'm happy with the progress we're showing, as it shows the direction for the future.'
The team, which finished last four times from 2018 to 2022, went through a long period of financial strife, fears of collapse and a major change in ownership from the founding Williams family to a New York-based investment firm.
With the ownership of the firm, Dorilton Capital, which bought Williams in 2020, and the stewardship of Vowles, whose contract was renewed last month, a fallen giant is beginning to reawaken.
It has 55 points this year, already more than it amassed from 2022 to 2024.
'If you had asked me a year ago, when I signed the contract, that in some qualifyings we would be only three-tenths off pole and beating a Ferrari or Red Bull or Mercedes, I would have definitely signed the contract even earlier and even happier,' said Carlos Sainz, who moved over from Ferrari after it signed Lewis Hamilton for this year. 'The team is on a very strong trajectory.'
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Teenager Andreeva cruises into Wimbledon last 16
Andreeva is the youngest player since 2006 to reach the fourth round at each of the first three Grand Slams of the season [Getty Images] Teenager Mirra Andreeva showed why she is one of the hottest prospects in the sport after moving into Wimbledon's fourth round with a comfortable win. Seventh seed Andreeva, 18, outclassed American opponent Hailey Baptiste in a 6-1 6-3 victory on Court One. Advertisement Russia's Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open last month and is aiming to surpass that on the Wimbledon grass. She has reached the last 16 for the second time in her career, having previously done the same in 2023. "Before I played today I told myself, 'Just go out there and do something'," said Andreeva, who is making only her third appearance at the All England Club. "I always expect something from myself but I always try to let myself go and enjoy. "I feel with every match I play, my level is rising." Showing supreme movement and clinical ball-striking, Andreeva breezed through the opening set in 31 minutes. Advertisement Baptiste, ranked 55th in the world, was willed on in the second set by an enthusiastic crowd who wanted to see a true contest. When Andreeva broke for a 3-1 lead, the result looked a formality. Baptiste instantly broke back to halt Andreeva's progress but lost serve again as the world number seven secured a straightforward win in one hour and 18 minutes. Under the tutelage of former SW19 champion Conchita Martinez, she has already won two WTA 1,000 titles - the rung of tournaments below the majors - in Dubai and Indian Wells this season. Her impressive progress is demonstrated by the fact she has won 35 tour-level main-draw matches this year - a tally only bettered by world number one Aryna Sabalenka (44) and five-time major winner Iga Swiatek (37). Advertisement A much tougher test than 23-year-old Baptiste awaits Andreeva next, however. Reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and American 10th seed Emma Navarro meet later on Saturday for the right to face her. Former champion Rybakina knocked out in rain-affected match The early play on Saturday at Wimbledon was affected by rain [Getty Images] Another big seed was sent tumbling out of Wimbledon as former champion Elena Rybakina suffered a straight-set defeat by Clara Tauson in a match that took more than four hours to complete because of rain delays. Eleventh seed Rybakina, who won the Championships in 2022, was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 by Denmark's Tauson, who knocked out former British number one Heather Watson in the opening round. Advertisement Rain initially caused this match on the exposed court two to be suspended at 4-4, but once play resumed two hours later it was a tight contest as neither player could be separated, before Tauson saved two set points and then took the opener in the tie-break. The Dane continued her momentum by breaking Rybakina's first service game in the second set, before the players went off the court as rain fell once more with Tauson leading 4-2. But this delay was only around 15 minutes and Tauson returned to the court to seal another break and close out the win. Tauson, who had never won on grass before this year, will next face eighth seed Swiatek. Advertisement "Thanks to the crowd it amazing to play here today even though it was a little rainy," she said. "Before this grass season had started I had never won a match on grass, so I am super proud." More than half of the seeded players at Wimbledon in the men's and women's draw have been knocked out. 'The ball is listening to me' - Swiatek has fun on grass Poland's Swiatek continued her impressive form on grass this year as she defeated Danielle Collins 6-2 6-3 to reach the last 16. The five-time Grand Slam champion has not fared well on this surface in recent years and only twice before reached the fourth round at SW19. Advertisement But it has been a different story so far this year and, after Swiatek reached the final of Bad Homburg last month, she has carried that momentum into Wimbledon. Collins beat her in the Italian Open earlier this year, but the American was no match for the former world number one as a clinical Swiatek sealed the success in one hour and 15 minutes. "I was in the zone. I knew I had to be brave, play fast," said the 24-year-old, who will face Tauson next. "Honestly it is much more fun [on the grass] this year. The ball is listening to me. When it listens to me I don't need to do much. It is pretty smooth."
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31 minutes ago
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Average UK house prices flattened out month-on-month in June
UK house price growth flattened out month-on-month in June following a small monthly dip in May, according to an index. Halifax recorded a 0.0% month-on-month change in typical UK property values in June, following a 0.3% fall in May. It said the housing market's resilience 'continues to stand out' following stamp duty changes that came into force from April when discounts on the charge, which applies in England and Northern Ireland, became less generous for some home buyers. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: 'The UK housing market remained steady in June, with the average property price effectively unchanged over the month, following a slight drop of 0.3% in May. 'At £296,665, the average house price is still around 2.5% higher than this time last year. 'The market's resilience continues to stand out and, after a brief slowdown following the spring stamp duty changes, mortgage approvals and property transactions have both picked up, with more buyers returning to the market. 'That's being helped by a few key factors: wages are still rising, which is easing some of the pressure on affordability, and interest rates have stabilised in recent months, giving people more confidence to plan ahead. 'Lenders have also responded to new regulatory guidance by taking a more flexible approach to affordability assessments.' Ms Bryden said that over the past two months: 'We've already helped an additional 3,000 buyers – including more than 1,000 first-time buyers – access a mortgage they wouldn't have qualified for before.' She added: 'With markets pricing in two more rate cuts from the Bank of England by year end, and the average rate on newly drawn mortgages now at its lowest since 2023, we continue to expect modest house price growth in the second half of the year.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank said: 'House prices may have held steady, but high supply and weak demand suggest this is not the start of a rebound.' He added: 'Supply is higher following the stamp duty cliff-edge in March and as more landlords sell, but consumer confidence remains weak after economic activity was pulled forward into the first quarter of the year. 'We expect modest single-digit house price growth in 2025 as rates come down in the second half of the year but asking prices need to reflect the fact it is very much a buyer's market.' Another recent report from Nationwide Building Society indicated that the average house price dipped by 0.8% month-on-month in June. Karen Noye, a mortgage expert at wealth manager Quilter said: 'Today's house price index looks a little more positive than other indices already published which reported a fall in prices.' She added: 'With the summer holidays fast approaching, we could see a slowdown as trips abroad take precedence over moving home. 'The market is used to a dip in momentum during this time of the year but having already had a fairly slow start to 2025, we could see this lull push house prices down a little more. 'However, while we may not see activity pick up until nearer the autumn – by that time the stamp duty changes will have sunk in – buyers will have no choice but to adjust to the new norm if they wish to move home, and we could see the market pick up some pace as a result.' Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'A major problem is that homes have become so expensive that it's pushing affordability to the limit. 'While mortgage rates have fallen, they're not dropping particularly fast and remain much higher than we have been used to in the previous few years. 'It's one reason why property sales are stronger in parts of the country where prices tend to be lower. 'Lenders have reacted to higher house prices by offering more flexibility over how much people can borrow.' Ms Coles said that for first-time buyers: 'It's worth considering whether you can get any help building your deposit, whether that's through family and friends or the 25% boost from the Government through the Lifetime Isa.' Iain McKenzie, chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals, said: 'We're seeing a noticeable uplift in buyer and seller confidence, supported by falling mortgage rates and greater choice in the market. 'With dozens of mortgage deals now available below 4%, affordability is improving.' Jason Tebb, president of OnTheMarket, said: 'Recent (Bank of England) base rate cuts have been fundamental in boosting confidence and activity. 'Further rate reductions from the Bank of England will provide much-needed stimulus for the market and boost buyer and seller confidence as the year progresses.' Here are average house prices and the annual increase, according to Halifax (regional annual change figures are based on the most recent three months of approved mortgage transaction data): East Midlands, £244,644, 2.5% Eastern England, £334,795, 1.8% London, £540,048, 0.6% North East, £175,679, 2.0% North West, £241,938, 4.4% Northern Ireland, £212,189, 9.6% Scotland, £214,891, 4.9% South East, £389,069, 1.1% South West, £303,271, 0.5% Wales, £229,622, 3.9% West Midlands, £260,394, 2.9% Yorkshire and the Humber, £215,525, 4.2% Sign in to access your portfolio
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Emma Raducanu watches Carlos Alcaraz win as 'romance blossoms'
Emma Raducanu watched on as Carlos Alcaraz won again at Wimbledon, as "romance blossoms" between the pair. The Spaniard remains on course for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown after surviving a scare on Sunday to set up a quarter-final clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie. The world number two's title defence was creaking when having overturned a 4-1 deficit, he dropped the opening set against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev on a tie-break. But a significant Centre Court upset was ultimately averted as Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 22 matches by coming through a tricky round-four contest 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-4 6-4. READ MORE: Who is Emma Watson's new 'love interest' at Oxford University? Carlos Alcaraz during his match against Andrey Rublev at Wimbledon. (Image: Adam Davy / PA) 'Andrey is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful player we have on tour, without a doubt,' Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. 'To face him, you are feeling he is pushing you to the limit in every ball. 'I'm really happy with the way I moved today. I think I played intelligent and smart against him tactically, a really good match, which I'm really proud about." The 22-year-old was watched by US Open mixed doubles partner Emma Raducanu, fuelling rumours of romance. Raducanu has denied having any kind of romantic relationship with the reigning Wimbledon champion but national reports continue to suggest that a connection is blossoming between the pair. READ MORE: Locals close to Clarkson's Farm have one issue with Jeremy Clarkson Emma Raducanu in attendance for Andrey Rublev vs. Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 🔥 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2025 Ahead of the tournament, the Brit laughed and said: "I'm glad the internet is having fun. "[We are simply] just good friends." Others believe there is a closer connection ahead of the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament later this year. Raducanu will partner Alcaraz at the Flushing Meadows tournament, which has only added to fuel the rumours, along with her crowd appearance yesterday. One social media user said: "Rublev looks so much healthier than before, but as soon as I saw Raducanu in the crowd, I knew Alcaraz would be too powerful." READ MORE: Hammond reveals what got him Top Gear job with Clarkson and May Our Summer Sale is LIVE! Get 6 months of trusted local news for just £6! 🌞🗞️ Full details here 👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) July 2, 2025 While another added: "Alcaraz and Raducanu are about to be the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce of tennis." In the past, Raducanu has been linked to studying at Oxford University after being spotted on a day trip in the city, looking around the colleges. She ruled this out for the time being last year and said: "I'm very much focused on my professional tennis career. 'Once that's over, maybe or once I have more disposition or more time, that's for sure something I would love to explore. 'For now I'm very much focused on the tennis.'
