Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen expressed frustration with the slick baseballs used in the game, calling it "embarrassing" and stating that it has been a persistent issue throughout the season. Jansen, a four-time All-Star, emphasized the difficulty of pitching with poorly rubbed balls, particularly in cold and windy conditions, and highlighted the impact on his performance. He criticized the quality of the baseballs and compared those used in bullpen sessions favorably to those on the field.
Max Verstappen topped the first practice session for the F1 Qatar GP, using soft tires to set a time of 1m27.428s. The session was challenging due to high winds and sandy residue on the new track surface, causing grip issues for the drivers. Fernando Alonso initially led the session but ended up in fourth place. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished second, followed by Charles Leclerc in third. Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top six.
The new layout of the Buddh International Circuit in India has proven to be more complicated and technical than expected for MotoGP riders, with many struggling with the mix of slow speed, late-braking corners and cambered high-speed bends. The track's lack of grip outside the racing line and the challenging nature of certain corners, particularly Turn 1, have caused numerous trips into the gravel traps. Despite the difficulties, riders have praised the track's technicality and the good job done in preparing the surface.
