(MIAMI) — Formula 1 fans are revving up for this weekend as the world’s most popular motor sport heads to Miami for the first time.
The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix will take place on Sunday but fans can enjoy the action beginning on Friday, when racers descend on the track for practice laps. Then, on Saturday, qualifying events will be held to determine the starting order for Sunday’s big race.
But having a front seat to the action will cost you — tickets are going for up to $10,000.
ABC News’ Victor Oquendo was on the track Friday to preview the race and what fans can expect from the Grand Prix:
(WASHINGTON) — In her struggle for freedom from detention in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner now has another big name in her corner: former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson.
A spokesperson for the Richardson Center confirmed to ABC News that the international hostage negotiator was working on Griner’s case, adding that her family asked for his assistance.
Richardson, who has also previously served as congressman, energy secretary, and governor of New Mexico, has carried out diplomatic missions to bring back Americans from Cuba, Iraq and North Korea.
Recently, he was credited with playing a critical part in securing the release of Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine who was held in a Russian prison for over two years.
While Richardson’s direct role in Griner’s case was first reported this week, he suggested at his involvement in an interview with ABC’s Linsey Davis following Reed’s release last week.
“The U.S. government is trying. On private efforts, we’re trying. I think this Trevor Reed initiative helps,” Richardson said on April 27. “Now the Russians are going to want something in return, and it’s very murky what has happened. But she deserves to come home.”
On Tuesday, Griner’s 75th day in Russian custody, the State Department said it would reclassify her case as a “wrongful detention,” signaling the U.S. would now play a more active role in negotiating for her release.
“We appreciate all of those who are very invested in this case, and Brittney Griner is fortunate to have a network who has supported her from Day One. We have worked very closely with that network,” said department spokesman Ned Price.
“We do often partner with various individuals and organizations on these cases,” Price added. “We welcome all of those efforts that are coordinated closely with us that might help to seek the safe release of any American who’s unjustly detained around the world.”
Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas said in a statement on Tuesday “our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home.”
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was visiting Russia to play basketball off-season and was arrested in February at a Moscow area airport for allegedly having vape cartridges in her luggage that contained hashish oil — an illegal substance in Russia.
She is facing drug charges with up to 10 years in prison, according to Russian media reports, and her pre-trial detention was extended in March to May 19.
ABC News’ Courtney Condron contributed to this report.
(DALLAS) — Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, was reportedly involved in a car crash in Dallas Wednesday night.
ABC News affiliate WFAA-TV, citing multiple sources, said Jones was involved in an accident just before 8:10 p.m. local time in the area of Wolf and Harry Hines Boulevard.
Jones, 79, reportedly suffered minor injuries. A source confirmed to ESPN that he was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.
Stephen Jones, Jerry’s son and the executive vice president of the Cowboys, told ESPN in a text message later that his father was back home and “all good.”
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 2
St. Louis 10, Kansas City 0
San Diego 5, Cleveland 4
Pittsburgh 7, Detroit 2
Cleveland 6, San Diego 5
Texas 2, Philadelphia 1
Chi White Sox 4, Chi Cubs 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Houston 7, Seattle 2
Tampa Bay 3, Oakland 0
Baltimore 9, Minnesota 4
Toronto 2, NY Yankees 1
LA Angels 10, Boston 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona 8, Miami 7
Final Atlanta 9, NY Mets 2
Colorado 5, Washington 2
Milwaukee 18, Cincinnati 4
LA Dodgers 9, San Francisco 1
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Miami 119, Philadelphia 103 (Miami leads 2-0)
Phoenix 129, Dallas 109 (Phoenix leads 2-0)
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Carolina 5, Boston 2 (Carolina leads 2-0)
Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 3 (Series tied 1-1)
Minnesota 6, St. Louis 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Edmonton 6, Los Angeles 0 (Series tied 1-1)
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
Texas 6, Philadelphia 4
Chi White Sox 3, Chicago Cubs 1
Kansas City 7, St. Louis 1
Pittsburgh at Detroit (Postponed)
San Diego at Cleveland (Postponed)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston 4, LA Angels 0
Tampa Bay 10, Oakland 7
NY Yankees 9, Toronto 1
Minnesota 7, Baltimore 2
Houston, 4 Seattle 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NY Mets 5, Atlanta 4
NY Mets 3, Atlanta 0
Arizona 5, Miami 4
Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 3
Washington 10, Colorado 2
LA Dodgers 3, San Francisco 1
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Boston 109, Milwaukee 86 (Series tied 1-1)
Memphis 106, Golden State 101 (Series tied 1-1)
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Washington 4, Florida 2 (Washington leads 1-0)
Pittsburgh 4, NY Rangers 3 (3 OT) (Pittsburgh leads 1-0)
Colorado 7, Nashville 2 (Colorado leads 1-0)
Calgary 1, Dallas 0 (Calgary leads 1-0)
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. government now considers WNBA star Brittney Griner to be “wrongfully detained” in Russia, the State Department said.
“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is among the highest priorities of the U.S government. The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner,” a department spokesperson told ABC News on Tuesday. “With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release.”
With this classification, the U.S. will now be more involved in negotiating for her freedom.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was visiting Russia to play basketball off-season and was arrested in February at a Moscow area airport for allegedly having vape cartridges in her luggage that contained hashish oil — an illegal substance in Russia.
She is facing drug charges with up to 10 years in prison, according to Russian media reports, and her pre-trial detention was extended in March to May 19.
Griner met with a U.S. official from the consular officer in Russia on March 24 amid a push from the U.S. to gain access to the WNBA star.
Calls to free Griner escalated last week following the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed, who was freed from Russian prison as part of a prisoner exchange.
Former Marine Paul Whelan has also been detained in Russia since 2019. Whelan’s brother, David Whelan,told ABC News on Monday that his brother asked, “Why was I left behind?” following Reed’s release.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began one week after Griner was detained on Feb. 17. Some officials are concerned that Americans jailed in Russia could be used as leverage in the ongoing conflict.
Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBA Players Association, told Good Morning America last month that the league understands the importance of being “strategic” when discussing Griner’s case so her safety is not compromised.
“It’s tough — that could have been us,” Ogwumike said. “We’re really most concerned about her health and safety. Especially her mental health. We’re hearing that … she’s OK. But we want her home.”
The WNBA announced on Tuesday that the league will honor Griner with a floor decal bearing her initials and jersey number (42) on the sideline of all 12 WNBA teams as the 2022 season kicks off on Friday.
“As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement on Tuesday. “We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time.”
Griner is a seven-time WNBA All-Star, who has been playing for the Phoenix Mercury since 2013.
Jim Pitman, executive vice president and general manager of the Phoenix Mercury, said in a statement on Tuesday that the team will also launch various philanthropic initiatives, including BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, to recognize Griner’s contributions to the community.
“In conjunction with the league, the other 11 teams, and those closest to BG, we will work to keep her top-of-mind as we tip the 2022 season,” he said. “While we await her return, our main concern remains for her safety and well-being.”
Griner’s trip to Russia to play off-season has underscored the issue of pay inequality in professional basketball.
Many WNBA players have traveled around the world to play in the off-season because they don’t make enough money during the season — an issue that is not as prevalent for NBA players who are paid more. The top WNBA salary is $228K, whereas star NBA players can make at least $1 million a year.
Ogwumike, who also traveled overseas to play during the off-seasons, said she believes there is a gender issue at play in Griner’s case.
“When is it not? It’s disappointing that the question of it being a gender issue is top of mind now when it comes to this type of circumstance and the reality is she’s over there because of a gender issue, pay inequity,” she said.
ABC News’ Conor Finnegan, Matthew Stone and Kelly McCarthy contributed to this report.
(TEMPE, Ariz.) — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be absent from the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, the league announced on Monday.
Hopkins, 29, was suspended by the league after testing positive for a banned substance late last year.
“DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2022 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances,” an NFL spokesperson said in an official statement. “Hopkins is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Cardinals’ active roster following the team’s sixth regular-season game.”
Doug Sanders, Hopkins’ brand manager, told ESPN in a text message that “trace elements of a banned substance” appeared in a test Hopkins took last November. However, tests taken in October and December were negative.
On Twitter, Hopkins posted a statement saying that he was “confused and shocked.”
“In my 10-year NFL career, I have never tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs,” Hopkins tweeted Monday night. “To learn that my November test came back with trace elements of a banned substance, I was confused and shocked.”
“I am very mindful of what I put it in my body and have always taken a holistic approach, so I am working with my team to investigate how this could’ve happened. But even as careful as I have been, clearly I wasn’t careful enough,” he wrote. “For that, I apologize to Cardinals fans, my teammates, and the entire Cardinals organization. I never want to let my team down.”
“I fully intend to get to the bottom of this. As soon as I have more information I will share it,” Hopkins concluded.
