Two world titles, major comebacks, a landmark partnership and ... Sam's pick. Welcome to Team of the Week.
Lando's super come back is mandatory, says Nick, while Sam's picked a different kind of comeback, celebrating Philip Rivers' incredible NFL revival. The resurgence theme continues with Lindsey Vonn becoming the oldest skiing downhill World Cup winner.
Hannah's pick this week marks one of the most monumental commercial deals that women's sport has ever seen, driving significant growth for women's tennis.
Lando Norris
Formula 1 World Drivers Champion
Not including Lando would be an insult to the institution that is the New Reach Team of the Week. What a week, and it’s amazing to see such progress and development in sport, at all levels. And hats off to Lando, becoming the 11th Briton to win the drivers’ championship, in what was the closest finish to a season for 15 years. All topped off with a well-deserved SPOTY nomination, too.
Philip Rivers
Grandfather returning to the NFL
44-year old Rivers is back with the Indianapolis Colts five years after he retired from the game. Following an injury crisis at quarterback, the Colts have turned to their former player who becomes the oldest active player in the NFL. Rivers has 10 kids, the latest born in 2023, and his eldest became a mum last year. If that isn't the plot of an all-timer sports movie, I don't know what it is.
Lindsey Vonn
World Cup winner
Lindsey Vonn became the oldest skiing downhill World Cup winner on Friday, marking a remarkable comeback just a year after returning to competition. The three-time Winter Olympic medallist was forced to retire in 2019 due to knee issues, but her 29.63 second winning run has put her firmly on track for a potential Team USA return at the 2026 Games after her win in St Moritz.
WTA x Mercedes
Landmark partnership for women’s tennis
If you haven’t read or heard about the Women’s Tennis Association’s new partnership with Mercedes-Benz, then where have you been. The German car manufacturer will inject an astonishing £37.5m) per year into women’s tennis for up to 10 years. The legend that is Billie Jean King, who founded the WTA, told BBC Sport that the deal shows the tour "continues to lead the way in women's sport".
