Fernando Alonso is not a man often indifferent in his persona. The two-time world champion has made a career, sometimes to his detriment, out of doggedly striving for more, with an insatiable greed that has motivated him to keep racing into his 40s. But for the first time this season – a season which started with so much potential and excitement – the Formula 1 veteran is apathetic. A mood indicative of Aston Martin’s monumental drop-off in performance. “Honestly we are not fighting for anything,” Alonso said, off the back of a weekend to forget in Mexico City and a second retirement in a row. “In the constructors’ championship, we are locked in the position we are. In the drivers championship, we will lose a couple of places.” While Max Verstappen has continued to sail off into the sunset, Alonso’s 2023 optimism has slowly waned away. After six podiums in eight races, the 42-year-old has recorded just one in the last 11 grands prix. Milliseconds from what could have been a win-clinching pole position in Monaco, Alonso’s goal of a first race win in 10 years has inched further and further out of reach. Spanish fans had been dreaming of “Como 33” – a nod to a forthcoming 33rd victory – but with three races to go Aston Martin, in what seems no time at all, have gone from second-strongest to distinctly the fifth best team on the grid. Mexico on Sunday was perhaps a new low. Starting in 13th place, Alonso dropped back rapidly after sustaining suspected floor damage in the aftermath of Sergio Perez’s collision with Charles Leclerc. By the time the mid-race red flag was issued, he was dead-last and even suffered the indignity of being asked to let team-mate Lance Stroll pass. Eventually, over 20 laps from the end, his race was brought to an end by his team. It left Martin Brundle, on commentary for Sky, to describe the Spaniard’s weekend as a “thoroughly miserable event.” It marks quite the turnaround for the sport’s early-season surprise package. Buoyed by an rapid aerodynamic package that was quickly nicknamed “the green Red Bull” and a muti-million pound investment including a new state-of-the-art factory at Silverstone, Lawrence Stroll’s gamble in buying Force India in 2018 looked finally to have paid off following testing and the first race of the season in Bahrain. Technical director Dan Fallows, poached from Red Bull, had designed a car capable of beating Mercedes and Ferrari, while still some way off Adrian Newey’s rocketship. Alonso, like a kid in a candy shop, was beaming in just about every interview he did. That critical qualifying in Monaco is as close as he has come to a victory. With overtaking on-track a near-impossibility in the principality, Alonso looked to have claimed pole until Verstappen – with a final sector for the ages – snatched top spot. And while a second-place in Canada soon followed, Austria at the start of July represented a sea-change in the pecking order. Mercedes were making slow inroads; Ferrari had found pace on Saturdays. But the biggest shock of all was McLaren’s revolutionary upgrades. Suddenly, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were challenging for podiums. And in a matter of months, the papaya have replaced the racing green as a leading contender mixing with the big boys. Put simply, while upgrades have quickened most of the field, Aston’s changes throughout the season have not had the desired effect. Since Zandvoort in August, Alonso has claimed just 15 points and has gone from being settled in third place in the championship behind the leading Red Bull duo to now languishing in fifth. Stroll’s antics – most notably in Qatar, pushing his personal trainer and sulking in the media pen – have not helped the general morale surrounding the team, too. Alonso finishing as low as eighth in the world championship, with George Russell just 32 points behind now, is now very plausible. The demise has been substantial. But in the wider scheme of the F1 arms race, Aston’s significant rise up the rankings was perhaps bound to conclude this season with a decrease in performance. Was it all too much too soon? Perhaps. But while Alonso is keeping his chin just about up for now, the Spaniard is not the sort to accept mediocrity. Rumours on social media on Monday speculated that Alonso could replace Perez at Red Bull next season in what would be an incomprehensible straight swap. Not afraid to ruffle feathers, don’t be surprised if the Spaniard asks the question over the coming weeks. Most of all, Aston Martin need to prove again to their most valuable asset that a reverse of their current slide is on the horizon, heading into 2024. Read More Max Verstappen gives blunt verdict on Sergio Perez’s Mexican Grand Prix crash Christian Horner drops Daniel Ricciardo hint as pressure mounts on Sergio Perez Kevin Magnussen’s car catches fire after high-speed crash in Mexico F1 fan banned for life after attacking Ferrari supporters in Mexico Sergio Perez lasts just 14 seconds in home race as Max Verstappen wins in Mexico ‘A lot of booing!’ Charles Leclerc reacts after jeers from Mexican fans

WASHINGTON Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to visit Washington on Monday for meetings

Jude Bellingham’s late goal kept Real Madrid’s winning streak alive after they beat Getafe 2-1 at the Bernabeu. The visitors took the lead in the early stages of the game through Borja Mayoral before Joselu levelled after the break. With the game heading towards a draw, England midfielder Bellingham continued his fine start to life in the Spanish capital with a late winner on his first appearance at the Bernabeu. The three points see Real remain top of LaLiga’s table regardless of the weekend’s remaining results, while Getafe drop to 13th. Prior to the game, the Madrid members of Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning team were welcomed onto the pitch at the newly-renovated Bernabeu with a guard of honour from both sides. However, the hosts got off to a poor start when Getafe took the lead 11 minutes in through Mayoral. The former Real forward capitalised on a poor back-pass to break forward and slot the ball past Kepa. Rodrygo had a chance just minutes later, firing a shot over the bar, and Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when Bellingham was fouled in the area, but VAR overruled the decision. David Soria was forced to make a great save from Luka Modric’s diving header, tipping his effort over the bar. Joselu sliced an effort wide and the forward had another great opportunity to level but Soria saved again. Joselu found the net two minutes into the second half to equalise after Getafe were unable to clear the ball and the Spain international smashed the ball home first-time. Substitute Toni Kroos then had an excellent opportunity to double the hosts’ lead, but his shot thundered off the post and Dani Carvajal was subsequently denied by the woodwork. Soria stepped in again to make saves from Joselu and Rodrygo, but Bellingham continued his stunning start in the Spanish capital with a last-minute winner. The 20-year-old took advantage after Soria spilled the ball to roll it into the bottom corner, scoring his fifth league goal of the season since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Read More Bellingham named LaLiga player of the month after four goals in three games Declan Rice is type of player everyone is looking for – Palace boss Roy Hodgson Jude Bellingham double maintains Real Madrid’s winning start to LaLiga campaign Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Arbroath edge out Ayr for second straight win Son scores hat-trick as Tottenham come from behind to thrash Burnley

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Since 2019 the world of television has been obsessed with one family whose in-fighting and postering put the Kardashians to shame. The Roy family, the central focus of the drama series Succession has become one of, if not the most dysfunctional family in television history as they all attempt to heir to their father's media mogul legacy. Logan, Kendall, Roman, Shiv, Connor, Tom, Greg, Gerri, Matsson and everyone in between have given television lovers hours of nail-biting tension combined with the type of jet-black humour that could only come from a show that is parodying the likes of Fox News and Rupert Murdoch. Although Succession is a show about high-end business deals full of financial and technical jargon that often requires a handbook to translate, creator Jesse Armstrong has managed to make what sounds like a niche premise one of the funniest dramas on television in the past 10 years. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Beneath their rich and privileged lifestyles, the characters of Succession are scathing, back-stabbing snakes who will gladly say the most repugnant things to their loved ones. It's a peculiarity of the show which has made it so unique and beloved by viewers and now with the last ever episode on the horizon and the stakes hanging in the balance now is as good a time as any to look back at some of the best, funniest and downright despicable quotes from the past four seasons. 1. Tom: “Greg, this is not f**king Charles Dickens World, okay? You don’t go around talking about principles. Man the f**k up!” 2. Gil: “You can’t make a Tomelette without breaking some Gregs.” 3. Matsson: [speaking to Greg] “I thought you were the backwash at the bottom of the gene pool, but this is something else.” 4. Kendall: [speaking to Greg] “You little Machiavellian f**k.” 5. Roman: "My mom’s getting remarried to a bowl of porridge.” 6. Gerri: [speaking to Roman] "You’re pathetic. You are a revolting little worm, aren’t you? You little slime puppy.” 7. Willa: "Hey, listen. At least I’m only getting f**ked by one member of this family, yeah?” 8. Greg: [speaking to Tom] “What am I gonna do with a soul anyways?” 9. Connor: "The good thing about having a family that doesn’t love you is you learn to live without it." 10. Logan: "Well, we do publish a number of popular newspapers, so yes, son. We probably invented the f**king words." 11. Roman: “Frank! It hasn’t been the same without you. It’s been better.” 12. Shiv: [speaking to Roman] "You love showing your pee-pee to everyone, but someday, you know, you’re actually gonna have to fuck something.” 13. Logan: [speaking to Kendall] "You're not a killer." 14. Kendall: "Who said I didn't kill anyone?" 15. Logan: [speaking about Tom] "He ate my f**king chicken. What’s next? Stick his c**k in my potato salad?" 16. Greg: "It’s like Jaws. If everyone in Jaws worked for Jaws.” 17. Tom: [speaking about Greg's date] “She’s brought a ludicrously capacious bag. What’s even in there? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail?” 18. Roman: "What the fuck is this obsession with milk? You know who drinks milk? Kittens and perverts.” 19. Tom: [speaking to Greg] "I'd castrate you and marry you in a heartbeat." 20. Logan: [speaking to his children] "I love you but you are not serious people." 21. Greg: "I was wondering, just, in your view do you think it’s possible to sue a person, a grandparent for example, in a way which is like… like in an affectionate way?" 22. Marcia: "I have fought and I have lost. And I have fought and won. But when I lose, the other one will generally lose an eye or a soul." 23. Roman: "Just wanted to let you know, new dad just dropped." 24. Tom: "You don’t hear much about syphilis these days. Very much the MySpace of STDs.” 25. Logan: "Romulus, when you laugh, please do it at the same volume as everyone else. We didn’t get you from a hyena farm." 26. Greg: [speaking to Logan] "Negotiate a bit of a Grexit." 27. Roman: “What I think he meant to say was that he wished that Mom gave birth to a can opener, because at least then it would be useful.” 28. Hugo: [Speaking to Shiv] “What’s it like being married to a man with two a**holes?” 29. Logan: "He’s selling me things I want at a fair price. So what’s next? Fellatio?” 30. Tom: "Sure. Although he did once call me the c*nt of Monte Cristo." 31. Shiv: "She’s one of the hard b**ches, right? She’s going to do 36 hours of maternity leave, emailing through her vanity caesarean.” 32. Greg: “If it is to be said, so it be, so it is.” 33. Ewan: “The ‘Logan Roy School of Journalism’? What’s next, the ‘Jack The Ripper Women’s Health Clinic’?” 34. Kendall: [singing] "L to the OG/ Dude be the OG/ A-N he playing/ Playing like a pro" 35. Gerri: "They’re young and they’re fit, but they’re European. They’re soft; hammocked in their social security safety net, sick on vacation mania and free healthcare. They may think they’re Vikings but we’ve been raised by wolves, exposed to a pathogen that goes by the name of Logan Roy, and they have no idea what’s coming to them.” 36. Connor: "It’s kind of a greeting card from hell. It’s a Times New Roman firing squad." 37. Roman: "I heard it looked like a cry for help. 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Failure'." 38. Tom: "I don't mean to be insulting, but having been around a bit, my hunch is that you are going to get f**ked because I've seen you get f**ked a lot. And I've never seen Logan get f**ked once." 39. Greg: "I'm more than a sprinkle." 40. Logan: "F**k off" Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

President Joe Biden compared Chinese President Xi Jinping to "dictators" during a political fundraiser in California Tuesday night, delivering the unscripted remarks roughly a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his recent trip had yielded "progress" in repairing the fractured relationship between Washington and Beijing.

Carlos Santana hit his first career walk-off home run, a two-run shot to cap a three-run ninth inning and rally the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Milwaukee Brewers 8-7 for their fourth straight win