Famous F1 pundit Will Buxton said in 2024, “There are two religions in Italy. There’s the Catholic Church and there’s Ferrari.” With over 21 million fans in Italy (a higher number than the entire population of the Netherlands) and more than 400 million worldwide, this statement is certainly true. While it may seem illustrious to drive in Formula 1 for such an iconic and loved team, there is always another side to the coin.
The Montreal Canadiens, also known as the Habs, are an iconic ice hockey team in North America. But who are they, why do their supporters feel such pride for them, and what’s the toll on players of this?
With a five-week break from F1 races, many fans feel quite relaxed knowing they don’t have to wake up at six in the morning to watch their favourite driver have a terrible performance. However, with no Grands Prix occurring, this means media and gossip is heightened, with off-track stories in the limelight for once. In recent news, Max Verstappen has talked openly about retirement and his unenjoyment with the current F1 season.
I’m almost certain we have all been there. You’re going on a run, or any form of active exercise and everything is running smoothly (see what I did there) when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you are brought to a standstill due to an excruciating pain in your side. This, as I am sure most of us are aware, is known as a stitch and its unpleasant sensation can affect even the most seasoned runners.
But what is a stitch? Why do we get them? And – most importantly – how do you stop or get rid of stitches?
We have all always been told that sport is good for the brain. This is due to the fact that it builds a stronger memory, therefore putting you in a better mood, resulting in sharper focus – the usual motivational posters. But recent research suggests there’s a catch: the very activities that build resilience might also, under certain conditions, quietly undermine one of the brain’s most important defences: the blood–brain barrier.
