Concerns emerged in the Formula 1 world following the FIA's modification of technical regulations over the summer break regarding asymmetrical braking systems. This change led to speculation that a team may have employed asymmetrical braking in recent races.
Rumors also saw fingers being pointed at Red Bull's recent drop in performance, which might have stemmed from an action taken by the governing body to stop it from using the braking systems that influenced directional balance.
However, the reality is that a rule was already in place to prevent teams from using asymmetrical braking systems. Article 11.1.2 of F1's Technical Regulations states the following:
"The brake system must be designed so that within each circuit, the forces applied to the brake pads are the same magnitude and act as opposing pairs on a given brake disc."
The governing body added the following sentence to the rule during the recent modification:
"Any system or mechanism which can produce systematically or intentionally, asymmetric braking torques for a given axle is forbidden."
The fact of the matter is that if any team was found to have violated the rules mid-season, the FIA would likely have issued a Technical Directive to all teams, notifying them of the infractions and outlining the necessary corrective actions. Thus, rumors about a team having violated the rule in question can be ignored.
The FIA clarified that the recent rule change was not prompted by any regulatory violations. Instead, it aimed to provide clearer regulations at the request of the teams, setting the foundation for the 2026 season, when Formula 1 will transition to a new era of regulations. However, the 'clarified' rule continues to apply to teams for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
According to FIA sources who told Motorsport.com, the existing rule was in place to prevent the teams from using 'brake steer' to alter the car's direction during Grands Prix weekends. The rule prohibited teams from using braking systems at the front or rear axles that produce asymmetric braking torques, which brake one wheel more than the other depending on the direction the driver intends to steer in.
In the past, F1 teams have employed brake steer devices featuring an additional brake pedal, which applies braking force to one side of the car. McLaren was found using such a device on its cars in the late nineties, which was a violation of Article 11.1.3 back then.
To prohibit the use of such brake steer devices, the current rule states:
"Any powered device, other than the system referred to in Article 11.6, which is capable of altering the configuration or affecting the performance of any part of the brake system is forbidden."
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Michigan football commit Alister Vallejo's recruitment has really picked up. The Liberty Hill (TX) defensive lineman committed to the Wolverines back on June 13, but he didn't have a huge offer sheet at the time. He received his second FBS offer back in January -- from Kansas -- and as the Summer moved on, Vallejo is starting to become a hot commodity. Most recently, the Miami Hurricanes sent Vallejo an offer. That's notable because the Canes already flipped one former Michigan commit. Four-star Brody Jennings, who was the Wolverines' first 2026 commit, de-committed and committed to Miami back on July 5. Vallejo, the Composite's No. 320 ranked recruit in the '26 cycle, appears to be as locked in with Michigan as one can get. He's actively recruiting other prospects to come to Ann Arbor, and he has built a bond with Michigan's coaching staff. In a recent interview, he told Michigan Wolverines On SI why he chose Michigan. "Why Michigan? Ann Arbor is home. On and off the field, everything just fits," Vallejo told Trent Knoop of Michigan Wolverines on SI. "Through the recruiting process, you see a lot, but what stood out most about Michigan is how real everyone is. For all the history and tradition, it’s still just good people in T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers—no egos, no hype. "My parents say it all the time: we all put our pants on the same way. That’s what makes this place special." The Wolverines currently have 21 commitments and the 11th-ranked class on 247Sports.
The first training camp practice of the year didn't get off to a roaring start for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a video posted by SteelersWRobbie on X, Rodgers can be seen getting intercepted by inside linebacker Patrick Queen while targeting wide receiver DK Metcalf on the first pass of team drills at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. Prior to that, however, Rodgers got in plenty of work with Metcalf without any defenders on the field as the pair continues building chemistry. While Rodgers throwing a pick on his first official attempt of camp isn't a good omen, it doesn't signal any impending struggles during what's likely to be the 41-year-old's final season of his career. The four-time MVP is still adapting to his new surroundings, and it wouldn't come as a surprise if he were to be a bit behind schedule as things get underway in camp. To liken the situation to baseball, it's rare to see pitchers have their best stuff or throw at maximum velocity in spring training. The same goes for Rodgers in this case, as it's unreasonable to expect that he'd be at the top of his game right off the bat. Though Metcalf's initial target from Rodgers as teammates produced a negative result, the pair should connect with regularity throughout the season. They held a throwing session at UCLA shortly after Metcalf was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Seattle Seahawks in March, and he was among the Steelers receivers who joined Rodgers for a workout in Malibu earlier this offseason. During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" in June, Rodgers revealed that Metcalf was a major factor in him deciding to sign with the Steelers following his release from the New York Jets. "DK is a lead-by-example guy, and he's a big reason why I'm in Pittsburgh as well," Rodgers said. "Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is." Rodgers, who threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets last season, owns the lowest interception percentage in league history at 1.4, so Steelers fans shouldn't expect to see too many mistakes from the future Hall of Famer this season.
The Green Bay Packers have a logjam at wide receiver. Adding rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to quarterback Jordan Love’s arsenal infuses a big-play element to head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense, while Mecole Hardman is a veteran presence at an otherwise young position group with untapped potential but limited big-game experience. As the 2025 regular season approaches, the Packers might be a popular phone call for general managers of teams aiming to bolster their receiving corps and upgrade the offense. Could Packers’ Romeo Doubs be a Top Trade Candidate? With training camp underway, Romeo Doubs sits atop the depth chart but could quickly be pushed by Golden for the top spot. In addition to Hardman, Golden, Williams, and Doubs, playmakers like Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed will also be pushing for snaps and a consistent role in the passing game. According to Pro Football Focus NFL analyst Bradley Locker, the competition and infusion of talent at receiver could make Doubs one of the top trade candidates across the NFL. “Since being taken in the fourth round in 2022,” Locker writes for PFF. “Doubs has become a solid option for Green Bay. Last season, he turned in a 71.0 PFF receiving grade with 1.62 yards per route run. However, his drop rate has sat above 9% in two of his three seasons, and health has also been an issue, with Doubs logging less than 700 snaps in two of three campaigns. “Golden figures to be Jordan Love’s WR1, especially with Christian Watson sidelined yet again. Green Bay also added rookie Savion Williams to the mix, which suggests that the team wasn’t satisfied with its receiver play from a year ago. Will the Packers finally move on from one of Doubs, Jayden Reed or Dontayvion Wicks, each of whom has shown flashes but not developed in full? The most likely would figure to be Doubs, who is effectively playing on a one-year deal in 2025.” If Golden makes the immediate leap and flashes like a No. 1 wide receiver, GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers could bit sitting on one of the most coveted receivers for contending teams aiming to fill a need. Doubs has caught 147 passes for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns through his first three seasons as one of Love’s top targets. If he’s supplanted by Golden, his next catch may come from elsewhere.
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline, and one glaring need stands out above the rest: find a new center fielder. Philadelphia’s current outfield mix of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Johan Rojas has underwhelmed, sending the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, to the trade market to find an upgrade. While a long-term solution like Boston’s Jarren Duran or even a rental like Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins would be ideal, the Phillies may pivot toward a cheaper option. One name gaining traction is New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, who CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa predicts the Phillies to acquire in a three-team trade at the deadline. "The Phillies badly need an outfielder. A center fielder, preferably," wrote Axisa. "The Yankees are rumored to be open to moving one of their three non-Aaron Judge outfielders (Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez) for a badly needed third baseman.” Axisa continues by explaining how a trade between the Phillies, Yankees, and Minnesota Twins could fulfill each team’s deadline needs. “The Phillies and Yankees don't match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in. Rental Grisham for rental (Willi) Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they're selling, they won't want a rental. They'll want controllable young players, so a three-team trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards." Grisham is in the middle of a career year, already tying a personal best in home runs (17) and posting a career-high .833 OPS. For Philadelphia, acquiring the left-handed hitter would almost be perfect, outside of a blockbuster deal for the aforementioned Jarren Duran. The Phillies would replace Kepler in the lineup with Grisham and shift Marsh from center to left field, adding depth to the outfield in the process. Moreover, Grisham, an impending free agent, wouldn’t disrupt the club’s long-term plan for top prospect Justin Crawford to take over center field in 2026. He wouldn’t crowd an already packed outfield full of players vying for roles, either. While the move could further agitate Kepler—who’s already criticized manager Rob Thomson over limited playing time—the Phillies must act now. With their World Series window closing, they must capitalize on every opportunity to strengthen the roster.
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