Formula 1 will use the Sepang software modification in Singapore if rain falls.

Media reports stated that Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin intends to run for a fourth term as president of the European Football Association (UEFA).

The British news agency (PA Media) reported that Ceferin, who was elected for the first time in 2016, informed the heads of the national federations that are members of UEFA, during a meeting in Berlin this morning (Thursday), of his intention to run again in the upcoming elections.

Ceferin has already ruled out running for the presidency of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) against the current president, Gianni Infantino, but his continuation of 4 additional years in the leadership of UEFA would likely enhance stability and unity within the European Union, at a time when it is preparing to escalate its moves to confront Infantino’s presidency of FIFA.

Ceferin would not have been able to run for a new term had it not been for the controversial amendments made to the UEFA statute regarding presidential term limits, during the federation’s general conference in Paris in 2024.

The English Football Association opposed these amendments, but after they were approved by a vote, Ceferin announced that he would not run again in any case, noting that he made his decision 6 months ago to leave his position at the end of his third term in 2027.

But he has now informed the delegates of his intention to run for a new term extending until 2031, during the UEFA General Conference scheduled for next year in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Ceferin had clearly declared his opposition to Infantino, after reports revealed last July that the Swiss was working on a plan to attract private investments to a company that manages the commercial interests of FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

UEFA said that it had lost confidence in Infantino. Because of the way he dealt with that plan, he announced last August that he would work to identify a credible alternative candidate to compete with him for the presidency of FIFA.

There was speculation last September that Thursday's meeting in Berlin might see the European federations agree on a candidate to run in the competition, but that did not materialize. The deadline for submitting nominations for the presidency of FIFA ends on November 18, while sources within UEFA indicated their confidence in the possibility of identifying a candidate before the deadline.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Ramon Vega, the former Tottenham defender, became the first person to officially reveal his intention to compete with Infantino for the presidency of FIFA.

Infantino, who has also been in office since 2016, still appears to be a strong competitor, based on a broad base of influence, especially in Africa and South America, as well as a large number of Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

It also appears that the President of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, has softened his stance towards Infantino, according to a letter seen by the British news agency (PA Media).

Sheikh Salman had previously joined Ceferin and Victor Montagliani, president of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF), in calling on Infantino to step down from his position. But his new letter indicates a proposal to form an internal working group to study possible reforms to FIFA’s governance system.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso denied speculation about his possible return to the Dakar Rally, and told reporters on Thursday that the desert endurance race physically conflicts with his commitments in the Formula 1 World Championship.

Alonso (45 years old) had participated in the Dakar Rally before, after taking a break from Formula 1, but he said that combining Formula 1 with the grueling rally would be impossible.

The Spaniard assessed his situation earlier this year, saying he also had other challenges on his mind before committing last month to stay with Aston Martin until 2027.

"I read those rumours, but I don't think it's possible," Alonso told reporters before the start of the Singapore Grand Prix. “Physically, it is almost impossible to juggle two demanding programs such as the Formula 1 Championship and the Dakar Grand Prix.”

The two-time world champion also ruled out participating in GT3 races, saying that he had not tried this category before, while emphasizing the need for intense preparation for any new challenge in motorsport.

He added: “No, I have never tried GT3 races, as they require tremendous preparation. “I think people think these challenges are easy because others have succeeded in them or been able to compete in them to one degree or another in the past.”

He continued: “It takes a lot of preparation, determination and luck to achieve success. “So, when I take on the next challenge, you will know about it, and it won’t be just a rumor.”

He continued: “I will go through it myself, and that will be because I believe that there is sufficient preparation and sufficient risk to take.”

Although he denied speculation related to the Dakar race, Alonso explained that his passion for racing extends far beyond his career in Formula 1.

He added: “I am not satisfied with competing in Formula 1, but I (want) to race in other categories as well. “I will drive in other categories when I stop Formula 1 as well.”

He concluded: “It is a truly wonderful feeling, that adrenaline that fills you when driving a racing car.”

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Vice President of the German Football Association, renewed the Federation's confrontational stance towards Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), before a meeting of senior European football officials in Berlin on Thursday.

“I talked about this matter several times over the past weeks,” Watzke said. Many mistakes have occurred, starting with the Peace Prize awarded to US President Donald Trump, through the Folarin Balogun case, all the way to the investor crisis.”

Watzke, who also holds the position of Vice President of the European Football Association (UEFA), stressed that there is a clear consensus within the German Federation regarding this position.

Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association, recently told the German newspaper Tagesspiegel: “We must remove him from his position. Gianni Infantino is no longer accepted as FIFA President. "He caused great harm to football."

UEFA officials and the presidents of the 55 member associations are meeting in Berlin to discuss the next steps in the power struggle with Infantino, among other issues.

Infantino has faced criticism since his decision to award Trump the first edition of the FIFA Peace Prize, during the World Cup draw ceremony held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

During the same tournament, Infantino was involved in the controversy surrounding the suspension of American striker Folarin Balogun with a red card, after the suspension penalty imposed on the player was suspended, allowing him to participate in the next match, after Trump intervened via a phone call with the President of FIFA.

Recently, Infantino was subjected to new criticism because of his plans related to an investment deal that sparked widespread controversy and was later abandoned.

In the biggest crisis it has faced since assuming the presidency of FIFA in 2016, the European Football Association has threatened to boycott all International Federation activities, and is also preparing to file a lawsuit against the backdrop of investment plans. On suspicion of breach of duties of honesty and fiduciary responsibility.

Despite calls for him to step down, Infantino confirmed that he will run for re-election in the next presidential elections scheduled for March 2027, and also offered his opponents talks about possible reforms within FIFA.