Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-02 i Mercury

500 jobs on the line at manufacturing operations in Gqeberha and Silverton The spectre of job losses looms over South Africa as Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has announced plans to retrench nearly 500 workers across its manufacturing operations in Gqeberha and Silverton. This comes as Ford gave notice to retrench more than 500 workers as it streamlines its manufacturing operations at both the Struandale Engine Plant and the Silverton Assembly Plant. Ford has proposed to realign its manufacturing operation in both the Silverton Manufacturing Plant (SVO) and the Struandale Engine Plant (SEP) to correspond with existing and projected manufacturing requirements in both plants. This drastic move has ignited concerns among organised labour groups, prompting urgent calls for a comprehensive industrialisation policy to tackle the escalating unemployment crisis.…

JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, soon to be renamed Blu Label Unlimited (BLT), on Monday announced a restructuring of Cell C ahead of a potential listing of the mobile phone operator. In an announcement to its shareholders, BLT said the pre-listing restructuring will involve various transactions to optimise Cell C’s capital structure and balance sheet, in preparation for a separation from BLT and a listing on the JSE. Cell C has a strong market presence in South Africa and has seen strengthened management over the past 24 months, successfully returning it to a strong growth trajectory with significant improvements in operations and financial metrics. Cell C operates on a capital-light approach to its mobile network, using its own spectrum assets with the physical infrastructure owned by other mobile network operators. Cell…

Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, reported a strong first-half performance in a benign catastrophe claims environment when compared to the same period last year. Santam's chief risk officer, Charisse Ras, said in an interview on Monday that in the first half of last year, Santam paid large weather and property-related claims. However, the level of these were much lower currently, although the weather would eventually turn. The group also benefited from underwriting measures it implemented to tackle high claims inflation and frequency, which helped restore the profitability and earnings momentum of its in-force book. Tavaziva Madzinga, Santam Group CEO, said these actions contributed to robust growth in gross written premiums (GWP) over the six months, along with an improvement in underwriting margins. The strong first-half performance exceeded the long-term…

We have just witnessed one of the most bizarre developments in the history of technology. It involves a technology company that defined an era. Fast Company is documenting the history of Intel and its impact on society as artificial intelligence is challenging its grip on power. Here’s our first stab at the history of technology companies as outlined by Harry McCracken. On August 22, President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that the US federal government had acquired 10% of Intel. The chipmaker’s news release trumpeted the deal as “historic.” That it was. But it was also ignominious. In Trump’s own account, he had humbled an iconic American company. Maybe even shaken it down. Fifteen days earlier, he posted to Truth Social that Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan had ties…

When TikTok creator and new mother Sarah Biggers-Stewart opened up about her harrowing postpartum experience in 2023, one viewer’s comment stood out: “Where’s the girl with the list?” It was a reference to the now-infamous “Pregnancy List”, a growing catalogue of more than 350 reasons why someone might think twice about having children. For many, this list has become a form of free birth control, offering an unflinching look into the brutal realities of pregnancy and childbirth that often go unspoken. The girl with the list The list began with TikTok creator Yuni (@yuniquethoughts), who in 2021 casually started adding reasons not to have children in her Apple Notes app. What began as a joke quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon. Every time another creator shared a video detailing an…

ANGLICAN Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has urged communities across South Africa not to allow politicians to take control of the National Dialogue. Makgoba, who was appointed by the president to be among the Eminent Persons Group, was speaking during a church service at Taung in the North West Province. The National Dialogue is an initiative designed to unite South Africans in addressing the country's most pressing issues. This includes social, economic, and political challenges. Its intention is to allow for space for discussions at a grassroots level, identify common ground, build a collective vision for progress, and strengthen democratic processes. The phased, participatory process involves local consultations, sectoral discussions, and provincial gatherings. A second convention is expected in early 2026, where a national programme of action will be adopted. The Eminent…

All companies with 50 or more employees must begin submitting their 2025 Employment Equity (EE) reports, in line with regulations and sectoral targets published by the Department of Employment and Labour. The reporting period, which began yesterday, will be open until January 15, 2026 for online submissions. If submitting manually, the deadline is October 1, 2025 according to the department. The opening of the reporting period comes just days after the Pretoria High Court dismissed an urgent application by the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) and Sakeliga to challenge what they called “new employment equity quotas”. According to the organisations, the sectoral targets constitute strict hiring quotas based on race and other demographic ratios. The organisations have confirmed they will appeal the ruling directly to the Constitutional Court.…

A father of four who was shot at close range by police with rubber bullets in the aftermath of a service delivery protest, which he did not partake in, is set to receive R250 000 in damages. The SAPS also has to pay him a further R104 700 towards his future psychological treatment following his nightmare ordeal. Tebogo Gasetingwe was shot in the thigh and arm while he was standing outside his car. He said he had gotten out of his vehicle after a service delivery protest had calmed and insisted he had not participated in the protest. He turned to the North West Division of the high court, sitting in Mahikeng, where he claimed R500 000 in damages from the police. The 38-year-old plaintiff broke down in tears as…

A new survey conducted by the Inclusive Society Institute has raised red flags about growing distrust of immigrants, particularly foreign nationals from fellow African nations living in South Africa. CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, said distrust of African immigrants is being fuelled by widespread political scapegoating, economic hardships, and fierce competition for scarce resources within communities. The GovDem Survey found that the employment status of South Africans significantly influences attitudes towards African immigrants. “Among those who are unemployed, 77.3% expressed distrust about immigrants from Africa. Responding to the same question, 70% of employed adult South Africans reported distrust of African immigrants. This difference suggests that joblessness may amplify concerns about competition in the labour market — actually, this concern is often voiced by unemployed individuals,” said Swanepoel.…

Both teams will be equally desperate on Saturday at Eden Park when the Springboks face the All Blacks in the first of two Test matches in the Rugby Championship. That is the belief of Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus, as his side looks to continue their dominance over the Kiwis, this time away from home, in the Southern Hemisphere tournament. The world champions will be aiming for a fifth consecutive victory over the current world No 1 side. More importantly, they are chasing a win at Eden Park for the first time since 1937. The Boks are also determined to keep their hopes of back-to-back Rugby Championship titles alive. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be just as eager to preserve their long-standing unbeaten record at the venue. A…

South Africa’s leading cricketers Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, and a host of international stars will go under the hammer when the SA20 Season 4 player auction takes place in Johannesburg next week Tuesday. With more than 500 players shortlisted for the auction, the six franchises will finalise their 19-member squads ahead of the tournament, which begins on December 26. In a statement on Monday, SA20 confirmed it had received a record 800-plus player registrations – the highest in its four-year history – before the list was reduced to 541 following franchise reviews. The final auction pool comprises 300 South African cricketers and 241 overseas players. Markram, South Africa’s T20I captain, headlines the local contingent, which also features de Kock, Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Reeza Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottneil…

Bayer Leverkusen have sacked manager Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga matches in charge, the club announced yesterday. Fired by Manchester United last October, Ten Hag signed a contract until 2027 in May, succeeding Xabi Alonso, who moved to Real Madrid. However, the Dutchman faced the challenge of a squad depleted by the sale of several key players from the Bundesliga-winning 2023-24 side, and his new team struggled in the opening games of the season. “This decision was not easy for us. Nobody wanted to take this step,” sporting director Simon Rolfes said, in a statement. “The past few weeks have shown that the steps to build a new and successful team have not been effective.” Club CEO Fernando Carro described the decision as “painful, but necessary.” The 55-year-old…

The latest data from the Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has stirred alarms among economic analysts, revealing a disconcerting retreat into contractionary territory in the manufacturing sector. Released on Monday, the August PMI indicates a decline of 1.4 points to 49.5, marking a significant regression after a brief moment of optimism in July when the index had edged into expansionary territory for the first time in nine months. The PMI, which is compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) on behalf of Absa, serves as a critical barometer of manufacturing activity in South Africa. This latest figure highlights a subdued atmosphere in the sector, with both domestic and export demand facing persistent sluggishness. Absa noted that despite July's 2.3-point improvement, economic activity remains lacklustre as new sales orders plummeted…

Bidvest’s international services, trading and distribution group operations reported mixed results from its various divisions, but “a great deal of execution went into the year” to June 30, and benefits from this will materialise in coming years, CEO Mpumi Madisa said Monday. The group did 9 acquisitions through the year, concluding a two-year spate of 24 acquisitions and disposals. Madisa said in an online presentation they had executed almost all transactions in their proactively built pipeline, and the focus now was to ensure these businesses delivered on potential and generated strong cash flow. “We will be driving growth across all 11 territories,” she said. The share price fell 5.67% to R223.46 on the JSE by yesterday midday, a price about 27% lower than the price a year ago. Included in…

Sea Harvest Group benefited from improved catch rates, firm demand, better vessel utilisation, two new trawlers, price increases, and higher processed volumes and fish oil yields in the pelagic business in the six months to June 30. The group, which derives 64% of revenue and 90% of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) from its South African fishing business, increased headline earnings per share by 91% to 95 cents per share for the period. “The last three years have been tough as catch rates were at the lower end of the cycle and fuel prices at their peak. This necessitated cost reduction and focus on maximising value for species in high demand globally. Once catch rates turned in 2025 and fuel prices normalised, the business saw a significantly…

A crypto entrepreneur posting as @goodalexander on X recently offered some disconcerting observations about powerful people and truth-telling. His cynical take - that Warren Buffett's folksy investment wisdom and Peter Thiel's contrarian innovation insights might be theatrical misdirection - feels particularly relevant when applied to how we discuss Africa's digital transformation. These musings come alongside @goodalexander's promotion of Post Fiat, a blockchain project that reimagines XRP's consensus mechanism with AI-driven validator selection. Whether his X handle reflects genuine identity or careful branding around "good" intentions, his scepticism about curated reality deserves journalistic scrutiny. Side-bar: XRP is a cryptocurrency created in 2012 by developers David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto. Unlike Bitcoin, all 100 billion XRP tokens were created upfront, with most going to Ripple Labs—the company that helped develop…

A deal struck between Eskom and the Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) that will see electricity prices further increase has sparked outrage amid concerns that it could hinder access to electricity for struggling consumers. Labour unions, civic associations, and ratepayers have expressed their discontent with the development, as they believe that electricity is already out of reach for millions of South Africans due to the high prices. Nersa has been forced to adjust the tariff increases following an error in calculation. The correction of this error means another 3% in tariff increases will be imposed from the next financial year. In a statement on the matter, Nersa explained how the settlement agreement with Eskom on the Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6) revenue decision came about. It said on January…

As tensions between the taxi industry and e-hailing operators continue to escalate, South Africa is preparing to introduce a new transport law. The National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA), which comes into effect in just a week, seeks to formally regulate e-hailing services, promote fairness in the transport sector, strengthen commuter safety, and curb the violent clashes that have increasingly unsettled communities across the country. Earlier this month, the country saw violent clashes between e-hailing drivers and taxi operators. In Soweto, an e-hailing driver was shot dead, his car set on fire, and two others were injured outside Maponya Mall, sparking widespread protests. Last Wednesday, in KwaDabeka, two e-hailing drivers were shot at and attacked by taxi operators after being confronted and told to leave the area. Police later detained…

South Africa is losing more than R250 million every day to criminals in the shadow economy, Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) said, calling for illicit trade to be declared a national emergency. “Every rand looted results in a school not built, a hospital not equipped, a home not delivered,” said Yusuf Abramjee, founder of Tax Justice SA. “This crisis is stealing the future from our people.” Illicit cigarettes alone cost the country an estimated R28 billion a year, while illicit alcohol contributes to losses of about R16.5 billion annually, according to the organisation. The warning comes in the wake of the African Union’s new “Mbeki II” report, compiled by the High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (AU HLP), which shows that illicit financial outflows from Africa have worsened since former…

Black Sash has welcomed efforts to curb fraud in the social grant system but raised serious concerns about the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) readiness to roll out mandatory biometric enrolment, which came into effect yesterday. “Black Sash welcomes any medium that would help reduce fraud and ensure the integrity of the social grant payment system. However, we are concerned as to whether SASSA has the necessary infrastructure and capacity to take on this mammoth task,” said Black Sash national advocacy manager, Evashnee Naidu. She warned that the measures could burden beneficiaries if not properly planned. “The announcement that this could also impact beneficiaries who have already been approved but have not completed biometric verification is another cause for concern, as we have witnessed the challenges SASSA is currently…

The KwaZulu-Natal Government has reversed its decision to place the Umkhanyakude District Municipality under administration. After months of public spats and a court case, the provincial cabinet finally agreed to withdraw the Section 139(b) intervention which it used to curtail the powers of the municipality and place it under an administrator. The withdrawal was confirmed by the provincial government spokesperson Bongani Gina, who said that after the cabinet considered a new presentation by the municipality, with proof of improvements in the areas the cabinet had based its decision on, it agreed that Section 139(b) was no longer necessary and converted this to a Section 154 intervention to assist the municipality in financial and administrative challenges. “Yes, the cabinet has withdrawn the decision and terminated the administrator’s contract. The cabinet converted…

Liverpool boast the only perfect Premier League record three games into the new season after Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick secured a 1-0 win over title rivals Arsenal at Anfield. Manchester City’s title challenge is already faltering after a second defeat in three games for Pep Guardiola’s men at Brighton, while Tottenham’s promising start under Thomas Frank was derailed in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth. Manchester United claimed their first win of the season against Burnley on Saturday, needing a dramatic 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty to ease scrutiny on Ruben Amorim ahead of the two-week international break. Here, we look at three talking points from the Premier League weekend. Reds show Gunners the reward of taking risks Szoboszlai said he took a “risk” with the power behind his free-kick to become…

THE life of an international cricketer often revolves solely around airports, buses, hotels, cricket stadiums and back again. That’s particularly evident on the subcontinent where players are viewed as demi-gods causing them not to venture out in the public domain - particularly not without state-like security in tow. It is for this reason that England tours are cherished, where cricketers revel in their obscurity by roaming the high streets, attending theatre productions and even get to go watch their favourite football teams, like Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and a couple of his teammates did on Sunday with a visit to Anfield. “The boys enjoy a UK tour. And we’ll try to make it as fun as it can be,” Bavuma quipped ahead of the first ODI against England at Headingley…

RG Snyman is looking forward to his reunion with Jordie Barrett, but this time around the duo will face each other on Saturday when the Springboks and All Blacks clash in the first of two Rugby Championship Tests in Auckland. The Bok lock and Barrett were instrumental in Leinster winning the United Rugby Championship (URC) this past season, but there will be no friendly exchanges between the two should they face each other. It’s a crucial clash at Eden Park, where the Springboks will look to win for the first time since 1937. The hosts will look to keep their unbeaten record at the Test stadium that they’ve held since 1994. “Much is made about the records at Eden Park,” Snyman said yesterday. “However, it is always tough to come…

Kaizer Chiefs have ridden on the wave of consistency and tactical balance to open the Betway Premiership season with a five-game unbeaten streak. Chiefs are currently second in the league standings with 13 points, level with leaders Sekhukhune United. It marks a dream start, especially considering how differently they fared last campaign. Beyond results, what has stood out most this season is the camaraderie and fighting spirit within the squad. Fullbacks Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane, who joined from arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, have slotted in seamlessly. When Monyane sealed Mako’s Player of the Match performance with a celebratory kiss after the 1-0 win over Golden Arrows – Chiefs’ fourth win in five games – the moment epitomised the togetherness in the camp. Coach Nasreddine Nabi has been quick to praise…

Liverpool’s British-record capture of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak brought an end to a transfer saga that had dragged on for far too long, as the headline signing of a dramatic deadline day when a number of puzzle pieces fell into place for English Premier League sides. The Swedish forward completed his medical at the Premier League champions on Monday afternoon, after the conclusion of a deal worth about £125m (about R2.92 billion), according to Sky Sports. The lanky sharpshooter divided opinion among football fans, and incurred the wrath of supporters of the Magpies, after insisting he would never play for the club again amid claims of broken promises. He was banished from the Newcastle first-team squad as he forced through a move away. Liverpool had failed with an opening…

Vehicle export volumes in South Africa are anticipated to come under increased pressure in the near term as the sector continues to adjust to higher tariff barriers to the United States market in spite of rising by 6.2% in August. The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) on Monday said exports would also be pressured by the adjustment to the knock-on implications of the tariffs resulting in increasing global competition in other traditional export markets. This comes as the 30% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on South African exports kicked in during the month of August, leaving the automotive and agricultural industries as the hardest hit. Vehicle exports to the US dropped by 73% in the first quarter of 2025, followed by a further decline of 80% and 85% in…

There is surely no greater sign of the urgent need for reform of the electricity sector than the way Eskom’s electricity tariffs are set. The whole system is far from the way prices should be set – through a competitive market in which firms aim to sell to consumers by offering them better value than others. The current approach was made clear last week with the revelation that the regulator Nersa has agreed to a court order that Eskom can collect an extra R54 billion in tariffs over the next few years. That is because of a mistake Nersa made back in January when setting the tariffs Eskom can charge. Eskom was already going to increase prices by almost 13% this year, and now it will be able to increase…

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution eclipses even the seismic impact of the Internet boom in the 1990s, propelled by the unprecedented speed of innovation and exponential growth in data. It marks a fundamental shift in human capability that cannot be stopped. AI is rapidly transforming every industry and sphere of work, with more than three-quarters of respondents in The State of AI survey conducted by McKinsey & Co. stating that their organisations currently use AI in at least one business function. While this rapid adoption rate has many people worried about their role and relevance in the workplace, the overriding theme of the unfolding AI revolution is that the technology is augmenting—rather than replacing—human workers, enhancing productivity, driving operational efficiencies, and unlocking organisational value. McKinsey & Co. terms it superagency…

RCL FOODS, the grocery brands, baking and sugar group, managed to lift headline earnings a share by a healthy 14% in the year to June 30, but negative general sales volume growth towards the end of the second half was of concern, CEO Paul Cruickshank said Friday. In the past year, strong earnings from the group, with brands such as Nola, Ouma, and Smarties, came primarily from marginally higher sales and cost savings. Some two months into the new financial year, sales volume growth remained weak and unlikely to change in the next six months, at least, Cruickshank said in an interview on Monday. The results are in an environment of falling consumer sentiment in South Africa, driven in part by uncertain global trade and political relations, lacklustre gross domestic…

It doesn’t always come with a flashing red light. Sometimes, no rash, no discomfort, no discharge. In fact, for many people living with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), there are no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one million STIs are contracted every single day, most of them silently. In South Africa, STIs remain a significant public health concern, yet the conversation is shrouded in stigma, silence, and shame. But your sexual health deserves your attention, whether or not you have symptoms. For Sexual Health Week, from September 9 to 15, BioSmart, a top clinical pathology lab in South Africa, is asking an important question: When was the last time you got tested? “We’re conditioned to believe that if there’s…

SUSPENDED deputy police commissioner, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has used the tensions between acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to strengthen his fight for reinstatement. Masemola suspended Sibiya, his deputy responsible for crime detection, for intentionally disobeying his instructions on the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Task Team investigating high-profile murders. The task team is at the centre of the claims of political interference within the criminal justice system - claims that were made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Sibiya filed a supplementary affidavit following Cachalia's remarks regarding the decision to return 121 dockets to the political killings task team. This was after Masemola reportedly told the media last week that the dockets were being returned from Sibiya’s office back to the task team in…

Detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Taxi Violence Unit have arrested a suspected hitman believed to be linked to a brutal taxi-related killing in Montclair. The suspect, 32-year-old Qaphelani Nyawose, was taken into custody during a police operation in uMlazi on August 28. He faces charges in connection with the murder of Mohammed Abdul Hammid, who was gunned down on July 17. A statement released by the office of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner said Hammid and his wife had gone to a fast-food outlet in Montclair to meet a taxi owner who had allegedly promised him a work permit to join a local taxi association. While his wife stepped inside the store, Hammid remained in his blue BMW. “A white Ford Ranger with four occupants arrived, and the occupants opened…

While thousands of students still struggle to secure funding, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says billions of rand remain unpaid by former beneficiaries — and it’s now demanding graduates start repaying their loans. NSFAS CEO Waseem Carrim has revealed that the scheme is owed R45 billion in outstanding student loans. Carrim said the loans date back to 2018 and earlier and were granted by NSFAS and its predecessor, the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA). NSFAS was established in 1996 to provide financial assistance to students. Initially, it was run by TEFSA, a non-profit organisation set up in 1991. TEFSA administered the fund until 2000 and was officially converted into a statutory body in 1999, becoming NSFAS. Carrim admitted that NSFAS has struggled with recovering debt over…

As the world continues to grapple with shifting global trade regulations, the South African Post Office (SAPO) has announced the immediate suspension of all outbound parcel deliveries to the United States. This comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month removing the longstanding $800 duty-free threshold for international parcels. According to the new policy, foreign postal operators are required to collect and remit US customs duties before shipping goods into the country. Media reports also indicate that not only is South Africa affected, but also national postal services in France, Spain, Germany, and the UK have all said they would temporarily suspend their shipment services to the US to prepare for the new measures. In a statement issued to the media, the SA Post Office said…

In preparation for next year’s local government elections, Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye consultative forum has released a draft manifesto document for public comment. On Saturday the party's national executive committee held a meeting where the manifesto and constitution documents were discussed. The party later published the manifesto proposal for public input. The party’s national spokesperson, Hlumelo Biko, said the manifesto document was published for the public to make their input, and the party will hold a national convention to adopt the manifesto. “The national leadership has decided that we hold a national convention for the members to adopt the manifesto and the constitution, but the date has not been confirmed. “We will announce the date once it is finalised by the leadership,” said Biko. A few weeks ago, the party concluded…

The Springbok Women, still celebrating their first-ever World Cup quarter-final qualification following a stunning win over Italy, face a formidable challenge on Sunday. Fourth-ranked France await at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton (kick-off 5.45pm), a side boasting the experience and firepower to punish any lapse. While the victory over Italy was historic, de Bruin’s side know they will need to raise their game even further to beat one of the tournament’s dark horses. Sunday’s thrilling 29-24 victory over the higher-ranked Italy in York, resulted in the Bok Women climbing two places to 10th. Should they pull off the victory over the fourth-ranked France at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday, coach Swys de Bruin’s side would top the group. De Bruin had a word of warning for those who would write…

Hugo Broos’ nonchalance in the face of a situation that should have him pulling out strands of his silver hair is further indication of just how good a coach Bafana Bafana have got. The Belgian septuagenarian, who has restored South Africa to the top table of continental football, is on the verge of guiding the country back to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010. But ahead of the penultimate round of qualifying, which sees African countries playing two matches each month, Broos finds himself forced to improvise, with injuries hampering his preparations. Having already announced the squad to face both Lesotho and Nigeria in Bloemfontein on Friday and next Tuesday respectively, the Africa Cup of Nations winner has had to make adjustments. At the mandatory arrivals…

Lando Norris’ title hopes suffered a cruel twist at the Dutch Grand Prix, as a late power failure robbed him of a potential podium and handed his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, the upper hand in their championship duel. The Brit looked every bit a match – if not quicker – than Piastri, only for his race to end in bitter disappointment with eight laps remaining due to a mechanical failure. Instead of the wheel-to-wheel showdown many had anticipated, Norris was left to watch from the sidelines while Piastri cruised to his seventh win of the season. The contrast could not have been starker: one McLaren celebrating another dominant triumph, the other left empty-handed and facing fresh pressure with Monza up next. Despite McLaren’s crushing form in the constructors’ standings, the…