Lewis Hamilton’s impact stretches far beyond Formula 1 and his quest to win a record-breaking eighth world title with his new team.

It was a disaster for soccer in Italy when the national team missed out on the last World Cup.

Manuel Locatelli is finally living up to his promise as Italy's next great midfielder.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 filer, Brescia's Mario Balotelli reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Udinese at the Mario Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy. The former Italy striker was reportedly fired by his hometown club for failing to report for training as the Italian soccer season prepares to resume from a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The former Italy striker was reportedly fired by his hometown club for failing to report to training as the Italian soccer league prepares to resume from a three-month break amid the coronavirus pandemic. While Balotelli reportedly excused himself from training by presenting a doctors note saying he needed to take a week off for stomach troubles, the club had already had enough of him. In the meantime, it seems almost certain that Balotelli wont be suiting up when Brescia resumes playing on June 22 at Fiorentina.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic trains in Carnago, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2020. The 38-year-old striker signed a deal with AC Milan until the end of the season with an option to extend for another year. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

9’s are back in vogue in Serie A. The last round of matches was a case in point, with a hat trick from Ronaldo and multiple goals from Lukaku, Immobile and Belotti. Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is only one game into his Serie A return with AC Milan. 9’s, his vertical moves have been in perfect synch with crossing specialists Sergej Milinković-Savić and Luis Alberto. Dubbed “LuLa,” the duo has scored 23 goals in Serie A this season — seven more than all of AC Milan.

Juventus' head coach Maurizio Sarri, right, gives instructions from the side line during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Juventus at Rome's Olympic stadium, in Rome, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The Serie A title race could come down to which team has the best strike force. PLAYER OF THE SEASON SO FARMartínez has burst onto the scene this season after a quiet debut campaign for Inter. Martínez and Lukaku’s partnership has been key to Inter reaching the top of the Serie A standings. It’s among the team's best starts since Luigi Riva led the club to its only Italian league title in 1970. Lazio has won the Serie A title twice in its history, the last time in 2000.