Lawson eyes Japan

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is set to leave Formula 2 and race in the Japan-based Super series next year. Lawson, who is seventh in the F2 standings with one round left, is understood to be making the move to try to improve his chances of eventually stepping into an F1 car. Autosport is reporting that the 20-year-old Red Bull protege will join the title-winning Honda outfit Team Mugen in Super Formula. Lawson made his Formula One debut in a free practice session for AlphaTauri at the Belgian Grand Prix in August and made another appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix in October.

Premier League West Ham have been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Blackburn Rovers, with the Championship side winning a marathon penalty shootout 10-9 after a 2-2 draw. Rovers led through an early goal from Jack Vale before efforts from Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio turned things around in West Ham’s favour. But Blackburn substitute Ben Brereton Diaz netted an 88th-minute equaliser to send the tie to a shootout and, after 19 successful spotkicks, Angelo Ogbonna hit the bar to leave the Premier League side knocked out. Two other top-flight outfits, Southampton and holders Liverpool, were taken to penalties by League One sides but made it through to round four. Premier League leaders Arsenal crashed out as Brighton came from behind to win 3-1 at the Emirates. Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0 at the Etihad and Nottingham Forest won 2-0 at home against Tottenham.