Reuters Sports News Summary

The 33-year-old free agent returns to the WNBA after sitting out 2023 following the birth of her second child. Motor racing-Hamilton to race for Ferrari from 2025 Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, Formula One's most successful driver of all time, will race for Ferrari from 2025 after activating a release option in the Mercedes contract he signed in August.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Storm sign All-Star G Skylar Diggins-Smith

The Seattle Storm announced the signing Thursday of six-time All-Star point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith. The 33-year-old free agent returns to the WNBA after sitting out 2023 following the birth of her second child.

Motor racing-Hamilton to race for Ferrari from 2025

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, Formula One's most successful driver of all time, will race for Ferrari from 2025 after activating a release option in the Mercedes contract he signed in August. The bombshell news, confirmed first by Mercedes and then in a one-line statement from Ferrari, came after a day of mounting speculation with the world awaiting news from Maranello and Brackley.

Motor racing-Who might replace Hamilton at Mercedes?

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025, confirmed on Thursday, gives Mercedes plenty of time to replace him but the big question is who will step into the shoes of the most successful driver of all time? More than half of the current starting grid will be out of contract at the end of the season but inevitably some stand out more than others.

WTA roundup: Top 5 seeds breeze through in Austria

Seeded Russians Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 2) and Anastasia Potapova (No. 5) cruised in straight sets on Wednesday at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. Alexandrova advanced with a 6-3, 6-0 win over German Jule Niemeier and Potapova defeated Italy's Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3.

Reports: Dan Quinn to be named head coach of Commanders

The Washington Commanders will name Dan Quinn as their head coach, multiple outlets reported Thursday. The Commanders, who fired Ron Rivera at the end of a 4-13 season in 2023, were the only team that had yet to hire a head coach among the eight openings this winter.

Swimming-Doha set for biggest ever World Aquatics Championships

The World Aquatics Championships in Doha is set to feature the highest number of athletes and countries in the event's history, swimming's governing body World Aquatics said on Thursday. The event, which starts on Friday, is expected to host over 2,600 athletes from 201 countries competing across 75 medal events in six aquatic sports, with qualification spots for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris up for grabs.

Panthers' new brass: 'It's going to get better'

The Carolina Panthers introduced new general manager Dan Morgan and new head coach Dave Canales on Thursday, and Morgan made a vow to fans. "This is a dream come true for both of us," Morgan said. "We're going to work our butts off. ... It's going to get better. ... We're going to do things the right way to build a championship team here."

Reports: Mets nearing deal with reliever Jake Diekman

The New York Mets are nearing a deal with free agent reliever Jake Diekman, per multiple reports on Thursday. The 37-year-old left-hander has pitched for eight major league teams during his 12-year career.

Motor racing-Hamilton's Ferrari move was always on the cards

Lewis Hamilton's multi-year deal to race for Ferrari from 2025 means the seven-times world champion is likely to see out his Formula One career in red, the most successful driver in the history of the sport racing for the most decorated team. If the surprise news shook the sport on Thursday, coming only five months after the 39-year-old Briton signed a two-year extension with Mercedes, there was also logic to the switch.

Golf-Other Women's majors should match record U.S. Open purse, says Vu

World number one Lilia Vu said she hopes the other majors will follow the lead of the U.S. Women's Open, which on Thursday announced it would increase its prize money to $12 million. The record payout is driven by a multi-year multi-million dollar investment by Ally Financial in the tournament. The all-digital bank also signed the American twice major champion to a sponsorship deal.