Motorsport

MICHAEL Schumacher has sent a message to his fans on the 10th anniversary of his retirement.The Formula 1 legend’s tweet comes nine years after his horrific skiing accident in the French Alps in 2013, which left him with severe brain injuries.
Michael Schumacher pictured when he finally retired from Formula 1Credit: Twitter/@schumacher
Schumacher was the seven times World ChampionCredit: Getty – Contributor
The legendary driver pictured with his pit crew in theCredit: Twitter/@schumacher
The pictures were tweeted on the 10th anniversary of retirementCredit: Twitter/@schumacher
Seven World Champion first retired at the end of the 2006 season after winning 91 F1 Grand Prix races but returned to the sport in 2009 to drive for Mercedes.
He spent three years with the team but didn’t win a race before he finally quit in 2012.
Marking the day, his official account tweeted: “Life is about passions Thank you for sharing mine.”
It was followed by #TeamMichael and #KeepFighting.
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A picture shows Schumacher in his car, which has ‘Thank You Goodbye Michael’ on the side, and another with him surrounded by his pit crew.
It comes as old Ferrari Formula One car has become the most valuable of the “modern era”.
The Ferrari F2003 was sold for an immense £12.6million, breaking the previous record, which was also held by an old Schumacher model.
The car was the one in which Schumacher won his sixth Formula One world title.
After his accident Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma until June 2014 and is now back home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland with his family.
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His condition has remained a closely guarded secret, with his wife Corinna preferring to treat her husband privately at their home in Geneva, Switzerland.
Corinna, 53, broke down in tears when the F1 legend was honoured with an award at an emotional ceremony in July.
The Ferrari icon was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.
F1 boss Jean Todt is who is one of the only people outside Schumacher’s family and medical team still allowed to see him.
Todt revealed Schumacher is “in good hands” as he revealed he visits the stricken star three times a week.
He previously shared details about the star’s condition and said he “hopes the world” will be able to see his dear friend again, adding Schumacher has “never changed”.
“I don’t leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family, we’ve had so many experiences together,” said Todt.
“The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
“Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He’s so strong.”
He also revealed Schumacher still loves to watch Formula One races.
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Todt told German TV channel RTL: “I don’t miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it’s true, I watch races with Michael.
“But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together.” More

DANIEL RICCIARDO has re-joined Red Bull Racing following his release from McLaren.The Aussie has been handed a reserve driver role that will also see him take part in the team’s simulator development and marketing commitments.
Daniel Ricciardo has re-joined Red Bull ahead of the 2023 seasonCredit: Reuters
Ricciardo has won eight F1 GPs but has struggled at Renault and then McLaren, who decided to cut short his stay with the team in favour of signing Oscar Piastri.
It resulted in the 33-year-old being without a seat for 2023, meaning he has taken a position at Red Bull, who he left in 2018.
Red Bull announced the news on Twitter by simply saying: “He’s back. Welcome home”.

He said: “The smile says it all. I’m truly excited to be coming back home to Red Bull as their third driver in 2023.
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“For me personally, the ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing, whilst also giving me some time to recharge and refocus.
“I can’t wait to be with the team and support with simulator work, testing sessions and commercial activities.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Ricciardo is NOT being lined up as a replacement for Sergio Perez, who had a falling out with Max Verstappen in Brazil.
He added: “It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family.
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“He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character; I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home.
“In his role as test and third driver, Daniel will give us the chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the car, aiding the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON revealed his heartbreak and devastation after a beloved young fan died. The Mercedes star, 37, took to Instagram to express his sadness following Isla’s tragic passing.
Lewis Hamilton’s young fan Isla sadly passed awayCredit: Instagram
The F1 star paid his own personal touching tributeCredit: Instagram
He posted the heartfelt message on his storyCredit: Instagram
Hamilton met Isla at the Spanish Grand Prix when she was five and had been told she was terminally ill.
They then reconnected at Silverstone and Hamilton dedicated his 2022 F1 season to the girl.
But now the seven-time F1 world champion is clearly struggling to cope with Isla’s death.
He posted a series of pictures of Isla, including a beautiful one of him holding the youngster, on his Instagram story.
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Grieving Hamilton wrote in his emotion message: “Devastated to hear about Isla’s passing.
“Meeting this little girl and her family at Silverstone was powerful and moving she was a fighter and an inspiration to us all.
“Her memory will be with me always.”
He later added: “I can’t stop thinking about Isla.
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“This beautiful little spirit brought so much love into my life, her hugs and support meant the world to me.
“I can’t believe she’s gone and I won’t get to hug her again. Life is not fair.
“My deepest condolences to her family, I can’t imagine how had a time this is but please know how many people loved her and especially me.”
He signed off the touching tribute with a broken heart emoji.
Hamilton finished fifth at the Spanish GP in May, 54 seconds behind race winner and world champ Max Verstappen.
‘SHATTERED MY HEART’
But he explained afterwards he was distracted after his initial encounter with Isla.
The Stevenage driver said at the time: “Today at the track I had to work extra hard to focus. That’s because today I met a beautiful little girl Isla and her parents.
“She’s so full of light, her smile alone brought more happiness than I can put into words.
“I learned that Isla’s only five years old and terminally ill. It’s shattered my heart.
“Seeing her smile and strength is the greatest gift and I just want to thank Isla and her parents for sharing that with me.
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“I cannot wait to see you at Silverstone and give you a hug and thank you in person.
“I’m going to give everything tomorrow and the rest of this season for you, Isla.” More

WILLIAMS have confirmed Logan Sargeant will join their team for the 2023 Formula 1 season. The 21-year-old had long seemed set for the seat at one of F1’s most famous and historic racing teams, replacing the error-prone Nicolas Latifi.
Logan Sargeant will be racing against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen next season after he joined WilliamsCredit: Getty
Nicholas Latifi struggled to impress in his three seasons in F1Credit: Splash
But the American had to secure his F1 super licence first by finishing high enough in the F2 Championship.
Sargeant managed to get the job done over two races in Abu Dhabi, securing fourth in the Driver’s Championship and gaining enough licence points.
It paved the way for Williams’ announcement and Sargeant, who had already been a test driver for the team, will now partner Alex Albon next season.
The driver impressed Williams with his performances this season and the team were keen to promote youth.
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Back-to-back wins at Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring in the summer proved to be his best moments.
He comes in for Latifi who has failed to impress in F1 since claiming his seat at Williams in 2020.
But the team have been struggling for several years now and their cars can often be seen fighting for positions at the back of the grid.
But Williams used to be a powerful F1 side, with the team winning the Constructor’s Championship nine times in their history.
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The switch means that the F1 grid for 2023 is now confirmed – with only four teams keeping their 2022 line-ups.
Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo have opted to keep their two drivers.
Elsewhere Sebastian Vettel retired for Aston Martin, opening the door for his old rival Fernando Alonso to make a shock switch.
This decision left Alpine stumbling into a PR calamity after their first choice replacement, last season’s F2 champion Oscar Piastri, publicly rejected joining the team after they had already announced he was signing.
Piastri instead replaced Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren, while Alpine landed Pierre Gasly in place of Alonso.
This then opened up a seat at Italian team Alpha Tauri and they managed to secure the services of Nyck de Vries.
And at Haas, Mick Schumacher was ditched in place of Nico Hulkenberg, who last drove regularly in F1 in 2019. More