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      F1 ace Lando Norris ‘robbed of his incredibly rare £144,000 designer watch while leaving Wembley after Euro 2020 final’

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      F1 ACE Lando Norris was robbed of his “unique” £144,000 designer watch in Wembley Stadium’s VIP car park, a court heard yesterday.The McLaren driver, 23, was targeted for his Richard Mille timepiece – one of only five in the world – as he walked to his £165,000 McLaren GT after the Euro 2020 final.
      Lando Norris’ watch was stolen in July 2021 as he left Wembley StadiumCredit: Getty
      Liam Williams, 25, has denied robbing the F1 starCredit: Dan Charity
      The Richard Mille “prototype limited edition McLaren watch”, also known as the RM6702, was the only one in the world with a blue strap made to measure for the driver’s wrist.
      Despite never being made available for sale, the designer estimates the value to be around £144,000 – excluding VAT.
      Liam Williams, 25, from Merseyside has denied robbing the Belgian-British F1 star on July 11, 2021.
      He appeared at court today wearing a navy-blue t-shirt and grey ripped jeans.

      The robbery came after England’s defeat to Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
      Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said the attack happened in the VIP yellow car park at Wembley Stadium following the final.
      Mr Norris told Harrow Crown Court it was midnight and raining as he spoke to members of the public next to his McLaren.
      He then realised two suspects were circling the car.
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      He added: “I noticed the suspect looking around my car and myself while keeping his head down. I believe his right hand was near, or on, his pocket.”
      The first suspect “slowly approached”, he added.
      “When I turned towards him, he asked me ‘is this your car?’ I do not recall exactly what happened.
      “Suspect 1 then went behind me and put his right arm around my neck and his left arm was under my back.
      “Suspect 1 pushed me into him and pulled me back by my neck.”
      Lando was left looking up at the sky as the first man told the second to “grab the watch”.
      He added: “Suspect 2 struggled to get the watch for a while however they used force to pull the watch off leaving scratches on my arm.
      “When suspect 1 had his arm around my neck the suspect manages to get the watch off my left wrist.”
      After just 30 seconds the attackers ran away via a nearby pedestrian walkway.
      Cops took two swabs from the F1 driver, two from his neck and two from his left wrist, where the watch was stolen.
      The prosecutor said the tests suggested a match with Williams’ DNA.
      And Williams’ phone records show he travelled to Wembley from Liverpool on the day of the theft.
      His phone was logged near Wembley Stadium in the early hours of July 12, 2021 before travelling back to Liverpool on July 13, 2021.
      Williams was arrested in Liverpool on July 18, 2021 on suspicion of robbery and attended a voluntary interview that day, where he answered no comment to all questions.
      He was interviewed again on July 19 and answered no comment again to all questions.
      On that same day a “video identification” took place, however Mr Norris was unable to identify him as one of the robbers, jurors heard.
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      He then attended a third interview on December 12, 2021 where he again answered no comment to all questions.
      The trial continues. More

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      I fell in love on Netflix reality TV show Too Hot To Handle – now I am focused on returning to motor racing

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      HANDSOME racing driver turned reality TV star Seb Melrose is ready to return to motorsport.The 25-year-old, who last appeared at the Ginetta GT4 Supercup in 2021, found a new audience when he starred on Netflix hit Too Hot To Handle.
      Seb Melrose is keen to return to motor racing after his stint on reality TV
      Handsome Melrose came runner-up with stunning LA girl Kayla RichartCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      He came runner-up with now ‘longterm’ love Kayla Richart – scoring plenty of fans and admirers, as well as earning a huge social media following.
      That makes Melrose a more attractive proposition for manufacturers now, as they look to bring sponsors in and he looks for a drive this season.
      While, with his fame affording him a subsidised seat, it’s realistic for the Scottish star to become a gentleman driver who pays for his seat.
      Melrose told SunSport: “I am trying to sort out a few deals – I really want to get back into racing cars.
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      “I’ve had a few chats with touring car, so we will see where that takes us.
      “But, for the first time ever, money is no longer the issue. It’s about finding the drive.
      “I’ve found different opportunities with it now.
      “Since the age of 16, I always wanted to become a racing driver and work my way up to becoming a works driver for a big manufacturer.
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      “That’s kind of changed now. I feel there’s more of an opportunity to earn and to keep your life fairly free. So you could be almost like a gentleman driver – without sounding like an old guy!
      “I’ve got the opportunity now to not race as a full-on professional, but be a professional driver while keeping my contracts wide open.
      “I’ve no longer got that pressure that I need to find a manufacturer and get paid.
      “Because of my social media numbers now, the growth and engagement I can provide to manufacturers, they have subsidised a lot of the seats for me.
      “Racing is cheaper than it has ever been. I don’t mind paying, and now I can pay for a seat that is subsidised.”
      Thanks to his popularity on Too Hot To Handle, Melrose has over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
      The godson of three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti also receives plenty of paid partnerships on social media. It makes him a far more attractive prospect to hire.
      He revealed: “I’m not going to talk for anyone, everyone is on their own journey. For me, specifically, for what I can now provide to sponsors and teams is something that other drivers can’t.
      Now with a strong Instagram following, Melrose is a huge catch for manufacturersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Thanks to his new found fame, Melrose enjoys a glam lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I am still a quick driver. I can still peddle a car. So not only will they get someone who has the ability to get on the podium, they also get someone who can market their sponsors.
      “When it came to the crunch of chasing my dream in racing or going on a reality TV show, I thought I could actually combine the two.
      “Thankfully, it paid off. I’ve got the numbers now and I came across well, but it could easily have gone south.
      “I could have been hated, and the sponsors might not have wanted to associate with me.”
      Despite flirting with celebrity, Melrose admitted he missed motor racing.
      He eloquently explained what it means to him: “It’s an escape for reality.
      “You get the helmet on and the belt and strapped in, you’re not thinking about anything else, but what you’ve got to do on that race track at any given time.
      “It’s almost like a form of meditation for me now.
      Melrose appeared on Too Hot To Handle’s recent fourth season
      Kayla Richart stole the heart of Melrose on the show
      “You are still faced with other types of stress, performing and timings, but you kind of go into another world and all you care about is your car and what is going on around you.”
      Melrose won the charms of stunning LA beauty Kayla, 22, despite plenty of competition on Too Hot To Handle.
      In a way, he joked, it was almost like the sport he competes in.
      “It was competitive, just like racing,” he said.
      “Everyone was competing for the same girl, Kayla. She was the girl I fancied and I felt there was a connection there, just like the other guys.
      “But I wasn’t biggest guy there, I didn’t have the biggest muscles, and wasn’t the tallest. I probably had the worst engine out of the lot, but I still managed to leave everyone else behind.
      Kayla is looking forward to seeing Melrose race againCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Melrose is ready for a sport in touring carCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I couldn’t have had a better experience. I came out with Kayla, who is someone I view as longterm.”
      And in Kayla, Melrose will have his No1 supporter cheering him on from the stands when he returns to the track.
      “She’s looking forward to me racing just as much as I am,” Melrose added.
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      “Kayla’s nervous about it, and she would like me to race in the States. I’ve got a couple of options this season, so we will see.
      “But this year I am ready for it, I want to get out there and show people what I can do and have fun doing it.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car is fastest he has EVER seen in F1 career after Saudi GP annihilation

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      LEWIS HAMILTON claimed he had never “seen a car so fast” after Red Bull completed another annihilation.Sergio Perez took the chequered flag while Max Verstappen came from 15th on the grid to finish second, as this season is becoming a procession.
      Hamilton has struggled to compete with the Red Bulls this seasonCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Perez have dominated the gridCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman even pumped in a fastest lap at the death – on a knackered set of old tyres that was still a second quicker than the rest – to secure a bonus point.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021. Since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      But it was the manner in which he breezed past the Brit on lap 12 of this dreary race which astounded the seven-times world champion.
      He said: “I’ve definitely never seen a car so fast.
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      “When we were fast, we weren’t that fast. I don’t know how or why but he came past me at such a serious speed, I did not bother to block because it was a massive speed difference.
      “Of course, everyone wants to see everyone closer but that isn’t the way it is, but that’s not my fault.”
      The result was a reversal of the outcome of the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point means he leads the championship from his team-mate.
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso coming third despite a controversial post-race penalty.
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      The Spaniard was hit with a 10-second time penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race – much to Aston’s frustration – and F1’s embarrassment given Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi oil firm, Aramco, had presented Alonso with his trophy on the podium.
      The fall-out was spectacular but had an unexpected benefit for Russell, who was promoted into third place.
      Alonso said: “Today is not good for the fans. When you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and you wait after the podium, there is something wrong in the system.”
      In another incredible post-race twist, Alonso was later re-instated onto the podium after another FIA U-turn.
      Hamilton cut a lonely figure before the race as there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations for the past seven years.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton scooted down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones, he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull procession.
      Despite qualifying down in 15th place to a drive shaft problem, the pre-race talk was still about whether Verstappen could challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only not on for a top three finish but for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places. By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Out in front Perez was keeping out of Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by his initial penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 while Verstappen completed the maximum points haul for the Milton Keynes-based team.
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      Meanwhile, Merc boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out copying his rivals’ designs as they look to get back to winning ways, despite being second in the constructors’ championship.
      He added: “I don’t know if you can call it a Red Bull or Aston Martin concept. At the end of the day, if it looks like a double-decker bus we would do it if it was fast!” More

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      Late Formula 1 drama as Fernando Alonso is demoted from podium spot in 100th race before dramatically being RE-INSTATED

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      FERNANDO ALONSO celebrated a podium finish before being demoted to fourth – only to the then be re-instated BACK to third.In a farcical outcome hours after the chequered flag, the Spaniard was stripped of third place – after the podium celebrations – before being reinstalled when the stewards reversed their decision.
      Fernando was awarded third place after stewards reversed a 10-second time penaltyCredit: Reuters
      A bizarre stewards’ decision to award him a post-race penalty was overturned nearly FOUR HOURS after the race.
      The Spaniard was hit with a ten-second penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race after a rival team had questioned the legality of the pitstop.
      Read more F1 news
      It all came in Alonso’s 100th F1 race.
      Red Bull continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.
      It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
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      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Verstappen qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      In the end, Red Bull cruised to the one and two positions. More

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      Verstappen storms from 15th to finish second as Perez wins in Red Bull 1-2 at Saudi Arabian GP with Hamilton fifth

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      RED BULL continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      Mexico’s Sergio Perez started the Saudi Grand Prix in pole positionCredit: Reuters
      Defending champion Max Verstappen aggressively hunted down his team-mate after starting in 15th placeCredit: AFP
      But the Mexican held firm to claim victory in JeddahCredit: Getty
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso again the best of the rest yet still over 30 seconds behind.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Before the race, it was a strange sight, as Hamilton pulled onto the grid and climbed from the cockpit of his Mercedes.
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      For the first time in seven years, there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations.
      Depending on who you talk to in the paddock, the story is either that two had a fall-out in Bahrain at the season opener, or that Hamilton and Cullen mutually agreed to go separate ways.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton looked a little lost as his new helper handed him his scooter, and he made his way off the grid for a pre-race comfort break.
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      Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Top Ten

      Sergio Perez
      Max Verstappen
      George Russell
      Fernando Alonso
      Lewis Hamilton
      Carlos Sainz
      Chares Leclerc
      Esteban Ocon
      Pierre Gasley
      Kevin Magnussen

      He cut a lonely figure as he scooted back down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull annihilation.
      A drive shaft problem during Saturday’s qualifying had given some weight to the claim that this year is not going to be a cakewalk for Verstappen.
      He qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton mustered a fifth-placed finish after starting in seventhCredit: Rex
      Out in front, Perez was keeping out of Fernando Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by a five-second time penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Hamilton meanwhile was given a warning by the stewards for weaving on the straight, with him radioing the team and saying “the grip sucks on this tyre”.
      The Brit was then passed by Charles Leclerc and then Verstappen, as the Dutchman coasted by with such ease.
      Such is his car advantage, and in fairness his skill behind the wheel, at the halfway stage of this otherwise dreary race he had moved into second place.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      Read More on The Sun
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 but lost out on the fastest lap, set by Verstappen on a set of hard tyres that were 32 laps old. More

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      F1 legend Lewis Hamilton wishes both his mums a Happy Mother’s Day in heartwarming post before Saudi GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has posted a heartwarming message to both his mums for Mother’s Day ahead of the Saudi GP.The F1 driver grew up with a mum, Carmen, and step-mum, Linda, as influences on his life.
      Lewis Hamilton has wished both his mums a happy Mother’s DayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He was influenced by both his mum Carmen (right) and step mum Linda (left)Credit: INSTAGRAM
      And to commemorate the day, he posted a lovely message to them on Instagram.
      The 38-year-old also extended his wishes to “all amazing mums” in the world.
      He wrote: “Growing up with a Mum and a step Mum who have always supported me is such a gift.
      “No matter what happened in school or on the track, the amount of love and care never changed.
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      “Making them both proud is one of my top achievements, so I’ll do everything I can to make them proud today.
      “Happy Mother’s Day to them and all amazing Mums out there.”
      Hamilton will be hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot on the grid.
      He has a decent headstart on Max Verstappen, who starts the race in 15th.
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      The F1 icon will start down the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      However Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell will start 3rd on the grid. More

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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen STARTS in 15th while Hamilton looks to win from 7th – latest updates

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      FORMULA ONE returns TODAY with the Saudi Grand Prix – but 2022 winner Max Verstappen has his work cut out.The F1 icon will start down in 15th on the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      While British superstar Lewis Hamilton is hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot.

      Start time: 5pm GMT
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
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      ‘I don’t feel connected to this car’ – Lewis Hamilton speaks out on Mercedes woes with Wolff understanding if he quits

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is committed to staying with Mercedes — despite another miserable performance.The Brit could only qualify in eighth for today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but will be promoted to seventh on the grid due to Charles Leclerc’s ten-place engine penalty.
      Lewis Hamilton has reiterated his commitment to MercedesCredit: AFP
      Hamilton, 38, has struggled to get to grips with his new carCredit: AP
      Merc boss Toto Wolff said he would understand if Hamilton wanted to go if they could not give him a car that can win.
      But Hamilton said: “I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
      “I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
      “I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I couldn’t get any more out of the car today but I must keep trying.”
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      His team-mate George Russell has been promoted to third on the grid for the start.
      Hamilton said: “George did great and is up there on the second row.
      “But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it.”
      Hamilton has also played down rumours of a rift with his former performance coach Angela Cullen.
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      Sir Lewis has split with performance coach Angela CullenCredit: PA
      The Kiwi was in Bahrain for the season opener with paddock sources claiming they had a fallout but Hamilton insists they are still pals.
      He said: “She’s moved on to a different phase in her life. We’re still super close, she’s texting everyday.
      “She’s massively supportive and I’m massively supportive of her.
      “I’m so grateful to have had her on this journey. She’s one of my closest friends and continues to be.”
      Meanwhile, there were signs world champion Max Verstappen will not get it all his own way this season.
      After his comfortable Bahrain win, Russell predicted the Dutchman could win all 23 races.
      Verstappen had looked untroubled all weekend and was comfortably ahead of the rest of the field in all three practice sessions.
      His best times were almost a second up on the rest of the grid apart from his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who was still behind him but has now secured pole.
      But he slowed in Q2 and complained he did not have much power.
      As his team tried to resolve the driveshaft issue remotely he was eventually told to pit and they set about frantically working on his car.
      But there was not enough time to fix it and Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying and will start 15th.
      He said: “The car has been really quick all weekend and every time I went out, the car worked really well.
      “I felt comfortable and I’m sure we can move forward.
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      “I do think that trying to win the race is a bit of a stretch because of the management that needs to happen on the tyres.
      “Everyone just seems to drive to a certain pace but we’ll try to recover as much as we can.”
      Max Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying in Q2Credit: Rex More