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      Daniel Ricciardo offered F1 lifeline by Haas after being axed by McLaren and given £10m pay-off

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      DANIEL RICCIARDO could continue in F1 by agreeing to join Haas at the end of the season.The Australian was bought out of the last year of his contract for £10million by McLaren and will leave the team at the end of the year.
      Daniel Ricciardo could continue in F1 by signing for HaasCredit: The Mega Agency
      But his F1 journey may not end there with Haas opening the door to the former Red Bull star.
      Mick Schumacher looks set to leave Haas and team principal Guenther Steiner is considering Ricciardo as his replacement.
      Steiner told the AP: “If he’s interested in us, he’s not shy to call me up. I am not going to chase him down.
      “I want him to decide what he wants to do for himself, first, before being talked into something.
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      “I think he’s a good driver and I don’t know how he got in the situation he’s in now, but I think he needs to come clean with himself and decide what he’s going to do.”
      “For us he would be a big hit. He was a race winner and now he is without a job.
      “He was a race winner just last year. I rate him as a driver, I have no idea why he doesn’t perform right now. That is for him to figure out.”
      Steiner reportedly sent Ricciardo a text about his future in the summer with the 33-year-old running out of options – Williams are the only other team who will have a vacant spot at the end of the season.
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      And it appears Ricciardo is not ready to call it quits just yet, despite his disappointing campaign.
      He said: “I could probably keep going, I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong [in Formula 1] and can do it.
      “That’s what really gets me jacked.
      “And the love of it, as well as knowing that any weekend that could be there [a win], like it could be around the corner, you know.
      “The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it.
      “So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular.” More

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      F1 star Lewis Hamilton cheers on his NFL team Denver Broncos for first time since becoming co-owner

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      LEWIS HAMILTON cheered on his NFL side Denver Broncos on Monday night, the first time he has done so since becoming co-owner of the team.The 37-year-old Formula 1 superstar became an investor in the three-time Super Bowl champions back in August.
      Hamilton went to watch the Broncos at the SoFi StadiumCredit: INSTAGRAM / LEWIS HAMILTON
      The Brit recently became a minority owner in the BroncosCredit: INSTAGRAM / LEWIS HAMILTON

      He watched on as the Broncos lost a close match against the ChargersCredit: INSTAGRAM / LEWIS HAMILTON
      Hamilton posted a message to the Broncos fanbase on social media ahead of the gameCredit: INSTAGRAM / LEWIS HAMILTON
      The F1 legend was pumped to be in attendance for the clashCredit: INSTAGRAM / LEWIS HAMILTON
      And he attended his first game as an NFL owner in California as the Broncos took on the Los Angeles Chargers.
      Hamilton posted a snap from the SoFi Stadium onto his Instagram story.
      And he added the caption: “Watching my team for the first time. So excited to be he here. Let’s go @broncos.”
      Broncos’ official Twitter account also shared a clip of Hamilton talking to the camera, with the seven-time world champion saying: “Hey, what’s up Broncos Country, Lewis Hamilton here. Here to support the team. Go Broncos.”
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      However, the Brit, who is worth around £250million, will have to wait a bit longer to see a first Broncos win as they lost 19-16 to the Chargers in LA.
      Hamilton joined the Broncos’ ownership as part of the Walton-Penner family takeover.
      And he took his seat alongside a number of his co-owners, including Rob Walton, Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner.
      The Broncos were officially sold to a group of Walmart heirs for a record-breaking price of £4.1billion on August 9, with Hamilton coming in as a minority owner.
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      Meanwhile, Hamilton will return to the F1 track this weekend when he heads to the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
      The Mercedes driver is looking to avoid a winless season for the first time since he debuted in the sport back in 2007.
      Hamilton has won at least one Grand Prix every year for the past 15 campaigns, but is yet to secure one in 2022.
      He has managed six podium finishes, but the Silver Arrows have failed to compete for both the drivers’ and constructors championships.
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      Max Verstappen clinched his second successive title last time out in Japan.
      Hamilton is down in sixth, 27 points behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell. More

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      World champion Max Verstappen reveals he could RETIRE from F1 in 2028 to try his hand at ‘few different kinds of racing’

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      TWO-TIMES World Champion Max Verstappen has revealed he could retire from F1 as soon as 2028. The Red Bull driver wrapped up his second Driver’s Championship last week after a chaotic Japanese Grand Prix.
      Verstappen was in high spirits after he won a strange race in Japan and sealed the ChampionshipCredit: Rex
      It was a stroll to the title for Verstappen who has dominated the second-half of the season.
      And the star celebrated the achievement in style with his McLaren driver pal Lando Norris.
      With the star only 25 and showing no signs of slowing down, Red Bull might have hoped for a long and successful dynasty with Verstappen at the helm.
      But the Dutchman has revealed he may only stay in F1 until 2028, when his long-term deal with the team expires and he will only be 31.
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      He told Sky Sports: “I don’t see myself driving until I’m 40 because I want to also do other stuff.
      “I’m having a lot of fun with what I’m doing right now and I’m still in F1 for a couple more years… I’m signed until ’28.
      “After that, it also depends how everything is going but I will probably try to do a few different kinds of racing because it’s important also to try different things.”
      But he added: “I really enjoy being part of this team for a long time and hopefully for a long time to come.”
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      In recent years F1’s most successful drivers have tended to stay on the grid deep into their careers.
      The best example is Fernando Alonso who returned to the sport last year and is 41-years-old.
      Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton is 37 and has recently signalled he could be driving well into his 40s as well.
      But as F1’s youngest ever driver, Verstappen entered the sport far earlier than either of them.
      Verstappen’s stock is currently very high after his controversial title win in Abu Dhabi last year and his far more dominant win this year.
      It had appeared Red Bull would face a real battle with Ferrari this year but the famous Italian team’s season came undone due to team errors and reliability issues.
      In contrast, Verstappen repeatedly impressed with a series of stunning drives, most notably at the Belgian Grand Prix and the race in Hungary. More

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      Mick Schumacher has FOUR races to save F1 future with son of legend Michael’s disaster crashes costing Haas a fortune

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      IT is always telling when someone gives praise and then pauses before adding ‘but…’.And so to the words of Gene Haas whose Hass F1 Team will compete in their home race – the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas – this weekend.
      Haas F1 team owner Gene Haas (centre) is looking forward to seeing them compete in Texas this weekendCredit: Getty
      Haas had been asked about the situation with Mick Schumacher, who is out of contract at the end of the season with rumours rife he will be ditched for 2023.
      Hass said: “I think Mick has got a lot of potential…. but, you know, he costs a fortune and he’s wrecked a lot of cars that have cost us a lot of money that we just don’t have” Ouch.
      It seems inconceivable to think Schumacher, 23, the son of seven-times world champion Michael, 53, is fighting for his career after less than two seasons in F1.
      Particularly when you remember that in 2021, Haas spent little money developing that car and instead ploughed the majority of their efforts into their challenger for this year.
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      In his rookie season, he comfortably got the better of his team-mate, the hapless Russian racer Nikita Mazipin, who was eventually axed.
      But the unfortunate reality for Schumacher is he is simply unable to turn in the error-free and stand-out performances his father was noted for during his early career.
      He has always maintained his surname is a blessing and hindrance in that it no doubt opened doors that would have remained closed to others, such as his place in the Ferrari driver academy.
      But it has also brought a level of public interest and, of course, expectation.
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      You only need to look at the stunted sports careers of Diego Sinagra, the son of Diego Maradona, and Michael Jordan’s son, Marcus, to witness how that burden limits performance.
      The harsh reality is Schumacher has not been consistently good enough against his current team-mate, Kevin Magnussen, and there have been the aforementioned crashes.
      He had big ones in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, plus last time out in Japan too – and Haas cannot afford for such errors.
      He now has the final four races to score enough points to convince Haas he deserves another chance in 2023.
      Meanwhile, his manager – interestingly the same one as his father employed towards the end of his racing career – is working on the potential for a switch to Williams – if the Haas option falls through.
      Schumacher now faces a crucial period if he is to remain in F1, as Williams are keen on American Logan Sargeant, providing he secures enough super licence points from his final races in F2.

      Brown blasts cost-cap breakers
      F1’s cost cap row will rumble on at this week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin.
      McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown has written to the FIA where he says teams caught breaking the budget cap “constitutes cheating”.
      Brown is one of a number of team bosses who are unhappy that Red Bull breached the spending limit.
      The FIA are yet to determine their punishment for the ‘minor’ breach, which is an amount of less than five percent (£5.7million) of the total £114million available.
      However, Brown has taken preemptive steps to ensure the FIA come down hard on any team who broke the rules.
      “The overspend breach, and possibly the procedural breaches, constitute cheating by offering a significant advantage across technical, sporting and financial regulations,” Brown is quoted as saying in his letter.

      Lando’s on song for Max
      LANDO NORRIS is having a go at being a DJ and recently performed at a party to celebrate Max Verstappen’s world crown.
      Videos have emerged across social media showing Norris taking to the decks in Monaco, where both drivers live.
      Max Verstappen celebrated his 2022 world title win with pal Lando NorrisCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Big hitters in NASCAR
      NETFLIX might want to take a look at the fisticuffs in NASCAR if they want to have more action in F1.
      Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson tangled on track in Las Vegas and matters spilled over into the infield.
      Wallace was livid at being taken out of the race by Larson and confronted him, shoving him a few times in the chest before matters had to be calmed down.

      MotoGP looks in the Bag
      IT has been an incredible few months since Francesco Bagnaia crashed a car after a few drinks in Ibiza.
      The MotoGP rider has won three times, finished second once and his two third-place finishes in Thailand and Australia have moved him to the top of the championship.
      The Ducati ace can win the title at the next round in Malaysia. More

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      Red Bull ‘CHEATED’ by breaching F1 budget cap and Max Verstappen should be penalised, says McLaren boss in leaked letter

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      RED BULL effectively “CHEATED” their way to the 2021 championship title, according to McLaren chief Zak Brown. In a leaked letter to Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, Brown made it clear in no uncertain terms that he believed Red Bull should be punished severely for their breach of the cost cap in 2021.
      Zak Brown has told the FIA to throw the book at Red BullCredit: Rex
      Max Verstappen won last year’s title over Lewis Hamilton in controversial fashionCredit: AFP
      Last week the FIA published their findings following the financial audit of teams in the 2021 F1 season.
      And in doing so they found Red Bull to have gone over the £114million budget cap.
      However, the transgression only resulted in a “minor” breach of the rules, therefore meaning the potential punishment will be on the leaner side – and thus preserving Max Verstappen’s maiden title.
      But this has not stopped Brown from lobbying the FIA to give out harsh punishments, as revealed in a leaked letter dated October 12 and sent to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
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      He said: “The overspend breach, and possibly the procedural breaches, constitute cheating by offering a significant advantage across technical, sporting and financial regulations…
      “We have even been given a one-year dress rehearsal (in 2020), with ample opportunity to seek any clarification if details were unclear. So, there is no reason for any team to now say they are surprised.
      “The bottom line is any team who has overspent has gained an unfair advantage both in the current and following year’s car development.
      “We don’t feel a financial penalty alone would be a suitable penalty for an overspend breach or a serious procedural breach.
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      “There clearly needs to be a sporting penalty in these instances, as determined by the FIA.”
      “We suggest that the overspend should be penalised by way of a reduction to the team’s cost cap in the year following the ruling, and the penalty should be equal to the overspend plus a further fine.
      “I.e. an overspend of $2m (£1.76m) in 2021, which is identified in 2022, would result in a $4m (£3.53m) deduction in 2023 ($2m to offset the overspend plus $2m fine).”
      “In addition, we believe there should be minor overspend sporting penalties of a 20% reduction in CFD and wind tunnel time.
      “These should be enforced in the following year, to mitigate against the unfair advantage the team has and will continue to benefit from.”
      Brown also explained that extra spending of just £1.76m can have as much as a 50 per cent upgrade to a car’s performance over the season.
      Prior to the ruling’s announcement, Lewis Hamilton had also revealed the huge difference even one upgrade can make on the car – putting Verstappen’s first championship victory under even more scrutiny.
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      Meanwhile, fans crowned Hamilton as an eight-time world champion after the revelations were made public.
      Since then, Verstappen has now claimed a second title in far less dramatic fashion with a championship reminiscent of some of Hamilton’s most dominant years in the sport. More

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      Victor Steeman’s mum tragically dies of heart attack two days after World Superbikes ace’s death following horror crash

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      VICTOR STEEMAN’S mum has died just two days after her World Superbikes star son tragically passed away.Flora van Limbeek, 59, suffered a cardiac arrest at home in the Netherlands, according to Race Sport.
      Victor Steeman died just before his mum also passedCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman won four races this campaignCredit: Getty
      Steeman tragically died aged just 22 due to a horrific multi-car crash at the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship Race 1 in Portugal.
      He was one of the sport’s rising stars and was in the midst of a fantastic season, in the hunt to win the World Championships.
      The Dutchman picked up four wins and five podiums this campaign.
      His mother was his biggest fan and her passing comes just two days after Steeman’s death.
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      He died when he was involved in an awful crash on Turn 14 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
      Steeman was immediately airlifted to hospital with the race red flagged.
      He was taken to Faro Hospital with serious head injuries, where he later passed away.
      Soon after his death a family statement read: “Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened. Our Victor could not win this last race.
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      “Despite the unbearable loss and grief, we are extremely proud to share with you that our hero, through his passing, was able to save five other people by donating his organs.
      “We would like to thank everyone for the way you have lived with us over the past few days. We will miss our Victor enormously.”
      All thoughts are with Steeman’s father and Van Limbeek’s wife, Willem, during this awful time. More

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      Meet Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor racing family dynasty including brother Ralf, son Mick & injured nephew David

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      FEW sporting families have endured and enjoyed more than Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor-racing dynasty.Nine years after the seven-time F1 champion suffered life-changing head injuries skiing, nephew David has fractured his spine in a fireball race crash.
      Michael Schumacher and wife Corinna, seen skiing before his 2013 accident, are in Spain for the winter with children Mick and Gina MariaCredit: AFP
      Michael’s nephew David Schumacher fractured his spine in a frightening crash at Hockenheimring DTM event on Saturday
      Wife Corinna and daughter Gina Maria were on hand when Michael was awarded a North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize in Cologne in JulyCredit: Splash
      Son Michael Schumacher is hoping to emulate just a little of the success of dad Michael, who lifted the F1 crown seven timesCredit: AFP
      Schumacher senior, wife Corinna and their two children Mick and Gina Maria have moved to a £27million mansion in Majorca for the winter.
      It’s thought the sea-view property includes all the medical equipment the 53-year-old needs for rehabilitation.
      Schuey always kept his family life as private as possible.
      And that’s stayed the same since his accident, with little known about his condition.
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      But his family’s love for racing can’t escape the spotlight.
      Brother Ralf notched six F1 wins and now Michael’s son Mick also competes in motorsport’s top championship.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria admitted she too was tempted by the fast lane. But after a season of karting she swapped racing for riding – with equestrian.
      Here’s our guide to one of the sport’s greatest families.
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      MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
      The fiercely, famously, fantastically competitive German shares the record for most F1 crowns – after Lewis Hamilton caught him up on seven in 2020.
      After two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Schuey lifted the crown five times with Ferrari.
      He retired  in 2006 with 91 GP wins but surprisingly returned in 2010 for two mediocre years with Mercedes.
      Many fans and pundits regard Michael Schumacher as F1’s greatest driver everCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Michael Schumacher took the 1994 and 1995 F1 world titles with Benetton before winning five championships for Ferrari, the last in 2004Credit: AFP
      F1 legend Michael Schumacher sustained his serious head injury while skiingCredit: Reuters
      Schumacher’s situation changed forever, though, when he fell and hit his head while skiing off-piste in 2013.
      After being air-lifted to a hospital and having two surgeries he was placed in a medically induced coma for six months to reduce swelling of his brain.
      And via another hospital in Switzerland he finally returned to his home in Lake Geneva in 2015, where it’s understood he has mainly remained.
      CORINNA SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s wife is a keen horsewoman, winning the 2010 European Championship in western style horse riding.
      Wife Corinna Schumacher is a horse-rider, dog-lover and fighter for animal rightsCredit: AFP or licensors
      The animal rights activist, who is also 53, has two children with the racing legend – son Mick and daughter Gina Maria.
      RALF SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s younger brother, 47, won six GPs when competing in F1 from 1997-2007 with Jordan, Williams and Toyota.
      Ralf Schumacher raced in the shadow of older brother Michael but still recorded six victories and 27 podium finishesCredit: AFP
      German actress and model Cora Brinkmann was married to Ralf Schumacher from 2001 to 2015, sandwiching his F1 careerCredit: Reuters
      They are the only siblings to have both triumphed triumph in F1 races.
      Ralf is now a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany.
      MICK SCHUMACHER 
      Son Mick’s F1 career could be in the balance after just two years.
      Michael’s son Mick awaits his first F1 podium spot in his second year with HaasCredit: Getty
      Pointless in 2021, he was buoyed by finishing eighth and sixth in the British and Australian GPs respectively this year.
      But Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claims he “lacks consistency”.
      Mick first released his racing bug in karting – in 2008 – before working his way up through F4, F3 and F2.
      Now, 23, Mick reckons playing chess is a major help in his mental build-up to racing – meaning check first, chequered flag second.
      DAVID SCHUMACHER
      As Ralf’s son, Michael’s nephew and Mick’s cousin, David is the youngest of the racing Schumachers.
      Ralf Schumacher is shown trackside with son David, who now faces several weeks out after fracturing his spineCredit: Getty
      But the Mercedes driver, 20, faces at least six weeks out after an horrendous crash on Saturday.
      He fractured his spine in a collison with Thomas Preining in Saturday’s DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) event at Hockenheimring.
       Both cars smashed into the barriers and bounced back onto the circuit.
      And although David was initially given the all-clear, further scans revealed the far more extent of his injuries.
      GINA MARIA
      Michael’s daughter, 25, won gold at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland – after confessing she “preferred the horses” to race cars.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria Schumacher prefers riding to racingCredit: Rex Features
      The Western riding star did try karting for a year – but quickly decided it wasn’t her mane interest.
      Showjumper Iain Bethke is her long-term boyfriend. More

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      Heart-stopping moment race driver’s £170k Porsche flies through air at 100mph and almost crushes marshal in huge crash

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      SCREAMING spectators saw a Porsche almost crush a race marshal after flying into the air in a horrifying crashWill Martin’s £170,000 car hurtled off the track at Brands Hatch and wedged in a fence – just above the official.
      Will Martin’s Porsche eventually lodged just above the fortunate marshal
      Spectators could barely believe no-one was badly hurt after this accident
      Fencing collapsed as marshals dived for cover in an accident that turned into a miracle escape – with no-one seriously hurt.
      Sussex star Martin, 19, admitted it was “super lucky” no one was seriously hurt in the “scary” incident.
      One Twitter user claimed the fortunate marshal was her dad as she posted: “A small piece of catch fence saved his life!”
      Martin’s Porsche spiral backwards at high speed after he lost control.
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      The rear of the car smashed into the tyre wall, where marshals stood just behind.
      The vehicle then went through the wall, sending tyres everywhere.
      Fencing behind the wall fell apart as the Porsche careered on.
      Three marshals in orange suits had to leap clear – but even then they were nearly hit by a bail of tyres that came loose,
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      Most heartstopping of all, Martin’s car went flying into fencing above the marshal – but came to a halt in mid-air.
      The hot prospect, who has notched 16 wins in 94 races, said: “It was probably one of my biggest shunts.
      “I was pretty lucky to come out the other side.’
      He believes the fencing dragged concrete up with it – but were then cushioned by trees.
      He added: “As I was coming towards the exit of the corner I had a touch from behind.
      “Obviously, coming out the corner I was still trying to turn.
      “I was spinning off towards the barrier on the right. I hit the barrier backwards which sort of lifted the car up as I went over.
      “Just glad that my Dad is still here to tell the tale… a small piece of catch fence saved his life Twitter user Kieron Salmons
      ‘I landed pretty much in a tree on a catch fence and the barrier. I ended up six foot in the air. Luckily, everyone was safe and no one got hurt.
      ‘It was a bit of a scary crash. The concrete the catch fence was built into had ripped out of the ground.
      ‘The tree must have helped keep the fence off the marshals’ post so the guy in the post was super super lucky.
      ‘It could have been much worse. Sometimes people do go off on that corner but not every often.”
      Track workers eventually freed Martin after he was trapped in his car for ten minutes.
      Twitter user Kieron Salmons posted: “Just glad that my Dad is still here to tell the tale.
      “Not sure how that happened but a small piece of catch fence saved his life! Yes my Dad is the marshal underneath the car in this photo.’ More