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      What happened to Luis Diaz’s dad?

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      LUIS DIAZ paid tribute to his kidnapped father after his late equaliser against Luton.Heading home in the 95th minute, he lifted his shirt to reveal the words ‘Libertad Para Papa’, ‘Freedom for my father’.
      Luis Diaz dedicated his late equaliser against Luton to his kidnapped fatherCredit: AP
      What happened to Luis Diaz’s dad?
      Luis Manuel Díaz Jimenez, 58, was taken hostage at gunpoint alongside his wife on Saturday, October 28, at a petrol station in Colombia.
      The footballer’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by police – but Diaz’s father is yet to be found.
      The Colombian government have said that the group Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, known as ELN, are responsible for the kidnapping.
      A representative of the group confirmed that they will release Diaz’s father imminently after they verified his relation to the Liverpool star.
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      Colombian authorities have offered a reward of $200,000,000 Peso (£40,600) for any information that leads to Luis Manuel Diaz’s return.
      The Liverpool star’s mum, Cilenis Marulanda, held back tears as she demanded her husband’s release.
      Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with her his face and the message ‘your family is waiting for you’, she told reporters: “I want them to release him now.
      “That the people who are keeping him free him now back to me, because we want to have him back home.”
      Most read in Football
      What did Luis Diaz say in his official statement?
      Following Luis Diaz’s late equaliser against Luton, he released the following statement on his father’s kidnapping, it read: “Today the footballer player is not speaking to you, today Lucho Diaz, the son of Luis Manuel Diaz, is speaking to you. My dad is a tireless worker, our pillar in the family and he is kidnapped.
      “I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my dad, and I ask international organizations to intercede for his freedom. Every second, every minute, our anguish grows.
      “My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him back home.
      “I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible. In the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to recover him.
      “I thank the Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of love and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves living.” More

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      Who is Fernando Alonso’s rumoured new girlfriend Melissa Jiménez?

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      FERNANDO Alonso separated from long-term girlfriend Andrea Schlager earlier this year, and has since been romantically linked with Taylor Swift.And now rumours abound that the racing Romeo is dating the ex of a former Barcelona star — Melissa Jiménez.
      Melissa Jimenez used to married to Real Betis defender Marc BartraCredit: Refer to Caption
      Who is Melissa Jiménez?
      Melissa María Jiménez Dionisio was born in Lieja, Belgium on June 26, 1987.
      She used to be married to ex-Barca, now Real Betis defender Marc Bartra and has three kids with him.
      The couple announced they had been separated for some time in January 2022.
      Rumours of her dating Fernando Alonso surfaced earlier this year, but both have kept quiet about it and there has been no confirmation so far.
      READ MORE ON FERNANDO ALONSO
      What does Melissa Jiménez do for a living?
      Jimenez is a sports journalist who currently works for DAZN.
      Melissa is a MotoGP nut who covers motorsport specifically and could have found romance with Alonso in the paddock.
      She began her career at the television channel 25TV and has also worked for Sky’s Italian division on the programme Skysprt24h.
      When were Fernando Alonso and Melissa Jiménez first rumoured to be dating?
      In May 2023 Alonso was pictured with a fan and eagle-eyed social media users think sportscaster Melissa is in the background, fuelling rumours of the pair becoming a couple.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The Spaniard shared the news of splitting up with long-term girlfriend Andrea Schlager on Instagram just hours after his podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix on April 2.
      Like Jiménez, Schlager is a sports commentator known for her work in Formula One and MotoGP — she met Fernando through her F1 commitments.
      In a statement he wrote: “We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. 
      “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.
      “As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other.
      “We thought it is appropriate to share this as you have all been very supportive. Thanks for that. Love Fer & Andrea.”
      What other stars has Fernando Alonso been linked to in the past?
      Alonso and singer Raquel Del Rosario — who was lead singer for Spanish rock band El Sueno de Morfeo — met in 2005 after she performed at a concert to mark his first F1 title.
      The couple married secretly in 2006 but only confirmed it publicly two years later, and lived together in Oxford and Switzerland.
      In 2011 they confirmed their break-up in a joint statement: “This has been a very thought about and mutual decision.
      “We are separating from marriage, but never as friends, and there is still a very strong affection and mutual admiration to ensure the happiness of the other.”
      After his split from Raquel, Alonso quickly moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia Tchoumitcheva.
      The talented Russian model, who has a degree in economics, has had an even more colourful career than her ex.
      After bagging an internship at JP Morgan, she was offered roles at Merrill Lynch and Duet Group, but decided to swap the stock market for the pop charts — releasing a rap single.
      In 2012 Alonso found love with another Russian model — Dasha Kapustina.
      The besotted pair were frequently seen together around the paddock, but after two years together their romance quietly fizzled out.
      Alonso quickly fell head over heels after meeting journalist Lara Alvarez in December 2014, but by 2016 the 16-month relationship had come to an end.
      Alonso’s next flame, Viki Odintcova, has no shortage of admirers in the sports world — even claiming she ignored Instagram DMs from Cristiano Ronaldo.
      After being snapped supporting him at races in 2016, Fernando and Italian lingerie model Linda Morselli confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post the following year.
      After half a decade together, the couple went their separate ways last year.
      Alonso’s next relationship was with Andrea Schlager, who he announced his separation from in April 2023.
      Read More on The Sun
      In May Spanish magazines began linking Alonso to pop star Taylor Swift, who was then newly-single.
      The two-time world champion fuelled the flames when he posted a video of himself winking as he listened to her hit song Karma. More

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      Who is Daniel Ricciardo’s girlfriend Heidi Berger?

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      DANIEL Ricciardo is one of the best-loved drivers in the history of motorsport.But who is Heidi Berger — the woman he loves?
      Daniel Ricciardo with his girlfriend Heidi Berger at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2023Credit: Alamy
      Who is Daniel Ricciardo’s girlfriend Heidi Berger?
      Charlotte Heidi Corvo Berger is the daughter of former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger and his Portugese model ex-wife Ana Corvo.
      She has one sibling — elder sister Sara Maria Berger, who’s 28 years old.
      Berger is dating racing ace Daniel Riccardo, whose nickname is The Honey Badger.
      Explaining the reason for his nickname to Red Bull in 2014, Daniel said: “It’s supposed to be the most fearless animal in the animal kingdom.
      READ MORE ON DANIEL RICCIARDO
      ‘When you look at it, he seems quite cute and cuddly, but as soon as someone crosses his territory in a way he doesn’t like, he turns into a bit of a savage and he’ll go after anything — tigers, pythons.
      “He turns very quickly. But he’s a good guy.”
      Heidi is an actress and her first official role was in the Portuguese soap opera A Única Mulher as the character of Nônô, which she starred in during 2016 and 2017.
      After the show concluded, Berger put in a string of guest appearances on Trakehnerblut, Meiberger: Chasing Minds and Três Mulheres.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Between the years of 2018 and 2020, Berger starred in mystery thriller Onde Está Elisa? as Elisa Menezes.
      She has since moved to New York to pursue an international acting career.
      When Ricciardo was asked if he was in love on the Fitzy & Wippa Podcast in 2022, he replied: “Yeah mate, I’m in love, I got a good thing going, so yeah. I’ve got a good balance in life right now.”
      “I think love eliminates stress, yeah absolutely.”
      The Australian was interviewed by podcaster Dax Shepard on The Armchair Expert podcast.
      Shepard was keen to find out whether it was still common practice for athletes to refrain from sex before events, to which Ricciardo answered: “I used to, but not any more.
      “I went against my rules obviously once and I was probably even better on Sunday so it’s all good. I threw that one out a few years ago.”
      The two regularly share their glamorous lifestyle on their Instagrams, which includes holidaying in some very exotic locations.
      What age is Heidi Berger?
      Heidi was born on April 4, 1997.
      She is currently 26 years old.
      Her boyfriend Daniel is 34.
      How did Daniel Ricciardo and Heidi Berger meet?
      Ricciardo has dated Berger since 2019.
      But the couple first went public with their relationship in the summer of 2022.
      As Heidi’s father is a former F1 legend and she grew up near a race track, it can be assumed they met through moving in the same circles — but we can’t be sure exactly how or when that happened.
      Who is Heidi Berger’s father Gerhard Berger?
      Gerhard Berger, 64, formerly raced for Ferrari and won ten Grands Prix over ten seasons.
      The Austrian also raced for various other teams during his career, including ATS, Arrows, Benetton and McLaren before he retired in 1997.
      Ricciardo has admitted his girlfriend’s dad was an idol, saying: “When I was young, I mean I’ve followed F1 since I was a kid and I had a Berger hat.
      “It’s funny, I talk about it with him. He still goes to quite a few races he still has an interest in the sport and he still does some business with it.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Any ex-sportsman, anyone who’s been through it — I just love speaking to them and gaining knowledge and insight through their experience there’s so much wisdom.”
      Berger cheered on Ricciardo’s return to the track at the Hungaroring In JULY — with the Australian finishing in 13th on his AlphaTauri debut. More

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      Who is Oscar Piastri’s girlfriend Lily Zneimer?

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      OSCAR Piastri is one of the hottest up-and-coming stars in the world of motorsport.Off the track he’s been dating Lily Zneimer — here we take a look her life and relationship with the McLaren rookie.
      Lily and Oscar attended Wimbledon together in JulyCredit: instagram/@oscarpiastri/
      Who is Oscar Piastri’s girlfriend Lily Zneimer?
      There isn’t much in the way of verifiable information about Lily available, as she prefers to keep her private life out of the public domain.
      Different outlets put her age at either 21 or 22, but there is no date of birth reported.
      An F1 photographer stated that she is — or was — an engineering student.
      Kym Illman said: “Oscar has been going out with Lily Zneimer for some years now.
      READ MORE ON F1
      “Oscar introduced me to the British student in the paddock at the 2022 Australian GP when he was the Alpine reserve driver.”
      “She’s British, polite, quiet, classy and by the time you watch this, has probably graduated with a degree in engineering.”
      Zneimer and Piastri made their first public appearance together at the 2022 Autosprt Awards, where the Oscar won the Autosport Rookie of the Year Award for the second year running.
      He posted a photograph of himself and Lily at the ceremony on Instagram and thanked those who voted for him, but didn’t acknowledge her or tag her in the post.
      Most read in Motorsport
      She also made an appearance at Oscar’s first F1 drive — when he was the back-up driver for Alpine last year — and after the race was the first to hug Piastri alongside his mentor and manager Mark Webber.
      After the race he said: “Having my girlfriend Lily here for the first time and attending my maiden Grand Prix in Melbourne with my pals makes me very pleased.”
      What does Lily Zneimer do for a living?
      Although Lily has studied engineering, it seems she wants to get into the same business as her boyfriend in some capacity.
      Kym Illman said: “She wants a job in F1 and with her contacts, I’d say she has a strong chance of that.
      He added: “They are a delightful couple.”
      Is Lily Zneimer on social media?
      Yes, Lily is on social media — but if you want to see her content, you may be in for a disappointment.
      Although Lily is active on Instagram, her account is private.
      It only has 48 posts to date.
      How long have Oscar Piastri and Lily Zeimer been dating?
      The Australian speedster likes to keep much of his private life out of the spotlight, but numerous pictures of him with Zneimer have appeared online.
      The first photo of the couple was taken on a rainy day, with Piastri holding an umbrella.
      But the racer was only holding the umbrella over his own head, making observers chuckle and creating an internet meme.
      One person commented: “Bruh really didn’t share that umbrella and meant it.”
      The Formula One ace mentioned the duration of his relationship with Lily in an interview.
      Read More on The Sun
      Speaking to 9News while attending Wimbledon in July, he said: “We have been together for – I better get this right – about four and a half years now.”
      He added: “We keep it private.” More

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      What is Lando Norris’ net worth?

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      LANDO Norris is one of the fastest drivers in the world, having excelled at every level of motorsport and holding numerous records.But who are his family, what’s his salary, and what is his net worth?
      Lando Norris finished seventh in the 2022 F1 World ChampionshipCredit: Splash
      Who is Lando Norris?
      Lando Norris was born in November 13, 1999 in Bristol, England.
      He set a brilliant fastest lap on the final lap of the 2021 Australian Grand Prix, earning himself the nickname ‘Last Lap Lando’.
      His first proper year at club level karting came in 2008 and in 2009 he claimed pole position at his first national event — to date he is still the youngest driver to ever get pole at a national meeting.
      For the 2010 season, Lando entered the two main national championships in cadet class racing against drivers up to three years older than him, where he finished third overall in the Super One Series, as well as winning the coveted ‘O’ Plate during the season.
      READ MORE ON LANDO NORRIS
      In 2012 the 12-year-old was crowned champion in the Formula Kart Stars series and runner-up in the MSA Super One British Championship.
      Lando entered the WSK Euro Series, the Winter Cup, the Rotax Super One and the Euro Max in 2013, showing his class to become the CIK-FIA European KFJ champion, WSK Euro Series KFJ champion and CIK-FIA KFJ Super Cup champion.
      Norris was also vice-champion in the WSK Master Series and seeded fourth in the World Championship.
      In 2014 Lando moved up to KF, the premier senior Karting category, coming third overall in the Championship — an impressive achievement against older and more experienced drivers — where the 14-year-old made history by becoming the youngest ever CIK-FIA KF World Championship winner.
      Most read in Motorsport
      In 2015 He notched up an impressive eight wins across the season to be crowned the FIA Formula 4 Champion of Great Britain.
      2016 was Lando’s most successful year to date as he won three Championship crowns, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver and the British Racing Driver of the year awards.
      The McLaren Young driver continued his meteoric rise through the motorsport ranks, becoming the youngest FIA Formula Three European Champion in history in 2017 — and in November of that year was announced as the official McLaren Formula one test and reserve driver for 2018.
      Lando stepped up to a full season in Formula Two in 2018, winning the opening race in Bahrain and racking up a further eight podiums throughout the season, making him Vice-champion.
      He was announced as a driver for McLaren in the 2019 F1 World Championship alongside Carlos Sainz Jr in September 2018, finishing his debut season in 11th with 49 points.
      Lando remained with McLaren for his second year in F1 and finished ninth in the drivers’ championship on 97 points — helping his team to third place in the 2020 constructors’ championship, the team’s best result since 2012.
      In 2021 he racked up podiums at Imola, Monaco, Austria and Monza, coming sixth in the drivers’ standings — his second place at Monza helped McLaren take home the season’s only one-two finish — and signing a new contract with McLaren until 2025.   
      2022 brought along a new era of Formula One, introducing entirely new cars, with Lando finishing seventh on 122 points.
      What is Lando Norris’ net worth?
      Norris’ net worth is reportedly around $30million.
      He attained his fortune from his racing career, endorsements and sponsorships.
      But with his big-money contract at McLaren, it is set to rise significantly.
      What is Lando Norris’ salary at McLaren?
      In 2022 Lando signed a new contract with McLaren, reportedly earning $20million a year.
      This makes him the fourth-highest earning racer in F1.
      The three drivers ahead of him are Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and  Charles Leclerc.
      Who are Lando Norris’ family?
      Lando’s parents are Adam and Cisca Norris.
      Read More on The Sun
      His father Adam is one of the richest people in Bristol and 501st in the UK — he earned his fortune working as a pensions manager before creating electric scooter business Pure Electric.
      Norris Lando has three siblings — older brother Oliver and younger sisters Flo and Cisca. More

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      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?

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      CHARLES Leclerc is one of the top competitors in Formula One, having finished as runner-up in the drivers’ standings for the 2022 season.Here we look at the Ferrari man’s salary, career and net worth.
      In 2023 Charles Leclerc has the third-highest salary in Formula OneCredit: Splash
      Who is Charles Leclerc?
      Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc was born on October 16, 1997 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
      His nickname in Italy is ‘il Predestinato’, which translates to ‘The Predestined’, and was given to him by F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini.
      He competed from an early age in karting, becoming French Champion in 2009, winning the Monaco Kart Cup in 2010, the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy and the Junior World Cup in 2011.
      Leclerc was the top rookie in Formula Renault in his first season, and then also in Formula Three the following year.
      READ MORE ON CHARLES LECLERC
      In 2016 he won the GP3 Series before dominating the 2017 season of FIA Formula Two.
      He was spotted by Nicolas Todt in 2010 and joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016.
      Charles entered Formula one in 2018 with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1, before moving to Ferrari in 2019, where his teammate was four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
      Following seven pole positions, 10 podiums and two victories, Leclerc finished fourth in the 2019 World Championship and extended his contract with Ferrari until 2024.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The 2020 season was below the Monegasque driver’s expectation as finished on the podium on just twice, finishing 8th in the drivers’ classification.
      In 2021, Charles secured two more pole positions and a podium.
      In 2022 he had an excellent season, finishing as runner-up behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
      Aside from racing, Leclerc has recently hit the headlines after embarking on a career in the music business.
      He released his debut single titled AUS23 (1:1) in April.
      The four-minute classical song features Leclerc, 25, playing the piano.
      And the Monegasque driver has enjoyed a fast start after venturing into the world of music.
      According to ESPN, Leclerc spent time inside the Top 10 of the Worldwide iTunes song chart following the release of his song.
      The title of the track, AUS23 (1:1) is a tribute to the Australian Grand Prix, where the song was born.
      Leclerc did not start playing the piano until the Covid-19 pandemic, but has “fallen in love with the instrument” after spending time playing it.
      The Ferrari star said on his Spotify page: “I’m excited to share with you a piano song that I’ve been working on, born out of my passion for music and created as a way to disconnect from racing and relax in between races.
      “I’ve created this song around the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix which is why I called it AUS23 (1:1). This is the way we call the Australian Grand Prix in my Formula One team and thought it would be a nice connection to the racing world.
      “After posting a story on Instagram of me playing that piano piece I had composed, I had a lot of positive feedback from the fans that inspired me to record it, making it easier for fans to enjoy my music.
      “My love for music has always been there, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I started playing the piano.
      “With more time at home, I decided to buy a piano and learn to play. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the instrument and find myself playing it whenever I’m at home.”
      Charles has also hilariously put himself forward to represent Monaco at next year’s Eurovison.
      The country withdrew from the 2007 edition due to poor results and three failures to qualify.
      But on hearing the news Monaco could be back for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest due to the launch of TV Monaco and its membership with the European Broadcasting Union, Leclerc took to social media to offer his services.
      On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “I’m ready 🎤.”
      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?
      Reports of Leclerc’s net worth vary dramatically.
      At the bottom end EssentiallySports puts it at $12million (£9.7million).
      In the middle CelebrityNetWorth judges it to be $40million (£32.3million).
      Whereas at the other end of the spectrum Sportskeeda believes Charles has amassed a whopping $125million fortune (£101million).
      What is Charles Leclerc’s salary at Ferrari?
      Leclerc’s 2023 salary at Ferrari is reportedly $36million (£29million).
      Read More on The Sun
      This makes him the third-highest earning racer in F1.
      Unsurprisingly, the two drivers ahead of him are Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. More

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      What is Fernando Alonso’s net worth?

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      FERNANDO Alonso is widely considered to be one of the most talented drivers ever to grace the sport of Formula One.Here we take a look at the racing man’s career, net worth and current salary at Aston Martin.
      Fernando Alonso is currently in contract with Aston Martin until 2024Credit: Splash
      Who is Fernando Alonso?
      Fernando Alonso Diaz was born in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain on July 29, 1981.
      After a period as Benetton test driver, Alonso made his Formula One debut with Minardi in 2001, at the time becoming the third-youngest ever driver in the sport at 19 years and 218 days — he is now ninth on the list.
      In 2003 the Spaniard joined Renault, winning his first world championship in 2005 and ending five straight years of dominance from Michael Schumacher.
      Fernando claimed made it back-to-back world championships by also winning the crown in 2006.
      READ MORE ON FERNANDO ALONSO
      Alonso moved to McLaren in 2007, where he endured a fractious rivalry with Lewis Hamilton.
      Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen went on to beat the Spaniard to the title by one point that year.
      Alonso then replaced the Finnish driver at Ferrari in 2010 and spent four years there before returning to McLaren in 2015, where he stayed until he took a break from F1 in 2019.
      In 2015, Alonso opened his own museum in Oviedo, with a circuit named ‘Museo y Circuito Fernando Alonso’, dedicated to his racing career.
      Most read in Motorsport
      In 2021 Fernando returned to Formula One following a two-year hiatus driving for the Alpine — the rebranded French team formerly known as Renault where he won his two world championships.
      “Coming back into the sport,” Alonso observed, “is never a guarantee that you will be okay and competitive and still enjoy everything in F1.”
      He then moved to Aston Martin for the 2023 F1 season, were he replaced Sebastian Vettel, and currently remains in contract with the team until 2024.
      On the subject of joining Aston Martin the Spaniard said: “No one in Formula One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.”
      “I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed.
      “We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance.
      “The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convince me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport.
      “I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.”
      As well as the 2005 and 2006 F1 world championship, Alonso won 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 on his debut in the Toyota team, alongside Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi, and then won it again in 2019 with the same team and co-drivers.
      The Spaniard now only requires the Indy 500 to complete motorsport’s Triple Crown, which has only previously been won by Graham Hill.
      Alonso attempted to win the race at Indianapolis in 2017 but crashed out late on despite an impressive drive, and then again in 2019.
      Alonso remains a huge hit with fans throughout his career due to his aggressive and exciting racing style.
      What is Fernando Alonso’s net worth?
      Fernando has been one of F1’s highest-paid drivers over the years.
      He has reportedly amassed a whopping net worth of £213million.
      Business magazine Forbes listed Alonso as the third-highest paid driver on the grid in 2022.
      What is Fernando Alonso’s salary at Aston Martin?
      Alonso’s salary at Aston Martin has not been publicly released, leading to confusion around the subject. 
      According to RacingNews365, he has a base salary of £4million in 2023.
      Read More on The Sun
      But Spanish newspaper AS claims the Spaniard may earn up to £17.8million at his new team.
      Whereas in 2022 The Sun reported Fernando could expect £25million a year at the British manufacturer. More

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      Who is female Premier League referee Rebecca Welch?

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      REBECCA Welch is set to make history AGAIN by being appointed as the first female fourth official of a Premier League game.Here we find out more about the groundbreaking ref.
      Rebecca was also the first woman to officiate a men’s FA Cup and Football League fixtureCredit: Getty
      Who is Rebecca Welch?
      Welch took up football refereeing while she was still working in the health service. 
      The former NHS admin officer started her life as a ref in university football clashes and Sunday League games. 
      And while the college football encounters involving teams of female students were a “doddle”, her experience of refereeing men’s Sunday division fixtures was less straightforward.
      Welch told the FA’s web site: “The first couple (of matches) I did were women’s university games and the players weren’t really that bothered about so it was a doddle. 
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “Then the third game I did was Sunderland Sunday league football and it was a completely different kettle of fish. 
      “That took some getting used to but I am so grateful for the grassroots football experience because I never would have got to where I am now without it.
      “Sometimes I used to go home and chuck my bag down and I’d tell myself I’m never doing it again but you soon realise that not every day is going to be a good day in the office – it’s just like anything else. 
      “I had to analyse my performances and work out what I could do to improve and that’s something I really enjoy. 
      Most read in Football
      “I’ve been doing this for more than ten years now and I guarantee that the good days will far outweigh the bad ones in the long run.”
      Welch eventually worked her way into the higher echelons of match officiating, becoming part of an elite group on Fifa’s international list. 
      The Sunderland-based administrator also made her mark on the women’s game covering domestic and international encounters. 
      In addition to refereeing the Women’s FA Cup final twice, in 2017 and 2020, Welch has officiated in the men’s National League for three seasons and taken charge of WSL, Women’s Champions League and international clashes. 
      She was selected to oversee Harrogate’s clash with Port Vale in April 2021 following an ongoing review of her performances this season and official approval from referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones.
      The Washington-based ref is reported to be among the individuals included within the Professional Game Match Officials top group of referees. 
      Welch added: “I’ve always said, through all my promotions, I want to be appointed because I am in the top 10 match officials on that list. 
      “I never want to be appointed based on anything else. I’ve got faith in the system, and I’ve been rewarded.”
      Rebecca broke ground again in January 2022 when she became the first woman to to take charge of FA Cup match — the Birmingham vs Plymouth third-round tie.
      And on November 4, 2023 the trailblazer is set to become the first woman to be a fourth official of a Premier League game when Fulham take on Manchester United.
      Where is Rebecca Welch from?
      Rebecca is originally from the town of Washington, but now lives in Sunderland.
      Both are situated in the ceremonial county of Tyne and Wear.
      It borders Northumberland to the north and County Durham to the south.
      When did Rebecca Welch become a referee?
      Rebecca first picked up a referee’s whistle 13 years ago at the age of 27 after being dared to do so by a friend.
      She earned her qualifications as an official through Durham County FA.
      Welch has gone on to break ground as the first woman to officiate Football League, FA Cup and Premier League fixtures.
      Does Rebecca Welch play football?
      Yes, Rebecca does play football.
      She has played the sport since childhood.
      Welch told the FA’s website: “I played football and didn’t even think about refereeing until one of my really good friends, who is a referee, refereed us.”
      Read More on The Sun
      “I spent the whole game telling her how to do her job! Her response was, ‘If you think it’s that easy, give it a go’.
      “That’s how it happened and 10 years later here I am.” More