More stories

  • in

    What is George Russell’s net worth?

    GEORGE Russell is one of Formula One’s rising stars. But what’s his net worth? Here’s what we know about the British racecar driver.
    Norfolk-born George Russell started driving for Mercedes in 2022.Credit: Splash
    Who is George Russell?
    George Russell is a British racecar driver, for the Mercedes F1 team. 
    He was born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, to father Steve, and mother Alison. 
    His father had a seed and bean company, that he reportedly sold to support George’s driving career. 
    Russell has two older siblings, a sister called Cara, who works as his personal assistant, and a brother, Benjy. 
    Read more ON GEORGE RUSSELL
    Russell grew up in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and took up karting as a child at the age of 6, following in older brother Benjy’s footsteps, who was also a keen karting driver, often competing — and winning.
    Russell has previously said that his brother “was a brilliant driver”, but despite starting at only 11 years old, it was already too late for him to pursue a career in the sport. 
    The budding driver moved up to the karting cadet class in 2010, becoming the MSA British champion and British Open champion.
    In 2014, Russell participated in Formula Renault 2.0 Alps championship, finishing fourth, and also the BRDC Formula 4 Championship with the Lanan Racing team.
    Most read in Motorsport
    After winning the Formula 4 Championship, he became the youngest-ever driver to win the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, earning a £100,000 cash prize.
    In his debut Formula 3 championship in 2015, Russell scored three podium finishes.
    After winning the Formula 2 championship driving with the French team ART Grand Prix, Russell moved on to Formula 1, debuting with the Williams team in 2019, at the Australian Grand Prix finishing sixteenth.
    His first win came three years later at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix after he’d joined the Mercedes team.
    As for his love life, Russell started dating Seychelle de Vries, once linked to Max Verstappen, in 2017. 
    The pair were reportedly together for three years, before a 2020 split. 
    Russell is now dating Carmen Montero Mundt, a finance professional based in London. 
    Carmen shares romantic snaps with boyfriend Russell with her 318,000 Instagram followers, for example, some exotic holiday photos, and a summer trip to Wimbledon. 
    Russell largely sticks to professional driving shots on his Instagram, where he has 3.8 million followers, but posted a photo with Carmen at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 
    What age is George Russell?
    Russell was born on February 15, 1998 – making him 25 as of November 2023. 
    In 2023 he is driving alongside fellow Brit and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985 and 13 years his senior.
    In an interview with The Times, Russell said of his teammate: “He is so experienced, whereas I’m a 25-year-old who is just totally focused on trying to be the best F1 driver I can be. I’m pretty inspired by what he has achieved.”
    When did George Russell join Mercedes?
    Russell joined the Mercedes F1 team in 2021, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
    In his first race in a Mercedes car, the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix, Russell qualified ninth and finished fourth.
    He took his first podium spot with Mercedes at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix.
    What is George Russell’s net worth?
    Russell has an estimated net worth of $16million, approximately £13.1million.
    His move to Mercedes earned him a £5million payday.
    He previously rented a flat in an affluent part of London, but moved to Monaco, like many other F1 stars before him. 
    Read More on The Sun
    Russell enjoys lavish trips away with girlfriend Carmen to holiday spots St Barts and Santorini.
    Off the racing circuit, the driving star gets around in a  £140,000 car — unsurprisingly, a Mercedes AMG GT. More

  • in

    F1 icon Jenson Button reveals plans to return to motorsport ‘he loves’ including iconic race

    JENSON BUTTON has lifted the lid on plans to return to motorsport next year. Button was appearing on ITV programme This Morning to promote new Disney+ show Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story.
    Jenson Button lifted the lid on plans to race again next yearCredit: Alamy
    Button was appearing on This MorningCredit: Rex
    Button won the F1 title with Brawn GP in 2009Credit: Getty
    The Brit, who had fans gushing over his appearance, won his only Formula One title in 2009.
    The 49-year-old raced his final race in the sport in 2017.
    Following his F1 exit, Button has competed in a number of other motorsport category’s.
    These include Nascar, Super GT and Endurance racing.
    READ MORE IN F1
    And while on the show, Button revealed he would once again be returning to endurance racing and was eyeing another go at one of the most famous races in motorsport.
    Quizzed on if he would be driving again, he said: “Yes.
    “I will be racing next year in endurance racing.
    “For me that’s where it’s at, I love that team atmosphere [and] fighting for that victory.”
    Most read in Motorsport
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Asked specifically about one race, Button confirmed: “Le Mans”.
    The first time Button competed in the event he failed to finish the race.
    Earlier this year he competed in the 24 Hour race for the second time with Hendrick Motorsports in the Innovative class but only finished 39th.
    The 2023 race was won by former F1 rival Antonio Giovinazzi with Ferrari AF Corse.
    During his TV appearance Button also opened up on his mental health struggles throughout the 2009 F1 season and how he tried to leave the team before the season began.
    Button first raced in the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in 2018Credit: AP
    He then competed again this year but only finished 39thCredit: Getty
    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

  • in

    Jenson Button reveals he ‘tried to get out’ of F1 team and spoke to Red Bull chief before winning maiden title

    JENSON BUTTON has revealed he tried to leave his Formula One team before winning his maiden title.In 2009 Button’s F1 career was thrust into uncertainty with news of Honda’s withdrawal from the sport.
    Jenson Button has revealed he tried to leave Brawn GP before the 2009 F1 seasonCredit: EPA
    Button revealed he held discussions with Red BullCredit: Getty
    Button was appearing on This MorningCredit: Rex
    However, ex-Benetton and Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn stepped in and rescued the team when he bought it for just £1, rebranding it to Brawn GP.
    While appearing on This Morning, Button revealed he actually tried to leave the team before the season with his manager even speaking to Red Bull chief Christian Horner over a potential switch.
    Asked whether he had any idea if the team were going to be as successful as they were, the 49-year-old said: “No. I mean I tried to get out of it because the team didn’t look like it was going to exist.
    “So I asked around and my manager spoke to Christian Horner about a drive at his team and the junior team (Toro Rosso) and they said no all the contracts are done.
    READ MORE IN F1
    “So then it’s like okay let’s work hard to make this happen.”
    He added: “We found some people who were interested in owning the team but I don’t think it would have worked out that way.
    “Ross coming in and actually buying the team for a pound with his leadership was a big reason why it worked out.”
    Button went on to win eight races from a possible 17 that season, including six of the first seven.
    Most read in Motorsport
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The Brit opened up on his mental health struggles throughout the season as results began to turn sour in the second half of the year.
    However, Button and Brawn held on to claim the drivers and constructors titles, which would prove to be Button’s only title in his F1 career before he raced in the sport for the last time in 2017.
    Brawn had a 75.1 per cent stake purchased in it by engine supplier Mercedes at the end of the season.
    While on the ITV programme, Button also revealed plans to return to motor racing next year.
    Button won his only F1 title with Brawn GP in 2009Credit: Getty
    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

  • in

    My girlfriend dumped me because I bought a Porsche when I retired… now I’m a millionaire and married to a Spice Girl

    CHRISTIAN HORNER has revealed the time he was dumped by his ex-girlfriend after splashing out on a Porsche.The Formula One Red Bull boss recalled how he was not in the good books of one of his ex-girlfriends’ mothers.
    Christian Horner opened up on his when he was dumped by his ex-girlfriendCredit: AFP
    Horner went on to marry Spice Girls member Geri HalliwellCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    The couple got married in 2014
    Horner shared how her mother wanted her daughter to date a responsible guy with a proper job.
    However, Horner did the opposite when he received his first paycheck while still trying to make his way as a racing driver.
    Speaking on the eff won with DRS podcast, he said: “I had a girlfriend at the time and I remember her mother going, ‘You need to be thinking of being with somebody else, you need a guy with a proper job that’s going to be able to get a mortgage, going to buy a house’.
    “The first paycheck I ever got, I went and bought a Porsche, I’ve shown no responsibility at this point.
    READ MORE IN F1
    “I was thinking, ‘You know what, if all goes wrong, then at least I’ve given it a go’.
    “I got £60,000 out of a deal when I stopped racing and the first thing I did was go and buy a car.
    “And that was when the girlfriend dumped me, or the mother told her to dump me.”
    Horner went on to quit from motor racing at the age of 25 when realising he did not have the commitment to make it to the top.
    Most read in Motorsport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    It came after he saw ex-F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya go through a high-speed corner at Estoril circuit, Portugal, in 1998.
    The 49-year-old then moved into team management, where he would go on to become the Team Principal of Red Bull racing.
    Under his watch the team have landed seven driver’s titles – four with Sebastian Vettel and three with Max Verstappen – and six constructor’s titles.
    Meanwhile, Horner himself went on to marry Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell, now, Geri Horner, in 2014.
    Horner is estimated to have a net worth of £41.4million.
    Horner has guided Red Bull to six constructor titlesCredit: Getty
    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

  • in

    Fans lose their minds over Jenson Button’s This Morning appearance and can’t believe how good F1 icon looks for his age

    JENSON BUTTON had fans losing their minds with his appearance on This Morning.The 2009 Formula One champion was appearing on the ITV show to promote the new Disney+ show Brawn: The Impossible F1 Story.
    Fans went wild for Jenson Button on This MorningCredit: Rex
    Button was appearing on This Morning to promote Disney+ show Brawn: The Impossible F1 StoryCredit: Rex
    Button won the world championship with the team in 2009Credit: EPA
    Button, 43, won the driver’s world championship with Brawn amid a stunning backstory for the team which had been bought for just £1 by Ross Brawn, before it eventually sold for £150million.
    It is widely seen as one of the biggest shocks in F1 history.
    And while speaking on This Morning, Button revealed the four-part series was the brainchild of Keanu Reeves’ after the Hollywood superstar heard about the remarkable tale.
    Reeves even narrates the upcoming series.
    READ MORE IN F1
    During his appearance on This Morning, Button opened up on his mental health struggles during that year and how he had also tried to get out of the team before the season started, even speaking to Red Bull chief Christian Horner.
    However, fans online were more focused on Button’s appearance and how well he appears to have aged.
    Reacting on X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Jenson Button has just got better looking since his F1 days!!!!!!!!!!!”
    A second said: “JB looks in fine fettle.”
    Most read in Motorsport
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    A third said: “Just Googled Jenson Button’s age… And f*** off – he’s not 43!”
    Another said: “Jenson Button is pretty hot.”
    Button also revealed he would be racing in endurance racing next year, including the iconic Le Mans race.
    The speedster is married to Brittny Ward, a model and previously appeared in Playboy.
    Button with wife Brittny WardCredit: Getty
    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

  • in

    Michael Schumacher update as bombshell new documentary to shed light on stricken star 10 years after tragic ski accident

    FANS of German F1 legend Michael Schumacher will be offered a rare glimpse at his life ten years on from his devastating ski accident.Schumacher, 54, has not appeared publicly nor have details of his health condition been revealed since 2013, when a blow to the head left him in a medically-induced coma for 250 days.
    Seven-time F1 title winner Schumacher was left with catastrophic injuries after a ski accident in 2013Credit: Alamy
    Schumacher’s wife Corinna has since kept details of her husband’s health privateCredit: Alamy
    Schumacher is widely considered one of the best drivers in F1 historyCredit: Alamy
    But a new five-part documentary by German broadcaster ARD may shed some light on what happened all those years ago and how the former Ferrari and Benetton star is now faring.
    The documentary, to be aired on December 28, will explore Schumacher’s early years including his rise to prominence, from a go-karting background to one of the best drivers in Formula One history.
    It will mark the 10-year anniversary of his horrific skiing accident, which occurred in the French Alps on December 29, 2013.
    The new series will follow a 2021 documentary produced by Netflix in which Schumacher’s wife Corinna remained tight-lipped about her husband’s condition, saying only that he was “different” post-crash.
    More on Michael Schumacher
    Corinna is known to have protected her husband’s privacy to such an extent that only their immediate family and the closest of their friends know any details about how he is doing.
    Recently, in an interview with German magazine Bunte, Schumacher’s brother Ralf shared he now had little to do with the F1 star’s immediate family, including his wife and kids.
    Ralf said: “When I see his children Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles.
    “If someone in the family is looking for my advice, I’m there. They go their own way.”
    Most read in Motorsport
    He made clear he still loved his brother’s family and said of his accident: “Unfortunately, sometimes life isn’t fair.
    “We have to accept it.”
    Meanwhile, Schumacher’s pal, former F1 driver Timo Glock, claimed to have kept in contact with the seven-time world champion.
    He told LuckyBlock: “I’ve also known other members of his family for a very long time, but I try not to impose on their privacy.
    “I respect their right to be private, and I don’t discuss Michael’s condition with them.”
    News of the upcoming documentary came mere days after the Schumachers’ family lawyer, Felix Damm, explained why a “final report” on the racing legend’s health post-accident was never made public.
    Speaking to German news outlet LTO, he said: “Of course, we discussed a lot about how this is possible. So we also considered whether a final report about Michael’s health could be the right way to do this.
    “But that wouldn’t have been the end of it and there would have had to be constantly updated ‘water level reports’. Because as those affected, it is not up to you to put an end to the media.
    “They could pick up on such a report again and again and ask, ‘And what does it look like now?’ one, two, three months or years after the message.
    Read More on The Sun
    “And if we then wanted to take action against this reporting, we would have to deal with the argument of voluntary self-disclosure.”
    He said he understood fans’ interest in Schumacher’s health but believed they should be able to respect his family’s privacy.
    The former German Ferrari driver after winning the British F1 Grand Prix in 2002Credit: Alamy
    Schumacher’s wife Corinna previously said her husband was ‘different’ since his crashCredit: Alamy More

  • in

    What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?

    DANIEL Ricciardo is one of the best-liked drivers on the grid, with eight grand prix wins under his belt. But who is the F1 star, and what is his net worth?
    Daniel Ricciardo is set for career-high earnings in 2023Credit: Getty
    Who is Daniel Ricciardo?
    Daniel Ricciardo is a Formula One racing driver, born on July 1, 1989, in Perth, Western Australia, to Italian-Australian parents. 
    Born to a motor-sports-mad family, Ricciardo began karting at the age of nine, with the support of his Sicilian father Guiseppe, known as Joe, and mum Grace.
    Ricciardo moved to Europe at the age of 19 in 2007, to pursue a career in race car driving, and won the British F3 championship in 2009.
    He drove in the Formula Renault 3.5 for two seasons.
    Read more in F1
    He made his debut in F1 for HRT in 2011 at the British Grand Prix, finishing in last place.
    He joined the Torro Rosso team for the 2012/2013 season, before replacing countryman Mark Webber at Red Bull in 2014, where he remained until 2018, winning seven out of his total of eight Grand Prix wins. 
    He won in Canada, Hungary, and Belgium in 2014, and Malaysia in 2016.
    He topped the podium again in Azerbaijan in 2017, then China and Monaco in 2018.
    Most read in Motorsport
    He went on to drive for Renault in the 2019–2020 season, and then McClaren during the 2021–2022 season, where he won his eighth Grand Prix on the historic Monza circuit in Italy. 
    Despite the win with McClaren, the team was soon eager to terminate Ricciardo’s contract early, as he struggled to measure up against teammate Lando Norris. 
    In a career low, Ricciardo was ultimately replaced at McClaren by Formula 2 champion, rookie Oscar Piastri.
    The driver has made a move back to Torro Rosso — now known as Alphatauri — for 2023 and is set to remain for 2024, along with Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
    Ricciardo has been in a relationship with Heidi Berger, an aspiring actress, since 2019, although the pair only went public in 2022. 
    Heidi, born in April 1997, is an aspiring actress and is the daughter of Austrian ex-F1 star Gerhard Berger.
    Heidi’s father Gerhard won 10 Grands Prix before retiring in 1997. 
    Ricciardo has admitted that Gerhard was an idol of his growing up, saying: “When I was young, I mean I’ve followed F1 since I was a kid and I had a Berger hat.”
    Ricciardo sticks to sharing race-driving updates on Instagram with his 8.8 million followers, but Heidi posts the occasional photo of the pair together to her audience of 169,000 followers. 
    Owing to his fearless reputation as a driver, Ricciardo has earned the nickname “Honey Badger”. 
    The racing driver has one sister, Michelle, and is an uncle to her two children, Isabella and Isaac.
    What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?
    Thanks to his career in F1, Ricciardo’s net worth has been estimated at $50million. 
    He has already amassed a property empire valued at over $15million. 
    This includes a one-bedroom apartment in glitzy Monte Carlo, a popular spot with F1 drivers and other sports stars. 
    The driving star also has a property in Perth, Australia, and a lavish five-bedroom mansion in Los Angeles’ Beverly Hills, which set the racec ar driver back $10million when he bought it in 2018. 
    Ricciardo is also said to have an impressive car collection, including a McLaren 720S, an Aston Martin Valkyrie, worth a staggering £2.5million, a Porsche 918 Spyder and a Porsche GT3 RS.
    What is Daniel Ricciardo’s salary at AlphaTauri?
    The “Honey Badger’s” salary at AlphaTauri is yet to be confirmed, at the time of writing. 
    But despite a career setback after being dropped by McClaren at the end of 2022, 2023 is set to bring Ricciardo his biggest paycheck yet. 
    Read More on The Sun
    Ricciardo’s payout from McClaren is reported to be worth $24.3million, equal to £19.9 million.
    This figure is supplemented by a $2.1million (£1.7m) paycheck from Red Bull, for his third driver role at the team — which includes test driving and promotional work. More

  • in

    Mick Schumacher RULES OUT shock career move despite F1 outcast failing to land a seat for 2024

    DESPITE his apparent lack of options in Formula 1, Mick Schumacher has ruled out going electric.The 24-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher has shut down suggestions he could switch to Formula E.
    Mick Schumacher currently works as a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLarenCredit: Getty
    He has previously raced for HaasCredit: Getty
    When asked by Tuttumotori if he would consider the all-electric racing series, the youngster responded: “I’ll be very honest with you and tell you no. I like engines, I like petrol, so definitely not that.
    “Who knows what awaits us in the future? Who knows, maybe by driving it I could even change my expectations.
    “I like old school cars, V8, smell, flames and everything else. That’s what interests me.”
    A former Ferrari academy driver, F2, and F3 champion, Schumacher made the move to F1 in 2021 with the American team Haas.
    Read More on Formula 1
    He drove alongside Russian Nikita Mazepin in his rookie season, before he was replaced by Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen in 2022.
    But after two mixed seasons, Schumacher was dropped by Haas and Ferrari.
    Speaking to i News in March, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner explained his decision to part ways with Schumacher: “I just sat down with him and explained that we needed to bring the team forward with an experienced driver.
    “It is part of the job. It is not a nice thing to do. I don’t enjoy it but you just have to be professional about it.
    Most read in Motorsport
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “Dealing with a Schumacher is not easy, as you can imagine. He was grown up about it. He wasn’t happy.
    “I would say he saw the writing on the wall. He is a clever kid. He had two years.
    “We didn’t get where we wanted to and I had to make some changes. You cannot beat up a dead horse.”
    Veteran German driver Niko Hulkenberg was subsequently brought in to fill the seat at Haas.
    Schumacher has since worked with Mercedes as their reserve driver, a role he also holds with McLaren.
    Unfortunately, the only seat currently open on the 2024 grid looks to be with Williams alongside Thai driver Alex Albon.
    And while it has yet to be officially confirmed, it is looking increasingly likely that American Logan Sargeant will retain this spot after a tough rookie year.
    Williams recently confirmed that Albon and Sargeant would both participate in their end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi – the strongest indication to date that the youngster may well return next season, as per The Mirror.
    Schumacher has ruled out heading for Formula ECredit: Splash More