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      Lewis Hamilton reveals his ‘heart stops’ when he gets a text about beloved dog Roscoe following pneumonia battle

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed that his “heart stops” every time he gets a text message about his beloved dog Roscoe.The Ferrari star still worries about his elderly French bulldog, who has recovered from pneumonia after coming down ill last month.Lewis Hamilton’s beloved French bulldog, Roscoe, has been through the wars as of lateCredit: INSTAGRAM@LEWISHAMILTONLewis Hamilton’s dog Roscoe is now 12 years oldCredit: GettyThe 12-year-old has recently recovered from a bout of pneumoniaCredit: APHamilton’s heart skips a beat every time he gets a text message about his poochCredit: ALAMYHamilton said: “This is a time where every time I get a text message from the lady who looks after him, my heart stops for a second.”Because I’m thinking, ‘What’s next?’ But he’s fine now, fortunately. He is doing well.”He’s 12 and a half years old, so he’s an old boy and it’s unusual for them to live that long.”Hamilton is often seen posting pictures with his pet pooch, who he frequently flies to races around the globe and takes for walks in the paddock on weekends.READ MORE F1 NEWSThey even appear together on the front cover of a recent edition of Vogue.When quizzed on Roscoe’s next appearance, Hamilton said: “I really want to take him to Silverstone, and particularly Monza, this year.”I plan to put him in a red cape and outfit. I was with him before Miami and he still wants to play. “He’s still got that youthful spirit. But he does like to sleep a lot.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe canine, who is a vegan like his owner, was treated with medication – and even received specialist acupuncture treatment.Given Hamilton’s troubling start to his new life at the Prancing Horse, news of his ill companion likely threatened to make the disappointing opening six races even harder ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.While Roscoe’s trainer Kirstin McMillan has been nursing the animal back to full fitness, Hamilton has his eyes set on racing in front of the Tifosi as a Ferrari driver for the first time in Imola.Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upLewis takes Roscoe to the Sports Personality of the Year awards in 2014Credit: PA:Press AssociationRoscoe is joined by his doggie pals for his birthday partyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/roscoelovescoco/Roscoe was a frequent flier on Hamilton’s private jetRoscoe wears a team jersey in 2020Credit: GettyThe seven-time world champion said he’s feeling “excited” about it but won’t prepare any differently after enjoying downtime at the Met Gala during the mini-break.The 40-year-old revealed: “It’s weird because these hospitality trucks have been here since 2009.”I’ve walked past Ferrari and never went inside. If I’m really being honest, I was always too scared to go inside being from a different team.”So today is another realisation and feeling. You know that Italians are extremely passionate about it. “It’s a lot more than you expect when you’re actually in it. And it’s beautiful.”Hamilton currently sits seventh in the F1 drivers’ standings, 90 points behind leader Oscar Piastri and 12 behind team-mate Charles Leclerc who missed media day through illness.Lewis Hamilton is currently seventh the F1 Drivers’ ChampionshipCredit: Rex More

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      ‘It’s hard for this situation to continue’ – Iconic F1 Grand Prix faces being AXED amid ‘difficult’ circumstances

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      AN iconic Formula One track is at risk of being axed from the race calendar.The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could be set to host its last F1 race this weekend.The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be cut from the F1 calendarThe track was reintroduced back in 2020Stefano Domenicali has said it would be ‘difficult’ to keep the raceCredit: GettyThe famous circuit is the host for this weekend’s race in the 2025 season.But F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it could be cut from the calendar.There are currently two races in Italy, the one in Imola as well as the Italian GP at Monza.Domenicali has suggested that with the increased interest in the motorsport, it could prove “difficult” for both to be kept.READ MORE ON F1He told RAI radio: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula One.”It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.”It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.”The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari debuted back in 1981.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHowever, it has previously been cut as it was left off the calendar from 2006 until it was reintroduced in 2020.This was when the race was rebranded as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upNo other country in Europe has more than one race but Spain will have next year.This is down to the overlap between the new Madrid track and last year of the Barcelona circuit.The USA has three races with tracks in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin.Speaking in 2024, Domenicali admitted that some tracks in Europe could become rotational in the calendar.He said: “We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later.”This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course.”It is true that we have a large demand for new possible venues that want to come in.”Our choice will always be balanced between the right economic benefits that we can have as a system and also to leverage in the growth of the market.Read More on The Sun”We can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow our business even further.”Meanwhile, ahead of this weekend’s race, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has missed media duties due to illness. More

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      Ferrari star forced to pull out of media duties through illness as F1 team confirm he ‘will not be coming to the track’

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      CHARLES LECLERC has pulled out of media duties due to illness ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.The race on the famous Imola circuit in Italy is scheduled for Sunday and will be the home debut for Lewis Hamilton since switching to Ferrari.Charles Leclerc has pulled out of media duties ahead of the Emilia Romagna GPCredit: AFPHis team-mate Lewis Hamilton will have to represent FerrariCredit: GettyBut the Englishman will not be joined by his team-mate for media duties.Ferrari confirmed that the Monegasque driver will not be heading to the track due to sickness.The F1 team insisted that he would be expected in the car for practice ahead of qualifying on Saturday.A statement read: “Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today.READ MORE ON F1″He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow.”Leclerc is currently 5th in the Driver’s Standings with 58 points but he is yet to win a race this season.He finished on the podium in 3rd in the Saudi Arabian GP back in April.Hamilton, however, is currently 7th in the driver’s standings with only 41 points and is yet to finish in the top three.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis performance has left Ferrari well off the pace in the constructor’s standings with only 94 points.They trail Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and leaders McLaren.Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleMeanwhile, the Emilia-Romagna GP is at risk of being axed from the F1 calendar.F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it is difficult for two races to be based in Italy.He told RAI radio: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1.”It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.”It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.” More

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      ‘He hasn’t finished’ – F1 team boss and former Lewis Hamilton colleague gives verdict on Brit’s Ferrari struggles

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been backed to get back to winning ways by Formula One boss James Vowles.Vowles, now team principal of the Williams Racing F1 team, worked alongside Hamilton at Mercedes for over ten years as the team achieved unprecedented success.Lewis Hamilton has been backed to get back to winning ways by former Mercedes chief James VowlesCredit: GettyHamilton has struggled to produce results since joining Ferrari at the start of the seasonCredit: GettyVowles has led a huge resurgence of Williams Racing since becoming team principalCredit: AFPHe departed his position as strategy director for the Silver Arrows in January 2023 to become the team principal of Williams Racing with Hamilton then following suit by announcing his exit to Ferrari a year later.However, despite a Sprint Race win during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton has struggled to get the best out of his new drive in 2025.Indeed, the seven-time world champion is yet to finish above P5 during a Sunday race.But Vowles – who helped Hamilton to win six of his seven F1 drivers’ titles – reckons his old colleague has more to give.READ MORE IN F1Speaking to SunSport during an event at the Williams base this week, the 45-year-old said: “I haven’t chatted to him much, but the same adaption you’ve seen Carlos [Sainz] have to do into our car.”It’s hard to explain, but all of us are going, even though the cars are in the temperature of each other, we are quite different in terms of the philosophies that we’re adapting to, where the weight is, where the air balances, how much drag performance, and the front tyres are weaker this year.”And I think when you merge that all together, it takes a little bit of time for drivers to be able to get up to speed.”I’d probably say give him time, because he hasn’t finished. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I think people are reflecting on more than anything else on his qualifying position, but in the racing, he’s still there challenging Charles [Leclerc] all the way through. “So I’m not seeing that he’s particularly off the pace, it’s just bits that he has to fix on the way.”Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upAfter six races of the season, Hamilton has out-qualified Monegasque team-mate Charles Leclerc just once.Although Leclerc’s own underwhelming race results this season mean they are separated by 12 points with Ferrari down in fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship standings.During the last race week in Miami, Hamilton had a last-lap collision with the man he replaced at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, as the Spaniard attempted to overtake him to score more points for Williams.The iconic team had finished last in the 2022 F1 season before Vowles’ arrival but are now running top of the midfield with almost double the points of the team in sixth, Haas.Williams improvementVowles sang the praises of the team at the factory and their “world-class” driver combination of Sainz and Alex Albon.The pair had been involved in an untelevised radio spat in Miami after Albon overtook Sainz despite having a reliability issue, with Sainz complaining over an alleged team orders break.But the issue was sorted within two minutes after the race, with Vowles saying the gaffe was down to the pit wall and revealing Sainz had spent 45 minutes offering solutions on how to fix it in the debrief.He explained how the duo have been instrumental in extracting the best out of the car and believes the gap to the cars in front of them are “only a couple of tenths”.However, Vowles declared he was “not interested” in potentially lucking into a podium and said the team would have to “dig deep” to have a chance to scoring their first top three finish since George Russell in 2021, or Lance Stroll in 2017 for a full race.He said: “In my world, there’s two different types of podiums. One where we’ve almost lucked into it, and I’m not interested, I mean that can happen this year, but I’m not overly interested in that. “There’s one where we earn it, because we’ve actually built a car. And that’s what made Miami special.”We were there fighting, not because six other cars in front of us disappeared, but we were there fighting on their end. “You can see what the gaps are, it’s actually just a matter of a couple of tenths now is what we’re missing in order for that to happen, and a track rarities and expose our vices.”So the difficulty will be this, it’s a relative gain, in fact most of the teams you’re already hearing are bringing up base in the last race, Red Bull Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, there are definitely three other teams, so the interest is to see what the next movement will be.Read More on The Sun”It’s a couple of tenths, I’m just not sure we have the ability to find that within this year without focusing on next year. We’re obviously going to dig deep and see what we can find in it.”The Imola Grand Prix is up next this weekend but follows reports the iconic circuit could drop off the F1 calendar.Vowles sung the praises of Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex AlbonCredit: Getty More

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      F1 chiefs make major change to controversial swearing punishment after Max Verstappen led furious backlash

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      FORMULA ONE’s governing body has reduced the penalties for drivers swearing or blasting officials after a huge backlash from the grid.The maximum sanctions for using X-rated language has been reduced by 50 PER CENT ahead of the sixth race of the season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.Max Verstappen has often been on the wrong end of the rules since they came inCredit: GettyThe ‘base fine’ level for penalties handed out for driver misconduct, including F-bombing, has been halved from €10,000 (£8,430) to “up to” €5,000 (£4,210).A revised version of the new FIA guidelines issued to stewards on Wednesday has also removed the threat of a race ban and championship points deductions are no longer on the table.Drivers have been at loggerheads with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem after he introduced a ONE-MONTH suspension and £100,000 fine for repeat offences in January.In April, Ben Sulayem – who is up for re-election at the end of the year – said he was considering “improvements” to the rules after Max Verstappen and George Russell accused the FIA of not treating drivers like “adults”.READ MORE IN F1The new document also differentiates between offences committed in “controlled” and “uncontrolled” zones, which was carried over from a deal that rally drivers reached last month.This differentiates between things drivers say and do while racing, and in forums such as news conferences, where adrenaline is not a big factor.The FIA has also softened the rules by allowing stewards to suspend penalties for certain first offences.It comes two weeks after Mercedes driver Russell, a director of the Drivers’ Association, called for “action” rather than words, after Ben Sulayem had teased this move on his Instagram account.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKTHE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FARUnlucky Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has already forked out a €10,000 fine for letting the F-word slip at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October.Ben Sulayem said in a statement: “As a former rally driver, I know first hand the range of emotions that are faced during competition.Yuki Tsunoda explains why he is the right driver for Red Bull’s Formula 1 team “The improvements the FIA has announced to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motorsport, while also giving stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute.”The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”The initial decision to introduce heavy fines comes after world champion Verstappen was forced to do the F1 equivalent of community service after swearing in Singapore last year.The paddock heads to the iconic Imola this week for the start of a European triple-header which could dictate the path of the title race.After making it four wins from six, Oscar Piastri has a 16-point advantage over McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, with Verstappen 32 points adrift of the Australian and Russell 38 points back. More

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      How Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other sporting ventures are going as Man Utd chief admits Nice are ‘so much better without’ him

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE promised a bright new dawn for Manchester United.More than a year on, the club are set for their lowest Premier League finish and worst domestic season since their 1974 relegation — all while firing a staggering 450 club staff.Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been busy this seasonMan Utd are set for their worst ever Premier League finishBut Nice are experiencing immense success in Ligue 1Victory over Tottenham in next week’s Europa League final could alter the narrative, sealing Champions League football to add to ambitious plans unveiled recently by Ratcliffe and Ineos – his multinational chemical company.United are just one part of a £2.2BILLION-plus sporting empire that  once looked dominant but is now showing some cracks. Here, SunSport’s MARTIN LIPTON breaks down the rest of Sir Jim’s portfolio — sport by sport . . . FOOTBALLRead More on FootballBEFORE Manchester United, there was Lausanne and Nice.In 2017, Ineos announced a deal to take over the Swiss club, described as part of the chemicals giants’ “continuing investment in youth and  community sports” in the area.A pledge of “full backing” for manager Fabio Celestini lasted until the club were demoted six months later.Lausanne have been a yo-yo club in the Ineos era but now sit well clear of relegation and  are settling into the 13,000-capacity Stade de la Tuiliere, which was opened in 2020.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTwo years after the Swiss investment, Ineos bought French side Nice in an £89million deal, with Ratcliffe stating: “We made some mistakes at Lausanne but we are fast learners.“These have been rectified and we are already seeing the benefits.”Ineos arrived with Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira in the dugout but he was sacked after 15 months. Four full-time successors have come and gone since, with Franck Haise now reaching the end of his first season, where he is well positioned to improve on Ineos’ best Ligue 1 finish of fifth.Despite a winless Europa League campaign, Nice are fourth domestically with a game left.They are one of three teams on 57 points and could finish as low as  seventh. But a home win over Brest on Saturday will all but guarantee Nice entry to Champions League qualifying.Last summer, after investing £1.3billion to take over “sporting operations” at United, Ineos were forced by Uefa to transfer most of their shares in Nice to a blind trust.’So much better without our interference’Ratcliffe admitted in March: “The best season that Nice has had is this one, where we’ve not been allowed to get involved due to multi-club ownership rules. They’ve been so much better without our interference! Maybe there’s a lesson.”When Ratcliffe confirmed his buyout of just over a quarter of United’s stocks from the Glazers, he vowed to lead the Old Trafford club back to the top but said: “It’s going to take two or three seasons.”That looks an understatement.The dismissal of Erik ten Hag was overdue but paying Newcastle £3million for sporting director Dan Ashworth only to sack him after five months was an expensive embarrassment.Ratcliffe publicly backs Ruben Amorim but has criticised certain players.The announcement of the £2bn plan to build a 100,000-capacity “New Trafford” as the centrepiece of a huge development project next to the club’s home since 1910 was a signal of ambition.With Ineos’ finances under scrutiny, it has been claimed Ratcliffe could exit MercedesFORMULA ONEINEOS became Mercedes’ “principal partner” in a five-year £100m deal signed in 2020 and by the end of the year had taken a one-third stake.Back-to-back team championships in their first two years made it eight in a row, Sir Lewis Hamilton winning the drivers’ title in 2020 and only losing out to Max Verstappen on the final lap in 2021.But that was the end of Mercedes’ domination and Hamilton joined Ferrari ahead of this season.George Russell remains a title contender even if his car is slower than the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as well as Verstappen’s Red Bull.With Ineos’ finances under scrutiny, it has been claimed Ratcliffe could exit but team principal Toto Wolff said: “He is one of us three amigos — Mercedes, Jim and I. We are never going to part ways.”New Zealand Rugby launched a legal case alleging a ‘breach of contract’RUGBY UNIONRATCLIFFE’S Ineos became a “performance partner” of the All Blacks in 2021 on a  six-year deal worth £4million per season — but they could be kicked into touch.New Zealand Rugby launched a legal case alleging a “breach of contract” in February after announcing Ineos had “failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit” the agreement.That came with Ineos admitting  it is suffering financially from rising levels of carbon tax in Europe, making chemicals a “tough industry to be in”.Ratcliffe can’t Haka it, moaning in March: “We talked to New Zealand Rugby about the fact that times are tough.“We wanted to see if we could find a compromise, which you would have thought as a sponsor of the All Blacks they’d have listened to, but they didn’t want to listen.”NZ are currently an unacceptable No2 in the world.Ineos bankroll the cycling team to the tune of £40million per yearCYCLINGTEAM SKY had become the dominant force in world road cycling under Sir Dave Brailsford with riders including Tour de France winners Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.They were rebranded as Team Ineos in 2019, becoming Ineos Grenadiers the following year. The company promised to match or even exceed the team’s £34million annual budget.Colombian Egan Bernal won the team’s seventh Tour de France title in the first year of sponsorship but there have been no further triumphs in cycling’s elite race.Ineos bankroll the team to the tune of £40m per year but are closing in on a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with another petrochemicals giant, TotalEnergies.In January, Ineos announced a third challenge — but without Sir Ben Ainslie’s involvementSAILINGOLYMPIC sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie and Royal Yacht Squadron Commodore Jamie Sheldon were with Ratcliffe in 2018 to announce the launch of Ineos Team UK and its bid to finally win the America’s Cup.The crew, including another Olympic champion in Giles Scott, reached the final of the Prada Cup qualifying campaign in 2021 but were outsailed by Italy’s Luna Rossa, who in turn was comfortably beaten by the holders, Emirates Team New Zealand.Ineos committed more than £110million and renamed the team Ineos Britannia before the 2024 edition of the world’s oldest sailing race.This time, with another Olympic champion, Dylan Fletcher, joining Ainslie at the helm of the twin-hulled craft, the British boat reached the final in the waters off Barcelona.But they again fell short, beaten 7-2 by the Kiwi vessel.In January, Ineos announced a third challenge — but without Ainslie’s involvement.Ratcliffe suggested: “Ben wanted to do his own thing and that’s fine.” But Ainslie claims he has the right to be the “Challenger of Record” with access to more information than other contenders.Ainslie’s team  was “astounded” by the Ineos move, adding it “raises significant legal and practical obstacles”.ATHLETICSKENYAN superstar Eliud Kipchoge’s successful bid to break the two-hour barrier for the marathon distance in 2019 was bankrolled by Ratcliffe through the Ineos 1:59 Challenge.Read More on The SunKipchoge covered 26.2 miles in Vienna in 1:59:40.2 — although it did not count as an official world record as he was allowed a series of pace-setters and it was not an open event.Later, in 2022, Ineos signed an agreement to become “performance partner” to Kipchoge’s Dutch-based NN Running Team.In 2022, Ineos signed an agreement to become “performance partner” to Eliud Kipchoge’s NN Running Team More

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      Iconic F1 race ‘could disappear off the calendar’ after 2024 fiasco left city ‘like a ghost town’

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      A STAPLE Grand Prix could be struck off the calendar with talks coming to a “standstill”, according to reports.The race has been a part of the Formula One schedule since 1961 and has been almost ever-present in the calendar ever since.The Grand Prix’s place in the F1 calendar is under threatMax Verstappen topped the podium in last year’s eventThe 2025 rendition is set to happen in June this year, marking the 60th anniversary of the event. The race in question is the Canadian Grand Prix, with F1 bosses to determine the event’s future following this year’s Montreal meet. The iconic race is held at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, but French outlet Le Journal has reported that the Canadian GP is under pressure to prove its worth to the F1 calendar. The race’s contract with F1 is due to run out in 2031.Read more Formula OneJacques Villeneuve, the former Canadian driver, said that Montreal felt like a “ghost town” the day after the Grand Prix in 2024.He said: “Last year, the day after the race, Montreal felt like a ghost town.“There were issues with traffic. It was like the government didn’t want the race there. “It was awful; nobody was there. It felt like an abandoned city. It was the oddest thing. It was very disappointing and embarrassing as well. So, May might be a much better time for everyone.”Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt is rumoured that plenty of other tracks are in the running to replace the event in the schedule, should F1 bosses look to pivot away from north America.The Dutch Grand Prix is one race that will be off the calendar from next year, with 2026 marking its final event. Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upSpa, Imola, and Barcelona are also reportedly being assessed, with a street race in Madrid to be introduced next year.It is thought that countries outside of Europe are putting together strong cases to be considered, with South Africa and Rwanda pushing for racing’s elite to grace Africa. Thailand and Argentina are also making convincing cases to host a Grand Prix event. More

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      Controversial supermodel-loving Flavio Briatore was given lifetime ban for Crashgate but has returned to top of F1

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      FLAVIO BRIATORE is back in charge of a Formula One team, 16 years after he was handed a “lifetime ban” from one of the motorsport’s most infamous scandals.The Italian has taken the reins as team principal at F1 outfit Alpine after Oliver Oakes resigned from his position just six races into the season.Flavio Briatore is back in F1 as a team principalCredit: RexHe is infamous for his part in Crashgate which saw Nelson Piquet Jr crash his car so Fernando Alonso could win the raceCredit: Formula OneThe controversial figure dated supermodel Naomi CampbellCredit: GettyHis first move since returning as Alpine boss was to axe Jack DoohanCredit: PAThat decision appears to have come due to Briatore pushing for Jack Doohan to be replaced by Franco Colapinto, a decision that was confirmed the morning after his appointment.Briatore was brought back into the F1 fold by Renault chief Luca de Meo after more than a decade on the sidelines following 2009’s Crashgate scandal.The incident, regarded as one of F1’s biggest controversies, had seen Renault order then driver Nelson Piquet Jr to crash his car at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help Fernando Alonso win the race – a decision which had huge ramifications for the maiden title won by Lewis Hamilton.Alonso was cleared of any wrongdoing in the aftermath, while Renault were charged by the motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, with Briatore being ousted from his then role as team principal and managing director.READ MORE IN F1Briatore was then slapped with a lifetime ban by the FIA for his part in the incident before he saw it overturned in 2010 following an ugly court battle, though he added at the time he did not think he would ever return to F1.But fast forward 12 years, he initially rejoined the sport as an ambassador in 2022 before being appointed as special advisor to Renault last year, and it seems he has ultimately been calling the shots since then.Fraud convictions and fugitive statusControversy has followed Briatore both in and out of F1.In the 1980s he was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and received two prison sentences in Italy.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBoth convictions were reduced on appeal and Briatore never actually went to jail as he lived as a fugitive on the Virgin Islands.He returned to Europe when his convictions were extinguished by amnesty, but had maintained close relations with one Luciano Benetton, who would eventually found an F1 team.Flavio Briatore’s £18m yacht bought for bargain £6.6m by Ex-F1 boss Bernie EcclestonePoaching Schumacher and Renault world championsBriatore poached Michael Schumacher from Eddie Jordan in 1991Credit: AlamySchumacher won two driver’s titles at Benetton with the team winning the 1995 Constructors’ ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press AssociationHe later unearthed Fernando Alonso, right, and won two more driver’s title with himCredit: AFPBriatore became the team manager of the Benetton F1 team, formerly Toleman, in 1990, after firing the previous team management in his role of commercial director.As team manager he then managed to poach Michael Schumacher from the grasp of the late Eddie Jordan after his first F1 race, before the German went on to win F1 titles in 1994 and 1995 while Benetton won the Constructors’ Championship in 1995.In 1994 the team was accused of using multiple forms of cheating, including unproven alleged use of illegal software and discarding a regulation fuel filter to speed up pit stops, only escaping punishment for the latter after pointing out multiple rivals had done the same.The team slipped into the midfield when a number of key technical staff and Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 before Renault took over the Benetton team in 2000.There he found and nurtured a young Alonso and fired Jenson Button to hand the Spaniard a seat before he went on to win the Drivers Championship in 2005 and 2006 and end Schumacher’s dominance.Supermodel feverBriatore dated supermodel Heidi KlumCredit: GettyHe later married Elisabetta Gregoraci before they got divorced in 2018Credit: Getty Images – GettyThe glitz and glamour of the F1 lifestyle spilled over into Briatore’s personal life.In 1998 he got engaged to supermodel Naomi Campbell, but they never married with the pair being involved in an on and off relationship before they split in 2003.In March of that year he then started dating supermodel Heidi Klum, with Klum announcing her pregnancy in December before the pair split. Klum gave birth to daughter Leni, but said Briatore was not involved in her life before, in 2009, she was officially adopted by Klum’s partner, Seal, and had her name changed.Briatore briefly dated English actress and model Emma Heming Willis in 2004, with later flings coming with German catwalk pro Nadine Smith and actress Annemarie Warnkross – and it’s even been speculated he romanced Polish model Marzena Cieslik.He eventually married “Wonderbra” model and TV presenter Elisabetta Gregoraci in 2008, with the pair getting wed in Rome and Alonso driving the newlyweds to their lavish reception at the Castello di Torcrescenza.She gave birth to son Falco in 2010, but in 2018 the pair divorced, with Briatore being seen dating Benedetta Bosi – 49 years his junior – in 2019.However, last year it was reported in Italy that Briatore had rekindled his romance with Gregoraci.Crashgate falloutsBernie Ecclestone claimed he kept Crashgate under wraps to avoid scandalCredit: AFPFelipe Massa subsequently launched legal action into the 2008 World ChampionshipCredit: GettyNelson Piquet Jr claimed he had his F1 career threatened by Briatore over CrashgateCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CplSDxMAk1w/Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone claimed in 2023 that he and former FIA president Max Mosley had kept the “Crashgate” plot hidden initially to avoid scandal.Ecclestone said: “We decided not to do anything for now. We wanted to protect the sport and save it from a huge scandal. That’s why I used angelic tongues to persuade my former driver Nelson Piquet to keep calm for the time being.”Back then, there was a rule that a world championship classification after the FIA awards ceremony at the end of the year was untouchable.”So Hamilton was presented with the trophy and everything was fine. We had enough information in time to investigate the matter. According to the statutes, we should have cancelled the race in Singapore under these conditions.”That means it would never have happened for the championship standings. And then Felipe Massa would have become world champion and not Lewis Hamilton.”Those comments sparked a legal case from 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa, who believes he missed out on the title that season through no fault of his own, while Piquet Jr claimed he had his F1 career threatened by Briatore if he did not follow orders.Piquet Jr told On the Tracks Podcast: “The race came to Singapore and they put me psychologically up against the wall, I had no escape.”A lot of people still ask me, ‘Would you do it again?’ My answer is always, ‘No, obviously not.'”At that age and under so much pressure… “There was no one with me, except that grotesque Briatore, who was always bullying and was always complaining, pressuring me and warning me: ‘This is your last chance’.”THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FARF1 returnBefore his return Briatore – a former ski instructor and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers – underwent heart surgery.But since returning to the F1 grid, Briatore has not exactly been subtle.The latest season of the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive features Briatore playing up to a role of villain as he told Aussie rookie Doohan “I control you every millimetre” in one scene.Alpine sit P9 in the Constructors Championship with just seven points from six races.Read More on The SunAnd his first move as the official team boss was to axe Doohan – who he is also manager of- for Colapinto.Now the controversial F1 manager is back in place. And fireworks are sure to follow. More