Ferrari

MICHAEL Schumacher’s close pal and ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt has opened up about his “regular” visits to the stricken Formula One legend.The seven-time world champion, now 56, has not been seen in public since his horror skiing accident in 2013.Michael Schumacher’s close friend and former boss Jean Todt, left, has given the latest update on the stricken starCredit: AP:Associated PressTodt revealed that he visits Schumacher ‘regularly and with affection’Credit: AFPThe ex-Ferrari and FIA boss previously said Schumacher is ‘no longer the Michael we knew’Credit: AFPHis family has remained fiercely private about his condition, with only a select few given access to the German ace.Todt, who led Ferrari during Schumacher’s dominant era, remains one of the family’s closest confidants.Speaking to La Repubblica, the former FIA president revealed he still visits Schumacher frequently and cherishes their friendship despite the tragic turn of events.“The family has decided not to answer the question (on his condition). A choice that I respect,” Todt said. Read more on Schumacher“I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. “Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life, which today is very far from Formula 1.”BEHIND CLOSED DOORSTodt’s words offer a rare glimpse into Schumacher’s life behind closed doors.He has previously acknowledged that his old friend “is no longer the Michael we knew”, but has remained steadfast in his support.Most read in MotorsportThe Frenchman is one of the very few people allowed to visit Schumacher, joining a tight circle that includes his former teammate Luca Badoer, longtime manager Sabine Kehm, and ex-Ferrari ace Felipe Massa.It is believed that Schumacher and Todt still share their love for racing, with reports suggesting they watch Formula One together whenever possible.Watch as Schumacher ‘blackmailer’s’ son is DRAGGED off cam by lawyerGRANDDAD SCHUEYThe F1 legend is now set to become a grandfather for the first time after his daughter Gina announced her pregnancy just three months after her wedding.The 27-year-old shared the exciting news on Instagram, writing: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.”She accompanied the message with a picture of a foal standing next to pink balloons.Gina and Iain Bethke pictured in 2017Credit: GettyMichael carrying Gina as a toddlerCredit: RexGina married longtime partner Iain Bethke at the family’s £27million Majorca villa last September, with initial reports claiming Schumacher was present.Guests were reportedly forced to hand over their phones to prevent any leaks.But Schumacher’s former F1 teammate Johnny Herbert later dismissed the speculation as “A1 fake news”.“It will always be a closed shop,” Herbert told Flashscore. READ MORE SUN STORIES“The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter’s wedding.”Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it.”Michael Schumacher’s years-long recovery from cruel ski accidentMCIHAEL Schumacher’s life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury. Since then, his family has fiercely protected his privacy, while only a select few remain in contact with the stricken racing legend.December 29, 2013 – The skiing accident: Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. Airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain.January 2014 – Schumacher fights for his life: Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as “critical but stable.” His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world’s F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital.June 2014 – Awakening from coma: Schumacher is brought out of his coma after nearly six months. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.September 2014 – Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home on the shores of Lake Geneva. His wife Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team.2015–2018 – Years of silence: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together.September 2019 – Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris: French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed.December 2019 – Manager issues rare statement: Schumacher’s longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health.September 2021 – Netflix documentary “Schumacher” released: A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: “Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength.”December 2023 – 10 years since the accident: Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as “full of affection.”September 2024 – Daughter Gina’s wedding: Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family’s £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it “A1 fake news.” Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks.December 2024 – Schumacher to become a grandfather: Gina announces she is pregnant, three months after her wedding. She shares the news on Instagram, writing: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.” More

FORMULA ONE icon Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton’s best days are behind him – but could still win an eighth title. Seven-time world champion Hamilton is racing for Ferrari in the upcoming 2025 season. Lewis Hamilton has completed his first practice session as a Ferrari driverCredit: GettyThe seven-time champ was slower than teammate Charles Leclerc in the new carCredit: GettyF1 legend Martin Brundle believes the 40-year-old is past his bestCredit: AlamyThe 40-year-old completed his first test laps for his new team on Wednesday.It came almost a year after Hamilton shocked the world of F1 by declaring he was leaving Mercedes for the Italian giants.Hamilton’s lap times were released on Thursday as he gets to grips with the new Ferrari. But Brundle – who spent over a decade in F1 between 1984 and 1996 – fears Hamilton has lost some of the verve that made him a fearless champion. READ MORE ON F1Brundle told Sky Sports: “Do I think the best of Lewis Hamilton is ahead or behind him? I think it’s behind him. “I think he’s lost the edge, sometimes he gets in scuffles he used to emerge out in front of.”Hamilton’s practice lap times were slower than teammate Charles Leclerc.They also lagged behind the pace set by Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher during his first laps with the team. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDespite the slow start, Brundle is confident Hamilton will be “re-energised” by the new surroundings. He continued: “I think 96/97 per cent of Lewis Hamilton in a winning car is still good enough.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia “His energy and his enthusiasm will be re-energised by the whole experience.”He will not be overwhelmed by driving a Ferrari, as so many drivers have been.”And despite Leclerc showing his speed in practice, Brundle believes Lewis is still in contention of winning a historic 8th title.He continued: “This is only Hamilton’s third team in Formula 1, and he will want to go there and show that, despite just turning 40, he’s not over the hill like some people were saying last year.”He will want to show he has made the right decision again. He will go there full of energy.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Lewis will have to face that, and the fact Leclerc is incredibly fast. “But I have no doubt that if Ferrari have a race-winning car or a championship-winning car, then Lewis can win races and even the championship.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has been thrust into the crazy world of Ferrari.And from bonus payments to bust-ups, it’s not all “Dolce Vita” at the Italian team.Lewis Hamilton pictured on his first official day working at FerrariCredit: INSTAGRAM@SCUDERIAFERRARIHamilton was overjoyed to have joined the F1 powerhousesCredit: INSTAGRAM@SCUDERIAFERRARINot to mention the notorious “Spygate” scandal that nearly broke Ferrari and convulsed Formula One in 2007. F1’s most iconic team have produced box office moments since their debut in the sport in 1950.So SunSport has compiled a list of everything you need to know about the Italian powerhouse.The TifosiHamilton has already met the Tifosi – Ferrari’s loyal Italian fanbase with its name originating from the Ancient Greek “typhos” – for the bonfire smoke ancient Olympian fans would experience after a win. READ MORE SPORT STORIESThey have made their mark as F1’s most boisterous and vibrant fan base, becoming the beating heart of Ferrari’s rich history. Seven-time world champion Hamilton has been doing his best to brush up on his Italian, speaking the language on his first day on the job in Maranello. He was filmed saying “Tutto Bene?” to the Tifosi, which in English means “all good?”Bonus paymentCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Concorde Agreement is effectively the document that binds F1 together, setting out both the framework of the rules and the commercial terms, including the amount of prize money the teams receive.Most read in MotorsportFerrari‘s importance to F1 – as the sport’s most famous manufacturer and the only team to have participated in every season of the World Championship since it inauguration in 1950 – has seen the Scuderia controversially rewarded with extra bonus payments over the years.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.Ferrari’s special treatment is set to continue – albeit at a reduced level – under the new Concorde Agreement for 2026.For example, in 2016, Ferrari trousered a whopping £139MILLION from Formula One’s prize pot – despite finishing in THIRD place.The Italian team will earn more than champions Mercedes or second-placed Red Bull due to a lucrative agreement with the sport’s former chief Bernie Ecclestone.Spygate scandalIn 2007, the F1 world was shaken in the wake of the now-infamous “Spygate” saga.It resulted in McLaren receiving an unprecedented and eye-watering $100m fine and being thrown out of the 2007 constructors’ championship. The scandal followed Ferrari chief mechanic Nigel Stepney stealing nearly 800 pages of confidential technical information from the company and giving them to his friend Mike Coughlan, who was the Chief Designer at McLaren.Stepney was exposed after asking his wife to copy the secret documents at a local photocopy shop, in Woking, and a worker informed Ferrari.It cost both men their jobs and led to Ferrari taking legal action against Coughlan, who reached an agreement with the racing giant. Following the uproar, an investigation from McLaren found none of the documents “had been passed to any other members of the team or incorporated into our cars”.However, when new evidence was produced, McClaren was disqualified from the championship and served the record-breaking fine. That year, the battle between Fernando Alonso and Hamilton led to Kimi Raikkonen sweeping in and claiming the 2007 title.Nigel Stepney leaked confidential Ferrari documentsTeam order chaosFernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were involved in a major controversy when they were teammates in Ferrari in 2010. There was a major bust-up over team orders at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in 2010. Ever since 2002, the FIA banned any kind of team orders from teams to their drivers during an F1 race weekend. This meant no team could order drivers to switch positions or perform any other trick. In 2010, Sebastian Vettel was well on his way to winning his first world championship when he qualified on pole for the German Grand Prix but did not get a good start. This allowed both Ferrari drivers to overtake Vettel, with Massa leading the race while Alonso was second. Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were involved in a major controversy when they were teammates in Ferrari back in 2010.Credit: APBy lap 47 Alonso was close to Massa and clocking faster lap times, prompting a radio call from the Brazilian’s race engineer. It said: “Fernando is faster than you. Confirm you understood the message?” After the message, Massa suddenly slowed down, allowing Alonso to easily pass him. Although there were no direct orders from the Ferrari pit wall it was clear the team had given Massa a nudge. After the race, team principal Stefano Domenicali, manager Massimo Rivola and both Ferrari drivers were summoned by the stewards for a reported breach of sporting regulations.Home is where the heart isLewis Hamilton has been gifted a new home in Italy to ease him into his move to Ferrari.After landing in Italy last Sunday, Hamilton was treated to a tour of the factory by the team’s bigwigs including team principal Frederic Vasseur, and chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna. The tour also visited the Fiorano house occupied by the team’s founder Enzo Ferrari, and the pit garage at the track. The team have pulled out all the stops to make the Brit feel at home, with them handing over the keys to a local property to help him soak up the Ferrari-mad country. Lewis Hamilton greets Ferarri fans arriving at the Fiorano CircuitCredit: GETTYSharing his first thoughts about the £50million move on Instagram, Sir Lewis wrote: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever.”And today, my first as a Ferrari driver is one of those.’I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream.”We start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.” More