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      I made £40,000 a WEEK as a Premier League star and captained my country at World Cup… now I can’t even afford a phone

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      A PREMIER league star was raking it in on £40,000 a week during his playing days but now can’t even afford a phone.In the mid 2000s Lucas Neill was a footballing hero as captain of West Ham and played in the 2006 World Cup.
      Lucas Neill played 79 games for West Ham and captained the sideCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Neill in action for West Ham against Spurs in April 2009Credit: Getty
      He was living the high life too, with a Ferrari in his garage and holidays in the Maldives.
      Nowadays, Neill, 45, lives a very different life having gone bankrupt and was recently facing three years behind bars as he stood trial for failing to declare money he never knew he had.
      He had been accused of concealing more than £2million from creditors.
      As he battled his financial problems the lights would often go out because he didn’t have the money to top up his pay-as-you-go meter.
      Read More on West Ham
      Last Monday though, a jury at Preston Crown Court took just 26 minutes to acquit him of the charges.
      Neill told The Times: “I’ve won my freedom, but I feel like I’ve lost in life.”
      During his financial hardship, his wife Lindsey Morris, a beauty therapist and personal trainer, became the breadwinner, as he only had his £900-a-month footballer’s pension.
      He blames himself completely for his financial ruin.
      Most read in Football
      Neill, who is a dad-of-two, said: “I feel like I didn’t protect my family… And that hurts. I let my family down.”
      The Professional Footballers’ Association has warned that between 10 to 20 per cent of professional players go bankrupt when they retire.
      Nell had been advised to pump vast sums of money into a scheme which gave the promise of investing in British films in return for a huge tax break.
      The scheme appeared to be legitimate and were pushed heavily by accountants and financial advisers and the government had championed the investment tax relief.
      But the taxman eventually came sniffing around and forced those who invested in them to repay the money they claimed, which in many cases totalled up to tens of thousands of pounds.
      Neill said: “People say they want to advise you. Help you. People just constantly want to take a tiny slice out of you. Telling you they’re going to add value to what they’re doing. That’s just a lesson for all footballers.”
      He added: “Do you need these professional financial advisers? I was very successful in the world of football, but I clearly wasn’t ready for this other world — the world of business. And I’ve learnt the hard way.”
      HMRC told him he owed £400,000 and he had to sell seven or eight properties, losing money on each one, to pay it back.
      He then defaulted on a NatWest loan he had taken out to pay for a barn near Newcastle, which was held in an offshore fund.
      Neill was left owing the bank £737,000 – and was declared bankrupt in 2016.
      He said: “People couldn’t believe it, but I had nothing left. That was my rock bottom.
      “After 20 years of a football career and all this hard work, I’ve got nothing to show for it.”
      During a meeting with the insolvency service he was meant to list all his assets, but forgot to mention the 144 acres of land he had bought around the barn.
      The insolvency service investigated Neill for seven years, so he was unable to own his own home, or even take out a mobile phone contract.
      When he went bankrupt, the repossessed 144 acres was sold for £3m by a lender and after the loan was settled, the remaining £2.1m was put into Neill’s offshore trust.
      Neill claims he never knew about this but the insolvency service accused him of hiding the money from his bankruptcy proceedings.
      Now he has been found not guilty he is starting to rebuild his life and he also wants to find out what happened to the offshore funds.
      His defence lawyer, Joseph Kotrie Monson, of Mary Monson Solicitors, said: “Why would somebody ever put their family through all the pressure of bankruptcy, if they knew they had enough money in a bank account to pay off the debt and still have a million left over?”
      He’s now coaching women and girls at a football club and working as a project manager for a local digital firm.
      Neill also captained his national side AustraliaCredit: AFP
      Having been acquitted of the charges, Neill, seen here in 2015, is now rebuilding his lifeCredit: Getty More

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      I was West Ham captain & had a Ferrari on the drive… now I live in rented flat and almost went to jail over bankruptcy

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      A FORMER West Ham captain who once had a Ferrari on his drive now lives in a rented flat – and almost went to jail over his bankruptcy.Lucas Neill used to earn £40,000 a week as the Hammers’ skipper between 2007 and 2009.
      Lucas Neill captained West Ham from 2007 and 2009Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Aussie in action for the Irons in 2008Credit: Getty
      Neill played for Australia at the World CupCredit: AFP
      The Australian defender starred for the Socceroos at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
      At the height of his success he splashed out on a Ferrari and luxury holidays in the Maldives.
      But last week Neill appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with failing to declare money he never knew he had.
      The trial came after seven years of bankruptcy, with Neill facing three years in prison if convicted.
      Read More Football
      Neill has opened up about his financial ruin after a jury acquitted him in just 26 minutes.
      He told The Times: “Behind my chair in the dock were stairs going to the cells.
      “I’ve won my freedom, but I feel like I’ve lost in life.
      “I feel like I didn’t protect my family. And that hurts. I let my family down.”
      Most read in Football
      Neill was accused of hiding more than £2million from his creditors as his money problems spiralled out of control.
      The star ploughed huge sums into a scheme which he thought would see him get big tax breaks in return for investing in British films.
      But HMRC ordered him to pay back £400,000 after probing the dodgy scheme – which had been touted to footballers by financial advisers.
      Neill was forced to sell over seven properties, losing money on each one.
      He then defaulted on a NatWest loan he had taken out to pay for a barn near Newcastle, which was held in an offshore fund.
      Neill was left owing the bank £737,000 – and was declared bankrupt in 2016.
      He said: “People couldn’t believe it, but I had nothing left. That was my rock bottom.
      “After 20 years of a football career and all this hard work, I’ve got nothing to show for it.”
      Neill forgot to mention 144 acres of land he had bought around the barn when listing his assets for repossession.
      The Insolvency Service probed Neill for seven years, leaving him unable to own a house or even buy a mobile phone contract.
      One morning his kids answered the door to bailiffs demanding a £400 council tax bill.
      But Neill has now been found not guilty of hiding the offshore money.
      He is now coaching women and girls at a football club while working for a tech firm.
      His lawyer Joseph Kotrie Monson said: “Now it’s time for him to enjoy his restored reputation and get back into the world of sport and broadcasting.” More

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      Michael Schumacher thought I was trying to kill him, David Coulthard says in bombshell doc 10 years since ski tragedy

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      MICHAEL Schumacher thought ex-racing legend David Coulthard tried to kill him in a past race, says the former McLaren driver. In the new documentary Being Michael Schumacher, Coulthard speaks about the infamous race clash with the Ferrari driver during the Belgian Grand Prix in 1998.
      Michael Schumacher in the pit lane filled with rage after the infamous crash in the 1998 Belgium Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
      The right front wheel of Schumacher’s Ferrari was torn off after the dramatic crashCredit: Twitter/@Aidan_Millward
      Ex-racing legend David Coulthard said Michael Schumacher thought the 1998  Belgium Grand Prix collision was conspiracy to kill himCredit: Rex
      But back in 1998, Coulthard had a bitter falling out with Schumacher after their on-track collision thwarted Schumacher from winning the race.
      According to him, the German racer refused to accept that the car crash was unintentional – and believed it was rather a conspiracy to kill him.
      Following the collision, Schumacher was furious and burst into the McLaren garage to confront Coulthard, accusing him of ruining his race.
      Coulthard reveals in the documentary: “Michael thought it was some sort of conspiracy to kill him and try and help my teammate Mika.
      more on Schumacher
      “But it was simply an accident. It was just one of those things.”
      The Belgium Grand Prix had taken place under extremely wet conditions, described then as almost monsoon-like.
      The slippery track was so dangerous to race on that the first lap saw a massive crash involving thirteen drivers – and the race had to be stopped for over an hour.
      After the restart, Michael Schumacher – who was driving for Ferrari – had overtaken Damien Hill.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Here he was nearly 40 seconds ahead when he approached Coulthard to lap him.
      But Coulthard did not immediately let Schumacher pass, which led to the furious German shaking his fist at him in rage.
      He eventually attempted to let Schumacher through by reducing his speed but staying on the racing line.
      But, Schumacher, blinded by the spray in the poor visibility, whizzed on and crashed into the back of the Coulthard’s McLaren.
      In a dramatic smash, the right front wheel of Schumacher’s Ferrari was torn off, as was the rear wing of Coulthard’s McLaren.
      The latest documentary – which draws heavily on past footage – shows a bitter young Michael Schumacher in the pit lane filled with rage.
      He told the television cameras: “David is a sensible driver, so I don’t understand at all why he acted like this.”
      The factual film gobsmacked Coulthard speaking to the cameras, saying: “I can’t understand him, he has just accused me again of wanting to kill him.
      “He has to take that back, it can’t be true.
      “I hope he has some regret over his comments.”
      The short film reveals the people who once funded Schumacher said this notorious feud was Schumacher’s fault.
      Norbert Haug, former head of Mercedes Benz motorsport says: If I’m being really kind it was 50-50 and if I’m being realistic it was 95-5 done by Michael Schumacher, there was no reason at all to be travelling at that speed.”
      Other parts of the documentary include how a viewer in Germany had written to the Cologne-based state prosecution office to “check whether Mr Schumacher’s action was punishable”,
      It included the charge of “attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm, coercion, and driving offences”.
      For Coulthard, Schumacher was all about pushing the limits constantly, which made him an amazing driver.
      But it also meant there was a darker side to him than many realised.
      He says in the documentary: “Schumacher could be very ruthless, he could be cold, he could be distant.
      “I think that’s probably the level you need to be at to be that successful.
      “My understanding of where the limit was perhaps more in line with the rest of the drivers.”
      Another clip from the documentary shows F1 presenter Florian König revealing the one thing he tells every curious fan asking about Michael Schumacher’s health.
      Speaking to German producers ARD, König said: “Whenever someone speaks to me, at the airport or elsewhere, the question often comes up: ‘Do you know how Michael is doing? Do you know what’s going on now?’
      “I always say the same thing: I don’t ask the family at all.”
      The presenter, 56, explained why he also doesn’t seek answers from the Schumacher family.
      “I absolutely respect the fact that they only gave very sparse information, and I think that’s right,” he said.
      König, one of RTL’s Formula One faces for many years, added: “I notice from these questions that people are still interested and that they still share in his fate.”
      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.
      Coultard said the Ferrari driver thought he was trying to help his Mclaren teammate Mika HakkinenCredit: Getty Images Sport Classic – Getty More

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      Michael Schumacher update as F1 presenter tells new doc ‘I always say the same thing’ when asked about star’s health

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      FORMULA 1 presenter Florian König has revealed the one thing he tells every curious fan asking about Michael Schumacher’s health.The racing legend has not been seen in public since his ski accident in the French Alps in 2013, and little is known about his condition.
      Formula 1 presenter Florian König said he does not ask the Schumacher family for health updatesCredit: Getty
      Fans of Michael Schumacher will be offered a rare glimpse at his life in a five-part documentaryCredit: EPA
      Schumacher has not been seen in public since his ski accident in 2013Credit: Alamy
      But a new five-part documentary “Being Michael Schumacher” may shed some light on what happened all those years ago and how the former Ferrari star is now faring.
      Speaking to German producers ARD, König said: “Whenever someone speaks to me, at the airport or elsewhere, the question often comes up: ‘Do you know how Michael is doing? Do you know what’s going on now?’
      “I always say the same thing: I don’t ask the family at all.”
      The presenter, 56, explained why he also doesn’t seek answers from the Schumacher family.
      More on Michael Schumacher
      “I absolutely respect the fact that they only gave very sparse information, and I think that’s right,” he said.
      König, one of RTL’s Formula One faces for many years, added: “I notice from these questions that people are still interested and that they still share in his fate.”
      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.
      Most read in Motorsport
      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.
      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.”
      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.”
      Glock, who told of the parties he and Schumacher used to throw, said they had “such good fun” together.
      ”I spent a lot of time off-track with Michael, and it didn’t matter what we did.
      ”Michael kept himself to himself on the track, and he didn’t open up too much. It was, however, the opposite away from the track.
      “He was very open, super friendly, and a really nice guy. People thought he wasn’t!”
      The Ferrari star is widely considered one of the best drivers in F1 historyCredit: Alamy
      The ex-pilot’s family keeps his current health condition extremely privateCredit: Alamy More

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      Michael Schumacher update as F1 simulator used by legend in his last Ferrari season goes up for sale for £20,000

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      A FORMULA One simulator used by Michael Schumacher in his last Ferrari season has gone on sale for £20,000.The racing legend, who has won a joint record seven world titles, last used the device while training for F1 circuits back in 2006.
      A Formula One simulator used by Michael Schumacher is being sold for £20,000Credit: Jam Press/Gormleys Auctions
      The device was used by the racing legend back in 2006 while he prepared for F1 circuitsCredit: Jam Press/Gormleys Auctions
      Schumacher retired from F1 in 2012, before he suffered a severe brain injury following a ski crash in 2013Credit: Alamy
      Shaped like half an iconic Ferrari F1 car, the Italian manufacturers used the simulators to prepare drivers for various circuits.
      It has now gone up for sale for a whopping £20,000 after being updated with all the circuits from the 2012 F1 calendar.
      The device has been used by a number of drivers, but most notably by Schumacher during his last season driving for team Ferrari.
      Auctioneers Gormleys Auctions says the collectible is a unique slice of history.
      MORE ON MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
      The listing reads: “This piece represents a rare opportunity to acquire a unique slice of F1 history, affording the opportunity to sit in the same pod that legendary driver Michael Schumacher will have used during simulated race sessions in advance of the 2006 Season.
      “A former team-owned piece of F1 history, this simulator benefits from the particular association with one of the sport’s most celebrated exponents.
      “This piece is a unique addition to the collection of any serious Ferrari F1 fan, and has been updated with ‘R-factor’ software and all of the circuits from the 2012 F1 calendar, among a number of other International circuits used for testing.
      “In addition, it comes complete with a Force-feedback steering wheel by Bob Salisbury Engineering at Silverstone.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      The auction for the iconic piece ends on November 14.
      It comes after a stunning collection of the F1 ace’s memorabilia worth £1.4million went up for auction in August.
      Schumacher’s iconic 1994 Bell Benetton Formula 1 helmet was part of the collection along with an Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost signed Formula 1 Moet Champagne Bottle.
      The bottle was signed by the pair during the 1989 Formula 1 World Championship and was set to sell for £7,800.
      Two other special helmets from Schumacher’s career were expected to attract bids of up to £20,000.
      One helmet – with a signed visor – was from the 2001 season, where it was worn during the Australian, Malaysian, and Brazilian Grand Prix events.
      Another was from the following season and was used in the Japanese and Hungarian Grand Prix events when he raced for Ferrari.
      The entire jaw-dropping collection was sold by RM Sotheby’s in Monterey, California.
      An RM Sotheby’s spokesperson said: “Among this treasured collection of artwork and automobilia are more than 75 lots of race-worn clothing and equipment spanning the breadth of Schumacher’s career, including a selection of helmets from his earliest days in karting.
      “Full Throttle ­– The Schumacher Collection offers an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire precious automobilia from the career of one of the sport’s true greats—touchstones from the life of a legendary driver who changed the face of motorsport forever”.
      Also in August, Schumacher’s incredible Ferrari F2001b sportscar went up for sale for a staggering £6million.
      The racing legend drove the 220mph 3.0-litre V10 cherry-red Ferrari when he won the 2002 Australian Grand Prix.
      An RM Sotheby’s spokesperson said: “Amongst the most desirable of any modern-era grand prix cars in existence, chassis 215 played a significant role in the early days of the 2002 Formula 1 World Championship.
      Schumacher’s iconic valuables have been listed at auctions after the driver suffered a severe brain injury during a devastating ski crash accident in December 2013.
      He was on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps when he hit his head on a rock while crossing an off-piste area.
      Doctors said he would most likely have died had he not been wearing the safety gear, and the world champ was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital.
      He was put into a medically induced coma after suffering what was described as a “traumatic brain injury”.
      The former Ferrari and Mercedes driver was brought out of the coma in June 2014 and was released to go and rehabilitate at his home in Gland, Switzerland.
      The 54-year-old now lives a private life with his family with the tragic ski accident coming just over a year after he retired from F1 in 2012.
      He mounted a brief comeback for three seasons with the new Mercedes team after initially hanging up his helmet in 2006.
      In 2021, his family broke their eight-year silence on the seven-time world champion’s condition in a Netflix documentary examining his illustrious career.
      Read More on The Sun
      His wife Corinna explained in the Netflix interview: “We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy.
      “We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable”.
      The device has been updated with all the circuits from the 2012 F1 calendarCredit: Jam Press/Gormleys Auctions
      The simulator is shaped like half an F1 Ferrari racing carCredit: Jam Press/Gormleys Auctions 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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      Lewis Hamilton warned ‘you need to speak about it’ as F1 legend risks being stripped of title

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been urged to speak about Felipe Massa’s ongoing legal battle with the FIA and Formula One.Former Ferrari driver Massa, 42, opened legal proceedings against F1 and its governing body earlier this year.
      Lewis Hamilton has been urged to speak about the legal caseCredit: Splash
      Felipe Massa is seeking to get the result of the 2008 championship changedCredit: Alamy
      He claims he lost out on the 2008 world title to Hamilton after Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to give team-mate Fernando Alonso an advantage in Singapore.
      Massa believes the F1 authorities did not take adequate action, despite being aware of the “crashgate” scandal, before Hamilton was crowned champion for the first time.
      Several drivers have declined the chance to wade in on the controversial legal claim.
      But Massa believes Hamilton NEEDS to have his say.
      Read More on F1
      Speaking to PlanetF1, the Brazilian said: “No, we haven’t had any communication. Everything that we are doing is not against Lewis.
      “I mean, I really respect Lewis as a driver for everything that he’s done, he’s one of the best drivers in the history of Formula One. So many records, with many titles.

      “But what I’m doing is against the result of a manipulated race. At the point in the race where the manipulation happened, I was leading, I was first in that race. So it’s nothing against Lewis.
      “I really like Lewis as a driver and he’s doing a lot of things for justice, so many different kinds of justice in the world.
      Most read in Motorsport
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      Hamilton won his first world title in 2008Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Nelson Piquet allegedly crashed his car on purpose in Singapore that year to help his team-mate, but Massa claims it changed the result of the championshipCredit: Reuters
      “I think, one time, he will need to speak and to talk about the situation. I think it’s pretty clear I’m not doing anything against him.
      “I’m doing it against the justice of the sport. When I am at home, and I see my phone after the Bernie Ecclestone interview, after the Charlie Whiting interview in the Max Mosley documentary that he knew at the last race of the season at Interlagos what happened in the Singapore race.
      “After my son knew about it, he asked me, ‘you are not doing anything?’
      “So I’m doing that for justice. I really believe what I’m doing is correct because this is not acceptable.
      “We’re not talking about a broken engine, or someone pushing me out of the race.
      “We’re not talking about the sporting situation, we’re talking about the manipulation that changed the result.”
      Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff fears F1 will be plunged into “disarray” if Massa wins his legal battle.
      However, he does not think the ex-Ferrari man has a case.
      Wolff said: “I don’t think he has a case, to be honest. We are signing up to sporting regulations. They’re very clear, and you commit as a licence holder.
      “If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray, and especially when you look at the full championships.
      “There are so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don’t see the case to be honest.
      Read More on The Sun
      “On the civil case side, I don’t know, let’s evaluate whether there’s some damages that could be claimed.
      “This is like watching a soap opera playing out in front of me.” More

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      Ferrari chief turns into Jurgen Klopp with outrageous excuse for Charles Leclerc’s US GP disqualification

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      FERRARI sporting director Diego Ioverno cited wind as one reason why Charles Leclerc was disqualified from last weekend’s US Grand Prix.Leclerc, 26, had finished P6 in the latest Formula One race before he and Lewis Hamilton – who had finished P2 – were disqualified for running illegal floors.
      Charles Leclerc was disqualified from the US Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      Ferrari chief Diego Ioverno cited a list of reasons why the disqualification had happenedCredit: Getty
      Their race results were canned after the planks on the floor of their cars were found to have failed to meet F1 regulations for the minimum thickness allowed.
      The planks, which run along the centre of the floor on the car, are designed to protect the bottom of the car from scraping along the ground which sometimes causes sparks to fly as seen on TV.
      Ride height can heavily impact aerodynamic performance, but cars have to be a certain height to meet safety standards, which Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars failed to do.
      In a post to the team’s social media page, Ferrari chief Ioverno explained what had caused the failure, citing lack of practice, set up time and track bumpiness on the list of reasons for the ruling.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The 49-year-old said: “The sprint weekend is very peculiar and you have very little time to prepare the car [with] basically only one session and then you go in parc ferme (when only minor adjustments are allowed).
      “It means that from that moment onwards you cannot touch the car any more. On top of this, Austin is a super nice track but it is extremely bumpy.
      “Bumpiness is a difficult topic for drivers and for cars, in the past almost everyone failed the suspension and failed the chassis.
      “We knew it would have been tricky and this is the reason why we also lifted the car throughout FP1, and from our consideration it should have been OK.”
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      In a similar vein to Jurgen Klopp famously blaming weather for a Liverpool defeat, Ioverno then said wind as another reason for the penalty.
      He continued: “As a matter of fact, it turned out we were anyhow too marginal and also because of the wind that changed direction and had a stronger intensity than what was forecasted, this brought our car to not be legal at the end.
      “There is not a lot to say and not a lot in this moment that we can do.
      “With hindsight, rewinding the weekend we may have lifted even more the car but we would have lost performance, and we are here always to try to optimise our own performance.”
      Reacting to the post, one fan said: “Unbelievable.”
      A second said: “You have to be safe than sorry. This marginal change disqualified a car and Ferrari lose important points. Have to be more careful next time.”
      A third wrote: “Irresponsible from a big team like Ferrari to let something like this happen, especially when their driver starts on pole.”
      However, it should be noted margins in F1 – a sport constantly on the edge – such as weather changes and track temperature can make a world of difference to performance.
      Following the disappointment, Leclerc and seven-time F1 champion Hamilton shared a joint post on Instagram of them looking miserable, captioning the post “mood”.
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      Ex-F1 star and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle questioned why the remaining cars were not tested, given half of the checked cars had turned out to be illegal.
      F1 returns next weekend at the Mexican GP.
      Ioverno’s wind excuse echoed Jurgen Klopp’s own weather-based excusesCredit: Rex
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