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      ‘A f***ing joke’ – Charles Leclerc completely loses it after being asked to give place back at F1 Emilia Romagna GP

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      CHARLES LECLERC turned the air blue after another disappointing day for Ferrari at Imola. The Monegasque star was asked to let Alex Albon past following a late incident at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.Charles Leclerc was fuming after being instructed to let Alex Albon pass at ImolaCredit: PAThe Ferrari star had started P11 on the gridCredit: GettyLeclerc appeared to force the Williams driver off track as he fought hard to retain P4. The 27-year-old was instructed to allow Albon back past by Ferrari and ultimately had to settle for sixth place.But a fuming Leclerc let rip on team radio after the request.He raged: “That’s how racing is now? When he can’t pass, I need to let him pass? READ MORE ON F1″This is a f***ing joke. What did I do wrong?”Leclerc had been enjoying a strong race, having started 11th on the grid and working his way through the field. He was spared any further punishment by the FIA after the tangle with Albon. In their official verdict, the stewards deemed that Ferrari made the swap before they had concluded their investigation.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAs a result, no further action was required.Leclerc later told reporters: “When you are starting P11, as a driver I cannot accept the situation we are in.F1 star Pierre Gasly left horrified after ‘running over RABBIT’ during Imola Grand Prix practice”I took risks. I don’t think with Pierre [Gasly] I was at fault or over the limit. It was a racing incident.”With Alex it was very much on the limit for sure.”Max Verstappen took the chequered flag at Imola for Red Bull after an eventful race.The Dutchman, chasing five-straight world titles, won his first race as a new dad.It helped close the gap on championship leader Oscar Piastri to 22 points.Lando Norris pipped Piastri to second after almost crashing into his team-mate with five laps to go, while a devastated George Russell dropped to seventh from P3.Lewis Hamilton made an incredible recovery from starting P12 to record his best-ever finish in a Ferrari in 4th.Hamilton said: “I mean, obviously I couldn’t hear them, but to drive in front of the Tifosi today [and] this weekend has been a highlight of the year so far.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 FAR“There was a lot of pressure on us as a team, with struggling through the year so far with the car and particularly with our qualifying.Read More on The Sun”So to have such a strong race, to be moving forwards, making ground.”To finally have that connection, that synergy with the car today and progressing was a really great feeling.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals special ‘Ferrari’ outfit he is set to dress dog Roscoe in for Silverstone and Monza F1 races

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed that he is planning to dress his dog Roscoe in a special Ferrari outfit later this year.The Formula 1 superstar’s beloved French bulldog has not been with him at races this season as he has been recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia.Lewis Hamilton has been seen walking his beloved pooch around the paddock in previous yearsCredit: RexRoscoe joined Hamilton in Monza four years agoCredit: AlamyWith Roscoe thankfully having been nursed back to health, Hamilton is hoping to have him back on the grid before too long.Quizzed about the 12-year-old’s next appearance, the seven-time world champion, 40, 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.”READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTONHamilton also admitted that he still worries about his elderly pooch.”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,” the Ferrari superstar said.”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.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRoscoe has been nursed back to health by trainer Kirstin McMillan, and like Hamilton lives a vegan lifestyle.Despite worries about his pooch, Hamilton is excited to race in Imola for the first time as a Ferrari driver this weekend.Lewis Hamilton’s beloved dog Roscoe diagnosed with pneumonia as carer gives health updateThe former Mercedes and McLaren star said: “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 is seventh in the driver standings after six grands prix – 90 points off leader Oscar Piastri.The British favourite is also 12 points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was forced out of media day duties by illness. More

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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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      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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      Neymar splashes more than £1MILLION on personalised Ferrari family SUV to add to incredible car collection

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      NEYMAR has splashed out more than £1million on a personalised Ferrari SUV.The Santos star has added to his incredible car collection with another baby on the way.Neymar has added a luxury new car to his collectionCredit: NewsflashThe Brazilian has splashed out on a £1million FerrariCredit: NewsflashNeymar has personalised the vehicle with his nameCredit: NewsflashNeymar has bought an SUV with another baby on the wayCredit: NewsflashThe Santos star is expecting a fourth childCredit: NewsflashThe Ferrari Purosangue goes from 0-60mph in 3.2 secondsCredit: AlamyHe already owns a lavish selection of vehicles totalling millions of pounds, and recently showed off his latest addition.Neymar took to Instagram, sharing a photo of the black four-door, four-seater Purosangue.The trim on the inside of the car has been personalised to bear his name.The Ferrari, which cost Neymar just over £1m according to reports in Brazil, goes from 0-60mph in just 3.2 seconds.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is the latest luxury car Neymar has got his hands on and will fit nicely in his garage alongside his other extravagant motors.Neymar, 33, owns a £300,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and a Bentley Continental GT.He also possesses a Lamborghini Huracan with a top speed of 200mph while his Mercedes G Wagon and Aston Martin DBX, another SUV, cater to his large family.Neymar and his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi, 31, are expecting their second daughter after reuniting last year following a split.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTheir first child, Mavie, was born in October 2023.Neymar has two other children – Davi Lucca, 13, and Helena, who is ten months old – born from different mothers, Carolina Dantas and Amanda Kimberlly.Neymar slashes team-mate’s tyres in response to harmless shoelace prank as fans say ‘that’s a bit extreme’Neymar also owns a Bentley Continental GTCredit: GettyThe Rolls Royce Ghost is one of his most prized possessionsCredit: GettyHis Lamborghini Huracan is one of the quickest cars in his collectionCredit: GettyThe Aston Martin DBX has plenty of room for his familyCredit: AlamyNeymar also owns a Mercedes G WagonCredit: Alamy More

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      Man City star Erling Haaland adds £320,000 yellow Ferrari to eye-watering car collection with new

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      FOOTIE ace Erling Haaland has bagged this yellow £320,000 Ferrari for his luxury car collection — totalling £8million.The £500,000-a-week Man City striker, 24, already had seven motors, including a rare £4million Bugatti Tourbillon.Man City super-striker Erling Haaland has added another flash motor to his luxury car collection – treating himself to a £320,000 FerrariFans cheered as he accelerated away, showcasing the vehicle’s incredible 789 horsepower and 6.5-litre V12 engineFans cheered as he accelerated away from training in his new convertible Ferrari 812 Superfast, which lives up to its name by doing 0 to 60mph in under three seconds.One fan joked online: “Haaland casually living my dream.”Another commented: “Millionaires and their toys.”Fans cheered as he accelerated away, showcasing the vehicle’s incredible 789 horsepower and 6.5-litre V12 engine.READ MORE ON HAALANDIn March, The Sun revealed how Haaland had splashed out on a £4million Bugatti.The monster motor, featuring iconic “butterfly” doors, has a top speed of 277mph.Last September, Haaland bought a brand new £250,000 Mercedes Maybach.He also owns a £2.7million Mercedes AMG One, a £130,000 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe AMG 63 S 4Matic and a £300k Rolls Royce Cullinan.Most read in FootballHaaland previously owned a Ferrari 812 Superfast in blue.His collection is still a far cry from Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive haul of rare motors – estimated to be worth around £20million.Since Haaland’s arrival at City nearly three years ago, he has broken countless records, contributing to a historic Treble win in 2023 and a fourth successive Premier League title, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success the following season.Erling Haaland looks unrecognisable in fake moustache as he stuns fans by pulling away disguise on photoshootThe motor lives up to its name by doing 0 to 60mph in under three secondsHaaland has been banging in the goals for Man City this season and could celebrate another FA Cup winCredit: GettyHaaland’s collectionTotal cost – £7.95million.Bugatti Tourbillon – £4million.Mercedes AMG One – £2.7million.Ferrari 812 Superfast – £320,000.Rolls Royce Cullinan – £300,000.Porsche 911 GT3 – £250,000.Mercedes Maybach – £250,000.Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe AMG 63 S 4Matic – £130,000. 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