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    Internet sleuths convinced Lewis Hamilton set for emotional reunion at Ferrari after spotting clue from ski holiday pics

    FORMULA ONE fans are convinced that Lewis Hamilton could reunite with a much-loved ex-team member when he officially begins life as a Ferrari driver next month.The seven-time world champion announced his departure from Mercedes last February, putting an end to his 11-year stay with the German team.Lewis Hamilton shared a picture of himself enjoying a skiing holiday on his 40th birthday earlier this weekCredit: @lewishamiltonHis former physio and trainer, Angela Cullen, also shared a snap on the slopes, sparking speculation that she could be reuniting with Hamilton in the paddock this yearCredit: @cullen_angelaHamilton and Cullen were almost inseparable during their seven years together at MercedesCredit: Getty Images – GettyFollowing his final race with Toto Wolff and Co in December, Hamilton stepped back from the spotlight to enjoy a well-earned break with his nearest and dearest.But on his 40th birthday earlier this week he shared a picture of himself on a skiing holiday.He wrote: Another one around the sun. Thanks for all the birthday love.”Hard at work already. Talk soon.”READ MORE IN F1Eagle-eyed F1 fans noticed that his former physio and trainer, Angela Cullen, also shared a picture of herself on the slopes at a similar time.Some are now convinced that they could be preparing to reunite at Ferrari this season.One person speculated: “OMG SHE IS SO ON THAT TRIP WITH LEWIS. HOLD ON ANGELA COULD BE BACK!!!!!!!”Another wrote on social media: “Back with Lewis to Ferrari?”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton officially left Mercedes last monthCredit: GettyWhile a third commented: “Getting my hopes up over here.”Hamilton and Cullen were almost inseparable during their seven years together in the paddock.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPThe ex-Mercedes man was left devastated when she moved on but admitted he was “grateful” to still have her in his life as a close friend.Speaking after the two parted ways ahead of the 2023 season, Hamilton said: “People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life.”I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people… and she’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around.”She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful. Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.”I think it’s important in life to put positive people around you. You can’t be going around with deadweights, you can’t be going around with people who don’t inspire you to be better and lift you up when you’re down.”You need to be around people who can do that for you, and she’s one of them.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton will step into the Ferrari for the first time next month during pre-season testing.The 2025 F1 campaign gets underway on March 14 in Australia.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s bold fashion statement bizarrely slammed as ‘strange and inappropriate’ by ‘sad’ former F1 team-mate

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S sartorial choices have been criticised by former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.The pair engaged in a fierce rivalry while team-mates with the Silver Arrows.Lewis Hamilton wore a striking red outfit, or Ferrari colours, in the Abu Dhabi paddockCredit: GettyThe Brit, 39, was competing in his final race for MercedesCredit: GettyHamilton and Nico Rosberg famously didn’t always see eye-to-eye while team-matesCredit: Bongarts – GettyThe German, 39, twice finished as runner-up to Hamilton – before pipping him to the title in 2016 and subsequently retiring.Earlier this month, Hamilton competed in his final race with Mercedes.Next season, the seven-time world champion will begin a new adventure with Ferrari.Signifying his upcoming switch, Hamilton wore vibrant outfits, in a Ferrari-like red, during race weekend in Abu Dhabi.READ MORE LEWIS HAMILTONPer Marca, Rosberg was disappointed by his former team-mate’s outfits.He reportedly said: “I see the decision as something very strange and inappropriate. It’s a shame. It’s his day and his choice, so it’s fine.”On Hamilton’s dynamic with team principal Toto Wolff, Rosberg added: “They appreciate him and they still have a good relationship, but it is a small detail that makes me sad.”F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently revealed that Hamilton has been learning Italian ahead of his big switch.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs quoted by Autoracer, he said: “He will bring great interest.”He is learning to speak Italian and understand how to integrate into our culture.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending“I told him, it is also essential for him to be able to do this. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.”Hamilton is set to partner Charles Leclerc at the Prancing Horse next season.Ferrari finished second in this year’s Constructors’ championship – just 14 points behind McLaren.Mercedes, meanwhile, ended up fourth, also behind Red Bull.Hamilton and Toto Wolff won several Championships togetherCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton learning to speak ITALIAN after Ferrari move following stark warning from F1 chief

    LEWIS HAMILTON is learning to speak Italian ahead of his move to Ferrari.The F1 star is joining the Italian team for the 2025 season after finally calling time on his career at Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton is learning to speak Italian ahead of his switch to FerrariCredit: GettyHamilton, 39, signed a two-year deal with Ferrari worth £100million.The team activated a clause in his Mercedes contract to bring an end to his time there after 11 years.Ahead of joining Ferrari, the British driver is learning Italian to help him adapt to his new team.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has insisted that the seven-time world champion needs to speak the language in order to “integrate”.READ MORE ON F1As quoted by Autoracer, he said: “He will bring great interest.”He is learning to speak Italian and understand how to integrate into our culture.“I told him, it is also essential for him to be able to do this. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.” Hamilton will be the team-mate of Charles Leclerc when he finally joins Ferrari.Most read in MotorsportHe will be the third team-mate of the Monégasque driver after the stints of Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDomenicali has insisted that the two drivers share a mutual respect for each other.He added: “Charles will, of course, have to accept that someone like Lewis is not an easy team-mate.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending”Lewis will definitely have the ability to convey his positivity in his efforts to achieve his record.”They respect each other a lot, and I hope they will continue to do so at the end of the year.”It is believed that Hamilton has been granted permission to live in Enzo Ferrari’s old house while he stays at Maranello, Italy.Earlier this month, Ferrari were urged to RIP UP Hamilton’s contract by ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.Jordan’s call came after Hamilton made the admission that he is “not fast anymore”.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    Inside Michael Schumacher’s wild parties as former F1 mechanic lifts lid on mad bash with Lewis Hamilton and glam Wag

    MICHAEL SCHUMACHER was a Formula One party kingpin during his racing days, while Lewis Hamilton once took over a nightclub on a night out.Former F1 mechanic Marc Priestly has lifted the lid on some of the wild antics which happened when the stars hit the bars and clubs.Michael Schumacher was an F1 party supremoCredit: GettyFormer mechanic Marc Priestley lifted the lid on some of the wild parties hosted by the racing iconCredit: ReutersPriestley also revealed how Lewis Hamilton and then-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger stole the show at the 2008 McLaren partyCredit: AFPPriestley, right, is an ex-mechanic turned broadcasterCredit: AlamyPriestly, who was a McLaren mechanic from 2000 to 2009, told Casino Uden Rofus how one of his favourite memories came when he threw a Bacardi and coke into Schumacher’s face.He said: “Throwing a Barcardi and coke in Michael Schumacher’s face at his birthday party was definitely one of my favourite ever memories of him, purely because he burst out laughing after I did it. “I wasn’t the only one who threw a drink, by the way!”There were loads of moments when Schumacher was in the car that the whole world remembers, but there were plenty of memories outside of the car of him being a fun, nice guy. READ MORE IN F1″Schumacher got very serious when it was time to work, in the car or with the engineers, but outside of that he always knew how to relax and I was always impressed with that.”Schumacher always threw great parties, there were many occasions of doing karaoke in Japan after the final race of the season in Suzuka.”Dancing with his shirt off in nightclubs, he was just a great, fun guy at the end of a season or race weekend. “That’s how F1 should be, because it’s such a high-pressure job, you have to let your hair down sometimes.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNews broke this morning that the German racer, 55, was set to become a grandad for the first time after his daughter Gina announced she was pregnant – three months after she got married.Reports had emerged suggesting Schumacher had attended the wedding, but this was not confirmed.Michael Schumacher security guard ‘tried to blackmail stricken F1 star for £12million so he could pay off his debts’The legendary driver has been kept away from the public eye by his family since his skiing accident in December 2013.Priestley believes Max Verstappen would have got on well with the seven-time World Champion, but saved special praise for ex-McLaren and Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen.He added: “I can imagine Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher would had some good fun but I don’t think it would have been anything like the Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen parties, which I went to a few of.”Raikkonen was a great guy, he took his racing and partying to extreme levels. “He would drive his car amazingly with record lap times, but he would party like crazy. “Raikkonen was like a 22-year-old kid but also, a millionaire. It was the way to be and it was a good time.”Priestley also recalled the 2008 McLaren team party following Hamilton’s first World Drivers Championship title and how his then-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger helping to show off a different side of him.He explained: “Lewis Hamilton can be great at the parties. I remember when he won his first world championship in 2008, he brought his girlfriend at the time, Nicole Scherzinger. “Hamilton took over the decks at a nightclub we were at and was DJing most of the night. “Scherzinger got onto the mic and started singing, with Hamilton joining in, I’ve seen all sides of him!”However, Priestley believes modern F1 drivers are too conscious about their partying antics potentially being filmed and put onto social media.He continued: “These parties were pre-social media and phones, so it was a close group of friends where you can have fun and not worry about the consequences. “Drivers nowadays would worry if they’re being recorded…”Lots of these drivers coming through now are still very young, like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, but they need to have a bit of fun.”But, awareness of being recorded will always be in the back of their minds, and the old drivers never really had to worry about it. READ MORE SUN STORIES”If a photographer took a picture of something a driver wasn’t supposed to do, they’d ask if the photographer could give them the picture or film and it would never go any further. “Now, if someone takes a picture on their phone, it’s online forever.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    Ultimate Formula 1 drivers rich list as Max Verstappen pulls clear of Lewis Hamilton with record-breaking salary

    IT’S the most expensive sport in the world, so it’s no surprise top Formula 1 drivers boast eye-watering salaries.The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris certainly enjoy a life in the fast line – with supercar collections, huge mansions and beautiful women.Max Verstappen was crowned a four-time world champ in Las Vegas last monthGeorge Russell with stunning girlfriend Carmen Montero MundtSunday saw the end of the 2024 season and Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes as he heads to childhood heroes Ferrari in the New Year.But all the drama has come away from the track, with Verstappen and Russell at war over an incident at the penultimate race of the campaign in Qatar on December 1.The Red Bull driver accused Russell of being “two-faced” with the stewards, while the Brit threw out “bullying” accusations back.Ahead of the off-season, we reveal the drivers at the top of the rich list – as the top 10 earners collected an estimated £248m combined.READ MORE F1 NEWS10) PIERRE GASLY £9MPierre comes from a family heavily involved in motorsportsPierre, 28, who made his debut in 2017, drives for Alpine and comes from a family heavily involved in motorsports.His salary was bumped up to £8m this season, with £1m in bonuses as he signed a contract extension in June to keep him with team until 2026. Pierre’s brand partnerships include headphone brand Blomm and Berger, The Grid, Destination Grand Prix, and Crypto Gaming.He is said to be dating Italian Caterina Masetti Zannini, who shares many of her lavish trips with Pierre on Instagram.Most read in Motorsport9) CARLOS SAINZ £15MSainz has been replaced by Hamilton after a great final season with FerrariF1 Bianca BustamanteThe Spanish ace was paid a reported £8m a year by Ferrari, who he joined in 2021 after successful stints with Renault and McLaren.And he is promised £9m in performance related bonuses, which he surely wrapped up with 27 podium finishes in 2024.But the 30-year-old has joined Williams after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton.Endorsements include Playstation, lager brand Estrella and German helmet manufacturer Schuberth.Away from the track he still feels the need for speed and his luxury car collection includes a McLaren 720S worth £800k and a £750K Ferrari 812.Time is of the essence too – with a high end watch collection worth millions, including a Roger Dubuis timepiece worth USD £205,000 and a Franck Muller watch worth £200,000.8) SERGIO PEREZ £15.3MSergio’s future at Red Bull is under threatSergio, 34, may not be the highest-paid driver on the grid, but he’s been amassing an impressive fortune since his debut in 2011.His estimated £62.4million net worth, which includes an £9.4million salary from Red Bull, makes him one of the richest athletes in the world.The Mexican signed a two-year contract extension in June, but he was nowhere near competitive for the rest of the season, slipping to eighth in the standings just a year after he finished as the runner-up to team-mate Verstappen. This has left his Red Bull future under threat.Checo reportedly owns a multi-million dollar 15,000-square-foot mansion in Mexico and supercars including a Bugatti Chiron, which cost around £2million.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon7) OSCAR PIASTRI £17MOscar Piastri has backed up his rookie season this yearThe 23-year-old is one the babies on the track, having come through the Renault Sports Academy and started his F1 career in 2021.As such, he actually earns LESS than the aforementioned drivers in salary (£5m) – but his staggering £13m in bonuses sees him climb the list.After a strong rookie season in 2023, Piastri was even better this year, claiming the first two Grand Prix victories of his career in Hungary and Azerbaijan and finishing fourth in the driver standings. He is set to race at least two more years for McLaren after signing a contract extension in September 2023, just days before he secured his first podium finish.The future is bright to the Aussie as he helped McLaren clinch their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years.6) GEORGE RUSSELL £18MGeorge Russel’s has shot up through the ranks in recent yearsRussell is now the No1 driver at Mercedes after Hamilton’s exit – but he’s internal dominance this year had proved that anyway – as he signed an extension in August 2023.He now bags £11.7million a year from Mercedes, with a reported £7million in bonuses.Teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, will step into Hamilton’s iconic shoes.Russell finished sixth in the standings and won two races, missing a third victory only because of a disqualification at Spa.5) CHARLES LECLERC £21MThe Frenchman earns £11.7m in salary at Ferrari as he welcomes HamiltonCredit: GettyLeclerc, who finished third in the driver standings this year, will welcome Hamilton to Ferrari next season.The Frenchman earns £11.7m in salary and his bonuses almost match that at £10m.He was part of another memorable tandem at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 27-year-old took part in Friday’s practice session alongside his 24-year-old brother, Arthur—a Ferrari development driver—making them the first siblings ever to drive in F1 as teammates.4) FERNANDO ALONSO £21.5MThe 42-year-old owns homes in Oxford and SwitzerlandTwo-time world champion Fernando Alonso, 42, signed a new deal with Aston Martin in 2023 after finishing fourth in the standings.The Spanish star earns £18million in salary, while performance add-ons amount to around £3million. Unsurprisingly, Alonso likes his cars – he owns over 300 and some have even been put on display in the Fernando Alonso Sports Complex in Spain.The racer owns homes in Oxford and Switzerland, as well as an apartment in a 52-storey building in Dubai.3) LANDO NORRIS £27MAfter claiming P1 in the final race at Abu Dhabi, Norris declared: ‘Next year is my year’Norris wasn’t quite able to overtake Verstappen for the drivers’ title, but achieved 13 podium finishes this year.He did, however, take home a reported £9.4million in wages, and surely earned his whopping £18m in bonuses, as McLaren landed an unexpected constructors’ championship.Lando was born into wealth through dad Adam – who amassed a £205million fortune – and mum Cisca, from Belgium.After claiming P1 in the final race at Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Norris declared: “Next year is my year”.2) LEWIS HAMILTON £45MLewis Hamilton used to earn the most on the gridAfter years of dominance at Mercedes, Hamilton was the highest-paid driver in F1 – his contract with netted him £43million each year, and he’s estimated to be worth £270.9million.That figure is set to soar far higher, too, after it was revealed he will join the Scuderia in 2025 in a shock deal worth £100million.But the wage gulf between Hamilton and Verstappen has expanded after the changing of the guard moment in 2021.The seven-time world champion has numerous endorsement deals with the likes of Puma, Sony, Police, and Tommy Hilfiger.Hertfordshire-born Lewis, 39, is said to be raking in an additional £16.6million from these sponsorship deals.He also owns a £49.1million penthouse in New York, according to GQ, and a £19.1million six-bedroom home in London.1) MAX VERSTAPPEN £59MVerstappen is F1’s highest-paid driver on the trackUnderstandably, for the third straight year, Verstappen is F1’s highest-paid driver on the track.With estimated 2024 earnings of £59million, including a series-record £47million in salary to go with £12million in performance bonuses.The Dutchman had to wait until the season’s third-to-last Grand Prix, in Las Vegas, to lock up the championship, four races later than when he clinched in 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs he’s only 27, industry experts predict his estimated £165million fortune will increase in the coming years.Last week, the Red Bull No.1 announced he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champ Nelson Piquet.The F1 driver announced the happy news with this picture on social media More

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    Michael Schumacher hard drive feared to contain leaked ‘intimate’ photos & files is MISSING, blackmail trial hears

    A HARD drive feared to be filled with Michael Schumacher’s “intimate” pictures and medical files has gone missing, a German court heard.Three suspects who allegedly orchestrated a £12m blackmail plot against Schumacher appeared at Wuppertal District Court near Dortmund.Details around seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher’s blackmail plot have been revealedCredit: AlamyThe former security guard for the Schumacher family Markus F allegedly planned the blackmail plotCredit: FacebookBouncer Yilmaz T was also hired to extort £12million from Schumachar’s family, it is claimedMichael Schumacher and his wife Corinna before his accident in 2013Credit: AlamyThe extortionists have been accused of threatening the Ferrari star’s family and conspiring to leak private pictures of him on the dark web. The photos were part of a cache of 1500 computer files including personal videos, medication lists and the contents of Schumacher’s patient file.They were allegedly stolen by a former security guard who worked for the Schumacher family.All the data was reportedly transferred to two hard drives and four USB sticks. more on the f1 legend However, one of the hard drives which may still hold data on the F1 legend has gone missing.All three accused face prison sentences if convicted. Yilmaz T, 53, a former bouncer at the large Grey nightclub in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, is believed to have had the hard drive.He is thought to have initiated the extortion, by calling the Schumacher family and claiming to act as a middleman for other parties.Most read in MotorsportYilmaz T revealed he had two hard drives filled with the sporting legend’s medical records and private pictures.He is alleged to have threatened to leak them on the dark net. Schuey’s family awarded £170k damages over AI-generated ‘chat with F1 star’He claimed that he hid the hard drive with family members and friends.But while cops were able to recover the four USB sticks and one of the hard drives, the second one was not found.The former bouncer claimed to have received all the data from Markus F, 53, who is said to be the mastermind of the sickening plot.Markus F worked for Schumacher’s family as a security guard for years. He allegedly stole the data and passed it on to Yilmaz T. Markus F has been charged with aiding and abetting extortion and violating personal privacy.He has two prior convictions, including fraud in 127 cases, and in this case, he is charged with If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.PLOT’S ‘MASTERMIND’Yilmaz T’s son, Daniel L, 30, is also accused of supporting him in threatening the family by setting up an encrypted Gmail account and transmitting files.Yilmaz T claims he joined the plot to help a nurse – who has not yet been named – who also worked for the Schumachers. He told the court: “Completely honestly I didn’t see it the way it all came out. “Ok, it went badly, but…I was also given some pressure myself. “For example, the nurse became unemployed, so she wasn’t in a good financial situation. “And I was supposed to sort out money to help her out.”Markus F – who is accused of being the plot’s mastermind – worked as a security expert for Michael Schumacher for nine years.He is thought to have provided the original computer files which he wrongfully obtained during his work for Schumacher’s family to the ex-bouncer.Markus F also worked for the German Honorary Consultate in Egypt.In court, he refused to say a word other than to confirm his name and address. But in a statement read by his lawyer, he claimed that he had been asked by Corinna to digitalise copies of photos taken of her husband.Schumacher’s wife Corinna, 55, has filed a motion to protect her husband, which will allow her to exclude the public from the trial if the seven-time world champion’s current state of health is discussed.The F1 star, who hasn’t been seen or heard from for over a decade after a horror ski crash, has been looked after by his close-knit family since the accident.The seven-time world champion’s family have kept his health a guarded secret for years.Markus F was allowed inside the famous Schumacher inner circle for upwards of eight years as Michael’s wife Corinna felt he was a trusted aide.Earlier this year, the relationship drastically declined as Corinna was forced to sack him due to changes to her husband’s care plan.This allegedly turned him bitter as he started to hatch a plan to extort the Schumacher family. What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from the hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.Schumacher’s family contacted the Swiss authorities to file a report about the alleged blackmail plot, with Swiss police then working alongside German cops to investigate the case.Cops arrested Markus F, along with Yilmaz T and Daniel L. for the alleged blackmail plot earlier this year.Authorities said they were able to track down the alleged extortionists through “technical measures”.Senior public prosecutor Wolf-Tilman Baumert, spokesman for the Wuppertal public prosecutor’s office, said: “After the advanced investigations, we currently assume that the accused son may have acted more as an accomplice.”Speaking for the first time at Wuppertal District Court, Yilmaz T said he had done nothing wrong – it was all to help out a poor nurse.He told the court: “I contacted the family. I told them that I could get the data and that I would then call back in 3 days and see if they were interested.”READ MORE SUN STORIESYilmaz T disclosed that the nurse, who has not yet been named, had also worked for the Schumacher family.However, Yilmaz T later confessed that he had never even met the nurse and that he had only been shown a picture of her by Markus F. More

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    West Ham ace Michail Antonio’s first words after horror car crash revealed by dog walker who found stricken star

    DAZED Prem star Michail Antonio asked a witness who rushed to help after his horror crash: “Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?”The West Ham striker, 34, was last night recovering from surgery to a broken leg.Michail Antonio asked a witness who rushed to help him moments after his horror supercar crash: ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’Credit: GettyMichail had a miraculous escape from his horrific supercar smash — suffering just a fractured legCredit: UKNIPMichail’s Ferrari FF hit a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on SaturdayCredit: GettyHe was trapped for almost an hour in the mangled wreckage before being airlifted from the scene in Theydon Bois, EssexCredit: UKNIPHe had to be cut free from his £260,000 Ferrari FF which was ripped apart when it hit a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on Saturday.Antonio had a miraculous escape from his horrific supercar smash.Witnesses told how the stricken West Ham ace was in a highly confused state.The driver’s side was ripped apart and the impact is believed to have sent Michail flying across to the passenger seat.Read More on SportHe was trapped for almost an hour in the mangled wreckage before being airlifted from the scene.Last night he was recovering from surgery on a lower limb fracture in a London hospital.Samuel Woods, 34, was driving home after walking his dog in Epping Forest when he saw what he thought was a dumped car by the roadside.He pulled over and rushed to help when he saw a man inside who looked “in big trouble”.Most read in FootballSamuel, a carer from Regent’s Park, told The Sun: “I said to him ‘hello’ to see if anyone was alive.“I heard sirens and told him that help was on its way.West Ham star Michail Antonio injured in horror crash in Ferrari as club reveals he’s ‘stable’ in hospital“He was so disorientated. He said, ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’“The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn’t believe what happened. The car smelt of petrol.”Samuel, who does not follow football and did not recognise the star, went on: “I looked at him and thought, ‘He’s in big trouble’.“I just said, ‘You’ve had an ­accident’. He didn’t reply. He was looking around trying to make sense of what I just said. He was sitting in the passenger side.”Witnesses told how the stricken West Ham ace was in a highly confused state after his £260,000 Ferrari FF hit a treeOther drivers also reported seeing smoke pouring from the wreckage — near to the home of West Ham owner David Sullivan.One motorist, who passed by the scene just minutes after it happened, told The Sun: “I could see the car was a total mess.“Because there was smoke coming out of the car people were too scared to approach it I think.”Thousands of fans sent prayers and good wishes after news of the crash emerged.I said to him ‘hello’ to see if anyone was alive. I heard sirens and told him that help was on its waySamuel WoodsA West Ham spokesman said yesterday: “Michail has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon. Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days.“Everyone at the club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere ­gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news.” The club also extended a “heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery”.Michail’s ex-wife Debbie travelled from her home in Manchester to be by his bedside.Teammates past and present also sent goodwill messages to the popular star, including Declan Rice, who said: “Thinking of you and your family brother. Prayers to all of you.” Maxwel Cornet wrote: “With you brother.”He was so disorientated. He said, ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’ The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn’t believe what happened. The car smelt of petrolSamuel WoodsThe Ferrari FF was the fastest four-seat car in the world when released in 2011.It can reach 208mph and go from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds. Michail crashed a £210,000 Lamborghini into a garden wall on an icy road on Christmas Day 2019.He joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015 for £7million and has become the East London club’s top Prem scorer, with 68 goals in 268 games.READ MORE SUN STORIESMichail, who also hosts BBC’s Footballer’s Football podcast alongside Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, was picked three times for England squads but never played.In 2021 he switched allegiance to Jamaica, where his parents are from, and has won 21 caps.West Ham issued a health updateCredit: XAntonio’s £260,000 Ferrari FF was the fastest four-seat car in the world when released in 2011Credit: Supplied More

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    Lewis Hamilton fights back tears as he sends classy tribute to Mercedes colleagues ahead of Ferrari switch

    LEWIS HAMILTON held back tears and wowed fans with donuts after an emotional last dance with Mercedes.The seven-time world champion rocked up to the paddock in a Ferrari red suit, still reeling after a horrendous qualifying session saw him start the race in 16th.Sir Lewis Hamilton held back tears after an emotional last dance with MercedesCredit: APHamilton is set to leave Mercedes for FerrariCredit: GettyBut he produced what Toto Wolff described as the “drive of a world champion” to cross the line in fourth after 12 glittering years with Mercedes ahead of his move to Ferrari next season.He has been a part of the most successful team-driver combination in F1 history, winning six of his seven championships with Merc, 84 of his 105 race wins, and 78 of his 104 poles.Hamilton fought back tears and said on his team radio after the race: “The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone. But together we believed. And as a team, we achieved things that only…“Thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion for seeing me and supporting me.Read More on F1″What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. So, we did everything together and I’m so, so grateful to everyone. From the bottom of my heart, all the best.”His race engineer Peter Bonnington took to the radio and said: “Thank you, Lewis. It has been an amazing journey,“I’m so grateful to be part of this chapter of your life and best luck for the next one,”Wolff added: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of that family. And if we can’t win, you should win.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt was an epic comeback for Hamilton after a nightmare qualifying which saw his team leave him out too late and while under pressure on his flying lap a bollard came lodged underneath his car.He was knocked out in 18th but started in 16th on the grid due to penalties for Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon.Racing legend Mary McGee and star of Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Motorcycle Mary’ film passes away While on fresher tyres, Hamilton closed on George Russell and started the final lap on his tail.Hamilton closed in down the two long straights and then used his better tyres to pass Russell around the long fast Turn Nine after the younger man defended to the inside.Wolff added: “Lewis, that was the drive of a world champion. Amazing.” More