More stories

  • in

    ‘Like pineapple on pizza’, moan Ferrari fans as Lewis Hamilton ditches red to debut ‘wrong’ new look for F1 Miami GP

    FERRARI will ditch their iconic red racing suits for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix – and fans are absolutely FUMING.Scuderia drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will wear blue and white for a one-off design at the Miami International Autodrome.Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will sport blue suits designed for the team’s brand partner HPF1-75 car will also get a blue and white refresh, with new details on the wingsBut the Prancing Horse are gearing up to debut a new look in the paddock in Florida on Friday, courtesy of their sponsors HP. The red livery won’t be gone forever though with the change just a one-off in celebration of the milestone.Ferrari inked a deal with software company HP a year ago and the blue colours are set to honour the anniversary of that partnership.Fans got a first glimpse of Hamilton and Leclerc suiting up in white and blue for the first American race of the season. READ MORE F1 NEWSThe F1-75 will remain predominantly red, but will feature white and blue accents on the read and front wings, as well as on the wheels. And fans have been left raging with the bold move.One comment on Ferrari’s social media post said: “This is the equivalent of putting pineapple on a pizza.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA second wrote: “Ferrari is morphing into Williams right before our eyes. This just needs to stop!”Most read in MotorsportA third said: “This could be the worst livery ever created”, before another added: “We are red. Not blue! 😡” Lewis Hamilton hailed for ‘masterclass’ sprint victory before Ferrari star immediately takes aim at ‘yapping’ criticsMotorheads are fearing the worst after pointing out that the SF-24 went blue in Miami last season too.It was also described as a “one-off” in Florida last year, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Ferrari making their mark in North America.Leclerc and then-team-mate Carlos Sainz wore light blue racing suits to nod to the Azzuro La Plata worn by Ferrari legend Alberto Ascari. Scuderia’s first F1 world champion wore blue as he claimed the titles in 1952 and 1953.While other team drivers including, John Surtees, Chris Amon, Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti did the same in the 1960s.Meanwhile, Hamilton and Leclerc will hope the change in colour palette gets the Ferrari back on the podium.The Frenchman finished third in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago, whle Hamilton has only placed as high as fifth after a troubling start to the season at his new team. Read More on The SunFerrari aren’t the only team to change their colours ahead of the big sprint weekend in Miami.Racing Bulls unveiled an all-pink affair during a party in Miami Beach on Wednesday evening. More

  • in

    ‘He’s going to leave’ – Lewis Hamilton tipped for shock Ferrari exit after saying he expected ‘painful’ season ahead

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been tipped to shockingly quit Ferrari.The seven-time world champion is still waiting for his first podium finish this season amid a tough start to life at his new team.Lewis Hamilton has been tipped to leave FerrariCredit: RexJaime Alguersuari [left] has slammed Ferrari as ‘not a winning team’Credit: GettyBut despite being just five races into his two-year deal, Red Bull’s former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari reckons Hamilton will quit Ferrari.Alguersuari, who featured in 46 F1 races between 2009 and 2011, told the After Lap Podcast: “I have the feeling that Hamilton, he’s going to leave.”I don’t know why I’m taking a risk by saying this.”But I have the feeling that he’s like, his time has passed, that he’s already won a lot, that he’s already won everything and that he’s saying: ‘OK, I’ve gone to Ferrari to try and see what happens in 2026.'”READ MORE IN SPORTFerrari last won a constructors’ title 17 years ago and Alguersuari seemed to suggest joining them was a poor move for Hamilton if he wants to surpass Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles.He added: “Ferrari is not a winning team. A team is a team that wins races, but it is not a winning team. They have not won since 2008.”They may have a competitive car, they may have a competitive team, but they don’t have a winning team. There is a difference.”Alguersuari’s comments come as Hamilton cut a frustrated figure after finishing seventh at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last Sunday.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Brit revealed he did “not have an answer” as to why things are going wrong at the moment.He claimed there were “zero” positives and that the race was “horrible” and “not enjoyable”.Lewis Hamilton blasts ‘big opportunity missed’ after Ferrari strategy blunder at F1 Australia Grand PrixHamilton went on to say: “At the moment, there’s no fix. This is how it’s going to be for the rest of the year. It’s just going to be painful.” More

  • in

    Ferrari boss blasts ‘f****** bull***’ Lewis Hamilton claim as F1 star predicts ‘painful’ first year with team

    FERRARI boss Fred Vasseur blasted the “f***ing bull****” claims that Lewis Hamilton’s form has fallen off a cliff.Seven-time world champion Hamilton had another weekend to forget at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after his slow start to the season continued with a seventh-place finish.Lewis Hamilton had another weekend to forgot in the Saudi Arabian Grand PrixCredit: RexHamilton finished 30 seconds behind team-mate Charles LeclercCredit: RexHamilton sits seventh in the drivers’ championshipCredit: RexButFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur defended Hamilton’s form in a X-rated interviewCredit: GettyThe Brit, 40, described his performance in Jeddah as “horrible” and predicted a “painful” first year with Ferrari — even just five races in.He finished a massive 30 seconds behind team-mate Charles Leclerc, who provided a glimmer of hope for the Italian team with their first podium of the season.Hamilton won last month’s sprint race in China but has since been out-qualified by Leclerc in Japan, Bahrain and Saudi.Asked why Hamilton’s form has dropped dramatically in the last month, Vasseur said: “Dramatically?! We did five races so far.READ MORE F1 NEWS“I know you want a big headline saying Fred said this but this is f***ing bull****.“We are in a competition. You have ups and downs. When we are up, we are not world champions and when we are down, we are not nowhere.”Hamilton is desperately looking for answers on how to turn things around in his first year since joining from Mercedes.He sits seventh in the drivers’ championship, with his best result of the season fifth place in Bahrain just over a week ago.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTo make matters worse, Leclerc drove exceptionally in Jeddah, looking at ease in the car and overtaking Hamilton’s former team-mate George Russell to claim third.Vasseur added on Hamilton: “I will be 2,000 per cent behind him and  give him support here. We’ll start to find solutions.Sun F1 reporter Isabelle Barker tries Lewis Hamilton’s favourite spaghetti cooked by three Michelin star chef at Bahrain Grand Prix“I am not worried. Look at what he did in China or  in the race in Bahrain last week or even in the first part of the session this weekend, the potential is there.”The Frenchman added: “For sure he is down because when you finish in seventh and your team-mate is on the podium.“I take it as a positive  Lewis is down because if he was happy with this, it wouldn’t be normal.“He’s a racer and a competitor. He wants to get the best from what he has and he is disappointed.“Now we have to work together  and it will be the only way to move forward.”Oscar Piastri claimed consecutive Grand Prix wins, while Max Verstappen finished second, after being handed a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.Both Russell and Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes Kimi Antonelli are above the legendary Brit in the standings.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 More

  • in

    ‘F***ing dangerous’ – Lewis Hamilton SLAMMED by F1 rival after incident at Saudi GP with Ferrari star investigated

    LEWIS HAMILTON was labelled  “f***ing dangerous” by an F1 rival as controversy flared over tight corners at the Saudi GP.Race chiefs investigated the near miss in practice after Williams’ Alex Albon took evasive action to avoid hitting Ferrari’s seven-time world champ.Lewis Hamilton faced a stewards’ probe over the scary momentCredit: RexAlex Albon had to veer right to avoid hitting Hamilton’s red FerrariCredit: Sky Sports F1Albon was heard berating the 40-year-old legend on his team radio on the tricky track in Jeddah.Some of the circuit’s corners were called “so blind” by commentators.And the most frightening moment came on the approach to turn nine.Albon roared round the bend and suddenly saw Hamilton’s much-slower car in front of him on the inside.READ MORE IN F1The 29-year-old had to lurch his steering wheel to the right to avoid hitting the Brit.”F***ing dangerous” was just part of Albon’s instant assessment of the situation. Stewards looked at the incident but decided Hamilton should not be punished.And in a statement they implied Albon had also changed his verdict.Most read in MotorsportAlbon was suddenly confronted by Hamilton’s car in front of himCredit: Sky Sports F1BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKStewards ruled Hamilton had got in his fellow racer’s way, but not created a hazard.The statement said: “As agreed with the teams, unless the impeding during free practice was such that it could be regarded as dangerous, there will be no penalty for such impeding.Behind the scenes in Australia GP paddock including F1 star Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari base’During the hearing, the driver of Car 23 (Albon) felt that he had the car under control at all times and while he was impeded, he did not consider the situation to be dangerous. “He had seen Car 44 (Hamilton) in front of him during the corner before.”He did not expect Car 44 to be in the position on track he was in and that shocked the driver of Car 23 as he approached Turn 17 and had to take evasive action.”While his immediate reaction when the incident occurred was to say that it was dangerous, having looked at it subsequently, he agreed that it was not. We accordingly took no further action.”Williams team principal James Vowles is worried more cars could be blocked in similar fashion over the weekend.But he accepted the issue caused by Hamilton was not “intentional”.Vowles told Sky Sports F1: “There’s certain portions of the track, it’s mainly between Turn 5 all the way to Turn 8, where you’re blind, you’re fully loaded on the car, and there’s not a lot you can do any more”You can lift off, that’s about as much as you can do. You certainly can’t brake. And that’s really what caused it. Read More on The Sun”It’s not intentional from Ferrari, but let’s try and be stronger on it because we don’t want an accident.”The saga came as Hamilton finished a disappointing second practice 13th.Albon was initially furious over the incidentCredit: Rex More

  • in

    Mario Balotelli sold fleet of supercars including Ferrari and Lamborghini after crashes and losing passion

    MARIO BALOTELLI loved getting into trouble in his fancy Italian Ferrari – before falling out of love with his £1million car collection. The former Manchester City bad-boy became known for his love of supercars before several high profile crashes.Mario Balotelli is playing for Genoa in ItalyCredit: GettyMario Balotelli’s famous camouflage BentleyCredit: Ray Bradbury – The SunMario Balotelli hops into a Maserati back in the dayCredit: Ray Bradbury – The SunThe striker in another Maserati a few years backCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe former Man City striker shows off his white BentleyCredit: XposureThe notorious striker – currently playing in his native Italy for Genoa – had enough of his collection and cleaned his garage out.He told Blick in 2023: “In my garage I still have an RSQ8, 500 Abarth and GTR Nismo Nissan with 1400 hp. But I’m also selling the Abarth now.”Balotelli, 34, is no stranger to controversy on and off the pitch but he has also got into bother on the road.He was lucky to escape serious injury after crashing his £100,000 Audi Q8 into a wall in his hometown of Brescia, Italy in November 2023.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBalotelli has had his car impounded a staggering 27 times, and was involved in a number of accidents during his time on our Isles.While with City in 2012, he crashed his Bentley in Manchester city centre, which reportedly saw his female passenger sent to hospital.That came two years after colliding with another car while driving his Audi A8 in Chester Road, Hulme.Balotelli also famously crashed his late agent Mino Raiola’s car after reversing into a lamppost while with Nice in France.Most read in FootballThe ex-Liverpool ace lost control of his Audi Q8 and smashed it into a wallCredit: AlamyMario Balotelli avoided serious injury in the car crashCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Italian forward’s bad luck on the road continued in 2020 when he was involved in a car accident at 6am on New Year’s Day.This time, Balotelli was on the passenger side of the silver Fiat 500 Abarth that banged into the gate of a bakery in northern Brescia.Former Premier League bad boy Mario Balotelli takes up new sport as he ‘calls out former UFC champion’Balotelli shows off his white BentleyCredit: XposureThe 35-year-old striker driving off in a FerrariCredit: Eamon and James ClarkeHe said: “I had two or three accidents in England. I crashed into one once because someone in front of me braked out of nowhere. “And one drove into me and then they said I caused the accident.”Balotelli joined Serie A side Genoa last October after spells in Turkey and Switzerland.But he has reportedly entered a fresh spat with new manager Patrick Vieira.The forward – who has missed the majority of the last two months nursing a broken hand – has threatened to become a “rebel” after feeling frozen out of the squad by Arsenal legend Vieira.He took to Instagram last week to seemingly voice his frustration with a cryptic post.Standing shirtless in the Genoa dressing room, Balotelli wrote: “Around here they deserve the rebellious 16-year-old Mario.”Maybe that way they would understand what it means to truly lack respect.”The Italian striker has hit out on Instagram after struggling for game timeCredit: InstagramBalotelli was renowned for his hell-raising antics early in his career.He infamously let off fireworks in his flat while playing for City.And memorably unearthed a “Why Always Me” T-shirt in his old club’s 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United in the derby in 2011.The wild child also fought with teammates and threw darts at a youth team star.Read More on The SunVarious City managers felt they could tame the talented Italian forward.But since leaving the North West in 2013, the former Italy international has rocked up at nine different clubs.Balotelli wore a special T-shirt after setting off fireworks in his bathroom before the Manchester derby More

  • in

    Awkward moment Lewis Hamilton appears to snub FIA president’s hug as drivers left at war with F1 governing body

    LEWIS HAMILTON appeared to reject a hug from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in an awkward moment after the Bahrain Grand Prix.The seven-time world champion has clashed with the FIA president since he was appointed in 2021.Lewis Hamilton appeared to reject a big hug from FIA President Mohammed Ben SulayemFans spotted the awkward encounter, but Hamilton did acknowledge him as he walked pastAfter his tough start to life at Ferrari, Hamilton enjoyed a positive race in Bahrain, winning the fans’ Driver of the Day vote.He recovered from a disappointing P9 qualifying performance to finish fifth, one spot behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. And the 40-year-old ace overtook the likes of Kimi Antonelli, Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen in the process.After stepping out of the cockpit in Parc Ferme, Hamilton headed toward the weighbridge to complete his mandatory post-race checks.READ MORE F1 NEWSBut fans caught a somewhat thorny exchange when the Brit came across Ben Sulayem along the way.The FIA president had his arms outstretched while waiting to embrace the Ferrari driver. However, Hamilton had other ideas and avoided the hug before simply giving him a pat on the side before continuing on his way.One fan wrote: “Lewis airing Ben Sulayem there 😂😂.”Most read in MotorsportA dominant drive from pole saw Oscar Piastri claim victory in Sakhir on Sunday, ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut there have been rumours that Hamilton and Ben Sulayem don’t see eye-to-eye.The former Mercedes driver called out the FIA chief after the short-lived investigation into Susie Wolff last season. Lewis Hamilton hailed for ‘masterclass’ sprint victory before Ferrari star immediately takes aim at ‘yapping’ criticsThat decision landed the Emirati official in hot water, with the wife of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff commencing legal action against the sport’s governing body.And Hamilton was asked whether Ben Sulayem had his support before the 2024 Aussie Grand Prix.The Brit replied bluntly: “He never has. There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA.”There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that.”The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?”Last year, Hamilton doubled down on his criticism of Ben Sulayem after the FIA president compared swearing F1 drivers to “rappers”. The 62-year-old has been on a mission to stamp out foul language in the paddock, much to the disdain of some of the sport’s stars.The feud between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem first dates back to 2022.When the FIA chief forced the Brit to remove a nose stud, clamping down on jewellery at the race track. He later fined Hamilton £42,000 for skipping the end-of-season prize-giving gala, after Verstappen was handed the title following a hugely controversial decision at 2021 Abu Dhabi finale.FIA executive Robert Reid resigned last week over what he described as a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards”.Ben Sulayem has been under fire in the last few years, following various controversies including the FIA’s swearing rules.Reid said in his resignation letter: “When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA’s members, not to serve power.”A few days ago at Suzuka, Carlos Sainz was punished for being “five seconds late” to the national anthem in Japan following a toilet break.Read More on The Sun Sainz reported to the FIA medical team with a stomach issue, but was fined £17,000, half of which has been suspended for 12 months providing he does not re-offend.But the Spaniard, 30, now faces an even bigger one for saying “s*** happens in response”.THE new Formula One season is up and running and has already seen huge drama in the opening weeks.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 hope of ending Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is hoping for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FAR More

  • in

    The insanely lavish worlds of F1 tycoons…from Red Bull boss’s private island to £30million Bond villain-style mansion

    AS things heat up ahead of this Sunday’s Bahrain GP, the Gulf State will soon be crowded with the jets and supercars of the rich and famous.It’s fair to say there’s a lot of money in the world of F1 – and drivers and team staff alike certainly get paid handsomely.The late Eddie Jordan certainly knew how to enjoy his £85million fortuneCredit: AlamyEddie was among the most flamboyant of the F1 tycoonsCredit: GETTYRed Bull owner Mark Mateschitz inherited an entire tropical island from his fatherCredit: jason busch/LHW.comBut at the very top of the motor sport pyramid are the people who don’t just run the teams, but own them. And when you combine a net worth of millions – or in many cases billions – with a love of fast cars, you can be sure you’re dealing with a flashy spender.After all, if you can afford an F1 team, you might as well own a yacht on the side – or a Pacific island getaway when you need a break.It’s a sport that attracts some pretty big characters, just like the late Eddie Jordan, who went from flogging salmon on the streets to amassing a fortune of £85million.Read More FeaturesBut his riches are small fry to what others in the business are worth – such as Mercedes’s Toto Wolff, worth a whopping $1.6billion.And even Toto’s wealth is dwarfed by Red Bull owner Mark Mateschitz, who has a net worth of over £30billion. So what have they been spending it all on?Join us as we dive into the lavish lives of the biggest F1 tycoons.Most read in MotorsportBrave Eddie Jordan’s final public appearance just weeks before his deathToto WolffAfter trying his hand as a racing driver before moving into the boardroom, Toto Wolff bought a 30 per cent stake in Mercedes in 2013 for an estimated $50million.And as Mercedes moved up the rankings, so did his wealth increase – making the Austrian worth around a whopping $1.6billion today, according to Forbes. It’s no wonder Toto Wolff takes such an active role in ensuring his teams success – because he owns a third of itCredit: GettyThe Mercedes part-owner enjoys diving off his 49 metre-long superyacht off the coast of MonacoCredit: Instagram/totowolff_originalA video Toto posted to his Instagram shows he isn’t afraid to take his cars – in this case the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL from 1954 – for a spinCredit: Instagram/totowolff_originalOnce living near the team’s base in the UK, Wolff and his family have now moved to Monaco, close to where many of the drivers live.He’s also reported to own an 18,000 square foot mansion in Switzerland, which was reportedly bought for $62million.Unsurprisingly, the 53-year old owns a stunning car collection which features plenty of rare Mercedes. Wolff has frequently been spotted driving round Monaco in his Mercedez-Benz SL from 1954, worth around £1million, as well as the more modern Mercedec-AMG GT R, which sells for around £150,000-190,000.But brand loyalty hasn’t stopped him from also reportedly owning a Bugatti Veyron, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and also an iconic Ferrari F40  which he allegedly sold for some £1.2million. And when road travel doesn’t cut it, he can be spotted relaxing on the 49-metre-long superyacht UU, which he is thought to own – though he is thinking of designing one himself. Eddie JordanThe late Eddie Jordan owned properties around the globeCredit: AlamyEddie Jordan bought the spectacular yacht Blush for £32millionCredit: BLUEI PRODUCTIONSFrom trading on the streets of Dublin to securing iconic sponsorship deals – once convincing delivery firm DHL to repaint all their vans with his famous “Jordan yellow” – the late Eddie Jordan certainly reaped the rewards of his hard graft.Among his lavish assets was Sunseeker’s biggest ever yacht, which he bought for a cool £32million back in 2014, named Blush.Also under his ownership was a stunning 45-metre sailing yacht that let him enjoy times spent near the coast.Over the years, he amassed a massive – and very valuable – collection of F1 memorabilia, including the very car Michael Schumacher made his debut in.And like other team owners, he had multiple properties around the world including a palatial manor in Surrey, a house in Ireland, and a pad in Monaco.He also owned a £750,000 flat in Tooting, London, which he raffled off in 2017 to the lucky winner of the £10-to-enter competition. Lawrence StrollHaving made a fortune in the luxury fashion industry selling shares in brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, the Canadian businessman is thought to be worth over £2billion.The 65-year-old tycoon is also part-owner of the Aston Martin racing team – and is the dad of their star driver, 26-year-old Lance. Lawrence Stroll, owner of the Aston Martin team, made his fortune selling shares in luxury fashion brandsCredit: The TimesThe Canadian billionaire hosted his 60th birthday party on board his massive yacht Faith, which was attended by the likes of Sarah Ferguson and Catherine Zeta-JonesCredit: PAHe is the proud owner of the Ferrari 250 GTO, which is thought to be worth over £50millionCredit: RexThough based in Geneva, Stroll also owns homes in London, Quebec, and also a £70million pad on the Caribbean island on Mustique where he wed Brazilian stunner Raquel Diniz, 35.When it’s race weekend in Monaco, you can find him on board Faith – a 96-meter superyacht which Toto Wolff has said is the nicest boat he’s ever been on, worth around £200million.Featuring a glass-bottomed swimming pool, beach club, and wet bar, it hosted stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas for Stroll’s Great Gatsby-themed 60th birthday bash.Recent reports, however, suggest he’s sold the vessel on – downsizing to a 78-metre-long yacht instead.But it’s cars he really loves, amassing a collection reportedly worth over £140million.This includes a Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most valuable cars in the world with a price tag north of £50million. Also in his garage are multiple LaFerraris, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB he snapped up for a cool £20million, as well as McLarens and a Ford GT. Ron DennisSir Ron Dennis made a handsome penny from selling his McLaren sharesCredit: GettyWork started last week on his new £30million Berkshire mansionThe enormous property includes underground Roman-style baths, and a private tunnel to the River ThamesAlthough his split from McLaren was far from amicable, Sir Ron still walked away with £275million after selling his shares back in 2017.And what better way to enjoy retirement than to build yourself a £30million ‘Bond villain’ mega-mansion that’s set to be one of the most lavish homes in the country.Work began last week on the 77-year-old’s new Berkshire home for the, which will feature a Roman baths-style underground swimming pool and even a secret tunnel to the Thames to access his boat.There’s also extensive staff quarters, a room just for glassware and crockery, and a hair salon for when you don’t have time to nip down the massive drive to the local barbers. I am a pretty wealthy guy. So why wouldn’t I have some exotic cars?Sir Ron DennisIt goes without saying that the tycoon – who started life as a mechanic – is a massive car nut, once owning four go-karts built by McLaren for his own personal use.And planned for the new mansion is an underground garage complete with turntable to house his fleet of vehicles, including a McLaren worth £5million.“I love my McLarens,” he once told MailOnline.“I am a pretty wealthy guy. So why wouldn’t I have some exotic cars?”, he added.Aerial pictures taken of the plot near Henley-on-Thames last week show that diggers have moved in to start excavating the site. Mark MateschitzMark Mateschitz is one of the world’s youngest multi-billionairesCredit: GettyThanks to the Red Bull fortune, Mateschitz owns a private island in the South PacificCredit: http://www.laucala.comThe Austrian had enough spare cash to snap up Bernie Ecclestone’s extraordinary collection of motorsCredit: Tom Hartley Jnr/PA WireIt’s hard to avoid being rich when you’re Mark Mateschitz – son of Dietrich, co-founder of the Red Bull beverage and sporting empire who passed away three years ago.Dubbed Europe’s richest millennial, Forbes estimates the 32-year-old’s net worth to be north of £30.8billion, making him the 31st richest person on the planet.And Mateschitz has proved keen to carry on his father’s connection to F1, as evidenced by an enormous purchase he made just this month.The young billionaire is the new owner of Bernie Ecclestone’s private car collection – featuring 69 Grand Prix cars estimated to be together worth £500million.The Red Bull owner is thought to own multiple castles and villas across his native Austria, and his rumoured to have a £43.5million pad in swanky Knightsbridge.Also inherited from his dad is the island of Laucala, Fiji, a billionaire’s playground with a luxurious private resort – which even has its own airline to ferry visitors to and from the tropical paradise. And as if the Red Bull billions weren’t enough already, Mateschitz is currently dating heiress to the Swarovski crystal fortune, Victoria. Together, they’re working on a brand new getaway – a multi-million pound villa Marbella, close to where Victoria’s mother lives. Bernie EcclestoneBernie Ecclestone celebrating his 90th birthday with wife Fabiana FlosiCredit: Instagram @fabianaecclestoneEcclestone named his £30million superyacht after his daughter, PetraCredit: RexBernie Ecclestone’s daughter, Petra, is thought to be the owner of this giant 57,000 square ft. Beverly Hills home which was reportedly bought for $150millionCredit: Splash NewsHe enjoys lavish holidays with wife FabianaCredit: fabianaecclestone/InstagramThe F1 supremo himself has amassed billions of the decades, and the 94-year-old certainly knows how to spend it.As we revealed, he was once the owner of a car collection worth around £500millionAmong his property empire was a London home overlooking Kensington Palace, which sold for £57million, and he bought his daughter Tamara a £70million London mansion complete with gold bathtub and 50 staff. He’s now living in Switzerland in a £23million chalet called Le Lion, located in the resort town of Gstaad, along with his wife Fabiana Flosi.Ecclestone – who has an estimated net worth of £1.85billion – also owns not one, but two massive yachts.Read More on The SunThe £30million Petara, named after his daughter, can accommodate up to 12 guests and boasts a spacious interior.Then in 2022, he snapped up the 63 metre-long Force Blue for the bargain price of £6.6million, which features a spa, cinema, and nightclub onboard. More

  • in

    Michael Schumacher signs charity helmet with help from wife Corinna in one of his only public acts since ski crash

    MICHAEL Schumacher has made a rare and moving gesture as he signed a crash helmet with the help of his wife Corinna.It marks one of the stricken F1 legend’s only public acts since his devastating ski accident in the French Alps 12 years ago.Michael Schumacher has signed a helmet with the help of his wife Corinna in a rare gesture since his horror ski crashCredit: AlamySchuey’s intials ‘M.S’ can be seen signed on the bottom part of the helmetCredit: Matt Wardle and Bell RacingMark Stewart, the son of former British racing driver Jackie Stewart, holds his father’s old helmet as he talks to Lewis HamiltonCredit: AFPThe helmet will be auctioned to raise money for Jackie Stewart’s dementia charityCredit: ReutersThe seven-time world champion, who has not been seen in public since, added his initials “M.S” to a helmet belonging to fellow F1 icon Sir Jackie Stewart.The helmet will be auctioned to raise money for Stewart’s charity Race Against Dementia.“It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause – a disease for which there is no cure,” Stewart told The Daily Mail.“His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us.”Read more on SchumacherThe gesture is all the more moving given Schumacher’s long and silent absence from the public eye.After suffering a life-threatening head injury during a skiing trip in Méribel, he was placed in a medically-induced coma and is believed to have required round-the clock care ever since.He now lives at a £50million custom-built property on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where he is cared for by a dedicated team of medical staff.Corinna, who has fiercely guarded his privacy, has created a tightly-controlled inner circle around the F1 legend, now 56.Most read in MotorsportOnly a handful of trusted people are granted access, including ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt, his former teammates Felipe Massa and Luca Badoer, as well as longtime manager Sabine Kehm.Stewart’s white helmet, adorned with his trademark Royal Stewart tartan, will be revealed at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating updateThe 85-year-old will also take to the track in his 1973 championship-winning Tyrell for an exhibition lap – a tribute to both the past and his personal battle off the circuit.The Scotsman founded Race Against Dementia after his wife Lady Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014 – just months after Schumacher’s accident.In an emotional BBC interview, Stewart revealed that Lady Stewart recently failed to recognise him for the first time. “Just the other day it was time for dinner, she’s getting up and I’m sitting close by, and she says, ‘Where’s Jackie?’ That’s the first time that’s happened and that’s only a few weeks ago,” he said. “A bad feeling came over me.”The helmet, now signed by every living F1 world champion, will be auctioned to fund a groundbreaking new blood test developed by Cambridge University.It is hoped the test could detect early signs of dementia before symptoms appear.Schumacher has stayed away from the public eye since his devastating accidentCredit: AFPThe stricken F1 legend has since has become a grandfather after daughter Gina (C) gave birth to a baby girl in MarchCredit: InstagramMichael Schumacher’s rare public contribution comes after he became a granddad for the first time last month.His daughter Gina welcomed a baby girl, Millie, announcing the news in a social media statetement.It read: “Welcome to the world, Millie. Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever.”We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives. #welcomeMillie.”Read More on The SunGina, 28, revealed she was pregnant shortly after tying the knot to partner Iain Bethke at a villa in Majorca last year.There was speculation at the time that her F1 champion dad attended the wedding, but no proof. More