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    Fleeced by a gigolo, F1 factory romps, secret love children & a cocaine sting… scandalous secrets of supercar dynasties

    MOST of us can only dream of being part of a supercar dynasty like Lamborghini or Ferrari.But life inside these ultra-rich families is far from simple – as they are haunted by hidden pasts and sordid scandals.
    Flavia Borzone claims to be the lovechild of Tonino Lamborghini – the son of the luxury car firm’s founderCredit: instagram/@flavia_borzone
    A DNA sample was secretly taken from Tonino’s daughter, Elettra Lamborghini
    Just this week, Flavia Borzone, 35, was in court over her claim to be the secret lovechild of Tonino Lamborghini – the son of the luxury car firm’s founder.
    Tonino is suing Flavia after she publicly alleged he had an affair with her mother in the late 1980s.
    In the latest twist to the scandal, it has emerged that Flavia hired private detectives to collect a DNA sample from Tonino’s daughter, Elettra Lamborghini.
    The private detectives snatched a straw, dubbed ‘the straw of a thousand secrets’, that was used by Elettra to drink a coffee.
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    Experts at the University of Ferrara tested the sample and found a DNA match between Elettra – who appeared in the reality show Geordie Shore – and Flavia.
    It is just the latest in a long line of scandals that have rocked the supercar dynasties.
    Bugatti founder’s double tragedy
    Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti suffered a brutal double tragedy in his life.
    His brother Rembrandt, a talented sculptor, took his own life in 1916 after the outbreak of war stopped him from selling his work, which now sells for millions.
    Most read in Motorsport
    Ettore Bugatti’s life was torn apart by the deaths of his son and brotherCredit: Getty
    Ettore’s brother Rembrandt took his own life during WW1Credit: Getty
    Ettore’s son Jean Bugatti died in a crash testing one of his carsCredit: Getty
    The artist was heartbroken when many of the animals he used to base his sculptures on were slaughtered after Germany besieged Antwerp.
    Bugatti suffered another ordeal when his eldest son, Jean, died testing one of his cars. The 30-year-old lost his life when he swerved to avoid a cyclist and crashed.
    BMW heiress fleeced by gigalo
    A gigalo fleeced BMW heiress Susanne Klatten out of £5.9million after meeting her in an Austrian spa.
    He went on to attempt to blackmail Ms Klatten, threatening to release naked photographs of them together if she did not give him more cash.
    Swiss gigalo Helg Sgarbi was jailed for six years in 2009 for his cruel crimes against Ms Klatten and other women.
    Ms Klatten initially handed Sgarbi £5.9million after he told her the Mafia was out for him. But he then took the scam a step further.
    BMW heiress Susanne Klatten was fleeced out of £5.9million by a gigaloCredit: AFP
    Helg Sgarbi was jailed for six years in 2009 for his wicked crimes against Ms Klatten and other womenCredit: Reuters
    Sgarbi threatened to release naked pictures of Ms Klatten which were taken in this Holiday InnCredit: Reuters
    She said: “He asked me to meet him at the Holiday Inn in Munich. When I went there he showed me two photographs, in one of them I was naked and so was he.
    “I could tell they were from a video and I was scared. There was a letter which said he would tell all to the press and my family. He wanted money and I had already given him seven million Euro.
    “He just wanted more money and at that point I decided to go to the police because I realised I was being blackmailed.”
    Ms Klatten’s father, Herbert Quandt, was also engulfed in scandal over his ties to the Nazi party.
    Quandt’s BMW collaborated with the Nazis and employed around 50,000 forced labourers in its arms factories.
    Roughly 80 slave labourers died per month at the plants – and many were executed.
    One of the slave labourers, Takis Mylopoulos, said: “We were treated very badly, we were whipped and had to drink water out of the lavatories.”
    Porsche boss pals with Hitler
    Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the luxury car firm, showing Adolf Hitler his Volkswagen Beetle designCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
    Porsche was arrested for war crimes as an SS officerCredit: Getty – Contributor
    The man who created Porsche was a devoted Nazi and pal of Adolf Hitler.
    Ferdinand Porsche developed the V-1 flying bomb – which was nicknamed the doodlebug by Brits during the Blitz – and Nazi tanks.
    He also worked closely with Hitler, receiving a contract from the dictator to create a ‘Volkswagen’, meaning a car for the masses.
    The result of this alliance was the Volkswagen Beetle.
    Shamefully, prisoners of were were used as slave labour at the Volkswagen car plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, while Porsche was general manager.
    By 1945, Porsche had been arrested for war crimes as an SS officer and was languishing in a French prison of war camp.
    Porsche was released from custody in 1947 after his family posted bail of one million French francs.
    In 2022, the Austrian city of Linz announced that it planned to rename ‘Porscheweg’ street, which honoured the carmaker.
    A report commissioned by the city senate said: “Porsche played a central role in the NS [National Socialism] war economy and actively promoted the forced labour of prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates.”
    Ferrari lovechild
    Ferrari founder Enzo had a secret lovechild, Piero, with his mistress
    Enzo’s wife refused to let Piero (pictured) use his father’s surname while she was alive
    Enzo Ferrari, who started the supercar company, was known for his wild love life.
    The playboy, who was played by Adam Driver in a biopic last year, bedded factory workers and had a secret lovechild with his mistress Lina Lardi.
    Enzo’s wife Laura was so furious about the affair that she refused to let the lovechild, Peiro, have her husband’s surname while she was alive.
    Enzo continued to visit his widow’s grave every morning after she died in 1978.
    And Piero Ferrari, who is now the vice-chairman of the family firm, was by his father’s bedside when he died.
    Lotus founder’s missing millions
    Lotus boss Colin Chapman was embroiled in scandal over missing taxpayer cash
    A judge said Chapman would have been jailed for at least 10 years had he been in the dockCredit: Getty
    Lotus founder Colin Chapman died before he could be charged over a case that cost the taxpayer millions.
    The British Government invested more than £50million in a scheme to build a sports car in Belfast.
    However, £10million of the cash was not spent on the project, which was the brainchild of Chapman and an American car tycoon called John DeLorean.
    The DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy in October 1982 – just a few days before DeLorean was arrested in a cocaine trafficking case. Undercover federal agents had filmed him agreeing to bankroll a cocaine smuggling operation.
    He was later acquitted over the cocaine case as he argued police had entrapped him.
    However, the mystery over the missing taxpayer cash sparked an investigation which led to the imprisonment of Lotus Group accountant Fred Bushell.
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    It emerged that Bushell had siphoned off £5million for himself.
    Chapman died aged 54 from a heart attack in 1982 but the judge in Bushell’s case said that if he had been in the dock he would have been jailed for at least 10 years. More

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    Split from sweetheart and losing love for the game… Marcus Rashford was a football superstar – so what happened?

    MARCUS RASHFORD grew up watching his single mum Melanie work three jobs to support him, his brothers and sisters.Sometimes she would skip meals to ensure they had enough to eat, and the family needed free school dinners to make sure Marcus and his four siblings had at least one plate of hot food a day.
    Marcus Rashford has been beset by personal troubles on and off the pitch leading to him being axed last weekendCredit: Getty
    Rashford split from long-term lover Lucia Loi and fears women he meets are simply after his moneyCredit: Getty
    Rashford was awarded a MBE for his work campaigning for free school meals for childrenCredit: Rex
    Fast forward 20 years and, now earning £325,000 a week at Manchester United, he could be forgiven for thinking money would solve all the family’s problems.
    But instead the 26-year-old England striker has hit rock bottom.
    Earlier this week, Rashford faced a £650,000 club fine after finishing a 12-hour tequila-fuelled bender at 3am, despite being due in training just a few hours later.
    He rang in sick, claiming to be ill, which the club took at face value until social media footage showed he had been in a Belfast nightclub till the early hours.
    READ MORE MARCUS RASHFORD
    At a meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and United director of football John Murtough on Monday, Rashford is understood to have admitted to having lost some of his love for the game.
    In his personal life it seems he’s also struggling, and those problems are transferring onto the pitch.
    ‘Family rifts’
    A source told The Sun: “Marcus has always had a close inner circle.
    “His brothers are his agents and his advisers, but the truth is that there are cracks starting to appear.
    Most read in Football
    “He has massive sponsorship deals and a buy-to-let empire of houses, plus his earnings on the pitch, and that means he’s an extremely wealthy young man.
    “He’s in a unique position to make himself and his family financially secure for generations, but that’s not what’s happening.
    “There have been arguments and tensions over money in his camp for months, and it’s not getting any better.
    “Marcus is in the middle of it all feeling lost.
    “He doesn’t know who to trust and his confidence on and off the pitch has taken a dive.
    “His life’s become a mess and he’s at a loss as to how to make it better.”
    Rashford’s older brothers, Dwaine and Dane, act as his agents, business advisers and gatekeepers.
    They all live in the same leafy street in Wilmslow, Cheshire, along with mum Melanie.
    The opulent lifestyle is a far cry from the modest terraced home in Withington, Manchester, where Marcus spent his early childhood years.
    Marcus has been close to brothers Dwaine Maynard (left) Dane Rashford (right), but relations have strained recentlyCredit: Instagram
    The footie idol’s family relationships have been strained since Dane, 31, was arrested for domestic battery in Miami in October.
    Charges were dropped but the incident has left a lasting impact.
    Dwaine has put his house up for sale, believing his security was compromised after Dane’s address was published online by police in Miami as part of the charge, and Dane has been increasingly sidelined.
    Several sources have told The Sun that Dwaine, 40, and Marcus are barely on speaking terms, despite the siblings attending showdown talks with ten Hag together on Monday.
    Rashford still socialises with childhood friends, and once said of his inner circle: “It has always been small and always will be, because I feel like I work best in that environment. I trust them.”
    But some pals have abused that trust, with one using Marcus’ bank card to buy expensive items without his permission.
    Others have let him down simply by failing to question his decisions to go out partying, drinking and gambling.
    Another of Rashford’s anchors was school sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he split with last summer.
    Their on-off relationship is believed to be over for good after Rashford was snapped walking into a Miami hotel with a leggy model at 5am.
    Rashford was seen walking into a hotel last year in Miami with a model – signalling the end of his relationshipCredit: SPLASH NEWS AND PICTURES
    And last September, he pranged his £700,000 Rolls-Royce outside United’s Carrington training ground.
    It came after his school meals campaign to help feed Britain’s poorest kids during the holidays earned him an MBE.
    A source said of private turmoil: “Marcus has wardrobes full of designer clothes, watches and jewellery, but he met Lucia when he had nothing.
    “He knew she loved him for him, not his money.
    “Now he feels girls he meets are just interested in his bank balance.
    “He’s been earning a lot of money for a good few years now, but only really started flaunting it in recent times.
    “Part of that was because of his involvement in the free school meals campaign.
    “He was conscious people would criticise him for campaigning one day and being seen at the wheel of a Lamborghini the next.
    “But his campaign was never about Marcus using his money to end child food poverty. That’s impossible.
    “As he’s grown up, he has been encouraged by some advisers to enjoy his wealth, because he has worked hard for it.”
    Trying to provide for his extended family has also caused rifts.
    Rashford has a property empire encompassing at least a dozen homes he rents out, controlled by Melanie.
    Our source said: “Some of them are regular houses with regular tenants, but other, larger properties in the posh Cheshire suburbs have been designated for family.
    “Many of his family members grew up in modest homes in working class areas of Manchester, without much money.
    “Even if Marcus lets them live rent-free, they still don’t have the means to pay heating and electricity in a huge mansion.
    “Some kids in the extended Rashford family are still on free school meals, so it’s a massively complicated situation.
    “Marcus is doing his best to help people.”
    It is understood matters came to a head when Rashford did not attend the recent funeral of a relative, fearing that his presence would be too awkward as he would be approached and asked for money.
    Recognising the need for expert help, Rashford and his team have approached numerous PR agencies and financial advisers, but have yet to find the right match.
    These difficulties in his personal life have led to a crisis of confidence on the pitch.
    Rashford was spotted at a nightclub in Belfast last week, hours before he was due in trainingCredit:
    Earlier this season he was involved in a car crash close to United’s training groundCredit:
    Just six months ago — after bagging an incredible 30 goals in one season — United fought off interest from Paris Saint Germain to persuade Rashford to sign a five-year contract worth £84.5million.
    The Premier League star proudly said: “I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream.
    “That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt.”
    On his “relentless” determination to win more trophies, he added: “As a United fan all my life, I know the responsibility that comes with representing this badge.
    “I will give everything to help the team.”
    ‘Not pulling his weight’
    But a series of disinterested displays, netting just four goals this season, have seen the Old Trafford crowd start to get on his back for the first time since he burst onto the scene aged 18, scoring two goals in his February 2016 debut.
    A multi-million pound boot deal with Nike had to be delayed due to his poor form and his brother’s arrest, and Rashford has also seen a string of pals — Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams and Anthony Elanga — leave the club.
    He now finds himself regarded as a senior leader in the dressing room, but some reckon he is not pulling his weight and relationships with teammates are strained.
    A source said: “Marcus doesn’t seem happy in training or in games.
    “The team has been struggling and needs everyone pulling together.
    “Some of the players are frustrated because they know just how talented Marcus is.
    “They know they need him if they are going to win things.
    “And some feel like he doesn’t care as much anymore.”
    Can Rashford turn it around?
    Yes, believes one source.
    “Marcus is a really good guy.
    “He’s actually quite shy, not the outgoing extrovert that people believe from all the designer clothes and Rolls-Royces.
    “He’s achieved so much in his career so far and he’s only 26.
    “But he’s the kind of person who has to hit rock bottom before he can start to climb back up.
    “Like many players, he craves routine, people he can trust around him, stability and a cause he can support that connects him back to his roots.
    “He had all that once, and now it’s a case of building it back up.
    “He knows he needs to make changes in his life, but it’s up to him to do that.”
    Insiders last night revealed Marcus had been more focused in training this week and seemed intent on answering his critics on the pitch.
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    On Thursday, four days after being dropped, it took him less than five minutes to score United’s opening goal against Wolves, helping his side to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory.
    Hopefully, for Rashford, the comeback starts here.
    Manchester United hope Rashford will rediscover his love for the game More

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    What happened to Ferrari’s 11 British F1 drivers including last winner 60 YEARS AGO as Lewis Hamilton joins elite club

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S stunning transfer to Ferrari has shocked the world of Formula One.Motorsport fans around the globe will remember February 1 as the date Hamilton officially cut ties with Mercedes following a 26-year association.
    Lewis Hamilton has sealed a shock move to FerrariCredit: PA
    He joins the likes of Nigel Mansell on a prestigious list of British Ferrari F1 driversCredit: Rex Features
    Hamilton’s career with Mercedes
    Seven world drivers titles, 103 race wins, 104 podiums and a legion of other records to boot. To say his career backed by Mercedes power has been a success would be an understatement.
    Having signed a £100million contract with Mercedes in summer 2023, Hamilton then used a break clause in his deal to seal his switch to Ferrari.
    Hamilton will drive for the Scuderia from 2025 after signing a “multi-year contract” worth £100m.
    His goal with the Italian constructor will no doubt be to win a historic eighth title if he cannot manage it in his final season with the Silver Arrows.
    READ MORE IN F1
    However, Hamilton is not the only Brit to have driven in the scarlet red of the Prancing Horse.
    That being said, if he is to win Ferrari’s first driver title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 he will be fighting against history stretching back 60 YEARS.
    But who are Hamilton’s predecessors?
    Below we take a look at the 11 previous drivers to have got behind the wheel at Ferrari.
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    Peter Whitehead
    Peter Whitehead pictured drinking a beer in a FerrariCredit: 2015 Getty Images
    Peter Whitehead raced for Ferrari at the birth of F1 in 1950.
    An amateur pre-war racer and RAF pilot, Whitehead raced in 12 F1 races, achieving one podium before he left the sport in 1954.
    Following the second world war Whitehead returned to racing and worked his way to purchasing a Ferrari 125 from Enzo Ferrari, contesting nine Grand Prix with it.
    Whitehead’s most noteworthy exploits came in outside of F1 however, winning the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours race. He was killed in 1958 while competing in the Tour de France.
    Mike Hawthorn
    Mike Hawthorn was the first Briton to win the F1 world championshipCredit: SSPL/Manchester Daily Express
    “Farnham Flyer” Mike Hawthorn joined Ferrari in 1953 and raced with them until 1958 and became famed for wearing a bow tie during races.
    Battling with the likes of F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio, Hawthorn came close to title success in 1954 as he won three podiums and won in Spain.
    However, he would not land a title until 1958, becoming the first Brit to win an F1 title in the Ferrari 246 in a title battle with Sir Stirling Moss.
    Hawthorn would retire from racing in 1958 but would tragically die in a car accident on the A3 Guildford Bypass on January 22 1959.
    Peter Collins
    Peter Collins won three races in F1Credit: 2009 Getty Images
    Peter Collins raced his first season with Ferrari in 1956.
    He earned Enzo Ferrari’s respect that season when he gave up his own world title ambitions by handing his car over to Fangio at Monza.
    Collins was active in F1 for six years, with his final win in F1 coming at Silverstone in 1958.
    He died while racing around the Nurburgring just three weeks later.
    Tony Brooks
    Tony Brooks won two races with Ferrari during his F1 careerCredit: Getty
    Tony Brooks joined Ferrari in 1959 following the deaths of Hawthorn and Collins.
    He won two races in Reims and Germany to hand him a shot at the title.
    But the title dream would fall short after an ultimately needless pit-stop at Sebring, USA, following a collision with Wolfgang von Trips.
    Unlike many unfortunate racers in the era, Brooks retired from motorsport and lived a long life, only passing away in 2022 aged 90.
    Cliff Allison
    Injuries thwarted Cliff Allison’s promising careerCredit: Getty
    Cliff Allison joined Ferrari as part of its stable of drivers for the 1959-1960 F1 season.
    However, after just six races he saw his career cut short. Following a second place finish in Argentina, a crash at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix saw Allison hurled from his cockpit and was sidelined for a year.
    Allison woke up in a hospital speaking French despite never learning the language.
    He returned to F1 in 1961 with Lotus but suffered a double leg break at the Belgium Grand Prix, ending a promising career. Allison died in 2005 aged 73.
    John Surtees
    John Surtees won world championships in F1 and on motorcyclesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    The last man to win the F1 title at Ferrari, John Surtees was proficient in both F1 and motorcycle racing and is famed as a world champion on four and two wheels.
    He was active for 12 years in F1, winning six races including two in 1964 on route to a championship.
    Things eventually turned sour between driver and team however, leaving Ferrari in a rage in 1966.
    Surtees died of respiratory failure in 2017 at the age of 83.
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    Mike Parkes
    Mike Parkes raced six races in FerrariCredit: Getty
    Mike Parkes raced for Ferrari in the 1966 and 1967 F1 seasons following a seven-year break from the sport he had made his debut in in 1959.
    Podiums in the French and Italian Grand Prix in 1966 showed off his promise before he suffered a leg-break in Belgium ended his career prematurely.
    Parkes was also a racer in sports cars, winning the British Saloon Car Championship in 1961.
    He died in 1977 aged 45.
    Jonathan Williams
    Jonathan Williams made just one F1 start in his careerCredit: Getty
    Jonathan Williams made just one F1 start in his racing career, but making it for Ferrari means he makes this list.
    Williams one F1 race in Mexico saw him finish 8th.
    He retired in 1972 and became a pilot, before switching to be a writer and photographer.
    Williams died on in 2014 aged 71.
    Derek Bell
    Derek Bell is the most successful Brit in Le Mans historyCredit: Getty
    Derek Bell is best known for his career in sportscars.
    But the two F1 starts he made for Ferrari put him on this list even though he did not do great in the seat.
    A lack of opportunities prompted him to move on from the team in 1969, before he would go on to win Le Mans five times to make him the most successful Brit to race in it to date.
    Born in 1941, Bell has also won the Daytona 24 three times and the World Sportscar Championship twice.
    Nigel Mansell
    Nigel Mansell was the last driver confirmed by Enzo Ferrari before he diedCredit: 2019 Getty Images
    Nigel Mansell became the first driver to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari for more than 20 years when he joined the Prancing Horses in 1989.
    Things started off well with a win at the Brazilian Grand Prix, but that would prove to be a false-dawn amid reliability issues.
    Mansell would eventually leave the team at the end of 1990 to rejoin Williams, where “Mansellmania” was born as he won a championship in 1992.
    “‘Il Leone” as he was known to the Tifosi, was the last driver confirmed by Enzo Ferrari before his death. These days Mansell is enjoying retirement with a number of successful business enterprises.
    Eddie Irvine
    Eddie Irvine came within touching distance of a title at FerrariCredit: Bongarts
    Eddie Irvine came within touching distance of an F1 title in 1999, winning four races.
    However, he was unable to match Michael Schumacher in his prime and promptly left at the end of the season before retiring from F1 in 2002.
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    Irvine has since gone on to become a successful businessman which has earned him an incredible net worth.
    He is the last Brit to race for Ferrari, and 20 years on Hamilton will follow in Irvine’s footsteps aiming for an eighth title to eclipse none-other than Schumacher.

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    Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including super rare Ferrari and £1.6m ride made entirely for him

    F1 legend Lewis Hamilton boasts a stunning car collection befitting of the racing driver legend he is.Since his 2007 debut, the seven-time world champion has earned a staggering fortune from motorsport.
    Lewis Hamilton owns a £2m McLaren that he still drives around Monaco inCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    Hamilton, who has a deal with Mercedes, looks set to leave their F1 team
    Lewis Hamilton boasts a car collection worth a staggering £13mCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    F1 legend Hamilton shows off his Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe worth around £177k
    He has been paid an astonishing £350million by Mercedes, who he signed for in 2013.
    But, it could be the end of an era. The 39-year-old is reportedly poised to complete a sensational switch to Ferrari and team up with Charles Leclerc ahead of the 2025 season.
    Hamilton’s epic wealth has allowed to enjoy a lifestyle to envy.
    And cars are most certainly his passion – with a garage of supercars worth around £13MILLION.
    Read more on Lewis Hamilton
    Hamilton is a self-confessed car fanatic, who collects everything from the latest supercars to vintage classics and even electric vehicles.
    He said previously: “I don’t know anything about wine. I don’t know a huge amount about art.
    “But what I do know is cars, and I’m very particular about them.”
    Here we take a look at just some of his extravagant collection:
    Most read in Motorsport
    PAGANI ZONDA 760 LH
    The rarest motor in Hamilton owned was his £1.6m Pagani Zonda that was made entirely for him.
    The exterior and interiors are purple, and at the request of the sports star he opted for a manual gearbox instead of the usual sequential one.
    His reasons? Because he hated getting behind the wheel of it initially.
    He once said: “The Zonda is terrible to drive!
    “It’s the best-sounding car I own, but handling-wise it’s the worst.”
    That could be why in 2015 Hamilton got in an accident that caused some significant damage to the cherished motor.
    Hamilton reportedly sold the motor in 2022.
    Hamilton’s Pagani Zonda cost him £1.6m but he hated driving itCredit: Rex FeaturesCheck out these amazing collections

    1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA
    The highest valued car in Hamilton’s collection is this stunning classic.
    Believed to be worth around £4m, it’s a rare sight – unless you’ve seen the racer cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in LA.
    Hamilton was often spied taking his ex-missus Nicole Scherzinger for a spin in this beauty, which had him standing out from the crowd.
    A 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is Hamilton’s most expensive car worth £4mCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    LAFERRARI
    Every car aficionado worth their weight in salt owns this £2m Ferrari – another collector’s item that rises in value as the years go by.
    Capable of reaching a top speed of 217 mph, the LaFerrari can hit 0-62 mph in just 2.4 seconds, meaning it’s the fastest car Hamilton owns.
    Footballers including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Son Heung-min also drive this frighteningly fast motor that must feel like handling a racing car.
    A £1m Ferrari La Ferrari is a must for any car collection, including HamiltonCredit: Xposure
    MERCEDES-AMG PROJECT ONE
    Lewis got his hands on a Project One in 2021, even though it wasn’t released until 2022.
    He was heavily involved in the production of the plug-in hybrid sports car that’s capable of hitting a top speed of 217 mph.
    Only 275 were made, and they cost around £2m.
    Getting his hands on one was one of the many perks of his deal with Mercedes.
    Hamilton managed to get his hands on a £2m Mercedes-AMG Project One ahead of its 2021 release
    Hamilton was heavily involved in the production of the Project OneCredit: AFP or licensors
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    MERCEDES-AMG SLS BLACK
    He already owned a SL Black Series, so why not add the SLS, right?
    Hamilton, who clearly has a need for speed, added this supercar to his garage probably because it’s the fastest Mercedes in production.
    Powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 622bhp – the SLS can reach a top speed of 196 mph.
    It also hits 0-60 in just 3 seconds – making it the ideal car for Hamilton to get his thrills off the track with. For a price tag of £230k, it’s just what you’d expect really.
    Driving for Mercedes has its perks for HamiltonCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    Hamilton regularly shares images on social media alongside Mercedes motorsCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    MCLAREN P1
    Despite splitting with McLaren’s racing team, Hamilton can’t have felt too aggrieved with his former employers. In 2015, he added a £2m P1 to his extensive list of rides.
    The P1 has a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, which is twinned with an electric motor that means the supercar has a total power and torque output of 903 bhp and 980 Nm of torque.
    In real talk that means it’s fast and powerful, can hit a top speed of 217 mph and hits 0-60 mph in just under 2.7 seconds.
    In 2015 Hamilton added a £2M McLaren P1 to his list of ridesCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    The McLaren P1 is capable of hitting 0-62 mph in just 2.7 secondsCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    1967 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500
    The second classic car that’s part of his fleet, fans of the Hollywood movie Gone In 60 Seconds might recognise this motor as looking to similar to one of the Eleanor models from the film.
    Hamilton had his customised by Oklahoma-based car shoop Classic Recreations for additional cost.
    At auctions, they can fetch up to £750k, and you can bet Hamilton’s is in tip-top condition. That said, we doubt he’ll ever sell it.
    BEST OF THE REST
    When the Mercedes-Maybach 6 came out in 2016, Hamilton made sure he got his hands on the concept car.
    The 2×2 coupe is completely electric, and can run up to 200 miles before it’ll need recharging.
    Hamilton also has another Mercedes – the Maybach S600, which is a luxurious chauffeur’s car with a partition separating the front seats from the back.
    Both those motors have a combined worth of around £800k.
    And Hamilton doesn’t mind swapping four wheels for two – sometimes taking his £6,500 Honda CRF450RX Motocross Bike around the dirt tracks of California.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    Then there’s also his Maverick X3 dune buggy that would’ve set him back around £20k, that’s also electric in theme with his eco-warrior status.
    However, with a switch to Ferrari imminent – imagine the company cars he’s got lined up?
    Hamilton is a fan of the Maverick x3 dune buggy worth £20kCredit: 2017. All rights reserved.
    Nicole Scherzinger used to ride with Hamilton on his buggyCredit: Instagram @LewisHamilton
    Hamilton also has a penchant for motorbikesCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Wayne and Coleen Rooney set for fly-on-the-wall series covering highs & lows of Wagatha trial & Birmingham City sacking

    WAYNE and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary featuring the couple’s domestic lives with their four sons.It comes after the success of Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series, which followed the life of the champion boxer and his family.
    Wayne and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary covering their lives with their four sonsCredit: Instagram
    The show on Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giantsCredit: Reuters
    Coleen’s Disney+ documentary on the Wagatha trial was a hitCredit: Disney+
    The show on former Manchester United and England legend Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giants.
    A TV insider said: “The couple have starred in documentaries for different streamers and the feedback from viewers was that they’re most intrigued by what life is like behind the doors of Chez Rooney.
    “Wayne and Coleen live in a sprawling £20million mansion in leafy Cheshire with six bedrooms, a wine cellar and accommodation on their 40-acre estate for 14 horses.
    “Then there’s the fact they’ll soon be navigating the minefield of having four lads aged five to 13 growing up with famous parents and the luxuries that come with that.”
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    The source added Fury had shown “a sports star’s domestic life can be just as intriguing as a rock star or style icon”.
    Hit Disney+ documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story gave her side of the High Court libel clash with Rebekah Vardy.
    Amazon Prime Video’s Rooney, looking at his life and career, came out in 2022.
    Both were made by Lorton Productions, who recently said they were launching the third TV project with the couple.
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    It was originally believed to focus on Wayne’s coaching career, but that seems less likely after Birmingham City fired him last month.
    Instead it could now follow eldest son Kai, 14, who is in Man United’s youth academy, and brothers Klay, ten, Kit, eight, and five-year-old Cass.
    A spokesman for the Rooneys declined to comment.
    Wayne enjoyed a glittering career as a player becoming Man Utd’s all-time top scorerCredit: Getty
    Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series following his life and his family has been a huge successCredit: Courtesy of Netflix More

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    World’s highest stadium among ‘the most feared on the planet’ is so far up it’s too dangerous for international matches

    THE highest football stadium in the world is one of the scariest away days any club will face on the planet.Peru’s Daniel Alcides Carrion Stadium is even too dangerous for most international games to be played there because of the ridiculously high altitude.
    The world’s highest football stadium is Peru’s Daniel Alcides Carrión Stadium as it sits at 4,378m above sea levelCredit: Facebook
    The ground is seen as one of the most feared away days on the planet because of the high altitude
    This ground is located in the Peruvian city of Cerro del Pasco and stands at an almost unimaginable 4,378m above sea level – making it the stadium with the highest altitude on Earth.
    At this jaw-dropping height, the players face an almighty uphill task as the oxygen around them begins to suddenly drop and sits lower than many of them would’ve ever faced before.
    As with almost all team sports, but especially the hugely competitive world of football, a player requires a lot of oxygen to be taken in after 90minutes of constant hard running and extreme sprints.
    This horror mix results in fatigue settling in before half time has even crossed a player’s mind.
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    For context, the mammoth Mount Everest is 8,848 metres above sea level at its peak but Britain’s tallest mountain Ben Nevis is just 1,345m making the football ground substantially higher.
    An even more staggering fact is that the stadium sits so high up that it would take over 14 Shard’s stacked on top of each other to be at the same height from sea level.
    For this reason it is only used to host Peru Cup matches on an international level on just a handful of occasions per year.
    It is done during cup games as it gives the opposition players a chance to acclimatise to the altitude before kick off.
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    However, the ground does belong to a team in the third division of the Peruvian league called Union Minas.
    Formally playing in the countries top league not so long ago, Union Minas have got a reputation as having one of world’s most feared away days.
    Despite the clear challenges for players, the stadium is set behind a beautiful sight of the Andean mountains in Cerro de Pasco and can hold 8,000 fans at matches.
    The pitch uses an artificial turf which makes it stand out even more from the typical football heritage many fans in Britain and Europe might expect.
    Ban from football
    Back in 2007, the footballing world was gripped by a controversial ban for stadiums that sat anywhere higher than 2,500m above sea level – including the Daniel Alcides Carrion Stadium.
    FIFA made the ruling after saying home teams had an “unfair advantage” and said they were fearing for player safety after several complaints.
    Several players were even see using bottled oxygen as a means of surviving through games because it was getting so tough for them.
    The decision left a handful of countries national teams in disbelief as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia were all prevented from hosting World Cup qualifiers in their own capital cities.
    When Argentinian icon Diego Maradona heard about the ban he and a team of former Argentina players went to play a football match at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz.
    The reason for this was because that ground sat 3,600m above sea level and showed that if Maradona, a then a 47-year-old, could play for over an hour at that altitude then so could fit, young professionals.
    Despite this Lionel Messi once spoke about the challenges of playing at the La Paz ground saying: “You can’t play a lot within what height allows you.
    “It’s terrible to play here. It’s hard. When you make an effort or run a bit, it is difficult to recover.”
    And just last September, Argentina’s World Cup winning stars needed to use oxygen tubes to deal with the high altitude ahead of their clash with Bolivia.
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    Brazilian footballers were also pictured using huge tanks to simply get through some international matches in South America.
    The ban on high altitude grounds was later revoked in May 2008, and FIFA has since allowed teams to return to their preferred playing ground.
    The ground is used by Peru third division side Union Minas and can hold 8,000 fans
    The Brazil national team were seen using oxygen tanks during a match against Bolivia because of the high altitude
    Argentina and Liverpool footballer Alexis Macallister using an oxygen tank before an away day to Bolivia’s national stadium More

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    I was a pro football star who won major trophy & qualified for Europa League – but I gave it all up to become a LAWYER

    A PRO football star who won a major trophy and qualified for the Europa League has told how he gave it all up to become a lawyer.Scott Stevenson was a junior player for St Johnstone when the Perth side won the Scottish Cup in 2014.
    Scott Stevenson pictured in Linlithgow kit
    The former St Johnstone star is now a lawyerCredit: SWNS
    The Saints beat Tayside rivals Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park to win a place in qualifying for the 2014-2015 Europa League.
    St Johnstone beat Swiss side FC Luzern on penalties before losing out to Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava in the third qualifying round.
    Just months later, Scott gave up full-time professional football for a drastic career change.
    He said: “I played professionally for St Johnstone for two years until they won the Scottish Cup in 2014.
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    “I have since played part-time while pursuing my legal career for clubs such as Albion Rovers, Stirling Albion, East Kilbride, Linlithgow Rose and Gartcairn.”
    Scott is now urging young players to think of plan-B careers if their football dreams do not go to plan.
    He said: “These are tough decisions for a young person with a head full of stardust to make.
    “But they are decisions which could shape their future, for good or ill.
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    ”Footballing stardom is the ultimate prize. But there are things I wish I’d thought about before I signed my first professional contract.”
    Scott added: “The day a young footballer signs his first professional contract is an unforgettable occasion.
    “It vindicates the long car journeys to games, the cold hours on the touchline for parents and the relentless honing of the young hopeful’s unique skills.
    “But in the euphoria surrounding it, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that it is a binding document.
    “Great care should be taken to ensure that the terms and conditions within it are in the youngster’s best interests.
    “The ideal contract duration at this stage in a career would be two to three years.
    “It is enough time to create some job security and to develop within the team, but also short enough to allow for a different career path if things do not go according to plan.
    “The footballing life is notoriously short-term and young people may come round to the view that university or an apprenticeship might be better for their long-term prospects.”
    It comes after a Newcastle United cult hero who starred at the World Cup revealed why switched careers to become a greengrocer. More

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    Marcus Rashford’s ‘party’ lifestyle ‘worried Man Utd staff as long ago as 2021’ – as Rooney reaches out to ex-team-mate

    MANCHESTER United staff had worries about Marcus Rashford’s “party lifestyle” as long ago as autumn 2021, insiders claim.Concerns were raised about the star enjoying boozy nights out and holding rowdy house parties with pals.
    Wayne Rooney decided to get in touch with Marcus Rashford amid worries about his ‘party lifestyle’Credit: Getty
    Old Trafford bosses became concerned about worrying allegations regarding Rashford’s behaviourCredit: Getty
    Wayne Rooney, who had himself hit troubled patches in his career, decided to get in touch with his former team-mate.
    The Sun understands that Reds ­legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact.
    Their interventions came after Old Trafford bosses became concerned about a series of worrying allegations about England international Rashford’s behaviour.
    And The Sun told how Rashford went on a 12-hour bender in Belfast last week then rang in sick for training on Friday.
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    He was dropped for Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
    He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough on Monday.
    The club said the matter was now closed and he would be considered for selection for the game against Wolves tomorrow.
    But earlier alarm bells included Rashford’s relationship with the fans — usually rock solid given his status as an academy graduate.
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    They suffered when he clashed with a supporter at Old Trafford who criticised his performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
    He was alleged to have confronted the fan saying “Who the f**k do you think you are you silly c**t, come round the back and say it to my face”. He later denied it.
    Rooney, who like Rashford burst into the public eye as a teenager, was only too happy to help.
    A source said: “The club were alerted to some issues which ­concerned them. People around Marcus believed one solution could be to ask Wayne if he would be good enough to contact Marcus directly and offer support.
    “Wayne was only to happy to help. Marcus has always looked up to Wayne — he’s one of his idols — so he was really happy to hear from him.”
    Reds legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact with RashfordCredit: Getty
    Marcus Rashford’s turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi broke downCredit: Getty
    Rooney, who by that time had retired and was manager of Derby County, contacted Rashford by phone.
    He gave him words of encouragement and made clear he was available if Rashford ever needed to seek his advice.
    Rashford said in a 2023 interview with Gary Neville how grateful he was for Rooney’s support.
    He said: “I always think to myself like how can I help other players like ­certain players have helped me.
    “I feel like I’m in the right position and stuff to genuinely help them in the beginning of their careers. I’m trying to set them off in the right direction the same way that people like Wazza [Rooney], Carrars [Michael Carrick], Juan [Juan Mata] all set me off in the right direction.”
    But despite the support offered to Rashford, some have remained concerned that his love of nightlife has been adversely affecting his performance on the pitch.
    The 26-year-old has been spotted going into casinos, including Manchester’s 235 casino and Genting in the city’s Chinatown district.
    Rashford is understood to have started playing poker at home with some of his United team-mates and is said to have then begun to visit casinos to play in private VIP rooms, knocking back beers.
    Customers at one casino gathered by the door to try to see him. A source said: “Marcus loves playing poker and has been doing it for years. He might have a couple of bottles of beer — nothing crazy, but he didn’t used to so it wasn’t great.
    “When Marcus was challenged about it, he would always push back and say it wasn’t an issue.”
    Another source said: “Marcus loves the nightlife but the concern is that he’s been doing just too much of it. His house has been a party house.”
    More upset came when his turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 25, broke down.
    The couple met while pupils at Ashton-on-Mersey school while Rashford was a United scholar.
    A source said: “Lucia is great for Marcus because she’s a normal girl and knew him before all the money, the cars and the jewellery.
    “When you strip back his personality he isn’t the most confident around women and has the same insecurities most people have.”
    Marcus, right, with brothers Dane Rashford, left, and Dwaine Maynard, centreCredit: Instagram
    Rashford is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum MelanieCredit: PA
    Another issue which has weighed heavily on Rashford recently is supporting his extended family.
    He is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum Melanie.
    But those relationships have been put to the test following Dane’s arrest on suspicion of battery in October while on holiday in Miami with his partner.
    The police case was dropped but the fallout has seen Dwaine put his home up for sale and caused friction within the family.
    A source said: “Marcus loves all of his family dearly but it is draining for him.”
    Rashford has also bought properties for extended family members but that has added to his stress levels, as some have expected him to provide further for them.
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    The source added: “Marcus is really struggling. Anyone who cares for him needs to step up and start helping him, rather than expecting it to be the other way round.
    “He might be a wealthy footballer but he’s a young man who has lost his way. The sooner he finds it, the better.” More