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      ‘Just magic’ – One of F1’s most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him forever

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      CHARLES LECLERC and Lewis Hamilton won arguably the two most iconic Formula One races of the 2024 season.Leclerc made history as he won his home race at the Monaco Grand Prix with “tears” in his eyes, while Hamilton defied the odds to take the chequered flag at the British Grand Prix in his final home race with Mercedes.Charles Leclerc won an emotional 2024 Monaco Grand PrixCredit: RexLewis Hamilton then made history at the British Grand Prix later onCredit: ReutersBoth races were made iconic by the man behind the microphone for F1TV and Channel 4, Alex JacquesCredit: X @C4F1Both races have already gone down in the annals of F1 history for their huge significance in the modern era of the sport.But for many fans, that experience was elevated to even greater heights by the man behind the microphone, Alex Jacques.Jacques is the lead commentator of F1TV and Channel 4, and the voice of the EA Sports F1 25 video game, while he has also featured in the Netflix series Drive To Survive.His voice has become synonymous with formula racing, given he also spent a decade as the commentator of F2 before leaving the role to spend more time with family at the start of this year.READ MORE IN F1Following his work at both Monaco and Silverstone last year, fans showed their love by featuring him in numerous social media clips, often edited with emotive background music, of the races.And Jacques has not been blind to the outpouring of love fans have given him for his work.Speaking exclusively to SunSport at a launch event of the EA Sports F1 25 video game, Jacques explained his thought process in the moment and gave his thoughts on the fan reaction to it.He said: “You’re trying to tell their stories and both of those examples that you used, so for Charles Leclerc, my overarching, and it links back to the previous question, so it’s amazing to see all of those edits. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”As a commentator, you want to do justice to the moment. If you’re watching the Monaco GP and you’re watching Charles Leclerc, you might be an F1 fan and you might not know that backstory.”That’s my job as the commentator, to tell you that this guy from Monaco, oh, it’s just a rich kid winning the Monaco GP. Nothing of the sort. This guy’s been through heartbreak on multiple occasions and it’s his life’s purpose to win that race. Lewis Hamilton sent ‘flying’ after hitting huge bump as Ferrari endure Monaco Grand Prix nightmare”On that last lap, I tried to distil quite a complex story into quite a short amount of time. He’s such a well-supported driver that that lap has, as you say, been subject to so many edits on social media.”He continued: “With Lewis Hamilton, this is a driver that we got used to winning week in, week out. Suddenly, goes through a winning drought. “That was one of the best Grand Prix of all time in the entire history of the 75 years. To see him come out on top when it could have been five drivers. “So rarely do you get a Grand Prix where five drivers could win it. For him to come out on top, top three was three British drivers at the British GP. He ends his winless drought.”If you can’t do justice to those moments, that’s when you have to step forward as a commentator and hopefully provide the words that match the pictures. Both of those occasions were just magic Formula One moments.”Jacques’ infectious love for motorsport means it was “tough” for him to step away from working on F2.What was is like working on the EA Sports F1 25 game?Alex Jacques:”It’s a really long time recording the commentary for the game but it’s a wonderful experience because these are the games that I played growing up, right? So maybe it wasn’t the case with commentators from a previous generation but for me I used to love the F1 game coming out and then to be part of it and to get to record the lines. “So I’m very happy to spend a week of my life in a very dark room effectively reading and in fifth place and in sixth place and so on and so forth. “You also get to do loads of creative stuff as well and they’ll bring in other people for you to commentate with so it’s a long process but when you hear your own commentary in the game it’s well worth it.Anything in particular for fans to look out for?”Yeah, there’s new tracks all the time, there’s new storylines all the time. One of the cool things that we got to do this year is they were introducing the cars and the characters from the F1 movie. so that’s a part of the game as well and it was great to be able to, it’s very weird when you’re finding yourself talking about Brad Pitt’s character in the game. but yeah and a lot of fun. “There’s always something new, they’re always coming up with new things for the game as well. The accuracy of the tracks this year is ridiculously good and you’re like, hold on, I’ve been there, there is a hot dog stand at that point, how have they got that in the game? So yeah, loads of fun stuff like that to enjoy.”However, “he has no complaints” about stepping back to spend more time with his family after becoming a father for the first time just before this season’s Imola Grand Prix, although he jokes it has led to his favourite drink being a “strong black coffee, given how sleep deprived I am”.He said: “It’s been a strange one because I got the job in F2 first and then got opportunities in F1. F2 has always felt a little bit like the home team, if you like. “F1 is the big international call-up, if you want to put it in a football metaphor. It was tough saying goodbye because very rarely you have to leave that paddock behind. “The nice thing about whether you’re telling the story of George Russell or Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc, these are all drivers that I’ve known from when they were very young because of commentating on F3 and F2 and watching their journey all the way through. But eventually it’s time. “Eventually, you just cannot commentate on everything as much as I would love to. It was sad to say goodbye, but I have the best job in the world, so I have no complaints. “I think to get 10 years commentating on any championship in any sport is a privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed it…Thoughts on 2026 possibly being last year at Imola? Alex Jacques:”I’m not entirely sure what the situation is for Imola, but I will say that it is a historic place to go racing. “It’s very, very fortunate. Anytime you’re covering motor racing in Italy, you’re having a great week of your life. Right?”That’s the nature of it. It’s obviously the circuit closest to Ferrari’s factory, and also you’ve got the Racing Bulls factory close around there. “But it’s the nature of gravel traps, narrow circuit, tight walls, thrilling undulations. Those are the things that drivers, not just at Imola, but those are the things across the calendar that the drivers respond to.”It’s important to have that balance between the old school tracks that we love and to have the amazing locations that we go to around the world. “And we’ll see. But I certainly adore going to that racetrack every time we do.””Eventually, my wife was like, it would be nice if we could hang out at some point rather than you travel the world all the time. “I got that F2 job when I was 25, so eventually you have to make more time for the people that support you when you’re away for ages and have to do the day-to-day moments. “So, yeah, very, very fortunate to be the dad of a lovely baby girl and I have a very supportive wife and it’s nice to have a bit more of a balance even though there’s still a fair bit of travel involved.”Despite his new responsibilities away from the track, Jacques does still make time to keep an eye on F1’s feeder series and earmarked Irish racer Alex Dunne as one star to keep an eye on, even before he scored a maiden pole position at Monaco last weekend.Jacques said: “I’ve been impressed with Alex Dunne, Irish driver, making that step up. There are some drivers that I think you take them from a F3 car, you put them with a little bit more power, a little bit more grip, and they seem to come alive.”He seems to fall in that category. So, he’s an exciting prospect. but there are loads of really, really talented drivers. You’ve got to be consistent. Thoughts on Ipswich Town’s season?Alex Jacques:”Was there a season this year? I don’t know. You skipped over.”Well, it’s worth saying that we are having this chat underneath Tottenham’s stadium. And the one thing I would say about Ipswich’s season is that, okay, it didn’t go to plan. “And I think there was an expectation around the club that we would be more competitive than we turned out to be. But we got some away days at grounds that we hadn’t visited before.”We got away days at, you know, and the combination of being able, I watched Ipswich win their first Premier League game in 22 years with my dad upstairs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That’s a memory I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. “What Kieran McKenna gave Ipswich Town fans was not only amazing football in League One, in the Championship, but also when we got to the Premier League, away days and experiences that other clubs take for granted. And Ipswich hadn’t had for two decades.”Hadn’t had a trip to Old Trafford. That was amazing. Taking the lead there. You’ve got to see it as glass half full.”Okay. Lost a lot of points from winning positions this year. But hold on, last year we gained 30 points from losing positions. So you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth.”Did we get promoted a little bit too early? Clearly on the evidence, yeah, we probably did. But have we bought? well?”I think so. I think we’ve got a great squad for the Championship next year. Take nothing for granted with like, oh, bounce back immediately. You have to win so many games.”We’ve seen this with Burnley. Seen this with Leeds. You’ve got to win an awful lot of games. I think the club is a little bit exhausted.”It will catch its breath over the summer. I think when you go from League One, when Kieran McKenna took over at Ipswich Town, Ipswich Town were below Accrington Stanley in the table. “I don’t think anyone could be moaning about the fact that it didn’t go to plan in the Premier League. I’ll take whatever timeline this is and he can stay for as long as he likes.”We need to build a statue of him for what he did. Not all seasons are going to go to plan, but I still enjoyed all the away days in the Premier League I was able to get to. “And I’ve got full confidence that if he’s still behind the wheel next year and he hasn’t been poached by a Premier League club, we’ll bounce straight back. “”But ultimately, I think all the drivers that eventually make it to F1, there are defining days in F3, in F2, where you watch what they do.”Thinking about Kimi Antonelli, the new Mercedes driver, at Silverstone last year, one second a lap faster than everyone else in the field. And that includes three F1 drivers who also graduated with him.”That is the type of performance that if you put in in F2, you can make a name for yourself. And everyone’s watching, everyone’s watching in the F1 paddock. “So, great start for Alex Dunne, lots of talented names in that championship this year, but you need to see a standout performance, whether it be an overtaking performance through the field. Get yourself on the radar. A standout head-bind drive is the best way to do it.”However, Jacques’ position on the “ludicrous” three-way 2025 F1 title race is far less clear as the 36-year-old can’t pick between McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris or reigning world champion Max Verstappen, but is certain it is “the best type of season” with the field being so close.He added: “I really loved it because you’ve got three drivers at totally different stages of their careers. You’ve also got Lando Norris, [who] came in as the pre-season favourite.”Can he deal with the expectation on his shoulders? And Oscar Piastri, exceeding expectations for where he is. You’ve got the McLaren drivers trying to win their first championships.”You’ve got Max trying to make history and emulate the great Michael Schumacher. And he’d only be two behind the all-time record if he gets five with a lot of his career still to go. It’s a wonderful dynamic. The qualifying sessions have been so tight.Read More on The Sun”We’ve not had a gap between first and second. that’s been over a tenth. That is ludicrous. We used to have gaps between first and second of a second back in the early 90s. F1 is ultra-competitive, we’re having a great season.”EA SPORTS has launched their new F1 25 game, with the iconic Edition out now and the Standard Edition launching May 30th. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.Quickfire questions: Alex JacquesBuild your dream driver:Racecraft: Fernando AlonsoQualifying Pace: Charles LeclercTalent: Max VerstappenAwareness: Lewis Hamilton all dayDefence: Fernando AlonsoTyre management: Ooh, tyre management. Probably be one of the McLaren boys at the moment because they seem to have that on lock, don’t they? Yeah, we’ll give Lando tyre management.Quickfire round: Favourite drink: Favourite drink? Wow, I didn’t expect that. Probably a strong black coffee, given how sleep deprived I am on the boat.Favourite food or snack during comms: You’ve got to have a bag of Haribo to get you through, especially if you’re doing an overnight one.Guilty pleasure: Guilty pleasure. Yeah, watching Ipswich Town win this year because it’s not been a regular occurrence.Favourite racetrack: Monza. Favourite car: Favourite car? Of all cars. F1 or… F1 or what? The 1998 McLaren. That’s the first season I watch, so that’s always my favourite F1 car. Favourite driver of all time: Favourite driver of all time? Similar answer. Mikka Hakkinen, champion the first year that he won and my childhood hero. And yeah, still get starstruck by him in the paddock. He’s a lovely chap. More

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      George Russell warns Mercedes ‘nothing is out of the question’ with F1 future up in the air

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      GEORGE RUSSELL revealed he’s happy to partner up with ANYONE on the grid as his Mercedes future remains up in the air.The Brit’s current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season and he expects to know about any extension “before the summer”.Mercedes’ George Russell has ruled out nothing with regards to his futureCredit: Shutterstock EditorialRussell opened up to reporters, including SunSport inside the Mercedes motorhome at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, about his preferences for 2026.The 27-year-old, whose last contract extension came in August 2023, said: “I want to be at Mercedes next year. That’s where I want to be.”But things have to be right. It’s all got to make sense. But I can’t see why it won’t happen.”I’ve always said I’d be happy to be team-mates with any driver on this grid.READ MORE F1 NEWS”So I don’t think anything is out of the question for next year, in terms of any movement on the whole grid.”Russell, who sits fourth in the Championship standings after a P3 finish in Miami, also opened up the happier atmosphere around the Silver Arrows crew this season.He said: “There’s been more calm in the team. It’s a good place for us right now.”We’ve made almost no mistakes this year. We’ve been better in high pressure moments on the radio to give the strategists more time to think.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, the entire F1 driver market, including Russell, hinges on the plans of four-time world champion Max Verstappen.The Dutchman, 27, may choose to invoke a performance-based exit clause in his contract should he remain unhappy with Red Bull’s output and the loss of key personnel such as Adrian Newey.Verstappen’s clause reportedly becomes active during the summer break in August – and rival teams like Mercedes are waiting for him to firm up his future before finalising their own line-ups.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GP More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s private handwritten note which ‘fulfilled the heart’ revealed by Mercedes F1 successor Kimi Antonelli

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      LEWIS HAMILTON penned a “heart fulfilling” private note to his Mercedes replacement Kimi Antonelli.The Italian prodigy, 18, reacted to Hamilton’s personal message for the first time ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.Lewis Hamilton wrote a handwritten letter to Kimi AntonelliCredit: ReutersAntonelli took over from Hamilton after the Brit announced he was ending his 12-year stint under Toto Wolff to fulfil his dream of racing for Ferrari.And as Mercedes use the same motorhome for European races only, Antonelli only got to read the letter when he arrived on Thursday.Opening up about it, the young Italian, who was born down the road in Bologna – which is a 30 minutes drive away from the Imola circuit – said the note was “motivational”.Antonelli said: “It says a lot about how Lewis is as a person. I could see a lot of the human side of Lewis, not only the driver.READ MORE IN F1″Reading the message, it fulfilled my heart to receive it from such a figure in the sport.”He has done so much and he’s still right there giving his best. He’s one of the best in history.”It was amazing. It also contained some advice, and I will use it as motivation to go out there and do my best — because it doesn’t happen every day.”Quizzed on if he’ll keep the letter, Antonelli added: “Yeah, it’s actually on my wall. I’ll keep it there.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The message is so nice that I just want to leave it there. Every time I enter the room, I can see it. It’s a really good reminder.”Antonelli has hit the big time in F1 and is now keen to bring his school pals along for the ride.Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upOn media day, he rolled out the red carpet for his family and classmates to get an exclusive taste of the trackside action at Imola.He even joined in the festivities in his hometown on Wednesday evening as its football team clinched their first silverware in over half a century.Antonelli has dreams of bettering his record-breaking Sprint pole achieved last time out in Miami, and sits just above Hamilton in sixth in the drivers standings. More

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      ‘Won’t say thank you any time soon’ – George Russell reacts as hated F1 rule is overturned

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      GEORGE RUSSELL “won’t be saying thank you” anytime soon after blasting Formula One’s swearing rules as too “ridiculous” in the first place.The Mercedes star, who sits fourth in the Championship standings, showed no gratitude to F1’s governing body after labelling the walk-back on rules as “suspect” ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.George Russell has criticised the FIA’s stance on swearing and criticising officialsCredit: GettyFIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dramatically reduced the fines after receiving backlashCredit: AFPOn Wednesday, the FIA climbed down on its previous stance of drivers facing potential bans and point deductions for swearing or criticising officials, and dramatically reduced the possible fines that can be issued.Crucially, the stewards are now able to differentiate between ‘controlled’ and ‘non-controlled’ environments, meaning drivers are highly unlikely to be punished for swearing while competing, but will still face action for using offensive language in press conferences.But Russell, was unmoved by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem cutting the first time fines from £33,700 down to £4,200.The 27-year-old said: “I didn’t really have any reaction to the announcement because it was so ridiculous in the first place that we are just basically reverting on that.READ MORE ON F1″At the end of the day we’re not going to be saying thank you for something that was so crazy in the first place.”We’ve just gone back to something that is slightly more in the name of common sense”But we should never have moved away from that in the first place. You know, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation.”Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, also revealed that he “wonders if the change was strategic timing” given that Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of the season.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBen Sulayem said when the rule change was announced that he had “led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships”.But, Russell has refused that claim, saying: “We’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA. So yeah, it’s all a bit suspect.”Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upFerrari driver Lewis Hamilton, 40, also agreed that the situation was “ridiculous”.The seven-time champion said: “It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure.”Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – who last year was the first driver to be punished for saying his car was “f***ed” with a form of community service – said the change was “a bit better and it’s a start”.Incredibly, Russell and Verstappen both backed the potential bid of Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of Williams driver Sainz, in this December’s FIA presidential election.When asked if Sainz would be a better president, the world champion Red Bull star bluntly replied: “You can fill that in yourself.”He’s very well respected in the world here and in the rally world as a former rally driver.”Of course people always say it’s conflicting with his son but I think he’s professional enough to keep that separated from each other.”I think it would be a great addition to run for president.”Russell also dismissed the idea there could be a conflict of interest because of Sainz’s son, who is also a GPDA director.Read More on The SunThe Brit said: “You’re so far removed from a technical standpoint. It’s down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers.”The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we’ve seen recently and far less visible.”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

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      Ferrari star forced to pull out of media duties through illness as F1 team confirm he ‘will not be coming to the track’

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      CHARLES LECLERC has pulled out of media duties due to illness ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.The race on the famous Imola circuit in Italy is scheduled for Sunday and will be the home debut for Lewis Hamilton since switching to Ferrari.Charles Leclerc has pulled out of media duties ahead of the Emilia Romagna GPCredit: AFPHis team-mate Lewis Hamilton will have to represent FerrariCredit: GettyBut the Englishman will not be joined by his team-mate for media duties.Ferrari confirmed that the Monegasque driver will not be heading to the track due to sickness.The F1 team insisted that he would be expected in the car for practice ahead of qualifying on Saturday.A statement read: “Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today.READ MORE ON F1″He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow.”Leclerc is currently 5th in the Driver’s Standings with 58 points but he is yet to win a race this season.He finished on the podium in 3rd in the Saudi Arabian GP back in April.Hamilton, however, is currently 7th in the driver’s standings with only 41 points and is yet to finish in the top three.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis performance has left Ferrari well off the pace in the constructor’s standings with only 94 points.They trail Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and leaders McLaren.Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleMeanwhile, the Emilia-Romagna GP is at risk of being axed from the F1 calendar.F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it is difficult for two races to be based in Italy.He told RAI radio: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1.”It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.”It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.” More

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      ‘He hasn’t finished’ – F1 team boss and former Lewis Hamilton colleague gives verdict on Brit’s Ferrari struggles

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been backed to get back to winning ways by Formula One boss James Vowles.Vowles, now team principal of the Williams Racing F1 team, worked alongside Hamilton at Mercedes for over ten years as the team achieved unprecedented success.Lewis Hamilton has been backed to get back to winning ways by former Mercedes chief James VowlesCredit: GettyHamilton has struggled to produce results since joining Ferrari at the start of the seasonCredit: GettyVowles has led a huge resurgence of Williams Racing since becoming team principalCredit: AFPHe departed his position as strategy director for the Silver Arrows in January 2023 to become the team principal of Williams Racing with Hamilton then following suit by announcing his exit to Ferrari a year later.However, despite a Sprint Race win during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton has struggled to get the best out of his new drive in 2025.Indeed, the seven-time world champion is yet to finish above P5 during a Sunday race.But Vowles – who helped Hamilton to win six of his seven F1 drivers’ titles – reckons his old colleague has more to give.READ MORE IN F1Speaking to SunSport during an event at the Williams base this week, the 45-year-old said: “I haven’t chatted to him much, but the same adaption you’ve seen Carlos [Sainz] have to do into our car.”It’s hard to explain, but all of us are going, even though the cars are in the temperature of each other, we are quite different in terms of the philosophies that we’re adapting to, where the weight is, where the air balances, how much drag performance, and the front tyres are weaker this year.”And I think when you merge that all together, it takes a little bit of time for drivers to be able to get up to speed.”I’d probably say give him time, because he hasn’t finished. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I think people are reflecting on more than anything else on his qualifying position, but in the racing, he’s still there challenging Charles [Leclerc] all the way through. “So I’m not seeing that he’s particularly off the pace, it’s just bits that he has to fix on the way.”Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upAfter six races of the season, Hamilton has out-qualified Monegasque team-mate Charles Leclerc just once.Although Leclerc’s own underwhelming race results this season mean they are separated by 12 points with Ferrari down in fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship standings.During the last race week in Miami, Hamilton had a last-lap collision with the man he replaced at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, as the Spaniard attempted to overtake him to score more points for Williams.The iconic team had finished last in the 2022 F1 season before Vowles’ arrival but are now running top of the midfield with almost double the points of the team in sixth, Haas.Williams improvementVowles sang the praises of the team at the factory and their “world-class” driver combination of Sainz and Alex Albon.The pair had been involved in an untelevised radio spat in Miami after Albon overtook Sainz despite having a reliability issue, with Sainz complaining over an alleged team orders break.But the issue was sorted within two minutes after the race, with Vowles saying the gaffe was down to the pit wall and revealing Sainz had spent 45 minutes offering solutions on how to fix it in the debrief.He explained how the duo have been instrumental in extracting the best out of the car and believes the gap to the cars in front of them are “only a couple of tenths”.However, Vowles declared he was “not interested” in potentially lucking into a podium and said the team would have to “dig deep” to have a chance to scoring their first top three finish since George Russell in 2021, or Lance Stroll in 2017 for a full race.He said: “In my world, there’s two different types of podiums. One where we’ve almost lucked into it, and I’m not interested, I mean that can happen this year, but I’m not overly interested in that. “There’s one where we earn it, because we’ve actually built a car. And that’s what made Miami special.”We were there fighting, not because six other cars in front of us disappeared, but we were there fighting on their end. “You can see what the gaps are, it’s actually just a matter of a couple of tenths now is what we’re missing in order for that to happen, and a track rarities and expose our vices.”So the difficulty will be this, it’s a relative gain, in fact most of the teams you’re already hearing are bringing up base in the last race, Red Bull Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, there are definitely three other teams, so the interest is to see what the next movement will be.Read More on The Sun”It’s a couple of tenths, I’m just not sure we have the ability to find that within this year without focusing on next year. We’re obviously going to dig deep and see what we can find in it.”The Imola Grand Prix is up next this weekend but follows reports the iconic circuit could drop off the F1 calendar.Vowles sung the praises of Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex AlbonCredit: Getty More

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      How Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other sporting ventures are going as Man Utd chief admits Nice are ‘so much better without’ him

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE promised a bright new dawn for Manchester United.More than a year on, the club are set for their lowest Premier League finish and worst domestic season since their 1974 relegation — all while firing a staggering 450 club staff.Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been busy this seasonMan Utd are set for their worst ever Premier League finishBut Nice are experiencing immense success in Ligue 1Victory over Tottenham in next week’s Europa League final could alter the narrative, sealing Champions League football to add to ambitious plans unveiled recently by Ratcliffe and Ineos – his multinational chemical company.United are just one part of a £2.2BILLION-plus sporting empire that  once looked dominant but is now showing some cracks. Here, SunSport’s MARTIN LIPTON breaks down the rest of Sir Jim’s portfolio — sport by sport . . . FOOTBALLRead More on FootballBEFORE Manchester United, there was Lausanne and Nice.In 2017, Ineos announced a deal to take over the Swiss club, described as part of the chemicals giants’ “continuing investment in youth and  community sports” in the area.A pledge of “full backing” for manager Fabio Celestini lasted until the club were demoted six months later.Lausanne have been a yo-yo club in the Ineos era but now sit well clear of relegation and  are settling into the 13,000-capacity Stade de la Tuiliere, which was opened in 2020.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTwo years after the Swiss investment, Ineos bought French side Nice in an £89million deal, with Ratcliffe stating: “We made some mistakes at Lausanne but we are fast learners.“These have been rectified and we are already seeing the benefits.”Ineos arrived with Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira in the dugout but he was sacked after 15 months. Four full-time successors have come and gone since, with Franck Haise now reaching the end of his first season, where he is well positioned to improve on Ineos’ best Ligue 1 finish of fifth.Despite a winless Europa League campaign, Nice are fourth domestically with a game left.They are one of three teams on 57 points and could finish as low as  seventh. But a home win over Brest on Saturday will all but guarantee Nice entry to Champions League qualifying.Last summer, after investing £1.3billion to take over “sporting operations” at United, Ineos were forced by Uefa to transfer most of their shares in Nice to a blind trust.’So much better without our interference’Ratcliffe admitted in March: “The best season that Nice has had is this one, where we’ve not been allowed to get involved due to multi-club ownership rules. They’ve been so much better without our interference! Maybe there’s a lesson.”When Ratcliffe confirmed his buyout of just over a quarter of United’s stocks from the Glazers, he vowed to lead the Old Trafford club back to the top but said: “It’s going to take two or three seasons.”That looks an understatement.The dismissal of Erik ten Hag was overdue but paying Newcastle £3million for sporting director Dan Ashworth only to sack him after five months was an expensive embarrassment.Ratcliffe publicly backs Ruben Amorim but has criticised certain players.The announcement of the £2bn plan to build a 100,000-capacity “New Trafford” as the centrepiece of a huge development project next to the club’s home since 1910 was a signal of ambition.With Ineos’ finances under scrutiny, it has been claimed Ratcliffe could exit MercedesFORMULA ONEINEOS became Mercedes’ “principal partner” in a five-year £100m deal signed in 2020 and by the end of the year had taken a one-third stake.Back-to-back team championships in their first two years made it eight in a row, Sir Lewis Hamilton winning the drivers’ title in 2020 and only losing out to Max Verstappen on the final lap in 2021.But that was the end of Mercedes’ domination and Hamilton joined Ferrari ahead of this season.George Russell remains a title contender even if his car is slower than the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as well as Verstappen’s Red Bull.With Ineos’ finances under scrutiny, it has been claimed Ratcliffe could exit but team principal Toto Wolff said: “He is one of us three amigos — Mercedes, Jim and I. We are never going to part ways.”New Zealand Rugby launched a legal case alleging a ‘breach of contract’RUGBY UNIONRATCLIFFE’S Ineos became a “performance partner” of the All Blacks in 2021 on a  six-year deal worth £4million per season — but they could be kicked into touch.New Zealand Rugby launched a legal case alleging a “breach of contract” in February after announcing Ineos had “failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit” the agreement.That came with Ineos admitting  it is suffering financially from rising levels of carbon tax in Europe, making chemicals a “tough industry to be in”.Ratcliffe can’t Haka it, moaning in March: “We talked to New Zealand Rugby about the fact that times are tough.“We wanted to see if we could find a compromise, which you would have thought as a sponsor of the All Blacks they’d have listened to, but they didn’t want to listen.”NZ are currently an unacceptable No2 in the world.Ineos bankroll the cycling team to the tune of £40million per yearCYCLINGTEAM SKY had become the dominant force in world road cycling under Sir Dave Brailsford with riders including Tour de France winners Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.They were rebranded as Team Ineos in 2019, becoming Ineos Grenadiers the following year. The company promised to match or even exceed the team’s £34million annual budget.Colombian Egan Bernal won the team’s seventh Tour de France title in the first year of sponsorship but there have been no further triumphs in cycling’s elite race.Ineos bankroll the team to the tune of £40m per year but are closing in on a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with another petrochemicals giant, TotalEnergies.In January, Ineos announced a third challenge — but without Sir Ben Ainslie’s involvementSAILINGOLYMPIC sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie and Royal Yacht Squadron Commodore Jamie Sheldon were with Ratcliffe in 2018 to announce the launch of Ineos Team UK and its bid to finally win the America’s Cup.The crew, including another Olympic champion in Giles Scott, reached the final of the Prada Cup qualifying campaign in 2021 but were outsailed by Italy’s Luna Rossa, who in turn was comfortably beaten by the holders, Emirates Team New Zealand.Ineos committed more than £110million and renamed the team Ineos Britannia before the 2024 edition of the world’s oldest sailing race.This time, with another Olympic champion, Dylan Fletcher, joining Ainslie at the helm of the twin-hulled craft, the British boat reached the final in the waters off Barcelona.But they again fell short, beaten 7-2 by the Kiwi vessel.In January, Ineos announced a third challenge — but without Ainslie’s involvement.Ratcliffe suggested: “Ben wanted to do his own thing and that’s fine.” But Ainslie claims he has the right to be the “Challenger of Record” with access to more information than other contenders.Ainslie’s team  was “astounded” by the Ineos move, adding it “raises significant legal and practical obstacles”.ATHLETICSKENYAN superstar Eliud Kipchoge’s successful bid to break the two-hour barrier for the marathon distance in 2019 was bankrolled by Ratcliffe through the Ineos 1:59 Challenge.Read More on The SunKipchoge covered 26.2 miles in Vienna in 1:59:40.2 — although it did not count as an official world record as he was allowed a series of pace-setters and it was not an open event.Later, in 2022, Ineos signed an agreement to become “performance partner” to Kipchoge’s Dutch-based NN Running Team.In 2022, Ineos signed an agreement to become “performance partner” to Eliud Kipchoge’s NN Running Team More

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

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