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    Premier League stars’ luxury cars including Ferrari found in shipping containers on the way to Dubai after being stolen

    TWO Premier League stars have had their flash luxury cars returned to them after the vehicles were found in shipping containers headed for Dubai.The supercars recovered by the Essex Police’s Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit were a Ferrari and a Range Rover.
    The Premier League player has been reunited with his flash red FerrariCredit: East Anglia News Service
    The silver Range Rover has also been reunited with its ownerCredit: East Anglia News Service
    So far this year, the force’s team has recovered 517 cars or parts of vehicles with a combined value of more than £16million.
    The two players, who have not been identified but have more than 100 international caps between them, had their cars stolen in neighbouring counties.
    The SVIU’s PC Paul Gerrish, PC Phil Pentelow and analyst Hannah Gerrish, tracked down the vehicles to shipping containers which were due to travel to Dubai from London Gateway Port in Thurrock.
    As yet, no arrests have been made in connection to the vehicle thefts.
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    It’s thought once a car is stolen, thieves may look to quickly sell it on, even for a price well below its market value, or strip it for parts or even ship the whole vehicle  to areas such as the Middle East or Africa, where it can be sold for two or three times its cost in the UK.
    The thieves or handlers of the stolen vehicles may obtain false or cloned identities before selling it on to an unsuspecting member of the public in the UK or even distribute them to other criminals.
    Essex Police launched Operation Ignition this summer which saw the SVIU, Roads Policing and investigators work together to break up the criminal gangs behind the thefts.
    The SVIU has managed to return vehicles to hundreds of victims from family saloons to supercars.
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    PC Gerrish said: “Every stolen car is important to us and we work as hard as we can to get them back to their owners.
    “When you phone someone up and tell them we’ve got their car with their kids’ car seats and the pushchair in the back, or other personal items, it’s hugely satisfying.
    “We are creating a hostile environment for car thieves. We know what to look for and we know how and where they operate.”
    One of the Premier League footballers went to the SVIU base to be reunited with his car and praised the team’s work.
    PC Pentelow said: “He was genuinely thankful and taken aback by the lengths we had gone to.
    “His car was clearly very dear to him, and he was very impressed with the service he’d had from the police.
    “Even though he plays for one of my team’s biggest rivals, he was a nice guy and down-to-earth. It was good to help him.”
    The SVIU team work with manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, BMW and Mercedes-Benz to improve vehicle security.
    The team recommends drivers learn about their car’s vulnerabilities by watching videos online and check the website Secured by Design to find recommended safety devices for your car and think about getting a Disklok.
    However, they say the biggest vulnerability is people leaving their vehicles unlocked.
    PC Pentelow said: “Double lock it and check it. We still see CCTV where people’s cars aren’t locked.”
    In July this year, the Essex Police’s SVIU team recovered cars and car parts worth £1m, in one of their most successful weeks ever.
    The unit recovered high-end cars including a Rolls-Royce, a Bentley Bentayga, alongside several Range Rovers and BMWs.
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    In recent months they have located and recovered a range of Ferraris and Aston Martins.
    A Rolls-Royce Cullinan recovered during recent operations was worth more than £360,000 alone.
    PC Phil Pentelow and PC Paul Gerrish say they are creating a hostile environment for car thievesCredit: East Anglia News Service More

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    Lewis Hamilton eliminated early as Max Verstappen takes pole for Dutch GP by a landslide

    LANDO NORRIS was the best of the rest as Max Verstappen took another pole position – and did so by a landslide.The Dutchman only needed one quick lap as he took a comfortable pole ahead of British duo Norris and George Russell.
    Max Verstappen eased his way to pole positionCredit: Getty
    Lewis Hamilton had a tough day at ZandvoortCredit: Rex
    Verstappen, who is going in search of a record-equalling ninth straight win, was over half a second clear from the rest of the field in damp conditions at Zandvoort.
    And Norris admits he has a slim chance of beating the Red Bull ace in tomorrow’s Dutch GP.
    When quizzed if he could fight Verstappen for the win, Norris said: “I’ll try and challenge for two laps and then he’ll probably drive away.
    “Max is always on another level when it comes to race day.”
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    “I’m happy still. P2 was a good result in these kind of conditions.
    “Every now and then you hope Max makes a mistake, but he doesn’t, so it is frustrating in a little way. But I’m very happy. The team did a good job.
    “The first half of the [final] lap was mega but the second half was probably one of the worst second halves I’ve done.”
    Verstappen knows another win will level Vettel’s incredible achievement but says he’s not focused on breaking records.
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    Max Verstappen is hoping to make it three Dutch GP wins in a rowCredit: EPA
    He said: “After five wins in a row, Seb texted me and said ‘you’re doing a good job, keep it going’ but nine in a row is impressive, and to be on eight.
    “If it is possible I will go for it, but it is not in the back of my head. I am not here to break records, just win in the moment.”
    Russell will line up in third place on the grid while his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton had a miserable afternoon and qualified way down in 13th.
    It was a crucial result for Russell, who says he had struggled with his form in Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
    He said: “Qualifying was one of my strengths at the start of the year, but the last few races before the break were a little scrappy.
    “So it was good to have the break with a fresh pair of eyes and to come back back in the groove.”
    Verstappen’s pole came after two delays as some drivers struggled with the drying track after a heavy downpour.
    First there was a wait for over 30 minutes as marshals repaired the barriers after Logan Sargeant crashed his Williams.
    And then Charles Leclerc somewhat-embarrassingly lost control of his Ferrari and slid off into the barriers.
    Meanwhile, Hamilton is hoping he can improve on his poor qualifying performance.
    He only just made it into Q2 after being caught up in traffic.
    The Brit was then a shock elimination from the second session as he failed to reach the top 10.
    The seven-time world champion was stuck behind Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri and unable to string a lap together.
    He said: “I did two fast laps in the end and the tyres overheated, so I couldn’t improve on the last lap.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Hopefully, when the car is heavier maybe we can progress forward in the race.
    “It’s not an easy track to move forward on, but tomorrow’s a new day and I will give it my best.”
    Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou’s crashed outCredit: Reuters More

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    Lewis Hamilton contract update with no new deal signed with Mercedes during F1 break as sticking point revealed

    FORMULA ONE returns this week after the summer break – and a void of news about Lewis Hamilton’s future.After being told that a deal was close to being signed back in June, there has still been no pen put to paper, as the saga rumbles on.
    Lewis Hamilton has huge brand worth to Mercedes so is in a good position to drive a hard bargain over a new contractCredit: Alamy
    Mercedes supremo Toto Wolff remains confident of a deal with HamiltonCredit: Alamy
    At the Hungarian GP, Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two parties had “emotionally” agreed to sign – so why the hold up?
    The likelihood is that the duration of the contract – expected to be two years – has been agreed. As well as the wages of around £50million a year.
    However, the likely sticking point will centre on the amount of time Hamilton will be contractually obliged to be available for Mercedes’ sponsors.
    Hamilton is in the box seat. He knows his worth to Mercedes in terms of his brand and is understandably willing to play hardball.
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    On the other side, Mercedes are stuck in they have not really got an alternative. Mick Schumacher is not in the same league and a legal battle for McLaren’s Lando Norris could be messy.
    Hamilton will be asked about the contract this week, but I am not holding my breath for a resolution just yet.
    Meanwhile, Wolff suffered a fall during the summer break after coming off his bicycle. The Mercedes boss hurt his elbow but it expected to be at this week’s Dutch GP as the season resumes.
    It is not the first time Wolff has hurt himself in a cycling accident. In 2014, he fractured his shoulder, collar bone, elbow and wrist after coming off while cycling along the Danube River.
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    New kid on the grid
    RED BULL RACING are out to catch the next Adrian Newey – after planning a new education centre at the team’s factory.
    In an F1 first, the facility will be based at their HQ and will welcome students between nine and 14 with a goal of attracting them to careers in engineering, such as design whizz Newey, who has won eleven Constructors’ Championships with three different F1 teams.
    In association with the Milton Keynes College Group, Red Bull want to use the popularity of the sport to encourage kids to study STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] subjects at school.
    Zoe Mills, Red Bull Racing’s Head of Employee Experience said: “The utopia for us is where we have someone come to an interview and we ask them why they want to work for us and they say ‘it is because I went to the education centre and that is what inspired me to continue with my STEM subjects’.
    “All the engineers are keen to get involved. For instance, if you look at our aerodynamics department, they will work with Milton Keynes College, who will break it down into a language that is easy to understand for nine-year-olds.”
    Dutch dampener
    Since returning to the F1 calendar in 2021, the Dutch GP has been blessed by sunshine – but this weekend’s race could be hit by rain.
    Max Verstappen has won at the circuit for the past two years and a third victory would mean he equals Sebastian Vettel’s record of NINE consecutive wins.
    Andretti sweaty as they wait for verdict
    FORMULA ONE hopefuls Andretti expect to discover next month if their bid to join the grid in 2025 has been accepted.
    Andretti teamed up with Cadillac and submitted an application, with F1 and the FIA now considering whether to increase the number of teams from 10 to 11.
    There is currently some stiff opposition from some teams, who are not prepared to give up a share of the F1 prize pot.
    Tile in the Bag as Fran takes it to the Max
    FRANCESCO BAGNAIA dominated the MotoGP race in Austria last weekend and now has a 62-point advantage over Jorge Martin.
    Read More on The Sun
    The Ducati ace looks unstoppable and former MotoGP champion, Fabio Quartararo says the Italian is doing a “Verstappen” by winning everything.
    He said: “No [I don’t see anyone stopping Bagnaia]. I think he’s a little bit ‘Verstappen’ now.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton ‘talks to Ferrari chief EVERY race’, fuelling speculation over sensational F1 team transfer

    LEWIS HAMILTON has sparked talk of a stunning transfer to Ferrari after it was revealed he speaks to Fred Vasseur at every race. Ferrari team principal Vasseur confirmed he and the 38-year-old speak at every Grand Prix.
    Lewis Hamilton’s contract situation remains uncertainCredit: Splash
    Ferrari team principle Fred Vasseur confirmed he speaks to Hamilton at every Grand PrixCredit: AP
    He also said they have a close bond, owing to when Hamilton raced under Vasseur in his title-winning GP2 season in 2006 – which led the Brit to getting an F1 seat with McLaren in 2007.
    But seven drivers titles later, Hamilton is now one of the faces of the sport.
    Vasseur, 55, places him alongside Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as the best on the grid.
    And he is not ignorant to Hamilton’s contract situation at current team Mercedes, which is set to expire at the end of the season.
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    Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Frenchman Vasseur explained his relationship with Hamilton, saying: “I talk to him at every GP, he raced for me 20 years ago and we are still close.
    “I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career and we talk from time to time. 
    “Clearly if we are seen together in the paddock a fuss comes out, but the relationship has remained.
    “I don’t want to compare him to our drivers, it would not make sense. But the contribution of a top driver is not only driving.”
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    He continued: “It’s also technical, strategy, help in hiring an engineer. And in this case, if you have Hamilton, Verstappen but also Leclerc it’s easier.
    “People who work in F1 are passionate about racing, they like to work with champions.”
    With the mid-season break in full swing, Hamilton has been enjoying some time away from the track.
    And according to some sensational reports, he has been spending some of that time with singer Shakira.
    The pair having sparked dating rumours after being spotted together over the last few months.
    Shakira is claimed to have snuck Hamilton into her luxury Ibiza villa on three separate occasions.
    Hamilton finished P4 at the Belgian Grand Prix almost three weeks ago but must until August 27 before he gets racing again at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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    I was Lewis Hamilton’s F1 understudy earning more than £1.5m a year… now I’m making drastic change studying at Harvard

    LEWIS HAMILTON’s former understudy used to rake in more than £1.5million as an F1 Driver.But after losing his seat as an Alpha Tauri driver this season he has embarked on a drastic career change, according to Racing News 365.
    De Vries has swapped the paddock for HarvardCredit: Getty
    Nyck De Vries revealed that he has swapped the paddock for the lecture halls of Harvard as he has gone back to university to complete his education.
    The Dutchman said: “I’ve never studied before in my life, in fact, I didn’t even finish high school.
    “But in September I’m going to take a course at Harvard. Negotiation and Leadership, a little bit of studying. More because I just like it now that I have some time and the interest to learn other things.”
    Many thought the Dutchman was hard done by to lose his seat as an Alpha Tauri driver, with the Red Bull team moving ruthlessly to replace him after results were not up to the required standard.
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    De Vries was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo after just 10 races this season as he was one of only two drivers not to secure a top-10 finish alongside Williams’ rookie Logan Sargeant.
    The decision of Red Bull to bring Ricciardo in dashed De Vries dreams of becoming an established F1 driver having won both the F2 and Formula E Championships before getting his Formula One break aged 27.
    When asked by Racing News 365 if his dismissal was tough to take, De Vries said: “Actually [it was] not.
    “I had a lot of support and it actually went very naturally. I’ve been playing a lot of golf since then.”
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    De Vries was previously a reserve driver for Mercedes where he tested for Lewis Hamilton.
    And Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is an executive fellow and guest lecturer at the Harvard Business School – where De Vries will now study.
    Wolff has helped teach MBA students a case study led by Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse entitled ‘Toto Wolff and the Mercedes Formula One Team’.
    So it may be the case that while De Vries was dealt with ruthlessly by Red Bull, his former boss Wolff is still looking out for him.
    De Vries is not the only former F1 driver heading back to study.
    Former Williams driver Nicholas Latifi announced last month he was starting an MBA course at the London Business School. More

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    Mercedes F1 supremo Toto Wolff injured in mountain biking accident as wife Susie shares pictures of his arm in a cast

    TOTO WOLFF has injured his arm while mountain biking on holiday.The Mercedes team principal was snapped by his wife Susie with his son, Jack, while his arm was in a blue cast.
    Susie Wolff shared a snap that showed Tote Wolff’s castCredit: susie_wolff / Instagram
    Susie mentioned in the caption for the photo that the injury happened when Wolff was downhill mountain biking.
    On Instagram, she wrote: “Action-packed start to the summer holidays.
    “Last picture shows how the downhill mountain biking ended for Toto.”
    However, the extent of Wolff’s injury is not known.
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    Susie’s post was viewed by her 731k followers, with many of them wishing Wolff well.
    One commented: “Oh no! Poor Toto, hope he feels better soon! Apart from that, wonderful pictures!”
    A second wrote: “OMG Toto is so injury prone 😳 I feel for you Susie 😌.”
    A third said: “Of course Toto 😭 heal quick Toto.”
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    A fourth joked: “The next time with training wheels 😂.”
    While a fifth added: “Wishing you a quick recovery! Oh BOY!!!!”
    The F1 season is currently on hold for the summer break with many of the drivers and staff members relaxing before the second half of the campaign.
    Mercedes are currently second in the constructor’s standings, a massive 256 points behind leaders Red Bull who have 503 points.
    Red Bull have won 12 out of 12 races so far with Max Verstappen winning 10 and Sergio Perez winning the other two. More

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    Shakira and Lewis Hamilton are ‘something more than friends’ after ‘Ibiza meet up’ as pop star shares studio pic

    SHAKIRA and Lewis Hamilton “have something more than friendship” after the pop star shared a studio picture following a “secret Ibiza meet up”.Rumours have been swirling online that the Waka Waka singer and F1 racer were dating after they have been spotted getting cosy at a string of events in recent months.
    Shakira and Hamilton have been spotted getting cosy together in recent monthsCredit: Instagram – Mustafa
    The singer took to Instagram while posing up in a Los Angeles recording studioCredit: Instagram
    The pair are said to be in a situation that is “more than friendship” but Jodi Martin, a journalist well-acquainted with Shakira, recently attempted to clarify the information circulating about the alleged “relationship”.
    “I would like to deny an information that has come out in a Catalan newspaper, where they say that Hamilton is tired of Shakira’s attitude,” Martin said.
    “I can categorically deny this information because I have spoken to Shakira’s entourage and they confirm that between Shakira and Hamilton, there has always been a beautiful friendship.
    “And that, between them there has been something more than friendship. The two knew very clearly that there was nothing serious and that there was total freedom between them to do whatever they wanted,” she added.
    READ MORE ON SHAKIRA
    According to an insider, Shakira and Hamilton enjoyed three secret meetings at her Ibiza villa late last month.
    Paparazzo Sergio Garrido told Spanish TV channel Telecinco that the pair met “three times in the Ibiza villa” where Shakira was staying earlier this month during a break in the F1 season.
    “When the workers left, the singer stayed alone with her private escort and received a visit from Hamilton,” he said.
    Garrido also claimed that Hamilton’s driver overheard the pilot’s “constant conversations” with the Latina singer.
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    But these aren’t the only times that the alleged couple have enjoyed each other’s company.
    Shakira watched from the Mercedes team’s VIP area as the seven-times champ, 38, sped to a podium finish on his home circuit at Silverstone last month.
    Revving up dating rumours, she was also pictured beaming at the Spanish Grand Prix last month as she cheered the Mercedes driver to second place.
    Afterwards, he was snapped with his arm around her waist as they had cocktails with friends in Barcelona.
    In May, Shakira also watched Hamilton race in Miami – her new home town since moving to the US earlier this year.
    Shakira’s repeated rendezvous with the F1 star also caused a stir in the same month when they enjoyed a dinner together at the lavish Miami restaurant Cipriani.
    Smiling at each other, Shakira appeared to join 92-time race winner Lewis and pals at his table in a short video snapped by a fan.
    Meanwhile, her rumoured beau Hamilton was spotted enjoying downtime in Ibiza with 20-year-old tennis player and heiress Jenny Stray Spetalen and Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez.
    But Hamilton isn’t the only sports star Shakira appears to be getting close to, as she was last month seen on what appeared to be a date with NBA ace Jimmy Butler.
    She and Butler, 33, were pictured leaving Novikov Restaurant & Bar in London just two minutes apart – with the singer escorted to her car by his entourage.
    In her most recent romantic sighting two weeks ago, eagle-eyed fans spotted the Hips Don’t Lie singer taking a dip in a river with Latino singer Rauw Alejandro.
    She and the singer were pictured bathing in Puerto Rico – with Alejandro just coming out of his split from pop star fiancée Rosalía.
    But while seemingly ignoring the swarm of swirling dating rumours the pop icon shared a snap on Instagram of her posing in a Los Angeles recording studio.
    With her back facing the camera and her long locks draped down her shoulder, she looked back casually while captioning: “Studio vibes in LA!”
    Meanwhile, Shakira’s ex-Gerard Pique has moved with his new lover Clara Chia, 24, into the couple’s old mansion, an insider claimed.
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    The footballer’s new home is reportedly the one where he lived with the Colombian star during her first pregnancy.
    The Colombian superstar announced her separation from Pique last May after spending 11 years together.
    The F1 driver was reportedly spotted three times at Shakira’s Ibiza villaCredit: Getty More

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    Michael Schumacher fans in tears after son Mick shares touching tribute to stricken legend in dad’s helmet and car

    MICHAEL Schumacher fans have been left in tears as his son Mick shared a touching tribute to his sick dad while wearing his helmet in his car.Mick Schumacher took to Instagram to share a series of touching photos after he drove the Formula 1 legend’s Mercedes at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed.
    Mick Schumacher took to Instagram to share a tribute to his sick dad at the Goodwood Festival Of SpeedCredit: Instagram
    Mick sported his dad’s old Mercedes helmet and overalls while driving his carCredit: instagram
    Thousands of fans were left in tears as they reminisced about Michael’s racing daysCredit: Instagram
    The images were also posted by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team – who seven-time champion Michael raced for between 2010 and 2012 during his three-year comeback to F1.
    The Goodwood Festival Of Speed which took place on July 13 and ended on July 16 saw Mick racing the silver and green sportscar in front of an adoring crowd.
    Photos captured from the event show Mick sporting his dad’s helmet and overalls from 12 years ago – leaving fans teary-eyed and filled with nostalgia.
    In one image the 24-year-old can be seen posing up next to the Mercedes W02 while wearing a white racing suit, as he holds the iconic red Petronas helmet under his arm.
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    Another photo shows an incredible headshot of Mick as he sits behind the wheel of his dad’s old car and stares into the camera with concentration and focus.
    In one more snap, Mick looks down towards the cherry-red helmet and smiles while sporting the classic black Petronas overall.
    The series of tribute images racked up over 600,000 likes from Schumacher fans across the world and the touching comments came pouring in.
    One wrote: “Some of us grew up watching Michael racing (we all miss him a lot ) …. But watching this kid wearing that helmet and driving that car is absolutely magical … Mick should have a place on the grid not only as a reserve driver”.
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    Another said: “Why I got sad? Why my brain show me flashbacks? Hope you will have a great career like him brother”.
    A third added: “I’m so hopeful that your recent absence from races is because you’ve found the ride you deserve on the grid, so happy you got to drive your dad’s car! hope you enjoyed yourself”.
    Ahead of the racing festival, Mick said: “It’s going to be spectacular to run in my dad’s 2011 car, the W02, even if it is only a short run. Just experiencing this generation of cars will be mega.
    “Knowing that he raced this car makes it extra special, and there will be many emotions coming with it.
    He added: “I have been lucky enough to drive one of his Benetton cars and some of the Ferraris he raced. But this will be the first time behind the wheel of a Mercedes he drove. I am sure I will get out of it with a big smile on my face.” 
    Michael is still regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time but remains out of the public eye after he was involved in a devastating ski crash accident in 2013 while on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps.
    He fell and hit his head on a rock while crossing an off-piste area – suffering a serious head injury despite wearing a ski helmet.
    Doctors said he would most likely have died had he not been wearing the safety gear, and the world champ was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital.
    He was put into a medically induced coma after suffering what was described as a “traumatic brain injury”.
    The former Ferrari and Mercedes driver was brought out of the coma in June 2014 and was released to undergo rehabilitation at his home in Gland, Switzerland.
    The 53-year-old now lives a private life with his family, now in Majorca, with the tragic ski accident coming just over a year after he retired from F1 in 2012.
    In May, an ex-teammate of Michael – Johnny Herbert – said that his son must be going through hell over his dad’s condition.
    The three-time F1 race winner described the struggle that Mick has faced not having his dad alongside him in the paddock.
    But he hailed the young driver for handling the terrible situation “brilliantly”.
    And he questioned whether the 24-year-old may have suffered under the pressure of his dad’s legacy.
    Although details about Michael’s recovery remain private, his wife Corinna spoke about him in a Netflix documentary examining his illustrious career.
    She said: “I just felt that he is somebody special.
    “I think that he is simply very strong mentally. Extremely strong. He still shows me how strong he is every day.”
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    The doting wife added: “I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him. It’s the children, the family, his father, everyone around him.
    “Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here – different, but here.”
    Michael Schumacher wore the white overalls and red helmet when he raced for Mercedes between 2010 to 2012Credit: AFP More