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      Michael Schumacher’s pal Jean Todt gives update on F1 legend’s condition saying ‘he is no longer the Michael we knew’

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s close friend and former boss Jean Todt has said the F1 legend “is no longer the Michael we knew” in the latest update on his condition.December 29 will mark a decade since the racer’s tragic ski accident in the French Alps that left him in a medically-induced coma for 250 days.
      Michael Schumacher’s fans got another glimpse on the driver’s condition as his close friend and former boss Jean Todt, left, gave the latest updatesCredit: AFP
      The ex-Ferrari and FIA boss said Schumacher is ‘no longer the Michael we knew’Credit: AFP
      Schumacher, now 54, hasn’t appeared publicly ever since as his family provided very few updates on his condition.
      But now, ex-Ferrari and FIA boss Todt has given fans a glimpse into Schumacher’s current state.
      “Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” he told French paper L’Equipe in a recent interview.
      “He’s just not the Michael he used to be.
      Read more on Schumacher
      “He’s different and he’s wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him.
      “His life is different now, and I am privileged to share moments with him.
      “Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago.
      “He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.”
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      F1 presenter Florian König also revealed the one thing he tells every curious fan asking about Schumacher’s health.
      Speaking to German producers ARD, König said: “Whenever someone speaks to me, at the airport or elsewhere, the question often comes up: ‘Do you know how Michael is doing? Do you know what’s going on now?’
      “I always say the same thing: I don’t ask the family at all.”
      The presenter, 56, explained why he also doesn’t seek answers from the Schumacher family.
      “I absolutely respect the fact that they only gave very sparse information, and I think that’s right,” he said.
      König, one of RTL’s Formula One faces for many years, added: “I notice from these questions that people are still interested and that they still share in his fate.”
      Meanwhile, Schumacher’s F1 pal Mark Blundell shared heartbreaking regrets over the racing legend’s tragic skiing accident.
      The former McLaren driver, who called Schumacher ruthless and brilliant, said he hopes the Ferrari racer is fit enough to understand the sport.
      Blundell, 57, raced in Formula One and competed against the German legend in the 90s.
      Before getting into F1, the two also raced in sports cars.
      And now the former McLaren star has opened up about Michael’s tragic skiing crash which left him in a medically induced coma in December 2013.
      He said: “At the end of the day, what happened to him was incredibly difficult to take.
      “I don’t know where we are today with Michael’s health as he’s rightly guarded.
      “He’s still around, and hopefully he understands what’s going on. That would be a plus. It’s very difficult.”
      Speaking to OLBG, Blundell expressed his regrets over Michael not being able to share amazing anecdotes from his thrilling career – and said it is a “huge loss” for the F1 community.
      “Michael is a big loss for F1 as he had all of those titles under his belt, and we’re sadly not able to hear about those accolades and how he went about getting them.
      “It’s such a shame we missed out on his insight.
      “We also missed on how he could have supported his son and other up-and-coming drivers.
      “That’s a huge loss.”
      It comes as a new five-part documentary by German broadcaster ARD might shed some light on what happened all those years ago and how the former Ferrari and Benetton star is now faring.
      “Being Michael Schumacher”, to be aired on December 28, will explore the driver’s early years including his rise to prominence, from a go-karting background to one of the best drivers in Formula 1 history.
      Read more on The Sun
      The new series will follow a 2021 documentary produced by Netflix in which Schumacher’s wife Corinna remained tight-lipped about her husband’s condition, saying only that he was “different” post-crash.
      Corinna is known to have protected her husband’s privacy to such an extent that only their immediate family and the closest of their friends know any details about how he is doing.
      The Ferrari star won seven world championships in his racing careerCredit: Alamy More

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      Jenson Button, 43, to make shock RETURN to motor racing 14 years after winning F1 world title

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      JENSON BUTTON will make a shock return to elite level racing in 2024.The 2009 Formula One champion will compete in next season’s World Endurance Championship.
      Jenson Button will return to motorsport next yearCredit: PA
      Button has signed a deal to drive in the eight-round season, which includes the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
      He will be behind the wheel of a Porsche 963 for Hertz Team Jota.
      Button will share driving duties with fellow Brit Phil Hanson and Denmark’s Oliver Rasmussen.
      The new season begins with a race in Qatar on March 2.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      On returning to the track, Button said: “I’m thrilled to be racing with Hertz Team Jota in the 2024 World Endurance Championship.
      “I’m already looking forward to the first race in Qatar but also know there’s a lot of work to be done so that we arrive prepared.”
      Button will be 44-years-old at the time the campaign starts.
      And 14 years would have passed since he won the F1 world championships with Brawn-Mercedes.
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      Button retired back from the sport in 2017, having also driven for Benetton, Renault, Honda and McLaren.
      Since quitting F1, he has worked as a pundit for Sky Sports and as an adviser for Williams. More

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      Fans in stitches at ‘worst name for a team in F1 history’ as Alfa Romeo rebranded for upcoming season

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      FANS have been left in stitches after seeing Alfa Romeo’s rebranded name for the next F1 season.The Italian carmaker has seen its spot in the 2024 season confirmed alongside the likes of Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.
      Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake has been rebranded for the new F1 seasonCredit: Getty
      The Sauber-works team has agreed to a new sponsorship deal with Australian streaming platform Kick.com.
      The F1 team finished 9th in the Constructors’ Champions in the 2023 season.
      For the 2024 season, the team will have a new name of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber thanks to their rebrand.
      And F1 fans have not been won over by the name as they remained unimpressed on social media.
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      One fan posted: “Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber might be the worst name for a team in F1 history.”
      A second commented: “Worst name ever.”
      A third wrote: “This is terrible! Personally don’t like it. It just doesn’t sound cool.”
      A fourth said: “How did they go from ✨Alfa Romeo✨ to this? 😭.”
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      A fifth complained: “I can’t get over why ‘Team’ is in the middle of the name….?”
      Another added: “Kick Stake Sauber F1 Team makes much more sense, no? Still sounds w**k, but makes more sense…”
      Red Bull Racing enjoyed huge success during the most recent season.
      The team won the Constructors’ Championship with 860 points.
      While driver Max Verstappen won the driver’s title having won 19 races. More

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      Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton SNUBBED as McLaren boss names three best current F1 stars

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      MCLAREN team principle Andrea Stella snubbed Sir Lewis Hamilton when naming the top three drivers currently in Formula One.Hamilton, 38, has won a record seven world championship titles since his debut season in 2007.
      Andrea Stella has named his top three drivers in F1Credit: Getty
      The McLaren chief snubbed Lewis HamiltonCredit: Splash
      However, the Hertfordshire-born driver has struggled to match rival Max Verstappen over the last two seasons.
      Amid Mercedes’ on-track struggles, Hamilton finished sixth in the Driver Standings last year and third this term.
      And Stella thinks he is no longer among the best drivers on the grid.
      The Italian believes three-time world champion Verstappen is the best, along with Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.
      READ MORE ON F1
      He told DAZN: “Lando is already one of the best drivers on the grid.
      “He is very fast, very good in the race, with tire management… When I think about Lando, I think that if the team and I gave him a good car, he would be able to fight for the championship.
      “When we talk about being the most complete, I definitely think of Fernando Alonso. He basically has no weaknesses.
      “I think this makes him unique. He is not the best in many things, but he is very strong in all of them.
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      “Lando, I think his development as a driver will make him so complete. He reminds me a little of Fernando.
      “My top 3 drivers with the same cars would be Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.”
      Red Bull topped the constructors championship standings this year, with Mercedes finishing second and Ferrari third. More

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      World’s hottest racing driver Logan Misuraca looks sizzling in flowing dress for glam event as fans gasp ‘that outfit’

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      RACING driver Logan Misuraca has wowed fans with her outfit at a glam event.The 24-year-old Misuraca shared the stunning pics to her Instagram account which boasts 116,000 followers.
      Racing driver Logan Misuraca wore a flowing dress for an event for a charity founded by star race car Kyle Busch and his wife SamanthaCredit: Instagram/loganmisuraca
      Misuraca also revealed plenty of leg as fans adored the 24-year-old on InstagramCredit: Instagram/loganmisuraca
      In 2022, Misuraca made her ARCA Menards Series East debut in the season-opener at New Smyrna and placed seventh in the raceCredit: Getty

      Misuraca competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series.
      She has raced in NASCAR events in the past.
      Logan has been a supporter of charities and created 1inaMillion.life to help support mental health awareness.
      On Monday, she went to an event for a charity founded by star race car Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha called The Bundle of Joy Fund.

      The non-profit organization helps couples who are facing infertility with education and empowerment.
      Misuraca stunned on the red carpet at the event and wore a flowing green dress.
      She also revealed plenty of leg as the 24-year-old posed for the camera.
      Logan captioned the Instagram post while promoting the jewelry company Ballantyne Jewelers, writing: “Such an incredible event last night @bundleofjoyfund.
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      “Raising funds and awareness for a beautiful cause!
      “@samanthabusch You are such an amazing human being!
      “Love you!”
      And fans were impressed with Misuraca’s jaw-dropping outfit.
      One wrote: “Gorgeous.”
      “Stunning,” a second stated.
      A third said: “That outfit! You look beautiful!”
      Last year, Logan made her ARCA Menards Series East debut in the season-opener at New Smyrna and placed seventh in the race.
      Read more on The Sun
      This season, she drove the No. 63 car for Spraker Racing Enterprises at Dayton and Talladega.
      Misuraca is the first female racer sponsored by the energy drink Celsius. More

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      Christian Horner accuses Mercedes of ‘f***ing up’ with ‘poor Lewis Hamilton’ when Max Verstappen won F1 world title

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      RED BULL team boss Christian Horner has accused Mercedes of “f***ing up” on the day Lewis Hamilton missed out on the 2021 World Championship in controversial manner.The infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw the British star miss out the F1 world title to Max Verstappen.
      Christian Horner accused Mercedes of ‘f***ing up’ with Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
      Max Verstappen bagged the win at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
      Verstappen won the World Championship title that day
      Hamilton was unable to secure a record-breaking eighth F1 title
      December 12 marked the second anniversary of the 2021 season finale which saw Hamilton dethroned from his streak of F1 title wins.
      He had won four years in a row before he gave up his crown to Dutch driver Verstappen following a controversial decision.
      FIA race director Michael Masi did not enforce the Safety Car rules correctly which led to a one-lap shootout for the title.
      Hamilton, who was leading the whole race, was set to secure his eighth world championship but was beaten to the title in the dying seconds with his rival on fresher tyres.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      Verstappen overtook the Brit at the Turn 5 hairpin to take the race victory along with the F1 title.
      And it was found the Dutchman had pitted for a new set of soft tyres ahead of the restart while Hamilton was left exposed on worn hard tyres.
      Horner accused Mercedes of making a strategic error with their driver.
      He told Sky’s A League Of Their Own “I have absolutely no idea” why the race is so well-known.
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      Horner continued: “Mercedes f***ed up. They left poor Lewis out there on tyres that had done pretty much most of the race and we’d pitted with Max, so he was on a fresh set of tyres.
      “Max made the move.”
      Horner revealed Verstappen never planned to complete the decisive pass at the hairpin but aimed to launch a move up the inside as he struggled with a cramp in his left leg.
      He said: “The interesting thing is where Max passed him – it caught Lewis completely by surprise.
      “After the race, Max told us he didn’t intend to overtake him there but he got cramp behind the Safety Car and he couldn’t feel his left foot properly, so he thought: ‘Oh, f*** it, I’m going for it anyway.
      “And then, when they were going down the straight, he was trying to wake his left foot up to hit the brakes for the next chicane.” More

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      Michael Schumacher update as ski instructor claims ‘2 grave mistakes’ were made on day of F1 icon’s life-changing crash

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      TWO crucial mistakes were made on the day of F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s ski crash, an instructor who rushed to help the stricken driver has said. German author and journalist Jens Gideon has been probing the horrific accident 10 years ago which led to the 7-time world champion’s withdrawal from public life.
      The seven time Formula One winner was left with life-threatening injuries following a ski crash in 2013Credit: Alamy
      Very little information about Schumacher’s current condition has been shared with the publicCredit: Getty
      His wife Corinna has been instrumental in keeping details about his health privateCredit: Alamy
      He has now released the findings of his investigation for the German broadcaster ARD – pointing to key errors.
      Schumacher’s health has been shrouded in silence and secrecy for 10 years since the accident on December 29, 2013.
      Gideon however has now visited the scene of the crash in the French Alps.
      After speaking to a local ski instructor – named only as Andre – he believes there were two mistakes made around Schumacher’s crash.
      read more schumacher
      The first was the lack of snow on the ground, which meant it was extra dangerous to ski.
      And the second was that as Schumacher appeared conscious after the initial crash, first responders didn’t realise the severity of his condition.
      Andre was one of the first people to arrive at the scene of Schumacher’s tragic accident.
      The Ferrari and Mercedes driver had been skiing off-piste with his son Mick.
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      Andre recalled that there wasn’t enough snow on the ground that day, which made it an exceptionally dangerous day to ski.
      The absence of adequate snow meant that more rocks were exposed.
      He said: “You don’t go in there on a day like that. It was clear that there wasn’t enough snow.”
      He also told Jens that he recalled seeing the crushed helmet, and that there was still a camera atop the helmet.
      Although the camera footage has never, and presumably will never, be shared publicly – it is believed the accident was caught on camera.
      And the local ski instructor said Schumacher appeared to be conscious – and that is why he was taken to the hospital in Moutiers.
      Andre said that the fact that he appeared alert may have given first responders the impression that he was in a better condition than he actually was.
      He told Jens that the racing legend’s health seriously deteriorated whilst he was being airlifted to the town of Moutiers.
      He lost consciousness and was intubated.
      When the helicopter eventually landed it was immediately decided that it should take off again and fly to the bigger, more specialised hospital in Grenoble.
      Andre said that if this had been decided earlier, Schumacher could have been there three minutes earlier, and received the treatment he needed in better time.
      Instead, the racing champion was put into a medically induced coma that lasted 250 days.
      He then underwent two operations to remove blood clots, and very little was said other than the fact that he faces a long road ahead.
      In the 10 years since the racing champion fell whilst skiing in Meribel, France, Schumacher has remained out of the public eye.
      His inner circle of family and close friends have been sworn to secrecy and a family lawyer has been brought in to protect private matters.
      Felix Damm, the Schumacher family lawyer, maintains that this approach to the situation has strengthened the protection of the Formula One legend and his family.
      While he understands that many Schumacher fans want to know how the star is doing, he believes that they should respect the family’s privacy.
      This comes after Formula One journalist, Roger Benoit, told Swiss newspaper Blick that Schumacher was “a case without hope.”
      Formula One legend and friend of Schumacher, Johnny Herbert, called the comment “horrible”, but did reveal that Schumacher was “not close” to his former self following his ski crash.
      He continued by saying his friends are often left in the dark about his health.
      Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the ex-Sky Sports pundit said: “There’s never any news. What we do know is we never hear any positive news.
      “That’s the horrible thought that he is still not able to be close to the Michael that we all remember. And that is very sad.”
      He also reflected on how the star’s crash affected his younger brother, Ralf Schumacher, and the honest character that Michael had always been.
      “Ralf has had to do a lot of things for and with the family given what happened to Michael.
      “He has matured. He is very different now to the person he was as a driver.
      “He is a good human being now. He has changed a lot having had to cope with the ongoing situation with his brother.”
      Last month, former McLaren star Mark Blundell said: “At the end of the day, what happened to him was incredibly difficult to take.
      “I don’t know where we are today with Michael’s health as he’s rightly guarded.
      “He’s still around, and hopefully he understands what’s going on. That would be a plus. It’s very difficult.”
      Meanwhile, Schumacher’s wife Corinna has used the Netflix documentary Schumacher to comment: “I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here.”
      “Different, but he’s here and that gives us strength, I find.
      Read more on The Sun
      “We try to carry on a family as Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.
      “‘Private is private’, as he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.”
      Michael Schumacher is widely considered to be one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all timeCredit: Getty
      According to his wife, family life has always been important to the racing championCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Many of the star’s closest friends are still being kept in the dark about his healthCredit: AP More

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      Lewis Hamilton scolds FIA at F1 awards ceremony as he suggests Baku do was unnecessary and sticks up for Susie Wolff

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted the FIA’s handling of their bungled conflict-of-interest investigation into Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his wife, Susie.On Thursday evening the FIA confirmed they were dropping the case after just TWO DAYS following an article citing that rival F1 teams were upset that the latter was working as managing director of F1 Academy.
      Lewis Hamilton is in Baku for the FIA’s annual galaCredit: Alamy
      Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff have both responded to bogus conflict-of-interest claimsCredit: EPA
      It followed a display of unity from F1 teams, who released statements saying they had no issue with either’s positions.
      Speaking at the FIA prize giving gala in Baku, Hamilton delivered a stinging attack on F1’s governing body, accusing them of “trying to pull us back” when they make progress.
      He said: “It has been a challenging week – a disappointing week really.
      “To see the governing body of our sport has seeked to question the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders we’ve ever had in our sport, with Susie Wolff, without questioning, without any evidence. Then just saying sorry at the end, that’s just unacceptable.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      “We’ve got a lot of great people in the sport that are doing amazing work, there is a constant fight to really improve diversity and inclusion within the industry.
      “But it seems there are certain individuals within the leadership of the FIA that every time we make a step forward they’re trying to pull us back and that has to change.
      “This is a global sport and we have such an incredible opportunity and a natural responsibility to be a leader of change, travelling to all countries around the world we have a responsibility to make sure we are pushing the right direction.
      “I do want to acknowledge there are a lot of people doing great work but we need to make some changes to make sure we are pushing in the right direction.”
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      It comes as Wolff, who is team principal, CEO and co-owner of the Mercedes F1 team said he was seeking a legal explanation from the FIA over the matter.
      He issued a statement saying: “We are currently in active legal exchange with the FIA. We await full transparency about what took place and why, and have expressly reserved all legal rights.”
      His statement came after his wife, a former racing driver and Formula E team boss herself, had posted on social media responding to the FIA’s short statement that they had ceased their investigation.
      She wrote: “When I saw the statement issued by the FIA, my first reaction was: ‘Is that it?’.
      “For two days, insinuations have been made about my integrity in public and through background briefings, but nobody from the FIA has spoken to me directly.
      “I might have been collateral damage in an unsuccessful attack on somebody else, or the target of a failed attempt to discredit me personally, but I have worked too hard to have my reputation called into question by an unfounded press release.
      “I will not allow myself to be intimidated and intend to follow up until I have found out who has instigated this campaign and misled the media.
      “What happened this week is simply not good enough. As a sport, we must demand, and we deserve, better.”
      Meanwhile, Hamilton also took aim at the FIA for holding their annual event in Baku, Azerbaijan – a five and a half hour flight from London.
      Read more on The Sun
      He added: “Whilst I really like Baku, it’s really a beautiful place, questions in my mind of whether the FIA is really actually thinking about sustainability because so many people flew out here.
      “The FIA is based in Paris and it just would have been easier to stay there.”
      F1’s most high-profile figures including Christian Horner and Max Verstappen have travelled to BakuCredit: Alamy More