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      in Motorsport

      Every F1 team ranked for pace after testing with season-opening Bahrain GP days away… and it’s bad news for Mercedes

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      LEWIS HAMILTON may be in for a tough season if the analysis of one Sky Sports F1 pundit turns out to be correct.Hamilton and co were taking part in pre-season testing in Bahrain before the first race of the season this Saturday, March 2.
      Ted Kravitz revealed his ranking for the F1 teams after testing in BahrainCredit: Rex
      Kravitz’s analysis was not good news for Lewis Hamilton and MercedesCredit: Rex

      Formula One pundit Ted Kravitz was keeping a close eye on the teams’ performances during the testing days.
      And he has now revealed where he thinks each team ranks in terms of pace.
      Kravitz told Sky Sports he reckons Haas will be at the back of the pack, with Sauber, Alpine, Williams and RB ahead of them going up to sixth place.
      Getting into the top five however, Kravitz kicked things off by saying Aston Martin would once again be behind the front four.
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      He then tipped McLaren to be fourth place, but also said they were a team with “plenty of potential” to grow.
      For his top three, Kravitz then named Mercedes.
      He explained: “Mercedes showed they do have some speed but much more to learn from a transition into a car that they don’t know, but there’s lots to learn on that.
      “I think Mercedes think they are behind Ferrari but not too far.”
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      Things went far from smoothly in testing for seven-time world champion Hamilton given his W15 ran over a loose drain cover and forced Thursday’s morning session to be abandoned.
      Testing for the Brackley based team came with the backdrop of Hamilton having announced he will be leaving the team at the end of the season and joining Ferrari.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      Red Bull unsurprisingly then topped the tree ahead of Ferrari.
      Kravitz said: “Then Ferrari clearly ahead of that pack.
      “Given that Leclerc was on the C5, the softest of all them, but Sainz with the fastest lap of the test, in the 29s, that was only the C4. So clearly I think Ferrari are second.”
      He continued: “Which leaves in front, Red Bull – but by how much? Between eight tenths and three tenths to Ferrari, that’s what I think.
      WHO COULD REPLACE HAMILTON AT MERCEDES? Mercedes will have a vacant seat for 2025.
      Here, SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt looks at FIVE potential candidates who could replace him and partner George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
      Oscar Piastri – McLaren have sewn up Lando Norris to a new long-term contract that should (in theory) put him out of Mercedes’ reach. However, they are yet to tie down his teammate Piastri, 22. The Aussie has an excellent record and won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles before spending a year on the sidelines with Alpine and getting his chance in F1 with McLaren. He impressed on his debut season last year and has the potential to be a world champion.
      Daniel Ricciardo – The experienced driver’s future remains in doubt as he bides his time at Red Bull’s B-team. Ricciardo would be low-hassle and offer some stability but by that time he would be 35. It seems unlikely that they would opt for him at this point in his career, but if he has a good season this year, he could come into the reckoning.
      Kimi Antonelli – You may not have heard of the Italian, but he is mustard. Still only 17, he has won at all the junior categories and has been part of the Mercedes young driver programme since 2019. This season he has been promoted from F4 to F2, where he has been tipped to shine. A good debut season in F2 could sway Mercedes into taking a risk on him for 2025. Antonelli and his family are close to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
      Mick Schumacher – Wolff has always been so incredibly supportive of Schumacher and spoken highly of him, that you’d at least expect him to come into consideration. He knows the team from his role as reserve driver and consequently would get up to speed. But speed is also the problem. He was shocking at Haas and if he really was THAT good, he’d still be driving in F1.
      Alex Albon – A more-sensible choice would be the London-born Albon. A great guy who is also very quick. He has a fantastic relationship with Russell and would be the low-maintenance quick partnership similar to Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that swept to successive titles. Albon would take little convincing to join from Williams and Mercedes would not need to pay him half of the £50million they were dishing out to Hamilton.

      “Tyre corrected, Max Verstappen would have been quickest because he set his time on the C3 tyre.
      “And if there’s seven tenths to the C5 which Leclerc was on, then that makes Max faster today by three or four tenths of a second. 
      “So I think it’s anything from a conservative three tenths to an absolutely whacking optimistic eight tenths, or even maybe more.”
      Max Verstappen and Red Bull were placed top of the tree by KravitzCredit: Getty

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      in Soccer

      TNT Sports take cheeky dig at hit BBC show ahead of Arsenal’s crunch Premier League ‘battle’ vs Newcastle

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      TNT Sports took a cheeky dig at the BBC during their coverage of Arsenal vs Newcastle.The kick-off was moved from TNT’s usual 12:30pm slot to a primetime 8pm Saturday showing to maximise the number of TV viewers.
      The Arsenal vs Newcastle game has been moved to a primetime TV slotCredit: AP
      The presenters took a cheeky dig at GladiatorsCredit: BBC
      Welcoming viewers to the game, lead commentator Darren Fletcher said: “Forget Gladiators, the battle is here.”
      The comment was in reference to Gladiators on BBC One, which is showing at the same time and has recently been relaunched.
      The much-loved 1990s show has been revamped with Bradley Walsh presenting alongside his son, Barney.
      Former Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg also oversees the action as the referee on the show.
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      Clattenburg recently dipped his toe back into the refereeing game after taking a job at Nottingham Forest.
      The former whistler will be a ‘referee’s analyst’ for the club, the first of its kind.
      The football feeling does not end on the hit TV show, with Guy Mowbray providing the commentator.
      Mowbray is well known for his commentating on Match of the Day, week to week.
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      The show was recently hit by “fix” claims after a former gladiator claimed there were certain events that contestants would find “impossible” to win against burly gladiators.
      Arsenal entered the game against Newcastle looking to close the gap at the top of the table.
      Gladiators in chaos as referee forced to stop game after epic wardrobe malfunction and contestant is left injured
      The title-chasers will be just two points off Liverpool if they can beat Newcastle tonight.
      Manchester City took a major step in their hunt to reel in Liverpool earlier as they triumphed over Bournemouth 1-0. More

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      How kind Kate Garraway came to Chris Kamara’s rescue amid his crippling health battles

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      FOOTIE pundit Chris Kamara says he has made huge progress in his battle with speech apraxia thanks to Kate Garraway.The Good Morning Britain host Kate, 56, recommended an “experimental” treatment in Brazil which has helped the ex-Sky Sports star regain fluency in his voice.
      Chris Kamara has made huge progress in his battle with speech apraxiaCredit: Jonathan Brady / PA
      It comes after GMB host Kate Garraway recommended an ‘experimental’ treatment in BrazilCredit: PA
      Kammy, 66, said during the new series of Dave’s travel show World’s Most Dangerous Roads: “I’d say I’m 25 per cent away from the person I used to be.”
      Close pal and ex-Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling, 68 replied: “Seventy five percent of Chris Kamara is more valuable than 100 per cent of a lot of people you see on telly.”
      Kammy was diagnosed with speech apraxia in 2021. The condition, which interrupts messages from the brain to the vocal cords resulting in slurred speech, has also affected his balance and ability to walk.
      But he flourished thanks to the advice to go to Brazil given by friend Kate, who took her late husband Derek Draper to Mexico for treatment after his speech was affected by Covid.
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      The methods used in the treatment are unknown but results have been so good, the former Bradford City manager is urging for it to be available in the UK.
      He said: “The treatment has not been sanctioned by the world medical boards. I’ll be campaigning to try and get it over here.”
      During his tour of Sri Lanka with Jeff — on the country’s most hazardous roads — Kammy showed how much progress he had made.
      He said: “I thought that was it, it’s over, but I’m back working with my best buddy and maybe getting away with the voice.”
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      Jeff added: “There was a time where I didn’t think I’d see Kammy as we knew him again, but Most Dangerous Roads has given him a boost because he’s realised he can do things”.
      The co-hosts will discuss their hopes of working with each other in the future should Kammy’s health improve in next Sunday’s episode.
      This Morning pays tribute to Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper after he dies aged 56
      Kate took late husband Derek Draper to treatment in Mexico after his speech was affected by CovidCredit: ITv More

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      Sky Sports pundit forced to leave studio in middle of Porto vs Arsenal while reporting on match

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      THE SURPRISE reason Keith Curle left his punditry role live on TV in the middle of a game has been revealed.The 60-year-old former England defender has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of Hartlepool United in February 2023. 
      Keith Curle left TV viewers completely bemused on WednesdayCredit: Alamy
      The ex-Man City ace left the Sky Sports News studio midway through Arsenal’s loss at PortoCredit: Sky Sports News
      Manchester City’s ex-captain has since returned to the world of punditry.
      This week Curle was tasked with updating viewers on Sky Sports News with developments from Arsenal’s defeat in Porto on Wednesday.
      However, supporters were left completely bemused as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1998 Player of the Year disappeared midway through the Champions League game.
      Some surprised viewers even took to social media, with one tweeting SSN directly and asking: “Anyone know why Keith Curle stopped commenting tonight on sky sports??”
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      Now the remarkable reason behind him abandoning his post during the broadcast has been revealed by the Daily Mail.
      And it was all to ensure that he made it home on time.
      Curle was working live from Sky’s studio in Isleworth, which is a town located within Hounslow Borough in West London.
      He removed his headset and left 15 minutes into the second half of the Arsenal match.
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      That was because he had to dash across the capital in order to get to Euston.
      Curle was booked on a 10.30pm train to Sheffield, where he lives, and had to depart in order to ensure he was on it.
      Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers
      The much-liked former centre-half played for Bristol Rovers and City, Torquay United, Reading and Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang before signing for Man City in 1991.
      He spent five years with the Cityzens before going on to have a four-year stint at Wolves until 2000.
      Curle then moved to Sheffield United for two-seasons before ending his playing days with Barnsley and Mansfield Town.
      The three-time capped England international then became player-manager of the Stags and has since been in the dug-out at Chester City, Torquay and Notts County.
      He took over Carlisle United in 2014 and spent four years there prior to joining Northampton Town and leading them to play-off promotion from League Two in 2020.
      After leaving there in 2021, he had a short stint in charge of Oldham Athletic before last season’s 29-game tenure at Hartlepool. More

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      in Motorsport

      I’m a former Nascar driver and Sky Sports F1 presenter, now I’m set to become a Netflix star

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      NETFLIX’S hit Formula One show Drive to Survive is set to feature a new face who will be recognisable to Sky Sports F1 and Nascar fans.The sixth season of the popular documentary will feature Danica Patrick, a former Nascar and IndyCar driver who has become infamous for controversial statements.
      Danica Patrick is joining Netflix’s team for Formula One: Drive to SurviveCredit: Getty
      Co-producer Tom Rogers explained Patrick added a ‘great perspective’ to the showCredit: Getty
      Patrick has worked with Sky Sports F1 since 2021Credit: The Mega Agency
      Patrick, 41, first appeared on Sky Sports F1 for the 2021 US Grand Prix, and has become a regular sight for viewers since then.
      And now she will be a feature on Netflix’s F1 docuseries, which has been credited with boosting the sports popularity since its 2019 debut.
      Drive To Survive co-producer Tom Rogers explained the reason behind Patrick’s addition.
      Speaking to the New York Post, he said: “We attempt to focus on the stories of the sport and with Danica, she brings a great perspective of … what it’s like to drive a racing car … and the challenges of the sport.
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      “The periphery to that is less important for us in the sense that she’s bringing a good contribution to the story.”
      Dubbed the “Queen of the Brickyard” Patrick is among the most successful and recognisable women in motorsport history.
      She has started eight Indianapolis 500 between 2005 and 2018 while scoring six top-10 finishes, also winning the rookie of the year award after leading for 19 laps in her debut race.
      Patrick left IndyCar for Nascar in 2012, where she recorded seven top-10 finishes over her five-year spell in the series.
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      Since retiring in 2018 she has moved into punditry, where she cultivated a polarising reputation among fans.
      Rodgers added: “I think she does a really good job explaining to our viewers some of the thought processes that the drivers are going through.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      “Her background as a driver provides a really interesting perspective that we maybe haven’t tapped into before.”
      Patrick previously dated American football star Aaron Rodgers for two years before they split in 2020.
      She has previously modelled for Sports Illustrated in 2008 and 2009 and had a cameo in the 2019 remake of Charlie’s Angels.
      Patrick has copped flak for a number of topics.
      These include “insensitive” remarks about former competitors, alleged support of former US President Donald Trump and sharing conspiracy theories about aliens living on earth.
      Comments she made while on Sky Sports during the Hungarian Grand Prix last year received particularly sharp criticism following claims from Patrick that F1 was a “masculine” sport.
      She said: “I think that the nature of the sport is masculine. It’s aggressive.
      “You have to, you know, handle the car – not only just the car because that’s skill, but the mindset that it takes to be really good is something that’s not normal in a feminine mind, a female mind.”
      She joins the likes of Will Buxton and Claire Williams on the show’s selection of analysts.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Sky Sports F1 are also undergoing a change after lead commentator David Croft announced he would miss some F1 races for the first time since 2007.
      The 2024 F1 season gets underway on March 2, with Lewis Hamilton and co beginning testing in Bahrain this week.
      Danica Patrick was dubbed the ‘Queen of the Brickyard’ following her career in Nascar and IndyCarCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Patrick has come under fire for some controversial opinionsCredit: Getty
      She modelled for Sports Illustrated in 2008 and 2009Credit: Getty

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      Major broadcasting change as Sky Sports legend set to miss first F1 race in 16 YEARS

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      SKY SPORTS F1 will undergo a major broadcasting change this season.It comes after the channel’s lead commentator David Croft announced he would be stepping back from three races this year to manage his workload.
      David Croft will miss an F1 race for the first time in 16 yearsCredit: Alamy
      The 2024 Formula One season will have a record-breaking 24 races – a calendar decision which has not pleased world champion Max Verstappen – spread over a 40-week period.
      In an interview with The Independent, Croft, 53, said: “It’s more about keeping fresh for the whole season. I’m not getting any younger.
      “I’ve given up and sacrificed a lot for my career. I want to give a bit of time back to my family and not be on the other side of the world.
      “I’m getting married this year as well, so I’ve got a wedding to organise!
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      “But I also want to sit and watch a race at home. I want to enjoy it.
      “Maybe I can learn something by not commentating on a race. I can spot a few things when I’m watching – I want to see what the viewer sees.”
      It will be the first time in 16 years that Crofty – as he is affectionately known by colleagues and fans – will miss an F1 race.
      The last race he did miss came in 2007 at the European Grand Prix due to the birth of his son.
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      Croft, who has covered more than 350 F1 races over his career and been Sky’s lead voice since they took over the broadcasting rights in 2021 – will add 21 more to his record over the course of this season.
      He added: “The triple headers do take their toll, you can be pretty exhausted by the end of it.
      The Sun’s Ben Hunt reveals his five greatest Formula One Drivers Ever – with Michael Schumacher in between two Brits
      “The one time-shift you could really do without is Vegas to Qatar. I’d like to see Vegas change its times a bit.
      “A 12-hour shift in time-zones – you can’t do more than that on this planet. Abu Dhabi last year was exhausting. I think that’s something which could be addressed.
      “But we’ll see what 24 [races] is like. It’s uncharted territory. It will be a huge effort for everybody.
      “If we have a close season on track, the adrenaline carries you along a little bit. If the title’s wrapped up early, then it can be a bit ‘another race, another race’ so we’ll see.”
      Sky have already lined up BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin as his substitute.
      Prior to working for Sky, Croft worked for 5 Live between 2006 and 2011.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      F1 has started pre-season testing for the 2024 season.
      But day two saw the morning session cancelled after Lewis Hamilton’s car appeared to damage a kerb on the track.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing hero Glenn McCrory reveals he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims

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      BOXING hero Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims.The former world champ and Sky Sports pundit also faced homelessness when his battle to clear his name wiped out his life savings.
      Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claimsCredit: Central News
      McCrory with his world champion belt in 1990Credit: Getty
      Three waitresses alleged he touched their arms in a sexual manner at a dinner before the Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.
      McCrory, 59, denied any sexual motive and insisted he was only trying to get their attention.
      He was cleared of all charges in just 90 minutes last September at Wood Green crown court, North London.
      And he has now teamed up with homeless charity CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of the plight facing record numbers in the UK.
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      Since 2010, rough sleeping has rocketed by 74 per cent and the charity stages annual sleepouts for business leaders to raise funds and awareness.
      This year’s fundraising drive is being kicked off with an event at Newcastle United’s stadium St James’ Park on March 21.
      Ex-cruiserweight Glenn, of Newcastle, said: “I know what it is like to hit rock bottom as I lost everything.
      “I was in the hands of the crisis team and my weight plummeted.
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      “Everything fell apart.
      “To not know what your future holds or where your next meal is coming from is absolutely terrifying.
      “People see those in the public eye and think they must have a great life, but anyone can have their world pulled from under them in a heartbeat – and I’m living proof.
      “You could lose your job, savings or family – or just become unwell – and the downward spiral starts.”
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      Sleepout boss Bianca Robinson said: “Glenn’s story is heartbreaking but it is a stark reminder that everyone can be just a few steps away from being made homeless.”
      McCrory fighting Lennox Lewis at the Royal Albert HallCredit: PA
      The former world champion in action against Patrick Lumumba in 1989Credit: Getty More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville’s bizarre Valentine’s Day gift leaves Rooney and Carragher in stitches

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville left Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher in stitches after revealing what he received for Valentines Day.Neville was joined by ex-United and England team-mate Rooney on the latest episode of the Stick to Football Podcast this week.
      Gary Neville left colleagues in stitches after revealing his Valentines Day presentCredit: Reuters
      Wayne Rooney couldn’t help but laugh
      The group – which also included Roy Keane and Jill Scott – discussed Valentines Day at the beginning of the episode, prompting Carragher to ask if anyone had received anything special.
      Former defender Neville responded: “I got a card, I got a t-shirt, I got some chocolates…”
      But before he could continue, Carragher chimed in to ask: “What was the t-shirt?”
      Neville quickly replied: “Stone Island,” before the pair, along with Rooney, burst out laughing.
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      Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester City star Micah Richards previously teased Neville about his fashion sense.
      Richards jokingly accused the 49-year-old of “thinking he’s 18” after the ex-United star showed up to work wearing Stone Island.
      Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney also admitted that he would “walk” to Manchester City to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
      When asked if he would be willing to become an assistant manager, the former England striker responded: “It depends.
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      “If Pep Guardiola comes in and asks me to be his assistant, you’d walk there!
      “But you see what Arteta is doing now and I strongly believe a lot of that is from learning what Guardiola was doing and so it depends on what the situation is.”
      Sir Alex Ferguson lost it with Wayne Rooney ’20 times a season’ for breaking legendary Man Utd boss’ tactical rule More