He’s under no ‘woolly spiritual delusion’

Eswatini-born actor Richard E Grant still has an “ongoing conversation” with his late wife, Joan Washington, who died in 2021.

Her death plunged him into an “abyss of grief”. They met in 1983, and married three years later.

There is one dying wish of hers he refused to honour. A month before she died, she recorded a poem and requested Richard play it on their daughter Olivia’s wedding day.

“It would have wiped everybody out. That’s the brutal bit,” Richard shared. So, instead, someone close to the family read the poem aloud.

Richard and Joan met in the 1980s in London and were married for 38 years (Credit: Splash News)

Richard E Grant performs nightly ritual for his wife four years after her death

Such is the strength and endurance of Richard E Grant’s love for his late wife Joan Washington.

The Withnail And I star, now 68 years old, lost his life partner four years ago. Yet he still emails her regularly – nightly, even – with news of what he got up to that day.

“I have no woolly spiritual delusion that she’s hearing this, or that I’m going to get a response, but it somehow keeps the connection going,” he told Davina McCall on an episode of her Begin Again podcast earlier this year.

“So I write to her – ‘Dear J, today would really have amused you…’ It makes it feel like that person is still there – it’s an ongoing conversation.”

Grant lost his mother two years after his wife died (Credit: Begin Again with Davina McCall/YouTube)

He lost his mother two years after Joan died

Almost exactly two years ago – and two years after Joan passed away – Richard E Grant lost his mother, too.

“Complicated gratitude to my mother, who died this morning at the age of 93, for giving me the Gift of Life,” he tweeted at the time.

“During a filming break this morning I saw that I had eight missed calls from Africa and knew weirdly why, which proved to be that my 93-year-old mother died this morning,” he said in a short video.

“We had an incredibly complicated relationship, and she was somebody that for me anyway, was emotionally withdrawn, withheld her approval of anything.

“I went to stay with her for a couple of weeks, six weeks after my wife had died, with Covid restrictions being lifted, and she sent me a very terse email at the end of the trip, saying: ‘I regret to say your visit was an absolute disaster, we only have two things in common, books and classical music,’” he said.

So, complicated indeed. But with Joan, not so.

Before she died, she challenged Richard and their daughter Olivia to find a pocketful of happiness each day. It served as a mantra by which he could navigate the “abyss of grief” that followed her passing.

Grant played Sir James Catton in the 2023 film Saltburn (Credit: Amazon MGM Studios/YouTube)

He will ‘never again’ speak to people who refused to acknowledge his grief

During a conversation at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival last year, Richard said that, after Joan passed away, he has had “people cross the road rather than talk” and acknowledge his grief, per the Mail.

“Whether they think you’re going to fall apart and you’re an emotional wreck, I don’t know. But I will never speak to them again.”

He recalled a couple ignoring him when he waved to them. They had lived close to the holiday home Richard and Joan shared in Provence, France.

“As I walked towards them they both turned their heads. I thought, [bleep] you. I felt I was being punished because Joan had died. They had never acknowledged it. Maybe they didn’t know how to deal with it.”

The dog previously had to be operated

TV star Stacey Solomon has been flooded with support after sharing a touching update on her dog Teddy.

In April, the Sort Your Life Out host revealed her family pet had become “suddenly unwell” and needed to be taken to the vets.

“It turns out he has a predisposed condition we had no idea about as he was a rescue,” she explained.

“He has been operated on by incredible vets and the next 3-4 days are crucial for him to get through, even then, he might not ever fully recover.”

Stacey’s dog Teddy has been unwell (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Stacey Solomon shares emotional update on dog Teddy

In a separate update, Stacey announced it was “likely” that he “might never fully recover” and that he will need help walking.

After “praying and hoping so hard” that Teddy would pull through, Stacey has since issued an update on the adorable dog.

In an Instagram post shared yesterday (July 25), the former Loose Women panelist shared a video of Teddy’s new way of moving around since developing the condition.

While uploading a clip of Teddy with his assisted wheels, Stacey was delighted to show off his progress.

“Our Darling Teddy has his wheels,” she wrote in her caption.

“We have spent the last few days trying to teach Teddy a new way of getting around & he’s finally learning to love his wheels. He was very nervous at first but seeing him today walking around with peanut again was so special.”

Stacey continued: “We have spoken to our vet & have bought Teddy some wheels. If we are doing anything wrong please be kind. This is a totally new journey for us & we are doing our best to give Teddy the best life he can possibly have. So just let us know if you have any tips.”

“Teddy you’ve been such an amazing boy. We know your whole world has turned upside down but you’ve been so calm and patient and we hope we are giving you the second chance that you deserve. To the moon & back Teddy.”

‘Instantly brought to tears’

Following her upload, Stacey was flooded with support from fans.

“Bless him. He looks so happy with himself. Never doubt yourself cos you’re giving him life & guided by the vet & those who have doggies with wheels,” one user wrote.

“Ahh he looks so happy Stace. Makes me so happy seeing him getting around xx,” another person shared.

“Brb while I cry at this. He is so happy with he’s new wheels,” a third remarked.

“Instantly brought to tears,” a fourth said.

His sacking is ‘vile’, she said

Someone who has spent considerable time with John Torode “on and off screen” has weighed in on the ongoing scandal that has engulfed MasterChef in recent months.

She knows Lisa Faulkner and Gregg Wallace, too. And she has a thing or two to say about the two former co-presenters and the saga of their respective sackings.

Christine Hamilton competed on Celebrity MasterChef alongside John’s wife Lisa in 2010. She made it to the final but Lisa pipped her to the winning post.

The BBC has chosen not to renew John Torode’s contract, meaning there are questions to be answered about who takes over the reins on one of the organisation’s flagship cooking programs.

Christine and her husband Neil Hamilton have been known to TV audiences for many years (Credit: Loose Women/YouTube)

MasterChef finalist defends John Torode amid scandal

Christine Hamilton, 75, took part in Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, the same year as Lisa Faulkner. In fact, they went head-to-head in the final. But Lisa – on screen alongside John with their Weekend Kitchen show today (July 26) – took home the prize.

Christine had previously made a name for herself on I’m A Celebrity…. She came third in the first series of the reality TV show. And she and her husband Neil were the subjects of a Louis Theroux documentary in 2001. Neil is a former Conservative MP for Tatton, in Cheshire.

Christine took to social media last week amid John Torode‘s reported sacking by the BBC, revealing that she had spent time with him both “on and off screen” over the years.

In her post, she described John as “one of the nicest, kindest guys I’ve ever met”.

His sacking by the “vile” BBC, she wrote, is “deeply unjust”. It also demonstrates how deeply entrenched “wokeism” is in the machinations of BBC decision-making.

A staunch supporter of the erstwhile UK Independence Party, the majority of Christine Hamilton’s recent social media activity has to do with the scapegoating of immigrants from specific countries – not Australia, it’s worth noting.

So, voicing her support for John Torode marks a change of subject matter.

Richard Osman claims John Torode was ‘offered lifeline’ by BBC after using ‘slur’

While many of the allegations swirling around the MasterChef ecosystem over the past few months have been aimed at Gregg Wallace, John has not come out of it unscathed. Now, the BBC has announced its decision not to renew John’s contract at MasterChef.

“John Torode denies the allegation. He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment,” noted the organisation.

Richard Osman, who was the creative director of Endemol Shine – a Banijay production – for much of the period from the early 2000s to 2020, claims the BBC offered John Torode a lifeline, amid the whole saga.

“You know, he used, I think, probably the worst racial slur there is, Richard said during an episode of The Rest is Entertainment podcast. “And they found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with — that that was true.

“They took John Torode aside, this was my understanding of the whole situation, and said: ‘We believe that this happened. We believe that you used this language.’ He denied it.

“They said to him – whether this was the BBC or Banijay – they said to him: ‘We will accept if you want to take a year off, you have to do a mandatory training course to understand and accept that this is not something we particularly want in our workplace’,” he continued.

“That was denied,” Richard went on. “He [John Torode] said: ‘Of course I’m not going to do that. I didn’t do this in the first place anyway so why would I ever do this?’”

Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020

Irish singer Anne Nolan has admitted she is anxious about dying following her cancer diagnosis.

The 74-year-old star was first diagnosed with the disease in 2000. However, two decades later, she had been diagnosed again with stage three breast cancer. Sadly, the family has a history of cancer.

At 52, her sister Bernie lost her battle to breast cancer in 2013, while 60-year-old Coleen Nolan, on the other hand, revealed she had skin cancer in 2023. Following a 20-year battle with the disease, Linda Nolan died on January 15 after suffering from double pneumonia.

Days before Linda’s heartbreaking death, brother Brian received the news that he had level 2 prostate cancer. He became the fifth of the Nolan siblings to battle the disease.

Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020 (Credit: ITV)

Anne Nolan admits she is fearful of cancer returning

In her latest column for the Mirror, Anne explained that even though she has received the all-clear surrounding her cancer, it has still had a huge impact on her.

“When you have cancer, it’s one of those things that you kind of live with it for the rest of your life,” she said.

“You could kind of get a little bruise or a lump somewhere and you think, ”Oh my god, is that cancer?” It can always come back.”

Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. She was put on anti-anxiety medication, explaining it was a “horrendous” time.

Anne opened up about her anxiety (Credit: ITV)

‘I don’t want to die’

Due to social distancing measures that were put in place, Anne felt alone, explaining that only her sister-in-law and my brother-in-law, who both worked at the hospital, could visit her.

Following the unsettling experience, Anne has since been left with anxiety

“I still have anxiety but it’s not as bad. I have anxieties about dying. It is about the cancer coming back as well. I don’t want to die, I love being alive. I love being here,” she added.

On the more positive side of things, Anne said that her experiences had helped her “value life” more. She said that “whenever I’m asked to do something, I say yes straight away”.

Mick Schumacher is targeting a return to Formula 1 with newcomers Cadillac for the 2026 season, but rumours have suggested he may no longer be in the race.

Schumacher has been in talks with Cadillac for some time, as he hopes to land a seat on the grid after a three-year hiatus. Son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, the German has been out of the sport since his exit from Haas in 2022.

Since then, the 26-year-old has acted as a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren, and now plies his trade with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship. Schumacher wants a seat at Cadillac, but he faces tough competition.

Sergio Perez is a clear favourite to join Cadillac, having held talks since his exit from Red Bull last season. Valtteri Bottas has also been heavily linked, as well as the likes of Zhou Guanyu, Felipe Drugovich, Frederik Vesti and Jak Crawford.

Guenther Steiner called for Cadillac to sign Schumacher in a surprise U-turn, considering he had sacked the German at Haas and previously told the General Motors-backed team to sign Perez and Bottas. Cadillac are beginning to narrow down their options for 2026.

Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

F1 ‘insiders’ say Cadillac haven’t rejected Mick Schumacher as he remains one of the ‘hottest candidates’

It was recently reported that Cadillac had rejected Schumacher and Zhou as options for 2026. However, a report from F1-Insider paints it as a different story.

The report states that the ‘truth’ is that Schumacher is still ‘one of the hottest candidates for Cadillac’. Despite rumours stating he is no longer in the race for a 2026 seat, ‘insiders’ say neither Schumacher’s camp nor the American brand are aware of such claims.

Cadillac will make their decision on their driver line-up in the coming weeks, with Schumacher being considered alongside Zhou as a younger option, while Perez and Bottas are the experienced candidates. The German’s chances of landing a contract, as per the report, are ‘50%’.

Cadillac will continue talks ‘behind closed doors’ at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend. Schumacher will be involved in said conversations, as he remains a target for the team next season.

Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Mick Schumacher will have to fight his case hard with Cadillac to land a 2026 seat

F1 fans would be ‘extremely disappointed’ if Cadillac sign Schumacher, believing it would be a ‘waste’ of a seat. The 26-year-old did have a torrid spell in F1 with Haas in 2021 and 2022, with multiple accidents hampering his career.

Mika Hakkinen thinks Schumacher damaged his reputation among teams, hence why he will need to fight his case hard to get a contract at Cadillac. He is up against far more experienced drivers like Bottas, but does have his advantages.

Schumacher has been in racing since his F1 exit, having had numerous reserve roles before moving to sports car racing last year. This is where he may benefit over someone like Perez, who is not in any racing series in 2025.

Cadillac have not discussed contract lengths with Bottas or Perez, with it being unclear whether they want two experienced drivers or one to go next to a younger talent. Schumacher fills the second criterion and has a point to prove, but he will need to keep battling to secure a drive.

Could Valtteri Bottas Be Red Bull’s Next Secret Weapon?

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, Red Bull Racing’s dominance has become a hallmark of the current era. With Max Verstappen at the helm, the team has stormed through the 2023 season, winning 17 out of 20 races. Yet, beneath the surface of their commanding success lies a growing dilemma—what to do about their second seat, currently occupied by Sergio Perez.

Despite Red Bull’s public support for Perez through the 2024 season, internal dynamics and performance metrics suggest the team is quietly exploring future alternatives. Among the names floated—Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and even Carlos Sainz—an unexpected but compelling candidate has emerged: Valtteri Bottas.

Bottas: The Underrated Number Two?

Bottas, who previously partnered Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, is no stranger to playing the role of a supporting driver within a dominant team. From 2017 to 2021, he secured 10 wins and 20 pole positions, helping Mercedes maintain its streak of Constructors’ Championships. Although never a title threat himself, Bottas was a reliable and composed performer—precisely the type Red Bull might value in their hunt for a stable, non-disruptive number two.

With his current team, Alfa Romeo (soon to be Audi), struggling near the back of the grid and facing an uncertain future, Bottas may be open to an opportunity that could see him fighting near the front again—even if not for wins, then certainly for podiums.

Red Bull’s Search for Stability

Red Bull’s decision-making around the second seat has always been nuanced. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have emphasized that second place in the Drivers’ Championship is not a luxury, but a necessity. With the RB19 being arguably the most dominant car in F1 history, Perez’s failure to consistently convert that advantage into top-two finishes has become a pressing concern.

After an encouraging start to the 2023 season, Perez’s form declined rapidly. A string of poor qualifying performances—including five consecutive failures to reach Q3—and inconsistent race-day showings have placed him under intense scrutiny. His inability to capitalize on Red Bull’s superiority has allowed competitors like McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin to close the gap in the Constructors’ standings.

This situation raises a critical question: Can Red Bull afford another season with a weak link?

Why Bottas Makes Sense

Peter Windsor, respected F1 commentator and former team manager, recently voiced support for Bottas as a potential replacement. In his view, Bottas embodies many of the qualities Red Bull should be seeking—a calm, experienced racer who knows how to stay out of trouble, secure points, and not rock the boat.

“Bottas isn’t in the same class as Max, Lewis, or Charles,” Windsor admitted, “but he’s better than Perez. And crucially, he’s a guy that Red Bull would actually hire.”

Red Bull has already dismissed the idea of finding another Verstappen. Helmut Marko confirmed as much, saying that replicating the Dutchman’s talent and mentality is an impossible task. Instead, the focus has shifted to finding another proven race winner—someone dependable, who won’t challenge Verstappen’s authority but will solidify Red Bull’s position at the top.

Bottas fits that mold perfectly.

The Audi Factor

Bottas’s current position with Alfa Romeo is also a ticking clock. With Audi preparing to enter the sport in 2026, the German manufacturer is reportedly eyeing high-profile talents like Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, or even Fernando Alonso. Bottas, while respected, is not considered the long-term future for the team.

Should Audi decide to go in a different direction—as many expect—they might release Bottas earlier than expected. This could create a natural opening for him to slide into a seat at Red Bull in 2025, if Perez continues to underperform.

2024: Perez’s Last Chance?

Publicly, Red Bull remains committed to Sergio Perez for the 2024 season. But internally, the message is clear: deliver or risk being replaced.

With teams like McLaren and Mercedes showing strong developmental gains in the latter half of 2023, Red Bull knows its advantage may soon diminish. Horner has acknowledged this, stating that the performance curve is tightening, and that continued dominance will be harder to sustain.

“We’ve got a great car, a great basis,” Horner said. “But the returns are going to get smaller. It will become closer—and that will stretch us more for sure.”

That stretch will inevitably place more pressure on Perez, who will be expected to deliver consistently or make way for someone who can.

Ricciardo and Lawson: Why Not Them?

Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the grid with AlphaTauri has sparked discussions about a potential Red Bull comeback. Yet, despite his fan-favorite status, Ricciardo’s recent form doesn’t scream “safe pair of hands.” Likewise, young Liam Lawson impressed in his brief stint, but the second Red Bull seat is not a training ground—it’s a results-driven position.

In contrast, Bottas offers something neither Ricciardo nor Lawson can: proven, quiet consistency at the sharp end of the grid. He knows how to be the number two. He won’t upset team balance. And importantly, he’ll score points when it matters most.

Final Thoughts

Red Bull Racing is facing a crucial decision. With Verstappen operating at a near-flawless level, the only thing preventing Red Bull from achieving perfect weekends is inconsistency from their second car. If Perez can’t reverse his declining form in 2024, Bottas may represent the ideal blend of experience, humility, and dependability.

Though fans may clamor for dramatic moves or high-profile reunions, Red Bull’s success has always been rooted in pragmatism. Bringing Bottas onboard would be just that—a pragmatic move aimed at extending an era of dominance while minimizing internal drama.

Only time will tell if Valtteri Bottas dons the Red Bull colors, but make no mistake: the calm Finn might just be the storm Red Bull needs to weather an increasingly competitive F1 landscape.

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Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Gamble: Can He Break the Curse?

For nearly two decades, Ferrari has been stuck in a cycle of near-misses and failed championship bids. Despite being the most storied team in Formula 1 history, with legendary status and passionate global support, Ferrari’s recent past tells a different story—one of struggle, inconsistency, and underperformance.

But now, a new chapter is being written—by none other than Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion, who dominated the turbo-hybrid era with Mercedes, is taking on the most ambitious challenge of his career: bringing Ferrari back to the top.

From Legacy to Lull: Ferrari’s Fall from Grace

Ferrari’s last Drivers’ Championship came in 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen. It was a nail-biting season that saw the Finn snatch the title from McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by a single point. While Räikkönen benefited from internal chaos at McLaren and a late-season resurgence, Ferrari hasn’t tasted championship glory since.

Prior to Räikkönen, Michael Schumacher redefined dominance with five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004, aided by a completely overhauled team built by Jean Todt. Before Schumacher, however, Ferrari’s last title was in 1979 with Jody Scheckter. Despite Ferrari’s unmatched prestige, their modern record tells a tale of chronic underachievement.

It is this dichotomy—legacy versus results—that Hamilton aims to reconcile.

Hamilton’s Bold Move

Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, where he won six world titles, stunned the F1 world. At 40 years old by the time the 2026 season starts, many questioned whether this was a farewell tour in red or a genuine title bid.

But Hamilton isn’t here for sentiment. He’s here to win.

“I see a huge amount of potential within this team,” Hamilton said ahead of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. “The passion, nothing comes close to that… but not all of the moving parts are firing on all cylinders.”

That’s a frank assessment of Ferrari—one only someone with Hamilton’s pedigree could get away with. He’s not just joining Ferrari; he’s trying to rebuild it.

Doing What Alonso and Vettel Couldn’t

Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel—both former world champions who arrived at Ferrari with hopes of repeating Schumacher’s success. Both fell short.

Alonso came closest, nearly winning in 2010 and 2012 but ultimately falling victim to Red Bull’s dominance and strategic missteps. Vettel had flashes of brilliance but was often undone by driver errors and a car that couldn’t match Mercedes.

Hamilton is adamant that his story will be different.

“For me, I refuse for that to be the case with me,” he said, referencing the failure of past champions at Ferrari. Since Räikkönen’s 2007 triumph, Ferrari has had a world champion behind the wheel in all but four seasons. That statistic is damning evidence that success in F1 is never just about the driver—it’s about the system.

Hamilton’s Internal Revolution

Unlike his predecessors, Hamilton isn’t content to just drive. He’s already begun compiling reports and assessments of Ferrari’s operations, car performance, and structural inefficiencies. In meetings with Ferrari chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and team principal Fred Vasseur, Hamilton has laid out a blueprint for revival.

He’s rattling cages—and Ferrari might finally need that.

“I feel it’s my job to challenge absolutely every area,” he said. “Particularly the guys at the top making the decisions.” With unparalleled experience from McLaren and Mercedes, Hamilton is trying to export a winning culture to Maranello.

This is no ordinary driver signing; this is a takeover.

The Ferrari Ego Problem

Ferrari is known for its internal politics and big personalities. Over the years, countless team bosses, engineers, and executives have vied for control, often creating more noise than solutions. It’s an organization built on tradition, but sometimes burdened by it.

That’s what makes Hamilton’s challenge so bold. For a team that has often resisted outside influence, his willingness to challenge the status quo could be met with resistance.

But as the sport’s most successful driver, Hamilton has earned the authority to push boundaries. His partnership with Elkann may prove vital in bypassing middle management resistance and implementing meaningful change.

Early Upgrades, Mixed Results

Ferrari’s 2024 campaign has been winless so far, though there is a glimmer of hope. A new suspension upgrade, long in development, is being introduced at the Belgian Grand Prix. It aims to address issues with car setup flexibility and excessive plank wear that forced the team to run higher ride heights, compromising pace.

Hamilton has welcomed the upgrade but expressed caution: “On the simulator, there’s no difference… but I’m sure across different circuits there’ll be benefits.”

This cautious optimism underscores a deeper issue. Unlike Red Bull or Mercedes, who bring constant minor upgrades, Ferrari tends to deliver larger, sporadic updates. Hamilton noted the delay between the upgraded floor in Bahrain and the next package in Austria as a missed opportunity for consistent progress.

“It’s good to see development,” Hamilton said. “There are a lot of changes, but to see the results of those changes takes time.”

Crunch Time: Can Ferrari Deliver?

Ferrari is now at a crossroads. They have a proven champion, a team of passionate engineers, and the financial and political capital to compete. What they need is cohesion, focus, and above all—accountability.

Hamilton knows time is not on his side. He’s banking on 2026, when the new power unit regulations come into effect, to be Ferrari’s renaissance. But that means the groundwork must be laid now, in 2024 and 2025.

“If you take the same path all the time, you get the same results,” he said. It’s a clear warning that radical change is necessary—and fast.

The Verdict: Can Hamilton Succeed Where Others Failed?

Whether Hamilton can succeed at Ferrari is still unknown. What is clear, though, is that he is doing more than anyone before him to change the team from the inside out. He’s not afraid to challenge senior figures, critique design choices, or question the factory’s direction.

And maybe that’s exactly what Ferrari needs.

Hamilton brings more than talent. He brings expectation, excellence, and experience at the very top. If Ferrari can overcome its internal politics and follow his lead, there’s a genuine chance they could end their 20-year championship drought.

But the clock is ticking—and Formula 1 waits for no one.

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Carlos Sainz’s Rollercoaster Year: Trust, Betrayal, and Resilience in Formula 1

In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where speed, precision, and strategy define careers, few stories in recent memory have rivaled the drama and intensity of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 season. What unfolded was not just a tale of a driver changing teams—it was a saga of corporate betrayal, emotional resilience, and a fighter proving his worth against all odds. As the dust settles on a whirlwind year for Sainz, his journey offers a rare window into the brutal inner workings of F1 team politics—and the sheer strength required to survive them.

The Ferrari Earthquake: When Loyalty Met Reality

It all began with a seismic shock to the F1 paddock: Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, was confirmed to be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season. The announcement, dropped just before the 2024 campaign kicked off, sent ripples through the sport. For Ferrari, the arrival of Hamilton was a coup; for Sainz, it marked the beginning of an unexpected end.

Sainz had every reason to feel confident. He had outperformed teammate Charles Leclerc in 2021, and finished within just six points of him in 2023. His consistency and racecraft had elevated Ferrari’s performance during a tumultuous period. More than that, he was actively engaged in contract renewal discussions with the team. Yet despite months of seemingly positive conversations, and assurances that negotiations were proceeding smoothly, the truth was anything but.

When Hamilton was signed, Sainz wasn’t informed by the team. He found out through a friend. That staggering revelation underscored a deeper truth: he had been misled. For months, while receiving assurances that the contract was merely delayed, Ferrari had been in covert discussions with Hamilton’s camp. Sainz later admitted he never suspected any duplicity. The betrayal hit hard, and understandably so.

A Season Under a Shadow

Entering 2024, Sainz was essentially a lame-duck driver—expected to perform at the highest level for a team that had already chosen his replacement. It was a psychologically brutal scenario. Imagine competing at the top of your sport while knowing your employer has discarded you, not for poor performance, but for a shinier name.

Yet Sainz did not crumble. Quite the opposite.

He opened the season with a podium in Bahrain, outpacing Leclerc and delivering a statement to Ferrari and the rest of the grid: he was still a force. But fate had more curveballs in store. Ahead of the second race in Saudi Arabia, Sainz was rushed to hospital with appendicitis. In a campaign already laden with emotional weight, he was forced into emergency surgery.

Most athletes might have taken weeks to recover. Sainz took just two.

Triumph in the Face of Adversity

In Australia, less than 14 days after surgery, Sainz stunned everyone by not only competing—but winning. Managing tires with precision, racing with intelligence, and exuding calm under pressure, he secured Ferrari’s first victory of the season. It was a masterclass in resilience. The win was not just a victory on the track—it was a moral win, a vindication of his talent and mental strength.

He followed it up with a third-place finish in Japan, making it three podiums in the three races he actually started. At a time when his future was uncertain, and his confidence could have been shaken to its core, Sainz rose to career-best form. His on-track performances made one thing clear: Ferrari may have made a serious error in judgment.

The Red Bull Rejection: A Second Blow

With his stock rising, speculation mounted over where Sainz would land in 2025. Red Bull seemed like the obvious choice. Their second driver, Sergio Pérez, had struggled with consistency, and Sainz, a proven race-winner with experience, could have been a perfect complement to Max Verstappen.

But Red Bull said no.

The rationale, voiced by Helmut Marko, centered around an alleged “toxic” relationship between Sainz and Verstappen during their time as Toro Rosso teammates in 2015–16. Sainz, for his part, rejected the claim outright. In recent interviews, he described the rivalry with Verstappen as “healthy,” and insisted they have a good relationship today. The idea that Red Bull passed on a driver of Sainz’s caliber due to a dated and disputed narrative left many baffled.

A Deeper Look: Politics Over Performance?

The decision reveals much about the hidden dynamics in F1. Teams often claim to prioritize performance, but harmony—or the illusion of it—can take precedence. Red Bull’s inner circle revolves around Verstappen, and perhaps the fear of disrupting that dynamic outweighed the benefits of signing a highly competent, mentally strong second driver.

This begs the question: did Red Bull sacrifice potential constructors’ championship dominance by choosing political comfort over raw performance?

Sainz’s response to the Red Bull snub was again measured. He acknowledged Verstappen’s excellence and stated with confidence that he was not intimidated by the challenge. He cited his battles with top-tier teammates throughout his career—Leclerc, Norris, Hülkenberg, even Verstappen himself—and stressed his maturity and adaptability. In short, he was ready. Red Bull just didn’t want him.

What It All Means

Carlos Sainz’s 2024 season should be studied not only as a showcase of elite driving, but as a masterclass in psychological endurance. Betrayed by one team and rejected by another, he responded not with bitterness, but with excellence. He let his results do the talking. He demonstrated that resilience, professionalism, and grit still count for something in a sport often overshadowed by politics and power plays.

His story also lays bare some uncomfortable truths. F1 is a ruthless environment. Contracts and trust are fragile. Reputation, even one based on outdated perceptions, can derail careers. And sometimes, the best response to adversity is simply to win.

Final Thoughts

As Carlos Sainz’s next move unfolds, one thing is certain: he has already rewritten the narrative around him. No longer just a “solid number two” or a “stopgap,” he’s emerged as a resilient, intelligent, race-winning driver who commands respect.

Whether at Williams in 2025 or elsewhere down the line, his trajectory reminds us that in Formula 1, character counts just as much as speed. And sometimes, it’s the way you drive through the storm—not just your lap time—that defines your legacy.

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Tension in the Rain: McLaren’s Spa Gamble and the Growing Divide Within

As Formula 1 prepares for the notoriously unpredictable Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix, McLaren has found itself at the center of a brewing storm—one not just of weather, but of team politics, driver tension, and strategic risk. The flashpoint? A controversial, exclusive rear suspension upgrade given solely to Lando Norris, leaving teammate Oscar Piastri out in the cold. In a sport where fractions of a second decide outcomes, the implications of this decision are reverberating throughout the paddock and well beyond.

The Upgrade That Sparked It All

McLaren’s announcement ahead of Spa was anything but routine: a cutting-edge rear suspension system, reportedly optimized for wet conditions, was to be installed—but only on Norris’s car. Designed to enhance grip, traction, and stability in slippery scenarios, the upgrade boasts a modified hydraulic system, advanced dampers, and a refined linkage geometry. The goal? Better tire contact and quicker response to track irregularities, which are almost guaranteed at a circuit like Spa where weather forecasts rarely hold true for more than 10 minutes.

On paper, this sounds like smart strategy. Spa is infamous for its wet races, and giving a driver the best tools to cope with the elements is logical. But it’s who got the tools—and who didn’t—that has turned heads and raised eyebrows.

Piastri Speaks Out

Oscar Piastri, in only his second season in F1, did something rare in this hyper-managed sport: he spoke his mind. “I would prefer equality of equipment. We race as teammates. We should have the same tools,” he said, plainly and publicly. In a world where PR statements are usually filtered and polished, this kind of transparency indicates deep frustration.

And who could blame him? In F1, even perceived inequalities can drive wedges between drivers and teams. When a team’s internal harmony is compromised, performance on track often follows.

A Statement from McLaren—or a Misstep?

Officially, McLaren has stated that the upgrade was a “driven decision,” citing telemetry that supposedly showed Norris would benefit most based on his driving style. But skepticism is mounting. If the upgrade is truly performance-enhancing—and the early leaked telemetry suggests it is—why not roll it out for both cars?

According to sources within the paddock, the decision wasn’t unanimously supported inside the McLaren camp. Reports of internal disagreements between engineers suggest this wasn’t merely a clear-cut technical decision, but one that was contested before being enforced from higher management levels. This inevitably fuels speculation that Norris is being treated as the de facto number one.

This perception isn’t entirely new. Whispers of preferential treatment date back to last season, with murmurs around pit stop timing and development focus tilting toward the British driver. While McLaren has denied any favoritism, actions like this exclusive upgrade strengthen those narratives.

The Technical Edge—and Its Implications

Why is this suspension upgrade such a big deal? Simply put, it could provide a measurable advantage in the wet—a critical edge at Spa. Early practice data already hinted at better performance for Norris in low-grip conditions, suggesting the system’s dynamic balance and active hydraulic response are paying dividends.

If the system delivers even a few tenths of a second advantage per lap in qualifying or race conditions, that could mean the difference between pole position and midfield. And at Spa, where overtaking is challenging and track position is crucial, such an edge can be race-defining.

But while the upgrade might bring Norris closer to the front, the cost could be higher than McLaren anticipates.

The Psychological Toll

F1 isn’t just about machines. It’s about people—teams of engineers, strategists, and, of course, the drivers themselves. Morale and trust are essential in such a high-pressure environment. When one driver feels sidelined, that delicate ecosystem begins to unravel.

Piastri, known for his calm demeanor, has remained publicly composed—but the tension is palpable. Subtle cues in interviews and body language indicate growing dissatisfaction. It’s not just about one race or one upgrade—it’s about a sense of equity, or the lack thereof, within the team.

Such imbalances can lead to real consequences: breakdowns in data sharing, less effective collaboration between engineers, and even on-track incidents. History offers cautionary tales—Hamilton vs. Rosberg, Vettel vs. Webber, Senna vs. Prost. When team dynamics sour, the fallout can be catastrophic.

The Fans Weigh In

The McLaren fanbase, never shy in voicing opinions, has exploded across social media. Hashtags like #EqualEquipment and #TeamOscar have been trending, with many fans rallying behind Piastri. The public reaction has added another layer of complexity to McLaren’s already delicate balancing act.

In this environment, team leadership—particularly Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown—find themselves under immense pressure. They must defend their technical decisions while also preserving the long-term trust of two high-caliber drivers. And all of this while trying to secure valuable constructor points.

What Lies Ahead

The situation is precarious, and it’s no stretch to say that how McLaren handles the coming weeks could define their trajectory into 2025 and beyond. Rumors have already begun to swirl that Piastri’s contract negotiations have stalled or at least been complicated by recent events. A driver of his talent and youth will not lack for suitors, and if he begins to feel fundamentally undervalued, McLaren risks losing a long-term asset.

Worse still is the prospect of on-track conflict. Drivers operating under pressure, trying to prove themselves, can become unpredictable. Aggressive moves, defensive stubbornness, and critical errors often follow. If the internal competition between Norris and Piastri becomes toxic, it could torpedo the team’s ambitions regardless of how fast their car becomes.

The Bigger Question

All of this leads to a larger philosophical question—one that has echoed through F1 history: how do teams balance the pursuit of peak performance with maintaining internal fairness and harmony? In a sport that demands ruthless efficiency, where the smallest edge can make a difference, how much are teams willing to risk unity for potential gain?

At Spa this weekend, that question will move from the garage to the grid. Whether the rain falls or not, the real storm may already be inside the McLaren camp. All eyes will be watching.

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Ferrari’s Spa Struggles: Upgrades, Spins, and the Fight for Redemption in the Sprint

The legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit has long been a proving ground in Formula 1, where upgrades are tested and ambitions are laid bare. For Ferrari, the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix was meant to be a turning point. A major rear suspension upgrade for the SF25 was touted as the breakthrough that could finally tame their notoriously unpredictable rear end. But by the end of Friday’s sprint qualifying (SQ1), the story that unfolded was far more complex—and more troubling—for the Scuderia.

Hamilton’s Nightmare Friday

Perhaps the biggest shock of the weekend came not from the cars leading the field, but from one spinning at the back. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, was expected to spearhead the team’s push with the upgraded SF25. However, his Friday was marred by misfortune, starting with a shaky first SQ1 lap and culminating in a dramatic spin at the final chicane just as the checkered flag fell.

The spin left Hamilton languishing in 18th place—his worst qualifying performance in a sprint since Austria nearly two years ago. Visibly frustrated, Hamilton summed up the experience with brutal honesty: “I spun.” When pressed on whether rear locking had caused the incident, his sarcastic reply—”Yeah, the first time in my career”—spoke volumes about his discontent.

Technical issues may have contributed to his woes. Sky Sports’ Anthony Davidson pointed to a possible gearbox problem, noting, “You hear that clunking? That’s backlash in the gearbox.” Martin Brundle added that the rear axle appeared to have failed under braking—an unusual and worrying problem.

Hamilton had shown promise early in the session, running 0.155 seconds ahead of the cut-off pace through Sector 2 before losing control. That incident at the Bus Stop chicane didn’t just cost him a chance to make SQ2—it may have robbed Ferrari of the first real evaluation of their new upgrade under competitive conditions.

The Upgrade That Promised Pace

Ferrari’s new rear suspension aimed to lower the SF25’s ride height and improve rear-end stability, long seen as a weakness of the 2025 car. By shifting the mounting point of the front wishbone to the gearbox and likely tweaking the dampers, Ferrari hoped to provide both drivers with a more predictable and responsive platform.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s other pilot, did manage to put in a cleaner session, qualifying P4 for the sprint. He felt the upgrade’s benefits but remained frustrated by the scale of the gap to pole-sitter Oscar Piastri—0.768 seconds.

“It’s a mixed feeling,” Leclerc said post-qualifying. “On one side, I’m happy that the car feels better, and on the other, even if the car feels pretty good, we are still seven-tenths off. That’s a huge amount of time, even on a long track like Spa.”

Leclerc acknowledged the car felt more planted than in previous rounds, but it wasn’t enough. McLaren’s pace, particularly through the high-speed corners, left Ferrari searching for answers.

Risks and Setups

One of the key revelations from Leclerc’s comments was Ferrari’s continued reliance on extreme setups. Even with the new suspension, Leclerc admitted he was still forced to run aggressive settings to extract peak performance.

“I prefer to go for performance rather than confidence,” Leclerc said, referencing past struggles like Silverstone, where such setups backfired in wet conditions. “I don’t think this will improve with that rear suspension upgrade, because we still need to set up the car in a relatively similar position to extract the maximum out of it.”

That’s a telling admission. It suggests that while Ferrari’s hardware may have improved, the SF25 remains a car that only performs on a knife’s edge—an approach that leaves little margin for error, especially in unpredictable conditions like Spa.

The Sprint Opportunity

Despite Friday’s setbacks, Ferrari still has a chance to salvage something in Saturday’s sprint. For Hamilton, that means slicing through the field from 18th just to score a point. Ironically, sprints have been the only arena where he’s truly shone in red so far this season. A win in the Shanghai Sprint and a P3 finish in Miami are the high points of his brief Ferrari tenure. He’ll need to channel that same form if he hopes to turn around his Belgian weekend.

For Leclerc, the challenge is more about closing the gap to the front. While a fourth-place start provides a solid platform, he’s chasing a McLaren that appears to be in a league of its own at Spa. Even with Ferrari’s upgrades, the time loss per lap suggests the team may not yet understand how to fully unlock the new setup’s potential.

The Bigger Picture for Ferrari

This weekend was always going to be a critical checkpoint in Ferrari’s 2025 campaign. After a string of inconsistent performances, team principal Frédéric Vasseur made clear that the Spa upgrade would be the cornerstone of Ferrari’s mid-season revival. Early signs, however, suggest the improvements may be more incremental than revolutionary.

Hamilton’s failure to capitalize on the upgrade was a blow—but not necessarily a condemnation of the package. His issues may have stemmed from factors outside the car’s baseline performance. If Ferrari can verify and fix the mechanical or setup problems that led to his spin, the new suspension could yet prove transformative.

Leclerc’s data will be vital here. His cleaner run offers Ferrari engineers a clearer look at how the SF25 behaves with the upgrade under pressure. If grip remains the limiting factor, Ferrari may need to consider a second phase of upgrades—or at the very least, a different aerodynamic configuration for future rounds.

Can Ferrari Fight Back?

As the team heads into the sprint, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ferrari desperately needs a morale boost—not just for championship points, but to justify the direction of its development. A strong showing in the sprint could begin to reshape the narrative around the SF25 and its troubled handling.

Yet, the signs remain mixed. A promising new part cannot erase the executional errors and reliability issues that have haunted the team. Until Ferrari can string together a full weekend without setbacks, they’ll remain in the shadow of faster, more consistent rivals like McLaren.

Saturday’s sprint is more than a 100-kilometer dash—it’s a microcosm of Ferrari’s 2025 struggle: fast but flawed, hopeful but haunted by missed opportunities. Can the Scuderia finally break the cycle?

We’ll find out at Spa.

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