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Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull was officially confirmed on Wednesday in a major blow to the Formula One world champions.

The team confirmed their chief technical officer will leave the Red Bull group in the first quarter of 2025.

Newey has spent nearly two decades with the team and is viewed as the mastermind behind the cars that have taken them to seven drivers’ titles in two stints, through Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Red Bull confirmed that Newey will be stepping back from his F1 duties, with his final months at the group set to focus on the development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar.

The RB17 was officially announced 2022, with Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies behind the creation of the car.

Red Bull have confirmed the imminent departure of F1’s most successful designer Adrian Newey

Newey pictured with Christian Horner, left, and Max Verstappen, centre, will step back from his F1 duties

The group said two seat hypercar will deliver the ‘ultimate on-track driving experience’.

When announcing the development of the car, Red Bull said it will be powered by a hybrid engine developing over 1,100bhp and will be designed around a carbon composite tub.

The RB17, which takes its name from cars produced by Red Bull for Formula One, is claimed will have the ‘most advanced ground effect package available in a series production car.’

The development of the hypercar, of which only 50 will be made, is viewed as a passion of Newey’s with the designer spearheading the project.

‘The RB17 distills everything we know about creating championship-winning Formula One cars into a package that delivers extreme levels of performance in a two-seat track car,’ he said in February.

‘Driven by our passion for performance at every level, the RB17 pushes design and technical boundaries far beyond what has been previously available to enthusiasts and collectors.’

Newey is set to fully focus on the development of the car, which is due to go into production in 2025, in his final months with the team.

He is understood to be wanted by Ferrari to act as their ‘super consultant’. He currently earns £15million a year at Red Bull and could double his salary with the potential switch.

Newey, left, will instead focus on the development of Red Bull’s hypercar before leaving in the first quarter of 2025

Red Bull Advanced Technologies released a concept photo of the RB17 hypercar in February

A move to Italy would bring F1’s most successful designer into partnership with Lewis Hamilton, who is joining the Scuderia next year.

Newey will continue to attend races this season, including in Miami this weekend.

His departure is a blow to the world champion team and embattled boss Christian Horner, the team principal who brought Newey from McLaren to Red Bull nearly 20 years ago.

Red Bull insist Newey’s departure is not directly linked to the allegations that have engulfed the team since news of allegations of coercive behaviour were made against Horner in February, but driven by growing resentment at how he has been less than fully credited for the team’s success.

Twelve members of US Congress penned a letter to Formula 1’s parent company, Liberty Media, demanding answers about Andretti Global’s rejected bid to join the grid. 

The bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Rep. John James, claimed the mass media conglomerate was engaging in ‘cartel-like behavior’ by preventing the Indiana-based team from entering the sport.

‘[We have] concerns with the apparent anti-competitive actions that could prevent two American companies, Andretti Global and General Motors (GM), from producing and competing in Formula 1,’ the letter read.

They also noted that the decision to bar Andretti, along with its partners GM and Cadillac, could ‘violate American anti-trust laws.’

F1’s governing body, the FIA, accepted Andretti’s entry last year, agreeing that they had met the necessary criteria.

12 members of congress are demanding answers about Andretti Global’s rejected F1 bid

Former F1 world champion Mario Andretti said his team is ready to join the grid as of 2025

However, the sport’s commercial arm, Formula One Management, denied the team’s bid after discussing the matter with the 10 teams currently on the grid, claiming it would not be competitive by 2025 or 2026.

In a press conference held outside the US Capitol Wednesday, former F1 world champion, Mario Andretti said his team has ‘all the passion and resolve necessary’ to join the grid.

‘We’re ready with everything that’s needed. Give us a green light and let us do our thing,’ the 84-year-old motorsport legend said.

‘Our team, Andretti Global, is part of every major racing discipline in the world. Formula 1 is the one that’s left. And we want to be part of that.’

James, who also appeared at the press conference, suggested Liberty Media could be ‘kicking the can down the road’ as a ‘cash grab’ to extract more money from Andretti should their bid be accepted in 2028, when F1 said it would reconsider the bid.

Rep. John James of Michigan claimed Liberty Media was engaging in ‘cartel-like behavior’

Formula One Management denied Andretti’s bid after discussing it with the teams on the grid

‘Give us a green light and let us do our thing,’ the motorsport legend said in a press conference

‘The commitment has been shown by Andretti-Cadillac, I think, to the tune of millions of dollars a month in preparing for the standards of complying with everything,’ the Michigan representative said.

‘We hope that we can resolve this to do business together for our mutual benefit. But if not, we will have our questions answered,’ he went on.

‘Because we have an obligation to protect the American consumer, to protect American companies, and that is our first allegiance. And those who are seeking to take advantage will be held accountable.’

F1 will return to the US this weekend for the Miami Grand Prix, held at Hard Rock Stadium.

Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet going off-road together with Mark Cox.

Prince William brings home ‘thoughtful’ present for Princess Kate at Adelaide Cottage following Harry ‘snub’

Prince William brought home a “thoughtful” present for Princess Kate at Adelaide Cottage following his “snub” towards Prince Harry.

The Prince of Wales performed his first engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps today, where he was gifted presents for his wife and three children.

William, 41, received an AAC tartan wrap for the Princess of Wales, a scarf for himself and three wooden helicopters for their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

Kate, 42, is currently recuperating at Adelaide Cottage where she is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

William brings home ‘thoughtful’ present for Kate following Harry ‘snub’

One royal fan wrote on social media: “Nice of them to think of our Princess of Wales. Our gallant men in uniform.”

Another said: “Such thoughtful gestures.”

Similarly, one commented: “I love all of the pictures and videos! Those are thoughtful gifts!

“Prince William looks very handsome in his uniform! That’s so cool that he flew off in a helicopter!”

Prince William received gifts for Kate and his children today

Monday’s engagement was significant as King Charles handed over a prestigious honour in a special ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre to his eldest son.

However, royal fans were surprised Prince Harry had been overlooked by his father, which many saw as a “snub”.

The monarch gave William the prestigious role of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps during a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre in Stockbridge.

This meant the Prince of Wales would succeed his father Charles, who became colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps 32 years ago.

King Charles and Prince William stepped out on a joint engagement today

However, there was no mention of Charles’s youngest son Prince Harry, who served in the Army Air Corps and flew Apache helicopters during two tours of Afghanistan.

The role of colonel-in-chief was widely expected to go to the 39-year-old.

But after he stepped down as a senior member of the Royal Family in January 2020, Harry has become estranged from his family and stripped of his military roles.

Pictures from the event were shared on the official Instagram accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as the main Royal Family page.

Harry and Meghan have just undertaken a three-day tour of Nigeria

But the post was inundated with furious comments from fans upset about the “snub” towards Harry.

One wrote: “And Harry? How can you forget him?” Another added: “I think this should have been given to Harry!”

One fan commented: “This would have been a nice honorary role for Harry.”

Meanwhile, another chimed in: “It’s a shame to punish Harry like this, he who committed himself and fought on the field!”

Lewis Hamilton said 12th place on the grid accurately reflected Mercedes’ performance in Miami, where they were seven-tenths of a second behind the pace.

He and teammate George Russell both finished outside the top ten in qualifying for tomorrow’s sprint race. As has happened multiple times this year, Hamilton stated that the car felt better before they began attempting to alter it.

“The car felt really good during [first practice],” he told the official F1 station. “And then in [sprint race qualifying], it didn’t feel horrible, but we were seven-tenths off. That’s merely, I believe, the speed of our vehicle.”

Hamilton has made some radical adjustments to his car in previous races that haven’t always succeeded, but he claims that isn’t the case this weekend.

“This weekend we’ve just been [doing] no more experiments, just trying to make the car work,” he went on to say. “So I feel like we extracted everything from the car and that’s just our pace, we just have to accept it for the moment that we’re seven-tenths off.”

Mercedes introduced an upgrade package for their vehicle this weekend. However, with points available only to the top eight in tomorrow’s race, Hamilton was pessimistic about his chances of scoring.

“The sprint race is going to be tough,” he told reporters. “We’re in 12th place, so I’m not expecting much from there.

“It is not an easy circuit to overtake or follow. So [I’ll] attempt to get into the points somehow, if we can.”

Russell stated that the W15 felt better on soft tyres earlier in the day, but battled for pace on the medium compounds used in the first two phases of qualifying.

“During practice, the soft tyre felt great on our car. The pace was good; it was P4. On the medium, we couldn’t find the sweet spot, and I ended up on the wrong side of it.

“It was tight out there. We shouldn’t have been so close to the cutoff. We need to work overnight and improve for the main qualifier.”

Adrian Newey on Friday night admitted he is flattered that Lewis Hamilton is trying to woo him to Ferrari.

Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for the Scuderia next season and Newey, Formula One’s leading designer, is on the market after announcing this week that he will be leaving Red Bull before his contract was due to expire.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked if he would welcome the chance to work with Newey, 65. ‘Very much,’ he replied. ‘He’s top of my wish list.’

Newey, speaking for the first time since news of his impending departure was made public, responded by saying: ‘It was very kind of Lewis to say that, but at the moment I’m just taking a bit of a break and we’ll see what happens next.’

Mail Sport understands Ferrari have definitely spoken to Newey about moving there, but have yet to close the deal.

Adrian Newey (pictured) admitted that Lewis Hamilton’s compliments were very flattering

The seven-time world champion said that working with the designer was ‘top of his wish list’

Newey flew out to Miami to join team principal Christian Horner (right) after confirmation of his impending Red Bull exit

READ MORE: How Red Bull’s departing mastermind can reignite Lewis Hamilton’s career at Ferrari… PLUS why a Grand Prix in ‘woke’ Los Angeles is off the agenda, writes JONATHAN MCEVOY

Newey’s exit is a further bump for Red Bull following the scandal that engulfed team principal Christian Horner over allegedly sending coercive texts to a female colleague. He was cleared in an internal investigation, a verdict that is now subject to an ongoing appeal.

‘I’ve been thinking about this a little while now – over the winter and then as events unfolded this year,’ explained Newey, who earns £15million.

‘I’m in the very lucky position where I don’t need to work to live. I work because I enjoy it and felt now was a good time to step back and take stock of life. Maybe at some point, I’ll be standing in the shower and say, “Right, this is going to be the next adventure.”

‘Formula One’s all consuming. I’ve been at it for a long time now. There comes a point, as Forrest Gump said, “I’m feeling a little bit tired.”

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who drives Newey’s rocket ship, handed Red Bull a boost by insisting he couldn’t be lured away to Mercedes even for £150m a year.

The reigning world champion put himself beyond price as rumours swirl that he is disgruntled by recent shenanigans.

‘My future is within Red Bull at the moment,’ he said.

Max Verstappen doubled down on his seat at Red Bull after another rampant day’s qualifying

Hamilton was only 12th-best in qualifying for the sprint, with team-mate George Russell 11th

‘Even if there was an offer of 150million, money is not going to be the differentiator. I am happy with what I am earning already. If I knew I was driving for fifth or sixth, I’d get quite grumpy.

‘Everyone knows it is about performance and Toto (Wolff, the Mercedes team principal) knows that.’

Verstappen, 26, took pole for Saturday’s sprint race despite a less than perfect lap. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc starts second and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez third.

Hamilton was only 12th best, team-mate George Russell 11th. So much for Mercedes’ upgrades! Again.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could face serious consequences – including losing their sun-soaked California home – if it is found the Duke of Sussex lied on his US visa documents about his past drug use.

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Prince Harry warned ‘no one is above the law’ as he could…

Turning Point USA contributor Erin Elmore says she believes that Prince Harry should face the consequences if it’s found that he had lied in any sort of capacity on his US visa application.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle could lose their $19 million mansion in Montecito, California if the Duke of Sussex is found to have lied on visa documents about his past drug use.

In his tell-all memoir ‘Spare’ released in January last year, Harry confessed to using drugs in his younger years, prompting calls for the Biden administration to make his visa application public.

Applicants for US visas are generally required to disclose whether they have ever taken drugs, with country often declining visas to convicted or admitted drug users.

Prince Harry’s drug admission in ‘Spare’ has sparked debate about whether he may have lied on his US visa application. Picture: Getty.
Last year, The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, took legal action against the Department of Homeland Security, demanding the Prince’s visa application be released.

A judge is currently reviewing the case.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has weighed in on the matter, saying it could be “very embarrassing” for the Prince.

“Harry may have included drug use on his application form. If he hasn’t, it will unquestionably make headlines, and that will not be beneficial so far as the Sussexes are concerned,” Mr Fitzwilliams told The Sun.

Mr Fitzwilliams said the Sussexes may have benefitted from “double standards” if the Prince was given special treatment by US authorities.

Harry and Meghan’s AU$19 million mansion in Montecito, California. Picture: Google Maps.
“If you attack an institution, supporters of that institution, or those who believe that you’ve been very unwise and very foolish, believe that there are double standards,” he added.

In his memoir, Prince Harry admitted to taking marijuana, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, and cocaine, saying the recreational usage helped him heal from the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

The Duke of Sussex risks serious consequences if he is found to have lied on his visa application, including deportation from the US – meaning he and Meghan would lose their luxury mansion.

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It is believed that the Duke of Sussex may be unable to hold a green card or be granted US citizenship in the future following his drug admission.

The pair moved to the US in March 2020 and now live with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

It followed the pair officially stepping back from royal duties in the UK in their desire for privacy.

They no longer have an official UK residence after being evicted from Frogmore Cottage in early 2023.

Meghan Markle’s Obsession ‘Frustrates’ Prince Harry As She Seeks Universal Approval, Tabloid Claims
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly want to attend the memorial of Prince Philip but, are now facing security issues over their potential return.

They say when life offers you lemons, make lemonade, but Meghan Markle has had a different food item in mind in recent weeks.

Since launching her lifestyle company American Riviera Orchard last month, the Duchess of Sussex has been laser-focused on luxury jam in an effort to, ahem, maintain her image.

However, there has been some criticism of her overly publicized release, which included sending a jar of strawberry jam to 50 of her most prominent pals.

A source claimed that Meghan, 42, is still “obsessed” with the sweet stuff.

“It’s all she wants to talk about. What’s really bothering her is that some people are skewering her over it when they haven’t even tasted it. It just proves to her that people will find any reason to attack her and that really gets to her – she can’t accept it,” an unnamed insider told Heat UK.

Meghan made significant efforts to raise interest for American Riviera Orchard’s debut product, as per Vanity Fair. Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Kris Jenner are among the well-known women who have received her products thus far, with each jar allocated a handwritten number out of 50 to emphasize its individuality. With hundreds of jars missing, the slo-mo release appears to be a clever ploy to keep everyone talking about it.

The strategy looks to be working; it’s not often that a jam causes such a stir. However, it was reported that Prince Harry, 39, is fed up with his wife’s concentration on fruit-based preserves, especially given the violent reaction it appears to have aroused.

“It infuriates Harry that people seem to be out to get Meghan, no matter what she does. Especially because he knows first-hand how much heart and soul she’s put into this project. So much thought went into every decision, so it’s no wonder that she’s taking the criticism hard. But it’s like it’s the only thing on her mind and Harry is getting frustrated,” the informant said.

It was claimed it’s especially galling because Prince Harry and Meghan have been determined to turn things around this year, after being labeled “whiney” and “grifters” last year. Meghan’s new enterprise has the potential to launch a big lifestyle empire on the scale of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop. But, with so much pressure on Meghan to make the business, including the jam, a success, it’s hardly surprising that she’s missing sleep.
Read more

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, enjoyed a rare birthday honor this year that only a few other royals receive: the ringing of the bells at Westminster Abbey.

This tradition, reinstated in 2023 after being halted due to financial constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrates the birthdays of the most senior royals.

Currently, the only other royals who receive this honor are King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prince William​ 

Westminster Abbey had previously discontinued the bell-ringing for Kate and William in 2021 due to budget cuts, limiting the honor to Queen Elizabeth II and then-Prince Charles.

However, following Queen Elizabeth’s death and the subsequent changes within the royal family, this tradition was restored for Kate, marking her vital role in the monarchy​

Despite this special recognition, it is uncertain if the bell-ringing will continue in the future as royal traditions can evolve with changing circumstances and priorities within the family and the institution

In November 2016, Harry’s communications secretary released a rare statement condemning the “wave of abuse and harassment” experienced by his then-girlfriend after news of their romance became public. The statement remained on the royal family’s official website in the years since, but the link is no longer active.

According to Newsweek, the internet archive site Wayback Machine was able to access the link on Dec. 3, 2023, but not a week later on Dec. 10, indicating it was removed during that span.

Harry’s spokesperson said in the statement, in part: “His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public — the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments. Some of it has been hidden from the public — the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.

“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,” he continued. “It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game.’ He strongly disagrees. This is not a game — it is her life and his.”

SAMIR HUSSEIN/SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE

The Duke of Sussex, 39, recalled in his memoir, Spare, that he was advised “silence is the best option” regarding the media attention surrounding his newly unveiled romance with the Suits actress, but he pushed for a “course correction immediately.”

“We needed a statement out there,” he wrote in the book. “Within a day we had a draft. Strong, precise, angry, honest.”

Prince Harry said the statement was “everywhere. And changing nothing. The onslaught continued.” He added that the move also made his father, now King Charles, and brother, Prince William, “furious.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend a service of thanksgiving in London on June 3, 2022.MATT DUNHAM – WPA POOL/GETTY

“Because they’d never put out a statement for their girlfriends or wives when they were being harassed,” he wrote.

Prince Harry and Meghan, 42, wed in May 2018 but stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2020, relocating to her home state of California.

The royal family attends the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020.PHIL HARRIS / POOL / AFP/ GETTY

The removal of Prince Harry’s statement isn’t the only change to royal.uk since then. In March, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bios on the website were merged into a joint profile. At the top of the page reads, “As announced in January 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have stepped back as working members of The Royal Family.”

There is also a link out to Meghan and Harry’s recently launched website, sussex.com.

The bottom of the profile page shows links to the announcements that Harry and Meghan would no longer be working royals, including Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 statement following the Sandringham Summit.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Nigeria on May 10, 2024.EMMANUEL OSODI/ANADOLU VIA GETTY

“Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family,” she said. “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family. I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life. I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family. It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”