“SOMEONE FINALLY PUT HER IN HER PLACE.”  Piers Morgan UNLEASHES on ‘Squirming’ This Morning Star LIVE on Air

“It was great to see someone finally put her in her place” – Piers Morgan brands squirming This Morning star a ‘rid:icul0:us victim’ as he reignites feud live on air and slams her for ‘playing the woke violin’

Piers Morgan branded This Morning star Ashley James a ‘ridiculous victim’ as he reignited their feud live on air and slammed her for ‘playing the woke violin’ on Wednesday.

The 60 year old and Ashley, 38, appeared on the ITV show to chat to hosts Ben Shephard, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, about the latest headlines.

One topic that came up in conversation was if we are too quick to take offence nowadays – and the matter soon turned personal.

They discussed Nick Clegg recently revealing how he got in trouble as soon as he arrived at tech giant Meta‘s headquarters and upsetting the ‘woke’ staff.

Ashley asked Piers: ‘This idea of woke, what do you think woke means? Woke means being aware of social injustice and other people’s lived experiences. That’s all woke means and it’s been weaponised by people like you!’

An unimpressed Piers replied: ‘Oh Ashley, do me a favour…

Piers Morgan branded This Morning star Ashley James a ‘ridiculous victim’ as he reignited their feud live on air and slammed her for ‘playing the woke violin’ on Wednesday

The 60-year-old and Ashley, 38, appeared on the ITV show to chat to hosts Ben Shephard, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, about the latest headlines.

One topic that came up in conversation was if we are too quick to take offence at things nowadays – and this led the pair to both clash over their opinions

‘I’ll give you an example of woke. I mentioned this a little earlier. The last time I appeared with you here, you were a classic wokie that day.

‘We had a robust exchange of views, we disagreed about stuff, it was all pretty respectful and then I watched your Instagram for the next three days, where you just played the most ridiculous, violin-laden victim, posting endless little comments from from your fans about how you survived the monster, how brave and bold you were.’

‘I’ve got to go through it again!’ Ashley shot back.

She continued: ‘I feel like poor Ashley.’

Piers said: ‘But that’s the point, you’re not poor Ashley. You’re a strong woman, independent woman.’

Ashley told him: ‘But being woke doesn’t make you weak! Caring about other people’s lived experiences and back in the day, a lot of people went to work and felt uncomfortable with a lot of the jokes.

‘We see this excuse of banter all the time and we also see how it creates this culture where more serious stuff gets brushed under the carpet.’

Agreeing with her, Piers said: ‘Well that is true.’

Ashley asked Piers: ‘Do you know what do you think woke is? Woke means being aware of social injustice. That’s all woke means and it’s been weaponised by people like you!’

But he continued: ‘But it’s chicken and the egg right…

‘You’re saying it’s people like me fuelling this stuff, this culture war stuff, but actually, what I’m trying to do is preserve what actually this country was built on.

‘Which is that you can have fun, you can have jokes in the workplace, you can have romance in the workplace by the way.

‘Forty per cent of marriages used to start in the workplace. How the hell do you do that now?! No one can even look at each other without being arrested.’

Ashley clapped back: ‘They also had to tolerate their waist being touched, which made them feel uncomfortable.’

She continued: ‘By the way, being woke and being professional in the workplace is for everyone, it’s for women, men and everyone.’

Sadly the pair kept talking over each other, leaving Ben and Cat struggling to regain control of the debate.

Presenter Ben then asked the camera: ‘Just a quick check with the gallery… is Piers hearing you?’

Piers even joked that This Morning ‘had changed Ashley’s hair colour so that he couldn’t tell it was her’ given their bad blood

Cat added: ‘Do we need a bell?’

But Piers continued: ‘We should be allowed to have fun. You don’t want to cross a line…’

‘Of course you can have fun but not if people are telling you they’re uncomfortable, there’s a line,’ Ashley told him.

Piers said: ‘The problem with the woke brigade is they feel uncomfortable about everything. Give them an orange and they’re triggered because it’s not an apple.

‘It’s all got so ridiculous. We’ve got this ridiculous snowflakey thing – stop it!

‘Everyone should just chill, and have a bit of fun.’

Elsewhere on the show the pair locked horns while debating how women were more attracted to men with masculine walks, with Ashley insisting that ‘toxic masculinity’ was to blame for a male loneliness epidemic.

Having none of it, Piers stressed that we need to do a better job of celebrating strength and stoicism, rather than vilifying it.

The pair were last seen on the ITV programme back in September and clashed at the time debating Prince Harry‘s reunion with King Charles.

Speaking about Price Harry, Ashley gushed: ‘He’s done so much for mental health’.

However, razor-sharp Piers was quick to point out the negative impact he’d had on ‘the mental health of his family’.

He told Ashley: ‘You’re painting him as an idyllic picture of this heroic character. He has renounced royal duty, but he’s kept the royal titles so he can continue making money.’

Ashley went on to reply that he stepped back due to ‘relentless media intrusion, your [Piers] mouth being one of those mouth pieces.’

Back in 2017 the pair also clashed over Emma Watson’s topless Vanity Fair shoot, while Piers ruled was ‘flaming hypocrisy’.

Ashley complained: ‘He has a chauvinistic view, it’s like this whole Emma Watson thing.

‘You can be a feminist and still be sexual and I think it’s such a male patriarchic view that feminism isn’t a load of frumpy old women who hate men, that’s not the point of it.

‘Feminism isn’t a scary movement, it’s just about equality.’

This Morning airs on ITV1 weekdays from 10am and is available to stream on ITVX.

BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING  The entire Australian Parliament Chamber went SILENT when Pauline Hanson abruptly rose to her feet, her voice cutting like a knife and her arm outstretched, POINTING straight at Anthony Albanese. The explosive figure of 97,000 illegal immigrants was hurled like a political grenade, paired with the damning claim that 73% had NEVER passed any security screening. Albanese instantly dismissed it as a dangerous lie. But just as everyone assumed the clash was finished, a high-level cabinet insider quietly dropped 8 CHILLING WORDS, short, devastating, enough to brutally rock the core of canberra’s political world.

BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING  The entire Australian Parliament Chamber went SILENT when Pauline Hanson abruptly rose to her feet, her voice cutting like a knife and her arm outstretched, POINTING straight at Anthony Albanese. The explosive figure of 97,000 illegal immigrants was hurled like a political grenade, paired with the damning claim that 73% had NEVER passed any security screening. Albanese instantly dismissed it as a dangerous lie. But just as everyone assumed the clash was finished, a high-level cabinet insider quietly dropped 8 CHILLING WORDS, short, devastating, enough to brutally rock the core of canberra’s political world.

The Entire Australian Parliament Chamber Fell Silent When Pauline Hanson Suddenly Rose To Her Feet, Her Voice Sharp And Her Arm Raised, Pointing Directly At Anthony Albanese – “97,000 Illegal Immigrants Let In Under Your Watch, And 73% Never Had Proper Security Checks!” Albanese Shot Back Calling It a “Dangerous Fabrication,” But Then a Senior Cabinet Source Whispered 8 Chilling Words That Have Sent Shockwaves Through Canberra and Could Bring Down the Government!

With fire in her eyes and voice cutting through the air like a blade, she detonated a political bombshell: “Under your government’s watch, 97,000 illegal immigrants have flooded into Australia – and a staggering 73% of them have never undergone any proper security checks!” The accusation, linking Labor’s immigration policies directly to national security risks amid rising concerns over crime and terrorism, caused the entire chamber to fall into a deathly hush.

The PM immediately leapt to his feet, refuting the claims as “dangerous fabrications designed to inflame fear and division.” “These are baseless scare tactics from a party that thrives on misinformation,” Albanese thundered, insisting his government’s border policies remain ironclad under Operation Sovereign Borders and that all arrivals are rigorously vetted.

But Hanson’s explosive figure – allegedly drawn from leaked Home Affairs data – has ignited immediate controversy, with opposition shadows demanding an urgent inquiry.

Insiders say the source, reportedly a high-level advisor close to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, hinted at internal audits showing even higher unchecked entries due to backlog pressures and policy leniencies.

While official stats show near-zero successful boat landings thanks to turnbacks, Hanson blasted the government for “flying in threats” via lax airport screening and humanitarian intakes without full ASIO clearances.

“You’re gambling with Australian lives for votes and cheap labor!” she roared, citing rising street crime and the recent Bondi Beach antisemitic atrocity as “direct consequences of your open-door madness.”

Social media has erupted in the minutes since, with #HansonDropsBomb and #AlbaneseResign trending nationwide.

Viral clips of the chamber’s silence – lasting a full 12 seconds as Hanson’s accusation hung heavy – have millions of views, with everyday Aussies cheering: “Finally someone calls out the invasion!” Others demand proof, but the Cabinet leak has tipped the scales, with even moderate Labor MPs privately panicking over electoral fallout.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pounced instantly, calling for Albanese’s immediate resignation: “If even his own team admits the numbers are ‘worse,’ how can Australians trust this PM with our safety?” Crossbenchers echoed calls for a royal commission into security vetting failures, warning of potential terror risks from unvetted entrants.

As the nation reels from this fresh parliamentary detonation, questions swirl: Where did Hanson’s 97,000 and 73% figures come from – FOI leaks or whistleblowers? What exactly are the “worse” numbers the source alluded to? And can Albanese survive this latest body blow, with polls showing One Nation at historic highs and public fury over migration at boiling point?

One thing is undeniable: Pauline Hanson’s pointed finger and unyielding assault have stunned Canberra into silence once more, exposing raw fractures in Labor’s border narrative. Those eight whispered words from within could prove the spark that ignites a full-blown government crisis. Australia watches breathlessly as the political earthquake unfolds.

As the nation reels from this fresh parliamentary detonation, questions swirl: Where did Hanson’s 97,000 and 73% figures come from – FOI leaks or whistleblowers? What exactly are the “worse” numbers the source alluded to? And can Albanese survive this latest body blow, with polls showing One Nation at historic highs and public fury over migration at boiling point?

One thing is undeniable: Pauline Hanson’s pointed finger and unyielding assault have stunned Canberra into silence once more, exposing raw fractures in Labor’s border narrative. Those eight whispered words from within could prove the spark that ignites a full-blown government crisis. Australia watches breathlessly as the political earthquake unfolds.

“She Didn’t Think Twice — Even As Her Own Body Was Failing.” Britain Was Left In Floods Of Tears As Sarra Hoy’s Quiet, Extraordinary Act Came To Light During The New BBC Documentary On Sir Chris Hoy’s Terminal Cancer Battle. While viewers braced themselves for Chris’s devastating diagnosis, it was Sarra — herself fighting aggressive MS — who shattered the nation’s heart. Gravely ill, exhausted, and in pain, she still chose to stand front and centre, support her husband, and tell their story with raw honesty. “This isn’t just about Chris,” one viewer sobbed online. “It’s about love that refuses to collapse.” As cameras rolled, Sarra’s strength spoke louder than words — a woman battling her own cruel reality yet refusing to let illness define their final chapters. Social media erupted with emotion, many calling her “the bravest woman in Britain,” others admitting they had “never cried so hard at a documentary.” In a story already drenched in heartbreak, Sarra Hoy became its most powerful truth: even when life is ruthless, love can still stand unbroken.

BBC audiences have been left deeply moved after watching a powerful new documentary charting Sir Chris Hoy’s terminal cancer battle — with many saying it was his wife Sarra Hoy who truly stole their hearts.

The BBC One documentary Chris Hoy: Cancer, Courage and Me offers an intimate look into the couple’s lives as the six-time Olympic gold medallist confronts Stage 4 cancer, after being told in 2023 that he had between two and four years to live. Scans revealed his prostate cancer had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, ribs and spine — a moment Chris described as nothing short of “a waking nightmare”.

Yet just weeks after receiving her husband’s devastating prognosis, Sarra was handed her own life-altering diagnosis: an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. Despite this, viewers watched in awe as she consistently placed her focus on supporting Chris, describing standing by him through his illness as “the greatest privilege of my life”.

Reflecting on her own diagnosis, Sarra explained that the shock of Chris’s cancer had completely eclipsed everything else. She said the world had been so “upside down” by the news about her husband that her MS diagnosis felt like “just another moment in time”, adding that she preferred it that way because “talking about Chris” mattered more.

Throughout the programme, Sarra’s quiet strength shone through — particularly when she spoke about helping their two children understand what their father was going through. Determined not to let cancer become something frightening or taboo, she wanted it to be part of their everyday lives rather than a single traumatic conversation.

She revealed how the children’s fears surfaced quickly, with unspoken worries about whether their father might die, whether they could catch cancer, or whether they had somehow caused it. To help them cope, Sarra came up with a simple yet profoundly moving idea centred around a cherry blossom tree in their garden.

Realising that Chris’s chemotherapy would end around the time the tree bloomed, the family painted a large bare tree and added pink blossoms to it each day — symbolising Chris regrowing and recovering. Sarra said the ritual was as much for her husband as it was for their children, helping them all believe that even when something is stripped bare, it can grow again.

Chris paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife during the documentary, saying she never seeks attention but deserves every ounce of it. He admitted he could not imagine coping without her, calling Sarra “an amazing person”.

Viewers flooded social media with emotional reactions, praising Sarra’s compassion, resilience and selflessness. Many described the documentary as difficult to watch but deeply inspiring, with one viewer saying that while Chris is a hero on the track, Sarra is “a truly remarkable woman” off it.

Some inclement weather was to blame for unfortunate showdown

A TOP GEAR chief has recalled the moment he “b*******d” Formula One legend Kimi Raikkonen before thinking: “What have I done?!”

The 2007 F1 world champion appeared on the popular BBC show ahead of his second spell in the sport.
A Top Gear chief blasted F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen in an argument when he appeared on the showCredit: AFP

Raikkonen had been less than impressive on his drive around the Top Gear trackCredit: Getty – Contributor
Raikkonen left Ferrari in 2009 before returning three years later with Lotus.

And during that gap, he killed time racing in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR Truck Series.

It also saw Raikkonen take to UK screens with Top Gear, where he chatted with former host Jeremy Clarkson while also racing timed laps in the show’s iconic celebrity driving segment.

However, Raikkonen failed to impress while behind the wheel.

Due to wet weather, the Finland native was unable to rack up a quick time.

It saw producers pray for the track to dry out.

But Raikkonen had no interest in going back out for another go after conditions improved.

It led to a Top Gear chief confronting the ace in his trailer.

Yet as soon as he unleashed his tirade against Raikkonen, he quickly regretted it.

Speaking on the Midweek F1 podcast, former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman said: “Raikkonen came on the show. So everyone is doing their lap. His was a wet day.

“And we were like, ‘Oh, he’s not going to do it’. He’s like, ‘OK’. But he’ll give it some, because it’s Kimi.

“It was when he came back with Lotus. And we were all like, ‘Oh, we are not worthy. You’re here. You’re here!’

“I went down to see the guy with the timer, Nick Dalton, who had the watch out. I was like, ‘How’s he doing? How’s he doing?’ He went, ‘Not great.’

“So he goes into his motorhome, and he’s like, ‘I’ve done enough laps now’. He wasn’t unfriendly, but he’s just like, ‘It’s a rainy day’.

“I go into the motorhome after him. He’s in the, like, Lazy Boy chair, and it’s warm, and he’s fully sort of stretched out, like Joey from Friends.

“I went, ‘Kimi, you know, it’s drying out now. I can’t tell you your time, but it wasn’t brilliant. We know you could go faster.’

“And he went, ‘No, I can’t’. And we were like, ‘No, Kimi, it really is dry now’, and I said, ‘If you look out of the window, you’ll see it’s definitely getting drier’.

“And he, with hugely bad grace, upped himself to the window, and he went, ‘No, it isn’t’.

“I lost it with him a bit, and b*******d him, like, ‘There’s so many people here waiting to see you make a comeback, and that’ll be on you if you don’t do something!’

“Then I thought, ‘What have I done?’ And then he got out, and he went and did a couple more laps and went a bit faster. But that was the day I told Kimi off.”

Footage Shows English Men Destroying Migrant Boats in France Amid Anger Over Border Policy

British vigilantes slash small migrant boats on French coastline

Britons have been filming themselves travelling to beaches in France and ‘destroying’ small  boats – gaining thousands of views in the process

Sanya Burgess is an award-winning journalist whose investigations have included revealing Deliveroo was not paying the living wage to all riders, despite the company’s pledge to do so. She has also tracked disinformation and far right hate speech in the UK during the Southport riots, conspiracy theories about the attempted shooting of Donald Trump and revealed that Elon Musk was paying some of Tommy Robinson’s legal fees. She has also worked on issues relating to Big Tech and underage gambling, as well as uncovering war crimes and human rights abuses in Iran, Myanmar and the UAE – including the ‘hostage’ tapes of the detained Dubai Princess Latifa.
British vigilantes who spearheaded efforts to fly England flags across the country have launched a new anti-migrant protest – attempting to block illegal Channel crossings.

Using the term “Operation Stop The Boats”, members of the group have been filming themselves slashing small boats before they are used by migrants to cross the English Channel from France.

Posts on social media show members calling for other British men to join them in France, including making a direct appeal to football hooligans, saying “we need to make a stand”.

In one video message shared this week by a member of the Raise the Colours group – the grassroots movement that has seen flags fixed to lampposts, motorway bridges and roundabouts across England – two men are seen evoking military language and the spirit of the British fight against the Nazis in the Second World War.

Claiming to be recording from the northern French coast, one said: “Just like in the 1940s, we must take a stand, and it starts with the men of England and Britain.”

Making an appeal to “firms” – a phrase that refers to football hooligan groups – the other man added: “Our country is doing nothing. Weak government, weaker borders.

“They are doing nothing, so we need to make a stand, boys. Get the lads together, get your firms together, get the lads in the pub, get the lads down the bars, if you’re talking about it and you agree with what we are doing, give us a hand.”
The Government is under pressure to act after more than 36,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats (Photo: raisethecolours.org.uk/Instagram)
The Government is under pressure to tackle the issue of migration amid a record number of asylum applications, surging small  boat crossings and protests at hotels housing asylum seekers.

On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out a package of reforms to asylum policies aimed at tackling illegal migration, telling MPs the current situation is “out of control and unfair”.

The latest videos shared by those linked to the Raise the Colours group have separately been referred to as “Operation Overlord”.

Earlier clips showed two men saying they were taking matters of illegal migration into their own hands and filming themselves stamping on and smashing a small boat’s engine.

In the clips, they refer to themselves as “patriots” and make a number of claims without evidence, such as that they are stopping “rapists and murderers” from “coming to a town near you”.
One video shared by the group (Photo: raisethecolours.org.uk/nstagram)
The flag-raising group, who have a combined 100,000 followers on X and Instagram, also posted a plea on X for donations last week, writing that they are: “STOPPING The  Boats, whether the migrants or government like it or not!”

Two videos from the group have recently been shared to the 1.7 million X followers of Tommy Robinson. The far-right figure and former leader of the English Defence League, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has previously been accused of mobilising football hooligan firms in an attempt to launch anti-Muslim rallies across the country.

Separately, French media reports that the Dunkirk Public Prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into “aggravated violence” against migrants by suspected British far-right figures.

One of the details being examined by the French prosecutor is the claim that in September, four men waving British and UK flags verbally and physically attacked migrants on the French coast. It is alleged that they told the migrants they were not welcome in England and proceeded to steal some of their belongings.

The men are not the first anti-migrant figures to travel to France in a bid to take matters into their own hands.

In September, Ukip, Nigel Farage’s former political party, posted a video to their X account showing what appeared to be sleeping migrants in France being woken by people flashing strobe lights in their faces and shouting at them.

Nick Tenconi, Ukip’s current leader, also posted a video captioned: “In Calais hunting for illegal invaders trying to cross into Britain.”

The Home Office and French authorities were contacted for comment.

The world of Formula 1, often described as a high-speed chess match played at 200 miles per hour, has officially exploded into controversy long before the first car of the next generation has even hit the tarmac. While the grandstands remain empty and the paddocks quiet, a silent war is raging behind the closed doors of the sport’s most secretive engineering facilities. At the heart of this storm is a revelation that threatens to shatter the competitive balance of the 2026 season and beyond: a technical loophole so ingenious, and potentially so devastating, that it has left rivals like Ferrari, Honda, and Audi fuming and the FIA scrambling for a solution.

The Invisible War for 2026

For the casual observer, the 2026 regulation changes were marketed as a “reset”—a golden opportunity to level the playing field, reduce costs, and attract new manufacturers like Audi to the sport. The FIA’s blueprint was clear: simplify the engines, cap the performance ceiling, and let the drivers make the difference. However, reports emerging from the depths of the paddock suggest that two of the sport’s juggernauts, Mercedes and Red Bull, may have found a way to tear that blueprint to shreds.

The controversy centers on a specific, highly technical regulation regarding the engine’s “compression ratio.” In an effort to curb extreme performance advantages and keep development costs from spiraling, the FIA lowered the maximum allowable compression ratio from 18.0 to 16.0 for the upcoming engine cycle. On paper, this rule is absolute. It is a hard ceiling designed to ensure that no single manufacturer can build a power unit vastly superior to the rest. But in Formula 1, rules are merely challenges waiting to be solved, and it appears the engineers at Brackley and Milton Keynes have found a solution that is as brilliant as it is controversial.

The “Thermal Expansion” Masterstroke

To understand the panic spreading through the rival camps, one must understand the physics of the loophole. The regulations state that the compression ratio must not exceed 16.0 when measured “statically” in the garage. This is the key phrase. In the cool, controlled environment of an FIA inspection bay, the engines from Mercedes and Red Bull reportedly comply perfectly with the letter of the law. They measure exactly 16.0.

However, a Formula 1 engine does not live in a garage. It lives on the track, screaming at high revs and generating immense heat. It is alleged that Mercedes and Red Bull have designed their engine components with specific materials and tolerances that utilize “thermal expansion” to their advantage. As the engine heats up to racing temperatures, the metal expands in a calculated manner, effectively shrinking the combustion chamber volume and driving the compression ratio back up toward the old 18.0 limit.

In layman’s terms? They have built an engine that is legal when parked but transforms into a beast when raced. This isn’t just a marginal gain; in a sport where victory is measured in thousandths of a second, a jump in compression ratio of that magnitude represents a massive horsepower advantage. It is the difference between fighting in the midfield and disappearing into the distance.

Rivals “Blindsided” and Furious

The reaction from the rest of the grid has been immediate and visceral. Manufacturers like Ferrari, Honda, and the incoming giant Audi committed hundreds of millions of dollars to their 2026 projects based on the “spirit” of the regulations. They designed engines assuming the 16.0 limit was a hard physical reality, not a variable to be manipulated.

From their perspective, this is not innovation; it is a fundamental threat to the fairness of the sport. If Mercedes and Red Bull start the new era with a significant power advantage that is “baked in” to the physics of their engine blocks, the 2026 championship—and potentially the 2027 and 2028 titles—could be decided before the lights go out in Bahrain. The fear is palpable: have these teams spent years preparing for a fight, only to bring a knife to a gunfight?

Did Mercedes Sacrifice for This?

This revelation also casts a new light on the struggles of the Mercedes team over the past few seasons. Fans and pundits alike have questioned the team’s direction, wondering if the dominant force of the hybrid era had lost its way. But this news suggests a different narrative: strategic sacrifice.

While others were burning resources chasing short-term fixes for their current cars, Mercedes may have quietly shifted their focus and immense resources to the 2026 project much earlier than anyone realized. It echoes their preparation for the 2014 hybrid era, where they arrived with an engine so superior it secured them eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships. If they have indeed “cracked the code” again, their recent years of mediocrity might just be the price they willingly paid for another dynasty.

Red Bull, too, seems to be benefiting from this aggressive approach. Their powertrain division, now a massive operation bolstered by hundreds of engineers poached directly from Mercedes, seems to have inherited not just the talent but the “institutional knowledge” of how to exploit such regulations.

The FIA’s Impossible Choice

The ball is now firmly in the court of the FIA, and there are no easy answers. The governing body faces a nightmare scenario that strikes at the core of Formula 1’s identity.

If they stick to the strict “letter of the law,” they may be forced to allow the design. After all, if the rulebook only specifies static checks, and the engines pass those checks, banning them now could be seen as punishing engineering brilliance and “moving the goalposts.” It sets a dangerous precedent for a sport built on technical creativity.

However, if they choose to uphold the “spirit of the law,” they must intervene. Allowing two teams to bypass the primary intent of the cost-cap and performance-leveling rules renders the regulations meaningless. It risks alienating new manufacturers like Audi, who entered the sport under the promise of a level playing field, only to find themselves outmaneuvered by a loophole they didn’t see coming.

A Season of Deception

As we inch closer to 2026, this controversy serves as a stark warning: do not trust what you see. The upcoming preseason testing is shaping up to be a massive game of poker. Teams with this advantage will likely sandbag, hiding their true pace to avoid attracting further scrutiny or immediate technical directives. Meanwhile, teams effectively “out” of the running may push harder to find speed that simply isn’t there.

The 2026 season was promised as a revolution. It appears that revolution has already begun, not on the asphalt, but in the meeting rooms and design offices where the true battles of Formula 1 are won and lost. Whether this “thermal loophole” becomes the defining genius of the next decade or is stamped out as an illegal trick remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the chaos has only just begun.

“IMMENSE SADNESS…” Tributes POUR IN ɑs ‘Driving Home for Christmɑs’ Singer Chris Reɑ Hɑs Died Aged 74… ɑnd his fɑmily’s heɑrtbreɑking stɑtement leɑves fɑns devɑstɑted.

Tributes pour in as Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea dies aged 74

He died in hospital following a short illness, his family said

The final TV appearance of singer Chris Rea – who sang the iconic festive tune Driving Home For Christmas – has been unearthed, following the news of his death.

His heartbroken family shared a statement today (December 22), revealing he had passed away aged 74.

Singer Chris Rea has died at the age of 74, his family have announced (Credit: Splash News)

Death of Driving Home For Christmas star Chris Rea announced by heartbroken family

In a statement from his wife Joan and their two daughters Josie and Julia, they said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”

Chris had been dogged with serious health issues including peritonitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes. In 2017, he revealed: “I’ve had nine major operations in 10 years. A lot of it is to do with something called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the internal tissues attack each other. No one knew it existed 20 years ago, and it’s completely unpredictable..

“It’s affected the colon, the pancreas, the gallbladder, the liver – and then I get a stroke.”

He appeared on TV five years ago (Credit: BBC)

Chris Rea’s final TV appearance

In 2020, Chris appeared on BBC’s Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing. The singer went on to reveal what inspired him to write his song Driving Home For Christmas.

He said: “I just thought I’d drive home for Christmas, I was on the dole when I wrote that.

“I’d just been, my manager had just left me, I’d been banned from driving, my now wife Joan, she had to drive down to London, pick me up in the Mini and take me home. And that’s when I wrote it.”

Talking about how he felt hearing his iconic tune, Chris said: “I think of that lovely little holiday in the Maldives.” Making a sad confession, he said: “I’m not a very good pop star I wish I was.”

“I’d like to me, when I look at Sting and people like that, I think ‘I wish I was like him.’”

The singer also said that he “loved Christmas” and always had a big tree for the festive season and also a “fine assortment” of wines.

The legendary singer suffered numerous health issues over the years (Credit: Splash News)

Tributes pour in

Chris is perhaps best loved for his iconic song Driving Home for Christmas. It has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007, including making number 10 in 2021.

“Heartbreaking : Chris Rea, the legend behind Driving Home for Christmas, has died aged 74. Rest in peace legend,” said one fan. “Driving Home For Christmas is now a staple of festive music and one of the most played songs in December. It’s mad to think that, on original release, it only got to number 53 in the charts. Rest in Peace Chris Rea,” said a second.

“Thank you Chris Rea for this wonderful song and bringing so much festive cheer to everyone – your legacy will live on,” said a third. “Thank you for the music Chris,” said another. “Chris Rea – noooooo. Right before Xmas,” another added.

Driving Home for Christmas’ – Music Legend Chris Rea D.i.e.s Aged 74, Heartbreaking Cause of D.e.a.t.h Leaves Fans Devastated. He Gave Britain Its Most Emotional Christmas Song — Now Chris Rea’s Final Journey Breaks Millions of Hearts

Legendary singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the timeless festive classic Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74.

The musician passed away peacefully in hospital on Monday following a short illness, surrounded by his family. The heartbreaking news was confirmed in a statement released by his wife Joan and their daughters, Josie and Julia.

They said it was “with immense sadness” that they announced the death of their “beloved Chris”, adding that he was calm and comfortable in his final moments, with those closest to him by his side.

Chris Rea’s death marks the loss of one of Britain’s most distinctive voices, whose music has become woven into the fabric of British life — particularly during the festive season. Driving Home for Christmas has returned to the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007, peaking at number 10 in 2021 and continuing to resonate with generations of listeners.

Behind the scenes, Rea had endured a long and punishing battle with serious health problems. Over the years, he suffered from peritonitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes, and previously revealed that he was injecting insulin up to seven times a day. In a candid interview, he disclosed that he had undergone nine major operations in a decade due to a rare condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis, which causes internal tissues to attack each other.

Reflecting on his life and career, Rea once admitted that success came at a cost. He spoke openly about how wealth and fame could “dangerously lead you on,” noting that true richness was found not in money, but in health and peace of mind. In one poignant reflection, he remarked that “the richest man in the world is the one who hasn’t got a bad shoulder.”

Born on 4 March 1951 in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, Chris Rea was the son of Italian father Camillo Rea and Irish mother Winifred K. Slee. His unique blend of blues, rock and soulful storytelling earned him a devoted following across the UK and beyond.

As tributes begin to pour in, fans are once again turning up the volume on the song that made him a Christmas icon — a fitting farewell to a man whose music captured longing, warmth and the simple ache of getting home.

The festive calm of the Formula 1 off-season has been shattered by reports of escalating tension within Red Bull Racing. As the dust settles on the 2025 season, the team finds itself staring into the precipice of a potential crisis that threatens to unravel nearly a decade of dominance. New evidence has emerged linking Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer and closest confidant, to a shock move to Aston Martin—a maneuver that insiders believe is a calculated strike to lure the World Champion himself away from Red Bull.

The “Secret Weapon” Targeted

For fans of Formula 1, the voice of Gianpiero Lambiase—affectionately known as “GP”—is as iconic as Verstappen’s aggressive driving style. Since 2016, Lambiase has been the calm in the eye of the Verstappen storm, a figure who commands the Dutchman’s absolute respect. Their relationship transcends the typical driver-engineer dynamic; it is built on blunt honesty, emotional management, and an almost telepathic understanding of race strategy.

However, alarming reports suggest that this bond is now the primary target of Aston Martin’s aggressive recruitment drive. Sources indicate that the Silverstone-based outfit has opened direct lines of communication with Lambiase, not merely for an engineering post, but for a senior management role. This offer, rumored to be effectively a “blank check” regarding influence and culture-building, represents a level of ambition that Red Bull may struggle to match.

For Red Bull, Lambiase is irreplaceable. He knows exactly when to challenge Verstappen, when to soothe him, and crucially, when to tell him to shut up and drive. Losing him would be akin to removing the rudder from a high-speed vessel, especially with the sport heading into the unknown waters of the 2026 regulation overhaul.

Aston Martin’s “Super Team” Strategy

The interest in Lambiase is not an isolated headhunting exercise; it appears to be the final piece of a grand puzzle being assembled by Lawrence Stroll. With design genius Adrian Newey already committed to Aston Martin to lead their technical charge for the new era, the addition of Lambiase would effectively recreate the “inner circle” that facilitated Verstappen’s rise to glory.

Paddock insiders view this as a transparent yet brilliant strategy: by assembling the people Verstappen trusts most, Aston Martin is removing the risks associated with changing teams. The prospect of walking into a new factory that features a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the legendary Adrian Newey, and his own trusted race engineer in a leadership role makes the switch from a destabilized Red Bull to a rising Aston Martin an incredibly compelling proposition for Verstappen.

Red Bull’s Crumbling Fortress

The timing of these revelations could not be worse for the reigning champions. The last 18 months have seen an unprecedented exodus of talent from Milton Keynes. The departure of Adrian Newey was the first domino, followed by the loss of sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. Reports from the paddock even suggest a wider vacuum in leadership, with figures like Christian Horner and Helmut Marko part of a narrative of internal upheaval that has stripped the team of its once-bulletproof continuity.

This “brain drain” has left Red Bull vulnerable. The team is no longer the immovable force of the early 2020s. Instead, they appear fragile, with rivals actively probing for weaknesses in their armor. The fear within the factory is palpable: if the structure supporting Verstappen continues to erode, the performance on track will inevitably follow.

The 2026 Factor: Why Stability is King

The stakes are raised exponentially by the looming 2026 regulations. The sport is preparing for its most complex technical era yet, with power units split 50/50 between internal combustion and electrical energy. In this new world, energy management will be the difference between winning and losing.

Drivers will need to rely on constant, precise guidance from the pit wall to manage deployment and recovery strategies. Any hesitation or miscommunication could cost tenths of a second per lap—margins that decide championships. Red Bull knows that severing the Verstappen-Lambiase connection right before this reset is a recipe for disaster. Even a capable replacement like Simon Rennie, who stepped in briefly during 2025, cannot replicate a decade of shared intuition overnight.

Verstappen’s Exit Clause: The Ticking Bomb

Ultimately, all roads lead back to Max Verstappen. While the Dutchman is contractually tied to Red Bull until 2028, it is an open secret that his deal contains performance-related exit clauses. Specifically, should the team fail to provide him with a car capable of fighting for the top two in the championship during key phases of the 2026 season, he is free to walk.

Red Bull is acutely aware that personnel losses often precede performance dips. If Lambiase departs, and the car struggles in the new regulation cycle, the conditions for Verstappen’s exit could be met sooner than anyone expected. Lawrence Stroll is banking on this momentum effect. By presenting Aston Martin as a project on the rise—stable, ambitious, and familiar—he is positioning his team as the only logical lifeboat for Verstappen should the Red Bull ship continue to take on water.

As the off-season progresses, the silence from Milton Keynes is deafening. What began as paddock whispers has evolved into a genuine existential threat. Red Bull is fighting a war on two fronts: trying to build a car for the future while desperately trying to hold onto the people who make it fast. If they lose Gianpiero Lambiase, they may well lose Max Verstappen—and with him, their era of supremacy.

Zak Brown made a costly arrangement with Lando Norris, and after the Brit clinched the World Championship title in 2025, the time has come to pay up and fulfil his end of the deal

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Lando Norris completed his half of the deal in Abu Dhabi(Image: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

When Lando Norris crossed the line in third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month, he clinched the greatest prize in Formula One, becoming just the 11th British driver to be crowned world champion, and McLaren’s first since Lewis Hamilton ’s triumph in 2008.

However, the 26-year-old also lucked out on another front, completing his half of an agreement that will prove extremely costly for McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.

The deal in question was made public in 2024 as Norris battled Red Bull ’s Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship title. “I’ve got a deal with Zak that if I win the championship, he has to get me a car,” the Brit explained. “I’ve specified which car. We shook on it, but that’s all I’m saying. There’s a long way to go; it’s still a lot of points. But who knows?”

Norris ultimately came up short in 2024, finishing 63 points behind Verstappen, but he got his turn in the spotlight in 2025 when McLaren started the campaign with the dominant car. The Bristol-born racer pipped his friend and rival to the crown by two points, completing his bet with Brown.

While in his initial interview with The Telegraph , Norris refused to specify which car he was talking about, the machine of his dreams was later revealed as he chatted with fans at a Grand Prix in 2025. The 26-year-old has his sights set on a Pagani Zonda, which can cost upwards of £1million, depending on the model.

Should he succeed in convincing Brown to part ways with his cash for a sports car outside of the McLaren family, Norris will add the Zonda to his impressive car collection. The Brit already counts a Ferrari F40, a McLaren 765LT Spider, and a Lamborghini Miura among his burgeoning collection.

Norris isn’t the only F1 star to express his love for Pagani’s flagship model. Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton owned a Zonda 760 LH for roughly seven years before selling it in 2021 as part of a downsizing effort inspired by his deepening concern for environmental issues.

Hamilton’s custom-built Zonda was next spotted in unfortunate circumstances in 2023. The unnamed new owner crashed the purple supercar inside the Penmaenbach Tunnel in Conwy, Wales, colliding hard with the wall and leaving the multi-million-pound beast in ruins.

Norris will surely be more careful if he gets his hands on his dream car on Brown’s dime. However, if he wants to retain his title in 2026, he will need to watch out for his team-mate, Oscar Piastri, who will be seeking to avenge his late-season collapse.

“When I look at this season compared to my first two years in F1, this year has been head and shoulders above the first two,” he said after finishing third in the standings. “Ultimately, whilst the end result is not quite what I wanted, there’s a lot of optimism and a lot of strength that I’ve gained from proving to myself what I can achieve through this season.”