Coleen Nolan left viewers unexpectedly emotional this week after revealing the one moment that turned her entire Christmas upside down — a moment she admits made her feel “truly alone for the first time ever.”

The 60-year-old Loose Women star returned to the ITV panel on Thursday, but instead of her usual humour and warmth, Coleen brought something far more vulnerable to the table:
a confession about how much her life has changed as her children begin building families of their own.

“I put the decorations up… and suddenly realised no one was there.”

While the panel chatted about holiday preparations, Coleen quietly admitted she had already decorated her home — but the simple task had hit her harder than expected.

“It was the loneliest I’ve ever felt,” she said, her voice soft.
“I’ve never put the Christmas tree up on my own before.”

Coleen explained that her children were busy living out their new chapters as parents. She didn’t want to interrupt them — even though she knew they’d come running if she asked.

Instead, she let them have their moment… while she faced hers.

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Coleen Noland shared a heartbreaking Christmas confession as she reflected on a number of big changes in her family on Thursday’s episode of Loose Women

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With Christmas just around the corner, the Loose ladies discussed how prepared they feel about the looming festivities, and Coleen said: ‘It was the loneliest I’ve felt’

A tree full of tangled lights — and tangled feelings

Coleen joked that the tree looked like it had been “attacked by tinsel,” adding that her daughter Ciara usually saves the decorations from disaster with her artistic touch.

But this time, Coleen felt every clumsy ornament placement.

“I suddenly thought… this is what happens when everyone grows up.”

It wasn’t sadness for them — it was the sting of a new reality for herself.

“It won’t always feel like this” — her co-stars reassure her

Charlene White gently reminded Coleen that Christmas evolves as families grow.

One day, her grandchildren will be taking over the living room, grabbing baubles, climbing ladders, and turning her tree into chaos — the happy, loud kind.

And Coleen knows this. She even smiled through it.
But it didn’t soften the ache of this year’s first.

A woman starting again — in life, love, and motherhood

Coleen is now a grandmother of three.
She is single again.
Her children are carving out their own homes, routines, traditions.

And in many ways, Coleen is learning what it means to rebuild her sense of family in a new phase of life — a phase many women watching her deeply relate to.

The moment that shocked the panel earlier this week

Just days ago, Coleen made headlines again for a completely different reason — candidly opening up about the unconventional way she once “spiced up her love life.”
Her unfiltered comments left Ruth Langsford and Janet Street Porter practically speechless.

It was classic Coleen: honest, self-deprecating, and totally unafraid to share the messy parts of being a woman in her 50s and 60s.

But today was different.
Today was tender.

A quiet reminder that even the strongest women get lonely

In a season that celebrates togetherness, Coleen’s words resonated with thousands who know exactly what it’s like to see their children build new lives while learning how to navigate their own.

Her story isn’t about sadness — it’s about transition, growth, and the strange beauty of letting go.

And as Christmas approaches, viewers praised her for saying the thing many are afraid to admit:

“Sometimes joy and loneliness live in the same room.”

The 2025 Formula 1 season has officially crossed the finish line, leaving fans with a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected triumphs, and some of the most controversial decisions in recent memory. As the dust settles on 24 grueling races, the experts at Racing News365 have taken a deep dive into the moments that defined a year of transition, heartbreak, and ultimate glory. From the shocking decline of a legend at Ferrari to the cutthroat environment of the Red Bull garage, 2025 was a season that defied logic and kept the world on the edge of its seat.

The Ferrari Dream That Turned Into a Nightmare

When Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari, the sporting world stood still. It was billed as the ultimate union: the most decorated driver in history joining the most iconic team in the sport. The expectation was nothing short of a title charge. However, as  suggests, the reality fell painfully flat. Hamilton finished the season without a single Grand Prix podium, a statistic that would have seemed impossible just twelve months ago.

While there were flashes of brilliance—notably his sprint victory in China—the partnership struggled to find a rhythm. The Ferrari SF-25 often looked like a handful, and as the season progressed, the gap between the Scuderia and the front-runners only seemed to widen. This has sparked intense discussion about Hamilton’s future. With younger talents like Oliver Bearman waiting in the wings, the pressure is on for 2026. If the car doesn’t improve, the sport may have to prepare for the retirement of its greatest icon.

Red Bull’s Brutal Driver Carousel

If there is one thing Red Bull is known for, it is a lack of sentimentality. The 2025 season saw this trait pushed to the extreme. The decision to axe Jack Doohan and the subsequent handling of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda left many analysts scratching their heads. As noted at , the “bonkers” decision to give Lawson only two races in a car he didn’t know, only to reshuffle the deck again, highlighted the volatility of the Red Bull program.

Yuki Tsunoda, once seen as a potential successor to the top seat, ultimately found himself off the grid for 2026. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson’s F1 career was arguably saved by the chaotic timing of these moves, securing him a spot for the next era of regulations. These “brutal” decisions have become a hallmark of the Christian Horner era, proving that in the world of Red Bull, you are only as good as your last two laps.

The Rise of the Underdog: Carlos Sainz’s Glow Up

While Hamilton struggled at Ferrari, the man he replaced found a surprising new lease on life. Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams was initially viewed by many as a step backward. However, Sainz transformed the narrative through sheer performance. After a rocky start where he was outperformed by teammate Alex Albon, Sainz underwent what many are calling the “biggest glow up of 2025” .

By the second half of the season, Sainz and his Williams machinery were “as one.” He secured multiple podiums and consistently outscored his teammate, proving that his race-winning credentials remain intact. As Williams moves toward a future powered by Mercedes, Sainz has positioned himself as a leader capable of pulling a midfield team into the spotlight, making him one of the standout performers of the year.

McLaren’s Fragile Dominance

Lando Norris finally clinched his first Drivers’ Championship, but the path to the title was far from smooth. Despite possessing the most dominant car on the grid—the MCL39—McLaren’s season was defined by strategic errors and the controversial “Papaya Rules.” The team’s insistence on a two-driver policy allowed Max Verstappen to stay in the hunt much longer than he should have .

Verstappen’s ability to “drag a result out of nowhere” kept the pressure on until the final round in Abu Dhabi. Many experts believe that had Verstappen been in the McLaren, the title would have been wrapped up by Mexico City. While Norris eventually secured the crown thanks to a clinical team performance in the season finale, the internal friction between Norris and Oscar Piastri remains a ticking time bomb. If McLaren doesn’t establish a clear hierarchy soon, this partnership may not survive the 2026 regulation shift.

Looking Ahead to the Unknown

As F1 moves into a new era of technical regulations in 2026, the 2025 season serves as a dramatic closing chapter to the current ground-effect cars. We saw a year where the gaps narrowed, rookies found their feet, and veterans questioned their place in the sport. Whether it was the chaos of a wet Silverstone or the masterclass from Verstappen in Brazil, 2025 reminded us why we love this sport: because even when you think you know the outcome, Formula 1 always has one more twist in store.

The landscape of Formula 1 is on the precipice of a seismic shift. As the 2026 regulation change looms, one name has dominated the headlines with a blend of mystery, controversy, and undeniable ambition: Cadillac. This isn’t just another entry on the entry list; it is a full-scale assault on the pinnacle of motorsport, backed by the industrial might of General Motors and a strategic partnership with Ferrari that has the “veteran teams” looking over their shoulders.

For months, the project was shrouded in speculation, but recent leaks and official updates have painted a picture of a team that is doing “everything correctly.” From passing mandatory safety tests to locking in a driver lineup that balances raw speed with immense experience, Cadillac is signaling that they aren’t coming to F1 to simply make up the numbers. They are coming to compete.

The Veteran Core: Perez and Bottas Take the Lead

One of the most significant milestones for the Cadillac project has been the solidification of its driver lineup. The team has successfully secured a “veteran core” consisting of Sergio “Checo” Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers have already begun the grueling process of integrating with the new team. Recently, Bottas completed a full seat fitting for the 2026 chassis—a moment that marks the transition from abstract concept to physical reality.

Checo Perez, who has been spending significant hours in the simulator, has already made bold claims that have sent ripples through the paddock. The Mexican veteran has openly discussed the possibility of podium finishes in the latter half of the 2026 season. While such a statement might seem overly optimistic for a debutant team, the stability of the new regulations offers a unique window of opportunity for those who get their “ground-up” design right.

Adding to this talent pool is the American sensation Colton Herta. Serving as the team’s reserve driver, Herta has been stacking up vital miles—most recently completing 172 laps in Abu Dhabi—to secure his Super License. This trio represents a perfect blend of F1 race-winning experience and future American potential, ensuring the team has the feedback necessary to develop a world-class machine.

Leaked Tech: Pull Rods and Front Wings

While the drivers are the face of the team, the technical secrets of the 2026 car are what will ultimately determine their fate. Recent “accidental” leaks have given fans a first look at the Cadillac chassis. Most notably, the car is confirmed to be running a pull rod front suspension setup. This design choice mirrors the geometry used by McLaren and Red Bull to extract maximum aerodynamic performance through “anti-dive” downwash characteristics.

Interestingly, Cadillac is diverging from the path of Ferrari and Red Bull for 2026, as those teams are rumored to be switching to a push rod setup. While a pull rod system is notoriously more difficult to adjust during a practice session, it offers lighter components and a lower center of gravity—a trade-off Cadillac engineers believe is worth the risk.

Furthermore, the first official glimpse of a 2026-spec front wing has emerged from the Cadillac factory. The design features intricate “outwash slots” on the endplates, a clever engineering workaround to maintain aerodynamic balance despite the new regulations favoring “inwash” airflow. This indicates that Cadillac is not just following the rulebook; they are actively looking for the “gray areas” that define F1 champions.

The “Immature Car” Strategy

Team Principal Graham Lowdon recently confirmed a major milestone: the Cadillac chassis has officially passed the mandatory FIA homologation tests for the monocoque and the rear end. In the high-pressure world of F1 development, failing these tests can set a program back by months, potentially ruining a season before it starts.

However, Lowdon was candid about the team’s early approach. He admitted that Cadillac has “prioritized delivery over performance” for the initial version of the car. The machine that will hit the track for private testing in Barcelona next month will be an “immature version.” This is a calculated risk designed to avoid the “Williams 2019” scenario, where a team arrives late to testing with a car that isn’t legally compliant or physically ready.

By ensuring the car is reliable and legal from day one, Cadillac can utilize the nine total days of preseason testing to its fullest. Without a 2025 car to use as a benchmark, the team is relying on rapid evolution. They expect the car to change significantly between the January tests and the season opener in Bahrain, with upgrades arriving at a pace rarely seen from a new entrant.

Looking Toward the Horizon: 2029 and Beyond

The 2026 season is just the beginning. While the team will initially run with Ferrari-supported power, the ultimate goal remains a fully integrated Cadillac engine by 2029. Rumors regarding the Detroit plant suggest that the groundwork for this American-made power unit is already being laid.

The team’s leadership isn’t promising miracles or championship trophies in year one. Their goal is to be a consistent “midfield runner,” a modest aim that belies the massive infrastructure being built behind the scenes. In a sport where newcomers often stumble, Cadillac’s methodical, transparent, and ambitious approach suggests that the American flag will be flying high on the F1 podium sooner rather than later. The journey from Detroit to the world stage has officially begun, and the grid will never be the same.

The red dream that was supposed to define a new era of Formula 1 has officially collided with a harsh and unforgiving reality. In Maranello, what began as a historic campaign fueled by the arrival of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has devolved into a full-scale technical and political crisis. The SF-25, once hailed as the machine that would return the Scuderia to its former glory, is now being described by its own drivers as a “worst enemy,” revealing a structural rot within the team that goes far deeper than a few lost points on a Sunday afternoon.

For months, the narrative coming out of Ferrari was one of quiet confidence. They had paired the unparalleled experience of Hamilton with the generational talent of Charles Leclerc, creating what many believed to be the strongest driver lineup on the grid. However, beneath the polished marketing and the iconic red paint, a technical tragedy was brewing. The SF-25 wasn’t just underperforming; it was fundamentally broken.

The issues began to surface during the very first meters of the season. Lewis Hamilton, a driver who demands surgical precision and absolute confidence in late braking, found himself wrestling with a car that lost its rear end without warning. Charles Leclerc, known for his aggressive corner entry, reported a terrifying sensation of “floating” and a total disconnection between the steering wheel and the front axle. These weren’t mere setup issues or tire temperature fluctuations; these were the cries of world-class athletes realizing they were strapped into a defective machine.

Despite the urgent warnings from both drivers, the response from Ferrari’s technical department was characterized by a dangerous mix of bureaucracy and denial. Instead of addressing the core issues, the team offered superficial adjustments—wing angles, engine maps, and tire pressures—while the drivers’ frustration reached a boiling point. The truth only came to light during a post-mortem investigation in Abu Dhabi, which confirmed what the pilots had intuited all along: the SF-25 chassis suffered from anomalous flexing under maximum aerodynamic load. This structural defect dramatically reduced tire contact and destroyed stability exactly when the drivers needed it most.

The fallout from this revelation has been nothing short of explosive. Charles Leclerc, long the golden boy of Maranello, has issued a thinly veiled ultimatum. After years of loyalty and multiple contract renewals, he is no longer willing to “mortgage his career” for a project that refuses to listen. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s arrival—intended to be a crowning achievement—is being overshadowed by the realization that he has traded one struggling team for another that seems trapped in a cycle of its own making.

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur finally broke his silence in a move that has sent shockwaves through the paddock. In a tone that was eerily calm, Vasseur admitted that the drivers’ criticisms were justified and acknowledged that the team had detected the defect far too late. However, the real “bombshell” was his admission that a structural solution would not be implemented for the current car, but rather for the 2026 season.

By effectively writing off the current championship just as it is beginning, Ferrari has signaled a surrender that is unprecedented for a team of its stature. This “covert surrender” is a direct insult to the competitive spirits of Hamilton and Leclerc, who now face the prospect of a year spent driving a car the team has already abandoned. It raises a haunting question: Why did it take an entire season and a post-mortem analysis to confirm what the drivers reported during the first free practice in Australia?

The answer lies in Ferrari’s rigid hierarchical structure. In a sport where every millisecond counts, the Scuderia remains bogged down by layers of internal bureaucracy that prevent quick, decisive action. When the drivers spoke, their voices were filtered through departments more concerned with protecting their own data than admitting a fundamental engineering failure. This culture of inaction has created a fracture so deep that it threatens the very future of the team’s lineup.

As it stands, Ferrari is facing a triple-threat crisis. Technologically, they are competing with a “fundamentally defective” car. Humanly, their star drivers have lost faith in the leadership. Structurally, the team’s institutional response has been to project hope onto the distant future while ignoring the fires burning in the present.

For the Tifosi, who have waited over a decade for a rebirth of the Prancing Horse, this is a tragically familiar pattern. It is a story of wasted potential, unfulfilled promises, and a refusal to learn from the past. If immediate and radical changes are not made to the team’s political and technical foundations, the dream of Hamilton in red will not be remembered as a revolution, but as a footnote in a long history of missed opportunities. The SF-25 is no longer just a car; it is a symbol of a team that has forgotten how to win by refusing to listen to those who drive it.

The world of motorsport was recently set abuzz with the unexpected sighting of Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen behind the wheel of a Mercedes GT3 car at the Circuito do Estoril in Portugal. This surprising turn of events has sparked a wave of speculation and excitement among fans and experts alike, many of whom are wondering what this could mean for the future of the three-time World Champion.

Max Verstappen, known for his relentless drive and exceptional talent on the Formula 1 track, has never been one to shy away from new challenges. His appearance in a GT3 car, particularly one from a rival manufacturer like Mercedes, is a significant moment that has captured the attention of the global racing community. The footage from the test session shows Verstappen pushing the car to its limits, demonstrating his characteristic precision and speed even in a different racing discipline.

The Circuito do Estoril, with its challenging layout and historical significance, provided the perfect backdrop for this intriguing test session. Verstappen was seen navigating the track’s demanding corners and straights with ease, showcasing his versatility as a driver. The presence of the Mercedes GT3 car, adorned in a striking livery, added an extra layer of intrigue to the event, as Verstappen has been a long-time associate of the Red Bull Racing team in Formula 1.

While it’s not uncommon for F1 drivers to experiment with other racing categories during the off-season or as part of their personal interests, Verstappen’s choice of a Mercedes GT3 car is particularly noteworthy. Mercedes has been a major rival to Red Bull in the F1 arena for years, and seeing their star driver in a competitor’s machine is bound to raise eyebrows. Some have speculated that this could be a hint at a potential future collaboration or a shift in Verstappen’s racing focus, while others believe it may simply be a case of a world-class driver enjoying a different kind of racing machine.

Verstappen’s passion for racing extends far beyond the Formula 1 paddock. He has frequently expressed his interest in endurance racing and has even participated in virtual racing events, showcasing his commitment to the sport in all its forms. The GT3 category, with its high-performance cars and competitive field, offers a unique set of challenges that could be highly appealing to a driver of Verstappen’s caliber.

The test session in Estoril also saw Verstappen behind the wheel of a Ferrari GT3 car, further highlighting his interest in the GT racing scene. This diversification of his racing activities suggests that Verstappen is keen to broaden his horizons and gain experience in different types of machinery. Whether this will lead to a more formal involvement in GT racing in the future remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Verstappen is not content to simply rest on his laurels.

The reaction from fans on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement at the prospect of seeing Verstappen compete in other racing series. His appearance in the Mercedes GT3 car has already generated a significant amount of engagement and discussion, proving once again that Verstappen is one of the most influential and captivating figures in modern motorsport.

As the F1 season approaches, all eyes will be back on Verstappen as he seeks to defend his title and continue his dominance on the track. However, his brief foray into the world of GT3 racing has provided a fascinating glimpse into his wider racing interests and potential future endeavors. Whether he’s behind the wheel of an F1 car or a GT3 machine, Max Verstappen’s talent and passion for racing are undeniable, and he continues to be a major force in the world of motorsport.

In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s surprise appearance in a Mercedes GT3 car at Estoril has captured the imagination of racing fans worldwide. While the implications of this test session remain speculative, it’s a testament to Verstappen’s versatility and his enduring love for the sport of racing. As he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the track, the world will be watching with bated breath to see what he does next. Whether it’s in Formula 1, GT3 racing, or any other category, Max Verstappen is a driver who consistently delivers excitement and intrigue, and his latest outing is no exception.

“Undercover on the Frontline” — British Vigilantes Masquerade as Journalists in a Chilling New Campaign to Hunt Down Migrants

Men who have filmed themselves slashing migrant boats are posing as accredited journalists to encourage asylum seekers to speak to them on camera

Daniel Thomas, right, and Ryan Bridge, have been offering migrants money to speak to them, with Bridge also pretending he is a journalist (Photo: Raise the Colours)

Sanya Burgess
Investigations Correspondent

December 10, 2025 6:00 am (Updated 4:04 pm)
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British vigilantes have been posing as journalists in a new tactic designed to confront Channel migrants in France.

Migrants have been shown fake press cards and offered money by members of the group, as part of their efforts to film content for their anti-migrant social media pages.

These vigilantes’ actions have escalated from raising St George’s flags on English streets to travelling to France where they have been harassing migrants and slashing small boats used in Channel crossings.

The i Paper previously revealed how the vigilantes discussed a secret plot to misdirect police and send groups of British men to join their efforts in France but were rumbled when they were overheard in the pub.

Fake journalists offering real money

A new tactic used by the men is to pose as accredited journalists. It appears they are doing this to encourage migrants they encounter in France to speak to them on camera.

In a video posted last month, the men are confronted by French police as they film a destroyed migrant boat on the beach. The officer asks whether the group have a press card. The footage suggests the men do not.

The following week, they uploaded a video of their return to France but this time one of the men is brandishing what appears to be a homemade press card printed out on white paper. Real press cards are plastic with identifying details about the journalist and a hologram printed onto a blue background.

Ryan Bridge, who is one of the leaders of the flag-raising Raise the Colours movement, is filmed holding what appears to be a DIY card out to a number of migrants.
Ryan Bridge holds what appears to be a homemade press card (Photo: Raise the Colours)
In one such video, Bridge also asks a migrant if he would be interviewed, falsely telling the man he is “from the press association”, which is similar to the name of one of the UK’s leading news agencies.

It’s unclear if Bridge is actually claiming to be from this organisation, as later in the same clip he amends his introduction to say he is from “a press association called Raise the Colours”.

Blitz spirit vigilantes out of puff

Self-styled as a citizen’s army, the group of men dub their exploits as mock military campaigns, such as “Operation Overlord” – the codename for the Allies’ invasion of occupied Europe during the Second World War, beginning on D-Day, 6 June, 1944.

Bridge, along with Daniel Thomas, an associate of far-right leader Tommy Robinson, are positioned as the two main leaders. The pair shared a photo of themselves dressed in pseudo security forces outfits and boast of purchasing new equipment for themselves using donations, including stab-proof vests.

They are now attempting to sign up large numbers of English men to take direct action against migrants in France.

Their recruitment tactics involve pumping out a high volume of videos filmed in France of their confrontations with those in the Calais camps, with one recent video capturing a vigilante asking a potential migrant: “Do you want to speak to us for money? Do you want some money? Do you want some euro?”
Ryan Bridge, left, with Daniel Thomas. Their use of Christianity to justify their actions has been criticised by the Church of England (Photo: Danny Thomas)
They film their “operations” in France, with a recent social media clip showing the vigilantes shouting abuse at migrants in a camp. It concludes with Bridge panting and out of breath having run a short distance to a waiting getaway car after a water bottle is thrown at them on camera.

The group claims more than 5,500 men signed up within 24 hours of their recruitment site going live. This is despite there not being a large amount of traction online around their chosen hashtag “#OperationOverlord”.

This hashtag reached a daily peak of around 4,800 mentions on 28 November, the day the mission was launched. This dropped to only 100 posts featuring the hashtag on 1 December, according to figures collected by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue using social media monitoring tool Brandwatch.

Bishops warn vigilantes to stop co-opting Christianity

The men also attempt to pull on support by positioning their activities as the actions of English Christians protecting the Christian faith.

Two leading bishops have spoken out in response to the group’s use of religion to justify their behaviour. They warn that “any attempt to co-opt Christianity to particular political agendas or ideologies should be viewed with deep suspicion”.

In a bid to boost sign-ups, the vigilantes have continually highlighted their Christian faith and called on other Christians to join them. Thomas refers to himself as a “warrior of faith”.

The vigilantes share images featuring Christian symbols of the cross and crucifix as well as pictures suggesting they are religious soldiers.

“Christianity is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Thomas at the start of one recent video.

This use of Christianity is alarming the Church of England, with two leading bishops speaking out against this misappropriation of their faith.

“Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable, and I am gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism, violence and anti-migrant behaviours,” said the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Christopher Chessun.

He added: “I understand that there are many who may be swept up in movements like this who don’t necessarily buy-in wholesale to what is being said.

“I would encourage them to think again, to consider what kind of world they want to be a part of – and to choose compassion and understanding over hostility and violence.”
The Right Rev Arun Arora, left, and Christopher Chessun, right. The two Bishops reflected concerns shared by the Church of England regarding the use of Christianity to justify anti-migrant vigilantism (Photo: Diocese of Leeds/Getty)
The Christian leader highlighted that the men’s behaviour is coinciding with preparations to celebrate Christmas, which is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, who was a Middle Eastern child “who, with his parents, became a refugee, fleeing those who would do them harm”.

The Bishop of Kirkstall, who is also the Church of England’s co-lead Bishop on Racial Justice, added: “Christ’s call to love your neighbour is a hallmark and authenticator for all of those who would seek to follow his teachings or act in His name.

“It is a non-negotiable teaching which is glaringly absent in the actions of these men,” the Right Rev Arun Arora said.

He continued: “Any attempt to co-opt Christianity to particular political agendas or ideologies should be viewed with deep suspicion. The far right has often sought to wrap itself in flags or symbols which belong to us all.”

The world of Formula 1 is no stranger to high-stakes gambling, but what is currently unfolding at the Aston Martin headquarters in Silverstone is a maneuver of unprecedented proportions. As the sport hurtles toward the 2026 regulatory reset, Lawrence Stroll has made it clear that he isn’t just looking to compete; he is looking to conquer. The latest developments within the team suggest that the “Green Team” is on the precipice of a total transformation, one that has seen management heads roll and the legendary Adrian Newey ascend to a position of absolute power.

For years, the narrative around Aston Martin has been one of massive investment. Stroll’s millions have built a state-of-the-art factory and a cutting-edge wind tunnel. However, as the 2025 season showed, money doesn’t always buy immediate speed. Finishing a disappointing seventh in the constructors’ championship, the team has struggled to find the pace required to challenge the frontrunners. Yet, behind the scenes, a much larger game is being played. The recent departure of Andy Cowell as Team Principal and CEO, just 13 months after his arrival, sent shockwaves through the paddock. To many, replacing the man steering the ship just as the 2026 harbor comes into view seemed like a sign of internal chaos.

The reality, however, appears to be a calculated consolidation of power. Reports from within the camp hinted at a simmering tension between Cowell and Newey regarding the hierarchy of command. While Cowell held the official titles, Newey—the “big ticket” signing with an equity stake in the team—was always the ultimate authority on technical matters. This friction led to a definitive choice: Lawrence Stroll opted to clear the path for Newey. As of November 26, it was officially announced that Adrian Newey would step into the role of Team Principal for the 2026 season.

This move is significant because it shifts Newey from his traditional “man at the drawing board” persona into a holistic leadership role. While some purists argue that Newey should be kept in a box and allowed to simply draw cars, those who know his history understand his versatility. From his early days as a race engineer to his stated passion for the total integration of chassis and engine, Newey has always been more than just an aerodynamicist. By taking the helm, he can ensure that every facet of the team—from logistics to technical development—is aligned with his singular vision.

Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has remained remarkably calm amidst this management merry-go-round. Alonso revealed that he is in constant communication with Lawrence Stroll, often discussing team strategy over weekly phone calls or dinners during race weekends. According to Alonso, the team’s current struggle for minor points in 2025 is a temporary hurdle that does not distract from the long-term objective. He remains “in the loop,” trusting that the structural changes are designed specifically to provide him with a championship-caliber car in 2026.

Perhaps the most critical piece of the 2026 puzzle is the team’s new partnership with Honda. For the first time, Aston Martin will move away from being a “customer team” of Mercedes and enter a collaborative, exclusive relationship with the Japanese manufacturer. In previous years, Aston Martin had to design their cars around a Mercedes engine they had no control over—a “take it or leave it” scenario that creates massive design constraints. With Honda, the relationship is a “work-as-one” integration. Honda will exclusively tailor their power units to fit Newey’s aerodynamic concepts, allowing for a level of packaging efficiency that customer teams can only dream of.

Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, has described this partnership as being on the “eve of something very special.” The goal is clear: World Championship glory. To facilitate this, Honda is taking the unusual step of hosting a dedicated launch event for their 2026 engine in January, long before the cars themselves are revealed. This event will provide a rare, close-up look at the next generation of F1 power—a unit that features a massively upgraded energy recovery system and the removal of the complex MGU-H.

With Adrian Newey leading the charge, Honda providing the muscle, and Fernando Alonso behind the wheel, Aston Martin has all the ingredients for a dominant era. The risk of changing team principals three times in 12 months is undeniable, but the reward—a car designed and managed by the greatest technical mind in F1 history—could be the masterstroke that finally ends the dominance of the established elite. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes are on Silverstone to see if this “something special” can truly translate into silverware.

A Mother’s Fight, a Son’s Promise: Pauline Quirke’s Son Charlie Completes a Powerful Five-Day Charity Journey, Moving the Nation as He Raises an Extraordinary Sum for Alzheimer’s Research UK in a Heart-Wrenching Show of Love, Strength, and Hope.

Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie has raised an eye-watering sum for Alzheimer’s Research UK after completing a deeply personal five-day charity challenge inspired by his mother’s life.

Charlie crossed the finish line of his Trek For A Cure in Buckinghamshire on Friday, having retraced the journey of his mum’s life following her dementia diagnosis in 2021. The fundraising total has now passed £177,000, with donations continuing to pour in.

Earlier this year, Pauline, 66 — best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the much-loved BBC sitcom Birds Of A Feather — stepped back “from all professional and commercial duties” as her family shared news of her condition.

Family games

Over the course of five days, Charlie walked through places rich with meaning, from former schools and theatres to the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, where he was visibly overcome with emotion on arrival.

Reflecting on the experience, Charlie said he was humbled by the response, explaining that he “couldn’t thank people enough” for the love and support shown by those who joined him, sent messages or even stopped him in the street to express their gratitude. He admitted he was blown away by how much had been raised, adding that the trek was driven by a simple but powerful hope — to help find a cure and to thank everyone who stood behind his family.

The journey began in Chigwell, Essex — the setting of Birds Of A Feather — on December 8, with Linda Robson and Ray Winstone among those there to see him off. From there, Charlie travelled through east London, Surrey and Berkshire, stopping at significant locations from his mother’s life, including West Ham United’s training ground at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a club close to the family’s heart.

Family games

Throughout the trek, Charlie was joined by a number of familiar faces, including actors Mathew Baynton and Perry Benson, while television favourite Lorraine Kelly walked alongside him for the final stretch.

Charlie’s father, Steve Sheen, said the support went far beyond their own family, stressing that if nothing changes, “one in two will be directly affected by dementia,” whether through diagnosis, caring responsibilities or both — a reality he said society can no longer accept.

Alzheimer’s Research UK director Jessica Taylor-Khan praised Charlie’s efforts, saying the funds raised would make a real difference in accelerating progress towards a cure. She added that, just as importantly, Charlie had helped raise awareness and given a voice to countless families living with the devastation of dementia.

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, silence is usually the ultimate weapon. Teams guard their technical secrets like crown jewels, especially when a massive regulation change looms on the horizon. However, Ferrari has just done something that has completely caught the racing world off guard. Instead of the usual corporate optimism or the “everything is on track” rhetoric we’ve come to expect from Maranello, the Italian team has opened its doors to reveal a startling level of transparency regarding their 2026 power unit project.

This isn’t just about a new engine; it’s about a fundamental cultural shift within the most legendary team in racing history. As the sport prepares for the 2026 regulations—the most dramatic technical pivot in decades—Ferrari is admitting to its weaknesses before the first wheel has even turned on track. This brutal honesty might just be the most dangerous thing their competitors have ever faced.

The 2026 Power Revolution

To understand the gravity of Ferrari’s current situation, one must understand the sheer scale of the 2026 rule changes. We aren’t talking about minor tweaks to front wings or floor edges. The very heart of the Formula 1 car is being ripped out and replaced. In the current era, the internal combustion engine is the king, with hybrid systems acting as a supporting cast. In 2026, that hierarchy is flattened. Electrical power will become equally important to fuel-burning horsepower, demanding a 50/50 split in energy output.

Ferrari’s engineering team, working under the quiet but firm leadership of Fred Vasseur, has been hitting its performance targets. The internal combustion engine is producing the predicted output, and the electrical recovery systems are functioning as simulated. On paper, the “Prancing Horse” is fast. But there is a massive “but” hanging over the project: reliability.

A Culture of Honesty Over Hype

Ferrari has a painful history of building “glass cannons”—cars that are breathtakingly fast but tragically fragile. We have seen seasons where brilliant technical innovations crumbled under the heat and vibration of actual Grand Prix racing. What makes the 2026 project different is that Ferrari is acknowledging these reliability concerns now, in the development phase, rather than discovering them during the first race in March.

By admitting that their components work individually but haven’t yet proven their survival in the “brutal reality of race conditions,” Ferrari is signaling a change in philosophy. They are planning for problems instead of reacting to disasters. Under Fred Vasseur, the team has moved away from a culture of blame and towards a culture of integration. In the past, the engine and chassis departments often worked in silos, only realizing their designs were incompatible when it was too late to fix them without sacrificing performance. For 2026, Ferrari is forcing these teams to integrate months earlier than usual, ensuring that cooling, aerodynamics, and weight distribution work as a singular, unified platform.

The Lewis Hamilton Factor

Perhaps the most significant piece of this 2026 puzzle is the presence of Lewis Hamilton. While his official move to Ferrari is a global PR phenomenon, his technical value to the 2026 project is where the real impact lies. Hamilton brings twenty years of experience and an instinctive feel for car behavior that no computer simulation can replicate.

Ferrari is integrating Hamilton into the development process early for a specific reason: calibration. The 2026 cars will require a much more intuitive relationship between the driver and the hybrid system. Hamilton’s ability to detect a slight hesitation in power delivery or an unpredictable variation in brake feel during energy recovery gives engineers concrete data to refine the car’s software and hardware.

Hamilton has been on both sides of regulation changes; he knows what it feels like to drive a car that is fast on paper but impossible to trust on the limit. His involvement at this stage suggests that Ferrari is confident enough in their fundamentals to want a master craftsman to help sharpen the edges.

The Barcelona Litmus Test

The next few months will be the most critical in Ferrari’s modern history. With a complete power unit ignition scheduled for late December or early January, the team is moving into the phase where theory meets reality. Vibration patterns, thermal spikes, and electrical interference—the “ghosts in the machine” that kill championship dreams—will finally reveal themselves.

The scheduled private testing in Barcelona won’t be about chasing lap times. It will be a search-and-destroy mission for reliability flaws. Engineers will be watching thousands of data channels, looking for the tiny instabilities that could cascade into a race-ending failure. For Ferrari, the race isn’t against Mercedes or Red Bull right now; it’s against time. Can they validate their revolutionary architecture before the 2026 season begins?

A Legacy on the Line

Ferrari hasn’t won a constructors’ championship since 2008. For a generation of fans, the red car has been a symbol of “what could have been”—a cycle of promising starts and heartbreaking collapses. The 2026 regulations represent a total reset, a chance to erase the accumulated advantages of their rivals and start from a level playing field.

The fact that Ferrari is being so open about their uncertainty is, ironically, a reason for fans to be hopeful. It suggests a team that is no longer afraid of its own shadow. They aren’t promising dominance; they are presenting a measured, honest assessment of a massive technical challenge.

In a sport where the smallest margin decides the winner, Ferrari’s new-found transparency and integrated development approach might finally be the key to unlocking their potential. Whether this leads to a championship for Hamilton and a return to glory for Maranello remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ferrari is finally operating like a team that knows exactly what it takes to win again.

“I NEVER KNEW ONE MOMENT COULD HIT THIS HARD.” That’s what Jamie Laing reportedly whispered as the streets froze, cameras clicked, and Sophie Habboo stepped out for the very first time with baby Ziggy — their debut family stroll unfolding under a soft London drizzle that somehow made everything even more cinematic. Witnesses say Jamie looked “absolutely wrecked with emotion,” clutching the pram like he was holding the whole world. Sophie, glowing and teary, murmured, “This is our beginning… I still can’t believe he’s ours.” And in that tiny grey moment, the couple who once lived their life on TV suddenly felt real, quiet, present. Jamie later admitted to friends, voice shaking: “I’ve filmed a lot of things… but nothing prepares you for seeing your family in one frame.” And as the drizzle turned to mist and Ziggy let out his first tiny public squeak, Sophie sealed the moment with a line that fans are already calling iconic: “Let them watch — we’re not performing anymore. This is real life, and it’s finally ours.”

Jamie Laing could barely contain his joy as he documented every second of his new family’s very first outing — proudly snapping photos of wife Sophie Habboo and their newborn son, Ziggy, on a drizzly London morning.

The Made In Chelsea couple were spotted near their home on Tuesday, pushing Ziggy’s pram through the grey weather. Sophie, wrapped up in a rain coat and black sweats, kept close to the pram while Jamie — ever the excited new dad — trailed beside her in shorts and a Candy Kittens cap, grinning ear to ear as he captured the moment on his phone.

Sophie later shared a picture from their walk on Instagram, thanking followers for “your wonderful messages” and admitting she’d been reading them while “nap trapped”. She added that they “couldn’t be more in love with Ziggy.”

Despite the drizzle, baby Ziggy appeared perfectly snug under a blanket, with the couple stopping often to check on him. At one point, Sophie laughed as Jamie showed her the photos he’d just taken — a snapshot of two parents fully absorbed in their new chapter.

Their family stroll comes just days after the pair announced they had welcomed their first child. The journey — from pregnancy to birth — will be featured in their upcoming Disney+ docuseries, which promises a candid look at life as new parents, juggling careers, moving into their first family home, and managing both support and unsolicited advice.

Jamie had already shared an emotional tribute the day after Ziggy’s arrival, posting a photo from Sophie’s private hospital suite. He described the birth as “a wild, incredible experience,” saying he was “exhausted, full of love and in awe” of Sophie. He added that he always knew she was “10/10,” but witnessing her give birth proved that “level could go even higher.”

Sophie echoed the sentiment in her own post-birth photos published on Tuesday, simply saying that “it all makes sense” now.

Celebrity friends didn’t hold back with their congratulations. Jessie J wrote, “You did it mama,” Rylan Clark sent, “Congrats you two xxx,” and Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova and Stacey Solomon also shared warm wishes. Former Big Brother star Kate Lawler praised their son’s name, calling Ziggy “very cool.”

The couple, who married in a lavish Spanish wedding in 2023, once declined filming offers for a Made In Chelsea wedding special — with Jamie explaining that reality TV can be “tough on the soul” and that relationships “have a better chance of surviving away from the cameras.” But the pair eventually shifted course, signing a Disney+ deal that allows them to tell their story on their own terms.

“For nearly a decade, we’ve brought audiences along the highs and lows of our personal and professional lives,” the couple said when announcing the project. “Now, navigating life with a baby has opened up a whole new stage of our relationship — and we can’t wait to give you a front-row seat.”