Canadian Grand Prix stewards threw the book as Yuki Tsunoda for breaking the rules during practice in Montreal as the Japanese racer’s Red Bull nightmare continues
Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a whopping 10-place grid penalty at the Canadian Grand Prix. That was his significant punishment after the stewards threw the book at the Japanese racer for breaking red flag rules during practice in Montreal.
Tsunoda was accused of overtaking Oscar Piastri on track during practice after the session had already been red-flagged. Such a move is seen as being dangerous and, after investigating what had happened, the stewards decided to give the Red Bull racer a significant punishment.
He has been given a 10-pace grid drop for the Canada race and, having qualified 11th, that meant he would be relegated to the back fo the starting order. Two penalty points were also added to his racing licence, though they are the only ones he now has as his record on that front was previously clean.
Explaining their decision, the stewards said: “Car 81 [Piastri] had earlier collided with the barrier at the exit of turn 14 and damaged the rear right wheel and sustained a puncture and suspension damage. A red flag was displayed when Car 22 [Tsunoda] was at turn six.
“Car 22 reduced speed at that point. After turn 12, Car 22 was approaching Car 81 on the back straight. The driver of Car 22 said that he saw Car 81 travelling slowly on the left side of the track with obvious damage.
“He said that he was worried that he might be struck by debris from Car 81 and decided to overtake. Telemetry showed that Car 81 was travelling at 86kph when Car 22 overtook at a speed of 171kph.
“Having considered the matter extensively, the Stewards determined that while Car 81 had an obvious problem, it was not travelling at such a speed that it prevented Car 22 from following it at a safe distance. The circumstances were such that there was no justifiable reason for the driver of Car 22 to have overtaken Car 81.”
It is the latest blow to Tsunoda who has struggled since being promoted to drive for the top Red Bull team earlier this year. He was called up because he was more experienced than Liam Lawson who buckled under the pressure that comes with that seat.
But while Tsunoda has managed a handful of points, which is more than Lawson could achieve in his brief two-race spell, the Japanese has struggled with what has proven to be a very difficult Red Bull car to drive. He is the latest in a long line of team-mates to have found life alongside Max Verstappen extremely tough.
Verstappen has been able to use his ability to get the best out of the RB21 on a regular basis. But Tsunoda continues to struggle in his adaptation period from the more compliant car of sister team Racing Bulls and that has led to speculation over his long-term future with the outfit.
F1 on Fire: Verstappen, Russell, and Hamilton Ignite the 2025 Season
The 2025 Formula 1 season was already simmering with anticipation, but after the dust settled in Barcelona, it erupted into outright controversy. In a race that was supposed to mark another routine battle among the top teams, fans witnessed something that may go down as one of the most incendiary moments in recent F1 history. And it wasn’t about tire wear or DRS zones—it was about Max Verstappen, George Russell, and a move that could redefine how we talk about racing ethics.
The Incident: A Line Crossed in Spain
It was Lap 63 of the Spanish Grand Prix. The tension was thick, tires screamed, and Red Bull’s pit wall radioed a firm message to Max Verstappen: “Give the place back.” Max, visibly irked but compliant for a moment, slowed just enough to let Russell pull alongside. But then—what many call the smoking gun—he accelerated again and steered into the side of Russell’s Mercedes.
No lock-up. No evasive maneuver. No last-minute miscalculation.
Just contact. Deliberate, many claim.
F1 veterans didn’t mince words. Nico Rosberg said it looked like “retaliation.” Johnny Herbert called it “clear as day deliberate.” And even typically diplomatic Anthony Davidson noted, “He had full control. This wasn’t a racing incident.”
A Pattern or a Flashpoint?
To many, this wasn’t just about Barcelona. It was a boiling over of tension that has been building between Verstappen and Russell. Their Baku 2024 clash—punctuated by Max’s “put your head in the wall” comment—lingered long after the race weekend ended. Barcelona may have just been the breaking point.
Russell, for his part, played it cool. “I just got crashed into,” he said post-race. “I’ve seen that move in video games—not Formula 1.”
Whether Max snapped or simply acted on impulse is now secondary. The focus is on whether this was a one-off or a deeper issue about Verstappen’s character under pressure. And pressure, it seems, is finally surrounding him.
Championship in Jeopardy
Lost in the post-race drama was a more strategic concern: Verstappen now sits on 11 penalty points on his Super License. One more infraction, even minor, could earn him a race ban—a rarity in modern F1 and a catastrophe in a season where Red Bull is no longer the dominant force.
This isn’t 2022 or 2023 anymore. McLaren has taken a significant step forward with Oscar Piastri now leading the championship. Ferrari is hanging in second. One DNF or missed race could tilt the title race permanently.
Cracks in the Red Bull Machine
Max Verstappen’s Barcelona behavior didn’t just raise eyebrows in the commentary box—it raised questions about his relationship with Red Bull itself.
The team told him to yield. He didn’t follow through. That’s not just defiance; it’s insubordination.
Is Max starting to feel bigger than the team? Have the years of dominance bred a kind of invincibility complex? His reaction post-race—a smug deflection, a PR-clean statement devoid of any real accountability—suggests a man unwilling to accept scrutiny.
Even for Verstappen’s most ardent supporters, the question has become uncomfortable: is Max becoming too volatile to manage?
Meanwhile, In Red… A Different Kind of Pressure
While Max faces an ethical firestorm, Lewis Hamilton is enduring a different challenge: disappointment without controversy.
Hamilton’s 2025 move to Ferrari was supposed to be the most romantic story in F1—a seven-time champion joining the sport’s most iconic team for one final title push. But the dream has yet to manifest. The Ferrari SF-25 has struggled for consistency, McLaren is dominating, and Hamilton hasn’t made it to a full Grand Prix podium yet.
The Italian press—never known for subtlety—has already begun to spin the narrative: regrets, resets, and even rumors of a Hamilton exit before the season ends.
Hamilton Responds: I’m Not Going Anywhere
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton didn’t play coy.
“I literally just started,” he told reporters. “I’m here for the long haul.”
He doubled down on his trust in team principal Fred Vasseur, whose own job has come under media speculation. “Fred is the reason I’m here,” Lewis emphasized. “I want him here. I believe he’s the one to take us to the top.”
That kind of vocal loyalty is rare in modern F1. Most drivers play political games with vague answers and non-committal statements. Not Lewis. Not now.
The message was clear: the project may be rocky, but the commitment is real.
Rebuilding, Not Retreating
Hamilton also reminded everyone of one vital truth: he didn’t help develop the current car. “The car I’m racing right now isn’t one I had a hand in developing,” he said. “Charles knows it inside and out. That gives him an edge.”
But he’s not discouraged. “We’re already working on next year’s car. One I’ll be helping shape.”
The contrast between Verstappen and Hamilton couldn’t be starker. One lashes out under pressure, the other absorbs it and resets. One defies the team radio. The other defends his team’s leadership in public. One blames. The other builds.
The FIA’s Dilemma
Back to the Verstappen controversy: the ball is now in the FIA’s court. Will they issue a formal penalty? Will they increase scrutiny in Montreal? Or will Verstappen’s status as F1’s biggest modern name shield him from real consequences?
If they don’t act, fans and drivers alike will take notice—not just of the incident, but of the message: rules bend for stars.
That’s a dangerous precedent in a sport already battling for integrity amidst big-money politics and corporate influence.
What Now?
Verstappen could still win the title. Hamilton could still bring Ferrari back to glory. But both drivers now sit at pivotal forks in their respective 2025 journeys.
For Max, it’s about restraint, humility, and whether he can lead without steamrolling. For Lewis, it’s about patience, perseverance, and proving there’s still fuel left in the tank.
Barcelona may go down as the flashpoint of the season—not just for a race, but for what it revealed about character.
So, F1 fans, what’s your verdict?
Did Max cross a line too far—or is the fire just part of what makes him great? And can Lewis write one more championship chapter in red?
Mick Schumacher Eyes Formula 1 Return Amid Le Mans Campaign with Alpine
As the motorsport world shifts its attention to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one name is generating headlines both on and off the track: Mick Schumacher. The former Haas Formula 1 driver and current Mercedes reserve is now competing full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine, yet his eyes remain firmly fixed on a return to Formula 1 — a dream he continues to pursue with determination.
At 26, Schumacher stands at a crossroads in his racing career. With two seasons of F1 experience under his belt and a legacy shaped by his legendary father, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, Mick is far from done with single-seaters. While he now competes in a vastly different format in endurance racing, his comments from Le Mans this weekend underscore that F1 is still very much on his radar.
“It’s still a big topic for me,” Schumacher told German broadcaster ntv at Le Mans. “I’m always in talks for the future. I deal with it when I’m not at the race tracks here and I have time to deal with it.”
Those talks, sources suggest, include exploratory discussions with Alpine’s Formula 1 outfit and potentially with the incoming Cadillac-backed team, expected to join the F1 grid as the eleventh team in 2026. Although no firm agreements are in place, the interest in Schumacher — and his in Formula 1 — remains strong.
A Career in Transition
Schumacher’s journey in motorsport has been closely watched from the start. After clinching the FIA Formula 2 Championship title in 2020, he earned a promotion to F1 with Haas for the 2021 season. His time there, however, was marred by an uncompetitive car and a steep learning curve. By the end of 2022, Haas opted not to renew his contract, prompting Schumacher to pivot to a reserve driver role at Mercedes under the wing of team principal Toto Wolff.
While sitting on the sidelines in 2023, Schumacher immersed himself in simulator work and provided race weekend support for Mercedes. At the same time, he began exploring opportunities beyond the F1 paddock. This eventually led to a full-time seat with Alpine’s WEC program in 2024, marking a significant shift in his racing portfolio.
Now, in the grueling world of endurance racing — where consistency, teamwork, and adaptability are paramount — Schumacher has begun to rebuild his reputation. Competing in the premier Hypercar class with Alpine, he is proving his value as a reliable and fast driver capable of holding his own in a crowded field of factory-backed talent.
“I think the Formula 1 teams know what they have in me,” Schumacher told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in a separate interview. “I can be at the front in any car and be fast, as my performances so far this year demonstrate.”
Eyes on 2026: A Potential Return Path
With Formula 1 set to undergo another major regulation overhaul in 2026 — including new power unit rules and aerodynamic changes aimed at increasing competition — the timing may be ideal for Schumacher to re-enter the conversation. Many teams are expected to reassess their driver lineups in light of the changes, and new teams, such as the Cadillac project backed by General Motors and Andretti, will be looking for experienced hands to lead their efforts.
Alpine, too, is in a transitional phase. The French manufacturer has struggled with performance and consistency in recent seasons, and management changes have left its long-term driver plans somewhat open. Having Schumacher already embedded in the broader Alpine racing program via the WEC could position him favorably for internal promotion — assuming the right opportunity arises.
However, Schumacher acknowledges the uphill nature of an F1 comeback.
“What I want is to drive in Formula 1 and return there,” he said. “That’s why I’m having discussions, even if I haven’t found any answers yet.”
It’s a candid admission that underscores both his ambition and the challenging landscape for drivers attempting to break back into F1. The current grid is saturated with young talent and increasingly influenced by commercial factors, national interests, and sponsor appeal. Even for someone with the Schumacher name, seats are hard to come by without recent, standout results in F1 machinery.
Legacy, Expectations, and Personal Growth
Being the son of one of the sport’s most iconic figures has been both a blessing and a burden for Mick Schumacher. The weight of expectation has followed him at every turn, from karting through the junior formulas and into F1. Despite his measured and professional demeanor, comparisons to his father are inescapable — often to his detriment.
Yet, Mick has shown signs of growth, maturity, and resilience in the face of adversity. His work ethic has drawn praise from within the Mercedes camp, where both Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff have spoken highly of his commitment and technical feedback. His transition to endurance racing has also broadened his skillset, potentially making him a more well-rounded candidate for a future F1 role.
A Dream Still Alive
While Le Mans may seem worlds apart from the high-octane, sprint-based environment of Formula 1, it has become a proving ground for many talented drivers. For Schumacher, it is both a new chapter and a potential springboard back to the pinnacle of motorsport.
As he competes this weekend in one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races, the eyes of the paddock — and the media — are watching not just for his performance, but for signs that he still belongs in F1. The whispers surrounding his future are growing louder, and with the 2026 season slowly coming into focus, so too might the next opportunity in Formula 1.
In the meantime, Mick Schumacher remains focused, patient, and driven.
“Formula 1 remains my big goal in life — my lifelong dream,” he said. “I want to be there, and I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.”
Whether through Alpine’s F1 resurgence, a new Cadillac venture, or another unexpected door, Schumacher’s story in Formula 1 may not be over just yet.
Since Lewis Hamilton quit Mercedes for Ferrari, George Russell has stepped up to prove himself a capable team leader while rookie Kimi Antonelli has also showed moments of brilliance
Valtteri Bottas has been helping to guide Kimi Antonelli in his first F1 season(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli has already proven that replacing seven-time Formula 1 champion with an unproven teenager was the right call. That’s the view of Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas who has had a front-row seat to the 18-year-old’s impressive start to life on the F1 grid.
Mercedes endured an awful triple header of European races in recent weeks but there remains a spring in their step that was previously missing in the three years since they were knocked off their perch. And flying Finn Bottas, 35, credits enthusiastic teen Antonelli with helping to change the atmosphere after 12 years of working with Hamilton before the Brit quit for Ferrari.
“I think the results have improved from last year,” he told Mirror Sport. “Obviously we’re not happy that McLaren is still ahead and they seem to be quite clearly ahead. But at least, you know, the team has a chance of fighting for better positions.
“And also the dynamics always change a bit when you change drivers. So I think having such a young kid like Kimi, you know, it’s kind of refreshing probably for some people.”
Antonelli has had a tough run with zero points scored across the last three events, though mechanical issues were to blame for DNFs in Imola and Barcelona. In Monaco, he crashed out in qualifying with a rookie error which ended his hopes of scoring points on the spot.
Before the season even started, boss Toto Wolff acknowledged this is a year of learning for the Italian and knew that “sometimes we will tear our hair out”. But the Mercedes chief also correctly predicted “moments of brilliance”, like when he beat the McLarens and Max Verstappen to pole for the sprint race in Miami last month.
That, says Bottas, was the moment everyone at the team knew for sure that fast-tracking him into Hamilton’s F1 seat was the right call. He said: “He did something that nobody expected yet. In the first quarter of the first season of his career, sticking it on pole on a track that he didn’t know – that was pretty amazing. And I think for many people in the team, it confirmed that he was the right choice for this year.”
Bottas rejoined Mercedes as a reserve after losing his Sauber seat at the end of last season, new owners Audi choosing to install their own preferred driver line-up. He wants to get back on the grid in 2026 but for now is using his vast experience of five teams’ titles as Hamilton’s team-mate between 2017 and 2021, including 10 race wins, to help guide the team and Antonelli personally.
George Russell leads the Mercedes outfit while Kimi Antonelli learns the ropes in F1(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Bottas said: “I’ve been trying to help him when I can, especially on the new tracks that he doesn’t know. He’s got great engineers helping him, even his dad is helping him a lot. So I try to read the situation like when should I jump in and when to give him space as well.”
But while Antonelli is one for the future, Mercedes are not missing the leadership Hamilton once provided with George Russell stepping up admirably. The Brit is fourth in the drivers’ championship thanks to an impressively consistent start to the season.
Bottas said: “He seems to be very comfortable in what his role is now. He’s not a rookie anymore – he’s got a good few years under his belt – so his feedback is really important for the team now. As a rookie driver, your feedback isn’t quite as precise as with more experience.
“So I think the team has been relying quite a bit on him on that. And he’s been consistent, you know. He’s been, [at] almost every race, on the podium. He’s just putting the car where it should be.”
Yes, you read that right… reports from France have suggested US President Donald Trump could be set to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Texas next week
Donald Trump will not be driving a Formula 1 car next week, Mirror Sport can confirm. That was the fanciful claim made during a live broadcast from the Canadian Grand Prix on French television this weekend, sparking widespread confusion online.
Of course, it sounds like an entirely ridiculous rumour, despite Trump being acquainted with McLaren chief executive Zak Brown. And a McLaren spokesperson has confirmed as much, telling Mirror Sport when we approached the team for comment: “Not true, he won’t be driving our car.”
The claim was reported on French television channel Canal+ during their live coverage of practice in Montreal. And, naturally, the rumour made its way onto social media where it began to get some traction.
The claim was that Trump might be set to get the chance to drive an F1 car at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. It was not specified which car it would have been, other than that it was said to be a McLaren, which would surely have to be specially modified to fit the US President.
The fanciful rumour was perhaps made more believable by the specific mention of McLaren. Trump was hosted by the team at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix and is said to have a personal relationship with the team’s American chief executive Brown.
McLaren were criticised for hosting Trump in their garage last May, when he was running for the Presidency. Plenty of fans slammed the team for giving the controversial 79-year-old the VIP treatment, but McLaren later issued a statement defending themselves for welcoming him into their inner sanctum.
Their statement read: “McLaren is a non-political organisation, however we recognise and respect the office of President of the United States. So when the request was made to visit our garage on race day we accepted alongside the president of the FIA and the CEOs of Liberty Media and Formula 1.
“We were honoured that McLaren Racing was chosen as the representative of F1 which gave us the opportunity to showcase the world-class engineering that we bring to motorsport.”
Lando Norris won that Miami race, his first victory in F1, and said afterwards that it was “an honour” to be congratulated by Trump as they spoke after the Grand Prix. “I didn’t see him in the garage, to be honest. I was busy prepping for the race, but he saw me afterwards, and he came up to congratulate me,” said the Brit.
“So I guess an honour, because whenever you have someone like this, it has to be an honour for them to come up to you, to take time out of their life, to pay their respects for what you’ve done… Donald is someone that you’ve got to have a lot of respect for in many ways.”
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft sparked a new paddock rumour at the Canadian Grand Prix by talking about Fernando Alonso’s visits to other teams during a live broadcast
Fernando Alonso has been getting out and about in the Montreal F1 paddock(Image: Getty Images)
Fernando Alonso has been spotted entering the hospitality unit of a rival Formula 1 team on several occasions in Montreal this weekend. That was reported by David Croft who exposed the Spaniard’s visits during a live broadcast at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Alonso is in his third season as an Aston Martin driver. And he has a contract until at least the end of the 2026 season, having last year signed an extension to commit to driving in F1 until he is at least 45 years old.
But Sky Sports F1 commentator Croft has sparked suggestions that he might be looking elsewhere. Speaking during final practice in Montreal on Saturday, he revealed how Alonso had been seen visiting his old team Alpine no fewer than four times.
The Spaniard left Alpine at the end of 2022, ending his third spell with the Enstone-based team having previously won two F1 titles at Renault under Flavio Briatore in the mid-2000s. And Croft has now sparked rumours of a reunion between them.
He said: “Where there’s an Alpine story about driver movement, there’s a Fernando Alonso rumour as well. Those rumours once again surfacing this morning in the paddock. Fernando Alonso has been into the Alpine motorhome four times during the course of this weekend.
“That’s not just to see his old mate Flav, even though his mum and dad are in town and I’m sure they’ve been having a bit of a catch up. Is something going on that could see Fernando Alonso back at Enstone again for a fourth time? Watch this space on that one, that’s just the paddock rumour.”
But the Argentine has struggled since being elevated into that racing role and Briatore has already shown signs of impatience. Alonso’s visits to the Alpine motorhome will only serve to fuel speculation that he might be an option for them going forward.
Briatore signed Alonso to Renault in the first place, having controversially dropped Jenson Button to make room for him two decades ago. They have maintained a relationship ever since, Briatore continuing to manage the Spaniard’s career.
But if race seat options have indeed been the topic of discussion during Alonso’s visits to the Alpine hospitality unit, then it may not necessarily just be about the veteran double F1 champion. Alonso also serves as manager to Sauber racer Gabriel Bortoleto, plus a couple of drivers in the feeder series’ including Pepe Marti and Nikola Tsolov.
Leclerc and Hamilton have both responded to rumours of their discontent
FERRARI are seemingly in chaos ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
The legendary team had been expected to push for the constructors title this year thanks to their talented line-up in Charles Leclerc and high-profile new addition Lewis Hamilton.
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Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have plunged Ferrari into chaos ahead of the Canada Grand PrixCredit: Getty
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Leclerc is said to be doubting the terms long-term ability to build a championship winning car while Hamilton ‘liked’ a social media post blasting the teamCredit: Rex
However, the team have struggled to keep pace with leaders McLaren and have already suffered a number of disappointing race results this season – despite sitting second in the F1 constructors rankings.
Now, according to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, their 2025 struggles have reportedly caused Leclerc to start doubting the team’s long-term ability to build a championship winning car.
The 27-year-old, who first moved to the Prancing Horse in 2019 after a season with Alfa Romeo, is no longer ruling out a transfer to another team ahead of the 2026 regulation changes, it’s claimed.
Mercedes are rumoured to be one party interested in the Monegasque if he becomes available.
But Leclerc offered a blunt response to the rumours by declaring: “I’m very surprised. I mean, I have no idea from where it’s coming from… I love the team.”
Meanwhile, former Silver Arrows ace Hamilton fanned the flames on the Scuderia this week after the 40-year-old appeared to like a social media post blasting the team.
The post commented on how painful it was to watch Hamilton drive the Ferrari, although the like from the Brit’s alleged account was quickly removed.
The full post said: “There’s a deep sense of disappointment watching Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari unfold this season.
“While the hope for his historic 8th World Championship remains alive, the reality is increasingly difficult to ignore. The partnership, though iconic on paper, has so far failed to deliver on track.
“Ferrari’s current car package lacks the consistency and pace Lewis needs. Beyond technical issues, there appears to be a growing disconnect — from strategy calls to team communication.
“It’s also clear that cultural differences may be playing a role; Lewis, a seasoned British driver, now operates in an environment dominated by Italian structure and style — and that adaptation hasn’t been smooth.
“So far, his only podium came in a sprint race. Since then, it’s been a slide back into the midfield, most notably finishing P8 — far from where a seven-time world champion belongs.
“As fans, we still believe in his ability to make history. But this season proves: legacy alone doesn’t win races — performance and synergy do.”
Criticism had been labelled at team principal Fred Vasseur, sparking speculation over his future, although on F1 media day in Montreal, Hamilton came out in a staunch defence of his boss.
The seven-time world champion said: “It’s definitely not nice to hear that there are stories like that that are out there. Firstly, I love working with Fred.
“Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and got the opportunity to be here, which I’m forever grateful for. And we’re in this together. We’re working hard in the background.
“Ultimately, it’s nonsense what people have written. Most people don’t know what’s going on in the background.”
He added: “I love working with Fred. Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and got the opportunity to be here, which I’m forever grateful for.
“We’re in this together. We’re working hard in the background. Things aren’t perfect but I am here to work with the team but also with Fred.
“I want Fred here. I believe he is the person to take us to the top.”
Car upgrades
Ferrari are bringing upgrades to this weekend’s race, including a new front-wing, which they hope will allow them to close the gap on the pace setters.
Hamilton is level with Michael Schumacher on seven wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with his last one coming in 2017.
Leclerc has never won at the circuit, with his best result being a podium spot in 2019.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen has won each of the last three races there.
Verstappen is facing a race ban after if picks up one more penalty point following his headloss at the Spanish Grand Prix when he deliberately crashed into rival George Russell.
The Dutchman is on 11 out of 12 penalty points before a race ban and has until June 30 to avoid getting punished before finding some breathing room as two points are wiped off his licence.
Frederic Vasseur snapped back at criticism from Italian media over Ferrari’s struggles and Martin Brundle has backed him along with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Frederic Vasseur has faces some questions about his Ferrari future(Image: Getty Images)
A legendary former Ferrari chief has lambasted the famous Formula 1 team’s weak leadership amid speculation over boss Frederic Vasseur’s future. But Martin Brundle agrees with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc that the Frenchman remains the right man to lead Ferrari.
“It would be nuts to change Fred Vasseur,” said Brundle. “Is he the problem? I don’t think he’s the problem at the moment. The car’s not fast enough. Now, that’s a collaboration between everybody in the team.
“Who would you replace them with? And then a new crew comes in, and everybody keeps their head down, start working in silos, waiting to see where they stand with the new boss. That’s the last thing Ferrari need to do at the moment.
Fred’s got a lot of experience. I think he can handle the pressure. I mean, it’s only a year ago I did an interview with him here [in Montreal], and everybody was celebrating what amazing job he’d done turning Ferrari around – They’d just won Monaco.
“[It] didn’t go so well immediately after that, but you know what? This is not a Premier League club where you just keep changing the managers until, eventually, you hopefully find one. You can’t do that, and it would be nuts.”
Ferrari remain the most successful squad in F1 history but haven’t won the title since 2008. They won’t end that barren run this year with McLaren dominating the grid. Some Italian media this week claimed Ferrari are lining up a replacement for Vasseur and attacked other senior members of the team.
The Frenchman brushed off the criticism directed his way but angrily bit back at those who had criticised his colleagues. He said: “To be the team principal, I knew when I took the position that you are exposed. This is quite easy to manage.
“It’s more for the people of the team. They are working very hard. To decide one day, ‘This one will be replaced, this one is useless’. Honestly, it’s very harsh. These journalists need to consider these people have family. This is completely disrespectful.”
Hamilton and Leclerc have both publicly backed the Frenchman who has also faced criticism from Luca di Montezemolo, who was Ferrari president the last time they won the title. The Italian said: “I was with Ferrari for 23 years… Today I see a team without real leadership, without spirit and without passion.”
He also criticised the decision to sign Hamilton as a 40-year-old, adding: “The decision to hire Lewis Hamilton was made for marketing reasons. I have nothing against Hamilton. I respect him and his record, but I think Ferrari should hire a driver because they are competitive and strong.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made a fortune since leaving The Royal Family. However, a new Channel 5 documentary reveals the money could run out
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will see their income dwindle and costs soar as their multi-million pound deals dry up, according to experts. After striking their ‘Megxit’ deal in 2020, King Charles removed all financial support from the couple, with Harry moaning to Oprah that his dad “literally cut me off financially”.
Now a new Channel 5 show called Meghan and Harry: Where Did The Money Go? shines a light on their finances revealing Harry’s surprising inheritances, Meghan’s millions and their staggering Montecito mortgage. The documentary counts the multi-million pound deals the pair have cut to sell their story since leaving The Firm – but it also details their astronomical outgoings.
Royal expert Norman Baker tells the show: “There’s no doubt in my mind that Meghan and Harry’s income is going to decline in the future. It’s declining now. They’ve done the big hits that they could do. They’ve done the big Spotify event, they’ve done the big book, there is nothing else to come, nothing else to sell apart from themselves.”
Norman Baker believes the couple’s earning power is waning(Image: PA WIRE)
Upon moving to America the pair splashed out on a family home costing $14.65 million (£11m). However, they also took out a mortgage of $9.5m (£7m), with repayments in the region of $50,000-100,000 (£73,000 – £37,000) a month. Until now, it’s been unheard of for a senior Royal to require a mortgage.
On top of that, Prince Harry has been forced to fund his own security, and he rarely travels anywhere public without a four-car convoy.
Former royal protection officer Simon Morgan explains the costs of specialist protection, saying: “It’s always very difficult to identify the cost in relation to specialist protection, purely because there’s a lot of other factors that go into it. You are looking at somewhere in the region of about £3 million a year to protect somebody who stays at home. As soon as they leave the residence, even if they go down to the shops, that could see that cost double or triple and go from £3m to £6m or £9m or £10m, conservatively. Security is not a fashion accessory, it’s a need. You’ve got to address your needs versus your wants.”
Prince Charles ‘cut Harry and Meghan off’ financially after Megxit(Image: Getty Images)
To pay for it, the pair famously signed a £100 million five year deal with Netflix in 2020 and a £15 million deal with Spotify. The Spotify deal has already ended with a top exec at the firm dubbing the pair “grifters”, while the Netflix deal is due to end this year, with no renewal in sight.
Before Megxit, the Sussexes were earning £2.3m a year as working Royals, receiving money from the then Prince Charles’s Duchy of Cornwall. But when the pair left The Firm that all stopped, leaving Harry forced to live on the inheritance his mum Diana, Princess of Wales left him in her will. When she died in 1997 Diana left £6.5m to the boys each, which had grown to around £10m when Harry received it upon turning 30. Talking to Oprah, Harry said “Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to do this,” referring to the family’s move to California. Meghan, meanwhile, was thought to be worth around £5million when she met Harry – money built up from her time as an actress on Suits and from her lifestyle brand.
His tell all book Spare earned Harry a $20m (£15m) advance and sold an incredible 3.2 million copies in its first week. He’s expected to have received a further £7m from the hardback sales.
Now PR expert Nick Ede is backing Meghan to become the family’s breadwinner. He says, “Meghan is the best way of making money for the two of them. She is the breadwinner.”
Prince Harry and Meghan now live in California with their children Archie and Lilibet(Image: ARCHWELL)
Nick believes that having to build her own fortune before she met Harry means she’s more savvy with deals than her Royal husband.
Nick continues: “Megan from an early age knew it was very important to be secure. If you’re a jobbing actress that means you don’t know literally where the next pay cheque will come from and I think that will have added to her drive.”
Broadcaster and critic Bidisha Mamat agrees with Nick and admits she fears that Harry has a lot to prove. She says: They are going to run out of ideas before they run out of money. Meghan is going to do fine, Meghan is going to make her money, Harry has the bigger financial, personal and emotional challenge. Harry has to prove he really can have a career.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have earned millions since leaving the Royal Family – but can they keep it up?
Following the collapse of the Spotify deal, Meghan did indeed land another podcast deal. This time, however, her deal was with smaller company Lemonada and expected to be worth just $40,000 (£30,000).
Meghan is also still coining it in from Suits, from which repeats are thought to have recently added another $200,000 to the Sussex bottom line.
Indeed, Meghan might be more savvy with money but Harry has just come into another inheritance – this time from his great-grandmother, Elizabeth, Queen Mother. In 1994 the Queen Mother set up a Trust Fund to benefit her great-grand children and this is expected to have paid out £8m to Harry.
It’s a tidy sum but royal journalist Emily Andrews reckons Harry doesn’t contribute much else to his household. She tells the documentary: “Meghan gets up at half six, half an hour before the children, then the children gets up and she gets them dressed, gets their breakfast, and then she makes their packed lunch and takes them to kindy (nursery), then at 9 o’clock she sits down and is a girl boss… Where is Harry in all of this? He’s not making money, he’s not looking after the kids, what is Harry doing?”
Emily Andrews wonders what Prince Harry does in the Sussex family
Emily accompanied Harry and Meghan on their tour of Australia in 2018. She recalls how Meghan moaned to Harry that they weren’t being paid for their work.
Emily says, “It has just been announced that Meghan was pregnant. I’m inside the Sydney Royal Opera House with Harry and Meghan and they come out. Meghan turns to Harry and looks at the screaming crowds who are waiting for them and says, ‘I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this.’ I think that speaks to how she viewed her role in the Royal Family.”
Since they left the Royal family, the pair have become more famous than ever and commentator Afua Hagan believes the pair will go on to achieve more and more.
She says: “What is clear about Harry and Meghan is that they are very savvy with their money. America is a good spot for them at the moment because it definitely fits in with their idea of entrepreneurship. Harry and Meghan have proven time and time again that they can stand on their own two feet that they can provide for themselves and their family. Definitely we can never count them out.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment.
Monday night is set to be a huge night in EastEnders for Ben Wadey’s first episode in charge and fans have ‘worked out’ which huge character could be returning to the soap
After Chris Clenshaw’s final episode aired last night, EastEnders were left with some very exciting news. On Monday – to mark Ben Wadey’s first episode, the soap will simulcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.30pm. The last time this happened was during the 40th anniversary live week in Feburary – so fans can expect something big.
But that’s not all, to go alongside the announcement, EastEnders released a promo video of a door opening on the Square with the caption: “Knock Knock. Who’s there?” Fans now believe there’s a huge return for one character, and they think they’ve ‘worked out’ who.
Along with the announcement, new Executive Producer Ben Wadey teased: “Next week marks the start of something big in Walford that we hope will get everyone talking, and it’s only just the beginning. We’ve got twists, shocks, and plenty of drama lined up for a summer you don’t want to miss.”
Fans believed they’ve ‘worked out’ who’s behind the door
In the promo video, the door that opens has number 14 on it. Could this be a huge clue? Many fans seem to think so. Taking to the Instagram post, one fan questioned: “What’s the 14 significance?!”
One penned: “Searched who left 14 years ago and it was Jim Branning, who unfortunately cannot return. Butttttttt Tanya Branning left 14 years ago too so I think it’s the return of OSCAR BRANNING,” as another wrote: “Max and Oscar.”
Recently, pictures were released of a grown boy filming with Lauren, with many believing it was Oscar. Jake Wood has also been rumoured to make a return as the iconic, troubled Max Branning – could it be as soon as Monday?
Fans believe Max could be making a return as soon as Monday(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Others were certain it was Max returning, as one penned: “Max did 14 years if you minus his gap year,” with a third simply writing: “Max is back!”
Spoilers for Monday reveal Alfie receives a phone call from Stacey Slater – although no context was given. No EastEnders fan could ever forget the infamous affair between Max and Stacey – so could it link to this?
However, other fans believe it could be the return of Zoe Slater, following Kat and Alfie’s big day. It was recently reported that Michelle Ryan would be reprising her role as Zoe, and fans think now is the perfect time.
“I have a feeling that this will either be a Zoe Slater return or a Max Branning return. Either way it’s going to be big,” wrote one, as another said: “Zoe return? Would tie in with Kat and Alfie getting married the previous day. Not sure where she’s supposed to be at the moment but maybe missed her flight or something and was planning a surprise wedding appearance.”
“The spoilers for the 16th, says that Alfie is hiding something, and Kat & Alfie have just got married. So I guess it’s Zoe returning on Monday,” penned another.
Many theories have been floating around about Zoe’s return with some believing she could be Joel Marshall’s mum.
Will Max or Zoe be making their return? Or will it be someone, or something, else? Fans will have to wait until 7:30pm on Monday to find out…
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
