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EastEnders’ Alfie Moon actor Shane Richie recently spoke to The Mirror about a story ‘bigger than the 40th’ coming up that seems to be about Zoe Slater, linked to his break from the BBC soap

Actor Shane Richie has addressed his ‘exit’ from EastEnders(Image: BBC)

Actor Shane Richie has addressed his ‘exit’ from EastEnders, as his character Alfie Moon left for some time away in Australia.

Of course fans know this wasn’t where he was really headed, after he’d told wife Kat Slater how he was going to visit his brother Spencer Moon. Just days earlier, Alfie had visited Kat’s cousin Stacey Slater only to find his stepdaughter, Kat’s daughter, Zoe Slater there too.

This was Michelle Ryan’s big return to the role and the BBC soap for the first time in 20 years. Now she’s making a permanent return, but this week we saw her flee and didn’t reveal where she was going.

Stacey and Alfie were sure she’d fled back to Spain, while she appeared to be in big trouble there. It soon turned out she’d made up death threats and messages about some money she owed, and Zoe confessed she was hiding a massive secret.

As she prepared to tell Alfie and Stacey what was going on, she refused to reunite with her mother Kat and banned them from telling her she was there. She hinted whatever she was hiding was “unforgivable” and really bad, and no one could know.

EastEnders’ Alfie Moon actor Shane Richie recently spoke to The Mirror about a story ‘bigger than the 40th’ coming up that seems to be about Zoe Slater(Image: PA)

But before we could find out what it was she ran away, with Alfie and Stacey desperately trying to track her down. On Thursday night we saw Alfie leave the Square ‘for Australia’, while it was clear Kat wasn’t convinced.

Alfie told Stacey he was going to bring Zoe home and set off to track her down. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror before the scenes aired, Alfie actor Shane addressed his onscreen ‘exit’ and explained where he was in real life.

He also appeared to tease how long Alfie would be gone for after his claims it would be two weeks tops. Shane explained he was off for around a month, not filming in this time.

This doesn’t mean he will be offscreen for this amount of time or longer, but it could well mean Alfie extends his trip out of the Square. He told us: “I’ve been away for four or five weeks because I’ve been on tour with my mates.

Shane also teased there was more drama to come for Alfie’s son Tommy Moon (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

“I’m coming back and reading scripts and going, ‘Oh my God!”. So the tour paved the way for Alfie’s own break from Walford, with it written in that he would go and find returning character Zoe.

Whether he manages to bring her back remains to be seen, but Zoe will be back onscreen this summer. Actress Michelle teased a massive storyline they were currently filming for her return, teasing “high stakes” with multiple night shoots.

While Shane didn’t mention Zoe or actress Michelle at all when we spoke to him, with the return still under wraps at this point, he appeared to tease the big plot that Michelle has this week referred to. Teasing a storyline “bigger than the 40th episodes”, he revealed a huge plot was kicking off that would run until at least the New Year.

Teasing all, Shane revealed new producer Ben Wadey had huge things planned for the show. The actor told us: “He has told me some things. I said let me sit down.

“There’s fireworks, there’s Kat and Alfie. There is a story that is about to kick in, which will carry on through to after Christmas. Honestly it’s a big story. If you thought the 40th was big wait until you see this story. That’s all I’m saying.”

Shane also teased there was more drama to come for Alfie’s son Tommy Moon and his pal and now blackmailer Joel Marshall, who assaulted a woman this week and had Tommy film it. Amid Tommy’s turmoil, Shane teased things would continue in scenes yet to be aired after Alfie’s exit.He hinted of what was to come for Tommy and Joel: “[It will continue]. While I was away something [big was being filmed].” He didn’t give anything away but confirmed it was while Alfie was away.

Sue Cleaver has played Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street for 25 years but quit the role earlier this year. She has now revealed if she will ever appear on a rival soap

Sue Cleaver spent 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw on Coronation Street, but is she ready for a new soap challenge (Image: ITV)

Former Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has revealed if she will ever appear on a rival soap following her final appearance as Eileen Grimshaw airing earlier this month. The 61-year-old actress announced her decision to bid farewell to Weatherfield at the start of this year, after an impressive 25 years on the ITV soap.

At the time, she issued a heartfelt statement: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street,” adding further, “The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”

Sue hasn’t been idle during her tenure on the Street – she took a hiatus to tread the boards as Mother Superior in Sister Act before gracing our screens as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women in 2024.

Eileen Grimshaw got her happy ending early this month(Image: ITV)

She also enjoyed a stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Back in 2022. But now she has the time to commit to other projects, will Sue be popping up on a rival soap like Coronation Street or EastEnders?

It’s not unheard of for actors to pop up in multiple soap universes, with the likes of Denise Welch and Michelle Collins appearing on both EastEnders and Coronation Street.

Speaking in a new interview, Sue says she is “chuffed” with her Corrie legacy, and believes she was given “a wonderful send off” but admits she is ready to “live fearlessly.”

“I think people forget that you either have courage or you don’t, courage is a muscle, start really small and put yourself out of your comfort zone for a couple of minutes a day, enquire about a book club or evening class, because that muscle really does,” the actress muses.

Sue continues to recall to The Sun how filming her final scenes “was really weird feeling, but it felt right” and it was “the right time” to go. She is now ready to take advantage of her new found “freedom” after spending over two decades at ITV.

Sue has said goodbye to Eileen but will she say hello to a new soap character?(Image: ITV)

“I love doing Loose Women, there are other things I want to do and there is a lot more of the world I want to see,” Sue admits. But when it comes to going over to the dark side and popping into The Queen Vic or the Woolpack, Sue is adamant that she is still loyal to Corrie.

She rules out appearing on another soap “at this stage” as she is still “very committed to Corrie”, adding: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate and it gave me the opportunity that not many actresses have, to be at home, to be there for my son in the morning and put him to bed at night and to have a proper home life, whereas normally you have to go where the work is. I’ve been extremely fortunate, it’s not lost on me how lucky I’ve been, it has a big place in my heart.”

Speaking to the Mirror in May, Sue opened up on her decision to have co-star Ryan Thomas return for her final episodes, as his character Eileen’s son Jason Grimshaw makes a huge offer. Sue shared: “Ryan was there from the start, and he was inconveniently living in Thailand, and it wouldn’t be too far of a jump to expect that if Eileen was going to make a leap, that she would involve her son.

“And so when I decided to leave, like over a year ago, I rang Ryan, and I said, ‘Ryan, I’m going to tell them that I’m going, and if they ask me about exits, I’d really like to say that you’d come back and take me out, but I don’t know whether they’d go for it or not’.

“And he just went, ‘Oh my gosh, of course, I would’, which was so lovely for me. And it was just so nice to have him back and filming those final scenes with him. It just felt like I’d come full circle really.”

Flavio Briatore shared an emotional update on his former Benetton colleague and friend Michael Schumacher, whose condition remains uncertain more than a decade after the devastating skiing accident in Meribel.
Many remember Michael Schumacher for his glorious tenure with Ferrari and the five consecutive titles he won from 2000 to 2004, marking one of the most dominant eras in Formula 1 history.
Yet much of the credit for Schumacher’s legendary status in the public eye goes to Flavio Briatore, who in 1991 recognized the German’s immense talent and gave him a permanent shot at Formula 1 with Benetton.

That same team, under the leadership of the Italian manager as team principal, helped Schumacher claim the first two World Championships of his career, won consecutively in 1994 and 1995, before he moved to Ferrari the following year.

Michael Schumacher

After his glorious stint with Ferrari and a less fortunate spell at Mercedes, Schumacher tragically suffered a skiing accident in Meribel on December 29, 2013. Since then, both his life and career have never been the same.
Although more than a decade has passed since that tragic day, very little is still known about Schumacher’s health. His family has rightly chosen to maintain strict privacy, shielding him as much as possible from the media.

One of the latest updates is that, with the support of his wife Corinna, Schumacher inscribed his initials “MS” on a helmet belonging to Sir Jackie Stewart. The helmet was later worn by the former British driver during a celebratory lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Briatore’s heartfelt message

When asked by Corriere della Sera to comment on Schumacher’s current condition, Briatore shared an emotional message—brief but deeply meaningful:“If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory. I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.”

Following his clash with Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix, Russell suggested there was only one other driver in the world who would make a similar move: Dan Ticktum

George Russell has been criticised for his comments(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

George Russell has been criticised for his ‘unnecessary’ dig at Formula E driver Dan Ticktum. Following his on-track clash with Max Verstappen during the Spanish Grand Prix, Russell suggested during an interview that Ticktum was the only other driver in the world who would make a similar move.

Knightsbridge-born Ticktum, 26, was banned for two years during his formative years for deliberately driving into a rival under safety car conditions. The move all but ended any chance of him driving in F1 and he has carried the weight of a ‘bad boy’ image throughout his career and he is now a staple in Formula E.

But Ticktum, who returns to the track at FE’s Jakarta race on Saturday morning, has won fans over in recent times and is amassing a supportive base of people who are appreciative of his honest nature.

“My immediate reaction was, ‘what the f*** are you doing’ if I’m completely honest,” said Ticktum. “I just thought it was a bit unnecessary.

“I was just like, ‘why?’ It’s just such an unnecessary comment. I don’t know what he expected from it. I wasn’t in his head at the time. I didn’t hear how he said it and what was actually going on in his head.

“It might have been in a totally jokey way, or it could have been on the more malicious side and he was just trying to unearth something and get Dan Ticktum hate bandwagon riled up. I don’t know what his motives were.

Dan Ticktum has opened up on comments made by George Russell(Image: LAT Images for Formula E)

“Me and George, we’re very different personalities. He’s perfect for Mercedes, a big corporate brand, he says the right things all the time and is a bit of a ‘good boy’, let’s say. I’m obviously the opposite.

“I respect George massively for where he’s got to in his career and what he’s done. He’s made it, so I just thought the whole thing was a bit unnecessary.”

Ticktum first addressed the comments on his Instagram channel following a team night out in Shanghai, where he had just completed a successful weekend, which included his second-best finish ever in Formula E.

“I’d had three or four beers on that walk back to the hotel,” Ticktum admits. “I hadn’t had too much to the point where I was going to say something where I was going to get cancelled, I knew that.

Verstappen was penalised for this move on George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix(Image: Sky Sports F1)

“I was just a creative level of drunk, if that makes sense. I just thought this is a perfect time to do a little video on the way back to the hotel, so that’s what I did.

“It was one take and I just was like, yeah, I’m posting that, that’s fine. I thought I addressed it in a relatively good way and I stand by what I said about taking a liking to Max. He’s got quite polarising chat, but I think he’s f****** brilliant, I really do. I like Max a lot.

“I often say he’s probably the only guy in the world that would beat me more often than not. But yeah, the whole thing was just a bit unnecessary, and I don’t want to unearth it again. It’s done now and it’s time for everyone to move on, I think.”

Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari Fracture: More Than Frustration, It’s a Battle for Change

When Lewis Hamilton signed with Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, the world expected fireworks. The seven-time world champion, synonymous with relentless performance and precision, was joining the sport’s most iconic team—a union destined for greatness, or so it seemed. Yet, ten races into the season, that dream is already fraying at the edges.

Hamilton’s recent comments following the Canadian Grand Prix didn’t just reflect disappointment—they revealed a deeper unease. “I wish I could tell you what’s happening,” he said cryptically. It wasn’t just about the SF-25’s lack of pace or Ferrari’s puzzling upgrade drought. Hamilton cracked the door open to something more systemic, more embedded in the DNA of the Scuderia. The problem, it seems, isn’t only mechanical—it’s cultural.

A Champion’s Frustration

So far in 2025, Hamilton’s Ferrari debut has been marked by a string of underwhelming performances. Despite his pedigree, he’s yet to stand on the podium on a Sunday. The statistics are stark: outscored by Charles Leclerc in seven out of ten races, Hamilton currently sits sixth in the driver standings. In contrast, Leclerc has three podiums to his name and looks increasingly like the team’s best hope.

But it’s not just the numbers eating at Hamilton—it’s the pace of change, or lack thereof. “I don’t know why we haven’t been bringing upgrades,” he admitted post-Montreal. While other teams like McLaren and Red Bull consistently evolve, Ferrari’s development path has stagnated. The SF-25, in Hamilton’s words, “has looked the same for quite some time now.”

Beyond the Car: A Battle of Cultures

What Hamilton is facing may be even more difficult than catching Max Verstappen—he’s confronting Ferrari’s deeply entrenched way of doing things. For decades, the team has operated with a proud, insular mindset. Decision-making is notoriously opaque, and resistance to outside influence is legendary.

Hamilton has begun poking at this foundation. “There’s a lot of changes that we need in the system,” he said. That statement doesn’t point to an underperforming chassis or ineffective aerodynamics—it signals a frustration with Ferrari’s operational philosophy.

“They say, ‘This is how we always do it.’ I say, ‘Well, what if we tried something else?’” That single quote may come to define Hamilton’s time at Ferrari. It’s a clear indication he’s not there to simply drive; he’s there to transform.

The Fred Vasseur Factor

A key player in this unfolding drama is team principal Fred Vasseur. Hamilton has been vocal in his support of Vasseur, crediting him as the reason he made the jump to Ferrari in the first place. Amid swirling rumors that Vasseur’s position may be under scrutiny, Hamilton remains loyal: “I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.”

But backing Fred means backing a revolution, and revolutions don’t come easy at Maranello. Ferrari is a team with a notoriously short fuse when results fall short. Vasseur’s vision—focused on long-term restructuring rather than knee-jerk reactions—might not align with Ferrari’s historically reactive ethos. Whether Hamilton and Vasseur can reshape the Scuderia before corporate patience runs out is one of 2025’s biggest open questions.

Silverstone: A Crossroads

All eyes are now on Silverstone, Hamilton’s home race and the site of Ferrari’s last major upgrade package of the season. Insiders are calling it a make-or-break moment. If the upgrade fails to deliver, Ferrari may be forced to abandon serious development of the SF-25 and focus entirely on 2026, when sweeping regulation changes arrive.

Hamilton, for his part, isn’t sounding overly confident. “I’ve been testing the upgrades in the sim, but I don’t think it’s going to be a lot,” he said. Translation: don’t expect miracles.

This isn’t just a competitive crisis—it’s an existential one. Ferrari is staring down the barrel of another title-less season while Hamilton, who left a legacy team like Mercedes behind, is facing the possibility that his career could end in rebuilding mode rather than glory.

The Weight of Expectation

The Hamilton-Ferrari partnership was never going to be easy. Ferrari is not Mercedes, where Hamilton spent over a decade surrounded by engineering rigor, cutting-edge innovation, and a collaborative mindset. At Ferrari, the emotional highs are higher, but so are the political and structural hurdles.

It’s easy to view Hamilton’s growing impatience as a diva moment, but that misses the broader context. He didn’t come to Ferrari to relive past glories or chase romantic notions. He came to win—soon. And in a team environment that often values tradition over transformation, that kind of urgency can feel like a threat.

A Driver at War With the System

What makes this situation particularly compelling is that Hamilton isn’t walking away. Not yet. Despite the poor results, the tension, and the mounting pressure, he’s doubling down on his commitment to bring change. He wants to be remembered not just as Ferrari’s latest star signing, but as the driver who dragged the Prancing Horse into a new era.

“My goal is to try and positively influence, try and get change so we can have long-term success,” Hamilton said. That’s not a statement of short-term frustration. That’s the blueprint of a legacy project.

The Road Ahead

With 14 races still to go and Ferrari teetering between reinvention and regression, the rest of the 2025 season is pivotal. Can the SF-25 be salvaged? Will Fred Vasseur survive internal pressures? And most importantly, can Ferrari become the team Hamilton thought he was joining?

One thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton didn’t leave Mercedes for nostalgia or brand prestige. He came for one last championship push. Whether Ferrari can meet him there remains to be seen, but if they don’t—Hamilton won’t go quietly.

He’s already shaken the tree. The question now is whether Ferrari will let the leaves fall—or chop it down altogether.

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Arvid Lindblad: Red Bull’s Next Supernova and the Future of Formula 1

In recent weeks, the Formula 1 paddock has been buzzing with anticipation surrounding one name: Arvid Lindblad. At just 17 years old, Lindblad has already begun making waves in the world of motorsport, and with the FIA granting him a super license exemption, his meteoric rise to F1 looks more inevitable than speculative. With Red Bull officially confirming his participation in FP1 sessions in 2025, many are wondering if this young phenom is poised to join the grid full-time by 2026—and if so, what kind of shakeup could his arrival bring to Red Bull and the wider Formula 1 landscape?

The Next Verstappen?

Lindblad is often dubbed “the next Verstappen,” and while comparisons to the four-time world champion may seem premature, they’re not entirely unfounded. His performances in junior categories—especially Formula 2, where he became the youngest driver to score a pole position and race win—have set him apart. According to Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s driver development guru, Lindblad is “mentally strong, incredibly determined, and shows the characteristics of someone who could become one of the greats.”

Much like Verstappen, Lindblad has shown a maturity far beyond his years. His cool demeanor under pressure and aggressive-yet-calculated driving style have made Red Bull take notice—and act quickly. The super license exemption, an uncommon move, signals that Red Bull is not only preparing him for a future in F1 but accelerating that timeline.

Red Bull’s 2026 Lineup: The Dominoes May Fall

With Max Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull not entirely secure—given recent tensions within the team—the arrival of Lindblad offers a fascinating potential contingency. Red Bull’s youth-focused philosophy means someone will have to make way for Lindblad. Currently, Isaac Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda are the most at risk.

Hadjar, while talented, faces immense pressure to prove he can transition successfully from Red Bull’s sister team to the main squad. History has shown that this transition is often more of a demotion in performance than a promotion in prestige. Drivers like Gasly and Albon struggled under the weight of Red Bull’s expectations, and Hadjar might face similar challenges if he doesn’t impress early.

Tsunoda, meanwhile, has spent five years patiently climbing the Red Bull ranks, only to find himself in a car that fails to deliver. With Red Bull reportedly growing impatient with his lack of consistent points finishes—especially following his underwhelming performances post-Imola—he could be the first to fall on the sword to make room for Lindblad.

The Brutal Nature of Red Bull’s Development Pipeline

Red Bull’s driver academy is as ruthless as it is effective. It breeds excellence, but it also moves on quickly from those who can’t meet its towering expectations. As Lindblad emerges as the new jewel in their crown, the writing seems to be on the wall for some of his predecessors.

Helmut Marko’s recent remarks make this clear: “It was important for us to have a second reserve driver… Lindblad is fast in all categories, and there’s only so much we can do to change the natural outcome.”

It’s a reminder that F1 is a results-driven sport, and in Red Bull’s world, potential only matters if it converts to podiums and points.

What Does Lindblad Bring?

Besides raw speed, Lindblad brings a complete package: confidence, charisma, marketability, and a touch of showmanship. His off-track endeavors—like his now-viral stunt of scoring a football goal using an F1 car—have endeared him to fans and showcased his versatility. He’s also a fighter in the car, known for pushing limits while respecting boundaries.

Lindblad has wisely tempered the hype, stating, “It’s hard to compare me to Max… I’m just focused on driving fast and fighting hard.” That humility, combined with his performance ceiling, makes him an attractive asset to Red Bull—especially in the event of a potential Verstappen exit after the 2025 or 2026 season.

Is Lindblad Red Bull’s Long-Term Bet?

There’s a strategic logic behind Red Bull’s moves. The 2026 season will mark a significant shift in regulations, with new engine and chassis formulas creating a reset across the grid. It’s a golden opportunity for teams to bet on youth and build from scratch. Mercedes is doing that with Kimi Antonelli, despite his struggles in F2. Red Bull seems poised to do the same with Lindblad.

The Austrian team has always been a step ahead in talent scouting. From Vettel to Verstappen to potentially Lindblad, they identify prodigies early and back them with everything they have. If Verstappen stays, a Lindblad-Verstappen pairing could be the most formidable driver duo since Hamilton-Rosberg—or perhaps even better. If Verstappen leaves, Lindblad could become the centerpiece of a new era.

What About Tsunoda and Hadjar?

Tsunoda’s window seems to be closing fast. While he has had flashes of brilliance, his inability to consistently deliver points might cost him a long-term future at Red Bull. Tsunoda himself recently admitted, “There’s a lot of pressure… I’m not always enjoying it, but it’s an opportunity to improve myself.” That’s the right mindset, but improvement needs to come quickly—starting with the next Grand Prix in Austria.

Hadjar, too, is in a make-or-break season. If he fails to adapt to Red Bull’s high-performance culture, Lindblad’s rapid rise could turn him into another victim of the system—promoted only to be swiftly replaced.

What Happens Next?

Lindblad’s FP1 outings in 2025 will be telling. If he impresses, he could leapfrog others for a 2026 seat. His TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions—especially the upcoming test at Imola—will also offer insight into how ready he is for the big stage.

It’s important to note that nothing is official yet. Lindblad himself acknowledged that “nothing has been fixed,” and that Red Bull holds all the cards. But when a team like Red Bull fast-tracks your career, it usually means they see you as the future.

Final Thoughts: Is Lindblad the Real Deal?

There’s no shortage of hype surrounding Arvid Lindblad—and it’s warranted. He has the stats, the poise, and the backing of F1’s most ruthless and successful driver development program. While it’s still too early to crown him the next champion, the signs are all there. Red Bull doesn’t take risks lightly, and they’re betting big on Lindblad.

With 2026 fast approaching and the grid poised for a dramatic reshuffle, don’t be surprised if Arvid Lindblad becomes the face of Red Bull’s future—or perhaps even the sport’s.

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Lando Norris’ F1 title challenge has been undermined by a series of errors in qualifying and races, prompting Nico Rosberg to change his championship prediction

The pressure is getting to Lando Norris, according to Nico Rosberg(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

Lando Norris has lost the backing of Nico Rosberg following his latest error. The McLaren driver broke Formula 1’s golden rule by colliding with team-mate Oscar Piastri as they fought over fourth place in the closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix.

The contact, which occurred on the pit straight, immediately put Norris out of the race and brought out the safety car. While the British driver accepted responsibility, Piastri was able to continue, taking fourth place to extend his lead over Norris to 22 points.

Norris went into 2025 as the favourite for the drivers’ title after an impressive 2024, which saw him fight eventual champion Max Verstappen for the crown. With McLaren possessing the fastest car, the 25-year-old made the perfect start by winning the season opener in Melbourne, but he has struggled since, making a string of mistakes under pressure in both qualifying and races.

Meanwhile, Piastri has been almost error-free. After 10 rounds of the 24 rounds, the Australian has won five races to Norris’ two. That has prompted 2016 world champion Rosberg to alter his pre-season title prediction, despite being a “big Lando fan”.

“He’s enormously talented and probably one of the most talented out there. He was my absolute favourite for the championship as well,” the German, who retired after beating Lewis Hamilton to the 2016 title, told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

Asked if he had now changed his mind, Rosberg added: “Yes, it’s in Canada that I changed that. Oscar Piastri is now my favourite for the championship, because Lando has not yet been able to iron out these regular mistakes.

Norris after retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix(Image: Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

“At the moment, that’s what would cost him winning the championship. I don’t see him ironing them out at the moment We have to remember, too, that this is a new situation that they have never been in before. It’s so different from battling for fourth, fifth place, being the hunter and chasing the best of his generation in Max Verstappen.

“When you go into a season as a massive favourite to win the drivers’ championship, you have the car to win every race, that’s like a 10x difference in pressure. That’s what Lando and Oscar are now facing and that’s what’s caused the shift. Lando was the dominant [McLaren] driver last year and now Oscar has moved ahead. For me, it’s that pressure situation that has changed the dynamic.”

Norris has been brutally honest about his struggles. Speaking after his blunder in Montreal, he said: “Rule number one is not to make contact with your team-mate, and that’s what I did.

“McLaren is my family and I race for them every single weekend and try and do well for them on and off the track. So when I let them down like this and make a fool of myself like I did today, I have a lot of regret. I’m not proud of myself, I feel bad, so apologies to all of them.”

Rosberg is now backing Oscar Piastri for the F1 crown(Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, team principal Andrea Stella conceded the incident might affect Norris’ confidence going forward. The Italian said: “This may have an impact in terms of his confidence.

“We will have conversations, and the conversations may even be tough, but there’s no doubt over the support we give to Lando and over the fact that we will preserve our parity and equality in terms of how we go racing at McLaren between our two drivers.

“The situation would have been different if Lando did not take responsibility and apologise. Lando will have to show his character to overcome this kind of episode and make sure that he only takes the learnings to become a stronger driver.”

The title battle resumes at Austria’s Red Bull Ring at the end of June before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the following weekend.

Michael Schumacher’s brother, Ralf Schumacher, picked Nico Hulkenberg as Max Verstappen’s ideal teammate at Red Bull. Schumacher, who is a compatriot of Hulkenberg, believes that Hulkenberg would be a great fit alongside Verstappen at Red Bull due to the Sauber driver’s enormous experience and stability.

Hulkenberg has over one and a half decades of racing experience in Formula 1. Before Sauber, the 37-year-old German had raced for Williams, Force India, Renault, Haas, and served as the reserve driver for Aston Martin. He has racked up 240 F1 entries and picked up a pole position and two fastest laps so far.

However, a native of North Rhine is the only driver in the current grid with the highest number of appearances without a podium. Despite this, Hulkenberg has shown ample consistency and delivered impressive performances coming into 2025.

After Hulkenberg’s recent P8 finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, Ralf Schumacher also talked about the German racer’s experience gained without driving for big teams like Mercedes. Speaking to Italian media outlet, FormulaPassion, the former F1 driver said:

“Yes, he ( Nico Hulkenberg) would be good at his (Max Verstappen) side . They get along well and Nico started well in Hinwil: you can see it from the results, fingers crossed.”

“I don’t want to offend anyone, but I can imagine that Nico’s feedback is the best that Sauber has had in recent years . He has learned from experience, he has always been in teams where there was a lot of work to do: he wasn’t in Mercedes, for example, where the car was perfect and the driver only had to drive.”

Coming into 2025, Nico Hülkenberg has accumulated 20 points in 10 races, with a P5 finish in Spain as his best performance. Compared to him, Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s partner, has picked up 10 points and is placed in P15 in the Drivers’ Championship.

Max Verstappen’s teammate knows Red Bull’s course of action if he does not perform

Max Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, knows ‘what’s going to happen if he does not perform’. Ever since his promotion from Racing Bulls to Red Bull, the Japanese driver has failed to prove his worth, and this is something Christian Horner’s team tackles ruthlessly.

Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing – Source: Getty

Speaking to the media about his performances before the Canadian GP, Tsunoda said (Via Motorsport.com):

“As long as I don’t really perform myself, I know what’s going to happen and I know myself, it’s not the place I should be. But let’s see. I have confidence that I can come back strong. You guys like to talk about the second seat, about Red Bull, but it is what it is.”

Yuki Tsunoda joined Red Bull before the Japanese GP, and has raced for the Milton Keynes-based team in eight races, where he finished inside points only three times — a P9 in Bahrain, and two P10s in Miami and Imola.

Red Bull lodged two protests against George Russell following his win at the Canadian Grand Prix, with Nico Rosberg and Toto Wolff in disagreement over who was behind it

Nico Rosberg and Toto Wolff have different opinions on the protest(Image: Getty)

Nico Rosberg has suggested that Max Verstappen could have been behind Red Bull’s protest against George Russell after the Brit’s Canadian Grand Prix victory. The former Mercedes star and 2016 world champion’s thoughts are not in line with his former boss, Toto Wolff, however.

Christian Horner’s appeal resulted from Russell dropping back behind the Safety Car, with Red Bull accusing him of unsportsmanlike behaviour in trying to catch Verstappen out for overtaking. However, their protests were ultimately rejected.

While Wolff, 53, believes the origins of the protest didn’t stem from the Red Bull star, Rosberg isn’t convinced. Rosberg mused that Verstappen, who is teetering on the brink of a race ban with 11 penalty points to his name, may have seen Russell’s manoeuvre as a deliberate ploy to bag him a one-race suspension.

He suggested that an irked Verstappen could have then urged his team to lodge the protest in retaliation. “The fact that Red Bull appealed, it wouldn’t surprise me if that was pushed by Max,” Rosberg said on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.

“Because Max got angry that George hit the brakes and tried to get him into a penalty situation. So Max was like, ‘I’m not having that,’ and asked his team to appeal to try and get George into trouble. It wouldn’t surprise me, so we’re seeing the cat and mouse games continue, which is great.”

Russell’s actions were challenged by the Red Bull team(Image: Getty)

Wolff has a different take. “What is it all about? Who decides it? Because I’m 100 per cent sure it’s not Max, he’s a racer. He would never go for a protest on such a trivial thing,” Wolff said at the premiere of the new F1 movie this week.

The Mercedes boss also expressed frustration with the FIA and urged them to review their procedures. “First of all, it took team Red Bull Racing two hours before they launched the protest, so that was their doing. Honestly, it’s so petty and so small.

“They’ve done it in Miami. Now they lodged two protests. They took one back because it was ridiculous. They come up with some weird ISC clauses – sporting code clauses.

“I guess the FIA needs to look at that, because it’s so far-fetched it was rejected. You race, you win and you lose on track. That was a fair victory for us, like so many they had in the past. And it’s just embarrassing.”

Wolff was particularly annoyed by the time taken to dismiss the second protest, which came five and a half hours after the race ended. “One of them they actually pulled as a protest, they didn’t even follow it through because it was nonsense,” he added. “The second one took us five hours because I don’t even know what you refer to as ‘unsportsmanlike behaviour’ or something.”

Rosberg thinks Verstappen may have been angry and forced the protests(Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Horner defended his decision to approach the stewards. “No, absolutely not [got any regrets],” Horner said to Sky Sports.

“I mean, it’s a team’s right to do so. You know, we saw something we didn’t think was quite right. You have the ability to put it in front of the stewards, and so that’s what we chose to do. Absolutely no regrets in that.”

Tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes had already been building this season. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen collided with Russell, earning him three penalty points that have him on the cusp of a ban.

For next week’s Austrian Grand Prix, the four-time world champion will need to tread carefully, as two of his 11 penalty points are set to expire by the end of the month, just before the British GP.

Charles and Camilla have wished a happy birthday to the Duchess of Gloucester on her 79th birthday, as she continues her lifetime of service to the Firm

The Duchess of Gloucester has celebrated her 79th birthday, with key members of the royal family sending their well wishes(Image: PA)

King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent a special message to the Duchess of Gloucester on her 79th birthday, sharing a unique portrait of the senior working royal. Marking her birthday on Friday, the King and Queen shared an elegant photo of Birgitte on social media, wishing her the best for her birthday celebrations.

The photograph showed the Duchess dressed in a cream ensemble with a wide-brimmed hat and pearl necklace. The photo was captured during her hosting of the Not Forgotten Association garden party at Buckingham Palace in May. The birthday message featured a simple caption reading “Happy Birthday to The Duchess of Gloucester!” accompanied by a celebration emoji.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have wished a happy birthday to the Duchess of Gloucester(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

The Danish-born royal, who is married to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin Prince Richard, continues her extensive programme of royal duties as one of the senior working members of the royal family.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester – born Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen on June 20th 1946 – first met Prince Richard while studying at Cambridge University in the late 1960s, with the couple marrying on July 8th 1972 at St Andrew’s Church in Northamptonshire.

On her wedding day, Birgitte opted for a dress created by one of the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite designers Norman Hartnell, and teamed the stunning look with a floral headpiece instead of a traditional tiara.

Just six weeks after their wedding, Prince Richard’s elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester, was killed in a flying accident, with Prince Richard then unexpectedly became heir apparent to the dukedom.

Prince Richard and Birgitte assumed their current titles as Duke and Duchess of Gloucester when Prince Richard’s father, Prince Henry, passed away in 1974. The Gloucesters have three children together – Alexander, Davina and Rose.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, has dedicated her life to supporting the Firm(Image: Getty Images)

The couple’s union has now spanned five decades, as they continue their years of service and dedication to the Crown, attending many royal engagements alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Recently, the Duchess made a notable appearance earlier this week at the Garter Day procession in Windsor, having been invested as a Royal Lady Companion to the Order of the Garter last year. She also attended Royal Ascot on Wednesday.