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Toto Wolff reveals Lewis Hamilton scuppered Mercedes’ chance to sign Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc
TOTO WOLFF has claimed Lewis Hamilton scuppered Mercedes’ chance to sign Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc.
The Merc boss lifts the lid on the seven-time world champion’s shock move to Ferrari in tell-all book, Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane.
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Hamilton stunned Formula One fans in February by announcing he would move to the Italian team in 2025.
Wolff has been open about sniffing around Red Bull’s triple world champ Max Verstappen this season.
But this is the first time he has spoken of lining up McLaren’s Brit star Norris and Ferrari’s Leclerc.
Wolff said: “I had it on my radar Lewis would go. I couldn’t understand why he’d change to another team before we knew if we were going to be competitive.
“It also didn’t give me time to react. I possibly missed out on negotiating with other drivers who signed deals a few weeks earlier, like Leclerc and Norris.
“But do I take that personally? This was just a business decision.
“We’ve enjoyed such a successful journey together, now we have our own objectives. This didn’t even move the needle for me.
“I’m thick-skinned. I’ve had some pretty tough moments in my life and this doesn’t compare.”
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Hamilton departs at the end of the season after more than a decade under Wolff’s guidance as he goes off in search of an eighth world crown.
The 39-year-old secured six of his seven titles with the help of the Austrian team principal since the pair arrived at Merc in 2013.
His stint with them is the longest by a driver at a single constructor in F1 history — surpassing Michael Schumacher’s 11 Ferrari seasons.
But the Brit has struggled to compete since being cruelly denied a record-setting eighth championship at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In the book, released yesterday, Hamilton said: “I feel like I’m ending a relationship that’s perfectly fine.
“We’re still in love. I haven’t lost faith in the team. I’m leaving for myself.”
Asked about breaking the news to Wolff at his home in Oxford, he added: “It was the hardest meeting I’ve ever had.
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“I needed to do it in person because that’s what integrity is all about. But I knew it would be difficult. Ultimately, as humans we’re hurt when things end.
“But I also know that our friendship goes beyond business. That’s how I view it and I hope Toto does, too.”
In the book, Hamilton goes on to describe how he broke the news to his race team at a pre-season paintballing get-together.
He said: “It’s always been a chance for everyone to have some fun.
“So, I arrived in the car park and saw my team waiting to go in. They all looked ready to have a good time.
“I was so nervous about what I had to say that for a few minutes I couldn’t bring myself to get out of the car.
“Everyone was so kind, understanding and so positive. I’m committed to giving my all to this season.
“But later this year, I know there’s a realisation that will hit me hard. I’m not going visit the factory any more or see my team-mates, whom I adore.”
- Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane by Matt Whyman, published by Century, is out now. RRP £22.
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Former England wonderkid and Premier League title winner, 31, drops down to seventh tier of English football
FORMER England wonderkid and Leicester title winner Liam Moore has dropped down to the seventh tier of English football with Spalding United.
The defender, 31, had been with League One outfit Northampton Town last season.
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He made eight appearances for the club following seven years in the Championship with Reading.
But Moore will now be playing in the Southern League Premier Division Central — English football’s seventh league — after penning a deal with Spalding.
They lie 18th in the table after just five wins in 14 matches.
And Moore has gone straight into the squad for this weekend’s trip to Stratford Town.
The signing of the nine-time Jamaica international is a major coup for Spalding.
Moore was once tipped as a future England star after featuring 10 times for the U21s.
The centre-back has played for a variety of top sides including Brentford, Bristol City and Stoke.
And he even has a title win with Leicester after leading them to glory in the Championship a decade ago.
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Moore, who played 67 times for the Foxes was also part of the squad which won the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri in 2016.
However, he spent the first half of that campaign on loan at Bristol.
And Moore did not make a single league appearance upon his return, leaving him ineligible to receive a winners’ medal.
He previously admitted he was forever haunted by the league’s decision to not officially recognise his contribution as a squad player.
Moore said: “It would have taken just five appearances to get a winners’ medal, and that medal I would have cherished for ever. I remember crying, trying to hide my tears, but saying I would be back stronger for this.
“It was so difficult, but it was such an eye-opener. It will go down as an amazing day, but a tough day in my career. My family were coming and everyone was adamant I had played a part in how we had got to that point.
“Everything was great during the game (a 3-1 win over Everton), but it hit me when I wasn’t on the podium — I hadn’t played any minutes in the league (for Leicester) that season.
“The moment they said, ‘And this season’s Premier League champions are… Leicester City’, and Wes lifted the trophy, it was one of the best and worst feelings in my life.
“I had just seen my boyhood club, the club that means so much to me, become champions, but I then realised that some of the decisions I had made in the past year had cost me the chance of being involved.”
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andy Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
BBCTwo Olympic gold medals have been stolen from the family home of one of Britain’s most successful male equestrians.
The medals were won by Richard Meade during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and taken after burglars broke into a property near Marshfield, in south Gloucestershire.
Police believe the robbery took place between 29 October and 1 November, with several pieces of jewellery, antiques and trophies also taken.
Angela Meade, Richard’s wife, said the medals hold “a special place” in the hearts of the whole family after his death in 2015.
“We are all extremely proud of his achievements as an event rider, and whilst the medals are of very little monetary value, they are priceless to us,” she said.
“I would plead for anyone who knows the whereabouts of the medals to hand them in to the police.”
Family handoutThis is the second time the medals have been stolen, after they were taken from a car in the 1980s but returned after a media appeal.
The medals were left hidden in a public place, the authorities were tipped off about there whereabouts. One of the medals had been partially scratched, revealing that it was not solid gold and therefore of negligible material value.
Det Insp Danielle Underwood, from Avon and Somerset, said officers have carried out forensic and CCTV enquiries and have spoken to people living in the area.
“These items are understandably of huge sentimental importance to the victims, and they are extremely anxious for them to be returned,” she said.
“Any burglary can have a devastating impact on victims – not only is there a financial or sentimental impact, but it can also make people feel unsafe in their own homes.”
Getty ImagesMeade, who was born in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, was one of Britain’s most successful Olympic equestrians, a triple Olympic gold medallist and the first British rider to win an individual Olympic title.
As well as the two Olympic gold medals won in Munich, he also won Olympic gold in Mexico in 1968, and five World Championship medals.
Police are encouraging anyone who has seen any of the items, saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area or has any information which could help the investigation to come forward.
Less than six months after he led UAE club Al-Ain AFC Champions League title, Hernan Crespo was sacked as the head coach. Al-Ain showed the Argentine legend the door after a string of defeats, culminating in a 1-5 loss to Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday.
The loss to Critiano Ronaldo’s club left Al-Ain at the bottom of the 12-team west zone standings halfway through the AFC Champions League—now called Champions League Elite—with one point from four matches.
In the UAE Pro League, too, Al Ain have just eight points from five matches and are eighth in the 14-team table. They are 10 points adrift of table leaders Shabab Al Ahli.
In May, Crespo led Al-Ain to a famous win over Yokohama F Marinos of Japan in the two-legged final of the AFC Champions League.
The two-time continental champions thanked Crespo, who took over in November last year as the head coach, but added that “recent results have not met expectations” in a statement.
Under the former Inter Milan and Chelsea striker, Al-Ain qualified for the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, but the 49-year-old will not be leading the team into the tournament slated to be held in the US next year.
Al-Ain are yet to name a replacement for Crespo.
CHELSEA fans have been given an update on star man Cole Palmer’s fitness ahead of their clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Palmer, 22, has been a doubt for the London derby after picking up a knock during the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
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Enzo Maresca explained earlier this week that the midfielder was unable to train on Tuesday after the injury.
He said: “Cole Palmer was not able to train yesterday, he was not fit. We hope to have him back against Arsenal. We will assess him.”
But Blues fans have been given a boost after seeing Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea‘s clash with FC Noah in the Conference League.
Palmer, who isn’t part of Chelsea’s Conference League squad, was there to support his team from the sidelines.
And the England star appeared to be moving freely as he walked by the pitch in SW6.
Fans were certainly buoyed by the sight of their star man moving with ease.
On social media, one wrote: “I think he can play against Arsenal”.
While another added: “Like I said, he looks good for someone who is supposed to be injured”.
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Chelsea fans can be confident that any issue isn’t long-term either with Palmer called up to Lee Carsley’s final England camp as manager.
The former Man City man has been included in the 23-strong squad to face Greece and Ireland.
Palmer’s inclusion for the Arsenal game would be a huge boost with the attacking midfielder already registering 12 goal contributions in 10 Premier League games this season.
However, the Blues could still be without Jadon Sancho for the head-to-head this weekend too.
Speaking about the winger in his press conference, Maresca said: “He also had a knock in a session.
“Tomorrow [against Noah] he is out but we will see if he can be available for Sunday’s game, otherwise it will be after the international break for him.”
Arsenal could be reduced in numbers with Declan Rice missing the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Inter on Wednesday with injury.
Palmer’s absence mattered little against FC Noah as the romped to an 8-0 win – a record for the Europa Conference League.
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