OLI Bell is a sports presenter and broadcaster, best known for his work covering horse racing on ITV.

Here we take a look look at his background and career, as well as his relationship with Francesca Cumani.

3

Who is Oli Bell?

Oli Bell was born on April 28, 1987, in Glastonbury, England.

He has established himself as one of the brightest faces in horse racing coverage.

Oli joined the ITV Sport team in January 2017, going on to become one of the channel’s top horse racing presenters.

He fronts the Saturday morning magazine The Opening Show and serves as a relief presenter and reporter for other racing coverage.

One of the most iconic moments in his career to date came when the late Queen jokingly called him a “lunatic” when the pair crossed paths at Royal Ascot in 2017.

Oli was overcome with joy when his uncle scored a winner with Big Orange.

Completely forgetting his reporting duties, he sprinted after the horse after it passed the finishing line to celebrate victory, dropping his mic in the process.

The next day, Oli was in the paddock interviewing the trainers before each race, when he got a tap on the shoulder from the Queen’s racing adviser John Warren, who told him there was someone who would like to meet him.

Minutes later, Oli saw Queen Elizabeth II walking towards him and the two were introduced.

“You’re the lunatic that ran on the track yesterday,” she said him, to which Oli replied: “Yes I am.”

Oli said of the hilarious incident: “It was like having a dream. It was just completely bonkers.”

Previous jobs

Oli‘s career in broadcasting began at a young age.

He secured the breakfast show slot at his school’s local radio station when he was 15.

By 16, he was working as a live radio reporter at top sporting events including the Burghley Horse Trials, British Touring Car Championships and the Land Rover G4 Challenge.

You’re the lunatic that ran on the track yesterday

Queen Elizabeth II

His big break in horse racing coverage when he joined Racing UK (now Racing TV) at the age of 18 as an editorial assistant.

He worked his way up through the ranks, gaining experience and honing his skills.

Oli took a job with Sky Racing World in Australia at the age of 22.

Upon returning to the UK, he joined ITV Racing in 2017, where he has become one of their key presenters.

He fronts the Saturday morning magazine The Opening Show and serves as a relief presenter and reporter for other racing coverage.

Oli’s dad Rupert

3

Rupert Bell — Oli’s dad — is also a well-known sports commentator.

He has been a prominent figure in racing media for several decades, working primarily in radio.

Rupert has been a regular voice on talkSPORT and has covered major racing events for BBC Radio.

His career has also included work for Sky Sports and various other media outlets. 

This family connection to the horse racing world has often led to misconceptions about Oli’s career path.

Many assume that his father’s influence opened doors for him in the industry.

3

However, Oli has been keen to correct this assumption, emphasising that his relationship with his father actually developed more through his work in racing than vice versa.

Where he grew up

Oli wasn’t immersed in the world of horse racing from a young age.

He grew up away from the horses and racing environment associated with his father’s side of the family.

He was raised by his mother in Somerset.

Relationship with Francesca Cumani

Oli was previously in a relationship with his ITV Racing co-presenter Francesca Cumani — a former amateur jockey and daughter of trainer Luca Cumani,

She also works as a presenter for ITV Racing, having joined the channel in 2016.

The couple began dating in 2018 after Francesca split from her Australian polo player husband Rob Archibald.

Ahead of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, Oli and Francesca called time on their romance.

Despite the breakup, they have continued to work together on ITV Racing, maintaining a friendly and professional on-screen relationship.

The FIA has increased the allocation of superlicence points awarded for Super Formula for 2025, bringing it roughly in line with Formula E and the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class.

Up until now, the champion of the Japanese single-seater series has received 25 points, putting it in line with the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, with 20 and 15 points going to the second- and third-placed drivers respectively.

However, according to the latest version of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, Super Formula’s allocation has been boosted for 2025, with the winner now receiving 30 points, the second-placed driver 25 and the third-placed driver 20.

That matches both Formula E and FIA Formula 3, with only Formula 2 and IndyCar awarding more, while bringing it roughly in sync with the WEC’s top division, which awards 30 points to the champions and 24 for second.

The full allocation for the top 10 finishers in the championship is now 30-25-20-15-12-9-7-5-3-2, which exactly mirrors the scale for FIA F3.

In a statement supplied to Motorsport.com, a spokesperson for the FIA cited the “evolution” of Super Formula in recent seasons as an explanation for the change.

“The allocation of FIA superlicence points is regularly reviewed as the single-seater pyramid changes and develops over time,” read the statement.

“During the most recent meeting of the Superlicence Working Group, an update to the points allocated to Japanese Super Formula was approved for implementation from 2025.

Liam Lawson, TEAM MUGEN

Photo by: Masahide Kamio

“This update reflects the evolution of the series as one of the fastest single-seater competitions outside of the FIA Formula One World Championship, with the Working Group noting that there have been several recent examples of drivers competing in Super Formula moving to Formula 1 and other FIA World Championship categories.”

The reference to drivers going on to race in F1 is likely a nod to current RB driver Liam Lawson, who finished runner-up in Super Formula last year behind Ritomo Miyata.

Ryo Hirakawa and Sacha Fenestraz are two other recent examples of Super Formula alumni who have gone on to race in FIA world championship categories, WEC and Formula E respectively.

Another factor that may have influenced the decision to increase the number of superlicence points is the number of races, which will increase to 12 from the current level of nine as all bar two of the seven rounds become double-headers.

Series organiser JRP has outlined plans to increase this number further in future years, with a medium-target of 20 races held over 10 race weekends.

Current Super Formula points leader Sho Tsuboi has already reached the 40-point threshold required for a superlicence on the back of his title success in Super GT in 2021 and 2023.

Should he win the title this weekend at Suzuka, he will remain at 40 points as the 20 points earned for his 2021 GT500 title are due to expire after this season.

Sho Tsuboi, VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

Photo by: Masahide Kamio

Of the other title contenders, second-placed Tadasuke Makino currently sits on 27 points, but is set to lose 10 of those points after this year, meaning he would only become eligible for a superlicence if he became champion this weekend.

However, under the 2025 system, the extra five points would be enough to tip him over the 40-point threshold even if he finished second.

Tomoki Nojiri and Ayumu Iwasa have both reached the 40-point mark; Nojiri from his past success in Super Formula, becoming champion in 2021 and ‘22, and Iwasa from his Formula 2 performances in 2022-23.

England T20 squad: Heather Knight (captain), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England ODI squad: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England Test match squad: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Heading into the 2024 season, the Ravens were the favorites to win the AFC North at +110, with the Bengals just behind them at +180. The Browns were tabbed at +600 followed by the Steelers at +1100.

Ten weeks into the season, a lot has changed.

Entering this week, Baltimore was a -185 favorite to win the division after a strong 6-3 start, followed by the Steelers at +200 after a surprising 6-2 start. The Bengals sat in third at +900 with a 4-5 record, followed by the Browns who are all but guaranteed to not have a chance at the division crown at 2-7. 

But in this week’s Thursday night football matchup, it was a clash between Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow— and it did not disappoint. 

The two quarterbacks combined for eight touchdown passes and over 700 yards passing, with Ja’Marr Chase hauling in 264 receiving yards and three touchdown catches for the Bengals.

Cincinnati scored with 38 seconds left in the game with a chance to tie it up with an extra point, but Zac Taylor decided to go for two to try and end the game in regulation. 

The Bengals would fail to convert, giving the Ravens a one-point win.

Let’s take a look at how the odds have changed after Baltimore’s 35-34 win, according to DraftKings Sportsbook as of Nov. 8.

ODDS TO WIN AFC NORTH:

Baltimore Ravens: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total)

Pittsburgh Steelers: +225 (bet $10 to win $32.50 total)

Cincinnati Bengals: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

Cleveland Browns: +70000 (bet $10 to win $7,010 total)

In summary, Baltimore’s odds to win the division shortened from -185 to -300 after Thursday’s result, while Cincinnati’s lengthened immensely— going from +900 to +3500. While the division title might be out of reach, the playoffs aren’t totally out of the question. Three teams did make the playoffs last year after a 4-6 start (Rams, Packers, Buccaneers).  

Cincinnati is currently +135 to make the playoffs and -160 to miss.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly has put his 10,000 square-foot Connecticut mansion up for sale – and it’s perfect for any sports fan.

The 51-year-old is currently splitting most of his time between London and Los Angeles, where he owns part of baseball giants the LA Dodgers and women’s basketball team the LA Sparks.

4

4

Advertisement

4

Boehly has also been residing in Darien, Connecticut – where he co-founded holding company Eldridge Industries.

He first moved to the area in 2005 and bought his mansion for around £3.25million.

But now he is prepared to sell it for just under five times the price.

The 9.5 acre estate – which includes a main house, a pool and pool house, a field house and a two-bedroom guest house – has been put up for sale for £15m.

Originally built in 1937, it has six bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

It is also a sports fan’s dream, with a basketball court, an indoor batting cage and a Dodgers-themed bowling alley.

The estate has both indoor and outdoor pools and a spa.

And it is surrounded by woodland.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

4

As well as his Connecticut estate, Boehly also owns properties in New York and the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.

But the billionaire has been spending plenty of time recently in London.

Boehly has pumped billions of pounds into Chelsea since buying the club in 2022.

The Blues have spent over £1billion in the transfer market alone since he arrived.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes would like nothing more than to end their 12 years together on a high.
However, based on recent form, there is a very real risk that their time may finish not with a bang, but with a whimper.

If things continue like they did in Brazil last weekend, where Hamilton qualified 14th and finished 10th while team-mate George Russell started on the front row and fought for the win, then there will not be much to smile about when the curtain comes down in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton’s own verdict after the Brazilian Grand Prix was pretty damning, as he labelled the race as “crap” on Sunday night.

He added: “Yesterday [Saturday] was terrible. Today [Sunday] was terrible. Yesterday was bad. Qualifying was bad. Sprint race was bad. The car’s just been bad all weekend.”

He further fuelled intrigue about the scale of the struggles enveloping him as he delivered a cryptic message over the radio straight after the chequered flag.

“That was a disaster of a weekend, guys,” he said on the cooldown lap. “That’s the worst the car has ever been. But thank you for contributing to try, and great job to all the guys at the pitstop.

“If this is the last time I get to perform it was a shame it wasn’t great – but grateful for you.”

Some interpreted those comments as a revelation that Brazil was going to be Hamilton’s last race, although that is certainly wide of the mark.

And, although it is not clear exactly what he was referring to, his remark about the pit crew on a day when they were not actually called into action, was more likely a reference to the fact that some personnel were having their last race appearance of 2024 in Brazil due to the shuffling around of staff to cope with the intense schedule for triple headers.

The root of the problem

While the current performances on the track are not great, what is perhaps the biggest issue right now is that neither Mercedes nor Hamilton had an immediate answer after Brazil for what had gone wrong, despite there being some clear symptoms.

What is at play is a repeat of what he has been battling since the summer break, when his form took a big dip from that spell in July when he took two wins from three races.

Primarily, the problem appears to be about Hamilton having a lack of confidence in the car, especially its rear end.

As the above graph comparing the telemetry traces of Hamilton (blue) and Russell (red) in Q1 on Sunday morning shows clearly, there is a remarkable difference in the way the drivers were feeding in the throttle – mainly in the lower speed corners.

As the bottom trace shows, Russell could increase the accelerator consistently, whereas Hamilton’s lack of confidence is crystal clear. The loose rear end means he is constantly having to back off and that leaves him bleeding speed and lap time.

The current generation of ground effect machinery are pretty brutal machines – running super stiff and super close to the ground – and they are not very forgiving when driving on the edge.

Some drivers are better suited to overcome an unpredictable balance, but Hamilton is finding himself put a bit more on the back foot by it.

And typically, when a driver loses faith in the rear end, it slides more – and that then compounds tyre temperature issues.

So what starts out as a small issue can quickly manifest itself into something bigger and can make two nearly identical cars vastly different in how they develop over a race stint.

As Mercedes head of trackside engineering Andrew Shovlin explained this week: “It is fair to say Lewis was struggling predominantly with a lack of rear grip.

“If we look at how he had set up his car, it is not obvious where that was coming from.

“But in the sprint race, as soon as you have got less grip and you are getting the snaps of oversteer on exit, you generate more temperature. That in itself will prolong the problem.

“As with any race, we spend a lot of time digging into the data, trying to understand it, and Lewis’ engineering crew will be working with him on this issue, trying to make sure we get to the bottom of it before Vegas.”

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Hamilton’s struggles in finding a set-up he feels comfortable with have also not been helped much by Mercedes’ latest upgrade that arrived at the United States Grand Prix.

While it appears to have ticked all the boxes when it comes to deliver extra performance on track, there are some questions about it also adding some behavioural instability as well – as was witnessed by Hamilton’s race exit in Austin a day after George Russell’s qualifying crash.

And a particular weakness the car has, in dealing with successive low-speed corners, is something that has not been improved with the latest changes.

Shovlin added: “We have not had such good performance in the dry, but the issues that we are struggling with with this update are the same as the ones we were struggling with before.

“Where we tend to be weak, it is in the slow speed corners, particularly the ones where you have got one corner following into another. There is a lot of turning of the car, and that is a weakness that we need to work on.”

With sector two of Interlagos being pretty much all about interconnected slow corners, it was obvious that the Brazil event was going to potentially be more difficult than normal for the team.

Working on a solution

The only positive for Hamilton right now is that at least Russell’s performances show what is possible with the car.

And some forthcoming high-speed venues, especially Qatar, could help better expose the strengths of the W15 package rather than its weaknesses.

Hamilton has admitted that things are not easy right now, but there was no other option than to dig deeper with his team to try to find a way out of it before Abu Dhabi.

“Obviously, it’s devastating to have these bad races in the second half of the season,” he said. “But all I can say is, we’re trying. 

“But it’s definitely not acceptable. It’s definitely not good enough. And we have to take accountability. I have to take accountability. But I am driving.; I am doing the best with what I’ve got. 

“The car has been the worst this weekend, and I don’t know what it is. We’re going to have to find out what it is.”

That work began for Hamilton this week with some intense work at the factory to sit down with the engineers, and spend time in the simulator yesterday, to try to get some answers as to what is happening.

Las Vegas will tell us just how much those efforts have paid off.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images