Premier League side risk ruining pitch as stars race RED BULL F1 CAR in their stadium
LEEDS have only just booked their return to the Premier League.
But they have already risked ruining their pitch... as players raced against a Formula One car at Elland Road.
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Leeds are sponsored by Red Bull, whose sporting ventures also include the F1 team.
And in an unlikely collaboration, club chiefs allowed the RB7 motor on the playing surface to compete in a drag race against three of Leeds' fastest stars.
The idea came about at last year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone - with the players thinking they had a chance of beating the mega engine with a few obstacles.
So Willy Gnonto, Largie Ramazani and Isaac Schmidt took on F2 driver Arvid Lindblad in the unique challenge.
The footballers and racing car started on the edge of the penalty box and had to go around mannequins on the 18-yard line at the other end of the pitch and come back to the starting point to finish.
Lindblad suffered a nightmare start as he struggled to get the wheels going on the grass.
The four involved were pretty much dead level approaching the mannequins.
And the car's turning circle meant the footballers regained their lead going into the second half of the race.
But as they began to tire - or tyre - the car closed the gap and eventually roared past to win by about 30 yards.
F1 fan Largie Ramazani said of the publicity stunt: 'This was a great experience, the only thing better would be getting in the car.
Inside Leeds stars' wild title celebrations as Bamford and Ampadu 'leave Burnley fanbase in meltdown' with karaoke song
'Before the race I was scared, but I was confident too. I think we did great, but in the end the car was just too quick.
"Dan James was involved in the idea but unfortunately he's been injured.
"But I'd back my team-mate over that car any day - DJ would smoke this car."
Driver Lindblad added: "Ahead of the race I was a bit nervous.
"I'd never driven on grass and had no idea how it would go.
"The car has a ton of horsepower and there is not much grip on grass, so I wasn't sure if I could go full throttle and turn the car properly."
The spectacle also featured a slalom 'dribbling' challenge - and it was no wonder the car left tyre marks across the pitch.
No doubt the groundstaff were not best pleased... although the pitch will likely be ripped up and replaced for the Premier League campaign after winning the 2024-25 Championship under Daniel Farke.
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Here are some more of your comments about Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou:Graham: Tough one. Terrible season in the league, but finally, the monkey is off our back. And that's entirely down to Ange. We've never been a forward-thinking club, and Levy has to either change or we carry on pretending we're in the big league. Surviving in the Premier League is not Out of his depth. In other seasons could have been relegated. Just as well there were three worse teams. An embarrassment to finish behind Manchester United and Without a shadow of doubt, this is the best decision. Ange had to go, and I have said this from day one. He was way out of his depth. We were extremely lucky not to get relegated. I feel sorry for him, but he definitely didn't have a clue, and that was obvious with 22 defeats. Phillip: Absolutely the right decision. Our overall performance this season was unacceptable, and we could very easily have lost the final against a poor Manchester A totally expected but disgraceful decision from Levy. Maybe he should reflect on his own performances. Typically Spursy once again. The board should hang their heads in Football is supposed to be about glory, and winning trophies. Ange did that, with a team on their knees at times, without proper backing from the board. And he's thanked with the sack. Madness! I know the league form was poor, but they were never in danger of relegation, and there were obvious reasons for that form in injuries to key players. Levy has got this badly Really disappointing decision. I truly believe this is the wrong call, and the board will have to answer for what follows. Thank you, Ange, for everything you've done for the club - especially for delivering moments we'll never forget. Wishing him every success ahead. He'll always be welcome back. The first manager since Poch who genuinely felt connected to the club.
