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Metro
20 minutes ago
- Metro
Hamilton goes the extra mile in push to shake up Ferrari
This weekend's Belgian Grand Prix will give us the first glimpse of major management changes that have taken place in the last two weeks. Christian Horner will not be there, having been axed by Red Bull's Austrian HQ in some sort of power struggle. In his place, on the Red Bull Racing pitwall's primo position, is Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from being team principal of the Racing Bulls to top dog at the senior squad. Racing Bull's new boss has also been promoted from within – Alan Permane, a British F1 engineer with 36 years' experience who previously helped Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to world titles. Spa-Francorchamps is a circuit which challenges the cars, drivers and people's wardrobe choices in equal measure, thanks to its swooping high-speed terrain and bafflingly unpredictable weather. It's a test of aerodynamics and Racing Bulls have brought upgrades they hope will help them cut through the wind. Aston Martin, too, are bringing their biggest upgrade yet. With Nico Hulkenberg's amazing Silverstone podium, Sauber have scaled almost all of the midfield competition. Williams are winning that fight with 59 points but then it's the Swiss scuderia (41), followed by Racing Bulls and Aston (tied on 36), Haas (29), and the struggling equipe Alpine (19). Ferrari are best of the rest compared to the mighty McLaren but there is no doubt Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc hoped to be closer to the front. On the face of it, Spa's characteristics are perfect for the McLaren but Hamilton and Leclerc have strong form here, with theBritish driver last triumphing in 2024 and his team-mate taking his debut victory in 2019. Ferrari will try out a new suspension package but Hamilton doesn't expect it to make much difference this weekend, although it may prove beneficial at other tracks. Overall, he has not been impressed with the regularity of upgrades and is pushing extremely hard behind the scenes to get the team working in a new direction. 'We had an upgraded floor in Bahrain and we didn't get another upgrade until Austria. Pace-wise, we haven't had what I thought we would have. Other teams bring small pieces every single weekend,' said Hamilton. Over the last fortnight he has spent four days in the Maranello factory, sitting down with team principal Fred Vasseur, CEO Benedetto Vigna and chairman John Elkann, as well as each technical head of department, to address what he needs to get back on the top step of the podium. Hamilton revealed he had been submitting his own technical reports, and tested the 2026 car on the simulator last week for the first time. 'It's a big, big push. I've held lots of meetings, talking about the engine for next year, suspension for next year, things I want,' added the 40-year-old. 'After the first few races I submitted a full document to the team. Over this break I did another two documents, so I've gone in to address those. One was about structural adjustments we need to make to get better, and the other was about the issues I have with this current car. There are some things you do want to take on to next year's car, and some you don't. 'The reason for it is I see a huge amount of potential within this team. The passion – nothing comes close. It's a huge organisation with a lot of moving parts, but the parts are not firing on all cylinders like they need to be. That's ultimately why the team hasn't had the success I feel it deserves. 'I'm here to win. It's crunch time for me and I truly believe in the potential of this team, I believe they can win multiple championships. That's my sole goal. 'I feel it's my job to challenge every area and challenge everybody in the team, especially the guys at the top who are making the decisions. If you look at the team in the last 20 years, they've had amazing drivers and yet they didn't win a title with Ferrari. More Trending 'I refuse for that to be the case with me. I'm going the extra mile. I'm fortunate to have had experiences in two other great teams. For sure things are going to be different, it's a different culture, but if you take the same path all the time you're going to get the same result.' It is rumoured Vasseur won't have his contract renewed at the end of this year. Does that leave the door open for Horner? Well, he doesn't speak Italian and though Ferrari may offer to pay him handsomely, they won't offer him equity, which is what he really wants. I also doubt Hamilton would be happy working with him, not least because Horner has been so combative on Max Verstappen's behalf in the past. Three more likely options for Horner are if Toyota buy Haas, Cadillac decide to push current principal Graeme Lowdon out of the way or Alpine are taken over by a rumoured consortium which he may be invited to join. That last one feels the most likely, and I believe Bernie Ecclestone is pulling the strings. Watch this space. MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Euro 2025 final: England have done it the hard way but I never lost faith and know they can beat Spain MORE: Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71 'after suffering cardiac arrest'
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Heaney will retire if Stoke City fight is not made
Former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney says his upcoming fight will be his last if he cannot secure a future bout at Stoke City's bet365 34-year-old takes on Grant Dennis at the King's Hall in Stoke on Saturday in a 'must win' fight and the first in his home city for five has been a long-held dream for 'The Hitman' to finish his career at the home of his favourite football team and he says even if he beats Dennis it might be the last time he steps into a ring."I've always envisioned retiring from boxing on my terms. I never envisioned retiring after a loss," he told BBC Radio Stoke."So, for me, I would want to win and then have the option to retire on my terms." Heaney is promoted by Frank Warren and knows Saturday's show is another chance to prove his popularity in his own backyard is a strong as ever."It sold out immediately - I could've sold it four times over," Heaney said."So win and it will remind Frank Warren why he signed me all those years ago"The only fight I will have after Saturday is a fight at Stoke City in a year's time. No fight in between."I get why they would want you to fight in between - to stay relevant - but I've explained that doesn't matter. It would be the biggest sporting event our city's ever seen outside of football."Saturday is my last ever fight if I can't get the stadium."Heaney, who has won 18 of his 21 fights, says it is "strange" to be talking about retirement but knows his hand will be forced if a date at the home of the Potters cannot be finalised."Make no mistake, the plan is to win on Saturday and to have that final push to give the city what it deserves," he said."We've filled up every area we've ever been to for the last five years, it's outrageous."I deserve it. I love fighting for Frank so, best case scenario, we fight next year at the ground. "Worst case, I win and say 'thank you' and go out into the King's Hall and take one final bout." 'Make it an absolute bear pit' Heaney comes into Saturday's showdown with Dennis off the back of two defeats - a seventh-round stoppage against Sofiane Khati in February followed losing his British title to Brad Pauls just over a year young daughter will be among the sell-out crowd on Saturday which makes Heaney feel "like I've got to win"."I can't lose in front of my daughter. But I want her to feel that atmosphere," he said.A key part of that will be his trademark ring walk to the sound of the Tom Jones' classic wants the fans to savour the atmosphere as much as possible."It will mean everything," he said."Enjoy it like it's the last night. Sing it like it's the last Delilah. Make it an absolute bear pit. Make it intimidating and like nothing he's [Dennis] experienced before."And hopefully I will do the rest."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
England women's head coach John Mitchell vows his team will learn lessons of 2015 after taking Ben Youngs tips ahead of home World Cup
England women's head coach John Mitchell said a discussion with men's record caps holder Ben Youngs will help his team avoid the mistakes of the country's horror 2015 campaign. A decade ago, England's men's team – which included Youngs – bombed out of their home World Cup under the guidance of Stuart Lancaster, failing to qualify from their pool. This summer, Mitchell's Red Roses will play on English soil as firm favourites to win the women's competition having won 55 of their last 56 matches. The last time England women lost a match was their heartbreaking defeat by New Zealand in the World Cup final of 2022. 'I spoke to Ben and he was very insightful,' said Mitchell, who worked with Youngs while an assistant coach with England's men's side. 'He said that over his four World Cups, he enjoyed the ones where it didn't feel like a high performance jail. I think that little nugget was key.' In 2015, the pressure on England's men's side to become world champions on English soil was immense. Ultimately, the expectation proved too much, with discussion over the best position in which to play rugby league convert Sam Burgess dominating. Players involved in that campaign have spoken in the years since about how with such a desire to win, there was no enjoyment about the build-up. That tension resulted in poor on-field performances, England's men's side losing to Wales and Australia. Mitchell is determined there won't be a repeat this summer. 'It's exciting. You hear this word pressure all the time but it's just a word. If you frame it negatively it becomes about the risk of failure,' he said. 'I see it as an opportunity to be successful. That's where my head is at.' On Thursday, Mitchell confirmed his 32-player squad for the tournament – one made up of 18 forwards and 14 backs. There were no real surprises. ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD Forwards (18): Zoe Aldcroft (capt), Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne. Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling , Abbie Ward Backs (14): Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison,Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing Experienced centre Emily Scarratt has been selected for her fifth global showpiece – a record for an England player, either man or woman. Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer are the only two out-and-out scrum-halves. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, normally a wing, will be the other No 9 cover. Hunt was a shock omission for the 2022 tournament, which was delayed a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, but is now first-choice in her position. England will be captained by forward Zoe Aldcroft. 'It's been a two-and-a-half year process on selection,' said Mitchell. Thursday's squad announcement at Allianz Stadium saw more than 100 members of the media attend – a record for an England rugby press conference. It was a reflection of the incredible growth the female game has enjoyed in the last three years. England's women are taking inspiration from the Lionesses who will play Spain in the final of EURO 2025 on Sunday. A huge summer of women's sport in England awaits.
