Lando Norris follows in Lewis Hamilton's footsteps with major personal change that transformed Brit's career at Mercedes
FORMULA ONE star Lando Norris has committed to a major lifestyle change in a bid to become a world champion.
The 25-year-old currently sits second in the 2025 driver rankings, behind McLaren team-mate
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Lando Norris has committed to a major lifestyle change
Credit: Reuters
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The McLaren star has followed a move made by Lewis Hamilton
Credit: Getty
He already has one win to his name from five races, with three additional podium finishes.
And in a bid to become the best on the grid, the Brit has followed in the footsteps of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Norris revealed at the weekend that he recently decided to stop drinking alcohol.
The McLaren man claimed that he "can't afford" to party while fighting for the championship.
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Norris travelled to Holland to enjoy Kings Day celebrations last April, just days before the Miami Grand Prix.
He went on to win the race in Florida - the first race victory of his F1 career.
But he will not be celebrate the Dutch festival this year.
Norris told Viaplay: "I'm fighting for a championship. I can't afford to do these things. I'll go back home and train.
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"This race was tough, it was physically demanding...
"There's much more to life than to drink. I've not drunk all year and I'm proud of that. [I'll] keep working hard, so no fun for me."
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris open up on F1 rivalry after controversial clashes
Back in 2023, F1 icon Hamilton revealed that he cut out drinking in a bid to improve performance - and was thrilled with the results.
He told Vogue: "I'll suffer [from a hangover] for several days – sometimes it'll be like three or four days.
"I've always been looking for how do you get that extra one percent? As an athlete, that's what you are always doing.
"I don't know if I'm going to drink again. Since I've stopped drinking, I've just been feeling so much better, so much more clarity.
"I sleep better, I wake up in the morning and I can still get up at 5 a.m."
Both drivers are next in action at the Miami GP on May 4.
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
My trip inside ‘world Voodoo capital' that's become dark holiday hotspot for Brits who flock to watch grisly sacrifices
A MASKED goblin figure chases two unsuspecting tourists along the busy streets, shrouded in a long multicoloured cloak. A few feet away, a priest carries a goat, preparing to sacrifice its blood to 15 A Zangbeto 'goblin' guardian' chases tourists in the world's 'Voodoo capital' Credit: Kennedy News and Media 15 An altar appears to be covered in the blood of a sacrificed animal Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Voodoo dolls are used to cast love spells Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Brit tourist Keiran Brown poses with a snake around his neck after his visit to the Temple of Pythons Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Welcome to the Voodoo capital of the world: Ouidah, in Benin, West Africa. Here the 'goblin' guardians, known as the Zangbeto, roam the streets wielding wooden swords - ready to ward off evil in both the human and spirit world. Visitors flock to the tiny city, which has a population of 162,000, to Despite its lack of attention in most mainstream holiday brochures, 337,000 tourists are reported to have visited Benin in 2019 and the numbers are believed to be growing. These so-called ' Benin, for its part, is happy to welcome intrigued visitors, with priests charging for their guidance and private rituals, and public festivals and Voodoo events charging admission fees. Kieran, 30, from Sidcup, Kent, visited the country during his tour along Africa's coastline and recalls his nerve-racking encounters at local landmarks including the Temple of Pythons. Inside a sealed room at a religious sanctuary, locals worship snakes instead of fearing them, and Kieran encountered dozens of the creatures slithering around. Snakes are said to represent the Voodoo god Da, who is believed to bring fertility and life to its worshippers. The priest even put one around Kieran's neck but insisted the potentially deadly Inside the Voodoo capital of the world where masked 'goblins' chase tourists and dogs' heads are displayed on spikes Kieran tells The Sun: "There was a thick door, the guy opened it, and there were around 60 to 70 pythons. "He put them around our neck and they seemed pretty chilled. "I didn't feel any energy and I don't believe in that but the people in the town are heavy believers. "That's the most popular religion in that side of the world, there is more Voodoo than Christianity." 'Land of the dead' It's thought 60million people around the world practice Voodoo, which is believed to have originated in Ouidah and where around 60 per cent are said to be followers. Voodoo - known traditionally as Vodoun, or Vodún - was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996, and the annual festival, on January 10, attracts worshippers from all over the globe. Followers believe spirits control both the human world and the 'land of the dead', with different deities relied on to protect everything from villages to trees and rivers. They not only worship them from small shrines in their homes but they also attend public and private rituals led by community priests, who can be male or female. Voodoo dolls are sold at markets and sellers even claim the infamous figurines are able to make people fall in love with you. Snakes are worshipped as gods and animal sacrifice - including that of dogs - is commonplace and is often part of Voodoo initiation ceremonies. Dark arts During his visit, Kieran also recalls his encounter with one of the striking Zangbeto. These oddly dressed, masked figures act as the unofficial police on the streets of Ouidah, and are believed to keep residents and the religion's witches and spirits in line. Their name itself comes from 'zan', meaning night, and 'gbeto' that refers to person or people - so translates to 'people of the night', although they now appear in daylight hours as well. Kieran said: "When we were there we were walking around and there was a man dressed up as a Zangbeto and people were trying to get close to him and he chased people. 15 Voodoo dolls on sale in the city of Ouidah Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Masks and preserved animal parts are sold on the street Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 The Voudoum festival takes place every January "We were walking through a street and he saw us. Because we were the only white people we stood out. "It was a man dressed up like a goblin, he had a thick mask on. "I can't explain it but he was dressed like a monster, people were running away when it came close. "People were trying to annoy it by running towards it and eventually it would snap and start chasing you, it seemed to be like a game, everyone was chanting." Temple of Pythons Ouidah is home to the religion's Mecca, The Sacred Forest, where trees are considered holy and capable of granting wishes. Due to the rituals of spells and sacrifices, parallels have been drawn to witchcraft, which was greatly feared in 13th to 15th century Britain and led to the execution of those accused of practising it. However, Voodoo is now recognised as a protected religious belief in Britain under the Equality Act 2010. And expert Viktor explains that Voodoo remains an everyday feature throughout Benin - visible on the streets and with most people's homes featuring aspects of the religion. 15 A statue representing past kings in the town of Ouidah Credit: AFP 15 Snakes are worshipped in the Temple of Pythons Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 A Voodoo priest rides a cow before the animal is sacrificed Credit: AFP Viktor, who is also a Voodoo artefact collector and runs The Viktor Wynd Museum in Hackney, East London, said: "Wherever you go in Benin, everyone has a Voodoo altar and everyone goes to the Voodoo priests. "Each person has one main Voodoo spirit that they serve. "People dressed as Zangbeto do these dances to regulate the spirit world and the world of the living. They're intermediaries with the other world. "There's always something happening so a few weeks before we go we'll WhatsApp the priests and get all sorts of interesting invitations. "There's Voodoo in the Caribbean and it's very underground but in Benin it takes centre stage. That's why people find it so interesting. "It's fought back against the dominance of Muslims and Christians, who have marginalised the religion in other parts of the world." Dark side of religion While tourists in Benin are offered goat meat and trinkets with animal heads, over the years Voodoo sacrifices have been linked to much darker occurrences across the world. Notoriously, in 2001, a young African boy's torso was found in the River Thames in London. His head, arms and legs had been removed. Police investigators at the time believed that the killing was part of a Voodoo ritual. It's believed the body part may have been in the water for up to ten days and tests showed he lived in West Africa shortly before his death. Police believe he was trafficked to the UK, specifically for the purpose of a sacrifice. One factor that linked the torso to Voodoo was it had been carefully dressed in bright orange shorts before being dumped. Police eventually discovered that the colour was seen as powerful and used in specific sacrificial spells by those who practised Voodoo. However, due to the state of the body when it was found and cops facing a wall of silence during their investigation, the mystery remains unsolved. While Benin is credited as being the origin of Voodoo, it has spread to neighbouring countries such as Nigeria, Togo and even the Caribbean. In Togo, Kieran visited the world's biggest Voodoo market, where he found skulls of various animals - including dogs. The traveller spoke to the local Witch Doctor, who said each skull has different properties and are often prescribed to cure illnesses. Kieran said: "That region of the world in particular, I went to the world's biggest Voodoo market in Toga, where you can buy every type of animal skull. "It was a bit creepy, we were walking and there was every skull you can buy. "We spoke to the Witch Doctor, he explained it's normal in this culture. When I posted a video people were horrified but they could be horrified with some of the things in Western culture. "There were Voodoo dolls and spells, he said it is possible to make another person fall in love with you, but I didn't believe it." 15 A Voodoo shrine in Benin Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Another Zangbeto in the streets of the city Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 The market sells macabre charms, skulls and animal skins Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Goat slaughter Every year on January 10 the Vodoun (Voodoo) Festival is celebrated across Benin and especially in the city of Ouidah, where practitioners gather to honour their spirits with sacrifices, dancing and singing. The festival begins with the slaughter of a goat to honour the religion's spirits. The blood is used as an offering to the spirits and the animals - such as chickens, goats, sheep and cows - are then cooked and shared amongst the worshippers. Despite experiencing the 'creepiness' of the voodoo market and rituals, Kieran would recommend Voodoo tourism to Brits who want to explore that part of the world. Meanwhile, Viktor is keen to share his passion for the area and religion with the world and invites those who are intrigued to his museum and to join his unorthodox holiday tours. 15 Viktor Wynd is a collector of Voodoo paraphernalia Credit: Gone With The Wynd 15 Viktor's museum houses an array of unusual artefacts and creepy curiosities Credit: Kennedy news and media
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
As his peers slow down, Mark English is only getting better
It was just after 11pm on Monday when Mark English laced up his shoes, left his hotel in the centre of Hengelo, and set off running around the dark streets of the Dutch city. A few hours before, the Donegal man had become the first Irishman in history to break 1:44 for 800m, clocking 1:43.92 to win at the FBK Games. It was the best run of his career. But his work wasn't done. Past bars where he got cheers from well-oiled locals, along with the odd quizzical look, English churned out a session of 10 x 3 minutes, keen to keep building a foundation for what's coming down the track. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
The 42
11 hours ago
- The 42
Ireland suffer defeat against world number one side Netherlands
IRELAND SUFFERED a narrow 2-0 defeat against the world number one side Netherlands in Amstelveen this evening. Mark Tumilty's men created several chances against the Olympic gold medallists, but were on the back foot early on when defender Lee Cole had to clear the ball off the line to prevent the opening goal. Ireland then had a period in the ascendancy, with Alistair Empey seeing his goalbound shot blocked. Goalkeeper Jaime Carr was then forced into a good save before Thierry Brinkman thought he had given the Dutch the lead with a reverse stick shot, but it was ruled out after Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with. Advertisement Ireland continued to defend well in the second quarter, and down the other end, Empey won the first penalty corner of the contest, before Luke Madeley's effort on goal was blocked. It was the Dutch who then took the lead through a penalty corner of their own, as Luke Dommershuijzen registered his first senior goal. Some strong Irish defending, including a vital block by Matthew Nelson, ensured their opponents could not double their advantage before half-time. Yet the Netherlands made no mistake with their first chance after the break, as Steijn van Heijningen expertly deflected the ball into the net with a deft touch. Ireland continued to threaten, with the Dutch again keeping them at bay following the concession of another penalty corner, though the Irish defence also had plenty of work to do to prevent their rivals from adding to the scoreline. In the final quarter, Empey won Ireland's third penalty corner of the game, but Cole's resulting effort was saved and cleared. The Dutch saw the game out convincingly and consequently extended their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to seven points. The two sides meet again at the same venue tomorrow. The contest gets underway at 7pm Irish time and is available to watch live on the TG4 Player.
