Latest news with #BritishWorld
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton in 'new territory' amid concern F1 history could repeat itself
Exclusive: An insight into Lewis Hamilton and his mindset at Ferrari as the seven-time Formula 1 champion continues to find it difficult to produce his best form since joining the Scuderia Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari struggles have been compared to Damon Hill's final Formula 1 season in which the Brit found it "increasingly difficult to win". The seven-time F1 champion joined up with the sport's most famous team at the start of this year to huge fanfare. But the performances on track have hardly matched the level of hype off it. Other than a Sprint race victory in China, his results have left a lot to be desired and Hamilton has yet to stand on an F1 podium for Ferrari at the end of a full-length Grand Prix. His results have led to some particularly glum comments being made by Hamilton himself at times this year, but F1 pundit and former Red Bull executive Mark Gallagher is not sure everyone should take such comments and interviews at face value. "The thing is with Lewis, my read of the situation is that people shouldn't be too quick to jump to a conclusion just because of him being downbeat about the car's performance, about the fact that he has to now endure Grand Prix, where he knows he cannot win," he told Mirror Sport, via Betway. "In fact, he knows he cannot even really consistently compete for podium finishes. This is essentially new territory for Lewis in recent years. Mercedes took a wrong turn with their car development from 2022 onwards. He's had a very difficult time there. Lewis has then gone to Ferrari and, of course, Lewis just races to win. "He's not there to finish fifth for sixth or eighth or whatever. One of the interesting aspects of working in Formula 1 for a long time, which, I've been very privileged to do, is you get to see how world champions, like Lewis behave when they find themselves in a car that's not competitive." To illustrate his point, Gallagher brought up the example of Hill who won the 1996 F1 title with Williams but then moved to less competitive teams and, three years later, retired from the sport having grown frustrated with his lack of opportunities to fight at the front of the grid. He added: "Damon Hill was a World champion, a great British World champion. He drove ferocious in the first Grand Prix and I know I'm going back into ancient history but Damon had a very difficult 1999 season, which was his final year of Formula 1. "Part of that was he got himself into a mindset where he felt it was increasingly difficult to win. I remember talking to him about it and him saying to me, if you turn up every weekend knowing that you have the chance to win the race on Sunday, it quite naturally gives you a completely different approach. "Compared to when you turn up for a race weekend, knowing that you're going to qualify on the fifth or fourth row of the grid. The biggest hope you have is that you might get some decent points or maybe even squeak on to the podiums."
South Wales Argus
04-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport Speedway Cycling Club celebrates 50th anniversary
The club first opened back in 1975 and was originally located in Blackash Park. It's since been moved to the international sports village and has a thriving local and national fanbase. It caters for a range of riders of different abilities and has riders as young as eight up to riders in their seventies. A series of speedway races were held yesterday on Saturday, May 3 in celebration of the club. Locals and riders from around the UK gathered in honour of the event. The senior cyclists on the podium (Colin George Simmons central) (Image: NQ) Speaking of the clubs 50th anniversary one of the original founding members Colin George Simmons aged 67 said: 'I'm quite proud that the sports been kept going for 50 years. I've seen this club thrive over the years. It started in 1975 just over Blackash Park we've got a good thriving club here and hopefully it will go on for another 50 years. 'We provide coaches and bikes. It's brilliant and we have fun riding.' Senior cyclists including Colin George Simmons (left) (Image: NQ) Colin took part in the senior rider's event where his team secured a spot on the podium. Three times British World Champion Paul Heards was one of the faces at today's event. Three times British World Champion Paul Heards racing at Newport Speedway Cycling Club (Image: NQ) When asked about the clubs 50th anniversary Heards 30 said: 'I've been racing for twenty years so I've seen this club for quite a long time. 'They've got brilliant facilities they've had some good riders over the years so it's great to see a club get to 50 years because it's all voluntary it's not done through employment or anything like that.' Three times British World Champion Paul Heards racing at Newport Speedway Cycling Club (Image: NQ) Paul had the following to say for anyone looking to get into racing: 'You've got to keep fit but it's got some really good benefits I've got friends from all over the country and different parts of the world. 'Raced four tours of Australia been to America, we got back from Poland and it's a good community. There's a really competitive edge to it and it's great.' Women's British Champion Maddie Saunders at Newport Speedway Cycling Club (Image: NQ) One of the only female riders at the event Maddie Saunders aged 20 brought her A-game. The female Women's British Champion said: 'I really enjoy it I've been doing it for 10 years now I come back every year and I don't put too much pressure on myself just enjoy it. 'It's been a really great event and put on by a well organised club.' Check out these great action shots!
