Latest news with #MelMcLaughlin
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Daniel Ricciardo breaks his silence on the struggles he's experienced since being axed from F1 - as he reveals why he looks NOTHING like this anymore
has opened up on the struggles he has experienced since leaving Formula One, admitting that he has been doing some soul searching in the wake of his shock sacking, to understand more about who he is 'other than this race car driver'. The former Formula One star also admitted that he was trying to become a more 'selfless' person as he adapted to life away from the glitz and glamour of Formula One. But before the beloved Aussie superstar delved into the serious talk, in true Ricciardo fashion, the 36-year-old cracked a joke about why he was now sporting a thick beard. 'Well, I haven't been shaving my face,' the usually clean-shaven Aussie said during Ray White's Connect Conference on Monday after being pressed by Mel McLaughlin about how he's been keeping since leaving the premier racing circuit. 'The beard is my comfort right now,' he added. 'I had a fallout with my barber and then I lost my razor. It's been a tough six months.' Ricciardo enjoyed a glittering 13-year career in Formula One. Nicknamed 'the Honey Badger', the affable Aussie raced for Red Bull, HRT, Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and AlphaTauri, before he was axed following an indifferent run of form. While his legion of fans around the world knew the end was coming for the Aussie cult hero, many were left shattered by Red Bull's decision to axe him. The 36-year-old was shown the door after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, with Red Bull's advisor Helmut Marko explaining that the Aussie was no longer showing the 'killer instinct' he had displayed earlier in his racing career. He bid farewell to what he described as a 'wild and wonderful' 13-year career, having picked up eight wins and 32 podiums across 258 race entries. But like many athletes, stepping away from the fast-paced, rock and roll lifestyle that is professional sport, Ricciardo explained he struggled to adjust to life away from the glitz and glamour of Formula One. 'I've lived this crazy, high-speed life for so long, and I just sat into a little bit of stillness,' Ricciardo explained. 'I suddenly wasn't always surrounded by a ton of people giving their opinions and thoughts.' After the rigours of being a professional racing driver had encompassed his life for so long, Ricciardo explained he was now doing a bit of soul searching in order to understand who he truly was, while also admitting he was learning to become more magnanimous. Ricciardo explained he had been looking to become more 'selfless' and had 'come to appreciate the little things more' following his time in Formula One 'I've had a lot of time, I've done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn't get mauled by a grizzly which was a bonus. 'I've been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver. 'I've come to appreciate the little things more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends. 'I've always been driven, and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I'm trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.' Ricciardo cut a philosophical figure as the Australian also delved into his sacking. As yet, Ricciardo has not opened up on his plans for the future. Speculation has arisen in the years following his departure from AlphaTauri that he may step back into racing in some capacity. However, it appears he is resigned to the fact that his time in Formula One has ended. While he never got to become a world champion, the ever-humble Australian spoke of his pride at his achievements in the sport. 'I never thought I would have this career. I never thought I'd be here, you know? That's the truth,' he explained. Ricciardo cut a philosophical figure as the Australian also delved into his sacking, explaiing he was grateful for the career he has had Ricciardo was recently pictured at Wimbledon soaking up the atmosphere at the tennis 'Yes, my dream was to be world champion, and there were years along the way where I genuinely felt like it was gonna happen. 'I got close, that's OK. 'If I were a world champion sitting here today, would it change how I feel or how I view myself, or anything like that? I don't think so.
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shock disruption boots 7News Brisbane off the air live as Sydney takes over mid-bulletin
Seven viewers in Queensland were left stunned on Monday night when their nightly bulletin was booted off the air and replaced with Sydney news. A power failure caused 7News Brisbane to drop off, with Sydney stars Mark Ferguson and Angela Cox taking over for Queensland's Max Futcher and Katrina Blowers. The switch followed an ad break just after 6.37pm as the Brisbane team rushed to get their anchors back on TV in time for the weather, reported TV Blackbox. 'There was a power failure on station and the team worked incredibly hard to get back on air in time for the Sunshine State's critical weather forecast,' a Seven spokesperson said. The Sydney team covered the news bulletin right up until the weather, with sports presenter Mel McLaughlin finally acknowledging the Queensland audience when she introduced the sports headlines. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Welcome back, and welcome to our Brisbane viewers joining us due to a technical issue,' she said. Futcher and Blowers returned to local screens in time for a feel-good feature about a giant slip and slide in a Colombian village. Tony Auden then wrapped up the show with Queensland's weather forecast. While Queensland sports presenter Steve Titmus was at the desk during the cross to weather, he was unable to present the sports headlines due to the disruption. Futcher signed off for the night by telling the Queensland audience: 'Hope your night is going smoothly.' The disruption comes after three senior reporters at Channel Seven jumped ship to rival Network Ten. Seven's award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan and Spotlight producer-reporter Denham Hitchcock all resigned from the network last week, The Australian's Media Diary reported. They are reportedly set to join a new investigative show set up by Channel Ten's news boss Martin White. A power failure caused 7News Brisbane to drop off, with Sydney stars Mark Ferguson and Angela Cox taking over for Queensland's Max Futcher and Katrina Blowers. Both pictured Brace and Hitchcock exited Seven's studio in Sydney within hours of quitting and started their new jobs at Ten on Monday morning while Hogan will begin with the network in three weeks' time. Ten has reportedly offered Brace a $50,000 increase on the $220,000 a year she was being paid. In a message to colleagues on Friday, she said: 'It feels off to not have an official "last day" to say goodbye, but it's best for me to just fade away for now. 'Stand up for yourselves, and each other… and think of me every time you have to find a f***ing case study.' Meanwhile, Hitchcock departs only three months after having returned to Seven after a couple of years living on a catamaran with his young family. 'I'm back. It's time to wash some of the salt out—and get back to what I do best,' he said in an Instagram post. 'Back in 2019 the network asked me to start what would eventually become the Spotlight program with one producer and one cameraman—and as the limited shows proved successful—the team quickly grew and it would turn into the network's flagship program. 'I stepped away for a few years to go sailing with the family—and have returned to find a new EP, a new team, new reporters, a fresh energy, an abundance of stories, and some genuine excitement about the year ahead.' He ended the message by asking followers and fans to send 'research ideas'. The departures confirm industry whispers Ten will launch a 'news magazine show' to take on the likes of Nine's 60 Minutes, Seven's Spotlight, and the ABC's Four Corners. The Australian reported last month a 'crack team' of producers, referred to as the 'investigations unit' was being assembled to helm the new program. It was claimed Channel Ten reporter Dan Sutton would be the show's executive producer, with potential reporters currently being screen tested. A Network Ten spokesperson confirmed the establishment of the investigation unit to Daily Mail Australia.
