Latest news with #Norris
TimesLIVE
36 minutes ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Belgian Grand Prix kicks off new era for Red Bull as Mekies takes control
Formula One's Spa weekend marks a new start for Red Bull and reigning world champion Max Verstappen as the team go racing for the first time without Christian Horner at the helm. The Briton's sudden sacking after a 20-year reign of rare success, including the most dominant of seasons in 2023, has had the sport buzzing for weeks with plenty of questions to be asked in Belgium. A Saturday sprint will be the first race of new boss Laurent Mekies' tenure and the change, and how it affects four-time world champion Verstappen's future, remains the talking point. Horner has made no public comment and Red Bull's preview for the 13th round of the 24-race season made no mention of him. 'I was back at the factory last week to spend time in the sim[ulator] with the team and I'm looking forward to working with Laurent,' Belgian-born Verstappen was quoted as saying. Mekies, promoted from Racing Bulls who have handed over the reins to Alan Permane, arrives with Red Bull fourth overall and Verstappen a distant third in the drivers' standings behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. That intra-team title battle is likely to have extra sizzle at Spa-Francorchamps as Norris seeks a third win in a row — new territory for the Briton — and the chance to take over at the top. The sprint format offers more points than usual and Norris, whose mother is Belgian, is only eight behind the Australian going to a high-speed track that is a favourite for most drivers.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-F1's Spa weekend kicks off a new era for Red Bull
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 6, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen arrives ahead of the race REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File photo SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) -Formula One's Spa weekend marks a new start for Red Bull and reigning world champion Max Verstappen as the team go racing for the first time without Christian Horner at the helm. The Briton's sudden sacking after a 20-year reign of rare success, including the most dominant of seasons in 2023, has had the sport buzzing for weeks with plenty of questions to be asked in Belgium. A Saturday sprint will be the first race of new boss Laurent Mekies' tenure and the change, and how it affects four-times world champion Verstappen's future, remains the big talking point of the moment. Horner has made no public comment and Red Bull's preview for the 13th round of the 24-race season made no mention of him. "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim(ulator) with the team and I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent," Belgian-born Verstappen was quoted as saying. Mekies, promoted from Racing Bulls who have handed over the reins to Alan Permane, arrives with Red Bull fourth overall and Verstappen a distant third in the drivers' standings behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. That intra-team title battle is likely to have some extra sizzle at Spa-Francorchamps as Norris seeks a third win in a row -- new territory for the Briton -- and the chance to take over at the top. The sprint format offers more points than usual and Norris, whose mother is Belgian, is only eight behind the Australian going to a high-speed track that is a favourite for most drivers. Piastri, despite his generally unruffled exterior, may also be still simmering at the 10 second penalty that cost him a win in Britain and handed victory to Norris. He will want to hit back as Formula One kicks off a Belgium/Hungary double-header -- the first fast and often wet while the second is twisty and hot -- before the long August break. George Russell, his contract expiring at the end of the season and in danger of losing his Mercedes seat to Verstappen or having him as an uncomfortable teammate, is also not short of motivation. The Briton was stripped of victory last year at Spa when post-race checks found his car to be underweight, handing victory to then-teammate Lewis Hamilton in what remains the seven-times champion's most recent win in F1. Ferrari have yet to triumph, other than a Shanghai sprint, since Hamilton moved from Mercedes to Maranello in January but they are gathering momentum. The Italian team are second overall and Charles Leclerc has secured three podiums in the last five races while Hamilton was fourth at Silverstone. Nico Hulkenberg will also be getting back to business at Sauber after an emotional first podium at the 239th attempt at Silverstone ended his unwanted record of most races without a top three finish. Sauber, the future Audi works team, are on the move and have scored the fourth most points of any outfit on the grid over the last four races. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
F1's Spa weekend kicks off a new era for Red Bull
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium - Formula One's Spa weekend marks a new start for Red Bull and reigning world champion Max Verstappen as the team go racing for the first time without Christian Horner at the helm. The Briton's sudden sacking after a 20-year reign of rare success, including the most dominant of seasons in 2023, has had the sport buzzing for weeks with plenty of questions to be asked in Belgium. A Saturday sprint will be the first race of new boss Laurent Mekies' tenure and the change, and how it affects four-times world champion Verstappen's future, remains the big talking point of the moment. Horner has made no public comment and Red Bull's preview for the 13th round of the 24-race season made no mention of him. "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim(ulator) with the team and I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent," Belgian-born Verstappen was quoted as saying. Mekies, promoted from Racing Bulls who have handed over the reins to Alan Permane, arrives with Red Bull fourth overall and Verstappen a distant third in the drivers' standings behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. That intra-team title battle is likely to have some extra sizzle at Spa-Francorchamps as Norris seeks a third win in a row -- new territory for the Briton -- and the chance to take over at the top. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Singapore Money, housing and isolation the biggest struggles for youth leaving children's homes: Study Singapore Sota's parents portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts The sprint format offers more points than usual and Norris, whose mother is Belgian, is only eight behind the Australian going to a high-speed track that is a favourite for most drivers. Piastri, despite his generally unruffled exterior, may also be still simmering at the 10 second penalty that cost him a win in Britain and handed victory to Norris. He will want to hit back as Formula One kicks off a Belgium/Hungary double-header -- the first fast and often wet while the second is twisty and hot -- before the long August break. George Russell, his contract expiring at the end of the season and in danger of losing his Mercedes seat to Verstappen or having him as an uncomfortable teammate, is also not short of motivation. The Briton was stripped of victory last year at Spa when post-race checks found his car to be underweight, handing victory to then-teammate Lewis Hamilton in what remains the seven-times champion's most recent win in F1. Ferrari have yet to triumph, other than a Shanghai sprint, since Hamilton moved from Mercedes to Maranello in January but they are gathering momentum. The Italian team are second overall and Charles Leclerc has secured three podiums in the last five races while Hamilton was fourth at Silverstone. Nico Hulkenberg will also be getting back to business at Sauber after an emotional first podium at the 239th attempt at Silverstone ended his unwanted record of most races without a top three finish. Sauber, the future Audi works team, are on the move and have scored the fourth most points of any outfit on the grid over the last four races. REUTERS
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Stephen Lawrence's dad believes 'one man holds key to nailing all my son's killers'
Neville Lawrence has spoken out ahead of a parole hearing. The father of Stephen Lawrence has said he believes one of the thugs behind his son's death "holds the key" to nailing the rest of the killers - after he finally confessed to being involved in the murder. Neville Lawrence is preparing to watch David Norris give evidence at his public parole hearing next week. In March it emerged that 48-year-old Norris has admitted for the first time in 32 years to being in the gang of five or six youths that killed Stephen while shouting: 'What, what n*****?' He had previously always denied having anything to do with the knife attack on the 18-year-old student. The teenager was fatally attacked at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Mr Lawrence said: 'I just hope that whatever he says can be used as evidence against the rest. My message to him would be, 'You have served so many years in prison, you've known what you did was wrong'. "'You refused to give the information in the early days about all the other boys that were involved. I need you to say exactly who was there with you that night because we now know that you were there'. I want to hear if he is genuinely sorry about what he did and his part in taking my son's life. I want to hear the reason he gives for doing that.' The Mirror reports the Lawrence family fought for justice after they were repeatedly failed by the Metropolitan Police who bungled the investigation and spied on their campaign. It took until 2012 for Norris and Gary Dobson, 49, to be convicted of murder. The rest remained free and the investigation was closed in 2020. With Norris' minimum sentence coming to an end he is entitled to be considered for release. Mr Lawrence, 83, said: 'If I was part of that parole board he would have to genuinely tell me that he's completely changed his views about seeing people on the street. Would he pass a Black person and call them a n***** or something like that still? Has he changed his attitude towards others? 'That's one of the main things I would like to know from him.' Mr Lawrence and ex-wife Baroness Doreen Lawrence were let down by detectives who failed to arrest suspects despite having their names within hours of the attack. The then Labour government granted the family a public inquiry and the Macpherson report delivered damning findings. Dobson is serving life with a minimum of 15 years and two months. Norris was sentenced to 14 years, three months. Mr Lawrence said: 'I feel it's very unfair that these people who took my son's life 32 years ago are going to be able to come out and walk up and down like an everyday person. 'My son will never be able to do that because he's dead and it's because of these people that robbed me of my son.' A report by Baroness Louise Casey two years ago found the Met guilty of institutional racism, sexism and homophobia – reflecting the conclusions of the 1999 Macpherson report. Met chief Sir Mark Rowley said last week that it was 'shameful' that black boys in London were more likely to die by 18 than white boys. Mr Lawrence, who has been awarded an OBE and honorary doctorate in law, said of his comments: 'Well, he's always talking and saying things. We need action, stop talking and do the action. 'Over the years even in the Black police they don't get the chance to do the jobs they were supposed to do. They are being sidelined all of the time as far as I can remember before even Steve was murdered. They don't get the chance. There are good Black officers I know that have been persecuted over years that eventually have had to leave the force." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The Lawrences expressed their thanks to the former Detective Chief Inspector whose probe led to Dobson and Norris being jailed. And we can reveal that the ex-officer, Clive Driscoll, is working as an adviser on a review of the case headed by the College of Policing. It is examining if any leads have been missed since he left the force. Mr Driscoll had been optimistic charges would be brought against more of the gang but was told to retire by the Met in 2014. The retired police chief, portrayed by Steve Coogan in 2021 ITV drama Stephen, said two years ago: 'I've always felt there were lines of inquiry that could have been pursued.' Mr Lawrence said: 'I am glad that the review has now started and hope they come up with something that secures further justice for my son.' Mr Lawrence spoke to us at the Kingston Race and Equalities Council in South West London. Its CEO John Azah said: 'They should have done the decent thing and let him know that they had agreed the terms of reference for the review. "It's quite disgusting that they continue to treat him with the disdain they have shown to him since the murder of his son 32 years ago.' Mr Lawrence said of Norris: 'He holds all of the key evidence because he was part of the people who were there.' He went on trial at the Old Bailey. During questioning by prosecutor Mark Ellison QC, the thug was repeatedly asked what he had been doing when the teenager was killed, Norris said: 'You are accusing me of murder. I am an innocent man.' At the time of the killing Norris was 16 and living four miles from the scene with his mum and gangster dad Clifford in Chislehurst. He was captured in a police surveillance video describing how he would kill Black people, those of Pakistani origin and police officers. Norris said in a clip shown at his trial: 'I'd go down Catford and places like that, I am telling you now, with two sub-machine guns. He talked about torturing a Black person and setting them alight. He said: 'I'd blow their two arms and legs off and say, 'Go on, you can swim home now'.' His lawyers opposed having this month's parole hearing – listed for July 30 and 31 – in public. But an application from the media was backed by Neville and Doreen. Norris was caught in 2022 taking selfies on a mobile phone in prison and bragging he would be free in two years. In a social media post apparently sent from jail, the killer wrote that he was 'buzzing' after learning he would be up for parole He added: 'Get that party sorted girls 'cos I [will] be there soon.' Inmates are banned from having mobiles in cells and breaches can result in an extra two years inside. Stephen was stabbed to death as he waited for a bus with pal Duwayne Brooks, now 50. Brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt were accused of being in the gang and have served time for drug dealing. Another, Luke Knight, remained free. All deny involvement. The sixth suspect was Matthew White, who died at 50 in 2021. He was named for the first time two years later by the BBC who exposed a series of police failings relating to him. The CPS ruled last year that four officers involved in the botched Met probe would not face charges. A Met spokesman said: 'Our objective remains to achieve the arrest, prosecution and conviction of all of those responsible for Stephen's murder. We believe all viable lines of enquiry had been exhausted by the time the last investigation was closed in 2020. "We are approaching the independent review with a completely open mind and will give it our full backing to identify any missed opportunities from the past 10 years. The review, which is being led by the College of Policing, is now progressing following the agreement of its terms with Baroness Lawrence.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Stephen Lawrence's dad says one of son's killers 'holds key' after confession
Neville Lawrence is preparing to watch David Norris give evidence at his parole hearing later this month as he makes a bid for freedom after finally confessing to his role in Stephen's murder Stephen Lawrence's father believes one of his son's killers 'holds the key' to nailing the rest after he finally confessed to being involved in the murder. Neville Lawrence, 83, is preparing to watch David Norris, 48, give evidence at his public parole hearing later this month. We revealed in March that Norris has admitted for the first time in 32 years to being in the gang of six youths that killed Stephen while shouting: 'What, what n*****?' He had previously always denied having anything to do with the knife attack on the 18-year-old student at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Mr Lawrence said: 'I just hope that whatever he says can be used as evidence against the rest. 'My message to him would be, 'You have served so many years in prison, you've known what you did was wrong and you refused to give the information in the early days about all the other boys that were involved. ''I need you to say exactly who was there with you that night because we now know that you were there'. 'I want to hear if he is genuinely sorry about what he did and his part in taking my son's life. I want to hear the reason he gives for doing that.' The Lawrence family fought for justice after they were repeatedly failed by the Metropolitan Police who bungled the investigation and spied on their campaign. It took until 2012 for Norris and Gary Dobson, 49, to be convicted of murder. The rest remained free and the investigation was closed in 2020. With Norris' minimum sentence coming to an end he is entitled to be considered for release. Mr Lawrence said: 'If I was part of that parole board he would have to genuinely tell me that he's completely changed his views about seeing people on the street. 'Would he pass a Black person and call them a n***** or something like that still? Has he changed his attitude towards others? 'That's one of the main things I would like to know from him.' Mr Lawrence and ex-wife Baroness Doreen Lawrence were let down by detectives who failed to arrest suspects despite having their names within hours of the attack. The then Labour government granted the family a public inquiry and the Macpherson report delivered damning findings. Dobson is serving life with a minimum of 15 years and two months. Norris was sentenced to 14 years, three months. Mr Lawrence said: 'I feel it's very unfair that these people who took my son's life 32 years ago are going to be able to come out and walk up and down like an everyday person. 'My son will never be able to do that because he's dead and it's because of these people that robbed me of my son.' A report by Baroness Louise Casey two years ago found the Met guilty of institutional racism, sexism and homophobia – reflecting the conclusions of the 1999 Macpherson report. Met chief Sir Mark Rowley said last week that it was 'shameful' that black boys in London were more likely to die by 18 than white boys. Mr Lawrence, who has been awarded an OBE and honorary doctorate in law, said of his comments: 'Well, he's always talking and saying things. We need action, stop talking and dothe action. 'Over the years even in the Black police they don't get the chance to do the jobs they were supposed to do. 'They are being sidelined all of the time as far as I can remember before even Steve was murdered. They don't get the chance.' He is supporting Black former Met Superintendent Robyn Williams who claims the force subjected her to a racist witch-hunt that 'destroyed' her. Ms Williams, 60, who was awarded the Queen's Police Medal during a 39-year career, is suing for racial and sexual discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Mr Lawrence said: 'That girl went into the police force when she was 18 and she went in to try and help the Black society feel a bit more comfortable when they see a Black officer. 'There are other good Black officers that I know that have been persecuted over years that eventually they have had to leave the force.' The Lawrences expressed their thanks to former Det Chief Insp Clive Driscoll, whose probe led to Dobson and Norris being jailed. Mr Lawrence was angered when the Met last year refused their request for him to be involved in a review of the case. He said: 'I would have been glad if they had said they don't feel able to do my son's case and gave it to another police force. 'It would have been a better option instead of being a review. 'It's just a waste of time.' The Met said last year that they were in negotiations with the Lawrences about the terms of reference of a review after London Mayor Siddique Khan ordered them to carry one out. It appears no agreement has been reached. Mr Lawrence spoke to us at the Kingston Race and Equalities Council in south-west London. Its boss John Azah said: 'This hearing creates an opportunity for one of Stephen's murderers to look inside himself and to tell everyone what really did happen on that day.' Mr Lawrence added: 'He holds all of the key evidence because he was part of the people who were there.' During questioning at his Old Bailey trial by prosecutor Mark Ellison QC, Norris was repeatedly asked what he had been doing when the teenager was killed, Norris said: 'You are accusing me of murder. I am an innocent man.' At the time of the killing Norris was 16 and living four miles from the scene with his mum and gangster dad Clifford in Chislehurst. He was captured in a police surveillance video describing how he would kill Black people, those of Pakistani origin and police officers. Norris said in a clip shown at his trial: 'I'd go down Catford and places like that, I am telling you now, with two sub-machine guns.' He talked about torturing a Black person and setting them alight, saying: 'I'd blow their two arms and legs off and say, 'Go on, you can swim home now'.' His lawyers opposed having this month's parole hearing – listed for July 30 and 31 – in public. But an application from the media was backed by Neville and Doreen. Norris was caught in 2022 taking selfies on a mobile phone in prison and bragging he would be free in two years. In a social media post apparently sent from jail, Norris – whose nickname is 'Nozza' – wrote that he was 'buzzing' after learning he would be up for parole He added: 'Get that party sorted girls 'cos I [will] be there soon. Eye Eye the man's bk [back] in town.' Inmates are banned from having mobiles in cells and breaches can result in an extra two years inside. Stephen was stabbed to death as he waited for a bus with pal Duwayne Brooks, now 50. Brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt were accused of being in the gang and have served time for drug dealing. Another, Luke Knight, remained free. All deny involvement. The sixth suspect was Matthew White, who died aged 50 in 2021. The thug was sensationally named for the first time two years later by the BBC who exposed a series of police failings relating to him. The CPS ruled last year that four police officers involved in the botched Met probe would not face charges.
