the period of Lent is traditionally a time for reflection On the fourth Sunday of this otherwise solemn 40-day period This break comes in the form of Laetere Sunday and it appears in the introduction to the mass traditionally read on the day itself Laetere Sunday is marked by carnival festivities in Wallonia Belgium and activities marking the end of winter in and around Germany’s historical Kurpfalz region Laetere Sunday falls on March 30 this year Here's what the weather forecast looks like during the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix weekend Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West at the beginning of the century The concept of algebra has only been around for a generation or so The Viking chieftain Rurik leads his band of Varangians into what will eventually become Imperial Russia And in the Mosel Valley in modern-day Germany When one thinks of wine, the idea of age follows suit. There's a certain allure or prestige associated with older wines. And although much of the spotlight is centered on historic regions such as France and Italy, which have officially-designated areas of origin for wine Germany remains a staple in wines of the "old world." This much is evident in the staying power of the Staffelter Hof winery (previously called Stavelot) who have recorded evidence of wine-making dating back over 1100 years How has it remained in operation to this very day A wine or winery that has staying power will last for generations keeping a winery in production for over 1100 years is frankly astounding But that's exactly the case with Staffelter Hof the oldest winery in the world that is still running and one of the oldest continuously-run companies in the world The first documented recording of this winery comes from a manuscript written in A.D 862 in which King Lothar II donated the St Peter's Chapel along the banks of the Mosel to Stavelot Abbey along with the "wine rent" associated with the chapel ("Ob exiguitatem vini," as the manuscript noted.) Since the Christian faith traditionally carries deep associations with wine it perhaps comes as no surprise that many abbeys and monasteries all over Europe were church-sanctioned wineries during the Medieval period wine was crucial to conduct a proper church service Such was the case for much of Staffelter Hof's history with it being run by either the church or the national government all the way until 1805 when the land was purchased by Peter Schneiders Schneiders' descendants have kept the winery in the family passing it down through the generations to this very day Staffelter Hof specializes in making riesling wines which originated in the area and are thought of as sweet white wines though they come in other varieties as well but he has also steered the winery toward more modern practices Staffelter Hof began making wine completely organically These traits all lend themselves well to Klein's goal of making naturally-produced wine — a huge progression from such an old and traditional wine-making region Drivers compete during the Heritage Touring Cup race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Drivers compete during the Classic Endurance Racing at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot People watch a race car at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot A man takes photos during the Endurance Racing Legends race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Olivier Galant (front) of France drives during the Endurance Racing Legends race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Philippe Louet and Pascal Rajon of France drive during the Classic Touring Challenge race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Drivers compete during the Endurance Racing Legends race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Xavier Galant of France drives during the Classic Touring Challenge race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Crew members repair a car during the Classic Touring Challenge race at the 2024 Spa-Classic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Drivers compete during the Hypercar category race at the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot Drivers start during the LMGT3 category race at the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot The #12 Hertz Team Jota's British drivers Will Stevens and Callum Ilott drive Porsche 963 after winning the Hypercar category race at the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot The #12 Hertz Team Jota's British drivers Will Stevens and Callum Ilott drive Porsche 963 (front L) during the Hypercar category race at the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot The #12 Hertz Team Jota's British drivers Will Stevens (R) and Callum Ilott celebrate their victory during the awarding ceremony of the Hypercar category at the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot For the latest updates on the 2020 F1 schedule, see f1.com/coronavirus-latest with designers Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois van Ophem using public roads between the towns of Francorchamps and Stavelot to create an amazing 14.9km circuit taking in the forests and rolling hills of the beautiful Ardennes region and although the new circuit is only half the original's length it’s still the longest on the current calendar at 7.004km Having hosted a non-championship Grand Prix as long ago as 1924 Belgium’s iconic circuit was one of just seven to be part of Formula 1’s maiden championship in 1950 That race was won by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio who led home an Alfa Romeo one-two ahead of team mate Nino Farina Spa is among Formula 1 drivers’ most loved tracks with its mix of long straights and challenging fast corners allowing them to push their cars to the edge of their capabilities – if it’s dry The size of the track and the nature of Belgian weather means it can sometimes be raining on one part of the track and dry on another meaning grip can vary from one corner to the next arguably the most famous sequence of corners in the world right and then up the hill through Raidillon What’s not to love about one of Europe’s classic tracks with Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher among those to master this magical circuit Add in the wonderful setting of the Ardennes forest and it’s no surprise that it’s a fan favourite with a record 265,000 spectators turning out to watch the 2017 Spa showdown The elevated grandstand located near Eau Rouge gives you the best view of the iconic corner while also boasting panoramic views from La Source through to Raidillon But if you fancy taking in some of the best trackside atmosphere then the grandstand located on the Pouhon corner should be right up your street © 2003-2025 Formula One World Championship Limited Get daily business news from the region delivered straight to your inbox The founder of the online aggregator for pre-loved luxury items encourages people to change their mindset about buying second-hand clothing bringing together trusted luxury second-hand  shops and consumers my mission is to remove the stigma around “second-hand clothing” I believe that people’s perceptions need to evolve when it comes to buying pre-loved items People don’t want to wear someone’s used clothes but trusted second-hand shops clean and sell quality reused clothes The concern about quality is also unfounded the better the material used for its creation Changing these well-established mindsets and attitudes will take time and effort we have many marketing tools and means to help people change their biases Influencers and celebrities can use social media to bring awareness against fast-fashion consumption and highlight the benefits of wearing second-hand Platforms such as Bearly used Instagram to promote the latest trends with pre-loved clothes and that’s what I do with Reluxable to showcase second-hand luxury fashion Our mission has been to encourage people to join the circular fashion movement and explore a more sustainable way to enjoy luxury fashion We aggregate items and prices from various reseller partners ensuring all the items available on one site saving the customer time and trouble searching individually on different sites compare prices and buy only from trusted resellers The best way to change the stigma around second-hand items is to highlight the benefits of buying it The environment is the number one victim of fast-fashion waste and pollution Awareness campaigns against the clothing industry’s impact on the planet are rightfully bombarding us with urgent messages to stop Buying pre-loved items diminish the precious resources and materials to create new garments It also helps reduce unethical forced labour I’ve also tracked the second-hand luxury market for a decade and have seen those related businesses mushroom and grow they are becoming socially more acceptable Thrifting is more than just a trendy sociocultural fad it’s a practical consuming alternative for ourselves and the environment As thrifting becomes more integrated into our daily lives the positive effects of our actions will last longer The next generations will thank us for our decisions the seven-time F1 points champion remained steadfast in his desire to remain with Mercedes The 38-year-old Hamilton began his F1 career with McLaren in 2007 before joining Mercedes in 2013 and remaining with the team ever since Hamilton won his first championship with McLaren in 2008 but each of his past six titles were under the Mercedes banner Hamilton is the winningest F1 driver of all time The next closest is the legendary Michael Schumacher at 91 Hamilton finished either first or second in the standings every year including narrowly losing out on the points title to Max Verstappen in 2021 and Hamilton dropped to sixth in the standings Hamilton didn't win a single race in 2022 and he has yet to win through 13 races this season although he has improved to the tune of being fourth in the standings Verstappen is trending toward a three-peat plus his teammate Sergio Pérez is second in the standings underscoring Red Bull's current dominance of the sport and while it hasn't been the case lately Hamilton re-signing suggests he believes it is possible for Mercedes to turn things around and compete with Red Bull over the next couple of seasons Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc celebrates after the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Alfa Romeo's Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (C front) competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc reacts prior to the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (front) competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Pit lane staffs work for Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc's car prior to the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (L Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) prepares for the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) and Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez celebrate at the podium ceremony after the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium ceremony after the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (2nd R) Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (2nd L) Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (1st R) pose for photo at the podium ceremony after the Race session of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: How Leclerc and Hamilton’s opposing Miami strategies culminated in fractious Ferrari radio exchanges MIAMI LOWDOWN: All the key moments as McLaren and Antonelli shine Red Bull's protest into Russell over yellow flags rejected by Miami stewards Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Ardennes region and surrounded by coniferous forest is the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps the original circuit used public roads to link the towns of Francorchamps and hosted its first non-championship Grand Prix in 1925 before becoming one of only seven circuits that were part of Formula 1’s inaugural championship in 1950 There have been many layout changes since then but the one thing that has remained consistent is the F1 drivers’ love for this challenging circuit which is the longest track on the Formula 1 calendar As befitting a small country bordering several others Belgian cuisine is somewhat influenced by that of its neighbours – France the Netherlands and Luxembourg – but still with its own unique identity Belgium boasts an incredible 141 Michelin starred restaurants reinforcing the reputation of the high quality of both ingredients and cooking in this densely populated country HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up on the action as Russell and Hamilton duel for victory in thrilling 2024 Belgian Grand Prix One hotly contested culinary crossover that the Belgians have emphatically claimed as their own Widely available at restaurants and ‘friteries’ across the country and doused in customary mayonnaise this unassuming deep-fried strip of potato is considered a national dish of Belgium but is the subject of much debate as to the nature of its origins The Belgians are so irked by French fries alleged misattribution – arguing that the fries are only called ‘French’ because their neighbours had a habit of appropriating Belgian food and culture due to the countries’ proximity – that Belgium has applied to UNESCO seeking cultural heritage status for its fries/frites and mayonnaise We should all be thankful to whoever invented them for there is no greater pleasure than a cone of freshly cooked golden potato smothered in cool and Friterie Sebastien in Stavelot – a mere stone’s throw from the track – serves some of the tastiest fries around You can't go wrong with frites and beer in Belgium Situated a 40 minute drive from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit the city of Liege is well known for its industrious past thanks to its steel foundries but it is becoming increasingly recognised for its local food movement focussing on sustainable locally grown produce which campaigners hope will supply all of the region’s eateries in the future with many restaurants in the city already featuring menus showcasing local ingredients which is 90% autonomous in its production of the organic vegetables on the menu that are grown in a garden they own as part of a co-operative in the city READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1 – Drivers, teams, cars, circuits and more With its beautiful interior and featuring an ever-changing short seasonal menu accompanied by a well curated wine list served by knowledgeable and attentive staff it’s the perfect ambassador for the burgeoning Liege food movement For the sweet-toothed and fans of Belgian waffles the city is also home to arguably the more superior Liege waffle different to its rectangular sibling the Brussels waffle in every way The Liege waffle is very different to the more famous Brussels variety richer brioche batter and studded with pearl sugar which caramelises when cooking giving the rounded edged waffle its distinctive crunchy coating sweet treat is best eaten warm and unadorned to fully appreciate its sweeter flavour from Une Gaufrette which serves some of the best eponymous waffles in the city Combining Belgium’s beer brewing heritage with a menu of crowd-pleasing classics Les Brasserie des Bobelines is a microbrewery located in the historic heart of the town of Spa in the striking Pavillions des Petit Jeux – a 19th century building recognised as a Belgian national heritage site READ MORE: The beginner’s guide to the F1 weekend It lay empty for three years before being transformed into a beautiful bar/restaurant and events space It’s the perfect place to sit and soak up the history of this fascinating space with a signature Bobeline white beer (flavoured with strawberries) in hand there is a lack of accommodation close to the circuit once the F1 teams and media have snapped up rooms nearby but travel a little further afield to the larger hub of Verviers which is easily reached by train from Brussels and you’ll find a wider choice of hotels with the added benefit of regular buses to the track If you can't get a seat in the grandstands there's always somewhere to watch the race from under the trees Alternatively try one of the many gites situated in the small towns and villages close to the circuit for a more homely experience if you don’t mind taking a chance on the area’s unpredictable weather and the very real prospect of waking up to the sound of rain pitter pattering on your tent then camping at one of the many well equipped campsites surrounding the circuit is one of the best options for those who want to enjoy a lively communal experience with like-minded fans close to the track READ MORE: The beginner’s guide to the F1 calendar For panoramic views of La Source through to Raidillon the elevated grandstand overlooking Eau Rouge is the place to be with the optimum vantage point from which to witness the skill and speed deployed by the drivers as they tackle this most iconic of corners the grandstand located on the Pouhon corner offers some of the best trackside atmosphere Having covered off the Belgian staples of beer it would be remiss of me not to mention the fourth member of the cultural quartet – chocolate Belgian chocolate is made with a minimum of 35% cocoa as dictated by a law dating back to 1884 to prevent the use of low-quality fat sources to bulk out the chocolate’s composition thus ensuring the integrity of this most important export There are plenty of places to get a good view of the action found a way to make chocolate even more delicious by inventing the praline (Belgian truffle) – a shell made from chocolate and filled with ganache nut pastes and other sweet fillings – changing the way people consumed chocolate forever The Jean Neuhaus store is still in its original location in Brussels and is considered a must visit if you’re in the Belgian capital then La Chocolaterie Darcis in the town of Verviers – a short distance from the circuit – is a museum devoted to all things chocolate it was opened by Jean-Philippe Darcis when he was just 25 years old UNDERDOG TALES: When Fisichella put Force India on top of the world with a Spa weekend to remember Now an ambassador for Belgian chocolate and pioneer of the macaron in Belgium resulting in delicious innovative chocolates which are available to buy in the on-site shop You can watch the chocolate craftsmen at work taste some samples and even channel your inner Willy Wonka and sign up for a chocolate making course to learn how to make your very own creations Chocolate is a huge part of the culture in Belgium Chocolate maker Jean-Philippe Darcis (L) even helped create this chocolate dress for a fashion show You can also get on on your bike and explore this beautiful region on two wheels With over 1,400km of picturesque disused railway tracks the RAVel path network – Reseau Autonome des Voies Lentes (autonomous network of slow paths) – has special value in the Ardennes as it gives access to a beautiful but otherwise impenetrable area on flat trails that never have more than a 2% gradient Try the Spa-Stavelot route which was once the 44A railway line that connected Spa to Gouvy in Belgian Luxembourg before shutting down in 1974 The 22km route takes you through upland forest granting lovely distant views and passing directly above the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps READ MORE: Formula 1 to race in Belgium until 2025 under new deal Housed in the impressive vaults of the old Abbey in Stavelot is the Musee du Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps a small but perfectly formed collection of historic cars and motorbikes all retracing the fascinating history of this most famous of racetracks If all of that racing memorabilia has stirred up the wannabe F1 driver in you then head back to the F1 circuit and test those skills at the kart track located inside this most iconic of venues Belgian Grand Prix: 5 great battles from the F1 archive and since Roman times people have visited the town to benefit from its highly mineralised healing water originally ingested as drinking water as it was thought to have curative powers for all manner of ailments The Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder is said to have commented on the water’s “ferruginous taste” that he believed purged the body and cured fevers and the Spa brand of water has been bottled and exported worldwide for over 400 years READ MORE: How sustainable fuels can benefit the world – and are more than just the future of F1 Today there is a modern thermal spa complex on a hill above the town with panoramic views and linked to the centre of the charming municipality by a funicular railway bathing in the warm healing waters is just the ticket Due to its proximity to many transport hubs in nearby neighbouring countries the Belgian Grand Prix has always been a popular choice for F1 fans in Europe pretty historic villages and towns and steeped in an equal measure of triumphant and tragic motorsport history Spa is on the bucket list of most racing enthusiasts Especially those who don’t mind a bit of rain… Don't forget to take your umbrella if you're going to the race what is widely believed to be the world’s first modern beauty pageant took place in the town of Spa Advertisements placed in the local newspapers announced that “the most beautiful girl on the planet” was to be selected in a Concours de beaute and girls were invited to submit a photograph of themselves (photography still being a relatively new technology) alongside a short written description It was a popular concept with over 350 applications which were whittled down to 21 girls and the mostly male judging panel eventually declared 18-year-old Marthe Soucaret from Guadeloupe to be the winner of the accolade READ MORE: Formula 1 becomes first motorsport competition to use Pirelli FSC-certified tyres Soucaret received 5,000 francs in prize money and the honour of appearing on the cover of the revered French magazine L’illustration almost nothing is known of what happened to the young beauty queen after that but the Belgian initiative was swiftly adopted by other countries and the modern beauty pageant was born Don't miss your chance to experience the epic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.. VideoRACE START: Verstappen narrowly holds onto the lead in thrilling start to Miami GP Norris concedes he 'paid the price' as he reflects on Lap 1 battle with Verstappen in Miami Williams duo keen to 'play with strategies' as they target strong result in Miami after impressive Qualifying 'It was frustrating' – Hamilton opens up on tense Miami radio messages during Ferrari strategy debate Toyota Gazoo Racing's Toyota GR010 Hybrid racing car No 7 of Hypercar Category passes the finish line during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps the third round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot 7 of Hypercar Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Cadillac Racing's Cadillac V-Series R racing car No 3 of Hypercar Category is seen after a crash during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Peugeot TotalEnergies' Peugeot 9x8 racing car No 94 of Hypercar Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Richard Mille AF Corse's Ferrari 488 GTE Evo racing car No 83 of LM GTE AM Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Team WRT's Oreca 07 - Gibson racing car No 41 of LM P2 Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Hertz Team Jota's Porche 963 racing car No 38 of Hypercar Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps 8 of Hypercar Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps 83 (front) of LM GTE AM Category is seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps AF Corse's Ferrari 488 GTE Evo racing car No 21 (L) and Corvette Racing's Chevrolet Corvette C8.R racing car No 33 of LM GTE AM Category are seen during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Racing cars start during the race of 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (L to R) react after the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Alfa Romeo's Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu competes during the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez competes during the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc competes during the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen reacts after the qualifying session of Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Cars compete during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps the second round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot in Belgium Rene Rast drive the Oreca 07 Gibson (1st L) of the LMP2 class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps AF Corse's Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado drive the Ferrari 488 GTE EVO of the LMGTE Pro class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Norman Nato drive the Oreca 07 Gibson of LMP2 class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Rene Rast drive the Oreca 07 Gibson of the LMP2 class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Jose Maria Lopez drive the new Toyota GR010 Hybrid of the Hypercar class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Matthieu Vaxiviere drive the Alpine A480 - Gibson of Hypercar class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Ben Barnicoat drive the Porsche 911 RSR - 19 (2nd L) of LMGTE Am class during the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Alpine Elf (L) and WRT pose for photo during the podium ceremony of the 6 Hours Of Spa-Francorchamps Hyett (2nd L) of Project 1 - AO leaves his Porsche 911 RSR-19 racing car after crashing during the qualifying race of LMGTE AM category for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Hyett of Project 1 - AO in Porsche 911 RSR-19 racing car crashes during the qualifying race of LMGTE AM category for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps New Zealand's driver Brendon Hartley of Toyota Gazoo Racing in Toyota GR010 - Hybrid racing car crashes during the qualifying race of Hypercar category for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Staff members transfer a crashed Porsche 911 RSR-19 racing car after U.S Hyett of Project 1 - AO crashed during the qualifying race of Hypercar category for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Hyett of Project 1 - AO is out of his Porsche 911 RSR-19 racing car after crashing during the qualifying race of LMGTE AM category for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Sometimes the most magical moments of Speedhunting come about completely by accident. Rod, Larry and I had been soaking up the legendary old Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium a 14km white-knuckle ride in a racing car – though thankfully less-so at a more sedate pace for our drive round the public roads that made up the old circuit Larry and I had been positioning ourselves to take shots of Rod driving our Audi S7 through the banked Holowell corner; once we were done getting back in the car Rod had a huge smile on his face We drove around the original Stavelot hairpin in the reverse direction and to our right was an innocuous looking garage with a simple sign: Mathoul A canary-yellow vintage pick-up stood outside but it was the window display that piqued our interest Beetle and Variomatic-equipped DAF 66 rallycar were exciting enough but pressed up against the window it was clear that this garage was a treasure trove of automotive joy By this stage we were beginning to mist up the window This was obviously no ordinary small-town dealership Not with a track like Spa on its front-doorstep The owner of the Garage De L’Eau Rouge – ‘Specialiste Oldtimer’ – Jean-Claude Mathoul was hard at play in the main workshop tinkering with an old motorbike but was incredibly generous with both his time and the access he gave us to nose around his shop Our chins being on the floor probably helped our case Jean-Claude had a seriously impressive line-up of metal on show a lot of which had taken part in the Spa 24 Hours and other classic events over the previous 50 years This is a Glas 1304TS from 1966 – it was a works entry in that year’s 24 Hours winning the 1300cc class and finishing sixth overall At the forefront of technology involving timing belts and overheard camshafts the German company was bought out by BMW in the same year in order to gain access to Glas’ various patents Most of the other cars in the workshop sat under dust sheets either awaiting their next stage of restoration or a return to their owner Jean-Claude offers a full range of maintenance and restoration services for both road and race cars He had a fine showing of classic British sportscars A second Elan was undergoing some engine work; it seems like Jean-Claude has the ultimate work-place we all dream of How could you open the door every day and not have the biggest smile imaginable An immaculate M-Series TVR painted in a hardcore shade of orange was up on the lift The final British representative was a Cortina that looked like it had just rolled off the production line There was a good collection of Swedish models lining the back of the workshop: Volvos from across the years There was a glory period for Volvo in the ’60s when they produced some drop-dead gorgeous coupés Volvo won various rallies and touring car races in the early ’60s with the 122S even winning the European Rally Championship overall in 1963 It’s easy to forget how successful in racing and rallying the marque has been over the years The walls of the Jean-Claude’s garage were lined with parts tyres… An Aladdin’s cave where you could probably find a part for any classic car you care to name He also has a parts truck that is used to support cars out at tracks or on stages around Europe How about this beautiful baby-blue 1600 Super Coupé – just 75hp Jean-Claude sees a constant turn-over of cars as new vehicles come in to replace those that are sold on or returned to their owners It’s exciting to see what’s coming up next on his list It’s unusual to see an Alpine not in the classic French racing blue or Renault yellow – this golden arrow will look amazing when restoration is complete The Mathoul garage has a long history in the area stretching right back to the glory years of the old track Legendary F1 racers of the ’60s would visit the garage to have work done on their own cars How about this: a hand-written thank you from Dan Gurney following a visit during the 1967 season Modern teams continue the theme: the Belgian Kronos racing team have added their best wishes to the walls of Jean-Claude’s office: his specialist knowledge is always sought after When you see the key rack and various body panels stacked against walls you realise that there’s even more to see: we didn’t have time to walk around the lot around the back of the garage which contained another couple of dozen cars but we did take a peak inside the showroom area out front an original Ford Model T (Jean-Claude furrowed his eyebrow at Rod’s suggestion of turning it into a hot-rod…) Cobra… And under a dust-sheet this Ferrari Dino Most recently it had been run out in regularity rallies by Martine Lievens and Jacques Heymans The interior sums up that perfect Ferrari driving environment of the time: a simple leather-bound steering wheel and long-throw H-pattern ‘box In front of the Dino was a car that showed more of the brute-force side of Italian engineering compared to the delicate style of the Dino The De Tomaso Pantera GT5 racer took a road-car that was already mean and fast added tyres whose size wouldn’t look out of place on a ’70s F1 car and tuned up the already eardrum-bursting Ford V8 Even Larry’s over-sized Android phone couldn’t fill up the deep-dish interior The Pantera put a lot of rubber onto the road but it really needed to given the power on tap The Classic Endurance Racing series this one raced in last year serves up a mix of big-banger sports prototypes and muscular GTs: I like the fact that they’ve appropriated modern GT1 stickers for their class Though it seemed that the previous owners of the Pantera didn’t make it through the whole season… This Group 4 Pantera looked like it had come straight from the track – and was ready go right back out I saw a trio of these cars race at the Spa Six Hours a couple of years back: every corner was like watching an angry bear being attacked by a wasp – tail-out all power and rage but in serious trouble until it found a straight to stretch its legs Being behind the wheel of one must be exciting and scary at the same time Garages like JC Mathoul are dangerous places: they need to carry a health warning both for the reaction to seeing such an awesome line-up of cars and the potential damage to bank accounts that could result Maybe it’s time to try out some classic racing?… Garage De L’Eau Rouge http://cdn.dev.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/SH-JCMATHOUL-11.jpgBmw the style of the italians and the grace of a sledge hammer =)  @Luis Ramos looks like it belongs to the Neau Klass 1800 need some interior shots/ vin to check)  in the upper shots  @AceAndrew  @Luis Ramos I don't think the interior is much stock with mods like that in the engine department it would be hard to identify which model it is Had one of those in a 6 cylinder land rover and switched for a zenith. AceAndrew: You're absolutely right – a picture mix-up on my part as that's the engine bay of the BMW in the header shot I don't think I would ever get any work done if I worked there I would just stand around and look at the cars all day I'm thinking of an 1970 BMW 2002 since a while .. It's time that speedhunters get into classics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Speedhunters is an international collective of photographers writers and drivers with a shared passion for uncovering the world's most exciting car culture stories The page you're looking for does not exist Max van der Meulen (Pays-Bas) a remporté la troisième et dernière étape d'Aubel-Thimister-Stavelot (MJ 2.1) disputée autour de Stavelot sur une distance de 100 kilomètres Le Néerlandais a devancé Roman Ermakov (Cannibal Team) et Jesse Maris (Lux-CTS p/b Specialized).Roman Ermakov s'adjuge le classement général de cette 55e édition Il succède à Cian Uijtdebroeks au palmarès de la course.Classement de la 3e étape :1 VAN DER MEULEN Max NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM les 100 km en 2h35'12'' (moy MARIS Jesse LUX/CTS p/b SPECIALIZED 00:07 4 WALKER Zachary MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 00:50 5 HUISING Menno NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM 01:18 6 STORM Theodor TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 01:18 8 KOCKELMANN Mathieu TEAM AUTO EDER 01:38 10 LEIDERT Louis GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 01:38 12 PRESTIANNI Sacha CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 01:38 14 MARTI SORIANO Pau DRONE HOPPER-GSPORT-TEIKA 01:38 15 HELLERUP Malte TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 01:38 (p : 20'') 17 MORANG Mil LUXEMBURG NATIONAL TEAM 02:15 22 SVARRE Tobias TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 02:35 23 BARHOUMI Ilian Alexandre AGR2 CITROEN U19 03:49 25 VERBRUGGHE Jens AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 04:11 26 VANDENBERGHE Viktor BERT CONTAINERS-DOLTCINI 04:11 27 VANHAECKE Arno CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE REN 04:11 28 EVERTSEN-HEGREBERG Si EFC-L&R-AGS 04:18 30 BÁRTA Martin TEAM AUTO EDER 04:21 31 WIKA-CZARNOWSKI Dawid FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 04:47 (p : 20'') 32 JOWETT Lucas FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 04:53 33 FOUCHER Esteban TEAM U NANTES ATLANTIQUE U19 05:39 35 HAUGLAND Kasper NORWAY NATIONAL TEAM 08:00 36 BANGERT Nick GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 08:07 37 TIJSSEN Viego NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM 08:15 39 ASKEY Ben FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 08:41 42 VAN DEN MEERSSCHE Warr AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 08:43 43 VANDEN HEEDE Lars CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 08:43 44 GRYGOWSKI Hubert POLAND NATIONAL TEAM 08:46 46 BRENNER Mauro GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 08:52 48 LEENKNEGT Yaurick CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE REN 09:00 49 MODAFFERI Sacha CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 09:54 51 JENSEN Andreas TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 10:45 53 SØRENSEN Anders Vos TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 10:49 54 FRYDKJÆR Patrick TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 10:49 55 SØRBØ Halvor MIX CANGURU-LATEXCO 10:49 56 CUYLITS Mauro AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 10:49 58 INGEBRIGTSEN Storm NORWAY NATIONAL TEAM 10:49 59 BELLETTA Dario Igor POOL CANTU 1999 GB JUNIOR TEAM 10:49 60 PEDERSEN Henrik TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 10:49 61 HOLDEN Ralf MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 11:19 64 BROEKAERT Jelle WIELERCLUB "ONDER ONS-PARIKE" VZW 11:26 65 BRENNAN Matthew MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 11:30 66 BOLLE Bert CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE REN 11:41  67 VAN DER MEULEN Max NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM 00:14 3 MARIS Jesse LUX/CTS p/b SPECIALIZED 00:24 4 STORM Theodor TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 01:07 6 WALKER Zachary MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 01:14 7 LEIDERT Louis GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 01:30 9 KOCKELMANN Mathieu TEAM AUTO EDER 01:47 12 PRESTIANNI Sacha CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 01:58 14 SVARRE Tobias TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 02:28 16 MARTI SORIANO Pau DRONE HOPPER-GSPORT-TEIKA 02:30 17 HUISING Menno NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM 02:51 19 MORANG Mil LUXEMBURG NATIONAL TEAM 03:04 20 BARHOUMI Ilian Alexandre AGR2 CITROEN U19 03:37 22 HELLERUP Malte TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 03:41 23 VANHAECKE Arno CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE RE 04:42 27 EVERTSEN-HEGREBERG Si EFC-L&R-AGS 04:49 28 VANDENBERGHE Viktor BERT CONTAINERS-DOLTCINI 05:31 29 JOWETT Lucas FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 05:42 30 FOUCHER Esteban TEAM U NANTES ATLANTIQUE U19 07:22 31 BÁRTA Martin TEAM AUTO EDER 07:40 32 WIKA-CZARNOWSKI Dawid FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 08:12 33 TIJSSEN Viego NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM 08:29 34 HAUGLAND Kasper NORWAY NATIONAL TEAM 08:32 35 GRYGOWSKI Hubert POLAND NATIONAL TEAM 08:55 36 BRENNER Mauro GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 09:07 39 BANGERT Nick GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM 09:16 42 ASKEY Ben FLANDERS COLOR-GALLOO TEAM 09:30 43 VERBRUGGHE Jens AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 09:52 45 VAN DEN MEERSSCHE Warr AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 09:53 46 MODAFFERI Sacha CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 10:25 47 PEDERSEN Henrik TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 10:40 48 FRYDKJÆR Patrick TEAM NPV/CARL RAS-ROSKILDE 10:41 49 LEENKNEGT Yaurick CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE RE 10:50 50 VANDEN HEEDE Lars CRABBE TOITURES-CC CHEVIGNY 11:04 52 BELLETTA Dario Igor POOL CANTU 1999 GB JUNIOR TEAM 11:06 53 BRENNAN Matthew MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 11:53 54 BOLLE Bert CYCLING TEAM LUC WALLAYS-JONGE RE 12:12 55 JENSEN Andreas TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 12:28 56 HOLDEN Ralf MIX FENSHAM HOWES-MAS DESIGN 13:01 58.  VERHAEGEN Ruben WAC TEAM VZW 13:03 59 VAN LAER Keano MAES CT GLABBEEK 13:08 60.  INGEBRIGTSEN Storm NORWAY NATIONAL TEAM 13:22 61 SØRENSEN Anders Vos TEAM MASCOT WORKWEAR 16:07 65 CUYLITS Mauro AVIA-RUDYCO CYCLING TEAM 16:33 66 SØRBØ Halvor MIX CANGURU-LATEXCO 16:39 67 BROEKAERT Jelle WIELERCLUB "ONDER ONS-PARIKE" VZW 22:00 © DirectVelo - Tous droits réservés. Mentions légales - CGV Vous pouvez aussi consulter du contenu spécifique à la FranceBelgique : A Dutchman critically injured after a steel petanque ball that had been left near a fire pit exploded during a bachelor party died five days after the incident The explosion reportedly burned his entire face and embedded metal shards in his skull. A neighbour said that he 'thought that a gas bottle had exploded' in the incident that left the 37-year-old unnamed tourist from Eindhoven seriously injured at around 9.30pm on May 13.  It has now been revealed that the man died on May 18 as a result of the explosion in the Belgian town of Stavelot, in Wallonia. It was alleged that the tourists, all aged in their mid-30s, placed petanque balls either in or under the fire pit, with one of them becoming so hot that it exploded. Petanque is a popular French game that involves throwing metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden or plastic ball called a cochonnet. The man's family told local media: 'We are shocked by the sudden death, he will be greatly missed.'  They asked for their privacy to be respected so they can grieve in peace. Discussing the aftermath of the explosion, the neighbour told local media: 'Fifteen minutes later we saw an ambulance arriving. Then we heard a medical helicopter circling above. Then I knew it was for the holiday home.' He added: 'We heard the paramedics talking among themselves. So someone was seriously injured - his whole face was burned.' The victim was transferred by helicopter to the University Hospital in Liege, where he was placed in a medically induced coma. The Stavelot-Malmedy Police told local media: 'It had the same effect as a grenade. 'When the ball exploded, pieces flew into the back of someone's skull.' A second Dutchman also reportedly suffered light injuries from the explosion. The police are investigating the incident. The tragic accident is not the first time someone has been either seriously injured or killed in such circumstances. In 2018, a Frenchman was killed when a petanque ball exploded and sent shrapnel into his skull. The ball was left near a barbecue. At the time, it was reported that paramedics rushed to the scene but were unable to save the 31-year-old. In 2009, a new unsold set of leisure boules sitting on a shelf in a shop's storeroom in Switzerland spontaneously exploded. An investigation was launched into the blast, with the Swiss department store chain Co-op - which sold the sets - issuing an urgent recall. The incident prompted the German government to issue a statement warning people of the danger of cheaply made boules reaching high temperatures. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... 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Dutchman dies five days after petanque ball explosionCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} A head-on collision occurred on the CR101 road at "am Direndall" between Kopstal and Schoenfels shortly before 3pm on Thursday including the Emergency Medical Assistance Team (SAMU) Firefighters from Mersch and Kopstal also provided assistance a tractor crashed into a house on Rue de Stavelot in Diekirch just before 12.30pm and emergency services from Nordstad attended the scene Even before the start of his debut in Formula 1, Oscar Piastri managed to rule the F1 headlines. The Australian rookie controversially announced his dismay with his former team, Alpine. Piastri’s antics to leave Alpine and join McLaren were definitely a first for many This criticism toward his decision got worse with a poor start to the season thanks to an abysmal MCL60 the current scenario is whitewashing Piastri’s past crimes and earning him respect for his long-term 20/20 vision The Australian tried to stay as loyal to Alpine as he possibly could but in the end put himself first and did what he felt was best for his career it did not look like it and many claimed he’s ruined his career even before it started Piastri is showcasing his talents and earning himself praise from his former critiques The host of the VF1 podcast Vincenzo is among many who have changed their opinion about Piastri “Piastri looks absolutely like a genius right now A lot of people were saying ‘Oh he’s already shot himself in the foot His career’s over before it even started,’ I was one of those people I was like I don’t know how much talent you have he has come out looking really good with everything going on there Which reminds us that no matter how much we think we know based on what we hear and read and whatever contacts we might have there is so much stuff that happens that nobody knows about except for the people in the arena.”  Looked like a complete as*hat at the time and it’s to be seen what happens,” he concluded Piastri is definitely proving the mega hype has he surrounding him Since the upgrades introduced in Silverstone He would’ve liked to start the summer break on a better note Read More: After the Infamous Oscar Piastri Snub, Alpine Strikes Back at the McLaren Driver With Stunning Pierre Gasly Confession He would also like the same level of respect as Lando Norris in the team Piastri is a hard nut to crack and especially after the snub from McLaren The McLaren upgrade package received an upgrade in the timeline when they introduced one set of upgrades in Austria the one set went to the team’s senior driver This could be reason enough for any driver to throw a hissy fit and oppose his team and this snub has only motivated him to do better British GP at Silverstone Circuit on Sunday July 09 with both packages,” said Piastri after the Austrian GP This is a race where he finished P16 wherein he could’ve finished much higher had he forced his team to give him the upgrade package as well WATCH THIS STORY: Is Oscar Piastri Already Justifying His Talent By Performing Better Than Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren? However, Piastri is an understanding fella, and he bided his time and kept his head down. Now, fighting with the front runners, the Australian will continue to do his best until he can get on the top step of the podium. EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America's favorite sports celebrities with a fan's perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers. Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2025 | All Rights Reserved “Traditions”, said Valtteri Bottas as he sipped on a celebratory beer. Out of that came one of F1’s biggest memes. Talking about traditions, everybody has their own (or not) and so does Charles Leclerc the Ferrari driver went mountain climbing in the Italian Alps as training prep for the 2023 season he is now in the Austrian mountains with a different snow sport All F1 drivers have different ways of gearing up for the season While Alex Albon has gone the conventional route with regular gym training And he’s found the most fun way to turn a winter break sport for many F1 drivers into a part of his training for Ferrari’s 2024 season The Monegasque, along with the Ferrari Development driver are being trained by a famous athlete trainer The group is at the luxurious Kitzbuhel Ski Resort in Austria with only 1 goal in mind – performance excellence since they started this training excursion A post shared by F1 GOSSIPP OFFICIAL (@f1gossippofficial) it’s not only Leclerc who prefers the snow during the winter break There’s a whole bandwagon of F1 drivers out on the snow in different parts of the world And the latest drivers to join them are the Aston Martin boys A post shared by Fernando Alonso (@fernandoalo_oficial) Fernando Alonso posted a picture of him in the Dolomites (the same Italian Alps where Leclerc went mountain climbing) with the caption – “starting the year on a positive vibe”. His teammate, Lance Stroll, took to snowy slopes as well. In his Instagram post he can be seen skiing down a mountain as the snow submerges him from time to time Watch This Story: Is Lance Stroll Holding Back Aston Martin F1? The snow obsession is real. It makes us want to take a vacation and return when the F1 season does. Whenever Helmut Marko and Red Bull junior drivers are mentioned in the same sentence Considering the Abu Dhabi GP is the final race of the season you can be rest assured it has nothing to do with mid-season driver changes it has something to do with communication between the team and its drivers And the junior drivers played a role in Marko realizing the positives of the changes From Marko’s comments after FP1 in Abu Dhabi rookies Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar won’t meet the same fate De Vries did For the first time this season, neither Max Verstappen nor Sergio Perez drove the RB19 in a session F1 requires every team to run a young driver (someone who has started less than three races) in two FP1 sessions in a year After sealing both championships and a 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time ever Red Bull gave Dennis and Hadjar the controls to the RB19 Helmut Marko tells ORF: "Jake Dennis isn't a junior but he's our main simulator driver and so it was important that he could compare IT with reality And you can tell from him that he is of course much more experienced." — Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) November 24, 2023 The French-Algerian driver also drove Alphatauri’s AT04 during FP1 at the Mexican GP this season finishing P16 and P17—Dennis ahead of Hadjar it was important that he could compare IT with reality much more experienced.” The Red Bull advisor had similar praises for Hadjar “Hadjar was just a tenth slower until the last lap there was a dangerous situation with the Aston Martin referring to Hadjar’s moment with Lance Stroll toward the end of FP1 He then explained the changes Red Bull made in Abu Dhabi “We also completely changed the engineering crew [The] data engineer and race engineer are each in their positions for the first time And this communication and how they handled it was also very positive.” Read More: “Checo Has to Deliver Now”: Helmut Marko Serves Strict Warning to Sergio Perez as Poor Run Continues Helmut Marko and Red Bull may be turning over a new leaf when it comes to their communication with drivers Marko’s communication with AlphaTauri has stayed the same The Abu Dhabi GP is the final race for AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost he featured on F1’s Beyond The Grid Podcast he talked about how drivers are selected for AlphaTauri Since the Red Bull Junior Driver Program started Even though AlphaTauri is technically an independent team Red Bull uses it to bring junior drivers into the sport Marko has considerable control over who drives for the Italian outfit Tost explained the selection process on the podcast the young drivers are being selected by Dr Marko.” The Austrian boss cited how the drivers come through the F4 & F2 feeder series before their names reach his table But we always had a meeting with [Dietrich] Mateschitz (late Red Bull founder) But Dietrich was more often on the side of Helmut What are your thoughts on how Helmut Marko goes about things at Red Bull and AlphaTauri WATCH THIS STORY | Helmut Marko blasts Lewis Hamilton for role in Michael Masi sacking The Dutch GP had everything that makes for a holistically thrilling Formula 1 race and whatever any fan could ask for From the bright Sun shining overhead to the dark clouds pouring down at the drop of a hat the weather gods played their role perfectly in creating variables The varying weather situations made for a tricky race which was Red-flagged at one point When the FIA is pulling out all the stops to ensure drivers’ safety why is Oscar Piastri‘s mother wanting to do the opposite The Tarzan corner at the end of the main straight gobbled up the races of many drivers The one most affected by the aquaplaning was Zhou Guanyu who went straight into the barriers with a force of 19G and the race was put on hold for over half an hour Because the race proceedings came to a halt She insisted that the FIA should get the drivers on the racetrack despite the heavy rain It’s 1am here in Melbourne and I’m booked in for an early morning pilates class😫 — Nicole Piastri (@NicolePiastri) August 27, 2023 For the people present at the track and in neighboring countries So she wanted the race to wrap up as soon as possible because she had commitments to attend to the next morning she couldn’t miss seeing her son complete the Dutch GP It’s 1am here in Melbourne and I’m booked in for an early morning pilates class😫“ Read More: Oscar Piastri Blames Zak Brown’s Undue Pressure Months After Daniel Ricciardo’s Disgraceful Sacking Many fans in countries far away have to stay up late because of the time difference this isn’t the first time that she has gotten involved in the world of F1 on social media The Oscar Piastri and Alpine saga was a hilarious one for people watching from the outside. Ex-Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer announced in 2022 that the Australian rookie would drive for them in 2023 Piastri tweeted saying that he hadn’t signed with the Enstone outfit the universe works in mysterious ways pic.twitter.com/UaCq2OgkbT — nic 🏁 (@nnicolef1) July 29, 2023 Eventually, he signed with McLaren and we can all see how successful that partnership is turning out to be Alpine announced the sacking of Szafnauer and on the same weekend Piastri finished P2 in the Sprint shootout When a tweet with a collage of the 2 happenings made its way to Twitter was one of the few thousands of people who liked the post Watch This Story: HOW OSCAR PIASTRI HAS MADE A SCINTILLATING RISE TO THE PINNACLE OF MOTORSPORT It is great to see family members of athletes have their fun on social media. It doesn’t happen that often, but such instances make for some humorous moments. There are three things everyone needs to know about Daniel Ricciardo. He’s a Formula 1 driver There’s nothing he’s proud of more than being a Western Australian Another thing you need to know about Ricciardo—he’s this happy-go-luck person who always has his trademark smile in place tears would be the last thing any F1 fan would relate to Ricciardo But the Honey Badger is known to defy the odds sometimes instead of making people happy with his contagious happiness The F1 community hasn’t gotten a lot of Ricciardo content in the past few weeks, courtesy of his fracture Western Australia’s YouTube channel posted a video of Daniel and his best friend going on a road trip around Western Australia Titled “Drive the Dream with Daniel Ricciardo | A Western Australian Road Trip Adventure,” the two of them travel from Perth to Exmouth it was their tribute to Australia’s Aboriginal culture that left fans with a lump in their throats Aboriginal culture in Australia is more than just a belief one that Daniel and Blake experienced as they headed to Shark Bay (Gutharraguda) there’s this spiritual connection to the land It has spiritual significance that is seen as a source of life And what better way to connect with the spirit of “Country” than food That’s exactly what Daniel and Blake did as they spent time learning about Gutharraguda Read More: Daniel Ricciardo Ignores One More Time’s Chartbuster Success to Reveal Verdict on Favorite Blink-182 Song The entire video is a montage of Ricciardo and Blake going from place to place learning about their Country and paying tribute to its beautiful Aboriginal culture it struck a chord with not just Aboriginal Australians but with everyone who went on that journey with the two of them—albeit virtually Monaco: Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull Racing is seen on the boat on the day of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 27 Monte Carlo Monaco – ZUMAz156 0258120000st Copyright: xBeataxZawrzelx I almost cried when they started to respect Country and learn about it Seeing one of my favorite drivers who has inspired me heaps learning and respecting my culture almost brought tears to my eyes 😭🫶,” said one viewer in the YouTube comments Ricciardo has stressed how much he loves Australia many a time and his effort to get to know his country better didn’t go unappreciated Ricciardo also has this aura about him that makes people connect with him better “It’s been a real-artistic way to show their trip Always admired the capacity of Daniel to connect with the people.” It had all of us on the verge of tears as well “How am I emo and nostalgic for a place I’ve never been 😭🤍 beautiful 🥹” That’s the power of Daniel Ricciardo “This brought tears to my eyes when they did welcome to Country you could tell they both respected and appreciated the culture and how important it is to ground yourself Western Australia is beautiful as a North Queensland girl I can say that it’s one of the only places I’d move to beautiful part of Australia ❤ god speed Daniel all the best we are all behind you x” No wonder Ricciardo is such a fan of his homeland “Daniel is a great ambassador for Western Australia 🥹” What were your emotions watching Daniel Ricciardo explore Western Australia WATCH THIS STORY | Everything You Need to Know About Daniel Ricciardo’s Famous Tattoos It’s not every day we get a sneak peek into the lives of Formula 1 drivers off the track, especially when it’s related to their not-so-glamorous uncle duties. Lando Norris a driver known for his exceptional talent and youthful energy on the racetrack recently shared a rather amusing anecdote about an off-the-track challenge During a casual gaming session with friends Lando recounted the experience of changing his niece Mila‘s diaper you will not believe what I had to do earlier I had to change Mila’s nappy,” Norris began Lando’s experience changing a diaper💀😂😂 pic.twitter.com/qDSlZUsCEy — Lando Norris Fans (@Norrislandofans) August 29, 2023 While many of us might consider changing a diaper to be a routine task it was an ordeal that seemed as challenging as navigating the tight corners of a racetrack at top speed The video tweeted by an account @Norrislandofans goes like this: “Wow that was another level of…,” he trailed off trying to find the words to describe the experience You’re level two now,” drawing a parallel between real-life experiences and gaming levels “I gagged.” The sheer disbelief in his friend’s voice was evident as he responded describing the overwhelming need to flee the scene I have to get out of this room.” He even humorously admitted to abandoning the ship “I actually had to get out of the room and left Mila there.” Read More: Zak Brown Destroys Lando Norris’ Legacy With 2 Words to Appease Oscar Piastri his friend congratulated Norris on braving the ordeal tough times.” While this amusing exchange might seem trivial it highlights the universal experiences that even international sports personalities face when off the track faced the challenges of diaper duties and lived to tell the tale albeit with a bit of trauma and a lot of humor Max Verstappen has some interesting things to say about his and Lando Norris’ could’ve been teammate situation Setting the rumor mill alight is the tantalizing prospect of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris teaming up In a recent interview with Sky Sports in Italy Verstappen hinted at this potential pairing a team-up that could redefine team dynamics in the coming years Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix alongside second place McLaren’s Lando Norris and third place Red Bull’s Sergio Perez REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo Verstappen, currently driving alongside Sergio Perez, whose contract with Red Bull wraps up in 2024 “We talk about it,” regarding the possibility of Norris joining him This informal chat between the two is enough to spark immense excitement amongst F1 fans “But he’s contracted to McLaren for a long time It’s worth noting that McLaren‘s mid-season resurgence is not only a testament to the team’s capabilities but has also played a role in reducing speculation about Norris seeking a premature exit especially if they continue their dominant form may be an enticing prospect for any driver Watch This Story | Will Lando Norris Switch Teams From the Miserable McLaren – What are his Options? While fans would love to see two of the sport’s young guns teaming up, it was heartwarming to hear Verstappen’s ideal teammate choice. Steering clear from the current roster, he opted for a trip down memory lane, saying his dream team would be with his father, Jos Verstappen. The senior Verstappen raced in F1 from 1994 to 2003, and the thought of father and son racing together surely pulls at the heartstrings. Link Copied!via Imago Daniel Ricciardo is a lot of things Ricciardo and his infectious smile and Honey Badger-ness have taken the F1 world by storm (minus the 2021 and 2022 seasons) With the same panache and style that makes him so inherently Ricciardo he expanded his expertise beyond the smell of burning rubber on asphalt in F1 and into more refined aromas in the fashion industry As proud as he is of his success on the track he’s just as proud of his successes off it And one of the biggest ones is his clothing line—Enchanté 2023 was a big year in Ricciardo’s career, both on and off the track. Until 2022, he was a McLaren driver. But the team let him go, and he was without an F1 seat for 2023. Red Bull gave him a second chance and made him its reserve driver But in the six months he spent away from F1 were a much-needed break from the sport it also gave him the opportunity to focus on his clothing line—Ric3 A post shared by Enchanté (@enchante) The name comes from the Honey Badger’s last name and racing number Ric3 was Ricciardo’s official merchandise line but it was very different from driver merchandise that F1 fans had gotten used to That’s exactly why Ricciardo started the brand He felt F1 merchandise was too motorsport-focused Ricciardo practically revolutionized driver merchandise with Ric3; now almost every driver has personalized clothing and team merch he knew he wanted to expand into a larger audience He wanted his clothing to be something not just F1 fans liked but something that anyone he released a line in Ric3 called Enchanté different from anything he’d ever released it was as well received as his infectious smile he took the leap and rebranded Ric3 to Enchanté it’s a full-fledged fashion brand with limited edition drops Why Enchanté, though? In an interview with WWD and it makes you sound a lot smarter than you really are but when I say ‘enchanté,’ I feel like the perception is he speaks fluent French.’” After living in Monaco for 10 years you would think Ricciardo would be fluent in French by now “I would love for people to just look at it and be like but I’m really into that.’ I love seeing it in the wild.” A brand that sells high-end casual wear that’s also somehow classy couldn’t scream more Daniel Ricciardo but the Aussie revealed his plans to make his mark He wants to open its first store in New York with a coffee shop attached to it It’d be like the Enchanté Cafe tagline came to life: “A whimsical oasis where the aroma of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the delicate scent of lavender and roses.” We can already sense just how popular this store is going to be Read More: “It Really Just Started as a P*ss-Take”: Daniel Ricciardo Reveals the “Silly” Story Behind Naming Its Supremely Popular Brand “Enchanté” While we wait to get our hands on his merch Ricciardo’s clothing line has already started making its mark in the F1 paddock and Hollywood First off, let’s start with Ricciardo’s biggest fan on the grid—George Russell and it was a picture of his girlfriend on the couch looking up the RIC3 shop I’ll send her a few things.’ So we sent a few things george russell wearing daniel ricciardo merch is why he’s the greatest of all time 😂 loveeee this friendship 🫶🏼🥹 pic.twitter.com/MrPnfizKCl — ece ③ (@ricciardopics) September 1, 2022 Next on the list is Russell’s boss, Toto Wolff. Ricciardo gave George a sweater last year, and Wolff really liked it. The Mercedes team boss texted Ricciardo about it, and the Aussie gifted him one the former McLaren teammates were seen partying together Ricciardo shared his Enchanté outfit with Norris While he wore the shorts in a shirt-shorts set Did you know Daniel has connections in Hollywood he’s very close friends with actress Kristen Bell (a.k.a The actress who voices Anna in Frozen) and her husband When he released the Enchanté Cafe collection this year he made a short film called ‘Smell The Roses’ about it Last but certainly not least comes Harry Styles the former One Direction pop star is a Danny Ric fan Ricciardo released a vintage-style Ric3 t-shirt Turns out Ricciardo and Styles have a mutual friend When asked if that mutual friend had ever arranged a meeting we’ve met many times and had a few beers together.” But he added It makes it even better because he’s a fan before he’s even met me Watch This Story: Daniel Ricciardo’s billion-dollar F1 dream in jeopardy Are you a fan of Daniel Ricciardo’s clothing line, Enchanté?