Latest news with #Andorra
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Sir Geoff Hurst criticises Thomas Tuchel for England slip up - "A real taboo"
Sir Geoff Hurst, the scorer of England's most famous hat-trick in 1966, has yet to be convinced over Thomas Tuchel and the latest crop of Three Lions stars ahead of next summer's World Cup On a midsummer night where London meets Kent's commuter sprawl, Sir Geoff Hurst struggled to find a quantum of solstice. England's witless scuffling against Andorra and Senegal left the last man standing among the Boys of 66 wondering if he'll ever see another England captain lift the World Cup like Bobby Moore. Sir Geoff revealed he is a signatory to the campaign for Moore to be awarded a posthumous knighthood, and he's not alone. If David Beckham can get a tap on the shoulder for taking a nice free-kick, the shameful disregard for Moore's unique achievement among Englishmen remains a stain on the honours system. Based on the hapless floundering of Thomas Tuchel's side earlier this month, Hurst's optimism that a nation's 60-year vigil for glory will end at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey on July 19 next year is currently tempered. And he was unimpressed that a comment from Tuchel's mother about midfield kingpin Jude Bellingham's behaviour being 'a bit repulsive' found its way into the public domain. 'There's no point in sugar-coating it - the last two games were bitterly disappointing, not just the results but the manner of the performances,' said Sir Geoff, now 83 and looking as trim as a trip to the barber. One statistic celebrated Tuchel being the first England manager to start with three clean sheets, but Hurst sniffed: 'I'm not sure a clean sheet against Andorra is anything to write home about. 'I'm inclined to approach this World Cup with a positive mindset, and I want to believe this crop of young players is the best we've had in a long time, because that's the way I was as a player and I am as a person. 'But nobody can say anything too hopeful, or shout form the rooftops, based on those last two performances. 'One thing that cropped up was that Tuchel's mum apparently had something to say about one of the players, and somehow it came out. For me that's a real taboo. What the manager's mother thinks about a player shouldn't be part of the debate.' Hurst was speaking at a function for Future Pathway, an inspired support group who fund free first aid, rescue and safety courses for military veterans, their families, and sportsmen or women active or retired. Future Pathway's co-founder, John McDonald, is best known as master of ceremonies at Professional Darts Corporation events for the last 20 years - and he's never fluffed his lines. Hurst is too gracious to call time on Tuchel's reign after just four games. But as the diamond anniversary of his hat-trick in the World Cup final approaches, already there are signs that patience among the great unwashed is wearing thin. 'Over the years I've not been a particularly big supporter of England appointing foreign managers,' said Hurst. 'In fairness, some of the English ones we've had were absolutely average. "But if we don't win the World Cup next year, we're going to be in danger of another golden generation pass us by without having a major trophy to show for all their promise. It's amazing that such a major football nation, where so many of the world 's best players come grace the Premier League, has gone 59 years without success at international level. 'I know the previous manager came close - two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final was closer than anyone since Sir Alf - but if our time isn't now, when will we get a better chance? That's the real measure of the job for Tuchel.' Before he settled down to plunder almost 300 goals in club football, plus another 24 in 49 caps for England, Hurst was a decent cricketer who made one first-class appearance for Essex as a wicketkeeper-batsman, scoring 0 and 0 not out against Lancashire at Aigburth. The notion that modern players could find the time to dabble with bat and ball in football's absurdly-crowded schedule now is laughable. Hurst was scathing about the current two-bob celebration of burnout in the States. 'I don't like the Club World Cup. If one club is beating another 10-0, as Bayern Munich did the other day, that's not my idea of elite competition. There are probably too many tournaments for the players' liking already, but it's hard to take it seriously based on that gap. "I'm not sure Phil Foden running around in searing heat, thousands of miles away, is going to help Manchester City win the title or help England win the World Cup over the next 12 months. He should have his feet up at home.'
Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Ferrari wins 2025 Le Mans 24 Hour with Robert Kubica
A fairytale drive by Robert Kubica secured Ferrari's third Le Mans win in as many years. Kubica, a Polish driver whose F1 career was cut short by a tragic accident, held off a fast-charging Porsche to take a famous victory. He lifted the winner's trophy with his left hand – because his right arm has little strength after it was partially severed in a 2011 crash. MORE: Kubica wins 'mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans Robert Kubica, centre, holds the Le Mans winner's trophy aloft with Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson. Photo: AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez Kubica had a Ferrari F1 driver's contract in his pocket – metaphorically, at least – when he crashed out of a rally in Andorra. A roadside barrier sliced through his car, destroying the racer's right arm. British television host Jeremy Clarkson told viewers of The Grand Tour that Kubica 'broke every single bone on the right side of his body, had a 17 hour operation to put his arm back on again, and then 17 more operations after that, and his arm still doesn't work properly'. MORE: Ferrari's battle for Le Mans The winning AF Corse Ferrari 499P of Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Philip Hanson. Photo:Kubica made it back to F1 but never got his chance with Ferrari. Until the brand signed him to drive its third car at Le Mans. This year, Kubica and co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei beat the odds to win the world's most prestigious race in front of more than 300,000 spectators. MORE: Porsche's Matt Campbell on the drive to win Le Mans Robert Kubica in 2017, years after his crash. Photo: byAfter winning Le Mans, Kubica told reporters he was 'very lucky' to be able to drive after his near-fatal crash that left his right arm in a withered state. 'It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally,' he said. 'What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing.' Motorsport outlets such as The Race described Kubica's crash and subsequent Le Mans victory as 'one of the most remarkable stories in motorsport history'. AF Corse's Polish driver #83 Robert Kubica crosses the finish line to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025. Photo: Fred TANNEAU / AFP Fans posted on X that he was 'the ultimate hero', that Hollywood needs to 'make a movie' about Kubica's life story, and that they watched the final minutes of Le Mans through teary eyes. Kubica was chased to the line by the Porsche of Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Australia's own Matt Campbell. Matt Campbell's Porsche took the fight to Ferrari. Photo:Campbell passed two Ferraris late in the race to secure second place, handing over to co-driver Kevin Estre who closed the gap to Kubica, but could not get close enough to pass. Campbell told that 'we ran a perfect race today, with no mistakes, so we've got to be proud of what we achieved'. 'We gave it everything,' he said. MORE: Hyundai joins the fight at Le Mans Le Mans is exploding in popularity for manufacturers looking to take on endurance racing. Ford, McLaren and Genesis have announced plans to join the race in the next couple of years,a dding to a grid that already includes Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Peugeot and Alpine. Cameron McLeod won Ford's Mustang Challenge in Le Mans. Picture: Supplied Australian fans cheered on young racer Cameron McLeod in support races in the lead-up to the race. McLeod won Ford's Mustang Challenge races from pole position, taking the chequered flag ahead of Ford competitors from around the globe. Originally published as Ferrari wins 2025 Le Mans 24 Hour with Robert Kubica
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Ferrari wins 2025 Le Mans 24 Hour with Robert Kubica
A fairytale drive by Robert Kubica secured Ferrari's third Le Mans win in as many years. Kubica, a Polish driver whose F1 career was cut short by a tragic accident, held off a fast-charging Porsche to take a famous victory. He lifted the winner's trophy with his left hand – because his right arm has little strength after it was partially severed in a 2011 crash. Kubica had a Ferrari F1 driver's contract in his pocket – metaphorically, at least – when he crashed out of a rally in Andorra. A roadside barrier sliced through his car, destroying the racer's right arm. British television host Jeremy Clarkson told viewers of The Grand Tour that Kubica 'broke every single bone on the right side of his body, had a 17 hour operation to put his arm back on again, and then 17 more operations after that, and his arm still doesn't work properly'. Kubica made it back to F1 but never got his chance with Ferrari. Until the brand signed him to drive its third car at Le Mans. This year, Kubica and co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei beat the odds to win the world's most prestigious race in front of more than 300,000 spectators. After winning Le Mans, Kubica told reporters he was 'very lucky' to be able to drive after his near-fatal crash that left his right arm in a withered state. I know Le Mans is a three-driver race, but seeing Kubica take the ðŸ�� after this crash barrier went thru his arm in a rally crash and shattered his F1 title dreams, it’s an incredible story. A stunning driving talent and a really nice guy who truly loves the sport ðŸ'� — Jarvis (@JarvoB) June 15, 2025 'It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally,' he said. 'What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing.' They’ll have to make a movie about Robert Kubica one day. A trailblazer for Poland who took his country to the top of F1, nearly lost his life in a rally crash but kept racing and is now a Le Mans winner. Fairytale stuff #LeMans24 — Ed Spencer (@EdSpencer99) June 15, 2025 Motorsport outlets such as The Race described Kubica's crash and subsequent Le Mans victory as 'one of the most remarkable stories in motorsport history'. Fans posted on X that he was 'the ultimate hero', that Hollywood needs to 'make a movie' about Kubica's life story, and that they watched the final minutes of Le Mans through teary eyes. Have to say, I had tears in my eyes watching the finish of Le Mans. Robert Kubica deserved this win! Congrats to him and the team! — That Was Fast (@thatwasfastyt) June 15, 2025 Kubica was chased to the line by the Porsche of Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Australia's own Matt Campbell. Campbell passed two Ferraris late in the race to secure second place, handing over to co-driver Kevin Estre who closed the gap to Kubica, but could not get close enough to pass. Campbell told that 'we ran a perfect race today, with no mistakes, so we've got to be proud of what we achieved'. 'We gave it everything,' he said. Le Mans is exploding in popularity for manufacturers looking to take on endurance racing. Ford, McLaren and Genesis have announced plans to join the race in the next couple of years,a dding to a grid that already includes Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Peugeot and Alpine. Australian fans cheered on young racer Cameron McLeod in support races in the lead-up to the race. McLeod won Ford's Mustang Challenge races from pole position, taking the chequered flag ahead of Ford competitors from around the globe.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Kubica wins 'mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans
Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica has long since tackled the demons of a near-fatal accident 14 years ago but Sunday's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is arguably his greatest achievement yet. The 40-year-old Pole roared to victory in his bright yellow "privateer" Ferrari to give the Italian marque a third consecutive win in the most famous endurance race in the world. In a thrilling 93rd edition of the race, which saw the top four separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes, Kubica and his AF Corse co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei (#83) finished just 14.084sec ahead of a Porsche (#6) driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor. In so doing they knocked the two factory Ferraris, who started the race as favourites, into third and fourth. "It's been a long 24 hours but an enjoyable one. Grazie mille, grazie a tutti," said Kubica over the team radio as he took the chequered flag. Kubica was one of Formula One's brightest prospects when he won the 2008 Canada Grand Prix but a harrowing accident in a rally in Andorra in 2011 almost cost him his life. Trapped upside down in his car before being freed and whisked to hospital, Kubica suffered several serious injuries and underwent a partial amputation of his right forearm. "What happened was very unfortunate, but I was very lucky," he said after Sunday's victory. "It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally. "What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing." He returned to racing cars, however, winning the WRC2 championship and taking part in sports car races. In 2017 he moved back into Formula One, testing for Renault before racing for Williams in 2019. - 'Greatest achievement' - But Sunday's win which made him the first Pole ever to win Le Mans tops any of his other achievements behind the wheel. "It was quite difficult to live with, but I'm happy to have achieved my personal goals," he said. "The best thing I've achieved in my life - it's nothing to do with racing - it's more the battle I won with my mind." Both of Kubica's co-drivers were also first-time winners with Ye the first Chinese driver to triumph. "I'm at a loss for words," said Ye who arrived in Le Mans at the age of 14 on an exchange programme to try and become a professional driver. "It's going to take me some time to realise everything that's happened today. Right now I feel like I'm dreaming. Maybe in two seconds I'll wake up and none of this will exist. "In China, the car industry has come a long way. When my father was my age, there were no cars on the roads, and we're talking about the 1990s. Becoming a professional driver was impossible." With three of the top four, it was certainly a good day for Ferrari but there will undoubtedly be some at headquarters in Maranello who might not be so happy. As the winning car was not entered directly by the manufacturer, but by the AF Corse team, Ferrari will not take the points for victory in the World Endurance Championship. Cadillac locked out the front row of the grid but #12 of Will Stephens, who had taken pole, had to settle for fifth with the second car (#38), featuring former Formula One world champion Jensen Button, coming home in eighth.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kubica wins 'mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans
Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica has long since tackled the demons of a near-fatal accident 14 years ago but Sunday's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is arguably his greatest achievement yet. The 40-year-old Pole roared to victory in his bright yellow "privateer" Ferrari to give the Italian marque a third consecutive win in the most famous endurance race in the world. In a thrilling 93rd edition of the race, which saw the top four separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes, Kubica and his AF Corse co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei (#83) finished just 14.084sec ahead of a Porsche (#6) driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor. In so doing they knocked the two factory Ferraris, who started the race as favourites, into third and fourth. "It's been a long 24 hours but an enjoyable one. Grazie mille, grazie a tutti," said Kubica over the team radio as he took the chequered flag. Kubica was one of Formula One's brightest prospects when he won the 2008 Canada Grand Prix but a harrowing accident in a rally in Andorra in 2011 almost cost him his life. Trapped upside down in his car before being freed and whisked to hospital, Kubica suffered several serious injuries and underwent a partial amputation of his right forearm. "What happened was very unfortunate, but I was very lucky," he said after Sunday's victory. "It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally. "What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing." He returned to racing cars, however, winning the WRC2 championship and taking part in sports car races. In 2017 he moved back into Formula One, testing for Renault before racing for Williams in 2019. - 'Greatest achievement' - But Sunday's win which made him the first Pole ever to win Le Mans tops any of his other achievements behind the wheel. "It was quite difficult to live with, but I'm happy to have achieved my personal goals," he said. "The best thing I've achieved in my life - it's nothing to do with racing - it's more the battle I won with my mind." Both of Kubica's co-drivers were also first-time winners with Ye the first Chinese driver to triumph. "I'm at a loss for words," said Ye who arrived in Le Mans at the age of 14 on an exchange programme to try and become a professional driver. "It's going to take me some time to realise everything that's happened today. Right now I feel like I'm dreaming. Maybe in two seconds I'll wake up and none of this will exist. "In China, the car industry has come a long way. When my father was my age, there were no cars on the roads, and we're talking about the 1990s. Becoming a professional driver was impossible." With three of the top four, it was certainly a good day for Ferrari but there will undoubtedly be some at headquarters in Maranello who might not be so happy. As the winning car was not entered directly by the manufacturer, but by the AF Corse team, Ferrari will not take the points for victory in the World Endurance Championship. Cadillac locked out the front row of the grid but #12 of Will Stephens, who had taken pole, had to settle for fifth with the second car (#38), featuring former Formula One world champion Jensen Button, coming home in eighth. hdy-cpb/ll/bsp/mw
