LANDO NORRIS has retracted a controversial comment he made about Max Verstappen after a race this season.
The Brit helped McLaren win their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 and also finished second in the Drivers’ Championship.
He gave Verstappen a good test for most of the season but ultimately came up short, with one Grand Prix proving pivotal.
In Brazil at the beginning of November Norris squandered his pole position to finish sixth, with Verstappen taking the chequered flag despite starting 16th on grid.
McLaren’s decision not to pit Norris before a red flag cost him the chance of a win, with Verstappen able to change his tyres before claiming the win.
Norris bemoaned Red Bull’s luck in a comment he has now retracted.
He said after the race in Brazil: “It shouldn’t have been red flagged, that was the crash in the end which caused the red so that’s life sometimes. You take a gamble and it’s paid off for them. It’s not talent, it’s just luck.
“I don’t care about the hindsight side of things, that’s luck for them [Red Bull], nothing more.
“They got lucky on a rule [the freedom to change tyres under a red flag] that no one agrees with. Probably them they agreed with it but every driver has disagreed with it in the past.
“Today it benefitted then, it could have benefitted us if we just stayed out, but that’s a stupid thing to think of. Just a bit unlucky today, nothing more. Of course, disappointing.”
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Norris, 25, did also admit Verstappen was faster in Sao Paolo but during an appearance at the FIA Awards he made sure to retract his previous statement.
He said: “First of all, I retract that comment back there, where I said it was all luck, no talent.”
Norris continued: “First of all, congratulations to Max [Verstappen]. What he did this year, what he did in Brazil, of course, was incredible.
“I’m the first one to acknowledge such a thing when I’m the one going up against him. It was a tough season, of course. I tried to put up my best and give the best battle that I could, but this year was not enough.
“At the same time, sometimes I’m happy to finish second to Max, because I think it’s an achievement to do a lot better than that. A wonderful year for myself. A lot of achievements.
“A lot of improvements from myself — but I also know that I need to step it up and do more than I did this year, so I’m excited to look forward to next year and try to do the same.”
The pair clashed on and off the track this year with Verstappen receiving two penalties after forcing Norris off the circuit at the Mexico Grand Prix.
Norris said on radio after the incident: “This guy is dangerous. I just had to avoid a crash. It’s the same as last time.”
They also clashed at the Austrian Grand Prix and both suffered punctures, but it was Verstappen who again was hit with a penalty.
But the pair were on good terms by the next race with Verstappen, 27, saying: “The only thing that I cared about is maintaining my relationship with Lando, because we are great friends.
“That for me, after the race, I said we have to just let things cool down because emotions run high.
“I think we came to the conclusion that we actually really enjoyed our battle.
“We looked at the incident, it was such a silly little touch that of course had great consequences for both of us, and a bit more for Lando with how the puncture then evolved. We like to race hard.”
PAUL Merson will be absent from tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing final, The Sun can reveal.
Former footballer-turned-pundit Paul, 56, who was partnered with Karen Hauer, contacted bosses on the show to say he was unwell today.
A Strictly spokeswoman said: “Paul is unwell today unfortunately. He will be very much missed and is sad he couldn’t make it.”
It comes as Nick Knowles has also pulled out of the BBC1 final after having a knee operation after injuring himself during the show.
Paul was the fourth celeb to leave the dance competition this series.
The ex-Arsenal ace and pro partner Karen were voted off after their samba and a dance-off with JLS star JB Gill.
Nick– who suffered two injuries during his stint competing for the Strictly Glitterball trophy – recently underwent a procedure with a nine-week recovery period.
The DIY SOS presenter, 60, took to social media an hour before tonight’s live final and said he would be absent from the show.
He posted a picture in a hospital bed with his leg in a brace and said: “So as you may have read. I won’t be on tonight’s Strictly final, as I’ve only just had a major operation on my knee.”
Nick went on to say: “But I’d like to wish all the finalists the best of luck for tonight’s show – they all deserve to be champions.”
Tonight’s final will see Chris McCausland compete against Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and JLS singer JB Gill.
The stars will all perform three more routines each – a couple’s pick, judges’ choice and a show dance – in a bid to win the glitterball trophy.
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Here is a full list of who has been lucky enough to win the famous Glitterball Trophy:
ELLIOT SLESSOR has joined fellow top players in urging the biggest ever change in snooker’s World Championship – but for a different reason.
The world no 30 even admits his views “might upset a few people”.
Seven-time Crucible king Ronnie O’Sullivan and world No1 Judd Trump are among stars who reckon the Crucible might be too small.
Both have also pointed to the riches available for switching the event to Saudi Arabia or China.
But Slessor, 30, has put it far more bluntly.
The Gateshead ace said: “I understand the history, but history doesn’t pay bills. It simply doesn’t pay bills.”
The Crucible can only host 980 spectators and its contract for the April-May showpiece tournament expires in 2027.
Every World Championship since 1977 has been held at the intimate Sheffield venue.
However, Slessor told The Snooker Hall Podcast: “I might upset some people here, but I’ll tell you a spade’s a spade, and I like to tell the truth.
“Obviously, it’s an iconic venue. But in the grand scheme of things, they are on about making it a global sport and growing the game.
HERE'S how the £2,395,000 in total prize money for the 2024 World Championship at the Crucible was divided.
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“Fair enough to keep it at the Crucible if you put the prize money up. But the prize money has stayed the same the last eight years for qualifying.
“That doesn’t seem like a growing game to me.”
He added: “You’ve got other countries that are rumoured to be giving millions to the winner.
“I’m not being funny, but I’m going to do some maths for you. The winner this year got £500,000.
“He’s got tax out of that, he’s got 2.5% to World Snooker out of that, he might also have to pay a coach or a manager or something out of that.
“So let’s say he takes £300-£350,000 out of that. You can’t even buy a nice house in London for that.
“And that’s the Everest of the game. You’ve climbed the biggest stage, done every person’s childhood dream, and you’re not a millionaire out of it. That blows my brains.”
He also noted the Crucible’s small capacity, saying: “There are a lot of people who want to watch it, and there’s nowhere to build on top of it.
“I think it’ll be a matter of time before it leaves the Crucible.”
VIDDAL RILEY is back in action TONIGHT and he’ll be looking to leave a big impression.
The 27-year-old last fought back in March against Mikael Lawal and was victorious on points in his biggest win yet.
Riley had to deal with an injury following the fight, however, as it was revealed the cruiserweight fractured his rib in the first round.
But now he’s back and looking to remain in the win column with hopes of securing an eventual British title fight.
Standing in his way is Dan Garber up at heavyweight in a change of opponent instead of Steve Eloundou Ntere.
Also on the card is Natasha Jonas’ welterweight unification fight against Ivana Habazin.
Lauren Price is up against Bexcy Mateus in a clash for the WBA welterweight title.
KATIE Price has been spotted parking in a disabled bay ahead of her panto performance with Kerry Katona.
The former glamour model, 46, was snapped with her boyfriend JJ Slater as they returned to the black vehicle.
Katie was leaving her Cinderella Panto in Northwhich, which she currently stars in with Kerry Katona.
The couple were illegally parked in the disabled spot, with no blue badge on display.
Pricey sported a full face of makeup as she wore a grey outfit in the rainy weather.
Katie and Kerry play the wicked stepsisters in the production of Cinderella, which is at Northwich Memorial Court.
The pair recently revealed they were moving in together for the duration of their theatre stint and have planned matching tattoos.
It comes after Kerry recently confirmed she had split from her fiance Ryan Mahoney.
Kerry is now being “supported” by Katie as the pair rehearse for their show which will run until December 31.
A source exclusively told The Sun: “Katie has moved in with Kerry during their panto run.
“It’s great timing for Kerry after her break up and Katie is being a huge support.”
The source went on: “They will be working and living together, even spending Christmas together.”
We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price's relationship history.
1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.
1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer when he allegedly cheated on her.
2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with Harvey throughout his life.
2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.
2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.
2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.
2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.
2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.
2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.
2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.
2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.
2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.
2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shining to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.
2024-present: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February this year.
DEAR DEIDRE: MY work crush left the company while I was away on holiday, now I’m worried I missed my chance.
I’m a divorced man of 40. My line manager was stunning but I always assumed she was out of my league.
While I was away on holiday, she texted me to say she was leaving. I’d had a few sangrias, so I immediately texted her back quite emotionally, admitting I would really miss her.
She replied that she’d miss me too. I’d love to ask her out, but what if she was just being professional?
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DEIDRE SAYS: If she was just being professional, then she’d have asked to join your LinkedIn network.
Instead, she interrupted your holiday with a text, and she said that she will miss you.These are good signs.
As she’s not your line manager now, I’d suggest the following: first ask her out for a coffee before your holiday tan fades.
If she seems keen, she will accept with delight.
Secondly, read my pack. Standing Up For Yourself, to boost your confidence.
Every problem gets a personal reply from one of our trained counsellors.
Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you.
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page or email us at:
deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk
DEAR DEIDRE: I’M livening up my dull married life by having affairs with a couple of sexy men.
Unfortunately, they are both with their wives and sometimes I really struggle to control my jealousy about their marriages.
I’m 36. I’ve been married for 12 years and we have two young children.
I met my husband when I was on the rebound from an abusive ex.
At first, his easygoing nature was a welcome relief. Now, it bores me to tears.
We only have sex if I initiate it. He does the same moves every time, like a Nineties boyband on a reunion tour.
In frustration, I started flirting with a man at my local garage.
He claimed his wife had a low sex drive, so I sent him naughty snaps showing him how passionate a real woman could be.
He loved them but after booking a night in a hotel for us a couple of times, I feel that he’s fobbing me off.
The last time he said he couldn’t make it because it was his wife’s birthday.
That hurt, so I joined a website for married people wanting no-strings sex.
Soon, I was chatting to a man who was exactly my type, with tattoos and a beard.
We exchanged numbers and started sending each other nude pics and explicit voice notes.
But when I found his social media, I saw him liking and commenting on his wife’s posts every day, sending her heart emojis.
They always seem to be out on romantic dinners, and even wore a matching couple’s costume for Halloween. What’s wrong with me?
Why am I just never good enough to be number one?
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DEIDRE SAYS: You are chasing attention from every corner, but ignoring those who love you closest to home.
Stop chasing men who are only after sex and talk to the man in front of you. The one you are married to.
Tell him honestly what you need – in bed and out. Together, you can build a secure, sexy marriage but you have to open up to him first.
You can shake things up in the bedroom with your husband.
Start sending him sexy messages then why not plan a night away together?
You have been in an abusive relationship which is damaging for self-esteem.
Getting attention from these men may have helped you feel better about yourself in the short-term but, in reality, these affairs will simply damage your confidence further.
My support pack Raising Self-esteem explains more.
Do the right thing. Cut off the affairs and work on your marriage so you can feel good about your future.
My support pack How To Look After Your Relationship will give you solid ideas on how to get started.
Every problem gets a personal reply from one of our trained counsellors.
Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you.
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page or email us at:
deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk
