Williams’ Carlos Sainz says Formula 1’s TV coverage is going “overboard a little” by showing driver’s girlfriends while missing overtakes during races.
During Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, fans watching at home missed some on-track action, including Fernando Alonso chasing down Lewis Hamilton, who had a brake issue, for seventh place in the final laps.
In the final stages, TV coverage focused on McLaren’s Lando Norris chasing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for second place.
However, at various points during the race, high-profile girlfriends and celebrity guests were shown watching from the garages.
Sainz’s recovery drive from the back of the grid to 10th place was also rarely featured on the world feed, which is supervised by F1.
The Spaniard, 31, told Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE that F1 bosses should not lose sight of the main track action.
Aston Martin’s Alonso, who inherited P7 from Ferrari’s Hamilton, also criticised F1’s TV coverage. The Spanish two-time world champion replied to a post on X, quoting him telling his pit wall he would “disconnect the radio” if they spoke to him on every lap.
Drivers’ wives and girlfriends have become even more popular in recent years following the rise of social media and the Netflix series Drive to Survive.
Sainz’s girlfriend, model Rebecca Donaldson, Norris’ partner, actress Magui Corceiro and Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend, influencer Alexandra Saint Mleux, all have huge online followings of their own.
“I understand that if there is an overtake, a very tense moment in the race, it is understandable that the production team might want to show a reaction shot if they have seen that it has worked in the past,” said Sainz.
“But [they only should] if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race.
“The other [thing] is fine but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go overboard a little showing the celebrities and girlfriends.”
An F1 spokesperson said: “We always focus on giving our fans the best possible footage of the race and never compromise the key focus – the racing on track.
The pop singer has clapped back at his mother’s suggestion that he needs ‘healing’ after she publicly posted a heartfelt prayer where she asked for him to be restored and spiritually protected
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Justin Bieber has clapped back at a prayer his mother made for him(Image: Getty Images)
Justin Bieber has sparked speculation about underlying tensions with his mother Pattie Mallette after brushing off a very personal message from her this week.
The 31-year-old singer responded bluntly to a post from his mother, who had shared a lengthy prayer for her son amid ongoing concerns about his health and wellbeing.
Two weeks earlier, Pattie, 50, had posted several black-and-white images of Bieber alongside an emotional caption that read, “We’re cheering you on and praying for you always Justin.”
In her post, she wrote: “I declare freedom, strength, clarity, and healing over you Justin. Every chain of fear, confusion, heaviness, and pain — be broken in Jesus’ name. Holy Spirit, surround him with TRUTH, LIGHT, and PROTECTION. HEAL EVERY WOUND in his heart, mind and body, seen and unseen, restore what’s been stolen, and cover him in WHOLENESS.”
She went on to ask for Bieber to be filled with “love and comfort,” continuing: “Fill him to OVERFLOWING with Your LOVE and COMFORT. Continue to raise him up as a voice for Your Kingdom, unshaken and on fire for You Lord. Silence every voice that doesn’t come from You, and let his life be a bold witness of Your power, love, and healing grace.”
The post featured a photo of Justin wearing a T-shirt with the words “Pray for Me” emblazoned across it. It received thousands of supportive comments from Bieber’s fans and fellow Christians.
But Bieber had a much more dismissive response on Sunday, October 5, when he wrote: “Only thing I need healing from is my rolled pinky toe from playing ping pong.”
The Mirror has contacted Justin Bieber’s representatives for comment.
Bieber’s comment comes at a time when fans have expressed growing concern about his mental health. In July, the pop star posted a series of cryptic photos on Instagram with the caption “Detoxxxxxxxxxxx,” showing close-ups of his sweaty face and a towel draped over his head.
The post confused followers and they started to speculate that the Baby hitmaker was going through a difficult time. “Dear Justin, as a Canadian mama please do not go down the Britney Spears road,” one fan pleaded in the comments.
Sources have told Us Weekly that the singer has been “hard to deal with” lately and that Justin’s wife Hailey has been “giving him space” to work through personal challenges.
“Justin’s going through a difficult time, and Hailey is giving him room to get himself back on track,” one insider said.
Despite speculation that their marriage is not in a good place, friends close to the couple insist they are still united. “Faith is a big part of their life,” one source explained. “They believe they are soulmates and will do anything to make it work.”
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Meanwhile, Bieber’s career seems to be regaining momentum. He was recently announced as one of the headliners for Coachella 2026, alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G. This will be his first major festival performance since Rolling Loud in 2023.
Claudia Winkleman revealed there’s only one fragrance she wears, describing the scent as ‘classic and musky’, and right now shoppers can pick up a bottle for £33 less
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‘Sexy’ fragrance that is the only scent Claudia Winkleman wears is on sale(Image: BBC)
Ever wondered what Claudia’s signature scent is? Beyond her iconic fringe, Claudia’s known for her hosting roles on Strictly Come Dancing and BBC One’s The Traitors, which kicked off its latest season last night (October 8).
Talking to Grazia in April of this year, the 52-year-old TV personality revealed that she “doesn’t want to smell girly” and she “doesn’t want to smell like I’ve just walked across a meadow”, and instead opts for a “dirty and musky” fragrance that “smells like pure filth” according to Claudia. And right now, it’s on sale.
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Talking of her go-to fragrance, Claudia said in the interview: “I only wear Yves Saint Laurent Opium EDP. I always opt for the classic, old, brown bottle – it smells of pure filth. It’s the best smell – it’s musky and it’s dirty. I don’t want to smell girly, I don’t want to smell like I’ve just walked across a meadow. I don’t want any of that. I want to smell like sex!”
Claudia’s signature scent is currently on sale at Lookfantastic for a mega £32.50 off, saving shoppers 25%. Elsewhere, Boots is offering the same scent for £21.50 less than its normal price, and Debenhams has slashed the price by a massive £52.
Touted as a must-have perfume that captures attention with sparkling top notes and bewitches the senses with a sensually spicy finish, the Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau de Parfum is the original, intoxicating perfume for the femme fatale.
Boasting sparkling top notes of Mandarin and Lily of the Valley, this fragrance captures the attention before opening onto a bouquet of Jasmine and Carnation to intoxicate the senses. Deeper accords of Vanilla, Amber and Patchouli linger on the skin for a sensually spicy finish that Claudia can’t stop raving about. Additionally, the scent is presented in the iconic YSL square bottle with a gold ring detail.
And it isn’t just the TV personality who adores this scent, as 5 stars come pouring in on Lookfantastic’s website. One thrilled customer raves: “This is and will always be my go-to perfume, the smell just makes you feel warm.. I have bought this perfume for well over 20 + years.”
More adoration comes from this buyer who beams: “One of my old-time favourite fragrances from YSL It lasts all day on you. I highly recommend it to whoever may be interested.”
A third chimes in: “I have adored this fragrance since the 80’s. I know it has changed slightly, but it is still my all-time favourite. It lasts forever on the skin and still has that sensual, exotic smell. The price from Look Fantastic is amazing.”
This customer writes: “I am in love with this scent. It’s kind of strong and long-lasting. I dont think everyone will like it immediately; it took me some time to fall in love! Very luxurious feel. Will defo recommend.”
This shopper gushes: “I was searching for a signature scent, and after trying so many orientals or sweet fragrances, this satisfies all my cravings for smoke, resins, spicy and sweet also very sexy, my boyfriend loves this stuff on me and can’t help plunge his nose everywhere haha.”
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And another sings its praises, writing: “This is a timeless classic! Smells feminine, warm and sexy, but not over the top. I always receive compliments when I wear this fragrance. You must give it a try!”
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Susan Kendall Newman has died at the age of 72. The actress and producer – who is the daughter of actor and director Paul Newman – died following complications from chronic health conditions.
The actress died in August but an obituary has been shared in her memory this October. It reads: “Susan Kendall Newman, a lifelong philanthropist and social activist devoted to civil rights, conservation education, and anti-war and nuclear disarmament efforts, passed away on August 2, 2025 from complications from chronic health conditions. She was 72.
“Ms. Newman began her career in the arts, appearing in productions on and off Broadway as well as in several feature films, including a starring role in the Spielberg/ Zemeckis film I Wanna Hold Your Hand. She later distinguished herself as a television producer, excelling in the adaptation of classical stage plays for the then-emerging cable television industry …
Paul with his daughter Susan ( Bettmann Archive)
“Susan Kendall Newman will be remembered for her sharp wit and tongue, generosity and love, and her devotion to family and friends. She will be very much missed.”
Susan rose to fame starring as one of the six teenagers desperate to see the Beatles first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 in movie I Wanna Hold Your Hand. She also starred in Slap Shot and A Wedding, which also featured her father.
She also received an Emmy nomination for her work on The Shadow Box, which was directed by her father and starred her stepmother, Oscar winner Joanne Woodward. Susan produced the presentation.
Susan also produced an audiobook series of classical literature made family-friendly, which earned her a Grammy nomination for best spoken word album for children.
Away from the arts, Susan was a keen activist and worked on multiple projects to support the community. Her obituary reads: “In later years, Ms. Newman focused her advocacy on education, juvenile justice, conservation, and healthcare.
“She collaborated with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and VoteRiders on election protection efforts, supported environmental preservation in Big Sur, and partnered with Oregon Health & Science University to fund melanoma prevention campaigns and leukemia research.
“She was instrumental in shaping the philanthropic strategies of a private foundation and took pride in helping identify impactful grassroots organizations, support at-risk communities often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy, and develop innovative approaches to disaster relief through local endowments.”
Susan was the daughter of Paul Newman and his first wife Jackie Witte.
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Fans were gutted when Adele announced she was taking a break from music last summer – but it seems she’s got other plans up her sleeve, including a surprise career move
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Adele is reportedly planning a surprise career move after taking a break from music(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Adele)
Since the final performance of her sold-out two-year Las Vegas residency in November last year, Adele has pretty much disappeared from the spotlight.
This year she’s only been spotted publicly twice, at an LA Lakers game with her sports agent fiancé Rich Paul in January and April. And she reportedly likes to frequent the Pinky Ring Lounge in Vegas in the Bellagio Hotel, which was dreamt up by pop star Bruno Mars to offer a ‘one of a kind cocktail lounge curated by an entertainer for your entertainment pleasure’.
Fans were gutted when the 37-year-old announced a ‘big break from music’ last summer, telling a crowd in Munich, where she performed a string of 10 gigs: “I will not see you for an incredibly long time. I just need a rest, I have spent the last seven years building a new life for myself, and I want to live it now.”
She also told German broadcaster ZDF: “My tank is quite empty at the minute. I don’t have any plans for new music at all. I want a big break after all this and I think I want to do other creative things just for a little while. You know, I don’t even sing at home at all. How strange is that?”
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Though it was thought Adele, who is already mum to 13-year-old Angelo, was keen to start a family and have a baby girl, if possible, with partner Rich Paul, who it’s unclear if she has secretly married following her divorce from ex Simon Konecki.
Now there are reports she has other plans up her sleeve. And it’s said she has “purposefully” been keeping a “strict” low profile “more than ever” – perhaps to pursue a long-held ambition to teach, which she wanted to do before she became famous.
The Daily Mail’s Dolly Busby claims: “Before fans get carried away with the baby speculation, I am told the Hello singer is also studying for a degree in English Literature. The online course could help her fulfil her pre-fame ambition of becoming a teacher.”
A school pal previously revealed that Adele was not set on stardom when they were studying together at the famous BRIT School in Croydon, South London as teenagers. He said: “We weren’t all there to become famous – we were there because we loved music. Adele loved music and singing, but wanted to be a teacher – and I don’t even think a teacher of music and singing.
“But then it all fell into place for her as an artist. A friend made her a MySpace account and uploaded demos and it all went from there. I remember the next week she got a £25,000 advance in her bank account. It was mad.”
During an Audience With Adele that aired in 2021, the star also spoke of her teaching ambitions and admiration for a Ms McDonald, a “cool and engaging teacher” – not realising she was there in the ITV studio.
Adele said: “She left in year eight, but she got me really into literature, I’ve always been obsessed with English and obviously now I write lyrics. She was so cool, so engaging, and she really made us care, and we knew that she cared about us and stuff like that.” So it brought the house down when the pair were emotionally reunited on stage.
She’s since hinted that teaching is what she wants to do with her life now. In a 2022 fan Q&A in LA, she revealed: “If I hadn’t made it singing, I think I would be an English Lit teacher. I definitely think I use my passion for English lit in what I do. I wish I’d gone to university and had that experience, but I will do it online with a tutor. That’s my plan for 2025, just to get the qualification.”
Last month it was reported Adele was “finally ready” to write her autobiography, so she could be putting that degree to use, not that she’s any stranger to telling her own stories.
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A source told The Sun: “She’s always said no. Finally she is ready and it will be Adele in her own words — beyond the headlines. As well as taking in her rise to fame in music, it will touch on her upbringing and her personal life.”
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