They shared a bro handshake and a laugh or two on the first tee box

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that Mercedes did not make changes to their car that the seven-time world champion asked for ahead of the 2023 season. Hamilton again endured a frustrating campaign as his search for a record eighth title continues, with the 38-year-old now without a race win in more than two years. While the British driver fought back from a slow start to finish an eventual third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, Mercedes were largely unable to challenge Red Bull’s dominance at the top. It followed an uneven year in 2022 that saw the team plagued with problems, and Hamilton has now confirmed that his request that changes be made to their vehicle ahead of this year’s campaign was ignored. Problems were evident from the very first grand prix of the season in Bahrain, with Hamilton revealing that he had to have “big, big talks” with Mercedes after the race. “I’m sure there were frustrations, because I had asked for certain changes, and they weren’t done,” Hamilton recalled in an interview with the BBC. “No-one knew exactly what the problem was. No-one knew how to fix it. “Having the experience of the previous year [2022], I just applied myself, in terms of digging down, sitting with the guys. We were having much better meetings. “I was able to stay a lot more positive during the year and be like: ‘It’s going to be a long season, but let’s not give up. Let’s keep pushing towards getting the maximum out of the car, whatever that may be.’ “I think for this year they thought: ‘The fundamentals are good and we just have to go here.’ And it was not the case. That’s why I was frustrated in February, because they hadn’t made the changes I’d asked for.” Hamilton secured pole position only once across the 2023 season. A third consecutive world title was secured by Max Verstappen, who has been clear at the top ever since pipping the Brit to a maiden crown in Abu Dhabi in 2021. The Dutchman ascended to a new level of ascendancy over the rest of the field this season, recording 19 wins in 22 races, including ten consecutive victories between the Miami Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix. But Hamilton does not believe that Verstappen even had to work that hard for his title. “You can go through the lap times and some of the data from Max; he is just chilling at the front more often than not,” Hamilton said of his old rival. “I don’t think he has broken a sweat during the year. “Even when we were chasing him in Austin, I don’t think he was sweating. I think he was just able to control it. And when you are in that position where you have performance and can back off, the car goes further. The tyres go longer and you are in a sweet spot and it is amazing to be in that place. “Ultimately, [Red Bull] have done an amazing job and worked and deserve it.”

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England goalkeeper Mary Earps has expressed her dismay over the “very hurtful” decision not to put her replica shirt on sale ahead of the World Cup. The Manchester United star was named the world’s best goalkeeper in women’s football by FIFA in February, and was also appointed vice-captain by England boss Sarina Wiegman for this global showpiece. Earps claimed she only realised her shirt would not be made available by manufacturer Nike in April, and said she has since been “fighting behind closed doors” to find a solution before England open their campaign on Saturday against Haiti but to no avail. The Euro 2022 champion said: “I can’t really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. “It is very, on a personal level, it is obviously hugely hurtful considering the last 12 months especially – and also I think there has been an incredible rise in goalkeeping participation over that year. “I go into grassroots clubs and I am asked to bribe people to go into goal, and I have been to more clubs recently and that’s not been the case. “A lot of that has come off the back of the Euros but also some of my success this year. “For my own family and friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they are going to come out and wear normal clothes and I know that sounds like: ‘Oh Mary, what a horrible problem,’ but on a personal level that is really hard. “You know, (England captain) Millie (Bright) spoke to me a couple of weeks ago or maybe a bit longer and said: ‘Mary, my niece is desperate to get your shirt, where can I get it?’. I was like: ‘Yeah you can’t, it doesn’t exist’. “I think that is a huge problem, and I think it is a scary message that is being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that you are not important. “(Kids) are going to say: ‘Mum, dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?’ And they say: ‘I can’t but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.’ And so what you are saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important but you can be a striker if you want.” England men’s keeper Jordan Pickford also does not have a replica goalkeeper shirt available for purchase on the England store. Earps claimed she offered to fund the shirts herself and that the Football Association (FA) has supported her efforts, but said she was ultimately forced to produce her own limited edition t-shirt because she at the very least “wanted to create something that people could have for themselves” at the World Cup. The PA news agency understands that while the FA is involved in the design of England kits, the manufacturer ultimately determines the commercial direction of what is produced. PA has contacted Nike for comment.

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Six inmates at the downtown St. Louis jail are facing charges related to the abduction last week of a 73-year-old jail guard. Charging documents released Monday by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office offered insight into how the guard was taken hostage around 6 a.m. on Aug. 22. He was freed by a police SWAT team more than two hours later and treated at a hospital for minor injuries. Two inmates jailed on first-degree murder charges, Eric Williams and Anthony Newberry, were outside their cells helping the guard deliver breakfast trays to other inmates, charging documents stated. Williams allegedly began punching the guard, knocking him to the ground. The document said Newberry joined in the attack and the men pulled the guard to a shower area. Newberry allegedly took the guard's cell keys and began unlocking “all the cells in the pod,” charging documents stated. Dozens of inmates left their cells. Inmates Paul Mondaine and Earnest Lyons moved the guard to a table inside the pod, where he was handcuffed and had his legs shackled, documents stated. Newberry and Richard Bolden III smashed televisions, and inmates used pieces taken from the TVs, along with broom and mop handles, to make weapons, according to the documents. Mondaine allegedly used one of the handmade weapons, held it near the guard, and told him, “I’ll cut your throat if they come in here.” SWAT officers were able to free the guard shortly after 8 a.m., more than two hours after the abduction began. The motive behind the abduction remains under investigation but Corrections Director Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah said at a news conference Aug. 22 that one inmate demanded pizza. Interim Public Safety Director Chris Coyle said “less-than-lethal ammunition” was used on the inmates, but he did not elaborate. Coyle said two inmates suffered minor injuries inflicted by other inmates during the hostage situation. Five of the inmates are charged with first-degree kidnapping: Williams, 20; Newberry, 29; Mondaine, 29; Lyons, 21; and Cleveland Washington Jr. 21. Bolden, Newberry and Washington are charged with damaging the jail. Williams and Newberry also face assault charges. Mondaine also is charged with unlawful use of a weapon. The inmates do not yet have listed attorneys, according to Missouri's online court records. All are being held without bond. The abduction was the latest of several acts of violence inside the jail, known as the City Justice Center, which holds nearly 700 inmates. Advocates for inmates have long complained about conditions at the jail. It was the site of three uprisings among inmates between late 2020 and early 2021. In February 2021, inmates set fires, caused flooding, broke out fourth-floor windows and tossed chairs and other items through the broken glass. A guard also was attacked. Inmates again broke windows and set a fire during another riot in April 2021. A month later, Dale Glass, the embattled director of the jail, resigned.