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Netflix reveal first look at Squid Game series two as terrifying show returns after three years off air

NETFLIX has revealed a terrifying new trailer for the upcoming second series of Squid Game after it first premiered three years ago. 

Since its release, Netflix viewers have been left wanting more and they’re finally going to get it as Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) re-enters the game.

a group of people wearing pink suits and masks with triangles on them
TNI Press
Netflix has revealed the terrifying trailer for Squid Game 2[/caption]
a computer generated image of a maze with the letter n in the middle
TNI Press
The second series picks up three years later with Gi-hun on a mission to destroy the game[/caption]
a man in a hooded jacket says we are ready to start the game
TNI Press
The new series will see new and familiar faces return to the game[/caption]

Mirroring real life, the second series of Squid Game takes place three years after the first. It follows Gi-Hun as he “remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport.”

But his mission stalls as he realises the only way he can end Squid Game for good is by re-entering it.

The new trailer teases this as viewers initially see Gi-hun free before a masked figure shows up. 

Gi-hun tries to resist, pointing a gun at the mysterious agent, but moments later the trailer cuts to him back in the game with the show’s eerie music playing over.

Lee Jung-jae returns as Seong Gi-hun, Player 456. He is joined by Lee Byung-hun as Front Man, the Squid Game’s overseer, Wi Ha-Joon as Hwang Jun-ho and Gong Yoo as the salesman and Squid Game recruiter. 

Premiering on Netflix on December 26, Squid Game 2 will continue on from the events of series one

After winning the games, Gi-hun chose not to return to his family but to try to end the game once and for all. 

Meanwhile, the fate of Jun-ho still hangs in the balance after he was shot by Front Man, who turned out to be his brother. 

Once back in the game, Gi-hun will meet a new group of competitors played by Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won and Won Ji-an. 

The highly anticipated series captivated fans across the globe and became the site’s biggest ever show in an unexpected move of success.

“It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk teased in a letter to the program’s fans.

The Korean drama was watched by 111 million users in its first 28 days, knocking Bridgerton (82 million) off the top spot.

The creator promises to bring the same level of thrilling drama to Squid Game 2, despite previously confirming that Gi-Hun would be a very different character in the second series.

Speaking about this change in an interview with Radio Times, Lee admitted: “I think the script for season 2 is even more interesting than season 1, and there is going to be a new set of characters as well.

Squid Game series 2 cast

Squid Game captivated viewers around the globe when it premiered in 2021. Three years later its returning for a second series with both new and familiar faces.

Reprising their roles from series one are:

  • Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, Player 456
  • Lee Byung-hun as Front Man, the Squid Game’s overseer
  • Wi Ha-Joon as Hwang Jun-ho
  • Gong Yoo as the salesman and Squid Game recruiter

The new cast members include:

  • Yim Si-wan
  • Kang Ha-neul
  • Park Sung-hoon
  • Yang Dong-geun
  • Park Gyu-young
  • Jo Yu-ri
  • Kang Ae-sim
  • Lee David
  • Lee Jin-uk
  • Choi Seung-hyun
  • Roh Jae-won
  • Won Ji-an

“So I think the audience is going to be really excited about it.

“One thing I felt while reading the script is that there is an even deeper emotion that’s discovered within season 2, and also I think the audience will feel like, ‘Where is this story going?’

“Because there’s so many twists and turns that happen,” he teased.

TNI Press
Instead of returning to his family, Gi-hun launches a misson to end the game once and for all[/caption]
the number 456 is on the back of a person 's jacket
TNI Press
But he soon finds himself back in it as Player 456[/caption]
a group of people standing in front of a building with chinese writing on it
TNI Press
Squid Game return to screens later this year[/caption]

Squid Game 2 premieres on 26 December 2024. Series 1 is available to stream on Netflix.

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Man Utd appoint group who designed Wembley Stadium and incredible World Cup arena to develop Old Trafford ‘masterplan’

MANCHESTER UNITED have appointed a world-renowned architecture group to design a new stadium for the Old Trafford area.

Foster + Partners will be tasked with developing a “masterplan” for the club-owned land.

an empty manchester united stadium with red seats
Rex
Man Utd have appointed a global architecture group to design a ‘masterplan’ for Old Trafford[/caption]
an aerial view of the manchester united stadium
Getty
United want to build a ‘world-class football destination and home’[/caption]

Officials want to build a “world-class football destination and home” for Man Utd fans.

They also wish to incorporate a wider plan comprising mixed-use developments that will benefit the local community, attract new residents, increase job provision, and make it a vibrant destination for visitors both from the UK and across the world.

United have promised to remain engaged with fans, community members, local authorities and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force throughout the process.

The design of the actual stadium, which will sit at the heart of the area, will be completed when wider plans are determined.

Discussing the new partnership, Lord Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, said: “As a proud Mancunian, I am passionate about the chance to rebuild on Manchester’s great industrial heritage, creating a vibrant new mixed-use community, served by highly sustainable and improved transport links, providing homes and jobs for the local community, all catalysed by a world-class stadium for the world’s most famous football team – Manchester United.”

Lord Foster is already involved with the £50million refurbishment of Man Utd’s Carrington training complex.

Foster + Partners assisted with the development of Wembley Stadium in London, widely regarded as the home of English football.

The company also helped to develop the Lusail Stadium, which hosted the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

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New United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been desperate to transform the club’s home into a “Wembley of the North” since taking over at the start of this year.

Collette Roche, the club’s chief operating officer, said: “We have a clear vision to transform and revitalise the club-owned land around Old Trafford and we know that Foster + Partners is the best partner to help us develop the plans.

“This is an area of Greater Manchester ready for major new investment so that it can thrive once more, and we are determined to help deliver those outcomes. 

“We want this area to become a true destination, that not only provides an unbeatable matchday experience for our fans, but also supports other forms of entertainment, leisure, business and residential facilities surrounding a world-class stadium.

“Lord Foster has unrivalled experience in delivering projects of this scale and ambition.”

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Legendary 80s band announce their first new album in 16 years by putting up poster in local pub

A LEGENDARY 80s rock band have announced their first album in 16 years – with a poster in their local pub.

Fans were stunned to spot the low-key announcement placed in a frame outside The Railway Inn in Crawley, West Sussex.

A poster has appeared outside The Railway. A pub in Crawley. The English town where The Cure formed! If the band are behind this then it's fitting that they've announced what's said to be their final work in the place where it all began in 1978
A legendary 80s group used the pub where they played their first gig to announce a new album
Dan Jessup / Eddie Mitchell
A poster has appeared outside The Railway. A pub in Crawley. The English town where The Cure formed! If the band are behind this then it's fitting that they've announced what's said to be their final work in the place where it all began in 1978
Their 14th studio album will be released in Novemer
Dan Jessup / Eddie Mitchell
British rock band The Cure (British musician Porl Thompson, British singer-songwriter and musician Robert Smith, British keyboard player Roger O'Donnell, British bass player Simon Gallup, British drummer and keyboard player Lol Tolhurst, and French-British drummer Boris Williams)) attend the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, held at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California, 6th September 1989.  (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
The Cure was formed by Robert Smith – second from left – in 1978
Getty

The venue was where The Cure played their first gig in 1978, before the group went on to sell more than 30 million records.

And – 16 years after their 13th album 4:13 Dream – The Cure are back with Songs of a Lost Word.

The posted simply revealed the EPs name and release date, which is November 1.

Crawley is where the band was formed more than three decades ago.

Founding members Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey and Lol Tolhurst met at Notre Dame middle school in the West Sussex town.

Michael left the band in 1979 and Lol followed a year later.

The group is currently made up of Robert, Simon Gallup, Roger O’Donnell, Perry Bamonte, Jason Cooper and Reeves Gabrels.

Robert addressed the line-up changes during a TV interview in 2002.

He said: “In my own mind there have been five bands called The Cure that I’m in… The Cure has been an unusual band.

We will never shake the goth tag – I still have to field questions about being the godfather of goth.

“We cover a breadth of material but we’re pigeonholed despite that. I can live with it because I know that anyone who’s into the band knows there’s slightly more to it than doom and gloom.”

The Cure are known for hits including Lovesong and Lullaby.

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Оригінальні смачні омлети, з якими ранок стане ще приємнішим: 14 швидких рецептів

Що може бути кращим, ніж омлет для сніданку? Він швидкий і легкий у приготуванні, до того ж дає можливість отримати потрібні для організму поживні речовини. Тому, якщо ви хочете розпочати свій день правильно і насолодитися смачним і поживним сніданком, то вам варто спробувати наші 14 рецептів оригінальних смачних омлетів. Тут є як класичні, так і […]

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Як використовувати мед як укорінювач: докладна інструкція від досвідчених дачників

Такий продукт як мед, який славиться своїми корисними властивостями, може використовуватися не тільки в кулінарії. Досвідчені садівники та городники замінюють їм покупний коренеутворювач для рослин. Подробиці Завдяки своєму унікальному складу, що включає масу різноманітних поживних речовин та мікроелементів, результати використання меду в процесі вкорінення живців не можуть не тішити своєю ефективністю. Все, що від вас […]

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Is your favourite top? The UK’s best theme parks revealed – with record-breaking rollercoasters and reimagined rides

THORPE Park has been named the country’s best theme park by the Great British public.

The UK Theme Park Awards took place last night, with the Surrey-based park bagging the top spot.

a group of people posing for a picture in front of a roller coaster
Alamy
Thorpe Park has been named the best theme park in the country[/caption]
a roller coaster with the word hyperia on it
Alamy
Thorpe Park’s Hyperia also bagged the top spot for the best new attraction[/caption]

The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com who publish independent consumer guides to theme parks.

Theme parks were ranked after more than 360,000 votes were cast by the public.

These votes were then combined with the scores from expert judges to rank the country’s best theme parks.

Awards were spread across 22 categories, including the Best New Attraction, the Best Theme Park for Families, the Best Seaside Park and the New Park of the Year.

Thorpe Park beat the likes of Alton Towers and Drayton Manor to be named the best theme park in the country for 2024.

The Surrey-based theme park, which first opened to the public in 1979, also took first place for the best new attraction, Hyperia.

Hyperia opened to the public earlier this year, becoming the country’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.

Standing at a whopping 236ft tall, the hypercoaster claims to be the UK’s tallest, swiping the crown from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One by just a few inches.

It also smashes coaster speed records, reaching break-neck speeds of 81mph.

Hyperia wasn’t the only new addition this year, with American-themed Big Easy Boulevard also opening this year.

The new area replaced the park’s Angry Birds land, which had been in place at the park for ten years.

Big Easy Boulevard is based around New Orleans and has several rides, as well as a 4D cinema.

Detonator, a drop tower ride that sends people plummeting 100ft, remains in the area from the Angry Birds land – although it has been rebranded to fit in with its new surroundings.

Other rides at the theme park include Stealth, the UK’s fastest launch coaster, and Vortex, a giant pendulum that swings riders through the air.

Drayton Manor’s Gold Rush took second place as the best new attraction at a UK theme park, with Legoland’s Minifigure Speedway coming in at third.

OTHER AWARD WINNERS

people are riding a roller coaster that has a devil on it
PA
Nemesis Reborn was named the Best Reimagined Attraction[/caption]

Nemesis Reborn

Other winners of the night included Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers, which was named the Best Reimagined Attraction.

Nemesis was first unleashed to the public in March 1994 and has become a favourite among thrill-seekers since.

However, it closed in November 2022 for retracking and for other changes to be made to the rollercoaster.

After undergoing the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history, the ride was renamed Nemesis Reborn.

You can read our world-first review of Nemesis Reborn here.

a hot air balloon ride with a pig on top of it
Alamy
Paultons Park bagged the top spot for the Best Theme Park for Families and Toddlers[/caption]

Paultons Park

Paultons Park bagged the top spot for the Best Theme Park for Families and Toddlers.

Paultons Park features more than 70 rides, including roller coasters, family rides, and attractions.

It is also known for being the home of Peppa Pig World, voted the No.1 theme park on TripAdvisor.

Guests will find Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, The Queen’s Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, and Peppa’s Big Balloon in the Peppa Pig World.

Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.

Peppa Pig World isn’t the only attraction at Paultons Park, as there’s also Tornado Spring, a world set in a midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.

Other themed worlds include the Lost Kingdom, Critter Creek, and Little Africa.

a roller coaster at an amusement park has a sign that says ' thunderbolt ' on it
Alamy
Drayton Manor topped the list as the UK’s Best Value Theme Park[/caption]

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor topped the list as the UK’s Best Value Theme Park.

The park is already considered to be among the more affordable resorts in the UK, with UK Family Break previously describing it as “the ideal place for an unforgettable cheap family day out”.

Drayton Manor is home to more than 50 attractions, Stormforce 10
River Rapids, Thor, Accelorator, Thomas and Percy’s Submarine Splash
and The Bounty Pirate Ship.

The Sun's review of Hyperia at Thorpe Park

The Sun’s Lee Bell visited Thorpe Park to try the new ride out. Here’s what he thought…

“I was able to ride the steel monster three times, experiencing its exhilarating speeds in the middle of the train, at the front and then, for my last (and best) ride, right at the back.

“First impressions: it’s unlike any other rollercoaster in the UK right now.”Not only for the obvious reason that it’s over double the height, but its focus on flinging riders out of their seats and experiencing ‘weightlessness’.

“It’s no surprise that the first drop is what really steals the show on this rollercoaster.

“While it’s the tallest in the country, it’s unique in that it twists riders 180 degrees while they plummet down a huge vertical drop right before reaching the ground at top speeds of over 80mph.

“The back row is easily the best place to experience this, since you’re catapulted over the crest of the drop at speed, and right into the drop with a free-fall-like feeling.

“It’s an incredible ride that will make you want to ride it again and again.”It’s certainly a coaster that can compete with some of the best in Europe and is easily, in my experience, the best the UK has to offer.”

Meanwhile, this new theme park with 25 attractions has opened in Europe – and flights are only £15.

And here are five European theme parks that are alternatives to Disneyland.

a group of peppa pigs standing in front of a ferris wheel
paultonspark.co.uk
Paultons Park is the home of Peppa Pig World[/caption]
a roller coaster with a sign that says ' a ' on it
Alamy
Hyperia (pictured) is the tallest and fastest theme park in the UK[/caption]

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Exact code to spot when £300 DWP winter fuel payment hits bank accounts

THOUSANDS of pensioners are being urged to look out for an exact code when their winter fuel payment lands in accounts within weeks.

The winter fuel payment, which is worth up to £300, is made to pensioners to help them with the cost of energy bills during the colder months.

a woman holds a handful of coins including one that says ' elizabeth ii ' on it
PA
Thousands of pensioners are being urged to look out for a winter fuel payment code[/caption]

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much you will receive.

Payments are then made automatically in November or December.

The winter fuel payment used to be available to anyone of state pension age, currently 66, but has been scrapped for millions after the government changed the eligibility criteria.

Those still eligible for the winter fuel payment should look out for a particular code in their bank statement to see if the payment has been made.

For those living in England and Wales, the payment will show up as the customer’s National Insurance (NI) number followed by “DWP WFP”.

For those in Northern Ireland it will show up as the person’s NI number followed by “DFC WFP”.

So, if you live in England and your NI number is QQ123456B the payment would show up as QQ123456B DWP WFP.

If you are expecting a winter fuel payment, make sure you are checking your bank account to see if it is has been made before contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

What is the winter fuel payment and who is eligible?

The winter fuel payment is made to state pensioners on certain government benefits to cover the cost of energy bills over the colder months.

Households tend to use more energy over the winter because it’s darker and colder so people blast up their heating.

The payment is usually made in November or December and is automatic meaning you don’t have to apply.

It used to be that those on Universal Credit with a joint claim where one member was over the state pension age had to apply to receive the payment, but this cohort will be paid automatically this year.

To qualify for this year’s payment, you need to be of state pension age and receiving one of the following benefits:

  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

You need to have an active claim for the above benefits during the “qualifying week” – this runs from September 16 to 22 this year.

You only need to apply for the winter fuel payment this year if:

  • you moved to an eligible country before January 1, 2021
  • you were born before September 23, 1958
  • you have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK and having family in the UK

To claim by post, you’ll need to fill in the winter fuel payment claim form and post it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

This will be available at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim from September 30.

Households will also be able to claim by phone from October 28. The number to call is 0800 731 0160.

The deadline to claim for this winter is March 31, 2025.

Avoid missing out on the winter fuel payment

There are hundreds of thousands eligible for Pension Credit that haven’t yet made a claim which will qualify them for the winter fuel payment.

Claims on the benefit can be backdated too, meaning you don’t have to make a claim until December 21 to get the up to £300 payment.

Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.

This is known as the “guarantee credit”.

If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.

However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any number of benefits including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

You might also qualify for the “savings credit” part of Pension Credit if you reached the state pension age before April 6, 2016, and saved some money for retirement, for example into a personal or workplace pension.

How much is the payment?

Payments last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.

This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300. 

However, this year, it will be worth £200 for those eligible aged 66 to 79 or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 or over.

That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.

The letter you are sent in October or November will tell you how much you’ll get and which bank account it will be paid into.

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz swears in live TV gaffe… in same week FIA president tried to crack down on swearing

TED KRAVITZ made an unfortunate gaffe as he was heard swearing live on TV… just days after the FIA president ordered drivers to cut back on profanities.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem caught the ire of Formula One drivers after complaining about the amount of swearing heard on live broadcasts during races.

a close up of a race car with sponsors such as hp and santander
Sky Sports F1
Ted Kravitz made a gaffe live on TV by swearing after stumbling over his words[/caption]
a close up of a race car with sponsors such as hp and santander
Sky Sports F1
It came as he was doing a report live on air for Ferrari’s upgrades for the Singapore GP[/caption]
a man holding a microphone in front of a race car that says ' sky sports ' on it
Sky Sports F1
Kravitz was heard mumbling ‘f***ing hell, sorry’[/caption]
a man wearing a blue shirt and sunglasses has a lanyard around his neck that says ' alonso ' on it
Sky Sports F1
Kravitz issued a grovelling apology afterwards[/caption]

He had said: “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know.

“They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”

Lewis Hamilton claimed there was a “racial element” to the comments, while Max Verstappen blasted, “are we five”, in his own fiery response.

However, Sky Sports F1 reporter Kravitz is the next star to be caught out by the new no-swearing rule, after he uncharacteristically stumbled over his words at the Singapore Grand Prix.

While appearing live on TV before Free Practice One, Kravitz was doing a report on the upgrades Ferrari had brought to the race.

But the fan favourite struggled to get his words out while talking about the Scuderia’s new front wing.

He stopped mid-sentence but could then be heard mumbling: “F***ing hell, sorry. Let’s do that again.”

Kravitz later issued an apology in light of his earlier X-rated slip of the tongue.

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He said: “Apologies from my side… I seek perfection but sometimes I don’t get it.

“And if I mess up a first take and then I’m frustrated by myself sometimes there’s a naughty word that comes out.

“Obviously that was never meant to be played, that’s our mistake, we’re owning that.

“I apologise that take that was not supposed to play, got played out. This happens in television sometimes, so apologies for that, we seek to do better next time.”

While the veteran F1 reporter may have not been too impressed by the slip-up, fans saw the funny side.

Taking to social media, one fan said: “I just started watching and laughed so hard when I heard him say it.”

A second said: “The FIA banning swearing from drivers and then Ted Kravitz having the wrong take aired on Sky of him just swearing is so f***ing funny.”

Savage sackings in F1

THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.

Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.

But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.

Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.

Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.

Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT.

F1 2025 grid

Here are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:

Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli

McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Williams: Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz

Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBC

Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan

RB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBC

Haas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon

Another said: “Can’t believe they played one of @tedkravitz outtakes on the Ferrari front wing.”

A fourth added: “A Ted Whoops… love it! So natural!”

A fifth said: “Come on then @Ben_Sulayem & the @fia, you gonna summon @tedkravitz as well? What a world we live in when adults get told off for swearing.”

Another said: “That bit with Ted Kravitz in the build-up to FP1 on Sky just proves we’re all human and that even the best reporters make mistakes.

“All forgiven Ted, one of the best and most legendary reporters in F1 history.”

Kravitz, 50, has worked on Sky Sports coverage of F1 since 2012.

He previously worked for BBC and ITV when they broadcast the motorsport.

🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁

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