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Spanish Grand Prix:What Lewis Hamilton Said After Mercedes Man Finished 5th
Lewis Hamilton says his recovery to finish fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix feels “better than a win”.
The seven-time champion impressively fought back from a puncture on the first lap which saw him drop to 19th.
With team-mate George Russell finishing third it marked an improved weekend for Mercedes, who have struggled with their car in the opening five races.
“To have that problem and come back it felt like some of the older races I’ve done,” Hamilton said.
“It feels amazing.”
Hamilton collided with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap in Barcelona and when he rejoined at the back of the field after his enforced pit stop he despondently suggested retiring the car to preserve the engine, such was the gap to the leaders.
But he responded with a fine drive and was on course to finish fourth until he had to slow down in the closing laps because of a coolant leak, which allowed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to retake a position Hamilton had taken shortly beforehand.
“I was thinking it was impossible to get back into points but the team said no you’re on for eighth,” Hamilton said. “I thought they were being super-optimistic.
“I’m glad we didn’t [retire] and it just shows you never stop and never give up and that’s what I did.
“A race like that is like a win, and it actually feels better than a win most often when you have come from so far back.”
Hamilton is sixth in the championship on 46 points. Russell is fourth with 74
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the grand prix with team-mate Sergio Perez second ahead of Russell after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc retired from the lead with an engine problem.
An upgrade to the Mercedes car in Spain featured a redesigned floor which seems to have eliminated the most significant problem the the car has had so far – a high-speed bouncing created by aerodynamic disruption on the straights, known as ‘porpoising‘.
In the opening five races Mercedes only had two podium finishes – Hamilton in the season opener in Bahrain and Russell in Australia three weeks later – with Hamilton often cutting a frustrated figure.
“We have made a lot of improvements with the car and the race pace is much better, the car is much nicer in the race, we have some improvements to make in qualifying,” Hamilton said.
“If I hadn’t had that [issue at the start], I would have been fighting with the Red Bulls.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Hamilton’s performance reminded him of those from his previous title-winning seasons.
“Him showing this very good pace was important for not only his morale but also our morale,” Wolff said.
“Who would have thought he would climb all the way to fourth before the problem and that looked like a World Championship-winning race car he was driving.
“That would have not been possible in the previous races, it reminded me of last year and the year before when the car and driver is really on the top of its game.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to take place later this year.
The CAF aawards celebrates outstanding performances and achievements across African football, recognising excellence among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.
This year’s shortlist features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents who have made remarkable contributions to African football over the past season.
Nigerian players such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo headline the women’s nominations, while Nigerian clubs and coaches also appear in various categories — reflecting the country’s continued influence in African football.
Below is the full list of nominees in the women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025:
CAF Awards: Women’s Player of the Year
- Portia Boakye
- Tabitha Chawinga
- Temwa Chawinga
- Ghizlane Chebbak
- Mama Diop
- Rasheedat Ajibade
- Esther Okoronkwo
- Sanaa Mssoudy
- Barba Banda
- Racheal Kundananji
Women’s Club of the Year
- Gaborone United
- ASEC Mimosas
- TP Mazembe
- USFAS Bamako
- ASFAR
- DE Agosto
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Bayelsa Queens FC
- Aigles De La Medina
- JKT Queens
Women’s National Team of the Year
- Cameroon U17
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast U17
- Mali
- Morocco
- Nigeria U17
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Zambia U17
Women’s Young Player of the Year
- Habiba Essam
- Habiba Sabry
- Stella Nyamekye
- Doha El Madani
- Winfrida Gerald
- Ester Maseke Marwa
- Adji Ndiaye
- Shakirat Moshood
- Mercy Chipasula
- Ruth Mukoma
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Chloe N’Gazi
- Sedilame Boseja
- Fideline Ngoy
- Habiba Emad
- Chiamaka Nnadozie
- Khadija Er-Rmichi
- Fatoumata Karentao
- Cynthia Konlan
- Adji Ndiaye
- Andile Dlamini
Coach of the Year (Women)
- Adelaide Koudougnon
- Siaka Gigi Traore
- Lamia Boumehdi
- Genoveva Anonman
- Justine Madugu
- Bankole Olowookere
- Jorge Vilda
- Kim Bjorkegren
- Desiree Ellis
- Carol Kanyemba
Nigerian-born Beninese international Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday, August 19, by his former Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF.
In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), the club wrote: “Helsingborgs IF is in mourning.
“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Omotoyossi, who switched nationality to represent Benin after starting his career in the Nigerian league, became one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.
He scored 21 goals in 55 international appearances, placing him among Benin’s all-time top scorers.
He is fondly remembered for his performance during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo and finished as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Samuel Eto’o.
He also made history as the first player to score for Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
At club level, Omotoyossi had a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France.
He particularly excelled at Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League before moving to French side FC Metz.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have arrived Abuja following their successful outing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, JomogNews reports.
Players and officials of the team arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday afternoon.
They will hold a trophy parade along popular districts in the Federal Capital Territory.
The contingent is expected to move through Airport Road, Berger Junction, Maitama and Wuse Market.
The Super Falcons will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa later in the day.
Nigeria won a record-extending 10th WAFCON title on Saturday night following a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.
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