News

Mercedes not thinking of Plan B in case Hamilton quits F1

Published

2 months ago

April 19, 2023

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Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, and the team and driver have yet to agree on a contract extension.

While there were hopes of a quick resolution to the issue last winter, discussions have been put on hold until Wolff and Hamilton can set aside a suitable time for talks.

But with Hamilton not making a firm commitment to his plans for 2024, Mercedes could face the prospect of not having a suitable replacement available if the seven-time world champion later decides not to continue racing.

Mercedes wants Hamilton to commit to a new deal, but Wolff insists he is too relaxed about the situation to even consider any back-up options.

Wolff said of Hamilton’s situation in an exclusive interview with Autosport: “I think it might sound naive, but it’s really hard for me to think of plan B if my plan A is still my favorite plan. plan.

“I don’t want to have discussions with the other drivers because I’m happy with the drivers in the team, that’s for sure. At the moment, there’s no plan B. It’s Lewis.”

While Wolff admits that if Hamilton does opt out, it would not be ideal if Mercedes had to shop around for a new driver later in the year, he believes such a late call will not happen.

“I think he’ll tell us sooner rather than later,” Wolff added. “I don’t think Lewis is going to say: ‘I can’t do this anymore. I’m leaving here tomorrow.’

Mercedes-AMG Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff and Mercedes-AMG Team’s Lewis Hamilton

Photography: Steve Etherington/ motorsport pictures

“He will always feel a responsibility towards the team. He will not leave the team alone. Drivers can always make decisions (like that) but he will not let us down.

“However, I think if you believe that you are an attractive team for other people, you will find a solution.”

While Hamilton’s start to the season has not been as he had hoped, he says his mentality is to stay in F1 for a few more years.

Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he said: “I love this team and I am very grateful to everyone who has been with me on this team.

“I’m not going anywhere else, I don’t see myself giving up, I don’t see myself as a quitter.

News

This is the time difference between Pirelli tyres in Spain

Published

13 mins ago

June 3, 2023

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The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit places high demands on the tires of the F1 cars. Pirelli therefore brought the new C1 tire to the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time this weekend. Pirelli also said teams must increase tire pressure by one point.

News

Haas needs to “stay cool” after F1 Spanish GP practice showing

Published

15 mins ago

June 3, 2023

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Hulkenberg, who has not raced for Barcelona at Renault since 2019, finished his second practice session on Friday afternoon behind Fernando Alonso and Red Bull pacesetter Max Verstappen.

The returning German still hadn’t completed the final corner at 170 mph, and he ended up clocking 0.27 seconds in 1 meter 14.177 seconds. The next 12 cars finished 15th behind his teammate Kevin Magnussen by 0.536 seconds.

Hulkenberg, who was only 18th in FP1, believes his performances in FP2 are “real”, although he expects other teams to find their pace in Saturday’s game.

He therefore called on his team to “remain calm and realistic” despite the exciting result.

Insight: What we learned from Friday’s practice for the F1 2023 Spanish GP

Hülkenberg said: “I think it looks real, but I guess the others didn’t play well, they didn’t play well.

“In particular, there are a lot of top cars and I think they’ll find something or pick it up overnight. We’ve got to be calm and realistic.”

Hulkenberg, who is yet to reach the podium in F1, believes Haas is better suited to Barcelona’s permanent circuit, having finished only 17th in Monaco last time around (with a 10-second penalty for a pit stop error), despite Use a car with an upgraded front wing in the Principality.

He continued: “For me it was important to have a good feeling in the car, a good rhythm.

“I managed to find it today and that’s the most important thing for me and for the driver.

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

“Obviously, I hope to have an equally good day tomorrow. Just squeezing out what we have.

“But it’s going to get tense again. Even with the Q3 battle, if you see it in midfield, there are still four or five teams and we’re all fighting over the same tarmac.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough battle again… Naturally here too, the car is just in a happier place. It immediately makes me feel better than a week ago in Monaco.”

He added: “It feels good, especially that lap. The new padding gives you more grip on the lap.

“Especially with FP2, I think we’ve gained some performance. In FP1, it’s not quite there yet.”

Meanwhile, Magnussen, who was seventh in FP1, believes a late set-up tweak affected his speed.

News

Alonso vs Verstappen; who beats whom? 'Man, that is hard'

Published

35 mins ago

June 3, 2023

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While Fernando Alonso is not yet in contention for a win in 2023, the Spaniard’s performance in a relatively strong Aston Martin looks like a comeback. Even with a slightly better car, the nearly 42-year-old F1 driver could take on Max Verstappen, a fight everyone including Pedro de la Rosa would love to see.