FORMULA ONE returns this week after the summer break – and a void of news about Lewis Hamilton’s future.
After being told that a deal was close to being signed back in June, there has still been no pen put to paper, as the saga rumbles on.
At the Hungarian GP, Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two parties had “emotionally” agreed to sign – so why the hold up?
The likelihood is that the duration of the contract – expected to be two years – has been agreed. As well as the wages of around £50million a year.
However, the likely sticking point will centre on the amount of time Hamilton will be contractually obliged to be available for Mercedes’ sponsors.
Hamilton is in the box seat. He knows his worth to Mercedes in terms of his brand and is understandably willing to play hardball.
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On the other side, Mercedes are stuck in they have not really got an alternative. Mick Schumacher is not in the same league and a legal battle for McLaren’s Lando Norris could be messy.
Hamilton will be asked about the contract this week, but I am not holding my breath for a resolution just yet.
Meanwhile, Wolff suffered a fall during the summer break after coming off his bicycle. The Mercedes boss hurt his elbow but it expected to be at this week’s Dutch GP as the season resumes.
It is not the first time Wolff has hurt himself in a cycling accident. In 2014, he fractured his shoulder, collar bone, elbow and wrist after coming off while cycling along the Danube River.
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New kid on the grid
RED BULL RACING are out to catch the next Adrian Newey – after planning a new education centre at the team’s factory.
In an F1 first, the facility will be based at their HQ and will welcome students between nine and 14 with a goal of attracting them to careers in engineering, such as design whizz Newey, who has won eleven Constructors’ Championships with three different F1 teams.
In association with the Milton Keynes College Group, Red Bull want to use the popularity of the sport to encourage kids to study STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] subjects at school.
Zoe Mills, Red Bull Racing’s Head of Employee Experience said: “The utopia for us is where we have someone come to an interview and we ask them why they want to work for us and they say ‘it is because I went to the education centre and that is what inspired me to continue with my STEM subjects’.
“All the engineers are keen to get involved. For instance, if you look at our aerodynamics department, they will work with Milton Keynes College, who will break it down into a language that is easy to understand for nine-year-olds.”
Dutch dampener
Since returning to the F1 calendar in 2021, the Dutch GP has been blessed by sunshine – but this weekend’s race could be hit by rain.
Max Verstappen has won at the circuit for the past two years and a third victory would mean he equals Sebastian Vettel’s record of NINE consecutive wins.
Andretti sweaty as they wait for verdict
FORMULA ONE hopefuls Andretti expect to discover next month if their bid to join the grid in 2025 has been accepted.
Andretti teamed up with Cadillac and submitted an application, with F1 and the FIA now considering whether to increase the number of teams from 10 to 11.
There is currently some stiff opposition from some teams, who are not prepared to give up a share of the F1 prize pot.
Tile in the Bag as Fran takes it to the Max
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA dominated the MotoGP race in Austria last weekend and now has a 62-point advantage over Jorge Martin.
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The Ducati ace looks unstoppable and former MotoGP champion, Fabio Quartararo says the Italian is doing a “Verstappen” by winning everything.
He said: “No [I don’t see anyone stopping Bagnaia]. I think he’s a little bit ‘Verstappen’ now.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
