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      Lewis Hamilton hiking to the top of a mountain every morning to ‘set his goals’ as Mercedes contract saga rumbles on

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is maintaining his fitness ahead of the new Formula One season by hiking a mountain every day – while Mercedes contract talks remained deadlocked.
      In an Instagram post from his wilderness hideout in the United States, the Brit revealed he is continuing to ‘set his goals’.

      Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a winter of hiking in the United States

      But he gave no mention of the £40million contract saga that continues to rumble on between himself and seven-time F1 constructors’ champions Mercedes.
      Hamilton, 36, wrote: “Every morning I hike to the top of this mountain and I take some time to set my goals and intentions for the day.
      “I’ve been training every day and at these altitudes, I find it’s the perfect place to push my mind and body to new heights to prep myself for the year and season ahead.
      “Today, I’m sending you all positivity and light. I know these uncertain times can be dark but I want to ask that you don’t lose sight of your goals.

      “Let’s keep each other motivated and focused. I believe in you.”
      Hamilton may want to agree a new contract by March 12, when the new F1 season begins with testing in Bahrain.

      Merc will unveil their 2021 car before then with last season’s anti-racism black livery maintained following the world champ’s impressive year speaking out against inequality.
      Team principal Toto Wolff spoke earlier this month of ‘curveballs’ delaying a conclusion to negotiations.

      He said: “The lawyers are working hard. We don’t make life easy for them, of course, when we both argue over Zoom and keep sending curveballs to the lawyers.
      “But [Hamilton is] in America now and I’m here [in Austria]. At some point we will finalise it.
      “It’s how it is with negotiations. You always come from different corners, but that’s quite normal.”
      Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has told SunSport that Hamilton may want a bigger share of sponsorship deals and TV money that he helps to bring to the team.

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      Jordan explained: “Lewis is saying, ‘Look guys, this is my salary, is this what I am being paid as a driver and for various other things that go along with the interviews and other aspects?
      “‘But am I being compensated for bringing in sponsors? Am I being compensated for the arrival of Ineos?
      “‘Am I being compensated for the increased television income you are getting as the constructors’ champion in the form of TV money?’.”

      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reveals Lewis Hamilton arguing with Mercedes and curveballs thrown at lawyers in messy contract saga More

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      Jenson Button wants to turn George Russell into Britain’s next F1 champ after lending Williams a helping hand

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      JENSON BUTTON is ready to help turn George Russell into a future F1 world champion.
      Button has been drafted in by the Williams team as an experienced hand after they slumped at the back of the grid.

      Jenson Button has been drafted in by Williams after their slump to the back of the gridCredit: Reuters

      Jenson Button wants to turn Williams’ George Russell into a championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Button, 41, has been signed up by the team’s new owners, Dorilton Capital, to help their drivers Russell and Nicholas Latifi.
      And the 2009 world champion says he cannot wait to work with Russell, who nearly won the Sakhir GP when he stood in for Covid-struck Lewis Hamilton.
      He said: “I have a lot of respect for George and what he did in that race – I don’t know why the Universe didn’t allow him to win it, because it was his race.
      “It was sad he didn’t but maybe there was a reason for that and he has taken it on the chin.

      “I think you will see Williams improve over the next few years and hopefully George will still be with the team and he can build it around him.
      “I don’t know what is going to happen in F1 with the regulation change in 2022, Mercedes have a lot of talent in depth, but the new rules mix it up.
      “There is maximum in terms of what they can spend, which is great because it brings everyone closer together.
      “The big teams were spending three quarters of a billion and the smaller teams at 100 million.

      “I would like to see him stay at Williams because he can prove what he can do in a Mercedes.
      “He jumped in and on his first weekend he pulled an eight second lead on the guy pushing Lewis Hamilton.
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      George Russell filled in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain when the Mercedes driver had coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “We all know he has done something very special at Williams – out qualifying his teammate in every race – and he’s done it in the races as well.
      “I am sure there are frustrations as well and I am looking forward to spending some time with George to see how he thinks the team can improve.”
      Button will juggle his work with Williams in F1 with being the owner and driver for his team in Extreme E.
      The electric off-road series will race in the most remote parts of the world to raise awareness of climate change.
      Button will be going up against his former McLaren teammate, Lewis Hamilton and fellow F1 world champion Nico Rosberg, who also own teams in the series, which kicks off in the Saudi Arabian desert in April.
      He added: “I am going up against some greats like Sebastien Lobe and Carlos Sainz and people like that.
      “It is 550hp electric off-road vehicles competing against the best off-road drivers and we are racing in some of the most remote parts of the world.

      “Racing in those regions on brand news courses is exciting and also raising awareness to these areas that have been affected by climate change.
      “Plus, it is great to be racing against teams run by Lewis and Nico.You have three F1 world champions and I have no idea how many titles among all the drivers.
      “I know Lewis and Nico’s team’s will be competitive, not just because they are drivers but because of who they have running their cars.”

      Jenson Button says he is looking forward to return to Williams F1 team as senior advisor More

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      Lewis Hamilton stalling on £40m-a-year Mercedes contract as star wants 10% split of TV cash, says ex-F1 team boss Jordan

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      EDDIE JORDAN believes Lewis Hamilton is digging in his heels over a new Mercedes contract in a wrangle over money.
      Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract with the team despite insisting he was happy to commit to them.

      Reigning world champ Lewis Hamilton has yet to agree a new Mercedes deal, less than two months before the start of the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: PA

      Ex-F1 team chief Eddie Jordan reckons ‘a number of things’ are causing a hold-up over a possible new Mercedes deal for Brit Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA:Press Association

      Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two were in discussions over Zoom but admitted their talks had caused a few “curveballs” for the lawyers overseeing the deal.
      But former team boss Jordan believes the sticking points are over Hamilton’s worth to Mercedes, who recently announced petrochemical company, Ineos, had become a three-way owner alongside Mercedes Benz and Wolff.
      Jordan also says he understands the 36-year-old is pushing for a 10 percent share of the team’s TV revenue.
      He said: “There are a number of things that could be causing a hold up and there have been some changes with the team.

      “There are some things that are relevant at the moment in that Toto has been in isolation due to COVID and Lewis is in America, so these negotiations are being done on Zoom.
      “And number two, it is kind of complicated because Ineos, I believe, have bought into Mercedes because of the wealth of value that Lewis brings to that.
      “I am not saying they did that exclusively because of Lewis because he is not going to be there forever.
      “But the reality is it was a very important factor and you also have to factor in that people like Tommy Hilfiger, and sponsors like that, are only there because of Lewis.

      “I have a little snippet of information and Lewis is saying ‘look guys, this is my salary, is this what I am being paid as a driver and for various other things that go along with the interviews and other aspects?
      “‘But am I being compensated for bringing in sponsors? Am I being compensated for the arrival of Ineos?
      “‘Am I being compensated for the increased television income you are getting as the constructors’ champion in the form of TV money?'”
      Jordan says that Hamilton should also be focusing his attention on getting a slice of the lucrative TV payments Merc receive from F1.
      The Irishman points to the example being set in American sports where the top stars earn bonuses on top of their salaries.
      He added: “If I was his manager, I would be saying to Mercedes, ‘look, we add a lot of value to Mercedes’ overall income over the year. It is positively wrong to ignore that’.

      “I believe Lewis is looking for 10 percent of the team’s television money and it is hard to understand why he would not be worth that.
      “We are in the media and the amount of opportunities we have to interview Lewis are very slim. We stand in line like everybody else.
      “But he is the first one we all want. We are at the press conferences because we need Lewis as he is a value to me and you and everybody else.
      “It is like what is happening now in golf and basketball in America and the major stars are taking a piece off the top.
      “The world of economics is changing but one thing that is for sure is the value of Lewis Hamilton has increased, that’s a fact.”
      Jordan was speaking at the launch of his investment in travel and event app, Guestia, which allows event and travel companies to communicate with their guests and staff.

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      He said: “When I saw this presented to McLaren I thought, God, I need to be involved in this because I am an entrepreneur and this was the most compelling piece of technology in the business I know about.
      “We are talking about the F1 trucks leaving on a Sunday, the guys who are sent to set up the garages.
      “We are talking about football, rugby or cricket and when you have different groups of people travelling there needs to be a coordinated set of instructions.
      “If a plane gets delayed or a bus breaks down, you need to be able to change those instructions immediately.
      “We were always trying to find a system as most teams in F1 still go along with a guidebook and pieces of paper and that is old hat.
      “With this app you can even use it for people in the Paddock Club and, if there is a traffic jam outside, you can send a message to your guests to say hang on and enjoy another glass of Champagne rather than sitting in traffic.”

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      Unemployed Lewis Hamilton ‘arguing’ with Mercedes in messy contract saga with ‘curveballs’ thrown at lawyers

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has lifted the lid on Lewis Hamilton’s on-going contract saga saying ‘curveballs’ have been thrown at the lawyers. Hamilton is currently unemployed and out of contract after allowing his Merc deal wind down before it expired on December 31st. The 36-year-old had maintained that his intention was always to re-sign for […] More

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      Ferrari history as Maya Weug becomes first female to drive in F1 team’s driving academy aged just 16

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      FERRARI have signed up teenager Maya Weug – who has become the first female to join their driver academy.
      The 16-year-old won the FIA’s inaugural Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme, that was run in conjunction with the Ferrari driver academy and the governing body’s Women in Motorsport commission.

      Maya Weung is set to make history as the first female in Ferrari academyCredit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

      Weug clinched the spot after impressing on an evaluation day at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters last week.
      She has been given a seat to race in this year’s Formula 4 Championships.
      Ferrari boss, Mattia Binotto, said: “This is a key moment in the history of Scuderia Ferrari and its Academy, the FDA.
      “It was set up in 2019 to shape the drivers of the future for our Formula One team.

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      “Now, thanks to the partnership with the FIA in the Girls on Track-Rising Stars programme, for the first time, a female driver will join the Ferrari Driver Academy.
      “Over the course of this year, she will progress along with us.
      “She will also take part in one of the F4 Championships Certified by FIA, the category seen as the first step in single-seaters on the road to Formula One.

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      “Maya’s arrival is a clear indication of the Scuderia’s commitment to making motorsport increasingly inclusive, in line with the hashtag supported by the entire Formula One community, #weraceasone.”
      Weung, who was born in Spain to a Belgian mother and Dutch father, added: “It’s been my dream for so long, since I’ve started karting.
      “Being with Ferrari is amazing. Now being here and winning is unreal. It has been an amazing experience.”

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      Jenson Button makes emotional return to Williams F1 team as ‘senior advisor’ – 21 years after first signing for them

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      JENSON BUTTON has returned to the Williams F1 team – 21 years after first signing for them. The 2009 world champion will become the team’s ‘senior advisor’ after agreeing a multi-year agreement. Button, who subsequently drove for Benetton, BAR, Honda, McLaren, and Brawn where he claimed the world title, has been appointed to help out […] More

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      Max Verstappen is better than Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes star would struggle in his car, claims Brit Red Bull boss

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN is better than Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes champ would struggle if they had to swap cars, claims Red Bull boss Christian Horner. Brit chief Horner – married to former Spice Girl Geri – reckons fellow Englishman George Russell’s outing in Hamilton’s car last season proved Verstappen, 23, is superior. Seven-time world champion […] More

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      Lewis Hamilton offered Ferrari F1 drive… in 50-year-old car belonging to former driver Paolo Barilla

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been offered a drive in a Ferrari F1 car… from 50 years ago. Speculation has been rife around the future of the out-of-contract superstar. Hamilton, 36, has often been linked with a move to Ferrari down the years, although is expected to eventually re-sign with Mercedes. But he could end up taking […] More