Mercedes-Benz

LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned Mercedes won’t hang around in picking their driver line up for 2022.The world champion stalled on agreeing new terms for this season to the point he was eventually out of contract.
Toto Wolff has warned Lewis Hamilton that Mercedes will not wait around to pick their F1 driver team for 2022Credit: PA
However, with the sport introducing the biggest rule change in its history next season, Merc boss Toto Wolff is eager to nail-down his driver pairing early.
It comes after McLaren boss Zak Brown predicted that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could join the team alongside George Russell in an all-new line up.
That would mean Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both getting the boot and while Wolff would not be drawn on the speculation, he did admit they needed a quick decision.
He said: “I want to keep out of the discussion about who is going to drive for Mercedes but we don’t want to leave it until January to confirm our two drivers.
“Valtteri was pretty regular in terms of the summer announcement last year, which is when it should happen to give the driver some peace of mind and be able to concentrate on the job.
“Next year, there are a lot of balls in the air and we will always try to do the best for the team in the long term while also giving total loyalty to our current driver line up.
“We do not doubt Valtteri or Lewis but obviously discussions are going to happen but not in January next year.”
Hamilton, who only agreed a 10-month deal with Merc, said on Thursday that this year did not ‘feel like it is the end’.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

However, cryptically he added: “Only the next eight months or so will let me know and I’ll find out if I’m ready to stop or not. I don’t think I will, personally. But you never know.”
But Wolff, who joined Mercedes in 2014 the same year as Hamilton arrived from McLaren, is hopeful the Brit does stay on for another year.
When asked about Hamilton’s desire to remain with the team, Wolff said: “I hope so.
“The journey we have had together has been very successful. He has been a Mercedes driver since he was a kid and in his karting years.
“He has never raced a single weekend in Formula One without a Mercedes power unit so it is the logical continuation of the story.”
The speculation stemmed from Brown’s comment as Hamilton, Bottas and Russell are all out of contract at the end of the year.
And Verstappen’s Red Bull deal is understood to contain exit clauses that Merc could exploit.
Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
Brown said: “Someone asked me what I thought the driver market would look like next year.
“I believe Geroege is out of contract and has a Mercedes relationship and did a great job in Bahrain last year.
“And Max, I have never seen his contract but understand there is a possibility for him to drive elsewhere.
“Mercedes and Toto are able to attract an awesome line up, so if those two were available and floating around, depending on what Toto does with his current line up, you can see that happening.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen laid down an early marker of intent after topping both practice sessions for the season opener in Bahrain.
The Dutchman was quickest in FP1 and FP2 ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Hamilton, who was third-quickest.

What does the 2021 Grand Prix hold for Lewis Hamilton More

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON rode into the 2021 season and says he’s excited to fight for a record eighth world title.The Mercedes ace, who picked up a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, has the chance to become F1’s undisputed champion.
Sir Lewis prepares for Bahrain practice todayCredit: Alamy
The champ is more excited than he has been ‘for a long time’ about a new seasonCredit: Alamy
The Brit already has the most wins (95), poles (98) and podiums (165) but can move clear of the joint-record of titles he holds with Michael Schumacher.
But he faces a fight from rampant Red Bull, who look revived after the winter, and Hamilton says this season is not going to be a walkover.
He said: “I love what I’m doing and I arrive more excited for the season than I have for a long time.
“I’m excited to get going. We are going to have a really great battle one way or another. That’s what I’ve always loved.
“We are not currently the fastest…I can’t tell you, I’m so excited to have that challenge.
“Seeing some of the other teams close again is going to be great for fans and I love that collaboration with the men and women in my team and trying to get to our common goal.”
Hamilton juggled last season with fighting for a number of good causes and says he will continue to kneel before races to extend his commitment to ending racism.
He added: “I plan to continue to take the knee because what’s really important is when young children are watching, they see what we’re doing.
“When they see us taking the knee, they’ll ask their parents or teachers, ‘Why are they doing that? What are they taking the knee for?’
BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

“It sparks an uncomfortable conversation. It means parents have to educate themselves and the kids.
“It’s a fight that’s not won, it’s a fight that will continue on for a long time I’m sure, but I definitely think we’re in a good time where conversation is healthy.”
Meanwhile, Sky have launched the new F1 season with an epic video charting Hamilton’s rise for karting whizz to seven-times world champ.

Take a virtual lap of the Bahrain race track ahead of Grand Prix Formula 1 start More

LEWIS HAMILTON believes Red Bull are a “different animal” this year as they look to break Mercedes’ seven-year domination of F1. World champion Hamilton endured a miserable pre-season test as his team suffered reliability issues while he spun twice as he made uncharacteristic errors.
Lewis Hamilton expects a strong challenge from Red BullCredit: Splash
Red Bull are likely to be a bigger threat this seasonCredit: Rex
And the Brit admits their rivals from Milton Keynes could be installed as the bookies’ favourites to win the season opener in Bahrain on March 28th.
He said: “They can be favourites if they want. I mean, they’re looking strong. I don’t really focus on that kind of stuff and they’ve had some really good running.
“Both the drivers have been looking quite strong.
“They’re going to be a different machine or animal this year with a really good, strong line-up for two drivers and a really good car.”
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also was delighted with the team’s trouble-free three-day test as Max Verstappen set the quickest overall time.
But he is also curious that Mercedes could still turn up with a race-winning car at the opening race of 2021.
He added: “That was certainly the best test since Red Bull Racing came into existence.
“Everything worked right from the start but we know that Mercedes is the favourite, and I assume that they drove with much more fuel than we did.

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

“The fact that they didn’t really align with others in terms of fuel load, that already shows that they must have a lot of confidence. So we assume they still have a lot up their sleeves.
“Mercedes is the favourite and we are the first challenger. That’s how I see the situation.
“Behind them, it’s going to be a battle. I think McLaren will stand out a bit, but not at the level of Mercedes and us. The midfield is certainly closer together.”
The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More

MERCEDES have released images of the car they hope will power Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world title.
Hamilton, who is currently tied on seven with Michael Schumacher, will be going all out in 2021 to move into a class of his own.

Mercedes have released their car for the 2021 season as they look to win the Constructors’ Championship for the eighth year in a rowCredit: © Daimler AG

Fans will see the W12 in action on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain next weekCredit: © Daimler AG

Lewis Hamilton is hoping the car helps him win a record eighth F1 World ChampionshipCredit: © Daimler AG

The Brit already has the most wins (95), pole positions (98) and podium finishes (165) in F1 and can now go on to become the undisputed champ.
He said: “The launch day of a new car is always a really exciting one. It’s great to reveal to the world the result of everyone’s hard work at the factories and to see some of my team-mates in person, which has been so rare during the past year.
“I’ve been in touch with the engineers through the winter, keeping track of their preparations as I prepare myself for the season ahead.
“The excitement has been building and building, so now I just can’t wait to get out on track in the W12.”

The car – or to give it its full title the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance – is an evolution of last year’s motor.
With comparatively few rule changes for this season, there are some notable aerodynamic changes alongside improvements to the suspension, cooling system and Power Unit.
Merc have again opted for the black base livery remains for a second season, to underline the team’s commitment to improving diversity and inclusion within the team and our sport.
There is a nod to their Silver Arrows heritage on the engine cover that will also help to reduce engine temperatures, plus a single red three-pointed star to acknowledge the late Niki Lauda, the team’s non-executive chairman.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

The new F1 season starts with pre-season for the Bahrain GP on Friday, March 12Credit: © Daimler AG

Mercedes won 13 out of the 17 races in the 2020 season, with Hamilton winning 11 timesCredit: © Daimler AG
The W12 will complete its first laps on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, on Friday, March 12.
Team principal and co-owner Toto Wolff added: “Every year we reset our focus and define the right objectives.
“That may sound simple but it’s damn hard and is probably why there are no sports teams out there with seven consecutive titles.
“So many things can happen and it’s very natural to get used to success, and therefore not fight as hard for it.
“But this team has not shown any of that. I see the same fire, hunger and passion now as I did the first time I walked through the doors in 2013.
“Every season presents a new challenge and therefore, a new goal for us to achieve.
“2021 brings changes to the regulations, which could impact our competitiveness, plus the cost cap and working on the major rule changes of 2022. These challenges excite us.”

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has finished each of the last two seasons in second placeCredit: © Daimler AG

Team principal Toto Wolff has backed Hamilton and Bottas to succeed in 2021Credit: © Daimler AG
The largest development is the aerodynamic regulations, with the introduction of several significant changes to key performance areas on the car.
However, the introduction of the new cost cap this year, to limit team’s spending to $145million (£104m) means Mercedes have also set up their own Applied Science division.
Wolff added: “We had to change the structure of our team, the way we work with each other, streamline our processes and become more efficient.
“We fundamentally believe that the more efficient we are, the more performance gain that will translate to out on the circuit.
“So, it’s had a huge impact, but it has also provided us with the opportunity to re-evaluate our organisation.
“That’s why we set up Applied Science, bringing F1 know-how to many different customers, and it’s going to really play a big part in our evolving business.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton will be partnered by Valtteri Bottas and Wolff is backing the winning partnership to continue to deliver success.

The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
He said: “I think the consistency we’ve had within this team over the years has been a real strength and advantage of ours.
“As we’ve seen in past seasons, it’s a line-up that works well for us, with two incredibly strong drivers who also have a very professional working relationship together.
“Both are hungry and fired-up to get back racing again soon and we’re all looking forward to seeing them drive our new car in anger for the first time in a few weeks.”

Lewis Hamilton has to ask who Franz Tost is after comment on salary caps More