Mercedes-Benz

LEWIS HAMILTON’S former sporting director has denied claims that the Mercedes star is a “dirty” driver.The seven-time Formula One world champion is currently enduring a miserable campaign following last season’s disappointment.
Lewis Hamilton’s former chief has denied the Brit is a ‘dirty’ driverCredit: Getty
However, before those troubles, the 38-year-old was involved in regular battles and incidents with rival Max Verstappen.
Those reached a boiling point in 2021 before the Brit missed out on a record-breaking eighth in the heartbreaking Abu Dhabi 2021 finale.
Hamilton and his foe, who is currently topping this year’s championship, had a number of crashes as the likes of Silverstone, Monza and Saudi Arabia.
Both drivers did not hide their anger towards the other’s antics and with many labelling their actions “reckless” and “dirty”.
READ MORE IN F1
 But Sam Michael, who has held senior positions with F1 constructors Williams and McLaren told the Beyond the Grid podcast: “Some people need the confidence to say that there’s some other reason why they didn’t perform.
“They want to process it so that they’re the best and I get that their ego and confidence requires them to say something else must have happened for me not to win that race or for me to do this or that.
“Having said that, I don’t think Lewis was like that from my experience of working with Lewis at McLaren.
“Because there’s a downside to being like that which is that you may not properly process your weaknesses and I’d have to say Lewis is very good at that.”
Most read in Motorsport
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Michael added: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do something that you think ‘that was dirty’.
“Even looking at the recent stuff with him and Max, he goes out of his way to not do stuff.
“So he [Verstappen] might do things where [he’s] putting the car into a position where it’s like ‘you do this and we crash.’ You don’t see Lewis do that to you.”
Hamilton will be hoping to bounce back from his disappointing start to this season at this weekend’s Monaco GP. More

LEWIS HAMILTON wants to have his new Mercedes deal tied up within the next few weeks to end wild speculation about his future.Hamilton says he has enlisted his management team to handle negotiations with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after telling them his demands, believed to include wages of around £50million per season.
Lewis Hamilton has been linked with a shock move away from MercedesCredit: AFP
The 38-year-old, who has always maintained it is his intention to commit to a new deal, also says his decision will not be influenced by the team’s winless run.
He said: “When you are in contract negotiations there is always going to be speculation. And unless you hear it from me, that’s all it is.
“My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the point of having the contract ready.
“I’m having the team focused on that so I can just do my job. It’s a much better position than I used to be in before, because I used to do the negotiations on my own and it was very stressful. I don’t have to do that anymore.
Read More on F1
“I have a great team doing all the work. I say what I want and that is what we are working towards. Hopefully [it will be signed] in the coming weeks.”
After ruling out any advances from rival teams, Hamilton said Mercedes’ current predicament will not alter his feelings.
And he says there is renewed hope they will be able to turn their hopes around after bringing a whole host of new parts to improve performance at this week’s Monaco GP.
Hamilton, who walked into the paddock with gold “grillz” across his teeth, added: “No, it doesn’t have a bearing.
Most read in Motorsport
“We are still a championship winning team, it’s just we’ve had the wrong car and made some decisions over the past few years that have not been ideal.
“We are working through that and all the energy is going towards the new upgrade this weekend.
“The team has worked incredibly hard to bring this upgrade and we already decided after Bahrain it was what we are going to do.
“I was a little bit gutted when the last race got cancelled because I was excited to try this new package, and while here is not the best platform track wise to really see those come to fruition, we will hopefully experience that more next week.”
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Hamilton is set to sign a new £50million deal with Mercedes and end speculationCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell has confirmed he has swapped London for living in Monaco.
He said: “I’ve been here for over five or six months now really, really enjoying it to be honest. It exceeded my expectations.
“Being a kid from the country, growing up in a field and looking at grey skies and nothing other than a Labrador, to being here…
“It’s a great community – got some good friends, jumping in the sea every single day and training in the sunshine.
“It’s probably the happiest I’ve ever been in my life to be honest, so I am very glad to have moved here.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON is going for gold in this weekend’s Monaco GP – after sporting some new gnashers.The Mercedes ace arrived in the paddock and flashed photographers his new gold teeth.
Lewis Hamilton could be seen rocking the veneers in the paddockCredit: Alamy

But they are not permanent – with Hamilton later placing them in his pocket as he revealed they were just veneers.
However, he did claim he has thought about getting them done.
The 38-year-old is closing in on discussions over a new deal with Mercedes worth around £50million a year.
And he clearly upped the bling ahead of this week’s race in Monte Carlo.
READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
Hamilton in Monaco ahead of this weekend’s Grand PrixCredit: Splash
The Brit sits fourth in the drivers’ standings after five racesCredit: Splash
Hamilton, who has landed in trouble with the FIA for his nose piercings in the past, is likely to escape another ticking off as the rules do not account for dentistry.
Earlier this week, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reaffirmed his desire to tie seven-time world champion down to a new long-term deal.
Hamilton, who sits fourth in the drivers’ standings, has insisted he will not retire until he secures a record-breaking eighth championship.
But he has been linked with a £40million move to Ferrari.
Most read in Motorsport
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
In response, Wolff said: “These rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract.
“But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure.
“It’s just uncomfortable that two friends, two blood brothers who have been through thick and thin for ten years, suddenly have to discuss money.
“I’m firmly convinced that we’ll find each other, there’s not a millimetre of doubt for me.
“I can’t imagine anything else. If we give Lewis a competitive car, he will win for a long time. Look at Tom Brady and what he was still capable of in his 40s.” More

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON rubbed shoulders with Dua Lipa and Dwyane Wade as he attended a Versace show in Cannes last night.The Formula 1 superstar is passionate about fashion and looked stylish in a full black outfit.
Sir Lewis Hamilton poses with Donnatella Versace and Dua LipaCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
The F1 star catches up with old pal DonnatellaCredit: Instagram
Hamilton donned a cool all black outfitCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
The event was held to mark the launch of a collaboration between singing sensation Dua Lipa and veteran fashion designer Donnatella Versace.
Hamilton, 38, greeted old friend Donnatella by the pool, before being introduced to Dua Lipa.
He politely shook the 27-year-old’s hand before kissing her on both cheeks.
Also present was Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade.
READ MORE ON F1
And later in the evening, Hamilton hung out with the three-time NBA champion.
The pair laughed together as they chatted at the lavish bash.
Hamilton will be back in action this weekend at the Monaco GP.
The seven-time world champion has been linked with a stunning move to Ferrari at the end of the season – with the Prancing Horse rumoured to be readying a £40m a year offer.
Most read in Motorsport
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Hamilton chats with NBA legend Dwyane WadeCredit: https://twitter.com/LH44updates
Dua Lipa also recently attended the Cannes Film FestivalCredit: Rex
Addressing Hamilton’s future, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “These rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract.
“But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure.
“It’s just uncomfortable that two friends, two blood brothers who have been through thick and thin for ten years, suddenly have to discuss money.
“I’m firmly convinced that we’ll find each other, there’s not a millimetre of doubt for me.
“I can’t imagine anything else. If we give Lewis a competitive car, he will win for a long time. Look at Tom Brady and what he was still capable of in his 40s.”
Hamilton is currently fourth in the F1 driver standings – already 63 points behind reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff addressed rumours surrounding Hamilton’s Mercedes futureCredit: Rex More

IT’S been a difficult start to the Formula One season for Lewis Hamilton.The seven-time world champion has just one podium finish in five races, but did have a rare cause for celebration over the weekend.
Lewis Hamilton has had little to cheer about so far this yearCredit: Splash
That’s because Hamilton’s Extreme E racing team, X44, won round three of the Hydro X Prix in Scotland.
Fraser McConnell and Christina Gutierrez won Saturday’s grand final.
And Hamilton revelled in the victory on social media.
Taking to his Instagram story, Hamilton posted a snap of the two winning drivers and wrote: “Another W.”
READ MORE IN F1
Hamilton’s X44 team crossed the line in second place, but a penalty to rivals Andretti saw them promoted to first.
However, X44 could not follow up Saturday’s success in round four on Sunday.
Following the weekend’s action, X44 are fourth in the Extreme E championship standings, one place Rosberg X Racing, founded by Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Fourth is also where Hamilton currently lies in the 2023 F1 driver standings.
Most read in Motorsport
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
He trails leader Max Verstappen by 63 points, and finished P6 in Miami last time out.
Hamilton returns to action this weekend at the Emilia Romagna GP in Italy.
The Brit F1 legend recently spoke out on his love for other racing series, not just F1.
He said: “I did a car swap with Tony Stewart years ago, which was fun.
“I’d love to try it [NASCAR] at some stage. It’s not a dream for me to go race another series, but I am an admirer.
“I’m a fan of racing and other sports. So I would like to try it. I’d love to swap with Valentino Rossi and try Moto GP.
“I sometimes watch IndyCar and would love to try one of those at some stage.” More