Mercedes-Benz

LEWIS HAMILTON has hinted that he didn’t read his big-money contract and now has a “love-hate” relationship with Formula One.The seven-time world champion penned a two-year deal at Mercedes worth £100million in August.
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has a unique feeling towards F1Credit: Splash
His improved contract means he will have a place on the grid in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Before signing the deal, there was speculation that Hamilton could move to Ferrari or retire.
But instead the 38-year-old will be racing beyond his 40th birthday.
Hamilton has revealed that he didn’t realise his passion for F1 but maintained he’s got an odd relationship with competing.
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He told outlet Blick: “I have to admit that I underestimated my love for this sport.
“But it’s become a love-hate story. There are days when I would prefer not to get into the cockpit.
“The duels with my team-mate George Russell also give me motivation. You always have to be wide-awake.”
Asked if he is aware of what is in his new Mercedes deal, Hamilton replied: “Of course. But it’s over 200 pages or a damn book. And that takes you days.
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“There are so many details about my promotional activities. 
“I’m in a fortunate position with Toto Wolff. He is respected and admired by everyone. It’s easy to negotiate with him and that makes him a great leader.
“This isn’t the first time the two of us have discussed and haggled over details for hours.
“Always under the motto: From Thursday to Sunday I belong exclusively to Formula One.”
Hamilton is third in this year’s standings despite not winning a race ahead of this weekend’s Qatar GP. More

MAX VERSTAPPEN could do an F1 first this weekend in the Qatar Grand Prix – by winning the title on a Saturday.While the previous championships have all been decided on Sunday’s race day, the Red Bull ace has the possibility of wrapping up his third consecutive title at the sprint race.
Max Verstappen is on the verge of making F1 historyCredit: Rex
Verstappen has won 13 of the 15 races in 2023 and is 177 points clear of his teammate Sergio Perez, who is second in the championship.
It means he will be crowned champion on Saturday if he finishes sixth, for three points, even if Perez wins the 30-minute race.
But does it matter if he wins it on Saturday or not? It has some people divided.
Given his performances at the start of the season – or to be precise his rivals’ failure to match his own results – it quickly became inevitable that he would win the title.
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We also knew it was a possibility that it would be done so on a Saturday sprint race, given the structure of the calendar, with sprint races loaded towards the end of the season in an attempt to prolong any potential title fight.
We have three of the six sprint races remaining in Qatar, Austin and Brazil with all three coming in the space of four races, only Mexico is a usual F1 weekend.
The whole concept of the shorter sprint races is to sell extra tickets for the Saturday, plus also secure more TV viewers.
Knowing that he could win the title on Saturday should lead to an increase in both of those numbers, although quite how many will attend in Doha this week remains to be seen.
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However, I wonder how it fits with F1’s traditional fans, now knowing that the title could be won not during an actual grands prix.
I appreciate this could be a moot point, but it does matter to some given the historical element. Almost like winning a Test match victory in a T20 match.

Furthermore, it opens up the debate as to why the races in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, Austin and Sao Paulo are worth more than say Silverstone or Monza, for example.
I respect F1’s decision to introduce the sprint races and understand their rationale for doing so.
But the prospect of a driver being crowned champion after a 30-minute procession around a car park in the desert, leaves me feeling rather cold.

TOTO WOLFF is likely to be in Qatar after skipping the Japanese GP after undergoing knee surgery.
The Mercedes boss skipped the race in Suzuka partly due to the operation – and because he struggles with jet lag, but should be back in the garage in Doha.
It comes as he faces mounting pressure to turn his team’s fortunes around after Lewis Hamilton claimed in Japan the car was just like last year’s to drive.
Toto Wolff is likely to return for QatarCredit: Reuters
RENAULT group chief executive Luca de Meo visited the Alpine team’s factory in Enstone last week to deliver a rallying call after months of upheaval at the team.
De Meo delivered a rousing speech to the factory, including drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly while staff after the team’s engine division in Viry-Châtillon in France, joined by video link.
De Meo is hoping to restore some much-needed faith in the team after former Alpine F1 CEO Laurent Rosso was moved on along with team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane.
Alpine are adrift in sixth place in the constructors’ championship, 88 points behind McLaren.

MOTO GP are reporting a healthy increase in numbers of fans in the grandstands and watching the sport on TV. The sport’s bosses say TV figures are up 20 percent on 2022.
What is more impressive is their sprint races have seen attendances on Saturdays increase by a whopping 51 percent in the opening 12 races.
Moto GP are reporting an increase in attendances and viewershipCredit: Alamy
CAL CRUTCHLOW picked up TWO long-lap penalties in two days at the Japanese MotoGP.
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The Brit was entering as a wild-card for Yamaha but looked rusty as he picked up the penalties for exceeding track limits and then turning into his pitbox too early and going the wrong way around the entry sign.
Crutchow, who was 13th, said: “I’ve done two races and two long laps, so that must be a first!” More

PUNDIT Anthony Davidson believes George Russell is inwardly raging as Lewis Hamilton is the main man at Mercedes.In the recent Singapore and Japan Grand Prixs, the British drivers both battled hard on the tracks.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have been involved in on-track battles in recent racesCredit: Getty
They nearly collided in Japan at the weekendCredit: Splash
Russell sustained tyre damage and spun off in Singapore as he raced Hamilton for thirdCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1
At the Marina Bay circuit, Russell pushed Hamilton for the last spot on the podium during the final lap.
But the seven-time world champion held off pressure before his understudy crashed.
And Sunday’s race at Suzuka saw similar when both fought hard on lap six and nearly collided.
Again, Hamilton came out on top to finish in fifth with his team-mate two places behind.
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According to Davidson, the veteran has earned his spot as No1 at the Silver Arrows but it must be angering Russell.
He explained on Sky Sports’ F1 podcast: “There’s definitely a hierarchy in that team.
“You know, Lewis has earned that status in that team as a seven-time world champion and George can’t argue against that.
“George is still the understudy and he’s doing a very good job on those occasions where he’s got the speed over Lewis to really take the fight to him.
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“But he’s doing it in such a George Russell polite way, which is quite humorous to watch, because I know inside the car, he’ll be fuming and steaming.
And that’s why we see the near misses, the drivers coming, almost to blows, almost to contact, but then he’s a good boy on the radio, he’s very British about it.
“And there are layers to him, to the annoyance, I think. It always comes over as, ‘I’m okay with this, but if you could please, very thankfully, let me through with the next couple of opportunities, it’d be much appreciated.’
“And we’d hear maybe a bit more vocal if things were different. But I think for now, I think he knows where he is in the team.”
Russell outscored Hamilton in his debut season at Mercedes last year.
But this term it is the 38-year-old who is ahead by 75 points with six races to go. More

LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed a stunning helmet design for the Japanese Grand Prix.The seven-time F1 champion is no stranger to striking helmet designs, and fans have also been left impressed with his latest head piece.

Lewis Hamilton unveiled a stunning all-chrome helmet designCredit: EPA
Fans are convinced the helmet design is inspired by Daft PunkCredit: Getty
Hamilton, 38, has gone for an all-chrome look in a week where he was also spotted wearing a red and white polka-dot Super Mario hat during a trip to Universal Studios Super Nintendo World in Osaka.
The dazzling design saw fans draw comparisons with French house music duo Daft Punk, with their signature look being chromed-out helmets.
Reacting to pictures of the helmet, one fan said: “The Daft Punk helmet.”
A second wrote: “This must be Daft Punk inspired, mega!”
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“So daft punk is a trio now,” commented a third.
A fourth remarked: “Daft Hamilton or Lewis Punk?”
Another typed: “Absolutely astonishing 🔥looks fire.”
A sixth joked: “Lewis HamilTRON.”
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While another added: “Lewis with that swag, always.”
However, while Hamilton may win the award for best helmet, he was far off the pace of a resurgent Max Verstappen in qualifying.
Verstappen’s record-breaking 10-race winning streak came to an end in Singapore last weekend, but he looks to be back to his best after claiming pole at the Suzuka circuit.
Meanwhile, Hamilton was only seventh-quickest, with his lap time over a second slower than championship leader Verstappen.
Hamilton played down any chance of winning this weekend’s race following a “bad day” during Friday’s two practice sessions.
He said: “It was a really bad day, to be honest. A real struggle out there.
“[We were] a long way off, two seconds off in the first session and over a second off in the second. We’re working away at just trying to fix the car’s balance.
“We’ll work on it overnight and turn it around for tomorrow, but we definitely won’t be winning this weekend!
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“If I in particular can move further up the order so I can at least back up George, who did a not-such-a-bad lap… yeah, tough one.”
The Brit’s former team, McLaren, put in impressive P2 and P3 results in qualifying, with rookie Oscar Piastri planting his car on the front row on his first time at the track with Lando Norris coming in third.
Daft Punk’s signature look is their chromed out helmetsCredit: Getty
Hamilton is no stranger to striking helmet designsCredit: Rex
Hamilton laboured to P7 in Japanese Grand Prix qualifyingCredit: Splash
Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

GEORGE RUSSELL has claimed there is “more to come” from Mercedes this season.He and team-mate Lewis Hamilton put in fine performances at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton finished third at the Singapore Grand PrixCredit: Rex
Although Russell crashed out late on, Hamilton was able to pick up a third place finish and a spot on the podium at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
With just seven races remaining in 2023, Russell has explained that their are plans for more success at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
Mercedes are looking to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship and Russell is expecting upgrades to be in place for Suzuka.
He explained: “In all honesty, there’ll be a few more little things to come towards the end of the season. Which will aid our learning into next season.”
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Despite not winning a race yet this year, Mercedes still hold a narrow lead of Ferrari in the standings.
However, Scuderia cut that advantage with Carlos Sainz’s victory in Singapore.
Russell is hopeful he and Hamilton can build on last weekend, though, adding that their struggles across the last two years can help going forward.
His win in Brazil last year, part of a 1-2 with Hamilton, is Mercedes’ only race victory since he signed with the team for the start of the 2022 season.
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George Russell claims there is ‘more to come’ from MercedesCredit: Getty
“Yeah, I think we’ve made some good gains this season,” Russell continued.
“I think it’s clear that we made some mistakes ahead of the 2022 season, and again over this winter, but I’m definitely confident that these mistakes are going to aid us and help us a lot for the future.
“And, you know, you need those setbacks, and you need those errors to set you on the right path. And I think, as a team, we’re incredibly motivated to get back to the top.
“And as I said, I think the lessons we’ve learned over these two years will only help us in the years to come.” More

TOTO WOLFF reckons F1 would be plunged into “disarray” if Felipe Massa wins his case to get Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title overturned.The Brazilian is seeking to have Hamilton stripped of his first championship due to the Singapore GP of the same year, where Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to help his teammate, Fernando Alonso win the race.
Toto Wolff doubts that Felipe Massa will win his caseCredit: Splash
Massa is seeking to have Hamilton stripped of his first championshipCredit: Reuters
Massa reckons that F1 and the FIA did not act in time to overturn the outcome of the result, which in turn cost him the title, which he lost to Hamilton by a point.
At the Singapore GP last week, Wolff said Mercedes were monitoring the former Ferrari man’s legal action with a view to taking action to the controversial outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP – where Hamilton lost the title to Max Verstappen.
However, speaking after last Sunday’s race, Wolff is doubtful of Massa being successful.
He said: “I don’t think he has a case, to be honest. We are signing up to sporting regulations. They’re very clear, and you commit as a licence holder.
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“If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray, and especially when you look at the full championships.
“There are so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don’t see the case to be honest.
“On the civil case side, I don’t know, let’s evaluate whether there’s some damages that could be claimed.
“This is like watching a soap opera playing out in front of me.”
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Meanwhile, Max Verstappen says he is “absolutely fine” his 10-race winning run ended last Sunday in Singapore.
And he is now looking forward to getting back on the podium this week at the Japanese GP.
The Red Bull ace said: “I knew that the day would come so for me it is absolutely fine.
“Everything needs to be perfect. Everyone is always saying, ‘Ah look how dominant they are and look how easy it is’.
“But it is never easy, and a lot of details that we need to get right and this weekend clearly we didn’t get a few things right and then you are on the back foot.” More