Mercedes-Benz

LEWIS HAMILTON shared heart-warming photos after making his brother’s “dream come true” by helping him drive the Mercedes simulator. Nicolas Hamilton, who has cerebral palsy, became the first disabled person to drive the sim.
Lewis and Nicolas Hamilton share a close brotherly bondCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
Some modifications had to be made to the Sim to help Nicolas get the best out of the experienceCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
Nicolas had a big smile on his face throughout the experienceCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
The 30-year-old emulated his older brother as he donned the white Mercedes race suit.
Hamilton shared a series of photos of their “special day” in a Instagram post which has received over 930,000 likes and had a big reaction.
The seven-times world champion was snapped helping his sibling fit into the iconic Mercedes costume before Nicolas climbed into the sim.
The state-of-the-art machine produces a hyper-realistic experience of what it would be like to be in an F1 car and is regularly used by drivers and teams.
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Nicolas could be seen smiling throughout the photos as he got to live out his fantasy.
And in one moving picture, he could be seen sat in the simulator as the older Hamilton hugs his father in the background.
Nicolas has driven in other racing series such as the Renault Clio Cup and European Tour Cup using a specially adapted car.
In the Instagram caption, his F1 star brother said: “Earlier this year Nicolas Hamilton and I asked my team if we could make this happen and here we are.
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“Time in the sim is incredibly rare, and not something that is accessible for someone like my brother.
Nicolas Hamilton has previously raced in motorsport series such as the Renault Clio Cup, European Touring Car Cup and British Touring Car ChampionshipCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
The state-of-the-art machinery allows users to get an authentic feeling of how it is to drive an F1 carCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
Lewis Hamilton is coming off the back of a topsy-turvy F1 seasonCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
“It took custom modifications to the seat, steering wheel and pedals to make this possible.”
At the end of the experience, the Hamilton brothers could be seen sharing a close embrace.
Hamilton added: “[Nicolas] spent the whole day in it, and is the first disabled person to ever do so.
“He’s always been a fighter and seeing him have this day is an honour.
“The smile you see here never left his face. Can’t wait to share more of this special day, thank you @mercedesamgf1 for the time and work put in to make this possible and make my brother’s dream come true.”
The emotional Instagram post triggered a big reaction.
One person wrote: “I’m a disability parent, and the relationship you have with your brother is truly my favourite thing about you both.
“You’re a champion of human rights, an incredible advocate, a great driver, a fantastic human being – but you’re truly the greatest brother.”
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Hamilton is currently enjoying time off after the F1 season ended last month.
He will be back on the grid in 2023 when the new season kicks off in Bahrain in March.
A proud Anthony Hamilton hugs Lewis in the background while Nicolas enjoys the simCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
Lewis helped Nicolas into the Mercedes race suitCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton More

LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed his emotional reaction to George Russell’s first F1 win. The 24-year-old crossed the line first in the penultimate race in Brazil to secure Mercedes’ first win of the season.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured an unexpected 1-2 finish in BrazilCredit: Splash
It was a big moment for the Brackley-based team after a season of struggle and Russell was visibly emotional after his achievement.
Porpoising issues dominated the first-half of the season as both Hamilton and Russell struggled to get to grips with the car.
But the back end of 2022 saw the pair regularly challenging for race wins in a complete turnaround in form.
The incredible result in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Hamilton came second despite a crash with Max Verstappen, was the crowning moment for Mercedes.
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And Hamilton revealed his emotion at seeing his team celebrate their achievement.
The seven-time world champion told Channel 4: “I saw a video of my team when we got to Dubai [for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix].
“Just seeing everyone celebrating all together was quite an emotional thing, knowing how hard everyone had worked through the year.
“Also knowing how difficult it would have been for them, knowing how hard they would have worked last winter and they were not rewarded for all the hard work they had put in necessarily.
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“The whole season, not giving up and continuing to keep the faith, keep the hopes high and get a one-two was a very proud moment for me and the whole team.”
Mercedes’ struggles were one of the major themes of last season as Verstappen waltz to the title.
Despite winning every constructors’ championship since 2014 – up until the start of the 2022 season – the manufacturers toiled in the early goings as they tried to adjust to sweeping rule changes.
Only Ferrari appeared capable of challenging Red Bull but their season unravelled after multiple errors.
Last month, team principal Mattia Binotto resigned after their underwhelming performance. More

MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff expects seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton to extend his stay at the Silver Arrows despite failing to record a win in 2022.Hamilton, 37, is under contract at Merc until the end of 2023 and has previously declared he would not like to race in F1 beyond his 40th birthday.
Hamilton’s F1 contract expires at the end of next yearCredit: AFP
Merc chief Wolff expects Hamilton to extend his stayCredit: Splash
That would leave Hamilton with two or three seasons left in the sport and Merc chief Wolff is keen to make sure the Brit finishes with the team.
Wolff “absolutely” expects Hamilton to extend his contract.
He told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast: “Certainly, Lewis’ contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter.
“There’s no firm deadline. Absolutely, Lewis is part of the team and the team is part of Lewis. 
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“[There is] no reason [for that] to not continue. I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, always eager. 
“He’s a great sportsman but he’s also someone who is extremely driven and determined.”
Hamilton and Co are hoping to bounce back in the 2023 season with the team recording just one win.
And the win came for team-mate George Russell in Brazil – leaving Hamilton winless for the first time in an F1 season.
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Hamilton would like to claim a record-breaking eighth world title, pushing him ahead of Michael Schumacher.
However, Merc team-mate Russell has thrown his hat into the ring for a title bid.
Russell, who finished the season in fourth, told Racer: “I think I’ve got enough experience now that I feel ready to fight for a championship and be able to handle the challenges and difficulties that come with it.
“Obviously the likes of Lewis and Max have more experience in that scenario.
“But if you go out and you put it on pole and win every race you will be world champion.
“So you have just got to focus on smaller details and it’s in your own hands, almost.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON won’t be part of a three-way Formula 1 title race next year, claims one team boss.The seven-time world champion slumped to sixth in the driver standings this year in Mercedes’ disappointing car, but showed encouraging signs towards the end of the campaign.
George Russell has been backed to be in a title race ahead of Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
Franz Tost is team principal of Red Bull affiliate AlphaTauriCredit: Getty
Hamilton, 37, is raring to go ahead of a renewed battle with the likes of Max Verstappen next season.
But AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost doesn’t think he stands a chance.
And he even reckons that Hamilton’s own team-mate George Russell, in the very same car, has greater title hopes.
Tost, 66, told Speedweek: “Such superiority as shown by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing this year is rather rare.
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“I expect a three-way battle between Max, Charles Leclerc and George Russell, which is already stronger than Lewis Hamilton.
“The FIA ​​penalty will have a negative impact on Red Bull Racing, no question, even if the team has some of the best engineers.
“But I trust Red Bull Racing to be able to fight for the world title again.”
AlphaTauri are owned by Red Bull and are an affiliate team of Red Bull Racing.
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Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will be in the mix once againCredit: Reuters
Russell, 24, earned his first race win in F1 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, after Verstappen had sent Hamilton off track earlier in the race.
The Brit came fourth in the driver standings, 35 points and two places above his illustrious team-mate, who particularly struggled with his car’s porpoising during the first half of the season.
Despite Russell finishing ahead of him, Hamilton recently beat his team-mate to Autosport’s British Driver of the Year award.
Since the season finished, Hamilton has been enjoying himself on holiday in Egypt.
The F1 superstar checked out the pyramids, while also hanging out with supermodel Naomi Campbell.
Hamilton, 37, hung out with Naomi CampbellCredit: Getty More

LEWIS HAMILTON has shared photos of his trip to Egypt following the end of the Formula 1 season.The seven-time champion finished off a disappointing campaign in Abu Dhabi last month by retiring on the 55th lap as he ended the year without a win for the first time in his F1 career.
Lewis Hamilton visited the Pyramids while in EgyptCredit: Instagram
He also met up with Naomi CampbellCredit: Instagram
Hamilton also posed in front of a Dior backdropCredit: Instagram
Hamilton is enjoying some downtime after the end of the F1 seasonCredit: Instagram
He has been exploring the African country and shared pictures on social mediaCredit: Instagram
The incredible shots encapsulated Hamilton’s breathtaking tripCredit: Instagram
The Brit, 37, came sixth in the drivers’ standings, 214 points behind champion Max Verstappen and 35 adrift of Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
But he remained composed and positive throughout what was a difficult year for the team and has gone into the off-season filled with optimism about what could be achieved in 2023.
And he is now enjoying some well-earned downtime in Egypt, exploring the Pyramids and partying with model Naomi Campbell.
Hamilton spent the summer break tracing his roots in Africa, visiting countries such as Namibia and Rwanda.
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Now he is exploring another and took to social media to post about the incredible trip.
Speaking on Instagram, he said: “First time in Egypt!!
“I’ve wanted to come here for the longest time, and I’ve been wanting to see more of Africa after my trip this summer.
“Got to do both in one trip. Thank you @mrkimjones and the @dior team for inviting me along, these two beautiful days in Cairo were incredible 🇪🇬♥️.”
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On track, Hamilton remains committed to trying to win a record-breaking eighth world title.
He is currently level with Michael Schumacher on seven and came incredibly close to eclipsing the German in 2021 – only for Verstappen to overtake him on the last lap of the final race.
But Hamilton, who turns 38 in January, is determined to keep fighting.
Speaking at the end of the season, he said: “These next couple of weeks, we’ll be back at the factory, we’ll get to see everybody, and while we’re not celebrating a world championship, we’ll be celebrating them still for their hard work and efforts.
“I hope that the struggles this year really provide us with the tools and the strengths to fight for many more championships moving forward.” More