Mercedes-Benz

TOTO Wolff has opened the door for Mick Schumacher to be Lewis Hamilton’s new team-mate at Mercedes next season.The 23-year-old, son of legendary racer Michael, competed for Haas in 2022.
Mick Schumacher is the son of former F1 icon MichaelCredit: Getty
Toto Wolff has opened the door for Schumacher to join Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: Getty
But Schumacher is a free agent after being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg.
Meanwhile, Mercedes are looking out for a new reverse after Nyck de Vries joined AlphaTauri and Stoffel Vandoorne signed for Aston Martin.
And Wolff admitted that he would be interested in taking care of the German when speaking at the Abu Dhabi GP.
He said: “Mick is someone that has always been close to our heart because of Michael, or the whole Schumacher family.
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“Ralf was in a DTM for a long time for us, his son races Mercedes [cars] in GTs.
“He’s an intelligent, well-mannered young man, [and] he’s been very successful in junior formulas.
“We believe that we can look after him if the situation were to happen and with someone that fits the team, but we haven’t really put pen to paper, we haven’t really come anywhere close to any terms.
“I’m saying that openly because I think he just fits and now we need to make it happen, if he wants to, Sabine [Kehm, Schumacher’s manager] wants to, and then we see where that goes to.”
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But Wolff admitted that nothing has been decided yet.
He added: “We haven’t really put pen to paper, we haven’t really come anywhere close to any terms.
“I’m seeing it that openly because I think he just fits and now we need to make it happen, if he wants to, Sabine wants to and then we see we see where that goes to.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON slammed Mercedes for giving him a car he “didn’t want” after ending the F1 season with ZERO wins.The seven-time world champion was hoping to end a miserable year with a victory at the Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire from the Abu Dhabi GP on SundayCredit: Getty
But Hamilton’s season in further disappointment after he was forced to retire with a suspected hydraulic issue three laps from the end.
It means the 37-year-old failed to win a single race for the first time since he joined the F1 circuit in 2008.
His DNF in Abu Dhabi saw him slip to sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, his worst ever return.
Hamilton even finished below Mercedes teammate George Russell, who came fourth.
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The Englishman reflected on a frustrating year and wasn’t exactly thrilled with the car he drove.
He said: “Ultimately, I think we started with a car that we didn’t want and we finished with a car that we didn’t want but we were basically stuck with it.
“We kept trundling way, kept working away at improving it, but I think the fundamentals have still been there until the end, as you saw this weekend.
“It’s been more of a team building exercise this year and I’m very, very proud of everybody.
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Despite his obvious frustrations, Hamilton still thanked his team for getting him through the worst season of his career.
He added: “Whilst 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 strength to fight for many more championships moving forward.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON’S Formula 1 season ended in the worst possible way after he was forced to retire at the Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday.While Max Verstappen tasted victory in the final race of the year, the seven-time world champion suffered more misery after he pulled out.
Lewis Hamilton finished the 2022 season without a single winCredit: Alamy
It means that Hamilton failed to win a single race in a season for the first time in 16 years on the F1 circuit.
The 37-year-old’s terrible time also saw him end in sixth-place for the championship, the lowest of his career.
Hamilton had finished in the top two in each of the last eight years and was on course to come fifth having held a six-point lead over Carlos Sainz ahead of the race.
But his DNF in the Middle East saw him slip down one place in the Drivers’ Championship.
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He racked up just 240 points, a whopping 214 fewer than Verstappen.
George Russell, who came fifth in Abu Dhabi, secured fourth place overall, meaning Hamilton finished below his teammate for just the third time in his career.
The other two occasions were in 2009 when Jenson Button won the world title and Nico Roseberg seven years later.
Despite his struggles, Hamilton is hopeful of challenging for world titles in the future.
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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

PEP GUARDIOLA was among the stars who came along to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as big celebrities filled the grid. It was the final F1 race of the season and many big names were out on show to mark the occasion.
Guardiola was enjoying some time off with the Premier League season on hiatusCredit: Splash
Usain Bolt and Patrice Evra were along the stars enjoying the Abu Dhabi actionCredit: Getty
American singer Usher enjoyed the action in the UAECredit: Splash
Last year’s Abu Dhabi race went down as one of the most controversial in the history of the sport.
But with the title resolved several races ago and many other plot lines already wrapped up, it was a relaxed atmosphere on the grid as celebrities descended.
Among the biggest names was Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
He is enjoying a rare mid-season break while the World Cup takes centre-stage.
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The Spaniard joined Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team for the weekend – and became the latest big name to snub Martin Brundle.
The former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit attempted to reel in Guardiola during his traditional pre-race grid walk, but the manager was not in the mood for a chat.
As Brundle tried to talk to him about Man City, the manager said: “No, let’s not talk about football today.”
He then walked away as body guards ushered Brundle away, leading the unflappable F1 pundit to quip: “It’s okay, I’ve been thrown out of better places than this.”
Ben Stokes was one of many English cricketers in attendanceCredit: Getty
Film star Martin Lawrence took a selfie alongside comedian Michael DapaahCredit: Getty
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Elsewhere, other major globe-trotting celebs popped up.
Olympic legend Usain Bolt was also visible in the paddock ahead of the race, while fellow sports star Shaquille O’Neal was also present.
Former Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra also arrived at the star-studded event and mingled alongside other celebs, including American pop star Usher.
And England legend Ben Stokes was among several cricketers who turned up to watch the race – only a week after their brilliant T20 Cricket World Cup win.
It ended up being a disappointing Grand Prix with Max Verstappen waltzing unchallenged to his 15th win of the season.
A frustrated Hamilton meanwhile was forced to retire his Mercedes with only a couple of laps to go. More

LEWIS HAMILTON’s miserable season came to a fitting end as he retired from the Abu Dhabi two laps from the end.The Brit’s Mercedes suffered a hydraulic problem that proved terminal and condemned him to an unwelcome landmark of going a whole season without a single victory.
Verstappen took control of the race early and none of the other drivers could challenge the Red BullCredit: Reuters
It was a frustrating end to a frustrating season for Lewis Hamilton, who had to retire his carCredit: Getty
The Mercedes man has won at least once in each of his previous 15 years, but this season, a dreadful car design coupled with Max Verstappen’s dominance, put an end to his record.
He had previously been involved in a clash with Carlos Sainz and later in the race blamed his team for putting him on the wrong tyre strategy.
It all proved irrelevant as he finished this race early, sick of the sight of the sluggish Merc that has been ravaged by porpoising problems.
Verstappen meanwhile, wrapped up his 15th win of the season in a dreary race in Abu Dhabi that was never going to live up to last year’s drama.
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Remember the flashpoint 12 months ago that threw F1 into turmoil? The fudged rules by FIA race director Michael Masi as Verstappen took the win and the title.
This year, the championship had been sewn up ages ago as this billion-dollar track in the desert served up a more-routine dullard.
Verstappen led from the line and was not put under any pressure from Charles Leclerc, who was second to take the runner-up spot in the championship.
Verstappen, who was booed as he was interviewed after the race, said: “It was a good race. All about tyre management from lap one to the end.
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“It was incredible to win here again this year and the 15th win of the season.
“It has been really enjoyable to work with the whole team and I know it will be hard to replicate but it is good motivation for next season.”
Sergio Perez’s third place meant he denied his Red Bull team the chance of a one-two finish in the championship.
Sainz was fourth and George Russell was fifth following on from his win in Sao Paulo last weekend.
Ironically, Hamilton’s retirement from the race catapulted his mate Sebastian Vettel into the points on his final race in F1.
Sebastian Vettel received a guard of honour from his fellow drivers in his final F1 raceCredit: Getty
The 35-year-old is calling time on his F1 career and the four-time world champion said: “I wish it had been a couple of more points but I enjoyed the race.
“It was a little different than before and I am sure I am going to miss F1 more than I understand today.
“The last few years have been disappointing from a sporting point of view, but very useful to me and a lot has happened.
“I hope to pass on some of the good work to the other drivers. It is great to have the power to inspire and we have far bigger and more important things than racing in circles.
“But that is what we love and if we can transfer that, it would be good. It has been a joy throughout my career.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Grand Prix in a stunning all-purple outfit.The British racer pulled off the unique look as he arrived at the paddock for the media day ahead of the last race of the Formula 1 season.
Lewis Hamilton arrived for media day ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in his interesting purple outfitCredit: Getty
The British driver will be hoping for a positive end to the seasonCredit: Getty
Fans however did poke a bit of fun at the seven-time World Champion on social media.
One said: “Man looks like a Quality Street but to be fair behind the wheel he’s always quality.”
A second added: “Stylish pajamas.”
A third commented: “Lewis is a supermodel he deserves that much attention, and it suits him well as always. The trousers may be a little bit too long. I hope he doesn’t trip over it.”
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Hamilton will be hoping to end this season on a high and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be a great place to do it after last year’s dramatic finale against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the same track.
The Mercedes driver was aiming for his eighth title but he was locked on 369.5 points with Verstappen after a thrillingly contested season between the two.
The Dutch driver had taken pole position in qualifying, but it was Hamilton that led through the first corner once the race started.
But on Turn Six, Verstappen took his car up the inside of the Mercedes, forcing Hamilton into the run-off to maintain his lead.
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Red Bull complained to F1’s governing FIA and race director, Michael Masi, but race stewards believed that it was not necessary for an investigation.
However, Verstappen was handed a lifeline as Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers on Lap 50 of 58, causing a Safety Car to be brought onto the track.
This meant that Mercedes had to choose between pitting Hamilton and putting on fresh tyres, but this would be risking ending the race behind the Safety Car.
By not pitting Hamilton, Mercedes chose to keep the lead, but knew Verstappen, who had pitted, would be chasing him down on newer soft rubber tyres.
But they did not think that the race would be restarted in time due to the regulations on restarts and the cars that had been lapped.
On lap 56 there were five lapped cars between the two World Championship hopefuls, and the message “lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake” was communicated from Race Control.
However, in the penultimate lap, there was a massive change of heart as the five cars between the two title contenders were now instructed to overtake.
Following this, it was announced that the race would restart for a winner-takes-all 58th and final lap between Verstappen and Hamilton.
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On older tyres Hamilton did his best to try and hold off the Red Bull, but he was overtaken on Turn Five.
He did try to get the spot back as he had more straight-line speed, but it was not enough to stop Verstappen from claiming his first World Championship.
Fans were divided over Hamilton’s purple outfit, with some comparing him to a Quality StreetCredit: Reuters
Others loved the ensembleCredit: Reuters More

LEWIS HAMILTON has made a bold claim about his infamous 2021 title loss and dismissed suggestions it was similar to his 2008 triumph. In the last race of last season’s F1 championship, Hamilton was overtaken on the final lap of the race by Max Verstappen, giving the Dutchman his first driver’s crown.
Verstappen and Hamilton’s rivalry returned to the forefront in Brazil after the two collided againCredit: Splash
But the race remains mired in controversy over the incorrect administering of the rules which affected the outcome.
The moment is only matched in drama by Hamilton’s initial F1 title in 2008.
On that occasion the Brit had to deal with a late downpour in Brazil and only won the title after a last lap overtake on Timo Glock, allowing him to scramble up into fifth and gain enough points for victory.
But the seven-times World Champion has denied any similarity between the two historic moments – as only one was “manipulated”.
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Speaking to Glock, now a pundit for Sky Sports Germany, ahead of this year’s race in Brazil, Hamilton said: “No, it was different, it was different because this one [2008] wasn’t manipulated by anybody.
“Someone made a decision for that result to be the way it was basically.
“There are similarities in kind of the pain of losing in 2007. For the last 17 seconds losing that championship or the last three laps, I’d lost it basically.  And then coming across the line for another 17 seconds or whatever it was beyond, still having lost the championship.
“Similar kind of horrible feeling in your heart and in your spirit. I’m so so grateful for it because it was a real proof that for anybody out there when you are facing adversity, just to never give up, keep pushing, keep chasing, keep going.
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“Miracles do happen. And that was really a miracle moment for me.”
Hamilton’s comments recalling last year’s title race was fitting given what followed at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The 37-year-old was once again locking horns with his old title rival Verstappen after a season of the two mostly avoiding each other on-track.
Shortly after a safety car period, the two came together and both sustained damage after a turn 2 crash.
Hamilton still managed to make it home second-place behind his victorious teammate George Russell.
While Verstappen sparked a big backlash when he refused to give up his position of sixth for his teammate Sergio Perez. More