Mercedes-Benz

LEWIS HAMILTON and team-mate George Russell now have a shot at winning races.That’s according to Juan Pablo Montoya, who claims that Mercedes have had a “big, big upgrade” during the F1 break.
Lewis Hamilton will now have a shot at winning races, says Juan Pablo MontoyaCredit: Getty
The seven-time champ posted a photo on social media to declare that he was back driving after the F1 breakCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/
There are still nine races left on the calendar this season and Brit racer Hamilton sits sixth in the individual standings.
The upcoming Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday signifies the end of the month-long break for the drivers.
Hamilton, 37, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, took the time to travel across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
The seven-time champ has not won a race since December last year, but legendary driver Montoya thinks that may change soon.
READ MORE ON F1
He told Vegas Insider: “The rumour is that Mercedes has a big, big upgrade coming for their cars.
“And, if that is the case, Mercedes really comes up with a car, which is really cool to see from Mercedes.
“It is very exciting. Mercedes is still gonna get better, against everybody else, but everybody else in the field is gonna stay very constant.
“Because they all keep developing and making the cars better to drive, easier to drive.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“Everybody is getting a little more comfortable with the new package, and understanding the new package.”
“So I think the way everybody is developing the cars is going to be very similar, but I still think that Mercedes out-develops everybody else. That is my two cents.” 
“The question is, is Mercedes’ step so big that they start winning every race, and they are going to win the last nine races, and they are going to do one, two, seven or eight times, and you know, they have a shot at the Constructor Championship, while everybody else fumbles?”
I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes wellJuan Pablo Montoya
“Or their step is, ok, we are starting to fight against Red Bull and Mercedes, and we are just there? That is the more realistic version of what I see coming.
“I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes well.”
Hamilton said he was “transformed” by his trip through Africa.
And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
He has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, but said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
Legend Montoya thinks that Mercedes ‘out-develop’ the rest over the course of the seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor More

LEWIS HAMILTON has lifted the lid on his F1 future after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed the Brit can reach 400 races in the sport.Hamilton’s had an illustrious career since starting out with McLaren in 2007.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has claimed Lewis Hamilton can reach 400 races with the teamCredit: Reuters
But Hamilton revealed he’s taking it one race at a time in response to Wolff’s predictionCredit: Rex
The Brit went on to join Mercedes in 2013, and has scooped seven titles thus far.
He was denied the chance to break F1 legend Micheal Schumacher’s record and lift his eighth title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen last season.
And Hamilton’s crushing loss sparked fears that his pending retirement loomed.
But he brushed off the rumours to reach 300 races this season at the French GP.
READ MORE IN F1
Hamilton finished the race in second, behind Verstappen, and his performance led Wolff to claim the Mercedes star can add another 100 races to his catalogue, over the next decade.
He said: “[Lewis and I] talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go and the figure discussed was about five to 10 years, so I think we can go to 400.”
However, Hamilton didn’t share the same optimism when asked about Wolff’s prediction.
He responded: “That’s a lot of races! I firstly just want to be grateful to get to this point.

Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“But I still feel fresh and still feel like I’ve got plenty of fuel left in the tank.
“So, I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I’m… really, really proud and enjoying arriving every day and working with this incredible group of people. I’m also enjoying working with the sport more than ever.
He also urged Mercedes to do better after their poor start to the season.
Mercedes languish in third in the F1 table, behind Ferarri and leaders Red Bull.
While Hamilton’s chances of clinching the F1 title look slim as he sits in sixth spot in the driver standings.
He added: “But again, just with our team, I always want to continue to be building.
“It’s one thing having races, but it’s also continuing the work that we do outside and doing more; I think Mercedes and us can always do more, and we will.”
Mercedes and Hamilton will have the chance to close the gap this weekend at the Belgium GP after the F1’s month-long break. More

LEWIS HAMILTON has taken the first half of the 2022 season “easy”, according to former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell.The 37-year-old Brit made a slow start to the year as Mercedes struggled for pace against the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari.
Russell currently leads Hamilton in the drivers’ championshipCredit: Getty
Mansell feels Hamilton has taken the first half of the 2022 season easyCredit: Getty
Hamilton’s new team-mate George Russell raced into a substantial lead over his more experienced Mercedes partner.
But the seven-time champion closed the gap to just 12 points before the summer break thanks to five successive podium finishes.
And Mansell feels Hamilton has not yet put his foot down in 2022 – but does not think that should take away from the performances of Russell or McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris.
Speaking to Adrian Flux, he said: “I like both George Russell and Lando Norris.
READ MORE IN F1
“I think the opportunity that George has cast on the fact that Lewis hasn’t decided to dust off his right foot yet.
“I think he’s taking it easy.”
Yet despite claiming that Hamilton is yet to really put the pressure on Russell, Mansell insists he is impressed by both the new Mercedes man and Norris.
He added:”He [Russell] is doing a great job and I think Lando when the car is performing, he’s put some great results in.”
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
The F1 season gets back underway this weekend after a month break with the Belgian Grand Prix.
The paddock is preparing for a hectic three weeks with races in Belgium, Holland and Italy all taking place before the middle of September.
Defending champion Max Verstappen leads the championship by a huge 80 points from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez is a further five points adrift, with Russell, Carlos Sainz and Hamilton propping up the top six ahead of Norris.
Hamilton will be hoping he can secure a first victory of 2022 in the final nine races to maintain his record of winning a Grand Prix in every season since debuting back in 2007.
Norris is the highest-placed driver outside of Red Bull, Ferrari and MercedesCredit: Splash More

LEWIS HAMILTON was seen dancing with Pokot people in Kenya as he continued to love life on his African holiday.The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has already visited countries such as Rwanda and Namibia as he traces his roots around the continent during the sport’s summer break.
Lewis Hamilton has been travelling around Africa during the summer breakCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
His latest experience was to meet the Pokot people of KenyaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
Hamilton seemed to be loving life during his time in KenyaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
He was incredibly thankful to the people for welcoming him with open armsCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
The F1 legend has visited a number of African countries including Namibia and RwandaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
Hamilton shared the incredible experience on his social mediaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
The F1 star has revealed he is in Africa tracing his rootsCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
And his latest adventure saw him ingratiate himself with the Pokot people in Kenya as he danced, chatted and laughed with them.
Speaking about the experience on Instagram, he said: “I spent time with the Pokot people in Kenya and just to be in their presence was one thing.
“To be welcomed was something different entirely and a massive honour I don’t take lightly.
“The way I felt here is how I feel with my family back at home. We are all family, anyway.
READ MORE IN F1
“I’ll carry this experience, and all my other memories from Kenya and from this journey as a whole, in my heart forever.”
Hamilton has enjoyed some incredible moments during his time in Africa – including visiting gorillas in their natural habitat in Rwanda and hiking up volcanoes.
Meanwhile, F1 is currently on a summer break after the first half of the season drew to a close in Hungary at the end of July.
Hamilton grew into the 2022 campaign after a dreadful start for Mercedes.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
And he goes into the summer hiatus off the back of five successive podiums.
They included back-to-back second place finishes at the French and Hungarian Grands Prix.
He remains well adrift of Max Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings – with the Dutchman a huge 80 points clear of his nearest challenger Charles Leclerc.
However, Hamilton has moved up to sixth and is now only 32 points behind Leclerc.
And the F1 legend revealed ahead of the summer break that he is determined to compete with Red Bull and Ferrari.
Speaking after his second place in Hungary, Hamilton said: “We’ve had a tough year and for both cars to be on the podium is an amazing way to go into the break.
“The other guys have an edge but we are clearly closing the gap.
Read More on The Sun
“Hopefully we can bring some more into the second half of the season and start fighting with them.”
F1 returns with the Belgian GP on August 28. More

MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff has strongly dismissed claims suggesting that Sergio Perez could replace Lewis Hamilton next season.Perez, 32, was linked with the seat amid Hamilton’s poor run of form earlier this year.
Wolff has no intention to replace Hamilton next yearCredit: Splash
Perez was linked with the seatCredit: AFP
The Mercedes man has struggled to compete with both Red Bull and Ferrari since the F1 season began in March, leaving him increasingly frustrated.
But, while some reports have hinted that the seven-time world champion could leave or even retire at the end of this year, Wolff has revealed that there are no plans to replace him, especially with Red Bull’s Perez.
When speaking to Motorsport.com, he said: “It’s complete bull****.
“I never called Sergio, he’s a good guy and I respect him, but I never talked to him and I was not in contact with any other driver.
Read More in F1
“Lewis and I, even in the face of a not-so-encouraging scenario like the beginning of this season, we are always aligned in wanting to try to make things better and to be together next year.
“And we’ve been telling each other for a couple of months that we could go on, maybe five or 10 years, right? So none of that is true.”
Hamilton has struggled to get to grips with the new-look Mercedes car this year.
He began the season with a third place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix before gradually slipping down the grid over the weeks that followed.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
However, he managed a podium finish in each of his last four races and has since vowed to rival Red Bull and Max Verstappen once again after the summer break.
He told Sky Sports: “The other guys have an edge but we are clearly closing the gap. Hopefully we can bring some more into the second half of the season and start fighting with them.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell has been able to deliver consistent results weekly since joining the team.
He has finished in the top five in every race so far, except the British Grand Prix, where he was forced to retire after getting caught up in Zhou Guanyu’s horrific crash. More