Motorsport

MERCEDES are confident that Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with the team prior to the new season beginning.The seven-time world champion sees his deal with the constructors finish at the end of the approaching 2023 season.
Lewis Hamilton is expected to sign a new deal at MercedesCredit: Getty
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, 51, remains relaxed about Hamilton putting pen to paper on a new deal.
Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
“We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
Hamilton, 38, is taking some time away from the track, going on holidays and talks are set to begin when he returns.
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Wolff continued: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
Last season proved a disaster for Hamilton as he suffered continuous issues with his car, such as bouncing along the straights.
Mercedes have confirmed they will launch the new W14 car on February 16.
The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23.
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The first race then takes place in Bahrain on March 5.
Hamilton is used to speaking out about a range of issues but the FIA will no longer allow drivers to use their F1 platform to make statements on political and social problems.
Anyone planning to do so will need permission in advance with Wolff set to hold a discussion with the governing body regarding the new rule.
He said: “Once he [Hamilton] is back, these things will certainly be discussed with a positive mindset.” More

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has called on the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to meet Lewis Hamilton – to prevent his driver from being BANNED from making political statements.The FIA have announced radical plans that mean drivers and teams must get written permission before making any “political, religious and personal statements”.
Lewis Hamilton’s ability to speak out could be hit if the FIA bring in new rulesCredit: AFP
Mercedes Team principal Toto Wolff wants the FIA to sort the matter out by meeting with British driving legend Lewis HamiltonCredit: Reuters
The move seems targeted at Hamilton, who has become a global advocate for anti-racism and diversity and spoke out on a variety of issues before F1 races.
And Wolff wants clarification from race bosses before the new season starts in Bahrain on March 5.
He said: “We need to see how this really pans out. We understand that sport is not here to mix with politics but on the contrary and to unite.
“I have no doubt Mohammed and the FIA mean well and want to achieve the right things.
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“It is just about aligning it with the drivers who have been more outspoken in the past.
“When Lewis has spoken with Mohammed in the past it has always ended up in a positive discussion, so when people sit around the table together I don’t think things will be as harsh as they are written down.”
Meanwhile, Williams have signed James Vowles as team boss after poaching him from Mercedes.
Vowles has been in F1 for 21-years and won nine F1 constructors’ championships with Brawn GP and Mercedes.
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The 43-year-old Brit was most recently Motorsport Strategy Director at Mercedes, a position he held for over four years.
However, he has disputed any suggestions he is turning Williams into any “mini-Mercedes” after George Russell also spent some time on loan at the team.
“I wouldn’t consider it a mini-Mercedes,” said Vowles.
“Williams is an incredibly independent team in its own right that has formed its own history, its own heritage.”
Vowles added that Williams was “an entirely independent organisation”.
He said: “It doesn’t mean that Mercedes and ourselves won’t have collaboration in some form or another, it was collaborating before I joined.
“But I have to do what was best for Williams from now onwards.”
Former Mercedes’ Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles has become team boss at WilliamsCredit: Getty More

F1 fans think they have uncovered the identity of Lewis Hamilton’s new girlfriend.The seven-time world champion, 38, is currently in Antarctica as he gears up for the 2023 season – which begins in Bahrain in March.
Lewis Hamilton is currently enjoying some time in Antarctica
Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend Juliana Nalu is also in Antarctica
Hamilton could be seen on former snowboarder Shaun White’s Instagram
Fans believe the arm alongside Hamilton was Nalu’s
He has filmed himself on training runs in the freezing conditions, jogging past seals and penguins as he gets himself in shape for a 17th successive year in Formula 1.
Former Olympic snowboarder Shaun White has joined him out in the cold climate as Hamilton was pictured enjoying a hot tub with the three-time gold medallist.
White, 36, is also with his wife – actress Nina Dobrev.
In a screenshot of Hamilton and White in the hot tub, the arm of an unidentifiable woman can be seen next to the British racing driver.
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Nalu has more than 800,000 followers on Instagram
And F1 fans believe it to be Kanye West’s ex-partner Juliana Nalu.
Brazilian supermodel Nalu, 24, has shared pictures from Antarctica during Hamilton’s time there.
And while there is no concrete proof that the pair are together, social media users hilariously jumped to conclusions.
Speaking about White and Hamilton, one person said: “Of course he’s on the same boat. Check Shaun White’s Insta. They’re in the hot tub and a girl (Juliana Nalu?) in Lewis’ arms.”
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Another added: “JULIANA NALU WITH LEWIS HAMILTON, REALLY???”
A third said: “Juliana Nalu with Lewis Hamilton. LOL this darling is too good.”
While a fourth replied: “The Hamilton descent can be Brazilian and it only depends on Juliana Nalu.”
Before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last year, Hamilton became a Brazilian citizen.
The Brit, who has a long affinity with the South American nation, was handed the legislative medal of merit and a diploma showcasing his new status.
He was a huge admirer of the country’s racing icon Ayrton Senna when he was growing up.
He then went on to win his first F1 world title in Brazil in 2008 – beating the home fans’ countryman Felipe Massa to the crown.
But he has still gone on to be embraced by the nation.
And he made a speech to the Brazilian people following his citizenship ceremony in November.
As reported by Reuters, he said: “I feel like now I’m one of you.”

He then went on to add: “I have so many amazing memories of Brazil. And particularly 2021 [when he won from 10th on the grid].
“Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can’t wait for us to continue to strive ahead.”
Hamilton has always been very private about his dating lifeCredit: Getty More

WILLIAMS have signed James Vowles as team boss after poaching him from Mercedes.Vowles has been in Formula One for 21-years and won nine F1 constructors’ championships with Brawn GP and Mercedes.
Williams have appointed James Vowles as their new team bossCredit: Getty
He previously worked with Mercedes and Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
He was most recently Motorsport Strategy Director at Merc, a position he held for over four years.
The 43-year-old Brit replaces German Jost Capito, who was released from the role at the end of last season with Williams finishing last in the championship.
Vowles said: “I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage.
“The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.
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“Mercedes have been hugely supportive on my journey, and we part on excellent terms after over 20 years of working in Brackley.
“I am grateful for everything Toto Wolff and the team have provided, and it has been such a special experience to journey together through failure and success.
“Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. Williams has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks.”
Merc boss Wolff added: “James has been a highly valued member of our team in his role as Motorsport Strategy Director, playing an integral part in our success in recent years.
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“Having worked with him since I first joined the team in 2013, I know how diligent, capable and talented he is and have taken great satisfaction from watching James develop and grow over the past decade.
“Since stepping back from the pit wall mid-season last year, he has continued to build the capability of our strategy team at Brackley, and we have a fantastic group of talented strategists who will continue their superb work in the years to come.
“While we are naturally sad to be saying goodbye to such a capable member of the team, I have no doubts whatsoever that he has all the necessary skills to become a fantastic Team Principal in Formula One.” More