Lewis Hamilton warned not to expect instant results from Mercedes upgrade
Toto Wolff has warned Lewis Hamilton that Mercedes’ upgrade is unlikely to provide a swift end to his losing streak. Hamilton and team-mate George Russell were given their first taste of the team’s revamped machine in Monaco. Hamilton and Russell qualified sixth and eighth, before making up two and three places respectively in Sunday’s rain-hit race following an early call to move from slick to wet rubber. Traditionally, the Monte Carlo layout has been among Mercedes’ worst tracks with this weekend’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona set to represent a truer reflection of the team’s outright speed. But Wolff believes he did not see enough progress from their upgraded car to suggest they will immediately move ahead of Aston Martin and Ferrari in the pecking order, or challenge Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team who have won all six races this year. “We need to be careful,” said team principal Wolff. “We will collect more data in Barcelona, but I don’t expect us to clear Ferrari and Aston Martin there either. “It is about understanding what does this car do now and how do we set it up? “We are good at grinding away. Last year, the package was terrible at the beginning of the season, and we won a race in Interlagos [at the penultimate round] so we will get there.” Hamilton finished 39 seconds behind Verstappen on Sunday as the Dutchman claimed his fourth victory in six races to extend his championship lead to 39 points. Red Bull have now won 15 of the last 16 grands prix, with Verstappen, who grazed the wall en route to taking the chequered flag in Monte Carlo, remaining on course to race to his third world title in as many years. Asked if Verstappen’s dominance is proving to be a turn-off for the sport, Wolff replied: “When you win in Formula One it is a meritocracy. “They have done a good job and the car is fast in all conditions and the driver is at the top of his game. “We need to do a better job, catch up, find intelligent solutions and hope our development slope is steeper than theirs, and eventually fight again. “Whether it is good for the show or not, a strong fight between 10 drivers, or at least two, is obviously much better for all of us, but we have to accept it and work to get back there. “The best driver in the best car spending the same money wins the championship, and if you break the rules you should be heavily penalised, but only then, and you should not be penalised for simply doing a good job.” Read More Concerns Monaco GP could be ‘left behind’ as Max Verstappen wins ‘boring race’ Wolff fumes as Hamilton’s F1 car floor displayed during removal from Monaco track Fernando Alonso ready to pounce if Max Verstappen makes a slow start in Monaco Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take pole position in Monaco Lewis Hamilton reveals impact of Mercedes updates in Monaco F1 2023 calendar: Every race this season
2023-05-29 20:50
F1: Red Bull gets away repercussion-free once again with secret info
A massive secret was revealed regarding Red Bull's Formula One car, but it appears the team has gotten away without issue.On Saturday, a massive Red Bull Racing secret was made available for each of the other nine Formula One teams to see, clear as day. Sergio Perez's car was craned pl...
2023-05-29 00:55
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates and standings as Max Verstappen starts on pole
Max Verstappen saw off Fernando Alonso to take pole position in a scintillating qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix. Alonso’s Aston Martin mechanics celebrated wildly after it appeared as though the 41-year-old Spaniard had taken his first pole in 11 years. F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix But Verstappen delivered a mesmerising final sector in Monte Carlo to take top spot with his final throw of the dice, beating Alonso by just 0.084 seconds. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari but received a three-place grid drop for impeding Lando Norris, so starts sixth with Esteban Ocon in third and Carlos Sainz fourth. Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth for Mercedes, two places ahead of team-mate George Russell, but starts in fifth due to Leclerc’s penalty - with Sergio Perez set to start Sunday’s 78-lap race from last place after he crashed out. Follow updates from the Monaco Grand Prix with The Independent - the race starts at 2pm (BST). Read More F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco qualifying result
2023-05-28 18:28
F1: Red Bull's biggest secret revealed after qualifying crash
During Saturday afternoon's Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, Red Bull Racing said goodbye to one of its only true secrets on the track.In Formula One, just like in any performance-based activity, certain trends arise from imitation. Side pods or no side pods? Large front wing or more minimalis...
2023-05-28 01:55
Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco qualifying result
Lewis Hamilton was joyous after qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, insisting he hadn’t enjoyed the race as much since 2008. The seven-time world champion, driving a new-look Mercedes this weekend, made an error and crashed towards the end of third practice on Saturday morning. But his car was repaired in time for a topsy-turvy qualifying session, with the 38-year-old sneaking through the opening two sessions before setting the sixth-fastest time in Q3. Yet despite the ‘midfield’ result, Hamilton revealed he has been in a “good frame of mind” all weekend and has “loved every second of the track” in the principality so far. “It’s been an amazing weekend,” said three-time Monaco winner Hamilton after qualifying. “I’ve loved every second of the track. More than ever! Haven’t enjoyed it as much since 2007, 2008, Formula 3 days. We’ve made some really good changes. “I’ve arrived here this weekend in a really good frame of mind. I feel really refreshed, I’ve loved the challenge of being in the car. I’m glad I didn’t break the new components! “Those changes have helped the feeling… going in the right direction. I don’t think we’ll get a full read of the sidepods until Barcelona when we’ll see the car come alive. Hamilton also took sole fault for the collision with the wall at the end of FP3. “The car felt like a real handful,” he said of his early running on Saturday. “Switching on the tyres was hard. A decision I took, against everyone’s judgement, and it made it hard. That’s as fast as our car could go, maybe a tenth better.” Max Verstappen snatched pole from Fernando Alonso in a thrilling end to qualifying, with Charles Leclerc third and Esteban Ocon a surprise name in fourth. Hamilton’s team-mate, George Russell, could only manage eighth for Sunday’s race, where rain could play a part. Read More F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco Lewis Hamilton crashes in new Mercedes at Monaco Grand Prix practice Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? F1’s Charles Leclerc drops huge hint about Lewis Hamilton’s potential future at Ferrari
2023-05-28 00:52
F1 starting grid tomorrow: Monaco Grand Prix qualifying results
Monaco, where qualifying is almost always more important than the race itself. Here's how the grid will start -- and quite possibly, finish -- on Sunday.Monaco might be one of the most iconic Grand Prix events on the Formula One calendar, but let's be honest, it's not good racing....
2023-05-27 22:22
Lewis Hamilton crashes out of final practice for Monaco Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton crashed out of final practice for the Monaco Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion lost control of his Mercedes through the right-hander Mirabeau and ended up in the wall. Hamilton sustained front suspension damage in the low-speed accident with his Mercedes team now facing a race against time to repair his car for qualifying at 4pm local time (3pm UK). “Sorry about that, mate,” said Hamilton on the radio, shortly before trudging away from his broken machine with his hands behind his back. “No worries, we will sort it,” replied Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington. Hamilton was running in eighth place before he crashed out with just five minutes remaining. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-05-27 20:27
Lewis Hamilton crashes in new Mercedes at Monaco Grand Prix practice
Lewis Hamilton crashed into the barriers to bring third practice to an abrupt end at the Monaco Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion lost control of his revamped Mercedes through the right-hander Mirabeau and ended up in the wall. Hamilton sustained front suspension damage in the low-speed accident with his Mercedes team now facing a race against time to repair his car for qualifying at 4pm local time (3pm UK). “Sorry about that, mate,” said Hamilton on the radio, shortly before trudging away from his broken machine with his hands behind his back. “No worries, we will sort it,” replied Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington. Hamilton was running in eighth place before he crashed out with just five minutes remaining. The 38-year-old had set the fastest first sector of the session before hitting the wall. It meant Max Verstappen topped the timesheets heading into qualifying on Saturday, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez second. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was third. Read More F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and FP3 results after Lewis Hamilton crash What time is F1 qualifying today at the Monaco Grand Prix? Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it?
2023-05-27 20:18
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and FP3 results after Lewis Hamilton crash
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races - the Monaco Grand Prix - after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon. F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season. PREVIEW: Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s race in wet conditions, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s cars. Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2. Follow F1 qualifying live with The Independent - FP3 started at 11:30am before qualifying at 3pm (BST) Read More Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Lewis Hamilton reveals impact of Mercedes updates in Monaco Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it?
2023-05-27 19:51
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying latest updates and FP3 times
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races - the Monaco Grand Prix - after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon. F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season. PREVIEW: Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s race in wet conditions, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s cars. Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2. Follow F1 qualifying live with The Independent - FP3 is at 11:30am before qualifying at 3pm (BST) Read More Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? Lewis Hamilton hoped for more from Mercedes updates in Monaco
2023-05-27 18:22
Motor racing-Hamilton rumours all part of F1's fuelled-up 'Silly Season'
MONACO Having lived in Monte Carlo for nearly three decades David Coulthard knows a good bet when he
2023-05-27 18:19
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Mercedes trial new upgrades
Lewis Hamilton insists his team are “almost there” as they look to agree a new contract with Mercedes – and has denied reports that Ferrari have approached him. The 38-year-old’s current contract with the Silver Arrows, where he has been since 2013, expires at the end of this season as he is set to take to the track on Friday in a revamped Mercedes car. COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? A report this week suggested Ferrari have offered the seven-time F1 world champion – who has won six of his titles with Mercedes – a £40m-a-year contract to join the Scuderia from 2024. Yet Hamilton, who covets a record-breaking eighth crown after missing out controversially in Abu Dhabi in 2021, revealed that his representatives are close to concluding negotiations with Mercedes over an extension. First practice at the Monaco Grand Prix starts at 12:30pm (BST) on Friday, with FP2 at 4pm (BST). Follow practice at the Monaco Grand Prix with The Independent. Read More Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? F1 Monaco Grand Prix: Why is practice no longer on a Thursday? Ferrari boss gives Lewis Hamilton update after reports of shock move
2023-05-26 17:22