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OLD F1 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton opens up on Mercedes dynamic with George Russell ahead of Monaco GP

OLD F1 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton opens up on Mercedes dynamic with George Russell ahead of Monaco GP

Lewis Hamilton has opened up on his relationship with George Russell at Mercedes, revealing there is no “leader” between the British pairing.

The seven-time world champion is clearly the senior man in terms of experience, though so far this season he has had to play second fiddle to the youngster when it comes to winning points in the drivers’ standings: Russell is fourth overall with 74 points while Hamilton sits sixth on 46. Yet Hamilton says they are working together to improve their teams’ chances of competing with the Red Bulls and Ferraris at the top of the championship. “I wouldn’t say I’m the leader,” Hamilton said. “George and I work equally hard together, I would say, to help drive the team and row just as hard as everyone else in the team.”

The Mercedes duo are hoping to challenge again in Monaco this Sunday after an improved performance in Barcelona last weekend, where Max Verstappen triumphed at the Spanish Grand Prix after major drama saw Formula 1 title rival Charles Leclerc retire. There was controversy when Red Bull initiated team orders to push the world champion above Sergio Perez to boost the drivers’ championship hopes, which seemed to rile the Mexican driver.

Follow live news and build-up to the Monaco Grand Prix below:

F1 news

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

09:17 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull’s chief technology officer Adrian Newey believes the regulation changes in regards to the weight of this season’s Formula One cars are taking the sport in the “wrong direction”.

F1 chiefs brought in the regulation changes to increase the chance for cars to overtake each other during races but Newey believes the move is part of a wider trend in which road cars are getting heavier.

“I think the principle of helping cars to overtake by reducing the sensitivity of the following car to the one in front is fine. I think it helps to be able to overtake a little better. I don’t think it’s a significant change but it will help a little,” Newey told Motorsport Magazin.

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

‘He’s a very determined racing driver’: Lewis Hamilton expected to shun retirement to chase record F1 title

08:56 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton has been backed to continue F1 for another season despite his early struggles in the current campaign.

Hamilton has dropped several hints about retirement over recent years, and many observers thought the devastation of losing the 2021 title fight to Max Verstappen might bring about the end of the seven-time world champion’s glittering career.

However, Hamilton has continued this season, in which Mercedes have fallen behind rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.

And former team owner Ross Brawn believes the 37-year-old is going nowhere.

“Amid all the glitz and the glamour, you still have a very determined racing driver,” he told the Evening Standard. “He’s still supremely fit and capable. I’m pretty certain he wants to win that eighth championship and, if not this year as looks likely, then next year.”

‘He’s very determined’: Lewis Hamilton tipped to stay and chase F1 history

George Russell reveals disagreement with new F1 rule

08:34 , Lawrence Ostlere

George Russell has revealed he disagrees with F1’s new rule that each team has to give their junior drivers at least two FP1 sessions this season.

Williams gave Nyck de Vries the opportunity to practice at the Spanish Grand Prix, while Red Bull handed a session to Juri Vips.

However, Russell feels the opportunities given to the young racers will hinder them because of the pressure it puts on their shoulders.

He said: “I think, slightly counter-intuitively, I personally don’t think it’s correct to be getting drivers in for FP1 to showcase what they can do in front of the world in 60 minutes, in 10 laps in a car they have barely driven, and be judged off this.”

George Russell reveals disagreement with new F1 rule

Max Verstappen excited for ‘old school’ and ‘insane’ Monaco Grand Prix

08:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

Reigning Formula One world champion Max Verstappen is looking forward to the “old school” Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

The 24-year-old Dutchman has already claimed three wins this season and moved six points clear of Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ championship with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Next up is the famous Monaco race where Verstappen won last season. And he is excited about the prospect of back-to-back wins at the iconic Monte Carlo track.

Speaking in Red Bull’s racing preview, he said: “Monaco is always a hectic but special weekend.

“Qualifying is critical, the track is very old school and narrow, your heart rate goes so high, it’s insane! We have to constantly be on the edge, it’s a pretty crazy track with Formula One cars.”

Max Verstappen excited for ‘old school’ and ‘insane’ Monaco Grand Prix

Haas disappointed by ‘lost opportunities’ at Spanish Grand Prix

08:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has admitted he is disappointed they failed to secure any points at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The American F1 team, whose drivers are Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, have already accumulated 15 points this season, a significant improvement from their tally of zero in 2021.

But they could only muster 14th and 17th positions in Barcelona despite qualifying eighth and 10th in Saturday’s qualifying.

Haas disappointed by ‘lost opportunities’ at Spanish Grand Prix

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

08:19 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull’s chief technology officer Adrian Newey believes the regulation changes in regards to the weight of this season’s Formula One cars are taking the sport in the “wrong direction”.

F1 chiefs brought in the regulation changes to increase the chance for cars to overtake each other during races but Newey believes the move is part of a wider trend in which road cars are getting heavier.

“I think the principle of helping cars to overtake by reducing the sensitivity of the following car to the one in front is fine. I think it helps to be able to overtake a little better. I don’t think it’s a significant change but it will help a little,” Newey told Motorsport Magazin.

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

McLaren boss disappointed with gap between Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo

Wednesday 25 May 2022 17:06 , Lawrence Ostlere

McLaren boss Zak Brown has expressed disappointment at the clear “gap” between drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, with the Australian yet to meet the “expectations” of his move to the team.

Ricciardo finished 12th at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday and has only scored one top-ten result out of six races in Formula One this season.

The experienced Ricciardo has been outperformed by his younger team-mate Norris, who battled to finish eighth in Barcelona despite struggling with tonsillitis.

Norris is seventh in the drivers standings and is the leading points-scorer outside of Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes, while Ricciardo is only 12th in the overall leaderboard.

McLaren had high hopes for the 2022 season but have seen rivals Ferrari pull away at the front of the grid following the overhaul in race regulations, but Brown is also frustrated that Ricciardo has been unable to deliver points for the team.

McLaren boss disappointed with gap between Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo

Drake loses £185k bet on Charles Leclerc at Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 16:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

Canadian rapper Drake was left particularly disappointed by Charles Leclerc’s retirement from the Spanish Grand Prix, revealing that he had bet £185,000 on the Ferrari driver to win the race in Barcelona.

Leclerc had established a dominant lead at the sixth race of the Formula 1 season and appeared likely to cruise to victory, but his engine failed six laps after his first pit stop and the Monegasque could not continue.

Drake claimed ahead of the race that he had placed a bet on F1 for the first time, placing a wager of CA$300,000 (£185,000) with a potential return of CA$750,000 (£467,000) if Leclerc claimed victory.

Drake loses £185k bet on Charles Leclerc at Spanish Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel has bag stolen in Barcelona after Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 16:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

Sebastian Vettel has been subjected to a robbery after a bag belonging to the four-time Formula One world champion was taken in Barcelona on Monday morning.

Vettel, who was unharmed in the incident, set off in pursuit of the stolen property by using the Find My iPhone application connected to his AirPods.

But although the 34-year-old German managed to track down his earphones, the bag and other items inside have not been found.

Sebastian Vettel has bag stolen in Barcelona after Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton insists there ‘isn’t a leader’ in Mercedes partnership with George Russell

Wednesday 25 May 2022 16:03 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton insisted that he does not feel like the leader at Mercedes and that he and George Russell “work equally hard together”.

Hamilton’s hopes of winning a record-breaking eighth world championship have all but disintegrated during a miserable start to the season for Mercedes and he trails teammate Russell by 28 points in the drivers’ standings.

His place at the pinnacle of the sport today remains undisputed, though, even as the new generation of drivers led by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc begin to establish what appears to be a new era.

But when Russell was asked at a press conference what qualities he saw in Hamilton as a leader, the 37-year-old interjected and said: “Well, firstly, I wouldn’t say I’m the leader. George and I work equally hard together, I would say, to help drive the team and row just as hard as everyone else in the team.”

Lewis Hamilton insists there ‘isn’t a leader’ in partnership with George Russell

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

Wednesday 25 May 2022 15:48 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull’s chief technology officer Adrian Newey believes the regulation changes in regards to the weight of this season’s Formula One cars are taking the sport in the “wrong direction”.

F1 chiefs brought in the regulation changes to increase the chance for cars to overtake each other during races but Newey believes the move is part of a wider trend in which road cars are getting heavier.

“I think the principle of helping cars to overtake by reducing the sensitivity of the following car to the one in front is fine. I think it helps to be able to overtake a little better. I don’t think it’s a significant change but it will help a little,” Newey told Motorsport Magazin.

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

Ferrari believe cool fuel behind Max Verstappen’s last-second pit exit at Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 15:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

Ferrari believe Max Verstappen’s late exit from the pits at the Spanish Grand Prix is down to Red Bull wanting to keep their fuel as cool as possible.

The minimum temperature for fuel last Sunday was 25 degrees and it is suspected the team cooled it below that level. This meant Verstappen and Sergio Perez had to stay in the garage to increase the temperature ahead of the grand prix.

The defending world champion left the pits with eight seconds to spare and Ferrari says they have to trust in the FIA that it was legal.

“I can imagine it [the late pit exit] was down to the fuel temperature,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said. “They need to be a maximum 10°C below the ambient. It should be at all times during the event. So not only when the car is going out but when the car is in the garage itself.”

Ferrari believe cool fuel behind Verstappen’s last-second pit exit at Spanish GP

Seven F1 teams could pull out of races because of budget cap, Christian Horner claims

Wednesday 25 May 2022 15:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned as many as seven teams may have to pull out of races this season to meet Formula ‘s budget cap.

The cap has fallen to £111 million in the 2022 season compared to the £115m in 2021. Horner says the governing body the FIA should increase the budget to reflect inflation rises and that they have a “duty of care” to ensure the teams can finish the campaign.

“Seven of the teams would probably need to miss the last four races to come within the cap this year,’ he said, as perBBC Sport. “It’s not just about the big teams. It’s teams in the middle of the field who are really struggling with inflationary issues. The FIA has a duty of care. I know they are taking it seriously.

“Energy bills, costs of living, costs are going exponentially, and F1 is not exempt. Freight has quadrupled and that’s not something we can control.”

Seven F1 teams could pull out of races because of budget cap, Christian Horner claims

Fernando Alonso open to joining top team alongside No 1 driver amid potential Red Bull move

Wednesday 25 May 2022 14:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Fernando Alonso says he would be open to moving to a team with a “number one driver” amid rumours he is headed to Red Bull.

The Alpine driver pointed out most teams are working together to get the most out of the car and so if he joined a team as a number two it would be a team effort.

And when asked if he could work with an “alpha” in the sport, he said: “Yeah, sure. I think at the end of the day there are not many number one, two drivers in any team right now. All the teams need both drivers to work together and to improve the car, especially with the new regulations.

“You still learn every lap you do and you have to work towards a better car, a better package. So let’s see what are the possibilities into the next few years.”

Alonso open to joining top team alongside No 1 driver amid potential Red Bull move

Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t met McLaren’s expectations, Zak Brown says

Wednesday 25 May 2022 14:39 , Lawrence Ostlere

McLaren team boss Zak Brown says Daniel Ricciardo isn’t hitting the expectations set for him when he joined in 2021.

Apart from winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last season, Ricciardo has struggled at McLaren and sits 12th in the driver standings this season with just one top-ten finish out of the opening six races.

By contrast, Ricciardo’s teammate, Lando Norris, has achieved a podium finish and is seventh overall, only behind the Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes drivers, and Brown has said there is a “gap” between the drivers.

“Lando definitely has an edge. Obviously we would like to see Daniel much closer to Lando and have a good intra-team battle,” Brown told Sky Sports. “Daniel’s just not comfortable yet with the car. We are trying everything we can – again it was a disappointing weekend.

“Short of kind of Monza and a few races, it’s generally not kind of met his or our expectations. I think all you can do is keep working hard as a team, keep communications going, keep pushing and hope whatever’s not kind of clicking at the moment clicks here shortly.”

Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t met McLaren’s expectations, Zak Brown says

Mercedes respond to claims Lewis Hamilton touched Red Bull rear wing after Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 14:21 , Lawrence Ostlere

Mercedes have denied that Lewis Hamilton touched the rear wing of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix.

A picture emerged of Hamilton walking behind the car which made it appear as though he had touched it. Max Verstappen was fined last season for doing the same with Hamilton’s wing at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which some fans were quick to highlight.

However, Mercedes insisted Hamilton didn’t in fact come into contact with the car.

‘’Some people seem to think he is touching the wing, but his hand isn’t on it,” Mercedes said in a statement to GPblog. “At each end of the flap, you can see the white dot for legality - and the bracket which allows the flap to pivot when the DRS opens.

“Some people seem to think one of those brackets is his thumb - but it’s clearly not, as it’s the same on both sides.”

Mercedes respond to claims Lewis Hamilton touched Red Bull rear wing

Lewis Hamilton radio call gives ‘alarming true picture’ of Mercedes star’s feelings

Wednesday 25 May 2022 14:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton’s radio call to retire from the Spanish Grand Prix gives an “alarming true picture” of how much he is not enjoying the season, according to Martin Brundle.

Hamilton suffered a puncture after a collision with Haas driver Kavin Magnussen and he told his team he wanted to bow out of the race. But Mercedes asked him to carry on and the British driver managed to finish the race in fifth.

“Lewis’ contact with Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap surely cost him a chance of a spectacular result,” pundit Brundle wrote for Sky Sports. “He was 50 seconds behind the leader on lap two and 54 seconds at the end despite backing off by four seconds on the final tour.

“Lewis’s radio call-in after falling to the back of the field with a puncture, basically wanting to stop and ‘save the power unit mileage’, was alarming in that it gave us the true picture of how little he’s been enjoying this season. Presumably 65 laps later he was somewhat more satisfied after showing great pace.”

Lewis Hamilton radio call gives ‘alarming true picture’ of Mercedes star’s feelings

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

Wednesday 25 May 2022 13:51 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull’s chief technology officer Adrian Newey believes the regulation changes in regards to the weight of this season’s Formula One cars are taking the sport in the “wrong direction”.

F1 chiefs brought in the regulation changes to increase the chance for cars to overtake each other during races but Newey believes the move is part of a wider trend in which road cars are getting heavier.

“I think the principle of helping cars to overtake by reducing the sensitivity of the following car to the one in front is fine. I think it helps to be able to overtake a little better. I don’t think it’s a significant change but it will help a little,” Newey told Motorsport Magazin.

Red Bull guru Adrian Newey fears F1 car design is going in ‘wrong direction’

Ferrari believe cool fuel behind Max Verstappen’s last-second pit exit at Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 11:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

Ferrari believe Max Verstappen’s late exit from the pits at the Spanish Grand Prix is down to Red Bull wanting to keep their fuel as cool as possible.

The minimum temperature for fuel last Sunday was 25 degrees and it is suspected the team cooled it below that level. This meant Verstappen and Sergio Perez had to stay in the garage to increase the temperature ahead of the grand prix.

The defending world champion left the pits with eight seconds to spare and Ferrari says they have to trust in the FIA that it was legal.

“I can imagine it [the late pit exit] was down to the fuel temperature,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said. “They need to be a maximum 10°C below the ambient. It should be at all times during the event. So not only when the car is going out but when the car is in the garage itself.”

Ferrari believe cool fuel behind Verstappen’s last-second pit exit at Spanish GP

Seven F1 teams could pull out of races because of budget cap, Christian Horner claims

Wednesday 25 May 2022 11:23 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned as many as seven teams may have to pull out of races this season to meet Formula ‘s budget cap.

The cap has fallen to £111 million in the 2022 season compared to the £115m in 2021. Horner says the governing body the FIA should increase the budget to reflect inflation rises and that they have a “duty of care” to ensure the teams can finish the campaign.

“Seven of the teams would probably need to miss the last four races to come within the cap this year,’ he said, as perBBC Sport. “It’s not just about the big teams. It’s teams in the middle of the field who are really struggling with inflationary issues. The FIA has a duty of care. I know they are taking it seriously.

“Energy bills, costs of living, costs are going exponentially, and F1 is not exempt. Freight has quadrupled and that’s not something we can control.”

Seven F1 teams could pull out of races because of budget cap, Christian Horner claims

Fernando Alonso open to joining top team alongside No 1 driver amid potential Red Bull move

Wednesday 25 May 2022 11:06 , Lawrence Ostlere

Fernando Alonso says he would be open to moving to a team with a “number one driver” amid rumours he is headed to Red Bull.

The Alpine driver pointed out most teams are working together to get the most out of the car and so if he joined a team as a number two it would be a team effort.

And when asked if he could work with an “alpha” in the sport, he said: “Yeah, sure. I think at the end of the day there are not many number one, two drivers in any team right now. All the teams need both drivers to work together and to improve the car, especially with the new regulations.

“You still learn every lap you do and you have to work towards a better car, a better package. So let’s see what are the possibilities into the next few years.”

Alonso open to joining top team alongside No 1 driver amid potential Red Bull move

Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t met McLaren’s expectations, Zak Brown says

Wednesday 25 May 2022 10:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

McLaren team boss Zak Brown says Daniel Ricciardo isn’t hitting the expectations set for him when he joined in 2021.

Apart from winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last season, Ricciardo has struggled at McLaren and sits 12th in the driver standings this season with just one top-ten finish out of the opening six races.

By contrast, Ricciardo’s teammate, Lando Norris, has achieved a podium finish and is seventh overall, only behind the Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes drivers, and Brown has said there is a “gap” between the drivers.

“Lando definitely has an edge. Obviously we would like to see Daniel much closer to Lando and have a good intra-team battle,” Brown told Sky Sports. “Daniel’s just not comfortable yet with the car. We are trying everything we can – again it was a disappointing weekend.

“Short of kind of Monza and a few races, it’s generally not kind of met his or our expectations. I think all you can do is keep working hard as a team, keep communications going, keep pushing and hope whatever’s not kind of clicking at the moment clicks here shortly.”

Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t met McLaren’s expectations, Zak Brown says

Mercedes respond to claims Lewis Hamilton touched Red Bull rear wing after Spanish Grand Prix

Wednesday 25 May 2022 10:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

Mercedes have denied that Lewis Hamilton touched the rear wing of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix.

A picture emerged of Hamilton walking behind the car which made it appear as though he had touched it. Max Verstappen was fined last season for doing the same with Hamilton’s wing at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which some fans were quick to highlight.

However, Mercedes insisted Hamilton didn’t in fact come into contact with the car.

‘’Some people seem to think he is touching the wing, but his hand isn’t on it,” Mercedes said in a statement to GPblog. “At each end of the flap, you can see the white dot for legality - and the bracket which allows the flap to pivot when the DRS opens.

“Some people seem to think one of those brackets is his thumb - but it’s clearly not, as it’s the same on both sides.”

Mercedes respond to claims Lewis Hamilton touched Red Bull rear wing

Lewis Hamilton radio call gives ‘alarming true picture’ of Mercedes star’s feelings

Wednesday 25 May 2022 10:13 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton’s radio call to retire from the Spanish Grand Prix gives an “alarming true picture” of how much he is not enjoying the season, according to Martin Brundle.

Hamilton suffered a puncture after a collision with Haas driver Kavin Magnussen and he told his team he wanted to bow out of the race. But Mercedes asked him to carry on and the British driver managed to finish the race in fifth.

“Lewis’ contact with Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap surely cost him a chance of a spectacular result,” pundit Brundle wrote for Sky Sports. “He was 50 seconds behind the leader on lap two and 54 seconds at the end despite backing off by four seconds on the final tour.

“Lewis’s radio call-in after falling to the back of the field with a puncture, basically wanting to stop and ‘save the power unit mileage’, was alarming in that it gave us the true picture of how little he’s been enjoying this season. Presumably 65 laps later he was somewhat more satisfied after showing great pace.”

Lewis Hamilton radio call gives ‘alarming true picture’ of Mercedes star’s feelings

F1: Hamilton on relationship with Russell

Wednesday 25 May 2022 09:57 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton has opened up on his relationship with George Russell at Mercedes, revealing there is no “leader” between the British pairing.

The seven-time world champion is clearly the senior man in terms of experience, though so far this season he has had to play second fiddle to the youngster when it comes to winning points in the drivers’ standings: Russell is fourth overall with 74 points while Hamilton sits sixth on 46. Yet Hamilton says they are working together to improve their teams’ chances of competing with the Red Bulls and Ferraris at the top of the championship.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the leader,” Hamilton said. “George and I work equally hard together, I would say, to help drive the team and row just as hard as everyone else in the team.”

Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Reuters)
Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Reuters)

F1 news

Wednesday 25 May 2022 09:47 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow live F1 news and build-up to the Monaco Grand Prix.