Lewis Hamilton offered $77M- year-extension by Mercedes – Reports
Mercedes have gone back to black in a return to their livery of 2020 and 2021 as they unveiled their new W14 car ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Toto Wolff were all present at the launch event at Silverstone on Wednesday morning when the 2023 design revealed a return to the past, after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
The Silver Arrows, after two years with a black livery born out of a stand against racism in wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, returned to their usual silver colour last year but struggled with porpoising and bouncing amid a new set of technical regulations. Yet hope is high 2023 will be different and Hamilton, targeting a record eighth world title, quipped that the car “looks great in black.”
Following Ferrari’s launch on Tuesday, Alpine are the final team to launch their 2023 car and will do so on Thursday evening in London.
Follow all the latest news from the world of Formula 1 with The Independent.
F1 NEWS AND UPDATES
Show latest update
1676487590
F1 news: George Russell takes aim at ‘silly’ FIA political ban
George Russell insists Formula 1 drivers will not restrict their views on political and personal matters due to some “silly regulation.”
The FIA, F1’s governing body, has recently updated its international sporting code to prevent drivers from making “political, religious or personal” remarks without prior approval.
Yet numerous drivers have rallied against the rule change in the past few weeks and Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton – who has been among those vocal on issues such as racial inequality and diversity – said on Wednesday nothing would stop him speaking out.
And Russell, speaking at Mercedes’ 2023 car launch at Silverstone, echoed that sentiment, describing the regulation as “totally unnecessary” but added his hope that clarity would be found prior to the first race of the season in Bahrain.
“I am not too sure why the FIA has taken a stance like this,” Russell, a director for the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said.
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 18:59
1676485790
Mercedes 2023 car launch: Lewis Hamilton insists he will not be silenced after FIA political ban
Lewis Hamilton is set for a collision course with the FIA after telling Formula 1’s governing body that he will not be silenced.
The FIA has recently updated its rules to prevent drivers from making “political, religious or personal” remarks without prior approval.
Their controversial clampdown comes after drivers – including seven-time world champion Hamilton and the recently-retired Sebastian Vettel – have spoken out on issues such as racism, diversity and the environment in recent seasons.
However, the sporting federation, and its under-fire president Mohammed ben Sulayem, has attracted a backlash for the new law, with a growing number of the grid venting their frustrations.
Asked about the FIA’s move to effectively gag the drivers, Hamilton, 38, said: “It doesn’t surprise me.
“But nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I am passionate about and the issues that there are. I feel the sport does have a responsibility to speak out on things and raise awareness on certain topics, particularly as we travel to all these places, so nothing changes for me.”
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 18:29
1676483990
Mercedes 2023 car launch – full story:
Mercedes have gone back to black in a return to their livery of 2020 and 2021 as they unveiled their new W14 car ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
The Silver Arrows, after two years with a black livery born out of a stand against racism in wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, returned to their usual silver colour last year but struggled with porpoising and bouncing amid a new set of technical regulations.
Yet hope is high 2023 will be different and Hamilton, targeting a record eighth world title, quipped that the car “looks great in black.”
The 38-year-old, who failed to win a race last year, added: “We’re all excited to get back in. We’ve done a lot of work in the simulator but we’ve seen this in the works for some time now.
“Before Christmas I saw it in the wind-tunnel and I’m really excited, I know everyone at the factory has worked so hard for this creation.”
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 17:59
1676483090
F1 news: F1 boss insists sport will ‘never put a gag’ on drivers speaking out on political issues
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali implored the sport will “never put a gag on anyone” in wake of the FIA’s ban on drivers making political statements.
The FIA updated their international sporting code in the off-season to implement a regulation stating that drivers will be in breach of the rulebook if they make “political, religious or personal” statements without prior approval from F1’s governing body.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton and the recently retired Sebastian Vettel have regularly spoken out on matters such as racial inequality, minority rights and climate change and this new rule seems to be a clampdown on their ability to highlight issues close to their heart.
While Domenicali believed the FIA would indeed provide further details in the near future, the ex-Ferrari chief insisted that the sport was eager to encourage drivers raising important political issues.
“F1 will never put a gag on anyone,” he told The Guardian. “Everyone wants to talk so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is. We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multicultural and multivalued.
“We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views. I cannot say one is right, one is wrong but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way.”
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 17:44
1676482190
F1 news: Ferrari reveal 2023 F1 car at spectacular SF-23 launch event in Maranello
Ferrari unveiled their 2023 Formula 1 car – the SF-23 – at a spectacular launch event at their base in Maranello in front of 500 Tifosi fans.
The Scuderia, whose title challenge in 2022 was undone by reliability problems and strategic errors as Red Bull cruised to double title glory, have a new team principal at the helm this year with former Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur replacing Mattia Binotto.
Vasseur was present at the reveal on Tuesday morning, alongside drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as the car design was unveiled before the SF-23 was driven around the Circuit de Fiorano by first Leclerc, and then Sainz.
With Ferrari this year emblazoned on the rear wing, the livery design is not altogether dissimilar to last year’s design, though the car will have an adapted ride height as a result of a slight tweak in the technical regulations.
“I can’t wait for the new season, 2022 was a good step forward compared to two difficult years before,” Leclerc said.
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 17:29
1676481590
F1 news: Lando Norris ready to break F1 ban on political statements
Lando Norris believes it is paramount for F1 drivers to have “freedom of speech” following a controversial FIA rule implemented in the off-season.
The new international sporting code states that the sport’s stars could be in breach if they make a “political or religious statement” without prior approval from the sport’s governing body.
Norris, who has been open on topics such as mental health in the past, echoed the voices of many drivers in his reponse to the new regulation.
“F1 shouldn’t limit what we can do or say or influence as drivers because we’re only wanting to do it for the best reasons, doing it because we have millions of fans and viewers who we want to influence and guide and help.
“We should have freedom of speech and do what we want, that’s what we want. It’s better when as a community we make statements as a group but we as drivers should have our own say.
“If things start to get blocked off, no one’s going to want to do media – I’ll just say the same things over and over. We’re only trying to help people in the world and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to do that.”
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 17:19
1676480390
Mercedes 2023 car launch: Lewis Hamilton…
Hamilton: “We’re all excited to get back in. We’ve done a lot of work in the simulator but we’ve seen this in the works for some time now.
“Before Christmas I saw the car in the wind-tunnel and I’m really excited, I know everyone at the factory has worked so hard for this creation.
“This is the most exciting part of the year. I stand in awe of how amazing the designers are, so much detail! There’s eight billion people and only 20 of us get to do this, so privileged beyond measure. With all the difficulties last year, we’re all anxious to get out there and see where everyone else is too.”
Hamilton, whose contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, hinted that a new deal could be on the horizon too.
“I’ve been here a long time,” he said. “I love being part of a team going towards a common goal, I love racing. I always believe I can get better and I love that challenge of having to deep dive and extract more performance.
“It’s not the same car every year, it’s always changing. I love that. I’m planning to stay a little bit longer!”
(Mercedes)
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 16:59
1676479550
Mercedes 2023 car launch: Toto Wolff compares Lewis Hamilton to Tom Brady amid talk of new Mercedes deal
Toto Wolff insists Mercedes will “find the right time” to renew Lewis Hamilton’s contract as the team’s CEO compared the seven-time world champion to NFL legend Tom Brady.
Hamilton‘s reported £40m-a-year contract with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of the new season, though both parties have expressed their eagerness to extend beyond 2023.
The 38-year-old, who is entering his 11th season with Mercedes, failed to win a race last year – the first winless season of his career – but is optimistic that his team can challenge Red Bull and Ferrari at the front again after a 2022 plagued with issues.
“We’ve done a few of these contracts in the past and they change little so it’s not usually complex apart from the obvious terms,” Wolff said.
“We’ve had a first chat but I don’t want to commit to any timeline because it’s not important for him and for us – it runs a full year and we’ll find the right time.
“He appears to me in great form, very positive – maybe the best I’ve seen in those 10 years after the winter.
“He knows what he has with the team, we got it wrong last year. The resources and capability is there, but we just need to continue to develop like last season. I don’t think it plays on Lewis’ mind any doubts that the team will perform. We will… eventually!”
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 16:45
1676477706
Mercedes 2023 car launch: Lewis Hamilton insists he will not be silenced after FIA political ban
Lewis Hamilton is set for a collision course with the FIA after telling Formula 1’s governing body that he will not be silenced.
The FIA has recently updated its rules to prevent drivers from making “political, religious or personal” remarks without prior approval.
Their controversial clampdown comes after drivers – including seven-time world champion Hamilton and the recently-retired Sebastian Vettel – have spoken out on issues such as racism, diversity and the environment in recent seasons.
However, the sporting federation, and its under-fire president Mohammed ben Sulayem, has attracted a backlash for the new law, with a growing number of the grid venting their frustrations.
Asked about the FIA’s move to effectively gag the drivers, Hamilton, 38, said: “It doesn’t surprise me.
“But nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I am passionate about and the issues that there are. I feel the sport does have a responsibility to speak out on things and raise awareness on certain topics, particularly as we travel to all these places, so nothing changes for me.”
Lewis Hamilton says he will continue to speak out on major topics (Mercedes/PA)
(PA Media)
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 16:15
1676475050
F1 news: Fernando Alonso unhappy with limited testing time in new Aston Martin car
Fernando Alonso has voiced his displeasure at the lack of testing time available to drivers ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The two-time world champion was speaking at the launch of Aston Martinn’s 2023 car at Silverstone on Monday night, with team-mate Lance Stroll also present.
Alonso, who joins Aston from Alpine following Sebastian Vettel’s retirement, does not have long to acclimatise to his new team, with next week’s three day testing window meaning the 41-year-old will have just one day-and-a-half to trial the new car.
The first race of the 2023 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, takes place a week later.
“It is a little bit unfair”, he told a group of journalists on Monday.
“This is the only sport in the world where you do one-and-a-half days practice and then you’re into a World Championship.”
While Alonso insisted he was keeping his “feet on the ground” this season, he did not rule out that his ultimate goal in his final years in the sport were to claim a third World Championship.
Kieran Jackson15 February 2023 15:30
