Perhaps the longest farewell in sport, Mercedes announced on February 1 that they had lost their seven-time Formula 1 world champion to their arch-rivals Ferrari. The situation can be summarized as follows: “The Silver Arrows served me well until a few years ago, but now I’m going to the real deal, also known as The Scuderia, where all drivers aspire to race.”
Unsurprisingly, Hamilton is no longer the main driver at Mercedes. This comes as no surprise, considering he has been outperformed by his younger teammate in qualifying by a ratio of 7-1 this season. Hamilton explained the reason behind this: “I expected it to be challenging to beat George in qualifying because he has the upgraded component. I already know I automatically lose two tenths in qualifying. It’s definitely frustrating, and I don’t have an answer for it at the moment. I’m not driving differently, and my laps have been really good. I’m just missing something. I don’t expect to be ahead of George in qualifying, especially this year, but we need to keep pushing, and our race performance is strong,” said Hamilton, making it clear that he was receiving inferior equipment from Mercedes.
However, what Hamilton failed to mention was explained by Russell: “There was only one front wing available this weekend, and on Tuesday, we agreed to flip a coin to determine who would get it.” Contrary to Hamilton’s suggestion, there was no draw, as he himself proposed that Russell use the upgrade in Monaco: “Lewis mentioned that he tested it in the simulator and was comfortable with me using it this weekend, as it carries some risks.”
The head of the Mercedes team, Andrew Shovlin, echoed that sentiment: “The difficult question was how to decide who would use the update. However, Lewis suggested that if we find ourselves in a situation where we don’t have enough parts, we should allow George to use it in Monaco. In the future, we will alternate between the drivers when we have a single update. Lewis made this decision quite easy for us.”
In qualifying, Hamilton was less than a tenth of a second off Russell’s best effort. Both drivers started the race in fifth and seventh places, respectively. And that’s exactly where they finished in the Grand Prix, with no overtaking throughout the race.
In response to Hamilton’s comments, Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes F1, spoke to journalists in Monte Carlo over the weekend. He acknowledged that drivers can sometimes be skeptical, but emphasized that Mercedes has always strived to maintain transparency and fairness, even in the most intense competitions between teammates. Wolff understands that drivers want the best for themselves and the team, and when things don’t go their way, they may question the team’s decisions. However, he assured that Mercedes is fully committed to providing both drivers with the best cars and strategies. The team is focused on maximizing results in their final season with Hamilton, and tensions between drivers and teams are not uncommon in such situations, as everyone wants to excel.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has only managed to secure one victory in the Grand Prix since the start of the 2022 season. That lone victory was achieved by George Russell in the São Paulo Grand Prix of that year. Last season, the team failed to secure a single victory, and this trend has continued in the current year, with no signs of improvement in sight.
Hamilton, who has not won a race since 2021, chose an opportune moment to part ways with Mercedes. He will join a rejuvenated Ferrari team under the leadership of Ferd Vasseur, alongside Monaco Grand Prix champion Charles Leclerc. This move puts Hamilton as part of a formidable Super Team being built in Maranello. (Quotes from Agnes Carlier from Monaco)
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The sports world is in shock with the bombshell news that has just been revealed. A reliable source has disclosed that one of the biggest stars in world football is planning a surprising club change. According to exclusive information obtained by our newspaper, the player is dissatisfied with his current situation and is seeking new challenges in his career.
The source, who prefers to remain anonymous, revealed that the player is in advanced negotiations with another renowned club. If the transfer goes through, it will be a true earthquake in the football world. It is speculated that the interested club is willing to make a millionaire offer to secure the player’s signing.
The player in question is known for his exceptional skill and his ability to decide important games. He is adored by fans and is considered one of the best players of his generation. His possible transfer will certainly have a major impact on the current club, which will have to find a way to replace their star.
Despite all the speculations, no official announcement has been made so far. Fans will have to eagerly await new updates on this developing story. Meanwhile, social media is buzzing with rumors and fans are divided on the player’s possible destination.
This transfer promises to be one of the most exciting in recent times. Stay tuned to our website for more information and exclusive analysis on this subject. Do not miss any details of this story that is shaking up the world of football.
