Formula One heads to Brazil this weekend in a quick turnaround from the Mexican Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be hoping to build on the positive momentum gained in Mexico City, with a surprise second-place finish delighting the Briton.
Hamilton appears increasingly optimistic that he can catch Max Verstappen and finally end his two-year wait for a race win. Mercedes enjoyed an excellent time in Brazil last year, with George Russell earning his maiden triumph and Hamilton coming second.
A repeat would be a huge ask of the Silver Arrows but it might be their best chance of defeating the dominant Verstappen and Red Bull.
Express Sport brings you all the latest F1 news below…
‘Heads could roll’ at Aston Martin
Aston Martin enjoyed an exceptional start to 2023.
Fernando Alonso’s arrival appeared to ignite a determination to match the big-hitters, with the Spaniard getting seven podiums in the early months of the season.
But that form has since dropped off. Former driver Richard Bradley believes there will be plenty of personnel changes over the winter months.
“They’re gonna have a serious, serious winter otherwise a lot of people are going to have their heads rolling and getting a few P45s I think,” he told the On Track Podcast.
“If you’ve gone down a path with a philosophy, unless you completely change the philosophy and then you’ve got all the issues that come with having to learn that, to be this bad at this stage they’re in quite big trouble.”
Perez offered lifeline
Sergio Perez could be handed a shock Red Bull contract extension, according to Total-Motorsport.
Perez is widely tipped to be replaced either this year or next, with his current deal running until 2024.
The Mexican has endured a tough season at Red Bull, struggling to keep the pace with partner Max Verstappen. Devastatingly, he crashed out early on in his home race last week.
But he is now reportedly in talks over a one-year extension to his contract.
Incidentally, the deal would expire in 2025 at the same time as Lando Norris’ terms at McLaren.
Norris has been widely tipped to be Perez’s successor, and their contracts ending at the same time would prevent Red Bull needing a stop-gap replacement for one year.
Hamilton ‘played role’ in Mercedes exit
Mercedes announced the departure of long-serving chief technical officerMike Elliott this week.
And Sky Sports have speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s frequent calls for change might have played a role.
The seven-time World Champion has often expressed his unhappiness with the direction of Mercedes’ car development.
He spent most of 2022 railing against the W13 car and has scarcely found the W14 much more suitable, despite a recent upturn in form.
Hamilton’s frustrations are likely not the only reason for Elliott’s departure, but there is reportedly a sense that they played a role.
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