{"id":293847,"date":"2023-11-02T08:08:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T08:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293847"},"modified":"2023-11-02T08:08:58","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T08:08:58","slug":"lewis-hamilton-played-role-in-mercedes-exit-as-sergio-perez-offered-lifeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/racing\/f1\/lewis-hamilton-played-role-in-mercedes-exit-as-sergio-perez-offered-lifeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewis Hamilton ‘played role in Mercedes exit’ as Sergio Perez offered lifeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Formula One heads to Brazil this weekend in a quick turnaround from the Mexican Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes\u00a0will be hoping to build on the positive momentum gained in Mexico City, with a surprise second-place finish delighting the Briton.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Express Sport brings you all the latest F1 news below…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Heads could roll\u2019 at Aston Martin<\/h3>\n

Aston Martin enjoyed an exceptional start to 2023.<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso\u2019s arrival appeared to ignite a determination to match the big-hitters, with the Spaniard getting seven podiums in the early months of the season.<\/p>\n

But that form has since dropped off. Former driver Richard Bradley believes there will be plenty of personnel changes over the winter months.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re 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,\u201d he told the On Track Podcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve gone down a path with a philosophy, unless you completely change the philosophy and then you\u2019ve got all the issues that come with having to learn that, to be this bad at this stage they\u2019re in quite big trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perez offered lifeline<\/h3>\n

Sergio Perez could be handed a shock Red Bull contract extension, according to Total-Motorsport.<\/p>\n

Perez is widely tipped to be replaced either this year or next, with his current deal running until 2024.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But he is now reportedly in talks over a one-year extension to his contract.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, the deal would expire in 2025 at the same time as Lando Norris\u2019 terms at McLaren.<\/p>\n

Norris has been widely tipped to be Perez\u2019s successor, and their contracts ending at the same time would prevent Red Bull needing a stop-gap replacement for one year.<\/p>\n

Hamilton \u2018played role\u2019 in Mercedes exit<\/h3>\n

Mercedes announced the departure of long-serving chief technical officerMike Elliott this week.<\/p>\n

And Sky Sports have speculated that Lewis Hamilton\u2019s frequent calls for change might have played a role.<\/p>\n

The seven-time World Champion has often expressed his unhappiness with the direction of Mercedes\u2019 car development.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hamilton\u2019s frustrations are likely not the only reason for Elliott\u2019s departure, but there is reportedly a sense that they played a role.<\/p>\n

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Welcome<\/h3>\n

Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s LIVE Formula One blog.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We’ll have all the latest updates as drivers prepare for the Brazilian Grand Prix.\u00a0<\/p>\n