2023 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[Hammerfist]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say Mercedes had a real "party mode" on the ICE side which they were able to use because of the weather.

https://i.postimg.cc/q72vJZLC/image.png


The Merc PU has probably been the most up and down this year. More power than anyone in the cold of Las Vegas, but completely nerfed and neutralized in the hot conditions of Hungary.

They also ran max downforce in Hungary. And they did get pole in Hungary and imo were the second best car in the race. So no, I don't think you can call that being neutralized.

Everyone had Max downforce in Hungary. Hamilton and Russell were overheating in Hungary and this was rerported in the post-race news cycle.

The race performance doesnt agree with what you said. Ham had a tough first stint and a bad strategy but he was rapid towards the end. I dont think they suffered in straight line speed in that race. They were in the same boat as everybody else. So im not sure what youre trying to say. If you want to say vegas was the first time they were genuinely quick in a straight line then i agree. But they werent nerfed in hungary. They were their average selves. Maybe you meant brazil…

[chrisc90]

Some bold comments in there, especially about being first on the road. Too many if's and but's to be able to agree with him there. I mean if you overtake everyone, you win the race.

[AR3-GP]

Christian Horner claims that Lewis Hamilton contacted RB to see if there was any interest: https://www.planetf1.com/news/christian ... verstappen

Also says he contacted Ferrari too.

It sounds like Hamilton really was considering leaving for a more competitive team.

[chrisc90]

Maybe he wants to keep his face and brand/etc on the podium to protect his image?

[Luscion]

Christian Horner claims that Lewis Hamilton contacted RB to see if there was any interest: https://www.planetf1.com/news/christian ... verstappen

Also says he contacted Ferrari too.

It sounds like Hamilton really was considering leaving for a more competitive team.

Isn't this what all drivers do though to gauge interest and help with negotiating for their contract, Lewis was pretty open about meeting Ferrari's CEO in Monaco before signing, he even told Toto it happened but that he wasnt going anywhere according to Toto himself. I don't think there's any truth to Fred and Lewis meeting on those circumstances as they both denied it, they've just stayed friends for a long time and talk to each other almost ever race weekend according to Fred

https://scuderiafans.com/toto-wolff-rev ... estaurant/

[Henri]

Christian Horner claims that Lewis Hamilton contacted RB to see if there was any interest: https://www.planetf1.com/news/christian ... verstappen

Also says he contacted Ferrari too.

It sounds like Hamilton really was considering leaving for a more competitive team.

It was about leverage in negotiations with Mercedes l.. so max or horner vetoed Lewis ?

[Henri]

Maybe he wants to keep his face and brand/etc on the podium to protect his image?

We know horner wants to protect max from a strong teamate. Lol

[Henri]

Looks like max or horner vetoed like prost lol

[CHT]

Christian Horner claims that Lewis Hamilton contacted RB to see if there was any interest: https://www.planetf1.com/news/christian ... verstappen

Also says he contacted Ferrari too.

It sounds like Hamilton really was considering leaving for a more competitive team.

Certainly not good for morale of
team to see LH wanting to switch and abandon the team to pursue his 8WDC just one year of not winning. Perhaps such self interest culture; Toto included, is what pushes some of the key engineers to quit.

Especially if we consider how Brawn and his team started the Brackley team which become Merc F1.

[Luscion]

Looks like max or horner vetoed like prost lol

shame we'll most likely never get them on the same team, Max and Lewis has the possibility to be the most dominate pairing with them sailing off into the distance together or them crashing into eachother every other race and costing the team points lol.

[mendis]

Looks like max or horner vetoed like prost lol

Not the first time Horner has rejected taking Lewis to Red Bull. It already happened in 2012/13 as well.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24181 ... %20starlet.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formu ... ebber.html

[j_ste]

That would have been incredible but no chance Horner risks any genuine battle with Max.

[hollus]

/Red Bull mode off/ Thanks.

[ValeVida46]

Bizarre why a team boss would come out and chat about another under contract driver coming to them for a contract.
Denied by Hamilton now.




Quoted by Deni:


Lewis Hamilton: “I know [the story] has come from Christian. I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one, as far as I’m aware, from my team has spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to Christian in years.”

“However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up. But that’s it. I’m not sure, I just think he’s stirring things.”

[chrisc90]

Toto in a spot of bother