F1 news: Mercedes have Lewis Hamilton 'insurance policy' as Red Bull boss Horner 'fed up'
Express Sport brings you the latest updates ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton opens up on plans to remain in F1 ahead of 2023 season
Lewis Hamilton’s potential replacement at Mercedes has been named after the seven-time champion was linked with a move to Ferrari. Ted Kravitz has suggested Charles Leclerc is the Silver Arrows' “insurance policy” if Hamilton walks away.
The Daily Mail have suggested Ferrari bosses are eyeing up a £40million a year to secure Hamilton’s services. Leclerc has also been tipped to join the German marque after Italian media suggested it was “an open secret” talks were ongoing.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz could miss this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix after picking up an injury. He sustained a right thigh issue while playing a charity football match just days before free practice.
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Alonso targeting Monaco win
Fernando Alonso will be hoping to challenge for that elusive 33rd career victory as Aston Martin eye a shock win to end Red Bull's dominance at Monaco this weekend.
The 41-year-old believes the British team, currently second in the Constructors' Championship, have their best chance of ending on top of the podium on Sunday.
“We seem to have a car that is maybe not the fastest on the straights. We need to improve that, but we are very good on the corners,” he told Sky Sports F1 when asked where he might win.
“I would say that the slowest speeds of the championship, let’s say Monaco, Budapest, Singapore; these kind of circuits, I think we put our main hopes at the moment.”
Hamilton told F1 'needs' Ferrari move
Eddie Jordan has said F1 'needs' Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari in 2024 as the seven-time world champion's future remains unclear.
The 38-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and has reportedly been offered a £40m-a-year contract to join the Scuderia. And Jordan is hoping it happens as he thinks the sport is in need of some excitement.
"Formula 1 needs Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari and Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton," the former Jordan F1 owner told OLBG. "Hamilton should look to go to another Championship-winning team, but the drama is who is going to move aside?"
Mercedes design 'leaked' after Hamilton calls answered
Mercedes' new design featuring sidepods has emerged on social media as the team finally answer Lewis Hamilton's calls for changes to their car.
The German manufacturer had opted to go for a no-sidepod design for the W14, but the pace of Red Bull and Aston Martin has quickly proved that to be the wrong call.
Spanish reporter Albert Fabrega has posted the 'first image' of the new design with a clear difference to the normal design of the W14.
Primera imagen de los muevos pontones de Mercedes.
\u2014 Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) May 24, 2023
First image of the new Mercedes sidepods. #f1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/su38hzjeDN
Red Bull chief has Monaco GP fear
Red Bull's special advisor Helmut Marko fears the team could struggle at the Monaco Grand Prix as the track layout doesn't suit their car.
The Austrian manufacturer have won all five races this season, but the bendy and tight-cornered nature of Monte Carlo's street circuit means it could be a tough race for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
"We can't play to our racing strengths in Monaco," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.com. "Whoever drives in front sets the pace.
"Tyre wear will not be decisive. There are no straights where our speed advantage comes into play. The biggest advantage is the quick tyre warm-up and I think that can be decisive on the qualifying lap."
Aston Martin line up Alonso replacement in 2026
Aston Martin have already earmarked Fernando Alonso's replacement when the team run Honda engines from 2026 onwards.
The British manufacturer announced they would be teaming up with the Japanese car firm for when the new engine regulations come into force.
And it seems their link-up will have some influence over their driver selection, particularly when Alonso bows out of the sport.
According to The Mirror, AlphaTauri star Yuki Tsunoda could be poached from Red Bull to drive alongside Lance Stroll in three years' time. Koji Watanabe, president of Honda's racing division, has admitted he already has his eye on Tsunoda after helping the 23-year-old in his junior years in motorsport.
Red Bull boss Horner hints at 'getting fed up' if more races added
Christian Horner has said F1 teams and drivers could become "fed up" if the calendar goes beyond 24 races in the future.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has hinted there could be as many as 30 races in a season in the future, plans that have received widespread criticism from team bosses concerned about burnout of their staff.
And Horner thinks going beyond 24 races would be a struggle, hinting he would be irritated with the situation.
"24 is an incredible amount of races and mileage we have to cover in a season. It can be complicated and you get fed up,” Horner said at a Financial Times live event.
BREAKING: Sainz makes Monaco GP decision after injury
Carlos Sainz has announced he will be fit to race at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend despite reports that he picked up an injury in a charity football match.
The Spaniard's participation was thrown into doubt after he was injured in a local match at AS Monaco's stadiums between racing drivers, but the 28-year-old says he will be fit.
"Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I am well and completely ready to race this weekend in Monaco," he said.
"What happened yesterday was simply a contact during the traditional charity football match, but it was not an injury. I enjoyed playing football as I always do and now I am really looking forward to the weekend."
Aston Martin ditch Mercedes to pair with 'global titan' Honda
Aston Martin have announced Honda will replace Mercedes as their power-unit provider from 2026.
The Japanese manufacturer is making a stunning full-time return to the sport after parting ways with Red Bull.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll stressed Honda was “incredibly impressive” and had a history of success.
He explained: “We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track.
“Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive.”
Schumacher raises 'big question mark' over Hamilton future
Michael Schumacher's brother has raised question marks over Lewis Hamilton's potential move to Ferrari.
Hamilton has been linked to a move to the Scuderia with a £40million a year deal thought to be on the table.
However, Schumacher has claimed Hamilton may not be tempted to walk away from Mercedes despite the team's recent struggles.
Hamilton is very happy where he is right now. Even Ferrari is a big question mark at the moment.
Lewis Hamilton won't like six words said by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff
Lewis Hamilton is set for a Monaco Grand Prix blow despite Mercedes bringing new upgrades this weekend.
The seven-time champion has been excited by the prospect of the Silver Arrows’ new upgrades.
In Miami, the 38-year-old stressed he was “counting down the days” until the parts were fitted as he hopes to close the gap to the frontrunners.
However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has attempted to dampen down expectations in the run-up to the race and his six words "it won't be a silver bullet" will no doubt disappoint Hamilton.
Mercedes and Toto Wolff finally listen to Martin Brundle
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has finally listened to Martin Brundle as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell continue to struggle.
The Sky Sports F1 host urged Mercedes to axe their concept after struggling in the first few races of 2022.
He stressed the constructor may be forced into a “redesign” if they wanted to catch Red Bull and return to the front.
Brundle said: “There must be a point coming soon when they have to accept this car and concept doesn’t work and have a redesign for the second half of the season."
Mercedes will fit a new aero package at Monaco including a floor and front suspension.
F1 fans back Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher but spots running out
F1 fans are desperate to see Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher make F1 returns but spots are drying up on next season’s grid.
A new poll from Express Sport shows a desire to see the two stars back behind the wheel next season after a year out.
A staggering 71 per cent feels Ricciardo should have another chance to race in F1.
It means just 29 per cent of over 3,000 respondents do not feel he deserves another go behind the wheel after more than a decade in F1.
Meanwhile, 55 per cent of respondents claim Mick Schumacher should be back on the grid next season.
How much Lewis Hamilton was 'paying' Angela Cullen at Mercedes
The apparent wages Angela Cullen was paid by Lewis Hamilton at each Grand Prix have been revealed.
The Mercedes star is understood to have paid his ex-physio a staggering £80,000 ($100,000) per race, according to Crash.net.
If correct, it means Cullen would have earned an eye-watering £1.7million ($2.2m) to cover all 22 races last season.
According to The Sportsrush, Cullen has an estimated net worth of around £12m ($15m) after her long association with the Mercedes star.
Honda's stance on Fernando Alonso reunion
Honda bosses have “no objections” to working with Fernando Alonso despite the Spaniard’s previous criticism of the Japanese manufacturer.
Honda has confirmed driver selection would be determined by the team members with executives not expected to get involved.
Koji Watanabe, president of the Honda Racing Corporation said: "Our stance remains unchanged in thinking the selection of the drivers is fully up to the team members and not something that a partner and supplier like us is supposed to be making.
“So, we’ll be leaving the driver selection to the team."
Lewis Hamilton’s potential replacement named
Ted Kravitz has suggested Charles Leclerc could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes if the Briton leaves the team.
Leclerc has previously been linked to a seat at Mercedes after reports suggested it was an “open secret” Mercedes bosses were holding talks.
He told the Sky Sports F1 podcast: “Mercedes need an insurance policy if Lewis decides to either stop or leave.
“At this moment that policy looks like Charles Leclerc while they wait for their juniors.”
However, Leclerc denied holding talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff when pushed on the matter in Azerbaijan.
Carlos Sainz injured ahead of Monaco GP
Ferrari star Carlos Sainz could be forced out of the Monaco Grand Prix after suffering an injury in a charity football match.
Sainz picked up a knock to his right thigh shortly after the hour mark in what could be a blow to his chances of competing this weekend.
Photos later showed the Spaniard with a bandage around his leg and a panicked look on his face.
He was one of several drivers competing in the game alongside Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso.