2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Lewis Hamilton demands Mercedes engineers are 'held accountable' for ignoring him.
Lewis Hamilton has pointed the finger at Mercedes engineers for not listening to him last season. The seven-time champion has demanded the team “own up” and admit their current concept was wrong after failing to take his advice.
07:01, Thu, Mar 9, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

The British F1 ace stressed he “knows” what a car needs and that he had previously pushed Mercedes in a direction to solve the problems. He told the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast: “Last year, I told them the issues that are with the car.

“Like, I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need. And I think it’s really about accountability, it’s about owning up and saying ‘yeah, you know what, we didn’t listen to you, it’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work’.

“We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team, that’s what we do.

'Held accountable for ignoring him’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rs-news-latest


Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes ‘didn’t listen’ to me on W14, ‘I know what a car needs’
08 Mar 2023 6:00 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton has called for accountability at Mercedes as he told them what the W14 needed and he was not listened to.

Hamilton was rather encouraging in that message, but speaking in a post-race interview with Rosanna Tennant on BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Hamilton took a more critical stance with his team. Having raced in every Formula 1 season since 2007, Hamilton says his vast experience means he knows “what a car needs”.

However, he says that the Mercedes team has not followed through on his guidance when creating the W14, and believes that cannot be allowed to slide

‘I know what a car needs’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...ot-listen-w14/


Lewis Hamilton labels W14 ‘average’ and ‘not alive’ after Bahrain qualifying
04 Mar 2023 5:12 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton has described Mercedes’ W14 Formula 1 car as “average” and “not alive” after finishing a distant seventh in the first qualifying session of the 2023 season in Bahrain.

Having openly questioned the wisdom of Mercedes’ car concept earlier this weekend, Hamilton revealed that he expected the team to be considerably further behind after Friday practice running.

He told media in Bahrain: “I woke up this morning thinking we were going to be a lot further behind, so the fact that we’re even getting into Q3 is great.

‘W14 ‘average’ and ‘not alive’!’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...in-qualifying/


Lewis Hamilton reveals what Mercedes W14 is in desperate need of
Lewis Hamilton finished 51 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen at last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
6 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes that they must find some downforce “ASAP” if they are to challenge the frontrunners, with the 38-year-old having finished the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in fifth.

“The team did a great job with the pit stops, just unfortunately, the car is just not there at the moment, we are lacking downforce and we have just got to work really hard to try and add that ASAP,” Hamilton said.

‘Downforce “ASAP”!’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/lewis-ham...erate-need-of/


Hamilton 'not listened to' in Mercedes W14 development
Wednesday 8 March 2023 09:53
Sam Hall
GPFans

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Mercedes for 'not listening' after he warned them about inherent issues with its car.

"We've got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team, that's what we do.”

'Not listened to';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ilton-f1-2023/


Hamilton says Mercedes didn't listen to him on W14 design
08 March 10:00AM
Author Michael Butterworth
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Mercedes failed to listen to his advice when designing their 2023 challenger, the W14.

Team boss Toto Wolff had taken the unusual step of acknowledging even before the race that the W14 would never be truly competitive, and suggested that the team may switch its development focus onto an entirely new concept.

‘The W14 would never be truly competitive’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-s...-on-w14-design


Mercedes to change F1 car concept as Toto Wolff admits they got it wrong
4 Mar 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Toto Wolff has conceded Mercedes will have to change their car concept in order to return to the top in F1. And Wolff says it is now time for Mercedes to admit defeat with their distinctive concept.

“We gave it our best go also over the winter and now we just need to all regroup, sit down with the engineers who are totally not dogmatic about anything, there is no holy cows, and decide what is the development direction we want to pursue in order to be competitive to win races.”

‘Gave it our best go’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102156...lton-criticism


Martin Brundle senses tension at Mercedes with refusal to ditch Plan A philosophy
09 Mar 2023 6:45 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Martin Brundle believes things “must be tense” behind the scenes at Mercedes at the moment, after a tricky start to the season in Bahrain.

“It seems to me that Mercedes went the wrong way in 2022 and refuse to turn around,” Brundle wrote in his post-Bahrain column for Sky Sports.

“Even Lewis and Toto were openly expressing their disappointment at certain points of the weekend, and normally they only sing the praises of the teams at Brackley and Brixworth. It must be tense at the team right now; the quality is there, it just needs direction and oxygen to calm heads.”

‘Tension at Mercedes’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/martin...cedes-tension/


Coulthard slates Wolff 'kick in the whatnots' Mercedes concept criticism
Tuesday 7 March 2023 16:05
Sam Hall
GPFans

Former F1 race winner David Coulthard has questioned where Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is coming from with his "brutal" criticism of the W14.

Speaking to Channel 4, Coulthard said: “I think it was brutal. This car has only been alive for six days, a few days of testing, three days here. I don’t know where he’s coming from with that.”

‘W14 has only been alive for six days!’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...des-criticism/

[Fortitude]

MARKO AND PEREZ: THERE WERE ‘THREE RED BULLS’ ON THE BAHRAIN PODIUM.
After the podium celebrations died down, the three drivers attended the post-race press conference as usual. During the press conference, Perez took the opportunity to joke about the similarities between his car and the Aston Martin. He said: “It’s nice to see three Red Bull cars on the podium.”
March 7, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

When Aston Martin radically changed their concept design mid-season last year, many commented on the likeness to the existing Red Bull. Now that Aston Martin has scored their first podium since 2021, Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko and driver Sergio Perez have both commented further on the similarities between the two cars.

While Marko seems to be considering the similarities in a more serious light, the drivers do not seem to be as concerned by the likeness between the teams. Marko questions whether Aston Martin has “documentation” of the Red Bull car

Following the conclusion of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Marko questioned how Aston Martin was able to create a car with such a strong likeness to the Red Bull. Whilst talking to Servus TV, the Red Bull advisor said: “It’s true that what Fallows had in his head cannot be erased. Copying the focus is not prohibited, but can you copy in such detail without having documentation of our car?”

‘Three Red Bull cars on the podium’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ma.../?nowprocket=1


Helmut Marko’s dig at Aston Martin’s former Red Bull crew who ‘obviously have a good memory’
06 Mar 2023 8:15 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

As Fernando Alonso lived up to pre-season hype with a third-placed finish on his Aston Martin debut, joining Red Bull on the podium, Helmut Marko has had something to say.

Marko had something to say. “If you compare the cars, the Aston Martin is most similar to our Red Bull,” he told Sky Deutschland. “There’s a reason for that. Not only did Fallows change, but also some other employees and they obviously have a good memory.”

‘Obviously have a good memory’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...red-bull-crew/


Christian Horner can’t resist light-hearted dig at Aston Martin after Bahrain GP
05 Mar 2023 6:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Christian Horner could not resist a light-hearted dig at Aston Martin as they joined Red Bull on the first podium of F1 2023 in Bahrain. And already the AMR23, which follows a similar concept to Red Bull’s double title-winning RB18 of 2022, is serving the team extremely well.

And now, Horner says Aston Martin have proven that it is possible, so is glad to see their RB18 has a new lease on life, so to speak. Plenty of sarcasm detected. “I think it demonstrates to all the teams that it’s possible,” he told media in Bahrain. “So, they’ve obviously done a good job over the winter. They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery, and it’s good to see the old car going so well.”

Asked if he is regretting Fallows leaving, Horner replied: “No, because I think we have a wonderful team and everything has to evolve, nothing stands still. “And I think that it’s flattering to see the resemblance of that car to ours, so it was great to see the three of them on the podium.”

‘Light-hearted dig: Good to see the old car going so well!’

https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...in-amr23-joke/


Damon Hill: ‘Aston Martin certainly won’t be getting help from Red Bull from now on’
09 Mar 2023 12:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Although Aston Martin exceeded pretty much everyone’s expectations in Bahrain, Damon Hill doesn’t expect them to challenge Red Bull for the title as they “won’t be getting any help from Red Bull from now”. … while Fallows had knowledge of Red Bull’s RB18, he wasn’t around for the this year’s RB19.

Hill has ruled out a title challenge from the Silverstone-based team. “I think that might be a stretch too far,” he told Sky Sports News. “They’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations, they’ve exceeded mine, and they’ve probably exceeded their own so they’re very, very delighted at the moment.

‘Won’t be getting help from Red Bull from now on’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...ll-damon-hill/


Aston Martin: Gap to Red Bull is "still substantial" after Bahrain F1 podium
09:42 Thu, 09 Mar 2023.
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com

Aston Martin Formula 1 team boss Mike Krack has cautioned the gap to pacesetters Red Bull is “still substantial” despite Fernando Alonso's Bahrain Grand Prix podium. "I think the gap is still substantial," said Krack.

"We don't know how much management that Red Bull had to do and did. I think it was quite comfortable for them to just get the mandatory tyres through and cruise the race to the end. So I think we have now one good result, we have improved our car.”
"But we are fighting here with teams that are used to drive on the front, they are very used to high intensity development. So I think let's be respectful and humble, and see how it continues."

‘Gap still substantial’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...dium/10441613/


Martin Brundle reveals major advantage Aston Martin have over Max Verstappen and Red Bull
Fernando Alonso is set to be a serious rival to Max Verstappen in the fight for the 2023 world championship.
9 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle believes Aston Martin could become the “major challengers” to Red Bull this season, with the Silverstone-based side set to benefit from their disappointing 2022 campaign.

The only way for Aston Martin is seemingly up, with the British outfit having more wind tunnel time this season than Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. “Because of their lowly championship finishing position last year, under the latest rules Aston Martin have so much more wind tunnel development time than their main three rivals,” Brundle wrote in his Sky Sports column.

“It’s already a good package but if they know where to go to improve it, then by mid-season they could emerge as the major challengers to Red Bull. That’s doubly painful for Mercedes because Aston Martin have the same engine, gearbox and rear suspension and use the same wind tunnel.”

‘More wind tunnel time’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/martin-br...-and-red-bull/


Aston Martin could catch Red Bull with significant development advantage
The story of 2023 Bahrain GP was unquestionably Aston Martin but this might only be the start for the British team
March 8, 2023
By Joe Ellis
Total Motorsport

Aston Martin are the most improved Formula 1 team in 2023 and they could even have the tools to catch Red Bull by the end of the current F1 season. Fernando Alonso stormed to his 99th career podium at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix and Lance Stroll nursed a broken toe and wrist injuries to sixth, ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes.

Lawrence Stroll bought the team in 2018 and quickly put down plans to build a brand new facility to help catapult the team. If that can find a few extra tenths per lap then it will be money very well spent for Aston Martin.

They also have 58% more wind tunnel time than Red Bull after their cost-cap punishment further reduced their ability to upgrade at a rapid rate.

‘Catapult the team’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ent-advantage/


Alonso issues ominous 'this is just the beginning' Aston Martin warning
Wednesday 8 March 2023 14:59
Sam Hall
GPFans

Fernando Alonso has warned his F1 rivals "this is just the beginning" after a storming drive to the podium on his Aston Martin debut. "I think the most important point is that the new Aston Martin is just a new car, a new project," said Alonso. "This is just the beginning.

"You know, this is not the final car, this is just the starting car of this concept that we changed over winter. I think some of the top teams just kept the philosophy that they had last year. Red Bull or Ferrari kept more of the same shapes. Just, fine-tuning things and making perfection of that good baseline that they had.”

"For us, it was much more difficult. We have to change 95% of the car. So, I guess there is more to learn from the car, and there is more to come on our side."

"This is just the beginning";

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...artin-warning/


Could a move to Aston Martin or Ferrari await Lewis Hamilton if Mercedes ‘stay like this?’
10 Mar 2023 6:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Amidst the first sign of a potential crack in his relationship with Mercedes following his criticism at the Bahrain GP, Sky Sports’ Simon Lazenby has asked whether a move to Ferrari could be in Lewis Hamilton’s future. Hamilton isn’t impressed, the seven-time World Champion revealing Mercedes didn’t “listen” to him when he told them what the car needed.

Lazenby reckons if Hamilton does decide to leave Mercedes, Ferrari would be his number one choice. “Not to Aston, but how can you rule out a move to Ferrari if [Mercedes] stay like this?” he said. “He’s so desperate, so desperate for that eighth [title], that if Ferrari did manage to stay on the coattails and they were the nearest to Red Bull.

‘First sign of a potential crack’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...n-sky-pundits/

[Fortitude]

Mercedes 'hold emergency meeting' after Lewis Hamilton criticism as 'ultimatum' given.
Tensions have reportedly flared up inside the Mercedes camp after a poor start to the new Formula 1 season in Bahrain and Lewis Hamilton's public criticism of the team.
16:40, 9 Mar 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

"And I think it's really about accountability, it's about owning up and saying 'yeah, you know what, we didn't listen to you, it's not where it needs to be and we've got to work'."

In the wake of those words, it was reported by Italian publication Formu1a.uno that a meeting took place "late at night" at the team's factory. Technical director Mike Elliott was supposedly given an "ultimatum" placing extra pressure upon him to get the W14 into a place where it is more competitive on track.

This latest reported development will do nothing to quell concerns that there may be a rift among the big players at the Silver Arrows. But team principal Wolff's initial response to the result in Bahrain was to reassure fans that everyone is pulling in the same direction.

"Ultimatum";

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...matum-29417007


Mercedes 'hold emergency meeting' at their factory... with team's technical director Mike Elliott being given an 'ultimatum' after Lewis Hamilton's criticism over new car
• Lewis Hamilton struggled to compete at the opening GP of the 2023 season
• The Brit was sixth and nearly a minute down on race winner Max Verstappen
• Tensions have flared up in the Mercedes camp and 'a late meeting was called'
PUBLISHED: 08:13, 10 March 2023
By CHARLOTTE DALY FOR MAILONLINE

Tensions have flared up inside the Mercedes camp, with the team's technical director Mike Elliott being given an 'ultimatum' after a disappointing start to the 2023 season, according to a new report.

Mercedes are said to have discussed their issues in depth, while Elliott, the team's technical director, was given an ultimatum as they planned for the reminder of the 2023 season, according to Formu1a.uno.

It is claimed that Hamilton's comments after the first Grand Prix of the season instigated the discussion that took place.

‘Tensions have flared up’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...m-new-car.html


Mercedes hold ’emergency meeting’ as Toto Wolff responds to Lewis Hamilton’s claim F1 team ‘didn’t listen’ to him
Thursday 9 Mar 2023 1:06 pm
Callum McAvoy
Metro.co.uk

Toto Wolff has played down talk of a rift between Sir Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes after he claimed the team ‘didn’t listen’ to him while developing their 2023 Formula One car. Wolff said: “The Lewis situation is you heard him on the radio. He is an integral part of the team, picking the team up and we are all sticking together and I don’t think that is going to change just because we had a start that was really bad.”

“We have won eight constructors’ championships and six drivers’ championships with him and that relationship holds. As much as being transparent as to how we need to turn the car around, it is not the point to talk about the driver situation in 2024.”

“It is far too early, we need to all push in then same direction, the drivers, the engineers, all the management rather than throwing in the towel. We have never done that and we will not do it.”

’Emergency meeting’;

https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/09/f1-me...o=newsnow-feed


Wolff insists Mercedes 'sticking together' amid Hamilton frustrations
10/03/2023 at 10:41
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Toto Wolff says Mercedes' troops are "sticking together" in the wake of the team's poor start to its 2023 campaign and amid the public grievances expressed by Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes was significantly outperformed by its dominant Red Bull rival in the opening race of the season in Bahrain, but the Brackley squad's W14 was also defeated on pure pace by Ferrari and Aston Martin.

The team is attacking its car's downforce and balance issues head-on, with changes set to be implemented in upcoming races. But its troubled start has frustrated Hamilton who warned Mercedes last year about its car's development for 2023.

‘Troops are sticking together’;

https://f1i.com/news/468363-wolff-in...strations.html


Mercedes ‘sticking together’ amid F1 troubles, says Wolff
11:53 Thu, 09 Mar 2023.
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport

Toto Wolff says Mercedes is “sticking together” in the aftermath of its struggles in Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix, despite Lewis Hamilton making his frustrations clear at the situation. Lewis Hamilton conceded Mercedes had gone backwards from last year and when speaking to BBC 5 Live after the race, claimed Mercedes had ignored his input on the W14.

“Last year, there were things I told them, I said the issues that are with the car,” said Hamilton. “I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need. And I think it’s really about accountability.”

“It’s about owning up and saying: ‘Yeah, you know what? We didn’t listen to you. It’s not where it used to be and we’ve got to work.'” While Hamilton’s remarks hint at tensions behind the scenes, Wolff insists Mercedes is united in its current plight and maintains a strong relationship with the seven-time world champion.

‘Sticking together’;

https://readmotorsport.com/2023/03/0...es-says-wolff/


Toto Wolff responds to Lewis Hamilton accusation, denies contract is at risk
Mercedes were unable to even compete for a podium during the first race of the 2023 season.
9 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

Bizarrely, the Silver Arrows arrived in Bahrain with a W14 design that resembled the W13 a lot, with the zero sidepod approach being continued despite last year’s struggles.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has now admitted that continuing this approach was the wrong decision, with Mercedes now set to embark on a completely different development path after falling behind Aston Martin in terms of car performance.

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that his team should have listened to him last season, as he told Mercedes that there were issues with the car related to its design.

‘Denies contract is at risk’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...ct-is-at-risk/


Wolff: Mercedes F1 "sticking together" amid Hamilton's 'didn't listen' remarks
10:12 Thu, 09 Mar 2023.
By: Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Toto Wolff insists his Mercedes Formula 1 team is "sticking together" amid comments from Lewis Hamilton that it 'didn't listen' to his input on the 2023 car.

After the race Lewis Hamilton told BBC 5 Live that the team "didn't listen" to his input on the 2023 car, saying: "Last year, there were things I told them, I said the issues that are with the car.

"I've driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn't need. And I think it's really about accountability. It's about owning up and saying: 'Yeah, you know what? We didn't listen to you. It's not where it used to be and we've got to work.'"

‘It's about owning up’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/w...arks/10441623/


Toto Wolff makes damning claim about 2023 season after just one grand prix
Mercedes look significantly slower than their rivals once again this season.
9 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

Red Bull’s front lock lockout led to a one-two finish in Bahrain and this has caused Wolff pain, with the Mercedes boss now suggesting that while Mercedes are already out of contention for the championship, Red Bull could win every race.

“After the first Grand Prix, I also believe that they [Red Bull] will win every race this year,” he said. Wolff’s fears that Mercedes W14 may not be the correct one were confirmed in Bahrain, as Aston Martin’s AMR23 looks significantly quicker than the W14, despite having the same power unit.

Upgrades for the W14 that will see the car go down a different development pathway are already in the works, but it is expected that these upgrades will not be online until F1 heads to Imola, leaving Mercedes languishing behind their rivals for a few more weeks.

‘Damning claim’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...ne-grand-prix/

[Zico]

Jenson Button: Former F1 world champion signs three-race Nascar deal

"Jenson Button won six grands prix on his way to the 2009 Formula 1 title in his one season racing for Brawn
Jenson Button won six grands prix on his way to the 2009 Formula 1 title in his one season racing for Brawn
Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button will race in three Nascar Cup Series meetings this year.

The 43-year-old Briton, who won the 2009 title, will make his debut in the stock car series in Texas on 26 March.

Button will also take part in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on 2 July and compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on 13 August.

"The most important thing for me is to enjoy it," said Button, who won 15 grands prix during a 17-year F1 career.

Button's first Nascar race will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin at the end of this month where he will drive a Mobil 1 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing.

Since retiring from F1 in 2017 Button has enjoyed success in other motorsport arenas, winning the 2018 Super GT Championship and also competing in endurance races including the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"I love that challenge of driving new things," Button added. "Every time an ex-F1 driver gets in a stock car these days, they struggle initially.

"It takes a while for them to get up to speed, so I don't expect to be right at the front straight away. But I'm not just doing it for fun in some one-off.

"I want to be competitive, and I know that to be competitive it's going to take a bit of time. That's why doing these three races works very well this season."

Button will also take part in the Le Mans 24 Hours 100th anniversary this year, racing a Next-Gen Nascar modified Chevrolet Camaro in a collaboration with Le Mans organisers"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/64912876


Pretty 😎 huh..

How long do you think before he gets competitive, will 3 races be enough?

[Bagwan]

I expect Bunsen to be up to speed pretty quickly , mid-field in the first race .

He be to maybe tenth by the third , but will struggle to get higher than that .

And , yeah , pretty cool .

[Zico]

I expect Bunsen to be up to speed pretty quickly , mid-field in the first race .

He be to maybe tenth by the third , but will struggle to get higher than that .

And , yeah , pretty cool .

I often find drivers trying a new discipline quite fascinating. Thats along the lines of what I was thinking but he sounds maybe a tad more optimistic than us. Not doubting his talents but I'd imagine it's not the kind of series you can just step into and be at the sharp end in such little time.. even as a former F1 driver.

[Fortitude]

Sky Sports presenter Simon Lazenby claims Lewis Hamilton would LEAVE Mercedes for Ferrari as he is 'desperate' to win an eighth world championship... with his current £40m-a-year deal set to expire at the end of this season.
Simon Lazenby believes Lewis Hamilton would leave Mercedes for Ferrari in an attempt to win an eighth world title.
Published: 00:40, 11 March 2023
By Abdi Rashid For Mailonline
Mail Online

'He's so desperate for that eighth, that if Ferrari did manage to stay on the coattails and they were the nearest to Red Bull. 'He's not put his pen to paper yet on his contract. He's definitely waiting to see how this year's car felt. I think the great relationship with the team and Toto will endure but I don't think you can ever rule out a move to Ferrari for racing drivers because it's their dream and he's said it before.'

‘So Desperate’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...s-Ferrari.html


Could a move to Aston Martin or Ferrari await Lewis Hamilton if Mercedes ‘stay like this?’
10 Mar 2023 6:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

The Brackley squad admitted the W14 wasn’t up to scratch, the car lacking in downforce with Toto Wolff questioning whether the package could even be made successful down the line. Hamilton isn’t impressed, the seven-time World Champion revealing Mercedes didn’t “listen” to him when he told them what the car needed.

Out of contract at the end of this season, the Briton has yet to sign a new deal with past World Champions Jenson Button and Damon Hill speculating that’s because he was waiting to see how competitive the car was. Now that he knows, or at least has an idea, former F1 driver Karun Chandhok was asked on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast if Aston Martin could be option for Hamilton. “I don’t think that will happen,” he replied. “You’re going to tell Lawrence to sack his son. Good luck with that.”

Sky colleague Lazenby reckons if Hamilton does decide to leave Mercedes, Ferrari would be his number one choice. “Not to Aston, but how can you rule out a move to Ferrari if [Mercedes] stay like this?” he said. “He’s so desperate, so desperate for that eighth [title], that if Ferrari did manage to stay on the coattails and they were the nearest to Red Bull. He’s not put his pen to paper yet on his contract. He’s definitely waiting to see how this year’s car felt.”

‘Stay like this?’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...n-sky-pundits/


‘Mercedes are under a lot of pressure from both drivers, but more so from Lewis Hamilton’
10 Mar 2023 12:00 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Closer to the end of his career than the beginning, Naomi Schiff believes “time is of the essence” for Mercedes to get it right and give Lewis Hamilton a championship-winning car.

But as the most improved team in the back half of last season, many predicted Mercedes would at the very least close the gap on Red Bull this season. They’ve done anything but, Toto Wolff admitting their deficit to the reigning World Champions has “almost doubled if not tripled”.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of pressure internally, from both drivers, but I guess even more so from Lewis because he’s not getting any younger. He’s obviously got Fernando [Alonso] to look up to in terms of how far you can go. But time is of the essence. They [Mercedes] spent an entire season struggling and being unhappy with where they were at with the car. So to have had this whole winter period and come back even a step backwards from where they were at the last race last season, that is what is so tough to accept.”

‘W13 entire season struggling, W14 come back even a step backwards’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...-naomi-schiff/


Mercedes face F1 embarrassment as top bosses consider huge Aston Martin decision
Mercedes endured a difficult opening Grand Prix weekend of the season in Bahrain, while Aston Martin excelled with Fernando Alonso securing a third-placed podium finish
09:21, 10 Mar 2023
By Fraser Watson Sports Trends Writer
The Mirror


https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...rabia-29420826


Hamilton says he knew 'from the moment I drove the car' that W14 would need work
10 March 2023
Formula One - Official Site

It’s no secret that Mercedes were unhappy with their performance in Bahrain, but seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he knew the W14 would not be up to scratch well before the race.

“Yeah, I knew from the moment I drove the car where we were, and the challenges that we would be facing. On a positive note, not having the bouncing this year is a huge plus and trying to understand what the problems were whilst having bouncing really masks so many of the [issues] – it makes it difficult to figure out what those are,” he said.

As for the problems plaguing the W14, Hamilton explained: “We are lacking a lot of downforce, and we've got a lot of work to do to add more to the car. As soon as we put more load on the front and rear, we will be able to pick up our pace. We've just got to keep working; we know we are not where we need to be. I've got to stay positive, keep my head up and keep pushing the team. I will be a positive light for them and get the best points I can."

‘W14 would need work’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...bIXGpL41I.html

[Fortitude]

Frederic Vasseur will sack other key members of Mattia Binotto’s team.
“Fred is dismantling Binotto’s team. For different reasons and leaving different roles, Rosato, Giacobazzi, Sanchez have already left… I very much doubt that other key figures of the Binotto era will remain where they are for a long time.” Journalist Leo Turrini.
by Nick Golding
11 March 2023
Formula1News

Vasseur, of course, has been brought in to get Ferrari back to their glory days, something which has seen several senior members of the team resign. Head of vehicle concept David Sanchez is the most recent, according to The Race, with Sanchez having been a key part of Binotto’s set-up.

Formu1a.uni believe that Sanchez is reportedly returning to McLaren after a period of gardening leave, with Turrini expecting him to not be the last member of the “Binotto era” to depart Maranello. “Fred Vasseur, in agreement with the very powerful ad Vigna, even has the duty to build a team in his image and likeness,” Turrini said in his blog.

Despite Vasseur’s arrival and seemingly immediate changes, Ferrari still endured a disappointing season-opener in Bahrain last weekend, with Charles Leclerc having retired due to yet another power unit failure.

‘Sack other key members of Mattia Binotto’s team’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/frederic-...binottos-team/


Ferrari crisis as Charles Leclerc 'writes to board' and engineers 'send CVs to F1 rivals'
Ferrari are reportedly going through an early-season crisis after failing to trouble Red Bull at last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
13:04, Sat, Mar 11, 2023 |
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express

Ferrari have reportedly been plunged into an internal crisis after last weekend's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix saw them remain well adrift of the pace shown by Red Bull, who recorded a dominant one-two finish to lay down an early marker in the year-long battle for supremacy.

It seems as though Leclerc feels particularly aggrieved, with Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that the Monegasque driver wrote to Ferrari chiefs to request a crunch meeting with chief executive John Elkann in the aftermath of last weekend's Grand Prix. The prospect of faltering away for a second year in a row is said to be 'unacceptable' to Leclerc, which suggests that he could finally lose patience with Ferrari if things fail to improve as a matter of urgency over the coming weeks.

There is also said to be great unrest among the rest of the team at Ferrari after the exit of aerodynamics chief David Sanchez, who has reportedly offered his resignation of his own accord in order to join McLaren. A number of Sanchez's fellow Ferrari engineers have also been accused of sharing their resumes with other F1 teams in recent months, with several members of staff believed to be considering their options. It will be crucial for team principal Frederic Vasseur to stop the rot as quickly as possible in order to avoid the situation from spiralling out of control.

‘Ferrari crisis’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ineers-F1-news


Ferrari F1 designer quits after Bahrain GP, set to defect to British team
David Sanchez was responsible for the aerodynamic concept of Ferrari's 2022 and 2023 cars.
by Nick Golding
10 March 2023
Formula1News

It has been reported by multiple media outlets in Italy that Ferrari’s head of vehicle concept David Sanchez has resigned, due to having been approached by a team based in the United Kingdom. According to Formu1a.uno, that British side is McLaren, who are under the impression that Sanchez will join the Woking-based team once he completes a period of gardening leave.

Sanchez is reported to have resigned with immediate effect, hence why he’s entered a period of gardening leave as standard at Ferrari. If true, losing Sanchez is a massive loss for Ferrari, with the Frenchman being an integral part of the team’s aerodynamic department, which he’s been promoted within since joining the Maranello-based team in 2012.

‘Ferrari F1 designer quits’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/ferrari-f...-british-team/


Senior Ferrari F1 technical figure has resigned
Mar 9 2023
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

One of Ferrari’s most senior technical figures has resigned and already been linked with joining a rival Formula 1 team.

Ferrari’s head of vehicle concept David Sanchez, a highly regarded member of the team’s technical organisation, has reportedly resigned. The team did not wish to comment when approached by The Race.

‘One of Ferrari’s most senior technical figures has resigned’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/senio...-has-resigned/


FERRARI CHIEF ENGINEER DEPARTS TEAM
Bad news for the Scuderia?
Jasmine Hughes
FormulaNerds

According to reports from Motorsport Italy, Sanchez has tendered his resignation after 10 years at the Italian team. Sanchez has been a key figure within Ferrari’s engineering team since 2012, working initially as a principal aerodynamicist. By 2016, Sanchez was made the team’s chief aerodynamicist.

The news is less than ideal and comes against a backdrop of discontent within the Scuderia. The team’s shortcomings last year lead to an overhaul of the team’s management, with previous Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur replacing Mattia Binotto. Other changes included the appointment of a new Chief Strategist, with Ravin Javin replacing Iñaki Rueda.

‘The news is less than ideal’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/fe.../?nowprocket=1


Ferrari aerodynamics chief OUT as Bahrain fallout continues
Thursday 9 March 2023 21:10
Stuart Hodge
GPFans

Thursday's reports from Italy suggest Sanchez will now have to undergo a period of gardening leave before what Sky Sport Italia predicts will be a move to McLaren.

The shock news comes just four days after all that pre-season hype surrounding the SF-23 - the design of which Sanchez played a major part in - was obliterated in a Bahrain beatdown at the hands of Red Bull.

The departure of Sanchez from Maranello is the second big change at Ferrari in recent weeks. Last month Inaki Rueda was replaced as Head of Race Strategy by Ravin Jain.

‘Fallout continues’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-mclaren-link/


Top Ferrari engineer set to join McLaren?
MARCH 10, 2023
GrandPrix.com

Former team boss Stefano Domenicali warned the Italian team that it must now tread a fine line. "Saying 'we are Ferrari' is no longer enough," the F1 CEO told Sportmediaset.

"They now need to work on the weak points in order to grow without becoming typically Italian and emotional. Only with determination can you get out of difficult situations," Domenicali added.

Sky Italia, meanwhile, claims that former Renault and McLaren engineer Sanchez will now return to a British team - believed to be Woking-based McLaren.

"Saying 'we are Ferrari' is no longer enough";

https://www.grandprix.com/news/top-f...n-mclaren.html


Ferrari’s head of F1 vehicle design resigns
11:26 Fri, 10 Mar 2023.
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport

Ferrari has reportedly been hit with the surprise departure of one of its senior technical figures just one race into the new Formula 1 season.

Sanchez was seen as a key member of the Ferrari team under Mattia Binotto’s reign as team principal and played a key role in the Italian outfit’s resurgence in 2017 when he helped design the race-winning SF-70H.

The Frenchman was effectively responsible for the design and development of Ferrari’s last two cars, working on both last year’s F1-75 and its current 2023 challenger the SF-23.

‘Surprise departure’;

https://readmotorsport.com/2023/03/1...esign-resigns/

[Fortitude]

‘No panic, no knee-jerk reaction’ promise Mercedes in open letter to fans.
In an open letter to its fans, Mercedes said their performance in the opening race in Bahrain “hurt” after Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fifth and seventh, respectively, beaten comfortably by the winning Red Bulls.
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on
12th March 2023, 0:0111th March 2023, 22:29
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

“First, we won’t panic or make knee-jerk reactions,” Mercedes said. “We have been open and searingly honest about where we find ourselves. And we are working urgently and calmly to build our recovery plan, focusing on what needs to happen short term, medium term, and long term to win.”

“We already have developments in the pipeline for the next races – and there will be more to come. But this won’t be the work of a moment; there are no silver bullets in F1.”

“Hurt” ;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/12/...nd-up-12-03-6/


Mercedes make stunning statement one week on from Bahrain GP ‘hurt’.
Mercedes released a surprise statement to their fans after Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished outside of the podium places at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
March 11, 2023
By Nigel Chiu
Total Motorsport

“Bahrain hurt,” read a statement from Mercedes. “It hurt each one of us, who head into every season determined to fight for world championships.

“It hurt the team as a whole, after pouring so much hard work into a car that hasn’t met our expectations. And we know it hurt you, our fans, too. Your passion and support are so important in driving us forward – and we know that we feel the same pain.”

“Bahrain hurt”;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...and-prix-hurt/


Formula 1: Has Lewis Hamilton thrown Mercedes under the bus?
11:31 Sat, 11 Mar 2023.
by Asher Fair
Beyond the Flag (Weblog).

Lewis Hamilton was quoted as saying that Mercedes didn’t listen to his feedback when creating the team’s 2023 Formula 1 challenger.

All in all, only he knows what has gone on behind the scenes, so more than likely, these comments are accurate, even if not totally fair, based on his perception of what has gone on at the Brackley-based team over the last year or so during their fall from Formula 1 supremacy.

Nevertheless, there will be those who don’t take too kindly to his comments, given the fact that, for the better part of his career, he has been in a car that has been by far and away the best on the grid.

‘Under the bus?’;

https://beyondtheflag.com/2023/03/11...-mercedes-bus/


Mercedes publish open letter to fans amidst Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari rumours
Updated: Mar 11, 2023
By Jonathan Maze
World In Sport (Weblog)

Mercedes have published an open letter to their fans following a disappointing season opener in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race saw Lewis Hamilton finish P5 and George Russell finish two places back in P7. Their performance was so poor that they were outshone by their customer team Aston Martin who looks to be Red Bull’s nearest competition.

“In a spotlight as fierce as F1, people are quick to point fingers or look for scapegoats. But you know us better than that,” the letter writes. “Inside the team, we talk about having the courage to fail, the character to be accountable and the strength to see failure as an opportunity. We have been open and searingly honest about where we find ourselves.”

“Inside the team”;

https://worldinsport.com/mercedes-pu.../?nowprocket=1


Mercedes confirm talks on 'accountability' after Lewis Hamilton complained about engineers
Mercedes have penned an open letter to fans after Lewis Hamilton's struggles in Bahrain.
14:00, Sat, Mar 11, 2023
By Sam Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Mercedes have confirmed that staff held ‘searingly honest’ talks after a dismal start to the Formula One season. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton appeared to point the finger at engineers and told them to ‘own up’ with the W14 car struggling for performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

In an open letter to fans, the team has now admitted that a clear-the-air meeting was held between staff. It comes following reports that technical director Mike Elliott was given a brutal ultimatum over his role.

‘Brutal Ultimatum’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...F1-latest-news


Mercedes ‘isn’t the right car’ – Hamilton
Sunday 12th March, 2023 - 7:30am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Lewis Hamilton has expressed concern the W14 developed by Mercedes this year simply “isn’t the right car”. Fifth-placed Hamilton even declared Mercedes “miles away” from Aston Martin as Fernando Alonso was third on his debut with his new team.

In addition, Hamilton stated in a post-race interview on BBC Radio 5 Live that Mercedes did not listen to his input last year with regard to the W13, and “the issues that are with the car”.

‘Isn’t the right car’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/12...the-right-car/


Mercedes engineers' 'view' on copying Aston Martin after Lewis Hamilton complaints
Mercedes have endured further problems with their car after beginning their 2023 season last week
05:20, Sun, Mar 12, 2023
By Joshua Lees
Daily and Sunday Express

The idea that Mercedes’ engineers could copy the model of their Aston Martin rivals has been rubbished, after Lewis Hamilton made strong complaints at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix. It was a tricky start for Mercedes in Bahrain, as their struggles from last season continued into 2023.

'View on copying Aston Martin rubbished’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...milton-F1-news


Mercedes to make controversial decision in favour of Aston Martin
Aston Martin have started the season in stunning fashion with a podium in Bahrain via Fernando Alonso.
11 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

With both Mercedes and Aston Martin using the same power unit this season, it proves that Aston Martin’s car design is what is giving them the edge over Lewis Hamilton’s team.

Rumours have now emerged that Mercedes could be considering giving Aston Martin a more powerful engine this season to allow Mercedes to get the highest possible finish as an engine manufacturer.

“Mercedes chiefs are said to be willing to pay more attention to giving [Fernando] Alonso the fastest engine if their own car fails to perform in the next two races, which take place in Saudi Arabia and Australia,” Express have reported.

‘Giving [Fernando] Alonso the fastest engine’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mercedes-...-aston-martin/


Toto Wolff comments on Mercedes developing two cars ‘side by side’ in 2023
11 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

“It’s extremely difficult to catch such an advantage [to Red Bull], but it’s what we need to do. We have no choice,” said Wolff.

“We’re not going to develop two cars side-by-side, but we’re going to develop one car and we will decide that in the next days and weeks which car that will be.”

‘Side by side’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...-side-in-2023/

[Fortitude]

Ultimatum: Mercedes owners switch focus to Aston Martin.
If no improvement is seen in the next two Formula 1 Grands Prix, they will give significant help to Aston Martin, focusing instead on the customer team, away from the works Mercedes team of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
March 12, 2023
by thejudge13

To everyone’s surprise, the Aston Martin team took the podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix thanks to Fernando Alonso’s third place. Lawrence Stroll’s team overtook the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the start of the season, whereas the gap was enormous last year. And Damon Hill can’t believe it when asked during the Grand Prix weekend.

Indeed the situation has not gone unnoticed by the board of Mercedes, the German bosses have given Toto Wolff and his team two races to improve their competitiveness. If that doesn’t happen in Jeddah and Melbourne, Mercedes’ will be told to send their best engines to Aston Martin rather than to the factory team.

It should be noted that although it is accepted that Mercedes customers are supposed to receive the same powertrains as the factory team, in reality they are not exactly the same because of the specifics of the production process. As an example, the Spanish newspaper The Objective reported that during the recent tests in Bahrain, the engine in the seven-time world champion’s car was about four horsepower more powerful than Fernando Alonso’s, even though they both had the same specification.

‘Best engines to Aston Martin’;

https://thejudge13.com/2023/03/12/ul...-aston-martin/


Fernando Alonso explains why Jeddah and Melbourne will be key for Aston Martin
After his podium finish in Bahrain, Fernando Alonso will now travel to Saudi Arabia for the second round of the season.
11 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News

The Spaniard has explained that the next two rounds in Saudi Arabia and Australia will present very different challenges to the team, which could give a better representation of Aston Martin’s potential this year.

“Let’s see. I have the same feeling from testing, like it’s too good to be true and you’re always expecting that something will take you a step back and you will get back to reality,” said Alonso when asked for his revised 2023 expectations.

“But the performance seems real, so let’s see in Jeddah. I am curious to go to Jeddah and Australia. They are very different circuits, high-speed corners, very little degradation. In Bahrain, we were strong in areas maybe we don’t find in Jeddah and Australia.”

‘Next two rounds’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/fernando-...-aston-martin/


Alonso fires warning to Aston Martin's rivals over 2023 car
12 March 10:10AM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers


Fernando Alonso has warned Aston Martin's Formula 1 rivals that because the AMR23 is "95% new", the team are nowhere near their potential. And the two-time World Champion believes the fact that the Aston is a fresh start holds a lot of promise for the team.

"I mean, there are a couple of areas that we have to improve that I will not share, but I think the most important point is that the new Aston Martin is just a new car, a new project," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"This is just the beginning, this is not the final car, this is just the starting car of the concept we changed over the winter. [I have] full trust in our team, obviously they know what they are doing, so let's hopefully improve soon."

‘Aston Martin's Formula 1 rivals warned’;

https://racingnews365.com/alonso-fir...-over-2023-car


TREMAYNE: Aston Martin and Alonso's emergence is something we should all cheer
09 March 2023
David Tremayne
Hall of Fame F1 Journalist
Formula One - Official Site

So let’s start first with Fernando Alonso, and why the 2005 and ’06 world champion continues to be so important to the F1 scene. Number one, he is driving at least as well as he did back in those far-distant days, which is remarkable given that he’s 41 years old.

He’s never been that good at choosing his next moves, and had to leave McLaren for Ferrari given the way he chose to play Spygate in 2007 (though Ron Dennis did later persuade him to return in their final Honda phase). His relationship with Ferrari thereafter was not overly blessed, any more than that with Alpine after his recent comeback. But with Aston Martin, he may have chosen his move perfectly, and might just prove consistently to be the act that brings the most to the table after Christian Horner’s boys.

Lawrence expected this kind of form last year and was angrily disappointed. He doesn’t like losing, and I guess I wouldn’t either if I had invested so much. But the new AMR23 is the product of collaboration between a technical team led by former Red Bull aero guru Dan Fallows, whose prolonged period of ‘gardening leave’ after quitting the champion team has finally expired, McLaren and Toro Rosso refugee Luca Furbatto and Eric Blandin, whose past embraces positions as aero chief at both Ferrari and Mercedes.

‘Aston Martin and Alonso's emergence’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...47DFrjBuJ.html


Krack says 'experienced' Aston team can handle the pressure upfront
11/03/2023 at 14:39
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack says Team Silverstone can handle the pressure of fighting amongst F1's frontrunners thanks to its experience and "fantastic" crews.

But should that be the case, can the team handle the heat that radiates at the front of the field? "I think yes," said Krack, quoted by RacingNews365.com. "We must not forget that we are speaking about Team Silverstone. This is a very experienced team with a lot of fantastic people that have done that already."

Indeed, in its previous Force India and Racing Point guises, Team Silverstone often sparred with F1's leaders, with Sergio Perez - who scored his fourth career podium in F1 in 2014 with Force India in Bahrain - taking a remarkable win at Sakhir in 2020, on the track's outer loop configuration.

‘We are speaking about Team Silverstone.’;

https://f1i.com/news/468452-krack-sa...e-upfront.html