Fernando Alonso to Red Bull rumours as Lewis Hamilton plays mind games

Lewis Hamilton commits to Mercedes until 2025

We are quickly turning our attention from the Mexican Grand Prix and onto the Brazilian GP this weekend as once again teams go in search of gazumping Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the top of the grid. Last time out Lewis Hamilton had an opportunity to take his first win of the season but just came up short, despite an improved performance.

However, Mercedes have recently been rocked as their chief technical officer Mike Elliott has handed in his resignation just days before the next race. Hamilton has been critical of his car this season but it does now appear to be in a strong place, as George Russell returns to the scene of his first race win.

Red Bull have their issues too despite dominating this season, as Sergio Perez was forced to retire on the opening corner of his home race last weekend following a collision with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Perez’s seat is under pressure for next season and he will be hoping to turn his fortunes around this weekend.

Lando Norris impressed once again from the back of the grid and will be keen to put the pressure on those around him ahead of what is expected to be a blistering Grand Prix in Brazil.

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Mercedes chief quits

Last night saw Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott hand in his resignation just days before the Brazilian GP.

Elliott had only been in his current role for six months but has decided to move on, with the Silver Arrows yet to announce his successor.

“After 11 incredible years, Chief Technical Officer Mike Elliott has chosen to depart the team,” the team wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Mike has been one of the pillars of the team’s achievements and we thank him for everything he has brought to the team. We wish you the best of luck with your next chapter, Mike!”

Lewis Hamilton mind games

Mercedes development driver Esteban Gutierrez has explained how Lewis Hamilton uses mind games on the track to trick rival teams.

The Brit can often be heard complaining about his tyres over the radio, which other teams are made aware of, before hitting the gas to surprise them.

“Lewis is very strong in that kind of situation,” Gutierrez told the F1 Nation podcast. “I think he says some things to let it out of his system, it’s not necessarily meaning that’s what he believes, he’s just getting that out of his system.

“If I was in this position, it’s like a psychological process to try to increase or maximise your situation. And he’s done that a couple of times in his career where sometimes he makes an indication and then he does totally the opposite.

“And he’s like mega and doing the fastest laps and incredible stints and I think today (Mexican GP) was a good example of that.”

Fernando Alonso to Red Bull

Rumours have recently surfaced that Red Bull are considering Fernando Alonso to replace the under-fire Sergio Perez.

Veteran driver Alonso impressed in the first half of the season especially at Aston Martin, leading the way for him potentially to work alongside Max Verstappen.

But Sky Sports F1 pundit Craig Slater has dismissed that suggestion. He said: “Can we get rid of the elephant in the room which is Fernando Alonso potentially going to Red Bull?!

“My understanding is that is a non-starter, it is not going to happen. As much as they admire Alonso and what he can do, he is not above (Daniel) Ricciardo, as far as I understand it, as an option to drive for that team next year.

“This is not coming officially from the team but it is not going to happen. Some senior and well-placed people have told me that maybe Alonso’s management have been doing their due diligence again and assessing whether there are any better options for him next year.

“Perhaps that has been inflated into a ‘he is going to take Perez’s seat rather than Ricciardo’.”

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