Mercedes learn impact of Man Utd takeover as Lewis Hamilton changes tune
Formula One teams are gearing up for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix next weekend. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be the hot favourite to claim yet another victory but has already played down his chances on a brand-new circuit.
Mercedes will have spent the week reeling over a terrible Brazilian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton came eighth while George Russell failed to finish due to technical problems.
The Silver Arrows enjoyed an excellent time in Mexico a week earlier and will be confused over their inconsistency. Hamilton and co. will spend next week putting together a plan to ensure a more positive result in Sin City.
Express Sport provides all the latest F1 updates below…
READ MORE: Ferrari pressured in Lewis Hamilton legal row as Las Vegas GP concerns raised
Hamilton changes tune
Lewis Hamilton has been ground down by his Mercedes struggles and has now changed his tune over how he criticises the Silver Arrows engineers.
At the start of the season, the 38-year-old urged Mercedes staff to ‘own’ the team’s struggles.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “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.
“We’re still multi-World Champions you know, it’s just they haven’t got it right this time, they didn’t get it right last year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get it right moving forward.”
But now, Hamilton eases off his team, perhaps understanding his much of an impact the disastrous performances have had on the group. The seven-time world champion said he was ‘proud’ of his colleagues after a woeful Brazilian Grand Prix a week ago.
“One thing the car is really unpredictable. In a sense of one weekend it feels good, one session it feels good, and then not,” Hamilton said.
“I’m sure we will go and look at things and find things we should have done differently but with the one [practice] session it’s difficult.
“But I’m still proud of the team, they still came here and did their work, they hold their head up high and that’s what we have to continue to do. Just keep pushing forward. Two more races with this thing. Hopefully no more driving it.”
Mercedes impacted by Man Utd takeover
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Premier League club Manchester United will not affect his commitment to Mercedes, Planet F1 claim.
Ratcliffe is set to buy 25 per cent of the Red Devils at a reported value of £1.4million.
Through his petrochemicals giant INEOS, Ratcliffe is set to oversee the football operation of the Old Trafford outfit.
But it is reported that his work with United will not impact his commitment to Mercedes.
Silver Arrows chief Toto Wolff has even admitted that he is open to joining Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, and his team at United.
Speaking at the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Austrian said: “Jim has shared the trajectory with me.
“I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it.”
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