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Mercedes: What to expect from the new W13 and how it could influence Hamilton’s decision

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Mercedes: What to expect from the new W13 and how it could influence Hamilton’s decision

The Mercedes F1 technical director spoke about the performance of his new car, W13, in the radically changed – due to the regulations – Formula 1 of 2022, while Mika Hκινkkinen argues that the car’s competitiveness can judge Lewis Hamilton’s decision for his this stay in the sport for a year or not.

The complete overhaul of F1 cars in 2022, based on one of the biggest rule changes in decades, put all teams on the exact same starting point for the white start to the championship, which kicks off in Bahrain on March 20th.

The balance of power and competitiveness of each car will remain a mystery to everyone, at least until winter development testing begins on February 23 at the Barcelona circuit. And it’s no different for the Champion Mercedes.

The Brackley team has perhaps a tougher task than the many teams – Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin – aiming for promotion to the championship this year: to maintain the task at that level.

Speaking of the W13 car, which Mercedes will officially unveil on February 18, the team’s Technical Director Mike Eliot drew the only comparison he could – to last year’s Mercedes W12.

“The overall performance of the new car is unlikely to differ much from the old one. Obviously the purpose of these regulations was to try to improve overtaking opportunities and it will take time to see if that happens.”emphasized Eliot.

“Cars are a little heavier, the drive with the new biofuel E10 will behave a little differently, and the aerodynamic function and autotuning will also change.”added the Brit.

He claimed “until we get the best out of our new car, until we develop it in testing and in the first few races, we won’t know [πόσο ανταγωνιστικό είναι]. “But in general I think the performance will be relatively similar to last year.”

Mercedes will have the duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the Cockpit of the Year as the Brit replaced Valteri Botas after 5 years – if Hamilton of course decides to continue the sport following the rumors circulating after last year’s Abu Dhabi that he could give in to his frustration at losing his eighth title.

Mika Hκινkkinen, a two-time champion with McLaren’s Mercedes engine in the back in 1998-’99, expressed the view that the performance of the new Mercedes W13, and more specifically its competitiveness, would be key in the Brit’s decision will .

Lewis’ trip to formula 1 was very big and there are many factors that will go into his decision on whether to continue. Lewis is confident. He won, climbed to the top step of the podium and everyone looked at him in admiration. “He thinks this should continue, so this year will be very interesting for him.” said the Finn.

This year’s Mercedes, Hakinen continues, “It’s going to be a completely different machine and there’s a chance the designers didn’t achieve the optimal design. If that happens to Lewis, it’s going to be very difficult for him to accept. When you’re at the top of a mountain and have to climb again because you suddenly don’t have the best car, it can be difficult to control your emotions. Lewis is surrounded by many questions. We don’t know if he will return, but let’s hope he does.”.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Source: sport24

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Audi will pay 1 million 250 thousand Euros to the driver for winning the Formula 1 race

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Audi will pay 1 million 250 thousand Euros to the driver for winning the Formula 1 race

Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg can count on a multimillion-dollar bonus in his first season with Audi if he can repeat the results in the 2025 season.

Last season, the German pilot reached the Formula 1 podium after 250 races for the first time in his career and finished the British Grand Prix in third place. At Silverstone, Hulkenberg was ahead of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and scored 15 points in one go.

Hulkenberg scored 51 points at the end of the 2025 season.

On the eve of Audi’s first season, specialized media reported that the 38-year-old pilot signed a contract providing a bonus of 50 thousand euros for each point earned in the 2026 season.

Given the large-scale changes in Formula 1, even the pilots themselves cannot yet predict the balance of power in the peloton. However, if Hulkenberg scores 51 points again, the bonus can reach 2 million 550 thousand euros in addition to his base salary at Audi.

If Nico manages to win the race and score the maximum 25 points, this will immediately earn him a bonus of 1,250,000 euros.

The team will present the appearance of its first car today at 20:00 Kyiv time.

Source: Sport UA

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F1 pilot’s brother became Ukrainian pilot’s rival in Formula 4

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F1 pilot’s brother became Ukrainian pilot’s rival in Formula 4

Thomas Berman, the younger brother of Haas Formula 1 team driver Oliver Berman, will officially take part in Italian Formula 4 and Euro 4 in the 2026 season.

Thomas will represent the VAR team colours.

The 16-year-old Briton spent last year in British Formula 4, where he scored one win and finished eighth in the final season standings.

But the ones that are considered the most prestigious and promising are the Italian and European Formula 4 championships. They are often chosen by young pilots for further career advancement. In addition, Thomas’ older brother Oliver Berman also competed in these series and became the Italian Formula 4 champion in 2021 with 11 wins.

Let us also remind you that Ukrainian Alexander Bondarev will compete in the same championships with the Prima Racing team in the 2026 season. The Ukrainian pilot does not hide his ambitions and has repeatedly expressed his intention to fight for the championship title.

Bondarev now participates in Middle East Formula 4 in preparation for the European leg of the season. After the first stage, he took first place in the general rankings and became the leader in the rankings.

Thomas Berman will compete in the Formula Winter Series as part of his preparations.

The competition between the current “four” promises to be extremely high, and the appearance of the younger brother of the Formula 1 pilot will only increase interest in the series.

Check out this post on Instagram

Additions, expansions Van Amersfoort Racing (@vanamersfoortracing)


Source: Sport UA

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Ex-Ferrari boss: “We were disappointed by the rule changes. We had the best car”

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Ex-Ferrari boss: “We were disappointed by the rule changes. We had the best car”

Former Ferrari boss Ross Brawn said the team was at a disadvantage due to the FIA’s changes to the rules.

The Scuderia was virtually unbeatable in the early 2000s. Michael Schumacher single-handedly won 48 of 85 races in the first half of the decade, while Rubens Barrichello added nine more victories.

In an interview with F1.com, Brown named the 2004 Ferrari car as his favorite. That year the team won not only three races but confidently won its sixth consecutive title in the Constructors’ Championship.

The legendary designer and strategist admitted that Ferrari was stopped after that due to changes in tire rules and that the team had become too dominant.

“Every year we put in extra effort and every year we did things a little better. That made the 2004 car, in my opinion, the best ever.”

“We were disappointed by the changes to the tire rules after that, but I think we did so well and had to be stopped somehow. This incredible car could not have been stopped any other way because everything worked so well for us.”

“Having lived on the other side of the fence ever since, I can understand Bernie’s frustration. [Экклстоуна, тогдашнего руководителя Формулы-1]Max [Мосли, тогдашнего президента FIA] and supporters. It was a shock when we didn’t win, not a shock when we won. “It was a very special car.”

Source: Sport UA

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