Mercedes is counting on Lewis Hamilton – for five more years.
This was revealed by team principal Toto Wolff ahead of the F1 2022 Japan GP.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s contract expires after the 2023 season. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is already talking about a contract extension.
And for many years.
We are completely transparent in our relationship. “Lewis is the first to say if they don’t go, if the reaction behind the wheel becomes slower or if he simply loses the desire,” Wolff told Channel 4 news.
Talks between the two parties have already begun and Wolff is hopeful that Hamilton, who turns 38 in January, will want to stay for another two years.
– We sat and talked about it last week. Then he said: Look at me another five years inside me, or what do you think? Wolf reveals.
– He can imagine staying, and it will probably take more than a year before we get back to the top.
After this year’s season, former champion Sebastian Vettel left Formula 1 and McLaren broke the contract with the famous Daniel Ricciardo. There are currently three vacancies and here you can see all the teams and drivers for F1 2023. The contract period has also been indicated.
Tire selection for Japan GP in F1 2022
After a two-year absence, F1 is back in Japan, at Suzuka, a favorite of many drivers. It’s the only track on the calendar that’s shaped like a number eight and there are many demanding angles, like the classic 130 R and spoon.
The power that goes through the tires is the highest we’ve ever seen during the season. That, combined with the demands set by the track, means we choose to come up with the toughest of the three rubber compounds, says Pirelli’s Martio Isola.
One thing to note is that there will be extra practice time on Friday when Pirelli tests the tires for next year.
It’s racing week again, as @ F1 Returns to the land of the rising sun after two years! 🇯🇵
The #JapaneseGP It is a favorite company among # Fit4F1 Drivers, due to its history, tough design and fans 👇👇https://t.co/FqulwKhyeT# F1 # Formula 1 # Pirelli #Pirelli150 pic.twitter.com/AzGciH8IK2
– Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) October 3, 2022
Want to know more about the Japan GP in F1 2022? Listen to our podcast “Plattan i Mattan”. Then you’ll also hear the question I asked when former Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg answered the following sentence, not just once but twice:
– I can tell you that, but then I have to kill you.
Yesterday, F1 was also notified if any team breached the budget cap in 2021. You can read more about that here.
Head to the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Circuit
Japan GP Formula 1 times can be found here.
Length: 5,807 km
turn or turn: 53 (307471 km)
Length to Curve 1: 545 AD
number of curves: left 8, right 10
Number of curves over 250 km/h: 4 (T1, T7, T12, T15)
Curves under 100 km/h: 2 (T11, T17)
tire wear: high
Prompsoner: 9 (1 hard)
brake wear: a little
Max speed without DRS: 320 km / team.
Minimum speed: 70 km / team
average speed: 225 km / team
Number of shifts per roll: 48
Distance to the first curve: 545 AD
Winning Strategy 2019: Two stops, the majority of drivers stopped.
Drivers who won from the lowest starting position: 2005 Kimi Raikkonen from 17th place.
The first winners: Gerhard Berger, Ferrari, from pole position (1987)
First place wins: 15th.
Japan GP stats in F1
Top 8 of the 2019 qualifiers:
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
6. Alexander Albon, Red Bull
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren
8. Lando Norris, McLaren
Fastest qualifying lap:
Absolute: 1: 27.064 (Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 2019)
2019: 1: 27.064 (Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari)
2018: 1:27.760 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
2017: 1: 27.319 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
2016: 1:30.647 (Nico Rosberg, Mercedes)
2015: 1: 32.584 (Nico Rosberg, Mercedes)
Drivers with the most starting points:
Michael Schumacher (8)
Sebastian Vettel (5)
Nico Rosberg (3)
Ayrton Senna (3)
Lewis Hamilton (2)
Jacques Villeneuve (2)
Gerhard Berger (2)
Top 8 in Japan GP 2019
1. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
4. Alexander Albon, Red Bull
5. Carlos Sainz, McLaren
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
8. Sergio Perez, Racing Point
fastest roll
Absolute: 1:30.983 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2019)
2019: 1:30.983 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
2018: 1: 32.318 (Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari)
2017: 1:33.144 (Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes)
2016: 1:35.118 (Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari)
2015: 1: 36.145 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
The last five winners
2019 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
2018 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2017 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2016 Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2015 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
The drivers with the most victories at the Japanese Grand Prix
Michael Schumacher (6)
Sebastian Vettel (4)
Lewis Hamilton (4)
Ayrton Senna (2)
Damon Hill (2)
Mika Hakkinen (2)
Gerhard Berger (2)