F1: Lewis Hamilton’s lack of recognition in UK baffles Mercedes chief Toto Wolff

Vettel rumours played down and Renault are
undecided on Hulkenberg

One-Minute Read

This season Mercedes driver Hamilton is on course to win another
championship after six victories in the opening eight races.

The 34-year-old also holds the record for most pole
positions (86) and is closing in on Michael Schumacher’s seven
titles and 91 race wins, Hamilton currently has 75.

Even though the Briton has dominated F1 he “regularly faces as
much criticism as praise in the UK”, GPFans.com reports. And Mercedes chief Wolff
does not know why. 

“In general in the United Kingdom, Lewis is not recognised
how he should be recognised,” said Wolff.

“One day he’s going to stop his career, with multiple
records, and people will say ‘he was the greatest driver on the
planet and we were witnesses of that journey, and wasn’t he an
interesting personality with all the things he
did?’. 

“But for whatever reason there is this idea of hitting
out, which maybe it provides the better headline, maybe it sells
more newspapers, or gives more clicks. 

“I don’t think it recognises the opportunity that we are
part of, to see maybe the best driver that has ever existed on an
exceptional journey.”

Vettel quit rumours played down

A source close to Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel says the
four-time world champion is not planning on quitting F1.

Vettel recently got married to his long-time partner
Hanna Prater and it was claimed this could be a sign the
German may retire from F1 and focus on his family. However,
according to GrandPX News the rumours have been played
down.

Peter Burger, who produces Vettel’s helmet designs, said:
“He and Hanna have lived together for a long time. It was just now
the right time for them. 

“Besides, he still has a contract, which he definitely
fulfils. Seb has always kept to contracts and is not one to give
up. 

“As he has said, he still has something to do at
Ferrari.”

Hulkenberg’s Renault future in
balance 

PitPass.com says that Renault boss Cyril
Abiteboul is undecided if Nico Hulkenberg will continue to be
Daniel Ricciardo’s team-mate next season.  

According to reports Esteban Ocon is being lined up to
replace Hulkenberg, whose contract with Renault expires at the end
of the 2019 campaign. 

Abiteboul said: “The situation is clear. We have a
two-year contract with Daniel. Nico’s contract, the initial term is
coming to an end at the end of this year. 

“We need to look at the options, like everyone is doing,
like I’m sure Nico is doing. Things are open for him and for us,
but there is also an option in place so that we can possibly
continue our journey together. 

“We will see, probably after the summer break will be the
right time to sit down, discuss it on the basis of fact and desire
also.”