Paddy Lowe Leaves Mercedes

LOWE LEAVES MERCEDES

    Mercedes Executive Technical Director Paddy Lowe is now on gardening leave ahead of leaving the team. It’s expected he will move to Williams as part of the deal to secure Valtteri Bottas to replace Nico Rosberg.

    Lowe has been a part of the Mercedes team for three years, and played a key role in the team’s domination in recent years.

    Though Mercedes didn’t name a replacement for the outgoing technical chief – the “stable” organisation will run under its current Engineering, Performance, and Technology directors, and their chief operating officer – it’s expected James Allison will join the team from Ferrari after his own gardening leave.

    “Paddy has played an important part in our success during the past three and a half years and we thank him for his contribution to this significant chapter in Mercedes’ motorsport history,” said Toto Wolff.

    “Success in Formula 1 is not about single individual but about the strength in depth and technical capability of an organisation."

    “We have the talent in place to continue our success of recent years and we plan to build upon it in 2017 and beyond.”

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Nico Rosberg Retires From Formula 1

NICO ROSBERG ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM F1

    Nico Rosberg has announced his retirement from Formula One only a week after winning the World Drivers Championship for the first time.

    Rosberg thanked everybody who “supported me to make that dream happen” after announcing he would be leaving the series, despite having already signed a contract to stay at Mercedes for the 2017 season.

    “This season, I tell you, it was so damn tough. I pushed like crazy in every area after the disappointments of the last two years; they fueled my motivation to levels I had never experienced before,” Rosberg said. “And, of course, that had an impact on the ones I love too – it was a whole family effort of sacrifice, putting everything behind our target.”

     Rosberg told few people about his intentions to retire, making the announcement a shock to most of the motorsports world.

     “When I won the race in Suzuka, from the moment when the destiny of the title was in my own hands, the big pressure started and I bag to think about ending my racing career if I became World Champion,” he said. “On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I knew that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience, knowing it might be the last time."

    Rosberg said he decided on Monday evening, the day after securing the title.

     Team boss Toto Wolff has said the team will start looking for a replacement on Monday. Mercedes junior driver Pascal Wehrlein is thought to be a favourite, but Fernando Alonso is one of a number of drivers also rumoured to be heading to the team.

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Bahrain GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes


Lewis Hamilton - "I was really buzzing after the result in China and I have to say a big thank you to the team for the amazing job they did all weekend. As always, though, my thoughts have been completely focused on the next race from the moment we left the circuit on Sunday. It's been a great start - but for me last season showed that you can never feel too comfortable and that's even more the case this time around with Ferrari right there with us. I don't actually have the best record in Bahrain compared to other circuits. Last year was my first win here and it was definitely one I'll remember after a great fight with Nico. That's what I love about racing and it's a special feeling to come out on top in a battle like that. I'm in a good place right now. The momentum is with me, so the target is to carry that on and hopefully repeat last year's performance."

Nico Rosberg - "China was a frustrating weekend for me and I'm glad we have another race right away to get straight back to work. The team has made a great start to the season and, with this incredible car they have built, I know I just need to find a little bit more in myself to get back to the top step. I've never won in Bahrain but I've taken the last two pole positions here and also set the fastest lap at this circuit on my Formula One debut, so I know I have the pace. Of course, everyone remembers the race last year and it would be great for the fans if we can put on another great show for them this time. If we can do that but with the two top steps in a different order it would be fantastic! It won't be so easy with the competition breathing down our necks. But that makes for even more exciting racing, so I'm looking forward to a great battle and I'm determined to come out on top."

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Australian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton - “At this point in the year you don't really know what to feel as a driver. You're impatient to get back to racing but, at the same time, you never know what a new season will bring. Testing gives you a basic idea of whether the car feels good or not but, beyond that, it's anyone's game to win. The team have been working incredibly hard through the winter and it was great to see everyone in the factory before I left for Melbourne. I'm so thankful for everything they do and I want to show that in the best way I can out on track. We had a great season last year as a team and, of course, we'd all love to repeat that. But the others won't stop chasing us. I'm sure the competition will be close and we should get exciting racing with plenty of battling for position - which is great because that's what I love doing and that's what the fans love watching. There are many good drivers out there and all of them want to win. You just have to want it more than they do. I feel fresh, I feel fit, I feel relaxed, I feel positive... I feel ready. I think as a driver you get stronger with every season, so I plan to be better than last year.” 

Nico Rosberg - “2014 was a really incredible season for the team and I know everyone is pushing harder than ever to do it all again. Seeing everyone at the factory is a big motivation for me. This will be my sixth year with the team and we're getting stronger with every season. It's great to have a group of people working alongside you who are as passionate and driven as you are. It's up to us drivers to repay them for all their efforts and I'm determined to do them proud. We had a good winter but it's never straightforward. You always have challenges to overcome and there's nothing for certain, so we have to keep pushing. Personally, I have focused on pushing myself even harder for the rematch with Lewis. In the end, it comes down to who can put the best season together overall and I have to make sure it's the other way around this time. Having said that, my team mate is just one of many strong competitors who I have to beat if I want to be World Champion, so I'm just focused on being the absolute best I can be. I now know the feeling of winning races and I intend to do a lot more of that - but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don't intend to repeat that experience. It's a huge motivation for me and gives me even more determination for 2015.”

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Hamilton VS. Rosberg

It's no secret that there has been friction between the two team mates at Mercedes. 

The first signs of this was at the GP in Monaco. In the third qualifying session Rosberg experienced some difficulties and found himself having to use an escape road. At the time of this happening, Hamilton just happened to be on his "podium lap" when the session was given the red flag and ended early, not allowing Hamilton to finish his lap. 

Almost instantly, fans took their sides. Some saying Rosberg had done it on purpose and others agreeing it was a mere accident. 

Again on race day, friction was evident. On the podium the two could barely stand next to each other. It was especially clear on Lewis' face that he was uncomfortable. The team, as you'd expect, sat down and spoke about it. 

Fans were told there were no issues between the drivers and they remained friends. Despite this, there still remains a lot of obvious unhappiness between the two. Lewis seemed to be taking it harder until very recently when Rosberg has been greeted by booing on the podium.

Although Rosberg appears to be handling the situation very well, you can imagine it isn't the sort of way you want to start a podium finish celebration. 

After such a strong start to an incredible season for the team, some are questioning if this situation could jeopardise the championship win for the team. I suppose all we can do for now is wait and see what happens in the final rounds of the season.

Article Written By: Frances Fry

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British GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes AMG Petronas

Lewis Hamilton - "It was great to get another one-two finish for the team in Austria and I'm so proud of all the hard work everyone is putting in to keep us at the front this season. Of course, it wasn't the result I wanted personally and it was disappointing not to be able to capitalise on my pace when it was clearly there. But in the end, coming back to second place was positive in terms of damage limitation. Silverstone is obviously a special race for me and the support I have there is just incredible. The British fans are the absolute best in the world and it's really humbling to see thousands of people out there cheering you on - no matter what the weather or the result. I won the race in the wet in 2008, which was just the best feeling. I think the gap was around 60 seconds at the end, and I'd lapped everyone up to third place which was just unreal. I could never have hoped or dreamed for a race like that - especially at my home Grand Prix. That has to be one of the best moments of my career. I loved raising that gold trophy in front of the home crowds and I'm determined to get my hands on it again this year."

Nico Rosberg - "The last race weekend in Austria was not an easy one for us overall, so I was delighted to come away with the win and even more so for the team to have both cars at the front when we crossed the line. The atmosphere at the circuit was really great and, being so close to Germany, it almost felt like a home race for me. Silverstone is another special one for me, as I managed to win there last season. It was actually very close to my birthday and I had a really cool experience after the race. There's usually a fan festival with rock bands and all sorts after the track action finishes, which is something I go to almost every year. This time, I was up on stage doing a quick interview and the whole crowd started singing Happy Birthday to me, which was very cool! The British fans are absolutely fantastic. So I enjoy going to Silverstone personally, but really this one is all about the team. For the hundreds of people at Brackley and Brixworth it's a home race and many of them will be there with their families and friends across the weekend. I want to put on a good show and get the best result possible out of it for them after all their hard work this season."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Chinese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Next quotes are from Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team!

Nico Rosberg - “Even though the last race was a bit disappointing from my perspective in terms of the result, it's been great to see all the positive comments that came afterwards. We've demonstrated already that we're pushing harder than ever to stay ahead of the pack. It will only get more difficult as the season goes on but I've got confidence in the team. Every day and in every area you can see that determination to win. This gives you a big boost as a driver: to know the people around you want it just as badly as you do. I've got good memories from China after taking my first pole position and race win in Formula One at this circuit in 2012. The layout seems to suit my driving style, it's a track I enjoy racing at and I want to be back on that top step of the podium this weekend. The Chinese fans are great too: really enthusiastic. It's nice to see how much they like our sport and how they cheer us on during the race weekend. It's a very different culture and getting to know it is always fun, so hopefully we can keep them as entertained on track as they do off it!”

Lewis Hamilton - “It's been good to have a bit of a break after such a long stint away but I'm already looking forward to getting back in the car. The last race in Bahrain was fantastic: not just for us as a team but for the sport and I'm sure it won't be the last time we see a great show this year. I'm in a really good place at the moment and walking around the garage too, you can see the positive energy within the team right now. Everyone is focused on getting the maximum from these early races and continuing to build beyond the strong start we've made to the season. I've had some ups and downs in China. On one side I've only finished outside of the podium places twice at this circuit. On the other, in my first season in Formula One I threw away a championship lead here by going into the gravel coming into the pits. Generally, though, I'm getting stronger every time I come to this track and it suits my driving style quite well. The aim, as always, is to win and if I could make it three in a row this weekend that would be incredible.”

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Bahrain GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Next quotes come from the Mercedes AMG Petronas team!

Lewis Hamilton - "It was great to kick-start my season with a win in Malaysia. Taking a one-two was also a fantastic result for the team and I can’t wait to see what we can do in Bahrain. I’ve finished on the podium here a couple of times here but, for one reason or another, I’ve never managed to get the win. Until last week it was the same story for me with Malaysia, so fingers crossed this can be the year of breaking those cycles! "Malaysia was a really busy event for the team and we have a test coming up straight after this weekend’s race, so it would be great to give the crew another good result to head home with after a long road trip. We know it’s going to be tough to maintain our current form, particularly at a circuit where every team has had so much running time over the winter, but I’ll be pushing hard to keep those results coming."

Nico Rosberg - "The first two races have been a great start to my season and I’m already looking forward to being back in the car and carrying on that momentum in Bahrain. It’s a great track and I really enjoy driving it. I’ve never had much luck on race weekends here, but it’s definitely the one I’m best prepared for this year. "I came to Bahrain for the Pirelli tyre test back in December and during winter testing a few weeks ago. Of course, it’s the same situation for most teams and drivers so we could see some close battles throughout the weekend. We may be leading both Championships at the moment but our rivals are breathing down our necks, so we need to stay focused and keep doing our job calmly and professionally."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Quotes made by Drivers.