#BahrainGP 🇧🇭: Lewis Hamilton on whether he believes he can fight for the championship this year: “We’ll find out over the next couple of days what’s realistic, but I mean, that’s what I prepared myself for. I prepared myself for a championship battle.” 1/4
“But, whether or not we have the equipment to fight for the championship, we’ll find out. I do believe I’ve got the team still, that are championship worthy, it’s just for us to keep our heads down.”
“Last year when we arrived and we had all of those problems, all of us, it was just panic mode, trying to figure out what was the issue and try to fix it. It took us forever to fully understand it.”
“This year we are starting with a car that doesn’t bounce but it is very very similar to last year’s car. But, there are some positives there and I think it’s a good foundation to work on.”
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
#F1: As part of an effort to reduce the number of tyres that are brought to grands prix, at two races this year an experiment will take place for a new qualifying format.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May has been chosen as the first venue to feature the trial. 🧵
The number of tyre sets available to each driver for the weekend will be reduced from 13 to 11 and at these two trial events the compounds will be mandated.
Drivers will be forced to use hard tyres in Q1, mediums in Q2 and then softs in Q3.
If any of the sessions are declared wet, then tyre choice will become free.
Drivers will have access to three sets of hards, four sets of mediums and four sets of softs for the entire weekend.
#BahrainGP 🇧🇭: Mike Elliott: “Toto already said we’ve got a different bodywork coming; it won't be the same as other people’s and it won’t be the same as we’ve got, it’ll be different. It’s part of the normal development.”
“We have got a very different sidepod coming – I say very different, a different sidepod that’s coming. I think Toto said that in the press. But it takes time to bring that. It takes time to make the bits, it takes time to change the bits that go underneath the bodywork to fit.”
#F1: Mercedes has hired one of Red Bull’s former senior figures – Jayne Poole – as a special advisor to help drive improvements at its Formula 1 team.
It is understood that she will work closely with Wolff and be involved in evaluating the current infrastructure at Mercedes, plus offer advice on any potential changes that can be made – especially as teams adjust to life under the cost cap.
Poole is well known within the F1 paddock and, in her role at Red Bull over many years, provided solid support to team principal Christian Horner – who she was regularly seen with at grands prix.
#BahrainGP 🇧🇭: Lewis Hamilton once again dismisses quitting/retiring rumours:
“People creating rumours without facts is never helpful. You would have thought that they would both know me by now.”
Lewis Hamilton: “I still believe I’m able to put the car in places that perhaps others are not able to and I love that challenge. Of course I wish that we start the season with a great car but it’s the journey that really counts.”
“I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13. Having a difficult year we had last year, whether or not we have a difficult year this year, I’ll still be here. I’m a fighter and we fight as a team. I love the challenge of finding solutions.”
#F1: Toto Wolff: “Nevertheless, we are confident we have got a car we can work with and are in a stronger position than 12 months ago. More importantly, we are relishing the challenge.” 🧵
“This championship will be fought over 23 race weekends, and each one will give us an opportunity to improve.”
“So much hard work has gone into the W14 over the winter and the anticipation to be get racing has kept on building. We will be going flat out this weekend – and are determined to keep that going to the final lap in Abu Dhabi.”