[h=1]Hamilton brushes off Wolff warning[/h]


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World champion Lewis Hamilton is not paying much attention to a warning from Toto Wolff over friction between himself and Nico Rosberg.



Lewis Hamilton has no concerns that he and Nico Rosberg could lose their Mercedes seats following what the Formula One world champion considers to be unnecessary comments from his boss Toto Wolff.





Mercedes head of motorsport Wolff stated earlier this month that the constructors' championship winners could reconsider their driver-up line if tensions between Hamilton and Rosberg continue to mount.
The drivers have had several clashes and public disagreements since world champion Hamilton made the move to Mercedes three years ago, the duo battling - often acrimoniously - for the title.
Wolff warned changes could be made if the rival colleagues' actions are "not aligned with the general consensus, spirit and philosophy within the team".
But Hamilton has no fears that his position could be under threat and was not impressed by Wolff's comments.
The Brit told Sky Italia: "Nico's job is not in jeopardy and neither is mine."
He added: "Am I surprised by it? Not really. Is it necessary? Not really.
"We are grown men and we have done the job that we are hired to do to the maximum. We've not done it 95 per cent or 80 per cent, we've done it 100 per cent to how they've wanted us to do it.
"Has there been friction? Of course, you can't have it perfect always. But have we always shone light on this team? I believe so. Have we always delivered when they've given us the opportunity to do so? I believe so."
Hamilton won his second consecutive title, and third overall, this season, with Rosberg second in the drivers' standings behind the Englishman in each of the last two years.
Despite their dominance, the 30-year-old former McLaren driver knows neither man can afford to rest on his laurels.
"I think it is easy for people to get complacent in life and I think it is important as a team we don't get complacent," Hamilton said.
"We've had two incredibly successful years and when you complain about small things I think that is when you can easily lose your way.
"Of course we always want to be better and perfect, but as long as we stay together and continue to communicate I think it will be good."

 

[h=2]F1: Hamilton - Starts still not bulletproof[/h] Sunday, 30 October 2016


RACER Staff
Mexican Grand Prix polesitter Lewis Hamilton concedes his Formula 1 starts are "still not bulletproof," but is feeling more confident following a recent upturn in form.
Hamilton secured the 59th pole of his F1 career on Saturday, but has only won four of the nine grands prix he has started from there so far this year.


That has primarily been down to poor starts and issues with Mercedes' difficult clutch, although Hamilton looked more at ease last Sunday at Austin, making a superb getaway from pole and winning the race.
"Already from last weekend I felt more confident in the whole process," Hamilton said on Saturday. I wish I had that in the beginning of the year. Obviously we'd be in a different position now. At least we've got it right now.
"I feel confident for tomorrow. It's obviously a long run down to Turn 1, so it will be even more important to get a better start."
Asked if any specific changes had provided that improved confidence, Hamilton said: "No, just a process of continuing to work.
"It's still not bulletproof, still things we're working on, and we'll continue to do so until the end of the year."
Mexico City's 0.59-mile run to Turn 1 is one of F1's longest, offering a chance for those starting behind to pass Hamilton, with or without a bad start.
He will be joined on the front row by teammate Nico Rosberg, both starting the race on soft tires, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo on the second row will be on super-softs.
"The tow is very, very minimal here [due to the thinner air at high altitude]," Hamilton said. "Last year I was right behind Nico and it didn't make hardly any difference, but the tow effect is still there and that's why I want a good start.
"As for the Red Bulls, they should be pretty strong in the first lap. I'm guessing they'll have an advantage of three meters by Turn 1 with the softer tire – that's generally the statistic [the engineers] work on.
"We'll try and keep them behind somehow."

Rosberg, who leads the championship by 26 points over Hamilton, is "not concerned" by the Red Bull duo and gunning solely for his main title rival.
"I had a great start in Austin on the softs, just as good as the guys on the super-softs," said Rosberg.
"It's a long run down to Turn 1 so that should be an advantage for the guy starting second.
"I hope to get a good slipstream off Lewis and try to get first place before Turn 1. It will be possible to get a good tow."