F1 Raceweek: Hamilton´s ´Infinite Warfare´ and Renault competition
Nico Rosberg will not allow his 33-point advantage in the Formula One drivers’ standings over Lewis Hamilton to prompt complacency at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
Rosberg can seal his maiden world title by finishing second in the four remaining races this year, starting in Austin, where his challenge in 2015 fell short to Hamilton.
With the drivers’ merry-go-round also in full swing, we round up what has taken the headlines heading to America.
HAMILTON ANSWERS THE CALL OF DUTY
Hamilton often transcends F1, like nobody else on the grid can, and this week offered further proof of the reigning champion’s wider appeal as it was revealed he is to appear in the next Call of Duty videogame.
UFC champion Conor McGregor is another sporting star set to cameo in the ‘Infinite Warfare’ title.
One of Hamilton’s lines in the game is “I’m right behind you!” something Rosberg will not want to hear at the Circuit of the Americas.
Back in the real world, Hamilton will once again face the media in Thursday’s driver briefing. Whether he chooses to chronicle the conference on Snapchat again is up to him…
Hey @LewisHamilton no offense but my mum says im the cutest of both pic.twitter.com/8fwprhH5We
— Carlos Sainz (@carlosainz) October 6, 2016
HULK SIGNING UPS PALMER-MAGNUSSEN COMPETITION
Nico Hulkenberg will leave Force India after five years to join Renault in 2017.
The German’s replacement appears to be an easy one, Pascal Wehrlein is expected to earn a move up the field after a promising debut campaign in the Manor.
Who will partner Hulkenberg is less clear, with both Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer determined to remain in their current seats. Indeed the Dane rejected claims that he could move to IndyCar recently.
Rookie Palmer appears the most at risk, having secured a solitary championship point to Magnussen’s seven this year.
A STROLL IN THE CAR FOR WILLIAMS?
Formula 3 champion Lance Stroll will be an F1 driver next year, according to his father.
Williams are widely expected to be the Canadian 17-year-old’s destination as they move to replace Felipe Massa and a race week in North America could provide the perfect backdrop to an announcement…
AUSTRALIAN GP ON THE MOVE?
The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge has been flagged up as a potential landmark for the Australian Grand Prix amid opposition to it in Melbourne, where it currently resides.
It has been revealed that the event costs AU$61m to host, two thirds of which is covered by taxpayers’ money.
“Victorians are sick of tens of millions being wasted on this event every year for the sake of a dwindling number of spectators,” Victorian Greens’ racing spokeswoman, Sue Pennicuik, said.
New South Wales premier Mike Baird has outlined an ambitious plan to bring the race to Sydney, however, Melbourne’s contract to run the race currently lasts until 2023.
