Hamilton opens up on plans to remain in F1 ahead of new season

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Helmut Marko has laughed off rumours that Mercedes could be replaced by Aston Martin as the official works entry. According to Sport 1, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been given until the Australian Grand Prix to make major improvements.

If they don’t make major steps forward Aston Martin will become the favoured team to receive Mercedes engines, according to the German publication. However, the suggestions have been slammed by Marko who says the claims make no sense.

He told Sport1: “Why should Mercedes make a competitor stronger? “That does not make sense. Despite all the cooperation: At the end of the day, Aston Martin is a competitor for Mercedes in the passenger car sector.

“Mercedes will now do everything to make the season-opener, which was disappointing for them, forgotten. In this ambitious task there is certainly no room to help Aston Martin.” It comes after the British manufacturer shocked the paddock in Bahrain with Fernando Alonso scoring just his second podium in almost a decade.

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The squad made the massive leap from midfield also-rans to serious contenders over the winter as they pushed Red Bull over practice and qualifying in Sakhir. However, pressure came piling down on Wolff and Mercedes after the race due to the fact Aston Martin uses the same engines.

Whereas Mercedes have lost talented individuals like James Vowles in recent months, Aston Martin is growing off-track at a rapid pace. The team’s new facilities at Silverstone are soon to be completed while they also completed a major coup by securing the services of Red Bull engineer Dan Fallows.

With all the key ingredients in place, Lawrence Stroll has set a target of winning the Drivers’ Championship by 2025.

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But, AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost has also explained that FIA rules would mean Aston Martin cannot be favoured by the German marque. He explained: “The rumours are nonsense. The regulations clearly prescribe to the engine manufacturers that all customers must receive the same material.

“And as far as I know, everyone adheres to that very meticulously. A preference for a team is therefore prohibited and unrealistic.” Wolff has demanded Mercedes engineers go back to the drawing board in a bid to solve the W14’s struggles.

The Silver Arrows have reportedly already tested a new blueprint in their wind tunnel as they try and find a fix to return to the front.

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