Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton is cementing his place in F1 history with his performances this year.
Hamilton took his fourth win of the season at Silverstone, beating his team-mate Valtteri Bottas to complete a Mercedes one-two at the British Grand Prix.
The Brit is contracted with the Brackley-based outfit until the end of 2018 and recent speculation has linked him with a move to Ferrari or McLaren, or even out of F1 altogether.
But for the moment he remains a Mercedes driver and Wolff has not ceased to be impressed by the 32-year-old’s ability.
“Lewis has delivered some consummate performances this year in China, Canada and Silverstone in particular,” Wolff said.
“The win in front of his home crowd was emotionally charged and I am sure he is carrying that energy with him right now.
“As we see almost each weekend, he is equalling and matching new records in our sport’s history – and building a legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers.”
Ferrari should have put Giovinazzi in Haas seat
Ferrari have been criticised by former F1 team owner Giancarlo Minardi for not exploiting their ties with Haas to get Antonio Giovinazzi into a race seat in 2018.
Giovinazzi is Ferrari’s official reserve driver but made his F1 debut for Sauber at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year, replacing the injured Pascal Wehrlein at the last minute and impressing fans and pundits alike.
The Italian also drove for Sauber at the following Chinese Grand Prix and has been given testing time by Haas.
However, head of Ferrari’s so-called “sister” team Gene Haas has already confirmed that they will “run with the same drivers that we have this year again next year”, a move that has frustrated Minardi.
“If that were the case, it would be a missed opportunity for Ferrari,” Minardi said.
“I remain optimistic and I want to think it is only a move to maintain the serenity within a team that is doing very well, with the goal of winning as many points in the second half of the season.
“It would be a defeat for the entire Ferrari system for young drivers [if Gionvinazzi did not race in 2018].
“It would then be obvious that Ferrari drivers do not enjoy any protection.
“Ferrari would no longer have any decision-making power over its customers, but for now I refuse to think of such a scenario.”
Sauber expect Hungary improvement
Sauber will arrive at the Hungarian Grand Prix with a new team principal in place and a new aerodynamic package which they hope will propel them further up the grid.
Frederic Vasseur will be taking charge of the team at a Grand Prix for the first time since replacing Monisha Kaltenborn earlier this month.
And driver Wehrlein believes the change in personnel and crucially technical improvements should see them go into the summer break on a high.
“I am looking forward to the Hungarian GP, and in particular to the first part of our aerodynamic update which will be introduced there,” said Wehrlein.
“It will be exciting to see how the adaptations will affect our performance.
“This will be our last race before the F1 shutdown – I will do my best to perform well and to finish the first half of the season on a positive note.”
