Italian GP FP2: Lewis Hamilton fastest as Alonso hits trouble

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the 2nd free practice session at Monza, leading his team-mate Jenson Button to a solid one-two. There was trouble for Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and current Championship leader, as his car suffered from gearbox and brake problems.

The standing driver Jerome D'Ambrosio (replacing Romain Grosjean) got to grips with his Lotus racing car, and managed 13th place. The highlight of the session came when Kimi Raikkonen got a bit too aggressive with the kerbs on the 2nd corner of the track and got airborne. No significant damage was done and Kimi was able to return to the pits.

The final (3rd) free practice session will start today, before the ever crucial qualifying for Italian GP 2012.

Here are the top 5 from yesterday's FP2...

- Lewis Hamilton
- Jenson Button
- Fernando Alonso
- Felipe Massa
- Nico Rosberg

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Hamilton to Mercedes? : Silly season 2012 in full swing!

Lewis Hamilton may be switching to Mercedes next season, thereby ending his 6 year long stint with McLaren, even since he joined back in 2007. That is the rumor circling around in the paddock nowadays.

Initially started by BBC co-presenter, and former Jordan boss, Eddie Jordan, the rumor has spread like wild fire and is now being talked about throughout the F1 fraternity. It is interesting to remember that Hamilton's 5 year deal is due to end at the close of the current 2012 season. Hamilton's recent performances have been pretty solid, with a few mishaps and accidents, but many experts believe it's the lack of communication between the drtiver and the team that could eventually lead them both to split.

Lewis Hamilton has always been a straight talker and rarely decides to shy away from speaking his mind. The McLaren team on the other hand maintains a very corporate and professional look in their way of doing business on and off the track.

If Hamilton does decide to switch, it is very likely that Schumacher will be the one to leave the team and Formula 1. Regarding the matter, this is what Eddie Jordan had to say...

“I believe Hamilton and Mercedes have already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent,”

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Lewis Hamilton 'very close' to a new McLaren contract

Lewis Hamilton is 'very close' to a new McLaren contract that could see him cement his position with the team on a long-term contract. That is the story surfacing from the world of F1 while we wait for the Belgian GP on September 2012.

Lewis Hamilton is currently in his 6th season in Formula 1 when he joined back in 2007 with the McLaren Mercedes team.

Managing Director of McLaren Jonathan Neale meanwhile claims that Hamilton and McLaren are currently in serious negotiations about a future contract and we might hear some news in the coming days. Here's what he had to say...

“We are closer and of course we are in dialogue, For obvious reasons I can't speculate more at the moment. We are working very hard to find a common ground.”

It is however unclear if an official public announcement will be made in the current summer break.

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New Upgrades for McLaren and Lotus in Germany

It was a rain-soaked first practice session at Hockenheim on Friday at the German GP, and the focus of attention were two teams in particular. McLaren and Lotus.

New sidepods for the McLaren 2012 challenger have brought up the hopes for the team and in the hands of drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, they expect a return back to the sharp end of the grid.

The new sidepods are not the only upgrade for the McLaren car, because they have also brought a brand new rear wing for this race.

The first practice session the McLaren boys leading the pack, but it's still early in the weekend to suggest the changes and their affects on the car.

Hamilton put it like this...

“I just hope these upgrades can get us back on track, We want to be fighting for wins and top points positions again.”

The other news doing the rounds in Germany this weekend is the new and unique 'Super DRS' of the Lotus E20. The team is optimistic about the new upgrade and hopes it will help them challenge for the top positions come qualifying time on Saturday.

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