Lewis Hamilton 'conspiracy' claim and star absent ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix - F1 News Today

F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has claimed that Lewis Hamilton would occasionally think there was a 'conspiracy' against him at Mercedes after the team made a controversial decision ahead of their intense 2016 title battle.

Hamilton and Rosberg were team-mates and rivals at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016, with the latter retiring after his maiden world championship success in what proved to be his final season alongside the Brit.

Ahead of that season, Rosberg says that things had got so competitive within the Mercedes garage that Toto Wolff decided to switch up the teams of mechanics working on the two cars, putting many of Rosberg's trusted allies on Hamilton's car, and vice versa.

➡️ READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton thought there was a 'conspiracy' against him after controversial Mercedes decision

Lance Stroll reports sick at Brazilian Grand Prix as Aston Martin issue statement

Aston Martin have revealed that Lance Stroll was absent for media day at the Brazilian Grand Prix as he is still recovering from a virus he picked up last time out in Mexico City.

The Canadian driver is one of a number of drivers on the F1 grid to have become unwell on the Mexico leg of the current triple-header, with Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas both missing media day last week to recover.

➡️ READ MORE: Lance Stroll reports sick at Brazilian Grand Prix as Aston Martin issue statement

Lewis Hamilton compared to Al Capone in extraordinary Ralf Schumacher attack

Former F1 star Ralf Schumacher has criticised Lewis Hamilton's handling of his incident with Charles Leclerc at Sunday's Mexico Grand Prix.

The pair clashed on track in Mexico City - and not for the first time this season - when Leclerc attempted a first lap overtake on his race-leading team-mate, forcing both of them off track and allowing Max Verstappen to follow Leclerc through past Hamilton.

Hamilton was audibly vexed by the move, repeating calls on team radio for his fellow Ferrari driver to receive a penalty for the incident and clinging onto that irritation long into the race.

➡️ READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton compared to Al Capone in extraordinary Ralf Schumacher attack

Charles Leclerc singled out by Italian newspaper with brutal Hamilton clash verdict

Charles Leclerc has been singled out for brutal criticism by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera following his clash with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton during Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix.

Leclerc enraged pole sitter Hamilton when he tried to overtake his team-mate on Lap 1 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, causing the British star to lose two positions and costing himself a five-second time penalty from the stewards.

The high-profile clash allowed Red Bull's Max Verstappen to step in to take the race win, while Hamilton and Leclerc eventually finished P2 and P4.

➡️ READ MORE: Charles Leclerc singled out by Italian newspaper with brutal Hamilton clash verdict

F1 star thanks Ferrari ahead of shock grand prix debut

After a dramatic weekend last time out in Mexico City, F1 will unexpectedly welcome its third new driver of the season in Brazil.

Ryo Hirakawa made his grand prix debut on short notice after Haas unexpectedly defenestrated Esteban Ocon after Friday practice, finishing tenth to earn a point in his first – and possibly only – race.

Hirakawa will not race at Interlagos this weekend, with Haas confirming earlier in the week that Rafael Camara, their 2027 pick to replace Ocon, will step up for his own debut.

➡️ READ MORE: F1 star thanks Ferrari ahead of shock grand prix debut