F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Any team would want Hamilton, 'including us' - Brown

In the unlikely event that Lewis Hamilton fails to reach a new deal with Mercedes, McLaren's doors would be wide open, says Zak Brown.

The four-time world champion has yet to extend his allegiance to the all-conquering Silver Arrows outfit, although team boss Toto Wolff insists it's "only a matter of time" before both parties agree on a new deal.

As a McLaren protégé, Hamilton launched his F1 career with the Woking-based outfit back in 2007, and won his first title with McLaren a year later.

Brown would likely jump on any opportunity to bring Hamilton back to where it all started.

"Lewis has history here," Brown said at a media event in Woking on Thursday.

"He is an unbelievable driver. There isn’t a team in the pit lane that would not be interested in having Lewis drive for them, us included."

In his first year at the pinnacle of motorsport, Hamilton was paired with Fernando Alonso. The relationship between the two drivers dissolved over the course of the season however, prompting the Spaniard to move on after just one year at McLaren.

Brown believes the two mega-stars could work together again.

"Fernando would race anybody," said the McLaren boss.

"I have never had a conversation with Fernando about anything other than himself. Fernando would have anyone as his team-mate.

"Great world champions are hard to manage," he added.

"You need to get them in a good frame of mind and Lewis seems to be someone you have to manage in the right way, but Toto [Wolff] has done a good job in getting him to perform."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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