QUICK READ

THE third-generation BMW X1 is set to be revealed in the not-too-distant future, and for the first time the company will also offer an electric variant called the iX1. While most of the details remain under wraps, BMW has told us that the new iX1 electric model will have a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up, and that the battery will offer a range of between 413km and 438km on the WLTP cycle. The BMW X1 and iX1 will be built on a flexible architecture that accommodates internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and fullyelectric powertrains. |

A FRUSTRATED Lewis Hamilton questioned his Mercedes team’s strategy last Sunday after he finished sixth behind teammate George Russell at the Miami Grand Prix. After the fifth race of the year, Hamilton is sixth in the drivers’ standings on 36 points. The seven-time world champion said he was surprised to be asked if he wanted to pit for fresh tyres during a Safety Car period after 41 laps of the inaugural 67-lap race, won by Max Verstappen. “When the team say ‘it’s your choice’ – I don’t have the information to make the decision.” |

Mercedes

ALTHOUGH nothing is confirmed at this stage, recent words by MercedesBenz CEO Ola Källenius imply that the company is at least considering dropping smaller models such as the A-Class. According to Autocar, Källenius said during a recent investor’s event that it was not the company’s goal to compete with the volume producers. “That’s not what the MercedesBenz brand stands for,” he said. “So stay tuned as far as our product portfolio is concerned. ” The CEO added that even before the current supply problems emerged, the company had made it clear its strategy was not to chase volume. |