Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Wednesday, October 21.
Wednesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Haas to announce two new 2021 drivers in Portugal
© Reuters
Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean have now been told they will not be re-signed by Haas for the 2021 season.
Citing 'a number of sources', Ekstra Bladet newspaper claims the news should be announced ahead of this weekend's race in Portimao.
The small American team did not comment.
But it is believed Haas will oust its current drivers and instead field the heavily-backed Russian rookie Nikita Mazepin alongside a Ferrari academy driver in 2021.
Luigi Perna and Mario Salvini, writing in Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, believes Mazepin's teammate will be Mick Schumacher.
That is because Ferrari wants Alfa Romeo's current driver Antonio Giovinazzi to stay next year, even though it had been rumoured that he would be replaced by Schumacher.
"In 2021, the influence of Maranello guarantees him and Mick seats at Alfa Romeo and Haas," the Italian correspondents wrote.
With Kimi Raikkonen expected to also stay at Alfa Romeo, it puts in doubt the rumoured F1 debuts of Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman next year.
Haas boss Gunther Steiner told Sport1 that he wants the team's 2021 drivers to also commit for 2022.
"One of the things I want to be sure of is keeping the 2021 drivers in 2022 as well, because there will be completely new regulations," he said.
Ekstra Bladet's sources believe Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez were never under consideration for seats at Haas. Hulkenberg is instead hoping for a seat at one of the Red Bull teams.
Perez and his Mexican backers, meanwhile, are being linked with Williams, replacing the Mercedes development driver George Russell.
Williams said it will not comment on rumours.
Politician slams Bottas for 'moral posing'
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A Finnish member of parliament has accused Valtteri Bottas of "moral posing".
This week on Twitter, Bottas - whose girlfriend is a professional cyclist - hit out at the discrepancies in pay between male and female athletes.
"It's not about the money, but about the equality. Don't men and women work equally hard to try and win?" said the Mercedes driver, referring to the Ronde van Vlaanderen bike race.
Jani Makela, a Finnish member of parliament, immediately hit back at Bottas, advising him to "Keep kneeling. Maybe you'll start to realise".
The Finnish newspaper Iltalehti got in touch with Makela to better understand his comment.
Makela explained that it is "the basic point of a market economy" that events attracting bigger audiences, sponsorship and media coverage make more money.
"That's why I wonder how a person who earns millions in such an industry would not understand this," he added.
"I think it was more about moral posing."
As for his comment about Bottas' 'kneeling', Makela admitted that he was referring to the way the 31-year-old kneels before races in support of the controversial political movement Black Lives Matter.
"I personally do not think we should start mixing up sports and politics and American matters in this way, which are not related to Finland or Formula 1 in any way," he said.
"The kneeling is fairly tasteless," Makela added. "I'm glad that Kimi Raikkonen does not also do it."
However, he admits that Bottas might only be kneeling because of Mercedes' internal policies. Indeed, the team switched to a black livery for 2020 and its Twitter account has the description: "Racing for diversity and inclusion".
"When you think about how strongly Mercedes has got involved in BLM, it starts to feel like he (Bottas) was pressured into it," Makela said. "He could have left millions unearned if he had not knelt."
More news from Formula 1:
Vettel contract will have equality clause - Heidfeld
Sebastian Vettel will have insisted upon equal treatment by Aston Martin before signing with his 2021 team. Read more.
Racing Point already using 2020 Mercedes suspension
Racing Point has confirmed that it is already running the rear suspension of this year's Mercedes on its own 2020 car. Read more.
Ferrari cannot catch up in 2021 - Resta
Simone Resta does not think Ferrari will be able to recover the gap to the front of the Formula 1 field in 2021. Read more.
Red Bull can build F1's best chassis again - Marko
Red Bull can recover its status as maker of the very best chassis in Formula 1. Read more.
On This Day: Kimi Raikkonen wins Formula One world title
The Finn edged out Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in dramatic fashion. Read more.
Canadian driver Lance Stroll tested positive for coronavirus following Eifel Grand Prix
Lance Stroll is the second Formula One driver to have contracted the virus. Read more.
GP boss says Melbourne keeping first 2021 race
Australian GP boss Andrew Westacott has hit back at suggestions that Melbourne will not kick off the 2021 season. Read more.
