Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Monday, November 30.
Monday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Albon podium performance 'not very good' - Verstappen
© Reuters
Max Verstappen has poured cold water on his struggling teammate Alex Albon's podium celebrations in Bahrain.
Albon, at risk of losing his Red Bull seat after Abu Dhabi, finished third behind Verstappen in Bahrain.
"There was obviously a bit of luck involved with Sergio, he had a really good race," said the British-born Thai driver Albon, referring to Sergio Perez's late-race car failure.
"But considering Friday, the guys did an amazing job to get the car ready and it just feels good," he added, now referring to his Friday practice crash.
"The double podium for us feels good obviously. Yeah, I'm happy."
However, it is known that Dutchman Verstappen is pushing for Red Bull to oust Albon and replace him with fellow Dutch speaker Nico Hulkenberg for 2021.
So when asked by Ziggo Sport about Albon's podium finish, Verstappen answered: "If you are 30 or 40 seconds behind your teammate, that's not very good, is it?
"Can't I just say that honestly?" the 23-year-old added. "It's a shame for Checo, because he had a very strong race but of course it's nice for Alex to be on the podium."
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos thinks Albon still has a chance of keeping the seat for 2021, insisting: "He could just about save it with podiums".
"Helmut Marko has already said that Albon has to earn it. Max doesn't decide the seat in the end, either," he added.
"He certainly has a say about it, but I think there's a lot more going on behind the scenes. We are not suddenly going to see a Red Bull covered in Mexican stickers next year," said Doornbos, referring to Perez's candidature for the seat.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner commented: "Alex benefitted from what happened to Perez, but I think his recovery from Friday's crash was strong.
"No decisions about contracts will be made until the end of the season, but we do want Alex to be successful and will give him every chance.
"Days like today will help him."
Meanwhile, Verstappen also raised a few eyebrows when he was asked about fellow drivers who might not have wanted to return to their cars after the terrifying Romain Grosjean crash.
"If the guy wouldn't race and I was the team boss, I would tell him 'then you never sit in the seat again'," he said.
Haas wants Grosjean to race this weekend
© Reuters
The Haas team's 'plan A' is for Romain Grosjean to return to action this weekend in Bahrain.
The French driver, whose visor melted in the inferno of his first-lap crash, suffered only second-degree burns to his hands and ankles and shock in the horror incident.
Almost immediately, there were rumours that likely 2021 Haas driver Mick Schumacher might replace Grosjean for the second race in Bahrain this weekend.
However, his push for the Formula 2 title is likely to rule that out.
Team boss Gunther Steiner is hoping Grosjean can drive this weekend.
"At the moment, my plan - if he's ok - would be for him to drive the second race here," he told motorsport-magazin.com.
"But before we speculate, I want to speak to Romain first. I only spoke to him on the phone but tomorrow morning I will go to the hospital and see what's really going on."
Steiner said the proviso is that, if Grosjean is physically ok, the 34-year-old married father also feels psychologically ready to return to the car.
"That's his decision - I'm not going to tell him what to do," he insisted. "He has to decide that for himself.
"But he was already in a good mood, making a few jokes."
Steiner also dismissed suggestions that because Grosjean's car was completely destroyed and the FIA has launched an urgent investigation, Haas may not be able to run a second car at all this weekend.
"Even if our budget is small, we have enough parts to build a second car from scratch," he said.
It is believed that the FIA will inspect the wreckage in detail, with Steiner explaining: "But there is no rush because we can't use anything from that car anymore."
More news from Formula 1:
Romain Grosjean suffers huge crash on first lap of Bahrain Grand Prix
Frenchman Romain Grosjean, 34, veered off the track after just three corners, hitting the barriers with an impact registering at 53G. Read more.
Result: Lewis Hamilton triumphs at Bahrain Grand Prix after Romain Grosjean crash
The Haas driver emerged from his burning car after one of the biggest accidents in Formula One's recent history. Read more.
Damon Hill: 'Romain Grosjean surviving crash was a miracle'
Romain Grosjean's car burst into flames on the opening lap of Sunday's race. Read more.
Halo 'absolutely' saved Grosjean's life
Romain Grosjean on Sunday miraculously survived one of the scariest crashes in Formula 1 history. Read more.
Wolff backs TV replays of horror Grosjean crash
Toto Wolff has backed Formula 1's decision to broadcast multiple replays of the horrifying Romain Grosjean crash on Sunday. Read more.
Sainz test would be in last year's Ferrari - Gene
Ferrari is apparently making plans to prepare a 2019-spec car for Carlos Sainz to test early next year. Read more.
Romain Grosjean says "greatest thing" halo saved his life
The French driver's car split in two and burst into flames after he pierced through a steel barrier. Read more.
Romain Grosjean set for another night in hospital following horror crash
The 34-year-old is expected to be discharged on Tuesday. Read more.
