Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Sunday, August 2.
Sunday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Ferrari's future strategy surprises Wolff
© Reuters
Toto Wolff has admitted surprise at Ferrari's decision to essentially write off both the 2020 and 2021 seasons in order to focus on the new rules for 2022.
With Carlos Sainz en route to the team next year, and Charles Leclerc under contract until the end of 2024, others are also wondering about the wisdom of the comments made this week by Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
One of them might be Gunther Steiner, boss of the Ferrari-powered Haas team that buys many parts from the fabled Maranello marque.
"I'm aware of the situation we are in, and I see what they are doing and the situation they are in, so I was not very surprised by the statement from Mr Elkann," Steiner said.
"For sure it's never nice to be told it will be difficult, but if you admit that it will be difficult you work hard to make it better going forward."
Sainz, currently at McLaren, also said Elkann's comments were simply "common sense".
And Leclerc is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am not frustrated by that. We must be honest.
"We know we have to work hard and I don't think it's right in this moment to point the finger somewhere specific. It's a difficult period but we are motivated to get back to the level we want," he said.
As for Wolff, boss of the dominant Mercedes team, he said at Silverstone when asked about Elkann: "I saw those comments but it's hard for me to judge.
"Is it really possible to dismiss two seasons at once in order to prepare for 2022?
"We are only allowed to start developing the new car in January next year, which means that even if you write off this season, it will not give you any advantage.
"But I don't think it's my business to comment on the plans of Ferrari," Wolff added.
Gasly also asked Red Bull for new engineer
© Reuters
Pierre Gasly says he also asked Red Bull for a more experienced race engineer before he was dropped mid last year.
The pressure on Gasly's successor, Alex Albon, is continuing to rise, amid rumours Sebastian Vettel is pushing hard for the 2021 seat alongside Max Verstappen.
For Silverstone, Red Bull relegated Albon's existing race engineer to the factory, replacing him with the more experienced Simon Rennie, who won races in collaboration with Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo.
"Apparently Red Bull is doing that because they think it's the right thing to do," Gasly is quoted by the Dutch publication Formule 1 at Silverstone.
Gasly confirmed that, prior to his demotion to Toro Rosso-Alpha Tauri last year, he asked Red Bull for a more experienced engineer.
"To be honest, yes, I did," said the Frenchman.
"I had only been in Formula 1 for a year, so I had little experience. I knew I was fast, but I would have liked someone next to me who was more experienced. Someone who, unlike me, was not new to Formula 1.
"That made it more difficult for me," Gasly continued, "although there were more reasons why we weren't as competitive as we hoped.
"I know those reasons, and so does Red Bull. We both know that things could have been better, but that is now a thing of the past," he added.
Gasly insists that he is happy with his current seat, and therefore does not envy the under-pressure Albon.
"As a driver, I am probably more satisfied with where I am now, because I am able to get the best out of myself. But I am not a different person," he said.
As for Albon, he concluded: "I don't know why Alex is struggling, but in four races, I was ahead of him twice in a slower car."
More news from Formula 1:
Nurburgring hopes to welcome F1 spectators
Nurburgring officials are hopeful the German circuit will be able to welcome spectators to the scene of the October race. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton secures pole position for British Grand Prix
The reigning world champion claimed the 91st pole of his career. Read more.
Vettel says Ferrari not slowing him down
Sebastian Vettel says he does not suspect that Ferrari is deliberately trying to slow him down. Read more.
Red Bull close to new Austria GP contract
Red Bull is close to extending its agreement with Formula 1 to host the annual Austrian GP. Read more.
Hulkenberg 'will struggle to keep his head up'
Nico Hulkenberg is struggling physically as he fills in at short notice for Racing Point's Sergio Perez. Read more.
Mercedes helped Racing Point design 2020 car - Prost
F1 legend Alain Prost says he does not believe Racing Point's explanation about how the Silverstone based team designed its 2020 'pink Mercedes'. Read more.
F1 tweaks track schedule for 'take a knee' moment
Drivers have been allocated ten extra minutes so as to better organise their 'take a knee' moment against racism before Sunday's Silverstone race. Read more.
Vettel would be a 'huge coup' for Aston Martin - Wolff
F1 legend Gerhard Berger says he would "totally understand" if Sebastian Vettel signs up with Racing Point for 2021. Read more.
Alonso will not be F1 'corona reserve' - Seidl
McLaren has dismissed rumours that Fernando Alonso is being lined up as a reserve driver amid the ongoing corona crisis. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton behind Valtteri Bottas in final practice for British Grand Prix
Valtteri Bottas beat his Mercedes team-mate to top spot at Silverstone by 0.138 seconds. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton to draw on past success at British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton becomes the first driver to take seven pole positions at his home grand prix. Read more.
Lack of competition 'not Mercedes' fault' - Ricciardo
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes is "not making friends" by utterly dominating Formula 1 in 2020. Read more.
