Racetrackmasters

Haas is not bowing to social pressure to oust 2021 recruit Nikita Mazepin. Some social media users, including members of the specialist Formula 1 media, called on the American team to oust the Russian rookie after footage emerged of Mazepin allegedly groping a female friend. “Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver lineup for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 world championship,” the team said. “As per the team’s previous statement regarding the actions of Nikita Mazepin, this matter has now been dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made.” Kevin Magnussen’s departing team sponsor Jack and Jones also weighed into the controversy, clarifying that while the deal was always scheduled to end, the company “takes distance from the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin”. As for 21-year-old Mazepin, whose father Dmitry is tipped to sponsor Haas via the Uralkali brand, he said he is used to being criticised. “There are certain reasons unrelated to the racing world for which I am perhaps treated a little differently,” he told Match TV. “I am used to it and absolutely unbothered by it.” Mazepin also admitted that he is likely to spend his first season in Formula 1 next year near the very back of the grid. “Most probably I will fight with no one,” he told the Russian broadcaster. “It is important to remain realistic as we are expecting a difficult season. I don’t think there are many cars that we can compete with.”

Lewis Hamilton may well get what he wants after months of negotiations over a new contract, according to reports. The British racing superstar was recently knighted after securing a record-equalling seventh F1 world championship. The 35-year-old was once again by far and away the best driver on the grid last season he has blown past his rivals. But amazingly he’s the only driver on the grid not signed up for next season with just a matter of weeks before teams begin unveiling their new-look liveries. Drivers are usually pulled out for photo opportunities with their new cars with last year’s Mercedes W11 being unveiled mid-February. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has remained calm about Hamilton’s contract situation despite no deal being signed as of yet. However, he did set a deadline for an agreement to be made before pre-season testing begins in March. “We are not worried about eventually getting it done,” he said last month. “We are not putting a special date to it because we don’t want to be under pressure. “Sooner or later it needs to be done and at the latest before we go testing [ahead of the 2021 season].” Part of the hold up in a new contract being signed is reportedly due to Hamilton’s demands. Corriere dello Sport claim the British racing driver wants his pay to stay the same in his new deal, although Mercedes are looking to make some cutbacks due to the financial repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. Hamilton is the highest paid driver in F1 history, with his previous contract seeing him earn close to £40million-a-year. But Mercedes may have found a way to give Hamilton what he wants without hurting themselves financially in the process. There has been a huge shake up behind the scenes with INEOS becoming a one-third shareholder in Mercedes with Daimler and Wolff sharing the remainder equally between them. And Corriere report that Ineos may well take on a large chunk of Hamilton’s contract to ensure he stays in F1. Hamilton leaving Mercedes before the start of the 2021 season could prove disastrous both for the defending constructors’ champions and the sport as a whole. But Hamilton has stated on numerous occasions in recent months that he plans to continue driving in F1, suggesting an agreement isn’t far away from being announced.

An advert for Carlos Sainz Sr’s Madrid-based kart circuit which featured a man wearing blackface has triggered a barrage of criticism against his son, Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz, on social media. The advert depicts the “Three Kings” at the kart circuit, with one of them wearing blackface. The advert has left F1 fans divided, with some calling for Carlos Sainz to be “cancelled” while others have stressed that his father owns the kart circuit, not him. The controversial advert quickly unleashed a tirade of criticism and anger at Carlos Sainz, with some even calling for him to be fired by Ferrari. However, some F1 fans have defended the Ferrari driver, stressing that the kart circuit is owned by his father, so he is unlikely to have had any involvement in the production of the advert.

The Williams Formula One team announced on Tuesday a switch to gearboxes and hydraulic components provided by engine supplier Mercedes from 2022 in a significant step for the struggling former champions who changed hands last year. The British team, now owned by U.S.-based Dorilton Capital after the founding family sold up and departed, have scored just one point in the last two seasons despite using the sport’s dominant engine. A proudly independent constructor since 1978, Williams currently design and build their own gearboxes but have also been in decline for years. They last won a grand prix in 2012 while rivals Racing Point, now renamed Aston Martin, were race winners last year with a car that drew heavily on the title-winning 2019 Mercedes. The regulations will be undergoing a major overhaul in 2022 and the new deal will allow Williams to focus resources on other areas. “Williams is an independent team, but Formula One is always evolving, and as a team we must be agile to react to the current climate in order to put the team in the best position to be competitive on track,” said principal Simon Roberts in a statement. “This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our strategic objectives for the future whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing capabilities in-house.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the expanded technical cooperation made sense for both sides. “For Williams, it makes sense to acquire the integrated powertrain after running our power units since 2014 and for our team, it makes sense in terms of economies of scale to supply another team under the new rules,” said the Austrian. “This is a project we have been discussing with Williams for some time and I am glad we have been able to bring this extension to fruition.” Williams driver George Russell also has a long-term contract with Mercedes and stood in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain last month when the seven times world champion tested positive for COVID-19.

Lando Norris announced on Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 while holidaying in Dubai. The Mclaren driver found himself in hot water after testing positive for coronavirus while on holiday in Dubai “ahead of a planned training camp.” The Brit announced on Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild symptoms. “Yesterday I lost my sense of taste and smell so immediately self-isolated and took a test,” Norris wrote on social media. “It’s come back as positive, so I’ve told everyone that I’ve been in contact with and will be self-isolating for the next 14 days. “I feel alright and have no other symptoms but I just wanted to let you all know. Take care,” he added. This development prompted a mixed reaction on social media, with most F1 fans wishing Lando Norris well, while others criticised him for being on holiday just before England enters a national lockdown.

James Allison, technical director of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, admitted that Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas failed to optimise the use of the DAS system fitted to the W11 in 2020, a unique ‘party trick’ now banned for this year. Last season, the Mercedes team caused quite a stir in the winter test when the media discovered live a brand new ingenious system mounted on the W11 called DAS (Dual Axis Steering). This system allowed the driver to pull the steering wheel at the beginning of the straight, which resulted in a change in the camber angle and front-wheel toe-in when the car was running. At first, nobody knew what such a system could be used for, but Mercedes eventually revealed that the drivers used the DAS to get the front tyres warmed up before the start of the race or before a qualifying timed lap; happy to reveal the secrets for the system once it was banned. The DAS is now deemed illegal in relation to article 10.5.2 of the technical regulations which stipulates in the “driving” chapter that: “the alignment of the front wheels must only be done by a constant function of a movement of rotation of the steering wheel.”

In November it was already known that Max Verstappen had bought his own private jet. In the meantime, the Red Bull Racing driver has received the plane. The Dutchman immediately gave the plane a different look. Verstappen opted for the colour matt blue (the colour of employer Red Bull) with orange details. The plane seats eighteen guests and is said to be able to fly 8,340 kilometres without refuelling. The maintenance of the private jet is quite expensive, according to Liberty Jet, the up keep of a Falcon 900EX costs between one and two million euros on an annual basis. The service provider estimates that the purchase price is between six and eight million euros for a second-hand aircraft.

Red Bull reserve driver Alex Albon will race in selected rounds of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) championship this year. The 24-year-old was replaced by Sergio Perez at Red Bull’s Formula One team for 2021, but remains contracted to the energy drinks brand as a reserve driver. Alongside his duties with the F1 team, including simulator work and his position as a reserve for Perez and Max Verstappen, Red Bull announced he will race in the DTM, Germany’s top-level touring car series, at select rounds this season. Albon’s DTM team, the driver he will share the cockpit with and the type of car he will drive have not yet been announced. New Zealander Liam Lawson was also named as a Red Bull-backed DTM driver for 2021. “The DTM with a high-class field and GT3 sports cars is an interesting plarform and a real challenge, both for successful race drivers like Alex Albon as for our Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson,” Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, said. Albon was demoted from his race drive at Red Bull after struggling for performance next to teammate Verstappen in 2020. He joined the team midway through 2019 from Toro Rosso as Pierre Gasly’s replacement. Albon is the first in line to replace either of the Red Bull drivers in 2021 and is also the reserve for junior team AlphaTauri.

Formula 1’s 2021 season is set to begin in Bahrain with the Australian Grand Prix likely to be postponed due to quarantine requirements making a March race unviable. Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Melbourne was announced in its traditional season opener slot in F1’s provisional 2021 calendar last year and remained in that place when the schedule was rubber-stamped by the FIA. Initially, F1 was confident the grand prix would be possible due to the local government’s handling of the pandemic thus far and the plans it hoped would be sufficient for the race to be held safely. F1 pulled off 17 races from July through to December last year with strict procedures in place and a repeat of the biosphere-based protocols that had to be implemented in the Abu Dhabi season finale was understood to be at the centre of F1’s plan for Australia. This would have meant F1 personnel travelling to Australia and staying in accommodation separately to the public, with movements restricted between hotels and the circuit. That concept allowed F1 to circumvent 14-day quarantine requirements in Abu Dhabi last year and it was hoped this would avoid having to spend two weeks in isolation in Australia as well. However, the Victorian government has made a two-week quarantine mandatory for personnel around the Australian Open tennis tournament and it is believed that F1 would be subject to the same rules. This would mean personnel travelling to Melbourne almost three weeks before the grand prix, to allow enough time for the usual activities before the race to take place after the quarantine period. That is not feasible. In addition to the problems caused by the amount of time F1 personnel would have to spend in Australia to make the race happen, F1’s sole three-day pre-season test is currently scheduled for March 2-4. Personnel would need to be in Australia by this point and moving testing forward by more than a week would be a big disruption. As such, the race is likely to be postponed. A decision, first reported by Racefans, will be officially made and communicated shortly as preparations for the grand prix must begin no later than January. However, the race is not expected to be cancelled, with the hope of rescheduling it to later in the year with a place among the end-of-year flyaways in Asia, the Americas, and the Middle-East. “In 2020 we proved that we could return to racing safely and delivered what many thought was impossible in March,” said F1 in a statement. “We have set out our 2021 calendar and look forward to the return of F1 in March this year.” ‘March’ is set to mean the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled for March 28. It was originally planned as the second part of a double-header after Australia. Bahrain facilitated two grands prix at the end of 2020 amid the pandemic, including one race on the ‘Outer’ circuit. Its date will not move if it does become the season opener as expected. However, the change could mean pre-season testing shifts to the Sakhir circuit. Presently the pre-season plan is for Barcelona to host the three days of testing, but Bahrain was in the running initially and could become the venue after all to tie in with the opener. It is unclear if the dates would be changed. An expansion of the three-day test seems unlikely given it was reduced for cost reasons not because of timing restrictions. Moving the test closer to the season opener might appeal but would be subject to a vote between stakeholders.

First Max Verstappen took Daniil Kvyat’s seat at Red Bull now he’s dating his ex-girlfriend. Verstappen, 23, has gone public with his new romance with Kelly Piquet, a 32-year-old Brazilian model who is the daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet. Kvyat and Piquet dated for three years before ending their relationship in late-2019 but share a one-year-old daughter, Penelope. Verstappen, who only separated from long-time girlfriend Dilara Sanlik in October, has now swooped in. He posted a photograph of himself sitting with Piquet on a beach on New Year’s Day. “Happy New Year everyone!” he wrote. “Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways. Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.” Piquet also posted a picture of the new couple, writing: “Love is what makes the world go round. Happy new year and much love.” Verstappen replaced Kvyat as Daniel Ricciardo’s teammate at Red Bull in 2016. He has gone on to become one of the biggest stars in the sport, while Russia’s Kvyat finds himself without a seat for 2021. Kvyat was first spotted with Piquet in 2016 but they split just before Christmas in 2019, less than five months after the birth of their daughter. “It’s not a good thing, but Daniil seems balanced,” Red Bull boss Helmut Marko said at the time. “Therefore, we do not want to interfere, because private matters should remain private.” F1 fans first started getting curious about a potential relationship between Verstappen and Piquet in early November when he commented on one of her Instagram posts. After Piquet wrote “Darker than the ocean, deeper than the sea, you got everything, you got what I need”, Verstappen replied “Together we can face challenges as deep as the sea and as high as the sky”.

Lewis Hamilton has reportedly made four demands during contract talks with Mercedes and the Silver Arrows are weighing up whether to pander to the Brit or turn their attentions to George Russell, who is set to race for Williams. Hamilton has dragged out contract talks with Mercedes all year and Motorsport’s Italian branch claims he has a list of requests. The first is that his salary rises to £35.5million a year, which would ensure he remains as the highest paid driver on the grid. A second demand is that Hamilton apparently wants a 10 per cent share of Mercedes’ prize money should they win the Championship. Mercedes earned around £130million for winning a seventh consecutive world title in 2020 – so that would mean Hamilton could take home a £13m bonus. A third request is that Mercedes gift the seven-time world champion one of their upcoming, limited-production AMG One cars. The two-door coupe is set to feature F1-derived technology and only 250 will be manufactured. Motorsport.com adds that Hamilton also wants to be offered a role that ‘goes beyond being a driver and more than a mere testimonial’. That means the 35-year-old is apparently desperate for a hands-on job where he can help drive the Silver Arrows’ approach into electric transition. It is yet to be seen if Toto Wolff and his co-owners will give in to Hamilton’s request but Daimler are using George Russell as a threat, the report adds.

Lewis Hamilton is officially unemployed at the moment. The seven-time world champion’s contract with Mercedes expired on 1st January and a renewal has still not been signed. In the background, a lot seems to be happening at the moment. Toto Wolff has been arguing for months that the extension of Hamilton’s contract should not be a problem, but the Italian branch of Motorsport.com know otherwise on Sunday. According to the reliable medium, the British driver’s salary requirements are too high for its parent company Daimler. Hamilton could earn 40 million a year, on top of which there would be a 10% bonus for winning the world championship. Reportedly, the 35-year-old driver has rejected that offer. We do not know what Hamilton’s counter-proposal was. Wolff would be prepared to wait for Lewis’ decision until the winter tests in Barcelona. However, Ola Kallenius, Chairman of Daimler, is not of the same opinion and is putting pressure on Wolff to close the deal as soon as possible. The Swedish top man also thinks it is fine to promote Russell and would threaten to do so. Taking the young driver away from Williams is no problem, as Russell is still a Mercedes junior. The problem seems to be that Hamilton’s attitude cannot count on the approval of Daimler’s board of directors. Mercedes’ parent company has given Wolff a full mandate to close the deal as soon as possible, but the Austrian team boss has been given a list of conditions and restrictions. Mercedes, too, is suffering from the coronavirus crisis. The German brand has therefore announced heavy cuts and it would therefore be illogical to reward Hamilton for a hefty salary increase.

Mercedes owners Daimler are reportedly willing to give George Russell a shot in 2021. Lewis Hamilton is technically a free agent as he has no F1 contract for the 2021 campaign. The Brit is still negotiating with Mercedes but their co-owners Daimler are reportedly not keen on giving in to Hamilton’s demands. Hamilton is apparently holding out for a deal worth £35.5million-a-year, which will ensure he remains as the best paid driver on the grid. The 35-year-old will create history next year if he surpasses Michael Schumacher’s record with an eighth world title. Mercedes are expected to continue their dominance which has seen them scoop the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for the past seven seasons. Hamilton is keen to drive the best car on the field to help strengthen his claim of being the greatest of all time. But Motorsport.com’s Italian branch reports that Mercedes co-owners Daimler, who have a third of the shares, are not happy with Hamilton’s attitude. Their board of directors are apparently keen to go ahead with offering Williams ace George Russell the position. Russell stepped in for Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix and would have won the race had it not been for a horrific double-stacked pit stop and late puncture. Daimler president Ola Kallenius has given Toto Wolff a mandate to close the deal as soon as possible, but with a series of constraints, according to Motorsport.com. Wolff committed his future to Mercedes last month when he penned a three-year contract extension to remain as team principal. Valtteri Bottas is also under contract until the end of next season, but talks with Hamilton are continuing to rumble on. “We are not worried about eventually getting it done,” Wolff said last month. “We are not putting a special date to it because we don’t want to be under pressure. “Sooner or later it needs to be done and at the latest before we go testing [ahead of the 2021 season].” Meanwhile, former F1 star Mark Webber believes Wolff holds the stronger hand at the negotiating table because of how he used Russell at the Sakhir Grand Prix. “The timing [of the positive coronavirus test] for Lewis was just horrible,” Webber told At The Controls podcast. “I think we all thought during the season ‘imagine if Lewis or someone in the Championship battle got Covid and missed a few races’. “I think I drove 1,000 days in a Formula 1 car with testing, practice, Grand Prix weekends, the whole thing put together over 12 or 13 years, and I think I had three days off. “That’s because I don’t want anyone near my car. You try to look after your own share price, you don’t want people to have exposure to your material, your people. “It’s such a cut-throat industry, even someone like Lewis that was all downside for him. “George drove well. It was the easiest track in the world – it wasn’t exactly Suzuka – but he still drove brilliantly in a compromised ergonomic environment in the car. “Toto certainly likes the tightrope in terms of playing the game with lots of different things in the pit lane, and that was another one where it looks like it’s come out in his favour.”

Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes and a shareholder of the Silver Arrows, reportedly blocked a new $50 million per year deal that Lewis Hamilton was set to sign during the 2020 F1 season. “In November, when Formula 1 went to Turkey, a contract was ready that meets Hamilton’s requirements: a four-year contract with a salary of 50 million a year. Daimler, however, put a stop to that,” Italy’s Corriere Dello Sport has reported. Daimler currently owns just a third of the Mercedes F1 Team following restructuring last month which resulted in Ineos purchasing a third of the team and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff increasing his shareholding to 33.33 percent. Hamilton and Wolff have repeatedly insisted that the only reason a new deal hasn’t been inked is because they have had other priorities to manage. “If you refer to why haven’t we got a signed contract? The reason is simple. We always prioritised getting this Championship done, and not being distracted by sometimes difficult discussions, as is the nature of negotiation. But then COVID struck,” Wolff said last month. “So it has delayed us a little bit, but we are not worried in eventually getting it done,” the Austrian added, saying he expects a new contract to be inked “sooner or later.” Specifically, Wolff said it could take until just before pre-season testing in March for a contract extension to be agreed.