Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Friday, January 22.
Friday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Vettel spends first day at Aston Martin
© Reuters
Sebastian Vettel visited the headquarters of his new Formula 1 team for the first time this week, according to multiple media sources.
The sources report that the former Ferrari driver was at Aston Martin's Silverstone factory where he had a seat fitting and spent several hours in the simulator.
He then returned to his home in Switzerland.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland that he is "glad" his fellow German, four-time world champion Vettel, "has a team that is behind him again".
However, he warned: "There are still some deficits in that team. You don't turn a cow into a tiger overnight."
Red Bull, Honda agree post-2021 engine deal
© Reuters
Red Bull has reached an agreement with Honda that will allow the two energy drink-owned teams to continue to use the departing Japanese manufacturer's F1 engines after 2021.
The only thing missing now, according to Dr Helmut Marko, is for the other teams and the FIA to agree to freezing engine development.
As for the Red Bull-Honda arrangement for 2022 and beyond, Marko told German media: "Everything has been settled between us. Everything is in the starting blocks.
"The talks were very constructive, they were very, very accommodating, and it can be a very competitive engine in the future even without the official factory support.
"All that is left for the ok is when we have written proof from the FIA that the development freeze on the engine side is coming," he added.
Marko said final clarification about the 2022 freeze "should be made next week".
He insists, though, that the freeze is not just good for Red Bull.
"This engine (formula) proved to be such a cost driver in Formula 1. It makes no sense to invest any more in it now," said the Austrian.
"For Formula 1, it is a very clear decision of reason."
Marko warned that if the freeze is not put in place, "that would make Red Bull drastically rethink its situation in Formula 1".
"This is not blackmail," he insisted, adding that Red Bull does not have a plan B. "For reasons of reason and cost, an engine freeze is just the only way now with these ill-fated engines."
More news from Formula 1:
Russell proved Verstappen better than Hamilton - boss
Max Verstappen is already better than seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Read more.
Saudi Arabia building full circuit for GP
Saudi Arabia's new Formula 1 race will only temporarily take place on a Jeddah street circuit. Read more.
'Sad' to see Abiteboul lose top job - Ocon
Esteban Ocon says it is "sad" to see his French countryman Cyril Abiteboul lose his top job as Renault rebrands as Alpine for 2021. Read more.
Grosjean admits F1 career is 'over'
Romain Grosjean says his Formula 1 career is "over". Read more.
Vesti had Mercedes deal for 'over a year'
Frederik Vesti actually worked with Mercedes for over a year prior to his signing as the German marque's newest F1 driver program member. Read more.
Hamilton 'at crossroads' as contract saga rolls on
Lewis Hamilton is "at a crossroads" in his Formula 1 career, according to a well known F1 commentator. Read more.
Monaco wants spectators at 2021 race - Marko
The fate of Monaco's fabled grand prix this year is about more than just a press release. Read more.
Magnussen wins court battle against former manager
Kevin Magnussen can now "move on" after winning a court battle against his former manager, the Danish ex-Haas driver's father says. Read more.
Ocon smiles at claims he will beat Alonso
Esteban Ocon has smiled at claims he will give F1 legend Fernando Alonso a run for his money at Alpine this year. Read more.
