Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Monday, July 13.
Monday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Lewis Hamilton singles out Ferrari to do more to combat racism
© Reuters
Lewis Hamilton has singled out Ferrari by claiming they are not doing enough to combat racism.
Following his poor performance at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring in the season opener, Hamilton was in mesmerising form on Sunday to win the Styrian Grand Prix.
He laid the groundwork for the triumph with quite possibly his greatest performance over one lap in Saturday's rain-hit qualifying session.
Hamilton finished 1.2 seconds faster than anyone else at a track with just 10 corners. On Sunday, he roared away from his starting marks and never looked back – taking the chequered flag 13.7secs clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
It's a 1-2 for @MercedesAMGF1 as @LewisHamilton takes the win from @ValtteriBottas at the Styrian Grand Prix! 🏆#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/jqaJlF8TZF
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 12, 2020
Celebrating his victory, Hamilton performed the Black Power salute twice – on top of his Mercedes and also on the podium.
Hamilton, who took the knee before Sunday's race, then suggested that Ferrari – the sport's grandest team – must do more in the fight for equality.
"Formula One has come forward and said they are supporting ending racism, and it is amazing to see Mercedes are also doing that, but no other team has done a single thing," said Hamilton.
"Red Bull mechanics have taken a knee, but if you look at Ferrari they have thousands of people working for them, but I have heard no word of Ferrari saying that they hold themselves accountable, and what they are going to do in the future.
"We have to continue to push for equality and raise awareness. For me personally, it is going to be a lifelong thing.
"We spoke about taking a knee in the drivers' briefing and what we intended to do. Some were asking how long we have to continue to do this. Some felt like doing it once last week was enough.
"I just had to encourage them and say that racism is going to be around for longer than our time here. People of colour who are subjected to racism don't have time to take a moment to protest once and then for that to be it."
Hamilton dominated from pole to move to within six points of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the championship.
The Formula One circus now heads to Budapest for the third round of a truncated season. It is a venue where Hamilton has won a remarkable seven times.
"I am over the moon to have a performance like this today," he added. "This feels like a long time coming since my last win at the final race of last year.
"It is a great come back from a difficult first weekend. It is easy to lose focus and determination, but I don't ever see that with this team.
"We know there's a long way to go and it's a challenge for everyone, but this performance is a step forward, for sure."
Boss says Haas 'happy' to welcome Vettel
© Reuters
One door may have just swung open for Sebastian Vettel.
Having lost his Ferrari seat for 2021, the quadruple world champion is hitting back hard at the notion that he asked for too much money.
"Schwachsinn!" he is quoted by Osterreich newspaper, uttering a word that is often translated from German as 'bull**it'.
"Money was not an issue at all. If I only wanted to top up my wallet, I would probably have a seat already. But I want to leave the whole topic behind now."
Mercedes' door has closed to Vettel for 2021, but he admits to having called his old Red Bull boss Dr Helmut Marko.
"I still get on very well with Helmut so I asked him what he advised me to do. But it wasn't 'Helmut, do you have a place for me?'."
Indeed, while Aston Martin could also be an option, Red Bull's doors have been firmly closed, prompting Vettel to admit: "I have to be honest enough with myself and say 'Maybe that's it!'
One option is a sabbatical.
"Exactly. Anything is possible at the moment," the 33-year-old says. "I don't see why I should let myself be put under pressure from the outside.
"If there's something reasonable, I am interested, but if there's not, then I won't. But I will definitely finish the season," Vettel added.
If Vettel does want to keep his F1 career alive in 2021, Gunther Steiner may welcome him to the small American team Haas.
"Vettel is a four time world champion. Does he really want to work with a smaller team?" Steiner said in Austria.
"I don't know what he wants to do with his life, but if he wants to do something with us, we are happy to have a good relationship with him," he added.
Steiner said the Vettel saga is just the latest surprising twist in the world of Formula 1.
"Sometimes three or four teams fight over the same driver, while at other times there are great drivers who are left outside, like Nico Hulkenberg a year ago," he said.
"As for us, I'm not worried that we won't find any drivers. Vettel is on the market after all!" he laughed.
More transfer news from Formula 1:
Boss Horner defends struggling Albon
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has defended Alex Albon following a round of criticism in Austria. Read more.
F1 definitely moving on to Hungary
Formula 1 is definitely moving on to Budapest this week. Read more.
Magnussen 'not nervous' about Haas future
Kevin Magnussen insists he is not "nervous" that his Formula 1 career might be about to end. Read more.
Toto Wolf: 'Everyone's perspective on Black Lives Matter must be respected'
Toto Wolff insists "everyone's perspective" must be respected amid a spate of racial politics in Formula 1. Read more.
Bottas predicts 'even better' form in Hungary
Valtteri Bottas on Sunday insisted he is still "full of energy", despite being beaten by his teammate in Austria. Read more.
Marko says Mercedes has more power than Honda
It is still too soon to declare that Mercedes' 2020 car is clearly faster than the Red Bull, according to Toto Wolff. Read more.
Renault lodges protest against 'pink Mercedes'
F1's governing body is looking into the legality of the 2020 Racing Point car. Read more.
Charles Leclerc apologises to Sebastian Vettel for collision
The Ferrari drivers came together on the opening lap of the Styrian Grand Prix. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton vows to spend whole life fighting racism
Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag 13.7 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas. Read more.
Result: Lewis Hamilton wins Styrian Grand Prix to claim first victory of title defence
Lewis Hamilton delivered a faultless performance to see off team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Max Verstappen third. Read more.
Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc collide early on in Austria
Disappointment for the Ferrari pair. Read more.
Marko surprised by 'more powerful' Mercedes
Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull-Honda has been caught out by Mercedes' engine boost for 2020. Read more.
Norris determined to race through chest pain
Lando Norris says he is yet to get to the bottom of his painful weekend in Austria. Read more.
Russia wants full grandstands for Sochi race
Sochi race organiser Alexey Titov is hoping the grandstands are full when Russia welcomes Formula 1 in September. Read more.
Vettel denies preparing retirement announcement
Sebastian Vettel has denied he is preparing to announce his retirement from Formula 1. Read more.
A dark cloud has suddenly moved above next weekend's scheduled race in Hungary. Read more.
Alonso tells Renault to focus on 2022
Fernando Alonso is telling Renault to focus the hardest on the 2022 season, team boss Cyril Abiteboul has revealed. Read more.
Hockenheim, Imola, hope to host F1 races in 2020
The bosses of two European F1 circuits are hoping to be the next to be added to the sport's 2020 'corona calendar'. Read more.
Verstappen can beat Hamilton on Sunday - Wolff
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on Saturday set themselves apart from the rest of the Formula 1 field in Austria's rain, according to Ralf Schumacher. Read more.
