Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Tuesday, December 8.
Tuesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Russell form a 'wake-up call' for Red Bull
© Reuters
The availability of on-form drivers like George Russell and Sergio Perez is "a wake-up call" for Red Bull.
That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, as pressure grows on Red Bull to replace the struggling Alex Albon with a faster driver for 2021.
Last Sunday, the out-of-work Perez won the Sakhir GP, but only after the pitstop problems suffered by Lewis Hamilton's eleventh-hour substitute Russell.
"This should be a wake-up call for Red Bull," Albers told De Telegraaf newspaper.
"They need to pay attention to Russell and Perez, who are drivers who are showing a lot of pace right now while there is no one in the Red Bull talent pool.
"They need to get one of them," the Dutchman added. "The team has the money to do it - they have to buy out Russell. I don't see what other choice they have.
"We saw that Albon had another bad result, like he has for the whole season. Max Verstappen simply needs a good teammate for the development of the car."
Albers is not alone with his view. Ludwig Degmayr, a reporter for the German broadcaster RTL, said that while Perez may be "in pole position" for Albon's seat, Russell is also now a candidate.
"It is known that Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have had their eyes on Russell for some time," he wrote.
"Should Mercedes not put him in the factory team, others will certainly try to poach Russell and his Williams contract would be the least of all the worries.
"It would even be a just punishment for Toto Wolff, who decided very early to stay with Valtteri Bottas for 2021 over Russell," Degmayr added.
Verstappen hits back at Leclerc criticism
© Reuters
Max Verstappen has hit back at Charles Leclerc in the wake of last Sunday's Sakhir GP.
The pair not only clashed on the track in Bahrain - Ferrari's Leclerc had gone into the weekend criticising the often "silly comments" Verstappen makes in the media.
"At the end, that's just Max," Leclerc told Ziggo Sport. "I think we need personalities in Formula 1 and that's fine."
After the grand prix, Dutchman Verstappen pointed the finger squarely at Leclerc for the first-lap incident that put them both out of the race.
"I told him that he hit Perez and that I had nowhere to go," Verstappen said on Monday. "I didn't take any risks because I didn't want to end up in a Mercedes sandwich."
As for Leclerc's criticism of his "silly" media comments, Verstappen told the Peptalk program: "I don't care what he says.
"If he doesn't want to know what I'm saying, then he shouldn't read my
comments," the Dutchman added.
Verstappen is already in Abu Dhabi ahead of the final race of the 2020 season.
"I flew to Abu Dhabi with David Coulthard, Paul di Resta and Daniel Ricciardo," he revealed.
"It's all a bit stricter here with the covid-19 rules, so I can only go to the hotel and the circuit."
Meanwhile, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve was critical of Leclerc's driving at the start of the Sakhir GP.
"It was a huge mistake," he told Sky Italia. "Leclerc was way too aggressive, which is something we have seen before with him this year."
More news from Formula 1:
Toto Wolff on George Russell: "A new star is born"
The Briton had looked on course for a win on his Mercedes debut. Read more.
George Russell looks ahead to 2021 season with Mercedes
The 22-year-old British driver came close to pulling off a win while standing in for Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix. Read more.
Wolff hints at 2021 race seat for Russell
Toto Wolff is no longer ruling out a sensational driver lineup change for Mercedes in 2021. Read more.
Russell costs '50 million less' than Hamilton
While George Russell's Sakhir GP performance has put Valtteri Bottas under immense pressure, it is also an uncomfortable moment for Lewis Hamilton. Read more.
F1 drivers too 'clinical' with media - Kai Ebel
Retiring Formula 1 personality Kai Ebel says the sport's stars, and even the celebrities at the grands prix, have become "too clinical" when speaking to the media. Read more.
Ferrari always looking towards 'next year' - Briatore
Flavio Briatore has rolled his eyes at the suggestion that Ferrari may get back on the pace of F1's frontrunners next year. Read more.
Ferrari's Resta to Haas because of budget cap - Binotto
Mattia Binotto has admitted that designer Simone Resta's move to Haas is connected with the budget cap rules that come into force next year. Read more.
Mick's uncle Ralf slams Michael Schumacher 'comparisons'
Ralf Schumacher has slammed the "constant comparisons" that are made between his brother Michael and the career of the seven time world champion's son Mick. Read more.
Two countries must green-light Hamilton's return
Whether Lewis Hamilton can return to his Mercedes cockpit for the 2020 finale this weekend is up to health officials in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Read more.
W Series included on 2021 British Grand Prix undercard
An eight-race calendar, starting in France on June 26 and concluding in Mexico on October 30, has been announced. Read more.
