Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Tuesday, February 9.
Tuesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Monaco-based team 'ready' to enter F1
© Reuters
A Monaco-based prospective Formula 1 team is "ready" to proceed with an application to enter the world championship.
In 2019, an entity headed by the late Adrian Campos and his business partner Salvatore Gandolfo declared that they were working on a new F1 team project.
The foundation of the project is their driver management company called Monaco Increase Management, with former F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein among the driver roster.
In June of last year, Gandolfo said the project was "still alive" but delayed because of the covid crisis. Another hurdle was the way Liberty Media currently distributes official income to teams.
But with new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali now in charge, and despite Campos' recent death, Gandolfo is suddenly much more optimistic.
"We believe that the recent statements of the new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, suggesting that the $200m entry fee for new teams could be waived, represent a step forward in the right direction," Gandolfo said on Monday.
"We appreciate the open attitude of both Stefano and the FIA and are ready to take the necessary steps in order to have our application finalised," he added in a statement.
Up to Hamilton whether he stays in 2022 - Wolff
© Reuters
He may now have signed a contract, but rampant media speculation about Lewis Hamilton's future in Formula 1 looks set to rage on.
"We have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in the announcement of Hamilton's new one-year deal for 2021.
According to multiple authoritative sources, the seven time world champion has even signed up with a minor pay-cut this year in a contract that does not include an option for 2022.
"We want to keep the theatre going by delivering content to journalists," Wolff joked to German-language media on Monday.
He does not deny that the 2021 deal may include a pay-cut for 36-year-old Hamilton, who is rumoured to make around EUR 40 million per year.
"We live in an incredibly difficult time, also economically, and the automotive industry is also facing challenges," Wolff explained.
"Lewis is aware of this situation and has always shown loyalty to us, so it wasn't a tough topic."
As for the new 'diversity' foundation, Wolff said the coffers have been filled up by "a few million" - half from Hamilton, and half from Mercedes.
The one-year term, however, indicates that the British driver is settling for less than he demanded.
"We waited so long with the negotiations that we didn't want to discuss an additional year or two now," said Wolff. "There is a substantial regulation change in 2022 and we also want to see how the world develops."
However, the talks about 2022 look set to kick off almost immediately.
"The talks for 2022 will start earlier than the 2021 deal," Wolff confirmed.
"It's always tricky to find some time whilst racing but we have learned the lesson that there can be external factors that can delay discussions and we don't want to end up in January again," he added.
Wolff hit back at reports that Hamilton was demanding a 'veto' on the identity of his 2022 teammate, therefore hinting at the conclusion that if Mercedes wants to sign up Max Verstappen or George Russell, the team will do that.
"On these specific clauses that were out there in the media, I don't know where it came from because none of it is true," Wolff said.
"The other clause about the revenue split or share came out of nowhere. That rumour was baseless too so none of that was ever a part of our discussions."
Therefore, Hamilton must now decide whether he wants to stay at Mercedes beyond 2021 under the current terms of his deal.
"Lewis needs to decide what his future holds for him so I wouldn't want to comment on where he stands," said Wolff.
"On the other side, the team needs to decide long-term what we are going to do about our drivers.
"Valtteri and Lewis have our 100 percent commitment and loyalty for 2021," the Austrian added. "We will then look beyond this year and say 'what is the lineup that we imagine in 2022 and onwards?'
"As long as Lewis enjoys racing he is very capable of going longer," Wolff continued. "He looks after himself physically and mentally, so I don't think in terms of ability that will end in 2021.
"But in the end, it is his decision."
More news from Formula 1:
Sir Lewis Hamilton agrees new Mercedes contract
The 36-year-old will be bidding to win an unprecedented eighth world title. Read more.
Toto Wolff hints 2021 could be Lewis Hamilton's final year with Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton signed a one-year deal on Monday. Read more.
Magnussen 'not interested' in Haas reserve seat
Kevin Magnussen has issued a quick-fire 'no' to Haas boss Gunther Steiner's invitation to become a team reserve driver this season. Read more.
F1's battle for bronze – who will be best of the rest?
F1's battle for bronze – who will be best of the rest? Read more.
