Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Wednesday, September 9.
Wednesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Kneeling absence 'not end of the world' - Hamilton
© Reuters
Lewis Hamilton says missing his moment to kneel for Black Lives Matter at Monza last Sunday was "not the end of the world".
The six-time world champion, who has championed the race-based push for social justice inside Formula 1 this season, was conspicuously absent when the rest of the drivers gathered on the Italian GP grid.
Sebastian Vettel was also absent.
"It was about the timing," Finland's MTV quotes Hamilton as explaining.
"I had gone back to my garage, which is the furthest away. I tried to make it back with a scooter, but I just ran out of time.
"Normally I know very well how much time I have to go somewhere, but when I got to the garage they said I should go back. And when I got there, everyone was already there," Hamilton added.
However, the Mercedes driver played down the significance of his absence, even though he has been critical even of those who choose to stand rather than kneel for the drivers' anti-racism display.
"Yes, I missed the kneeling, but it's not the end of the world," he insisted. "I saw my whole team kneeling down, which was great to see.
"Maybe next time I won't go all the way to my garage, especially if it's a long way. Usually there is a toilet somewhere that is closer."
Marko slams Hamilton over Albon-Gasly comments
© Reuters
Dr Helmut Marko has hit out at Lewis Hamilton's recent criticism of Red Bull.
After suggesting that Alex Albon is not good enough to be Max Verstappen's teammate, Hamilton accused Red Bull of not treating Monza winner Pierre Gasly fairly when he was demoted to Alpha Tauri last year.
Marko, the architect of Red Bull's notorious driver program, immediately hit back by claiming that Hamilton had actually advocated for Gasly's mid-2019 demotion.
"The truth is that Lewis didn't call us in 2019, but he spoke to our team boss Christian Horner on a plane and recommended that Albon be put in the car instead of Gasly," he now tells Sport1.
"That was before the swap that we did after the summer break."
Marko lashed out at six-time world champion Hamilton's criticism of Albon.
"We don't care," he blasted. "The driver he wanted to get rid of last summer has now won the Italian GP with our Alpha Tauri team. So much for his expertise.
"I have no idea why Hamilton keeps finding the need to advise us, but it doesn't matter to us what opinion people from the outside world have," Marko added.
The Austrian said Gasly is staying at Alpha Tauri for now.
"We want to make Alpha Tauri even stronger in the future and that means we need a team leader," he said.
Marko said it is simply tough for any driver, including Gasly and Albon, to be Verstappen's teammate.
"Everyone falls away against Max," he said. "But the criticism of Albon is not entirely fair. He was unlucky this year and we made strategic mistakes that affected his performance.
"But we still believe that he can deliver the performance we ask of him if things go optimally. And that has not been the case very often this season."
More news from Formula 1:
Title will guarantee F1 seat for Schumacher - Petrov
The Formula 2 title will guarantee a route into Formula 1 for Mick Schumacher. Read more.
'No negotiations' with Haas yet - Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen says there are "no negotiations" yet with Haas over his place at Haas beyond 2020. Read more.
Newey motivation 'stupid' excuse for results - Albers
Red Bull should stop looking for "excuses" to explain its failure to catch up with Mercedes. Read more.
Simon Roberts "looking forward to new challenge" as interim team principal for Williams
He will head up the team's F1 operation after founder Sir Frank Williams and deputy team principal Claire Williams left the sport. Read more.
F1 should 'artificially slow' Mercedes - Seidl
The only way Formula 1 can ensure "more interesting races" is for the sport's authorities to intervene. Read more.
Leclerc has 'no right to give up' - Alesi
Charles Leclerc has to keep believing in Ferrari, according to the Maranello team's popular former driver Jean Alesi. Read more.
