Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Friday, November 13.
Friday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
'Very few' drivers could beat Hamilton - Sainz
© Reuters
Most drivers on the grid would not be able to beat Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery.
That is the view of Carlos Sainz, hot on the heels of Max Verstappen's assertion that 90 percent of the drivers in Formula 1 would win in a Mercedes.
"I agree with Max that 90 percent of the grid would win races with the Mercedes," said Sainz.
"What I am saying is that if you put 90 percent of the grid in Mercedes cars against Hamilton, I can assure you that very few would be able to beat him over a 20 race season," he said in Istanbul.
"Hamilton is in the best car, but he is also one of the best drivers in a long time," the Spaniard added.
However, there remains no guarantee that Hamilton, 35, will even remain in Formula 1 next year as he is still yet to sign a new Mercedes contract for 2020.
"I still don't have all the answers to my questions," the soon-to-be seven time world champion said on Thursday.
"But I do love to race, I love the challenge and I don't think that will change anytime soon."
Racing Point team sale case heading to court
© Reuters
London's High Court is set to hear a case over the disputed 2018 sale of Force India to Lawrence Stroll.
Two years ago, when Force India was sold by Vijay Mallya, Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin claims he made an even higher bid for the team but the administrators "did not reply to phone calls and emails".
The deal with billionaire Stroll went through, his son Lance was installed as a driver, and Racing Point will become Aston Martin next year.
But Sport1 claims Mazepin - whose son Nikita is tipped to race for Haas next year - took the Force India dispute to court, where the case will begin to be heard by the London High Court next week.
"It was illegal and that's why I'm going to court," Mazepin is quoted as saying.
Mazepin reportedly alleges that Toto Wolff also influenced the Force India administrators by indicating that Mercedes would only guarantee a supply of engines for the Silverstone based team if the Stroll bid succeeded.
Wolff went on to buy shares in Aston Martin and admits he encouraged Sebastian Vettel to join the team for 2021.
More news from Formula 1:
Lewis Hamilton: 'Winning seventh world championship would go beyond my wildest dreams'
The Briton is 85 points clear of Valtteri Bottas with just 104 remaining. Read more.
W Series to race at eight Formula One weekends next year
British driver Jamie Chadwick won last year's inaugural championship. Read more.
Haas getting closer to signing 2021 drivers
Gunther Steiner says Haas is getting closer to announcing its driver lineup for 2021. Read more.
Vettel admits Ecclestone contract advice
Sebastian Vettel has admitted that former F1 supremo and friend Bernie Ecclestone helped him to negotiate his 2021 switch to Aston Martin. Read more.
Sainz eyes early Ferrari run at 'young drivers test'
Carlos Sainz has admitted he would like permission to get an early taste of Ferrari's 2020 car at the end-of-season Abu Dhabi test next month. Read more.
Sao Paulo extends F1 race deal until 2025
Sao Paulo appears to have saved its grand prix at Interlagos. Read more.
F1 keeping hybrid engines for the future
Hybrid engines are here to stay in Formula 1, the sport has announced. Read more.
