Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Friday, February 5.
Friday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
F1 drivers to meet over Mazepin controversy
© Reuters
Formula 1 will meet with the 20 drivers when the season gets up and running in Bahrain, to discuss the importance of them being "positive ambassadors" for the sport.
The news comes as F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admits that the recent Nikita Mazepin groping scandal was "not acceptable" - and as the 2021 Haas rookie is now fined in a British court for running a red light last June.
"I would say that it was pretty clear what Mazepin did was not acceptable," Domenicali said on Thursday.
"We need to make sure that in the discussions that we will have that they understand we cannot joke about certain things. It's not possible.
"They are too important not to understand and embrace that they are role models."
The 'discussions' Domenicali is referring to will follow a letter he wrote to GPDA president Alex Wurz, outlining "how important it is that the drivers understand their value in being a positive ambassador for F1".
"Not only the sport, also the values on which F1 is focussed," said the Italian. "The 'we race as one' project, the diversity and sustainability projects. I invited them to a meeting - the target is to have it in Bahrain - to discuss and share this opportunity," Domenicali added.
Amid the fierce and ongoing anti-Mazepin campaign on social media, Haas boss Gunther Steiner says 21-year-old Mazepin has "understood" the seriousness of his indiscretions.
"We settled it privately," he told n-tv. "I won't go into the details.
"It wasn't right, Nikita apologised, he knows it's wrong and for me that is a sign that he understood."
Haas will not develop 2021 car
© Reuters
Team boss Gunther Steiner says Haas will not develop its 2021 car.
"Our goal is to get back to where we were in 2018," he told the German broadcaster n-tv.
Haas has replaced both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean with rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin for the new season.
He doubts the move will backfire on the small American outfit.
"If they fight without damaging the team, I have no problem with that," said Steiner.
But they will be fighting with a car that will not be developed throughout the season, he warned.
"It will be a year of transition," said Steiner. "From next week, we will only work in the wind tunnel for 2022. If everything doesn't go wrong, we won't do anything with the 2021 car."
Nonetheless, he hopes Haas will not finish dead-last this year.
"It would be ideal to leave Alfa Romeo and Williams behind us. But that will be difficult. It will be a fight like last year," said Steiner.
"Our engine will certainly be better, Alfa has that too but maybe we can catch up with Williams. Otherwise there is not much more that is possible at the moment because we were just too far away last year," he added.
"For me it would be a success if at the end of the year we have two drivers who have learned a lot and are ready for 2022 so that we won't make any more mistakes."
More news from Formula 1:
Mercedes refusing to comment on Hamilton saga
Mercedes is still refusing to comment on raging speculation about Lewis Hamilton's 2021 seat. Read more.
Ferrari rules out Indycar for now
Ferrari has ruled out entering Indycar for now. Read more.
CEO wants 'one or two' Alpine wins in 2022
The newly-rebranded Alpine team must start appearing regularly on the podium by 2022. Read more.
Aston Martin wants Hulkenberg as 2021 reserve
Aston Martin is hoping to sign up Nico Hulkenberg to be the former Racing Point team's official reserve driver in 2021. Read more.
Tost defends Tsunoda's F1 test campaign
Franz Tost is unapologetic about Yuki Tsunoda's intensive pre-season of unofficial testing ahead of his 2021 Formula 1 debut. Read more.
Second race in Bahrain 'possible' - Domenicali
Stefano Domenicali has admitted this year's Formula 1 world championship could begin with an extended stay in Bahrain. Read more.
Vettel will enjoy F1 again with Aston Martin - boss
Sebastian Vettel will rediscover his love of Formula 1 at Aston Martin. Read more.
Domenicali urges Red Bull rivals to agree 'freeze'
Stefano Domenicali has urged Red Bull's rivals to agree to an engine development 'freeze' from 2022. Read more.
Formula One chiefs consider starting season with consecutive races in Bahrain
With continued doubts over where the third race will be staged, F1 is considering a second grand prix in Bahrain. Read more.
