Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Monday, August 31.
Monday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Renault engine 'really fast' at Spa - Wolff
© Reuters
Renault's 2020 engine is continuing to turn heads.
While Dr Helmut Marko claims Red Bull's Honda power is better in the races, he admitted that the Renault unit has "a good qualifying mode".
That was clear at Spa Francorchamps, where Daniel Ricciardo split the two Red Bulls in qualifying, followed closely by the second Renault of Esteban Ocon.
"He's really fast on the straights," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said, referring to Ricciardo.
"Something similar to a few years ago could happen, when Force India blew past everyone on the first lap," he added when asked about Sunday's race.
Red Bull's Alex Albon admitted: "They (Renault) are so quick on the straight. It will probably take a little while to get past them."
Frenchman Ocon told Canal Plus: "It is clear that this circuit suits us well with its two fast sectors."
Schumacher says rumours of F1 move 'a compliment'
© Reuters
Mick Schumacher is not getting carried away with reports that he is poised to kick off his Formula 1 race career in 2021.
Some days ago, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto hailed the progress of Michael Schumacher's son in Formula 2, suggesting he may be poised to enter F1 next year with a smaller team.
"I take it as a compliment," Schumacher, 21, told Suddeutsche Zeitung.
"It shows that I have improved in all the areas where I should improve."
The suggestion is that, as Ferrari's most prominent academy development driver, moving into F1 with Alfa Romeo next year appears likely for the German.
At Spa, where Schumacher finished on the podium, Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur said a F1 test "before the end of the season" is on the cards.
So when asked if a race seat is indeed the next step, Schumacher answered: "I'm not in a position to make any such claims. That would be wrong.
"It's still too early to give a concrete answer, especially when all the plans have been postponed a bit with corona. So I am waiting.
"I am just trying to do my job as a racing driver. I think I'll know more over the next few weeks," Schumacher added.
Making his return to a race track after his horror F2 crash of 2019, Juan Manuel Correa suggested that two drivers might actually be higher than Schumacher in Ferrari's F1 queue.
"I think there will be a seat for the guys from the Ferrari academy," he told Bild am Sonntag.
"I would guess that whoever is up there gets the seat, so right now it looks like Callum (Ilott) or Robert (Shwartzman).
"I think if you look at the drivers' standings, Mick is missing a little. He's behind his teammates so it's going to be tough for him," said Correa.
"He might do another year in Formula 2 and not go up to F1 until 2022. But he's definitely a good driver, he just maybe needs a little more time."
More news from Formula 1:
Haas to stick with Ferrari amid engine crisis
Gunther Steiner says Haas will continue to work with crisis-struck Ferrari. Read more.
Result: Lewis Hamilton eases to Belgian Grand Prix victory
The Mercedes driver now holds a 47-point championship lead. Read more.
Wolff questions crisis-struck Ferrari's 'priorities'
Toto Wolff has questioned whether Ferrari's "priorities" are right. Read more.
Police eject more F1 fans from Spa
vBelgian federal police used heat-tracing technology to clamp down on fans watching Sunday's action at Spa-Francorchamps from nearby wooded areas. Read more.
Pirelli 'listens' to drivers like Hamilton - Isola
Mario Isola says he always listens to the F1 drivers' complaints about tyres. Read more.
George Russell escapes injury after flying tyre causes heavy crash into wall
The rear tyre of Antonio Giovinazzi's Alfa Romeo hits George Russell's Williams but both drivers walked away unhurt. Read more.
Patient Verstappen admits title charge 'not easy'
Max Verstappen says Red Bull is "doing our best" even though Mercedes is clearly dominating in 2020. Read more.
George Russell relieved to emerge unscathed from "scary" crash in Belgian GP
Antonio Giovinazzi's rear-left tyre was sent flying at an unsuspecting George Russell on lap 10 of Sunday's grand prix. Read more.
Marko hits back at 'criticism of Albon'
Red Bull is continuing to support Max Verstappen's struggling teammate Alex Albon. Read more.
Haas could sign Ferrari junior for 2021 - Steiner
Gunther Steiner has admitted that Haas might sign up a Ferrari junior driver for 2021. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton admits he would have "gone to sleep" as fan in Belgian GP win
The reigning world champion is now 47 points clear of his nearest challenger. Read more.
Monza could be even 'worse' for Ferrari - Leclerc
Monza could be even "worse" for crisis-struck Ferrari, according to Charles Leclerc. Read more.
Sainz reveals Renault engine problem
Carlos Sainz has broken ranks to reveal that it was a Renault engine failure that meant he could not start Sunday's Belgian GP. Read more.
F1 needs more circuits like Spa - Wolff
In an otherwise "boring" race, the highlight at Spa-Francorchamps was a frightening crash that reinforced the dangers of the legendary Belgian circuit. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton: 'It's not my fault I'm so far ahead of rivals'
The Briton is closing in on Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles. Read more.
