Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Saturday, August 8.
Saturday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Rumours swirl around Perez, Vettel, Hulkenberg
© Reuters
Great uncertainty is swirling around the immediate and longer-term future of Sergio Perez in Formula 1.
The Mexican was sidelined with coronavirus last week, but Racing Point says he may now return to the seat for this weekend's Silverstone race.
"Public Health England have confirmed that Sergio Perez's period of quarantine has been completed," the team announced.
Now, all he needs is a negative corona test to re-enter the paddock.
But Racing Point commented: "The team expects to make a decision on who is driving alongside Lance later today (Thursday) or first thing tomorrow morning (Friday)."
Both the RTL broadcaster and Bild newspaper are reporting in Germany that Nico Hulkenberg will definitely still be in Perez's car at Silverstone.
The confusion may indicate that there is more to the story than just Perez's virus.
Indeed, there are rumours that while in his native Mexico following the Hungarian GP, he may have visited his powerful sponsors as well as his ill mother.
According to more German sources, the sponsors are offering to pay Racing Point substantially more money from 2021 if the team rejects the advances of Sebastian Vettel.
La Gazzetta dello Sport is claiming that Vettel has already signed a three-year deal, estimated at EUR 15m per year including an Aston Martin ambassadorial role.
The Italian newspaper said the announcement was only held up last weekend because of Perez's corona infection.
Vettel, the quadruple world champion who has been dropped by Ferrari for 2021, was spotted leaving Silverstone last Sunday with Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer.
Vettel on Thursday didn't deny it, smiling: "It's a nice car. It's a Ferrari Pista."
As for Hulkenberg, he admitted he would be "somewhat disappointed" if Perez gets the green-light to return this weekend.
But the German has also used his time in the paddock to feel out his options for 2021.
"Some is just casual chat, some is more about the future subject," Hulkenberg said. "So I'm definitely in discussions and in talks there."
Briatore should run Ferrari team - Ecclestone
© Reuters
Flavio Briatore should replace Mattia Binotto as Ferrari's team boss.
That is the view of Bernie Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo who had close personal and business ties with the former Benetton and Renault chief.
"He has won a couple of world championships with Renault and is incredibly competent," Ecclestone, 89, told Germany's Sport Bild.
Ecclestone has previously criticised Binotto's management style, questioning whether the Italian is aggressive enough to poach staff from other teams.
Referring to Briatore, the sport's former chief executive said: "If he sees someone in another team that he can use for his team, he will find some way to get that person."
More news from Formula 1:
Mercedes pulled into Racing Point controversy
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown says FIA investigation leaves more questions than answers. Read more.
Teams to appeal 'pink Mercedes' penalty over car copying
A group of rival teams is not happy with the outcome of Renault's protest against the 'pink Mercedes' raced by Racing Point this year. Read more.
Wolff not commenting on Hamilton pay-cut rumours
Sebastian Vettel has hinted that his decision about what to do in 2021 has already been made. Read more.
Camara is Red Bull's 'corona' reserve driver
Amid all the current talk about reserve drivers, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko is calm. Read more.
Perez hits out at 'irresponsible' opinions
Sergio Perez says rumours about his coronavirus infection are "irresponsible". Read more.
Albon's confidence now 'below zero' - Doornbos
Alex Albon's "self confidence" has dropped to "below zero" in 2020. Read more.
Marko calls soft tyres at Silverstone 'useless'
Dr Helmut Marko has lashed out at the "useless" soft tyres supplied by Pirelli at Silverstone. Read more.
Valtteri Bottas fastest in opening practice for 70th Anniversary Grand Prix
Mercedes continued their imperious form which has seen them win all four rounds so far. Read more.
Verstappen 'accepts' that he will not be 2020 champion
Max Verstappen says he has "accepted" that he will not become Formula 1's youngest ever champion. Read more.
Sergio Perez to miss 70th Anniversary Grand Prix due to positive coronavirus test
The 30-year-old will be replaced by German Nico Hulkenberg. Read more.
Binotto hopes Mercedes stays in F1 in 2021
Mattia Binotto hopes Mercedes stays in Formula 1 beyond the end of the year. Read more.
Magnussen eyes F3 test to prepare for Imola
Kevin Magnussen says he wants to test a Formula 3 car at Imola before the sport races on the former San Marino GP venue in November. Read more.
Silverstone memorable moments in pictures
A look back on some memorable Silverstone moments dating back to 1950. Read more.
Racing Point fined and deducted points after Renault protest
The penalty reduces the team's championship tally from 42 to 27. Read more.
