Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Sunday, August 16.
Sunday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Wolff admits he might take on new F1 'role'
© Reuters
Toto Wolff has admitted he might step down as Mercedes' team boss.
It is well known that the Austrian is discussing his future with Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius, amid rumours their relationship is shaky.
Wolff denies that, but he does admit that after many years of leading the dominant works team to multiple titles, it "takes a toll".
"As it stands, there is no reason not to continue with Mercedes," he said. "We will find out in which role."
The immediate implication of that is that Lewis Hamilton has warned that Wolff's future will weigh into his own deliberations about a new Mercedes contract.
"It's flattering that he says that," Wolff said in Barcelona, "but I don't think he needs me.
"He has a great team that will always support him but as I said before, I haven't taken the decision yet.
"I don't want to give it a spin that I am leaving because that's not the case, it's just that I'm in a moment of reflection."
Wolff said the situation with coronavirus, F1's future, and his young family with wife Susie Wolff will all weigh into his ultimate decision.
"I've been to God knows how many races, I think 120 races in the last eight years, and that is something we are thinking about," he said.
It is not known what alternative role he is contemplating, but he admits that his non-Mercedes activities - including buying into the new Aston Martin project - "p**ses some people off".
"There is no conflict of interest," Wolff insisted, "but if I were on the other side I would also pick on these things."
Ferrari, Vettel will not split mid-season - Binotto
© Reuters
Mattia Binotto insists that Ferrari will not split with Sebastian Vettel before the end of the 2020 season.
As their relationship appeared to break down almost completely at Silverstone, rumours abounded that Ferrari might choose to imminently replace the quadruple world champion with a candidate like Kimi Raikkonen.
"Oh I don't know, I don't think so," Vettel said at Silverstone.
"We haven't even considered or spoken about it."
Ferrari boss Binotto agrees with that, describing suggestions that the Maranello team and Vettel might imminently split as a "completely incorrect assumption".
"There is no basis for that," he told Sky Italia.
"Sebastian is a talented driver, we know what he is capable of, and there's nothing to it. We have a good relationship with no tension. Sebastian is part of the Ferrari family," Binotto added.
"We respect each other and our team will continue to support him, so there is no reason to even think about such changes during the season."
Indeed, after Vettel's uncompetitive showings at Silverstone, Binotto agreed to arrange for the German to use a new chassis from Barcelona.
Ferrari said some minor damage was found on the older one.
"We had a time in 2014 when he kept struggling with the car," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko recalled in Barcelona.
"We then noticed a hairline crack and gave him a new chassis, and suddenly he was the old Sebastian again. In my opinion that was a matter of the mental side," the Austrian told Sport1.
Vettel said he felt "a little better' with the new chassis in Barcelona practice.
However, there are whispers that Vettel's rumoured 2021 deal with Racing Point - to be called Aston Martin next year - might suddenly be off the table.
Marko said: "What he has to do now is drive some good races again and for the public mood to change.
"He then has to decide what he wants in 2021 - to continue or to quit. I think the last word is yet to be spoken on that."
More news from Formula 1:
Friend admits Raikkonen's retirement is looming
The signs are growing stronger that 2020 may turn out to be Kimi Raikkonen's eighteenth and final season in Formula 1. Read more.
Vettel to sign Aston Martin deal at Spa - report
Sebastian Vettel will sign a multi-year contract at the next race at Spa-Francorchamps. Read more.
Mercedes 'will not like' party mode ban - Verstappen
Toto Wolff has warned Mercedes' rivals against celebrating the forthcoming ban on so-called 'party mode' engine settings too soon. Read more.
Mercedes ready to sign 2021 Concorde - Wolff
Mercedes is now ready to sign the new Concorde Agreement. Read more.
F1 to announce four more races next week
Formula 1 is preparing to add another four races to the 2020 'corona calendar'. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton claims pole position for Spanish Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton beat Valtteri Bottas to top spot by 0.059 seconds, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen third. Read more.
Christian Horner: 'Sebastian Vettel could take break from Formula One'
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is 13th in the standings following an unsatisfactory streak of results. Read more.
No Indy 500 'distraction' for Alonso in 2021 - Abiteboul
Cyril Abiteboul has admitted he is a distant and nervous spectator of the Indianapolis 500 this month. Read more.
Verstappen 'not thinking about' 2020 title yet
Max Verstappen says he is "not thinking about" winning the 2020 world championship yet. Read more.
Wolff to withdraw as F1 team 'mediator'
Toto Wolff says he may no longer volunteer to act as a "mediator" between rival Formula 1 teams in future. Read more.
Bottas called Rosberg for Hamilton-beating advice
The only way to beat Lewis Hamilton is to "get inside his head". Read more.
Lewis Hamilton: 'Toto Wolff decision will not impact my own future'
The six-time world champion's deal runs out at the end of the season. Read more.
Party mode ban 'very important' for Red Bull - Marko
Pole position will be possible for Red Bull once the FIA bans 'party mode' engine settings. Read more.
F1 is 'next logical step' for Schumacher - Binotto
"The next logical step" for Mick Schumacher is a Formula 1 seat. Read more.
Pre-Belgian GP quarantine 'not easy' for Alfa Romeo
Frederic Vasseur has confirmed that Alfa Romeo staff will need to go into strict quarantine after Sunday's Spanish GP. Read more.
Hamilton says Wolff not key to contract decision
Lewis Hamilton says Toto Wolff's next career move will not influence his decision about whether to sign a new deal with Mercedes for 2021 and beyond. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton quickest in final practice for Spanish Grand Prix
The championship leader edged out team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Read more.
Pirelli did not request downforce cut for 2021
Pirelli did not request a further reduction in downforce for 2021 in response to the tyre problems seen at Silverstone. Read more.
Honda driver Yuki Tsunoda eyes Alpha Tauri seat
A clear frontrunner for an Alpha Tauri seat in 2021 has emerged. Read more.
