Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Thursday, September 10.
Thursday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Marko slams Hamilton over Albon-Gasly comments
© Reuters
Dr Helmut Marko has hit out at Lewis Hamilton's recent criticism of Red Bull.
After suggesting that Alex Albon is not good enough to be Max Verstappen's teammate, Hamilton accused Red Bull of not treating Monza winner Pierre Gasly fairly when he was demoted to Alpha Tauri last year.
Marko, the architect of Red Bull's notorious driver program, immediately hit back by claiming that Hamilton had actually advocated for Gasly's mid-2019 demotion.
"The truth is that Lewis didn't call us in 2019, but he spoke to our team boss Christian Horner on a plane and recommended that Albon be put in the car instead of Gasly," he now tells Sport1.
"That was before the swap that we did after the summer break."
Marko lashed out at six-time world champion Hamilton's criticism of Albon.
"We don't care," he blasted. "The driver he wanted to get rid of last summer has now won the Italian GP with our Alpha Tauri team. So much for his expertise.
"I have no idea why Hamilton keeps finding the need to advise us, but it doesn't matter to us what opinion people from the outside world have," Marko added.
The Austrian said Gasly is staying at Alpha Tauri for now.
"We want to make Alpha Tauri even stronger in the future and that means we need a team leader," he said.
Marko said it is simply tough for any driver, including Gasly and Albon, to be Verstappen's teammate.
"Everyone falls away against Max," he said. "But the criticism of Albon is not entirely fair. He was unlucky this year and we made strategic mistakes that affected his performance.
"But we still believe that he can deliver the performance we ask of him if things go optimally. And that has not been the case very often this season."
Newey motivation 'stupid' excuse for results - Albers
© Reuters
Red Bull should stop looking for "excuses" to explain its failure to catch up with Mercedes.
That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, who takes issue with some comments made by Red Bull boss Christian Horner at Monza.
At Monza, Horner explained that Red Bull designer Adrian Newey was now fully focused on F1 once again, after working on the Valkyrie project for several years because he had lost his enjoyment for the sport.
"It's always just looking for excuses," Albers, who drove for Spyker and Minardi, told De Telegraaf.
He said the fact that Newey was unmotivated because of the tense situation with former engine supplier Renault is no excuse.
"Then I think 'You're paid millions!'" Dutchman Albers observed.
"I would tell him to go back to the drawing board. The engine is worth maybe 30 percent, but the rest of the performance comes from the chassis and that is not good enough."
Albers said he is surprised that Red Bull would use Newey's lack of motivation and focus to explain the lack of performance in 2020.
"It's a very stupid statement," he said. "I just don't think it's smart to do that."
More news from Formula 1:
Title will guarantee F1 seat for Schumacher - Petrov
The Formula 2 title will guarantee a route into Formula 1 for Mick Schumacher. Read more.
F1 should 'artificially slow' Mercedes - Seidl
The only way Formula 1 can ensure "more interesting races" is for the sport's authorities to intervene. Read more.
Leclerc has 'no right to give up' - Alesi
Charles Leclerc has to keep believing in Ferrari, according to the Maranello team's popular former driver Jean Alesi. Read more.
Sebastian Vettel primed for Racing Point move with Sergio Perez confirming exit
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ferrari. Read more.
Alpha Tauri driver clarity in late October - Tost
Red Bull's driver situation for 2021 should be clearer by the next of next month. Read more.
No Friday practice at Mugello for Schumacher
Mick Schumacher's entourage has denied reports that the young German will make his F1 race weekend debut at Mugello. Read more.
Sebastian Vettel to drive for Racing Point next season
The German will race next season with the British-based team, who are to be rebranded as Aston Martin. Read more.
Vettel can still win 'races and titles' - Tost
Sebastian Vettel is still capable of winning races and titles in Formula 1 after his Ferrari tenure ends in 2020, according to his former boss Franz Tost. Read more.
Ferrari 'deserve' current situation - Vettel
Things can "only get better" for Ferrari, according to the famous and crisis-struck Italian team's boss Mattia Binotto. Read more.
