Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Thursday, December 17.
Thursday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Hamilton's contract talks about 'money' - Berger
© Reuters
Lewis Hamilton's pre-2021 contract negotiations with Toto Wolff will be about "money".
That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who says George Russell's highly impressive substitute drive in an ill Hamilton's place in Bahrain gave Mercedes boss Wolff more chips to play with.
"I would call it a matter of money," he told Servus TV, after Hamilton and Wolff announced that they are now finally planning to sit down to discuss a new deal.
"Russell showed that the primary factor is the car, as he was immediately in the lead in the race. Now he (Wolff) has an argument to say 'Lewis, please come down a little with your demands'."
Berger notes that Hamilton, 35 - who this year equalled Michael Schumacher's all-time record of seven world championships - is "eaten away by ambition".
"He sent messages all weekend when he couldn't drive," claims the Austrian, who drove for Ferrari and McLaren but is now boss of the German touring car series DTM.
"But he didn't write a single congratulation to Russell. He wants to dominate and play the main role. But Russell has already shown what he can do with a Williams as well," Berger added.
As for the rumours that Wolff might be able to slot Russell alongside Hamilton for 2021, Berger says the only problem with that is the existing contracts.
"Contracts must be kept and as far as I know, Bottas has a contract for 2021," he said. "They have committed already to going into the future with him."
However, "Bottas doesn't have the speed of Russell. I don't know whether they can decide behind the scenes to take a different route."
2020 at Ferrari 'agony' for Vettel - Villeneuve
© Reuters
2020 was "agony" for quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, but he also has reason to "laugh".
That is the view of the always-controversial 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, as he spoke to Sky Italia about the German's last gasp before being ousted by Ferrari.
"It was a very tough year for Vettel," said the French Canadian. "It was agony for him actually and he will be happy to go home.
"He can now recharge the batteries and start thinking about next year," added Villeneuve, ahead of 33-year-old Vettel's move to Aston Martin for 2021.
"Vettel has done everything for Ferrari, but in recent years you saw that Ferrari started doing everything for (Charles) Leclerc. Even the car was made for him."
However, he says Vettel is not completely blameless.
"Vettel didn't get a good car this year, but he did get it from Ferrari in the past," said Villeneuve, referring to 2017 and 2018 in particular.
"But in those moments, he made too many mistakes. This year the problem was the team and the car, of course," he added.
Villeneuve says Vettel's Ferrari struggle really began in 2019, when the momentum shifted to the decade-younger Leclerc.
"Before that he was the hero and the one who had to help move Ferrari forward," he said. "After that it was all about Leclerc."
However, Villeneuve says there is a silver lining for Vettel, who spent six years wearing red.
"Vettel can at least look at his bank account and laugh," he said.
More news from Formula 1:
Red Bull now turns attention to Albon seat
With Alpha Tauri's 2021 lineup now complete, owner Red Bull will turn its attention to the identity of Max Verstappen's next teammate at the senior outfit. Read more.
Russell to Mercedes was 'most interesting' - Alonso
Assessing the talent of young drivers in Formula 1 has become increasingly difficult, according to returning two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Read more.
