Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Tuesday, October 27.
Tuesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Leclerc car developments slowing Vettel - Villeneuve
© Reuters
Jacques Villeneuve thinks all of Ferrari's car development in 2020 has been done to suit Charles Leclerc.
His comments come after team boss Mattia Binotto denied suggestions that the departing Sebastian Vettel is struggling because his car is no longer identical to Leclerc's.
But 1997 world champion Villeneuve thinks a better explanation is that Ferrari is simply implementing only car developments that suit Leclerc.
"His driving is very different from that of Leclerc's," the Canadian told Sky Italia. "And it was Leclerc who did all of the development of this car, because Ferrari thinks he is their future.
"So the further he (Leclerc) goes, the less driveable the car is for Vettel. He can't push to the limit.
"With Vettel's car, we are not seeing the limits of the car, we are seeing the limits of Vettel," said Villeneuve.
Another former F1 driver, the DTM legend Bernd Schneider, agrees that Vettel cannot be solely blamed for his current lack of pace relative to Leclerc.
"If a four-time world champion is so far behind like this, it's not just the driver," he told Sport1.
"Honestly I think Vettel can't wait for the year to be over and I keep my fingers crossed that it will be better next year.
"He will want to show that Ferrari was wrong," Schneider, believed to be close to Vettel, added.
Nico Hulkenberg also thinks there is more to the current story than Vettel simply being a lot slower than Leclerc in an identical sister car.
"It is strange, but it's very difficult to judge from the outside," he told RTL. "But the situation is a little incomprehensible to me."
No mid-year changes to 'penalty points' system - Masi
F1 race director Michael Masi has ruled out making any immediate changes to the controversial 'penalty points' system.
Multiple drivers have complained in recent days and weeks about the system whereby a range of errors and infractions - including breaching 'track limits' - earn them points on their super licence, which culminate in race bans.
Drivers including Lewis Hamilton say only incidents deemed to be dangerous should be eligible for penalty points.
So when asked if the stewards will be briefed to be more lenient, FIA race director Masi answered: "To begin with, I will say that no, I don't think so.
"Secondly, we've discussed all of this with the drivers. At the start of the year, the FIA works with the teams' sporting directors to revise the penalty points table and discuss the guidelines for the stewards to follow.
"As a result, we come to a consensus on fines and penalty points," said the Australian.
"All of this is reviewed every year. From the point of view of the teams, it is not surprising to them that points are given for such violations.
"We also talk about these matters at the driver briefings, and in preparation for 2021, all of this will once again be reviewed.
"What is clear is that we are not going to change anything in the middle of a championship," Masi insisted.
More news from Formula 1:
Damon Hill labels Lewis Hamilton the greatest of all time
Lewis Hamilton passed Michael Schumacher's record of 91 grand prix victories in Portugal on Sunday. Read more.
Lord Hain hits out at "unacceptable" lack of knighthood for Lewis Hamilton
The Mercedes driver claimed a F1 record of 92 race wins at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Read more.
History for Hamilton as Exeter complete double - the sporting weekend in pictures
A long-standing record was beaten on the track in Portugal on a busy weekend at home and beyond. Read more.
Damon Hill heaps praise on "supreme talent" Lewis Hamilton
The Briton beat Michael Schumacher's Formula One record of most Grand Prix wins on Sunday. Read more.
On This Day in 1997: Jacques Villeneuve wins Formula 1 world title
Third place in the European Grand Prix at Jerez was enough for the Canadian to seal the title. Read more.
Britain's 10 greatest sportspeople as Lewis Hamilton stakes claim for top spot
The world champion is one of Formula One's greatest drivers. Read more.
Portimao won by 'Mercedes, not by Hamilton'
Opinions remain split over how much credit Lewis Hamilton deserves for racing past Michael Schumacher's all-time F1 record for race victories in Portimao. Read more.
Key departures would weaken Mercedes - Schumacher
No Formula 1 team will be able to rival Mercedes' continuing dominance in 2021, according to Ralf Schumacher. Read more.
Hulkenberg 'waiting for call' from Helmut Marko
Alex Albon only has "two or three races" to prove to Red Bull that he should keep his race seat for 2021. Read more.
