Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Tuesday, August 18.
Tuesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
FIA pushing ahead with 'party mode' ban
© Reuters
The FIA is pressing ahead with reported plans to ban so-called 'party mode' engine settings ahead of the next race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Many see the move as a clear attack on Mercedes' dominance - but not everyone thinks it will succeed.
"Everyone talks about Mercedes being hurt more than the others," said former F1 driver JJ Lehto.
"But when you look at how fast that car is, you have to admit that it is not because of the engine alone," he told Iltalehti.
Even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is not hiding that the 'party mode' ban could spectacularly backfire on F1.
"The so-called party mode is great for us because we can use it in qualifying. If we can no longer do that, then we will have a lot more power in the race," Wolff warned.
"I agree with Lewis that we are not worried about losing power."
Wolff said he believes the FIA when it argues that the party mode ban will make it "easier" for the governing body to monitor "these incredibly sophisticated power units".
But he also told Kronen Zeitung newspaper that he thinks there is another reason.
"You always try to slow down the fastest, so you have to take that in a sporting context," said Wolff.
"But to simplify from our side, it means that we will make the engine even more powerful in the race because we have to take something away from qualifying."
F1 race director Michael Masi confirmed that the FIA is pushing ahead with the ban.
"Our engineers have done a tremendous amount of preparatory work and we have also consulted with the power unit manufacturers," he said in Barcelona.
"So we have full confidence and we fully intend to issue such a technical directive before the race at Spa," Masi added.
Meanwhile, amid rumours that Istanbul and Jerez could be poised to join the 2020 'corona calendar', Masi was asked if he is planning inspections of those circuits.
He responded: "The FIA regularly inspects circuits, which is done at the request of the local regulatory bodies, and this work will continue."
Grosjean slams 'worst car I have ever driven'
© Reuters
Romain Grosjean says he endured "one of the worst races of my career" in Barcelona on Sunday.
Finishing two laps down and dead last was a far cry from the Frenchman's pace on Friday, when he was fifth and sixth fastest in the two practice sessions.
But L'Equipe quoted the Haas driver as saying after the race: "It was hell. Honestly, the car was undriveable. One of the worst races of my career.
"It was horrible - the car was nowhere from the first time I turned the wheel. I don't know what happened between Friday and Sunday but it wasn't the same Formula 1 for me," Grosjean added.
"It may have been the worst car I have driven in my life."
Haas boss Gunther Steiner responded: "I will not comment on the words spoken every day about best car, worst car.
"What matters is to take a step back and analyse why we went from strong on Friday to struggling on Sunday. We lost two seconds per lap which is very strange."
As for whether he appreciates Grosjean's forthright comments, Steiner added: "I am used to these sorts of strong words from my drivers.
"It is true that some words do not help us, but I will survive," he added.
More news from Formula 1:
Lewis Hamilton: 'Breaking Micheal Schumacher record is beyond my dreams'
The Briton broke Michael Schumacher's podium record through another win in Spain on Sunday. Read more.
Pink Mercedes affair is also 'attack on Toto Wolff'
The pressure is continuing to mount on Racing Point and Toto Wolff over the 'pink Mercedes' affair. Read more.
Vettel disappointed to be leaving Ferrari - Binotto
Mattia Binotto has continued to play down the obviously fractured relationship between Ferrari and departing former number 1 Sebastian Vettel. Read more.
Alain Prost backs Lewis Hamilton to rewrite F1 history books
Hamilton is on course to match Schumacher's seven crowns this season. Read more.
'Engineer' Binotto should not be Ferrari boss - Kolles
Former F1 team boss Colin Kolles does not think Mattia Binotto can steer Ferrari out of crisis and back to producing world championship-winning cars. Read more.
Ferrari has not 'abandoned' 2020 car - Binotto
Mattia Binotto insists that Ferrari has not "abandoned" development of its 2020 car. Read more.
Verstappen plays down 2020 title chances
Max Verstappen does not agree with his boss that he is still a major contender for the 2020 title. Read more.
Ex-Red Bull driver says Albon has 'lost his way'
Alex Albon has "lost his way" at Red Bull, according to former team driver Robert Doornbos. Read more.
'Too early' to dream about 2021 F1 debut - Ilott
Mick Schumacher may face some stiff competition for an Alfa Romeo race seat for 2020. Read more.
Danner slams Leclerc for driving without seatbelts
Charles Leclerc is coming under fire for completing two full laps of the Spanish GP after unbuckling his seatbelts. Read more.
Ocon happy if Turkey, Jerez added to calendar
Esteban Ocon says he would be happy if Istanbul and Jerez are added to the 2020 'corona calendar'. Read more.
Bottas unhappy with Mercedes' black overalls
Valtteri Bottas is not happy with Mercedes' new black overalls for 2020. Read more.
Barcelona not a 'boring' race - Albers
Sunday's race in Barcelona was not "boring", according to former F1 driver Christijan Albers. Read more.
'Party mode' ban could be postponed - Tanabe
Honda F1 boss Toyoharu Tanabe says it is possible the 'party mode' ban will be postponed. Read more.
Journalist criticises Hamilton's 'solidarity'
A respected correspondent has accused Lewis Hamilton of being the one who is politically dividing the Formula 1 drivers. Read more.
