The F1 Gossip Column LIVE! - Football News

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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The F1 Gossip Column LIVE!


Ferrari look ahead to Australian GPAfter a quiet start to F1 2020 at testing - where they didn't really reveal their true pace - there is intrigue surrounding Ferrari at this weekend's Australian GP.
And they haven't given much away about their confidence levels heading into the season-opener, either...
"After a long winter working on building and developing our car, the time has come to get a first indication of our performance level and how effective are the improvements we have introduced over the past few months," said team boss Mattia Binotto.
"We know that the opposition is strong, but we also know that it is the start of a long season where development rate, reliability, and our operational effectiveness will be key. We are gearing up to tackle all these challenges as a united team, conscious of the progress that needs to be made and proud of the support of our fans worldwide.
Sebastian Vettel added: "The first race of the season is always special and I think it will allow us to get a better idea than we had in testing as to what the hierarchy is between the teams.”
Ferrari also referenced a "difficult time for Italy" amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country, stating they want to put a smile on their fans' faces this weekend.
"At what is a difficult time for Italy and the world as a whole, as part of a global sport, it is our obligation to try and put a smile on people’s faces as they prepare to watch the first race of the season with the same sense of anticipation as ourselves," said Binotto.
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 A new signing at Red Bull...
Red Bull have re-signed Sergio Sette Camara as their reserve driver for 2020. 
The Brazilian, who now has an F1 superlicense after finishing fourth in F2 last year, took up a similar role at McLaren last season after being dropped from the Red Bull family in 2017.
He will share official duties with Sebastian Buemi.
Lewis Hamilton met with Prince Harry to open a new museum at Silverstone on Friday.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was one of the prince’s last public duties before he quits as a working member of the royal family this month.
He was driven into the circuit by six-time world champion Hamilton, while other F1 drivers George Russell and Alex Albon were also present at the event.
The museum, the Silverstone Experience, houses cars and bikes from 70 years of racing at Silverstone, with interactive games and replicas for visitors to try.
Ferrari have had to postpone their scheduled Pirelli tyre test because of the coronavirus outbreak. 
The test was set to take place at Fiorano, Ferrari's private track, which is situated in the north of Italy - one of the worst-affected regions in Europe.
Behind the scenes at Sky F1
You know about our team on the ground at races, but what about the ones back at base? Find out how live F1 comes to your Sky F1 screens on TV and digital in this behind-the-scenes reveal-all...
Exclusive: Fernando Alonso on Indy 500 return - and whether F1 comeback could happen in 2021
Ferrari find engine fault
The Scuderia's new SF1000 was the first on-track breakdown of 2020 during the first test at Barcelona - and Ferrari have now discovered what went wrong. 
"The unit which had the problem last Friday has been stripped and checked in Maranello," explained the team. 
"The fault was traced to a non-structural problem with the lubrication system. It’s not a cause for concern and work to correct it is already underway."
Norris: McLaren 'shouldn't copy other people' like Racing Point
While Mercedes' DAS certainly stirred debate in the Barcelona paddock last week - so did Racing Point's new RP20, described as a 'Pink Mercedes' by some because of its likeness to last year's Merc car.
Racing Point's midfield rivals have been particular irked.
Lando Norris issued a sly dig at Racing Point - saying McLaren "shouldn't rely on copying other people".
"They seem quick, that’s for sure. But I don’t know what’s going on," he said. "Every team learns and probably copies bits from other teams and designs and concepts and everything, makes their own version because they think it’s better. 
"They’ve done what they’ve done, and if it works then good for them. We’re McLaren, we shouldn’t have to rely on copying other people, we should be able to come up with things ourselves and come up with leading ideas. 
"I think that’s what McLaren are capable of. It’s for us to focus on ourselves and not just copy other people. I don’t think that’s the way to go."
Hamilton: 'Five to 10-year plan' key to contract talks
Lewis Hamilton says he is in no rush to sign a new Mercedes deal but seems confident ahead of the contract talks - explaining that he will think of his "five to 10-year" plan when it comes to the negotiations.
Hamilton, whose contract expires this year, had been linked with a move away from the world champions but now seems almost certain to stay.
"I continue to feel great within the family," he said on Week One of testing. "I don't know when we're going to sit down and talk and I don't see a particular rush. I think our goals are aligned so I'm sure we'll sit down."
Hamilton then spoke in detail about the "small details" of his next contract, which is likely to be the six-time champion's last in F1.
"We've always been very clear about our plans, and update each other about our thinking," he added. "Normally it's the small detail that matters. I've been really fortunate in this team, people talk about freedom as if it's a bad thing but it's not at all. 
"Joining Mercedes allowed me to be who I want to be rather than keep me constricted and ask me to be a certain way, or speak a certain way, or dress a certain way which is often the case in other places. I think it's been great. 
"There's all these question marks about the different things that I do but everyone has seen the results the last few years. It just continues to prove that it's actually encouraging, it makes me be more engaged, it makes me an even better driver than I thought I could be. 
"It's more trying to figure out what my next five to 10-year plan is. How the decisions I make now, impact the future."
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Hamilton named world's best sportsman
After numerous nominations, Lewis Hamilton has finally won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
The six-time F1 world champion was named the joint-winner for 2020 with Lionel Messi, who himself is a six-time winner of football's Ballon d'Or award. The two sports legends received the same number of votes from the star-studded jury to deliver the award's first-ever tie.
Hamilton was presented with his trophy by Arsene Wenger, the legendary former Arsenal manager.
"Wow, this is such an incredible honour," said Hamilton at the ceremony in Berlin.
"I grew up in a sport that has really given my life meaning and I'm so grateful for what it's provided me. But I've also grown up in a sport that has very little to no diversity. That's an issue that we're continuously facing, and I think it's all of our responsibility to use our platform for that, to keep pushing for gender equality, for inclusivity and making sure that we are engaging and trying to represent where the world is today.
"I want to say a big, big thank you to Mercedes-Benz who have always been such a huge supporter. They signed me when I was 13 and I'm so grateful for them for giving a young thirteen-year-old the opportunity to live his dream. 
"I also want to acknowledge Laureus for all the incredible work they do around the world and for changing people's lives and for giving people hope - please continue to do so. Thank you very much!" 
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Two more 2020 F1 cars make track debut
We're seen the Red Bull and the Mercedes on track at Silverstone for their respective shakedowns - and now it's the turn of McLaren and AlphaTauri to do likewise in Europe.
The new matte-finished MCL35 has hit the track for McLaren's filming day at Barcelona, while the striking white and blue AT01 AlphaTauri has begun the ex-Toro Rosso team's new era in Italy.
Hamilton: Verstappen talk a 'sign of weakness' 
Lewis Hamilton says he sees Max Verstappen's recent comments about him as a "sign of weakness".
Verstappen told reporters this month that “Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there, but he’s not God. Maybe God is with him, but he is not God.”
Hamilton, F1's six-time champion, was asked about his younger rivals' confidence at the Mercedes launch of their new sleek W11 car and admitted: “I find it funny seeing that.
“I’ve just always known to do my talking on the track. Often I tend to see that [talk] as a sign of weakness.”
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Abiteboul clarifies 'fake' car comments 
Renault made headlines, not all for the right reasons, with their F1 2020 season launch as they only teased pictures of their new challenger and said they didn't want to present a "fake car". 
"In previous years, we’ve presented a showcar altered to look like that season’s car but there’s little point in doing that," says Cyril Abiteboul 
"No one is capable of presenting a current car. If your team is on schedule, you don't have a car waiting here for a couple of hours or days. Your car is built and going straight to Barcelona. That is an optimised schedule."
Sainz and Norris preview F1 2020
Into their second year as McLaren team-mates, how are Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris looking forward to the season and challenges ahead? 
We spoke to them at McLaren's MCL35 launch...
 Hamilton's pre-season message
Lewis Hamilton is raring to go for the 2020 season - although he does admit he has "no idea" how Mercedes will compare to their rivals as he chases a seventh crown.
"The feeling I have physically and mentally is on another level this year so that is a real positive," said Hamilton.
"I know you guys are all gunning for number seven - but we've just got to take it one step at a time. 
"We have no idea where we stand compared to everyone else. We still have a lot of work to do."

AlphaTauri gear up for big reveal
We know Toro Rosso's new name and now we know what Alpha Tauri's first car will be called.
Gone is the STR... moniker, to be replaced by AT and, in 2020's case, the AT01.
The new challenger will be revealed at 7pm on Friday, Valentine's Day. Anyone got plans to cancel?!
Will F1 go to China?Toto Wolff believes there is still a chance that the Chinese GP takes place in April as scheduled.
The coronavirus death toll has now passed the 1000 mark, and F1 are expected to postpone the race - particularly after Formula E cancelled their event on March 21.
"Formula E cancelled a race that should have taken place four weeks before our grand prix date," said Mercedes boss Wolff. "But I would very much hope that we go to China. At the moment everything looks like we are going.
"Not going would be a shame, we had full grandstands last year and it was sold out. China has become a really important market in terms of the fans we have and not going there would obviously not be great for the fans and ourselves. 
"But health comes first. I hope they get in control of it, that is the bigger priority."
Jenson Button's own car reveal!
A new adventure for Jenson Button's Rocket Motorsport team in 2020 - with some rather familar colours and a familar manufacturer for the Sky Sports F1 pundit!
"It's exciting to confirm that Jenson Team Rocket RJN will be campaigning the 720S GT3 and racing with McLaren this season," said Button. 
"The GT World Challenge championship grid gets stronger and stronger every year and the racing is amongst the best in the world. We go into the season full of confidence with a team boasting huge experience and a car which has already proven itself a race winner."

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