Latest F1 news in brief

Vettel's probably laughing at all the pundits

F1 steward admits Vettel race ban was possible
Critic Villeneuve 'always negative' – Stroll
Magnussen welcomes Copenhagen's 2020 GP project
Jos Verstappen slams Red Bull boss Horner
Hamilton wants new deal beyond 2018 – Lauda
Perez to be latest F1 father
Lauda says McLaren-Mercedes deal not done
Button urges F1 to 'move on' from Baku
Williams Martini Racing Appoints Dave Redding as Team Manager
Vandoorne: Baku controversy 'positive' for F1

F1 steward admits Vettel race ban was possible
(GMM) An F1 steward says his colleagues considered a harsher penalty for Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Baku.

On Monday, which is also the German's 30th birthday, the FIA will meet to consider imposing an additional penalty to supplement his 10-second stop go.

"Of course we could have issued a more severe penalty," steward Paul Gutjahr told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

"Like the black flag or a race ban. But Hamilton had no damage and we did not want to influence the world championship too much," he added.

Gradually, the world of F1 is weighing into the controversy, with former FIA president Max Mosley urging for a harsher penalty but F1 sporting chief Ross Brawn claiming F1 needs "passion".

Even MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has an opinion, telling Marca sports newspaper: "When one driver fights against the other and they are so different, there may always be crashes.

"Personally I liked it. It's the beauty of the sport," said the Italian.

Others think Vettel may indeed escape Monday's hearing with a black eye, with Renault reserve Sergey Sirotkin saying: "To be honest, looking at the on board, it is not obvious that Sebastian deliberately hit Lewis.

"I think at the moment he raised his hand and turned his head, he didn't realize the car was turning towards Lewis and they touched," he told Russia's Sportbox.

"In my opinion, everything is much calmer than everyone is talking about."

Critic Villeneuve 'always negative' – Stroll

Lance Stroll

(GMM) Lance Stroll says he is not affected by the harsh criticism of his Canadian countryman Jacques Villeneuve.

Before Stroll's maiden points in Montreal and podium in Baku, 1997 world champion Villeneuve said the Williams driver's opening races of 2017 qualified him as one of the worst rookies in F1 history.

"I don't care what he says," the 18-year-old now tells La Presse.

"Jacques is always negative, finding things to say. Even with Vettel and Hamilton now, with him thinking what happened in Baku was ok when everyone else thinks the opposite.

"I prefer to concentrate on my business," the Williams driver added.

"He (Villeneuve) did not really encourage me last year when I won the F3 championship, and it was the same in the first races this year when I was having difficulty," said Stroll.

"So I was not surprised to hear his words. But the important thing is that I am happy, and the people around me are happy," he insisted.

Magnussen welcomes Copenhagen's 2020 GP project

Kevin Magnussen

(GMM) Kevin Magnussen has welcomed news in Denmark that an F1 race in Copenhagen is in the works for 2020.

The local BT newspaper said Danish businessman Lars Seier Christensen met this week in London with F1's new owners Liberty Media about a potential deal.

"Before anything," he said, "it was important to achieve the political will and support of Liberty Media.

"It was a very positive meeting in London, and now I will spend the next six months systematically gathering the necessary investors."

The report said a street layout, passing city landmarks, would be headed by F1 track designer Hermann Tilke.

"Tilke says it would not be a problem to construct an exciting track in the middle of Copenhagen," Christensen confirmed.

Danish F1 driver Magnussen said when told about the plans: "Oh wow, how cool! I really hope they manage to bring formula one to Copenhagen."

The government may also be on board, with industry minister Brian Mikkelsen saying: "When we go public with plans, it is because it looks more and more realistic.

"I think formula one would be tremendous branding for Copenhagen."

Jos Verstappen slams Red Bull boss Horner

Max and Jos Verstappen

(GMM) A growing rift has emerged between the Verstappen camp and Red Bull.

Amid Max Verstappen's troubling run of reliability, the 19-year-old left the Baku circuit without speaking to the media last Sunday and could subsequently face a EUR 25,000 penalty.

It came amid rumors of interest from Ferrari, who are yet to sign either of its current drivers for 2018, despite Red Bull's insistence that Verstappen is firmly under contract.

One suggestion is that Verstappen is trying to deliberately breach his contract.

Adding fuel to that theory is Verstappen's fiery father and co-manager Jos.

On Twitter, a F1 reporter linked to a story that quoted Red Bull boss Christian Horner as saying Verstappen's current frustration is "through no fault of the team or the effort the team is putting in".

Jos replied: "Bullsh*t".

Hamilton wants new deal beyond 2018 – Lauda

Wolff and Lauda will re-sign Hamilton

(GMM) Niki Lauda has dismissed suggestions Lewis Hamilton might quit Mercedes and F1.

Last weekend in Baku, triple world champion Hamilton was moved to clarify quotes that suggested he might retire at the end of this season.

Now, Mercedes team chairman Lauda backed Hamilton's denial, saying the original comments were "misunderstood".

"He is staying, of course, because he has a contract," the F1 legend told German broadcaster Sky. "He is not Nico (Rosberg)!"

In fact, Lauda says Hamilton is not only staying in 2018, but already pushing for a new deal beyond that.

"Lewis is already discussing the contract extension with us," said the great Austrian. "He has asked about it.

"He is highly motivated, as are we, even though negotiations are yet to start.

"But I must honestly say, I feel a tremendous respect for him," said Lauda. "From the very beginning of the season he has this fighting spirit, he is in excellent physical condition, and the results are growing from race to race."

Perez to be latest F1 father

Sergio Perez

(GMM) Sergio Perez is set to become the latest F1 father.

The news was reported by the newspaper Chancha, revealing that the Force India driver's girlfriend Carola is expected to give birth after the 2017 season.

"I never speak about my private life, but I am in the best moment of my life and happier than ever," said the Mexican. "It is a great blessing."

Other fathers on the current F1 grid are Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean and Felipe Massa.

Sergio Perez is 27.

Lauda says McLaren-Mercedes deal not done

McLaren will be running a Honda engine again in 2018

(GMM) Niki Lauda says no deal is in place between McLaren and Mercedes for 2018.

Amid intense speculation about McLaren's impending divorce from works partner Honda, new rumors suggest the first McLaren-Mercedes tests may take place later this year.

But Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, says no deal is in place.

"McLaren has a contract with Honda," he told the German broadcaster Sky.

Lauda acknowledged the rumors of a McLaren-Honda split, but added: "That does not mean that a Mercedes engine is coming.

"No one has asked."

In fact, he said it is important that as "one of the top manufacturers in the world", Honda stays in F1.

"There was once the same topic (of a Mercedes deal) with Red Bull, but they stayed with Renault and the thing worked itself out," said Lauda.

Button urges F1 to 'move on' from Baku

Button says F1 needs to move on

Jenson Button has urged Formula 1 to "move on" from the Sebastian Vettel/Lewis Hamilton controversy at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite next week's investigation.

On Wednesday, the FIA announced that it will revisit the clash between title rivals Vettel and Hamilton, and its causes, to determine whether further action is required.

Ferrari driver Vettel responded to a suspected brake test from Hamilton under the Safety Car by gesticulating, moving alongside the Mercedes and making side-on-side contact.

Hamilton was later cleared by the stewards, after they went through his telemetry, coming to the conclusion that he drove consistently at all restarts and behaved "correctly".

Vettel was given a 10-second stop/go penalty, but Monday's hearing will "further examine" the incident, before a call is made over whether or not to apply further punishment.

In a tweet, Button described Vettel's reaction as "silly", though feels that he has already been sufficiently punished, and is keen for F1 to draw a line under the matter.

In a response to commentator Martin Brundle, on the subject of the FIA potentially overruling its own stewarding system, Button referenced green-flag incidents.

An FIA statement regarding the outcome of Monday's hearing will be made available ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, which will take place next weekend.

Williams Martini Racing Appoints Dave Redding as Team Manager

Dave Redding to lead Williams team

WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Redding to the position of Team Manager; joining the team on 17th July.

Dave comes to Williams with over thirty years of experience in Formula One, most recently at McLaren where he held the position of Team Manager. After originally joining McLaren in 2001 as a Systems Engineer, Dave has worked in a number of engineering and operational roles before moving on to become Team Manager in 2009. His previous roles over the course of his Formula One career include positions at Jaguar, Stewart and Benetton.

In his new role at Williams, Dave will be responsible for the overall management of the operational and sporting aspects of the WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING race team.

In addition to this appointment, we can confirm that our Sporting Manager, Steve Nielsen will be departing the company on 31st July.

Speaking about his appointment Dave Redding said; “Having been involved in motorsport for 30 years, I know that Williams is a great racing team, and one that I am extremely excited, and privileged to be joining. I already know and respect many of the team members, and I can't wait to start work at Grove, and to be an integral part of an exciting future for the team."

Paddy Lowe, Chief Technical Officer at Williams, added; “Firstly, I must thank Steve for his hard work and dedication since joining Williams in 2014. He has done a brilliant job in restructuring the race team and particularly in driving the impressive pitstop performances we have shown in the last eighteen months. From a personal perspective it has been a great pleasure to work together since I started here in March. We all wish him the very best for the future.

“I am also delighted to welcome Dave to the Williams team. Dave brings an exceptional level of Formula One racing knowledge and experience. Since joining, I have seen first-hand the talented individuals we have in the race team at Williams. I’m sure Dave will fit in well and be able to provide the operational and sporting leadership necessary to not only maintain our current high standards, but to build even further on all aspects of our race team performance in the future."

Vandoorne: Baku controversy 'positive' for F1

Stoffel Vandoorne. F1's British media would love for Vettel to get banned so Hamilton can win title.

Stoffel Vandoorne reckons the controversy involving Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in Azerbaijan was "positive" for Formula 1, given the emotions on display.

Ferrari driver Vettel and Mercedes rival Hamilton, battling it out for the title, came to blows behind the Safety Car during last weekend's Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit.

Vettel responded to what he felt was a brake test, shortly before the race resumed, by gesticulating, moving alongside Hamilton and making side-on-side contact.

Stewards later cleared Hamilton of any wrongdoing, after looking at his telemetry, coming to the conclusion that he drove consistently at all restarts and behaved "correctly".

Vettel was given a 10-second stop go penalty for his actions, though the FIA will revisit the incident on Monday, to determine whether further action is necessary.

Vandoorne held back on judging whether Vettel was "right or wrong", but says the drama, and rivalry between drivers, is "exactly what the fans and public want to see".

"It is clear that there are a lot of different opinions about what happened," McLaren-Honda's Vandoorne told Motorsport.com, as he looked back on the incidents.

"My view is that [it] is always difficult to judge things completely from on-board footage, but it was a little bit of a strange reaction from Seb.

"When you are in the heat of the moment, and when you are fighting for victory, then the emotion maybe takes you over a bit.

"In terms of the bigger picture and for F1 in general, I think the controversy was a positive thing, as this big rivalry and big fight for the championship is exactly what the fans and public want to see.

"I'm not saying that what Seb did was right or wrong, but for the sport to be able to see such emotion is definitely a good thing."

Vettel went on to finish the race in fourth position, just ahead of Hamilton, who was forced to make an extra pit-stop after his headrest came loose.

Vettel currently leads Hamilton by 14 points in the standings.