In the round-up: Carlos Sainz Jnr says he’s keen to stay at McLaren but won’t rush a new deal for 2021 and beyond.
What they say
Sainz was asked about his talks with McLaren over the 2021 F1 season:
It’s not a secret that I’m very happy here in McLaren. There’s obviously been some things going on in the background. Obviously we started to talk already.
But at the same time, you know, we we’re going to take it easy it because we’re in February, I think, so there’s no rush at all. But yes, I’m not going to hide that I’m very, very happy in McLaren and that I have a lot of faith in this project and the way it’s panning out.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Posted by @OconEsteban on Instagram… #F1 pic.twitter.com/tU3po3wQ1i
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) February 13, 2020
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
More motor racing links of interest:
Barrichello confirms S5000 start for Australian Grand Prix and Bathurst International (S5000)
"The Brazilian hero will compete in the S5000 class at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix on March 12-15, before making his debut at Mount Panorama later in the year, driving a V8-powered S5000s in the inaugural Bathurst International on November 13-15."
Kubica confirmed as BMW driver for 2020 (DTM)
"The 35-year-old, who has maintained a close relationship with the Munich marque since his earliest days in grand prix racing, will race for new customer BMW team ART Grand Prix, it was announced at a press conference in his native Poland today."
"These are not easy decisions to make and we are saddened that we will not be able to meet our past commitments for the years to come."
Peugeot to push on with WEC program despite Rebellion exit (Sportscar 365)
"We are currently in the early stage of building up our WEC technical project and we acknowledge Rebellion’s decision that appoints us in a direction to modify the configuration of our operational system by 2022."
WEC - ICA Decision – Hearing 28-01-2020 – AF Corse (FIA)
"The Court, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided: To set aside the Contested Decision; To order the competent Sporting Authority to draw, as appropriate, the consequences of this ruling."
Ocon was 'destroyed' after year with Mercedes (Autosport)
"I was not sleeping for two days (at a time), it was quite crazy - the amount of travel I was doing, and the amount of hours I was doing in the simulator and then travelling to track, doing stuff for Mercedes. They used me well, but a lot."
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Comment of the day
Lando Norris says he feels the need to rein in some of his antics following criticism on social media.
Sigh. Feel bad for him.
You know he’s probably putting in more sim hours than a lot of drivers, but because he has a bit of fun on social media some people just hate him for that, not for any real reason, and so put him down when he makes mistakes that other drivers could make and get no hate for, and say that he doesn’t put in enough effort etc…
@Hugh11
Happy birthday!
No RaceFans birthdays today
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th February 2020, 1:17
After a positive 2019 mclaren might be able to lure a top driver, they should not have to rely on pay drivers. For 2021, Ricciardo, vettel, hulk, alonso might all be attainable.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
14th February 2020, 1:22
Imagine the antics if Ricciardo is paired with Lando :)
Exediron (@exediron)
14th February 2020, 5:17
Neither Carlos or Lando is a pay driver, so I’m not sure where you’re coming from here?
anon
14th February 2020, 7:57
@exediron, he’s just trolling people like you because he wants attention and therefore is trying to stir up trouble.
Jake
14th February 2020, 5:54
Carlos and Lando aren’t even pay drivers lol. And even if they were, they’re still good enough to have their seats on merit, like Checo at RP.
Paul (@frankjaeger)
14th February 2020, 2:05
Unless either driver has a remarkable downturn of form in 2020, I don’t see any reason why McLaren need to get rid of either driver. Carlos has great racecraft and Lando is quick with lots of room to learn. Alonso is too expensive, only wants the very best car and I really don’t imagine teams are tripping over themselves to get him onboard. Ricciardo is a great guy but about the same level of talent as Sainz, I would say so would be a bit pointless getting him in.
The future seems bright for McLaren, I think. If Merc supply a competitive engine in 2021, I think they’ll be back to the sharp end of the grid again.
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
14th February 2020, 2:45
Since motor racing is a vindictive sport, then Mercedes will veto Alonso driving a car powered by one of their engines, hence, he isn’t going back to Mclaren. So there’s no danger of that. The only team I can “realistically” see Alonso going to, is Ferrari, which will be of mutual benefit to both.
Danny Ric will be expensive, but will jumping to Mclaren be worth it? If we are to believe that Renault are serious about 2021, Dan should stay put.
I think Sainz and Norris are potential race winners, and I believe Mclaren know this as well. I don’t see them changing either driver unless one of them move on.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
14th February 2020, 3:46
I think I’m missing some context here – what does Mercedes have against Alonso? Memories of 2007? Or something more recent?
Instead, wouldn’t it be a huge plus point to Mercedes that it took a Mercedes engine in McLaren to bring Alonso back? Not a Honda, not a Renault, but a Merc.
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
14th February 2020, 4:42
Well according to the internet (and various reputable websites), one of the reasons why Alonso was not considered for the second Mercedes seat was because some of the top brass still bore some bitterness borne out of the 100m dollar fine….which hit Merc in the pocket back in 2007, as they were a significant share owner of Mclaren….makes sense right?
Well at least thats one version of the story anyway.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
14th February 2020, 5:04
OK, fair enough, @jaymenon10. I’d have thought a simpler reason not to put Alonso in the second seat was simply the fireworks likely to erupt between the two drivers! :)
Krommenaas (@krommenaas)
14th February 2020, 8:30
They don’t *need* to get rid of them, but if they’re looking ahead to the top 3 teams, they’ll want a top driver again, which they don’t have atm. Sainz and Norris are being hugely overestimated atm because people are crediting them for the improvement in McLaren’s car, forgetting that Sainz compared unfavorably to Hulkenberg and Norris was easily beaten by Russell just the previous year. If McLaren are better than Renault again this year, I expect Ricciardo to switch unless he gets offered a seat at Ferrari or Mercedes.
Cristiano Ferreira
14th February 2020, 2:38
Maybe Ricciardo or Vettel can sign for McLaren, unless Red Bull decides they want to bring one of them aboard again.
I doubt we are going to see big moves until the end of 2021. That’s when the pecking order will be more or less clear.
Jake
14th February 2020, 5:58
I could honestly see Vettel going back to RBR, but only if Verstappen were to leave. I think it would do a lot for his confidence and his form would probably improve if he rid himself of all the baggage that comes with racing for Ferrari.
Drop Sochi
14th February 2020, 3:53
S5000 going to shame F1 for spectacle, even if just for a few laps! can’t wait to see Rubens back at it!
Pironi the Provocateur (@pironitheprovocateur)
14th February 2020, 7:05
I take it for 100% granted that there will be no change at McLaren, Ferrari and Renault the next season, it doesn’t make sense for any of the drivers. Vettel is a very reliable asset for Ferrari no matter what the haters say, he will sign for one more year and then, if the relationship with Leclerc doesn’t improve and McLaren will come good next season, there might be a possibility for a swap with Sainz. Currently I can’t imagine a better colleague for Leclerc than Sainz, and Vettel is the type of driver for whom McLaren might be an ideal place to work at – methodic style of work, efective structure for the future and moreover, he knows Andreas Seidl from his days at BMW. Danny Ric won’t go to McLaren, he already missed his chance in 2018.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
14th February 2020, 8:41
A shame that Rebellion cease its racing activities. They say it raised dramatically the brand awareness, but I didn’t know Rebellion was anything but racing. Looking at the website, they appear to make watches and repair and maintain performance and luxury cars.
I guess it’s a logical move for them but at the same time WEC will feel empty without those excellent privateers.
budchekov (@budchekov)
15th February 2020, 14:56
Yep, real sad, they will be missed, but Robert driving in DTM guarantees I’ll be watching DTM this year, great news.
Jere (@jerejj)
14th February 2020, 13:37
The tweet, though. I don’t really get it.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
14th February 2020, 18:07
@jerejj – Ocon’s now with Renault, but it appears the Mercedes team’s marketing/media team sent him the timetable (they likely didn’t remove him from their distribution list once he went off to Renault).
One can only hope that the technical department don’t email him the driver’s manual for the car ;)