Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Monday, December 14.
Monday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Red Bull poised to complete F1 teams' lineups
© Reuters
Red Bull is now poised to complete the driver lineups of its two Formula 1 teams.
Even though the news is not official, Daniil Kvyat freely admits that he is losing his Alpha Tauri seat to Honda-backed Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda.
"I don't think I will be here next year," the Russian told the Spanish broadcaster Movistar.
"They told me they want a young driver - Tsunoda. So in 2021 I want to relax. There's a lot of pressure here - in Formula 1 and in Alpha Tauri.
"I want to return in 2022," Kvyat added, "but everyone needs a rest now. It was a difficult year and for me the break can be even longer than usual."
Dr Helmut Marko - Red Bull's key driver decision-maker - said at the weekend that his schedule is to fly to England on Monday.
He will then wait to receive the information about Tsunoda's Alpha Tauri test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday before making the call about 2021 - also with regards to the senior team's lineup.
Marko said in Abu Dhabi that Nico Hulkenberg is still a "candidate" to replace Alex Albon alongside Max Verstappen - but the momentum appears to be with another candidate, Sergio Perez.
"We have all the data," Marko told Sky Deutschland.
"We will calmly analyse it all and then report on the decision before Christmas. Hulkenberg is still a candidate, but we have much less data on him compared to the others."
The final candidate to be Verstappen's teammate next year is the incumbent, British-born Thai driver Albon who finished the season strongly.
"He did a very good job today - it was probably one of his strongest race weekends this season," team boss Christian Horner said.
"He gave us good information that we will now analyse before deciding how to proceed. As soon as we have decided, we will let you know. It shouldn't take long."
Hamilton set for contract talks 'this week'
© Reuters
Lewis Hamilton is finally ready to sit down for talks about his 2021 contract.
The issue has long been delayed this year, but with the season now over and the seven time world champion recovered from covid-19, Hamilton is ready to talk.
"I'm sure we will start talking about the future this week," he said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
"We had an exchange of emails already in recent days and we said we will talk about it again," Hamilton told Sky Italia.
"I will stay here for the next two days and we hope to be able to conclude the negotiations, also taking advantage of the two weeks before Christmas. It would be a nice gift for everyone."
After qualifying and finishing third in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton admits he was "massively" affected physically by his recent covid-19 illness.
But Red Bull's dominant race winner Max Verstappen said he had also heard that both Hamilton and his teammate Valtteri Bottas' engines were "turned down" on Sunday.
"I wonder if Mercedes was giving a small Christmas present to the others," former F1 driver JJ Lehto wondered to Iltalehti newspaper.
Bottas said: "Honestly, I wasn't aware that the engine was turned down."
More news from Formula 1:
Lewis Hamilton "blown away" by Silverstone decision
It is the only part of the track to be named after a driver. Read more.
McLaren secure £185m boost and finish third in Formula One's constructors' championship
A consortium led by an American investment firm is to take a significant minority stakeholding. Read more.
Result: Max Verstappen secures impressive win at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
World champion Lewis Hamilton finished third under the lights at Yas Marina. Read more.
McLaren handed £185m investment by MSP Sports Capital
McLaren are Britain's most successful Formula One team. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton 'grateful to be alive' after returning to action
The seven-time world champion missed the only race of his 14-season F1 career at the Sakhir Grand Prix last weekend with coronavirus. Read more.
F1's covid boss hopes for 'normal' 2021
Formula 1 is hoping for a 2021 season that is "as normal as possible". Read more.
2020 finale among most 'boring' races ever
Sunday's 2020 finale in Abu Dhabi may have been one of the most boring grands prix of all time. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton keen to have F1 future resolved by Christmas
The seven-time world champion is keen to sign a contract extension with Mercedes. Read more.
