Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Tuesday, September 1.
Tuesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Police eject more F1 fans from Spa
© Reuters
Belgian federal police used heat-tracing technology to clamp down on fans watching Sunday's action at Spa-Francorchamps from nearby wooded areas.
The news comes just a day after police turned away from the track a full bus-load of Max Verstappen fans from Holland.
The Dutch publication Formule 1 reports that Belgian police even released heat-seeking images taken from a helicopter depicting fans in nearby forests.
"Some attempts to gain access to the circuit were thwarted thanks to the technological means deployed," the Belgian federal police confirmed.
"Thank you to those fans who respected this closed event."
Monza could be even 'worse' for Ferrari - Leclerc
© Reuters
Monza could be even "worse" for crisis-struck Ferrari, according to Charles Leclerc.
Actually, team boss Mattia Binotto has hit back at the 'crisis' tag, even though most observers of the Belgian GP were left scrambling to recall a more worrying situation for the Maranello team.
"I think it's wrong to talk about a crisis," team boss Mattia Binotto told Sky Italia. "There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a storm."
Many suspect that Spa simply made plainly obvious how much Ferrari lost when it reached its secret agreement with the FIA in the wake of the 2019 engine legality scandal.
Christian Horner said thinking about how many points Red Bull lost to a supposedly illegal engine last year had left him with a "bitter taste" as he departed Belgium.
"We don't want to throw oil in the fire," Mercedes' Toto Wolff agreed, "but last year and the year before we had to go so deep and work so hard and it cost us some people because of how hard they worked.
"That is why I agree with Christian," he said.
Binotto said: "We have lost some power compared to last year but everyone lost some power - us more than the others.
"Now we are seeing the limits of this car and as team principal I take responsibility."
He admits that Ferrari's home race at Monza this weekend will probably be more of the same, as it is "a power track".
Andrea Cremonesi, a top journalist for La Gazzetta dello Sport, wrote: "This Ferrari deserves a Monza behind closed doors."
Leclerc also sounded very downbeat after Sunday's race at Spa.
"We couldn't even overtake with DRS," he said. "It's bad, I don't know what else to say. We have to do something.
"We will have to find something and react, as it can't go on like this," Leclerc told Canal Plus. "Unfortunately at Monza it should be the same, if not worse, but it is part of my job to re-motivate the team now."
While the engine is getting most of the blame, Italian journalist Gianluca Gasparini points at the car, observing: "While rivals revolutionised in both chassis and engine, Ferrari only developed the 2018 car without correcting its weaknesses."
Even Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo and Haas are making progress relative to the works team.
"I think it's more a question of Ferrari being pushed backwards than us moving forwards," said Haas' Kevin Magnussen. "I heard something about Alfa and us gaining almost a second here compared to last year, while Ferrari lost four tenths."
More news from Formula 1:
FIA launch investigation into incident involving George Russell at Belgian Grand Prix
George Russell was travelling at 125mph when his car was hit by a wheel that had come off Antonio Giovinazzi's Alfa Romeo. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton: 'It's not my fault I'm so far ahead of rivals'
The Briton is closing in on Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles. Read more.
Honda to keep improving Red Bull's engine
Honda's technical boss admits the Japanese manufacturer needs to keep working to improve its power unit. Read more.
Ferrari 'likely' to court Mercedes' Cowell
Mercedes' engine guru Andy Cowell could make the switch to Ferrari, according to a respected Italian journalist. Read more.
Hamilton admits quitting French lessons
Lewis Hamilton admits he started to learn French - and then quickly gave it up. Read more.
Too soon to write off Kvyat - Petrov
It is too soon to write off Daniil Kvyat's Formula 1 career. Read more.
Pirelli can spice up F1 with soft tyres - Doornbos
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has a proposal to spice up what many observers are calling increasingly 'boring' races in Formula 1. Read more.
F1 owners Liberty 'a bit naive' - Marko
Dr Helmut Marko says the top bosses at F1's owner Liberty Media are often "a bit naive". Read more.
Ferrari needs 'very, very big step' for 2021 - Sainz
Carlos Sainz, who is moving to the Maranello team next year, says Ferrari needs to take a "very, very, very, very big step" with its engine for 2021. Read more.
FIA to investigate Giovinazzi crash
The FIA is investigating the way in which George Russell's car struck a flying wheel at high speed during the Belgian GP. Read more.
