Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Wednesday, February 17.
Wednesday morning's Formula 1 news roundup
Vettel can be a 'hero again' in F1 - Rosberg
© Reuters
Sebastian Vettel can become "the hero again" as he moves on from his horror last seasons with Ferrari to race for Aston Martin in 2021.
That is the view of fellow German and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg.
"He needed a change," Rosberg told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper, when asked about quadruple world champion's move.
"He was in a negative spiral at Ferrari," he added. "At Aston Martin he will be the hero again and will be celebrated. He is still one of the best of all time."
Another former F1 race winner from Germany, Ralf Schumacher, agrees with Rosberg's assessment of Vettel's move to Aston Martin.
"If Sebastian has a car that he can merge with again, we can expect more from him again," he told f1-insider.com.
"It's about the details in Formula 1. You brake a little earlier here, accelerate a little later there, and you're already three tenths behind your teammate who is getting along better.
"In the race it all adds up even more," Schumacher added.
He thinks Vettel, 33, will also benefit from the switch from Ferrari to Mercedes power.
"It's not just the most powerful engine in the field, it's also the most drivable," said Schumacher.
Rosberg, though, expects his former teammate Lewis Hamilton to dominate again in 2021 at the wheel of the works Mercedes.
"He has incredible talent and the best car," he said.
"The fact that I beat him in the same car gives me extra confirmation of my own success."
Ricciardo 'not big step' as teammate - Norris
© Reuters
Lando Norris does not think having Daniel Ricciardo as his new McLaren teammate is a "big step".
Last year, as was also the case for his Formula 1 debut in 2019, the 21-year-old was paired with Carlos Sainz, who for 2021 has stepped up to Ferrari.
In the Spaniard's place is Ricciardo, who is a decade older than Norris and has won seven grands prix at Red Bull.
However, Norris said: "I don't think the arrival of Daniel will make it any harder for me. I worked with Carlos who is an extremely good driver and there are things Carlos is going to be better at than Daniel and vice-versa.
"I don't believe Daniel is a big step above anything that Carlos has achieved, and there is more pressure on him because he has been in Formula 1 for longer and he has to come in and perform very well."
Actually, Norris thinks it will be comparatively "harder" for Ricciardo at McLaren this year.
"It is harder for someone to go up against a much younger driver than it is for a younger driver going up against someone with more experience," he said.
"I am in that earlier phase of my career but I still need to perform very well, and there are no excuses for me anymore.
"I have more responsibility on me now than the past few years to lead the team," the Briton added.
Ricciardo, however, insisted that he still feels "young and energetic" even though his teammate is much younger.
"I think Lando and I are 10 years apart," he is quoted by L'Equipe. "It's crazy to think that this is my eleventh season in Formula 1. It's going fast.
"But even though it seems like a long time, I still feel young and energetic. And now I can benefit from all of that experience," the Australian added.
More news from Formula 1:
McLaren aerodynamic change 'striking' - pundit
The aerodynamic changes to Formula 1 cars for 2021 are "striking". Read more.
