Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Saturday, November 14.
Saturday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Two F1 drivers eye 2021 sabbaticals
© Reuters
Two current Formula 1 drivers are floating the possibility of taking sabbaticals in 2021.
Alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez is in the running to replace the struggling Alex Albon at Red Bull - but the team is giving its current driver until the end of the season to claim the seat.
"We can only wait - let's see what happens," Mexican Perez said in Turkey.
"Obviously I would like to know what I am doing but everything has been dragged out. It's almost December," he added.
"My future in Formula 1 will be decided very late, so I think taking a break for a year is one option."
It's a similar story for Daniil Kvyat, who looks set to be replaced at Alpha Tauri by the Honda and Red Bull-backed Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda.
"My philosophy is that it's always important to keep working hard no matter what," Russian driver Kvyat is quoted by Tass news agency.
"The better I do, the more chances I have - if not in 2021, then in 2022," Kvyat added.
"Everything worked out for me in Imola and so the goal is to have a few more races like that and then everything will be fine.
"There are some things in my control, like when I am driving, and there are some things that I cannot really influence," he said.
Hamilton says Istanbul conditions 'terrifying'
© Reuters
Lewis Hamilton has described track conditions in Istanbul this weekend as "terrifying".
Formula 1 has not used the Turkish venue since 2011, but Istanbul stepped up at the eleventh hour to help the sport through its corona crisis.
The circuit was resurfaced just two weeks ago, and it provided an unprecedented lack of grip when the drivers began practicing on Friday.
"I've never experienced so little grip," said Pierre Gasly.
Max Verstappen added: "I was having wheel spin from first gear until fifth."
After the sun went down on Friday, amateur video footage was captured of multiple road-going cars driving and weaving around the circuit to generate grip ahead of Saturday's action.
"If it rains for qualifying, we will need tyres with spikes," Verstappen - fastest in his Red Bull on Friday - joked.
World champion Lewis Hamilton is notably off the pace so far, describing the sensation of driving at Istanbul this year as "terrifying".
"It's s**t with a capital S," the Mercedes driver added.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "Mercedes will certainly get closer to us, but it looks like it will be a crazy race on Sunday.
"It's nice to see that we look competitive, but we are not even at the laptimes of almost a decade ago. If it rains tonight, it will be really slippery for qualifying."
More news from Formula 1:
Lewis Hamilton down in 15th in opening practice for Turkish Grand Prix
The Briton is looking to secure a seventh world title if he wins the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton criticises "s*** with a capital s" Turkish GP track
The Briton was unimpressed by the surface in practice on Friday. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton finishes fourth in Turkish GP practice
Red Bull's Max Verstappen completed a practice double on Friday. Read more.
Marko eyes 2022 'compromise' with departing Honda
Dr Helmut Marko will fly to Japan next week to discuss Red Bull's future with Honda. Read more.
F1 discussing wind tunnel ban from 2030
Formula 1 is discussing the possibility of banning wind tunnels from 2030. Read more.
Mazepin denies saying F1 team sale 'illegal'
A spokesperson for Dmitry Mazepin's company Uralkali has denied the wealthy Russian even said the Force India team sale of 2018 was "illegal". Read more.
Juri Vips denies eyeing Red Bull seat for 2021
Juri Vips has denied rumours that he could be on the cusp of a Formula 1 race debut in 2021. Read more.
Alonso to resume F1 testing on Sunday
A fully motivated Fernando Alonso will continue his preparations to return to Formula 1 next year with two days of testing in Abu Dhabi. Read more.
Hamilton bemoans "shocking" conditions as Verstappen tops final practice
Lewis Hamilton could secure a seventh world championship on Sunday. Read more.
