Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Sunday, September 13.
Sunday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
New Williams boss not sure if position permanent
© Reuters
Williams' acting team principal says he is not sure if his new role will be made permanent.
Simon Roberts, who made a shock move from McLaren just three months ago, has received a surprisingly fast promotion to succeed departed team boss Claire Williams.
Roberts, who was operations director and chief operating officer at McLaren for almost 17 years, admits the speed of Williams' sale also caught him by surprise.
"The speed of the sale surprised everyone - we had no feeling at all that this was about to happen," he said at Mugello.
"I would have liked Claire to stay, although I understand why she is confident that her decision is right. Everyone will miss her."
When asked if he expected to be a F1 team boss just three months after leaving McLaren, Roberts answered: "I certainly did not.
"I came for the position of managing director, which really suits me, and I was determined to cooperate with Claire and Mike O'Driscoll."
Five days ago, O'Driscoll announced his intention to retire.
"In Formula 1, changes can happen very quickly and it's so difficult to predict what lies ahead," Roberts added. "Given the level at which the team is at now, we all understand that our work is just beginning."
So when asked if the 'acting' label will soon be deleted from his current team boss title, he admitted: "To be honest, we have not discussed this at all.
"I have already met the new owners of the team, but for now this is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to maintain stability, work with all of our people and start moving forward."
Mercedes quiet amid $900m F1 team buyout claims
© Reuters
Mercedes is refusing to comment on reports that its dominant works Formula 1 team is lining up an almost $900 million sale.
The latest speculation has been triggered by comments made by former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan, who thinks Mercedes will be bought by Ineos.
In February, Mercedes did a major sponsorship deal with the British chemicals company that is run by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
"The contract with Ineos is the cornerstone of our future plans for participation in Formula 1," team boss Toto Wolff said at the time.
Since then, rumours have swirled not only about the future of the Brackley based team, but that of its boss Wolff.
"I am still in a year of reflection," Wolff insisted at Mugello.
"Eight years as a team boss takes its toll, but I love this team and get on fantastically with Ola Kallenius. I think this is where I belong and you can be sure that I will be involved in one way or another.
"It is also important to make the right decision for me and my family," he added.
If Mercedes is negotiating a sale, and Wolff's position at the team will change, that would explain why Lewis Hamilton is yet to agree a new deal for 2021.
"We haven't looked at the contract for the last three years. We never took it out of the drawer," Wolff said when asked about Hamilton's expiring deal at Mugello.
"Sometimes situations and environments change and it is a time for another part of the journey that we want to do together."
So when asked when the Hamilton contract will finally be taken out of the drawer, Wolff added: "We are working on it, but I don't want to accept a certain deadline.
"We get along great, it just takes time to get all the details together. Currently we are one race after another, but there is a gap between Mugello and Sochi."
Meanwhile, when asked about the Ineos takeover rumours, a Mercedes spokesperson said: "We ask for your understanding that we don't comment on rumour and speculation."
More news from Formula 1:
Horner admits looking at driver 'options'
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits he is looking into the team's "options" for its driver lineup for 2021. Read more.
Marko denies Newey-Aston Martin rumours
Red Bull has denied it could be about to lose legendary F1 car designer Adrian Newey. Read more.
Schumacher to be in F1 'soon' - Vasseur
Mick Schumacher has given his chances of a 2021 F1 debut a big boost by taking the lead in the F2 championship at Mugello. Read more.
Vettel can quit Aston Martin after 2021 - report
Sebastian Vettel has not signed a fixed long-term contract with Aston Martin, according to Bild newspaper. Read more.
On this day in 2007: Spygate scandal rocks Formula 1
Confidential technical information was passed between the McLaren, Ferrari and Renault F1 teams. Read more.
'Good chance' of 2021 debut for Schumacher - Binotto
Mick Schumacher has a "good chance" of stepping up to Formula 1 in 2021. Read more.
New teams must pay F1 rivals $200m
New Formula 1 entrants will have to pay $200 million to the existing teams in order to enter the sport, according to a clause in the new Concorde Agreement. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton beats Valtteri Bottas to Tuscan Grand Prix pole
Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third in qualifying. Read more.
Todt will not stop 'reverse grid' decision
Jean Todt says he will not block Formula 1 from adopting a controversial 'reverse grid' format in 2021. Read more.
Valtteri Bottas dominates practice for Tuscan Grand Prix
Max Verstappen and world champion Lewis Hamilton were second and third respectively. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton expecting gruelling race after taking Tuscan Grand Prix pole
He edged out Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in qualifying with Max Verstappen third. Read more.
Seidl plays down McLaren factory sale
Andreas Seidl has played down news that McLaren's iconic headquarters will be sold. Read more.
Portimao to welcome 45,000 F1 spectators
As many as 45,000 spectators per day could attend the first Formula 1 race at Portimao next month. Read more.
