Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Sunday, July 19.
Sunday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:
Another technical controversy for Racing Point
© Reuters
Another war front has opened up for the Racing Point team.
Already, Renault is tipped to lodge a second official protest against the Lawrence Stroll-owned team over its 'pink Mercedes' car.
Reports indicate that the investigation over whether the team illegally copied Mercedes' 2019 brake inlets, or actively collaborated with the reigning champions, will conclude next week.
Team boss Otmar Szafnauer is openly unimpressed.
"We know the rules very well and stick to them," he said in Hungary. "Having to justify ourselves time and time again is a waste of time.
"The FIA was at our factory in March and understood perfectly how we developed this car."
But that is not the only thing about Racing Point's technical strategy that is irking its rivals.
It is believed the team has found a loophole in the new 'token' system for 2021 that will govern limited upgrades for the otherwise frozen 2020 cars.
Racing Point, and also Alpha Tauri, are arguing that based on their alliances with Mercedes and Red Bull respectively, they can use parts of the works teams' 2020 cars next year without using the tokens.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Finland's MTV Sport: "We have a customer-supplier relationship with Racing Point, and we know what the rules are."
Ferrari, though, is not happy.
"I think we are not fully happy that there are teams that can upgrade their entire package from a 2019 to a 2020 package," boss Mattia Binotto said in Hungary.
"That I believe would be unfair, because we've got only two tokens and everybody should be limited to that."
Unsurprisingly, Renault agrees.
"The system has some flaws, unfortunately," Renault's executive director Marcin Budkowski said.
"There's a loophole there that would allow a couple of teams to benefit and it's something we're discussing with the FIA and the other teams."
Wolff scoffs at Binotto's engine power claims
© Reuters
Toto Wolff used an expletive to describe his feelings about Ferrari's apparent engine power drop from 2019 to 2020.
Teams were already unhappy with Ferrari for refusing to release the details of the Maranello outfit's secret agreement with the FIA, following last year's engine legality saga.
But now Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto claims the other engine manufacturers in F1 also suffered similar performance drops as a result of the clarified rules.
"I don't think it's just us," he said. "Looking at the power output of this season, many others - most of the manufacturers - somehow had to adapt themselves."
On the face of it, that would appear a dubious claim, as the Mercedes-powered Racing Point of Lance Stroll is a full 10kph faster in a straight line than the works Ferraris on the short straight in Hungary.
Wolff, who described Binotto's account as a "total bull**it" story", confirms that while Ferrari's power went down from 2019 to 2020, Mercedes' went up.
"First of all, those directives only stated what was already part of the regulations," he said. "That limited one competitor at most."
Wolff added that Ferrari's immense performance prior to the FIA clarifications meant the designers at Mercedes had to work overtime in 2019.
"They almost forced us into burnout to counteract it, with the ironic result that we have now taken a decent step with our engine," he said.
Pierre Gasly, who drives for Honda-powered Alpha Tauri, was asked by a reporter on Saturday if it is true that the other manufacturers also suffered as a result of the clarified rules.
He said of Ferrari: "I think last year they had an incredibly fast car, and now it's as fast as everyone else's."
More transfer news from Formula 1:
Wolff slams Ferrari over Concorde comments
Toto Wolff has slammed Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto for making "ridiculous" comments in Hungary about the new Concorde Agreement. Read more.
Wolff 'not involved' in Vettel-Aston Martin talks
Mercedes' 2021 driver lineup appears to now be set in stone. Read more.
Albon has 'huge support from Thailand' - Gasly
Sebastian Vettel says he is still yet to decide how to proceed with his life in 2021 and beyond after being dropped by Ferrari. Read more.
2020 Red Bull car design 'in wrong direction' - Marko
As Ferrari and now Red Bull notably struggle, Mercedes are racing "in a different universe". Read more.
Lewis Hamilton humbled after claiming 90th pole
The Briton edged team-mate Valtteri Bottas in qualifying on another day of domination for Mercedes. Read more.
Lewis Hamilton claims pole at dominant Hungarian Grand Prix for Mercedes
The Briton edged Valtteri Bottas to claim his 90th career pole. Read more.
Valtteri Bottas edges Lewis Hamilton in final practice for Hungarian Grand Prix
The Mercedes were the class of the field on Saturday morning. Read more.
Corona cases to have 'no impact' on Hungary GP
Two people have tested positive to Covid-19 in the Hungaroring paddock. Read more.
Wolff ponders becoming Vettel's manager
Toto Wolff thinks he would "get along very well" if he were to become Sebastian Vettel's new manager. Read more.
Carlos Sainz insists he will not be pressured to kneel for Black Lives Matter. Read more.
Ferrari's Binotto has 'support of my bosses'
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto says he thinks he will keep his job. Read more.
Grosjean apologises for Haas future comments
Romain Grosjean has backtracked after saying Haas' future in Formula 1 is an "elephant in the room". Read more.
Red Bull went 'wrong way' with 2020 car - Doornbos
Red Bull went "the wrong way" with development of its 2020 car, according to former team driver Robert Doornbos. Read more.
Pink Mercedes 'positive' for F1 - Grosjean
Romain Grosjean says it might be "cool" for Haas to explore a 'pink Mercedes'-type solution in the future. Read more.
