[forzaferrari]

   

[PapaofGags]

Hamilton, Mercedes dismiss F1 future rumours.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have dismissed the latest rumours surrounding their respective futures in Formula 1.

With the reigning world champion outfit quietly setting its sights on a seventh F1 title double this year, there have been numerous reports since the start of the year suggesting its driver line-up and future may not be secure.

Various stories over recent days have claimed that talks between Hamilton and Mercedes over a new contract had stalled over pay – with the inference being that such an impasse could prompt the Englishman to switch to Ferrari from 2021.

However, posting on Instagram, Hamilton rubbished any talk of a clash over contracts, as he confirmed that discussions had not even started with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

"FYI Toto and I have not even spoken about contract yet,” he said. “Nothing is being negotiated currently, papers making up stories."

The speculation about Hamilton comes amid fresh rumours about Mercedes’ own long-term future in the sport, which is not guaranteed until it signs a new Concorde Agreement.

A report in Autocar this week said that Mercedes was poised to discuss a withdrawal from F1 at the next board meeting of parent firm Daimler, which it suggested would take place on February 12.

However, it's understood that no meeting has been scheduled for that date, and the chief executive of Daimler also shot down any suggestion that company was getting ready to withdraw from F1.

Asked by Reuters at a German Auto Industry annual reception in Berlin if Mercedes was preparing to pull out of F1, Daimler CEO Ola Kaellenius said simply: “Not true.”

[forzaferrari]

The FIA say they are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus outbreak in Asia, and say they are evaluating the race calendar.

With Australia, Vietnam and China due to hold Grands Prix in the early part of 2020 with races in March and April, the FIA has said they are monitoring the situation on the ground: “Following the coronavirus epidemic that broke out in China at the beginning of the year, the FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gérard Saillant.”

In their statement, the FIA said they “will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public.”

Should it be necessary based on the outbreaks, its entirely possible that some races could face cancellation or postponement, with the most likely candidates being the new Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi and the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Formula E could also be affected, with the Sanya ePrix scheduled for March 21.

Travel restrictions are currently in place in the affected Hubei region of China, including suspended flight services into mainland China. British Airways have cancelled all flights to mainland China, while the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised its citizens not to travel to China unless strictly necessary. The ECDC says it is closely monitoring the situation for Europe.

[Antilochos]

The waiting. Every year it seems longer before the F1 season starts again...

[forzaferrari]

The waiting. Every year it seems longer before the F1 season starts again...

Yep but we are getting there slowly but surely Anti....only 2 weeks until the launch`s, 3 to the first test & 6 weeks to 1st race weekend....not that im counting 

[PapaofGags]

Racing Point Formula 1 owner Lawrence Stroll is one of two bidders for a 20% stake in troubled sportscar brand Aston Martin, according to a report in the Financial Times. (Autosport)

Stroll, who led a consortium that bought the beleaguered Force India team - which has since become Racing Point - in 2018, could be announced as an Aston Martin investor as early as Friday.

However, the Canadian faces strong competition from Chinese manufacturer Geely, which is also keen to acquire a shareholding in Aston.

According to the Financial Times, the two rival bids were to be considered at a board meeting on Thursday evening.

Both interested parties are said to be willing to pay £200million for a 20% stake in the company, and would be able to invest some money immediately, while the details are finalised.

Aston Martin is in urgent need of extra funding.

Its share price has fallen dramatically and its profits have been squeezed since an initial public offering in October 2018, and Aston recently issued a profits warning, stating that its final 2019 numbers would be worse than had been anticipated.

The company also confirmed it "remains in discussions with potential strategic investors, which may or may not involve an equity investment into the company."

The FT says that the decision on which investor to go with could be swayed by what else they can bring to the table.

Geely, which already owns or has significant stakes in Lotus, Proton and Volvo, has an obvious interest in technical partnerships across its brands.

Stroll has his motorsport connections, with an Aston Martin link to his Racing Point team having been mooted some weeks ago.

[forzaferrari]

   

[PapaofGags]

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he "trusts" Formula One bosses to make the right call as the coronavirus threatens the Chinese Grand Prix.

“Look, the FIA is the regulator, the Liberty is promoter. They are responsible for the health and wellbeing of not just the drivers in F1, but all the staff, and all of the travelling members of the media.

"I'm sure they'll take the necessary due diligence before making any commitment about either delaying or postponing or cancelling the race. So we have to trust their judgement and their knowledge."

Horner added: "We keep a very close eye on the situation which will be on the agenda on Wednesday's strategy meeting where we will get the next update.”

[NeilP]

I do not see in all conscience how they could go there at that time of the year. maybe move it to after Abu Dhabi if contracts and weather allow. One less race is not going to kill the season!

[forzaferrari]

I do not see in all conscience how they could go there at that time of the year. maybe move it to after Abu Dhabi if contracts and weather allow. One less race is not going to kill the season!

....they could race in NBC suits & gas masks