Mercedes rule out 2021 move for Vettel
Htechnical director says there is no reason to change line-up hhamilton fastest in opening practice for Hungarian GP
Mercedes want to give Lewis Hamilton the stage to become Formula One’s greatest-ever driver after ruling out a move for Ferrari exile Sebastian Vettel.
Hamilton, six points behind championship leader Valtteri Bottas, heads into tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix knowing that an eighth victory at the twisty Hungaroring track will take him to the top of Formula One’s standings.
Fresh from his dominant triumph in Austria a week ago, the six-time world champion was in menacing form again yesterday, topping the time charts in opening practice before heavy rain rendered the afternoon’s running meaningless.
The 35-year-old’s Mercedes deal expires in five months and, after saying he had not discussed financial details with boss Toto Wolff, he appears some way off putting pento-paper on a contract extension.
Four-time champion Vettel is looking for a seat for 2021 after being sidelined by Ferrari. Racing Point, the Silverstone-based team set to be rebranded as Aston Martin next year, is his likely destination, yet it is understood that the German, 33, has not given up hope of joining the all-conquering Silver Arrows if Hamilton cannot agree new terms.
But, speaking ahead of the third round of the season, Mercedes technical director James Allison seemed to kill off Vettel’s hopes. Hamilton’s inoffensive team-mate Bottas, meanwhile, looks certain to be retained for a fifth campaign.
“Why would we want to move away from a line-up that has produced such strong results?” Allison asked.
“There is a respect across the garage between our two drivers that has been evident for all to see. There is a level of performance from both men that many up and down the pit lane would envy.
“Why would we step away from something that is clearly working and try something which is fraught with perhaps opportunity, but lots of bear traps in it, too.”
Hamilton, who is attempting to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles, is primed to match another of the German’s feats here by winning at the same venue for the eighth time. Schumacher achieved that landmark at Magny-cours while driving a Ferrari in 2006.
Fast forward 14 years and Vettel’s Ferrari team embarked on the 260mile journey from the Austrian mountains deep in crisis after their double retirement at the Styrian Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc, now tasked by the Scuderia to end a 13-year championship drought, crashed into Vettel less than a mile into last Sunday’s race, taking out both scarlet cars.
While the Italian team have proved to be Mercedes’ closest rivals of the hybrid era, their machine this year is relatively slow. Vettel and Leclerc finished sixth and seventh respectively in practice yesterday, more than a second off Hamilton’s pace.
“Certainly the job is difficult,” said Mattia Binotto, the 50-year-old now in his second season as Ferrari team principal. “When you are not doing well, as we are not doing at the moment, you have a lot of external pressure.
“I was expecting difficult times in this job, but when you are in those times you should keep stability, keep focus, make the right decisions and move forward for something better.”
Binotto’s job does not appear in immediate danger but there are concerns among Ferrari’s hierarchy as to whether they have overpromoted a man who joined the team as an apprentice 25 years ago.
“Working at Ferrari is in many ways a joy,” added Allison, who had two spells with them before helping to mastermind Mercedes’ unprecedented success.
“The country is so pro the team, the brand is so strong and so, too, is the history and the heritage. You feel as though you are part of something important.
“That is a real strength but it is also the team’s biggest burden because, along with that affection and joy comes a great deal of pressure when things are going poorly.
“Internally, Ferrari’s top-down leadership style tends to result in short-term decision making, leading it astray instead of building fundamental strength that will carry the team from year-to-year.”
Last night, the sport confirmed its first two positive Covid-19 results. It is understood that the individuals are not employed by any of the 10 teams and they have since been removed from the sport’s bubble.
F1 is operating under strict Covid-19 rules to ensure the races can go ahead, with personnel being tested every four days.