F1 Gossip: Sao Paulo wants date change, 'great options' for Russell/Bottas

- Organisers of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix want the event moved from the weekend of November 7 to November 14 in order to coincide with Brazil’s national holiday (MotorsportWeek)

Despite its high COVID-19 casualty race, the governor of Sao Paulo, Joao Doria, insists the Interlagos race can go ahead as planned this year with full capacity and compulsory masks enforced for all fans.

- Toto Wolff believes both George Russell and Valtteri Bottas will have “great options" even if they don't end up driving for Mercedes in 2022 (GPFans) 

"George and Valtteri would have probably more than one option to stay in Formula 1 and race in Formula 1 with an attractive outlook," Wolff said. "Most teams see themselves as challenger teams, that they expect a big step to be done next year because of the cost cap that is now valid for everybody.

"They've concentrated on next year's development very early, you can see that Alfa, Williams haven't brought in a huge amount of pieces anymore for a while. I think George and Valterri would have, whatever we decide, great options.”

- Nico Rosberg has revealed he walked away from a nine-figure contract offer to remain in F1 after beating Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden world championship in 2016 (The Times, subscription required) 

- Charles Leclerc has admitted it took him almost a year to fully understand and adjust to the dynamic at Ferrari following his promotion from Sauber at the end of 2018 (F1.com) 

- Sebastian Vettel has provided his feedback on Pirelli’s new 18-inch tyres for 2022 after testing them for the first time after the British GP at Silverstone, with the four-time world champion citing visibility concerns (Auto Motor und Sport) 

- Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Nikita Mazepin is improving on pace compared to teammate Mick Schumacher (RaceFans) 

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A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)

Holidays Until next time pic.twitter.com/KtCBZuVNvm

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) August 13, 2021

Amazing night yesterday!! Thanks @PSG_inside !! Great win and so happy to be back at the stadium!! ALLEZ PARIS pic.twitter.com/iOSxChLgKT

— PIERRE GASLY (@PierreGASLY) August 15, 2021

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Max Verstappen (@maxverstappen1)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc)