F1 Gossip: Alfa Romeo set to announce Bottas’ teammate after Brazil

- Alfa Romeo F1 team boss Frédéric Vasseur says the team will announce its second driver alongside Valtteri Bottas after this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

In an interview on the Canal + Twitch channel, Vasseur revealed that the announcement will be on the Tuesday after the race in Brazil.

Chinese F2 driver Guanyu Zhou is understood to be leading contender for the drive after Andretti’s takeover of the team didn’t happen.

- Aston Martin CEO Otmar Szafnauer has been linked with a sensational switch to Alpine.

According to Autohebdo, current Alpine race director Davide Brivio could be tempted back to MotoGP, meaning there’s a vacancy at the French outfit.

Aston Martin has already signed Martin Whitmarsh - who was formerly team principal of McLaren - as the company’s group CEO.

- Rumours of a London Grand Prix have re-surfaced with the Daily Mail reporting that there are plans to build to host a grand prix and develop a new sports and entertainment complex at the Royal Docks in the borough of Newham. (Daily Mail)

- F1 has banned celebrities from bringing bodyguards to the starting grid after an incident with Sky commentator Martin Brundle at the United States Grand Prix. (ESPN)

- A representative of Nikita Mazepin has denied claims that he was kicked out of a nightclub following the Mexico City Grand Prix. (TASS)

The Haas driver was spotted in a nightclub together with George Russell and Alex Albon.

A video was then released showing Mazepin talking to the nightclub’s security guards.

- Bottas has spoken about the differences between him and Lewis Hamilton as he bows out of Mercedes after five years.

Speaking on the ‘Beyond the Grid’ podcast, he said: "I would say the biggest difference between me and Lewis in recent years was that he's always been able to perform at a high level, he rarely had bad weekends," Bottas explained.

"He obviously had some, but less than me, and it is impressive how he can always be there, no matter what conditions, which track, what life situation, whatever. Once he gets in the car, he always delivers."

The Finn also had some advice for Russell - the man who will replace him from 2022.

"Give yourself a bit of leeway, don't think too short-term," Bottas added. There's always so much to learn and take things step by step.

"He's a talented driver and he's going to have a great team to support him and he's alongside Lewis who he'll be able to learn from so I don't think I need to give him too much advice.

"Maybe the mistake I made was I was a little too harsh on myself in the beginning but I'm sure he'll be fine."