F1 Gossip: Ferrari “very flattered” by Hamilton’s interest

In today's F1 Gossip, Ferrari responds to Hamilton speculation, Scuderia targets female driver and Russian GP promoters confident 2020 race will go ahead despite ban.

- Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri is flattered Lewis Hamilton has shown an interest in moving to his team but says talk of such a move for 2021 is “totally premature” at this early stage (ESPN) 

- Meanwhile, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto insists Sebastian Vettel remains “central to our project” and is keen to sit down with the four-time world champion next year to discuss his future (Sky Sports) 

- Ferrari wants to add female racers to its expanding Formula 1 young driver programme as it looks to develop talent for the future (Reuters) 

- The promoters of the Russian Grand Prix say they are “confident” the race will go ahead in 2020 despite Russia’s four-year ban from all major sporting events (BBC) 

- Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s early 2020 form will influence any decisions he makes over his future for 2021 and beyond (RACER) 

- Aston Martin has confirmed it is in discussions with multiple potential investors after reports linked Racing Point Formula 1 owner Lawrence Stroll with a possible buy-in of the car manufacturer (RaceFans) 

- McLaren’s Lando Norris has come out on top in an Formula 1 fan vote to be crowned 2019’s Rookie of the Year, beating fellow debutants Alexander Albon and George Russell (Formula1.com) 

- Valtteri Bottas has completed his seat feat in a mock-up chassis of Mercedes’ W11 challenger ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season.

2020 seat fit One last day in the office this year for @ValtteriBottas! pic.twitter.com/BEkpmlZzal

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) December 13, 2019

- And Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen enjoyed a fancy dress-themed party to mark Sauber motorsport's end-of-year celebrations...

 

 

 

 

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Full blown circus today!

A post shared by Kimi Räikkönen (@kimimatiasraikkonen) on Dec 13, 2019 at 9:34am PST