F1 Gossip: Hamilton’s Mercedes future in fresh doubt?

In today's Formula 1 gossip column, Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes future cast into fresh doubt, UK-based F1 teams answer government call in bid to combat ventilator shortage, and Vietnam hopeful of new race date within the next two months. 

- Lewis Hamilton’s future at Mercedes could be cast into fresh doubt after his boss Toto Wolff was absent from a key conference call on Thursday, as rumours linking Wolff to a role at Aston Martin pick up (The Daily Mail) 

- A number of Formula 1 teams are working with government and health authorities to increase the supply of ventilators during the ongoing coronavirus crisis (BBC) 

- The promoters of the postponed Vietnam Grand Prix hope to be in a position to announce a new date for the country’s inaugural race within the next two months (RaceFans) 

- Formula 1’s support categories, Formula 2 and Formula 3 have postponed its upcoming rounds in Zandvoort, Barcelona and Monaco, as well as planned in-season tests, in response to the coronavirus outbreak (Motorsport Week) 

- Ex-Formula 1 driver Pedro De La Rosa believes McLaren’s 2007 line-up consisting of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso was the “strongest there’s ever been” in F1 (Formula 1) 

- Monza, home of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, has donated €10,000 to health facilities in Lombardy - the worst-affected region of northern Italy - to help combat the country’s ongoing coronavirus crisis.

- The Silverstone circuit has pledged to fully refund any ticket holders in the event that this year’s British Grand Prix is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.