Today's F1 news reveals Christian Horner as the Red Bull team's top dog and the world reacts to Felipe Massa's lawsuit.
With Massa's lawsuit rocking the F1 world yesterday, there was a short break between races and it was time to turn our attention to other matters.
Christian Horner's defiant call to Red Bull Rebels
Horner appears to have survived the worst of the attempts to oust him as team principal, and now that his position is secured, he wants everyone to know he's the boss.
After Max Verstappen appeared to be threatening to retire, Horner said there was no greater player than Red Bull.
“There is no individual greater than the team,” he said.
“We have a phenomenal car. We have one seat left open for next year. There are probably 16 drivers who are dying to be in that car next year.”
read more: “I will lead this team” – Christian Horner clarifies the roles of Verstappen and Marco Red Bull
Felipe Massa's lawsuit is 'ridiculous', ex-McLaren staff say
Massa yesterday admitted he had launched legal action against various F1 officials, but the decision was branded “ridiculous” by McLaren's former communications director Matt Bishop.
Bishop believes someone persuaded Massa to do it, and says the point of the lawsuit is money, not title.
“I know Felipe Massa. He drives well and is a nice person.
“But in my view, and this is just my speculation and I’m not speaking with absolute certainty, I think somebody got a shovel and said, “This is my guess. 'We can do something for you here, we can make you a lot of money.'
“And of course, what they really want to do is make a lot of money, maybe as a lawyer.
read more: Felipe Massa slams 2008 F1 title scandal as 'ridiculous': 'He just wants a Wonga wedge'
Key to Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari revealed
Winning races would instantly endear Lewis Hamilton to the Ferrari faithful, but former race engineer Rob Smedley believes there is another secret weapon the future driver could use.
“I think Lewis is a driver who will definitely succeed in that environment,” he told PlanetF1.com.
“He has a duty to himself and to his employers to integrate himself as much as possible into society. If he learns to speak any Italian, they will definitely But no matter what he spends, if he puts in 100 percent, he'll get 100 percent back.”
read more: How Lewis Hamilton can make the Ferrari Tifosi 'absolutely adore' him
Question marks emerge over Lando Norris' jump start
Anyone who watched the street lights go out in Jeddah would have noticed Lando Norris's Papaya car lurch forward and then quickly come to a stop.
It appeared to be a slam dunk penalty for the jump start, but the stewards ignored it as the McLaren driver was not detected by the sensors.
It was this turn of events that baffled Sky Sports pundit Anthony Davidson.
“He jumps and is obviously outside the start box. And as far as I understand the rules, I'm not a driver steward, but if you start outside the box, that's a penalty,” he said. Ta.
“Maybe he stopped the car and really lost that jump start from a sporting standpoint.
“Maybe they took pity on him. I don't know, but I would love to talk to the stewards to understand the theory and thinking behind it.”
read more: F1 pundit baffled by steward's 'sympathy' for revealing Lando Norris' jump start
Mercedes boss is “considering options'' regarding possibility of moving to Ferrari
Hamilton has already been linked with a move to Ferrari, and another name likely to join him is Toto Wolff's second-in-command Jerome D'Ambrosio.
The Belgian has reportedly agreed a contract with Squadria, but Wolff said he is “considering options”.
“I think he's with us now and this situation is more of a personal reason for him considering his options of what to do and I think that's something he should talk about.” Wolff said.
“But everything is fine, everything is fine, let's see what happens.”
read more: Toto Wolff's key lieutenant is 'considering options' with a view to potentially joining Ferrari to follow Lewis Hamilton
