After appearing to be at a disadvantage for a few races prior to the British GP, Mercedes got a performance boost after introducing a few upgrades in Silverstone. Rumors have now surfaced that Red Bull feel that these upgrades flout the rules and they have now filed a complaint with the FIA and that Ferrari too have taken Red Bull’s side

Link to poll: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgxmYz0XAwgfmrXFENh4AaABCQ
0:00 - Red Bull File Complaint Against Mercedes
1:36 - Rapid Rumours

According to Michael Schmidt of Auto, Motor und Sport, there have been rumors from the Spa weekend that Red Bull have filed a complaint with the FIA against Mercedes and that Ferrari too have joined in this complaint

Schmidt explained what the complaint is all about

“They [Mercedes] somehow manage to cool down the air in the plenum in the acceleration phase. This produces significantly more horsepower in that phase, but not as much by the end. This could be true when you see how Mercedes come out of the corners”

He further revealed the supposed crux of the issue

“I don't think you're allowed to be below ten degrees [in terms of outside temperature] and Red Bull claims the sensors are in a place where it's always made sure it's warm enough”

Allegedly, Red Bull want the introduction of additional sensors to make sure that this difference of 10 degrees isn’t flouted by strategically placing the current sensors to ensure compliance


Rapid Rumors

Valtteri Bottas has may have already signed his contract for next year as teased by him using the stories feature of Instagram

Allegedly, Bottas will replace Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo [Racing News 365]

These rumors further suggest that this isn’t the only change taking place at Alfa Romeo. Apparently, Antonio Giovinazzi’s time at the team will also come to an end

There are a few names being suggested as a possible teammate for Bottas at Alfa Romeo. One of them supposedly is Formula E champion Nyck de Vries

Apparently, the close ties between Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur has facilitated this move

Other names ostensibly include Callum Ilott and Theo Pourchaire. Giovinazzi, meanwhile, is expected to join Ferrari’s Hypercar programme for the World Endurance Championship

Rumors have surfaced that “there is absolute fury internally at the naivety of Lewis's [Hamilton] comments” about only two laps behind the safety car deciding the results of the Belgian GP being financially motivated [Daily Mail]

“He talks about handing back millions of pounds to fans, though he makes millions out of Formula 1, and it guarantees his team's job, and he gives little or nothing back himself”

“He could have expressed his opinions privately rather than in the way he did, which makes no sense”, this Daily Mail report alleges

Williams CEO Jost Capito does “not want to hang on to [George Russell], because he deserves to be in a car that can win the Championship” [Channel 4]

“As he can win the Championship, he deserves a car that can win the Championship and he can do that in the Mercedes”

Jost is further “convinced he will come back in a couple of years and win the Championship with [Williams]”

Alex Albon is allegedly Williams’s first choice to replace Russell for next year which may bring his association with Red Bull to an end [Motorsport’s Italian Wing]

The FIA is apparently unsure about allowing DRS at the Arie Luyendyk corner in Zandvoort. They will purportedly make a decision after the first couple of sessions of the Dutch GP weekend [De Telegraaf]



Are Jost Capito’s recent statements hinting that George Russell has already signed with Mercedes?