Latest F1 news in brief

Bottas knows Mercedes is sandbagging and will dust everyone come Melbourne

Bottas 'not worried' about Ferrari's lead
Ricciardo denies 'running' from Verstappen
Vettel's younger brother joins Mercedes
Seeing a psychologist 'a strength' – Grosjean
McLaren drivers back driving role for Alonso
Lauda needs more time before F1 return – Marko
Bottas thinks overtaking easier in 2019
Lowe ignoring rumors about Williams future
Leclerc says his number 2 status 'logical'
Prost backs Ferrari over driver hierarchy

Bottas 'not worried' about Ferrari's lead

(GMM) As the 2019 winter tests approach their conclusion, Valtteri Bottas has admitted again that Ferrari continues to lead the pecking order.

Charles Leclerc set a blistering fastest time on Thursday, the penultimate test day in Barcelona, and also impressed on a so-called 'long run'.

"When we calculate everything, then Ferrari would have beaten us to the finish of a race by five seconds," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admitted to Auto Motor und Sport.

"That's the bitter pill. But the good news is that we were faster than Red Bull on both of their drivers' long runs," he added.

But that may not be the full story. One analysis in the paddock on Thursday is that Mercedes' 2019 car could be like its 2017 predecessor – a "diva".

In other words, even some midfield teams like Alfa Romeo reportedly believe that they are faster than Mercedes on occasions.

Bottas said: "The improvements we made for the second test have made the car better. Whether it's enough to be competitive in Australia remains a question mark.

"Ferrari is still very strong. Things can change for the start of the season, but when I look at our situation, it's clear that we can do more," the Finn added.

As for the claim that Mercedes' 2019 car might once again be a temperamental "diva" a la 2017, Bottas answered: "If that's how it is, it doesn't scare me.

"We are still right at the beginning with this car. As we progress, I'm not worried."

Bottas also doesn't deny that Red Bull might be slightly ahead of Mercedes as the circus prepares to move on to Australia.

"I don't think the difference between us and them (Red Bull) is massive," he said. "But Ferrari is ahead of us. I also think the whole field has moved closer together."

The big question now is whether Mercedes will stay the course with its current basic aerodynamic concept, or change direction completely to 'copy' Ferrari.

"I think Red Bull is asking the same question," team boss Wolff said.

He said the problem with that approach is that it could seriously compromise Mercedes at the start of the season.

"You would have to write off the first races because we would have to freeze our concept until the other one is ready," said Wolff.

Ricciardo denies 'running' from Verstappen

Daniel Ricciardo makes 3 times as much money at Renault – he moved to eventually retire with money

(GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has denied he is "running from a fight" with Max Verstappen in 2019.

Christian Horner, the Red Bull boss, made the claim in the new Netflix series Drive to Survive, when contemplating the reason Ricciardo fled to Renault.

"My assumption is that he is running from a fight," Horner said.

But Australian Ricciardo says that is wrong.

"I obviously say no, not true — I love a good fight," he told EFTM.

"It's more about me than Max and a lot of (other) reasons", Ricciardo said, explaining that he feared becoming frustrated by yet another passing year at Red Bull without a title.

"We never really got close. I'm not bitter about it, it's just the reality," he said.

"It wasn't about Max, I can understand why they'd say that but it's wrong."

But Ricciardo admits that, at least this year, he will be behind Red Bull.

"As you know, the gap to the top three is big so it's not going to happen overnight," he said.

Vettel's younger brother joins Mercedes

Fabian Vettel

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel's younger brother Fabian has joined Mercedes.

Bild newspaper reports that the younger Vettel has signed up to drive a Mercedes in the ADAC GT Masters series for 2019.

Given his brother's fight in F1 against the German marque, Fabian admits he initially had mixed feelings.

"Mercedes was always our opponent," he said. "It was like that practically for the whole family, because my brother has always raced against them, so in the beginning it was funny.

"But I have no problem that my brother battles Mercedes in formula one and I drive for them in the GT Masters," Fabian added.

As for what his Ferrari-driving brother thinks, Fabian Vettel answered: "Sebastian took it well and said 'If you have the opportunity, go for it!'"

Seeing a psychologist 'a strength' – Grosjean

Romain Grosjean admits seeing a 'shrink' helps

(GMM) Romain Grosjean says it is "a strength" to admit that he still consults with a psychologist.

The Frenchman first went to a psychologist in 2012, when he was banned for a race following a spate of accidents.

"I think it shows a strength to say that we are able to get help in areas where we are sometimes asking questions and not always having the answers," the Haas driver told RMC.

"It is not only the crazy ones who see a psych," Grosjean smiled.

He referred to Teddy Riner, a French judo competitor who also took a psychological approach to his sporting profession.

"I don't think Teddy Riner is crazy — he's a ten time world champion and Olympic champion, but he sees a psych and does not hide it," Grosjean, 32, added.

"I know that in sport now in France it is starting to develop more as we see the benefits."

McLaren drivers back driving role for Alonso

Lando Norris in the faster McLaren

(GMM) McLaren's race drivers do not have a problem with Fernando Alonso testing their car in 2019.

Alonso, who quit the team and sport at the end of last year but is now a test driver and ambassador, said he did not want to test in Barcelona because early mileage for Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris is "precious".

But team boss Zak Brown has agreed to let Alonso drive the 2019 car later this year.

"Having Fernando on the team is fantastic," rookie driver Norris is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo.

"He has experience, he thinks about things that I do not know yet and just being here has helped us," he said in Barcelona.

"Even when he doesn't drive, there are things that can help me with my driving or the performance of the car. We have to be grateful that he is part of the team again.

"Hopefully he can help us at some races too," added Norris.

Spaniard Sainz, a friend and protege of Alonso's, insists he wouldn't even have minded if the 37-year-old had tested in Barcelona.

"I wouldn't have worried," he said.

"Having a guy like Fernando testing the car is a good thing for the team. We think he's a very good reference for comparing this car with last year's."

Lauda needs more time before F1 return – Marko

Dr Helmut Marko

(GMM) Niki Lauda needs more time before he is ready to return to formula one.

That is the view of his friend and Austrian countryman Dr Helmut Marko, who says he misses his breakfast buddy in the Barcelona test paddock.

Although rivals, Marko says he has a "respectful friendship" with the F1 legend.

"It's an unfamiliar situation for me now. I'm lonely at breakfast and there's not someone who can replace him," Marko, a top Red Bull official, told RTL.

Hopes were high that Lauda, 70, could finally return to the paddock early in 2019 following his lung transplant of last year.

Marko, though, says the Mercedes team chairman needs more time.

"Thank God he is better, but it will take some time before he can be among so many people," he said.

Lauda's doctor Walter Klepetko said last week that Lauda cannot take the transcontinental flight to Melbourne, adding: "Large crowds are always a potential threat of infection".

Bottas thinks overtaking easier in 2019

Way out front, the Mercedes won't have to pass anyone

(GMM) Valtteri Bottas has joined a growing number of drivers who think overtaking will be easier in 2019.

Initially, there was great skepticism about the changes to the front wing rules for this year. Red Bull denounced it as a waste of EUR 15 million per team.

But some drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen, have reported positive findings after following rival cars during winter testing in Barcelona.

And Mercedes' Bottas says: "You can feel there is more drag, and that alone improves slipstreaming because the guy in front is creating a bigger hole in the air.

"Everyone is talking about the front wing, and I also have the impression that it has become a little easier to follow a car.

"But I think the bigger effect will be the (larger) DRS. All in all, I think overtaking will be easier.

"If you follow now, the car feels more stable and the handling is more predictable. We are moving in the right direction.

"People also thought the new aerodynamics would slow us down, but I don't believe that either," Bottas added.

Lowe ignoring rumors about Williams future

Paddy Lowe – no longer able to ride Aldo Costa's coattails

(GMM) Paddy Lowe says he has blocked out media speculation about his future at Williams.

As the man most directly responsible for the struggling British team's delayed and uncompetitive 2019 car, the voices calling for him to step down were loud.

But Lowe, the technical director and also reportedly a team shareholder, says the noises within the Oxfordshire based team are different.

"I have not paid attention to what has been said in the media," he insisted. "I'm working very hard, and there is a lot of work to be done. But we are working well as a team."

However, it might be argued that Williams was not working well when every other team arrived on time for the Barcelona tests.

Asked what the problem was, Lowe said: "It's so complicated that I can't explain it simply.

"There are definitely several factors that led to the delay, but I would say that the sheer complexity of modern formula one cars caught us on the wrong foot.

"We're not the first team ever that didn't complete their new car for the first test, and we will learn from it and make it better next year," Lowe added.

Formerly at Mercedes, the highly respected 56-year-old engineer says Williams is now busily getting on with its preparations for Australia.

"We will arrive in Australia with two race cars and spare parts. Then we are back in the game as though nothing has happened," he said.

However, rookie driver George Russell admits Williams will almost certainly be last on the grid in Melbourne.

But Lowe insists both Russell and Robert Kubica will be ready for the first race.

"I have no qualms about our drivers being well prepared," he said. "Both of them have done an absolutely perfect job here."

As for the new car, Lowe says there are positive signs.

"Robert had some experience with its predecessor and he has made some encouraging comments. In his opinion, it is a big step forward in terms of its base.

"The drivability is vastly improved, and it's easier to work with in terms of pace, balance and tire management."

Still, the rumors about Lowe's job persist.

"I have not had time to worry about my own role," he said. "There is a lot to do."

He denies that ousting team staff will help Williams.

"In formula one I've often seen people getting replaced, but I don't think the strongest teams do that.

"Any mistake offers the opportunity to learn from it and to make it better next time. And when you throw people out, you also lose experience.

"It would also be too easy to blame individuals for very complex issues," Lowe added.

Leclerc says his number 2 status 'logical'

Charles Leclerc

(GMM) Charles Leclerc says it is "logical" that he starts his career at Ferrari with number 2 status to Sebastian Vettel.

Since the highly rated youngster was signed by Ferrari, and after four-time world champion Vettel's difficult 2018 season, many in the paddock predicted that it could be Leclerc with the upper hand this year.

But team boss Mattia Binotto started his tenure as Ferrari boss by declaring that it will be Vettel with "priority" in 2019.

"That was not news to me and I don't think Mattia said anything exaggerated," Leclerc, 21, said as he completed his winter test duties on Thursday with a scintillating time.

"I already knew it would be like that for a while. For me it's only logical and understandable," the Monaco-born driver added.

"I'm new to Ferrari so it's clear that one driver is preferred in a 50-50 situation. That's what he said, and I totally understand that it's Vettel.

"But that does not mean it always has to be that way. My job is to be so fast that no team order is necessary," Leclerc said.

As for whether Ferrari really is clear of Red Bull and Mercedes ahead of the season opener in Australia, Leclerc would not be drawn.

"These are tests," he said in Barcelona. "It's hard to say who is still holding back.

"We will only get the answer in Australia, but right now we seem strong. It's a good start for us."

Prost backs Ferrari over driver hierarchy

Alain Prost

(GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost has backed Ferrari's decision to impose a clear driver pecking order ahead of the 2019 season.

Mattia Binotto kicked off his tenure as the Maranello team's new boss by declaring that Sebastian Vettel would have "priority" over newcomer Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc, 21, said in Barcelona that Binotto's call was "logical".

And Prost, a former Ferrari driver and now Renault team advisor, agrees.

"It was a courageous decision," the four-time world champion is quoted by France's Le Figaro.

"In a team like Ferrari, it's extremely difficult to win a championship if you let both drivers compete on equal terms."

Prost praised Binotto's "good management style" in establishing the hierarchy now before the 2019 season even begins.

"It's more cautious and better to say it from the beginning," said the Frenchman. "It clarifies the situation and it's also more comfortable for Charles."

As for Renault's drivers, though, Prost says there is no such pecking order.

"There is no number 1 and number 2 driver. They are both number 1," Prost said, referring to Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg.

"There will inevitably be a moment when one will go faster than the other, but they are big boys. It's fine that they fight on the track but it must be in the best possible state of mind. There must be no problems," he added.