F1 Gossip: Brawn supports F1 cost cap reduction

- F1 chief Ross Brawn backs the move to reduce the team budget cap to provide greater equality and encourage competition between all teams. McLaren boss Zak Brown has led calls to lower the budget cap to around £130 million, but that idea has been knocked back by Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto who argues teams who produce every part of their cars should be given bigger budgets for R&D. (skysports.com)

- Flavio Briatore says the “only shit” he had to deal with Fernando Alonso was when he went to McLaren. (Marca)

- Mercedes chief designer Josh Owens opens up on the origins of DAS which he says was first tested over two years ago but held back as it didn’t meet targeted gains. DAS has been permitted for the 2020 F1 season but has already been outlawed from 2021 onwards. (AS.com)

- Sports analysts Neilsen Sports predict Lando Norris’s success and popularity through his Esports exploits could help gain F1 a greater following, including more fans attending races, when the normal race calendar returns. (Reuters)

- Austrian Grand Prix organisers have told F1 organisers they want to start the 2020 season by hosting a double round at the Red Bull Ring. On the provisional calendar, Austria is set to host the second round (July 5) with the French GP the first scheduled round on June 28. (Auto Motor und Sport via Marca)

- Charles Leclerc says his Ferrari hero has always been Michael Schumacher having watched him win F1 world titles for the Scuderia when he was a youngster. (Speedweek)

I am so in awe of you, you guys are the real hero's. Thank you to everyone all of you frontline workers, the @NHSuk you all inspire me to do more in helping people. Let’s never give up caring and helping those who need it most my thoughts and prayers are with you. pic.twitter.com/Na16uzDVL5

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 9, 2020