F1 Gossip: Bottas’ claim over Hamilton’s 2022 teammate preference

- Valtteri Bottas has revealed Lewis Hamilton told him “quite directly” that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion would like him to remain his Mercedes teammate in 2022 (MTV Sport, via GPFans) 

Speaking to Finnish television station MTV Sport, Bottas said: “Lewis has told me quite directly that he would like me to be his team-mate. Together we can do very well.

"The fact is, drivers can’t make a terrible impact on it. There’s a bigger machine behind it that ultimately makes those decisions.”

- Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has set a September deadline for a final decision to be made over who will become Hamilton’s teammate in 2022 (Bild) 

“We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies,” Wolff told Bild. “I want the matter to be dealt with in September so that both of them can position themselves properly for the coming season.”

- Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti has been actively pursuing an F1 team to acquire and is in discussions with representatives from more than one team, including Haas (RACER) 

- Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says Carlos Sainz’s strong first half-season with the team has come as no surprise given his form alongside past teammates, including Max Verstappen (RaceFans) 

- Williams team principal Jost Capito has warned that his side is not safe from rivals Alfa Romeo and Haas despite its 10-point haul at the Hungarian GP (F1.com) 

- Officials at the Mandalika International Street Circuit, which is due to host a round of the MotoGP championship in 2022, reveal that they have had talks with F1 with a view to hosting a race (Pitpass) 

- Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal says he is “very confident” Saudi Arabia will deliver a successful Formula 1 Grand Prix when the inaugural race is held later this year (Sky Sports F1) 

- Daniel Ricciardo says a phone call with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner helped “soften the blow” after he was stripped of his podium finish at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix (In The Fast Lane Podcast)