F1 Gossip: Red Bull hopeful Hamilton will take another engine penalty

- In an interview with AMuS, Red Bull F1 consultant Helmut Marko says he expects Lewis Hamilton to take another grid penalty due to engine component changes.

Hamilton served a 10-place grid penalty at the Turkish Grand Prix after taking a new ICE component.

Marko said: “If the race goes normally and there are no accidents, we will get away with our engines. Our information, our hope, is that Hamilton will have to change again.”

- In the same interview, Marko admitted that it would be a “big disappointment” if Verstappen doesn’t go on to win his maiden title.

He added: “It would be a big disappointment for Max if he didn't win it. If you take the statistics: How many kilometres we have led. We have more race wins. Our retirement in Baku. And and and. There has been a certain superiority, but it is not reflected in the points.”

- Michael Andretti has revealed that he was hours away from agreeing a deal to take over the Alfa Romeo before talks broke down. (RaceFans)

- Spain’s minister of Tourism, Juan Marín, says Jerez de la Frontera is first in line to take a spot on the 2022 F1 calendar should any of the races be cancelled. (SoyMotor)

- Ex-F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg has ruled out a switch to IndyCar following his test with Arrow McLaren SP.

He wrote on Twitter: “Quick update regarding IndyCar: It was exciting to test an IndyCar two weeks ago and I am grateful to Arrow McLaren SP for this opportunity. However, for personal reasons I decided not to go ahead with it. Keep you posted on my future plans.”

- 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg has revealed that he considered coming back to the F1 grid as a stand-in for Hamilton at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

Hamilton was ruled out of the second race in Bahrain due to coronavirus, allowing George Russell to get a shot in the dominant Mercedes car alongside Valtteri Bottas.

Speaking on Jenson Button’s YouTube channel, Rosberg said: “I would definitely have considered picking up the phone there, but I physically would not have been able to.

“My arms would solidify rock solid. My fingers wouldn’t be able to hold the steering wheel anymore after two laps.

“Not to speak of the neck falling between my legs when I’m braking because I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up. The G-forces on those things, the challenge and the development you need on all your specific muscles, the arm muscles. It’s very on the edge. So physically, no chance, because I was thinking about it.”