Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest news regarding Formula 1 on Thursday, November 12.

Thursday morning's Formula 1 news roundup:

Three F1 faces not present in Istanbul

Three familiar faces will be missing from the Istanbul paddock on Thursday.

Amid a string of infections for the British team, acting Williams boss Simon Roberts has now tested positive for covid-19.

"Simon is feeling otherwise well but will now isolate for the required 10 day period as per UK national guidelines whilst supporting trackside operations remotely this weekend," the team said in a statement.

Roberts' counterpart at Ferrari, Mattia Binotto, is also staying away from Turkey this weekend.

"He has come up with a method of working that gives the flexibility to manage the priorities in the most efficient way possible," said acting boss Laurent Mekies.

Finally, Haas driver Romain Grosjean missed his flight from Europe to Istanbul on Wednesday.

"That's a good start RG," he wrote on Twitter. "Already sorted out a plan for tomorrow am though."

Liberty shaping up to sell Formula 1 - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone thinks Liberty Media could be shaping up to sell Formula 1.

The American company took over the sport in 2017, having bought it for some $4.6 billion. Ecclestone, who turned 90 recently, was ousted as CEO.

Now headed by Chase Carey but with Stefano Domenicali to take over from 2021, Formula 1 published an unprecedented 23-race calendar this week after recording big financial losses due to the coronavirus crisis.

"The 23 races is supposed to give the impression that business is going well again," Ecclestone told Auto Motor und Sport.

"I would do the same if I wanted to sell."

An unnamed team boss said recently that many teams may go out of business if Formula 1 has to endure another compromised season next year.

"We have made less but we have also made big cost savings," McLaren boss Andreas Seidl said.

"It is probably possible to survive another season like this again, but only if we keep saving at the same level. The budget cap will also help."

Seidl also said the move to drastically different cars for 2022 can be coped with.

"Whether you use the money you have under the budget limit to develop the same car or build a new one makes little difference," said the German.

More news from Formula 1:

Amid speculation surrounding his future, what is next for Lewis Hamilton?
Lewis Hamilton will match Michael Schumacher's title haul if he wins in Istanbul on Sunday. Read more.

Mercedes 'making F1 boring' - Norris
Mercedes' dominance is "making Formula 1 boring", according to McLaren driver Lando Norris. Read more.

Verstappen 'not an option' for Mercedes - Wolff
Signing up Max Verstappen would not be good for Mercedes, according to team boss Toto Wolff. Read more.

Ferrari will 'write off' 2021 - Wolff
Ferrari will "completely write off" the 2021 season, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff predicts. Read more.

Tost uncomfortable about Honda engine uncertainty
Franz Tost admits the engine situation for Red Bull's two Formula 1 teams is one "we would rather not be in". Read more.

Melbourne hopes for 50,000 F1 spectators
Melbourne is targeting crowds of up to 50,000 per day as the Australian GP returns to Formula 1 next year following March's cancellation due to covid-19. Read more.

St Petersburg track now ready for F1
A circuit in St Petersburg appears to be ramping up its preparations for Formula 1. Read more.