Latest F1 news in brief – Friday

• Fernando Alonso in Monza with used McLaren parts

  Alonso has 'new' old McLaren at Monza

• Halo critics unmoved after Leclerc crash
• Perez plays down McLaren speculation
• Sauber closes 2019 door to Vandoorne
• Ocon, Leclerc candidates for 2019 – Haas
• McLaren still evaluating Lando Norris
• Vettel says he crashed because of Kimi Raikkonen's wheel
• Haas refusing to sign Force India's prize money deal without further clarification

Alonso has 'new' old McLaren at Monza
(GMM) McLaren has cobbled together a 'new' chassis for Fernando Alonso to race this weekend at Monza.

Just days ago at Spa, the Spaniard's car climbed over the back of Charles Leclerc's Sauber, highlighting the role of the controversial Halo device.

Alonso said at Monza that the chassis was "destroyed" in the crash.

"It was not only the chassis but the floor, the wings. We do not have enough spare parts for the new version of the car," he revealed.

"The chassis that I will get this weekend I already used in the winter tests and the first races of the season," said Alonso.

Apart from the car, Alonso also admitted that his body got a bit bashed up in the crash with Leclerc.

"My wrist was sore as I didn't manage to remove my hands from the steering wheel," he admitted. "Every day it hurts less. When I woke up on Tuesday, my back ached a bit but yesterday and today everything was fine."

Halo critics unmoved after Leclerc crash

Looking at video it is doubtful Alonso's wheel would have hit Leclerc's head

(GMM) Two fierce critics of the 'Halo' system are not backing down, even after the Charles Leclerc incident at Spa.

After the incident involving Fernando Alonso's flying McLaren, former double world champion Mika Hakkinen said he thinks the controversial cockpit protection saved Leclerc from injury "and maybe even death".

But two Halo critics don't think so.

"I'm glad that no one got hurt but this does not change my idea of formula one as a sport without Halo," said Kevin Magnussen. "Just like a motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle."

Also speaking at Monza, Max Verstappen agrees: "From my view I think the incident looked worse than it really was.

"A car almost never falls on another car, it simply slides on it. And the more devices you put over the driver, the more likely it is that this device will be hit.

"I think that if Halo was not there, the driver wouldn't have been hurt either. I think the whole situation is more dramatic than it has to be," the Red Bull driver added.

A third Halo critic is Nico Hulkenberg, but the German indicated that the Leclerc incident has caused him to somewhat change his mind.

"I think it's proven pretty useful and a good device," he said at Monza.

"Obviously we can only speculate what would have happened without it but it looked pretty clear from the tire marks all over the Halo that it did a very good job."

Perez plays down McLaren speculation

Sergio Perez – has large check, will drive for Strike Force India

(GMM) Sergio Perez has played down speculation linking him with McLaren for 2019.

Earlier, it seemed clear that the Mexican, having participated in the legal moves that triggered the Lawrence Stroll takeover, was definitely staying at Force India.

But now, rumors are linking him with becoming Carlos Sainz's teammate at McLaren next year.

Asked at Monza if his future is set for 2019, Perez answered: "Yes."

"It's a timing issue for the team. But where I'll be, I know. They will make the announcement when and where they wish to do it."

He would not say directly if he was referring to Racing Point Force India, but he did spoke openly about the prospect of being Lance Stroll's teammate.

And Perez also indicated that the Stroll takeover is good news, as the Silverstone based team "has enormous potential and now a better budget".

So when asked if he would accept an offer to return to McLaren, where he raced in 2013, Perez answered: "If I had guarantees that I could be competitive, and there was a great project behind everything, then why not?

"But I would have to know the details of their plans better, to understand the situation of the team."

As for Force India and its future, the 28-year-old said: "There is no doubt that the best of this team is coming.

"The goal is to be a competitive team in the coming seasons and I think it is possible to even be among the top three," Perez added.

He said Force India's designers and engineers thrive because they don't feel "a hand tightening around their necks if they get something wrong".

"That is an important difference between us and some teams like Toyota, McLaren, Renault," said Perez.

Sauber closes 2019 door to Vandoorne

It's possible Stoffel's check was not large enough for Sauber

(GMM) Another door appears to have closed to Stoffel Vandoorne.

It seems increasingly likely that the Belgian will be ousted by McLaren — perhaps even as soon as after Sunday's Italian grand prix at Monza.

He had a horror weekend at Monza and afterwards blamed the McLaren car.

When asked if it is frustrating that his car prevents him from demonstrating his potential, Vandoorne said at Monza: "I think everyone knows that's part of formula one.

"I think I proved in the past that I'm able to win races and championships," Vandoorne told RTBF. "I haven't forgotten how to drive.

"Everyone knows that it's a difficult situation at the moment but we can only improve."

But he said that improvement will not come yet.

"We know it will not be very different here than it was at Spa. Monza is actually probably the worst circuit for us."

There were rumors Sauber could be a 2019 lifeline for Vandoorne, but one cockpit is expected to be taken Ferrari junior Antonio Giovinazzi.

And team boss Frederic Vasseur is quoted by La Derniere Heure: "Marcus Ericsson is doing a good job and if he continues like that, I don't see why we would not keep him."

As for Vandoorne, "Stoffel is not part of our plans for 2019," Vasseur said.

Ocon, Leclerc candidates for 2019 – Haas

Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari driver, most likely headed to Haas – a Ferrari 'B' team

(GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has admitted that Esteban Ocon might be a contender for a seat at Haas next year.

Earlier, it appeared that Romain Grosjean would be ousted and replaced by Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc for 2019.

But it suddenly appears as though Ocon, a Renault-championed Frenchman who appears set to lose his Force India seat, might be a new contender.

"I would say that now we are having many such appeals to us, and I guess you know who I'm talking about," boss Steiner smiled at Monza.

"So far no decisions have been taken. When we debuted, very few people wanted to talk with us and now there are plenty, and the reasons for this are clear."

Steiner was asked specifically about Ocon, and the fact that while Haas is a Ferrari-linked team, the 21-year-old driver is actually part of the Mercedes program.

"We look at these things in a philosophical way," Steiner answered.

"Ferrari is our very good partner, and Ocon is a very good driver. We will base our decision on our own conclusions. No one dictates what we should do," he said.

Steiner also confirmed that Leclerc, currently at Sauber, is "one of" the candidates for 2019.

"I do not have information about his plans for next year or his contractual situation with Ferrari or what he is doing. Last year he did not have experience but now I treat him with great respect," he said.

Meanwhile, Steiner was asked about the situation at Force India, amid speculation Haas is the only team opposed to allowing the Silverstone based squad to have access to $33 million in F1 prize money.

"I want to understand why Racing Point Force India is not perceived as it should be, as a new team. We just want someone to explain this to us," he said.

McLaren still evaluating Lando Norris

Lando Norris (L)

McLaren Sporting Director Gil de Ferran has praised Lando Norris’ adaptability as the team continues to evaluate the youngster for its vacant 2019 Formula 1 drive.

McLaren has already confirmed Carlos Sainz Jr. on a two-year deal as Fernando Alonso’s replacement, but the team is still weighing up the identity of the Spaniard’s teammate.

Esteban Ocon – set to lose his Force India seat – and current reserve Norris are understood to be in contention, with incumbent Stoffel Vandoorne unlikely to be retained for a third season.

Norris undertook test running in Spain and Hungary and was handed his maiden FP1 outing in Belgium last weekend, and will drive the MCL33 again in Italy on Friday, this time in place of Vandoorne.

“One thing he certainly has is he adapts himself very quickly to any new situation," commented de Ferran, who replaced Eric Boullier in July.

“I've seen that on the tests that he had and the same thing happened here.

“As part of his development, we wanted to bring him [into FP1 because of different downforce levels, a lot more cars on the track, a lot of track evolution and wanted to give him that experience.

“He came up to speed very quickly and did a fine job for us, didn't make any mistakes. He was absolutely fine."

De Ferran also stressed that Norris’ practice runs are part of his development path, rather than looking towards anything more concrete.

“You called it assessment, I call it development," said de Ferran when pushed further on Norris.

“It's very hard to assess a driver in the strength of one free practice or one session or one qualifying session.

“I think you need to step back and take a wider view. That's been the same for everyone.

“I think these free practice sessions are really more about giving Lando exposure and help him along the development plan."

Vettel says he crashed because of Kimi Raikkonen's wheel

Lying thru his teeth

Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel says he crashed during the demonstration in Milan, Italy because of Kimi Raikkonen’s wheel.

The buildup to this weekend’s Formula 1 race, the Italian Grand Prix, has not quite gone as planned for four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel.

The Scuderia Ferrari driver dominated the 44-lap Belgian Grand Prix around the 19-turn, 4.352-mile (7.004-kilometer) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this past Sunday to cut his deficit to fellow four-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport in the driver standings from 24 points (213 to 189) to 17 points (231 to 214). Hamilton finished the race in second place after being passed for the lead by Vettel on the opening lap and never being able to overtake the 31-year-old German for the lead after that.

But just days ahead of Ferrari’s home race around the 12-turn, 3.600-mile (5.793-kilometer) Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy during a pre-race demonstration on the streets the Darensa dockland area in Milan, Italy, Vettel experienced a shunt that he may not be able to live down for quite a while whether he likes it or not.

Along with teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel drove his SF71H within the confines of a barrier resembling that of a makeshift go-kart track. Alfa Romeo Sauber teammates Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson as well as Scuderia Toro Rosso teammates Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley also joined them in driving front of the thousands of fans who lined the streets to watch the demonstration take place.

However, Vettel ended up entering a turn at a speed that was far too great in terms of being able to slow down to avoid hitting the barrier. As a result, he hit the barrier and damaged the front wing of his SF71H.

Haas refusing to sign Force India's prize money deal without further clarification

Steiner means business – show me the money

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has revealed that the American-owned outfit has refused to sign a deal which will see Racing Point Force India retain its right to prize money.

Last week at the Belgian Grand Prix it was confirmed that all nine rival teams had signed a document allowing Force India the right to 'Column 1' prize money – this is a roughly $25m (£19.2m) annual payment made to teams which have finished inside the top ten in two consecutive seasons.

However as Racing Point Force India entered the Belgian GP as a new entrant, it would miss out on these payments until 2020 at the earliest, costing the team upwards of $50m (£38.4m). Liberty Media hoped to avoid this by having all nine teams agree a deal which would see the new entrant's financial deal continue under the previous entry.

"The remaining nine teams have signed, so to speak, a document that enables us to keep the money that Sahara Force India had earned in years past," commented team boss Otmar Szafnauer.

Yet this weekend, Steiner admitted Haas have refused to sign up to the deal until it receives further clarification from Liberty Media as to why Force India should receive special treatment.

"What we need to understand is with the new license, why there is a reason not to be treated [like a team] with a new license. That is what we want to understand and we cannot explain that to ourselves someone needs to explain it to us and that hasn’t happened yet.

When asked to confirm that Haas hadn't agreed to the deal, Steiner replied: "No. With the new license we didn’t sign up for that. We still need to understand why it should be different."

It's believed Haas are the only team which has refused to sign, although Williams were also against the deal before eventually being convinced to agree.