Latest F1 news in brief

It makes much more sense to run Miami back-to-back-to-back with Austin and Mexico City, but Austin could move to June to par up with Montreal

Miami to have 'no impact' on Canada GP
Raikkonen lost 3.2kg over winter – trainer
Teams hit out at fuel allowance increase
Verstappen 'too impatient' in 2018 – Perez
Budkowski attended first race for Renault
Cars too complex for F1 telemetry ban – Alonso
Magnussen clarifies 'I will die' quote
Carey wants new F1 deal with Barcelona
Renault must plan to lose Sainz Jr. – Abiteboul
FIA closes oil burn qualifying loophole

Miami to have 'no impact' on Canada GP
(GMM) Canada GP promoter Francois Dumontier has played down the impact another F1 race in North America will have on the Montreal event.

It has emerged that Liberty Media and prospective promoters of a street race in Miami, Florida, are nearing a decision about whether to organize an event for 2019.

"The Commission took an important step by adding an item to their upcoming agenda, that, if approved, will make way to bring formula one to downtown Miami next season," revealed F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches.

It if happens, it will bring the number of North American races up to four, including Montreal, Austin and Mexico.

But Montreal organisers Dumontier told La Presse: "The Miami GP will have no impact on us.

"F1 is in charge of the logistics aspect, and we just signed a ten year contract that will take us to 2029," he added.

Dumontier also said Canada's June race date is safe, insisting changing it "has never been part of the discussions I've had. I don't see this issue coming up".

Raikkonen lost 3.2kg over winter – trainer

Raikkonen went on a diet

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen's trainer has confirmed that the Ferrari driver dropped weight over the winter.

The Finn recently dismissed a reporter who noticed that the 38-year-old was looking slimmer and fitter in 2018.

But Raikkonen's long time physio Mark Arnall admitted: "The winter season this year was about getting Kimi's weight down.

"This winter I managed to get 3.2 kilograms off Kimi. He now weighs just 70kg," he told Iltalehti newspaper.

Arnall said F1 engineers ask for drivers to be as light as possible.

"If they want the front of the car to turn better, they want more weight at the front. If they want more grip to the rear tires, they shift the weight back. And if the driver weighs too much, it doesn't work," he said.

Teams hit out at fuel allowance increase

Clueless Paddy Lowe does not realize that fans do not come to a race to see a fuel economy run, they want drivers to use all the power they can to race. Fans hate the hybrid cars and the high tech engines and would prefer simple screaming V8s.

(GMM) Some F1 teams have hit out at the FIA's decision to increase the in-race fuel allowance for 2019.

To stop drivers from needing to 'lift and coast' and save duel during races next year, the fuel allowance is increasing from 105 to 110kg.

"It's a strange decision," Williams technical boss Paddy Lowe said.

"The hybrid era is about increasing energy efficiency, and limiting fuel was part of that. If some teams have more problems than others, then that's their fault from a design point of view.

"Increasing fuel is a backwards step in this energy efficiency, and I think it damages the sport," Lowe told France's Auto Hebdo.

A technical representative for Force India – another Mercedes-powered team – agreed with Lowe.

But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul insisted: "Fuel economy does not comply with the principles of formula one.

"Drivers attacking to be the fastest is what our sport is about, not the need to protect the engine, control fuel consumption and look after tires. That may be other racing series, but it's not formula one," he added.

As for the Mercedes-powered teams' objection to the change, Abiteboul answered: "I understand their position, but fuel consumption will still be limited.

"Increasing the amount of fuel by 5kg does not require a change in the concept of the power unit. It would surprise me if they lose anything," he said.

Verstappen 'too impatient' in 2018 – Perez

Verstappen desperate to show he's faster than Ricciardo, but every year Ricciardo wins more races and scores more points.

Verstappen is desperate to show he's faster than Ricciardo, but every year Ricciardo wins more races and scores more points leading Max to make desperate moves

(GMM) Sergio Perez says Max Verstappen's struggles at Red Bull this year seem very familiar.

In 2013, Mexican Perez was signed by McLaren but he was let go after a single season.

"My time at McLaren hurt me," Perez is quoted by Speed Week.

"I made too many mistakes because I was impatient," he added. "I was frustrated.

"I think Max has just been too impatient in the last races and I can understand that well. His car is not as good as he hoped, he pushes too hard, he lost a victory in China.

"I'm convinced that it was a big blow for Max to see Daniel (Ricciardo) win in Shanghai."

Indeed, while feted as a young sensation and a future champion, Verstappen has made notable mistakes in 2019 and been outclassed by his more experienced Red Bull teammate.

Perez said: "But I think Verstappen is a smart guy. He will have noticed what is happening and become an even better driver."

Some believe Verstappen, 20, is too aggressive, and Perez agreed that drivers feel nervous when they see the young Dutchman in their mirrors.

"If you have Max behind you, then you have to expect something crazy. But in almost all cases, he has his car under control.

"He's had some bad races in a row, but he will put that behind. He is a very good driver and I have no qualms about racing with him," he added.

Budkowski attended first race for Renault

Marcin Budkowski

(GMM) Marcin Budkowski attended his first grand prix in Renault colors at Baku.

Earlier, Renault's signing of the Pole was highly controversial, as the French marque poached him from a leading technical position at the FIA.

"I chose a quiet race to make my debut with Renault," Budkowski smiled to Auto Motor und Sport.

But Budkowski said Baku will not be his last grand prix in 2018.

"I plan to attend six or seven races," he said.

Cars too complex for F1 telemetry ban – Alonso
(GMM) Fernando Alonso has hit back at suggestions F1 should ban telemetry.

It has been suggested banning telemetry will move the sport closer to the purity of MotoGP, where riders are essentially alone to manage their own races.

But Alonso warned: "They first would have to make the cars simpler.

"That's not possible with the complex technology of today," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

Magnussen clarifies 'I will die' quote

Magnussen called the most dangerous driver in F1

(GMM) Kevin Magnussen has clarified reports that said he is prepared to "die" in a F1 car.

The Dane already had a reputation among his rivals as a 'bad boy'.

Then, Pierre Gasly said Magnussen is "the most dangerous guy I have ever raced with" after a 320kph brush with the Haas driver in Baku.

But it was only after the FIA released footage of that incident did quotes begin to emerge in which Magnussen outlined his uncompromising approach to racing.

"I will give everything. I will die in the car," he was quoted as saying.

Magnussen insists that quote was used out of context.

"That interview was done before the race in Baku. It's not about the incident with Pierre," he said.

"I don't want to die in a race car," said Magnussen. "I was expressing my willingness to give absolutely everything in my power to achieve success.

"Success to me obviously isn't having accidents or getting penalties but finishing races in as high a position as possible."

Carey wants new F1 deal with Barcelona

Barcelona

(GMM) Chase Carey says he would commit F1 to the Barcelona circuit "almost forever".

But that doesn't mean a new contract will be agreed between the organisers of the current Spanish grand prix and F1 owner Liberty Media.

"It's not the only circuit in Spain," F1 chief executive Carey told Spanish reporters in Barcelona.

"Very soon we will begin to see if we can find a path that benefits us both.

"Our goal is to reach a new agreement with Barcelona," the American added, referring to the existing deal that expires in 2019. "We want to be in Barcelona in the long term.

"Forever? You could almost say that."

Renault must plan to lose Sainz Jr. – Abiteboul

Carlos Sainz Jr.

(GMM) Renault says it must find a 'plan B' in the event it cannot keep Carlos Sainz Jr. beyond 2018.

The Spanish driver is 'on loan' from Red Bull, who could pull him back for 2019 to replace Daniel Ricciardo.

So while Ricciardo negotiates with alternative employers, it means Renault needs to put a 'plan B' into effect.

"We need to have a plan. We need to be prepared for the worst," Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul is quoted by Corriere dello Sport.

"We have already starting working on next year's car, and we had a meeting this week with him (Sainz) to talk about it.

"The worst thing for us would be to want to continue with Carlos but not be able to. And this could happen, let's be honest," he added.

FIA closes oil burn qualifying loophole

Vettel's Ferrari

In its latest bid to stymie teams' use of oil burning as a means of increasing performance, the FIA has issued a fresh directive aimed at closing a qualifying loophole.

Under the latest directive, teams are expressly forbidden from topping up their oil systems during qualifying.

"Following numerous discussions on the subject, we wish to clarify that in order to allow the FIA to monitor oil consumption during the qualifying practice session in a precise and timely manner, no oil may be added to the car nor may any auxiliary oil tank (AOT) be activated, i.e. there may be no oil transfer between an AOT and any part of the engine lubrication system," writes the FIA's technical delegate Jo Bauer, according to Autosport.

"Exceptions to the above may however be granted on specific occasions following a request from the team concerned, any such exception will be made at the sole discretion of the FIA technical delegate."

Rather than teams topping up their oil systems in a bid to hide the higher consumption that would result from oil burning during qualifying, the latest directive is seen as a shot across the bows before anyone attempts it.