Latest F1 news in brief

The McLaren is fast through the corners, but a dog down the straights

McLaren car among 'best' in 2017
Vettel benefiting from 'meticulous' approach
Pirelli's Isola plays down 'Italian mystery'
Kubica to test F1 car in Valencia
Don't assess Stroll until 2018 – Stewart
No good candidates to replace Raikkonen – Salo
Liberty making broadcasters 'unsettled' – Ecclestone
Wolff: Mercedes no longer the favorite
Alonso: I'm ready to get back to day job

McLaren car among 'best' in 2017
(GMM) Honda might be badly struggling, but McLaren is confident it has one of the very best cars on the 2017 grid.

"We now have one of the best cars in the field," confirmed technical boss Matt Morris. "We had some problems last year but now we have a really good platform on which to build."

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims Honda's power deficit is up to 100hp, amid reports the Japanese marque's MGU-H is not able to last even two race weekends.

One unnamed team member said: "We now have a car that could be on the podium with a proper engine."

So for now, amid all sorts of rumors about the future of the McLaren-Honda partnership, team boss Eric Boullier said the Woking outfit will continue to push on.

"We will continue to develop our car to the maximum possible," he said, "so that we're ready for the day when the engine is working."

Unfortunately, that day is not coming yet. A scheduled upgrade for this weekend's Canadian grand prix has been postponed indefinitely.

"The main problem is vibration," Honda's Yusuke Hasegawa is quoted by Speed Week.

"We are doing everything to bring an improved version to the race track as soon as possible, but I cannot promise (when)."

Vettel benefiting from 'meticulous' approach

Toto Wolff wants Sebatian Vettel. Can he snatch him from Ferrari?

Toto Wolff wants Sebastian Vettel. Can he snatch him from Ferrari?

(GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted Sebastian Vettel's work ethic may have helped Ferrari to speed ahead in 2017.

In recent days, conspiracy theories have circulated hinting at collusion between Italy's Ferrari and Pirelli, as the 2017 Ferrari is notably better at finding the narrow operating tire 'window'.

Pirelli hit back, saying Vettel has simply worked harder than Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

"Each driver has his own way to prepare," team chief Toto Wolff is quoted by Speed Week.

"One wants to be perfect and is a meticulous worker, while the other relies more on his instinct.

"Sebastian was always a worker, so perhaps he understood earlier on how to get the tire in the right working window. We have to catch up now," he added.

Wolff admitted the Mercedes car is also to blame.

"Our car is difficult to set up," he said, "particularly when it comes to getting the tires to work optimally. But we know what we are lacking."

What might also be lacking in forthcoming races is motivation within Hamilton, who according to some experts can become quickly demoralized.

"On the contrary," Wolff insisted. "Lewis is not a problem but rather a positive influence, and I see him wanting it more than he did last year.

"Also for the team as a whole there will be no problem in this regard," he added.

Pirelli's Isola plays down 'Italian mystery'

Mario Isola dismisses rumors

(GMM) Mario Isola has played down rumors of an 'Italian' conspiracy to help Ferrari dominate in 2017.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff spoke recently about an "Italian mystery", regarding how well this year's Ferrari works on the similarly Italian-made wide slicks.

Pirelli chief Isola told the Italian publication F1Sport: "On the 'Italian mystery', I have spoken with Wolff several times.

"He just said that Ferrari has learned to use the tires better than Mercedes is able to do so at the moment," he said.

"Ferrari has developed a very balanced car, in a year where the secret is to be able to have both the front and the rear tires in the working window."

Isola said Pirelli worked hard to develop tires that are 'easy' for all the teams to use, but he also admitted: "It is not easy, but formula one is not easy.

"It is a sport with the highest technology, and this year every hundredth of a second counts when two teams are so close."

Kubica to test F1 car in Valencia

Robert Kubica

(GMM) Six years after his near-fatal crash, Robert Kubica is set to return to the wheel of a formula one car.

Just before the 2011 season, as he took part in an Italian rally, the Pole almost severed his forearm in a crash.

Until now, he has ruled out a return to open cockpit racing due to arm movement limitations.

But Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that, together with the Renault team with whom the now 32-year-old last raced in F1, Kubica is currently at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

There, as well as Renault reserve driver Sergey Sirotkin, he is reportedly scheduled to test the Enstone team's 2012 car, which competed in F1 as Lotus.

Don't assess Stroll until 2018 – Stewart

Lance Stroll

(GMM) F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has defended struggling rookie Lance Stroll.

18-year-old Stroll, whose father and sponsor is the fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll, is under fire as he struggles with his first season in F1.

But amid suggestions Stroll brings $50 million to the Grove team, his team boss, Claire Williams, is backing him.

"He is being treated unfairly and gratuitously," she is quoted by the Journal de Montreal.

"Like any new driver, it takes time. And he's a very young driver who has a lot to learn.

"I think every young driver needs at least a year to familiarize themselves with the car and the circuits," Williams added.

Some might say that Williams would defend Stroll, but also backing the youngster is F1 legend and triple world champion Stewart.

"I think, like many others, we will have to wait at least a year before we assess him," the Scot said. "I have not been surprised by his difficulties, in fact.

"F1 is the pinnacle of motor racing and it takes time before you can compete against the best in the discipline. But he has proven he has the talent to succeed," 77-year-old Stewart added.

"He's in a good environment, a good team with Williams who have developed great drivers in the past."

And ahead of Stroll's first home grand prix in Montreal, Stewart also thinks the Canadian public needs to give the driver time as well.

"Canada wants another Villeneuve, but you were spoiled with Gilles, who in my opinion was the most reckless driver in the history of formula one, but also one of the most brilliant.

"And his son Jacques was able to take over in a remarkable way," Stewart added.

No good candidates to replace Raikkonen – Salo

Raikkonen might keep Ferrari job another year

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has a good chance of hanging onto his place at Ferrari beyond 2017.

That is the view of the Finn's countryman Mika Salo, a former F1 driver and now regular FIA steward.

After Monaco, where Raikkonen appeared to be the victim of a Ferrari strategy to demote him behind teammate Sebastian Vettel, many said the 37-year-old is now effectively the de-facto number 2 driver.

It came amid existing speculation that Raikkonen could lose his seat at the end of his current contract.

Salo told Ilta Sanomat newspaper: "Ferrari will surely be considering the fact that Kimi and Sebastian Vettel continue to get along well with each other.

"I don't think there are any available really good guys who are able to do a better job than Kimi," he added.

"Kimi was second in Monaco, but he is close to Vettel all the time.

"Vettel is of course already a lot of points ahead, but if Kimi gets a couple of wins, then it could completely change the situation," said Salo.

Liberty making broadcasters 'unsettled' – Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone still goes to his office every day. He criticized the new regime's focus on social media, and now he says all that free content is upsetting the TV broadcasters. Exactly what AR1.com has been saying – social media is killing TV ratings and all sports will cease to exist eventually – no revenue stream no sport.

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has questioned his successor's apparent 'all change' approach to running F1.

With the Liberty Media takeover, long-time F1 supremo Ecclestone, 86, was replaced as chief executive by Chase Carey and two deputies.

On the fact that three men are now doing the former work of one, Ecclestone told Blick newspaper: "That is almost a compliment. But it's now a completely different way of thinking and working."

For one thing, chief Carey has not been shy to criticize Ecclestone's formerly dictatorial style.

"I have to live with that (criticism)," Ecclestone said.

"Maybe I should have changed more things," he added, "as the Americans seem to now be about changing everything.

"For me it was always clear: I wanted to run Formula One Management so that it makes a profit for the shareholders. And in the end, the shares were so high that this was the reason it was purchased by the Liberty group."

When asked what his relationship with Carey is like today, Ecclestone answered: "Well, he doesn't need me. He says he knows what he is doing.

"And he has surrounded himself with people who also claim to know what they are doing," he added.

Recently, Ecclestone criticized the new regime's focus on social media, and now he says all that free content is upsetting the TV broadcasters.

"A lot of the TV stations are unsettled and annoyed," he claimed.

Asked if that's a problem, Ecclestone said: "Yes. We have contracts with these stations which are very exclusive.

"But right now it looks like you can get formula one without paying anything."

Ecclestone was also always opposed to working with Ross Brawn, who is now Carey's sporting deputy.

The Briton said: "Ross never had an insight into our business. He worked as an engineer with Flavio Briatore at Benetton. Then he went to Ferrari, and I don't want to talk about how he later ran his team.

"But he does not have the big picture of politics and commercial processes," Ecclestone insisted.

However, he also says Brawn is "not an idiot", and agrees that F1 is still able to thrive and succeed in the new era.

"And I will be the first to congratulate those responsible," said Ecclestone. "But it is not there yet."

When asked what advice he would give Carey, Brawn and co, he answered: "Why should I recommend anything to these gentlemen? They have different views, as I said before."

But Ecclestone said he always argued against the unpopular 'power unit' engines, and said the faster cars of 2017 were his idea.

When told that the races in 2017 have been exciting so far, Ecclestone said: "Right, but that had nothing to do with the new leadership.

"Two years ago I decided to go for a new regulation. With wider tires and wider cars. This has changed the situation for the better."

Finally, Ecclestone said he still goes to work every day. "I go to my office very early, and often leave very late. I keep my rhythm."

Wolff: Mercedes no longer the favorite

Toto Wolff knows the Ferrari is good

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted that his team is no longer the favorite for the 2017 title, after Ferrari moved ahead in both championships.

Mercedes racked up all six titles from 2014-16, following the switch to 1.6-liter V6 turbo power units, with Ferrari and Red Bull only occasionally winning races.

However, under 2017's new regulations, focused on revised aerodynamics and wider tires, Ferrari emerged as a genuine threat to Mercedes' hegemony.

Over the first six races of the season, Mercedes and Ferrari split the wins, with Sebastian Vettel either winning or finishing second in every encounter so far.

Ferrari's technical chief, Mattia Binotto, reckons the Scuderia has a car for "all tracks", while Lewis Hamilton has described the W08 as a "diva", amid set-up and tire troubles.

Discussing the start to the 2017 campaign, Wolff said: "We have to fight with all that we are worth for every single win, pole position, podium finish and every point.

"You can no longer expect that when you look at a timesheet the two Mercedes will be right at the top.

"Everybody at the factories is working absolutely flat out to assess the current difficulties we are facing, to define our objectives, work with the data we have and then come up with the right solutions.

"Some of these fixes will be short term, others may take longer.

"We've had bruising weekends before and it's about showing resilience and getting up after falling.

"I remember the troubles we had in Singapore in 2015, which hurt badly. We gave ourselves a deadline to address that setback before switching our focus to the next race in Suzuka, which we won.

"We've done exactly the same thing after Monaco, addressing the problems before turning our attention to Montreal.

"We know that this season is a marathon, not a sprint."

Hamilton currently trails Vettel by 25 points in the Drivers' standings, while Mercedes sits 17 points behind Ferrari in the Constructors' battle.

"It's painful, but we are not the favorites for this year's Championship," added Wolff.

"At the moment it's Ferrari. They have a very strong package and we need to rise to the challenge to prove once again that we are the team to beat.

"There are still 14 races left and everything is completely open.

"We're looking forward to Montreal and the chance to bounce back with a strong result, hopefully producing valuable answers to some tough questions in the process."

Alonso: I'm ready to get back to day job

Alonso back to reality that in F1 the car is 99% and he, therefore, has 0.00% chance of winning

Fernando Alonso says he is ready to return to his "day job" at the Canadian Grand Prix, having briefly stepped away from Formula 1 to contest the Indianapolis 500.

Alonso missed this year's Monaco F1 round to attempt the famous oval race in a one-car McLaren entry, run by Andretti Autosport and powered by Honda engines.

He impressed throughout, qualifying fifth fastest and spending phases in the lead of the race before an engine failure cruelly ended his hopes of winning on his debut.

"The Indy 500 was an incredible experience," said Alonso.

"It's been amazing to learn a completely different style of driving, on a different circuit layout and with a very different car, but I'm ready to get back to my 'day job' and go racing in F1 again.

"While I was in Indy I was still keeping up-to-date with the news from Monaco, and Stoffel and Jenson both reported positively on the new upgrades and reliability.

"I hope we can continue to see a step forward in Canada.

"The layout of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve means it's very power-limited and therefore dependent on straight-line speed and power.

"It's not going to suit our car as much as the twisty, slower corners of Monaco.

"But I'm excited to get back in the MCL32, catch up with the guys and girls in the team and get back out on track – not only turning left this time!"

McLaren is the only team yet to score a point in 2017.