Latest F1 news in brief

Cyril Abiteboul

Renault should make F1 announcement next week – Abiteboul
Mercedes' F1 team signs up Esteban Ocon
Ferrari denies Arrivabene death threat reports
Rosberg could leave Mercedes after 2016 – Salo
Lauda backs Rosberg in Hamilton duel
Aerodynamics wrong solution for F1 in 2017 – Hamilton
Sainz denies announcing Ferrari engine deal
Verstappen moves out of home for Monaco
Gutierrez started work at Haas 'weeks ago'
Too much at stake for Red Bull to quit Formula 1
Mercedes demands FIA answers amid Ferrari wind tunnel row

Renault should make F1 announcement next week – Abiteboul
(GMM) Renault will probably make an announcement about its future in formula one next week.

In recent days, weeks and months, the French carmaker has been closing in on a deal to buy out the Lotus team and return to full works status in 2016.

A letter of intent has been signed, numerous Renault personnel are already working at Enstone, and yet Lotus has continued to show up late for grand prix weekends, leaving Bernie Ecclestone to pick up unpaid bills to circuits.

"Fortunately between Renault and the shareholders and Mr. Ecclestone we kept going," deputy Lotus boss Federico Gastaldi said in Abu Dhabi.

On Friday, it emerged that the signature on the Lotus buyout is being held up by a dispute between the F1 supremo and Carlos Ghosn, with the Renault president demanding that Ecclestone approve Ferrari and Mercedes-like bonus payments.

In the meantime, Red Bull and Toro Rosso – Renault's current customer teams – are having to wait on the decision as well.

When asked for clarity on Friday, Renault F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul said: "I'm afraid I can't answer that question today.

"What I can say is that there will be no announcement regarding Renault's future – short-term or middle-term – over the weekend, but there will be an announcement, very likely, in the course of next week," he added.

That will be cutting it fine, as Lotus is set to return to the London courts early the following week where a case over unpaid tax could see it placed into administration.

Abiteboul insisted: "We have always said that we would like to do that (announcement) after the season. The season is ending on Sunday, around the start of December and we will stick to that plan."

Esteban Ocon

Mercedes' F1 team signs up Esteban Ocon
(GMM) French teenager Esteban Ocon has been signed up by Mercedes' F1 team, it emerged in Abu Dhabi late on Friday.

Early this week, we reported that the front-running GP3 driver and reigning European F3 champion was hoping for a prominent role in formula one "very soon".

The Frenchman is one of the brightest young talents in single seaters, poised to take out the GP3 crown this weekend and now "officially (a) Mercedes F1 driver!" he declared on Twitter.

"Yes," confirmed Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, "we've taken up the option on him".

Some believe Ocon stepping up to be Mercedes' new tester means that the German marque has concluded a deal for existing team reserve Pascal Wehrlein to race for Manor in 2016.

But Wolff clarified: "It doesn't mean we've found a solution for Pascal. The current driver market is a bit difficult because most of the teams have already announced their drivers and it needs to be the right deal.

"But having taken up Esteban we are conscious that we need to find a suitable program for both of them.

"It could well mean that it could eventually end up for both of them in a testing role, in a reserve driver role and in a DTM role. So it's not done yet," he insisted.

Maurizio Arrivabene

Ferrari denies Arrivabene death threat reports
(GMM) Ferrari has denied speculation its F1 team boss threatened to kill a cameraman in the Abu Dhabi pitlane on Friday.

Darren Heath, a well-known and veteran F1 photographer, tweeted that Maurizio Arrivabene had turned to a cameraman for the British broadcaster Sky and raged: "Do that again and I'll cut your f*cking head off!"

Briton Heath has since deleted the tweet, replacing it with: "Learnt a lesson today on how tweets sent when emotions are high can be damaging."

But Germany's Bild newspaper is also now reporting the story, explaining that the British cameraman had been filming the pit garage of the Italian marque.

"Yes, there was an incident," a Ferrari spokesman confirmed. "The cameraman bumped a mechanic. Maurizio intervened but he only gave him a warning."

Rosberg isn't going anywhere

Rosberg could leave Mercedes after 2016 – Salo
(GMM) 2016 could be Nico Rosberg's final season in silver, former F1 driver Mika Salo has predicted.

Finn Salo, who drove for several F1 teams including Ferrari and Toyota, told broadcaster MTV that the situation will become untenable for the German if he loses a third straight title to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton next year.

"Nico is in a difficult situation," he said. "Nico is fast, and sometimes even faster, yet he still has not won a championship.

"If he doesn't win it next year, he may have to go," Salo, now a broadcaster and occasional F1 steward, added.

48-year-old Salo thinks a leading candidate to replace Rosberg would be fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas.

"Next year is very important for Valtteri," he said. "He cannot afford a less than perfect season, and must then hope that something better opens up.

"The most probable option for him would be Mercedes. Then the championships can follow," Salo added.

Lauda thinks Rosberg better than Hamilton

Lauda backs Rosberg in Hamilton duel
(GMM) Niki Lauda has sided with Nico Rosberg, after Lewis Hamilton suggested a technical change at Mercedes has favored his German teammate.

After dominantly winning his second consecutive title in 2015, Hamilton has been curiously outpaced by Rosberg, who is enjoying a five-race run of poles and charging for a hat-trick of wins this weekend.

Rosberg, however, thinks it will be more difficult for him to win this weekend, as he is having to round out the season with an 'old' power unit.

"We have had to extend engine life more than we planned, so it is clear that I have a little lack of power on the straights," he told Spain's EFE news agency.

But according to team chairman Lauda, Rosberg at least has stunning form on his side, as the F1 legend rejected Hamilton's claim that his struggle over the past few races has a technical explanation.

"Nothing has been changed on the cars in terms of (preparing for) next year," the Austrian great insisted to German television Sky.

"If we changed something, it is to make both cars faster," Lauda explained, "and both drivers have to cope with it.

"Nico has simply had breathtaking speed, starting on pole five times in succession and winning the last ones.

"Then, sadly with the aerodynamics, it is very difficult for Lewis to race (from behind) but it was the same with Nico earlier and now just in reverse," he added.

Hamilton does not agree with proposed changes

Aerodynamics wrong solution for F1 in 2017 – Hamilton
(GMM) Lewis Hamilton has blasted F1 authorities as the sport looks to take a sharp turn with faster and more aggressive cars for 2017.

Since teammate Nico Rosberg began his current winning streak, new triple world champion Hamilton has been lamenting how difficult it is to follow a rival close enough to mount an overtaking challenge.

He says it is an aerodynamic problem.

"The guy in front is getting 100 per cent of the potential of the aerodynamics and the guy behind, his potential deteriorates the closer he gets," Hamilton is quoted by the Mirror newspaper.

So it is with disappointment that Hamilton has heard on the paddock grapevine this weekend that the bulk of the predicted lap time gain for the new and faster rules for 2017 will be from aerodynamics, including bigger wings.

"I've heard people talking about changing the aerodynamics and that's the worst idea and just shows people don't know what they are trying to solve," said the Briton.

"Drivers want more grip from their tires and less wake from the car in front so we can get closer," Hamilton added.

However, the precise rules for 2017 are still very much up for grabs, despite the fact that technical working group chief Pat Symonds announced in Abu Dhabi that F1's decision-making bodies are about to be presented the plans.

"I think the conversations are still ongoing," said Symonds' boss at Williams, deputy chief Claire Williams. "I don't think anything has been decided yet and I think they're very early days in those conversations".

Ferrari's Maurizio Arrivabene agreed: "The chassis (for 2017) is still under discussion".

Also still under discussion is how Pirelli will be allowed to prepare for the radical new rules, as the Italian supplier argues that it needs much more time to test the bigger and wider tires.

"Ideally, we would like to start work in May," said Paul Hembery, "but to build the kind of car that we would like to be able to use is I think impossible."

He said one possible solution is an up to 10-year-old F1 car from "last decade", modified to then simulate the aerodynamic loads being proposed for 2017.

Hembery may also share some of Hamilton's concerns.

"As far as I understand," he said in Abu Dhabi, "there are still doubts about the direction we are moving in. Will it make overtaking easier or will it in fact exacerbate the problem?

"As a sport I hope we can avoid making the wrong decisions," Hembery warned.

In the end, F1 may ultimately decide that time is too short for 2017. Ferrari's Arrivabene thinks it will be impossible for the manufacturers to ready the changes to the engines by then.

"We will try to do our best but I think even the Wizard of Oz couldn't be able to do it for 2017," he said on Friday.

So if the engine changes are delayed until 2018, would it not make sense to also delay the new chassis regulations?

"If we can get both areas right, then I think in 2017 – and if we have to wait until 2018 then so be it – it could make formula one a much more stable platform that we can all enjoy in the future," said Claire Williams.

Carlos Sainz Jr.

Sainz denies announcing Ferrari engine deal
(GMM) Carlos Sainz Jr. has denied prematurely announcing Toro Rosso's new 2015-spec Ferrari engine deal for next season.

Earlier in Abu Dhabi, the Spanish driver reportedly told the Movistar broadcaster that "it is a relief that this is our last race with Renault".

"I believe we will have more power with Ferrari next year, and also better reliability."

But the Toro Rosso driver says he was misquoted.

"I did not say Ferrari — I did not mention that word. I only said that I hope to get a more powerful engine in the coming year," Sainz said on Friday.

On Friday, the 21-year-old struck even more Renault engine trouble during practice, having only just bemoaned getting the lion's share of the bad luck this year at the Faenza team.

"I prefer not to say anything," he told the television broadcaster Mega after his latest breakdown, "because the situation is getting desperate.

"We have had so many problems," Sainz added.

Max Verstappen has become a man in 2015

Verstappen moves out of home for Monaco
(GMM) Jos Verstappen says he watched his boy become a man in 2015.

Just two years ago, Max was still in karts, but now he is undoubtedly the hottest young property in F1, having completed a meteoric debut season with Toro Rosso.

Some weeks ago, the now 18-year-old got his road driving license, and reports now suggest he is planning to move out of his dad's house in Belgium to live independently in Monaco.

"I have already moved," the young Dutchman, who has a girlfriend, clarified in Abu Dhabi. "I have lived there since the beginning of October."

Asked what it is like to move out of home amid his newfound F1 stardom, Verstappen explained: "Actually not much has changed, because I travel constantly. And at any time I can go back home to Belgium (to visit)."

He denied moving to Monaco for tax reasons, insisting his salary – probably no more than a few hundred thousand euros – "has not changed" during the course of 2015.

What has changed, however, is the boy himself.

"If you look at photos taken as the season progressed, you see he's become a real man," father Jos, himself a former F1 driver, wrote in his column for De Telegraaf newspaper.

"You can tell by the look in his eyes. In terms of character, Max hasn't changed, but as a person he grew tremendously in the last nine months," he added. "More mature, independent and knowing the ways of the world.

"I notice it in my role as well," Jos revealed. "I've had less and less to do."

Jos explained that because Max is now more independent, he has more time to think about the bigger picture, including securing a race-winning car for 2017.

"It gives me the opportunity to chat with people and to keep an eye on all the developments behind the scenes," Jos admitted. "Obviously that's all in Max's interest."

Esteban Gutierrez hard at work at Haas

Gutierrez started work at Haas 'weeks ago'
(GMM) Esteban Gutierrez has revealed he started work at Haas "several weeks ago".

The Mexican was unveiled as Romain Grosjean's teammate for the new American team at the end of October.

In Abu Dhabi this weekend, he is rounding out his duties as Ferrari's reserve driver, but his work at Haas "started already several weeks ago", Gutierrez told EFE news agency.

"Everything I've seen so far is very good," the former Sauber driver said. This week, Haas revealed its new pitwall gantry for 2016 and grey-colored garage hoardings.

Gutierrez's race seat comes thanks to his Mexican backers and links to Ferrari, with the Italian team working closely with Haas for 2016 and beyond.

"This grand prix (in Abu Dhabi) is a little sad," he said, "because I have been like in a family all year long. It was a very special year but also an incredible new chapter starts now for me."

An Italian media source denied speculation Haas could poach Rob Smedley – formerly a long-time Ferrari race engineer – from Williams to be the American outfit's new technical director.

Williams also denied the rumor.

Another figure linked with a move to Haas has been Ferrari's ousted engineering chief Pat Fry, but the source denied that rumor as well.

Also excited about his impending switch to Haas is Romain Grosjean, who after the best part of a decade at Enstone – Renault and Lotus – is finally moving on to his second team in F1.

"I think I have already been seduced by their approach," said the Lotus driver in Abu Dhabi, grinning that just saying the word 'Haas' is "very hard for a Frenchman".

"Straight away the spirit was 'let's go racing' and I liked that," added Grosjean. "I really like their philosophy and have been discovering more and more about America."

Dietrich Mateschitz decides to keep team in F1. Was there ever a doubt?

Too much at stake for Red Bull to quit Formula 1
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed that team owner Dietrich Mateschitz reversed his decision to pull out of Formula 1, because there is "too much at stake".

Mateschitz threatened to pull both his teams, including sister team Toro Rosso, out of the sport, because they weren't able to find a competitive engine following a falling out with current supplier Renault.

That doesn't now seem to be the case, with Red Bull confirming it has signed an engine deal for 2016 – believed to be an unbranded Renault power unit – whilst Toro Rosso is expected to announce a deal to run 2015 Ferrari engines.

Mateschitz was convinced to stay because Red Bull is too heavily invested in the sport, according to Horner.

"It's no secret that during the summer Dietrich Mateschitz became fairly disillusioned with F1, with the direction things were heading and certain conversations he had personally had didn't come to fruition," Horner said in reference to a failed deal to use Mercedes engines.

"He is probably the most committed supporter of F1 over the last 10 years: two grand prix teams, a grand prix on the calendar, the amount of promotion Red Bull puts into F1 worldwide, investing in young talent through the Red Bull young driver program, more than 1500 employees across the different markets.

For Red Bull, it's a major part of their promotional budget spend that is committed to F1," added the Briton. "Having sat down and thought about it, he's decided that there is too much at stake."

Horner warned that whilst he and Mateschitz want to see Red Bull return to its glory days, 2016 will likely be a difficult season with Renault, adding its longer-term hopes rely on the recently stalled plan to introduce an alternative engine.

"Red Bull has invested so much into the sport, he wants to see the team get back to its former glory," continued Horner.

"In a power unit dominated formula, it's a difficult situation if you're not aligned to a competitive power unit.

"The changes Jean Todt and the promoter are pushing for to achieve a more affordable power unit can only be a positive for any independent team, not just Red Bull." GrandPrixTimes.com

Toto wants answers

Mercedes demands FIA answers amid Ferrari wind tunnel row
(GMM) The intrigue on Saturday was Mercedes' request to the stewards demanding clarification over certain "ambiguities" in the rules about customer cars.

The unmentioned suggestion is that the reigning world champions smell a rat in Ferrari's relationship with the new American outfit Haas, which many suspect is really a satellite or 'B' team to circumvent the rules.

The FIA stewards on Saturday said they would try to make a ruling on the matter, specifically related to the outsourcing of restricted wind tunnel and CFD time, "prior to the start of the race on Sunday".

Mercedes' Wolff, however, insisted it is not an attack on Ferrari.

"We are looking for a clarification; it is not something that is directed at a particular team," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"We just found that the rules are not clear enough."

And Lauda told Auto Motor und Sport: "A request for clarification of what is allowed and what is not must be done at a racing event.

"This is the last chance, otherwise we would have to wait three months for the first race of 2016," he added.

Other meetings were taking place in Abu Dhabi. Wolff – curiously – met earlier with his currently Honda-powered McLaren counterparts Eric Boullier and Ron Dennis.

And Bernie Ecclestone met once again with CVC chief Donald Mackenzie and Renault representative Jerome Stoll on Saturday, amid the threat that the French carmaker could pull the plug on F1 over a dispute about bonus income payments.

The bottom line is that if the F1 supremo does not agree to release the money, Renault could leave the sport and throw the futures of Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Lotus into doubt.

"Pulling out of F1 completely is on the table if we don't manage to convince the board that F1 is a meaningful investment for Renault," Renault's F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul warned in Abu Dhabi, according to the BBC.

"We are talking about a 10-year commitment to the sport, which is not cheap."