Latest F1 news in brief

Marchionne throws Red Bull a lifeline?

Ferrari re-opens door to working with Red Bull
Raikkonen not bothered by criticism
Raikkonen plays down 'clash of the Finns'
Loss-making McLaren compensates Whitmarsh, Mercedes
Schumacher fan club chief slams Hamilton 'damage control'
Hakkinen hopes Aston Martin rumors are right
Ricciardo: No 'real satisfaction' at Interlagos
Hamilton to 'go all out' for Brazil win

Ferrari re-opens door to working with Red Bull
(GMM) Ferrari has re-opened the door to helping solve Red Bull's engine supply crisis.

Earlier, it was believed the Italian team had the same view as Mercedes and McLaren-Honda in not being willing to supply 'power units' to the energy drink outfit in 2016.

But it believed the junior outfit Toro Rosso is in fact poised to sign a deal for a supply of 2015-spec engines, and now a similar arrangement might be offered to the senior team Red Bull Racing as well.

"The possibility of cooperating with Red Bull remains an option but not in the context of them having an engine equivalent to what is used by Ferrari," Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said at the Finali Mondiali event at Mugello.

"So there is a willingness to provide services as a side project, but it cannot be the engine that Ferrari uses in the race," he is quoted by Italian media.

Interestingly, Marchionne also suggested that a Ferrari-Red Bull arrangement would be a "different project" altogether, involving the Bernie Ecclestone-led Formula One Management.

"Bernie has been notified," he explained, "and we are ready to implement, not only to Red Bull but other teams, but not with the unit that we (Ferrari) use."

Marchionne also slammed the FIA-led criticism of Ferrari having used its controversial 'veto' to block the capping of prices to engine customer teams.

"To take on the obligation and the financial burden to fund other teams is an absolutely obscene concept," said Marchionne, "and outside of any kind of normal industrial expectation.

"It is surprising that Jean Todt, who has a long experience in formula one, does not realize the impact on the company's costs in managing the developing an engine of such complexity.

"Despite this, I think that Jean is trying to find a solution," he added.

Raikkonen does not listen to critics

Raikkonen not bothered by criticism
(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he is not bothered that many are beginning to regard him as the 'number 2' at Ferrari.

At the team's Finale Mondiali event at Mugello, the Finn insisted that the Maranello team no longer operates a policy of driver inequality.

Nonetheless, German Vettel is now regarded by many as the de-facto lead driver.

"I don't care what people think," Raikkonen told Germany's Auto Bild. "It's only important that I know what I'm doing.

"Sebastian and I have similar ideas about how to work together and improve the car, and that's more important than what people say."

And according to Spain's El Confidencial, Raikkonen is not even concerned that, based on his performances, there has been criticism that Ferrari re-signed him for 2016.

"I'm doing well, otherwise I would not be in F1 — there is no charity here," the 36-year-old said.

"Yes, I'm disappointed because many things have not gone well for me, but it has been better for me than last year was and I am sure we can improve more next year," Raikkonen added.

Raikkonen plays down 'clash of the Finns'
(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has moved to dismiss the lingering controversy following a couple of on and off-track run-ins with countryman Valtteri Bottas.

Sections of the media, particularly in their native Finland, had billed it a "clash of the Finns", after an on-track clash at Sochi and then again in Mexico just three weeks later.

But Raikkonen said at Ferrari's Finale Mondiali event that he thinks the saga has "nothing to do with nationality".

"I think it would have happened the same with any driver," he added. "It made headlines because there were two incidents between two Finnish drivers, but these things happen."

Raikkonen, 36, added: "I have not spoken to Valtteri — I don't have his phone number and I don't think I need it.

"I understand that you (the media) are trying to make it a big thing, but I am sure we will try to stay out of each other's way from now on. Hopefully the next race will be better," the 2007 world champion said.

Whitmarsh laughing all the way to the bank

Loss-making McLaren compensates Whitmarsh, Mercedes
(GMM) A $15 million pay-out to former boss Martin Whitmarsh contributed to the financial loss recorded by McLaren last year.

Writing for Forbes, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the latest financial statements for 2014 showed McLaren paid "compensation for (the) loss of office of a director", which surely must be Whitmarsh.

Overall, McLaren turned a $19 million net profit for 2013 into an almost $25 million loss in 2014, with Sylt saying it is mainly due to the British team's performance dip.

But another major cost was a $54 million fee paid to Daimler, after the Woking outfit switching from customer Mercedes power to works Honda support for 2015.

Revenue also dropped, with chief executive Jonathan Neale saying that was "predominantly due to decreased prize monies and sponsorship".

And even though McLaren's performance, and expected sponsorship and prize money losses, have continued to dramatically slide this year, chairman Ron Dennis insists that "we expect the McLaren Technology Group to return to profit in 2015".

Hamilton doing damage control. He feels he is the greatest, even though he was nothing when his car was nothing

Schumacher fan club chief slams Hamilton 'damage control'
(GMM) The president of Michael Schumacher's fan club has refused to accept Lewis Hamilton's denial that he disrespected the seven time world champion.

Last week, the fan club president Reiner Ferling caused a stir when he warned Hamilton that "Pride comes before a fall", after a German tabloid quoted the new triple world champion as making some comments about Schumacher.

"I've never done the things that Michael did to win my titles," Hamilton reportedly said. "I won mine with my natural abilities only."

Ferling said: "Hamilton should probably switch on his brain before he talks. He should (also) learn about what Michael achieved."

But in a statement to his 2 million Instagram followers and "all the Michael Schumacher fans, I want you to know how big a fan and admirer of Michael's I am.

"Please do not believe all that you read," Hamilton said.

But fan club president Ferling hit out at the 30-year-old's back-pedaling, telling Kolner Express tabloid: "I see this as a feeble attempt at damage control and can only assume that Lewis' management has advised him.

"To say that one should not believe everything you read is very easy. If he really wants to appease us, he should explain why he said what he said.

"This just leaves a bitter aftertaste," Ferling added.

Mika Hakkinen

Hakkinen hopes Aston Martin rumors are right
(GMM) Mika Hakkinen is crossing his fingers reports that Force India is set to become 'Aston Martin' are true.

Ahead of the recent Mexican grand prix, Force India supremo Vijay Mallya confirmed reports he is in talks with the British luxury carmaker.

It is suggested a naming sponsorship deal, also involving the current McLaren sponsor Johnnie Walker, could see the Silverstone based team switching to a blue and gold livery.

Mallya says he has no intention of leaving F1.

"Absolutely. I'm not going anywhere," he told the BBC. "But it's just too premature for me to say anything further."

When asked about the speculation, former two-time world champion Hakkinen told his sponsor Hermes in an interview: "I know that it has been spoken about for some time.

"I don't think it's impossible that it will happen," added the Finn.

Interestingly, Hakkinen is a long-time ambassador for Mercedes, whose parent Daimler owns 5 per cent of Aston Martin. Force India is also powered by Mercedes engines, triggering rumors the carmaker might want to set up a 'B team'.

Hakkinen continued: "The Aston Martin brand fits very well with formula one. So I hope this actually does happen."

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo: No 'real satisfaction' at Interlagos
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo says that driving the Interlagos circuit – venue for next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix – does not give him "any real satisfaction."

Ricciardo has only scored one point from four starts at Interlagos, when he completed the top 10 in 2013, and compares the circuit's lack of a challenging corner to Russia's Sochi Autodrom.

"What I have learned is that you shouldn't think ahead too much," he said of the Interlagos circuit.

"You have to take it corner-by-corner and concentrate on the one you're in. There's not many that you string together. There's not many corners full stop.

"Brazil's a wonderful Grand Prix with a great atmosphere in an exciting city but the track doesn't really do it for me.

"There's just not a corner that gives you any real satisfaction. I don't want to make it sound dull, because it isn't, but like Russia, there isn't a corner that makes you go "Woooo-Hoooo!"

"It needs a few more corners and something really high speed. There's a couple that look good on paper but because of the cambers, you never really have the grip to go barreling in."

With the best car Hamilton will be dancing again in Brazil

Hamilton to 'go all out' for Brazil win
World Champion Lewis Hamilton says he will be "going all out" for victory at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, one of only three races on the current Formula 1 calendar that the Mercedes driver is yet to win.

Hamilton, who sealed the 2015 crown with three races to spare, is also searching for maiden victories at the Austrian and Mexican Grands Prix, events that team-mate Nico Rosberg won this season.

Although he has not triumphed at the venue in eight attempts, Interlagos was the scene of Hamilton's maiden world title success in 2008, when he claimed the required fifth place on the final lap.

Hamilton now hopes to emulate childhood hero Ayrton Senna this time out.

"Interlagos is one of the real classics – quite short, tough on tires, with variable weather and a really tricky start to the lap that always seems to bring drama," said Hamilton.

"Then there's the fans. The Brazilian people are so passionate, fun and outgoing. It's a vibrant country, full of color, and somewhere that's quite special to me.

"This was the home race for Ayrton, so it was a dream of mine to race in SÃ£o Paulo when I was younger and I always feel his presence when I'm there.

"He was such a huge hero in Brazil and it's humbling that I always get such a warm response there.

"It's amazing to think that it took Ayrton eight attempts to win this race and it's one of the few I haven't won.

"If I can change that this weekend it would be a salute to him and another highlight to add to this amazing year, so I'll be going all out to make that happen."