Latest F1 news in brief

Sebastian Buemi

Sauber likely to sign same drivers for 2012
Buemi 'a driver with a future' – Ascanelli
Pitstop frenzy 'too much' in 2011 – Domenicali
Renault car more impressive than Ferrari's – Newey
Press rounds on Schumacher after 'no joy' in Turkey
Button rages against Vettel's title stroll
Webber rues loss of F1's flag-waving tradition

Sauber likely to sign same drivers for 2012
(GMM) Peter Sauber has indicated he will move early to secure the Swiss team's current driver lineup for 2012.

The Hinwil based team's founder, principal and owner told Blick newspaper he is happy with Kamui Kobayashi alongside Mexican rookie Sergio Perez.

"We almost never talk about the future of our drivers," said Sauber. "What I am saying is that we are more than satisfied with our two drivers."

Blick said Sauber has learned from the past, when Felipe Massa moved to Ferrari after a strong season with the Swiss team in 2005, and when Kimi Raikkonen was snapped up by McLaren after his sterling Sauber debut in 2011.

"We want to exploit for ourselves the potential of these two young drivers," said Sauber.

Buemi 'a driver with a future' – Ascanelli
(GMM) Sebastien Buemi's future looks brighter after a shining performance in Turkey.

The 22-year-old Swiss was earmarked as the most likely to move over at the end of the season so that Daniel Ricciardo can make his Toro Rosso debut in 2012.

But Buemi drove a brilliant race at Istanbul Park, running seventh near the end after starting 16th on the grid, and eventually crossing the line in ninth place.

"We have rarely seen so much fight from Sebastien," team boss Franz Tost told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Agreed Toro Rosso's highly respected technical boss Giorgio Ascanelli: "Buemi has really matured. He has learned from his mistakes and with his new fitness coach is now focused on his job.

"He's a driver with a future," added the Italian.

Pitstop frenzy 'too much' in 2011 – Domenicali
(GMM) Stefano Domenicali has warned F1 to proceed with caution as its new chaotic formula leaves spectators dazzled.

After many seasons in recent history featured predictable strategies and few overtaking moves, many pundits are hailing the Pirelli tires and 'DRS' system for radically transforming the races in 2011.

But Sunday in Turkey hosted more pitstops than even the chaotic rain-affected 1993 race at Donington, and Nico Rosberg admitted afterwards that he had no idea of his race position until the closing corners.

And race winner Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso also admitted that Turkey must have been confusing for the spectators, while Domenicali raised a safety issue relating to the orgy of pitstops.

"Four pitstops I think is too much, personally," agreed Ferrari team boss Domenicali to Diario Sport newspaper.

"Especially for the safety in the pitlane. In Istanbul it is not such a concern but with other grands prix there will be more difficulties. We will have to be very careful," he added.

Domenicali was happier with FIA president Jean Todt's intention to push for some in-season testing to be allowed in 2012 or 2013.

"It was extreme to go from so many miles of testing in the past to an absolute prohibition," agreed the Italian.

"I have always thought that a compromise was more sensible," added Domenicali.

Renault car more impressive than Ferrari's – Newey
(GMM) Renault's 2011 car has impressed leading designer Adrian Newey more than the latest single seater produced by Ferrari.

"The Renault has impressed me the most," Red Bull technical chief Newey said in an interview with Spain's El Pais newspaper.

"It's exhaust system is completely different to the others. I haven't analyzed it deeply but the path they have taken is completely unique and very brave, and that's always good," he added.

As for Ferrari's 150 Italia, Newey said it is "a conventional car".

And McLaren "have worked hard on the sidepods, which are different, but I think the change is more visual than anything else.

"I think the vast majority of teams chose to evolve their previous cars," said the Briton.

For that reason, Newey said rival teams subsequently copying the dominant RB7's exhaust layout is simultaneously "flattering" but also "irritating".

Press rounds on Schumacher after 'no joy' in Turkey
(GMM) The world's press is running wild with Michael Schumacher's statement that he is getting "no joy" out of his formula one career at present.

"The big joy is not there right now, except some action, that's about it," the 42-year-old German told television reporters after his fraught race in Turkey.

Scolded Italian newspaper Repubblica from Istanbul: "Schumacher was being overtaken on all sides and ruining the others' races".

Corriere della Sport said Istanbul was "painful": "It hurts to see Schumacher in this state".

Even Germany's Bild said the Mercedes driver is "No longer the giant that dominated. He is a sad shadow of his former self. This is not our Schumi".

BBC commentator and Schumacher's former Benetton teammate Martin Brundle admitted his performance in Turkey was "uncomfortable to watch".

"I think any dreams of a fairytale comeback are over," he added.

Agreed another key former Schumacher rival David Coulthard: "He must be asking himself questions. You can't hold back the clock."

Wrote the Italian magazine Autosprint: "The question many experts are asking is how long Schumacher will have the motivation to deal with a generation of drivers who could be his sons."

Another of Schumacher's former Benetton teammates, Johnny Herbert, said he senses the German will make a decision shortly.

"His dream was to win again but it has not turned out that way and I would be surprised if he chose to continue," the Briton wrote in his column for The National.

Button rages against Vettel's title stroll
(GMM) The F1 paddock is split between either raging against Sebastian Vettel's current dominance, or accepting that the 2011 crown seems destined for the head of the 23-year-old German.

"If he keeps it up like this, the season will be over at half distance," the blunt RTL commentator and triple world champion Niki Lauda said after Turkey.

At Istanbul Park, Vettel continued his perfect pole record and won his third race of the season, moving France's L'Equipe to dub him 'Mr. 93 per cent'.

That is a reference to the fact the Red Bull driver is only 7 points short of having captured a maximum 100 points haul from the first four rounds of 2011.

"If it continues like this, it is no longer a question or if (Vettel) will win the championship, but just when," wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport.

McLaren's Jenson Button, however, sounded angry when told by reporters that Vettel will almost certainly defend his title.

"What's the point in saying that? We might as well fu**ing go home. I mean, come on guys, let's not make it too negative," said the Briton.

But Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton acknowledged: "It's very similar to when Schumacher was dominating. Now Sebastian is dominating."

Told the season could be over after as few as 10 races, he responded: "I don't have a fear that will happen, but it is possible. But it is also possible we could catch up and overtake them."

Webber rues loss of F1's flag-waving tradition
(GMM) As F1 tries to improve itself with better promotion, more overtaking and a glitzier 'show', Mark Webber has rued one element missing from today's era.

The Australian admitted that he would like drivers to be allowed to hold and wave a national flag from their cockpits after winning a race.

"That was beautiful," said Webber, referring to the practice that was banned some years ago on safety grounds as well as in deference to the sport's now strict post-race procedures.

But he argues: "It was always a great moment to watch Ayrton Senna with the Brazilian flag and Nigel Mansell with the Union Jack. It was a good message for the sport and the fans — and it looked great and showed passion.

"Now the winning procedure is to take off the helmet, hurry on to the podium, hurry off the podium – boom, boom, boom – and then we go home," the Red Bull driver told F1's official website.