Latest F1 news in brief

Did a year warming the bench at Ferrari make Kvyat better or did he bring a huge check for 2019?

Kvyat 'changed' at Ferrari – Marko
Ocon could be reserve driver in 2019
Bottas will slave to Hamilton on Sunday
Ecclestone wants Pirelli to stay in F1
Russia could have own F1 team – deputy PM
Ticktum not ready for Toro Rosso – Tost
Birthday boy to start dead last

Kvyat 'changed' at Ferrari – Marko
(GMM) Daniil Kvyat is back in F1 because he "changed".

That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who has decided to bring the Russian back to the grid next year to replace Pierre Gasly.

"It's simple — Daniil has changed," said the Red Bull official.

"His speed was always there, but he had problems with the mental side. At Ferrari he matured with the completely different environment. He has also realized how precious it is to have a seat.

"Maybe he went to Ferrari hoping to get a car there, but it was not possible. We always kept in touch. Daniil even called me before Ricciardo called me," Marko smiled.

"There were not many drivers who were really eligible and the conditions were right, so I'm happy that he is back with us."

Ocon could be reserve driver in 2019

Perez (R) brought the big check and Ocon (L) will therefore, sit on the bench in 2019

(GMM) Esteban Ocon could keep his F1 aspirations alive with a reserve role next year.

Although once in the running at Renault and McLaren, the current Force India driver now looks set to exit the grid.

Williams is more likely to sign another pay driver for 2019, while Dr Helmut Marko said Red Bull will only consider him for Toro Rosso is Mercedes severs its ties to the 22-year-old.

A reserve role at Force India could now be the most likely scenario for Ocon.

"It could happen," team boss Otmar Szafnauer said at Sochi.

"None of it is decided, but if you are in the simulator, the only way to do that is to be in the car from time to time," he added.

Szafnauer said it is then possible that Ocon returns from his "sabbatical" in 2020.

"How long was Raikkonen away? Two years? But he came back and did pretty well," he said.

"He (Ocon) is young enough and talented enough," Szafnauer added.

Ocon admits that a third driver role is a possibility for 2019.

"Let's see what the solution is," he said at Sochi. "Of course, third driver is third driver, but the more mileage I can get if I'm not driving next year is always a help.

"Let's see, but at the moment I'm still looking for a place to race next year."

Bottas will slave to Hamilton on Sunday

Unless Hamilton falls out, Mercedes slave driver, Valtteri Bottas, will let Hamilton past and win the Russia GP

(GMM) Valtteri Bottas could be asked to give up the race win at Sochi to help championship leader Lewis Hamilton tighten his grip on the 2018 title.

Finn Bottas is on pole in Russia, but with Sebastian Vettel behind them both in the fast Ferrari, Mercedes team tactics are arguably wise.

"If you start from pole, you want to win the race," Bottas said after qualifying.

"But of course we are here as a team to fight for both titles," he is quoted by Bild.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff regretfully admitted that team orders must be a consideration.

"It would be rather difficult to tell him after putting the thing on pole and he cannot race. But we are not in the phase of the season where as Mercedes we can simply drive against each other.

"As much as I hate that as a racing fan, we have to be realistic," Wolff added.

"We will have the meeting before the race and then see how it develops in the race," he said. "Lewis doesn't want it because he wants to do it for himself, and Valtteri doesn't want it because he needs this victory.

"We will discuss it and come to a solution," said Wolff.

Ecclestone wants Pirelli to stay in F1

Bernie thinks Pirelli should stay

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he wants Pirelli to remain the official tire supplier in F1.

It is believed Hankook, a South Korean tire manufacturer, has responded to the FIA's tender about taking over from Pirelli in 2020.

Pirelli is also in the running, and former F1 supremo Ecclestone – who was in charge when the Italian company entered the sport in 2011 – hopes it secures another contract.

"Pirelli should stay," the Briton said at Sochi.

"It took them a long time to reach the level they are at now. The first three years were very difficult for them," Ecclestone added.

"Anyone who comes in after them will have the same difficulties, so I think for formula one it will be better if Pirelli continues. I personally hope they do," he said.

Russia could have own F1 team – deputy PM

Mazepin's dad tried to buy Force India. The Williams team will be all Russian in 2019. The Russians may as well buy the team

(GMM) Russia's deputy prime minister thinks there could soon be a Russian F1 team on the grid.

Next year, Daniil Kvyat could be joined on the grid not only by Sergey Sirotkin but another Russian driver Artem Markelov, while Nikita Mazepin is also knocking on the door.

Russian deputy PM Dmitry Kozak says motor racing is gaining in popularity in Russia.

"I know there are many lovers of motor sports in Russia and also wealthy businessmen who are ready to invest in the creation of a Russian formula one team," he told Tass news agency.

The news agency said Kozak even met with these businessmen at Sochi to discuss the formation of a Russian team.

"The result of our meeting with automakers should be the creation of a Russian formula one car," he said.

"We talked about 2024, but I do not think that it can be done in that time. But I think it can be done within a decade," he added.

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone backed the development.

"It's great that the number of Russian drivers is increasing," he said at Sochi, "but I hope there will be a Russian team. That would be even better."

Controversial Russian president Vladimir Putin will attend Sunday's Russian grand prix, the Kremlin announced.

Ticktum not ready for Toro Rosso – Tost

Dan Ticktum not fast enough yet

(GMM) Toro Rosso has ruled Dan Ticktum out of the running for the second Toro Rosso seat alongside Daniil Kvyat for 2019.

Ticktum, a 19-year-old Briton, is a title contender in European F3, but at Sochi he was chided by Red Bull boss Christian Horner for recent comments made about Mick Schumacher.

Horner also said Ticktum is not ready for F1, and Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost agrees.

"He is a gifted driver, but it seems to me that it is too early for him to go to formula one," Tost said.

"He needs another year or two in Super Formula or Formula 2," he added. "Formula one is now very complex and very fast and to go straight from Formula 3 with the current F1 regulations is very difficult."

Ticktum also doesn't have an F1 super license, which earlier frustrated Red Bull driver boss Dr Helmut Marko.

But Tost said: "I like the super license rules. It means the drivers who come to formula one have the necessary skills and experience."

Media reports say Pascal Wehrlein or Mick Schumacher are in the running to be Kvyat's 2019 Toro Rosso teammate.

But Marko says Brendon Hartley could keep his seat after all.

"He has the rest of the season to prove himself," he said. "He has to beat Pierre Gasly and he knows that too. But leaving him in the car would not be the worst solution."

Marko insisted that Esteban Ocon would only be a contender if he was "free from all contracts", but both the Frenchman and Toto Wolff have said he will remain a Mercedes-backed driver.

Birthday boy to start dead last

Max was a bad boy for his birthday

Max Verstappen was handed a grid penalty by FIA stewards for ignoring yellow flags during qualifying for the Russian Grand Prix, the grid drop coupled to his engine penalties means the Red Bull driver will start the race from last on the grid on Sunday, his birthday!

The stewards found that Verstappen did not reduce his speed enough when yellow flags waved after Sergey Sirotkin spun and landed 90 degrees across the Sochi Autodrome tarmac.

He was given a three-place grid drop and two penalty points which take his tally so far this season to seven, with 12 penalty points resulting in a one race ban for a driver.

FIA offence document #27 stated:

“The Stewards reviewed video and telemetry evidence, heard from the driver of car 33 (Max Verstappen) and the team representative."

“The driver admitted seeing the yellow flag and stated that he steered to the left to avoid the stationary car (number 35). However, the regulation is very clear and states ‘It must be evident that a driver has reduced speed’. The telemetry showed that the driver maintained full throttle and did not apply any braking."

“In his defense, the driver expressed the view that he felt he had acted safely."

“The Stewards noted that the driver understood the error in not slowing and acknowledged that in future he will comply with the regulations. However in view of the emphasis now placed on compliance with yellow flag regulations, in the interests of safety, the Stewards have applied the usual penalty for this offense."

Verstappen, who will start the race on Sunday from last place, said after qualy, “You never know what can happen and we won’t stop fighting, but from where I’m starting, I think the most realistic birthday present will be fifth."