Latest F1 news in brief

Without a big check, Ocon's last hope for a seat in F1 in 2019 is with career ruining Williams F1

Ocon visited Williams factory
Zetsche retiring in 2019
Vandoorne set for Formula E switch
Company sues Force India administrator
Alonso rules out Formula E move
Sainz to drive with eye infection
Sepang circuit pays Haas compensation for Grosjean's '17 crash
Haas F1 Team Retains Driver Lineup for 2019

Ocon visited Williams factory
(GMM) Esteban Ocon's chances of staying in formula one remain alive.

It emerged at Sochi that, between Singapore and Russia, the Frenchman visited Williams' headquarters in Oxfordshire.

"I met Claire and Frank but there is nothing on the contract side," the Force India driver, set to be replaced by Lance Stroll, told RTBF.

Ocon insisted moving to Williams would not be a "backwards step", but it is likely that a seat with the British team would mean a place at the back of the grid.

"It's always better to race," he said. "When you stop for a year, coming back is not so simple, also for the body."

But the 22-year-old said he would prefer to sit out 2019 if it means switching to another series, like Indycar.

"F1 is all I want to do. There is also the safety aspect. Robert (Wickens) is a driver who never makes mistakes, but he made one and it almost cost him his life," said Ocon.

He also said he will not consider leaving Mercedes' driver program, and defended Lance Stroll amid criticism that a 'pay driver' has won the day for now.

"Lance is my best friend in the paddock and works as hard as I do to get a cockpit. The criticism of him is unfair," said Ocon.

Zetsche retiring in 2019

Dieter Zetsche

(GMM) Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of F1 team Mercedes' parent company Daimler, is stepping down.

The Financial Times reports that the 65-year-old is retiring next year and will be replaced by fellow board member Ola Kallenius.

Daimler said the change, with Zetsche returning after a two year period to be supervisory board chairman, is because of "challenges presented by the transformation of the automotive industry".

He will leave his current role in May next year.

Vandoorne set for Formula E switch

Instead of buying a ride in IndyCar, Vandoorne will be paid a rumored $1M to drive in Formula E

(GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne looks set to keep his motor racing career alive in Formula E.

The Belgian has lost his McLaren seat for 2019.

He told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF at Sochi: "At this moment there is nothing decided but in my head I know exactly what I would like to do.

"I think we are getting closer to a decision. Formula E is a possibility, but we have received a lot of other offers from other categories as well."

It is believed Vandoorne is referring chiefly to Indycar, but the strong rumor is that he has agreed to move to Formula E to race for Mercedes' works team.

"Mercedes? It's you who said it rather than me," he smiled. "But it is obviously a very, very good manufacturer that I don't need to tell you about," he said.

"I was in contact with Toro Rosso but it's no longer an option. I am pretty sure I will not be in formula one next year. Actually the chances are almost zero," added Vandoorne.

Company sues Force India administrator
(GMM) The administrators who approved Lance Stroll's recent Force India takeover are being sued.

Last month, a Russian fertilizer company called Uralkali said the Force India administrator, FRP Advisory, did not take its "competitive bid" for the team seriously.

Now, Uralkali says it is suing the administrators in London's High Court for "substantial damages".

"If a claim is issued it will be defended vigorously," FRP Advisory responded in a statement.

Alonso rules out Formula E move

Alonso nixes Formula E

(GMM) Fernando Alonso has ruled out switching to Formula E.

The Spaniard announced at Sochi that, despite earlier not ruling out a return to F1 in the future, his time in the category "is over".

Alonso's next step is unknown.

It is believed he will definitely contest the Indy 500 in order to complete the 'triple crown', but also being considered is the full Indycar season.

"We'll see," the 37-year-old said in Russia.

"I've said many times that I want to be the best driver in the world."

Recently, Formula E boss Alejandro Agag said he was targeting Alonso, but the McLaren driver says he is not interested for now.

"It's a relatively new series where a tradition in prestigious races has not yet developed," Alonso said. "But who knows about the future?

"I'm not racing just for fun, so I will make decisions based on what kinds of races I am interested in to become a better driver and person and try to leave a mark on the history of motor racing," he added.

Sainz Jr. to drive with eye infection

Carlos Sainz Jr.

(GMM) Carlos Sainz Jr. says he expects to race in Russia this weekend even though he has an eye infection.

The Spaniard says it is just his latest adventure at Sochi.

"It's funny, I've been evacuated by helicopter and this is one more experience," the Renault driver smiled, referring to his huge crash of 2015.

In the Sochi paddock, Sainz's red eye is notably red and inflamed.

"I have a simple eye infection but I feel good for this race," he insisted.

"I hope to do the race without problems even if it bothers me a little. Yes, having a good view is convenient when you are in an F1 car," Sainz smiled.

The 24-year-old also responded to Max Verstappen's claim that it is "certain" Honda will be ahead of Renault in 2019.

"I think it's very difficult to use the word certain, as I'm not certain of anything in formula one," said Sainz.

"But I still have faith in Renault. I'll use this engine next year at another team and I think the work they are doing is enough."

Sepang circuit pays Haas compensation for Grosjean's '17 crash

Grosjean's crash at Sepang in 2017

The Sepang International Circuit, which hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix up until last year before the event was axed, has settled a dispute with the Haas Formula 1 team, resulting in compensation being paid to the American outfit.

Romain Grosjean crashed during first free practice for the 2017 event, heavily damaging his car as he span into the barriers. Replays show the cause of the crash was down to a loose drain cover, which flew open when Kimi Raikkonen ran over it.

Grosjean, on a quick lap behind the Finn, failed to spot it and ran over the drain, causing his right-rear tire to rapidly deflate, pitching him into a spin.

Haas took the issue up with the circuit and almost a year later, team principal Guenther Steiner confirmed that Sepang's insurance had settled the dispute.

"We settled, the insurance were very good to deal with and we are happy. The insurance was very professional, they stood up for their responsibility," he is quoted as saying by RaceFans.

"It’s [been] a year now roughly, it’s a long time this case. I think it’s the first [time] something like this happened.

"It got sorted, they were good to deal with. There was so many parties involved as well. These things take always time. An insurance claim is never quick."

At the time, Steiner described the circuit as "not up to the standard". Romain Grosjean went on to finish 14th in the race.

Haas F1 Team Retains Driver Lineup for 2019

Grosjean and Magnussen retained by the un-American Haas F1 team

Haas F1 Team will retain its driver lineup of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen for the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Grosjean has been with Haas F1 Team since its 2016 inception and Magnussen joined the American outfit in 2017. The 2019 season will mark Grosjean’s ninth year in Formula One and Magnussen’s fifth.

“From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team, and we have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen. We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision," said Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team.

In only its third season, Haas F1 Team is currently fifth in the constructors’ standings with 76 points, 15 points behind fourth-place Renault with an 18-point advantage over sixth-place McLaren. Haas F1 Team finished eighth in the constructors’ standings in 2016 and 2017, but has dramatically increased its point tally each year, from 29 points in 2016 to 47 points in 2017 to a goal of breaking the 100-point barrier in 2018.

“I think the 100-point barrier should be and will be broken, and we’ll do it with Romain and Kevin," said Steiner from the Sochi Autodrom, site of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix. “Both drivers push each other to be better, and their collective feedback allows us to be better. It’s not a coincidence that in their second year as teammates, Haas F1 Team is having its best year. By keeping Romain and Kevin together, we aim to do even better next year."

Grosjean came to Haas F1 Team in 2016 after spending five Formula One seasons with Lotus F1 Team. The 32-year-old Frenchman has competed in 137 Formula One races and earned 10 podium finishes and a total of 371 points. Grosjean scored all 29 points for Haas F1 Team in its inaugural season and is responsible for 55.3 percent of Haas F1 Team’s cumulative point tally since 2016.

“It’s impressive to see what this team has accomplished in such a relatively short time, and for someone who has been here since the very beginning, I take a lot of pride in the time, effort and sacrifice we’ve all put forth to make Haas F1 Team so competitive," Grosjean said. “I’m very happy to continue with Haas F1 Team and represent Haas Automation and all of our partners. Gene Haas has built something very special – something we can make even better – and it’s an honor to be a part of it."

Magnussen, the 25-year-old from Roskilde, Denmark, joined Haas F1 Team with two years of Formula One experience – one with McLaren in 2014 and another with Renault in 2016. Magnussen finished an impressive second in his Formula One debut at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix and has amassed 130 points in 75 grand prix starts.

“I’ve never been in a better situation than the one I’m in here at Haas F1 Team," Magnussen said. “This is a team filled with racers and we’re all striving for the same thing. There’s no bureaucracy and everything is very straightforward. Gene Haas is all about efficiency, and he and Guenther Steiner have created a very efficient environment that gets the best from its people. We all believe in each other and that’s why we’ve achieved as much as we have."