Latest F1 news in brief

Hankook eyes F1 bid

Michelin says no but Hankook eyeing F1 in 2020
Mercedes helps save German GP
Lauda 'much better' – boss
F1 should scrap 'dangerous' DRS – Sainz Jr.
Ferrari 'needs time' for Raikkonen decision
IndyCar test 'not key day' for 2019 – Alonso
Stroll not denying Force India seat fitting

Michelin says no but Hankook eyeing F1 in 2020
(GMM) Michelin has ruled out bidding to return to formula one in 2020.

The FIA has put out a tender, but it will require the successful applicant to build current-spec tires in 2020 before switching to low profile 18-inch wheels the year after.

In a statement, the French company said it is concerned about the different regulations for 2020 and 2021, "as well as the deterioration of performance as a part of the show".

Michelin said it will therefore not be responding to the tender.

"I knew they wouldn't come," an insider told Speed Week at Monza.

"No team has been contacted by Michelin. But it's very different with Hankook, who have certainly talked to some teams.

"Whether the FIA has received an application from Hankook, I don't know. But we know that Pirelli wants to continue," the insider added.

Mercedes helps save German GP

Mercedes coughs up money to save home GP

(GMM) Germany's grand prix has been saved by Mercedes.

In the Monza paddock, a preliminary 21 race calendar for 2019 emerged featuring a race at Hockenheim.

It is believed Mercedes played a big role in saving the race, thanks to a EUR 3 million sponsorship.

"The race this year spoke of the enthusiasm for formula one in Germany," Mercedes' Toto Wolff told Bild newspaper.

"That's why is was important for us to do everything in our power to keep our home race next year as well," he added.

Liberty Media's F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn is now working on keeping Germany on the calendar beyond 2019.

"We are interested in Germany being a permanent host on the calendar again. One solution would be to alternate the grand prix as before between Hockenheim and the NÃ¼rburgring," said Brawn.

Lauda 'much better' – boss

Lauda improving

(GMM) Niki Lauda is feeling "much better".

That is the news from Michael O'Leary, boss of the airline Ryanair which is in collaboration with the F1 legend's own airline.

A month ago, 69-year-old Lauda had a lung transplant and has been missing from his role as Mercedes team chairman at grands prix ever since.

Laudamotion boss Andreas Gruber told ORF: "I have spoken to him, but I hope you understand that I do not comment on his health."

And O'Leary said: "I think he already feels much better, but he was in a critical condition. We expect him to continue with the remaining 25pc of Laudamotion."

F1 should scrap 'dangerous' DRS – Sainz Jr.

Ericsson's crash being blamed on a stuck DRS.

(GMM) Carlos Sainz Jr. thinks F1 should consider scrapping the overtaking innovation DRS.

Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson escaped unhurt from a massive crash during practice at Monza on Friday, and the cause was found to be a faulty DRS flap.

"I'm glad Marcus is fine," Renault driver Sainz said.

"DRS is an artificial and dangerous element. If the wing doesn't close, the behavior of the car changes dramatically.

"I hope that formula one develops cars so that we don't need DRS for overtaking," the Spaniard added. "I understand that we cannot do without it now, but I hope in the future it's different."

Ferrari 'needs time' for Raikkonen decision

Raikkonen gets strung along

(GMM) New Ferrari president Louis Camilleri says he is not ready to confirm Kimi Raikkonen for 2019.

This weekend is Camilleri's first Italian grand prix as the chief of the Maranello company, following the death of Sergio Marchionne.

"We have a different style, but I miss him a lot. He was extraordinary, ambitious and very intelligent," he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

As for the F1 team, Camilleri said he is happy with Sebastian Vettel and also Raikkonen. The Finn does not yet have a contract for 2019, but it is believed that after Marchionne's death, Raikkonen is now the favorite to stay.

"This is a great team and we are happy with how it is going," Camilleri said. "I do not think we need big changes.

"We have Vettel who is the Ronaldo of formula one and Kimi who is a great friend. His future? The final decision will be Maurizio Arrivabene's but we need time. It is not an easy decision," he added.

IndyCar test 'not key day' for 2019 – Alonso

Alonso says "I have everything decided in my head, but this test is not a key date."…….whatever that means

(GMM) Fernando Alonso will test an IndyCar next week, it emerged at Monza.

The 2005 and 2006 world champion has announced he is quitting formula one at the end of the year, and is hotly tipped to switch to IndyCar full-time.

"Yes, Alonso will test with Andretti," McLaren boss Zak Brown, who is considering an IndyCar team for the Woking outfit, told Movistar.

"He has not decided what he will do, but he remains part of the McLaren family. We are continuing to work with IndyCar on all the possibilities," Brown added.

Alonso agreed with Brown that Wednesday's IndyCar test is not necessarily an indication of what he will do in 2019.

"My decision for next year is not going to be based on Wednesday," he said.

"I have everything decided in my head already," said the McLaren driver.

"The test was already scheduled months ago. I like to try all kinds of cars.

"Last year Andretti wanted me to test on a normal circuit but there was no time. This year we have the opportunity to do it but for next year I don't think it's a key day," Alonso added.

Stroll not denying Force India seat fitting

Daddy did not buy him an F1 race team for him to drive elsewhere now did he.

(GMM) Lance Stroll has not denied that he had a seat fitting at Racing Point Force India's Silverstone HQ last week.

It is strongly rumored that the Canadian will switch from Williams within this season, and possibly in time for the Singapore grand prix later this month.

When asked why he was spotted at Force India's factory last week, the 19-year-old joked to La Presse newspaper: "Actually I wanted to go to London but took the wrong exit."

Asked if he had a seat fitting, the son of new Force India owner Lawrence Stroll added: "Maybe."

More forthcoming was Force India boss Otmar Szafnauer, who confirmed the seat fitting took place.

"Lance came and had a look and we made him the seat," he is quoted by Marca. "He fits in the car just in case.

"The first step is to be released by Williams, assuming that he would want him to be released," Szafnauer added.

"We will probably keep the same two drivers for the rest of the year, but you never know what tomorrow holds," he said.

"We made the seat because we are in control of that, but the rest is legal. If hypothetically we go to put Lance in the car and Esteban (Ocon) says 'Sorry I have a contract', what could we do?" admitted Szafnauer.