Latest F1 news in brief

Vettel Thursday in Austria

Vettel says crash criticism 'normal'
Leclerc admits Ferrari switch 'a dream'
Magnussen plays down Ferrari rumor
Media exaggerating McLaren crisis – Alonso
Hamilton not commenting on contract rumours
Verstappen tips Ricciardo to stay
Renault confirms engine 'party mode'

Vettel says crash criticism 'normal'
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he has arrived in Austria feeling "relaxed".

That is despite a barrage of criticism since his first lap crashes in Paul Ricard a week ago that cost him the championship lead.

"No, criticism in such a situation is normal. It's normal for everything to be questioned very quickly these days," said the Ferrari driver.

German Vettel said every driver makes mistakes.

"You're also trying to push the limits. Sometimes it works out and it's great, sometimes it doesn't," he added.

Ferrari is expecting a strong weekend in Spielberg, but so too is Mercedes.

Mercedes has brought its biggest upgrade of the season so far to the Red Bull Ring.

"I'm excited because until now we haven't really bolted anything to the car this year," said championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

Home team Red Bull is also confident, and not just because Renault has brought a qualifying 'party mode' for its engine for the first time ever.

Also favoring Red Bull at the Red Bull Ring is the addition of a third DRS zone.

"I cannot say if it helps us, but it won't hurt us," smiled Daniel Ricciardo.

Leclerc admits Ferrari switch 'a dream'

Is Leclerc Ferrari bound?

(GMM) Charles Leclerc has admitted he would jump at the chance to switch from Sauber to Ferrari.

Already a member of the Ferrari driver academy, the rumor mill is hinting strongly that the impressive 20-year-old rookie is being lined up to replace Kimi Raikkonen.

"It's nice to see such a talented young driver developing so well," Liberty Media F1 chief Ross Brawn said.

Raikkonen is not even denying that he could in turn move to McLaren.

"I have zero interest to get involved in all the nonsense," he told reporters in Austria when asked about the speculation.

For his part, Monaco-born Leclerc said he has heard the rumours but is preferring simply to focus on his work at Sauber.

"I don't think about it too much, although that is difficult," he admitted.

"I see the rumours and it makes me happy because it has always been my dream to drive for Ferrari. If one day it happens, it would be just amazing."

Magnussen plays down Ferrari rumor

Kevin Magnussen has 0.0001% chance of being hired by Ferrari

(GMM) Kevin Magnussen has played down a wild rumor linking him with Ferrari.

Although it seems more likely that Ferrari would replace Kimi Raikkonen with Charles Leclerc, the paddock grapevine said impressive Haas driver Magnussen could also be a contender.

Dane Magnussen said he and Haas, the Ferrari 'B team', are actually "close" to extending their collaboration for 2019.

"I like being at Haas," he told BT newspaper in Austria.

"Unless I have an offer from a top team, I don't see a better place to be. And I don't have an offer from a top team.

"It's not something I'm focusing on. Like many others, I dream of racing for a top team, but right now my focus is on Haas," Magnussen added.

The 25-year-old has had a busy few days before Austria, travelling straight from France to Copenhagen where his former manager is suing him for 20pc of his earnings.

"It hasn't been a lot of fun. I like to race more than I like to be in court," he smiled.

Media exaggerating McLaren crisis – Alonso

The McLaren chassis is a slug

(GMM) Fernando Alonso says the media is exaggerating the severity of McLaren's problems.

Some sections of the media say the once-great British team is in crisis, as it struggles for performance and stands down a potential staff revolt.

"There is a lot of exaggerated tension in the media," Alonso said in Austria.

"They have to sell something to the readers, but we are not the worst team. We had a bad weekend at Paul Ricard and we are the first to know it.

"I think those who apparently do a perfect job are behind us in the world championship," said the Spaniard.

However, team bosses have admitted that McLaren is struggling with its wind tunnel, and currently using the Toyota facility in Cologne instead.

Alonso said: "More than the tunnel or no tunnel, it's about the improvements. We brought a development to Barcelona and were in Q3 but since then we have not brought anything else."

Hamilton not commenting on contract rumours
(GMM) Lewis Hamilton would not be drawn on speculation that his Mercedes contract for 2019 and 2020 is now signed and ready to announce.

"It's nice for you guys to have something to talk about make up," Germany's Sport1 quotes the Briton as saying.

Multiple authoritative media sources last week reported that, following a long delay, Hamilton has finally signed up with a new EUR 40 million per year deal.

"At some point it will be done, and then you will know," Hamilton added in Austria.

There are rumours the contract will be officially announced just ahead of Hamilton's home race at Silverstone in just over a week.

"Maybe not yet," Hamilton said.

Verstappen tips Ricciardo to stay

Verstappen knows Ricciardo has nowhere to go

(GMM) Max Verstappen thinks he will have the same teammate in 2019.

At the moment, Daniel Ricciardo is linked with potential moves to Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren or Renault, and he hopes his decision will be clear by the summer break.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko is confident the Australian will stay.

"We have recently come very close. It's on a good way," he told Kronen newspaper.

Dutchman Verstappen said he would be happy if Ricciardo stays.

"The chances that he will stay are high," he said in Austria. "I see no reason why not.

"Daniel is a great teammate, we have a lot of fun together but on the track we motivate each other to push. I like working with him, he's one of my best teammates and also one of my most difficult rivals, but I like it," Verstappen added.

20-year-old Verstappen also said he has put a recent spate of crashes behind him, and denied that it was the absence of his father Jos from the track that helped.

"He was never coming to those races anyway," the Red Bull driver insisted.

"He has his own life. I have a sister who is 3 years old and he wanted to spend time with his family. He (Jos) will be here this weekend," Verstappen said at the Red Bull Ring.

Renault confirms engine 'party mode'
(GMM) Renault has confirmed that it will finally have a 'party mode' for its engine from this weekend in Austria.

Until now in the 'power unit' era, only Mercedes and Ferrari have had the crucial extra power boost in qualifying sessions.

"We'll have to wait and see what it brings us," Red Bull's Max Verstappen said in Austria.

Dr Helmut Marko said the boost should be a full three tenths on a hot lap.

Renault's Cyril Abiteboul confirmed: "We have a qualifying mode now, for both us and our customers.

"Before we were able to call on a bit more performance in qualifying, but now the jump is significant," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

The timing of Renault's 'party mode' is interesting, given the long wait for it and the fact Red Bull is now switching to Honda power for 2018.

When asked if he regrets that, Verstappen told De Limburger: "No. Honda also has such a mode."