Latest F1 news in brief

Is the Ferrari legal? So far the FIA can find no wrongdoing

FIA monitoring Ferrari over cheat rumors
Raikkonen hints he wants 2019 deal
Bottas wants two-year Mercedes deal
Rosberg still resisting F1 comeback
Pirelli considers name changes for F1 tires
Baku boss says Miami won't replace race
Pirelli again skips step with Hungarian GP compound choice

FIA monitoring Ferrari over cheat rumors
(GMM) The legality of Ferrari's 2018 car remains under the spotlight.

There are suspicions not only about the amount of oil consumed by the turbocharger, but also whether Ferrari is cleverly getting around the rule limiting battery power.

Rumors in Monaco suggest the FIA is monitoring the car at Monaco this weekend with additional hardware, and also that new energy management software may be in use for a similar purpose.

"There have been rumors that people are cottoning onto," Red Bull boss Christian Horner said.

"I'm sure the FIA has all the competence to be able to measure, administer and look at the car that's presented for scrutinizing during a grand prix weekend and it is the team's obligation to ensure that happens," he added.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel insisted he is not worried.

"I trust the team and the Federation," said the German.

"For us, the situation is extremely clear. There is more talk about this in the paddock than inside the team."

But Niki Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, said there is not yet full clarity.

"These grey zones are very important," he told Osterreich newspaper. "Does Ferrari drive with two batteries? Is the turbocharger part of the engine or can you do what you want with the oil?

"Nobody says Ferrari is cheating, we just want to know if we can do the same," he added.

Raikkonen hints he wants 2019 deal

Kimi wants yet another year

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has hinted he wants a new deal at Ferrari for 2019.

Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo are linked with the Finn's seat, but Sebastian Vettel has made clear he wants his friend Raikkonen to stay.

"I think he's fast enough compared to anyone out there," the German told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Ferrari may find it easy to find a driver, but it's much more difficult to find someone with the same values and respect," he added.

Raikkonen, 38, was coy when asked if he wants to stay.

"It's not my decision," he said. "It depends on the team and they know exactly what I want. I do not drive in formula one if I do not have fun," he said.

"The pleasure of driving is the only thing that keeps me here. I can do without everything else, even though it's the way it is.

"The decision is influenced by many things, but at least my passion for racing will not disappear from this moment to the end of the season," Raikkonen added.

Bottas wants two-year Mercedes deal

Bottas wants more security

(GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted he would like a two-year deal if Mercedes extends his stay beyond 2018.

So far, the Finn has been on single-year contracts after he was signed at the eleventh hour to replace Nico Rosberg in 2017.

Team boss Toto Wolff said he has been happy with Bottas.

"Everyone expected miracles and he was good, and then he had a little slump. Now he has grown as a person and driver and adapted to the team very well, and you can see that the results are strengthening," he told the C More broadcaster.

But that doesn't mean Bottas will necessarily get a new contract, as drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon are linked with the seat.

"I'm not worried about it," Bottas told Ilta Sanomat newspaper in Monaco.

"I'm just starting to talk to the team about the contract. If I continue like this there is no reason to worry."

He admitted he would like a two-year deal for 2019 and 2020.

"Yes, it would be nice to know ahead of time what I am doing, even if it's only a couple of years," said Bottas. "Continuity is important."

Bottas is even handling the negotiations almost entirely alone, after apparently splitting with his former manager Didier Coton.

"I have important supporters in the background, but I'm really doing everything myself. I like to work directly with the team," he said.

Boss Wolff told Finnish reporters he is not ready to talk about Bottas' contract.

"I know what you are asking next and the answer is no. Not yet," he said.

"I promise I will tell you Finns first," Wolff smiled.

Rosberg still resisting F1 comeback

Nico Rosberg prefers to be home changing diapers

(GMM) Nico Rosberg says even driving a formula one car on the streets of Monaco didn't whet his appetite for a comeback.

Ahead of the Monaco GP, the 2016 world champion joined his father Keke for a F1 demonstration run.

Asked if it made him consider racing again, the German told Corriere della Sera: "For five seconds, yes.

"When I got into the cockpit it was like coming home. But it went right away. I'm so happy," Rosberg insisted.

Indeed, he said he is also happy to be a mere spectator of the 2018 season.

"It's a spectacular fight between three teams," said Rosberg. "No one has any idea who will win on Sunday, which is the perfect scenario."

And although Mercedes was dominant in Spain and Red Bull looks quickest in Monaco, he tipped Ferrari to win in the end.

"I did not expect them to be so good this season. At the moment it's the best car," he said.

Pirelli considers name changes for F1 tires

Dumbest thing we ever heard. Tire names are just fine as they are

(GMM) Pirelli has admitted it could change the way its F1 tires are named.

Currently, the Italian company supplies three out of six available compounds at each grand prix – 'hard', 'medium', 'soft', 'supersoft', 'ultrasoft' or 'hypersoft'.

They are color-coded, but some believe the naming system is too complicated.

"The FIA and FOM are asking us to use only three names for the compounds — hard, medium and soft. It's possible that's what we'll do next year," Pirelli chief Mario Isola said in Monaco.

"The color markings will be the same at all races even though the compounds will actually be different, because we can't use the same tires in Monaco, Silverstone and Suzuka," he added.

So instead of the convoluted names at present, the full compound range next year will simply be known as A, B, C, D and so on, and Pirelli will continue to release full technical details.

"Perhaps that will make it easier for fans to understand the situation with the tires," said Isola.

"The decision has not been made yet, but we have said that we are ready to analyze the possibility. In principle it is possible. To do the coloring is not such a big problem."

Baku boss says Miami won't replace race

Arif Rahimov says Baku will keep race

(GMM) Baku race chief Arif Rahimov has denied rumors it might lose its spot on the 2019 calendar to make way for Miami.

There have also been rumors Azerbaijan might consider getting out of its current contract.

But Rahimov insists that Baku is firmly on the calendar.

"We have a contract until 2020," he said. "It can only be terminated by mutual agreement. And we do not intend to do this.

"And I see no sign from Liberty that they no longer want our grand prix."

Rahimov said the uncertainty should end next month, when the first draft of the 2019 calendar is released.

"We'll be on it and then the rumors will stop," he insisted.

Pirelli again skips step with Hungarian GP compound choice
Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli has confirmed its compound choices for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The company has mirrored the approach it has opted to take for the preceding round in Germany by making a non-linear selection.

The Ultrasoft, Soft and Medium compounds will be available for drivers at the Hungaroring – meaning the Supersoft step will be skipped.

Pirelli first adopted the tactic in China this year and the move was well-received by drivers, with the approach opening up varying strategies.

As per usual, each driver will have 13 sets of tires available for the weekend’s action, with one set of Ultrasoft tires cast aside for use only in Q3.

Either the Soft or Medium tires must be run for one stint of the 70-lap Grand Prix should dry conditions prevail.

Of the remaining 10 sets of tires, drivers are permitted free choice from the nominated compounds.

Tire Choices Through Hungary