Latest F1 news in brief – Monday

• Now F1 rules makers want more abrasive asphalt to wear out tires faster. There goes their heads again.

  Liberty eyes F1 track resurfacing idea

• F1 eyes blue flag axe
• Renault could switch focus to 2019 car
• Engine makers plan Canada upgrades
• No 'magic' to solve Williams problems – Kubica
• Boullier hits back at McLaren axe rumors
• Baku wants to renegotiate F1 contract
• Drivers to be asked about Miami layout – Todt
• Carey eyes Berlin to replace Hockenheim
• 'Possible' Mercedes will quit F1 – Lauda
• Lowe admits he has failed
• Creditors to lose £23m on Caterham
• Kubica: I hold the steering wheel like holding a bird

Liberty eyes F1 track resurfacing idea
(GMM) Liberty Media might consider pushing race promoters to resurface their tracks in a bid to spice up formula one.

Greg Maffei, the Liberty CEO, told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt that the plan would make F1 "more exciting".

"There are a host of really simple things from when tracks get resurfaced, or tracks are rebuilt or renewed, that you have the right kind of surface so there is tire degradation so that there are enough tire changes to make it an interesting story," Maffei is quoted by The Independent.

But journalist Sylt wonders if the plan is realistic, as he said the cost of resurfacing a circuit is about $3.5 million.

Not just that, "the worst case scenario is that the tracks might have to give the red light to other race series" if the surface is made too abrasive, Sylt added.

F1 eyes blue flag axe

Whiting doubts blue flag will be axed

(GMM) F1 is considering abolishing blue flags.

The blue flag system was introduced in 1995, requiring lapped drivers to get out of the way of cars on the lead lap.

But it is unpopular among many drivers and fans, with some purists thinking passing backmarkers is a fundamental skill.

"We know many people don't like it, which is why we're discussing whether it should be abolished," FIA race director Charlie Whiting is quoted by Auto Bild.

"But we have to think about a decision like that thoroughly. It's just an estimate, but I think the chance is below 50 per cent," he added.

Renault could switch focus to 2019 car

Bob Bell's 2018 Renault is too slow, time to start designing 2019 car

(GMM) After just a few races in 2018, Renault could make the call to switch its focus to the 2019 car.

The French carmaker is steadily rebuilding its F1 commitment, and is not targeting a full world championship tilt until at least 2020.

"We are currently discussing whether we should reduce the development of this year's car," admitted technical boss Bob Bell.

"We haven't decided yet as we're in a tight fight for the top places in the midfield and can't afford to back off the development. But we need to think about it," he added.

Top Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg would support the team if it decided to switch its focus to 2019.

"For me it wouldn't be a problem, even if it hurts our chances this season," he said.

Finally, Bell admitted that Renault did not vote for the aerodynamic changes that Liberty Media claims will improve overtaking chances in 2019.

"In my opinion there was not enough research to substantiate that," he said.

"I would have preferred if we had put all of the effort into 2021 rather than introduce something that is not quite thought through," Bell added.

Engine makers plan Canada upgrades

HP needed for Montreal's long straights

(GMM) F1 engine manufacturers are planning significant upgrades for the Canadian grand prix.

After Monaco this weekend, the sport will be heading to Montreal for round seven — marking the one-third distance in the 21-race 2018 calendar.

So with the rules requiring drivers to use no more than three engines in 2018, it means the first scheduled major performance upgrades are due.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Ferrari's Canada upgrade is worth 15-20 horse power.

Renault engine boss Remi Taffin, meanwhile, said: "I hope the upgrades for Canada will meet our expectations."

And like Ferrari, Honda is hoping its Montreal upgrade will increase power by up to 20hp.

"Achieving quick results in the development of the power unit is not easy," Honda technical boss Toyoharu Tanabe said.

"Of course we plan to make updates in the course of the season, but I cannot say yet exactly when this will happen."

No 'magic' to solve Williams problems – Kubica

Kubica knows there's no fixing Paddy Lowe's slug

(GMM) Williams is plotting a course out of its dire current situation.

That is the claim of Robert Kubica, the team's experienced test driver who got a first-hand taste of the issues recently in Barcelona.

"We have a lot to think about and a lot to analyze," the Pole is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper.

"The only thing that is for sure is that there are no magic solutions," he added.

The situation is complicated by Williams' delicate financial position, including the impending departure of title sponsor Martini.

"Williams is on the drip of the Stroll family and Sergey Sirotkin's sponsors," pundit Marc Surer is quoted by Speed Week.

"Without that money, they could close."

For now, Lance Stroll's billionaire father Lawrence says they are committed to Williams.

But Kubica said of the dire 2018 car: "It's a pretty clear route we need to follow to get to the bottom of these problems.

"We are trying to find the best way to do it, but time is limited so we need to be as quick as possible."

Boullier hits back at McLaren axe rumors

Can Eric Boullier do what he has never accomplished before?

(GMM) Eric Boullier has hit back at suggestions he could be the next to leave McLaren.

Recently, designer Tim Goss left the British team, which after the move from Honda to Renault power continued to struggle early in 2018.

So when faced with rumors he also may be ousted, team boss Boullier sounded defiant.

"Of course expectations are great at McLaren, but in the past I have restructured teams and won in the all the categories," he is quoted by AS newspaper.

"I know how to do my job. We have improved the reliability and now we have to do it with performance," Boullier added.

"Barcelona was another step, but now we have to continue with development in the next races. The road is long but we're working hard," he said.

Baku wants to renegotiate F1 contract

Baku at night

(GMM) Baku promoter Arif Rahimov has admitted the race wants to renegotiate its contract with Liberty Media.

In recent weeks, rumors have circulated that suggested the Azerbaijanis want to end the ten-year deal negotiated by Bernie Ecclestone.

The deal actually includes a mid-point break clause, with the proviso that the promoters announce it two years in advance.

That would be 2018.

"We want to keep the race," Rahimov told Speed Week. "But we want to renegotiate. Let's see how it works."

He insisted that other than the terms of the contract, Baku is happy with F1.

"The race is exactly what we hoped for," said Rahimov. "Tourism has increased by 20 per cent. We had 80,000 spectators this year, and that number will increase steadily."

Drivers to be asked about Miami layout – Todt

The cars would run counterclockwise on the first proposed Miami layout

(GMM) Drivers will be consulted about the layout of a second US grand prix in Miami.

That is the claim of FIA president Jean Todt.

Recently, Lewis Hamilton said he was excited about the prospect of a Miami street race next year until he saw the proposed layout.

But Todt says that sort of criticism is jumping the gun.

"We're talking about a race that doesn't exist yet," he told Speed Week.

"Talks are currently underway with the rights holder, and after that we will look at the safety aspect. The drivers will then have the opportunity to contribute their ideas," Todt added.

Gunther Steiner, boss of the only American team Haas, said he would welcome Miami to the calendar even though there are already 21 races.

"22 races are also possible, even though it's difficult," he said.

"I don't know what Liberty is planning. Maybe we'll drop a race and be back at 21.

"But I think if we're adding races like Miami or Copenhagen, that's certainly good for a global sport like formula one," Steiner added.

Carey eyes Berlin to replace Hockenheim

The crowd for the Berlin Formula E race this weekend was impressive. A street race might draw more fans than Hockenheim

(GMM) Chase Carey is eyeing the German capital as a potential replacement for Hockenheim.

F1 will race at Hockenheim in July, but circuit boss Georg Seiler is yet to agree a 2019 deal with Liberty Media.

"We want to keep traditional races on the calendar," F1 chief executive Carey told Bild when asked about the German GP.

"With its great automotive industry and tradition, Germany is important to us.

"We are open to a road race through Berlin," Carey revealed. "If the Berliners want that, we can talk to them."

Berlin already hosts a round of the Formula E series.

Carey said: "Formula one is about heroes, drama, emotions. Formula E is more of a street party."

'Possible' Mercedes will quit F1 – Lauda

Wolff and Lauda are posturing to get more money from Liberty

(GMM) It is "possible" that Mercedes will quit formula one.

That is the warning of F1 legend and team chairman Niki Lauda, as Mercedes now joins Ferrari in threatening to pull out after 2020.

The top teams are at loggerheads with Liberty Media over the plans for 2021, featuring different engine rules and a proposed budget cap.

Lauda told Wirtschaftswoche: "There is a limit for the top teams.

"It's possible that one or the other will get out if it goes in the wrong direction."

Mercedes has announced that it will join Formula E in 2019.

"Only three years ago I would not have given Formula E a chance," team boss Toto Wolff told Bild newspaper. "But times have changed."

However, he said F1 remains Mercedes' top ticket.

"Formula one is the only global platform that transports our brand," he said.

Lowe admits he has failed

Paddy Lowe can't ride Aldo Costa's coattails anymore

The Williams FW41 was the car that was supposed to herald a new era for the once great Formula 1 team, designed by a crew headed by technical chief Paddy Lowe and including the likes of ex-Ferrari aero guru Dirk de Beer, but the woeful car they have produced has sunk them to the back of the grid.

Lowe, who joined Mercedes when Ross Brawn departed the team before joining Williams in 2017, is quick to put up his hand and admitted, “We have to accept we haven’t done a good job."

“I haven’t done a good enough job in making the right level of progress. I’ve been with the team 12 months, and there are things which we should have responded to earlier."

Speaking to the official F1 website Lowe explained, “The pace is really quite bad. The car isn’t good enough, it’s not what it should be. There are some issues with it, which fortunately we think we understand and we’re very busy doing a lot of work to fix those issues."

“None of those fixes are in place, unfortunately, which is why we were struggling so much at [Barcelona] which is an unforgiving track for underlying car performance."

“We are not writing off this season. From the minute this car ran, it was clear there were some issues we had to deal with. We haven’t yet brought anything that solves those, so we shouldn’t expect it to be any better. But we will do in due course."

Creditors to lose £23m on Caterham
Administrators for the collapsed F1 team Caterham have admitted that there are insufficient funds to pay the various creditors following the team's collapse in 2014.

In 2010, three teams entered F1 enticed by the promise of a budget cap and a more level playing field (sound familiar). Among them was Tony Fernandes' Lotus Racing.

Legal battles with Proton, the parent company of Group Lotus, saw Fernandes changes the name of the team to Team Lotus before changing again to Caterham for the 2012 season after the Malaysian businessman bought Caterham Cars.

In its various guises, over 5 seasons and despite switching from Cosworth engines to Renault, the team failed to score a single point.

In mid-2014, its final season, Fernandes sold the team to a mysterious consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors, but just a few months later it was revealed that the team was in administration.

A crowdfunding initiative saw the team complete the season, and while the team featured on the 2015 entry list and was given dispensation to use its 2014 cars in a bid to help attract a new buyer, in March 2015 the team's assets were sold at auction.

The Daily Express now reveals that the administrators for the team, Smith & Williamson, have admitted that: "Unsecured creditors have not been paid and dividend prospects for unsecured creditors are also unlikely."

One of the biggest losers is engine supplier Renault which is owed £6.2m, while fuel supplier Total is owed £784,090, computer manufacturer Dell £711,134 and McLaren £91,281.

In total over 300 creditors, including former employees, who are owed a total of £23m are unlikely to see any money admits Smith & Williamson.

One of the few successful creditors is Malaysia's EXIM bank which got back its £5.5m loan to the team which was secured on the team's assets and repaid with the proceeds of the sale of its factory.

Kubica: I hold the steering wheel like holding a bird
Much has been written about Robert Kubica’s horrific rally accident and the impact it has had on his life and career, now the Williams reserve has explained the techniques he uses to minimize his physical limitations in the cockpit.

Recently, during FP1 on the Friday of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the on-boards of Kubica in action revealed how the Pole has adapted his driving style, “I drive like my body and what my limitations allow me. After my accident, I discovered to do a roundabout in a road car, you don’t have to grab steering wheel. You can use friction to turn."

“F1 is not a road car. But I have also been in the school where they give you a bird in the hand and you have to hold it so it doesn’t fly away but you can’t hold it too tight that it gets scared. This is the way you have to hold the steering wheel."

Kubica firsts laps with Halo