Latest F1 news in brief

Abiteboul facing the loss of both Red Bull teams

Renault gives Red Bull May 31 engine deadline
Red Bull in official talks with Honda
Vergne doubts he would accept F1 return
Carey also eyeing New York and Las Vegas
Perez not frustrated although F1 'unfair'
Italy GP money laundering probed – report

Renault gives Red Bull May 31 engine deadline
(GMM) Red Bull has until the end of the month to decide between Renault or Honda power for 2019.

Official talks between the energy drink owned team and Honda kicked off in Baku.

According to FIA rules, teams must indicate which engine supplier they will work with for the forthcoming season by May 15.

It's not a strict deadline, but Renault says it needs to know for logistical reasons by May 31 at the latest.

"After May 31, we will not be able to guarantee the delivery of Renault engines (for Red Bull) in 2019," boss Cyril Abiteboul told France's Auto Hebdo.

"We're already giving Red Bull two extra weeks."

Abiteboul said Renault is willing to keep working with Red Bull, notwithstanding the now official Honda talks and an often fraught collaboration.

"After 12 years of a successful cooperation, we are ready to continue to work with Red Bull," he said.

"The main problem is time."

Red Bull in official talks with Honda

Red Bull to be powered by Honda?

Formula One team Red Bull has begun talks with Honda to become its engine supplier for next season.

Red Bull has a deal with Renault and must inform governing body FIA by mid-May whether it intends to switch to the Japanese manufacturer. Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko formally spoke with Honda motorsport head Masahi Yamamoto last weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix regarding a possible deal.

"Yes, it was positive. We do believe we were both satisfied," Yamamoto told Formula One's website. "It's the first time we have an official meeting. It's the starting point for a potential future."

Any deal signed between Honda and Red Bull can only be for two years, prior to official FIA changes to F1 engines from 2021 onward.

Yamamoto will discuss this with Honda board members over the next two weeks.

"There is a big respect for the relationship (with Red Bull)," Yamamoto said.

After such misery with McLaren, securing a deal with Red Bull would be a considerable coup for Honda and may open the door for other teams to come forward.

"When we decided to come back to F1 (in 2015)," Yamamoto said, "the plan was not to just stick with one team but work with multiple teams."

Vergne doubts he would accept F1 return

Jean-Eric Vergne

(GMM) Jean-Eric Vergne agrees with those who think 2019 could finally be Ferrari's year.

Recently, the former F1 driver continued his career as a Ferrari tester, but he is now focusing on Formula E and the world endurance championship.

"I'm no longer with Ferrari, but I'm convinced this season can be theirs," he told La Derniere Heure.

Vergne, now 28, drove in F1 for Toro Rosso, but was among the many victims of the Red Bull driver program.

"I don't regret leaving formula one," he insists. "Even if I was invited to return, as happened with Brendon Hartley, I doubt that I would accept it.

"What does Hartley have? A contract for one, two years maximum. What will he do then?

"I'm much more attracted by the opportunity of competing in two championships at the same time," Vergne added.

As for the big Red Bull star, Vergne urged Max Verstappen to "calm down" amid his tumultuous 2018 season and criticism.

"Max is a unique driver who is very talented and takes a lot of risks," he said. "Previously he was lucky, because he managed to pull off moves that are one in a hundred. Only now it's not working.

"If he calms down a little and focuses on the main thing – finishing the races – he will be where he should be, which is in the leaders group.

"But now he is making too many mistakes that can be avoided," Vergne added.

Finally, Vergne spoke about McLaren, as the British team continues to struggle even after switching from Honda to Renault power.

"When you have the same engine as a team that wins races, and you're also behind Toro Rosso with Honda, this should be a concern," he said.

"I think McLaren has huge pressure. Fernando (Alonso) told me that the team is preparing a lot of new parts for Barcelona, which would also be good for Stoffel Vandoorne.

"I think if he was at Mercedes or Ferrari, he would win races. He is in no way inferior to Vettel or Hamilton," Vergne concluded.

Carey also eyeing New York and Las Vegas

Now that Americans own F1 the British dominance of F1 s over

(GMM) Miami is not the only US city on F1 owner Liberty Media's radar.

It has emerged that authorities are close to giving the green-light for a Miami street race for 2019.

In addition to Austin, it would be the second grand prix in the United States.

World champion Lewis Hamilton said Miami is a "great party spot" full of "beautiful women", but he is not enthused about the proposed layout.

"It's not the one. Let me design it," he wrote on social media.

There may be other American races on the cards anyway.

F1 chief executive Chase Carey told RTL: "We've made it clear from day one that our goal is to continue to develop the sport in the US.

"We have talked about 'destination cities' like Miami, New York and Las Vegas," he added.

Carey insisted, however, that adding more races in America doesn't mean F1 is walking away from its European heritage.

"I want to make it very clear that this is not at the expense of formula one in Europe," he said. "Europe is the foundation of this sport, its homeland, and as far as I'm concerned that will always be the case."

Perez not frustrated although F1 'unfair'

Sergio Perez

(GMM) Sergio Perez insists he is not "frustrated" as he waits for another big chance at the very top of formula one.

The Mexican was signed up by then top-team McLaren for 2013, but the British team struggled and Perez left at the end of the season.

Now, the 28-year-old is among F1's most reliable midfield runners, capturing regular unlikely podiums including his latest in Baku two weeks ago.

"Formula one is very unfair in that it depends less on the athlete than many other sports," the Force India driver is quoted by Spain's Marca.

"It's not like tennis for example, where it's up to you. Even if you're the best driver in the world you will not win if you don't have the best car.

"But I do not feel frustrated because I am aware of how lucky I am and the great opportunity I have, and the great career I have had.

"Although I haven't had a competitive car in my eight years in F1, I still know what I can do. It just depends on the cars I have in the coming years," he added.

Italy GP money laundering probed – report

Are F1 tracks doing illicit things because F1 would otherwise bankrupt them?

(GMM) Italian prosecutors are reportedly investigating suspected fraud relating to the formula one race at Monza.

Italy's La Repubblica reports that the authorities suspect tax evasion to the tune of EUR 80 million, relating to sponsorships by "dozens" of Italian and international companies.

The report added that sponsorship invoices were falsified, and that 82 people are under the investigators' microscope.

SID news agency said: "The investigators do not rule out that this system for money laundering has been used in other countries where formula one races take place."

It is claimed that former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was questioned over the matter, as were FIA president Jean Todt and his driver manager son, Nicolas Todt.