Latest F1 news in brief

The conditions at Silverstone were horrible and Ricciardo stuffed Adrian Newey's latest creation into the barriers

Red Bull admits Ricciardo crashed new car
Liberty risks making F1 'Mickey Mouse series' – Weber
Kubica still pushing for F1 race comeback
Sochi Bosses Looking at Ways to Improve Overtaking Opportunities
To The Max – Red Bull's Verstappen On F1 2017 & Battling Hamilton

Red Bull admits Ricciardo crashed new car
(GMM) Red Bull has admitted Daniel Ricciardo got his and the team's 2018 season off to a carbon-crunching start.

As the team revealed images of the temporary-liveried RB14 on the internet this week, Ricciardo was at Silverstone to shake down the new single seater.

"It's hard to tell from a couple of laps but the initial feeling in the car is good," said the Australian.

"I can already feel that the rear feels pretty settled, even in these poor conditions. Those are encouraging early signs."

However, the team neglected to mention in its official statement that Ricciardo actually crashed. Some reports said it was a light touch with the barrier causing some damage.

"No issues for Barcelona," a Red Bull spokesman told The Sun newspaper. "We'll be fine."

Liberty risks making F1 'Mickey Mouse series' – Weber

Weber does not like the Halo

(GMM) Michael Schumacher's former manager is worried Liberty Media risks turning formula one into "a Mickey Mouse series".

Earlier this week, a rumor spread on the internet that Willi Weber, who was Schumacher's manager as he hit F1's dizzying heights, had died at the age of 75.

Kolner Express newspaper discovered that the rumor was false.

"Luckily I'm in good health even if I am still recovering from a back operation," he laughed.

Weber said he would like to know more about the health condition of Schumacher, the seven time world champion who suffered a serious skiing crash in 2013.

"Unfortunately I have not heard from Corinna," he said.

"Michael's accident is four years ago now and we all know it was not a broken leg."

Weber said he hopes to attend the opening of a Schumacher car collection in Cologne in April, and "Maybe then we will learn if he is feeling better".

As for the future of formula one itself, Weber admits he is worried.

"This ugly roll bar (Halo) ruins the cars," he said. "Safety is important, but that was a mistake by Jean Todt.

"That there are no more grid girls is also a sin," Weber added. "They provided the necessary glamor.

"The new owners have to be careful not to turn formula one into a Mickey Mouse series."

Kubica still pushing for F1 race comeback

Kubica wants to race

(GMM) Robert Kubica admits he came tantalizingly close to pulling off a fairytale return to formula one for 2018.

Instead, Williams opted for the well-sponsored Russian Sergey Sirotkin, although Pole Kubica said his comeback dream is still alive thanks to the reserve and Friday practice role.

"For me this is already a return to formula one," he told the Polish sports daily Przeglad Sportowy.

"It's like a second beginning, because I'm back in the same role in which I found myself before my debut in 2006," Kubica, now 33, added.

He said he will attend almost all of the 21 grands prix this year, but admitted walking into the paddock will actually be bittersweet.

"I thought about it and to be honest I do not think it will be a nice moment," Kubica said when asked about the forthcoming Australian grand prix.

"Being there to see other drivers race will not be nice, but it is also worth trying to come back," he added.

"It will also not be the typical third driver role where you come to the race and do little else. For me the most important is the possibility of driving the current car," said Kubica.

"If I did not have that, I would not have taken this job because it wouldn't have made sense. Only by driving can I have the chance to take the last, most difficult step."

Asked how different he is now compared to the driver he was prior to his serious arm injury in 2011, Kubica answered: "I'm further away now than I was a few months ago!

"But I think the next seven, eight, nine months can bring me closer again. I don't really know how close it was, but it doesn't matter.

"As a rule, I have the habit of believing in things only when they happen. But at one point I was almost convinced that I would be racing in Australia," he admitted.

Sochi Bosses Looking at Ways to Improve Overtaking Opportunities

Sochi

Alexey Titov, the CEO of the Rosgonki company that has taken over the running of the Russian Grand Prix, has revealed they are looking into the possibility of making changes to the Sochi Autodrom so to help increase the chances of overtaking at the venue.

Since the race debuted on the Formula 1 schedule back in 2014, there has been minimal overtakes, while the prime strategy has seen one pit stop per race, meaning the racing has been pretty unspectacular, and they are now looking at the track to see if anything can be done to improve the show.

Liberty Media has been looking into making races more exciting, and although the layout of the track is set to remain the same, they are looking at ways that could aid overtaking, such as widening or narrowing certain parts of the track, or changing the type of asphalt, which could force teams into different strategic options.

“Fans know that because of the layout of the Sochi Autodrom, it is a bit short on overtaking," said Titov to Motorsport.com. “That is why we are working with [F1 race director] Charlie Whiting, the FIA and FOM very closely.

“We want to try to change the situation by making some small technical tweaks. You won’t necessarily see these from the grandstands or on the television, but we hope these tweaks will improve the sporting side of the races and we will have more overtaking.

“Theoretically it could be anything from widening or narrowing some parts of the track, to changing the asphalt which will affect the tires differently. This can force teams to use different tactics.

“I don’t thinks it’s for 2018. But we’re exploring these ideas. We are thinking about improving the situation."

To The Max – Red Bull's Verstappen On F1 2017 & Battling Hamilton
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen added two more victories to his tally in 2017, beating Lewis Hamilton in a head-to-head fight in Malaysia, and dominating proceedings in Mexico. Mobil 1 The Grid caught up with the Dutchman to discuss his recent highs as he ponders a potential title fight with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari in the future.