Latest F1 news in brief

Chief Designer Aldo Costa looks to make the superior Mercedes even more superior

Mercedes could change car concept for 2018
Mick Schumacher to stay for second F3 season
McLaren could announce Alonso deal on Thursday
F1 engine expert joins Red Bull sponsor Aston Martin
Paddy Lowe not commenting on Kubica test
Hamilton must keep focus to win title – Rosberg
Gasly thinks Honda relationship will help in 2018
Bolt to launch formation lap at US Grand Prix
Wolff: Hamilton on 'another level' since break

Mercedes could change car concept for 2018
(GMM) Mercedes could be set to change direction completely with the concept of its 2018 car.

Although fast, this year's Mercedes has been dubbed a "diva" by team boss Toto Wolff, as it often mysteriously underperforms.

"The concept may have come to the end of its development," an engineer is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Now, the German source speculates that Mercedes could shift gear for 2018, with a higher-rake concept like the one used to good effect recently by Red Bull.

"It would be a total concept change," the engineer added.

"It requires a completely different floor and diffuser type. And such a change includes the risk of a slow start to development."

James Allison, who is Mercedes' new technical boss, confirmed Wolff's assessment that the 2017 car is difficult.

But he said: "It's not been a bad machine for us.

"However, we would like a car that is easier to throw at the race track and guarantee that we get every last little bit from it.

"The changes we have been able to make this year we have, and we hope that next year we make something with a slightly sweeter temperament," Allison added.

Of course Allison does not make the design decisions, that is done by Aldo Costa who leads the team that designs the car.

Mick Schumacher to stay for second F3 season

Poor Mick Schumacher did not inherit his father's genes to drive a race car fast

(GMM) Mick Schumacher will stay for another season in European F3 next year.

The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher finished his first campaign in the top junior category just twelfth, even behind Adrian Newey's son Harrison.

Mick, 18, admits: "I'm trying to improve in all areas."

In contrast, the even younger Lando Norris won the 2017 title and is now tipped to take over from Jenson Button as McLaren-Renault's official reserve driver.

As for Schumacher, the German told SID news agency: "When I am ready, the next step will happen. But first I have to prove myself."

So he said he is "very likely" to remain in F3 next year with the Prema team, because "Anything else would not make sense in the current situation".

As for the comparison with high F3 achievers like Norris, Schumacher said: "I focus on myself and do not look at the other drivers.

"Everyone has their own development that you cannot compare. I am taking one step after another and trying to prepare myself as well as possible for the future."

But he confirmed: "Yes, my goal remains formula one.

"What has happened this year has happened and I am very happy with it."

McLaren could announce Alonso deal on Thursday

Brown (R) could announce Alonso at USGP

(GMM) McLaren could be mere hours away from announcing that Fernando Alonso is staying with the British team in 2018.

Asked if a deal is "close" after weeks and months of speculation, team executive Zak Brown said this week: "We've been close for some time.

"We wanted to get the Asian races out of the way and our new power unit partner in place which is now done. I expect we'll have a positive conclusion to our plans with Fernando soon," he said.

On Tuesday, the FIA announced that Alonso will appear in the official Thursday press conference in Austin, and Brown hinted that the Spaniard may have some news to share.

"He's in the FIA press conference on Thursday," Brown said. "We have to get a deal done before anything is announced."

It is not believed McLaren and Alonso are in dispute over what is expected to be a huge EUR 40 million deal for Alonso.

Rather, the sticking points could be contract duration, and whether Alonso will be free to race in other categories, as he did at the Indy 500 this year.

Brown confirmed that a new Alonso deal would include provisions for him to race elsewhere, decided "on a case by case basis".

But he said Le Mans might not be on the cards for 2018, because the current regulations would not accommodate McLaren's own GT3 or GT4 cars.

"Le Mans is something we're looking at," said Brown. "As a manufacturer we're participating in meetings.

"Le Mans is of interest but whatever rules they land on need to be a good platform."

F1 engine expert joins Red Bull sponsor Aston Martin
(GMM) Aston Martin appears to have taken another step closer to formula one.

A month ago, the British luxury carmaker announced it will step up its deal with Red Bull to become title sponsor for 2018.

When asked if an engine deal might be the next step, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "They can't do that now, so it would have to be for 2021."

Now, the Italian magazine Autosprint reports that well-known F1 figure Luca Marmorini, the former Ferrari and Toyota engine boss, has joined Aston Martin.

The report said Italian Marmorini will initially be an "advisor".

Paddy Lowe not commenting on Kubica test

Kubica tests a 2014 Williams at Silverstone

(GMM) Paddy Lowe is remaining quiet about Robert Kubica's chances of joining Williams in 2018.

Recently, Pole Kubica followed up his Renault test duties with a run in Williams' 2014 car at Silverstone.

Along with team reserve Paul di Resta, he is reportedly in the running to replace Felipe Massa next year.

Now, it is reported that Kubica, who last raced in F1 in 2010 prior to injuring his arm, has again been testing, this time in Hungary.

Also present was di Resta.

Earlier, a Williams spokesman said the Silverstone test had been "successful", and now he is saying only that the action in Budapest was "productive".

When asked about who will be Lance Stroll's 2018 teammate, Williams technical boss and co-owner Lowe told Brazil's Globo: "I cannot comment on anything right now.

"All I can say – as everyone already knows – is that we have a few options."

Not long ago, Williams had returned as a force in F1, but in 2017 the British team has slumped to fifth overall behind Red Bull and Force India.

Lowe, who started work at Grove this year, said he is focused on taking Williams back to the front of the grid.

When asked if new engineers could be the answer, Lowe told Globo: "We are aware both of what is on the market and the need to strengthen in all areas.

"I have already made some changes in the way the 2018 project was conducted, and at the moment I am satisfied with what I can see," he added.

Lowe, who joined Williams from championship winners Mercedes, said he is enjoying his role at the once-great team.

"I love my job," he said.

"I've always been employed, but now I have the opportunity to look at the overall project in terms of getting Williams fighting for wins again, not as technical director but also as a partner."

Asked what Williams needs to do to start winning again, he answered: "You need great engineers, an efficient track team, and everything working from an operational point of view.

"When this happens, you get more investors and a better budget," Lowe added.

Hamilton must keep focus to win title – Rosberg

Hamilton can stroke it here on out and still Ferrari won't be able to catch him. Instead he will aim to bury Ferrari

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton should keep his composure to secure victory in this year's world championship.

That is the advice of Nico Rosberg, who beat his former Mercedes teammate to last year's crown before suddenly retiring.

The pair had a difficult relationship at the German team, but Rosberg says he has been impressed with Hamilton's season this year.

"He's on an incredible run at the moment," Rosberg told the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung.

"At the same time everything has been going wrong for Sebastian Vettel," he added, amid reports Hamilton could wrap up his fourth drivers' title this weekend in Austin.

But Rosberg thinks the key to Hamilton's run of form is confidence and consistency.

"Lewis is showing an unbelievable consistency," he said. "And that is so difficult to do from race to race."

However, Rosberg warned that Hamilton cannot now sit back and cruise to the championship, despite his 59 point lead with just four races to go.

Asked to compare Hamilton with Ferrari's Vettel, he said: "I'd say Lewis is a little better in pure speed on a lap.

"But his weakness is his emotional ups and downs, which is where I see Sebastian with a small advantage.

"At such a high level, even little things play a big role," Rosberg explained.

"If something is bothering you or you're putting energy into something else, it can throw you off," he said.

"It happened to Lewis last year, when the Snapchat thing happened in the press conference and then he had the fight with the angry media," Rosberg recalled.

"It's wasted energy, especially in the decisive phase of the world championship. Anything like that can throw off your concentration," he added.

Nonetheless, Rosberg said he thinks Hamilton will win the 2017 title, even if it means the exciting duel to the finale with Vettel will not take place.

"I am neutral now," he said, "but as a fan, what happened in Japan was very bad. Everyone wanted to see a fight until the end.

"I'm sure even Lewis would have loved to fight until the last minute, but that's motor sport," Rosberg added. "In any case, Mercedes and Lewis still cannot sit back even now."

Gasly thinks Honda relationship will help in 2018

Pierre Gasly

(GMM) Pierre Gasly thinks his experience in working with Honda will help him in formula one next year.

The Toro Rosso newcomer is actually skipping this weekend's US grand prix to try to win the Super Formula title in Japan.

Red Bull agreed to release him for one race at the behest of Honda, Toro Rosso's new engine partner for 2018.

"Clearly, it's a real plus for me to have worked with Honda already when they arrive at Toro Rosso," Gasly told the French publication minute-auto.fr.

"Their culture is obviously very different, but also their communication and working methods," said the Frenchman, who has worked with Honda throughout 2017 in Super Formula.

"It took a while to figure out how to work well with them this season, but now I know how to communicate a lot better," he added.

"They are not used to being too hard — too direct," Gasly explained.

"The Japanese like to communicate in a constructive way, without being blamed. They tend to say yes to everything even when not in agreement.

"So to be sure you are on the same wavelength, you sometimes must check things ten times rather than once," he added.

"With this experience, I hope to have the opportunity to evolve with them next year in F1."

Gasly also said decisions can take longer for a Japanese company like Honda to make.

"They attach great importance to the hierarchy," he said. "As long as the boss has not given his green light, nothing can move. Clearly, decision-making is not as fast as we are," he said.

"I really had a very good year with them in Japan," Gasly added. "I won races for them and our relationship developed well.

"I know that today I have great support from them and that gives me great pleasure, because it was not necessarily the case at the beginning of the season."

And Gasly tipped Honda to be determined to make the new Toro Rosso project work, after three bad years with McLaren.

"Yes, I clearly believe in this project," he said.

"They are perfectionists who want to prove they are capable of succeeding.

"It's probably a question of honor for them after a difficult relationship with McLaren.

"They have made significant progress over the last six months compared to the previous two years," Gasly continued.

"Of course, catching up the gap to the other engine manufacturers does not happen overnight, so we'll see where Toro Rosso and Honda are in early 2018. It will take time.

"But they're investing a lot of money," said Gasly. "I'm not an engineer and nor do I know Mercedes' secrets, but Honda must work hard to find the magic recipe.

"What I can do is maintain the best possible relationship in order to optimize our package and remain constructive, while getting the most out of what we have."

Bolt to launch formation lap at US Grand Prix

USGP

Eight-time Olympic Gold-medalist Usain Bolt will signal the start of the formation lap at this weekend's United States Grand Prix, as part of Formula 1's plans for an "incredible show" at Austin.

It was confirmed recently that the build-up to the upcoming race at the Circuit of the Americas will be tweaked, with iconic announcer Michael Buffer set to introduce drivers to the grid.

Formula 1 officials announced on Tuesday that Bolt, and legendary singer Stevie Wonder, will be present on the grid, during the lead-up to Sunday's race.

Wonder is set to perform as part of an entertainment package featuring the Prairie View A&M Band and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, alongside the driver presentations.

At the top of the hour, Bolt – who retired from athletics earlier this year – will signal the start of the formation lap.

"The USA is, without a doubt, the country where sports events are seen as entertainment that goes above and beyond the purely sporting contest," said F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches.

"We want to do something that positions Formula 1 Grands Prix as breaking the boundaries, between sport and a show, thus becoming a unique event that, minute by minute is an unforgettable experience."

Meanwhile, the Austin Fan Zone will feature the F1 Driver Fitness Zone, where fans can participate in a four-part challenge, including the recording of biometric data and the assessment of reaction times.

The data will then be presented, where it will be possible for fans to compare their results to the average Formula 1 driver, and can choose whether to share it on social media.

Wolff: Hamilton on 'another level' since break

Hamilton and Mercedes, an unbeatable combination

Lewis Hamilton has been "on another level" since Formula 1's summer break, according to his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton claimed four wins across the opening half of the campaign and entered the four-week break facing a 14-point deficit against Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel.

However, Hamilton has taken four poles and four wins from the last five Grands Prix, enabling him to build a 59-point gap over Vettel, aided by the German's incidents and reliability troubles.

Wolff heaped praise on Hamilton, and also offered expressed confidence that Valtteri Bottas can capture stronger results, after a run of tricky events.

"Lewis has driven brilliantly this year – and since the summer break in particular, he has been on another level," said Wolff.

"It has been impressive to watch him extracting everything from the car and working with the team to solve problems and improve even further.

"Valtteri has had a tougher time in recent races – but he demonstrated his work ethic and character to deliver a strong weekend in Suzuka.

"He will be aiming to build on this performance in the final four rounds."

Wolff also lauded the manner in which Mercedes has functioned this year, with the team now on the brink of securing a fourth straight Constructors' crown.

"The team is operating at an incredibly high level in every area and continuing to develop," Wolff explained.

"We have applied an obsessive attention to detail to how we go racing over the past three seasons; and we have continued to develop our car at a competitive rate through the season.

"Our mindset has always been one of constant improvement, regardless of the results we were enjoying, and this is now paying off."