Latest F1 news in brief

Paul Ricard – The French and British GPs were back-to-back for many years. Will they be again?

Paul Ricard set for mid-year 2018 date
Ferrari chief tips Vettel to stay
Stroll struggles no surprise – Grosjean
Ferrari could win 2017 title – Alesi
Kubica explains 'mixed feelings' after F1 run
Ocon feels he is now 'up-to-speed' in F1

Paul Ricard set for mid-year 2018 date
(GMM) Paul Ricard is heading for a mid-year race date for the return of the French grand prix next year.

That is the claim of race promoter Christian Estrosi, who revealed to France's Auto Hebdo that he met with new F1 CEO Chase Carey recently in Monaco.

"In our conversation, I paid particular attention to the choice of the date for the grand prix, because it depends largely on the success of the race.

"We are now discussing the period from late June to mid July, and now FOM and FIA will offer us a specific date," he added.

"As soon as it becomes known, we will begin selling tickets."

Estrosi said Carey is also keen to ensure that each country's grand prix accurately reflects the local culture.

"Chase wants the grand prix at Paul Ricard in the first instance to be truly French," he said.

"He wants the Spanish grand prix to reflect Catalonia and Barcelona, Italy to reflect Milan and Lombardy, and so on.

"He wants a national character and I really like his proposed approach," said Estrosi.

Ferrari chief tips Vettel to stay

Mattia Binotto thinks Sebastian Vettel will re-sign

(GMM) Ferrari's technical boss Mattia Binotto thinks Sebastian Vettel will sign a new deal with the Maranello team.

Recently, with championship leader Vettel's current contract expiring late this year, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said the German is free to stay.

And now, Germany's Sport Bild said Marchionne wants that 2018 deal to be done before September's Italian grand prix at Monza.

Team technical chief Binotto said: "Vettel is not only one of our drivers, he is a multi world champion. I think he will stay with us.

"Why? Because there is nothing more beautiful for a formula one driver than to win with the reds," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Binotto said Vettel's most recent win, in Monaco, was a turning point for the fabled Italian team, which has not won a title for a decade.

"It was 16 years since Ferrari had won in the Principality, so I think victory was a liberation.

"It was a victory that made us realize we have a fast car and we can now compete on par. Or prove to be even stronger than the others," he added.

As for Vettel staying beyond 2017, former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi joins Binotto in thinking it is likely.

"I know what emotions he has when he wins with the reds," said the Frenchman.

"He came from a team that had no history even though they won the championship. He realised that Ferrari is worth so much more, through the love of the tifosi and even in the disappointments," Alesi added.

However, Sport Bild quoted Vettel as saying: "I have decided with my team not to talk about contracts right now, but instead to focus entirely on the title race."

Stroll struggles no surprise – Grosjean

Romain Grosjean

(GMM) Romain Grosjean says he is not surprised Lance Stroll is struggling in 2017.

18-year-old rookie Stroll is taking a torrent of flak so far this year, as he makes mistakes and struggles for pace amid claims he is little more than a 'pay driver'.

Haas driver Grosjean told Le Journal de Montreal that he already suspected Stroll would struggle at Williams this year as F1 transitioned to its much-faster cars for 2017.

"It's even more difficult for him than I thought," the French driver said in Montreal.

"The cars are extremely fast, and much faster than last year," he said. "And they are much more difficult to drive.

"Now, there is a gap of about 20 seconds between the lap of a F3 and an F1. And that's enormous," Grosjean added.

So far in 2017, the cars have indeed been faster, but some wonder if the increased drag at a circuit like Montreal will compensate for the greater speed through the corners.

"That's a good question," Grosjean admits, when asked if the cars will be three seconds per lap faster around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

"On paper I would say yes, but we do now have a lot more aerodynamic drag. So on the long straight lines, we will suffer.

"However, the first corner will be extraordinary. We will brake later and approach it with much more speed than before. It's going to be very exciting," he said.

Ferrari could win 2017 title – Alesi

Vettel and Ferrari are not done winning

(GMM) Jean Alesi thinks it is possible Ferrari will win its first championship for a decade this year.

It is now over 20 years since the Frenchman won his first and only grand prix for Ferrari, at the scene of this weekend's Canadian grand prix in Montreal.

Now, Alesi says he is witnessing a stronger Ferrari than he has seen for years.

"Ferrari is formula one history," he is quoted by Italian media, "and they are doing a great season.

"Canada is a high speed track with particular characteristics and I think Ferrari will be strong. Changes of direction and high speed braking are very strong points of the machine.

"Are they favourites for the title? If we speak only about facts, so far if they do not win then they are second, so I really hope it will be a grand finale," Alesi added.

And when asked about Kimi Raikkonen's place at Ferrari following the Monaco controversy, former Ferrari and Sauber driver Alesi answered: "He will react from the disappointment, keep pushing and maybe even win."

Kubica explains 'mixed feelings' after F1 run

Robert Kubica Tuesday in Valencia

Robert Kubica described "mixed feelings" after he completed his first Formula 1 run in over six years, running the Renault-powered E20 during a private test at Valencia on Tuesday.

The Pole completed 115 laps of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in the E20, used by Lotus in the 2012 season, conducting several evaluations on various fuel loads.

The test was run by Renault, with whom Kubica was set to compete in the 2011 Formula 1 campaign, before he sustained serious arm injuries in a rally crash in Italy, which limited his mobility.

Kubica returned to competitive action on the rallying arena, and in circuit racing last year, but Tuesday's run marked his first appearance behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car since his 2011 crash.

Kubica revelled in the private test, though accepted it demonstrated what he had "lost" due to the crash, and admitted he was uncertain about the future.

"I would like to thank everybody for making this possible, I hope it was a good day for everyone and maybe they saw something of my old, 2010 self," he said.

"For me, it has been an important day from an emotional point of view.

"It has been a long time away from the paddock and I have been through difficult periods, I kept working hard and a few years ago I felt it was impossible.

"I have mixed feelings, I am proud with what I achieved, but also it shows what I have lost.

"I don't know what the future will bring, but I know one thing, after working for more than one year to prepare for this, I ran with good pace and [was] consistent in difficult conditions.

Kubica in the 2012 Lotus powered by Renault

"It is not easy after six years, but I knew I could do the job and I can be satisfied.

"I appreciate the opportunity. Renault gave me my first F1 test in 2005, so I appreciate another test this time around."

Sporting Director Alan Permane praised Kubica's effort during the one-day test, in which current test driver Sergey Sirotkin also participated.

"It was good to see Robert back in a Formula 1 car," said Permane.

"It was a smooth day. We tried to condense a Grand Prix weekend into one day, which was interesting for him.

"Robert has changed a little, he is more mellow and he wasn't as pushy when asking for every detail about the set-up of the car!

"His comments and feedback, however, were like turning the clock back for all of us.

"It is a tricky thing to jump into an F1 car after six years and it was a great performance from him.

"This was a one-off event for Robert. His time with Renault was cut short so abruptly and we perceived such a nice future with him.

Ocon feels he is now 'up-to-speed' in F1

Esteban Ocon

Force India driver Esteban Ocon says he is "fully up-to-speed" in Formula 1, almost a third of the way into his first full campaign.

Mercedes-backed Ocon landed a full-time seat for 2017 after making several test outings and contesting the second half of the 2016 season with Manor.

He scored points in five of 2017's first six races, including a best finish of fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix, his run ending on his first visit to Monaco.

Having spoken of a "big learning curve" in the early stages of the campaign, Ocon feels he is now operating at a representative level.

"After the bad luck in Monaco, I want to get back to scoring points in Montréal," said Ocon, looking ahead to this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

"The car is getting better with each race and I think I'm fully up-to-speed now.

"I'm really happy with the team and the way we work together – we've already built up a good understanding and they know what I need from the car."

Montréal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve marks another new venue for Ocon, but the Frenchman is confident of getting up to speed quickly.

"Montréal is another new track for me so I'm going to be on the learning curve on Friday," he added.

"I know the lap from playing video games and being on the simulator, and I've always liked the circuit characteristics.

"Although I haven't driven in Montréal, I know the place already from my visit last year.

"It's definitely a cool event because everybody in the city supports the race and Canada really loves Formula 1. It feels like a big party in the streets, especially on the Saturday night."

Ocon has yet to retire in 15 Formula 1 events.