Latest F1 news in brief

Fernando Alonso

F1 journalists say Alonso best driver
Red Bull atmosphere will not sour – Verstappen
Wolff only wants to make money – Ecclestone
Perez waiting for Ferrari switch – Hulkenberg
Haas keeping driver door open for 2017
Gasly to be reserve driver in 2017 – Marko
Wolff: Challenge from rivals will intensify
Title leader Rosberg vows to 'keep it simple'

F1 journalists say Alonso best driver
(GMM) Journalists almost unanimously agree that Fernando Alonso is still the best driver in F1.

That is the claim of Manuel Franco, the correspondent for the Spanish sports daily AS.

He says he consulted nine fellow correspondents who cover F1 full-time from seven different countries — Britain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and France.

Franco asked them to name the best driver in F1 and "all but one" said Alonso.

That is despite the fact that last week marked the ten year anniversary of Alonso's second and last world championship.

Alonso, who now drives for McLaren-Honda, has said previously that earning the respect of the F1 community is almost as important to him as winning titles.

"First of all, I have never thought that my time in F1 is over," the 35-year-old told Finland's Turun Sanomat in Austin a week ago.

"In fact, I think I am on a higher level now, because I understand more about the car and technical solutions which is helping us to make progress.

"I am completely comfortably with this situation, because I know I am driving just as well as ever — if not even better," Alonso added.

Ricciardo and Verstappen went at it hard at Sepang

Red Bull atmosphere will not sour – Verstappen
(GMM) Max Verstappen is sure the quality of his current relationship with Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo will last.

Speaking with Germany's Sport Bild newspaper, F1 sensation Verstappen admitted the current title battle between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will remain "exciting" until the end.

A completely different atmosphere exists at the next best team, where Verstappen and Australian Ricciardo remain friends.

But what if they're fighting for the title next year or beyond? Will their relationship also turn sour?

"That will not happen with us, I'm sure," Verstappen, 19, answered.

"It's about trust. As we proved in Malaysia, we can fight just centimeters apart around each corner but never cross the line. That is not going to change," he insisted.

However, Verstappen's aggressive driving has triggered what the paddock is now calling the 'Verstappen rule', where drivers cannot move in the braking zone.

But the young Dutchman insisted: "I will not change my driving style."

That sort of flair and aggression has been compared with Senna or Schumacher.

Verstappen said: "I may have a little bit of Schumacher, but I see my nature as more like Senna or Lewis. But I hope I have the best features of all three."

And he thinks he is still getting better.

"I still have a lot of potential," said Max. "Every race, every year, I will get better."

Show me the money

Wolff only wants to make money – Ecclestone
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at the latest generation of F1 team chiefs, accusing them of caring most about money.

The billionaire and F1 supremo said what sets himself, Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams apart from the latest bosses is that the main goal wasn't to get rich.

"We all made money but it wasn't our intention," he told British journalists ahead of the Mexican grand prix.

"The trouble today is we are getting people whose intention is solely to make money. Toto Wolff is probably the best example."

Ecclestone, 85, suggested another problem is the current level of safety in F1, even though he said fewer fatalities these days is "good".

But he said what is lacking is the drama.

"When you have a big shunt like Fernando's (in Melbourne) we ought to put up big sheets around the scene, bring in the ambulance and take him away.

"A bit of showbiz. People like that," said Ecclestone.

In fact, he would love to see more crashes, and thinks there should be "walls" lining the asphalt rather than large run-off areas.

"I wanted to build 40cm walls around the corners," he said. "They keep saying drivers mustn't go off the road. I promise they won't."

So he is a big supporter of Max Verstappen, even amid the Dutchman's aggressive driving style that is causing waves among his rivals.

"When he races, people complain that he puts one finger up to his rivals, but it's good," said Ecclestone.

Also good, he insisted, is F1's new American chief Chase Carey, who he said is "not at all" interfering with how the sport is run.

"What would I say they should do? Give the teams less money and charge the promoters less so tickets are less. Then we'd get the queues at the gate again," said Ecclestone.

Will Perez take his huge Carlos Slim check to Ferrari in 2018?

Perez waiting for Ferrari switch – Hulkenberg
(GMM) Sergio Perez turned down Renault for 2017 because he is probably holding out for Ferrari.

That is the view of the Mexican's current Force India teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who has in fact accepted Renault's offer of a works seat for next year and beyond.

"I think it's the right step for this stage of my career," said the German.

"Since I've been in F1, I always wanted to drive for a manufacturer and this is now a good opportunity," Hulkenberg, 29, told Auto Motor und Sport.

Before Hulkenberg was signed, however, Renault negotiated with Perez but the Mexican and his backers ultimately decided to stay put at Force India for another year.

"In his view, it might make more sense," Hulkenberg said.

"He might be hoping to be at Ferrari one day, but for me, the doors are closed to the current top teams at the moment."

Hulkenberg insists he is not jumping ship because of instability or financial problems at Force India, even though title sponsor Subrata Roy is in jail and Vijay Mallya is currently unable to travel.

"I don't fear for their future," the German said.

"Since I've been here, there were always headlines and rumors like that — but the team and Vijay are still there," Hulkenberg added.

Esteban Gutierrez – has check will drive

Haas keeping driver door open for 2017
(GMM) Haas is currently leaving the door open for a driver change in 2017.

In truth, the American team has immediate problems to solve, given a spate of recent brake failures — the most recent being Esteban Gutierrez's in Austin.

Asked why it's happening so often, team boss Gunther Steiner told Auto Motor und Sport: "You would need to ask (supplier) Brembo."

But amid that problem, the new American team is in the middle of negotiations for its second seat, with Romain Grosjean almost certainly staying for 2017.

As for Mexican Gutierrez's place, Steiner admitted: "We don't know.

"It is frankly still completely open. We will not make any more deadlines and given no timelines, because if you don't comply then you are no longer taken seriously," he added.

This weekend is Gutierrez's home race and so it's an awkward time for the 25-year-old to have his future so unclear, but he said this week: "Things are going well.

"We have some options," he is quoted by the Spanish daily Marca.

Pierre Gasly – at the mercy of Red Bull

Gasly to be reserve driver in 2017 – Marko
(GMM) Pierre Gasly will remain a part of Red Bull's F1 program in 2017.

That is the news from Dr Helmut Marko, who is in charge of the energy drink company's high profile and hard-hitting driver development program.

Earlier, amid Daniil Kvyat's struggles, GP2 frontrunner Gasly looked a shoo-in for a Toro Rosso seat for 2017.

But Russian Kvyat has been retained, and Frenchman Gasly did not hesitate to express his disappointment.

"Now we must continue to look ahead and explore other options, but I will prove to them that they made the wrong decision," he said.

It is believed Marko acted to cement Kvyat at Toro Rosso for 2017 amid reported interest from Force India — to the detriment of Gasly's chances.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't wait for the GP2 season," the Austrian told the French broadcaster Canal Plus.

"But Pierre will be reserve driver for Red Bull and continue to work in the simulator. We will select the championship that he does next season but the choice depends on the result in GP2," Marko explained.

F1 legend Alain Prost thinks Red Bull's decision regarding Kvyat was a response to the tumultuous season endured by the young Russian in 2016.

"The extension of his contract, despite some modest results, can be regarded as a way to thank him," the Frenchman said.

"We all thought Pierre would get his place, but in a way this is consistent with Red Bull's logic: they are their own masters and not always easy to understand.

"In addition to that, everything can change in a couple of months — you can never be too sure with them," Prost added.

Gasly, 20, has been linked with other F1 teams for 2017, but Prost thinks a move would in fact be unlikely.

"Some of the youth programs are a trap, and especially the Red Bull program — a driver can get stuck in it. He has a contract, so he can't just do what he wants," he said.

"In formula one, there are only 22 cars and it's necessary to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a good opportunity, and it's not always easy," added Prost.

The keystrokes (commands) sent to the Mercedes cars from the Mercedes engineers is ensuring the 2016 title fight will remain close

Wolff: Challenge from rivals will intensify
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is expecting the manufacturer to face a sterner test from rivals across the final three rounds of the season, after Red Bull's recent resurgence.

Daniel Ricciardo split the Mercedes drivers in Singapore, falling just half a second shy of overhauling Nico Rosberg, prior to leading a 1-2 for Red Bull in Malaysia.

Max Verstappen was able to fend off Lewis Hamilton for second in Japan, while in the United States Ricciardo occupied second until the timing of the Virtual Safety Car period cleared Rosberg's path.

"There is the challenge from our rivals, which will intensify in the final few races," Wolff noted.

"We were fortunate with the Safety Car in Austin. We had the pace – but Daniel in particular was very quick, so there is always a threat.

"The longer you leave the rules alone the more teams will converge on performance.

"Nothing in particular has changed on the chassis side over the past couple of years, so Ferrari and Renault in particular on the engine side have done a good job to close up to us."

Mercedes pair Rosberg and Hamilton head into the final three rounds of the year separated by 26 points, as they prepare to battle for the Drivers' title.

"The pressure is on both in different ways," Wolff commented.

"Nico was very strong in Singapore, Lewis in Malaysia, Nico again in Japan and then Lewis back on top in the USA.

"It keeps bouncing between the two, so I'm really curious how it's going to go from here."

As AR1.com predicted before the season began, barring any realy bad luck, it has been predetermined Rosberg will be the 2016 champion.

Title leader Rosberg vows to 'keep it simple'
Formula 1 title leader Nico Rosberg has vowed to "keep it simple" as he prepares to tackle this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, where he could be crowned World Champion for the first time.

Rosberg holds a 26-point advantage over Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and will clinch the 2016 title should he win in Mexico for a second successive year, and Hamilton finish no higher than ninth.

Rosberg, though, has often repeated the mantra that he is focusing on each race in isolation, an approach he will continue to take this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos RodrÃguez.

"My goal is to try and win there just as it has been at every race," Rosberg commented.

"Of course, to be in a championship battle at the end of the year is awesome and I'm excited about that. But my approach is to keep it simple.

"There are many things that can happen during a race weekend which are out of your control, so it's best to just block all that out and focus on the job at hand. That's what's worked best for me and how I feel at my strongest."

Rosberg last year led Hamilton in a Mercedes 1-2, a result he is eager to repeat this weekend.

"I'm excited to head back to Mexico City again," he said.

"Driving the track feels like being back at a kart circuit with all the tight corners and the noise and the atmosphere in the stadium section is really phenomenal.

"Standing on that podium last year was one of the best moments of my career, so I hope I can get back up there and experience it again."