Latest F1 news in brief – Friday
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Rosberg gets $1M per race for next 2 years Rosberg signs new two-year, EUR 45m deal
- Kvyat backs world champions' F1 criticism
- 2017 talks not just with Renault – Magnussen
- Button not sure McLaren can win in 2017
- Vettel blames media amid Ferrari 'crisis'
- Staying at Sauber an option after buyout – Nasr
- Bottas admits F1 future not secure yet
- Haas looks set to keep same drivers
- Ricciardo 'not scared' of Verstappen
Rosberg signs new two-year, EUR 45m deal
(GMM) Nico Rosberg traveled to the Hungaroring with a new two-year contract in his back pocket.
The team and the German driver announced the news with a video on Twitter showing Rosberg, 31, and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff signing a piece of paper.
And Bild newspaper said the deal including bonuses will be worth about EUR 45 million euros.
On Thursday in Budapest, Rosberg said he was navigating the process of negotiating the new deal without affecting his focus on his racing.
"Of course you need to be careful, because it can influence and take some energy away," he said.
"I have Gerhard Berger who is handling it for me, specifically to make sure that I don't lose any focus on the racing."
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| Daniil Kvyat |
Kvyat backs world champions' F1 criticism
(GMM) Daniil Kvyat has backed the complaints of two multiple champions as today's face of formula one comes under the microscope.
Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel could not hide their frustration when asked about the latest radio restrictions and the new track surface and curbs at the Hungaroring ahead of this weekend's action.
German Vettel called the radio changes "b——t" and a "joke", while Alonso warned that unless the 2017 regulations change the sport significantly, he will not extend his stay beyond the end of next year.
Spaniard Alonso said there are too many rules in general, joking: "You are allowed to breathe and not much more."
"At the same time I believe McLaren-Honda is slowly coming forward," he added.
"I want to win again and at the same time have fun in F1. At the moment it's not possible in these cars."
And Vettel hit out at the new, ultra-smooth track surface and curbs in Hungary.
"It's a bit sad because the curbs are part of the character and soul of a track and when they're the same everywhere, every track feels the same.
"The curbs before were also a challenge, same with the bumps. Let's see if some of them are still there but it would be a shame if they're all gone," added Vettel.
The FIA has also installed electronic sensors in some of those new curbs to strictly police 'track limits'.
Toro Rosso driver Kvyat argued: "If we had normal curbs then you wouldn't need the electronics. Let's see how it is but in my opinion it is the wrong direction.
"The limits of the track should be obvious because if you cross it, you lose time and your lap is ruined. You can't just tell drivers who attack at the limit 'Don't go there'."
The young Russian also joined the criticism of the further radio clampdown, declaring: "They keep changing the rules every weekend.
"I have ceased to understand them but I think no one really does."
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| Kevin Magnussen |
2017 talks not just with Renault – Magnussen
(GMM) Kevin Magnussen has admitted for the first time that he is looking beyond Renault to secure his future in formula one.
But the Dane does welcome news that the French works team has now stopped developing the 2016 car in order to focus completely on the new regulations.
"Yes, because we can't win with this car," Magnussen said in Hungary when asked if he supports the decision.
"I am hoping I will stay with the team, so I want us to focus on the future," he added.
Renault appears happy with Magnussen so far, but the 23-year-old is on only a one-year contract and the team is not yet ready to take up its 2017 option.
"I expect to be here," he said when asked by the Danish newspaper BT about 2017.
"I have told that team that I want to continue and I have not seen or heard anything that indicates I won't be here. But I also sense that the team is in no hurry to decide its drivers for next year," Magnussen admitted.
So when asked what steps he is taking to ensure he keeps racing in 2017, he answered: "I'm not only talking with Renault.
"I know enough people in the paddock now to hear about what's going on, but right now I don't feel the need to talk too much with the other teams about 2017," he added.
It seems the biggest threat to his place is coming from team reserve Esteban Ocon, who is driving the yellow car in Friday practice this weekend.
"Esteban is a really good driver, there's no doubt," Magnussen told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. "It wouldn't be good for motor sport in general if a driver like him didn't get a chance in formula one."
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| Button knows both Mercedes and Red Bulls will have to fall out of every race for McLaren to win a race in 2017 |
Button not sure McLaren can win in 2017
(GMM) Jenson Button is not so sure McLaren-Honda can be in a winning position as soon as 2017.
His teammate, Fernando Alonso, is already under contract for next year and he says the target is not only wins but the world championship.
Button's situation is much less clear, with Williams apparently interested in signing him and McLaren clearly wanting to promote Stoffel Vandoorne.
Briton Button, 36, insists he is in control of his decision regarding 2017, saying he needs a more competitive car.
"We have made progress," he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport in Hungary. "But you always want more.
"None of us are happy about where we are. We want to win.
"Every driver here thinks about his position and whether there is a possibility in the future to in. If not, you have to go somewhere else.
"We simply don't have the best car," Button added. "We're working on it, but whether we can fight at the top next year remains open."
He said the top ten in Hungary will be difficult for McLaren, but predicted a strong weekend for Red Bull.
"They have a good chance to win here," said Button.
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| Sebastian Vettel knows a James Allison designed Ferrari cannot beat an Aldo Costa designed Mercedes or Adrian Newey designed Red Bull |
Vettel blames media amid Ferrari 'crisis'
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel has pointed a finger at the media as talk of a Ferrari 'crisis' swirls in Hungary.
Overtaken in recent races by Red Bull, Ferrari has also been struggling with reliability problems.
Now, there are rumors that technical director James Allison is departing, that Ross Brawn could replace him, and that Vettel himself might switch to Mercedes in 2018.
The Vettel-to-Mercedes rumor came from the German's former boss at Red Bull, Christian Horner.
"It's interesting that he knows that without speaking to me," Vettel joked in Hungary.
"There's nothing in it. We are all highly motivated to ensure that Ferrari gets back to the top."
What about the Brawn rumor? The Briton told the German newspaper Bild: "There is nothing to report about Ferrari. They have not been in contact with me.
"I am happy with my life and have found nothing that will change my plans," Brawn added.
Kimi Raikkonen, meanwhile, said on Thursday that Ferrari doesn't even need Brawn.
"Although we are not where we would like to be, we have a great team," he said. "There are no magic tricks in formula one that can change everything overnight.
"We need to have confidence that what we are doing as a group is right," he added.
As for the James Allison speculation, Vettel revealed: "When we read all that is written, we can only laugh about it.
"The media prefers to talk about the negatives rather than the positives. All this 'Everything is crap and we have to change everything and throw everyone out' doesn't come from us, it comes from what is written down," he added, referring to the press.
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| Felipe Nasr |
Staying at Sauber an option after buyout – Nasr
(GMM) Felipe Nasr is not ruling out staying at Sauber in the wake of the Swiss team's buyout by an investment group.
Marcus Ericsson in Hungary joined boss Monisha Kaltenborn in not commenting on speculation that the buyers are linked to the Swedish driver's sponsors.
Nasr, meanwhile, brings backing from the Banco do Brasil, who before the buyout news were said to be seriously considering leaving Sauber for 2017.
Now, he has told Brazil's UOL Esporte that staying is an option.
"I think that (staying) is still an option," said Nasr in Hungary. "If it is the best, I don't know.
"I think if it brings better prospects for developing and better people for important technical aspects then I would not rule out the option to continue here.
"It's very good news, I'm happy for the team," he added. "It brings a better perspective both in the short and the long term. We can begin to work better in areas where we could not before because of our financial situation.
"In the short term, we had update packages planned from the beginning of the year that we can now press the green button on and take them to the track," said Nasr.
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| Valtteri Bottas has no better team to go to really, but he does have girlfriend Emilia Pikkarainen to make life pretty good |
Bottas admits F1 future not secure yet
(GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he still does not know if he will be staying at Williams in 2017.
The British team is currently keeping its options open, amid links with Jenson Button and also Lance Stroll, a Canadian rookie who is said to have $35 million in backing behind him thanks to his billionaire father.
"There is still no progress," Finn Bottas, who has driven for Grove based Williams since his debut in 2013, told the Finnish broadcaster MTV in Hungary.
"Everything is still open at this point."
During the week, Bottas was quoted as saying he would be happy to stay at Williams, and he now says he would like his future clarified "preferably sooner than later".
"I cannot say a specific date, but it would be nice to know what's going to happen before the August break. But if it stretches out further it would not be a disaster. I'm not stressed about it," he said.
Last year, Bottas was linked to Ferrari but his situation looks different in 2016 amid the form of his teammate Felipe Massa and Williams' struggle to match the top three teams.
"Certainly the market value has not increased this year, that's clear," Bottas told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti in Hungary.
"In a less competitive car and when you're rarely on the podium, you can be a little invisible," he added.
"I'm not worried at all because the people who really follow these things know what's going on. I'm not worried about my future in formula one but the fact is that at the moment I don't know what I'm doing next season."
Asked if he could be left without a seat at all, he answered: "I hope not but you never know."
Bottas admitted that Williams appears his best option as the team "has often been very good with new rules".
But he also said the team has disappointed in 2016.
"Both myself and the team expected a lot more from this year," said Bottas. "For example, Force India has come really close to us and in some races have even been ahead.
"At the moment it doesn't seem like there are a huge amount of options and I think it would be great to achieve much more with Williams than we have achieved so far.
"Yes, I would like to continue with Williams," the 26-year-old is quoted by Ilta Sanomat newspaper, who asked him about rumors Renault might be an option.
"It's a little too early to go into that sort of speculation," said Bottas. "For sure next year will show how Renault is developing.
"This year has been really difficult for them."
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| Esteban Gutierrez – has check, will drive |
Haas looks set to keep same drivers
(GMM) Esteban Gutierrez says his future is secure.
Actually, Haas' team boss says it is leaving the driver question open for now, so when asked about 2017, Romain Grosjean smiled: "Ask Gunther (Steiner)!"
But the Frenchman dropped a big hint that he sees Haas as a long-term project, even though he admits there had been some talks with Ferrari.
"When I signed the contract with Haas, the idea was to start in 2017, improve in 2017 and succeed in 2018," said Grosjean.
As for his teammate Gutierrez, the Mexican has struggled to shine through this year but he seems confident about 2017.
"I know what I am doing next year," he announced in Hungary.
"I know that not everything has gone in my favor this season, but I'm not worried."
Asked specifically if he will be driving for Haas in 2017, Gutierrez added: "I'm sorry, but I can't go into details."
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| Daniel Ricciardo |
Ricciardo 'not scared' of Verstappen
(GMM) Daniel Ricciardo insists he is not "scared" of his teammate Max Verstappen.
Just like he burst into F1 with Toro Rosso last year, the 18-year-old teenager has made a similarly meteoric mid-season switch to Red Bull.
Many believe the Dutchman already has the upper hand on Australian Ricciardo, particularly on the basis of the most recent races.
But Ricciardo said in Hungary that he is happy with the challenge.
"I'm always open to a new challenge," he insisted.
"Max is really fast and straight away he is strong. And even though he's young, you can always learn something from him.
"If we're pushing each other, the team can only benefit from that," Ricciardo added.
Almost a decade older than Verstappen, Ricciardo insists he is not "scared" of the impressive teenager.
"I know I should have won at least one race," he said. "His speed is undeniable and I'm not looking for excuses, but there are quite a few reasons why I haven't had better results.
"When you drive as well as you can, you don't need to be afraid of anyone.
"I was beaten a few times by Daniil (Kvyat) last year," Ricciardo added. "But if you understand why it happens then you can swallow it.
"If you're constantly behind then you have a problem. Max is on a good run but I know that I can beat him," he insisted.
"If Max makes the same progress that he has been in the next five or ten years, then I think every driver needs to worry, but I'm only scared of sharks and snakes," Ricciardo grinned.
The 27-year-old said his goal of winning the world championship is on track.
"I'll be happy if I do it by 30, but you can be world champion after you're 30 as well.
"Generally, athletes are getting younger, like Max, but my plan is a little like Valentino Rossi — just stay young in your heart," Ricciardo added.