Latest F1 news in brief

Force India cashes Perez's check

Perez all signed up for 2017 – Mallya
Raikkonen keeps Ferrari 'balanced' – Stewart
Good news finally flowing at Sauber
Kvyat not willing to predict Toro Rosso seat
Williams duo plays down Raikkonen news impact
FIA unmoved over radio safety argument
Hamilton prompted Lauda comments U-turn
'Zero tolerance' over Silverstone track limits
Mallya 'delighted' to be back in paddock
Williams deficit 'bigger than expected'

Perez all signed up for 2017 – Mallya
(GMM) Force India supremo Vijay Mallya says Sergio Perez is definitely staying at the Silverstone based team in 2017.

Earlier at Silverstone, Mexican Perez – who had been linked with the now re-signed Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari seat – said he would not turn his mind to next season until the summer break.

"At some point I will see what options I have on the market and make the best decision, but it's a good situation to have options," he said.

But according to Mallya, who amid his Indian legal troubles is making a rare paddock appearance this weekend, Perez was actually signed up for 2017 a week ago.

"We are very happy with Nico (Hulkenberg) and Checo," said the former Indian billionaire.

"We used to wait almost to the onset of winter before we announced our driver lineup but this time we signed both for 2017 well in advance -– and of course today's announcement by Ferrari put to rest a lot of speculation that has been taking place in the last several weeks," added Mallya.

Kimi Raikkonen

Raikkonen keeps Ferrari 'balanced' – Stewart
(GMM) News that Kimi Raikkonen is staying at Ferrari in 2017 was hailed on all sides in the Silverstone paddock.

Some, however, questioned Ferrari's ambition in re-signing the 36-year-old Finn when the younger Sergio Perez, Romain Grosjean or Valtteri Bottas were apparently all keen.

But lead Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel welcomed the news.

"I think it was the right call," he said.

"We know our primary target is to catch up so we need to be all aligned and pushing in the same direction. With Kimi, there is no politics. We put our own egos aside, which is good for the team."

Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, meanwhile, said Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne gave the new deal his seal of approval that has taken "pressure" off Raikkonen's shoulders.

"We are looking for the interests of the team and the interest of the team was not looking for another driver but concentrating on car development," he said.

"We have two good drivers so that was not an issue for us, so we remove all the pressure from the shoulders of Kimi in taking this decision," Arrivabene added.

Indeed, Raikkonen seemed relieved that his extended contract would now stop the rumors.

"I don't think it changes the way we work, but everything will be a little easier because they will finally stop asking me questions about the contract," he said.

Finally, F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart also backed Ferrari's call.

"Kimi knows how to drive, he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, he knows how to get onto the podium and he knows how to win," the former triple world champion told Finland's MTV.

"If they had taken a younger person, it would have been a less balanced team. He gets along very well with Vettel, they're a good pairing at Ferrari and so this is the logical answer.

"I'm not sure if he can be champion again – I think his time has passed for that. But he is still a top driver who does a fantastic job," Stewart added.

Good news for Sauber as Ericsson's backers write big check to keep team afloat

Good news finally flowing at Sauber
(GMM) Sauber could be on the road to recovery, after a long financial crisis saw the 23-year-old Swiss team come close to collapse.

But boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn is now hinting the announcement of a rescue deal is imminent.

The evidence of that may have been on display at Silverstone on Friday.

Firstly, updated Ferrari power units were in the Hinwil-built cars, with Kaltenborn confirming that Sauber will still use Italian-made engines in 2017.

"It's good to see that the engine upgrade is a good step," Brazilian Felipe Nasr told UOL. "It was a good day."

According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, that good day was overseen at Sauber by mysterious Arab guests, as correspondent Roger Benoit wondered if they were part of the rumored buyout deal.

Marcus Ericsson's Swedish backers have also been linked with the deal, but the driver himself on Friday was just happy to finally try a car upgrade in 2017.

"It's working well, and that's positive," he said, referring to the visibly-changed rear wing design.

Daniil Kvyat not sure his Russian check will be big enough to retain his Toro Rosso seat

Kvyat not willing to predict Toro Rosso seat
(GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is still not in a position to predict his next step in formula one.

Initially disappointed and angry to have been demoted by Red Bull, the energy drink's Dr Helmut Marko and Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost are now suggesting the 22-year-old Russian will stay at the Faenza team in 2017.

But Kvyat himself is not ready to declare an outcome.

"I like Toro Rosso," he said. "It's a great team and I feel at home and I can promise that I will work day and night to bring good results."

Kvyat would not, however, be drawn on speculation that it is Red Bull's flagging confidence in its young GP2 star Pierre Gasly that has boosted his own chances for 2017.

"It's hard to have an opinion about someone else," he insisted.

"I'm focused on my job and will take care of myself," Kvyat added. "I'm now in one day and not thinking about next week, next month or next year.

"Next season there will be major changes in the regulations, so the chances of success increase for all of the teams, including Toro Rosso.

"I like Toro Rosso, but of course we still have to discuss a lot. I don't know where I will be tomorrow, in a few weeks or a few months, but I think everything will fall into place," Kvyat said.

Bottas and Massa now must look past Ferrari

Williams duo plays down Raikkonen news impact
(GMM) Williams' two drivers say a new contract for Kimi Raikkonen does not affect their own next moves in F1.

Williams deputy boss Claire Williams said at Silverstone that the uncertainty about Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa's futures will continue for now.

"We are evaluating our options," she said.

"As you'd expect those conversations are going on behind closed doors and when we're ready to make an announcement we will, but I don't foresee that being the next few races," Williams added.

Finn Bottas has been linked with Ferrari for two 'silly seasons' in succession, but on Friday the Italian team said it is keeping Raikkonen for 2017.

"They have made their decision and it's good for Kimi," Bottas is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper. "Of course, I'm at Williams now so it doesn't affect me."

Bottas denied that he had ever been in talks with Ferrari.

Also uncertain is Massa's future at Williams, with Jenson Button strongly linked with the Brazilian veteran's seat for 2017.

Massa answered "no" when asked if the Raikkonen news has any impact on him.

"I think they analyzed Kimi's performance and could not find anyone who could clearly do a better job than Kimi. So that's good for him," Massa told Brazil's UOL.

FIA unmoved over radio safety argument
(GMM) F1's governing body is apparently unmoved by arguments its new clampdown on pit-to-driver radio communication should be relaxed.

World champion Lewis Hamilton struggled with an engine issue in Baku that could not be swiftly resolved because the team was forbidden to tell him how to fix it.

And in Austria, not only did Sergio Perez suffer an exploded brake disk because he didn't know it was overheating, but the controversial clash between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg was triggered by the latter's overheated brakes.

It is believed the latest issues have resulted in talks between the teams and the FIA, with one argument being that the radio clampdown has now become a safety issue.

"There were discussions between the teams and the FIA and seeking either some more freedom on this or clarification and the FIA has been clear that they will not change their position," confirmed McLaren boss Eric Boullier.

Hamilton with his fans at Silverstone

Hamilton prompted Lauda comments U-turn
(GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted he prompted Niki Lauda's bizarre comments U-turn.

Last week, F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Lauda told Austrian Servus TV that Hamilton trashed a hospitality room after crashing in Baku.

Not only that, Lauda claimed Hamilton "lied" about his supposedly good relationship with teammate Nico Rosberg.

But no sooner had the comments swept the international headlines that Mercedes issued a media statement on Lauda's behalf which totally denied the claims.

Hamilton has now admitted that he was astonished when he read Lauda's comments.

"I was sitting on the beach and was soaking up the sun enjoying my day, thinking 'I've just won a Grand Prix' and felt amazing," he said at Silverstone.

"Then I saw that had come out. I was like what the f—?" Hamilton revealed.

"I sent it to Niki and said 'What's this?' He and the team did a great job to address it but unfortunately the damage was already done," the Briton added.

"People see that and they think it's true — that I have lost my s—. Having come off the win it turns a whole positive into a negative," Hamilton said.

Zero tolerance for track limits in England

'Zero tolerance' over Silverstone track limits
Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to track limits following Friday's pair of practice sessions for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Multiple drivers ran off the circuit over the three hours of action and, after post-session discussions, strict limits have been put in place at Copse, Stowe and Club.

"Further to the discussion in the drivers' meeting yesterday evening I would like to confirm that we will again be adopting a "zero tolerance" approach to cars leaving the track at Turns 9, 15 and 18 during qualifying," read a statement issued by the FIA on Saturday morning.

"Unless we are satisfied that a driver left the track at these points [corners] for reasons beyond his control, having been forced off the track for example, every lap time achieved by leaving the track will be deleted in accordance with Article 12.3.1.d of the Sporting Code.

"During the race, and in accordance with Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations, any driver who is judged to have gained a clear and lasting advantage by leaving the track will be reported to the stewards.

"Similarly, under the same Article, any driver who repeatedly leaves the track will be reported to the stewards for not having made every reasonable effort to use the track."

Vijay Mallya

Mallya 'delighted' to be back in paddock
Vijay Mallya says that he is "delighted" to be back in the Formula 1 paddock, having been unable to travel outside of the UK since the beginning of the season.

Mallya is subject to travel restrictions due to legal issues in his native India, with Silverstone, Force India's home event, his first opportunity to visit a Grand Prix in 2016.

"I'm absolutely delighted and over the moon to be here," said Mallya.

"Silverstone is a very special race track, not only for Force India, and I'm personally delighted [to be at the track] because all of the other races I've virtually experienced.

"Sadly, I'm unable to travel. That has to go through due legal process.

"Since I'm now spending my time in England, it's far more regulated, less hectic. I'm doing what I'm passionate about and one thing I'm passionate about is Force India.

"I get a lot of pleasure out of it and the team is delivering results."

Mallya hit back at claims that his situation is damaging the sport.

"Nobody has ever said that I'm doing the sport any damage," he commented.

"Irrespective of where I'm present doesn't affect my contribution, especially in India.

"I've been used to managing multinational companies for years, and couldn't physically be present in each country they operate, but I was able to guide and contribute, and that continues."

The Williams' cars may have the superior Mercedes power unit, but not the superior Aldo Costa designed car

Williams deficit 'bigger than expected'
Williams' deficit to the front of the Formula 1 field was "bigger than expected" during Friday practice for the British Grand Prix, according to Valtteri Bottas.

Bottas and team-mate Felipe Massa finished seventh and tenth fastest in second practice, around two seconds adrift of Lewis Hamilton's pace-setting Mercedes.

"We've made some good steps with the car today from first practice to second practice, but there's still plenty of work to do," Bottas commented after practice.

"It's been a while since we've run the Medium and the Soft tires, so there's still some things to look into regarding getting 100 per cent out of them.

"Hopefully tomorrow we can be closer to the front because there's a bigger gap than we expected today.

"Graining is still a bit of an issue with the Soft tires, but there's no problems with the Medium – tonight we'll be looking at the tires and the new front wing."

Massa, three tenths down on Bottas, shared his team-mate's views.

"We are struggling a little bit in terms of pace on the car and I definitely expected to be a little bit better for a Friday, but we are working hard to improve our performance," he said.

"Let's wait and see how we are tomorrow compared to the others."

Williams sits fourth in the standings, 76 points behind Red Bull.