Latest F1 news in brief

One solution for the horrible sounding F1 engines. It beats putting a baseball card in the wheel spokes like you may have done as a kid

FIA working on F1 engine 'sound generator'
Heineken deal to be announced soon
Shift to 2017 focus 'delicate' – Vasseur
McLaren chassis better than Ferrari – Boullier
Massa not sure Red Bull better than Mercedes
Father still involved in Verstappen's career
Haryanto admits he could lose Manor seat
Too soon to predict Verstappen greatness – Petrov

FIA working on F1 engine 'sound generator'
(GMM) F1's governing body is backing development of a "sound generator" to spice up the muted tones of the current generation of power units.

After the turbo V6s fitted with energy recovery systems replaced the screaming V8s of old, the sport reacted for 2016 by mandating extra tailpipes for the wastegate.

Bernie Ecclestone said in Barcelona that he thought the sound was indeed "better than before".

But the FIA is still working together with teams to improve the sound even more, with the federation's engine chief Fabrice Lom confirming that it is in effect a "sound generator".

"The results so far have been very good," he said.

He admitted that the sound it will make is "not 100 per cent natural but not artificial" either, as it substantially improves the "intensity and quality" of the tone.

"We use the exhaust gases, even though this is limited because of the recovered energy," Lom added.

Heineken deal to be announced in Monaco or Canada?

Heineken deal to be announced soon
(GMM) F1 looks set to lift the lid on its major new sponsorship deal with Heineken ahead of next month's Canadian grand prix.

Last week, following a leak in the press, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone all but confirmed reports the Dutch beer brewer is entering the sport not only with a trackside advertising deal but also the sponsorship of a team.

The identity of the team is not known, but given Dutch sensation Max Verstappen's move and recent victory, an alignment with Red Bull would make sense.

El Confidencial, a Spanish newspaper, noted that after his 18-year-old son's Spanish grand prix win, Jos Verstappen was seen in the paddock sipping a green bottle of Heineken in the Red Bull hospitality area.

The report said struggling Force India has also pitched for the deal, but it might clash with other alcohol brands connected to team owner Vijay Mallya.

Similarly, McLaren is backed by Chandon, and Toro Rosso by the Spanish lager Estrella Galicia.

It is expected that all will be known after a press conference held in Montreal prior to the Canadian grand prix in just over two weeks.

Frederic Vasseur

Shift to 2017 focus 'delicate' – Vasseur
(GMM) A decision is looming about how Renault will handle the transition from 2016 to 2017, team boss Frederic Vasseur has admitted.

It is widely believed that, with the French marque having taken over Lotus at the eleventh hour, Renault regarded 2016 as little more than a transitional season as it focused much harder on preparing for the new rules for 2017.

Asked if 2017 is a perfect opportunity for Renault, team boss Vasseur admitted to Spain's El Confidencial: "Yes, but we have to make a decision on the splitting of efforts between this year and next.

"It is delicate," said the Frenchman. "On the one hand, we can really focus on the new rules, which is an advantage, but on the other hand it is very important for a racing team to have pressure ahead of each race.

"So if we give up in the short term, we could lose the competitive spirit," he added. "On the other hand we must find the best way to prepare for 2017."

Vasseur said that while the new rules are positive for Renault, Mercedes for example is less happy.

"Everyone is playing their own game," he said. "The position of each team is based on self-interest, so that what Ron (Dennis) wants is different to what Toto (Wolff) wants.

"But then I think the common interest calls for more aggressive cars with more sound and bigger tires," added Vasseur.

Although new to F1, Vasseur is no stranger to the paddock after building up the successful GP2 outfit ART.

"In the sporting way not much has changed except I spend more time on politics and the media now," he said. "I'm losing weight because I have no time to eat!" Vasseur laughed.

F1 is now setting up in Monaco, where it has emerged that Renault has decided to release one version of its new engine upgrade for both the works team and customer Red Bull.

Insiders talk of a 35 horse power and half-second per lap boost.

"We have a thousand people concentrated on winning a tenth each week," said Vasseur. "If the engine is a couple of tenths, it would be a very, very big step forward. But it will not put the car at the front of the grid."

Eric Boullier states the obvious

McLaren chassis better than Ferrari – Boullier
(GMM) McLaren-Honda appears to be finally emerging from its long slump, with bosses Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier sounding particularly upbeat ahead of Monaco.

Dennis, the Woking team's supremo, told the BBC: "I honestly believe that the next world champions after Mercedes will be McLaren. We'll get to that goal before other people."

Also optimistic are Fernando Alonso and team boss Eric Boullier, who think the MP4-31 is among the very best chassis on the 2016 grid.

That bodes well for twisty and slow Monaco, where the limitations of the Honda engine will have less impact.

"On paper, we could be between sixth and eighth place I think," Frenchman Boullier is quoted by Italy's Autosprint.

"Last year we had the third best chassis, but close to Williams and Ferrari," he explained.

"Now it is Mercedes, Red Bull, us, and then Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams. They are clearly behind today," said Boullier.

As for Honda, the Japanese marque is planning improvements within the 2016 season but then a total redesign for 2017, coinciding with the sweeping new chassis rules.

"The 2017 regulations level the playing field and it is enough time for us to catch up with Honda, so I think we'll have a good chance next year," said Dennis.

The Red Bull is not better than the Mercedes, but it sure is better than the hapless Ferrari

Massa not sure Red Bull better than Mercedes
(GMM) Felipe Massa is in a realistic mood about Williams' chances ahead of this weekend's race in Monaco.

The British team was third overall in 2014 and 2015 but has clearly fallen behind both Red Bull and Ferrari this year.

"I think we will be behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull," Massa told Brazil's UOL Esporte. "After that I think we're in a good position.

"I like Monaco. Or, I like it when we are competitive, but if you get caught behind, no one likes Monaco!" he smiled, referring to the near-impossibility of overtaking on the Principality's fabled streets.

The impression recently is that it may not be Mercedes or Ferrari but in fact Renault-powered Red Bull with the best chassis overall so far in 2016.

Massa said: "I don't think there is enough data to say that Red Bull is the best car. I think the Mercedes is also a very good car.

"They (Mercedes) show it in every situation and at every track. The Red Bull is also good, better than the Ferrari maybe," he added.

Jos (R) still involved with Max's career

Father still involved in Verstappen's career
(GMM) Jos Verstappen has admitted that while he has taken a step back, he is still closely involved in his son's meteoric F1 career.

It has been suggested that while Toro Rosso was happy for the former Benetton driver to be closely involved, Red Bull has asked Jos to take a step back now that Max has moved up to the top team.

"He (Max) already worked alone in Barcelona," Jos is quoted by Finland's MTV.

"I know he is ready for it — he won the race so I think he is quite ready," Jos added.

"Whether my work is over? I don't think so. I still try to guide and coach him in the right direction," he said.

For his part, 18-year-old Max has admitted that a bit of luck played a role in his Barcelona breakthrough, but also true is that Red Bull legitimately beat Ferrari in Spain.

If that will still be the case in Monaco, Max was quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat as answering: "We will find out in qualifying."

Rio Haryanto – has check will drive

Haryanto admits he could lose Manor seat
(GMM) Rio Haryanto has admitted for the first time that he might not make it through the 2016 season.

Although backed by the Indonesian government and highly popular in his native country, it is understood the rookie is only paid up at Manor until mid-season.

But his manager Piers Hunnisett told us in February: "All is confirmed for a full season."

There are signs, however, that the full season for Haryanto is in fact not guaranteed.

The Indonesian government has launched a novel text message fundraising campaign.

And his teammate Pascal Wehrlein said recently: "I really hope that he can do the whole season to the end and doesn't have to stop after the first half."

When asked by F1's official website if his seat depends on the success of his fundraising, Haryanto said: "I have no answer for that right now.

"No question, I would like to stay and finish the season here," he added.

Haryanto is at least giving himself the best possible chance, casting off the pre-season impression that he would be destroyed by fellow rookie Wehrlein.

"He is a future Mercedes driver," said Haryanto, "and when I am not far off his time – wow – that's always fantastic for me."

Vitaly Petrov

Too soon to predict Verstappen greatness – Petrov
(GMM) It might be too early to predict greatness for F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen, according to a former grand prix driver.

Even before his first win in Barcelona, many insiders were wondering if Red Bull's 18-year-old Dutchman might eventually break the great Michael Schumacher's record tally of seven career titles.

But Vitaly Petrov, Russia's first F1 driver, is applying the brakes.

"I think he won in Spain deservedly," he told Sportbox, "but I think circumstances also played a role in this victory.

"If Mercedes had not gone out, maybe he would not even have been on the podium," Petrov, who drove for Renault and Caterham, told the Russian outlet.

"In general, drivers cannot be judged by any single race. In order to make an objective assessment, we need to see over a longer period of time. Perhaps even years," he added.