Latest F1 news in brief

Ecclestone doesn't want his drivers running in the Indy 500 or the 24 Hours of LeMans

Le Mans wants FIA to stop F1 race clashes
Wehrlein hopes Haryanto keeps Manor seat
Ex F1 team boss in tax fraud probe
Vettel engine survived Kvyat clashes – report
Sainz eyes Verstappen-like Red Bull move
Alarming reports about Schumacher health
Max pledged 'long term' future to Red Bull – Jos
Verstappen had to seize Red Bull chance – van der Garde

Le Mans wants FIA to stop F1 race clashes
(GMM) The organizer of Le Mans is confident next year's edition of the fabled 24 hour sports car race will not clash with formula one.

Nico Hulkenberg, who drives full-time for Force India, is unable to defend his 2015 Le Mans crown next month because the race clashes with the first grand prix in Azerbaijan.

Some have suggested the clash was engineered by Bernie Ecclestone to stop drivers like Hulkenberg from combining programs, but FIA president Jean Todt explained: "Organizing the calendar is a very tricky job.

"You have 21 races in formula one, 10 races in Formula E, 10 races in world endurance and 14 rallies. To make a calendar without any conflict is not possible."

But Pierre Fillon, the president of the Le Mans-Organizing Automobile Club de l'Ouest, told NBC: "It's a shame for fans, it's a shame for formula one drivers."

When asked if the FIA should move to stop similar clashes in the future, he added: "Yes. For sure.

"I'm sure next year, they will find a solution to avoid this clash."

Rio Haryanto

Wehrlein hopes Haryanto keeps Manor seat
(GMM) Pascal Wehrlein says he always knew his 2016 Manor teammate Rio Haryanto was a good driver.

Indeed, amid reports labeling the Indonesian government-backed Haryanto as merely the next bankrolled 'pay-driver' in F1, fellow rookie Wehrlein insisted months ago that "Rio is being portrayed as worse than he is".

Indeed, after four races head-to-head in 2016, the Mercedes-sponsored reigning DTM champion Wehrlein and 23-year-old Haryanto are 2:2 in qualifying.

"I already said from the beginning that Rio is not a bad driver," Wehrlein, 21, is quoted by Speed Week at the DTM season opener last weekend.

"If he was fourth in GP2, and in my opinion not with a team that could win the championship, then he has something to do with that.

"Rio won three races last year, therefore beating Stoffel Vandoorne who in some races had a much better car," Wehrlein added. "So you cannot do that and also be a bad driver."

Wehrlein also said he has no hard feelings about Haryanto's popularity, with the Indonesian attracting half a million followers on Twitter compared to his own 20,000.

"I think a new German driver is not so extreme but for the Indonesians his F1 career is a sensation," said Wehrlein.

"I think it's good and I hope it helps his fundraising campaign," said the young German, referring to Haryanto's efforts to raise backing for Manor through an unique SMS campaign.

"I really do mean that," Wehrlein insisted. "I really hope that he can do the whole season to the end and doesn't have to stop after the first half."

Ex F1 team boss in tax fraud probe
(GMM) The former chief executive of a F1 team is accused of income tax fraud, according to reports in Spain.

In 2011, the F1 team HRT or Hispania was sold to a Spanish firm called Thesan Capital, linked to the Japanese financial group Nomura.

Marca, a Spanish sports daily, and El Confidencial say former HRT chief executive Saul Ruiz de Marcos is among those accused of defrauding EUR 3 million in income tax using a web of shell companies.

Among the charges are corruption and money laundering, the reports added.

Vettel's engine survived being drilled twice by Kvyat

Vettel engine survived Kvyat clashes – report
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel's engine survived his clashes with Daniil Kvyat in Russia, according to the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Last week, we reported that the gearbox aboard the German's red car was damaged in the controversial melee, but will be replaced without incurring a penalty ahead of the Spanish grand prix.

Damage to the engine, however, would have been costly for the German, as it would have moved him onto his fourth power unit out of five allocated for the whole of 2016.

But La Gazzetta said an investigation at Maranello has revealed that no damage was done.

Fiat chairman John Elkann is confident Ferrari's 2016 campaign is on track, even though Vettel is 67 points behind the lead Mercedes in the title race.

"We have a Ferrari that is constantly progressing, as we saw last year and we continue to see now," he said. "The championship is absolutely still open."

Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt, however, warned that the fabled Italian team has a difficult challenge ahead.

"Ferrari has made some important steps forward," said the FIA president, "now they have to win races which is not easy when you face a very professional team (Mercedes) that does a fantastic job."

Todt was also asked about the current governance and decision-making problems in F1, answering: "There will probably be an evolution and at the appropriate time we will see it."

Will Sainz replace Ricciardo?

Sainz eyes Verstappen-like Red Bull move
(GMM) Max Verstappen's mid-season promotion to Red Bull Racing is not necessarily a blow to his now former Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz.

That is the view of the Spaniard himself, although some might forgive Sainz for being disappointed it was not him who was selected to replace Daniil Kvyat.

"If he (Max) has risen to Red Bull, I have the hope that I can do it too. The season is very long," the 21-year-old told the Spanish broadcaster TVE.

Indeed, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko has warned that the cards may be shuffled again at the end of the season, amid reports Ferrari has its eye on Daniel Ricciardo.

"It is clear that everyone loves to rave about Verstappen," Dani Juncadella, a former Red Bull junior, told Spain's El Confidencial at the DTM season opener.

"But I think Carlos has shown a lot more maturity in many moments."

And former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa agreed with Sainz that he should see Verstappen's sudden promotion as a positive thing.

"It's a great opportunity for Carlos," he is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

"It's a sign that Red Bull believes strongly in the Toro Rosso drivers," added de la Rosa. "The opportunity went to Verstappen, but it could have been Sainz as well."

And now, Sainz will have the opportunity to test himself against new teammate Kvyat, who has gone head-to-head with Ricciardo for more than a season.

"I think the last thing he should do is change his strategy or his mindset," de la Rosa said.

"He has shown that he is a very mature driver, we have seen flashes of what he can do but he was also very unlucky, but sooner or later that luck evens out."

We can remember him in better times

Alarming reports about Schumacher health
(GMM) International publications are repeating alarming news about the health of F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

Spain's Diario Sport, Italy's Corriere dello Sport and La Derniere Heure in Belgium say an American source called 'Newseveryday' has quoted an anonymous doctor who was involved in Schumacher's recovery from serious head injuries.

The original source reportedly said the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver now needs "a miracle to stay alive", almost 30 months after his skiing fall in late 2013.

Attending the fabled Targa Florio in Sicily, FIA president Jean Todt was asked about his friend Schumacher and said: "Michael is part of automotive history, winning the most grands prix and titles.

"We can only send best wishes to him and his family, who now have a much more important battle," Todt is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Signs long-term Red Bull contract

Max pledged 'long term' future to Red Bull – Jos
(GMM) Despite Mercedes and Ferrari's obvious interest, Jos Verstappen says his son Max has pledged his "long term" future to Red Bull.

The Verstappen and Red Bull camps shocked the F1 world last week by announcing that the 18-year-old Dutchman will graduate with immediate effect from the junior outfit Toro Rosso ahead of the Spanish grand prix.

And now father Jos has revealed to verstappen.nl: "It is a long term contract, that is of course very important for us.

"Red Bull has given Max the chance to make his debut in formula one, and I think that you need to honor that with loyalty. Red Bull gives us a sense of comfort," he said.

"Max is now running in one of the three top teams in formula one. What more can you want?"

Many, however, worry that Verstappen will find himself under too much pressure too early in his career — the kind of pressure that Dr Helmut Marko says cost Daniil Kvyat his place at the former world champion team.

"There is always pressure," Jos answers. "There is now and there was last year when he entered as a 17-year-old."

And Jos said his son has also been assured that Red Bull has the patience to allow the youngster to adjust to his new team.

"He will have to deal with a new car, other ways of working and the whole team," he said. "Max needs to start slowly, get to know the car and step by step find the limits. Red Bull Racing is allowing him that time."

Max himself, however, thinks his period of adjustment should not have to last too long.

"If that goes well, I believe we can get close to a podium this year," he said.

Max said he is particularly looking forward to the Renault engine update that is due at the Canadian grand prix next month.

"Mercedes and Ferrari are naturally slightly stronger than us," he told De Telegraaf newspaper. "In a few races when we get the update with the engine, it looks much more positive."

Giedo van der Garde

Verstappen had to seize Red Bull chance – van der Garde
(GMM) The big talking point heading into the Spanish grand prix will be Red Bull's shock jump on the 2017 'silly season'.

The energy drink marque has pulled Max Verstappen out of contention for a switch to Ferrari or Mercedes by immediately promoting him from Toro Rosso on a long-term deal with Red Bull Racing.

"Red Bull had to do something, because this is already a lost season for them," said former F1 driver Christijan Albers, according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

"They are not going to win races this year so they are putting Max in the team already so that he can integrate properly," he added.

The result of that unexpected move by Red Bull is that fascinating battles not only at Red Bull but also Toro Rosso have been lit up for the remainder of 2016.

"Kvyat for example will want to prove Red Bull wrong by beating his new teammate Carlos Sainz," said Jan Lammers, another Dutch former F1 driver.

But yet another former Dutch driver, Giedo van der Garde, warns that Verstappen is facing a tough challenge in his on-form new teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

"For a driver it is not easy to change team mid-season," he said, "although I do think there are quite a few similarities between the Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars.

"On the other hand, there are major differences in electronics, for example the functions of the steering wheel. And Max will suddenly have to work with a different engineer.

"Of course there are a few risks with this move but it should not be too difficult for him," van der Garde added. "If you get a chance like this, you just have to grab it. Especially if you have as much talent as Max Verstappen.

"Yes, I think podiums this year are very possible."