Latest F1 news in brief

Anti-Americans Steiner and Haas will not sign an American reserve driver

Haas to share reserve driver with Ferrari
Fans will spot Ferrari car changes – Vettel
Kvyat hopes for 'small progress' in 2016
2016 Toro Rosso-Ferrari set for FIA crash tests
Lauda sees Vettel as 'dangerous' rival
Nikita Mazepin joins Sahara Force India in development role

Haas to share reserve driver with Ferrari
(GMM) Haas, the new American F1 team, has no plans to appoint a full-time reserve driver.

With a Frenchman (Romain Grosjean) and Mexican (Esteban Gutierrez) set to race for the Ferrari-linked team, it has been rumored Haas might want a US-born driver to at least be appointed the third, reserve or test driver.

But team founder Gene Haas told Sportsbusiness Daily Global: "We don't have a reserve driver at the moment.

"If we can find a common reserve driver with Ferrari or someone that would probably be the best way to do that," he revealed.

Haas said the need for permanent reserve drivers has diminished in recent years due to the advances in safety and reduction in the prevalence of injuries.

"With the safety there is today you generally-speaking need a reserve driver just for sickness or some other emergency," he explained.

"The need for a reserve driver probably isn't as important as you think. We don't typically have reserve drivers in Nascar either."

Vettel says you will spot differences on new Ferrari

Fans will spot Ferrari car changes – Vettel
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel admits a seasoned eye will quickly recognize the changes made to Ferrari's F1 car for 2016.

After Mercedes easily won the first two championships of the new 'power unit' era, Ferrari has targeted beating the German giant to this year's crowns.

"The title has to be our aim," Vettel told Germany's Auto Bild Motorsport.

"Nevertheless, we must not forget that there was still a team ahead of us last year," he added.

But he also revealed that Ferrari has made some key changes for 2016, amid speculation the nose is shorter, the rear-end slimmer, and the novel pull-rod front suspension scrapped.

"Basically, a few things will change and they will be identified fairly easily," said Vettel.

He said he was involved throughout the process of plotting Ferrari's next development steps.

"For almost the entire time last year I was involved in the development of the (2016) car," said Vettel. "I think we are on the right track."

Daniil Kvyat hopes the new Red Bulls are better

Kvyat hopes for 'small progress' in 2016
(GMM) Daniil Kvyat is hoping Red Bull can improve in 2016.

Although now taking a back seat at the former quadruple world champion team, designer Adrian Newey last week warned that Red Bull could be set for another painful year in 2016.

That is because, even after the bitter falling out with Renault, Red Bull will continue to be powered by French-made engines this year.

"Our hope for 2016 is to just maintain that gap (of 2015) but with Ferrari and Mercedes expected to step up, towards the end of the year we might be further behind than we were last year," Newey told The Hindu newspaper.

But Russian team driver Kvyat does not agree.

"We aim to make steps forward and so as long as we see progress we'll be happy, but we will always aim high," he said.

"We'll never be really happy until we're back on the top step of the podium but for now, let's start with small signs of progress. That would satisfy me for now," Kvyat added.

"My preparation started in the new year, mainly just getting back into the training rhythm, then from the second week of January I was back into the normal training rhythm," he said.

"Now we're working with the engineers and the team, so the proper track preparation starts now."

Renault recently hired Mario Illien's company, Ilmor Engineering, to assist with engine development work, as the brand prepares to return as a full-time works outfit in 2016.

Franz Tost

2016 Toro Rosso-Ferrari set for FIA crash tests
(GMM) Toro Rosso plans to homologate its 2016 chassis later this week, according to a source close to the Faenza based team.

That is despite the fact the team's schedule for the new season was thrown into chaos late last year amid the so-called 'Red Bull engine crisis'.

While the senior team has been left with 'Tag-Heuer'-branded Renault power for 2015, Toro Rosso has secured a switch to 2015-specification Ferrari units.

Some suggested the late change would mean Toro Rosso will be late to finish its 2016 car.

Boss Franz Tost, however, added 100 temporary staff and a third shift to Toro Rosso's 380-strong workforce for the winter, admitting: "Yes, I would like more time, but our technical department has many experienced staff who optimize the time that we have.

"Also, the tests begin later this year than they did in 2015. So I am optimistic."

He told the Swiss newspaper Blick that he is therefore happy to no longer be working with Renault, admitting: "Now with Ferrari we have a sure element in the car again."

Tost lamented the poor reliability of the Renault engine last year, declaring: "It cost us many points, even if the team and the drivers must also take some of the bad results on our cap."

A source close to Toro Rosso said the Ferrari-powered STR11 will undergo official FIA crashing testing late this week.

Will Vettel do like Schumacher and turn Ferrari around?

Lauda sees Vettel as 'dangerous' rival
Niki Lauda has described Sebastian Vettel as "dangerous opponent" to Mercedes for the new Formula 1 campaign, following the sizeable step forward Ferrari displayed in 2015.

Ferrari, having initially struggled to adapt to the sport's latest turbo engine era, emerged as Mercedes' biggest threat last year, with new signing Vettel taking three race victories.

Lauda, who acts as a Non-Executive Chairman at Mercedes, expects the German brand to be pushed further this term, as it looks to claim both titles for the third successive season.

"Ferrari has found its former strength," Lauda, who won three Formula 1 titles, one fewer than Vettel, told Germany's Auto Bild, when asked about the threat posed.

"We don't need to discuss the fact that Vettel can drive a car quickly, just like we don't need to discuss the fact that he's hungry for success and can push the team forward.

"This makes Vettel a dangerous opponent [to Mercedes]."

Ferrari finished second, 275 points behind Mercedes, in the 2015 Constructors' standings, while Vettel placed third in the Drivers' battle, 103 points adrift of Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel will partner Kimi RÃ¤ikkÃ¶nen for a second season in 2016.

Palmer Tweet

Palmer confirms choice of 30 as number
Jolyon Palmer has officially confirmed that he will use 30 as his permanent racing number throughout his career in Formula 1.

Palmer spent 2015 as Lotus' test and reserve driver and used the number during his outings in first practice sessions at Grands Prix.

However, as test and reserve drivers are typically assigned numbers by the FIA, Palmer had the option to change before the start of his Formula 1 career, though he has decided to retain 30.

Palmer was signed by Lotus as Romain Grosjean's replacement before Renault's takeover of the operation, though his position at the team is safe, ahead of Renault's official launch on Wednesday.

Formula 1 introduced a permanent numbering system for drivers prior to the start of the 2014 campaign.

Each driver selects a number between 2 and 99 to carry throughout their careers in the sport, with the number preserved for two years after their most recent Grand Prix.

Only the reigning champion is permitted to use number 1, though Lewis Hamilton has again opted to use 44 for his title defense.

Nikita Mazepin

Nikita Mazepin joins Sahara Force India in development role
Sahara Force India Formula One Team is pleased to announce Nikita Mazepin as a development driver to mark the beginning of a long-term association with the team. The 16-year-old Russian will be immersed in the team as part of an extensive development program with regular simulator sessions and attendance at various race events during the 2016 season.

Nikita has already captured the attention of many observers on his way up the motor racing ladder. After impressing in karting with second place in the 2014 CIK-FIA World Championship, the young Russian graduated to Formula Renault 2.0 in 2015 where he secured his first single-seater podium finish.

Nikita's racing plans for 2016 include a season in the Formula 3 Euro Series with Hi-Tech Racing alongside his Formula One commitments.

Nikita Mazepin: "It's an incredible feeling to join Sahara Force India. It's the biggest step in my career and I want to thank Vijay and everyone in the team for giving me this opportunity. I'm still young and I have a lot to learn, so the guidance and experience of Sahara Force India is really important for my development. My goal is to race in Formula One in the future and today's news takes me closer to achieving that objective. I will work hard to help the team and do everything I can to improve my skills on and off the track."

Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Nikita to begin his Formula One apprenticeship and become fully embedded inside our team. We have a strong track record of identifying and nurturing young talent and it is clear that Nikita is already a very capable and determined racer. 2016 will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities and develop the skills needed to become a Formula One driver. We plan to use him extensively on our new simulator and he will also support our in-season testing program, which will play an important role in the development of the VJM09. It's also exciting for the team to begin working with a young Russian driver given the success of the Russian Grand Prix in recent years. It's a market with huge potential for Formula One and the emergence of young talents, such as Nikita, will ensure interest in the sport continues to grow rapidly."