Latest F1 news in brief

Claire Williams

Williams not siding with European complaint
Mexico will be more exciting in future – Tilke
Massa: Williams' 2016 form will decide future
Nurburgring hopeful of 2017 F1 return
Verstappen confident of Toro Rosso stay

Williams not siding with European complaint
(GMM) Williams has indicated it has no intention of joining the complaint filed with the European Commission about the governance of formula one.

Two independent teams, Force India and Sauber, have said their complaint is about the alleged unfairness of the rule-making strategy group, and the distribution of income among so-called 'privileged' and 'non-privileged' teams.

Enstone based Lotus hinted that it only declined to join the action because it is set to be taken over by Renault.

"Would we have taken a different route if we weren't under potential new owners? Possibly we would have done," said CEO Matthew Carter.

Another independent team, meanwhile, is Williams, although the Grove based outfit has a permanent spot on the strategy group due to its long history and past titles.

Father and daughter Sir Frank and Claire Williams decided not to join the European complaint.

"Where I sit, Williams has always just abided by the rules, they are what they are, like a lot of things in formula one and we just go along with them," Claire said recently in Mexico.

And now she has told Sports Business Daily: "We have a contract with FOM to compete in formula one, and we know the regulations around that.

"We signed up to it and we agreed to it," Williams added.

Mexico City asphlt should grip up in future, but AR1.com knows that the ground settles a lot where the track is, so the surface could get bumpier

Mexico will be more exciting in future – Tilke
(GMM) F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke says he had "goose bumps" when he witnessed the passion stirred up by Mexico's F1 return last weekend.

But the German, whose company was responsible for the revamping of the old Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, told Auto Motor und Sport he was also happy with how the facility was received by the F1 teams and drivers.

Asked if he expected that, Tilke answered: "Not to that extent — I expected a bit more criticism.

"But apart from the fact that the asphalt was a bit slippery, there was nothing really."

Indeed, the lack of grip from the asphalt was a theme throughout the race weekend, to the extent that world champion Lewis Hamilton left Mexico calling on Pirelli to "make special tires for this race" in the future.

But Tilke explained that it was due largely to the normal tight deadline between completion of the circuit and the race weekend.

"Time was at a premium here," he confirmed. "The asphalt was laid only three weeks ago and then had to be repaired in some areas a week later, as otherwise it would have broken up."

Race winner Nico Rosberg agreed that the lack of grip in Mexico was not significantly worse than at any circuit where the surface has been recently laid.

"It's normal that with a new track it takes a bit of time because the asphalt is just so smooth. It's the normal story like we've seen with most of the new tracks lately," said the German.

"It's just one of the challenges that we've had but it's been a great track, they've done a great job with it, so I think the whole race was an amazing success for F1," the Mercedes driver added.

Perhaps the lasting memory of Mexico's 2015 return was the podium ceremony, taking place in front of the massed grandstands in the 'baseball stadium' section.

"That was not planned from the beginning, actually," Tilke said of the novel podium location. "It was not our idea — it came from FOM (Formula One Management)."

He admitted that the biggest problem was the fact that the race itself was not particularly exciting.

"We saw that it was possible to overtake," said Tilke, "but you have to admit that it was not the most interesting race.

"Pirelli definitely had a very conservative choice of tires, but as we saw in Russia, the first one was not so exciting but this year it was much better.

"Let's wait a couple of years and I'm sure it will be the same in Mexico too," he added.

I Williams is fast Massa could stay past 2016

Massa: Williams' 2016 form will decide future
Felipe Massa says that Williams' performance next year will determine whether he extends his Formula 1 career beyond the end of 2016.

Massa, 34, made his Formula 1 debut with Sauber in 2002 and enjoyed an eight-year spell at Ferrari prior to making a switch to Williams ahead of the 2014 campaign.

Massa, sixth in this year's championship, will remain alongside Valtteri Bottas at Williams but says the squad's competitiveness in 2016 will determine whether he will stay in the sport into 2017.

"Next year will be the last of my contract, so I think that will be the most important season to understand if I continue or not," he told UOL Esporte.

"If I have the chance to be with a competitive team, I will [continue]. Otherwise, I stop.

"I'll be in F1 if I have a team like Williams, with whom I am very happy and they are also happy to have me.

"When you love working and feel loved, that is what gives [you] motivation to continue."

Massa says that while retirement is not yet on his mind, he will not be afraid to step back from the sport when he feels the time is right.

"I do not think I will be afraid to stop, I think I'll be fine; I know that everyone will have to stop at some point," he added.

"But I do not think that time has come yet."

Nurburgring

Nurburgring hopeful of 2017 F1 return
Officials at the Nurburgring are hopeful that the German Grand Prix will be able to return to the circuit in 2017, following the cancellation of the 2015 event.

Nurburgring and Hockenheim had alternated hosting duties of the German Grand Prix since 2008 but the 2015 event did not take place after the Nurburgring was unable to fulfil its obligations.

Hockenheim is set to hold the event in 2016 while the Nurburgring is confident that talks with Bernie Ecclestone will result in the circuit returning to the Formula 1 calendar in 2017, which would end a four-year absence.

"We had long discussions this year about Formula 1," Nurburgring CEO Carsten Schumacher explained to Motorsport Total.

"We were very committed to making sure we had a race [in 2015]. I regret that it did not occur. We could not and would not bear the [financial] risks. Instead of Formula 1, we had the World Endurance Championship race. This was an outstanding success.

"We strive for a Formula 1 race in 2017 and are in appropriate discussions with Bernie Ecclestone. The theme of Formula 1 is not off the table.

"I hope that Formula 1 will return to its former strength, and that the price will be suitable."

Verstappen and Sainz Jr. will have engines for 2016

Verstappen confident of Toro Rosso stay
Dutch youngster Max Verstappen says he is "not worried" about his position in Formula 1, as the future of Toro Rosso remains uncertain amid Red Bull's ongoing search for a power unit supplier.

While Toro Rosso is inching towards a deal to run year-old Ferrari units, senior outfit Red Bull is still evaluating its options in the sport, with Dietrich Mateschitz having threatened to withdraw both teams if Red Bull cannot be competitive.

Verstappen says he is unconcerned about the situation and is confident of lining up on the grid in 2016.

"For me it is not so difficult," he told GPUpdate.net. "They told me that they are quite positive about the developments, so I'm not worried.

"Whether I'm driving next year in a Toro Rosso-Renault? I do not know. But I will be in a Toro Rosso, that's quite sure."

Verstappen currently occupies 10th position in the championship, two points ahead of Romain Grosjean and three in front of Nico Hulkenberg, but expects to be overhauled by his German rival.

"That will be difficult," he said when asked if he could maintain his position. "Force India is currently very strong. But of course we will do our best, we'll see."

"If you look [at] Mexico, with the very long straight, it was quite difficult for us of course. Brazil has slightly more fast corners, which should be reasonable for us. So hopefully we get a few more points."