Latest F1 news in brief

As McLaren reserve driver, Vandoorne will sit around watching others race, just like Magnussen before him

McLaren reserve Vandoorne also wants to race
'Client engine' makes F1 less interesting – Honda
Schumacher fan club chief slams Hamilton
Montoya, Ricciardo, sympathize with Alonso
Lauda sides with Rosberg in Mercedes spat
Pirelli's Isola denies Hembery to step down
Mateschitz slams rivals' lack of 'sportsmanship'
Susie Wolff quits motor racing
Susie Wolff says F1 dream was 'not going to happen'
Warning lights come on at Mercedes

McLaren reserve Vandoorne also wants to race
(GMM) New GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne will definitely succeed Kevin Magnussen as McLaren reserve driver in 2016, we have learned.

The Belgian has already been standing in while Kevin Magnussen, who has been ousted by the British team, recovers from a broken hand.

"You saw with Kevin," former McLaren racer Sergio Perez told the Telegraph in Mexico. "He came in and they (McLaren) ruined his career unfortunately.

"It's not like McLaren does that on purpose it's just very political," he added.

But while Magnussen did not race at all while he served as reserve this year, 23-year-old Vandoorne wants to keep racing in 2016.

"I don't know what it will be yet," he said, "but there are definitely a few options.

"I'll probably be reserve driver at McLaren which is great, but I also want to remain sharp and focused by racing."

As this year's title winner, Vandoorne cannot now simply stay in GP2 next year, and he said he can also "understand" why McLaren wants to keep its all-champion lineup of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

So the Japanese series Super Formula, where McLaren partner Honda has a strong presence, appears the front-running option.

"I think the cars are at least as fast as GP2 or even faster. The power is lower but the cornering is much higher," said Vandoorne.

Yasuhisa Arai does not like the fact that an engine costing 1/4 of the price can outperform his silly hybrid engine that no one likes except the engineers who design them

'Client engine' makes F1 less interesting – Honda
(GMM) Honda does not like the sound of the FIA's 'client engine' idea for 2017.

Although struggling at present, the Japanese carmaker's F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai said Honda decided to return to the sport with McLaren after a six-year break because of the current turbo V6 'power unit' regulations.

But to help teams struggling with the high price of buying that technology, FIA president Jean Todt has backed Bernie Ecclestone's idea of bringing in an independent supplier of a cheaper, 2.2 liter twin-turbo engine.

"If the FIA wants to bring in an entirely new engine, that means there will be two different engines in formula one," Arai-San told Speed Week.

"That will be difficult. Two different engines on the track will make formula one less interesting and exciting."

Some, however, believe Todt is only backing Ecclestone's proposal because other efforts to encourage the existing manufacturers to lower their prices for customers have failed.

Sensing that political move, Force India's Vijay Mallya says: "If the FIA feels that an engine should cost six or seven million euros, this gives me a little foot in the door to ask my friend Toto (Wolff) for a discount."

But Arai-San said the cost issue is not quite that simple.

"If you name a price, you have to understand what it covers," he told correspondent Agnes Carlier. "The situation is complex.

"So we need clarity about what the 12 million mentioned by Jean Todt will cover. Maintenance, support at the track, other things?"

I am the greatest

Schumacher fan club chief slams Hamilton
(GMM) The head of Michael Schumacher's fan club has hit out at Lewis Hamilton for comments about the beleaguered F1 legend.

Kolner Express, a German tabloid, has quoted the new triple world champion Hamilton as comparing his achievements with the record seven titles won by Schumacher.

"I've never done the things that Michael did to win my titles," the Briton is quoted as saying. "I won mine with my natural abilities only."

Hamilton may have been referring to divided opinions about Schumacher's wheel-to-wheel tactics, or rumors of favoritism within Ferrari and tire supplier Bridgestone.

But considering the sad situation now endured by the beleaguered Schumacher and his family, Reiner Ferling said: "Hamilton should probably switch on his brain before he talks.

"He should learn about what Michael achieved. I just say, pride comes before a fall," added Ferling, president of the fan club of Schumacher's home town Kerpen.

When Ferrari hired Vettel, Alonso was caught off-guard and had no where else to go but McLaren

Montoya, Ricciardo, sympathize with Alonso
(GMM) Two F1 drivers, past and present, have sympathized with the current plight of Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard is acknowledged to be one of the very best and highest paid drivers on the grid, but at present he is languishing down the grid amid what F1 commentator Martin Brundle thinks is now a McLaren-Honda "crisis".

"Fernando is my hero!" joked former Williams and McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya. "I don't know how he bears it. I know I couldn't — it must be so hard for a driver like him."

Montoya, who switched to Nascar and then Indycar following an acrimonious split with McLaren a decade ago, told Spain's AS newspaper he also thinks Alonso's recent radio outbursts are forgivable.

"I fully understand his frustration," said the Colombian. "He is an extraordinary driver and what happened in Japan with those radio messages is just logical — I would have done the same."

Montoya, now 40, said Alonso is clearly one of the best drivers in F1 today.

"I think Vettel is the most complete and the hardest working," he said, "but as for the speed it is Alonso.

"Hamilton is a balance between Vettel and Alonso, which is why he is doing well."

Meanwhile, current Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo also commented on Alonso's situation.

"I don't know how he deals with it," the Australian told Spain's El Pais newspaper. "It must be a matter of changing perspective.

"I have talked a little about it with Jenson (Button), about how he can stay motivated. I'm sure it's not easy but you just have to change your perspective I suppose and appreciate other things.

"On Sundays you're not where you want to be, but the rest of the circus is fun," Ricciardo added.

Niki Lauda

Lauda sides with Rosberg in Mercedes spat
(GMM) Niki Lauda, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman, has sided with Nico Rosberg in the wake of his victory in Mexico.

Although the German dominated the race weekend and won from pole, teammate and new triple world champion Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear after he was ordered in for a second pitstop against his wishes.

"I know the team has felt the need to be extra warm (towards Rosberg)," he said.

"You should ask Toto (Wolff) and Niki about how they feel about it. (About) what they have to do behind the scenes to keep him happy," Hamilton added.

If that sounded like a claim that Rosberg was effectively gifted the win by Mercedes, particularly after their first-corner clash in Austin, Lauda rejected the theory.

"Nico was better (in Mexico)," he told Bild newspaper.

"It was a one-stop strategy (race), but when we looked at the tires, and the gap to third place, it was logical to make a second stop.

"Whether the drivers like it or not is something else," Lauda added.

Lauda said Rosberg hitting back with victory in Mexico, having thrown away the win in Austin and losing the world championship, was ideal.

"It's good that this race was the other way around, so he gets his stability back and keeps on fighting."

Indeed, Felipe Massa – who knows well what it is like to get into a downwards spiral at a top team – said it is crucial that Rosberg keeps hitting back now.

"I think in his case, the chance that the situation keeps getting worse for Rosberg is great," the Brazilian told UOL Esporte.

Pirelli's Isola denies Hembery to step down
(GMM) Mario Isola has rejected speculation he is shaping up to take over as the head of Pirelli's F1 program.

Currently 'racing manager' for the Italian marque, Isola is generally regarded as second in charge behind Paul Hembery.

But there have been suggestions Hembery could be set for a different role, resulting in the promotion of Isola as Pirelli looks ahead to its next F1 contract beyond 2016.

"The news that appeared yesterday is not real and I don't know who put it out," Isola insists. "Paul is and remains the head of motor sport."

Meanwhile, there have been rumors that although Bernie Ecclestone and Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera have shaken hands on a deal, FIA president Jean Todt continues to favor Michelin for the 2017-2019 F1 deal.

But Italy's Motori Online quotes Todt as having said in Mexico: "I think it is the duty of the federation and the world council to ratify the agreement.

"Both (Pirelli and Michelin) had the technical requirements to go ahead, however the commercial rights holder considered the best proposal from the point of view of the market to be Pirelli's," Todt added.

After sticking his foot in his mouth he finds himself with no engine

Mateschitz slams rivals' lack of 'sportsmanship'
(GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz has accused Red Bull's powerful rivals of lacking the "courage and sportsmanship" to supply the team with engines in 2016.

As he added another "three weeks" to his former end-of-October deadline for the resolution of the engine crisis, the Red Bull mogul explained: "The situation is very simple.

"We do not get any of the existing engines, because they fear us or know that we will be faster than their factory teams," the Austrian billionaire told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

So while Red Bull has demonstrated a willingness to pay top-dollar to Mercedes, Ferrari or even Honda, he says what is lacking is the necessary "courage and sportsmanship, which you cannot buy".

It is believed the last option left on the table for Red Bull could be a deal whereby the split with Renault is completed, but the team is able to run an unbranded engine next year based on the French carmaker's power unit.

Mateschitz did not refer to those reports but admitted there were some "complicated" solutions that have not been entirely ruled out.

Susie Wolff quits motor racing
(GMM) Susie Wolff has announced her retirement from motor racing.

The 32-year-old from Scotland has been a Williams test driver since 2012, working on the simulator and even becoming the first female in two decades to drive in official practice sessions at grands prix.

Former DTM driver Wolff, whose husband is the Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, had hoped to push into a racing role in F1, but her career took a knock earlier this year when Williams appointed Adrian Sutil as the official reserve driver.

"I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future," she said.

Williams team deputy Claire Williams commented: "We want to thank her for all her efforts and wish her the very best for her future endeavors."

Susie Wolff quits F1. She has not said but probably time to start a family

Susie Wolff says F1 dream was 'not going to happen'
(GMM) Susie Wolff has admitted realizing her dream of racing in formula one "isn't going to happen".

The 32-year-old from Scotland, who has been a test driver for Williams since 2012, announced on Wednesday her decision to quit motor racing.

She had been pushing to become the first woman in decades to race in F1, but earlier in 2015 was overlooked by Williams as the British team appointed a new official reserve driver.

"At 13, the dream and the goal became formula one," Wolff, whose husband is the Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, wrote in a blog at the Huffington Post.

"I wanted and fought very hard to make it onto that starting grid but the events at the start of this year and the current environment in F1 the way it is, it isn't going to happen," she said.

"My gut feeling tells me it is time to move on. Time to explore new challenges and push myself in new environments. As a sportsperson it is always difficult to know when to stop but for me, this journey has come to an end," Wolff added.

Wolff explained that although it will not be her, she thinks a woman will eventually race again in F1, ending the currently 23-year wait since Giovanna Amati attempted to qualify for grands prix in 1992.

"Do I think F1 is ready for a competitive female racing driver that can perform at the highest level? Yes," she said.

"Do I think it is achievable as a woman? Most definitely. Do I think it will happen soon? Sadly no."

She said the biggest problems are that not enough girls are karting, and that they are lacking a "clear role model".

"These issues I want to address," said Wolff. "I want to give something back and help the next generation. I dared to be different, I want to inspire others to do the same."

Warning lights come on at Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton's relationship with team-mate Nico Rosberg is at rock-bottom as his Formula One world championship-winning Mercedes team teeter on the brink of meltdown.

The duo are barely speaking to each other and it has emerged that even senior executives are enduring their own tensions.

Sources have told The Times that Niki Lauda, the chairman who brought Hamilton to Mercedes, is considering quitting, possibly as soon as the end of the season.

Lauda, a three-time world champion, is one of the most recognisable and popular figures in the paddock. But he triggered a falling-out with Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes Motorsport, on Sunday after the Mexican Grand Prix.

Wolff spotted Lauda being interviewed by journalists outside the Mercedes hospitality suite and immediately cancelled his own regular Sunday evening briefing.

The official line was that Wolff had a plane to catch but the Austrian stalked out of the hospitality suite some time later.

As he left, Hamilton was dodging questions about whether he believed Mercedes had sabotaged his bid to win in Mexico.

He was ordered to pit to take on fresh tyres on safety grounds when he believed he could run to the finish to outlast Rosberg, who took his first victory since June.

When it was suggested that Mercedes might have wanted to boost Rosberg's confidence by helping him to win, Hamilton became suddenly tongue-tied.

"I know the team have felt the need to be extra warm…" Hamilton said before allowing the sentence to trail away. The implication that Mercedes had rallied around Rosberg was clear, though.

"I do know what I mean but I'm not going to say what I mean. This weekend, (Rosberg) did a good job," he added. "You should put those questions to Toto and Niki about how they feel about it, what they have to do behind the scenes to keep (Rosberg) happy."

The spats are coming thick and fast. The friends who grew up racing together are now at daggers drawn. Insiders say they barely speak and the handshake after the race on Sunday was cursory.

Hamilton refused to apologise for their first-corner coming-together in Austin, which was followed by victory at the United States Grand Prix two weeks ago and a third world championship for the Briton.

What was not being said in Mexico spoke volumes, though. Rosberg said simply: "I am not going to comment on relations. You can see it from the outside anyway."

Hamilton said: "What did I have to apologise for? He never asked me for an apology. He didn't congratulate me either.

"Did we discuss it? I spoke to Toto on the phone. I think we sat down for a split-second but there was nothing to really talk about.

"I went up to him in Austin and shook his hand but after that…"

Mercedes feel less like a world championship-winning team and more like a volcano waiting to erupt. Hamilton and Rosberg have contracts that mean they have to work together for the next two years and there are few alternatives to staying with Mercedes.

After Sunday's race, a clearly frustrated Hamilton said: "There was no risk, there was nothing for me to lose. We have won the constructors' championship, the team have won, so let me take a risk, let's go for it.

"I didn't agree with the decision but the team make decisions and I abide by them most of the time. We'll have a chat when I get back. I have full confidence in those guys."

Rosberg's fourth win of the season, at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, was fully deserved because he drove a fast, solid race and his car appeared to have been better set up than Hamilton's.

But the British driver felt he could have snatched victory with a one-stop strategy. The Straits Times