Latest F1 news in brief

Horner denies eye on Key

Horner denies eyeing Toro Rosso's Key
Grosjean doubts Spa clampdown will 'improve show'
Bianchi's father says recovery hopes fading
FIA tweaks Mosley's budget cap plan – report
Van der Garde eyes DTM move – report
Lotus denies sale to Renault now imminent
Russia, Malaysia happy with 2016 calendar shakeup
We're not flirting with Ferrari, insists Horner
Bernie Ecclestone thinks his son-in-law is an idiot
Jenson Button insists his future at McLaren is unclear
Williams driver Felipe Massa open to future in Formula E or WEC

Horner denies eyeing Toro Rosso's Key
(GMM) Christian Horner insists Red Bull will not simply poach the increasingly-lauded designer James Key from the junior team Toro Rosso.

It has become increasingly clear in 2015 that, with Adrian Newey having taken a step back in 2015, Red Bull has been outpaced in the chassis department this year by Toro Rosso — the sister team with a much smaller budget.

In fact, rookie Max Verstappen thinks the Key-designed STR10 is one of the three best chassis on the grid.

"In general, on the high downforce tracks, we are strong compared to Red Bull," the Dutchman is quoted by UOL Esporte.

Because of Renault's engine problems, however, Toro Rosso – and Red Bull – are having to compensate by tweaking the downforce levels.

"We have to highlight our strength, which is downforce, which is very difficult for us especially on tracks like Canada and Austria," Verstappen said.

"Mercedes, whether they run more or less downforce, they are strong on the straights anyway."

But the starkest comparison is between Red Bull and Toro Rosso, given the big difference in budget, and the experience and pay of the drivers.

Red Bull chief Horner, however, said he has "no interest at all" in simply poaching what may be the secret to Toro Rosso's surprisingly-good 2015 car — its designer Key.

"We have a strong technical team," Horner insisted to F1's official website.

"Adrian is still involved in all the things that are going on and with Rob Marshal, Pierre Wache and Dan Fallows we have a strong technical group — so no desire to change anything," he added.

"Unfortunately the element that has the biggest effect on our competitiveness is one we are not in control of," said Horner, referring to the Renault power unit.

Romain Grosjean

Grosjean doubts Spa clampdown will 'improve show'
(GMM) Romain Grosjean is not sure the forthcoming 'driver aids' clampdown from August's Belgian grand prix will be a game changer.

Although the big changes to an image-struggling F1 will come in 2016 and especially 2017, one tweak will arrive ahead of the race at fabled Spa-Francorchamps next month.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the FIA has now sent the details to the teams, including a new limit on what the drivers can be told on the formation lap about clutch settings for the race start.

The report said the "objective is that the drivers will be solely responsible for the start procedures".

But Lotus driver Grosjean said he doubts the changes for Belgium and beyond will make a big difference.

"There are certain procedures that must be adhered to for the start, and in principle they are not changing," he is quoted by Speed Week.

He acknowledged the new rules but doubts they will "turn the grid upside down when the lights go out".

"The same applies to restrictions on the radio," the Frenchman continued, "as we will get used to it very quickly. I don't know really how it is intended to improve the show."

Bianchi's father says recovery hopes fading
(GMM) Jules Bianchi's father has admitted hopes are fading that the former Marussia driver will recover from his head injuries.

The 25-year-old has never regained consciousness after sliding into a recovery vehicle during last year's Japanese grand prix almost ten months ago.

"In general, progress needs to be made in the first six months," Philippe Bianchi told France Info radio on Monday. "And now it's been nine months and Jules has still not woken up and there is no significant progress.

"As time goes by, it makes me less optimistic than I might have been two or three months after the accident when one might have hoped for a better outcome," he added.

Bianchi's father had said in May that the family is having to consider the possibility that Jules will eventually die.

Now, he explains: "It's hard to get up in the morning while telling yourself that you're not sure whether your son is going to live and every day is like that."

Mr. Bianchi revealed that he had once spoken to his son about the head injuries suffered by F1 legend Michael Schumacher in a late 2013 skiing fall.

"He (Jules) told us that if one day he had an accident like Michael Schumacher's, even if his only handicap was not being able to drive, he would have a lot of difficulty living with it. Because it (racing) was his life," he said.

After rejecting Mosley's cost-cap plan years ago, the F1 paddock has costed itself out of business

FIA tweaks Mosley's budget cap plan – report
(GMM) F1's governing body is proposing a cost cap plan for formula one, along the lines of the idea floated recently by former FIA president Max Mosley.

While there is consensus up and down pitlane about needing to speed up the cars and spice up the 'show', there is still wide disagreement about how best to keep the struggling small teams alive.

Mosley's successor as FIA president, Jean Todt, has already vowed to cap the exorbitant costs of buying a modern 'power unit', but Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn insists: "It's not enough. We need to do a lot more."

She said she supports Mosley's plan, where teams can choose to work under a budget cap but, in return, get to operate under freer technical regulations.

The subject was discussed at length during the most recent meeting of the Strategy Group.

Mosley's own plan is believed to have been rejected on the basis that it would involve a messy implementation of two sets of regulations: one for the 'budget cap' teams, and another for those electing to stick with the status quo.

However, Auto Motor und Sport claims that the FIA has proposed a variation of Mosley's idea that would not involve two separate sets of technical regulations.

Under the plan, all teams would have the same rules, with the exception that the 'budget cap' teams – limited to about $120-150 million per year – be allowed unlimited 'tools and tests'.

The other, presumably big teams operating outside the budget cap would on the other hand be limited to 25 hours per week of wind tunnel time, 25 teraflops of computer power, and 8 days of testing per year.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the big teams immediately rejected the new plan as well, but apparently on the basis that they fear the 'budget cap' teams could actually outpace them.

"You have to wonder why they would want to voluntarily spend more money on a model that is worse," Force India deputy Bob Fernley is quoted as saying.

The report said FIA president Todt has another plan up his sleeve.

"We could," Todt said, "limit the development of the number of parts. Say, each team is allowed only 10 suspensions or 20 wings per year. Once a part has been produced, it gets an FIA seal."

Van der Garde eyes DTM move – report
(GMM) Giedo van der Garde's next move in motor racing could be to German touring cars.

That is the claim of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, referring to the 30-year-old who early this year became embroiled in a high-profile legal spat with Sauber over a 2015 race seat.

But fellow Dutchman Ernest Knoors, who runs the BMW Team Mtek outfit, is unsure van der Garde can so easily rebuild his racing career in DTM.

"Giedo definitely has the ability," he said, "but you also have to have the contacts.

"Giedo has in recent years put all his cards on formula one," Knoors added.

In other news, Manor racer Roberto Merhi will head into next weekend's Hungarian grand prix under a cloud, following a serious incident.

The Spaniard is this year splitting his time between F1 and Formula Renault 3.5, and as he crossed the line during a race in the latter series in Austria last weekend, he inexplicably slowed on the finish line and was struck at high speed from behind.

Race organizers banned Merhi, 24, from the second race of the weekend.

"(Lewis) Hamilton almost stopped at Silverstone," he argued, according to Spain's El Confidencial, "and no one said anything."

Lotus denies sale to Renault now imminent
(GMM) Lotus has denied it is on the cusp of being sold back to Renault.

Reports suggest current team owner Gerard Lopez will meet with Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn in Hungary next weekend to hammer out a deal.

Given that, just half a decade ago, the transaction was in reverse, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner observed wryly that the story contains a "certain irony".

He told F1's official website that, notwithstanding any Lotus-Renault talks, Red Bull is contractually guaranteed top billing with Renault power next year.

As for 2017, "That could be a completely different ball game," Horner admitted.

Lotus CEO Matthew Carter, however – who Lopez has left in charge of the Enstone team for now – insists the reports of an imminent buyout are not right.

"As CEO of this company I know nothing of any such offer," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"I know that Renault is currently looking carefully at its involvement in formula one. We know that when it comes to returning to a factory team, the usual candidates would be on the list and we would possibly be the best choice.

"But there is no offer," Carter insisted. "The shareholders have told me repeatedly that the Lotus team is not for sale."

Undoubtedly, however, selling Enstone back to Renault would be a timely solution for troubled Lotus.

Highlighting F1's income and governance issues, European parliamentarian Anneliese Dodds pointed out the "urgency of the situation … with Lotus facing a winding-up petition in the High Court" due to a disgruntled supplier.

Russia, Malaysia happy with 2016 calendar shakeup
(GMM) Russia says it is happy with its new early slot on the F1 calendar.

Last year and again in 2015, as Sochi joined the ever-expanding world championship schedule, the new Russian grand prix has been held in mid-October.

But as the newly-published 2016 calendar expands to an unprecedented 21 grands prix, Sochi has been reshuffled to a May 1 race slot, and paired back-to-back with Bahrain.

Promoter Sergey Vorobyov told the Russian sports news agency R-Sport: "After we conducted the first Russian grand prix, for us there is nothing difficult in holding the race at any time.

"I think the grand prix in the May holidays will further increase attendance," he added. "More people will come to Sochi and enjoy this event."

Also with a vastly-different race date in 2016 is Malaysia, which has traditionally had a very early date on the calendar.

But next year, Sepang shifts to late September, paired back-to-back with Singapore. Chief Razlan Razali said Malaysia needed a shakeup.

"It's unlikely that we are going to see a Malaysian driver in formula one for the time being, and we have got to think of something new to make the Sepang race relevant," he told the local Star newspaper.

"We thought of proposing to Bernie Ecclestone to slot us in before the Singapore round, but then it would have clashed with the Hari Raya Haji holidays — so the dates we got are ok," he added.

"We've got more than a year now to promote next year's race and we'll do it well."

We're not flirting with Ferrari, insists Horner
Christian Horner has dismissed talk of a relationship with Ferrari whilst admitting that waiting on Renault is testing his team's patience.
Having used Ferrari engines in its second year of racing, before switching to Renault and passing the Maranello units on to Toro Rosso, some have wondered whether Red Bull might return to its roots (so to speak) in light of its ongoing problems with Renault.

Asked in an interview for the official F1 website, whether the "flirting" with Ferrariis serious, Horner replied: "I think it would be an exaggeration saying that Red Bullis 'flirting' with Ferrari.

"Obviously Red Bull Group had a relationship with Ferrari for many years as engine supplier for Toro Rosso. Sergio (Marchionne) made a generous offer without any details when he attended the Austrian Grand Prix – but right now our focus is on what we have at this point in time."

Helmut Marko recently suggested that Renault might have some answers by Silverstone. In view of the fact that the 'deadline has passed, does Horner have any news?

"I think this is a question to be answered by Renault because it is their business, not ours," he replied. "But as far as I am aware I think that they are making good progress on their dyno. They now have some strategic decisions about implementation, and the direction they want to take their development for the rest of this season – and that has an enormous impact on next year.

"Of course it tests our patience," he says of the timeframe. "Like any competitive team we want performance yesterday, and unfortunately with engines the lead time is a lot longer than with the chassis. Patience is something that we are not really good at. We want to have performance as soon as possible.

"From where the concept is at the moment you are probably looking at least at a couple of months. Two to three months. It needs to happen this year – but also what you learn this year will help you next season.

"It hurts when you are not competitive, and unfortunately there are certain elements we are not in control of. But where we are in control, we are working flat out so that when the power upgrades do come, we are in a position to make best use of them.

Asked if he is satisfied with the chassis situation, he admits: "We are never satisfied. Here you always try to get better. The regulation changes over the winter did hurt us – probably more than we anticipated – but we now have a pretty good understanding of the areas where we need to improve – and how to improve."

He also dismissed talk of James Key leaving Toro Rosso for its (big) sister team.

"We have a strong technical team. Adrian (Newey) is still involved in all the things that are going on and with Rob Marshal, Pierre Wache and Dan Fallows we have a strong technical group – so no desire to change anything."

Bernie Ecclestone thinks his son-in-law is an idiot
His name might appear to say it all apart from the fact that this is no stunt.

Art dealer James Stunt really does choose to travel around central London in a multi-car convoy.

On Sunday the 33-year-old art collector was at it again when his Â£1million fleet of cars – including two bullet and bomb-proof Rolls-Royces – pulled into London's Bond Street to pick up a couple of paintings from Sotheby's and a horde of minders leapt from the vehicles to… do what exactly, apart from carry the paintings?

It's flash and a bit bonkers. Which begs the question: Just who is Petra Ecclestone's husband? Even his father in-law Bernie Ecclestone, who bought Petra a Â£800,000 Bugatti Veyron as an engagement gift, has called James "a flash b******".

Certainly Stunt's decision to arrive with his wife at Nicky Hilton's pre-wedding party last Thursday in his motorcade was a statement. But of what exactly? "James has got another car following him with so-called bodyguards but nobody's going to kill him," his father-in-law, the man in charge of Formula One, said recently.

"James is a lovely lad. He's harmless, but he's an idiot," added Bernie.

And it's not just the motorcade that illustrates Stunt's character. There is also the small matter of his other cars – there are about 200 of them – as well as his wine cellar, said to be one of the top five collections of rare wine in the world.

James and Petra met on a blind date nine years ago and their Â£5million wedding took place in an Italian castle with performances from artists including Eric Clapton and The Black Eyed Peas.

THEY have a two-year-old daughter Lavinia and twin sons, James and Andrew, who were born in April. Since their wedding James has transformed from scruffy cap-wearer into a man who favors tailored suits and slicked-back hair.

In 2011 the couple bought film producer Aaron Spelling's former home in Los Angeles for Â£52million. At 57,000 square feet and with 123 rooms including a bowling alley, beauty salon and gift-wrapping room it is the largest house in a city of ostentatious houses.

When in the US the couple's presidential-style protection team are said to carry holstered pistols under their suits.

Meanwhile a Â£32million mansion in London's Belgravia has been remodeled to include a pool, gym and underground car park. Insiders say that both properties are in Petra's name.

Stunt grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey, with his publisher father Geoffrey, mother Lorraine and brother Lee. He is believed to have used money to invest in the shipping business, specifically vessels from the 1980s. And, as the demand for steel increased, so did the value of his investment.

He is then said to have entered the gaming industry and mining – predominantly gold – as well as the world of private finance. By the time he began dating Petra, having earned a reputation as a man about town and after dating Camilla Al Fayed, daughter of former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, he was spinning around town in a Lamborghini.

But Bernie, the ever-helpful father-in-law, disputes claims that James is a billionaire. He admits he had Stunt "well and truly checked out" by an agency before he married his daughter.

"We checked James out and he wasn't a billionaire," says Bernie, helpfully. "He's from a good family, more than comfortably off, and his dad used to let him spend some money if he wanted to spend it.

"After he got married he started to become more serious and started to work in art. He collects some art and he buys these Old Masters and he's been trading a lot in America."

They include works by Sir Peter Lely and Sir Godfrey Kneller, leading portrait painters of the 17th and early-18th centuries.

"The money he has now, he's made through dealing in these Old Masters," adds Bernie.

IN MAY last year Stunt agreed to withdraw from buying a Â£12.5million self-portrait by the Flemish painter Van Dyck after a backlash in the British art world about his plans to take it out of the country and hang it in his California home.

He may be young but Stunt is definitely a philanthropist in training. In addition to lending his paintings to museums and donating to charity he recently gave a hefty sum to his old school Bradfield College to renovate its gym – now renamed The Stunt Pavilion. It seems a fitting name. Daily Express

Jenson Button insists his future at McLaren is unclear
(GMM) Jenson Button has contradicted Ron Dennis by admitting his future at McLaren is uncertain.

Team supremo Dennis had declared at Silverstone: "Jenson has a two year contract with McLaren. We are not even thinking about other drivers at the moment."

British journalists, however, immediately clarified Dennis' reportedly misleading comment, insisting the 35-year-old's deal is in fact a "one-plus-one" contract — meaning one guaranteed year and an option for 2016.

Subsequent reports have suggested the 'option' expires in September, with rumors indicating the 2009 world champion might even be in the frame at Williams in the event Valtteri Bottas moves to Ferrari.

Asked if Dennis' comments mean he is staying at McLaren in 2016, Button said: "It is not a given, no — there are always options everywhere."

Button, promoting his charity triathlon, was also asked about the unprecedentedly-long provisional calendar for 2016, featuring 21 races.

He said the schedule is more difficult for mechanics than the drivers, as they already "never get home and never see their family".

"I think we have to be careful of the length of the calendar for that reason more than anything else," said Button.

Williams driver Felipe Massa open to future in Formula E or WEC
Felipe Massa admits he is open to a future in Formula E or the World Endurance Championship once his Formula One career draws to a close.

Massa is the fourth most experienced driver on the current grid – behind Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen – with 221 race starts and 11 wins in 13 seasons. He has an option to extend his Williams deal into 2016 but, at 34 years old, he is already considering what lies beyond F1.

"Maybe," the Brazilian said when asked about a future in Formula E. "I have so many things to think about for the moment, maybe after I will have some options in Formula E or WEC, which I think is a very nice championship and has the best car after F1, so maybe I am more interested to do that first. I don't know, maybe when I decide to stop I will have more time to think about it."

Nelson Piquet Jr won the inaugural Formula E championship, while Bruno Senna also competed in the opening season. Massa says he has spoken to his fellow compatriots about the series.

"Yeah, I talk with them and they are happy with the championship. I think also when you not in Formula One it can be a different option. I don't think they are on the same level. Formula One is Formula One and after there can be an opportunity."

Asked about whether he would be at Williams in 2016, Massa replied: "Maybe. I don't see the point not to stay here. I really like to work with this team and the team respects me a lot. I feel relaxed, we've had some good results, so I don't see why things should change. We have an option for next year, but I don't see why we would not take the option to carry on."