Latest F1 news in brief

Closed cockpit research continues for F1, but IndyCar needs it more

More bidders join race to buy F1
Leimer expects Friday drive at Silverstone
F1 'not interesting' for VW brands – Winterkorn
'Ferrari should threaten to quit over Monza exit'
FIA clears top teams over oil concerns
Button says Honda 'committed' to F1
Rosberg working to keep up top form
Vettel wants Raikkonen to keep Ferrari seat
F1 drops Jerez as 2016 test venue
'Red Bull to decide future before summer break'
Closed cockpit research continues

More bidders join race to buy F1
(GMM) More bidders have reportedly joined the race to buy formula one.

Last week, it emerged that the sport's controlling shareholder, CVC, as well as Bernie Ecclestone could sell their respective stakes to a consortium involving Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Qatar's sports investment arm.

But F1 supremo Ecclestone hinted that they might not be alone, as "three or four" potential bidders are in fact interested in the commercial rights.

Now, the Sunday Times reports that the broadcaster Sky is among them, backed by American billionaire John Malone of the international telcom Liberty Global.

Sources told the report that Sky-Liberty "have held informal discussions with CVC about a deal", while Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose 16-year-old son Lance is in Ferrari's driver academy, "has also been linked with a bid".

"CVC has recruited Goldman Sachs to advise on its options," the Sunday Times added.

Fascinatingly, the news follows a report in London's Times newspaper that CVC looked into buying Formula E, the all-electric series that raced on the streets of London at the weekend.

But the report said CVC's Donald Mackenzie "pulled back because of potential problems with European competition authorities".

F1's much-reported problems have been highlighted recently by the success of Formula E as well as Le Mans sports car racing, and Virgin's Sir Richard Branson thinks Formula E "will overtake formula one" within a few years.

But FIA president Jean Todt said of Formula E and F1: "It's a nonsense to think they are competing against each other.

"F1 is fascinating (so) I'm wondering why there is such negativity around it. Where is the passion to make it better?" added the Frenchman.

Fabio Leimer

Leimer expects Friday drive at Silverstone
(GMM) Fabio Leimer is expecting to make his Friday practice debut for Manor this week.

The backmarker's new reserve driver wanted to drive in the opening practice session in Austria, but it is reported he did not conclude his sponsorship arrangements in time.

While at the Red Bull Ring, however, the Swiss and 2013 GP2 champion did work with FIA officials on satisfying all the requirements for his mandatory super license.

"Now I'm hoping for Silverstone," said the 26-year-old in Austria, "but at the moment it's best just to wait."

At the weekend, Leimer stepped in a short notice to replace unwell Virgin driver Jaime Alguersuari at the Formula E race in London.

And while in London, Leimer was asked about his F1 ambitions and was quoted by France's L'Equipe: "For now, it seems that I will do the first free practice at Silverstone.

"And maybe later in the season, I can do a few races," he added.

F1 'not interesting' for VW brands – Winterkorn
(GMM) Martin Winterkorn has dealt a blow to those hoping a Volkswagen brand will enter F1 in the near future.

Persistent speculation has linked Audi and Porsche, who both already compete at Le Mans, with a potential formula one foray.

But Winterkorn, chairman of the parent VW Group, said of F1: "This is not particularly interesting for us at the moment."

Also referring to the lackluster Austrian grand prix, he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "The excitement is lacking."

Winterkorn said he is happy if the two VW-owned brands instead go head-to-head at Le Mans, insisting: "Competition within a group does no harm."

And endurance racing for Porsche and Audi means "They can impressively demonstrate how reliable their cars are".

If Bernie doesn't get his money Monza could soon look like a ghost town

'Ferrari should threaten to quit over Monza exit'
(GMM) Ferrari should threaten to quit F1 in order to save the embattled Italian grand prix.

That is the view of the regional Lombardy president Roberto Maroni, as the uncertainty over Monza's annual place on the calendar continues for now.

He is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "(Bernie) Ecclestone must realize that he can do whatever he wants, except touch Monza.

"The grand prix at Monza cannot be lost, and on this we are ready to go to war," Maroni added.

"You cannot for purely economic reasons delete the history of formula one that goes with the grand prix at Monza," he insisted.

"The right way is to apply pressure, involving public opinion, the Italian government and Ferrari.

"So I would like Ferrari to say 'If there is no longer a grand prix at Monza, Ferrari will no longer participate in formula one'.

"On Monday I will meet (Sergio) Marchionne for the opening of the Alfa museum and I will talk to him about this," Maroni said.

FIA clears top teams over oil concerns
(GMM) The FIA has cleared top teams Mercedes and Ferrari following concerns about the teams' respective oil systems.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed samples were taken from the cars raced by Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in Canada.

"A detailed analysis of the viscosity and texture of the samples showed no abnormalities", said correspondent Marco Gentili, explaining that it was suspected additives were being introduced to increase performance.

Button says Honda 'committed' to F1
(GMM) Jenson Button says Honda is "committed" to McLaren and formula one.

The nightmarish extent of the Japanese carmaker's return to F1 this year was unexpected, but McLaren driver Button says Honda remains focused on the project.

"Honda are massively committed," said the 2009 world champion.

That is despite the fact the Honda Motor Co has a brand new CEO in the form of Takahiro Hachigo, after his predecessor departed amid an airbag recall scandal.

Button met Hachigo for the first time at the Austrian grand prix.

"The new CEO is a true racer, which is great," he said. "They're definitely in for the long haul."

Former McLaren driver John Watson, however, fears Button may not similarly be at McLaren-Honda 'for the long haul'.

The 35-year-old, who has only a one-year contract, could be "the victim of saving face" at the end of a dismal return season to F1, Watson told the Daily Mail.

"Loss of face is the most significant part of the Japanese psyche and they will probably want change, bringing in one of the younger drivers, Kevin Magnussen or Stoffel Vandoorne," predicted Watson.

What is for sure is that Fernando Alonso is staying the course.

"I hope to put some new trophies here," said the Spaniard, as he opened his new kart track and museum in his native Asturias.

"They will come and I will bring them here myself, if not this year then next year," Alonso is quoted by EFE news agency.

Nico Rosberg

Rosberg working to keep up top form
(GMM) Nico Rosberg is charging to maintain his fresh run of top form.

After winning in Austria, the German quickly returned to the wheel of the Mercedes in the post-race test at the same Red Bull Ring.

Derek Warwick, president of the Silverstone owner the British Racing Drivers' Club, told Sky he cannot understand why Lewis Hamilton did not push to do the test himself.

"He was off the pace all weekend in Austria, he had a bad start, I'd want to be trying that start out again, checking my clutch is ready for the British grand prix," said Warwick.

The fact the pendulum has swung in Rosberg's favor, particularly as Hamilton griped about his clutch, has raised suggestions it is Mercedes' German star who is better at systematically developing a car over a season.

Asked if he was key to the new clutch system, Rosberg said: "There are many things that I play a role in.

"But the decision to change was made by the team. It was about getting a better consistency in the starts with both cars," he told Kolner Express newspaper.

Asked about Hamilton's complaints about the system, Rosberg added: "I don't want to comment on that."

What he is happy to comment on, however, is his return to form, winning three of the last four grands prix and closing the championship gap to just 10 points.

"Of course it's a positive trend that I'm in," said Rosberg. "You could say that I feel back on the form of last summer."

Asked if he will be making Hamilton 'nervous' ahead of the Briton's home race this weekend, Rosberg answered: "That would be nice, but I concentrate more on my performance.

"I know we will have a top car. Two years ago I won at Silverstone and last year I retired in the lead with a broken gearbox. So it's a good place for me."

Vettel: I think Kimi should stay

Vettel wants Raikkonen to keep Ferrari seat
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel has thrown has voice behind Kimi Raikkonen's bid to keep his seat at Ferrari.

The pair united as friends at the fabled Italian team in 2015, but while German Vettel has become the star driver, Finn Raikkonen is still struggling to regain his form of old.

So the candidates to replace him are lining up, even though boss Maurizio Arrivabene said Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo may not be among them.

"Perhaps he does not have my number," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

But "If I gave you the list of drivers who have called since the start of the season, (Valtteri) Bottas is just one of many," said Arrivabene, confirming the hottest of the speculation.

The Ferrari chief said that, at present, both Ferrari seats are "full", but it is well known that Arrivabene and president Sergio Marchionne are considering not triggering the option in Raikkonen's expiring contract.

Results, Arrivabene admitted, are king.

"Raikkonen's fate is in his hands," he said. "He has to prove that he deserves a Ferrari, as it is something you have to earn in each race."

In this key period in his career, 2007 world champion Raikkonen, now 35, has made apparently basic driving mistakes not only in Canada but again in Austria.

"When he deserved compliments, I did that," Arrivabene said, "and when it was necessary to reprimand him, I did that too."

But if teammate and friend Vettel has a word in the matter, he made clear he is backing Raikkonen.

"Kimi will soon return to being the driver we all know," the German was quoted by Sky Italia during a promotional visit to Budapest.

"He is going through a season of ups and downs, but we are talking about a talent that can do his job to perfection.

"It's true that this year he has made some small mistakes," Vettel added, "but in certain circumstances he was also unlucky, so I think the situation should be considered in proportion.

"Obviously I'd like to continue with him," he admitted. "We have an excellent relationship and we motivate each other, but it's not for me to decide and I don't know the details.

"What is certain is that Ferrari will make the right assessment for the future," said Vettel.

F1 is done with Jerez, will their focus now turn to IndyCar again?

F1 drops Jerez as 2016 test venue
(GMM) F1 has reportedly dumped Jerez as a winter test location for 2016.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that, to cut costs, the sport has decided to reduce its official pre-season program from three to just two four-day tests.

It means the traditional first test at Jerez in February has been dropped, leaving Barcelona to host all eight days of the pre-season beginning in early March.

The report said the extended winter break has been approved by all eleven teams for 2016, including the new American entrant Haas.

It ties in with earlier news suggesting the race calendar for next year has been condensed, and will begin in Melbourne not in mid-March but in early April.

Auto Motor und Sport said the new first four-day test of the 2016 pre-season will now begin on 1 March, with the teams returning to the same Circuit de Catalunya two weeks later.

Pirelli, meanwhile, is planning some tire testing of its own between the end of this season and the beginning of the 2016 winter period, as the official tire supplier bids to add to its current range of four dry-weather compounds.

The report said Pirelli wants the test to take place in warm weather, such as Bahrain, and be carried out by one top and one midfield team, with every other team sending an observer.

Pirelli is reportedly also planning a special wet-tire test with a 2015 car, probably in February next year at Paul Ricard, which can be artificially soaked.

'Red Bull to decide future before summer break'
(GMM) Red Bull has not ruled out quitting formula one.

That is the warning of the energy drink company's Dr Helmut Marko, after mogul Dietrich Mateschitz issued the threat at his own Austrian grand prix recently.

"The decision will be made before the summer break," Speed Week now quotes Marko as saying.

It had been expected that Red Bull would make a declaration about the future last week, after a key development meeting with troubled engine supplier Renault.

But "Renault was unable to provide the data because the testing at Viry was not operating for two days because of a problem," Marko added.

It had been suggested Red Bull's strategy would tie in with the results of the latest dyno testing, involving developments that at Red Bull's behest have involved the former Mercedes engine guru Mario Illien.

Marko says: "A decision on whether and how we continue in formula one must fall before the summer break.

"We must have clarity on the direction of the development and what performance is to be expected."

What is clear is that the Red Bull-Renault relationship remains tense, with Marko admitting: "We don't need more promises, we want to see results."

Closed cockpit research continues
Formula 1 drivers are happy for the FIA to take the lead on improved cockpit protection, but Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) chairman Alexander Wurz admits they have "pushed" for closed cockpits in the past.

The issue of driver safety is back in the spotlight after dangerous-looking incident involving Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend.

Raikkonen lost control of his SF15-T and went sliding off the track, but Alonso was next to him and he collected the McLaren and they both went into the barriers with the Spaniard's car ending on top of the Ferrari.

Thankfully both drivers walked away from the incident unscathed, but it once again highlighted the dangers of open cockpits.

Speaking to Motorsport.com about the issue, Wurz said: "In the past we have always pushed the FIA for this, and you have seen in the last decade or more than the headrests have got a bit higher and they are in a fixed position.

"There is the ongoing debate and research which we are involved in, of covering the helmet of the driver even more, and it goes all the way up to a canopy, which was extensively researched.

"Me as a person I like it, but we have to check if there are any implications caused by a closed cockpit, like extraction from a fire. It is an ongoing topic with ongoing research.

"We are happy with the research the FIA and the FIA Institute are doing. They are doing a top job but we know it is the most dangerous area for the drivers.

"However, it is also a delicate area – and if you do a change it might have negative knock-on effects and we have to be careful with that." Planet F1