Latest F1 news in brief

Vettel must beat Raikkonen to salvage his reputation says Coulthard

Manor on track to exit administration
Lotus hits back at 'struggling team' image
Dennis defends opposition to FIA cost-cutting
Gribkowsky hands over 'bribe' to German bank
Bottas preferred Bahrain over Barcelona
No quick fix to McLaren-Honda problems – Ramirez
Vettel must beat Raikkonen in 2015 – Coulthard
Sirotkin confirms talks for Force India test seat
Age controversy will soon be old – Verstappen
Bahrain confirms Qatar race talks 'still on'
Hamilton unwell as Barcelona test begins

Manor on track to exit administration
(GMM) Manor's administrators are expected to issue a statement on Thursday confirming that the former Marussia team is back on the road to the 2015 grid.

It was announced recently that, reportedly with new investment secured for the ailing backmarker, administrators FRP Advisory would exit the scene on 19 February due to a restructuring process (CVA) agreed with creditors.

"FRP will on Thursday issue a statement confirming they are no longer involved in the administration process and a CVA is up and running," said Press Association journalist Ian Parkes.

It is understood that, with former Sainsbury's chief Justin King now involved, even Force India blocking Manor from fielding the 2014 car this year has not put the brakes on progress.

Parkes said a "modest group of staff" is now working at Manor's F3 headquarters in Dinnington, South Yorkshire, while team president Graeme Lowdon has been having "countless meetings with the FIA, rival teams and suppliers".

If Manor – who could theoretically miss the opening three races of 2015 and still keep its championship status alive – does get up and running, attention will turn to the occupants of the cockpits.

According to Daniel Ortelli, a correspondent for the French-language news agency AFP, Jordan King could be a frontrunner.

The 20-year-old Briton is Manor savior Justin King's son, and after finishing seventh in the FIA F3 championship last year, he has now signed up for a season in the F1 feeder series GP2 in 2015.

"I've learned and achieved everything I could have in the lower formulae," the young King said earlier in February, "and have developed as a driver along the way both physically and mentally.

"I feel very well prepared for the challenges to come."

Gerard Lopez

Lotus hits back at 'struggling team' image
(GMM) Lotus is hitting back in the wake of reports it might be counted among F1's most struggling teams.

Owner Gerard Lopez led the charge vocally late last year when fellow midfielders Force India and Sauber were railing against the unfairness of the sport's income distribution model.

At the time, Lotus was also in a competitive crisis, having slumped from fourth overall in 2012 and 2013 to a woeful eighth in 2014.

Lead driver Romain Grosjean likened driving last year's car to trying to shoot baskets with a rugby ball, but Lotus has now switched to industry-leading Mercedes power and the first signs from the new E23 car were positive.

"It reminded me of driving the 2013 car," Frenchman Grosjean is quoted by Brazil's Globo, "when it was common for us to be among the best ones.

"There is now a process for us to get back to that stage, but I do not think it will take long," he added.

Not just that, Lotus is also painting a picture of more robust financial health, within memory of reports that staff, suppliers and even drivers went through periods of not being paid.

Team owner Lopez told the French magazine Auto Hebdo this week that the Enstone team's deficit last year was "only $1 million", after key sponsors upped their deals.

"We had an exceptional balance statement at the end of 2014 with a deficit of only $1 million," he announced. "These most probably are the strongest financial results of any privateers on the grid."

It means Lotus' technical boss Nick Chester has been given the green light to put the throttle down on turning the 2015-spec E23 into a frontrunner.

"Our technical director has been given carte blanche to plan an aggressive development program," Lopez confirmed to Globo.

Dennis defends opposition to FIA cost-cutting
(GMM) Ron Dennis has defended his opposition to centralized cost-cutting in formula one.

After Tuesday's meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claimed it was McLaren and Ferrari most staunchly opposed to proposals that might see the FIA police measures to cut costs for struggling teams.

Dennis has been quoted by the Portuguese-language Grande Premio as arguing that small teams in fact do not need cost-cutting rules, but rather more discipline to operate within their budgets.

"It happens every year," Dennis, the McLaren supremo, reportedly said.

"F1 teams spend the money they have, and you would not believe the new ways they will find to do so.

"You (team bosses) need to make the decision, because this is a sport that will absorb whatever money you choose to spend on it," he added.

Dennis also insisted that, despite the collapse of Caterham and Marussia and the obvious struggles of other independent teams, much of the debate about cost-cutting is actually simply a plot to become more competitive.

"Most of the time, when you discuss it calmly and rationally, arguments about where costs must be spared is camouflage. What they really mean is that if they can impose restrictions, they will be more competitive.

"The argument is usually focused on things they don't have rather than saving money," he added.

"It is three times more expensive to be competitive than it is to compete. So you will never be competitive if there are those spending three times more," said Dennis.

Gerhard Gribkowsky hands over more of Bernie's money

Gribkowsky hands over 'bribe' to German bank
(GMM) Gerhard Gribkowsky has handed over more than a quarter of the $44 million alleged 'bribe' he was paid by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Last year, Ecclestone ended his criminal corruption trial by paying a record $100 million to German authorities.

Former banker Gribkowsky, however, remains in jail for receiving the $44 million payment from the 84-year-old Briton.

Prosecutors had argued that Ecclestone paid so that Gribkowsky would agree to the Munich state bank BayernLB underselling its stake in F1's commercial rights.

Now, the German-language business publication Manager Magazin will report in its new edition on Friday that Gribkowsky has handed over $12.5 million of the $44m to his former employer.

The money came out of the Austrian foundation Gribkowsky established when he received Ecclestone's millions.

It is called 'Sonnenschein', translating in English to 'sunshine'.

BayernLB did not comment, but Gribkowsky's lawyer Daniel Amelung confirmed that a "comprehensive reparation" has been made.

BayernLB is still pursuing Ecclestone in court for an incredible $415 million, but the F1 supremo insists he has no intention of settling.

"I have got nothing to settle," he told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt earlier this month.

"I don't think there is any chance of it settling because the bank has to make an effort to say 'we tried'," Ecclestone is quoted by the UK newspaper Express. "The lawsuit is moving forward. I won't settle."

Bottas preferred Bahrain over Barcelona
(GMM) Valtteri Bottas has lamented the end of winter testing in the island Kingdom of Bahrain.

Previously, F1 teams made the pre-season trip to the Middle East to avoid Europe's cold winter, but the practice was stopped for 2015 as a cost-saving measure.

So after this year's track preparations kicked off recently at Jerez, the sport is now busily setting up at another Spanish venue, the Circuit de Catalunya.

"It was, of course, better to do it in Bahrain," Williams driver Bottas told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

"(It) Bahrain was so much closer to the kind of temperatures that await us in the world championship."

However, Bottas did acknowledge that as Barcelona is the venue for the Spanish grand prix, and as so much testing has taken place at the venue in the past, the work done in 2015 "will not go to waste".

Williams' work will be aimed at getting the Grove team even closer to the 2014 pacesetters Mercedes this season, Bottas admitted.

"I hope we are closer this season," he confirmed.

"We have a number of positive things that have made the car feel better than what we had last year, but all in all the basic feeling is similar to last year."

The new FW37, however, has been hailed up and down pitlane as an obviously tidy package, including its noticeably short nose that is expected to be widely copied in 2015.

"I think Red Bull('s 2015 car) has a bit of the same ideology as us," said Bottas.

"I guess the solution is to get as much air as possible under the front of the car and to the diffuser," he explained.

"It's better to ask the engineers for more detail on that, but it does look like a good solution for us."

Another losing year for Alonso?

No quick fix to McLaren-Honda problems – Ramirez
(GMM) A crucial month lies ahead for the new McLaren-Honda collaboration.

That is the obvious view from the outside, after the innovative MP4-30 struggled for pace and laps not only at Jerez, but also reportedly early this week at Barcelona, as the British-Japanese outfit conducted private 'filming days' with the troubled 2015 car.

The Woking based team's former long-time manager Jo Ramirez acknowledged that it may take some time for McLaren-Honda to replicate the kind of success it so famously achieved in the 80s.

"Compared to today," the Mexican told Brazil's Globo, "the F1 of my time was primitive.

"Then, the Japanese were quick to find solutions. Now, so solve problems, as far as I understand it involves bringing together a large group of engineers, both from Honda and the team.

"There is no way to have solutions quickly," Ramirez added. "Everything depends on everything else."

However, he insisted that McLaren-Honda will eventually get it right.

But the fact that even experienced insiders have to merely guess is a frustration to Peter Windsor, a former Williams team manager and veteran journalist.

He told Finland's Turun Sanomat: "I was expecting it would be difficult for a new engine supplier.

"But it is frustrating when they do not seem to be able to solve their problems quickly. It would be much more interesting if Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button were able to be competitive right from the beginning."

Windsor said his frustration might be lessened if there was a better public understanding about the ultra-complex technology now deployed in F1.

"F1 loses a lot," he explained, "by not having the public know more about this technology.

"It would be fascinating to be able to get closer to what Honda is going through. Because now, if Honda suddenly gets it right, we will have no idea how they were able to do that," said Windsor.

Was Vettel beaten by Ricciardo last year because Ricciardo is better, or because the Red Bull team screwed him over because he was leaving for Ferrari? Most experts know how F1 works. To salvage his reputation Vettel will now have to beat Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

Vettel must beat Raikkonen in 2015 – Coulthard
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel must beat friend and new Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 2015.

That is the claim of former F1 driver David Coulthard, who fears the quadruple world champion cannot afford to lose another internal battle this year.

In 2014, Vettel was humbled by Red Bull newcomer Daniel Ricciardo, amid the German's struggle to adapt to and enjoy the new turbo V6 era and his eventual decision to switch to Ferrari for 2015.

Now, he is paired at the fabled Maranello team with his friend and Finn Raikkonen, who also notably struggled in 2014.

Coulthard told Germany's Sport Bild that Vettel cannot afford to be beaten again.

"He needs to be faster," the Scot said.

"If he's not, frankly: it's his career (in jeopardy)," said Coulthard.

In total contrast, Australian Ricciardo's career is cresting a wave at present, as he rides the perception that he is better than Vettel at adapting to a car.

"So far," he confirmed to Brazil's Totalrace, "I have managed to adapt to any car that I have driven. Maybe because I like new challenges.

"I don't know what the limit is," Ricciardo added. "I don't know if it would work with a rally car, but at least in single seaters, I've managed to adapt."

Ricciardo demonstrated his apparent adaptability in style last week, when he smashed Lewis Hamilton's track record in the Suzuki Liani during an appearance on the popular British motoring show Top Gear.

"Absolutely staggering," the BBC program's host Jeremy Clarkson told the F1 star. "How did you do that?"

Sirotkin confirms talks for Force India test seat
(GMM) Sergey Sirotkin has admitted he is in talks with Force India.

When the Silverstone based team sat out the recent Jerez test, we reported that it was because money promised by the Russian teen's backers did not arrive.

According to the rumor, once it was clear the team's 2015 car was delayed, Force India vowed only to test at Jerez if a 'pay-driver' could afford to fund the running of its 2014 car.

"According to our sources," Turun Sanomat correspondent Luis Vasconcelos said at the time, "the Jerez plans collapsed when Sergey Sirotkin's promised sponsorship money did not arrive."

Sirotkin rose to prominence in F1 when he was the key to a so-called 'Russian rescue deal' at struggling Sauber.

His Sauber hopes now appear over, and he has signed up with a GP2 team for 2015.

But according to the Russian publication Sportbox, Sirotkin is still in talks with Force India about a test seat.

"Yes," he confirmed, "we have been and we still are negotiating. We hope that sooner or later we will arrive at a result.

"But as long as the documents are not signed, unfortunately it is not (done)," said Sirotkin.

"When will the situation be clarified? Of course there are hopes, but we are talking about some difficult terms. We are making every effort to conclude this agreement," he added.

Max Verstappen

Age controversy will soon be old – Verstappen
(GMM) Max Verstappen thinks all the stories about his age will soon be old.

The Dutchman's impending debut at the tender age of 17 has been so controversial that the FIA has even changed the super license rules for 2016.

But that will not affect the new Toro Rosso driver, and Verstappen insists the storm created by his age and inexperience has also not hurt him.

"I don't read what is written about me," he insisted to France's Auto Hebdo, "whether it's good or bad.

"At first I had a little trouble with all the interviews," Verstappen admitted, "but it's better now.

"And then, you know, my age … the story will not last very long."

Verstappen's prediction will be doubly true if he makes the same sort of impression in F1 as he managed during his famously short but sensational rise from karts to cars.

Toro Rosso technical boss James Key, for instance, has admitted he has been "amazed" by the young Verstappen's technical expertise.

"That's from my father," the 17-year-old, whose dad is the former F1 driver Jos, said.

"We have always had long conversations about engine or chassis settings. He began to explain to me from a very young age how he set up his cars.

"When I started in F3, his advice became even more important.

"Before I even got in the cockpit of a car for the first time," Verstappen revealed, "I knew in theory what would happen if I did this or I did that."

Bahrain confirms Qatar race talks 'still on'
(GMM) Bahrain has admitted it is in "talks" amid reports neighboring Qatar is about to join the F1 calendar.

Earlier, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that despite the oil-rich Arab state's interest, nearby Qatar's grand prix aspirations were being blocked by Bahrain.

"They (Bahrain) said to me would I give them a guarantee I wouldn't stage another race in the Gulf, and I said yes," Ecclestone explained recently.

The 84-year-old added that although he arranged for settlement talks between Bahraini and Qatari officials, he was unable to find a solution for now.

However, early last week, the highest-ranking Qatari motor racing official Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, who is also an FIA vice-present, claimed that a deal for a 2016 or 2017 race debut is now imminent.

"We have completed all the steps and there are only a few details before the official signature," he said.

Now, the boss of Bahrain's F1 circuit, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, has hinted that it is indeed possible that Qatar will soon host a grand prix.

"The talks are still on," he confirmed to Gulf Daily News.

"I really don't know what sort of impact it (a Qatar GP) will have on our race," he added.

Hamilton unwell as Barcelona test begins
(GMM) Pascal Wehrlein leapt rapidly from the Force India to the Mercedes cockpit as the Barcelona test began on Thursday morning.

The 20-year-old German had just started running in the 2014 Force India when, in the works Mercedes, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton fell ill.

"Lewis Hamilton is unwell and not able to continue driving today," the German giant confirmed.

Wehrlein, Mercedes' 2015 reserve driver, was on loan to the similarly-powered Force India team for half of the four-day Barcelona test.

He had only completed a few laps before Mercedes confirmed on Twitter that "We've borrowed him back from our friends Force India. Thanks guys!"