Latest F1 news in brief

Ricciardo prays to heaven that the Renault engine will match Mercedes

Ricciardo confident of catching Mercedes
Williams' next step will be harder – Symonds
Authorities restrict travel for Mallya
Paffett unsure of McLaren-Honda potential
Caterham's Stevens eyeing Le Mans switch
Renault hits back at new super license system
Melbourne not keen on earlier race start time
Andretti wants Montagny banned for life over cocaine
McLaren denies pre-Jerez test for 2015 car
Verstappen passes theory driving test
F1 Race Organizers need Insurance Policies Up To $100M Per Event
FIA Wants Mid-Afternoon Start Time For Australian Grand Prix
Paffett Calls New F1 Super License System 'Flawed'
Honda's F1 Return Soured With Engine Controversy
Stoneman: Drivers should prove themselves

Ricciardo confident of catching Mercedes
(GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has expressed confidence Red Bull can close the gap on dominant 2014 title winners Mercedes this year.

Given Mercedes' level of dominance last season and the restraints of the engine development freeze, many believe the German team will be hard to challenge even in 2015.

La Gazzetta dello Sport, for instance, thinks Mercedes is already knocking on the door of the 900 horse power mark.

"Can Renault and Ferrari get to Mercedes' level? It's going to be a very difficult challenge," Red Bull designer Adrian Newey, who is stepping back from the front line this year, told Sky.

Australian Ricciardo, however, was the only driver to challenge Mercedes' otherwise uninterrupted run of victories last year, and he is sounding confident.

"When I think back to Melbourne last year, we finished second after missing some of the pre-season testing," he is quoted by France's L'Equipe.

"Then Mercedes continued to develop through the season. But I hope that they have now reached the pinnacle, while on our side we have room to improve.

"If we have a good winter, we should catch up," Red Bull driver Ricciardo added.

Williams' next step will be harder – Symonds
(GMM) Pat Symonds has admitted Williams' next step will be more difficult than the giant leap of 2014.

After a career slump that hit bottom in 2013 with ninth in the constructors' standings, the once-great Grove team managed to end last year as arguably Mercedes' closest challenger.

But Red Bull designer Adrian Newey thinks Williams was helped last year by its switch from Renault to industry-leading Mercedes power.

"Clearly, last year was engine-dominated," he told Sky, "and we saw that with Williams springing forward.

"Obviously Williams did a very good job but I think what really made the difference for them was the engine."

Williams' technical chief Symonds, however, said the British team is proud to have beaten a grandee name like Ferrari to third place in the constructors' standings.

"We are stable and do not have financial difficulties," he insisted, according to France's L'Equipe, "but we do not have the budget of some of our competitors.

"So it was especially pleasing last year to beat Ferrari for example, as we have half the budget they do. But to be better than third in 2015 will certainly be more difficult than going from ninth to third place last year."

Symonds also denies that Williams' leap forward can so easily be explained by its superior 'power unit'.

"In 2013," he pointed out, "we also had the same engine as the world champions (Red Bull) and we were ninth. We had many new things in 2014 including the aero and the braking system, and those things do not happen by magic.

"We want to continue on this path in 2015," Symonds added.

Authorities restrict travel for Mallya
(GMM) Indian authorities have moved to restrict international travel for embattled Force India supremo Vijay Mallya.

Amid ongoing action relating to his ailing airline Kingfisher, a Mumbai court said the former billionaire can no longer leave India unless he submits a detailed itinerary 48 hours in advance.

The Economic Times also said the action brought on behalf of the tax department means Mallya will have to provide two references for any international travel.

"This order is a significant one," the tax department's lawyer is quoted as saying, and "sends the right message in such cases that court orders cannot be taken lightly and reinforces that no one is above law."

There are 20 grands prix on the 2015 F1 calendar scheduled between March and November.

Paffett unsure of McLaren-Honda potential
(GMM) Former McLaren tester Gary Paffett is unsure of the British team's potential as its new works Honda era begins.

After years of serving as tester, McLaren's change of power means Briton Paffett, who will remain Mercedes powered in DTM, has left the Woking team.

McLaren is now working with Honda, its ultra-successful partner of the 80s.

"The last (McLaren-Honda) time was very successful," Paffett told f1web.it, "but it is now more difficult to make predictions.

"To succeed, Honda will need to reach Mercedes' level, which will be very difficult.

"McLaren also needs to make progress with the chassis, as in recent years, the car did not meet the expectations of the team," he added.

Caterham's Stevens eyeing Le Mans switch
(GMM) Will Stevens has turned his eye to Le Mans in the event his F1 career stumbles at the first hurdle.

Funding brought by the 23-year-old's backers as he made his grand prix debut in Abu Dhabi is believed to have been instrumental in ailing Caterham's survival to date.

"When I got the offer," he is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru, "I jumped at the chance with both hands.

"I had to use it and in the end I didn't lose much to a great driver like Kamui Kobayashi, although it was the first time I had driven the car and my first formula one weekend," said Stevens.

"Now I'm doing everything to keep it going," he added, referring to Caterham's battle for survival, "but if it doesn't work out, I am considering the possibility of (racing in) LPM1."

LMP1 is the premier prototype class at Le Mans and the world endurance championship.

Briton Stevens finished the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 series in sixth place.

Renault hits back at new super license system
(GMM) Renault has reportedly hit back at the FIA's controversial new system for issuing F1 super licenses.

In light of 17-year-old Max Verstappen's controversial debut this year, the governing body is installing a new system for 2016 to ensure new grand prix drivers are older, more experienced and successful in the junior classes.

But the proposed 2016 system is also causing raised eyebrows, as it emerges future champions like Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen would have been denied their F1 debuts, while even the great Michael Schumacher's 2010 return may not have happened.

Also ruled out would have been Paul di Resta's 2011 debut, despite the fact he was the reigning DTM champion.

"I think the system needs some work," another DTM driver and long-time F1 tester Gary Paffett, whose F1 debut would also have been theoretically denied under the 2016 system, told Reuters.

Also reportedly unhappy with the new system is Renault, whose premier category, the Formula Renault 3.5 series, will attract fewer super license points for its top drivers than GP2, F3, sports cars, Indycar and the currently non-existent F2.

Italiaracing reports: "The French manufacturer promptly responded by sending a letter directly to FIA president Jean Todt.

"Renault will now have a meeting with the FIA, probably around the middle of January", the report added.

Melbourne not keen on earlier race start time
(GMM) Race organizers are reluctant to shift the start time for the 2015 Australian grand prix.

In response to Jules Bianchi's horror crash at Suzuka, the governing FIA vowed to look into ensuring that races are no longer started too close to dusk.

Races at the season opener Melbourne, for instance, are traditionally now started at 5pm local, creating a better morning television timeslot for the bulk European audience.

The local Herald Sun newspaper claims race organizers have now received a request to reverse the scheduled start time by several hours.

But race chief Andrew Westacott insisted: "The race time will remain at 5pm as per agreement with the Australian grand prix corporation and formula one management, which means Melbourne, as the opening race of the season, airs in Asia at lunchtime and Europe at breakfast."

Last year, the state government agreed a five-year agreement to keep the grand prix at Albert Park until 2020.

Mario Andretti says Franck Montagny's cocaine use is "unforgivable" in racing.

Andretti wants Montagny banned for life over cocaine
(GMM) F1 legend Mario Andretti has called on Franck Montagny to be banned for life for doping.

Former Super Aguri racer Montagny, a 37-year-old Frenchman, was suspended from the FIA-sanctioned new Formula E series recently when he tested positive for a cocaine derivative.

It has also been rumored that Montagny's brush with cocaine may in fact date all the way back to his F1 career, which spanned test roles at Renault and Toyota.

He is yet to be formally sanctioned.

"If I had my way," said world champion Mario Andretti, "Monsieur Montagny would be banned for life.

"It is a big disappointment for us all, as he also endangered every other driver on the track. What he did is unforgivable in our sport," the 74-year-old told Germany's Welt newspaper.

Andretti's son Michael heads the team for which Montagny was racing. Montagny was replaced for the Buenos Aires round by Indycar driver Marco Andretti.

Marco's grandfather Mario, the world champion of 1978, insisted the Montagny case does not indicate that doping may be rife within top motor racing.

"There are always some black sheep," he said, "but there is no doping or drug problem in racing.

"The fact that Montagny was busted just shows that the control system works."

McLaren denies pre-Jerez test for 2015 car
(GMM) McLaren has denied reports it will run its Honda-powered 2015 car a few days before its launch and official test debut.

Spain's El Mundo Deportivo claimed that, following news the MP4-30 will be launched on 29 January, the car will actually clock up some laps beforehand.

"A few days before (the launch), the car will run at Silverstone for a shakedown and to shoot a promotional film," the report added.

"It is hoped the software problems of the post-season test in Abu Dhabi have been solved."

But a McLaren spokesman told us: "We are not planning to run the MP4-30 before the Jerez test."

El Mundo also claimed McLaren is likely to enter a second consecutive season without a title sponsor, given that talks with the Spanish mobile operator Movistar are not promising.

Meanwhile, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Sauber is likely to launch its 2015 car in a simple pitlane unveiling ceremony ahead of the Jerez test.

Verstappen passes theory driving test
(GMM) Max Verstappen has cleared the first hurdle as he seeks a normal road car driving license.

The controversy sparked by the young and inexperienced driver's impending grand prix debut reportedly triggered the FIA's tough clampdown on the rules for qualifying for a super license beyond this year.

One of the stipulations for 2016 and beyond will be that any budding F1 driver must at least be 18 and hold a normal license to drive a car on public roads.

Verstappen, 17, is at least now half-way towards satisfying one of those criteria.

His official website has announced that Verstappen is now allowed to drive in Belgium, where he lives, under supervision, having passed the theory test.

"It wasn't as tough as I thought," Verstappen said. "I studied for about seven hours and because I'm a quick learner it wasn't all that hard."

He now has to wait until he can sit the practical driving test.

"In Belgium you need to be 18 for that," said Verstappen, "so I'm not there yet."

Verstappen's main focus for now is on March, when he will make his Toro Rosso race debut in Melbourne.

The 17-year-old participated in some Friday practice sessions last year, but still only a year has passed since he moved out of karts and into Formula 3.

"Since the start of January, me and my personal trainer have been working out hard," he revealed.

"Every day we do two sessions of two hours in the gym. It's tough but it's really benefiting my neck muscles, arms, core and back. At this moment in time, it's all about developing strength."

F1 Race Organizers Asked To Arrange Insurance Policies Up To $100M Per Event
New research revealed F1 race organizers "have been asked to arrange insurance policies" up to as much as $100M per Grand Prix, according to Christian Sylt for FORBES.

With so many events in different jurisdictions "it would be highly complex for the F1 Group, which controls the series, to arrange insurance alone." It has policies for every Grand Prix but "they are supplemented by coverage arranged by the race organizers" which is typically for between $75M-$100M. It "puts further pressure on the budget of F1’s race organizers which get fewer financial benefits than the hosts of other major sports events."

All of the revenue from F1's TV rights, corporate hospitality operation and trackside advertising during the races "goes to the F1 Group." Grand Prix organizers "get the proceeds from ticket sales but this usually barely covers the hosting fees."

The "running costs of the races push the organizers into the red with the deficit often covered by local governments as a Grand Prix drives worldwide promotion for their country." FORBES

FIA Wants Mid-Afternoon Start Time For Australian Grand Prix
The world governing body of motorsport "wants the start of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix shifted back at least four hours," according to Sophie Aubrey of the HERALD SUN.

If FIA gets its way, the grand prix would begin mid-afternoon, "instead of the current 5pm" designed to maximize TV audiences in Europe. But Australian Grand Prix chiefs are "adamant the race start time will not change."

FIA commissioned a report to "investigate why French driver Jules Bianchi suffered life-threatening head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix in October." The 10-member panel made seven recommendations "including shifting the starting times."

The report said, "It is proposed that a regulation or guideline be established such that the start time of an event shall not be less than four hours before either sunset or dusk."

Only "night races with lights on tracks would be exempt." Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott said that the Melbourne start time "was set in stone" HERALD SUN

Gary Paffett Calls New F1 Super License System 'Flawed'
Former McLaren test driver and '05 German Touring Car Championship (DTM) champion Gary Paffett said that F1's new points-based super license system for '16 "is flawed and needs a rethink," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS.

The 33-year-old Brit said that the FIA "was wrong to ignore the DTM in a list of recognized feeder series."

The FIA has announced that from next year "new applicants must be over 18 and to have acquired at least 40 qualifying points from other series in the last three years to obtain the mandatory license."

Only five series "will offer the chance to acquire 40 points in one year," and DTM — which has had several ex-F1 drivers in its ranks over the years — "was excluded entirely."

Paffett: "I agree with the theory. But omitting certain championships, and especially the DTM, from the super license points system is quite a flaw." REUTERS

Honda's F1 Return Soured With Engine Controversy
Honda is "still two months away from the first race" of its high-profile new partnership with McLaren but already the Japanese company "is at the heart of a controversy in Formula 1," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC.

A U-turn on an interpretation of a complex engine rule "has led to the Japanese company questioning whether it is being treated fairly on its return to F1 after a six-year absence."

It is a "typically complex and arcane issue, but it could have an impact on the competitiveness of the car to be driven by the all-star line-up of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button."

A senior figure at one of the existing manufacturers said that it "won't make much of a difference." But "a) he would say that, wouldn't he? and b) that in itself is a tacit admission that it will make a difference; the question is how much."

Another expert said, "Honda were probably already at a disadvantage because they have had to develop the engine with no testing and will not have had a chance to run much before homologation."

Honda top brass "are meeting the FIA on Monday to discuss their concerns over this issue." For now, the FIA "feels it has come up with the best possible compromise."

However, it will point out to Honda that "the clarification issued on this is only an opinion, and can be challenged, either by the stewards at a race meeting or at the FIA court of appeal." BBC

Stoneman: Drivers should prove themselves
British racer Dean Stoneman has backed the FIA's new minimum age limit for acquiring a superlicense, adamant drivers should "work through the ranking".

This season 17-year-old Max Verstappen will become the youngest driver to compete in a Formula 1 grand prix.

It is a record he is set to hold for many years to come as the FIA have now imposed a minimum age limit of 18 as part of the criteria for obtaining a superlicense.

Applicants also have to hold a valid driver license, something else Verstappen does not have at this point.

Stoneman, who last season competed in GP3 having made a comeback to motor racing following illness, believes this is the right road to take.

The 25-year-old said in an interview with Crash.net: "I was talking to someone last year and he said, 'Formula 1 is a dream, the chances of making it are one in a million'. But look at Max Verstappen. He hasn't proved himself, yes he is quick, but still relatively unknown at the top level.

"It's not unfair because he is obviously good, but jumping so many levels in one go isn't right. He should be given an F1 contract but told to do a couple of years in GP3 or GP2 before graduating to build your way up.

"I think they should make young drivers do X, Y and Z to get there instead of saying Formula 3 to F1. You've got to work through the rankings." PlanetF1