Latest F1 news in brief

Horner says Renault has produced an inferior power unit, down at least 75 HP from Mercedes

Berger tips Hamilton to win 2014 title
Palmer 'ruled out' for Caterham debut
Vettel not blaming Alonso for Ferrari delay
Horner says Renault 75hp down on Mercedes
Ecclestone to clamp down on online media in paddock
Bottas looking to overhaul Alonso, Vettel
Frijns not in contention to buy Caterham seat
Ex-Caterham senior aerodynamic Jim McManus blasts former owners
Caterham 'busy' setting up in Abu Dhabi

Berger tips Hamilton to win 2014 title
(GMM) Gerhard Berger has played down Nico Rosberg's chances of winning the world championship this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The other Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has a 17-point lead going into the 2014 finale, but the controversial double-points innovation means German Rosberg still has a chance to win the title.

F1 legend Berger, however, told Sport Bild: "I fear Nico has left it two races too late.

According to Gerhard Berger, Nico Rosberg needed to beat Lewis Hamilton in Austin to have a realistic chance at the championship

"He needed to win in Austin. The silver arrows are so superior that Hamilton can always finish second, unless something extraordinary happens," the former McLaren and Ferrari driver said.

Indeed, a second place would be enough for Hamilton to wrap up his second career title, even if Rosberg wins the popular floodlit race.

Another former F1 driver Alex Wurz, however, thinks Rosberg is still in with a shout, given Hamilton's personality.

"Whenever Lewis believes himself to be unbeatable, he is prone to errors," said the Austrian.

No matter who wins, given their intense intra-team battle in 2014, defeat would be difficult to digest for both Hamilton and Rosberg.

Team boss Toto Wolff told the Mirror newspaper that sports psychologist Dr Ceri Evans is on standby pending the outcome of Sunday's 2014 showdown.

Wolff is already offering condolences to the loser.

"While it won't be apparent to them at the time, both have long careers ahead of them and they have proven their credentials for the years to come," he is quoted by Express newspaper.

"A top driver always has the ability to engineer another opportunity and both our boys have proven themselves to be just that," Wolff added.

Hamilton insists he is as ready for Abu Dhabi as he can be, even though he has the most to lose if the double points outcome conspires against him.

"No matter how it turns out," the Briton is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport, "I've done everything I can to win this title so I'm at peace.

"Is the double points unfair?" he asked rhetorically. "It's the same for everyone so I suppose it's equally unfair for everyone."

As ever in a title showdown, however, there is so much at stake that Mercedes cannot simply sit back and enjoy the battle.

A technical failure for Hamilton or Rosberg, for example, risks tainting the credentials of the winner.

Britain's Telegraph claims Mercedes has been deliberately keeping engine mileage low over the past few races to ensure both drivers have a good chance of getting through Abu Dhabi reliably.

"We are trying to make sure the car is in best shape," confirmed Wolff.

"In terms of driving, they know what to do," he told BBC radio.

Indeed, because both drivers sit in the dominant Mercedes package, there have been specific rules of engagement in 2014.

Wolff told the Austrian broadcaster ORF: "Both will be trying to explore how far they can go within our rules."

One rule of 2014 may be suspended for Abu Dhabi, Wolff admitted.

"One of our rules is that we have always wanted to finish first and second if we can," he said.

"If one of the two has fallen back, we have given him a more aggressive engine setting so that he can come back as soon as possible to position two."

Germany's Kolner Express newspaper said this is the rule that may be suspended for Abu Dhabi, so that both drivers are always at the wheel of the same engine strategy.

"Mathematically, everything speaks for Lewis," Wolff concluded, "but Nico would also be a worthy champion."

Jolyon Palmer

Palmer 'ruled out' for Caterham debut
(GMM) New GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer is not among the numerous contenders to race for the returning Caterham in Abu Dhabi.

When he wrapped up the feeder series' championship recently, the 23-year-old Briton – whose father Jonathan is a former F1 driver and well-known circuit boss – said he was confident he can make the big step into F1 next year.

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but this title is a big help," he said.

With Caterham returning from its American absence this weekend, Palmer's name is one that has been connected with becoming Kamui Kobayashi's teammate.

But Palmer "has ruled himself out of the running for the second seat", Times correspondent Kevin Eason reveals.

In other driver news, the impressive new champion of European F3, Esteban Ocon, having beaten Max Verstappen to the title, looks set to make his F1 race weekend debut in Abu Dhabi.

Speed Week (Germany) and Autosprint (Italy) report that the 18-year-old, under contract to Lotus' young driver program, will drive the Enstone team's E22 in the first Friday practice session.

Autosprint also reports that Ocon may not come head-to-head with his F3 rival Verstappen in that session, as Toro Rosso looks to maximize the double points race weekend by not sidelining Jean-Eric Vergne as originally planned.

Sebastian Vettel seems ready to move to Ferrari

Vettel not blaming Alonso for Ferrari delay
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel has hinted once again that he will be a Ferrari driver in 2015.

With Ferrari not yet confirming the deal amid its apparent contractual impasse with Fernando Alonso, the departing Red Bull driver has already hinted at his Maranello move by telling the Italian broadcaster Sky he is a "driver for Scuderia Ferrari".

And this week, he has mused openly about becoming his friend Kimi Raikkonen's next teammate.

Now, in conversation with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, he was asked if he blames Alonso for the hold-up because the Spaniard has not yet officially vacated the Ferrari seat.

"I don't think the fault lies with one person," the German answered, "so I don't think you can talk about blame.

"It's just a situation that is not yet entirely clear, which is the way it is in formula one sometimes.

"It is of course silly if you can't answer the questions that are being asked of you, so I do hope there will be clarity soon," Vettel added.

Interestingly, it has not been lost on some that in pairing Vettel with Raikkonen next year, Ferrari is putting together two drivers who notably struggled to match the pace of their respective teammates in 2014.

Asked about Raikkonen and his problems this year, Vettel answered: "We do not need to talk about Kimi's talent. That is undisputed.

"Apparently he just hasn't been able to get from the car what he needs in order to feel comfortable this year."

Christian Horner smashes engine supplier Renault

Horner says Renault 75hp down on Mercedes
(GMM) Christian Horner has put an alarming horse power figure on Renault's deficit to dominant Mercedes in 2014.

"Our engine has 75 horse power less than the Mercedes," he declared to the Italian publication Autosprint.

A big argument is taking place at present between struggling Renault – Red Bull's works supplier – and F1's other engine marques Ferrari and Mercedes.

Renault and Ferrari are pushing hard for the so-called engine development 'freeze' to be relaxed, but Mercedes is understandably resisting.

"If you look at the speed in the corners," Red Bull chief Horner said, "we are always the best. Unfortunately we don't have the power that we need.

"When you are 75 horse power down, it doesn't really matter what else you have. What can you do? Nothing."

He thinks it is unfair that when Red Bull was utterly dominant in the past, F1 did not hesitate to clamp down on the team's aerodynamic advantages.

"I do hope that Renault is able to close the gap for the future, but it's not easy," said Horner.

"Because if you freeze a new technology so early, it is very difficult to fix all of the problems that you have.

"In the past, always with the aim of slowing down Red Bull, there were no doubts whatsoever about altering the technical regulations when we had all the double diffusers, blown diffusers, flexible parts, engine maps," he added.

Ecclestone to clamp down on online media in paddock
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to clamp down on the proliferation of internet journalists in F1.

After controversially rubbishing the power of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter last week, the F1 supremo is now warning that online publications will find access to the paddock more difficult in the future.

He told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt: "Choose your race for free, enter the paddock, meet the drivers. How do you do it? Set up a website.

"I'm going to have a good look at the accreditation because it is a bit of a joke," 84-year-old Ecclestone added.

Meanwhile, amid Marussia and Caterham's troubles and with other small teams demanding talks with Ecclestone, the diminutive Briton sounds determined to plough ahead with plans to introduce third cars per team.

"We are talking about all the different options with third cars," he told City A.M.

"The contracts just say they have to run a third car if it drops below the limit. We are talking about what the right way is to go," Ecclestone added.

With a strong run at Abu Dhabi, Williams' Valtteri Bottas can finish ahead of the Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the points

Bottas looking to overhaul Alonso, Vettel
Valtteri Bottas has set his sights on snatching fourth in the Drivers' standings at this weekend's double points season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The Williams driver heads to the race just one point behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, and a further two behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

Bottas and team-mate Felipe Massa will also be defending a 44-point lead over Ferrari in the battle for third in the Constructors' standings.

"Abu Dhabi is going to be an exciting race and it could play out one of two ways," Bottas explained. "The double points could be interesting and we will try and play it to our advantage.

"We have been trying to secure our position in the championship and so continue to focus on this, but I can still finish fourth in the Drivers' Championship so I will focus on this as well."

Massa says a strong result at the Yas Marina Circuit hinges on being able to adjust to the ever-changing track conditions.

"We race in the evening but practice during the heat of the day, so to adapt the car towards cooler conditions is important, it can save a lot of time if you get this right," said the Brazilian.

"Being the final race of the season and with double points it is a very important race to finish in the top 10."

Frijns not in contention to buy Caterham seat
Robin Frijns is not in the running to write a large check for a Caterham seat at this weekend's Abu Dhabi season finale, his management has confirmed to GPUpdate.net.

The Dutchman has acted as the team's test and reserve driver this season, making practice appearances at the Bahrain and British Grands Prix.

But his manager, Timo Gans, says a lack of funding has prevented him from making the jump to a race seat throughout the year.

"We are not in talks with Caterham about a race seat in Abu Dhabi," Gans told GPUpdate.net.

"Due to financial reasons Robin hasn't been considered all year, and it would be quite surprising if this changed just now, in a situation where money is what the team needs the most."

Asked if Frijns is entitled to a seat after regular driver Marcus Ericsson's decision to terminate his contract, Gans was unwilling to divulge further information: "This refers to contract details, which I cannot reveal."

Caterham missed the last two races in the United States and Brazil after entering administration, but has secured its return to the Formula 1 grid through crowdfunding.

The outfit has confirmed Kamui Kobayashi as one of its drivers for this weekend's Abu Dhabi race.

Ex-Caterham senior aerodynamic Jim McManus blasts former owners
Caterham staff have been "abandoned by everybody" according to a former worker.

Senior aerodynamicist Jim McManus was critical of former owner Colin Kolles and the man who sold him the team, QPR football club boss, Tony Fernandes.

McManus, who used to work for McLaren, was one of 200 staff made redundant when the team went into administration in October.

Although the workforce appear to have lost their jobs Finbarr O'Connell, spokesman for the administrators, said the team will be competing at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday after crowdfunding raised Â£1.9 million.

McManus claimed Kolles was not the right person to sell the team to and Fernandes should have "wound up the company in a proper fashion."
"Tony Fernandes should take some responsibility for the position the employees find themselves in," he said.

"He is a wealthy individual and has a moral responsibility to take care of his employees."

Caterham contested the Russian Grand Prix in October and were given dispensation to miss the next two rounds in America and Brazil.

With the collapse of Marussia, who are also in administration, Caterham are hoping they will be eligible for the Â£40million prize fund due to their Banbury rivals for finishing ninth in the points.

But its future is from certain – as it its ownership.

Fernandes has retained the Caterham road car company and announced the sale of the F1 operation to Kolles but it appears he has held onto the controlling shares because the Romanian had not met his part of the deal to settle the outstanding debts.

Caterham 'busy' setting up in Abu Dhabi
(GMM) Caterham has bucked expectations and arrived in Abu Dhabi for the 2014 finale.

After a two-race absence and with administrators raising money through crowdfunding, scarcely a soul in the Interlagos paddock truly believed the green team would make the trip to the United Emirates Capital.

Indeed, there was still skepticism mere days ago, when the team announced its comeback and signed up Kamui Kobayashi to race.

But on Tuesday at the Yas Marina circuit, Caterham is definitely among the teams busily setting up for the weekend's racing.

Photos on social media show Caterham staff, although reportedly laid off, arriving through the paddock turnstile.

And the Leafield based team posted photos on Twitter confirming its "busy, busy, busy" efforts to set up the garage.

That is despite the team not yet confirming the identity of Japanese Kobayashi's teammate.

Another driver apparently out of the running is the talented Dutchman Robin Frijns, who earlier this year was the team's reserve driver.

He told the racexpress.nl website: "My manager Timo Gans said that I am not driving in Abu Dhabi, but I can't say anything about it."