Latest F1 news in brief

Susie Wolff looking to buy some more Friday morning track cleaning sessions

Kobayashi in Austin to keep F1 dream alive
Boycott threat emerges as next F1 teams face collapse
Tost wants to keep Vergne at Toro Rosso
Susie Wolff to extend Williams deal
Williams bosses absent from US GP
Vettel to qualify in Austin 'out of respect'
Hamilton takes control of own management
Drivers open to three-car F1 teams

Kobayashi in Austin to keep F1 dream alive
(GMM) Like his 2014 teammate Marcus Ericsson, Kamui Kobayashi has travelled to Austin without a formula one car to drive.

But unlike the Swedish rookie Ericsson, who reportedly carries up to $20 million in personal backing, Japanese Kobayashi looks less likely to secure a race seat elsewhere for 2015, following the collapse of the Caterham team.

Leafield based Caterham is in the death throes, even though the insolvency administrator says the green team came close to joining its drivers in the trek to America.

"One of the parties interested in buying the team offered to cover the costs," administrator Finbarr O'Connell told the F1 business journalist Christian Sylt, "but, unfortunately, having only been in control of the team since Friday it is not logistically possible to get there."

Writing in Autoweek, Sylt revealed that O'Connell is now making his way to Austin, as he aims to keep the F1 world abreast of developments.

One man approached to buy the embattled Caterham or Marussia was the former BAR chief David Richards, but he said he is not interested.

"As you can imagine, at Prodrive, we always keep a careful watching brief on the situation in formula one," he said, "but the predicament of Caterham, Marussia and I believe one other team speaks for itself."

Assisting O'Connell in Caterham's administration is Henry Shinners, who is also travelling to Austin.

He told British television Sky that time is running out.

"We feel that if a buyer doesn't come forward in the next two weeks then we'll probably have to wind it down," said Shinners.

Hundreds of hopeful staff are hanging on the latest developments, with even Kobayashi admitting he is relying on the press to keep him up to date.

"No one told me," the Japanese told Speed Week, when asked about Caterham having to miss the Austin-Brazil double header.

"I read about it on the internet," he exclaimed. "I guess the bosses were too busy to call me or my management.

"Now I'm trying to secure my future as a formula one driver," Kobayashi, who is believed to be open to a reserve driver role for 2015, added in Austin.

Boycott threat emerges as next F1 teams face collapse
(GMM) Battle lines are being drawn as F1 reacts to the 'crisis' of collapsing teams.

But Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko declared unequivocally ahead of the US grand prix: "We are ready."

He was referring to the concept of three-car teams, as he admitted to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that it might cost the sport's big players up to $30 million each.

The mood ahead of the US grand prix is therefore dramatically tense, with some declaring it the sport's latest 'crisis' following the collapse of the backmarkers Marussia and Caterham.

David Richards, the Prodrive chief who told Autoweek that he was approached about saving the embattled teams, said he believes at least "one other team" is also in dire straits.

But according to Bernie Ecclestone, the currently 18-car grid could actually dwindle by a further two teams.

"It could go down to 14 (cars)," the F1 chief executive told British television Sky.

Trackside in Austin, the situation is rapidly deteriorating from the initial shock to obvious anger, as the next most endangered teams – reportedly Sauber, Force India and Lotus – threaten to boycott Sunday's race in protest of the increasingly inequitable balance of power.

At Force India, anger about the make-up of the powerful 'strategy group' – chaired only by the richest and most historically important teams – has been bubbling for months.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley declared in Austin: "Two teams have now gone and I think the commercial rights holder is comfortable in thinking there might be 14 cars next year.

"So the question is, if we are driving teams out of the business, to what agenda is it? And what's the game?" he added.

The suspicion is that Ecclestone and F1's controversial owner CVC are happy to see the stragglers go out of business and for their grid places to be filled by big teams running third cars.

Referring to the most struggling privateers, Ecclestone said: "We need them if they are going to be there performing properly and not moving around with begging buckets."

There was also little sympathy from Mercedes, F1's dominant force in 2014, who said: "I have great respect for what Tony Fernandes and Andrey Cheglakov have done in their businesses, but maybe formula one is just a different ball game."

The feeling in the paddock is that the teams are separating into two distinct camps, and according to the Times newspaper, the anger of the 'have nots' has now descended into a boycott threat.

"It is 50-50 whether it happens," the newspaper quoted one executive as saying at the scene of the US grand prix, "but what else is there?

"We haven't got anything to lose, have we? No one listens, so the only thing we can do is take action that CVC will understand. It would be painful but it would make the point."

Reuters quoted Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez as confirming that while a meeting took place, he was "not aware" of the boycott threat.

The BBC, meanwhile, quoted Force India's Vijay Mallya as also playing down the US boycott, but he hit out at the "arrogance" of the big teams who are resisting the idea of cost control.

"There are many fans out there who support the smaller teams and they need to be respected. The small teams cannot be taken for granted," he insisted.

But Red Bull's Marko thinks the three-car solution is a good route, even for improving the spectacle and popularity of F1.

"Imagine if we could put a Nascar driver like Jimmy Johnson or Tony Stewart in the (third) car here in the US," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"The promotional effect would be huge."

Tost wants to keep Vergne at Toro Rosso
(GMM) Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has admitted he would like to keep Jean-Eric Vergne on board for the 2015 season.

Mere weeks ago, the 24-year-old Frenchman was ruled out of the running after the Faenza team announced that Daniil Kvyat will be joined by the controversially-young and inexperienced rookie Max Verstappen, who is just 17.

But then, at Red Bull's senior team, Sebastian Vettel announced his shock impending departure, leading to Russian 20-year-old Kvyat being called up to replace him.

Initially, the obvious favorite to replace Kvyat at Toro Rosso next year was Carlos Sainz Jr, who had already been surprised to miss out on the Verstappen seat.

But Tost and others expressed concern that pitting Verstappen against Sainz might be a risk too far even for the junior team Toro Rosso, given the drivers' unprecedented inexperienced and youth.

Suddenly, keeping Vergne for at least another season seemed the better option.

Tost does not hide it.

"I am still convinced that Jean-Eric can do a very good job in formula one if he gets a competitive car," he told F1's official website ahead of the US grand prix.

"He has shown this a couple of times and I personally would like to continue with him — but we have to wait to see what Red Bull decides."

A big hint that Red Bull will indeed follow Tost's advice and keep Vergne is that, in next month's post Abu Dhabi test, Verstappen will have both days to himself.

"Ah," Tost replied, "that Max would get that heavy mileage was decided quite some time ago as we have to give him the chance to get used to the car, the team and all that goes with it."

But he doesn't deny that he believes keeping Vergne is the wisest choice for 2015.

"F1 has become fairly complicated and normally you need a reference – especially with the new car that we will have next year – and with two rookies you don't have that reference," Tost admitted.

"That is why I would prefer an experienced guy in the second cockpit alongside Max."

Vergne, who until recently was contemplating his potential exit from F1, is now clinging to hope that he will get another chance in 2015.

"This year, I lost a lot of points through retirements and I feel we could be in a really strong position if we keep going together," he is quoted by the team's official website.

"I would love that to happen."

So who is hotter, Susie Wolff or Danica Patrick?

Susie Wolff to extend Williams deal
(GMM) Susie Wolff will extend her deal with Williams into the 2015 season, according to the German newspaper Bild.

The 31-year-old female Briton was the Grove team's test driver this year, even appearing on a couple of Friday mornings.

"The contract for 2015 is close to being signed," said the newspaper's correspondents Nicola Pohl and Helmut Uhl.

A former DTM and F3 driver, whose maiden name is Stoddart, Wolff's husband is Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss and still a significant Williams shareholder.

Bild said her 2015 program will involve two test days and two further outings during Friday morning practice sessions.

Williams bosses absent from US GP
(GMM) Williams' two F1 bosses are missing in action this weekend for the US grand prix.

It has emerged that founder and boss Sir Frank Williams is in hospital in Britain, and his deputy and daughter Claire is at his bedside.

"She wanted to stay there to make sure he's responding well, which he is," a team spokesperson is quoted by Reuters.

72-year-old Williams, believed to be the world's oldest quadriplegic following his 1986 car accident, is reportedly being treated for a pressure sore.

He is expected to remain in hospital for several weeks.

Nonetheless, the absence on Friday of Claire Williams in the FIA press conference apparently ruffled a few feathers, according to a report by Speed Week.

Once summoned by the governing body, attendance at the FIA conferences is mandatory, but a voice in the paddock said: "Typical F1 — while the sport is going to the dogs, the big thing is the absence of Claire Williams.

"Maybe they should start dealing with the really big problems."

Vettel to qualify in Austin 'out of respect'
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel will make a brief appearance during qualifying on Saturday ahead of the US grand prix in Austin.

Earlier, team figures suggested the reigning world champion would sit out the session because penalties for running his sixth 'power unit' of 2014 means he will start the race from pitlane.

Red Bull has now confirmed Vettel's pitlane start, but it appears the 27-year-old will no longer simply sit out the qualifying action.

Rumors suggest the FIA was unimpressed with Vettel and the team's vocal criticisms of the long-life engine rules and the associated penalties.

It might mean stewards are less inclined to give the German driver an exemption from the 107 per cent qualifying rule and force him to also sit out the race.

Another rumor is that Bernie Ecclestone put pressure on Red Bull to at least send Vettel onto the circuit during the 'Q1' session, to appease the locals and television audience.

"Out of respect for the audience," confirmed the German newspaper Bild, "Red Bull decided late on Friday afternoon to let Vettel drive at least in the first session of qualifying, although he will start the race from pitlane."

Meanwhile, American F1 legend and 1978 world champion Mario Andretti has tipped Vettel to emulate Michael Schumacher's success once he switches to Ferrari from 2015.

"Michael knew exactly what he was doing," the 74-year-old told the German newspaper Die Welt ahead of the US grand prix.

"He took the men who he succeeded with at Benetton to Ferrari and after a few years they were unbeatable.

"I would advise Sebastian to do the same — maybe he will even persuade Adrian Newey to go with him.

"That would certainly be the ideal situation, because – for sure – Ferrari needs more than just a new driver," Andretti added.

Hamilton takes control of own management
(GMM) Lewis Hamilton is "scaling back" his deal with Simon Fuller, the entertainment manager famed for his involvement with American Idol and the Spice Girls.

In Fuller's XIX Entertainment stable, Hamilton lucratively switched from McLaren to Mercedes following the split from his manager-father Anthony, announcing at the time he wanted to expand his profile beyond F1 and into the world of film and music.

But as he approaches the business end of his 2014 title assault and mere weeks before starting negotiations for a new Mercedes deal beyond next year, The Times reports that Hamilton has "decided to play an increasing role in his own management".

Hamilton's girlfriend is the pop star Nicole Scherzinger, he counts rappers among his personal friends and on Thursday he appeared in the official FIA press conference wearing a huge gold replica of an Andy Warhol artwork around his neck.

At the same time, "XIX have faded from the F1 scene", said Times correspondent Kevin Eason.

Another British newspaper, the Daily Mail, agrees that 29-year-old Hamilton's contract with XIX "recently expired".

An insider said: "Lewis is concentrating on the world championship for now and will assess how to progress with his management around New Year.

"He has been muttering for a year or so about changing his relationship with Fuller. He wants to stand on his own two feet — and cut down on commission fees."

Drivers open to three-car F1 teams
Formula 1 drivers say they are open to being a part of three-car teams, as the debate over grid size continues.

With Marussia and Caterham both absent from the United States Grand Prix, only 18 cars will be in action over the course of the weekend.

Agreements between the teams, the FIA and Formula One Management could see certain squads asked to run additional cars in the future.

Although there are doubts over how soon they could be introduced, drivers gave their backing during Thursday's press conference at the Circuit of The Americas.

"If we're requested to have a third car then we'll look into it and try to make it happen," said Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. "Having another team-mate… I wouldn't see any negatives."

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas added: "Everyone wants to see more cars on the grid; the more the better. I don't see any downsides as a driver."

Lewis Hamilton warned that teams would need to expand to ensure equal treatment for all three drivers, but feels it would be a much improved way of introducing young talents.

"[Creating a] position for a younger driver could be good," said the Mercedes man. "Putting them alongside drivers with experience… they could come on a lot more than in the past."