Latest F1 news in brief – Thursday
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Gene Haas not worried Caterham collapse 'better' for F1 – Ecclestone
- McLaren denies more bosses to follow Sam Michael exit
- Rosberg appoints himself 'title hunter'
- Barcelona 'calm' amid Madrid race reports
- F1 world still guessing on Alonso's next move
- Bianchi's recovery chances 'very small' – Burti
- No Barrichello in Austin
- Grosjean hints at Lotus stay for 2015
- Haas not worried about Ecclestone comments
- Lotus F1 Team concludes Endless Deal
- Fong completes first F1 test in Valencia
- Schumi could recover in three years
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| No surprise here. Bernie Ecclestone usually doesn't have a whole lot of time for the Caterhams of the world. |
Caterham collapse 'better' for F1 – Ecclestone
(GMM) Caterham is on the brink of collapse, as the backmarker team loses even the support of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
"I think it's better they go," said the 83-year-old Briton as the latest developments emerged late on Wednesday.
"I don't want people going around with begging bowls," Ecclestone told the Sun newspaper in an article credited to business journalist Caroline Reid.
His comments follow Caterham's publication of an explosive press release on Wednesday, as administrators of a company based at the Leafield factory refuse to release the race cars just days before the freight deadline for Austin.
In the release, the new owners accused Tony Fernandes of not transferring shares, leaving them "in the invidious position of funding the team without having legal title to the team it had bought".
Malaysian Fernandes, having earlier distanced himself from the deteriorating situation at Leafield, hit back on Twitter: "If you buy something you should pay for it. Quite simple."
Finbarr O'Connell, representing the administrator, is quoted by Speed Week as saying "Obviously, the party Tony Fernandes sold the business to does not have the funds to finance it".
The situation has left Caterham on the verge of collapse, with three grands prix remaining in 2014.
The team admits administrators withholding the cars and guarding the team factory with private security has had "devastating effects on the F1 team's activities".
"After three months of operating the team in good faith, the buyer is now forced to explore all its options including the withdrawal of its management team," said Caterham.
"Lawyers have been instructed by the buyer to bring all necessary claims against all parties, including Mr. Fernandes who, as an owner, will run the F1 operation."
Reuters news agency reported that team boss Manfredi Ravetto confirmed that he is no longer running Caterham.
But the harshest blow could be the loss of support of the powerful Ecclestone, who appears in no mind to intervene and keep the grid at 11 teams.
"I don't know who owns them," the F1 chief executive said. "I don't know and I don't care.
"Let me tell you something, they will tell you whatever suits them to tell you."
McLaren denies more bosses to follow Sam Michael exit
(GMM) McLaren has denied it is set to lose more key team figures ahead of the looming Honda era.
The Woking based team confirmed on Wednesday that sporting director Sam Michael, said to be returning to his native Australia at the end of the season, tendered his resignation in March.
"It's been 21 awesome years in F1," said 43-year-old Michael, who joined McLaren from Williams where he was technical director.
"Loved every minute of the racing and the people, but it's time to go home — and on with the next challenge."
A team spokesman said Michael will be on the pitwall as per usual in Austin.
But he denied reports from Italy that other key members of the management team including Jonathan Neale and Tim Goss are also set to depart.
"They are not leaving and there are no plans for them to leave," said the McLaren spokesman.
He added that McLaren "regretted" Michael's decision to leave, but that they remain "on extremely good terms".
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| Nico Rosberg needs to start beating Lewis Hamilton soon if he is to win the world title |
Rosberg appoints himself 'title hunter'
(GMM) Nico Rosberg has admitted he will think more about his own interests now after Mercedes wrapped up the constructors' championship in Russia.
The German has fallen 17 points behind in the intra-team chase for the drivers' title, after Lewis Hamilton won the last four grands prix on the trot.
Some believe Rosberg is tightening up just as Hamilton is hitting his stride, but the German announced he will "attack with full force" beginning with next weekend's US grand prix.
"The remaining tracks are among my favorites," he said, referring to the final flyaway trio of races in Austin, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
"I have never felt pushed into a corner," Rosberg is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild. "I am a hunter, I am hunting for the title and I have no reason to give up.
"There will be a tough fight over three challenging races," he continued, "and I have no doubt that after thinking about the team, now it is going to be more about our own interests."
Alain Prost, the F1 legend, agreed that although Hamilton is ahead in the standings and on form, Rosberg cannot be counted out yet.
"It's more in favor of Hamilton," said the Frenchman, "but he can always make a mistake at the wrong time. I would say it is 55-45," he told Spain's AS newspaper.
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| Salvador Servia not worried |
Barcelona 'calm' amid Madrid race reports
(GMM) Spanish grand prix boss Salvador Servia insists reports the capital Madrid is bidding to join the F1 calendar do not worry him.
El Confidencial reported in recent days that Bernie Ecclestone is in advanced talks with private investors who want to organize a city street race.
Ecclestone, however, has already warned that after the decline of Spain's second race at Valencia, there is now room only for one annual race per country.
Held at the Circuit de Catalunya, the existing Spanish grand prix has a contract until 2016, according to El Confidencial.
Barcelona boss Servia said: "We know nothing. Nobody has told us anything.
"For years we have read headlines saying that we will not have the grand prix anymore, that we have to alternate with Valencia.
"Our reality is that we have two years left on our contract. We do not change it. We are proud of our contract and we will fulfill it," he added.
On the other hand, Servia said Barcelona remains open to welcoming a second Spanish race to the calendar.
"We survived with and we even supported Valencia," he said. "To us it seems even good to have two grands prix".
At the same time, he has his doubts. "You would block up the centre of Madrid for three weeks, as happens in Monaco.
"But it's all assumptions. We talk on the basis of a rumor. Today, there is nothing serious and we are calm," said Servia.
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| Alonso not talking |
F1 world still guessing on Alonso's next move
(GMM) Yet another week in F1 history is passing by with little more known about the future of arguably the sport's biggest name.
Insiders suggest Fernando Alonso is wavering between a McLaren-Honda contract on his terms or the very real prospect of a sabbatical as he waits for a seat at dominant Mercedes.
"He hasn't got many places to go has he?" F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told business journalist Christian Sylt. "There's nowhere else other than McLaren."
Spain's AS newspaper claims the Spaniard has received a concrete offer from Porsche, where his friend Mark Webber already races at the fabled Le Mans 24 hours.
But while Alonso's situation remains unclear, his current employer Ferrari waits.
"If you're asking me if Vettel could be a good driver for Ferrari, the answer is yes," newly-departed president Luca di Montezemolo said.
"He's young, he's a four time champion of the world, very good guy, good Ferrari client, so he has all the characteristics. So why not?"
According to Red Bull, Vettel-to-Ferrari is a done deal. Dr Helmut Marko says even the details of his release to Maranello have been concluded, as the German will be prevented from driving a red car in the post-season Abu Dhabi test.
"Sebastian may not drive for Ferrari in this test," Marko confirmed to Germany's Auto Bild. "It is clear and we have told Sebastian."
It is an odd situation that, now some weeks since Vettel's next move became clear, it remains unofficial.
But the insiders are already musing Ferrari's chances of success with its new star.
The latest rumors out of Maranello are alarming, as the well-connected Autosprint claims aerodynamic figures from the 2015 car concept are not even as good as the ones from the disappointing current car.
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| Alain Prost joins the list of those questioning whether Sebastian Vettel can restore Ferrari to glory. |
"They need time to rebuild everything," F1 legend and former Ferrari driver Alain Prost told Spain's AS, "as they have been through a lot lately and it can't be fixed in the short term."
The Frenchman also doubts Vettel is the silver bullet.
"Alonso has proved in the past years that a driver cannot fix things at Ferrari. The managerial, technical and driver sides must come together.
"2015 will be difficult for Vettel," Prost predicted, "but I think his move is positive. When you spend so much time with a team and are a multiple champion, it is normal to lose motivation and require another challenge.
"He is young enough to have the time to build a future with Ferrari. His position is different to Fernando, who wants to win immediately."
Bianchi's recovery chances 'very small' – Burti
(GMM) Luciano Burti, a former F1 driver and full-time pundit for Brazil's Globo, has bad news about the health of critically injured driver Jules Bianchi.
Little has been heard about the stricken French driver for the past week, some 18 days after he fell unconscious when he struck a recovery vehicle during the Japanese grand prix.
Burti, a former F1 driver for Jaguar and Prost, told Sao Paulo radio Jovem Pan: "Talking with people who know his situation better, the chance of recovery is very small.
"If he survives, it seems that his chances of living without consequences are also very small," said Burti.
"It's very sad to hear, as Bianchi is a young, talented driver, I saw him all the time — he was always together with Felipe Massa," he added.
"Unfortunately, we know that Bianchi's chances are not very good, but it's a miracle that he did not die instantly. Everyone is very aware of that," said Burti.
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| Rubens Barrichello |
No Barrichello in Austin
(GMM) A familiar face will be missing in action when the F1 circus reconvenes in Austin next week.
Brazil's TV Globo has confirmed that its commentary contract with pundit and popular former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello has "concluded".
The most experienced driver in F1 history, 42-year-old former Ferrari and Honda driver Barrichello has worked regularly for the Brazilian broadcaster since 2013, having contested his 326th race for Williams two years earlier.
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| Grosjean |
hints at Lotus stay for 2015
(GMM) Romain Grosjean appears set to remain at Lotus in 2015.
Although the French driver has been leaving his future open while Fernando Alonso's move remains unclear, Lotus owner Gerard Lopez has now suggested Enstone is likely to field an identical driver lineup next season.
Grosjean, 28, has been openly unhappy this year as the team and its engine supplier Renault notably struggled.
But Lotus is switching to field-leading Mercedes power for 2015, while Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper claims Grosjean's key backer Total remains committed to F1 despite the tragic death of its president Christophe de Margerie.
And Grosjean has now been quoted by UOL Sao Paulo: "There are big changes happening here (in Lotus) for next year, so it's not a bad place to be.
"It's not the place to be world champion in 2015, but I think we can score points and reach the podium a few times. In this case, we can build up for 2016," he added.
Haas not worried about Ecclestone comments
(GMM) Gene Haas has played down suggestions Bernie Ecclestone could freeze him out of F1 long before his team's scheduled 2016 debut.
The American might be forgiven if he was alarmed by the F1 supremo's latest statements, including Ecclestone's desire for "a formula one with eight teams with three cars each".
And as backmarker Caterham sits on the brink of collapse this week, Ecclestone told The Sun: "I think it's better they go.
"I don't want people going around with begging bowls," he added.
But if Ecclestone's stance sounds ominous for a small startup beginning to plan for its 2016 debut, Gene Haas insisted: "We have a license, we will be there.
"Unless something changes that would be a shock to me," he told CNN.
"I think Bernie's objective is to have teams who are well-structured, well-funded and that race at a level that the world championship requires," Haas added.
He said that with the sport's existing teams spending between $50 million and half a billion per year, "We should be somewhere in the middle of that".
And a powerful ally for Haas is F1's most iconic team, Ferrari.
Haas confirmed: "Ferrari wanted to go beyond being just an engine supplier and they were going to help us with the basic structures of the car.
"It's an honor to have Ferrari help us in this way and we take all the help they can give us because you can't really get better than Ferrari," he said.
Lotus F1 Team concludes Endless Deal
Lotus F1 Team has concluded a deal with Endless Jewelry which will see the rapidly expanding jewelry brand represented on the airbox and on the top of sidepod of the E22 for the United States Grand Prix at Austin, Texas on 31st October – 2nd November.
Endless Jewelry – founded in 2013 by Jesper Nielsen and his family – has enjoyed rapid expansion, and its products are today available in almost 3,000 stores in 18 countries worldwide. 2014 has seen continuous growth in Europe and following the launch of the brand in the United States this summer, Endless Jewelry has become the world's fastest growing jewelry brand.
The Endless Jewelry range includes colored leather bracelets and classic charms as well as the prestigious Jennifer Lopez Collection.
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| Adderly Fong |
Fong completes first F1 test in Valencia
Adderly Fong completed his maiden Formula 1 test on Wednesday, getting behind the wheel of Sauber's two-year-old C31 in Valencia.
The 24-year-old Chinese driver, who claimed the Audi R8 LMS Cup title last season, clocked 400km of running at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
"What a day! Hopefully this is the first of many to come," said Fong after the test.
"I drove 400km and did some good lap times. I also got to experiment with the DRS and the blown diffuser. The car runs silky smooth, unlike anything I have experienced before."
Roy Nissany, son of ex-Formula 1 tester Chanoch, will test at the circuit on Thursday.
Schumi could recover in three years
(GMM) Michael Schumacher has made "progress" since leaving hospital and rehabilitation and returning to his home in Switzerland.
That was the cautious news on Thursday of Jean-Francois Payen, one of the original team of doctors who worked on the then critically-injured seven time world champion in Grenoble after his skiing accident.
Dr Payen told French radio RTL that he has made a visit to see German F1 legend Schumacher in recent days, following his return home to be with his family.
"I kept seeing him, first at Lausanne, and now at home. It's to see how he progresses and tell his wife and children what changes I observed," he said.
"I have noted some progress but I would say we should give him time," Payen revealed.
When asked how long Schumacher's recovery might take from now, Payen answered: "It's like for other patients, we are on a timescale which goes from one year to three years and we need to be patient.
"Anyway, he is in the best environment, (with) his family, his wife is surrounded by excellent advice and has implemented all it takes for it to move forward," he added.