Latest F1 news in brief

Austria steps up as Turkey's 2013 hopes fade
No Formula 2 in 2013
Late 2013 Red Bull 'not a problem' – Newey
Webber – Red Bull 'knows' I can beat Vettel
Kaltenborn not eyeing Ecclestone's top job

Austria steps up as Turkey's 2013 hopes fade
(GMM) As Turkey's hopes fade, it looks increasingly possible that Austria will return to the F1 calendar in 2013.

This week, at Bernie Ecclestone's request, the FIA reserved a date for an unidentified additional European race next year.

Istanbul Park's new operator Vural Ak then announced he had reached an agreement "in principle" with the F1 chief executive, pending the Turkish government's support.

Turkey, however, has said no.

"There is nothing on the government's agenda about the return of formula one to Turkey," sports minister Suat Kilic told the Anatolia news agency.

"This is an issue that entirely concerns the private sector."

Earlier, Austria was suggested as a possible alternative to Turkey for the extra 2013 race date.

The A1-Ring, owned and recently refurbished and re-launched by the energy drinks company, is now called the Red Bull Ring.

And writing in Eurosport, leading F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said Formula One Licensing in 2012 registered a trademark to the name Austrian Grand Prix.

No Formula 2 in 2013
(GMM) Formula 2 will not be run next year.

The FIA series' operator Motorsport Vision, headed by former F1 driver and commentator Jonathan Palmer, said the existing format of the single seater series has "reduced its appeal to drivers".

"Other championships at F2's level have also increased their appeal through recent performance upgrades, and it is logical to conclude that in (2013) grid numbers would reduce, perhaps significantly," said Palmer.

2013 was to be Motorsport Vision's final year of its existing contract with the FIA.

The governing body said: "The FIA is determined to develop a clear path for young drivers from karting to F1 and therefore reiterates our commitment to single seater racing series."

F2 in its current low-cost format was re-launched in 2009, enlisting Williams for chassis design.

Late 2013 Red Bull 'not a problem' – Newey
(GMM) Red Bull designer Adrian Newey has confirmed reports the successor to his title-winning RB8 single seater will be launched slightly late.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admitted this week that progress with the Renault-powered RB9 is running "a little late".

"We will be ready later than we would like," Newey is now quoted by Spain's El Mundo Deportivo.

"We had to focus until the last moment on development of the RB8 in order to retain the two titles.

"But it's not a serious problem, because the RB9 is an evolution of the current (RB8) car."

Webber – Red Bull 'knows' I can beat Vettel
(GMM) Mark Webber is making plans to beat his teammate in 2013.

But Webber's teammate is none other than Sebastian Vettel, the triple consecutive and reigning world champion who can now be mentioned in the same breath as greats including Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart.

Australian Webber, however, who has shared the Red Bull garage with the 11-years-younger Vettel throughout the German's title dominance, is not ready to admit defeat.

He recently denied he is sliding into a "supporting role" for Vettel, and in a new interview with Fox Sports News insisted he can match the 25-year-old for sheer pace.

"Sebastian's strength is qualifying, and it was 10-11 this year in his favor," Webber said.

"Two races he had me over one lap on sheer pace. You don't get anything for that, but the team know that's also a measure of if you can put it out there over one lap."

Meanwhile, Kimi Raikkonen denied it is a problem that he is earning a reputation for being a driver who never crashes.

Turun Sanomat newspaper suggested his impressive record, having finished every single grand prix in the points this year, might be an invitation to Raikkonen's rivals to brashly overtake.

"It's better than having a reputation for crashing every race," the Lotus driver smiled.

"I've never suffered because of it.

"You don't get past me easily, but I also don't fight like crazy if there is no possibility to hold them behind, because you just end up losing time and they'll eventually get past anyway," added Raikkonen.

Kaltenborn not eyeing Ecclestone's top job
(GMM) Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn has denied reports she could eventually replace Bernie Ecclestone.

India-born Austrian Kaltenborn, 41, was initially just a lawyer for the Swiss formula one team, but she was then appointed to the board, named chief executive, and latterly was given a third ownership and in 2012 took over as team boss.

And amid Ecclestone's troubles with the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair, it has been rumored that the next big step for Kaltenborn could be the F1 chief executive's job.

"There is nothing to it," she told German television SWR.

"I wouldn't want to do it. When I think that Bernie deals not only with one but with twelve teams, then I have plenty of goals I want to achieve with Sauber."