Latest F1 news in brief

Jarno Truilli's Lotus

Team Lotus needs name tweak for 2012 – Ecclestone
Turnstiles to keep turning amid Ferrari shakeup
Ferrari not keen on December 11 finale
No paddock cameo for Kubica in Monaco – manager
Photos show Lux scars under left ear

Team Lotus needs name tweak for 2012 – Ecclestone
(GMM) Team Lotus claimed victory in the court dispute, but the Tony Fernandes-led outfit might have to change its name for 2012 and beyond.

That is the claim of Bernie Ecclestone, after the London High Court declared a complex verdict in the name dispute brought by Malaysian-owned British carmaker Group Lotus.

After the latter claimed victory, Team Lotus issued a second media statement clarifying that it can use "the Team Lotus name and roundel (logo) … in relation to formula one racing".

But with Renault sponsor Group Lotus also cleared to continue deploying the famous name in F1, Ecclestone suggested that Team Lotus might have to undergo a slight identity switch next year.

His comments tie in with a reference by Team Lotus in its first press statement on Friday to "the Caterham Team Lotus umbrella"; a reference to Fernandes' recent acquisition of the specialty British sports car maker.

Ecclestone told Blick: "Fernandes can keep the name Team Lotus. However, his cars may not be called Lotus.

"In the registration for the world championship, the team (name) comes first, then the car.

"Strictly speaking Fernandes would have to sign up as Team Lotus and something," added the F1 chief executive to the Swiss newspaper.

Turnstiles to keep turning amid Ferrari shakeup
(GMM) With Aldo Costa now gone, attention is turning to who will follow him through the turnstiles at Maranello as Ferrari restructures for a more "aggressive" approach to 2012.

La Gazzetta dello Sport said the spotlight is on designer Nikolas Tombazis, even though team boss Stefano Domenicali on Friday said the Greek designer "will be responsible for the aerodynamic development and must try to come up with a winning project".

Domenicali, however, acknowledged that his own head might roll.

"But I'm not at all worried as I know the rules of the game," said the Italian. "First of all it's someone above me who must answer this.

"Of course, I am responsible and I will try to solve things as much as I can, but if things are not going well it's normal the leader has to, let's say, pay for it."

Also under pressure is Felipe Massa: "Our priority is to give him a competitive car and I think that the decisions taken will help him get going again," said Domenicali.

But the biggest problem at Ferrari at present is the aerodynamic side, with Domenicali admitting that "We ought to make some important interventions to improve that".

Now in Costa's hot seat is Briton and former McLaren man Pat Fry, but when told he is now leading the 2012 project, Red Bull's Adrian Newey admitted he finds the appointment "strange".

Auto Motor und Sport mentioned rumors that Renault's Tim Densham, or Williams' recently ousted Jon Tomlinson, and a group of Fry's former McLaren colleagues, are possible new arrivals at Ferrari.

And Brazilian reports hinted at Red Bull's Rob Marshall and Peter Prodromou.

Ferrari not keen on December 11 finale
(GMM) Ferrari is the latest team to question the wisdom of extending the 2011 calendar into mid December to make room for Bahrain.

Stefano Domenicali confirmed on Friday that, ostensibly for logistical reasons, December 4 has been ruled out and instead December 11 is the proposed extended date for the inaugural Indian grand prix.

That would mean Bahrain slots into India's original late October date, with Bernie Ecclestone keen to push the new calendar through at next week's World Motor Sport Council.

"So this (December 11) is quite a tricky calendar, if I may say," the Ferrari team boss admitted in Monaco.

"We need to work together with them to see if, for the benefit of being there (in Bahrain) for a really long time, it's good to do a choice for this year or wait and see," he added.

He is not the only F1 chief with reservations.

"Makes for an awfully long season, doesn't it?" observed Red Bull's Adrian Newey.

Agreed Virgin's Graeme Lowdon: "I think it does make it quite tough on the teams."

No paddock cameo for Kubica in Monaco – manager
(GMM) Robert Kubica is in Monaco this weekend but he will not be making an appearance in the F1 paddock.

Blick newspaper has pointed out that the injured Pole's Monte Carlo apartment is within half a kilometer of the famous street circuit.

But the Renault driver's manager Daniele Morelli told Swiss reporter Roger Benoit: "Robert is not coming to the paddock.

"The hype would be too big, even if Robert has left the wheelchair and is making his first steps. He is also using a pen with his right hand now."

Morelli said Kubica, 26, is doing five hours of rehabilitation training every day.

But he told grandprix.com that despite Renault owner Gerard Lopez's recent comments, Kubica will not return this year to do a Friday practice session.

"When Robert comes back it will be to compete for podiums, not to drive in Friday sessions. It is not in our plans at all," said Morelli.

"What is the need to do that? He could test a GP2 car when he's ready," he added.

Photos show Lux scars under left ear
(GMM) The first photos of Eric Lux's injuries have emerged.

The newspapers Blick (Switzerland) and Bild (Germany) have published the photos showing the healing cuts under the left ear on the Genii chief executive's neck.

The injuries were caused by Force India's Adrian Sutil, but although Lux is threatening to file criminal charges, the German driver insists he did not mean to hurt the Luxembourger during the nightclub incident in Shanghai last month.

Bild said Lux, in Monaco this weekend, would not comment.

But the newspaper said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has had discussions with both Lux and 28-year-old Sutil, and wants the pair to reach an amicable settlement.

The photo can be seen here.