Heikki Kovalainen may be the frontrunner to replace Felipe Massa in 2013. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Report - Kovalainen Manager Summoned To Maranello: Finnish reports say Heikki Kovalainen's management has been summoned to Maranello. The speculation follows Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo ruling out Sergio Perez as Felipe Massa's 2013 successor, due to his lack of experience. Finn Kovalainen, 30, is on the market after three years of rebuilding his reputation at Caterham, following his less-than-shining first three years in F1 at Renault and McLaren. The Finnish broadcaster MTV3 said representatives of Kovalainen's management team at IMG Worldwide will travel to Maranello next week. However, some consider Force India's Nico Hulkenberg as a more likely candidate to oust Brazilian Massa. But, given Montezemolo's comments about experience, the 25-year-old German is only marginally more experienced than Mexican Perez. A Ferrari spokesman told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper: "Do not apply what our president said (about experience) to other drivers. He (Montezemolo) was asked about Perez, and the response was specific to him." The newspaper also said it doubts Ferrari's 2007 title winner Kimi Raikkonen is a candidate. "Forget Ferrari. Kimi is not going there," a source close to the Lotus driver is quoted as saying.

Podiums Not Enough To Win 2012 Title - Alonso: Fernando Alonso insists Ferrari must plan to win more Grands Prix in 2012 if it wants to win the title. The Spaniard said recently it might be possible for him to defend his 37 point lead in the drivers' chase simply by remaining on the podium at the remaining races of the season. But he said during a media event in Spain this week: "Managing this points gap is going to be hard, because I think everyone is going to be on the attack. The whole situation can change in one race that goes wrong. So we have to keep developing, working hard, trying to win races. We can't be thinking about being fourth or fifth, or doing podiums, or how to manage (the points gap), we have to be thinking of winning races. Thirty-seven points is nothing." Alonso said Ferrari is bringing developments to the F2012 package not only next weekend in Singapore, but also the subsequent races in Japan and Korea. The 31-year-old was, however, reluctant to talk about the future, even when asked what his relationship is like with Sergio Perez. Reports had linked the young Mexican with a move to Ferrari next year. "I have nothing to say, especially in response to a report or a newspaper. The relationship (with Perez) is great, as it is with everyone else," said Alonso.

Vergne Still 'Stiff' After Monza Crash: Jean-Eric Vergne has revealed he is still feeling "stiff" after his crash at Monza last weekend. The French rookie's Toro Rosso veered of control at the end of the Autodromo's long front straight during the recent Italian Grand Prix. Vergne's car launched over a curb and landed with a thud, and he immediately complained on the radio about a sore back. He was taken to the medical center with pain in his back and head, but declared: "I am fine." And now in a post-race blog, the 22-year-old has revealed he also sustained "a few bruises" and a sore neck. "I do feel pretty stiff across my back and neck but I think that will go away over the next day or so and I'll get on with what is going to be a pretty busy schedule until Singapore," said Vergne. Toro Rosso said the crash was caused by a suspension failure.

Brawn Not Planning To Retire Yet: Ross Brawn has revealed he is not planning to retire for at least a few more years. The 57-year-old, who soared to success in past decades as a leading engineer at Benetton and Ferrari, is now the team boss at Mercedes, three years after selling the title-winning 'Brawn GP' outfit in 2009. And amid rumors Lewis Hamilton could switch to the Brackley-based camp for 2013, Brawn has told the Daily Mail he is not going anywhere for now. "I am not planning to retire at the moment," he said. Also being reported at present is that Michael Schumacher could be close to signing a new at least one-year contract extension for 2013. Brawn said he is motivated by F1's switch to radical new engine rules in 2014. "I am very excited about this 2014 engine program," he said. "I think it is quite a game-changer in F1. I still have a strong engineering passion, so having such a different engine and different package in 2014 is exciting and developing the team is exciting. For how long, who knows? But I have no interest in stopping in the near future."