Narain Karthikeyan spent 2012 with HRT. (Photo: Getty Images)

Montreal Must Improve Track Or Lose GP: Montreal has been warned to spend around $15 million on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve or risk losing the Canadian GP. La Presse reports that Bernie Ecclestone has said only a major redevelopment of the circuit will lead to talks about a new contract beyond 2014. The report said that, in light of the F1 chief executive's warning, Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay has appealed to higher levels of government for the necessary money. "Negotiations are underway between the three levels of government and the bodies of Formula One," the report said. Race promoter Francois Dumontier told RDS: "It's premature to talk about this. There are still two years to go on the current contract. We have started talking, but that it's out now I find excessive. Honestly, I don't know where it's come from." He added: "Given that the permanent installations of the circuit, including the control tower and the garages, are nearly 25 years old, it is likely that their repair is an important element in the negotiations for an extension to the current agreement. But it seems to me to be premature to talk specific sums."

Now Di Resta Linked With Massa's Ferrari Seat: Paul di Resta has emerged as the latest candidate to possibly succeed struggling Felipe Massa at Ferrari. Britain's Mirror newspaper said the famous Maranello-based team has "made inquiries" about the 26-year-old Scot's current contract with Force India. The speculation follows Red Bull's closing down of rumors linking Mark Webber with the switch, as Christian Horner and Dietrich Mateschitz suggested the Australian is set to continue beyond his 2012 contract. Ferrari chiefs "are known to be impressed" with di Resta since he moved as the reigning DTM champion to Formula One at the end of 2010, the Mirror's F1 correspondent Byrton Young wrote. "Paul di Resta would be a very good target for Ferrari because (Fernando) Alonso probably has the best toolkit of knowledge and physically is one the best drivers in the world," triple World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart is quoted by the Daily Mail. "Alonso is almost at his peak and to have a young driver such as di Resta be an understudy to Alonso is something I'd consider if I was at Ferrari," he added.

McLaren Reacts After Pit Stop Problems: McLaren has made changes to its pit crew and processes, following recurring problems at recent Grands Prix. Team boss Martin Whitmarsh launched a full internal investigation after Bahrain, where problems with the fitting of wheels during crucial stops resurfaced. "We have to try and make sure we pick up on them (the problems) for the next race because we can't afford to lose points like we did," said Lewis Hamilton. One wheel-gun operator got the lion's share of the blame, but Whitmarsh insisted that McLaren would also "look at the equipment, the process, the approach." He told reporters on Wednesday: "We have looked at what we are doing and have made some changes to the team and the process and we'll see them on Sunday in Barcelona." Despite the heat felt by the deposed wheel-gun operator, Whitmarsh reveals he was "astounded" by the number of McLaren mechanics who put their hands up to replace him. "It reflects well on the spirit of the team. There's been a reasonable amount of practice and we'll see at the weekend. I believe we'll have good stops," he concluded.

Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz (Right) wants Mark Webber (Left) to be back next year. (Photo: Getty Images)

Karthikeyan Not Guaranteed Full Season At HRT: Narain Karthikeyan is not guaranteed his HRT seat for the whole of the 2012 season. Following what the reporter referred to as a 'chat' with the Indian driver, the Times of India claimed Karthikeyan is "a million euros" short of a contract that will see him definitely race through November's Brazil finale. The 35-year-old also began the 2011 season for the struggling Spanish team, but was replaced by the Red Bull-funded Daniel Ricciardo mid-season. The Times of India said securing the extra million in sponsorship is proving "difficult" for Karthikeyan. "Sponsors are happy to give him money but not to the team, as obviously they do not want to be associated with a struggling outfit," the report said. The good news for Karthikeyan, according to the journalist Harish Samtani, is that his sponsorship deal with Tata brings to HRT the Williams gearbox, valued at about EUR 5 million. The report said the link between Karthikeyan and Williams is the British team's joint venture with Jaguar, which is owned by the driver's sponsor Tata.

Toro Rosso Plays Down Drivers' Race To Red Bull: It is too early to name a frontrunner for a seat at Red Bull's premier team. That is the claim of Franz Tost, the boss of the energy drink company's junior team Toro Rosso. Following the ousting of Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi, the Faenza-based outfit has two new Red Bull youngsters to groom in 2012. Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are therefore at the front of the queue to potentially replace Mark Webber at the senior team, even though Red Bull chiefs have appeared to indicate that Australian Webber is staying put for now. So when asked by Austria's Laola1 whether Ricciardo or Vergne are winning the race to Red Bull Racing so far, Tost insisted: "We have no thoughts about that. The important thing is that they continue to develop in every area." So far, Frenchman Vergne has four points compared with Ricciardo's two. "Jean-Eric is willing to take more risks," Tost admitted, "while Daniel has a grasp of the car overall with his extra experience."

Lauda Tips Schumacher To Win In 2012: Niki Lauda is sure Michael Schumacher will return to the top step of the podium this year. As Mercedes took a step forwards with its new W03 car in 2012, it was the famous seven-time World Champion's teammate Nico Rosberg who tasted success first, securing pole and victory in China last month. But triple World Champion Lauda told Germany's Bild newspaper: "Michael Schumacher will win this year. Finally, Mercedes are good enough to be able to attack the best." Schumacher, 43, has not been on the podium since he returned to F1 in 2010. The German has also played down the team's chances on the demanding Circuit de Catalunya this weekend, even though Mercedes is debuting a new ultra-light carbon gearbox in Barcelona. Lauda, meanwhile, played down Schumacher's widely-reported criticisms of this year's Pirelli tires, which have seen him labeled either a sore loser or a spoil-sport amid the exciting 2012 season. "Schumi can't spoil Formula One," said the Austrian legend. "He has been in the business so many years — he knows how it works. I see Rosberg's success as spurring him on rather than frustrating him. He will fight through it."

Illness Sidelines Brawn In Barcelona: Illness has sidelined Ross Brawn ahead of this weekend's Spanish GP. The Mercedes team will instead be led at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya by acting principal Bob Bell. "We wish Ross a speedy recovery!" said the Brackley-based team on Twitter. A spokeswoman said the team expected Brawn to be back up to speed at Monaco in two weeks.

Barrichello Reveals Ferrari 'Threat' Of 2002: Rubens Barrichello has alleged that Ferrari made a threat that might have ended his motor racing career during the infamous 2002 Austrian GP. Ten years ago, the Brazilian led the race at the A1-Ring but eventually, at the very last corner, succumbed to team orders that allowed number one teammate Michael Schumacher to pass him. Subsequent video footage has depicted then Ferrari team boss Jean Todt asking Barrichello on the radio to simply "let Michael pass for the championship, please." But Barrichello, having left F1 at the end of 2011 for a seat in IndyCar, says it was not quite as simple as that. "It was eight laps of war," he is quoted by Brazil's Globo. "It's very rare that I lose my temper, but I was screaming on the radio. I kept going right to the end, saying I would not let him pass. That's when they said something about something much broader. It was not about the contract. I cannot tell you what they said, but it was a form of threat that made me think about re-thinking my life, because the great joy for me was driving," said the 39-year-old.