F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Formula 1

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Michael Schumacher may not be the only well-known member of his family to retire this year...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted October 01, 2012 GMM Newswire

Ralf Schumacher won six Grands Prix during his 182 Grand Prix career starts between 1997 and 2007. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Another Schumacher Could Also Retire In 2012: The world of premier motor racing could be set to farewell yet another member of the Schumacher family. Ralf Schumacher, the former Williams and Toyota driver, has opened the door to retirement as he looks to finish this year's German touring car 'DTM' series almost dead last. The 37-year-old, whose elder brother Michael is returning to retirement at the end of this year's F1 calendar, also drives for Mercedes' works team. "I'm going to do the last race and then think about what my future looks like," Schumacher is quoted by the Kolner Express newspaper ahead of this weekend's Hockenheim finale. He is third to last in the 2012 DTM standings, having scored just eight points compared to teammate Jamie Green's 109. Ralf Schumacher won six Grands Prix during his 182 Grand Prix career starts between 1997 and 2007.

Porsche Denies Preparing For F1 Foray: Porsche has denied rumors it is preparing to enter Formula One. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported this week that while the VW brand is open about its Le Mans return plans, sports cars may merely be "a warm-up" for F1. The magazine said Porsche is busily signing up personnel with F1 experience, including Fritz Enzinger, Alex Hitzinger, Mike Krack and recent Sauber engineer Urs Kuratle. The well-known road car brand is also establishing its Weissach facility as a state of the art motor sport factory complete with wind tunnel, while the marque's drivers are reportedly having hours booked in the industry-leading McLaren simulator. But Porsche motor sport spokesman Oliver Hilger said on Wednesday: "This is pure speculation. We have no ambitions for Formula One. Our intention is to do Le Mans and the world sports car championship; nothing has changed," he told SID news agency. Hilger also said nothing should be read into the fact that it has recently signed up staff with F1 experience. "For our sporting ambitions, we need new staff from the top of motor sport. And if you need good people, of course you have to look around also in Formula One," he insisted.

F1 Engine Maker Cosworth For Sale: Cosworth is for sale. Having lost its best F1 customers Williams and Caterham, in recent months it has been discussed as an open secret in the Grand Prix paddocks that the independent British engine supplier will not be on the grid in 2014 with a new turbo V6 power unit. Cosworth, however — still supplying V8s to backmarkers Marussia and HRT — insists it has a plan to stay in F1 beyond the current rules, even though rumors persist that it is not up to speed with the kind of progress made by its 2014 rivals Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes. British newspaper The Times now reports that Cosworth, currently owned by well-known US motor racing names Gerry Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven, has instructed UBS to find a new buyer. And the Telegraph reports that Rolls Royce could be at the front of the queue to buy Cosworth, thanks to the engine maker's new links in the aerospace industry. Another potential buyer is GKN, a British aerospace company. Cosworth's chief executive Tim Routsis said: "We have been paused for the last 18 months and the board has decided that we can not wait any longer otherwise we risk losing momentum."

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