Helmut Marko has criticized Ferrari's tactics in the Korean GP. (Photo: Getty Images)

Marko Puzzled By Ferrari's Massa Tactics: Helmut Marko has admitted he cannot understand Ferrari's tactics during the Korean Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso finished behind both Red Bulls at the Yeongam track, therefore losing his long-held championship lead to Sebastian Vettel. Just behind the Spaniard was his resurgent Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who was told on the radio to stay behind Alonso despite lapping faster. Red Bull's Marko said Ferrari's decision to hold Massa back is "incomprehensible. Why didn't Ferrari let him past Alonso and make Webber nervous?" the Austrian told Blick, referring to Vettel's teammate Mark Webber, who finished second. Indeed, if Massa had managed to pass Webber, Alonso might have followed him through and minimised the points loss to Vettel. Marko told Blick newspaper: "And even if Massa had not managed to get Webber, it would have been easy for him to just pass the place back (to Alonso)."

Gov't Not Willing To Pay For London GP - Ecclestone: A London Grand Prix is unlikely because the government is not willing to support it. That is the admission of Bernie Ecclestone, who told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt that he is prepared to make "a large contribution" towards organizing a street race in the British capital. But the F1 chief executive is quoted by cityam.com: "I don't think the government would be prepared to put the required amount of money behind it." That is despite the 81-year-old being apparently willing to "help the government and council with their costs."

Alonso Can't Win Title With Ferrari Car - Briatore: Flavio Briatore is ever more pessimistic about Fernando Alonso's chances of winning the 2012 championship. Some days ago, the Spaniard's former Renault boss said Alonso only has a 30 percent chance of beating Sebastian Vettel to the checkered flag next month. Briatore is now quoted by Italy's Tuttosport as saying: "With a (Ferrari) car like this, you do not win the championship." Alonso looked disappointed on the Korea podium after finishing third and losing his championship lead, but afterwards told reporters he was "happy". "Ferdi is telling lies — he is not happy at all," Briatore, still involved in Alonso's management, insisted. Alonso replied to Briatore's comments: "He could have said all that in March as well."

Vettel's Father To Race At Hockenheim: Sebastian Vettel's father is making a racing comeback, the German newspaper Bild reports. Norbert Vettel, 53, is a carpenter by trade but in the past contested hill-climb events and got his son — now the reigning double World Champion and new 2012 title leader — into a go-kart at the age of 3 and a half. Bild said he will race in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup race at Hockenheim this weekend. "It's my first start after an 18 year break!" the elder Vettel is quoted as saying. "I used to do hill races, but there were no opponents on the track, just the clock. So I just want to stay humble and not finish last."