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Formula 1
F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)
Helmut Marko has dealt a blow to the persistent rumors about Sebastian Vettel's future...
Helmut Marko (Right) talks with Sebastian Vettel (Left) in the paddock. (Photo: Getty Images)
Vettel's 2014 Contract 'Bulletproof' - Marko: Helmut Marko on Thursday dealt a blow to the persistent rumors about Sebastian Vettel's future. Some in the paddock believe the German has signed some sort of agreement that could see him switch from Red Bull to Ferrari in 2014. German reports recently added fuel to the fire by acknowledging that while the reigning back-to-back World Champion has a Red Bull contract for 2014, it contains some 'get out' clauses. But Red Bull's Marko told Sport Bild: "I have to disappoint Ferrari and all the others. Sebastian has a bullet-proof contract with us through 2014. There are and there have never been any options or opt-outs," the team's driver manager insisted.
Hamilton To Fix Dennis Rift Before Leaving McLaren: Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is hoping to sign off at McLaren on speaking terms with his former mentor Ron Dennis. Dennis, the former team boss and still the chairman of the McLaren group of companies, groomed Hamilton through the junior ranks and gave him his F1 debut in 2007. But reports suggest the pair had not exchanged a word since it was announced that Hamilton is jumping ship to Mercedes in 2013. Briton Hamilton returned to McLaren's Woking headquarters after the recent Korean Grand Prix, though, and the 27-year-old said in India: "I spoke to Ron and — me and Ron — we're planning to meet up I think it's in Abu Dhabi. We'll go for dinner, have a good chat," added Hamilton at a sponsor event on Wednesday.
Bank Wants Ecclestone To Pay Back $400M: The German bank BayernLB wants Bernie Ecclestone to repay US $400 million, the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports on Thursday. The bank claims that is the amount it lost due to its sale of F1 shares some years ago to the sport's current owner CVC, with the transaction having been subsequently called into question over the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption scandal. Suddeutsche Zeitung said BayernLB's lawyers have sent a letter, detailing the extraordinary damages, to F1's billionaire chief executive. BayernLB claims that, with Gribkowsky allegedly bribed millions by Ecclestone and now providing information to authorities, the now-jailed banker vastly undervalued its F1 shares.
McLaren Pushing Ahead With 2012 Car Development: Even with Lewis Hamilton admitting his 2012 drivers' title push is probably over, McLaren has vowed to press ahead with the development of its current car. "Realistically we are too far away to win the drivers' (championship)," Hamilton said in India on Wednesday. "If we did (win) through some kind of miracle, then I'll eat my words." Indeed, most commentators also see the remaining four races of the season as a fight only between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, with Briton Hamilton a full 62 points behind the lead. But McLaren's sporting director Sam Michael said on Wednesday: "It's not a big a decision to decide to continue development of the the 2012 car. The rule changes for next year are quite small compared to what they would be in normal years, so most of the development work we do on this car will carry over to 2013, anyway. We're going to push to the end," he told reporters during the regular Vodafone teleconference.
2013 German GP Location Decision Due: A decision about where next year's German GP will take place is imminent, according to the SID news agency. The Nurburgring is provisionally scheduled to host the country's 2013 race, but amid the venue's well-documented financial problems, it is possible Hockenheim will be asked to step in as a replacement. "We are currently in very concrete negotiations," revealed the Nurburgring's Jorg Lindner. "We just had contact with Mr. Ecclestone this week, and there was no indication that we should not be optimistic. Maybe there could be an agreement in place in Abu Dhabi," he said, referring to the scene of next weekend's Grand Prix. "And we are planning a long-term contract, not only for next year."
Hungary Looking To Secure Race Through 2021: Hungary is looking to secure its place on the F1 calendar for almost another whole decade. Germany's sport1.de reports that Hungaroring boss Zsolt Gyulay intends to secure a deal with Bernie Ecclestone to extend the race deal from 2016 until 2021. "I think we have a good chance to be one of the European tracks that stays on the calendar," he is quoted as saying. "I have to say though that we need to find the right level of investment, because the track is already very well-utilized," added Gyulay.
Button Tips Webber To Help Vettel Now: Jenson Button has tipped Red Bull's Mark Webber to play a supporting role for his title-leading teammate from now until the end of the season. Actually, Red Bull insists both its drivers — Webber and Sebastian Vettel — will enjoy free reign to push for the championship, even though Australian Webber is now a huge 63 points behind with just four races still to run. "I'll eat my hat if Webber wins (races) ahead of Seb," McLaren's Button is quoted by Germany's Sport1. Indeed, Motorsport Aktuell reports that Webber is actually contractually obliged to help Vettel now, having triggered a clause in his contract that names a maximum points gap to his teammate at a certain point of the season.
Wolff Wanted F1 Test To Prove De Villota's Abilities: Susie Wolff has revealed she carried a heavy burden when she recently made her debut at the wheel of a F1 car. Williams' 29-year-old Scottish development driver made international headlines when she tested at Silverstone recently. Some of the media attention was simply due to her gender, but Wolff's appearance took on an even greater significance in light of the serious injuries sustained by fellow female test driver Maria de Villota earlier this year. "After the publicity that surrounded Maria's accident, there's no doubt I felt an extra need to go out there, do a good job, and show her accident was a freak, one-off and it shouldn't generalize women in motor sport," Wolff told the Herald Scotland. "It was very important for me to do it for both of us and show everybody that women can drive F1 cars successfully. And I think I did."
Gascoyne Admits To Missing F1 Pitwall: Mike Gascoyne has admitted he misses the F1 pitwall. Since 2010, the former Renault and Toyota technical director has been a leading figure at Caterham (nee Lotus). But in April of this year, it was announced he was leaving the F1 team to become the chief technical officer of the entire Caterham group. Indeed, Gascoyne's name currently does not appear at all on the Caterham F1 website, as Mark Smith and John Iley now head the technical departments. "Lots of people have asked me recently why they have not seen me on the pitwall and around at the races in Formula One," Gascoyne admitted on Wednesday, after launching a new website for his own consultancy business MGI. "Although I retain an interest in F1 I no longer travel to races so hence am no longer on the pitwall," he explained. "While I miss racing as you would expect after 20 years on the pitwall, I certainly don't miss the travelling and the time away from the office and family."
Perez's Cold Could Open Door For Gutierrez In India: Sergio Perez's participation in the Indian GP is in doubt, after the Mexican failed to appear for his media commitments at the Buddh circuit on Thursday. His team, Sauber, said the McLaren-bound Mexican has a heavy cold. The Swiss squad's similarly Telmex-backed reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez, who is tipped to replace Perez full-time next season, is reportedly first in line to replace him. Reuters and Sky said Sauber will decide early on Friday if Perez is well enough to drive.
Ferrari Uses F1 Cars For Political Message In India: Ferrari has waded right into a political debate by vowing to display the flag of the Italian navy on its F1 cars in India this weekend. The famous team said the move is "in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution" to a situation involving two Italian sailors. Media reports said the sailors were being held by Indian authorities on murder charges, following the fatal shooting of two Indian fisherman mistaken for Somali pirates. So far, the regional Indian governed has refused to agree a settlement while Rome pushes for the marines' return for prosecution in Italy. In return, Italy has recalled its envoy from New Delhi, confirming its "strong displeasure" with India's handling of the incident. Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi welcomed Ferrari's support, and is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport: "This shows our naval guards that they have the support of the entire nation." Article 1 of the FIA statues says F1's governing body "shall refrain from manifesting racial, political or religious discrimination in the course of its activities and from taking any action in this respect."
Safety Car Driver Not Eyeing Retirement Yet: Although now into his 40s, Bernd Maylander said he has no immediate plans to step back as F1's full-time safety car driver. Formerly a race winner in the DTM series, the now 41-year-old has been the safety car driver since 2000. Asked by the Kolner Express newspaper if he has started to think about retirement after 13 seasons in the pitlane, Maylander answered: "It's funny, because in the last two years I have been getting that question more and more often. "The clock is ticking for all of us, but basically I can do the job for a few more years. I still feel fit enough to do all the travelling and to drive cars at the limit. Once you get gasoline in your blood, I see it as a positive addiction," Maylander said. "My contracts are ongoing and my partner is also quite happy that I am not at home all the time!"
Hamilton To Fix Dennis Rift Before Leaving McLaren: Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is hoping to sign off at McLaren on speaking terms with his former mentor Ron Dennis. Dennis, the former team boss and still the chairman of the McLaren group of companies, groomed Hamilton through the junior ranks and gave him his F1 debut in 2007. But reports suggest the pair had not exchanged a word since it was announced that Hamilton is jumping ship to Mercedes in 2013. Briton Hamilton returned to McLaren's Woking headquarters after the recent Korean Grand Prix, though, and the 27-year-old said in India: "I spoke to Ron and — me and Ron — we're planning to meet up I think it's in Abu Dhabi. We'll go for dinner, have a good chat," added Hamilton at a sponsor event on Wednesday.
Bank Wants Ecclestone To Pay Back $400M: The German bank BayernLB wants Bernie Ecclestone to repay US $400 million, the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports on Thursday. The bank claims that is the amount it lost due to its sale of F1 shares some years ago to the sport's current owner CVC, with the transaction having been subsequently called into question over the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption scandal. Suddeutsche Zeitung said BayernLB's lawyers have sent a letter, detailing the extraordinary damages, to F1's billionaire chief executive. BayernLB claims that, with Gribkowsky allegedly bribed millions by Ecclestone and now providing information to authorities, the now-jailed banker vastly undervalued its F1 shares.
McLaren Pushing Ahead With 2012 Car Development: Even with Lewis Hamilton admitting his 2012 drivers' title push is probably over, McLaren has vowed to press ahead with the development of its current car. "Realistically we are too far away to win the drivers' (championship)," Hamilton said in India on Wednesday. "If we did (win) through some kind of miracle, then I'll eat my words." Indeed, most commentators also see the remaining four races of the season as a fight only between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, with Briton Hamilton a full 62 points behind the lead. But McLaren's sporting director Sam Michael said on Wednesday: "It's not a big a decision to decide to continue development of the the 2012 car. The rule changes for next year are quite small compared to what they would be in normal years, so most of the development work we do on this car will carry over to 2013, anyway. We're going to push to the end," he told reporters during the regular Vodafone teleconference.
2013 German GP Location Decision Due: A decision about where next year's German GP will take place is imminent, according to the SID news agency. The Nurburgring is provisionally scheduled to host the country's 2013 race, but amid the venue's well-documented financial problems, it is possible Hockenheim will be asked to step in as a replacement. "We are currently in very concrete negotiations," revealed the Nurburgring's Jorg Lindner. "We just had contact with Mr. Ecclestone this week, and there was no indication that we should not be optimistic. Maybe there could be an agreement in place in Abu Dhabi," he said, referring to the scene of next weekend's Grand Prix. "And we are planning a long-term contract, not only for next year."
Hungary Looking To Secure Race Through 2021: Hungary is looking to secure its place on the F1 calendar for almost another whole decade. Germany's sport1.de reports that Hungaroring boss Zsolt Gyulay intends to secure a deal with Bernie Ecclestone to extend the race deal from 2016 until 2021. "I think we have a good chance to be one of the European tracks that stays on the calendar," he is quoted as saying. "I have to say though that we need to find the right level of investment, because the track is already very well-utilized," added Gyulay.
Button Tips Webber To Help Vettel Now: Jenson Button has tipped Red Bull's Mark Webber to play a supporting role for his title-leading teammate from now until the end of the season. Actually, Red Bull insists both its drivers — Webber and Sebastian Vettel — will enjoy free reign to push for the championship, even though Australian Webber is now a huge 63 points behind with just four races still to run. "I'll eat my hat if Webber wins (races) ahead of Seb," McLaren's Button is quoted by Germany's Sport1. Indeed, Motorsport Aktuell reports that Webber is actually contractually obliged to help Vettel now, having triggered a clause in his contract that names a maximum points gap to his teammate at a certain point of the season.
Wolff Wanted F1 Test To Prove De Villota's Abilities: Susie Wolff has revealed she carried a heavy burden when she recently made her debut at the wheel of a F1 car. Williams' 29-year-old Scottish development driver made international headlines when she tested at Silverstone recently. Some of the media attention was simply due to her gender, but Wolff's appearance took on an even greater significance in light of the serious injuries sustained by fellow female test driver Maria de Villota earlier this year. "After the publicity that surrounded Maria's accident, there's no doubt I felt an extra need to go out there, do a good job, and show her accident was a freak, one-off and it shouldn't generalize women in motor sport," Wolff told the Herald Scotland. "It was very important for me to do it for both of us and show everybody that women can drive F1 cars successfully. And I think I did."
Gascoyne Admits To Missing F1 Pitwall: Mike Gascoyne has admitted he misses the F1 pitwall. Since 2010, the former Renault and Toyota technical director has been a leading figure at Caterham (nee Lotus). But in April of this year, it was announced he was leaving the F1 team to become the chief technical officer of the entire Caterham group. Indeed, Gascoyne's name currently does not appear at all on the Caterham F1 website, as Mark Smith and John Iley now head the technical departments. "Lots of people have asked me recently why they have not seen me on the pitwall and around at the races in Formula One," Gascoyne admitted on Wednesday, after launching a new website for his own consultancy business MGI. "Although I retain an interest in F1 I no longer travel to races so hence am no longer on the pitwall," he explained. "While I miss racing as you would expect after 20 years on the pitwall, I certainly don't miss the travelling and the time away from the office and family."
Perez's Cold Could Open Door For Gutierrez In India: Sergio Perez's participation in the Indian GP is in doubt, after the Mexican failed to appear for his media commitments at the Buddh circuit on Thursday. His team, Sauber, said the McLaren-bound Mexican has a heavy cold. The Swiss squad's similarly Telmex-backed reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez, who is tipped to replace Perez full-time next season, is reportedly first in line to replace him. Reuters and Sky said Sauber will decide early on Friday if Perez is well enough to drive.
Ferrari Uses F1 Cars For Political Message In India: Ferrari has waded right into a political debate by vowing to display the flag of the Italian navy on its F1 cars in India this weekend. The famous team said the move is "in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution" to a situation involving two Italian sailors. Media reports said the sailors were being held by Indian authorities on murder charges, following the fatal shooting of two Indian fisherman mistaken for Somali pirates. So far, the regional Indian governed has refused to agree a settlement while Rome pushes for the marines' return for prosecution in Italy. In return, Italy has recalled its envoy from New Delhi, confirming its "strong displeasure" with India's handling of the incident. Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi welcomed Ferrari's support, and is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport: "This shows our naval guards that they have the support of the entire nation." Article 1 of the FIA statues says F1's governing body "shall refrain from manifesting racial, political or religious discrimination in the course of its activities and from taking any action in this respect."
Safety Car Driver Not Eyeing Retirement Yet: Although now into his 40s, Bernd Maylander said he has no immediate plans to step back as F1's full-time safety car driver. Formerly a race winner in the DTM series, the now 41-year-old has been the safety car driver since 2000. Asked by the Kolner Express newspaper if he has started to think about retirement after 13 seasons in the pitlane, Maylander answered: "It's funny, because in the last two years I have been getting that question more and more often. "The clock is ticking for all of us, but basically I can do the job for a few more years. I still feel fit enough to do all the travelling and to drive cars at the limit. Once you get gasoline in your blood, I see it as a positive addiction," Maylander said. "My contracts are ongoing and my partner is also quite happy that I am not at home all the time!"
Spanish Grand Prix
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