Kimi Raikkonen returned to Formula One last season after a multi-year absence. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Raikkonen Announcement A Publicity Stunt: Kimi Raikkonen did not announce his plans for the 2013 season as he turned 33 on Wednesday. A viral video on the internet, posted by an advertising agency that works with the 2007 World Champion, announced recently that the speculation about Raikkonen's future beyond 2012 will "come to an end" on Oct. 17, "when a new contract will be published." Actually, it was all just a publicity stunt for the Lotus driver's new personal sponsor, a Finnish clothing brand called Makia Racing. The entertaining video posted on Wednesday can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1GnB331WQ.

Report - Massa Raced Red Bull-Style Exhaust In Korea: Ferrari raced an all-new Red Bull-style exhaust on only Felipe Massa's car in Korea last weekend, according to the Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos. The news would explain the Brazilian driver's better pace than teammate Fernando Alonso in the sister F2012, and also the Spaniard's confidence that he is still in the running to beat Sebastian Vettel to the title despite a new six-point championship deficit and Red Bull's recent dominance. Indeed, 20 Minutos claims Alonso will be running the Massa-specification on his own red car next weekend in India. The report also said Ferrari is working hard in former F1 team Toyota's state of the art Cologne wind tunnel on a so-called 'double DRS' straightline speed-boosting system. "Hopefully, we make a little bit of a step in terms of performance and then we can fight for bigger things," Alonso, having finished third behind both Red Bulls, said before leaving Korea last Sunday. Team boss Stefano Domenicali added: "It is clear that we must make a step forward in performance to respond to the one made by Red Bull. We are well aware of that and we are working day and night to succeed."

HRT Boss - De La Rosa 'Will Drive For Us In 2013': Pedro de la Rosa is definitely staying at HRT in 2013, the Spanish team's boss Luis Perez-Sala has announced. "Pedro de la Rosa will drive for us in 2013," he is quoted by the German language Speed Week. The Spanish veteran's current teammate is Narain Karthikeyan, but the Indian has been linked with a possible switch to IndyCar. Speed Week said the presence of Karthikeyan, 35, has not brought the expected flood of Indian sponsors to HRT. The report named the team's Chinese reserve driver Ma Qing Hua as a candidate to replace him. But on Sky television last weekend, former McLaren driver Martin Brundle suggested the 24-year-old is "not ready" to make his Grand Prix debut yet. Speed Week said Spaniard Dani Clos — another HRT 'Friday' driver this year — would be a leading contender if he had more sponsorship. Jaime Alguersuari is another candidate, with Speed Week saying the former Toro Rosso driver and Pirelli tester has "put together an enticing sponsor package" for 2013. And Brundle said Caterham's reserve driver Giedo van der Garde could also be in the running, saying the Dutchman has done "a good job in GP2 and apparently has some sponsorship behind him."

Arrest Warrant Against Mallya Withdrawn: The arrest warrant against Force India boss Vijay Mallya has been withdrawn. With the sport now set to travel to the billionaire's native country for the Indian Grand Prix, it emerged last weekend that Mallya faced arrest there after checks issued by his ailing airline Kingfisher bounced. But reports on Thursday said Hyderabad International Airport withdrew the case because Kingfisher agreed to pay the debt. Indian reports said the case involved a sum of about $2 million. "The case has been withdrawn," a lawyer for the airport is quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

Trulli Turned Down F1 Commentary Role For 2013: Jarno Trulli turned down an offer to return to Formula One in 2013 — in the commentary box. That is the claim of the German-language Speed Week, reporting that the veteran of 256 Grands Prix, who lost his Caterham seat ahead of this season, was sounded out by new Italian broadcaster Sky to travel to next year's 20 races as a television pundit. But the report said Trulli, 38, turned down the punditry offer because he wants to return to competitive action in 2013. Another option for Sky was 1997 World Champion and French-Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, but the former Williams and Sauber driver said no because he reportedly "doesn't want to travel that much." Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi, the former Red Bull, Force India and HRT driver, is the latest candidate, Speed Week added.

Ferrari Would Welcome Porsche To F1: Luca di Montezemolo has admitted he would welcome Porsche to Formula One. The VW-brand has played down the latest rumors about a V6-powered Grand Prix foray on the back of its forthcoming return to Le Mans, but Ferrari president Montezemolo said: "I feel great respect for Porsche, who I consider the main rival of many of our cars. Competition is always welcome, especially when you're sure you will win," the Italian is quoted by Spain's AS newspaper. But even with Porsche rejecting the latest speculation, the German newspaper Kolner Express said all the signs are pointing toward a 2016 foray for the famous sports car maker.

Lauda Testifies Against Former Sponsor: Niki Lauda was in a Liechtenstein court on Wednesday, testifying against the founder of his failed former cap sponsor Money Service Group. Last year, the triple World Champion wore the logo of Michael Seidl's brand on his always-present cap, until Seidl was arrested for commercial fraud. German language reports said Lauda appeared as a prominent witness in the trial this week, after receiving only EUR 400,000 of a promised EUR 1.2 million for wearing the cap in 2011. It is also reported he lost EUR 500,000 when he invested in a Money Service Group fund. The famous 63-year-old told the court he had "never been so cheated" in his entire life.