Bernie Ecclestone is under fire in 2013. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Ecclestone 'Ready' To Agree On French GP Return: Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday admitted it is possible France will return to the F1 calendar in 2013. With New Jersey falling off next year's schedule, reports in France this week quoted Paul Ricard chief Stephane Clair as predicting a "90 percent" chance the circuit will step into the gap on the 20-race schedule. "We are ready to sign," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told reporters as he cut a cake for his 82nd birthday in the Buddh paddock. "Which circuit they are going to use is one thing (to resolve), and who is going to pay for it. That's the bottom line." Meanwhile, Ecclestone scoffed in typical fashion at suggestions the FIA's new 'formula E' championship for electric cars could one day rival F1. The diminutive Briton said that claim is "stupid. I think those sort of things are lawn-mowers," he is quoted by PTI news agency.

Perez Apologized After Korea Conflict - Button: Sergio Perez apologized after almost wiping his 2013 teammate Jenson Button out of the recent Korean Grand Prix. "Sergio said sorry, yeah," the McLaren driver told the Mirror. "To the team actually." Young Mexican Perez, currently driving for Sauber, will join Button at McLaren next year, to replace the Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton. But his relationship with Button almost got off to a terrible start in Korea, when Perez narrowly avoided contact on the first lap, earning a rebuke from the 2009 World Champion. "I've spoken to Sergio. I think his move was on the edge," Button confirmed in India. Button was heavily critical after Korea, and he still thinks Perez — and some of his other young rivals — can afford to take more care in Grands Prix. "Yeah, he can but he does not need to do that," the 32-year-old said. "It is a great opportunity for Sergio and I think he is an exciting talent for the team as well."

Lotus Team To Sell To 'Malaysian?': There are paddock rumors that F1 team Lotus' owner Genii may soon be sold. The German language Speed Week said it has heard that the likely buyer is from Malaysia. In 2010 and 2011, Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes' Caterham team was called Lotus, until a resolution was found to the F1 naming dispute with Group Lotus. And Group Lotus, no longer a sponsor of the Genii-owned Lotus team but still lending its name to the F1 squad, is owned by Malaysia's Proton and DRB-Hicom. Also having heard the rumors in India, British Sky television commentator Martin Brundle mentioned the carmaker Proton as a possible buyer for Lotus F1. But a team spokesman was quoted by skiddmark.com: "Yes, they (Genii) have been looking for minority investors like other teams, and they were close to doing a deal recently, however the deal could not be found in the end." He insisted that Proton "has never been in the loop."

Ecclestone Wants Force India Switch For Karthikeyan: Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to talk directly to Vijay Mallya about putting Narain Karthikeyan at the wheel of a Force India. Earlier this weekend in India, Mallya's deputy chief Bob Fernley ruled out signing F1's only Indian driver on the basis that Karthikeyan is not good enough. But with the F1 chief executive keen to see his sport succeed in the lucrative Indian market, and 35-year-old Karthikeyan at risk of bowing out at the end of the year, Ecclestone admitted he thinks the two sides should get together. "I think Narain should be driving a Force India but you have to talk to Vijay and see what he says," Ecclestone told the Times of India. According to India's Telegraph newspaper, he added: "I think Narain should be driving for Force India. I will talk to Vijay and see what he says."