Red Bull is nearing another constructors' title. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Red Bull Can Clinch Teams' Title In Abu Dhabi: With two races still to run after this weekend in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull is on the cusp of imminently wrapping up the 2012 constructors' championship. The teams' title, which could be secured on Sunday, would be the energy drink-owned outfit's third in succession. "It's something that would be far and away above our biggest achievement," team boss Christian Horner said on Thursday. Sebastian Vettel, who cannot win the drivers' championship this weekend, admitted he was surprised when he realized how close Red Bull was to the teams' title. "I didn't know until Mark (Webber) told me on the way back from India," said the German. "We just spoke very shortly about the constructors' because we were both on the same plane and Mark said, 'It would be quite bad for the constructors' if this plane went down,'" said a smiling Vettel.

Grosjean Sees 'No Reason' For Lotus Exit: Romain Grosjean has revealed he is confident he will be staying at Lotus in 2013, even though the Enstone-based team is yet to confirm the news. Lotus this week announced that Kimi Raikkonen is staying at the team beyond this month's Interlagos finale, but that has only intensified speculation about Frenchman Grosjean's future. The 26-year-old's place at Lotus has been in doubt amid his tumultuous 2012 season, including the Monza race ban, but team boss Eric Boullier has hinted recently that Grosjean is staying. "I think the team and I are happy together," Grosjean told the French language sport24.com. "They have put a lot of trust and faith in me, even in difficult times. I see no reason why it will go wrong for the future." In another interview with Russia's f1news.ru, however, Grosjean admitted: "I cannot tell how events will develop. It's better if you ask Eric."

Hamilton Not Worried About Mercedes Slump: Lewis Hamilton insists he is not worried Mercedes' performance slump could slide into 2013. Despite the Brackley-based team's Shanghai breakthrough and Michael Schumacher's Monaco pole, Nico Rosberg's best result more recently was a fifth in Singapore, while the W03 is still a regular non-finisher. Hamilton will leave F1 grandee McLaren to join Mercedes on Jan. 1. "I'm very happy with the decision I made," the Briton said in Abu Dhabi when asked about Mercedes' troubles. "What is happening to them (Mercedes) doesn't have any impact on that," he is quoted by the Times. "People do sometimes lose their way. Even we (McLaren) have struggled in the past and not scored points." Hamilton insisted he is not only now realizing the size of the challenge he will face when he starts work at Mercedes. "I already knew how big it was going to be," he said.

Webber Calls For Better Drug Testing In F1: Mark Webber has called on F1's governing body to step up its drug testing, after a motorcycle racer was banned. Fellow Australian Anthony West, who races in the second-tier Moto2 category, was on Thursday banned for a month after testing positive for the stimulant Methylhexaneamine, the AAP news agency reports. Red Bull driver Webber welcomed motorcycling's push to ensure the sport is drug-free, and called on the FIA to follow suit, in order to ensure "clarity. ... I've always been championing the idea to do more of it, but the FIA have never really been that strong on it," he said. "The other drivers have never been super strong on it, so it's never really been a huge issue. You know, with what's at stake, the money involved and all that type of stuff, people do things," Webber insisted. "It's extremely unlikely but you never say never."

Raikkonen Happy With One-Year Contracts: Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he is happy to take his return to F1 one step at a time. The 2007 World Champion returned to the sport in 2012 after a two-year rallying foray, and has just signed a contract extension with Lotus for 2013. Earlier this week, he refused to rule out a return one day to his former teams McLaren or Ferrari. "I'm happy to do year by year and see what happens," he said in Abu Dhabi. "It makes life more easy for me, and I don't see a reason why I should make long-term contracts. If you want to decide to go somewhere and do something else it's less hassle and less problems," added the 33-year-old.

2013 Mercedes Role Still Open - Schumacher: Michael Schumacher has admitted he is still weighing up an offer to stay with Mercedes in 2013 in a non-driving role. The seven-time World Champion's race cockpit next year and beyond will be filled by Lewis Hamilton. Schumacher is quoted by Sport Bild: "There is certainly the option to continue working with Mercedes. After the season, we will sit down and discuss whether it makes sense for both sides," added the 43-year-old.

Felipe Massa accepts his role as the No. 2 driver at Ferrari. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Massa 'Understands' Ferrari's Focus On Alonso: Felipe Massa has revealed he can "understand" why he has not always been driving a car in the same specification as teammate Fernando Alonso at recent races. It emerged in India last weekend that Brazilian Massa's Ferrari was a specification behind championship contender Alonso's, and it is believed the same will be true in Abu Dhabi as well. "We have more (new parts) for me here and more for Alonso too," Massa is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace. "Let's see if it works. That's the important thing, but we may not have the same car again." Massa, however, insisted he is not complaining about Ferrari focusing its development efforts on Alonso's title push. "Throughout the year I don't remember it happening," he said. "It's a rush inside the team to try new parts and have at least one (version) ready, which you can understand. Looking at how the championship is, it's understandable. But of course it's not sensational to know that a piece is working on the other car and you don't have it," acknowledged Massa.

Senna Reveals Sponsors Committed Beyond 2012: Although his future at Williams remains clouded, Bruno Senna has revealed that his sponsors are still prepared to back him. In Abu Dhabi for this weekend's third-last race of 2012, the Brazilian admitted he is still waiting for Williams to decide its lineup for next season. "Whenever you're not confirmed by the end of the championship it gets more difficult," he told Totalrace, "because the further you get, the fewer options there are." Senna insisted that, if Williams wants to keep him, his sponsors are still backing him. "Each team has different priorities, but my Brazilian sponsors are very pleased with this year's results in all aspects and understand that this is not a project for just one year," he said. He would not be drawn on rumors Force India could be an alternative for him in 2013. "That they say that is obvious," said Senna, "because it's one of the only teams that has a seat, so it's easy to say. We are focused on staying in Williams."

Glock Advises Caterham To Keep Kovalainen: Timo Glock, Marussia's lead driver, has urged rival team Caterham to keep Heikki Kovalainen. Caterham is expected to replace Vitaly Petrov's Russian millions next year with the well-backed Frenchman Charles Pic, who currently is Glock's teammate at Marussia. But with Marussia currently placed 10th in the constructors' championship, Caterham stands to lose its projected $20 million in Concorde Agreement earnings, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. That has endangered Finn Kovalainen's seat, who like Glock is actually paid to drive. If Caterham cannot win back tenth and the reported $20m, boss Tony Fernandes is apparently considering 'pay drivers' Giedo van der Garde or Bruno Senna to replace Kovalainen. German Glock said: "If the difference between 10th and 11th is really worth $20 million to Caterham, I'd rather have an experienced driver who can protect that tenth place for me. No pay-driver brings that much money."

Ferrari 'Special' Admits Hulkenberg: Nico Hulkenberg sounds open about a future at Ferrari. Earlier, the German denied suggestions he is only switching from Force India to Ferrari-powered Sauber next year in order to pave a road to the fabled Maranello team. "Ferrari is very special; I will not deny that," he is now quoted as saying by SID news agency. "But first of all I look forward to my job at Sauber. What comes next is anybody's guess and, anyway, it's very far away at the moment. It's going to depend on everything — on how well next season goes." Hulkenberg, 25, did admit that he had some talks with Ferrari prior to signing with Sauber for 2013.

Chilton's Sponsors Ready To Fund 2013 Debut: Max Chilton is on the cusp of securing a deal to make his Formula One debut next year. The GP2 driver and Briton will on Friday drive Marussia's 2012 car during initial practice in Abu Dhabi. Beyond that, he is tipped to move into the race seat for 2013. The son of a high-ranking official for the insurance giant Aon, 21-year-old Chilton revealed on Thursday that his sponsors are now ready to fund his F1 debut. "I've managed to get two sponsors together for next year to get the whole budget together, if the seat is available, which means as a family we don't have to put a penny in," he said.

Abu Dhabi Investor To Revive French GP?: Arab investors could be the key to France's return to Formula One, according to L'Equipe. The sports daily said Alain Prost and Philippe Gurdjian, representing the Paul Ricard circuit, have travelled to Abu Dhabi this weekend. It was believed they would simply have talks with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. But L'Equipe reports that there is a chance investors from Abu Dhabi, and possibly even Bahrain, are interested in getting behind Paul Ricard's 2013 Grand Prix bid.