F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Formula 1

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Mark Webber is no fan of the new podium procedures in 2012...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted November 01, 2012 GMM Newswire

Mark Webber says it's tough for drivers to control their emotions on the podium. (Photo: Getty Images)

Webber Not Keen On New Podium Procedures: Mark Webber has admitted he is no fan of the new podium procedures in 2012. This year, the top three drivers stand on an elaborate new podium featuring electronic flags and are then interviewed live by a former driver, like Niki Lauda or David Coulthard. But in Abu Dhabi recently, Coulthard had to apologize to the fans beneath the podium when both Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel swore. "I am 50-50 on that," Webber, Vettel's Red Bull teammate, said when asked about the podium interviews. "It's difficult to control your emotions because you're full of adrenaline, you're excited." The Australian admitted he was "pissed off" after winning at Silverstone earlier this year when he had to share the podium with "a thousand dignitaries. ... Apart from that, you also need real flags. The electronic flags look rubbish," said Webber.

Ferrari Was 'Really Interested' For 2014 - Perez: Sergio Perez has admitted there was a chance he would have landed at Ferrari in 2014. Instead, the Mexican — who was the cream of Ferrari's driver development academy — has been poached by the fabled Italian squad's historic rival McLaren. "I wanted to be at Ferrari in 2014," Perez, who will move to the British team from Sauber at the end of the year, told El Mundo newspaper. He said the signs he had a future at Ferrari were good, particularly after a meeting at Monza with Stefano Domenicali. "They were really interested in me, but now not," the 22-year-old said. Recalling the day he signed with McLaren, Perez admitted: "I jumped on my bed and drank tequila with my friends." His new boss Martin Whitmarsh, however, warned the new McLaren driver not to be too excited. "He will turn up in Australia next year with so much more pressure on his shoulders," he said. "There is an added pressure to being a McLaren driver. He might think he understands it, but he doesn't."

F1 Career In A 'Bad Gap' - Kovalainen: Heikki Kovalainen has admitted he finds his career in a "bad gap." The Finn began the season as Caterham's highly-respected number one driver. "The papers (for 2013) were almost ready for the signatures," he told the MTV3 broadcaster. But Caterham has since fallen behind Marussia in the lucrative constructors' championship, which could cost the Tony Fernandes-owned team millions in Concorde Agreement prize money. "The situation has changed," Kovalainen acknowledged. "Then, when it (the 2013 deal) didn't happen, some of the other teams with whom we had spoken were already locked out. It has left me in a bad gap at the moment," he said. Caterham is therefore considering pairing a couple of 'pay-drivers' next year, and Kovalainen said he is in no mind to start chasing potential sponsors. "In the situation I'm in, I can't do any more. It's now up to the team to decide what they want to do," he said.

Lotus Owner Says Genii 'Wants' To Stay In F1: Gerard Lopez, the owner of the newly-winning F1 team Lotus, said he cannot guarantee Genii will remain committed to the sport. In an interview with Germany's Welt newspaper, the Luxembourger laid out many of F1's problems, including the scarcity of sponsors. And amid rumors the Enstone-based team has been in talks with potential investors, Lopez was asked if the investment company is staying in F1 despite the problems. "We certainly want to," he answered. "Our involvement in Formula One is only possible if the numbers add up. At the moment they do. But if that is no longer the case, then we would have to think like business people and ask ourselves the question: 'is this still interesting for us, or not?'"

Hamilton Puts Racy Initials On US GP Helmet: Hot on the heels of the FIA's warning about foul language, Lewis Hamilton has featured an obscene acronym on his helmet for the US Grand Prix. Bild newspaper said the prominent decal on the back of the departing McLaren driver's helmet in Austin is "H.A.M." "The initials do not stand for his last name, but for 'Hard as a motherf***er,'" the German newspaper claims. Hamilton's 2013 boss, Norbert Haug, grinned and said: "Lewis is just saying 'Hard as Mercedes!'"

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