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Formula 1
F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)
Bernie Ecclestone says his potential demise could have serious repercussions for Formula One...
Legal troubles could lead F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to vacate his position. (Photo: Getty Images)
Possible Ecclestone Exit Could Cost F1 'A Few' Races: Bernie Ecclestone has warned that his potential demise could have serious repercussions for Formula One. Switzerland's Blick reports that German prosecutors could announce their intention to charge the F1 chief executive with bribery as early as next week. And the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said British tax authorities are also closing in on the diminutive Briton. It has been suggested the corruption scandal could cost Ecclestone — who although apparently fit and healthy is now 82 years old — his job at the helm of the sport. But Ecclestone told business journalist Christian Sylt his departure could have serious consequences for F1. "One day, I'm not going to be there and one of the biggest problems is I've got really, really good relationships with the race promoters," he is quoted by the Independent. "A few of them said to me, 'If you're not there, we're not there.' That's what the danger is."
Alonso Could Win Big Title Bonus: Fernando Alonso stands to win a whopping EUR 10 million bonus if on Sunday he can win Ferrari's first drivers' World Championship since 2007. The odds are stacked against the Spaniard, given his inferior Ferrari and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel's 13-point advantage with just the Brazilian finale to go. But Alonso is not giving up. "Obviously it will be good to be on the podium and score a minimum 15 points and then when we cross the line we see where Sebastian is and we try to do some numbers after that," he said at Interlagos. Italy's La Stampa newspaper said Alonso's likely reward for success would be a EUR 10 million bonus, as per his contract with the famous Maranello-based team. Nick Heidfeld, a former long-time F1 driver, thinks both Vettel and Alonso would deserve their spoils. "I think both have driven the season of their careers, which is incredible since they are both double World Champions," the German told Spox. "But even though many in Germany don't want to hear it, I have been the most impressed by Fernando. I can honestly say that since I've been in F1 or watching F1, I have never seen anyone drive a whole season completely error-free and always at the maximum." Another Grand Prix veteran, Rubens Barrichello, agrees. "Car for car, Vettel has the greatest chance," he is quoted by Agencia Estado on a visit to the Interlagos paddock on Friday. "But if you think about the experience and determination of Alonso ... if Vettel takes a single breath, he will lose the title."
Newey Denies Working Only Part-Time For Red Bull: Adrian Newey has denied rumors he only works four days a week for Red Bull. "I wish!" World Champion Red Bull's car designer, and undoubtedly the most highly-respected technical figure in Formula One, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais. "That's a rumor I've heard more and more but it's obviously false," said Newey. "Unfortunately, I'm working harder than ever, and I think that's just the times we live in. We have so much data at our disposal and we spend a lot of time analyzing it all. I'd love to be in the factory only four days (a week), but I'm not."
Sutil Returning To F1 With Force India?: Adrian Sutil is on his way back to Formula One and Force India, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. However, the Silverstone-based team's sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer denied the deal is done: "We have not signed a contract with any driver," he insisted. Team owner and boss Vijay Mallya, however, has mentioned German Sutil's name several times in recent weeks, as the team looks to replace the Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg. "I think in the next two weeks we can announce something," Szafnauer said. Long-time Force India driver Sutil, 29, was left without a seat for 2012 in the wake of his criminal conviction for assault. His return to F1 would be bad news for Bruno Senna, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Jules Bianchi and several others who were hoping to secure the Force India seat. But Auto Motor und Sport said there could still be a hiccough with the Sutil deal, if his criminal conviction causes him problems entering China, the US and Canada next year.
De La Rosa Denies Wurz To Save HRT: Pedro de la Rosa has denied rumors Alex Wurz, his former McLaren test driver teammate, could be involved in the rescue of the dying Spanish team HRT. Spain's AS newspaper said former F1 driver and Austrian Wurz, currently a 'driver coach' at Williams but also running his own company Firma Test and Technik, has been involved in talks to save HRT, whose lead driver is de la Rosa. "No, it's not true," de la Rosa said. "I believe Alex has already denied it, but I am sure he is here (at Interlagos) and you can see what he says." De la Rosa, 41, acknowledged that Sunday's Brazilian GP could be his last Grand Prix. And he warned others in pitlane about suffering HRT's fate. "Apart from McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and maybe Mercedes, the future of all the other teams is not very secure," he is quoted as saying.
Report - Mastercard Set For F1 Return: American multinational Mastercard could be set to return to Formula One, according to the latest rumor from Brazil. Russia's f1news.ru reported that Mastercard — having sponsored Lola's stillborn F1 effort in 1997 and then Jordan between 1998-2001 — has now agreed a trackside sponsorship deal with Bernie Ecclestone's company, FOM. The news follows American giant Coca-Cola's decision to sponsor Lotus from next year with its energy drink Burn, and the return to the calendar of a US Grand Prix. Asked how it feels to have secured Coke's backing, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez told Turun Sanomat newspaper: "As good as Kimi (Raikkonen)'s win in Abu Dhabi." Team boss Eric Boullier, however, refused to say if Burn will be Lotus' title sponsor next year. "I'm not going to release any more information," he said in Brazil. "Whatever it is, it's always welcome."
Alonso Could Win Big Title Bonus: Fernando Alonso stands to win a whopping EUR 10 million bonus if on Sunday he can win Ferrari's first drivers' World Championship since 2007. The odds are stacked against the Spaniard, given his inferior Ferrari and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel's 13-point advantage with just the Brazilian finale to go. But Alonso is not giving up. "Obviously it will be good to be on the podium and score a minimum 15 points and then when we cross the line we see where Sebastian is and we try to do some numbers after that," he said at Interlagos. Italy's La Stampa newspaper said Alonso's likely reward for success would be a EUR 10 million bonus, as per his contract with the famous Maranello-based team. Nick Heidfeld, a former long-time F1 driver, thinks both Vettel and Alonso would deserve their spoils. "I think both have driven the season of their careers, which is incredible since they are both double World Champions," the German told Spox. "But even though many in Germany don't want to hear it, I have been the most impressed by Fernando. I can honestly say that since I've been in F1 or watching F1, I have never seen anyone drive a whole season completely error-free and always at the maximum." Another Grand Prix veteran, Rubens Barrichello, agrees. "Car for car, Vettel has the greatest chance," he is quoted by Agencia Estado on a visit to the Interlagos paddock on Friday. "But if you think about the experience and determination of Alonso ... if Vettel takes a single breath, he will lose the title."
Newey Denies Working Only Part-Time For Red Bull: Adrian Newey has denied rumors he only works four days a week for Red Bull. "I wish!" World Champion Red Bull's car designer, and undoubtedly the most highly-respected technical figure in Formula One, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais. "That's a rumor I've heard more and more but it's obviously false," said Newey. "Unfortunately, I'm working harder than ever, and I think that's just the times we live in. We have so much data at our disposal and we spend a lot of time analyzing it all. I'd love to be in the factory only four days (a week), but I'm not."
Sutil Returning To F1 With Force India?: Adrian Sutil is on his way back to Formula One and Force India, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. However, the Silverstone-based team's sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer denied the deal is done: "We have not signed a contract with any driver," he insisted. Team owner and boss Vijay Mallya, however, has mentioned German Sutil's name several times in recent weeks, as the team looks to replace the Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg. "I think in the next two weeks we can announce something," Szafnauer said. Long-time Force India driver Sutil, 29, was left without a seat for 2012 in the wake of his criminal conviction for assault. His return to F1 would be bad news for Bruno Senna, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Jules Bianchi and several others who were hoping to secure the Force India seat. But Auto Motor und Sport said there could still be a hiccough with the Sutil deal, if his criminal conviction causes him problems entering China, the US and Canada next year.
De La Rosa Denies Wurz To Save HRT: Pedro de la Rosa has denied rumors Alex Wurz, his former McLaren test driver teammate, could be involved in the rescue of the dying Spanish team HRT. Spain's AS newspaper said former F1 driver and Austrian Wurz, currently a 'driver coach' at Williams but also running his own company Firma Test and Technik, has been involved in talks to save HRT, whose lead driver is de la Rosa. "No, it's not true," de la Rosa said. "I believe Alex has already denied it, but I am sure he is here (at Interlagos) and you can see what he says." De la Rosa, 41, acknowledged that Sunday's Brazilian GP could be his last Grand Prix. And he warned others in pitlane about suffering HRT's fate. "Apart from McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and maybe Mercedes, the future of all the other teams is not very secure," he is quoted as saying.
Report - Mastercard Set For F1 Return: American multinational Mastercard could be set to return to Formula One, according to the latest rumor from Brazil. Russia's f1news.ru reported that Mastercard — having sponsored Lola's stillborn F1 effort in 1997 and then Jordan between 1998-2001 — has now agreed a trackside sponsorship deal with Bernie Ecclestone's company, FOM. The news follows American giant Coca-Cola's decision to sponsor Lotus from next year with its energy drink Burn, and the return to the calendar of a US Grand Prix. Asked how it feels to have secured Coke's backing, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez told Turun Sanomat newspaper: "As good as Kimi (Raikkonen)'s win in Abu Dhabi." Team boss Eric Boullier, however, refused to say if Burn will be Lotus' title sponsor next year. "I'm not going to release any more information," he said in Brazil. "Whatever it is, it's always welcome."
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