The relationship between Ron Dennis (Pictured) and Lewis Hamilton has reportedly soured. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Dennis Absent For Hamilton Farewell: Ron Dennis did not attend a farewell party for Lewis Hamilton last week in Austin, and he will not be in Brazil for his former protege's last race for McLaren. The news adds to the perception that Briton Hamilton — who was nurtured through his formative years by the McLaren supremo and brought into F1 in 2007 — has fallen out badly with Dennis over the 27-year-old's Mercedes switch. Referring to a farewell party in Austin last weekend, Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy wrote: "Dennis instead chose to attend what a team spokesman described as 'an important cocktail reception hosted by Exxon Mobil executives at which he was guest of honor.'" But after Hamilton won the USGP, Dennis refused to wear McLaren's customary 'rocket-red' victory t-shirt. And the 65-year-old "has decided not to travel to Sao Paulo for Hamilton's farewell race," McEvoy revealed. Dennis said in Austin last week: "Obviously the media thinks there's some issue between Lewis and I — there's absolutely no issue between us. Sometimes the circumstances in a relationship don't balance, don't match," he told the British broadcaster Sky. But there are rumors Hamilton and Dennis fell out very badly over the negotiations for a new driving contract for 2013 and beyond. "I do know what has happened," an unnamed 'senior figure' told the Daily Mail. "Everyone makes mistakes, and Ron made a mistake. Everything went pear-shaped, and I don't think it would be fair to say any more than that." A McLaren spokesman responded: "Ron and Lewis plan to get together socially in the near future, as they've both said a number of times recently."

Vettel Responds To Charisma Claim, Swears Again: Despite the FIA's swearing ban, Sebastian Vettel on Thursday responded to claims he lacks charisma by suggesting Bernie Ecclestone was "taking the piss. ... Sorry," said the reigning World Champion after clasping his hand to his mouth. "Maybe he was just taking the 'mickey' out of the newspaper." It was just a light-hearted moment ahead of the Brazilian GP, but with a championship to be decided on Sunday, it's always more serious in Formula One. For instance, reporters noted that, as German Vettel cracked his customary jokes with the media in the FIA press conference, title challenger Fernando Alonso was the only one not smiling. With a 13-point deficit and an inferior car, Ferrari's Spaniard is deploying every weapon. When asked about Ferrari's sabotage of Felipe Massa's gearbox in Austin, Alonso said he was "proud" of the decision. And he hinted Red Bull was guilty of hypocrisy. "We don't need to go too far back this year where we have had some doubts about teams and which position they will start from, depending on limits they were finding in the regulations," said Alonso. Vettel, however, insisted Red Bull takes a "different approach" to the sort of questionable tactics deployed by Ferrari. And the German also hit back against claims he has been on a title-collecting cruise since 2010 with a superior Red Bull. "As far as I can remember," he is quoted by France's autohebdo.fr, "there has never been a particularly successful driver with a very bad car."

Interlagos Needs 'Some Plastic Surgery' - Ecclestone: Bernie Ecclestone is pushing organizers of the Brazilian GP to improve the aging facilities at Interlagos. The circuit is regarded as one of the most outdated on the entire F1 calendar, and Speed Week reports that the sport's chief executive will meet with track officials on Saturday. Interlagos' existing Grand Prix contract runs only to 2014. Brazil's Globo reports that Ecclestone recently traveled to Santa Catarina, a state in southern Brazil, to hear about plans for a proposed new Formula One venue designed by Hermann Tilke. Ecclestone, however, denied he is seriously considering dumping Interlagos. "We do not have that intention," he said. "We like Sao Paulo. It's an old race track, a bit tired, but with a good update and some plastic surgery, it'll be alright. I know it will happen soon."

Ferrari Clamps Down On Alonso's Social Media: Ferrari has clamped down on Fernando Alonso's activities on social media websites Facebook and Twitter, according to the German magazine Focus. It is reported the clampdown is the result of several controversial updates by the championship-charging Spaniard, including a photo he posted in Austin of himself and Felipe Massa holding a huge gun, with a caption declaring title war on Sebastian Vettel. "There are a lot of interesting things I could tell the fans during a race weekend, but of course there is also a press department that keeps an eye on me constantly," Alonso said.

Aabar Buys Into Toro Rosso - Report: Aabar, the Abu Dhabi state investment arm, may have withdrawn at Mercedes in order to buy into the Toro Rosso team. It emerged this week that Aabar had sold back its 40 percent stake in Mercedes' works team. But Aabar continues to back Toro Rosso, Red Bull's second Formula One team, through its Spanish oil brand Cepsa. And Germany's Sport Auto reports that Aabar has now bought part of the Faenza-based squad. "The (percentage) number (of the stake) is between 49 to 61 percent," the magazine said. Toro Rosso is yet to comment.

Brazil Could Be Last Lap For Dying HRT Team: According to strong paddock rumors, Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix will be the last lap for ailing backmarkers HRT. Publicly looking for a buyer, it is reported that staff have actually already been served with pending redundancy notices that will come into effect after the checkered flag waves on Sunday. "None of us know what will happen," team driver Pedro de la Rosa, who was expected to stay at the Spanish team in 2013, admitted to reporters in Brazil. When asked about the redundancy notices, he answered: "All I know is that we are here and that everyone here has not received anything. What happens after is unknown. I hope the team continues but at this moment in time I cannot say any more."

Raikkonen Skips Thursday For Longer Holiday: Kimi Raikkonen, undoubtedly F1's most laid-back driver, reportedly skipped Thursday's proceedings at Interlagos. Normally, drivers attend media and sponsor functions, meet with their engineers and walk the circuit at Grand Prix venues on the day before the official practice action kicks off. But according to the Finnish MTV3 broadcaster, 2007 World Champion Raikkonen was on Thursday still holidaying in Los Angeles, in the wake of last weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Lotus team boss Eric Boullier denied reports the 33-year-old has not been paid all the points bonus money he is contractually entitled to. "Kimi has got all the money which he has earned so far," the Frenchman insisted.

Lotus Starting To Use New Driver Simulator: Lotus is finally getting up-and-running with a state of the art driver simulator, the Dutch website formule1.nl reports. Romain Grosjean said he got his first taste of the new technology while preparing recently for Austin's brand new Circuit of the Americas layout. "I spent half a day in the simulator," said the Frenchman. "There are still some things to be improved, because we are only now starting to use it, but if it works properly it will be of great value."

Caterham To Use 2012 Chassis Next Year - Kovalainen: Heikki Kovalainen claims Caterham is planning to use its current chassis as the basis for the 2013 car. It is expected the salaried Finn will be pushed out of the team for 2013 by 'pay drivers' Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde. Asked by the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat how he expects Caterham to go next season, Kovalainen said: "It's hard to say. But when the team has decided to continue with the same chassis for the new car, it may not be a good sign," said the 31-year-old, who as Caterham's lead driver has failed to score a single point since the team's inception in 2010.