Kamui Kobayashi has been replaced at Sauber for 2013 and it looks like his job will be testing tires. (Photo: Getty Images)

Melb Gov't 'Shouldn't Complain' About F1 Deal - Ecclestone: Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at the latest controversy surrounding the cost of Melbourne's annual Grand Prix. After reportedly seeing secret documents, local media this week revealed for the first time that the government pays a more than $30 million race fee to the sport, which increases by 5 per cent every year until the end of the contract in 2015. Tourism minister Louise Asher said those figures are "too high". F1 chief executive Ecclestone hit back on local 3AW radio: "Maybe it's not a true figure. "It (paying) is up to them, isn't it? I can't make them sign a contract, they do it of their own free will. (But) they shouldn't complain after they sign." Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott commented: "Melburnians have got to realize major events don't grow on trees. "They cost a lot of money to stage," he told the Herald Sun.

Glock Hopes For 2013 DTM Seat: Timo Glock on Wednesday said he would be "delighted" if he can race in the German touring car series DTM in 2013. Having lost his Marussia seat to an as yet unknown pay-driver, the German - a former F1 test driver for BMW - quickly lined up a DTM test with the Bavarian marque. The 30-year-old's debut was at Valencia on Wednesday. "I saw his first lap and noticed that he was somewhat lost," Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "But when I saw him on the track later on, it looked as if he had found his way well. He looked quite happy." Glock agreed with that assessment. "As a Formula One driver for a long time, it is obviously something completely different to suddenly have a roof over your head," he said. "Luckily, I found the acclimatisation quite easy, and the same goes for the team, who gave me a warm welcome. "I know many faces from the past, so I immediately felt at home. "It was great fun," Glock continued. "But I also know that I have work to do in order to get a feel for how to get the most from a DTM car at the limit. "For now we are doing this test, then we will see how we can take the next steps together. I certainly felt very comfortable right away and would be delighted if we could find common ground."

F1 Dream Over, Valencia Street Circuit Crumbles: Valencia's F1 foray is apparently over, with a Spanish newspaper reporting that the street circuit is now falling into disrepair. The chances the former European Grand Prix venue will return to the calendar therefore seem dim, as Marca newspaper publishes images that suggest the facility is no longer being even minimally maintained. Thieves have stripped the circuit infrastructure of any valuable items like electronic control boxes, while an access tunnel is completely flooded by standing water. "A bridge that cost two million euros is now used only by vagrants," read the report. The pit boxes have been "ransacked", manholes stripped of their covers, and wires pulled out of light posts. The last Grand Prix at the Valencia street circuit was held last July, and won by Spain's Fernando Alonso. "Now, far from the glamor, the neighbors complain that there is no supervision and that thieves have taken everything of any value," said Marca.

Kubica On 'Slow' Road Back To F1: Robert Kubica insists his dream to return to Formula One is on track. It has emerged that the former BMW and Renault driver will test Mercedes' DTM car at Valencia this week. But Mercedes' executive director and 30 per cent F1 team owner Toto Wolff insists that Formula One is still a long way off for the veteran of 76 Grands Prix, who was almost killed in a rally ahead of the 2011 season. "Kubica aims to see how he fares in the cockpit after his long break due to injury," Mercedes said in a statement. The 28-year-old sounds confident."It's not just a dream," he told F1 Racing magazine when asked about the prospect of returning to Formula One. Kubica admitted the reduced mobility of his right arm makes it difficult for him to drive a single seater at present. But "things are improving," he insisted. "It wasn't like this six months ago and it wasn't like this three months ago. And thanks to rallies and tests on the race track, slowly my condition is improving -- but there is still a long way to go." Kubica said the biggest problem is the rotation of his arm and the limited functionality of his fingers, but he said the situation is improving "even if it's slow". "I am quite sure this will be ... not fixed, but not a big problem."

Lotus To Launch 2013 Car On Monday: Lotus will launch its 2013 car on Monday. The team said the black E21 "will be the first" single seater on this year's grid to be seen publicly, with an online launch set for January 28.That is more than a week before pre-season testing begins at Jerez.