Formula 1 gossip: Lotus F1, Alonso, Hamilton, Rosberg, Perez

Financially-troubled Lotus F1 are one of three teams whose Formula 1 future is in doubt, with Red Bull and sister team Toro Rosso also considering an exit. (Daily Mirror) 

The poor performance of Mercedes at the Singapore Grand Prix is likely to remain a mystery, according to McLaren's Fernando Alonso. (Autoweek) 
But Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has dismissed suggestions that the drop in speed was caused by a change in tyre pressure after they were found to be below the minimum limit at the Italian Grand Prix. (Adam Cooper's F1 blog) 

Alonso has acknowledged that McLaren deserve criticism for underperforming this season. (ESPN) 
Nico Rosberg believes he can catch Mercedes team-mate Hamilton to win this season's drivers' championship. (Crash.net) 
Kimi Raikkonen has promised to help Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel if the German becomes a serious challenger to Hamilton in this season's title race. (Motorsport.com) 
Sergio Perez has confirmed that he was approached to drive for Renault in 2016, but feels that staying with Force India will be better for his career. (Crash.net) 
Formula 1 teams will have greater choice over the tyres they use under new rules to be introduced for next season. (Autosport) 
 
Great Britain's Will Stevens says it will be an "emotional weekend" as his Manor team aim for a top-10 finish at the Japanese Grand Prix to honour Jules Bianchi. The Frenchman died in July aged 25, nine months after a crash at last year's race. (Mirror) 

Tributes to the late Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi have been placed next to the Manor garage in the pit lane at the Japanese GP

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, who helped carry Jules Bianchi's coffin during his funeral, tweeted:  "Raining over Suzuka. It does bring back the worst memory of my career with Jules's crash. We miss you a lot my friend. #neverforget #jb17. A lot of people thinking for Jules in Suzuka. Thank you, it means a lot to his family and to the F1 family."
Sergio Perez said moving to Renault was a serious option before he committed his future to Force India. (Motorsport.com) 
McLaren's Fernando Alonso is not expecting a good weekend for his team at the Japanese GP, saying: "It will be difficult to beat our competitors". (F1i.com) 
Ferrari's recent results are "wonderful for Formula 1" after so much Mercedes dominance, says former world champion Nigel Mansell. (Motorsport.com) 
Mercedes will "think about" using team orders for the rest of the season to protect Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the drivers' championship, says boss Toto Wolff. (Bild, via F1 Today) 
McLaren's Jenson Button may have to get used to a slower pace of life if he retires at the end of the season. He travelled around Honda's headquarters on a Uni-Cub mobility scooter, which has a top speed of 6km per hour. (Daily Mail) 

Jenson Button rode round on a Uni-Cub at Honda's headquarters on Wednesday

McLaren's Jenson Button may retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season

Closed cockpits require "a considerable amount of research" before they are implemented in F1, says former world champion Sir Jackie Stewart. (Top Gear) 
McLaren and Honda have held "crisis talks" over the performances of their engines this season. (Telegraph) 
Red Bull and Toro Rosso can expect an upgraded engine for next month's United States Grand Prix, says supplier Renault. (Eurosport)