Ferrari 'could quit' over rules as F1's power struggle continues

Ferrari say they could consider their future in Formula 1 if the rules change in ways they do not like.

President Sergio Marchionne said quitting was "possible but very, very unlikely", adding: "Ferrari would find other ways to express its ability to race and to win.
"Ferrari cannot be put in a corner on its knees and say nothing."
The warning comes as F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is pushing for the sport to switch to cheaper, simpler engines.

Formula 1 gossip: Hamilton, Ecclestone, Wolff

Mercedes are "torn" between what Lewis Hamilton does on the track and what he does off it, according to an unnamed team principal. (The Times)
World champion Hamilton, meanwhile, has donated a racing suit to the Hertfordshire Air Ambulance. Hamilton was brought up in Stevenage. (ITV)
F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone says he hopes Sebastian Vettel wins the world title for Ferrari to "renew" the team's relationship with the sport, and describes Mercedes' dominance as "boring". (Welt - in German)
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed suggestions he has fallen out with non-executive chairman Niki Lauda as "nonsense" and "rubbish". (Autosport)

Nico Rosberg beats Lewis Hamilton in Brazilian Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg beat Lewis Hamilton for the second race in succession to win the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The German converted pole position into a lead at the first corner and controlled the race from there, despite Hamilton pushing hard throughout.
Hamilton looked faster but in the turbulent air behind Rosberg's car he was unable to get close enough to try to pass his team-mate.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was third ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Mercedes drivers' intense battle

Lewis Hamilton unhurt in minor road accident in Monaco

 

Lewis Hamilton said "nobody was hurt" in the accident "but the car was damaged"

Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton was involved in a minor road accident in Monaco on Monday.

The 30-year-old said he made "very light contact" with a stationary vehicle but that no-one was hurt.
Hamilton had delayed his flight to this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix until Wednesday on medical advice as he has been suffering with a fever.
The Mercedes driver wrote on Instagram: "I am feeling better and I'm currently boarding the plane to Brazil."

NASCAR suspends Kenseth for 2 races for actions against Logano

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota, walks through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 31…NASCAR suspended Matt Kenseth for two races Tuesday afternoon for deliberately wrecking Joey Logano in the closing laps on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

Kenseth, frustrated over a series of incidents with Logano and his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski, drilled Logano into the wall on Lap 454 of the 500-lap race at Martinsville. At the time of the incident, Logano was leading and Kenseth was 10 laps down.
That was not the first incident between Kenseth and the Penske drivers in the race.
On Lap 435, Keselowski triggered a crash on the backstretch that wrecked Kenseth's car and cost him a shot at a good finish.

Lewis Hamilton disagrees with Mercedes' Mexican GP pit call

Lewis Hamilton said he had faith in his Mercedes team despite admitting that he did not agree with their strategy in the Mexican Grand Prix.

The world champion was second to team-mate Nico Rosberg after disputing a decision to stop for fresh tyres, feeling it denied him a chance to win.
Hamilton said: "I didn't agree with the decision but the team make decisions and I abide by them most of the time.

"We'll have a chat when I get back. I have full confidence in those guys."
Hamilton's race engineer Peter Bonnington told Hamilton over the radio that the decision to make an extra pit stop was made on "safety" grounds because of tyre wear.

But Hamilton said: "There was no risk, there was nothing for me to lose. We have won the constructors' championship, the team have won, so let me take a risk, let's go for it. But we did what we did and we still got the one-two."
Hamilton had trailed Rosberg for much of the race, unable to get close enough to try a passing move.
He questioned the decision t go into the pits because staying out would have meant he retained the lead, with Rosberg needing to close an 18-second gap in 24 laps to catch and then overtake him to win the race.

Formula 1 gossip: Hamilton, Rosberg, Alonso, Massa, Ricciardo

Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen has backed Lewis Hamilton in his row with Nico Rosberg after the Mercedes team-mates' cars touched on the first corner of the United States Grand Prix. Hakkinen said: "When I think about how I would have behaved as a two-time champion in the hunt for a third, I would also have gone to the limit." (Autoweek) 

Formula 1 cars look set to match, or even exceed, the highest top speeds of the season at the Mexican GP, according to early simulation data. (Motorsport) 

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo shows his musical talent

The wet weather at the United States GP, which contributed to the lowest race-day crowd in the four-year history of the race in Texas, has caused financial problems for the organisers. Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Epstein said it was "a financially devastating weekend for the company". (Fox Sports) 

Lewis Hamilton praises 'crazy' Mexican Grand Prix 'go-kart' track

Mexican Grand Prix coverage details
Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Dates: 30 Oct - 1 Nov
Coverage: Live text and radio commentary of all three days, plus TV highlights of qualifying and the race. Full details here.

Lewis Hamilton described the new Mexican Grand Prix circuit as "challenging for everyone but fun".

The new champion joined drivers in remarking on the lack of grip of Mexico City's track but praised the atmosphere created by thousands of fans.
He said: "It's crazy how slippery it is, just sliding around, a bit like a go-kart track in the slow areas."
Hamilton and others praised the last part of the track, which winds through a stadium with steep grandstands.

A unique stadium section of the track sees the action pass between two grandstands

Formula 1 gossip: Hamilton, Rosberg, McLaren, Vettel

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Mercedes may be playing down the dispute between their drivers but Nico Rosberg still wants clarity from Lewis Hamilton on their first corner scrap at the US Grand Prix. And the German insists losing the 2014 title in Abu Dhabi was more painful than this year's championship. (Autosport.com) 

Jenson Button's wait to use the updated Honda engine goes on as McLaren tries to diagnose why teammate Fernando Alonso's power unit on the new model failed in the closing stages of another frustrating grand prix for the team. (Motorsport.com) 
Sebastian Vettel asks the obvious question about his championship hopes and Daniel Ricciardo is warned about "going bananas" in the best of race radio from the US Grand Prix. (Formula1.com) 

United States GP qualifying to run on Sunday after heavy rain

United States Grand Prix
Venue: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas Dates: 23-25 October

United States Grand Prix qualifying has been postponed after a series of delays because of dangerous wet conditions.

Race officials scheduled qualifying for 09:00 local time on Sunday (14:00 GMT), with the race due to start at 19:00.
Austin is being affected by heavy rain on the periphery of tropical storm Patricia, which hit Mexico on Friday.
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton was fastest in final practice earlier on Saturday but the cars were unable to run in the afternoon because of persistent rain.
After five delays of 30 minutes, race officials accepted at 16:00 local time that there would not be a sufficient break in the weather to allow the cars to run.

Highlights of qualifying will now be aired on BBC Two at 17:00 GMT. Race highlights will be on BBC One at 22:30 BST.
Weather forecasts also predict rain on Sunday, but with much less certainty than on Saturday and of much lower intensity.
Hamilton needs to beat team-mate Rosberg by two points and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by nine to seal his third title this weekend.
Vettel and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen will be demoted 10 places on the grid from their qualifying positions because of penalties for using more than the permitted number of engines this season.
Hamilton would become only the second Briton to win three Formula 1 World Championships, matching the achievements of Sir Jackie Stewart 42 years ago.

Fate? Jackie Stewart won his third and final world title in America, the 1973 US Grand Prix

United States Grand Prix: Renault to take upgraded engine

Red Bull and Toro Rosso will have an upgraded Renault engine available for Sunday's United States Grand Prix. Renault say the changes - which concern the internal combustion engine - will improve "power and efficiency".
However, both teams will have to accept grid penalties if they want to upgrade in Austin, as they have already exceeded the season's allocation.
It is unclear whether Red Bull will use a Renault engine next season after a recent breakdown of their relationship.
Red Bull have been heavily critical of the French company over the past two years as it failed to produce an engine to keep up with Mercedes and Ferrari under F1's new turbo hybrid rules.
A split has yet to be finalised, but it would leave Red Bull without a confirmed engine partner for 2016.

Lewis Hamilton: Formula 1 drivers' title not done and dusted yet

Lewis Hamilton says there is "still a long way to go" in the Formula 1 title race despite moving to the brink of triumph with victory in Russia.

He needs to beat Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by nine points and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by two in the US on 25 October to seal a third title.
The Briton said: "I've never felt it's ever been done and dusted. There are still a lot of points available.

"I'm going to take my time and, at the next race, work as hard as ever."
Hamilton dominated in Russia following Rosberg's retirement early on with a throttle problem, the German having converted pole position into a lead on the first lap.
"The goal is to win a third title," Hamilton added. "Until I achieve that there is no other goal. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this car.
"I love going to Austin and the track has been amazing for me since the first race. I am looking forward to it, it is a track you can race on and get close to people."

Russian GP: Mercedes seal Formula 1 title after penalty

Mercedes have won their second consecutive constructors' title following Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Russian Grand Prix. The team initially fell just short of the points required but the title was sealed when Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was demoted from fifth to eighth.
The Finn was given a 30-second penalty for causing a last-lap collision with Williams driver Valtteri Bottas.

That saw Mercedes seal the championship with four races still to go.
Mercedes also clinched the title in Russia last year. Although there were three races to go in 2014, it is effectively the same stage of the season because double points were awarded at the final race of last year.
The triumph confirms Mercedes' domination of the turbo hybrid engine formula that was introduced into F1 in 2014.

NASCAR's Kurt Busch Shirt Hits the Fan Calls BS On Clothing Lawsuit

Being accused of choking your ex-GF is terrible for business ... so says a clothing company that's suing Kurt Busch, claiming the negative publicity surrounding his domestic violence case almost destroyed them -- though Kurt says it's all a bunch of crap.
The NASCAR driver is being sued by the people behind the Panic Switch clothing line -- who say they struck a deal with Busch in 2013 to push the brand, specifically in the NASCAR community. At one point, Busch also loaned the company $300,000.


According to the suit, business seemed to be moving in the right direction -- but things came to a screeching halt when Busch was accused of beating up his ex, Patricia Driscoll, in September 2014.
For the record, Busch was never charged in the domestic violence case, with prosecutors ultimately saying there was not enough proof.

Carlos Sainz unhurt after heavy crash in Russian GP practice

Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz has escaped unhurt from a nasty accident at the Russian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard was taken to hospital in Sochi after smashing into barriers at Turn 13, approached at 200mph
Sainz posted a tweet saying: "All OK. Nothing to worry about. Already thinking about how to convince the drivers to be on the grid tomorrow."
There was no immediate information on what had caused him to lose control on one of the fastest parts of the track.

Sainz crashed at Turn 13 on the Sochi track

Fernando Alonso, a close friend of Sainz, said: "The manager texted us before qualifying to say Carlos wants to have dinner with us tonight, and we said OK, the table will be ready. If he can't make it, we postpone it until tomorrow. It is good that he is OK."

Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull hold engine crisis talks

Red Bull are in talks with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to try to solve a deepening engine supply crisis that could lead them to quit the sport.

The team are finalising a split from engine partner Renault but have been unable to secure a replacement on terms that satisfy them.
Mercedes have refused to supply them and Ferrari will not sell them their definitive 2016 engines next year.

Red Bull won four constructors' and drivers' titles between 2010 and 2013

Ferrari are offering 2015 engines but Red Bull want parity of performance.

Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has said he will pull the team out of the sport if they do not get it.
But Ferrari's position is that at this late stage they do not have the logistical or technical capacity to give 2016 engines to Red Bull in addition to their other two customers, Sauber and the new Haas team.
F1 insiders have raised the possibility of Red Bull carrying on with Renault despite everything - their existing deal has not been completely terminated and it runs to the end of 2017.
But the two parties have fallen out following the collapse of trust on both sides, and reviving their relationship would be difficult.

Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull hold engine crisis talks

Red Bull are in talks with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to try to solve a deepening engine supply crisis that could lead them to quit the sport.

The team are finalising a split from engine partner Renault but have been unable to secure a replacement on terms that satisfy them.
Mercedes have refused to supply them and Ferrari will not sell them their definitive 2016 engines next year.

Red Bull won four constructors' and drivers' titles between 2010 and 2013

Ferrari are offering 2015 engines but Red Bull want parity of performance.
Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has said he will pull the team out of the sport if they do not get it.
But Ferrari's position is that at this late stage they do not have the logistical or technical capacity to give 2016 engines to Red Bull in addition to their other two customers, Sauber and the new Haas team.

Bernie Ecclestone: F1 could be sold this year, says boss

Formula 1 may be sold this year to one of three interested buyers, the sport's boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed.

The 84-year-old has not identified the potential buyers, but said he had been asked to remain as commercial chief, a role he has held since 1978.
Stephen Ross, the owner of NFL side Miami Dolphins, has been working with investors from Qatar to buy a stake in the sport.
Investment fund CVC Capital Partners is F1's controlling shareholder.
Ecclestone said: "There has been a lot of interest and there are three [interested parties] at the moment.
"I will be surprised if one of them does not buy them shortly."
Asked when he expects to see a new owner in F1, he replied: "This year."
Ecclestone has a 5.3% stake in F1, while CVC owns 35.5% after initially gaining control of the sport in 2006 for around $2bn.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told the same conference that it is important to have a "sustainable shareholder with a long-term perspective and vision".

Red Bull & Renault: How it started, where it went wrong, what now?

From total domination to the brink of departure from the sport, Red Bull's rise and potential fall is a remarkable tale.

The road to the precarious position in which the team find themselves in Formula 1 dates back several years, to an engine supply partnership with Renault which hit problems almost as soon as it started.
That was the end of 2006 after Red Bull became dissatisfied with their previous supplier, Ferrari. Nine years on, Red Bull's options have distilled to another deal with Ferrari or quitting F1.
How they reached this point is a story of ambition, fuelled by success, turbocharged by frustration, spiced with a dash of arrogance and topped with a sense of entitlement. And not all of that applies to Red Bull.
It is a story of how the most successful team of the past five years have got to a point where, five races before the end of the 2015 season, they have secured a split from their current engine partner without having anything lined up to replace it.
On the face of it, it is a catastrophic strategic miscalculation. But, as ever in F1, it is not quite as simple as that.

Romain Grosjean to drive for Haas Formula 1 team in 2016

Romain Grosjean will move from Lotus to drive for the new Haas Formula 1 team in 2016, it has been announced.

The Frenchman, 29, has been with Lotus for four years and has 10 podium finishes in 78 grands prix.
Haas, powered by Ferrari engines, will be the first USA-owned F1 team since 1986.
"What everyone at Haas F1 Team is building is impressive, and I'm very proud to be a part of it," Grosjean said.

Romain Grosjean finished third in August's Belgian Grand Prix, his best result of the season so far