FORMULA 1 - 2015

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MINARDI DOES NOT SEE HONDA IN F1 FOR VERY LONG

A cloud is hanging over McLaren-Honda at present, causing more than one pundit to wonder about the future of the Anglo-Japanese collaboration.

Former F1 team owner Gian Carlo Minardi told Il Giornale: “The (Honda’s) technical gap is significant and it is hard to see the improvements coming. At the moment I do not see a future for them in formula one after 2016.”

Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo, however, sounds committed, even though he admits the Japanese carmaker has found the challenge of the new power unit era “fiercer than expected”.

“We understand it is not an easy task, and we should not expect a radical change in our performance in the near future, but we remain dedicated to achieving the first win with this team and we will continue to make our best efforts with McLaren to achieve better results and success in the future,” he added.

That is because Bernie Ecclestone has scheduled the inaugural race in Azerbaijan next year to clash with the fabled endurance sports car race, which earlier this year was won by Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg.

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MICHELIN STILL IN RUNNING FOR F1 SUPPLY DEAL

Michelin is reportedly back in the running to become a Formula 1 tyre supplier from 2017.

It is already known that the French tyre manufacturer, like the sport’s current partner Pirelli, has been approved by the FIA and forwarded to Bernie Ecclestone for negotiations about the new deal.

But it was strongly believed that the clear favourite is the incumbent Pirelli, mainly because F1 supremo Ecclestone supports the Italian company’s approach with ‘show’-designed degrading tyres and lucrative trackside advertising deals.

It was also said that Pirelli has the backing of the teams in not wanting to switch to an 18-inch rim profile, as per Michelin’s demands.

According to three authoritative media reports, however, Michelin should not be considered out of the running quite yet.

The German-language Speed Week said the announcement of the 2017 decision is actually now overdue, indicating that negotiations between Pirelli and Ecclestone have been intense.

And the BBC reports that Ecclestone “is coming under pressure behind the scenes to pick Michelin rather than Pirelli”, as the fallout of the Spa blowout saga continues.

“Governing body the FIA is also said to have doubts about the Italian company,” the report added.

Tensions between Pirelli and leading drivers are also running high, as when Sebastian Vettel was asked at Suzuka about the controversial new high pressure regulations, the Ferrari driver insisted: “No comment really.”

And in a third media report, by Germany’s authoritative Auto Motor und Sport, it is explained that the Pirelli vs Michelin race is “still quite open”.

“The sympathies of the teams are evenly distributed” between Michelin and Pirelli, it said, adding that while Ecclestone is on Pirelli’s side, Michelin has a powerful ally in the form of Frenchman and FIA president Jean Todt.

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JORDA ADMITS LOTUS TEST UNLIKELY FOR NOW

Carmen Jorda has admitted her dream of actually driving a Formula 1 car has been put on the back-burner for now.

Amid some controversy about the former GP3 driver’s credentials, the 27-year-old Spaniard was signed this year by Lotus as development driver, and has been travelling the calendar with the Enstone team.

It was expected Jorda would actually test the black and gold car this year, but then Lotus struck its well-documented financial troubles amid the potential buyout by Renault.

Asked to assess her 2015 so far, she told the Spanish sports daily Marca: “It’s my first season and I’m happy with how far I have come.

“But my dream to test the car has not happened because of some problems with the team. Yet I know that my time will come and so I have been focused on working in the simulator and on my physical preparation,” Jorda said.

She admitted not actually driving yet is a setback, but is happy she is carrying the baton for female drivers all over the world who dream of a career at the top of motor sport.

“I am satisfied,” she insisted, “because it’s not as though you arrive and that’s it. Everything is a process with ups and downs, like now with the team problems that have not allowed me to do as was planned.”

When asked about the progress of the Renault buyout, Jorda answered: “I am very focused on my work, which I do every day with the engineers.

“I also know that our management will do their best for the team, but it (the buyout) is likely to happen.

“In the end, a F1 team is a business and if the company has financial problems that of course affects everyone. And yet in Japan we had both drivers in the points, showing that we have a very good technical team despite the difficulties,” she added.

Asked, then, where she sees herself in five years, Jorda answered: “My sole focus is on testing the car in six months or a year. It’s the only thing in my mind.”

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ALGUERSUARI QUITS MOTOR RACING TO PURSUE MUSIC CAREER

Jaime Alguersuari, who was once the youngest Formula 1 driver, announced his retirement from motor racing at the age of 25 to follow a career in music.

“I decided to stop because it’s time for change,” he told a news conference. “Something inside me says it’s the moment to take a different path because I think I have fallen out of love with this girlfriend who has been with me all these years.”

Alguersuari made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2009 at the age of 19 years and 125 days. The record stood until this season when Dutch 17-year-old Max Verstappen made his first appearance for the same team.

The Spaniard left Formula One at the end of the 2011 season and most recently competed in the Formula E electric series.

After fainting following a race in Moscow in June, he withdrew from the final races in London on health grounds.

“I could continue competing but I’m stopping,” said Alguersuari who has long spent his spare time working as a DJ and composing music, adding that he had no concerns about his health.

“I could stay just for the money but I need a change. What makes me happy is music, I am going to make music.”

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PUTIN GIVES THUMBS UP TO NIGHT RACE SWITCH FOR SOCHI

President Vladimir Putin has given his approval to the switch to floodlights for the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi.

In August, promoter Sergei Vorobyov travelled to Spa for talks with Bernie Ecclestone, with both the Russian and the F1 supremo declaring that the potential switch to a night race for 2017 is on track.

And now, the Russian news agency Ria Novosti has quoted Dmitry Kozak, the deputy prime minister, as saying talks are under way on the extension of Sochi’s F1 contract beyond 2020.

“There are also talks on moving the race from daytime to night-time, because these (night) races are more popular,” he said.

Ria Novosti published a conversation between Kozak and Putin, the Russian president, in which Putin eventually approved the plan for a night race.

“The race at night? Then nothing will be seen!” declared Putin.

“On the contrary,” Kozak explained, “what is seen is more spectacular. In Singapore, held always at night, there is additional coverage because the TV pictures are so colourful.

“At night it will be even more beautiful,” he promised.

Putin then responded: “Well, alright.”

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Button hints at 2017 stay

Just a week ago it appeared that Jenson Button's F1 career may be coming to an end, but now the Brit has indicated he will look to stay on for 2017.

On Thursday, McLaren confirmed that Button would remain with the Woking-based team for the 2016 campaign, and speaking after the announcement, Button hinted that it is the new regulations which will come into play in 2017 that are a big motivating factor behind his decision to stay on.

While the FIA have not announced what changes will be made, they are believed to be aimed at making F1 cars "faster and more aggressive looking", and this is an thrilling prospect for Button.

"For me, the exciting year is 2017," Button told Auto Express.

"There's going to be so much more mechanical grip – from what I've seen it could be four or five seconds quicker a lap through mechanical grip and aerodynamics.

"That for me is exciting, that takes me back to 10 years ago. Also, I've just heard that next year they're going to be making the cars sound a bit better!

"F1 isn't in a bad place at the moment and it's going to get better. Next year will be better and in 2017 F1 is going to be mega – I think there's a lot of excitement out there."

McLaren-Honda have endured a disastrous 2015 campaign which has seen them well off the pace, and rarely competing for points. However, Button feels that the team are starting to make positive strides.

"I've spent a lot of time talking with the team and there's very good direction there, so I have a good feeling for the future," he said.

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STR leaning towards Ferrari

Although Toro Rosso are in talks with other engine suppliers, their past relationship with Ferrari could see them head that way again.

Toro Rosso are set to lose engine supplier Renault at the end of this season after the French manufacturer opted to scrap their engine deals in favour of becoming a full works team.

That decision has also impacted senior team Red Bull Racing who are now in talks with Ferrari after being turned down by Mercedes.

And, as things stand, it appears as if both Red Bull owned outfits will switch to Italian power.

"A high percentage to Ferrari because as you know we worked with them for many, many years," team boss Franz Tost told F1i.com.

"We have a good relationship with Ferrari and we will see where we end up. Nevertheless we are talking also to others, but we will see."

But while it would be better for Toro Rosso to secure an engine partner sooner rather than later, Tost concedes it is not yet dire.

"If you ask the designers it's always yesterday!" he said when asked about the deadline.

"But unfortunately it's not the case but nevertheless if we want to be in Melbourne on the starting grid we must soon find out the position."

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Grosjean would have stayed for Renault

Romain Grosjean has conceded that he wouldn't have looked to leave Lotus if he knew that Renault would take over the team.

Renault look set to have their own works team on the 2016 grid after signing a letter of intent on Monday to buy a controlling stake in cash-strapped Lotus outfit.

Grosjean will not line-up for Renault though, having joined the new Haas F1 team.

However, the Frenchman, who has spent his entire F1 career with Lotus, has admitted that he would not have negotiated a move away from the team if he had known Renault would move to take control of the team.

"I was the first one who wanted to be part of the Renault project," he told the BBC.

"If they had come earlier I would have stayed, but I met with Haas, they made an approach and it was attractive."

While a move to a new team poses significant risk for an established driver, Grosjean has said that Haas F1's technical partnership with Ferrari made the move an appealing one.

"The fact that Haas is close to Ferrari made it very appealing. Not because I'm thinking about Ferrari in one, two or three years, but it does bring me closer for sure," he explained.

"They'll look at what we do. The better job I do there the better chance I have of getting a seat with Ferrari one day."

The 29-year-old first turned out for Lotus in 2011 as a test driver before making the step up to a race seat the following year.

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Bottas ‘would like’ more podiums

Valtteri Bottas believes he could benefit from developments intended for next season as Williams switch "some" focus to 2016.

This season's championship has failed to yield the impressive results of last season as Williams have fallen behind Ferrari in the battle to be best of the rest.

While in 2014 Bottas managed six podium finishes, this year he has just one to his name with five races remaining.

The Finn, though, reckons his chances over top-three results are by no means over as developments for next season could boost Williams' performance this year already.

He wrote in his post-Japanese GP blog: "As we get to this stage of the season some of the focus is switching to next year's car and for sure we've been developing the FW38 for a long time.

"That's the target until the end of the season – to look ahead and put us in the best place for 2016 – but if we can also find something that benefits this year's car then we'll use it as we would like to get more podiums before the season finishes. And if we can get closer to Ferrari then all the better.

"In fact, most of the tracks we're still going to this year should be good for us, so that's very positive. I believe the upgrades we introduced for Singapore gave us more downforce and worked well, so they definitively worked here [suzuka] too.

"We ran the same bits on the car at Suzuka and were competitive but, obviously, Red Bull and Ferrari have made improvements too and they'll be very difficult to beat in the coming races."

Looking ahead to the next race, the Russian Grand Prix, the 26-year-old is confident Williams can challenge near the front having achieved a P3 last season.

"We were very competitive in Sochi last year – I nearly got pole position – so I'm looking forward to the next race as it's also a fun track," he added.

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Mercedes F1 team posts £76.9million loss for 2014 season

Mercedes has revealed making a loss of almost £77million in the 2014 Formula 1 season it dominated on track to win both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd, the company name of the Mercedes F1 team, has released its financial accounts up to the end of 2014.

On track, Mercedes achieved what the report - signed off by motorsport boss Toto Wolff - describes as "unprecedented success".

In clinching the constructors' championship, and with Lewis Hamilton winning the drivers' crown, Mercedes scored a record 16 grand prix wins, along with 15 other podiums, that included a record-breaking 11 one-twos.

This high level of accomplishment that "exceeded expectations" triggered numerous staff bonuses, and in conjunction with the introduction of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged hybrid power units, resulted in the £76.9m loss, a rise of £25.8m compared to 2013.

Explaining the increased deficit, the report states "operating costs rose by £49.5m [£190.7m in 2013 to £240.2m in 2014] due to significantly higher performance bonuses payable as a consequence of the record-breaking level of sporting performance, and also increased costs arising from regulation change".

Another significant impact was a rise in wages from £49.7m in 2013 to £65.2m last year, however, the report claims the overall loss was "within the pre-defined parameters set by the shareholders".

That is despite the fact turnover rose by £21.7m [£125.2m in 2013 to £146.9m in 2014] courtesy of "higher sponsorship revenue and increased income from the Commercial Rights Holder flowing from improved on-track performance in 2013".

Mercedes is expecting an improvement in revenues for the future, notably based on its performance on track.

The report adds: "Now that the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has been established as one of the top teams in F1, the challenge is to sustain that position by continuing to compete for the championships in every season.

"The directors have every confidence this goal can be achieved given the current platform of a world-class workforce, the best race driver line-up, best-in-class technical infrastructure and support from Mercedes-Benz, Petronas and other partners.

"The agreement with the Commercial Rights Holder has provisions for significantly increased revenue flows based on sporting performance, some of which will be triggered in 2015 as a result of the team's performance in 2014.

"The directors are confident the team will meet the required performance criteria for further revenue enhancements in the coming years."

The report also claims Mercedes "remains committed to achieving cost reduction in F1 in a fair and transparent way".

It adds it "is confident arrangements can be put in place for all teams to reduce the overall cost of participation in F1, without detracting from the sporting and competitive attraction".

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Nico Hulkenberg: Too much practice in Formula 1 grand prix weekends

Nico Hulkenberg says there is too much time set aside for practice during a Formula 1 grand prix weekend and believes it should be cut down.

Currently, there are two 90-minute practice sessions on Friday followed by a one-hour session on Saturday ahead of qualifying.

Force India driver Hulkenberg referenced the format in GP2, where there is just 45 minutes of practice, as something F1 should consider.

"I am sometimes of the opinion that we have too much practice in Formula 1," said Hulkenberg.

"Two 90-minute sessions on Friday and on Saturday another hour - it is a lot of practice.

"I think I would personally find it more interesting if we had a lot less like in GP2.

"Maybe not quite as little but where you only had half an hour and you get thrown into the water.

"There would be a lot more emphasis and focus on the driver.

"Sometimes if you struggle, you have so much practice to get around it."

However, Hulkenberg's team-mate Sergio Perez thinks the current format works well.

"I don't think we have too much practice," he said.

"You only have one practice to try the long run stuff - P2 - and then you have P3 to really try the qualifying.

"P1 is useless because the track is very dirty and green and the track improves a lot.

"You have one go at both things so I don't think we have too much."

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Lotus eyes 'tasty drivers' as Romain Grosjean moves to Haas F1

Lotus is eyeing up "quite a few tasty drivers" as it seeks a replacement for Romain Grosjean following confirmation of his move this week to Formula 1 newcomer Haas.

Grosjean's departure after four years as a Lotus driver means the team - due to be taken over by Renault in the coming weeks - has one seat available as Pastor Maldonado has already been confirmed for next year.

Reserve Jolyon Palmer, Jean-Eric Vergne and Kevin Magnussen are just a few of the names who have been linked with the vacancy.

Assessing the situation, deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi said: "We know we can now publicly say 'bonne chance' to Romain who is headed to pastures new next year.

"He's been a real asset to us over the years, so we'll certainly miss him.

"We know we have Pastor confirmed for one seat, and we know there are quite a few tasty drivers available out there.

"We're doing everything to ensure we've got a desirable race seat, which needs to be filled.

"What happens next is there'll be a number of discussions in a number of places, then at some point we'll have an announcement to make."

Grosjean, who was unveiled by Haas on Tuesday on a multi-year contract that could lead to a Ferrari drive as early as 2017 given the American team's links to the Scuderia, is keeping the door open for a return to Enstone.

"I have to say the people at Enstone are the strongest group of people ever to keep pushing no matter what the circumstances. I had to think long and hard for the next step of my career," revealed the 29-year-old Frenchman.

"Part of my heart will absolutely always be with Enstone where I've grown and experienced so much over the years.

"I can remember turning up in September 2005 at the front gate, not speaking English and being very shy. Some of the people I met that day are still there.

"I'm turning a new leaf in my book, but it doesn't mean it's the end of the book, so why not come back to Enstone one day to become world champion with the team.

"Leaving Enstone at the end of the season won't be easy. I promised everyone some beers in December when I come to say goodbye to the factory.

"Until then we've five races left yet this season and I'm absolutely determined to end my time with the greatest high possible."

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'Nowhere to hide' for Manor in 2016 with Mercedes F1 engine deal

Manor sporting director Graeme Lowdon feels his team will have no place to hide when it takes on Mercedes power from the 2016 Formula 1 season.

F1's minnow has signed a multi-year engine supply deal with the world championship dominating Mercedes that should propel the team closer to the midfield pack.

With a new-for-2016 chassis, plus transmission and suspension components from Williams, Manor will find itself on more of an even playing field with its rivals than it arguably has since it first entered F1 in 2010 as Virgin.

"It's a definite step forward because it's going to be a few seconds the aero guys don't have to find, and it's also a reliable package," Lowdon told AUTOSPORT.

"There is still a lot for us to do, but having a new car - chassis and engine - is a step in the right direction for us, without a doubt.

"You have to consider we've done virtually an entire season now with a car that was designed quite some time ago."

After being hauled out of administration shortly before the start of this season, Manor was given dispensation to run last year's chassis, albeit with 2015 safety modifications, and with a '14 Ferrari engine.

The difference in next year's car compared to this should be like night and day, offering Manor no excuses regarding its competitiveness for 2016.

"At the minute we've kind of got a place to hide, if you like. Right now it's quite easy to blame something on the engine, but that is removed," added Lowdon.

"Effectively we'll have the same engine, gearbox and rear suspension as Williams, so there is a benchmark there.

"Aerodynamically they are more mature than we are, but it will certainly be a big step forward."

Although talks with Mercedes have been ongoing for some time, Manor and the German manufacturer had to wait for another of the latter's customers in Lotus to resolve its future, with a return to becoming a Renault works team pending.

"It was obviously one of the worst-kept secrets going," said Lowdon.

"But in fairness, Mercedes wanted to make sure they weren't being rude to anybody with regard to Lotus' position until the situation was clearer.

"That has obviously happened, so it allowed them to announce the deal."

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Toto Wolff denies Nico Rosberg is weak in Lewis Hamilton F1 battles

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff insists Nico Rosberg's 'nice-guy' attitude towards Formula 1 team-mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton this season is not a sign of weakness.

Since the on-track bust-up at last season's Belgian Grand Prix, which resulted in Rosberg being sanctioned internally by the team, he has been comprehensively outdriven by Hamilton.

Hamilton has won 14 of the 21 races that have followed, Rosberg just four, while the Briton has outqualified the German by a score of 15-6, including 12-2 so far this year.

With Hamilton 48 points clear of Rosberg with five races remaining this season, a third world title appears to be heading the way of the 30-year-old.

Despite that, Wolff is refusing to rule Rosberg out of the equation, and believes he has the character to haul himself back into the running, regardless of the way things appear.

"The way I see him and the way I feel where he is, he has not given up," said Wolff.

"There is no way a driver will give up unless it is not mathematically possible any more. This is what I see in Nico's case, with his character.

"Of course, we try to maintain a good relationship in the team and not have any animosity and sometimes when a driver appears to be nice it is seen as a weakness, but it is not that at all."

Since what unfolded at Spa last year, when Rosberg clipped a tyre on Hamilton's car with his front wing, the German has appeared more cautious when racing wheel-to-wheel with his team-mate and has come off second-best in their dices.

But Wolff added: "We have seen races like Bahrain and Spa where we have seen that, but it also shows how close they fight with each other.

"I wouldn't want to say there is a tendency that if they fight it is Lewis who comes out on top. That's definitely not the case for me."

Wolff acknowledged, however, that after failing to claim pole in Singapore and Japan, and given Mercedes' issues in the first of those races, Hamilton was back on form with his win at Suzuka.

"He was very dominant. It is back to the momentum he had before," said Wolff.

"It wasn't as controlled from the car's perspective as it appeared, but definitely his driving was very impressive."

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Pastor Maldonado expects 'great things' from Renault F1 revival

Pastor Maldonado is anticipating "great things ahead" as Renault prepares to return to Formula 1 as a works team for next season.

Renault announced on Monday it had signed a letter of intent to purchase a controlling stake in Lotus and return to the former home in Enstone it last occupied in 2010.

The two parties now have up until early December to conclude a deal pending a potential return to the High Court for the latter over unpaid PAYE (tax and national insurance) to HMRC.

Maldonado, recently confirmed as a driver with the team for next season, feels Renault's impending takeover is "positive news" despite the French manufacturer's struggles with its engine since the V6 turbochargd system's inception last year.

"I'm looking forward to things progressing here," said the Venezuelan.

"I've worked with Renault in the past and know they are real racers.

"I know Enstone always works very hard and we've seen what the Enstone and Renault combination has achieved in the past. Let's hope there are great things ahead."

Deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi jokingly described the situation between the two parties as "engaged to be married again", but with a happy reunion beckoning.

Renault owned the Enstone team from 2000-10, and was also its engine supplier for two periods either side of that when it was running as Benetton and Lotus respectively.

"It's interesting as we've had a few relationships together before," Gastaldi added.

"But it's positive for the sport and it's positive for Enstone that a company with the history and prestige of Renault is looking to strengthen its role in Formula 1.

"It's true we've both experienced a few knocks over the years, but we've also had some exceptional highs.

"That makes us all collectively exceptionally motivated to harness our resilience and show everyone what we can do."

Although the agreement has yet to be formalised, Lotus technical director Nick Chester is already aware of the challenges that lie ahead with testing for 2016 starting in less than five months.

"It looks like there are exciting times ahead," said Chester.

"We've worked exceptionally closely with Renault for many years in our history, so it's going to be exciting to embark on a new phase of our relationship.

"There's a lot of work to do for next year, so it's certainly never a dull moment at Enstone."

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Honda all but rule out Toro Rosso deal

Yasuhisa Arai says Honda needs to put "ourselves in the right place first" before supplying a second team with engines.

With Renault ending their engine deals with Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso at the end of this season, both outfits are in the hunt for a new supplier.

The duo are leaning towards Ferarri however there are some rumours that Toro Rosso try for Honda power.

Honda, though, have all but ruled out that, conceding they need to up their game before they can supply a second team.

"It is difficult for [Toro Rosso] to come to us," Honda motorsport boss Arai told F1i.com.

"It is difficult, looking at the maturity of the power unit it is very difficult. We have to put ourselves in the right place first."

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Mansell: No doubt Button will win again

Nigel Mansell is banking on Honda making a "breakthrough" over the winter, adamant it will lead to race wins for Jenson Button.

McLaren are nearing the end of a wretched first season back with Honda power which has yielded just 17 points.

The team's struggles led to speculation as to whether Button – and even Alonso – will stay on for next year's campaign.

But while there are still questions about the Spaniard, earlier this week McLaren confirmed Button for the 2016 season.

"Jenson deserves an opportunity to see if they can compete and win next year," Mansell told BBC Sport.

"I think this winter Honda can make a breakthrough and McLaren will be working so, so hard. They are a fantastic team.

"They've won so much in the past and, to use [McLaren chairman] Ron Dennis's words, they will win again in the future. I have no doubt about that."

But for now frustrations are boiliing over – and rather publicly.

Last Sunday at Suzuka, Alonso called McLaren's lack of pace "embarrassing" while equating his Honda engine to a "GP2" unit.

Mansell, though, says the drivers are "quite right to express their frustration."

The 1992 World Champion added: "Between Alonso and Jenson they will be a formidable team, given the car and the engine to do the job.

"When you go through the growing pains, and I've been there a few times myself, stay the course because they could have the best team and best engine and they'll have some really serious regrets if Honda get it right after they've gone somewhere else.

"Hopefully within 12 months they'll be singing the praises of the team and Honda. I sincerely hope they'll be winning races in a year's time."

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Hakkinen urges Alonso to remain patient at McLaren

Fernando Alonso must remain patient and reign in his complaints as he knew McLaren-Honda's first year together would be tough, according to two-time champion Mika Hakkinen.

The Spaniard's complaints have grown stronger race-by-race and came to a head at the Japanese Grand Prix when he compared Honda's power unit to that of a GP2 engine.

Alonso's attitude has drawn criticism from Hakkinen who insists a driver must fully support his team through thick and thin, especially when they knew in advance that it would be a difficult year.

"I waited seven years for my first Formula 1 win," the Finn told Ilta Sanomat. "He has driven the McLaren-Honda for only about half a year.

"Engine development is very slow, it is a stressful time for the driver. In my own career, when Mercedes came in to partner McLaren, the engine speed improved significantly over the development time.

"Alonso and many other drivers are very well compensated for their work. They agree to support the team through both good and bad days.

"Instead, he has already begun to rail against the engine manufacturer," he said. "But Fernando should keep in mind that he himself decided to take up this challenge."

McLaren went through similar pain - albeit reliability rather than performance - when they first partnered with Mercedes in 1995. Nigel Mansell quit the team after just two races, frustrated with the car and engine.

It took four years until they won a championship with Mercedes power.

Speaking to the BBC Mansell admits walking away was a decision he regrets.

"I have to say, unequivocally, that given the same set of circumstances what I should have done, and didn't do, is sit in the office for a day or so to have a good chat with [McLaren chairman] Ron Dennis.

"He would have helped me enormously and the chances are I wouldn't have stood down at that time. That's why I give this advice to everybody now to think very carefully."

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Wolff books RoC return

Susie Wolff will be back in the Race of Champions this year, partnering David Coulthard in Team Scotland.

Last season Wolff made her RoC debut in Barbados where, racing alongside Coulthard for Team Great Britain, the duo finished runner-up in the Nations Cup.

Coulthard went on to win the individual Champions title while Wolff was beaten in the group stages.

"Last year was a fantastic experience so I’m delighted to be coming back to the Race Of Champions," said the Williams test driver.

"It's a very challenging event, you just go in and try to find the limit as quickly as possible in all the different cars while trying to avoid mistakes – all of it against some of the world's best drivers.

"But it was great to have David as my team-mate last year and even better to reach the final of the ROC Nations Cup.

"Now we can hopefully count on some extra support in London so we'll try our best to do it again. I can't wait to get back out there enjoying the adrenalin of racing once more."

This year's Race of Champions will take place in London with F1 represented by Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Felipe Massa and Nico Hulkenberg.

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Why McLaren should have picked Vandoorne for 2016

Now that McLaren has confirmed that it will be retaining Jenson Button's services for 2016, Valentin Khorounzhiy argues the Woking squad could come to regret passing over Stoffel Vandoorne.

On the back of a particularly dire weekend for the team during Honda's home race at Suzuka, McLaren has announced that Jenson Button will stay on for 2016.

Just a couple of weeks earlier, Button had been weighing up his future on the back of a frustrating campaign.

But, as the Briton himself admits, Ron Dennis made an effort to convince him to stay and, as a result, the 35-year-old Briton will remain for another year.

With 34-year-old Fernando Alonso contracted for a further two years, McLaren's line-up appears to be set, its two world champions retained.

And that would be all well and good if a certain McLaren protege wasn't currently wiping the floor with his opposition in GP2.

Three years with McLaren

Back in 2013, McLaren picked up Stoffel Vandoorne for its junior programme on the back of the Belgian's title-winning campaign in the ultra-competitive Formula Renault Eurocup series, in which Vandoorne beat none other than Daniil Kvyat to the title by 10 points.

It was a scoop for the Woking team, and the Belgian quickly proved his class by winning on his Formula Renault 3.5 debut and finishing runner-up to Kevin Magnussen in his rookie campaign.

He then switched to GP2 in 2014 - winning his first race in the category at Bahrain - beat Felipe Nasr to finish runner-up, and now looks set to win the series in his sophomore year by a record margin.

Having repeatedly admitted that an F1 drive is not guaranteed, Vandoorne nonetheless did say that there isn't much more he can be doing to convince McLaren.

He's right, too – he's done enough convincing.

Nobody wants Button out of F1. He's an excellent character and a very strong driver – if any doubts stood about the validity of his 2009 title, he's surely erased them by scoring more points in total than Lewis Hamilton over the three years when the two were teammates.

But it seems he was more than ready to go and, while allowing that could have generated a couple of headlines like “McLaren-Honda drives world champion into retirement”, whatever PR damage it would have caused would have been no more significant than what happened during the Suzuka round.

Manor, sidelines or free agency?

Late last month, Frederic Vasseur, the boss of Vandoorne's ART GP squad in GP2, said that McLaren will have to let the Belgian go if they retain Button.

They've now retained Button which means Vandoorne could be off looking for other seats at the highest level.

It's worth mentioning that Vasseur has been linked in recent days to a major role in Renault's returning F1 works team, which also happens to need a second driver to replace Haas-bound Romain Grosjean.

There will be others in contention, including Magnussen – another driver to have found himself sidelined by McLaren's driver selection policy – but Renault have had a front row seat to Vandoorne's heroics ever since his first single-seater title in 2010.

McLaren, of course, has often stated it definitely wants the Belgian in F1 in 2016 and there's a chance it could orchestrate a one-year move to Manor, which would naturally be bankrolled by the Woking squad.

But, depending on how airtight Vandoorne's contract is, this could be too little too late.

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Dennis: F1 testing restrictions don't save money

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis believes Formula 1's testing regulations need a rethink – because they are hampering progress and doing little to reduce costs.

With progress of his Woking-based team and new partner Honda having been hampered by an inability to make changes or do testing, Dennis has admitted to frustration about the limits imposed on the teams.

In particular, he is unhappy that moves to reduce costs – like a big limit on testing – actually has limited benefit because it has simply shifted expenditure on to dyno running and factory facilities.

When asked by Motorsport.com how much the regulations were holding back McLaren-Honda's development push, Dennis said: “I think the frustration I have personally with the regulations is that virtually everything that is designed to reduce costs has increased it.

“That is primarily because the cost of getting durability is endless evaluating on dynos and test cells.

“I like to go testing. I would like to have freedom in wind tunnels. I would like to have freedom in CFD, because when you are uncompetitive you have to develop your way out of it.

“At the moment the regulations are extremely constraining in that area.”

Alonso similar concerns

The complaints about an inability to test and make progress has already been highlighted by Fernando Alonso this year – who has had his own frustrations at the situation.

On several occasions, he has cited the fact that with the way modern F1 is, there is little scope for in-season improvements.

Speaking at the Hungarian GP this year, Alonso said that the biggest problem with modern F1 was not anything to do with technical complexity – like too many sensors on the car to help drivers out.

"It is not the amount of information we get. It is that we have the hands tied for the season," he said.

"So when we put the car in Barcelona or Jerez for the first test, it is a coin in the air [to decide]. If it is competitive you will have a good season and if it is not competitive you will have a bad season."

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FORMULA 1 Stat Attack: Can Button surpass Barrichello's starts record?

With his immediate future secured - and a desire to continue beyond next year - can Jenson Button stay in Formula 1 long enough to threaten Rubens Barrichello's all-time record for Grand Prix starts?

When Rubens Barrichello hung up his helmet at the end of 2011, having racked up his 326th start in an F1 race, it seemed the record he took away from previous holder Riccardo Patrese would stand for quite some time.

At that time, the Brazilian had a 38 start advantage over former Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher, who would only go on to start a further 20 Grands Prix in 2012 before being effectively forced into retirement by the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Button, meanwhile, was way back on 208 starts, 118 off the top spot and behind not only Patrese, but also Jarno Trulli, David Coulthard and Giancarlo Fisichella as well. He did not appear to be a real threat to the record holder.

Here we are four years later, however - and Button has already moved up to third place, on 279 starts as of the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend and on course to hit 284 by the end of the year.

With 21 races on next year's schedule, Button - assuming he starts them all - is on course to fall just three shy of Schumacher's final tally of 308 at the final race, at which point his McLaren deal expires.

But, with the Brit expressing a strong desire to remain on board for the big rule changes set to transform the look and feel of Grand Prix cars in 2017, it could - depending on the size of the calendar - only take one more full season for him to match Barrichello.

He would do so at the 21st race of the 2017 season, and were the schedule expanded to 22 events, he would go one better than the Brazilian at the final race.

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Wolff doubts Volkswagen will ditch motorsport involvement over emission scandal

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff doubts that the Volkswagen emissions scandal will lead to the German manufacturer ending its widespread involvement in motorsport – even if a move to Formula 1 remains highly unlikely.

Volkswagen has found itself at the centre of one of the road car industry's biggest controversies when it was discovered the German manufacturer used trick technology to cheat emission testing in the United States.

The discovery has already forced the resignation of its boss Martin Winterkorn and, as well as leading to a slump in share prices, it will likely cost the company billions of pounds.

VW had recently been linked with a move to F1 in the near future, potentially as early as 2018 with Red Bull, but that now appears to have faded away.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said at the Japanese Grand Prix that he believed his outfit's hopes of luring VW to F1 had 'gone up in smoke'.

But despite the bad news, Wolff suspects that the rival car company is unlikely to abandon its widespread motorsport activity.

“The world doesn't stop turning and it doesn't stop turning for them either,” explained Wolff. “They have a daily business and part of that daily business is marketing, selling cars, and activating various properties. Motor racing is one of those areas.

“They do Le Mans with two brands, they do rallying with VW, and DTM with Audi. I don't think it is going to have an effect on what they do in motor racing.

“Probably what is the right perspective is that this is much bigger than motor racing. And therefore I don't see any impact on these activities.

“But who am I to speak about VW? I give you my opinion, but I obviously don't know what is happening behind closed doors.”

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Ferrari writes apology to FIA for Singapore behaviour

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has written an apology to the FIA for the behaviour of team members during an incident after the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Maranello-based team was summoned to see the stewards following complaints that Ferrari staff had forced their way past security in parc ferme after the race and then roughed up photographers as they barged their way through.

After speaking to the stewards after the race, Ferrari was told there would be no further sanction if Arrivabene apologised for what happened.

A statement at the time said: “The Stewards, having received a complaint from the Secretary of the Event on behalf of himself and the members of the security contingent at Post Race Parc Ferme, that some members of Scuderia Ferrari failed to obey instructions of relevant officials and behaved in an inappropriate manner, have heard from the Team Manager, the Secretary of the Event and the Head of the Security Contingent.

"The Team Representative has offered to have the Team Principal send a written unconditional apology to those who were affected and to give an assurance that there will not be a recurrence."

The FIA has confirmed that Arrivabene has duly written to the governing body to express his regret about what happened – and promise there will be no repeat in the future.

An FIA spokesman told Motorsport.com: “An apology from Maurizio was received and as far as I'm aware that is the end of the matter.”

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Williams F1 cockpit camera: Driver at work

A rare look at life inside a Formula 1 cockpit with the driver at work during a lap of Jerez.