FORMULA 1 - 2015

[MIKA27]

Bell heading back to Renault after Manor departure?

The Manor Marussia F1 Team looks set to undergo a major restructure following news that founders Graeme Lowdon and John Booth have resigned from their posts.

Whilst they won't depart until the final race of the season, one senior member of staff, Bob Bell, has already left his position as technical consultant.

Bell played a key role in negotiating with Mercedes to secure a supply of power units for the 2016 season and with Williams for a gearbox deal, putting Manor in a prime position to break into the midfield next year.

However he too has resigned, leaving the team last week. It's believed Bell will return to Renault - currently Lotus - to head up the technical department once the French manufacturer has completed its takeover.

Bell previously worked with Mercedes, but prior to that he was technical director at Renault F1 during their championship winning years of 2005 and 2006.

Whilst news of Renault's takeover of Lotus has gone quiet, it's believed work is continuing behind the scenes at a steady pace, with final confirmation on the deal expected in late-November.

[Bartolomeo]

Great track in Mexico, enthusiasm was top notch

[MIKA27]

Great track in Mexico, enthusiasm was top notch

I loved the crowd and grandstand, brilliant

[OZCUBAN]

I loved the crowd and grandstand, brilliant

I agree totally, found the race boring though bit of rain would have been nice

[skalls]

The turns through the baseball stadium were brilliant.

Still sick of red bulls childish antics. Not sure why anyone would want to do business with them. Don't really want them to go either though, mostly want them to stfu.

[MIKA27]

The turns through the baseball stadium were brilliant.

Still sick of red bulls childish antics. Not sure why anyone would want to do business with them. Don't really want them to go either though, mostly want them to stfu.

Here you go, childish antics indeed. Kind of Childish reverse psychology

MATESCHITZ: WORKS F1 TEAMS ARE AFRAID WE WOULD BE FASTER THAN THEM

Billionaire team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has accused Red Bull’s powerful rivals of lacking the “courage and sportsmanship” to supply the team with engines in 2016.

As he added another “three weeks” to his former end-of-October deadline for the resolution of the engine crisis, the Red Bull mogul explained: “The situation is very simple.

“We do not get any of the existing engines, We cannot get access to a competitive engine because the works teams are afraid we would be faster than them,” the Austrian businessman told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

So while Red Bull has demonstrated a willingness to pay top-dollar to Mercedes, Ferrari or even Honda, he says what is lacking is the necessary “courage and sportsmanship, which you cannot buy”.

It is believed the last option left on the table for Red Bull could be a deal whereby the split with Renault is completed, but the team is able to run an unbranded engine next year based on the French carmaker’s power unit.

Mateschitz did not refer to those reports but admitted there were some complicated solutions that have not been entirely ruled out, but the official line from the billionaire is, “We have cancelled the contract [with Renault].”

Meanwhile Speedweek, owned by Red Bull, gave their take regarding the Renault meltdown , ‘The reasons have been clear for half a year. Renault are not willing and able to develop a reliable and competitive power unit.”

“Even after two years of development it lacks around 80hp to the Mercedes and its reliability is of pitiful proportions. The disappointment with the performance and the posturing of the French are huge. Instead of improving after the 2014 season, Renault has further fallen behind Mercedes,” added the report.

Well respected F1 journalist Joe Saward, writing in the latest edition of GrandPrix+, predicts, “As to the engine supplies in 2016. Expect to see Red Bull Racing using Renaults of some form or other, while Scuderia Toro Rosso will almost certainly end up with Ferraris. There’s no time to do anything else…”

MIKA: Is Dietrich Mateschitz the Water boy? Same kind of facial expression...

[MIKA27]

HORNER: WE HAVE DESIGNED FOUR VERSIONS OF THE 2016 CAR

Red Bull is reportedly working on a last-ditch plan to remain on the Formula 1 grid for 2016 with team boss Christian Horner admitting they might be interested in the plan for a new supplier to enter the sport with a 2.2 litre twin-turbo engine.

“If we can’t get a normal engine,” he is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper, “then we will need something else.”

But even if that comes, it will be until 2017, and Horner has ruled out Red Bull taking a “sabbatical” next year.

Time, however, will eventually run out for Red Bull to complete the design of its RB12 around a so-far unknown ‘power unit’.

“At the moment we are right on the limit to be at the first test next year,” Horner admits. He agrees with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz that the crisis really does need to end within “the next couple of weeks”.

Horner told F1’s official that for now, Red Bull is simply getting on with the job, “We have designed four versions of the car — so one engine should fit.”

Indeed, Red Bull has at various times been in talks with Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda, whilst not even closing the door on patching up with Renault.

“So we wait until the music stops and see which chair we are sitting in — or even if we have a chair at all!” Horner added.

Some insiders believe Horner’s earlier “something else” quote may not have only been a reference to the new FIA-backed ‘client engine’ idea.

Perhaps Red Bull is trying to buy a fleet of unbranded Renault engines to run independently of the French carmaker.

When asked if simply patching up the broken deal with Renault is an option for 2016, Horner answered: “I don’t think you can discount anything right now. But it has to be a different relationship.”

Another hope is that Honda – perhaps with Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt’s help – will manage to convince Ron Dennis to drop his veto of a Red Bull deal.

“I’ve always said that we are always open,” Honda’s F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai told Speed Week correspondent Agnes Carlier in an interview. “So we are currently in talks.

“It is my responsibility to listen to these questions and respond to them. No matter what happens, it will not alter the fact that McLaren is the official Honda factory team,” the Japanese added.

[MIKA27]

LAUDA TO QUIT MERCEDES AMID INTERNAL FEUDING?

The simmering feud between Mercedes’ two drivers is not the only tension in the Mercedes motor home at present.

Team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda hailed Nico Rosberg’s Mexican Grand Prix victory as well deserved, “I congratulate him that he has fought back from where he was before. In all respects, he was better than Lewis in Mexico.”

At the same time, reports have emerged that not all is well in the relationship between Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and Lauda. After Mexico, as Lauda conducted interviews with the media, Wolff reportedly called off his post-race press duties and rushed out of the circuit.

A Mercedes PR chief hinted at the discord by insisting that Lauda is not an official team spokesman.

“Sources have told The Times that Lauda is considering quitting the team, possibly as soon as the end of the season,” the London-based newspaper said.

Lauda has also faced pressure with regards to his dual role in the sport, namely his involvement at management level with Mercedes, while being a pundit for RTL at the same time. Critics have cited a conflict of interest with regards to these two high profile positions.

Meanwhile Rosberg bounced back at Hamilton with victory in Mexico, the enmity between the pair was clear to see as they reluctantly shook hands.

“I’m not going to comment on that. I’ll let you judge,” the German said.

Many put the renewed tension down to the fact that, with his new title crown only just fitted, Hamilton simply did not enjoy being beaten.

“Rosberg has what it takes to take on Hamilton,” Italy’s Corriere dello Sport surmised after Mexico. And Spain’s Diario Sport added: “Rosberg ended the tyranny of Hamilton.”

Also clear is that Hamilton was not happy to have been ordered into the pits whilst arguing that his tyres were still good.

And it was not only the Briton who suspected it cost him victory, as Spain’s El Mundo said it looked like “a gift from Mercedes” to Rosberg.

“Mercedes did not let Hamilton choose the strategy, therefore protecting Rosberg,” the sports daily Marca added.

Speaking to British reporters on Monday, Hamilton agreed: “The team has felt the need to be extra warm (to Rosberg).

“I know what I mean, but I’m not going to say. You should ask Toto (Wolff) and Niki (Lauda) how they feel about it. About what they have to do behind the scenes to keep him happy,” the triple world champion added.

[MIKA27]

SUSIE WOLFF TO RETIRE FROM MOTORSPORT

Williams have confirmed that following four successful years with the team, Susie Wolff will retire from competitive motorsport at the end of the 2015 season.

Since being appointed as Development Driver in April 2012, Susie has worked closely with the team over the years before being promoted to Official Test Driver in 2015. Her role has seen her play a big part in the development of the FW35, FW36 and FW37 through extensive simulator work alongside getting behind the wheel for straight line aerodynamic tests and during numerous test days.

This culminated in her driving the FW36 during FP1 at the 2014 British and German Grands Prix, becoming the first female driver to drive in a Grand Prix weekend for two decades.

Speaking on her recent news Susie said: “I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula 1 car. It has been great to work with everyone at the team, both at Grove and trackside, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at Williams. I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future.”

Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Susie over the years and see her develop as a driver within the team. Her feedback and knowledge of the car has been an important part our recent development and we will be sorry to see her go. We want to thank her for all her efforts and wish her the very best for her future endeavours. We will of course be supporting both Susie and Felipe at the Race of Champions, and hope Susie has a great weekend to mark the last time we see her race.”

MIKA: No offence but was Suzie "In Motorsport..?"

[MIKA27]

F1 DRIVERS SYMPATHISE WITH PLIGHT OF ALONSO

Two Formula 1 drivers, past and present, have sympathised with the current plight of Fernando Alonso who is toiling at the back of the grid.

The Spaniard is acknowledged to be one of the very best and highest paid drivers on the grid, but at present he is languishing down the pack amid what F1 commentator Martin Brundle says is now a McLaren-Honda crisis.

“Fernando is my hero!” declared former Williams and McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya. “I don’t know how he bears it. I know I couldn’t – it must be so hard for a driver like him.”

Montoya, who switched to Nascar and then Indycar following an acrimonious split with McLaren a decade ago, told Spain’s AS newspaper he also thinks Alonso’s recent radio outbursts are forgivable.

“I fully understand his frustration,” said the Colombian. “He is an extraordinary driver and what happened in Japan with those radio messages is just logical — I would have done the same.”

Montoya, now 40, said Alonso is clearly one of the best drivers in F1 today.

“I think Vettel is the most complete and the hardest working,” he said, “but as for the speed it is Alonso. Hamilton is a balance between Vettel and Alonso, which is why he is doing well.”

Meanwhile, current Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo also commented to El Pais on Alonso’s situation, “I don’t know how he deals with it. It must be a matter of changing perspective. I have talked a little about it with Jenson (Button), about how he can stay motivated.”

“I’m sure it’s not easy but you just have to change your perspective I suppose and appreciate other things. On Sundays you’re not where you want to be, but the rest of the circus is fun,” added Ricciardo.

[MIKA27]

HONDA NOT KEEN ON FIA BACKED TWO ENGINE FORMULA PROPOSAL

Honda does not like the sound of the FIA’s client engine idea for Formula 1 which may make it onto the grid in 2017.

Although struggling at present, the Japanese carmaker’s F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai said Honda decided to return to the sport with McLaren after a six-year break because of the current turbo V6 ‘power unit’ regulations.

But to help teams struggling with the high price of buying that technology, FIA president Jean Todt has backed Bernie Ecclestone’s idea of bringing in an independent supplier of a cheaper, 2.2 litre twin-turbo engine.

“If the FIA wants to bring in an entirely new engine, that means there will be two different engines in Formula 1,” Arai-San told Speed Week.

“That will be difficult. Two different engines on the track will make formula one less interesting and exciting.”

Some, however, believe Todt is only backing Ecclestone’s proposal because other efforts to encourage the existing manufacturers to lower their prices for customers have failed.

Sensing that political move, Force India’s Vijay Mallya says: “If the FIA feels that an engine should cost six or seven million euros, this gives me a little foot in the door to ask my friend Toto (Wolff) for a discount.”

But Arai-San said the cost issue is not quite that simple.

“If you name a price, you have to understand what it covers,” he told correspondent Agnes Carlier. “The situation is complex.

“So we need clarity about what the 12 million mentioned by Jean Todt will cover. Maintenance, support at the track, other things?”

[MIKA27]

AMID RED BULL CRISIS RICCIARDO EYES NASCAR RACE

Daniel Ricciardo may already be lining up an alternative in the event he is left without a car to race in Formula 1.

Red Bull has declared that if it can find an engine to use next year, Australian Ricciardo and his current teammate Daniil Kvyat “are under contract” for 2016.

“Ricciardo’s contract is fixed and all the options are on our side with Kvyat,” team boss Christian Horner said in Mexico, confirming that the Russian is definitely staying.

But Horner also hinted that Red Bull is now mere days from running out of time to get a car ready for the first winter test next February.

Amid the team’s engine supply crisis, well-known Nascar star Dale Earnhardt jr invited Ricciardo as well as MotoGP’s Nicky Hayden to race one of his Xfinity cars “on a road course at any time”.

Ricciardo replied on Twitter: “Ok, I’m looking at the 2016 calendar asap!”

And the 26-year-old told Auto Action correspondent Dan Knutson: “Unofficially I’d love to, let’s see what happens.

“I’ll sort out my immediate future with the (Red Bull) team and see where we are for next year first.”

The most obvious opening for Ricciardo’s debut would be the Watkins Glen race, coinciding with F1’s summer break next August.

Also reportedly interested in a Nascar race is Romain Grosjean, the new Haas driver whose team founder Gene Haas also co-owns the Stewart-Haas outfit.

“That would be pretty good,” Ricciardo said. “Party at the Glen — it sounds good.”

Meanwhile, amid the uncertain future of F1’s Red Bull-owned teams, the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad said Max Verstappen is nonetheless relocating from his current home in Belgium to the tax haven of Monaco.

“He is waiting for a residence permit,” said the report, “which is likely to be issued at the end of the year.”

[MIKA27]

VETTEL MYSTIFIED BY DEMISE OF F1 INTEREST IN GERMANY

Four time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel says the declining interest in formula one of his home nation Germany is a mystery.

His comments follow the popular return after more than two decades of the grand prix in Mexico City, where a more-than-capacity 134,000 exuberant fans turned the post-race podium celebrations on Sunday into an unprecedented spectacle.

“In terms of the organisation and the fans, it’s the best race I’ve ever seen,” said F1 legend Niki Lauda.

Welt newspaper, meanwhile, cited race organisers in declaring that 300,000 tickets for the Mexican race could have been sold if the renovated track could accommodate them.

It is believed more grandstands will be built for 2016. It is all in stark contrast to the beleaguered German grand prix, which fell off the calendar this year amid sharply declining local interest.

Hockenheim is returning next year, but the promoter is scrambling to merely break even, and the future is clouded.

“Maybe the fans are a little tired (of F1), or perhaps the tickets are too expensive,” Germany’s quadruple world champion and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel said. “Honestly I don’t know what’s wrong. It’s a mystery.”

High ticket prices is surely not the answer, as the Mexicans paid only slightly less than the Germans, despite Mexico’s 46 per cent poverty rate.

Vettel added: “I think I saw more German flags in Mexico than I do in Germany. In the past the races in Germany were great, but not for the past few years.”

“It’s a pity to see fewer and fewer Germans come to the races, even though German drivers are fighting for victories. It doesn’t get better than that! Other countries show us that people in general still have passion for this sport,” said Vettel.

[MIKA27]

Hellmund working on second F1 race in America

Tavo Hellmund has revealed that he is working on a new project based in the United States, with more information set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Hellmund was instrumental in bringing Formula 1 back to America at the Circuit of the Americas and also worked on reviving the Mexican GP, which went ahead for the first time in 23 years just last weekend.

It's well known that Bernie Ecclestone is keen to see more races in the U.S., he even financially supported the New Jersey GP, however that failed to get off the ground.

Hellmund told NBC this week that he is now focusing his attention on a new race in North America.

"We're looking at a project that's probably two weeks away from being able to talk about it," said Hellmund. "It would be in North America."

Meanwhile the American is also known to have headed up a consortium which looked at buying into the Manor Marussia team. However their bid was rejected by current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick.

But that hasn't stopped Hellmund, who added that team ownership still remains a possibility.

"[We're] looking also at maybe making an investment with a team," he noted.

[MIKA27]

Verstappen regrets conservative race strategy

Max Verstappen says committing to a two-stop strategy for the Mexican Grand Prix was an overly conservative approach but was satisfied with his Toro Rosso's race pace to claim his ninth top ten finish of the year.

The Toro Rosso driver produced a solid but unspectacular race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and felt despite having the speed to match the cars in front of him his race was slightly compromised by stopping twice when he could have pushed for a more aggressive tyre strategy.

“We were quite quick, quite fast, especially in the first two stints of the race,” Verstappen said. “We decided to go to a two stop and immediately I saw that the one stop was the right option probably but we'd committed to a two stop.

“We were quite fast on track, saving a lot of brakes and the engine, without pushing at all during the whole race until the last stint where we put on another set of soft tyres and all of sudden, I don't know why, we lost like two seconds per lap.

“We managed to pass a Force India, we managed to undercut Perez. I was really quick at the beginning and the middle part of the race until the safety car; then after the safety car we suddenly lost two seconds of performance.”

Despite his frustrations, the rookie secured another points finish - his ninth of 2015 - to strengthen his position in the top ten of the F1 Drivers' Championship.

Verstappen has already outscored Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne in their debut F1 seasons with Toro Rosso and currently holds tenth in the standings, two points ahead of Romain Grosjean.

[MIKA27]

Grosjean: Good to score, if only one point...

Romain Grosjean says he is pleased to come away from the Mexican Grand Prix with a points finish after struggling for grip on the soft compound Pirelli tyres.

The Lotus driver says he had to compensate for a lack of grip on the option tyres for the whole race weekend which prevented him from making any substantial progress through the field, but sees his solitary point for tenth place as a suitable reward for his efforts.

“It's good to score, even if it was only one point,” Grosjean said. “It was a long race and not easy as there was a lot to manage. The car was good on medium tyres, less so on softs. The safety car meant it was too risky not to come in and that meant finishing the race on the soft compound.

“This weekend was all about finding the grip and the track was definitely improving massively throughout the race. I think next year will be even more fun to drive once the grip has improved.”

After a difficult race in Mexico, Grosjean felt it was important for F1 to return to the country after a 23-year absence and with the weekend being a massive hit with the fans he expects the event to go from strength to strength next season.

“It was great to see so many people here today,” he said. “They are huge F1 fans and so knowledgeable. It was a pleasure to race in front of them, especially in the awesome stadium area where everyone was so passionate.”

[MIKA27]

Sauber's brake issues 'tough' for Nasr

Felipe Nasr has rated his Mexican Grand Prix as a 'tough' learning experience after he was forced to retire due to a major brake problem.

Both Sauber cars had been struggling to cool its brakes at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez due to the lack of air at the highest altitude of the season. The Brazilian driver says he had no option but to retire his car after feeling his brakes completely let go.

After a dressing down from team principal Monisha Kaltenborn because of the collision with his team-mate Marcus Ericsson the week before at the US GP, Nasr was determined to make amends in Mexico and says he did his best to save his brakes before the situation turned dangerous.

“It was a tough race,” Nasr said. “I was not able to finish the race due to brake issues. I did my best to manage them, but they got to a critical point. I had to stop the car in Turn 13. It is a shame, not only for myself, but also for the team as we all lose together. We need to find a solution for this issue.”

Kaltenborn accepted it was a tricky race for Sauber with its brake cooling problems and hopes the team find a solution to prevent a repeat situation.

“We knew that the race would be difficult, as expected, the brakes were the major challenge,” Kaltenborn confirmed. “Both drivers did their best, but, unfortunately, Felipe was not able to finish the race, whereas Marcus managed the situation well. However, his performance remains unrewarded finishing in 12th.”

Nasr's failure in Mexico was the first time the F1 rookie hasn't been able to secure a classified finish in 2015, with the exception of British Grand Prix where he failed to make the start of the race.

[MIKA27]

Haas "would have taken Magnussen" if Grosjean said no

Kevin Magnussen would have landed a race seat at the Haas Formula 1 team in 2016, if Romain Grosjean had not accepted a deal.

The Danish driver held talks with the new American outfit about a potential return to racing, having spent this season on the sidelines as McLaren reserve driver.

In the end, Haas elected to take Grosjean, who had run out of patience with Lotus amid the protracted talks regarding a takeover by Renault.

Speaking to the official F1 website, team owner Gene Haas said that Magnussen had been highly-regarded – and would have been slotted in if Grosjean had stayed put.

"We talked to Magnussen, who was a very good candidate," Haas said. “He was very well-respected by the McLaren team. In fact, if Romain had declined, we would have taken Magnussen as the primary seat."

Grosjean's chance at Haas came after the team held lengthy talks with Nico Hulkenberg about joining them for 2016.

In the end, the German chose to stay at Force India and signed a new two-year deal with the Silverstone-based outfit.

Magnussen's failure to land a drive at Haas appears to have frozen him out of the F1 driver market for next year - with Manor now the only team with obvious vacancies.

MIKA: If they wanted Magnussen so much, why not give him the second seat instead of the Harry Potter look alike Gutierrez?

[MIKA27]

Renault personnel begin work at Lotus F1 team's Enstone base

Renault personnel have already started to integrate themselves back at Enstone ahead of the return of its works team to Formula 1 next season, Autosport can reveal.

Autosport can also confirm that after resigning a fortnight ago from his technical consultant role with Manor, Bob Bell is set for an imminent return to Renault as its planned takeover of Lotus continues.

Bell previously worked for Renault at Enstone from 2001-10, primarily as technical director and briefly as acting team principal following the 'crashgate' scandal, prior to joining Mercedes for four seasons from early 2011.

Renault announced after the Japanese Grand Prix five weeks ago its intent to take a majority shareholding in Lotus so it could return to factory team status rather than being purely an engine supplier.

Bell's appointment is part of a recruitment drive as Renault slowly completes a buy-out that is expected to be concluded over the next few weeks.

Speaking to Autosport about recent progress, Lotus deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi said: "There were a number of meetings that took place right after Singapore.

"We had various people [from Renault] coming across to Enstone and meeting with our people.

"They sent people across to help us continue the development of next season's car, and we've had marketing and administration people, to finish off bits and pieces and to keep us moving."

As for the day when Lotus officially becomes Renault again, Gastaldi added: "Renault is one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, and there are procedures.

"They have been through the due diligence process, the [Lotus] board accepted and now they are on board already, working, pushing.

"It's an ongoing situation, and I can understand when people keep asking 'Why is it [the deal] not done yet?'

"The reason is we cannot dance faster than the music. We have to be patient and go with what is happening."

[MIKA27]

BOTTAS: KIMI IS A GOOD DRIVER, THERE’S NOTHING PERSONAL

Valtteri Bottas has moved to play down a potential controversy billed especially in his native country as the ‘Clash of the Finns’.

Bottas’ first crash with fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen was in Russia, with the sequel in Mexico last weekend described by some as a revenge move by the Williams driver.

Afterwards, their post-race comments played out as an extended fight via the media, but Bottas insists the episode was not “personal”.

“We obviously had different views, but that’s ok, everyone is entitled to that,” the 26-year-old told UOL Esporte.

“It will not change the way I drive against him,” Bottas insisted, “so nothing changes. I think he’s a good driver and no, there’s nothing personal.”

Bottas’ comments come in the wake of an intense reaction to the Russia-Mexico clashes, particularly within his and Raikkonen’s native Finland.

“Honestly, I don’t know what has been discussed on the internet in Finland,” Bottas insists. “I made the mistake in the past to read something and I decided not to go back! Of course, in Finland, I know that Kimi has a lot more fans than I do, but that’s ok.”

Both Bottas and Raikkonen have played down the need to get together to sort out the dispute, but another famous Finn believes the pair should consider it.

“I know from my time that I had discussions with many drivers when I or someone else has made a mistake,” two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, involved now in Bottas’ management, told Ilta Sanomat newspaper.

“In general, these discussions have resulted in at least some sort of consensus, so I hope that occurs now between Kimi and Valtteri,” he added.

“They are professional drivers and adults and I believe that things will be done in the right way,” said Hakkinen.

[MIKA27]

RED BULL AND RENAULT EMERGE FROM DIVORCE WITH A PLAN

The plans of two embattled Formula 1 camps are finally beginning to take a positive shape for the 2016 Formula 1 season, when recently news appeared bleak.

In recent days, the financially-struggling team Lotus’ buyout by Renault looked set to collapse, while Red Bull is on the verge of being pushed out of F1 amid four engine suppliers unwilling to work with the energy drink stable.

But the latest tale from the paddock is that Red Bull looks set to keep racing next year by using an unbranded Renault engine run independently of the French carmaker.

It appears Red Bull and Renault, who are officially splitting, have now agreed a separate deal whereby the team can complete its unbranded ‘power unit’ next year with its own energy recovery expertise, with the possible support of Mario Illien and the Austrian engine specialists AVL.

The possibility has been strengthened by news that Red Bull will finally run the latest specification of Renault’s 2015 power unit – which could form the basis of the unbranded engine for 2016 – next weekend in Brazil.

“We will probably have the new engine version at least in one car,” Helmut Marko confirmed to Speed Week.

At the same time, Renault’s plans to complete its split with Red Bull and continue in Formula 1 next year as a ‘works team’ now appear back on track.

The delay in the completion of the Lotus buyout had triggered rumours the deal could collapse, but reports now suggest the first Renault staff are now starting work at Enstone.

And it is believed the destination of Bob Bell, who has now left his role as technical consultant at Manor, is among the top management of the new Renault works team.

Auto Hebdo claims that Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is poised to rubber-stamp the Lotus deal this week, preceding an official announcement.

The report claims Renault may then decide to continue with Lotus team branding, regarding 2016 as a year of transition with Pastor Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer at the wheel.

[MIKA27]

MASSA: I WILL STOP IF I AM NOT IN A COMPETITIVE TEAM

Felipe Massa says he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of next year if he cannot secure a competitive seat.

Behind Kimi Raikkonen, 36, and Jenson Button, 35, the 34-year-old Brazilian Massa is the third-oldest driver in formula one today.

Massa has been on the grid since 2002, meaning that 2016 will be his fifteenth consecutive world championship campaign, including eight years at Ferrari.

But it is his strong form this year alongside Valtteri Bottas, a highly-rated 26-year-old Finn, that has earned Massa at least one more year at Williams.

“Next year will be the last of my contract,” he confirmed to UOL Esporte, “so I think it will be the most important season to understand if I continue or not. If I have the chance to race on a competitive team, I stay. Otherwise, I stop.”

“I will be in F1 if I have a team like Williams, where I am very happy to drive and they are also happy to have me. When you love working somewhere and feel loved as well, that is what gives the motivation to continue,” he added.

But if the 11-time grand prix winner does call time on his career at the end of next season, Massa says he will walk out of the paddock with his head high.

“I don’t think I will be afraid to stop,” said Massa. “I think I’ll be fine as I know that everyone has to stop at some point. But I don’t think that time has come yet.”

For that reason, Massa says he is not yet putting his mind to making clear plans for his post-F1 life, “I don’t know if I’ll move back to Brazil or stay in Monaco. I love Miami, maybe I’ll go to live there. I have time to think about it.”

Asked if Nascar might be a post-F1 option for Massa, he answered: “They race too much! I think my family would kill me if I was racing every weekend.”

[MIKA27]

REVAMPED INTERLAGOS SHOULD IMPRESS F1 WORLD

Formula 1 team equipment is beginning to arrive at an upgraded Interlagos circuit ahead of next weekend’s penultimate round of the 2015 season.

Bernie Ecclestone joined Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad at the circuit on Wednesday to inspect the brand new team office building and slightly expanded paddock area.

“It was the worst circuit for the teams to work at,” the F1 supremo was quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “so the teams will be happy.

“In the past I was upset that the teams did not have a good place to work but it has improved this year,” he added. “I don’t want to say I was surprised, because the work was planned to happen over a year ago and was delayed.”

The next phase of the work, scheduled to be completed ahead of the 2016 race, is the construction of a brand new pit and paddock complex, giving teams triple the space enjoyed at present.

“The original plan was to build the new pits next to the back straight,” Haddad said, “but it was better evaluated and it is fine where it is.”

Ecclestone, meanwhile, said he is happy Haddad reacted to his complaints in order to safeguard Brazil’s traditional and long-standing place on the calendar.

“We have been here (in Brazil) for more than 40 years, never missing a year,” Ecclestone said. “I hope it continues like that.”

It is reported that Ecclestone and his wife, Brazilian citizen Fabiana Flosi, own a gourmet coffee farm in Sao Paulo state. “I do feel a little Brazilian,” the 85-year-old Briton smiled.

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ECCLESTONE WANTS ARGENTINA ON F1 CALENDAR

Bernie Ecclestone wants to take Formula 1 back to Argentina but is waiting to see who wins presidential elections later this month, according to Lotus deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi.

Gastaldi, an Argentine whose family was involved in promoting the last grand prix in Buenos Aires in 1998, said his brother Marcos had been discussing a new proposal with Ecclestone.

“Bernie had this idea to wait and see what happens with the election which is in a couple of weeks. So we might have a good chance,” he told Reuters at last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

“Some homework is being done this year and we might be able to work things out if it’s the right environment. We have a good group behind us (so) that if Bernie is happy with the new official environment it could work out.

“The racetrack is there. Yes, it needs changes but if we manage to bring some comfort to Mr Ecclestone, and we manage also to give him all the guarantees from the government and promoter, it could happen soon.”

Opposition candidate Mauricio Macri, the mayor of Buenos Aires and an advocate of free markets, is standing against ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli in the Nov. 22 run-off to replace outgoing leftist president Cristina Fernandez.

Ecclestone confirmed to Reuters separately that talks were ongoing. “It can happen. Not will, can,” he said.

Argentina in 1953 became the first country outside Europe to host a championship grand prix, excluding the Indianapolis 500 which counted as a round despite few Formula One drivers attending, and hosted 20 races.

The local hero and five times world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who died in 1995, won four times in a row between 1954 and 1957 at a time when the grand prix was heavily supported by populist president Juan Peron.

The race dropped off the calendar after 1981, with Britain and Argentina at war over the disputed Falklands Islands (Malvinas), but returned in 1995 with Britain’s Damon Hill winning twice and Michael Schumacher triumphant in 1998.

The only current Formula One races held in Latin America are Brazil — the next round on the calendar — and Mexico which returned this year for the first time since 1992.

“Bernie is very keen to bring back the race in Argentina because he knows there’s a great deal of fans. It would be the same as coming to Mexico,” said Gastaldi.

“The thing is that it has to be the right environment and then I’m sure that if Bernie is happy with the proposal we can move on.”

Mexico’s return was hailed as a great success, with 135,000 people attending on the Sunday alone and creating a lively atmosphere.

The Argentine Grand Prix also drew massive crowds in the eras of Fangio and Carlos Reutemann, but foundered on the rocks of economic crisis and political upheaval.

“We were organizing the grand prix with my family and two friends back in the 90s. it was an independent business, no involvement with the government or city hall. Just a company that we put together to promote the grand prix,” said Gastaldi.

“The environment in my country didn’t work, didn’t help. So we decided to stop organizing the grand prix.

“We had a 14 years contract with Bernie that we signed and Bernie realized that it was very heavy to try to move forward for us and so he gave us the rain check to cancel the contract,” he added.

Gastaldi, whose role at Lotus beyond 2015 remains uncertain with the struggling team set to be taken back by former owners Renault, said 85-year-old Ecclestone favoured going back to the old racetrack in Buenos Aires.

“Bernie believes that it makes more sense to go to the main city, like in the old days. You have the infrastructure, logistics,” he said.

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Montoya sympathises with Alonso

Juan Pablo Montoya says it is frustrating to see someone of Fernando Alonso's calibre struggling at the wrong end of the grid.

The 2015 season has been a disastrous one for Alonso and McLaren as their new power unit partner Honda has failed to come to grips with the current engine regulations.

Instead of fighting for victories and podiums, the Spaniard and team-mate Jenson Button are now considered back markers during most races.

Alonso has retired in eight of the 16 races he has taken part in this season with his latest retirement in the Mexican GP coming after just one lap due to yet another engine problem.

Montoya admits he's not sure how Alonso is able to cope.

"Fernando is my hero, I am not sure how he manages to endure the current situation, I would not be able to handle it, it is very hard for a driver like him," the Colombian told Spain's AS.

The two-time World Champion has had several outbursts over the radio this year with his biggest one coming at Suzuka when he equated his Honda unit to a "GP2" engine and labelled the team's performance "embarrassing".

Montoya added: "I fully understand his frustrations, he is an extraordinary driver and what happened in Japan with those radio messages is logical, I would have done the same in that situation."

Asked for his opinion on the best drivers, Montoya replied: "I think [sebastian] Vettel is the most complete and the hardest working, but for the driver's speed it is Fernando Alonso. [Lewis] Hamilton is between Vettel-Alonso, which is why he is doing very well."