FORMULA 1 - 2016

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BRAZIL PLAYS DOWN DOUBTS OVER 2016 RACE

Just as the United States Grand Prix ended its uncertainty, doubts have now emerged about whether this year’s Brazil race will take place in November.

Brazilian reports say F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told a media outlet that talks with organisers about solving a financial matter were underway.

The Portuguese-language Grande Premio quoted Interlagos race promoter Tamas Rohonyi as acknowledging Ecclestone’s comments.

“When Bernie said that we are working to solve problems, he is referring to the effort to reduce organisational costs,” he said.

“An example: there was a study to reduce medical staff costs required by the FIA and it was promptly answered,” Rohonyi added.

So he played down claims Brazil’s future on the F1 calendar is now under a cloud.

“Doing a major international event in the current situation is difficult, but not impossible. It will be done according to the contracts in place at least until 2020,” said Rohonyi.

“But it is a fact that all the races that are not paid for by governments face difficulties because of the astronomical fees.”

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MCLAREN AND JOHNNIE WALKER EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

Press Release: McLaren-Honda is delighted to announce a multi-year extension of its prestigious and long-standing partnership with Johnnie Walker.

Diageo’s world-famous scotch whisky brand has been a partner of McLaren since 2005, last year celebrating its 10th anniversary with the team.

In that period, McLaren and Johnnie Walker have showcased a number of innovative partnership strategies. Central to the collaboration has been both brands’ commitment to the ‘Join The Pact’ campaign – an international social responsibility initiative that encourages people around the world to make their commitment to never drink and drive.

Johnnie Walker’s 10-year sponsorship of McLaren has given it a stable and consistent platform upon which to tackle this global issue. To date, it has achieved striking global success, with more than 2.6 million signatures to the pact – something that has left a positive and indelible mark on the culture of responsible drinking.

Additional campaigns include a collaboration with a master blender to create an exclusive limited-edition blend with Jenson Button, and the ‘Step Inside The Circuit’ video series, which featured behind-the-scenes access to our drivers, and an insight into the whirlwind Formula 1 lifestyle. Both have been hugely successful.

Last year, Johnnie Walker unveiled its ‘Joy Will Take You Further’ campaign, which seeks to reframe how people view success and happiness. After five years working with Jenson, Johnnie Walker has recognised how his positive mindset has helped him to succeed in his career, making him the perfect ambassador for the new campaign. Alongside double McLaren world champion Mika Häkkinen, and Hollywood actor Jude Law, Jenson will continue to help Johnnie Walker inspire people all over the world to forge their own path and enjoy every forward step they take.

Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Guy Escolme said: “I am very excited that we have renewed the partnership between Johnnie Walker and the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. Both Johnnie Walker and McLaren-Honda are innovative brands that embody pioneering spirit, with a mutually rich heritage and passion for quality while constantly inspiring forward progress.

“The partnership over the past 10 years has enabled Johnnie Walker to showcase real-life stories of progress and to collect over 2.6 million commitments from consumers around the world to never drink and drive – part of our responsible drinking campaign, ‘Join The Pact’. Through our renewed partnership we will continue to strive for our global target of 5 million commitments, working alongside our global responsible drinking ambassador Mika Häkkinen.

“We look forward to working with the McLaren-Honda team to inspire a new generation with continued stories of progress, and celebrating every step of the journey.”

McLaren Executive Chairman & CEO, Ron Dennis said: “Johnnie Walker’s renewed agreement with McLaren-Honda underlines our belief in, and commitment to, the strength and durability of long-standing commercial partnerships. A partnership that has existed for more than a decade provides each party with greater levels of strength and depth – huge positives in today’s fast-moving consumer society.

“The Johnnie Walker brand is synonymous with quality, and, like ourselves, they’re not only incredibly proud of their heritage, but keen to push the limit in a hugely dynamic and constantly shifting marketplace. At McLaren-Honda, we absolutely share that ambition.

“The partnership has developed a long and dynamic list of creative initiatives, not least the admirable ‘Join The Pact’ responsible drinking campaign. Our renewed partnership will not only extend that socially responsible message, but also see the launch of a series of new and exciting concepts and ideas.

“Last but very far from least, this partnership renewal eloquently and irrefutably underlines the robust and exciting direction in which McLaren-Honda is going, with victory on track the destination.”

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Massa wants another ‘two or three’ seasons

As he gears up for his 14th season in Formula 1, Felipe Massa says he would like to continue for another "two or three more seasons."

Massa's decision to move from Ferrari to Williams in 2014 revitalised his career with Rob Smedley adamant that the Brazilian is driving as well as ever has.

At 34 years of age, though, is Massa is approaching the end of his career.

He would, however, like another "two of three" years as he would like to still be racing when F1 undergoes a major overhaul of the technical regulations in 2017.

“Time passes, but I’m still motivated,” he told Motorsport.com. “I want to keep going until I have the satisfaction of being part of a competitive team.

“I think I can still have a lot to give to my team and F1. When I joined Williams, the team was back from the worst season in their history, and I had the opportunity to be part of their recovery process.

“And if in the near future there’s a regulation change, I would like to have the chance to experience a new generation of car.

“I hope to do two or three more seasons, and I hope to be driving a car that’s more fun.”

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Mateschitz: RB12 a Newey masterpiece

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz believes that his team should win the battle for third in the Constructors' Championship because of the strength of the car designed by Adrian Newey.

The Austrian-backed outfit look set to once again watch on as Mercedes and Ferrari battle it out for top honours, with the Renault engine that will power Red Bull this season, not of a standard that will match the leading pair.

However, Mateschitz has praised the design of the RB12, and believes that the gains that Red Bull make through other aspects of their package will allow them to overcome any engine deficiencies to see off the charge of the Mercedes and Ferrari customer teams.

“[We want to be] P3 behind the manufacturers' teams,” he told Speedweek. “We should win the fight against the customer teams of Mercedes and Ferrari.”

He added: “The new staff from Renault Sport are professional, passionate and determined. Our new car is one of the best we’ve ever made.

“Its performance is great. In short: It’s another masterpiece of Adrian and his team.”

Mateschitz added that Red Bull will not remain in the sport for the long term if they cannot secure an engine that will allow them to compete at the front of the field.

"We are too good to be domestiques,” he said, making reference to cyclists who support their team-mates. “Formula 1 is not the Tour de France.

“If we are not competitive from an engine point of view, we will leave. For sure we don’t want to spend the next five years fighting for P5.”

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Marko warns: Perform or be dropped

With four drivers on their F1 books and more coming through the junior program, Helmut Marko has warned his Red Bull drivers that if they don't deliver, they will be dropped.

Last season Daniil Kvyat made the step up to Red Bull Racing from Toro Rosso but struggled for results in the first half of the championship.

This led to rumours that his seat was on the line but as the year progressed so too did the Russian driver who went on to finish the campaign ahead of Daniel Ricciardo in the points.

This year both drivers have been warned they need to perform or else they risk losing their seat to one of the energy drink company's junior drivers.

"We basically have long-term contracts at the Red Bull junior program and the whole program is based on performance," Marko told the official F1 website.

"So no shoot-out, but be very clear: the one who is not delivering goes."

The Red Bull advisor was pressed on teenage racer Max Verstappen's future within the team.

Making his debut last season at just 17 years of age, the Dutchman impressed with Toro Rosso and on two occasions narrowly missed out on the podium with P4s in Hungary and Austin.

Asked whether a Red Bull seat awaits Verstappen in 2016, Marko said: "Let's see what he delivers. The second season is sometimes trickier than the first!"

[Bartolomeo]

Excited about 1st race week of 2016

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Excited about 1st race week of 2016

Indeed mate, I drive past the track each day, looking great!

I'm excited for this season, a lot of negativity but I think its fair to say, each year is the same...

I feel this season will be interesting, Ferrari are in good shape, Haas F1 are here and I think they will easily be a midfield team right off the trot, Manor with a Mercedes engine, Renault as a works team, COTA confirmed for the calendar, Baku new street circuit. A bunch of positives IMO compared to previous seasons.

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ROSBERG: I AM FULLY IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MODE

Nico Rosberg says he has worked to simplify his life and narrow his focus to beating Lewis Hamilton, in the battle for the Formula 1 crown, for the first time in three years.

Even if Mercedes dominates yet again, the Silver Arrows driver battle could be fascinating in 2016.

That is because Hamilton dominated Rosberg for most of last season until he wrapped up the title, when the Briton admittedly let his off-track, celebrity trappings divert his focus.

Rosberg is even tuning up on the psychological side ahead of 2016, although it was Hamilton who took a jab at Rosberg’s greying hair during a Stuttgart press conference last week.

“I don’t have grey hair!” Rosberg hit back in an interview with Bild am Sonntag. “He just said that because he didn’t know how else to counter what I said.”

Rosberg is emphasising the difference in approach between himself and Hamilton going into 2016, contrasting his focus with Hamilton’s off-track antics.

“I am even more efficient than before,” he insisted. “I have directed all my energy into focusing on the sport. I want absolutely nothing to distract me.

“It is all these little things that count in the end,” said Rosberg. “I am now fully in world championship mode.”

As for Hamilton, he declared just days ago that he has no intention of lifting the throttle on his celebrity lifestyle, saying he wants his off-track time to keep matching the excitement of racing in F1.

“Well then it will be a very interesting year,” said Rosberg. “I’m curious about it because eventually it must be too much, right?”

And if Rosberg does keep his nose in front of Hamilton, it will have the added benefit of securing his place at Mercedes, amid the threat posed by Pascal Wehrlein.

“I’m sure I will be here at Mercedes for a few more years,” Rosberg said. “It just works and our cooperation is great. I’ve been here from day one. “But Pascal is still very young. Perhaps his time at Mercedes will come.”

“Lewis slackened off at the end of last season, which got Nico those wins,” 1996 world champion Damon Hill told the Times.

“But that goes to show that you just can’t – even if you are Lewis Hamilton – take your foot off the accelerator. Hunger and desire are really important components.”

Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda observed: “Lewis is into Hollywood, the fashion shows, the Super Bowl, but when he gets into the car he is still strong.

“Nico is much more focused on the technical side,” the F1 legend told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

And what Rosberg also has in his favour going into 2016, Lauda acknowledged, is form.

“If Nico starts as he finished last season, with pole position and a win, there could be a very interesting situation that is new for us,” he said. “When Nico is in the front, it is difficult for everyone else.”

MIKA: I've said it before, I'm a Mercedes fan, obviously hoping Rosberg does well but I'm not really enjoying the childish squabbles between Rosberg and Hamilton. It's one thing to be competitive and have rivalry, but these grown men behave like brats IMO. Probably best Rosberg just punches Hamilton square in the face.

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MONTOYA: IN F1 THE DRIVER WITH THE FASTEST CAR WINS

Ex-Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya says the current Mercedes era is no different to any other team’s dominance throughout recent history of the sport.

The former Williams and McLaren driver kicked off the new Indycar series with victory in Florida, so when asked if he misses the so-called pinnacle of motor sport, he insisted: “No!”

“I have no regrets,” added the Colombian, who quit McLaren and the series amid acrimony a decade ago, reverting to the American scene, initially Nascar.

“In F1, now as then, the driver with the fastest car wins, period,” the 40-year-old, notably heavier now than in his F1 career, told Italia Racing.

“I never had a dominant car like the Ferrari of those times, but I fought for the title and I’m proud of what I did,” Montoya added.

But he is happier now in the US, “I think Indycar is the maximum. On TV it’s good, the public likes it, the races are hard-fought.

“F1 today is slow in the corners, there isn’t much downforce. But at Phoenix we have 5G in the corners — not bad, right?”

Even so, he said it is wrong to blame Mercedes for making F1 boring, “Is it different to when Schumacher always won?” And when McLaren dominated? Let’s be serious, it’s always been the same.”

A bigger problem, he suggested, is F1’s notorious politics, “As a child it was my dream to race in F1, but when I got there and saw how things worked, my dream was destroyed.”

But he will be cheering for Ferrari in 2016, and in particular Sebastian Vettel, “I really like him. I’ve known him since he was very young.”

“I think he’s a more complete driver than Hamilton but winning the world championship does not depend on him alone. If Ferrari give him a winning car, he will do the job, otherwise not. It’s the same old story.”

As for the current struggles of his old team, McLaren, Montoya also has clear words, “They underestimated the engine situation. Why go looking for Honda when they already had a Mercedes?”

Montoya started his season in the best way possible by winning the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg to win the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season opener this past weekend.

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TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SMITH LEAVES SAUBER

Technical director Mark Smith has left Sauber days before the start of the new season, the Formula One team said on Monday.

Smith joined Sauber in July after stints at the now defunct Catherham team, Force India, Red Bull and Jordan.

Sauber said Smith has “decided to go back to the U.K. for family reasons.”

The season starts this week with the Australian Grand Prix.

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DI RESTA CONFIRMED BY WILLIAMS AS RESERVE DRIVER

Williams have announced that Paul Di Resta will join the team as official reserve driver for the new Formula One season which gets under way in Melbourne this weekend.

The 29-year-old former Force India driver takes on the role behind drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa and he will initially spend time getting fully accustomed to the controls and procedures of the Williams Mercedes FW38.

He told williamsf1.com: “I am delighted to be joining Williams as reserve driver and look forward to the 2016 season.”

The Scot enjoyed three seasons at Force India from 2011-2013, amassing 121 world championship points from 58 starts.

Di Resta lost his seat the following season so re-joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) touring car racing series, where he raced early in his career, competing for Mercedes, and he hopes to combine his role there with the new one at Williams.

He added: “It will be a busy year combining both driving in DTM with Mercedes AMG, and attending the Formula One Grands Prix in my new reserve driver role.

“I will be giving my full support to both and look forward to the exciting possibilities the year has ahead. I would like to thank (deputy team principal) Claire (Williams) and Williams for the opportunity to be part of the team.”

The 2006 European Formula 3 champion joins the British team, who have enjoyed two third-place finishes in the constructors’ standings over the past two seasons, ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

Claire Williams said: “We are delighted to welcome someone with Paul’s experience to the team.

“Having competed in 58 Formula One races throughout his career Paul’s racing knowledge will be invaluable.

“We are also confident that given his recent Formula One and current DTM experience Paul will be able to confidently step into the FW38 and assist with our 2016 campaign.”

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LATIFI CONFIRMED BY RENAULT AS TEST DRIVER

Canadian race driver Nicholas Latifi, 20, has joined Renault Sport Formula One Team as a Test Driver with a long-term development programme.

Latifi, who will also race in the GP2 Series in 2016 with DAMS, will be put through a test schedule to enable him to gain his Super Licence with a view to participating in at least one Free Practice [FP1] session during the course of this year’s Formula 1 season.

Frédéric Vasseur, Renault Sport Racing, Racing Director:

“Nicholas is a fast developing young talent who has competed in a diverse selection of championships in his short career to date. We are excited at the prospect of nurturing him into a Formula 1 ready entity at such a dynamic time for the team. As well as contesting the GP2 Series – which is a perfect proving ground for new drivers – Nicholas will go through a programme with us to attain his Super Licence with a view to contesting at least one FP1 session this year. We’re proud to have him on board.”

Nicholas Latifi: “Being named test driver for the Renault Sport Formula One Team is something very special – an amazing opportunity. There’s a lot of history behind the Renault name in F1, so to be a part of that, and get the chance to learn from them and gain expertise in a full factory team, is really going to help my development.

“My dream has always been to reach Formula One, and there’s a lot of hard work still to do, but this is another step towards me fulfilling my potential and earning my place on the grid.

“F1 is totally unlike any other category of motorsport, so being immersed in that environment I’ll be a bit like a sponge – absorbing as much information as possible. Hopefully, I can apply a lot of what I learn to my racing in GP2 this season.”

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SAUBER: WE DESERVE A SUCCESSFUL START TO THE SEASON

The Sauber C35-Ferrari had an encouraging debut in Barcelona at the beginning of March. After the test days, the engineers worked through the data from the Sauber C35-Ferrari which had been collected during 1890 kms of testing.

Now the Swiss team is looking forward to the traditional season opener in Melbourne. During the Australian Grand Prix Pirelli will introduce its new tyre regulations. This will be interesting for defining different strategies throughout the weekend.

Marcus Ericsson: “I cannot wait to finally kick off the 2016 Formula 1 season in Melbourne. The Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park is always special as the atmosphere is great – I enjoy being in Australia. I also have great memories from last year as I scored my first points in Formula One there. Looking back to the last few weeks, the preparations during the test days in Barcelona went well, and I felt comfortable with the C35. Now we have to see how things work out during a race weekend. I am confident the team has worked hard to be in a good shape for the season opener in Melbourne.”

Felipe Nasr: “The Australian Grand Prix reminds me of my fantastic result from last year. Finishing fifth in my first ever Formula One race is something I will probably never forget. It is nice to come back to Albert Park with these great memories. During testing in Barcelona I had some productive days collecting good mileage in the C35. I feel well prepared to start my second Formula One season. I am curious to see where we stand with the C35 in comparison to the other teams. Everyone within the factory in Hinwil has worked really hard, so we deserve a successful start to the 2016 Formula One season.”

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ZAK BROWN COULD SUCCEED ECCLESTONE

Formula 1 could be poised for a big change at the very top of the management pyramid, a leading correspondent has claimed.

Luis Vasconcelos, writing for Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper, claims sources have told him Zak Brown could be set to take over from Bernie Ecclestone.

American Brown is well known in F1 as the head of Just Marketing, the leading sponsorship agency representing several high-profile F1 team backers.

A turning point for Ecclestone, claims Vasconcelos, was late last year, when Ecclestone was refusing to give in to Renault’s demands for more income.

It is claimed the F1 chief executive was overruled by CVC’s Donald Mackenzie in order to guarantee the French carmaker stays in formula one.

The report also claimed that, if he is to be replaced, Ecclestone’s preferred successor is Niki Lauda.

But Lauda, currently the Mercedes team boss, said in an interview with the German newsmagazine Focus that he is critical of recent goings-on in formula one.

“We should negotiate behind closed doors and then present a solution,” he said, referring to talks about the future of the sport.

Rumblings about changes at the top of F1 have been circulating for some time, with another respected correspondent, Mark Hughes, hinting at it in a new column for the Sunday times.

“A vintage season of on-track action would do much to divert attention from the dysfunction behind the scenes,” he said. “But it feels like we are nearing the end of an era, even if we don’t know what the new one will look like.”

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MANAGER DEFENDS SECRECY SURROUNDING SCHUMACHER

Michael Schumacher’s manager has defended the ongoing secrecy about the condition of the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time.

Now more than two years after his skiing crash in the French alps, almost nothing is known about the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver’s health — even whether he can walk or talk.

Still, manager Sabine Kehm defends the family’s right to say nothing and told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspape, “At the moment I see no alternative.”

Kehm said that if some information about Schumacher is given, it would simply open the floodgates to more requests for information.

“Each word would be the catalyst for new demands; a beacon for further information. It would never end,” she insisted.

Anyway, Kehm said it would be impossible to “answer in a few sentences” all the questions posed more than two years after Schumacher suffered his brain injuries, as his recovery is “a continuous process”.

And she is certain her 47-year-old boss would have wanted his privacy to be respected, “Michael’s private life was sacred to him even before the accident and everyone accepted it.”

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MERCEDES WARNS NEW QUALIFYING FORMAT COULD BACKFIRE

Formula 1’s new qualifying format could backfire on the sport, Mercedes bosses have warned.

The controversial ‘musical chairs’ elimination system has been enshrined in the sporting regulations ahead of its debut in Melbourne on Saturday.

The intention is to spice up the action and potentially shake up the grid, but Mercedes chiefs Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff worry that it will not work out that way.

“The goal is to have more drivers on the track, but I think now there will in fact be little action in the final minutes,” team chairman Lauda told Austria’s ORF broadcaster.

Mercedes boss Wolff agrees that the new system, with drivers to be eliminated in 90 second intervals, could concentrate the track action into the start of the segments, “It will mean you have to go out immediately with new tyres so you set your time.”

“In Q3 this could mean that there are no cars on the track in the last eight minutes,” Wolff warned, “because by then you will have only used tyres left.

“It’s really messy,” he added, referring to the debut of the new system. “You can hardly believe that it is a global sport when we change the rules one minute until midnight.”

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Hamilton: It’s a clean slate

Lewis Hamilton may be the reigning World Champion but the Mercedes driver says he will take to the Melbourne grid with a “clean slate”, determined to beat everyone.

The 31-year-old has set the pace in Formula 1 over the past two seasons, claiming back-to-back Drivers’ Championship titles ahead of his team-mate Nico Rosberg.

However, heading to Australia for the start of the new season, Hamilton says he doesn’t feel like the World Champion as he needs to do it all over again.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme: “Coming into this year, I really feel like it’s a clean slate.

“When I arrive at the track, I don’t feel like I’m World Champion – that’s why I have number 44 on my car and not number one.

“I’m 44, the same as I was when I first started racing. I was here to beat everyone and that’s how I’m going into the first race.”

The Brit, though, admits he is wary of the challenge that could come from his team-mate Rosberg.

The German had a stellar finish to last year’s championship, winning the final three grands prix on the trot.

Speaking to the Mirror, Hamilton said: “My sole focus is again on winning the title but Nico also has grown, so I have to accept he is exceptionally fast and so I also have to lift my bar again. I don’t know how – but that is my goal.

“It was good for him at the end of last year.

“I had good races. I did not do the bare minimum, but I did what I needed to do to finish the year after winning the championship. My focus was elsewhere. “

Hamilton also recently weighed in on Formula 1’s extended restrictions on radio communications.

As of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, teams may no longer provide their drivers with a lot of information on how to improve the car’s performance leaving it up to the drivers.

“It is a big change,” he said. “Whether or not I agree with all the implications, I think it’s definitely going to make it a lot harder.

“We have to memorise a lot more things. There’s so many different processes, and sequences, that we have to go through in the car.

“We’re just trying to figure ways in which we can remember them – so sometimes you’ll see stickers in the car or stickers on the steering wheel because there is literally so much.

“And some of it is of no benefit in terms of improving our pace or anything like that, it’s just to keep the car going, because it is so technical.

“That’s why I’m saying, some of it I don’t agree with because it’s irrelevant to the pace of the car or to the spectators.

“But I think the idea is probably a good thing and I think you’ll see it evolve over the races.

“We’re all probably going to struggle in the first race in some way or some form, but we’ve tried to prepare the best way we can.”

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Magnussen determined to ‘prove worth’

Back in Formula 1 after a year on the sidelines, Kevin Magnussen says he has "many points" to prove when he lines up on the Melbourne grid with Renault.

Magnussen parted ways with McLaren last season after spending the year as the Woking team's test driver, bumped down to the role after they opted to retain Jenson Button as Fernando Alonso's team-mate.

With his Formula 1 career in jeopardy, Magnussen was handed a lifeline by Renault who signed him just days after dropping Pastor Maldonado.

Looking ahead to his first grand prix in 12 months – Magnussen substituted for Alonso at the 2015 Australian GP but did make it onto the grid due to an engine failure – the Dane says he is "hungry" to prove he deserves his seat.

He said: "Hopefully I'll prove many points. I’m extremely motivated after a whole year away. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines during the races for so many weekends and I’m hungry to come back and prove my worth.

"I’ve raced my whole life and I’m extremely hungry and keen to get in a race car again and even more so with Renault Sport!

"I feel ready for Melbourne. We’ve had some good days of testing, with lots of laps: more than 100 every day and more than 500 in four days.

"Putting in the mileage was the main thing as I needed to get back up to speed after some time out of a car. I really couldn’t have asked for more.

"I’ve been through systems checks and feel comfortable going to Melbourne and doing a race."

And although he admits Renault may find themselves outside the top ten, he says it would be great to leave Australia with points.

"At the moment I think we are just outside the top ten but if all goes well then who knows," he added. "You can never definitely hope for points, but if we leave Australia with points we can be happy."

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F1 newcomer Haas invites Penske and Hendrick to join him

Formula 1’s newest entrant Gene Haas has invited fellow American grandee team owners Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick to join him at Grands Prix this year to see for themselves how his team fares.

Haas, whose NASCAR star driver Kevin Harvick claimed his first victory of the season at Phoenix on Sunday, told Motorsport.com that he’d extended invitations to US-based team chiefs – including Penske, who famously claimed an F1 win in 1976 with John Watson in Austria.

Haas said of Penske: “He’s always wished me well in my Formula 1 venture because he’s done it, a long, long time ago.

“We’ve invited him to F1 races, we’ve invited Rick Hendrick – and just about everybody who wants to go to one.

“These guys, being the racers they are, I think they’d be very interested in it. It’s a sport that has a whole different twist to [American racing].

“I’d love to get Penske and Hendrick out to a Formula 1 race. I think that would be great.”

Penske “anxious” to see how Haas goes

Speaking at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg – the opening round of the IndyCar Series that his team won with ex-F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya – Penske confirmed Haas’s offer to attend a Grand Prix this year.

“I talked to Gene, he’s invited to me to come,” said Penske. “I said ‘look, I don’t know if I can even get a pit pass there’ and he said ‘I’ll get you one’.

“I’m anxious to see how they do. I don’t know how, with the economics, and you hear the kind of investment – $300million to go to F1, I guess it’s the ticket you have to have.

“I guess we’re the last American team to win a Formula 1 race,” added Penske. “It’s a shame we didn’t stay in longer but it was impossible to be in F1, Can-Am, Trans-Am – we just couldn’t do it.

“I was flying back and forth all the time. Business drove us to the US.”

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Inside Grand Prix 2016: Australia - Part 1/2

Part 1 of Inside Grand Prix Australia includes the following topics:

People and places: Australia

New Rules, New Cars

New Kids on the Grid

Circuit Preview: Albert Park Circuit

Inside Grand Prix 2016: Australia - Part 2/2

Part 2 of Inside Grand Prix includes the following topics:

Topics covered in the second part.

Renault and Haas

Daniel Ricciardo

Social Media

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Fernando Alonso has 'more talent in little finger' than 2015 rivals - Mark Webber

Mark Webber says Fernando Alonso has "more talent in his little finger" than some of the drivers he was battling in 2015.

Honda's struggles for performance and reliability last year saw McLaren endure its worst season since 1980. The Honda power unit was brutally exposed on straights, with deployment issues meaning McLaren lacked upwards of 160BHP and often saw Alonso and team-mate Jenson Button easily picked off by cars behind.

Before his infamous "GP2 engine" radio rant in Japan last year, Alonso complained his power unit was "embarrassing" after being passed by Sauber's Marcus Ericsson early in the race. Webber says the Honda situation was always bound to frustrate a driver of Alonso's calibre.

"He just wants to be at the front maximising his potential," Webber is quoted as saying by PA Sport. "Last year, when he was fighting with some of the guys he was fighting with, Fernando has got more talent in his little finger.

"If you are knocking around with those guys, week in week out, it wears you down. That is a question for him and his drive and tenacity and determination. It is about that middle step on the podium for him. Would he love to parachute himself into a Mercedes? Of course he would."

Webber says reliability problems are the most frustrating part of a driver's job, especially in the latter stages of their career.

"There is nothing worse than having non-finishes. It is horrible for a driver to go through that effort, and you don't even see the chequered flag. So, they have got to get that reliability going, and that will be important for the drivers and to keep both their boys in the future. If they are operationally poor, in terms of reliability, it is a pain in the arse at that point in your career. It's horrible."

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Bottas out to banish bad memories at ‘one of the best’

Valtteri Bottas says he wants to produce happier memories in Australia after missing the 2015 season opener through injury and hails the Albert Park track as 'one of the best on the whole F1 calendar'.

The Williams driver put himself sixth on the grid for last year's Australian Grand Prix but suffered a painful accident during qualifying which forced him to miss the race with a back injury, marking it as the only F1 he has missed in his career.

The Finn, who scored an impressive fifth place the year before for Williams, says he enjoys the Melbourne circuit and wants to make up for missing the race last year and launch his 2016 campaign in style.

“I really like the track as well, for me it's one of the best on the whole Formula One calendar,” Bottas said. “Last year was disappointing for me, because of my back injury, but this year I am looking forward to starting the season with a strong result.

“Melbourne is a really nice city and I always really enjoy going there. The people are nice and the weather is normally very good. Because it's the first grand prix of the year it's a very exciting time for everyone.”

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MARKO: SIGNS ARE THAT EQUALITY OF F1 ENGINES IS TO BE ENFORCED

Moves are afoot to close the performance gaps between the four ‘power unit’ manufacturers in Formula 1.

Helmut Marko, the outspoken Red Bull official, said his boss Dietrich Mateschitz thought seriously about quitting F1 last year.

Mateschitz was reportedly disillusioned with the new era in which Mercedes and Ferrari are utterly dominant and refusing to supply Red Bull with a competitive engine.

“It was only the idea of an independent alternative engine and other scenarios that led the boss to go on,” Marko told the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung. “We do not want to experience a year like that again.”

However, Bernie Ecclestone’s ‘alternative engine’ plan was recently scrapped as the engine makers agreed a deal to cut costs for customers.

But Marko suggests that more of the story is yet to play out, “There are signs that more or less an equality of the engines is to be enforced within two per cent”

“So 20 horse power out of 1,000 – or else the independent engine will come back into play. We have already won world championships with a larger deficit than that,” added Marko.

So with even F1 supremo Ecclestone slamming the sport’s spectacle at present, Marko said it is “very important” that changes come in for 2017.

As for 2016, the Austrian sounds hopeful, “We are of course happy that the car is very good and the engine is positive on the development side.”

“But in terms of power we are still far from the competition, at least 70 to 80hp behind Mercedes who remain the measure of all things,” he admitted.

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MALLYA’S DATE WITH INVESTIGATORS CLASHES WITH F1 OPENER

Drinks tycoon and motor racing boss Vijay Mallya faces a sensitive diary clash this week as the season-opening Australian Grand Prix coincides with an appointment to appear before Indian investigators.

Mallya, under pressure from banks to repay $1.4 billion owed by his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines, left India for Britain on March 2. His departure sparked outrage in parliament, after creditors had asked Indian courts to ensure he stayed in the country.

A senior official from the Enforcement Directorate, India’s financial crime-fighting agency, said last week that Mallya had been summoned for questioning this Friday as part of an investigation related to one of the bank loans.

Friday is also the first official practice day before Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. Mallya, who co-owns Britain-based team Force India and regularly attends races, did not respond to a request for comment on whether he plans to go.

If he does, without first making a pit stop back home, it is likely to trigger further uproar in India. Mallya, who sports a goatee, an ear stud and a ponytail, is one of the country’s most flamboyant entrepreneurs and a fixture in the society pages.

The self-styled “King of Good Times” and chairman of the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India has denied fleeing the country, saying on Twitter he was the victim of a media witch hunt. He said in his posts that he would comply with domestic laws.

A spokesman for Force India told Reuters last week that he did not know about Mallya’s plans. In February, the team’s chief operating officer, Otmar Szafnauer, said he expected Mallya to attend more than half of this year’s 21 races.

Force India cars were reported to be coming and going last week at Mallya’s 11.5 million pound ($16.5 million) mansion in the village of Tewin, just north of London. The run-up to a season-opener is a hectic time for teams, as cars must be readied for air freight.

Mallya bought the sprawling Hertfordshire estate last year from Anthony Hamilton, father of triple Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. The house boasts two swimming pools, multiple cars and at least 20 windows, all of which had their curtains drawn tight when a Reuters reporter visited on Friday.

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F1 2016: NEW TYRE REGULATIONS EXPLAINED

Pirelli will now provide three different compounds of dry tyre for teams to use at each race weekend, rather than two. The number of sets provided for each car during a weekend will remain at 13.

Pirelli will select two sets to be kept available in the race (one of them to be used), and a set of the softest compound will also be put aside for the final part of qualifying (Q3). Teams will be able to make up their 10 remaining sets from the three compounds available at each race.

The choices teams make can be different for each of its cars, so team-mates could have differing numbers of each compound available on a given weekend.

As before, drivers must continue to use at least two different compounds during a dry race.

Sets will continue to be handed back to Pirelli during a weekend, as was the case before, including the set intended for use in Q3. Drivers that don’t progress to Q3 will be able to carry that set forward to the race.

Teams must communicate their compound choices to the FIA in advance of each race and in time to meet a deadline set by Pirelli. Decisions will be kept secret until two weeks before a race. The teams have to inform the FIA of their choices eight weeks before a European race, and 14 weeks before a long-haul race.