Latest F1 news in brief – Monday

• Ecclestone will likely give Lauda the finger when they meet for not helping Red Bull

  Lauda to confront Ecclestone over Mercedes blackout

• Red Bull engine situation now 'critical'
• Tension rises after Hamilton beats Rosberg in Japan
• Arrivabene defends 'Vettel better than Schu' comment
• Honda suggests McLaren to blame for 'negativity'
• Button denies Dennis' claim that 2016 deal is 'done'
• 2015 title like 'winning the lottery' – Arrivabene
• Renault signs letter of intent before Lotus court date
• Ecclestone scraps April season opener for 2016 calendar
• Melbourne happy with earlier date for 2016 season opener

Lauda to confront Ecclestone over Mercedes blackout
(GMM) Niki Lauda will travel to London this week to ask F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone about Sunday's peculiar coverage of the Japanese grand prix.

Mercedes, having cruised to a one-two at Suzuka after its Singapore slump, was not alone in wondering why the silver cars were on screen for precisely 5 minutes and 56 seconds of the almost 90-minute coverage from lights to flag.

"I can't say much but even the pitstop of Lewis (Hamilton) – the leader – we only saw him driving out. We didn't even see how they changed the wheels," said Lauda, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman.

RTL, the free-to-air broadcaster in Germany, also admitted its concerns publicly.

"Of course we would have liked to show our viewers more pictures from the front (of the race), but we have no influence on the international signal. We have to take it as it comes," spokesman Matthias Bolhofer told Welt newspaper.

The theory immediately after the race was that Ecclestone, whose company Formula One Management controls the so-called television 'world feed', had ordered the blackout in retaliation for Mercedes not supplying engines to crisis-struck Red Bull.

Ecclestone, 84, did not make the long-haul trip to Japan, so Austrian Lauda said on Sunday: "I will go to see Bernie and ask him what is the reason.

"I am in England on Tuesday so I'll ask him what was going on and if they had a problem with the camera," Lauda winked to the German broadcaster RTL.

Asked if he thinks there is any truth to the 'retaliation' rumor, Lauda said after a pause: "It is always very difficult to please Bernie all of the time.

"I will go (to London) to find out."

Will Mateschitz be forced take his two F1 teams to IndyCar and the proposed Red Bull-based X1 car?

Red Bull engine situation now 'critical'
(GMM) As each day passes, Red Bull's threat to pull out of formula one is appearing more and more real.

"At the moment we have no engine (for 2016)," boss Christian Horner said. "The situation is very critical."

Not only is the situation critical, it was also very fluid throughout the Japanese grand prix weekend.

As teams were setting up at Suzuka last week, it seemed a deal with Ferrari was close.

But rumors suggest Ferrari chiefs including technical boss James Allison as well as number 1 driver Sebastian Vettel have successfully argued to Sergio Marchionne that only a 'B' specification should be offered.

Red Bull says it will never accept that.

"Mr. (Dietrich) Mateschitz has been crystal clear," said Horner. "We have to have a first-class engine."

Dr Helmut Marko, Mateschitz's closest F1 confidante, agrees, telling Auto Motor und Sport: "The exit scenario is becoming more concrete. It is an insult to offer us 2015 engines when Sauber and Haas will get the one for 2016."

Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn, however, said Sauber deserves Ferrari's top specification, insisting: "We have always behaved very decently towards our partner."

That is a definite stab at Red Bull's treatment of its current supplier, Renault, whose divorce from the energy drink-owned teams will be imminently confirmed.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda agrees: "They (Red Bull) put themselves into this position that they must now go begging for an engine."

Even struggling Honda is not an option for Red Bull, "because of Ron Dennis" and his resistance, Marko revealed.

And even if a potential solution lies somewhere down the track, Horner suggested time may simply soon run out.

"The situation was already critical two weeks ago," Horner explained. "For Toro Rosso even more.

"With each passing day without a solution, it is less likely that we will be here. Now the (2016) season is even going to start two weeks earlier, making it even worse."

Rosberg not happy his teammate pushed him off the track

Tension rises after Hamilton beats Rosberg in Japan
(GMM) As Nico Rosberg's title hopes shrank even further in Japan, tension with his teammate and runaway championship leader Lewis Hamilton only increased.

Being only the second-best Mercedes in Japan has blown Rosberg's deficit out from 41 to 48 points, with the German admitting: "It's going the wrong way, definitely.

"I had to win, that was important but it didn't work out. I just need to try to win next time," said Rosberg.

But with now just five races to go, Hamilton can simply start finishing second amid a streak of Rosberg wins in Sochi, Austin, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi and still end up matching his hero Ayrton Senna's tally of three drivers' titles.

So what went wrong for Rosberg on Sunday?

Firstly, he answered "I have to deny that" when asked by the German newspaper Bild that a pre-race headache meant he was not race-fit on Sunday.

But he did have a particularly bad start from pole, shuffled even further down the order after a near coming-together with his teammate in turn one.

Rosberg was unhappy with Hamilton's tactics.

"For sure it was close. I had to avoid a collision," he insisted. "It's difficult for me to comment" further.

Team boss Toto Wolff told German television RTL that he will sit down with the drivers and study the footage before forming an opinion.

"Two cars next to each other in the second corner does not actually work," he said.

Rosberg drove off the circuit to avoid the clash, but team chairman Niki Lauda cleared Hamilton of any blame.

"For me it was a normal, aggressive maneuver that you do when you are on the inside line," he told Austrian television ORF.

"Nico will say that Lewis should have given him more space, but Lewis had the better start and you have to say in fairness that he had the inside line.

"No question, Lewis delivered a perfect performance with everything under control so there is nothing negative you can say about it.

"But the two of them will certainly discuss it," Lauda added.

Not everyone agreed with Lauda. Marc Surer, a German-language commentator, said: "The problem is that Rosberg could no longer drive a racing line, instead having to avoid a collision."

As for Hamilton's behavior, "You should not do that to your teammate," the former F1 driver added.

Arrivabene

Arrivabene defends 'Vettel better than Schu' comment
(GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene was on the defensive after suggesting Sebastian Vettel is "better" than the Ferrari legend and F1 great Michael Schumacher.

In an Italian newspaper interview, the Ferrari chief said Vettel is better than his German countryman Schumacher "especially in his character".

"Michael was an introvert who opened up to only a small group of people, while Seb is regarded by the guys as one of them," Arrivabene told Corriere della Sera.

Unsurprisingly, given seven time world champion Schumacher's achievements but also his ongoing recovery from brain injuries, the comments were controversial.

"It hurt when I read that," said Gerhard Berger, a Schumacher contemporary.

"Above all with the situation that Michael is in now, but apart from that Michael has a strong character," he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"But in principle I fight when people talk about people who, like Michael now, cannot defend themselves. Michael won five – and I said five – titles for Ferrari, so I think these statements were not fair," Berger added.

And Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm agreed: "I am delighted for Ferrari, Sebastian and Maurizio that things are already going so well, but I don't like to make comparisons with Michael.

"Michael in his Ferrari days was definitely not an extroverted type, but that says nothing about the quality of his character.

"I remember well how popular he was with the mechanics and the whole team, not only because of his achievements, but also because of his nature and his leadership," Kehm added.

Arrivabene, however, accused the media of making a "big story out of nothing".

"With all due respect I have always said that Michael and Sebastian are both great champions, two great people, and of course they are different," he told the German broadcaster RTL.

And as for Schumacher's recovery, Arrivabene insisted: "I pray for him. He is always in my heart.

"Michael is a fantastic, great champion and man, just like Sebastian — that's what I said. But both are different people when you meet them, Michael introverted, Seb extroverted. That's all I said.

"I was very surprised by this reaction," he added.

Arrivabene also said: "Both (Schumacher and Vettel) are very good friends of mine, and if you got to know Michael well, then you know what a super guy he is.

"With Seb it's just easier to get to know him," he added, "but my comments should not be taken as contempt for Michael — quite the opposite."

Alonso in his 'GP2' MacLaren Honda

Honda suggests McLaren to blame for 'negativity'
(GMM) As the struggling McLaren-Honda union hit a new low at Suzuka, Yasuhisa Arai suggests the one-way blame game needs to stop.

In front of the Japanese carmaker's highest-ranking officials at the Honda-owned track, the new alliance with McLaren appeared on the brink of total collapse.

Jenson Button is threatening to quit, Fernando Alonso flirted with being sacked by saying racing Honda's "GP2 engine" is "embarrassing", and earlier this month at Monza, an attack on Honda's F1 chief Arai during a press conference was interpreted by most as having been orchestrated by McLaren.

Asked how things are going between McLaren and Honda, Arai told Spain's El Pais in Japan: "The communication is very good, and better every day.

"So I do not quite understand the harassment and attack I had lately, especially at Monza, where I was subjected to the third degree," said the Japanese.

He is referring to Monza, where reporters – mainly British – demanded Arai apologize to McLaren for its woeful 'power unit' and also consider quitting the project.

Arai insisted: "Honda is aware of the difference between us and the top teams, and we know what we are doing to work on it. But I am sorry and sad that we (Honda) take all of the blame."

Increasingly, the McLaren-Honda alliance appears to be crumbling, but team supremo Ron Dennis pulled himself out of his sick-bed on Sunday to insist that – despite all the apparent turmoil and fraying tempers – they remain united.

Asked if Honda feels supported by McLaren, Arai answered: "From the technical point of view, yes.

"But, and if I may return to Monza, the acrimony of the press should not have reached that level. Of course we are disappointed too, but that negativity does not help."

Asked if he expected more from McLaren, Arai admitted: "Honestly, yes.

"It is the responsibility of the team not to create situations like this. As one team we do everything possible to be united and not create division.

"Honda has always been honest, we explained where we are and what we need to improve, but that has not been done as a team and it would have been better to tell everyone that."

Arai admitted that, in hindsight, it might have been better for Honda to keep working on its 'power unit' behind the scenes this year, rather than in the harsh F1 spotlight.

"We knew it would be very difficult but at the same time, being here in 2015 has allowed us to learn a lot," he said.

"But again, everything is not the responsibility of the engine. Also in terms of the chassis it (the project) is suffering a lot."

But he also acknowledged that, while insisting Honda's combustion engine is good, a big problem is the energy-recovery side, where at tracks like Suzuka with long straights, the drivers are left 160 horse power down at times.

"To solve it this year will be difficult," said Arai, "because it requires a re-design. But we are already working on it with a view to next season."

Dennis is going to have to show him the money before Button climbs into the McLaren Honda in 2016

Button denies Dennis' claim that 2016 deal is 'done'
(GMM) There were plenty of shattered pieces to pick up after McLaren-Honda's struggling collaboration continued to fall apart in Japan.

Even Mercedes' Niki Lauda was drawn into the saga, having suggested that his old team boss Ron Dennis should end the uncertainty about Jenson Button's future by simply coughing up the agreed money.

Lauda was publicly rebuked on the grid by Dennis on Sunday.

"I just wanted to help," the Austrian legend explained, "to keep Jenson in formula one as the last gentleman in this sport."

Dennis, reportedly sick in bed with a virus on Saturday, also tried to repair the damage on Sunday by saying he always intended to keep Button on the team for 2016.

But when told about Dennis' confirmation, Button was unimpressed.

"That's his choice," he said, "but I'm not going to comment on something that I don't know the future of.

"It's a private matter that shouldn't be publicized," Button added. "It's not the right time to say anything because nothing is done."

Dennis had said the matter of Button's contract was "simple", but Button insisted: "There's been a lot going on. It's not been straightforward."

Dennis also spent time fighting fires on Fernando Alonso's side of the garage on Sunday, despite accusing the Spaniard of a lapse of "professionalism" when he compared Honda's power unit to a "GP2 engine".

Alonso then signed off the race weekend by answering "I don't know" as to whether he will still be a McLaren driver in 2016.

"I don't know what he means by that comment," said Dennis. "I'm surprised as I spoke to him earlier today, he has a contract and he understands the contract."

Indeed, Alonso used Twitter late on Sunday to back-paddle on what Dennis acknowledges is a case of "demotivation" and "frustration".

Alonso said radio conversations, although transmitted globally, are essentially "private chats", as he also pledged his future to the Woking team.

"No one should have any doubt that I have three years with McLaren and my career in F1 will end with this team, hopefully winning everything," he added.

And Spain's El Confidencial newspaper also quoted Alonso as saying: "Honda has my full support.

"The people from Honda, when they see you, come and ask for forgiveness and patience, and the support remains the same but – hey – when you are passed by (Sauber's Marcus) Ericsson … it's hard."

Dennis explained: "Anything that's coming out of our drivers at the moment has its origin in frustration and disappointment and demotivation.

"We are all demotivated, but we will get there. It's just painful at the moment."

Sochi will be another track Ferrari will not be able to beat Mercedes' 100 HP advantage

2015 title like 'winning the lottery' – Arrivabene
(GMM) Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene has played down Ferrari's chances of winning the world championship.

After winning in Singapore amid Mercedes' sudden slump, Sebastian Vettel declared that he would try to make the "impossible possible" by lifting a fourth drivers' crown this season.

But then Mercedes returned to its usual top form at Suzuka, causing Arrivabene to equate Ferrari's chances of beating Mercedes now with winning the lottery.

"If you win the lottery, you're a millionaire," he said. "But you need to be very, very lucky — about as lucky as we would have to be."

The Italian, however, said that despite winning dominantly in Singapore, Ferrari was never under the illusion that it could keep going head-to-head with Mercedes.

"We always knew that the real comparison is not a track like Singapore, but a classic circuit like Silverstone.

"So what is important to me is that if you look at the gap between us and Mercedes in Britain and the gap in Japan, we have caught up. So I am proud of the work of our engineers," said Arrivabene.

He also warned that, like Japan, Sochi in two weeks could be another less-than-ideal circuit for the red car.

Renault to buy Lotus leaving Red Bull with a 'B' engine for 2016

Renault signs letter of intent before Lotus court date
(GMM) A letter of intent from Renault could help Lotus avoid sliding into administration later on Monday.

Despite spending the weekend locked out of its hospitality unit at Suzuka, the financially-crippled Enstone team ended the Japanese grand prix declaring it is now positive about the future as Renault is set to make an announcement.

That announcement came early on Monday morning, just before the London high court is set to return to the matter of Lotus' unpaid tax bills.

However, Renault's announcement was not that the buyout deal is done, but only that the French carmaker has signed a 'letter of intent.

It relates to "the potential acquisition by Renault of a controlling stake" in Lotus, the press release said.

"The signature of this letter … marks Renault's first step towards the project of a Renault formula one team from the 2016 season", it added.

"Renault Group and (Lotus owner) Gravity will work together in the coming weeks to eventually turn this initial undertaking into a definitive transaction provided all terms and conditions are met between them and other interested parties," Renault declared.

Ecclestone scraps April season opener for 2016 calendar
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has re-shaped F1's 2016 calendar, it emerged on Monday.

It was already known that, with the summer break controversially shrunk for next year as Azerbaijan joins the unprecedented 21-race schedule, talks to tweak the provisional calendar were taking place behind closed doors.

On the website of the Australian grand prix, tickets for the 2016 season opener on 3 April are already being sold.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that Melbourne has now been shifted from its later-than-usual April date back to 20 March. It will reportedly also involve winter testing taking place two weeks earlier than planned.

Scrapping the plans for the unusually-condensed 2016 calendar, however, means Ecclestone can avoid upsetting teams by shortening the August break, installing an arduous 'triple header' of races, or extending the championship into December.

So it means Bahrain now has Melbourne's original April 3 race date for next year, with Abu Dhabi to conclude the season almost eight months later in Abu Dhabi.

The amended calendar must now be ratified by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, which is set to meet in Paris on Wednesday.

Melbourne was already selling tickets for the April date but are happy to change to a March event.

Melbourne happy with earlier date for 2016 season opener
(GMM) Australian grand prix organizers say they will accept an earlier-than-planned race date on the 2016 F1 calendar.

Although tickets for a race in early April next year are already being sold, reports on Monday suggested Bernie Ecclestone has now re-shaped the schedule in order to restore a full four-week summer break next August.

It means Melbourne is reportedly moving back to 20 March, two weeks earlier than planned, with the new date set to be put to the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday for ratification.

"It's not a problem," Australian grand prix corporation chief Andrew Westacott said.

"We'll conduct the race on whatever date suits the requirements of the global F1 calendar except Easter (March 27). Otherwise, we're open-minded," he added.