Latest F1 news in brief

We like everyone else knew Vettel was going to Ferrari in 2015, so did Red Bull make him look 2nd-rate this year on purpose? His car certainly broke down regularly.

Surgery could put Kubica return back on track
Todt asks for calm after Bianchi crash
Marko yet to tell Sainz of plans for 2015
Vettel 'respectful' as Red Bull career ended – Ricciardo
Teams should make own tire compound choice – Force India
Lauda not sorry about Mercedes 'unfreeze' defiance
Nico Hulkenberg continues with Sahara Force India for 2015
Verstappen ends F3 season only in third place

Surgery could put Kubica return back on track
(GMM) More surgery on his injured arm could lead Robert Kubica back to formula one.

The Pole was becoming so established as a rising great talent in F1 that by 2011 he was being mentioned as Fernando Alonso's next teammate at Ferrari.

Now a full-time world rally driver, he would not confirm how close he had come to a move to Maranello when speaking to the Italian broadcaster Sky at the weekend.

"I cannot say," said Kubica, who was smiling as he answered.

His return to F1 has been thwarted so far by his recovery from a life-threatening rally crash just prior to the 2011 F1 season, when he was signed up to race for Lotus.

Restricted movement in his right arm, wrist, hand and fingers has meant that while he can drive a rally or touring car, the limited space of a F1 cockpit is more challenging.

But Kubica told the BBC he is set to look into whether further surgery could put his F1 "dream" back on track.

"Once the season is over I will look at everything," he said.

"The arm and hand are OK," said Kubica. "From a mobility point of view, there have been some improvements. From a limitation point of view, it's pretty much the same.

"So I need to have more surgery – and there are possibilities – but it's a tight season, there are many rallies and they are long events," he explained.

"Formula one would be a dream to come back but we have to stay realistic," Kubica added.

"If I decide to try and come back I will have more surgery this winter and maybe with the help of the doctors, and with some luck, it will be possible."

Todt asks for calm after Bianchi crash
(GMM) Jean Todt has called for patience in the wake of critically-injured Jules Bianchi's recent Suzuka crash.

Since the Frenchman struck a recovery vehicle in controversial circumstances during the Japanese grand prix, speculation about responsibility for the crash has been widespread.

The Italian press has been particularly critical.

"The world has 200 countries," FIA president Todt told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Each has its own ideas.

"There was this reaction by the Italian media, but it is different in Germany and the UK," he insisted. "So let's wait for the commission."

He is referring to a group he has put together to thoroughly investigate what happened at Suzuka before, during and after Bianchi's crash, and how F1 should respond.

"Let's wait for the findings before judging," Todt urged.

He said some of the facts of the crash "in hindsight seem obvious, but fate can always lead to dramatic consequences," he said.

"As I said after the accident: for years now we have seen terrible accidents without serious consequence.

"But that was not normal. It was a miracle. We must never take anything for granted or relax when it comes to safety," he insisted.

Meanwhile, 68-year-old Todt was asked if he will seek a third term once his current tenure as FIA president expires.

He answered: "I still have 39 months before me, but I am no longer a young man."

Alain Prost believes Scuderia Toro Rosso would be wise to retain fellow Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne in 2015.

Marko yet to tell Sainz of plans for 2015
(GMM) Even now crowned the new Formula Renault 3.5 champion, Carlos Sainz Jr is still in the dark about his F1 future.

Clearly the cream of Red Bull's hopeful clan of young development drivers, the 20-year-old is in the running to replace Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso in 2015.

But with the 17-year-old Max Verstappen already signed up, it is clear that team boss Franz Tost and owner Dietrich Mateschitz think keeping the experienced Jean-Eric Vergne on board might be the smarter play.

F1 legend Alain Prost agrees with them.

"Yes," he told Spain's Marca. "I would opt to stick with Vergne. Carlos is very young."

Dr Helmut Marko, on the other hand, is believed to favor taking another risk and promoting Sainz, whose namesake and father is the world rally legend.

But even with the Renault 'world series' title now to his name after the Jerez finale at the weekend, Sainz admitted to Spain's El Mundo newspaper that he is still in the dark.

"I don't know yet. Not yet, because they haven't called me," he said.

"I am patient. I wish I could say 'yes', but I have to wait."

Asked if Marko, the boss of the energy drink's driver program, has called him, Sainz admitted: "No, he has not.

"Yes, of course I am waiting. Some day he will to tell me 'yes' or 'no'.

"Everything is open," he continued. "Hopefully I will be in formula one with Toro Rosso, because thanks to them (Red Bull) I am where I am.

"And I would stay with them. But if not, I'll have to go on with my life. Make other goals. But for 2015 I would obviously like to be in F1," added Sainz.

Meanwhile, the new champion of the German touring car series Marco Wittmann has secured a Toro Rosso test.

"They (BMW) have organized a formula one test at Toro Rosso for me," the BMW works driver confirmed. "But don't be afraid — I will stay in the DTM."

Elsewhere among those hoping to break onto the F1 grid, Williams reserve driver Felipe Nasr admits he is "upset" to have missed out on this year's GP2 title to Jolyon Palmer.

But Brazil's Globo claims it is possible that, with the help of his sponsor Banco do Brasil, the 22-year-old might have a chance to debut in 2015 with Lotus or Sauber.

"For next year the plan is to be in formula one," Nasr confirmed. "With my manager we have started some negotiations. We are talking to some teams," he added.

Daniel Ricciardo got the better of teammate Sebastian Vettel in 2015.

Vettel 'respectful' as Red Bull career ended – Ricciardo
(GMM) Sebastian Vettel behaved impeccably in 2015, despite plotting his Red Bull exit and being outclassed by his teammate.

That is the claim of Daniel Ricciardo, who having established himself as an undisputed F1 star with three wins this year is now set to become the 'number 1' at Red Bull as Vettel prepares to move to Ferrari.

The Australian said that even as he rattled the reigning quadruple world champion's cage in 2014, Vettel dealt with the situation maturely.

"He was very respectful to me on the first day and he remained respectful to me after my third win," Ricciardo is quoted by Brazil's Globo.

"I'm sure he would love to have won this season, so there must be some frustration inside, but he has not shown it at any time.

"It is to his credit that he hasn't said anything to me, or in front of me. Maybe he has behind closed doors, but it was not visible to any of us," he added.

Ricciardo, 25, also said he thinks Vettel will do a good job with Ferrari next year.

"Apart from his driving ability that everyone sees on TV, his work ethic, the way he works with the engineers, is very impressive," he revealed.

"It has been good to see that from behind the scenes," Ricciardo added. "I think if he's going to Ferrari or to any other top team, he will play a strong leadership role."

Meanwhile, Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz thinks Ricciardo is more than ready to play the same sort of leadership role in Vettel's wake next year.

With Vettel having announced his exit, the Austrian billionaire said: "If we did not have a 'team leader' then the situation would look slightly different.

"But we knew that Daniel would fill these shoes, so things were much easier," Mateschitz is quoted by Melbourne's The Age newspaper.

Force-India has proposed that teams make their own tire selections for Grand Prix races. Fabulous idea!

Teams should make own tire compound choice – Force India
(GMM) Force India has a radical suggestion about how F1 should proceed in the sport's Pirelli-tired era.

Earlier in the Italian supplier's F1 tenure, Pirelli was famed – and often heavily criticized – for spicing up the race action with its aggressive tire compounds.

That has changed dramatically in 2014, as the marque responded to the often explosive events of last year and the arrival of ultra high-torque turbo V6 engines.

The last race in Russia, for instance, was notable for its lack of drama.

Nothing new here. Hermann Tilke designs a track that produces boring, processional races. And once again, Tilke blames Pirelli.

Sochi circuit designer Hermann Tilke insists he is not to blame.

"Pirelli brought very conservative compounds," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "When they are bolder again with the selection of tires, it will look different again."

Indeed, while Pirelli was earlier criticized for being too aggressive, now it is taking criticism for being too conservative.

So hard was the original compound selection for Brazil next month that Felipe Massa said it might even be "dangerous" in cold or damp conditions.

After Massa's comments, Pirelli did a u-turn and will now take softer tires to Interlagos.

"After further technical analysis of the impact of the revised circuit surface, together with a risk assessment suggesting a low probability of compound overheating due to extreme track temperatures, we have made this change with the unanimous agreement of all 11 teams," Paul Hembery confirmed.

But all the fuss about compound selection might disappear if the teams have more control, according to Force India's sporting director Otmar Szafnauer.

He told Auto Motor und Sport: "Why not let each team choose their own two tire options?"

Szafnauer said a rule change along these lines would lead to more overtaking.

"One car will be faster, another will be running longer. It would make the races exciting," he said.

Pirelli, however, has played down the likelihood of the proposal getting the green light.

"First, it would be a logistical nightmare," said Hembery. "And then there is the danger that some teams will get it wrong.

"And if the (wrong) tires are a safety problem, we are the ones who get the blame, not the teams," the Pirelli chief added.

'The Rat' is not sorry Mercedes has an unfair advantage

Lauda not sorry about Mercedes 'unfreeze' defiance
(GMM) Dominant Mercedes is unapologetic amid increasing pressure to agree to an engine 'unfreeze' for 2015.

The new constructors' champions came under fire recently when Red Bull's Christian Horner claimed Mercedes went back on an earlier pledge to agree to relax the sport's tight restrictions on in-season engine development.

"Sometimes you have to reset your own interests and do what is best for the sport," Horner is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Given Mercedes' utter dominance in 2014, the consensus among the German marque's rivals is that at least one mid-season engine performance upgrade should be allowed.

Horner said: "Our opinion is that it would not be much more expensive, and it will not affect the customers.

"This technology is still very new, so it would give everyone the chance to sort out their problems.

"Our (Renault's) power deficit to Mercedes is so big that we cannot erase it overnight. What are Mercedes afraid of?" Horner asked.

"Nico Rosberg showed with his drive through the pack in Russia how superior that package is. They should not be afraid of competition."

Mercedes F1 chairman Niki Lauda, however, is unapologetic about the team's new position amid the increasing pressure.

"If it really is the case that we now think differently than we did in Singapore," he said, "then I say that we made a mistake.

"We did our sums again and concluded that we cannot deliver the same for all of our customers, and especially not at the same price, as is required by Bernie (Ecclestone)," Lauda revealed.

Italy's Omnicorse claims Mercedes is preparing to make a bold step forward for 2015, when the existing F1 rules allow engine manufacturers to change up to 48 per cent of the 2014 design.

The report said Mercedes has developed with partner Bosch an upgrade of the turbo pressure to a maximum of 500 bar, as allowed by the regulations. Omnicorse said the 2014 turbo is limited to little more than half that figure.

Nico Hulkenberg & Otmar Szafnauer (COO)

Nico Hulkenberg continues with Sahara Force India for 2015
Sahara Force India Formula One Team is pleased to confirm that Nico Hulkenberg will continue to race with team for 2015.

The 27-year-old German returned to Sahara Force India at the start of 2014 and has enjoyed his most successful Formula One season to date. With points finishes in 13 races, including four fifth place finishes, Nico remains one of the most exciting drivers on the Formula One grid.

Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: "Everybody in the team is delighted to see Nico remain a Sahara Force India driver for next season. We rate him very highly and he has done a tremendous job this year by consistently picking up crucial championship points. We know him extremely well: he’s a true racer and he knows how to motivate the team. I am convinced he is one of the best talents on the grid and I am proud that he will continue to race in the colors of Sahara Force India."

Nico Hulkenberg: "It's good to confirm my plans for next season. This is a team I know extremely well and we've enjoyed a great year together with some special results. The team has big ambitions and I believe we can have a competitive package once again next year. We have a strong partner in Mercedes and everyone in the team is motivated and hungry for more success. I have a good feeling for 2015 and there is a lot to be excited about as we try to build on the results we have achieved this year."

Verstappen ends F3 season only in third place
Future Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen has finished his sole FIA Formula 3 European campaign in third place after losing out to Tom Blomqvist at the final round of the season at Hockenheim.

With Lotus youngster Esteban Ocon having already wrapped up the title at Imola last weekend, Verstappen, who will debut in Formula 1 next year, approached the final round narrowly ahead of Blomqvist in the standings.

But despite taking his 10th win of the season in the first of three races at the German circuit, Verstappen could muster only fifth and sixth across the remaining two encounters and slipped nine points behind Blomqvist.

"We had some troubles with the engine all weekend; it was a shame, we just couldn't attack the way we wanted to," said Verstappen.

The 17-year-old will be back in action during free practice for the United States Grand Prix later this month and will take part in the prestigious F3 Macau event prior to his full-time switch to F1.