Norbert Haug has indicated that Mercedes is not currently in the running to secure Sebastian Vettel's services. Although the extension of Michael Schumacher's contract appears likely, the cockpit alongside Nico Rosberg is theoretically open for 2013. "We will sit down with Michael and make a decision together," Mercedes' motor racing director Haug told DPA news agency. "There is no rush." Scottish racer Paul di Resta has been named as a possible successor to Schumacher, with Haug confirming that Mercedes will "not necessarily" look to pair […]

Michael Schumacher appears to have rejected the new six-week deadline over his plans for 2013. Earlier this week, Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn indicated that the issue of Nico Rosberg's teammate next year will be decided "this summer". But it was then reported that, in fact, it is seven time world champion Schumacher who possesses a unilateral option to extend his three-year deal beyond the end of this season. And at Silverstone on Thursday, he scoffed at the reports all will be known within six […]

The extension of Michael Schumacher's contract at Mercedes is the seven time world champion's decision alone. That is the claim of the German newspaper Die Welt. "In (F1) industry circles it is said that Schumacher sets the direction," read the report. "Apparently only he has the unilateral option to renew his contract. So the veteran is unlikely to be rushed into making a hasty decision." The news puts into context Mercedes' imposition of a six-week deadline for a decision about the 2013 cockpit alongside Nico […]

The FIA has reportedly extended a deadline for radical cost-cutting in Formula One. On the eve of Saturday's June 30 deadline, we reported that the prospect of cost-cutting was hanging in the balance as F1 teams dithered over the shape of the proposals. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport had reported the high risk that June 30 would come and go without significant reforms being put to the World Motor Sport Council. Indeed, that was the case, raising the prospect that - post June 30 - […]

F1's bribery scandal could cost the sport the involvement of German carmaker Mercedes. Mercedes, with its own Brackley based works team and also a major engine supplier, is watching the Gerhard Gribkowsky affair with particular attention, according to the business newspaper Handelsblatt. The report said the affair, and particularly the implication of F1's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, would have "serious consequences" with regards to Mercedes' involvement in the sport. Senior Daimler officials are reportedly very concerned that, in the event the corruption is proved, Mercedes' […]

Lotus has refused Kimi Raikkonen permission to contest this year's Rally Finland. The Finn, who returned to Formula One in 2012 after two years in world rallying, admitted this week he wanted to do the Finnish rally in August but "you'll have to ask the team if it fits in my contract". "Contractually he cannot do it. End of story," Lotus team boss Eric Boullier told Reuters in Monaco. Boullier admitted the fact the Enstone based team's former regular driver, Robert Kubica, was seriously injured […]

Mercedes appears in no mind to change its driver lineup any time soon. Breakthrough China GP winner Nico Rosberg admitted this week that he could imagine staying with the German marque for the rest of his F1 career. "I see no reason why he shouldn't stay for a long time," agreed Norbert Haug, Stuttgart carmaker Mercedes' motor racing vice-president, in the pages of Germany's Sport Bild. "We're embarking on the road to success together, so what could be better?" Indeed, it is the future of […]

Adrian Sutil has decided to appeal his conviction of grievous bodily harm. Last week, the former Force India driver was handed an 18-month suspended sentence and fined EUR 200,000 for injuring Lotus team executive Eric Lux with a broken glass in a Shanghai nightclub last April. German news agencies DPA and SID on Wednesday quoted his manager Manfred Zimmermann as confirming the filing of an appeal. A court spokeswoman confirmed the news to the major daily newspaper Bild Zeitung. Sutil decided to appeal "because we […]

Tuesday's news from the Williams factory was another serious blow to the formula one career of German driver Adrian Sutil. Having lost his Force India race seat and with a grievous bodily harm trial imminently looming, the 29-year-old was hoping to keep his career alive by replacing Rubens Barrichello at Williams. Instead, that job has gone to Bruno Senna, making 2012 a "transitional year" for Sutil, according to his manager Manfred Zimmermann. "The negotiations with Williams were already over in mid December, because there were […]

Eric Lux scoffed when asked if Adrian Sutil was ever really a contender to race for the Lotus team in 2012. German Sutil has lost his Force India race seat after five seasons and is hoping he can rescue his embattled career by switching to Williams. Earlier, however, the 29-year-old was linked with Lotus, the former Renault team now owned by Genii, the investment firm headed by Luxembourgian Lux. Lux claims he was attacked by Sutil in a Shanghai nightclub last April, in an incident […]

Rubens Barrichello agrees with Sebastian Vettel that Kimi Raikkonen might struggle to re-adapt to formula one. World champion Vettel said this week he can imagine "it would be very difficult to return straight away to the same level as before" after a two-year absence from F1. Brazilian Barrichello, who was an outside contender for the Lotus Renault race seat now occupied by the 2007 world champion and Finn, agrees. "We only have the example of Schumacher," said the 39-year-old, referring to Michael Schumacher who struggled […]

Nico Hulkenberg's return to a race seat in 2012 is a done deal, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The report said Force India has already signed its current reserve and Friday driver to replace race regular Adrian Sutil, even though an announcement is not due yet. "If you remember, he (boss Vijay Mallya) said December 15 and that would be consistent with what he's always projected," deputy team chief Robert Fernley said on Friday. 24-year-old Hulkenberg also hinted that while the announcement might not […]