La Source, Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Pouhon, Blanchimont, Bus Stop and a plethora of unhealthy snacks. Yes, it's time for the Belgian Grand Prix

Cooling will provide Formula 1 teams with the greatest challenge in 2014, according to two prominent technical directors. Next season will bring some of the biggest changes in Formula 1 history, including 1.6 litre V6 engines, an Energy Recovery System and limited fuel. "Fundamentally, the power unit is significantly different; it’s not as if we’ve gone from a 3.0-litre V8 to a 3.2-litre V8 - it’s a significantly different lump of architecture in terms of the physical size of the internal combustion engine and it […]

Troubling signs of financial weakness are emerging from Lotus. The authoritative German website motorsport-total reports that, although in the hunt for the 2013 title, the Genii-owned outfit is "struggling to survive" under EUR 120 million in debt. For example, although Kimi Raikkonen is second only to Sebastian Vettel in the chase for the drivers' championship, development of the 2013 car is apparently all but over. Asked also about rumours of 'money problems', leading Lotus engineer Alan Permane admitted to Auto Motor und Sport: "We have […]

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has reminded Fernando Alonso of his duties following the Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso finished in fifth place in Hungary and while it is unclear which comments di Montezemolo is referring to, it is the first time he has publicly rebuked his driver. "There is a need to close ranks, without giving in to rash outbursts that, while understandable in the immediate aftermath of a bad result, are no use to anyone," read a statement posted on Ferrari's website. "That was […]

Felipe Massa has admitted he could drive off the grid altogether if Ferrari does not extend his contract beyond 2013. The well-connected Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper said Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta are at the front of the queue if Ferrari decide Massa's struggle for results recently should end his long tenure. Both candidates were not denying the speculation in Hungary. "To tell you the truth," Force India's di Resta told F1's official website, "my management team is looking at what […]

Heikki Kovalainen has played down rumours he is shaping up to oust the underperforming rookie Giedo van der Garde at Caterham. The team, having earlier paid the highly rated Finn Kovalainen since formation in 2010, opted for a pair of sponsored drivers this year. But in the Silverstone and Nurburgring paddocks most recently, the rumour that Kovalainen could soon return to the wheel - in van der Garde's place - gained in strength. "I think this (sort of rumour) is quite common in Formula One, […]

Sebastien Buemi, a recent Toro Rosso driver and now Red Bull reserve, has tipped the world champions to sign Kimi Raikkonen for 2014. After Mark Webber announced his impending switch to Le Mans, Red Bull narrowed down the shortlist for the Australian's successor to just three names -- Raikkonen, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. But even Ricciardo, the most consistent Toro Rosso performer of 2013, does not expect to get the nod. "I would expect a world champion team to take a world champion driver," […]

Kimi Raikkonen is on the verge of agreeing a switch from Lotus to Red Bull for 2014. That is the claim of Spanish sports newspaper Marca's correspondent Marco Canseco, who reports from the Nurburgring that although the Finn has not actually signed on the dotted line, "only missing now is the last details of the agreement". Canseco added that Red Bull and the 2007 world champion could announce the identity of Sebastian Vettel's next teammate "at Spa, after the summer break". Raikkonen told F1's official […]

The Wing, unpredictable weather and strawberries. Yes, it's time for Silverstone.

Caterham team principal Cyril Abiteboul says that their season is developing as expected, despite currently sitting in last place in the championship. Abiteboul conceded that the Canadian Grand Prix was underwhelming for Caterham, but most other events have met with expectation. "It’s fair to say our last race in Canada was disappointing, but looking at the season overall we’re probably about where we thought we would be," Abiteboul told The Official Formula 1 website. "But that does not mean that we are where we want […]

In-season testing is returning in 2014, according to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. However, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported recently that a proposal by Ferrari to trade wind tunnel hours, straightline running and promotional days for actual circuit testing was voted down. But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is said to have told La Gazzetta dello Sport, the authoritative sports daily, that an agreement to bring back testing was actually agreed in Monaco. A report on the Italiaracing website said the agreement is […]

If Pirelli's tyre tweak is introduced for Silverstone, it will almost certainly be the last change in 2013, Paul Hembery has revealed. Following criticism of the four-stop strategies seen at times early this season, the Italian marque wanted to make more radical changes for Canada this weekend. Instead, only a minor tweak will be tested on Friday morning, and pending the agreement of the teams, the change - to solve the rear delamination problems seen this year - could be introduced for the British grand […]