Sebastian Vettel insists he is not bothered that some regard Fernando Alonso as a better driver. Recently, after a confidential post-season survey involving all 12 team bosses, Spaniard Alonso was voted the standout driver of the season, despite German Vettel winning his third consecutive championship with Red Bull. "If people think that Alonso's wins are about the driver and mine about the car, that is also Fernando's responsibility -- but it doesn't bother me," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "I admire […]

F1's governing body backtracked on aerodynamic changes for the 2014 season because of fears the next generation of cars would be too slow. After the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting in Turkey, the FIA announced that scheduled bodywork rule changes for 2014 to reduce downforce have been replaced by "2012 specification". "There was concern that Formula 1 cars would become too slow," read a report by the authoritative German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. One problem is that the all-new turbo V6 and energy […]

Heikki Kovalainen is a candidate to replace the fast but inconsistent Romain Grosjean at Lotus, the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 reports. The highly rated Finn Kovalainen is on the market because Caterham is reportedly considering signing the pay-driver Giedo van der Garde. However, MTV acknowledged that Frenchman Grosjean, despite Lotus' deliberations and the 26-year-old's numerous incidents in 2012, is "more likely" than Kovalainen to line up alongside Kimi Raikkonen next season. But Germany's authoritative Auto Motor und Sport said there is truth behind reports Lotus is […]

According to authoritative media sources, Valtteri Bottas will definitely replace current Williams race driver Bruno Senna in 2013. The news was reported from Brazil not only by Finnish broadcaster MTV3's race commentator Oskari Saari, but also the respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt, as well as others in the Interlagos paddock. Schmidt said Brazilian Senna, and also his countryman Luiz Razia, have "run through the paddock with suitcases full of money, finding no takers". Williams is not confirming the reports about its Finnish […]

Gerard Lopez, the owner of the Lotus team, has played down rumours Romain Grosjean could be dropped. Before the Frenchman got involved in yet another incident this weekend - a high-speed qualifying clash with Pedro de la Rosa - whispers in the Interlagos paddock suggested Grosjean's future was less than secure. That's because of the 26-year-old's tumultuous 2012 season, and the fact his teammate Kimi Raikkonen's 2013 deal has already been announced. "It is not yet completed, there are ongoing discussions," said Lopez, the head […]

Lotus F1 owner Gerard Lopez has blamed "angry" potential partners for spreading rumours about the team's financial situation. It had been rumoured the Enstone based squad, owned by Luxembourg businessman Lopez's Genii investment company, was having trouble paying Kimi Raikkonen and the team's 500 staff. "We pay our bills on time just as well as the other teams," Lopez is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "It (the source of the rumours) was probably some people talking who wanted to join us as partners […]

Adrian Sutil is on his way back to Formula One and Force India, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. However, the Silverstone based team's sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer denied the deal is done: "We have not signed a contract with any driver," he insisted. Team owner and boss Vijay Mallya, however, has mentioned German Sutil's name several times in recent weeks, as the team looks to replace the Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg. "I think in the next two weeks we can announce something," Szafnauer said. […]

Rumours of 'financial difficulty' at Lotus are continuing. Early this week, it was claimed Kimi Raikkonen's place at the Enstone based team might actually be in doubt for 2013. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said there is an issue in terms of promised bonus money in the Finn's 2012 contract, given his unexpectedly large points tally. "I don't know where this stuff comes from," the 2007 world champion's spokesman Riku Kuvajan was quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3. "I can't say anything about it." Now, […]

Romain Grosjean has admitted he is yet to sign on the dotted line for 2013. Early this week, as publications mused the likely shape of the 2013 grid, it emerged there could still be question marks about Lotus' next lineup. On paper, the team is expected to keep the Eric Boullier-linked fellow Frenchman Grosjean, who is strongly backed by important team sponsor Total. And Kimi Raikkonen's 2013 contract has already been announced. But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Raikkonen's place could actually be in […]

Narain Karthikeyan has hit back at Sebastian Vettel, following the latest bout of criticism from the reigning world champion. Vettel's Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, pointed the finger at HRT's Karthikeyan after Vettel lost the lead of the US grand prix on Sunday to Lewis Hamilton. "The race unfortunately hinged on one backmarker that didn't use his mirrors," he said. Vettel screamed angrily into his radio after losing the place to Hamilton, and some immediately thought the German was being critical of the McLaren driver. […]

Two of F1's biggest names had to pull out the gaffer-tape in Austin to fix up their offending helmet liveries. The always-controversial Lewis Hamilton's US-themed helmet attracted the most attention for its H.A.M. slogan, which according to street slang means 'Hard as a motherf***er'. "In light of the FIA's recent reminder to all drivers not to swear, stencilling the letters on the back of his helmet was a particularly provocative act on Hamilton's part and one which no doubt irritated his team," journalist Tom Cary […]

Toro Rosso will switch to Renault power for the start of F1's new V6 engine era in 2014. That is the claim of the authoritative German specialist publication Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the Red Bull-owned team will end its long association with supplier Ferrari after the V8 era concludes late next year. Red Bull Racing, the energy drink's premier F1 team, is Renault's 'works' partner, running major branding of Renault partner Nissan's luxury arm Infiniti. And also according to Auto Motor und Sport, […]