FORMULA 1 - 2012

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JYS WARNS VETTEL: FERRARI SWITCH WOULD BE A MISTAKE:

Sir Jackie Stewart has warned Sebastian Vettel against swapping the stronghold of support he has built up at Red Bull for a move to Ferrari to go up against Fernando Alonso.

Strong reports over recent months from respected outlets in the Italian media have suggested that reigning two-time world champion Vettel has some sort of agreement in place with Ferrari over potentially joining the Maranello marque as Alonso's team-mate in 2014, although Red Bull chief Christian Horner, whose team announced last year that Vettel had signed a contract extension up to the end of the season after next, has insisted his star driver is going nowhere.

With the driver situation among the top teams for 2013 ultimately looking set to prove more static than many had expected going into this season, the Vettel/Ferrari 2014 speculation has nonetheless provoked much intrigue already although Stewart fails to see the logic on Vettel's part of such a move at this stage of his career.

The three-time title winner reckons that such is the position of strength Alonso has already established for himself in his two and a half years at Ferrari, Vettel would find it difficult to overcome that. Indeed Stewart suggests that the 25-year-old should really only consider leaving Red Bull when the team's competitiveness started to wane.

Asked if he was in Vettel's position would he take on the challenge of going up against Alonso, Stewart told the podcast: "No I wouldn't. I wouldn't do that at this time. I think Alonso's far too strong for that. I think Alonso is so mature that he would see anybody off because of the relationship he has already built within Ferrari.

"I think it's much better to let that pass for the moment and stay with Red Bull because he's got a team of people that he knows intimately now who are really imperative for him to have and they feel that it's imperative for them to have him. I wouldn't break that mold at this time. In fact I would almost wait until I had a very bad year with a Red Bull before I would think of leaving.

"Then my option would be 'who am I going to get who is going to provide me with what I need' and it may not necessarily be Ferrari."

Stewart, nevertheless, remains a huge fan of F1's youngest ever double world champion and is convinced the recently-turned 25-year-old will remain at the forefront of the sport for a long time to come.

"I think he's remarkable," he said. "He certainly was the most mature 24-year-old I had seen in Formula 1. Now he's 25 and I don't see the end of that coming I think his mind management has had a lot to do with that. For somebody of that age to have the mind recognition to be able to discipline himself in such a fashion I think is extraordinary.

"He occasionally lets out one that he shouldn't but then he grabs it back knowing that that is the wrong way to go. I think he is surrounded by good people: he's still very good with his family, I think he leads a normal life in his own way in comparison to what he is as a world figure in sport. He's held that down in a very mature way for a young man. I think his skill's going to continue for a good many years."

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FRANK WILLIAMS SAYS SENNA CAME OF AGE AS AN F1 DRIVER IN HUNGARY:

Bruno Senna’s performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix shows the Brazilian is beginning to finally come of age in F1, reckons his team boss Frank Williams.

While the wildly contrasting fortunes of Pastor Maldonado have dominated Williams’ season, Senna’s quiet efficiency in delivering a steady stream of the minor points finishes has ensured the Grove team remain ahead of Force India in the constructors’ table. Senna’s main weakness up until the Hungaroring had been matching Maldonado’s qualifying performances but in Budapest the former HRT and Renault driver finally hauled his FW34 into Q3 for the first time and then raced strongly to finish seventh ahead of Mark Webber and Felipe Massa.

The Grove team has remained supportive of Senna since the start of the season despite some low-key weekends. Frank Williams has expressed his admiration for the Brazilian’s performance in Hungary.

Asked if he thought the result would act as a turning point for the 28-year-old, Sir Frank replied: “Yes I think you’re right, it probably was a bit of a coming of age in F1. It was a strong drive, I would say pretty much without mistake at all.

“I was very encouraged, I really was. It sounds condescending but we all sit in the pits and watch these races and we’re almost emotionally with the drivers, urging them on as they’re striving away. You still get that feeling from within and I just felt from Bruno he was really getting on with the job and needed little mental urging from the pits accordingly. He’s very intelligent and I think he’ll work it out for himself quite well.”

Senna’s failure to match Maldonado’s outright pace had prompted suggestions that he could find himself coming under longer-term pressure for his drive from Valtteri Bottas, who regularly takes over the Brazilian’s car in Friday morning practice. Williams admits the 22-year-old Finn has made a sizeable impression at Grove, but isn’t putting a timeframe on any promotion.

“I can’t make any prediction as and when he will get into one of our two cars – three into two don’t go,” he admitted. “But he is very highly regarded within the team. He seems to be a naturally gifted driver who doesn’t have too much to say for himself – so he’s in with a very good chance!

Despite the inconsistencies displayed by both race drivers, Williams nonetheless go into the closing months of the season in a far healthier position than last year – when the once all-conquering outfit claimed just five points all season. The team founder reamins as ambitious as ever, however, and wants far more than seventh place in the standings – something he believes the team are capable of achieving.

“For some teams very well but for us not particularly well at all,” he said when asked how he would assess 2012 to date. “The famous headmaster’s expression ‘must do better next time’ very much applies in this institution.

“They’re a very good bunch of people downstairs [in the factory] and those around them and if we’re struggling today we’ll certainly emerge we believe, if not this season next season. We have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience, very good equipment, wind tunnels etcetera. No excuses.”

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Usain Bolt vs. Lotus F1 car?

Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt won another Olympic gold medal this afternoon as he set an Olympic Games record in winning the 100 meters, but the Lotus F1 team is only mildly impressed.

Lotus Formula 1 Team reckons that the world-record time of 9.58 seconds that Bolt posted in winning the 2009 World Championships is good – but not as good as the Lotus E20. The Kimi Raikkonen car would cover 100 meters in 4.25 seconds and would reach 150km/hr (93 mph) as a top speed, compared to Bolt’s 28-mph top speed in the same distance. Advantage Lotus

Of course, Bolt’s 93 kilos (204 lbs.) is much lighter than the 640 kilos (1408 pounds) of the E20, but the horsepower advantage more than makes up for this disadvantge. Advantage Lotus

As for maintenance and running costs. All Usain needs is a pair of runners, and three square meals a day, total approx $200. A quick internet search and the figure of 10,000 dollars a mile to run an F1 car seems to be a reasonable estimate. So this works out to $621 dollars for 100 meters. Advantage Bolt

Now as efficient as the Lotus Renault engine technology is, Usain Bolt wins again when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Advantage Bolt

And in the category that counts the most, Lotus has eight podium finishes this year, but no wins, and none of the Lotus awards have been gold Olympic Medals of which Usain Bolt now has four and this Olympics is not yet over. 1st place is all anyone remembers. Advantage Bolt

Final Score: Usain Bolt (3) - Lotus F1 (2)

We would love to see this race. Perhaps Lotus or the Red Bull Racing promotional team can make it happen?

Though Judging from this photo uploaded by a Motorsport.com user. Usain Bolt may be more of a Ferrari fan.

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Webber to chip away at records

Mark Webber is determined to improve his statistics before he retires in order to cement his Formula One legacy.

The Australian has already won twice this season to take his total wins tally to nine, which puts him 33rd on the list of all-time grand prix winners and ahead of former World Champions like John Surtees and Keke Rosberg.

Although the major thing missing from CV remains a World Championship, the 35-year-old is eager to chip away at the records before he hangs up his F1 gloves.

When asked by Autosport if he felt a compulsion to win more before retiring, he replied: "It's human nature to always want more.

"You never think you have more wins than some World Champions, but that's the way it is.

"Would you have one win and one World Championship? Well, probably yes, but I have nine wins and of course I want to get more wins, and let's see what happens with the big stuff later on.

"Ultimately, I've been very proud of what I've achieved - you always want more, that's normal. When I left Australia to have what I would call a reasonable career in Formula One, that was something which wasn't a guarantee when I left, so I think I've got what I deserved.

"I've chipped away and boxed at it, we've had some ups and downs; and to improve my statistics is in my hands. I'm going to have to work very, very hard at it, but at the end of it all, the numbers don't lie.

"I am at a world class team, and we have a great chance to improve many, many statistics and that's what I want to do."

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EU investigating Nurburgring's loan

The European Commission has launched an investigation into the financial state aid that has been granted to the Nurburgring circuit.

Last week the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper reported that the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate - which owns around 90 percent of the circuit's holding company - has agreed to release €254 million worth of funds to the Nurburgring.

This financial aid comes in the wake of additional financial measures which were provided to the German circuit back in May, which include a rescheduling of interest payments on previous loans.

However, the government's assistance is now being investigated by the European Commission after "doubts" were raised.

"At this stage, the Commission has doubts that the measures were granted on market terms and that the companies are viable without continued state support," said the EC in a statement.

"The extension of an in-depth investigation gives interested third parties an opportunity to comment on the additional measures under assessment; it does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

"The Commission is concerned that Nurburgring may already have been a company in difficulties in 2008, when it received the previous aid. Because of its highly distortive effects on competition, rescue or restructuring aid to a company in financial difficulties may be granted to a given company only once in a period of 10 years.

"The Commission will now investigate whether these repeated public interventions were in line with EU state aid rules."

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Maldonado: They're normal mistakes

Pastor Maldonado is adamant that any mistakes he has made this season have all been part of the normal learning curve for young drivers.

In the last four grands prix Maldonado has been involved in no fewer than three incidents.

After the European GP he was stripped off his World Championship point for causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton while one race later, the British GP, he was reprimanded and fined for crashing into Sergio Perez.

His woes didn't stop there as in Hungary he was slapped with a drive-through penalty for contact with Paul di Resta.

The Williams driver, though, is adamant that his mistakes have been no worse than those made by others as they learn their craft.

"They're normal mistakes," he told GP Week. "If you look at other drivers, they've done the same in the past."

He added: "If we can think about Valencia. I was in a difficult position.

"I was one lap from the end and three seconds quicker than Lewis. I tried to gain the position, he tried to defend, and I think it was a normal race contact.

"In Silverstone I was very unlucky because I lost the car on the entry of the corner and unfortunately Perez was on the outside of the corner."

Asked whether he felt he now had a 'bit of a reputation in the paddock for causing accidents', Maldonado said: "Before I won the race (in Spain) nobody was here, now everyone is here.

"This is racing, you know. I made a couple of mistakes, that's it. I will try to do my best always.

"Sometimes it hasn't worked out as I expected but the important thing is we're very quick and we must stay like that."

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Mercedes confident of stronger second half

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn believes the Anglo-German team will enjoy a better second half of the season despite their gradual decline.

The outfit started the season with a quick car, as proven by Nico Rosberg who won the Chinese Grand Prix and finished on the podium in Monaco, whilst team-mate Michael Schumacher took third in Valencia.

However their pace has steadily declined as rival outfits have caught and surpassed them which has led Brawn to believe that it's been a season of ups and downs so far.

"I think we are pleased with some of the achievements this year," he told the official F1 website. "We've won a race and had some strong podiums, and we've scored more points than we'd done this time last year.

"But, of course, we also feel that we are not quite where we want to be in terms of consistent competitiveness. We are still working on strengthening the team, strengthening the designs to be more competitive in the future."

One outfit which is rapidly catching Mercedes, although rather inconsistently, is Sauber. The team hasn't hidden their desire to beat Mercedes and finish fifth in the Constructors' - a position Brawn isn't proud to be in and hopes a better second half will help them to improve or at least maintain.

"I am sure they [sauber] do focus on P5 - and I respect that," he added. "We haven't got the car quite as we wanted right now, but we have a very good team - very good people - so I am optimistic that we are going to have a stronger second half to the season than the first half.

"I want to do better. P5 is not our ambition and we will do anything possible to end better. There are still a lot of races to come with many more points to be won."

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'Lotus will win, maybe in Spa' - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is under no illusions that Lotus, as of the last race, now have the quickest car in race trim.

The McLaren driver doesn't doubt for a second that Lotus will finish the 2012 season without having won a grand prix, and says they have a good chance of winning in Belgium when the F1 circus comes out of hibernation.

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean have come close to winning this year, but as of yet they haven't had the perfect weekend, something Hamilton is aware of.

"We were quick but if both Lotuses had qualified on the front row, they would have won," said the 27-year-old.

He's hoping McLaren can introduce further upgrades in an effort to pull ahead of Lotus who are set to debut their double-DRS at the next race.

"It would be nice to have a comfortable race where we stay ahead and me and Jenson can get a one-two," he added. "But that's only going to come from more performance in the car and that's what we've got to work towards.

"I really hope we have another upgrade in Spa. I'm going to be pushing for it because Lotus, I believe, are coming with an upgrade then. I've no doubt that Lotus will win at some stage, if not in Spa, so we have to make sure that we make a step as well as they do."

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Pastor Maldonado vows to make up for points lost in mid-season F1 races

Pastor Maldonado is confident of making up for the points he has missed out on during the first half of the Formula 1 season after the August break.

The Williams driver has not scored a point since his victory in the Spanish Grand Prix in May. He has only banked four points, four eighth place in China, on top of the 25 he claimed for that win despite several outstanding qualifying performances.

He vowed to convert his prodigious pace into more top 10 finishes in the second half of the year.

"There are still nine races to go, which is quite a lot, so we have time to recover," the Venezuelan told AUTOSPORT. "I will do my best in the second half of the season to recover the loss and will never back off.

"We need more points and we need to improve and learn from the mistakes. Every time I go on track, I try to learn and constantly improve. That is my approach.

"For [various] reasons, we didn't get any points after Barcelona. But this is racing. Qualifying has been good."

Maldonado has been the subject of criticism this season. He has been punished by race stewards three times in the last four races for clashes with Lewis Hamilton (Valencia), Sergio Perez (Silverstone) and Paul di Resta (Hungaroring) but insists that he isn't being distracted by such comments.

He emphasises that he has not let his focus waver in the face of criticism, or after the praise that he deservedly received after his win in Spain.

"I was not looking for [good] comments from people on that," he said of how that win changed the way he was perceived. I had full focus on my job trying to push the team forward.

"When you do well, you have everyone on your back in a good way and when you do badly you have everyone on your back in a bad way."

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McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh does not want to remain as FOTA chairman when his current term ends

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says he will not stand for re-election as chairman of the Formula One Teams' Association.

The Briton has been at the helm of the teams' body since the end of 2009, when he replaced Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

Although the position was originally supposed to be occupied on a rotational basis for 12 months, Whitmarsh has been there for nearly three years.

But the McLaren boss has revealed he will not stand for re-election next time.

"I'm never going to volunteer for it," Whitmarsh told AUTOSPORT. "I think it's probably healthy, I suppose it's three years or whatever, I think it would be quite healthy for someone else to do it now. I think it's for the teams to decide on that.

"I care about Formula 1, whatever role I'm in. McLaren I think, has been an extraordinarily good citizen, in my opinion, of the sport.

"We [FOTA] have tried to be a galvanising, stabilising force, trying to understand the issues of all the players. Whatever happens, we'll continue to try and do those things. But I think it would be quite neat for someone else to have a go at it."

Whitmarsh said he has not spent time considering who may replace him, but he feels it would be a good chance for whoever takes over.

"I think it depends. I mean, it's a long way away. At the moment we've got 10 races left and I'll concentrate on that and on other things. We'll see what happens, but my recommendation to them will be that someone else does it. It'll be a good opportunity for them."

When asked if Mercedes boss Ross Brawn or Lotus chief Eric Boullier could be possible candidates to replace him, he said: "I'd support either of those candidates."

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Buemi rules out HRT, Marussia for 2013

Sebastien Buemi is confident he can return to the formula one grid in 2013.

After being dropped by Red Bull's driver development team Toro Rosso, the 23-year-old Swiss was signed for 2012 by the energy drink's premier championship winning team as its official reserve.

"It's good," Buemi told the German language Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten.

"Red Bull is the number one team in formula one and I have a foot in the door. This is important if I want to return to the grid next year."

As to how his search for a 2013 race cockpit is going, Buemi insisted he has "options".

"I can't tell you any more before the ink is dry on a contract," he said. "But I can say that it looks good at the moment."

Buemi categorically ruled out switching to F1's struggling backmarkers Marussia or HRT.

Asked if he would trade his spot on the reserve bench for a seat at one of those small teams, Buemi insisted: "No, I would not.

"Of course I want to race again, but those teams are just too far away from the others. You're not in the right race if after 15 laps you're trying not to be in people's way."

Asked if that means he is in talks with a 'serious, competitive team' for 2013, Buemi answered clearly: "Yes."

Naturally, he would not be on the market at all if Red Bull had kept its 2012 lineup instead of opting for newcomers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Asked about that, Buemi answered: "Currently it's not going too well for Toro Rosso, they've got less points than they did in 2011, but I'm not thinking about it.

"The Toro Rosso chapter is over for me and in the past."

He said he will not be echoing his former teammate Jaime Alguersuari's much harsher criticism in the wake of the Toro Rosso driver clean-sweep.

"I'm grateful to Red Bull," insisted Buemi, "they've helped me a lot. I don't want to talk about how it ended with Toro Rosso. It is what it is -- I can't change it."

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Six thousand F1 fans may lose their seats at Spa as ticket company files for bankruptcy

Fans that purchased tickets via TTE are out of luck for Belgian GP

Many fans of Formula One are just discovered their pre-purchased tickets will not be accepted for the September 2nd race at Circuit Spa- Francorchamps. The Dutch based online The Ticket Enterprise apparently is filing for bankruptcy, per the Concentra media in Belgium.

The report states that over 6,000 fans, including local and world-wide spectators are out of luck. The Ticket Enterprise (TTE) which is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands started their internet business in 2008.

Motorsport.com has yet to have a reply verifying the news at this time. However, viewing their online site, it currently dates back to 2011. They do show the 2012 event schedules for Formula One, MotoGP, World Superbike, and Superleague Formula. And if any complaints were made for the early events this season is an unknown factor at this time.

Word from both the Belgian organizers and the local Dutch police department that handles online scams have been able to contact TTE. Those who purchased the ticket for the grand prix in Belgium have filed complaints with the police,

The spectators who purchased the tickets will lose approximately 135 to 550 euros, per the Concentra.

Per their own website, they state: “Buy a package with WWTE and your holiday is protected with ATOL protection.”

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Fry: The weather has helped us out

Ferrari technical chief Pat Fry admits the weather gods have smiled down on them during the opening half of the season.

Fernando Alonso enjoys a 40-point lead in the World Championship after claiming three race victories and three further podiums in the 11 races to date.

His rivals, though, will be quick to point out that he has benefitted from the rain on quite a few occasions as his wins in Malaysia and Germany came on the back of wet conditions in either qualifying or the race.

Fry concedes that the weather played its part, but feels they are slowly but surely getting better in dry conditions.

"Obviously, if it had been a completely dry race in Malaysia, it would have been a different story," he told Autosport. "I don't think we can hide behind the fact that the weather has helped us out.

"Do I think we're the quickest in a dry qualifying? I don't think we are now, but in the last two wet sessions [silverstone and Hockenheim, where Alonso took both poles] it has been more impressive."

Ferrari made a poor start to the season and were well off the pace of McLaren and Red Bull, but they have taken major strides forward.

The F2012 is likely to sport major upgrades at Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix and Fry hopes they will once again have some "luck" with the weather.

"We just need to keep working at it," he said. "We're fortunate to be where we are - some of that is luck with the weather but then everyone's got those conditions. They've got to go and make the most of it.

"Yes, we were helped by the weather, but then why didn't other people take advantage of it?"

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Petrov calm about Caterham future

Vitaly Petrov hopes to sort out his future after the summer break, but insists he is "not nervous" about his 2013 seat at Caterham.

The Russian joined the Norfolk-based squad in February after being released by Renault and, although unspectacular, he has done a solid job alongside Heikki Kovalainen.

While many teams are starting to confirm their line-ups for the 2013 campaign, Caterham have kept quiet about their future plans and it is likely to stay that way for the next few weeks.

When asked by f1news.ru about his future Petrov, he replied: "I think after August . At the moment it is just speculation [about drivers moving]. Felipe Massa being fired [by Ferrari] and this confusion is likely to continue until the end of the season.

"The main thing is that the team is happy with me, they've said it in the press and to me personally. If there were talk about me leaving Caterham, or about me being kicked, I would probably nervous. But because I have good results, and we work well within a team, I see no reason for that."

As for the team's goals for the second half of the season, Petrov admits it's difficult to judge at what level Caterharm are at the moment.

"I don't think we have one set of specific targets. It's a really difficult question to answer as I don't know what to expect," he said.

"When I was at Renault we already knew at this stage of the season that the car was losing speed at the team, which meant that getting into the top 10 would have been difficult, but possible. But here the gap between us and Toro Rosso are too big and so far we have not yet reached the level that I can give accurate predictions. It is still difficult to say what results we expect in the next races."

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McLaren against 'two tier' engines

Martin Whitmarsh is against a proposal for F1 to run two different engines, calling it "unattractive".

With Formula One set to switch to 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines concerns have been raised about both the cost of the new engines and a shortage in number.

This has resulted in a 'tentative' proposal for Formula One to run two specs of engines in 2014; the V6s and the existing the

2.4-litre V8s.

One team boss who is not in favour of the idea is McLaren's Whitmarsh.

"It's feasible," he told Autosport. "I don't think it's an attractive thing to do, personally.

"Equivalence formulas, we have had it before, we had it in '88, we had turbos and normally aspirateds when we were coming the other way.

"It wasn't such a bad memory for McLaren, but it wasn't an attractive formula."

However, should the idea be put into action, Whitmarsh says the rules will need to be changed in order to balance the differences between the two engines.

"I think you'd have to arrange, if you did it, such that the new turbo engines have advantage over normally aspirated, so you're creating a two-tier championship, which is I think not an attractive thing to have," he said.

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Button rules out partnering Alonso

Jenson Button is adamant there is no weight to the continued rumours that Ferrari are interested and even if they were, he wouldn't partner Fernando Alonso.

Despite having committed his long-term future to McLaren, rumours persist claiming that Ferrari are keen on Button replacing Felipe Massa next season.

The Brit, though, is adamant there is no truth to the stories and Ferrari have not even spoken to him about it.

"There has always been contact. When I see Stefano (Domenicali) in the paddock we always say 'hello, how are you?'" he told Italy's Autosprint magazine.

"But he knows my situation and I know that I have a contract for next year. I see no reason for this to continue focusing in my direction."

Pressed as to whether knowing that Ferrari want him makes him 'proud', Button responded: "Who said they did?

"Well I think if you look at this team, McLaren, you see a team that has achieved so much.

"And if you look at the red team you see the same thing.

"All Italians are passionate about sports, especially motorsport. But for now (McLaren) is the right place for me. Although as I've said... never say never."

Button highlighted one aspect of joining Ferrari that would deter him from the move, Fernando Alonso, who is undoubtedly the number one driver at the Italian stable.

Asked whether he believes Alonso could "divide" the team for another driver, Button said: "If you give him the choice not to then no I don't think so.

"He is a very intelligent driver and maybe in a parallel universe I would work with him.

"It would be difficult but it is always interesting to have someone next to you who's so tough, so smart. I admire him as I admired Alain Prost.

"He's created a great atmosphere around him at Ferrari with very good people. I'm sorry for Felipe, but I think Fernando has the whole team around him."

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Maldonado's demo ends early as he crashes

Pastor Maldonado's demo in his home country of Venezuela ended a little prematurely after he span his Williams, damaging the suspension on a roadside kerb.

The Williams team are in Venezuela to meet fans and partners during a six day visit which was meant to feature a 12-lap demo run around the capital, Caracus.

However, the 27-year-old completed two laps before he was caught out by the bumpy road surface and damaged the rear of the car, bringing an end to the run which was performed in front of 20,000 fans, local VIP's and team owners Sir Frank Williams and Toto Wolff.

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Mercedes engine the cause of high tyre wear?

Mercedes' powerful engine could be the cause of increased rear-tyre wear for its customers; McLaren, Mercedes and Force India, according to a report in Germany's Auto und Motor Sport.

It's believed that the high torque at the mid-range is putting increased power and therefore stress through the rear-tyres, particularly when a driver accelerates out of a medium-speed corner.

This could go some way to explaining why Ferrari, Sauber, Red Bull and Lotus are enjoying longer life in their Pirelli tyres. The former pair are powered by the Ferrari unit, whilst the latter two are powered by Renault - both engines are well-known to offer slightly less power than the Mercedes unit.

A comment made by Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, in which he said, "the characteristics of the engine have a large influence on the degradation of the tires," supports the reports findings.

Mercedes have recognised the problem and are believed to be working on a fix, though a trade-off exists between decreased tyre wear through less torque and a higher rate of acceleration to the cars top-speed.

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Racing surface going down at 2012 US GP track

Organisers of the 2012 US grand prix have begun to lay the crucial racing surface at the brand new Circuit of the Americas.

Watching the progress at the bespoke venue in Austin, Texas, was Alexander Rossi, Caterham's 20-year-old Californian test driver.

"I was blown away," he told local broadcaster YNN, "I was almost speechless with how impressive it is because seeing it on paper is one thing, but to be able to actually drive around it, and feel the flow of it and the rhythm of it, and to see the spectacle that is turn one."

Circuit spokeswoman Julie Loignon said work at the venue is "on schedule" for the inaugural race in mid November.

"We're beginning the process known as echelon paving."

She explained that, to ensure a uniform racing surface, three separate paver machines are making three separate laps around the 5.5 kilometre layout.

"The end result is going to be a grade one race track for formula one racing," Loignon added.

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'Merc to partially withdraw from F1'

Mercedes are reportedly considering a partial withdrawal from F1 that would see them involved in a "semi-official" team from 2014.

According to French weekly Auto Hebdo in recent months the powers-that-be at the German car manufacturer have been asking themselves the question "how to get rid of a costly team with disappointing results while still enjoying its benefits?"

Unhappy with Bernie Ecclestone's decision not to give them a seat on the board when or if Formula One is floated on the Singapore stock exchange, it is believed that Mercedes have not signed the new Concorde Agreement thereby refusing to commit to Formula One long-term.

Added to that, a report emerged in June in a German business paper, Handelsblatt, claiming that Mercedes could quit over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery scandal.

The company was quick to deny the rumours with a spokesman saying: "Our Formula 1 commitment is for the long term and an integral component of our company philosophy."

The reports of their departure, though, have refused to die down with Auto Hebdo stating that Mercedes are set to change their level of participation in F1 at the end of next season.

Instead of having the Mercedes AMG team and focusing on their ownership of it, the revised team will be known as AMG F1.

According to Global Motorsport Media, the team will "be run by team boss Ross Brawn" while seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will stay on as a driver.

Mercedes will continue to provide engines to customers.

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Rubens: I would've been an asset

Rubens Barrichello, who is refusing to give up on a Formula One return, reckons Williams would have benefitted from having him this season.

Having been dropped by the Grove-based team in the wake of last year's dismal campaign - Williams' worst-ever - Barrichello made the move over to the American-based IndyCar series.

However, the Brazilian has not given up on Formula One, saying he believes Williams, with their much-improved FW34, would be pulling in even better results if he was behind the wheel.

"I think there is still a way back," Barrichello told Auto Moto und Sport.

"My heart bleeds that I cannot be there.

"I think it's a shame for Williams because I think would have had a really big year. Not just for me, also for the team. Williams would have benefitted from me.

"I would have been a good team-mate as a coach for Senna, Bottas or Maldonado. Next to me they would have gone much better than they can now.

"Look at Maldonado. He had few accidents last year than this season. Pastor is super fast and will me at his side he would've been a lot more controlled.

"Okay so they have more points to his tally than last year but with this car we would have been in the top third."

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'Kimi is the greatest danger'

Kimi Raikkonen could be the biggest threat to Fernando Alonso's World title bid, according to Giancarlo Minardi.

With nine races remaining in what has been a sensational season, Alonso is leading the Drivers' Championship on 164 points having already claimed three race victories.

However, the Spaniard is by no means in the clear.

Four drivers have a realistic chance of winning the title with Mark Webber 40 points off the pace and two ahead of Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton and Raikkonen also have a shot.

However, it's Raikkonen, who despite being 48 points off the pace, that Minardi believes could be Alonso's biggest threat.

"Spa will be the real turning point to one of the most beautiful Championships in recent years," said Minardi.

"To date we have not a real leader in terms of driver and car - and despite the fact Alonso is 40 points ahead, I think, it is premature to say the title is his.

"There are five drivers' who could win the title still and the greatest danger could come from Raikkonen.

"Unfortunately, some results haven't gone his way and he needs to improve in qualifying too. But he is aggressive and consistent in his performance.

"It will be important to have the best summer break (and) to develop new parts.

"Ferrari needs to find some more lap time and even though Red Bull Racing has lost some of its lustre (compared to 2011), it can count on the consistency of its two drivers unlike McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus.

"Alonso is in great shape and he has managed to take every opportunity, supported by a reliable Ferrari.

"It is this aspect that allows the Scuderia to concentrate 100 percent on the development of the car."

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'Duel is between Alonso and Vettel'

Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel will be the last two standing in this year's title race, according to Rubens Barrichello.

With nine races remaining this season, five drivers stand a realistic chance of winning this year's Drivers' Championship although with 225 points still to play for there are more who are mathematically still in the hunt.

Alonso is leading the battle with 164 points, 40 ahead of Mark Webber who holds a slim two-point advantage over his Red Bull team-mate Vettel. Lewis Hamilton is five more off the pace in fourth place with Kimi Raikkonen one point behind the McLaren driver.

However, when the season draws closer to the final race in Brazil, Barrichello believes only Alonso and Vettel will be left standing.

"Alonso is in the form of his life," the former Formula One driver told Auto Motor und Sport.

"He's not in the fastest car but he makes the most of it and now his pursuers are taking points off each other.

"In the end it will result in a duel between Alonso and Vettel."

Barrichello was also asked to weigh in on his former team-mate Michael Schumacher who will contest his 300th grand prix in Monza next month.

"I like the way he has decided to approach the matter and I knew that it would be difficult after a three year break to immediately regain a foothold," said the Brazilian.

Speaking about Schumacher, prompted Barrichello to give his thoughts on F1's other returnee World Champ, Kimi Raikkonen. "It has really surprised me then how many fewer problems Kimi has had with it."

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Hamilton: I've dumped my baggage

Lewis Hamilton believes a happier personal life and the strengthening of relationships with those around him have paid dividends out on track this season.

Last year Hamilton was embroiled in several controversies, visiting the stewards offices more frequently than he did the podium while away from the track his personal life was also dealt several blows.

This year, though, there is a much happier Hamilton walking around the paddock as he is back with his girlfriend, often has his father by his side and seems more content with life.

And that has translated into his on-track results resulting in Hamilton having a shot at winning this year's World title.

"Every year you finish the season and you try to analyse what you've been through and what you've done, and try to take away the positives from what you've done," the 27-year-old told Autosport.

"Then you try to channel those and then improve on the things that you didn't do so well.

"I've always said it's a combination not just of things you do at the track, but it's your personal life out there, time at home, time with friends, those sort of things.

"I've strengthened bridges and relationships with people, not only in my personal life but also in my team. I've been working with the engineers better this year and all of that stuff has just helped.

"I don't have any particular problems going on in my life, or any baggage - and last year I had a big, big sack. Fortunately I've dumped that in the dumpster and it's all good now."

Hamilton is fourth in the Drivers' Championship with two victories and 117 points, 47 behind Championship leader Fernando Alonso.

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FIA aware of VW's F1 foray plans for 2015

The German weekly Sport Bild is reporting that Volkswagen, the carmaker giant, is making plans to enter formula one in 2015.

Sauber team boss Peter Sauber confirmed recently that he met at the Geneva motor show with VW's chairman Martin Winterkorn.

The Swiss team's chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn denied there is any more to the story.

But Sport Bild said Volkswagen is planning to enter F1 with Sauber, the Hinwil based team who won a grand prix with BMW during the 2006-2009 collaboration.

The report said the FIA has been informed of the VW-Sauber plans, with Wolfsburg based VW reportedly keen to strengthen its presence in the key premier car markets in China, the US, Russia and Brazil.

Sport Bild also said Sauber might be just a "stepping stone" into F1 for VW, with the marque also keen to get involved in F1 chassis design at its state of the art Porsche Motorsport Centre in Weissach, Germany.