FORMULA 1 - 2013

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Webber has first Porsche prototype test in Portugal

Formula 1 veteran Mark Webber has gotten his Le Mans career off to an early start, testing Porsche’s new Le Mans prototype at the Algarve circuit in Portugal.

Testing the car in camouflaged livery, the newly-retired Formula 1 driver said driving the Porsche scarcely two weeks after his final grand prix in Brazil was “an intense experience”.

“I would like to thank Red Bull for giving me the chance to join the project so early,” said the 37-year-old, who will continue to be sponsored by the energy drink company for whom he raced in Formula 1 for seven years.

“We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work,” Webber said of the Porsche project. “I have no misconceptions about this.”

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Force India confirms multi-year deal for Perez to partner Hulkenberg in 2014

Mexican Sergio Perez will race for Force India next season, the British-based Formula 1 team announced on Thursday.

Perez joins the Vijay Mallya-run outfit after being replaced at under-performing McLaren by Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen, 21.

The 23-year-old will team up with Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg, who competed for Swiss-based Sauber this year, in an all-new lineup that leaves Britain’s Paul di Resta and Germany’s Adrian Sutil seeking new employers.

“He brings a healthy mix of youth and experience, and I’ve been very impressed with his recent performances,” Mallya said of Perez in a statement.

“He already has several podium finishes to his name, and being chosen by McLaren last year was a clear indication that he is a driver to watch for the future. We also recognise Sergio’s incredible talent and we are proud to have him in our team. He clearly has great speed and plenty of fire in his belly.”

Sutil is expected to move to Sauber while Di Resta’s best bet could be the IndyCar series in America, where his cousin Dario Franchitti has just retired after winning the Indy 500 three times.

Mercedes-powered Force India finished sixth overall in the constructors’ standings this year.

“Coming here was always my first choice and I’m really happy everything has now been confirmed,” Perez said.

“This is a young team with a lot of determination and they’ve produced competitive cars for the last few years. It’s all change for next season with the new regulations, but I already have a good feeling about 2014.”

MIKA: Bad choice IMO.

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Vettel: You have to work very hard to win races, this does not come out of the blue

The dust has well and trully settled on the 2013 Formula 1 season and much has been said and written about Sebastian Vettel’s incredible run to capture his fourth title in succession and with it smashing just about every record in the book. The German spoke about the momentous season past and looks ahead to the challenges he faces as he begins his quest for a fifth title, starting next year.

“Four titles…even now it is difficult for me to understand what it means,” began the 26 year old from Heppenheim. “On one hand you have the plain numbers; on the other hand you have the person behind those numbers and I have to say that my approach has not really changed in [these] last four years – and nor has the way I look at things. When I look in the mirror I see pretty much the same person – older, yes, and the beard is slightly thicker, but in terms of how I perceive myself I am still the same ‘old’ me.”

“Of course you try to learn over the years – you become a better driver who intimately knows the tricks of his trade – but I think that goes for every driver on the grid. What is still very present for me are the fantastic races that we’ve won and seeing that the whole team breathes the same spirit. The precision that we have established and the will to win that is almost physically tangible – these are the things that come to mind when reflecting on the last few years.”

“Grasping what it means to have won four titles is probably something that I will have the luxury to reflect on when I am not racing any more – when you have the time to look back and have the distance to compare yourself with other drivers. All the time you are racing your next race is always the next big challenge that you are focusing on, and not the elusive question of who is the best, the fastest or the most famous ever.”

From early on in his F1 career Vettel started breaking records and thereafter making history relentlessly. First he became youngest driver [at the time] ever to score a point in Formula 1 at the age of 19 years and 349 days; at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix Vettel became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race and at the same time become the youngest polesitter and youngest podium finisher; at the age of 21 years and 287 days Vettel became the youngest grand prix driver to win for two different teams after his victory in the 2009 Chinese GP; at the 2010 Japanese GP at 23 years and 98 days, Vettel became the youngest grand prix driver to win at the same track on two occasions; a few weeks later he won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and became the youngest World Champion in the sport’s history; a year later he won the Championship again and thus became the youngest ever double World Champion and also the youngest back-to-back Champion; in 2012 at age 25 he became the youngest ever triple World Champion and now the youngest quadruple Champion at the pinnacle of the sport.

“When looking back on what I’ve ‘achieved’ at the age of 26, I have to say it doesn’t really matter to me. I left school in 2006 – and that is not so long ago – and now I have won four titles in Formula 1. It has been incredible to do that in such a short time, yes, but on the other hand it was also always about taking the next step,” mused Vettel

“Sometimes you realized that you weren’t ready for that next step so then you worked on yourself and made sure that you were ready the next time. I was very lucky never having to feel pressure from the people who were close to me trying to push me into something that I was not ready for.”

Since his first win at Monza in 2008 Vettel has triumphed a further 38 times, been on the podium 62 times and started from pole position 45 times.

Vettel reflected, “Of course my ultimate goal was always to win the F1 title, to prove that I can do it – with all the names in the back of your head from the history books of the Champions. To win two or three or four times – or even more – is way beyond your imagination, so when it happens you just go with the flow. I can say that I am the one who puts the most pressure on me. I expect myself to perform.”

“I don’t expect to win or to be one of the best. You have to work very hard to win races – this does not come out of the blue. You have a certain amount of talent. You can’t influence the amount of talent that you have, but there are a lot of other things that I can influence and I am focusing on those. Winning the title in 2010 was a huge relief in that respect, as it was a tough season and at the end you’ve achieved something that nobody can take away from you.

In the latter half of the 2013 season, where he won nine races on the trot, Vettel was simply in another league compared to his rivals. His performances been almost alien-like in a Senna-esque manner and each one special in their own way. No surprise then that the Champion finds it tough to single out one single performance as his best.

“The moment you cross the finishing line you want to have the feeling that you’ve done your best – and that does not necessarily mean that you’ve won the race. Sometimes you win a race but know that you’ve made a mistake here, had a lapse there – so you won, but the satisfaction level is not that high.”

“And then there are sometimes races like for me in China where I didn’t qualify well because the speed was not there and so we decided to run a different strategy. Slowly we came through the field and nearly finished on the podium. That was a very satisfying race for me as I had the feeling that I had given everything I had.”

“What does that teach you? That by no means is a race only a good race when you win. Sometimes the ‘troubled’ races are the ones that get the best out of you, where your ‘recovery’ qualities are what make the difference. China was similarly satisfying to the race in India where I was able to control the race. It’s only sad that after a race like in China – where you personally feel you’ve done everything right, coming from a difficult starting position – you don’t get a trophy, whereas in India obviously I got one.”

The achievements during the past four years are diluted in the eyes of some sceptics who believe his success is due to the genius of Adrian Newey who has designed all of Vettel’s winning cars. The World Champion is aware of the doubters.

“I think a lot of people think of a lot of things when thinking about my wins: Red Bull Racing, Adrian, myself – and a handful of key people in the team. In general we all get enough credit. There is enough attention. But there are so many more people involved in that ‘winning process’ – Christian Horner was rightfully speaking about all the unsung heroes who contribute a lot with their hard work and brilliant ideas.”

“They don’t get enough credit. Sure, it is not possible to name 500 or more people, but kudos to them all! Every single individual in the team has contributed to Red Bull Racing becoming a racing legend.

“You are who you are. When you’ve done something wrong in life you’re the first person to know. So the first person you cheat is yourself. If you are happy with yourself and can live comfortably with the person that you are, then there is no reason to doubt anything.”

Vettel trounced highly rated teammate Mark Webber, who did not win a single race in 2013 as the World Champion notched up 13 victories. The Australian has quit Formula 1 and fans would have relished a top line driver – Kimi Raikkonen or Fernando Alonso spring to mind – at Red Bull. Instead the team has opted to promote Daniel Ricciardo from Toro Rosso.

“I think at the end of the day we don’t have to prove anything. We’ve proven enough. We have had four fantastic years – and where were all the others in those four years? Nothing happens without a reason. Of course you need the right package – and we had that strong package – but I remember we also had a strong package in 2009 and finished second in the Championship,” ventured Vettel.

“Think of last year [2012] the Championship was not decided when I was sent to the back of the grid in Abu Dhabi and had to fight my way back. Then we had a nightmare of a race in Brazil: the car was damaged and I was last after the first lap and managed to come back. So we had our share of misfortune on many occasions and it was down to the others to seize their chances in such moments. “

“I am convinced that you create your own luck. There will always be people who doubt, but that is their problem. Daniel will come to the team strong and will do a good job. He is coming from Toro Rosso and is in a bit of a similar situation to mine in 2009. Maybe the biggest difference is that the team has different expectations now, but also a winning record that wasn’t there when I joined.”

Technical regulations for 2014 are virtually all new – it’s farewell to the V8 normally aspirated engine as the sport usehers in a second turbo engine era. The changes could shake up the pecking order in Formula 1, a fact that does not escape Vettel.

“We all know that there will be massive changes and the biggest change for me is the engine. Everything else will be usual stuff, but in regards to the engine it will be an incredibly big challenge for the drivers.”

“Imagine having only 100 kilos of fuel available for a race! That might require looking for completely different techniques that allow you to go as quick as normal but also save fuel. You have to adapt to this new situation – and find the best way to go as fast as possible to the chequered flag!” declared Vettel before signing off and embarking on a well earned vacation.

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Maldonado expects Massa to have a good season at Williams

Despite his own eagerness to leave Williams, Pastor Maldonado thinks that Felipe Massa’s move to his former team is a good move.

Venezuelan Maldonado, who is moving his lucrative PDVSA backing to Lotus for 2014, ended his three-year stint at Williams in a bad mood, bemoaning the uncompetitive car and accusing the team of sabotage.

But the 28-year-old, who won the Spanish Grand Prix from pole last year, thinks that Williams is the right place for Massa, who lost his Ferrari seat to Kimi Raikkonen for 2014.

“I spoke with Felipe and I think [that] he made the right decision,” Maldonado told Brazil’s Totalrace.

“First, just for the change,” he said, “as he was not achieving success with Ferrari in the last years. It is also true that Williams has gone many years without major success, but I think the team can start to regain its position of the past.”

“I’m not saying to win, but to be constantly in the points and performing at the level of Sauber and the other middle teams. Felipe is a good driver, and Williams is a good team. I see no reason why they shouldn’t [have] a good season,” added Maldonado.

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FIA opens selection process for new team to enter Formula 1

Formula 1′s governing body sought expressions of interest on Wednesday from would-be new teams that could enter the sport from 2015 or 2016.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) posted a note on its website announcing “a new selection process to identify a candidate team to participate at a competitive level”.

“The overall long-term interests of the Championship will determine which candidates are selected,” it added.

Formula 1 last admitted new constructors in 2010, when Spanish-based Hispania, Virgin Racing and Malaysian-owned Lotus Racing expanded a depleted grid to 12 teams following the departure of manufacturers Honda, Toyota and BMW.

Hispania later became HRT and folded at the end of 2012, while Virgin became Marussia and Lotus Racing are now competing as Caterham.

The FIA move comes at a time of renewed speculation about the financial health of even some of the well established teams and an increasing need for drivers who can bring sponsorship with them.

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 World Champion, cited non-payment of wages as one of the reasons why he decided to leave Lotus and return to Ferrari next year.

The FIA said that the precise terms of the selection process would be communicated to those who registered a formal expression of interest by 1700 Paris time on Jan 3, 2014.

Interested parties would be required to send an initial administration fee of $5,000 as well as details about the identity of all shareholders and ultimate “beneficial owner” of all shares.

The total fee, required from all those ultimately submitting full applications, will be $130,000.

“The FIA anticipates that full applications will need to be submitted by Feb 10, 2014, leading to a decision on Feb 28, 2014,” the governing body added.

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Vettel on vacation and will skip Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain

Quadruple World Champion Sebastian Vettel, 2013 runner-up Fernando Alonso and Ferrari new signing Kimi Raikkonen, will not be testing tyres for Pirelli next week in Bahrain.

“Sebastian is currently on vacation,” the Red Bull driver’s spokeswoman Britta Roeske told Weltnewspaper.

Four teams – Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Ferrari and Mercedes – are travelling to Bahrain with their 2013 cars to help Pirelli develop next year’s tyres.

Roeske continued: “Sebastian has a difficult season behind him, and with all the new difficulties – the new technical regulations, for example – the time to the next season is not so great.

“Sebastian will reflect on the past season and prepare for the new one, but that is nothing different than what he has done in previous years.

“He will only reappear in public if there is an official Red Bull appointment, or at the first (official) tests” in late January, she added.

Similarly, Ferrari’s Alonso will also not be in Bahrain, with the Italian team confirming that Pedro de la Rosa and Jules Bianchi will do the tyre work instead.

A report by Speed Week said that while Mercedes’ Bahrain lineup is unclear, 2014 racers Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat will be in action for Toro Rosso.

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Caterham: Non-paying drivers 'irresponsible'

Cyril Abiteboul, the Caterham boss, believes drivers who refuse to bring sponsorships with them to Formula One are "almost irresponsible."

Although Abiteboul doesn't believe that only so-called "pay-drivers" should compete in the sport, he stressed that all drivers have a responsibility to help their team's financial well-being.

"For me drivers are just an extra assistance to see those commercial opportunities that can be generated either by them or us," Abiteboul said during an interview with Autosport.

"It is not that you have paying drivers or non paying drivers.

"Some drivers have made it very public - and it annoys us - that they will not make any form of contribution, which honestly I do not like because everyone is making a contribution.

"For instance Fernando [Alonso] and some of the sponsors who have been believing in him and following him since the start of his career.

"Almost all the drivers have a feeling that there must be some form of contribution that they make beyond their sporting duties.

"That is why drivers saying 'I am not a paying driver, I don't want to be one of those', is almost irresponsible because we are investing massive money to create value around those people and around those drivers.

"So for me it is only fair that drivers do make a contribution, not [necessarily] a financial contribution, but at least assist and create opportunities for the teams to generate value.

"It is a bit more complex than people tend to sometimes summarise. Yes, we will be expecting that the drivers help, but not necessarily by bringing money."

Team Lotus, as Caterham was known when they entered F1 in 2010, paid salaries to then-drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli, who had both won races earlier in their career, but their 2013 drivers Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic both had outside sponsors.

Atiboul added that the Surrey outfit's future in F1 is uncertain after losing 10th place in the Constructors' Championship to Marussia, but maintains that its sponsorship prospects would keep the team afloat.

"We have a season that is going to be more expensive, we have prize money that is going down, we have expectations to move up the grid," he continued.

"There is still a lot of interest for what we are, as a project.

"The Caterham project is something that is extremely attractive and actually I am very positively surprised by the interest that is generated and the belief that people continue to have in us, even after four years.

"That is why it is important to deliver. With just a little bit more performance, we will have fantastic commercial opportunities."

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Rosberg confident of Mercedes challenge

Nico Rosberg believes Mercedes are finally in a position to challenge Red Bull for the Constructors' Championship in 2014.

Mercedes finished as the runner-up to in the Constructors' Championship in 2013 after winning three times during the year, and with the new regulations that comes into effect in 2014, Rosberg believes the Brackley outfit is in a position to close the 200-point gap they finished behind Red Bull.

"We've made massive progress and really everybody believes that this team can do it and beat Red Bull," he told ESPN.

"We've shown we have such competence now and such a great car after making a massive step over the winter. There's this momentum now and everybody in the team believes that we can make it happen, not that we didn't before but we have the facts to back it up now.

"[2014 is] a great opportunity for us to close that gap to Red Bull and make a big step. It's a great opportunity not only for the car but also the engine and getting it together is a massive mission for everybody. But I think we're ready for such a mission and it's good that it didn't come a year before because that would not have been so good. It's the right moment and we're ready for it."

The German added that he is looking forward in to the challenges the rules changes would pose, particularly the change from V8s to 1.6 litre turbo-charged V6s.

"I'm very happy that there are so many big changes coming because I really enjoy the whole technical side to it," he continued.

"I can nearly call it a passion because I'm really interested in it and I like to get the most out of it. I hope that maybe I can pull out a bit of an advantage from all these changes that are coming."

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Force India: Paul di Resta did 'nothing wrong' as he loses F1 seat

Paul di Resta did "nothing wrong" even though Force India decided to drop him for the 2014 Formula 1 season, according to team principal Vijay Mallya.

The Scot raced for Force India from 2011-13 after spending a season as reserve driver, scoring 121 points in 58 starts with a best finish of fourth.

But with the Silverstone-based squad opting to pair Sergio Perez with Nico Hulkenberg next year, both di Resta and 2013 team-mate Adrian Sutil are out in the cold.

"Nothing went wrong with Paul," said Mallya. "I like him, he is a great friend and hopefully he will remain that but every team needs to move on.

"We gave Paul a good stint with us, it wasn't just one year. We gave him the opportunity, he did a lot for us.

"If the British fans are disappointed I apologise, but such considerations don't really merit or drive the final choice.

"We felt, and all my team members felt, that new car, new challenges, perhaps a new driver line-up would also be appropriate."

DI RESTA UNLIKELY TO STAY IN F1

Di Resta's hopes of remaining in F1 are slim, although Sauber, Caterham and Marussia all still have drives available.

Mallya says he hopes the Scot can stay on even though the 27-year-old now appears unlikely to remain on the F1 grid, with a return to the DTM with Mercedes a possible alternative.

"He's a great guy, a good driver. I've nothing against him or Adrian for that matter, they both remain good friends.

"The bottom line is I wish he stays in F1, but don't forget I brought him to F1 from DTM and gave him that opportunity.

"So I hope he stays - who knows, sometime in the future there might be another opportunity."

Sutil remains a contender for a Sauber drive, although he is not certain of remaining in F1 either.

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FIA kicks off Formula 1 driver number process

The FIA has contacted Formula 1 drivers to select the permanent race numbers they will carry from next year.

AUTOSPORT understands that the FIA has requested all drivers to nominate their preferred number, along with a second and third choice, to be lodged before Christmas.

This will allow the numbers, which will be carried by drivers for the rest of their grand prix careers and will range from 2-99 with number one reserved for the world champion, to be allocated at the start of next year

Although Article 19.1 of the sporting regulations as published suggests that a random ballot would be used to allocate the numbers, FIA media delegate Matteo Bonciani has confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the method originally announced on Monday would be used.

This involved each driver having their choice based on championship order, meaning that if two or more drivers request the same number, the one placed higher in the 2013 standings will be granted it.

The FIA is also keen to ensure that the choice of number is made by the driver, rather than the team that employs him, which is why they are being contacted directly.

The regulation states: "Prior to the start of the 2014 World Championship season race numbers will be permanently allocated to drivers by ballot, such numbers must then be used by that driver during every Formula 1 championship event he takes part in throughout his career."

"Any new drivers, either at the start of or during a season, will also be allocated a permanent number in the same way.

"The only exception to this allocation process will be for the reigning world champion who will have the option to use the number one.

"The number that was previously allocated to him will be reserved for him in subsequent seasons if he does not retain the title of world champion."

Few drivers have as yet commented on their preferred numbers, although at an event for IWC watches Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg stated that he has requested six, five and nine in that order of preference - six being the number father Keke carried to the 1982 world championship.

Force India's Sergio Perez said his first choice will be #11, which he carried in karting and in his first season in GP2.

The sporting regulations have also been modified to ensure that number visibility is improved.

Drivers will now have to carry the race number not only on the front of the car in a way that must be "clearly visible" but also on their crash helmet for the first time.

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Formula 1 driver licence points penalty system gets 2014 go ahead

The planned Formula 1 Superlicence penalty points system, which could lead to drivers getting bans, has been incorporated into the sporting regulations for the 2014 season.

Article 4.2 of the newly-released sporting regulations confirms that any driver who earns 12 penalty points during a 12-month period will be given a one race ban.

This plan was ratified at June's meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and for the first time creates a rigid system to allow the banning of drivers.

AUTOSPORT understands that a driver would have to commit multiple infringements to build up 12 points, meaning that only regular repeat offenders would be banned.

"In accordance with Article 16.3 [which covers driving standards], the stewards may impose penalty points on a driver's Superlicence," states Article 4.2 of the sporting regulations.

"If a driver accrues 12 penalty points his licence will be suspended for the following event, following which 12 points will be removed from the licence.

"Penalty points will remain on a driver's Superlicence for a period of 12 months after which they will be respectively removed on the 12-month anniversary of their imposition."

The sanctions on unsafe releases from pitstops have also been toughened up.

Drivers will incur grid or time penalties if their car is released from the garage or a pitstop in a manner deemed unsafe by the stewards.

If a car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe manner during practice sessions, the stewards may impose a grid penalty for that race if they find it necessary.

If the incident occurs during the race, the driver will get a 10-place grid penalty for the next event, but can also be penalised during the current event if he can continue racing after the incident. Possible sanctions for that case are drive-throughs and 10-second penalties.

ENGINE PENALTIES CONFIRMED

The new sporting regulations also detail the way that grid penalties will be applied in 2014 for the new 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines.

In 2014, the 'power unit' is divided into six separate modules, with a maximum of five examples of each permitted to be used.

These elements are the internal combustion engine, the motor generator unit-kinetic, the motor generator unit-heat, the energy store, the turbocharger and the control electronics.

On the first occasion a sixth example of any of the six parts is used, it will trigger a 10-place penalty, although five-place penalties will be given for any subsequent use of a sixth element.

This pattern will continue for the seventh and any subsequent elements, with the first use earning a 10-place penalty and the subsequent ones five places.

If a complete power unit is replaced at any time, the driver must start the race from the pits.

The rules also confirm that should a driver be too far down the grid to serve a full penalty, the remaining grid slots will be carried forward into the next race.

In another tweak, gearboxes must now be used for six consecutive events.

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Formula 1 to introduce 'pole trophy' competition for 2014

Formula 1 is to go ahead with the introduction of a 'pole trophy' for the season's top qualifier from 2014.

AUTOSPORT revealed earlier this month that the idea had been mooted by the FIA, and it has now been added to the world championship's sporting regulations.

The trophy will go to the driver with the most poles each year.

In the event of a tie, it will be decided on countback starting with the highest number of second places.

Should countback fail to separate the two drivers, the regulations state that "the FIA will nominate the winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit".

Sebastian Vettel would have won the pole award for four of the past five years had it existed, his run only interrupted by Lewis Hamilton in 2012.

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Sutil confirmed by Sauber as one of their drivers for 2014 season

The Sauber F1 Team is pleased to announce Adrian Sutil as one of its drivers for 2014. The German will embark on his seventh season in Formula 1, with the Swiss outfit.

Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal: “We are pleased, that we were able to sign Adrian, particularly as we have been wanting to work together with him for a while. Adrian had already visited the factory at the end of September to have a look at the infrastructure. Adrian is not only very fast, but also brings a lot of experience, which is very important looking at the new regulations for next year. We welcome Adrian to the Sauber F1 Team and look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Adrian Sutil: “I am very happy that we found common ground. Although I have known for a while where I wanted to go, in the end the negotiations took a bit longer than planned. However, now I will have all the more reason to celebrate during the Christmas season.

I’ve been in contact with Monisha for a while and she always gave me the feeling my qualities are valued. After six good years driving for Force India, with a lot of highlights, it’s now time to embark on a new challenge. I am determined to do my part in order to have a successful future together with the Sauber F1 Team. [Their] long and successful tradition in motorsport, combined with an impressive factory and one of the best wind tunnels in F1, have been fascinating me for a long time. Thank you to Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn for your trust in me.”

The second driver for the 2014 season will be announced at a later date.

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Brawn: I want to clear my mind, take a rest and then decide if I want to return to F1

Out-going Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn will take a six-month sabbatical before deciding whether to return to the pinnacle of motor sport.

Brawn has been involved with team management in Formula 1 for over 35 years but will leave his current team at the end of the year and take time to decide where his future lies.

“I am refusing to discuss any possible future positions until at least next summer,” Brawn told the BBC.

“I want to clear my mind, take a rest and then decide if I want to return to F1, subject of course to any opportunities existing.”

The 59-year-old is widely credited as a key figure behind Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles at Benetton and Ferrari and also found success with his self-titled team in 2009, when Jenson Button won the World Drivers’ Championship, and the team took the Constructors’.

Brawn has already been linked in the media with roles at returning engine manufacturer Honda, the FIA, Williams and McLaren, the latter being a potential chance to team up with chairman Ron Dennis, who confirmed that he had talked with Brawn.

“I did have a conversation with him but we were shooting together. We were having a chat and we’re mature motor racing people so of course you’re going to talk about life,” Dennis said.

“But going beyond that, as you would expect, it’s normal stuff. People probe around, the possible, the impossible.”

Brawn will hand over his responsibilities at Mercedes to executive directors Toto Wolff (business) and Paddy Lowe (technical) and formally leave the team on 31 december.

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Marko: Sutil made good choice with Sauber switch

Red Bull’s driver consultant Helmut Marko thinks that Sauber has made a good choice by signing Adrian Sutil for 2014.

The Swiss team Sauber, who were once sponsored by Red Bull, have been a constant midfield presence on the Formula 1 grid since 1993, However, they struggled through last season with financial problems.

Nico Hulkenberg, who often shone in the increasingly-competitive 2013 Sauber, has jumped ship to Force India for 2014.

So Force India refugee Sutil, who had spent his entire grand prix career with the Silverstone based team, now replaces German Hulkenberg at Sauber.

“Sutil is a very good and experienced driver,” World Champion team Red Bull’s Marko told the German publication Sport Bild.

Marko acknowledged Sauber’s financial struggle in 2013, but insisted that the Hinwil based team remains “reputable and highly professional”.

Ex Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger agrees: “It would be a huge loss to the sport if Sauber would ever disappear from Formula 1. I fervently hope they get back to where they should be.”

Sauber said that it will announce Sutil’s teammate “at a later date”.

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Brawn says Hamilton and Rosberg can win the championship

Departing Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, working his final week with the Brackley based team, is convinced that in Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg the Silver Arrows have drivers capable of winning the World Champioship.

“Each of them has what it takes to win the World Championship for Mercedes,” Brawn is quoted by German media.

“Nico overcame the challenge of Michael Schumacher, but this was not a great indicator because no one really knew at first what level Michael was during his comeback. But I think Nico’s performances against Lewis have given the people a fresh reference – he had a great year.”

Regarding Hamilton, Brawn said, “Lewis’ performance has been typical for [a] first year with a new team. He had to learn how the processes work, build relationships and we had to know each other. If you spend so long at a team, as he did [with McLaren], then you will develop your own style or get used to certain things. “

Brawn believes that the contest between the two, self proclaimed buddies within the team, will be intriguing, “It’s a great battle, which is good for the team. Now first and foremost it’s up to Mercedes to build its two drivers a strong foundation for 2014. Thereafter they might have something to cheer about.”

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'Hamilton not in the same class as top two'

Mark Webber believes Lewis Hamilton isn't in the same class as reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's two-time former Drivers' Championship winner Fernando Alonso.

During an exclusive interview with the BBC, the former Red Bull driver said that Vettel and Alonso were the best drivers he competed against, although he admitted Michael Schumacher was past his prime when the Australian joined the four-time Constructors' Champions.

"Probably between Seb and Fernando," the 37-year-old said when asked his toughest opponents were on the F1 circuit.

"You've got to pull everything together. It's hard to say. We've had to always tweak our skill-sets, that last part of our profession - Pirellis, refueling, one-lap qualifying, all that sort of stuff.

"So to try to answer your question, on Sundays Fernando over two hours is a handful. There is no question about that. Over one lap I think he's not with Seb. But on Sundays between those two it's very, very tight.

"Lewis [Hamilton of Mercedes] is handy but probably not quite as much of a machine as those two are. They are literally 'plug them in and off they go'. They are very, very handy.

"I didn't race Michael really, because he was in a Ferrari [in the early part of my career] and I was in something else [less competitive] and when I was in a Red Bull he was in a Merc, which was further back.

"But those two [Vettel and Alonso] were certainly in their prime when I was."

Webber added that he lost some respect for Schumacher when the German legend deliberately stopped his car on the track during qualifying 2006 Monaco Grand Prix.

"To stop in the middle of qualifying so the rest of us don't do a lap, that's certainly a low point for him, and obviously that's a legacy, isn't it? They are the choices he made at the time and he made a few of those," Webber continued.

"He's got a decent trophy cabinet but some of the stuff, for your fellow peers and colleagues, there are limits that you go to push each other and that respect factor. That day he made a big mistake.

"It was horrendous, absolutely horrendous."

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Sauber's Monisha Kaltenborn says F1 finances spoil the sport

Formula 1's current financial structure is "terribly flawed" and undermines its sporting credibility, according to Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

While she insists there is no desire for complete equality among the teams, Kaltenborn believes the sport risks being defined completely by budgets, with the bigger teams able to spend their way out of trouble and thereby render smaller teams' efforts futile.

She feels that dynamic ruins both the spectacle and the values of the sport, and says fundamental changes need to be made as a result.

The FIA announced on Monday that a budget cap will be introduced from 2015, although details of how it will be policed and enforced have not been confirmed.

"There is something terribly flawed in the system," Kaltenborn said when asked about the costs of competing in F1.

"For me it starts with what the system and the sport is about - and it is about different teams, not the big teams and the big budgets.

"We don't have a level playing field, and it starts there.

"We are not for having equality everywhere, not at all. This is a competition and the best win.

"But if the best are simply defined by the financial resources then something is not right because it not about finance, it is about sport.

"If you can set some parameters on the financial side, you will still have the teams with the better engineers making the best car with the best drivers having the best results, but at least it puts teams in a position where they can still fight for something and make it more interesting.

"That is where the problem lies - that the big teams can afford to do things, regardless of whether they are good or bad, and get more out of the sport than the others can.

"That cannot be right."

BUDGET CAP BEST OPTION

Kaltenborn said the only option was to reduce costs, and said a budget cap was the best solution available.

"You have to reduce costs," she added. "When it comes to income, we are already at a tremendously high level and will soon reach a point where we cannot increase it any more.

"So we have to bring the costs down, to make the sport healthy and establish the sport in countries where, like we have seen, after two or three years we don't have any fans.

"For me, the most important thing is to have a budget cap. That allows every team to pursue the strategy they have.

"But it is not just deciding on a figure - it is how you police it."

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Montezemolo: Fernando deserves to have a car which can win a World Championship

In his traditional Christmas address to Ferrari employees, president Luca di Montezemolo urged his team to provide Fernando Alonso with a car capable of winning the Formula 1 World title while bidding a fond farewell to Felipe Massa.

Montezemolo said,“Over the past few years, Fernando has given his all and he deserves to have a competitive car with which he can win a World Championship with the Reds. I can understand his occasional moments of frustration, which we all share, but I am sure he is well aware [of] what Ferrari represents and because of that, he will be even keener to give it his best shot.”

There was also a special and emotional word for Massa, “It will do Felipe good to get out from Ferrari,” said Montezemolo.

“He will be back with new motivation, like footballers who change teams for a while before returning to their own. The doors of this company will always be open to a man and a driver of his quality. His name is linked to Ferrari I want to thank him for his contribution over the eight years he spent with us.”

The speech was interrupted by a long round of applause, ending with a standing ovation. There was much applause for Alonso and Massa too.

Montezemolo presented the Brazilian with an engine from the F2008, while Felipe gifted Montezemolo the special red helmet dedicated to the team, which he wore in the last Brazilian Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver.

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Alonso: It’s never easy coming second, we must look ahead, Forza Ferrari!

Fernando Alonso is hard at work on the Ferrari simulator preparing for the 2014 season, his time in the virtual world was interrupted on Saturday for the traditional Christmas lunch at Maranello with all the staff of the Gestione Sportiva.

Speaking at the function which included Piero Ferrari, Luca di Monetezemolo, Stefano Domenicali and Felipe Massa, the Spaniard said “It’s never easy coming second, but we must look ahead. Everyone always expects a lot from us,” he continued, speaking to his number one fans.”

Alonso finished second in the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship, winning twice, at the Chinese GP in April and in his home Spanish GP in May – but did not taste victory again thereafter as Sebastian Vettel romped to a fourth consecutive title.

“Next year, we will try to do better and I know [that] you are working very hard. There are new rules and extra work for all of you, but you can count on maximum effort from us in terms of our physical and mental preparation to be in 100% shape in March for the opening race. We face an important time ahead and so, Forza Ferrari!” declared Alonso.

After the party the double World Champion is scheduled for another day of virtual driving, as he continues to familiarise himself with the new procedures and to spend more time sharing ideas with his engineers ahead of Formula 1′s all new turbo era.

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Massa: Fernando, we will meet again on track and this time I will try not to let you through

It was a very special Christmas lunch for Felipe Massa, as he bid farewell to Ferrari with which he has shared over ten years of his racing and personal life, having enjoyed a close link to this team and so many of its people over the years.

“We started together so many years ago and I want to thank all of you, mechanics, engineers, everyone who works at the track and behind the scenes in Maranello,” said an emotional Felipe.

“Each one of you has always given me so much support, especially in the most difficult moments and I will never forget what Ferrari did for me when I had my accident in 2009. It’s in these circumstances that one understands what it means to be really loved and the atmosphere at Ferrari and the unique feeling of being part of the family is something I will miss a lot.”

There was also a special thanks for Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali: “I look on you as my big brother,” continued Massa. “I thank you for everything you have done for me and for the opportunities you and the President [Luca di Montezemolo] have given me.”

Finally Massa had an affectionate word for his friend and team-mate Fernando Alonso, joking about the incident in the 2010 German Grand Prix. “Thanks also to you Fer, we will meet again on track and this time I will try not to let you through.”

Massa will now head home to Brazil to join his family before embarking on his new adventure in Formula 1. He will be taking with him a gift from President Montezemolo, namely the engine from the F2008 that took him within touching distance of the world title in 2008.

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FIA tightens testing rules

There is unlikely to be a repeat of this year's testing debacle in 2014 after the FIA closed any loopholes in the regulations.

Mercedes found themselves in hot water this year after they conducted a 'private' tyre test with Pirelli after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Their rivals Red Bull and Ferrari both lodged protests.

The Brackley-based squad was found guilty of breaking the rules and were reprimanded and banned from the Young Driver Test.

In an attempt to avoid a similar situation next year, motorsport's governing body have confirmed the rules for the 2014 campaign and teams are now allowed a maximum of four two-day tests between the first and last race of the season.

The tests can only take place at circuits that has already hosted a race, but they can't host it within 36 hours of the next race.

"In the interests of providing the appointed tyre supplier with access to current F1 cars for the purposes of tyre development, all teams will be obliged to allocate one date from amongst the eight in-season test days for testing tyres," the rules state.

It adds the requirements:

- Allocation of dates will be negotiated with the appointed tyre supplier, who will give priority to teams according to their positions in the previous year's championship.

- Allocations must be declared by each team to the FIA before the start of the first Event of the Championship and may not be subsequently changed.

- The team must test tyres on the allocated day according to run plan defined by the appointed tyre supplier.

- The run plans and results for each day of tyre testing must be made available to all teams.

- Tyres used during such testing day will not be drawn from the team's annual allocation of tyres for testing.

Mercedes used their race drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at the Spanish test and both drivers wore black helmets, but next year the teams will be forced to make it clear who is testing.

In order that an FIA observer may be appointed, competitors must inform the FIA of any planned TCC or PE at least 72 hours before it is due to commence, the following information should be provided:

i) The precise specification of the car(s) to be used.

ii) The name(s) of the driver(s) if known.

iii) The nature of the test.

iv) The date(s) and intended duration of the test.

v) The purpose of the test.

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VW, Audi, Porsche not interested in 12th grid slot

With the FIA opening up a selection process to find a 12th team, the Volkaswagen Group has signalled that it has no interest in joining the Formula 1 grid.

It's often rumoured that VW, or one of its brands - which include Audi, Porsche, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini and Bentley - will enter the sport at some point, but a spokesperson confirmed to ESPN that they currently have no plans to do so.

"Currently there are no plans or intentions for the Volkswagen brand or any other brand of the Volkswagen Group to join Formula One."

Any interested parties must submit an expression of interest by January 3rd, before a final decision is made on February 28th.

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The legend of number 27 in the history of Formula 1

Gilles Villeneuve forever remembered for his heroics in Ferrari number 27

Much has been written about the bespoke number system introduced by the FIA and set to come into effect in Formula 1 as from 2014, whereby drivers will be able to choose their preferred number which will then be with them throughout their careers at the pinnacle of the sport.

The concept is not new to motor racing as MotoGP and Nascar have used the system for decades and, in fact, Formula 1 has had numbers associated to drivers in the past but not really by design.

Nigel Mansell made Red 5 a household name and number 27 is one that will always be associated with the late great Gilles Villeneuve and, to a certain extent, Ayrton Senna.

Carlos Reutemann at the 1972 British GP

But besides these two legends, number 27 has also been associated with other greats of the sport too…

Before the early seventies the numbering system in Formula 1 was adhoc, driver numbers changed from race to race, as entries were done directly between teams/drivers and the grand prix race organisers.

For instance, Ronnie Peterson entered the 1970 British GP, in July, with number 27 while in September at the Italian GP he was number 52.

In 1972 Carlos Reutemann was entered as number 2 in his home Argentine GP, while at the British GP he raced with number 27.

Guy Edwards at the 1974 Belgian GP

The 1974 season was the first in which drivers had permanent racing numbers from race to race for the entire year, after the system had been introduced in the middle of 1973.

No less than three drivers were allocated number 27 during the course of the 1974 season with Guy Edwards, Peter Gethin and Rolf Stommelen all carrying the number during their stints as drivers for Embassy Racing Lola outfit that year.

Mario Andretti, driving for Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing, was the first driver to carry number 27 for a full season in 1975. He also had the number for two races in 1976 before the team pulled the plug on their F1 operation.

Mario Andretti at the 1976 United States GP (West)

In 1977 Patrick Neve carried number 27 for 11 races on his March-Ford entered by Williams. He missed the final race of the season, and the number 27 was stuck to the sidepods of Jean Pierre Jarier’s Ligier for the season finale Japanese GP.

The first sustained use of number 27 was Alan Jones who had the number on his Williams from 1978 through to 1980. In 1981 he carried number one by virtue of winning the world title the previous season.

This is when Gilles Villeneuve was allotted number 27, and it was also the first year it appeared on a Ferrari in the modern era – hereafter it became part of the sport’s folklore as the Canadian driver won the hearts of everyone in Formula 1 through his gutsy displays at the wheel of whatever he was given to drive.

Patrick Tambay at the 1983 British GP

Villeneuve carried the number again in 1982, and died with it on his Ferrari which plunged into the Zolder catch fences during qualifying for the Belgian GP.

His replacement, Patrick Tambay, inherited the drive along with the number which he kept until the end of 1983, after which he was replaced at Ferrari by Michele Alboreto for 1984.

The Italian retained the iconic number until 1988 – five years – the longest period any driver had ‘ownership’ of number 27.

When Nigel Mansell moved to Ferrari in 1989 he was handed number 27, but a year later in 1990 Ferrari relinquished the number as Alain Prost moved to the team and as reigning world champion brought the number one plate to the Maranello squad.

Ayrton Senna at the 1990 Monaco GP

That year Ayrton Senna carried number 27 on his McLaren Honda, but it was a short-lived association although very successful, as he won the 1990 championship that year. Thus he reverted to number one on his McLaren and 27 returned to Ferrari with Alain Prost getting the honour of carrying what was by now firmly established as an iconic number.

Prost was fired by Ferrari with a race to go that season, and his replacement Gianni Morbidelli took brief custody of the number at the season finale in Adelaide that year.

For 1992 Ferrari signed Jean Alesi who became the next number 27 for the following four years, until the end of 1995 where he used it for the final time.

Number 27 was last used in F1 by Jean Alesi at the 1995 Australian GP

Since then number 27 has not been used by any driver in Formula 1, but this season it is likely to make a comeback and smart money would be on one of the top four in the 2013 championship: Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton or Kimi Raikkonen claiming the coveted number – all these drivers would do the legacy of number 27 justice.

Time will soon tell who will carry on the legacy of the sport’s most iconic number. Watch this space…

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Rosberg will be on duty for Mercedes at Bahrain test

Nico Rosberg will take time off his vacation to drive for Mercedes throughout the three days of Pirelli tyre testing in Bahrain from 17 to 19 December.

Only four teams of six: Red Bull, Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Mercedes will be on duty at the Sakhir track, after McLaren, Force India and Lotus declined the invitation.

Unlike Ferrari and Red Bull who have opted to use reserve drivers, Mercedes and Toro Rosso will use their 2014 race drivers.

Bahrain testing line-up:

• Red Bull: Sebastien Buemi on all three days
  
• Mercedes: Nico Rosberg on all three days
  
• Ferrari: Pedro de la Rosa on Days 1 and Day 2; Jules Bianchi on Day 3
  
• Toro Rosso: Jean-Eric Vergne on Day 1 and Day 2 morning; Daniil Kvyat on Day 2 afternoon and Day 3