[jfxavier]

Rumours are circulating that the option for Red Bull and Toro Rosso to become Ferrari engine customers in 2017 are being discussed. All the "Renault bashing" that has been going on now takes a new meaning.
The current agreement for Renault to supply F1 engines to both Red Bull and Toro Rosso concludes at the end of 2016.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by carpacman

.

If am not wrong, refueling has been already voted out. Pirelli is already introducing new and varied compounds for 2016, will be interesting to see if the engine capacities go up

For 2017?
Wow, that's a bummer. I was actually looking forward to it, even though it's 2 years away!

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by mayankk

For 2017?
Wow, that's a bummer. I was actually looking forward to it, even though it's 2 years away!

Even though they have a contract with Renault till 2016 end, that could change.
In F1 contracts being bought out are not unheard of.
There just have to be enough million reasons for it.

[Mafioso]

Not seen the leaked 2016 calendar! If it is going to be 21 races, then I may get back to following F1. Any idea if the Indian Circuit is part of 2016?

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by Mafioso

Not seen the leaked 2016 calendar! If it is going to be 21 races, then I may get back to following F1. Any idea if the Indian Circuit is part of 2016?

The Leaked 2016 F1 calendar
April 3 — Australia (Albert Park)
April 10 — China (Shanghai)
April 24 — Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 1 — Russia (Sochi)
May 15 — Spain (Barcelona)
May 29 — Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 12 — Canada (Montreal)
June 26 — Britain (Silverstone)
July 3 — Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 17 — Europe (Baku)
July 31 — Germany (Hockenheim)
August 7 — Hungary (Hungaroring)
August 28 — Belgium (Spa)
September 4 — Italy (Monza)
September 18 — Singapore (Marina Bay)
September 25 — Malaysia (Sepang)
October 9 — Japan (Suzuka)
October 23 — USA (Austin)
October 30 — Mexico (Mexico City)
November 13 — Brazil (Interlagos)
November 27 — Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

Source: http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12...as-been-leaked

However FOM formally announced on their website that ‘It would appear that the proposed 2016 calendar has been leaked. This calendar has not yet been approved.’

[Bubby]

Originally Posted by Mafioso

Any idea if the Indian Circuit is part of 2016?

There is still some light seen at the end of the tunnel

India may yet return to the Formula 1 schedule in 2016, with Bernie Ecclestone seemingly willing to revive its existing contract to make it happen.

Hosting its inaugural race in 2011 at the new Buddh International Circuit near Delhi, the Indian Grand Prix lasted just three years before it was struck from the schedule over tax disputes with the local Utter Pradesh government, which changed its designation from 'sport' to 'entertainment', thus making it liable for higher levies.

Nonetheless, though the race removed from both the 2014 and 2015 schedules, India remains a key market for Ecclestone, who says he is simply waiting to hear back from the Jaypee Group for the green light to negotiate a deal.

"I hope we have a race in India next year,” he told Press Trust of India. “I am waiting for the promoters to come back to me. We will do whatever is needed to make sure India is back. There are no added challenges to the event. We just need the Jaypee Group to say that 'we are happy to carry on' and we can revive the existing contract."

Ecclestone's comments about India come despite next year's schedule including 21 events as it is with the addition of Azerbaijan and the probable return to Germany, while the desire to shorten the length of the season also raises doubts about where India could fit in.

Ironically, India is one of the races not contracted for 2016 as its current deal runs out this year, but Korea, New Jersey and Azerbaijan have provisional deals in place.

[Fullrevs]

Italian GP could be swapped between Imola and Monza. Ive always personally loved the Imola circuit. It would be great to see it back on the calendar but not at the expense of Monza.

Michelin have given in their proposal for being the sole supplier for 2017. Michelin Motorsport Director Pascal Couasnon had this to say to Autosport.

The reasoning is we've been proposing ideas, talking about Formula 1 and that we are disappointed, especially where it is today tyre-wise.

"If we want to be credible and consistent then you cannot complain or comment if you don't bring solutions.

"So it has made sense for me to say if we have ideas, then let's go and propose these ideas, and we'll see if people are interested or not.

"At least then nobody can say to us, 'well guys, you are talking, but you are not acting'. Now, we are acting."

Couasnon says Michelin's bid is still focused on 18-inch rims and longer-lasting tyres.

"Those proposals remain, more than ever!" added Couasnon.

"In making a proposal we are trying to change the situation a little. We believe the image of tyres in Formula 1 is not what we would like to do, or makes sense.

"The tyre used as an object you throw away after a few laps, or whatever, is not really something that is good for the tyre industry.

"We say there's another way to ensure a good show, as we saw over the weekend at Le Mans, with high-technology tyres lasting with good grip, and you can have a show."

The deadine for tyre supplier applications closes on Wednesday, after which the candidates who meet the FIA's technical and safety requirements will be pushed through for final consideration."

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by GTO

No ways. I think Ferrari is just holding the contract back in hopes that Kimi will push harder this year. They might have already made the decision to let him go after the season is over.

If Ferrari have really made the decision to let him go, then it's based on what? I don't think there is anybody out there who really 'deserves' the second Ferrari seat anymore than Kimi does. Bottas has good potential but he still is not in same level.

After long time Ferrari now have a team and drivers working together and going in right direction so it's surprising if they want to dump Kimi again.

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

If Ferrari have really made the decision to let him go, then it's based on what? I don't think there is anybody out there who really 'deserves' the second Ferrari seat anymore than Kimi does. Bottas has good potential but he still is not in same level.

After long time Ferrari now have a team and drivers working together and going in right direction so it's surprising if they want to dump Kimi again.

An italian journalist claimed knowledge that Ferrari would only consider keeping Kimi if he was to settle for less than 12 million Euro plus success bonuses.

“That’s this bullshit you’re writing again,” Räikkönen told the Italian Gazzeta-man. “Did you see my contract? No, which means you wrote bullshit. You don’t know my contract, but you write stuff like that. Does that mean you write things that aren’t true? Perhaps you should start writing stuff that makes more sense.”

[Fullrevs]

Whilst the Ferrari F1 team have gone through a revamp, their main principle remains the same. Have one champion driver and another supporting him to seal the title. Kimi is slowing being pushed into a #2 driver. Probably the best #2 driver on the grid considering he is a world champion as well. In my opinion, I dont think Kimi will be dropped.

Ofcourse, a lot of things could change if the Red Bull quit stories are true. Saw this article in Autosport and I agree with Mr. Mateschitz.

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz says engine supplier Renault's poor performance has "destroyed" the team's enjoyment of Formula 1.

The partners have clashed several times this season, with Red Bull publicly voicing its disapproval with the French manufacturer as the engine has been unreliable and underpowered and Renault arguing that Red Bull's behaviour is damaging.

A series of engine failures have left both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat on the fourth and final engines of their allocation, making penalties inevitable.

The four-time world champion team is fourth in the constructors' championship, 231 points behind leader Mercedes after seven races with a best finish of fourth.

"Beside taking our time and money they have destroyed our enjoyment and motivation - because no driver and no chassis in this world can compensate for this horsepower deficit," Mateschitz told Speedweek.

"In addition, our chances were so scuppered by aerodynamic regulations which meant that chief designer Adrian Newey could not weave his magic on front wings.

"Now we have used our fourth engine, which means we are penalised on the grid.

"How many more things have to happen before we lose all enjoyment?"

Mateschitz added "there is no alternative to Renault" in 2016 should Red Bull want to end its contract with the French manufacturer one year early.

The Red Bull boss also hinted that the team may leave before its contract to compete in F1, which runs until 2020, expires.

"Sure, there are contracts for Formula 1 participation," he said.

"How many teams have dropped out of Formula 1, despite already contracts? You cannot hold someone if he wants to get out."

Should Renault leave the sport at the end of its contract - or indeed earlier - Red Bull would have to become a customer unless it could entice a new manufacturer into F1.

On the prospect of using a customer engine, Mateschitz said: "You get an engine which is good enough to score points but it will never be good enough to beat the works team.

"With a customer engine, you have no world championship chance, you will never become world champion.

"If we realise it, we have no chance of a world title because you have also lost an aerodynamic advantage.

"Then we lose all pleasure and we are bit-part players."

[polopm]

All the noise around the engines is to get Mercedes agree to easier terms for upgrading the engines. It is true that the rules are common but other than Mercedes and to some extent Ferrari , the rest have got it horribly wrong.

The Renault engine is better off now comparatively and the Honda is quite a way off. These are troubling times for RBR, STR and McH.

[Fullrevs]

Ferrari have gone on record to offer Red Bull engines from the 2017 season. Marchionne has publicly stated that they will be more than happy to offer the 4 time champions an engine and gearbox for their cars. If everyone remembers, Red Bull were powered by Ferrari engines during their inception into F1 and later swapped to Renault because the french engines were small in size and lighter which helped Adrian Newey make his aero packaging as tight as he could.

Whether Red Bull will accept or not is another story altogether. Nice gesture from Ferrari though.

[jfxavier]

Formula 1 chiefs have decided against an overhaul of blue flag rules as part of wider discussions aimed at making grand prix racing more exciting, Motorsport.com reveal.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fo...-flag-overhaul

The idea was that by not forcing backmarkers to get out of the way so quickly, it could make the job of the race leader harder and potentially make things more exciting. With no consensus for things to change, the matter has not moved forward which means there is unlikely to be any imminent change.

[Fullrevs]

This has more to do with the ownership of F1. Didnt know where else to put this article

American investment company RSE Ventures – whose chief owns the Miami Dolphins NFL team – is to join forces with Qatar to take a major investment in Formula 1, according to a report from the Financial Times.

The article suggests that the two parties want to buy 35.5% of F1 from the CVC Group for a price of $7-8bn – and that the ultimate aim is for Qatar to own the whole of F1.

However, the report adds that no formal bid has been made, and due diligence is still being undertaken.

The suggestion is that the controversy surrounding FIFA and the 2022 World Cup has led to Qatar accelerating its F1 plans, which include hosting a Grand Prix.

Two giants joining forces

Headed by 75-year-old Stephen Ross, RSE is best known for owning the Miami Dolphins. Its portfolio also includes football's Guinness International Champions Cup, various other sports and media properties, including Fanvision, the handheld TV device company that was involved with F1 until two years ago.

Qatar Sports Investments is part of the Qatar Investment Authority, the country's sovereign wealth fund. QSI is best known for owning football team Paris St German, while intriguingly QIA also owns 17% of the VW Group – which has of course been eyeing an F1 involvement for years.

Qatar Grand Prix bid

In February, the chief of the Qatari ASN (QMMF) Nasser bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, a rally driver who has been the FIA vice-president for sport in the Middle East since December 2013, said that a contract is about to be completed for a third Grand Prix in the region.

“We are about to sign contracts to organise a Formula 1 race,” Al-Attiyah told agency AFP. “We have completed all the steps and there are only a few details before the official signature.”

In 2012 CVC sold part of its F1 stake to Black Rock, Norges Bank and Waddell & Reed.

Intriguingly, some observers have suggested that some recent criticism of the sport has been fuelled by certain parties wanting to drive the price down – with some suggesting that Bernie Ecclestone, who still owns 5%, wants to buy it back.

It remains to be seen how that theory would tally with the RSE/Qatari bid.

When contacted by Motorsport.com, a spokesperson for RSE said: "Unfortunately at this time we have no comment."

Source: Motorsport.com

[Hatari]

As expected, Ferrari make a bid for Bottas!
http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/06/...from-williams/