Formula 1 gossip and rumours from international media

THURSDAY 31 JANUARY

The Indian Grand Prix will survive competition and hold its place in the ever-changing Formula 1 calendar, according to F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.

Christian Horner
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has signed a multi-year a contract extension

Red Bull have given team boss Christian Horner a multi-year contract extension.

Full story: Associated Pressexternal-link

German driver Adrian Sutil is still hopeful of a return to Formula 1, according to his manager Manfred Zimmermann.

Full story: GrandPrix.comexternal-link

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery says the Italian manufacturer could be confirmed as F1's official tyre supplier for 2014.

Full story: Pitpassexternal-link

Lotus technical director James Allison has stressed his commitment to the team in the wake of speculation that he might head elsewhere.

Full story: Sky Sportsexternal-link

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn says Robin Frijns will be forgiven his recent criticism as he is both young and frustrated. Frijns told Dutch magazine Formule1 that he will "not have much to do" this year as Sauber's test driver.

Full story: Planet F1external-link

SUNDAY 27 JANUARY

Nurburgring
Bernie Ecclestone is believed to have called off negotiations with the Nurburgring for the 2013 German GP

Bernie Ecclestone has called off negotiations with the Nurburgring, according to Germany's Der Spiegel. The famous circuit's financial problems are well known, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone had been in talks with Nurburgring officials about pressing ahead with plans for a scheduled July race date. Hockenheim, the host of last year's German grand prix that was not scheduled to return to F1 until 2014, has been slated as a possible alternative for the 2013 race.

Full story: Grandprix.comexternal-link

Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell had plenty to say about their famous F1 rivalry during their recent interview on Brazilian television. The pair also discussed the state of the sport today, saying: "In our day we got paid to drive."

Full story: F1 Fanaticexternal-link

Sauber's new Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez has been busy climbing mountains in preparation for the new season...

Esteban Gutierrez on Twitterexternal-link

While Max Chilton has been taking things slightly easier, tweeting: "Have got the footy on whilst having the seat fit! #FACup #Comfy."

Max Chilton ‏on Twitterexternal-link

FRIDAY 25 JANUARY

Lewis Hamilton believes Ross Brawn will stay at the Mercedes Formula 1 squad, having been personally assured of the team principal's long-term commitment.

Full story: Autosportexternal-link

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso says there is "more belief than in 2012", and his team-mate Felipe Massa has added "I'm aiming to win title".

Full story: La Gazzetta dello Sportexternal-link

Fernando Alonso begins a day's training for the 2013 season
Fernando Alonso begins a day's training for the 2013 season

Portugal has emerged as a candidate to stage the vacant 20th race date on the 2013 calendar, and France is also in the running said Bernie Ecclestone said in an interview with Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

Full story: F1 Todayexternal-link

Thai Premier League club Buriram United President Newin Chidchob, who is also a former politician, "plans to construct a Formula 1 racetrack" worth about 2bn baht (£42m) in his Thailand hometown of Buri Ram, according to the Bangkok Post.

Full story: Sport Business Dailyexternal-link

Fernando Alonso braved some cold-looking weather to continue his pre-season training regime.

Fernando Alonso on Twitterexternal-link

WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY

Lotus will launch their 2013 challenger with an online unveiling on their YouTube channel on 28 January.

(Lotus)

Australian driver Mark Webber will give Red Bull's 2013 car, the RB9, its track debut at Jerez early next month.

Full story: grandprix.comexternal-link

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has voiced his unhappiness over the increase in the number of pay drivers on the grid.

Full story: Planet F1external-link

Felipe Massa
Massa, who will start his 12th season in F1, is unhappy with the number of pay drivers in the sport

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz is not ruling out a future on the Formula 1 calendar for his native Austria.

Full story: Speedweek (in German)external-link

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen and Caterham's Charles Pic will take part in an oval ice race in Moscow next month.

Full story: Autosportexternal-link

Former Toro Rosso race driver Sebastien Buemi will continue as Red Bull's test and reserve driver for 2013.

Full story: Red Bull Racingexternal-link

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo says his Toro Rosso team must build a car with more downforce if the Italian outfit is to be more competitive in 2013.

Full story: Pitpassexternal-link

Russian driver Vitaly Petrov, who drove for Caterham last season, is unlikely to race for Russian team Marussia this season, according to his manager Oksana Kosachenko.

Full story: Planet F1external-link

MONDAY 21 JANUARY

Caterham will launch their 2013 race car, the CT03, on 5 February at Jerez.

Full story: Caterham F1external-link

Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg has been learning to play the guitar this winter

Frenchman Charles Pic says he's off to Caterham this season because of his talent and not his sponsorship package.

Full story: Planet F1external-link

British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) president Derek Warwick says the government should give funding to British motorsport.

Full story: Pitpassexternal-link

Force India has hit back at claims co-owner Vijay Mallya's reported financial problems could sink the Silverstone-based team.

Full story: GrandPrix.comexternal-link

McLaren's Jenson Button spent Monday morning doing voice recordings for the team's cartoon series, Tooned, at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) with Sergio Perez.

Full story: Jenson Button on Twitterexternal-link

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg is learning to play the guitar after he was given one for Christmas.

Full story: Nico Rosberg on Twitterexternal-link

Top Stories