Ross Brawn should be firing on all cylinders as he returns to the pitwall in Monaco this weekend.

Mercedes’ team principal sat out the recent Spanish grand prix due to illness, but a scarcity of extra information triggered speculation.

One rumour was that he is seriously ill, whilst another was that his absence may in fact be due to his German employer’s high-stakes spat with Bernie Ecclestone.

The latter theory gained traction since Barcelona, with acting team boss Nick Fry taking a much higher than usual profile, including naming Paul di Resta as a possible 2013 successor for Michael Schumacher.

Explaining his absence, Brawn told Bild newspaper: “On the Tuesday before Barcelona I felt unwell so I went to the doctor and then stayed a night in hospital for some tests.

“When I got home, I decided on the advice of doctors to give myself a weekend off, to be sure that I am fit for Monaco,” the Briton said.

Partly because of Brawn’s deputy Fry’s recent comments, and also due to his paltry points tally and his crash with Bruno Senna, rumours about Schumacher’s future have intensified since Spain.

“A lot has been said and written,” acknowledged Brawn, “but we should not forget that we – the team – have let him down in three of the fives races, not delivering the job we should have.

“We must do better,” Brawn, who worked closely with Schumacher during the seven time world champion’s ultra successful Ferrari era, added.

“We saw Michael’s real quality again in the first race, so it’s for that reason that I believe we will see him on the podium this year.”

As for a possible contract extension for the 43-year-old, Brawn insisted: “When the time comes, we will sit down together and talk about the future.

“I’m sure it will become clear very quickly in what direction we will go.”

 Mercedes is eyeing a new two-year contract extension for Michael Schumacher, according to the major German newspaper Bild.
The seven time world champion, having returned to F1 with the famous German marque in 2010, has not decided whether or not to continue his comeback beyond this season.

“Bild knows that Mercedes wants to keep him,” said the newspaper, after the Brackley based team’s new W03 car was launched in Barcelona.

The report said Mercedes has decided to offer Schumacher, 43, a new two-year deal through 2014.

“Before we talk to any other candidate, our first contact will definitely be Michael,” confirmed team boss Ross Brawn.

Schumacher commented: “I’ll decide when the time is right.”

Red Bull has expressed the wish to extend Sebastian Vettel’s contract for a further two years.
The reigning world champion, and likely back-to-back 2011 title winner, already has a deal with the dominant team to the end of 2014.

But Dr Helmut Marko has revealed to Sport Bild that he wants to add a further two seasons to the contract.

“We made a contract with Sebastian to 2014 because both sides assumed that we would have two years together under the new engine rules. That has now changed,” said the Austrian.

Marko is referring to the fact that, subsequent to the signing of Vettel’s 2014 deal, F1 decided to delay the debut of the new engine regulations from 2013 to 2014.

“That is why we have also extended the agreement with our engine supplier Renault to 2016,” he explained.

Vettel has expressed the desire to one day switch to Ferrari or Mercedes, but Sport Bild quotes him as sounding open to extending his Red Bull stay beyond 2014.

“I feel very, very comfortable where I am at the moment and there is no reason to change. We’re like a family,” said the German.

Red Bull team figures were out in force on Wednesday, playing down links with Kimi Raikkonen and suggesting Mark Webber will be staying in 2012.

It has been reported that the energy drink owned team had targeted world rally and NASCAR driver Raikkonen, F1′s 2007 world champion and a former race winner for McLaren and Ferrari, for next year after Australian Webber openly ignored team orders during the British grand prix on Sunday.

But team owner Dietrich Mateschitz is quoted by the German news agency SID: “There is still no doubt about Mark’s contract extension.

“He feels comfortable with us and within the team is very popular,” he told the Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten.

“He can not get a better car, and we can not get a better driver from the market,” added Mateschitz.

Team boss Christian Horner was reportedly furious with Webber’s insubordination at Silverstone, but Mateschitz seems less bothered.

“I understand that he wanted to come further forward; he would be a bad racer if he did not try,” said the billionaire.

As for the Raikkonen rumours, Mateschitz’s F1 right-hand man Dr Helmut Marko told TZ: “Kimi Raikkonen is not and will not be an issue for us. He definitely will not drive at Red Bull.

“These rumours are far-fetched and total nonsense,” added the Austrian.

Marko added that when Red Bull is ready to replace Webber, it will be with a driver from the company’s own talent pool.

Ross Brawn on Friday said he can imagine extending Michael Schumacher’s contract beyond 2012.
Two weeks ago, the Mercedes boss triggered a wave of speculation by revealing that seven time world champion could if he wanted trigger a break clause in his three-year deal at the end of 2011.

But Schumacher, 42, said at Silverstone that he is definitely staying for his third contracted season next year, and Brawn on Friday suggested a contract extension is even possible.

“For us there is no time limit of how long Michael will continue driving,” he is quoted by the German news agency SID.

“If we can give him the right car and he continues to enjoy driving and is successful, there is no reason to stop,” added the Briton.

“Let’s see what happens.”

Amid talk Schumacher has chosen to spend his leisurely retirement years on the F1 grid, Brawn insisted the great German is still up to speed.

Asked if the record winner of 91 grands prix is still able to win races and titles, he answered: “Yes, I think he is.

“Nothing motivates drivers more than success, and in Montreal he had a bit of a sniff and his performance was fantastic.”

Ross Brawn has played down reports Michael Schumacher is set to extend his return to formula one beyond next season.
Based on the seven time world champion’s claim in Canada that driving a team to success typically takes about “five years”, German media claimed it was a strong hint the 42-year-old was set to renew his contract through 2014.

But when asked on German television RTL if this is the right interpretation to make of Schumacher’s comments, Mercedes team boss Brawn answered: “No.

“There was absolutely no reason to drive that speculation. The situation has not changed.”

The Briton also told German Sky television that the issue of Schumacher’s renewal has “not been discussed”.

“I am very happy with our two drivers — they are not the reason we are not winning races,” Brawn insisted.

“Both our drivers have contracts at the moment and our priority is to make the car better. We definitely have another year with Michael and if with next year’s car we can get the results we want, then I see no reason why we shouldn’t go on.

“But at the moment there are no talks,” he added.

Also asked about the rumours of a contract extension, Schumacher said in Montreal: “At the right time we will talk about it, but right now would make no sense.”

The famous German has had a difficult time since returning to F1 from retirement last season, but in Canada came close to securing the first podium of his comeback.

One foreign newspaper said the Montreal performance showed Schumacher “has some talent left” in the wake of his record-setting previous career tallying 91 wins.

Marlboro is set to stay as Ferrari’s title sponsor until at least 2014, according to a report on Thursday.

The German-language Motorsport-Total.com said it learned about the likely contract extension at the team’s recent ‘Wrooom’ media event in the Italian Dolomites.

An official announcement could be made on January 28, when the famous team launches its 2011 car at its Maranello base.

Philip Morris brand Marlboro has remained in F1 long after the sport’s total ban on cigarette advertising.

The team’s so-called ‘barcode’ logo and livery was controversial in 2010, leading to the launch of a new logo for this year, which will be incorporated into the design of the 2011 car’s livery.

“We see no obstacles to an extension,” the report quotes a spokesman for Philip Morris International as saying.

The holdup on Nico Hulkenberg’s contract extension for 2011 is because Williams wants him to commit for a very long time, according to a German report.

It has been reported that the British team is contemplating replacing the 2009 GP2 champion next year with the Venezuelan pay-driver Pastor Maldonado.

But Sir Frank Williams has now described 23-year-old German Hulkenberg as “exceptional”, raising doubts about the reason for the delay in his re-signing for 2011.

According to Sport Bild, the Oxfordshire based team wants him to sign a new five-year contract.

The deal will reportedly include a EUR15 million ‘out’ fee in the event that Hulkenberg wants to switch to a different team before the five year term is concluded.

State oil company Petronas has extended its title sponsorship of the Malaysian grand prix.

Media statements said the contract extension is for a further five years.

Kuala Lumpur based Petronas also title sponsors the formula one team Mercedes GP.

“I am pleased that Petronas has again used formula one to let the world follow their success in the oil and gas automotive industry,” said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The first Malaysian grand prix took place in 1999.

Renault has denied reports Robert Kubica could be contractually free to leave the team at the end of next year.
The Enstone based team announced this week that the Pole has signed on for 2011 and 2012.

But subsequent reports indicated that, like his multi year deal signed at the end of 2009, the contract extension still includes team performance clauses that could mean the 25-year-old is able to switch to another team for 2012.

Finland’s Turun Sanomat said Renault has denied those reports.

Speaking about his new deal at Silverstone, Kubica said: “I feel good, I like the atmosphere in the team, and that’s it. It’s very simple.”

Mark Webber has admitted he might not be “hungry enough” to extend his career beyond 2011.

The Australian has signed on with Red Bull for another season, with some suggesting the short contract extension is a sign of slight tension between him and the Austrian-owned team.

But Webber, 33, insists he only wanted to commit for one more year.

“I am taking each year as it comes now,” he is quoted by Auto Bild Motorsport.

“In two years, perhaps I will not be hungry enough anymore,” said Webber.  “But that doesn’t mean I’ll end my career in 2011.

“If you had asked me in 2005 if I would still be in formula one in 2011, I would have said ‘no way!’

“People think I’m under pressure because I have to fight each year for a contract, but that’s not right.”

Webber admitted a future move from Red Bull to another team is “rather unlikely”.

He also confessed he is not sure why he is so competitive at the wheel of the RB6, having won two races and is still within sight of the championship lead despite his frightening Valencia crash.

“Why?  No idea,” said Webber, when asked about his consistency and speed in 2010.

“One thing; in 2009 I was not a big fan of qualifying with full tanks, while this year I’m back in my element with the light cars in Q3,” added Webber, who on early Friday morning stunned onlookers by completing a F1 pitstop in front of London’s Houses of Parliament.

(GMM)

Jun.11 (GMM)  Sebastian Vettel has played down rumours that Red Bull is pushing to secure his services for the long term.

The 22-year-old is already under contract to the end of next season, amid reports the Austrian squad now wants him to re-commit through 2015.

His teammate Mark Webber, 33, has signed a contract extension keeping him at Red Bull Racing in 2011, and Vettel on Thursday denied that the move was some sort of reaction to their recent collision in Turkey.

“I’ve known this piece of information a little longer than the public,” he said.

“In regards to the (Vettel) rumours, I can say that we have not spoken as of yet about this topic, as 2015 is quite some time into the future,” added the German.

In light of their Istanbul Park crash and rumours they are now sharing a palpably tense relationship, it is an interesting side-note that on Sunday, Germany plays Australia in the FIFA World Cup.

“Germany will clearly win the match as Australia is the weakest team in our group, so winning should be imperative, even though Mark has a different opinion on that,” smiled Vettel.

“But as we know, the both of us have lately had some different opinions on things anyway.”

Robert Kubica and Montreal – that’s a Hochschaubahn: 2007 pilot of the accident, the then BMW Sauber F1 Team at the hairpin difficult, but escaped miraculously with minor injuries. A year later he led a complete surprise double victory of his team ahead of Nick Heidfeld – it was the only win for the Bavarians in the premier class. Last year there was no race in Montreal – Kubica this year but returns to the Ile de Notre Dame. “The Grand Prix of Canada is something like my destiny race,” says the poles ‘Auto Bild motorsport’.

And so he feels: This year a sensation in the air – “with little luck.” Because: “The course our car will be. It’s fast on the straights and is as wonderfully out of slow corners. It is these properties are required in Montreal.” The strength in tight corners is based on the small wheel base of the Renault R30 – no current Formula 1 racing car can compete in this discipline with Kubica’s car. It showed the team had in Monaco, where the 25-year-old is the sharpest of the superior competitor Red Bull pilot was.

And although the Renault engine has a power deficit, Kubica and Vitaly Petrov scores are in the top speed is always at the front – reason is the low air resistance of the R30. Moreover, the French have for the Grand Prix of Canada, a secret weapon in the quiver: the first time is given to an in-house interpretation of the F-shaft system, which turned out on the long straights of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a great advantage. Now the only question is whether the system works right away, or if you have it like Red Bull in Turkey to expand after the first test.

That will leave Robert Kubica after just one season, the team Renault is unlikely. After Felipe Massa contract extension with Ferrari in Maranello in 2012 the door is closed. Even if the pole for 2011 is not linked to Renault, there are few other enticing options. This Renault boss Eric Boullier had managed to retain its number-one pilots in 2011 and to his team. The Luxembourg wants to build the Renault racing team to head the Polish pilots around.

(MotorSportsTotal)

With their Turkish crash still loud in the news, attention is now turning to the new contracts on the table for Red Bull teammates Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

It is believed the Austrian-owned team is imminently set to extend Australian Webber’s deal for 2011, amid reports Red Bull wants to secure Vettel’s services for a much longer period.

With the young German already under contract to the end of next year, rumours suggest Red Bull also wants to tie him down through 2015.

Team boss Christian Horner is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport: “Mark is happy with one-year contracts.  At his age he doesn’t want to commit himself for too long.”

The magazine’s latest edition also reveals that Webber recently confided in his former Williams bosses that he was prepared to retire at the end of 2010 if he had not secured a contract extension.

The likely one-year deal ties in with rumours that Red Bull is eyeing a future seat for Sebastien Buemi, the Swiss youngster who currently drives for the junior team Toro Rosso.

(GMM)

Red Bull Racing has given the strongest indication yet that it is ready to renew Mark Webber’s contract for 2011.

In the wake of his dominance in Spain and Monaco, chiefs of the Austrian-owned team indicated they are keen to keep the 33-year-old Australian alongside Sebastian Vettel next year.

But Red Bull’s motor sport advisor Dr Helmut Marko signalled recently that joint championship leader Webber’s back-to-back wins could have an effect on the “salary negotiations”.

Ahead of the Turkish grand prix, team principal Christian Horner hinted to Germany’s Bild-Zeitung newspaper that Red Bull is ready to simply extend Webber’s current deal.

“If we sat down together on the subject of a contract extension, it would be a pretty short conversation,” said the Briton.