Felipe Massa’s formula one career is on the brink of collapse.

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali left Barcelona insisting he expects the struggling Brazilian to “fight back starting in Monaco”.

“We absolutely need his points to also fight for the constructors’ title,” he said.

Earlier, the Maranello based team said on Twitter that Ferrari is “disappointed with” the 30-year-old’s performance.

When asked about that comment, a Ferrari spokesman told the Sunday Times: “It was a poor choice of grammar. We are disappointed in the outcome of Felipe but not with Felipe himself.”

But the very latest development is that Ferrari is now making it abundantly clear that Massa needs to up his game immediately.

In a statement posted on its official website, Ferrari said Massa’s teammate Fernando Alonso “has always maintained a very high level”.

As for Massa, his “drop off has made itself felt”, the report stated.

“The Brazilian had picked up 49 points two years ago and 24 the following year, while so far this season he has just 2,” said Ferrari.

“Everyone, he more than anyone, is expecting a change of gear starting right away with the Monaco grand prix”, the statement concluded.

Even Massa’s strongest supporters in Brazil, like the O Globo journalist Celso Itibere, admit the situation is dire.

“He is at risk,” said Itibere, “his decline is progressive, he is failing to react and he runs the real risk of not finishing the season.

“At this time Ferrari has no one to take the job. Everyone they would like to have there – Perez, Kobayashi, Webber – are not available.”

Tuesday’s edition of the Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport will report that Massa’s ousting is imminent.

And the latest edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport did not even once mention Massa’s name. “It is as though he does not exist,” wrote the Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

“Yet it is an Italian newspaper, and he is a Ferrari driver.”

When asked if he fears for his F1 career, Massa said in Barcelona last weekend: “No. I live in the present. What will happen will happen.”

Asked if he is afraid another bad performance will seal his fate, Massa insisted: “I’m not afraid of anything, especially criticism. It doesn’t affect me.”

With the F1 world now returned from Bahrain, the sport is assessing the fallout of one of the most controversial grands prix in history.

The drivers were conspicuously quiet over the saga in the island Kingdom, but – with no contract tying him down – former Force India driver Adrian Sutil admitted he was glad he was not there.

“In a situation like that, it is probably better not to go,” the German said on Sky Deutschland.

“On the one hand, the decision was made (to go to Bahrain), on the other hand, it’s very difficult when there are so many problems in a country.”

Red Bull reserve driver Sebastien Buemi, who has family living in Bahrain, does not agree at all.

“I arrived on Monday and I had no problem — maybe there were a few more police than two years ago, but nothing happened to me,” the Swiss insisted on Austrian Servus TV.

Force India and Sauber, however, witnessed Molotov cocktail attacks on their treks to and from the circuit.

And Caterham team spokesman Tom Webb told the Sun that there was “one minor incident when one of our (hire) vans slowed down in traffic and its occupants saw a local youth on the side of the main road brandishing a bottle with a rag stuffed in its neck”.

World champion and race winner Sebastian Vettel also admitted the feeling was tense in the paddock throughout the weekend.

“It was not easy for anyone,” the Red Bull driver admitted, according to SID news agency, “but I’m glad that nothing happened to any of us (in F1).”

And the Telegraph quotes Vettel adding: “Hopefully, we come back in the future when everything’s a little bit safer.”

Reuters reports that Vodafone, the main sponsor of the half Bahrain-owned McLaren team, sent no staff to the country and expressed concerns to the British outfit.

But Jim Wright, an F1 sponsorship expert, told the Guardian that he thinks while the sport’s image took a beating last weekend, sponsors will be happy.

“Most teams handled a difficult decision very well,” he said. “On that basis I think a lot of people would be pleased with that and happy to get involved with them.”

The television audience was also unaffected – even boosted – with the BBC reporting more viewers for Bahrain than Australia and Malaysia, and Germany revealing similarly strong figures.

Still, there remains criticism.

“Now is an opportunity to reflect,” former F1 driver Alex Zanardi told Tuttosport, “and make sure that major sporting events are assigned only to governments that deserve the honour of hosting them.

“Ecclestone is brilliant and has made formula one what it is, but he can’t administer races at any cost and above all else,” insisted the Italian.

Due to security fears, Force India sat out a practice session on Friday so that staff could return to their hotels in daylight.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly enraged, and according to rumours got his revenge by instructing Formula One Management’s television cameras to ignore the Silverstone based team’s cars in qualifying.

“There was a bit of fuss about what we did,” deputy team principal Bob Fernley is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper, “and it was not easy, but I think it turned out to be the right response.

“We had a lot of pressure, our attitude was not well received,” he confirmed, “but I think that we had a duty of care to our employees, and to do the right thing by the team.”

A support-race team and a respected journalist have become the next to pull out of this weekend’s highly controversial Bahrain grand prix.

The Porsche Supercup team MRS said its decision to skip the support race in the divided island Kingdom is the “first time in our history that we have had to cancel”.

“In the end we have the responsibility for our employees,” said team boss Karsten Molitor, citing security concerns.

Another withdrawal – joining the sacked Williams catering staff member, and the TV broadcasters Sky Deutschland, Fuji TV and MTV3 Finland – is the respected correspondent for O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, Livio Oricchio.

“I have decided in agreement with Estado to not go,” he said. “We had the tickets for the entire season, except for Bahrain and the United States, because there was a doubt they would be run.

“Like many journalists, I will not be at Sakhir,” Oricchio admitted.

“I always believed that the race would not take place, and I’m still not 100 per cent sure that something will not happen that will lead the FIA or FOM to cancel.”

Indeed, following the sport’s decision to push ahead, the pressure on formula one to cancel at the eleventh hour has only intensified.

Nabeel Rajab, the leader of the government opposition group Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, admitted that the next protests – ‘three days of rage’, to coincide with the race’s three-day calendar – are aimed specifically at F1.

“We’re protesting to show anger at formula one for conducting the race here,” he is quoted by the BBC.

And the wife of a well-known jailed Bahraini activist who is on a long hunger strike, added: “I am not angry with the government… what makes me angry is people like Ecclestone who decide to come to Bahrain because he thinks everyone is happy.”

Italy’s La Stampa reports that F1 personnel have been advised to stay away from restaurants and shops, while “girlfriends and wives stay at home”.

That’s not entirely true, as Felipe Massa touched down at the airport on Thursday with his wife and baby son.

And Giedo van der Garde, the reserve driver for Caterham, said he has found Bahrain peaceful since his arrival on Wednesday.

“I’ve not been here long,” he is quoted by Auto Hebdo, “but everything seems quiet. Obviously, there’s a heavy police presence,” the Dutchman continued.

“But I haven’t seen any trouble or anything. Let’s hope it stays like that.”

Marco Canseco, the correspondent for the Spanish sports daily Marca, said he witnessed a “minor altercation” in the capital Manama on Wednesday.

“Then all the teams and everybody were able to get to the track for work without a hitch, the same on return,” he revealed.

Many are protesting the race going ahead on moral grounds, others due to security fears, whilst others fear for F1′s image.

“The ongoing debate about Bahrain is the only damage to the high gloss of the exciting 2012 season so far,” agreed Austria’s Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

Many F1 insiders are now expecting next weekend’s Bahrain grand prix to be called off.

“We’re not going to Bahrain, the decision will be announced soon,” wrote Livio Oricchio, the correspondent for Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

In the wake of the latest reports about the ongoing political situation inside the island Kingdom, Oricchio said he expects the news about the race to be known “today or tomorrow”.

He referred to the direct threat made by the protest organising group February 14th Youth Coalition, who said it could not “ensure the safety” of the sport’s travelling members.

A spokesman for the international group Human Rights Watch admitted it is worried.

“On the ground we see an increasing number of deaths, and serious injuries from tear gas and beatings,” he is quoted as saying by the BBC.

And the latest fears have been intensified by the explosion of a bomb that injured seven policemen on Monday, and news that a jailed activist on hunger strike is now close to death.

An unnamed team boss admitted he is worried about his employees “and their families”, but an advisor to Bahrain’s interior ministry tried to play down those fears.

“People can be assured that if problems arise, then there will be a plan to deal with that as there would be with any public event in the world,” former London police assistant commissioner John Yates told the Associated Press.

But even Bernie Ecclestone, who will be in China this weekend, could now be stepping back from the controversy.

“If the teams don’t want to go, then we cannot make them,” the F1 chief executive told the Times.

All the FIA has said is that it is “monitoring” the situation, with it believed that contingency plans are in place so that F1 can cope with a cancellation decision made as late as this Saturday or Sunday.

The Bahrainis, meanwhile, are confident.

“We anticipate formula one will continue and hope it will be a success,” said government spokesman Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak al-Khalifa.

The Bahrain circuit’s Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa added: “The race is going ahead — there is no doubt about that.

“There are several reports doing the rounds that are saying a lot of things which are baseless,” he told the Gulf Daily News.

“We are ready and there is a plan in place to ensure the safety of the teams, officials and fans.”

This year’s young drivers’ test could be called off.

Currently, the event – giving inexperienced drivers the chance to drive current F1 cars amid the sport’s strict testing limits – is scheduled to take place as per usual in Abu Dhabi late this season.

But with India taking place just one week before the Abu Dhabi grand prix, the test scheduled for the week after and then the races in the US and Brazil taking place next, there are fears some in F1 will have to work on five consecutive weekends.

There have been reports the teams are therefore contemplating dropping Yas Marina and rescheduling the test for a new date at Silverstone.

“Whether they have the tests here in Abu Dhabi is a decision the teams themselves would need to make,” Yas Marina circuit boss Richard Cregan told The National newspaper.

“We have made provisions and blocked out the week after our race, but they have the freedom to change that.

“We would obviously be disappointed if Abu Dhabi didn’t host the young drivers’ test because it has become a part of our season, but I can understand the teams’ concerns,” he added.

“It’s a long season as it is and there are a lot of back-to-back races this year, so it’s tough for them.”

Cregan said he anticipates a decision to be made mid-season.

 Organisers of the Bahrain grand prix have admitted disappointment with being bumped from the head of the 2012 calendar.
Following the cancellation of its 2011 race and test over the civil unrest early last year, Bahrain was provisionally scheduled to return to F1 by opening this season’s championship.

However, when the calendar was ultimately published, Bahrain was given a late April date, making it the fourth round after Australia, Malaysia and China.

Reports at the time said Bernie Ecclestone had “responded to teams’ fears over the uncertain political landscape” in the island Kingdom.

So as tickets go on sale this week, the Sakhir circuit’s chief executive admitted he is disappointed Melbourne will be kicking off the sport in less than a month’s time.

“I think formula one should start the world championship in a timezone that makes sense,” said Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.

“We have a lot of support in Europe for our grand prix and to start in Australia, where it is 2am or 3am in Europe, that to me doesn’t make sense,” he is quoted by The National newspaper.

In addition to not being the season opener, Bahrain is also the second leg in a logistically-difficult ‘back to back’ pairing with China.

“Hosting the first race, you benefit obviously by people talking about you in the lead up to the start of the season,” continued Al Khalifa.

“Now we are going to be after China so our event will come into play only after the third round. For us, it is important to host the race and we plan to make it a success,” he added.

The slogan for Bahrain’s 2012 return to F1 is ‘Unified, One nation in celebration”.

On the continuing security fears in Bahrain, Al Khalifa insisted: “I don’t see an issue.

“Obviously, there are always concerns and the authorities are aware of that, but my main concern is that everybody is secure in and around the circuit and I am confident we can provide that.”

Bruno Senna has calmed a wave of fears about his health by declaring “I’m fine”.
Rumours buzzed around the internet that the Williams driver had been injured less than a month before the 2012 season.

In fact, the injured driver is Japanese karter Sakaguchi Sena.

“Guys, I’m fine,” Senna wrote on Twitter. “There’s been a confusion about me hurting myself.

“Whoever it is that actually got hurt, I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Martin Whitmarsh has played down fears McLaren has made a crucial mistake by overlooking the ‘step nose’ trend that will dominate the 2012 grid.
With the new Mercedes having now broken cover, and Pedro de la Rosa revealing that HRT’s 2012 car also has a step nose, famous British team McLaren is all alone in keeping a smooth aerodynamic line from the end of the monocoque to the tip of the nose.

Every other team has decided that the best solution to the new rules forcing a lower nose is to plough ahead with having as high a chassis as possible, in order to maximise the flow of air underneath the car.

“I’ve asked our technical guys if they are sure that we have done the right thing and they have told me not to worry,” team boss Whitmarsh is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

He admitted there is an obvious aerodynamic benefit to the ‘step nose’ solution.

“But we have a lower centre of gravity, more freedom in the suspension geometry, and a more comfortable seating position and a better view for the driver,” added Whitmarsh.

The main reason for McLaren’s decision is that, having already gone a different route to Red Bull at the front of the car last year, a ‘step’ nose would have required a wholesale design philosophy change.

“This car is an evolution,” confirmed Whitmarsh.

“In terms of radical innovations that are visibly obvious, I’ll have to disappoint — these rules just don’t leave that sort of room any more.”

Karun Chandhok has advised F1′s travelling circus to take care this week in India.
Some team bosses recently played down fears about ‘Delhi belly’, but Team Lotus reserve driver Chandhok – a brand ambassador and also a consultant of the new Buddh circuit – has admitted some caution will be necessary.

He told the Swiss newspaper Blick: “The Indian culture will be a shock to many.

“It is organised chaos, maybe like a mixture of Brazil and Malaysia. It affects everything — the traffic, the food, our way of life. We are very loud, chaotic.

“From the moment you arrive you will experience this madness, which will surprise everyone but it also means India is a country with soul.

“Nothing is structured — if someone says 12.30, he means 1 or 2 o’clock. So then you could think of Italy,” he laughed.

Veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit asked Chandhok how F1′s travellers should prepare for their forthcoming adventure.

“Many will get vaccinated, yes, but you definitely need to be careful with food,” he answered.

“Only drink bottled water, don’t use ice, don’t eat salad. Only eat cooked food. This should mean you won’t have problems.”

The FIA is moving to clamp down even harder on the aerodynamic use of exhaust gases ahead of the 2012 season.
F1′s governing body had already announced the end of the so-called ‘blown diffuser’ era by dictating the positioning of the exhausts and limiting the allowable off-throttle engine maps for 2012.

But Italy’s Autosprint reports that, following fears the new rules could also have been exploited by teams, the FIA has “turned the screw” even tighter.

The Paris federation has reportedly said that the 2012 version of the software to electronically control the engine will be “even more limited” than was previously expected.

Williams’ new chief engineer Mark Gillan is quoted as saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a year when there were no loopholes in the technical regulations.

“That is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our work — to seek out areas in which the rules are vague and can be exploited.”

Ferrari has joined Red Bull in questioning the viability of the formula one teams alliance FOTA.
Amid fears some teams are breaking the gentleman’s cost-limiting agreement and faltering talks in Korea, Red Bull chief Christian Horner said the group needs to shape up “or we’ll stop”.

According to a French language report by the AFP news agency, his Ferrari counterpart Stefano Domenicali also has grave concerns.

“In terms of the cost cutting (disagreement), we can no longer afford to continue like this,” said the Italian, referring to the burgeoning debate.

“If there is no trust, there is no need to go forward,” added Domenicali.

“We know why FOTA was put together so we need to understand whether we still need it. What are the objectives for the future of FOTA, if it has a future?”

The news of the fracturing alliance will be music to the ears of Bernie Ecclestone, who would prefer to negotiate separately with the teams as F1 looks towards its next Concorde Agreement.

 Jenson Button has clarified any fears he might be prepared to drive into Sebastian Vettel this weekend in Korea.
Despite Vettel having only just clinched the 2011 title, McLaren’s Button did not hesitate to bring up their Suzuka near-miss immediately after the Japanese race.

German Vettel denied seeing Button on the approach to the first corner, when the McLaren had to put two wheels onto the grass and lift the throttle.

And Briton Button warned with his famous smile: “I might not lift off next time you pull across at the start”.

Asked by reporters in Korea if he was serious, the 31-year-old insisted: “No, but it sounded good on TV.

“You’re still going to be intelligent about the way you go racing and if you know that he’s not going to back out and you’re going to push him on the grass, you’re not going to do it,” Button is quoted by Reuters.

But he did cast doubt on Vettel’s excuse that he didn’t see him in Japan, referring to BBC footage showing the German looking into his mirrors.

Vettel said in Japan: “By the time I saw him, I realised that maybe I was a little bit too far to the right and then he was backing off.

“Obviously no intention to put him in any danger but I think we can run with two wheels on the grass, can’t we Fernando?” he added, referring to his own pass on Fernando Alonso at Monza last month.

It is business as usual for formula one this weekend despite earlier fears about the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Red Bull denied reports it made special arrangements for Suzuka to avoid contaminated food, and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso said his own routine is also unaffected.

“Nothing special,” he is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper, “there is no danger, not with the food, the shower, nothing.”

His countryman Jaime Alguersuari agrees: “There has been paranoia but I’m the same, just like if I was in Barcelona.”

Alonso said he hopes F1′s very presence in Japan this weekend can raise the spirits of the country still reeling from the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

“I have been coming for 12 years and it’s always different but the people are always very passionate. Although what happened is very hard, I believe that sport helps to ease the pain,” he said.

“Same with football, basketball, cycling, and F1 — to make the public feel better, to think of something else for a while.”

There are fears about the ongoing involvement in the 2012 US grand prix project of the race’s promoter Tavo Hellmund.

Hellmund has been the driving force behind the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, scheduled to host its first formula one race next November.

But the slowing of construction work at the venue has been “noticeable” lately, according to the local Austin American Statesman newspaper.

And it is now suggested that the “promoter or management” could be changed after Texas comptroller Susan Combs this week wrote to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The letter was written after Hellmund reportedly asked Combs whether “a change in management or promoters” would affect the funding promised by the Texas government.

Ecclestone and Hellmund did not respond to calls or emails on Thursday, the newspaper said.

The blown exhaust saga has been a political rather than a technical argument.
That is the view of Mario Illien, the former designer of Mercedes’ formula one engines who now as an outsider admitted to watching the Silverstone saga unfold.

During the British grand prix weekend, teams argued about the FIA’s clampdown on the grounds that limiting off-throttle blowing too much risked damaging the engines.

“That’s not an issue. It’s an argument, but it really is not an issue,” Illien is quoted by ennstal-classic.at. “These were political statements.”

He also played down continuing fears that, with F1 now having scrapped its plans for four-cylinder engines, the V6 turbos of 2014 will also not sound as good as the current V8s.

“I don’t think it’s an issue,” said Illien. “The noise of a V6 turbo is fine.”

He also refused to rule out following the footsteps of Craig Pollock’s PURE in designing a V6 engine for F1.

“I can’t say yet. If a manufacturer wants an engine from us, then I would definitely be interested in a long-term project.”