Ross Brawn revealed on Wednesday he missed the recent Spanish grand prix to have checks on his heart.

After handing over to his Mercedes deputy Nick Fry in Barcelona, fellow Briton Brawn is back in action as the team boss in Monte Carlo.

Rumours hinted there was more to the story, but Brawn insisted to a German newspaper earlier on Wednesday that he was simply advised by doctors to take the weekend off after a night in hospital for checks.

He then told reporters in Monaco his symptoms had been “arrhythmia”, or an irregular heartbeat, insisting he is “back to normal now”.

Brawn, 57, joked the heart problem was triggered by watching an exciting football game on television.

Bernie Ecclestone claims he is close to reaching an agreement with Mercedes over the future of the German marque’s involvement in formula one.

The parties have been at loggerheads over the F1 chief executive’s refusal to offer to Mercedes the same Concorde Agreement deal reached with other top teams Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

In response, it has been suggested not only that the situation threatened the sport’s floatation plans, but that Mercedes could sensationally quit F1 at the end of this year.

“We are now 80 per cent there,” Ecclestone told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in Barcelona.

“The other 20 per cent, we will get there soon,” he added.

“We have spoken with several Mercedes managers. I am sure we will see more of Mercedes in formula one.”

Bild said the deal being discussed between Ecclestone and the Stuttgart based carmaker will see Mercedes in F1 at least through 2020.

Norbert Haug, however, sounded surprised.

“I have to apologise, but we don’t want to give any information at the moment about the state of the negotiations,” Mercedes’ motor racing vice-president insisted.

Fernando Alonso has admitted Ferrari currently has the “sixth or seventh” best formula one car.

The Spaniard took issue with a pre-season analysis in the specialist press that predicted the famous Maranello based team’s F2012 car was better only than the three struggling backmarkers and perhaps one or two other minor rivals.

“I believe it was a German newspaper. I think we could do a press conference about what was written and we would say more mistakes than wise moves,” Alonso said in Bahrain, according to AS newspaper.

He did admit, however, that the prediction Ferrari would the “sixth or seventh” team was “about right”.

“Now we have to improve,” the 30-year-old insisted.

Adrian Sutil’s dispute with Eric Lux is now formally over, after the former Force India driver withdrew the appeal against his assault conviction.

In late January, the German was found guilty of grievous bodily harm following a Shanghai nightclub incident that occurred early last year, and was handed a suspended 18-month jail term and EUR 200,000 fine.

Sutil’s lawyers immediately filed an appeal against the Munich court’s penalty, prompting the prosecution to do the same.

But Bild-Zeitung reports that the 29-year-old has now withdrawn that appeal, the German newspaper adding that the prosecution followed suit.

“I am very happy that I have been able to express myself to Eric Lux and don’t have to go to court again.

“I don’t want to have to go through another year like the one past.

“The topic is finished and I want to resume doing what I do best as quickly as possible — racing in formula one,” said Sutil.

Bild said Sutil’s FIA superlicense is not affected by his criminal conviction or his accepting of the sentence.

“We are very pleased that Eric Lux and Adrian have spoken and the topic is now closed,” said his manager Manfred Zimmermann.

“From now on we will concentrate only on the sport and do everything to get Adrian back in formula one.”

Ferrari’s new deal for the 2013 Concorde Agreement reportedly involves a $50 million annual fee.

It is believed the Italian team has now finalised its commercial agreement with Bernie Ecclestone.

The same is reportedly true for fellow top teams McLaren and Red Bull, whose annual additional fee is, according to German newsmagazine Der Spiegel, $35m apiece.

Ecclestone wanted to announce the conclusion of successful Concorde Agreement negotiations in Malaysia, but major teams including Mercedes and Williams were yet to sign up.

Instead, the F1 chief executive released a statement saying deals have been done with ‘the majority’ of the teams.

Mercedes, in particular, is more than unhappy.

“It can not be,” a Daimler insider is quoted as saying, “that transparency from our business partners is lacking regarding a contract through 2020.”

 Michael Schumacher has revealed he would not have returned to formula one if not for the sport’s strict testing ban.
Two years after his record seventh title, the famous German retired in 2006, but then came back with the new Mercedes GP venture in 2010 and is now deciding whether or not to extend his contract for 2013.

But as a multi-millionaire and 43-year-old father of two, he was asked by the German newspaper Bild-Zeitung why he was not content to simply “enjoy your family” in the wake of his unprecedented success.

“Because racing is my passion,” he insisted, “and anyway it doesn’t mean I have to stop enjoying my life with my family.

“When I came back again, one of the reasons (for the decision) was that formula one is much less time-consuming as it was in my ‘first career’.

“Then, we had testing after each race, now – during the season – there is not. I have plenty of time for my family,” said Schumacher.

“Otherwise, clearly, there would have been no comeback,” he admitted.

So, Schumacher is now deciding whether or not to stay in 2013 and beyond.

Would he consider returning to Ferrari, to once again take on the challenge of pulling the famous Italian squad out of a crisis?

“Let’s just say this,” the German answered. “The probability that I will end my career with a team other than Mercedes is so exceedingly low that I don’t need to even think about it.”

 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.”

 HRT’s tumultuous history could be set to continue, if a report in an authoritative German newspaper is right.
Die Welt claims Thesan Capital, the Madrid-based investment company that bought the Spanish team from Jose Ramon Carabante last year, is already on the lookout for a new buyer.

Originally known as Hispania, HRT was actually founded as Campos by former Spanish F1 driver Adrian Campos when the FIA opened up the grid ahead of the 2010 season.

Die Welt claims that the latest owner Thesan’s desire to sell follows the departure of team boss Colin Kolles, who left with almost every one of the team’s 120 employees back to his Greding based company.

Kolles also took all of HRT’s technical equipment back to Greding, Germany, leaving the team on a desperate struggle to be ready for the forthcoming season.

Nonetheless, HRT announced on Wednesday it is establishing a permanent base at the Spanish tennis open headquarters Caja Magica in Madrid.

But Die Welt claims the team may soon be sold to Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world who already backs Sauber through Sergio Perez and his Mexican companies.

Vicky Chandhok experienced a classically harrowing moment on Wednesday when greeted by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at the new Buddh circuit.
The first Indian grand prix has endured a tumultuous build-up, but the Hermann Tilke-designed venue has ultimately been delivered just on time.

“You are always nervous,” Tilke admitted to the German news agency DPA. “Little things do go wrong at a (circuit’s) first grand prix.”

One of those ‘little things’ was the presence of mouse droppings all over the brand new team facilities buildings, and faulty wiring that had to be fixed, an unnamed member of the Williams team revealed.

Tilke told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper: “We did the project and advised the work. We are not responsible for the buildings.”

And Germany’s Die Welt revealed that there was a worrying glitch during a safety test this week when key marshals could not find the medical centre even after 20 minutes.

Vicky Chandhok, the boss of India’s motor sport clubs, admits he felt a rush of adrenaline when sternly greeted by Ecclestone on Wednesday.

“I had Charlie (Whiting) drive me round the track this morning, and afterwards Bernie came up, slapped my face and he said to me, How did you put up such rubbish?” he told the Daily Mail.

“I looked at him aghast and said, What are you saying?” added Chandhok.

“Then he laughed, gave me a big hug, a slap on the back and said ‘Great job’.”

Rubens Barrichello in Korea sounds desperate to extend his long formula one career into a twentieth consecutive season.
Williams has not yet decided whether to keep the veteran Brazilian alongside Pastor Maldonado in 2012.

“I want to be here next year, whatever it takes for it, and wherever,” the 39-year-old is quoted by the German news agency SID.

“I am talking to the entire paddock.”

He clarified, however, that he is actually seeking only “a competitive car”, hinting that his preferences are Williams or Renault.

“I hope to know from Williams before Brazil,” Barrichello is quoted by Brazil’s Globo Esporte. “The fans need to know as well.

“Williams have said they would like to make a decision before Interlagos and I hope that’s a positive sign,” he added.

As for his other options, the former Ferrari and Honda driver added: “I think there are still two or three opportunities that are very good.

“I will not drive in formula one for anything, just to say ‘I have completed 20 years here, even without a competitive car’. That is not the point.

“The teams that I am talking to have the conditions for a good car.

“If my fate is that I am not involved any more with F1, 19 years would be wonderful and I will see if Disney wants me to drive the cars at Disney world,” Barrichello joked.

Nico Rosberg has revealed he would be happy to have Michael Schumacher as his teammate beyond the 2012 season.
The German’s comments are a clear indication that he intends to sign a new deal beyond the expiry of his own contract.

And Rosberg thinks seven time world champion should do the same.

“Definitely,” he is quoted by the German news agency SID. “Of course it’s up to him to decide if he’s still enjoying it but for the team it would be a good thing.”

Schumacher, 42, was asked in Singapore at the weekend if he will still be racing in 2013. “Next year I’ll decide,” he answered simply.

His boss, Mercedes’ motor racing vice president Norbert Haug, joined Rosberg in hoping Schumacher will stay on board.

“We are very satisfied with the drivers we have,” he said. “We want to climb up the ladder with the combination that we have.”

Red Bull insists the champagne is not yet on ice, but the team’s owner has already decided what present he will be giving Sebastian Vettel for winning the 2011 world championship.
“The same as last year,” Dietrich Mateschitz said in an interview this week with the German news agency DPA. “His championship-winning car.”

In 2010, when German Vettel became F1′s youngest ever title winner, Mateschitz delivered the Adrian Newey-inked RB6 to his home in Switzerland.

Red Bull’s team management are coy over the 24-year-old’s chances of wrapping up a second consecutive championship in Singapore this weekend, but billionaire Mateschitz is more honest.

“We anticipate that, once again, we will achieve both of the titles this year”, said the famously low-profile Austrian, 67.

He has high praise for Vettel, who enters this weekend’s Singapore night race with a lead so big that his only championship rivals have already given up the fight.

“The fact that Sebastian is highly capable, we knew,” said Mateschitz. “That he would be able to deliver it so consistently over a long time has surprised many people.”

Bild newspaper said Vettel’s championship present, the RB7 chassis that he has unofficially dubbed ‘Kinky Kylie’ – but minus a EUR 200,000 Renault engine – is worth almost a million euros.

“Slowly, his garage in Switzerland is becoming too small,” confirmed Red Bull driver manager Dr Helmut Marko.

So what does Vettel think about his championship present?

“I am not thinking about that because I haven’t won anything yet,” said the driver at Zurich airport before boarding a flight to Singapore.

Vettel told the German-language Eurosport that he is not counting on celebrating his second title this weekend.

“When it happens does not matter. As long as we are still first after the final race, that will be ok,” he said.

The RB7′s designer Newey insisted that Vettel will not be playing a points-counting game under the Singapore lights.

“Seb doesn’t want to cruise to the world championship, he really wants to earn it,” the Briton told The Sun newspaper.

BMW’s motor sport boss has refused to comment on speculation Nick Heidfeld could move from formula one to the DTM series next year.

German Heidfeld, 34, was appointed as injured Robert Kubica’s replacement for 2011, but Renault has now dumped him in favour of Bruno Senna.

It is being reported that talks between Heidfeld and his former employer BMW, no longer in F1 but to tackle the German touring car series DTM next year, have already begun.

With Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus already confirmed for 2012, there are still four official BMW M3 cockpits to fill.

“We have always said we would look first at the drivers from our own programme,” Jens Marquardt, who has replaced Mario Theissen as BMW’s motor sport director, told the German news agency SID.

When asked if Heidfeld is a candidate, he answered: “We do not comment on rumours.

“I am confident that we will have a competitive driver lineup in 2012,” he is also quoted by sport1.de, denying that BMW will look specifically for a German driver.

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.”