Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Lewis Hamilton, Caterham, Cartels and More
Mercedes want to hand Lewis Hamilton a new contract immediately after the final race of the season—whether he comes out on top or not.
Team boss Toto Wolff has revealed the long-suspended talks are set to resume as soon as the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi. Team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg's deal was extended earlier in the year.
Another driver hoping for a contract extension is Jean-Eric Vergne. But the Toro Rosso veteran—three years is a long time in that team—faces competition from three younger drivers for the seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2015.
But one man not continuing in Formula One is McLaren test driver Gary Paffett. He's leaving after eight years with the Woking outfit.
Elsewhere, the smaller teams have accused Bernie Ecclestone of leading a "questionable cartel" which keeps the big teams on top and the smaller teams under the thumb.
And at the rear of the field, a report suggests Caterham have decided who'll be driving their cars when they return in Abu Dhabi. But maybe they haven't...
Read on for a full roundup of the top stories from the last few days.
Lewis Hamilton Set to Receive New Contract Offer After Abu Dhabi
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Mercedes hope to sit down with Lewis Hamilton as soon as the season is over to thrash out a new contract.
The British title favourite's deal expires at the end of next season, and executive director Toto Wolff told Austrian broadcaster ORF (h/t The Independent for the English translation):
"We have agreed that we want to continue and Lewis has said the same but at some point we decided that it was not the right time to do it. The duel was so intense so we thought it was a good idea to talk after Abu Dhabi. Now we have agreed that we get together on Monday in Abu Dhabi to talk.
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Nico Rosberg's contract, which was due to expire at the end of this season, was extended earlier in the year. When quizzed on why Hamilton's was also lengthened at this time, Wolff said:
"We didn't want to be in a situation where in a year’s time there is the possibility we have to be filling not one but two places.
Nico is an important part of the team, he fits in well and his performance is good so we wanted to extend at an early stage. With Lewis the contract runs for another year anyway.
"
Despite the numerous issues between Hamilton and Rosberg, Mercedes have long stuck to the line they want to retain the pairing into the future.
But they'll be hoping no further issues erupt. The camel's back is already creaking; one more straw may be all it takes.
Gary Paffett Leaves McLaren Testing Role
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McLaren have parted company with their long-serving test driver, Gary Paffett. The news was announced on Twitter:
"Huge thanks to @GaryPaffett for 8 years as test & reserve driver, following news that Gary & McLaren to part company: pic.twitter.com/Zwz6qoh0X8
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 17, 2014"
Paffett's departure was not entirely unexpected, given his strong links to Mercedes.
McLaren's move to Honda power from 2015 onward means they will no longer have ties to the German manufacturer. The statement published on Paffett's website indicates this switch is the primary reason behind Paffett leaving.
Despite his long relationship with McLaren, Paffett never got a shot at F1. Instead, most of his racing career has been spent in the DTM touring car series, where he was champion in 2005 and runner-up four times.
Paffett will be missed by McLaren, but their stable of testers still contains hot prospect Stoffel Vandoorne and experienced Oliver Turvey.
Two is more than enough.
4 Drivers Still in the Toro Rosso Frame
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Four drivers remain in contention for a seat at Toro Rosso alongside Max Verstappen in 2015.
Current driver Jean-Eric Vergne, Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Junior, fellow FR3.5 racer Pierre Gasly and probable GP3 champion Alex Lynn are the names in the frame.
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost told F1 journalist Adam Cooper:
"The main drivers are Jean-Eric, Sainz, Gasly and Lynn. This does not mean that Lynn is the last—these are the Red Bull young drivers.
The situation has changed because we were totally surprised by the decision of Sebastian Vettel to go to another team next year, and therefore we have to decide what will be the best situation, the best possibility for the team.
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Sainz will test for Red Bull at the post-season test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the favourite for the seat still appears to be Vergne.
Verstappen will be just 17 when he lines up on the grid for next season's Australian Grand Prix, and he is considered a potential star of the future. Red Bull's main priority will be protecting him and doing all they can to aid his development.
Keeping Vergne, an experienced driver and a known quantity, seems a better option than bringing in a second rookie.
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Force India, Lotus and Sauber Again Ask for Better Deal
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The three smaller teams fighting for a fair share of the sport's revenues have sent a very interesting letter to Bernie Ecclestone, calling for an urgent rethink of the way money is distributed.
F1 journalist Joe Saward published excerpts from the letter, which was prepared by Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley. Lotus and Sauber were the other teams represented. It states:
"We cannot accept the current distribution of funds in view of the massive increase of expenses. We understand that the distribution is based on our bilateral agreements. It is, however, known to us all under which circumstances we signed these deals.
The shareholder’s focus during the negotiations was on securing the co-operation with big teams in view of the planned IPO; we were effectively given no room for negotiation.
Furthermore, the impact of providing various share options to key people and entities may well have clouded their judgement in respect of creating what is effectively a questionable cartel comprising, the Commercial Rights Holder, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Williams, controlling both the governance of Formula One and apparently, the distribution of FOM funds.
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The current system heavily favours the larger teams and is based not on a collective agreement but on a series of bilateral deals. Each team had to negotiate its own share, but "negotiate" is perhaps the wrong word when referring to what the smaller teams had to do.
They were, as Fernley's letter states, backed into a corner.
It's especially unfortunate because a fair and improved collective agreement could have been reached through the teams group FOTA. Sadly, Red Bull and then Ferrari were, per Nigel Roebuck of Motorsport Magazine, bought off with enhanced terms.
The united front which could have seen all the teams benefit crumbled due to their greed. Pulling the strings was, of course, Ecclestone.
The F1 boss now says it's up to the teams to sort it out. He was quoted by the Financial Times (registration required), saying, "If all the teams got together and said this is what we want to happen, we will do it. They can share it out [the prize money] how they like."
He's right, strictly speaking—the teams have binding deals they can keep if they want. But there is still a gigantic wedge of revenue which leaves the sport siphoned out by the promoters into the pockets of investors and bankers.
Could Ecclestone not take some cash out of that side of the pot to give the smaller teams a better deal?
Caterham to Run Kamui Kobayashi in Abu Dhabi; Other Seat Undecided
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Kamui Kobayashi has been confirmed as one of Caterham's drivers for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and one report suggests he will be joined by debutant Will Stevens.
On Sunday the team announced Kobayashi, one of their two regular drivers in 2014, would be back in the CT04 at Yas Marina.
"We are pleased to announce that @kamui_kobayashi will race for the Team in the season finale in Abu Dhabi next week #F1 #RefuelCaterhamF1
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) November 16, 2014"
Crash.net reports his team-mate will be Formula Renault 3.5 driver Stevens.
The Brit had been due to drive for Marussia in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, but a paperwork delay reported by Sky Sports meant he missed out.
As one would expect for a team in Caterham's situation, the choice of Stevens appears to be financial, but he's a capable racer and possesses the necessary FIA Super Licence.
Update: The Crash.net report has now vanished, so perhaps a gun was jumped somewhere along the line. The second seat remains vacant for now.
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