Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Paddock News from 2014 Japanese Grand Prix
Speculation regarding Fernando Alonso's future has overshadowed even the title race in the build up to the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
Alonso, considered the most complete driver on the current Formula One grid, has been linked with moves to McLaren and Red Bull.
Ferrari Young Driver Program member Jules Bianchi is ready to step up from Marussia if a vacancy arises.
Elsewhere, Max Verstappen made a successful debut for Toro Rosso. The Dutchman, at the age of 17 years and three days, broke the record for the youngest driver to take part in a grand prix weekend by more than two years.
He managed 22 laps before a car failure curtailed his session.
But while Verstappen smiles, grimaces are the order of the day further down the pit lane. Caterham competed as usual but had many assets seized by bailiffs earlier in the week.
And Will Stevens' hopes of a Friday practice run for Marussia went up in smoke as industrial action on the other side of the world prevented necessary paperwork being lodged in time.
Read on for a roundup of the top stories heading into the race weekend.
Industrial Action Delays Will Stevens' Debut
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Will Stevens was set to take Max Chilton's place at Marussia for the first practice session in Japan but postal delays scuppered his hopes.
Sky Sports reported that all the paperwork was in order, but that industrial action resulted in it not arriving with the Contract Recognition Board in Switzerland in time.
But the good news for Stevens is that he has been announced as one of Marussia's reserve drivers, alongside Alexander Rossi. In a statement on Marussia's website, team principal John Booth said:
"Will is a driver we have been watching since he arrived in Formula Renault. We have admired his ability to learn quickly and compete in the thick of the action, so we are very pleased to add him to our roster of Official Reserve Drivers, which is now looking very strong indeed.
It is great to be able to take such promising talents as Will and Alexander [Rossi] under our wing and help them progress to the next level. We look forward to seeing Will perform in the MR03, when I am sure he will demonstrate some further signs of his obvious potential.
"
In the same statement, Stevens said:
"I’m really thrilled to be given this opportunity by the Marussia F1 Team. They are a great team, with enormous potential, and I’m so happy to be joining them at this exciting time in their development.
Off the back of my F1 tests with Caterham, I can’t wait to get my first taste of the MR03. I’m looking forward to rewarding their faith in me and to making a positive contribution to our progress in the 2014 championship, and beyond.
"
Stevens has a good but unspectacular record in the lower formulae. As with all driver appointments at Marussia, his arrival is no doubt more to do with finances than with talent.
Fernando Alonso Set for Ferrari Exit
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Fernando Alonso appears to be edging closer to the Ferrari exit, with a move to either McLaren or Red Bull now looking almost certain.
Rumours linking the Spaniard with a return to the team he left in such acrimonious circumstances at the end of the 2007 season have been kicking around for at least a year. BBC Sport's Andrew Benson reported on them last September.
But talk of a swap deal with Sebastian Vettel has also conspicuously reared its head, per David Tremayne of The Independent.
When asked on Thursday about the intensifying rumours, Alonso told the assembled media (h/t ESPN):
"There has not been any word with them [McLaren] as far as I know. Being here and sitting here at a race weekend with Ferrari it would not be very respectful if I speak about other teams.
I always put the interest of the team—and the tifosi as well as this big brand that is bigger than any of us—in front of my own interests. If there is something to talk about in the future and something better for Ferrari, then I will do whatever.
There is no news from last year to this year, to July, August, September and now we are arriving in October and there is still no news. Between races there are many rumours, so we will see.
"
When pressed further on whether he could deny he'd be at another team in either 2015 or 2016, Alonso replied:
"This is a very difficult question to answer. I will repeat the answer: I will do the best for Ferrari.
At the end of the day you have an idea in your mind and my mind is already set. I've been extremely lucky to be able to choose where I drive in Formula One, which is not normal. Normally you drive wherever you can and then you move teams if you have the possibility.
We see many examples also this year and we see some drivers who may not be here next year and they are doing a good job. I've been extremely lucky to choose my own future and do my best together with Ferrari's best, taking the minimum risk.
"
Though initially sticking to the "official line" and giving little away, his response to the second question suggests an announcement may be coming soon.
After five seasons at the Scuderia in which the team has repeatedly failed to produce a car to match the likes of McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, Alonso's patience has worn thin.
According to Italian magazine Autosprint (h/t motorsport.com), he reportedly demanded €35 million per year to remain with the team beyond the end of his current contract. This, they report, represents a near doubling of his current basic salary.
Ferrari evidently didn't want to play ball. Tremayne's article mentioned an unnamed driver, close to the Spaniard, who believes the relationship between Alonso and Ferrari is damaged beyond repair.
If he's after instant success (and it appears he is), Red Bull would be the better option at this stage—but it's unclear whether the rumoured swap would be agreeable to all parties.
Jules Bianchi Ready to Move Up to Ferrari
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Jules Bianchi says he is ready to make the step up if a vacancy arises at Ferrari.
The Frenchman has been a member of the team's driver academy since 2009, and he has spent the last two seasons driving for Marussia.
But with rumours suggesting Fernando Alonso will not be driving for Ferrari in 2015, Bianchi was asked during the official FIA pre-race press conference if he would be ready to move up to the famous red team. He said:
"Well, yes of course I feel ready. I have been working for that since I'm in the Academy, end of 2009. So, now I did nearly two seasons in Formula One. I think I have good experience and I feel ready for that, for sure. It looks like the logical step for me if something happens like this.
Obviously at the moment both drivers have a contract so it's not the question but if there is the opportunity I feel it would be good for me and I feel good.
"
Whether or not a seat becomes available will hinge on how soon Ferrari can secure a replacement for Alonso (if he leaves).
The obvious choices would be either Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel. Both will be out of contract at the end of 2015, so even if Ferrari can sign one of them, they may have to wait until 2016 before they can join.
That would free up a seat alongside Kimi Raikkonen—which would almost certainly be filled by Bianchi.
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Caterham Compete in Suzuka Despite Midweek Bailiff Visit
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Caterham appear to be skating on extremely thin ice as their financial woes continue.
Bailiffs from The Sheriffs Office descended upon the team headquarters on Wednesday and seized a substantial quantity of equipment.
An article was later placed on the bailiffs' company website, listing what had been seized and stating it was likely to be sold at public auction. The article has since been updated to indicate the auction may not now take place due to fast-moving developments.
Caterham, for their part, issued a statement on their own website. It said:
"There have been unfounded and unsubstantiated rumours concerning actions against 1MRT [1Malaysia Racing Team], the entrant and owner of CaterhamF1.
An action was threatened yesterday against a supplier company to 1MRT. This company is not owned by 1MRT and it has no influence over the entry of CaterhamF1 or the entrant.
Also contrary to uncontrolled rumours, all operations are currently in place at Leafield and the race team is doing its preparation in Japan.
"
To this, The Sheriffs Office responded on Twitter that the writs they had enforced were against "Caterham Sports Limited."
According to the Terms and Conditions page on the team website, this company owns and controls the website, and is known as "Caterham F1 Team."
The entity referred to in the Caterham team statement, 1Malaysia Racing Team, is the one which holds the F1 entry.
A search of Companies House records shows that also present at the Leafield Technical Centre, where the team is based, are Caterham Moto Racing Ltd, Caterham Composites Limited, Caterham Enterprises Ltd, Caterham Technology and Innovation Ltd, Caterham Merchandising Ltd and Caterham Ventures Ltd.
Due to the substantial lack of clarity over who owns and owes what, it's difficult to speculate further on exactly what is happening at this time. All we really know is that the team took part in Friday practice as usual in Japan.
But on a more transparent and far less confusing note, there's a chance we'll have the details beamed into our living rooms in the near future. The Sheriffs Office has its own reality TV show, The Sheriffs are Coming. The last series aired in a prime-time weekday slot on BBC One.
In true reality TV fashion, the company has its own Twitter account which it uses to keep fans updated on developments—and the action at Caterham got plenty of attention.
"New article on http://t.co/byIIprGu09: Breaking news - impending sale of a Formula One vehicle and equipment http://t.co/H8EvLfmghT
— The Sheriffs Office (@sheriffsonline) October 1, 2014"
"We confirm a full inventory is being prepared of the seized and removed goods held in secure storage #F1 pic.twitter.com/fQo1xSc7dx
— The Sheriffs Office (@sheriffsonline) October 2, 2014"
If the camera crews were hanging around the office on Wednesday, would they have missed the opportunity to document such a high-profile visit?
Max Verstappen Makes Friday Practice Debut
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Max Verstappen made an impressive start to his official F1 career, making his debut in first practice on Friday for Toro Rosso.
The 17-year-old Dutchman completed a total of 22 laps, setting a best lap of 1 minute, 38.157 seconds. The time was only four tenths slower than the best set by Daniil Kvyat in the other Toro Rosso, and 2.696 seconds off Nico Rosberg's session-best lap.
Verstappen, who carried No. 38 on his car and was abbreviated as "VES" on the timing screens, appeared to be driving well within his limits at a number of corners. Given the narrow and unforgiving nature of Suzuka, that was probably wise.
If we assume the live coverage caught everything, he had only three slightly hairy moments.
The first was when he encountered Roberto Merhi's just-spun Caterham at the second apex of Spoon, and the second a harmless trip across the astroturf at the exit of the second Degner.
The third, which came less than 10 minutes from the end of the session, ended his day. His car lost power through the first corner and smoke began to billow from the rear.
But Verstappen remained calm—if a little unsure of what to do—and sensibly parked the STR9 on a service road, well away from the racing line.
After the session, he took to Twitter to convey his mood.
"Happy boy at the moment :) not bad speed at all :) pic.twitter.com/JmYaPryH7z
— Max Verstappen (@MaxVerstappen3) October 3, 2014"
He is expected to return to the car at first practice for the United States Grand Prix.
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