Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: McLaren, Alexander Rossi, Mercedes, More
Alexander Rossi will make his Formula One racing debut at the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix.
The American will replace Roberto Merhi for five of the remaining seven races, with the Spaniard returning to the cockpit for the Russian and Abu Dhabi grands prix.
Driving for Manor this year will allow Rossi to bypass the new Super Licence points system being introduced for 2016—perhaps paving the way for a full-time drive next season.
Jenson Button is also hoping to be on the grid when next year's championship kicks off.
The McLaren veteran's seat is under threat from highly rated youngsters Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne, but Button is optimistic after some "good chats" with team boss Ron Dennis.
Elsewhere, Force India are planning a significant update package for the Mexican Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg has been forced to take his fourth power unit of the season and Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has warned his company is done with being an engine supplier.
If it doesn't have a full works team next season, Renault will turn its back on F1.
Read on for a full roundup of the top stories from the last few days.
Alexander Rossi Set for Formula 1 Debut at Singapore Grand Prix
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Alexander Rossi will replace Roberto Merhi at Manor for five of the remaining seven races.
The team made the announcement on Wednesday. Rossi will compete in the Singapore, Japanese, United States, Mexican and Brazilian grands prix, with Merhi returning to the cockpit for Russia and Abu Dhabi.
At these races, Rossi will honour his commitments to race in GP2.
Rossi will become the first American to take part in a grand prix since Scott Speed in 2007. In a statement from Manor, passed on the by official F1 website, he said:
"I’m very thankful to race for the Manor Marussia F1 team and for their continued belief in me.
I've been prepared for this opportunity for quite a while now. Many will know from 2014 that the team and I already have a strong relationship and there’s a bit of unfinished business for me here.
This is a small F1 team that has been through so much. They exemplify passion and true strength of character, and their comeback this season is extraordinary. I’m honored to be part of this legacy and their continued growth and success.
"
It's significant that Rossi is coming on board with Manor at this stage.
The new Super Licence points system comes into effect from the start of next season. New drivers wishing to race in F1 will need to have a minimum of 40 points, which are earned through success in the lower formulae. The points awarded for each series are detailed in Appendix L to the International Sporting Code.
Rossi currently has just three points, awarded for coming ninth in the 2013 GP2 championship. The only way he can can acquire enough points to race in 2016 is by finishing in either first or second in the 2015 series standings.
He's currently second, 38 points clear of the man in third with three race meetings remaining. But this advantage could be wiped out in a single weekend—so it seems he is taking out an insurance policy.
The latest version of Appendix L states drivers who "have been granted a Super Licence (excluding Free Practice Only Super Licence) in any of the previous three seasons" can bypass the points requirement.
So by taking part in races this year, Rossi will be eligible for a Super Licence in 2016, 2017 and 2018—regardless of where he finishes in the GP2 standings.
Force India Planning Big Mexico Push
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Force India are preparing another big step in their chassis development in time for the Mexican Grand Prix on Nov. 1.
The team started the year behind where they wanted to be but introduced most of an updated "B-spec" car at the British Grand Prix. Since then, they have continued work, and the final parts of the B-spec package will be in place at Singapore.
And if all goes to plan, the team believe a home podium for Sergio Perez isn't out of the question. Speaking to Autosport, the team's chief operating officer, Otmar Szafnauer, revealed:
"We hope to have the whole package working in Singapore, where we can optimise anything.
We are looking at bringing something significant to Mexico if we can do it in time because it is Checo's [Perez's] home race. We want to give him the best shot to be on the podium if we can but we're not sure of the timing yet.
"
The impact of the development work Force India have done throughout the season is evident in their results. In the first six races of the season, Perez and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg scored just 17 points between them.
From the six races that followed, starting with Canada, their tally is 46.
Any further steps Force India make will be bad news for Lotus, their primary challengers for fifth spot in the constructors' championship. Though Romain Grosjean stood on the podium in Belgium, Force India's more consistent point-scoring has seen them open up a 13-point gap.
The E23 is perhaps marginally quicker at this stage, but the VJM08 appears to have a more reliable duo sat in its cockpit.
In the absence of a fight for the championship, the battle for fifth—and a seat on the Strategy Group—should provide a bit of excitement.
Jenson Button Upbeat over His McLaren Future
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Jenson Button says he is optimistic about his chances of remaining with McLaren in 2016 despite uncertainty over his future.
McLaren have an option to retain the 2009 world champion, but youngsters Kevin Magnussen—who raced alongside Button in 2014—and GP2 pace-setter Stoffel Vandoorne are waiting in the wings.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Button said:
"Ron and myself have had some good chats. We've had some good talks, and hopefully that continues.
If I'm in Formula One, I'm going to be with McLaren. I've had some difficult times; obviously here and the end of last year was very tough, but I've got a lot of time for this team.
I've been here for many years. We've had some really good times. I've won eight races with this team, finished second in the world championship in 2011, and had some really good fights with team-mates at this team.
I've got a lot of friends, so this is definitely the team that I'll be with if I'm in Formula One next year.
"
Button's chances of staying on in 2016 were given a boost after the Italian Grand Prix when team-mate Fernando Alonso indicated he wanted the Brit to stay. The Daily Mirror's Byron Young quoted Alonso saying he thought keeping Button would be "a good thing for the team"—making a point of praising his experience.
And in Monza, per F1i's Chris Medland, McLaren racing director Eric Boullier said the team intended to keep Button.
But if that was the case, why haven't they announced it already?
Magnussen has age on his side and a year's experience of racing, while Vandoorne looks like one of the most-promising young drivers of the past decade.
Though the smart money has to be on McLaren keeping Button, either of his rivals—and especially Vandoorne—would be more than adequate replacements.
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Renault Boss Carlos Ghosn: It's Works Team or Bust
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Renault have confirmed their time as just an engine supplier in Formula One is over; they will either run their own works team or exit the sport completely.
The French carmaker's relationship with main partner Red Bull has hit rock-bottom after a second season in which the Renault engine has proved no match for Mercedes. It's almost certain the two will divorce very soon.
Red Bull's junior team, Toro Rosso, is likely to follow where their parent leads.
But Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn says losing its status as a supplier doesn't concern the company, as it wishes to take a full part in F1 or leave entirely. Speaking to Autocar, Ghosn said:
"We are analysing what to do. We have been clear in saying ‘don't count on us as a provider of engines’. It is clear that if you provide engines you aren't mentioned when you win and you are criticised when you have problems.
Our future is the subject of detailed analysis and renegotiating. We will either exit or run our own team. We don't have a clear decision yet.
"
Red Bull won four consecutive drivers' and constructors' championship doubles between 2010 and 2013. Engine supplier Renault played a key part, especially in the development of the exhaust-blowing technology that accounted for a large part of Red Bull's advantage.
But as soon as the good times ended, Red Bull wasted no time in laying the blame at Renault's doorstep. It progressed from veiled digs early in 2014 to open criticism just a few months later.
The relationship has deteriorated steadily ever since, and Renault will be glad to see the back of Red Bull when, as expected, they part company with the Austrian team at the end of the current season.
The split will create uncertainty for both sides—but it's Renault's future that looks the most clouded. They want to buy Lotus and run the Enstone outfit as a full Renault works team, but Joe Saward reports they have as yet been unable to strike a suitable deal with the sport's commercial rights holder.
Renault want their historic contribution to F1 to be recognised in the form of an annual bonus payment like those given to the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari; Bernie Ecclestone, CVC and friends want to keep the money for themselves.
If an agreement cannot be reached, Renault will simply walk away.
For the good of the sport, let's hope that doesn't happen.
Nico Rosberg Forced to Take His 4th Engine of the Season
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Nico Rosberg will receive his fourth power unit ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix—the last he can use before he starts receiving grid penalties.
Mercedes fitted both Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton's cars with their newest-specification engine at the last round in Monza. However, Rosberg was forced to switch his for an older-spec unit after his new one was contaminated by a coolant leak in free practice.
The team said on Twitter they would examine it to see whether the damage was terminal—but Autosport reports that as the unit is sealed between events, they remain in the dark over whether it can be used again.
Even if it can, Jonathan Noble of Motorsport.com says Mercedes are unlikely to risk using it in the race.
Rosberg lies 53 points behind Hamilton in the championship standings. His chances of taking the title are already slim—the last thing he needs is a grid penalty at one of the seven remaining races.
If the third unit cannot be used again, Mercedes will have to decide whether it's worth the risk of trying to stretch the fourth engine's lifespan from the usual five races to seven. This approach may work with some components but not others, which would at the very least reduce the grid drop Rosberg could face.
But current form suggests Hamilton will wrap the title up with two or three races to spare—so maybe it won't even matter.
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