Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Kimi Raikkonen, Toro Rosso-Ferrari and More

Formula One flirted with disaster at last weekend's United States Grand Prix, where heavy rain prevented the cars from taking to the track.

The postponement of qualifying meant the two most crucial sessions of a grand prix weekend were separated by just five hours at the Circuit of the Americas, which resulted in one of the most memorable races of the 2015 season.

And Kimi Raikkonen, rarely one to be easily pleased, has spoken of his enjoyment of the United States event, suggesting it should be used as a template for any potential changes to the format of a race weekend.

Prior to crashing his car into the barriers, which led to his eventual retirement, Raikkonen was embroiled in a feisty battle with Max Verstappen, the Scuderia Toro Rosso rookie.

Like Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso's F1 future has been increasingly uncertain in recent weeks, but it seems Raikkonen's Ferrari team are set to rescue the Faenza-based outfit by supplying Toro Rosso with engines for 2016.

After Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes secured the 2015 drivers' and constructors' championships, most paddock figures have turned their attention toward next season, with Force India hoping to ensure the off-season runs as smoothly as possible.

Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, has revealed his disappointment with the way his 2015 has gone, admitting that 2016 will be make-or-break as far as his long-term career prospects are concerned.

And after Hamilton equalled Sir Jackie Stewart's British record of three titles, Britain's next world champion has revealed his plans for next season, with Oliver Rowland insisting a switch to F1 for 2016 is still not out of the question.

Here's our latest roundup.

Kimi Raikkonen Wants F1 to Adopt 2-Day Weekends After Austin Experience

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Kimi Raikkonen believes Formula One should seriously consider shortening race weekend to just two days in the future following the success of last weekend's United States Grand Prix.

As Hurricane Patricia savaged Austin, Texas, the United States GP weekend was badly interrupted, with the second of three free-practice sessions cancelled on Friday and Saturday's qualifying session being postponed until the following morning due to torrential rain.

While this was initially feared to be another disaster for F1 in America, a decade on from the six-car race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the weekend ultimately became one of the most enjoyable of the entire 2015 season.

After a shortened qualifying, one of the most exciting, unpredictable races of the year took place at the Circuit of the Americas, where Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion for the third time.

Despite crashing in the changeable conditions and retiring at the halfway stage, Raikkonen believes F1 should adopt two-day weekends on a full-time basis, claiming it would be in favour of competitors and spectators.

The 2007 world champion told Autosport's Ben Anderson and Lawrence Barretto:

"

Obviously we start a bit more early, but to be honest, for me it would be much nicer to run two-day weekends.

We could do all the free practices in one day.

If you plan it you can fit all of those in two days or put longer one practice and only have two practices.

I would think it would be cheaper for all the teams to run less days, be away less days.

In a way it's quite nice - there is a lot happening on the race day so it's good for everybody.

For everybody who is watching they could see cars running.

We could easily manage to put it really nicely in two days. Like we demonstrated in Austin, it's not too busy.

[...]

There was enough time for everything and I think it was quite a nice thing.

"

In July, the Formula One Strategy Group, per the FIA's official website, announced its desire to implement "several exciting and innovative changes to the qualifying and race-weekend formats," and it could be the United States Grand Prix was a glimpse of the future.

Toro Rosso Closing in on Ferrari Engine Deal for 2016 F1 Season

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While Red Bull Racing's search for a 2016 engine deal continues, Scuderia Toro Rosso's appears to be drawing toward a conclusion, with the team set to reach an agreement to use 2015-spec Ferrari power units.

Red Bull's entire Formula One future was plunged into doubt when the four-time world champions, as reported by Autosport's Dieter Rencken and Lawrence Barretto, severed their relationship with engine supplier Renault and were left dangling by Mercedes and Ferrari.

It was initially thought that Red Bull and B-team Toro Rosso would use the same power units for 2016, but while the former continue to scramble for an engine, the latter already seem to have a deal in place.

As reported by Motorsport.com's Jonathan Noble, Ferrari have agreed "in principle" to join forces with Toro Rosso next season.  

And while it was feared the late engine deal would slow the team's preparations for 2016, team principal Franz Tost is confident his colleagues are ready for a race against time to make the first of two pre-season tests next February, telling the same source:

"

I am convinced that in a short period of time we will be sorted out.

We have to be concentrated to get everything together in time with the drawing office to release the drawings and then once more, the production will be pushed very hard.

But that is F1, that is how it is and we are prepared.

[...]

We had a task force meeting last week regarding drawing releases and regarding productions, and we decided to shift to a three-shift production. So then we will see.

But it is not in my hands to talk about a deadline, I have to accept what is coming.

"

Although Toro Rosso's deal to run the second-best engine of the 2015 season may be regarded as a success, their agreement should be viewed in the context of the 2016 campaign.

With all engine manufacturers once again set to make major improvements to their products over the winter, there is a risk that Toro Rosso—particularly if Renault and Honda resolve their respective issues—could be relegated to the back of the grid with out-of-date powertrains next season.

Force India Hoping for Advance F1 Payment

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It was at this stage a year ago when Formula One's financial concerns became unavoidable, with the Marussia and Caterham teams both forced to miss the United States and Brazilian grands prix after entering administration.

Their absence exposed the elitist, and arguably unfair, distribution of the sport's revenue, which partially resulted in Force India and Sauber lodging a complaint to the European Union over F1's governance, per BBC Sport.

And the former have offered another reminder of the difficulties facing smaller, independent teams, with Force India approaching Bernie Ecclestone, F1's ringmaster, with a view to receiving their payments in advance.

According to Autosport's Ian Parkes, teams currently receive money from Formula One Management every month between February and November, meaning they are left without an injection of cash during the off-season months in December and January.

Force India's request requires the permission of each of their rival teams, with Ecclestone writing to the Silverstone-based outfit's fellow competitors in the hope of granting the wish.

And Bob Fernley, the deputy team principal, has revealed why Force India have been forced to head down this route, telling Parkes: 

"

We start to lose payments as soon as a season finishes.

So what we're trying to do is balance things better, get a better cash flow, because cash flow over the winter for us is the worst time.

But this is not necessarily about us, it's about making our suppliers' lives a bit easier. They are under a lot of pressure, and can be stretched too far, especially when other teams are struggling as well.

We're trying to get ahead of our programme, as opposed to last year when we were slightly behind it.

We just have to be pragmatic because if we know now we're going to have to tighten up a bit then we have to act.

"

Per the same source, Fernley said other teams may feel the need to seek advance payments, which could lead to a "slightly longer process," but he has taken encouragement from Ecclestone's willingness to help.

He also reiterated his desire for changes to the distribution of revenue ahead of the major regulation changes in 2017, which could cause major problems for team's of Force India's stature.

Valtteri Bottas Accepts 2016 Will Be a Pivotal Season in F1 Career

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Valtteri Bottas has acknowledged that 2016 will be a significant season in his Formula One career after struggling to live up to expectations in 2015.

The Finn established himself as a potential world champion in the 2014 campaign, securing six podium finishes, outperforming Williams team-mate Felipe Massa on a regular basis and pipping Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso to fourth in the drivers' championship.

Bottas was expected to take the next step toward greatness this year, but Williams' failure to sustain their pace, mistakes and misfortune have all prevented him from realising his potential.

With three races remaining, Bottas lies fifth in the championship, having claimed just one podium, and is just two points ahead of Massa, who has two top-three finishes to his name.

And the 26-year-old has admitted he has been left disappointed that a season of such promise has delivered so little, telling Crash.net:

"

As a whole, not great for me I must admit. I think it's a very unlucky season compared to last year—there's been a lot of things happening in races for me, things where I've not been able to do anything: pit-stops, wrong tyres, brake problems, things like this…In a couple of qualifying sessions, I didn't get 100 per cent out of the car and that is really crucial for the starting place.

Not a perfect season but there are still three opportunities left and I've been pleased overall with the last few races, I feel that I've been able to perform at my top level and get everything out of the car.

It's been imperfect operationally as everyone has seen, and the team is also not very happy about it. Of course, we would have wanted to be on a higher level but we are really getting better. It might be easy to see but, from every mistake, we always learn. 

"

Prior to Kimi Raikkonen's contract extension, Bottas was thought to be in contention to partner four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari for 2016.

But despite missing out on a leading seat on this occasion, Bottas knows he will have to be back to his best next season to play a role in what is likely to be an eventful transfer market, telling the same source: "This is too early to speculate. I think, for me, obviously, like every season in F1, it is important but next year, for me, is going to be very important to do well."

Formula Renault 3.5 Champion Oliver Rowland in Contention for F1 Chance in 2016

Jolyon Palmer became the latest British Formula One driver at last weekend's United States Grand Prix, when he was confirmed as Pastor Maldonado's Lotus team-mate for 2016.

Along with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the 2014 GP2 champion became the third British-born driver assured of a place on next season's grid, and Palmer may yet be joined by another homegrown youngster.

After winning the 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 title—a series previously won by the likes of Robert Kubica, Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz Jr.—in dominant fashion with eight victories, Sheffield-born Oliver Rowland has attracted much interest ahead of 2016.

A winner of the prestigious McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award in 2011, Rowland is regarded as Britain's next bright hope, and although the 23-year-old, who receives support from the Racing Steps Foundation, is likely to continue his junior career next season, he could make an instant jump to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Derek Warwick, the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, has claimed Rowland is in discussions with a number of potential employers in the DTM, the German touring-car series, as well as GP2—in which Rowland has already participated in two events this year—and F1 for 2016.

Warwick, who made 162 grand prix appearances between 1981 and 1993, told Motorsport.com's Pablo Elizalde: "We are speaking with a lot of people about his future. Many are convinced about his incredible talent. Several teams in the GP2 Series have shown an interest and we are also in contact with two F1 teams and others in the DTM."

With Gene Haas telling Sky Sports' television coverage at the United States GP that his team will announce their No. 2 driver, almost certain to be Esteban Gutierrez, at this weekend's Mexican GP, Manor would remain the only possibility for Rowland in 2016.

Although the odds are against him in the fierce fight for that particular seat, Rowland—who is presumably more likely to earn a reserve or junior-driver role—is adamant he can force his way into F1 for 2016, telling Elizalde: "I must still remain patient to know about my future, but F1 is not an impossibility."

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