F1 gossip: Alonso, Formula E, Red Bull, Ocon, Hamilton, Vandoorne

  • Published
Fernando AlonsoImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is leaving Fomrula 1 at the end of the season

Saturday, 15 September

Formula E boss Alejandro Agag says the all-electric series is "going after" Fernando Alonso in the hope of enticing the Spaniard after he retires from Formula 1. (F1i.com), external

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says the uncertainty over Esteban Ocon's future would be solved if Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff was willing to invest in his junior talent and pay Williams to take him for next season. (ESPN), external

Daniel Ricciardo has played down the wider significance of Ocon's struggles to stay in Formula 1 next season, but is aware his move from Red Bull to Renault accidentally "screwed" the youngster. (Motorsport), external

Lewis Hamilton is a fan of a proposed concept car for the 2021 Formula 1 season, adding he will "definitely be driving" in the sport if it follows that direction. (Crash), external

Force India technical director Andrew Green doubts the 2021 concept car images will bear much resemblance to what actually races. (Autosport), external

Force India have been fined £4,450 for releasing Esteban Ocon's car in an unsafe fashion from its pit box during final practice in Singapore. (Race Fans), external

Having lost his McLaren race seat, Stoffel Vandoorne admits his chances of staying on the F1 grid in 2019 are "very slim". (Planet F1), external

Pierre Gasly has spoken of his 'pure joy' at his 'amazing' promotion to Red Bull from Toro Rosso. (CNN), external

Friday, 14 September

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Grosjean believes the Haas team's critics have been showing a lack of respect

A concept vision for how Formula 1 cars could look in 2021 has been leaked. (Motorsport.com), external

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says he has heard Red Bull have stopped developing their car so they can focus on next year's model instead. (Express), external

Haas driver Romain Grosjean says the team's critics have been showing a "lack of respect". (Autosport), external

Stoffel Vandoorne says he is yet to receive a "clear explanation" from McLaren after he was dropped for the 2019 season. (Crash), external

Thursday, 13 September

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Fernando Alonso and Nascar's Jimmie Johnson teased fans over the potential for transatlantic switches

Racing legends Fernando Alonso and Jimmie Johnson teased their fans with a Twitter video exchange containing a scripted conversation between them. (Motorsport.com), external

Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko has rejected rumours Mick Schumacher is a target for Toro Rosso in 2019. (Auto Bild, via PlanetF1), external

Formula 1 chiefs need to find a 'fairer' way to stop talented young drivers losing out in the battle for seats, says Pierre Gasly. (Autosport), external

Sauber are targeting Q3 for both cars for the rest of 2018, says technical director Simone Resta. (Formula1.com), external

Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe has backed a recent suggestion points should be extended down to 20th place.(Motorsport.com), external

Wednesday, 12 September

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Robert Kubica's sole F1 win was for Sauber at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix

Williams reserve driver Robert Kubica will pursue alternative racing options if he does not secure a Formula 1 seat in 2019. (motorsport.com), external

Michael Schumacher's son Mick is being targeted by Toro Rosso for 2019, as a replacement for Pierre Gasly. (GPfans.com), external

Losing Esteban Ocon from the grid in 2019 would be a "complete shame for Formula 1", says former driver and German Touring Car Masters boss Gerhard Berger. (Autosport), external

Force India and Mercedes used their Twitter accounts to poke fun at the recent raft of driver announcements. (Twitter), external

Tuesday, 11 September

Image source, EPA
Image caption,

Sergio Perez's contract with Force India will expire at the end of the season

Force India's Sergio Perez has denied that McLaren was ever a serious option for him for 2019. (Wheels24), external

McLaren are expecting their recent struggles to continue for the rest of the season because rivals have out-developed their "extremely poor" car, says team boss Zak Brown. (Motorsport.com), external

Red Bull and Toro Rosso will have "very close co-operation" next season, with both teams using the same rear end - including the power unit, gearbox and the suspension and some front suspension parts. (Formula1.com), external

Formula 1 will face the "real problem" of only having a few manufacturers capable of winning races if it does not prevent the use of 'servant' teams, says Renault technical chief Nick Chester. (Autosport), external

Carlos Sainz believes his Renault team can match Mercedes and Ferrari's engine next season.(Motorsport.com), external

Monday, 10 September

More than 20,000 Ferrari fans have signed a petition to keep Kimi Raikkonen driving for the team next season, rather than replace him with Charles Leclerc. (Reuters), external

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has demanded his mechanics "understand" their cars better in order to get the best performance out of them, even if it means "turning the garage upside down". (Planet F1), external

Daniel Ricciardo is looking forward to the "romance" of the Singapore street track and racing at night. The Australian is also preparing for the race to be "physically intense". (GrandPX), external