Nico Rosberg to marry

Nico Rosberg is engaged to marry his long-term girlfriend Vivian Sibold, according to German reports.

"Yes, it's true," the Mercedes driver told Kolner Express newspaper. "We're getting married," added Rosberg, referring to Vivian, an interior designer.

"It all feels very, very nice.

"When and where it happens is still in the stars," added Rosberg.

The German driver lives with Vivian, who is also 28, in Monaco and Ibiza.

Daniil Kvyat to race for Toro Rosso in 2014

Russian 19-year-old Daniil Kvyat will race for the Toro Rosso team next season.

In a surprise move, the teenager, who competes in GP3, will partner Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, who has been retained for a third season.

Kvyat replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who has been promoted to Red Bull to fill the seat vacated by Mark Webber.

Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said Kvyat earned his seat with a "strong performance" during a test in July.

Portuguese Antonio Felix Da Costa had been next in line to replace Australian Ricciardo but has been overlooked after a mixed season driving in the Renault 3.5 category.

Da Costa said on his Twitter feed: "It hurts but it's like this. I'm happy for Daniil."

Kvyat described his promotion as "fantastic" and "a dream come true".

Tost said Kvyat had given "very informative technical feedback" at the young driver test at Silverstone.

"This suggests that the basic qualities from which he can progress are all in place," said Tost.

"Daniil can be sure that we will use all our experience of training youngsters to give him the best possible start to his Formula 1 career."

Webber will quit F1 at the end of the season to forge a new career leading Porsche's endurance racing programme.

At 19 years and 320 days by the time of the 2014 Australian GP, Kvyat will not be the youngest driver to debut in F1.

Competing in Formula 1 as a teenager is rare, but seven other drivers have taken part as 19-year-olds, as early as in the '60s with Mike Thackwell and Chris Amon.

The current championship contenders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso made their debuts at the age of 19. Vettel at the 2007 United States Grand Prix for BMW Sauber, finishing seventh. Alonso at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix for Minardi, finishing 12th.

Porsche Supercup drivers campaign for Edwards

In an incredibly rare move, the drivers of the Porsche Supercup series are petitioning Porsche Motorsports to make the final round of the series, which is slated to be held at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 3, an exhibition, non-points paying race, allowing Sean Edwards to claim the title.

Edwards was killed in an accident last week when the car he was instructing in careened off track at the Queensland Raceway in Australia. If the field takes the green flag next month with a points paying event, surely another driver other than Edwards would claim the title.

Edwards currently has an 18 point lead in the championship.

The petition was started by Jon Miller, of the Pirelli World Challenge, on Change.org, a website that allows people to establish an official petition, to get it worldwide attention.

The petition states:

Porsche, you have the opportunity do something rare and very special. We are asking you to elect to hold the final two rounds of the 2013 Porsche SuperCup (rounds 8 and 9 on November 2/3 at the Yas Marina Circuit) as non-points scoring rounds.

We believe that the rightful champion of the 2013 season has already been crowned, however he won't be able to attend the final race to make it a formality. Racers and fans around the world are mourning the loss of driver, Sean Edwards, who currently leads the Supercup Championship by 18 points, with 3 wins in 7 races.

With a win being worth 20 points, and Sean never having finished lower than 5th, he was bound to be champion. If his nearest competitor were to win both races at the final round, Sean would only need to match his worst finish so far (5th) and the championship would still go to him. If Sean were to win the first race of the weekend, he could park his car and score no points during race 2 - and still be champion. Even his competitors can't argue: Sean Edwards has dominated Porsche Supercup this year. He deserves the title.

We want to make sure that Sean goes down in the record books as he was in the hearts and minds of his family, friends and competitors: a Champion. Please dedicate the final two races of Porsche Supercup to Sean Edwards, implore your drivers to race in his honor and put on a fantastic show for the fans. Pay them their prize money and hire the good ones to factory drives for next year. But do not award them any points.

Please, Porsche; make Sean Edwards your 2013 SuperCup champion and celebrate in his honor at the championship party in Abu Dabhi.

Thank you,

Racing fans, Porsche fans and Sean Edwards fans everywhere.

To be a part of this movement, check out the petition at: Change.org Sean Edwards Petition

Alonso and Magnussen to drive for McLaren in 2015

A Danish newspaper has looked into the future and spotted Kevin Magnussen, the brand new Formula Renault 3.5 champion, at McLaren in 2015.

The report in the tabloid newspaper Ekstra Bladet also said the now 21-year-old Dane's Honda-powered teammate in two years time will be none other than Fernando Alonso.

Magnussen, the son of former F1 driver Jan, wrapped up the Formula Renault 3.5 championship in Spain at the weekend.

With McLaren's backing, he is now linked with a move to F1 next year with Marussia.

"I have focused entirely on achieving this goal (the 2013 title), because you cannot even dream of going to Formula One if you do not deserve it," he said in Barcelona.

Indeed, the Ekstra Bladet report might be slightly more than a speculative glance into the crystal ball.

Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper reports that there is more to the Alonso-to-McLaren story than mere rumours.

The newspaper said Honda has agreed with McLaren to split the Spaniard's huge annual retainer.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, however, insists he is not worried.

"I do not fear losing Fernando," he told the German magazine Sport Bild.

"He has a contract and he recently made clear that he is staying. He wants to win with us, and we want to win with him," Domenicali added.

New Jersey F1 race gets Valencia's barriers

Bernie Ecclestone is reportedly using the demise of Valencia's F1 project to give organisers of next year's provisional New Jersey race a boost.

Earlier this week F1 chief executive Ecclestone agreed to terminate Valencia's contract without financially penalising the Spanish hosts.

It means the Valencian government is avoiding a reported EUR 54 million in break costs.

"What we have agreed," said president Alberto Fabra, "is that we will not use any equipment in other circuits."

The Spanish sports newspaper Marca has now revealed more details of Ecclestone's termination deal with Valencia.

"Everything in Formula One has a price," wrote correspondent Paul Juanarena.

He said Ecclestone has negotiated to take possession of Valencia's street circuit equipment, including more than 10 kilometres of fencing and barriers, worth several million euros.

The beneficiary, Juanarena explained, would be organisers of the financially-pressed inaugural New Jersey Grand Prix, whose place on the 2014 calendar is conditional upon "circuit approval".

Maldonado sacked from Williams. Could Massa benefit?

Pastor Maldonado's exit at Williams could pave the way for Felipe Massa, the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo is reporting.

Correspondent Livio Oricchio claims talks between Venezuelan Maldonado's management and sponsors, and bosses of the Grove based team, are taking place now.

The 28-year-old has reportedly run out of patience at Williams, despite the fact his powerful sponsors PDVSA remain under contract to the British team.

Williams admits it has a problem.

"I've never seen a racing car that reacts so little to modifications," veteran team manager Dickie Stanford told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, referring to the FW35 that has powered Maldonado to just a single point in 2013.

One unnamed team member, however, said 2012 Spanish Grand Prix winner Maldonado has also been part of the problem.

"He still makes too many mistakes," the team member is quoted as saying.

"In Korea, we told him repeatedly in the last stint to take care of the right front and, if possible, stay out of the battles.

"But what did he do? Drives like a madman and ruins his tyres within three laps."

Maldonado also reportedly infuriated team bosses when he forced past teammate Valtteri Bottas in the final corner of the last lap in Japan, for a mere 16th place.

Both Germany's Auto Motor und Sport and O Estado de S.Paulo say Maldonado is eyeing departing Kimi Raikkonen's seat at Lotus.

Lotus would apparently prefer to sign Nico Hulkenberg, but that depends on the team finalising its 35 per cent sale to a group of investors known as Quantum.

"They (Quantum) are always saying 'We're coming, we're coming', but nothing happens," a Lotus source told Oricchio.

That is where Maldonado could come in. His sponsor PDVSA, bringing EUR 35 million a year to Williams, remains under contract to Williams for two more years.

But Oricchio said exit talks between the Maldonado camp and Williams are taking place.

Auto Motor und Sport's Michael Schmidt said deputy team boss Claire Williams was in Caracas recently, amid rumours PDVSA could pay millions to buy its way out of the deal.

Oricchio agreed that the exit talks have intensified since Suzuka.

The Venezuelan state oil company would then back Maldonado's switch to Lotus.

It is said Maldonado's manager, Nicolas Todt, is pushing for the deal to happen because it would open Williams' door to his other charge, Felipe Massa.

The Brazilian, who has reportedly put together a sponsor package worth about EUR 6 million, including Petrobras, is looking for a drive for 2014 after losing his seat at Ferrari.

Todt said: "Yes, it's been difficult for Pastor this year, with a car that does not allow the drivers to score points.

"They have to react and they have been hiring new people. Next year it (Williams) would be an excellent option for Felipe."

Hulkenberg to drive for Lotus in 2014

A Lotus contract with Nico Hulkenberg's name on it will be signed at Enstone "either today or tomorrow", the German newspaper Bild reports.

It was said that the team was poised to sign the 26-year-old German as soon as the deal with Quantum - formerly Infinity, a group of private investors who plan to buy 35 per cent of Lotus - is done.

If not, it could have opened the door to Pastor Maldonado.

Maldonado's lucrative sponsor PDVSA is locked in a contract with Williams, but O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio said the Venezuelan is desperate to move from uncompetitive Williams.

But Bild reports that Lotus' Quantum deal is finally now being formalised, which should boost the team's budget beyond EUR 200 million for 2014.

Sean Edwards 1986-2013

British racing driver Sean Edwards has died in a crash at the Queensland Raceway in Australia.

The 26-year-old, born in London, was a passenger in a Porsche which hit the barriers during a private test session.

Edwards is currently leading the Porsche Supercup championship, a series which supports Formula 1 races.

He is the son of former F1 driver Guy Edwards, who pulled Niki Lauda out of his burning Ferrari after a crash at the Nurburgring in 1976.

Edwards was taking part in the second day of a two-day coaching session for young drivers at the track in Queensland.

The driver of the car, a 20-year-old from Brisbane, survived the high-speed crash but was stuck in the car for more than two hours.

He is currently being treated in a local hospital having sustained severe injuries and burns.

Monaco-based Edwards won the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May. Driving a Mercedes, he joined forces with Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Nicki Thiim to claim his first major victory in endurance racing.

He also played his father in Ron Howard's movie Rush, released last month, which focused on the rivalry between Lauda and James Hunt during the 1976 Formula 1 season.

Past and present drivers have expressed their shock at the news of his death.

Three-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish said: "I knew his father initially from his sponsorship days, so I have followed Sean's career a bit closer than you would normally do.

"The tragedy of it is he was leading the Supercup championship after such strong performances through the middle of the year. It looked like he was going to win.

"Also, having won the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, I would say this was probably his strongest year in racing.

"He won the Porsche Supercup race in Monaco this year by 20 seconds, which is unheard of in a one-make-spec championship.

"This was a breakthrough year for him. He was showing what talent he had, but had maybe never had the opportunity to actually display it.

"Apart from that, he was a guy who loved life, loved racing, loved cycling, was strong and fit."

Former McLaren driver and BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard tweeted: "Shocking news about Sean Edwards passing, top man and super talented racer, condolences to his nearest and dearest."

Marussia driver Max Chilton added on Twitter:  "Truly shocked to hear the devastating news about Sean Edwards, watched him win many races and will be a huge loss to the sport."

Former Benetton, McLaren and Jordan driver Martin Brundle tweeted: "Terribly sad news re the death of Sean Edwards, a very talented racer. Condolences to his family and friends. Motorsport can be too cruel."

Hartmut Kristen, head of motorsport at Porsche, said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with his family and we want to express our deepest condolences to his relatives."

The Motor Sports Association added in a statement: "Sean was a hugely promising young racer who came through the junior formulas in Britain, before making a career in international sportscar racing.

"The MSA extends its deepest sympathies to Sean's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."

Edwards had contested the Porsche Supercup series since 2008 and holds an 18-point lead in the championship ahead of the final two races at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi next month.

He had a short career in single-seaters, competing in the Formula Renault championship, before switching his attention to GT racing.

He also competed in the FIA GT2 and GT3 series, which he won in 2006, as well as the Le Mans Series before focusing on the Porsche Supercup.

His death follows that of former F1 reserve driver Maria De Villota, who was found dead in her hotel room in Seville last week.

The 33-year-old's death was believed to have been a consequence of the injuries she suffered during a testing crash last year.

Four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti also suffered a high-speed crash a week ago.

The Scot broke two vertebrae in his spine, two ribs and an ankle.

Alonso concedes championship is lost

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso said he was happy to have broken the all-time Formula 1 points record but admitted this year's championship is over.

The Spaniard finished fourth in the Japanese Grand Prix to pass Michael Schumacher in the all-time points list.

But he is 90 points behind race-winner Sebastian Vettel with 100 available.

"Even if Vettel doesn't finish all of the races I need to win nearly all, so it's a matter of time [until Vettel is champion]," Alonso said.

On his own accomplishment, he admitted he had benefited from the fact that slightly more of his career than Schumacher's had come after 2010 when points awarded were more than doubled and extended to 10th place.

Alonso has now scored 1,571 points in his 12-year career, two more than Schumacher. Vettel is third on 1,351.

"We have different goals now and they told me I have the record for the most amount of points in F1 history, so it's a happy day. Leading points scorer in F1 is something great," he said.

"I know the points system changed, but when someone overtakes me in the points no-one will remember the points system changed."

To win the title, however, Alonso - who has won 32 grands prix in his career to Vettel's 34 - would have to win three of the remaining four races and finish second in the other, with Vettel retiring from them all.

Alonso acknowledged his Ferrari did not have enough pace to do that.

"We struggle a little bit to do so," he said, "so it is matter of time. We continue to try to do our best on Sundays. When it is mathematically settled we [will] congratulate him."

In fact, Vettel will clinch the title in the next race in India on 27 October as long as Alonso does not outscore him by at least 16 points.

"Regarding the championship, as I said, I think obviously we have a very, very good gap but we still keep pushing," said Vettel.

"I think we've proven in the last couple of years that we never give up. I think we've won one or two championships because of that.

"Obviously this year it looks very good at this stage - but it's not over before it's over."

Alonso's aim is now to secure second in the drivers' championship and do the same for Ferrari in the constructors' competition.

The Italian team extended their lead over Mercedes to 10 points after a bad race for the German team, who saw Lewis Hamilton retire with damage caused by a puncture and Nico Rosberg take eighth after a drive-through penalty for an unsafe release from a pit stop.

Lotus are also in the running for second place - they are 33 points behind Ferrari after Romain Grosjean took third in Suzuka and Kimi Raikkonen fifth.

Team boss Eric Boullier said: "Two weekends in a row we have gained some points on them. If we can keep it going it's possible."

The four remaining races are in India, Abu Dhabi, the United States and Brazil.

Maria De Villota 1980-2013

Former Marussia test driver Maria de Villota has passed away, aged 33.

The Spanish racer, daughter of ex-Formula One driver and British Formula Three series champion Emilio de Villota, raced in several categories including Spanish F3 and sportscars before joining Marussia as a test driver in March 2012.

In July of last year De Villota was involved in a serious accident during a straight-line test with Marussia at the UK’s Duxford airport, sustaining life-threatening head injuries and losing her right eye. She spent a month in hospital, but went on to make a strong recovery.

De Villota continued to be involved in motorsport, becoming an Ambassador for Women in Motorsport with Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, and also participating in both the FIA Drivers’ Commission and its Action for Road Safety campaign.

A statement on De Villota's Facebook page, signed by her family, read: "Dear friends: Maria has left us. She had to go to heaven like all angels. We are thankful to God for the extra year and a half that he left her with us."

The Marussia team said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we learned a short time ago of the news that Maria de Villota has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maria’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

As news of De Villota’s passing spread through the Suzuka paddock in Japan on Friday, numerous teams and drivers paid tribute to their former colleague.

Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, who worked alongside De Villota as a fellow Ambassador for Women in Motorsport, said: “We are shocked to hear the news of Maria de Villota’s death and would like to offer our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends for this tragic loss.

“If anybody represented strength and optimism, it was Maria. Her sudden death is a big loss to the motorsport world as she was an important ambassador for relaying important messages to the youth, and particularly girls that aspire to a career in motorsport. Maria was an example of someone who never gave up, she always had a smile on her face and we will dearly miss her.”

Vettel losing drivers respect according to Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg has admitted he took objection in Singapore when world champion Sebastian Vettel suggested his rivals are lazy.

After dominating the floodlit Grand Prix, German Vettel explained Red Bull's advantage by insisting that while his team works "very hard", the others are "hanging their balls in the pool very early on Fridays".

It may have been a joke, but Mercedes' Rosberg did not laugh.

"Maybe he shouldn't be thinking about my balls," he is quoted on Thursday by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"It was definitely inappropriate," added Rosberg. "My team works its ass off. And he can't possibly know how much we work compared to them.

"My boys work like crazy."

And as F1 figures puzzle over why Vettel is being booed on post-race podiums, Rosberg said comments like the one made in Singapore do him no favours.

"He is in very clear danger of losing the respect of the other drivers," he said.

McLaren's Jenson Button agrees: "It was a wrong and unfair thing for Sebastian to say."

But Vettel said he found it "strange" that his comment was so controversial.

"It was not my intention to say anything against someone else," he said, "but only to show that our success is no accident."

Minardi raises concerns over Vettel's Singapore win

Former F1 team owner Gian Carlo Minardi has raised doubts about the legitimacy of Sebastian Vettel's dominance in Singapore last weekend.

The 66-year-old, who sold his team before the 2001 season, was trackside at the Marina Bay circuit where Vettel commandingly won.

Minardi, whose Faenza based team was subsequently sold to Red Bull and became Toro Rosso, admits he has been troubled by Vettel's often multiple-second advantage over his rivals under the Singapore floodlights.

"It's not my intention to devalue Sebastian Vettel, who always manages his Red Bull in the best way," he told his website.

"I just want to tell what I personally saw and heard during the three day event," Minardi explained.

He said he is concerned that, while only just ahead of the likes of Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Mercedes' Nico Rosberg in the pre-race sessions, the reason for Vettel's subsequent dominance at key moments on Sunday is "not clear".

Referring to the stretch leading into the first chicane, Minardi said Vettel was able to negotiate it "without making any corrections, unlike all his rivals and also his teammate" Mark Webber.

"His lap time was also remarkable in T3, which is the track's sector with the highest concentration of corners," he added.

"On the same stretch, Sebastian was able to speed up 50 metres before any other driver, Webber included."

But the handling of the Red Bull was not the only thing troubling Minardi.

"The thing that surprised me the most was the engine's sound," he said.

"It sounded like none of the other Renault engines on track, including Mark's. It sounded similar to the engines in past seasons when traction control went into action.

"Furthermore, that sound was only heard when Vettel chalked up his excellent performances," added Minardi. "For example, after the safety car went in. In those moments it was more powerful (sounding) than any other engines -- Renault and the other brands.

"I would like to have some answers," he continued. "I don't want to blame anyone, I just want to get to the bottom of it."

Personal note: Cheating? In Singapore? Never! That's already been done!

Rubens Barrichello set for F1 return

Rubens Barrichello's return to Formula One could even happen this season.

It emerged late last week that the Brazilian veteran, who lost his Williams seat at the end of 2011, could be a shock contender to race alongside the highly inexperienced Sergey Sirotkin at Sauber next year.

But the highly respected Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio claims 41-year-old Barrichello - the most experienced driver in F1 history - could even race the Sauber at his home race at Interlagos for November's 2013 finale.

Oricchio said Barrichello is currently not answering his phone.

"He just sent a message saying 'who knows'," he wrote in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

And Oricchio said F1 chief executive Ecclestone answered "good" when told of the prospect of Barrichello's return.

On a strictly personal note...this has to happen...now!

Felipe Massa may head to DTM

Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes' motor racing activities, has admitted Felipe Massa is a candidate to move into the German touring car series DTM in 2014.

While also hoping to move to Lotus next year but not ruling out a sabbatical after Ferrari decided to replace him with Kimi Raikkonen, Brazilian Massa recently admitted he might be interested in DTM.

"I do not like endurance races," O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper quoted him as saying, "(but) DTM is something I see as possible for me."

Austrian Wolff, who watched Massa outqualify his Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso in Singapore on Saturday, said the 32-year-old might be in the running for a seat with Mercedes.

"A driver like Felipe, with services as he has shown here, would be a benefit for DTM or any other racing series," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"He's definitely an interesting driver. We would certainly consider it," admitted Wolff.

FIA signes new Concorde Agreement

The FIA announced on Friday that it has finally put pen to paper on a new Concorde Agreement with the Formula 1 Group.

"The agreement reached by the FIA and the Formula 1 Group in July 2013, setting out the framework for implementation of the Concorde Agreement for the period 2013 - 2020, has now come into force, following the approval of the respective governing bodies of the signatory parties," a statement on the governing body's website read.

"This agreement provides the FIA with significantly improved financial means to pursue its regulatory missions and to reflect the enhanced role undertaken by the FIA in the Motor Sport. The parties have agreed a strong and stable sporting governance framework which includes the Formula 1 Group, the FIA and the participating teams. The agreement lays down solid foundations for the further development of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Now that the agreement is operative, the parties will move towards the conclusion of a multi-party Concorde agreement."

The new agreement is coming together after a protracted period of negotiation and, as the statement says, puts in place a new framework of sporting governance for Formula 1. The hope is that the new rule-making process - with a simple majority vote - will be easier than it has been in the past.

The Concorde Agreement also dictates commercial terms. However, mention that it is not yet "multi-party" suggests that all the teams have yet to sign up.

Although the previous Concorde deal expired last year, every team bar Marussia has in the meantime agreed individual terms with Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula 1 Group.

FIA President Jean Todt said: "We can be proud of this agreement, which establishes a more effective framework for the governance of the FIA Formula One World Championship. The FIA looks forward to continuing to fulfill its historic role as the guarantor of both regulation and safety in F1 for many years to come."

Ecclestone added: "I am very pleased that the agreement between the FIA and the Formula 1 Group has been concluded".

The announcement comes on the day the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meets in Dubrovnik, where besides dealing with matters such as the ratification of next year's calendar, it is also expected to discuss how it might spend its increased share of the sport's revenues.

David Ward, who is standing against Todt in the FIA presidential election later this year, said in a statement that they should be invested in grass roots motorsport.

"The final conclusion of the negotiations over the Concorde Agreement is a very positive development for the FIA. This is a solid achievement by Jean Todt and I congratulate him for it. The question now is what will the new resources from Concorde be used for? The answer should be for investment in 'grass roots' development of motor sport," the statement read.

"In my manifesto I have proposed to 'use all the revenue in excess of regulatory costs of the F1 Championship for investment in motor sport safety, sustainability, solidarity funding of ASN development programmes, and for training of officials and volunteers'.

"Jean Todt has yet to publish a manifesto or explain how he will use the new funds now available to the FIA. Sooner rather than later this should be made clear to the FIA membership."

Updated 2014 F1 Calendar

2014 Calendar

16 March: Australia (Melbourne)

30 March: Malaysia (Sepang)

6 April: Bahrain (Sakhir)

20 April: China (Shanghai)

27 April: Korea (Korea International Circuit)*

11 May: Spain (Barcelona)

25 May: Monaco (Monaco)

1 June: Grand Prix of America (New Jersey)*

8 June: Canada (Montreal)

22 June: Austria (Red Bull Ring)

6 July: Britain (Silverstone)

20 July: Germany (Hockenheim)

27 July: Hungary (Budapest)

24 August: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

7 September: Italy (Monza)

21 September: Singapore (Marina Bay)

5 October: Russia (Sochi)*

12 October: Japan (Suzuka)

26 October: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

9 November: USA (Austin)

16 November: Mexico (Mexico City)*

30 November: Brazil (Interlagos)

* Subject to the circuit approval

New Jersey returns to 2014 F1 calendar

New Jersey has been listed as one of three provisional venues on the 22-race F1 calendar for the 2014 season.

A race overlooking New York City had looked doubtful when it was dropped from a draft calendar.

But it was on the list released by the World Motor Sport Council on Friday, with provisional races in Mexico and Korea also included.

Meanwhile, Pirelli can continue as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier in 2014, the sport's governing body confirmed.

Pirelli's future in the sport had looked in doubt after a series of tyre failures this season, but a statement from the FIA said that they "may continue to supply tyres to competitors in the FIA F1 World Championship, subject to the requisite technical and safety standards of the FIA being met."

The inaugural Grand Prix of America is due to take place on 1 June, while a race in Mexico is set for 16 November. The Korean Grand Prix is listed as scheduled for 27 April.

The three provisional races' inclusion on the calendar is subject to circuit approval.

Australia is once again the first race of the season, taking place on 16 March with Interlagos in Brazil staging the final race on 30 November.

The British Grand Prix is on 6 July - a date that will see it clash with the men's singles final at Wimbledon for the first time in two years.

Meanwhile, Formula 1's governing body and commercial arm have signed a new agreement binding them together for the next seven years.

A statement on the website of the FIA said it and F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone's FOM organisation had both given their "approval".

The so-called Concorde Agreement now needs to be signed by the 11 teams to come into full operation.

It sets out the commercial terms of F1, which has about £1bn annual revenue.

The details are kept confidential, but the new agreement guarantees the FIA a greater slice of F1's income.

An FIA statement said: "This agreement provides the FIA with significantly improved financial means to pursue its regulatory missions and to reflect the enhanced role undertaken by the FIA in the Motor Sport.

"The parties have agreed a strong and stable sporting governance framework which includes the Formula 1 Group, the FIA and the participating teams. The agreement lays down solid foundations for the further development of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship."

The Concorde Agreement is overdue - the last one lapsed at the end of 2012.

Ecclestone said he was "pleased" the new agreement had been concluded.

FIA president Jean Todt, who faces a battle against Englishman David Ward in an election in December, said: "We can be proud of this agreement, which establishes a more effective framework for the governance of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

"The FIA looks forward to continuing to fulfil its historic role as the guarantor of both regulation and safety in F1 for many years to come."

You can view the updated calendar by clicking here

Caterham restructure technical department

Following last weekend’s confirmation that the team will use Renault’s new V6 power train next season, Caterham have announced a restructuring of their technical department designed to help them prepare for the challenges posed by the 2014 regulation changes.

Jody Egginton, currently Caterham’s operations director, is promoted to deputy technical director with immediate effect, while performance director John Iley will broaden his role to include management of a new Advanced Projects Group, looking at future innovation that can be applied to the F1 team and all of Caterham's automotive and technological interests.

"I am pleased that both Jody and John have agreed to take on the enhanced responsibilities we are asking them to embrace as part of this reorganisation,” said Caterham’s technical director Mark Smith. “Jody has many years of experience on the pit wall and in the factory that will be invaluable for our team in the latter stages of the 2013 season, and particularly as we head into 2014.

“John's role will also enable him to take a broader view of all our performance characteristics, and will allow him to innovate - something that is crucial in F1 but which is often difficult to dedicate resource to, particularly for a young team like ours."

Caterham are in their fourth season of Formula One competition, having joined the grid as Lotus Racing back in 2010.

Webber defends getting lift from Alonso

Red Bull driver Mark Webber has denied that he was told to not walk on the track by race marshals during last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

The Australian retired on the last lap and was stranded at Turn Seven but went on to the track t o accept a lift back to the pits from Fernando Alonso.

Governing body the FIA said marshals had told Webber not to go on the track.

But he tweeted on Tuesday:"There was no interaction at all with any track officials after we put the fire out."

Webber retired after his car ran out of water and the engine caught fire. He ran onto the track to flag down drivers as they completed their slowing-down laps after the race had ended.

Alonso stopped and the Mercedes drivers - Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg - had to weave to avoid his Ferrari as Webber climbed on the sidepod.

Both drivers were reprimanded and because it is Webber's third of the year, it triggered an automatic 10-place grid penalty that will be imposed at the Korean Grand Prix.

Webber added: "To receive reprimands for our actions after the race is comical to say the least. Great moment, and fans loved it."

Britain's Jenson Button also felt the penalty was harsh. He tweeted:Disappointed to see the penalties for Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso, acts of sportsmanship should not really be punished. (They) could have stopped in a slightly safer place but still think it's a bit harsh."

However, former F1 driver and British Racing Drivers' Club president Derek Warwick, who was one of the race stewards in Singapore, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is not health and safety gone mad.

"A driver could easily have been hurt. I hope we're not seen as killjoys.

"We have become a bit sterile in many ways in Formula 1. But we cannot put drivers at risk. If it had been done in a safer manner then it might have been viewed differently. You can't have cars parked in the middle of a corner."

Webber also posted a picture on Twitter of Warwick hitching a ride on the back of Austrian Gerhard Berger's Ferrari at the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix.

He wrote: "Looks like even one of the Singapore stewards has done it...#C'estlavie."

Alonso's bid to buy cycling team fails

Double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso's deal to buy cycling team Euskaltel-Euskadi has collapsed.

Alonso, 32, drives for Ferrari in Formula 1 but is a keen cyclist and initially agreed to a deal for the Spanish outfit in August, as reported here

The Basque team may fold at the end of the season after losing its sponsors.

"For Euskaltel and the team this is sad news after the hope generated by the initial agreement reached at the end of August," sponsors Euskaltel said.

"We could not reach a definitive agreement. Euskaltel is now obliged, regrettably, to return to the process of an orderly and responsible closure of the project,"

Euskaltel-Euskadi are one of the oldest teams world cycling and Alonso was hoping to ensure the outfit would honour the contract of current riders for the 2014 and 2015 seasons on the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour.

According to the Spanish newspaper El Periodico, Alonso and his backers had initially bid six million euros (£5.1m) for the team's licence and planned to build the team around current leader Samuel Sanchez, who won the men's road race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Tyre compounds for Korea, Japan and India revealed

Formula One racing’s official tyre suppliers Pirelli have announced the tyre compounds that will be used at the forthcoming Grands Prix in Korea, Japan and India.

For Korea, the medium and supersoft tyres will be used. The surface tends to be slippery, with a wide variety of corners and some heavy braking areas. The medium tyre copes well with the wide-ranging demands of the circuit, while the supersoft is capable of generating the highest possible levels of traction on the slippery surface.

At the Suzuka circuit in Japan, one of the most popular and historic tracks on the calendar, the hard and medium tyres have been chosen. These are designed to soak up the high-energy demands of rapid corners such as 130R and Spoon, which characterise the famous Japanese circuit.

In India, which was new to the Formula One schedule in 2011, the medium and soft tyres are nominated. This combination has been selected to provide the best possible compromise between performance and durability at the Buddh International Circuit, which is well known for its big elevation changes and technically demanding corners.

At a glance - tyre compounds for 2013:
Australia - medium, supersoft
Malaysia - hard, medium
China - medium, soft
Bahrain - hard, medium
Spain - hard, medium
Monaco - supersoft, soft
Canada - supersoft, medium
Great Britain - medium, hard
Germany - soft, medium
Hungary - soft, medium
Belgium - medium, hard
Italy - medium, hard
Singapore - supersoft, medium
Korea - medium, supersoft
Japan - hard, medium
India - medium, soft

Raikkonen left Lotus over money dispute

Kimi Raikkonen has said the reason he will leave Lotus and race for Ferrari next year is because he has not been paid by his current team, news broken on the F1Fan0001 blog here

The Finn, who is on a basic salary of eight million euros, is joining Fernando Alonso at Ferrari to form potentially the strongest driver line-up on the grid.

"I haven't got my salary," said the former world champion. "I like to race - that's the only reason why I'm here."

Lotus have declined to comment.

Raikkonen said that despite being owed money by the team he would continue to race for Lotus this season.

"It's unfortunate but I want to help the team and I want to win," he added.

Before making his decision to join Ferrari, which was announced last week, Raikkonen had asked Lotus for reassurances that they had the technical and financial strength to continue to compete at the front next year.

"There were a lot of things and they know what they are. Hard to say how it would have gone if they had done them," he said.

The 33-year-old has not been paid at all so far this season.

As well as his basic salary, he also earns a bonus of 50,000 euros a point and has therefore earned 14.7m euros (£12.6m).

He earned a total of 18.35m euros (£15.8m) last year, when the team were also late in paying him.

There have been claims from former F1 drivers that partnering Raikkonen with Alonso, a double world champion who has led Ferrari for four years, is a potentially explosive mixture.

But both men said they did not foresee any problems.

Raikkonen, who is replacing Brazilian Felipe Massa, said: "I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. We are old enough to know what we are doing and the team is for sure working for the right things.

"If there is something, I'm sure we can talk it through. It's not like we're 20. I might be wrong but time will tell. For sure there will be good fights on the race track. Sometimes things go wrong, but I'm pretty sure it will be OK.

Alonso said: "The motivation will be always similar. I will do my best all the time. Sometimes you deliver the results people expect; sometimes not. I don't think anyone will push me more than I push now.

"[Having] two world champions - I don't think that makes any difference. It is something you keep writing these days and many people try to say (there will be problems).

"It is exactly the same as when I arrived here with Felipe. [People said], 'Felipe was in Ferrari many years already, and it will be a very difficult relationship'. And after four years he is one of the best friends I have here.

"So for next year it will be the same but it is something probably you will not write.

"Felipe, I consider him like a world champion as well. It is not that one title that will change anything in the relationship or the team in terms of pushing. Felipe was world champion when he crossed the line in 2008, so it is not like he is a rookie driver."

Although Massa has backed Alonso's title campaign at times in the last few seasons, the Spaniard said there would be no change in the team's approach.

"These four years with Ferrari - or with any other team, (such as) when I was with Renault - we start in Australia in the same conditions.

"The cars are the same. We try to score as many points as possible. Sometimes you have better luck, sometimes worse luck and then arrive the final races of the championship.

"Sometimes one of the drivers has been lucky enough to score enough points to fight for the championship and Ferrari try to help that possibility, some other teams they don't try to help that possibility and they lose the championship. Like I was in one of them [at McLaren in 2007].

"It is not that there is a first or second driver, it is the luck of the championship and how it goes one way or another."

Massa lost Ferrari seat due to inconsistency

Felipe Massa's inconsistent race finishes cost him his place in the Ferrari team, says the company's president Luca Di Montezemolo.

He said Massa was an "exceptional guy and a wonderful person", but added: "In 2012, we felt the lack of his points in the constructors' [championship]."

And Fernando Alonso was kept informed about the choice of new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, according to the Italian.

"Alonso is the first to be happy that he is coming here," he said.

Last week, Ferrari confirmed Lotus driver Raikkonen had agreed a two-year contract, starting from next season.

The 33-year-old won the world title with Ferrari in 2007 but was displaced by the arrival of Spaniard Alonso in 2010.

Di Montezemolo, who took the decision to replace Brazilian Massa with Raikkonen following the Italian Grand Prix, said: "The relationship [with Felipe] was clear. He needed results and so did we.

"He did get some, but he was inconsistent, having some good races but not on a regular basis. It will be good for him to have a change of scenery."

It is not clear where 32-year-old Massa's future lies, but he is being linked with the 2014 Lotus seat vacated by Raikkonen.

Ferrari's decision to partner Alonso, 32, with the Finn signals a return to the policy last employed between 2007 and 2009, when Raikkonen and Massa competed on equal terms.

Either side of that period, with Michael Schumacher from 1996-2006 and then with Alonso for the past four years, there has been a clear number one driver.

Speaking about suggestions Alonso was not informed of Raikkonen's arrival, Di Montezemolo added in Gazzetta dello Sport: "We are not masochistic enough to take on a driver without informing Alonso.

"Fernando was always in the picture regarding the choice, taken partly because employing a youngster, in what will be a complex 2014 season, did not inspire confidence.

"In a nutshell, I wanted a driver who would not make me regret Massa [leaving]. What I ask of Raikkonen is wins, a consistent performance level and podiums and Alonso will be the first to benefit."