F1: No Anti-Hamilton ‘Witch Hunt’ Insists Webber, VW Eyeing F1 With ‘World Engine’ Formula

THERE is no vendetta against Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion's formula one competitor Mark Webber insists.

Australian Webber was heard on the radio complaining about the Briton during the recent Chinese grand prix, when a clash pushed the Red Bull wide.

After Malaysia, Hamilton was the subject of intense controversy surrounding his weaving in front of Vitaly Petrov, and in China he was again warned by officials after a pitlane encounter with Sebastian Vettel.

But Webber, 33, denies the McLaren driver's rivals deliberately give Hamilton a hard time.

"There's absolutely nothing against Lewis," he told the BBC.

Regarding the Petrov incident, Webber said the drivers wanted to clarify the FIA's future response to straight-line weaving, insisting there is no "witch hunt against anyone".

"If anyone had driven like that there would have been some questions asked. It's totally fair to do that. In the end it was nipped in the bud. Lewis is fine with it and we move on," he added.

Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart thinks it is Hamilton's overtaking skills and on-track "enthusiasm" that are causing the problems among his rivals.

"He has woken up a lot of drivers with his skills," he told the Mirror.

"I don't think he is dangerous. He has got a lot of enthusiasm but he has to realise that can induce judgments you otherwise might not make. That is part of the maturing process," added the 70-year-old Scot.

(GMM)

VW Eyeing F1 With 'World Engine' Formula

Volkswagen is interested in formula one but has no intention of launching a Mercedes-like works team.

That is the latest message given by Hans-Joachim Stuck, a former grand prix driver and now the motor sport representative of the German carmaker giant.

"It is clear that we are looking at formula one," he is quoted as saying by Sport Bild magazine.

"We are waiting for the FIA's decision in respect of the use of a world engine for formula one. If there is (a world engine) we will discuss whether to build it for formula one," added Stuck.

He clarified that VW would only be an engine supplier and not have "our own team like Mercedes".

The 'world engine' concept - with possible deployment across various motor racing categories - has been touted by the FIA.

But regarding a new engine formula for 2013, the current discussions in F1 are about the likelihood of a 1.5 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder and a powerful KERS.

It is believed that the world engine concept is not popular among F1's existing manufacturers.

While pushing for smaller engines for 2013, the FIA is also keen to improve the fuel efficiency of the current 2.4 litre V8 designs.

Ferrari's former engine boss Gilles Simon, now working with the FIA, said in the latest edition of In Motion magazine that F1 should "push forward with fuel efficiency".

"If, as an engine engineer, I am given a maximum fuel load, I will try to give the driver the maximum horsepower possible, building the most efficient engine I can," he said.

Simon added that the FIA wants "to try to adapt the rules we have in the run-up to the new engine formula".