F1: Hamilton Denies Red Bull, Ferrari Rumours

Lewis Hamilton may also be considering a switch to Ferrari, as speculation about the 2008 world champion's future rolls on.

Widespread reports after the Canadian Grand Prix said the 26-year-old met with Red Bull's Christian Horner at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after qualifying.

"He was also spotted doing the same with Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali," read a report in the British newspaper The Mirror.

Hamilton is being managed by Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment and a spokesman on Tuesday denied the rumours.

"I can say categorically there are no talks with Red Bull or Ferrari.  In fact anyone.

"If we were to start talks we would go to McLaren first.  Lewis is happy at McLaren and still very positive about playing a part in this championship," added the spokesman.

It is believed Hamilton personally sought out the Red Bull talks, walking into the team's circuit offices and asking a member of the catering staff if he knew where Horner was.

That meeting preceded Hamilton's latest controversies when he got involved in more collisions in Montreal.

"He seems to be in a bit of a difficult situation," Horner is quoted by the German newspaper Welt, whose own headline referred to the Briton as 'Rambo'.

"I think he's trying a bit too hard.  Maybe he just needs a bit of time out," added Horner.

David Coulthard, who switched to Red Bull after nearly a decade with McLaren, thinks a move away from the British team might also be a good idea for Hamilton.

"Maybe (it) is something he needs after literally growing up at McLaren over the last decade -- drop the emotional baggage which inevitably grows in every relationship," he wrote in his Telegraph column.

(GMM)

McLaren's de la Rosa 'more useful' after Canada

McLaren might thank Sauber after loaning the Swiss team its reserve driver in Canada.

Pedro de la Rosa was still wearing his McLaren overalls on Friday afternoon when he was drafted in at the last minute to replace Sauber's unwell regular Sergio Perez.

The 40-year-old Spaniard finished the race but did not score points, but he said he will always remember the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.

"I had a blast and I'm going home with an amazing experience in my bag and I'm now more useful as McLaren's reserve driver, being accustomed to a current car," de la Rosa told AS sports newspaper.

Sauber's attention now turns to getting its Mexican rookie Perez back into the car for Valencia, after expecting the 21-year-old to have missed only Monaco after his concussion sustained in the Principality.

The Swiss newspaper Blick said well-known F1 fitness guru Josef Leberer has flown to Mexico City this week to help Perez with his recovery.

Team boss Peter Sauber is quoted as admitting to "slight disappointment" with Kamui Kobayashi's seventh place despite the Japanese lining up second on the grid before the Montreal re-start.

"The truth is we knew we had no chance against Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari because we lack top speed.  But as a private team we can be proud of our season," he said.

(GMM)

British GP secure despite Silverstone loss

Silverstone has played down suggestions the British Grand Prix is once again in doubt.

After the Donington fiasco, the Northamptonshire circuit re-secured its F1 race contract and has completed radical circuit improvements that are said to have locked-in the race's new 17-year deal.

But the Telegraph reports on Tuesday that after making a profit in 2009, the circuit-owning British Racing Drivers' Club has recorded a $3 million loss for 2010.

The report said the reason for the loss was the fact tickets could only be sold seven months before last July's event in the wake of the Donington uncertainty.

Indeed, with revenue growing 23 percent in 2010, BRDC chairman Stuart Rolt insists he is "very pleased and encouraged" by the latest figures.

(GMM)

Ferrari extends Marlboro deal until 2015

Formula One team Ferrari on Tuesday announced it has extended its agreement with title sponsor Philip Morris until the end of 2015.

The rumours about the extension were first heard in January at Marlboro's 'Wrooom' media event in the Italian Dolomites.

Philip Morris has remained in F1 long after the sport's total ban on cigarette advertising.

Ferrari's so-called 'barcode' logo and livery was controversial in 2010, leading to the launch of a new red and white logo for this year, which was incorporated into the design of the 2011 car's livery.

"We see no obstacles to an extension," a Philip Morris International spokesman said in January.

(GMM)