Formula 1 gossip: Mercedes, Vettel, Raikkonen, Alonso

SUNDAY, 12 OCTOBER

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is refusing to back down under pressure from F1 rivals to ease the current "freeze" on engine development. "Formula 1 needs stability," he said. "It would be very easy to just block everything from our position of strength, but we have a different approach." (Motorsport.com)

Current champion Sebastian Vettel struggled to explain why his Red Bull failed to make the top 10 on the grid for Sunday's Russian Grand Prix in Sochi. (Gulf Daily News)

Mercedes sealed the constructors' title in Sochi

Plans for a new 'virtual safety car' to impose speed limits and improve safety conditions following Jules Bianchi's horrific accident will be tested at the next race in Austin, Texas. (Sunday Telegraph)

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he would welcome Vettel as a replacement for Fernando Alonso next season. (Motorsport.com)

After Lewis Hamilton's win in Sochi, Mercedes tweeted: "From Sochi to Stuttgart, Brackley to Brixworth and everywhere in between, here's to the people who made it possible." (Mercedes)

Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg added: "World champions! Yeeeeha!!!!! Thank you everybody for this car!" (Nico Rosberg)

FRIDAY, 10 OCTOBER

Lewis Hamilton will sit down with Mercedes at the end of the year to discuss a new deal amid rumours Fernando Alonso will take his seat in 2016. (Daily Mail)

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso has thrown his support behind a rethink over closed cockpits for drivers. (ESPN)

Fernando Alonso faces some difficult choices over who he will join after he leaves Ferrari

Felipe Massa reckons Fernando Alonso faces a difficult choice when it comes to deciding what to do next after leaving Ferrari. (Autosport)

Race organisers for the inaugural Russian Grand Prix insist they are well prepared despite fears over safety following the injuries suffered by Jules Bianchi last week in Japan. (Daily Express)

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo admits he has "enjoyed every bit" of the 2014 season as the campaign has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. (Planet F1)

Lotus will switch from Renault to Mercedes power units next season after coming to a long-term supply agreement with the German manufacturer. (Formula1.com)

Sauber look set to renew negotiations for a new ownership deal with Russian investors as teenage driver Sergey Sirotkin also makes his first appearance in practice for the team. (GrandPrix.com)

THURSDAY, 9 OCTOBER

Experienced race officials from Australia will be drafted in for the inaugural Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, amid heightened safety concerns. (Guardian)

Rob Smedley, head of vehicle performance at Williams, says teams should consider closed cockpits, which would be "very easy to implement". (ESPN)

Lotus are close to finalising their switch from Renault engines to those of Mercedes. (Autosport)

McLaren say any rumours that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton could return to his former team are "utterly without foundation". (Wheels24)

McLaren say there is no chance Lewis Hamilton will make a return to the team

Gene Haas, who is set to enter an American Formula 1 team in 2016, says the outfit are "not even looking" at potential drivers yet. (Planet F1)

McLaren's Jenson Button is eager for the new challenge posed by the Sochi track in the inaugural Russian Grand Prix. (Daily Mail)

The circuit for the European Grand Prix in 2016 has been revealed, with drivers set to race through the streets of Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. (Formula1.com)