Formula 1 gossip: Ecclestone, Hamilton, Caterham, Webber

Wednesday, 18 November

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at a letter from Lotus, Force India and Sauber demanding talks with F1's small teams in Abu Dhabi this weekend and claimed: "They don't know what they're talking about." (GrandPrix.com)

Eddie Jordan, the former team owner and now BBC pundit, has called on Ecclestone to stand down as Formula 1's ruler. (Daily Mail)

World number one golfer Rory McIlroy believes Lewis Hamilton deserves to win this year's Formula 1 world title, and has criticised the controversial double-points system. (Daily Mail)

John Booth, an early mentor for Hamilton as a teenager in racing, says it would be a "travesty" if the Briton did not win the title. (Daily Mirror)

A former Caterham employee has expressed concern regarding the team's attitude towards safety ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. (Pitpass)

Lewis Hamilton tweeted a picture of himself in front of his private jet and writes: "Just a kid from the UK that had a dream."

Hamilton is favourite to win the world title for a second time

Former F1 driver Mark Webber has criticised the current state of F1 and says he doubts if people would "want to pay 400 euros for a ticket to watch a 17-year-old" - a remark aimed at Max Verstappen, who will drive for Toro Rosso next season. (Motorsport.com)

Tuesday, 18 November

Lewis Hamilton says the Mercedes team have been working flat out to try and ensure bad luck does not play a part in this weekend's title decider in Abu Dhabi. (Daily Mirror)

Force India, Sauber and Lotus have written to Bernie Ecclestone calling for a meeting in Abu Dhabi this weekend to discuss the way Formula 1's finances are divided. (Daily Telegraph)

Governing body the FIA says it is still too early to know whether its virtual safety car plan will be ready for the start of the 2015 F1 season. (Autosport)

Nico Rosberg went for a drive around Monaco in a 1970 Mercedes 280 SL

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Jr will join Daniel Ricciardo in Red Bull's line-up for the final F1 test of 2014 in Abu Dhabi on November 25-26. (Formula1.com)

Nico Rosberg said he had "great fun" driving round Monaco in a 1970 Mercedes SL.

GP3 champion-elect Alex Lynn remains in contention for a Toro Rosso race seat in 2015, despite strong competition from Jean-Eric Vergne, Carlos Sainz Jr and Pierre Gasly. (Adamcooperf1)

Former Ferrari and McLaren driver Gerhard Berger believes Mercedes' Nico Rosberg needed to win the United States Grand Prix to have a realistic chance of pipping team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the world title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (Sport Bild - in German)

McLaren test and reserve driver Gary Paffett will leave that role at the end of the season, having been with the team since 2006.(Autosport)

Monday, 17 November

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says he is feeling relaxed, confident and ready to win ahead of the Formula 1 title decider in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (Crash.net)

Hamilton stopped to admire the Tower of London poppy installation

Championship leader Hamilton tweeted a picture of himself at the poppy installation at Tower of London, which he said he passed during a run over the weekend.

Briton Max Chilton, who drove for Marussia this season before they went into administration, has emerged as a surprise candidate to race the second Caterham in Abu Dhabi this weekend. (grandprix.com)

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he has struggled with the tyre construction this year after being out-performed by team-mate Fernando Alonso, but would like to stay at the Italian team beyond 2015. (Auto Motor und Sport - in German)

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff wants to resume contract talks with Lewis Hamilton as soon as possible. (motorsport.com)