Formula 1 gossip: Vettel, Bottas, Renault & Grosjean

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Saturday, 29 August

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel says it is not worth Ferrari prioritising him over team-mate Kimi Raikkonen unless he is in clear contention for the world title. (Crash.net) , external

Image source, @Valtteri Bottas
Image caption,

Valtteri Bottas has had just one podium finish this season

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas has put a frustrating season behind him to spend his 26th birthday enjoying some water sports. He wrote on Twitter:, external "Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes! I've had a mega day so far! kiitos!"

McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen admits he has had offers from other teams on the grid for 2016, with McLaren still undecided on whether to take up their option of retaining him next year. (ESPN), external

Renault is set to return as an F1 works team, with a deal to take a majority stake in Lotus likely to be finalised next week. (Autosport), external

Romain Grosjean is predicting another podium finish in Monza next Sunday after insisting the Lotus E23 will suit the circuit better than at Spa where he was third. (f1.com), external

Friday, 28 August

Red Bull are set to retain the same driver line-up for next season with team boss Christian Horner revealing that promotion for Max Verstappen or Carlos Sainz is a "year" away. (Planet F1), external

Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat are Red Bull's driver team for 2015

Force India are also hoping to keep Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez as they target a top-four place in the constructors' championship. (ESPN), external

Former Marussia driver Max Chilton admits he has been in talks with Gene Haas to drive for the American's team in 2016, but feels he is unlikely to be chosen for one of the seats. (The Checkered Flag), external

Engine supplier Honda insists it is not solely to blame for McLaren's woeful 2015 season, with the manufacturer's F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai insisting: "The car does not have the best mechanical and aerodynamic grip and compared to Red Bull there is still a big difference." (Inautonews.com), external

Thursday, 27 August

Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda says Lewis Hamilton is "unbeatable" in his current form and team-mate Nico Rosberg will have to hope the reigning world champion makes a mistake if he is to overtake him in the drivers' championship. (ESPN), external

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton have won five F1 drivers' championships between them

Williams test driver Susie Wolff is considering her F1 future after the 32-year-old admitted there are likely to be few opportunities for her to get on the grid next year.(CNN.com), external

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel has defended his team's one-stop strategy at the Belgian Grand Prix after tyre manufacturer Pirelli insisted that the Italian team was to blame for the German's blow-out. (Planet F1), external

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, external put his retirement from Spa on Sunday behind him to join 2009 champion Jenson Button and some friends for a bike climb in the mountains.

Image source, @ Brendon Hartley
Image caption,

Daniel Ricciardo has just one podium place in 11 races in the 2015 F1 season

Meanwhile, Button has revised his ambitious pre-season target of winning a race this year, and admits that he might struggle to even make a podium.(Autosport), external

Former Marussia driver Max Chilton has called for protective cockpits after his friend Justin Wilson suffered fatal injuries during the Pocono IndyCar 500 race on Sunday when he was struck on the head by debris from a crash. (Daily Mirror), external

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