Formula 1 Gossip: Would be 'painful' for Ferrari to leave

FIA boss Jean Todt has claimed that “it would be very painful for Ferrari to leave Formula 1”. The Frenchman said “Ferrari is a brand icon, Ferrari is unique. We do not want a manufacturer to leave the sport”. - Speed Week

Felipe Massa says he is already aware of the identity of his successor at Williams but he “will not tell”. The Brazilian confirmed his retirement ahead of next year and said “I hope it is the best option for the team. But I’m leaving, so it doesn’t matter to me”. - F1 Fansite

Toto Wolff has hit back at Christian Horner’s claim that next season’s engine rules are ‘barking mad’. The Mercedes’ boss has said “It it’s barking mad, then he should not have put pressure on the power units becoming cheaper”. The former drive admitted that it is a ‘huge challenge’ but “that’s what we decided to do”. - Sportsmole

Liberty Media’s business manager Sean Bratches has claimed that the change in logo was necessary. As well as a number of commercial changes, Bratches explained that “when we arrived we did not have a marketing or communication office, we had to create it". - Gazzette

Sauber have already announced that Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc for their post-season test in Abu Dhabi and this is a major suggestion that the duo are to complete their 2018 line-up. - Planet F1