Formula 1 gossip and rumours from international media #1

TUESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery believes the two pre-season tests in Bahrain will allow the 11 Formula One teams a better chance to test this season's range of tyres - after spending most of their time in Jerez working on reliability and other issues.

Source: Press Association

Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn says it is "impossible" to make fair comparisons between cars after just one lot of testing in Jerez. She also thinks some teams are still "playing their cards close to their chests".

Source: Press Association
MONDAY, 3 FEBRUARY

Formula One's global television audience fell by 50m to 450m viewers in 2013 due to a non-competitive end to the drivers' championship and a switch from the national broadcasters in China and France, according to its annual global media report.

Full story: Wall Street Journal
Ross Brawn

Ross Brawn's future plans are unclear after his departure from Mercedes

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has conceded the team has felt the loss of Ross Brawn since his recent departure from the team following four years as team principal.

Full story: Sporting Life

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has expressed concern over the implications of Formula 1's planned budget cap which is due to be introduced next season.

Full story: Autosport

Reserve driver Dani Juncadella says Force India's progress across the first test at Jerez shows what a steep learning curve the new regulations provide.

Full story: Crash.net

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/gossip/