F1: Updates on rumours - Abu Dhabi, Sunday

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone sounds confident a solution will be found to allow the newly Qadbak-owned Sauber team to take its place on the 2010 grid. The existing teams are not permitting a 14th team to race next year, raising the prospect that Sauber will be locked out.

The option on Adrian Sutil's contract has been activated by Force India, the German news agency DPA reports. However, the 2010 clause is double-sided, meaning that Sutil must also sign it within a certain time frame. The driver expects to know in "maybe two weeks".

Romain Grosjean believes it would be "stupid" if his formula one career is ended after a mere 7 grands prix. "It would be stupid to do only seven races with a car down in performance. If the story stops here, it would be a complete mess," added Grosjean. Renault boss Bob Bell admits, “we do need to put the best drivers in the car that we can afford."

Jacques Villeneuve was another notable figures in the Yas Marina Circuit paddock this week-end. He told reporters he is still hoping to be on the 2010 grid. Reuters says that Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo has offered Villeneuve a test on a Ferrari 430 GT2 like Jean Alesi before him. The Canadian reportedly hasn't refused the offer.

UK government secretary Peter Mandelson on Sunday ruled out the use of taxpayer funds to save the British grand prix. Business minister Mandelson's argument is that F1 is "very cash-rich". He said the loss of the race would hurt the UK economy, but insisted that if he was to gamble on the outcome, "I would say yes (there will be a race)".

It is reported that several key members of the Mercedes-Benz executive board, including its chairman Dieter Zetsche, travelled to Abu Dhabi for talks to speed up a closer collaboration with Brawn next year, but on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to McLaren.

McLaren, 40 per cent owned by Mercedes, have an exclusive contract with the luxury carmaker until 2011, and it seems that it will not be dissolved. Norberg Haug would not discuss the speculation about Brawn, amid reports that a 75 per cent team stake will be held by an Abu Dhabi-based Daimler shareholder until the McLaren contract runs out.