Merc deny Brawn's leaving
Mercedes have denied reports that Ross Brawn will leave the team at the end of this season.
According to the Bild, Mercedes will lose their team boss at the end of the year as he's heading to Honda.
The German publication claims that Honda, who are set to return to Formula One in 2015 with McLaren, are keen for the Englishman to head up their F1 programme.
Mercedes, though, insist no decision has been made.
The team tweeted: "Lots of questions about internet reports but there's nothing to report from the team's side..."
Later Niki Lauda also denied the rumours.
"I am in negotiations with Ross Brawn," he told dpa. "There is still no decision on how to proceed in the long term.
"That is the situation. And that has been the situation for a long time.
"We only need an answer by the end of the year."
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'Grosjean accepts Lotus' decision'
Romain Grosjean has accepted Lotus' decision not to impose team orders during Sunday's Korean GP, according to Alan Permane.
Running second and third behind Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen overtook his team-mate when Grosjean made a "mistake" and held onto the position throughout the closing stages.
Grosjean was visible unhappy but was told by his team to put on a "big ******* smile on the podium, big ******* smile."
However, having calmed down later, Lotus trackside operations director Permane says his driver accepts the team's decision.
"He was annoyed - and justifiably," Permane told Autosport
"We have let Kimi past him a couple of times this year, and those have been with good reason when we have had a shot of overtaking.
"We did it at the Nurburgring where we thought Kimi had a shot of beating Vettel, and we did it at Silverstone midway through the race when Kimi was much quicker.
"But there wasn't a realistic chance of beating Vettel today and that is why they were racing to the end.
"Romain was probably frustrated with himself, and that is why I put a little message out at the end to calm him down.
"And he is absolutely fine. We could have had some hysterics back here [in the debrief] but there was nothing. He said: 'I know I made a mistake and I will learn from it'."
As for Raikkonen, Permane reckons his driver was given a healthy dose of luck with the second Safety Car but that it was up to the Finn to make the most of it. He did.
"Kimi got lucky, but Kimi puts himself in a position to make the use of that luck. So good for him as well.
"For the team it really doesn't matter. We made a big haul of points on Mercedes and Ferrari today, which is great."
Romain Grosjean has accepted Lotus' decision not to impose team orders during Sunday's Korean GP, according to Alan Permane.
Running second and third behind Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen overtook his team-mate when Grosjean made a "mistake" and held onto the position throughout the closing stages.
Grosjean was visible unhappy but was told by his team to put on a "big ******* smile on the podium, big ******* smile."
However, having calmed down later, Lotus trackside operations director Permane says his driver accepts the team's decision.
"He was annoyed - and justifiably," Permane told Autosport
"We have let Kimi past him a couple of times this year, and those have been with good reason when we have had a shot of overtaking.
"We did it at the Nurburgring where we thought Kimi had a shot of beating Vettel, and we did it at Silverstone midway through the race when Kimi was much quicker.
"But there wasn't a realistic chance of beating Vettel today and that is why they were racing to the end.
"Romain was probably frustrated with himself, and that is why I put a little message out at the end to calm him down.
"And he is absolutely fine. We could have had some hysterics back here [in the debrief] but there was nothing. He said: 'I know I made a mistake and I will learn from it'."
As for Raikkonen, Permane reckons his driver was given a healthy dose of luck with the second Safety Car but that it was up to the Finn to make the most of it. He did.
"Kimi got lucky, but Kimi puts himself in a position to make the use of that luck. So good for him as well.
"For the team it really doesn't matter. We made a big haul of points on Mercedes and Ferrari today, which is great."
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Webber a good outside bet
Suzuka is one of Formula One's great heritage tracks, adored by fans and drivers alike.
It ranks up there with Spa and Silverstone as one of the cornerstone venues on the Grand Prix calendar. Set in the centre of Hondaland and it's dramatic fairground attractions, the drivers enjoy their own thrilling rides around the high-speed track famous for the Senna-Prost wars of 1989 and 1990 and for the crowning of 13 world champions over 27 previous races at the circuit.
It is the only genuine figure of eight circuit with a crossover section in the championship, almost Scalextric like, and it is a real experience drivers love.
The Japanese fans are passionate about F1, they queue Wimbledon style the night before for the best places and tickets usually sell out long before race day.
This is one place Sebastian Vettel won't get booed; they adore him. In fact his biggest danger this weekend is getting mobbed by the fans, the opposition are unlikely to prove a major threat, that is unless something goes wrong.
Vettel is on course for his fifth consecutive win of 2013 and his fourth win in Japan. He simply loves this track and will excel here, as will his faultless Red Bull which will lap up the high-speed turns of the S bends and the legendary flat-out 130R.
Suzuka is one of Formula One's great heritage tracks, adored by fans and drivers alike.
It ranks up there with Spa and Silverstone as one of the cornerstone venues on the Grand Prix calendar. Set in the centre of Hondaland and it's dramatic fairground attractions, the drivers enjoy their own thrilling rides around the high-speed track famous for the Senna-Prost wars of 1989 and 1990 and for the crowning of 13 world champions over 27 previous races at the circuit.
It is the only genuine figure of eight circuit with a crossover section in the championship, almost Scalextric like, and it is a real experience drivers love.
The Japanese fans are passionate about F1, they queue Wimbledon style the night before for the best places and tickets usually sell out long before race day.
This is one place Sebastian Vettel won't get booed; they adore him. In fact his biggest danger this weekend is getting mobbed by the fans, the opposition are unlikely to prove a major threat, that is unless something goes wrong.
Vettel is on course for his fifth consecutive win of 2013 and his fourth win in Japan. He simply loves this track and will excel here, as will his faultless Red Bull which will lap up the high-speed turns of the S bends and the legendary flat-out 130R.
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Button relishing return to Suzuka
For many racing drivers of all categories, the Japanese venue is one of the greatest in world motor sport.
Button can at least lay claim to the privilege of savouring victory on such a prestigious stage in 2011 with McLaren.
It is one that continues to strike a chord with the 33-year-old, who said: "My win there remains one of my most emotional victories.
"That is because it was the first Japanese Grand Prix after the terrible tsunami that devastated the north of Japan - it was such an important event for the whole country."
It was vital, too, for the Button clan, given his long-term girlfriend is Japanese-Argentinian model Jessica Michibata - a relationship that leads to the Briton spending a considerable period of time in Japan.
But it is the circuit itself that so impresses Button, describing Suzuka as an "unforgiving track".
Button added: "On most circuits, if you run wide or out-brake yourself, you invariably end up just running onto the Tarmac run-off, so you can easily get back onto the track without any penalty.
"At Suzuka, if you run wide through the Esses, or go off the track at the exit of the Degners, you're going to find yourself in the gravel.
"I like that. It rewards those who don't make mistakes, and it makes for better racing, because you have to stay honest and focused."
Sadly, Button has little to no chance of repeating his success of two years ago as the current McLaren is in a different league compared to Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus.
Points are still a possibility, as was the case in Korea on Sunday - where Button and team-mate Sergio Perez were eighth and 10th - and as recognised by team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
"Our race in Korea again demonstrated the extent of our ability and determination whenever we go racing," Whitmarsh said.
"Despite suffering numerous setbacks throughout the race, nobody in the team let their head go down, and both drivers posted fantastic, determined comeback drives to get into the points.
"For Suzuka, our aim will be for a clean and trouble-free afternoon's racing in order to see if we can improve upon our results from last weekend."
Like Button, Suzuka also holds many special memories for Whitmarsh, who added: "I remember seeing Ayrton (Senna) win his penultimate grand prix here.
"Also, Mika's (Hakkinen) two world titles were sealed in Japan; Kimi (Raikkonen) drove one of his very finest races here, and we all fondly remember Jenson's beautifully measured victory back in 2011.
"This is a track that ranks with the very greatest in the world, and, while we are realistic enough to know we will not add to the tally of successes this weekend, just being in Suzuka, the spiritual home of Japanese motorsport, will help inspire us to greater heights and many further victories in the future."
For many racing drivers of all categories, the Japanese venue is one of the greatest in world motor sport.
Button can at least lay claim to the privilege of savouring victory on such a prestigious stage in 2011 with McLaren.
It is one that continues to strike a chord with the 33-year-old, who said: "My win there remains one of my most emotional victories.
"That is because it was the first Japanese Grand Prix after the terrible tsunami that devastated the north of Japan - it was such an important event for the whole country."
It was vital, too, for the Button clan, given his long-term girlfriend is Japanese-Argentinian model Jessica Michibata - a relationship that leads to the Briton spending a considerable period of time in Japan.
But it is the circuit itself that so impresses Button, describing Suzuka as an "unforgiving track".
Button added: "On most circuits, if you run wide or out-brake yourself, you invariably end up just running onto the Tarmac run-off, so you can easily get back onto the track without any penalty.
"At Suzuka, if you run wide through the Esses, or go off the track at the exit of the Degners, you're going to find yourself in the gravel.
"I like that. It rewards those who don't make mistakes, and it makes for better racing, because you have to stay honest and focused."
Sadly, Button has little to no chance of repeating his success of two years ago as the current McLaren is in a different league compared to Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus.
Points are still a possibility, as was the case in Korea on Sunday - where Button and team-mate Sergio Perez were eighth and 10th - and as recognised by team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
"Our race in Korea again demonstrated the extent of our ability and determination whenever we go racing," Whitmarsh said.
"Despite suffering numerous setbacks throughout the race, nobody in the team let their head go down, and both drivers posted fantastic, determined comeback drives to get into the points.
"For Suzuka, our aim will be for a clean and trouble-free afternoon's racing in order to see if we can improve upon our results from last weekend."
Like Button, Suzuka also holds many special memories for Whitmarsh, who added: "I remember seeing Ayrton (Senna) win his penultimate grand prix here.
"Also, Mika's (Hakkinen) two world titles were sealed in Japan; Kimi (Raikkonen) drove one of his very finest races here, and we all fondly remember Jenson's beautifully measured victory back in 2011.
"This is a track that ranks with the very greatest in the world, and, while we are realistic enough to know we will not add to the tally of successes this weekend, just being in Suzuka, the spiritual home of Japanese motorsport, will help inspire us to greater heights and many further victories in the future."
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Sebastian Vettel stands potentially seven days away from becoming a four-time Formula One world champion after another cruise in Korea.
Despite two safety car periods, Vettel managed to keep his rivals at bay again to claim his third straight win at the Korea International Circuit, his fourth in a row this season and the 34th of his F1 career.
Vettel's closest title rival in Ferrari's Fernando Alonso could do no better than sixth, meaning there is now a 77-point gap between the 32 -year-old Spaniard and 26-year-old German.
Should Vettel win again and Alonso finish no higher than ninth in the Japanese Grand Prix next Sunday, it means the former can again crack open the title-winning champagne.
Note content Vettel finished ahead of Lotus duo Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean who were split by just 0.7secs, with Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg fourth ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, and then Alonso.
Needing to come under pressure for once at the start, it failed to materialise as Vettel made a predictably comfortable getaway.
Instead, on the fourth longest straight in F1 between turns one and two, it was second-on-the-grid Hamilton who had no answer to the man behind him in Grosjean.
Further joy followed for Vettel moments later at the sharp right-hand second corner as his nearest challenger in Alonso was involved in a tangle with team-mate Felipe Massa.
The Brazilian was sent into a small spin, dropping him to last as he waited for the rest of the field to file past him, whilst Alonso lost one place, dropping from fifth to sixth.
Through the first round of early pit stops - from laps six to 10 - the leading trio of Vettel, Grosjean and Hamilton were covered by around six seconds and a fight seemed on.
But then on lap 24 Hamilton's medium-compound rubber gave up the ghost, the Briton losing a staggering 16 seconds over six laps, dragging him back into the clutches of team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Just as Rosberg passed Hamilton, his front wing failed, the nose dipping on to the track and sending showers of sparks up into the air for the remainder of the lap before the German pitted for a new part.
With Hamilton wondering why he was being forced to stay out on old and slow rubber he turned to the radio and said: "When are you going to bring me in guys? These tyres are f*****!"
It resulted in a crazy period of the race as Paul Di Resta then spun off, sliding his Force India into a barrier.
With his future in doubt, the Scot has now failed to see the flag for the last four races, and not scored in his last six overall.
A lap later and heading down the long straight between turns one and two, Sergio Perez suffered a high-speed delimitation of the front-right tyre on his McLaren, sending debris across the track and sparking a safety car.
That led to many drivers diving into the pits for their second stops and bunching up the field, with Vettel ahead of Grosjean, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Hulkenberg and Alonso at that stage.
Whilst the debris was cleared and the lapped cars unlapped themselves as per the regulations, the safety car stayed out for a total of five laps, leaving 19 to run to the chequered flag.
Unleashed to race, Hulkenberg quickly passed Hamilton into turn two to claim fourth place.
In the same corner, Adrian Sutil lost his Force India under braking, sliding into Mark Webber's Red Bull, with the latter retiring after his car caught fire.
With the marshals slow to react, and with plumes of black smoke swirling in the air, the safety car was again deployed.
However, as Vettel again led the field down the straight, cameras showed an unauthorised vehicle slowing the pack down, and not Bernd Maylander in the Mercedes road car, who was instead at the back.
After some confusion, and a clearly vexed look on the face of race director Charlie Whiting, true safety car departed again after two laps and with 15 to go.
Although Raikkonen passed Grosjean, the Finn never came close to taking on Vettel, and whilst Hulkenberg, Hamilton and Alonso diced with one another behind, the running order stayed the same.
Rosberg managed seventh, followed by McLaren's Jenson Button, Massa and Perez.
A naturally smiling Vettel said: "It was not great getting tucked behind the safety car because we had a gap at that stage.
"But I'm extremely happy with the result. All in all, I'm loving what I do, the team is fantastic, we're all having a good time."
Looking ahead to Japan, Vettel said: "It's the best track in the world, with the fans completely crazy in a positive way.
"They're big fans of motor sport, very passionate, so I'm very much looking forward to one of the highlights of the season."
Despite two safety car periods, Vettel managed to keep his rivals at bay again to claim his third straight win at the Korea International Circuit, his fourth in a row this season and the 34th of his F1 career.
Vettel's closest title rival in Ferrari's Fernando Alonso could do no better than sixth, meaning there is now a 77-point gap between the 32 -year-old Spaniard and 26-year-old German.
Should Vettel win again and Alonso finish no higher than ninth in the Japanese Grand Prix next Sunday, it means the former can again crack open the title-winning champagne.
Note content Vettel finished ahead of Lotus duo Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean who were split by just 0.7secs, with Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg fourth ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, and then Alonso.
Needing to come under pressure for once at the start, it failed to materialise as Vettel made a predictably comfortable getaway.
Instead, on the fourth longest straight in F1 between turns one and two, it was second-on-the-grid Hamilton who had no answer to the man behind him in Grosjean.
Further joy followed for Vettel moments later at the sharp right-hand second corner as his nearest challenger in Alonso was involved in a tangle with team-mate Felipe Massa.
The Brazilian was sent into a small spin, dropping him to last as he waited for the rest of the field to file past him, whilst Alonso lost one place, dropping from fifth to sixth.
Through the first round of early pit stops - from laps six to 10 - the leading trio of Vettel, Grosjean and Hamilton were covered by around six seconds and a fight seemed on.
But then on lap 24 Hamilton's medium-compound rubber gave up the ghost, the Briton losing a staggering 16 seconds over six laps, dragging him back into the clutches of team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Just as Rosberg passed Hamilton, his front wing failed, the nose dipping on to the track and sending showers of sparks up into the air for the remainder of the lap before the German pitted for a new part.
With Hamilton wondering why he was being forced to stay out on old and slow rubber he turned to the radio and said: "When are you going to bring me in guys? These tyres are f*****!"
It resulted in a crazy period of the race as Paul Di Resta then spun off, sliding his Force India into a barrier.
With his future in doubt, the Scot has now failed to see the flag for the last four races, and not scored in his last six overall.
A lap later and heading down the long straight between turns one and two, Sergio Perez suffered a high-speed delimitation of the front-right tyre on his McLaren, sending debris across the track and sparking a safety car.
That led to many drivers diving into the pits for their second stops and bunching up the field, with Vettel ahead of Grosjean, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Hulkenberg and Alonso at that stage.
Whilst the debris was cleared and the lapped cars unlapped themselves as per the regulations, the safety car stayed out for a total of five laps, leaving 19 to run to the chequered flag.
Unleashed to race, Hulkenberg quickly passed Hamilton into turn two to claim fourth place.
In the same corner, Adrian Sutil lost his Force India under braking, sliding into Mark Webber's Red Bull, with the latter retiring after his car caught fire.
With the marshals slow to react, and with plumes of black smoke swirling in the air, the safety car was again deployed.
However, as Vettel again led the field down the straight, cameras showed an unauthorised vehicle slowing the pack down, and not Bernd Maylander in the Mercedes road car, who was instead at the back.
After some confusion, and a clearly vexed look on the face of race director Charlie Whiting, true safety car departed again after two laps and with 15 to go.
Although Raikkonen passed Grosjean, the Finn never came close to taking on Vettel, and whilst Hulkenberg, Hamilton and Alonso diced with one another behind, the running order stayed the same.
Rosberg managed seventh, followed by McLaren's Jenson Button, Massa and Perez.
A naturally smiling Vettel said: "It was not great getting tucked behind the safety car because we had a gap at that stage.
"But I'm extremely happy with the result. All in all, I'm loving what I do, the team is fantastic, we're all having a good time."
Looking ahead to Japan, Vettel said: "It's the best track in the world, with the fans completely crazy in a positive way.
"They're big fans of motor sport, very passionate, so I'm very much looking forward to one of the highlights of the season."
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