Formula 1 gossip: Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo & Raikkonen

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Friday, 21 November

Nico Rosberg says in his newspaper column he is going to push Mercedes team-mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton all the way at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend as the pair go head-to-head in a battle to claim the drivers' world championship. (Daily Mail), external

Image source, Red Bull Racing
Image caption,

Daniel Ricciardo is guaranteed third place in the championship heading into this weekend's race

There may be tension and nerves in the Mercedes garage this weekend, but Daniel Ricciardo is clearly determined to have fun at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Red Bull tweeting this picture and the caption:, external "Face off... which of Daniel's new looks do you prefer? 70's Racer or Rapper's Delight."

Tony Purnell, former technical adviser to Formula 1's governing body the FIA, has criticised his former employers for failing to cap the cost of expensive new engines which have contributed to the financial collapse of two teams this year. (Independent), external

Kimi Raikkonen says he is relishing the opportunity to have a bit of "fun" and getting "things done in the right way" when he teams up with Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season. (Planet-F1), external

Meanwhile, Ricciardo believes Ferrari will benefit from the work ethic of his outgoing Red Bull team-mate Vettel in 2015 and beyond. (ESPN F1), external

Thursday, 20 November

Ex-Formula 1 driver Philippe Streiff claims seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is paralysed and has problems with his memory and speech due to the severe head injuries he suffered in a skiing crash last December. (Independent), external

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has urged McLaren to keep Jenson Button ahead of Kevin Magnussen. (Motorsport.com), external

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted it is going to be "tough" to avoid 2014 being their first ever season in Formula 1 without points.(Autosport), external

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Sauber are in danger of failing to score a single point in an F1 season since the team's debut in 1993

Four-time world champion Alain Prost has hit out at the double points on offer in Abu Dhabi this weekend. (Stuff), external

Frenchman Esteban Ocon, 18, will drive for Lotus in first practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Crash.net), external

Bernie Ecclestone says the Indian Grand Prix could return to the F1 calendar in 2016. (F1 Plus), external

Wednesday, 19 November

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at a letter from Lotus, Force India and Sauber demanding talks with F1's small teams in Abu Dhabi this weekend and claimed: "They don't know what they're talking about." (GrandPrix.com), external

Eddie Jordan, the former team owner and now BBC pundit, has called on Ecclestone to stand down as Formula 1's ruler. (Daily Mail), external

World number one golfer Rory McIlroy believes Lewis Hamilton deserves to win this year's Formula 1 world title, and has criticised the controversial double-points system. (Daily Mail), external

John Booth, an early mentor for Hamilton as a teenager in racing, says it would be a "travesty" if the Briton did not win the title. (Daily Mirror), external

A former Caterham employee has expressed concern regarding the team's attitude towards safety ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. (Pitpass), external

Lewis Hamilton tweeted, external a picture of himself in front of his private jet and writes: "Just a kid from the UK that had a dream."

Image source, @LewisHamilton
Image caption,

Hamilton is favourite to win the world title for a second time

Former F1 driver Mark Webber has criticised the current state of F1 and says he doubts if people would "want to pay 400 euros for a ticket to watch a 17-year-old" - a remark aimed at Max Verstappen, who will drive for Toro Rosso next season. (Motorsport.com), external

Tuesday, 18 November

Lewis Hamilton says the Mercedes team have been working flat out to try and ensure bad luck does not play a part in this weekend's title decider in Abu Dhabi. (Daily Mirror), external

Force India, Sauber and Lotus have written to Bernie Ecclestone calling for a meeting in Abu Dhabi this weekend to discuss the way Formula 1's finances are divided. (Daily Telegraph), external

Governing body the FIA says it is still too early to know whether its virtual safety car plan will be ready for the start of the 2015 F1 season. (Autosport), external

Image source, Nico Rosberg_Twitter
Image caption,

Nico Rosberg went for a drive around Monaco in a 1970 Mercedes 280 SL

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Jr will join Daniel Ricciardo in Red Bull's line-up for the final F1 test of 2014 in Abu Dhabi on November 25-26. (Formula1.com), external

Nico Rosberg said he had "great fun" driving round Monaco, external in a 1970 Mercedes SL.

GP3 champion-elect Alex Lynn remains in contention for a Toro Rosso race seat in 2015, despite strong competition from Jean-Eric Vergne, Carlos Sainz Jr and Pierre Gasly. (Adamcooperf1), external

Former Ferrari and McLaren driver Gerhard Berger believes Mercedes' Nico Rosberg needed to win the United States Grand Prix to have a realistic chance of pipping team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the world title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (Sport Bild - in German), external

McLaren test and reserve driver Gary Paffett will leave that role at the end of the season, having been with the team since 2006.(Autosport) , external

Monday, 17 November

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says he is feeling relaxed, confident and ready to win ahead of the Formula 1 title decider in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (Crash.net), external

Image source, Lewis Hamilton_Twitter
Image caption,

Hamilton stopped to admire the Tower of London poppy installation

Championship leader Hamilton tweeted a picture of himself, external at the poppy installation at Tower of London, which he said he passed during a run over the weekend.

Briton Max Chilton, who drove for Marussia this season before they went into administration, has emerged as a surprise candidate to race the second Caterham in Abu Dhabi this weekend. (grandprix.com), external

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he has struggled with the tyre construction this year after being out-performed by team-mate Fernando Alonso, but would like to stay at the Italian team beyond 2015. (Auto Motor und Sport - in German), external

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff wants to resume contract talks with Lewis Hamilton as soon as possible. (motorsport.com), external

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