New chassis for Gutierrez after Alonso crash

Esteban Gutierrez will have a replacement chassis for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix as the result of the damage caused in his crash with Fernando Alonso in Australia.

The Mexican was involved in a collision with his McLaren rival early on at Albert Park which put both drivers out of the race.

With the damage to his Haas car not able to be fixed on-site in Australia or Bahrain, where the freight was shipped directly, the team has elected to switch chassis for the second round of the championship.

Team principal Gunther Steiner said: "Some of the parts, for example the chassis, were sent back to Europe to be checked and fixed because we can't do it on-site in Bahrain.

"We have enough spare parts to build up another chassis, so we will use that. Then the chassis that is repaired will be sent to Bahrain via air to serve as our spare.

"The guys will have to work day and night to get to Bahrain, but it's all doable. Our spare quantity is down, but we have enough to get going again, so we will just keep on working."

No arrogance

Romain Grosjean's sixth placed finish in Australia was one of the main stories of the weekend, and earned the Frenchman F1's official 'Driver of the Day' award.

Steiner was clearly delighted about the result, but equally is well aware that not every weekend will produce as good reward at the end.

"I think our plan is working, but we won't finish sixth every weekend, so we need to be careful with our expectations," he said.

"I think we showed that you can start a new team and end up in the midfield. We were not last in Australia, which was one of our goals, and I don't think we will be last this year. How far we've come is a sign that our plan is working."

He added: "We are not being arrogant about our early success and we will have our races where we will underperform.

"Our sixth-place finish in Australia keeps the team going, working very hard and trying to do the best possible job we can. If we continue to do what we did in Melbourne, good results will come."

BERNIE ECCLESTONE SALES F1 TICKET PRICE

F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone claims that the sport has not one, but two potential buyers lined up its controlling stake - but insists that he is not one of them.

Rumours suggesting that US private equity firm CVC is looking to divest itself of the 35 per cent holding in F1 have been rife for some time, and Ecclestone confirmed at the weekend that two potential buyers have emerged, willing to meet the price on offer.

"There are two people who want to buy," the 85-year old told Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper, "Actually, two of the people have agreed the price. It's just a question of whether CVC wants to sell or not. I think they will make a decision on the sale sooner or later."

CVC's stake, which was acquired for $1.7bn in 2006 and has realised $4.4bn through share sales and profits in the decade since then, comes with conditions which allow it to outvote other shareholders. Although the company has since halved its holding in the sport, selling to financial groups Waddell & Reed, BlackRock and Norges Bank, its 35 per cent stake still gives it the controlling interest.

The identity of the potential buyers has not been made public, but both must be thought willing to meet CVC's valuation of $8.5bn. Previous candidates, including Liberty Global, broadcaster Discovery and a consortium led by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, China Media Capital and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund all fell short of meeting the financial expectation.

Whatever the case, Ecclestone himself insists that there is 'no way' he would consider putting himself back in the driving seat, telling Britain's Daily Telegraph that 'it would be too difficult and far too complicated'.

“I am happy with the shareholding I have," he claimed, "I would want to buy more or less all the other shares so there would be no democracy – and I would not want that.”

Ecclestone admitted that, over the years, he has sought help to run the sport, but that his personal choice of 'assistant' - a list that includes former Benetton/Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore - had been rejected by its owners.

“The shareholders were desperate to see if they could get somebody to help me, in case something happened to me and I was not here to run the business,” he explained, “I've been looking for a few years and I'd be really happy to have someone who could share some of the responsibilities I face. Someone who can ease the burden of some of the rubbish I have try to cope with – and let me get on with what is best for F1. There are a million people who think they can do it, but it is an urgent case of finding the right one. There are a couple of people I'd be happy with and I put their names forward – but their names were thrown out.”

With a potential sale on the table, there have to be concerns in the Ecclestone camp that his grip on the sport may be about to weaken, but he insists that he has no other plans.

“My view of life and business is simple: do your utmost to make a success, stay involved – or get out," he concluded, “Despite the setbacks and my backing down from a buyout, I'm going nowhere... Well, not just yet.”

Verstappen: Toro Rosso can be third best

Verstappen: Toro Rosso can be third best
Verstappen: Toro Rosso can be third best

9:23 – Max Verstappen is confident that Toro Rosso can emerge as the third best team behind manufacturers Mercedes and Ferrari, following the outfit's performance at the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen qualified in fifth position and spent the first stint in fourth place, fending off Lewis Hamilton, before slipping back to 10th after the red flag period and subsequent strategy change.

Verstappen is optimistic that Toro Rosso is in a good place but also wary that it must take advantage of its current position, due to its use of a 2015-specification Ferrari power unit.

"I expect a better season with even more growth," he explained during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It depends on a lot of factors. The car is competitive and I must take advantage of these opening races to earn important points.

"Given where we started in Australia, we now realise we can be the best team after Mercedes and Ferrari. It's great that a lot of people are surprised by Toro Rosso."

Verstappen, whose future beyond the end of 2016 remains uncertain, also praised the approach of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

"Drivers that are comfortable with their team and know how to motivate them always stick out to me," he added.

"Vettel is a great example of that. He knows who to work with the mechanics and everyone is on his side. I think that spirit is the most important thing for a driver