Local government officials of the two biggest cities in the Netherlands have effectively ruled themselves out of hosting a Dutch Grand Prix.

Formula 1’s commercial boss Sean Bratches was recently in the country to talk about the possibility of staging a street race there.

But representatives of both cities have told Motorsport.com that there has been no contact with Bratches of the Formula 1 management team.

“A car race should take place on a circuit, not in an old city centre,” said a spokesperson for Amsterdam’s civic administration.

“Rotterdam has not been approached regarding a Formula 1 event,” said a counterpart for that city. “So there have also been no discussions about this,”

In the case of Rotterdam, the door was left open for longer-term talks about hosting a race.

“In the coming three years this would be unthinkable,” said the spokesperson. They explained that the problem was “due to a renovation of the Maastunnel and a refurbishment of the Coolsingel.”

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• F1 puts a Dutch Grand Prix street race on its agenda!

“This aside, with the City Racing events that were held earlier, there were already many who had their doubts in relation to the environmental impact and noise disturbance.”

The Dutch Grand Prix was traditionally held at Zandvoort until 1985. But the current Formula 1 owners believe that the sport should be brought right into major cities.

“Street races are always fun,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner earlier this week. “They always have big crowds and big atmospheres.”

It’s the huge popularity of Max Verstappen in his home country that has given Formula 1 bosses the incentive to revive the Dutch Grand Prix.

“The amount of support there is behind Max in Holland at the moment means it would bring the country to a stop,” commented Horner.

But with Amsterdam and Rotterdam both pouring cool if not ice cold water on the prospect for the time being at least, it seems that Zandvoort might turn out to be the best option after all if F1 truly wants to go Dutch.

“In Amsterdam? That’s fine,” tweeted Eric van der Burg, who is in charge of sports affairs for the city’s municipal executive.

“But in Amsterdam Beach [Zandvoort], where they have a beautiful track. Not in the city centre of Amsterdam.”

Zandvoort is currently conducting a study into the feasibility of holding a Formula 1 Grand Prix again in the future. The Assen TT Circuit, which currently hosts the MotoGP, would be another potential candidate.

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As scheduled, the FIA Formula 2 series pulled the covers off its halo-equipped 2018 car at Monza today.

The new car, which complies with the latest F1 safety standards, features architecture typical of a modern F1 car and a 3.4 litre turbo-charged Mecachrome engine, which delivers 620 HP at 8,750 rpm.

The design philosophy was to refresh the car to mirror the latest updates in F1 design, and to maintain a long tradition of wheel to wheel racing. 

The new machine is also the first new car to be revealed featuring the Halo system, which was incorporated at the final stage of the design process. 

• FIA set to impose ‘Halo’ in Formula 2 in 2018

“The unveiling of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 car is an important moment for the FIA as we complete the single-seater pyramid from Karting right through to the pinnacle of motor sport in the FIA Formula One World Championship,” said the FIA’s Charlie Whiting.

“The plan for a more structured junior formula ladder is designed to feature cars that better prepare drivers for the next step.

“For Formula 2, that means we needed a car that will not only educate, but will also allow the drivers that are most ready for Formula One to shine brightest.

“The car has been developed to include improved aesthetics, as well as bringing the safety level up to the highest standards for single-seater cars – and to ultimately bring it closer to a modern Formula One car on both of these points.”

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Romain Grosjean admitted that he was struggling with the handling of his VF17 in Friday practice at the Marina Bay Street Circuit ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

The Haas driver was around four seconds off the pace of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo in both sessions. He was the first driver to scrape the wall in FP2 and subsequently also went for a spin in turn 7.

“It was a tough day,” Grosjean admitted. “We’ve been struggling all day to get the best out of it.

“I think we’ve made some progress on the rear end of the car, but we still need to get the front end to work.

“Not much feeling with the front end. I’m struggling to get the best out of it.

“That’s something we’ve been struggling with at street circuits like Monaco,” he pointed out. “But we eventually found it in qualifying there.

“I think tonight we’re going to try a few things for tomorrow and hopefully get the right answer,” he added.

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• FP2: Ricciardo stays in charge in Singapore night practice

Grosjean’s team mate Kevin Magnussen sat out FP1 in favour of the team’s development driver Antonio Giovinazzi. In the evening he was half a second faster than Grosjean, but little happier. He also hit the wall late in the session, damaging the wheel rims on his car.

“Obviously, the pace wasn’t great,” Magnussen sighed. “We need to work on that and see if we can find some more pace. Otherwise, it’s going to be difficult for us this weekend.

“I think we have some stuff to work with, it’s just whether it will be enough,” he continued. “But we’ll see. It was good fun to drive here, but our main priority is to be competitive.”

“Other than a bit of damage where Kevin hit a wheel in FP2, we got through the sessions with both cars intact,” said Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, who admitted that it had not been “an easy day today.”

“We’re still trying to find a setup that the drivers like while getting the tires into the window where they work here,” Steiner explained. “I think we’ve got enough data to look at. Hopefully, we can find something for tomorrow.”

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Maurizio Arrivabene’s days at the helm of the Scuderia could be numbered according to reports from German broadcaster Sky F1.

The Italian team manager looks set to become collateral damage following Ferrari’s disastrous performance in Asia, with tech boss Mattia Binotto taking over as the Italian squad’s director.

• Repeat failure at Ferrari ‘completely unacceptable’, says Symonds

After mishaps in Singapore and unacceptable reliability woes in Malaysia, an angry Sergio Marchionne vowed to effect change, mainly by improving Ferrari’s quality control department by promoting Maria Mendoza, an expert in metals and chemicals, from another unit within the Fiat-Chrysler group.

The virtual collapse of Ferrari’s title chances has left Sebastian Vettel 59 points adrift from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on the eve of the US Grand Prix, with only four races to go this season.

According to Germany’s Sky F1, Arrivabene could leave Ferrari at the end of the season, with Binotto slotted in at the top.

The 47-year-old engineer headed Ferrari’s engine department in 2015 but was later promoted to technical director following the departure of former tech chief James Allison.

Channel 4 pundit Eddie Jordan also chimed in on the subject of Arrivabene’s future.

“A very reliable source – and I have to believe them – said the decision has been made at Ferrari, a few days ago, and Maurizio Arrivabene may not be with the team next year.”

The usual disclaimer applies when it comes from Jordan: take it with a big grain of salt!

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Stoffel Vandoorne’s joy of heading to his home race with a McLaren contract for 2018 will be tempered by a 35-place grid penalty!

McLaren-Honda’s decision to fit the Japanese manufacturer’s latest-spec 3 unit to the back of the Belgian’s MCL32 for Spa will therefore come at a price unfortunately. 

Both McLaren drivers will have improved units this weekend although Vandoorne’s spec-3.6 engine will enjoy a new ICE element as well as a few upgraded bits centered around reliability.

Fernando Alonso will basically race with his slightly improved 3.5 Hungarian GP engine, but will not take any penalties.

• Brown sees future F1 world champion in Vandoorne

“Both Fernando and Stoffel will be running upgraded power units this weekend,” said Honda F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa.

“Unfortunately Stoffel will receive a grid penalty at his home grand prix, but it is important for us to introduce updates as soon as they are ready.

“It is positive that we have been able to introduce this next step forward so quickly, and we will continue to introduce updates throughout the remainder of the season.” 

Given the added boost of racing at home, it will be interesting to see how Vandoorne fares against his team mate in qualifying on Saturday with the benefit of a slightly improved engine.

Spa’s layout and multiple overtaking opportunities will also come in handy for the local hero on race day when he starts at the tail end of the Belgian GP grid.

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For the very first time in its 30-year history, the Race of Champions event heads to the Middle East, with its 2017 season finale to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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A regular milestone on the International motorsports calendar, the event pits drivers from various categories against each other on a short track, with an elimination process.

Prior to the Race of Champions, eight teams of two drivers compete in the ROC Nations’ Cup using a similar format.

• Usain Bolt to get F1 up to speed in Austin

The ROC was last held at Marlisn park in Miami in January and saw Juan Pablo Montoya crowned Champion of Champions after defeating Tom Kristensen in the final.

This year’s two-day edition will take place in early 2018 at the 75,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

“Our organisation is honoured to be working with the President of the General Sports Authority, his Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, and Sela Sport Chairman, Dr Rakan Hussein, to bring Race Of Champions to the region for the first time in the event’s 30-year history,” said ROC president Frederik Johnsson.

“As motorsport’s most forward-thinking property ROC is an event perfectly suited to Saudi Arabia, which is emerging as a modern sports market on the global stage.

“With women able to drive in Saudi Arabia from 2018, we feel this is an auspicious moment to be bringing a motorsport event to Riyadh.

“Race Of Champions is more than just a race: it is a truly global contest that includes many of the world’s best drivers along with top-quality entertainment for families.”

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Valtteri Bottas isn’t satisfied with his current level of performance and the points gap which separated him from team mate Lewis Hamilton.

The Finn enjoyed a good first half of the year, settling in nicely at Mercedes to secure two wins and perform pretty much on a par with Hamilton.

Bottas’ has fallen back however since the summer the middle of the summer, failing to extract the most from a car which his team mate appears more comfortable with.

The troubled period has left him 72 points adrift from Hamilton and nowhere near where he ambitions to be in terms of performance.

• Coulthard urges Bottas to ‘believe in himself’

“I’m definitely not happy with only two wins so far and with the gap in points between us,” lamented the Finn.

“Now [Hamilton] is surely looking strong in the title fight, that’s a fact and, for sure, at this point I would still like to be in that fight.

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“After the August break things became more tricky and now it looks like I will be fighting for second place in the championship.

“I think that’s a more realistic goal at this point, unfortunately, but for sure I set my targets high for the season.”

Bottas’ target is to improve his form and results in the remaining races of the season and step up his game in 2018, and consistently fight for wins alongside his team mate which he aims to beat.

Gaining an upper hand over Hamilton is a tall order for any driver, but Bottas is a believer… in himself.

“Of course I believe in myself and I believe that learning from all the defeats, learning from all the races I’ve been off the pace compared with him,” Bottas said.

“By working hard and taking every point I can take to improve, I believe it is possible. I believe in my ability, in myself and the future is still ahead for me.”

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As a measure of precaution, Ferrari is preparing a new SF70H chassis for Sebastian Vettel following an issue encountered in FP2 on Friday.

The German driver admitted it had been a “messy” second free practice, with a spin into the gravel early on which limited his running and a front axle issue which emerged in the closing stages of the session.

“It was a messy afternoon and not an easy session but the car is quick so no need to worry,” said Vettel, who completed just 11 laps.

• Suzuka reprimand ‘a bit of a joke’, says Vettel

“The only lap I had was the one on the ultra soft. Before that I did a mistake taking too much risk earlier in the session. I lost the rear into Turn 19, it was my mistake. So we lost that set of tyres.

“At the end, there was something not right with the car. We came into check, we didn’t find anything, then we went out again.

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Vettel complained over the radio that the front end of his car felt like “jelly”. A thorough investigation by the Scuderia’s mechanics failed to reveal any obvious problem.

The Italian squad decided to play it safe however and has undertaken to build-up a new chassis after receiving the go-ahead from the FIA.

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In the midst of a stalled peace process and mounting political isolation for Israel, Sweden on Thursday joined over 130 other nations in officially recognizing the Palestinian state.

In response to the development, Israel immediately recalled its ambassador to Sweden, Isaac Bachman.

The formal recognition was announced by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter:

“Our decision comes at a critical time because over the last year we have seen how the peace talks have stalled, how decisions over new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have complicated a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told reporters.

Most nations that formally recognize Palestine are in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Several European countries, including Iceland, are numbered among them, and earlier this month, the UK parliament passed a nonbinding agreement to recognize the Palestinian state.

Sweden’s announcement follows a pledge by new Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, issued October 3rd at his swearing-in ceremony, to official recognize Palestine.

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