Pierre Gasly has expressed frustration at the plight currently suffered by several talented drivers who are struggling for a seat on the Formula 1 grid.

For the Frenchman, his rise has been quick and successful as he prepares to fulfil his Red Bull dream in 2019, however, several drivers he has raced against both in F1 and in GP2 have been or could be left out in the cold.

“Clearly the issue is there,” Gasly told Autosport. “I don’t know if it is getting more and more difficult, but clearly we are seeing at the moment with Esteban [Ocon] that no one knows what he is going to do next year.

“I also raced with Antonio Giovinazzi in F2, who is a really talented guy, hard worker and he deserves a shot in F1. We see George Russell as well.

“[Even] for me, after winning GP2, I had a year in Japan and it was the same for Stoffel Vandoorne, and we see it is pretty difficult.

“I am not the guy who can change things, but clearly F1 should look at finding a way not to make it easier but a bit more fair sometimes, [so] when a proper talent deserves to be in F1, to make sure that he stays there.

“I think performance should be the only criteria to be on the grid.”

The introduction of a superlicence points system following Max Verstappen's rapid rise in 2014 was meant to be a remedy which also stopped drivers simply with deep pockets from getting an advantage.

However, there are more examples of drivers with both such as Lance Stroll, who scored the superlicence points with his European F3 title in 2016 and has the financial power of his father Lawrence.

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Ocon is the current highest profile driver that could fall victim to the situation, with the likes of Vandoorne and Giovinazzi seen as failing to meet the grade when given their opportunities.

“There are still hopes, yes, but less and less, as you know,” he said of his 2019 outlook. "That is what I am disappointed [about] at the moment – to see that it is not only results that come into play.

“It has to be other things, and that is what I am disappointed about – to be in that situation because it is hard to believe that I was in a great position two months ago and things have come that way now.

“I am fighting hard to do the best I can every race and arriving here, not knowing what I will do next year is hard to swallow obviously.”

Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene has revealed he quickly called to apologise to Valtteri Bottas after calling him a "butler" after the Italian Grand Prix.

The Italian was clearly frustrated after the Scuderia missed the chance to score their first victory at Monza since 2010 and particularly with how Mercedes had used Bottas to slow up Kimi Raikkonen during the pit-stop phase.

"We have drivers, not butlers," he snapped, explaining why Raikkonen had been less servant-like towards his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Talking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, however, Arrivabene admitted it was a rash response.

"As soon as I said it in the heat of the battle, I knew it would create a controversy," he told Italy's Autosprint.

"Since then I have exchanged messages with Valtteri. I wanted to apologise to him and understand what I meant. It had slipped out but it's not a label I want to use for Bottas.

"I appreciate his response very much that he understood."

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Going into Ferrari's own use of team orders further, which came under scrutiny after Monza, Arrivabene claimed it was not the policy to use such instructions from the start of the race.

"I just instructed them to not do anything stupid," he said.

"It was said that Kimi did something unfavourable to Sebastian, but what should he have done? What he did is exactly what Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel would have done.

"What happened with Vettel and Hamilton (their first lap clash) had nothing to do with team orders," he concluded.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits a repeat of the dominance his team enjoyed in Monaco is unlikely at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo produced a perfect weekend taking pole and the win in Monte Carlo, even holding off Sebastian Vettel despite having no ERS for much of the race.

The Australian has also scored four straight podium places on another twisty street circuit around Marina Bay, however, the Briton believes victory this weekend will be much harder.

“Hopefully we can be more competitive in Singapore,” he told Racer. “Look, Singapore is not Monaco, there’s longer straights there and so on, but we were over a second away in qualifying at Monza.

“We know in the race we are able to match what the leaders can do, and Singapore might be something other than a one-stop as well, so there’s more opportunities.”

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Since that great day in the principality, only Max Verstappen's victory in Austria has been a real high with podiums scored through misfortune ahead and reliability worries hitting Ricciardo particularly hard.

“I think there’s a few tracks coming up, I’m looking forward to going to Singapore, I’m looking forward to going back to Mexico," the Red Bull boss said, suggesting this season isn't a write-off.

“Japan could be interesting for us, Brazil if it rains, so there’s still a lot to play for this year.

“The hardest races — Spa and Monza — we were on the podium at Spa, we could have been on the podium at Monza, so it’s not all bad.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes an idea for teams to run a third car specifically for a young, inexperienced driver would be "impractical" for Formula 1.

The suggestion was put forward by his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff, who is currently facing a tough predicament with Esteban Ocon, as the Frenchman, who is the lead member of the German manufacturer's driver program, faces not being on the grid next season.

"Give us a third car. Make it mandatory to put a young driver, with maximum two years [of F1 experience], in that car," he said.

"The costs wouldn’t be huge. The grid would be packed and we would have fantastic shows of new kids on the block coming up and fighting hard with the Valtteri's and Lewis' of this world and surprising us."

While acknowledging the pros of such an idea, Horner sees too many hurdles to making it a reality.

"It’s an interesting one, but the practicalities of running three-car teams – there are things like pit stops – it’s a very complicated thing to do," he told Motorsport.com.

"Interesting in concept, but once you get into the practicalities of it, it’s very, very complex.

"I can’t see the midfield [teams] being particularly happy with it."

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One such midfield squad that has a driver program is McLaren, however, CEO Zak Brown echoed much of Horner's sentiment.

"I like the idea of third cars, but how do you manage that?" he said.

"I think there’s room on the grid, but not for everyone to have one. Maybe you have them at certain races, but it’s got to be equal and fair."

Kimi Raikkonen was the centre of attention during Thursday's press conference ahead of the Singapore GP, and unsurprisingly he kept his answers to a minimum.

On Tuesday came the unexpected news that the Finn will remain in Formula 1 next season but with Sauber, performing a straight swap with Charles Leclerc who will take Kimi's seat at Ferrari.

While that has led to criticism from some, with pundit Martin Brundle suggesting the 38-year-old should have retired, Raikkonen insists the only opinion he thinks about is his own.

"Because I want to go. Why do you try to make it so complicated?" he responded when asked what made Sauber a desirable choice.

"I don't know anything more than you guys [beyond] purely where they have been finishing. I don't know what will happen, nobody knows what will happen next year.

"I don't care about what others think. As long as I am happy with my own reasons, it is enough for me."

The increased likelihood of Leclerc's move only came about at Monza, when it emerged former chairman Sergio Marchionne had already signed a race contract with the Monegasque.

And it was only after that point that Raikkonen made contact to his former team.

"I knew, and obviously I know people there from the past and basically it started after that," he explained. "I don't think it has always been there [the desire to return].

"Obviously you never know here what will happen. I wouldn't say there were plans for a long time that this is going to happen."

There has been suggestions a possible motive included future investment by Kimi into Sauber, though again he refused to comment decisively.

"I signed my contract as a driver and I hope I stay there as a driver," he said.

"Who knows what happens in the future or two years. There is always speculation, but I don't have any contract about that."

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has ruled out Mick Schumacher as a target for Toro Rosso in 2019.

The son of seven-time world champion Michael thrust himself into European Formula 3 title contention with a trio of victories this past weekend at the Nurburgring, leaving the 19-year-old just three points behind leader Dan Ticktum.

Needing just a top three finish in this year's championship to secure enough points for a superlicence, the possibility of a third Schumacher racing in F1 suddenly appears a lot more likely with Motorsport Italy claiming he was now on Red Bull's radar.

“He is not on our list and we have no contact at all with him,” Marko responded via Auto Bild.

It is more than likely that joining the Austrian company stable wouldn't be an option for Mick, who would follow his father's links to Ferrari and Mercedes.

Currently, the latter appearing his closest association having completed a demonstration run in a DTM car last weekend but his Prema F3 team have links to the Scuderia and the German has been seen in the Italian team garage

There was also a report last week, before his Nurburgring exploits, Schumacher was eyeing a move to F2 with ART Grand Prix, which would be the final step before a much-anticipated career in F1.

As for Toro Rosso, the Daniil Kvyat return rumour continues but Christian Horner ruled out Esteban Ocon, despite admitting there would be "obvious" interest if the Frenchman was already tied to Mercedes.

Formula 1 fans might have had a first look into the future as an image depicting a concept 2021 car has been published on Twitter.

Liberty Media's managing director of motorsport, Ross Brawn, has been working hard on a new set of design regulations aimed at improving the racing by making the cars less sensitive to dirty air and putting an emphasis on driver skill.

An initial step towards that vision will take place next year with the introduction of new front and rear wings as well as changes to the bargeboards, however, a bigger overhaul is expected in just over two years time.

Now, we have the first opportunity to see the direction Brawn's F1 is heading with a car that in many ways combining the simplicity of 2009 with the more aggressive designs of today.

The front wing and nose section is particularly different with a much simpler design and that is a pattern seen across much of the car.

The image also offers a look at the next generation Halo which the FIA is working on, from that the central strut appears further forward than currently with the halo itself seemingly thinner.

Finally, the 18-inch rims that were included in the recent tyre tender for 2020 are present with the rear wheels slightly shrouded by the design of the rear wing.

Brawn spoke about the new concept, along with Pirelli motorsport boss Mario Isola, during a Tech Talk with fans ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle believes Kimi Raikkonen should have retired from Formula 1 rather than join Sauber in 2019.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed the Finn would be leaving Ferrari and replaced by Charles Leclerc, however, in a surprise swap, he will go the other way to the team that he started his career with in 2001.

In the former McLaren driver's mind, however, all Kimi's decision to stay on the grid does is fill a seat that could have been given to a more needy driver.

“There is a bit of a changing of the guard going on in Formula 1,” Brundle told the British broadcaster.

“The move makes sense. It energises Vettel, energises the team. Leclerc is 20 years old and they [Ferrari] can prepare him for the future which is what they need.

“Raikkonen is a great and popular driver, but in a way, I wish he would have moved aside now because there is a lot of great young guys without seats next year at the moment.

“Esteban Ocon would be a good example of that. There is also Stoffel Vandoorne, George Russell coming through leading the F2 world championship.

“So there is clearly an end game for Raikkonen now, moving to Sauber which will take him to his 41st year and it is a bit surprising, but I do admire that he wants to carry on racing. I just hope this is not a step too far for him.”

A former Sauber driver has backed the 38-year-old's decision, however, with Mika Salo believing this could be part of a longer-term project.

"F1 is a business and Kimi's name brings sponsors, finances and a better financial base. It's a big deal for Sauber," he claimed.

"As expectations are not terribly high, he can race without pressure. Maybe he can drive a bit more relaxed.

"There are also a few stories around that Kimi would like to buy into Sauber as well," he added. "In my opinion, this is about more than just driving."

Williams deputy team boss Claire Williams has sought to reassure the financial future of the squad amid an anticipated loss of revenue next season.

The Grove outfit will lose title sponsor Martini, sponsors and backing associated with Lance Stroll and receive reduced prize money from likely finishing bottom of this year's Constructors' Championship.

All of this has called into question the long-term future of Williams, with the daughter of founder Sir Frank suggesting earlier in the year that it could be bleak with a budget cap.

"Williams is a publicly listed company and our accounts are there for everyone to see," she said defiantly at an event in Singapore.

"There is a lot of speculation out there with regard to Williams' financial health. Williams has had a healthy budget this year to compete with and will have a healthy budget to compete with next year.

"Williams has been in Formula 1 for more than 40 years, and we will continue to be in F1. This is what we do and we always have had a healthy budget by which to do it."

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All this comes at what is generally considered the worst moment in the team's history, as a flawed car design has left their drivers fighting at the back of the grid this season.

"We’ve been analysing what went wrong with this car, and through that process, other problems have raised their ugly heads," Williams told Motorsport.com.

"The team is going through an absolute overhaul and transformation in order to take us into 2019 in a better place, [but] it is going to take some time.

"We are not going to come out next year winning races again. That is not realistic.

"It takes a long time to turn a team around in F1, not least a team the scale of ours. So it is a work in progress but I am optimistic for the future 100 per cent."

As his future grows ever more uncertain, Esteban Ocon has issued a defiant message on social media reaffirming his drive and passion to become a future Formula 1 champion.

With each seat that gets confirmed for 2019, the realisation that the Frenchman, who is widely expected to be a future Mercedes driver, may not line up in Melbourne next March becomes more apparent.

The situation isn't helped by seeing fellow young stars like Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris and now Charles Leclerc step into highly-coveted seats but Ocon is refusing to give up.

“I dream F1, I train F1, I eat F1, I play F1, I think F1," he said. "I’m born to race and my only goal is to be champion and will always be.

“I have to thank everyone for all the kind messages and support I receive every day. We have been in tough situations before and we’ve always overcome those, there was no easy way throughout my career.

“I can promise that it’s not at this moment I will give up. Motivation is high and my old time rivals are in top cars, this makes me hungrier than ever,” he added.

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Ocon is in Singapore for the night race this weekend, which is only noteworthy as his tenure at Force India is now seemingly on a week-by-week basis, and the 21-year-old is hoping to continue a run of strong points finishes.

"In the two races after the summer break, we have shown good pace and scored a lot of points. We go to Singapore aiming to continue this run of great races," he said.

“Singapore is the toughest race of the year from a physical point of view. It’s hot and it’s humid, but I have been preparing for it with lots of cardio training.

“The Singapore race is a fantastic event. Night races are always different and there is the added challenge of a street circuit," he said. "Hopefully we can keep our position at the front of the midfield."