Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne has suggested the atmosphere inside the Maranello factory is "too relaxed" as they continue work on the 2018 car, known internally as the 662.

The Scuderia is hoping to maintain the renaissance they enjoyed last season, using the new design rules to become the main threat to Mercedes' domination and scoring five wins thanks to Sebastian Vettel.

With the world champions unlikely to stand still and a growing threat from Red Bull and even McLaren, the Italian team will also have to make good gains in development both with the engine and chassis but the chairman does seem confident despite his slight concern of potential complacency.

"I was in Maranello for the last few days and the guys are busy but they seem too relaxed, I can only conclude that we have either made a real monster or garbage!" Marchionne smiled while talking at the Detroit motor show this week.

"We have done everything to have a super strong car but we will have to wait until February 22 when we reveal it," the Italian-Canadian added.

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Within the team, Kimi Raikkonen's new race engineer has been confirmed for 2018 after long-time partner Dave Greenwood left Ferrari to become part of Manor's LMP1 project in the WEC. Now Carlo Santi will be the main in the ear of the Finn on the radio in a promotion.

Current third driver Antonio Giovinazzi is also unlikely to be racing in any other category full-time for the second straight year, despite taking part in the Formula E test following last Saturday's Marrakesh ePrix.

"We don’t know yet. We need to see how it is with Ferrari," he told Crash.net considering his 2018 options. "But for now I’m focused just on the job with Ferrari and then we’ll see."

The Italian will also be reserve driver at Sauber, as part of the closer relationship between the two teams.

Sergio Perez has admitted 2018 could be the year which makes or breaks his Formula 1 career, with a number of drivers facing uncertain futures at the front of the grid.

Five drivers at the top three teams plus McLaren are likely to be considering their future with both Mercedes seats currently unfilled for 2019, Kimi Raikkonen on a single year deal at Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo weighing up his options at Red Bull and Fernando Alonso, though reportedly signed on a new multi-year deal, likely to be following the competitiveness of McLaren.

That could open doors to some of the top midfield talents to force their way into the minds of the bosses at the top teams with the Mexican leading the queue. 

"It's such an important year, there will be a lot of [driver] movements around F1 in 2019," Perez predicted talking to Motorsport.com.

"Everyone is looking at you not only in one race or one year but many years and when you look at what I've done in the last few years, I believe I'm in a good position.

"I am totally prepared and I believe I will move up the grid, I believe there will be a chance."

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The 27-year-old is keener than most having finished seventh in the drivers' championship the last two years with Force India and also having seen his first big move to McLaren in 2013 coincide with the start of the British team's current downfall.

"I truly believe that McLaren came too early in my career," he added looking at his own performance that year. "I wasn't ready for that but it came because I was doing a tremendous job.

"I needed another year at Sauber at that time but it is what it is. Thanks to that year, it has made me the driver that I am now."

Perez's chances are slim, however, with his current teammate Esteban Ocon a Mercedes junior, Checo cut initial ties with Ferrari to join McLaren and Red Bull rarely look outside their driver stable. 

Considering how he'd feel if he didn't get another chance then, Sergio added: "I will have the regret that I never had the chance to show I can fight for titles, win titles but there is nothing you can do.

"I've shown what I can do in F1 but I want more and I feel that I can do a lot more than this."

Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell has joined the list of figures criticising the FIA's decision to restrict drivers to just three power units for the entire 2018 season before penalties.

Last season, many became disenchanted by the large number of drivers having to take grid penalties at different races after surpassing the previous limit of four, though, of those using the German manufacturers, only Lewis Hamilton used a fifth of certain elements, doing so by choice after crashing out in qualifying in Brazil.

FIA president Jean Todt has insisted the reason for reducing the number again for this year is as part of efforts to reduce costs but, as Cowell pointed out, that is far from the reality.  

"It's crazy," he was reported by Italy's Corriere dello Sport as saying. 

"We will build at least 80-100 engines and then test them on the bench and take the three or four that have the best reliability and power characteristics. That's a huge cost that the manufacturers will not be able to recover."

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Not only is the idea to reduce costs for the engine makers but also the price the customer teams pay to use those engines, but Renault advisor and four-time F1 champion Alain Prost rubbished that suggestion too.

"My [Prost GP] V10 engine cost €23m in 2001 and we would have paid €25.5m the following year if we had survived," he told Auto Plus.

"Today we are at engine prices between 12 and 14 million. Each manufacturer has therefore brought down prices with significantly more complex engines."

Red Bull team principal has continually tried to obtain the full support of all team which would be required to increase the limit, however, each time, Ferrari has rebuffed those attempts.

Team principal Fred Vasseur has suggested the Sauber's future may not be as a privateer but instead becoming the full works team of new partner Alfa Romeo.

The Italian company is making their return to Formula 1 after 33 years, becoming title sponsor to the Swiss outfit and forging a technical alliance as part of a new deal with engine supplier Ferrari.

But Vasseur insists Sauber is not becoming a junior team to the Scuderia, despite taking on Academy member and F2 champion Charles Leclerc, with the Alfa project its own separate entity despite both brands coming under the Fiat umbrella. 

"The company's executives want to see a fully fledged Alfa Romeo team," the Frenchman told Auto Hebdo. "At this moment in time we are using Ferrari engines, but our goal is not to be a subsidiary of, but the main Alfa Romeo team."

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The Sauber boss also sees becoming a manufacturer team as the best route forward for the Hinwil operation both from a business and sporting perspective.

"Personally, I do not see how a private team can survive in F1," Vasseur claimed. "Private teams can have a couple of great seasons, like Force India at present, but with the slightest hint of a crisis, the whole outfit can collapse.

"Thanks to the cooperation with Alfa Romeo, our team is on a stable course," he added.

Formula 1 bosses will conduct the first-ever meeting with all 21 Grand Prix promoters present on Wednesday to unveil their vision of the future for race events.

As the one-year anniversary approaches since completing their $7 billion takeover and the installing of Chase Carey as CEO, two key days of discussions await ahead of what is expected to be a very busy year behind the scenes with Liberty Media looking to overhaul the sport.

Upon their arrival, the American owners talked of creating 21 "SuperBowls" when describing the Grand Prix experience they wanted for fans and from the Spanish race last year, changes were introduced to move in that direction.

Now having the knowledge of a full season to draw on, Liberty is ready to move forward with their plans and will put them forward in an eight-hour conference in London and also come on the back on less formal conversations with multiple promoters in Spain and Abu Dhabi last year.

"I think it's great they are putting us all in the same room and discussing our ideas and their ideas together," Azerbaijan race promoter Arif Rahimov told Motorsport.com.

"It will work really well, especially if they keep doing it perhaps meeting on a bi-annual basis. It can keep everyone informed about their plans and we can give them feedback on what we think. It's a great idea."

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With several races also set to discuss future contracts in the coming months, notably the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and bosses at the Nurburgring are looking to return in 2019, having been unable to host the German round since 2013, the meeting also could well decide how those parties will enter contract talks.

Then on Thursday, a meeting of the Strategy Group is also scheduled in an effort to make progress on a number of topics including the engine proposal put forward for 2021 which led to quit threats from Ferrari and Mercedes.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admits it is "great" his team will have the chance to make an informed decision on which engine to use for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

The Milton Keynes outfit has worked with Renault since 2007 but has been critical of the French manufacturer since the start of the current hybrid formula in 2014, as they have struggled both for performance and reliability compared to their rivals.

During 2015, there was even a concerted effort to change supplier but neither Ferrari nor Mercedes would entertain the idea, now, the situation has changed with junior team Toro Rosso the sole customer of Honda.

“The great thing for us is that we have options, which is a situation we haven’t been in previously,” Horner told RACER. “We’ll take our time to evaluate those options and then try and make the best-informed decision we can during the course of the coming year.”

Also Read:

• Gasly stresses importance of Honda reliability during pre-season testing
• Renault confident enhanced procedures can cure poor reliability
• Honda: Limiting number of engines only helps Mercedes & Ferrari

Previously, it had been reported Red Bull could be forced to join up with Honda after Renault partnered with McLaren though that has since been denied, Horner, however, only sees a positive to the Italian team's new chapter.

“It’s a great deal for Toro Rosso,” he said. “Honda have a great legacy in F1, they have desire and ambition. As a sister team, we’ll be keeping an interested eye on their progress during the first half of the year.”

After weeks of speculation, Williams has confirmed Sergey Sirotkin will replace Felipe Massa and partner Lance Stroll in 2018, completing the grid for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

His appointment has been widely expected with the Russian emerging as the favourite late last year due to his strong financial backing and a good test in Abu Dhabi last November which saw the 22-year-old out-pace his main rival for the seat, Robert Kubica.

The decision to choose Sirotkin was revealed via a video on YouTube with Williams deputy team boss Claire Williams stating: "After an extensive driver evaluation process, I am thrilled to have our 2018 line-up finalised.

"We have taken our time to evaluate all the available options and I'm confident Lance and Sergey can deliver the best results for the team. The Williams philosophy has always been to promote and develop young talent and Sergey fits right into that ethos."

Chief technical officer Paddy Lowe also praised the potential of Williams' newest driver, adding: "Ultimately, Sergey impressed the team with his driving pace and talent, technical feedback and work ethic, both at the factory and trackside in Abu Dhabi."

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Sirotkin has been a part of the F1 paddock making six practice appearances with Renault over the past two years and was clearly delighted to finally get his F1 opportunity.

"To say I'm happy and proud to join such a famous team like Williams is an understatement," he said. "It took a huge amount of work to get where I am, and I'm really happy and thankful to everyone involved."

Though not the race seat many had hoped, Kubica, who was aiming to return to F1 for the first time since his near-career-ending rally crash in 2011, will be a key part of the Williams operation as test and development driver, completing several appearances in FP1 sessions this season too.

“I’m extremely happy to be joining the Williams team,” the 32-year-old commented.

“I feel in the best physical shape that I have ever been, but it has taken a lot of work to get to where I am now, so I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunities they have given me so far, and for putting their faith in me with this appointment."

His experience is likely to be very important too, with Sirotkin and Stroll the youngest line-up on the grid with a combined age of just 41.

However, the former Grand Prix winner insisted: “My ultimate goal remains to race again in F1 and this is another important step in that direction: I cannot wait to get started.”

Lewis Hamilton believes the margin for error at modern Formula 1 circuits is too great, suggesting the layouts at tracks like Oulton Park and Donington Park provide a greater challenge.

The issue of track limits and design had a brighter spotlight shined upon them in the closing races after Max Verstappen saw a last lap move on Kimi Raikkonen penalised for cutting the track in Austin and then the lack of action in Abu Dhabi was blamed on the inability to stay close through the technical corners.

Managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn has already revealed a study into circuit design is being conducted along with efforts to make the cars more race-able but the world champion suggests the key is to make the drivers think before each turn.

“The FIA have done an amazing job [with safety], but they’ve really got to stop with these run-off areas – you shouldn’t be able to cut a corner like you see [at some tracks],” Hamilton was quoted by Autosport.

“What I love about the olden days, if you go wide you’ve got to lose time. Now you can approach a corner knowing that if you go in five percent too much you can go wide and come back on. I don’t love that."

The Mercedes driver would put forward examples such as Donington's Old Hairpin and double-apex right at Coppice where precision is key, adding: "That’s the sort of corner F1 is missing. If we had that back in F1, it would bring another level to the challenge.”

One way F1 looked to increase the difficulty was to introduce faster cars in 2017 which saw cornering speeds increase dramatically, particularly at higher downforce circuits.

“The high-speed corners this year have been awesome,” Hamilton admitted. “Pouhon at Spa; the best corners of the season are generally Austin [turns] 3-4-5-6-7 – they are awesome.

“Silverstone, Copse and then Maggotts and Becketts; Suzuka Esses – they are the special ones."

Solving Formula 1's financial problem will require cutting costs alongside the implementation of a budget cap, Red Bull team Christian Horner has claimed.

Since their takeover a year ago, F1 owners Liberty Media has made it clear levelling the financial playing field is one of their priorities with talks beginning in the final months of last year about resurrecting the idea of a budget cap with the figure of $150m reported by some publications.

Though there has been general support, concerns linger about how policeable a limit on spending would be and now Horner suggests sticking to it wouldn't be as easy as it sounds. 

"Everyone's corporate structure is different," he was quoted by F1i.com. "It (a budget cap) absolutely has to go hand in hand with dealing with the cost drivers upstream because the costs are generated through the regulations, that is what determines the amount we spend.

"If you put all your reliance on a cap, there is too much pressure on the dam," the Briton added.

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FIA President and former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt echoed Horner pointing to how previous attempts at limiting spending have fallen through.

"We need to make regulations which will have some impact on the actual costs," he commented. "To simply say we are going make a cost cap, I don't think it will work. So far, any attempt has not worked.

"We have to be able to agree something that will be more sophisticated in order to achieve that."

McLaren executive director Zak Brown has insisted Fernando Alonso's retention was not dependent on the British team changing engine supplier for 2018.

The future of the Spaniard was one of the main stories of last year, with the double world champion frustrated at the lack of competitiveness and the number of problems having to be solved with the Honda power unit.

There would be rumours he issued "ultimatums" to McLaren, telling them he would leave if they didn't drop the Japanese manufacturer, however, Brown maintains that was not the case.

"He just wanted us to be competitive again," he said at the Autosport International show. "I think he would have stayed if we felt we'd been competitive staying where we were [with Honda]. I think he would have bought into that."

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Instead, the Woking-based team did eventually lose their patience, switching to Renault power for this season, a company Alonso has a "great history with" as the McLaren boss pointed out.

Though there are expectations the change will put them on a similar level to Red Bull, the American entrepreneur isn't promising anything to his lead driver.

"We want to get back to the front," Brown simply claimed. "He [Alonso] knows that. He knows what we're capable of.

"He really enjoys the team," he added. "He pushes everyone. When he comes into the garage, everyone raises their game, our interests are aligned."