Gossip: United States, Ricciardo, Moss, Verstappen, Stroll, Vandoorne, Hulkenberg

McLaren's new executive director Zak Brown believes a second Grand Prix in the United States is needed to boost the sport's popularity. (NBC Sports), external

Daniel Ricciardo says he is surprised at how well "very mature" Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, 19, has done since joining the team in May. (ESPN), external

New Williams driver Lance Stroll, 18, says he still cannot believe he will be racing in Formula 1 in 2017. (Autosport) , external

Haas boss Guenther Steiner says the team are "pretty on schedule" after the cars passed all of their crash tests. (ESPN via F1today.net), external

McLaren's new executive director Zak Brown says the team's fans will be excited by this year's new car design and livery when it is unveiled next month. (F1i.com), external

Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle sent his best wishes to Sir Stirling Moss, who is in hospital with a chest infection. Brundle wrote on Twitter:, external "Get well soon Sir Stirling Moss. Seems he had a miserable Christmas with a chest infection but on the mend now. He may be 87 but he's tough."

New Renault F1 signing Nico Hulkenberg was reportedly not happy that Frederic Vasseur would be stepping down as team principal before the start of the new season. (F1i.com), external

The manager of the Ferrari Driver Academy says they are "following" 17-year-old Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, and would "roll out the red carpet" if he wanted to join. (Daily Telegraph, via Gazzetta dello Sport), external

Meanwhile, three years after the skiing accident that left him with life-threatening injuries, 48-year-old Schumacher is slowly being dropped by the personal sponsors who backed his career. (F1i.com), external

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger believes Mercedes should take a risk by signing Pascal Wehrlein instead of Valtteri Bottas for this year's championship. (Auto Motor und Sport, via PlanetF1), external

Formula 1 fans can expect to see fewer pitstops this year and faster, more aggressive-looking cars, according to tyre supplier Pirelli's motorsport head Paul Hembery. (Reuters), external

McLaren would be disappointed not to finish higher than fourth in the 2017 constructors' championship, according to chief operating officer Jonathan Neale - they were sixth in 2016. (Autosport), external

Frederic Vasseur says he might not be done with his F1 career, having quit as Renault team boss after only a year. (Grandprix.com) , external

Derek Warwick, the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club - which owns Silverstone - insists there will be a British Grand Prix after 2019. Warwick says talks are ongoing with the British government about securing the long-term future of the race. (Autosport), external

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes the departure of technical chief Paddy Lowe will not impact their chances of continuing their recent success. (ESPN), external

Former Formula 1 racer Martin Brundle predicts that this year's newly-designed cars car will be "monsters" to drive and will be "brutal". (Motorsport.com), external

Brundle also says he had "a small heart attack" before interviewing the top three finishers on the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix in May. The 57-year-old added that he had an operation later that week. (Fox Sports), external

Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz Jr says McLaren's Fernando Alonso has had the biggest impact on his career. "Perhaps without him, I would not be here today. I owe him a great deal," said the 22-year-old. (Antena 3, via F1today.net), external

Tire supplier Pirelli expects fewer pit stops in 2017 and they say that tire degradation levels will be reduced substantially. (Reuters), external

Renault can "catch up" with Mercedes, by the start of the 2018 season, according to Renault's managing director Cyril Abiteboul.(Fox Sports Asia), external

Renault will not appoint a direct replacement for outgoing team principal Frederic Vasseur, and will instead share his responsibilities among remaining members of the Formula 1 team. (Autosport), external

Former world champion Jenson Button paid an emotional tribute on Instagram to his father John Button,, external who died on 12 January, 2014. Jenson Button wrote: "Today is one of those anniversaries that nobody wants, the day I lost my dad. Instead of being sad we remember what a difference this guy made to so many lives, especially mine. he was the life and soul of the party ALWAYS!! Miss you dad. Thinking of my amazing sisters today ❤ #proudson #papa #papasmurf."

Former Formula 1 driver and 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Alex Zanardi thinks recruiting MotoGP's Valentino Rossi to replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes would be "perfect" to boost TV ratings. (F1i.com), external

Mercedes' non-executive chairman Niki Lauda says replacing Rosberg is a "complicated process" and will take time. (Blick via F1i.com), external

Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche says he did not expect Rosberg's retirement, but that he respected his decision. (Autocar), external

The F1 drivers have been hitting the gym in preparation the new season, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen captioning this photograph, external "no pain, no gain":

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo says he is looking forward to driving being a more physical challenge next season. (The Checkered Flag), external

Former Mercedes boss Ross Brawn believes Formula 1 must work to ensure its financial model is viable for the smallest teams on the grid, and says the sport will never "see a Leicester City". (ESPN), external

Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas is in a "dream situation" where he is wanted by F1 teams for next season, says former world champion Mika Hakkinen. (MTV, via Fox Sports), external

Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams says she cannot understand the criticism of drivers who bring financial support to the teams they race for. (Autosport), external

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says he understands Nico Rosberg's retirement after becoming world champion and "making such a bold decision helps F1". (Bild, via Daily Express), external

Haas driver Romain Grosjean has been busy in both the gym and the kitchen, tweeting:, external "A 3h gym session to start the week... Back on the turbo trainer later on...." But also shared this picture:

Renault-bound driver Nico Hulkenberg says he can now laugh at his frustration to land a podium finish during the 2016 season. (ESPN), external

Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick told the team's staff in a letter that losing 10th place in the 2016 World Championship was a real blow to their hopes of survival. (Fox Sports), external