F1 gossip

- The FIA hopes to make changes to the 'Halo' cockpit protection device in the future, making it thinner and better integrated into the car design ( RACER )

- Officials in Azerbaijan are seeking improved terms before committing to an extension of its Formula 1 contract, with minister Azad Rahimov calling the current deal "unacceptable" ( Planet F1 )

- Former Benetton and Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore was handed an 18-month jail sentence for tax evasion on Saturday, but intends to appeal ( AFP )

- Haas will unveil its new F1 car for the 2018 season online in the days leading up to pre-season testing before a physical launch on the morning of the first day of running in Barcelona ( F1To

- WEC officials are reportedly considering changing the date of October's 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan - currently clashing with the United States Grand Prix - to ensure F1 star Fernando Alonso can take part in the race (

- A mystery buyer is said to be interested in acquiring Ayrton Senna's McLaren-Ford MP4/8 in which he won the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix, with an estimated sale price of £4.5 million.

- Formula 1 race start times could be set to change in the future under proposals tabled to broadcasters at a meeting earlier this week in a bid to capture a wider international audience ( BBC Sport )

- Germany, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and the USA are poised to be the first countries to get access to F1's new 'over the top' broadcasting service, with more potentially to be added (