Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg scoffs at reports that he might one day return to F1. The former Mercedes driver suddenly quit the series last December, mere days after winning the intense battle with teammate Lewis Hamilton for the 2016 title.

But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in Montreal: "I would not be surprised to one day see Nico racing at Ferrari or someone else. He's only 31, he's still young. Perhaps he will change his mind."

However, Rosberg said any talk about him coming back is wide off the mark.

"No, I really have finished my career," Rosberg told Germany's Sport Bild. "I am happy and proud of the results and the successes I have had. It fulfills me a lot. But it's now in the past, and I'm going to do new things."

Indeed, Rosberg even said he would turn down the offer of a one-off return just for fun, like his fellow F1 retiree Jenson Button in Monaco, when Button filled in for Fernando Alonso while Alonso took on the Indy 500.

"I've never thought about it, but I'd probably say no," said Rosberg.

And a foray in another series, like Formula E, is also off the Rosberg table for now.

"At the moment, no," he said. "I am currently looking for other challenges. But who knows. Maybe one day in the future."

People are baffled about how the world’s largest engine maker, Honda, could have got its hybrid turbo engine programme so wrong, year after year. And perhaps the explanation lies in the fact that it has not been incestuous enough.

Let me explain.

Felipe Massa is ready to extend his stay on the Formula 1 grid for another year after declaring himself "happy to continue".

After Valtteri Bottas left Williams for Mercedes, Massa ended his short-lived retirement and returned to his seat as the Williams hierarchy opted for an experienced driver to work alongside Canadian rookie Lance Stroll.

The Brazilian has finished inside the top 10 in four of the seven races in 2017 and feels that his competitive streak is still strong enough for him to come back and continue next year.

"As the middle of the season draws near, it is inevitable that talk has started shifting to 2018," Massa told Motorsport.com.

"I've already started facing questions from the media about my plans for the future – and especially next year.

"I feel good, I'm happy doing what I'm doing and I have a great relationship with the whole Williams organisation. Plus, above all that, I know I'm still competitive, which is what matters most.

"So on that basis, I would be happy to continue what I have always wanted to do – which is to race in F1."

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has issued a calendar for the 2018 F1 World Championship – the first in decades not personally put together by Bernie Ecclestone.

There are no major surprises on the 21-race schedule, with Malaysia going and Germany and France back, both via deals that were concluded by Ecclestone.

Inevitably the addition of two European dates has created some congestion in the summer. Despite moving Baku from June to the end of April F1’s new bosses have come up with the first triple-header, with France, Austria and Silverstone on consecutive weekends, and Germany/Hungary and Belgium/Italy also back to backs, the latter pair matching this year’s schedule

Russia has been moved from its April date to September, and now features in an unusual back-to-back with Japan.

In a statement from F1 Chase Carey commented: “We wanted to finalise next season’s calendar early, so that all our stakeholders would have more time to prepare and we have managed it, thanks in part through working closely with the FIA.

“We are proud to confirm that the German and French Grands Prix will take place in 2018. France was one of the seven races that made up the first ever World Championship in 1950 and it now returns after a decade. It will be held at the Paul Ricard circuit, which last hosted a round of the F1 Championship in 1990.

“The number of races has increased by one compared to the current season. We received numerous requests from those wishing to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix but we wanted the existing promoters to feel that we are putting all our efforts into ensuring that each race is a special event, so that the fans, our most important stakeholders, can enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience. If we can do that, then the entire Formula 1 family will reap the benefit.”

Meanwhile both China and Singapore remain "subject to commercial rights holder confirmation," meaning those venues have yet to finalise new contracts with F1.

Porsche are contemplating life after Le Mans and are reportedly going to explore the option of joining Formula 1.

According to Auto Bild in Germany, Porsche have accepted an invitation to join the next engine meeting as discussions continue about what rules and regulations should be in place beyond 2020.

Porsche's Le Mans chief Fritz Enzinger has also revealed that it is no guarantee that the team will keep returning to the world's most famous race.

"We now know the (Le Mans) regulations for 2020," said Enzinger.

"In the next weeks Peugeot should decide whether they come or not. But even if they do, we have to consider whether we want to go another two or three years in Le Mans.

"At the moment, I cannot assess that."

Auto Bild also claim that Ezinger and fellow chief Andreas Seidl will also head to the Austrian Grand Prix for talks.

In addition, McLaren's Zak Brown and Eric Boullier were both present at Le Mans, sparking further speculation that they are interested in a customer engine deal with Porsche.

Formula 1 is not the only option Porsche are considering, with Formula E acting as another alternative.

McLaren are weighing up their engine options for next season, after it was widely reported they will ditch Honda. Mercedes look the likely partner for 2018, but other names in the frame include Alfa Romeo. (Autosport)

Race director Charlie Whiting has given his approval for Imola to return to the future F1 calendar. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Kevin Magnussen believes Stoffel Vandoorne is "not in his happy place" at McLaren. (motorsport.com)

Bernie Ecclestone will be honoured at this year's Goodwood Festival, in the form of a giant sculpture. (thejudge13.com)

The 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg says "I know what Toto really thinks about me, so I don't care what an English newspaper writes" after Mercedes chief Toto Wolff accused him of being 'the vicious one' during his battles with Lewis Hamilton. (DPA news agency via F1i.com)

Hamilton believes Mercedes can be more consistent for the rest of the 2017 season after developing more of an understanding of the Pirelli tyres. (ESPN)

Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa still hopes to make the engine supply relationship with McLaren work, despite the team's continued poor performances this season. (Planet F1)

Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn believes Formula 1 has become too technical and difficult to understand. (Autosport)

Intrigue about the possibility of an 11th team entering Formula 1 ramped up on Wednesday when a new name was registered in Britain and the FIA confirmed it had been sounded out about a slot on the grid.

There have been rumours for several weeks that new contenders were pondering getting involved in grand prix racing, but no firm plans had been revealed.

However, an update of Britain's Companies House register has revealed the renaming of a business as China F1 Racing Team Limited.

The company, which had previously been called Bronze Fortune Limited, is run by a French lawyer called Michael Orts, who has competed in sports car racing in Europe and America.

Little is known about the plans and Orts was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday about whether this was a serious bid to get on the grid.

However, speaking at the FIA Sport Conference in Geneva on Wednesday, president Jean Todt confirmed that the governing body had been approached by some individuals regarding a future entry.

"There are always rumours, but we have had some interest from some teams," said Todt.

When asked to give more detail on the number, Todt said simply: "Not many."

It is up to the FIA when it chooses to open up the tender process to new teams, and Todt said it would only do so if there were serious candidates.

"When we feel it is time we will be able to make a tender," he said.

"At the moment we have ten teams and the idea is to have up to 12 teams. So we have an opportunity, if we have one or two strong newcomers it could be possible."

He added: "First we need to check ourselves the request. It's going through a kind of audit to see who are the potential buyers.

"If it's a big manufacturer, it's easy, if it's a privateer, you need to be more careful. And then, once you are sure that there is a real interest, and once you're sure that people are able, like it was the case with Haas, for example, then we make tender."

Todt was adamant, however, that it was unrealistic to expect a new team to be put together as soon as 2018.

"No, it would be foolish to think that a new team would be ready in eight months, even less."