Briatore and Symonds leave Renault F1

Renault announced on Wednesday that both team boss Flavio Briatore and Executive Director of Engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team. Furthermore, the French squad has announced in a statement that it will not dispute the recent allegations made by governing body the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

The Renault team, without the men accused of race-fixing, will still have to attend the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing in Paris on Monday 21 September due to the 'Crashgate' scandal but said in the statement that, until then, no further comment will be made.

In last year's Grand Prix in Singapore city, also scene of the next event on the 2009 calendar, Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed his Renault - allegedly under instruction from the two men in question - to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso's run to victory. The Spaniard has denied involvement or knowledge in any previously planned plot.

Source: GP Update

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Barrichello: Massa is my inspiration

Rubens Barrichello has revealed the secret to his excellent form recently. It would appear that Rubens has been seeking advice from the sidelined Felipe Massa over the past few races. Massa has been out of contention since his accident in Hungary, ironically caused by a spring from the back of Barrichello's Brawn.

"I went to his house before Valencia and he explained to me how to deal with that track, where he dominated last year, and then I won," Barrichello told Italy's Gazetta dello Sport. "He also dominated in Singapore so I wanted him to tell me how he did that too!"

Rubens is currently 14 points adrift of team-mate and championship rival Jenson Button but hopes that four successive wins in the run up to the end of the season will help him close the gap. Along with this, the improving performances of Lewis Hamilton's McLaren and Kimi Räikkönen's Ferrari, Rubens could hope to place cars between himself and Button to possibly overhaul the Briton.

Rubens also explained that he will continue to utilise the advice given by compatriot Massa and will continue to prepare for races in a more appropriate manner, with the hope of avoiding the pitfalls of last year. "I will get there more prepared this year," he added. "They have changed some corners, the track has been re-surfaced and all of those awful bumps should be gone - I wear contact lenses and I had a headache whenever I stepped out of the car! Now I know what to expect."

Source: GP Update

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'Something very unusual happened' - Mosley on Piquet crash

FIA President Max Mosley admits that the crash of Nelson Piquet Jr. in last year's Singapore Grand Prix does appear to be suspect. The Renault team remains under investigation for the incident, which eventually helped team-mate Fernando Alonso to victory.

There is no doubt over the fact that Piquet's incident assisted Alonso's victory, as the Safety Car was deployed just a few minutes after the Spaniard's first pit-stop, although the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will hear the team's official version of events on Monday 21 September.

"Certainly the data from the car indicated that something very unusual had happened on the corner where he crashed, according to the experts who look at these things," Mosley told The Guardian, "so there was enough there to make it unthinkable not to investigate. This week Renault will send in written documents but the actual hearing of their defence is next Monday."

The FIA President, who will move into retirement next month, also admits that gossip surrounding the incident reached the FIA some time ago. "Two or three months earlier I'd heard this allegation was floating around," he explained. "Of course, there was nothing one could do then because there was no evidence, it was all rumour and hearsay; so I knew the allegation existed but, yes, I was quite surprised they were actually prepared to come forward and make it.

"Nelson Piquet Sr. (father and Manager of Nelson Jr.) came to see me after the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July and said all this had happened, so I listened to him and said 'Well, if Nelson (Jr.) makes a sworn statement then obviously we'll investigate it.' The father arranged for that to happen. We then started to look at all the on-board data and all the recordings we've got of everything that happened in the car."

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Lotus returns to Formula One

The famous Lotus name will be back on the F1 grid next year, the FIA has confirmed. The governing body revealed on Tuesday that the Lotus F1 Team entry has been accepted to fill the vacant space left by the departing BMW Sauber, which has also submitted what has been described as an 'impressive application'.

With 13 positions currently available on the grid next year and several entries left to select following BMW's July announcement that it will be pulling out of the sport, governing body the FIA confirmed on Tuesday that the Lotus name will be returning to the sport for the first time since 1994.

The latest version of the Lotus team will be funded by both the Malaysian government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs. The full title of the outfit will be 1Malaysia F1 Team, based at the factory of RTN in Norfolk, England. The building, only ten miles from Lotus Cars, was originally built for Toyota's F1 organisation at the start of the decade before Bentley used the facility for its Le Mans team.

Funding will be provided by the Malaysian Tune Group - the company behind airline Air Asia and headed by Tony Fernandes, who will also be Team Principal - with Mike Gascoyne making his Formula One return as Technical Director, having left Force India last year.

The team will be using Cosworth engines with gearboxes provided by Xtrac and aerodynamics developed by FondTech.

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Symonds exempt from FIA punishment

Formula One governing body the FIA has granted Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering at Renault, immunity in the controversial case surrounding race-fixing in last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Like driver Nelson Piquet, the Englishman will not receive a possible punishment of a lifetime ban from the sport providing that honest evidence is provided.

Piquet claims that both Symonds and Managing Director Flavio Briatore instructed the Brazilian to crash deliberately during the night race in order to encourage the deployment of the Safety Car in order to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso's race victory.

The Spaniard duly took the chequered flag and Renault's first win of the year although Renault will attend an FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing on Monday 21 September.

Providing the FIA feels a full and sincere description of events is provided by Symonds, he will not be charged with a lifetime ban from Formula One. The Times reports on Tuesday that the Englishman refused to answer initial questioning from an FIA advisor, pointing out the following quote: "I have no intention of lying to you. I have not lied to you, but I have reserved my position just a little."

It is believed that the FIA-appointed stewards from this year's Belgian Grand Prix have analysed the telemetry information of Piquet's car during the race, claiming that - having viewed the data - Piquet's claims are 'reasonable' and 'on balance'

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Alonso knew the plan, says Piquet Sr.

Triple World Champion Nelson Piquet claims that Renault's Fernando Alonso was fully aware of the scheme to cause a deliberate crash involving his son in last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Nelsinho Piquet's retirement in the race led to the deployment of the Safety Car, which assisted the Spaniard to victory.

With the Piquets having accused Renault team chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds of originating the idea of a crash before the race, Alonso has already explained that he knew nothing of such an idea. However, Nelson Piquet Sr. - World Champion of 1981, 1983, 1987 and manager of his son - is certain that the Spaniard was aware of the proposal.

"Fernando knew everything," Piquet is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario Sport. "Alonso could not ignore it. If you are fifteenth on the grid at a street circuit, there is no point in just hoping for the best; at most, you can pass three cars - it's a senseless strategy."

Further reports suggest that Piquet will do all in his power to 'destroy' Renault Managing Director Flavio Briatore, who some predict could leave the team even before its FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing on Monday 21 September. 'Crashgate' is the second serious case with which Alonso has been linked in two years, having been at the centre of the Ferrari-McLaren 'liegate' scenario in 2007.


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Piquet unemployable now, says Brundle

Former driver Martin Brundle believes that Nelson Piquet's recent race-fixing accusations against the Renault team and the subsequent controversy now make the driver unemployable in Formula One.

Ex-Renault pilot Piquet and father Nelson Sr. claim that team chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds planned a crash in Singapore last year in order to see the deployment of the Safety Car to assist other driver Fernando Alonso to race victory.

"The word in the paddock is that team boss Flavio Briatore will step away from F1 - possibly even before the hearing," television commentator Brundle told the BBC. "The sad thing is that the damage to F1 is already done because of the leaked information."

With Piquet managed by his triple World Champion father, Brundle feels the execution of their actions is a let down to the sport. "I'm disappointed in Piquet father and son," he continued. "Like many of us in the paddock, they have benefited enormously from being in the privileged inner sanctum of F1 and the boy's career opportunities and funding existed only because of F1.

"So, crashing deliberately in the first place, as he claims, and then lobbing this nuclear bomb into the paddock is not impressive to say the least; they've cut off their noses to spite their face because surely Nelson Piquet Jr is unemployable in F1 now. Which team and sponsor wants to be associated with all this? Anger has got the better of them here. F1, though, will survive it and move on."

Source: GP Update

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Domenicali vague over Räikkönen future

Ferrari General Manager Stefano Domenicali is refusing to discuss 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen's future prospects with the team. The Finn remains under contract with the Scuderia for another season although, with Fernando Alonso also linked with the outfit, most drivers in the field are currently out of contract for 2010.

With only the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso line-ups known ahead of the new season, Alonso's move is widely viewed as the trigger for the rest of the field although, with Felipe Massa injured and his 2010 return by no means confirmed, Ferrari are holding station as teams and drivers remain in limbo with only four races left this season.

"I am definitely not going to discuss that now," Domenicali told the official F1 website of Räikkönen's situation. "As everybody is aware, Kimi has a contract with us next year and I am very happy with his performances because he is driving very, very well, especially in the second part of the season.

"For the last four races he has always been on the podium and I think, after Barrichello, he has scored the most points, so he has shown the true qualities of fighting for the championship. That is our position."

Source: GP Update

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Sutil fastest again in free practice

Force India driver Adrian Sutil was once again the fastest driver out on track. On Saturday morning the German completed the fastest lap in the 60-minute free practice session. He ended ahead of Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld. Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella crashed into the tyre barriers in Parabolica but was fortunately unharmed.

The third and final free practice session during this weekend's Italian Grand Prix started at 11:00am at Monza. Temperatures are up to 25 degrees Celcius already and it looks like it will remain dry for the rest of the day. Rain during the night caused the track to be a bit more slippery at the start of the session than during yesterday's free practice session.

The fans at Monza saw yellow flags being waved at Parabolica, the final corner at Monza, after thirty minutes. In front of his home crowd Giancarlo Fisichella lost control of his Ferrari and crashed sideways into the tyre barriers. His Ferrari was heavily damaged on the right but is probably going to be repaired in time for the qualifying session. Fisichella himself was fortunately unharmed.

Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Sutil topped the time sheets for most of the session but in the end of the one-hour free practice session it was Adrian Sutil who ended first.

At Red Bull the team faced problems with Mark Webber's car at the start of the session but all looks fine for qualifying.


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Mosley: We may lose one or two more F1 teams

At the end of July BMW announced that it will withdraw its Formula 1 team from Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season. According to FIA president Max Mosley F1 could lose another one or two more car manufacturers and also one or two of the private F1 teams.

Speaking about next year's Formula 1 grid Max Mosley is not sure if the fans will be able to enjoy 13 teams at the grid. "I think we may lose another one or two car manufacturers and there's also one or two of the private teams who will find it difficult to survive," Mosley said.

"I'd stake my worldly goods on Ferrari being there. But not on all the manufacturers. But I may be wrong."

Source: GP Update

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Piquet: I will not be bullied again

Nelson Piquet has vowed never 'to be bullied again' into making a forced decision such as the one he allegedly made ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix last year. The Brazilian claims to have been forced into crashing on purpose during the night race although the Renault team fiercely denies such accusations.

With Piquet having crashed at Turn 17 on Lap 14 of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, there is no doubting that Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso benefitted from the incident's subsequent Safety Car period before going on to win the race. It is unclear at this point, however, as to whether Piquet's claims are true and, if so, to what extend.

'Regarding the current FIA investigation, I confirm that I have co-operated fully and honestly with the sport's governing body,' Piquet wrote on his website, 'because I am telling the truth I have nothing to fear, whether from the ING Renault Team or Mr. (Flavio) Briatore (Renault Managing Director) and, whilst I am well aware of the power and influence of those being investigated and the vast resources at their disposal, I will not be bullied again into making a decision I regret.

I have every confidence in the FIA investigation and World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) and I will be making no further comment until the conclusion of the hearing of 21 September 2009.'

Briatore, on the other hand, has launched legal proceedings again Piquet and father/manager Nelson Piquet Sr, claiming that the allegations are 'outrageous'. "The fact that we (supposedly) put a plan for blackmail against the two Piquets means that I think we are very confident that the truth will come out," the Italian commented.

"You know what? Whatever happens, if someone goes against the rules, they go against the rules. If I tell you to go rob a bank: afterwards, you decide whether to rob the bank or not. I don't feel I have any responsibility and we don't feel we have done absolutely anything."


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Fisichella: More work in Ferrari cockpit

Giancarlo Fisichella has said that he is happy with his first day in a Ferrari but does admit that the controlling of the F60 requires more work inside the cockpit than with the Force India which he drove to second place at Spa a fortnight ago. The Roman wound up in eighth and twentieth positions in Monza's first two practice sessions on Friday.

Having chased Kimi Räikkönen to second place at Spa, Fisichella now joins the 2007 World Champion as a dream is achieved although the Italian must adapt quickly to the car, plus the likes of KERS. "Force India, for the last couple of races, was very strong," Fisichella said of Adrian Sutil's top ranking in Practice 2 at Monza. "We made a step forward and my last race was fantastic so I knew it would be quick be here."

Giancarlo then explained the initial changes which he has experienced: "It's a different circuit, so it's difficult to say as the level of downforce is much less," he continued. "It's a different car, so there is different reaction going into the corners; you work much more with the steering wheel and the switches compared to Force India.

"With Force India, I was just concentrating on the driving but here I am quite busy. Tomorrow is going to be another important day for me - it's important to do another good amount of laps to do a little bit more."

Italy sees Fisichella reunited with Rob Smedley, the Race Engineer with whom he worked with at Jordan in 2002 and 2003. "All session-long I've been in touch with my engineer, who's been very good on the radio, and was following him," 'Fisi' recalled. "It's not so difficult - you just have to be very concentrated to do it. In the afternoon I was mainly doing the job on my own, without the help of Rob, so I'm improving all the time and that's the right direction to go in."

Source: GP Update

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Piquet granted immunity in Renault case

Nelson Piquet has received the protection of immunity from prosecution by Formula One governing body the FIA. The Brazilian is currently deeply involved in a scandal with ex-team Renault after claiming that chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds asked him to crash on purpose during last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

With the situation now dubbed 'Crashgate', Renault will face the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) over the matter on Monday 21 September. Managing Director Briatore labelled Piquet's claims as 'outrageous' on Friday before confirming that the French marque is taking legal action towards its former driver, who was sacked after the Hungarian Grand Prix this season.

FIA President Max Mosley has explained, however, that Piquet does not face any punishment, providing that honest evidence is given. "Yes, we have said that to him," Mosley told the BBC. "I don't know exactly how it was phrased but he has been told if he tells us the truth he will not be proceeded against."

In the event of Piquet being proven right, however, Mosley has warned that consequences for the team would be severe. "If, and it is a very big if, they are guilty, obviously it is very serious indeed," he continued. "It is not really for me to say whether it is as bad as the McLaren case ('Spygate', of 2007); that would be for the World Motor Sport Council. On the one side, one of the bad things about McLaren was that they did not tell the truth, so that went against them.

"But on the other hand, what is alleged to have been done here is probably more serious. As for any penalty, if you look at any other sport, if somebody fixes the result then it's usually taken seriously.

"Fixing is one degree worse than cheating, like if you're a cyclist and you take dope, that's cheating. If you bribe the other cyclists, or you get somebody to have a crash in the peloton so the yellow jersey guy crashes, that's more serious. Then if it puts human life at risk - whether it's the spectators, the marshals or the drivers - then it's more serious again. But I stress, until they put their defence in, we've got to assume they're innocent."

Source: GP Update

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Leaked documents damaging F1, says FOTA

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has expressed its feelings over the fact that documents surrounding the controversial Piquet-Renault case have been linked onto the internet. The group feels that no evidence should have been made public until after the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing on 21 September.

Renault will face the WMSC the Monday after next following claims from former driver Piquet that team chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds arranged a crash in last season's Singapore Grand Prix in order to assist the team's other driver, Fernando Alonso, who went on to an eventual victory.

With Piquet's full views over the situation having been leaked, however, FOTA - which now represents all teams again - released a statement on Friday:

'FOTA today express concern at the leakage of information, which may or may not be relevant to the FIA current enquiry into the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. All parties to the dispute should have the right to a fair hearing carried out in private and not in the public arena, which is producing adverse publicity damaging to the corporate image and credibility of Formula One.

FOTA believes that differences within the sport should be handled in a professional manner and condemns the habit of intentionally releasing confidential documents to influence public opinion. Confidential documents should remain under the control of the competent authority.'

Source: GP Update

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Di Montezemolo: Alonso will join Ferrari one day

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has said that, sooner or later, double Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso will join the Ferrari team. The Italian does suggest, however, that it won't be in 2010.

Earlier today Michael Schumacher announced that he has extended his contract at Ferrari whereas Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen, Giancarlo Fisichella, Marc Gené and Luca Badoer are already contracted to the team for next year.

Di Montezemolo admits that Spain's Alonso will probably join the squad one day, as he revaled to Spanish reporters at Monza on Friday: "Sooner or later it will happen but we'll have to wait and see when that will be. For 2010 we have Räikkönen, Massa, Fisichella, Badoer, Gené and Schumacher so we have plenty of drivers.

"I have always been a big fan of Alonso because he is a great driver; he has won titles and sooner or later all great drivers come to Ferrari."

Source: GP Update

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Schumacher extends Ferrari contract by 3 years

Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's partnership will continue up to and including 2012, it has been revealed by the multiple winner. The seven-time World Champion will continue at the Maranello squad under his supervisor role, mostly for the Scuderia's development of road cars.

Having retired from Formula One at the end of the 2006 season, German Schumacher looked to be making a surprising return this year until neck injures forced the 40-year-old out. However, with his current contract expiring at the end of this year, Michael revealed on his website on Friday that he will be remaining part of the organisation.

"Yesterday Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and I agreed in extending our cooperation for another 3 years," Schumacher wrote. "I am very happy about this as I always like to be part of the Ferrari family and, as the name Ferrari also symbolizes passion, quality and the highest (sporting level) for me.

"We agreed that I will give my input more and more into the GT department, the area of the road cars. I have already enjoyed a lot participating in the development of the Ferrari California, the 430 Scuderia and the new 458 Italia, which we will present next Tuesday at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and so I very much look forward to participating in future projects."

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Renault launches lawsuit against Piquets

Renault Managing Director Flavio Briatore has announced on Friday that the team is to launch legal proceedings against former driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and his triple World Champion father following the former's recent claims that he was forced into developing a plan to crash deliberately in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

With Renault set to appear before the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) on Monday 21 September, Piquet has claimed that both Briatore and Executive Director of Engineering Pat Symonds advised him to crash on purpose in Singapore, causing the instant deployment of the Safety Car and helping team-mate Fernando Alonso to victory in the process.

'The FIA has announced that it is to hold an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council ('WMSC') on 21 September 2009,' a statement from the team reads. 'The ING Renault F1 Team is to attend that meeting and answer allegations that members of the team conspired with Nelson Piquet Jnr to cause a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP, so that Fernando Alonso might benefit from the resulting safety car.

The ING Renault F1 Team had not commented publicly during the FIA's initial investigation into this matter.

However, today the ING Renault F1 Team and its Managing Director Flavio Briatore personally, wish to state that they have commenced criminal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Junior and Nelson Piquet Senior (Manager to his son) in France concerning the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Mr Piquet Jnr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season. The matter will also be referred to the Police in the UK.'

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Santander and Ferrari announce 5-year partnership

Ferrari and Spanish bank Santander confirmed at Monza on Thursday that the two parties will be joining forces for five seasons, starting next year. The bank, Spain's largest, will therefore end its partnership with McLaren although there was no mention of the much-rumoured move to the team from Fernando Alonso.

After first being reported last year, final confirmation and details of the Ferrari-Banco Santander partnership came at Monza on Thursday. The company, owners of British bank Abbey since 2004, will be linked with Ferrari for at least the five seasons between 2010 and 2014, with logos appearing on the cars and driver overalls of the Scuderia.

"We are very happy to have a new partner like Santander, with whom we are beginning a very important and long term collaboration," commented Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo.

"We share common values, such as striving for excellence, a passion for competition, an international approach and, last but by no means least, the colour red. These values will make this a fruitful partnership, noteworthy around the world."

"I dare say that Santander is today in banking what Ferrari is in Formula One," added Emilio Botín, Chairman of the Spanish group, "an irreplaceable pillar and a symbol of tradition, success and strength. Formula One has turned red-hot."

With Santander having joined McLaren in 2007 (the year of Alonso's arrival at the English outfit) the move by the bank to Ferrari fuels further speculation although no news on a switch from the driver has been released.

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Vettel worried about KERS cars

Italy 2008 winner Sebastian Vettel is both intrigued and worried over the possible pace of KERS-shod cars at Monza this weekend. Ferrari, McLaren and Renault will all be running the power boost system for the Italian Grand Prix on a track which features three long straights.

KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) gives those using it an additional 80 brake horse power for 6.6 seconds per lap and is estimated to be yielding an extra two tenths of a second per lap for the final European race of the season. Neither championship-contending team will be running the device although a potential loss of points to those using it could prove extremely costly come the end of the season.

"We should be in good shape but it all depends on how big the effect of KERS is," said German Vettel of a possible (approximate) 10-second deficit over the course of the race. "How big the effect of KERS is will be we will known tomorrow but, with no testing (traditional pre-race test) and no experience of this circuit (with 2009 cars), we don't know - we (non-KERS runners) will either have a good or bad surprise tomorrow!"

As well as presenting an opportunity to enhance starts and overtaking, KERS can also be used in a defensive fashion. "Overtaking the KERS cars is never easy," the Red Bull driver continued, "and, in a place where you have more straights than anywhere else, it is even harder."

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Alonso 'very surprised' at scandal reports

Fernando Alonso has said that he is astonished by the reports on Thursday that claim Renault management developed a plan with Nelson Piquet to crash deliberately in last year's Singapore Grand Prix. The reports say that the Brazilian was asked to crash on purpose to allow Alonso a chance for victory.

Piquet's crash on Lap 14 of the night race led to the instant deployment of the Safety Car, which subsequently handed the lead of the race to Alonso after the Spaniard had pitted several minutes before. Claims on Thursday, however, suggest that Renault Team Principal Flavio Briatore met with both Executive Director of Engineering Pat Symonds and driver Piquet to discuss the scenario before the race.

"I am very surprised," Alonso explained to a mass crowd of reporters in Italy. "I cannot imagine this situation so, as I said, I am surprised and it is time to think about another job because I am not spending any more time on this. We're at Monza for the next Grand Prix.

"I will not comment too much about this, as the team has said that we will not comment; for me, it is not even the time to think or pay attention to that because it's difficult to understand the situation and this investigation. It's just another day and I'm trying to prepare for the Monza race and to get a good result here."

The former double Champion did make his point clear, however, that he both was unaware of and not involved with the alleged talks. "No," the Spaniard said plainly, "but Flavio has been always a nice boss - he is a friend and a boss and has supported my career since the Minardi times."

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'Piquet Singapore crash result of pre-race meeting'

Reports on Thursday have suggested that Nelson Piquet's race-ending crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix was believed to have taken place following a pre-race meeting between the Brazilian and Renault team chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds.

The French team will go before the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) on Monday 21 September as it remains under investigation for causing a deliberate crash in order benefit the team's other driver, Fernando Alonso, thanks to the deployment of the Safety Car in Singapore City.

Piquet's car spun and hit the Turn 17 wall to retire on Lap 14, with the Safety Car immediately being brought out as a consequence. Alonso, who had already made his first pit-stop after starting 15th, then inherited the lead as the previous leaders were forced to travel at slower speeds behind the Safety Car whilst waiting for the pit lane to open.

Autosport reports on Thursday, however, that a meeting between Piquet, Briatore (Team Principal and Manager to the driver) and Symonds (Executive Director of Engineering) planned the event shortly before the start of the race. Furthermore, Piquet is believed to have accepted the plan due to feeling 'uncomfortable' over his future with the team and lacking a 2009 race contract at the time.

The reports claim that Piquet, whose relationship with the Enstone outfit ended in disrepute this season, was instructed to crash on either Lap 13 or 14, a few minutes after Alonso's pit-stop; in addition, Turn 17 is also believed to have been pointed out as a crash location due to the lack of cranes for lifting the car out of harm's way, ensuring the Safety Car would come out.

The claims go on to state that Piquet contacted FIA President Max Mosley of the sequence of events on Sunday 26 July 2009 - the day of the driver's last race for Renault in Hungary. "I confirm the meeting with Piquet on Sunday morning but nothing like that was ever talked about," quotes from Briatore read. "I also remember that Piquet at Singapore was in a very fragile state of mind. Besides that, there are the audio recordings where I express disappointment when I see on the screens that Piquet had crashed."

"It's true, during the Sunday meeting with Piquet the issue of deliberately causing a SC deployment came up, but it was proposed by Piquet himself," Symonds is believed to have said. "It was just a conversation." Autosport also reports on Thursday that race winner Fernando Alonso knew nothing of the supposed arrangement.

Source: GP Update

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'More speed to be found with current regulations'

McLaren Chief Engineer Pat Fry believes that all teams are far from finding the optimum level of performance this year's technical regulations offer. Formula One underwent a major refurbishment technical-wise this year and the Englishman believes that the sport will be long into the 2010 season before the current rules are fully understood.

The 2009 season has possibly been the most changeable in the 60-season history of the Formula One World Championship, as the likes of KERS and double diffusers hit the world's race tracks for the first time. With ex-Honda team Brawn GP and Red Bull Racing the initial pace setters and still championship leaders, only in recent races have last year's winners Ferrari, McLaren and BMW found some competitive pace.

"Historically, a couple of years into a set of rule changes tends to level out," Fry commented. "I think we are still at a very early stage in terms of understanding what you can do with the current aero package; I think there will be a reasonably steep learning curve at least through into the middle of next year."

Controversy and boycott threats had already arrived before the start of the first race this year as Brawn, Toyota and Williams were the first three teams to take advantage of radical 'double-decker' rear diffusers. "Obviously, with the double diffusers, a lot of people were adapting those onto their cars rather than having designed the car for them," Fry explained of the likes of McLaren or Red Bull. "I'm sure there will be some variations on that and it might take a year or two to settle out."

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Sponsors do not choose our drivers, say Ferrari

Ferrari has moved to clarify any gossip that the team's choice of drivers for 2010 may have been influenced by sponsors of the team. The Scuderia is set to confirm its partnership with Spanish bank Santander at Monza on Thursday, with many also expecting Fernando Alonso to soon be announced as a driver for next season.

With Santander set to make the move from McLaren to Ferrari, 2010 will be the company's fourth year of involvement in Formula One after entering with McLaren in 2007, the year Alonso joined the Woking team. However, di Montezemolo stresses that sponsor and driver selection remain sole decisions of Ferrari as opposed to shared ones with partners.

"As far as Ferrari is concerned, this will be a Grand Prix, which is traditionally not very good to us, but we will give it everything for a good result," the President of the Maranello team said. "I am happy that I've chosen an Italian driver, Fisichella, to race here and also Räikkönen is on great form.

"I'll be back here tomorrow (Thursday) to talk about a new partnership but that doesn't mean anything in terms of choices for the near future: I want to say it again, that the drivers are chosen by Ferrari and not by the sponsors."

Source: GP Update

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FOTA considering 3 cars per team

The Wednesday meeting of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) at Monza not only resulted in the welcoming back of Williams and Force India to the group but also touched upon the possibility of running three cars per team in future seasons.

The triple line-up idea was first mentioned this year after Michael Schumacher was unable to drive for Ferrari in Valencia; Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, Chairman of FOTA, put forward the proposition to fellow competitions as teams discussed the idea in Italy this week.

"We spoke about the future, the possibility of a third car on the track and the possibility to give young drivers the chance to test," the Italian explained. "This has become the only sport where you can't train and maybe we've exaggerated a bit."

Source: GP Update

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Räikkönen braced for competitive weekend

Kimi Räikkönen will be aiming for a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend as the 2007 World Champion arrives at Monza off the back of a first Ferrari win of the season in Belgium. With KERS on-board, the local team had initially been tipped as front-running favourites although the Finn has played down his chances.

After holding off Giancarlo Fisichella's Force India at the way to the finish at Spa, Räikkönen will now be driving alongside the Italian in front of the passionate Tifosi. "These are very intense weeks: after the two consecutive races in Valencia and Spa there is now Monza on the calendar, this year's last race in Europe," Räikkönen wrote on his website.

"In Belgium we won and we want to go on like this in the last races, trying to stay on the podium. It's one of the most important Grands Prix of the year because we race in front of our fans and it would be great to give them satisfaction." Kimi then admitted that Spa was the first time in a 'long time' - 16 months, in fact - that the Finnish and Italian national anthems had been heard consecutively on the podium.

How does the leading Ferrari driver expect to fare against his new associate? "He's one of the most expert drivers and we will give our best to help Ferrari keep third place in the Constructors' Championship," he said of Fisichella. "The performance levels change from one race to the next this year."

Ferrari has openly admitted that, unlike many of its rivals, development on its 2009 car has now been ceased although Kimi refuses to give in. "It will be a difficult weekend but I can promise the fans that we will give our best as usual," he added.

Source: GP Update

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Badoer and Gené likely to stay at Ferrari

Stefano Domenicali has revealed that current Ferrari test drivers Luca Badoer and Marc Gené are most likely to be retained by the Italian team ahead of the 2010 season. Although in-season testing is currently set to remain barred, the Team Principal has explained that the duo is still able to contribute to other projects within the organisation.

With Giancarlo Fisichella already signed as Ferrari reserve driver for 2010, the team revealed on Wednesday that the ex-Force India pilot could still be loaned to other teams in order to maintain his racing experience next year.

With regulations stating that no circuit running can be performed outside of Grand Prix weekends, though, test drivers' work is limited to the winter.

"It's true that development work is now done by the race drivers but we use test drivers for promotional engagements and work on road cars," the Team Principal explained to Gazetta dello Sport of Italian Badoer and his Spanish team-mate. "We'll find a solution for him and for Marc Gené."

Source: GP Update

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Williams and Force India rejoin FOTA

Following meetings at Monza on Wednesday, the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has announced that the previously suspended Williams and Force India teams are now part of the group once again, which is also inviting Formula One's new entrants to join for 2010.

FOTA made history last year as all F1 teams officially grouped together for the first time in order to ensure a safer future for the sport; however, controversy reigned in the Spring of this year when, amid the argument surrounding governing body the FIA's proposed budget cap, both Williams and Force India were banned from further meetings after submitting early, full entries for the 2010 campaign.

With the bickering now over, however, FOTA welcomes back the two teams as well as openly inviting the debutant Campos, Manor and USF1 squads for next year - the latter has in fact already submitted an application for membership.

'The FOTA Executive Committee looks forward to working with the FIA and Commercial Rights Holder to promote a healthy, dynamic and sustainable sport,' a FOTA Wednesday press release reads.

'To this end, FOTA intends to now enter into open discussion with the Commercial Rights Holder (Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management) with the wish to confirm arrangements beyond 2012. Furthermore, FOTA will now arrange a seminar, open to representatives of the major stakeholders (including Media, Sponsors and Promoters), to discuss how working together we can develop the show creating a more attractive spectacle for the fans.'

Source: GP Update

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Ferrari: Fisichella could race for others in 2010

Ferrari have explained that Giancarlo Fisichella, despite being contracted to the Italian team as reserve driver next year, could still be loaned to other teams in order to maintain his racing prowess. The Rome driver will compete alongside Kimi Räikkönen as stand-in for Felipe Massa for the rest of this season.

Having been selected to drive at Ferrari and released early from his Force India contract, Fisichella will realise a dream at Monza this weekend by competing in his home Grand Prix for the country's legendary motoring name. With a transfer to the Scuderia's test team for 2010, however, the F1 racing career of the 36-year-old would have appeared to be over come the end of this season.

"There are no clauses that would stop him from racing with other teams," Team Principal Stefano Domenicali explained to Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. "On the contrary, in fact - he could keep himself trained that way." With a return to Force India a possibility, suggesting which other team Fisichella would race with is more of a puzzle, with only Toro Rosso being linked to Ferrari through an engine deal.

Source: GP Update

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Schumacher welcomes Fisichella to Ferrari

Had he not injured his neck whilst motorcycling in February, Michael Schumacher could have found himself on the grid for Ferrari this weekend although the German, who was unable to substitute for Felipe Massa this season, has wished Giancarlo Fisichella all the best ahead of the Roman's first Ferrari race.

With Massa having been injured in Hungary, Schumacher unable to replace him and reserve driver Luca Badoer off the pace in Valencia and Spa, Fisichella becomes the fourth Ferrari race pilot this year.

"I saw Giancarlo yesterday at the eSafety event (pictured at top with former Ferrari Team Principal Jean Todt) and could welcome him into the Ferrari family," seven-time Champion Schumacher said wrote on his website. "Of course I wish him well for Monza.

"We've know each other for so many years - and we still often play football together for the Nazionale Piloti team - that I can imagine well what it means for him to be a driver for Ferrari now. Ok, then: welcome to the club, Giancarlo."

Source: GP Update

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Domenicali predicting tough weekend in Italy

Stefano Domenicali fears that Ferrari may be in for a rough ride at Monza as the Scuderia heads home for the final race of the European season. Despite being one of only three teams to be running KERS, the Team Principal worries the raw pace of rivals' cars may outweigh any advantage which the Maranello squad holds.

With KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) onboard, the Ferrari, McLaren and Renault drivers are expected to enjoy an additional two tenths of a second off each lap time during the Grand Prix, although Domenicali is unsure whether a second consecutive victory is a realistic goal for Ferrari.

"We know it will be difficult to repeat because our rivals continue to develop their cars and we do not," he explained to Italy's La Stampa, "but we must be ready to exploit the mistakes of others."

Stefano hopes that Ferrari new boy Giancarlo Fisichella is able to at least score World Championship points this weekend alongside Kimi Räikkönen but also revealed his own feelings over the F1 return of the seven-time World Champion. "The way Michael responded to our call - I think in his mind there is always the desire to go back to being a driver," Domenicali said of Schumacher, who was unable to replace Felipe Massa this year due to a neck injury picked up from a motor cycle accident in February.

Felipe Massa was Ferrari's best Monza finisher last year, coming home in sixth place
"Otherwise, he observed and he hung up his helmet - but never say never. The third machine? It remains a winning solution that would do only good for Formula One; we'll talk with the FIA (governing body) and (Bernie) Ecclestone (commercial rights holder)."

As Ferrari ponders the possibility of running three cars per team, Domenicali also moved to spell out recent reports of multiple MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi being called by the team in past weeks. "That has already clarified," he said plainly. "We, at this time, need maximum points and we decided accordingly, so the idea of Monza was more of a dream for his admirers - but for Vale, it might still be an exciting challenge one day."

Source: GP Update

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Santander-Ferrari confirmation expected on Thursday

After first being reported back in November, final confirmation of Santander's sponsorship of Ferrari is expected on Thursday. The news of the Spanish banking group's move from McLaren to Ferrari could also be the first piece of the driver jigsaw fitting into place ahead of the 2010 season.

With the silly season in full swing, Santander - owners of Abbey in the UK since 2004 - will make the move from McLaren to Ferrari after three seasons with the Woking team.

The group made its entrance to Formula One, which includes title sponsorship of Grands Prix, in 2007 when Fernando Alonso moved to McLaren although an early exit from the former double Champion came as unexpected.

With Alonso highly tipped to be joining Ferrari next year, however, Santander's move looks all the more logical. The company is the largest bank in Spain and, according to Reuters, Chairman Emilio Botin and Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo are expected to announce the partnership together on Thursday.

Source: GP Update

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Brazilian brewery to sponsor Brawn

Brazilian beer Itaipava will be advertised on the Brawn GP cars of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button for a special one-race deal at the penultimate Grand Prix of the season. The Cervejaria Petrópolis brewery has linked up with the championship-leading team for the event in Sao Paulo only.

The link-up with Brawn marks the first move into Formula One for Itaipava, manufactured by the third-largest brewery in Brazil. The logo of the drink will be seen on the nose cones and sidepods of the two cars as well as on the helmets of Button and Barrichello.

"Brawn GP is delighted to welcome Cervejaria Petrópolis and their Itaipava brand to the team and to Formula One for the very first time," commented Brawn CEO Nick Fry of the company founded in 1994.

"The Brazilian Grand Prix is always a great event with a fantastic atmosphere and we are very proud to be associated with a prestigious Brazilian company for their home race. Our new partnership should prove to be very exciting as the season and the battle for the championship reaches its climax."

"We are very pleased to have agreed the partnership between Cervejaria Petrópolis and Brawn GP for the Brazilian Grand Prix," added Douglas Costa, Corporate Marketing Manager at Cervejaria Petrópolis. "Raising awareness of the Itaipava brand and our responsible driving message through involvement in motorsport is extremely important to our company strategy and our first venture in Formula One is designed to take this awareness to a wider audience through the global reach of the sport."

Source: GP Update

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Massa: Button battling pressure for the title

2008 championship runner-up Felipe Massa believes that Jenson Button's main rival is pressure and not Brawn team-mate Rubens Barrichello with just five Grands Prix still to run this season. The Ferrari driver, who continues to recover from his Hungary accident, claims that the leading strain is beginning to affect the Englishman.

Having won six of the opening seven races this year, Jenson Button and Brawn GP looked comfortable although, with over half of the season still remaining at that point, more recent races have proven that a turnaround from rivals was possible; although Ferrari and McLaren - winners in Hungary and Belgium - may be out of touch in the title race, Button can still lose crucial points to last year's contenders.

"Look at me - I came to Brazil (seven) points behind (Lewis Hamilton) and I almost won the championship," Ferrari's Massa recalled to The Guardian of last year's Interlagos finale. "That was one race. Rubens has five races to close in by 16 points - it's a big possibility but it depends on Jenson; if Jenson carries on in this bad way it will help Rubens a lot. In my opinion, Jenson has gone down because of the pressure, it's the only reason."

Retirement in Belgium was Button's first since the British Grand Prix of last year
Since his last win in Turkey, Frome's Button has notched up results of sixth, fifth, two seventh places and one retirement in the last five races. "At the start of the season everything was nice, everything was easy," Massa continued. "He was in a new team, winning six out of the first seven races - that's different to fighting hard for the championship.

"Now he has a different kind of pressure. In the earlier races he was almost half a second quicker than some teams; you win the race easily - and there is not so much pressure - but now we have races where things are more difficult. So, for me, the pressure has had a big impact on his mind and he needs to deal with it better. If he does not cope with the pressure he will not win the championship.

Source: GP Update

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Monza kerb change good news for Brawn

Formula One governing body the FIA has revealed that larger kerbs have been installed to deter drivers from cutting chicanes at Monza. The new installations, similar to those in Barcelona and the Nürburgring, should help the championship-leading Brawn cars which ride kerbs worse than rivals.

With Brawn GP hoping to limit damage to its championship leads against the six KERS cars at Monza this weekend, Team Principal Ross Brawn spoke of the ability to ride the kerbs ahead of the 80th Grand Prix at the legendary venue.

"The aerodynamic efficiency of the car is crucial so we have a specific package designed to minimise drag levels and achieve the high top speeds required," he explained. "Good engineering can make a significant difference at Monza so we'll be working hard to get the car set up well to allow our drivers to be aggressive over the kerbs."

What Ross didn't know at that point, however, was that modifications have been made to the Rettifilo and Roggia chicanes which sees the 'combination kerbs' placed on the apexes of the corners; any car which does cut the corner, therefore, will almost certainly damage its front wing and floor.

Source: GP Update

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Massa escaped blindness by a millimetre

Felipe Massa has explained that a distance as small as one millimetre was all it took to decide whether he had or had not lost sight in his left eye following his Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying crash. Thankfully, the Brazilian is on the road to making a full recovery following his freak accident in Budapest 45 days ago.

Whilst approaching the Hungaroring's Turn 4 on Saturday 25 July, Massa's helmet visor was struck by a flying metal spring - weighing 800g and at speeds of approximately 160mph - which had detached itself from compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car.

"You need to think about luck in different ways," Massa told The Guardian after being asked whether he considers himself lucky to be alive or unlucky to be involved in such an incident. "I was actually very unlucky with the spring in my face," he laughed.

"But I was very lucky as well. Every doctor said the same: if the spring had gone one millimetre to the right, I would have lost my sight. One millimetre to the left and who knows? I could have been brain damaged. So I was very lucky and this is more important because it is my life.

Cosmetic surgery for Massa (in the region of the left eye socket) proved successful on Monday and the Ferrari driver now continues to recover at home in São Paulo with the target being to return to the Formula One grid next year.

Source: GP Update

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'Adaptation key to Monza success' - Fisichella

Giancarlo Fisichella has admitted that he will be needing to get used to the change of car as quickly as possible when first free practice begins at Monza on Friday. The Italian will achieve the life-long dream of driving for Ferrari at his home Grand Prix but has noted several key changes to bear in mind.

Although the Force India-Mercedes VJM02 chased the Ferrari F60 to the chequered flag last time out at Spa, Fisichella will now need to use the KERS device which prevented him from winning in Belgium. "The dream has come true and now the challenge is not really easy," he admitted.

"I'm starting from the beginning with a new car, a new team and a new steering wheel - I found a very open atmosphere here at Maranello. I know that in Monza I can count on two forces I didn't have before; the KERS - which means 70 to 80 brake horse power more, and we can see that this was what I was missing at Spa when I was behind Räikkönen - and the Ferrari fans' enthusiasm…I have to give them everything back, with results a driver with my experience can gain."

The last podium result for 'Fisi' before Spa came for Renault at the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix although the Roman is now hoping for a second consecutive rostrum placing. "With my feet on the ground, if I gain places on the podium or win then it's on merit," he added. "After Friday's emotion I will lower my visor, put it in first gear and give it 100 per cent."

Source: GP Update

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Vettel: Expectations higher in 2009

The 2008 Italian Grand Prix will forever be remembered for the magical moment when Scuderia Toro Rosso won its home race and Germany's Sebastian Vettel became the youngest ever winner in Formula One. Now with sister team Red Bull and a contender for the championship, the 22-year-old is hoping for more success.

A repetition of the rain of last year's race at legendary Monza could come as good news for Vettel, whose engine situation is perilously close to resulting in a 10-place grid drop if a ninth unit is used during the season; the German currently has one new powerplant remaining plus previously used engines although four Renault blowups have proven costly in 2009.

"Without a doubt, Monza 2008 is one of my best memories, as it was when I scored my first F1 win after taking my very first F1 pole," said Vettel, who has since notched up a further three poles and two Grand Prix victories this season. "It was a perfect weekend and one I will remember always, whatever else I achieve during my career."

With five races to go this year, Italy marks the final European race of the campaign before the teams head to Asia and South America for the Singapore, Japan, Brazil and United Arab Emirates races. "Monza is, in any case, a special appointment on the calendar as you can really feel the history of the place," Vettel continued, "especially as, just a short walk from the paddock, you can see impressive banked corners of the old oval track."

After making his F1 debut for BMW at Indianapolis two years ago, Vettel now finds himself 19 points behind championship leader Jenson Button and the leading non-Brawn driver in the standings. "Things have changed a lot in the space of 12 months," he continued. "Although - at this point last year - the Toro Rosso car was improving and, even if we saw we were competitive even in Friday practice, my pole and win were something of a surprise to everyone.

"This year, Red Bull Racing and Mark (Webber) and I are fighting for the championship titles, so we are considered front-runners; it doesn't put me under any more pressure but it does mean that our expectations are higher."

Source: GP Update

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Plastic surgery successful for Massa

The latest phase of Felipe Massa's recovery is running smoothly, Ferrari can confirm. The Brazilian, who suffered a freak accident in qualifying ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, spent approximately four and a half hours in surgery on Monday but is now resting following a successful procedure.

Having been struck in the head by an 800g steel spring at the Hungaroring, Massa remained in Budapest's ÁEK hospital for nine nights before flying home to São Paulo, Brazil.

Two Sundays ago the Ferrari driver, who has since slipped to ninth in the Drivers' Championship, travelled to the United States in order to visit specialist Professor Stephen Olvey in Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The Brazilian underwent surgery in his hometown on Monday for roughly four and a half hours as doctors performed cosmetic surgery to the area of Felipe's head - just above the left eye socket - which was struck by the flying object. Massa will remain in hospital for a short time before returning home to continue physical preparations ahead of his F1 return in 2010

Source: GP Update

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Renault: Significant gains with KERS

The Renault team will be reintroducing the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend as the French squad is confident that a noteworthy increase in performance can be gained by doing so. Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering, explains the team's decision.

Having elected - with Ferrari, McLaren and BMW - to run KERS at the start of the season, Renault abandoned use the device after the Malaysian Grand Prix - with only the former two using the system at Spa last time - out although Symonds is confident that bringing KERS back is the right decision for the Italian Grand Prix.

"There are three aspects of KERS that need to be considered," he explained. "Lap time, the advantage it gives from the start and the ability to assist overtaking." KERS functions by collecting kinetic energy dissipated in the car's engine (whilst off the throttle), storing it in a battery and allowing drivers to use this for a power boost at the push of a button; horsepower is then able to increase by 80 for 6.6 seconds per lap.

"Firstly, the gain in lap time of running KERS at Monza is likely to be around a quarter of a second and it's worth even more in qualifying, as you can do one release before you start a timed lap and another release during the timed lap," Symonds continued, referring to the fact that KERS' energy amount automatically defaults to full as a car crosses the start/finish line.

"In terms of the advantage at the start, it's a long way from the grid to the first corner at Monza and KERS will give an advantage of well over fifteen metres compared with non-KERS cars. For assisting overtaking, you have to remember that Monza is a circuit where it's very difficult to overtake but running KERS certainly won't disadvantage us in that respect. All these factors combine to make Monza a very favourable circuit for KERS."

Source: GP Update

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The car is yours, Fisichella tells Massa

Giancarlo Fisichella has said that he has no desire to seek a full-time race drive at Ferrari, having been confirmed as replacement for Felipe Massa for the final five races of the season. The Italian will remain at the Scuderia as test driver in 2010 and looks forward to the return of the injured Brazilian.

With Massa having been hurt in a freak qualifying crash on Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Fisichella takes over from reserve pilot Luca Badoer from the Italian Grand Prix onwards. However, the Roman has wished Massa all the best and hopes to see the Paulista driving in Formula One again as soon as possible.

"I spoke with Massa by phone and he told me he's very happy for me and that I was the right choice," 'Fisico' told Italian news agency ANSA. "I replied that I'm very sorry about what happened to him and told him to get better soon: 'Whenever you want your car come and take it because this is yours. I just hope I can do what you would have done.'

"I began my career with Minardi in 1996 and, after nearly 14 years, I had pretty much given up hope of driving a Ferrari so I'm filled with happiness and pride now." Giancarlo add that only one fellow competitor has wished him luck ahead of his debut for the Scuderia, with that man being another former Ferrari driver.

"He congratulated me," he said of Brawn's Rubens Barrichello. "We've been good friends since we were 14." Finally, Fisichella explained the moment he told his father - a mechanic working in Rome - the big news: "He's my No. 1 fan and he was waiting anxiously…he kept on asking me and I didn't know what to tell him! It was one of the most beautiful moments of our lives."

Source: GP Update

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Renault reintroduces KERS for Monza

Romain Grosjean is planning to last for longer than half a lap as Formula One moves to Italy this weekend. The unfortunate Frenchman became entangled in the first-lap collision which took four cars out of the Belgian Grand Prix although the Renault driver is hoping to make use of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) at Monza.

Having first appeared in F1 with a strong outing in Valencia, Grosjean's Spa weekend resulted in no more than a back row grid slot and a multiple collision. "My race was very disappointing," he confirmed. "I had some problems in qualifying, so I started at the back of the grid, but at the start of the race things were looking good as I made up five or six places on the first lap - then I got caught up in the incident at Turn 5."

As the sport moves from one classic venue to another, Renault has revealed that it is bringing back its KERS as Monza presents both chicanes to charge the unit and long straights for its deployment. "We will be using KERS this weekend so I will need to get used to that during free practice on Friday, as I've not used it before," he continued. "It should give us an advantage, especially at the start of the race.

"My aim is to do better than I did in Spa so I need to make it through to at least Q2, get a good grid position and finish the race. At the moment I am still learning about Formula One and I will continue to use every opportunity and every lap to improve as a driver and help the team. I'm continuing to build a good relationship with my engineers, which of course plays an important role in getting the most from the car."

Source: GP Update

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Asturias buzzing after Alonso visit

Spanish crowds were delighted to witness the homecoming of hero Fernando Alonso on Saturday as the former double World Champion travelled to hometown Oviedo in order to star in Renault's latest roadshow. The Renault driver took a Formula One car home for the first time at the weekend in front of 170,000 onlookers.

With the huge crowds delighted to hear the sound of a V8 F1 engine in town, Alonso sampled last year's race-winning R28 in 2009 livery. A temporary 1.8km (1.1m) circuit was configured in the centre of the city at Plaza de America in order for Fernando to perform a series of dramatic moves, including tyre burnouts and donuts.

"It has been a beautiful day and a dream come true for me," Alonso said after driving for personalities such as Mayor Gabino de Lorenzo. "I have to say a big 'thank you' to the government of Oviedo and also to Renault for allowing me to have a roadshow in my home city; Oviedo should be very proud of this event because less than twenty cities have had the opportunity to see a Formula One car on their streets.

"I was pleased to see so many fans come along and watch the show and I hope that everybody enjoyed the event - I think this was the perfect way to reward my supporters and to show the people of Oviedo the excitement of Formula One." The Mayor also announced that a street in the city is soon to be named after Alonso, World Champion of 2005 and 2006.

Source: GP Update

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Ecclestone hoping to lower ticket prices

Good news for Formula One fans this weekend is that commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone is hoping to reduce ticket prices at Grands Prix. The Englishman, head of Formula One Management (FOM), has explained that overall cost-cutting in the sport will help to lower entrance fees.

With F1 fans and drivers alike having raised the point of ticket prices this year - particularly when attendances were noticeably low in Turkey - Ecclestone agrees that both ticket prices should be slashed and drivers should be more accessible to their fans.

"The problem is, the cost of running teams today is just crazy but now we are getting the teams to come to their senses and reduce expenditure dramatically," Ecclestone commented. "When that happens we won't have to produce so much money for them and, therefore, we can ask for less money for the promoter and the ticket prices will come down - we want that to happen as soon as possible."

The former Brabham team boss does think, however, that F1 competitors remain too concealed from the supports of the sport. "I still think we should be doing an awful lot more to make the drivers more exposed to the public," Bernie continued. "We have a few things, like autograph sessions and things like that, so they are slowly coming round.

"The trouble is, if one or two of the top guys won't do it, the other guys say 'Why should we if they won't?'. I've always said that the guy who's World Champion owes an awful lot to the sport so, if he took the lead, other people would follow; the incredible thing is, as I pointed out the other day, when Michael Schumacher was driving for Ferrari he had a contract with a television company saying that he wouldn't have an interview with anybody else until he had spoken to them.

"This is the sort of thing we have always been up against, I'm afraid. They don't want to - they could but they don't want to - but you can't make people do what they don't want to do; if they are doing it but not being sincere about it, it's a waste of time."

Source: GP Update

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Hamilton prepared to adapt in Italy

World Champion Lewis Hamilton admits that this year's preparations for the Italian Grand Prix will unusual in that the customary pre-event testing at the parkland circuit will not take place. With the in-season testing ban still in full swing, no running will be seen until first practice on Friday morning.

With the test having been a suitable warm-up for the field, its absence will be strange for Hamilton to get used to. "Since we no longer test at Monza before the Italian Grand Prix, it will take the drivers a bit of acclimatisation to get used to running in low downforce at this high-speed circuit," the McLaren driver explained.

"It's a real challenge to get the setup right because there's never an ideal compromise between speed along the straights and through the corners; it's never easy to keep the car on the track because it slides all the time.

"At most tracks, you feel like the downforce is sticking you to the track at high speeds, but not at Monza - it's like you are skating across the surface but it's a fantastic circuit - our car has traditionally gone well there so I am looking forward to another competitive weekend."

Source: GP Update

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Indian company puts in BMW offer

An Indian consortium has placed an offer to buy the BMW Sauber team. The German manufacturer will be leaving Formula One at the end of 2009 after four full seasons in the sport and latest reports from India explain that the company in question is linked to A1 Grand Prix driver Neel Jani, whose father is Indian.

With the Hilwil-based outfit hoping to stay in F1 once Bavaria's BMW has exited the sport, the Indian group is reported by the Times of India to have placed an offer in the region of €50m ($43.6m).

Team Principal Mario Theissen continues to work with Peter Sauber, ex-team owner and now 20 per cent shareholder, but has stated that the bid from India is one of a selection to be considered. "There are several interested parties and we are just about to evaluate the individual proposals," he explained.

Source: GP Update

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