FORMULA 1 2009

[MIKA27]

Kimi: Makes no difference who my team-mate is

Kimi Raikkonen has downplayed the impact Michael Schumacher's return to the grid could have on his own Valencia GP, saying it makes no difference to him who his team-mate is.

Schumacher could make a sensational comeback at the upcoming European GP as, depending on his fitness, he is set to replace the injured Felipe Massa.

However, some have already expressed concerns about how Schumacher's return will impact on Raikkonen.

"I've been massively critical of Raikkonen, and I think this is going to be the big wake-up call for him," said former team boss Eddie Jordan. "You will see a new Raikkonen because he will not want to be disgraced by Michael Schumacher."

But EJ isn't the only one who believes Raikkonen will need to up his game or risk being upstaged by a 40-year-old.

Former World Champ Niki Lauda reckons "the most interesting thing will be to see him up against Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari - who will be faster? Put it this way: Kimi has to get his act together or be shown up."

Raikkonen, though, is calm about the prospect of facing the seven-time World Champ in the same car.

"For me it makes no difference who drives the second car. I don't think it is 100 per cent sure that he will drive as he is still checking things out. But it will be nice to have him as a team-mate. It nearly happened before," he said.

As for his usual team-mate Felipe Massa, Raikkonen has wished the Brazilian a speedy recovery from the injuries he sustained in Hungary.

"I want to wish Felipe well again. He had an incredible accident on last Saturday and I think that he was on everybody's mind in the Scuderia Ferrari and the drivers on the grid," said the Finn.

"I know that his condition is improving constantly and I'm glad to hear that. I really hope that he'll be alright soon and get back on the track."

MIKA: The last line said it all..... If Kimi doesn't get his act together, Schumi WILL up stage him and Kimi will wish Massa returns. But saying that, Massa is alot more consistant than Kimi anyway.

[OZCUBAN]

New deal ends F1 breakaway fears

Mosley agreed the new deal with F1 teams on Friday night

The future of Formula 1 has been secured after the sport's governing body and 12 teams put pen to paper on a new Concorde Agreement.

The agreement, which runs until the end of 2012, brings to a close months of wrangling between the FIA and the Formula 1 Teams' Association (Fota).

The FIA said the signing heralds "a renewed period of stability" for F1.

It added that the document features a "slightly revised set of stable sporting and technical regulations."

The lack of a new Concorde deal - the document that sets out how F1 is run and its revenues distributed - had been a key sticking point during disagreements between the FIA and Fota earlier this season.

However, the signing of the new agreement heralds a final resolution to the political rows that have destabilised the sport throughout 2009.

An FIA statement on Saturday read: "Following approval by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), late last night FIA President Max Mosley signed the 2009 Concorde Agreement, heralding a renewed period of stability for the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"The WMSC has also approved a slightly revised set of stable Sporting and Technical Regulations (to apply from the 2010 Championship onwards), which have been agreed by the FIA and the Teams and which will be published on the FIA's website.

"The new Concorde Agreement, which runs until 31 December 2012, provides for a continuation of the procedures in the 1998 Concorde Agreement, with decisions taken by working groups and commissions, upon which all teams have voting rights, before going to the WMSC for ratification.

The FIA statement also confirmed that a final agreement had been reached over the issue of cost-cutting along lines previously agreed.

"In addition, as agreed in Paris on 24 June 2009, the Teams have entered into a resource restriction agreement, which aims to return expenditure to the levels that prevailed in the early 1990s," read the statement.

BMW Sauber, who this week confirmed they would pull out of F1 at the end of the season, are the only current team to have not signed the document, with new grand prix teams USF1, Campos Meta and Manor GP all doing so.

It is understood BMW's bosses have until Wednesday 5 August to sign the document should they elect to stay in F1 in 2010 and beyond.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone expressed his pleasure at the resolution, suggesting that delays in the agreement had resulted from a clash between the teams and Mosley.

Ecclestone had said a breakaway would be a 'disaster' for F1

"It's taken a long time because we've now got this team trade union which is difficult to operate because inside the trade union there is all the teams which in themselves are trade unions and they can't agree themselves what they want to do," Ecclestone told BBC 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"They've been opposed to Max Mosley who wants to reduce the costs, which has proved to be necessary and that's what its all been about.

"They think Max has run things the way he wants to and in the end they wanted to do their own Championship, which they should have known they couldn't do anyway.

"It's all done now, everybody's signed so it's all good."

F1 was thrown into confusion in July when the eight teams in the rebel umbrella group Fota were told they were not entered in the 2010 championship.

This contradicted an announcement by the FIA's world council on 24 June which listed McLaren, Ferrari, Renault, BMW, Toyota, Brawn, Red Bull and Toro Rosso as confirmed entries after Max Mosley, president of F1's governing body the FIA, had reached a compromise deal with Fota chairman and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Ecclestone.

As part of that agreement, the outline of next year's rules was set, the teams agreed to commit to F1 until 2012, Mosley's plan for a £40m budget cap was replaced with an agreement to reduce costs to "mid-1990s levels" by Fota's methods and the FIA president agreed not to stand again for the governing body's presidence in October's elections.

Oz There will be peace in our time

[MIKA27]

Webber: Schumacher could win a race

Mark Webber says it's feasible that Michael Schumacher will win a race when he returns to the Formula One grid.

The 40-year-old German is set to compete in this month's Valencia GP, replacing the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

However, after three years in retirement there are some questions about Schumacher's ability.

Webber, though, is confident that the seven-time World Champ still has what it takes to win grands prix.

"Michael is a world class driver, he'll be back and he'll win a race, I think he'll win a race this year," the Red Bull driver told BBC Sport's Inside F1 programme.

"He's a ferocious competitor - he'll be a force, no question about it."

He added: "It's a great challenge for him again.

"He's had a few years out but he's been occupying himself fantastically with other sports, one being motorbikes and he's been riding those pretty quick.

"So, he's going to be in pretty good shape."

MIKA: Now that is an understatement!

[MIKA27]

Ralf: Absolutely great

Ralf Schumacher has hailed his brother Michael's return to Formula as the best thing that could happen for the sport.

40-year-old Michael, who retired from F1 at the end of the 2006 season with record-breaking seven World titles, is set to make a brief comeback as he replaces the injured Felipe Massa.

Already F1 personalities, past and present, have welcomed the news with Ralf now adding his opinion.

"He was itching to come back. But no one expected that," Ralf told German television network N-24. "After all the bad headlines on the sport recently this is absolutely great.

"Nothing better could have happened for Formula One than my brother coming back."

MIKA: Another great driver in my opinion. May have only won 6 GP's but his consistency for points and podiums earns him his own reputation. Wish Ralph returned.

[MIKA27]

Button: I have to take my chance

Jenson Button is determined to seize his world championship opportunity this season but admits his rivals are closing fast.

The Brawn driver holds a healthy 18.5-point lead in the championship thanks to an outstanding start to the year but three races without a podium finish has given others hope.

The Red Bull pair of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are proving his closest challengers and Button admits it will take hard work to stay ahead.

"When you have the opportunity you have to take it," Button told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"This opportunity is the best I have had in Formula One by far and you have to take it. There might not be an opportunity again.

"It's got be head down focusing on getting the best out of the car every race we go to.

"At the moment I am leading the world championship, which is a great position to be in, but the last three races for us have been a little bit more difficult than we expected.

"We can put it all down to the cooler climates. Even in Hungary the circuit was a lot cooler on Sunday than it was earlier in the week.

"But it is down to us to make the car work in those cold conditions, that is what we need to work out and solve.

"If we don't solve those issues we are going to be gobbled up by the Red Bulls because they seem to be working in hot and cold weather."

The Brawn team, formed earlier this year after Honda pulled out of the sport, inherited a strong infrastructure from the Japanese manufacturer.

There have been suggestions, however, that the funding from the Honda-backed developments is now running out and that is the reason why Brawn are being caught.

But Button said: "We have the money and resources to achieve great things but everyone is moving so quickly we need to keep up.

"We've been through more difficult times so we can solve these problems for sure.

"We have just got to stay relaxed and make sure we get back to the front, which we will in Valencia.

"We need to beat the Red Bulls. We can't sit around and collect points, it is not enough."

The European Grand Prix in Valencia in three weeks' will see the return to the sport of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

The legendary German has agreed to drive for Ferrari as a short-term measure after Felipe Massa was seriously injured in a freak qualifying accident at last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Button said: "It's good for the sport but it's difficult to know how to feel about it because of Massa's situation.

"He is coming back because Felipe Massa has had a big accident so that is where the sadness comes from.

"But for Ferrari to still have Michael on the books is fantastic for them.

"Michael will be straight on the pace, he is going to be there for sure. Don't expect him to be sitting around at the back."

[MIKA27]

Ferrari's exclusive with Massa

Ferrari have published the first interview with Felipe Massa after the Brazilian was discharged from a Hungarian hospital on Monday morning.

Q: How do you feel? What do you remember from the accident?

FM: It is sort of a strange feeling. I know exactly what happened, that a spring came off Rubens' car and hit me on the helmet. I know that something happened to me, but I didn't feel anything when it happened. They told me that I lost consciousness at the moment of the spring's impact on my helmet and I ran into the barriers, then I woke up in hospital two days later. I don't remember anything and that's why what the doctors did had to be explained to me. When I saw Rob (Smedley, his race engineer), he asked me if I remembered Rubens, but the last thing I remembered was when I was behind him at the end of my fast lap in Q2, and than it's blank. It's difficult to explain. I'm feeling much better now and I want to recover as soon as possible to get back behind the wheel of a Ferrari."

Q: Do you want to thank anyone?

FM: First of all I want to thank God. Then I want to thank the doctors at the race track and at Budapest's AEK hospital, who have done a lot for me, and Dino Altmann, who came with my family from Brazil and who was extraordinary over the last days. But I also want to thank everybody who prayed and who wrote to me via my own and Ferrari's website, hoping that everything went well. So many people wrote to me, also many who aren't interested in Formula 1, but had heard about what happened to me: thank you so much and I want to tell them that I'm praying also for them. I would have done the same if an accident had happened to another driver: I would have prayed for him that everything went well."

Q: How much help was the fact that your family was here over the last days?

FM: My family is important to me. They have always been close to me during my career, victories and defeats, and the most difficult moments. There was only Edoardo at Budapest, but when the accident happened Raffaela, my father, my mother and then my sister came to Hungary. I know that they've suffered a lot and I want to thank them. And then there's another family I have to thank: the Ferrari family. They were great, they helped us in any possible way and it's a great thing to be part of this group."

Q: What's your first wish when you get back to Brazil?

FM: Coming back to my home, checking that everything is as it was before. Many things have happened over the last days and I want to get back to a normal life. I want to get back into the best possible condition, doing things you do every day."

Q: For a while your car will be driven by Michael Schumacher: do you have any advice for him?

FM: Michael doesn't need my advice! It was him who gave me many tips during my career when we were racing together. He knows how to win, he knows how to drive and he's great: it was the best choice handing over the car to such a fantastic person and I'm sure that everybody will be happy to see him back on the track again. Although I hope I'll be back on the track with Ferrari as soon as possible."

[OZCUBAN]

Fitness concerns over Schumacher

Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman has raised concerns over the fitness of the German legend ahead of his scheduled return to Formula 1 on 23 August.

"It is not sure yet the neck will hold and the comeback can be started," said Sabine Kehm on Wednesday.

F1 drivers' necks must be strong enough to cope with high G-forces and Schumacher admitted after testing on Tuesday that his "pinches a bit".

He will now undergo routine medical checks to determine if he can return.

Schumacher is set to deputise for Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix in Valencia after the Brazilian suffered serious head and eye injuries during qualifying for the Hungarian GP on 25 July.

He is a human being, and we have to make sure everything is fine

Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman

Since agreeing to step in for Massa - who is now recovering at home in Brazil - a week ago the 40-year-old has driven an old Ferrari F1 car at the team's Mugello test track in Italy and embarked on a rigorous training regime, resulting in him losing over six pounds in weight.

But it was made clear from the outset that any comeback, after almost three years in retirement, would largely depend on his fitness.

"From the very beginning it was made clear Michael would require medical checks. It is normal," said Kehm.

"It depends on medical investigations. Only after those will it be clear whether he will be able to drive.

"Michael is fully geared up, and fully on it. He has been for a week now. But he is a human being, and we have to make sure everything is fine."

Schumacher's neck problem was sustained in an accident during a motorbike test in Spain.

"I'm currently in the midst of my preparations for the upcoming race. I already lost three kilograms even if it is also important to me for to build up muscles," he said on his official website on Tuesday. "So all in all, the practice is going pretty well.

"I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit.

"We have to get a grip on that as my health is the priority - that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and with my wife too."

Seven-time world champion Schumacher won five championships with Ferrari and had been working as a consultant for the Italian team.

He does not want to make a full-time return to F1, but said he had to stand in for Massa because of his loyalty to Ferrari.

Oz Is the unimaginable about to happen A LATE SCRATCHING

One thing remains constant in F-1 is the total unpredictability of it .all i know is that I am hanging for valencia, but my favorite track is Spa

Cheers Oz

[OZCUBAN]

Hi All

Have had this pic for a week or so wasn't sure wether to post, didn't want to be perceived as bad taste

It is to me a very haunting pic.

Now i can understand how incredibly lucky Felipe was ,Remember Felipe was wearing one of the new generation Carbon- Fiber Helmets ,a lot stronger than helmets as old as 2-3 years ago

Cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

Hi OZ!!

Firstly: Michael Schumacher .... I believe he will be fit enough to race, I pray he is not scratched from competing. Remember, it was only a week ago that Schumi's 'spokespeople' were stating MS would not be driving nor was he 'interested' in getting back behind the wheel.

Secondly: Massa .... Whilst I share your concern for posting the pic, I do believe it is great you did nonetheless as it shows us all just how dangerous this sport is and that whilst these drivers are in the 'elite' field and earn astronomical amounts of money, this sport can KILL.

I hate it when I hear people say that F1 is NOT a sport when in fact it is and also, a sport where one is super fit.

That picture is haunting my friend.

[MIKA27]

Williams: We've got to keep Rosberg

Team boss Frank Williams believes the interest that Nico Rosberg is generating from other teams shows how good a driver he is.

Rosberg, who has been linked with McLaren recently, has scored all of Williams' 25.5 points this year and he finds himself fifth in the Drivers' Championship.

"In a way, it's great news because it tells us that we've got a very good driver," Williams said during an interview with Autosport. "But, of course, we've got to keep him. But it's good to know that lots of people want him.

"He just keeps getting better and better, and really knows what he wants to do. He never indicates that he's lost with the car and most of his practice sessions are just a straight line upwards in terms of improvement."

While Rosberg has been picking up the points and grabbing the headlines, his team-mate Kazuki Nakajima has struggled to make an impact.

Williams, though, remains happy with the Japanese driver's progress.

"Kazuki is in his second season and is still very young," added Williams. "He's better than people give him credit for because he's very brave and is frightened of nobody.

"He's still got some way to go, but he has not disappointed me."

MIKA: If Niko Rosberg gets the oportunity to leave Williams, he should take it. I hear alarm bells ringing because one only needs to look back at Ralph Schumachers' treatment... When Ralph was earning podiums and points, Frank was happy but given Ralphs performance in 2006 and 2007 (His last season) with a really S**t car, Frank dumps the guy!

I realise the above is 'motor sport' but what happened to loyalty and for management of teams to realise that sometimes a driver who is talented can not perform miracles with a bad vehicle.

Rosberg, a good driver should take heed and move on to McLaren or Ferrari if he ever gets the opportunity.

As for Kazuki, again, is it me or does this guy remind you of perhaps Takuma Sato!?

Now if Frank needs to remove anyone, it would be Kazuki and perhaps get Piquet Jnr who is in need of a ride.

[MIKA27]

'If Schu doesn't win it's because of the car'

Ross Brawn is relishing the prospect of seeing his former protégé Michael Schumacher return to Formula One later this month.

The Brawn GP boss masterminded Schumacher's seven World Championship triumphs - two with Benetton and five with Ferrari.

Now, when Schumacher hits the track in Valencia for the European Grand Prix on August 23, Brawn will be charged with the task of ensuring he does not disrupt Jenson Button's tilt at the title.

Although Schumacher has spent almost three years in retirement, Brawn is far from surprised the 40-year-old has come to Ferrari's aid with Felipe Massa sidelined with a fractured skull.

"After Massa's terrible accident, it was natural for him to say yes given the need of his old team," Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"In my opinion there is also another aspect to consider: the fact that this is for a limited time.

"Michael will return with his usual determination and seriousness, but above all with the intention of having fun.

"Personally, I admit I'm excited and can't wait to see him at work."

As far as Brawn is concerned, whether Schumacher adds to his 91 grand prix victories will be more to do with the car than the man himself.

Brawn, though, has no doubts Schumacher will quickly be back on the pace, adding: "I'm convinced he will be strong.

"He has to familiarise himself with the car, but I'm sure if he doesn't win one of the remaining races of the season it will not be his fault, but because Ferrari is not in a winning position."

[rckymtn22]

Too bad was hoping to see what he could do after being retired.

Injuries force Schumacher to call off F1 comeback

BERLIN (AP)—Michael Schumacher on Tuesday announced he has called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering injuries from a motorcycling crash earlier this year.

The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and hoped to return at this month’s European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain.

Schumacher said on his Web site he informed top Ferrari officials on Monday evening that “unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe.”

Schumacher, 40, retired at the end of the 2006 season. Since then, he has raced occasionally in a motorcycling series but was injured in a crash in February.

“The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe,” Schumacher said. “That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula One yet.

“I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible. However, much to my regret it didn’t work out,” he added.

“Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck” which arose after he tested an old Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy, Schumacher said.

The German won 91 races in 250 starts in an F1 career spanning 15 years beginning in 1991.

“I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me,” Schumacher said.

“All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races.”

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo thanked Schumacher for his loyalty to the team in attempting an F1 comeback.

“I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing,” Montezemolo said. “In the past few days, I could appreciate his great efforts and extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world.

“No doubt his return would have been good for Formula One and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again,” he added. “In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances.”

Schumacher’s younger brother, former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher, said the pullout was “a great shame for everyone who had been looking forward to Michael’s comeback.”

But he added that “it is absolutely clear that a burdensome Formula One commitment is not possible if (his) state of health does not allow it.”

Schumacher’s manager, Willi Weber, said the crash in February was “the most serious accident that Michael had in his motor sports career.”

“Michael was totally fit, that would not have been a problem,” he said. “But after the first test laps, there were no improvements in the area of the neck muscles.”

Ferrari announced that team test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massa’s place at Valencia. Badoer, a 38-year-old Italian, was first floated by Italian media after a crash took Massa off the race circuit.

The 28-year-old Massa underwent surgery on multiple skull fractures after he was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a protective tire barrier during qualifying for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

Montezemolo said Ferrari decided to give Badoer “the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver.”

Last week Schumacher said he was slimming down for the race, but complained of some neck pain.

“I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit. We have to get a grip on that as health has priority—that’s the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and, by the way, with my wife, too,” Schumacher said.

[MIKA27]

Talk bout being the bearer of bad news Rckymtn!!

I was so looking forward to Michaels return.

[OZCUBAN]

Me to for so many reasons

[OZCUBAN]

Hey Mika we are on the same amount of posts whoops were

[MIKA27]

Hey Mika we are on the same amount of posts whoops were

We are now OZ!

[MIKA27]

'Ferrari to pay-off Raikkonen'

Ferrari are reportedly set to dump Kimi Raikkonen at the end of this season, offering the Finn a massive pay-off to step aside for Fernando Alonso.

Rumours of Raikkonen's pending dismissal began last season when poor results and what appeared to be a lack of motivation on the 2007 World Champion's behalf grabbed headlines.

The speculation grew this year as the Finn competed in his debut World Rally Championship event, even revealing that rallying could be his future line of work when his current Ferrari deal expires at the end of 2010.

According to The Sun, a Formula One insider has revealed that the Scuderia are intent on dumping Raikkonen, offering him a massive pay-off.

'They say the Italian giants have told the 2007 World Champion he can have half the value of his 2010 contract - thought to be worth £25million - to end it one year early,' the tabloid has reported.

Should Raikkonen part ways with Ferrari at the end of the season it would pave the way for Alonso's arrival with the double World Champion believed to already have a contract for 2011.

MIKA: It's about time Scuderia arrived to what we all know about Kimi.... He's lazy, unmotivated and expects to just show up and drive. What happended to working with the team, being apart of the development of the vehicle you are driving.

He's just like Jacques Villeneuve, a has been, only Kimi wastes great opportunity because should he develop his raw talent of driving, he'd be fantastic.

He has no interpersonal skills to work well with a team or with his fans. Good riddance Kimi.

As for his replacement Alonso...... Don't get me started!

Ferrari is removing a slacker and replacing him with a whiny little excuse of a driver. Watch what happens if Ferrari don't give Alonso a great car. He'll run back to Flavio as he did when he was contracted to McLaren.

[OZCUBAN]

great post mika couldn't agree more

I don't think this leopard will change its spots

Oh and now were even

Cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

great post mika couldn't agree more

I don't think this leopard will change its spots

Oh and now were even

Cheers Oz

LOL!!!!!

One more week to go OZ before the next GP.

[MIKA27]

Renault's Appeal Hearing Is Underway

Renault's participation in this coming weekend's Valencia GP is on the line today as they face the FIA's International Court of Appeal in Paris.

Renault, who were slapped with a one-race suspension for "knowingly" sending Fernando Alonso out of the pits in Hungary with a tyre that was not properly attached, are seeking to have the punishment overturned.

However, in order to do so they will need to convince the hearing that they were not in breach of the FIA Sporting Regulations.

According to the Hungarian stewards Renault broke two regulations. The first being that 'Competitors must ensure their cars comply with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race' while the second states that 'it is the responsibility of the competitor to release his car after a pit stop only when it is safe to do so.'

Renault already have the backing of the Spanish motorsport federation who have argued that Alonso's penalty is "unusual" and "disproportionate."

Should the Court of Appeal agree with Spain they could either overturn the suspension entirely or opt instead to slap Renault with a monetary fine.

The decision is expected on Tuesday afternoon.

Renault are to be represented by engineering director Pat Symonds and technical director Bob Bell, while F1 race director Charlie Whiting is representing the FIA.

The hearing got underway at 10am local time.

MIKA: I'm not an Alonso fan but as an F1 supporter, this one match ban is ridiculous!

Why would Renault let alone any other team, "KNOWINGLY" allow 'a' vehicle to race with their wheel not fully secured?

Sure, once Renault (Alonso) realised the wheel was loose, Renault should have ordered Alonso to pull over immediately and THEN in turn did knowingly risk the safety of those on or near the track. If anything, Renault should be fined however I can't help but wonder if this entire incident of safety and negligence is amplified by what happened to Massa?

Let's hope there is not a third time where safety is overlooked or a vehicles reliability causes a horrific accident where someone could get killed.

[MIKA27]

Trulli fired up ahead of Valencia

With the summer break officially over, Jarno Trulli insists himself and Toyota are fired up and eager to get back to racing.

Although this year's Championship began on a high note for Toyota with the team challenging for podium finishes and even race wins, in keeping with tradition the highs were quickly followed by the lows.

While the team bagged 29.5 points in the first four grands prix, Trulli and his team-mate Timo Glock only managed to amass a further 12 in the next six events.

The team, though, is hoping that the summer break will have rejuvenated them as they try to recover their early-season form.

"My passion is racing so it's good to be getting back to the track. It seems like a long time since the last race so everyone in the team is fired up to come out fighting this weekend," said Trulli.

"Valencia is not such an exciting circuit for me but that doesn't matter so much if we are strong, which we were last year on this track.

"Unlike somewhere like Monaco, Valencia is actually very fast for a street circuit so that should suit our car pretty well. In fact, it doesn't really feel much like a street circuit at all because it is so much faster than other city tracks.

"We were in the top six last year in Valencia and that is my target this season. It was good to have both cars in the points in Hungary.

"The Valencia track has a different character so it's difficult to predict at this stage but my target is to score as many points as possible."

MIKA: Here's hoping Toyota do well. They are a good intermediate team who have the potential to be at the top considering the amount of money Toyota spend on testing and development which now I believe surpasss Ferraris' spending.

[MIKA27]

'Promotional' F60 run for Badoer

Luca Badoer will have two days to familiarise himself with Ferrari's F60 as he puts the car through its paces as part of a promotional video.

Badoer will make his Ferrari debut at Valencia this weekend, replacing the injured Felipe Massa. The Italian, though, has little experience in the Scuderia's 2009 challenger due to the ban on in-season testing.

As such Ferrari have organised a promotional outing for the 38-year-old that will allow him to adjust to the car.

Badoer, though, may not exceed the 100km per day limit imposed on the teams.

The team released a statement saying that on Monday 'the Scuderia will take up its work after a two-week break, which had been agreed with the other teams.

'Over the next three days the team will concentrate on the preparations for the races in Spain and Belgium, which will be held on the last two weekends in August.

'Next to Kimi Raikkonen, Luca Badoer will start into the races, debuting as an official Scuderia driver.

'Tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday, Luca will be part of a video shooting for promotional purposes behind the F60's wheel at the Fiorano race track.'

MIKA: A promotional 'Video' hey Ferrari?

BRILLIANT idea!!

What a perfect way to have the new driver 'Drive the new car' even if it is only 100km per day.

[rckymtn22]

BRILLIANT idea!!

What a perfect way to have the new driver 'Drive the new car' even if it is only 100mph which is hardly out of first gear.

I am reading the article as they can drive as fast as they want but no more than 100 kilometers a day.

[MIKA27]

BRILLIANT idea!!

What a perfect way to have the new driver 'Drive the new car' even if it is only 100mph which is hardly out of first gear.

I am reading the article as they can drive as fast as they want but no more than 100 kilometers a day.

[MIKA27]

Renault confirm Grosjean

French driver Romain Grosjean will replace Nelson Piquet Jr. behind the wheel of Renault's second car at Sunday's European Grand Prix.

The Formula One team said in a statement that Piquet's departure follows a "mutual agreement that this course of action is in the best interests of both parties."

"We are happy to give Romain the chance to start racing with the team," said Renault managing director Flavio Briatore.

"He is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills driving alongside Fernando as we take an aggressive approach to the second half of the season.

"We would also like to thank Nelson for his contribution during the time he has been with us and wish him all the best for the future."

Grosjean will race alongside Fernando Alonso at the European GP in Valencia, Spain, and for the remainder of the 2009 season.

"I am very proud that the Renault F1 Team has given me the chance to become a race driver," said Grosjean. "I'm looking forward to driving the R29 and helping the team get the best results possible.

"It's also an honor to be Fernando's teammate and to make my Formula One debut alongside a double world champion is especially motivating."

The 23-year-old Grosjean became part of Renault's Driver Development program in 2006 after winning the French Formula Renault title. In 2007, he was Formula 3 Euro Series champion, and in 2008 he won the GP2 Asia Series. This season he has been competing in the GP2 Series with Barwa Addax.

Lucas Di Grassi of Brazil will be Renault's third driver in Valencia, while continuing his GP2 series campaign.

MIKA: Damn this guy looks alot like a young Jarno Trulli.