FORMULA 1 2009

[MIKA27]

Ferrari to roll out new parts in Valencia

Although they've been on an enforced three-week holiday, Ferrari's engineers have been hard to work to add upgrades to their car for this weekend's European Grand Prix at Valencia.

The Scuderia have confirmed that the F60 will have modifications to the "front and rear wings and the diffuser" following extensive aero work and testing prior to the Hungarian GP last month.

And for those wondering how Ferrari have been able to make changes to the F60 when technical work is banned, the team had following explanation on their website: 'Although any sort of technical work was banned during the break, it is not illegal for engineers and technicians to spend idle moments on their holiday thinking about the car and how to improve it.

'Indeed given their racing DNA, it's hard to think of them doing otherwise! It is hoped that the aerodynamic updates and the result of this brainwork will see the momentum that resulted in Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro finishing on the podium in the last two races continue to produce results in the next few races.'

Ferrari haven't had the best of seasons and are a distant third in the Constructors' Championship. The team have all, but given up on catching the front two.

'It is the opposition on the track which provides the biggest challenge, as the two teams currently heading the classification are bound to be strong, while other teams have been showing signs of a renaissance in recent races,' their website stated. 'As established a few races ago, the Scuderia will be doing its all to hit its current target of finishing third in this year's Constructors' Championship.'

[MIKA27]

Kimi: The Podium Is Our Realistic Goal

Kimi Raikkonen has wished his new team-mate Luca Badoer good luck ahead of his first grand prix as a Ferrari driver.

Badoer, who last competed in a grand prix back in 1999, is making his return to F1 racing at this weekend's European GP, replacing the injured Felipe Massa.

"I'll have a new team-mate at Valencia. Instead of Felipe - and I want to wish him all the best for a speedy recovery again - there will be Luca Badoer," Raikkonen said.

"He has been the official Scuderia test driver for many years, and I'm glad that he finally got the chance to race a Ferrari. I really wish him good luck and I'm sure that we'll work well together."

As for his own European race, Raikkonen is hoping to continue with the form that carried him to the podium in Hungary where he finished behind Ferrari's old nemesis, McLaren, and helped the Scuderia to leapfrog Toyota for third place in the teams' battle.

"We got a good result in Hungary, which allowed us to climb back on the third place in the Constructors' Championship. This is the team's realistic goal for the final part of the season," he said.

"For myself I hope to win at least one race, after a third place in Monaco and a second at Budapest.

"In Hungary we seemed to be back to the duels we saw over the last two years, Ferrari vs. McLaren, but I don't think that this will be the case at the European GP.

"We're racing on a city circuit at Valencia, but with very different characteristics compared to the others and compared to Budapest, which is the fastest of them.

"This year we did quite well on tracks like this, just look at Melbourne - where I could have finished on the podium - Monaco and Budapest.

"Last year I didn't end the race at Valencia caused by an engine failure. So this year I want to return and maybe even gain a place on the podium. This is our realistic goal, although we know that it will be difficult."

MIKA: Is it not every teams realistic goal to get podium wins....

[MIKA27]

McLaren want to see more from Heikki

McLaren admit they want to see more from Heikki Kovalainen in the remaining eight races of the year.

Kovalainen has once again failed to outshine team-mate Lewis Hamilton and has just two fifth places and one eighth-place finish to his name.

The Finn's contract with McLaren runs out at the end of this season and team principal Martin Whitmarsh says he needs to deliver good results if he wants to stay with the team.

"Heikki is doing, as a team player, a fantastic job in this team," Whitmarsh said in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' media call. "On his own evaluation he has not raced as well as he would have liked and we would have liked him to this year.

"I was frankly just talking to him on the subject a few minutes before this call. He is working hard. A lot of us want to see Heikki get some good results this year, and that will ensure that he remains with us. That is certainly our wish. His goal going into Valencia this weekend is to win - and he is capable of winning the race this weekend.

"He has been a good qualifier, he has done some good qualifying times, and he is capable of qualifying well and winning this race. So that is what he is going to focus on, and I've just had that conversation with him. Then on Sunday evening he will start thinking about Spa, and that is what we want him to focus on - not all the speculation."

McLaren have already been linked with a whole host of drivers for next year, but Whitmarsh insists the team haven't held discussions with any other drivers.

"Speculation is normal," he said. "We are not commenting on it, but I can confirm that contrary to some of the speculation we are not in discussions with any other drivers outside this team at the moment."

MIKA: McLaren sure like their Finns but NO ONE can compare to 'MIKA HAKKINEN!".

[MIKA27]

Minor changes to 2010 qualifying

Formula One will once again see minor changes to the qualifying format for next year's Championship as the FIA takes into account the increased grid size and the ban on refuelling.

In 2010, the F1 grid will increase from 20 to 26 cars, which means instead of losing five cars per session in the opening two qualifying segments, eight will now be eliminated.

That will leave ten cars, as per the current system, to fight for pole position in the final qualifying segment.

There is, however, one big change to the final segment - and this should please Formula One fans.

Instead of the top-ten running on the fuel loads that they will use at the very start of the grand prix, they will now run on minimal fuel, allowing F1 fans to truly see who is the quickest.

This rule has been changed in order to accommodate the 2010 ban on refuelling.

MIKA: So this means , the teams will not refuel to the max but carry the minimum amount of fuel required to complete the race from the start. The most frugal engines or those driving to save fuel will lose less, suffer lower tyre wear, carry less fuel and therefore be potentially quicker as a result.

This is the only way we can really see who is quickest over one lap.

[MIKA27]

New front wing system for McLaren

McLaren's MP4-24 will head into this weekend's European Grand Prix in Valencia with a new front wing and rear floor.

The Woking-based team are eager to make it two wins a row following their victory in Hungary last month and they hope the upgrades will give them a big push.

"This coming weekend we have a new front wing system for the car to hopefully bring some more performance," team principal Martin Whitmarsh is quoted by Autosport.

"You will see that will be on one car in P1, with the new rear floor on the other car in P1... we need to back-to-back the new front wing and rear floor modifications, so by P2 both cars will have converged on the same specification."

Whitmarsh also believes KERS is one of the major reasons for the team's return to form in recent races.

"Now there is no doubt that KERS is an advantage," he added. "We have potentially a small lap time advantage, we have an overtake or defend advantage and certainly, if we can get near the front of the grid, then we have a launch advantage.

"At the beginning of the year we were frankly too far back on the grid to be able to exploit the launch advantage that KERS should be giving us, but it is now coming together and it is an advantage, and a real interesting technical challenge for everyone in the team and the drivers."

[MIKA27]

Klien determined to make the 2010 grid

Test driver Christian Klien is hoping to grab a 2010 race-seat with whoever buys the BMW-Sauber F1 team.

The team is up for sale after BMW announced they would be withdrawing from F1 at the end of this year's Championship.

However, should they find a buyer that doesn't necessarily guarantee them a place on the 2010 grid as BMW failed to sign the Concorde Agreement, thereby leaving their place open to other candidates.

But should the team be sold and make next year's starting line-up, Klien reckons he could be in pole position for a race-seat and if that doesn't happen, the 26-year-old Austrian is hoping to be signed by one of the already-confirmed three new teams.

"There have been requests throughout the season," he told his official website. "In F1 everything is always on the move.

"The new teams are very interested in drivers with experience but a certain long term perspective. At only 26 and with my sixth F1 season now I think I can offer both.

"But also the established teams are looking around for new drivers at the moment. A few drivers are on the way out or changing teams.

"Despite those requests that I have received the team from Hinwil would be my first choice. The technical resources are great and the passion for racing fits very well with my idea of an F1 team."

MIKA: Now there's a name I haven't heard in a while!

[IceChant]

@MIKA: I'm happy to see that I'm not the only freak that dreams to see Ralph Schumacher back, great driver with huge shadow of his brother and bad luck...

[MIKA27]

@MIKA: I'm happy to see that I'm not the only freak that dreams to see Ralph Schumacher back, great driver with huge shadow of his brother and bad luck...

That is what is so annoying with the general F1 fan... They keep comparing Ralph to his brother.

Michael is a legend, no doubt about it and whilst his brother is not as great a champion as MS, Ralph is still a fantastic driver who has consistancy and reliability as a driver along with the respect of many a fan.

He always scored points if not podiums. RS in his own right is a great driver and I do hope he returns.

[MIKA27]

Brawn: Sensational performance

Ross Brawn has praised Rubens Barrichello's "sensational performance" in Sunday's European GP.

Just a few short months after Barrichello lambasted the team, accusing them of team orders and sabotage, the Brazilian took to the top step of the podium, claiming the victory around the streets of Valencia.

It was his first win of the season, in fact his first in five years, and was nothing short of perfection according to his Brawn GP team boss.

"It's just a sensational performance," Brawn told the BBC.

"We have had these races where Rubens was very good in qualifying and it hasn't quite come together in the race, but today he was perfect.

"He pushed exactly where he needed to, and kept the gaps exactly what he wanted.

"And then when we got on the radio and said we had to push, then the little red lights came up. So it was just a fantastic performance."

As for Jenson Button, who only managed seventh place, equalling his worst result of the season, Brawn admits the blame for that rests with the strategy chosen for Button.

"In retrospect we should have been more aggressive in the strategy to put our guys at the front because he got bogged down in traffic and had a quick car he couldn't do anything with," he said.

"It worked for Rubens and didn't work for Jenson."

MIKA: That's motor sport for ya.

[MIKA27]

Rubens breathes new life into Title fight

Rubens Barrichello breathed new life into his Formula One Championship bid with a gritty and deserved victory on the baking streets of Valencia in Sunday's European Grand Prix.

The Brawn GP driver produced a superb drive from third on the grid to patiently overhaul the front-row starting McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen to claim his 10th career win - and first for five years.

After passing Kovalainen at the first pit stops, Barrichello dogged Hamilton until the Englishman's second stop on lap 37, when a miscommunication in the McLaren camp saw the Brazilian move into the lead.

Hamilton entered the pit for his stop just at the moment the team sent him a radio message informing him to continue, but with the driver committed, he arrived at his garage with the team not ready with a new set of tyres.

The wasted seconds were crucial in handing Barrichello a comfortable lead at the front after the second round of pit stops, and the 37-year-old looked untroubled as he ticked off the laps to the flag to claim his first win since the 2004 Chinese Grand Prix.

The Brazilian is now second in the title race, 18 points down on team-mate Jenson Button, and insists he can pip the Briton to the Drivers' crown come the end of the season.

"It's a great win, and of course it puts us into a better situation in the Championship and we just have to keep on working," he said.

"I think it's very, very much possible.

"It's been a weekend that I will never forget, especially because after five years [without winning a race], it's tough.

"Although you are pushing, there are some things that go through your mind - you want to do it for yourself, for your family and for your country."

Barrichello's victory will go some way to justifying his claim to one of the most competitive seats in grand prix racing, despite the fact many believed his career was over with the withdrawal of Honda over the winter.

With the formation of Brawn from the ashes of the Japanese operation, Barrichello was granted an unexpected extension to his long career, and the man who has started more grands prix than any other driver insists he is only just coming into his best form.

"I'm here because I love racing," he continued. "It was a really tough winter, but somehow I knew I was going to race.

"I work very hard, and I believe that is the only way to get into a better situation.

"I wished that I could carry on last year. People seemed to think that was it for me, but I have shown now that it wasn't.

"I always thought I had more in me. I think I have reached my peak."

A great day for Brawn was made better by Button's damage-limiting drive to seventh, ahead of his nearest rival in the drivers' standings heading into this race, Red Bull's Mark Webber, who finished outside the points in ninth.

Webber's team-mate Sebastian Vettel retired with a blown engine.

Hamilton, who came home just over two second behind Barrichello at the finish, explained the reasons for the pit-lane confusion that seemingly cost him a second win in succession.

He said: "I'd been saving as much fuel as I could to go a little bit longer, and I think I was probably a little unsure as to whether I had enough or I didn't have enough - the worst thing to do is to risk it.

"[The team] called me and I was just on my way in, I'd just gone inside the white line and was committed, and they then told me to do an extra lap.

"I would probably have lost too much time if I tried to continue."

Hamilton added: "We win and lose together. We had a great team effort to get here, so we cannot take second place for granted, or be disappointed that we did not get a win.

"I still believe it was a tremendous effort, and these things happen."

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen produced a solid drive to third place from sixth on the grid while Kovalainen failed to deliver on his front-row start as he came home fourth.

Williams' Nico Rosberg produced a typically consistent drive to fifth ahead of Renault's Fernando Alonso, while BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica took eighth and the final point.

Stand-in Ferrari driver Luca Badoer suffered a spin and a drive-through penalty on his way to a disappointing 17th, two places behind Renault new boy Romain Grosjean.

MIKA: You know, 18 points difference between Button and Barrichello sounds like alot and it is, BUT, in F1, anything can happen....

[MIKA27]

Massa to undergo more tests

Felipe Massa is to undergo more tests in the United States following his horrific accident.

The Ferrari driver is recovering at home in Brazil after he suffered a fractured skull and injury to his left during qualifying for the Hungarian GP.

Massa, who has since set his sights on a return to the sport in October, said on Sunday he will meet Dr Steve Olvey, a former medical director for CART and a specialist in racing injuries, in Miami over the next few days.

Olvey helped to treat Alessandro Zanardi after the Italian driver had his legs amputated following a crash in 2001.

Massa also thanked Rubens Barrichello after his compatriot dedicated his European Grand Prix victory to him.

"I talked to him and congratulated him for his fantastic victory," Massa said in a statement. "I took the opportunity to thank him for all he did to me. I confess that I was moved when I saw the writing on his helmet.

"I was another Brazilian fan cheering for him."

[MIKA27]

Badoer could be replaced after Spa

Luca Badoer's second stint as a Formula One driver could be cut short after next weekend's Belgium Grand Prix.

The Italian made a disastrous return to F1 at the European Grand Prix weekend. Not only did he finish last in the race, but he also received a drive-through penalty for touching the white line in the pit exits while on Friday he received fines for speeding in the pit lane.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali confirmed on Sunday that the 38-year-old will once again warm the injured Felipe Massa's seat at Spa despite his disappointing showing at Valencia.

"As I have said before, Ferrari cannot be satisfied with a car in last position," Domenicali said. "That is pretty clear, but we need to consider all the circumstances and everything that has happened. I think if you look behind it, for sure it was a difficult weekend for him.

"In terms of race pace, if you look to compare to the other young drivers, you can make your opinion. He did a great start and then he was touched from behind so he lost a place, and then in terms of rhythm - everyone was worried this morning about his health, worried about that it was not possible for him to get to the finish and that he would have to go to the hospital. But he was very good.

"Then we saw some parts of the race with the blue flags where it was difficult to keep the rhythm, then at the exit of the first pit stop when there was the situation with [Romain] Grosjean, it is just not being used to racing. I am expecting a big step next week."

Domenicali, though, did admit that they will wait and see before making a decision about who will race in Italy next month.

"What I said exactly, to be precise, is that for us the first priority is to understand when Felipe Massa will come back," he added. "For sure it is an important race for Luca Badoer next weekend. We are expecting a big jump from him and then we will see."

MIKA: I'm first to say, Luca Badoer's race was terrible BUT, as a driver, he can not be all that bad considering he has been Ferraris' test driver for 10 years!!

As for Ferrari replacing Luca after Spa, if they are going to replace him, they should do it now before Spa, BUT with who? Schummacher!?

[MIKA27]

Kimi: A good weekend for me

Kimi Raikkonen is happy to have achieved his third podium finish of the season as Ferrari continue their fight back.

Their disasterous start to the season looks to be behind them as the Italian marque has finally begun to challenge - and achieve - top-three results on regular occasions.

Raikkonen claimed his second successive podium result in Valencia on Sunday when he finished in third place, behind Rubens Barrichello and Lewis Hamilton.

It was a solid showing from the Finn, who started the grand prix sixth on the grid and had to push hard to make up for the deficit that his F60 still has to its rivals.

"We needed to go 100 percent all the time," he said. "I had a good feeling with the car: from Friday it was working on the long stints and I was hoping it would be okay in the race. It turned out to be good.

"We know we are not where we need to be, we are a little behind but once we get the car running well, then usually we can fight for third if something weird happens in the race.

"It was a good weekend for me and I am happy to score a podium."

Raikkonen was also racing with added pressure on his shoulders this weekend as the former World Champion was forced to carry Ferrari alone as his new team-mate, Luca Badoer, failed to make any impact on the scoreboard.

The Italian, though, was nonetheless "happy" with his first-ever grand prix as a Ferrari driver.

"I'm very happy because we have arrived at a point that we fixed when we decided I would take Felipe's place," he said.

"So this is the first step. I drove, drove, drove, drove, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I did actually a big start and at the third corner I was 14th, and then a Renault kicked my ass.

"So I lost the position from that. Otherwise it was possible to have a completely different race.

"For me it was important to finish the race and get a good feeling with the car."

MIKA: Whilst Kimi has lost my respect as I truly believe he as a driver is not 100% focused on the 'entire' role as an F1 driver, I really must say he did a great job considering the pressure he must be under with Massa out and Luca riding a bicycle rather than an F1 vehicle!

As for the next race, SPA, Kimi has done exceptionally well there previously winning in 2004, 2005 and 2007. It could very well end up being Kimi's victory there!

[MIKA27]

'Ferrari delay Alonso announcement'

In the latest round of 'Fernando Alonso to Ferrari' reports an unnamed source has revealed that the Scuderia will delay announcing the Spaniard's signing as they await news on Felipe Massa's condition.

According to rumours, Ferrari were expected to make an announcement at September's Italian Grand Prix, confirming that Alonso will be racing for them next season.

However, an unnamed source now claims Ferrari will delay the announcement as they wait to learn Massa's fate.

It is not yet known when - or even if - Massa will return to racing as the Brazilian continues his recovery after suffering head injuries during Hungarian qualifying a month ago.

"The announcement was due to be made in Monza as had been expected for some time," a source told GPWeek with regards to Alonso joining Ferrari. "However with Massa's return under question the team has been forced to delay.

"Fernando will be a Ferrari driver in 2010. The deal has been signed. The only question is his team-mate and out of respect for Felipe, Ferrari will not make the announcement until they are sure whether he will be able to return."

[MIKA27]

Loeb confirms USF1 approach

Five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has confirmed that he has been in contact with USF1 about driving for them next season.

Loeb, who is reportedly in talks with Toro Rosso about making an appearance at the season-ending Abu Dhabi, says he wouldn't say no to an F1 race seat for 2010.

"After the Abu Dhabi episode, Toro Rosso asked me whether I really wanted to make it in F1," he told France's L'Equipe.

"From my side, I wanted to know if I was of interest to anyone, just out of curiosity. A person I know therefore made contact with this new team [uS F1]. I do not know what he said.

"I am enjoying myself driving a WRC car, and I'm about to extend my deal with Citroen.

"However, if the opportunity to race in one of more grands prix in 2010 occurred when the F1 and rally schedules do not clash, then why not?

"Rather than constantly asking the question, what could I do in F1? I might as well give it a go. At least, then I would be sure."

USF1 boss Peter Windsor says he is not ruling out anything.

"Loeb's manager got in touch with us last week," Windsor told the DNA newspaper.

"Loeb's manager calling us is a significant thing. The Frenchman is a legend and an incredible driver. I won't say no to anything. Maybe, something interesting could emerge."

MIKA: Hello...as if!

What is up with all the F1 wanna-be's?

I don't care if you're a WRC world champion 5 times over or a 4 time Champ car driver (We all remember Bordais! ) it seems that whenever someone from a different ilk of driving wishes to 'pipe dream' and head over to F1, they very quickly exit the sport also when they realise that F1 is in a league of it's own and unfortunately out of 'their' league!

Leave F1 to those who train to make it to F1 from the roots up and are bred for 'REAL' racing.

[brian1]

As a Ferrari fan I am sad to see that Ferrari look like signing Alonso. I lost respect for him after his McLaren stint where his true character was exposed. I was hoping Ferrari would sign a younger up and comer like vettel and groom him ala Schumacher.

'Ferrari delay Alonso announcement'

In the latest round of 'Fernando Alonso to Ferrari' reports an unnamed source has revealed that the Scuderia will delay announcing the Spaniard's signing as they await news on Felipe Massa's condition.

According to rumours, Ferrari were expected to make an announcement at September's Italian Grand Prix, confirming that Alonso will be racing for them next season.

However, an unnamed source now claims Ferrari will delay the announcement as they wait to learn Massa's fate.

It is not yet known when - or even if - Massa will return to racing as the Brazilian continues his recovery after suffering head injuries during Hungarian qualifying a month ago.

"The announcement was due to be made in Monza as had been expected for some time," a source told GPWeek with regards to Alonso joining Ferrari. "However with Massa's return under question the team has been forced to delay.

"Fernando will be a Ferrari driver in 2010. The deal has been signed. The only question is his team-mate and out of respect for Felipe, Ferrari will not make the announcement until they are sure whether he will be able to return."

[MIKA27]

Fisichella hails 'unbelievable' pole

Giancarlo Fisichella has hailed his "unbelievable" pole position for Sunday's Belgian GP but admitted that he was running light.

Fisichella pulled off what could be the shock of the season as he brought his VJM home in first place in Saturday's qualifying, claiming Force India's maiden pole position.

It was a highly impressive performance from the Italian, who admitted prior to the Spa race weekend that he was keen on dumping his Force India car in favour of Ferrari's second race-seat for the Italian GP.

But Ferrari dream aside, for now the 36-year-old is just basking in the glory of his fourth F1 career pole.

"It is unbelievable, I didn't expect pole position, especially after yesterday," Fisichella enthused.

"I was quite surprised because there was a lot of understeer and the measures of downforce levels. We went through the problems this morning and the car was much better, an in qualifying it was much better than expected.

"I was quickest in Q1, fourth in Q2, and then pole position. It is fantastic, I am so happy. I didn't expect that result, so I am really happy and looking forward to tomorrow.

"This is one of the my favourite circuits, I did well in the past and I was sure to be competitive this year but I didn't expect to be on pole.

"I am so happy for myself, for the team, my engineers, everybody. They did a fantastic job, and a fantastic step forward, especially from the last race. Considering our budget I didn't expect that.

"We were confident for sure to be top 15, and maybe top 10, but to be on pole position we didn't expect that. In Q1 I was quick, in Q2 fourth quickest so we played to do pole and I am on pole."

The Roman, though, did admit that Force India have adopted an "aggressive" fuel strategy, confirming opinion that he is running very light.

"Actually I think we are a little bit aggressive," he said. "We knew for the top three it was important to do that, but don't forget I was fourth quickest in Q2. We are not so slow."

MIKA: Fantastic day in qualifying!!

There are even rumors stating Ferrari are looking at Fisi...... You never know, this season has had it all and I believe there is MORE to come!

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen: Other teams want me

Kimi Raikkonen has made it clear that if Ferrari don't want him for next year's Championship then he will find another F1 team to race for.

The Finn is currently under contract with the Scuderia and still has one season - 2010 - left on his reported £35m-a-year deal.

However, his position at the team is under threat with continued rumours claiming that Fernando Alonso will be taking his race-seat next season.

And although Raikkonen has always responded to those reports by saying he has a deal for 2010, the Finn has now made it clear that if Ferrari don't want him then he will simply sign with another team.

"If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," the 2007 World Champion told the British press.

"It's not a problem. Other teams want me.

"I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract."

MIKA: Well if you signed a contract and you wish to continue racing in F1, maybe you should show a little more enthusiasm!

[MIKA27]

Previews

Belgian Grand Prix Preview

From one extreme to another - from parched, sun-drenched Valencia on one Sunday, to mist-enshrouded Spa-Francorchamps the next. From a siesta in Spain to a fiesta of overtaking in Belgium. The Belgian GP is rarely dull and never processional and given the ability of the Ardennes forest to conjure up a rain shower out of a cloudless sky, there's always drama lurking around the corner.

There's also the thing that F1 fans appreciate the most - overtaking places. So although Brawn go to the race fearful of the speed of the Red Bull in the long sweeps up to Les Combes and down through Blanchimont, they know that if they get stuck behind a slower car, there will be places to overtake them.

The weather forecast for the race is hinting at rain on Sunday, so we could have another epic like 2008 where the skies opened and Nick Heidfeld made up 29 places on the last lap. (That was astounding! )

Red Bull are widely predicted to be looking at a nailed-on 1-2 for the Belgian GP but in rainy conditions - which can spark accidents and safety cars - you never know. Also, if there is a switch to be made between wet and dry tyres the optimum time to move over is always a gamble and when you're leading the race you tend to be cautious.

Jenson Button has admitted that he's been over-cautious while leading the World Championship in the last four races and has vowed to be more aggressive. It would have been interesting to see what an aggressive response (or just a non-reactive one) would have been to Sebastian Vettel's startline antics in Valencia. We're hoping that the BBC will have retrieved his in-car footage to show before this Sunday's race.

One of the innovations this year has been to replay various drivers on-board camera shots of opening laps and in the absence of any on-track action, these are the money images. I would find it very hard to believe that race director Charlie Whiting hasn't spoken to Vettel after the incident.

As predicted in the last race preview, Ferrari are now showing signs of wanting to confirm Felipe Massa's driving ability before committing themselves to a multi-million pound driver move. This isn't the Scuderia being cruel, they just need to know that if they pay $12m to Kimi Raikkonen to drive elsewhere in 2010, that Massa will be both available and able to drive in 2010.

We've seen from Michael's injury that tiny components of the head and neck can be fine walking around, but when you put them under the kind of g-forces generated by an F1 car, they start to scream. What makes matters worse is that Massa's not going to be ready for this kind of testing for some while if he hasn't been training since his accident. ( I don't believe Massa will race this season )

The Alonso-to-Ferrari move is hardly going to be in danger when Banco Santander are moving to sponsor Ferrari in 2010. Presumably it's what Ferrari say to Steve Robertson, Kimi's manager, about next year that's the problem. The last thing they want to do is give Luca Badoer some more races.

The vultures will be lining up on the Eau Rouge Armco on Friday morning as the No.3 car takes to the track. By the end of the first session it should be apparent to Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali whether Badoer can compete in the car for the rest of the season. Up to now it's been the most expensive Track Day Present in the world, "the gift of a fully revving F60 Ferrari and the opportunity to compete with 19 of the world's best drivers".

In Spa Badoer should be able to blow a few of the cobwebs out. He knows the car now, he already knows the circuit and after four pitlane speeding violations he's finally got to grips with the pitlane speed limiter. It would be wonderful if he could add more light and shade to the 2010 season by sticking it in the points, but just as great to write about if he stays in P20. The former is more likely than the latter.

Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen should be able to dial the car in to a top four grid slot. P3 or P4 is all he needs to take P1 on the opening lap, providing that there isn't another KERS-equipped car in front of him. McLaren have taken such strides forward in the last two races that it's hard to tell where they stand on high-speed circuits and the team have said that they'll take both long and short-wheelbase cars to Spa.

The most important thing for Heikki Kovalainen is that he has the same equipment as Hamilton so the team can benchmark his abilities. Given that Heidfeld, Rosberg, Raikkonen and Kubica are becoming available in 2010 his position looks precarious. Though he's been linked with Renault, Kubica has said that he wants to go to a team with potential to win in 2010 who are ending 2009 in a strong position. That's McLaren.

Spa is a drivers' circuit (though less so than when Eau Rouge was a bit more untamed with tarmac run-offs) and both Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg should impress having been consistently quick in the last few races.

Force India were consistently the quickest car in Valencia indicating that they've got a lot of speed but not necessarily a lot of downforce. With slick tyres in 2009 and cold temperatures, the temptation might be to leave off the downforce and let the tyres slide around to generate heat and energy. What may happen on Sunday, is that rain allows the cars to slide around a lot more than that. Whatever the case, it's an umissable GP.

Oh, and "watch out for that chicane, Lewis!".

[MIKA27]

NEXT RACE - 30th August (Tonight)

Grand Prix of Belgium

Length : 7.004

No of Laps: 44

Race Distance: 308.052 km

Lap Record: 1:45.108 - K Raikkonen (2004)

History :

In every sense one of the classics on the calendar. A circuit both spectacular and emotive; La Source hairpin, the downhill plunge to Eau Rouge, the forest setting and the longest lap distance in the World Championship.

But the weather and size of the track means it can be problematic for drivers. It can be dry in one place and wet in another.

Some of the course follows public roads, but the track boasts excellent facilities for teams, officials and media. It has been the home of the Belgian Grand Prix on a permanent basis since 1985.

MIKA: This has got to be my ULTIMATE favourite track on the calendar. Ahhhh.... I remember the good old battles between Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen on this very track back in 2000, 2001! Kimi has had much success on this track so look out for this guy.

[Bartolomeo]

Luca needs to be replaced ASAP, he is embarrassing

Bart

[MIKA27]

Luca needs to be replaced ASAP, he is embarrassing

Bart

I completely agree Bart!!

It makes me wonder 'Why' they have not removed him already but for Ferrari, I can't help but wonder if they feel they will lose face for realising what is clearly obvious... Luca is pretty darn bad!

[OZCUBAN]

Well said Mika

It makes you wonder how he even got the test drivers job

Oz

[OZCUBAN]

Raikkonen wins exciting Spa duel

Kimi Raikkonen managed to keep Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella at bay to clinch Ferrari's first win of 2009 at an incident-packed Belgian Grand Prix.

World champion Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button crashed out early on, although the Brawn man's championship lead was cut by only two points to 16.

The incident saw the safety car come out, after which Raikkonen used his power-boost button to take the lead.

Red Bull's title-chasing Sebastian Vettel finished in third at Spa.

The German started in eighth but posted the fastest lap of the race and leapfrogged team-mate Mark Webber in the drivers' championship into third place behind Button's team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who limped over the line in seventh place with a Mercedes engine that was close to blowing up.

BMW Sauber drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finished fourth and fifth respectively ahead of McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.

Williams's Nico Rosberg grabbed a point in eighth while Webber's own title bid was undermined by his second successive ninth-place finish, the Australian suffering after taking a drive-through penalty following an unsafe release from the pits as he almost collided into Heidfeld.

Force India secured their historic first points in Formula 1 with Fisichella's result as he finished less than one second behind Raikkonen in dry, warm conditions in the Ardennes forest.

Button and Hamilton crash out at Spa

But the concertina-effect crash at the back of the chasing pack on lap one - in which Renault's Romain Grosjean appeared to clip Button causing Hamilton and Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari to also hit the tyre barriers at Les Combes - handicapped the Italian.

After the safety car went back in on lap five following the incident over which no action was taken following an investigation, Raikkonen easily accelerated past Fisichella out of Eau Rouge using a quick push of his Kers (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) button.

From that point on Fisichella pushed the Finn all the way and although he was the quicker driver he could not get ahead of Raikkonen over the remaining 39 laps.

"We were probably not the fastest in lap times but we managed to keep everybody behind," said 2007 world champion Raikkonen. "And that's enough."

I was quicker than Kimi. He only took me because of Kers... and I'm a little bit sad for that

Giancarlo Fisichella

Fisichella said it was a "great result" for a Force India team which caused an enormous shock on Saturday by qualifying on pole, but that he felt a tinge of regret at how the race panned out.

"Actually, I was quicker than Kimi," he added. "He only took me because of Kers at the beginning and I'm a little bit sad for that because I was keeping pace and on exactly same strategy race.

"Second is amazing but actually I am a little disappointed because I could have won."

Raikkonen started sixth but made an immediate charge, swinging past the virtually-still Barrichello off the grid before going very wide into the run-off area at La Source to give himself room to use his Kers to speed past the BMW Sauber cars and move into second behind pole-sitter Fisichella.

But then came the crash, which changed the course of the race and also caused Button's first retirement of the season.

While the stumbling championship leader - who has now not finished on the podium in the past five races - stopped short of blaming Grosjean, he did question why the rookie French driver braked so late through the corner and insisted the incident was not his fault.

"It was an avoidable accident," he said. "It's really frustrating."

"I suppose it is [relatively] good that it happened here. Hopefully we can get back on track in the next race."

Kubica was close to landing a podium place for BMW Sauber, who have announced their intention to pull out of the sport at the end of the season, but Germany's Vettel slipped ahead of the Pole as he came out of the pits following the second stop in his Red Bull on lap 35.

Raikkonen stays cool after Spa win

"As long as we keep scoring big points and gaining on the others, that's what we need," said 21-year-old Vettel, who won the Chinese and British grands prix this season.

Red Bull's other title-chaser Webber finished in ninth after a frustrating race in which he was hit with a drive-through penalty after

Spa proved a disaster for Toyota's Jarno Trulli, who started next to Fisichella on the grid but had to pit early for repairs after getting caught up in the first-lap incident before retiring 21 laps in.

The same fate befell two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who was in points contention before his Renault experienced trouble with its problematic front-left wheel faring after 26 laps.

Raikkonen's win, his first in 25 races, is characteristic of a season which is becoming increasingly open - the past six races have now been won by six different drivers - as lucky Button continues to cling on to his championship lead.

OZ:Well things are certainly hotting up, i think Jenson has been very lucky that during his recent form slump, the people who have been winning are not the ones that are closest to him in the points race.

Lets just hope that Mark Webber can bounce back and at the very least beat his team mate

Stayed up till midnight to watch must admit even though spa is my favorite track the race was a bit of a

Some interesting trivia did you know:

That the words race car spelled backward says race car. That eat is the only word that if you take the 1st letter and move it to the last, it spells it's past tense

Cheers Oz

[OZCUBAN]

F1 launches Singapore race probe

The Paris-based FIA is responsible for global governance Formula 1

Formula 1's governing body has launched an investigation into an unspecified previous race, reported to be last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

The FIA said only that it was said it was investigating "alleged incidents at a previous F1 event".

News agencies have said the race is last year's Singapore race won by Renault's Fernando Alonso following a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.

The incident triggered a safety car which put Alonso into the lead.

Piquet, who attributed the crash to a simple error, was sacked by Renault after the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

He has since been outspoken in his criticism of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

If the FIA discovers evidence of foul play, it would probably call a hearing of its world motorsport council to investigate the matter.

Oz This is interesting nothing like dirty laundry mid season

Cheers Oz