FORMULA 1 2009

[MIKA27]

Jordan: Schumacher will race for Merc GP

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan believes Michael Schumacher will replace Jenson Button at the newly-named Mercedes team for next season.

World Champion Button joined Lewis Hamilton at McLaren earlier this week after the Brawn team with which he won the Drivers' title was renamed Mercedes.

Speculation has mounted that seven-time Champion Schumacher, who could not replace the injured Felipe Massa on a short-term deal at Ferrari last season because of a back injury picked up racing motorcycles, could be drafted into the team run by former Benetton and Ferrari colleague Ross Brawn.

Jordan, who ran an F1 team under his own name, told Radio Five Live: "I believe the Brawn team will have Michael Schumacher in it next year.

"And my reasons for believing that is that at Abu Dhabi, the grand prix, the last race Dr (Dieter) Zetsche - (chairman of the Daimler board) - Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher were deep in conversation and I believe it was to do with possibly joining the team as driver for the 2010 Championship."

[MIKA27]

Lopez closing in on USF1 deal

Argentine Jose Maria Lopez claims he is set to complete his move to USF1 "next week".

The 26-year-old revealed on his personal website that he visited US F1's headquarters in Charlotte and said a deal with the team is imminent.

"Up until now we have dealt with this over the phone, and given the progress, we went to visit the team personally and talk to Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson about it," Lopez said. "We verbally agreed a deal that will be completed next week."

Lopez, a former Renault test driver, admits USF1 have a lot of hard work ahead of them, but he is nevertheless impressed with what he has seen.

"It's a new team, facing this project from scratch, something different to my experience in Renault, where it was a structure with a lot of years of experience in Formula 1," he added.

"But I have been impressed by the commitment and professionalism with which they are facing this project. We have seen a windtunnel that's nearly real scale, something fundamental to the development of the car which hopefully I will be using in 2010."

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Williams sells team share to Toto Wolff

Williams has sold a minority share to an investment company, the independent British Formula One team announced in a short media statement on Friday.

The media release said the new shareholder and board member is Austrian Toto Wolff.

Wolff, whose real first name is Christian, was a racing driver, contesting junior single seater categories as well as Le Mans and GT sportscars.

He recorded one of the fastest ever laps of the Nurburgring's famous Nordschleife layout in a Porsche 997 in April 2009.

Wolff founded his investment company Marchsixteen in 1998, and is involved with other motor racing firms and driver management. His partner is the Scottish race driver Susie Stoddart.

Grove based Williams was previously owned only by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head.

[MIKA27]

Two WRC options emerge for Raikkonen

Two potential options for a switch to the World Rally Championship for Kimi Raikkonen have already emerged.

Finland's Helsingin Sanomat reports that Norwegian team owner and driver Petter Solberg has confirmed that a space may be available for Raikkonen in his WRC team.

Citroen has also been mentioned this week by the press, with Spain's Diario Sport initially reporting talks regarding the French marque.

France's Auto Hebdo has now followed suit, claiming that a Raikkonen/Citroen deal could involve the backing of the Finn's existing drinks sponsor Red Bull and a C4 WRC car.

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SEASON 2009 - VIDEOS.

Source: Formula1.com

Here's a link to view race videos of 2009's Formula 1 season.

http://www.formula1.com/video/

[OZCUBAN]

British GP facing final deadline

Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone says the fate of the British Grand Prix will be decided at a meeting on 9 December.

That is when the F1 Commission, which regulates the sport, is due to convene to rubber-stamp the 2010 race calendar.

"At the moment there is no British Grand Prix," Ecclestone told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

"The meeting on 9 December is when it would be taken off the calendar. If there's no contract in place, there won't be a British Grand Prix."

Donington Park was set to host the British GP but was seemingly ruled out after failing to show it had the necessary £135m funding.

According to Ecclestone, there is a very slim chance the track could still stage the race "if someone comes along with the right ideas and funding".

But the focus is still on Silverstone, which has yet to agree financial terms and faces a warning from the sport that it must modernise its facilities in order to host the event again.

"There is no change with the British Grand Prix," said Ecclestone. "They had a contract in place which they could have signed, and they haven't."

The absence of a British GP next year would naturally be a disappointing development for British fans of F1.

Even more so given the last two world champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, are both British and will be in action for the Woking-based McLaren team.

Button won the title with Brawn GP but agreed a move to McLaren earlier this week, a switch that "surprised" Ecclestone.

"He obviously knows what he's doing and must be satisfied with the arrangements he's got in hand," said Ecclestone.

"I was a little surprised to see it happening, but there you go. I suppose he feels he is confident enough to take on Lewis. It's a bit of a task to take on, that's all.

"The number one will be the guy that's the quickest. During the year it will become obvious who that is."

The F1 supremo did, however, all but rule out a return to the sport for Michael Schumacher, who has been linked with a drive for the renamed Brawn outfit, Mercedes, in 2010.

"It's most unlikely," he said. "I don't see any reason why he should and I have not heard anything at all. I would be very doubtful."

Oz The fact that there might or might not be a British GP is absolutely Criminal

Bear in mind that the majority of the teams are english based and Mclaren have two british drivers next year.

How much money is this going to cost them .

All i can say is that i am totally miffed

Cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

Oz The fact that there might or might not be a British GP is absolutely Criminal

Bear in mind that the majority of the teams are english based and Mclaren have two british drivers next year.

How much money is this going to cost them .

All i can say is that i am totally miffed

Cheers Oz

As am I OZ.

There are just some things that should stay traditional and unfortunately, whilst Bernie Ecclestone is still with the FIA, he will screw up F1. All BE thinks about is lining his pockets with cash, he doesn't care for the sport.

Hopefully, something good will turn out and we will have a British F1 race next season, fingers crossed.

[MIKA27]

It's official: Rosberg's off to Mercedes GP

Mercedes GP have finally confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in F1: Nico Rosberg will race for them next season.

Even before announcing his departure from Williams back in October, Rosberg was being linked to a 2010 race-seat with McLaren-Mercedes.

However, Mercedes' bought a majority stake in Brawn GP last week and almost immediately the rumour mill put Rosberg Mercedes GP.

It's a dream come true for German driver Rosberg as he gears up for the return of the Silver Arrows into F1.

"I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes," said Rosberg.

"No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn.

"I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain on 14 March 2010."

Ross Brawn, who will continue in his role as team boss of Merc GP, has welcomed Rosberg to the team, confident that the 24-year-old will continue to grow as the team bids for back-to-back titles.

"We are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him," said Brawn;

"Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, is a driver who will be able to make a valuable contribution to our team right from the outset.

"I had the pleasure of working with his father Keke during his Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps.

"2009 was Nico's best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year."

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug added: "I saw Nico racing karts alongside Lewis Hamilton and later in the support programme of the DTM events - I have known him since he was a young boy.

"Early on it was obvious that he would make his way as a race driver and we are glad that after four years with Williams he will now be one of our drivers at Mercedes.

"It makes our re-start even nicer, that we have as talented and sympathetic a driver as Nico in our line-up.

"Nico has positive ambitions, we have positive ambitions and together we want to achieve a great deal. I am really looking forward to working with him."

[MIKA27]

Schumi's people say 'yes' but also 'maybe'

Good news for Michael Schumacher fans, his manager Willi Weber has revealed the German has spoken with the Mercedes GP bosses about a possible drive for next season.

Following Jenson Button's departure to McLaren, Mercedes, the new owners of the Championship-winning Brawn GP outfit, have found themselves a driver short for 2010.

With Nico Rosberg's pending confirmation an open secret, rumours claim Mercedes are looking for an all-German line-up - and they're looking at Schumacher.

Mercedes have downplayed the reports, saying "some speculations are nothing but dreams which will not come true," however, the German car manufacturer did not actually say 'no'.

Now Schumacher's long-time manager Weber has weighed in, revealing that Schumacher has spoke with officials from the Mercedes GP team.

"I know that Michael spoke with Dieter Zetsche [CEO of Daimler AG] and Norbert Haug at the season's finale in Abu Dhabi," he told The Guardian.

The bad news for Schumacher fans, though, is that while Weber says yes talks have taken place, he hasn't always been right.

Earlier this year when Schumacher was rumoured to be replacing the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari, Weber said it wouldn't happen. Next thing, there was the announcement that it would.

And that's probably why Schumacher's spokesperson, Sabine Kehm, is sitting on the fence.

"My personal opinion has really not changed," she told The Times.

"I can see lots of tempting things in it for Michael, but I can also see a lot of non-tempting things. I don't know.

"It is as it was in August when you couldn't tell what was going to happen. Then I was convinced Michael would never come back and, suddenly, all the circumstances were right for him.

"I still think it is unlikely, but you never know."

MIKA: Sorry to keep posting so much speculation on MS but it is the news and each day there are variations in the rumor mill. I guess its a matter of "Will he or will he (Schumi) not race for Mercedes GP in 2010?"

Only time will tell. I love how BRAWN himself is denying the rumors but we all know how bad rumors are let alone secrets in the world of F1. They in most cases are true and whilst this may be a bit of wishful thinking on my part, I kinda hope this is a typical worst kept secret and MS does return to F1.

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2010 Drivers Line-Up Takes Shape

With only four teams having confirmed their complete 2010 driver line-up there are plenty of places still available on the grid. But not many with the top teams...

MERCEDES GP

Nico Rosberg: Confirmed. The German will definitely drive for the German team in 2010, bringing into the open one of the worst-kept secrets in F1.

Nick Heidfeld/Heikki Kovalainen: Should Mercedes decide to go for an all-German line-up Heidfeld will be the man in pole position. If not Kovalainen may end up doing a straight swap with Button.

RED BULL RACING

Mark Webber: Confirmed. Sebastian Vettel: Confirmed. Red Bull has become a hot team for drivers to join given their remarkable move up the pecking. However, their 2010 line-up is signed, sealed and has proven they can deliver.

McLAREN

Lewis Hamilton: Confirmed. The 2008 World Champion has a long-term contract with McLaren and will remain at Woking next season where plotting another title-tilt in 2010 will be top of the winter agenda.

Jenson Button: Confirmed. The British dream team that will have many a fan salivating. Having left Brawn/Merc GP for a 'fresh challenge', Button should have a car capable of retaining his title.

FERRARI

Felipe Massa: Confirmed. Massa proved himself a racer in 2008 when he came within a heartbeat of winning the World title. He also proved himself a gentlemen, earning respect in the paddock. This past season, he also earned a whole heap of sympathy after a life- and career-threatening injury sidelined him mid-season. The Brazilian, though, has another chance at glory next season after being confirmed by Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso: Confirmed. One of the longest sagas in Formula One history finally came to an end in September when Ferrari confirmed Alonso would definitely be racing for them in 2010. Finally! The double World Champion, who says he brings 6/10ths of a second to the car, will need every millisecond of those 6/10ths to get Ferrari out of their 2009 slump.

SAUBER

Nick Heidfeld/Heikki Kovalainen: Still to be confirmed. With Toyota out of the mix, the Sauber team looks to have been thrown a lifeline, although that too is unconfirmed. But should the team make the 2010 grid, expect Heidfeld to be behind one of their steering wheels unless he's snapped up by Merc GP. Should this be the case Kovalainen may fill the void.

Rookie: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. No rumours have been forthcoming about who could race for Sauber because one even knows if they'll be on the grid next season. But one would expect given Peter Sauber's past-history of uncovering natural talent that an unnamed rookie we've never ever heard of is likely to team up with Heidfeld or Kovalainen.

WILLIAMS

Rubens Barrichello: Confirmed. The most experienced driver is Formula One has been handed yet another season in the sport. And he's got talent too.

Nico Hulkenberg: Confirmed. A future World Champion? Schumi 2, Schumi-esque, and a sort-of Kimi Raikkonen look-a-like. And this lad is a talent.

RENAULT

Robert Kubica: Confirmed. Kubica will definitely race for Renault next season after the team announced he would be their No1 driver. A nice move up for the Polish driver...

Romain Grosjean/ Heikki Kovalainen/ Franck Montagny: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. Although Grosjean had the No2 seat in the latter part of 2009, Mongtagny is talking with the team. And if that doesn't happen, Kovalainen could return to his old team.

FORCE INDIA

Adrian Sutil: Still to be confirmed. Better than the car but as yet still too inconsistent, Force India will be wanting more from Sutil next season.

Tonio Liuzzi: Still to be confirmed. Having taken over from Giancarlo Fisichella when he moved to Ferrari ahead of the Italian GP, Force India will most likely give Liuzzi a full shot at F1 racing next season.

TORO ROSSO

Sebastien Buemi: Confirmed. Already confirmed by Franz Tost, Buemi has a year's experience under his belt and the drive to succeed in F1.

Jaime Alguersuari. Still to be confirmed. Hinted at but not confirmed, Jaime is a raw and young talent. Is that enough for Toro Rosso, though?

CAMPOS META

Bruno Senna: Confirmed. Bruno brings with him not only talent but also the Senna name back into Formula One. Huge pressure on his shoulders as the world waits to see if his talent can live up to his name.

Pastor Maldonado/Vitaly Petrov: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. Both are talented GP2 racers looking to make the move up to F1. And both have caught the eye of team boss Adrian Campos

LOTUS

Jarno Trulli: Still to be confirmed. Lotus wants Trulli's experience and Trulli wants a race-seat after Toyota quit the business. It's a match made in heaven.

Jacques Villeneuve/Kamui Kobayashi/Anthony Davidson: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. Although Lotus have spoken with Villeneuve, it's unlikely that the former F1 Champ will make a return. He's just been out of F1 for too long. However, Kobayashi is a breath of fresh air for the sport, an exciting prospect who deserves a chance. But he may yet come with a hefty repair bill. That means former F1 racer Anthony Davidson could be the better option. Davidson has experience, is more recent than Villeneuve and has pace.

USF1

Alex Wurz/Pedro de la Rosa: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. Although USF1 initially wanted American drivers, their tune has changed as the team admits experience will be necessary in their debut season. And one thing Wurz and de la Rosa both have is experience,

Kyle Busch: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided. NASCAR driver Busch is keen to try his hand at Formula One and USF1 could try hold onto at least half an American line-up.

MANOR GP

Timo Glock: Confirmed. The German has been confirmed at Manor's No1 driver for 2010, turning down 'established' teams to lead the new outfit

Lucas di Grassi/Adam Carroll: Still to be confirmed. Di Grassi has proven himself in the GP2 series as well as winning Macau at the wheel of a Manor F3 car while Carroll is another youngster coming through the lower ranks.

[MIKA27]

BMW-Sauber still in the dark

Mario Theissen is still unsure about whether the BMW-Sauber team will have a place on next year's grid.

Days before announcing their withdrawal from F1, BMW failed to sign the new Concorde Agreement, meaning the team and its new owners, Qadbak, were not guaranteed a place on the 2010 grid.

However, Toyota's decision to leave the sport meant a place has now opened up. BMW, though, have yet to learn whether the FIA will allow them to take it.

"The situation has not changed," Theissen told Autosport.

"The team still does not have a grid slot. We expect to get one, but it is not done yet. Obviously the delay makes it difficult for negotiations with drivers and sponsors."

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Force India test for di Resta and Hildebrand

Force India have confirmed that Paul di Resta and JR Hildebrand will share the driving duties during the young driver test at Jerez in December.

Scottish driver di Resta, who finished third overall in the 2009 DTM Championship, came close to racing for Force India this past season before the team opted to stick with Giancarlo Fisichella.

However, the 23-year-old hopes next week's test could lead to a future in F1.

"I am thrilled to be joining Force India for this test. It's been a while since I last tested an F1 car but I've been working hard in the simulator and giving it my all in the DTM so I'm confident I'll be up to speed quickly," di Resta said.

"It's an exciting opportunity for me as F1 has always been my dream and I feel this is taking me one step closer to achieving it.

"I'm realistic that I've got a lot to prove and that I need a bit more experience of the cars and the F1 environment before getting a permanent seat but this is just the beginning of what I hope will be a very bright future with Force India."

For Indy Lights Champion Hildebrand the Jerez test will be his first outing in Formula One, and one he is eagerly anticipating.

"I'm ecstatic to get my first taste of F1. I've heard so much about the performance of the cars and know this is going to be quicker and more responsive than anything I've ever sat in before," he said.

"I know it's a big challenge but I feel ready to tackle it. The aim is to learn the track and the car and then hopefully show my potential.

"As an American we don't necessarily have the culture of F1 but anything that's so impressive and cutting-edge demands respect. I hope I can do the car and myself justice. Thanks to everyone for making this happen, I can't wait to get to Jerez."

Meanwhile, team owner Vijay Mallya has made it clear that an impressive performance from either driver could see them secure a test driver role for 2010.

"We will be looking at their performance on track very closely and should they perform well, as we are confident they will, we will look at a permanent role for one within the team in 2010, potentially as a test and reserve driver. As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us."

MIKA: No offence but F1 is not an American sport, all I have to say on that is two words: 'Scott Speed!'

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Manor: Glock has the potential to build a team

Manor GP team boss John Booth believes the recently-signed Timo Glock has the ability to "build a team around him."

Last week, Manor GP confirmed that Glock would be joining them for the 2010 Championship after the German turned down "several offers" with more established team.

"The wonderful thing about Timo was that he came over to meet everybody and it was not hours and hours of negotiation and selling to him what we could do. He just bought into the concept straightaway - and made his decision almost immediately," he told Autosport.

"We had to finalise contracts and things, but he liked what he saw and wanted to be part of it. So somebody of his experience and quality, wanting to be part of it, not just an employee, is great. He wanted to build a team around him is as he put it.

"It is a fantastic boost for Timo to believe in us like he does."

Q. Does that surprise you - because Renault was chasing him quite hard and he could have gone to a team fighting for race wins for the off?

But despite being thrilled with the 27-year-old's decision to join Manor, Booth admits it did come as a "surprise" as Glock was also being persued by Renault.

A. "It is a little bit of a surprise, but now getting to know him better, you can see why he has done it. I think it tells you a lot about him," he said when asked about Glock

The German's team-mate has yet to be confirmed, however, at present Lucas di Grassi is the favourite to take the second Manor GP race-seat.

"Hopefully in the next two weeks," Booth said when asked about the timeframe for announcing their second driver.

"Lucas would be great for a number of reasons. He is an ex-Manor driver anyway. He won here in Macau for us.

"It would be great for us to have Lucas, and he has F1 testing experience as well in F1. Somebody like Lucas would be perfect."

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Renault's Ghosn admits 'concerns' about F1

F1 risks becomming unimportant to more of its participants if the sport does not change, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has warned.

Amid speculation concerning the French carmaker's commitment to Formula One, Ghosn announced recently that a decision about the future will be made before the end of 2009.

In a new interview with Forbes India, the 55-year-old referred to "challenges" faced by F1.

"(They are) challenges on how fair it is and how do you marry F1 with the environmental concerns. Can you bring zero emission through technology? So there are lots of questions about F1," said Ghosn.

Asked whether F1 is still going to be important to Renault in the future, he answered: "I don't think it is going to be very important for anybody if it doesn't answer some of the concerns.

"I notice that in the last year, three car manufacturers have bowed out of F1. Three in one year! That means there are a lot of questions that we need to resolve," added Ghosn.

MIKA: Isn't that a small part of F1, not just to win races and WC's but for car development? Alot of car manufacturers are in F1 to develop their road cars and whilst some have pulled out, the future of car technology is mainly through F1.

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Canada GP deal set for official green light

Official confirmation of Canada's return to the Formula One calendar for 2010 is expected this week, according to the French-language La Presse newspaper.

The Montreal event has appeared with a June 13 date on provisional versions of next year's schedule, while Bernie Ecclestone and event organisers have been finalising the contract.

The newspaper said the city and the Quebec government could give the green light on Wednesday, preceding an official announcement towards the end of the week.

It is reported that Ecclestone and the race negotiators have now finished their talks and the agreement can be signed off during a meeting of Montreal's executive committee on Wednesday.

Quebec's intergovernmental affairs secretariat (SAIC) is expected to agree on the same day, "and this should be a formality", the office is quoted as confirming.

The new promoter of Canada's F1 race is Francois Dumontier, head of Octane Management.

MIKA: I don't know about some, but the Canadian GP is one of my least favourite races. Boring.

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Phillips: 10 year Silverstone deal imminent

The managing director of Silverstone Holdings', Richard Phillips told the BBC that a deal to keep the British GP at Silverstone in 2010 is imminent.

With the recent threats from Bernie Ecclestone regarding the possibility of Donington getting the contract for 2010, even though Donington Ventures Ltd went into administration earlier this month, and the December deadline for Silverstone to sign by, Phillips reckons a deal will go through by then and they are just going through the last minor details.

"I don't think there are any real stumbling blocks, we're going through the last details of the deal," Phillips told the BBC.

"I'm pretty convinced that it will be run at Silverstone next year." He added.

Phillips also hinted that the contract may last until 2020 if they manage to get their way: "We certainly would like the contract to be for more than 10 years - that's the minimum."

Phillips also revealed that Silverstone had been planning for the British GP even while Donington was set to host the race.

"We always had the faith that the Grand Prix would return," he said.

Silverstone has been warned that it needs to modernise its facilities in order to secure the race. Work has begun on a new section of track, and plans have been drawn up for the new pit garages which will be completed in 2011.

"We've been planning for more than a year, we'll finish the track works in March and start on the new pits ready for 2011."

MIKA: Silverstone is one of those race meets that are traditional and should remain in the sport. That being said, compared to alot of newer tracks which have the glitz and glamour to them, Silverstone is like walking into a museum and should modernise to fit in with the rest of the calendar. Its a matter of pride and in the best interest for the country hosting as well as for the sport of F1.

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Lauda: Button's deal 'a true Ron Dennis move'

Three-times World Champion Niki Lauda believes former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis was behind Jenson Button's move to the Woking-based team.

Barely a few weeks after winning his maiden World Championship with Brawn GP, Button decided to sign a multi-year contract to team up with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

The move raised quite a few eyebrows, but Lauda says it's "not really" a surprise and also feels that Ross Brawn was not too happy with Button's performances over the latter part of the season.

"That was a true 'Ron Dennis' move - to run a team with two British World Champions," he told the official Formula One website. "On the other hand, I am sure that Ross (Brawn) was not completely satisfied with Jenson's performance in the second half of the season. But if Mercedes ends up with someone not as good as Jenson, then they've drawn the short straw. I would not have an idea who they should take."

Mercedes are yet to confirm Nico Rosberg's partner for next season and seven-time Champ Michael Schumacher has been strongly tipped to come out of retirement to form an all-German driver line-up.

Although team boss Brawn denied the rumours by claiming it is nothing more than a "dream", Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug remained coy when he was asked about the possibility of Schumacher joining the team.

Lauda, though, says it is unlikely that Schumacher "would be up for a full season" of F1 racing.

"I don't believe that there is one single grain of truth in them, at least from all the signals that I get," he said.

"There was a window of opportunity after Felipe's (Massa's) accident and had Michael been fit he would have taken up that chance to race for three or four races - to prove himself, get the adrenaline rush, and see where he stood in the pecking order.

"But I cannot believe that he would be up for a full season. Why then he did stop racing in the first place? But that is my personal opinion."

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Klien remains positive over Hinwil team

Christian Klien remains positive that the new Sauber/Qadbak will be on the grid next season as it will more than likely pave his way to a race seat.

The Austrian was all set to race for BMW-Sauber in 2010, but the German manufacturer's decision to quit the sport threw a spanner in the works. The team have since been bought out, but they are still not guarenteed a spot on the grid.

The 26-year-old Klien, a former Red Bull driver, is not losing hope of driving for the Hinwil-based team next year.

"Had BMW Sauber signed in for 2010 I would most likely have been guaranteed a race seat," he told his official website. "As mentioned before, the successor has no official entry for 2010 yet. But everyone in Hinwil is working flat out on next year's race car.

"Having said that it seems clear that all decisions such as sponsorship deals and driver line-up cannot be announced before that matter is resolved. I am positive that the traditional Sauber team from Hinwil will be on the grid in Bahrain in 2010."

Klien, who admits he has held talks with several of the new teams, says he still has a "realistic chance" of racing next year.

"This winter the situation is unique: F1 is in the process of being rebuilt," he said.

"Existing teams are closing their doors and new ones join the field. For the first time, there is practically no testing between November and January. The regular drivers will not be in the car before February. As a consequence there is much less pressure for the teams on the drivers' side. For 2010 I still see a very realistic chance to be racing in F1."

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Briatore has to wait until January to learn F1 fate

Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore will discover on January 5 whether his appeal against a lifetime ban from motor racing, imposed by the FIA, is to be overturned.

Briatore's lawyer Philippe Ouakrat on Tuesday attended the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris to outline his client's assertion that the punishment handed down by motor sport's governing body in September was illegal. The 59-year-old Italian is also demanding damages of just over £900,000.

Briatore was involved in a conspiracy which saw Nelson Piquet Jnr deliberately crash his car at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix in order to help team-mate Fernando Alonso take the win.

"My client vigorously and utterly contests having been aware of such a

conspiracy," Ouakrat told the court.

"The FIA has to overturn its decision... because it's an illegal order in terms of its results and the manner in which it was carried out."

Jean-François Prat, representing the FIA, insists there was a definite link between Piquet's crash, and Briatore.

"He (Piquet) accepted to do it (crash) because he wanted to see his driver's contract renewed for the next season and it was Flavio Briatore who was in charge of these questions."

Briatore claims former FIA president Max Mosley was "blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge" in pursuing the case, and believes the FIA did not have legal grounds to issue him with a wholesale ban from motor sport.

"The decisions to carry out an investigation and to submit it to the World Council were taken by the same person, Max Mosley, the FIA president," Briatore said in a statement earlier this month.

The statement added that Mosley "assumed the roles of complainant, investigator, prosecutor and judge" in what Briatore claims was a breach of the "most basic rules of procedure and the rights to a fair trial".

Briatore's claim that the FIA World Council chaired by Mosley was out for "personal revenge" stems from his involvement in plans for a breakaway series, an issue that rumbled on through much of last season before an agreement was reached for manufacturers to stay in Formula One.

Renault's former executive director of engineering Pat Symonds also appealed against his five-year ban for involvement in the scandal at Tuesday's hearing.

MIKA: Weather or not Max Mosley was the Judge, prosecutor and executioner and weather or not 'everything' was dealt with correctly, Flavio is still guilty and should be banned from the sport.

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Kobayashi to take Toyota sponsors to Renault?

Kamui Kobayashi may be in talks with Renault about becoming Robert Kubica's 2010 teammate.

The French magazine Auto Hebdo reports that the Japanese rookie, who impressed with his feisty racing on debut in Brazil and Abu Dhabi prior to Toyota's decision to withdraw from F1, could have the support of key sponsors for the seat.

The sponsors mentioned are Panasonic and KDDI, who were involved with Toyota's Formula One team and are reportedly keen to stay in the sport.

Panasonic, the well-known Japanese electronics company, was Toyota's title sponsor throughout its eight-year F1 foray since 2002, while KDDI is a Japanese telcom.

"For next year, I think my manager has been talking to other teams but, to be honest, I want to take a break now," Kobayashi, 23, told gpupdate.net at last weekend's Toyota Motor Sport Festival at Fuji Speedway.

"I will go back to Europe in December to speak about the upcoming season. So, for now, I don't know what will happen for next year," he added.

[MIKA27]

'Schumi told to choose his job'

Mercedes GP have reportedly told Michael Schumacher to 'choose his job' in a bid to entice the German to the team.

The Silver Arrows are making a long-awaited return to Formula One as a fully-fledged constructor next season having purchased a majority stake in the Championship-winning Brawn GP outfit.

With one German already on the payroll in Nico Rosberg, who has been signed as one of their two drivers, rumours claimed Mercedes GP were trying to lure Schumacher into taking the second race-seat.

However, the Daily Mirror now claims that Mercedes want Schumacher in any capacity that they can get him.

'The German car giant is so desperate to persuade the nation's most famous racer to join their new Formula One campaign as a manufacturer they have told him he can have any job in the team even if he does not want to race,' reports the tabloid.

'Mercedes are not only prepared to put him in the seat vacated by Jenson Button's move to McLaren but are open to discussion on a variety of other roles whether in the cockpit, management or as a roving ambassador and advisor.'

Schumacher, though, already has a consultancy job with Ferrari and given the seven-time World Champion's history with the Scuderia, it appears highly unlikely that he would swap to another team for any job other than racing.

[MIKA27]

Hirvonen: Kimi will struggle at first in rallying

Mikko Hirvonen, runner-up in the 2009 World Rally Championship, has warned against expecting victories from Kimi Raikkonen if he joins the sport next season.

Raikkonen's Formula One career came to a temporary halt last week when McLaren confirmed that Jenson Button would take their second race-seat for 2010, leaving the Finn out in the cold.

However, Raikkonen could yet remain in motorsport, with his interest in rallying sparking reports that he could switch to the World Rally Championship.

But should that happen, Hirvonen has warned that Raikkonen will need time to get up to speed with his rallying rivals.

"Kimi is fast and with driving he doesn't have problems," Hirvonen told Finnish website Sportti.com. "But preparing to drive with pace notes is a difficult case for him.

"We WRC drivers have so much more experience, and almost all the rallies will be unknown to Kimi in advance. It's difficult to imagine that Kimi could succeed, at least in his first season."

Meanwhile, former F1 commentator James Allen claims that 'Raikkonen is close to agreeing a deal with Citroen' that will see him compete in the 2010 World Rally Championship.

MIKA: Like I stated once, Kimi is fast in F1, but WRC, he wont be successful.

[MIKA27]

American investors to rescue Sauber - report

With the Qadbak buyout reportedly in tatters, another investor is set to step in and rescue the Sauber team, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

It was reported this week that, in the wake of BMW's withdrawal from F1, the Qadbak takeover was the poorly funded brainchild of convicted fraudster Russell King.

The collapse of the Qadbak deal would explain the FIA's reluctance so far to grant Sauber the thirteenth guaranteed slot on the 2010 grid, vacated when Toyota announced its decision to leave Formula One.

But Auto Motor und Sport insists there is still hope for the Hinwil based team, in the form of American investors.

The report did not name the investors, but said they are "known" and would be welcomed into the paddock by Bernie Ecclestone, who is keen to bring the US back to his annual race calendar.

[MIKA27]

Hamilton not worried by Mercedes split

Lewis Hamilton insists he is not worried that McLaren's long works relationship with Mercedes is at an end.

The former world champion last year contractually tied himself to the Woking based squad until the end of 2012.

Mercedes-Benz will continue to power McLaren's Formula One cars for now, but the Stuttgart marque's real allegiance will be to its own team in the wake of the Brawn GP buyout.

But when asked by Germany's Sport Bild if he is worried about the developments, 24-year-old Hamilton answered: "No, it doesn't concern us too much because until 2015 we are still getting the engines from Mercedes.

"And the relationship between McLaren and Mercedes will remain very good; even if I would prefer that nobody else gets the engine except us," he laughed.

"It is definitely the best (engine) in Formula One," said Hamilton.

The Briton said he "suspected" that Mercedes was looking into doing its own thing.

"My personal relationship with Mercedes has become closer over the years and I wish them all the best. And it's great news for Formula One that they are continuing like this while other manufacturers are getting out," said Hamilton.

[MIKA27]

Prost: Kimi may struggle to return from sabbatical

Alain Prost has warned Kimi Raikkonen to think hard before taking a one-year break from Formula One.

The quadruple world champion said the Finn might have trouble convincing team bosses to employ him in 2011.

"He will try to go rallying, but he is a bit lazy, likes to party and drink a little," Prost told Europe 1 radio. "When you take a year off you have to be extremely serious about it, preparing physically and mentally."

The Frenchman, now 54, took a sabbatical in 1992 before returning in 1993 to win his final title with Williams.

He said Raikkonen has lots of fans but also some detractors within the F1 paddock. "He sometimes had difficulty working as a team.

"Some Ferrari people in particular didn't appreciate his remoteness from the engineers. He is a superb driver," said Prost.

"But it may be difficult for him to get the people who are half-way down the middle about him to trust him again in 2011."

MIKA: This is exactly my concern. With most drivers already signed to the larger teams with contracts that extend beyond 1 year, I don't see Kimi returning even if he wanted to in F1 because Kimi is way too picky, and so he should be, BUT, where will he go if there are no competative teams available to win an F1 WC with?

Factor the above with the fact that whilst everyone would agree Kimi has raw talent as a driver, he is least desired for his lazy attitude to Public relations side of F1, the media etc and unlike many drivers who are capable of driving as well as having great PR and input with their engineers as a team, Kimi lacks all of that and as a result, perhaps the door will close on Kimi for good if he left F1 in 2010?

People will laugh at me because I use Mika Hakinnen as a benchmark (Yes, I'm biased), but he took a one (1) year sabattical and never returned even when he wished to. The difference with Mika however is that he was a double world champion, is one of the greats in the sport, great PR and worked well as a team but unfortunately, McLaren signed Kimi by then on a 3 year deal I think and there was nowhere for Mika to go....