FORMULA 1 2009

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Champions who jumped ship

As Jenson Button turns his back on Brawn, lets look at the other champions who immediately split with their teams.

Weeks after becoming world champion with Brawn, Jenson Button has completed a deal to join McLaren for 2009. He's certainly not the first title winner to immediately head elsewhere, but as this gallery shows, such moves have rarely paid off in the past...

Another McLaren coup saw the team announcing champion Fernando Alonso as one of its 2007 drivers before Christmas 2005! He still gave Renault a second consecutive title in 2006 before making the move.

It was all smiles at first, but the Alonso and Lewis Hamilton partnership proved very fraught - although both came within a point of the title. Meanwhile Renault went into a decline it has yet to arrest, even with Alonso back on board in 2008/09.

While heading for the 1996 championship, Damon Hill was staggered to learn that Williams was going to drop him for Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1997, for reasons that have never become entirely clear.

Hill stunned F1 by joining Arrows, putting his faith in its new boss: ex-Benetton man Tom Walkinshaw. The champion spent most of his title defence in the midfield, bar a near-win in Hungary, watching Williams win another title with Jacques Villeneuve.

Michael Schumacher and Flavio Briatore's Benetton team grew into champions together. But even before he had clinched his second straight crown in 1995, Schumacher had accepted a big money offer from a Ferrari team that had won just twice in five years.

The first year at Ferrari was largely painful, although he took a few heroic wins. But soon Schumacher had set the Scuderia on the path to domination, while it took a Renault buyout and Alonso's arrival before Benetton became a regular winner again.

Nigel Mansell dominated the 1992 championship but was unhappy with Williams' offers for 1993 and its courting of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. A month after clinching the title, an angry Mansell announced he was quitting the team and F1. - Williams has a knack for that!

Mansell headed for America, where he won the Indycar title at the first attempt before making various attempts to return to F1 with only limited success. Williams simply put Prost in its car and breezed to another championship.

Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna managed two years together at McLaren before their rivalry erupted into full-scale war in the garage. This Suzuka collision made Prost the 1989 champion, so it was lucky he had already decided to take the no.1 to Ferrari. - Memories!

Ferrari produced its strongest title challenge in many years with Prost on board, but arch-rival Senna eventually denied him the championship by instigating an infamous collision at Suzuka.

Prost eventually quit the sport as champion in 1993. He had no desire to stay at Williams for 1994 with Senna coming in, so retired instead - although he did test for McLaren that winter before deciding against another comeback.

1987 champion Nelson Piquet wasn't happy that Nigel Mansell was able to challenge his status at Williams, and as it became clear that the team would lose Honda engines for 1988, the Brazilian was happy to make a big money switch to Lotus instead.

But Lotus was nowhere near McLaren's pace in 1988 and Piquet soon became demoralised. Williams fared even worse than Lotus that year, but then started its recovery in partnership with Renault.

Niki Lauda was deeply unimpressed with how the Ferrari chiefs handled his near-fatal crash in 1976. He responded by sweeping to the 1977 title then promptly walking out of the team to drive for Brabham instead.

Lauda couldn't recapture his title winning form with Brabham, winning just once before retiring for the first time. Ferrari was humbled by Lotus in 1978, but took Jody Scheckter to the 1979 title with support from Lauda's replacement Gilles Villeneuve.

Button has stunned F1 by leaving Brawn for McLaren

Alonso is about to start life as a Ferrari driver - Whats with the specs!

[OZCUBAN]

Thanks for the memories

Oz

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VW consider F1 but only as an engine supplier

Volkswagen could make an appearance in Formula One in 2012, not as a manufacturer outfit but rather an engine supplier.

The 2012 Championship will see new engine regulations being introduced to the sport and depending on what direction these go, Volkswagen's Hans-Joachim Stuck admits the German carmaker could be interested.

Stuck, however, ruled out the possibility of Volkswagen buying a Formula One team as they were rumoured to be considering several years ago.

"If you're the world's largest manufacturer is natural that we're thinking about (Formula 1), but not before 2012," he told Autosport.

"We're looking for innovative things, and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Two years ago there was some talk that Volkswagen is going to buy the Red Bull F1 team, which we didn't need to buy. Why should we stick with one team if we can give our engines to more teams?

"If you buy Red Bull and Adrian Newey wants to go flying or fishing, the team is not successful any more.

"Look at BMW. They bought this multi-million dollar wind tunnel and a supercomputer and they now close the doors. Building an engine and providing it to a team is the best way."

Stuck went on to explain that Formula One's decision to cut costs as well as the expanded grid, which in 2010 will include 26 cars, has made the sport more interesting as far as Volkswagen are concerned.

"Now it's amazing; Formula 1 goes the right way," he said. "Many manufacturers have pulled out, which I think is a great deal, because we have manufacturers that we don't know for how long they will do it.

"They should become engine manufacturers and then lease the engine, sell the engine or give it to somebody. Then you lose all the hassle with teams, wind tunnels, engineers, you know.

"It's like Formula 1 in my days. We had March, we had Lotus, and we had Ford engines. Then Renault came in as engine manufacturer, with a formidable engine. This was perfect.

"I followed Formula 1 for the last seven years with BMW and I always asked myself on the grid, with only 20 cars, what if we could have 30 cars? Now we're getting back to this.

"We have three more teams next year, 26 cars, and by having a global engine, which is good in cost and reliable, we can have 30 cars on the grid."

MIKA: Great news and VW would be a welcome sight to F1.

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'Raikkonen closes in on Citroen rally deal'

Kimi Raikkonen is set to walk away from F1 and a possible drive with Mercedes GP as reports claim he's on the verge of closing a deal to compete in next year's World Rally Championship with Citroen.

2007 F1 World Champion Raikkonen is without a drive for next season after reaching a mutual agreement with Ferrari to end his contract a year early.

And although the Finn wanted to remain in Formula One, he stated rather specifically that he would only race for McLaren as he wouldn't join a team that could not guarantee him race wins and a shot at the World title.

Talks with McLaren broken down, resulting in the Woking outfit opting instead to sign Jenson Button, leaving Raikkonen without a F1 drive.

However, the Finn is reportedly on the verge of joining Citroen in the World Rally Championship, where he would compete in a C4 World Rally Car on all 13 rounds of the Championship.

According to the official WRC website, 'nothing is signed yet, but a source close to the 2007 F1 World Champion told wrc.com that only small details needed to be tied-up before an official announcement is made in the coming days.

'The Finn's 2010 WRC programme is understood to have been funded by Red Bull, one of Raikkonen's personal sponsors, and a major backer of Citroen's World Rally campaign.'

Should Raikkonen sign for Citroen, it would put an end to the slim chance that he could race for Mercedes GP next season.

MIKA: If this is true, it will be sad day in F1 to see Kimi leave.

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Serbian team 'on stand-by' for 2010 slot

The race for a slot on next year's starting grid is heating with Serbian team Stefan Grand Prix saying they are ready to enter Formula One.

Toyota's decision to quit Formula One means the 2010 entry list is yet to confirmed by the FIA. Several teams, including Stefan GP and the Sauber team, have been linked with Toyota's slot on the grid.

Stefan GP's chief Zoran Stefanovich says although they have "some sort of agreement" with Toyota, they don't have their entry for next year's Championship.

"There is no entry for them [Toyota]," Stefanovich told Autosport. "We are in the process of evaluating our own plans for next year. We did some sort of agreement with them [Toyota], to take over the F1 project, but I cannot discuss the details at present."

Stefanovich is confident his team have what it takes to make the grid next year, saying they are "on stand by".

"We have a complete facility and we have what is required to start testing immediately," he added. "There is no question about this.

"There is no reason not to believe that we can do it - and in fact the situation seems to be quite the opposite. F1 will be glad to have a team from this area of the world, as currently its only representation is with the Hungarian Grand Prix. We are on stand-by."

MIKA: What the.....?

There is no way this team will get through on the grid now that BMW have sold their shares back to Sauber. Sauber have F1 pedigree and surely whilst F1 should be open for most people and teams, this can't be a serious team?

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Massa takes another step towards F1 comeback

Felipe Massa has taken another big step towards his Formula One comeback by taking part in a charity karting event in Brazil.

The 28-year-old has been out of action since July when he suffered a fractured skull during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Massa, along with former Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, took part in the "International Challenge of the Stars" - an event that raises money for local charities - in Florianapolis.

The opening leg of the race was won by Schumacher with Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi second. Massa started 11th on the grid, but finished third after beating Renault test driver Lucas di Grassi on the final lap.

A host of F1 stars including Christian Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, Antonio Pizzonia, Enrique Bernoldi, Tarso Marques, Ricardo Zonta and Luciano Burti took part in the event which will continue on Sunday.

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Force India stick with Sutil and Liuzzi for 2010

Adrian Sutil will remain at Force India next season while Tonio Liuzzi has secured a full-time drive with the Silverstone-based squad.

Sutil, who joined Force India in 2007 when the team still run under the Spyker banner, claimed his best of his F1 career when he finished fourth in the 2009 Italian GP.

That same race saw Liuzzi make the move up from test driver to race driver, with Force India confirming on Friday that he will retain the position next season.

"We are very pleased to retain the services of both Adrian and Tonio for another season," said team boss Vijay Mallya.

"We have always maintained that consistency is key at this stage in the team's development and for the first time in many years we will have the continuity of not only the same drivers, but also the same engine and senior management.

"With this stability now in place I truly believe we have an excellent platform to build on and move forward on our strong 2009 performance.

"I am sure we have one of the most dynamic line-ups on the grid and I hope this will stand us in good stead in what we all hope will be a transitional year for the team."

Sutil is eagerly anticipating his fourth season with Force India, confident that the F1 team can take another step forward next year.

"2010 will be my fourth consecutive year with the team. I feel good here, it feels like family, and when you feel at ease you can focus your energy 100% on getting it right on track," he said.

"Next season I want to be in the points on a regular basis, maybe even challenging for the podium, and the team has exactly the same goals.

"We are going massively in the right direction so with our combined energies I'm confident we can achieve even more than last season."

Meanwhile, Liuzzi, who hasn't had a full-time drive since 2007, added: "It was always my goal to be back racing in 2010 and I've finally achieved it," he said. "I feel the five races I did in 2009 were a bit of a warm-up; get back racing, learn the car, get the feeling back.

"Now I've done that I feel ready to really push next season. We were pretty strong in the last part of the 2009 season so if we pick up where we stopped I think we could be in for a good year. For sure points are the aim and showing everyone what we can do."

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Lotus: Four drivers, two seats

Lotus F1 team boss Tony Fernandes has revealed that four drivers remain in the running for the team's first season in Formula One.

Lotus will join the Formula One grid next season, and although preparations are well underway with regards to their 2010 challenger, at present their driver line-up is little more than speculation.

Fernandes, who recently revealed that the team had already signed one driver but refused to name him, has now stated that there are four candidates from which the team much choose.

"Have to decide on four drivers for two seats," he said on his twitter page earlier this week.

And although Fernandes did not elaborate, those four drivers are believed to be Jarno Trulli, Kamui Kobayashi, Takuma Sato and also former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.

Earlier this week, Villeneuve visited Lotus's UK headquarters, spending a day touring the team's facilities.

"Jacques' visit is an honour for Lotus and Lotus is a team," CEO of Group Lotus Dany Bahar said.

"Our people are a blend of talent and expertise combined with passion for our brand. Our highlights are theirs, so this is a special day for us all."

MIKA: Having read the quotes in the above,I wouldn't be surprised to see Jacques back although, I think JV is way too old for F1 and has been out of the sport for ages.....

I hope Lotus hire Kamui Kobayashi, he's a great talent.

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BMW agree sale of F1 team to Peter Sauber

BMW have agreed the sale of their Formula One team to Peter Sauber after the deal with Qadbak Investment failed to materialise.

On Friday, BMW confirmed that Sauber, who already owns a stake in the BMW-Sauber F1 team, would take complete control of the outfit, which prior to BMW's involvement had belonged to him.

The deal, though, depends on a decision from the FIA regarding whether or not the team will get a slot on next year's grid.

Having failed to sign the new Concorde Agreement, which was concluded just days before BMW announced that they would withdraw at the end of the season, the BMW-Sauber team is not guaranteed a place on the 2010 grid.

However, the decision by Toyota to leave F1 has opened up a space up on the grid which Sauber is confident he will be given.

"I am very relieved that we have found this solution," he said of the sale. "It means we can keep the Hinwil location and the majority of workplaces.

"I am convinced that the new team has a very good future in Formula One, whose current transformation with new framework conditions will benefit the private teams.

"Our staff here are highly competent and motivated, and I look forward to taking on this new challenge together with them. I would like to thank BMW for four shared years that have in the main been very successful."

Dr Klaus Draeger, a member of BMW's management board added: "We are very happy with this solution. This fulfils the most important requirement for a successful future for the team.

"Our relationship with Peter Sauber has always been excellent and marked by absolute respect. We would like to express our thanks to Peter Sauber and the whole team for the excellent cooperation during the recent four years."

The two parties also confirmed that the sale of the team to Sauber will see personnel cuts from the current level of 388 to around 250 employees, adding that restructuring of the team and compliance with future framework conditions have made this essential.

MIKA: Great news for Sauber!

I wonder what Peter Sauber is smoking?

[MIKA27]

Wurz pulls out of running for USF1 seat

Alex Wurz on Friday announced that he will not be making a return to Formula One in 2010 with a USF1 race seat.

Earlier this year, the Austrian driver as well as USF1's sporting director Peter Windsor confirmed they were in contact about a possible collaboration for the new American team's debut season.

"There were discussions with USF1, but now I draw a line under the matter," Wurz, 35, said in an interview with motorline.cc.

"My one hundred per cent priority is the Peugeot factory team -- I'm going to contest the 24 hours of Le Mans and other (sports car) races," said the veteran of 69 grands prix, most recently with Williams in 2007.

Wurz denies that his pulling out of the running with USF1 has anything to do with the intense rumours suggesting the Charlotte based team is ill-equipped to see through its F1 foray.

"No, it is a decision of the heart," said Wurz.

"I could earn more money in Formula One, and I am convinced that USF1 will succeed in bringing American technology and American thinking into Formula One. Even people like Chip Ganassi are convinced that USF1 will be there," he added.

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Massa and Schumi claim top honours

Felipe Massa pulled off a popular victory in Sunday's second leg of his annual karting race, beating Michael Schumacher to the chequered flag.

Massa has been away from competition since his horrific Hungarian qualifying accident, during which he suffered life-threatening head injuries.

The Brazilian, though, is on course to return to Formula One next season, proving on Sunday that he has lost none of his ability or speed.

Massa, who finished third in the weekend's opening leg, claimed the victory on Sunday, beating his former Ferrari team-mate Schumacher.

"It was a great return to racing," Massa said. "I felt 100 percent."

However, Schumacher's victory on Saturday meant the seven-time World Champion clinched the overall title at the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champions

"It's fantastic to do a one-two with Felipe. It was like in the old days," Schumacher told reporters.

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Schumi refuses to rule out a comeback

Michael Schumacher has refused to rule out a Formula One comeback, amidst rumours that he's off to Mercedes GP next season.

Mercedes' buy-out of the Brawn GP team saw Schumacher being linked to a race-seat for next year's Championship.

However, the initial speculation has been dogged by pages of hints followed by denials made by some relevant and some not-so-relevant parties.

Schumacher, though, hasn't actually said anything himself - at least up until now.

Speaking to local reporters at this past weekend's charity karting event, the seven-time World Champ was asked whether he would be back racing in 2010.

He told Terra: "Who knows?"

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Barrichello: Brawn should have fought for us

Rubens Barrichello believes Ross Brawn should have fought to retain himself and Jenson Button after the duo helped the team to the Championship double.

Button and Barrichello finished first and third in the 2009 Drivers' Championship, claiming a total of eight victories in the 17-race season.

Their combined efforts saw the team clinch the Constructors' Championship title, an impressive achievement given the team's turbulent start to the year when they weren't even sure if they would make the grid.

But despite their performances, Brawn GP, will begin next year's Championship without either Barrichello or Button.

While Barrichello has left the team to join Williams, 2009 Champion Button shocked the F1 fraternity when he walked away from Brawn in favour of a deal with McLaren.

And while one can only speculate that new team owners Mercedes, who are believed to want an all-German line-up, are partly responsible, Barrichello has hinted at just that, saying Brawn should have done more to hold onto his drivers.

"Honestly, if I were the owner of the Brawn team, I would have fought for the retention of the two drivers for the work that was done during the season," the 37-year-old told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

He added: "Button's decision took me by surprise; I never imagined that he too would leave."

As for his own move to Williams, the Brazilian said: "My decision was taken early.

"It was a childhood dream to drive a Williams, so I signed the contract very rapidly."

MIKA: I doubt driving for Williams is a childhood dream but rather, driving for any team in F1 at Rubens age, is a dream. I too am shocked that BRAWN didn't do much to retain Button but after what Rubens did earlier on this season, I don't blame Brawn for not bothering with RB.

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Citroen deny Raikkonen rumours

Kimi Raikkonen has not signed a deal nor has he even spoken with Citroen, according to team principal Olivier Quesnel.

This past weekend, reports emerged claiming that Raikkonen would definitely bid farewell to Formula One in favour of a switch to the World Rally Championship with Citroen.

According to the official WRC website, 'nothing is signed yet, but a source close to the 2007 F1 World Champion told wrc.com that only small details needed to be tied-up before an official announcement is made in the coming days.'

However, Quesnel has not only dismissed reports of a deal, he's also denied that the team has even spoken with Raikkonen.

"Nothing is signed, I never even had Raikkonen on the telephone," Quesnel told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"In any case, (if Raikkonen did sign for Citroen) it would not be in the official team, but in the Citroen Junior Team. There is a lot of noise about this."

But just because Raikkonen isn't doing a deal with Citroen that doesn't mean Quesnel wouldn't mind seeing the 2007 F1 Champ swap to rallying.

"He was not a World Champion by chance," he said. "In Finland last year, he was quite astonishing at the wheel of a Super 2000 car.

"If he comes to WRC, it will be very good news for the rally in general. It would also be nice to thumb the nose to F1."

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Manor team entered under Virgin title

Richard Branson's Virgin organisation is set to have its own Formula 1 team next year, as the FIA's latest 2010 entry list revealed that Manor GP would run under the Virgin Racing title.

The paddock rumour mill has long hinted that Virgin would be Manor's title backer.

According to the entry list, the team will be known as Virgin Racing, with its cars entered as Virgin-Cosworths.

The Virgin brand has been linked with an F1 entry for many years, and was mooted as a potential buyer when Honda put its F1 operation up for sale last winter.

Ultimately Branson's company was merely a sponsor of what became the Brawn team, and despite initial suggestions that this was a precursor to a bigger involvement, it became clear during the summer that Virgin was heading for a major role in the Manor project instead.

Manor has its roots in the highly successful Formula 3 team run by Englishman John Booth, and will run out of premises in Yorkshire.

Its cars will be provided by Wirth Research, the company formed by sometime Simtek and Benetton designer Nick Wirth, who was also responsible for the Acura sportscars that have raced in America in recent years.

Former Toyota driver Timo Glock has already committed to Virgin, with Renault test driver Lucas di Grassi linked to the second seat.

[OZCUBAN]

Good posts Mika

If had to gamble which i generally don't except Lotto,which by the way i still haven't won there's always this weekend then rob would get an absolutely huge order

But i digress i would expect to see the schu at Mercedes/Brawn next year , the old firm back together again.

The virgin involvement i guess is of no surprise it will be interesting to see how they fare

where did you get the photo of Peter Sauber from ,he is one of us

good to Massa is back to form

cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

Good posts Mika

If had to gamble which i generally don't except Lotto,which by the way i still haven't won there's always this weekend then rob would get an absolutely huge order

But i digress i would expect to see the schu at Mercedes/Brawn next year , the old firm back together again.

The virgin involvement i guess is of no surprise it will be interesting to see how they fare

where did you get the photo of Peter Sauber from ,he is one of us

good to Massa is back to form

cheers Oz

Thanks Oz.

I too believe Michael Schumacher will return and that will be fantastic!

Peter Branson is an F1 *****, splashes his cash around for attention and then ditches the team the year after. Surprising why and how he removed sponsorship from BRAWN considering they won both drivers and constructors championships.

Massa is also in form and will be a welcome sight on the grid.

Almost our 500th post on this thread mate. Thanks for all your posts and input along with all who read and contribute.

[MIKA27]

Official 2010 FIA Fomula One entry list

The FIA have released the official 2010 entry list, it features all the new teams; Lotus F1 Racing, USF1 Team, Campos Meta 1 and Virgin Racing (Manor GP).

It doesn't however feature Sauber or Toyota, however the FIA stated: "Toyota Motorsport GmbH remains formally bound by the Concorde Agreement to put forward a team for participation, though it has indicated that it will not be in a position to do so. An announcement will be made regarding this entry in due course."

Brawn GP has indicated it's intention to be renamed Mercedes Grand Prix, this will happen before the 2010 season.

The 2010 FIA List:

01. J. Button – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren-Mercedes

02. L. Hamilton – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren-Mercedes

03. N. Rosberg – Brawn GP Formula One Team – Brawn-Mercedes-Benz

04. TBA – Brawn GP Formula One Team – Brawn-Mercedes-Benz

05. S. Vettel – Red Bull Racing – Red Bull Racing Renault

06. M. Webber – Red Bull Racing – Red Bull Racing Renault

07. F. Massa – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari

08. F. Alonso – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari

09. R. Barrichello – AT&T Williams – Williams-Cosworth

10. N. Hulkenberg – AT&T Williams – Williams-Cosworth

11. R. Kubica – Renault F1 Team – Renault

12. TBA – Renault F1 Team – Renault

14. A. Sutil – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes

15. Tonio Liuzzi – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes

16. S. Buemi – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR-Ferrari

17. TBA – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR-Ferrari

18. TBA – Lotus F1 Racing – Lotus Cosworth

19. TBA – Lotus F1 Racing – Lotus Cosworth

20. TBA – Campos Meta 1 – Campos Dallara

21. B. Senna – Campos Meta 1 – Campos Dallara

22. TBA – USF1 Team – USF1 Cosworth

23. TBA – USF1 Team – USF1 Cosworth

24. T. Glock – Virgin Racing – Virgin Cosworth

25. TBA – Virgin Racing – Virgin Cosworth

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McLaren launch 2010 merchandise

McLaren are the first team to launch their brand-new range of merchandise which currently includes the team's t-shirt, victory t-shirt, sweater, windbreaker jacket and their new MP4-25 cap.

The announcement was made to the team's twitter fans at 16:45GMT on Tuesday.

At this stage the stock isn't even at the warehouse and therefore the items are represented by graphical designs instead of photograhs.

Be the first to get hold of some of their new stock by pre-ordering now, visit their eShop now.

MIKA: Wow, already out, they're keen!

[MIKA27]

Horner insists Renault not engine supplier yet

Christian Horner on Tuesday insisted a decision about Red Bull Racing's engine supplier for the 2010 season has not yet been taken.

On the FIA's entry list for next year, Renault was listed as the Austrian energy drink-owned team's continuing supplier, apparently ending speculation about a possible switch to Mercedes or Cosworth.

But a report of the German news agency DPA quoted Horner, Red Bull's team boss, as saying "nothing is confirmed yet", despite the publication on Monday of the FIA document.

The Briton suggested that Renault, set to announce its future approach to Formula One before the new year, is only the likely supplier, whose name was put forward for the moment due to FIA requirements.

MIKA: This just shows if true, that F1 are uncertain on Renaults dependability as continuing into 2010. I wonder if Mercedes would allow their engines in such an amazing racer that Red Bull have, the car would be unbeatable and not in Mercedes GP or McLaren Mercedes best interest?

If Renault pull out, I think it'll be Cosworth RBR will need to turn to.

[MIKA27]

Driver choice hints at Renault team sale

A Swiss specialist publication has identified a link between Renault's surprising driver choice for this week's Jerez test, and a potential buyer for the Enstone based team.

It was rumoured last month that Renault may be considering staying in Formula One as an engine supplier next year but withdrawing as a full constructor.

Motorsport Aktuell named Gerard Lopez, co-founder of venture capital firm Mangrove, as one prospective buyer.

Some insiders expressed surprise recently when Ho-Pin Tung, a Dutch born Chinese who has recently been driving in the A1 and Superleague series, was named alongside Lucas di Grassi and Bertrand Baguette for Renault's Jerez test lineup.

But a statement issued by the 26-year-old highlighted the fact that he is handled by the sports management company Gravity.

"Today we have come to the point where we can say we are at the threshold of Formula One," Tung is quoted as saying.

Motorsport Aktuell reveals that Mangrove's Gerard Lopez is also involved with Gravity, therefore perhaps explaining Tung's Renault test.

It may also be significant that a large delegation of Chinese media is covering the Jerez test this week, including the state television broadcaster CCTV.

MIKA: Not looking good on the Renault front I'm afraid.

[OZCUBAN]

Sauber win place on 2010 F1 grid

Sauber have been awarded the 13th and final slot on the Formula 1 grid next year in place of Toyota, which quit the sport at the end of the 2009 season.

The Swiss team applied for a place following BMW's decision to sell its team back to founder Peter Sauber provided they were given an entry.

The FIA said in a statement on Thursday it had accepted Sauber's application.

Meanwhile, further doubt has been cast on Renault's future following reports the company has decided to quit F1.

The French newspaper L'Equipe has reported that Renault president Carlos Ghosn has ordered his lieutenants to look at ways of stopping being a constructor and selling the team, while remaining as an engine supplier.

Ghosn is understood to have discussed the issue at a meeting of his heads of department on Thursday, and it is expected to feature again at a board meeting next week.

Renault said last month that it would make a decision on its F1 future by the end of the year.

Media reports have also suggested Renault was considering selling to British-based Prodrive.

"We cannot comment on the Renault situation, but it is well known that our intention is to get into F1," a Prodrive spokesman told Reuters news agency.

"We proved our credentials earlier this year when we had a strong business case for an entry, but having had an engine deal with Mercedes-Benz in place we were not willing to sacrifice our competitiveness."

If Renault pulls out, that would reduce the number of teams to 12 once Sauber completes the formalities of signing the Concorde Agreement, the secret document by which the sport is governed and which defines the relationship between the teams, the FIA and the commercial rights holders.

BMW Sauber lost their guaranteed place on the 2010 grid to Lotus because they failed to sign the Concorde Agreement in July.

But Toyota's decision to leave F1 earlier this month has opened up a space on the grid which has been been handed to the Swiss outfit.

Toyota pulled the plug on its F1 team in November after seven years competing in the sport, during which time they took part in 139 races and failed to record a single win.

Their decision to pull out made them the third manufacturer in 11 months to leave the championship, following in the footsteps of Honda and BMW.

Oz Lets just hope they do better than they did the first time around

[OZCUBAN]

British GP saga close to conclusion

The saga of the future of the British Grand Prix continues to drag on - but all the indications are that Silverstone is inching towards concluding a deal with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

I heard whispers earlier this week that a deal had actually been done, if not yet signed. But Damon Hill - the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club which owns Silverstone - tells me that is not yet the case.

Hill says there is "no reason to think it won't be signed" but long experience of working with Ecclestone has taught him not to presume anything will happen before it actually does.

"It would be almost inconceivable for there not to be a British Grand Prix next year," Hill said on Thursday, "but until it is signed, there is always the possibility that will be the case."

There is no doubt that both the BRDC and Ecclestone's F1 Management (FOM) company are keen to sort it out and secure the race's future in the wake of the fiasco over Donington Park's failure to raise the funds needed to fulfil its contract to host the race.

They have reached broad agreement on a multi-year contract for the British GP to be held at Silverstone, and only

the fine details of the deal remain to be resolved.

But as Hill says: "It's not done until it's done, and until it's done to our satisfaction, it won't be signed.

"There has been an intensive period of negotiation about the fine detail, which we're hopeful will get us to the point of being able to sign a contract - but nothing has been signed yet."

The BRDC's concern is the level of financial risk to which it is exposed - it remains steadfast in its position that it cannot put the future of the company at jeopardy just for the sake of the grand prix.

"We're down to the finer points, but they are crucial points," Hill says. "The small details are important details - it's to do with the liability that is undertaken and whether it's acceptable.

"It's potentially very serious and that's why it's important to get it resolved."

Hill would not expand on what specifically "liability" meant, but a source reasonably close to the BRDC - but with no knowledge of the talks - told me that it might well be that Ecclestone is trying to lay off some of his own financial risk on to Silverstone in return for what he considers to be a cut-price deal for the race.

The risk for the BRDC if that is the case is that it would make the insurance premiums rise dramatically.

Or it might be that in return for the reduced race fee Ecclestone is demanding Silverstone share some of the revenues it will earn from ticket sales - a track's only source of income given that FOM owns the advertising rights - and that the BRDC has to guarantee a minimum amount.

Given the small margins on which the BRDC operates, get any calculation like that wrong and it could be disastrous.

Ecclestone is on holiday at the moment. He is renowned for pushing as hard as he can for the best deal for himself but in this situation it is also well known that not only does he want a British GP, but so do the F1 teams and the owners of the the sport's commercial rights, the venture capital company CVC.

Silverstone is his only option, so one assumes that the two sides will reach an agreement by the deadline of next Tuesday - the day before a meeting of the World Council of F1's governing body, the FIA, decides the official 2010 F1 calendar on 9 December.

Elsewhere in F1, there looks to have been a major development on the subject of Renault's future in the sport.

The sun seems to be setting on Renault's time in F1 as a constructor

The French company announced after an emergency board meeting last month that it would make a decision before the end of the year whether to continue in F1 in 2010.

On Thursday, the respected French newspaper L'Equipe published a report saying Renault president Carlos Ghosn had now decided that the company would cease its involvement as a car constructor, while remaining an engine supplier, and was looking for a way out that would enable the team to survive. The situation is being discussed at a meeting of Ghosn and his heads of department on Thursday - and again at a conseil d'administration (executive board meeting) next week.

The story is written by the journalist Anne Giuntini, who is very well connected at Renault, so I am pretty confident that it is accurate.

Giuntini's report says Renault is trying to strike a deal to sell the team to Prodrive, the engineering company behind the Subaru world rally team which is run by former Benetton and BAR F1 team boss David Richards.

Prodrive, who had an F1 entry for 2010 turned down by the FIA in the summer, would not comment specifically when contacted by BBC Sport, but a spokesman pointedly did not deny the story.

"We're looking at all the opportunities and the reasons for going in (to F1) would be based on the same criteria we set 12 months ago - competitiveness and cost-effectiveness," he said. "We are looking at everything that's out there."

An intriguing corollary of Renault pulling out would be that the highly rated Robert Kubica would be back on the driver market.

Kubica chats to Alonso - could they be Ferrari team-mates in 2011?

There is one obvious vacancy at a potentially front-running team - the second seat at Mercedes (formerly Brawn) that has recently been linked with Michael Schumacher.

Almost unbelievably, though, it seems Mercedes sports boss Norbert Haug is not interested in Kubica, feeling that the Pole's former BMW Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld is a better bet should Schumacher not be available.

Haug is in a minority of approximately one in the F1 paddock if he does believe that.

Certainly, Ferrari would not agree. They are known to be fans of Kubica, who is tipped for a race seat at Maranello alongside Fernando Alonso in 2011.

Whether that happens and what he does in the meantime remains to be seen, but it is surely inconceivable that the man who wrestled an uncompetitive BMW Sauber to a brilliant second place in Brazil in October could be without a drive in 2010.

Oz Lets hope that the Silverstone deal can be done to the satisfaction off all concerned the F-1 circus needs a British G.P

And as far as Renault are concerned a sale is imminent at least they are still in the business of supplying engines F-1 cannot afford to loose any more engine manufacturers .

Having said that next year is still looking very promising to say the least

Cheers Oz :cigar:

[MIKA27]

British GP saga close to conclusion

Oz Lets hope that the Silverstone deal can be done to the satisfaction off all concerned the F-1 circus needs a British G.P

And as far as Renault are concerned a sale is imminent at least they are still in the business of supplying engines F-1 cannot afford to loose any more engine manufacturers .

Having said that next year is still looking very promising to say the least

Cheers Oz :cigar:

Great posts Oz.

I truly believe Silverstone will be in the 2010 calendar BUT, agree, that they need to pull their finger out and splurge and retro fit the tracks facilities to modernise to current standards in order to remain in F1. It's in their best interests to stay on the F1 calendar. After all, whats F1 without the British GP!

As for Renault, I always knew they'd pull out however it would be great if they did remain as engine suppliers. They make a great engine and would be good to see how they fair against the mighty Mercedes engines.

[MIKA27]

Ferrari hit out at Kimi after Alonso's visits

The demise of Kimi Raikkonen's relationship with Ferrari and his apparent lack of motivation have, according to an unnamed Ferrari team member, been highlighted by Fernando Alonso's recent visits to Maranello.

Despite winning the World title in his first season with Ferrari back in 2007, Raikkonen's relationship with the Italian marque soon began to deteriorate.

The downward spiral first saw the powers-that-be question the Finn's motivation and his commitment. They later progressed to publicly casting doubts about Raikkonen's future at the team and whether he suited being a Ferrari driver.

"It's a matter of personality, because Kimi is the type of person that shows little emotion, he keeps everything inside," said Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo. "These things don't help with the exchange of information inside the team."

The end result was a mutual agreement between Ferrari and Raikkonen to end his contract a year early, allowing Ferrari to sign double World Champion, Alonso, as his replacement.

And although he's still contracted to Renault, Alonso has already paid two visits to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, the most recent being last week when he spent two days there talking with the team's engineers and familiarising himself with the Fiorano circuit.

Alonso's second visit led to a thinly-veiled dig at Raikkonen's absence during his time with Ferrari.

"In the two days he (Alonso) has seen more of the Maranello factory than others in two years," a team member told Marca.

The Spaniard, though, knows he still has a lot of work to do to earn the respect of his new team members.

"I have to earn the trust and gain the confidence of the team and begin a good relationship with the engineers and mechanics," he said.

"That is what I am trying to do in these months, in order to arrive at the first race with a good understanding with the team so that we all feel comfortable together."

Meanwhile, new team-mate Felipe Massa, who will return to racing next season after an injury lay-off, said in a separate interview with Marca that he is not afraid of being upstaged by Alonso.

"Alonso is a great driver, everyone knows that, and I think we will have a good relationship off the track," he said.

"I think we can form the strongest partnership in the Championship. I think his arrival will change nothing in my career or within Ferrari: we are two great drivers, and his recruitment is good for the team."

MIKA: Lets just wait and see how it all pans out. Alonso said very similar things when he headed over to McLaren and look what happened there.