FORMULA 1 2009

[MIKA27]

Nurburgring wants better deal for new contract

Politicians of the local Rhineland-Palatinate state have indicated they want to sign a new contract to keep Formula One at the Nurburgring beyond the expiry of the 2011 contract.

But the economics minister Hendrik Herring said the race is not to be retained "at any price".

The German news agency SID reports that the Nurburgring is hoping Bernie Ecclestone will agree to more favourable terms, as the F1 chief executive demonstrated earlier this year when he secured the future of Germany's other grand prix at Hockenheim.

"I hope and expect that more favourable conditions are granted for us," said prime minister Kurt Beck.

MIKA: Is it just myself or do you also notice that whenever contracts are up, Bernie Ecclestone screws things up. Rather than ensuring GP hosts re-sign a new contract to extend into the future, B.E attempts to extort more cash to line his pockets.

I'd really hate to lose Nurburgring for good, it's one of my favourite races on the calendar.

[MIKA27]

Villeneuve in pole position as Lotus near decision

Jacques Villeneuve looks set to join the new Lotus team next season with the outfit expected to announce their line-up next week.

The 38-year-old former World Champion is currently employing a rigorous fitness program as he looks to get back into shape for a possible return to Formula One.

Villeneuve has enlisted the services of his former trainer Dr Erwin Gollner, who also trains Nico Rosberg, for what the Canadian describes as a "really, really brutal" fitness regime.

It appears the Canadian's efforts will be rewarded with a race seat, with the driver insisting that while the discussions are "still preliminary" that he wouldn't "come to suffer, in a retreat, leaving my two sons far away, if I didn't believe things are moving along well."

An announcement from Lotus with regards to their driver line-up will be made in the near future, with chief executive officer Riad Asmat telling The Star, "We will name two drivers and a reserve. Negotiations are still going on."

Meanwhile, Villeneuve's push for a return to Formula One has been backed by the promoters of the Canadian Grand Prix.

"I can't deny that if Jacques is back in a Formula One car it will help the Grand Prix,"Francois Dumontier of promoters Octane Racing Group is reported to have told the National Post.

"People here love him. We saw how popular he is when he raced NASCAR here. I would be fan no.1 if Jacques is back in a Lotus car and if we can help him, that's what we'll do," he addled.

MIKA: No, No, NO!!!!

What the hell are Lotus thinking by getting JV back in F1. After Williams, JV went downward and never even came anywhere close to form. He should stay out of F1, age has nothing to do with it, it's form and after his WC win, he had none thereafter.

[OZCUBAN]

Right on Mika,even though i was a JV fan way back,i believe your statement stands ... nothing since

Oz

[MIKA27]

It's official: Kimi's off rallying in 2010

Kimi Raikkonen's F1 career is over, at least for now, after Citroen confirmed that the Finn will compete with their Junior Team in next year's World Rally Championship.

Having failed to secured a race-seat with McLaren for next year's Championship, Raikkonen announced that he would be taking a year out of Formula One, admitting that a season spent rallying could be on the cards.

That was finally confirmed on Friday when Citroen revealed that the 2007 F1 World Champ will contest next year's WRC in a Red Bull-backed Citroen Junior Team car.

"I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career," said Raikkonen.

"Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4. This is a new but very exciting challenge."

But just because he's off rallying next year it doesn't mean Raikkonen's F1 career is over for good as the Finn revealed that he has only signed a one-year deal with Citroen.

"For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future," he said. "I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally."

Citroen team boss Olivier Quesnel added: "It is with immense joy that we welcome Kimi Raikkonen to our ranks. We are very proud that he has chosen Citroen."

The team added that Raikkonen's co-driver will be compatriot Kaj Lindstrom, who partnered now-retired Tommi Makinen to four successive World titles in the 1990s.

MIKA: F1 has lost an amazing driver. Kimi may not be the best person on the Public relations side of F1, but where it matters, driving, he's one of the best and pulled Ferraris 'Dead weight' during 2009 season. Considering Ferrari provided Massa and Kimi with a really bad racer, Kimi made it all work.

I hope he does return.

[MIKA27]

Weber 'can't imagine' Schumi at Mercedes

Despite the ongoing rumours that Michael Schumacher is off to Mercedes GP next season, his manager Willi Weber says he "cannot imagine" it.

Ever since Mercedes purchased a majority stake in the Championship-winning Brawn GP team, Schumacher has been linked to the German outfit.

While some reports claim he will race for them next season, others suggest he will only take an advisory role, similar to the one he currently has with Ferrari.

However, his manager can't see Schumacher ending his association with the Scuderia in favour of a deal with Mercedes.

"I cannot imagine that he would go to Mercedes," Weber told Bild. "He only recently extended his deal as a Ferrari advisor for another three years."

MIKA: In Formula 1, anything can happen.

I don't know why contracts are ever made in F1 because NOBODY sticks to them and where money is involved, especially with Schumi, he has the power to do anything he likes. Webber isn't very reliable with rumors etc, his past form in confirming other events have never been reliable.

Whilst for some, it would seem to be an uncomfortable move because of his long association with Ferrari and his 'lifetime ambassador' status etc. But at Mercedes he would be reunited with Ross Brawn, architect for all his previous World Championships. He would also be rounding off a career that started with Mercedes.

It was thanks to Mercedes' Jochen Neerpasch that Schumacher got into F1 so quickly. He took on Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger for the Mercedes young driver programme and put them into the Sauber-Mercedes Group C sportscars for 1990 and 1991. He also arranged for Schumacher to test in F3000 and Mercedes paid Eddie Jordan for the privilege of putting him in an F1 car at Spa for that fateful Belgian GP of 1991. WOW, how time flies by!

So a move to Mercedes would have no stigma for Michael who may feel that his position at Ferrari will be shaded by the arrival of Alonso. Already Fernando has been doing more behind-the-scenes work than Kimi ever did and with his pedigree as a double World Champion and F1's most complete driver, Ferrari are probably going to be oversupplied with talismanic figures in 2010.

Schumi's great joy is driving, and with the testing restrictions still in place, the mileage that Ferrari can give him when they share it out between Massa, Alonso, Badoer, Gene, Schumacher and maybe Bianchi is going to be limited. Way too many people in the Ferrari boat.

I myself personally believe Schumi will return to F1.

[MIKA27]

Hamilton's warning to Button

Former Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton aims to take the title back from new team-mate Jenson Button next season.

Hamilton, who won the world title in 2008, is joined at McLaren in 2010 by current champion Button after his decision to leave the Brawn team with which he won the world crown.

Hamilton said: "You are always working with your team-mate but clearly both of us want to win.

"We will do what we can to work as a team. Otherwise he (Button) wants to keep his world championship and I want to take it back."

Hamilton was speaking at the RoadSense Schools Initiative, a new scheme to teach school children from 14 upwards about road safety which took place at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey.

MIKA: Hamilton runs rings around Button. No competition.

[MIKA27]

Hamilton drives Prost’s ’86 title-winning McLaren

Lewis Hamilton was at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) on Wednesday evening to help team partners TAG Heuer celebrate its 150th anniversary. The famous watchmakers have also announced an extension to their McLaren partnership.

The event was awash with VIP guests, but that didn’t stop a Formula One car stealing the limelight, as Hamilton drove Alain Prost’s 1986 McLaren MP4-2C - the machine in which the Frenchman took his second world drivers’ title - around the spectacular lakeside entrance to the MTC.

“To be able to sit in the very car driven by one of the team’s greatest champions, Alain Prost, is a great honour,” Hamilton said of the MP4-2C, which has been lovingly restored by the team’s engineers. “It was incredible to get to drive such a piece of history, and to experience a little taste of Formula One’s, McLaren’s and TAG Heuer’s glorious past.”

McLaren’s relationship with TAG Heuer, which dates back to 1985, is one of the longest sporting sponsorship deals in history and 2010 will mark its 25th anniversary.

“To announce the extension of a partnership that has already prospered for 25 years not only says a lot about the very close relationship that exists between TAG Heuer and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, but it also speaks volumes about the appeal, strength and sustainability offered to all partners by Formula One,” said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

[MIKA27]

Three new faces join Lotus F1 team

Lotus have taken another big stride ahead of their debut season in Formula One by announcing three senior appointments to its team.

Mia Sharizman Ismail has been appointed Lotus F1 Racing's head of operations (Asia), former Malaysian F1 driver Alex Yoong takes up the post of head of driver development (Asia) while United Kingdom-based Litespeed Formula 3 team principal Nino Judge has been named head of driver development (Europe).

Mia will oversee selected areas of the team's operations including promotion, nurturing alliances with motorsports bodies in the region while Yoong and Judge will co-host Lotus F1 Racing's driver development programme.

Lotus F1 team principal Tony Fernandes welcomed the appointments.

"These new senior appointments will be a great boost for Lotus F1 Racing. The team have achieved many important milestones and we are on track to be on the grid in Bahrain next year."

[MIKA27]

'Ferrari needs Alonso to take a Schumi role'

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali admits the Italian marque is hoping Fernando Alonso can fill the void left by Michael Schumacher, something Kimi Raikkonen could not do.

Although Raikkonen won the World title with Ferrari in his first season at Maranello, the Finn's performances over the past two seasons have left a lot to be desired by those working for Ferrari.

Whether it be an under-performing car or a lack of motivation, Raikkonen was unable to lift Ferrari to the heights previously achieved under Schumacher's reign.

As such, the Italian marque opted to part ways with the Finn, signing Alonso as his replacement. And Domenicali has high hopes for the Spaniard.

"Ferrari needs someone in the team who is similar to Schumi," he told Auto Bild.

"(Raikkonen) is very fast. In a car capable of winning he was and is perfect. But if the car needs to be developed and the team inspired, Alonso is better."

But while Alonso may bring something in terms of speed and development, the Spaniard has a rocky reputation in Formula One thanks to his brief spell at McLaren.

Despite signing a multi-year contract with the Woking team, Alonso stayed at McLaren for just one season after tension between himself and his team boss Ron Dennis as well as himself and team-mate Lewis Hamilton resulted in a mutual parting of ways.

Domenicali, though, is confident Alonso won't have the same problems when he joins Ferrari and teams up with Felipe Massa.

"I have spoken with Fernando about his problems with McLaren. He felt cheated and it admits it was not always right with his relationship with Lewis," he said.

"At Maranello this will not happen."

MIKA: Only time will tell......

On a seperate note: This is our 500th post!

[OZCUBAN]

Congrats Mika

who would have thought

[MIKA27]

Silverstone plan new track layout for F1

Silverstone is set for a £40 million makeover as part of an upgrade originally planned for MotoGP. The new track layout, called the 'Arena' features a totally new section starting after 'Abbey', the track will head into the centre, before re-joining at the 'Priory' corner.

The new plans have been seen by the FIA, but have yet to passed for Formula One - although unlikely to be a problem. The new 'Arena' area has outstanding views for fans.

Richard Phillips explained at Monday's meeting in which Silverstone secured the GP for another 17 years that the new track will be finished by 2010, with a host of new features ready in 2011.

"There is an awful lot going on, we are hopeful that we will be using the new 'Arena' circuit next summer. But we have still got the original circuit as well, so if we cannot get it to the right stage in time then we will be running on the current GP circuit."

Once the new paddock area is completed, Phillips said there will be the potential to expand the capacity.

"The Arena has potential to increase once we build the new pits, because the Paddock Club will move. In 2010 the Paddock Club is in an odd position so it will be difficult to let the public into that area."

"I would love to run the Arena circuit because I think it will be incredible," he said. "It is keeping the best of the original circuit, but it is much safer because of the changes we are making for the bikes."

[MIKA27]

Rosberg would welcome Schumacher as teammate

Nico Rosberg has revealed he would welcome sharing a Mercedes GP garage next year with the most successful driver in F1's history.

The 24-year-old German's comments, to the Swiss specialist publication Motorsport Aktuell, will only intensify speculation that countryman Michael Schumacher is contemplating a sensational return to the grid he departed at the end of 2006.

"It would be a very interesting challenge, and a super lineup," Rosberg, who has already been named as Mercedes' first driver for the 2010 season, said.

The former Williams driver, however, denied that has willingness to have 40-year-old Schumacher as a teammate indicates the move is therefore likely to happen.

"Honestly, I have no idea," he said.

[MIKA27]

Ron Dennis rules out F1 pitwall return

Ron Dennis has scotched rumours suggesting he might be looking to return to the F1 pitwall.

At the 2009 season finale in Abu Dhabi last month, the 62-year-old returned to the paddock after a season away from the sport spent establishing McLaren's new production sports cars division.

It was widely believed that Dennis' departure earlier this year was part of a deal with Max Mosley in the wake of the 'spy' and 'lie'-gate scandals.

Abu Dhabi was the first race since 1993 without Mosley as FIA president, as Jean Todt took control of the governing body.

But according to a report on sportspromedia.com, Dennis "ruled out a return" to F1 as he attended the recent Autosport Awards.

2009 was Martin Whitmarsh's first season as Dennis' McLaren successor, and on Tuesday he told F1's official website that the British team has taken on a new flavour.

"While I think everybody in this organisation is indebted to Ron for his leadership and visionary prowess, I also think it's apparent that the team has started to acquire a slightly different style and personality over the last 12 months," he said.

"Of course, there is still a huge amount of 'Ron' in McLaren - and that's only natural and it's hugely important and beneficial too - but the most important thing I want people to recognise is that the successes achieved by McLaren come from us being a team, not from any one individual," Whitmarsh added.

[MIKA27]

Bridgestone extra tweaks for 2010 tyres

Bridgestone has confirmed that additional tweaks will be made to its tyres before the marque bows out of Formula One at the end of the 2010 season.

It emerged earlier this year that next year's Bridgestone slicks will be thinner at the front in order to produce better handling and less rear wear in the cars' current aerodynamic configuration.

The Japanese supplier has now revealed that additional changes will be made in light of the ban on refuelling for 2010 and the different race strategies that may therefore arise.

"Our 2010 tyres are designed for the requirements of the heavier fuel loads in next year’s cars and also for the potential different pit stop strategies we could see without refuelling" said chief engineer Jun Matsuzaki.

"The construction is more durable, and the compounds have also been modified." he added.

With the new regulations allowing for the use of narrower front tyres, Matsuzaki reckons it'll be interesting to see which teams are able to maximise the performance.

"A narrower front tyre will also be introduced to adjust the basic balance of the cars. As tyre characteristics will be changed due to the modifications, we are now working very hard with all teams to enhance their understanding of this. We are very looking forward to seeing how quickly the teams maximise tyre performance within the new regulations of 2010."

[MIKA27]

Stefan invites Toyota staff to join team

Stefan GP is ushering members of Toyota's defunct Formula One team to the front of the queue for jobs with the hopeful Serbian entrant.

Headed by Belgrade based businessman Zoran Stefanovich, Stefan GP has not received the green light to race in 2010 but said on Monday it hopes to eventually make its grand prix debut.

Revealing that Toyota's John Howett visited the Belgrade headquarters on Monday, the team also began to advertise for staff for "all areas" of an F1 operation.

"Some posts will be located in Germany (and the) rest of (the) team will be located in Belgrade, Serbia," said Stefan GP (SGP).

SGP added that Toyota F1 personnel, 500 of whom have lost their jobs at the marque's Cologne headquarters, will have a "slight advantage" for the vacant positions.

[MIKA27]

Alonso plays down effect of F1 refuelling ban

Fernando Alonso has played down suggestions the ban on refuelling for 2010 will force drivers to dramatically alter their driving styles.

Because the cars will have to carry enough fuel for the entire race distance next year, the weight of the cars at the start and the end of grands prix will be dramatically different.

It has been suggested that drivers will therefore need to drive more strategically, by putting more attention into managing the use of fuel and tyres.

But 2005 and 2006 world champion Alonso, who will be Felipe Massa's Ferrari teammate next year, said: "I do not believe it (the refuelling ban) is going to be decisive or change the races very much."

In quotes published by Spain's Marca from a Santander event in Madrid, the 28-year-old Spaniard acknowledged that the tyres will be more stressed when the fuel weights are high.

"The important thing will be to look after them in the first 10 or 15 laps, the first stint," said Alonso.

"But just because of that I don't believe the driving styles are going to change too much," he added.

[MIKA27]

Newey looking to build on Red Bull success

Adrian Newey admits he is happy with the progress Red Bull have made this year, but advises caution heading into the 2010 season.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit enjoyed their most profitable season to date in 2009, recording six race wins and securing second spot in the constructor's standings.

"Motor racing is full of ifs and buts - but the reality is that if you said 12 months ago, you are going to win six races and finish second in the world championship, then obviously I would have bitten your hand off," Newey told Autosport.

"So we cannot be disappointed. It was a fantastic year for the team."

"The bottom line was simply that we ran out of time in the second half of the year. We had a good car, but we ran out of races. The teams that came up with the double diffusers, they got that jump and good luck to them. That is the nature of F1," he added.

Despite the team's success this year, Newey remains cautiously optimistic regarding how the team will get on next year, with other teams determined to oust Red Bull and Championship winners Brawn GP.

"As we all know, motor racing does not tend to follow logical progressions from year to year. It is not that simple. McLaren and Ferrari, for sure, will be bouncing back from below average years from their point of view," explained the Englishman.

"Brawn/Mercedes will obviously be tough again and other teams will step in. So, it is never that simple.

"But I think our team has really developed a confidence and belief in itself now. We continue to develop the infrastructure, and that will hopefully bring us a decent result," added the 51-year-old.

[MIKA27]

Fernandes takes aim at Branson scalp

Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes has one main aim ahead of the 2010 Formula One season - to finish ahead of fellow airline boss Richard Branson.

Fernandes, who is also CEO of AirAsia, is the figurehead behind Lotus' return to F1 for the first time since 1994.

As one of four new marques competing next year, Lotus will be in competition with Manor GP, who are to be rebranded Virgin Racing following an expected tie-up with Branson's company.

Fernandes once worked for Branson as a financial controller for Virgin Records in the late 1980s.

Asked as to his target for the new season, Fernandes replied: "For me, to make sure I'm ahead of Richard Branson.

"I used to work for him, we partnered together on the airline, so I would like to see him behind me on the grid.

"We think we are going to have a very reasonable car. We know we aren't going to be competing (at the front) in year one, but it takes time and we'll have a good basis for moving forward."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding F1 at present, with the loss of three major manufacturers - Honda, BMW and Toyota - in the last 12 months, and another in Renault poised for a buy-out, Fernandes is convinced he has come into the sport at the right time.

The 45-year-old did likewise when he bought AirAsia shortly after the 9/11 disaster in the United States, turning the company into a profitable no-frills airline.

Speaking at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco, Fernandes said: "We see opportunities and I think things are going the right way.

"Costs may be coming down, but I still think it's a phenomenally successful sport.

"There are still lots of ways of making this a really good business, and it's a great business for other businesses to sit on as a platform."

[MIKA27]

Ferrari eye improved showing in 2010

Stefano Domenicali is confident that Ferrari will flourish next season after enduring a below-par 2009.

The Italian team secured only one victory over the course of the season and were overshadowed by the likes of Brawn GP, Red Bull and McLaren.

Despite the disappointment, team boss Domenicali is upbeat about the Scuderia's chances next year.

"This year was difficult for many reasons, but we need to look ahead," Domenicali said at a recent awards ceremony.

"We know that it will be a challenging year for us and so we need to make sure that we are doing a good job. This is what the engineers are trying to do.

"The car is progressing, but to what extent is difficult to say because we don't know what the others are doing. For sure we will have a clean start next year but until the first race we cannot win. The season will be very long and we will go step by step," he added.

The Italian team will boast a new driver line-up for the 2010 season, with Fernando Alonso replacing Kimi Raikkonen alongside Felipe Massa.

Domenicali admits the team are excited about the Spaniard's arrival and wished Raikkonen well as he prepares to join the World Rally Championship.

"I think that that's normal when a new driver is coming," he explained.

"He brings fresh air into the team and Fernando with Felipe we are looking forward to starting the season.

"I also want to wish Kimi Raikkonen all the best with his new challenge in rallying because I'm pretty sure that he will do a great job," the Italian concluded.

[MIKA27]

Glock defends switch to Manor/Virgin

Timo Glock has defended his decision to race with the new Manor/Virgin team, but admits that he is not likely to be near the top of the grid in 2010.

After an abortive start with Jordan some years earlier, the 27-year-old German revived his Formula One career with a GP2 title in his pocket and a Toyota race seat in 2008 and 2009.

But with the Japanese giant now pulling out, Glock - although also linked strongly with the Renault team - announced his switch to the start-up team Manor.

Manor Motorsport, until now a F3 and Formula Renault entrant only, will race with the Virgin Racing name in Formula One next season.

Glock told Germany's Auto Bild that the move is the right one for the future.

"Some have said that this is the beginning of the end. But I have experienced many highs and lows in my career and have therefore a pretty good long-term vision.

"In my view Formula One is moving back to the private teams," he said.

Glock said he is aware, however, that success with Manor will not be the work of a moment.

"It is a good combination of young, motivated and also experienced people," he said. "I want to progress along with them.

"Clearly in the first year, one or two will point their finger at us and laugh," the German admitted.

"The results will only be coming in two, three years. But if you ask me it is more satisfying to work upwards with a small team than to just sit in a winning car," added Glock.

[MIKA27]

New points system possible for 2010

The points system could be inline for a major shake-up in 2010 as the F1 commission has proposed a new system to account for the enlarged grid, consisting of 26 cars - it's highest level since 1995.

The system which rewards first, second and third by a much larger amount, harks back to Bernie Ecclestone's medals system which was proposed, implemented then withdrew because of a rule infringement. The aim was to see drivers pushing to secure a gold medal, the most medals resulting in the WDC.

The new system however, still uses a points basis. First will result in 25 points, 20 for second, 15 for third, and then 10-8-6-5-3-2-1 for the remaining seven places.

The last change to the points system, in 2003, saw eight drivers rewarded rather than just six. Now we have ten to account for the extra six drivers.

The system will need to be approved for use by the World Motor Sport Council before it is confirmed.

[MIKA27]

Heidfeld still in discussion with Mercedes GP

Nick Heidfeld has revealed he is still in talks about the 2010 season, admitting that Mercedes GP is his first choice.

"I am still in promising discussions," the 32-year-old German is quoted as saying by Rheinischen Post.

"There are still teams with free cockpits and I hope I can be with a good one that can win races," said Heidfeld, a veteran of 169 grands prix but no wins.

With Nico Rosberg already confirmed for one seat, rumours are currently linking Michael Schumacher with the other.

But if the seven time world champion does not sensationally come out of retirement, it is expected that fellow German Heidfeld is the next in line.

"Whoever knows F1 knows that of those with free cockpits, Mercedes offers the best chance to be in the front," he said, admitting that he would prefer to work with an existing rather than a new team.

Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry said at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco on Thursday that talks with "numerous drivers" are ongoing. He would not specifically deny the Schumacher rumours.

MIKA: I have heard a rumour that Nick Fry has had a chat to Mika Hakkinnen to throw in his hat for a possible drive with the team in 2010 also.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[OZCUBAN]

F1 drivers to help race stewards

Former Formula 1 drivers are to become part of the group of stewards who will adjudicate at each grand prix as part of plans published on Friday.

The move is among the first major changes made by Jean Todt since he succeeded Max Mosley as president of motorsport's governing body the FIA.

Ex-drivers will form part of a four-man group of FIA stewards to deal with F1 issues at each grand prix.

A commissioner will also be appointed to deal with F1 on Todt's behalf.

The World Council also approved the new points system suggested by the F1 Commission on Thursday, with 25 points for a win rather than 10.

And it released the final 2010 calendar, with Abu Dhabi now the final race of the season instead of Brazil, Canada's return confirmed and the dates of the final four races changed after the Japanese Grand Prix was moved back a week.

The decision to appoint drivers to the stewards is likely to be warmly welcomed by active drivers and teams, who have long complained about the inconsistency of decisions by race stewards.

And it marks a distinct break from the previous regime - Mosley always rejected the idea of using ex-drivers as stewards.

The FIA said in a statement following its World Council meeting in Monaco on Friday that "a smaller permanent group of F1 Stewards will sit with experienced former F1 drivers to provide a permanent panel of three FIA stewards, together with one steward representing the National Sporting Authority, to deal with F1 at each Grand Prix.

"There will no longer be a non-voting chairman and each group of stewards will elect their own chairman among themselves for each race. Utilising video and radio exchanges, they should aim to reach decisions very efficiently."

There is as yet no information on which ex-drivers will be involved.

The new stewards set-up is part of a wide-ranging restructuring of the way the FIA administers F1 introduced by Todt, who was elected to succeed Mosley in October.

The other key element is the introduction of a commissioner to represent the FIA at grands prix - a move that is being echoed across all the FIA's championships.

The FIA statement said: "The commissioners report directly to the President of the FIA and, at the request of the President, to the Deputy President of the FIA for Sport or to other members of the World Motor Sport Council.

"The commissioners will be present at each event of the World Championship for which they have been appointed and their role is to serve as permanent liaison for the various stakeholders involved (national sporting authorities, promoters, organisers, manufacturers, teams, officials, suppliers, etc).

"They are also tasked with supervising the general running of the championship and its development on behalf of the FIA.

"The commissioners are not empowered to take decisions or to perform any other act of a regulatory nature which may come under the remit (sporting, technical, organisational or disciplinary) accorded to the officials of the event by the International Sporting Code.

"The appointment of the commissioners will allow the FIA president to focus on the strategic development of the FIA and in particular to further encourage the synergies between mobility and motor sport."

Oz Personally i think this is a positive idea as we might see a bit of common sense prevail as all decisions will have a drivers perspective

[OZCUBAN]

Schumacher return looking increasingly likely

Michael Schumacher's possible return to action with Mercedes in 2010 has been the hot topic in Formula 1 circles since BBC Sport pundit Eddie Jordan first put meat on the bones of the vague rumours last month - and it is now looking increasingly likely to happen.

Bosses at the Mercedes team have all scrupulously avoided dampening down the speculation in the last couple of weeks, with the latest remarks coming from chief executive Nick Fry, who said a comeback by the seven-time champion would be "very interesting".

And this morning, the German tabloid Bild reported that Mercedes had offered Schumacher a salary of seven million euros (£6.3m).

On top of that, my information is increasingly that Schumacher's return as Nico Rosberg's team-mate is looking like a done deal.

Jordan says he thinks it will now definitely happen - and he believes it is only subject to a medical examination by leading F1 physician Dr Johannes Piel on the neck injury that stopped him returning as a replacement for Felipe Massa last summer.

Other sources are pointing in the same direction.

One figure who until recently had a senior role at Ferrari, who would have to release Schumacher from his consultancy contract, is saying it is definitely going to happen.

And I received cast-iron information from a reliable source this morning about the plans of those potentially affected by Schumacher's decision that, shall we say, points very strongly to him driving for Mercedes in 2010. (If that sounds vague, I'm sorry, but I was told in confidence and cannot reveal any more).

Armed with this mounting evidence, I phoned Schumacher's media spokeswoman Sabine Kehm to ask her what was going on with her client.

She is normally very forthcoming - it was Kehm who gave me the information with which BBC Sport broke the story back in July that Schumacher would consider a return as a stand-in for Massa.

At the time of Jordan's remarks she said a return was "highly unlikely", but that she "would never say never". But this time, although as friendly as ever, she was unusually reticent.

"I haven't got any more to say," she said. "I don't want to tell you anything, for whatever reason. I don't want to go into it any more."

Is that because you have nothing to say, I asked, or because you can't say anything?

"Because I can't."

I realise that none of this is definitive evidence that Schumacher will be back in F1 in 2010. But I have to admit that, after being initially sceptical about it, I'm now increasingly convinced that it could well come true.

Schumacher continues to go karting when he can - is it in preparation for an F1 return?

If Schumacher does come back, it raises a whole load of interesting questions. The first of those is probably why, when he will be 41 in January and has absolutely nothing to prove, would he want to?

Until Schumacher himself speaks, there is no definitive answer to that. But it is pretty obvious that the competition bug still bites him hard - he drives karts as often as he can, and won Massa's karting challenge in Brazil last month.

It would also be a neat book-end to his F1 career - Mercedes, for whom he was driving in sportscars at the time, paid for him to make his F1 debut with Jordan in 1991, but he has never driven in a grand prix for them. He would also be continuing his relationship with Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn, who has masterminded all his seven titles, two at Benetton and five at Ferrari.

There is, though, also the issue of whether his neck has fully healed - but Kehm has already said that there is no reason to believe it won't have done by the end of the year.

Schumacher, Kehm and Brawn have all said that he is not interested in a new career. But that is not what this would be about, should it happen. At 41, any comeback by Schumacher is necessarily going to be short, but then this one only has to be.

Mercedes have already signed Rosberg for 2010 but, promising though the German is, he is not considered to be of the same calibre as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who will be leading the challenges of McLaren and Ferrari, nor of Jenson Button, Hamilton's new team-mate, or Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.

And although Nick Heidfeld, widely believed to be Mercedes's second choice as Rosberg's team-mate, is a consistent, reliable performer, he isn't either.

Vettel is Mercedes's main target - but they cannot have him for 2010 as he has a contract with Red Bull. That deal also lasts through 2011, but it is believed Mercedes will make strenuous efforts to prise the 22-year-old out of that deal during next year with a view to having him lead their team in 2011.

With that in mind, Mercedes need a stop-gap for 2010. And while Heidfeld would certainly be a decent one of those, he is not going to have the same impact, on and off the track, as Schumacher. After all, given the choice, who would you go for?

Oz I think that Michael's return would be good for Formula 1 all win win, positive press for a change

[OZCUBAN]

Button and Brawn collect their silverware in Monaco

Jenson Button and Brawn GP were officially presented with their world championship trophies on Friday evening, as the annual FIA Gala in Monaco provided the grand finale for a dramatic 2009 Formula One season.

Button and Ross Brawn picked up the silverware for the drivers’ and constructors’ titles respectively, whilst Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello took the stage to collect their second and third place trophies.

It was a season of records for all of those on stage. With Button having won six of the first seven races of the championship, Brawn became the first team to claim the constructors’ title in its debut season.

“I am honoured to be here in Monaco this evening to collect the drivers’ championship trophy and to see my name engraved alongside the famous racing legends of the past,” said Button. “Motor racing has been a part of my life since my father bought my first go-kart at the age of eight and to have achieved my dream of becoming world champion makes me incredibly proud.

“This has been a fantastic year for myself and Brawn GP. Just 23 days before the start of the season, we didn't even know if we would be at the first race and now I am the world champion with the team winning the constructors' championship. Everyone at the team deserves our success so much.”

Brawn team principal Ross Brawn, who will continue to lead the squad next year under the new ownership of Mercedes, added: “This has been an incredible year for Brawn GP. To live the trauma of the winter months and make it to the grid for the first race and then to achieve eight Grand Prix victories and the constructors’ and drivers’ championships in our first year was inconceivable before the season started.

“On behalf of the team, it is a great honour to receive the constructors’ championship trophy this evening and I look forward to taking the trophy back to Brackley to share with our team. I would like to thank Jenson and Rubens for the spirit in which they fought for the drivers’ championship this year, all of our staff at the factory in Brackley for their hard work and dedication, and Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brixworth for the support that they have given us since the start of the year and the superb engine that they provided.”

Vettel, at age 22, became the youngest drivers’ championship runner-up in Formula One history. And Barrichello, at age 37, attained his fourth top-three finish in the drivers’ championship, whilst maintaining his position as the most experienced driver in F1 history, having competed in 288 races and counting.

Collecting his trophy, Vettel, who won four Grands Prix this year, said: "It is a great honour for me to be here in Monaco at the FIA Gala to receive this award. Of course, as a sportsman, coming second is never your target, but we can be happy with what is nevertheless a great result. For the team, it was a fantastic season - its best ever - and the credit goes to everyone at Red Bull Racing, both at the race track and back in the factory. We are very proud of what we have achieved and it will motivate us to try and do even better next year.”

Barrichello, two times a winner in 2009, commented: “It was a great season for everyone at Brawn GP. We had a really fun year together that will remain in our memories forever and it’s good to be here this evening to see Ross collect the constructors’ championship trophy on behalf of the team.

“I’m really pleased to have played my part in securing the title for the team with the two wins in Valencia and Monza and the podium and points finishes in what has been one of my strongest seasons in Formula One. The team were superb all year, producing and developing a car which gave me the opportunity to return to winning ways, and maintaining their belief through the difficult times. We fully deserve our Championship success and it was a real privilege to be part of such a strong team.”

Alongside the FIA champions, two trophies were presented for best promoter and best race broadcaster. The Race Promoters’ Trophy went to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for providing Formula One racing with a state-of-the-art circuit in a stunning setting and for organising the first-ever twilight race.

The award was collected by His Excellency Abdulla Khouri, Board Member of the Yas Marina Circuit, who commented: “I’m honoured to receive this trophy on behalf of the Yas Marina Circuit and the many organisations and people back in Abu Dhabi who were involved in organising the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I thank all of those who supported us and helped to make our event such a success, which led to receiving this prize here in Monaco.”

The twilight concept and the spectacular setting of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also proved popular with television viewers across the world. Formula One Management took the Television Trophy for its outstanding coverage of the event, with the award presented to FOM TV Director Dean Locke.

Oz Congratulations o a job well done

Next year will be very interesting to say the least