FORMULA 1 2009

[MIKA27]

Lotus to confirm Trulli and Kovalainen, not Sato

At noon Malaysian time on Monday, Lotus looks set to announce that Jarno Trulli has been signed for the 2010 season.

Citing a person with apparent knowledge of the three-year deal, the Associated Press said the Italian's contract will have an option to leave the team at the end of each season.

Reuters mentioned Heikki Kovalainen as a likely teammate for the 35-year-old former Renault and Toyota driver, after Takuma Sato's manager Matthew Winter said the Japanese is out of the running.

"We know Taku has not got Lotus -- we found out yesterday," he said.

Kuala Lumpur-born Fairuz Fauzy will almost certainly be named as the reserve driver.

[MIKA27]

Button: Schu could risk reputation

Michael Schumacher risks damaging his incredible reputation if his rumoured Formula 1 comeback is a flop - according to current world champion Jenson Button.

With Button having quit the now Mercedes owned Brawn team for McLaren, Mercedes is searching for a replacement and has been strongly linked with Schumacher.

The seven times world champion came close to a comeback this summer when Ferrari needed a substitute for Felipe Massa, and although a neck injury prevented this, Schumacher appears to have an appetite for returning to the Formula 1 fray three years after he retired.

German newspaper Bild reported that he has now agreed a deal with Mercedes, which nurtured his early career via its sportscar programme in the early 1990s, and will that his sensational comeback will be announced next week.

But while Button said he would love to see Schumacher back on the grid, he thinks it would be a massive gamble for the 41-year-old.

"Schumacher coming back to F1 is great news for the sport," Jenson told the News of the World.

"But I don't know if it will be great news for Michael Schumacher.

"He will be putting his reputation on the line coming back into the sport."

Button added that he would love to have a chance to take Schumacher on again.

The only time they regularly went head to head in F1 was in 2004, when Button's BAR was often the only car that could keep the dominant Ferraris in sight.

"I'll race against anybody," said Button.

"I want to beat the best and he was one of the best."

MIKA: Jense, Jense, Jense......

What you fail to understand is that Schumacher wasn't one of the best, Schumacher 'is' the best and the records and books all show that. According to the official Formula One website, he is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen", winning 7 world championships 5 of which were consecutive wins, in this day and past and present, this feat is UNHEARD OF nor will that ever be seen again. Some of MS's records still stand!

Do not forget, By Michael returning, it is great for the sport and will be great for all the 'wanna be's' which in my opinion, include Button who could and will learn a great deal from him.

I always find it funny when a driver wins 'a' WC and now JB thinks he knows it all. I like JB, but he really should look at his form, his last half of 2009 demonstrated that the field were catching up to his poor form. In my pinion, he's lucky Vettel ran out of races or even his team mate Rubens who also drove a great deal better in the latter stages.

In my opinion, should MS not perform as well as expected, MS will still be the greatest EVER and his records and stature in F1 are the very fibre of Formula 1. Drivers can barely win a single WC, MS has won seven. Enough said.

[MIKA27]

Vettel: Red Bull to use Renault engines

Sebastian Vettel has revealed that Red Bull will continue to use Renault engines in 2010.

Red Bull named Renault as their engine supplier in the recently published FIA entry list, but team boss Christian Horner confirmed that the decision was not yet official.

Suggestions that the Austrian-based squad would switch to Mercedes or Cosworth engines gained momentum following Horner's comments, but Vettel has now revealed the team will remain with the French manufacturer.

When asked about the engine situation during the RTL programme '2009! Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen', Vettel has been quoted by Motorsport.com as answering: "We're staying with Renault."

[MIKA27]

Heidfeld pins hopes to Schumacher's decision

Nick Heidfeld has all but acknowledged he is hoping Michael Schumacher decides against launching a sensational return to Formula One.

Seven time world champion Schumacher's possible signing with the Mercedes squad would make international headlines, but it may simultaneously end the grand prix career of his German compatriot Heidfeld, 32.

On the same day that Lotus announced Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli for 2010, Heidfeld told the DPA press agency that he has turned down "concrete possibilities" while he hopes to become Nico Rosberg's teammate next year.

"I have already turned down concrete opportunities and we are continuing to give other possibilities a lesser priority," said the veteran of 169 grands prix, who since 2006 has driven for the departing BMW squad.

The intense and protracted speculation about Schumacher's decision is therefore especially frustrating for Heidfeld.

"For this reason I am not shy of my opinion about the speculation surrounding Michael's possible comeback," he admitted.

Part of Mercedes' young driver programme in the 90s, Heidfeld was also linked with a works (McLaren) seat for 2002 but missed out to Kimi Raikkonen.

MIKA: I'm happy if Schumacher returns to F1 but I am equally saddened if Nick Heidfeld misses out on being in the 2010 lineup because whilst NH hasn't won a GP, he has been on the podiums countless times and has proven his worth on the F1 grid. He has consistency that wins himself and the team Championship points.

[OZCUBAN]

Vettel: Red Bull to use Renault engines

Sebastian Vettel has revealed that Red Bull will continue to use Renault engines in 2010.

Red Bull named Renault as their engine supplier in the recently published FIA entry list, but team boss Christian Horner confirmed that the decision was not yet official.

Suggestions that the Austrian-based squad would switch to Mercedes or Cosworth engines gained momentum following Horner's comments, but Vettel has now revealed the team will remain with the French manufacturer.

When asked about the engine situation during the RTL programme '2009! Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen', Vettel has been quoted by Motorsport.com as answering: "We're staying with Renault."

Oz On a personal front i think Red Bull would be better with mercedes engines just my opinion

Cheers Oz

[OZCUBAN]

Ferrari clear way for Schumacher

Ferrari have insisted they will not prevent Michael Schumacher making a Formula 1 return with another team.

The seven-time world champion has been a consultant for Ferrari since retiring in 2006 and said recently he would stay in the role for another three years.

But Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo says his position is "not binding".

Schumacher, 40, has been linked with a move to Mercedes, who have taken over world champions Brawn and already signed driver Nico Rosberg for 2010.

Schumacher was on the brink of a racing return with Ferrari in August to deputise for the injured Felipe Massa.

Those plans were abandoned following medical checks on a neck injury the German suffered in a motorcycle accident earlier this year.

With that neck problem now understood to be fully healed, Schumacher is thought to be close to completing a sensational return to the sport with German giants Mercedes.

"If he takes another road, our agreement will no longer be valid. You can't work with a competitor and with us at the same time," said Montezemolo.

"I still haven't spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars."

Schumacher agreed a new role with Ferrari over the summer, cutting his links with the F1 team to become an ambassador, consultant and test driver for the company's road cars.

Now Mercedes are understood to want him to launch their return to F1 following the takeover of Brawn.

Countryman Rosberg, 24, has already been signed up, but the team's second driver has yet to be confirmed, although they have also been linked with Nick Heidfeld.

"I hope that my team-mate will be sorted out pretty soon and at the moment the rumours are very strong for Michael Schumacher," said Rosberg, who drove for Williams between 2006 and 2009.

"I have no idea if it is true or not but obviously if he would join that would be an absolutely fantastic move."

German newspaper Bild reported that Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, had already agreed a deal, thought to be worth 7m euros, with Mercedes in principle.

Should he return, Schumacher would go head-to-head with fellow world champions Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

Button, who won the 2009 title with Brawn, will drive for McLaren in 2010, alongside fellow Briton and 2008 champion Hamilton.

Alonso, champion in 2005 and 2006, will spearhead Ferrari's challenge following his move from Renault.

Button has already told BBC Sport that Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull are the teams most likely to trouble McLaren next season.

Oz Is it a done deal or not? I think yes ,time will tell

Cheers Oz

[OZCUBAN]

Lotus return to Formula One is a blast from the past

The name was as hip as the Beatles and as charismatic as Carnaby Street and now Lotus is back on the grid. The company says it will compete in Formula One next year, a team revived after 15 years away from the glitz and glamour of grand prix racing it once dominated to become one of the iconic names in motor racing history.

In spite of the indomitable history of the familiar green and yellow badge, it is a sign of the times that the new Lotus team will be British-based but backed entirely by money from Malaysia. Tony Fernandes, the entrepreneurial founder of the Tune Group, which also runs Air Asia, will be the team principal with Mike Gascoyne, the former technical head at the now defunct Jordan and Toyota teams, running the construction operation.

The FIA, the governing body, gave the green light to the Lotus project as it became clear that Formula One could field a bumper grid of 28 cars next season, the most since 1992. As the ink dried on Lotus’s successful application, BMW announced it has sold its team to a Middle Eastern investment group. Although the team has officially slipped out of the sport, the FIA will look for agreement to allow the new operation to continue in 2010 as one of 14 teams in the sport.

But the attention of motor racing fans will be on Lotus, a name that stirs memories of great names and great victories at a time when Formula One was an epic contest between drivers with images that were a blend of gladiator and fighter pilot.

The team was founded by Colin Chapman, a brilliant engineer, whose ability to innovate soon powered his cars to the front of grand prix racing. With drivers like Jim Clark and Graham Hill at the wheel, the Sixties became a period when British cars started to dominate Formula One after years of rule by the Italians.

The Lotus name was also turning into an icon on the roads, Chapman building a series of sports cars, including the little, white Elan driven glamorously by Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the television series, The Avengers, which even today is a cult classic.

But Chapman’s genius was not just in the workshop; he was a salesman, too, and caused a sensation in 1968 when his green and yellow cars were suddenly rolled out in the red, white and gold and the Gold Leaf cigarette brand. Sponsorship in Formula One was here to stay.

Although Chapman continued to use the livery of his tobacco sponsors, his cars somehow still retained a distinctive and attractive look, the menacingly black-and-gold John Player Specials still a favourite with many fans, which were the followed by the bright yellow Camel-sponsored cars.

Seven constructors’ champions and six drivers’ titles were notched up from 79 victories in rapid time and the team only started a sad decline from 1982 after Chapman died of a heart attack, aged just 54, amid allegations of fraud after he became involved in the ill-fated DeLorean scandal. Neither the team nor the company were ever the same afterwards, the team leaving Formula One in 1994 and the car business owned by General Motors and Bugatti before being sold in 1996 to Proton, the Malaysian state-owned carmaker now behind the new venture in concert with Tony Fernandes and other Malaysian companies.

Oz It is good to see an old marque back racing again even if it is in name only

[OZCUBAN]

Mercedes eager to sign Schumacher

Mercedes boss Nick Fry has dropped the strongest hint yet that Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher will come out of retirement to race next year.

The 40-year-old last raced in Formula 1 in 2006, but he has been strongly linked with a return to the sport with the renamed Brawn GP team.

Fry made it clear the seven-time world champion was top of his list, saying: "He would be very good for our team.

"The view from inside F1, not just my team, is they all hope it will happen."

Schumacher has been working as a consultant with Ferrari since his retirement, but the Italian team has confirmed they would not block him from joining Mercedes.

And although Schumacher has yet to comment on stories suggesting his move to Mercedes is a done deal, BBC Sport understands his return to F1 as team-mate to Nico Rosberg is looking increasingly likely to happen.

Fry added: "I can't tell you at this stage [if it will happen], unfortunately.

"A number of drivers are still available if Michael were to decide not to drive. Then there are alternatives that we would be happy to go with."

Schumacher almost returned this year as a temporary stand-in for Ferrari's Felipe Massa after the Brazilian's accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but the plans were dropped as he had still to fully recover from a motorcycle injury earlier in the year.

However, his neck is now thought to be fully healed, paving the way for his potential return, BBC Formula 1 commentator Jonathan Legard saying: "He's kept himself very fit and this has been in the background for some time.

"I bet if he's keen to do this he'll have at least a month-and-a-half of hard work done already. As I understand it it could happen before the end of the year."

I don't want to say any more, or talk about any plans he might have

Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabin Kehm

Schumacher's spokeswoman, Sabin Kehm, refused to comment, saying: "I don't want to say any more, or talk about any plans he might have."

But compatriot and Virgin driver Timo Glock believes Schumacher's return is a certainty.

"The flame is still there, it's still burning. For me, it is quite obvious he is coming back," said Glock. "There's still a lot of speculation, but in the end he is a crazy race driver and he wants to come back to racing.

"It's not enough for him to just do go-kart races, or go to the Race of Champions at the end of the year.

"For F1 and the fans it would be a big boost, a seven-time world champion coming back after three years out.

"It would be a mega highlight, and to drive for Mercedes, you would have a German driver in a German car."

Eddie Irvine, Schumacher's former team-mate at Ferrari, said the German had struggled to find an outlet for his ruthless competitive streak since retiring.

"He's been bored I think. Very, very bored and he's definitely up for it," Irvine told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I hope he comes back, it will be fantastic for F1.

"In F1, you're on show and got to perform, whereas in the real world it's months or years before you can get the same rush. Michael has been karting since he was four or five so he knows nothing else.

"He tried the motorcycle riding which was sheer madness because he wasn't very good and wasn't getting paid so I never understood that one, but F1 makes sense."

He's not at the peak of his game, but he's still good enough to win races

Eddie Irvine on Schumacher

However, Irvine added that while Schumacher would still have the speed to be competitive, younger drivers such as Lewis Hamilton could have a psychological edge.

"Lewis isn't going to back off, but Michael will have to because he'll be 41. The speed will be there, though he won't be as fast as he was seven years ago.

"He's not at the peak of his game, but he's still good enough to win races as he has such an immense talent. It's still four wheels, a steering wheel and an engine and there's never been anyone better than Michael."

While Schumacher would hope to be towards the front of the grid should he return, meanwhile, Glock has more modest ambitions for next season in a car making its championship debut.

"To beat Michael would be a good year for us, but we have to concentrate on ourselves, and not look at what others are doing," said the former Toyota driver.

"We have to focus on our job, that's what is important."

Oz He will be back good result for all i think especially for F1

[OZCUBAN]

Di Grassi joins new Virgin team

Virgin boss Richard Branson launched his brand's new Formula 1 venture after joining forces with the new Manor team.

Brazilian novice Lucas di Grassi was unveiled on Tuesday as ex-Toyota driver Timo Glock's team-mate.

Branson has decided Virgin will get more value out of backing an underdog after sponsoring Brawn GP in their championship-winning debut season.

Branson said: "Our first year in F1 has been tremendous. Why not start another team from scratch?"

Virgin are one of four new entrants joining F1 next season, along with US F1, Campos and Lotus F1.

Branson told BBC Sport that Virgin had signed a three-year title sponsorship deal that did not involve any equity in the team. He added that Virgin had "lent the team some money".

Branson added: "Last year with Brawn, they started the season as a David and it ended it as a Goliath.

"So we searched around for another great team, another David team, we have one and we will see how it goes."

Brawn have been taken over by Mercedes and will race as Mercedes Grand Prix next year. Nico Rosberg has been signed as one of their drivers and it looks increasingly likely that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement to be the other.

Under the slogan 'a new team for a new era', Branson added: "The new era is seeing the costs of entry come down.

"This team will be the lowest-budget team in Formula 1. It will run under the £40m per year that was being set by F1.

"But money's not everything. They are determined to prove that via engineering prowess, great drivers and a great affinity with the public they can do well.

"Over the last four decades Virgin has invested in and supported incredible engineering minds who have literally been pushing the technological boundaries of what man previously believed was possible.

"We knew there was an extremely successful designer (Nick Wirth) out there who could bring something different to the sport with his all-digital approach to designing racing cars.

"So we thought, 'Why not back a new British team?' I believe that, with the right bunch of people, you can achieve anything. It might take a while to get there but I believe, with this team of people on-board, Virgin Racing can go all the way."

Glock, who will be entering his third season in F1, signed a two-year deal to become Virgin's lead driver after finding himself without a drive for 2010 following Toyota's withdrawal.

"You run a bit against the wall (as a second driver) so this will be different," said Glock, who missed the final three races of the season after crashing during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.

"It's a long story but my decisions were made for me before Japan and so I came to see Manor.

"Teams were still talking to me in Abu Dhabi but my feelings did not change. I realise they are serious and I'm looking forward to it."

Glock said he was convinced his fellow countryman Michael Schumacher would return to F1 next season in the wake of rumours linking the seven-time champion with Mercedes.

"I don't know anything, but in my personal opinion I'm 100% sure he will be back. It would be great to race against him," Glock said.

Di Grassi, whose move was exclusively predicted by BBC Radio Sheffield, became Renault's reserve driver in 2009 but will now make his F1 race debut with Virgin Racing.

The 25-year-old finished runner-up to Glock in the 2007 GP2 Series, F1's feeder competition.

"Timo is the reference I have as my starting point," said Di Grassi. "I can learn from him and push myself to try and beat him. I think it will be a healthy relationship.

"From what I've seen of the car it looks fantastic and I hope it's as fast as it looks."

The team's reserve drivers will be GP2 drivers Alvaro Parente of Portugal and Luiz Razia of Brazil.

Manor, who are run by former single-seater champion John Booth, were awarded a place on the 2010 grid last June.

They entered F1 at a time when former motorsport boss Max Mosley was proposing a £40m budget cap on the sport - an idea that was rejected in a power struggle with the F1 teams, who succeeded in forcing Mosley not to stand again as president of governing body the FIA in October's elections.

I've worked with John Booth before so I know this is a pure racing team - that's why I chose it

Lucas di Grassi New Virgin F1 driver

Instead, the teams have agreed to restrict budgets to "mid-1990s levels" which will probably mean the leading teams spend more than £100m in 2010.

Manor Motorsport have a successful history in junior single-seater racing and can count former world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton as past drivers.

Manor founder John Booth takes on a new role as Virgin Racing's sporting director while Alex Tai, a former Virgin Group director, becomes team principal.

The team aims to fire up the cars on 25 January before a shakedown at Silverstone.

"I've been asking the question all night as to how we managed to arrive here," Booth said. "But the budget restrictions have allowed us to get involved, and at the moment I'm on cloud nine.

"We're the new kids on the block and we need to earn our place on the grid."

Now, the company are preparing to take a huge leap forward into F1 as the rebranded Virgin Racing team.

Di Grassi said: "It's a dream come true for me. I feel I'm ready. I've worked with John Booth before so I know this is a pure racing team. That's why I chose it."

Former Benetton designer and Simtek team owner Nick Wirth is leading the team's technical division from his headquarters in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Wirth has decided to design the new Virgin car without using a wind-tunnel, a tool for shaping a car's aerodynamics that has been de rigueur in F1 for 30 years.

Instead, he has decided to design the car wholly using computational fluid dynamics - which current teams use alongside wind tunnels.

Wirth was Benetton chief designer as the team slid from competitiveness in the late 1990s following Michael Schumacher's departure for Ferrari.

Simtek had an ignominious two years in F1 in 1994-5 before collapsing with debts of £6m.

"The loop of digital design is key to our operation," Wirth said.

"We are now going to race teams on an equal basis and whoever is the most efficient team will win."

Oz Richard Branson does have a eye for a bargain I wish them well

[MIKA27]

Great reading OZ, thanks for posting mate!

I agree in that RBR should have gone with Mercedes engines. Whilst the Renault engines have been good, the Mercs are just that much better. Kinda like the HQ, PSP stogies Czars have to offer.

I really do think Michael Schumacher is making a return, and thats fantastic news!

Lotus funnily enough are already bragging their team will be 'up there' with the best. Such a team I guess based on their pedigree can make such claims but lets just wait and see what happens on the grid in 2010.

Either way, I think we are about to see an amazing 2010 season for so many reasons.

[OZCUBAN]

Kobayashi secures Sauber F1 drive

Sauber have signed Japan's Kamui Kobayashi as one of their two race drivers for the 2010 Formula 1 season.

Kobayashi, 23, impressed for Toyota while standing in for the injured Timo Glock in the final two races of 2009.

A test driver for the team in 2008 and 2009, he seized his chance by finishing sixth in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1," said Kobayashi.

"I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place.

"I will do my very best for Peter Sauber's team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula 1."

Kobayashi is the first driver to join the team, which is back in the ownership of founder Peter Sauber after BMW withdrew from F1 at the end of the 2009 season.

He had been tipped to land a race drive for Toyota after his eye-catching display in Abu Dhabi, but his hopes were dashed when the Japanese manufacturer followed BMW in quitting the sport.

Sauber said he was won over by Kobayashi's performances in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

"Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race, Kamui demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy," he said.

"I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team."

Ferrari test driver Giancarlo Fisichella and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa have both been linked with the second seat at Sauber, who have said they want one experienced driver and one novice in 2010.

Another man in the frame is German Nick Heidfeld, who has driven for BMW Sauber for the last four years.

He is believed to be waiting on a decision from Michael Schumacher as to whether the seven-time champion will come out of retirement to drive for Mercedes in 2010.

It is believed that the only eventuality in which Schumacher will not return is if his neck has not healed from the injury he sustained in a motorcycle crash last winter.

It was this injury that prevented the 40-year-old from standing in for Ferrari's Felipe Massa when the Brazilian suffered a fractured skull in a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Oz This is great news for the young Japanese driver who in a short space of time has impressed many in the paddock,he is the best japanese driver i have seen in a long time (well the only one )

I wish him well next year

cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

Oz This is great news for the young Japanese driver who in a short space of time has impressed many in the paddock,he is the best japanese driver i have seen in a long time (well the only one )

I wish him well next year

cheers Oz

That is great news mate and I agree, Kabayasa is a fantastic talent, unike Takuma who was fast but uncontrolled, KK however knows where the brake pedal is!

[MIKA27]

Rosberg: I won't be Schumi's number two

Nico Rosberg insists that if Michael Schumacher were to join him at Mercedes GP that he would not be the former World Champion's number two.

With rumours of Schumacher's return gaining momentum, Mercedes GP appears the seven-time World Champion's most likely destination.

The Brackley-based outfit have already confirmed youngster Nico Rosberg as one of their drivers for the 2010 season, and the former Williams man insists that even if a legend like Schumacher was to join the team he would not be the team's number two driver.

"At Mercedes, there is no hierarchy. It has always been commonplace, that there are two equal drivers," Rosberg told Bild newspaper.

"Sure, if they emerged at the end of the year that probably only one seriously fighting for the title, the team focuses on these drivers. But until then, the Mercedes philosophy is: We have two number ones," he explained.

While unwilling to take a step back for Schumacher, Rosberg is aware that he could learn from his compatriot's presence.

"I could benefit from Michael's experience, even though I myself have had experience," said Rosberg.

The 24-year is well aware that Ross Brawn's squad have a lot to live up to in the 2010 season, with the team - then known as Brawn GP - securing both the Driver's and Constructor's titles in 2009.

"Well, we're the reigning World Champions, anything other than winning a World Championship is a step back," he said during a recent appearance for Mercedes-Benz in Abu Dhabi.

"That has to be the goal: to win races and win the World Championship," he asserted.

MIKA: A couple things Nico needs to be mindful of....

Firstly, whilst Mercedes have probably told Nico 'There are no number 2's you're all number 1's.... Perhaps they said that to settle his concerns but what Nico fails to understand is the MS is not just 'any' driver, he is a walking, driving living Formula 1 prodigy (And I say this as a pure F1 fan, not a MS fan).

Nico does not have a hair of experience compared to a 7 time WC like Schumacher.

Nico has won only 2 podiums and both were in 2008, Australian GP 3rd and Singapore GP 2nd. Thus far, no race wins, 75.5 career points and 2 fastest laps.

Michael Schumacher however has the following under his illustrious career: 91 wins, 154 podiums, 68 pole positions, 76 fastest laps, 1,369 career points.

Unfortunatley, Nico will be playing second fiddle.

[MIKA27]

Ferrari engine to use less fuel in 2010 - report

Ferrari will have a more fuel-efficient engine in 2010, Spain's Diario AS has suggested.

To coincide with Formula One's ban on refuelling, the sports newspaper said the Maranello based team is working on efficiency improvements allowed under the current engine freeze regulations.

To comply with the test ban, Felipe Massa this week has at Mugello been at the wheel of a two-year-old Ferrari single seater fitted with demonstration tyres.

AS however implied that some "internal solutions" were trialled.

"The test was mainly for him (Massa) and what is certain is that he is even quicker than before his accident of Hungary," said Ferrari development driver Marc Gene.

The Spaniard also sounded confident about Ferrari's 2010 car, which is codenamed 661.

"The wind tunnel data is good and makes us optimistic, but we don't know where the others are so we will have to wait until we see it on the track," added Gene.

[MIKA27]

Kubica waits for answers after Renault sale

Robert Kubica's manager is waiting for more information about the new owner before confirming if the Pole will drive for Renault in 2010.

24-year-old Kubica has already signed to switch from BMW-Sauber, but the contract presumably contains a clause allowing him to leave Renault if the ownership changes.

"We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team -- a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner," manager Daniele Morelli told the BBC.

Not yet disclosed is the minor percentage of Renault still controlled by the French carmaker, or whether Bob Bell will continue to be the team principal.

The Financial Times suggested that the Genii deal means Renault does not face "a heavy bill" for selling the team after signing the new Concorde Agreement.

Kubica's manager Morelli added that one side-effect of the change could be that development of the 2010 car has been delayed.

He said: "We need some time - at least a few days - to evaluate the new situation so I am not in a position to say we will leave or stay."

[MIKA27]

Valencia mayor admits city to host F1 launch

The mayoress of Valencia has all but confirmed reports the Spanish port city will host a common car launch for F1 teams at the end of January.

Earlier reports said the event would be held at the ultra-modern Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Sciences) complex on January 30 and attended by all teams.

F1 officials recently confirmed the agreement but not the date and location, but Valencia mayoress Rita Barbera told the EFE news agency that the recent news about the event was essentially correct.

She said Valencia was chosen "as a direct consequence" of her attendance at the recent Ferrari World Finals event at the Cheste circuit, also attended by the FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

[MIKA27]

Red Bull season review

After having to watch junior sibling Toro Rosso scoop the Red Bull company’s maiden victory last year, the senior team needed to find a response in 2009 to reassert its family superiority and, more importantly, find that elusive Formula 1 breakthrough.

Adrian Newey’s latest creation proved just the ticket and allowed RBR to become not only a regular front-runner but a multiple race-winner and title challenger.

The 2009 season was always going to be an important one for Red Bull Racing.

In its first four years of Formula 1 the team had certainly earned the respect of the paddock, but its achievements to that point – three podiums and a best finish of fifth in the constructors’ championship (in a year McLaren was disqualified) – had been fairly underwhelming.

Therefore it knew that with such a radical rules overhaul taking place over the winter, this was the moment to finally catapult itself out of the midfield.

That it did so emphatically proved the potential that had always been waiting to be unlocked.

Six victories, four 1-2 finishes and five poles added up to an impressive second place in the constructors’ championship – making 2009 most certainly RBR’s breakthrough year.

In truth, while its past form had hardly merited it, the F1 world had been eagerly anticipating the first glimpse of the team’s latest creation thanks to design guru Adrian Newey’s reputation for excellence and innovation during periods of technical change.

Unsurprisingly he didn’t disappoint: the RB5 was visibly different from any other 2009 car, its bodywork containing far more swooping curves than some of its rivals’ more ungainly interpretations.

The car was more aggressive in its aerodynamics too; its slim nose and intricate bodywork showing Newey had a firm grasp of F1’s new technical parameters, while the car’s pull-rod suspension was a unique, and significant, extra touch.

Of course one thing the striking car didn’t have to begin with was a double-diffuser – something which in the final analysis undoubtedly proved decisive in Brawn’s championship triumphs.

Still, while fellow non-diffuser teams such as Ferrari and McLaren floundered in the early races, the fundamental quality of the RB5 meant the team still mixed it with the ‘diffuser gang’ of three.

Indeed Sebastian Vettel, promoted from STR over the winter, would have capped an otherwise impressive debut weekend for the team in Melbourne with a podium finish had he not unnecessarily tangled with old BMW pal Robert Kubica while fighting over second in the closing laps.

Still, RBR only had to wait until round three to break its victory duck, Vettel brilliantly leading home stable-mate and fellow wet-weather specialist Mark Webber for the team’s first victory at a waterlogged Shanghai.

The return to drier conditions in Bahrain and Barcelona did offer up further opportunities for Red Bull to beat Brawn but majestic performances from Jenson Button limited it to just a second and third.

Its own version of the double diffuser finally arrived for Monaco, but since the rear of the car and gearbox had not been designed to accommodate such a feature, it took time for Newey to really exploit its full advantages.

After the new-look car showed its potential in Turkey, a revised diffuser and a big aero overhaul resulted in a huge step forward at Silverstone.

The RB5 was in a class of its own throughout the weekend on the Northamptonshire track’s fast sweeps, Vettel heading the team’s second 1-2 of the year.

Webber then turned the tables on his young partner with a fully deserved maiden win at the Nurburgring as RBR totally dominated once more.

Now within 20 points of Brawn in the standings, Red Bull seemed certain to reel its rival in over the summer.

Yet, no sooner had it established itself as the team to beat than a late summer slide undid much of the hard work.

Indeed in five races between Hungary and Singapore the team claimed just 18 points, allowing Brawn – which secured two priceless victories during this period – the crucial points buffer it needed.

The team failed to capitalise on a few golden opportunities to score big when the Brawns were on the rack – such as in Hungary (when 2-3 grid positions behind Fernando Alonso’s low-fuelled Renault yielded just six points) and Spa (when poor qualifying hampered a race it was expected to dominate).

There was also the growing issue of engine reliability, Red Bull having to start limiting Vettel’s Friday practice mileage after a spate of Renault blow-ups in Valencia pushed him close to the penalty-free limit.

By the time the RB5 did come back on song with another significant package of upgrades for Singapore, Brawn’s consistent points scoring meant the title was all but mathematically out of reach.

This didn’t stop Red Bull signing off the season with a late flurry of wins, Vettel (Japan and Abu Dhabi) and Webber (Brazil) showing that, while it may have missed out on ultimate glory, Red Bull was undoubtedly ending the year with the grid’s fastest car.

To some, it also had on its books the driver of 2009 in Vettel.

For much of the year the 22-year-old rivalled Button as the grid’s star performer, his abilities in delivering a critical qualifying lap under pressure and controlling races from the front two of the qualities that mark him out as a future world champion.

On other occasions, though, you were reminded of the fact he was only in his second full season of F1.

A crash in Monaco, a slip that let Button through at the start in Turkey, along with that tangle with Kubica in Australia, all resulted in the frittering away of crucial early points and meant he wasn’t much closer to his Brawn rival when he got a severe case of the yips in the year’s second half.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic from his year though was the fact he triumphed 15-2 in his qualifying duel with Webber, a man who up until 2009 had been regarded as one of F1’s best one-lap specialists.

That’s not to say Webber didn’t leave his own mark on the campaign – indeed, considering he enjoyed by far the best year of his eight-year career, it helped finally banish the long-in-the-tooth notion that he is a far better qualifier than racer.

Although he had initially played down the lingering effects of the broken leg he suffered during the winter, it undoubtedly took the 33-year-old time to get into his stride.

But once the determined Aussie was back to his best, he hit a purple patch in the early summer – recording five podium finishes in six races, including his hugely emotional and long overdue maiden success at the Nurburgring.

And while a disappointing run of five straight point-less races thereafter ultimately scuppered his growing title dreams, he hit back superbly with another win at Interlagos.

With a trouble-free winter behind him this time around should be ready to take on Vettel from the off next year.

Indeed Red Bull as a whole will be hoping it can carry the momentum from what was by far its best ever season into 2010.

The fact rival teams are already being tipped to arrive in Bahrain in March with RB5 ‘clones’ suggests the team that produced the original concept could remain a step ahead.

Highlight: The team’s dominant 1-2 at its home British GP.

Lowlight: Missing out on the double diffuser at the start of the year; had it incorporated this into the RB5 design it would probably have won the title.

[MIKA27]

Di Montezemolo: Schu close to return

Luca di Montezemolo says Michael Schumacher is set to return to F1 with Mercedes GP.

The seven-time world champion is currently employed as an advisor to Ferrari, the team with whom he won five of his titles, and is an ambassador for their road car division, but has strongly been linked with a move to the firm's German rivals.

Schumacher, who retired at the end of 2006, has so far remained tight-lipped on the matter, but Di Montezemolo informed reporters at Ferrari's Christmas lunch in Fiorano on Thursday that the deal is close to being realised.

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him [on Wednesday]," Di Montezemolo said.

"He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of joining Mercedes].

"Having said that, it is not 100% decided. But that is what he said yesterday."

Should the deal come off, Schumacher would be joining the de facto constructors' champions, following Mercedes' takeover of Brawn GP at the end of last season.

The German manufacturer have already signed up Nico Rosberg to drive one of their cars in 2010, and the capture of the legendary Schumacher would complete a stellar all-German line-up to compete with the all-British McLaren package featuring world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Schumacher's desire to return to competitive action would effectively terminate his deep-rooted association with Ferrari, which dates back to 1996, and Di Montezemolo concedes he is powerless to stand in his way.

"The real Schumacher, the one I know, will remain forever part of the Ferrari family," Di Montezemolo added on Ferrari's official website, www.ferrari.com.

"I said it in Monza and I repeated it in Abu Dhabi, but, it seems he has a twin brother, identical in every way, who seems to have it in his head to go and race in Formula One with Mercedes.

"I don't know him personally, but it seems we have nothing to offer him: we have two young drivers in Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, on whom we are counting to deliver a lot next year."

Schumacher, who turns 41 in just over a fortnight, was close to a comeback last season as understudy to Massa following the Brazilian's accident in Hungary, and Di Montezemolo believes the disappointment of being unable to fulfil that role due to a neck injury has further stoked his competitive fires.

"I think that, this summer, when I asked him to stand in for Felipe, after the terrible accident in Budapest, he suddenly rediscovered the desire to race and the fact he was unable to follow through with that, left him a void that we are unable to fill," he said.

"I remember how despondent he sounded on the evening of August 9, when he called me to say that the problem with his neck meant he could not race in Valencia.

"We have tried to move forward with the idea of running a third car, but for the moment, that is not possible.

"I don't know what he will decide for the future, but I extend to him and indeed his twin brother, my very best wishes."

[MIKA27]

Ferrari chief admits to Alonso concerns

Luca di Montezemolo admits he had concerns about Fernando Alonso's ability to be a team player.

The Spaniard signed with Ferrari in late September having long been linked with a move to the Scuderia, but di Montezemolo concedes that while Ferrari have had their eye on Alonso for some time they were uncertain if the driver would fit in with their team dynamic.

"We have been watching him since 2007," explained the Ferrari chief.

"He is an extremely talented driver, quick and good at working with a team, while being totally focused on winning.

"I spoke about [Alonso's ability to be a team player] with (Stefano) Domenicali maybe 1000 times, not 100, 1000 times, and I spoke with Alonso.

"I told him: 'If you come to drive for us, you drive for a team, you drive for a group, you don't drive for yourself.

"If you want a team, then you do your own team, fantastic, like John Surtees. In Ferrari we want to put you in the best condition to win. If not, we will never hire you," he added.

MIKA: Interesting to see that even Ferrari are concerned about Alonsos past behaviour and even though they didn't put it in my context, they're basically telling FA not to be selfish and work as a team. I personally hate any driver that whines and complains such as FA did at McLaren and went running back to Renault.

[MIKA27]

Turkish GP in jeopardy?

The future of the Turkish Grand Prix has been cast into doubt following reports that Bernie Ecclestone has upped his financial demands.

While Istanbul Park has already secured the rights to host a race next season, there appears to be trouble looming, with Ecclestone requesting $26 million for the 2011 addition according to reports in the local media.

The fee, nearly twice that of the current deal, could be too exorbitant for the Turks, with officials suggesting the price tag is not fitting for a country like Turkey.

"In countries such as France and Germany, the Formula One CEO is requesting something between $1.5 million and $4 million," an official told the Hurriyet Daily News.

The report added that a decision regarding the new deal will be made by the end of the year.

MIKA: This is what I really hate about Bernie!

His greed is beyond measure and its because of that, GP's are lost.

[MIKA27]

Di Montezemolo explains Raikkonen exit

Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo has denied suggestions that Kimi Raikkonen's departure from Ferrari was at the request of the team's sponsors.

The Finn had a contract with the Scuderia until 2011, but both parties agreed to end it earlier, paving the way for Fernando Alonso to join the Italian outfit.

It has been suggested that Alonso's arrival was in part motivated by the team's new sponsorship with Spanish-founded bank, Santander.

In an interview with Autosport earlier this week, Raikkonen hinted that he believed this was indeed the case.

"You have to ask them, I don't know!" said the 30-year-old.

"You need to ask the people who make those decisions. I'm not interested in the end why or when. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, and it's nothing to do with racing or what I've done there.

"I think when there is enough money involved, you can always change anything! I think it's a lot to do with Santander coming in. Probably they made some deal. I don't know..."

However, di Montezemolo has dismissed such suggestions, claiming that the decision to sign Alonso was based on what the two-time World Champion could bring to the team off the track.

"We had already reached an agreement for 2011, when both our drivers' contracts would have expired," he explained.

"Then, we realised that our team needed a driver capable of really getting involved with the engineers, a characteristic that was not part of Kimi's genetic make-up, even though he is an amazingly talented guy."

"We were aware that something else was needed for the way we operate and therefore, we opted for Alonso.

"The role of Santander? Certainly, they are happy, but it is not the sponsors that choose the drivers: we have never operated like that and we never will," he added.

[MIKA27]

Report: Formula One heading to Rome

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a deal which would see Formula One come to the streets of Rome, according to course planner Maurizio Flammini.

A Rome grand prix, raced through the streets of the Italian capital much like that of Monaco, has been in planning for over a year and a half.

And Flammini, the creator of the idea, has revealed they have now been given the green light by the Formula One supremo.

"The agreement with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to give life to the Rome Grand Prix has already been done and signed," he told Sky Italia.

"The appropriate course still has to be defined."

Italy already has a grand prix on the world championship circuit, in Monza.

There were fears when plans for a Rome grand prix were first mooted that it would replace the historic track which has been a more or less permanent fixture in the Formula One calendar since 1922.

However, the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, insists it will serve as a second Italian grand prix.

"We think the Rome Grand Prix would be very important and we are in favour of it," he said. "And it's not true that it is an alternative to Monza.

"Monza is a grand prix on the circuit, and the grand prix of Rome is integrative to that of Monza, it's not a replacement.

"We have calculated that there will be an income of one billion euros a year with this grand prix and Rome needs to renew its tourist appeal.

"Not only the past, archaeology and monuments, but also the future, something which is aimed at families and youngsters."

MIKA: This will be a great GP however the only problem with Street circuits in most cases, they're not always great for overtaking.

[MIKA27]

Berger denies offer to return to F1 with Renault

Gerhard Berger has blankly denied reports he is set to assume a leading management role at the newly Gerard Lopez-owned Renault Formula One team in 2010.

The news was reported by the respected French publication Auto Hebdo, but Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the 50-year-old Austrian laughed when told about the story.

"The only thing I know about it is that Lopez has taken over Renault," said Berger, a winner of ten grands prix, a former BMW motor sport director and ex co-owner of Toro Rosso.

Asked specifically about a possible role at Renault, he answered: "I know nothing about any offer. At the moment there are no talks."

However, Berger did admit that he has received several offers to return to the F1 pitwall, but turned them all down.

[OZCUBAN]

Schumacher close to Mercedes deal

Michael Schumacher has told Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo he is planning a comeback with Mercedes.

It is the first time anyone close to the German legend has confirmed he is actively pursuing a return, which has been rumoured for weeks.

"I spoke to him [on Wednesday] and he told me there is a very strong possibility but that it's not 100% decided," Di Montezemolo said.

He said a return by Schumacher, 41 in January, would be "good for F1".

Schumacher retired at the end of 2006 after winning five world titles with Ferrari in consecutive years from 2000-4, to add to the two he won with Benetton in 1994-5.

BBC Sport pundit Eddie Jordan revealed last month that Schumacher had had talks about a comeback with Mercedes and that it would probably happen - and now Di Montezemolo has confirmed it.

A lot of fans will think Michael is a traitor but I will explain to them it is not Michael but another one

Luca di Montezemolo Ferrari president

"A guy called Michael Schumacher told us at Monza (in September) he would renew his (Ferrari consultancy) contract," Di Montezemolo said. "And it looked like his career would finish with Ferrari.

"But then there's another one who looks like him, 40, 41 yrs old, German, same name and decided to do a new career.

"Everybody in life can do what they prefer, and I understand that there is somebody at 41 years who wants to try again.

"So I think it's possible this twin, another Michael Schumacher, same age, same capability, some determination and spirit, will drive for Mercedes next year."

Di Montezemolo said Schumacher had been "destroyed" when it emerged he would not be able to make a temporary return to F1 with Ferrari last summer as a stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa because of a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident last winter.

"He phoned me, and he was so sad. He said: 'Listen, the doctor says I cannot do anything because I still have a problem with the neck.

"That day, Michael was not sad, (he was) more than sad. He was destroyed.

"Of course, I will have a lot of fans on our website very upset. They think Michael is a traitor. But I will explain to them it is not Michael but another one.

"As a friend, it is difficult for me, but I'm happy to see somebody so fit and with such big determination.

"As chairman of Ferrari, I'm so sad. He received a lot from Ferrari, and he has given a lot to Ferrari. I think the combination in the good and the bad moments was very, very good.

"This is the reason why I think we have to accept there is another Michael who is wanting to race. The real Michael is still with Ferrari."

Schumacher still has to have medical tests on his neck injury before he can confirm a return, and Di Montezemolo said he expected a decision to be made public "at the end of December or the beginning of January".

Massa has recovered from the fractured skull he suffered at the Hungarian Grand Prix and will be driving for Ferrari again in 2010 alongside their new signing, double world champion Fernando Alonso.

Di Montezemolo admitted that Ferrari had been "affected psychologically" by Massa's crash, adding: "For many days, we were very worried for the possible recovery of the man and then the driver."

Massa has completed a test in a 2007 Ferrari this week, and Di Montezemolo said the team "strongly believe he'll again be very, very quick".

Alonso will arrive at Ferrari with a reputation for being difficult to manage if the team does not focus on him - a legacy of his tumultuous season as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at McLaren in 2007.

But asked if Ferrari could handle such a dominant personality, Di Montezemolo said: "Yes we can manage him, for three reasons.

"First, I spoke about these elements with (team principal Stefano) Domenicali 1000 times, not 100, and I spoke with Alonso.

"I told him: 'If you come to drive for us, because we want you, you drive for a team, you drive for a group, you don't drive for yourself.

"If you want a team, then you do your own team, fantastic, like John Surtees. In Ferrari we want to put you in the best condition to win. If not, we will never hire you.

"We know that you can win the championship. We will do our best but you are part of it.' I spoke with him and he knows how to handle it.

"Second - and I'm proud for this - for many years, you have not seen any more polemics inside Ferrari.

Alonso is a very intelligent guy, very focused, and he understands that even during the past, he made some mistakes

Luca di Montezemolo

"The only time was once with (Rubens) Barrichello when we asked him to (play second fiddle to Schumacher) but this was because Michael was in condition to win the championship and sometimes this is important.

"But I am for team spirit, like in soccer, like in cycling. This is sport.

"The third reason is he's a very intelligent guy, very focused and he understands that even during the past, he made some mistakes, just as both Michael and I have done in our lives."

In a wide-ranging interview with a selection of British, Italian, Spanish and German journalists, Di Montezemolo addressed a number of other topics.

He backed world champion Jenson Button's decision to join McLaren as Hamilton's team-mate, saying: "Hamilton in McLaren is good motivation for him".

He said he backed the current drive to cut costs in F1 - but that it should never become a championship where all the cars were close to identical, adding that Ferrari would stay in the sport "until Formula 1 isn't Formula 1".

He questioned some of the current organisation of F1, saying the sport's stakeholders needed to look into issues such as whether the races were too long, ticket prices were too high, and its lack of engagement with the internet.

And he set out a vision for F1, which he believed "can play an important role for technology, ecology, environment, fuel consumption".

Oz This must be the worst kept secret in F1.I hope he does well maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks

[MIKA27]

I don't quite understand what Luca di Montezemolo means by "There must be two Michael Schumachers and the real one is still with Ferrari?"

Whilst in one sentence he states he is happy that MS wishes to return to racing, he then in no uncertain terms states the above quote which means what, MS is a traitor for leaving Ferrari?

If it weren't for MS, Ferrari would just be another team on the grid and wouldn't be as successful if it weren't for MS's 5 world titles with their team. You can have a great team and yes, it's not just the driver that brings success, it's also Ross Brawn and the Ferrari engineers, BUT look at MS's team mate Rubens, was no way as successful and he drove the same car back in the day. Even moreso, look at season 2009!

Good on MS for leaving Ferrari. It seems to me there are way too many Chiefs and not enough indians on that team anyway. Someone like MS is only interested in driving and why not, he is THE BEST that has ever graced this sport and I have no doubt he will be successful in 2010.