FORMULA 1 - 2010

[MIKA27]

Ross: 'Button's the history, we have to beat him'

Ross Brawn has expressed disappointment in Jenson Button's decision to walk out on the team after winning the world championship.

Button dominated the 2009 season, securing both the drivers and constructors championship with a race to spare. He then made the decision to leave the team and join fellow Brit, Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

"I was disappointed Jenson left," Brawn said at the launch of the Brawn Lifeboat Challenge.

"He felt people were of the opinion he only won the world championship because he had the best car. So he left us to show them he could do it again elsewhere.

"We are still friends. We were on the same flight back from Malaysia and we had a good chat. But on the racetrack it is different. There are no friends on the racetrack.

"Jenson was a fabulous member of our team last year but now he is the history and we have to beat him."

Brawn suspected the move was down to Button's need to prove himself, and what better way to do that, but by lining up against the 2008 world champion.

"He also wanted to prove himself at McLaren against the guy who is probably the fastest and most naturally talented in motor racing - Lewis Hamilton.

"He's set himself a massive challenge and he is doing very well so far."

Brawn was speaking at the launch of the Brawn Lifeboat Challenge which aims to raise £350,000 to buy a new lifeboat for the River Thames.

More information can be round on the RNLI website by clicking here.

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Alonso: The Championship starts now

Fernando Alonso reckons the World Championship kicks off for real in Spain as the F1 teams introduce major upgrades to their cars.

It's traditional that after the first batch of flyaway races have been completed many of the teams unveil updates for their cars, signalling the start of the Championship proper.

This year it's perhaps more so that usual as F1's flyaway events were extraordinary races as rain played a part in three of the four outcomes.

And it's because of this that Alonso reckons that in Spain F1 fans will finally see who is real in the race for this year's World titles.

"The Championship always starts in the first race, but it's true that it's just a race to confirm the good sensations you've had during testing. But it's true that in Europe it is time to show who is going to fight for the title and who isn't," he told Autosport.

"The first races can be atypical races with changing weather all the time, so now in Europe it's the moment of truth to show who is going to be in the title fight, and also for the teams to prove they can develop faster than their rivals. It's the start of a nice fight.

"Being third in the Championship, very few points away from the leader, I believe is a very good situation.

"With the potential that we have, with the super team that I have, this is just the beginning and I have a real chance to fight for the world championship, something I couldn't even think about last year after four races.

"I'm enjoying it again, and I've felt that bug from winning a race or winning the championship again, and that's the most positive thing about the start to this year.

"We can't forget that last year during the final part of the season Ferrari was very far from the leaders, so there were a lot of things to confirm and many wishes to grant and they have been granted."

However, one wish that still needs to be granted is for Ferrari's engine to become more reliable. The team has had some issues this season with Alonso losing out on points in Malaysia when his power unit expires.

The double World Champion, though, insists he has no concerns about it as Ferrari have established the cause of the problem - which is not the pneumatic valves as has been reported.

"The car is fine. For one reason or another we haven't managed to score as many points as we wanted, but I think we are going to have a good car again in Barcelona. I'm not worried," he said.

"As for the engines, we have found the problems that we had. I know there have been things written about the valves and the air consumption system of the engine, which are completely untrue, as it usually happens.

"So we are quiet because we have found the problems and we'll try to do the rest of the season with an engine that's 100 per cent reliable."

As for reports that Ferrari have asked the FIA for permission to change their engine, the Spaniard refused to confirm or deny the rumours.

"I don't know what the team has asked exactly. What I know from what I've talked about with the engineers is that they are very confident they have solved the problems.

"The issues we and Sauber had were different, it wasn't only one thing in particular, but I believe it's solved."

[MIKA27]

McLaren 'not satisfied' with MP4-25

Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren are "not satisfied" with the MP4-25 - But that doesn't mean it's a bad car, it just means he wants it quicker.

Although McLaren have won two of the opening four races of the season and, thanks to their f-duct or RW80, have better straight-line speed, it can be argued that the car is only the second best behind Red Bull.

Red Bull have had the better pace during qualifying, claiming all four pole positions, and would've won the opening two races of the Championship had it not been for reliability issues.

As such, Whitmarsh acknowledges that McLaren need more speed, which they are hoping to achieve with the package that they'll be introducing in Barcelona.

"There is no secret that we will keep pushing," Whitmarsh told Autosport.

"We have a new package that we are bringing for Barcelona and for every race we have demonstrated over the years that we can improve the car, race on race, and that is what we have got to do.

"All the teams will be doing that and we just have to do it at a quicker rate. We are closer than we have been, we are not satisfied with the car, and we have to improve it and have to make it quicker."

One of the areas where McLaren were looking to improve their car was the introduction of a ride-height control system, which Whitmarsh was adamant Red Bull had been using to achieve their run of pole positions.

So much so that the McLaren team boss revealed that his team was working on such a system only for the FIA to make it abundantly clear that any system that alters the car's ride-height post-qualifying is illegal.

"It was understood some time ago by previous rulings that you could not have specific parts that move in relation to the sprung mass which have influence on the aerodynamics of the car," he said.

"From that we were given that you could not have parts in the suspension system that moved the ride height, but we sensed that maybe some teams were taking advantage of that capability, quite possibility legitimately. We enquired with the FIA and we were surprised when we were told that such systems were legal.

"On the basis of that, we started to develop such systems and we intended to have such a system in China. Then, before the race, we were told that the FIA had reconsidered that position and that such systems were no longer legal - so we had wasted a bit of time.

"We are not trying to be critical of the FIA, because in fairness Charlie [Whiting] and the FIA have 12 teams diligently pestering them trying to get rulings, twists and turns in the regulations and interpretations, but I was surprised when we had a positive ruling, and delighted because we are about creative engineering and we enjoy those sort of challenges.

"So it was shame we could not introduce it, it would have given us a little bit of an advantage but we couldn't do it, so we move on. That is the nature of it. The FIA has to make difficult decisions. It can always do things better, but it would have been nice if we had had a clear no at the outset but we didn't."

MIKA: Spain will be interesting indeed to see who's upgrades work well and who's do not.

Upgrades can often fail, look at Williams who began the 2004 season with a radical nose-cone design, known as the "Walrus-Nose", that proved uncompetitive and was replaced by a more conventional assembly in the second half of the year. It looked great but performed poorly.

McLaren no doubt have the F-Duct developed well however with some teams attempting to follow suit and copy, they must realise that it took 2 years to develop the F-Duct which is why it works for McLaren and may not work as well for others who have not taken the time to develop their own and test.

[MIKA27]

Kubica: New rules encourage thinking

Robert Kubica reckons this year's regulations favour those who think as opposed to those who just react.

As refuelling is banned this season, drivers are being forced to look after their tyres as they tackle longer stints on each set of rubber.

This has meant a different approach to previous years as, even in the midst of a fierce battle, they have to consider the impact it is having on their tyres.

"This year the trends have been different," Renault racer Kubica told Autosport.

"This year it is very important to take care of the tyres and somehow drive in the clever way - not just push for two or three laps because then the tyres degrade.

"Now we need to think about bringing the car as quickly as possible to the finish line at the end of the race - not as quickly as possible for one or two laps.

"So somehow you have to anticipate some balance changes, or pressure or differential settings to help the tyres in order to give you a better race time distance."

[MIKA27]

De la Rosa: Sauber needs sponsors

Pedro de la Rosa admits Sauber need sponsors and their money if the team hopes to improve this season.

Having purchased the BMW-Sauber team back from BMW in an 11th hour deal, team owner Peter Sauber has struggled to find backing for his F1 team.

The Swiss boss, though, insist the team has the finances needed to see out the season, although de la Rosa reckons more is need if they hope to move up the order.

"That is a very important point," he told Blick. "With each day that passes it becomes difficult to find sponsors for 2010.

"But without the necessary finances the normal development of the car is hardly possible."

Sauber is the only established team who have yet to score a single World Championship point this season with a lack of pace and reliability issues keeping them down at the back of the grid.

However, the team has taken one major step towards improving their car, bringing James Key in as their new tech boss.

"Two engine failures is too much. And at the rear of the car something is not right - it is too unstable," said de la Rosa.

"We have brought in James Key as the new technical boss and we simply must believe in our abilities. And also that luck might be with us sometimes as well."

MIKA: Maybe we can all pitch in a few bucks each and have Sauber display FOH on their racer!

[MIKA27]

Brawn: Rosberg closing in on first win

Ross Brawn is confident that it is only a matter of time before Nico Rosberg clinches his maiden race victory.

Now in his fifth season in F1, Rosberg is in a position to win races thanks to his move from Williams to last year's Championship winning team.

Already the German is showing signs that his first win is not far off, claiming two podium finishes in the opening four races of the season.

And one of those podiums could have been a victory had it not been for a mistake on Rosberg's part, which allowed Jenson Button to take the lead and the chequered flag in China.

Brawn, though, insists Rosberg's day will come.

"I was frustrated at the weekend (in China) because Nico could have won that race," the Mercedes GP team boss told Reuters.

"He made one mistake in very difficult circumstances.

"He's very close to winning a race, just needs things to fall into place... but that will come.

"I'm sure he will definitely do it."

MIKA: MercedesGP are only getting better each race. Hope Schumi also starts doing well.

[MIKA27]

A new old chassis for Schumi

Mercedes GP team boss Ross Brawn has revealed that Michael Schumacher is to race an old test chassis at next weekend's Spanish GP.

The seven-times World Champion, who has struggled so far on his return to Formula One, ran the chassis in pre-season testing before reverting to the car he used in the opening four races.

"It's not a new chassis per se, it's a chassis we used in testing," Brawn said on Monday.

"The one he had got damaged during the first few races and we repaired it as best we could at the races. But now we are back at base we are going to re-introduce the test chassis and he will be using that in Barcelona.

"We want to eliminate any doubt because obviously Michael has come back, he's trying to find his references and is trying to work out how to approach things."

Schumacher, who won all of his World titles in conjunction with Brawn at Benetton and Ferrari, has returned having quit the sport at the end of the 2006 season.

However, the 41-year-old has so far been comprehensively outperformed by team-mate Nico Rosberg, who currently lies second in the Drivers' Championship behind Jenson Button.

Brawn said that Schumacher's problems stem from the smaller front tyres introduced to F1 this season, which have left him struggling for grip.

"Undoubtedly these tyres are a bit different to what he's used to," he said. "Maybe, with the car and the tyres, it's not towards the way he likes to have a car which is very responsive and very sharp. We haven't been able to provide him with that yet.

"We've not had a fantastic start but we are still in there because no-one else is really dominating either. There is still plenty of opportunity."

Besides the chassis switch, Schumacher might also gain from a wheelbase increase Mercedes are making to their W01 car to improve weight distribution, with major aerodynamic upgrades also on the cards for Barcelona.

"He is so determined and you can see that in his driving," added Brawn.

"The bits where it's not quite working are not because of (lack of) skill or bravery, it's because the technique needs tuning and the car needs tuning.

"It's odd places where he's losing time and that's why we think he'll sort it out and we'll sort it out and get to where we need to."

[MIKA27]

Hakkinen 'pretty sure' Schumi will win

Mika Hakkinen is almost certain Michael Schumacher will win a grand prix before the season is over.

Hakkinen was one of Schumacher's main rivals when the Finn raced for McLaren and the German for Ferrari, fighting for race wins and World titles.

It's different stories these days, though, as Hakkinen has retired while Schumacher has just comeback from a three-year retirement - and he's not fighting for wins or titles.

But Hakkinen believes it's only a matter of time before the seven-time World Champ returns to winning ways.

"I'm pretty sure that Schumacher will still win a race this season," he told Bild am Sonntag.

"I know what makes him tick, how obsessed he gets when he has set himself a goal. But it will be difficult for him. This sport will not give him any time, it shows no mercy and allows you no excuses."

He added: "Age does make it more difficult, though; if you're 41, you have other things in life like a family for example."

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Have Stefan GP 'removed' Mike Coughlan?

Stefan GP recently announced their proposed entry for the 2011 F1 season. Along with this came a brand new website.

On the website, a section called 'team' features an image of those involved in the project, but we've seen the image before, but now there seems to be someone missing.

Take a look at the two photo's below, the old one on the left features disgraced ex-McLaren employee Mike Coughlan, whom Stefan GP hired in their bid to gain entry into the 2010 season - this bid was denied by the FIA on 'timeframe' grounds, however many people thought it was to do with Coughlan's employment.

Now look at the new image on the right, featured on the new website. Coughlan has been removed from the image.

It's likely Stefanovic took the decision to 'remove' Coughlan from Stefan GP to please the FIA, in the hope it will work in favour of their 2011 entry bid.

Or, alternatively, could they be hiding him from the FIA instead?

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Liuzzi: Force India now a big team

Force India has shaken off its old mantle as one of Formula 1's small teams on the back of its strong start to the 2010 season, driver Vitantonio Liuzzi has stated.

The Silverstone-based outfit has scored points in three of the first four races of the year and, with strong qualifying performances too, Liuzzi believes the outfit has hit the kind of form it needs to threaten more established outfits.

"When you start having results and you start scoring points then you feel much stronger," said Liuzzi. "You feel better because you see your efforts have paid off. And also it is good because it's not just your confidence that goes up, the team confidence goes up too.

"That is an important thing, especially for a team like our one. We are doing big things, we are scoring points consistently and we have shown that we are no longer a small team. These things keep you alive, keep you believing and keep you moving forward."

Liuzzi thinks the fact that Force India has moved forward from its promising end to 2009 is evidence of how strong the team has become, but he equally knows that there remains a big challenge in keeping the improvements going.

"Even last year I was saying that Force India will surprise some people, because it has a really strong group of people. There are really great people working there, great technical people, great mechanics, and everyone is working really well together. It is the best team I've ever worked with in my short career.

"It shows that the performance we are having this year is not the result of luck, but we also know we could be much faster. We are at the moment achieving our target where we want to be, but we need to push hard because the other teams are not sleeping and the development after Barcelona will be crucial for the remaining part of the season."

And on the back of recent comments from Robert Kubica suggesting that Renault needed to keep a watching eye over Force India's pace, Liuzzi knows how serious his team's rivals are treating the outfit.

"With Robert we are really good friends, we speak after every race and we always believe we are competitors for them and they are competitors for us," he said.

"We are pushing like hell to develop, because we think we can get good results in the remaining part of the season as well. It is nice to hear that they are looking at us and also nice that other teams are looking at us too. It shows we are no longer a backmarker team."

[MIKA27]

Trulli frustrated by Lotus problems

Jarno Trulli says he has been frustrated by all the problems that have marred his start to the season with Lotus, and the Italian claims it feels as if he has hardly driven.

"Obviously I knew that it wouldn't be easy, that everything would be new and we would need time," Trulli told Autosprint magazine.

"However, I had expected at least to drive. Instead, after four races I did not start once and when I got to the finish, it was because it was decided I should take the chequered flag but in far from ideal conditions.

"Bad luck seems to persevere on my car, everything happens on my car and my car only. So, to this day, my expectations have not been met.

"It's still early days to judge, we need more time for a reliable judgement. I knew it would be tough, but I practically haven't driven yet. I'll pass judgement at the end of the year," he added.

Trulli's best finishes so far have been a couple of 17th places in Bahrain and Malaysia, but in both races the Italian was hit by problems that meant he was the last classified driver.

In contrast, team-mate Heikki Kovalainen has enjoyed a less troubled start and has 13th, 14th and 15th-place finishes to date.

Trulli admitted his main goal at the moment is to beat the Finn, as he reckons Lotus has had no time to make a competitive car.

"On paper, our team is definitely the best among the new outfits in F1," he said. "We operate like a real team in the top series, but unfortunately we are only at 10% of our potential because of lack of time.

"There's no testing, and the racing weekend is the only chance to test and oil the structure. For us this is our apprenticeship year: we'll see the potential in 2011, when many structural problems will be behind and we'll be able to concentrate on the design of the new car.

"My aim today is to stay ahead of my team-mate and to lead among the new teams. The rest is just dreaming: you can think of getting into Q2, but you need a disaster to happen, like it did in Malaysia."

He added: "The package with Cosworth engine and X-Track gearbox has little influence over the lack of performance, I think no more than 10%, so the problems are elsewhere. The thing Lotus has lacked is time, the main culprit for our difficulties.

"Had we had time to program everything more in advance, we would have better prepared the structure, the car, the gearbox, our hydraulics system and everything you need to start well. All this work is being done now, race after race."

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Race of Champions moves to Germany

End of season all-star shoot-out the Race of Champions is to move to Germany for 2010 - and German heroes Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have already signed up to take part.

The annual RoC pits top names from Formula 1, rallying and other motorsport disciplines against each other in head to head knock-out contests in miscellaneous vehicles each winter.

Most recently held in Beijing's Birds Nest stadium, the 2010 RoC will take place in the ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf.

Schumacher and Vettel have paired up to win the Nations' Cup team contest for the past three years, and both are excited about the event's move to their homeland.

"It's going to be very exciting to see the Race of Champions in Germany, particularly as Sebastian and I have won the Nations' Cup for the last three years," said Schumacher.

"So this is a great opportunity and a fantastic decision from the organisers.

"I'm really looking forward to defending our title in front of our home crowd."

The individual champion of champions contest has never been won by an active Formula 1 driver, with DTM star Mattias Ekstrom defeating Schumacher in the final last year to take the RoC crown for a third time - although for the majority of its 21-year history it was primarily a rallying contest, until its move to indoor stadiums in the mid-2000s saw it opened up to a wider range of drivers.

Heikki Kovalainen is the only man on the F1 grid to have won the RoC title.

The Lotus driver scored an upset in the 2004 event, when as a little-known 23-year-old fresh from the World Series by Nissan, he knocked out F1 and World Rally champions Schumacher and Sebastien Loeb to take the RoC crown.

[MIKA27]

Alonso’s thumbs insured for 10m euros

Ferrari sponsor Santander has insured Fernando Alonso’s thumbs for five million euros (£4.3m) each.

The Spanish financial services giant announced at an event in Madrid on Monday that it had signed a new one-year personal sponsorship deal with Alonso, who will now be sponsored by the company’s insurance arm as well as its banking division.

The double world champion has been given accident and life insurance, with special cover for his thumbs, as part of a Santander publicity campaign ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

“Alonso’s thumbs are a symbol, as well as being essential for driving a Formula 1 car, in that they make a sign of victory and show that everything is under control and well protected,” Santander said in a statement.

Alonso added: “Being close to risk in my profession made me understand that protection is a fundamental aspect.

“I knew that Santander is the best bank in the world, but now I’ve discovered that they are also leaders in insurance.

“So I could only choose one of the best possible partners in this field.”

MIKA: You're kidding....?

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen undecided on where his future lies

Kimi Raikkonen has revealed he is undecided on where his future lies. The Finnish driver quit F1 at the end 2009 after enduring a less than successful season with Ferrari where he finished 6th.

He took the decision to enter the World Rally Championship where he is only now getting up to speed and settling into the sport, but he didn't rule out a return to F1 next year or later in his career.

"It has not turned in any direction," he told Finland's Turun Sanomat when asked if he will stay with WRC or return to F1. "There is no rush for me to make decisions. We'll have to see what are the possibilities and what for me is the most interesting, what I enjoy the most and what it is I most want to do."

Raikkonen has always been seen as a cool character, often referred to as the 'ice-man', even more so when he climbed out of his car in Malaysia and grabbed a coke and magnum ice cream from the freezer, unsure of whether the race would restart after it was red flagged.

It's thought part of the reason he no longer enjoyed F1, was because of the off-track politics which have increasingly taken place this decade.

He admitted if F1 were to return to the 90's he'd be much happier to return.

"If F1 could go back 20 years, it would be the same as rallying now," he said. "It [rallying] is still professional but in just a bit more of a relaxed style."

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Trulli: 'Bad luck seems to persevere on my car'

Jarno Trulli has bemoaned his luck in the first four races of the season, having only finished the one.

He told Italy's Autosprint magazine that whilst he knew it would take time for the new Lotus team to get up to pace and sort out some of its reliability issues, he seems to be the only one encountering issues, whilst teammate Heikki Kovalainen has managed to finish three of the four races.

"Obviously I knew that it wouldn't be easy, that everything would be new and we would need time," the Italian said.

"However, I had expected at least to drive. Instead, after four races I did not start once and when I got to the finish, it was because it was decided I should take the chequered flag but in far from ideal conditions.

"Bad luck seems to persevere on my car, everything happens on my car and my car only. So, to this day, my expectations have not been met.

"It's still early days to judge, we need more time for a reliable judgement. I knew it would be tough, but I practically haven't driven yet. I'll pass judgement at the end of the year."

The race to be the best newcomer is certainly a title Lotus have a strong grasp on, an achievement Trulli recognises, but with 15 races remaining that could change.

"On paper, our team is definitely the best among the new outfits in F1," he added.

"We operate like a real team in the top series, but unfortunately we are only at 10% of our potential because of [a] lack of time."

The ex-Toyota driver is already looking forward to next year, when Lotus can concentrate on the design of the car, having formed a solid base in 2010.

"There's no testing, and the racing weekend is the only chance to test. For us this is our apprenticeship year: we'll see the potential in 2011, when many structural problems will be behind and we'll be able to concentrate on the design of the new car."

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Williams favours early KERS return

Williams technical director Sam Michael says his team is now in favour of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems returning to Formula 1 as early as 2011 having been convinced that the devices are now cost-effective.

Amid continuing discussions on the future of KERS - which remains available in the regulations, but which the teams have agreed not to use in 2010 on cost grounds - Michael admitted that Williams had previously preferred to wait until the major rules overall due in 2013.

But he said Ferrari and Renault had made a presentation to the rest of the teams that had convinced Williams that an early reintroduction of KERS would be financially viable.

"[Waiting until 2013] was our position up to when Ferrari and Renault submitted a proposal to FOTA that they could do it for less than a million euros," Michael said.

"So our position now is we're doing KERS for 2011, and so is theirs."

Michael is confident that the Ferrari/Renault proposal makes KERS much more realistic than it was last season, when all the major teams spent large sums on developing the technology, but few actually raced it.

"I wouldn't say that's incompatible with cost saving, because it's got to be less than a million euros, so that's quite different to spending money on a new engine development programme, for example," said Michael

"It's not like the KERS of old, when you were spending 10 to 20 million, or even more. It's [now] a million euros for the running costs."

He said Williams had always been in favour of the KERS concept, and was only concerned about the financial implications.

"We're supportive of KERS at Williams, but our [original] position was that we would rather it was integrated properly in the 2013 engine," said Michael.

"It's something F1 can contribute to. A lot of road cars are going with KERS now, so it makes sense for F1 to have it. We thought '13 was a better introduction point, but we've got to go with the agreement that everyone signed, and that was if someone proved by the end of March that they could do it for a million euros, then they can.

"The attraction from my point of view is it makes the car go faster. If someone's got KERS then you can't afford not to have it. You're talking three or four tenths [per lap].

"It was quicker [to have KERS] by the end of last year. If you look at McLaren, in Ahu Dhabi they were very competitive until they had the brake failure, and that was with the old front tyre as well. Now with the narrow front tyre it will be even easier to make KERS work."

Michael is happy that the rules are sufficiently restrictive to prevent KERS turning into a costly development race.

"If you didn't have power and energy limits it would be a different question, but you do," he said.

[MIKA27]

No big Williams update until Monaco

Williams has warned that it could be the Monaco Grand Prix before it makes significant gains, as it will not be introducing as major an upgrade for Spain as many of its rivals are expected to.

The first European race of the season at Catalunya in ten days' time is set to see a huge number of new developments on the cars as teams make the most of being back on their home continent after four flyaway races, and of having a three-week break since Shanghai.

But Williams technical director Sam Michael said his team planned to bring its new parts later.

"We do have some stuff for Barcelona, and that's a good step, but I think the bigger steps will come for Monaco and Istanbul," he said.

Despite looking strong in the final pre-season tests Williams is currently only seventh in the constructors' championship with Rubens Barrichello's eighth place in Australia its best result of 2010.

However Michael remains confident that the FW32 has good potential that just needs to be extracted.

"We've made a lot of changes, so it's taking time to get us a little bit more up to speed," he said.

"We've got a good development programme for the car and a lot of stuff coming through in the next couple of races - Monaco and Istanbul.

"We'll just keep our head down and try and get that stuff on the car as quick as we can."

[MIKA27]

Williams ups stake in hybrid firm

Williams has taken majority control of the company that developed its flywheel KERS system, Williams Hybrid Power (WHP).

The Grove-based outfit originally bought a 40% share in the firm – which was then known as Automotive Hybrid Power – in March 2008 ahead of the introduction of energy-storage KERS devices into Formula 1 last year.

And while Williams ultimately didn’t race with its flywheel system, the company’s hybrid technology continued to interest companies outside of the sport and last year WHP re-focussed its development efforts towards the road car sector – recently partnering with Porsche AG to run the system in the manufacturer’s new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

Williams has now upped its stake to 78% and Alex Burns, chairman of WHP and CEO of Williams F1, said: “I am delighted that we have now taken a larger stake in Williams Hybrid Power.

“This agreement means that the business has the funding it needs for the development of a family of MLC [magnetically loaded composite] flywheels to suit a range of applications in the automotive and other industries.

“I am confident that WHP will continue to deliver value to its customers and develop into a substantial, successful business.”

Although F1 teams agreed amongst themselves not to use KERS for 2010, the technology could be reintroduced into the sport as early as next season with teams currently discussing the framework for a future return.

Williams developed both a flywheel and a battery-powered system last year, and its technical director Sam Michael said recently that the future KERS regulations would dictate which one the team raced in future.

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Williams targets full F-duct by summer

Sam Michael is not expecting Williams’s F-duct system to be fully up and running on its car for “a couple of months”, following its initial tests during practice in China.

The Grove-based squad was on of several teams to try out a basic form of the McLaren-pioneered rear wing-stalling system at the last round as squads look to get the innovative full duct on their cars as soon as possible.

Williams ran some of the required components on Rubens Barrichello’s FW32 in Saturday morning practice in Shanghai, before reverting to its previous rear wing for qualifying, and its technical chief Michael says it remains very much a work in progress.

“We gathered some good data from the new parts so it proved to be a worthwhile test, but we still have some work to do which is why we took the decision not to run it in qualifying,” Michael said.

“I expect it will take us a couple of months to get it working properly.”

Williams has yet to finish higher than eighth so far this season and appears to be behind both Renault and Force India in the midfield pecking order.

And while the last round in China was particularly disappointing for the team as it failed to make Q3 and then pick up any points on race day for the first time this season, Michael feels progress is being made given its fastest Q2 time was just 0.8s off the outright pace.

“Even though we didn't make the top ten in qualifying, Rubens’ pace was better than it has been previously, as demonstrated by the small gap between him and the quickest car,” Michael added.

“That was in spite of him being held up by [Jenson] Button, which cost him a tenth. Without traffic, he would have easily made it into the top 10, so we are getting closer.”

Michael, who added that Williams was looking to improve its qualifying performance, now hopes for a further step forward from next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

“Like all the teams, we will have a series of planned upgrades for the cars in Spain and we’re hoping they will deliver the performance that we need going into the European rounds,” he added.

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DC's view on the new Silverstone

For those who have to wait until July to see the new Silverstone layout, David Coulthard gives you a feel of the updated circuit.

"Club is now a very defined double apex. Before it just had one apex but now there is one apex, and then another one. So in the damp you can imagine someone having a bit of a wobble there.

"When you come out of The Loop there is another little kink [at Aintree Corner] and I'm hoping that won't be flat. If it is flat then it does nothing, but if it isn't then maybe someone can get a run down in to the braking area at Brooklands.

"It is a very wide entry there and F1 car's take a narrower line than a touring car or whatever, just because of the nature of the cars. But if you did make a mistake there then that could also lead to overtaking.

"Otherwise it's the same. There has been a small realignment at Maggots, but nothing major. Abbey is now a very fast corner. I think Village is more likely to be a spectator area than a spectator zone."

Coulthard was among those who attended the unveiling of the new layout on Thursday and is delighted that Silverstone is hosting the British GP.

"I've loved every Silverstone, even the fiddly complex, because it is as close as you get to an amphitheatre in British motorsport other than Brands Hatch," he said. "With all the grandstands and the BRDC centre, you got to show the crowd the cars for a while.

"It's Silverstone, this is this place for the British Grand Prix, and as much as I enjoyed racing at Donington when I was younger, I just think we are so used to coming to this area and celebrating in July."

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JV refusing to give up on F1

Jacques Villeneuve is refusing to give up on F1 and has made it known that he's fit and ready should any team require his services.

Villeneuve came close to returning to the sport this season, however, his comeback was aborted when the FIA refused to give permission to Stefan GP to race.

The Serbian team, though, is intent on booking a place on next year's grid and has already revealed that Villeneuve could be one of their drivers.

But even if that doesn't happen, there's always the possibility that an existing team could replace a driver midway through the season.

And if that happens, 39-year-old Villeneuve is determined to be prepared.

"I'm pushing on anyway," Villeneuve, who is working in a simulator with his trainer Erwin Göllner, told Auto Moto und Sport.

"Last season showed that some teams change their drivers during a season. And the return of (Michael) Schumacher and (Pedro) de la Rosa is an indication that experience is appreciated once again."

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Pirelli officially join the tyre race

Pirelli has said it will present an offer to supply tyres to all Formula One teams from the 2011 season at next weekend's Spanish GP.

The Italian company has entered the running to supply tyres in the wake of Bridgestone's decision to pull out of the sport at the end of the current season after 14 years.

Bridgestone has been F1's sole supplier since 2007, after competing against Goodyear in 1997 and 1998 and Michelin from 2001 to 2006.

Michelin and American-based tyre manufacturer Cooper have already emerged as possible suppliers with Pirelli now keen having sounded cautious just a week ago.

"Pirelli announces that it will present a technical and commercial offer for supply of tyres to all the teams in the Formula 1 World Championship," it said in a statement.

"The company plans to present the bid to FIA and FOA (Formula One Administration Limited) by 9 May, the date of the next Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in Spain."

A spokeswoman added that the offer was for next season but said no further details could be disclosed.

Last week, Pirelli officials were quoted in Italian media saying that certain conditions would have to be met if the firm was to return to F1 for the first time since 1991.

They included increasing the diameter of tyres to 18 inches from 13 and a wish for teams to contribute financially to the supply deal.

A possible return had previously only been mooted from 2012 while president Marco Tronchetti Provera told reporters last week that there could be reasons "to look at this area with greater attention" but for the moment "there is still nothing".

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Ferrari deny subliminal smoking

Ferrari have denied reports that they are using subliminal tobacco advertising on their cars and driver overalls.

According to a recent report in The Times, Ferrari, who have a massive financial deal with tobacco company Phillip Morris, have been subliminally supporting the tobacco industry by having red cars and a barcode in their logo.

As such they have been accused of breaking anti tobacco advertising laws.

Ferrari, though, insist the reports are rubbish.

"Today and in recent weeks, articles have been published relating to the partnership contract between Scuderia Ferrari and Philip Morris International, questioning its legality," said a statement on Ferrari's website.

"These reports are based on two suppositions: that part of the graphics featured on the Formula 1 cars are reminiscent of the Marlboro logo and even that the red colour which is a traditional feature of our cars is a form of tobacco publicity.

"Neither of these arguments have any scientific basis, as they rely on some alleged studies which have never been published in academic journals. But more importantly, they do not correspond to the truth.

"The so called barcode is an integral part of the livery of the car and of all images coordinated by the Scuderia, as can be seen from the fact it is modified every year and, occasionally even during the season. Furthermore, if it was a case of advertising branding, Philip Morris would have to own a legal copyright on it.

"The partnership between Ferrari and Philip Morris is now only exploited in certain initiatives, such as factory visits, meetings with the drivers, merchandising products, all carried out fully within the laws of the various countries where these activities take place. There has been no logo or branding on the race cars since 2007, even in countries where local laws would still have permitted it.

"The premise that simply looking at a red Ferrari can be a more effective means of publicity than a cigarette advertisement seems incredible: how should one assess the choice made by other Formula 1 teams to race a car with a predominantly red livery or to link the image of a driver to a sports car of the same colour? Maybe these companies also want to advertise smoking!

"It should be pointed out that red has been the recognised colour for Italian racing cars since the very beginning of motor sport, at the start of the twentieth century: if there is an immediate association to be made, it is with our company rather than with our partner."

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China confident of securing new deal

The promoters of the Chinese GP are confident that Shanghai will remain on the Formula One calendar next season.

Shanghai made its debut seven years ago but dwindling spectator numbers have resulted in heavy financial loses with some reports claiming that the race is losing as much as $150 million a year.

This has cast doubt over the future of the Chinese GP, although Leon Sun of race promoters Juss Events is confident that it's only a matter of time before a new deal is signed with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"It hasn't been announced because there are still a few technical issues to be sorted out but we're in good shape," Sun told Reuters.

"It looks good at the moment. We've got until October this year to sort it out but I'm confident that we'll have something before that.

"We are trying to build something. Obviously, compared to races in Europe we still have a long way to go to build the market.

"We improve every year and I think Bernie appreciates and understands this."

He added: "To have Formula One is not only a commercial deal, it's also about the image of the country and the image of the city."

China's place on the calendar is being backed by F1's major carmakers with Mercedes's motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug it is a vital market for the manufacturers.

"It is one of the most important from a business point of view, for your customers and your potential customers," he said.

"We sell more S-classes here than in any other country in the world. We produce C-classes here."

However, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh says it's also important for the several team sponsors.

"Being here is important not just to our road car companies but is important to all of our partners in Formula One," he said.

"We're here to create brand exposure and differentiation for the Vodafones, the Exxon Mobils, the Mercedes Benz.

"This is an important market, so Formula One must make sure that it continues to make a success of the Chinese Grand Prix."

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'Don't judge Schumi until after Monaco'

Mark Webber believes the verdict on Michael Schumacher can only be delivered after the Monaco GP later this month.

Schumacher, who returned to F1 with Mercedes GP after a three-year lay-off, has come in for some stick from all quarters, although it must be noted that none of that has come from those currently in the paddock.

While past drivers, such as Sir Stirling Moss, have recently written off the German, saying he's "probably" it, Webber reckons it's too early to judge.

However, he concedes that time to up his game is running out for the 41-year-old as the upcoming Spanish and Monaco races should give an indication of whether his naysayers are right or wrong.

"After Monaco we'll know how his form really is," Webber told BBC Sport.

"He knows he's not going to just jump back in and start blowing people away. He knows he was going to have to get used to it. He's not that naive.

"He'll feel a bit more at home at Barcelona and Monaco. They're the sort of places, particularly Monaco, where you just plug Michael in and off he goes.

"If he's not going to be doing that this year, you can say he might be having problems coming to grips with the car.

"These cars change every two or three weeks let alone every four years, so he's coming back to such a totally different environment. The cars are totally different, the tyres, the aerodynamics, all of which he's had to get used to.

"He's going to have to work at it - and that's what he's doing right now. He's an incredible competitor and he always has been."

Asked point-blank if Schumacher was past it, Webber said: "That's a tough question to ask someone who is out there racing against him, because at the next race he could come out and blow everyone away, so you want to make sure you're not eating your words.

"But as I always said, you have to take your hat off to him. It was a very brave call to come back and test himself again at the highest level. He's an incredible competitor and he always has been.

"I think after Monaco we'll know how his form really is. Shanghai was a pretty tough track for him even when we was on fire. He'll feel a bit more at home at Barcelona and also at Monaco, which is a track where he always did exceptionally well.

"So we'll see after that how he's going and we might be able to be as harsh as the question is."