FORMULA 1 - 2010

[MIKA27]

Kubica remaining realistic

Robert Kubica hopes Renault can continue to impress when the Formula One circus returns to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Renault have been the surprise package of the year to date, claiming 46 points in the first four races, with Kubica winning 40 of those to leave him seventh in the drivers' standings.

For a team that came close to quitting the sport last year in the wake of the 2008 'crash-gate' scandal and poor results, before being taken over during the winter, it has been a remarkable turnaround.

But Kubica knows the first European race of the year always heralds a shift in fortunes due to the varying degrees of upgrades planned throughout the paddock.

Unlike some teams who will be introducing significant changes, the Pole concedes Renault's improvement will continue to be gradual.

"The whole team is working hard and it's good we're making the most of our opportunities in the races," he said.

"But it's important to remain realistic because we still need some big steps to be at the front of the grid and fighting consistently with Red Bull and McLaren in normal conditions.

"The next race in Barcelona will be another big test for us because the return to Europe is usually a turning point in the season with many teams planning big upgrades to their cars.

"A lot of the teams have big expectations for their new packages, but we are not planning to bring any huge updates.

"We will keep gradually improving the car, just like we did during the first four races.

"We have to wait and see how we compare with the others. Maybe the order of the teams will be quite different compared to the start of the year."

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old, currently 20 points behind reigning world champion and leader Jenson Button, could not be happier with the start he has made to life with Renault.

"I think we should take a lot of positives from the first four races," he added.

"If you had said to me at the start of the season, or even after Bahrain, I would have scored 40 points and three top-five finishes, I would have been more than happy.

"However, at the same time there has still been some frustration, especially in Shanghai where the safety car in the middle of the race definitely cost me a podium.

"But you have to accept that this is part of racing. Sometimes the luck goes your way and sometimes against you."

MIKA: Kubica is doing remarkably well for Renault and I hope he stays with the team rather than moving over to Ferrari in 2011 (If Rumors are true).

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Button doesn't impress Briatore

Reigning world champion Jenson Button may again be leading the pack this season, but that still cuts no ice with former employer Flavio Briatore.

Briatore has not been a fan of Button since the Briton's troubled days with Renault in 2001 and 2002 when he struggled with a woeful car.

Although the 30-year-old has won two of this season's four grands prix in the defence of his title to lead the way by 10 points from Mercedes' Nico Rosberg, Briatore is unimpressed.

The outspoken Italian, currently suspended from all FIA-sanctioned motor-racing events in the wake of the 'crash-gate' scandal, feels good fortune has so far shone on McLaren star Button.

"We'll see how it ends up between Button and (team-mate Lewis) Hamilton at the end of the season," said Briatore.

"Jenson has done well. He's won two races and we know why. He was able to manage things and had luck on his side.

"I don't speak badly of him, I just say he is not among the five quickest drivers in F1."

Briatore's comments belittle Button's achievements with his new team as he has shown speed and judgment that has resulted in him gaining an edge over Hamilton and the rest of the field.

Button, though, is not the only driver in Briatore's firing line as the 60-year-old also feels Michael Schumacher is proving he should have remained in retirement.

Schumacher, who won two of his seven world titles under Briatore at Benetton in 1994 and 1995, has so far won just 10 points and been outdriven in qualifying and the races by team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Asked by Italy's Autosprint magazine if Schumacher would improve, he replied: "On the contrary, I think it will be harder and harder for him.

"I don't know how he can recover. The competition is fierce. He made the decision to return without thinking that, in four years, the cars and the tyres have changed massively.

"I've always said it would be difficult for him to stay ahead of Rosberg.

"You can't come back in such a competitive sport after four or five years. (Alain) Prost did, but only one season had gone by.

"Instead he's found some tough customers because in F1 there have never been drivers as good as this year - Hamilton, Fernando (Alonso), (Sebastian) Vettel, Rosberg..."

Briatore, meanwhile, is adamant he has no intention of returning to F1 once his suspension expires at the end of 2012.

"After winning seven titles with two different teams, to add an eighth wouldn't change anything," added Briatore.

"Winning with Renault in 2005-06 was a miracle, and you can't do miracles all the time.

"Seeing the way it is now, I don't enjoy it and the adrenaline to do it is not there any more. This is something I don't miss at all."

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Renault preview the Spanish GP

Robert Kubica: After four races what is your assessment of your start to the season?

I think we should take a lot of positives from the first four races. If you had said to me at the start of the season, or even after Bahrain, that I would have scored 40 points and three top five finishes, I would have been more than happy. However, at the same time there has still been some frustration, especially in Shanghai where the safety car in the middle of the race definitely cost me a podium. But you have to accept that this is part of racing. Sometimes the luck goes your way and sometimes against you.

The team’s development rate is getting you right on the tail of Mercedes. It must be motivating to see the progress being made…

The whole team is working hard and it’s good that we’re making the most of our opportunities in the races. But it’s important to remain realistic because we still need some big steps to be at the front of the grid and fighting consistently with Red Bull and McLaren in normal conditions. The next race in Barcelona will be another big test for us because the return to Europe is usually a turning point in the season with many teams planning big upgrades to their cars.

Do you think the order of the teams will change again in Barcelona and that other teams may leapfrog ahead of you?

It’s something we always expect in Barcelona and a lot of the teams have big expectations for their new packages. We are not planning to bring any huge updates, but we will keep gradually improving the car, just like we did during the first four races. We have to wait and see how we compare with the others; maybe the order of the teams will be quite different compared to the start of the year.

What are your expectations for the weekend?

It’s the sort of circuit that all the drivers and teams know back to front so I’m expecting a very tough battle. All the teams will be very well prepared and usually get close to their potential so it’s important that we maximise our performance so that we can fight for points in the race.

Vitaly Petrov: After four races, how do you assess the start of your F1 career?

The start of the year was quite difficult for me and there were a few missed opportunities in the first three races. For various reasons things did not work out for me: I made a mistake in Australia and there were some problems with the car in Bahrain and Malaysia. To finish the race in China and score my first points was a great feeling and helped make up for the disappointment of the earlier races. But I always want more, and now that I have finished seventh, I must aim even higher.

How valuable was it to complete a full race distance?

I learnt an enormous amount in Shanghai, especially because it was a wet race with changing track conditions. At the start of the race it was really difficult to know what the weather would do and if we needed to change tyres so I was talking with the team on the radio and making decisions about our strategy. Also, I learned about the importance of looking after the tyres and by the end of the race I was very quick and able to fight with Schumacher and Webber, who were both struggling with their tyres. The final laps were a lot of fun and I didn’t want the race to end!

You said recently that Renault feels like a family. Can you tell us about your relationship with the team?

That’s right, the team is just like a big family and I’m really happy to be part of it. We work well together and they are always trying to help me improve. I’ve said before that the determination of the team is what impresses me the most and the fact that there are so many people working hard to improve the car for each race. There is a great atmosphere in the garage and you can feel that everybody is giving their maximum.

We’re back in Europe now preparing for Barcelona, a circuit where you have a lot of experience. Are you looking forward to the race?

I’ve raced there many times in GP2 and we tested in Barcelona over the winter. It’s a circuit where all the teams will be well prepared and I expect the gaps between the cars to be very small. We didn’t have a very good test there in February, but hopefully the weather and track conditions will be different for the race and that will give us a chance to do better. As a circuit, it’s technically very difficult and overtaking is almost impossible, which is why qualifying will be very important.

A lap of Barcelona with Robert Kubica

Barcelona is one of the best-known tracks for all the teams and drivers because of the testing miles we do there over the winter. The racing is never brilliant because it’s so hard to overtake, but it’s still a fun Grand Prix with a good atmosphere and enthusiastic Spanish fans.

The track layout is quite interesting with a few high-speed sections, as well as a very slow final sector. This means that you have to find a set-up compromise to cope with the range of corners. In the past, I preferred to go for a balance that suited the low-speed corners and I would live with the car in the high-speed sections. I always felt it was better to have low-speed traction and a stable car under braking, especially if the weather is hot and you have a lot of tyre degradation.

The start of the lap is really nice to drive in an F1 car. The first corner requires heavy braking and you build up speed quickly through the next sequence leading into turn three, which is a really challenging corner, especially with heavy fuel. You have to judge where the limit is and the line you take will depend on how your car is behaving. Some cars prefer to take a wide exit from turn two and a tight entrance to three, while others will do the opposite and sacrifice speed on the exit of two for a wide entry into three.

Turn nine is an exciting and unusual corner because it’s over a crest and you can’t see the exit. It’s one of those corners where you hope you don’t lose the car because if you do it’s going to be a big shunt. It’s usually taken in fifth gear, with just light braking, before you’re back on the power for the approach to turn 10.

Turn 10 is tricky and the cars usually struggle with braking stability because there are some small bumps in the braking zone. If you’re suffering with tyre wear it becomes even more difficult, especially getting good traction on the exit. Then you’re straight into turn 11, which last year wasn’t really a corner because you could really attack the low kerb and take it flat out. But this year, on heavy fuel loads, it should be more challenging.

The end of the lap is now very low-speed and not as challenging for the drivers as the old layout. The final chicane [turns 14 and 15] is particularly slow so it’s important to have good traction for a clean exit because it affects your speed into the last corner and onto the main straight.

[MIKA27]

Epsilon Euskadi confirm Todt meeting cancelled

Jean Todt has had to postpone his visit to Epsilon Euskadi's factory after strong winds at the Torrejón airport in Madrid left his plane grounded.

The FIA president had been scheduled to visit the Spanish teams HQ as they bid to join the F1 grid in 2011. The meeting aimed to impress Todt with Epsilon's facilities.

A statement on the team's website confirmed the cancellation, but insisted a new date would be found for the visit.

"Adverse weather conditions prevented the eagerly awaited visit of the FIA’s President, together with the RFEA and RACC Presidents, to the Technological Innovation Centre.

"Although it had to be cancelled today, everyone’s wish and thrill coincides in the intention of finding a new date out, agendas permitting, to celebrate the awaited meeting."

Team owner Joan Villadelprat added: "First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Todt, Mr. Gracia and Mr. Salvadó for their interest and wish to [re]arrange the visit, as well as their efforts until the last moment for this meeting to take place. It was an important visit to present the Epsilon project in all its magnitude to the FIA’s President.

"Both considering the possibility of getting the Formula 1 license but also to show him the rest of the car industry projects’ we are currently working on. I would also like to really thank the members of the press that attended the call and waited for more than three hours before the visit had to be called off. Now we should look on the bright side since I am sure that, as soon as their agenda allows it, we will reschedule the meeting."

The president of the Spanish Motor Federation, Carlos Gracia, also in attendance was 'gutted' to hear that the meeting wasn't to go ahead.

"I was gutted when we had to decide to call off the visit. Not only given the enthusiasm we put into planning Jean Todt’s trip to discover Epsilon’s facilities, which are a real Spanish pride, but also given the acquired commitment with the attending media.

"We waited nearly four hours to travel but finally the strong wind prevented us [from] fly[ing]. Jean Todt will come back to Spain and we will arrange a new encounter for him to get to know firsthand the magnificent facilities that Epsilon has."

[MIKA27]

FOTA ponders independent KERS option

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) is weighing up an offer for an independent supply of KERS next season, as efforts are ramped up to get the technology back in the sport.

Renault and Ferrari have been leading the push to get KERS back in F1, because of pressures from their parent road car companies to increase the environmental message and technology transfer from F1. Their desire to see it back as soon as possible has also led Williams to support its return in 2011.

However, not all teams on the grid are so eager to get KERS back for next year and some would prefer to wait until 2013 - when new engine regulations are set to come into force.

One of the key issues that needs overcoming is the costs that the return of KERS would entail - especially for the sport's new contenders. And although Renault and Ferrari have offered to supply customer versions of their own units, not all their rivals are happy about that situation.

However, sources have revealed that any resistance could be overcome by an offer from British engineering company Flybrid, which has put a formal proposal to FOTA to supply its flywheel system to any F1 team that wants it in 2011.

Sources close to FOTA have stated that Flybrid's offer is commercially attractive enough for it to be seriously evaluated as an option for next year, with FOTA set to discuss its latest thinking on the situation when it meets again ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Flybrid has extensive knowledge of F1 technology, having worked closely with the former Honda team from 2007 on a KERS system that was going to be raced last year prior to the Japanese manufacturer's withdrawal from F1.

The knowledge that Flybrid gained from its work with Honda is now being applied to the road car industry, with one of its biggest clients currently Jaguar Cars as part of a government investment in future green technologies.

Flybrid has the capacity to supply the whole grid if FOTA believes that is the best way forward, or equally would be able to supply any number of teams that required the technology.

Lotus technical chief Mike Gascoyne told AUTOSPORT that new teams like his would have trouble building their own KERS for 2011, but would be open to looking at any supply offers that made commercial sense.

"I think for us obviously the implementation of KERS is pretty difficult," he said. "We think it is very relevant, and we think it is a good message for the sport, but we think it makes a lot more sense to introduce it with a new engine in 2013.

"However, if it was offered for next year then we would have to have a look at it - but it would have to be commercially sensible."

[MIKA27]

Briatore says F1 needs to solve issues

Formula 1 does not have a bright future if it continues as it is now, according to former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

The Italian, who left Formula 1 following the 2008 Singapore GP scandal, says the sports needs fixing, especially to offer a better show and reduce costs for the teams.

"F1 is very confused at the moment, there will surely be some changes. There will be a push to change things, because the way it is now, I don't see it having a big future," Briatore was quoted as saying by Autosprint magazine.

"The problem is a bit with everything: the lack of spectacle and unpredictability under normal conditions.

"Also the costs: when we were insisting to have three cars per team, the Federation instead opened the doors to teams who had no budget guarantees whatsoever. I think this was a bad decision.

"There are teams in F1 who are one or two seconds faster compared to a GP2 team, and to be one or two seconds faster, they spend a minimum of 60-70 millions, while GP2 spends three. There's something wrong there."

He added: "You need to do the cars' technology with the spectacle in mind, not the other way around."

Briatore insisted he has no intention to return to Formula 1 in team boss role, claiming he is not missing anything from the sport.

"No. I think that after having won seven titles with two different teams, to add an eighth title wouldn't change anything. I think that winning with Renault in 2005-06 was a miracle, and you can't do miracles all the times.

"Seeing the way it is now, I don't enjoy it anymore, the adrenaline to do it is not there anymore. This is something I don't miss at all."

[MIKA27]

Buemi: STR can aim for regular points

Toro Rosso should be able to score points on a consistent basis if it can start stringing together a run of trouble-free race weekends.

That is the view of Sebastien Buemi, whose thinks that the STR5 is quick enough for the team to be regularly fighting in the thick of the midfield around 10th position.

Swiss youngster Buemi has been plagued by bad luck since the start of the season – being the helpless victim in lap-one accidents in both Australia and China – but hopes things will start to turn for him from this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix onwards.

“I believe in terms of theoretical pace, the car is certainly capable of putting us just outside the top 10, making us the sixth team, whereas currently we are eighth in the championship,” he said.

“We have had difficulties, but on a positive note the car is definitely competitive and I am reasonably confident that in the coming races we will be able to score points.

“Not only does the car show potential, but also the team is working very hard and doing a good job.

“You also need a bit of luck in Formula 1, so I hope this is the weekend when my luck will change for the better and I can have a trouble-free weekend, with a good result waiting at the end of it.”

Toro Rosso has claimed just two points so far this season, courtesy of a ninth-place finish for Jaime Alguersuari in Malaysia, but team boss Franz Tost shares Buemi’s optimism that it is on the verge of more strong race finishes.

He believes that, aided by a further series of car upgrades for the opening European round, the team can even target getting one driver into Q3 for the first time this season.

“Our technical department is working very hard and we will deliver some updates over the forthcoming races and I believe we can step up in terms of our performance level,” Tost said.

“Specifically for the Spanish Grand Prix, we will introduce new brake ducts and a new engine cover.

“In the last couple of races we already saw an improvement in our package, so in Barcelona, I would hope that if we do everything perfectly, we could get at least one driver through into qualifying three for the first time this season, or if not, then at least very close to 10th on the grid, so that more points has to be a realistic target for us this weekend.”

This season Toro Rosso has had to adjust to being a fully-independent constructor for the first time in its five-year history and Tost is content with how things are progressing.

“The STR5 seems quite competitive in terms of performance, however, you can only be truly happy if you win races, but within the limitations of our resources, I believe we are working in an efficient manner and making progress, because building the infrastructure to become a front-running team takes time,” he said.

“We are on the right road.”

This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix is the first for the team’s Barcelona-born driver Jaime Alguersuari and the 20-year-old is naturally looking forward to racing in front of his own support.

“This will be the first time I race in the Spanish Grand Prix and I expect there will be a lot of my friends and fans coming to watch, also because there are several Spanish drivers on the grid this year,” Alguersuari said.

“One important factor is that this is the first track of the season I have driven on before, so that should make life easier for me.”

[MIKA27]

Rosberg not getting carried away

Despite suggestions that Merc GP could be the team to beat in Spain, Nico Rosberg has avoided making any grand predictions for this weekend's race.

Team boss Ross Brawn commented recently that: "Nico is very close to winning a race," as the young German continues to impress, having secured two podium finishes in the last two races.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner added fuel to the flames by suggesting that this weekend could be the moment when Mercedes comes to the fore.

"Writing off teams and drivers [schumacher] that have won world championships [is a] mistake you must never make," Horner told Kicker magazine.

"Things can change very quickly. That's why Mercedes could suddenly be in front in Barcelona."

But Rosberg has downplayed suggestions that the Brackley-based squad could find themselves on the top step of the podium in Barcelona.

"It would be nice, but we must be realistic. At Mercedes we are not yet in a position to win, but in the coming weeks we should make some big steps and I'm hoping to make good progress," he told DPA.

"That [aiming for a win in Barcelona] would be expecting too much. But I do hope we can narrow the gap to Red Bull," he added.

The 24-year-old has out-paced team-mate and seven times World Champion Michael Schumacher at every race thus far this season, but while happy with his current position both in the team and on the Driver's points table, the former Williams driver is aware that there is still a long way to go in the season.

"So far I'm very pleased with how my season has gone. I am especially happy to be second in the championship. I'm happy to have been ahead of Michael so far, but it is still too early to make comparisons."

[MIKA27]

Another wet race on the cards

It looks like the rainy conditions which spiced up races in Australia, Malaysia and China will follow Formula One to Europe.

F1 is yet to witness a completely dry race weekend since the season opener Bahrain, and the wet trend looks set to continue at the first leg of the European season in Spain.

According to early weather forecasts, heavy showers are set to interrupt the practice sessions in Barcelona on Friday. Although conditions are set to improve on Saturday and Sunday, light showers will fall during the day.

Teams, though, should be used to the wet conditions in Spain as pre-season testing in both Barcelona and Jerez were severely disrupted by rain earlier this year.

[MIKA27]

Jersey City race runs into opposition

Formula One's bid to return to the United States has already run into fierce opposition from protesters at one possible venue.

Details have emerged of plans to host a race at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, which would provide the New York skyline backdrop F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently suggested was in his thoughts.

The idea comes from Destination Jersey City, an organisation funded by the city's Economic Development Corporation in a bid to drum up tourism for the area.

Promotional material for the event, which would be run for five years from 2012, even includes a 3.6-mile circuit layout around the 600-acre park.

Part of the wording reads: "With the incredible backdrop of the New York skyline, selecting Jersey City for the 2012 grand prix circuit will not only boost ticket sales as the grand prix returns to the United States, but will provide striking television footage."

Yet as with any project in such an environmental area, it has its detractors, notably the president of the Friends of Liberty State Park, Sam Pesin.

In a letter to Jersey City mayor Jerramiah T Healy, Pesin wrote: "People come to LSP to seek a haven, oasis, refuge and sanctuary and such a grand prix racing event that needs all park roads is contrary to the spirit and essence of an urban open space park."

After speaking with Pesin, Healy issued a statement that read: "This (the plan) was a response to an overture made by Formula One, and Jersey City is one of several cities they are pursuing.

"There have been a few, preliminary conversations and this is very much in the exploratory phase.

"However, this may not be something that is in the best interest of Jersey City or Liberty State Park."

One of Jersey City's councilmen, Steven Fulop, has also slated the idea as he said: "If you're going to do anything for the park, the priorities should be recreation for residents.

"We could definitely use more ball fields. We don't need a racetrack."

Melbourne's Albert Park has become a favourite with the drivers, despite local activists voicing their concerns each year the race heads to Australia, and even though other recreational activities have improved in recent times.

Although Destination Jersey City are trumpeting the idea, for F1 to forge ahead they would need approval from the state's Department of Environmental Protection as it is the state, and not Jersey City, who own the park.

[MIKA27]

Klien lands Hispania reserve seat

Christian Klien will make his Formula One comeback in Spain this weekend after being named Hispania Racing's test and reserve driver.

The Austrian, a former Jaguar and Red Bull driver, will kick off life as Hispania back-up on Friday when he takes part in the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Klien, who filled the position of tester at BMW Sauber in 2008 and 2009, is happy to get another chance in F1.

"This role offers me the opportunity to rejoin the Formula 1 environment and drive again, which is naturally where my longer-term ambitions lie," the 27-year-old said.

"I was in Bahrain and China and had a close look at the car already. I have also met the team members and I know quite a number of them from my previous race seasons.

"I would like to thank Dr Colin Kolles for the interest he has shown in me at this stage. It is exciting and very motivating to be part of a new team structure in such a challenging sport."

Team boss Kolles admits he has been impressed by Klien for quite some time.

"He is a young and fast driver," said Kolles. "I have been keeping a close eye on him since his first races in the ADAC series as I believe he has great potential.

"We look forward to having Christian alongside us in Barcelona later this week so he can spend some valuable familiarisation time with the team. As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us."

MIKA: CK could only help the already struggling team. Although, he has been away from F1 for some time now.

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Webber: You make your own luck

Mark Webber is refusing to blame bad luck for Red Bull's indifferent start to the 2010 season.

Despite four pole positions in the first four races of the season, Red Bull are third in the Constructors' Championship after being hamstrung by reliability issues.

Although he admits "circumstantial things" have stopped them from accumulating more points, Webber says the team should just accept the cards they've been dealt so far this year.

"There has been plenty of [what ifs] but you make your own luck and results at the end of the day and the scoreboard never lies and that's where we are so," Webber told Autosport.

"It's not as if we are hunting for a lot of pace, we're not off the pace, there has just been a lot of circumstantial things.

"They are the cards we have been dealt with and the decisions that have been made on the pit wall, and all those things together... and in the end there is no rewind button. There has been one race that has gone well for us. The other three races there has been change left on the table.

"Jenson has had two races which came together but there has been a lot of guys that have had rough weekends so far."

[MIKA27]

Massa: We need to improve in qualifying

With overtaking opportunities usually few and far between in Barcelona, Felipe Massa is looking to start as high up the grid as possible this weekend.

Ferrari have had a mixed season when it comes to qualifying. They've started on the second row of the grid on a number of occasions, but they've also found themselves at the back on the odd occasion after getting their weather forecasts wrong.

Massa, who is sixth in the Drivers' Championship, hopes they will be able to improve their qualifying performance at the Circuit de Catalunya follow some updates.

"We have said already this season that one key area where we need to improve is in qualifying and I hope the updates we are bringing to this race will help in that respect, because in simple terms if you improve the car's performance, then qualifying should go better," he said on the Ferrari website.

"Also, apart from performance, anything you do to the car to make it easier to drive can also be a help when you are trying to get the very most out of it on just one quick lap. We will have to wait and see, because at both of the next two races, Spain and Monaco, overtaking is very difficult, so qualifying can really shape your Sunday afternoon performance."

Like most other teams, Ferrari head to Spain with several updates to their car.

"The most obvious change to the car, apart from the mirrors being moved to comply with the regulation change regarding these parts, was the fact we will be trying a new rear wing, known as a 'blown' wing, which involves the ability to affect its use from the cockpit," he added. "It was tried out for real, at Vairano, with Giancarlo Fisichella driving, so from my point of view it was interesting to see how and where we will be able to use it at the Catalunya track.

"Apart from this, we have some other improvements to the car, mainly on the aerodynamic side and this is all part of our programme to keep improving the car race by race."

[MIKA27]

Bridgestone announce further tyre allocations

Bridgestone have announced the tyre compounds they will be supplying the teams with for the Canadian, European and British grand prix's.

The concept of leaving a compound step between the two allocated tyres for an event is retained for all of these races.

The Japanese supplier will use the super soft and medium compounds in Canada and Europe, whilst the British GP will use the soft and hard compounds.

"The Canadian and European Grands Prix take place on street courses where it is important to have good grip due to the slippery nature of the track surfaces. As these tracks are not used regularly for racing, even the allocations we bring will seem too hard when used on the Friday," says Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone's Head of Motorsport Tyre Development.

"By race day the circuit improvement and rubber laid will mean that the high grip of the super soft compound paired with the greater durability of the medium compound should provide a good combination.

"The Silverstone circuit is historically the most severe on the calendar and now the new layout makes it even more severe. The new straight means a higher average speed, and there is hard braking and fierce acceleration over a lap. As always, we will be very vigilant to watch tyre temperature and wear. We expect we will see graining, even with the hard compound, but we believe that the soft and the hard compounds should allow exciting racing."

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McLaren support KERS return in 2013

McLaren's Chief Engineer, Tim Goss, says McLaren support a move to resurrect KERS in 2013, as well as re-introducing turbo-charged engines.

He believes the current 2.4-litre V8 engines are getting dated, and F1 must move with the times and prove it's 'green' credentials.

"As far as 2013 is concerned, I think Formula 1 does need to move on, and show it is aligned with the fuel efficiency age," Goss said in a McLaren phone-in on Wednesday. "We fully support all that the Engine Working Group and FOTA are doing in that direction.

"The concept of a normally-aspirated 2.4-litre V8 is getting a bit dated. Moving to turbocharging and KERS is the right thing to do."

KERS was dropped from F1 in 2010 (although it remains in the regulations) after all the teams agreed it was too costly to develop and run, especially for the smaller teams. However, both Ferrari and Renault have offered the units to the smaller teams for around £850,000 (€1m, $1.33m), making it much more viable.

Goss continued: "We understand the need for KERS for the association with road car technology, and we think it's the right thing to bring it back. Really we'll just go along with whatever FOTA and the FIA decide."

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McLaren 'have closed the gap in qualifying'

Now that they seem to have found their true race pace, McLaren's next target is improving on their performances in qualifying.

The Woking team are leading both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships following their 1-2 finish at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, they - and just about everyone else on the grid - have failed to keep up with the Red Bulls during qualifying.

While Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have claimed four pole positions between them, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are yet to start a race on the front row of the grid.

Chief engineer Tim Goss insists they are edging closer to the Red Bulls during qualifying.

"We certainly have closed the gap," he said during a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in. "After the Barcelona test at the end of February, we were quite confident that we were there or thereabouts. We were a little bit taken aback in Bahrain. We were some way off, especially off the Red Bulls. But we brought some significant changes to the car for Malaysia and we really expected to be quite competitive in qualifying in Malaysia. Obviously as things transpired, we made a few mistakes with our weather predictions, so we never actually got to demonstrate that.

"In China, bar the slip-up Lewis had in qualifying, we proved that we had closed the gap in qualifying. We were probably only 0.2-0.3s off Red Bull in qualifying trim in China. Barcelona depends very much on the technical changes and the results of the upgrades.

"We've made a big step forward, but the other teams like Red Bull, Mercedes is making some significant changes, Ferrari have announced that they are going to bring their own drag reduction rear wing, so I think it's very difficult to make predictions for Barcelona. Although I'd like to think that we can put a car on the front row in Barcelona."

This weekend's race in Spain is the first race of the European season and that traditionally sees every team introduce a wide range of upgrades to their cars.

"The ones you'll notice are the front wing and the rear wing, both of which are reasonably significant changes," Goss said about the upgrades to the MP4.25.

"On top of that there are then some fairly small, subtle changes to other changes to the car and as ever some of the subtlest changes are actually quite significant.

"Plus, finally if you look at the rear of the car, there is a small change to the floor just at the back."

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FIA approves Ferrari engine changes

Ferrari has been given the green light by the FIA to make modifications to its engine on reliability grounds following the problems it has had in the early stages of the season.

Both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have suffered engine issues in the opening flyaway events - with Alonso suffering two blow-ups that has left him in particular on the back foot in terms of his supply for the season.

With customer team Sauber having also encountered its share of engine issues, Ferrari conducted a detailed investigation into the matter after the Chinese Grand Prix.

And after finding out that there was an intrinsic problem with the design of the engine, Ferrari applied to the governing body to be able to make some improvements to the power units on reliability grounds.

The Maranello outfit was duly given approval and the modifications will be ready in time to be fitted to the F10 cars at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Although Ferrari has not outlined exactly what the issues were with the engine, they are believed to relate to air consumption, which could have been caused by leaking pneumatic valves.

A statement by Ferrari said:

"A lot of work was carried out on the test bench, completing several long runs and this work produced some solutions which it is felt will solve the reliability problems experienced in Bahrain and Malaysia. The team therefore requested and received authorisation from the FIA to make some changes within the framework of the current engine regulations and these modifications will be fitted to the engines to be used in Spain.

"While since China, everyone in the Gestione Sportiva has been working hard as always on their various areas of activity, it is fair to say that over the past weeks, the staff in the engine department really produced a major effort, working night and day to analyse, evaluate and solve issues that have affected engine performance in past races."

The Spanish GP will also see Ferrari fit the full version of the F-Duct to both drivers' cars for the first time in practice, although a decision about whether the concept will be used for qualifying and the race will only be made after the results of the Friday sessions are in.

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VIDEO:

Watch Webbers Catalunya lap.

Mark Webber takes you on a virtual lap at the Catalunya circuit.

Barcelona Lap

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Epsilon: Newbies need four years

Despite watching F1's new teams struggle at the very back of the grid, Epsilon Euskadi boss Joan Villadelprat is adamant he wants to be in the sport.

Epsilon applied for a place on this year's grid when the FIA opened applications last season, however, the team was rejected in favour of Lotus, Virgin, Campos Meta and USF1.

Campos and USF1, though, battled to find sponsorship, eventually resulting in Campos being sold and USF1 failing to even make the grid.

But it's not just finances that are proving difficult. The new teams are also struggling for pace, lapping at the very back of the grid as much as five seconds down.

But despite watching the hardships facing the newcomers, Villadelprat says he wants to be in F1.

"You always think that you can do better than that, but I am very much with my feet on the ground knowing that when you start a new team, it is a job for four years," he told Autosport.

"Forget the first season - it is four years to get the right people, to get the stability, get the means on the economical side sorted, and make sure everybody works in a single way.

"I am not surprised... I am not saying we will struggle, but it is so hard for the new teams, like it will be for us as well. But it all depends on the means you have and the spirit you have to achieve that quicker."

Villadelprat is now determined to claim the 13th grid slot that the FIA are opening up for next year's Championship and believes he will convinces his backers to put down their money.

"Obviously from June/July [last year] we did carry on working on the project, but at a different rate obviously because, after the decision of giving the three new teams, it was a big disappointment from the people who were behind us commercially.

"Now we have another chance and it has been my job through the winter until now to try to reward those people who got a bit annoyed.

"I am working on [the finances] at the moment. This year yet I don't have the finances, but I am getting very close to hopefully prove to the FIA that we have the means economically, not just to do one year but to be a team for the future. But that is not yet."

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Friday Spanish run for Klien

Just days after signing as Hispania's test driver, Christian Klien is already preparing for his first run in the car.

Hispania confirmed earlier this week that they had signed Klien to help develop their 2010 machine, the team's first-ever F1 car.

And already Klien is being put in to action with the team confirming that he will replace Karun Chandhok for the first of the two Friday sessions at Barcelona.

The decision, though, for Klien to take part on Fridays has not gone down well with Chandhok's team-mate Bruno Senna.

"We have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is any benefit from the experience of the third driver in terms of development of the car, in terms of what direction he can take the team," the rookie said.

"But in my opinion, because we had no testing at the beginning of the season, the race drivers must do every mile possible.

"You can see that very few teams are giving mileage to the third driver on Fridays and it's only because they have simulators that the drivers can go there and use.

"I prefer to do as many miles as I can and make sure I can get used to the car before I go to a qualifying session.

"For me every mile makes a difference. Fortunately I know this track very well, so I know I can pick up pace quite quickly, but we'll see."

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Rubens: Non-Schumi fans enjoying this

Rubens Barrichello is far from surprised former team-mate Michael Schumacher has found himself in the firing line on his comeback.

The seven-times World Champion has been criticised by many in the wake of his poor performances this season with Mercedes GP.

The 41-year-old has amassed just 10 points from the four races to date, leaving him 40 points adrift of team-mate Nico Rosberg who has out-qualified and beaten his fellow German on each occasion.

After spending more than three years in retirement, questions are being raised as to whether Schumacher should have returned.

Barrichello, who was Schumacher's team-mate for six seasons with Ferrari from 2000-2005, feels the 91-times grand prix winner opened himself up to judgment should he fail.

"For someone who won so much in the past, coming back the way he has, you wouldn't expect anything different," said Barrichello on the level of flak so far faced by Schumacher.

"People will only remember what he did before. Whoever liked him in the past will be less critical of what is happening, but for those who didn't like him, this is a chance to throw things at him.

"Life is a cycle and people do that. I'm not pretending to use this moment to say something bad, because to be honest I don't care.

"But the world is like this. People will say 'Oh, I told him not to do that'."

Barrichello, though, has respect for what Schumacher is trying to do, which is effectively an attempt to turn back the clock.

"It's courageous of him to come back because he was going to give people the ammunition," added the Williams driver.

"When we were in Valencia (for the first test), I said then he had to have a lot of courage to come back. He's not weak.

"As an example, if I'd stopped for three years not having won the championship, but knowing I'd had the potential, and then I have a chance to win it, you come back.

"But after winning seven, what else do you have to prove?"

Barrichello insists Schumacher's problems are nothing to do with the fact he is still attempting to integrate himself, and getting to know people and his surroundings, at Mercedes.

"For me, being Brazilian, I'm someone who needs more cuddles than him," added Barrichello.

"I'm not saying that as a joke, but being Latin, you always want to get to know people.

"For him, being the way he is, he says hello to people, but he is not someone who needs that contact, so I don't suspect it to be a problem for him."

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Drivers propose split qualy for Monaco

The F1 drivers are set to ask the FIA to split next weekend's Monaco qualifying in a bid to avoid traffic ruining drivers' laps.

The tight and twisty Monte Carlo street circuit has always been a nightmare during qualifying as the drivers try to get track position and a gap between themselves and those ahead, in order to get the best possible lap time.

However, this year there are 24 cars taking part in qualifying as opposed to last year's 20 and already this season there have been a few traffic problems during qualifying - and at wider tracks.

The drivers, though, are hoping that FIA race director Charlie Whiting listens to their solution and agrees to implement it for Monaco.

"We have to discuss this with Charlie, how are we going to do it - especially with qualifying," said Bruno Senna. "There are a few things we need to go through with Charlie tomorrow and perhaps in Monaco after first practice.

"The idea of splitting the field is not a bad one to be honest. If they take six or eight cars from the group of the fastest cars, or slowest cars, and the other guys go in a different qualifying, it will probably be a good idea for both people.

"We don't want someone much faster than us coming to overtake us, and they don't want to be every lap getting someone slower. Let's see how the time schedules go. I suppose it would be possible."

Senna, though, isn't alone in suggesting a split qualifying in Monte Carlo.

"From my perspective I think it's very hard - for me that I'm slow as well as for guys in front who are very quick," Lotus driver Jarno Trulli told Autosport.

"I would think that somehow the FIA should think to split us. I don't know how to approach it but I think 24 cars on track is going to be hard.

"It's really going to be hard. We really have to manage it in a good way. I don't know if it's right or wrong but maybe they should consider it.

"Split it any way you want, it's not up to me, but if the teams can agree, let's agree. Because otherwise we'll start complaining over that. So it's better to sort it out before than making a big mess after."

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Ferrari remove barcode from livery

Ferrari have changed their barcode livery despite previously denying claims that they were subliminally advertising Marlboro.

Last week, Ferrari were accused of carrying Marlboro logos on their cars due to the barcode that appears on both the F10 and a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.

The Scuderia, though, denied the claims, insisting that the barcode has nothing to do with the multi-million deal with Marlboro owners Philip Morris.

But despite their denials, Ferrari announced on Thursday that they would part ways with the barcode livery.

"Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix," the team said in a statement.

"This decision was taken in order to remove all speculation concerning the so-called 'barcode' which was never intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand.

"By this we want to put an end to this ridiculous story and concentrate on more important things than on such groundless allegations."

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Schumi calm in the 'process'

Michael Schumacher insists he's not too stressed by his results, although he concedes his Chinese performance wasn't that good.

Shumacher returned to Formula One this season with Mercedes GP, however, he has by no means set the stage alight during his comeback.

Four races into the Championship and the German has scored just ten points. Added to that, not once in those opening races has he looked like challenging for a podium, never mind a race win.

The 41-year-old has come in for a great deal of criticism as many expected more from a driver who has won seven World titles.

Schumacher, though, isn't too fazed by his results, insisting it's a process and he's only just begun.

"I think if you sort of look at what has happened is that, in China certainly, my performance hasn't been good," Schumacher said.

"I'm very optimistic that things will go in the right direction. I'm pretty relaxed about what's going on.

"I know that the car is not perfectly suited to me right now, but I haven't expected to come here and blow everybody away. It's a process and the process is going absolutely good.

"The cars are what they are and you have to find the way to drive around them. That's how it was in the past and that's how it is now.

"We have probably been limited in what we could have been doing but as I said, I never expect to come into a completely new structured and to sort of restart where I had finished in Ferrari.

"It's a process and I'm absolutely confident that that process is going in the right direction.

"Even in the moments where I was successful I had various moments when things weren't going too well and I was criticised similarly. It's a natural situation. So you have to stay calm and focused on what you know."

Merc GP arrived at Barcelona ahead of this weekend's grand prix with massived updates for their car, including a radical engine cover design, which has the engine airbox inlets located towards the rear of the car.

Schumacher, though, has once again the impact that the updates will have on his race.

"I'm afraid it's not a new car, quite honestly. There are a couple of new bits and pieces on it to make it quicker.

"I guess you have heard about various things, certainly the wheelbase is a bit longer and we have some aero updates. Those are the main two factors that we are bringing here."

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Emotional Alonso chasing home win

Fernando Alonso is hoping to ride to a rare home victory on Sunday on a tidal wave of emotion and a sea of blue.

In 10 attempts in front of his adoring fans - eight Spanish Grands Prix at Barcelona and two European Grands Prix in Valencia - Alonso has managed just one victory back in 2006 with Renault.

Now with Ferrari, Alonso starts as one of the favourites ahead of Sunday's race at the Circuit de Catalunya, especially as more than 120,000 people are expected to roar him on to a hoped-for win.

"This race has always been a great one for me in terms of emotions and results," said Alonso, currently lying third in the title race 11 points behind reigning Champion and leader Jenson Button.

"My best memory is winning in 2006, which is my only home win, so I hope either here or in Valencia I can dream of a victory again.

"Whenever I'm here the emotions are always unique, different every year, but also difficult to compare because they always increase.

"The first laps in practice are emotional, and on Sunday when you start - and hopefully finish the race - when you see all the people enjoying the show.

"So this is a very important weekend, one I try to enjoy as much as I can because I know I am in a privileged position with the support I have here."

That support will take on a different slant as you would expect the Alonso fans to be sporting the red of Ferrari.

But in a deal under licence with the Maranello marque, thousands of T-shirts have been printed in blue, the predominant colour on the flag of Asturia, Alonso's home region in northern Spain.

On one sleeve is the yellow cross that also adorns the Asturian flag, whilst on the front is Ferrari's prancing horse symbol and Alonso's signature.

"I'm expecting a lot of bright colour in the grandstand," added Alonso, born in the Asturian capital of Oviedo.

"It will mainly be blue as there is always a good percentage of fans from my region, so I'm sure they'll come with the blue flags and colours.

"Plus there is also the new T-shirt from Ferrari which is blue."

The pressure is on Alonso to deliver after starting the season, and his Ferrari career, with a bang with a win in Bahrain.

After that the 28-year-old was involved in a first-corner collision with Michael Schumacher in Australia, was caught out by the rain in qualifying in Malaysia and jumped the start in China.

"That was not good," said Alonso. "It was a mistake from me, a big mistake, but it is in the past and it won't happen again.

"I will try not to repeat that mistake, or make any other mistakes. It's not the way you fight for the Championship.

"But thanks to the chaotic conditions in China we recovered some positions and gained a good result (fourth), so in the end I was lucky it was such a strange race.

"The aim now is to maximise our potential in the coming races.

"In the first part of the championship we saw a very strong car, but maybe we didn't take all the points we should have done.

"There is now no room for any more mistakes as we look to recover the lead in the championship as soon as possible."