FORMULA 1 - 2010

[OZCUBAN]

Don't you think Martin whitmarsh looks a bit like Henry Fonda,at least in that pic

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  OzCuban said:

Ah the old "FILM DAY" excuse ,Good one ferrari

I think the other teams are spewing because they did not think of it

Very clever

Cheers OZ

Nothing will become of this you realise as Ferrari are old school and I am sure both Ferrari and their legal departments have sifted through the 'Loop holes' to benefit from this.

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Rosberg still upbeat over Mercedes form

Nico Rosberg believes Mercedes GP can still enjoy a successful season, despite its disappointing performance so far in the European Grand Prix.

Although the team had hoped a car update would lift it closer to the front, difficulties in getting performance out of the tyres meant Rosberg and team-mate Michael Schumacher failed to make it past Q2.

But although that result suggests Mercedes GP are out of the world championship hunt, Rosberg is more upbeat - and thinks if the team can get on top of the tyre problems quickly then there is every chance of delivering front-running form.

"For sure I don't say no yet, definitely not," said Rosberg, when asked if he felt the title was now a lost cause. "It is still early days and I am 30 or so points away from the championship lead and there are a lot of different races, like Monza which is a very different track, ahead of us yet.

"The occasional chance will at least still be a possibility so we are not giving up on that. And, if we do find a solution for this tyre situation - which should be possible as there are clever people in the team, then there are still a lot of possibilities."

Rosberg said the difficulties in extracting single-lap pace from the tyres had left him unable to push his car to the limit.

"You don't have confidence in the car because the tyre doesn't behave as it is supposed so," he said. "It snaps, you make mistakes and it takes confidence away.

"It doesn't have the ultimate grip that you would expect from the tyre - that is the main problem we are having at the moment, where you don't see what our upgrade has achieved."

Rosberg's difficulties in qualifying were in marked contrast to his pace in Friday practice, where he had been sure that his revised car was a big improvement.

"I was definitely quite confident on Friday, being first and fourth in the session, running high fuel and being fast," he said. "So, for sure, it is a surprise to be where we are and be beaten by teams like Williams and Toro Rosso - that is a big surprise.

"We didn't see it coming but we were not aware yesterday of how big this issue was for us. I think the tyre issue is masking things for us, so I don't think it will be fair to say that we've made a step back. We need to wait a few more races and see if we can get on top of things and see where we are."

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Williams vows to make Cosworth work

Williams has vowed to do all it can to make its relationship with Cosworth work, as it moved to quash speculation that it was poised for a switch to Renault for 2011.

Both Williams and Cosworth openly admit that the early part of the year has not produced the results they had hoped for - prompting rumours of friction between the two parties.

However, Williams CEO Adam Parr has made it clear that although there have been frustrations at both the team and engine suppliers, he was adamant the Grove-based outfit would make the effort to sort the situation out rather than simply jump ship.

"It is a marriage - and you have to work at it," Parr told AUTOSPORT. "You do have rows with your wife, but you know you have got the common interest and I still think that is the case.

"But we have no plans to change engine partner, and we have no desire to change engine partner. I just don't want to rule out the possibility of something happening because that would be a stupid thing to do."

Parr praised the work that Cosworth had done in the early parts of the campaign, and said that he was optimistic better results were around the corner.

"I think they have done an incredibly good job in terms of putting together an F1 programme with a pretty limited budget in a very quick order," he said.

"I think we've seen some very strong aspects – not only of the people there, the engineering quality but also the standards of the programme.

"Neither we nor them would say that we are satisfied with where Williams is competitively. You can't actually break down what is the route cause of that because we don't have comparable data on other people's chassis or other people's engines. But we are clearly dissatisfied with where we are as a team.

"It is our duty to ensure that at all times we have the best available equipment. I would say that we analyse all the time where we are, and I am not sure that anything exceptional is going on at the moment other than just constantly looking at where we can improve."

Renault has been making a big push to expand its customer supply deals for next year, and is understood to have held talks with Williams and Lotus about potential tie-ups.

Parr said, however, that the team's decision to go with Cosworth originally was partly fuelled by the fact that it could enjoy a closer relationship with an independent supplier rather than a manufacturer.

"One of the differences between having a relationship with an independent engine supplier, compared to a manufacturer, is that it is a much more symmetrical relationship," he said.

"If we have frustrations we can get them on the table. And maybe there is more ability to control our destiny with them and vice versa."

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Drivers urged not to judge wing rule

Formula 1 fans and drivers have been urged to wait and see the moveable rear wing in action before judging if it is good or bad for the sport.

A number of drivers have expressed severe reservations about the wing idea that is being introduced for 2011 - which will be activated to help a driver to overtake a slower car ahead of him if he can get close enough on a certain section of a track.

But despite the criticisms, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh thinks it right the sport is experimenting with such a radical idea – and admits that, if it does not work, teams should not be afraid of ditching the concept totally.

"We will see whether people are convinced by it or not," said Whitmarsh in Valencia. "I think we are damned if we do and damned if we don't.

"A lot of people were saying, 'when are we going to do something?' There was a lot of fan-based pressure to do something and this [the wing idea] is something that we believe can be implemented fairly, simply and safely.

"I think we have to do a little bit more work on deployment, and the sporting regulations that accompany it. If we get that right then we will give it a go. If we are wrong then we will stop using it and we will fix it in one place. But I think it is right to experiment a little.

"I think we have a great show, we should be careful not to spoil it, but we should always be thinking about how we create some entertainment. Both Lewis and Jenson have showed this year that you can overtake in F1 cars."

He added: "The nice thing is, there was a lot of discussion, the experts came up with the idea, we've agreed, and we are pushing it through. I think we should not be so arrogant that, if it detracts and isn’t right, then it is easy to take it off and fix the rear wing. But let’s have a look at it, let’s have a bit of an experiment."

As well as the moveable rear wing and the ban on double diffusers and F-ducts for 2011, there has also been suggestions that new tyre supplier Pirelli could provide rubber that helps spice up the show next year.

When asked whether Pirelli should be ultra-aggressive with tyre selection, Whitmarsh said: "We like talking about improving the show. The show has been fantastic this year and I am sure we will have a good race in Valencia. We must not keep this obsession with improving the show.

"We have to always make sure we have a good show. We have a great show at the moment, we have a great world championship fight. There were measures already announced like the rear wing, and the tyres play a part. They gave some interesting challenges at the last race.

"Our drivers did a fantastic job in that last race in conserving tyres and making the right calls. Pirelli though are quite a different organisation and company than the Pirelli we witnessed nearly 20 years ago, so I am sure they are going to do a good job. They can contribute to the entertainment in F1, but I think what we need is some consistent tyres and the drivers will put on a good show."

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Barrichello hopes turnaround has begun

Rubens Barrichello hopes his provisional fourth place in the European Grand Prix will kick-start Williams's so-far quiet season.

The squad took a clear step forward in Valencia, with both cars qualifying in the top ten, and Barrichello gaining ground on the first lap and during the safety car pitstops, then fending off Robert Kubica to secure fourth.

"It was great fun out there today and the car was behaving well throughout the race," said Barrichello.

"We really seem to be heading in the right direction with the development of the car and I hope that this improved performance continues for the rest of the season."

Williams looked set to get two cars in the points, with Nico Hulkenberg holding 10th despite losing ground waiting behind Barrichello in the pits. But the German had to retire with an exhaust failure late in the race.

"That was a good performance today by both cars, and definitely a step forward," said the team's technical director Sam Michael.

"Unfortunately, an exhaust failure cost Nico a possible point today and we will be investigating the cause back at the factory."

MIKA: This will be interesting in what caused the alleged 'Exhaust failure' as prior to this, approximately 15 laps prior, there was a fair bit of smoke comming from the engine. I wonder if its the Cosworth, again....?

[OZCUBAN]

The exhaust failed when the engine parted company with it

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Alonso brands result 'unreal and unfair'

An irate Fernando Alonso hit out at race stewards for creating what he called an “unreal and unfair” result in the European Grand Prix over the time they took to issue Lewis Hamilton with his drive-through penalty.

The Spaniard and team-mate Felipe Massa had been running competitively behind second-placed Hamilton when the safety car was deployed for Mark Webber’s horrific accident on lap 10 as the leading runners approached the pit stop phase.

The safety car exited the pit lane just as the trio of cars were running past the exit slip road on the track but, as it crossed the safety car line to signify it was now on the circuit, Hamilton overtook it while the Ferraris remained trapped behind it.

It allowed Hamilton to complete an extra free lap and then pit and retain his second place, while the Ferraris dropped down the order behind a host of midfield runners who had already completed their stops.

Hamilton was eventually handed a drive-through penalty for the infringement nine laps later, but had already built up enough of a lead over his closest pursuers to remain second – a sequence of events that infuriated Alonso after he finished down in ninth.

“I think it was unreal this result, and unfair as well,” he told reporters.

“We have been fighting for the podium until lap 15. We were one metre behind Hamilton – we respect the rules, we don’t overtake under the yellow, and we finish ninth and he finishes second.

“So there is something to think about.

“It completely destroyed the race.”

Asked if there was anything extra he could do to make his feelings known to the stewards, Alonso made it clear he felt that they had taken way too long to punish Hamilton.

“I think the team already spoke [with the stewards]” he said.

“They gave the penalty to Hamilton a little bit too late. Twenty laps to investigate one overtake… But this is what it is for the moment.”

Alonso was subsequently unable to make any progress once stuck in the midfield pack and then, as he chased down Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi in the closing laps, had his afternoon of woes compounded when he was passed by Kamui Kobayashi’s freshly-tyred Sauber.

However, the Spaniard could yet finish fifth if the stewards hand out time penalties to four drivers who finished ahead of him on the road, all of which are under investigation for speeding on track when the safety car was deployed.

Given the results as they stood immediately after the race meant Alonso was 31 points adrift of the championship lead, the former two-time champion admitted Ferrari needed some assistance from the stewards’ office.

“Hopefully we can move forward because after the victory for Vettel and the podiums of the McLaren ninth place is very little points for us,” he said.

“So we need more points out of this race so if we move forward after the investigations it will be welcome, but we will see.

“We need to say sorry and apologise to the fans who came here, 50 or 70,000 people, to see this type of race.”

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  OzCuban said:

The exhaust failed when the engine parted company with it

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European GP photo gallery

Check out the best action shots from an eventful ninth round of the championship in Valencia.

Hamilton made an aggressive start

The McLaren and Red Bull made contact in the first corner, but no real harm was done

Vettel soon established a cushion over Hamilton and Alonso

Webber walked away from his huge accident virtually unscathed

The safety car period that ensued scrambled the order and provoked controversy

Hamilton jumped ahead of the pace car and ended up with a drive-through penalty (9 laps later )

Vettel's pit stop went perfectly to plan

Alonso tumbled down the order after getting caught behind the safety car

Trulli had another torrid race

The best view in the house

Kobayashi stayed out during the safety car period and vaulted into third

Vettel continued his serene progress in the lead

Slick pit work from McLaren helped Button to take third

Barrichello held off Kubica for fourth, Williams's best result of the season

Sutil bagged another solid haul of points for Force India

Vettel's win was his first since April

Hamilton's increased his championship lead with his second place

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Vettel: It's between us and McLaren

Sebastian Vettel revived his Championship chances on a day when those of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber were thrown up in the air.

For the first time this year in four attempts Vettel won from pole position, taking the chequered flag at the European Grand Prix for his second win this season and ninth of his career.

In total contrast, Webber's race was over after nine laps after a spectacular, horrifying crash that remarkably ended with the 33-year-old walking away unscathed.

Vettel now finds himself third in the standings, 12 points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and six adrift of his team-mate Jenson Button after they joined him on the podium in second and third.

With 10 races remaining, the title race remains wide open as even Webber is only 24 points down and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso 29.

"Two races can change a lot," said Vettel.

"McLaren have had a very good run, and looking at it now, I think it's between us and McLaren.

"Ferrari made a step forward this weekend, and they will come back, there's no question about that. It will be tight.

"At the moment it probably looks as if Mercedes are losing a little bit, but even they can play a role if they have a very strong car at the end.

"But we will see. It's not even half time, so there's a long way to go."

As for Webber, he is just relieved he will be at Silverstone on July 11 for the British Grand Prix after running into the back of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus.

Travelling at 190mph on the fastest part of the Valencia circuit, the impact propelled Webber into the air.

Webber's car initially landed upside down on its front wing before momentum sent it bouncing off the track onto the rear, eventually righting itself.

A 100 metre slide into a tyre barrier followed, with Webber pinging back off it like a rubber ball before coming to rest.

Within seconds he was up and out of his wrecked Red Bull, and even later joined in the celebratory team photo, although it was clear he was not in the mood to do so.

Webber had previously been the only driver to finish every race this year in the points, but appreciating his circumstances, he said: "Headline stuff was going through my head when I was in the air.

"I lost some points, but in the end when you're up there, you're not worried about points.

"I was worried that I was going to be okay, ready for Silverstone, and other than a few scratches and bruises, I will be.

"I remain incredibly positive. We go on, it's halfway through the Championship, so let's get on with it."

Team boss Christian Horner naturally had mixed emotions after the race, but primarily was just grateful to see Webber up and walking.

"The most important thing is Mark emerged unscathed after what was a horrible-looking accident," said Horner.

"It's never nice to see a car go in the air like that, but the chassis and safety cell has done what it should.

"That is testimony to the work of the FIA to increase the safety standards in the sport."

[OZCUBAN]

Team boss Christian Horner naturally had mixed emotions after the race, but primarily was just grateful to see Webber up and walking.

"The most important thing is Mark emerged unscathed after what was a horrible-looking accident," said Horner.

"It's never nice to see a car go in the air like that, but the chassis and safety cell has done what it should.

"That is testimony to the work of the FIA to increase the safety standards in the sport."

Here Here,its glad to see the F.I.A doing something right

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Ferrari VP voices his discontent

Ferrari vice-president Piero Ferrari has joined the growing chorus of condemnation emanating from the Italian team of European GP.

Fernando Alonso was furious after witnessing Lewis Hamilton pass the Safety Car following Mark Webber's 190mph smash.

In front of his home fans in Valencia, Alonso was forced to file in behind when running third, delaying his pit stop from which he eventually emerged in traffic, ultimately finishing eighth.

Although Hamilton was rightly handed a drive-through penalty by the FIA stewards, it was served 17 laps after the accident, allowing him to retain his second place.

Alonso and team principal Stefano Domenicali both admitted to being "bitter" at the events that unfolded, with the double world champion further claiming Hamilton disrespected the rules.

In his address on the official Ferrari website, Piero Ferrari said: "I am incredulous and bitter, not just for Ferrari, but for the sport as a whole, as this is not the sort of thing one expects from professionals.

"For a long time now, I have also followed races in championships in the United States, where the appearance of the safety car is a frequent occurrence.

"But I have never seen anything similar to what happened at the Valencia circuit.

"If it raises some doubts over the actions that led to a false race, to me that would seem more than reasonable."

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Whitmarsh: Silverstone is the big one

Martin Whitmarsh admits the next race at Silverstone is the big one for McLaren as the team is set to introduce major upgrades to the MP4-25.

Having claimed back-to-back victories in Turkey and Canada as well as the lead in both Championship races, McLaren lost out to main rivals Red Bull in Sunday's European GP.

It was a race that saw many of McLaren's rivals hit the track with upgrades cars, something McLaren will only do at the next race, the British Grand Prix.

"It is an important race for us," team boss Whitmarsh told Autosport.

"At a circuit like that we have to be competitive with Red Bull if we are going to be able to beat them this year. If we can be competitive there, we have a good chance to win both Championships.

"It will be a big race, but it is not the end of it - whatever happens. If we beat them they will not stand still. If they beat us we are not going to stand still. I hope it will be close and certainly closer than last year."

Whitmarsh, though, was encouraged by McLaren's double podium finish in the European GP as it was a race where the Woking team expected to struggle.

"We didn't know the scale of everyone else's upgrades coming here, but on Friday you could see a lot more in terms of upgrades, so to come out of this event with a second and third was fairly reasonable," he said.

"We should have been on the second row. In qualifying mode Red Bull were quicker than us, and both our guys made mistakes, but we were not about to beat the Red Bull.

"I think we had the slight edge on them in race pace, which we have had several times this season, and we thought there was going to be a bit more of a contest at the end. But unfortunately the penalty denied the opportunity."

Hamilton's second and Button's P3 meant the two McLaren drivers remained at the top of the standings with Hamilton leading his team-mate by six points.

"To come out of here leading both World Championships, we've seen what the others have got, and to have a decent upgrade, we must believe we are in the position to have a strong second half to the season and a World Championship campaign."

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McLaren duo aim to lift British spirits

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are determined to lift the spirits of a dejected nation following England's abysmal World Cup football failure.

After finishing second and third in Sunday's European Grand Prix to Germany's Sebastian Vettel, further pain followed as the duo watched England suffer a damning 4-1 defeat at the hands of the old enemy on giant screens inside the McLaren brand centre.

There was no disguising the disappointment on their faces, akin to the hundreds of thousands of fellow England supporters at home and around the world.

But with Hamilton and Button first and second in the Championship, they plan on raising the roof over Silverstone at the British Grand Prix in 13 days' time.

"We'll do what we can to cheer people up," said Button.

"It's tough England are out of the World Cup so early. We obviously had a pretty difficult game with Germany very early on, but there you go.

"We are out and I'm sure for a few days the British public will be very down.

"But hopefully we can pick them up a little bit in two weeks' time at the British Grand Prix. I am looking for a very special and fun weekend.

"Two British World Champions, first and second in the Championship - I don't know if that has ever happened before, but it's pretty awesome."

Hamilton in particular was disconsolate, staring at the replays of the Germany goals as he spoke, and he feels for the players in South Africa.

"I'm just upset for the guys. I know how hard they worked," said Hamilton told Press Association Sport.

"I know what it's like to put your all into something and it just doesn't come together, seeing your dreams and everything you have worked for just fall through your fingers.

"It's like the World Championship I lost in 2007. It's tough, but they did their best and that's all you can ask for."

But like Button, the 25-year-old has every intention of ensuring the Union Jacks flags are flying over the Northamptonshire circuit for one reason on World Cup final day.

"I hope we can lift the nation," added Hamilton.

"Clearly we're doing a great job, and we've an upgrade coming as well, and if it delivers what it's supposed to deliver then I'm excited. We should be ahead."

That upgrade is McLaren's version of the blown diffuser that has provided rivals Red Bull Racing with power and performance so far this season.

The concept aids airflow, so increasing downforce, in turn grip and inevitably performance, and on a power circuit such as Silverstone it will prove vital.

McLaren are hopeful their package will propel them ahead of the Red Bulls, with reigning champion Button adding: "Even without our upgrade around Valencia we showed we still have pace.

"So going to Silverstone we are pretty confident that with an upgrade we can hopefully challenge the Red Bulls.

"It's an upgrade that should suit that circuit, but also an upgrade in an area where I think we are weak at the moment."

If McLaren have done their homework it will further strengthen their cause in a championship currently led by Hamilton, with Button just six points behind and Vettel 12.

"We'll try to get a one-two," added Hamilton.

Informed Button has not even finished on the podium in his home race and is desperate to end that drought, Hamilton said: "I'm sure he is.

"We'll have to wait and see. It doesn't mean he wants it more than me.

"I know the track quite well, I've been quick there in the past, and you don't know what the weather is going to do.

"It's been good weather recently, so hopefully it's a good weekend for all the fans, and it would be great for us to get a one-two.

"That would be special, real special, so I'm looking forward to it."

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Gascoyne: Webber to blame for shunt

Lotus Racing's chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne believes Mark Webber should accept responsibility for his spectacular accident in Sunday's European Grand Prix.

Webber was fortunate to walk away unscathed after smashing into the back of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus, a 190mph shunt that propelled the Australian's Red Bull into the air.

After crash landing back onto the Valencia track, Webber's momentum then saw him hurtle into a tyre wall, yet despite the magnitude of the shunt the 33-year-old was unharmed.

After the accident Webber effectively blamed Kovalainen, claiming the Finn braked 80 metres earlier than he himself had done on the preceding laps.

"Obviously neither driver wanted it to happen, but from our point of view Heikki was driving in a straight line, defending his position and then someone hits him from behind," Gascoyne told Press Association Sport.

"So where the mistake lies is fairly clear from our point of view. I'm sure Mark will have a different one."

When Webber's explanation was put to Gascoyne, he added: "Mark's charged up behind Heikki, he's got the quicker car and Heikki has to brake where he brakes because of the grip he has.

"At the end of the day it's up to the guy overtaking to do so safely, and he didn't.

"If you hit someone from behind it's not the fault of the guy in front.

"Heikki braked where he was supposed to brake and someone hit him, so that's our point of view."

Referring to the collision between Webber and team-mate Sebastian Vettel in Turkey four weeks ago, Gascoyne pointedly added: "Mark's now had two accidents in three races and it's never been his fault."

Gascoyne was able to speak his mind freely in the knowledge neither driver, in particular Webber, was hurt.

"That is the most important thing," said Gascoyne.

"He was under pressure because he was having a bad race, but he wouldn't have wanted that.

"We didn't want it either because we are trying to race our own race, and it's one of those things. It's motor racing. It happens."

On what was the occasion of Lotus' 500th grand prix, it was a race to forget for the Norfolk-based, Malaysia-funded team, especially as Clive Chapman, son of founder Colin, was in attendance.

"It was a shame, but again that's motor racing," remarked Gascoyne.

"You can have cracking races when you don't expect them, and then you can get unlucky. That's life.

"It was still a good milestone, it's nice to have passed it, and it was great the Chapman family were there.

"Ultimately it was they who decided whether it was the 500th race or not, and they were here to celebrate it with us, so it's been great."

As for what will be the team's second home race of the year, the British Grand Prix in 13 days' time, the objective is straightforward.

Gascoyne said: "A better race - as simple as."

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Alonso still seething about Hamilton

Fernando Alonso can't get over Lewis Hamilton's antics in the European GP, seething over the McLaren driver's failure to "respect" the rules.

Alonso was behind Hamilton on the track when the Safety Car came out in Valencia for Mark Webber's accident. In the following moments Hamilton overtook the Safety Car, thereby breaking the rules, while Alonso and his team-mate Felipe Massa did not.

The result was that when the drivers pitted under the Safety Car, Hamilton emerged in second place while the two Ferraris dropped down the order.

And although Hamilton was handed a drive-through penalty for breaking the rules, the McLaren driver returned to the race still in second place.

"All the kids in the stands know that you cannot pass the Safety Car," Alonso seethed.

"When the Safety Car came out I was one metre behind Hamilton. I finished ninth; he finished second. I respected the rule: he didn't."

Alonso added that in his opinion the bottle that was thrown onto the track later in the grand prix was the Spanish fans' reaction towards "the injustice" of Hamilton's penalty.

"I feel sorry for the public who have come here to watch this race - 70,000 fans came here to see the spectacle of Formula One and they have seen a race decided by the decisions.

"The attitude of the public is understandable - they were disgusted by what they were seeing and the injustices that were happening. There was a bottle on the track which is reaction that is not normal and it should not have happened."

MIKA: Look, I partly agree with Fernando in that Lewis should have been penalised alot earlier on in the race for overtaking the SC on the line however, looking back at the footage, you can also really make a complaint about the SC driver in that coming out from the pit lane, Lewis does slow down to allow the SC to speed up (Which the SC fails to do, they just drive out pretty slow) but Lewis obviously can not slow down fully as Fernando is but a metre behind him and may have collided.

Lewis does make his drive through many laps later which did give him an advantage but 5 second penalty is also meagre to say the least.

There are so many incidents this year with Safety cars, many of which are questionable IMO.

Michael Schumacher has been cheated the most this season with that 20 second penalty for overtaking Fernando Alonso himself when the SC pitted yet I don't recall Michael or Ross Brawn making a huge fuss over that injustice which was clearly a mistake by the FIA and their silly and ever evolving rule changes. Nor did I hear Fernando Alonso say a word about that injustice as it benefitted him.

Mercedes were unhappy at the decision (Made by Damon Hill as a Steward) but they accepted it and moved on.

How about Fernandos illegal move against team mate Massa at the Chinese Grand prix where Massa was in front entering the pits and Alonso just 'jumped the queue' alomost causing a collision with his own team mate!? Super lucky the stewards did nothing about that.

Alonso is typically moaning over everything and I'm afraid this is but the beginning. FA is with the perfect team for bitching over everything.

Concluding all this, for Fernando to additionally state that that beer bottle was thrown due to the injustice of Lewis Hamiltons late drive through is ridiculous as no one can really know why that was thrown other than to cause an accident for any driver(s) by an idiot and possibly race stewards, spectators etc which in itself is immature. (Unless it was Fernando Alonsos family drinking that beer!)

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Renault 'were hoping for a little bit more'

Although they are happy with Robert Kubica's result in Valencia, Renault admit they "were hoping for a little bit more".

Kubica, who started sixth on the grid, continued his impressive form with a fifth-place finish to stay in touch with the front runners in the Drivers' Championship.

Despite the 10 points, chief engineer Alan Permane feels the team were a tad unlucky after both their drivers found themelves behind the Safety Car.

"It was a good result for Robert, but we were hoping for a little bit more," he said. "We were quite unlucky with the timing of the Safety Car because when it came out we were preparing for Vitaly's scheduled stop and the mechanics were already in the pit lane with Vitaly's tyres.

"The Safety Car was deployed just as Robert was approaching the final corner so we quickly called him in to try and take advantage, but obviously the mechanics had to rush back into the garage to get his tyres ready. That cost us a bit of time and delayed Robert's pit stop, which dropped us behind Button and Barrichello. However, it was certainly the right call to react quickly to the Safety Car because we moved ahead of both Ferraris so Robert remained in fifth place after the pit stops."

He believes a European GP podium was in their grasp.

"If we hadn't been planning to stop Vitaly on that lap, then I'm sure we could have serviced Robert and stayed ahead of both Button and Barrichello, which would have given us a podium," Permane added. "Formula 1 is all about 'ifs' and 'buts' and you can always look back with the benefit of hindsight, but it was a shame that we lost out like that."

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Ferrari outburst 'angers FIA officials'

Ferrari's may yet find themselves in hot water with the FIA following their extraordinary outburst after the European Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso and the rest of his team are seething after Lewis Hamilton managed to finish second in Valencia despite being receiving a drive-through penalty for passing the Safety Car. The Italian marque feel the punishment did not fit the crime as it didn't affect the McLaren driver's position.

Alonso claimed it was a "manipulated race" while Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo says the team "paid a price that was too high for respecting the rules"

Initial reports suggested that the FIA was unlikely to punish Alonso or Ferrari for questioning the integrity of race director Charlie Whiting and his stewards.

However, the Guardian says the comments from the Scuderia have not gone down well with motor sport's governing body.

According to the paper, 'Ferrari could face action from the FIA following their claims'.

The report adds: 'A number of officials from the sport's governing body are known to be angered by the Scuderia's intemperate response after the penalty drive-through awarded against Lewis Hamilton for overtaking the safety car did not prevent the British driver from finishing second in Spain and doubling his lead in the title race to six points.'

MIKA: I would really love to see the FIA come down hard on Ferrari and make an example for all about 'off track' antics but there's only one HUGE problem I can see that will allow this to just pass by.... Jean Todt (Ex-Ferrari team manager/leader!)

[MIKA27]

Raikkonen to partner Kubica at Renault?

Renault owner Gerard Lopez is reportedly so optimistic about the French squad's future that he could lure Kimi Raikkonen out of F1 retirement.

According to Autosport, Robert Kubica - who has been linked with moves to several teams in the past few weeks - is close to committing to Renault as the team are set to secure a "major title sponsorship deal" in the near future.

With Kubica's future sorted out, Lopez is ready to turn his attention to Raikkonen.

'Autosport understands that the team is so bullish about its financial prospects that team owner Gerard Lopez has informed senior figures inside the team that he may sound out Kimi Raikkonen in the next few months about whether the Finn is interested in a return to F1 with Renault.

'Kubica has insisted that he is not spending too much time worrying about his future at the moment - with it certain he will remain next season - but the financial platform going forward will be key to him opting for a single year deal or committing himself beyond that.'

MIKA: I'd love to see Kimi return, I think renault would be a great team to drive for. If Renault have the financial backing they claim they are hoping for, talking dollars will certainly lure Kimi back to F1 and Renault have demosnstarted they have an amazing car this season which will only get better.

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Kubica ready to commit to Renault

Robert Kubica is ready to commit his long term future to Renault, AUTOSPORT has learned, as long as the team can prove it has the finances and technical capability to fight for the world championship.

With the Pole having opened talks with the team about extending his contract with it, sources have revealed that Kubica is seeking guarantees that the outfit will have the money in place that it will need to take on rivals for title glory over the next few years.

Kubica is well aware that Renault had to consider sponsorship issues in its choice of a second driver for this season - opting for Vitaly Petrov because of the commercial benefit of the Russian's involvement.

However, with sources suggesting a major title sponsorship deal is on the verge of being signed - with team insiders confirming talks with credit card company MasterCard - the team's financial situation could be much improved.

In fact, AUTOSPORT understands that the team is so bullish about its financial prospects that team owner Gerard Lopez has informed senior figures inside the team that he may sound out Kimi Raikkonen in the next few months about whether the Finn is interested in a return to F1 with Renault.

Kubica has insisted that he is not spending too much time worrying about his future at the moment - with it certain he will remain next season - but the financial platform going forward will be key to him opting for a single year deal or committing himself beyond that.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier has confirmed that the outfit's main task is to convince the Polish driver that it has the money to achieve its title targets.

"We definitely want him and we have spoken - and it is up to us to show that we have the ambition and the means to be ambitious," he said. "If we do that, then I am sure he will stay. If he doesn't want to stay then he will leave, it is as simple as that."

Boullier said he was not unduly concerned about rival teams chasing Kubica - after a weekend when speculation linking him with Mercedes GP was dismissed.

"Robert is one of the very highly ranked drivers but, because his contract is supposed to end this year, he has become attractive," said Boullier. "It's normal."

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Kobayashi unaware it was last lap

Kamui Kobayashi has revealed that he never knew his last corner move on Sebastien Buemi in the European Grand Prix was his last chance of the race.

The Japanese and his Sauber team had gambled on not stopping for tyres during the first safety car period, and that move helped him run third for much of the event.

Following a switch to the super soft compound a few laps from home, Kobayashi used his rubber advantage to drive past both Fernando Alonso and Buemi in the closing stages - and later confessed he did not know how near the end of the race it was.

"It was a great race," Kobayashi told AUTOSPORT. "With the prime tyre I had really constant pace, which was good.

"I knew if I over drove I would kill the tyres, but when I changed I was only ninth - and knew I had better grip. I tried to overtake as many people as possible and got Fernando and Buemi.

"But I was concentrating so hard on overtaking people that I didn't know how many laps were left. Then suddenly I understood, when I saw lots of guys waving at me, that that was the end of the race."

Kobayashi has also thanked Alonso for being so co-operative during their battle - fearing that if the Spaniard had given him a harder time they would have crashed.

"It was very risky for me, but I had no accident," said Kobayashi. "He is a very good driver so he knows everything that happens around his car.

"At the beginning of my move, in one moment, he tried to close the door but he recognised that we would crash if he closed the door. So he just gave it away. It was a great move for him and I really have to say thanks for him."

Although Kobayashi's brilliant drive at Valencia owed much to good luck behind the safety car, he is upbeat about a better performance from Sauber at the next race at Silverstone.

"This year I could not show so much my race performance because we had so many accidents. I was not really confident in the car, or track, but in Valencia I was quite confident and my pace was okay.

"I believe Silverstone will be good. Our car will be better there than Valencia and Canada because we are better in high speed corners, so I suppose it will be a better performance than here, and maybe we have a good opportunity to score points as well."

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Red Bull cautious on Britain prospects

Red Bull Racing has admitted it is approaching the British Grand Prix cautious about its chances of success, despite a dominant 1-2 finish last year.

Although the team's RB6 is expected to excel on the high-speed swoops of the Silverstone circuit, major upgrades from a host of its rivals have made it harder to predict what will happen.

And with chief title opposition McLaren adamant that the event is a 'big' race for both teams in setting the competitive picture for the remainder of the season, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner is taking nothing for granted.

"We don't underestimate Ferrari and McLaren, and even Mercedes I am sure will fight back," said Horner. "I am sure there is a long way to go in this championship. We are not even halfway yet."

Horner believes the fact that Red Bull Racing triumphed on the streets of Valencia, on a weekend when McLaren was expected to dominate, means that previous form appears to mean little.

"Let's wait and see how we go," he said. "Theoretically Valencia was McLaren territory and we performed very well. Silverstone is a track that both drivers enjoy and hopefully the next couple of events should come back a bit more our way.

"But we are looking forward to it. It is a track that should hopefully suit our car. We had a great race there last year, it will be difficult to top that but we take a lot of satisfaction out of this race win, at a track that arguably we should not be strong at."

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Pirelli promises 'aggressive' approach

Pirelli has promised Formula 1 fans that it will take an 'aggressive' approach to its tyre choice for next season in a bid to help improve the show.

With the Italian tyre manufacturer having taken on board the lessons from this year's Canadian Grand Prix, which was turned into a great spectacle because of rubber that was difficult to manage, Pirelli says that careful thought will now be made about how best to approach 2011.

And rather than simply adopting a conservative approach to tyre choice, Pirelli has made it clear that it wants to push the tyres as much as it can to ensure the racing is as good as possible.

Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery told AUTOSPORT in an exclusive interview: "We are going to try and be aggressive - provide one 'safe' option and then an aggressive one to try and create the show. That is something that the promoter would definitely like to see, and Bernie [Ecclestone] is keen for that.

"The fans, I am sure, are keen for that, and I have to say that the comments from the teams after Canada were that they actually enjoyed it. The team principals I have spoken to said that that was good fun. It might not have produced the result they all wanted, but it added to the strategy of the event."

Hembery believes that Pirelli has a chance to really shake up the impact that tyres can have on the racing - as he suggests F1 should be as on the knife-edge in terms of tyre management as MotoGP is.

"We want to participate with the sport and make the show, and Canada was a good example of what you can do if you provide an extreme solution," he said. "From a tyre maker's point of view, you wonder if the public perceive that as a bad tyre, but in the end that is about communication.

"There are other forms of motorsport, like motorcycle racing, where the tyre is always at the limit. And if you take someone like Valentino Rossi, his great success over the years was down to his maintenance of the tyre performance until the end of the race. Then he does his showboat lap at the end where he just destroys everyone.

"So, it is a skill that we used to talk about in motorsport all over the place, of drivers conserving their tyres, managing their tyres, and maybe over the years we have all developed technologies that means they can go flat out for much longer - and that skill has maybe been lost along the way.

"As long as we communicate it well, the drivers understand it and don't start talking about bad tyres – and understand that it is part of the show – then it will be fine. I think all of them after Canada will probably agree they had more fun in that scenario than they probably would have done in a processional race. Certainly from a fans' point of view it was fantastic."

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Mercedes: Tyre issues key to 2010 wins

Mercedes’ drivers believe they can still win races this season if the team manages to resolve the tyre problems which are currently compromising the W01's performance over race weekends.

The Brackley-based team looks increasingly likely to surrender the world titles it won last year under the Brawn name at the end of the season having been unable to get amongst the fight at the front with Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

Despite introducing a big update for last week’s European Grand Prix – including a blown diffuser and a further improved F-duct system – Mercedes slumped to its worst performance of the season as it missed Q3 altogether and then scored a single point in the race only after other cars ahead received time penalties.

However, the team is confident its car has much more potential than it is currently able to show as its competitiveness is being masked by performance problems with fresh tyres on low fuel – issues which have hampered it in qualifying at the past two races in particular.

Both Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are therefore optimistic that the team will still able to achieve at least one race victory in the final 10 rounds of the season if the tyre problems are resolved.

Asked in Valencia if winning was now out of equation for the team in 2010, Rosberg insisted: “I don’t say no yet. Definitely not, because it is still early days.

“[There are] A lot of different races coming, Monza which is also a very different track and places like that, where the occasional chance will [come] at least.

“It is still a possibility, so we are definitely not giving up on that.

“And if we do find a solution for this tyre issue that we have been having especially in the last two races – which should be possible to find, there is a lot of clever people in the team. So there are still a lot of possibilities.”

Schumacher, who claimed at least one victory in each of his 15 full Formula 1 seasons in the first part of his career, believes the strong lap times it was able to set in clean air in Canada proved that the competitiveness is there.

“If you look at certain moments in the race in particular in Canada when we had a clear track and clear lap times were able to be done, mainly that happened with Nico, we were the fastest car on the track in those moments,” he explained.

“So that means that the car has the potential to do [competitive lap times] when certain things go together.

“Why we obviously don’t do it in qualifying, that’s a question mark that we have to answer to ourselves, but once we can answer then there is an optimistic and good reason to believe that we can do much better, and even win races this year.”

Team boss Ross Brawn admitted the problems with tyres that had affected it during Valencia qualifying had been the same as in Canada, revealing that its performance had been hindered further by overheating issues caused by the new exhaust which forced it to increase the insulation of some aero components.

“We had a similar issue in Montreal in how we use the tyres here,” he said.

“When we get to the final stage where we have to find the performance on new tyres we struggled.

“Friday on full fuel, Friday on low fuel, we were pretty comfortable and pleased with the performance – definitely on the full fuel it was very consistent.

“We had some issues with the package which meant we lost some of the performance over Friday and Saturday we had some temperature issues with the exhaust and we had to go back on some of the things we did, which has not helped.

“But we seemed to get into the issue with using the tyres on one lap again that we have suffered with periodically this year and was our problem in Montreal.

“So we have got this conundrum of trying to use the tyres on one lap or short runs which we are not getting the car to work properly with.”

Brawn conceded the team’s tyre struggles in Valencia had made it “very difficult” to properly assess how successful its latest upgrade had been – but is confident it is on the right development path and will be able to exploit more of the package’s benefits at Silverstone.

“We are confident this is the way we want to go and we have some further steps which we want to introduce with this concept,” he added.

“So we can only introduce those steps if we persevere and find the solutions we need.

“The data looks okay and nothing’s happened that we didn’t expect, but with the modifications we’ve had to make to be comfortable with everything we have probably lost some performance and that will be fixed for Silverstone because we can do a much better job when we are back at the factory.”