FORMULA 1 - 2010

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Hamilton: Still firmly in the hunt

Lewis Hamilton has quickly put a positive spin on his most negative weekend of the season - but only after giving himself one of the biggest kickings of his career.

As McLaren team-mate Jenson Button remarked following the Italian Grand Prix, the current campaign feels like a merry-go-round, with the five title contenders stepping on and off with each race that passes.

At Monza, it was Hamilton's turn to endure a bout of giddiness via a first-lap crash - his second retirement in three races, sandwiched by his victory in Belgium.

It has been a heck of a rollercoaster ride for Hamilton, who finds himself hunter rather than hunted again heading into the final five grands prix of the season.

Yet despite failing to score, Hamilton is just five points adrift of Red Bull's Mark Webber, who could only finish sixth, although he now leads the way for the third time this remarkable year.

"If going into the race you had said I wouldn't finish but I would be in this position, I wouldn't have believed it," said Hamilton.

"I'm obviously very fortunate everyone didn't score the best. We're still in a fighting position, so we could afford one mistake.

"So I'm still looking ahead. I always want to go forwards. I never want to make steps backwards.

"In this race I didn't step back, I just didn't step anywhere. It's not often I don't make my steps forwards, but I can't always get it right."

As you would imagine, Hamilton was naturally downbeat in assessing what unfolded, but these days a far more mature Hamilton was able to put his situation in context.

For the 25-year-old there will no dwelling on his accident with Felipe Massa, as might have been the case in seasons past, instead just a focus to swiftly make amends.

"I feel I'm better equipped now to deal with something like this than perhaps was the case a few years ago," added Hamilton.

"Of course it's mistakes like the one I made that can be the deciding factor in World Championships, win or lose.

"But it's also how you carry yourself, how you pick yourself up, how you recover and how you bounce back that also determines, shapes a World Champion.

"So I hope it's with these experiences that I continue to grow and improve."

Hamilton would not be human if he did not suffer any regrets, but despite question marks over his often criticised over-aggressive on-track nature, he is not going to change.

"Of course, you always kick yourself when you make a mistake," said Hamilton.

"You kick yourself more than anyone can kick you, regardless of if your boss comes up to you and says 'well, we're all disappointed, but this is motor racing and you're still great blah blah blah'.

"Regardless of that you still kick yourself hard. It's just the way some people deal with it, and that's how I deal with it.

"If I hadn't have done what I did, I probably wouldn't be who I am because I do push, and that's me as a racing driver. That's how I do it."

After being t-boned by Sebastian Vettel in Spa, Button revived his title challenge with second place behind hugely popular race winner Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.

The reigning Champion now trails Webber by 22 points, with the top five overall covered by just 24 - less than for a race win these days.

As the most enthralling championship since 1981 when five drivers that year were separated by just seven points come the conclusion, Button is relishing the scrap currently unfolding.

"That's the exciting thing - five drivers," said Button, speaking to Press Association Sport.

"Every race we go to people are going to be looking at qualifying, the end result of the race and trying to understand which direction it's going to go.

"It's like a merry-go-round at the moment, and we're all stepping off and stepping back on. It's pretty complicated, exciting, good for the sport, and I love it.

"We're all out there to win this Championship, but the people who don't win it are going to get a lot of respect this year for being part of that challenge - hopefully I won't be one of them!

"But you know what I mean, people will sit down and think 'wow, those guys really fought it out to the end', and that's going to be exciting."

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James Allen's Italian GP verdict

Source: itv-f1.com

I thought that this was a gripping race, which had two main turning points – the start and then the pit stops.

Jenson Button won the start, but lost the pit-stop battle.

However, both his team boss and Ferrari’s believe that whatever decision McLaren had taken Alonso would have got ahead, because the Ferrari was simply faster than the McLaren today, and because the pit stop was faster – by almost a second.

Button did an incredible job to get ahead at the start and then to soak up 36 laps of pressure from Alonso without making a single mistake.

He felt that the decision to bring him in first was wrong; he’d rather have taken his chances with a later stop.

Martin Whitmarsh believes that if they had waited much longer there was a chance that Massa would have got ahead of him too.

Alonso did some incredible laps this weekend, the standout one was in qualifying to get the pole and he did some others when Button stopped.

He was in the right place and ready to capitalise when the McLaren peeled off into the pit lane.

He went a tenth faster on his 36th lap than he had done the lap before, then his in lap was six tenths faster than Button’s.

The Ferrari mechanics executed the stop eight tenths faster than the McLaren guys and on top of that Button struggled to get the tyres going on his out lap. The combination was enough to give the initiative to Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton hasn’t made too many mistakes this season, but he made a whopper this afternoon, trying an ambitious pass down the inside of Massa into the second chicane.

It’s one of those things you get with an aggressive driver like Hamilton: they will do many incredible things, but then from time to time they will overstep the mark.

Hamilton had already made up one place off the line and would have finished fourth today without that lunge. That would have given him 12 points. So he would be nine points clear of Webber and 28 clear of Alonso tonight, instead of five behind Webber and 16 ahead of Alonso.

On such things can championships be decided. But it’s been that kind of year, with Alonso and most of the other title contenders making mistakes.

Only Button has got through without making any costly mistakes. Where he has dropped points it’s been mainly because he wasn’t fast enough.

Red Bull came away with a fourth and a sixth, but not in the order they started the race.

Yet again the problems getting off the line caught them out, with Webber dropping from fourth to ninth at the start, fighting back to sixth place, while Vettel dropped to seventh and then fought his way back up to fourth.

I expect Red Bull to be on top again in Singapore, despite the more stringent flex tests the FIA has started carrying out. Also this McLaren car isn’t very good on the bumps, so I think they’ll be under pressure from Ferrari and maybe even Renault.

The championship will continue to ebb and flow right up to the final laps in Abu Dhabi. I still think it’s Webber’s to lose, but Alonso and Button getting back in the game today was vital for keeping the chase alive.

Just 24 points separate the top five contenders.

Massa is out of it now on 124 points, 63 behind the leader, so even if it wasn’t clear enough after Hockenheim that Ferrari has all its eggs in Alonso’s basket, it is now.

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DC: 'Cracker' season set for great conclusion

David Coulthard has hailed the 2010 Formula One season as being 'sensational' and has backed Mark Webber to take the title.

The former McLaren man was one of many who was critical of the sport following the bore-fest that was the opening grand prix in Bahrain, but admits he could never have predicted the magnificent way in which the season has developed.

"The racing this year has not always been out of this world, but you cannot fault it for drama," Coulthard wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

"Aided by some wacky weather in Asia, things quickly livened up post-Bahrain and as the drivers found the limits of their new cars, they threw off the shackles of conservatism and got stuck in.

"Lewis Hamilton's over-exuberance in Monza last weekend, combined with Fernando Alonso's fairy-tale win at the home of Ferrari, was just the latest chapter of a script that has got ever more sensational."

With five drivers still in contention to win the World Championship and five races left in the season, pundits are divided as to whom to back heading into the final straight, but Coulthard contends that Mark Webber will be the man to go all the way.

" If I had to pick a winner right now, I would go with Mark Webber," said the Scot.

"First, he is in possession of a five-point lead. Second, as we have noted before, the final five circuits predominantly suit the characteristics of Red Bull's car.

"Singapore is a street track like Monaco where Red Bull got a one-two earlier this year, while Suzuka is made for the RB6 with its high-speed cornering through the Senna Esses and 130R.

Interlagos and, to a lesser extent, Abu Dhabi will also be good for them, while Korea is an unknown. Sebastian is 24 points behind his team-mate, so Mark is the logical favourite," he explained.

As it stands following the Italian Grand Prix, Webber is five points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Fernando Alonso a further sixteen points adrift and Jenson Button one point behind the Spaniard.

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Pirelli hoping to retain Heidfeld

Despite Nick Heidfeld signing with Sauber for the remainder of the season, tyre manufacturer Pirelli are hopeful that he can continue his role as their tester.

The German was released from his contract as Mercedes GP reserve driver in August so that he could take up the role with Pirelli, but with Sauber choosing to dispose of Pedro de la Rosa, Heidfeld has jumped at the chance to take up a race seat.

Despite this, Pirelli are hopeful that Heidfeld can continue to test with them as they prepare to become Formula One's official tyre supplier next season.

"Nick is testing with us at Jerez this week and after that we'll sit down with him and discuss the possibilities," a Pirelli spokesperson told GPUpdate.

"The plan is to hold on to him, if possible, but obviously we need to see if there's a logistical solution there."

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Briatore: Red Bull need a number one

Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore insists that if Red Bull do not make either Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel their number one driver they could lose the World Championship.

Briatore, who is Webber's manager, believes that the competition between the two Red Bull drivers is not healthy for the team's Championship aspirations, and that they should follow Ferrari's lead and throw their weight behind one driver.

"Red Bull have not yet figured out that if they continue like this, with Webber and Vettel racing against each other, they could lose the World Championship," Briatore told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"At Ferrari the situation is clear, Alonso is the leader of the team and Massa lends a hand.

"At Red Bull it is not the same. They have thrown away a hundred points, Vettel has made all sorts of mistakes. If they don't want to win the Championship then this is how to do it," he added.

Webber is currently leading the World Championship, with Vettel in fifth place, 24 points behind the Australian.

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Rubens: Williams waiting on Hulkenberg

Rubens Barrichello has confirmed he will be at Williams next season but says the team have not yet announced their driver line-up because a deal has not been made with Nico Hulkenberg.

The Brazilian has enjoyed a largely successful season and has in the past stated his desire to remain with the team. The experienced campaigner has now confirmed that he is definitely staying at the Grove-based team but that the future of his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is undecided.

"My part is done," Barrichello is quoted as telling Globe Esporte.

"All that remains is the paperwork for it to be confirmed. It is 100% that I will be at Williams in 2011."

The 38-year-old explains that there was little doubt that he would remain with Williams but that the future of Hulkenberg is more complex.

"It was an easier decision with me. Williams are waiting. I think they are analysing Nico Hulkenberg's situation and then they will make a joint announcement," he explained.

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Sauber confirm Heidfeld return

Nick Heidfeld will replace Pedro de la Rosa at Sauber for the remainder of the season, the team have confirmed.

The German, who until recently held the position of Mercedes GP reserve driver before joining Pirelli as a test driver, has a long association with the Swiss team having raced for them for seven seasons. Heidfeld left Sauber a mere nine months ago after he was replaced by de la Rosa following BMW's withdrawal from the sport.

"It was a hard decision for me to make as a team principal and I want to thank Pedro for his professionalism," explained team boss Peter Sauber.

"By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car."

Understandably delight with securing a race seat, Heidfeld admitted it felt like he was returning home.

"I'm looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula One from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. After the last months I'm even more motivated than ever," he explained.

"For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team from Hinwil. Without doubt I will be feeling at home straight away and this should help me to familiarise myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me."

De la Rosa admits the decision came as a shock to him but remains hopeful that he can secure a drive for next season.

"I am surprised by the team's decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season," he said.

"I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011," added the Spaniard.

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Raikkonen interested in Renault drive

Former World Champion Kimi Raikkonen has contacted Renault about the possibility of securing a drive with the team next season.

The Finn has spent this year racing in the World Rally Championship but has constantly been linked with a possible return to the F1. Raikkonen has made it quite clear that he would not make a comeback unless he had a competitive car, something Renault can now provide.

"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Renault team principal Eric Boullier told Autosport.

"He is on the radar because he contacted us."

As the fight to become Robert Kubica's team-mate heats up, Boullier admits that the man currently in the seat, rookie Vitaly Petrov, is close to convincing the team hierarchy that he has done enough to deserve another go next season.

"He is not very far away to be honest," Boullier said of Petrov's chances of securing a drive ahead of the likes of Raikkonen.

"It is still very complicated for him to have a complete weekend and be faultless, and that is where he needs to work and focus on, and develop clearly his commitment and dedication."

Boullier admits that having a World Champion rather than a driver new to the sport would change the way the team operates and that this would have to be considered when the team decides on their second driver.

"It would be a different strategy for the team," he explained.

"And that is not a question of personality or having a world championship title - it will cost me more if he is world champion than if he is not. It is not a question of this - it is a different strategy.

"You work differently if you have a rookie - and in supporting him - than if you have two experienced drivers. So it is different.

"We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option.

"But there are several other options, and one of them is Kimi," Boullier added.

MIKA: If Kimi returns, that would be great for the sport, another WC in the mix!

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Brawn optimistic over 2011 Mercedes

Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn is optimistic he has identified the areas the team must improve on next year’s car if it is to become a more competitive force.

The Brackley-based squad has fallen a long way short of its target of challenging for the world championship in its first year under Mercedes ownership, with it looking unlikely to achieve a victory before the end of the season having claimed just three podium finishes so far.

Brawn admitted earlier in the season that the squad’s ultimately successful push for the world championship last year had contributed to it producing a weaker 2011 car than it had hoped for.

The Briton though, speaking at Monza over the weekend, said he thought he now knew why the W01 hadn’t been up to scratch and that he had been encouraged by the development work going into the 2011 car to put these things right.

“Cars are born 12 months before they’re raced and when this car was born we had our focus on lots of things – survival of the company, we were trying to win the championship and we didn’t focus enough on this car,” Brawn said.

“But that’s the car we have now; [but] that’s not the balance that we are going to strike for next year.

“Our new car is well advanced. I can see lots of areas that we’re making progress in.

“Tyres will be the interesting thing for next year – people that make the best use of the tyres.

“We’ve got a pretty powerful tyre group. We’re working closely with [Mercedes parent company] Daimler and Daimler experts on how we can improve that side.

“I think I understand the reasons why we are where we are [this year] and I think I know the things we have got to do to be in a better position next year.

“But we’ll see.”

Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug says the German manufacturer would naturally have hoped for more from its first season back in team ownership – but says he understands the reasons why the Brackley team couldn’t devote as much time to the development of its 2010 car last year as would have been ideal.

He insists Mercedes as a company remains fully behind the project and that it was working together with its Brackley-based F1 operation to improve things for 2011.

“I think everybody would have wished to be further down the road in terms of competitiveness, but I think on the other hand lots of things were going on [last year] and the [brawn GP] management team had to sort out a lot of things,” Haug said.

“If you remember it was very difficult to get an engine, to get the team running. Ross pointed out he never wanted to have a Brawn GP team basically, but in addition they won the world championship so then they needed to look for the future and this is where we are right now.

"What I think is absolutely positive is that we are in Formula 1, that we are committed as Mercedes-Benz of course. I am the first guy who would have wished for more podiums, for race wins, for whatever, but we are looking very carefully at what we have.

“We have great partners as sponsors. Our company is committed. Our board is committed.

“We need some time and we are working to get a race team in a very, very positive and constructive way. In a critical way [looking] to the inside absolutely, we need some time to restructure things.”

And while Mercedes is set to finish the 2010 a distant fourth at best in the constructors’ championship Haug continues to see a much brighter future, saying: “I am absolutely convinced that with hard work and dedication we will achieve our targets.

“We are composed working together and this is where we are. But we are going to be better next year, that’s for sure.”

In a bid to ensure it is fighting at the front at the first race of next season Mercedes has already shifted the majority of its focus onto 2011, and Brawn admits its competitiveness at the final five rounds of this year is likely to follow the same pattern as recent races.

“I don’t thing there’s any dramatic changes for us for the rest of the season,” he added.

“I think they’ll be weekends when we perhaps get everything together in a certain way that could help. But we obviously want to get both cars into Q3 and I think with the right balance, the car’s perfectly set up, we can do.

“So I think that’s about where we will be for the rest of the season. I don’t think the tracks we’ve got coming up will change things too much.”

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De la Rosa linked with Hispania

Hispania Racing are reportedly interested in signing former Sauber driver Pedro de la Rosa.

Veteran De la Rosa is without a race seat for the remainder of the 2010 season after the Hinwil-based outfit decided to replace him with Nick Heidfeld.

The 39-year-old admitted the decision to axe him came as a shock, but says he "still intends to be in Formula One for 2011".

Spanish paper Dario AS claims F1 rookies Hispania could turn to De la Rosa as they would like to team up a driver his "quality" with Bruno Senna.

HRT have chopped and changed their drivers for most part of their debut season with Senna, Karun Chandhok and Sakon Yamamota sharing the driver duties.

The team are yet to confirm their drivers for next year, but there are strong suggestions that Senna will be the only one to hang onto his seat.

Meanwhile, the paper also adds that Hispania are close to signing a technical agreement with Toyota.

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Alonso: F10's 'versatile' key

Fernando Alonso is confident Ferrari will do well in the final five races of the season thanks to the "versatility" of the F10.

Alonso and Ferrari are coming off a dream weekend after the Spaniard claimed his first Italian Grand Prix victory in the colours of the Scuderia.

The former World Champion has now picked up 68 points in the last four races, including victories in Germany and Italy, while the team have accumulated 100 points.

With the European season now done and dusted there are fears that Ferrari could take a backseat to other teams in the flyaway races.

However, Alonso is confident they will hold their own as the F10 has done well on tracks with different characteristics.

"At Spa, things had not gone well, so it was hard to say beforehand what we might really be capable of," he said on the official Ferrari website. "However, we knew that, as long as we did our best, we would be in with a chance and that's how things turned out. Now our aim must be to try and do the same in the final five races of the Championship.

"Despite failing to score in Spa, where the accident on the first lap weighed heavily like a stone, Ferrari and I have scored more points than anyone else in these last four races.

"That makes us even more confident and the fact these results came on tracks with very different characteristics to one another, confirms that our car is pretty versatile."

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Renault hope to fight for 2011 title

With their 2008 and 2009 troubles now firmly consigned to history, Renault hope to return to winning ways next year.

The French manufacturer have struggled to keep up with Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull in the race for the Championships in recent years while the Singapore "Crashgate" scandal cast a shadow over the team since it came to light last year.

However, they've have come on in leaps and bounds and are fifth in this year's Constructors' Championship with five races left.

Team co-owner Gerard Lopez believes they can now start to focus on delivering results after going through a period of rebuilding.

"There is a winning mentality back in the team...for sure we would like to fight for the Championship next year and it takes more than just words to do that," he told Reuters.

"It takes a culture and so on, and I think we are back into that culture where a weekend like this [in Italy] is really disappointing, not just for me but disappointing for the whole team.

"Just by changing some key management positions, I think we've kind of reignited the will to win and essentially showed the team and the people that were there that they can do it, just like they did it a couple of years ago.

"I think the foundations are rock solid.

"We are pretty much done with our programme in terms of putting in some key management people, here and at the factory.

"As far as we are concerned, for the first time now we can actually focus on delivering results rather than just rebuilding stuff. So I think it's as solid as it has probably ever been."

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STR hope F-duct will push them to eighth

Sebastien Buemi believes the F-duct will be key to Toro Rosso's chances of catching and beating Sauber in the Constructors' Championship this year.

STR's own version of the F-duct made its debut during practice at Monza on Friday, but that was the only time they used the much-talked about system in Italy.

With the team 17 points behind Sauber, Buemi knows it will be important to "get it to work properly" in the remaining give races of the season.

"It is always difficult to quantify what you can gain with the F-duct," he said in the team's official podcast. "But one thing that is for sure is that if you can get it to work properly, it's [worth] between two and six/seven tenths - it depends on the circuit.

"So we've got to make it work, because this is the way we will be able to fight against Sauber and finish ahead of them in the Championship. So we are putting all our effort together to make it work for Singapore. But it's going to be difficult.

"We are now working hard in the windtunnel to find out why it did not really work and then we will see if we can have it for Singapore."

Team boss Franz Tost is convinced the engineers will iron out the problems that they had with F-duct during practice in Italy.

"It's the hope that we can race it there," he said. "We just have to analyse why it didn't work so well [at Monza] on Friday. But I'm convinced that our engineering department will find the solution."

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Whitmarsh: It's an epic Championship

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh believes the 2010 World Championship could turn out to be one of the best ever in Formula One's history.

Red Bull's Mark Webber is leading the way at the moment with 187 points, but Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are all within striking distance.

It should make for an interesting conclusion to "an epic World Championship", according to Whitmarsh.

"It will be a race to Abu Dhabi now and that is great," he said. "This is an epic World Championship - and I hope everyone realises that this is potentially one of the best World Championships ever in the history of F1. That is fantastic.

"You have got Jenson and Lewis, you have the two Red Bull drivers, and you have Alonso, absolutely all in this Championship - and that is fantastic really."

McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari have had mixed fortunes at various tracks this year and Whitmarsh feels it's too close to predict how things will pan out for the teams in the flyaway races.

"Ferrari and Red Bull are very strong, I think we are not too bad," he added. "I would not want to call this one. We are going to aim to win. You hear these pundits say we are weak here and strong there, and I don't know how they can work it out - they obviously know more about our car than I do.

"The fact is, at Monza, Ferrari was marginally the quickest race car, our car wasn't bad and Red Bull was a bit behind. But in Singapore all three positions could be very different."

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Cho: Korea will be ready on time

Jason Cho, the man in charge of making sure that South Korea's first ever Formula One race goes ahead, is really feeling the pressure.

"Am I stressed," the Korean International Circuit track manager asks. "Just look at my face," he says, and smiles.

The sunglasses come off, but the hard hat stays on. It has to, because organisers KAVO (Korea Auto Valley Operation) acknowledge the circuit is not yet ready, with time running out before the October 24 race.

While KAVO insists it will be finished on time, there are many doubters in F1 circles.

D-Day is September 21 when Charlie Whiting, head of F1's technical department, arrives in the remote southwestern corner of the country, 400km from Seoul, to inspect the track and decide if the race can go ahead. If he gives the thumbs-down, not only will Korea lose this year's event, but the second race of its seven-year agreement.

Construction of the circuit and associated infrastructure began in November 2007 and was initially scheduled to have been finished in July, but even in mid-September, cars and trucks still whizz around the track in a frantic effort to meet the deadline.

Cho's team is working 15 hours a day, seven days a week to get everything ready. The focus of remaining work is to put on the third layer of the track and the various finishing touches. Work will continue up to the eve of Whiting's inspection.

"We will finish all of the circuit on September 20th because Charlie Whiting is coming here on September 21," Cho tells AP. "It will be ready, it's a must. If we don't finish then we don't have an event so it will be done in ten days."

According to the construction manager, the weather is to blame for delays.

"There has been a lot of rain compared to most years and all this land was all wetland and we had to take all the water out first," explains Cho.

"Seventy per cent of the work was because of hardening the land. If it was just regular land, we could have done it in a year. That made it more technical.

"We are all professionals but we don't have experience in Korea of building tracks up to F1 standard. If there had been a manual of guidelines to follow, it would have made our work much easier and we would have finished sooner."

The 5.615 kilometer counterclockwise circuit is the latest to be designed by Herman Tilke.

The German's tracks often look spectacular, but without producing the thrilling racing of some of the tighter traditional or street circuits.

However F1 driver Karun Chandhok earlier this month did some laps of the unfinished track and was positive about the layout.

About 4 000 fans attended that demonstration, indicating some level of interest in F1.

However there have been questions about the likely attendance at the race, given the remoteness of the circuit and F1 having almost no historical connection to Korea.

Peter Baek, deputy marketing manager, acknowledges that Yeongam, the small town nearest the circuit, was not the first choice.

"Initially, our CEO (Yoon Cho Chung) wanted to hold it in Seoul and have a night race that they could race on the street. That was many years ago and it didn't happen."

Seoul's loss is South Jeolla Province's gain and the regional government owns 40 per cent of KAVO. The southwestern province is regarded as the least developed area of the country and the event is being used to put Jeolla on the map both at home and overseas.

Even Korea's efficient and extensive public transport system may struggle to deliver fans on the race weekend, even though KAVO refused to say how many tickets had been sold.

The nearest big city, Mokpo, can currently be reached in just over three hours from Seoul by train. A 30 minute drive from the station gets you to the circuit, though that is on a regular quiet Friday morning rather than an F1 race day.

"Transportation-wise, there are obviously not enough planes going down to the Mokpo area," Baek said.

"During the grand prix however there's going to be chartered flights, buses, trains and all sorts of transportation will be available to the public. It's normally four hours to drive, I wouldn't expect more than four and a half hours even with the traffic."

Privately, organisers admit there will be some traffic problems but are confident that delays will be much shorter than many other Grand Prix locations around the world.

The doubts about the readiness of the circuit have dampened enthusiasm among the Korean public.

"Having a circuit and not having a circuit is a huge difference," admits Baek. "Next year will be better and there will be a fan base established in Korea. The tough part is obviously the construction part; people are asking if it is ready. We are marketing and promoting the event but people think that it isn't ready."

KAVO seems to be growing tired of answering questions about the state of the track.

"The Korean construction industry is very developed and at a high standard. We work fast and get the job done. We have seen in the past at the 2002 World Cup and the 1988 Olympics, there were always questions of 'are you guys ready,' but we always got it done and we are positive that the venue will be ready, and it is almost ready.

"Europeans have a set schedule and want to keep to the schedule as actively as possible but Koreans always get things done."

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Financial losses threaten Aussie GP

The Australian GP has come under fire after figures showed the cost to Victorian taxpayers had ballooned 15-fold in the space of 11 years.

This year's event at Melbourne's Albert Park cost the Victorian government 49.3million Australian dollars (£29.5million) compared to 3.2million Australian dollars (£2million) in 1998/99.

Although attendance figures were up for this year's race at the end of March by 5,000 to 305,000, sales revenue had dropped by 30% whilst costs had risen by almost 20%.

Speaking to The Age newspaper in Melbourne, independent state MP Craig Ingram said: "We're bailing out a millionaires' car race for these sort of dollars, I think we have got our priorities wrong.

"I think it is just outrageous. It has gone past a joke and it is time both sides of politics started to seriously reconsider the ongoing cost of taxpayers bailing out of this event.

"The cost for a car race when as a local member of parliament we struggle to get funding for health services, education, support services for disabled kids at schools, for roads and other infrastructure - I just think there is a whole range of services and other infrastructure which need that sort of money more than a car race."

But Major Events Minister Tim Holding is convinced there is a wider picture that needs to be viewed, not just narrowing it down to the event over the weekend.

"The economic benefit to Victoria far outweighs the cost of staging the Formula One Grand Prix," said Holding in The Age.

"The race was seen by about 12.8 million people in Europe this year and the massive television exposure the grand prix receives has helped to build our world-wide reputation as a great place to visit and a great place to live.

"This year's grand prix attracted the biggest crowd in five years and a television audience of 4.6 million in Australia, and with Mark Webber in such good form we expect next year's grand prix will be even more exciting."

The race is scheduled to be staged in Melbourne for the next five years.

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Lauda backing Vettel for the title

Niki Lauda believes this year's World title will be decided between the two Red Bull drivers with Sebastian Vettel emerging the winner.

With five races remaining in this year's Championship, Formula One is set for a thrilling title showdown as five drivers are still in the hunt for the Drivers' title.

Mark Webber is leading the battle on 187 points while his team-mate Vettel is fifth on 163. And although Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are also in the mix, Lauda reckons the Red Bull drivers will be the two left standing at the end.

"From the title fight of five, at the end the battle is between Vettel and Webber," Lauda told the Bild.

"The Red Bull cars have the edge because they have the best overall package. They are technically the fastest."

Asked to choose between the two Red Bull drivers, Lauda said: "Mark Webber is currently in a very good position. But Vettel has demonstrated in Monza that he can stay cool and go for the risk.

"I think Vettel can do it."

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Kimi's manager: Yes, we contacted Renault

Kimi Raikkonen's manager admits the Finn has spoken with Renault but that doesn't mean he's definitely set on a F1 return.

Earlier this week, Renault's team boss Eric Boullier told Autosport that Raikkonen is "is on the radar" for next season, adding that the former World Champion is there "because he contacted us."

And although Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson did revealed that he had been the one to speak to Renault, that doesn't mean the Citroen Junior rally driver is heading there next season.

"It is true that I spoke with Boullier," Robertson told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. "We want to explore all the possible options for next year so Kimi and I asked what Renault are doing."

Robertson, though, did admit that another season in the World Rally Championship is Raikkonen's most likely option.

"At this time the media world is littered with a variety of rumours. Some even say that Kimi could go to the NASCAR series but that is certainly not an option."

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Renault relishing having their pick of drivers

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez has revealed the marque again has the luxury of being able to pick and choose its second driver.

A year on from being embroiled in the 'crash-gate' saga, Renault's respectability has been restored by credible leadership off track and reasonable performances on it.

Lopez's takeover at the end of last year via his Genii Capital investment company has provided a stable platform on which the team have built this season.

In contrast to last year when Renault scored a miserable 26 points, all courtesy of Fernando Alonso, this year they have almost double if you apply the old scoring system as their 127 points converts to 48.

Most of those have come from Robert Kubica, who earlier this season signed a contract extension, as team-mate Vitaly Petrov has rarely kept pace.

A question mark currently hangs over the Russian in his rookie year as to whether he will be retained, in particular as Lopez concedes Renault have a number of options open to them.

One of those is former Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who is understood to have recently sounded out the team with regard to a potential comeback.

Given Renault's standing in the eyes of the F1 world 12 months ago, their stock has clearly risen again, making them an attractive proposition.

"We've a lot of drivers that would like to drive for us," Lopez said.

"When you are lucky enough to have a seat nobody wanted last year and everybody wants this year, you take your time."

Seemingly confirming Raikkonen's interest, he added: "If we weren't to keep Vitaly, we've options, both people who are in Formula One and people who left and would be happy to come back.

"But for now Vitaly is our second driver and we are trying to do everything we can to make sure he stays our second driver."

Lopez concedes, though, Petrov hardly helped his cause with his 13th place in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, suggesting improvement is required if he is to remain on board.

"I doubt Monza is the place where he has done enough to justify his seat next year," added Lopez.

"The three races before Monza he did what we expected him to do, but Monza is not a place where you can say he's delivered."

Despite Petrov's Russian connections, Lopez is still waiting for that market to catch on to the 26-year-old and to Formula One as a sport.

Lopez maintains, though, Petrov's potential marketability in such an untapped country will have no bearing on whether he is retained.

"He's a good driver who comes with the added benefit of Russia," said Petrov.

"Economically speaking, from a Russian perspective, we are in a key moment, trying to see if the Russian market is going to respond.

"But whether the market responds or not we still have to judge him as a driver. If the Russians put a lot of money in and he's not a good driver then he won't drive for us.

"The two things are completely disconnected for us. They are an added benefit, but not a reason to keep him or leave him."

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Hamilton: I'll be fighting harder than ever

Lewis Hamilton insists he'll be fighting even harder in the Singapore GP after letting his team down in Italy on Sunday.

Hamilton's own mistake on the opening lap, which even his team boss Martin Whitmarsh deemed to be too aggressive, cost the 2008 World Champion any chance of scoring points as he broke his steering arm colliding with Felipe Massa.

But despite his lack of points, Whitmarsh was still full of praise for the Brit's approach to racing.

"That is Lewis Hamilton. He is an aggressive racing driver, who when viewing the slow motion replay from the comfort of an armchair probably wishes he had not done it, and so do we," Whitmarsh said.

"But that is being a racing driver - and you have to go for it. That is Lewis Hamilton. I don't want to change Lewis Hamilton. I think he is a great product, a great human being and a great racing driver."

And although Hamilton appreciates his team boss's comments, the 24-year-old admits he still feels bad about letting the team down.

"Of course, because it's nice to hear about the support you get. But, in other ways, it actually goes without saying as I couldn't really ask for more support from my team - I know they're always behind me

"You feel like you've let the team down when you have a bad result, so I'll be fighting harder than ever for the rest of the season."

His DNF cost Hamilton in the fight for this year's World titles as he dropped to second place in the standings, trailing Mark Webber by five points.

But, with 125 still to play for, Hamilton concedes that first he needs to finish races if he wants any shot at winning his second Drivers' crown.

"I've had two non-finishes and one win in the last three races - and, while that's not bad, it does mean that I lost points to some of the other drivers in the hunt for the title. And those results aren't enough to get me the title.

"I'll keep pushing. I'll take each race as it comes, but I'll also be making sure I get to the finish of the next five races - that's more important than anything. I go to Singapore to win."

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Grosjean replaces Heidfeld as Pirelli tester

Romain Grosjean will take-over Nick Heidfeld's test role at Pirelli after the German secured a race seat with Sauber for the closing part of the season.

The ex-Renault driver will conduct the next test in Monza for the 2011 tyre supplier, continuing Heidfeld's development work.

Several drivers had been touted as possible replacements, including the departing Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa, however, it was Grosjean who finally secured the role.

The contract is for just a single test with the option to extend it if need be.

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McLaren tried and still want to sign Vettel

McLaren are keen on poaching Sebastian Vettel once his Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2012, according to team principal, Martin Whitmarsh.

The Brit criticised the young German for his coming together with Mark Webber in Turkey. He told Sport Bild that he believed Vettel was "95% at fault".

He also nicknamed Vettel the 'crash-kid' after his collision with Jenson Button in Belgium.

Despite this, Whitmarsh admitted the McLaren team attempted to sign him when he was with Toro Rosso, only for the deal to be vetoed by Red Bull.

"I am open and honest enough to admit it. Sebastian is one of the great and promising talents, and we at McLaren wanted to have him," he said. "We were not able to sign him at that time."

Whilst Red Bull may have got to him first, Whitmarsh still hopes to approach him once his tenure with the Milton Keynes based team has ended.

"If he continues to develop so fantastically, then at the end of his contract I will try once again to get him."

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Durango/Villeneuve looking to buy a team

Durango and Jacque Villeneuve's attempt to join the 2011 Formula One grid might not yet be over, despite the partnership being turned down by the FIA.

The former F1 world champion and the Italian racing outfit attempted to become the 13th F1 team on the grid next season however, thanks to stricter financial measures, the FIA deemed none of the entrants viable.

Now, Durango has confirmed that they will switch to plan B which involves buying up a current team. The likely candidates include Hispania, Virgin and Toro Rosso - although the latter is more unlikely.

"The only way to enter F1 in 2011 is to buy an existing team," Giuseppe Dorigo, a spokesperson for Durango confirmed.

Dorigo also confirmed that they will continue to work with Villeneuve.

"As planned we will do it together with Villeneuve. We believe it's worth it. Our only goal now is to be on the starting grid next year."

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Brawn concerned about expanding calendar

Ross Brawn has expressed some concern over the ever increasing calendar which he believes will stretch the teams to the limit if the trend continues.

The 2011 calendar which includes all 19 rounds featured this season as well as the inaugural Indian grand prix, bringing the total to a record 20 races.

Several other races are vying to join the calendar in 2012, including the confirmed Texas GP, the pencilled in Rome GP and Russian GP, whilst Bernie Ecclestone has expressed an interest in a second US race.

That could expand the calendar to 24 races in the near future unless others are dropped.

Mercedes team principal Brawn, says whilst the expansion is good for F1, the mechanics and engineers are being strained beyond their capabilities. Possibly leading to a second crew to alternate at every other race, adding expense.

"We want to have these extra races because it’s good for Formula 1, but it’s reaching a critical stage in terms of people being able to cope," said the Brit.

"People all have families, and when you’re away for 20 races that’s a lot of time away from home.

"So I think we’re going to have to start thinking about the time available for people when they’re not at the racetrack.

"We’ll find solutions, but it does need careful consideration."

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Bridgestone preview the Singapore GP

Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport: "Singapore is an important hub in Asia and a fantastic location for Formula 1 and Bridgestone to visit, so we look forward to our third Grand Prix appearance there. This is the first of three races in Asia and it is important for us to harness these final opportunities from Formula 1. We look forward to some late nights and an exciting race at this superb event."

Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development: "Singapore is a street course so we will see a lot of surface evolution and improvement as the track is first cleaned by cars running, then racing rubber is laid, meaning better grip. This makes finding a good set-up difficult as the track condition is a moving target. The first time we visited the circuit was very bumpy, but this was improved for last year. For 2010 it will be interesting for us to learn about the surface again as it is made up of public roads which are used throughout the year for purposes other than a Grand Prix."