FORMULA 1 - 2010

[MIKA27]

Bernie, Russia agree deal for 2014

Russia is making a renewed bid to bring Formula One racing to Sochi with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone agreeing terms for a Grand Prix to be held in 2014, the same year the Black Sea resort hosts the Winter Olympics.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whose backing was crucial in Sochi winning the right to host the Games, is due in the city on Thursday to sign an agreement for work to begin on the construction of a new 200 million dollar circuit.

Ecclestone told local media that after several rounds of negotiations with the Russian authorities the conditions for the contract have been agreed.

"The document has still not been signed but when the appropriate person from Russia signs it, I will sign it the next day," Ecclestone told Kommersant daily newspaper.

He said that the annual fee Russia would pay for hosting a Grand Prix would be comparable with that of around 40 million dollars paid by new Grand Prix hosts Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

However, racing fans should not hurry to book their tickets after Ecclestone pronounced similar sentiments in 2002 for a proposed Grand Prix in Moscow.

On March 22 that year, the Russian capital's ex-mayor Yury Luzhkov and the F1 boss were set to strike a deal while dozens of journalists came to Moscow's City Hall ready to immortalize the historic moment.

But the deal collapsed at the last minute after the two sides failed to agree financial terms.

"They want to sweep all the profits leaving us to pay all the expenses and stay happy with the smell of the petrol smog," said Luzhkov, who has since been sacked by President Dmitry Medvedev.

The project of showcasing Formula One at a completely new circuit in Sochi's Olympic Park has also raised questions over how Russia can jump from hosting virtually no races of importance to the biggest of them all.

"Staging the Formula One event in Russia in the existing conditions is a pure utopia," Russia's Formula Two pilot Ivan Samarin commented.

"We should build several circuits for staging the national racing series before starting the construction of a Formula One racing course."

Samarin added that Russia should also change its mentality and stop expecting an immediate profit from the investments into the project.

"The construction of the racing circuit is an investment into the future," he said. "The staging of a Formula One race raises the prestige of the entire country and attracts crowds of tourists, who are ready to pay for the show."

"But the investors should be ready to wait years before their investments start bringing profit."

Russia currently has one F1 driver, Vitaly Petrov, who became the country's first ever pilot in the class by being chosen to drive for Renault in the 2010 season.

[MIKA27]

Portimao likely to host F1 test

Portugal's Portimao circuit is set to join Barcelona, Jerez and Bahrain as the testing venues for the 2011 Formula One season, according to a report.

Formula One Teams' Association chairman Martin Whitmarsh revealed earlier this year that teams "agreed there will be six tests during the winter", but Autosport claims that "F1 teams agreed recently that there would remain four official pre-season tests next year from February until early March".

The report also adds that the Portimao circuit - which hosted a winter testing session in 2009 - will return to the schedule.

The FIA is yet to confirm the order of the tests, but Bahrain looks set to host the final session on March 3-6 - one weekend before the season-opening race in Bahrain.

[MIKA27]

Liuzzi: Williams are a bit faster than us

The battle for sixth place in the Constructors' Championship between Force India and Williams will go down the wire.

It wasn't too long ago that Force India were eyeing Renault in fifth spot, but they have dropped off the pace in recent months and now have a slender two-point lead following a double DNF at the Japanese GP.

Tonio Liuzzi crashed out on the first lap in Suzuka while team-mate Adrian Sutil suffered an engine failure.

The 29-year-old Liuzzi admits they've been slightly off the pace in the second half of the season, but says the team will push hard until the end of the season.

"Looking at the final three races, we need to be quicker in qualifying if we are going to achieve our objective of beating Williams in the Constructors' Championship," he wrote in his column on ESPN F1. "In the second half of the season we have been struggling to get temperature into the tyres over one flying lap and that means we've started further back and sometimes got into trouble at the start. But, with only minor upgrades still to come to the car, we're going to have to live with that problem a bit and just try to understand if there is a way we can limit it.

"On the plus side we had an upgrade to the floor of the car last weekend and that worked well, albeit just until the first corner for me. It was a good step forward and exactly the kind of thing we needed at Suzuka where downforce makes a big difference.

"But the team knows that we need to keep pushing if we are going to keep the pressure on Williams. They have made a huge step forward and their car is now consistently in the top ten. At the moment they are a bit faster than us but it's always surprising how much car performance can change from circuit-to-circuit, so I think we can still spring a surprise in Brazil."

A lot of teams have already turned their attention to their 2011 challengers, and it's no different at Force India.

"Of course our attention is also split with next year's car now," Liuzzi added. "We've been working very hard on that for about two months, and as a driver I can give direction on what the good parts of the current car are and where it needs to be developed. You always try to push development to suit your driving style, but for sure it will be a balance between both drivers because we are a team.

"The first impressions of the 2011 car are very good and at the moment it looks like the car will be competitive. However, a lot will depend on how the tyres react, so until we test the new Pirellis in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season there will still be a few question marks. "

[MIKA27]

Hulkenberg: I want to stay with Williams

Nico Hulkenberg is refusing to be drawn into reports linking GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado with his Williams seat, saying he wants to stay with the Grove-based team.

Rookie Hulkenberg has had a mixed debut season, scoring only 17 points in 16 races while team-mate Rubens Barrichello has picked up 41.

Williams and Barrichello have all but confirmed that the Brazilian will stay with the team next year, but they've kept mum about Hulkenberg's future.

Recent reports claim pay-driver Maldonado could replace the young German in 2011.

Hulkenberg, though, insists he is not worried about the situation and hopes to stay with Williams next year.

"It is a situation that, if I continue my career, I will probably come across again," he is quoted on Autosport. "I am pretty okay with it. I am doing my job here and confident with what I do, and that is all I can do.

"I want to stay with this team for sure. I have good hopes in them. I think they can build a competitive car next season, and the situation is nice here.

"I feel comfortable with the team, the people and my team-mate Rubens, and I hope I can continue here."

[MIKA27]

Schumi: Merc team need to stay united

Michael Schumacher has urged everyone at Mercedes GP to "stay united within the team" so that they can build something special in the future.

The seven-time World Champion finished sixth in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix - his best result since his fourth place at the Turkish GP at the end of May.

His performance will have given him a big boost following weeks of speculation that he could quit the sport again at the end of the season.

There have also been suggestions that all is not well at the Brackley outfit with team principal Ross Brawn and Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug no longer seeing eye-to-eye.

Schumacher and the team have denied those reports and the 41-year-old says he is already building for next season.

"We'll have a nice week and then I'll reappear fresh and relaxed at the race in South Korea," he wrote on the official Michael Schumacher website. "There we hopefully will make another step forward because in Japan the car ran quite well.

"Naturally we want to gather as much data and information as possible to be prepared better next year. I have said it often: I want to build up something here together with Mercedes and I am confident that we'll manage that as the support and the opportunities of Mercedes are really strong.

"Sometimes not everything comes together as planned from the technical point of view however our link is strong enough to allow things being criticised if they don't run as expected - and this refers to all of us. Important is that we stay united within the team. And I am very confident about this."

[MIKA27]

'Nervous' Hamilton returns to school

Lewis Hamilton enjoyed the sobering experience of returning to his old school roots as this year's battle for the World title took a back seat.

Accidents at Monza and in Singapore and a wretched weekend in Japan where he suffered another crash in practice, a grid penalty after a gearbox change and an ear infection have combined to leave Hamilton 28 points behind Championship leader Mark Webber.

With just three races remaining, Hamilton's chances of retaining a title he won in 2008 are fading unless a sudden reversal of fortune materialises for the 25-year-old.

So for a day, with thoughts far removed of the scrap to come at the inaugural venue of Korea, then Brazil and Abu Dhabi, Hamilton opted to visit his former school in Stevenage, Peartree Spring Junior and Infants.

It was Hamilton's first return since the day he left at the age of 11, discovering very little had changed over the last 14 years.

After surprising the pupils, who were totally unaware he was due to visit, by attending the assemblies for both age groups, Hamilton admitted it had been an "incredible" experience.

"I was so nervous," said Hamilton. "I knew I'd come back at some stage. When I left when I was 11, I told my teacher Mrs Holman I would come back, but I never got the chance to.

"So it's very surreal to come back. I feel so old.

"Being back in the assemblies, seeing the kids, the jumpers, they are the same as when I was at school.

"It's just very surreal to have come such a long way, to come back and see nothing's really changed.

"It's exactly the same. I've seen mums of kids who I went to school with. It's awesome.

"I remember so much, I have so many fond memories, I remember how the old building used to be.

"It was my favourite period of schooltime. It was so special and they were so good to me. Stevenage and Peartree was such a good part of my life.

"When I won the World Championship I actually came and drove past and showed my girlfriend this was where I used to go to school."

Hamilton enjoyed a Q&A session with the children, answering very different questions to those he is normally subjected to over the course of a grand prix weekend, such as whether his mum washes his race suit and whether he cleans his McLaren after each race.

The British star also met several pupils, the most notable of whom was Louie Titre, who is blind.

Naturally, though, with Hamilton embroiled in a five-way title scrap he has far from given up hope of becoming champion again.

Drawing inspiration from the bitter experience he endured three years ago, he said: "It's getting more difficult, I'm fully aware of that.

"But in a situation like this I always look back at the 2007 season and what happened in those final two races.

"Kimi (Raikkonen) was 17 points behind, but he still managed to win the World Championship.

"I've learnt on more than one occasion the world championship isn't won until the very last gasp, so I've definitely not given up.

"I want to win again and I go to Korea believing we can do that.

"And who knows, if that happens and the other Championship contenders fail to score, then I'm right back in it."

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Five drivers still in the hunt

Fernando Alonso is refusing to write off the challenges of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in the Championship race.

The McLaren duo's hopes of winning the title suffered a big setback at the Japanese Grand Prix after pacesetter Mark Webber extended his lead over the two Brits to 28 and 31 points respectively.

With only three races left and the Red Bulls in imperious form, many pundits feel their chances of capturing silverware this season are all but over.

However, Alonso - who is 14 points behind Webber following his third place at Suzuka - insists five drivers remain in the race.

"I still think that the fight for the title is open for five drivers," he wrote in his Ferrari blog. "Too many times this year we've seen someone come back into the game after they'd seemed out of it - and that could easily happen again.

"Having said that, perhaps the only one who can afford a bad weekend is Webber: for all the others it would perhaps mean giving up any chance, especially the ones who are a bit behind."

Next on the F1 calendar is the inaugural Korean GP and Alonso hopes he will receive some support from team-mate Felipe Massa.

"The Korean Grand Prix could therefore start to be decisive for some - and for me it will be important also to be able to count on my team-mate Felipe. I know that he will be really hoping to make up for two negative results and he has all the capacities required to return to the podium.

"What's more, it will be very useful to work together to discover all the secrets of the new track so we can prepare our cars in the best way. In a moment like this every detail matters to achieve our goals."

The Spaniard admits Ferrari will need to go all out at the Yeongam circuit in a fortnight if they want move closer to Webber.

"In Korea we will have to attack because now we must close the gap to Webber," he added. "To lose any more ground would make the situation more complicated."

[MIKA27]

Horner praises Vettel's fightback

Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes Sebastian Vettel’s resurgence in the championship shows he has responded in “the best possible way” to the criticism he received after the Belgian Grand Prix.

German youngster Vettel moved up to joint second place and within 14 points of team-mate Mark Webber in the drivers’ standings after taking an impressive victory on Sunday in Japan, his third win of the season coming on the back of strong second and fourth place finishes in Singapore and Italy respectively.

Prior to last month’s Italian GP Vettel had fallen 31 points off the championship pace following the Belgian round when he crashed into title rival Jenson Button – an incident that saw him dubbed “a crash kid” by McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh.

But in the wake of his strong run of form since then, Horner says the 23-year-old has demonstrated his mental toughness.

“One of Sebastian’s strength of character is the self belief that he has,” he said.

“I don’t think he’s ever doubted for one moment that he’s out of this championship and he’s responded in the best possible way.”

Asked if Vettel had needed to string a run of consistent results together after the disappointment of Spa, Horner replied: “I think the points obviously speak for themselves. Seb had a less comfortable summer break than Mark probably did, but in the last few races he’s driven extremely well.

“Monza, Singapore and here [Japan] have all been strong events for him and he’s built a bit of momentum back into his campaign and got himself back into contention.”

With Webber having also having continued to perform strongly and steadily increase his overall points lead in recent races, Red Bull still has both its drivers in the thick of the fight for the drivers’ title heading into the final three rounds.

But rather than be a potential source of problems, Horner believes having two drivers going for the championship is a “luxury”.

“We are very fortunate within the team to have two very level headed and strong-willed drivers,” he added.

“That inevitably poses problems at times, but it’s a luxury problem to have.

“I’m delighted with the performance of the two drivers and obviously hope they continue performing at this level in the remaining three races."

He added: “Mark has been banging in podiums – he achieved it in Singapore, he achieved it in Spa, he achieved it here in Japan – and it’s going to be about consistency in the remaining three races between the title protagonists.”

[MIKA27]

Sauber deny Perez signing is a risk

Sauber's managing director Monisha Kaltenborn is confident the team have not taken a "risk" by signing Sergio Perez for next season.

Sauber will have a largely inexperienced line-up next year as Perez is teaming up with Kamui Kobayashi, one of this season's rookie drivers.

However, the team is adamant that signing Perez, the runner-up in the 2010 GP2 Championship, is not a risk.

"We don't see it as a risk. It's not a bigger risk than what we did taking Kamui Kobayashi," Kaltenborn told Autosport.

"We've been following him, of course, and achieving second position in GP2 is quite a good result so we are convinced that he has the talent.

"It's very difficult to judge the performance in GP2, but that's a feeling we have and I think that the team has a track record for not having a bad feeling for drivers who are not really that well known. So we don't think it's really a risk."

Kaltenborn also denied that Mexican driver Perez's signing had been influenced by Sauber's new deal with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's Telmex company.

"Not for the decision. We should clarify here that between Sergio and Telmex is simply a natural link," she said.

"He has been in Escuderia Telmex from a very early stage. It's a similar programme to what Red Bull has, it's just not so well known. It's not any different to that.

"They just belong together, you don't get one without the other, so that question never arose. There is a commercial side to it, but that's because they have a natural link and he has always been supported by them."

MIKA: I sure hope Peter Sauber knows what he is doing.

This kind of reminds me of what HRT are doing whereby they select their drivers based on who brings dollars to the team. Sauber do not really need to travel down that path as they have funding. Why remove Heidfeld who has already shown great results.

[MIKA27]

Jordan praises 'different' Schumacher

Eddie Jordan has finally offered some praise to Michael Schumacher, saying F1 the Schumi of old at the Japanese GP.

Jordan has been one of Schumacher's harshest critics this season, often lambasting the German for under-performing and questioning whether he should call it quits on his return at the end of this year's Championship.

However, the former team boss turned TV pundit, who gave Schumacher his big break back in 1991, finally changed his mind after a "big improvement" from the seven-time World Champ at last weekend's Japanese GP.

"We saw a different Schumacher in Japan," Jordan told Auto Motor und Sport.

"He couldn't have gone on being as bad as he was in Singapore. Compared with Singapore it was a big improvement.

"On Friday he looked good. In practice he was faster than (Nico) Rosberg, something we haven't seen too often.

"This was another Michael Schumacher we saw at Suzuka, where he has an impressive winning streak.

"He felt more comfortable. Suzuka is a brilliant drivers' circuit, and Michael is a brilliant driver. I think we saw something of his old self."

[MIKA27]

Horner: Red Bull will not back one driver

Christian Horner is adamant Red Bull will not favour one driver in the race for the World title despite concerns that the rivalry could hurt their chances.

With just three races remaining in this year's Championship, Red Bull are leading the Drivers' standings with Mark Webber on 220 points.

However, his team-mate Sebastian Vettel is also in the hunt, 14 points off the pace. Momentum, though, is with the German, who has taken points off his Australian team-mate is the last three races.

And with Vettel coming to the fore, Red Bull are adamant they will not force the 23-year-old to play second fiddle to Webber despite concerns that it could ultimately cost them the title.

"It's not correct, as we've always said, for us to favour one driver over the other," said Horner. "The team will support both drivers as equally as we can."

The team boss also insisted that both drivers are playing fair with one another as the two sides of the garage continue to work alongside each other instead of against each other.

"The way the drivers are working at the moment is fantastic. They are both working in a completely transparent and open way," he said.

"They are obviously competing for the biggest prize in motor sport and as a team that brings additional pressures with it, but as a team we are trying our best to support both drivers equally and both drivers are very much still in this Championship."

[MIKA27]

Putin confirms Russian F1 deal

Russia has secured a deal to host a Formula One race in Sochi from 2014 after signing an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with F1 supremo Ecclestone, who reportedly signed the deal with a Russian official on Thursday.

Russia has shown continued interest in hosting a grand prix since failing to reach an agreement for a race in Moscow eight years ago.

And now a deal has been finalised which sees the inaugural race at Sochi occur in the same year the Black Sea resort hosts the Winter Olympics.

"We have reached an agreement with the principal owner of Formula One that Sochi would host the Russian Grand Prix from 2014 to 2020," Putin said.

The initial contract is thought to be for six years, with the option to extend for another five.

Ecclestone added: "I sincerely hope that the Formula One is going to play a big part in what I can see happening in Sochi. I'm sure the circuit can be a super circuit. It's all the things we need and wanted, and we are very happy."

The race will add to the sport's expanding calendar, with a race in India scheduled for next year and a return to the USA confirmed for 2012.

The 2011 calendar will include 20 races and Ecclestone has recently stated that he would not be willing to increase the number of rounds, meaning existing events may come under threat in order to accommodate the new venues.

[MIKA27]

Phillips: Silverstone up there with the best

Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips believes he now has a circuit of which F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the sport can be proud.

Richards was speaking after providing the first glimpse of the new £27million pit and paddock complex that is currently six months in construction and is due to be completed by May 2 next year.

The highly-impressive futuristic-looking building is a staggering 350 metre long, contains 41 garages, three hospitality halls, 400- seat media centre, tiered lecture theatre and press conference room.

From a few years ago when Ecclestone once described Silverstone as "a world event masquerading as a country fair," the venue will soon be able to proclaim itself as amongst the very best in F1.

Even Phillips now concedes Ecclestone "maybe had a point" with such a remark, but has no doubts he will be bowled over by what he will see when he pays a visit before Christmas.

"He had a look around during the grand prix, and he has promised he will come up in the next few weeks and have another look," said Phillips.

"Since we negotiated the new contract he is extremely supportive as he was very pleased with the new circuit and what happened with the grand prix in the summer.

"He also thinks the new building is stunning, so he really is very much on side.

"We can be proud of what's happening here and hold our heads up, and that was important to him as well.

"We've moved on quite a lot. Silverstone is being brought into a more competitive age in terms of the global situation.

"With the new track, this facility and others we have planned, we are now starting to challenge the best motor-racing circuits in the world."

The new facility will be ready in plenty of time for next summer's British Grand Prix, a year after Silverstone unveiled a £10million revamp of the circuit itself.

It is all part of a grander plan that will include hotel, leisure and further business development opportunities across the estate.

As Phillips concedes, though, they need a business partner to help with the financing, which will more than likely be a major hotel chain.

A 400-bed complex will likely be attached to a hoped-for grandstand along the new start-finish straight stretching from Club to Abbey that could run to over 400 metres.

If planning permission is approved and they attract a partner, the earliest such a venture would be up and running would be 2013.

It is an enormous undertaking, with Phillips adding: "Financially we're fine at the moment. We've used a lot of our own money...we have used all of our own money actually.

"Up until July, that was the first time we started to borrow money so we are now gearing the business, which is something we hadn't done in the past.

"But we are fine doing that because the business is performing well and making a profit, so we're very happy with that.

"Moving onto the next phases, we won't be able to do it on our own. We would be naive to think that.

"We will need to partner with people to be able to do that, to get the big investment that is really needed.

"There are five international brands that would like to be here now, but we've not made a decision."

It is all a far cry to the summer of 2009 when Silverstone believed they had staged their last British Grand Prix after Donington Park had signed a deal with Ecclestone, only to fall by the wayside.

Even Phillips is amazed at how far they have come in such a short period of time.

"I did used to look at the drawings of the building and thought 'yeah, absolutely fantastic, but will it ever happen? I'm not so sure," said Phillips.

"But we have done it, it's there being built, and we've afforded it, and although we've a long way to go, it's really great to see we are moving forwards.

"The BRDC members are behind it as well. They think the new track is fantastic.

"From the old days when we used to debate things and they used to say 'oh, that used to be the old pig farm down there,' now they're saying 'isn't it beautiful'. It's just a different world."

[MIKA27]

Domenicali: Ferrari are behind Massa

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali insists the Scuderia are behind Felipe Massa following his recent Japanese GP trials.

Massa had a weekend to forget at Suzuka, qualifying outside the top ten for the second successive race. But while in Singapore it was his engine that let him down, in Japan it was just a lack of pace and a minor mistake on his part.

And unfortunately for Massa and Ferrari, who need the Brazilian to take points off Fernando Alonso's rivals in the title race, he didn't fare any better during Sunday's race, crashing out at the start.

His disappointing outing again raised doubts over whether Ferrari would honour Massa's 2011 contract, however, Domenicali insists the Scuderia are "totally" behind him.

"I think that at the moment it is important to keep him calm and concentrated," Domenicali told Autosport. "He knows that the team is totally behind him, there is no doubt about it.

"It is part of this game, it is part of this sport, part of this pressure from outside. But what we need to do is stay close to him, and he is very strong mentally.

"He is the first to show in the last races who he is, and what his real value is - which we know."

[MIKA27]

Virgin secures new sponsor for 2011

Virgin Racing have secured a long-term sponsorship deal with Swiss watch brand, Armin Strom.

The deal will begin in 2011 with the watchmaker becoming the official timing partner for the British team - creating several bespoke watches.

"We are delighted to welcome the Armin brand to Virgin Racing’s portfolio of partners," Graeme Lowdon, CEO of Virgin Racing said.

"Timing is everything in a fast-moving sport like ours where every hundredth of a second counts, so it is especially exciting that we will be working together to develop an exciting new Virgin Racing range for the brand.

"Whilst Armin Strom is a long-established marque in timekeeping with a fine heritage, and Virgin Racing is relatively new to the sport, there are many natural synergies in terms of our spirit of challenge and the unique approach our team takes to innovation and technology. We look forward to developing the product range and our relationship over the coming years."

Serge Michel, CEO of Armin Strom added: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Virgin Racing. Just like the team we are a young and dynamic brand, setting new standards of excellence using a high-tech approach in an industry mainly based on traditional craftsmanship. Like Virgin Racing, we are not afraid to go where no one has gone before."

Watchmakers have become synonymous with Formula One sponsorship, with various brands sponsoring teams.

[MIKA27]

Q&A with Sauber's Sergio Perez

Q. What was the purpose of your visit here in Hinwil?

Sergio Perez: "I came here to meet my future team and also to find out where I am going to live here. I want to be very close to the factory and to spend as much time as possible with them in my first season. I'm looking forward to having this experience and succeeding with the Sauber team. I think they're a great bunch of people; they received me very, very well, and I am really happy. I did quite a lot of work with the engineers as it is good to get to know each other. All in all it was a very nice experience."

Q. What was your impression of the factory?

SP: "It is a great factory, it is really huge. It seems that here you've got all the environment and resources which are needed to build a competitive Formula 1 car and to succeed. I hope everything goes well with preparations for the next season, and then we should have a good car."

Q. When will you be driving the Formula 1 car for the first time?

SP: "That will be in Abu Dhabi on November 17th. Wednesday right after my final GP2 race I will do one day and then we will see what comes next."

Q. How well do you know Kamui Kobayashi?

SP: "I know him a little from GP2 where we were both racing in 2009. I think he is a great driver, I rate him highly. He has also done some really impressive racing in Formula 1, so I think he will be a very good benchmark for me. We have to work together and develop the car in order to achieve the best possible results."

Q. What does the Formula 1 contract mean to you?

SP: "It is a dream come true. I started racing at the age of six and always pushed myself to make it into Formula 1. I had a very difficult time when going alone to Europe - to Germany actually – at the age of 15. It was hard but I took my chances. Now I'm looking forward to succeeding in Formula 1."

Q. What fascinates you about racing?

SP: "Competition. I love to compete – every single day. Not only in driving, also on the physical and mental side."

[Baldy]

Domenicali: Ferrari are behind Massa

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali insists the Scuderia are behind Felipe Massa following his recent Japanese GP trials.

Massa had a weekend to forget at Suzuka, qualifying outside the top ten for the second successive race. But while in Singapore it was his engine that let him down, in Japan it was just a lack of pace and a minor mistake on his part.

And unfortunately for Massa and Ferrari, who need the Brazilian to take points off Fernando Alonso's rivals in the title race, he didn't fare any better during Sunday's race, crashing out at the start.

His disappointing outing again raised doubts over whether Ferrari would honour Massa's 2011 contract, however, Domenicali insists the Scuderia are "totally" behind him.

"I think that at the moment it is important to keep him calm and concentrated," Domenicali told Autosport. "He knows that the team is totally behind him, there is no doubt about it.

"It is part of this game, it is part of this sport, part of this pressure from outside. But what we need to do is stay close to him, and he is very strong mentally.

"He is the first to show in the last races who he is, and what his real value is - which we know."

Of course Ferrari is going to say those things. The need him to get some points during the final 3 races.

[MIKA27]

Of course Ferrari is going to say those things. The need him to get some points during the final 3 races.

Welcome to the thread Baldy!

I completely agree, Ferrari have a habit of saying one thing but doing the opposite. I have a bad feeling that even though Massa has an extended contract for 2011, Ferrari may dump him at this seasons end. It's just a gut feeling....

In saying this, Ferrari need Massa now more than ever to hold up the pack, mainly Vettel and Webber if not win along side Alonso in the process.

Thanks for posting, look forward to your future input. .

[Baldy]

Welcome to the thread Baldy!

I completely agree, Ferrari have a habit of saying one thing but doing the opposite. I have a bad feeling that even though Massa has an extended contract for 2011, Ferrari may dump him at this seasons end. It's just a gut feeling....

In saying this, Ferrari need Massa now more than ever to hold up the pack, mainly Vettel and Webber if not win along side Alonso in the process.

Thanks for posting, look forward to your future input. .

Thanks for the warm welcom bro. I'm a huge F1 fan. Hard being an F1 fan in Western Canada as the event timing is usually between 2:00 am to 8:00 am here.

I'm with you, doubt Massa will be with Ferrari next. Me thinking maybe Kimi. Be an awesome 1-2 for Ferarri with Alonso and Kimi.

I'm an unashamed McClaren fanboy. Doesn't look too good for the boys this year. They've been struggling with the car all year.

[MIKA27]

I'm an unashamed McClaren fanboy. Doesn't look too good for the boys this year. They've been struggling with the car all year.

I used to be the biggest McLaren fan boy when the Mika and DC team were in action. I still have a soft spot for the team though and if I were going for anyone on that team, it would be for Button.

Saying that, I favor Mercedes GP, Renault and Force India teams however watching this sport in general is amazing. I feel for you bro in that the coverage may not favour all.

You obviously favor Kimi returning?

Would Ferrari have him back or would they prefer Kubica?

I really thought Kimi would return and head over to Renault however going by the press, he will not return to F1 with Renault.

Perhaps he's waiting for a place in Red Bull?

I have a feeling should Webber win the WDC, he may retire on a high note, however a smart man should stick it out as he could always win a back to back.

Thanks again for posting, you are most welcome here. Only 3 races remain for this season however I will continue this for 2011.

[MIKA27]

Teams debate grand prix weekend revamp

Although F1 teams are looking at ways to condense grand prix weekends, Christian Horner is confident the sport will not drop to a two-day event.

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) met at Suzuka last weekend where, as to be expected given that the weather forced qualifying to be postponed to race day, two-day outings were one of the topics up for debate.

The majority of the teams, though, were not in favour of shortening grands prix to just two days of action, although there were proposals for Fridays to be better utilised.

"I think it (two-day format) worked well in difficult conditions in Japan, but what could be looked at perhaps is to condense Friday," Horner told Autosport.

"Maybe we introduce scrutineering on a Friday and look at how we run on a Friday. I still, personally, prefer qualifying on a Saturday and race on Sunday.

"But with Fridays, there is more we can do with it, for sure. To have teams at races on Wednesdays does not make any sense. So perhaps if you bring scrutineering in for Friday, or perhaps give incentives for young drivers on Friday.

"They are all things that together with the commercial rights holder and the FIA we should look at."

[Baldy]

You obviously favor Kimi returning?

Would Ferrari have him back or would they prefer Kubica?

I really thought Kimi would return and head over to Renault however going by the press, he will not return to F1 with Renault.

Perhaps he's waiting for a place in Red Bull?

I have a feeling should Webber win the WDC, he may retire on a high note, however a smart man should stick it out as he could always win a back to back.

I think Kimi is dying to return to F1, the year off probably did him a world of good. Renault would have been a good fit but it's awkward at Renault. They really really want to do everything to keep Kubica there and is on the fence with Petrov. Petrov has sponsors ($$), especially now with Sochi being in the books. With Russia being included now, Petrov is almost guaranteed a spot.

The problem at Ferrari is the team orders. There's only 1 winner and 1 winner of the WDC. With Alonso there who do you find as a second driver? They need to find a second driver who's good but at the same time is willing to do what Barricello did. I don't think Kubica is willing to do this. I can't see Alonso and Kubica getting along all that well.

If either of Hamilton or Button can't win then go Webber. The future for Red Bull is Vettle and not Webber. So it's not inconceivable Webber is gone from Red Bull after this season and replaced by Kimi.

Should be interesting. Looking forward to the final 3 races.

[MIKA27]

Todt rules out African F1 grand prix

FIA President Jean Todt says Africa is unlikely to host a Formula One race in the near future.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone said in July that South Africa could host a grand prix within three years, but Todt believes it may have to wait a bit longer.

"At the moment it's only some rumours about some interest for some countries in Africa to organise a Formula One event but I don't see any opportunity in the next three to five years," Todt said.

However, Todt, speaking during a visit to Kenya, appeared more hopeful that the continent might be ready to host a round of the World Rally Championship again.

"Africa is a fantastic field to organise road racing," Todt said. "It could either be WRC or even the Cross Country.

"We are talking with promoters over the possibility to have long-stage rallies incorporated and we are looking at different opportunities to get the best solution from Africa, Europe, Asia and all over the world."

Kenya's Safari Rally was dropped from the WRC calendar in 2003 because organisers had failed to meet safety requirements.

Todt was invited to Kenya by the Kenya Motor Sports Federation, which is lobbying for the Safari Rally to be readmitted to the WRC.

The former Ferrari chief executive said he would like to see Kenyan road fatalities - which are some of the highest in the world - reduce.

[MIKA27]

Schumi confident 'everything will be fine'

Michael Schumacher is relishing the opportunity to race at a circuit, Korea, that is new to everyone on the Formula One grid.

Having sat out the past three seasons, Schumacher has already had to tackle two new venues this year, Valencia and Singapore, both of which saw the German finish outside the points.

However, next weekend he won't be the only driver having to learn a new circuit as Formula One is off to South Korea for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix.

And Schumacher is hoping that will go some way towards leveling the playing field.

"Finally this year we are going to a circuit which is not only new for me but for all of the drivers," said the Mercedes GP driver.

"Korea will be a very interesting country to see and even if the track has only just been finished in time, I am confident that everything will be fine.

"I am very much in favour of new races and I think it is a benefit for all of us in the sport. It should not be too complicated to learn the layout and we are used to adapting quickly to new circumstances."

As for results, Schumacher is hoping for another strong points-finishing having claimed sixth place at the previous race at Suzuka.

"We had quite a good race in Japan last weekend and are hoping that we can move forward again and put on a good show at the first race in Korea."

[MIKA27]

Massa: I'll give 110 percent

Felipe Massa has vowed to give 110 percent in the remaining three races as he bids to help Ferrari win the World title.

Although Massa is out of the running for this year's Drivers' Championship title, his team-mate Fernando Alonso is in a strong position to clinch his third crown.

The Spaniard is currently second in the standings, just 14 points behind Red Bull's Mark Webber thanks to a run of three podium finishes, two of which were race victories.

But to give Alonso the best chance of securing the World title, Ferrari need Massa to take points off the Spaniard's rivals. "I want a strong Massa who will shave points off the rivals," Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo urged ahead of last weekend's Japanese GP.

Massa, though, was unable to do just that, crashing out at the start of the Suzuka race, prompting more speculation about the Brazilian's future with Ferrari.

However, instead of lambasting him for the accident, which was his own doing, di Montezemolo handed Massa his vote of confident. "I'm sure that he will be the surprise of the last three races of the season," the Italian said. "After the bad day he will be desperately keen to react and we will do everything to give him the possibility to win."

The 29-year-old is now determined to prove his president is right to keep his faith in him.

"Even though I am going through a particularly difficult time right now with a lack of results in the last couple of races, I know I can count on the support of the team, who have always been behind me one hundred percent, especially in the difficult times," Massa told Ferrari's website.

"I was very pleased to read what our president Montezemolo said after the Japanese Grand Prix. Knowing he has faith in me is something I truly appreciate: he has an excellent understanding of the sport and he knows that you can sometimes go through tough times. The fact his support is always there is very important.

"My desire to do as well as possible for me and for the team is the same as ever and that has been my approach to the sport ever since I started in Formula 1.

"You have to maintain a positive approach, especially as the team is locked into a very tough fight with two goals in mind, even if the situation in the Constructors' Championship has become very difficult.

"Everyone must put in 110 percent effort in order to succeed and that is definitely what I'll be doing for the remaining weeks of the season."

Ferrari are third in the Constructors' Championship, 91 points behind Red Bull Racing.

MIKA: I'd really love to see Massa beat Alonso and get a podium in one of the last three races.