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2010 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Timetable

2010-07-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

The Hungaroring is a hard and twisty race track at which the drivers have to manage 14 slow speed curves over just one 4.3km lap. Combined with some of the shortest straights on the calendar, a maximum downforce package and a well balanced car are essential to achieve a competitive lap time.

THURSDAY
14:00 15:00	FORMULA ONE	TRACK FAMILIARISATION – SAFETY CAR
15:00	FORMULA ONE	PRESS CONFERENCE – PRESS ROOM
16:00	FORMULA ONE	TEAM MANAGERS’ MEETING
17:00	GP2	DRIVERS MEETING
17:30	GP3	DRIVERS’ MEETING
FRIDAY
08:50 09:15¹	FORMULA BMW	PRACTICE SESSION
09:20	FORMULA ONE	MEDICAL INSPECTION
09:30 09:45	FORMULA ONE	TRACK INSPECTION - MSTT
10:00 11:30¹	FORMULA ONE	FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
11:55 12:25¹	GP2	PRACTICE SESSION
12:40	PORSCHE MOBIL 1	DRIVERS MEETING
12:50 13:15¹	FORMULA BMW	QUALIFYING SESSION
13:15 13:45	FORMULA ONE	PADDOCK CLUB PIT LANE WALK
13:20	FORMULA ONE	MEDICAL INSPECTION
13:30 13:40	FORMULA ONE	TRACK INSPECTION
14:00 15:30	FORMULA ONE	SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
15:55 16:25	GP2	QUALIFYING SESSION
16:00 17:00²	FORMULA ONE	PRESS CONFERENCE – PRESS ROOM
16:50 17:20¹	GP3	PRACTICE SESSION
17:00	FORMULA ONE	DRIVERS MEETING
17.45 18:30¹	PORSCHE MOBIL 1	PRACTICE SESSION
SATURDAY
08:00 08:30	FORMULA ONE	TEAM PIT STOP PRACTICE
08:00 08:30	FORMULA ONE	PADDOCK CLUB PIT LANE WALK
08:45 09:15¹	GP3	QUALIFYING SESSION
*09:45 10:15²**	FORMULA BMW	FIRST RACE (13 LAPS OR 25 MINS)
10:30 10:45	FORMULA ONE	TRACK INSPECTION - MSTT
11:00 12:00¹	FORMULA ONE	THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
12:25 12:55	PORSCHE MOBIL 1	QUALIFYING SESSION
13:00 13:45	FORMULA ONE	PADDOCK CLUB PIT LANE WALK
13:20	FORMULA ONE	MEDICAL INSPECTION
13:30 13:40	FORMULA ONE	TRACK INSPECTION
14:00 15:00	FORMULA ONE	QUALIFYING SESSION
15:25	GP2	PIT LANE OPEN
15:30	GP2	PIT LANE CLOSED
*15:40 16:45²**	GP2	FIRST RACE (39 LAPS OR 60 MINS)
17:10	GP3	PIT LANE OPEN
17:15	GP3	PIT LANE CLOSED
*17:20 17:55²**	GP3	FIRST RACE (16 LAPS OR 30 MINS)
SUNDAY
08:00 08:10	FORMULA ONE	MARSHALLING SYSTEM TRACK TEST
08:15	FORMULA ONE	MEDICAL INSPECTION
*08:30 09:00²**	FORMULA BMW	SECOND RACE (13 LAPS OR 25 MINS)
09:15	GP3	PIT LANE OPEN
09:20	GP3	PIT LANE CLOSED
*09:25 10:00²**	GP3	SECOND RACE (16 LAPS OR 30 MINS)
10:20	GP2	PIT LANE OPEN
10:25	GP2	PIT LANE CLOSED
*10:35 11:25²**	GP2	SECOND RACE (28 LAPS OR 45 MINS)
11:00	FORMULA ONE	DRIVERS’ MEETING (IF NECESSARY)
11:45* 12:20²	PORSCHE MOBIL 1	RACE (14 LAPS OR 30 MINS)
12:25 13:15	FORMULA ONE	PADDOCK CLUB PIT LANE WALK
12:30	FORMULA ONE	DRIVERS TRACK PARADE
12:45 13:15²	FORMULA ONE	STARTING GRID PRESENTATION
13:00	FORMULA ONE	MEDICAL INSPECTION
13:10 13:20	FORMULA ONE	TRACK INSPECTION
13:30	FORMULA ONE	PIT LANE OPEN
13:45	FORMULA ONE	PIT LANE CLOSED GRID FORMATION
13:46	FORMULA ONE	NATIONAL ANTHEM
14:00* 16:00²	FORMULA ONE	GRAND PRIX (70 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
* These times refer to the start of the formation lap
¹ Fixed Time Session ² Approximate Finishing time
2010 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX TIMETABLE
Source:scribd.com

HRT have got problems - Bernie Ecclestone

2010-05-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Formula 1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone has assure to do everything he can to guarantee HRT makes it to the end of the season but has worry it might have to pull out. Hispania Racing Team was born from the ashes of the economically struggling Campos Meta team, presently four weeks before the start of the season. After presence the first five races it had showed to find its feet in Formula One - albeit six seconds off the pace - but Ecclestone says he still has worries.

"HRT have got problems," he told the Daily Telegraph. "I will sort it out. I'd like to see 12 teams finish the season because they have made the commitment to come in. We might lose one of them. But I'm doing my bit to make sure it doesn't happen."

Monaco Grand Prix Memorable Moments

2010-05-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

Monte Carlo Grand Prix - Circuit De Monaco “Memorable Moments”

1950 : As Juan Manual Fangio advanced a blind corner on lap two he noticed the crowd were not looking at him in the lead, but at something on the circuit ahead. He slowed right down and avoided a massive pileup that claimed many of the drivers behind him who were not so observant. The crash was started by a wave from the harbour that splashed onto the circuit.

1950 Winner
Juan Manuel Fangio
Team - Alfa Romeo
Laps - 100
Time:3:13:167

1965 : Graham Hill had an incident with a backmarker on lap 25 and lost the lead. He fought back through the order to claim a dominant victory, earning the nickname Mr Monaco along the way.

1965 Winner
Graham Hill
Team - BRM
Laps - 100
Time:2:37:396

1970 : Jack Brabham threw away victory in the most spectacular fashion by crashing into the wall on the very last corner of the race. Brabham had managed to avoid the barriers for almost two hours but made an awful mistake right before the finish line, handing Jochen Rindt the win.

1970 Winner
Jochen Rindt
Team - Lotus-Ford
Laps - 80
Time:1:54:366

1982 : The lead changed six times in the final four laps in one of the most exciting Grands Prix in F1 history. A late shower caught out most of the drivers in the dying stages, and Ricardo Patrese took victory despite having to bump start his car after a spin on the second last lap.

1982 Winner
Riccardo Patrese
Team - Brabham-Ford
Laps - 76
Time:1:54:112

1984 : Ayrton Senna stormed through the field in a Toleman during a wet race in his first season of F1. Senna was robbed of victory when the race was controversially stopped as he passed Alain Prost for the lead.

1984 Winner
Alain Prost
Team - McLaren-TAG
Laps - 31
Time:1:01:077

1992 : Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell staged an epic battle for the lead in the final laps of the race. Mansell was behind Senna and had a much faster car, but could not get past despite trying every trick in the book. Fans the world over held their breath as Senna won by just two tenths of a second.

1992 Winner
Ayrton Senna
Team - McLaren-Honda
Laps - 78
Time:1:50:593

1996 : Only three cars finished the Grand Prix making it the smallest field to complete a race in Formula One history. Olivier Panis took the win in rainy conditions.

1996 Winner
Olivier Panis
Team - Ligier-Mugen-Honda
Laps - 75
Time - 2:00:456

2010 MONACO GP PREVIEW - MERCEDES GP PETRONAS

2010-05-12T01:40:00.000-07:00

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the Formula One calendar and the sixth round of the 2010 World Championship takes place around the famous street circuit on Sunday 16 May. Mercedes-Benz engines have powered seven of the last 12 winning cars around the Monte Carlo streets, including the victors of the last three races.

NICO ROSBERG

"The Monaco Grand Prix is my home race and it’s always an enjoyable weekend. Formula One brings a real atmosphere to my home town and it’s very special to have all of my family and friends there to support me over the weekend. Living so close to the track is helpful too! After a rewarding first four races, Barcelona was disappointing, so we will hope to see an improvement for Monaco and we will work hard to understand our issues from last weekend. Monaco is a completely different circuit with its own unique challenges and characteristics so it will be interesting to see how the car goes there. I had a good race last year, qualifying and finishing in sixth place, so it would be nice to go a few places better this time."

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

"I have always liked to drive in Monaco and that’s why I am really looking forward to competing there this weekend. The Monaco Grand Prix certainly adds something very special to the Formula One calendar and driving through the streets of Monte Carlo is undoubtedly unique. We go there and hope that the characteristics of the street circuit suit our car better than in Spain last weekend. On the other hand, we should be careful to expect too much this time as we have seen in Barcelona that there is still a lot of work ahead of us. So, other than having achieved my best result so far this season, I have taken with me a lot of motivation to work even harder with our engineers to improve the car further."

ROSS BRAWN

"The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most challenging race weekends of the year but everyone revels in the special atmosphere and as engineers, we love the unique demands and the extra pressure that the street circuit generates. In addition to a car which is strong mechanically, you need good power and drivability, provided by our Mercedes-Benz engine, for the low-speed corners. Monaco requires a particular set-up and therefore whilst we will run our new aero package but we will revert to our previous specification suspension system to allow for the steering lock required around this unique circuit. The drivers play their role at Monaco perhaps more so than at any other track. Precision, consistency, speed and control are essential and with Michael and Nico, we are fortunate to have two drivers who excel here. Together with Mercedes-Benz, we achieved the dream result of a one-two finish last year, and whilst we are not at the pace of the frontrunners at the moment, at Monaco you just never know what can happen."

NORBERT HAUG

"The Grand Prix of Monaco is the most spectacular, most popular and most glamorous event on the race calendar. If teams and drivers could choose one race that they desperately want to win, then their choice would be Monaco. Mercedes-Benz has mostly found the unique street circuit in the Principality to be a place for great results. Starting with our first victory in 1998, we have won seven of the last 12 Grands Prix together with our partners, the last three being a hat-trick in 2007, 2008 and 2009. With our new team, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS, we currently do not belong in the absolute favourites for race victories. However the Monaco Grand Prix is known for its own rules and we will work fully concentrated on achieving a good result. With Michael and Nico, we have two drivers who both like this circuit and in my view, both belong among the fastest drivers on this special and demanding circuit."

Source:mercedes-gp.com

Niki Lauda: Schumacher will be back on form by Malaysian GP

2010-03-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Q: Niki, with everyone running low fuel this season qualifying should really show who is quickest. Were you surprised that it was Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull who were the pacemakers in Bahrain?

Niki Lauda: No, because to be surprised I would have had to have known who was the fastest. Everybody who thought they would be able to make a prediction after testing is an idiot. Nobody tested under similar conditions, so whoever made a statement before Saturday afternoon was at best a phony.

Q: Would you have guessed that McLaren and Mercedes would be off the pace on Saturday?

NL: It’s the same answer as before - how should I know? But what we have seen - Vettel on pole position and the Ferraris snapping at his heels, followed by Lewis (Hamilton) and Nico (Rosberg) - is something that we will very likely see a lot this year.

Q: How would you rate Michael Schumacher’s return?

NL: It was a perfect performance. You can hardly start any better. He ran very little over the winter, due to test restrictions, and got into a modified car he had never driven before, so it was simply impossible for him to clock a qualification lap at the push of a button. I’d suppose he needs about three races to get back up to the same level he was at. When you take all that into account, he did a superb qualification lap, even compared to Nico who was only three-tenths faster. My guess is that in Kuala Lumpur he will have regained that ability to switch on for a fast lap that every permanent driver has to have.

Q: What are your thoughts on the outcome of the Bahrain race?

NL: Ferrari delivered a perfect race. Their win was well deserved and they finished the race. You know that saying, ‘to finish first you first have to finish’. Lewis, Vettel and both Mercedes were very close, so it definitely looks like we are going to see a very tight championship. The question now will be about who can develop at the fastest rate.

Q: Jenson Button was a bit off the pace compared to his team mate Hamilton. Were you surprised?

NL: No, that was what I expected. Lewis knows the team, so it is not surprising that he can control Jenson.

Q: What is your advice for Sebastian Vettel? He wasn’t happy with fourth…

NL: He should keep at the level he was at in Bahrain. He is the fastest car/driver combination at the moment, and even if he didn’t win he can head to Australia quite satisfied. Up until his car troubles he had dominated the race very clearly. Nobody behind him had the slightest chance of catching up.

Q: Fernando Alonso was always one of the favourites for the title, but his odds must be even better now after he won in Bahrain…

NL: He won the race because Sebastian had problems with his car. So let’s wait until Australia to see if he was just sailing due to somebody else’s bad luck, or if he can do it by himself.

Q: Was a pecking order established in Bahrain?

NL: Yes, for the moment it is Red Bull as the leader of the pack, followed by Ferrari, then McLaren and Mercedes are almost even.

Q: What did you think about the performances of the new teams?

NL: The only benefit of the new teams is that the grid looks more impressive on TV and you have the benefit of beating more cars when you win. I am not the right person to ask as I hardly look at them - I am only interested in the top teams. The gap suggests that somebody should pull them up and get them to develop faster.

Source:formula1.com

Exclusive Interview with McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh

2010-01-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

With their car launch set for Friday and its on-track debut a week away, McLaren’s Woking factory will no doubt be a hive of activity as the British team complete last-minute preparations. Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, however, has found time to answer some pressing questions about their 2010 campaign. Will they miss the input from BMW Sauber-bound tester Pedro de la Rosa? Will fellow world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button get along? Is the MP4-25 a winning car? Whitmarsh reveals all…

Q: How is progress going with the 2010 car? What are your plans for testing?

Martin Whitmarsh: Clearly, the absence of testing in January has eased the car-build schedule to a certain degree, but we’re still working as hard as ever at the McLaren Technology Centre. We’ll be launching the car at Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury on January 29, and we’ll be running one MP4-25 at the first test at Valencia on February 1. Obviously, Pedro (de la Rosa)’s decision to sign with Sauber will have a slight impact on our test programme, but we’ll overcome it. We’re very happy that Pedro has got a race drive for 2010 - he’s been a great asset to our team and, above all, a very dear friend to all of us. As has become customary with most teams, the first tests will be about establishing a baseline of performance, allowing the engineers and mechanics to learn and understand the new car and the impact of the new regulations. And, as in previous years, we’ll introduce a series of upgrades at one of the later tests, and that will be the car we take to the opening race.

Q: What is the initial feedback from your data and simulation work about the performance of MP4-25?

MW: During the development of MP4-25, we set ourselves some very high targets - and I’m enormously pleased with the way our designers and engineers have tackled the approach to the new car. The new regulations have obviously had an effect on the car’s appearance, with the much higher-capacity fuel tank looking more striking than before. But we’re pleased with a number of solutions we’ve been able to bring to the car, and I think we’re cautiously optimistic that, after the experience of last year and, in particular, the momentum we gathered in the second half of the season, we’ll have a competitive car for both Jenson and Lewis. Is it a championship contender? It’s still far too early to say. Will it win races? We certainly hope so. Am I proud of the effort we’ve currently invested in the car? Most definitely.

Q: You have the previous two world champions on board. How easy will it be manage Hamilton and Button, and ensure that both work for the benefit of the team?

MW: I’m relatively relaxed about the driver partnership. Knowing Lewis as I do, and having got to know more of Jenson during the limited time I’ve spent with him during his busy visits to MTC (McLaren Technology Centre), I feel relatively confident that our driver line-up this year will be a very stable and mutually productive one. But neither became world champion simply by driving at the limit on the racetrack; they’ve each been responsible for moulding and developing an organisation around them, and in exploiting the skills of their respective engineers to the best of their abilities. And it’s that sort of approach that we’ll be looking to encourage from both drivers in order to give us a performance advantage. We’ve also got an extremely experienced and capable race team, and we feel that will play absolutely to our drivers’ strengths. Equally, they know that Formula One in 2010 will be more competitive than ever before. Collaboration, understanding and the shared development of the car will be at the forefront of everybody’s mind. And given the testing limitations and the minimal track time at the weekend, it’s the only way to get ahead. Both Jenson and Lewis fully understand that. That’s why I’m so thrilled with our driver partnership - I really think it will play to the strengths of modern Formula One. Of course, we wouldn’t be going racing if we couldn’t let our drivers ‘off the leash’, but our absolute priority is to develop a front-running car.

Q: The main regulation change this year is the banning of refuelling. What impact will this have on the racing? Will it be better, or will it result in more processional races?

MW: Inevitably, when you make a change, there are pros and cons. Regarding the pros, it arguably makes qualifying purer because the fastest car/driver combination will be setting the fastest times, and the public can understand that. Secondly, in the race itself, overtaking was often being planned and implemented to occur as a consequence of strategy, and therefore happening in the pit lane and not the circuit. In the absence of that effect, drivers will have a greater incentive to overtake. There have been occasions in the past where a driver hasn’t had that incentive because he knows he will be running longer and can get past the car ahead strategically through the pit stops. Additionally, the fact that drivers will qualify on low-fuel, and then the next time they drive the car in anger into the first corner will be after a standing start with cold tyres and cold brakes and 160 kg of fuel. That will be very challenging for them, not just in terms of getting round that first corner, but in terms of how they look after their tyres and how the balance of the car will alter as a consequence of that. And there will be drivers who are able to deal with those changes better than others. Those are all the positives. On the negative side, it’s possible that if all of the above is managed equally well by every driver, then we’ll have lost one of the strategic campaign interests that the more avid fans enjoyed in the sport. Hopefully the former points will outweigh the latter.

Source:Formula1.com

Ferrari aim thrashing Michael Schumacher

2010-01-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali says Michael Schumacher's return to Formula 1 has fired up the Italian outfit and new recruit Fernando Alonso.

Schumacher, who won five world titles with Ferrari, is returning in 2010 with Mercedes, who won both titles in 2009 under their former guise, Brawn.

But Domencali insists Ferrari have him in their sights, saying: "Michael's return is inner motivation to our team.

"Fernando is the only driver on track to defeat Michael and he wants to win."

Schumacher's renewed rivalry with Alonso, who beat him to the 2005 and 2006 championships when driving for Renault, is one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups of the new season, alongside 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton's first competitive meeting with Schumacher.

Relationships between the seven-time world champion and Alonso soured during their championship battle in 2006.

One flashpoint was when Schumacher deliberately crashed his car at slow speed to stop the Spaniard snatching pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Schumacher has never admitted to deliberately blocking the track but he was found guilty by race stewards and put to the back of the grid.

It was Alonso's turn to be furious at the Italian Grand Prix later that year when he was demoted five places for allegedly holding up Schumacher's team-mate Felipe Massa in qualifying.

Alonso has now arrived at Ferrari as Massa's team-mate for 2010 and he donned the famous red kit for the first time this week at the team's annual winter sports event at Italian ski resort Madonna di Campiglio.

Domenicali is relishing the battles ahead between his new Ferrari line-up and former employee Schumacher.

"Michael's return is further stimulus within our set-up," added Domenicali. "It has also triggered new interest and that is good for racing.

"It is right not to forget that what has happened has left its mark but now we have to turn the page.

"We have to show Michael that this is a strong team. We want to win.

"Fernando and Felipe are able to beat him even if Michael is still very strong."

Schumacher, who spent 11 years with Ferrari, was primed to step in for Massa after the Brazilian was forced to spend the rest of the 2009 season on the sidelines after his crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However, an aggravated neck injury quashed Schumacher's hopes and now Massa, recuperated after fracturing his skull, is ready to return to racing.

Domenicali welcomed the new partnership between Massa and Alonso, who has replaced F1 exile Kimi Raikkonen, and believes it signals a new era for the Italian marque.

"We have two Latin drivers and it's a gush of fresh air which brings a sparkling, new environment," stated Domenicali.

"Fernando and Felipe are one of the strongest pairings amongst the teams."

The Ferrari boss also downplayed concerns about the balance of power within the team.

Massa emerged as the de factor number one driver in 2008, when he went on to lose the title to Hamilton by a single point.

However, Alonso is known to prefer to be top dog and openly accused McLaren of favouring his team-mate Hamilton during his tumultuous 2007 season with the Woking-based team.

Domenicali will be charged with balancing the power between Massa and Alonso at Ferrari but he is adamant internal rivalry will not be an issue.

"The rules are clear here," added Domenicali. "The drivers appreciate that.

"It was the same with Felipe and Kimi - one was stronger one year and then the other in the next and respect develops.

"People try to generate competition within our team but we have to be more rational inside."

Ferrari's countdown to the 2010 season begins with the launch of their car on 28 January at their Maranello base.

The team stopped developing their 2009 challenger, which was off the pace at the start of the season, last summer to focus on 2010 but Domenicali remains cautious about making predictions before the car has hit the track.

"I believe the prospects are good," said Domenicali. "Despite last season, which was difficult for a lot of reasons, we have consolidated for the future.

"I don't think we'll see how competitive we will be by the first test in February but maybe by the last test.

"Winning immediately would be better but let's stay calm if it doesn't happen."

Source:news.bbc.co.uk

Jaime Alguersuari in suspense deal with Toro Rosso

2009-12-29T17:28:00.001-08:00

Jaime Alguersuari will retain his Toro Rosso driving seat for the 2010 season has emerged. When the 19-year-old rookie's name was gone off the short-term entry list for 2010 season, his management team spoken surprise and said the juvenile Spaniard was under-going official Red Bull training.

Its next emerged that Toro Rosso may be keeping off confirming Alguersuari's deal for next 2010 season as in talks with possible Spanish sponsors.The Marca sports newspaper now claims that Alguersuari, having been incorporated in the Faenza-based team's calendar of pre-season work, is in suspense his contract is established in early January.

López not agree to USF1 deal

2009-11-22T00:46:00.000-08:00

José María López has said that he came to an agreement with USF1 on Friday and that, once the necessary sponsorship budget is in place, he will be racing for the team in 2010. Having visited the outfit's Charlotte facility, the Argentine must now find a number of sponsors for the new team.
López is a former GP2 and Renault F1 test driver. According to USF1's Peter Windsor, Sporting Director for the team, his FIA Superlicense shouldn't be an issue. "I don't think his license will be a problem with the many miles he has covered as Renault test driver," Windsor explained.

"We would like to sign a contract as soon as possible. It is important for both team and driver to sign a driver as early as possible but, as long as we have not signed a deal, it would be inappropriate to say more."

Timo Glock to Join Manor Grand Prix in 2010

2009-11-22T00:34:00.000-08:00

Starting from next season, former Toyota driver Timo Glock will be pursuing his Formula 1 career with new Manor Grand Prix F1 team. The racing experience behind this ambitious British team has been extremely successful in various junior series in recent years, responsible for developing great talents such as Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton in their early careers.

“It might seem like a brave step,” explained Glock. “But there are many good reasons to join this team. For me as a driver, for example, it was important that I was assured I would be involved in the development of the team and the car. The car is being designed by Nick Wirth. That was another argument in the team’s favour as far as I was concerned,” added Glock.

“Nick Wirth has a lot of race car design experience and a very good reputation. You only need to look at the Acura ARX-02a to see what he and his team can do. That prototype was immediately successful in the American Le Mans Series despite not spending a single hour in a wind tunnel. It is a sensational car!”

Many Formula 1 fans will remember Wirth as a leading aerodynamics engineer at the Benetton team, and he later designed a complete car for the first time with Simtek. The Brit learned his trade while working alongside star designer Adrian Newey at March and Leyton House. “When Nick and his colleagues John Booth and Graeme Lowdon talked to me, we were on the same wavelength straight away. They really wanted to have me on board to help develop the car,” said Glock.

“With a year left on the Toyota contract, we originally had other plans and were aiming to really compete for the world championship with the team. Now, for obvious reasons, that is not going to happen,” continued the German. “Ahead of me now is a great challenge. And I’m really looking forward to it!”

It is not only the technical side of things that has convinced Timo to join Manor. He explained: “The personal side is also extremely important to me. The atmosphere in a private British team like this is always terrific. I saw that during my time with iSport International in GP2. There we worked very closely together to achieve shared success. Manor is starting out with a similar working style which is why I have actively decided to join this team. We will all be pulling in the same direction and encouraging each other in order to drive the programme forward.”

Timo’s friend and manager Hans-Bernd Kamps looked at all the options available to Timo in 2010 and concluded: “I think it’s great that Timo is taking on this challenge with Manor Grand Prix. I know the team will benefit from his commitment, determination and speed.”

Kimi Raikkonen will not race in the 2010 Formula One

2009-11-22T00:27:00.000-08:00

"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."

Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:

"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."

It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.

It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.

Schumacher Never drive with us - Mercedes GP

2009-11-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Mercedes has played down speculation in the international media that Michael Schumacher will be driving for the newly-branded outfit next year. The 7-time World Champion, who drove for the German marque in sports cars before making his Formula 1
debut in 1991, had been linked with a full-time seat ahead of the 2010 season.

With Brawn GP becoming Mercedes GP and World Champion Jenson Button moving to McLaren, Schumacher has been tipped by several F1 insiders as the ideal team-mate to compatriot Nico Rosberg, who is also yet to be signed up for next year. Despite admitting that the possibility would be 'a dream', however, the silver arrows have revealed that a link-up with Schumacher will not happen.

"It's clear that there will always be speculation as long as one cockpit is still free," a spokesman for Mercedes, as quoted by Reuters, said on Saturday, "and some speculations are nothing but dreams which will not come true."

A notable believer of a Schumacher deal was former team owner and BBC television pundit Eddie Jordan who, like F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, believed that a deal may already be in place. With the smart money firmly on Rosberg, though, fellow countryman Nick Heidfeld is seemingly a likely candidate for the second seat.

Brawn: Mercedes deal gives us a strong future

2009-11-21T10:00:00.001-08:00

Ross Brawn admits that he has no concerns about selling the F1 team that carries his name to Mercedes, with the deal set to secure the long-term future of the Brackley-based squad.

Having taken over the team from Honda when the Japanese manufacturer quit the sport, Brawn oversaw a stunning campaign that ended with double championship glory before the announcement earlier this week that Mercedes was to take a controlling stake in the team.

While that deal will mean the Brawn GP name disappears after just a single year, Brawn said he had no regrets about the decision which would secure the future of the team and work for those employees who remained following the Honda withdrawal.

"As I said to the staff, it's sad to see the team only in existence for a year, but what a year!" he said in an interview with the Independent. "We've had a wonderful time, and in many ways it was a difficult decision, but now we've joined the most prestigious brand in the automotive world."

"At some stage as a team owner you have to pass it on. I'm almost 55 and I'm not planning to do a Bernie [Ecclestone]. It was tempting to try to repeat this year's success but it would have been an awful risk. We were already working with Mercedes' engine group and all the stars aligned. It was an opportunity to give the team a very strong future."

Brawn admitted that team ownership had been the last thing on his mind when he and Nick Fry were called into a meeting with Honda bosses twelve months ago and said he didn't regret the decision taken as it prevented him from possibly exiting F1 on a low.

"We were very apologetically informed that the [Honda] board had decided they couldn't continue in Formula One," he said. "Nick and I spent the rest of the day working out how we could turn out the lights and shut the doors in the fairest possible way to all our people – over 800 in the UK alone. We had no notion that we might continue, but that was a subject we broached once we'd recovered from the initial shock. Could we keep it going? It didn't look very sensible, but at the same time, we hadn't really understood the huge costs of closing a company.

"Formula One showed a benevolent side that isn't always apparent to people, but the great thing about motor racing is that it's a club, and although most of the time you're trying to beat each other by whatever means possible, in dire times the club comes together very well.

"Of course, it's possible that our poor performance in 2008 confirmed to Honda that they shouldn't continue, which was frustrating, because I didn't want to finish my Formula One career at the end of 2008, the worst championship I'd had for 15 years. And I knew we had a race-winning car for 2009."

Brawn meanwhile is also reported by the German publication Auto Motor und Sport to have said that he is in 'no rush' to formalise a driver line-up for the 2010 season following the departure of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, stating that it would be 'stupid' to make a quick decision and that a slot with Mercedes was the 'most attractive seat on the market'.

Jose Maria Lopez signed a deal with USF1

2009-11-21T09:58:00.001-08:00

Argentine driver lopez signed a deal with USF1 and providing he is able to an $8m Sponsership package. Starting off in the formula Renault 2000 Eurocup in 2001, aged 18 lopez progressed to the formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003,having won the Italian Formula Renault in 2002.
In 2004 he is contested F300 With CMS in addiction to the V6 Eurocup and enven an outing in the FIA GT Chmpionship with the DAMS lamborghini team. 2005 he is drive with the DAMS in GP2 and swiched to supernova for 200, And he is raced American le Mans serias in 2007 before returing to argentina to take part TC 2000, 2008 he is won country touring championship.

Michael Schumacher comeback into Formula One

2009-11-21T02:11:00.000-08:00

Mercedes are in secret talks with Michael Schumacher in an attempt to lure him into an astonishing Formula One comeback.

It has emerged that Schumacher was sounded out by team principal Ross Brawn in Abu Dhabi three weeks ago — underlining why Jenson Button, who left for McLaren on Wednesday, felt driven out by the putative all-German line-up of Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

It is understood that Brawn and Schumacher have remained in regular contact since, and that Schumacher could even agree terms in the next week.
Michael Schumacher

Comeback king? Schumacher

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who witnessed the initial talks, went public with information confirmed by other sources, by saying: ‘The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen. It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

‘At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari.

‘But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1.’

Schumacher was tempted to replace the injured Felipe Massa last season, only to withdraw because of a serious neck complaint. His willingness to return, for next to no money, was a gauge of how much he is missing his old life.

Yesterday his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said: ‘I am aware of the speculation about the “possibilities” of Michael returning.

What I can say is that Michael enjoys his life and, therefore, I see those “possibilities” being unlikely at the moment.’

Unlikely — for the moment — but far from impossible. After all, 24 hours before he agreed to stand in for Massa, his manager ruled out a comeback ‘200 per cent’.

Joining Mercedes holds obvious attractions for all concerned. At a personal level, Schumacher was guided to all of his titles by Brawn during their associations at Benetton and Ferrari, and they remain close.

On a professional level, Schumacher was once part of the Mercedes young driver programme. The carmakers then tried to lure him back when they held a stake in McLaren. It is a sign of their affection for him as a German icon and a global brand. They know he would conclusively offset the flak they received for ‘losing’ Button, the world champion, earlier this week.

He would additionally bring practical benefits, not least as a role model and technical guru for Rosberg, 24, who is firmly believed to have signed for Mercedes already.

There are drawbacks, though. Schumacher might also have some explaining to do to his wife, Corinna, and their two young children.

Whereas filling in for Massa would only have been a short-term arrangement, Mercedes want to engage him for a full season. It takes a bigger commitment all round.

So, can his family save him from himself after three years in retirement?

Probably not. Would his neck even be mended enough? Possibly not, but he might be prepared to gamble on his health for another crack at his life-defining thrill.

As for money, it is unlikely to be a block. Sure, Mercedes say they are sticking to a strict budget but, with Schumacher having £500million in the bank, cash hardly counts.

At Mercedes Grand Prix yesterday, nobody would confirm that Schumacher is on their agenda. They do not wish to be rash at this delicate stage. Ditto in Stuttgart, home of the German marque, where silence prevailed.

It was left to Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial supremo, to say: ‘It would be fabulous for the sport.’ You can bet he is bringing his vast influence to bear behind the scenes to make it happen. He knows the accounts would hardly be hurt by having the weltmeister back at the wheel.

For this observer, though, it is a bitter-sweet prospect. Who cannot be titillated by Schumacher up against McLaren’s British golden pairing of Button and Lewis Hamilton? And won’t it be fun to see him try for an eighth title?

But he will be 41 by the time the season starts. His neck is dicky. The car is far from a guaranteed magic carpet. Some of us would prefer to remember him at his peak, when he was peerless.

Neel Jani chance to join Force India seat 2010

2009-11-20T16:22:00.001-08:00

Neel Jani will test a Force India at the young driver test at Jerez early next month.

Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell said that Karun Chandhok could test alongside Jani, although the Indian driver's appearance is yet to be confirmed.

It emerged earlier this week that DTM driver Paul di Resta, under contract to Mercedes-Benz's motorsport programme, will also test with Force India at Jerez.

Jani is a former test driver with Sauber and Toro Rosso, and has raced in GP2, A1GP, Champ Car and Le Mans.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Michael Schumacher Move to Mercedes F1

2009-11-20T10:46:00.001-08:00

Record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher will sensationally return to the grid with Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010 – that is the expert view of BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, the man who first gave the German his break in the top flight almost two decades ago.

Following the announcement that recently-crowned 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button has jumped ship from Brawn GP – now Mercedes Grand Prix, following the Stuttgart manufacturer's majority buy-in – to partner compatriot and title-winning predecessor Lewis Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes from next season onwards, the Brackley-based outfit has two seats to fill.

With 2007 world champion and Ferrari evictee Kimi Raikkonen having ruled himself out of the running [see separate story – click here], it has been widely surmised that Mercedes' target is to employ two homegrown stars in an all-German 'super team' to rival McLaren's all-British line-up. Ex-Williams F1 ace Nico Rosberg is all-but certain to be unveiled as one of the two, and experienced BMW-Sauber refugee Nick Heidfeld had been mentioned in connection with the second cockpit, as had Robert Kubica should Renault pull the plug...until Schumacher's name entered the frame.

Whilst speculation linking the 40-year-old to the team has been largely scorned – and downplayed by his official spokeswoman Sabine Kehm, who nonetheless conceded that it would be wise to 'never say never' [see separate story – click here] – it is undeniable that Schumacher's failed comeback in place of injured former team-mate Felipe Massa earlier this year has re-whetted his appetite for the challenge, and Jordan reckons the lure of the competition is one that has proven too strong for the 91-time grand prix-winner to resist.

“The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen,” opined Jordan – who sold his own eponymously-named Jordan Grand Prix operation, with whom Schumacher made his celebrated F1 debut in the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, to Midland in 2005 – in an interview with the BBC.

“It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari – but I understand he was due to meet Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released, and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1. I believe that is being planned at the moment.

“I also believe Ross [Brawn – Mercedes Grand Prix team principal] and Michael have spoken in recent times, and that Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross – it's a mouth-watering idea. Schumacher was bitterly disappointed he didn't get to come back to replace Massa – he's keen to race again, and this is a dream for both parties.

“Michael and Mercedes go way back – he drove for their sportscar team before he raced in F1, and they were responsible for getting him into F1. They paid the then Jordan team to give him his debut in 1991. He has won all these titles but never driven in F1 for Mercedes.”

Mercedes is understood to be eager to secure Schumacher's services on a one-year deal only, prior to prising young hot-shot Sebastian Vettel – a driver who some suggest could go on to at least partially emulate his countryman's spectacular achievements in years to come – away from Red Bull Racing for 2011, when there will still be a season left to run on the 22-year-old's current contract.

he move would also make sense in that Schumacher and Brawn collaborated together extremely successfully both at Benetton and Ferrari – with the Englishman brilliantly helping to engineer the Kerpen native to all seven of his drivers' world crowns – and it was with Mercedes that the latter first shot to prominence in sportscar circles before making his name in F1.

What's more, Schumacher's neck injury – caused by a motorcycling fall at Cartagena in Spain back in February, and the sole stumbling block that dashed his hopes of taking Massa's place in the summer – is expected to be healed by the end of the year, making it entirely feasible that the most successful driver in the history of the sport could return.

Though he recently renewed his contract with Ferrari, Schumacher's ambassadorial duties are now focussed predominantly on road car development and testing, with no longer any active role inside the Scuderia's F1 team.

Source:totalf1.com

Williams sells team share to Toto Wolff

2009-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Williams has announced that a minority interest of the Grove team has been purchased by an investment company headed by Austrian businessman and racer Christian 'Toto' Wolff, who also becomes a board member.

Although the exact percentage of the first ever shares sold by Williams has not been revealed, team co-owners Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head confirmed the deal with the 37-year-old Vienna man, who speaks five languages and is currently living in Switzerland.

Having studied at the Vienna University of Economics between 1990 and 1994, Wolff's latest business move came by setting up Marchsixteen Investments in 2004. He also has motorsport experiences dating back to 1992 and three years ago was runner-up in the Austrian Rally Championship as well as being winner of the Dubai 24 hour endurance event.

USF1 considering 12 drivers

2009-11-20T05:57:00.000-08:00

The USF1 team is assessing 12 drivers ahead of its first season in Formula 1 next year. The Cosworth-powered organisation, run by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, is yet to announce any part of its line-up although management is confident that, contrary to some reports, much progress is being made.

With the highly experienced Anderson and Windsor at the helm, the former is confident that - contrary to some reports - the outfit is not behind its fellow debutant teams as 2010 approaches. "Through the work in our offices and with the help of our technical partners, the car has improved a lot on the virtual map over the last twelve months," American Team Principal Anderson told France's AUTOhebdo.

"With this virtual design, we can test and make sure we're on the right track in terms of our structural frame and are now moving closer to the construction phase; we're on schedule to complete out first chassis by November and the car will be completed in time for testing in February."

Driver-wise, several names have been mentioned over the course of 2009, not least former F1 hotshot Alexander Wurz and 1997 Champion Jacques Villeneuve. Due to a lack of options in Europe and the difficulties to obtain an FIA Superlicence, however, Windsor has already cast doubts over whether an American driver will be recruited for the team's first campaign.

"The most important thing for us is to work with drivers who have experience in F1, simply because the number of test days has been decreased," Anderson continued, referring to the new limited testing regulations of this year. "Pedro de la Rosa is on our list - his F1 experience would be a major asset for us; our list has about twelve names on it - all are excellent drivers who could bring us a lot and choosing two or three of them will not be easy."

Former Super Aguri driver Franck Montagny is also believed to be in touch as well as Argentina's José María López who, after testing for Renault in 2006, visited the team's factory on Thursday.

Source:totalf1.com

Brawn to 'rigorously' enforce Button's McLaren ban

2009-11-20T02:14:00.000-08:00

Brawn GP will not allow World Champion Jenson Button to be involved in any team activities for McLaren before the end of the year.

Brawn chief executive Nick Fry said they would view any such activities "very dimly", while also hinting he felt Button, who sealed his move to McLaren earlier this week, had been disloyal.

"Jenson will not be doing anything at all for McLaren until the end of this calendar year," said Fry in The Guardian. "And if he does, we will be looking on it very dimly.

"He didn't have any obligations to us in 2010, but there are issues with regard to the [McLaren contract] signing process on which we are in discussion with him at the moment.

"There are other constraints on what Jenson can do between now and the end of the year which we will be rigorously enforcing."

The stance, which will apply to activities both on and off the track, is unusual among Formula One teams, who generally allow departing drivers to join up with their new team after the final race of the season.

Jenson Button: McLaren will be tight competition in 2010 season

2009-11-20T02:04:00.000-08:00

Jenson Button has claimed that McLaren's 2010 pairing will 'be tough to beat' and expects former team boss Ross Brawn to understand his reasons for quitting the Brackley team to join one of its biggest rivals.

Speaking to Reuters while promoting a new book reviewing his championship-winning 2009 campaign, Button revealed that he had spoken to Brawn on Wednesday morning in a bid to clear the air following the fall-out from his decision to join his predecessor as world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at McLaren for 2010.

"It's always disappointing to go your separate ways when you have been so close to someone who has really helped you to win a title," he said, "but I think he understood my reasons behind it and we will stay friends, I hope.

"When I jumped into the Brawn car in March and realised we had a monster, it was a special feeling for the whole team after what we'd been through. I'm not sure if that emotion will ever be there again."

Deflecting further accusations that he had chosen to switch sides in order to achieve the financial reward for his title success that he had been demanding at Brawn, Button again insisted that he was going to McLaren for the challenge of pitting himself against Hamilton as well as trying to pursue a second F1 crown. That test, he claimed, was something that had stirred him even before last week's much-publicised visit to Woking, where the finer points of a deal are believed to have been cemented.

"I had feelings that I wanted to be fighting there alongside Lewis before that meeting, and it wasn't that day at the factory that clinched it for me," Button maintained, "It was at another time and place. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I knew it was a possible option and it made me very excited. It definitely came from the heart, that decision to move to McLaren and to be fighting with Lewis Hamilton in the same car."

The word 'challenge' featured strongly in Button's interview, as he reiterated questions that he first raised after celebrating his title with a run to third place in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month.

"It was a very special feeling [to know] that I had achieved what I set out to achieve in F1, but I immediately thought 'where do I go from here?'," he continued, "I've been very comfortable within [Brawn] and [the McLaren move] is taking me outside of my comfort zone. But that's what excites me. It's going to be a challenge going to a team where Lewis has been for three years and where he's won the world championship, but that's why I am doing it.

"I want to challenge myself, I want to challenge Lewis and that is so exciting for me. That's the reason why I am going, I'm not going because it's going to be easy, I'm going because it's going to be tough, but it is a challenge I am definitely up for."

The Briton also reacted to those who questioned his decision to pit himself against Hamilton in a team where the former GP2 champion has made himself at home and has the full backing of all involved by claiming that he expected to be able to fight his countryman all the way. The 2010 McLaren pairing is the first to feature two British world champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark teamed up at Lotus in 1968.

"You can say 'isn't winning a second championship a big enough challenge?' - and it is - but I wanted something else," he claimed, "You should have two competitive drivers and they should be fighting it out between them. A team needs two drivers to be quick, to be competitive, to work and both drivers should always be given equal opportunities. Why should one driver have the help of another? That's just not the way it should be in F1. I want to race against one of the best drivers in the world. He is going to try and beat me, [and] I will try and beat him. That's the way it is.

"Lewis is an exceptional talent, so it's not going to be easy for me - or, hopefully, for him - but we've started thinking about 2010 and how we can work together. Together, we'll be a tough team to beat."

Source:totalf1.com

Michael Schumacher held preliminary talks with Mercedes GP

2009-11-20T01:59:00.000-08:00

Michael Schumacher has reportedly held 'preliminary talks' with Mercedes GP that could see him make a comeback next season.

The seven-time World Champion was set for a brief return with Ferrari during this year's Championship before a neck injury put paid to his plans. But that doesn't mean he's out for good.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, 'Schumacher has been sounded out about a sensational return to Formula One next season' with Mercedes Grand Prix.

The newspaper claims that given 'Mercedes takeover of Brawn GP and World Champion Jenson Button's shock switch to McLaren, the possibility of a German dream team with Nico Rosberg is emerging.

'The associations would line up beautifully. Schumacher won all his World titles under the guidance of Ross Brawn at both Benetton and Ferrari, and Brawn will continue in the role of team principal at the newly minted Mercedes team.'

The deal, which would net Schumacher the same salary that Button turned down at Brawn GP in favour of McLaren, would finally see the German teaming up with Mercedes, who were in the past unsuccessful in their bids to lure him away from Ferrari.

'Talks are understood to be at an early stage,' claims the Telegraph.

source:totalf1.com

Jarno Trulli denied contract signed new Lotus F1 team in 2010

2009-11-20T01:57:00.001-08:00

Jarno Trulli has denied suggestions he is already signed to race with the new Lotus F1 team in 2010.

Lotus boss Tony Fernandes revealed recently that one driver has now inked a contract, amid rumours a Trulli announcement is being held off until after he drives a Toyota at this weekend's Fuji Speedway Motor Sport Festival.

But as the Italian tested a Sprint Cup NASCAR in Florida on Wednesday, the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Trulli, 35, said he "has not yet signed with the (Lotus
) team".

Kimi Raikkonen Set to Out of Formula 1 2010 season

2009-11-19T14:27:00.001-08:00

Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson had this to say of the situation:

"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."

Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:

"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."

It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.

It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.

Ferrari selected jules Bianchi to test driver

2009-11-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

Rising French star Jules Bianchi is make his Formula 1 testing debut with Ferrari next month.

The 20-year-old will get two days of running with the legendary team during the young driver tests at Jerez on 1-3 December.

Bianchi is managed by Nicolas Todt - the mentor of Felipe Massa and son of former Ferrari boss Jean Todt - and is the grandson of former sportscar star Mauro Bianchi and grandnephew of 1960s F1 racer Lucien Bianchi.

He has made a big impression in his three seasons of car racing so far, winning the French Formula Renault title in 2007, taking third place in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the first attempt a year later, and then strolling to this season's Euro F3 championship.

Bianchi will now graduate to the crack ART team's GP2 arm and contest the full 2010 season, when he will hope to emulate Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg by winning the championship for ART as a rookie.

After Bianchi's two days of testing, Ferrari will hand its car to the top three finishers in this year's Italian F3 Championship.

Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli, and Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez will share the F60 for the final day of running at Jerez.

This is the second successive year that Ferrari has offered tests to the Italian F3 standouts.

The first such session last season brought young Italian Mirko Bortolotti to the world's attention, as his stunning pace - quicker than the F2008 had lapped Fiorano all year - helped earned him Red Bull patronage for a Formula 2 campaign.