Formula 1 Rumours

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he contemplated quitting Formula 1 after misleading race officials at last year's Melbourne Grand Prix.
Sunday Telegraph

Hamilton has said that winning this year's world championship, ahead of three other world champions, would be more valuable than his 2008 triumph.
Marca

Mercedes manager Norbert Haug has played down his team's chances of making the podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix but predicted they will improve as the season goes on.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has warned that new teams on the grid may pose a danger to the rest of the field if they struggle to match the pace of the established outfits.
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull's Mark Webber has said that he is not losing any sleep over the pace of team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
The Guardian

Red Bull mechanics have been sent to train at the Bisham Abbey facilities used by England's rugby and football teams in a bid to improve their pit-stop times. They are down to 1.8 seconds for a four-wheel change.
Daily Mirror

Whiting will now inspect the MP4-25's rear wing, which has been the target of a complaint from Red Bull, when the teams arrive for the season's opening race in Bahrain.
Autosport.com

Fernando Alonso: Ferrari F10 is my best car

Double world champion Fernando Alonso has hailed the new Ferrari F10 as the best car he has ever driven.

The Spaniard, who joined the Scuderia at the end of last season, spent Friday and Saturday putting the car through its paces at Jerez.

Alonso was 1.5 seconds slower than McLaren in last week's Jerez's test, but he explained that Ferrari were yet to show their true potential.

"This is the best car I've ever had," said the 28-year-old, who won the world title in 2005 and 2006 with Renault.

"Red Bull, McLaren and Renault have been very quick and have shown their cards, while we are still hiding ours."

World champion Jenson Button clocked the fastest time in Jerez, while Alonso was quickest in Valencia.

Alonso was respectively second and sixth quickest overall on his days in the cockpit but nevertheless put in some impressive times during his long-distance runs as Ferrari focused on race simulations.

And the 28-year-old former Minardi, Renault and McLaren driver reckons the car performs better than any other he has driven at a similar stage of development.

"There are no reasons to be pessimistic," the double World Champion told the Spanish media. "As of today, this is the best car I've ever had.

The final test takes place at Barcelona next week before the season-opening race in Bahrain on 14 March.

Formula One rumours

Lotus F1 are joining the multi-team test in Jerez this week and their Malaysian test driver Fairuz Fauzy will take the wheel on Wednesday's opening day.

Michael Schumacher says he may have to take steps to protect his privacy and "close myself up a bit" as he returns to racing with Mercedes.

World champion Jenson Button reveals his weekend training schedule, which included a 10k run.

Italian constructor Dallara says the production of its 2010 F1 car, commissioned by cash-strapped Spanish team Campos Meta F1, is on schedule but that "factors outside our control are slowing the process down".

French tyre manufacturer Michelin has revealed it is in talks with F1's governing body the FIA about making a return to the sport as a supplier with Bridgestone due to end its spell as sole supplier in 2010.

After two rounds of testing, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso believes this season's pecking order won't take shape until the opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Formula 1 teams are bracing themselves for another spell of wet weather in Jerez this week after a proposal to switch to a sunnier venue for the third winter test fell through.

Lotus F1 owner Tony Fernandes, who also owns Air Asia, says plans to relocate from Norfolk to a spot close to Malaysia's Sepang circuit have been put on hold.

Damon Hill, the president of Silverstone's owners, has derided the circuit's £5million redesign as a "frustrating compromise" that risks "destroying the essence of what brought fans to Formula 1 in the first place".

The new Formula 1 points system and other changes for 2010 have been rubber-stamped after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) published the definitive regulations - among the changes are the prohibition of automated jacks and a slight relaxation of the testing rules if a team has to replace a driver mid-season.

The FIA has confirmed there are no plans to publish the starting weights of cars this year, meaning fans will not get an instant glimpse as to which engines are the most fuel-efficient.

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap at Jerez

Lewis Hamilton produced the fastest lap of the rain-hit second winter test on the final day in Jerez.

Force India driver Adrian Sutil finished in second place, with the team reporting that "Adrian seems pretty happy. Balance consistent and time looks okay."

Michael Schumacher's Mercedes, Felipe Massa of Ferrari and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel all stopped on the track but resumed later with no issues.

The seven-time World Champion completed only 11 laps in the morning session as he waited for the track, which was rather wet in the opening hour or so, to dry out. After lunch he ventured out but it wasn't long before he brought the session to a halt as his MGP W01 came to a stop out on track.

Schumacher's red flag was one of three for the day, the other two belonging to Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa, who finished sixth and seventh respectively.

Pedro de la Rosa, di Grassi and Alguersuari completed the timesheets.

The 10 teams will stay in Jerez for the third test which starts on Wednesday.

The new Lotus team will join them after launching their 2010 car on Friday, which means only US F1 and Campos Meta, of this season's four new entrants, have yet to show their hand.

Unofficial Times
1. L. Hamilton McLaren MP4-25 1:19.583 113 laps
2. A. Sutil Force India VJM-03 1:20.180 +0.597 84 laps
3. R. Barrichello Williams FW32 1:20.341 +0.758 90 laps
4. R. Kubica Renault R30 1:20.358 +0.775 85 laps
5. M. Schumacher Mercedes GP W01 1:20.613 +1.030 84 laps
6. S. Vettel Red Bull Racing RB6 1:21.203 +1.620 90 laps
7. F. Massa Ferrari F10 1:21.485 +1.902 160 laps
8. P. de la Rosa Sauber C29 1:22.134 +2.551 105 laps
9. L. Di Grassi Virgin Racing VR-01 1:22.912 +3.329 63 laps
10. J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso STR5 1:24.072 +4.489 98 laps

Formula 1 winter test in pictures

The weather forecast is for more rain, so Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, last year's world championship runner-up, is keen to get his first miles in the 2010 car under his belt


Early on Friday morning, Toro Rosso take advantage of the brief dry conditions to set another quick time - but this time it's Jaime Alguersuari at the top of the lists after the Spaniard takes over from Sebastien Buemi


The word in the paddock is that both McLaren and Ferrari look in good shape for 2010 - Lewis Hamilton leads Felipe Massa as they both go out early on Friday after taking over their cars from their team-mates


Despite the rain, though, there are still things to be learnt - especially for those lacking experience in F1. Renault's Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov takes the opportunity to try out his new mount in wet conditions


There are still damp patches on the track at the start of the second day of testing, but the sun is out and Jenson Button wastes no time in taking advantage of some dry running in his McLaren


Michael Schumacher takes over the Mercedes from team-mate Nico Rosberg but by the end of the morning is still a second off the time set by the younger man


Mark Webber was positive about the new Red Bull after the first day, and continues his work on Thursday, although for the second day in succession the car stops out on the track, causing the session to be red-flagged


After a frustrating day in the rain on Wednesday, Fernando Alonso makes the most of the dry running on Thursday with a very long run - the Spaniard completes almost 50 laps, about two-thirds of a race distance


Williams's new driver Nico Hulkenberg, the highly rated GP2 champion, is busy putting the miles on the new FW32, and is up at the sharp end of the timesheets


Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi gives his team's new car its first dry running alongside rival outfits - the former Jordan team missed last week's opening test in Valencia


Michael Schumacher rushes back to the Mercedes garage after a break in testing and, in the afternoon, sets about doing a long run to analyse the car's performance with a heavy fuel load


Winter testing always gives the photographers the opportunity to exploit unusual light conditions, as in this dramatic shot of Jenson Button leading Robert Kubica out of the pits


Following on from Sauber's good form in Valencia, Japan's Kamui Kobayashi went on a late charge to snatch top spot for the Swiss team in the dying minutes of the session


Before testing gets under way, Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel unveil the eagerly anticipated new RB6


Red Bull's superstar designer Adrian Newey is his usual cagey self as he fields questions from the media eager to know the secrets behind the new car


Webber then takes the car out on to the track and completes about 40 laps before bringing the session to a temporary halt by stopping out on the track, positioning his helmet so prying eyes cannot see the diffuser


Fernando Alonso is the focus of attention as he starts work on the first of his two days at Jerez, with team-mate Felipe Massa taking over from Friday


But with rain falling soon after the start of the day's running, the double world champion is not able to repeat his feat from the first test of setting the fastest time of all


Like Ferrari and most of the other teams, McLaren are splitting the work equally between their two drivers - Jenson Button is running on Wednesday and Thursday before handing over to Lewis Hamilton


Nico Rosberg makes the most of the brief window of dry weather to set the fastest time of the day in his Mercedes, which Michael Schumacher will drive on Thursday


Force India arrived in Jerez fresh from giving their car its initial shakedown test at Silverstone - this week is their first chance to see how their car compares with its rivals


Virgin Racing are the first of the four 2010 debutants to join multi-team testing but Timo Glock is faced with wet conditions for his exploratory laps


But those conclusions will have to wait as the wet weather put paid to any meaningful evaluation and the teams concentrate on assessing their cars' behaviour on the two types of wet tyres

Ferrari send a warning

Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time as Ferrari send out a warning to their rivals at the Valencia Formula 1 test as Jenson Button admits to a "tough day".

Making his first appearance in Ferrari's F10, double title winner Alonso delighted an estimated crowd of 36,000 fans, took over from Felipe Massa and set a best time of one minute 11.470 seconds - more than half a second clear of the field.

Pedro de la Rosa's Sauber was second, ahead of Michael Schumacher's Mercedes, which was 0.968secs off the pace.

McLaren's Jenson Button ended the day 1.481secs slower than Alonso.

Debuting for McLaren, defending champion Button could only manage fifth quickest of seven runners after struggling with the seat fitting on his new MP4-25.

Button said it had been a "tough day", adding: "It would have been nice to get more testing done.

"I've been doing a lot of work making sure I'm comfortable in the car. I wasn't quite where I wanted to be. I was quite high in the car and uncomfortable.

"I had to change a lot within the car. I fit well now and feel comfortable with my head in the car now."

Schumacher was third fastest on both his days' running - Monday and Wednesday - with Nico Rosberg fourth quickest on Tuesday.

The seven-time world champion said: "I'm thinking we will be competitive, but whether this is a winning car straight away or not, that's another story.

"For me that's not so important - it's a long season. We need to be there and taking points from the beginning.

"I wouldn't expect to be winning right from the beginning. It wasn't something that I was aiming for and expecting to be the case. But we need to be strong enough on development."

Ferrari were fastest on all three days - with Massa setting the pace on Monday and Tuesday before handing over to Alonso for the final day.

Times:
1 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m11.470 127 laps
2 Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber 1m12.094 81
3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 1m12.438 82
4 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m12.576 97
5 Jenson Button McLaren Mercedes 1m12.951 82
6 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m13.097 75
7 Nico Hulkenberg Williams 1m13.669 126

Formula One make changes to the points system

Formula One is set to make last-minute changes to the points system for the 2010 season to give winners a greater advantage.

Under a new "race to win" proposal by the Formula One commission, the winner will get 25 points, second get 18 points and third get 15, the international motorsport federation FIA said on Tuesday.

The points format, due to be submitted to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for final approval within the next 48 hours, will be 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

The commission, comprising Formula One teams and major stakeholders, have also agreed to changes to tyre rules for the 2010 season as well as a ban on double diffusers from 2011.

The points system had already been altered for 2010 so that the top 10, rather than the top eight finishers, are in the points.

With the number of teams growing from 10 to 13, the FIA World Motorsport Council in December had scrapped the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 system and instead approved a scale of 25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1.

Proposed tyre rule changes will mean the number of dry weather tyres sets allocated per team will be reduced from 14 to 11.

The top 10 cars in the third and final phase of qualifying must start the race on the same set of tyres, while the rest will be able to use new tyres. This will “introduce a further element of strategy,” FIA said.

For 2011, the controversial double diffusers, which disperse the air flow under the car and thus improve downforce, will be banned.

The permitted height of the main diffuser for this year was also reduced from 175 millimetres to 125mm. Formula One was last season embroiled in a row over the diffusers with several teams protesting that three rivals - eventual champions Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota - had gained an unfair speed advantage over their interpretation of the rules.

Although new regulations ahead of the 2009 season had limited the size of the diffusers the three teams had designed the rear bodywork to act effectively as part of the diffuser, thus increasing its size.

Massa delighted with new Ferrari

Ferrari's Felipe Massa is optimistic about his chances in 2010 after setting fastest time on the first day of official winter testing in Valencia.

Massa, who missed the second half of last season after suffering a fractured skull in a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix, was pleased with the new Ferrari.

"It has more grip than the 2009 car," he said. "When you have more grip you also have much more fun driving.

"I ran some 100 laps but I could have gone for 200. No physical problems."

Massa was on the pace all day, setting the fastest time in the morning and afternoon sessions.

He also proved his fitness by completing 102 laps of the Valencia track - 16 laps more than any other driver present.

During his 32 laps in the morning he worked down to a best of one minute 13.088 seconds, 0.159secs faster than Pedro de la Rosa in the new BMW Sauber C29.

De la Rosa for a time took top spot during the afternoon, but in the closing moments Massa grabbed it back from the Spaniard with a lap of 1min 12.574secs.

De la Rosa ended the day second-fastest on 1min 12.784sec.

"It went beyond expectations," said Massa. "From what we have seen we are going in the right direction, but of course we know there is still a lot of work to do.

"You cannot judge the performance on the first day, you only have a feeling and the feeling is very positive."

This was not Massa's first run in an F1 car since his accident - he has driven a 2007 Ferrari at Fiorano and Mugello and a 2008 version at Barcelona in recent weeks - but it did mark his return to contemporary F1.

And this year's cars are much longer because of the bigger fuel tanks required because of the ban on mid-race refuelling.

"When you look in the rear view mirrors and you realise how far away the rear wheels are compared to what they used to be," said Massa.

"We have to be careful when we overtake another car not to pull back too sharply."

Massa's new team-mate Fernando Alonso will take over on Tuesday and Wednesday to complete the driving duties for Ferrari to conclude the three-day test.

Formula 1 new cars first time testing

Formula 1 teams preparations for the new season have begun in earnest on Monday as the new cars hit the track for the first time in testing.

Six new cars are running at the Valencia track in Spain at the start of a three-day test.

Three of the sport's big four teams have their new cars on track - McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari - along with Williams, Renault and Sauber.

The team's new challenger, which will be raced by Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, features the 'Silver Arrow' livery that the team unveiled at Mercedes-Benz's museum in Stuttgart last week.

The design features an unusual version of the 'V-nose' trend started by Red Bull last season - the Mercedes' nose being extremely slim and also having a dip in the middle.

Meanwhile, Jaime Alguersuari has called on Formula One to extend its testing restrictions in order for young drivers to gain more experience.

At the moment, teams are restricted to 15,000 kilometres of running per year - plus four days of straight line work - although circuit testing is banned during the season.

Also on track are McLaren test driver Gary Paffett, Sauber's Pedro de la Rosa, Robert Kubica in his Renault, Rubens Barrichello for Williams and Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi.

None of the four completely new teams are attending the test, with Virgin Racing due to unveil their new car online on Wednesday and Lotus launching theirs on February 12.

Spanish-based Campos Meta have yet to announce a driver to partner Bruno Senna while the North Carolina-based USF1 team plan to carry out their first tests in Alabama.

Red Bull, runners-up to Mercedes - then Brawn - GP last year, are also missing the opening test to give themselves more time to develop their car as are Force India.

Vitaly Petrov become first Russian in Formula One

Vitaly Petrov will this season become the first Russian to compete in Formula One after being confirmed as Renault's second driver.

The 25-year-old from Vyborg was unveiled by the team, along with their new challenger - the R30, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia on Sunday.

Petrov, has signed a one-year contract to partner Robert Kubica with an option for a further two years.

Petrov finished as runner-up behind new Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg in the 2009 GP2 Series, which is seen as F1's feeder category, but he will be relying heavily on the experience of his new team-mate Kubica.

The Pole, who made his debut with BMW Sauber in 2006, is regarded as one of F1's brightest talents and was signed by Renault as a replacement for their double world champion Fernando Alonso, who is now at Ferrari.

His father Aleksander is providing full financial support, which has been confirmed as seven per cent of Renault's budget - estimated at £13million.

"I'm really happy. It's brilliant, what I've waited for for a long time," said a delighted Petrov.

"A couple of days ago the team made their decision, and I signed a contract this morning, so I am very happy. Have you seen my face?

"With this news there's been a big explosion in Russia, on TV and in the newspapers, and people have been calling, asking me about it, and I've had to switch off my phone.

"I now need to concentrate on my job because this is something new to me, and I hope it will be good.

"But the people in Russia, they must wake up to what has happened here because we are in F1 without any sponsorship and any help.

"My father has given me the money to be here. It's just him, my manager and my father's friends. No-one else. But now people will see us in Formula One and hopefully it will change things."

Formula 1 News

Nico Rosberg says he is pleased to be Michael Schumacher's team-mate at Mercedes in 2010.

"I am beside the reference in F1. You couldn't dream of more," he told L'Equipe, adding: "I have the assurance we will have equal equipment... All the attention will be on him and I will have the time to concentrate on my work. And when I win in Bahrain, people will not be concerned about the number on my car, but the driver who is in it."

Nick Heidfeld will be Mercedes' test and reserve driver in 2010 and the former BMW Sauber, Jordan and Prost man will be unveiled in the role as the team's livery launch in Stuttgart on Monday, his manager has said.

Argentine Jose Maria Lopez was confirmed as a driver for the new US F1 team on Friday and will be publicly unveiled on Monday, his spokesman Miguel Mattos said.

The countdown to one of the most eagerly awaited Formula 1 seasons in living memory begins in earnest this coming week - from the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart to Ferrari's factory in Maranello to Vodafone's UK headquarters in Newbury, the biggest teams will be rolling out their 2010 machines and the best drivers pontificating on their chances of success.

The warning is issued with a smile but the intent is deadly serious: Jenson Button has vowed he will be an even better driver now he has the words 'world champion' attached to his name.

Button is hoping a winning start in new Formula One season

World Champion Jenson Button is hoping that a winning start to the new Formula One season will enable him to follow the trend of recent years and set up a successful title defence.

The Englishman will head to Bahrain with the knowledge that the driver to win the first race of the season has gone on to win the World Championship eight times in the last decade.

Despite the fact that no team has yet to test its 2010 car, and that he therefore has no idea how new team McLaren will perform, Button is still targeting the top step of the podium at Sakhir on March 14.

"I want to get straight into it to get the best result I can with the new car, because over the last few years the driver who has won the first race has gone on to win the Championship," he told The Sun.

"You can get some really big points in the first races when other people are making mistakes or are not ready for every scenario.

"There's a lot of work to do before we even think of stepping into the car. That's what I am going to do now so I am 100 per cent ready when we get to Bahrain. I don't want any excuses."

Button's decision to swap the 2009 Championship-winning Brawn GP team for McLaren has surprised many, who fear he will struggle to match new team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The 2008 World Champion has been supported in his career by McLaren since he was a youngster and has assumed a dominant position at the team since making his debut three years ago.

Button, though, has insisted he would not have agreed to join McLaren if the team had not guaranteed him a level playing field.

"I wouldn't have signed if I didn't feel I had equal footing with Lewis," he said. "I feel I have that 100 per cent, and it's great.

"When you've won the World Championship you don't expect to move into a team and be number two or not get the same equipment.

"So I'm really happy with the way things are going. I'm going to be spending some time with Lewis over the next few days.

"Hopefully we can chew the fat and discuss where we go from here because it needs to be a big team effort and we really have to pull together. Lewis knows that."

Button expects plenty of competition in what promises to be the most competitive and intriguing season in many a year, not least from the driver who replaces him at Brawn - now Mercedes - GP, Michael Schumacher.

"If Ross (Brawn) didn't pick his own driver I think everyone in his team would be disappointed," Button said.

"He should be congratulated on bringing Michael back. Michael has achieved more than any other driver in F1, so having him in the sport while we're racing for the Championship will be great.

"Michael is going to be a really tough competitor but he won't have it all his own way. None of us will. It's going to be an epic Formula One season with such a competitive field of top teams and drivers.

"Will I retain my title? That's the aim."

De la Rosa signed by Sauber for 2010 season

Sauber have named Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa as their second driver for the 2010 Formula One season.

The 38-year-old, who has spent the last seven years as a reserve and test driver for McLaren and has driven in 71 grand prix, will partner Kamui Kobayashi at the Swiss outfit.

The appointment of the Spanish driver silenced rumours that Italian Giancarlo Fisichella was set to fill the vacant drive at Peter Sauber's team.

"I always firmly believed I would be given another chance as a team driver," said de la Rosa.

"Since the number of test drives were radically reduced, this was what I was working towards.

"I'm really excited about the season with Peter Sauber's team, which has been a solid fixture in Formula 1 ever since 1993."

The Spaniard, who has not started a grand prix for three years since Brazil in 2006, began his F1 career with Arrows before moving to Jaguar and then McLaren at the end of the 2002 season, initially as a test and back-up driver.

However De la Rosa started nine races for McLaren, replacing Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who missed the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix due to injury before leaving the team halfway through the following season.

Team principal Peter Sauber believes his outfit will benefit from the experience brought by the F1 veteran.

"Pedro has spent many years working for a top team at the highest technical level," said Sauber.

"We as a team stand to gain from his experience, and the same goes for young Kamui.

"The combination of a seasoned racer and an up-and-coming young driver has repeatedly proved a very fruitful one. I don't expect either of them to disappoint in 2010."

F1 legend Michael Schumacher back behind the wheel

Michael Schumacher was back 'on full alert' as he prepared for his Formula One return, even if bad weather put a dampener on his progress.

The seven-times F1 world champion has been allowed to assist the GP2 Series in their development of a car planned from 2011.

That saw Schumacher back on track at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, with the German completing 52 laps, albeit in predominantly wet conditions that ultimately forced a halt to the day's running.

Nevertheless, Schumacher was happy with his day's work as he closes in on a comeback after three years in retirement.

'Today was good, especially because after a long time I could drive again in a car that came close to a current Formula One car,' said the 41-year-old on his personal website.

'Despite the weather not being what we all would have liked all my senses were nevertheless on full alert. This alone was worth it.

'Unfortunately, it was always just too wet to go out with slicks. I tried them twice, but had to go back to the box (pits) immediately.

'But still, I am gaining a lot from being here because even if you cannot reach F1 level in terms of g-forces, you are still able to practice communication with the engineers.

'I felt comfortable out on the track from the very beginning, and naturally I'd like to thank our team and the GP2 Series very much for the opportunity to drive.'
Schumacher will spend another two days behind the wheel, with his drive today defended by Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug.

FIA to appeal against overturn Briatore's F1 ban

Briatore last week celebrated the decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance, which reversed his suspension from motor sport, saying his his "dignity and freedom" had been restored.

New FIA president Jean Todt, however, believes the world governing body has a case against the 59-year-old Italian, who was banned for orchesttrating a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix involving Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr.

A statement from the FIA said: "The president of the FIA has consulted the FIA Senate and the FIA's lawyers about the decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris of 5 January.

"It was unanimously agreed that an appeal would be prepared.

"In his election campaign last summer, FIA president Jean Todt and his team announced new measures for constructive change, including a disciplinary procedure, would be introduced. Work on this is well advanced.

"Once in place, this will address the issues in the Court's judgement. Nonetheless, an appeal is merited.

"While the appeal is under way, the World Motor Sport Council's decision of 21 September 2009 remains in full effect.

"However, in view of the uncertainty this may create for drivers who may be affected by this decision, the FIA president and FIA Senate have decided that, pending the outcome of the FIA's appeal, superlicences will continue to be issued to qualifying drivers in the usual way.

"The FIA president, the FIA Senate, the World Motor Sport Council, and the FIA's member clubs from all countries will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the continuing integrity and safety of the sport."

Flavio Briatore to take time over F1 return

Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore said it would take time for wounds to heal after having his life ban from Formula One overturned.

The flamboyant Italian (pictured with wife Elisabetta Gregoraci) was banned in September for a plot to rig the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix by staging a deliberate crash.

A French court ruled on Tuesday that the punishment was illegally imposed by the sport's governing body, the FIA.

"I am very happy for me and my family because I have endured some very difficult months. The verdict has given me back my dignity and freedom that were taken away from me in a very arbitrary way," Briatore, soon to be a father, told RAI TV.

"My attention is on my family then we'll see (about coming back to the sport). It will take a bit of time because the pain I felt in recent months was very deep."

Briatore, who won championships with Benetton and Renault in a career spanning more than two decades, thanked Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo for his support and again slammed former FIA head Max Mosley.

The Briton was FIA president when the life sentence was handed down and clashed with Briatore throughout last year over changes to F1.

Asked about the return of his former protege Michael Schumacher to the sport, Briatore said: "In a difficult year where everything was manipulated by Mosley, that's the only good news."

Briatore, a multi-millionaire businessman who had also sought damages of a million euros (£899,757) as well as demanding the sentence be lifted, was awarded 15,000 euros (£13,497) in compensation by the Paris court.

The FIA's lawyer Jean-Francois Prat told Reuters the FIA would "very likely" appeal the decision to overturn the life ban. He declined to make any further comment.

Formula One review for 2009

Greatest race of 2009: Brazilian Grand Prix

Oh, so many. This year saw some excellent races, from the dramatic downpour in Malaysia to Mark Webber overcoming a drive-thru penalty to win in Germany - but Brazil was the ultimate stand-out.

Set up on the preceding day, when a storm hit qualifying, the enticing grid had Rubens Barrichello (the only driver who could catch Brawn team-mate Jenson Button for the title) on pole and Button down in 14th. Webber lined up second in the Red Bull with team-mate Sebastian Vettel 16th while Lewis Hamilton was only just off the back. The mixed-up field made for drama and, as Webber eased to a comfortable victory, Robert Kubica climbed from eighth to second, Hamilton fought through to third and Button won the title with a battling drive to fifth.

Greatest move of 2009: Button in Brazil

Formula One tried to improve overtaking this season with new rules, including the KERS power boost, but in Brazil all Button needed was the strength of commitment to make the pass of the season.

Sure, turn one at Interlagos is ready-made for overtaking and Button was competing against cars not as good as his, but the stakes were high and three moves showed he had the stomach for a fight when he needed it most. His passes on Romain Grosjean and Kazuki Nakajima impressed, but the dramatic lunge on Kamui Kobayashi's Toyota was the ultimate. He took several laps to close in and eventually set up the move from the all-important turn 14 right to the late, late braking commitment as the pair sped past the cameras into turn one. One race later in Abu Dhabi, though, Kobayashi took his revenge in a similarly impressive move.

Person of the year: Ross Brawn

When some would have spent the winter wondering how to lay off Honda's hundreds of staff, Brawn kept his head down and his team working away to complete a title winning car and secure the team a solid future.

The first outing of the BGP001 showed just why Brawn had tried so hard to save the team. The underpowered Honda engine made way for a Mercedes, and a well-designed chassis, complete with loophole double diffuser, was a force to be reckoned with. Sure, they had to hang on tight at the end, but six wins from the first seven races made it their title and, more importantly, secured major investment from Mercedes. Job done.

Surprise of the year: McLaren

This could have gone to Force India for their Spa performance, but as McLaren provided two surprises they take the title - first for the terrible start and second for the glorious comeback.

Just months after Hamilton had won the 2008 world title, he hit the track in a new car that was an immediate and absolute disaster. It was a shock for everyone that the team had dropped the ball so badly, and their new machine was so off the pace it was knocked out of the Q1 session several times. Six months later, though, some hard work and the maximum use of plentiful resources brought them to a second surprise, when Hamilton was quick enough to take victory in Hungary. Given the way they started the season, it was incredible to see the team return to the front in the second half of the year.

Villain of the year: Max Mosley

A dangerous choice, but ultimately FIA president Mosley (now replaced) played a major part in the continued political wrangling throughout the 2009 season and truly threatened to tear the sport apart.

Mosley, of course, was not entirely to blame - the manufacturers were in no mood to back down in any of the long-running arguments - but his efforts to introduce a budget cap when no teams other than the back-of-the-grid minnows wanted one did almost cause the sport to self destruct.

Mosley also played more than a walk-on part in the selection of Jean Todt as his successor in what was seen by some as a dirty and bitter campaign waged against ex World Rally star Ari Vatanen. After a tenure that saw both the sport and the motor industry take significant forward strides, it was a shame that Mosley's final battles left a sour taste in the mouth of most who witnessed them.

Person to watch for 2010: Fernando Alonso

So much depends on team performance in Formula One that it is tough to pick the stars without the cars - but whether things go right or wrong, Alonso's Ferrari journey is sure to be entertaining.

It is now three seasons since Alonso won his second world title with Renault and after a disastrous and damaging year at McLaren, and two more disappointing seasons back at Renault, he faces a career-defining year with the great Italian giants. It should be a marriage made in heaven - arguably the finest driver in the paddock with the most legendary team on the grid. But Ferrari are recovering from a tough and demoralising season and they have a returning hero in Felipe Massa, a product of the Ferrari ‘academy', eager to get back in the groove. If Alonso can make the team fall in love with him and they give him a car to fight at the front, it could be amazing. If he again finds his piece doesn't fit the jigsaw, he could quickly go the way of Kimi Raikkonen.

Rule change for 2010: Refuelling ban

Claims that there will be minimal change to Formula One's regulations between 2009 and 2010 are far wide of the mark - there are several key changes that could combine to make a major difference.

The most significant of the new changes will be the refuelling ban, because of the wide-reaching effects it will have both on car design and race strategy. Currently, cars carry no more than half the amount of fuel required for full distance - so next year their tanks will have to double in capacity. That will mean wider tanks (a low centre of gravity is vital) so the entire sidepod area will be re-packaged, and designers will also have to consider how the massive change in weight of the car as fuel levels reduce during a race affects the performance, as well as the effect of the new narrower Bridgestone front tyres. The design that minimises the effects of this and creates a car driveable over the biggest weight range could just get a Brawn-like head-start.
Gray Matter

Reaction to Michael Schmacher's decision to end his retirement

Reaction to seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher's decision to return to Formula One with Mercedes next season after retiring as a Ferrari driver in 2006.

Britain's Lewis Hamilton, 2008 world champion for McLaren

"It's great to have Michael back in Formula One. He is a legend and a really nice guy, and I am happy for him that he has once again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world, race in Formula One.

"I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories, and I always hoped that I would be in Formula One while he was still around. I'm really looking forward to seeing him on the track and back at the top."

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Nico Rosberg, Schumacher's Mercedes team-mate

"It is fantastic that Michael is returning to Formula One and will be my team mate. It's a great challenge for me to be up against one of the best drivers of all time. I'm sure that we will form a very strong partnership as he will have lost none of his speed."

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Ross Brawn, Mercedes team principal

"Michael's outstanding record in Formula One speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again. With the completion of our driver line-up, I believe that we now have the most exciting partnership in Formula One with Michael and Nico, who provide the perfect mix of talent, experience, speed and youth."

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Norbert Haug, Mercedes motorsport vice-president

"Seven world championship titles, more than any racing driver, 91 grands prix wins, more than any racing driver. Michael has more of everything than every other driver.

"Our sporting ambition has always been that Michael should drive again where his professional career had started and Michael knew that. We often joked about it after the races and discussed the prospect seriously several times during the last 14 years in Formula One.

"It didn't happen in 1995, it didn't happen in 1998 and it didn't happen in 2005. I am delighted that it will now happen in 2010."

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Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal

"I think I share the sentiment of every single Formula One fan across the world by saying that Michael Schumacher's return to the sport is fantastically exciting and a thrilling prospect for the 2010 season.

"I've no doubt that Michael has studiously examined this opportunity from every possible angle, and that he's convinced he still possesses the same fearsome drive and determination required to succeed in Formula One.

"Obviously, Michael is a seven-times champion and has absolutely nothing left to prove, so it will be fascinating to see what he can achieve in a new team."

Schumi return confirmed

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One with Mercedes GP next season.F1 legend targets eighth world title with Mercedes in 2010

The F1 legend has signed a three-year deal to drive for the German manufacturer in 2010, with the contract said to be initially worth around £6.2million.

Schumacher, who turns 41 on January 3rd and who will therefore easily be the oldest driver on the grid, will partner fellow German Nico Rosberg.

Explaining his decision, Schumacher, who retired at the end of the 2006 season, said: "The motivation is pretty straightforward.

"I got a call from Ross (Brawn, team principal) at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved.

"I've never left the race track, and after three years I regained the energy I'm feeling now.

"After playing around on motorbikes, I'm ready for the serious stuff."

Schumacher also demonstrated that he has lost none of his self confidence by targeting an eighth drivers' title in 2010.

"I have won it seven times and I'm with the team that won both titles last season, so what do you expect?," he said.

"You can't expect anything else other than to go for the World Championship and that's what we are aiming for."


The news brings an end to speculation which started when Schumacher was seen in talks with Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche and Brawn in the paddock at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in early November.

Just a fortnight later, Mercedes-Benz had taken over Brawn and new World Champion Jenson Button was on his way to McLaren.

Schumacher had attempted a comeback with Ferrari, with whom he won five of his world titles, back in the summer as a stand-in for Felipe Massa, who was seriously injured in an accident during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However, after testing a 2007-spec Ferrari, he decided against the move after deciding that a neck injury, sustained in a bike test back in February, had not healed sufficiently.

Schumacher, who has maintained a rigorous training regime in the time since his retirement, has confirmed the injury has healed.

"Before giving the final okay, I had to make sure my neck was okay," he said.

"It wasn't okay in the summer, but it's had the time to heal completely."

Schumacher has also now severed the ties that have binded him to Ferrari since he joined the team in 1996.

He often appeared at races following his retirement in an advisory role and also tested for the team - both suggesting that Schumacher's desire to race was still strong.

Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo paved the way for his return earlier this month when he confirmed he would not hold Schumacher to his contract.

Schumacher's return sees him again join forces with Brawn, the Mercedes GP team principal, and the man who was the mastermind behind his seven titles - two with Benetton and five with Ferrari.

During his previous 16 seasons in the sport, incorporating 249 grands prix and dating back to the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher managed to break virtually every record.

He has won the most world titles; most race victories (91); most pole positions (68); highest number of wins in one season (13 in 2004); number of consecutive podiums (19); wins from pole (40); fastest laps (76); hat-trick of pole, win, fastest lap (22), and most number of consecutive results in the points (24).


Asked if he was worried about putting his reputation on the line by returning, Schumacher replied: "I hope they will judge me on what I've done before.

"Brawn is a team that won both championships last year, they now have a strong partner in Mercedes, so the only aim is to go for the championship."

Schumacher revealed that he had consulted wife Corinna on his comeback.

"I had to sort out my personal situation before entering this new one," he said. "She could see the spark in my eyes, and so she didn't really argue."