Turrini's blog: Kimi's confession

Elton John and other great music stars also did a song about it. It was called, if I remember correctly, That's what friends are for.

And indeed you need friends.

The other day I was comforting the brave Matthew Bonciani. He is the Italian at the court of the monarch Penguin, which means that the Tuscan Bonciani works for FIA and deals with communication.

Among other things, he has to receive the first three drivers classified at the end of each Grand Prix, to take them to the ritual press conferences.

Big Bonciani has worked for Ferrari in the past. Being very good, he is then placed elsewhere. It's a classic, if one thinks about the recent events in Maranello: A is the FIA president, B drives a fast Phantom Blot, C from a consultant has become a driver for Daimler Benz, D was placed at the same Daimler Benz, etc. etc. .

Well.

I was saying that I was comforting the exiled Big Bonciani in Mazzini's style. Reason: in the Middle East they have stolen his smartphone. They weren't the rebels of Bahrain, but unknown in transit in the Pacific as well as rich Abu Dhabi. Where, however, the thieves are not these: they simply suffer of kleptomania.

But I comfort him and ask: what did the Holy Drinker say you privately of the Phantom Blot, while you were waiting for the podium of the awards on Sunday?

Follows the original version.

Kimi dixit.

"Fu*k!"

Very good.

"Fu*k!"

Okay, let's not exaggerate.

"We threw the victory in the toilet."

That's it.

"We were wrong to copy Vettel in last pit stop, if I stayed out just two more laps I could take the advantage for coming ahead and I could go away."

I also thought it.

"Fu*k!"

Legitimate expression of personal disappointment.

"However, if the car continues to go so I can win soon"

Fu*k! (Exclaimed this time by someone of another team).

"I'm pissed because I lost seven valuable points in the general classification."

Oi!

But is not that this man is imagining to...

Source: Turrini's Blog
Courtesy: _TaniaS_

Alonso jokes as Webber wins FIA prize

Mark Webber has revealed he had mixed feelings when he beat Fernando Alonso to third place in the 2011 constructors’ standings.

The pair, who are friends, lead similarly guarded private lives, so in the closing stages of the championship they considered the ‘prize’ that went along with pipping the other to the post for third place.

“Only the top three drivers have to go”, said Webber, referring to the official FIA prize-giving gala, which was held recently in India.

“Jenson, Fernando and I had had a bit of a joke on the drivers’ parade before the final race of the season in Brazil last month.

“We were all keen to improve our championship positions, but none of us were that up for any extra travel,” he wrote in his last BBC column for the year.

“In the end, I won in Brazil, relegating Fernando to fourth. He’s an intense competitor but I don’t think he was that unhappy about losing out by one point,” said Webber.

“I got a text message from him the day before I was going to India, reminding me that I had to go. It was along the lines of ‘This is your captain speaking, your flight is ready for boarding’. It made me smile.”

Source: YallaF1

Close your eyes, Kimi!

My reporter buddy Alan Baldwin wrote after Abu Dhabi qualification on his twitter: "Don't look here, Kimi".

Why not? Well because this is the first time in the history when Williams-cars have to start from the back to a GP. Baldwin came up with a joking slogan about how the result better not be shown to the driver who they want in the team.

Williams bottom rock this season is a harsh fact. When I asked the team's other founder Patrick Head if he remembers the cars ever being in the back row, he shook his head and assured it has never happened before.

And if it has, then a painful information like that has at least been wiped out of his memory.

In a way this grid result comes at a bad time. The future big sponsors from Qatar are at the paddock as the team's guests. With these kind of positions they won't at least speed up those negotiations which already are about to be finished.

Williams has had an awkwardly bad season. Head was asked what the main reason for the catastrophy is, but according to him it's the sum of many factors. When the reliability has plagued the whole team this season Williams hasn't got any kind of compensation for their positions behind the top 10.

By changing Rubens Barrichello into Räikkönen it would in some way at least shake up the team to shape up. I heard from the inside circle that the mechanics in Williams already have a tough competition over who gets in the team operating around Kimi's car. The spirit is that it will definitely be fun in Kimi's team.

Frank Williams is still the master in his team. They were a bit astonished over the way he replied on Friday evening to two questions presented by Finnish reporters.

When I asked in FIA:s official press conference if he is interested in taking Räikkönen as his driver, he replied that he won't comment on the rumours.

When MTV3 asked the same from him in their own exclusive interview, filmed by two cameramen, he said that it's not a secret that they are very interested in getting Räikkönen.

This or that. I guess that Räikkönen's rallying career at least ended to his retirement in Wales on Saturday.

Turun Sanomat, Abu Dhabi

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

FIA confirm provisional grid

The FIA have confirmed the provisional grid positions for Sunday's Indian GP after a number of driver's received penalties

Five drivers - Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Timo Glock, Narain Karthikeyan and Daniel Ricciardo - were handed penalties during the weekend for sporting or technical infringements while Vitaly Petrov carries a five-slot penalty over from the Korean GP.

The penalties suffered by Hamilton, Perez and Petrov were fairly straightforward in their influence on the grid but matters at the back of the field left the stewards searching the rule book to ensure the correct application.

It has been ruled that Timo Glock will remain in last place on the grid after he failed to set a lap within 107 per cent of the quickest time in Q1.

Beside him on the back row will be Narain Karthikeyan who was penalised two places for impeding Michael Schumacher during qualifying.

Despite receiving a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change, Daniel Ricciardo drops just one place to 22nd.

Provisional grid:

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
9. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes

12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth
14. Bruno Senna Renault
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
16. Vitaly Petrov Renault
17. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault
20. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari

21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth
22. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth
24. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth

Source: Planet-F1

Felipe Massa criticises Lewis Hamilton's driving in Singapore

A furious Felipe Massa heavily criticised Lewis Hamilton after their clash at the Singapore Grand Prix

Hamilton was penalised after turning into Massa when fighting over seventh, breaking part of his front wing and puncturing Massa's right rear tyre.

The two drivers also nearly touched in qualifying on Saturday when trying to make space for their flying run.

"My thoughts are that, again, he cannot use his mind - even in qualifying," Ferrari driver Massa told BBC Sport.

"He has done it to me so many times this year.

"Again, he could've caused a big accident. He's paying for it and he doesn't understand that.

"It's important the FIA study this and penalise him every time.

"I've talked to him but he doesn't listen. Maybe his father can do something about it."

Hamilton, who started the race in fourth, lost ground at the start and dropped down to eighth.

As he began his fight back through the field, he clashed with Massa as he tried a move around the outside of Turn Seven on lap 10.

The McLaren driver turned into Massa, breaking part of his front wing, while Massa was forced to limp back to the pits with a right-rear puncture.

The incident followed their clash in qualifying where Hamilton was determined to get by the Brazilian before starting his flying lap in Q3 and the two nearly touched before the Ferrari driver finally let him by.

On race day, the pair, who battled for the 2008 world title right up until the final race of the season, did touch and the stewards handed Hamilton a drive-through penalty.

"It doesn't look like a drive-through penalty to me," BBC F1 analyst Eddie Jordan. "I don't get it. That's not a drive-through penalty; that's a racing incident.

"[Ferrari team principal] Stefano [Domenicali] and [McLaren team prinicpal] Martin [Whitmarsh] are two calculated, cool guys who need to bring two drivers together and say 'look guys, just get on with these last five races. You're clearly stopping each other doing well for yourselves and the team."

It's not the first time the two drivers have come to blows, with the duo banging wheels at the hairpin in Monaco earlier this year before clashing again in the tunnel.

As a result, Massa crashed out of the race and Hamilton, who was also involved in a later incident with Pastor Maldonado's Williams, picked up a drive-through penalty and later criticised the stewards saying: "It's an absolute joke."

Commenting on the incident in Singapore, BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle added: "You can't help but feel it comes down against him [Hamilton] when others get the rub off the green.

"[The incident] seriously affected Massa's race. If you've made a mistake and it's affected someone's else - or just his own - it makes a difference."

Source: BBC

False information about Kimi is circulating

According to MTV3-site Kimi Räikkönen won't participate in Rally Spain at the end of October. It's not true.

Räikkönen's name is not on the teams' WRC-list FIA has published.

And it shouldn't be there either because only drivers who's teams are racing for WCC-points are on FIA's list.

Räikkönen's name is not on the list because his team ICE 1 Racing has been excluded from the WCC-serie due to a violation of regulations.

Kimi has signed up for Rally Catalynia but ICE 1 Racing won't get any more WCC-points. Yet Räikkönen can still collect driver WC-points.

Janne Aittoniemi

Courtesy: Nicole

Fast drivers take risks, says Hamilton

The key to being a really quick Formula One driver is to take risks on the racetrack and be in no rush to start a family, according to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton

In a recent interview with Reuters and two international reporters, the 2008 world champion cast himself as an old-fashioned racer entranced by the whiff of petrol in his nostrils and the roar of an engine in his ears.

"I think the guys in the older days were taking risks, their lives were more at risk I guess. I would have loved to have driven in the olden days," said the 26-year-old Briton.

"I don't know why I'm like that but I've always been like that, more on the risky side. Not on the risk side to put others in danger but just I am willing to take just a little bit more."

Hamilton's driving has been a source of regular controversy this season, with crashes and collisions bringing him into repeated contact with stewards.

The Briton, who could well take his third win of the season in Singapore this weekend, said before the last Italian Grand Prix that he had become an "easy target" in one of the toughest years of his career.

While he has said he will do his utmost to stay out of trouble, he is not about to change his style.

Asked about a recent comment by the retired German driver Hans Stuck, whose best ever finish was third place, suggesting Hamilton should undergo therapy, the Briton replied: "For me? How did he do in Formula One?"

"Not so well," came the answer. "Exactly. Exactly. That says it all," said Hamilton.

OLDER DRIVERS

"I think being slightly more risky in some ways is what separates the faster drivers from maybe the not-so-faster drivers," he said.

"You see generally older drivers sometimes that have families and things that kind of lose a little bit.

"David Coulthard said to me that when he had a child 'I didn't want to risk much more because I wanted to make sure that I was there the next day to see my kid'. So he was willing to risk less and maybe that's natural," continued Hamilton, whose girlfriend is pop singer Nicole Scherzinger.

"I'm still young and I'm not in that position yet and I can't say if when I have family whether that will happen. It's a long way away."

Of the five world champions currently on the starting grid, only Germany's 42-year-old Michael Schumacher -- whose last podium placing was in 2006 with Ferrari before he began his comeback with Mercedes in 2010 -- has children.

Asked about Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, who has been under fire this season for his aggressive style, Hamilton recognised they might have something in common.

"He is clearly a talented rider to get to where he was, and riding his way got him to where he was, but I think just generally in motor racing there is a fine line between being very dangerous and putting other people's lives at risk and then being just beneath the danger zone," he said.

"And that's kind of where you just try never to go over the line. But this is motor racing and we are racing wheel-to-wheel at 200 miles an hour so it's going to happen. There are crashes all the time and people are going to touch at some stage," he added.

"I have some comments as well from drivers that say I am too aggressive but again it's just trying to find a fine balance. I'm not here to ruin anyone else's races, I am just trying to beat them and that's the best way to do your talking.

"If I have been too aggressive and I have come together with someone, in Monaco for example, I think okay. You just step back a little bit, but not completely change my approach because this is my life and this is how I do it."

With the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA)

planning an electric racing series from 2013, Hamilton was asked whether he could imagine racing such a vehicle -- not that he is ever likely to do so in Formula One.

"Hopefully I won't be around then. I'll be out, I'll have had the best years of Formula One and then I would have moved on to something else," he laughed.

"I love the sound of the engines, I love the V10 we used to have. I love V12 cars. I love the smell of fuel when you go in the garage, the fumes. When they are filling my car up and I am in the cockpit, I love that smell that comes in.

"However I am very much for green," added the Swiss resident. "I have solar panels on my house, I use no electric or gas from the city. I use all geothermal heating from the ground, that kind of stuff, I have a hybrid car -- although of course I have fuel cars as well.

"But still, motor racing; there's something special about it. There's the danger aspect about Formula One, which is special. And then there's the smell and the sound of the engines. If you took that sound away and that smell, motor racing just wouldn't be the same."

Source: Reuters Sports

'FIA asked Schumi to be careful'

Ross Brawn has hailed Michael Schumacher's "fantastic" Italian GP, revealing that the FIA did ask the German to "be careful"

Schumacher had a storming start at Monza on Sunday, moving up to third place after overtaking Lewis Hamilton. He then spent the better part of the next 28 laps with the McLaren driver right on his rear wing.

Hamilton did manage to overtake Schumacher on lap 13 through Parabolica but the German fought back using his superior speed, thanks to his Mercedes engine, to retake the position around the Curve Grande.

There was, however, one indiscretion in the battle when, on lap 21, Schumacher made two moves to defend his place.

Hamilton was not happy and complained to his team over the radio with McLaren telling their driver that the FIA were aware.

This was followed by Brawn telling his driver several times to "leave room at Ascari."

The battle eventually ended on lap 28 when Schumacher left room at Ascari and Hamilton blasted by.

"Michael drove a fantastic race, we know we haven't got the fastest car but we have seen everything we know about Michael Schumacher," the Mercedes GP team boss told BBC.

"The FIA were watching it (the incident with Lewis Hamilton) and asking us to be careful.

"It is a balance between racing and not overstepping the mark.

"They asked us to be careful, which we were. It was great racing - and great for F1."

As for Schumacher, who finished P5, he said it was a "fun afternoon."

Asked if his racing was 'clean and fair', he said: "I think so. As far as I was concerned there was no request to see the stewards, so I guess all is in order."

Source: Planet-F1

FIA approves revised 2012 Formula 1 calendar

Following a fax vote by its members, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified, by unanimous decision, the revised calendar of the 2012 Formula 1 World Championship.

The calendar was been trimmed back from 21 to 20 Grands Prix.

The season will begin March 18 in Australia and finish November 25 in Brazil. The Turkish Grand Prix has been dropped. However, the Grand Prix of Bahrain returns to the calendar, and is scheduled to be held April 22.

The US Grand Prix has been moved later in the season, when temperatures should be lower.

On a final note, there are six back-to-back races: Australia and Malaysia, China and Bahrain, Germany and Hungary, Belgium and Italy, Japan and Korea and finally United States and Brazil.

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:

18 March AUS Australia
25 March MYS Malaysia
15 April CHN China
22 April BAH Bahrain
13 May ESP Spain
27 May MCO Monaco
10 June CAN Canada
24 June EUR Europe (Valencia)
08 July GBR Great Britain
22 July DEU Germany (Hockenheim)
29 July HUN Hungary
02 September BEL Belgium
09 September ITA Italy
23 September SGP Singapore
07 October JPN Japan
14 October KOR Korea
28 October IND India
04 November ARE Abu Dhabi
18 November USA United States
25 November BRA Brazil

Source: Auto123

FIA: Diffuser row has been resolved

The FIA is confident there will be no aftermath following an end to the technical row that overshadowed the British Grand Prix

The introduction of a ban on off-throttle blown diffusers sparked a spat between Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and McLaren counterpart Martin Whitmarsh at Silverstone as they argued over its intricacies.

It resulted in two extraordinary meetings of the Technical Working Group (TWG) over the weekend in a bid to reach a resolution for the rest of the season.

Motor sport's world governing body has now officially confirmed a return to the measures applied for the European Grand Prix in Valencia just over a fortnight ago.

For that race a ban on engine mapping - where an engine is tweaked via an electronic control unit between qualifying and the race with regard to performance - came into force.

But given the difficulties in finding a fair and equitable solution in relation to the diffusers, teams can carry on as they were prior to the British GP.

The FIA has admitted "the matter was more complex than initially thought".

In a Q&A on their website, the FIA confirm representations from Renault Sport, who supply engines to three teams including Red Bull, initially stirred the pot.

It was only following the TWG meetings that consensus was reached, with the teams agreeing to run for the rest of the season as they did in Valencia.

The FIA added: "This was felt to be the most sensible solution to a very complicated matter as the possibility of finding an alternative solution, which would be fair to all engine manufacturers, was becoming increasingly unlikely."

Confirming the matter now been settled, the FIA said: "All cars will run under 'Valencia' conditions for the remainder of the season.

"We are optimistic there will be no protests over any engine mapping and exhaust tailpipe issues this season.

"It was also agreed no team would raise a protest against another on these matters for the rest of the season."

Source: Planet-F1

Webber: Not a reply to 'nonsense' changes

Mark Webber says forget about the constant rule changes, he just wants to race, and he's sure that's what the fans want as well

This weekend's British GP has been dogged by controversy as the FIA have opted to alter the rules. And not once, they've done it twice.

In the build up to the Silverstone race, the teams were informed that off-throttle blown diffusers would be banned.

However, they were given a bit of leeway and could open the throttle up to a maximum 10 to 20 percent.

Red Bull, together with Renault, approached the FIA on Friday and were granted concession whereby they could open the throttle 50 percent in order to ensure reliability.

But overnight that was withdrawn and the Red Bull team woke up Saturday morning to be informed that they would have to stick to the maximum 10 to 20 percent that all the teams were limited to.

And although team boss Christian Horner was quick to proclaim that his drivers would be "running at a disadvantage compared to other manufacturers", that was not the case in qualifying where Webber secured pole by 0.032s over Sebastian Vettel.

Asked about the rule change issues during the post-qualifying press conference, the Aussie made it clear that he thinks.

"It's nonsense. Nobody really understands it. We don't know what's going on," said the 34-year-old.

"It's very boring for the fans. I am sure only 0.1 percent of the fans understand what's going on.

"Let's get on with the racing and keep the rules as simple as we can.

"Seb and I have just to concentrate on the driving.

"It is not new for our team - adjustable ride height control, front wing and nothing new - every year we have a new thing to talk about.

"Let's hope everyone can find someone common ground.

Asked whether his pole position was a way for Red Bull to 'reply' to the new rules, Webber insisted the one had nothing to do with the other.

"No, it is not. We are not looking to reply to anything. What has to be reiterated is that our team has turned up very, very early and left very, very late. Every team works hard but this team works incredibly hard.

"We concentrate on that, what is happening in the last few months is not what we have done in the last few months, it is years of work to put ourselves in this situation.

"We have seen today that we are still going okay, but irrespective of lap times it is an interpretation of rules and principles.

"Whether we are on pole or 10th, the team will continue to have a stance on what is correct. It is not a comeback from what we had today."

Source: Planet-F1

Diffuser ban to cost Red Bull half a second

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that the team expect to lose half a second per lap at Silverstone when the ban on off-throttle blown diffusers takes effect

Speculation has been rife regarding how the ban will impact the teams, with Red Bull thought to be in danger of suffering the greatest loss.

Marko admits that the ban will cost the team but they are well prepared to deal with the changes.

"We expect to lose approximately 0.5 seconds per lap without the blown diffuser," he said.

"However, we made preparations to equalise this in terms of set-up and aero measures. We are optimistic that we will keep our performance level."

The 68-year-old is understandably annoyed at the FIA's decision to implement the ban halfway through the season.

"We would have understood if this was implemented at the end of the season like many other technical developments recently," he said.

"But to do this halfway through the season is a bit strange and not quite understandable," the Austrian added.

Source: Planet-F1

Marko says exhaust curbs favour Ferrari

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has continued to vent against the FIA’s controversial clampdown on blown exhausts.

La Stampa newspaper quotes the Austrian as suspecting Red Bull’s rivals moved to outlaw the technology after experiencing the dominance of the Adrian Newey penned RB7.

“If the others cannot copy us, they ask for our ideas to be banned,” he reportedly said.

“This definitely favours Ferrari, and the decision seems to have been taken by give them an advantage,” added Marko, who is Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz’s right hand man.

Formula 1′s governing body is headed by the former long time Ferrari team principal Jean Todt.
Marko had already slammed the timing of the blown exhaust clampdown, after previously banned innovations like the F-duct and double diffusers were banned at the end of the relevant season.

“This is quite a serious intervention in a solidly developed structure,” German reports quote Marko saying.

But runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel seems less worried.

“I think it (the ban) could even be good, as it will cause bigger problems for the Mercedes powered teams,” claimed the World Champion.

Source: YallaF1

FIA to restrict engine mapping in Valencia

The FIA has moved further to clamp down against aggressive exhaust blowing with immediate effect, in fact starting this weekend in Valencia, when changes to engine mapping between qualifying and race will be banned.

It was already known that so-called “hot blowing”, involving the aggressive blowing of engine exhaust through rear diffusers when the driver is not on the throttle, will be effectively banned as of Silverstone next month.

But Auto Motor und Sport reported on Tuesday that another element of exhaust blowing will be banned immediately as from Valencia this weekend, when teams will no longer be able to use extremely aggressive hot-blowing in qualifying, and then switch to more engine friendly settings for the race.

McLaren said recently it suspected precisely that practice was giving Red Bull’s RB7 its qualifying advantage.

Jenson Button told Blick: “They (Red Bull) use the exhaust gases into the diffuser non-stop on a qualifying lap, but not in the race.”

Auto Motor und Sport also quotes team boss Martin Whitmarsh as adding: “With Red Bull’s aggressive qualifying mode, they are gaining a good half a second.”

Renault technical director James Allison explains, “The FIA’s note will cause all teams (whether or not they use a blown floor) to change their operation. The headline changes for the Silverstone GP are as follows: when the driver lifts his foot fully off the throttle pedal, then the ECU maps must be set up so that the engine [to all intents and purposes] closes the throttle – previously it was possible to configure the engine maps to leave the throttle open and reduce the engine power by other means.”

Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko said on Austrian television Servus TV: “If the others cannot copy it, they can try at least to have it banned.”

But Marko said he suspects Ferrari will benefit the most from the FIA’s clampdown.

“I think McLaren will be affected less, or similar to us as they have a very good copy (of the Red Bull exhaust),” predicted Marko.

Source: YallaF1

Bahrain GP cancellation decision imminent

Formula 1 looking increasingly unlikely to take place in Bahrain this year

The FIA seemed ready on Thursday to overturn its decision to take Formula 1 back to Bahrain in late October, in effect paving the way for Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to put an end to the saga which has already embarrassed the sport.
Following the withdrawal of Ecclestone’s support for the Bahrain Grand Prix rescheduling, F1′s governing body published correspondence between the FIA and the teams association FOTA which suggests that the opposition is such that a decision to cancel will probably be announced this weekend in Canada.

FOTA’s letter, addressed to Todt, Ecclestone and Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani, stated that the new calendar was “unrealistic” for logistical and insurance reasons. The letter was signed by chairmen Martin Whitmarsh and Eric Boullier.

The letter also said F1 should only return to Bahrain “once the security conditions have been fully re-established”.

FIA president Jean Todt responded by writing that it is the responsibility of F1′s commercial rights holder, represented by Ecclestone, to “set the calendar and submit it to the FIA for approval”.

“The FIA always has at heart the smooth running of the championship and the interests of the teams, and is always prepared to address any issues, however difficult,” added the Frenchman.

“I have listened to your last-minute objections and have asked the commercial rights holder (Ecclestone) to re-examine his calendar proposal, and if necessary, to resubmit a revised proposal to the World Council,” wrote Todt.

Source: YallaF1

Webber: F1 isn't above social responsibility

Despite the FIA reinstating the Bahrain GP, Mark Webber says he'll be "highly surprised" if the race actually goes ahead

On Friday, the FIA's World Motor Sport Council opted to put the Bahrain GP back on the calendar with the race now scheduled for October 30th.

But while the FIA were holding their meeting, a funeral was being held for a woman who was killed by tear gas in the island kingdom as protesters returned to the streets.

"My opinion is unchanged since I was first asked about this in late February. Even though a decision has been made, I'll be highly surprised if the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead this year," Webber told his website.

"In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to re-schedule it in 2011.

"It would have sent a very clear message about F1's position on something as fundamental as human rights and how it deals with moral issues.

"It's obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision but sadly I feel that they still haven't made the right one.

"Like it or not, F1 and sport in general isn't above having a social responsibility and conscience. I hope F1 is able to return to Bahrain eventually but now isn't the right time.

"As a competitor I do not feel at all comfortable going there to compete in an event when, despite reassurances to the contrary, it seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that country. I don't understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a position to be a catalyst for that."

Source: Planet-F1

FIA announce 21-race 2012 calendar

While most of the focus was on Bahrain, the World Motor Sport Council gave the go-ahead to a 21-race calendar for the 2012 season

Next year's Championship will kick off in Bahrain despite the island kingdom's 2011 race only taking place on October 30th.

Added to that, Korea has been moved up the order to April while the United States GP will slot in after Canada and Turkey is subjec to a new contract being signed.

The season will end with the Brazilian GP on November 25th.

There are also seven times during the Championship when F1 will host back-to-back race weekends.

2012 Calendar
11 Mar Bahrain
18 Mar Australia
01 Apr Malaysia
08 Apr China
22 Apr Korea
06 May Turkey *
20 May Spain
27 May Monaco
10 Jun Canada
17 Jun USA United States
01 Jul Valencia, Spain
15 Jul Great Britain
29 Jul Germany
05 Aug Hungary
02 Sept Belgium
09 Sept Italy
30 Sept Singapore
14 Oct Japan
28 Oct India
11 Nov Abu Dhabi
25 Nov Brazil

* Subject to confirmation

Source: Planet-F1

It's Official: Bahrain Is Back On Oct 30th

The FIA have officially confirmed that Bahrain is back on the calendar after Jean Todt visited the country to assess the situation

Bahrain was postponed earlier this season when political unrest dogged the island kingdom. However, after much debate and consideration, the FIA have opted to reinstate the grand prix.

"Following a fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on 31 May 2011 to assess the situation in the country," said a FIA statement.

"Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights.

"It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process.

"After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship."

The FIA added that they believe the decision will play a crucial role in helping to unite the people of Bahrain in the wake of the recent crisis.

"This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country.

"The WMSC feels that reinstating the grand prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognises the commitment made by the Formula One teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the Championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event."

The race will take place on October 30th with the inaugural Indian GP moving back to the very end of the calendar.

"The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on 30 October, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 Championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize-Giving Gala."

Source: Planet-F1

Ecclestone: I can’t do my job when I’m dead

Bernie Ecclestone reverted to his typical sardonic humour and image of invincibility when asked in Turkey if he fears Formula 1 slipping from his grasp.

Asked by Bild am Sonntag if he is worried he may soon have to relinquish his role as the most powerful figure in the Formula 1 paddock, he answered simply, “Yes.”

Asked why, the 80-year-old Briton told the German Sunday newspaper, “Because I can’t do my job when I’m dead.”

He suggested to Bloomberg in another interview that he cannot understand the interest of News Corp and Ferrari linked Exor when the sport’s current owners CVC are not interested in selling.

And he revealed, “There’s been other interest for quite some time”, adding that CVC might only be swayed with a “bloody enormous” offer.

FIA president Jean Todt confirmed on Sunday that the governing body has the right to veto a sale.

Curiously, another spanner in the works could be Todt’s predecessor Max Mosley, who called the FIA veto the ‘Don King clause’ because the flamboyant boxing promoter would not be an appropriate owner for the sport.

It’s about “having a suitable, proper person” owning Formula 1, Mosley told Bloomberg. “From a personal point of view, I don’t think they’d be the right person,” he said, referring to News Corp.

Mosley’s main gripe with Rupert Murdoch is his UK tabloid News of the World, responsible not only for the infamous ‘Nazi hookers’ story but also for hacking the phones of celebrities.

“There has been clear illegality,” said Mosley.

A News Corp spokeswoman declined to comment on Ecclestone or Mosley’s comments.

Source: YallaF1

Turkish GP Press Conference schedule

Ferrari's Felipe Massa and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton will be among six drivers to field questions at Thursday's FIA press conference in Istanbul

Istanbul is GMT +3

Thursday, May 5 - 15h00:
Timo Glock (Virgin)
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus)
Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
Vitaly Petrov (Renault)
Adrian Sutil (Force India)

Friday, May 6 - 16h00:
Robert Fernley (Force India)
Mike Gascoyne (Lotus)
Norbert Haug (Mercedes)
Christian Horner (Red Bull)
Franz Tost (Toro Rosso)
Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren)

Saturday, May 7 - post qualifying:
Three fastest drivers from qualifying.

Sunday, May 8 - post race:
First three finishing drivers.

Source: Planet-F1