Kovalainen 'very likely' to stay at Team Lotus in 2012

Although stressing that it is still somewhat premature to be discussing drivers for next year, Tony Fernandes admits it is 'very likely' that Heikki Kovalainen will remain at Team Lotus into F1 2012

Whilst insisting that 'it's still very early days' in terms of contract talks regarding next season, Tony Fernandes has conceded that it is 'very likely' that Heikki Kovalainen will remain on-board at Team Lotus into a third consecutive campaign in F1 2012.

Since being released by McLaren-Mercedes at the end of 2009 after failing to provide a consistent challenge to team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Kovalainen has impressed alongside fellow former grand prix-winner Jarno Trulli at Lotus, out-qualifying the renowned single-lap specialist 16-12 to-date – and eight-one this season – and making it through to Q2 on four occasions, comfortably the most of any of the 'new team' contenders.

What's more, he has out-raced the Italian veteran more often than not, and achieved the Anglo/Malaysian outfit's best result thus far with twelfth place in last year's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

With an unfailingly positive outlook to-boot, the Finn has seamlessly assumed the role of de facto team leader at Lotus – and with Trulli tipped to hang up his F1 helmet come season's end, it has been argued that the 29-year-old is now all-but invaluable to the team as it strives to climb its way up the grand prix grid. Fernandes has reflected that a new deal for the popular and well-respected Finn is in all probability little more than a formality.

“It is very likely,” the Malaysian entrepreneur told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, when asked about Kovalainen's chances of retaining his seat. “Heikki is a consistent performer and always gets 100 per cent from the car. He gives a lot of energy to the team. Heikki has become a good friend, so if he is satisfied with us, I see no reason to change.”

Source: Crash.net

Domenicali: I have no fear and Massa to stay

Stefano Domenicali does not fear for his job and remains committed to Felipe Massa

The spotlight is growing brighter on Stefano Domenicali and Felipe Massa as Ferrari looks to put a title winning team together for 2012, in the shadow of what is proving to be a well below par season this year for the Italian squad.

Technical boss Aldo Costa has already paid the price for the 150 Italia car’s difficult start to this season, but the Maranello based team this week slammed rumours Flavio Briatore could now be brought in replace boss Domenicali. Report here>>>

Asked if he is worried that his job may be on the line, Domenicali told the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper in Montreal: “No. Honestly I have no fear.”

But he answered “we’ll see” when asked if Ferrari is planning more staff changes.

The Maranello team and also Felipe Massa have had a better weekend with low downforce and soft Pirelli tyres in Canada, with the Brazilian driver in the top three after qualifying.

But Domenicali said Massa’s problem is “self confidence”.

“This year is crucial to his career,” said the Ferrari F1 boss amid rumours that several other drivers are clamouring for the drive in 2012 despite the existence of a contract with Massa.

“Felipe wants to do much more than he has been doing, but we are talking a lot and are always together,” insisted Domenicali. “What happens is that Felipe is more sensitive with these cars without high grip.”

“It’s important people understand that there is not pressure on him, but total support. We know he can be faster – in certain circumstances, faster than Fernando. But it takes confidence,” said Domenicali.

Adding, “Ferrari is always loyal and has patience. Now, Felipe must get back his confidence for his career.”

Asked what will happen if Massa does not improve, Domenicali again answered “we’ll see”, prompting Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni to intervene and remind the journalist that Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed the 30-year-old will be driving alongside Fernando Alonso next season.

Authoritative Italian magazine Autosprint, however, has linked Nico Rosberg with Massa’s 2012 seat.

“I read it. I can guarantee you 100 per cent there has been no contact,” insisted Domenicali.

Source: YallaF1

Williams hints at Hulkenberg stay

Nico Hulkenberg could be set for a shock stay at Williams after Sir Frank Williams, the team principal, hailed the young German driver.

Hulkenberg's drive at Williams was thought to be under severe threat given his performance this season - 18 points from 17 races.

GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado, who Williams will run at the end-of-season young drivers' test in Abu Dhabi, has been mooted as a replacement for Hulkenberg.

But Sir Frank's quotes have boosted his chances of retaining his drive. "It was a little disappointing, maybe, in the first few races, perhaps because he was being over-cautious," he told BBC Sport. "But lately he has become very competitive and we have just seen the beginning of something exceptional.

"We do hope [he will remain in F1]. He won all the way up to Formula 3 and GP2, he has won every single championship and in the right team, hopefully us one day, he will win the world championship as well in Formula 1."

Although Williams have yet to make an announcement on their drivers for next season, it is widely assumed that Rubens Barrichello's place is not at risk - and that supposition has been lent some weight by Sir Frank.

"He has enormous experience," he said. "He is now, without doubt, the most experienced driver in the pit lane and he does demonstrate that very frequently.

"His technique is very understated, he's a very smooth driver. He likes to be mollycoddled emotionally a little bit, and he likes being told how good he is, but we don't have any problem in telling him, we believe strongly in him.

"He's good fun and very experienced and that is a great value to any team."

Source: ESPNF1

Felipe Massa says he will stay at Ferrari for 2011

Felipe Massa has rejected claims he may leave Ferrari at the end of the season

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has demanded the Brazilian improve his performances to help team-mate Fernando Alonso's title challenge.

But Massa insisted his relationship with Ferrari was "still very great" and dismissed questions about his future.

"Every year it's the same," he said. "It doesn't change anything. It's never a problem for me. I'm still here and preparing everything for next year."

Rumours about Massa's future began to emerge after July's German Grand Prix, when Ferrari caused controversy by asking Massa to cede position to Fernando Alonso so the Spaniard could take the victory.

Unsettled by the fall-out from the incident - for which Ferrari were fined $100,000 (£65,100) - the 29-year-old Brazilian was linked with moves to Renault and his former Sauber team.

But team principal Stefano Domenicali told BBC Sport at the Japanese Grand Prix two weeks ago that he could "absolutely" confirm Massa would stay as Alonso's partner in 2011, and that reports to the contrary were "categorically wrong".

And now Massa, who was also talking in an exclusive BBC Sport interview, has now put a stop to the speculation, saying he has had to get used to his position being undermined ever since he joined Ferrari in 2006.

"At the beginning of the 2006 season, I remember [six-time Moto GP champion] Valentino Rossi was already signed for 2007," Massa said.

"Every year people were coming in my place. Alonso has raced for three years already in my seat, Sebastian Vettel came for my position and Rossi again.

"So, it's no problem. Every year is the same and I'm still here."

Massa, who briefly led the championship after the Malaysia Grand Prix in April, has found himself under increased pressure this season.

Alonso, who joined the team over the winter, has outpaced him all season and Massa has now accepted a supporting role to Alonso's bid for a third world title.

But Massa has a close relationship with Ferrari - a bond that intensified after his near-fatal accept in qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix - and he says that has not been unaffected by his tribulations this season.

"I always know what I want," Massa added. "The team always know what I want and that's important for me.

"But the year was not very fantastic in terms of results and little issues that I had.

"I'm not happy because I could not achieve what I want or what I can achieve.

"We still have three races left and I hope I can get a great result and be down in the front while preparing everything for next year as well."

Massa added ahead of the Korean Grand Prix that he would do all he could to support Alonso's championship push as the Spaniard aims to close a 14-point gap on leader Mark Webber of Red Bull.

"My interest is the best for the team," he said. "That is why the team is still fighting for the championship with Alonso.

"My interest definitely is to try and give the best for the team."

An exclusive interview with Felipe Massa will be run during BBC One's programme at the Brazilian Grand Prix which begins with first practice on 5 November.

Source: BBC Sport

Mäkinen expects Räikkönen to stay in rallying

Tommi Mäkinen believes Kimi Räikkönen won’t turn his back on the World Rally Championship until he has emulated some of the success he achieved in Formula One.

Räikkönen has yet to confirm his plans for 2011 with a return to Grand Prix racing still a possibility for the Finn.

Mäkinen, who advised Räikkönen during the 2007 F1 champion’s transition to rallying, said: “Kimi is the kind of guy who wants to make success and find the best performance from himself. I’m sure he is the guy who is not giving up. That’s why I’m pretty sure he won’t jump out of rally yet.”

The four-time world rally champion added: “It would be nice to see him of course. I haven’t discussed it with him so I don’t know what he is thinking but he seems to be happy.”

Räikkönen said there was “a good chance” he would still be in F1 next season.

Source: MaxRally

Ecclestone doubts Schumacher will stay in 2011

Bernie Ecclestone has joined Sir Jackie Stewart in tipping Michael Schumacher to return to retirement at the end of 2010.

Half-way through the great 41-year-old's mediocre return to F1 with Mercedes this year, former triple world champion Stewart said this week he thinks Schumacher "will stop after this season".

And F1 chief executive Ecclestone added: "If Schumacher doesn't perform I doubt whether he will want to stay."

However, the Briton also told the London based business publication City AM that Schumacher is "obviously fit, motivated and talented but the car hasn't been up to him".

On other matters, Ecclestone tips Sebastian Vettel to win the championship, while his team Red Bull "deserve to win".

"Red Bull bought a team (Jaguar) that was no good, it's not like they bought Ferrari," he added.
The 79-year-old also hailed Vettel's teammate Mark Webber, the only driver so far in 2010 to have won more than two races.

"I would never have believed it at the beginning of this year if somebody had said to me he is going to do this," said Ecclestone.

Source: Motorsport.com

F1 : Bridgestone Motorsport official wants tyre company to stay in Formula 1

An official of the Japanese tyre supplier on Tuesday said he would like to see Bridgestone stay in Formula One.

Hiroshi Yamada is the development boss for Bridgestone's MotoGP programme.

He told Motosprint that while the marque is pulling out of Formula 1, Bridgestone will probably stay in MotoGP beyond the end of its current contract at the end of 2011.

"Obviously we'd have more money to spend (on MotoGP), because the Formula 1 budget is very high, but in my opinion we should stay in Formula 1 too, because our image would lose a lot otherwise," said Yamada.

Michelin is touted to re-enter Formula 1 in Bridgestone's wake next year, but the French marque wants at least one other supplier to compete with, as well as a move from 13 inch to 18 inch wheel rims in 2011.McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe confirmed this week that the teams would back Michelin's push for low profile wheels.

"Yes. I think all the teams have agreed that if Michelin would supply that as a condition then we would support that," he said.

Source: F1SA