Formula 1 News

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BOURDAIS' SUPERLEAGUE RETURN

Sebastien Bourdais has agreed to compete in the final three rounds of the Superleague Formula championship as he aims to put some fun back into his racing career.

Bourdais has been out of work since his release in mid-July from F1 team Scuderia Toro Rosso with whom he scored just six points from 27 Formula One grands prix over 18 months.

The four-times Champ Car champion in the United States will now race for Spanish club FC Sevilla in Superleague Formula, starting this weekend in Estoril following a successful test at Magny-Cours last week.

"For a driver, Superleague Formula is the best alternative to F1," insisted the 30-year-old Frenchman.

"It's the only other championship in Europe to offer a driver the possibility of racing single seaters at a high, professional level.

"The test at Magny-Cours made me realise just how fun the car is to drive.

"An F1 car is faster because it's lighter, but this car happens to be very competitive, benefiting from a lot of aerodynamic downforce and a very potent engine."

After enduring a miserable time with Toro Rosso, Bourdais added: "My desire is to be competitive straight away at Estoril.

"To win as soon as my first race will not be easy. I also want to have fun, which hasn't often been the case for me during this last year."

 

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TITLE RACE WILL GO TO THE WIRE - WEBBER

Mark Webber is convinced the race for the Formula One title will go down to the wire after witnessing Jenson Button recently "tread water".

Button has taken just 11 points from the last five races, yet none of his rivals has been able to fully capitalise, with Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello still 16 points adrift.

Webber's own title hopes have taken a battering in the last two races after failing to score a point in the European or Belgian Grands Prix, leaving him 20.5 points behind Button.

Yet the Australian believes the season will follow the pattern of the last two and be decided in the final round, this year in Abu Dhabi on November 1.

"It's been ebbing and flowing," Webber said in his column for the BBC Sport website.

"I, my team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Rubens are having difficulty closing that gap down on Jenson.

"We're all having trouble capitalising. Like someone said, it's like there's a big open goal, but no-one wants to put the ball in the net.

"But we've not missed our chance. There's still a huge amount of points to go and we've seen how wacky and crazy things can be of late.

"One weekend it's Rubens, then mine, then Seb. We're all over the place.

"But the guy who's treading water a little of late is Jenson. If one of us can get some momentum and he doesn't, then everything's to play for.

"But if he gets momentum then the wind goes out of our sails. It's not rocket science.

"Jenson needs to have an 11-point lead at Brazil for it not to go to the wire, and that doesn't look likely at the moment.

"We're going to be in the hunt to pick up some points here and there, and that's what we've got to keep doing until we get to the last race in Abu Dhabi.

"I really believe the championship race will go down to the wire."

Webber has dismissed suggestions Button has been cracking under the pressure of late after leading the championship since his opening win in Australia, believing he is too experienced to wilt.

"People talk about pressure on Jenson, but he hasn't really made many mistakes," added Webber, who saw Button fail to score for the first time this season at Spa after a first-lap accident.

"Brawn as a team have had a little bit of a wobble in the last four races, with the exception of Rubens winning in Valencia.

"So I don't think its all down to Jenson tightening up. He's been around the block, and we've seen him not make many mistakes in the past."

 

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MASSA MUST WAIT FOR RETURN

Felipe Massa will have to wait until next season to make his Formula One comeback.

Despite requiring life-saving surgery after fracturing his skull in a horrific accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, Massa had privately hoped to return for his home race in Brazil on October 18.

The Ferrari star continues to make a successful recovery, and on Tuesday at Miami's Memorial Hospital he successfully passed a range of tests under the supervision of renowned motorsport neurosurgeon Professor Steve Olvey.

However, the 28-year-old is to have a small plate inserted into his skull at the point of impact where he was hit by a spring weighing a kilogram which had worked loose from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car.

Although Massa remains positive, Ferrari have ruled out a return this year, leaving the Brazilian to focus his efforts on ensuring he is fully fit for the 2010 season.

Speaking on Ferrari's official website, Massa said: "I'm very happy about the results.

"After the small surgery in the next days I can finally start to go to the gym to get back into shape and drive some tests in karts.

"On the track with a Formula 1 single-seater? Let's take it step by step. At the moment I'm concentrating on taking up physical activities, which is a great step forward."

The team added: "Naturally the results were received with great joy and satisfaction at Maranello with the prospect to be able to count on Felipe 100 per cent for the start of the next racing season."

 

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LEWIS HAMILTON RETAINS TITLE DREAM

Lewis Hamilton is refusing to give up hope of retaining his Formula One title until the maths tell him otherwise.

Hamilton concedes it is a crazy proposition, but the very fact he is even thinking about the drivers' crown is testament to the great competitor he is.

At present, Hamilton trails championship leader Jenson Button by 45 points with just five races remaining, leaving the 24-year-old in a virtually impossible position.

"I know I've been very lucky," said Hamilton.

"For the past two seasons I've been in with a shot at the championship right until the end of the last race of the season, so obviously this year feels a bit different.

"But it's been fun to just push like crazy and try and get the maximum result from the car at each race, rather than looking at stringing together a more consistent title bid.

"It means we can keep attacking everywhere, and I think the last five races should be good for us for a lot of different reasons.

"I might have missed out at Spa (Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix), but I really want to win Monza (Italian GP on September 13) and see how competitive we'll be in the flyaways.

"The five remaining races are a great mix of circuits, and I'm looking forward to all of them.

"But I'll still be going for it, trying to get every single point I can.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I'm not going to put the title out of my mind until I know that it's mathematically impossible."

Hamilton certainly found himself in an unusual situation in Spa as it was only the third time in his F1 career he had retired from a race.

His first-lap accident, when he was broadsided by Jaime Alguersuari in his Toro Rosso after trying to avoid Romain Grosjean's collision with Button, resulted in a frustrated Hamilton watching from the sidelines.

"It was a really odd feeling to be stood at the side of the track watching the others come through behind the safety car," reflected Hamilton.

"To be honest, I can't remember the last time I failed to finish a race.

"The reliability of our car has been so phenomenal that it rarely happens, so it was definitely a feeling I couldn't really get used to.

"It was a pity because I love racing at Spa and was really looking forward to a strong, attacking afternoon.

"I hadn't had the best of starts and I'd lost a few places, but I was pretty confident we'd have the car beneath us to help us get back into the points."

It is why Hamilton is confident of a strong end to the season as he added: "We know we've taken huge steps with the car since the start of the summer.

"It's frustrating we didn't get to see our race pace at Spa, but we've a low-downforce package for Monza and some more upgrades ahead of Singapore, so I think we'll be in the hunt among the frontrunners.

"The most important thing is we keep learning from this year's car so we can make next year's into a winner."

 

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CRASHGATE ANALYSED

Foul play or sour grapes? Welcome to the latest controversy to sully the name of Formula One.

Over the past two years we've had 'spygate' and 'liegate', so what the heck, we might as well call this one 'crashgate'.

As with any story of this nature you think 'Nah! It can't be true', but then when you piece the snippets of information together, the picture that emerges offers another perspective.

The scene is last year's Singapore Grand Prix, a triumph of technical ingenuity as for the first time in F1 history a race took place at night under floodlights.

The winner was Renault's Fernando Alonso, somewhat fortuitously as the double world champion had started from 15th on the grid around the sport's latest street circuit.

The Spaniard struck lucky courtesy of a safety car deployed early in the race following a crash by his then team-mate Nelson Piquet.

Intriguingly, Renault had opted to fuel Alonso short for his first stint, an odd tactic when starting so far down the grid and on a typical street track where it is notoriously difficult to pass.

Renault gambled on there being a safety car incident, and just two laps after Alonso made his first pit stop on lap 12, Piquet's crash turned the race on its head.

The Brazilian's moment into a wall also took place on a part of the circuit where there was no crane to hand, otherwise the field might have been able to file slowly past under yellow flags while it was recovered.

But with the crane on track, it necessitated the safety car, resulting in the pitlane being immediately closed.

When it eventually re-opened, virtually the entire field dived into the pits, culminating in Alonso emerging in fifth place.

Of those ahead of him, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella pitted later, while Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica were penalised as they had been forced to stop when the pitlane was closed.

Alonso then inherited a lead on lap 34 he turned into a victory, Renault's first for two years, and at a time when it was strongly rumoured they were considering quitting the sport.

Suspicious? There are those who had their doubts at the time, even Felipe Massa who is understood to have confronted Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, accusing him of engineering the crash.

Bear in mind Massa started from pole and was comfortably leading when the accident took place, with his first stop then wrecked when he pulled away too early, leaving the fuel hose attached to his Ferrari.

Piquet simply explained the incident away at the time as a result of trying too hard, making a mistake and scraping one wall a little too closely.

Although wild theories abounded, they were soon forgotten, only to resurface on Sunday when the FIA confirmed they were investigating alleged events at a previous world championship race.

It is now known such an investigation has been ongoing for around a month, about the time Piquet was axed by Renault, since when he has been one disgruntled ex-employee.

As a parting shot Piquet described Briatore as his "executioner" and someone out of touch with the current state of F1.

The suggestion is that Piquet, or his father and manager Nelson Piquet Sr, blew the whistle, forcing the FIA to act.

During the course of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, it is believed the FIA - thought to have employed an independent investigation agency - interviewed senior Renault personnel, including Alonso.

If the FIA are able to prove wrongdoing, the repercussions would be naturally far-reaching, potentially even damaging Alonso's proposed move to Ferrari should the Spaniard have been involved.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has already warned "there is going to be a lot of trouble" if the allegations are found to be true.

In particular, it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back as far as Renault's future in Formula One is concerned.

Following another poor year on the track, the furore caused by Piquet's exit, the tyre incident in Hungary, and now the damage being done by the current investigation, it is the kind of publicity they do not need and could force their hand.

 

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HOWETT TARGETS SUZUKA SUCCESS

Toyota Motorsport boss John Howett is targeting the Japanese Grand Prix as the race he hopes his team will end their winless streak.

The Japanese manufacturing giant have yet to taste success in F1 since entering the sport in 2002, a run stretching to 135 races.

The team's latest opportunity was blown in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix with Jarno Trulli in with a chance of victory after starting second on the grid.

However, the Italian damaged his front wing in contact with the rear of Nick Heidfeld's BMW Sauber after making a slow getaway.

That forced the veteran Italian to pit at the end of the first lap and so scuppering a race that ended early anyway with a brake problem.

Assessing the final five grands prix of the season, Howett feels Toyota's home race in Japan on October 4 will now serve as their best opportunity to finally break their victory duck this year.

"We've proven we've a very competitive car," remarked Howett, whose team were strong early in the season before suffering a mid-term slump.

"Monza (Italian GP), I don't know. Perhaps Singapore will be more challenging as it's another street circuit, more slow speed, so we may struggle more there than in Monza.

"Suzuka looks good where we've similar downforce requirements to those in Spa, so we could be strong there.

"We're trying to get a fairly big upgrade for either Singapore or Suzuka. We will wait to see when we can get it.

"It would be the ideal place (to win), but then anywhere's ideal. If I have to be blunt, I don't care. Timbuktu."

Toyota have now failed to score points in five of their last eight races, taking just 12 points in total during that period to slip to fifth in the constructors' championship.

Howett, whose team were second behind Brawn GP after two grands prix, added: "There are not so many points between us and the two in front (Ferrari and McLaren).

"If we'd had a good, solid race in Spa, second or third from Jarno, then we would have recovered, but we're still capable of recovering those one or two places.

"What happened was more of a blip than a catastrophe. It was still not good, but the positive point is the car looks very good on this type of configuration."

 

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BARRICHELLO: MONZA SHOULD SUIT BRAWN

Rubens Barrichello has turned his attention to Monza after taking another step towards catching team-mate Jenson Button in the title fight.

Barrichello finished seventh in last weekend's Belgian GP thereby taking another two points off Button, who failed to finish after being caught out in the Lap One chaos.

However, it isn't just Button's lack of points that boosted Barrichello's confidence, he has also been given a lift by Red Bull's inability to seize the opportunity created by a disappointing performance for Brawn.

As such Barrichello reckons his BGP001 will have the measure of Red Bull's RB5 going into next weekend's Italian GP.

"It used to be Monza and Hockenheim and now it's only Monza where you have a different package," said Barrichello.

"So our cars are quite good through the kerbs. This is a potential positive item for the race.

"If you have to take theoretically I would say our car could have all the potential to be stronger than the Red Bulls.

"Having said that, we saw Force India almost win the race in Belgium, so this is a Formula One season that is full of surprises."

 

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FISICHELLA LANDS FERRARI DRIVE

Giancarlo Fisichella on Thursday realised a life-long dream by signing for Ferrari.

Fisichella has signed for Ferrari for the final five races of the Formula One season after being released from his current contract with Force India, and will be the team's reserve driver in 2010.

The 36-year-old replaces Luca Badoer after his torrid time in the European and Belgian Grands Prix in which he qualified at the back of the grid and was last of those that finished.

With Ferrari this week confirming Felipe Massa requires plastic surgery after his horror smash in Hungary and will not return until next season, the team desperately needed a more experienced driver as stand-in for the remainder of the year.

Following extensive discussions between the two teams over the last 24 hours, Force India owner Vijay Mallya reluctantly agreed to part with Fisichella.

It means the 36-year-old will become the first Italian to drive a Ferrari at the team's home race at Monza - the next round of the season on September 13 - since Ivan Capelli in 1992.

"I'm over the moon," said Fisichella. "I can still hardly believe the fact we are realising the dream of my life, and I want to thank Ferrari and its president, Luca di Montezemolo.

"I am also very grateful to Vijay for allowing me this opportunity to drive for Ferrari.

"It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.

"I hope in turn I have helped Force India grow and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions.

"They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."

It has been a remarkable week for the Roman in which he started from pole and finished second in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Now being able to look ahead to the final five races with Ferrari, Fisichella added: "I'll do my best to reward the team for the great opportunity I have been given.

"I know it will not be easy, but I will always try and get the best result possible."

Expressing his sympathies towards Badoer, who has spent the last 12 years with Ferrari, Fisichella said: "I want to say I feel sorry for Luca.

"I know how much he cared about racing a Ferrari at Monza because an Italian will always give his maximum to drive a red in front of our fans."

Explaining his decision to release Fisichella, Mallya said: "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream, and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this."

Mallya dismissed speculation a deal for Fisichella had been agreed with Ferrari in return for money apparently still owed for engines used last season.

"We would like to stress we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari," added Mallya.

"This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general.

"A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times."

Mallya is convinced his team will continue to be strong for the remainder of the season, with reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi expected to replace Fisichella.

Mallya stated: "For Force India, this sport is a team effort and removing one part, even a major one, will not significantly affect our performance.

"The competitiveness of the team seen in Belgium was a result of hard work in the factory and wind tunnel, and we have further developments coming for the final races.

"So we are confident this momentum can be sustained. We are now looking forward to a strong finish to the season."

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is convinced Fisichella will play a significant role through to the end of the year.

"We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season," said Domenicali.

"Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive, and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race."

 

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FISICHELLA PLANS TO REPAY FERRARI

Giancarlo Fisichella has promised to repay Ferrari for the faith they have shown in him at such a late stage in his career.

Now in his 14th season in Formula One, and after 223 grands prix with Minardi, Jordan - where he had two spells - Benetton, Sauber, Renault and Force India, Fisichella will finally realise his life-long dream of driving for Ferrari.

The 36-year-old has joined the Scuderia for the final five races of this season, and will be reserve driver for 2010, after Force India owner Vijay Mallya agreed to release him from his contract with his team.

For Fisichella, he is unlikely to enjoy a greater feeling in motor racing than when he steps into the cockpit of his Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix in a week's time.

Not since 1992 has an Italian driven one of the scarlet machines at the team's home race in Monza, with Fisichella following in the footsteps of Ivan Capelli.

The pressure on the 36-year-old Roman will be high, but he said: "I'll do my best to reward the team for the great opportunity I have been given.

"I know it will not be easy, but I will always try and get the best result possible."

Expressing his delight at the prospect, Fisichella added: "I'm over the moon.

"I can still hardly believe the fact we are realising the dream of my life, and I want to thank Ferrari and its president, Luca di Montezemolo.

"I am also very grateful to Vijay for allowing me this opportunity to drive for Ferrari.

"It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.

"I hope in turn I have helped Force India grow and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions.

"They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."

Fisichella's appointment is hardly a surprise as Ferrari could no longer continue, and be embarrassed, with Luca Badoer at the wheel.

Standing in for the recuperating Felipe Massa following his horror smash in Hungary, Badoer was given his own chance after 12 years as a tester.

But he was hopelessly out of his depth, qualifying at the back of the grid in both the European and Belgian Grands Prix, and winding up last of those that finished.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali is expecting Fisichella to uphold the honour of representing Ferrari, and help Kimi Raikkonen cement the team's third place in the constructors' championship.

"We chose Giancarlo because we think that he can make a significant contribution in terms of points during the finale of this uncertain season," explained Domenicali.

"Furthermore we considered what could be his role inside the team in the near future, also taking this year's experiences into account, and he will be the reserve driver in 2010.

"Now we have to concentrate on Monza, an event we really care for in a very special way.

"We know it will be difficult to keep the performance level we had over the last grands prix.

"But we'll give our best to entertain our fans, and I hope there will be lots of them at the track to support us."

 

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VATANEN: LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Ari Vatanen has called on Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to join him in helping to revamp and revitalise the sport.

FIA presidential candidate Vatanen believes F1 is stagnating, and is fearful for its future unless drastic changes are made.

The former world rally champion, running against Jean Todt in the battle to succeed Max Mosley in the election on October 23, is calling for equality if F1 is to survive.

At present it is Ecclestone and commercial partners CVC who dictate financial matters - from determining the prize pot for the teams, to controlling how much a circuit should pay for a race.

Vatanen feels there is an imbalance in power that needs correcting - although far from criticising Ecclestone, he is eager to work with him to guarantee the sport thrives and prospers.

"In order to make F1 a fabulous display, better than it is now, we have to sit down together - the FIA, clubs, circuits, promoters, constructors, sponsors - and discuss it," said Vatanen, conducting his interview on the unusual location of the London Eye.

"We have races where the tribunes are half-empty, where they are totally subsidised by the government - and we are now struggling to have races in Germany, France and the UK.

"We are in danger of alienating our fan base and undermining our future.

"If races are so expensive to organise, making the ticket prices so high where a normal middle-class family cannot see it, it means something is wrong and we are threatening the future.

"We have to go back to square one, to sit down and talk to one another as equal members.

"Of course, I give Bernie all the credit for what he has done over the years.

"But we have to look at 10 years from now to see how F1 can really be developed, that the people who are investing a massive amount of money get a return on that.

"If they don't get a return and they see political battles all the time, then they will drop out of the championship.

"So it is our [the FIA's] duty to provide them with a sensible platform on which to act.

"With regard to Bernie, it depends on him whether he can evolve with the times. That's for him to decide."

Vatanen's comments are unlikely to enamour Ecclestone, who has often warned Mosley in the past the FIA's role is to regulate, rather than voice their opinion on financial issues that do not concern them.

The 57-year-old also feels the teams deserve more of a voice for the contribution they make, in contrast to Mosley's stance during his tenure.

To that end, it was noticeable Vatanen sat down with all the members of the Formula One Teams' Association during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

"It is our duty as a Federation to provide them with a platform to ensure they stay with us. How do we do that? By listening to them," Vatanen insists.

"We can't present them as some sort of enemy who would take the power away from the FIA. By working together, we can make the FIA strong.

"I want to return things back to normal, where we co-operate with one another, which is not happening today.

"At the moment F1 is facing a new challenge. It needs to grow because it is stagnant at the moment.

"Again, it remains to be seen whether Bernie can move with the times - because while it is clear he has done a fantastic job, today he wants to make sure of his own interests.

"But when you speak to FOTA, who are paying for everything, it is clear they are not being listened to sufficiently at all.

"And what is the result? Our sport is not dynamic, it is not blossoming as much as it should.

"But this is not me against Bernie, or FOTA against Bernie. Not at all.

"All the results I have achieved, be it in sport or politics, it has been down to team work.

"It cannot come down to egos, what role people have played. It's about the end result, that the entire FIA family is doing well.

"At the moment the FIA is like a flower that is in need of the democracy of daylight and the water of fairness."

 

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RENAULT IN HOT WATER

Renault must face an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris later this month to answer charges that they deliberately caused a crash to help Fernando Alonso win a grand prix.

The allegation surrounds last season's Singapore Grand Prix when Alonso won the race, aided by a crash from then team-mate Nelson Piquet Jnr.

If found guilty, the team face severe sanctions which could result in them being excluded from the current Formula One world championship.

A statement from the FIA read: "Representatives of ING Renault F1 have been requested to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday, 21 September, 2009.

"The team representatives have been called to answer charges, including a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, that the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of its other driver, Fernando Alonso.''

Initially, Alonso appeared somewhat fortuitous in taking the chequered flag as the double world champion had started from 15th on the grid at the sport's latest addition to the calendar.

Intriguingly, Renault had opted to fuel Alonso short for his first stint, a bizarre tactic when starting so far down and on a typical street track where it is notoriously difficult to pass.

Renault gambled on there being a safety-car incident, and just two laps after Alonso made his first pit stop on lap 12, Piquet's crash turned the race on its head.

The Brazilian's moment into a wall also took place on a part of the circuit where there was no crane to hand, otherwise the field might slowly have filed past under waved yellow flags while it was recovered.

But with the crane on track, it necessitated the safety car, resulting in the pitlane being immediately closed.

When it eventually re-opened, virtually the entire field dived into the pits, culminating in Alonso emerging in fifth place.

Of those ahead of him, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella pitted later, while Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica were penalised as they had been forced to stop when the pitlane was closed.

Alonso then inherited a lead on lap 34 he cemented with victory, Renault's first for two years, and at a time when it was strongly rumoured they were considering quitting the sport.

At the time suspicions were roused, in particular by Felipe Massa who is understood to have confronted Renault team principal Flavio Briatore, accusing him of engineering the crash.

Massa started from pole and was leading when the accident took place, with his first stop then wrecked when he pulled away too early, leaving the fuel hose attached to his Ferrari.

Piquet explained the incident away at the time that he was trying too hard, made a mistake and scraped one wall a little too closely.

Only recently Piquet was sacked by the team, with the suggestion it is the 24-year-old, or his father and manager Nelson Piquet snr, who has since blown the whistle, prompting an investigation, and now subsequent hearing.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone this week warned "there is going to be a lot of trouble'' if the allegations are found to be true.

The FIA proved with the spygate saga only circumstantial evidence is required for them to impose strict penalties.

On that occasion they fined McLaren £50million for breaching the same article now faced by Renault.

 

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VATANEN: VOTE FOR CHANGE

Ari Vatanen is confident "the tide is turning" in his battle with Jean Todt to become the next FIA president.

Former world rally champion Vatanen is viewed as the underdog ahead of the October 23 election, in particular as outgoing president Max Mosley has resoundingly endorsed Todt as his successor.

While Vatanen represents the candidate for change, many view one-time Ferrari team principal Todt as someone who will simply be an extension of Mosley's 12-year tenure.

Todt certainly has a considerable amount of support on his side, however, Vatanen is apparently garnering his own troops, although the Frenchman remains firm favourite.

Dismissing suggestions he is the 'anti-Max candidate', Vatanen said: "No, I am the new-start-for-the-FIA candidate.

"I'll leave it for other people to decide whether Jean is tainted by Max's endorsement.

"Max has said several times he wants to leave his legacy to Jean, who has said he wants to carry on the extraordinary work of Max. That's fair enough.

"But me and my team, we propose something different. We want an FIA based on noble values, honesty and transparency, an FIA where not only minorities benefit, but everybody benefits.

"The FIA should be run like any other organisation, with fair principles, noble governance, and people feeling like they are being listened to, voices heard.

"Remember, we are not just representing the 20 drivers in F1 who are the very visible part of our iceberg, but also what is underneath - the one billion automobile users.

"Of course, I give a lot of credit to what Max has done, but the FIA deserves a fresh, new start where normal business practices are applied."

In recent times the FIA and F1 has faced considerable criticism - the governing body for the lack of virtues as mentioned by the 57-year-old Finn, and the sport for the politics, rifts and turmoil that have almost become the norm.

Vatanen feels the FIA and the sport only have themselves to blame, adding: "Isn't it self-inflicted? We only get the reputation we deserve.

"I'm not here for polemics or to point a finger at someone, I'm here to be truthful, and we have to observe, assess and judge things truthfully.

"If the image of the FIA is damaged, why? Because the FIA has been a battleground for family members, of humiliation, of personal victories and ego trips, you name it.

"The FIA should be the common ground for the clubs, constructors and sponsors, so it is high time the image of it was improved.

"But we can only improve it in the eyes of the rest of the world if we improve our own behaviour. We have to put our house in order.

"If people see the FIA's reputation is damaged then it is an alarm call to get our act together."

 

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VATANEN: VOTE FOR CHANGE

Ari Vatanen is confident "the tide is turning" in his battle with Jean Todt to become the next FIA president.

Former world rally champion Vatanen is viewed as the underdog ahead of the October 23 election, in particular as outgoing president Max Mosley has resoundingly endorsed Todt as his successor.

While Vatanen represents the candidate for change, many view one-time Ferrari team principal Todt as someone who will simply be an extension of Mosley's 12-year tenure.

Todt certainly has a considerable amount of support on his side, however, Vatanen is apparently garnering his own troops, although the Frenchman remains firm favourite.

Dismissing suggestions he is the 'anti-Max candidate', Vatanen said: "No, I am the new-start-for-the-FIA candidate.

"I'll leave it for other people to decide whether Jean is tainted by Max's endorsement.

"Max has said several times he wants to leave his legacy to Jean, who has said he wants to carry on the extraordinary work of Max. That's fair enough.

"But me and my team, we propose something different. We want an FIA based on noble values, honesty and transparency, an FIA where not only minorities benefit, but everybody benefits.

"The FIA should be run like any other organisation, with fair principles, noble governance, and people feeling like they are being listened to, voices heard.

"Remember, we are not just representing the 20 drivers in F1 who are the very visible part of our iceberg, but also what is underneath - the one billion automobile users.

"Of course, I give a lot of credit to what Max has done, but the FIA deserves a fresh, new start where normal business practices are applied."

In recent times the FIA and F1 has faced considerable criticism - the governing body for the lack of virtues as mentioned by the 57-year-old Finn, and the sport for the politics, rifts and turmoil that have almost become the norm.

Vatanen feels the FIA and the sport only have themselves to blame, adding: "Isn't it self-inflicted? We only get the reputation we deserve.

"I'm not here for polemics or to point a finger at someone, I'm here to be truthful, and we have to observe, assess and judge things truthfully.

"If the image of the FIA is damaged, why? Because the FIA has been a battleground for family members, of humiliation, of personal victories and ego trips, you name it.

"The FIA should be the common ground for the clubs, constructors and sponsors, so it is high time the image of it was improved.

"But we can only improve it in the eyes of the rest of the world if we improve our own behaviour. We have to put our house in order.

"If people see the FIA's reputation is damaged then it is an alarm call to get our act together."

 

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HAMILTON EXPECTS TOUGH TEST

Lewis Hamilton admits drivers will take a while to get used to running in low downforce at the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix.

With testing banned this season, teams have not yet had an opportunity to get their set-ups right for the high-speed circuit.

And reigning world champion Hamilton believes this could have a big impact on teams because the Monza circuit drives like no other.

"Since we no longer test at Monza before the Italian Grand Prix, it will take the drivers a bit of acclimatisation to get used to running in low downforce at this high-speed circuit," he said.

"It's a real challenge to get the set-up right because there's never an ideal compromise between speed along the straight and through the corners.

"It's never easy to keep the car on the track because it slides all the time: at most tracks, you feel like the downforce is sticking you to the track at high speeds - but not at Monza, it's like you are skating across the surface.

"But it's a fantastic circuit - our car has traditionally gone well there so I am looking forward to another competitive weekend."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh says Monza will provide "another interesting test" for the MP4-24.

"Monza is a venue where the team has traditionally gone well and we love racing on a racetrack that's so steeped in Formula 1 history," he said.

"The unique high-speed nature of the track places unique demands on the cars and, like every team, we'll arrive at the circuit with a bespoke high-speed aerodynamic package.

"It will be another interesting test for MP4-24 as we continue to develop the car - it will be useful to understand how it works in a low-downforce set-up.

"Of course, Monza is notable for being a power circuit, and, with KERS, we should see some incredible speeds - particularly during qualifying when the drivers will double-deploy KERS along the start/finish straight."

 

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LIUZZI REPLACES FISICHELLA

Force India have confirmed Vitantonio Liuzzi has replaced Giancarlo Fisichella for the remainder of the season.

Liuzzi has been promoted from his role as test and reserve driver with the team, a position he has held since the start of 2008.

The 28-year-old will now make his race debut with Force India in front of his own fans at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Liuzzi, who last drove in Formula One at the end of the 2007 season with Toro Rosso, appreciates he has been given his chance courtesy of the chain reaction sparked by Felipe Massa's accident.

"I can't wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home grand prix in Monza," said Liuzzi, who competed in 39 grands prix over three seasons from 2005 to 2007.

"I really appreciate the opportunity Vijay (Mallya) has given me, particularly now Force India has a great car that's performing very well.

"I am confident I can carry on our progress. I'm very motivated, in good shape and hungry to get some more points on the board.

"Although it's unfortunate this came about as a direct result of Felipe's accident, this is my opportunity to show people what I can do, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Team owner Vijay Mallya, who released Fisichella to Ferrari last week, is confident Liuzzi will not let down the team.

"I'm delighted to give Tonio the opportunity to get back into a race seat, which I know he has been itching to do for the past two years," said Mallya.

"Force India is now in a very competitive position and we need a driver who can continue this momentum.

"This will be the chance for Tonio to demonstrate to both the team and the field he has the commitment, speed and professionalism to perform, and I am sure he will seize this opportunity."



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MASSA LIFTS LID ON LUCKY ESCAPE

Felipe Massa has talked for the first time about the horror accident that almost claimed his life.

The Ferrari driver was left in a coma in July when a flying spring smashed into his head during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Massa, talking to the Guardian, admits his injuries could have been much worse.

"You need to think about luck in different ways. I was actually very unlucky with the spring in my face. But I was very lucky as well. Every doctor said the same.

"If the spring had gone one millimetre to the right I would have lost my sight. One millimetre to the left and who knows? I could have been brain damaged. So I was very lucky. And this is more important because it is my life."

Massa says what happened at the Hungaroring hasn't dimmed his passion for the sport, or given him any doubts about wanting to get back behind the wheel.

He said: "For me, the worst thing that happened was not being able to race. If you can't drive that's terrible.

"But my wife has already asked me, at least 10 times, 'Are you sure you don't feel any doubts or worries?' Always, I say, 'No - because this is what I like to do.' If I don't drive then I am not the same person.

"Ever since I was a small boy this is my life. This is what I like to do. So I really hope, and expect, nothing will change inside of me when I go back into the car and start pushing myself to the maximum again."

The images of Massa's accident disturbed many, but they didn't have a massive impact on the driver himself

"I first saw it when I got home on television - just like you. But I had other accidents that disturbed me a lot more.

"When I lost the brakes in Monaco in 2002 it was a huge crash. And I crashed twice in Barcelona because I had a problem with my suspension - and that was an accident that made me think.

"But this accident in Hungary is like something I never even saw. So my wife was only asking gentle questions, like, 'You don't think maybe ... ?' And I say, 'No, I am racing again.'

"My mother also knows me a lot. Sometimes she is looking at me and thinking but she knows not to ask."



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MOSS BOOST FOR STUTTERING HAMILTON

Sir Stirling Moss believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton can become one of motor racing's greats despite struggling this season in defence of his Formula One world title.

Hamilton goes into the Italian Grand Prix this weekend in seventh place in the drivers' championship, 45 points behind leader Jenson Button after a frustrating year in which his McLaren car has been largely uncompetitive.

But Sir Stirling, who battled it out with Formula One legend Juan Fangio in the 1950s and 1960s and is still one of the biggest names in British sport despite never having won the world championship, insists Hamilton is the man to save motor racing from becoming boring.

"Lewis is one of the few real racers out there," said Sir Stirling.

"If you watch Lewis he brakes really late and braking is not easy. It is a difficult manoeuvre because the car becomes unstable.

"He's exciting to watch and that is a sign of a pretty good driver. This guy is interesting. You have to have a daredevil attitude to it.

"It's becoming more and more difficult to find out who is the best driver because they are all forced into a narrow margin. Small technical things count. It's difficult to say 'Is this guy or that guy as good as Fangio or not?

"But I do think Lewis has greatness in him."

Sir Stirling turns 80 next week and a special birthday bash is planned at Goodwood where 80 cars associated with him during his career will be assembled.

The legend, who retired at the age of 32 in 1962 after a near-fatal crash at Goodwood, believes motor racing needs to find technical ways to increase overtaking.

He said: "There is very little passing. In my day you could slipstream behind someone and just before you touched him you could pull out and get past him. That can't happen today because the car is so destabilised.

"It has lessened the excitement. What we need in motor racing is more passing. Let's face it, all the passing goes on in pit stops."

But he admits one development is welcome.

"The sport was very dangerous in my day and now, thank God, it is one of the safest sports," he added.

"You see enormous crashes and wonder how anybody can possibly get out and the guy walks away and gets another car."




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FERRARI SET TO UNVEIL SANTANDER DEAL

Ferrari are on Thursday expected to unveil Santander as one of their title sponsors from next season.

Speculation has been rife in Formula One that the Spanish banking giant were ready to end their three-year association with McLaren and switch to Ferrari.

Santander initially teamed up with McLaren ahead of the 2007 season following double world champion Fernando Alonso's decision to sign for the Woking-based team.

Alonso's move, however, turned sour and his contract was terminated after one season, but with Santander locked into their deal.

However, with that now coming to an end, Santander are to jump ship, further fuelling rumours Alonso will also soon join Ferrari.

The team have called a press conference for Thursday at Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at which president Luca di Montezemolo and Emilio Botin, the president of the Bank of Santander, will both be present.





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STEWART BACKS TOUGH STANCE ON RENAULT

Sir Jackie Stewart urged the FIA to hit Renault with an appropriate punishment if they are found guilty of fixing the outcome of last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

The French team were last week asked to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on September 21 after being charged with conspiring with their driver Nelson Piquet Jr to cause a deliberate crash.

Piquet's exit from the race on September 28 last year saw the safety car deployed, a move which helped team-mate Fernando Alonso win the Grand Prix.

If found guilty of race-fixing, Renault face severe sanctions, which could include expulsion from the current Formula One world championship.

Three-time drivers' champion Stewart, who also spent three seasons running his own eponymous team in the late 1990s, said: "The governing body of the sport have been somewhat inconsistent in past years and times with regards to some of their penalties, and I hope that common sense will prevail.

"If there is guilt found then it had to be dealt with accordingly."

Stewart would not be drawn on what sanctions should be imposed and believes it is impossible to predict exactly what would happen to Renault were they to be found guilty.

"We've seen in the past few years some very odd things happen," said Stewart, citing the draconian fine handed out to McLaren two years ago when it was decided they had illegally used data obtained from Ferrari to improve their own car.

"McLaren were fined 100million dollars for something that was never seen to be proved completely."

Stewart, who admitted Formula One could "do without" a scandal of similar magnitude, added: "I'm afraid in all sports - at one time or another - there are tactics exercised that we would rather not occur.

"Whether it's in football, whether it's in equestrian, or whether it's in motor cars, then the law has to work and regulations have to prevail, and in some cases penalties must be enforced."

The FIA first started investigating Renault after an initial claim of fixing was made by a Brazilian TV station during last month's Belgian Grand Prix.

Piquet initially attributed his crash to a simple error, but he was axed by Renault after July's Hungarian Grand Prix and has since been outspoken in his criticism of team boss Flavio Briatore.

Stewart said: "The FIA have obviously been tipped off by Nelson Piquet Jr that there was - what he thought - some dirty work at the crossroads.

"Whether that's a reality or not, I couldn't comment."

Asked who would be to blame in such a circumstance, Stewart added: "Sometimes drivers make errors of judgment, sometimes team managers make errors of judgment, sometimes businessmen make errors of judgment. That does happen, and when it does happen, it usually has penalties.

"And when those penalties occur, that person either loses his job or is not allowed to race or participate in a business for a certain window of time."

Stewart was speaking at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, which he is loaning the use of his 1971 championship-winning Tyrrell 003.

The 70-year-old also revealed a new display to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his first world title, which made him the fifth Brit to lift the crown.

Jenson Button is currently trying to become the 10th, something that looked a formality after he stormed to victory six times in the opening seven races of the season.

His form has nose-dived in the five Grands Prix since, and his lead is now 16 points going into the final five races of the year.

Stewart said: "It's going to be an exciting end to the season but it didn't seem possible that he could lose the lead in the world championship that he had.

"But it has happened and now he has to pick himself up - and so have the team - and try to win another British world championship."






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MASSA FEARS BUTTON COMING UNDONE

Felipe Massa believes Jenson Button will throw away this season's Formula One world title unless he starts to handle the pressure.

Button has claimed just 11 points from the last five races, but still retains a 16-point cushion over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

However, with five races remaining, Massa can see close friend and fellow Brazilian Barrichello reel in Button if the Briton continues to struggle with the demands of leading the title fight.

"Look at me, I went to Brazil six points behind (last year), and I almost won the championship. That was one race," remarked Massa in The Guardian.

"Rubens has five races to close 16 points. It's a big possibility. But it depends on Jenson. If Jenson carries on in this bad way it will help Rubens a lot.

"In my opinion, Jenson has gone down because of the pressure. It's the only reason.

"At the start of the season everything was nice, everything was easy. He was in a new team winning six out of the first seven races. That's different to fighting hard for the championship.

"Now he has a different kind of pressure. Now we have races where things are more difficult.

"So for me the pressure has had a big impact on his mind, and he needs to deal with it better.

"If he does not cope with the pressure he will not win the championship."





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