Luca di Montezemolo has indicated that Felipe Massa is on the road to having his Ferrari deal extended beyond December.

The 29-year-old Brazilian has driven for the famous team since 2006, alongside highly rated teammates including Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

But so far in 2010, Massa has struggled with the F10 car, while team president Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is “very happy” with new long-term recruit Fernando Alonso.

Amid rumours Ferrari is considering replacing Massa with Robert Kubica or Mark Webber, Gazzetta correspondent Pino Allievi asked Montezemolo what Massa needs to do in order to keep his seat.

He answered: “Continue as before, with the same spirit, thinking of his interests but also those of the team.”

Jaime Alguersuari has indicated he risked losing his F1 seat this year due to “problems” between Toro Rosso and Red Bull.

In between the 2009 and 2010 seasons, it was strongly rumoured the Faenza based team was considering replacing the then teenage Spaniard with a pay-driver.

Alguersuari, who had debuted only several races earlier due to the mid-season expulsion of Sebastien Bourdais, told Diario Sport in an interview this week that he never felt his career was in jeopardy.

He revealed: “I had a contract with Red Bull and the word of Dietrich Mateschitz. I knew I was a future project for them and that it made no sense for them to make me quickly debut and then leave me out for the next season.

“The only thing about the situation is that Toro Rosso had economic and contractual problems with Red Bull, but I just kept doing my work in a calm way,” added Alguersuari.

Having taken a tangible step forward in comparison to his teammate Sebastien Buemi this year, Alguersuari admits he would like to be in a fully competitive car sooner rather than later.

“Red Bull has a winning car and I must fight to have one as well,” he said.

Earlier rumours suggested Mark Webber might move on at the end of 2010, opening up a cockpit for Alguersuari or his teammate Sebastien Buemi, but speculation is now strengthening that Red Bull will retain its current lineup next season.

“I am learning, and if some day I can take the wheel of a Red Bull or win a world championship with them, it would be fantastic,” admitted Alguersuari.
(GMM)

F1′s now-traditional end of season test for young drivers could be held in Abu Dhabi.

Last December, Jerez hosted the three days of winter testing set aside in the regulations for ‘young driver training’.

But Italy’s Italiaracing reports that for 2010, the test could take place in the days after Abu Dhabi hosts the season finale on Yas Island in mid November.

With all the cars and equipment already in place, the move would be a significant cost-saving.
(GMM)

A Singapore official has played down concerns the city-state will run out of time to prepare the floodlit street circuit for this year’s formula one race.

Singapore will host the Youth Olympic Games in the same Marina Bay area until the end of August — less than a month before the F1 circus arrives in town for round 15 of the 2010 world championship.

But Justin Chew, the Singapore Tourism Board’s executive director of F1 projects, told the state-owned MediaCorp: “We do have enough time.

“Based on the timeline set by the Youth Olympic Games organisers, they will take at least two to three weeks to vacate the circuit completely.

“But we have already ‘de-conflicted’ it and whatever time they need to move out and what we need to put in the area have been worked out,” he insisted.

The tight schedule means that fundamental structures for the street circuit such as lighting trusses are already being erected.

Sebastien Bourdais has admitted he is unlikely to ever return to the formula one grid.

The Frenchman, who was ousted by Toro Rosso mid-way through the 2009 season, now races in the Superleague series and a Peugeot in Le Mans races.

He arrived in F1 in 2008, after establishing himself as the dominant driver of the now defunct American open wheeler series Champ Car.

But Bourdais admits a lack of sponsorship is preventing his return to a top seat in the US, and he also acknowledges that returning to F1 is unlikely.

“I am 31 years old,” he told France’s sports.fr. “I don’t see how I could be back in a F1 cockpit, especially since it already did not go so well.

“If someone offers me a car, why not? But, personally, I have stopped chasing it,” added Bourdais.

He admits his relationship with Toro Rosso was always difficult, insisting the Faenza based team wanted “a guy who shuts up and drives”.

“They did not decide the development of the car or the technical paths, so it was always going to end in the way it did.

“Now, I have no regrets, but I would have if I had not tried it,” added Bourdais.

He was linked with the vacant Renault seat over the past winter, but Bourdais denies he ever had talks with the team’s new boss Eric Boullier.

“I know him very well, he is a friend, and we didn’t even talk about it,” said Bourdais. Renault needed a driver who could bring money.

“I was hoping that Romain (Grosjean) would be retained. There are many talented French drivers but our economy is such that it is difficult to find financial support.

“And, unfortunately, seats in F1 are rare and expensive,” added Bourdais.
(GMM)

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has added weight to recent reports that an American team could soon be a reality in formula one.

In the wake of the USF1 debacle, scepticism accompanied the recent news about a US-based outfit called Cypher Group submitting a “letter of interest” about obtaining the last spot on the 2011 grid.

But a few days later, USF1 backer and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley’s aide Parris Mullins admitted to Autosport that “I would be lying if I said that I haven’t been exploring other ways of entry into this sport”.

“I am part of a project right now that is trying to enter the sport,” he added, admitting that he sees a customer car as a viable initial route.

And Montezemolo, who has been pushing hard for a rule change to allow three-car team entries, told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I dream of a third Ferrari managed by an American team, with the stars and stripes flag.”
(GMM)

Italian media sources are reporting that Pirelli will be F1′s sole tyre supplier in 2011 and beyond.

Autosprint and Italiaracing say the Milan-based marque has been selected by the teams and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to replace the departing control supplier Bridgestone.

Reportedly also in the running had been Michelin as well as minor contenders Avon, Kumho and Hankook.

When asked to nominate his preference, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said this week: “As an Italian I prefer Pirelli, but experience tells me Michelin.

“In the end it will be the same for everyone,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Autosprint said Pirelli will be paid 1 million euros per team per season in 2011, 2012 and 2013, in exchange for identical attention and service and a range of just three compounds: soft, medium and hard.

At least initially, the tyres will be in a similar 13-inch specification to the current Bridgestone product, with a longer-term ambition being a move to a low profile.

The decision is set to be confirmed shortly by the World Motor Sport Council.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo reports that Pirelli, already the supplier of the new GP3 series as well as world rally, is also likely to supply GP2 next year.

Pirelli was last in F1 in 1991.
(GMM)

In the midst of reports that New York was Bernie Ecclestone’s favoured location, the sport announced late on Tuesday that Austin, Texas will in fact stage its first race in 2012.

The 10-year contract is for a “purpose-built” facility, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said in a statement, although details including an actual site, cost or race date were not released.

A report of the AP news agency said the venue would be built “within 10 miles” of Austin airport.

The promoter is Full Throttle Productions, headed by Tavo Hellmund, who Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs revealed has a “30 year relationship with Mr Ecclestone”.

“We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States,” said Hellmund.

“We realise that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the formula one United States grand prix,” he added.

Never on a purpose-built circuit, previous US grands prix have been held at Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix.

Between 2000 and 2007, the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the event, and spokesman Fred Nation on Tuesday questioned whether the “business deal” between F1 and Austin is a sound one.

“Since 2007, we have been asked many times about having formula one return, and our answer has been the same each time: if the business deal is right, they are welcome back.

“If such a deal is in place in Austin, we wish both the city and formula one success for a race in the United States,” he said.
(GMM)

The Spanish driver for Toro Rosso, Alguersuari drove his Formula 1 car, the sand of a beach in the Dominican Republic, more than 180 miles per hour moved Catalan Ruanillo the beach at Cap Cana, marking history a show of the team.

“I am very happy and excited, I want to thank the entire team that has made it possible to meet this challenge,” the Spaniard said after shooting Alguersuari to more than 200,000 spectators.

The first F1 driver wearing a car on a beach, luckily it got out into the water.
source: ligasmotor.es

Force India’s test and reserve driver Paul di Resta will this week sit out another morning practice session.

The Scot has tested during the initial track session at every grand prix event this year with the exception of Bahrain and Monaco.

Di Resta, 24, had to defer to the race drivers in Bahrain because of the altered track configuration, and Monaco “due to the challenging layout of the circuit”, amid the need for Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi to maximise their cockpit time.

Force India confirmed on Tuesday that the DTM driver, who raced in Valencia between the Monaco and Turkish grands prix, will sit out Friday’s session at Istanbul Park because the car will be fitted with “some new development items”.

The Silverstone based team is sixth in the constructors’ championship, 35 points behind Renault.

“It was a late call from the team but I completely understand their decision as there are some new upgrades coming through this race that really need the drivers’ and the team’s attention,” said di Resta.

Team racer Vitantonio Liuzzi last week scotched rumours he is in danger of losing his seat to the highly rated rookie di Resta.

“I am not worried about these rumours; speculation is always at the door and all over the papers,” the Italian told espnf1.com.

(GMM)

Amid intense speculation about his future and a slump in his personal performance, Felipe Massa is looking to bounce back this weekend.

Turkey’s Istanbul Park has hosted five consecutive rounds of the world championship, and Massa won three of them consecutively between 2006 and 2008.

“It probably is my favourite track,” the Brazilian is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick, referring to the layout with the now-famous four-apex Turn 8.

29-year-old Massa should get a clear chance to perform in Turkey this weekend, as although rain is forecast early this week, the race event looks to be staged under warm and sunny skies.

His current contract runs out in December, but Massa is quoted as instead focusing on the challenge of making the F10 car respond better to his driving.

“The only thing that matters is my work within the team and how we prepare for the future,” Massa is quoted by France’s Le Nouvel Obs.

“I came here to be with Michael (in 2006) and I have also teamed up with Kimi and today I’m with Fernando. They are all strong drivers.

“I feel a lot of respect within the team and that is what matters,” he added.
(GMM)

Red Bull’s rivals cannot catch up with the dominant RB6 car simply by copying its technical features, Fernando Alonso insists.

On Monday, McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton was quoted as urging his engineers to study the Adrian Newey-penned single seater in a bid to match its runaway pace.

Asked by Germany’s Die Welt for his opinion about the secret to the RB6′s success, Ferrari driver Alonso answered: “It would be nice if we knew that.

“It is incredibly difficult to figure out why the competition is better here and there. And so it is hard to copy them.”

But the Spaniard admitted that emulating the cleverness of rival teams is commonplace in formula one.

“It can be. But whether it always works is a different matter, because every team also has its own design philosophy into which fits the next elements.

“It means that you have to develop better in your own direction,” said Alonso.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber, the back-to-back winner from pole in Spain and Monaco, insists it is too early to conclude that the Austrian team is now a shoo-in for the title.

“I understand you guys (reporters) have to write stuff but no one knows who is going to be in the hunt with a few races to go,” said the Australian.
(GMM)

Amateur cyclist and fan Fernando Alonso on Tuesday will take part in the sixteenth stage of the famous Giro d’Italia grand tour.

The Ferrari driver has been invited to enjoy the 12.9 kilometre mountain individual time trial between San Vigilio di Marebbe and Plan de Corones.

The 28-year-old will “enjoy the Giro on the crucial final moments of the stage”, the organisers confirmed.

Alonso confirmed last year he would like to set up a professional cycling team, perhaps with a project involving top Spanish rider and friend Alberto Contador.
(GMM)

Lotus will not run a KERS system in 2011, despite the expected return to the grid of the energy-recovery technology for next year.

Multiple sources are reporting that KERS will be back in formula one in 2011, but the new team Lotus has begun designing its next car with no plans to incorporate the boost-button concept.

“We will not use KERS next year and we have good reasons for this decision,” team boss Tony Fernandes is quoted by Finland’s Turun Sanomat.

“This year we had to buy nearly all the (car) parts from other suppliers but now we are in a position to build the entire car in our factory,” he explained.

“So we are trying to take advantage of the experience we have collected with the current car and to make the project more effective.

“If we were to have KERS, in accordance with the technical working group (decision), we would have to start everything again from zero in terms of weight distribution.

“The big teams are in a different boat, already with solid experience of KERS from recent years.

“What we saw last season is that it is not easy to get KERS to operate effectively and reliably; it took a lot of time, money and resources. At Lotus we are fully confident that we are going to cope without it (KERS),” added Fernandes.

Currently, FOTA’s technical group is finalising the details of the KERS return, with Ferrari and Renault pushing for a 150 horse power boost for 10 seconds each lap.

In 2009, the boost was about 80 horse power for less than 7 seconds.

It is likely that KERS will remain voluntary in 2011 and 2012 until a new engine formula debuts in 2013.

It is expected the return of KERS will be approved formally by the teams this weekend in Turkey, before the matter is referred to the FIA for inclusion in the technical regulations.
(GMM)

Michael Schumacher has denied that his ongoing hobby of semi-professional kart racing is an unnecessary risk.

Many F1 driver contracts forbid dangerous extra-curricular activities, but last weekend seven time world champion Schumacher was back at the wheel of a competitive kart.

On the free weekend between the Monaco and Turkish grands prix, the 41-year-old German finished second in two DMV championship races at the Oppenrod circuit.

To Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, the highly-paid Mercedes driver played down suggestions he is risking injury by keeping up his hobby of kart racing.

“There are a few sports that are more dangerous than formula one,” he said, “but karting I would consider more on the safe side.”

Schumacher admitted that he contests kart races for “fun” but also argues that the discipline is good practice for his day-job.

“The fun aspect is the most important. That’s really the only reason I do it,” said the German.

“What you learn here is not much help (for F1),” he admitted, “but you can do quite a lot of overtaking.”
(GMM)