Rubens Barrichello is not planning to celebrate his 300th grand prix this weekend.

The Brazilian officially celebrated the unprecedented milestone recently at Spa-Francorchamps, despite some statisticians pointing out that he didn’t actually start two grands prix due to pre-race technical problems during his time at Ferrari.

According to those tallies, it is actually Singapore that will be 38-year-old Barrichello’s 300th race start.

“We had the same problem with the 257th grand prix,” said the Williams driver on Thursday, referring to his surpassing of Riccardo Patrese’s race-start record.

“There are various ways to count. I had my 300th grand prix in Spa. That’s enough,” he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

“I’m not going to celebrate again. But if someone brings a cake, then that’s ok,” laughed Barrichello.

Pedro de la Rosa lost his race seat because he was not consistent enough.

In Singapore on Thursday, photographers clamoured around the Spaniard’s replacement Nick Heidfeld, who is well known to the Swiss team after two separate tenures in the past.

“Nick will help us assess how good our car really is,” team boss Peter Sauber is quoted on Thursday by Auto Motor und Sport.

“When we looked at the first 14 races, Kobayashi and de la Rosa had approximately the same speed, but not consistently enough.

“With (Kamui) Kobayashi you expect that from a newcomer,” said Sauber, who has retained the Japanese rookie for 2011.

“With Heidfeld, we know that he can drive consistently. But I don’t expect marvellous things from him first time out, because he has to get used to the car and tyres.

“He will show us what he can do at Suzuka,” added Sauber.

33-year-old German Heidfeld, however, said he is not approaching Singapore – his first grand prix since Abu Dhabi last year – as a gentle re-acclimatisation to F1.

He is yet to secure a contract for 2011.

“For me this is my chance to show that I deserve to be here,” said the veteran of approaching 170 grands prix.

Heidfeld said his target is to outclass his new teammate.

“F1 is not kindergarten,” he said. “You always have to beat your teammate and you have to believe that you can.

“Who is too slow is gone, and that’s how the sport is.”

Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday insisted he is not worried that next year’s Indian grand prix might also turn into a crisis.

Delhi, also to host F1′s inaugural Indian race late in 2011, is currently embroiled in crisis over its shambolic organisation of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

There are security, disease and infrastructure concerns that have already caused some top athletes to pull out, amid the looming threat that the entire games might have to be called off.

Asked if he was worried the Indian capital might also bungle its F1 race, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said in Singapore: “No, it’s a different organisation altogether, completely different so I have no worries at all.”

“The people who, as you say, are making a shambles, are not the people who are dealing with us for the race,” he is quoted by PA Sport.

Paul di Resta looks set to make his formula one race debut in 2011.

A report in the British newspaper The Sun said the 24-year-old Scot “will almost certainly” graduate from his reserve and Friday driving seat to a full racing position next year.

Team owner and boss Vijay Mallya is quoted as saying di Resta, who currently races in the German touring car series DTM, has the “right attitude to make it in F1″.

He is in Singapore for this weekend’s night race, but he will not be driving in Friday morning practice as he sometimes does.

“I’m going to try and help the team as much as I can,” promised di Resta.

Whether it will be team regulars Adrian Sutil or Vitantonio Liuzzi who will move on to make room for di Resta is not currently known.

But it is believed Liuzzi is under contract for 2011, while Sutil has been linked with a move to Mercedes or Renault.

Also linked to Renault for next year is 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, but Vitaly Petrov on Thursday insisted he is not worried about losing his seat.

“I know what I am doing,” said the Russian rookie. “Why must I worry? They must worry. I think I will continue to do my job and I think everything looks good.”

Pedro de la Rosa has been signed up as another Pirelli tyre tester.

After many consecutive years at the grand prix circuits, the 39-year-old Spaniard will watch this weekend’s Singapore action on television from his Zurich home.

He has been ousted at Sauber by Nick Heidfeld, who was previously incoming official supplier Pirelli’s permanent tyre tester.

It had been expected that de la Rosa, with years of experience as a test driver at McLaren under his belt, would immediately replace Heidfeld.

But this week’s Monza running in the Pirelli-shod 2009 Toyota was conducted by Romain Grosjean.

Spanish news agency Europa Press said the Swiss-born Frenchman is staying on board, to share the role from now on with de la Rosa.

“So far, our work has been done by Nick Heidfeld, but since he has returned to racing, he will be replaced by Pedro de la Rosa and Romain Grosjean,” confirmed Pirelli chief executive Francesco Gori at the Turkish factory where the F1 tyres will be made.

“They (de la Rosa and Grosjean) will test until the Abu Dhabi grand prix, and after that the teams will use the new tyres,” he is quoted in the EP report.

Jean Todt has hinted that F1′s team orders ban will be reconsidered in order to make the sport more “transparent”.

But the FIA president denied he is bowing to the pressure and ideals of Ferrari, the famous Italian team he led to enormous success last decade.

Maranello based Ferrari recently and controversially escaped additional penalties for switching the places of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso at Hockenheim.

Instead, the World Motor Sport Council ruled that the ban on team orders, installed after Todt ordered Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher win the 2002 Austrian grand prix, be reconsidered.

“I’m not for or against team orders; it depends on the situation,” Todt told the Clarin daily whilst visiting Argentina.

“It’s as old as racing,” the Frenchman insisted. “After what happened with Alonso and Massa in Germany, the issue was reopened and passed to a committee to make the rules clear.

“The idea is to find out what is most healthy and transparent,” said Todt.

He denied that the FIA’s apparently new approach to team orders demonstrates a link between his new presidency and Ferrari.

Asked what his response to those types of critics is, Todt answered: “They are fools.

“It is the same as when I was with Peugeot, and also Ferrari. Now as president of the FIA, I do my best for the organisation, regardless of the particular interests of others,” he explained.

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is not opposed to the idea of France returning to the formula one calendar.

Earlier this month it emerged that Magny Cours, the long-time scene of the country’s annual race between 1991 and 2008, is ramping up its efforts to return to the calendar by 2012.

But F1 chief executive Ecclestone is no fan of Magny Cours’ remote location, and has been pushing for a grand prix venue nearer the French capital.

The Briton is also involved with the test track at Paul Ricard, near Marseille.

“Paul Ricard is probably one of the best in the world,” Ecclestone is quoted by L’Equipe.

“But we still don’t have a place for a race. You know the problem.

“The (French) grand prix has a future, but where is the promoter?” said the 79-year-old. “I really thought the project near Paris would happen.”

He said he is open to finding a place on the calendar for France, the scene of the very first grand prix in 1906.

“I am ready to sign a contract as soon as possible, the very moment someone comes to me and says ‘I have the money and a circuit’.

“I would be happy to have a race in France,” insisted Ecclestone.

For the first time in many years, Pedro de la Rosa will be watching a grand prix this weekend from the comfort of his Zurich home.

The Spanish 39-year-old, who before returning to the F1 grid this year with Sauber was McLaren’s long-time tester and veteran of some 70 grands prix, has been ousted and replaced for Singapore and beyond by Nick Heidfeld.

“It’s a shame I’m not racing because Singapore would have been my first night race,” he said.

“But I will be following the race with interest from home,” added de la Rosa.

“I must admit it will be difficult to watch on TV because for years I have either been taking part or commentating, so to see it from the sofa will be very strange,” he admitted.

Danny Sullivan will be in the stewards room this weekend in Singapore.

The 1985 Indy 500 winner debuted in the FIA’s new driver-representative role at Hockenheim in July.

There, he was famously involved in the decision to fine Ferrari $100,000 and summon the team to the World Motor Sport Council for imposing illegal team orders.

60-year-old American Sullivan’s formative racing career took place in European open wheel series, but he raced in CART before switching to formula one with Tyrrell in 1983.

He returned to America in 1984, winning the series in 1988 before announcing his retirement whilst recovering from a crash in 1995.

50,000 tyres will be produced for F1 in 2011

Pirelli, present since 1960, celebrates 50 years’ activity in Turkey

Pirelli today inaugurated the “Factory of Champions” at Izmit, the plant where the group will produce tyres for all the Formula One teams for the 3-year period 2011-2013. The Izmit facility, which this year celebrates 50 years’ activity, has housed the Motorsport tyre production line since 2007 and, in synergy with the Research and Development centre in Milan, will become the heart of Pirelli’s Formula One activities.

Producing 8 million tyres for cars, trucks and motorsport each year, Izmit is the Pirelli factory with the greatest unit output of all. The group has invested 140 million euros there over the last 10 years and plans to invest a further 30 million euros in 2011 to support expansion in Turkey and nearby emerging markets.

The Formula One tyre division was inaugurated with a press conference at the plant with the participation of Nihat Ergun, Turkey’s Minister for Industry and Commerce, Gianpaolo Scarante, Ambassador of Italy in Turkey, Marco Tronchetti Provera, Chairman and CEO of the Pirelli Group, Francesco Gori, CEO of Pirelli Tyre, Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Turk Pirelli Lastikleri and Metin Ar, Chairman of Turk Pirelli Lastikleri.

Pirelli in Turkey

Inaugurated in 1960, the Izmit facility produces tyres for the car and industrial segments, as well as Motorsport. It supplies key European markets (including Turkey, ltaly, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, United Kingdom) and the Middle East, as well as car makers such as Mercedes, Jaguar, Fiat and Renault. The facility, which also houses a steel cord factory in its 25th year of activity, covers an area of 340,000 square metres and employs 1,800 people.

Pirelli expects 2010 revenue in Turkey of over 500 million euros, an increase of over 25% compared with 2009, and will strengthen its position further with new investments of 30 million euros in 2011, having already invested 140 million euros in the last 10 years.

Turkey and Formula One

With the launch of the Formula One division, Pirelli has broadened its offering of automobile sports tyres. In 2011, the Company will produce a total of 200,000 competition tyres, 50,000 of these for Formula One and 70,000 for the GP2 and GP3 championships, for which Pirelli is the sole supplier. The remainder will go to the 60 international automobile road and track competitions for which the Milan-based tyre maker is the exclusive supplier, as well as prestigious single brand championships such as the Ferrari Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Trofeo Maserati. In total, Pirelli’s automotive sports range counts 200 types of racing tyres, including rally tyres.

Formula One tyres will be produced exclusively at the Izmit plant on the basis of simulation models, compounds and structures developed by Pirelli Research and Development, which counts over 1,000 engineers and technicians. The Formula One line, which covers an area of 15,000 square metres, will run the most advanced sports tyre production machinery.

The Izmit facility, in synergy with Pirelli’s centre for the preparation of sports tyres in Burton on Trent (United Kingdom), will also be the centre of all Formula One logistics activities.

First tests

The new PZero Formula One tyres, developed on the basis of Pirelli’s extensive experience in road and track automobile competitions, have been tested, beginning in mid-August, with success on tracks in Mugello (Italy), Le Castellet (France) and Jerez (Spain) and have recently undergone new tests on the Monza (Italy) circuit. In Mugello and Le Castellet, structures and profiles were tested to guarantee maximum adaptability, continuity and homogeneity of tyre performance. In Jerez and Monza, testing focused on optimization of the compounds, of which there will be six: four “slicks” for dry conditions, one rain tyre and one intermediate for light rain.

Track testing was done on a Toyota TF 109, used in last season’s Grand Prix, driven in Jerez by Germany’s Nick Heidfeld. Final testing is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi in November after the Grand Prix.

“The tests went beyond my own expectations and I believe Pirelli is at a good point in the development of the tyres,” said Heidfeld. “The Pirelli team, to whom I think I gave some useful advice, has from the beginning been on the right track in terms of supplying all Teams with reliable and safe tyres to ensure a great show and enable each driver to express their own driving style”.

Formula One and sustainability

In line with the Pirelli Group’s Green Performance strategy, aimed at developing products and solutions that combine maximum performance and safety with respect for the environment, Formula One production was also inspired by criteria of environmental sustainability. In particular, as in all Pirelli competition tyres, the compounds for the PZero are free of highly aromatic oils. Further, the processes used in Izmit are based on energy and water efficiency and the reduction of dangerous emissions like carbon dioxide. Special attention has been given to the re-utilization of production remnants and used tyres. The waste handling protocol calls for the recycling of used F1 tyres for either the generation of new primary material or energy production. Pirelli’s attention to the issue of sustainability is also shown by its recent confirmation in the Dow Jones Sustainability STOXX and Dow Jones Sustainability World indices, where the Company has been the leading company in the “Autoparts and Tires” sector for four consecutive years.

Pirelli’s 50 years in Turkey

The inauguration of the Formula One division coincides with celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Turk Pirelli’s activities which will include, among other things, a photographic exhibition which opened yesterday at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace. The collection of images recounts the history of the Company’s industrial presence in Turkey and its technological evolution. The official opening was attended by local authorities and leading exponents of Turkey’s business and cultural communities, including the director Ferzan Ozpetek and singer Sezene Aksu

Lotus has scheduled a raft of “exciting announcements” for Friday in Singapore.

According to widespread paddock sentiment, the press conference will include confirmation of a technical tie-up with Renault, and an official change of name to the historic ‘Team Lotus’.

Indeed, a team-liveried AirAsia plane shown off by team and airline owner Tony Fernandes on Thursday is already emblazoned with a ‘Team Lotus’ logo.

Almost certainly also on the agenda will be confirmation of the 2011 driver lineup.

Asked about the rumours in Singapore on Thursday evening, Heikki Kovalainen said: “Let’s put it this way and then leave it at that; I know where I want to be.”

Fernandes said: “We’ll be making a couple of very exciting announcements.”

Mercedes insists it is still not worried about Michael Schumacher’s outings on the saddle of powerful superbikes.

Immediately before travelling to Singapore this week, the seven time world champion tested 180 horse power KTM and Honda bikes at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany.

It was on the same sort of German IDM championship bike in early 2009 that Schumacher fell and hurt his neck; an injury that prevented him from racing in injured Felipe Massa’s Ferrari cockpit last August.

But Mercedes’ Norbert Haug said in July that if “Michael can deal with the risk, so can we”.

And a spokesman for the German marque told DPA news agency on Wednesday: “Michael has fun riding bikes and knows exactly what he is doing, and we know that too.”

Schumacher arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, and immediately headed to the Marina Bay area to inspect the street circuit on a scooter.

The German has never raced in the Asian city-state, nor in a formula one car under lights.

“Driving a new track has never been too complicated for me and I am usually very quick to learn and find the rhythm,” he said.

Fellow Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was asked in Singapore on Thursday if he will be offering advice about night racing to his famous teammate.

“He will probably ask, I probably won’t tell him anything,” he joked.

Fernando Alonso insists he is not worried about his engine situation with five races still to run in 2010.

Ferrari is pushing ahead with the Spaniard’s championship chances, but at Monza two weeks ago he began using his eighth V8 unit for the season.

FIA rules state that if a driver uses a ninth engine during the season, he must move ten places down the qualifying grid — a situation that would seriously affect Alonso’s aim to recover his 21 point deficit to Mark Webber.

But he said: “There is no reason to worry about engine problems, because our (other) engines can also be used more.

“And there are no other tracks where we are on the throttle for most of the lap,” Alonso is quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo.

It is believed that, this weekend in Singapore, Alonso will use the engine he raced recently at Spa-Francorchamps.

“It is a street circuit, where the engines are less important,” noted team boss Stefano Domenicali.

McLaren’s chief engineer Phil Prew believes Ferrari when the Italian team says it is not overly worried about engine usage.

“I think it will only affect their Friday running, in terms of running used engines on the Friday,” he told reporters during Wednesday’s Vodafone teleconference.

“Sadly I don’t think that will give us any advantage over them,” added Prew.

F1 drivers have admitted they are concerned about the prospect of rain under the Singapore lights this weekend.

During the first two editions of the sport’s first night event in 2008 and 2009, wet weather did not fall on the city street circuit.

“I’ve never driven in the rain at night,” said F1′s most experienced driver Rubens Barrichello in the Asian city-state.

“I really don’t know what to say about that. We just have to wait and see,” added the Brazilian.

The worries are that the bright overhead lights will reflect off the wet surface of the track, and perhaps even the rain droplets themselves.

There was a huge downpour in the Marina Bay area on Wednesday, and on Thursday another severe storm rolled in.

“It (Wednesday’s rain) was so heavy that rivers of water flooded the track to a point where the tyres can’t deal with it,” said Sir Jackie Stewart.

“In daylight, we can see beyond the track if we’re heading into rain. But here, the light is contained on the circuit and everything else is dark.

“So it’ll be very challenging on the drivers’ peripheral vision,” added the triple world champion.

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel commented: “We’ve yet to experience any wet running on a floodlit track, so it will be interesting if that happens.”

Nico Rosberg admitted he is “definitely worried” about the weekend’s weather forecast.

“It’s going to be rather interesting if it rains, but I hope it doesn’t because it will be quite messy,” said the German.

Officials have denied reports there are serious moves afoot to relocate Melbourne’s Australian grand prix.

With the current contract for Albert Park running until 2015, and in light of mounting taxpayer losses, it emerged this week that permanent circuits outside of Melbourne – at Calder Park or Avalon – are being considered for the event’s future.

But a spokesman for the state Victorian tourism minister said: “The grand prix is staying at Albert Park.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker added: “The government is happy to leave it (the grand prix) at Albert Park because it showcases the city.”

And state premier John Brumby told reporters on Thursday: “I think it (the chance of the grand prix moving) is about as close to zero as you can get.”