Kimi Raikkonen’s interest in driving for Renault next year is “flattering”, team boss Eric Boullier has admitted.

2007 world champion Raikkonen’s manager last week confirmed reports the pair had spoken with Boullier about the vacant 2011 seat alongside Robert Kubica.

The 30-year-old Finn switched to world rallying this year after winning 18 grands prix with Ferrari and McLaren last decade.

“It’s flattering,” Boullier said in a French language report of the Agence France-Presse agency, “because it shows that our team is again attractive to a formula one world champion.”

After Fernando Alonso’s titles in 2005 and 2006, Renault entered a period of decline that resulted in the French carmaker selling to Luxembourg based Genii Capital at the end of last year.

“Our simulations show that our car has improved by about 1 and 3/4 seconds between the first test and now. We have been one of the teams with the greatest progressions.

“That is a true source of satisfaction,” admitted Boullier. “We have proved the team has the qualities to operate at the highest level.”

With five races still to run in 2010, there are still five drivers in the running to be world champion.

“I wouldn’t want to call it,” said team boss Martin Whitmarsh, whose McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are both contenders.

Also among the gang of five within a margin of a single race victory of Mark Webber’s lead are his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

“I think that out of the five, it will eventually just be a duel between Vettel and Webber,” pundit Niki Lauda told Bild newspaper.

“They have the edge because their package is the best overall,” added the Austrian and former triple world champion.

Indeed, Ferrari came close to writing off Alonso’s chances before the Italian team travelled from its Maranello base to Monza and won.

The Spaniard agrees that he is still in the running — but only just.

“It will be almost compulsory now to be on the podium in each race,” Alonso is quoted in the Spanish press.

“I don’t know how many points I have but I know I’m 21 behind the leader,” he added.

His F10 car was the fastest on the long lines of Monza, but team boss Stefano Domenicali is not expecting a repeat this weekend.

“Singapore is a track where Red Bull will return to its usual levels, McLaren will be strong and it will be a harder fight than what we saw at Monza,” he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

But the Italian acknowledged: “The truth is I think no one really understands what happens this year, in the sense that things happen differently at each race compared to what is said beforehand.”

Brazilian commentator Lito Cavalcanti surmises: “The Red Bull is good everywhere, but the cars of the rivals are very strong only sometimes.”

Vettel thinks the RB6 will be strong under the Singapore lights, telling Bild am Sonntag newspaper: “Advantage Red Bull, disadvantage McLaren.”

But Whitmarsh does not quite see it that way.

“What I hear people say we’ll be strong here or weak there, I don’t know how they work that out,” said the Briton.

Fernando Alonso has refused to criticise the Sauber team for ousting fellow Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.

De la Rosa has been replaced with immediate effect by former long-time Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld, 14 races into de la Rosa’s return to the F1 grid.

“From the outside, we don’t know what happened. You can’t really judge these sorts of decisions that a team makes,” said Alonso, whose employer Ferrari supplies engines to Hinwil based Sauber.

“All I can do is send all the encouragement in the world to Peter and to tell him to keep fighting, because he is a fighter,” added the two-time world champion to Spanish newspapers.

“With Sauber it didn’t work out and hopefully he will get another chance,” said Alonso.

Before 2010, 39-year-old de la Rosa spent the previous seven years as McLaren’s test driver, but he vowed not to give up his desire to keep racing in F1.

The veteran of 84 grands prix told TV broadcaster Sport1: “I will come back.

“It will be difficult, but I’ve done it before and I will do it again,” added former Arrows and Jaguar driver de la Rosa.

Jerome d’Ambrosio will replace Virgin regular Lucas di Grassi for four of the remaining five Friday morning practice sessions in 2010.

Recent speculation hinted at the possibility of a 2011 race seat for the Belgian GP2 driver, whose manager has revealed he has already raised the majority of the necessary budget.

Manager Yves Decorte told a newspaper last week: “And if we can do it quickly, he might even be able to drive on a Friday morning at the end of the season.”

But Virgin has not confirmed that the Gravity-managed d’Ambrosio, 24, is definitely replacing Brazilian rookie di Grassi next year.

“We have a contract with Timo Glock for another two years and an option on the services of Lucas di Grassi for next year,” insisted team chief executive Graeme Lowdon.

“Both drivers have done an outstanding job for us in our debut season.”

The new British team said d’Ambrosio has been signed only “in an evaluation role” for the forthcoming rounds in Singapore, Japan, Korea and Brazil, explaining that Virgin “will be using this opportunity to evaluate Jerome’s potential”.

D’Ambrosio, who started the 2010 season as a Renault test driver, will also contest the end-of-season young driver test after the Abu Dhabi season finale, Virgin announced.

“We are always looking to progress new racing talent and the team out of which Virgin Racing was born has a long history of this,” added Lowdon.

D’Ambrosio said: “My ultimate goal has always been to race in formula one and I am delighted to get a step closer. Looking at the 2011 season, this will be very useful.”

Also in Abu Dhabi for the end-of-season Abu Dhabi test will be Dean Stoneman, who secures the Williams outing as a prize for becoming the new F2 champion.

A second is that as a victory for Dani Pedrosa. Speaking of those seven points are recovered against Lorenzo Aragon in Motorland, they can still hope for a comeback difficult but not impossible in the next five races, when to give his best to recover as many as 56 points …

“I’m quite satisfied with second place though, obviously, I would have liked to win in front of my home crowd, “said Pedrosa. “I took a big risk at the first corner, I lost several positions and it took me a while to recover and find myself behind Stoner. Then between us was a “5 and the race pace was the same as it was difficult to overcome this disadvantage.

Towards the end, unfortunately I started having problems with the tires started to lose grip at this point I said to myself “Okay, okay.” On the weekend we had more problems than others to regard the tires, but in any event the second place is good and the championship is still open although it will be difficult to recover on Lorenzo.

Now we are ready to race at Motegi, Honda’s home race, I thank them and my team because they’re working very hard and now we fast every weekend. “

For the first time this season and 13 races in this part of Jorge Lorenzo was unable to get on the podium. At Motorland Aragon finished fourth, mocked the last lap from Nicky Hayden as a surprise to the leader of the world that just do not expect to get off the podium for the first time in this extraordinary 2010.

“My start was good, then I created a tight duel with Hayden: I was always very, very close! We obviously can not be happy, I absolutely wanted to finish on the podium again, but they are happy because we got points for the championship without losing ground.

There are still five races to go and although this is a complicated time for us I am confident that we have to face some challenges, but we can to overcome them and improve ourselves for the last part of the season.

Now I think only in Motegi, will be the home race for Yamaha and point to a good result at the circuit where he won last year. ”

Jorge Lorenzo remains firmly leading the championship even though, in a few races, his lead over Dani Pedrosa fell from 72 to 56 points.

From Indianapolis 2009 Nicky Hayden did not rise to the podium. To achieve this benefit, the “Kentucky Kid” has invented an anthology, overtaken by Jorge Lorenzo on the last lap, just mocking the variant that places on the pit straight. Nice move, nice podium to complete a memorable day for Ducati and Stoner won his third Hayden.

“It ‘s wonderful to be able to return to the podium and I really enjoyed today, “says Hayden. “The bike has been strong since the first practice on Friday and the race I was able to start well and then stay with Jorge.

There was no point where I could really put the wheels in front and in the last two laps he pushed hard to leave. But I had decided today that fourth place would not be enough. I made a move that has not provided for in the chicane and then I managed to close all lines.

It ‘s a good result for the Ducati team, sponsors and fans. I am happy to have them hailed from the podium: sometimes we will do it again before the end of the season. “

An anonymous race. Rossi to Motorland Aragon has not gone beyond the sixth position in the race battling with the problems and shoulder motion, at least according to what he said after a difficult race for the 9-time World Champion. Always remained in 7th place, has gained a place on the last lap the accomplice slipped Andrea Dovizioso, not enough to make it less bitter a weekend to forget.

“This was a very difficult race, very tough, “said Rossi. “All weekend we had problems and were slow in the race, we had the pace. My goal was to finish the race, but I could not do better than sixth.

Here all the Yamaha were in trouble and lost mainly in the straight, but my shoulder problems have worsened the situation: it was a hard race. We are obviously very disappointed with this result, we can only hope for the best view of the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi in two weeks. ”

Valentino Rossi is fourth in the league though, because of the victory of Casey Stoner leaves the third place ranking.

After 13 races without getting on the top step of the podium in Australia found victory in the first MotoGP race on the new facility “Motorland Aragon” Alcaniz, breaking his personal failures longest streak of his career when, in 2007, World Champion and star of absolute top class. The Ducatista, fiance of HRC for the next two years, gave substance to a race … its: great start, just an exhilarating pace and final escape. Even Dani Pedrosa was unable to reach him, undertook to recover after a difficult start (he found himself 5th), markedly lower in the final when his handicap has risen from 1 “3 to 4″ (power management or the outcome?) .

Stoner’s victory is also to Ducati, waiting for Valentino Rossi (his worst result of the season, sixth at 27 seconds from the top …) consoles herself with two riders on the podium for Nicky Hayden was “invented” a great overtaking down ‘latest variation on Jorge Lorenzo: 1-3 Ducati for the first time there is a Yamaha on the podium at 2010. There is especially Lorenzo, fourth after the sequence of 13 consecutive podiums while remaining largely leader with 56 points ahead of Pedrosa with only five races remaining.

Household Diapason Three small consolation in the thought in perspective, because Ben Spies has been protagonist of a great race winning the duel for fifth place where he is self-excluded Andrea Dovizioso, slipped on the final lap, opening the doors to Valentino Rossi for the sixth position. To judge the race by 9 times World Champion just consider the postings by rivals: 27 “from the top, 18″ by Lorenzo, 13 “by Spies. We need one or more explanations.

Behind Rossi Marco Simoncelli finished seventh ahead of Alvaro Bautista and Marco Melandri, all the top ten, far away from Ducati and Casey Stoner back from finally protagonists as the golden age. Too late or just in time to play the role of “referee” of the world?

Formula 2 champion Dean Stoneman gets a prize for his title win a Formula 1 test in a Williams and a FIA Super Licence
Dean Stoneman has stood down yesterday as the new Formula 2 champion and therefore can now make the next career step thoughts. This is definitely a formula – even if only for a day. Expected at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi will be sitting in the Brit Williams.

For the FIA as a prize for the championship not only an F1 super license, but also a day of testing in the Williams does not. Last year Andy Soucek was able to enjoy this pleasure, the Spaniard was able to use his chance despite day’s best time but not in Jerez de la Frontera and missed the jump in a Grand Prix cockpit. Even his Virgin contract as test driver has now been resolved.
“To come into Formula 1,” said Stoneman, “was always my big dream. To this I am now one step closer.’s Hard to say what to expect there, but it is a fantastic opportunity, a Williams Formula to test-a-car. Hopefully I can prove myself, I’ll just fly and do what I do best: get in the car and drive as fast as I can. ”

Series Promoter Jonathan Palmer is also pleased with Stoneman, although that has beaten in the title fight just his son Jolyon: “Dean has made this season a great job and is certainly a worthy Formula 2 champion,” said the former Grand Prix driver ( 83 Rennteilnahmen 1983-1989). “He is an exceptional talent, extremely fast, a tough competitor and, moreover, very consistent.”

“I am very confident that Dean will provide the high standard of competition in Formula 2 demonstrated by the Williams test delivers an impressive performance,” shows the Formula 2 boss confidence in his new hope. “The fact that the affordable and balanced starter box, Dean has given the opportunity to demonstrate his talent, without a big budget, have certainly others will be inspired.”

Ex-Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher Tiago Monteiro criticism, takes the comeback superstar but also in protecting “human error”.

The century-comeback of Michael Schumacher remained far below expectations: no victory and no podium, but five clear rounds in the first 14 races. Since the Monza Mercedes driver also has no mathematical chance this year to an eighth time World Champion.

Rounding out the rather negative review of several controversial incidents, such as the overtaking under safety car conditions in Monte Carlo or the bedrock duel with Rubens Barrichello in Budapest. “I think Schumacher is currently operating a bit desperate,” is therefore the former Formula 1 driver Tiago Monteiro. “He seems to have lost his coolness. But this is perfectly understandable.”

“No matter how good you once were or how good you are, you’re still a man – and now we are even occasional errors, especially under pressure,” the WTCC driver stated to ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ and says of the near-collision in Budapest: “At his maneuvers against Rubens he just overshot the target. This was not a very great idea. He probably just overreacted.”

“When you think of what position he was out and what it was, he simply screwed up. Davor are themselves world champions are not immune, as we have seen. Everyone is prone to error,” said Monteiro, who can understand that Schumacher initially did not want to take the blame upon himself: “Sometimes the one directly behind not so clear because you are still in racing mode, and since any such situations on the track a little different.”

From Periphery to 1:20 1:1,75-top favorites: Mark Webber is surprised to lead to Monza still the drivers’ championship
Five races before the end leads to Mark Webber still the drivers’ championship – five points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, 21 ahead of Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button 22 states and 24 ahead of Sebastian Vettel. This was before the season is not necessarily to be expected, so the Red Bull driver was traded by the bookmakers in March than 1:20 outsider to the world title.

He is now with a ratio of 1:1,75 hottie – and that it would lead to Monza the points classification, would have thought possible a few months ago, hardly anyone: “If someone had offered me to be after this race in the lead, I would have bitten off the arm for it, “laughs Webber. For with Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, perhaps the most difficult race for Red Bull are already behind him.
From now on, it should be rather better: “In Singapore,” he looks at the upcoming race, “we expect a good result. I can not wait. It is a unique race under floodlights, and the track should suit us if something is worth Monaco. The performance has shifted a bit, but not much, and the next race talk should be good for us. But does not help us, but we have to get performance. ”

That it is in world title fight as the leader in a good position is located, is aware Webber: “It’s always nice to have the points on board,” he says. “The other guys have to catch them first. This is not a bad condition for the last five races.” However, one should not overstate the intermediate results, because this season are still to be awarded 125 points.

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug looks for Paul di Resta is a good chance to rise from the test used driver in Formula 1.

Although Force India formally protested to want to continue with Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi, it is likely that Paul di Resta. Next year will take one of the two cockpits. At least Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug sees considerable scope for a change of his protege in the premier class.

“I think he has a good chance in the formula first I hope of course that he stays with us, but I also know that he perform the Formula 1 now has a chance if he has one. I would support that, “said Haug, adding: ‘It may be that he will drive next year in Formula 1. It is not certain, but he has a good chance.”
The German needs to know, finally, he is not only di Resta’s head of sport in the DTM, but also an engine supplier for Force India, where the 24-year-old cousin of IndyCar star Dario Franchitti as the third driver is under contract. Is very possible that Mercedes will have to play his influence to obtain a Ohata carriage of the Mercedes factory pilots.

“Many said that the double burden of Formula 1 does not work, but Paul has shown that he can,” says Haug. Moreover, speaking for the DTM, if one can be developed from the series in the formula first Gary Paffett did that once before, at least up to the test driver. “

For Casey Stoner on the first long fast is over, stop the bad streak of 11 races without a pole. Now the Motorland Aragon is the time to stop the sequence of victories that has gone missing from the penultimate race of the 2009 season: the restored confidence in the Ducati Desmosedici GP10 this weekend seems to be right, at least according to the same 2007 World Champion.

“In the last race weekend we tried different things to make the bike more competitive, without ever being able to make decisive progress, whereas here it seems that we have found something, “says Casey Stoner. “We have changed a bit ‘weight distribution and this gave me more grip and more confidence. Maybe it’s just the bike that fits well with this track, but in any event, we are happy to have made the pole for the first time in Qatar.

I also like to drive new circuit is always exciting where you have not already tried a million times. We wait to see how you put the race to see if I can be with other people, because this season there has already happened to realize less than has proof but we feel good in the race and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

Casey Stoner does not win the Grand Prix of Malaysia last year, a long fasting in 13 races, the longest since he started to win in MotoGP.

In calculating the maximum speed is the penultimate Jorge Lorenzo: 318 hours in the company of Smith and Spies, well 8 km / h in less than Dani Pedrosa. A difference to the leaders of the world important but not decisive enough to be able to detach the second in the qualifying official in Aragon Motorland improving, and much, compared to yesterday.

“I’m glad to be able to better than yesterday, “says Lorenzo. “I changed a little my driving style to adapt better to the circuit, lap after lap I managed to improve and I was faster. Unfortunately we lose too straight, so we must be at ease in other areas to try to get a good lap time. For maximum speed we can no longer do anything, but fortunately we know how to make the bike better in the remaining parts of the circuit.

Lorenzo the goal for the race tomorrow will not change: the search for the 13th consecutive podium finish this season for valuable points in the championship.

“For us, tomorrow it can be an exciting race because there are so many fans. It will be a great fight, but I will do my best to get on the podium, “stated that it was the leader of the world today wore a helmet” Tomizawa replication.