Formula one team Ferrari on Tuesday announced it has extended its agreement with title sponsor Philip Morris until the end of 2015.

The rumours about the extension were first heard in January at Marlboro’s ‘Wrooom’ media event in the Italian Dolomites.

Philip Morris has remained in F1 long after the sport’s total ban on cigarette advertising.

Ferrari’s so-called ‘barcode’ logo and livery was controversial in 2010, leading to the launch of a new red and white logo for this year, which was incorporated into the design of the 2011 car’s livery.

“We see no obstacles to an extension,” a Philip Morris International spokesman said in January.

Ross Brawn has played down reports Michael Schumacher is set to extend his return to formula one beyond next season.
Based on the seven time world champion’s claim in Canada that driving a team to success typically takes about “five years”, German media claimed it was a strong hint the 42-year-old was set to renew his contract through 2014.

But when asked on German television RTL if this is the right interpretation to make of Schumacher’s comments, Mercedes team boss Brawn answered: “No.

“There was absolutely no reason to drive that speculation. The situation has not changed.”

The Briton also told German Sky television that the issue of Schumacher’s renewal has “not been discussed”.

“I am very happy with our two drivers — they are not the reason we are not winning races,” Brawn insisted.

“Both our drivers have contracts at the moment and our priority is to make the car better. We definitely have another year with Michael and if with next year’s car we can get the results we want, then I see no reason why we shouldn’t go on.

“But at the moment there are no talks,” he added.

Also asked about the rumours of a contract extension, Schumacher said in Montreal: “At the right time we will talk about it, but right now would make no sense.”

The famous German has had a difficult time since returning to F1 from retirement last season, but in Canada came close to securing the first podium of his comeback.

One foreign newspaper said the Montreal performance showed Schumacher “has some talent left” in the wake of his record-setting previous career tallying 91 wins.

World rally driver Ken Block, famous for his online gymkhana stunt videos, will test the Pirelli F1 test car later this year.
American Block, 43, will drive the updated 2009 Toyota at Monza in August, the sport’s official tyre supplier announced in a media statement.

He will take over the car for a “one off” drive after Pirelli’s test driver Lucas di Grassi tests at the Italian grand prix circuit on the first two days.

“Everybody talks about formula one being the pinnacle of world motor sport so I can’t wait to discover it for myself,” said Block at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday.

An incident in Canada was evidence F1 took a wrong turn in its approach to the bottom half of the grid, according to Luca di Montezemolo.
The Ferrari president was staunchly opposed to the entrance in 2010 of the low-budget new teams Virgin, Team Lotus and Hispania.

He argued that a better approach would have been for the big teams to enter third cars that can be driven by promising and talented newcomers or veterans.

A furious Felipe Massa said after Montreal that he was fighting for the win when collided with HRT’s Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan.

“He was going very slowly on the dry line but then, as I was passing him on the wet, he accelerated,” said the Brazilian.

According to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, Massa’s description of Karthikeyan immediately after the race was “unprintable”.

Montezemolo told Italian Sky Sports 24: “This is the problem of slow cars and inexperienced drivers.”

He had a long face on the Montreal podium but Sebastian Vettel might still be cruising to the 2011 title.
The Red Bull driver was gutted after handing his Canadian grand prix lead to McLaren’s Jenson Button almost within sight of the chequered flag.

“If you have got it in your hands and you give it away, it’s not the sweetest feeling,” admitted the German.

But in actual fact, because his closest challenger Lewis Hamilton did not finish, Vettel actually extended his championship lead in Canada,
now over the sister McLaren.

“Vettel is only counting down the time before his new world championship comes,” wrote Italy’s Tuttosport, while Marca said the outcome in 2011 is “practically decided”.

Agreed Joan Villadelprat in his El Pais column: “Make no mistake, the Red Bull is still the best car and Vettel extended in Canada. I’m guessing it’s going to be very difficult to beat him in the coming races.”

Red Bull, meanwhile, said all weekend that Canada is perhaps its “weakest” race of the season with the RB7.

“He should not be too disappointed,” said boss Christian Horner afterwards.

Der Spiegel quotes Vettel as agreeing: “It’s annoying to lose a race because of a moment of distraction just before the finish.

“But when I look at the world championship standings after the seventh race, I am quite satisfied.”

Long-time McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, however, said before leaving Canada that the race had proved “Vettel is not invincible”.

And the RB7′s dominance might be affected by the forthcoming restrictions on blown exhausts.

“The rule changes are going to spice things up,” Lewis Hamilton predicted, according to The Independent.

In the Telegraph, Montreal winner Button agreed: “There’s a lot happening this year in terms of the regulations. It could go our way, it might not. We’ll have to see.”

Many race-goers walked out of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Canadian grand prix’s excruciatingly-long rain delay.
“Stay or go? That was the question that haunted the soaked audience on Sunday afternoon,” wrote La Presse.

The Montreal rain caused the F1 world and its global television audience to wait more than two hours for the rain to stop.

But spare a thought for the drenched local spectators who had nothing to watch but the rivers running down the track.

“I never thought about leaving,” one spectator, who travelled from New York with his brother, said. “We came too far to give up that easily!”

A Montreal local added: “I have waited for this all year. It’s the biggest sports event in Canada.”

The press office for the race promoters would not speculate upon the percentage of the crowd that remained until the late chequered flag, but spectators guessed that between 25 and 50 per cent went home.

“It was just common sense,” said one departee, who had come with his 10-year-old son. “It was like a flood and not at all fun in those conditions.

“But we still had a great weekend in Montreal,” he added.

A spectator from New Jersey also left: “It was like being in the centre of a typhoon, with the rain so strong I dared not move from my seat. I can understand why they had to suspend the race.”

Another couple had attended every Canadian grand prix since 1978 but decided to leave when the red flags were waved.

“Anyway, Vettel is going to win,” said the woman at the exit.

Lewis Hamilton’s latest troubles are attracting more attention than his teammmate’s sensational win in Canada.
“Lewis HamilDUMM” (dumm/stupid) read the headline in the German newspaper Bild, after more collisions and controversy in Montreal.

“In many respects it is a shame because Button’s sensational victory in a frankly unforgettable grand prix should really take the headlines,” wrote David Coulthard in his latest Telegraph column.

El Mundo newspaper after Canada described Button as the “gentleman de los circuitos”, while McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said the last-lap win was among the greatest in F1 history.

But typically with the media and its commentators, negativity is the better selling point, with greats including Niki Lauda, Sir Stirling Moss and Emerson Fittipaldi all criticising Hamilton after Canada.

Agreed former McLaren driver John Watson to Talksport radio: “I don’t think he’s in a good place in himself at the minute.”

And lead BBC commentator Martin Brundle added: “He’s collecting car damage when he needs to be finishing races. He has to come at his racing in a different way — it’s not working.”

Button has also commented on his famous teammate’s troubles, but he rebuked Lauda who has called for the FIA to ban Hamilton in order to save lives.

“I don’t agree with that,” the Montreal winner is quoted by the Mirror. “I think his driving style is aggressive and he always goes for gaps.”

And a report in The National said Button added: “Lewis is in the headlines a lot, and a lot of it is because he is bloody good.”

But Button also revealed that he spends no social time with his teammate, and Lauda agrees that part of Hamilton’s problem is his attitude.

“He must calm down and spend less time trying to be a celebrity and a rock star,” the Austrian great wrote in a column for The Sun.

“When times are tough as they are now and he is making mistakes he needs to refocus and concentrate solely on driving,” added Lauda.

Coulthard agrees: “He does seem a bit distracted at present, certainly in contrast to his main rivals.”

But the Scot rubbished Lauda’s claim that he is a threat to the other drivers’ safety, and a spokesman for Hamilton insisted: “While we respect Niki’s views, he is plain wrong in this instance.

“Lewis was cleared by the stewards of causing any accidents on Sunday and has never come close to injuring or purposefully taking out another driver.”

Team Lotus will develop its formula one cars in one of Williams’ two wind tunnels at the famous British team’s Grove headquarters.
Williams is already supplying the rear end and gearbox to another of F1′s new 2010 entrants, Hispania.

The deal announced on Monday will see Team Lotus expand its aerodynamics programme beyond the Aerolab facility in Italy, while the team develops its own tunnel at Hingham.

“When that facility is operational all activity will be transferred to the team’s own site,” said Team Lotus in a statement.

Team boss Tony Fernandes’ link with Williams was already strong following his former sponsorship of the Oxfordshire based team through his airline AirAsia.

“I owe a great deal of thanks to Frank Williams, Patrick Head and Adam Parr as they were the first people I ever worked with in formula one,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, it emerged in Canada over the weekend that Team Lotus has inked a new sponsorship deal with the famous computer chip maker Intel.

Lewis Hamilton could be considering a switch from McLaren to Red Bull, according to new speculation on Monday.
Sapa-AFP wire reports said the 26-year-old world champion of 2008 met with Red Bull officials at the offices of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at the weekend.

Team sources confirmed Hamilton spent 15 minutes during a “social visit” with Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

The British driver’s McLaren contract runs until the end of next season.

The new reports come after Hamilton this year joined the XIX Entertainment management company, with its chief Simon Fuller also handling the likes of David Beckham.

The latest rumours are also hot on the heels of a difficult period for Hamilton, whose aggressive style and run-ins with FIA officials have triggered controversy.

“I think he has had an unfortunate run, but I think he has to be the racer he is, and I am sure he will be,” McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh is quoted as saying.

Hamilton was also defended by Norbert Haug, the motor sport vice-president for Mercedes-Benz.

“He is a good driver, he is a friend and I do not share the criticism that is on him. We will support him and he is a great driver,” said the German.

The time is nearing when Ferrari might decide to write off the 2011 championship, team boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted.
The 150 Italia car has shown improvements in the past races, but Fernando Alonso is now almost 100 points behind the leading Red Bull with just seven races down.

“Ferrari is at a crucial moment of the season,” boss Domenicali admitted to Die Welt newspaper.

“In the next races until after the British grand prix we will decide whether we continue to push for the world title or work already for the next season,” he said.

The Italian insisted he is “confident” about Ferrari’s progress recently but added: “Also I’m not from the moon.

“Red Bull is a very tough opponent.

“F1 has changed dramatically. Previously, the largest teams could work almost without limits, with no limitations on testing etcetera. For a team like Ferrari, it is more difficult to work under the new conditions.

“But we have to see that Red Bull has built an outstanding car; so good that in a victory the car is usually listed first as the winner before the driver.

“When we dominated, it was always Michael Schumacher first and then Ferrari. Now it’s Red Bull and then Sebastian Vettel,” he charged, obviously crediting designer Adrian Newey for the young German’s runaway lead.

Domenicali, meanwhile, was left to defend Ferrari’s situation, including the recent ousting of technical director Aldo Costa.

“There was no other solution,” he insisted. “It was a necessary step to re-motivate the team and show them that there are no excuses, only consequences.”

Lewis Hamilton “goes a bit too far”, is “clumsy” or “completely mad”, depending on who you listened to after the Canadian grand prix. After several run-ins with the stewards this year, the McLaren driver was involved in more incidents in Montreal, including one that moved his teammate Jenson Button to exclaim on the radio: “What is he doing?” The pair and boss Martin Whitmarsh later played down the incident and the stewards took no action after an investigation, but Mark Webber hit out at Hamilton’s earlier “clumsy” manoeuvre that tipped him into a spin. “I think Lewis thought the chequered flag was in turn three,” said the Australian dryly. F1 legend Sir Stirling Moss said on BBC radio that he thinks Hamilton, 26, often “goes a bit too far” now that he is no longer managed by his father. On RTL television, Niki Lauda went much further: “He is completely mad. At some point, there has to be an end to all the jokes. You cannot drive like this — as it will result in someone getting killed.” But the stewards remained calm, also when after the race investigating a collision between Button and Fernando Alonso that threatened the former’s victory. Alonso was unhappy with the decision. “The McLaren is an indestructible car,” he said, apparently referring also to Button’s contact with his teammate. “The officials have investigated but I have a different opinion,” Alonso told Spanish reporters. “I think when we finally get our luck back we’ll win a championship in half a season,” he rued.

Pedro de la Rosa’s last-minute Sauber race drive in Canada raised more than one set of eyebrows.
The team’s official reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez was in Mexico when his countryman Sergio Perez reported ill in Montreal, disapprovingly revealing that he followed the saga of de la Rosa’s move from McLaren on Twitter.

But another driver wondering why he wasn’t given the call was Nico Hulkenberg, the highly rated Force India reserve who lost his Williams seat for 2011 to Pastor Maldonado.

“Did Herr Sauber not have my phone number?” the German is quoted as saying by Swiss newspaper Blick.

Auto Motor und Sport, however, claims that Hulkenberg is too tall for the C30 cockpit, while de la Rosa was an obvious choice because Sauber still has his seat mould.

Agrees Hulkenberg: “You don’t just jump into a formula one car these days and drive it.”

Peter Sauber confirmed: “He (Hulkenberg) is too tall for our car. He is also employed by our direct competition. Between us and Pedro’s McLaren, on the other hand, there is no conflict of interest.”

And de la Rosa, 40, is familiar with Sauber, having raced the C30′s predecessor for much of 2010.

“It’s a totally different car, but it speaks a similar language,” agreed Sauber.

Even so, the Perez substitution came as a complete surprise to de la Rosa.

“I was just finishing lunch with ten minutes until practice and they told me to get in the car,” he revealed to El Pais newspaper.

“I ran to get my gear and helmet and got in the car and they tried to adjust my seat. They also tried to move the pedals but couldn’t.

“I feel bad for Sergio but this is a gift that I will enjoy,” he insisted.

Boss Sauber admitted that he was grateful Perez alerted the team about his sickness rather than risk his safety by trying to drive through it.

“It’s one thing to train, exercise or drive a kart and quite another to drive in formula one,” said Perez’s assistant Sallares Jaume.

“It shows his maturity. It’s not just about him but also about the danger of injuring someone else,” he added.

Esteban Gutierrez sounded upset on Friday after missing the opportunity to make his formula one race debut.

The Mexican teen was signed by Sauber to be the Swiss team’s official test and reserve driver at all races in 2011.

But the reigning GP3 champion, who now races in the F1 support category GP2, was not in Canada on Friday when his countryman Sergio Perez had to withdraw from the event due to illness.

Instead, Sauber turned to in its 2010 driver Pedro de la Rosa after hurried negotiations with McLaren, who now employ the veteran Spaniard as its reserve driver.

Despite Perez’s hospitalisation, concussion and bruised thigh in Monaco, and the fact FIA doctors only cleared him to race on Thursday, Sauber was caught so unprepared that de la Rosa was wearing McLaren overalls when he took to the C30 in afternoon practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

And Gutierrez, apparently in his native Mexico, wrote on Twitter that Sauber displayed a “lack of transparency” in informing its official reserve of the situation.

“I learned from Twitter,” he said on the social networking website.

“It’s a shame to hear about Montreal, I hope ‘Checo’ (Perez) recovers soon,” added Gutierrez in Spanish.

“I never received any instructions to prevent this situation. I was ready,” he said.

HRT is apparently no longer pushing so hard to have exhaust blown diffusers banned in 2011.
At recent races, the Spanish team has been threatening to protest the results after the FIA vowed to crack down on the technology that has moved into the realm of outlawed ‘moveable aerodynamic devices’.

But ahead of this weekend’s Canadian grand prix, Hispania announced that one of their developments is a “new exhaust system”.

It emerged during morning practice in Montreal that, in collaboration with engine supplier Cosworth, the system is indeed a blown exhaust.

That means that the only team not running a blown exhaust of any type at present is HRT’s nearest competitor, Virgin, who according to Auto Motor und Sport will not be ready to re-introduce a similar layout until Silverstone.

The FIA still intends to push on with the ban, however, with talks scheduled for the technical working group meeting next Thursday.

Asked on Friday about speculation of a ban, HRT’s technical director Geoff Willis told the BBC: “It’s going to be very tricky.

“There may be a solution for 2012, but what we do for 2011 is going to be very difficult in terms of what’s fair for everybody.”

Sergio Perez has been declared fit to race in Canada this weekend.

The Mexican rookie was hospitalised for two days after his big Monaco qualifying crash, but he has since had a positive medical check in Zurich and been karting with his brother in his native country.

“I felt very good,” said Perez, 21, referring to the karting.

He met with FIA medical representative Jean-Charles Piette at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Thursday and was cleared to drive this weekend.

Perez’s Swiss employer Sauber confirmed the news.