Luca di Montezemolo has rejected calls Ross Brawn should be lured back to Ferrari.
Ferrari has not won a drivers’ title since 2007 but the Maranello marque’s president Montezemolo insisted at Monza that he fully supports the reign of team boss Stefano Domenicali.

“The management of the team will remain unchanged,” the Italian added this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, according to Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper.

“There are some small repairs to make, but it is not related to the key positions.”

Elements of the Italian media and Ferrari’s passionate ‘Tifosi’ have suggested the team should reunite with Briton Brawn, its former technical director, and once again have designer Rory Byrne in a key role.

“The hiring of Ross Brawn has been proposed but surely it can be seen how hard he has had it at Mercedes,” Montezemolo insisted.

“We have chosen the path of stability,” he continued.

“Should I be sorry?” he is quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera. “No, because we are always among the protagonists.

“The abolition of track testing penalised us strongly, as ours is a culture of the mechanical, unlike the English (culture of) aerodynamics.

“And then there are the rules that are too restrictive on the engines, with the technicians frustrated with their inability to increase the horse power,” added Montezemolo.

Korea is expecting a smooth running of its formula one race weekend next month.

Last year, when the new Yeongham circuit hosted the inaugural Korean grand prix, many visitors were disappointed with construction delays, poor management and the fact they had to stay in so-called ‘love motels’.

In response, local organisers Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) was investigated and chief executive Chung Young-cho dismissed.

“Learning from last year, F1 organisers set out innovative ways of improving our management,” the Yonhap news agency said, quoting from a media statement.

“In terms of customer service, we expect this year’s F1 race to be much more satisfactory,” the organisers added.

It is possible both Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov will not feature in next year’s Renault team lineup.

That is the claim of the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean are in the running for the 2012 race seats.

Pole Kubica is recovering from injury at present and hoping to be ready to start driving once again as early as next month.

The report said he will start his comeback in a road car and possibly then move into a Renault single seater designed for the World Series or GP2.

“The question is whether Gerard Lopez and Eric Boullier want to wait that long,” said Auto Motor und Sport.

Kubica currently has no contract for the 2012 season, with team boss Boullier warning at Monza that he needs to finalise the team’s lineup soon.

Kubica’s 2010 teammate Vitaly Petrov, on the other hand, has a contract for next season.

But Auto Motor und Sport refers to “rumours that the team could go with Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean in 2012″.

Referring to Senna, who has already replaced Kubica’s initial 2011 substitute Nick Heidfeld, the report said the “potential to find sponsors is greater in Brazil than it is in Russia”.

New GP2 champion and Frenchman Grosjean, meanwhile, can be signed “at a discount price, with the hope of getting a subsidy from Renault for the engine”.

Russian Petrov said at Monza that he is not worried.

“My contract is safe for next year,” he insisted.

Eric Boullier has confirmed reports that the Genii-owned formula one team, currently known as Renault, held recent talks with independent engine supplier Cosworth.
Seemingly confirming rumours that the Enstone based team will soon drop the Renault moniker in deference to main sponsor Group Lotus, the Frenchman told ITV that Cosworth power would be a “B plan”.

Currently, the team uses Renault engines, but it is Red Bull who are now considered the French carmaker’s works team.

Boss Boullier said the team is “very close” to inking a new engine supply deal with Renault Sport F1.

“You obviously always have to have a B plan and a C plan and, yes, we have been approached by Cosworth because they have lost customers and they are talking to everybody in the pitlane I guess, or nearly everybody,” he said.

“But there are no plans (to switch to Cosworth).”

Asked if Renault is very much the team’s A-plan, he insisted: “Of course. We have a historical package.

“We still have some very close technical relationship and there is (sponsor) Total mixed in the middle of this as well, so there is some commercial reason why we should stick with Renault,” added Boullier.

Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed a move by formula one teams to buy a stake in formula one.

According to The Independent newspaper, the McLaren and FOTA chief confirmed that DC Advisory Partners has been appointed by the teams association ahead of the forthcoming negotiations for the next Concorde Agreement.

F1′s commercial rights are currently owned by private equity company CVC, and reports earlier this year suggested Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and the Ferrari-linked Exor were considering a bid.

“At the end of the day, formula one is owned by venture capitalists (CVC) and one would suspect that they can’t hold the sport in their funds ad infinitum,” said Whitmarsh.

Nico Rosberg is reportedly yet to receive a visa to enter India for the country’s inaugural formula one grand prix.
That is the claim of the Times of India, revealing that other F1 team members and journalists are experiencing simular difficulties whilst preparing to travel to Delhi next month.

The rumours had begun to emerge in the Monza paddock last weekend.

“I just came back from Monza where people have been complaining about how difficult it is to get visas for the trip to India,” said Team Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok, whose father Vicky is the head of India’s motor sport clubs.

Amid the recent tax and customs issue surrounding F1′s freight, the Indian government admitted this week that it does not regard the grand prix – organised by a fully private entity – as an “event of national importance”.

One figure who has had his visa application rejected, according to the Times of India, is Mercedes driver Rosberg.

The same is also true for “half” of the HRT team, the newspaper added.

Even the FIA’s head of communications is still waiting for his visa.

“If the government takes three weeks to process a visa application, almost 90 per cent of F1 people, me included, won’t attend the race,” Matteo Bonciani warned.

Stewards failed to notice an incident that should have seen Michael Schumacher penalised during the Italian grand prix.

That is the claim of former F1 driver Derek Daly, who was the third official in the stewards’ room at Monza.

Since last weekend’s race, many F1 commentators and figures have suggested Schumacher should have been penalised for his antics during a scrap with Lewis Hamilton.

Irishman Daly, 58, said the stewards were too busy.

“Race director Charlie Whiting asked the stewards to look at an incident between Massa and Trulli at the second chicane,” he is quoted by the Mirror.

“While looking at the slow motion, I missed the Schumacher/Hamilton incident.”

Daly is quoted by The Sun as describing the move, when he finally saw it on television at home, as a “blatant double-block”.

“Schumacher was warned repeatedly and should have been given a drive through penalty,” he said. “We let Charlie down with this one.”

Ferrari will finally follow Red Bull’s lead with the suspension layout of its 2012 car.
That is the claim of the Italian daily Corriere dello Sport, revealing that a scale model of the Maranello based team’s new car is already clocking up the miles in the wind tunnel.

With its 2011 design, the 150 Italia, Ferrari raised some eyebrows by sticking with its usual push-road suspension philosophy rather than opting for Red Bull’s pull-rod layout.

“At Maranello, everything has been called into question in light of the unsatisfactory results of this season,” said the Italian newspaper report.

“The (pull-rod) system will allow for a lower and smaller rear end but it will appear only next season,” added Corriere dello Sport.

“In the last six races of this year, even in the races, mechanical and aerodynamic parts (for 2012) will be tested.”

As was feared by its rivals before Monza, Red Bull erased its final lingering weakness with Sebastian Vettel’s dominance of the Italian grand prix.
In recent seasons, Adrian Newey’s blue, yellow and red single seaters have been arguably the best when downforce is a premium, but not as good when the Renault engines must cope with long stretches of asphalt.

“The difference between this year’s car and last year’s car here at Monza is huge,” said runaway championship leader Vettel after Sunday’s win, according to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

His teammate Mark Webber agreed: “The tracks where you do not need high downforce were our biggest problem. So I think our biggest improvement this year was in that area.”

Felipe Massa, whose 2011 Ferrari car has struggled this year on hard tracks and in cold temperatures, fully agrees.

“Red Bull have managed to develop a car that is capable of being fast and reliable on any track and in any kind of temperature,” said the Brazilian.

“They have a big advantage,” agreed his teammate Fernando Alonso.

“As the regulations will not change much for 2012, we need to find more than one second in our car for next year, which will not be easy,” the Spaniard admitted.

Luca di Montezemolo has revealed he would be happy to see Porsche on the formula one grid.

According to Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Ferrari president made the comments about the German sports car maker this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

“I have a lot of respect for Porsche, which I consider to be the main rival for some of our cars. Competition is always welcome, especially when you’re sure you’ll win,” said the Italian.

Unfortunately for Montezemolo, Porsche is unlikely to be seen on the grand prix grids at least in the foreseeable future.

Also at the Frankfurt show, Porsche’s chief executive Matthias Muller said: “Formula one is still not interesting for us.

“It is simply too expensive and doesn’t offer enough in exchange, especially for spectators,” he added, according to Automotive News Europe.

Meanwhile, Montezemolo welcomed Sebastian Vettel’s admission at Monza last weekend that he would like one day to experience winning the Italian grand prix in a “red suit”.

“I can understand Vettel,” he said. “He’s an intelligent person with good taste and he knows what Ferrari stands for, with all due respect to the other teams.”

Montezemolo also appeared to comment on the appointment at new F1 supplier Pure of Gilles Simon, who after designing engines for Ferrari most recently headed the FIA’s engine department.

The Italian suggested he is worried Simon is taking up his new role having worked closely with the existing engine manufacturers on their V6 designs for 2014.

“It is not right that a technician can have the ability to pass on confidential information,” Montezemolo, not referring specifically to Simon, is quoted by Italy’s Autosprint.

Red Bull is now the works Renault team.
That is the claim of Red Bull principal Christian Horner, after the team’s new engine supply deal with Renault Sport F1 was announced at Monza.

It was announced not only that Renault engines will continue to power the Red Bull cars through 2017, but that the parties will collaborate “to develop innovative technical solutions” for the new V6 engine of 2014.

Renault’s managing director Jean-Francois Caubet added that the deal, to utilise Red Bull’s “input, resources and vast in-house F1 car expertise”, will also benefit Renault’s “other team partners” like Lotus-Renault, Team Lotus and Williams.

For example, according to Renault’s chief operating officer Carlos Tavares, Red Bull’s input could be used to devise “formidable aerodynamic packaging” for the new engine.

So even though an entirely separate team still bears the Renault chassis name, and in light of Williams’ historic ties, it is Red Bull that should now be considered as having works status, according to Horner.

“The partnership with Renault/Nissan alliance is an important one for the team,” he told the Red Bull website.

“It guarantees stability, it makes us the premier, factory team of Renault Sport, so our colleagues where the engines are produced will be working hand in hand with the engineers and designers at Red Bull.”

Horner added that Renault and Red Bull will also set up a “joint venture” to supply gearbox and KERS systems.

Karun Chandhok has admitted it would be “fantastic” if he can contest his home Indian grand prix next month.
Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes said this week he would “like” to put reserve driver Chandhok at the wheel of team regular Jarno Trulli’s car in Delhi.

“It’s obviously very nice to hear,” Chandhok, 27, told CNN. “He (Fernandes) is the man who can make it happen. I’ve just got to wait and see what he decides.”

Chandhok’s father Vicky is the president of India’s federation of motor sports clubs.

“I’ve been very involved in the circuit,” said Karun, who replaced Trulli for a one-off race at the Nurburgring in July. “I’ve been visiting the (Buddh circuit) site every month.

“To have the opportunity to drive would sort of complete that circle,” he added.

Chandhok acknowledged that the fact he is now regularly considered for the race seat occupied by Italian veteran Trulli has created some tension at Team Lotus.

“It’s not ideal, there’s no doubt about that. I experienced it last year (at HRT), my drive was given to Sakon Yamamoto in the second half of the season. It’s tough,” he said.

“When they put me in the car in Germany … it’s a very difficult situation. It can be awkward. But I have to say Jarno was fantastic.

“He offered his advice and support all through the weekend. I have to say hats off to him, he was a model professional,” added Chandhok.

Trulli however has already been confirmed for the 2012 season, while Fernandes said this week that Heikki Kovalainen is the team’s “number 1 driver”.

At the same time, Chandhok is hoping for a regular race seat.

“I need to sit and figure things out with Tony and where we are and where we see the future. I’d like to stay with Tony, with Lotus, and in the future race for them full time. That’s my ambition,” he said.

No solution has been found yet to a boycott threat ahead of the inaugural Indian grand prix.
FOTA chief Martin Whitmarsh revealed at Monza that teams and drivers will be subject to big tax bills when they travel to Delhi next month.

“You don’t go somewhere if you’re going to be penalised,” said the McLaren team principal.

Behind the scenes, private race organisers Jaypee are “locked in a tussle” with the Indian government, the Times of India reports.

The problem is the customs duties laws, with the organisers asking the government for an exclusion zone to be declared so that the F1 cargo can be shipped without the assumption it is being imported and exported.

The report said the glitch dates back to the government’s classification of formula one as a form of entertainment rather than a sport.

Since then, Jaypee has been writing letters and meeting with officials.

A letter dated September 7, two days before Whitmarsh’s Monza comments, confirmed the Indian grand prix can go ahead “at no cost to the government”.

But in fact “No decision has been taken yet,” an unnamed official of the Indian revenue department insisted. “It is being discussed,” the source added.

The Noida regional government is ramping up security arrangements for next month’s inaugural Indian grand prix.
Concerns about the safety of the event were raised last week when a briefcase bomb in nearby Delhi killed 12 people and injured 76.

In response, the Pioneer broadsheet said 1,600 police have been called upon for duty during the formula one event by the Noida authorities.

They will deploy anti-sabotage checks and bomb disposal squads.

Also on duty will be personnel of the provisional armed company and special weapons and tactics (SWAT), while barricades will be put in place.

“We are constantly in touch with Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the organisers over the security requirements for the race,” said police senior superintendent Jyoti Narayan.

“Our aim is to provide the optimum security and the final blueprint will be ready by this week,” he added.

Sam Michael is headed to McLaren in 2012, it was announced officially on Tuesday.
Earlier, the rumour was doing the rounds on the microblogging website Twitter.

Amid Williams’ struggle for performance in recent years, Australian Michael resigned his post as technical director in May. The Oxfordshire based team said on Tuesday his last race will be Singapore next weekend.

In 2012, the 40-year-old will then return to the paddock as McLaren’s new sporting director.

He will have “responsibility for the development and management of the team’s trackside operations”, a McLaren statement said.

“I am delighted that Sam has found a new role that will enable him to continue to apply his energy, passion and experience to formula one,” commented Sir Frank Williams in a separate statement.

Williams has already replaced Michael with Mike Coughlan as well as Mark Gillan, who will start work next week.