Rubens Barrichello is set to decide next week whether he will switch from formula one to the Indycar series for 2012.
F1′s longest-serving veteran has been left without a race seat this season, but he recently enjoyed an Indy test with the KV team, in which his close friend Tony Kanaan is involved.

“There is a lot going on, we have spoken with many people and there are things to be resolved, including the family aspect,” the 39-year-old told radio Bandeirantes on Tuesday.

“There is great anticipation and if everything goes well I think we can make the announcement of the decision early next week,” added Barrichello.

“I’m sure anyone who knows me can see in my eyes what I want. The first race is March 25 and there is no time to waste.

“If we want to be in a competitive way, everything has to be right and that means sponsorship, team, family — everything.”

Barrichello’s first F1 team boss, however – Eddie Jordan – has urged the likeable Brazilian to forego the Indycar opportunity.

“I love Rubens — our story began when he was only 19,” the Irishman is quoted by Globo.

“I love his family, his parents, and I think he should retire with dignity.”

Barrichello’s contemporary David Coulthard, however, said: “I wish him luck in the United States. We had a great relationship throughout my career and I know how passionate he is about racing.”

But fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi warned of the dangers of American oval racing.

“Today, Indy is different to when I drove — the risk is higher but it is a risk that he knows he will need to take.

“Still, I think he can have fun doing what he likes,” said the former series, F1 and Indy 500 winner.

Kamui Kobayashi will be at the wheel when Sauber’s 2011 car makes its track debut on the day before group testing begins at Valencia.

Like Renault, the Swiss team has booked the Ricardo Tormo circuit to unveil its new single seater next Monday.

Team owner and boss Peter Sauber told the Swiss newspaper Blick that it will be Kobayashi at the wheel when the Ferrari-powered C30 does its maiden laps for promotional filming purposes in the afternoon.

“I am looking forward to the moment when it goes out of the box,” admitted the 67-year-old. “Even after 18 years in formula one, the anticipation is still just as great as it was in 1993 with the C12.”

On the track where he began winning the World Superbike Superpole victory in Race 2, Ben Spies was also the protagonist of the official MotoGP qualifying at Phillip Island. Third time for a front row a little surprise, made-race condition in the future so as to render official Yamaha rider very confident and satisfied with this result. For tomorrow there will be an opportunity if the target is the podium, but with only two races to win the title of best rookie season of 2010.

“I am very happy to be back in the front row, although I am a little surprised, “said Ben Spies. “My race pace at the beginning of session made me happy, although every time I tried to go faster in the latter part of the track appeared to me a few drops of rain on the visor of my helmet. Each time was like this: warm up the tires, but when I arrived at the first corner to start a fast lap I realized that there was no possibility of a clean lap.

Of course I did not want to take big risks knowing they are already close to the front row, but eventually I managed to get the third best time, in fact, was obtained in race trim. I am confident because overall it was a good session, so if we can put everything together, we can point to a good result, perhaps to fight for the podium.

Here, the bike is really good, I have a good pace, I just try to render the best the whole package in anticipation of the last laps of the race. The goal for tomorrow is to make sure in advance the title of Rookie of the Year, was another box ticked in this successful season, “said Spies that just before Simoncelli stars to reach this goal.

At night race in Singapore Formula 1 is in the spotlight. 1,500 lighting ensure that the track also appears as bright as day in the late evening, the cars in bright colors seem almost unreal. “Visibility is surprisingly good. There is absolutely no problems with shadows, you will never blinded by the floodlights.”

“Before we first have driven there, there were some reservations,” reports the Lotus-pilot, who took in recent years as a McLaren driver in the Asian metropolis. “In the flood, the cars just look cool. You are almost in the spotlight again and look a lot better than usual”

“I fly at the last minute of the race, so my body can not enforce the will to get used to the time zone,” said the Finn. “Because it is a night race, then you have to maintain the European rhythm. I am not even at my clock. The hotel must be able to darken the window well. We see almost only artificial light.”

“The track is nice, aside times of the bumps,” said Kovalainen. “So far they have not be able to get a grip. No light waves, but really heavy blows. Are the real jump hill. Some drivers were already there back injuries because of it. We are deep in the car, have little suspension – comfort is not the .

“Let’s see how it will be this year. If they have smoothed out the bumps better, it’s just a great road course – a track where I really have a lot of fun,” expressed the 28-year-old from his anticipation. Specifically for the Lotus Event in Singapore is obviously important. It has been “spectacular news,” announced the driver election 2011, change of name of the team and switch to Renault engines.

At Misano Valentino Rossi, while away from Pedrosa and Lorenzo, was able to return to the podium finish in third position, particularly showing signs of improvement in the final stages of the race where he managed to stand out the best lap times. An important figure in anticipation of the Grand Prix this weekend in Aragon, track where the 9 times world champion was able to turn last week with a Yamaha R1.

“I must say that I really like the track, “admitted Rossi. “ And’complicated, but fun and fast, I think will be a real test for everyone. The best part is definitely the entrance of curve 16, really can not wait to ride my M1 there. “

Leaving the podium to Misano has been a difficult weekend for the tragic death of Shoyo Tomizawa, and also hopes that a good race at Alcaniz to remind the young Japanese driver.

“Misano was a very sad weekend for our sport, but now we hope to get a good result in memory Tomizawa. I feel stronger and fit day after day, I am sure I can point to the podium on this occasion, “said Valentino.

Solution to the spectacular failure of MotoGP? Promoting the skills to compete and vice versa. Even in Misano Adriatico hunting from pole has reserved final 10 minutes of the session and exciting, especially the last attempt explosion of “red helmets for Rossi, Lorenzo and especially Dani Pedrosa, fourth pole position of the season (35th in MotoGP 17 MotoGP) in two separate occasions, even managing to stop the clock sull’1’33 “948, split the vintage. Making a difference especially in T4 by the “Wagon” to the pit straight, the three-time world champion has tamed his Honda RC212V to the pole a valuable reassembling the group from “Fantastic 4″ MotoGP.

Pedrosa, but to follow Lorenzo, Stoner and Rossi. All there with uncertainties in anticipation of the race on pace (Pedrosa and Lorenzo not far), choice of tires (all with the “soft”, only Rossi very active with the “hard”), made the bike for a race that Misano is difficult prospect. Not like in Indianapolis, at least for Jorge Lorenzo who wants to put a spoke in the wheels to prevent his fellow classical feel of childbirth, I and go on the run.

Attempt to insert in the collision for Casey Stoner, the third with a slip of the assets of the curve “Rio”, but can bring the Ducati Desmosedici in the front row at the expense of Valentino Rossi, from the choice in contrast with regard to tires, by the excellent growth more than it can highlight the lap and continued to be recovered than half a second pair of heads.

No surprise to find Ben Spies in the fifth position, a well-deserved applause for Randy De Puniet who basically 6 weeks from injury at the Sachsenring is sixth on the grid with the Honda LCR team. As often happens Andrea Dovizioso has lost the right train “in qualifying, only eighth after good practice, before the order to Marco Simoncelli, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi Suzuki pays 1″ 1 from the peak to a grille starting compact, but that race can hardly surprises with the usual suspects up front.

MotoGP World Championship 2010
Misano Adriatico, Qualifying Standings

01 – Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 1’33 .948
02 – Jorge Lorenzo – Team Fiat Yamaha – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0308 +
03 – Casey Stoner – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 0449 +
04 – Valentino Rossi – Fiat Yamaha Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0522 +
05 – Ben Spies – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0524 +
06 – Randy De Puniet – LCR Honda – Honda RC212V – 0803 +
07 – Colin Edwards – Tech 3 Yamaha Monster – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0834 +
08 – Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 0878 +
09 – Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – 0986 +
10 – Marco Melandri – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – 1070 +
11 – Loris Capirossi – Rizla Suzuki – Suzuki GSV-R – 1148 +
12 – Hector Barbera – Paginas Amarillas Aspar – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1311 +
13 – Hiroshi Aoyama – Interwetten Honda – Honda RC212V – 1338 +
14 – Nicky Hayden – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1355 +
15 – Aleix Espargaro – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1490 +
16 – Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki – Suzuki GSV-R – 1681 +
17 – Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1776 +

And last year, succeeded the “red bull” on the course in Northamptonshire a double victory. The signs are so good, but is happy not only because of technical director Adrian Newey to forward to the next Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 9 to 11).

For the team headquarters of Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes is 30 minutes away from Silverstone. “So many of our employees the chance to see the race immediately,” said Newey. Whether they will experience a strong performance of the team, the design guru but can not promise yet: “There are so many variables such as the track temperature, so many things that can affect the performance of the team.”
Unlike in Valencia Red Bull will be at Silverstone have no major upgrade here, but only minor modifications, mainly at the front and rear wings. “We were in Valencia with a new diffuser and another F-shaft a few innovations here, all of which have worked well,” says Newey.
“The team has worked incredibly hard and Sebastian drove a great race,” continues Newey. “He brought the car really well through the race, after he blocked during restart after Safetycarphase the brakes and made the left front tire was flat. And it was a great relief that Mark was after his big crash in order.”

Meanwhile it had become difficult to find under the new regulations still tricks that bring a big step forward with it, continues Newey, but he added with a grin: “It is interesting to see how popular our exhaust systems along the pit lane has become! ”

Newey is now but once the first rounds of the Red Bull looking forward to the new section of the Silverstone course. “Like all other teams, we got the floor plan map and simulated,” he says. “But we have to address details such as bumps and Gripwechsel, we know only when we are driven there. It looks good in any case and as I noted at the MotoGP race there, the drivers loved it.”

NASCAR Weekend Report 5/25

Author:  Matt Gerwitz

U. S. Sports Media, Inc

CONCORD, N.C. – Lowe’s Motor Speedway was the setting again this week for NASCAR’s top two series, The Nationwide and the Sprint Cup, while the Camping World Truck series took the weekend off. The rain-filled Memorial Day weekend interrupted the racing schedule, cutting Saturday’s race short and delaying the Coca-Cola 600 until Monday. Qualifying for both races was completed on schedule.

Thursday night featured the Sprint drivers with Ryan Newman leading the way, turning a lap of 188.475 mph. The lap won him his eighth career pole at Lowe’s, his fifth for the Coca-Cola 600. Kyle Bush started in the number two spot followed by Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kasey Kahne filling out the first three rows. Asked about the possibility of winning NASCAR’s longest race, Newman said, “”Yeah, right now, I’m going to call it even between me, the 18 and 24, and throw Tony Stewart in there on Sunday, too.”

Qualifying for Saturday’s Carquest Auto Parts 300 finished with Carl Edwards on the pole, Kyle Bush starting second, and Greg Biffle third. Busch was later forced to start at the back after an engine change but managed to charge his way back to the front. He took the lead from Carl Edwards on lap 41, holding it until Brian Vickers took it from him on lap 140. At lap 146 Vickers made a scheduled green flag stop, surrendering to the lead back to Busch who came in to the pits on lap 149. Meanwhile Mike Bliss stayed on the track making him the only car on the lead lap when caution came out on lap 153. On the restart Bliss was the leader but started behind eleven lapped cars, including Busch. Brendan Gaughan was the lucky dog and restarted second, taking the lead from Bliss, but Bliss battled back and passed Gaughan at lap 167. Three laps later the rain came, giving Bliss his first victory since 2004. Gaughan was the runner-up with Busch finishing third, Vickers fourth, and Logano fifth.

Sunday’s race never got underway as rain pounded the speedway, leaving parts of the infield covered with standing water. The race began at noon on Monday under cloudy skies that brought a red flag for rain just over seventy laps in. After nearly an hour-long delay the cars returned to the track for another 100 laps. Kyle Busch was again the dominant car but Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne, and Jaun Pablo Montoya all put the pressure on at various points during the race.

At 3:00 PM eastern NASCAR put out the yellow flag, brought all the cars in, shut off the engines and observed a moment of silence in honor of Memorial Day. Shortly after resuming the race, lap 177 brought out the second red flag for rain. A third and final rain delay came at lap 221 which cost Kyle Busch his second race of the weekend. As the rain began to fall all the leaders hit the pits in anticipation of going green again. David Reutimann, Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon chose to stay out, with Reutimann inheriting the lead. The delay turned into several hours and the race was finally called at about 6:25 PM. David Reutimann was declared the winner, giving Michael Waltrip Racing its first Sprint Cup victory. Ryan Newman finished second, followed by Robby Gordon in third, Carl Edwards fourth, and Brian Vickers third. The six through ten positions went to Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Joey Logano, and Matt Kenseth.

Source, http://www.RacingWeeklyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc