There are fears about the ongoing involvement in the 2012 US grand prix project of the race’s promoter Tavo Hellmund.

Hellmund has been the driving force behind the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, scheduled to host its first formula one race next November.

But the slowing of construction work at the venue has been “noticeable” lately, according to the local Austin American Statesman newspaper.

And it is now suggested that the “promoter or management” could be changed after Texas comptroller Susan Combs this week wrote to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The letter was written after Hellmund reportedly asked Combs whether “a change in management or promoters” would affect the funding promised by the Texas government.

Ecclestone and Hellmund did not respond to calls or emails on Thursday, the newspaper said.

Formula one could soon return to Austria.

After dropping off the grand prix calendar in 2003, the A1-Ring in Zeltweg – located in central Austria – was demolished.

Supported by Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz, EUR 70 million reconstruction works began late in 2008, including new pit buildings and grandstands.

But although Mateschitz said at the time that “speaking about a return of formula one” to Austria “would be absurd”, a report in the Kleine Zeitung newspaper has now raised that possibility.

The Styria-based newspaper said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone sees the former Osterreichring as a potential replacement for a current Asian race.

Kleine Zeitung said the A1-Ring rumour was heard “several times” in the Valencia paddock last weekend.

The rebuilt circuit, with a DTM race already likely, is set to re-open in April or May of next year.

(GMM)

Michael Schumacher knows the situation in which he finds himself currently at Mercedes, well. He has done construction work at Benetton, he has been fighting with Ferrari in the championship point. With Mercedes, he wants to do it now as well. In Montreal Schumacher sat with reporters and talked about the development process at Mercedes, the current situation, his chances in the title fight, the goal of being able to go on their own at the head and his life as a Formula 1-returnees.

Q: Michael, what expectations you had for yourself when you start in the season?
Michael Schumacher: “The championship is my goal and my focus. But there comes a point where you realize that his package is the way it is. And you have to go through from there a certain program and a certain process. And we make. ”

“The year is still long. I personally do not think that I am really in a position to much to talk about the title. It is more about building and therefore to organize things for what happened, from next year. But you never know. It’s still a long year and there are still have many points. ”

Q: You had two fourth places so far. A podium the next step is for you? ”
Schumacher: “I wonder if I’ll get another podium or not changes to my stats at all. The fact is: I want to see that we can go on their own to this position. And now we are not able to do so. I have found in the get Turkey by Sebastian Vettel’s failure given a place. from team perspective, we are currently third parties must and we work really. We do this so that we drive on their own to the podium and race win. That’s what we want and what we create can. But it takes time. ”

Question: “You are now ahead of Ferrari. Is that the F-shaft?”
Schumacher: “It certainly contributes a part in this. But we were in Turkey in any case an aerodynamic upgrade. So it is a natural process that we go through. In Turkey it has taken us ahead of Ferrari. But that does not mean that that’s the case here. We have seen how a team was in front and then back – it’s sometimes a bit difficult to understand, and strangely, why is the case. We hope that we stay at the front end and so far could we always get the most from the package. Nico Rosberg did a fantastic job, as he has brought the podium. ”

Q: You have spoken of the construction process. You have participated in at Ferrari, Benetton’s there. Are you still very satisfying to get into a team to work with him and build it up? ”
Schumacher: “That is one reason why I’m here. Driving is one thing. But a close cooperation, a good understanding and a good atmosphere in the team are very satisfying.”

Q: You work with a German team. Does it even matter that it is a team of your own home? ”
MS: Sure. If you look at how I started: Mercedes has supported me on the way to F1. Yes, it all fits together very well. ”

Q: You said that it is for you here on personal performance went well except in China. Would you say that Turkey was your best race this year? ”
MS: No, I have in Turkey, I drove the car to go home. I could make to the front at all, because they were too fast for us. I have only kept the place and am so driven, that nothing happened to the rear .

Q: What was your best race then? ”
RS: There was no ‘best race’ for me. Sometimes you have these very special race and moments in which everything fits together perfectly. And so far we have not yet. ”

Question: “Are you missing this?”
Schumacher: “I know I’ll get there. This is one reason why I do this – to get to this point. But for that it needs certain ingredients, and we are looking together yet.”

Q: What is in your life the biggest difference between now and then, when you left the sport? ”
Schumacher: “Maybe I enjoy it much more now because I take only the important things seriously.”

Q: Is it so lucky – there have less stress? ”
Schumacher: “I am extremely pleased with my life with my family, with the excitement that I have. I have absolutely no reason to complain. I feel really relaxed.”

Question: “Stress is one of the ingredients that make you faster, hungrier?”
MS: No. I do not stress! ”

Q: Are you faster because you are relaxed? ”
Schumacher: “I do not think I’m faster. I enjoy it more simply.”

Q: You’re already driving in Le Mans, as you would like to start again? ”
Schumacher: “It was beautiful, as I drove, it was great fun. But security aspect worries me. After so many years, in Formula 1 is not much that would challenge one. But the security question me like this kept away. ”

Q: Is there anything away from the Formula 1, which you would like to do, what would be a real challenge? ”
Schumacher: “I want much, but I am very satisfied with my life.”

Question: “Would you not like to fly once in orbit or something?”
MS: No, that does not attract me. ”

Question: “What a challenge you would you then search for Formula 1?”
MS: I do a lot of things that are fun. But nothing, what should I speak now, because I’m still busy with this and focus on the what I want now are doing. There is no place to think about what I want to do it. “

May 3 (GMM)  Former Renault driver Romain Grosjean has delivered a less than stirring appraisal after racing on Silverstone’s revised F1 layout.

After his disappointing half-season in F1 last year, the Swiss-born Frenchman now drives a Ford in the FIA’s new GT1 category.

That series was the first to race on the layout incorporating Silverstone’s newly launched ‘Arena’ section.

The 760-metre stretch features some slower bends that could help overtaking, but Silverstone is nonetheless tipped to knock Monza off the perch as the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar.

“It’s nothing special,” Grosjean, 24, told the Guardian newspaper when asked about the new section, which is currently surrounded by building construction works and resembling Bahrain because grass verges have not yet grown.

“We have lost Bridge and the complex which was very nice, and we didn’t gain much with the new part.  I’m not 100 per cent convinced.

“With the single seater cars they are flat-out through Abbey and in formula one it is going to be very fast as well.  I don’t think it gives any overtaking opportunities.  So that’s a bit of a shame,” added Grosjean.

Former F1 safety car driver Oliver Gaven, however – who now drives a Corvette in GT1 – was more positive.

“I think the circuit flows very nicely; I’m very happy with it,” said the Briton.

“It’s got a nice combination of corners and some nice challenging stuff for us.  There are two or three corners that are nearly flat and one or two that you have got to have a lot of commitment.

“The style of Silverstone has been carried on.  They have done a cracking job with it,” said Gavin.

Meanwhile, BBC commentator Martin Brundle doubts the new section will boost overtaking, but fellow former F1 veteran Johnny Herbert thinks ‘Arena’ adds “one” additional overtaking place to the circuit.