The FIA has dismissed the latest rumours about next month’s Bahrain grand prix.

Some publications this week said F1′s governing body was in the process of drafting a statement announcing that the Sakhir race has been cancelled due to security concerns.

But the FIA’s director of communications Norman Howell angrily denied those reports.

At the same time, Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa al-Khalifa, Bahrain’s motor racing federation chief and also an FIA world council member, admitted he could not guarantee the safety of F1′s travelling personnel next month.

“There are no guarantees in this world,” he is quoted by PA Sport, after admitting “disturbances” in Bahrain are still taking place.

“You could be (in danger) anywhere, even Silverstone.

“All I can guarantee you is you will be as safe as at any other grand prix.”

Asked if there will be extra security measures in place, Khalifa answered: “No, absolutely not. It will be life as normal.

“We’ve never had any violence towards foreigners simply because they are foreigners or in F1.”

F1 industry monitor Formula Money has found that the Bahrain grand prix is more commercially successful for teams and trackside advertisers even than Monaco, Spa and Monza.

The publication also said that if the 2012 race is cancelled, “the teams could lose $44.7m of prize money”.

AUSTIN, Texas — February 13, 2012— Circuit of The Americas is the newest member of the Green Sports Alliance, a non-profit organization made up of more than 40 professional and collegiate sports teams and nearly 90 sports venues with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance. Circuit of The Americas will be the first Formula One™ racing facility to become a member of the Alliance.
“Circuit of The Americas and the City of Austin have taken a bold stand with their sustainability plan for the sports and entertainment complex,” said Martin Tull, executive director of the Green Sports Alliance. “We welcome Circuit of The Americas into the Alliance and look forward to working with them.”
The Green Sports Alliance is a unique coalition of sports teams and venues, professional sport leagues, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other environmental and green building experts.
“I applaud the Circuit’s commitment to setting a standard for sustainability in North American motorsports,” said Lucia Athens, chief sustainability officer for the City of Austin. “Joining forces with the Green Sports Alliance will increase their green horsepower and put Austin on the map yet again for its leadership and innovation. The Green Sports Alliance has been providing expert technical assistance to many of the sports leagues, and can now assist motorsports in achieving greener results.”
Members in the Green Sports Alliance share best practices to improve the environmental performance of their venues, saving millions of dollars through energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling and composting. By tracking environmental performance, sports facilities learn how they compare to their counterparts and how to maximize sustainability efforts. Alliance members have reported reductions as high as 30 percent in energy usage, 60 percent in natural gas use and more than 20 percent in water use.
“We are excited to be collaborating with the best minds in sustainable facility management,” said Edgar Farrera, sustainability director at Circuit of The Americas. “We look forward to developing new approaches to environmentally sustainable operations at our facility and sharing what we learn with organizations and companies around the world.”
About the Green Sports Alliance
The Green Sports Alliance is a non-profit organization with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance. Less than a year since its public launch, the Alliance is made up of representatives from over 40 teams from 13 leagues and 90 sports venues, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and many other organizations.
Its second annual conference, the Green Sports Alliance Summit, will be held on Sept. 5-7, 2012 and will bring together hundreds of facility operators, team executives, league officials,
environmental experts and corporate partners to discuss innovations in environmental performance.
For more information about the Green Sports Alliance visit: www.greensportsalliance.org.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™ Nov. 16-18 and V8 SUPERCARS.
The Circuit of The Americas’ master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans. Other support buildings will include a medical facility, a conference center, a banquet hall as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

Enstone based F1 team Renault plans to have a new driver simulator up and running in time for the 2012 season.
The outfit announced on Monday that the local council has granted permission for the new facility to be situated next to the upgraded wind tunnel.

Renault, whose existing simulator was once derided by then team driver Fernando Alonso as no better than a Playstation, said “building work will begin imminently”.

“The confirmation that our simulator is on the way is further evidence of our continued investment for the future,” added team boss Eric Boullier.

Group Lotus-sponsored Renault has had a difficult 2011 season; trailing the top four teams, batting off speculation of financial troubles and experimenting first with Nick Heidfeld and now Bruno Senna due to Robert Kubica’s absence.

“Well, it has been challenging,” admitted Frenchman Boullier.

“I cannot say all the challenges were enjoyable – going through the difficulties we had after Robert’s crash was not easy – but overall I enjoy being tested with the issues that come my way, and tackling them in the best way I can for the team.

“Overseeing these challenges is part of my job. There’s certainly never a dull moment,” he smiled.

Max Mosley believes a title for Fernando Alonso with less than seven points ahead would be dangerous for Formula 1
If Fernando Alonso the world title this year did not win more than seven points ahead, then it would devalue the Formula 1, says the former FIA president Max Mosley. Thus the British refers to the change of place, the Ferrari at Hockenheim has been implemented, as Felipe Massa Alonso had to leave the victory. Although the team was then a penalty of $ 100,000 due to team orders, but there were other sanctions, although Mosley before the hearing before the World Motor Sport Council had meant there had to be penalized.

“I have a feeling that at least the extra points scored by Alonso overtaking Massa should be withdrawn,” Mosley told the BBC repeated now. “This is the absolute minimum, because if Alonso for some reason the World Cup less than the seven-point lead would gain, he has brought there, would devalue the World Cup. But this is a personal view ..”

Spain’s leading FIA official has been told the inaugural Korean grand prix will go ahead as scheduled in two weeks.

Charlie Whiting is only inspecting the Yeongam venue on Monday and Tuesday, but it is believed that selected media have essentially been briefed to the effect that nothing will now lead to the cancellation of the October 24 event.

That follows the latest information and photographs to emerge from Korea, showing that the top layer of asphalt is now complete and curing, that kerbs and barriers are in place and the basic building infrastructure able to accommodate the teams and media.

Indeed, Spain’s AS newspaper said Whiting’s inspection early this week is a “mere formality”.

“The race is going ahead.  This has been confirmed at Suzuka to the president of the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo, Carlos Gracia,” said the report.

Gracia is also a member of the FIA’s authoritative World Motor Sport Council.

More details about the shape of radical new regulations for 2013 have continued to emerge.

Earlier, it was reported that most teams have essentially agreed that the field will in future be powered by 1.6 litre, 4 cylinder turbo engines, with the cars featuring 80s-style ‘ground effect’ aerodynamics.

Monday’s reports also said drivers will be limited to using just five of the 650 horse power engines in 2013.

The online magazine GPWeek has now revealed some additional details of the new formula.

The publication said the turbo engines will run at about 10,000rpm, and feature an efficient limit on the fuel flow — culminating in a ‘green’ formula that some insiders believe might entice manufacturers back onto the grid.

KERS will also play an increasing role in F1′s future regulations, with additional heat-recovery technology to likely augment the existing hybrid systems.

Additionally, the cars’ sidepods will be moved forwards to increase driver protection, and the size of the wheel rims is expected to increase in future years.

The basis of the 2013 rules are likely to be outlined in more detail after a forthcoming meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

Luca di Montezemolo has been challenged to pledge his support or otherwise to Italy’s historic grand prix venue Monza.

The challenge was thrown out by Monica Rizzi, the regional sports councillor for Lombardy, the governing region of the famous Autodromo Nazionale.

Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno is confident the streets of the Italian capital will host F1 as early as 2012, insisting the event would not threaten Monza’s annual date.

But Rizzi does see Rome’s bid as a threat to Monza, urging Ferrari president Montezemolo to join those opposed to the extra Italian race.

“Monza is part of the history of our region, it is among the most popular on the formula one calendar and our pride since 1922.  Hands off,” she is quoted as having told Corriere dello Sport.

“I think it’s time for di Montezemolo to say whether Ferrari is for or against (a race in Rome).  As most Ferraris are sold in the north of Italy, I think it would be appropriate,” added Rizzi.

As well as improving the F10′s pace and fending off the World Council’s wrath next month, another headache for Ferrari could be in the engine department.

The next race, Monza, is among the toughest on engines, and at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, the newly-installed Ferrari engine in Pedro de la Rosa’s Sauber had to be replaced.

With seven races to go, the unscheduled change tipped the Spaniard over his allocation of eight engines for the season, resulting in a grid penalty.

And a cursory look at the allocations of F1′s other cars at Spa shows that while most drivers are now on their fifth new engine, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have used six.

“I see no reason to worry,” said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.

Bruno Senna has defended Felipe Massa after the Ferrari driver moved over to let his Ferrari teammate win the recent German grand prix.

In a team orders saga that is set to be resolved at a forthcoming meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, Brazilian Massa has been chastised by his native press for lacking courage.

But countryman Senna told the Brazilian media this week: “I think it’s very easy to judge when you’re not in the person’s skin.

“I think everyone does what he thinks is right at the time of the situation, and it’s easy for an outsider to criticise,” added the HRT driver and nephew of the great and revered Ayrton Senna.

Senna, 26, also hit back at claims that Massa’s season in general has been disappointing.

“They think it’s easy — just more speed,” he said.

“But formula one is a technical sport with very great variables.  Massa has said he is having trouble warming up the tyres, and it is really very difficult.

“Sometimes a car combines better with a particular driving style.  Everyone has seen how good he is when he fought for a recent championship, so I think there’s nothing to discuss,” added Senna.

Because of the current summer break all Formula 1 teams are sentenced to to suspend altogether two weeks to work completely. But Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is convinced that “we are on vacation, but that does not mean that our brains cease to function.” Perhaps one could even inspire new if you are even staying outside the normal working environment, so Domenicali on the official website of the Scuderia.

Ferrari is also to use the summer break to get to the meeting of the FIA World Council on 8 September to prepare. Then it will be decided whether the Italian racing team is penalized go on for its stable government at the Grand Prix of Germany. Domenicali has the whole debate, but enough already. “I was speechless whether the whole hypocrisy in our world.”

Instead, the team manager would like to concentrate on continuing the upward trend in sports. “The second half of July went very well and I hope this has given us the momentum for the last part of the season. We know that there is still much to do, because we still do not have the best car. But that should only be a further incentive. ”

Domenicali was with the reaction of his team very happy when they threatened to lose at some point of the season following the World Cup top. Ferrari, Fernando Alonso is now back in the middle of a world title fight. “We have discussed with Fernando a few days: should we manage to always be on the front seats, can we get satisfaction.”

The organisers of the European grand prix at Valencia have questioned the accuracy of a leaked draft of next year’s formula one race calendar.

After Hungary, an unofficial 20-race calendar was published by a German outlet, showing the Valencia street event scheduled for late August.

But after a late August date in 2009, organisers Valmor Sport had successfully lobbied for a change to late July for this season.

The lower ambient temperatures and the avoidance of clashes with Spanish holidays were credited for the higher ticket sales.

“The change of date is helping the ticket sales,” F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone admitted.

The provisional 28 August race date for 2011 has therefore surprised Valmor.

According to EFE news agency, sources at the Valencia company are questioning the accuracy of the leaked calendar, insisting that “although it is not yet official, we believe it (the race) will stay in June”.

Valmor Sport said it will wait for an official schedule published by the FIA before commenting.

The sources added: “After conversations we had with Ecclestone and the FIA during the grand prix and thereafter, the idea is that next year (the race) will also be on a similar date in June.”

The FIA is likely to publish an official provisional calendar after September’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

Discussions on the team orders at Ferrari, Fernando Alonso leave you cold – the Spaniard is focused solely on his car

Fernando Alonso has been addressed in the run up to the Grand Prix of Hungary, of course, the team orders at Hockenheim. The global debate on the approach of cold Ferrari let the Spaniard. His focus remains on winning the World Cup. In Hungary, a further step in this direction succeed.

“Of course it does not affect me. Not at all,” Alonso replied Hungary, as he is addressed to the discussions in the week after Hockenheim. “There are a Grand Prix to talk always something, not only in Germany. In every race there is an anecdote. One is the Red-Bull-collision in Turkey, at other times I’ve Massa overhauled at the pit entrance. We which can not devote too much attention. ”

“If we lose only one percent of our focus, we have lost,” the Spaniard continued. “There are many opinions and it was in the past few days a lot of talk. For us it is only important that the car is competitive and we deliver that in Hungary a good job. Everyone has their opinion, the drivers and team bosses, but it is their opinion, we can respect. We wish to concentrate on our work. ”

About the team tactics in Hockenheim Alonso can elicit any details. “I do not think that there is a number one or number two in the drivers there. I think driving is more about respect each other and to the respect for Ferrari may be. It means a lot,” says the double world champion team-mate Felipe Massa, it’s clear who said in Hungary that he was not number two.

Many fans at Hockenheim and in front of TV sets felt cheated after the race. “Of course, some fans are unhappy about some race, not only in Germany. There were other races. Some fans will also be quite regardless,” estimates Alonso. “I arrived today in Hungary. The airport and the hotel were filled with people. All have cheered for us. Maybe I see some other fans, but so far these were the only ones.”

Therefore, the Hockenheim winner is also certain that his reputation has not suffered from the incidents. “I do not think anything has changed for me, or something will happen to me. I am the same and would always fight for the best things for the team and for the sport. I hope I do it in my career, always good .

Yet it is not clear when the motor sport World Council deals with the Hockenheim-events. Alonso cares not: “We’ll see. Need Now the pilots to concentrate on driving. It is a very interesting race. We have to deliver in Hungary good opportunities in a strong performance. It’s not in our hands what the World Council in future will decide. ”

After Alonso has referred to this subject, he comes finally to evaluate the strong performance of the car. “We can be pleased with the competitiveness of the F10 in the last race. At last we have in Germany celebrated a double victory. There were no problems and we collected many points.”

“But at Silverstone and Valencia, the car was good. We want to implement this momentum in Hungary. All these discussions are in the past and there is nothing to add. We have already said everything in Germany.”

F1 drivers must follow even the rules of the road, the FIA declared on Wednesday.

In the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s arrest and summons for dangerous driving in his hire car whilst in Melbourne earlier this year, Jean Todt suggested drivers might in future be penalised by the governing body for such offenses.

“We are … trying to see whether to do something, and how,” the FIA president recently told a French newspaper.

After a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Geneva, the first step in Todt’s new plan was unveiled.

“Competitors … must act as ambassadors for the sport, be aware their conduct on the road must be exemplary and respect road safety rules,” a media statement read.

The FIA also said changes to the international sporting code are possible to ensure the Paris body’s “overall objectives and, in particular, its commitment to road safety, are upheld”.

(GMM)

Pirelli is F1′s new tyre supplier for 2011-2013, it was announced on Wednesday.

A raft of other decisions were also announced after a meeting in Geneva of the World Motor Sport Council.

As a response to the spygate and crashgate scandals, it is “under consideration” that staff of F1 teams must hold “specific licenses” from 2011 that can be revoked by the FIA.

And in the wake of the controversy involving Michael Schumacher in Monaco, the FIA has ruled that there will be no overtaking even when the safety car pulls in on the last lap of a race.

Lewis Hamilton’s fine and reprimand after qualifying in Canada has resulted in a new rule requiring drivers to stay below a “maximum time” set by the FIA on in-laps

Next year, the 107 per cent qualifying rule will reappear, and the FIA has also banned F-ducts and approved the debut of the proximity rear wing.

“In the race, you can’t use it (the wing) for the first two laps at all, but after that if you’re within a second of the car in front then you will be able to deploy it,” McLaren’s engineering director Paddy Lowe said on Wednesday.

“So that will be very interesting.  That’s a FOTA initiative to improve the show and I think it’s very exciting.”

And for the return of KERS, the minimum car-plus-driver weight will increase by a further 20kg to 640kg.

Meanwhile, a “four-race probationary super license” has been approved for Renault’s official third driver Ho-Pin Tung.

(GMM)

Pirelli on Wednesday is tipped to finally be approved as formula one’s new tyre supplier for 2011.

With the teams’ FOTA group signing a letter of intent to be supplied by the Italian brand, and contracts having apparently also been signed with Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council is set to meet in Geneva.

Media reports, including by Italy’s Autosprint, claim one outcome of the meeting could be the announcement of a three-year official supply deal for Pirelli.

FIA president Jean Todt recently appeared keener on seeing Michelin return to formula one, but after a meeting in Paris is believed to have now approved the Pirelli deal.

It is also believed the possibility of disciplinary action against the failed 2010 team USF1 will be decided in Geneva on Wednesday.

(GMM)