Flavio Briatore has rued Ferrari’s strategy mistake that cost his charge Fernando Alonso a third drivers’ world championship last Sunday.

The Italian team has acknowledged the strategy mistake of following Mark Webber in for an early pitstop during the recent Abu Dhabi finale.

“For Fernando it should have been a completely different race,” Briatore, who is still the Spaniard’s manager, told the La Repubblica newspaper.

“They should not have even thought about Mark Webber, because Fernando was fast,” added the Italian, whose company also manages Webber.

So how did Ferrari make such a fundamental mistake?

“Hard to say,” Briatore answered.  “Maybe they misinterpreted when Webber hit the wall.  Mark didn’t do it (pit) as a tactic, but because he had hit the wall with his wheel.”

Briatore refused to say that Alonso would now be champion if he had been sitting on the Ferrari pitwall.

“The day after a race, everyone is wiser,” he said.  “The day before and during the race itself is the hardest, when the decisions must be made in a second amid the risk of a mistake.”

Briatore also criticised the Abu Dhabi track layout for not allowing Alonso to recover from the error by overtaking Vitaly Petrov.

“It is a scandal that a crucial race track does not allow a single pass,” he said.

“Monaco is fair enough, but Abu Dhabi is in the middle of a desert where they could easily build the right straights and curves.

“I’m sorry for Fernando.  He is a phenomenal driver who drove a brilliant season,” added Briatore.

The Yas Marina track, scene of the last two F1 season finales, is targeting a round of the MotoGP series.

“We are working on it for 2012,” the Abu Dhabi venue’s boss Richard Cregan told emirates247.com.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but we are working on that with MotoGP. The circuit may have to have some work on the curves but this is normal,” he added.

The impressive floodlit circuit was built in 2009 at a cost of some $1bn.

You can not use another term but “unfortunate.” Nicky Hayden, star of the trials in Indianapolis, has not gone beyond the sixth in the race because of an unusual problem. During the third lap he lost the “soap” left as a result of contact with the curb, the precarious condition in order to force without taking unnecessary risks.

“I can not believe it!”says Hayden. “In the first laps I drove carefully because it was easy to miss this hot track conditions. Unfortunately on lap seven I lost a moment earlier, and to remain in the saddle I touched the curb with the left knee: there was a drain contact and I’m left slide.

Unfortunately in Indianapolis most of the curves are left, so I practically being on the defensive from that point on, you risk falling. I destroyed the suit at that point, it was really amazing because I had evidence in a step to make a great race. ”

An unfortunate event that now requires Nicky Hayden chasing the seventh of the season, the past in one fell swoop by Valentino Rossi and Ben Spies.

Red Bull has presented an open and McLaren Mercedes and Ferrari also rely on the big leap. The days of lazy Sunday drives by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are at the top of the Formula 1 field over. At the latest by the two McLaren-double victory in Istanbul and Montreal, this should be clear. The British want to take the momentum now to Valencia.

“We took out the last two races, the maximum score. It seems as if we had a good run,” said Jenson Button before the race in Valencia. “The team is a unit, of which we want to benefit again in Valencia.” The question is still how well the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 on the Spanish roads is.
“While it is a road course, but nevertheless different from Monaco or Singapore,” says the reigning world champion. “The track is faster. There are some sharp curves, but also quick direction changes and long straights. Regarding the setup is it interesting. It is not only to maximize output from. This could accommodate us very much.”

Button for Valencia is a small hurdle to overcome two major events yet to be. “There then follow two home games: Grand Prix at Silverstone and Festival at Goodwood. Both events incomprehensible many British fans will be. As world champion I am looking forward to it. Silverstone is a great experience and at Goodwood I may fulfill a childhood dream.”
The champion is the famous “Festival of Speed” at the McLaren MP4/2C sitting with Alain Prost was driven in 1986 for his second title. “I can not even partially believe how happy I am,” says Button is looking forward to the special trip as a child. And team-mate Lewis Hamilton will be allowed to drive the vehicle through the historic park in Goodwood.

“Now I’m looking forward to Valencia,” said the winner of the Grands Prix in Istanbul ind Montréal. “Last year I had a great, combative racing there. In the past two years I was there each second. So this is still a score to settle,” the clear statement of Hamilton. “It’s great that there is so much variance in the tracks. From Montreal we are now fast on the narrow street circuit in Valencia.”

“Until one has never seen a lot of overtaking in Valencia, but this year it might otherwise be, given the narrow field,” promises the series leader voltage. “For me as a driver, it is difficult to estimate and not predictable. More can you ask for little. The last races were great. It would be nice if we could also offer the Spanish fans a great show. It is determined again closely.”

With the fifth place in the first free practice session in which Red Bull is almost always with a lot of fuel on the road, pointing to Sebastian Vettel, that he could be competitive in Montreal. The Germans lacked less than half a second to Jenson Button, of the McLaren F-shaft system and Mercedes-Power has two advantages that fall on the long straights particularly significant.

“This track is an interesting test for us,” says team boss Christian Horner. “It should help the Mercedes team and the teams with F-bay system – and we have not both, so we must try to extract otherwise lap time out of our car. When we are fast, then it should be in this be no more World Cup races, in which we have to fear us. ”
For Red Bulls great strength is the high contact pressure, which affects mostly in fast curves, on straight lines but does nothing. In the first free practice at least another five were missing Red Bull to ten km / h top speed. At least, appear after the collision of Istanbul smoothed the internal waves to be. Furthermore, the decision was taken that Vettel and Mark Webber continues to be free to go against each other.

“Both drivers agree that it was a bad outcome for the team and for themselves, as both have lost points,” said Horner. “But it was wrong to let them go against each other? I think not. If we want processions, we would apply to drivers immediately after the start to hold the positions, but that’s not what Red Bull is – and it is also not what we mean by Grand Prix racing. ”
“Therefore we will continue to allow our drivers to drive against each other, but we expect them to respect themselves as teammates, as they have done in the past so many times,” Horner for the record. He also admits that it was a mistake to discuss the question of guilt in public, but for a new team like Red Bull are just such situations, even a “discovery trip”.

“We are a young team, but the progress we have made over the past five years is remarkable,” said Horner. “Two cars in front have to compete for the Grand Prix victory is the reward for the hard work in the factory, and behind the scenes. But I must admit: from team perspective, from an individual perspective and from the driver’s view you can still learn something. ”
(TotalMotorSports)

“I like it when the walls are close to the track and if you can not afford any mistakes, because that is challenging and makes driving more fun,” said Kubica. “Even in the Macau Formula 3 I especially liked or in Formula 1 Monaco. The only street circuit, which I do not like is Singapore. Why am I not there, the track may, but I can not say for sure.”

The discussion is now about to go in the direction the formula 1, for among the fans, the discontent with Bernie Ecclestone’s house and court architect Hermann Tilke increasing. The German has built in recent years superb facilities such as Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, but is criticized for its routes have no character. Many fans believe that the idea of safety is partly already taken too seriously.

But: “That just is not that,” said Kubica. “I’m a fan of street circuits, but also a fan of security, because I had here a serious accident. It depends on the balance between risk and safety. The formula one has become, thanks to the FIA and thanks to the team much more secure. If I would indeed like this happens an accident ten years ago, today I would not be sitting here, maybe more. ”

In discussion forums time and again the argument that run-off should not be paved, as this driving mistake will be punished only lightly. We used to cut the chicane in from Montreal, was quick views of the front wing off, now it is hardly out of the wind shadow of the man in front. But the tarmac run-off areas have their advantages.
Rosberg against gravel beds

“In turn eight in Istanbul, many people took off,” says Nico Rosberg. ‘If there is a gravel and would have had to close the track standing wall, there would have been serious accidents. The risk is mainly that the car in the gravel into place and somersaults. That would be dangerous, so I think it is a good development, in such a tarmac run-off to have curves. ”

Felipe Massa puts it even more plainly: “Turn Eight in Monaco would not be very nice,” the Ferrari driver. The drivers love the one hand the great challenges such as Spa-Francorchamps Suzuka or most are, but at the same time conscious of the fact that the formula is an extremely dangerous and the security therefore must not be left out of sight. Lewis Hamilton is among those who see the rather loose.

“My intention is only to the asphalt between the white lines,” the McLaren star. “The FIA makes this line around a great job in terms of security, so we need to focus not. The most important thing is how cool the track – and that is between the white lines.” Hamilton also insists that it is “a fine line” between safety and danger aspect.

Nico Rosberg insists he is not disappointed with the reversion to the newer long-wheelbase Mercedes car for the forthcoming Turkish grand prix.

After Michael Schumacher struggled with the original short-wheelbase car earlier in 2010, he was the team’s pacesetter in Barcelona, where a longer-wheelbase was introduced along with other car developments.

But for the twisty curves of Monaco, the original car is being used once again, and Rosberg has once again been in front of his famous teammate.

But for F1′s next stop in Istanbul, it has been confirmed that the newer car will be back in action.

Rosberg, however, insists it will not disadvantage him.

“Michael and I have the same driving style,” he told Germany’s Bild-Zeitung.

“Even if Ross Brawn wanted to make a car that only worked for Michael, it would also work for me,” insisted Rosberg.

(GMM)

Like fellow new team Lotus, Virgin is also not planning to develop a so-called F-duct system in 2010.

Confirming the news, Lotus’ Heikki Kovalainen said in Barcelona last weekend that he hopes the team soon shifts its full focus to next year’s car.

F-ducts, the downforce-spoiling innovation pioneered this year by McLaren and subsequently emulated by Ferrari, Sauber and Williams, have been banned for 2011.

German driver Timo Glock told Auto Motor und Sport on Thursday that it would therefore be “nonsense” if Virgin “invested time” on an F-duct rather than on more fundamental areas.

And team boss John Booth also said in Monaco that Virgin’s priorities are elsewhere.

“99 per cent of our effort is on reliability but hopefully from this race forward we can start adding performance to the car,” he said.

McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh admitted this week that he is disappointed with FOTA’s decision to ban F-ducts.

“It’s a low-cost technology.  There are lots of reasons why it’s good for the sport,” said the FOTA chairman, whose MP4-25 is the only car fitted with an F-duct for the twisty curves of Monaco.

Ferrari’s F-duct will be back on the F10 at Istanbul, where it is expected that Red Bull could get the technology running for the first time.

Whitmarsh said on Thursday: “It’s something that will work better on the long straight than a circuit like this.”

(GMM)

Mercedes will revert to its original 2010 car for the Monaco grand prix this weekend.

The Brackley based team unveiled a car with a longer wheelbase in Spain last weekend, which is tipped to have helped Michael Schumacher get the upper hand over his teammate Nico Rosberg for the first time in 2010.

But according to German media sources, the pre-Barcelona package – which in Rosberg’s hands was driven to the podium twice in four races – will be up and running again in Monaco because it better suits the slow and twisty curves of the unique street layout.

The shorter-wheelbase car will however be fitted with the latest aerodynamic innovations in Monaco, including the knife-like rollover structure and engine cover air inlets.

“I am very optimistic that we will be more competitive than in Barcelona,” team CEO Nick Fry is quoted as saying by Germany’s RTL.

(GMM)

A team bosses meeting in Barcelona is likely to knock on the head the concept of a ‘split’ initial qualifying session for Monaco.

Some drivers want the split so that cars with vastly different speeds are not tangled up in traffic on the Principality’s famous twisty curves.

“I expect teams from the middle of the grid downwards to vote against dividing qualifying,” said FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh before the meeting on Sunday.

After a cold and overcast start to the day at the Circuit de Catalunya, the sun is now shining with two hours to go until the race.

Predicted rain should hold off until after the chequered flag.

Meanwhile, occupants of the paddock are relieved to hear that Barcelona airport was reopened on Sunday due to the volcanic ash cloud moving on.

But with next week’s grand prix to be held in Monaco, Spanish radio said the cloud is now heading to the south of France!

(GMM)

Yesterday, Kovalainen completed 30 laps prior to the accident where his front wing broke and forced him to leave the circuit, because there was no spare part to replace it.  However, he was not distressed and even though he admitted the single-seater lacks aerodynamics, he assured that the T127 has great potential.

“I think the potential is there.  The initial sensation this morning was good,” explained Kovalainen.  “With enough grip in the slow curves, the car is behaving quite well.  But it does lack adherence in high speeds [curves] where we lose time, probably too, because of configuration issues [set-up].  But, overall it is alright and I enjoyed it very much.”

After running for McLaren since 2008, Kovalainen has great experience in races with the Formula One champion team and is used to utilizing Mercedes engines – considered as the best in the grid.

When asked to compare the Lotus’ V8 Cosworth with Mercedes’ engine, he said: “In terms of sheer power, it is not very far from Mercedes’, although it is probably not as good, but on the whole, the sensation is quite positive.  The ease with which you drive it was very competitive when compared with Mercedes.  The power is located at different areas, but I feel it is one of the strongest parts of the car.”

Kovalainen has remained in Jerez to test his car today, Friday.  The new front wing was delivered last nigh to the racing team.

Virgin Racing, one of the new four cars of this season, this Thursday completed its first tests at the British Silverstone circuit, with the German pilot, Timo Glock at the wheel of the VR-01.

“To see the VR-01 in action was a wonderful moment for me and for all the team.  It’s great to be back in the racetracks,” said the pilot at the end of the testing session.
On the other hand, Nick Wirth, Technical Director pointed out that the 10 month effort of the team paid off.  “Today were the first steps, but the program will really be in action tomorrow, with a full day of evaluation in Timo and Lucas di Grassi’s racetrack.”

Analysis of the new Virgin VR-01

Leaving aside the beginning of his campaign in the media, Virgin made clear at all times that Wirth was going to design the car totally with CDF technologies.  The team believes it’s the most profitable solution.

With scarce time for tests, the VR-01 has already passed the FIA-required crash tests and has rolled its first laps in the British circuit of Silverstone.

Aside from its very attractive line, the VR-01 has quite simple front wing endplates.  And we say simple because it currently does not incorporate a system for the driver to modify the angle of attack of the upper element.  Yet, we will surely see more developments in before it runs in Bahrain.

The nose follows the trend to copy the Red Bull  V nose concept (as well as the rounded underside), and it also has a sharp tip, almost as low as on the Mercedes GP (but longer).  The front wheel suspension is mounted like a unique keel system.  Seems as though the chassis has a small keel under its nose for the lower wishbone.

Rather unusual for new cars are the front brake ducts.  Even though most of the teams have opted for the highest possible position for the ducts, the VR-01 has them pointing downward, attempting to catch the air from under the front wing.  It’s important to consider that in this area, the air can flow faster and be a bit less dense.

The front part of the sidepods is clearly inspired in Brawn’s BGP001 and it’s also quite similar to the 2010 McLaren 2010.  Small and high combined air inlets must prevent an efficient flow of air around the sidepods, providing more potential downforce in the rear end.

This configuration of the sidepod panels will surely help to achieve this goal.  The racing car seems to be quite developed in the middle zone, though the way the mirrors are mounted and their place came as a surprise.

Just like the new Ferrari, the sidepods are rather lean and without sharp curves.  In both cases, the designers opted for a long car capable of placing all the components near the center line.  This Virgin, as well as the Ferrari could be around 5.5 meters long, 70 cm longer than the Mercedes.  While this may prove beneficial in the fast circuits, in twisty road tracks they may become a challenge.  We’ll see…

The back end of the car seems to have some influence from last year’s Red Bull, as for instance, the aggressive slope.  While this puts the upper wishbone mounts completely in view, the suspension system is still a push rod design.