Eddie Jordan has advised Lewis Hamilton to stick with McLaren.
With the 2008 world champion’s current contract coming to an end this year, he said recently he would address the issue of his future “sooner rather than later”.

“After the first couple of races it’s something we will probably want to get out of the way,” said Hamilton last month.

For the moment, however, there is speculation, after Bernie Ecclestone said he doubts the 27-year-old will stay with the Woking based team forever.

The major German daily Bild then reported that Hamilton has been earmarked as Mercedes’ ‘plan-B’ in the event Michael Schumacher does not stay in 2013.

But Jordan, a former F1 team owner and boss, believes Hamilton should stay put.

“Given their (McLaren’s) resources and level of investment, can you tell me that Lewis would be better off in another team?” he said on Tuesday at a BBC event.

Jordan believes, however, that the famous British team can do a better job of handling Hamilton.

“I think – and this is in some way a criticism – that they will have learned from their mistakes last season,” he said.

One remedy is the placement by Hamilton’s management of Mika Hakkinen’s former manager Didier Coton, and another is the driver’s move from secluded Geneva to bustling Monaco.

Hamilton has also reunited with his girlfriend Nicole, and had a long winter break.

“McLaren appear to have given him a chunk of time off, to go away and to focus,” former long-time McLaren driver David Coulthard said.

 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.

The BBC’s television punditry team looks set to break up at the end of the season.
Former McLaren driver and lead BBC commentator Martin Brundle earlier this week denied a report in London’s Telegraph that said he is poised to accept a $1.6 million offer to switch full-time to Sky in 2012.

The BBC and pay-channel Sky will share the British hosting rights next year, with the public broadcaster to televise only a handful of grands prix.

French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet revealed in his Auto Plus column that he sat down for breakfast in the Buddh circuit paddock with Eddie Jordan, an expert pundit on the BBC coverage.

“He swallowed a few spoons of soup and then told me Martin Brundle is leaving for Sky next year,” revealed Moncet.

“And he (Jordan) doesn’t want to continue if, as expected, the BBC transmits only half the races,” added Moncet.

Moncet, who calls races for France’s TF1, quoted the former team owner Jordan as saying: “I will do everything or nothing.”

To many in F1 circles, Bertrand Gachot is arguably best known for vacating his Jordan seat in 1991 for a then unknown youngster by the name of Michael Schumacher.
Just before Schumacher’s meteoric F1 debut 20 years ago, Gachot was jailed in England for spraying a taxi driver with CS gas some eight months earlier.

“The taxi thing happened in December (1990),” Gachot, who now manages his energy drink company Hype, told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

“Eight months later, in August 1991, I was summoned to court. The lawyers told me it’s a small thing.”

It was the week before the Spa-Francorchamps race, but the judge refused to release the French-Belgian driver even on a multi-million pound bond.

“I was a danger to the English population,” he marvelled. “Eight months later!

“I was sentenced to two years in prison and I had to serve two months. And because the gas was considered a weapon, they put me in a cell with a murderer.”

It was, however, good news for Eddie Jordan, who had already collected from Gachot’s sponsors in 1991 and was now receiving $160,000 from Mercedes for the one-off Schumacher debut.

Gachot doesn’t directly accuse Jordan of pushing the CS gas case to court in order to collect more sponsorship money.

“I don’t want to put that name in my mouth. I don’t mean Michael, who is a great guy, a great racer. My bad luck was his good fortune. His career might have been very different if I had not gone to prison.”

24 hours before the drivers file into the Spa-Francorchamps paddock, there is no confirmation about Nick Heidfeld’s apparent loss of his Renault race seat.
Multiple media sources are unofficially confirming Heidfeld’s former boss Eddie Jordan’s claim this week that Bruno Senna will be in the black R31 alongside Vitaly Petrov this weekend in Belgium and possibly beyond.

Germany’s Bild newspaper said Renault is not denying the story.

“We do not want to comment on speculation,” a spokesperson is quoted as saying.

And Auto Motor und Sport said 34-year-old Heidfeld’s management is also not commenting.

Finland’s Turun Sanomat said the situation is complicated, with Renault apparently already behind in its scheduled payments to the German driver.

The newspaper also said Renault is unable to drop Heidfeld without compensating him, with his contract to replace Robert Kubica in 2011 “skilfully” negotiated by his manager.

It is also reported that Senna will only be given the official green light when his Brazilian sponsors sign on the dotted line.

And with the Genii-linked Romain Grosjean rumoured to be in line for the seat once he has wrapped up the GP2 title, Turun Sanomat said those sponsors “are not so eager to put up money for only two grands prix”.

Michael Schumacher’s home town is not planning an official celebration this weekend.
At Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the seven time world champion will mark the 20th anniversary of his meteoric formula one debut.

But 70 kilometres away in Kerpen, Germany, Schumacher’s home town will be quiet as usual, mayor Marlies Seiburg told the DAPD news agency.

“We have not planned any events because we have found that the interest of the spectators is no longer on the same scale,” she said, comparing Schumacher’s return to F1 with his ultra-successful initial career until 2006.

Schumacher’s first F1 boss Eddie Jordan has featured prominently in the German media this week; not only revealing Renault’s apparent plans to drop Nick Heidfeld but also calling 42-year-old Schumacher an “old fart”.

The Irishman also contradicted Schumacher’s claim that his manager Willi Weber only accidentally lied about the fact he had never raced at Spa prior to his 1991 debut.

“I asked him (Schumacher) and Weber if Michael had ever been to Spa. Both said yes. Taken literally it might be true but actually it was an outright lie,” said Jordan.

“Had they told the truth, I would not have let him race,” he added.

Jordan also admitted that he only signed Schumacher as jailed Bertrand Gachot’s one-off replacement because “I just needed the money”, referring to the $150,000 paid by Schumacher’s Sauber-Mercedes sports car team.

Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm told Bild newspaper: “It is good if Eddie keeps Michael in the media constantly.”

Michael Schumacher has pointed the finger at his first formula one boss Eddie Jordan as he recalled his grand prix debut 20 years ago.
At Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, the seven time world champion is marking the passing of two decades since he burst onto the scene with Jordan.

It was a one-off event as Schumacher, then 22, was snapped up after Belgium by Benetton after qualifying in seventh place.

But his actual race lasted less than a lap when he retired with a broken clutch.

“The story is that we had problems in the warmup,” Schumacher, now racing with Mercedes, wrote in a celebratory column for Auto Motor und Sport.

“I pointed it out at the de-briefing and we talked about whether we should change the clutch or not, but Eddie said that would cost too much money. Then it broke,” added the German.

Schumacher also recalled how he and his then manager Willi Weber had stayed in a hostel that weekend.

“I remember I was surprised because I had thought ‘Yes, I am now in formula one, the premier class’. I was not particularly bothered with the hostel except that it was cold and the heater didn’t work,” he said.

Weber had negotiated his charge’s F1 debut after Jordan regular Bertrand Gachot was jailed for attacking a London taxi driver.

Weber told Jordan that Schumacher knew Spa well.

“I have to clarify the story that we lied about it,” Schumacher said. “Eddie had asked Willi if I had raced there before and Willi said yes, because he could not imagine that I had never been there.”

Jordan reportedly wanted to draft in the experienced Stefan Johansson, but Schumacher’s Sauber-Mercedes sports car team – headed by Peter Sauber – offered $150,000 in sponsorship.

“That was a pretty penny for a single grand prix,” Sauber told the SID news agency this week.

The Swiss believes that Mercedes’ other hotshoe, Heinz Harald Frentzen, “had a similar amount of talent and perhaps even a little more”.

But Schumacher was “a hard worker, very ambitious, mentally strong and also so well prepared physically. It soon became apparent that he was a very special talent”, added Sauber.

“You also need talent and technical knowledge and if you get all these factors close to 100 per cent, you get Michael Schumacher who wins seven titles.”

Sauber said Schumacher or Weber never repaid the $150,000.

“He didn’t have to,” Sauber explained. “He was under contract to us and it was quite normal that we allowed him to have his first race.

“Ultimately it didn’t work for us because Mercedes didn’t come in as a works team and so we could not keep him.”

Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2006 but returned three years later with Mercedes, where he is under contract for next year and even considering prolonging his comeback.

Eddie Jordan told The Sun this week: “Michael really is an old fart. He’s had his time.

“I don’t think his legacy has been affected yet by what has happened in his comeback. But he has to make sure he gets the timing of his exit from F1 right.”

Nick Heidfeld will not be racing this weekend in Belgium and is unlikely to return to the Renault cockpit.
That was the claim on Monday of the German’s 2004 team boss Eddie Jordan, who is now an expert pundit for British television the BBC’s television coverage.

Earlier this week, the Irishman said he considered the recent criticism of 34-year-old Heidfeld’s performances this year by Renault bosses as “bullying”.

He wrote in a BBC column on Monday that Heidfeld “has been dropped by the Renault team in favour of Brazilian Bruno Senna for this weekend’s Belgian grand prix”.

Jordan said the move will save Renault money because reserve driver Senna, who is also “expected to race for Renault in the eight remaining races this season, has “several million pounds of sponsorship”.

27-year-old Senna raced most recently in the Abu Dhabi finale last year, at the end of his rookie season with the struggling Hispania team.

He has been Renault’s reserve driver in 2011, and in Hungary last month replaced Heidfeld in Friday morning practice.

Nick Heidfeld insists he is satisfied with his 2011 season despite criticism from within the Renault team.

Chiefs Gerard Lopez and Eric Boullier have admitted they are disappointed with the performance of the German veteran, who was drafted in to replace the injured Robert Kubica.

Pundit Eddie Jordan speculated to Germany’s Sport Bild that the “bullying” tactics could be to spur Heidfeld to quit and make room for Renault hopefuls Bruno Senna or Romain Grosjean.

34-year-old Heidfeld however is vowing to fight on.

“Under the circumstances I am satisfied with the season and with my services,” Sport Bild quotes him as saying.

“I am still fully committed to getting as many points for the team and helping them in whatever way I can,” added Heidfeld.

The black R31 will feature updates to the floor, exhaust and suspension at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.

But technical director James Allison is quoted by France’s autohebdo.fr: “At this time of year, the majority of the aerodynamic resources of the teams is transferred to the car for next season.”

Michael Schumacher should stay in formula one for as long as he wants to.
That is the claim of Franz Tost, the Austrian team boss of Red Bull’s second F1 team Toro Rosso.

According to Der Spiegel, Tost knows the 42-year-old German well, and so he was asked about widespread speculation that Schumacher should return to retirement rather than race on in 2012 and beyond.

“First of all,” replied Tost, “Michael Schumacher, the seven time world champion with nothing to prove, should not care whether his teammate Nico Rosberg is faster than him or not.

“What is crucial for him is whether it is still fun or whether the passion is still there. These are questions only he can answer.”

But figures like Eddie Jordan – Schumacher’s first ever F1 team boss 20 years ago – have said they would now dismiss the famous German due to a lack of performance.

Tost responded: “Michael brings so many other advantages that outweigh that. Do you think Mercedes would still be so much in the spotlight if Michael Schumacher left?

“This is a crucial factor. He continues to attract huge amounts of attention and so I see his comeback as anything but negative.”

Eddie Jordan however told Dutch website f1today.nl that Schumacher has “had his day”.

“This sport has had many champions and Michael Schumacher has had his day,” said the Irishman.

“He has had huge success and is a very good driver, but someone should talk to him and try to convince him to let his place be taken by another talented driver.”

Eddie Jordan suspects Renault team management are guilty of “bullying”.
The former F1 team owner and boss, now a pundit for British television, is referring to Eric Boullier and Gerard Lopez’s outspoken criticism of Nick Heidfeld’s results and leadership qualities.

German veteran Heidfeld replaced injured regular Robert Kubica this season, but now Renault test drivers Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean are being linked with the seat.

Irishman Jordan told Sport Bild he has a theory about the pressure being put on Heidfeld.

“It could even be described as bullying,” he said.

“They probably want to wear him down so he throws in the towel voluntarily.”

Jordan, however, has a high opinion of 34-year-old Heidfeld.

“For me, he is Mr Consistency. I know this because Nick drove for me for a year. 2004 was a very difficult year for Jordan financially, and we could not give him the car that he deserved.

“The same is true also at the moment of the Lotus-Renault,” he added.

Pole position took a back seat to political machinations and so-called ‘exhaust blowing’ on Saturday at Silverstone.
Some commentators called the situation a farce, with team bosses storming out of meetings wearing a variety of expressions and spectators getting to grips with an apparently confusing mid-season rules change.

“I think the real shame is for the fans, not really knowing what’s going on,” said Sebastian Vettel, whose pole run ended on Saturday as his teammate Mark Webber mastered the changeable conditions.

But the real effect is still unknown, even though it appears McLaren has lost out, it’s business as usual for Red Bull, while Ferrari is smiling.

“Those that end up at the front will probably end up happy and those that are disadvantaged won’t be, and Ferrari seemed to come out of the meeting more smiling than some others,” McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh told the BBC.

Eddie Jordan said the situation is “shambolic”, with a source saying full clarity is not due for “at least 24 hours”.

“It’s been a busy day and I’ve spent most of it with Charlie Whiting,” smiled Christian Horner, whose expression earlier on Saturday was grim, arguing that Red Bull is now running at a “disadvantage” to the other engine makers.

The qualifying 1-2 cheered him up, however, and darkened the mood of the McLaren figures.

“I don’t know where our pace has gone,” said Jenson Button after qualifying behind the Red Bulls and Ferraris on Saturday, “but I can have a guess.”

Reports this week suggest Monaco is likely to make changes to the run-off at the end of the tunnel ahead of the 2012 race.
Nico Rosberg and Sergio Perez both had high speed crashes after losing control under braking for the corner, raising serious concerns about the barrier that in the past also injured Jenson Button (2003) and Karl Wendlinger (1994).

Asked why the situation seemed worse this year, British commentator Eddie Jordan told the German newspaper Welt: “It’s probably a combination of things.

“The new aerodynamics, the tyres, the asphalt. It’s always been a tricky place.

“The FIA is required to protect the driver to the best of their ability. It has done a lot since then (1994) and it’s doing its best: after Rosberg’s crash they took away the kerbs.

“The place where Perez crashed is protected with special cushioning, but it needs to be considered now what more can be done,” added Jordan.

Agreed his BBC colleague Martin Brundle: “I’m sure they will need to make changes yet again to the tunnel exit chicane run off area, but Monaco will remain one of the greatest sporting challenges.

“And that means it will remain dangerous too,” he said.

It is believed the reaction for 2012 will be the further moving back of the barrier.

“It’s a tricky corner and it’s an area where it’s very difficult to do anything about in terms of safety because it is what it is,” said Button.

“It’s Monaco, a street circuit, but I still think we need to look further as to what we can do with the run off there.”

Jordan said the danger at Monaco needs to be weighed against its unique place on the calendar.

“I know a lot of cynics in the paddock,” he said. “Monte Carlo is one of the old tracks but that myth is part of our show.

“As long as there isn’t a catastrophe, it will keep going.”

Michael Schumacher’s reaction to his poor race in Turkey last weekend showed he is a fighter, not a quitter, his manager Sabine Kehm has insisted.
Following the 42-year-old’s admission that “the big joy is not there right now” after a fraught run in Istanbul, many commentators predicted the time is nigh for German Schumacher to return to retirement.

Schumacher’s first team boss Eddie Jordan likened the end of his career to boxer Muhammad Ali’s, with David Coulthard agreeing that the Mercedes driver is “a once proud warrior now out of fight and damaging his reputation”.

“If he feels he can still be competitive, and he is still enjoying himself, then fair play to him,” the Scot wrote in his Telegraph column.

“The trouble is at the moment he is not enjoying himself and he does not look consistently competitive,” added Coulthard.

But Schumacher’s manager Kehm told Bild newspaper: “The guys should all know Michael better than that.

“He shows again and again that he is a fighter. The fact that he is disappointed after a race like Istanbul doesn’t disprove the hunger that he has, in fact it reinforces it,” she added.

Mercedes’ racing boss Norbert Haug agrees: “He is driving like a hungry youngster.

“Of course while the results are missing, there is criticism,” he told SID news agency.

Eddie Jordan has praised Michael Schumacher’s performance at Suzuka, despite claiming he would have fired him only two weeks earlier.

“We saw a different Schumacher in Japan,” said BBC commentator Jordan, who in 1991 gave the then pay-driving German his first drive.

Jordan continued: “He was terrible in Singapore.  It was the worst race of his I’ve ever seen.”

At Suzuka, Schumacher was once again outqualifed by his teammate Nico Rosberg, but in the race he was faster than the younger German and finished sixth.

“He couldn’t have gone on being as bad as he was in Singapore,” Jordan is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

“It was a big improvement.  In practice he was faster than Rosberg and that’s something we haven’t seen too often.

“I think he just felt comfortable.  Suzuka is a brilliant drivers’ circuit, and Michael is a brilliant driver,” added Jordan.  “I think we saw something of his old self.”

Schumacher said after the race that his true pace this year has often been clouded by inconsistencies between his car and the sister Mercedes driven by Rosberg.

“Sometimes not everything comes together as planned from the technical point of view however our link is strong enough to allow things being criticised if they don’t run as expected — and this refers to all of us,” he wrote on his official website.

“It’s important we stay united within the team.  And I am very confident about this,” added Schumacher.