Organisers of the Spanish grand prix are set to propose once again that Valencia shares a single annual date on the formula one calendar in future.
Both the Barcelona and Valencia venues have admitted to financial troubles amid Spain’s dire economic situation.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is pushing the Spanish organisers to agree a deal whereby they open up a date to a new host country by annually alternating their races.

Valencia, however, is believed to have rejected a proposal along those
lines made by the Catalonian government last year.

“They said they were happy with how formula one had developed to date in Valencia and believed they could continue doing it the same way,” Barcelona official Germa Gordo, reportedly close to Catalonia president Artur Mas, told the DPA news agency.

“We understand that although there was the rejection, the new Valencian government is prepared to consider a proposal,” he added.

“The offer will be made in the coming weeks.”

Marca newspaper, meanwhile, quoted a Valencian official as reiterating that “the issue of major events” is “under review”.

“What we want is an agreement that is good for everyone,” the unnamed official said.

It is believed informal talks between the regional authorities have already taken place.

Renault is still in “big” financial trouble and David Richards has expressed interest in buying into the Enstone based team.

That is the claim of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, adding that one of the richest Dutch entrepreneurs Marcel Boekhoorn has been asked to support Prodrive chief Richards’ interest.

“I’ve heard about it but I do not know what to think of it,” said Jan Paul ten Hoopen, who is Dutch GP2 driver Giedo van der Garde’s manager.

The link with van der Garde is that the 26-year-old driver is married to Boekhoorn’s daughter.

Ten Hoopen continued: “I think it is pretty much a mess within that team (Renault). Put it this way, it is clear in terms of Lotus-Renault that many things remain unclear.

“Certainly if there is any more to it, we should see if there are any opportunities for Giedo,” ten Hoopen is quoted by NUsport.

Richards, also the former BAR boss, was the team principal at Enstone based Renault when the team was known as Benetton in the late 90s.

Bruno Senna could soon replace Nick Heidfeld in injured regular Robert Kubica’s Renault race seat.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, team owner Gerard Lopez spent some time before the Canadian grand prix in reserve driver Senna’s native Brazil.

The Luxembourg businessman was reportedly looking for sponsors, on the assumption 27-year-old Senna is drafted in to replace German Heidfeld, who is under pressure by the Enstone based team to up his pace.

Renault figures have played down recent rumours of financial trouble, but the German magazine insists the team “desperately needs money”, including to pay outstanding bills to its engine supplier.

It is believed, however, that 34-year-old Heidfeld’s place is not immediately in doubt, despite him crashing out in Montreal after hitting the rear of Kamui Kobayashi’s Sauber.

“Until the crash, his race had been perfect,” said team boss Eric Boullier.

Christian ‘Toto’ Wolff has admitted he might increase his minority stake in the Williams team to 49 per cent in the future.

It emerged last week that, alongside founders and long-time owners Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head, the stake bought by Austrian entrepreneur Wolff in 2009 was 10 per cent.

“I can confirm it is 10 per cent,” he is quoted by the German-language motorline.cc.

“But I have an option to increase my minority stake to a strategic investment.”

The publication said Wolff’s share could increase to as much as 49 per cent, also quoting him as saying he would consider exercising the option “in time”.

But he rejected British reports that the Oxfordshire based team is in financial trouble and struggling with losses and debt.

“If you look at the last 12 months, 2009 for us was a good and very profitable year,” Wolff insisted.

No less than 15 teams have applied for the final place on the 2011 formula one grid.

Italian website 422race.com reports that the governing FIA has now written to all those who expressed interest in the place made vacant by the demise of USF1.

June 21 has been set as the deadline for the teams’ actual application and dossier, at which time EUR12,750 must be paid.

The frontrunners must be successful GP2 team ART, headed by FIA president Jean Todt’s son Nicolas, and the Spanish Le Mans competitor Epsilon Euskadi.

422race.com claims that more than one team may be selected by the FIA, in case HRT or Sauber run further into financial trouble.

Karun Chandhok has tersely insisted he is “not worried” about the future of the struggling HRT team.

Recent reports quoted Bernie Ecclestone as suggesting the new Spanish outfit was in financial trouble, amid reports it will run out of spare parts by next month’s Canadian grand prix.

In fact, team officials insist the F1 chief executive is simply helping Hispania with its technical plans for 2011, including the use of a wind tunnel and facilities to design its own car.

Asked about the negative rumours by the Times of India, Chandhok said this week: “That’s a matter between Bernie, Colin (Kolles) and (Jose Ramon) Carabantes.

“It has nothing to do with me,” added the 26-year-old Indian rookie.  “I know what the truth is and I am not worried.”

Although friends with his teammate Bruno Senna, Chandhok insists he has been the quickest HRT driver in 2010 but is keen for a car upgrade in order to ensure he has a seat next year.

“I’ve generally been faster than Bruno,” he said, adding that the Cosworth powered F110 “really needs” a new aerodynamic package.

“But as of now, my objective is to keep pushing as much as I can and secure a good position for 2011.  The rest isn’t up to me,” added Chandhok.

(GMM)

Colin Kolles has confirmed reports that Bernie Ecclestone is helping the struggling HRT team with its plans for the future.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone was quoted in Monaco as suggesting he is helping the new Spanish outfit to get out of financial trouble.

But subsequent reports have clarified that the 79-year-old’s assistance may in fact be in the form of HRT’s technical plans.

The team’s contract with its car designer Dallara has lapsed, and boss Kolles has been working on securing a deal with a wind tunnel in view of designing an all-new car for 2011.

“Obviously we are still not competitive enough, even for our expectations as a new team, and we are seeking solutions for the future,” the Romanian-born German is quoted by Spain’s AS.

“We are optimistic and Bernie is helping us to ensure a better 2011,” he added.

Kolles insists the speculation about HRT collapsing is wide of the mark, amid suggestions the team could run out of spare parts by June’s race in Montreal.

“The team will complete the season and we are already planning for the next one,” he said.

“We hope to make an announcement next month – certainly before the Canadian grand prix – about our plans to build our own chassis,” said Kolles.

It is also reported that Geoff Willis, currently just a consultant to HRT, is set to stay with the team because of its ambitious technical plans for 2011.

(GMM)