Emerson Fittipaldi, the successful Brazilian driver of the 70s, has tipped Jenson Button as a strong contender to match his own tally of two world championships come the end of the 2012 season.

“From what I can see, it will be between Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. They are the big favourites,” the 65-year-old is quoted by Brazil’s Globo.

“Obviously, if Ferrari improves, then Fernando (Alonso) is spectacular. Lewis Hamilton is very aggressive, very fast, but I think Jenson is very clean, easier on his equipment and the tyres.

“I think this (season) is best suited to his (Button’s) style,” said Fittipaldi.

McLaren’s Button, however, is not so sure, pointing out the unusually closely-packed 2012 grid, and the big role being played by the Pirelli tyres.

“You don’t know who is going to be your main opponent on Sunday,” Auto Motor und Sport quotes the 2009 world champion as saying.

“It could be Red Bull, or Mercedes, or Ferrari, or Lotus or even Sauber,” he smiled. “So who do you focus on for the strategy?”

This weekend, F1 will find out whether the hot track temperatures in Bahrain will reshuffle the order. Button laughed when asked if it means McLaren will pull ahead of Mercedes this weekend: “We hope so, but we don’t know!”

Michael Schumacher, whose career stretches all the way back to 1991, said 2012 is the “closest season I’ve experienced”.

As for what happened in China, where his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg won from pole for the first time, the German admitted: “I really didn’t think that would happen.”

It is for that reason that Button warned against writing off F1′s reigning champions, Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel said he is not expecting “miracles” in Bahrain, but he also said: “We still haven’t seen a team that is clearly above all the others.

“Maybe McLaren is the most consistent, but they didn’t do what you expected them to do in Shanghai …”

Two former champions have admitted they are impressed with how Kimi Raikkonen has re-adjusted to formula one after two years off the grid.

Niki Lauda, the plain-speaking triple world champion, hailed F1′s 2007 title winner for driving “as though he had never been away” in the early phase of his return this season, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

Emerson Fittipaldi, the double champion of the 70s, agrees.

“I am surprised that it has taken no time for Kimi to be back at the top of his form,” said the Brazilian.

“Michael Schumacher is on form this year too, but it took him two years to get back in the groove. Kimi was on it from the very first test,” he added.

Fittipaldi, meanwhile, had some advice for Raikkonen’s Lotus teammate Romain Grosjean, who despite showing promise is yet to see the chequered flag in 2012 after a collision in Melbourne and a spin in Malaysia.

“(It’s) the same advice I’d give any driver, especially a young one: first you have to finish, then you can finish first,” he said.

HRT refugee Vitantonio Liuzzi has re-emerged on the grid of the Italian-based touring car series Superstars.
Despite having a 2012 contract, the 30-year-old Italian lost his race seat at the struggling Spanish team HRT for this year to the well-backed Indian Narain Karthikeyan.

So, in 2012, he will race a Mercedes C63 AMG – which he tested last week at Monza – in the Maurizio Flammini-organised Superstars series.

Also on the grid will be former F1 drivers Christian Fittipaldi, Mika Salo, Gianni Morbidelli and Johnny Herbert.

“I’m persuaded that Superstars is a great choice to open yourself to other categories than F1,” said Liuzzi.

The season begins in April at Monza, then moving on to Imola, Donington, Mugello, the Hungaroring, Spa, Portimao, Vallelunga and Sentul (Indonesia).

Since 2005, Liuzzi also raced in F1 with Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Force India.

 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.

 Sebastian Vettel is the outright favourite, but Red Bull’s rivals are also in the running for spoils in 2012.
That is the claim of Brazilian legend and two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

“It seems that Sebastian Vettel will be the guy to beat again, since the strong Red Bull project counts on Adrian Newey, who is a genius,” the 65-year-old is quoted as saying by Globo.

“But we can’t forget that Ferrari and McLaren have very big and competent structures, and excellent drivers, with all the conditions to be at the top,” added Fittipaldi.

He also commented on the return in 2012 of former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who kicked off his campaign this week with a test in Lotus’ two-year-old Renault car.

“As a very talented driver, he has the ability to be very fast again, even after two years away,” said the winner of 14 grands prix.

“But he will have to adapt quickly. The first six months will be crucial for him.”

Emerson Fittipaldi railed against the organisers of the Brazilian grand prix on Friday.

The double world champion and legendary Brazilian revealed that, whilst visiting the Interlagos paddock, he “tried to see Bernie” Ecclestone “but was blocked by a lady named Roseli”.

“(I was) better received last weekend at NASCAR,” the 64-year-old charged.

According to Globo, the race organisers reacted “with surprise” to Fittipaldi’s complaint about not being allowed into Ecclestone’s office building.

A spokesperson explained that a receptionist had simply asked Fittipaldi to enter and exit through the correct door so that his electronic credential was not invalidated.

“This everyday episode at a big event does not justify the emotional tone (of Fittipaldi), especially from someone who is known for his education and respect for the rules,” the official reportedly added.

Sebastian Vettel could wrap up his second world championship in Singapore.
The German pulled out another 20 points in his runaway title lead on Sunday by dominantly winning the Italian grand prix at Monza.

There are just 150 points left to win in 2011, and Vettel’s lead is now 112.

“Are we watching one of the true greats?” BBC commentator David Coulthard wondered.

Asked if he will be celebrating his second title in two weeks, Red Bull’s Vettel answered with a grin: “I think we have put ourselves in a very good position.”

F1′s other two-time world champions are Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton’s latest troubles are attracting more attention than his teammmate’s sensational win in Canada.
“Lewis HamilDUMM” (dumm/stupid) read the headline in the German newspaper Bild, after more collisions and controversy in Montreal.

“In many respects it is a shame because Button’s sensational victory in a frankly unforgettable grand prix should really take the headlines,” wrote David Coulthard in his latest Telegraph column.

El Mundo newspaper after Canada described Button as the “gentleman de los circuitos”, while McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said the last-lap win was among the greatest in F1 history.

But typically with the media and its commentators, negativity is the better selling point, with greats including Niki Lauda, Sir Stirling Moss and Emerson Fittipaldi all criticising Hamilton after Canada.

Agreed former McLaren driver John Watson to Talksport radio: “I don’t think he’s in a good place in himself at the minute.”

And lead BBC commentator Martin Brundle added: “He’s collecting car damage when he needs to be finishing races. He has to come at his racing in a different way — it’s not working.”

Button has also commented on his famous teammate’s troubles, but he rebuked Lauda who has called for the FIA to ban Hamilton in order to save lives.

“I don’t agree with that,” the Montreal winner is quoted by the Mirror. “I think his driving style is aggressive and he always goes for gaps.”

And a report in The National said Button added: “Lewis is in the headlines a lot, and a lot of it is because he is bloody good.”

But Button also revealed that he spends no social time with his teammate, and Lauda agrees that part of Hamilton’s problem is his attitude.

“He must calm down and spend less time trying to be a celebrity and a rock star,” the Austrian great wrote in a column for The Sun.

“When times are tough as they are now and he is making mistakes he needs to refocus and concentrate solely on driving,” added Lauda.

Coulthard agrees: “He does seem a bit distracted at present, certainly in contrast to his main rivals.”

But the Scot rubbished Lauda’s claim that he is a threat to the other drivers’ safety, and a spokesman for Hamilton insisted: “While we respect Niki’s views, he is plain wrong in this instance.

“Lewis was cleared by the stewards of causing any accidents on Sunday and has never come close to injuring or purposefully taking out another driver.”

A stormy weekend of weather has been forecast for Montreal’s Canadian grand prix.
That is one more variable thrown in the face of Red Bull’s current dominance, alongside expected high tyre degradation, two ‘DRS’ overtaking zones for the first time and the fact that McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton dominated a year ago.

“I’ve always got on really well with the track, the layout seems to suit my driving style,” said the Briton, referring to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“We have a great engine, the best KERS system in the sport and excellent traction out of slow corners. I’ll be looking for a strong result on Sunday,” added Hamilton.

As in Canada last year, 64-year-old former double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi will be the driver representative in the stewards’ room.

It will be “difficult” for Sebastian Vettel to defend his title in 2011 because Fernando Alonso is F1′s best driver.

That is the view of 63-year-old Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, who like Spaniard Alonso is a double world champion.

When asked by Germany’s Die Welt newspaper if German youngster Vettel will win again in 2011, he answered: “It is possible, but it will certainly be very difficult.

“Ferrari will be improving their car for 2011 to make up the little missing piece from this season.

“And Fernando Alonso is currently the most complete driver,” insisted Fittipaldi.

“He has so much experience and as much ambition, and he doesn’t like to lose,” he said.

Fittipaldi also thinks Michael Schumacher will be back to full strength in 2011.

“Before the race in Sao Paulo I had breakfast with (Mercedes bosses) Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug and they assured me that the next car will better meet Michael’s style.”

“I believe in Michael Schumacher,” he admitted.

“I remember having a talk with Ayrton Senna when Michael was at Benetton. Ayrton found it extremely hard to race against him. That, you do not lose. I won my last major race when I was 49.”

Emerson Fittipaldi has hit out at claims Fernando Alonso will not deserve the 2010 title if he wraps it up either in Brazil or next Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

The Spaniard is leading the world championship by 11 points, but some pundits see 7 of those points as ill-gotten due to the Hockenheim team orders affair.

But Brazilian Fittipaldi, a double world champion like Alonso, insists the Ferrari driver will fully deserve his 2010 spoils.

“If he wins it will be because he is the best,” the 63-year-old said at Interlagos.

“There have always been team games that are played,” he told the Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

“I see Alonso as the best driver of the day; with the best temperament and the best able to react to problems.

“He will be a great triple champion in his own right,” added Fittipaldi.

F1′s other three-time champions are Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.

Emerson Fittipaldi is resuming his role as a special formula one steward at this weekend’s Italian grand prix.

The 63-year-old double world champion kicked off his FIA duties in the fourth steward role at Montreal in June.

Also confirmed by F1′s governing body ahead of the Monza event are reported changes to the chicanes.

The FIA, meeting for a World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on Wednesday, said the areas behind the apex kerbs at turns 1 and 4 have been laid with a ramped concrete section.

The sections will ensure that the chances of a car becoming airborne after running over the kerbs are minimised.

Nigel Mansell has confirmed he will be the FIA steward on duty at next month’s British grand prix.

We revealed in April that the 1992 world champion would sit alongside the three standard formula one stewards at Silverstone, as FIA president Jean Todt’s new initiative continues.

So far this season, famous former drivers including Mansell’s fellow champions Emerson Fittipaldi, Damon Hill and Alain Prost have been full fourth stewards at grands prix.

Briton Mansell, 56, confirmed in an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper that the reports about his Silverstone duties were true.

He has been confined to bed for the last week after his crash at the start of the recent 24 hour Le Mans race, in which his two sons were also due to compete.

Mansell also moved to clarify his comments of last month, when Lewis Hamilton was dismissed as a “manufactured” driver unfairly advantaged by McLaren’s long-term investment in his career.

“I am glad Lewis was the pioneer, and not someone from overseas,” said the winner of 31 grands prix.

“But it had never happened before and, subsequently, formula one teams are now looking to sign kids from karting.

“This is going to make it harder, in future, for drivers in other categories to get a seat in formula one,” explained Mansell.

(GMM)

The race director said after yesterday’s Grand Prix of Canada from Montreal in no penalty against Michael Schumacher, even though his friend Felipe Massa had just pushed very hard. But the duel of the two ex-teammates remained interpersonal consequences.

On the part Ferrari, there was certainly no allegation in the direction of seven times world champion: ‘I think Michael was perhaps a bit slow earlier because his tires not so great were. He braked much earlier than Felipe had expected it, and therefore, Felipe went back purely in it, “said race engineer Rob Smedley, Massa, the only angry about the potentially lost championship points.
Massa was in the final stages of the race to Schumacher minded and wanted to overtake the Mercedes chicane before the finish but Schumacher blocked until the inside line and then moved back to his racing line. He urged from Massa, who was at that time still on the road at full speed. The race stewards at Emerson Fittipaldi said, but made no speech.

Rightly, as Schumacher’s team boss Ross Brawn thinks: “Felipe was there perhaps a bit too ambitious, because Michael had no grip anyway,” said the Briton. “I see no sin upon him. It may be true that he has slowed down earlier, but that was just at the time and the place with his tires, brakes where he had to. I do not think there malicious intent behind it.”

(totalmotorsports)

Jun.10 (GMM)  Emerson Fittipaldi will be the race steward presiding alongside the three FIA officials at this weekend’s Canadian grand prix.

63-year-old Brazilian Fittipaldi won his two F1 world championships in 1972 and 1974, before winning the Indy 500 twice and becoming the Indycar title holder in 1989.

In formula one, he won his first race during his rookie season for Lotus in 1970, and two years later become F1′s youngest champion at 25.

In 1974 he moved to McLaren and won the title again, but then moved to his brother Wilson Fittipaldi’s team and struggled.

He stopped driving in F1 at the end of 1980 at the age of 33, joining his brother in managing the team before it fell apart in late 1982.

Fittipaldi switched to American CART racing in 1984, winning the title in 1989 at the age of 43.  At 47 he won the Indy 500 for the second time, but an injury ended his Champ Car career in 1996 when he was 50.

He was a Champ Car team owner in 2003 and recently the boss of the Brazilian A1 GP team.

Fittipaldi’s nephew Christian drove in F1 for Minardi and Footwork between 1992-1994.