Kimi Raikkonen can add a second title to his tally in 2012.

That is the claim of the 2007 world champion’s countryman Mika Salo, who now commentates on Finnish television MTV3.

In the fourth race of Raikkonen’s return to F1 from rallying, the 32-year-old last weekend challenged Sebastian Vettel for victory in Bahrain, finishing second for Lotus.

Five years after his title with Ferrari, he is 19 points from the head of the 2012 drivers’ championship.

“The most consistent team has been Lotus,” former grand prix driver Salo said. “They’ve been fast at every circuit so far.

“In that sense, Kimi’s situation looks very good. I would not exclude it at all that he will be fighting at the very end of the championship, if Lotus is able to maintain the pace of development.”

It is on Salo’s final point that Lotus’ 2012 season will really be made.

“They (as Renault) also began the previous season just as well, but soon after they were nowhere,” observed the Swiss commentator Marc Surer, speaking on Austrian television Servus TV.

“So the real question is ‘Do they have the resources to develop the car and stay where they are now?’”

Even if Lotus’ challenge fades, the future for Raikkonen – who has surprised some experts with his re-adaptation to F1 after two years of rallying – is bright, Surer insisted.

“I think he has shown everyone that he is still able to do just what he was doing before (leaving F1),” he said.

“He is a lot younger than Schumacher, and if you look at the past ten years, he is probably one of the best talents that we have seen in F1.”

Surer said he could therefore imagine Raikkonen leaving Lotus and returning to a ‘top’ team, but he wouldn’t know which one to recommend.

“Everything is so balanced this year that it’s impossible to pick a car that he could win the championship in.”

Force India on Friday will run a shortened second practice session in Bahrain.

The BBC reports that staff members, some of whom were caught up in a Molotov cocktail attack earlier this week, want to pack up early in order to avoid travelling back to their hotels in darkness.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley confirmed to Reuters that Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta will therefore run limited second practice programmes, and may skip the session altogether.

Other reports quote him as saying Force India will however take part in qualifying and the race.

Respected British commentator and former grand prix driver Martin Brundle, however, thinks the island Kingdom has “never looked better”.

“Clearly, there is some trouble out there,” he told Sky, “but I’ve not seen any of it.

“Some journalists have gone looking for it and unfortunately the trouble found Force India.

“My view is this: F1 can’t run away from this,” Brundle insisted.

Romain Grosjean has admitted he hopes France’s touted return to the F1 calendar is shown the green light.

Amid expectations he would announce a race at Paul Ricard will go ahead in 2013, French prime minister Francois Fillon instead said last Friday that talks are ongoing.

“I’m crossing my fingers that it will happen,” Lotus driver and Frenchman Grosjean told RMC Sport.

“I think the enthusiasm for motor sport (in France) has been reborn,” he added, referring to the presence on this year’s grid of three French race drivers, plus Force India reserve Jules Bianchi.

“There has been lots of positive feedback after the first two races and also the first points for Jean-Eric (Vergne).

“I hope we will have a grand prix soon enough,” added Grosjean.

Patrick Tambay, a former grand prix driver from France, believes politics can be thanked for the country’s touted return to the calendar.

“I feel that the grand prix de France broke into the presidential campaign,” he said.

“Since 2008, we hardly heard anything about it, and now it’s a hot topic. There is a strong desire to make it work.

“All that remains is to validate the decision and set a timetable,” he added.

Claude Sage, the administrator of the Le Castellet circuit, said Paul Ricard will be ready.

“The circuit is approved for formula one,” he said.

“We need to prepare the facilities for the public, in the form of temporary stands, as in Monaco. We have room to install them,” added Sage.

Pedro de la Rosa has returned to the head of the formula one drivers’ trade union, the GPDA.
The Spanish veteran was the president of the safety-oriented Grand Prix Drivers’ Association between 2008 and 2010, stepping down when he returned to the grid with Sauber after years as McLaren’s reserve.

Nick Heidfeld and Rubens Barrichello were the next to lead the Monaco-based body, but the latter Brazilian veteran has now left formula one to race in Indycar this year.

International media reports, including by the Spanish news agency EFE, said de la Rosa – who will race this year with the back-of-the-grid HRT team – is indeed now returning to the GPDA role.

The report said the GPDA decided last year that in the event of a vacancy, the 41-year-old would once again lead the body.

EFE also said the driver confirmed the news personally.

Helmut Marko is refusing to rule out a change of driver lineup for Red Bull’s second team Toro Rosso this season.

Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari are starting the year at the wheel of the Ferrari-powered STR5, but two highly rated Red Bull-backed chargers are waiting in the wings.

Of the pair, Daniel Ricciardo is the highest profile, testing the car at Jerez on Thursday and set to drive it on every Friday morning at the 20 grands prix this season.

But Marko, Red Bull’s inimitable driver manager, is also championing the cause of 20-year-old Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.

“In Ricciardo and Vergne we have two outstanding talents. Buemi and Alguersuari know that their job is not a pillow, and we are not a boarding school,” the Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport.

Former grand prix driver Marko has a reputation as a ruthless manager of drivers, not hesitating to pile the pressure on Toro Rosso’s current race lineup.

“Buemi’s services last year were not what we expected of him,” he warns. “Alguersuari has developed, but is it enough?”

Marko hailed Ricciardo’s raw pace, as demonstrated at the Abu Dhabi test last November, and said Vergne’s fighting spirit is unmatched.

“If our four drivers went side by side into a corner, I guarantee Vergne would come out the other side first,” he said.

Narain Karthikeyan has played down increasing rumours he could be set to return to formula one in 2011.

Before Karun Chandhok made his debut in 2010, 33-year-old Karthikeyan was India’s first grand prix driver, contesting the full 2005 season with Jordan.

The Silverstone based team is now headed by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya and called Force India, and is yet to officially confirm a single driver for next season.

It was believed that Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg were vying for the two race seats, but Karthikeyan – reportedly with $8 million in sponsorship to offer – is now also regarded as a credible candidate.

Karthikeyan has recently established a new career in America’s premier NASCAR motor racing scene, but Indian media reports say he tested in Force India’s driver simulator after the Abu Dhabi season finale last month.

“I did go for a simulator test but that’s all that happened,” he told the press.

“I’m not willing to comment on what happened during and after the tests. I think you should talk to (Vijay) Mallya about the results and my performance,” added Karthikeyan.

His hopes may have been bolstered by the fact that, next October, India will host its first ever grand prix.

“I’m looking forward to it. Every driver would like to be in the inaugural race,” Karthikeyan admitted.

But he admitted that turning his focus away from NASCAR to return to F1 next year would be “a risk”.

“I see myself being in this (NASCAR) for some time,” revealed Karthikeyan. “Getting out of America and then getting back in is not easy.”

Mark Webber has admitted he has “no idea” whether Red Bull will deploy a team strategy to help him win the 2010 world championship.

Many pundits believe his teammate Sebastian Vettel should now be backing Webber’s campaign to close the 11 point gap to Fernando Alonso with two races to run.

But, at least publicly, team boss Christian Horner insists Vettel will enjoy total equality in Brazil and Abu Dhabi while he is mathematically still able to win the championship.

Asked if he thinks the young German will, for example, try to overtake him at Interlagos this weekend, Webber told the Swiss newspaper Blick: “No idea.

“Up until now no one has spoken about it,” the Australian said in Sao Paulo.

“Perhaps we’ll talk about it at the first briefing on Thursday, or perhaps we won’t,” added Webber.

Former grand prix driver Alex Wurz, who is Austrian like the Red Bull brand, is the latest to advise the team that putting its eggs in the Webber basket is now the smartest strategy.

“They are in a position where they almost have to use team orders — for Webber and against Vettel,” he told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

But Wurz acknowledged Red Bull’s reluctance, particularly as 23-year-old Vettel is regarded as the darling of the team.

“Webber firstly had to fight for equality this year,” he said. “In the end he imposed it, literally, with his performance.”

Meanwhile, Wurz does not believe Red Bull’s RB6 will enjoy a “mega advantage” this weekend at Interlagos.

“The slow middle sector will be good for Ferrari, and the McLaren will go well in the uphill section of the third sector.

“Then I see Abu Dhabi being Red Bull’s territory,” he added.

The union of formula one drivers, the GPDA, revealed in Korea last weekend their push for more influence in the sport’s decision-making processes.

According to the German magazine Speed Week, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – now headed by president Rubens Barrichello – met at the Yeongam circuit with FIA president Jean Todt.

“We want a permanent dialogue with the governing body,” Brazilian Barrichello, accompanied to the meeting by fellow GPDA directors Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa, is quoted as saying.

According to another German language report in motorline.cc, Barrichello and his colleagues believe some of the problems in Korea – like troublesome kerbs and the dangerous pit entry – would not have been encountered if the drivers were more seriously canvassed.

“It was ok,” Barrichello said after the meeting with Todt.

“We discussed three or four things and he was very open. All we want is for the GPDA to be able to contribute more to the future of the sport,” he added.

Narain Karthikeyan has emerged as a contender to race with the Force India team in 2011.

Before Karun Chandhok made his debut in 2010, 33-year-old Karthikeyan was India’s first grand prix driver, contesting the full 2005 season with Jordan.

The Silverstone based team has since been re-branded as Midland, Spyker and is now Force India, headed by the Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya.

Force India’s current driver lineup is reportedly not secure for 2011, with Adrian Sutil eyeing a move to a bigger team, Vitantonio Liuzzi struggling to keep up with his German teammate, and reserve driver Paul di Resta thought likely to move into a race cockpit.

And the latest rumours from Italy, including a report in Autosprint magazine, is that Karthikeyan is a possibility for 2011.

It is suggested his sponsors have up to $8 million in total to spend on the seat, including Mumbai-based Tata Motors who are thought keen to associate with next year’s inaugural Indian grand prix.

On his visit this week to the Delhi site of next year’s race, Bernie Ecclestone said he hoped there would be an Indian driver on the grid.

“If an Indian driver is in Vijay’s team or a good team it will be superb,” he said.

Formula 2 champion Dean Stoneman gets a prize for his title win a Formula 1 test in a Williams and a FIA Super Licence
Dean Stoneman has stood down yesterday as the new Formula 2 champion and therefore can now make the next career step thoughts. This is definitely a formula – even if only for a day. Expected at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi will be sitting in the Brit Williams.

For the FIA as a prize for the championship not only an F1 super license, but also a day of testing in the Williams does not. Last year Andy Soucek was able to enjoy this pleasure, the Spaniard was able to use his chance despite day’s best time but not in Jerez de la Frontera and missed the jump in a Grand Prix cockpit. Even his Virgin contract as test driver has now been resolved.
“To come into Formula 1,” said Stoneman, “was always my big dream. To this I am now one step closer.’s Hard to say what to expect there, but it is a fantastic opportunity, a Williams Formula to test-a-car. Hopefully I can prove myself, I’ll just fly and do what I do best: get in the car and drive as fast as I can. ”

Series Promoter Jonathan Palmer is also pleased with Stoneman, although that has beaten in the title fight just his son Jolyon: “Dean has made this season a great job and is certainly a worthy Formula 2 champion,” said the former Grand Prix driver ( 83 Rennteilnahmen 1983-1989). “He is an exceptional talent, extremely fast, a tough competitor and, moreover, very consistent.”

“I am very confident that Dean will provide the high standard of competition in Formula 2 demonstrated by the Williams test delivers an impressive performance,” shows the Formula 2 boss confidence in his new hope. “The fact that the affordable and balanced starter box, Dean has given the opportunity to demonstrate his talent, without a big budget, have certainly others will be inspired.”

Fernando Alonso is by far the highest paid active grand prix driver, according to reports in the Spanish press.

The El Mundo report, citing information from Business Book GP, compiled a list showing that Alonso’s annual Ferrari retainer – excluding external endorsements – is EUR 30 million.

That is almost double the next largest retainer, owned by 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, at 16 million, although it is believed Kimi Raikkonen is being paid a similar amount this year due to Ferrari’s breach of contract.

Felipe Massa comes in at third with 14m, meaning the Brazilian is paid less than half the income of his Ferrari teammate.

Reigning world champion Jenson Button is reportedly paid EUR 9 million; significantly less than his McLaren teammate, but more than seven time world champion Michael Schumacher (8m).

Mercedes also pays Nico Rosberg EUR 8 million, which is marginally more than Robert Kubica’s 7.5m.

Interestingly, Rubens Barrichello (5.5m) earns more than Mark Webber (4.2m), but Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 retainer is reportedly just 2 million.

According to the list, Red Bull’s Vettel is therefore paid less than Lotus driver Jarno Trulli (3m), and approximately the same as Trulli’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen.

Timo Glock earns 1 million by driving for Virgin; more than the EUR 700,000 reportedly paid to Williams rookie Nico Hulkenberg.

Also earning less than 1 million are the Sauber drivers (500,000 each), Vitaly Petrov, Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi (400,000), and the Force India drivers and Lucas di Grassi (200,000).

Bruno Senna is reportedly the lowest paid active driver, with a 150,000 retainer; 200 times less than Alonso.

Former German grand prix driver and now Volkswagen’s competition representative Hans-Joachim Stuck has had surgery after a head injury.

German-language reports including in the Welt, Kleine Zeitung and Express newspapers say the operation on Saturday was for a hematoma that developed after a heavy crash in an Audi R8 at the Nurburgring several weeks ago.

At another event last weekend, the VW Scirocco Cup support race at the Nurburgring, he complained of headaches, dizziness, loss of balance and nausea.

The reports say Stuck, who contested 81 races in the 70s, has been transferred from intensive care to a normal hospital ward in the German town Neuwied.

“We advised Strietzel (Stuck) after practice to consult a doctor,” confirmed VW motorsport director Kris Nissen.

The marque’s spokesman Stefan Moser confirmed the reports about Stuck’s surgery.

Dr Helmut Marko has rubbished Mark Webber’s intimation that his teammate is being favoured by Red Bull management.
Although Australian Webber’s statement on Thursday suggested the air has been cleared after Silverstone, team consultant Marko has weighed into the front wing saga.

“If Mark imagines there is a conspiracy between us and (Sebastian) Vettel against him, then he is on the wrong track,” the Austrian and former grand prix driver is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

“If I was Vettel, then I would suspect the opposite. Which car has constantly had problems? Did Mark have a defective spark plug, a loose wheel, a broken brake, a defective chassis, a gearbox problem and the broken nose?

“In comparison, Webber has come out with only a black eye.

“Mark is having a great season, and he has improved big team, but he should not forget that he owes a lot to this team. Where was he two years ago? He could not even dream of grand prix wins,” said Marko.

“For us, it really does not matter who is champion, the main thing is that he is sitting in a Red Bull.”

Earlier, Marko defended the decision to give Vettel the newer specification wing that in the pre-qualifying practice session had been fitted to Webber’s car.

“I don’t know what Webber wants,” he is quoted by Auto Bild.

“The driver who got the new wing was ahead in the championship and faster in the third timed practice. It was a very logical decision,” added Marko.

According to Jos Verstappen, Red Bull Racing escaped mildly with Mark Webber’s reaction to the front wing saga at Silverstone.

The former grand prix driver, who was once Michael Schumacher’s number two teammate at Benetton, said he would have been furious if the wing on his car had been given to his teammate shortly before qualifying.

“Mark felt poorly treated by the team leadership, and I can fully understand his anger,” Verstappen wrote in his column for the De Telegraaf newspaper.

“By doing this, the management was asking for trouble.

“I honestly don’t know how I would have reacted in Webber’s shoes. I probably would have trodden on the wing; if I’m not allowed to use it, then neither can he,” said the former Arrows and Minardi driver.

Actually, Australian Webber reacted by declaring on the radio – heard by millions of live television viewers – that his Silverstone win was “not bad for a number two driver”.

“It gave a clear indication that the limit had been passed,” Verstappen continued.

“And he obviously knew that a comment like that would have much more impact than if he had taken up the issue only internally.”

Plans for adjustable ‘proximity’ rear wings next year are not set in stone, according to FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh.

The idea, giving chasing drivers the ability to reduce drag and therefore better mount overtaking moves, was championed by the teams association and recently rubber-stamped by the FIA.

But there has been some opposition since the announcement; primarily by those who think it is an unnecessary and artificial ploy, and also those who are concerned about safety.

“We will see whether people are convinced by it or not,” said Whitmarsh, also the McLaren team boss.

The Briton admitted the proximity wing was developed due to “fan-based pressure” to improve the spectacle of overtaking, but said it is not certain the innovation will actually debut.

“I think we have got to do a little bit more work on deployment and the sporting regulations that accompany it, and if we get that right we’ll give it a go,” said Whitmarsh.

He confirmed that if “it detracts, isn’t right, it’s easy to take it off”.

“But let’s have a look at it; it’s a bit of an experiment.”

Former grand prix driver Anthony Davidson is not confident the wings will ever be seen in action.

“I think teams just like to see what people like us think about it before it actually gets put forward,” said the BBC radio commentator.

(GMM)