The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has emerged as a possible sponsor of a formula one team in 2011.

The bank, into the second year of a three-year deal sponsor deal with the F1 event at Yas Marina this weekend, has an increased signage presence around the track.

And it is now rumoured that Williams is in the running for a team sponsorship deal, as it prepares to lose existing bank sponsor the Royal Bank of Scotland after Sunday’s race.

However, the British outfit’s chief executive Adam Parr said Williams is already in “great shape” financially for 2011, despite reports the Dutch electronics brand Philips is also leaving the team.

It had been suggested that Williams was having to consider signing the well-financed new GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado for next season despite the team being happy with Nico Hulkenberg and Rubens Barrichello.

“We haven’t made any decisions about our driver lineup for next year,” said Parr on Friday. “What we have done is replaced all the sponsorship we have lost.”

A perfect race in style Dani Pedrosa. Honda HRC only rival plausible (although the large gap from the top) Jorge Loranze for the drivers’ title, failed to complete what he had left unfinished twelve months ago, when after showing superiority embarrassing trial after pole, was sadly slipped in the race.

This year in Indianapolis, things went in a radically opposite: no first row of the grid, but overwhelming victory over their rivals, thanks to an impressive race pace that allowed him to take off their rivals, despite a Ben Spies in good form. Third win of the season, MotoGP career best route plan and a hope to replicate in the next stage, scheduled over the weekend that is at Misano Adriatico.

“I am very happy with this victory”, said Dani Pedrosa, “and it was very hard since the heat today. I have made the perfect start, but I was quickly into the first corner, staying close to the leaders. My pace was good and was in great shape despite Spies have managed to close the gap and pass. I am very happy with the performance of the bike because it was fast straight, and works well in corners. When I found myself in the head was hard to remain concentrated at the end of the race I was very tired but very happy because last year I fell and I could win.

There were many incidents this weekend and could easily make a mistake in the race, you just go a bit ‘from the ideal line and immediately find yourself on the ground, especially after the race when the tires are worn. I passed the barrier of two wins in MotoGP season and so I’m very happy. We are doing a good job and I hope we can maintain the level in the next weekend at Misano. I want to thank the team and all the people around me on this success. ”

Red Bull may have identified the reason for Sebastian Vettel’s recent struggle to keep up with his on-form teammate Mark Webber.

33-year-old Australian Webber has commandingly won the last two grands prix from pole at the wheel of the dominant RB6.

But according to Germany’s Auto Bild Motorsport, after returning to Milton Keynes from the Barcelona/Monaco double header, the Austrian team has identified damage to Vettel’s chassis.

“We have found a defect in Sebastian’s chassis,” Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner confirmed, referring to the car superstitiously nicknamed ‘Lucious Liz’ by the highly rated 2009 championship runner-up.

Horner added: “For the next race in Turkey, he will have a new chassis.”

Vettel, initially the stronger of Red Bull’s driver lineup this year, is now equal on points with Webber at the head of the 2010 standings.

Briton Horner said he is confident Vettel can impress again at the wheel of a new chassis.

“Sebastian began the season in great shape and I am sure he will bounce back at the next race.

“In Barcelona and Monaco, Mark was simply stronger, he had more confidence and felt more comfortable in the car.  In contrast, Sebastian complained several times about the balance of the car,” added Horner.

(GMM)