Carbonell and HRT Formula 1 Team have signed a collaboration deal through which the leading olive oil brand will have its image present on the drivers’ overalls, whilst also forming a part of the exclusive culinary experience that the team has created alongside Arzak-Bokado.

The squad of Arzak-Bokado chefs travel with the team and have their operational base in the new motorhome hospitality during European races, whereas in overseas races they use the facilities provided by each circuit to maintain the same quality service. They offer a gastronomic experience that meets the different needs of team members and exclusive guests of the team, using fresh national products of the highest quality that characterize the extraordinary and renowned Spanish cuisine, whilst also leaning upon chefs and suppliers at each of the 19 countries visited throughout the season.

Besides the different menus, the gourmet experience also includes gastronomic activities at the circuit such as the “show cooking” or the “lightning pintxo”, which HRT offers every Grand Prix Sunday before the race for team members, guests, international press and organizers who travel the globe covering Formula 1 all to enjoy.

The presence of Carbonell, world leader in olive oil, will provide an extra contribution to that gastronomic experience whilst also enjoying an unbeatable platform for the brand because of the quality and worldwide reach of the team’s activities in a setting such as Formula 1. Carbonell has chosen the pinnacle of motorsport and HRT Formula 1 Team, the first and only team in the history of this competition to have its headquarters in Spain, to begin this unique culinary experience in Formula 1 and will also be the team’s exclusive brand for olive oil, olives and vinegar.

The agreement, which was signed by José María Collantes, Managing Director of Deoleo S.A, and Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal of HRT Formula 1 Team, at the team’s new headquarters in the Caja Mágica in Madrid, is valid until the end of 2012 with an option to extend. With this, Carbonell becomes the first Spanish food brand to be present in the Formula 1 World Championship.

Jose María Collantes, Managing Director Deoleo S.A: “The partnership between HRT, Carbonell and Arzak will enable to strengthen the link between Formula 1 and the gastronomic world thanks to HRT with an exclusive gourmet experience through which Carbonell will take part in every aspect related to the team’s kitchen, as well as all the culinary activities at the Grands Prix. By supporting such a popular sport as Formula 1, Carbonell will have great visibility and will secure its place as an innovative brand in the world of olive oil, vinegar and olives”.

Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal HRT: “It’s a great satisfaction for HRT to begin a partnership with Carbonell, a world renowned Spanish brand in the food sector. This association offers an opportunity to make the most of and strengthen the synergies of both companies on a worldwide base. Besides, Carbonell integrates perfectly with our gastronomic partners, Arzak-Bokado, to offer a gourmet experience made up of Spanish cuisine and fusion in the different countries where we compete. We thank Carbonell for the confidence they have deposited in us and we will continue to work hard to be competitive in an extremely demanding environment. With everyone’s effort we will reach our targets”.

ABOUT CARBONELL

For more than 145 years Carbonell has been present in kitchens and has created its oil taking close care of every step. Today, as a result of that experience and also of an innovation, Carbonell creates its oil following the Exclusive Carbonell Method® through which the best olives are chosen based on the origin, variety and moment of picking and a unique elaboration process is followed with which the essence of the olive is conserved.

Thereby, Carbonell is the brand that transforms dishes, in short, they give them soul, contributing some specific benefits (more nutrition; more pleasure; makes the normal special; turns the experience of eating into something sublime). Carbonell, the soul of your kitchen.

Carbonell belongs to Deoleo S.A., a Spanish food group that lists on the Spanish stock market and that is a worldwide leader in bottled olive oil, and that counts with the leading brands in the areas and markets where it operates, offering top quality products.

Bahrain protesters have stepped up their anti-grand prix campaign, with formula one vowing to push ahead with a race in the troubled island Kingdom next week.

After the FIA declared that the race is definitely going ahead, Bernie Ecclestone on Friday met with team bosses in the Shanghai paddock.

“There’s nothing (bad) happening. I know people who live there and it’s all very quiet and peaceful,” the F1 chief executive insisted.

Media reports, however, suggest otherwise.

Photos have emerged of protesters burning flags depicting Ecclestone’s face, whilst others marched in F1 overalls and helmets, carrying machine guns.

Anti-F1 graffiti, meanwhile, is sprayed on walls throughout the capital Manama.

Ecclestone, however, told the BBC late on Friday that the Bahrain protesters are “not protesting about formula one”.

So with the race still scheduled, are the teams feeling comfortable?

“All the teams are happy to be there,” insisted Ecclestone.

Commented Red Bull’s Christian Horner after the meeting with the F1 chief executive: “The FIA have obviously done their research and come out with a clear statement that as a team entered into the championship we respect.

“We’ll do our best to ensure that all our guys and girls are in a secure environment, but I don’t doubt that for a moment.”

Just as Christian Horner and Lewis Hamilton were diffusing the rumours, Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko was stirring them up.
“It is our goal to have the two best available drivers, and it’s also good for Vettel to work with the very best,” said the outspoken Austrian.

“I think everyone in the paddock at the moment is interested in getting a seat at Red Bull,” he added.

The comments were doing the rounds in the Valencia paddock along with the cover of the Austrian magazine Sport Woche, depicting McLaren’s Hamilton mocked up in a pair of Red Bull overalls.

The 2008 world champion had met with team boss Horner in the Red Bull motor home for between 5 and 15 minutes in Canada two weeks ago.

Horner admitted the visit was a “surprise” but would not talk about what was discussed. Vettel is under long-term contract and the Briton said Red Bull is “very happy” with Mark Webber.

“Of course, there are always positives and strengths you can have to help you in negotiations with your team, but that wasn’t the aim,” Hamilton said in Valencia on Thursday when asked if he is using the Red Bull rumour to get more money from McLaren.

He indicated a new deal with McLaren is the most likely scenario, telling Auto Motor und Sport that “I don’t see myself in that team (Red Bull).

“Definitely, hopefully, by the end of the year I’ll have something in place and I can continue on,” said the Briton.

The other big rumour on Thursday was that Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button is either on the verge of getting a lucrative new McLaren contract, or kicking off talks with Ferrari.

The 2009 world champion said the latter speculation is “hilarious because it’s not true.

“I don’t know who put that out there, but it wasn’t us and it wasn’t Ferrari. I think it’s just some column inches,” said Button.

He indicated the next step will be sitting down with his current boss Martin Whitmarsh.

“I’m sure we’re going to have to talk about it soon because it’s been mentioned so much in the press. We didn’t plan on talking about it quite yet,” said the 31-year-old, who can be retained by McLaren in 2012 due to a contract option.

Esteban Gutierrez sounded upset on Friday after missing the opportunity to make his formula one race debut.

The Mexican teen was signed by Sauber to be the Swiss team’s official test and reserve driver at all races in 2011.

But the reigning GP3 champion, who now races in the F1 support category GP2, was not in Canada on Friday when his countryman Sergio Perez had to withdraw from the event due to illness.

Instead, Sauber turned to in its 2010 driver Pedro de la Rosa after hurried negotiations with McLaren, who now employ the veteran Spaniard as its reserve driver.

Despite Perez’s hospitalisation, concussion and bruised thigh in Monaco, and the fact FIA doctors only cleared him to race on Thursday, Sauber was caught so unprepared that de la Rosa was wearing McLaren overalls when he took to the C30 in afternoon practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

And Gutierrez, apparently in his native Mexico, wrote on Twitter that Sauber displayed a “lack of transparency” in informing its official reserve of the situation.

“I learned from Twitter,” he said on the social networking website.

“It’s a shame to hear about Montreal, I hope ‘Checo’ (Perez) recovers soon,” added Gutierrez in Spanish.

“I never received any instructions to prevent this situation. I was ready,” he said.

Paul di Resta on Friday admitted he can see himself wearing silver overalls in the near future.
The Force India rookie has impressed so far in 2011 and his existing links with Mercedes have triggered rumours he could replace the struggling Michael Schumacher.

“I certainly would not mind a Mercedes. It would make me happy but there is currently no agreement,” the 25-year-old reigning DTM champion with Mercedes told Germany’s Sport Bild.

“I still feel a part of the Mercedes family and I certainly wouldn’t mind being a full member again one day,” added di Resta.

“At the moment I have a contract with Force India and I am giving that my full attention.”

Given his impressive performance so far in 2011 alongside the very experienced Adrian Sutil, it is an interesting side-note that in 2006, di Resta beat his teammate – a certain Sebastian Vettel – to the Formula 3 Euro Series championship.

He insists it doesn’t mean he is better than Vettel, the reigning world champion and runaway 2011 championship leader.

“That (2006) was then,” said di Resta. “You can never compare the present with the past, so I am not going to say that I am better than the reigning world champion.”

Santander will remain a sponsor of the McLaren team in 2011.
The Spanish bank’s spokesman admitted last November that 2010 was a year of “transition” as the new major sponsorship with Ferrari began.

“Who knows if in the future we will keep on having a relationship with them (McLaren) and their drivers,” he said.

But Santander announced on Wednesday that the deal has indeed been extended, with the logo to now appear on the helmets and overalls of drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

“The relationship that we have built, initially with the McLaren team, and now its drivers, has been integral to creating and building the Santander brand in the UK,” said Santander UK CEO Ana Botin.

Spaniard Ana Botin is Grupo Santander chairman Emilio Botin’s daughter.

The McLaren/Santander sponsorship began in 2007.

Santander looks likely to end its sponsorship of the McLaren team after the Spanish bank’s “transition” to Ferrari in 2010.

Despite Ferrari’s high profile new deal with Santander last season, the sponsor also stayed with McLaren in 2010 in the form of driver overalls branding.

But the Santander branding was removed from the rear wing of the British team’s 2010 car.

“We have had a transition with McLaren and who knows if in the future we will keep on having a relationship with them and their drivers,” spokesman Juan Manuel Cendoya is quoted in the Spanish press.

When asked about Santander’s future in F1, Cendoya added: “It is bright. We are delighted to work with Ferrari; the Scuderia will keep on fighting to win.”

Williams has confirmed reports that Dickie Stanford is returning to grands prix in the team manager role.

Stanford, who previously held the role until he moved to a factory-based job in 2005, is replacing Tim Newton, who will now be based at Williams’ Grove headquarters as production manager.

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At a very wet Hockenheim on Friday morning, Red Bull announced a new sponsorship deal with LG, already F1′s official technology partner.

The Korean electronics giant’s logo will appear in three places on the RB6 car, as well as on the drivers’ overalls and helmet visors.

And at the press conference, LG’s Seoul-based marketing chief Dermot Boden played down continuing speculation that South Korea’s inaugural grand prix in October might have to be delayed.

Heikki Kovalainen arrived in Valencia on Friday with just hours to spare before morning practice.

We reported on Thursday that the Finn had been absent in the paddock on Thursday, with his team Lotus staging a pitlane photoshoot for the marque’s 500th race without him.

Like many figures in the world of formula one, he was held up on the way to the Spanish port city by air traffic controller strikes in France.

Kovalainen had sat at Geneva airport for many hours waiting for his flight delay to end, before deciding to commence the 1,200km trip by road.

Before outpacing his teammate Jarno Trulli in both 90 minute practice sessions, he confirmed he had arrived in Valencia shortly after 5am.

And before donning his green overalls, his first duty was a “few hours sleep”, but still looked tired when he pulled on his balaclava at 10am.

“I feel fine,” he insisted.  “It’s just one night with a little less sleep than usual, so it’s no big deal.  My physio Petri and I shared the driving, so I feel absolutely fine.”

(GMM)

Sebastian Vettel has repeated his desire to one day race a Ferrari in formula one.

With Vettel under a longer contract to Red Bull, his teammate, Mark Webber, is being linked with a move for 2011 to the famous Italian team.

“I am very happy with Red Bull,” the 22-year-old German told Spain’s El Pais newspaper.

“I am not going anywhere else, but in the future, I don’t know.

“I want to fight for the world championship, and if you look at the past, Ferrari has always designed very competitive cars.

“Why not go there in a few years?” Vettel admitted.

He added: “Ferrari is unlike any other team, it’s a legend. There are other brands that achieve great success, but Ferrari is special.”

Bernie Ecclestone is said to be pushing very hard for Vettel, the F1 chief executive’s unabashed favourite, to end up in red overalls.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Vettel insisted. “I have a good relationship with Bernie, but fortunately I will decide my future.”
(GMM)

Michelin is close to seeing the green light to return to formula one in 2011.

Even though Avon and Pirelli have also expressed interest in replacing the sport’s departing supplier Bridgestone, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said Michelin is the favourite after diluting some of its earlier demands.

The publication said a three-year deal through 2013 is likely, with every team paying the French marque 3 million euros per season.

The deal will also see Michelin branding on the cars, driver overalls and around the grand prix circuits, but the wheel diameter width will not immediately be changed from the current 13 to lower-profile 18-inch tyres.

Michelin will reportedly provide less tyres per car per weekend than is currently the case, and three different compounds — hard, medium and soft, with the teams able to select which compounds are used.

Auto Motor und Sport said Michelin branding will be on the drivers’ shoulders next year, and a logo on the nose of the cars and the rearward-facing rear wing.

Representatives of the Italian marque Pirelli, however, will make a presentation to the teams in Spain this weekend, and are touted to supply the GP2 field beginning next year.

The prestigious Swiss watch company, Certina official sponsor of BMW Sauber F1 team since 2005, has announced today through a press release that it renews its contribution to the scuderia for the 2010 season.

Sauber’s untainted single-seater (untainted because it’s still getting sponsors) will carry Certina’s logotype in the Formula One’s team single-seaters’ rear mirrors, in the helmets, gloves and overalls’ cuffs of the scuderia’s pilots, Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi.

“For many years, the Certina trademark has been closely linked to sports and, specially to the motor sport.  Just as BMW-Sauber F1 Team, Certina’s philosophy is precision, innovation and dynamism,” assured Adrian Bosshard, president of Certina.

Peter Sauber is very proud of the trust that Certina has placed in his scuderia.  “The collaboration we’ve been feeding these years has been beneficial and we’re very happy that it has extended.  Certina and BMW Sauber F1 Team share many values.  Our alliance is natural and we believe it’s a satisfactory cooperation,” declared BMW Sauber F1 principal.