The Silverstone based team’s long time director of business affairs left Force India earlier this year after a falling-out with boss Vijay Mallya.

The Briton was in the Barcelona paddock on Saturday.

“I’ve just enjoyed my first holiday for 40 years,” said Phillips, who joined the team’s original guise at its inception as Jordan in the early 90s.

“I don’t miss the travel at all, but I need to work so we’ll see what opportunities arise,” he added.

Also seen in the Barcelona paddock on Saturday was 2009 Renault driver Romain Grosjean.

(GMM)

Apr.29 (GMM) Charlie Whiting has green-lighted Silverstone’s new ‘Arena’ section for use at the 2010 British grand prix in July.

The FIA’s race director, official starter and safety and technical delegate toured the 760 metre section – featuring six new corners – earlier this week.

The layout was then launched officially for dignitaries and the media on Thursday.

“Charlie Whiting was here yesterday,” confirmed the track’s managing director Richard Phillips, “and we walked the circuit and we’ve got our Grade A licence for the next three years.”

With MotoGP being held at Silverstone this year, it was decided that a new layout was necessary for safety reasons — particularly the proximity of the famous bridge at the now-bypassed Bridge corner.

The renovation has cost 5m pounds sterling, with riders and drivers to turn right instead of left at the old Abbey chicane entry before embarking on a section incorporating the old National straight, renamed Wellington.

The new layout rejoins the old circuit with a faster entry to the ‘Brooklands’ corner near the end of the lap.

Finally, the Silverstone circuit has the approval to utilize the new section of the circuit for the 2010 British Grand Prix.

The “complex stage” was originally designed for MotoGP, but when Silverstone recovered the contract to hold the British Grand Prix at Donington, it immediately approached FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) to be able to run in the new racetrack.  Today, Thursday, the FOM consented on the use of this new area, which the organizers hope will improve the view for the audience.

“The circuit was always designed for two and four wheel competitions,” explained Silverstone’s managing director, Richard Phillips. “We have been very careful, together with the marshals and pilots to insure that we are improving and increasing what Silverstone has to offer – one for the pilots and another view for the audience.”

The F1 circuit will keep most of the high-speed racetrack, but will lose Chicane Abbey, Corner Bridge and the left in Priory –all of which have been left untouched to provide an alternative design.  Contrary to this, the drivers will now turn to the right at the Abbey, before entering a 90 degree right turn that opens in two at the left to again go to the existent National Circuit and, finally, the F1 circuit.  It is expected that the extra length will increase the F1 times per lap in four seconds.