The latest spat between Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 teams’ association is set to break out.
Spain’s Diario Sport newspaper reports that FOTA, headed by McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, believes the F1 chief executive has breached the Concorde Agreement in devising the arduous 20-race calendar for 2012.

The report said FOTA vice-chairman Eric Boullier confirmed the potential disagreement in the Singapore paddock.

Diario Sport said the teams believe they have the right to renegotiate the commercial terms if Ecclestone moves beyond the maximum 17 grands prix per season.

The confidential agreement reportedly also refers to the number of races that can take place outside of Europe, with the teams concerned about the additional costs of the ‘flyaway’ events.

“We would suggest a couple of ideas and, above all, we intend to request a reconsideration of the logistics,” said Boullier.

Ecclestone reacted: “The teams don’t do the calendar, I do. They can’t come now with their proposals. It’s my decision so if someone is going to do something, it’s me.

“If someone isn’t happy they can go to the police. Wouldn’t the real problem be if there were no races to go to?” he added defiantly.

Bernie Ecclestone has slammed suggestions the F1 teams will negotiate changes to the 2012 grand prix calendar.
A revised version of the provisional schedule for next year shows seven ‘flyaway’ races within a ten week period on four separate continents, causing figures including deputy FOTA chairman Eric Boullier to call for “a rethink”.

“We have a thought between us (the teams) already and we would like to suggest a couple of ideas,” added the Renault boss.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone, however, baulked at the suggestion he will re-jig the order of the races at the teams’ behest.

“It is not the teams who make the calendar, it’s me,” the Briton is quoted by German-language reports including SID news agency and sport1.de.

“They cannot come to me now with their proposals, it’s my decision. If someone’s going to do something, it’s going to be me,” added Ecclestone.

Bosses have reportedly dismissed moves to enclose the cockpits of formula one cars.
Technical chiefs began to investigate the possibility of jet fighter-style canopies for the cockpits in the wake of Felipe Massa’s near-fatal crash in Hungary two years ago.

“You can have covers and you can have canopies, but you also have to be able to get at a driver to extract him. There are a lot of secondary considerations,” said Ross Brawn.

According to the Daily Mirror, F1 chiefs have rejected the idea of a roof over the drivers’ heads.

The report said the FIA had considered “poly-carbonate screens” for the cars, but “drivers fear the device could prevent escape in the event of a car overturning or catching fire”, while spectators would be “at danger from flying debris ricocheting off the screens”.

There could be two Russian drivers on the 2011 formula one grid.

With the country set to organise a grand prix in the future and its president Vladimir Putin recently testing a F1 car, Vitaly Petrov now looks set to renew his deal with Renault.

“It is more positive for Vitaly than negative,” team boss Eric Boullier said recently.

And Mikhail Aleshin, the new Renault World Series champion, could be F1′s second Russian driver in 2011.

He recently tested Renault’s R30 in Abu Dhabi, admitting he needs EUR 10-15 million in sponsorship to secure a seat with a small team.

In a new interview with Russian news website gzt.ru, he said he has agreed a deal with an unnamed team. Recent reports linked him with Force India, Lotus and Virgin.

“We are considering options and there are some very interesting proposals,” said 23-year-old Aleshin.

“I’m not allowed to talk about it, so I’ll try for it to be a surprise. In fact, the issue of my participation (in F1) is resolved.

“But it is not guaranteed, because there are no guarantees in formula one,” he added.

Among Aleshin’s sponsors are state-owned Gazprom and Cordiant tyres.

The winner of Bruno Senna’s helmet competition is certain – the design is to remember his unforgettable uncle Ayrton

HRT driver Bruno Senna had advertised a competition in which fans worldwide were able to design a helmet that is to remember his uncle Ayrton. The three-time world champion had on 21 March’s 50th Birthday celebration. The winning design will Senna contribute one of the remaining races. Over 500 proposals were submitted and in the end it went to very short. Finally, the design of the Brazilian Rai Caldato was named the most beautiful.

Among five finalists selected Senna himself, his family members and the designers of Ayrton unmistakable yellow helmet in the winner. Caldato finally got 8892 votes. Another Brazilian, Bruno Mantovani has led to the final round, but had to admit defeat with 8093 votes.
The winner will now look forward to his helmet from Senna is worn on a race weekend. Where and when will this happen, soon to be announced. Caldato will get a replica of the helmet that is signed by Senna. Given a signed photo with the head protection is worn. The original helmet will be auctioned and the profit goes entirely to the Ayrton Senna Foundation.

Stefano Domenicali on Sunday indicated that Avon-Cooper and Bridgestone are no longer in the running to supply formula one tyres next year.

The Ferrari boss was discussing with the media Sunday’s series of meetings at Monaco, where a decision about the departing Bridgestone’s 2011 replacement was again deferred.

“It will probably take another week,” the Italian is quoted by Germany’s Motorsport-Magazin.com.  “Perhaps next weekend.”

Avon was among those who have submitted formal proposals, and in recent days the teams have been pushing Bridgestone to reconsider its decision not to seek a new contract as the sport’s official sole supplier.

But Domenicali revealed: “There are only two possibilities; Michelin and Pirelli.”

(GMM)

After no less than three meetings in Monaco, a final decision about F1′s tyre situation for 2011 still has not been made.

The latest meeting was held on Sunday morning, with team bosses discussing solid proposals made by Michelin, Avon and Pirelli, amid reports Bridgestone might be persuaded to stay.

According to the BBC, FOTA’s technical chief Ross Brawn said the Italian marque Pirelli’s proposal is a viable one.

“We’ve had a good proposal from Pirelli which we’re looking into seriously,” he said.

It is believed another meeting will be held within the next few days, where a final decision is likely.

(GMM)

Bridgestone is showing signs of performing a dramatic U-turn and staying in formula one beyond 2010.

Currently, the Japanese supplier is due to depart at the end of the season, as potential replacements including Michelin, Pirelli, Avon, Kumho and possibly others clamour at the paddock turnstiles.

But the teams are trying to persuade Bridgestone to stay, and have written a letter to Bridgestone Europe that will be passed on to CEO Shoshi Arakawa.

“The request is an honour,” said the marque’s F1 boss Hiroshi Yasukawa.

Before departing Barcelona, he indicated in a statement that F1 is still important to Bridgestone.

“We hosted guests from the USA and Brazil as well as many from our European markets which has illustrated the importance of formula one as a business tool,” said Yasukawa.

“Our sales companies continue to support our formula one activities, showing the significance of this to our business.

“We are proud to have the support of all of the teams in this fantastic sport,” he added.

FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh said the teams are hoping the issue of 2011 tyre supply is settled in Monaco this weekend, but Stefano Domenicali fears it might take another week.

“There are four proposals that appear to be out there and maybe there’s another couple as well,” Whitmarsh confirmed to Reuters.

And with Michelin wanting tyre competitors and the smaller teams wanting cheaper options, the Briton admitted that the concept of multiple brands in F1 next year is not out of the question.

But he insisted: “If you use multiple suppliers, it has got to be controlled in terms of testing and development.”

(GMM)

Finally, the FIA accepted the proposals made by FOTA and approved the changes to the Formula One World Championship scoring system.

According to FIA’s press release, and subsequent to the meeting that the Formula One Commission held on Monday, the winner of the Grand Prix will be awarded with 25 points, while the second and third places will receive 18 and 15 points, respectively.

The remaining points for the GPs will be allocated up to the tenth pilot that classifies, the following way: 12-10-8-6-4-2-1.  This is a modification to the model proposed by the organization last December with 25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1.  Now, the FIA pretends to encourage the ‘run to win’ mentality.

Additionally, but for 2011, the FIA announces changes to the regulation regarding the diffusers.  The height of the main diffuser was reduced from  175mm to 125 mm, while the “magic” double diffusers –key element at the beginning of 2009, in the Brawn GP title-, will be finally excluded..

In addition to the change to the scoring system, each single-seater will only have 11 sets of dry weather tires available, instead of 14, and to encourage the teams to run through the practice sessions, ” a set must be returned before the start of Friday’s second practice session, and two sets before the start of the third practice session.  FOTA’s last proposal has also been accepted: cars having participated in Q3 must start the race on the same set of tyres with which their grid time was set.

Things being like this, all these proposals have to be submitted before the World Motor Sport Council that has to finally give its approval, even though its just a step because this is already a fact.