Michael Schumacher has denied his widely-reported comments about Pirelli’s 2012 tyres were simply about venting “frustration”.

“What frustration?” the seven time world champion was quoted as having told German media in Barcelona.

Not once but at least twice since the Bahrain grand prix three weeks ago, the Mercedes driver has suggested F1 and Pirelli have not got the balance right with the heavily-degrading tyres seen so far this season.

Schumacher insists his intention was to start a conversation.

“I am quite happy that we have initiated a discussion about how much influence one or another part should have in formula one,” he told reporters.

Fernando Alonso agreed, pointing the finger at the media for “exaggerating” Schumacher’s view.

“I read what he said and I don’t see any big problem with that,” said the Ferrari driver.

Schumacher also sounded happy that his position triggered a meeting with Pirelli officials at the Mugello test last week.

“We had a good meeting,” revealed the German, “to talk about this subject, so I just hope we continue to go in the right direction.”

Kimi Raikkonen is not ruling out victory in Barcelona this weekend.

If he does succeed on Sunday, the Finn will become the fifth different driver, driving for a fifth different team, to win the fifth grand prix of 2012 — an almost unthinkable scenario for formula one.

Not only that, some believe that – despite McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull having fielded the winning cars so far in 2012 – Lotus is actually the favourite in Barcelona.

Raikkonen and his teammate Romain Grosjean were both on the podium in Bahrain, and the black and gold E20 set the pace last week at the Mugello test.

“You would say now that the Lotus and the Red Bull are the cars to beat,” said Melbourne winner Jenson Button on Thursday.

Raikkonen, openly disappointed about his second place recently, hopes so.

“If everything goes smoothly then we can be up there,” he told reporters on Thursday.

He agrees that the car was a true pacesetter in Bahrain and Mugello.

“Let’s hope it works just as well if not better here,” Raikkonen, 32, told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 at the Circuit de Catalunya.

“Then we will at least have the possibility of victory,” he added.

He does not, however, want to talk about the championship.

“It has happened before that I had the best car overall but was still not the champion,” said Raikkonen. “There are so many little things that have to go in the right direction for you (to win the title).

“It’s pointless to think about the championship. Let’s try to do our job well, and see if that’s enough,” the self-described ‘iceman’ added.

Damon Hill has backed Bahrain as the island Kingdom returns to the F1 calendar this year.
After last year’s race was cancelled, the 1996 world champion travelled to Bahrain with FIA president Jean Todt and afterwards said he supports the decision to give the Sakhir circuit its April 22 date for 2012.

However, as some clashes between protesters and police are still taking place, there are some who believe strongly that Bahrain is not ready to host F1 again.

The teams are mainly quiet, but Red Bull’s Christian Horner said last week that, “As far as I’m aware, we’re definitely going.

“As of today there’s a race committed to Bahrain and we’ll be there,” he added.

Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary added: “I have decided I will be going to Bahrain if the race goes ahead.”

Briton Hill, the winner of 22 grands prix, thinks Horner and Cary are right.

“Everyone wants things to move in the right direction in Bahrain,” he is quoted by The Sun.

“The grand prix is of huge economic importance to Bahrain. You’d almost be putting an economic sanction on Bahrain by pulling the race.”

 Lotus could become the next team to withdraw from the formula one teams association FOTA.
Already departed are HRT, Sauber and Toro Rosso and also the top teams Red Bull and Ferrari, leaving fellow grandees McLaren, Mercedes and the others on the wrong side of their competitors’ former unity.

Now, this week, team owner Gerard Lopez has been quoted as admitting that Lotus is contemplating pulling out.

The reasons for the withdrawals appear different, with Red Bull having been accused of breaching the gentleman’s Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) and Ferrari rumoured to want to use its individual power to shape the future of the sport’s rules and structure.

The formerly BMW-owned Sauber, however, insisted that recent cost-cutting in formula one has not made it easier for smaller teams to survive.

“The RRA was a step in the right direction, but now other steps must urgently follow,” he told F1′s official website.

“It definitely has not become easier for the smaller teams.”

But beneath the surface, unity has not broken down completely, argues McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, who doubles as the FOTA chairman.

It is true, for example, that the new non-FOTA members will continue to respect aspects of the body’s agreements, such as the summer factory closure.

“I’m not too hung up on the brand ‘FOTA’,” Whitmarsh said recently.

“I think what’s important is that the teams realise there are critical issues within this sport where it will be better if we cooperate and take sensible decisions, and I hope and believe that we’ll continue to do that.”

He added last month: “Relations between McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari remain very good indeed.”

Kimi Raikkonen has tipped his friend Sebastian Vettel to pip F1′s class of 2011 to become world champion for the second time.
In 2007, former Ferrari driver Raikkonen came from a long way behind to beat the feuding McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to the championship at the final race of the season.

Now as a F1 spectator and world rally driver, the Finn was asked by Turun Sanomat newspaper about German Vettel’s 85 point lead with just 8 races to go.

“Quite often the situation levels off by the end if someone has pulled out early in the season,” Raikkonen said.

“(But) Vettel probably doesn’t even have to win any more races in order to stay in front until the end.”

Raikkonen, meanwhile, will turn 32 in October but he is not yet making any plans for 2012 — nor ruling out a shock return to formula one.

“I don’t know,” he answered after a series of probing questions.

“Even if you ask the same thing a hundred different ways, the answer stays the same. If I don’t know then nobody else does either.”

Raikkonen, like his contemporary Jacques Villeneuve, admitted to being not so keen on the 2011 formula, including the DRS overtaking rear wing system.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with real overtaking,” he insisted. “All you do is move close and push a button and the guy in front can’t do anything about it.

“I guess they are trying to push it in the right direction, maybe it’s good for the TV, but for the drivers it’s not so good.”

Confusion surrounding the blown exhaust saga is set to continue, with conflicting reports throughout Sunday about a teams agreement.

Bernie Ecclestone told the BBC on the Silverstone grid that an unanimous agreement to revert to the Valencia regulations is “all done. It’s been agreed”.

Earlier, it was the case that Ferrari-powered Sauber was yet to sign the letter to the FIA confirming unamimity so that the clampdown could be repealed.

After teams meetings on Sunday morning, Red Bull’s Christian Horner said: “There’s no agreement.”

It is rumoured Ferrari, whose Fernando Alonso won the British grand prix with the clampdown regulations now in place, has also not signed the document to go back to the older rules.

“I think that we have the right direction,” said an evasive Stefano Domenicali after the race.

German reports quote Horner as adding: “There is a commitment to talk about this again before Germany.”

The signs are growing stronger that Mercedes are turning their winning ambitions towards the 2012 season.
Although the German squad has not given up on the current W02 car, team boss Ross Brawn said recently Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will need to wait until next season to have truly “excellent” machinery in their hands.

Rosberg confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport that the car’s problems are fundamental.

“It will be difficult to be on top this year,” the German is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. “Our aim must therefore be to get closer.”

Schumacher added: “We’re working on it, and everything that we put in now could be very important for next year.

“We are losing time with the problems we have while the others make progress. So we have to solve it this year or we will drag them (the problems) into next season.”

It is not an abundant quality in the F1 world, but the seven time world champion is calling on those critical to be patient.

“We are in the process of building something new. I am sure that Ross and I know how things are built internally and the approach of this team is in the right direction,” said 42-year-old Schumacher.

“It takes time. Red Bull needed four or five years. With Ferrari that period lasted for five years. We can not play with some magic and do it in half a year.”

Christian Klien admits he is hopeful of returning to the F1 grid next year with HRT.

Although the struggling Spanish team’s driver-swapping has been much derided within the paddock this season, Austrian Klien says his appointment is a good sign for the future.

“At the end they’ve relied more on experienced drivers,” the Jaguar and Red Bull veteran said in an interview with APA news agency. “It shows that the team is performance-oriented.

“For me I think it’s a positive sign that for next year things will go in the right direction,” said Klien.

He said he is confident he will be back at the wheel next March.

“These two races at the end of the season are definitely a positive signal. After this race we will have some further discussions,” explained Klien.

Asked if he will be disappointed if he is not selected by HRT to race in 2011, he admitted: “Yes, you could say that.

“At Virgin there is a place available there and possibly two seats at HRT.”

Klien admitted his chances will be boosted significantly if he can find some significant sponsorship.

“Today in the private teams, it is almost a must to bring money.”

Timo Glock on Thursday sounded more confident about his future.

Days ago, the German refused to definitively confirm that he will still be with the Virgin team in 2011.

Earlier, the new British team’s boss John Booth said the German’s contract for next year is “set in stone”.

But when asked for confirmation at Interlagos, 28-year-old Glock said when asked if he is staying in 2011: “At the moment it looks like it.”

He was present on Thursday for the announcement that Russian supercar maker Marussia has bought into the team and will become title sponsor in 2011.

“I see this as a positive step because it gives the team financial security and a boost in the right direction,” Glock is quoted by the SID news agency.

“This is what we need to take a step forward,” he added.

Also at the announcement at the magnificent five-star Yas Marina Hotel that straddles the F1 track, team boss John Booth said Glock’s teammate for 2011 was currently the subject of discussion.

“Certainly I’d think (a decision will be made) before Christmas,” he said.

Ross Brawn has admitted his days as Mercedes team boss are numbered if he cannot power the German marque’s name to the top of formula one.

With the Brackley based team failing to live up to its billing as the reigning world champions with Michael Schumacher in the starring role, there have been widespread rumours about team harmony falling apart.

Brawn insists Schumacher is staying put and denies he is at odds with the German manager Norbert Haug, but acknowledges that he needs to deliver a much better silver car for 2011.

“Fourth position in the championship – and forget 2008 because that was the year I came to Honda and I couldn’t do anything about that – is probably the worst result I have had since I have been in senior management,” he told the Telegraph.

“And if the team continues running at a mediocre level then I probably won’t be running a team for much longer.  But the important thing is that I believe I know where we have gone wrong,” added Brawn.

He has explained this year’s problems as due to fighting in 2009 for the team’s survival as Brawn GP last year, whilst also pushing Jenson Button to the title.

“This business is all about spinning plates on the end of sticks.  And if you stop spinning them they fall off.  A few of our plates fell off last year.  Now we have put them back and we are spinning them,” he said.

Team figures are not hiding the fact that a major restructuring is about to take place, with one example being the rumoured drafting-in of Nico Rosberg’s former Williams engineer Tony Ross.

“My lips are sealed,” the German driver, who is currently engineered by Jock Clear, is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper.

“Anyway, we are moving in the right direction and nobody is being kicked out,” Rosberg insisted.

His good result from the Hungaroring and the innovations of James Key let Pedro de la Rosa’s growing self-confidence
Just like Michael Schumacher was also returning to Pedro de la Rosa race break after three years at first some difficulty with the formula first But during the seven-time world champion more still further behind, shows the shape of the curve Sauber veteran apparently sharply upward.

De la Rosa at Silverstone for the first time secured a one-digit start position (9) repeated this feat in Budapest and went there even for the first time in seventh in the points. This is of course the one hand, because the C29, directed by technical director James Key (“Our progress is also his merit”) was developed, but the Spaniard is indicated that even after getting better.
“I do not know,” he answers to the question of ‘Autosport’, why it works better for him than for Schumacher, “but I feel better with every race. The failure at Silverstone to accept struck me hard, because we were very competitive, but in Hungary we moved back in Q3 and collected points for the team. I think I’m getting better with every race. To other drivers, I’m not thinking, but still can slow a very good level. ”

Fast curves were for the C29 anyway “never a problem,” said de la Rosa. That, however, he was just as competitive on the narrow Hungaroring, was a surprise, “because our biggest problem was always low speeds – and Hungary is just as slow as Monaco”. But the new features introduced since Valencia appear to be exactly as desired auszuwirken.

“The targeted all aimed at slow corners,” said de la Rosa. “So I had to Hungary so excited, because Hungary would indicate to us whether it is in the right direction or not. Without testing, it is now difficult, but we have definitely made the right changes in the way. Now we can say, that We compete not only in ultra-fast circuits like Silverstone. “

Without having to go for the first time in three years, a summer to recover from injuries, Dani Pedrosa was presented at Brno in the best physical shape. The proof comes from his performance in the first test session in Brno, the second time while paying a lot (0 “5) by Jorge Lorenzo, but finding immediately the feeling, guided bike and circuit.

“I must say that I immediately found a good rhythm, was also quite easy to succeed in reaccustom the bike after the holiday,” said Pedrosa. “Everything went smoothly in this session was a really good start for us with only regret about the break in the final because of rain. With the bike I had a good feeling, but it started raining and I had to return to the pits. ”

For tomorrow, hoping for good weather, Dani Pedrosa has clear ideas about where to make some small adjustment in the development of his Honda RC212V.

“Unfortunately today we could not complete the work program in advance. There remains to verify all the solutions brought by Bridgestone tires, but I do not think a big problem. We must continue so sector by sector to have a good setup, but so far seems to have taken the right direction. ”

Felipe Massa has dismissed suggestions he has lost some of his edge after returning to formula one from serious injury.
The Brazilian, after almost clinching the 2008 title and initially leading Ferrari alongside Kimi Raikkonen in 2009, missed most of the second half of last season after his horror qualifying accident in Hungary.

So far in 2010, the 29-year-old has usually struggled for pace relative to the sister F10 driven by Fernando Alonso, and is 31 points behind his Spanish teammate.

But when asked if there is a link between his crash last year and his slump in form, Massa is quoted by Brazil’s Globo: “They are separate problems.

“This championship has been a little worse than I expected, but I know why. It’s not because of my accident but the problems I’ve having with the tyres.

“I’m just the same as I was before. I know that if everything had gone in the right direction, I would be fighting for the title.”

When asked about Massa in an interview with Spain’s AS newspaper, Alonso answered: “I think he is a very competitive driver, very fast, and not just in qualifying but also consistently in the race.

“Felipe is the toughest teammate I have had. Sometimes it was harder to beat Fisichella and Trulli, but I was not as good a driver back then.

“Hamilton was different, he came straight from GP2 at the same time we went from Michelin to Bridgestone, so he had tyres much like he had used in GP2. For sure he’s one of the best.

“In terms of talent, my current teammate (Massa) is one of the best,” insisted Alonso.

The press round of Stefano Domenicali after the race began in Valencia because of the late decision of the stewards was later than usual, but very rewarding. For Ferrari had just made the website a controversial review online, in which the Grand Prix of Europe as a “scandal” was called.

Earlier, Fernando Alonso has indicated that he thought the race had been manipulated. But Ferrari back row: On the website you have not published the opinion of Ferrari, but the Ferrari fans around the world, Alonso had made his statement “in the heat of battle.” Team boss Domenicali attempted to clarify this point in discussion with media representatives from around the world.
Question: “Stefano, on the Ferrari website, the race today called scandal, Fernando said that it has been manipulated …”
Luca Colajanni (Ferrari spokesman): “The speech by the voice of the fans – you should have read the message carefully!”
Stefano Domenicali: “I am the official voice of Ferrari. Ask me, I then answer that.”
Technical progress made

Q: Can you explain why you are so angry today? ”
Domenicali: “Naturally we are very angry because we did not get the points we have in this race because of our performance really need to do. If I analyze this weekend even from the technical side, we have but one step forward, even if he is still not large enough to catch Red Bull. In the first round we saw that things were in the right direction. ”

“The frustration is so great because we made the right move, but still less points than in the most difficult race of the year. This is very frustrating. Do I have to say from the sporting angle that we had bad luck today. The only four cars on the home straight were when the safety car was on, were Vettel, Hamilton, Fernando and Felipe. Vettel stopped before the safety car, Hamilton had ignored the yellow flags and the yellow light, but we had a full lap behind the Safety- Car driving. In the meantime, took the field that was in the pits, back on us, so we fell behind when we came into the pits. The plan you can not. ”

“Before some decisions are made, you should be sure they are right and wrong. If we now know, however, that the date of a decision affects the race, then they must be taken quickly, otherwise the consequences of unfair have. Today, the Ferrari has affected quite badly, so we must make sure that something like this happen again. More I would say not really. also ran against a lot of cars still an investigation. That I think is not good. ”

Question is: “When the FIA driver got into the race management – today it was Heinz-Harald Frentzen – first of all were happy, but in the last race there were many contentious decisions. How do you comment that?”
Domenicali: “had the present situation to do with the driver Commissioner nothing, I think. They had indeed nothing to do with the fact that a driver knows that there is slowed down or this and that is in the cockpit. I think that was the day a normal thing for the Commissioners.
“But I want to say something else. First of all, I am very pleased that Mark Webber doing well, because that is the most important thing. In life, have possible priorities. Today he had a very tragic accident, so I am happy that He’s healthy. But the accident has clearly shown that the large performance difference between the cars can be very dangerous. We’re talking about for some months, but today we were fortunate that we have not seen play. As braked different and there are different lines driven. Furthermore, we need to think about. ”

Q: If the safety car not normally catch the leaders and all others to pass through? ”
Domenicali: “I know that the race management, the safety car rausschickt regardless of what happens on the track, if it is necessary. I think correctly. The cars should also be waved through to the leader as quickly as possible behind the safety car is. This as I understand it, they wanted to now the medical car to protect the safety car to prevent the cars rushing around the track. ”

Q: You just said something about the big speed difference and that is dangerous. If the by the adjustable rear wing does not get worse? ”
SD: I think we need to examine carefully. When the leader must not press the button and Hintermann already created a difference in speed. Today we have seen, this can lead to.

Q: Just to clarify again: On your website is a scandal of the speech. If you say that this is not the Ferrari’s opinion? ”
SD: You were here all the time. Did I say scandalous? ”
Only the opinion of the fans

Q: No. But it is on the Ferrari website. ”
Domenicali: “The text there is the opinion of all Tifosi against the world. But I am the official voice of Ferrari and I have never said that.”

Q: Fernando, says the race was manipulated. ”
Domenicali: “We need him to admit that he has said in the heat of the moment, but I can understand him, because the race was broke by factors that were beyond our control. That is why he said that.”

Q: Will you bring this matter to the FIA or discuss with the teams? ”
Domenicali: “We have submitted the topic already in the FIA. That is completely incorrect.”

Q: What does this mean? Could it even be a different race result?
SD: No. The outcome is certain, but we are concerned about the future. We want to talk about it, so something in the future can not happen. ”
Q: You had prior to this Grand Prix a PR day of shooting, on some team bosses have complained. Must be made clear what a day of shooting and what is a test? ”
Domenicali: “It is not my style, something the public unsubscribe, but if there is something to discuss, then I pick up the phone. That’s my style. The shooting day was clear. If people want to change the wording of the rule We have no problem with that. ”

Q: one hand, you walk the day of shooting on a very fine line when it comes to the limits of the rules to explore the other hand, the rules today against you … ”
Domenicali: “One can not even compare it. To day of shooting, we have the allowed 100 kilometers used to supply our customers, our network and our dealers with material. Under such conditions it is difficult to learn about the car . But as I said: If someone has a problem, he can talk to us, then we explain it. ”

Q: Let’s auspicious on a topic. Pat Fry moves from McLaren to you. Can you describe his area of responsibility?
Domenicali: “When we found out that he has been on the market, we immediately realized that he was a great technician with much experience. I know that he also had offers from other teams, but we saw this as a good opportunity to join our team. He works as vice-head of technology. This is a very important task, not only for this year, but especially for the future. ”

Q: Do you find it okay that the drivers who have violated the safety car rule were punished only with five seconds? ”
Domenicali: “The danger of today’s decision is, I think that one might be tempted in future to violate the rules against better knowledge, to have an advantage. This is dangerous.”

As predicted by many experts, it managed to Fernando Alonso at the Canadian Grand Prix third place on the podium. The Ferrari driver had the finish 9.214 seconds behind the winner.

“I think that was a good day for us,” the former Formula 1 world champion. “The car was very competitive here in Canada. Today I had a good chance to win, struggled with Lewis. Thanks to a fantastic work we overtook him in the pit lane.”
The Spaniard was relieved, because two weeks ago showed the Italian racing team in Istanbul is a disappointing performance. You could keep up with the competition again. Even a second place was possible, but in the end when lapping Alonso had bad luck when Karun Chandhok was before him, he lost the momentum and Jenson Button was able to use the situation for themselves.
“We lost by a transport position. In terms of the championship but we have made good ground. We were in Turkey, 50 seconds behind McLaren, and here we are fighting for the win. We are moving in the right direction.”

“I think we are fighting back. We are really close. We had some good fights. It was for me a good feeling to return to the position where I can win races, and finally on the podium to stand. ”

(TMS)