Lotus has scheduled a raft of “exciting announcements” for Friday in Singapore.

According to widespread paddock sentiment, the press conference will include confirmation of a technical tie-up with Renault, and an official change of name to the historic ‘Team Lotus’.

Indeed, a team-liveried AirAsia plane shown off by team and airline owner Tony Fernandes on Thursday is already emblazoned with a ‘Team Lotus’ logo.

Almost certainly also on the agenda will be confirmation of the 2011 driver lineup.

Asked about the rumours in Singapore on Thursday evening, Heikki Kovalainen said: “Let’s put it this way and then leave it at that; I know where I want to be.”

Fernandes said: “We’ll be making a couple of very exciting announcements.”

Michael Schumacher is not about to give up on his new quest to return to winning ways in formula one.

That is the opinion of the German’s 90s nemesis Damon Hill, amid suggestions the seven time world champion has lost his edge and could return to retirement before his three-year commitment to Mercedes is fulfilled.

“Just never write the guy off.  I made that mistake.  You cannot count him out.  He is never out.

“He has always somehow pulled something out of the hat somewhere,” said Briton Hill, now president of the Silverstone-owning BRDC.

Some pundits believe the 41-year-old has lost his desire to excel and allowed his famous attention to detail to lapse, and is now driving only for fun, but Hill only agrees with the latter sentiment.

“He loves driving.  Where else are you going to get the same kind of fulfilment or kick?” Hill told reporters at Silverstone prior to the British grand prix weekend.

“It is not about the money.  He is a perfectionist, very determined to achieve things and he will want to show that it is possible to win at 41.”

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told German media that recent criticisms of Schumacher have been “unfair”.

“He was on holiday for three years, what do you expect after a break like that?” said the 79-year-old.

A site for the 2012 United States grand prix has been selected.

It was earlier reported that although a promoter has won the rights to stage the race on a purpose-built track in Austin, Texas, the actual site for the venue is still being decided.

But a lawyer for promoter Full Throttle Productions is quoted by the local American-Statesman newspaper as revealing that land has been secured.

“We’re just not ready to disclose it (the actual location) yet,” said Richard Suttle.

Suttle also said regular F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke has been appointed.

But even with the new details, doubts about the project remain, including insider sentiment that it resembles past negotiating moves deployed by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Until the shock news of the Austin deal emerged, Monticello Motor Club in New York was considered the front runner for a contract.

Club president Ari Straus said the 2012 start-date was the biggest surprise.

“Somebody starting from scratch would not be able to do it until 2013,” he said.

The implication could be that if Austin is unable to be ready for 2012, Monticello could be back in the frame for a project the following year.

“If Bernie comes back to the table,” Straus said, “Monticello is ready.”

But Austin promoter Tavo Hellmund, reportedly a friend of Ecclestone’s for decades, said he is not worried about the tight schedule for 2012.

“If it (the date) slides back, it slides back,” he said.

Although mainly funded privately, the project will also enjoy some state input, with a letter to Ecclestone signed by Texas governor Rick Perry pledging $25 million per year from the state’s Mayor Event Trust Fund.

(GMM)

YF1. Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has echoed the sentiments of his star driver Fernando Alonso by urging his team and the tifosi to remain realistic ahead of the Australian GP.

The Ferrari boss said, “We need some great humility in this race. We know that we have to work and there is still lots to be improved, such as performance and reliability: it’s important to stay realistic.”

Expectations are high, especially in Italy where victory in Bahrain has set the tone for the forthcoming season. Managing these expectations are obviously high on the team’s PR agenda.

Di Montezemolo added, “In Melbourne it will be fundamental to have a good qualifying on Saturday, because as usual on city circuits, also here in Australia to start from the front will determine the final outcome.”

Earlier in the week Alonso said, “The one-two win in Sakhir gave us confidence and was a great result for the hard work during the winter on the track and at the works, but we can’t take anything for granted. We have to stay with our feet on the ground, keeping calm and staying concentrated: in Melbourne we’re starting from square one.”

Alonso and his boss are obviously on the same page…