The calamitous Bahrain grand prix saga has not jeopardised the island Kingdom’s future on the F1 calendar.

That is the strident claim of Bernie Ecclestone, after the F1 chief executive and FIA president Jean Todt displayed rare unity as they insisted the country’s civil and political problems would not affect the grand prix.

But amid the bubbling Bahrain saga, Ecclestone had suggested that Bahrain might face trouble when it comes to negotiating a new contract, with the existing agreement only set to extend for three more years.

However, when asked by Reuters if F1 is going to keep returning to Bahrain despite this year’s troubles, Ecclestone insisted on Sunday before leaving the Persian Gulf: “Absolutely. Forever. No problem.”

Like Todt, he even played down the damage done to F1′s reputation this weekend.

“I think it’s good because people talk about things, you know. You know what they say — there is no such thing as bad publicity,” said Ecclestone.

In truth, reputation damage has undoubtedly been done. But Roger Benoit, the veteran correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick, admitted he is dismayed with how politics interfered with sport so strikingly this weekend.

“On all continents, somewhere, all hell is breaking loose. And as a formula one reporter, you’re flying around this globe two or three times a year,” he wrote.

“We go to countries that are politically explosive. Where human rights are violated, where poverty reigns.

“But we hardly talk about it — not in China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore or Brazil. In 2014, we’re going to Russia.

“Years ago, our circus happily danced around in apartheid South Africa, and the military dictatorship of Argentina.

“Formula one is pure entertainment. Detached from the problems of the world. But here, in Bahrain, every reporter entered the political field, whether he liked to or not,” wrote Benoit.

So that is why Ecclestone is unapologetic, after championing the Bahrain grand prix.

“Because, basically, the problems they have in Bahrain have nothing to do with F1,” the 81-year-old told El Pais newspaper.

“The relevant agencies gave the nod as far as security was concerned, and I think it is clear that they were not wrong.”

He also sees no problem with F1 being used as a political tool.

“Governments want to have an F1 race for the same reason as they want the Olympics. We come to agreements with the promoters and, if that’s good for the country, fine,” said Ecclestone.

Bahrain paid its race sanctioning fee for 2011 despite not hosting a grand prix this year.
Amid the island Kingdom’s troubles earlier this year, Bernie Ecclestone revealed that he would not charge the government the reportedly more than $40 million fee.

“The fee that is normally being paid for the event is not being paid,” the F1 chief executive said at the time. “I am not charging them for a race they are not getting.”

But according to The Independent, Ecclestone said the fact Bahrain ultimately paid the 2011 fee means that the sport’s revenue and profit will not reverse this year.

“I don’t think turnover will be down this year. I think it will be flat because we were paid for Bahrain. I said we will give them the money back and they said don’t bother,” said the 80-year-old.

Bahrain is scheduled to return to the F1 calendar next late April.

“I spoke to the Bahrainis yesterday and they said everything is going to be fine. I hope they are right for their sake, not ours,” said Ecclestone.

If Bahrain does not come back, the diminutive Briton already has plans for F1′s likely next destinations.

“After Russia I would like to go to South Africa and Mexico. Both countries are trying to do something,” said Ecclestone. “Greece are also trying to do a formula one race.”

On Greece’s economic problems, he quipped: “The Germans will lend them some money”.

Just days ago, Force India deputy team boss Bob Fernley said formula one should be targeting a race in Africa.
“It’s the only major continent that we’re not working on and I’d like to see us go back there,” he said.

According to reports from South Africa on Wednesday, Bernie Ecclestone is indeed close to finalising a contract for organisers of an event in Cape Town to sign.

Iol.co.za quotes him as saying the street race could be held within two years, with a deal “weeks away from signing”.

“I’m hoping we can make a decision as soon as our lawyers have a good look at them … within the next couple of weeks,” said the F1 chief executive.

“It’ll be good to be back in South Africa. We were very happy when it was here in the past.”

The last South African grand prix, at the Kyalami circuit, was won by Alain Prost in 1993.

Moves are still afoot to return Africa to the formula one calendar.

In July, as South Africa hosted the football World Cup, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said there are plans for the construction of a new grand prix circuit in Cape Town.

“We have been talking to the people in South Africa for quite a long time off and on. The chances are ok,” said the 80-year-old.

A new report by the German news agency SID said the Cape Town plans are still alive, with the feasibility of the project currently under examination by governmental economic and tourism authorities.

The report said the study involves considering whether a bespoke circuit or a semi-permanent venue make best sense for the city.

North of Johannesburg, Kyalami hosted 23 South African grands prix between 1967 and 1993.

Jean Todt has poured cold water on reports Africa might join the formula one calendar in the next few years.

While South Africa hosted the football World Cup earlier this year, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said he hoped the continent would be on the calendar “in about three years time”.

Around the same time, it emerged a consortium was working on a F1 project that had requested state support from president Jacob Zuma.

But according to the president of F1′s governing body FIA, “I don’t see any opportunity in the next three to five years,” Frenchman Todt said on a visit to Kenya.

The Associated Press quoted Todt, who had been invited by the Kenya Motor Sports Federation, as saying a world rally or cross country event is more likely.

“Africa is a fantastic field to organise road racing,” he confirmed.

Sebastian Vettel declared on the radio he is “back on track” after winning Sunday’s European grand prix.

“Germany one, England nil,” grinned third-placed Jenson Button, before leaving the FIA press conference to watch Germany score the first goal for real as the countries battle for World Cup survival in South Africa.

With his win, pole sitter Vettel snatches third place in the world championship – behind both McLarens – from his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, who escaped unhurt from a frightening backflip crash.

Caused by the Australian striking the rear of Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus, the crash mirrored one during the earlier GP2 race, in which Josef Kral was hospitalised.

Some figures, including David Coulthard, slammed Kovalainen’s decision to race Webber’s much faster car, but Lotus technical boss Mike Gascoyne said on Twitter that the Finn was “pissed off with Webber”.

“For all those saying we should not have defended from Webber, when it is for position on track we race,” Gascoyne insisted.  “Always.”

The race was also controversial for other reasons.  Hamilton finished second after a drive-through penalty for overtaking the safety car, while Fernando Alonso did not make the illegal pass and finished just ninth.

“It is really unfair, it is like no penalty,” Alonso’s race engineer Andrea Stella told the angry Spaniard by radio during the race.

And nine drivers – Button, both Williams, both Renaults, both Force Indias, Sebastien Buemi and Pedro de la Rosa – are under investigation by the stewards for driving too fast on their pitstop in-lap while the safety car was out.

If penalised, Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi – finishing behind four of the investigated drivers – could be the big winner, after finishing seventh with an unique race strategy that saw him make a very late single pitstop.

By performing impressive late-race passes on Fernando Alonso and Buemi, meanwhile, the Japanese also rekindled memories of his stirring late debut for Toyota last year.

Provisional Race Result -  27 June 2010

Michael Schumacher enjoyed a Grand Prix of Canada to forget. The Mercedes star fell after a promising beginning, back after a puncture and was finally passed up to eleventh place. After the setback, the world champion but could console himself with a strong opening game of the German national team at the World Cup in South Africa.

After Joachim Löw’s team at the start of the match against Australia clouded some ways, it always came into the game and let the “Socceroos” from “Down Under” Finally, no chance: 4-0 was the convincing result. And not only in South Africa, the joy was great – even the talented amateur kicker Michael Schumacher was jubilant: “This was a super game of the German team, which was to look great.”
Schumacher was lucky that the start time of the Grand Prix of Canada at the World Cup has been adapted – through interviews and internal analysis after the race, he missed only the beginning of the game, as he confirmed: “I have not seen, although the initial can, but the second half was great about this young team. The best way I found it quick short passing game, really impressive. ”

The German, who at FC Aubonne in the third Swiss league chasing even occasionally even the round leather trusts, his national team after the blowout against some of Australia: “I certainly hope that the team’s keep it plays, so we have all long fun able. ” Maybe give Philipp Lahm & Co. Schumacher even some hope for the mixed season opener: Finally, we stood before the World Cup by some failures, including top striker Michael Ballack, under enormous pressure – the shooting brought the critics but for the moment silenced.

Source: Totalmotorsports

Jun.12 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has dismissed claims he is ‘too nice’ to lead Ferrari back to world championship success.

Taking over from the resolute Jean Todt at the beginning of 2008, Domenicali came close to leading Ferrari to that title before the Italian team slumped last year.

This season, the F10 began the season looking a championship contender, but in Turkey two weeks ago it was good enough only to populate the midfield.

The arrival as team boss of Italian Domenicali, 45, came in the same era as Ferrari lost Frenchman Todt, German Michael Schumacher, Britons Ross Brawn and John Iley and South African designer Rory Byrne.

Max Mosley said recently that an increasingly Italianised Ferrari is now “reverting to type”, while Domenicali is often regarded as too nice to succeed with an eminent position.

“I don’t care,” he is quoted by the Guardian newspaper. “I’m not going to change my philosophy of life because some people don’t like my style.

“There is no specific style to be a winner or to be a manager of a group,” insisted Domenicali.

Rather, he points to a new era where Ferrari is adjusting to the need to scale down and restrict spending, while the team’s own Fiorano test track is now hardly used.

“A couple of years ago there was no limit on investment,” he said.

“No limit on anything. Two years ago you wanted one of something you had hundreds. Now you want one of something you have half.

“Formula one is a different environment now, a different culture, and it’s difficult to change the mentality of a big group. This is the biggest challenge for us.”

Jun.11 (GMM)
Saturday’s qualifying in Montreal conveniently finishes with half an hour to spare before the Group C match against the United States takes place in South Africa.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to do the debrief until after the game,” Lewis Hamilton is quoted by PA Sport.

Jenson Button confirmed: “Possibly the engineering debrief will go out of the window for a couple of hours because it’s mostly English (people) involved.”

The reigning world champion said he might even fly out to watch a live match before the tournament concludes next month.

“I’m not sure if I’m free yet, but I’m going to try my best to get out there,” said Button.

Apr.21 (GMM)  Lewis Hamilton has contradicted Martin Brundle’s claim that F1 stewards this year are being too lenient.

Former driver and British commentator Brundle said on Tuesday that Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton should have been penalised rather than merely reprimanded for their wheel-to-wheel pitlane stoush in China.

Brundle also said Jenson Button should have received a penalty for unduly slowing behind the safety car in Shanghai.

But after several years of harsh judgements from the stewards at grands prix, Hamilton said he welcomes the seemingly more hands-off approach of 2010.

“Racing stewards this year have been the best that I have probably experienced in formula one, I think,” the Briton said at a sponsor event at Kyalami in South Africa.

Despite claims by his fellow drivers that the manoeuvres were dangerous, Hamilton was warned but not penalised for weaving in front of Vitaly Petrov in Malaysia two and a half weeks ago.

“More racing has been out there.  You know there are drivers who are (now) not afraid to have a real battle with someone without having the worry of receiving the penalty,” added Hamilton.

Apr.20 (GMM) Two days after the chequered flag in Shanghai, the world of formula one is still clamouring to leave the venue of the Chinese grand prix.

Although there are signs the volcanic ash cloud above Europe might soon clear for a few days to allow its hordes of absent residents to return home, multitudes of F1′s travelling personnel are currently embarking on elaborate journeys to reunite with team bases and families.

Mark Webber flew from China to Dubai, then to Rome, and woke up in Nice on Tuesday morning after five hours of sleep with a mission to return to the UK.

Others have tackled even more bizarre routes back to Europe, including Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari who headed to Madrid via Shanghai, Beijing and New York.

Some, like Indian rookie Karun Chandhok who flew to Madras, were essentially unaffected; Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg went on vacation to Thailand, while Lewis Hamilton had a sponsor date in South Africa.

Peter Sauber went on business to Dubai and Japan.

But Nico Hulkenberg, like hundreds of others involved in the sport, are simply holed up in Shanghai with an hopeful eye on the air timetables. Sebastian Vettel is hoping for a direct flight to Switzerland on Tuesday.

Michael Schumacher proved that in F1 it’s all about who you know, as he has hitched a ride on Bernie Ecclestone’s private plane, but at last word they were still awaiting a green light to fly to Europe.

There are reports that Norbert Haug and Timo Glock found seats on Lufthansa flights to Europe on Monday night, while Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali and Aldo Costa also somehow managed to head straight for Europe.

Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were aboard Ferrari’s first of several flights home, with subsequent flights also scheduled even though their destination is not entirely known.

A shared charter with fellow Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso and Sauber is plan-B.

Alonso’s friend Robert Kubica was also aboard Ferrari’s initial VIP flight, so as to be in Italy to drive a Renault Clio in this week’s Rally 1000 Miglia.

When asked by Spain’s AS correspondent if the Ferrari favour was the first sign that Alonso will have a new teammate in 2011, Kubica rolled his eyes and answered: “Sure, sure, sure.”

The Lotus team, owned by Malaysian aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes, was jetted to Kuala Lumpur to await an AirAsia charter back to Europe.

McLaren’s chartered jet, with buses waiting in Spain to then take team members on a long road trip back to the UK, is scheduled to leave Shanghai on Wednesday.

“We have said if it is a big enough plane, then anyone else can come on board,” said team boss Martin Whitmarsh.

Williams’ aviation partner Cloud9 is also looking into a private team charter, while bosses Sam Michael and Adam Parr flew from Shanghai to Dubai but then found themselves unexpectedly diverted to Beirut.

It is rumoured that some teams are looking into moving their cars back to Europe while the FOM planes are stuck in Europe, but the idea of putting the containers on boats has been ruled out.

“You need a plane,” said Mercedes’ Haug. “By boat, we will run out of time before Barcelona.”

This season start is on its way to become a real soap opera drama.  Even though, last week, Adrián Campos, angry with all that was being published hit the table with his fist assuring the Monday everything would be worked out, today the opposite was confirmed.

The Valencian is trying to save the Spanish team, but days go by without a solution to his financial difficulties –in spite of the time extension granted by Dallara until nest Wednesday-, and everything gets more and more complicated.

Even so that the agreement between the South African manager and Adrian Campos might be forgotten.

According to close sources, Tony Teixeira, has not been able to have the necessary liquidity to close the deal, thus leaving the Campos Meta 1, almost without options.  And if we say, ‘almost without options’ it is because those same sources have mentioned a possible purchase of the complete team, but with the condition that Adrian Campos would not lead the ‘scuderia.’

With this purchase, the team would leave Spain and the team’s personnel would not have a sure job position any longer.

Petrov needs a loan?

To continue with the soap opera, at Renault ranch, there are problems also, because if the French ‘scuderia’ initially officialized, Vitaly Petrov due to economic interests, the 15 million Euros per season that the Russian was supposed to contribute with are nowhere to be seen, at least that is what his father Alexander gave to understand, when he declared that Vitaly’s position is in jeopardy: “If we do not pay the first quota before March 1^st he may be substituted by another pilot.”

The 15 million Euros were supposed to be paid in two dates: one on March 1^st and the second on July 1^st.  However, it seems that his country’s sponsors were not aware of that.  The problem being that the manager of the Russian pilot has been knocking on the doors of 500 companies and getting the same answer: “He has been rejected every time,” confessed the pilot’s father indicating that: “Fortunately, a friend of mine, responsible for a bank in Saint Petersburg has given me a credit for 7.5 million Euros, but the bank has requested time to evaluate the guaranties.”

“Our hope is Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin who has received letters asking for help from the Russian Motor Federation, from the motoring sport and from the Sport Minister and the Parliament.”

The next episode of this soap opera “The Life of the F1″remains to be seen soon.