Ferrari’s title tilt could hinge on the competitiveness of the updated F2012 this weekend in Barcelona.

“What I want is to have a competitive car in Barcelona,” insisted the famous Italian marque’s president Luca di Montezemolo on Tuesday.

“That’s what I’ve asked for,” he is quoted as saying by Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

Ferrari had congregated at its Fiorano test track, to watch Jacques Villeneuve drive the 1979 single seater to mark the 30th anniversary of his father Gilles’ fatal crash.

But Montezemolo’s disappointment is with the latest Ferrari, which has been heavily updated since the Bahrain grand prix three weeks ago.

“Our technicians are confident, but we will have to see how our opponents have advanced too,” he added.

O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio claimed “Montezemolo knows” that anything other than a big step forward in Barcelona will mean Ferrari has to “start thinking about” its 2013 project instead.

“Now we have to make a quantum leap, to have a car that is more competitive, less difficult to drive, and gives confidence to the fans,” Montezemolo is quoted by La Stampa newspaper.

“Let’s see how it goes in Spain,” he told Rai television.

“I have asked for an extraordinary response from our engineers,” Montezemolo is also quoted as saying by Italy’s Sky Sport 24.

La Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, quoted lead driver Fernando Alonso as saying: “Our goal is to be world champions in November, and if we are to succeed then we must do better than we have done so far.”

Team boss Stefano Domenicali agreed: “We expect a significant evolution that will bring us closer to the step we need.

“The Spanish grand prix is definitely open, as is the championship. I say this because we believe.”

F1′s new face of 2012 is polarising the sport.

It seems teams, drivers and spectators alike either love or hate the new great influence brought largely by Pirelli’s new generation of tyres.

An admitted critic is Michael Schumacher.

“It’s a 1000 piece puzzle that you need to put together at each race,” said the seven time world champion, according to Auto Motor und Sport.

Not for three decades have four different drivers driving for four different teams won the opening four grands prix of a season.

“From the standpoint of competition,” wrote Livio Oricchio in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “there is no doubt that the Pirelli 2012 generation meets fully the objective of promoting the show.

“But if you think purely about the engineering challenge that is formula one, and the genius of the people and the immense financial and technical resources needed for success, the tyres have now taken on such an importance that the results don’t seem compatible.

“Myself, and many in formula one, hope the new versions of tyres that Pirelli is developing returns a little more predictability in terms of how they behave, without affecting the show too much.”

For now, however, the teams need to put their puzzles together, and that will undoubtedly be the focus of this week’s three-day in-season test at Mugello.

“He who understands the tyres first,” McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh astutely noted, “will have a huge advantage in the world championship.”

A broad understanding is already developing, including why 2012 winners Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel won from the very front of the field.

“When you’re in a battle, you can’t take the lines that are best for the tyres,” said Mercedes’ Ross Brawn.

All eyes are now turning to Mugello, where the understanding will continue.

“These test days could change the balance of power in formula one,” Norbert Haug predicted dramatically in Bild newspaper.

Not everyone is enthusiastic, however, including McLaren who oppose the Mugello test on cost grounds.

Williams’ chief engineer Mark Gillan agrees: “The days of test teams are gone, so this is not logistically easy,” he is quoted by Germany’s Sport1.

Bruno Senna added: “Mugello is not an ideal test track, as it’s very different to most of the tracks that are on the calendar.”

Sebastian Vettel has broken yet another record.
The Red Bull driver, already the sport’s youngest ever race and title winner, broke Rubens Barrichello’s lap record whilst appearing on the popular British motoring programme Top Gear.

The flying lap, called ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, takes place at the BBC show’s UK test track with F1 drivers at the wheel of a Suzuki Liana.

Last year, Barrichello leapt to the top of the times by beating previous laps set by mystery Top Gear driver The Stig as well as the likes of Nigel Mansell, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber.

But a few days before the British grand prix, Vettel broke that record by 3 tenths.

“Why are we all surprised,” host Jeremy Clarkson joked, “that he’s faster than a 62-year-old Brazilian?”

Williams will not be getting an early taste of its 2012 power plant.

The British team, currently Cosworth powered, will reunite the famous title-winning Williams-Renault alliance next year.

But Renault Sport F1 chief Jean-Francois Caubet played down speculation the new combination will get a head-start on the test track.

“Our philosophy is staying the same,” he is quoted by France’s autohebdo.fr. “We will probably not test before the end of the year, but early next year instead.”

Caubet also revealed that the Williams deal has been on the cards for some time.

“We were in discussion since last season but it was impossible to complete the agreement until now. We were about to sign before the arrival of the V6 (regulations), which delayed us a bit more,” he added.

Bridgestone ready for Interlagos – The short but fast circuit with the winding inside the tires poses a special challenge
Interlagos is the penultimate disconnect for Bridgestone. For the route, which runs counter-clockwise to bring the Japanese with the mean and the super soft compound. The weather could also play a role, but the intermediates and the rain tires have recently done in South Korea a good job.

“Brazil is a beautiful country and South America is an important growth market. So it is important for Bridgestone to show presence in the form of the race,” said motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa. “. We have manufacturing facilities in Brazil and appreciate the support from our staff, we have worked in the past with many Brazilian drivers and enjoyed their feedback we are looking forward to the enthusiastic fans at the track.”
Interlagos is a short distance with a narrow core, but fast sections. The asphalt is very bumpy, leading to a compromise on the voting. “It is a beautiful but challenging course,” said Hirohide Hamashima, which is responsible for tire development. “Although it is the second shortest track on the calendar, it has an impressive line and exciting corners.”

“There are mainly medium-fast and slow corners. This means that the mechanical grip and stability are important on the rear axle. The weather can be a deciding factor because it can be very hot or very wet. To maximize performance, needs is a good balance through the turns before it goes uphill towards the finish. There is something reminiscent of an oval. ”
“The first corner is a good overtaking Elle, but you can barter for quick there a brake disks. Caution is called for,” says Hamashima. “In the last two races, we should show a strong performance, but mainly it comes to safe tires. Our engineers work closely with the teams so they can get the best.”

Pedro de la Rosa has indicated he does not want to return to being a full time formula one test driver.

After seven years as McLaren’s test driver, the Spaniard finally returned to the grid in 2010 with Sauber.

But he has been ousted and replaced by Nick Heidfeld, with de la Rosa instead taking over the role as incoming tyre supplier Pirelli’s F1 tester.

He said last week he is “really pleased” to be returning to the test track early this month in Spain, but has now scotched suggestions he is prepared to reprise his days as a full time test driver.

“I hope to have a (race) place in formula one next year,” de la Rosa said in an interview with the Dutch magazine formule1.nl.

“If my racing career in formula one is over, I regret that, but it’s not the end of the world,” he insisted.

“One thing is for certain: I will not do another season of testing.

“Even if I only get a place with a team at the back, I would rather that to being a test driver.  Even racing in a bad car is better than testing,” said de la Rosa.

It has been suggested that, at 39, the Spaniard might be considering retirement rather than more time on the last rows of the grid.

But he explained: “At the beginning of your career you settle for any car you can get.  Then you’re more selective, and at the end of your career you’re happy with any offer.

“For me, there is simply nothing better than racing,” added de la Rosa.

His Sauber successor, Heidfeld, is also not yet signed up for 2011.

The German told Auto Motor und Sport: “Being a reserve driver is hard, because you arrive at a circuit and ask yourself why you’re even then if there’s nothing for you to drive.

“That I could be involved in the development of the car with Mercedes eased the pain somewhat, but just watching is brutal, especially when you’re on site.

“In that situation, being at home is probably better, because at least there are distractions,” said Heidfeld.

Group Lotus terminated the naming license for Malaysian millionaire Tony Fernandes’ formula one team because of a dispute about t-shirts, team chief executive Riad Asmat has revealed.

On the face of it, the Proton-owned British carmaker has simply had a change of heart, deciding now to ramp up its involvement in motor sport and regretful that its brand is already separately deployed in formula one.

It emerged last week that Group Lotus has decided to enter feeder categories GP2 and GP3 with ART, and it has now been announced that the carmaker is continuing its Indycar foray in 2011 whilst designing a prototype sports car for the LMP2 category.

Group Lotus also said it is upgrading its test track in Norfolk which will be eligible for “F1 testing”.

“It’s important for people to realise just how committed we are to doing our heritage justice,” said director of motor sport Claudio Berro.

At the same time, Lotus has withdrawn its naming license to the current F1 team Lotus Racing, and has vowed to fight the team’s intention to deploy the alternative ‘Team Lotus’ name in 2011 and beyond.

Group Lotus owner Proton is also withdrawing its on-car sponsorship of Fernandes’ team.

“Unfortunately we never reached the point where we discussed extending that one year deal,” said the team’s chief executive Asmat.

He revealed that the naming license has been terminated due to “some very trivial points”, including “t-shirt design approvals of all things”.

Asmat said there will need to be talks with Group Lotus about the real reasons for the termination because “we thoroughly reject” the marque’s right to have done so.

“Initially there was good cooperation but then issues cropped up after that and it came to a point where they said we were detrimental to their brand and infringed their rights,” he told MediaCorp.

“One of these was about producing t-shirts, which we were told did not follow correct procedures and they terminated our agreement about two weeks ago,” said Asmat.

He indicated that continuing to be called Lotus is crucial for the team, which explains the decision to take the matter to London’s High Court.

“There are livelihoods at stake and we had to take this course of action in the courts,” he said.

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is not opposed to the idea of France returning to the formula one calendar.

Earlier this month it emerged that Magny Cours, the long-time scene of the country’s annual race between 1991 and 2008, is ramping up its efforts to return to the calendar by 2012.

But F1 chief executive Ecclestone is no fan of Magny Cours’ remote location, and has been pushing for a grand prix venue nearer the French capital.

The Briton is also involved with the test track at Paul Ricard, near Marseille.

“Paul Ricard is probably one of the best in the world,” Ecclestone is quoted by L’Equipe.

“But we still don’t have a place for a race. You know the problem.

“The (French) grand prix has a future, but where is the promoter?” said the 79-year-old. “I really thought the project near Paris would happen.”

He said he is open to finding a place on the calendar for France, the scene of the very first grand prix in 1906.

“I am ready to sign a contract as soon as possible, the very moment someone comes to me and says ‘I have the money and a circuit’.

“I would be happy to have a race in France,” insisted Ecclestone.

Paul Ricard will host Pirelli’s next formula one tyre development test.

After the Italian marque began its 2011 programme with a shakedown at Mugello last week, it was reported that test driver Nick Heidfeld and last year’s Toyota car are now en route to Monza.

But according to Italy’s 422race.com, the high speed venue of the Italian grand prix will actually host the third test, with Paul Ricard’s configurable test track in Le Castellet to in fact be Pirelli’s host next week.

The Monza test will reportedly take place on 21 and 22 September; a little more than a week after the Italian grand prix there.

It is expected that Jerez in Spain will also host a closed Pirelli test, before all the teams run the tyres for the first time in Abu Dhabi after November’s season finale.

422race.com said that at Mugello last week, observers outside the Italian venue reported that Heidfeld recorded more than 100 laps on both test days.

With Nick Heidfeld at the wheel of a Toyota TF109 Pirelli is currently testing in Mugello – tires for Formula 1 and GP2 will be the same in future.

It is serious for Pirelli, the future Formula 1 tire manufacturer who will replace the previous incumbent Bridgestone in 2011 for at least three years, today officially launched at Mugello quasi with preparations for the coming season. At the wheel sat the test carrier as announced Nick Heidfeld.

The former Mercedes test driver took a Toyota TF109 from last season site, used by the company based in Cologne TTE, a remnant of former Toyota Formula 1 team. The main objective of the two-day test is to get the new tires and to collect valuable data for further development in the coming months. In this regard, Heidfeld will describe his impressions and give input.
However, it is not at the Mugello test track at the premiere of the forthcoming Pirelli tires. This took place in July with a GP2 test carrier in Le Castellet. For what many do not know: According to information of ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ Pirelli will offer in 2011 for Formula 1 and GP2, the same types of tires. This helps the GP2 as a springboard to the premier class, and also saves costs.

The Italian tire manufacturer will continue the test at home tomorrow. Then there are five more tests with the TTE test carrier on the program before it will be the week after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the first tests of all the teams with the new Pirelli tires. Insiders expect that the tires are beginning to turn more conservative, after all do not want to stand out by Pirelli defects.

The two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso is hoping with its much improved Ferrari for a good result in a home match in Valencia: “The feeling is very good. In Tempo 60 is the car very stable,” said the Spaniard, with a grin at the press conference front of the Grand Prix of Europe. Outside the test ban, he had been allowed to rotate at the beginning of the week in the B version of the F10 already in promotional shots for a few laps around the Ferrari test track in Fiorano.

“I’m driving behind a car with cameras and had the helmet and the car ten cameras. I was not really comfortable,” said Alonso. “In addition, it was my first laps in a Formula 1 car at Fiorano.” Conclusions about the effectiveness of the revised cars for the race in Valencia he will not pull so: “I hope we will be a bit faster. But the other teams have in recent weeks certainly looked not just television.”
His anger at the slow backbenchers, who had him last resided in Montreal when lapping and possibly cost the victory, has now subsided, “We have 19 races, there is like from that. It is the same for everyone,” he says. Next year the residue of the three new teams would not be so big: “You are entered in this year at very short notice and are rankommen closer,” said Alonso.

The new Ferrari superstar Fernando Alonso has spent nearly two eventful days in Maranello. Like team-mate Felipe Massa, the Spaniards began on Thursday in the simulator of the Italians to be able to zero in on the next Grand Prix in the streets of Valencia. Same time, we simulated the latest updates on the Ferrari F10.

In view of the extensive remodeling of the Formula 1 car the Italians arrived just in that shooting was planned in Fiorano. After Alonso Ferrari for some customers as well-known “driving instructor” on the test track on the way, he was allowed to rise in the better cars. It was the first time that the two-time world champion moved a Formula 1 car at the Ferrari home track.
According to the team Alonso completed only a few laps with the F10, because you can not because of the planned shooting could get too many free rounds. For a shakedown of the B-version of the Formula 1 racing car but it was enough. Ferrari had timed the film shoot for sponsors and new video content from your own website perfectly.

Rides with current Formula 1 cars are also in times of current test limits for the purpose of filming permits. Interesting still, published by the Alonso-Ferrari at Fiorano more precisely a single photo. It shows the F10 from the front. The most extensive changes to the B version will be found, however, at the rear …

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.”