Who has not dreamed of as a VIP to a Formula 1 weekend quite get close to the Grand Prix stars and their cars? The nonprofit United Charity Foundation makes now open.

Until 16 July online can be increased by a VIP package for the Hockenheim Ring, which includes access to Mercedes-lounge including entertainment and catering. There is also on Saturday ahead of qualifying a tour of the paddock and in the evening a visit to the “Night of the Stars” to the all Formula 1 drivers are expected.

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug is a personal goal to help them in the Laureus Foundation. The auction proceeds will be forwarded without a cent deduction to the Laureus charity project “Kick in the boxing ring.”

At the end of the traditional ‘rest day’ in Monaco, formula one drivers on Friday are limbering up for a night on the catwalk.

They are heading to the exclusive and highly expensive VIP ‘Amber Lounge’ event, hosted by former grand prix winner Eddie Irvine’s sister Sonia.

It is a fashion show, with drivers donating their time to model designer Missoni, Elizabeth Hurley Beach and Jimmy Choo fashion to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

On Friday night, world champions Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen will all be on the poolside catwalk, in addition to Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Lucas di Grassi, Jaime Alguersuari, Heikki Kovalainen and Timo Glock.

(GMM)

May 3 (GMM)  Robert Kubica has played down the latest reports linking him with the Ferrari team.

The Renault driver, a close friend of Fernando Alonso, was aboard the Italian team’s initial VIP flight out of Shanghai amid the volcanic ash air chaos.

The 24-year-old Pole was therefore in Italy in plenty of time to contest the 1000 Miglia rally in a Clio.

When asked if it is a sign he will be Alonso’s teammate in 2011, he tersely answered last week: “Sure, sure, sure.”

“I don’t see anything in the fact that my (travel) solution was because of the Scuderia,” Kubica wrote in his latest column for France’s Auto Hebdo.

In fact, also enjoying the exact same chartered Shanghai-Dubai-Nice route were the likes of Vitantonio Liuzzi and Jarno Trulli, as well as Ferrari’s Alonso, Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella, and others.

“It is rare that so many drivers are on the same plane, so it was pretty cool,” said Kubica.

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.”

To speak of a duel between Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) may sound exaggerated, but the truth is that again they will be the center of attention during the four pre-season test days in Jerez de la Frontera Circuit.

It was only a few days ago that we saw them rolling with almost a difference of a second in favor of the pilot from Asturias, but none of them mentioned the other, making it more than evident that there is rivalry between them.  To stress this point, it would be sufficient to ask the child to whom Schumacher denied an autograph… and all because he was wearing a Ferrari cap.

Even though the “Kaiser” tried to clarify this incident, it is apparent that “it is not the right moment.”  Schumacher’s appetite has returned and according to a statement by Ross Brawn, they are showing up at the circuit with some changes to improve their presentations and performance in the racetrack.

The two pilots will only concur in the circuit of Cadiz on Thursday, because Alonso will roll tomorrow and day-after-tomorrow, while the ‘Kaiser’ on Thursday and Saturday, according to the provisional plan submitted by the circuit’s press department.

For these second unveiling events, ten teams will roll the first week: McLaren, Ferrari, Sauber, Renault, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams, Force India, Mercedes GP and Virgin GP -.

Together with them, the news at Jerez during these days will be the presentation of the new Red Bull and Force India single-seaters, as well as the first car presented by the new Virgin GP ‘scuderia.’

The ticket prices for these events are five Euros general admission and 10 Euros in VIP grandstand –exactly in front of the boxes-.  The audience will be able to access the circuit from 10.00 AM onwards.  Tests finish at 5:00 PM.