http://www.motorsport.com/news/series.asp?S=F1 Motorsport.com news coverage http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352686 21 Nov 2009 01:20 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352686:F1 Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez has reportedly signed to race with the USF1 team in 2010. The 26-year-old former GP2 driver, who has recently been racing in his country's touring car championship, must complete a $$;8m sponsorship package but has signed documentation at the team's Charlotte base, the Corsa publication said. "The agreement with the American team is done," said Carlos Garcia Remohi, an official with the Argentine club. "We have a week to finish collecting the budget." Lopez, who occasionally tested with Renault a few years ago, was pictured ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352668 20 Nov 2009 20:43 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352668:F1 Toto Wolff is a new Williams F1 shareholder & board member Oxford, UK, 20 November 2009. Frank Williams and Patrick Head announced today that they have sold a minority interest in Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited (Williams F1) to an investment company led by Austrian investor Toto Wolff. Mr Wolff also joins the company's Board. credit: williams ... Motorsport.com http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352591 20 Nov 2009 04:35 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352591:F1 Williams has sold a minority share to an investment company, the independent British Formula One team announced in a short media statement on Friday. The media release said the new shareholder and board member is Austrian Toto Wolff. Wolff, whose real first name is Christian, was a racing driver, contesting junior single seater categories as well as Le Mans and GT sportscars. He recorded one of the fastest ever laps of the Nurburgring's famous Nordschleife layout in a Porsche 997 in April 2009. ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352583 20 Nov 2009 02:30 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352583:F1 Team principal Ken Anderson has named Pedro de la Rosa as a possible driver for the new American team USF1 in 2010. De la Rosa, McLaren's long time Spanish test driver, has also been linked in recent times with Force India and Campos. Of F1's four new teams, Manor has signed Timo Glock, Campos has signed Bruno Senna and Lotus has signed an unnamed driver, but the only news from USF1 was a rumour linking young American Jonathan Summerton with a race debut. Summerton, 21, wrote on his Twitter page this week: "Who says I've signed ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352582 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352582:F1 Angry Brawn chief executive Nick Fry has announced pre-emptively that Jenson Button will not be released to commence work for his new team McLaren in the remaining days of 2009. According to the Guardian newspaper, the 29-year-old new world champion is under contract until the last day of December. "Jenson will not be doing anything at all for McLaren until the end of this calendar year," said Fry. "And if he does, we will be looking on it very dimly." He suggested that Brawn/Mercedes' position, after their title successes of ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352581 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352581:F1 Jenson Button made a final farewell visit to Brawn's Brackley headquarters this week, prompting "sadness and anger", according to the Daily Telegraph. ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352580 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352580:F1 Ferrari confirms two-day Jerez test for Jules Bianchi next month, with three Italian F3 drivers to share the F60 on the third day: http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/Pages/091119_F1_Three_days_of_tests.asp x - F1 scoop shows internet overtaking print newspapers: http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/blog/?p=2203 - F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel awarded: ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352579 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352579:F1 Boss Ross Brawn has hinted strongly that the newly rebranded Mercedes GP team is only on the market for a single driver for 2010. It is believed, but not confirmed officially, that German Nico Rosberg has already been signed to the Brackley based outfit. "We are not in a hurry to find a replacement for Button," Brawn is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, after the team's 2009 champion this week defected to McLaren. Most strongly connected with Button's vacated seat are Kimi Raikkonen, ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352578 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352578:F1 Even in the wake of his spokeswoman's denial earlier this week, speculation that Michael Schumacher might return to Formula One in 2010 has only intensified. It is rumoured that the 40-year-old is the target of Mercedes GP, in the wake of new world champion Jenson Button's defection to McLaren. Initial rumours were played down by Schumacher's press aide Sabine Kehm, but now the authoritative Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting the possibility. German Schumacher's link with Mercedes dates back to his pre-Formula One ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352577 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352577:F1 Neel Jani will test a Force India at the young driver test at Jerez early next month. Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell said that alongside Jani, a Swiss driver with Indian ancestry, could be Karun Chandhok, although the Indian driver's appearance is yet to be confirmed. It emerged earlier this week that Scottish DTM driver Paul di Resta, under contract to Mercedes-Benz's motor sport programme, will also test with Force India at Jerez. Jani, 25, is a former test driver with Sauber and Toro Rosso, and he has ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352576 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352576:F1 Bernie Ecclestone has warned that, if next month's World Motor Sport Council were to be held today, the British Grand Prix would be scratched from the 2010 calendar. After Donington's Grand Prix bid collapsed, the F1 chief executive and Silverstone have been locked in apparently stalled negotiations about the commercial terms of a long term contract. A final race calendar for next season is set to be rubber-stamped by the governing FIA at its Paris meeting on December 11. "The World Council will meet and we will just pull it (the British Grand ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352574 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352574:F1 The FIA is contemplating a penalty in the wake of Toyota's decision to withdraw immediately from Formula One. The Cologne based team had only recently signed the 2010-2012 Concorde Agreement, a tripartite contract binding F1's competitors with its commercial and regulatory bodies. Toyota's exit means theoretically that Sauber/Qadbak can take its official spot on the 2010 grid, but this is yet to be confirmed officially by the Paris based FIA. Specialist publications Auto Motor und Sport (Germany) and Blick ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352573 20 Nov 2009 02:25 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352573:F1 Two potential options for a switch to the World Rally Championship for Kimi Raikkonen have already emerged. Finland's Helsingin Sanomat reports that Norwegian team owner and driver Petter Solberg has confirmed that a space may be available for Raikkonen in his WRC team. Citroen has also been mentioned this week by the press, with Spain's Diario Sport initially reporting talks regarding the French marque. France's Auto Hebdo has now followed suit, claiming that a Raikkonen/Citroen deal could involve the backing of the Finn's existing ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352532 19 Nov 2009 13:47 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352532:F1 Ingram's Flat Spot On by Jonathan Ingram The Best Ever? On a weekend when Tony Schumacher clinched his sixth straight Top Fuel championship at Pomona, Jimmie Johnson put himself in line to win his fourth straight Sprint Cup title after leaving behind nothing but scorched earth at Phoenix. ... Motorsport.com - Jonathan Ingram http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352524 19 Nov 2009 10:45 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352524:F1 Jarno Trulli has denied suggestions he is already signed to race with the new Lotus F1 team in 2010. Lotus boss Tony Fernandes revealed recently that one driver has now inked a contract, amid rumours a Trulli announcement is being held off until after he drives a Toyota at this weekend's Fuji Speedway Motor Sport Festival. But as the Italian tested a Sprint Cup NASCAR in Florida on Wednesday, the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Trulli, 35, said he "has not yet signed with the (Lotus) team". ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352523 19 Nov 2009 06:15 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352523:F1 Kimi Raikkonen on Thursday played down reports he is close to signing for 2010 with the newly Mercedes-rebranded Brawn team. The Finn's management announced earlier that the breakdown of talks with McLaren meant that Raikkonen, 30, would take a sabbatical next year and go rallying instead. The 2009 Ferrari driver confirmed the news to F1's official website on Thursday, admitting that a season off before a possible return for 2011 "appears to be the case". When asked about the reported Mercedes GP link, Raikkonen added: "No, I ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352522 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352522:F1 Brawn/Mercedes bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry have admitted disappointment after 2009 world champion Jenson Button on Wednesday jumped ship to rivals McLaren. "I was very disappointed at the way things finished up with Jenson," admitted team principal Brawn to the UK newspaper Daily Express. The parties have been locked in post-season negotiations about Button's salary for 2010, sparking waves of rumours and leaks about the purported figures involved. Chief executive Fry said: "We offered loyalty which we hoped, perhaps ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352521 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352521:F1 David Coulthard has rubbished reports his friend Jenson Button will be unable to thrive alongside fellow British world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. In the wake of Wednesday's announcement, the Times newspaper's Edward Gorman accused new title winner Button, 29, of making "one of the least wise moves in recent Formula One history" by switching from Brawn/Mercedes. Many pundits agree that with Hamilton so ensconced at the Woking based team and one of F1's most highly rated drivers, Button will comparatively ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352520 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352520:F1 Paul di Resta will make his Formula One debut at the young driver test at Jerez, Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell reports. The 23-year-old Scot, who races with Mercedes in the DTM series, will reportedly drive the Mercedes-powered Force India car during the early December session. He reportedly had a seat fitting at the team's Silverstone headquarters early this week. Force India has not confirmed its 2010 driver lineup, and a year ago it was rumoured that Mercedes was keen to see di Resta given a race seat. ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352519 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352519:F1 Second rally for Renault's Robert Kubica confirmed: http://www.renaultf1.com/en/_2009/team/index.php#/team/newsdesk/communiques /22496/ - Sebastian Vettel named German federation ADAC's motor sportsman of the year: http://motorsport-aktuell.com/formel-1/news/vettel-motorsportler-des-jahres -11221.html - ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352518 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352518:F1 Fellow rejected 2010 F1 team entrant Lola has revealed it did not support N.Technology's legal action against the governing FIA. Italian entrant N.Technology recently lost its court action against the FIA's selection processes, amid wider suggestions the FIA improperly pressured hopeful teams to sign engine supply contracts with Cosworth. "Well, Lola had an invitation to join this action but refused," Lola's executive chairman Martin Birrane said. Birrane said Lola signed with Cosworth for 2010 and paid a deposit, but ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352517 19 Nov 2009 02:40 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352517:F1 Jarno Trulli has denied suggestions he is already signed to race with the new Lotus F1 team in 2010. Lotus boss Tony Fernandes revealed recently that one driver has now inked a contract, amid rumours a Trulli announcement is being held off until after he drives a Toyota at this weekend's Fuji Speedway Motor Sport Festival. But as the Italian tested a Sprint Cup NASCAR in Florida on Wednesday, the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Trulli, 35, said he "has not yet signed with the (Lotus) team". ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352512 19 Nov 2009 01:30 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352512:F1 Pedro de la Rosa is tipped to return to the Formula One racing grid next year with Force India. The Silverstone based team, powered by Mercedes engines and supported by McLaren, has not yet confirmed that Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi will definitely be retained for 2010. Spaniard and McLaren tester de la Rosa, 38, tested a Force India last winter, and was thought to have been first in the queue for a Campos seat for next year. That option is now believed closed due to a lack of interest by Spanish ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352511 19 Nov 2009 01:30 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352511:F1 Kimi Raikkonen's management is believed to be in talks with Mercedes GP about a race seat in 2010. With McLaren signing Jenson Button, the Finn's manager Steve Robertson said on Wednesday that Raikkonen, 30, would take a year off in 2010 and go rallying instead. But with Brawn/Mercedes now needing a driver to pair with Nico Rosberg, rumours quickly emerged that Raikkonen is an option. Brazil's O Globo went as far as to report that a deal with the Brackley based team is a certainty, citing the information of the authoritative ... Motorsport.com/GMM http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352508 18 Nov 2009 23:16 EDT http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=352508:F1 Robert Kubica to take part in the Rallye du Var in Clio Renault Sport R3 The Renault F1 Team's 2010 driver, Robert Kubica, will take part in the Rallye du Var (27-29 November) behind the wheel of a Clio Renault Sport R3 Maxi. Just two weeks after his first experience in a Clio Renault Sport R3 on the roads of the Rally Taormina-Messina in Sicily, Robert Kubica will take part in the Rallye du Var, the final round of the French Championship and the Clio R3 West European Trophy. "I'm interested in all categories of motorsport and I particularly like ... Motorsport.com