Michibata watch: She's back
Posted on 30/07/2010
 |
Jessica Michibata made her long-awaited return to the Formula One paddock on Thursday to the delight of boyfriend Jenson Button, F1's many photographers and the ESPNF1 editorial team.
It was the first time she set foot in the paddock since the pair briefly split earlier this year. A jubilant Button could barely hide his excitement.
"It’s great having her back here," he told Metro. "It’s amazing. How can it not be? Look at her. She just makes me happier. You have bad days and good days but on the bad days she puts a smile on your face – and I don’t mean in a weird way – but she’s just a lovely person."
Prankster di Grassi fiddles team-mate's quote
Posted on 29/07/2010
 Lucas di Grassi survived an uncomfortable gaffe |
Lucas di Grassi has been found guilty of re-wording team-mate Timo Glock’s media release to make him look like the better driver.
After the German Grand Prix, the team's press officer Tracy Novak reportedly presented both the Brazilian rookie and Glock with proposed quotes for the media release.
The normal practice in the team is for the drivers to make proposed changes in writing, before reporters receive the release by email.
But Motorsport-total.com revealed that di Grassi, 25, amended German Glock's official comment for a prank.
The quote received by the media read: "It was a difficult start to the race as Lucas overtook me in a brilliant move."
It was news to Glock, who said he never said the words.
"When I read it I was very surprised -- I can guarantee I didn't say it," said Glock.
The German report indicates that Virgin did not see the funny side either, particularly after di Grassi retired from the race after hitting a kerb too hard.
Schumacher disputes speeding charge
Posted on 26/07/2010
Michael Schumacher is disputing a road speeding charge.
Police fined the seven-time world champion €140 for breaking the 100kph speed limit on a German autobahn by 20kph, according to Bild am Sonntag newspaper. Schumacher was allegedly driving an Weismann sports car, but Schumacher is denying that he is depicted in the speed camera photograph.
The case was therefore moved to a district court in Traunstein, Germany, but neither Schumacher nor his lawyer appeared, so court costs have been added to the fine.
"We maintain that Michael was not driving the car," said his spokesman Sabine Kehm.
Undisputed is Schumacher's €1,000 fine by the governing FIA for exceeding the 60kph pitlane speed limit at Hockenheim on Friday by 4.1kph.
Michibata set for Hungary return
Posted on 25/07/2010
 |
On Saturday a few words on the social networking website Twitter sent the F1 media into a frenzy and charging towards Jenson Button.
His former girlfriend Jessica Michibata, a Japanese lingerie model, hinted that the pair are back together after a two-month split.
"I'd better have a word with her about the internet," McLaren driver Button told the reporters at Hockenheim."You'll see her, she'll be in Hungary."
Alonso voted best driver by rivals
Posted on 23/07/2010
 |
Fernando Alonso's track rivals have voted him the best driver currently in Formula One.
The finding was published by the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, who provided the anonymous questionnaire to each of the 24 race drivers. Ayrton Senna was voted the best driver of all time by a large margin, with seven-time world Michael Schumacher in second place.
The most aggressive driver is Lewis Hamilton, and the McLaren driver was also tipped by his rivals to fight for the 2010 title against Sebastian Vettel. Monaco was voted as the most dangerous circuit.
As for the 'most beautiful woman' in the paddock, one driver voted for Nico Rosberg, whose Williams mechanics last year nicknamed him 'Britney' (Spears). Most drivers, however, voted for the French reporter Marion Jolles.
Briatore to return with Ferrari?
Posted on 22/07/2010
 Could Flavio Briatore be courting a role with Ferrari? |
Flavio Briatore made a visit to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters last week, sparking a flood of rumours including the Italian being linked to a commercial consultancy role with Ferrari.
According to Italian sources, including Autosprint and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Briatore met with team boss Stefano Domenicali as well as Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
Briatore is banned from having a direct operational role in F1 until 2013, but he remains Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso's manager. He also manages Mark Webber, rekindling suggestions that the disgruntled Australian driver might be eyeing a move to Ferrari after the 2011 season.
More likely, however, is a role alongside Bernie Ecclestone, as the F1 supremo remains a close friend of Briatore. It is also possible that he was representing Ecclestone as talks for the 2013 Concorde Agreement commence, or that he was invited by Ferrari for his insight on the plans of F1's CEO.
Perhaps the wildest rumour is that Briatore was talking to Ferrari about setting up a breakaway championship having last year so stridently argued for leading teams to abandon the FIA.
Briatore profiting from Webber success
Posted on 16/07/2010
 Bild suspects Flavio Briatore was behind Mark Webber's post race remarks |
Flavio Briatore stands to benefit financially if Mark Webber wins the 2010 world championship, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper.
Italian Briatore is still the Red Bull driver's manager and stands to profit significantly if the Australian wins the drivers’ title this year.
Bild reported that Webber's contract extension for 2011 is currently for 8 million euros, but if he were to win the title the 33-year-old will be in a position to negotiate a much higher retainer, with "a 20 per cent commission for his manager".
After winning at Silverstone, and in the midst of the front wing saga, Webber revealed that he spoke to Briatore before the race "and he said 'Mark, just make a good start'."
Bild also said it suspected Briatore was behind Webber's public comments including "not bad for a number two driver", and "I would never have signed a contract again for next year".
'I would have trodden on the wing'
Posted on 15/07/2010
 |
According to ex-F1 driver Jos Verstappen, Red Bull got off lightly with Mark Webber's reaction to the front wing saga at Silverstone.
Verstappen, who in 1994 started the season as Michael Schumacher's No. 2 at Benetton, said he would have been furious if the wing on his car had been given to his team-mate shortly before qualifying.
"Mark felt poorly treated by the team leadership, and I can fully understand his anger," Verstappen wrote in the De Telegraaf newspaper. "By doing this, the management was asking for trouble. I honestly don't know how I would have reacted in Webber's shoes. I probably would have trodden on the wing; if I'm not allowed to use it, then neither can he.”
Joker Dennis sabotages Jordan's interview
Posted on 14/07/2010
 Eddie Jordan and Ron Dennis in happier times |
Eddie Jordan was left 'spitting feathers' after having an interview sabotaged at the British Grand Prix.
A furious Jordan was cut off during the BBC post-race show - and promptly blamed ex-McLaren chief Ron Dennis.
The wires from the control box on his belt to his ear-pieces were cut during a chat with Red Bull boss Christian Horner after his driver Mark Webber won at Silverstone.
A BBC source said: "Eddie was really spitting feathers and wanted the BBC to charge Dennis with criminal damage."
Dennis appears behind old rival Jordan at the start of the interview but then quickly disappears into the crowd smiling.
He has since been in contact with the BBC, though is understood not to have apologised formally.
Jenson and Jessica back on track?
Posted on 13/07/2010
 |
To the undisguised delight of the ESPN editorial team, Jenson Button appears to have got back together with girlfriend Jessica Michibata just weeks after the pair split.
At the time a friend explained “logistics took their toll" but a reconciliation seems on the cards after the the pair were pictured together at a London restaurant hours after Button’s fourth-place finish at Silverstone.
Alonso not on his bike
Posted on 10/07/2010
Fernando Alonso has admitted it is unlikely his plans for a professional cycling team will be realised for 2011. Last year he said he wanted to set up a team involving his friend and Spanish rider Alberto Contador with the ambition of winning the Tour de France. But Alonso appears to have cooled and admitted plans are currently "on standby … it's difficult for next year”.
Mrs Button escapes hotel fire
Posted on 09/07/2010
 Jenson Button says his mother Simone is fine |
Jenson Button has confirmed that his mother Simone was one of the patrons evacuated from a local Silverstone hotel earlier this week.
The Premier Inn hotel, within a stone's throw of the Northamptonshire track, was reported to have burned down.
One woman was hospitalised, but Button confirmed that is mother was unharmed in the incident.
"She has lost a few possessions but other than that she is fine," said Button.
Affected patrons were initially transported to a nearby hotel, but Button has now rented a motor home for his mother to stay in at Silverstone for the weekend.
Ferrari launches new logo after barcode uproar
Posted on 08/07/2010
 |
Ferrari on Thursday unveiled a new logo for its Formula One team.
The current logo features the infamous 'barcode' that was recently removed from the F10 car, following suggestions it subliminally advertised Marlboro cigarettes. But the new logo, to be used from 2011, remains red and white and is more angular than before, moving some observers to surmise that it reminds them even more of main sponsor Philip Morris' product.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali told reporters at Silverstone: "I can confirm that next year the team name will be the same - Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro."
Newey given an RB5 by Red Bull
Posted on 02/07/2010
 |
Adrian Newey was presented with a Red Bull RB5 Formula One car by his team on Friday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The present was given to the aerodynamics guru as a sign of the team’s appreciation and Newey will get the chance to drive his new car up the famous hillclimb at Goodwood over the weekend
"I'm overcome actually," said Newey. "The guys have obviously put a tremendous amount of effort into preparing the car for me. You can see it - the paint and the lines are absolutely perfect, the work that's gone into doing the helmet and everything else is incredible. Also, the fact that the guys have given up a weekend to come down here and run it for me is fantastic.
"I was nervous before my first run, as I'd never driven a car with a hand clutch before and had never left-foot braked except in a go-kart - but it's really fantastic to drive. A slight fright was that I wasn't prepared for how long first gear is, so as I was pulling out of the paddock it was pushing me on a lot.
“I was saying to myself 'hand clutch, hand clutch', but the automatic reaction is to go for the left foot! We went up the hill on wet tyres, so it was a gentle drive. It's just so great to be in the car and it's such a great noise from the inside.
"The plan now is to club together with some other guys I know who are lucky enough to have cars and hire a circuit, preferably a modern one with a bit of run-off where I can enjoy driving the car without worrying about having a spin in front of a crowd!"
It's certainly not the real thing
Posted on 02/07/2010
 |
This week the Bernie Ecclestone-bossed Formula One Licensing BV won a court case against a Singapore drinks manufacturer who dared to try to sell something called ‘F1 Racing Energy Drink’.
Even though it sounds as if it would probably taste like old engine oil, the company’s claims the ‘F1’ trademark was indistinctive were slung out by a Singapore court. It will now have to destroy 65,000 cans of the drink.
Ecclestone’s organisation had sued seeking damages, arguing, perhaps over theatrically, that Speed Drinks caused “irreparable damage to the reputation and goodwill of the brand”.
Bernie doesn’t always get his way. In 2007 a UK court ruled the public associated Formula One with a sport rather than a brand name.
- Autosport editor in hot water with Team Lotus
- McLaren email gaffe irritates media
- Massa's captain crashes his boat
- Battered Bernie appears in watch advert
- Mercedes top of the stops
- Webber tops Aussie sports earners list
- Button surprised by 'random' video clip
- Ecclestone takes a 'good whacking'
- Petrov reveals Alonso fans defaced website
- 'I just don't give a f***' - Foul-mouthed Hamilton on Twitter