Branson's mile-high torment looms

Posted on 29/09/2010

As excitement mounts as the season reaches a climax, there is one less-than-appetising issue to be settled – whether Lotus boss Tony Fernandes or Virgin’s Richard Branson will end up as a trolley dolly.

In pre-season hype and general banter, the pair entered into a wager that which ever one’s team finished higher in the constructors’ championship, the loser would spend a day working as a stewardess on the other’s airline (Fernandes is boss of Air Asia).

With four races to go, neither newcomer has managed a point, but Lotus are in tenth courtesy of a 13th-place finish in Melbourne. Unless Virgin can better that between now and the end of the season in Abu Dhabi, Branson will become the only bearded stewardess in the world.

McLaren's visit to lost luggage in Singapore

Posted on 27/09/2010

McLaren's front wing did not show up on the luggage belt in Singapore © Getty Images

A striking new front wing for McLaren's 2010 car almost didn't make it to the Singapore circuit at the weekend.

Managing director Jonathan Neale travelled from the team's Woking headquarters to the Asian city-state with the brand new pieces in his luggage. But he admitted he began to worry when the new part did not emerge with his other luggage.

"First, one of Adrian Newey's [Red Bull] parts came out, but not our case. Because the wing was packed so well, the guys at the airport thought it was equipment for the aircraft rather than luggage. So they left it on the plane. We had to wait for a few hours to get it.”

The new front wing was visibly different to its predecessor, and credited for allowing Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to split the Red Bulls in qualifying.

"It is a bit different," Neale agreed. "We haven't seen its full potential yet. On the fast circuits it should give us even more."

Alonso left red faced by Vettel jibe

Posted on 26/09/2010

© Sutton Images

Fernando Alonso was left red faced after Sebastian Vettel cracked a joke about Crashgate in the post-qualifying press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Vettel qualified behind Ferrari's pole sitting Alonso on the Singapore street circuit, but said he still rated his chances of driving his Red Bull to the top of the podium.

"The further up you are the more it helps but obviously the race can still change a couple of things. I think Fernando started here from 15th on the grid two years ago and won the race.”

He smiled as he paused; the reporters laughing as they realised Vettel was referring to the famous 2008 race, when Nelson Piquet crashed deliberately to trigger an opportune safety car period for his Spanish team-mate.

"Alonso's face matched the hue of his Ferrari overalls," wrote David Tremayne in the Independent.

Schumacher heads back to bikes

Posted on 22/09/2010

© Getty Images

Michael Schumacher returned to the saddle of a powerful racing motorcycle this week before heading to Singapore.

According to German media reports, he travelled in his private plane to the Sachsenring on Tuesday. He then tested 180bhp KTM and Honda racing bikes with friends he met during his time in the IDM German superbike championship.

It was when testing the same sort of IDM bikes in early 2009 that Schumacher fell and hurt his neck; an injury that prevented him from racing in injured Felipe Massa's Ferrari cockpit last August.

Meanwhile, Schumacher's Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg was already in Singapore on Tuesday, where he had to hitchhike back to his hotel in the cab of a truck after a taxi lost its way due to road closures around the Marina Bay circuit.

Grumpy airline hits out at Hamilton

Posted on 22/09/2010

Dutch airline KLM has had a major sense of humour failure over a recent promotional event at Schiphol airport featuring McLaren and Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton drove a Formula One car on a runway of the Netherlands' main international airport, but a KLM spokesman fumed the runways should be exclusively for aircraft "and not for race cars".

"An airport is not a theme park," he moaned. "As the main user of the major Schiphol airport it was a huge inconvenience. At such a busy airport, safety and sustainability must come first. Why couldn't a campaign like this take place at a closed airport?”

KLM also claims it was not informed in advance about the closure of the runway for the F1 demonstration.

The local airline said it will discuss the situation with the government authority Inspectie voor Verkeer en Waterstaat (IVW) in order to avoid a repeat of the situation. De Telegraaf newspaper said IVW has launched an investigation after receiving multiple complaints.

A chance to name a piece of history

Posted on 20/09/2010

© Sutton Images

Silverstone has invited fans to name the new Pit, Paddock and Conference Complex, which will form the centrepiece of the revised circuit ahead of the 2011 British Grand Prix.

The changes to the circuit are scheduled to be completed in May 2011, with the pit land and paddock being relocated to the exit of Club corner. Silverstone and the circuit’s owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) have invited fans to put forward their suggestions and included a prize package to act as an incentive.

The prize includes VIP tickets to the British Formula One and Moto GP events for 2011 as well as an invitation to the official opening of the new complex.

To enter go to www.silverstone.co.uk. The closing date is Friday October 8 at 5pm.

HRT mechanic to miss Asian races

Posted on 15/09/2010

The mechanic knocked over at Monza by Sakon Yamamoto during a pit stop last Sunday will not be travelling with the HRT team to Asia for the next scheduled races. The German mechanic, whose first name is Marco, is still in hospital and nursing a broken leg and concussion.

"I was very worried," Yamamoto said. "I asked if he was ok and I was told that he was not badly injured."

Chandhok has wine over Monaco incident

Posted on 13/09/2010

Janro Trulli with his range of wine back in 2006 © Sutton Images

Jarno Trulli sent Karun Chandhok a case of his own range of wine to apologise for the accident in Monaco that sent both drivers into retirement.

Trulli was behind Chandhok after a slow pit stop, and on attempting to pass up the inside of La Rascasse, the pair collided, launching Trulli's Lotus on top of Chandhok's HRT with just the roll-hoop protecting the Indian driver's head.

But Trulli, who admitted it was his error and apologised to Chandhok at the time, went one step further by sending the Indian driver a case of wine.

“Guess what - Jarno fulfilled his promise of a case of his finest wine for the accident in Monaco!” said Chandhok on his Twitter feed after the Italian Grand Prix weekend. “What a true gent and a great guy to remember even though I forgot! Nice for the winter break...”

The gift will have cheered up Chandhok a little after he had his briefcase, containing his laptop, stolen from his car outside a restaurant in Italy on Saturday night.

“Amazingly they threw my credit cards, passport and F1 pass back in the car!”

Bruno Senna’s manager Chris Goodwin, with whom Karun was sharing a car, was less fortunate and unsure how he was going to get on a plane after the race. GP Week

Saturday night's not alright for Karun

Posted on 13/09/2010

Karun Chandhok, who was filling in for Anthony Davidson commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Italian Grand Prix, had a Saturday night he’d rather forget. You might say he’s been robbed once by Sakon Yamamoto this year. Well, thieves struck again as Chandhok had dinner in a restaurant. His car, parked outside, was broken into and his briefcase, containing his laptop, was pinched:

“Amazingly they threw my credit cards, passport and F1 pass back in the car!” Bruno Senna’s manager Chris Goodwin, with whom Karun was sharing a car, was less fortunate and unsure how he was going to get on a plane after the race. GP Week

Hamilton's road rage at FIA

Posted on 11/09/2010

Lewis Hamilton says F1 drivers should not face FIA punishments over road traffic offences © Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton has hit out at the FIA's plans to penalise F1 drivers for road traffic infractions after the sport’s governing body said that that drivers risk losing their jobs if they lose their normal road license.

If a driver commits a "serious road traffic offence", the FIA "may issue a warning or refer the matter" to the World Motor Sport Council.

Hamilton’s so-called 'hoon driving' in Melbourne earlier this year landed him in hot water and could be one of the reasons for the governing body’s reaction.

Although Hamilton said he regularly supports road safety programmes, he added that "What we do in our private life is our private life".

"I'm sure Jean Todt has had a speeding ticket," said Hamilton. "We're all making mistakes and learning. I don't feel that everything I've worked for should be taken away from me for something that could be small, could be big."

Alonso puts cycling ambitions on hold

Posted on 09/09/2010

Fernando Alonso wants to establish his own cycling team © Getty Images

Fernando Alonso has delayed his plans for a professional cycling team which would feature his friend and prominent rider Alberto Contador.

Last year, the Ferrari driver said he wanted to establish a Tour de France team but Contador has now signed a two-year deal with Team Saxo Bank.

"Last year I was very close to creating a team with Contador," Alonso revealed in an interview with Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Contador has now signed for another team. For the future, who knows - never say never."

Kubica impresses in Rally del Friuli

Posted on 06/09/2010

© Sutton Images

Robert Kubica enjoyed a weekend of extracurricular activities after finishing Italy's Rally del Friuli 13th on Sunday.

The Renault Formula One driver won some timed stages in the A6 class of the Italian Rally Championship event, at the wheel of a Renault Clio S1600. He finished the rally 7 minutes behind the winner and rivals with more powerful cars.

"I came here to have fun," said Kubica, whose Renault contract allows him to contest some rallies, unlike his previous BMW deal. "I have to be careful not to risk too much, because Formula One is my real job. But I love the challenge of adapting to rallying.”

The Stig is unmasked

Posted on 03/09/2010

Ben Collins won a legal battle to publish his autobiography © Getty Images

Ben Collins has been unmasked as BBC Top Gear's White Stig, after the former Formula 3 driver won a legal battle to publish an autobiography in which he reveals that he is the show’s mystery driver.

Aside from his spell in Formula 3, Collins has tested in Formula One, driven in World Sportscars and European Ascar oval racing and finished fastest in his class in the 2001 Le Mans 24-Hour classic. More recently he raced in the 2010 Le Mans Series for RML AD Group, winning the LMP2 class in his first race.

He has also worked as a precision driver in Hollywood movies, including acting as a stunt double for Nicolas Cage in the 2007 film National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for Daniel Craig in the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace.

Hakkinen to return to Formula One?

Posted on 01/09/2010

Hugo Hakkinen, pictured in 2002, has racing in his blood © Sutton Images

Hugo Hakkinen is set to follow his famous father’s footsteps after making his first foray into karting.

The 9-year-old made his debut at a round of the Italian WSK Master Series at Siena, racing in the series' Mini class open to youngsters between 9 and 12.

Wearing a white helmet with the light blue Finnish cross, Hugo was watched by his proud father Mika and his new partner.

"Hugo is making good progress, but it takes a little bit of time to develop," said the two-time world champion. "We chose Italy to start off Hugo's karting, and I'm really happy with the choice.”

Karting is the established first rung on the ladder for all aspiring racing drivers on the long path to Formula One, Hugo becoming the latest in a line of sons following their fathers into motorsport.