Vettel takes Pole as the new season begins

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Sebastian Vettel showed that Red Bull have the fastest Formula One car at the moment after the fight for pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix with the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso ended in his favour by 0.141s.

Vettel was in excellent form, and used Bridgestone’s softer tyre to record 1m 54.101s in the final, Q3, session. Massa, also on the softer tyre, got closest with 1m 54.242s, with his new Ferrari team mate Alonso third on 1m 54.608s.

It was an interesting session, which suggested that McLaren are a long way off the ultimate pace as Lewis Hamilton’s fourth best time was 1m 55.217s. It was also a disappointment for Mercedes GP, after Nico Rosberg had been so quick thus far, to see him only fifth on 1m 55.241s. The young German has had the upper hand over returnee Michael Schumacher all weekend, the multiple champion lining up seventh on 1m 55.524s. Mark Webber slipped his Red Bull between them, with 1m 55.284s.

Jenson Button starts his first race for McLaren eighth, thanks to a lap of 1m 55.672s, and Renault’s Robert Kubica shares the fifth row with Force India’s Adrian Sutil, 1m 55.885s to 1m 56.309s.

Rubens Barrichello came to life on Saturday after working yesterday to get his Williams to his liking, and just missed out on Q3 with 1m 55.330s, which put him ahead of Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi who failed to improve on his 1m 55.653s lap from his first run in Q2.

Then came Nico Hulkenberg in the second Williams on 1m 55.857s, Pedro de la Rosa in the disappointing BMW Sauber on 1m 56.237s, Sebastien Buemi in the lead Toro Rosso on 1m 56.265s, BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi on 1m 56.270s and Vitaly Petrov who will make his Grand Prix debut from 17th on the grid in the second Renault, which he took round in 1m 56.619s.

Having run well thus far this weekend, Jaime Alguersuari was the first man to lose out in Q1, when he lapped his Toro Rosso in 1m 57.071s for 18th fastest time, ahead of all the new teams. Timo Glock’s Virgin was the best of them, with 1m 59.728s, ahead of Jarno Trulli’s Lotus on 1m 59.852s, so things were very close here.

Then came Heikki Kovalainen in 2m 00.313s in the other Lotus and Lucas di Grassi on 2m 00.587s for Virgin. At the back Bruno Senna took his HRT round in 2m 03.240s, while Karun Chandhok finally got a run and in the circumstances did an excellent job for 2m 04.904s in only seven laps.

McLaren chief looking forward to Di Resta's carrier

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McLAREN boss Martin Whitmarsh has revealed Bathgate's Paul Di Resta will go head-to-head with established Force India racers, Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi, when his new role as reserve driver for the Formula One team is confirmed next week.
While the 23-year-old continues to finalise the last few details on the contract which will propel him closer to a place on the grand prix grid, McLaren team principal Whitmarsh has confirmed the Scot will play a pivotal role for Force India. "Paul will be running, I believe, in the majority of the Friday sessions at grand prix weekends for Force India, so it's a great opportunity for him," Whitmarsh said.

"I'm happy for him. He's going to push like hell to make his case to have a race drive at Force India during the course of this year."

Di Resta, who worked with Whitmarsh when he tested with McLaren in 2008, has already impressed team bosses at Force India. During his three-day test at Jerez last month, the Scot lapped a full second faster than the team's established drivers.

"Since the test, for sure we have been in talks," the Scot said. "We are in the final stages of finishing off the programme they have set and hopefully we can build a very long and strong relationship."

Schumi may continue after 2012

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Michael Schumacher has said he may choose to continue to race beyond his three-year contract with Mercedes.

He will make his return to Formula One this year, after signing a deal to race until the end of 2012 with the German team. He has admitted that it might take some time before he is back at his best, and told German newspaper Bild that he might stay in F1 beyond the length of his current contract.

"It doesn't have to be the end after three years - the three-year deal was Mercedes' idea and it was a sign of confidence. I thought about everything very carefully: Am I just spontaneously high or will my enthusiasm last? I have been excited for quite some time and can imagine doing this for a few years."

Schumacher will be partnered by Nico Rosberg during his comeback year and team principal Ross Brawn believes the pair will work well together, with Rosberg learning from his more experienced team-mate.

"We signed Nico first and have tried to sign Nico for several years," Brawn told Formula1.com. "We see Nico as a great talent, but it needs finishing and maturing. He has not won a race yet, although he came very close, and I think it is a wonderful partnership between him and Michael.

"They work well together and I see Michael helping Nico develop his career. Michael has come out of retirement but we have to accept that there will come a day when he has to stop forever and then we will have Nico. They must both try the hardest to beat each other but if it is done with the right spirit, with the right approach, then both will gain enormously."

The team will unveil and test its 2010 car next Monday at Valencia.

Donington loses British GP

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Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed there will be no British Grand Prix at Donington Park in 2010.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, in the paddock of the new Yas Marina circuit, Ecclestone said: "There's no Donington.

"They've missed the deadline which we kept extending for them."

Donington's final deadline is understood to have been midnight on Tuesday, despite earlier suggestions it was noon on Monday.

Regardless of the specific timing, the Leicestershire circuit's ambitious plan to host one of British sport's blue-riband events is officially dead in the water.

It had been suggested Gillett had paid a £12million security owed to Ecclestone to keep the deal alive, but the Formula One supremo stated that was not the case.

Ecclestone added: "It's unfortunate for them.

"It was the credit crunch that caused them to be in trouble - because their intentions were good, that's for sure."

Simon Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd who lease the track from the owning Wheatcroft family, had signed a 17-year deal with Ecclestone.

But Gillett's plans to raise the £135million required to redevelop the circuit hit the rocks as banks shied away at a time when the global credit crisis was at its worst.

"It's bad for Tom (Wheatcroft), because he's been an old friend for a long time," added Ecclestone, who turned 79 this week.

As far as Ecclestone is concerned, the ball is now in Silverstone's court to agree a deal they shied away from 18 months ago - and which resulted in Gillett poaching the race from their grasp.

Silverstone Holdings stalled then, not because of the £12million annual asking price to host the race but because of a seven per cent yearly increase clause.

Ecclestone added: "We're talking. A deal can be done if they want to."

Asked if there was a difference of opinion over the details, he said: "There isn't actually.

"As far as I'm concerned, no problems."

Standing in the middle of the world's most expensive circuit, as the LED panels on the five-star hotel that straddles it glowed a variety of colours behind him, Ecclestone could not help but smile.

"It's a bit like Silverstone really when you think about it!" he joked.

In more serious tones, he added: "What they've done is unbelievable.

"It was in April 2006 I saw and spoke to the crown prince, and at that time we didn't start to discuss a race.

"But during dinner we came up with the idea that maybe we should have a race here, and what they've done is magic.

"I never thought it would be finished like this. I thought bits and pieces would be done. I said to them 'I hope we're not going to be racing on a building site'.

"But no one is going to top this ... although I'll be happy if someone does the same."

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has spoken to Ecclestone about the British Grand Prix, stressing the significance of the race, and was assured by the Formula One supremo he was doing "everything possible'' to retain the race in the calendar.

Lord Mandelson said: "I phoned Bernie Ecclestone this afternoon and I stressed to him the importance of Formula One and the British Grand Prix to the UK.

"This is a very British institution and every effort must be made to keep the race in the UK.

"Losing it would be a body blow to UK sport, the teams, and the fans.

"Bernie reassured me he was doing everything possible to maintain the British Grand Prix in the UK.''

Sutil and Trulli continue war of words

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Adrian Sutil and Jarno Trulli traded insults on Thursday as they continued a war of words sparked by their first-lap crash in Brazil.

Eleven days ago Toyota driver Trulli and Force India's Sutil came close to blows after a collision that forced from both out of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside, Trulli put a wheel on the grass, sending him spinning into the back of the German's car and then into a wall.

The impact resulted in Sutil careering across the infield grass and his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Fernando Alonso.

An outraged Trulli leapt out of his car and ran over to confront a stunned Sutil, gesticulating furiously and clearly accusing him of causing the accident.

The exchange resulted in the 35-year-old Italian being fined £6,000 for what the FIA described as "aggressively confronting" Sutil.

In Thursday's main FIA press conference ahead of Sunday's inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when asked if they had settled their differences, the row erupted again.

Here is the transcript of their exchange which will likely spill over into Friday's customary drivers' briefing.

Trulli: "Obviously it was very disappointing to end the race like that, especially on the first lap.

"I had every reason to be extremely furious. I've got all the evidence to show I was there and was next to him, and tomorrow we are going to discuss it."

Sutil: "There's nothing to discuss, it was quite an obvious incident.

"In the end it was very disappointing for me, even more because I was the one who was driving, and he lost control of his car and crashed into my back.

"It's not my problem. It's his problem. I don't know why he's freaking out like that to be honest."

Trulli: "I don't know if you're blind, but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing."

(Trulli then produced photographs to support his argument)

Sutil: "But you're trying to overtake me around the outside on the kerb. There was not a problem. You were off the power.

"The same happened in Barcelona where you lost control again and crashed again into a Force India car (Sutil).

"You have to sometimes respect the limits of the car. If you've nowhere to go, you have to back off. That's how racing is. I don't know how long you need to learn this."

Trulli: "In Barcelona I spun and he hit me because he cut the kerb, cut the circuit completely, and he didn't slow down."

Sutil: "I didn't hit you. You hit me. I don't know what is your problem. I really don't understand."

Asked what was said during their spat immediately after the accident, Trulli replied: "I was furious because he didn't see me.

"I was next to him and he kept on pushing me on the outside until I was obviously on the kerb."

Then the row continued:

Sutil: "It's not a problem to be on the kerb. Where's the problem?"

Trulli (sarcastically): "Yeah, no problem! As long as we know the rules."

Sutil: "I know the rules."

The verbal confrontation resulted in Alonso being asked for his opinion as he had a clear view of the incident prior to hitting Sutil.

With a smile, Alonso said: "I saw everything more or less, but as Jarno said we will discuss it in the drivers' briefing - deeply!"

Trulli fined for violent reaction

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Jarno Trulli has been fined £6,000 for aggressively confronting Adrian Sutil in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Toyota driver Trulli and Force India's Sutil almost came to blows after a first-lap collision that resulted in their retirement.

Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside at one point of the Interlagos track, Trulli put a wheel onto the grass which sent him spinning into the back of the German's car.

As veteran Trulli struck a wall, Sutil went careering across the infield grass, his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Fernando Alonso.

Renault's double world champion was also forced out of the race, and as he clambered out of his car in the background, Trulli angrily confronted Sutil in the foreground.

Trulli was seen furiously gesticulating at Sutil as it was clear the Italian was accusing him of causing the accident.

However, after an investigation the stewards decided it was a racing incident requiring no further action.

Instead, the stewards reprimanded Trulli and hit him in the pocket as they determined he failed to leave the track as required by the marshals, and for his inappropriate actions towards Sutil.

McLaren were also fined £30,000 for another of the day's dramatic moments when Heikki Kovalainen left the pits with the fuel hose still attached to his car.

It came at the end of the first lap as both he and fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen had sustained damage to their cars in separate incidents.

Kovalainen immediately pulled in front of Raikkonen, spraying fuel onto the 2007 world champion's Ferrari directly behind him, causing a flash fire.

Raikkonen came through it unharmed, whilst Kovalainen pulled over outside the Brawn garage where that team's mechanics courteously removed the offending hose.

The stewards ruled it was an unsafe release from the pits and imposed the fine on McLaren as well as adding 25 seconds to Kovalainen's race time, resulting in him dropping from ninth to 12th.

Hamilton: No pressure on McLaren

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Having endured a nail-biting outing last year, McLaren are looking forward to racing in Brazil without any pressure.

Lewis Hamilton captured the driver's title at the season-ending Interlagos last year, and while there are still two races remaining in this year's season the McLaren star cannot defend his title.

With only pride on the line the Briton admits he's looking to have a bit more fun in Brazil than he has had in the past, with the energetic crowd something he's looking forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to this year's Brazilian Grand Prix - it will be the first time I've travelled to Sao Paulo without being in contention for the World Championship, and I'm actually looking forward to taking in a bit more of the city and relaxing and enjoying the experience of driving on one of the world's greatest racetracks," said Hamilton.

"One of the greatest things about racing at Interlagos is the crowd. There's such a great atmosphere; the fans have so much energy and life. It's a party while you're working, and it's great to see everyone happy."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh echoed the thoughts of his driver but insisted the team would not be resting on their laurels despite being out of the title race.

"Travelling to Sao Paulo this year with our focus solely on achieving the very best result will allow us to attack the race weekend without any additional considerations, and we are very much looking forward to that challenge," explained Whitmarsh.

For his part Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug insisted the race for the Championship title was far from over with Jenson Button only 14 points ahead of his Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello and 16 points ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

"The world championship fight is open and electrifying - I know from my own experience what I am talking about when I say that with a 16-point deficit of Sebastian to Jenson, nothing has been decided yet," said Haug.

Chequered flag honour for Massa

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Felipe Massa will be in Brazil for his home grand prix on October 18 - as a special guest to wave the chequered flag.

Massa is currently on the road to recovery after requiring life-saving surgery towards the end of July following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris tomorrow, with the FIA in attendance.

Massa, who has not ruled out the prospect of driving in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, will then return to Brazil for the penultimate round on the calendar.

Massa will become the third celebrity to wave the chequered flag at Interlagos in the past eight years, following in the footsteps of Pele and model Gisele Bundchen.

Hopefully, Massa will at least have his eyes on the conclusion of what could be the title decider, unlike Pele, who famously failed to carry out his duty.

The world's most famous footballer was looking the other way when Michael Schumacher beat his brother Ralf by half a second in 2002.

Massa unlikely to return this year

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Recovering Ferrari driver Felipe Massa says his chances of making a return to action this season are "very, very low".

The Brazilian has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in an incident in qualifying for July's Hungarian Grand Prix but had hoped to be fit to take part in the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 1.

It now appears he and his bosses at Maranello have elected to err on the side of caution, meaning understudy Giancarlo Fisichella will remain at the wheel of Massa's F60 for the remainder of the campaign.

"I hope I'll be back soon but I also know the best thing is that I'm coming back 100% at the start of the next season," Massa told Ferrari's official website.

"My dream would be to race in Abu Dhabi. But the possibility is really, really low."

After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday - after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris later today, with the FIA in attendance.

Although in-season testing is banned, Massa has been granted permission to drive the two-year-old Ferrari, fitted with GP2 tyres.

"I'll go to Paris for some medical check-ups at the FIA and on Monday, if the weather is fine, I should finally be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater," he said.

"I hope I can do many miles and do well, not only in terms of performance but also as far as constant lap times are concerned.

"I'm confident and I think there won't be any problems. It's true that a Formula One vibrates a lot and there is lots of physical stress, but I'm used to it."

Following Monday's test Massa will turn his attentions to building his sharpness for the start of the 2010 season, when with a new car and new team-mate in Fernando Alonso he will be bidding to capture his maiden world title.

"I'm sure that with Alonso we'll form a great team and we'll work together very well. The goal will be very simple - winning," Massa added.

"I saw the model of the new car in the wind tunnel - it's different from the actual one, also because there will be new rules. Let's hope it will be fast."

Hamilton retains title dream

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Lewis Hamilton is refusing to give up hope of retaining his Formula One title until the maths tell him otherwise.

Hamilton concedes it is a crazy proposition, but the very fact he is even thinking about the drivers' crown is testament to the great competitor he is.

At present, Hamilton trails championship leader Jenson Button by 45 points with just five races remaining, leaving the 24-year-old in a virtually impossible position.

"I know I've been very lucky," said Hamilton.

"For the past two seasons I've been in with a shot at the championship right until the end of the last race of the season, so obviously this year feels a bit different.

"But it's been fun to just push like crazy and try and get the maximum result from the car at each race, rather than looking at stringing together a more consistent title bid.

"It means we can keep attacking everywhere, and I think the last five races should be good for us for a lot of different reasons.

"I might have missed out at Spa (Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix), but I really want to win Monza (Italian GP on September 13) and see how competitive we'll be in the flyaways.

"The five remaining races are a great mix of circuits, and I'm looking forward to all of them.

"But I'll still be going for it, trying to get every single point I can.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I'm not going to put the title out of my mind until I know that it's mathematically impossible."

Hamilton certainly found himself in an unusual situation in Spa as it was only the third time in his F1 career he had retired from a race.

His first-lap accident, when he was broadsided by Jaime Alguersuari in his Toro Rosso after trying to avoid Romain Grosjean's collision with Button, resulted in a frustrated Hamilton watching from the sidelines.

"It was a really odd feeling to be stood at the side of the track watching the others come through behind the safety car," reflected Hamilton.

"To be honest, I can't remember the last time I failed to finish a race.

"The reliability of our car has been so phenomenal that it rarely happens, so it was definitely a feeling I couldn't really get used to.

"It was a pity because I love racing at Spa and was really looking forward to a strong, attacking afternoon.

"I hadn't had the best of starts and I'd lost a few places, but I was pretty confident we'd have the car beneath us to help us get back into the points."

It is why Hamilton is confident of a strong end to the season as he added: "We know we've taken huge steps with the car since the start of the summer.

"It's frustrating we didn't get to see our race pace at Spa, but we've a low-downforce package for Monza and some more upgrades ahead of Singapore, so I think we'll be in the hunt among the frontrunners.

"The most important thing is we keep learning from this year's car so we can make next year's into a winner."

"No financial crisis in F1"

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F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that F1 did have a brush with the recession but sponsors are coming back.

"I don't know about India but most of the world is in recession. Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back," he said.

"There is no financial crisis now and there is no shortage of sponsors in Formula One," Ecclestone told PTI.

At the same time, he expressed eagerness to explore more corporate entities in India, the second fastest growing economy in the world, saying the more the better.

He was responding to a query on whether F1 would be looking beyond Vijay Mallya for sponsoring teams.

"When I come to India in October. I would meet with people and see what is the best way to move forward," he said.

The recession took a toll in this year's F1 with Honda pulling out and BMW announcing that they would not race from next year. Toyota is also uncertain to return to F1 circuit once the season ends.

In view of this, Formula One authorities had initially contemplated a cap on expenditure of all F1 teams, even though frontline teams like Ferrari and McLaren were against the move. But the proposal has temporarily been shelved.

F1 to focus on India, 2011 track

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F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said the foundation stone of the race track in India would be laid in October for the 2011 event.

Brushing aside government's stand that Formula One is not a sport, Ecclestone said it's been long time that they have signed the contract with the promoters in India and there was no question of the event being shelved despite the Indian government's refusal to give concessions.

Asked specifically whether the F1 race in India would go on, Ecclestone told PTI from London," It's been on for a long time. There's never been any doubt. The contract has been signed long time back."

Ecclestone, the President and CEO of Formula One Management, said that the foundation stone for the project in Greater Noida would be laid at the end of October.

"We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed. The foundation stone would be laid in late October. I will be in India to lay the foundation stone," he said.

Ecclestone made light of sports minister M S Gill's view that Formula One was not a sport.

"Everybody is entitled to their views. That's the good or the bad part of democracy. If the Sports Minister doesn't think it's a sport, I can't do much about it. That's his view.

"The rest of the world thinks it is a sport," Ecclestone said.

Motorsports administrators in the country have reacted sharply to the Sports Minister's views against Formula One with Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya questioning the basis of Gill's assessment for F1 being "expensive entertainment".

Gill had insisted that it was technology and not any sporting skill that determines the outcome of Formula One races.

The 2011 Indian Grand Prix has run into rough weather after the Sports Ministry denied JPSK Sports, promoter of the event in India, approval to the remittance of USD 36.5 million to Formula One Administration in UK.

Adamant Sports Ministry officials maintain Formula One does not have the social relevance of an Olympic sport and have refused to give their nod to the transaction, which comes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (GEMMA) because it's not desirable.

On how he planned to make F1 popular in India, Ecclestone said he would try to meet people and see how it can be done when he visits the country in October.

"Let's see, when I come there in October. I would meet with people and see what is the best way to move forward," Ecclestone said.

Ecclestone, a former Formula One driver himself, was impressed with Force India's second-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix last week.

"Force India should have won actually. They were unlucky.

"It's good to see Vijay's (Mallya) team doing well. He has done a good job for Force India," he said.

Asked if there were plans to have more night races, the first of which made its debut in Singapore last year, Ecclestone said a few more venues were being considered.

"We are looking at five other countries for night races," he said, without divulging the names of the countries.

On whether the sports was feeling the effects of global economic downturn, Ecclestone said things were looking up now after a few months of sponsorship problems.

"I don't know about India but most of the world is in recession. Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back," he said.

Schumacher sad at F1 abandonment

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Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher has spoken of his sadness at being forced to scrap his proposed comeback on medical grounds.

He had been set to deputise for Ferrari driver Felipe Massa after the Brazilian was hurt in a crash in Hungary but a neck injury thwarted the German's plan.

"No simulation can produce the demands an F1 car puts on the body, so we needed to test to find out," he said.

"We did everything in the most prepared way possible and it didn't work out."

Schumacher stunned the world of F1 when he announced he would return to fill in for Massa.Massa's accident occurred in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a spring from fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car hit his helmet.

Massa was travelling at more than 160mph when the spring hit him but pressure on the brakes reduced his speed to about 60mph when he hit the tyre wall.

He was initially seriously ill but he is recovering well and has flown home to Brazil.

The problem that scuppered Schumacher's return to the track three years after he retired was a neck problem sustained in a motorbike crash earlier this year.

The injury meant Schumacher was unable to withstand the intense strain experienced when driving an F1 car.

The 40-year-old said there was no way he could have prepared any better for a possible return because of the unforeseeable circumstances that had brought it about.

"Nobody knew we had this tragic accident from Felipe, so it wasn't planned at all," stated Schumacher.

"I don't think there was any other chance to do it any other way."

When asked if the injury ruled out any other possibility of a future comeback, Schumacher suggested it was not something he was considering at the moment.

"Speculation in this business is pretty natural and lots of people have opinions but the matter of fact is I'm very disappointed not to do what I was looking to do," he added.

"It's certainly not something I'm thinking about right now as I just had to take a very tough decision to say no to what I wanted to do - I don't feel like thinking too much about the future right now."

In the absence of Schumacher, Massa's place on the grid will be taken by Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, 38, whose last competitive drive in F1 was 10 years ago.

But Schumacher is confident Badoer is up to the job.

"He has prepared himself quite strongly to be ready for all these years - this is his main job, to be ready for testing as well as in case something happened, so he's not been sitting quietly around waiting," said Schumacher.

"He works very hard since the accident of Felipe as I said I needed to confirm that I could do it [fill in for Massa], so it's normal for him to keep himself on the fitness level he would need.

"He has not been racing for a long time but a racer doesn't normally lose the racing spirit, so I wish him well for a difficult task."

Ecclestone to consider Bulgaria

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Bulgarian officials are to meet Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone next week to propose bringing F1 to the Balkan region.

The meeting is set to be held at the German Grand Prix from July 10 to 12, where it is expected the contents of an agreement for a future Bulgarian race will be discussed.

Bulgaria is hoping to stage its first F1 race in 2011, with a contract running through to 2015 including the option of an extension until 2020.

The Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation (BMF) announced in December it would put forward a bid to the FIA to land a grand prix.

Part of the plan would see a new circuit built near Pleven in northern Bulgaria, where a round of the World Rally Championship will take place in 2010.

In March, MotoGP's commercial rights holder, Dorna Sports, confirmed the series will arrive in Bulgaria from 2012 following a preliminary five-year agreement with the BMF, and the addition of F1 would make the country one of the leading players in international motorsport.

Grand prix organising committee chairman Rumen Petkov has admitted that the current state of the global economic climate will mean that Bulgaria's F1 bid is unlikely to receive financial support from the government.

However, he is confident of raising funds from other sources.

"Of course there are a variety of possibilities, but in the terms of the global and financial economic crisis, my opinion is that it is hard to believe that our state would be able to take the engagement," Petkov told Focus News.

"The key issue immediately after my return from the meeting with the president of Formula One Administration Bernie Ecclestone in Germany is to look for investors and chances for public-private partnership, because there is no doubt that the state is interested in such a prestigious and very profitable project."

Fan support sugars pill for Hamilton

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Lewis Hamilton believes there is "light at the end of the tunnel" after a British Grand Prix that left him humbled by the fans support.

The world champion was blown away by the reaction he received over the course of the weekend at Silverstone despite the season of woe he has endured in his McLaren.

Hamilton finished a career-low 16th, yet when he crossed the line at the end the fans gave him a rousing cheer, reciprocating their support with wheel-spin 'donuts' at Stowe and Copse on his slow- down lap.

When Hamilton then took to the stage at the post-race concert, the 20,000 fans in attendance again gave him another tumultuous roar.

Indeed, Hamilton appears more popular now with the British fans than he was when he was winning.

Acknowledging their acclaim, Hamilton said: "What an amazing end to the day.

"When I walked onto the stage, the fans' reaction was amazing - just overwhelming.

"Because we are not doing so well this year with our results, I was worried about letting the fans down.

"But honestly, I've been really humbled by the support from the fans at Silverstone this year.

"I thought they were incredible in 2007 and 2008, but this year was bigger and better than ever.

"I've never seen so much passion from a crowd at a grand prix, from people in the paddock, everyone cheering me on in the grandstands, and then the people afterwards at the post-race party.

"I think this year's race has been the best ever for the fans, and we really need to come back to Silverstone again."

As for the donuts, Hamilton added: "I'd had a great weekend and I wanted to entertain the fans. I hope they enjoyed it.

"It was only afterwards I realised that's not the sort of thing you see very often at the end of a grand prix.

"But I wanted to do it to say 'thank you' for continuing to support me and my team in our time of need. We will repay your loyalty - soon."

All the support in the world will not make Hamilton's car go any faster, although a significant upgrade is expected for the next race in Germany in three weeks' time.

If those improvements fail to work it will surely be time for the team to call it a day for this season and plough all their resources into next year's car.

Up until then, Hamilton remains hopeful of any kind of upturn in result at the Nurburgring, a second 'home' race for McLaren given the backing of engine partners Mercedes.

"It's still not going to be a night-and-day change that makes the difference, but I'm hoping that we can gain some advantage to help improve our results," added Hamilton.

"It would be great to give our second home crowd something to cheer and feel proud about, but we'll see.

"Places like Hungary, Valencia and Singapore should hopefully be stronger for us, and so there is light at the end of the tunnel for the end-of-season push.

"We need a competitive car before the end of the season so we can learn as much as we possibly can for next season."

Jenson Button stays positive

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Jenson Button is convinced he can tame the Red Bulls following a disappointing British Grand Prix.

After winning six of the first seven races this year and opening up a 26-point cushion in the title race, many observers - Niki Lauda amongst them - felt Button had the crown in his pocket and he could switch his Brawn GP to cruise control for the rest of the season.

But in the space of a few dominant days at Silverstone, Sebastian Vettel has suggested it will not all be one-way traffic for Button, offering up hope the battle could yet stretch towards the wire.

Supreme in practice, sensational in qualifying and stunning in a race in which he also set the fastest lap, it was as close to perfect as Vettel will ever experience.

After starting the race 32 points behind Button, the 21-year-old now heads to his own home event in Germany at the Nurburgring in three weeks' time 25 adrift, and with a degree of momentum.

In finishing sixth, Button was naturally unhappy at failing to give a 120,000 sell-out crowd what they had come for, but was far from downbeat.

"I would love to have won the British Grand Prix, but it didn't happen," said Button.

"I would have liked a good result for the crowd, but also a good result for myself and the team.

"In the end, I've come away with three points and lost seven to Vettel, which is not great. It's disappointing.

"But then again I gained 10 points when he put his car in the wall in Monaco, so we could have come away with a worse result.

"Now I go to the Nurburgring positive, thinking we can take the fight to Red Bull.

"I know their package is good, but I'm not upset because I know it will turn around, and hopefully there."

Although it was Button's worst result of the season, it has merely underlined the fact the title scrap cannot be taken for granted.

"I lost three points to Rubens here," said Button of his team-mate Barrichello who finished ahead of the Briton for the first time this year.

"So I've a 23-point lead which is still quite a lot to be fair, and Rubens is driving the same car as me so I can try to keep him in check.

"But Vettel's the one where you don't really know where their (Red Bull) performance is going to be.

"So it's important for us to be fighting for wins. We can't settle for third or fourth place.

"There are challenges, and it shows, because I had a 32-point lead (over Vettel) coming here.

"You can never be comfortable enough to think you can just cruise home.

"They were very quick and I am sure they're going to be competitive at other races, but I just don't think they are going to have the advantage they had at Silverstone."

Button concedes to being enlivened by the fresh fight after having it all his own way for so long.

"It's exciting in a way for me, it's not easy," added the 29-year-old, who on Tuesday heads on holiday to Japan with model girlfriend Jessica Michibata.

"They (Red Bull) beat Rubens by 45 seconds at Silverstone, and me by 50, and there are lots of reasons why we weren't on the pace.

"One of which is that it was absolutely freezing so we couldn't get any heat into the tyres. The sun didn't come out until after the race - thanks British weather!

"They've also made a big improvement with the car. They've a lot of new parts which are obviously working for them.

"The circuit is high speed, probably not to our car's strength, and there is hardly any braking which is our strongest point.

"We're stronger than Red Bull on braking, but you never hit the pedal that hard at Silverstone, which is another reason why we couldn't get the tyre temperature.

"That's why we weren't competitive, so I'm not going away that disappointed."

Formula 1 is 'finished' - Alonso

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Renault's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 is "finished" following the announcement of plans for a breakaway series.

On Thursday, eight of F1's major teams, including Renault, said they intended to establish a rival championship. "Formula 1 is finished. It will be a standard engine, small teams and no drivers - this is not the Formula 1 people want," the Spaniard said.

"The new series will be the new Formula 1."

The breakaway move is the latest chapter in the bitter row over budget cap proposals.

World motorsport boss Max Mosley wants to introduce a voluntary £40m budget cap to curtail a "financial arms race" among F1's teams.

But eight of them, under the umbrella of the F1 Teams Association (Fota), have strongly resisted Mosley's attempts to force this and other rule changes through.

Mosley's latest letter proposes a £86m budget cap for 2010, falling to £39m in 2011.

Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Red Bull have refused to race under the optional £40m cap originally proposed, with only Williams and Force India definitely on the starting grid next season.

Speaking before the teams issued their breakaway threat, Alonso said: "I hope they find a solution, but these are difficult times. It is a critical position for Formula 1.

"If we do not race in Formula 1 next year it changes many things. It won't be the same. We know we'll race, but it will be different."

Asked if he would drive in a different series next year if the worst case scenario does unfold and there is a split, Alonso replied: "Of course. I won't retire, I will drive for another championship.

"We want to compete with the best teams in the world, the maximum technology, we all want to compete with the best drivers.

Interest strong in breakaway series

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McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has revealed the FOTA has already received enquiries about joining the breakaway series.

FIA president Max Mosley may have described FOTA's announcement of a rebel championship as posturing and posing, but the eight teams concerned appear deadly serious.

Mosley is confident come the traditional season-opener in Australia next March, the rebels - including Ferrari - will be back on board.

First, though, a legal battle looms after the FIA yesterday issued proceedings against all eight teams, most notably singling out the Scuderia.

"The FIA's lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series," read a statement from motor sport's world governing body.

"The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law, including wilful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law.

"The FIA will be issuing legal proceedings without delay."

Sadly for a sport whose reputation has been severely tarnished by the feud of the last few weeks, the months ahead could turn into a long, potentially bloody battle.

Yet FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - appear intent on severing all ties with the FIA, and if they succeed they are willing to bring other teams on board.

Lola this week surprisingly withdrew their prospective entry, and with the FIA putting on hold the publication of their final entry list for 2010 whilst they assert their legal rights, another high-profile candidate in Prodrive could follow suit.

Asked if eight teams could sustain a rebel series, and whether FOTA would welcome the likes of Lola and Prodrive, Whitmarsh replied: "I think eight will be enough.

"But we would welcome any new teams, or existing teams for that matter, and certainly there has been an expression of interest from some of the teams you mentioned.

"I think a lot of teams want to be racing against the Ferraris, Red Bulls, Brawns, and hopefully ourselves.

"Formula One has not done a good job in my view at developing a number of teams that compete, at developing a series the fans want, and there is a lot opportunity to do a better job, to have some fresh energy.

"Whilst inevitably there is some sadness in a day like yesterday, I think you have to be optimistic about the future.

"Sometimes out of these challenges are new eras, new opportunities, and we have to be positive.

"We've had quite a lot of interest from some other teams that want to be part of the new series, and we are going to do everything we can to encourage them to be a part of it.

"Just as FOTA has already demonstrated its assistance to retaining teams and assisting the independent teams, that has to be part of the ethos of any organisation."

Mosley, though, expressing a blase kind of attitude to the whole sorry saga, believes this latest threat of a breakaway will be resolved in the FIA's favour, just as it was in 2005.

"I am completely confident there will be only one Formula One next year," said Mosley.

"In the end people do what is in their best interests to do, and it's in the interests of the teams to be in the Formula One world championship.

"There is actually no fundamental, or even important issue stopping them taking part.

"It's all about personalities, power and who can grab what from whom, which is easy when nothing's at stake.

"But once we actually get to the first race and it's make your mind up time, they'll be there.

"The great traditional teams, and I include Ferrari in that, they need to be there, and they will be there for sure. It will get sorted out."

F1 teams drop breakaway bombshell

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Formula 1 has been thrown into chaos after eight of its major teams said they are now planning to set up a rival championship for the 2010 season.

The threat by members of the F1 Teams Association (Fota) intensifies their row with world motorsport boss Max Mosley over his budget cap proposals.

"The teams have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 F1 Championship," said the teams.

"We've no alternative than to commence preparation for a new championship."

Mosley was insistent on introducing a voluntary £40m budget cap for teams to curtail a "financial arms race" in F1.But Fota refused to agree to his conditions, prompting championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to take their drastic action.

They announced their decision following a four-hour meeting on Thursday night ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

"Since the formation of Fota last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder (Bernie Ecclestone), to develop and improve the sport," read a Fota statement.

"Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community.

"Fota is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.

"In particular, the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the Fota initiatives.

"The Fota teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.

FOTA threatens to go public

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FOTA is ready to go public and lift the lid on their grievances against the FIA as the battle of wills intensifies.

FOTA now have the full backing of the major manufacturers of Europe who yesterday concluded after a board meeting in Brussels that "the current governance system cannot continue", in effect calling for FIA president Max Mosley to go.

As expected, the FIA's announcement yesterday of the teams due to line up on the grid for 2010 failed to resolve any issues.

Instead, the FIA face a potential legal battle with Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso after handing the trio a full entry against their wishes.

However, in claiming the FIA issued an "erroneous statement", FOTA insist the entries of all its eight members were conditional.

Ferrari have made it clear they have no desire to compete in next year's championship until, in their own words, "the condition of its entry are satisfied."

Ferrari maintain Mosley has failed to meet those conditions and is "in violation of Ferrari's rights under a written agreement with the FIA."

As for McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP, they have until next Friday to submit conditional entries or face the threat of this being their last season in F1.

FOTA are willing to "continue to act constructively on resolving differences with the FIA," but are prepared to blow the whistle on the whole sorry situation.

A strongly-worded statement read: "Regrettably FOTA is being forced to outline in detail our objections to the new arbitrary FIA proposals.

"We will release details of our concerns in the near future which will constructively explain why the FIA's proposals are bad for the future of Formula One, the jobs of those employed within the motor-racing industry and especially the millions of loyal fans who are dismayed and confused at the internal bickering within our sport."

FOTA's main gripe surrounds Mosley's governance, and the unilateral manner in which he announced a voluntary £40million budget cap for next season without consulting the teams.

This goes directly to the heart of Ferrari's case against the FIA as they claim that under a 2005 agreement with the governing body, they have a right of veto with regard to any new regulations.

In not consulting with Ferrari, Mosley invalidated that contract, and as such Ferrari should not have been given an entry.

Despite contractual agreements of their own, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso are firmly aligned with FOTA, who face another critical week if they and the FIA are to finally end this ongoing war.

However, FOTA have sought to bypass Mosley by calling on the World Motor Sport Council and FIA Senate to intervene in the bitter feud.

In a letter leaked to PA Sport, FOTA stated that they "respectfully seek the intervention of the World Council to facilitate solutions to the present situation."

In claiming the crisis has been "self generated", FOTA maintain a "wish to find a swift solution to the situation," before issuing a stark warning.

The letter adds: "In case this can not be done, they (the teams) will reluctantly have to seek alternative solutions which protect them.

"In a final attempt to resolve this crisis, further meetings are scheduled for the next seven days.

"We would urge your support to ensure the outcome of these meetings achieves a solution that allows long established competitors to continue in their sport within a framework of sound governance and stability that will ensure the future and sustainability of Formula One."

Despite the furore, three new teams in Sheffield-based Manor F1 Team, Spain's Campos Grand Prix and US F1 are on the grid, along with Williams and Force India who broke with FOTA by submitting unconditional entries.