Dennis' view of Ferrari totally changed.
Ron Dennis admits that the rancour of McLaren's prior relationship with Ferrari has now completely changed.

"Today I have a totally different view of Ferrari than one year ago," the outgoing McLaren Team Principal said during an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Dating back to 2007, McLaren and Ferrari - recently the most competitive teams on the grid - were locked in a bitter quarrel over the transfer of sensitive information belonging to the Italian team.

"At that time our relationship was very difficult, but perhaps difficult times bring people together," Dennis continued.

"I now have an excellent relationship with Luca di Montezemolo. He is a key figure among the teams (FOTA alliance) to improve the sport," Dennis added.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

Despite the looming proximity of the 2009 opener, Honda team boss Ross Brawn is still optimistic the Brackley-based outfit will be in Melbourne.

Departing owner the Honda Motor Co. this week expressed pessimism about the sale, but Team Principal Ross Brawn - linked with a management buyout - is quoted as insisting "there is still good reason to be optimistic."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport also reports that the 2009 car has been successfully modified to fit a Mercedes-Benz engine, with the first instalment to the German manufacturer already paid.

Brawn explained: "We only need the green light and then we can go. " By the Swiss newspaper Blick, he is also quoted as explaining that when he is given the green light, the team will arrange to travel to the final test sessions of the pre-season.

Rumours, meanwhile, persist that Nick Fry may no longer be part of the plans for the management buyout. Auto Motor und Sport speculates that his departure could be a signal that Fry's former Prodrive boss David Richards might join the management of the team's new guise.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

Bernie Ecclestone has given the 'USF1' concept the thumbs-up, British principal Peter Windsor admitted during the launch of the American Formula One team on Tuesday.

"He said, 'Great, get it done,” Windsor, a former team manager and now full-time Grand Prix reporter and writer, said of his conversation with the sport's influential Chief Executive.

The main media interest about USF1 so far has been the possible identity of the two American-born drivers to occupy the cockpits next year.

Racing great and 1978 world champion Mario Andretti joined the USF1 broadcast and insisted his 21-year-old grandson Marco would be an ideal candidate.

But Marco, who tested for Honda a couple of years ago and is currently testing his IndyCar in Florida, commented: "It would be risky because it's such a new team, that's all I would say. "

It also emerges that Scott Speed, the most recent American to contest Grand Prix, has ‘no interest’ in leaving his current NASCAR career to return to F1, the Californian newspaper Berrynessa Sun claims.

Graham Rahal, the son of Bobby Rahal, was also mentioned by the USF1 chiefs on Tuesday.

Windsor, and his USF1 partner Ken Anderson, confirmed that the former $48m FIA entry bond barrier to starting a team is no longer required, while admitting that the global recession is actually a help to their plans for a low-budget, small-staffed team.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

The 2009 engine rules will be tweaked so that teams cannot use different powerplants in qualifying and the race, it has emerged.

The current wording of the new regulations allows teams to utilise its eight engines for the entire season in any configuration or order.

But the website of the British magazine Autosport said the rules will be adapted so that engine changes after the start of Saturday morning practice can only be made if the existing 2.4 litre V8 unit is damaged or develops a problem.

It is said that some teams, including Renault, requested the change because it might have become commonplace for engines to be changed prior to qualifying, requiring more staff at the circuit.

The clarification will be ratified during this week's meeting of the Sporting Working Group in Nice.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International


Q: do you guys like it better if I bunch up all the news of the day into one thread or have a dedicated thread for each? Bear in mind that bug news will receive it's own thread. I look forward to your input

 

Wow, that's a lot of stuff to digest! It's interesting that more drivers aren't anxious to join F1. I guess NASCAR is proving to be more lucrative in the US right now. Hopefully the attention that USF1 brings will change that!

 

"It also emerges that Scott Speed, the most recent American to contest Grand Prix, has ‘no interest’ in leaving his current NASCAR career to return to F1, the Californian newspaper Berrynessa Sun claims."

At least he knows he sucks.

Hate to say it as I would love to see some US drivers take the drivers seat, but I think they might have trouble finding someone. There are a couple NASCAR drivers who I think would do decent in F1, but prying them from NASCAR would be nearly impossible.

 

we need to step up and group buy a seat for TK, i can give 35 maybe 40

 

Dennis just wants free fashion advice from Luca.

 

 

Hamad, I enjoy that you put them all in one single thread. There's just to many threads if all these "small news" gets a thread of their own. Keep up the good work!