US F1 ask to miss four races
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:02:27GMT

Doubts continue to surround US F1 after the teams boss asked the FIA whether it was possible to miss the first four races of the season.Ken Anderson has admitted that his team is struggling financially but still hopes to play some part in the season.He told the New York Times: "Were working with the FIA to clarify how many races we can miss. In an ideal world, we can miss the first four races and show up in Barcelona."What would be...

Campos buy out confirmed
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:02:25GMT

Campos look as though they will be ready for the start of the new season next month after the teams weekend buy-out.Bruno Senna and Jose Maria Lopez could be the two drivers after Jose Ramon Carabante bought owner Adrian Campos share of the team.Campos has been replaced as team principal by ex-Force India boss Colin Kolles, although the new ownership and driver line-up are still to be confirmed.An upbeat Carabante said after completing his buy-out: "We will have two cars in...

Schumacher return talk grows
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:48GMT

Rumours suggesting Michael Schumacher could return to Formula One next season have intensified after Ferrari said they would not stop the German racing with another team.The seven-time world champion has been linked with Mercedes, who have taken over world champions Brawn and already signed driver Nico Rosberg for 2010.It is believed that Mercedes are keen on having an all-German line-up next year."If he takes another road, our agreement will no longer be valid. You cant work with a competitor and with...

Di Grassi to race with Virgin
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:46GMT

New Formula One team Virgin Racing have revealed that Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi will partner Timo Glock next year.Di Grassi has been Renaults third driver for the past two seasons, while Glock joins from Toyota. Portugals Alvaro Parente and Brazils Luiz Razia will be the teams test drivers.Team principal Alex Tai said of the new teams philosophy: "At Virgin Racing we have a remarkable group of experienced people who have come together to make the impossible possible."Virgin Racing is a...

Mercedes drop Schumacher hint
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:44GMT

Mercedes chief executive Nick Fry has dropped a strong hint that Michael Schumacher will come out of retirement to race for them next season.The seven-times world champion is seen as a perfect fit for the new guise of the Brawn GP team and is widely expected to end his role as a consultant with Ferrari to make the switch before the start of the 2010 Formula One season.Schumacher has not raced competitively since 2006 but the 40-year-old German almost made a...

Renault commits to Formula One
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:43GMT

Renault has ended the speculation surrounding its Formula One team after confirming they will definitely be on the grid for the 2010 season.The French team has struck a deal with Luxembourg businessman Gerard Lopez and his Genii Capital investment company which has secured their future in the sport.Renault, who had considered ending their lengthy association with Formula One, will retain a 25 per cent stake in the team, which will still be known as Renault F1."In 2010, the team will retain...

Schumacher rumours intensify
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:41GMT

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has added to the speculation suggesting Michael Schumacher will return to the grid next year.Ecclestone says he would be surprised if the former Ferrari ace did not drive for Mercedes in 2010.He has also suggested that Schumacher has already signed a contract with the German team, saying when asked by The Times if Robert Kubica might leave the Renault team in order to drive for Mercedes: "Well, theyve got Michael havent they? They wont want Michael...

Ferrari chief: Schumacher will return
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:39GMT

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has revealed that Michael Schumacher is highly likely to return to Formula One next year with Mercedes.The seven-time world champion has been given permission to end his consultancy role with Ferrari in order to make a racing return.Mercedes, who took over the Brawn GP team in November to confirm their return to Formula One, are believed to be keen to boast an all-German driver line-up with Schumacher the focal point.The 41-year-old had planned to make a...

Rome could stage F1 grand prix
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:36GMT

Rome could be the next city to stage a street circuit race following claims that they have a deal in place with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.Monte Carlo, Valencia and Singapore all staged grand prix on street circuits in 2009, but reports in the Italian media claim that Rome could be the next venue in 2012.The race would be in addition to the traditional Italian Grand Prix at Monza, according to city mayor Gianni Alemanno.He said: "We think the Rome Grand...

Lopez in Renault admission
Motorsport story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:36:12GMT

Gerard Lopez has admitted that he is in the running to purchase Renaults Formula One team.The entrepreneur is the co-founder and managing partner of the Luxembourg-based Mangrove Capital Partners which is one of the continents leading venture capital firms.He is also involved in driver management through the Gravity sports organisation that looks after upcoming racers, including Chinas Ho-Pin Tung, who tested for Renault recently.Speaking at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco, Lopez said: "We are very opportunistic."We have been in...