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FIA: Ride height control systems are illegal

Formula 1 governing body the FIA has faxed all teams, informing them that any type of system which modifies a car's ride height levels whilst in action on-track would be illegal. Suspicions have been aroused in some teams over the likes of Red Bull, whose RB6 is rumoured to contain a device which generates more downforce by lowering the car in qualifying

Durango, bivši GP2 tim, najavio je kako će se prijaviti za preostalo 13. konstruktorsko mjesto u Formuli 1 iduće godine.

Durango je GP2 seriju napustio krajem prošle godine zbog financijskih problema, no upravitelj momčadi Ivone Pinton je izjavio kako su pronađeni novi investitori koji su željni pojavljivanja u Formuli 1.

"Nakon svih loših stvari koje su se dogodile prošle godine, dali smo sve od sebe kako bismo pronašli nove partnere za naš trkaći program," rekao je Pinton. "Nije nam bilo potrebno dugo da bismo shvatili kako se pozornost mogla privući jedino Formulom 1, stoga smo započeli gurati u tom smjeru i mogu reći, da bismo pristupili Formuli 1, sada uživamo u potpori dvije velike međunarodne grupacije."

Natječaj za popunjavanje 13. mjesta u Formuli 1traje do 15. travnja, a FIA je najavila objavu odabranog kandidata tijekom srpnja. Za sada nisu poznata imena ostalih prijavljenih kandidata.

FIA je jučer postigla nagodbu s bivšim upraviteljem i tehničkim direktorom Renault F1 tima, Flaviom Briatoreom i Patom Symondsom - dvojcem koji je odigrao ključne uloge u namještavanju pobjede Fernanda Alonsa na premijernoj V.N. Singapura 2008. godine.

Dvojac je zbog sudjelovanja u skandalu doživotno isključen iz sporta, no ovu je odluku francuski sud poništio zbog nepravilnosti prilikom pravnog procesa.

Međunarodna automobilistička organizacija najavila je ulaganje žalbe na odluku suda, no cijela je priča jučer zaključena nagodbom, prema kojoj Briatore i Symonds ostaju bez prava sudjelovanja u Formuli 1 do početka 2013. godine, odnosno do kraja 2011. za sva ostala natjecanja koji su registrirani pri FIA-i.

"I am obviously disappointed about my qualifying," he said plainly. "It didn't really come together today. In certain areas I was just not quick enough and at some corner exits I struggled a bit with rear end grip.

"I haven't really found the balance of the car all weekend. It will be tough to be too optimistic for tomorrow from my grid position, but then I have had some good starts lately and there is always room for lots of things to happen in Formula 1 races. We can still achieve some good points and I am definitely going to go for it."

"Fourth place is quite a nice surprise and I'm very pleased that we seem to have made a step forward this weekend," commented team-mate Rosberg. "We really got the most out of the car in qualifying and I've worked well with my engineer Jock (Clear) and the team to improve the car and get the setup right this weekend."

Cooper Avon enters race for 2011 tyres




Cooper Avon has emerged as a surprise late contender to supply Formula 1 tyres next season, AUTOSPORT has learned, despite teams having agreed in principle a deal with Michelin.

After weeks of discussions between F1 teams and Michelin about the French tyre manufacturer returning to the sport next season, high level sources have revealed that an official offer for a 2011 deal has now been proposed in writing to the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA).

While what is proposed is believed to have the support of every team, the move still needs ratification from the FIA and F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone before it can be put into practice.

However, despite the teams being keen on the Michelin plans - which will include a switch to 18-inch wheels – sources claim that Bernie Ecclestone is not in favour of such a move, and is instead believed to be keen on a different tyre manufacturer getting involved.

AUTOSPORT understands that FOTA representatives are now hoping to meet Ecclestone at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday to try and sort out the situation – with him not having yet informed teams what his own preferred route for 2011 is.

A source told AUTOSPORT: "We want to know by the Spanish Grand Prix what tyres we are running in 2011. That is why we plan to meet with Ecclestone on Sunday to see what his idea is."

Sources suggest that Ecclestone is pushing for a deal with Cooper Avon. It is possible that the tyre manufacturer could use former Bridgestone personnel to help service the tyres and ensure it is operating at a level that will satisfy F1 teams.

FOTA has now ruled out any hope of Bridgestone being persuaded to remain in the sport – even as supplier to a few teams – despite a push by the teams to try and convince the Japanese manufacturer to remain after this season.

"The passing move on Felipe? If he was not my team-mate, there wouldn't be so much talk about it and for me it was a normal move and it definitely won't compromise our relationship," he said.

Massa briefly explained his side of the story. "I ended up on a puddle of water coming out of the hairpin and slightly lost control of the car," the Brazilian recalled. "He managed to get inside me, passing me going into the pit lane; I lost some places because of it, as I had to wait for his stop to be finished."