Latest F1 news in brief
- Buemi with injured elbow in Turkey
- Kubica worried about rivals' F-duct progress
- Alonso was racing on last Monaco lap – Schu
- HRT eyes Toyota's Cologne HQ and TF110 car – reports
- Tester Bottas drove Williams at Silverstone
- Only Rosberg with own motor home in Turkey
- Reporter spots new diffuser on Ferrari's F10
- No truth to Raikkonen/Red Bull rumors – Horner
- Button splits with Japanese model girlfriend
Buemi with injured elbow in Turkey
(GMM) Sebastien Buemi is wearing a bandage on his right elbow in the Istanbul paddock.
"It was my fault," the Toro Rosso driver is quoted by Speedweek. "I was jumping over a railing and hit my arm."
Asked by a reporter if his participation in this weekend's Turkish grand prix was ever in doubt, the young Swiss answered: "Not for a second!"
Kubica worried about rivals' F-duct progress
(GMM) Robert Kubica in Turkey has admitted concern at the growing number of F-duct solutions within the F1 pitlane.
Renault is still working on the innovation, while the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes and Force India are all trialing the downforce-stalling concept on their cars this weekend.
"Some of our competitors have the F-duct now which will give them better top speed," the Pole is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
"In Barcelona Sauber showed how much you can get out of it when the system is working.
"We don't have it, so it may be that we will fall behind somewhat," warned Kubica.
Alonso was racing on last Monaco lap – Schu
(GMM) Michael Schumacher admits he does not believe Fernando Alonso when the Spaniard says he knew overtaking was not allowed at the last corner of the recent Monaco grand prix.
Due to the safety car rules confusion in the wake of the recent controversy, the FIA has vowed to clear up the regulations.
But when asked in Turkey if he still thinks Schumacher should have been demoted out of the points for the pass in Monaco, Alonso said: "Yes.
"Because it's in the rules. For me it's clear. When the safety car is on the last lap it's not possible to overtake."
But former Ferrari driver Schumacher, who now drives for Mercedes, suggested in Istanbul that Alonso might not be telling the truth.
"He almost hit the wall in attempting to defend his position!" the German is quoted as saying by Auto Hebdo.
HRT eyes Toyota's Cologne HQ and TF110 car – reports
(GMM) HRT is interested in moving into Toyota's F1 headquarters in Cologne, and is also eyeing the departed Japanese teams' 2010 car, according to reports.
Spain's sports newspaper Marca said the Spanish team's owner Jose Ramon Carabante has already visited the German site on two occasions.
Italiaracing, meanwhile, reports that the Hispania team is also interested in taking over Toyota's unraced 2010 chassis, the TF110.
The news follows HRT's confirmation that it has split with its existing chassis maker Dallara.
But the move to buy the Cologne facility would be at odds with HRT's earlier plans to set up a long-term base in the Spanish region of Murcia, a team sponsor.
The reports could therefore trigger speculation that Carabante is looking to sell the team, even though on Thursday HRT revealed the identity of its new board.
"This shows how (the team) is strongly trying to keep on growing day by day in order to develop to a more strong, lasting and competitive team in formula one," read a statement.
Tester Bottas drove Williams at Silverstone
(GMM) Williams' new test driver made his formula one track debut this week.
In January, the British team signed 20-year-old Finnish F3 driver Valtteri Bottas.
As well as race driver Nico Hulkenberg, he drove the FW32 car on Monday at Silverstone.
"It was a great day for Valtteri," spokeswoman Claire Williams is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat, "and the team was also pleased."
Only Rosberg with own motor home in Turkey
(GMM) Nico Rosberg said he will never again bring his own motor home to Istanbul.
Finland's Turun Sanomat said the Mercedes driver is the only member of the F1 grid not to be staying in local hotels this weekend.
It means he can avoid the notoriously bad Turkish traffic jams.
But German Rosberg said: "It's definitely the last time I do it.
"The transporting charges are too high compared to the benefits gained," he admitted.
Reporter spots new diffuser on Ferrari's F10
(GMM) A development of Ferrari's rear double-diffuser was spotted in the Istanbul pitlane.
The F10 was wheeled out of the garage so that international photographers could see the engine cover logo celebrating the team's 800th grand prix this weekend.
But a reporter for Spain's AS newspaper also spotted an upgraded diffuser with enlarged elements "not seen at other races".
"We know that in Barcelona we had a disadvantage in the total downforce generated by the car and have worked on this issue," Fernando Alonso is quoted as saying.
But the Spanish driver is not expecting Ferrari to catch the dominant Red Bulls this weekend.
"In Barcelona they were almost a second faster than the others, and in the three weeks since it is impossible to have recovered that difference," he is quoted by El Pais newspaper.
No truth to Raikkonen/Red Bull rumors – Horner
(GMM) Red Bull Racing has played down suggestions Kimi Raikkonen was a serious contender for a seat in 2011.
As the team edges closer to re-signing Mark Webber for next year, boss Christian Horner was asked if there was any truth to recent reports linking Raikkonen with the Australian's seat.
"No. Kimi has committed himself to rallying and he seems to be enjoying that environment," he is quoted by The Guardian.
Finn Raikkonen, 30, left Ferrari and formula one at the end of last year to drive a Red Bull-sponsored Citroen in the world rally championship.
The 2007 world champion took in the recent Monaco grand prix from his yacht 'Iceman' and attended several parties, but never once stepped into the F1 paddock.
The Telegraph quoted Horner as saying Webber, 33, is close to signing a new deal for 2011.
"We're just dotting the i's and crossing the t's now," he said. "I would expect something will be announced within the next couple of weeks."
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa sounded happy with the news that Ferrari is likely to retain him for next year.
"Let's wait a bit to see what happens, but definitely I would like to stay here," said the Brazilian.
Renault's Robert Kubica admitted it is possible he will leave the Enstone team after just one year.
"There will be a time to think about whether I should stay or leave Renault," said the Pole.
Button splits with Japanese model girlfriend
(GMM) Reigning world champion Jenson Button has split with his girlfriend Jessica Michibata.
British daily tabloid The Sun said the 30-year-old decided to call time on their 18-month relationship shortly after the recent Monaco grand prix.
Japanese fashion model Michibata, 25, lives in Tokyo, and a friend of Monaco-domiciled Button is quoted as saying the "logistics" of the relationship "took their toll".
"Just over a week ago Jenson reluctantly decided that his racing must be his main priority," the source added.
A spokesman for Button confirmed: "Jenson is single again. He and Jessica have gone their separate ways."