Latest F1 news in brief
- Future decision due 'soon' – Alonso
- Hamilton finds focus for 2008 title
- Nakajima hopes to keep Williams seat
- Kimi says he may support Massa title
Future decision due 'soon' – Alonso
(GMM) Fernando Alonso on Thursday said he will make a decision about his team for 2009 "soon", but denies reports an announcement is due in seven days time at Monza.
"I will decide very soon on what I will do next year and what possibilities there are but there is not a fixed day," the Spaniard, who currently drives for Renault, told reporters at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
The 27-year-old would be first in line to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari should the Finn retire, but he has also been linked with moves next year to Honda or BMW-Sauber.
However, he dismissed as "untrue" rumors that all will be revealed ahead of the Italian grand prix in a week.
Hamilton finds focus for 2008 title
(GMM) As in 2007, Lewis Hamilton is still a title protagonist, but the McLaren driver insists he is more focused on winning the championship this year.
Then a rookie, the McLaren driver entered the final phase of last year's contest with a points advantage, but errors opened the door for Kimi Raikkonen to snatch an unlikely crown.
"Last year I wasn't focused on the championship," Hamilton, 23, told reporters at Spa-Francorchamps on Thursday.
"I was so happy to be here. It was all very overwhelming for me. I was living the dream.
"This year I'm a fully-fledged formula one driver and I am here to win the championship, and whatever that takes," he said.
Hamilton, with a 6 point advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa, suggests the practical difference between his approach this year compared to 2007 is his focus now on the bigger picture rather than individual grands prix.
"That means scoring points and staying out in front, so I have to make sure I finish the remaining six races with as many points as possible," he explained.
Nakajima hopes to keep Williams seat
(GMM) Kazuki Nakajima on Thursday said it is possible he will still be a Williams driver in 2009.
The Japanese racer's team boss, Sir Frank Williams, said recently the 23-year-old is likely to still be on the grid next season.
"I would imagine he will be at one of the two (Toyota) teams," Williams said at the French grand prix.
A few months on at Spa-Francorchamps, however, Nakajima had little news for the media corps.
"I really hope to stay at Williams," he said before the Belgian grand prix weekend. "That would be my best choice, I think. I don't think there are many other choices.
"We will have to wait for the team's decision," Nakajima explained.
Many commentators have been impressed with Nakajima's performances alongside his highly rated teammate Nico Rosberg this season.
But triple world champion Niki Lauda isn't as sure.
"It is too hard to give a clear judgment about the drivers because the car's performance is not good enough," the great Austrian said.
Kimi says he may support Massa title
(GMM) World champion Kimi Raikkonen on Thursday did not rule out helping his Ferrari teammate win the 2008 title, should his own championship chances continue to dwindle.
Felipe Massa, who is on top form in the sister F2008, insists he has not yet been conferred official number one status, despite his 7 point advantage over Raikkonen in their pursuit of championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed: "For the moment there is no hierarchy for our drivers."
Raikkonen, 28, is a renowned Spa-Francorchamps specialist, and his hopes of getting his title quest back on track almost certainly rest upon a strong result this weekend.
But he was asked at the Belgian circuit on Thursday if he can imagine falling in line to back Massa.
"It can happen," the Finn said. "We will see. It all depends on how the next races go and where we are at the end of the year. We race as a team.
"Hopefully we don't end up in this situation, hopefully I will be in the championship up to the last race. But you never know what happens," Raikkonen added.