Latest F1 news in brief
- Kubica still quiet over future F1 team
- Hakkinen, Ralf. S, to attend German GP
- Heidfeld ready to return to top form
- Ralf advises Ferrari to pick a no.1 driver
Kubica still quiet over future F1 team
(GMM) Robert Kubica this week is still giving nothing away about the identity of his formula one employer for the 2009 season.
The Pole's shining form for the BMW-Sauber team this season has undoubtedly impressed many influential residents of the F1 paddock.
"I am happy with the team," the 23-year-old told the Spanish newspaper Diario AS.
"Will I continue with them? I don't know. It is a difficult question," Kubica explained at the Jarama circuit in Spain, for a team sponsor event.
He played down his recent suggestion that he would like to be partnered with former double world champion and friend Fernando Alonso at the Hinwil based team next year.
"I have never had any problems with my teammates and it would be the same if Alonso was next to me.
"But I don't know whether or not he is coming here, I still do not know even if I will be staying," Kubica added.
Hakkinen, Ralf and Michael Schumacher to attend German GP
(GMM) Retired double world champion Mika Hakkinen will attend the German grand prix.
We previously reported that his former key title rival, seven time world champion Michael Schumacher, is also planning to be trackside at the Hockenheim circuit this weekend in his capacity as Ferrari advisor.
Hakkinen will be present for the home race of his former team McLaren's German engine partner Mercedes-Benz, as will DTM driver and former grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher.
Heidfeld ready to return to top form
(GMM) After a disappointing opening half of the 2008 season, Nick Heidfeld has declared himself ready to return to top form.
With BMW-Sauber engineers, the 31-year-old German has been working hard to solve his problem with heating up the Bridgestone tires.
At Silverstone he seemed to have made progress, keeping up with on-form teammate Robert Kubica in qualifying and then finishing second in the rain-affected race.
"I feel good in the car again," Heidfeld told the German publication Sport Bild, on the eve of his home race at Hockenheim.
"Before Silverstone, the car was driving me, but now I feel like I'm back in control," he added.
It is understood Heidfeld remains under contract to BMW-Sauber for 2009, but the Hinwil based team is yet to confirm its next driver lineup.
Names including Bruno Senna and Fernando Alonso are being linked with moves to the German squad.
Heidfeld, a veteran of approaching 150 grands prix, said: "Since I have been in formula one, dozens of drivers has come and gone. I feel I have the support of the team."
Ralf advises Ferrari to pick a no.1 driver
(GMM) The time has come for Ferrari to select a number one driver for the remainder of the 2008 season, former grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher says.
The former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver, who exited the sport at the end of last year and now contests the DTM series, believes backing a single driver is Ferrari's best hope of lifting the 2008 title.
Currently, Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are equal on points with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship charts.
"Gradually now Ferrari has to commit itself to a number one," Schumacher, whose elder brother Michael was the preferred Ferrari driver between 1996 and 2006, told the German newspaper Bild.
British challenger Hamilton, however, disagrees, believing that Ferrari's situation is actually an advantage for the Italian team.
"I think it's an advantage, because it pushes the team towards the constructors' championship," said the McLaren driver, whose own teammate Heikki Kovalainen is a full 24 points adrift.
"It can't be bad for them (Ferrari)," Hamilton added.
Niki Lauda, a former three time winner of the drivers' crown, is of a similar view.
"For Ferrari there is no hurry (to select a number one). Only if one of them drops back clearly do I think they will go fully behind one driver," he said.