Formula One 2010

[Lineker]

Kimi Raikkonen's management team has confirmed that the Finn is no longer looking at F1 race options for next season, as the World Rally Championship is where he wants to stay in 2011.

Speaking to Finnish television station MTV3, Steve Roberston admitted Raikkonen wants to remain where he is.

"We're no longer looking at opportunities in F1. Kimi seems to be focused on rallying at the moment," said Robertson.

He refused to rule out a longer-term return to Formula 1 or racing for the 30-year old, adding: "Never say never, but right now our eye is not on F1.

"Nothing's been decided yet [for the WRC]. We'll let you know when there is something to say. At the moment nothing has been signed. We're talking to several teams."

In recent days, there has been increased speculation that Citroen will find a solution to keep Raikkonen in its Junior team with the 2007 Formula 1 world champion taking a the money from a personal sponsorship deal from Red Bull, which is expected to be considerably lower than the '5m he is rumoured to have been paid by the Austrian firm this season.

Beyond Citroen, Mini remains an option for Raikkonen, but the limited programme of 2011 events and the high level of car development would not suit his experience or desire to be driving all the time at the moment.

A seat alongside Ken Block at the Monster Ford World Rally Team is another option, but there are funding issues for the American-based outfit.

Block admitted running with Raikkonen would offer great potential exposure for both Monster and DC Shoes, but he added a decision on a potential second driver may not be taken until early next year.

The final option for Raikkonen is a season away from rallying, with a possible return when there is likely to be more manufacturer interest in 2012.

[Lineker]

The Williams team has announced that it will supply transmission systems to Hispania Racing from the 2011 season.

The move will see the Spanish squad leave Xtrac to use the gearbox produced by the Grove-based squad.

Williams said the deal will extend for the life-cycle of the current Cosworth engine technology.

Both teams are currently using Cosworth engines.

"This is a logical partnership given Williams and Hispania's mutual relationship with Cosworth," said Williams's CEO Alex Burns.

"Our gearbox technology has consistently proven itself as both competitive and reliable, and hence this agreement will be a positive development for both organisations."

HRT team boss Colin Kolles added: "This technical partnership is a significant step forward for Hispania Racing HRT F1 Team to improve its performance.

"We are very happy to do this with an engineering company and race team like Williams F1 which has an impressive track record and astonishing heritage."

Hispania made its Formula 1 debut this season, but has struggled at the back of the field as the development of its car has been minimal throughout the year.

The Williams deal, however, will be a boost for the team, which endured a lot of problems with hydraulics at the start of the season.

-----------------

Hispania Racing boss Colin Kolles says the team is set to announce a financial backer that should ensure the future of the Spanish squad.

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested earlier today that the struggling team had found a backer to inject much-needed cash.

"I believe HRT, the people from Spain, have now got a guy that I know, a financial backer. If they have it, super. We need the teams if they are financially sound," Ecclestone told Reuters.

Kolles said an announcement is expected "very soon".

"There should be some release very soon. I think Mr Ecclestone knows what he is saying," Kolles told the news agency.

"I think that people will realise what is the potential of this partnership. I think in the next couple of days there will be a few big announcements."

The team, making its Formula 1 debut this season, announced earlier this week a deal to use gearboxes from Williams in 2011.

---------------------

Hispania has announced a new partnership with Spanish businessman Juan Villalonga.

Now a business advisor, Villalonga's long executive career includes a stint as CEO of Spanish telecommunications firm Telefonica, during which he brought the company into Formula 1 as a major sponsor of the Minardi team.

HRT owner Jose Ramon Carabante said Villalonga's arrival would be a major boost to the squad.

"He has always felt, as I do, a clear passion for motorsport," said Carabante of Villalonga.

"We will substantially strengthen our ability to generate innovative activities in marketing and sponsorship with his incorporation.

"We will also be able to make the best of his leadership, knowledge and relationships in the fields of technology and communications, and therefore be able to fully exploit the opportunities we are given after this tough first year."

Villalonga said his priority would be to source new funding for Hispania.

"Formula 1 is always associated with innovation, research and technology, and Hispania Racing must be represented on that level, with a stable leadership," he said. "The key is the quality and not the quantity of sponsors."

Good for them - they couldn't have got much worse. Once they're out of the horrid Dallara chasis' too, they could be half decent? Good to see them financially backed now as well.

The FIA has released the final calendar for the 2011 Formula 1 season, with the addition of the Indian Grand Prix boosting the schedule to 20 races.

The Delhi race is provisional and subject to the new circuit being homologated by the FIA, while Shanghai's licence has expired and the facility needs to complete some upgrades before being granted a new one.

The other 18 rounds are as the FIA announced in its provisional schedule in September.

The season will begin in Bahrain on March 13, and Brazil will move back to its season finale slot on November 27.

2011 Formula 1 calendar


13/03  Bahrain

27/03  Australia

10/04  Malaysia

17/04  China*

08/05  Turkey

22/05  Spain

29/05  Monaco

12/06  Canada

26/06  Europe

10/07  Great Britain

24/07  Germany

31/07  Hungary

28/08  Belgium

11/09  Italy

25/09  Singapore

09/10  Japan

16/10  Korea

30/10  India*

13/11  Abu Dhabi

27/11  Brazil


*Subject to the homologation of the circuit.[/code]


Renault is poised to scale back its Formula 1 involvement next year and become only an engine supplier, AUTOSPORT has learned, as its current works team closes in on a tie-up with Lotus Cars.


Although the French car manufacturer announced on Friday that it was expanding its engine supply deals in 2011 to include the current Lotus Racing outfit as well as its works team and Red Bull Racing, sources suggest that the move has come following a behind-the-scenes decision to totally revise its F1 strategy.


Rather than continue having its own team, sources suggest that the company is planning to wind down its involvement with the Enstone-based outfit to becoming just an engine supplier from the start of 2011.


That decision has left the way clear for the Renault team's current majority shareholder, Genii Capital, to seek other partners for next year as it looks to maintain the momentum it has gained during the current season.


Sources suggest that the outfit is close to finalising a deal with Lotus Cars for the company to become a major sponsor - and potential minority shareholder - of the team. The outfit itself could become known as Lotus Renault from the start of next year.


If the deal is agreed, the tie-up with Lotus would provide a financial boost to the rebranded Enstone team, and give Lotus Cars the opening in F1 that its ambitious CEO Dany Bahar has been seeking.


Even if the Lotus deal does happen, it is likely that the team would maintain elements of the Renault name until at least the start of the next Concorde Agreement, which is set to come into force from 2013.


Renault's new engine deal with Red Bull Racing has included more branding for the company on the team's cars - as Renault Sport's president Bernard Rey suggested on Friday that there were still tangible benefits to being involved in the sport.


"We remain firm believers in the benefits of our successful involvement in F1: it positions Renault as a technological leader, and boosts awareness of the brand across the globe," he said.


The Lotus Cars move with Renault has cast fresh doubt on whether the current Lotus Racing team will continue its push to use the Team Lotus moniker in F1 – as it would make little sense for there to be two Lotus Renault outfits competing against each other in 2011.


Speculation that Lotus Racing may seek a rebranding next year was heightened by the outfit not making any reference to its current name in press releases confirming its use of Renault engines for next year.


Renault itself announced that it was supplying engines to the 1Malaysia Racing Team (UK) Ltd in 2011.


Lotus Racing team owner Tony Fernandes was not available for comment about his plans as he is missing this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.


Click here for more analysis


At the end of the day, I suppose that it doesn't really matter what they're called as long as they build on this year!

Edited November 7, 2010 by Lineker

[Lineker]

P1


Pos  Driver         Team                     Time               Laps

 1.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault         1:12.328            23

 2.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault         1:12.810  + 0.482   27

 3.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes         1:12.845  + 0.517   24

 4.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes         1:13.267  + 0.939   23

 5.  Kubica         Renault                  1:13.370  + 1.042   23

 6.  Rosberg        Mercedes                 1:13.516  + 1.188   25

 7.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth        1:13.546  + 1.218   25

 8.  Schumacher     Mercedes                 1:13.643  + 1.315   24

 9.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes     1:13.918  + 1.590   25

10.  Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari           1:14.000  + 1.672   22

11.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari           1:14.004  + 1.676   23

12.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth        1:14.155  + 1.827   28

13.  Alonso         Ferrari                  1:14.246  + 1.918   20

14.  Massa          Ferrari                  1:14.267  + 1.939   25

15.  Petrov         Renault                  1:14.370  + 2.042   23

16.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes     1:14.487  + 2.159   25

17.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:14.618  + 2.290   29

18.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:14.734  + 2.406   28

19.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth           1:15.603  + 3.275   24

20.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth          1:15.860  + 3.532   20

21.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth           1:16.057  + 3.729   25

22.  d'Ambrosio     Virgin-Cosworth          1:16.707  + 4.379   27

23.  Klien          HRT-Cosworth             1:16.839  + 4.511   18

24.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth             1:17.360  + 5.032   29


All Timing Unofficial[/code]




[code]P2


Pos  Driver         Team                     Time              Laps

 1.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault         1:11.968            28

 2.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault         1:12.072  + 0.104   34

 3.  Alonso         Ferrari                  1:12.328  + 0.360   36

 4.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes         1:12.656  + 0.688   33

 5.  Massa          Ferrari                  1:12.677  + 0.709   19

 6.  Kubica         Renault                  1:12.882  + 0.914   37

 7.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes         1:13.206  + 1.238   33

 8.  Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari           1:13.222  + 1.254   40

 9.  Rosberg        Mercedes                 1:13.333  + 1.365   34

10.  Schumacher     Mercedes                 1:13.346  + 1.378   36

11.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth        1:13.520  + 1.552   37

12.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari           1:13.610  + 1.642   41

13.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth        1:13.725  + 1.757   39

14.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes     1:13.741  + 1.773   32

15.  Petrov         Renault                  1:13.818  + 1.850   26

16.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes     1:14.045  + 2.077   37

17.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:14.304  + 2.336   33

18.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:14.578  + 2.610   37

19.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth           1:14.984  + 3.016   47

20.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth           1:15.101  + 3.133   43

21.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth          1:15.433  + 3.465   35

22.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth             1:16.070  + 4.102   42

23.  Klien          HRT-Cosworth             1:16.082  + 4.114   38

24.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth          1:16.150  + 4.182   35


All Timing Unofficial

P3


Pos  Driver         Team                     Time              Laps

 1.  Kubica         Renault                  1:19.191            16

 2.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault         1:19.500  + 0.309   16

 3.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes         1:19.536  + 0.345   18

 4.  Massa          Ferrari                  1:19.735  + 0.544    9

 5.  Alonso         Ferrari                  1:19.791  + 0.600    9

 6.  Petrov         Renault                  1:19.887  + 0.696   22

 7.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:20.009  + 0.818   24

 8.  Rosberg        Mercedes                 1:20.056  + 0.865   13

 9.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes         1:20.164  + 0.973   24

10.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth        1:20.320  + 1.129   13

11.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault         1:20.337  + 1.146    6

12.  Schumacher     Mercedes                 1:20.421  + 1.230   18

13.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari           1:20.452  + 1.261   21

14.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth        1:20.535  + 1.344   12

15.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari       1:20.541  + 1.350   26

16.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes     1:20.546  + 1.355   19

17.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes     1:20.613  + 1.422   19

18.  Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari           1:20.985  + 1.794   25

19.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth           1:22.326  + 3.135   17

20.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth          1:22.449  + 3.258   26

21.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth           1:22.874  + 3.683   20

22.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth          1:23.194  + 4.003   21

23.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth             1:23.358  + 4.167   20

24.  Klien          HRT-Cosworth             1:23.650  + 4.459   19


All Timing Unofficial[/code]




[code]Qualifying


Pos  Driver         Team                   Q1        Q2        Q3

 1.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth      1:20.050  1:19.144  1:14.470

 2.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault       1:19.160  1:18.691  1:15.519

 3.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault       1:19.025  1:18.516  1:15.637

 4.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes       1:19.931  1:18.921  1:15.747

 5.  Alonso         Ferrari                1:18.987  1:19.010  1:15.989

 6.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth      1:19.799  1:18.925  1:16.203

 7.  Kubica         Renault                1:19.249  1:18.877  1:16.552

 8.  Schumacher     Mercedes               1:19.879  1:18.923  1:16.925

 9.  Massa          Ferrari                1:19.778  1:19.200  1:17.101

10.  Petrov         Renault                1:20.189  1:19.153  1:17.656

11.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes       1:19.905  1:19.288

12.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari         1:19.741  1:19.385

13.  Rosberg        Mercedes               1:20.153  1:19.486

14.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:20.158  1:19.581

15.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:20.096  1:19.847

16.  Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari         1:20.174  1:19.899

17.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes   1:20.592  1:20.357

18.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes   1:20.830

19.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth        1:22.130

20.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth         1:22.250

21.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth         1:22.378

22.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth        1:22.810

23.  Klien          HRT-Cosworth           1:23.083

24.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth           1:23.796


All Timing Unofficial

Way to go Nico, sheer wtf though - going to be a great race.

World champion Jenson Button escaped unharmed from an attempted armed robbery on Saturday night after assailants made an approach on his car as he left the Interlagos circuit.

A statement issued by his McLaren team said that the car Button was travelling in along with his father John, physio Mike Collier and manager Richard Goddard had escaped without trouble.

The statement said: "On Saturday evening on the way back from the Interlagos circuit to Morumbi, armed would-be assailants made an attempt to approach the car that was carrying Jenson Button.

"Neither Jenson nor the other occupants of the car were hurt.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes had provided both Jenson and team-mate Lewis Hamilton with reinforced armoured vehicles driven by police drivers, who had been trained in avoidance techniques and were armed.

"The police driver of Jenson's vehicle reacted swiftly and, using avoidance techniques, rapidly forced his way through the traffic, taking Jenson and the other occupants of the car immediately away from any danger and back to their hotel."

Such armed incidents have become a regular occurence at the Brazilian Grand Prix, although this is the first time in recent years that a current driver is believed to have faced such a danger.

McLaren said that local officials will provide additional security for its team personnel on Sunday.

The statement added: "The Sao Paulo authorities have also acted efficiently and will be providing additional security to transfer Jenson and other senior Vodafone McLaren Mercedes personnel to the Interlagos circuit for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix."

---------------------

Jenson Button hopes his escape from an attempted armed robbery in Brazil on Saturday night helps bring home how dangerous Sao Paulo can be - so that people take more care to avoid similar trouble in the future.

Only swift action by trained police driver Daniel Toni ensured that Button and the people he was travelling with en route from the circuit to his hotel escaped unharmed when armed men approached their bullet proof Mercedes-Benz B-class car near the Interlagos circuit

With news emerging on Sunday morning that several Sauber engineers were robbed last night, Button hopes some lessons can be learned.

"It is a horrible thing to happen," he said. "I feel fine now. There is obviously a lot of attention because it is the first time it's a driver that has been held up, but hopefully it will show the dangers that are here and we will take more care.

"From what I hear, most of the drivers have got police escorts into the circuit, as well as a bulletproof car and a police driver. It is not a very comfortable feeling but we are here now, here to have a good race, and that is the most important thing."

Button spoke at length about exactly what happened in the incident.

"You hear about it happening over the years, but until you are actually involved you don't know how it feels," he said. "It is a pretty scary situation, because initially you don't believe it's happening. It's quite strange and also I don't think we were the only people who had it yesterday.

"The Sauber mechanics, from what I hear, got held up and actually had to stop and give away everything. They had a pretty horrible ordeal so I feel sorry for those guys.

"We rocked up at the traffic lights, about three rows back. Our driver, as always, stops early and doesn't pull up right behind the car in front. We looked to the right and saw a few guys gathering at the side of the road just at the entrance to a building. They were just stood there.

"It looked a bit suspect but we didn't think anything of it and then Richard [Goddard, Button's manager] noticed that one of them had a baton hanging down from his arm. Then I noticed that one guy was playing around with something in his trousers and it was a gun. As soon as I said that the driver looked across and when they saw him look they started running towards the car.

"He angled the car and floored it. It didn't look like there was a big enough space there, we got between six cars and rammed every single one to get past. We got through in the end and got away, but looking behind there were two guys with hand guns. One was quite a simple looking hand gun and one guy with something that looked like a machine gun."

That is really terrible to hear. Thankfully nobody was hurt but still, it shouldn't happen. To anyone. Brazilian crime rate (N)

[Adam]

Bring it on, I can't wait for this race. I'm oddly optimistic for Mark Webber's chances of hauling the title race back in today, although Vettel is looking strong for the win if he can power past Hulkenberg off the line. Surely he won't finish ahead of the Red Bulls, be a hell of a achievement if he does. Still no idea how Williams pulled that one off yesterday.

---------

As I expected Vettel wins - he and Red Bull are winning the title now surely? I can't see anyone stopping them in Abu Dhabi, I just really hope Webber can get ahead of Vettel. Am I right in thinking if Vettel wins in Abu Dhabi with Webber second Vettel will take the title on countback?

Great achievement for them to win the Constructors too, they deserve that. They've been the best team from Day 1 this season.

Edited November 7, 2010 by AdamDRFC

[Lineker]

Crap race. Least it's nice and open still for Abu Dhabi!

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS


The Brazilian Grand Prix

Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil;

71 laps; 305.909km;

Weather: Sunny.


Classified:


Pos  Driver        Team                       Time

 1.  Vettel        Red Bull-Renault           1h33:11.803

 2.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault           +     4.243

 3.  Alonso        Ferrari                    +     6.807

 4.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes           +    14.634

 5.  Button        McLaren-Mercedes           +    15.593

 6.  Rosberg       Mercedes                   +    35.300

 7.  Schumacher    Mercedes                   +    43.400

 8.  Hulkenberg    Williams-Cosworth          +     1 lap

 9.  Kubica        Renault                    +     1 lap

10.  Kobayashi     Sauber-Ferrari             +     1 lap

11.  Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari         +     1 lap

12.  Sutil         Force India-Mercedes       +     1 lap

13.  Buemi         Toro Rosso-Ferrari         +     1 lap

14.  Massa         Ferrari                    +     1 lap

15.  Petrov        Renault                    +     1 lap

16.  Barrichello   Williams-Cosworth          +     1 lap

17.  Heidfeld      Sauber-Ferrari             +     1 lap

18.  Kovalainen    Lotus-Cosworth             +    2 laps

19.  Trulli        Lotus-Cosworth             +    2 laps

20.  Glock         Virgin-Cosworth            +    2 laps

21.  Senna         HRT-Cosworth               +    2 laps

22.  Klien         HRT-Cosworth               +    6 laps


Fastest lap: Hamilton, 1:13.851


Not classified/retirements:


Driver        Team                         On lap

Di Grassi     Virgin-Cosworth              63

Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes         50



World Championship standings, round 18:                


Drivers:                    Constructors:             

 1.  Alonso       246        1.  Red Bull-Renault          469

 2.  Webber       238        2.  McLaren-Mercedes          421

 3.  Vettel       231        3.  Ferrari                   389

 4.  Hamilton     222        4.  Mercedes                  202

 5.  Button       199        5.  Renault                   145

 6.  Massa        143        6.  Williams-Cosworth          69

 7.  Rosberg      130        7.  Force India-Mercedes       68

 8.  Kubica       126        8.  Sauber-Ferrari             44

 9.  Schumacher    72        9.  Toro Rosso-Ferrari         11

10.  Barrichello   47       

11.  Sutil         47       

12.  Kobayashi     32       

13.  Hulkenberg    22       

14.  Liuzzi        21       

15.  Petrov        19       

16.  Buemi          8       

17.  De la Rosa     6       

18.  Heidfeld       6       

19.  Alguersuari    3       


All timing unofficial[/code]


Also, a massive congratulations go out to Red Bull.


Red Bull Racing has clinched the constructors' world championship following a dominant 1-2 finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix.


Although the fight for the drivers' crown remains open until the season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber's performance in Brazil was enough for it to be assured of its maiden team title.


With nearest challenger McLaren unable to secure the result it needed to keep itself in the constructors' crown, Red Bull Racing cannot now be beaten to the constructors' crown.


Red Bull Racing's title success comes after a season in which there is little doubt it has had the quickest car. Vettel and Webber have taken 14 out of a possible 18 pole positions and won seven grands prix.


Team principal Christian Horner said before the Interlagos weekend that although the Constructors' Championship did not carry the prestige of the drivers' crown, it was still a great honour for his outfit.


"Inevitably for the team the constructors' is where they are measured against their peers in the pit lane," he said. "From the team point of view the constructors' is the one that is held most closely to people's hearts.


"To the public, the drivers' is what has the most prestige attached to it. In different ways within the team they have an equal value."


Thoroughly deserved. Well done to them. However....


Mark Webber has admitted that it would have been 'a help' if Red Bull had employed team orders to boost his championship position in the Brazilian Grand Prix, but said he accepts his squad's policy and is not expecting any extra assistance in Abu Dhabi next weekend.


Sebastian Vettel led Webber home in a Red Bull one-two in Brazil, securing the constructors' championship for the team. But the result put Webber eight points behind leader Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings, whereas the gap would have only been one point had Red Bull reversed its drivers' position - though that would have all but ended Vettel's title hopes.


When asked if the team should have swapped the order of its cars today, Webber replied: "It helps but it's not the team's philosophy. It was a good drive by Seb today for the win and that is how it is.


"The team is going for the position it has always done on the sporting side and that is how it is.


"Fernando got some points at Hockenheim [via team orders], which happened in the past and will happen in the future.


"Everyone has different ideas and that is how it is. I still have a good chance and will go to Abu Dhabi and do my best."


Asked whether he expected Vettel to move aside for him in Abu Dhabi, Webber said: "Depends how it is on the last lap."


The Australian reckoned qualifying behind Vettel and failing to jump him at the start had decided the result today.


"Most of the races were decided on Saturday or the first lap," Webber said. "We follow each other, in old days you could play strategy and go longer or shorter, but that is not how it is [now]."


He also pointed out that an issue with high engine temperatures had forced him to nurse his car for much of the distance.


"We had to manage a few problems during the second part of race," said Webber. "A very, very hot engine for some reason so we had to turn it down quite a lot, and just focus on keeping Fernando out."


Webber added that he was delighted that the team - which he originally drove for in its Jaguar incarnation in 2003/04 before returning to it under the Red Bull name in 2007 - had wrapped up the constructors' title.


"I am absolutely stoked for the guys and girls," he said. "I've known a lot of them in Milton Keynes for a long time. They're part of an amazing effort and to get the constructors' title is a phenomenal effort for them, all the guys who have put them in there racing Ferrari and McLaren.


"We've beaten them fair and square. It is a very good achievement for the team."


-------------------------


Sebastian Vettel stopped short from confirming he will help team-mate Mark Webber in Abu Dhabi if the Australian needs it to clinch the title.


Vettel won the Brazilian GP from Webber on Sunday to move to within 16 points of championship leader Fernando Alonso with just one race left.


Red Bull has so far refused to throw its weight on one driver, as shown again today. Had he won, Webber - eight points behind Alonso - would have been just one point behind the Spaniard.


Today's result means Alonso can secure the title by finishing second in Abu Dhabi, or third if Vettel wins from Webber.


The German, however, was coy when asked about helping Webber.


"I am not sure if I got your question," he said when asked if he would give way to Webber if Alonso was running in third in Abu Dhabi. "It is pretty straightforward: in less than a week's time we unpack the cars and prepare for Abu Dhabi.


"We have to see if we are competitive. Then we will see where we are in qualifying, we try to get everything out of the car and then see where we are.


"Obviously in my case it is pretty straightforward. I can try to optimise my result, get everything out my myself and repeat the result of today and then it depends on where those guys are.


"For sure you will have to judge according to the situation. One thing is clear, I think both of us know how to act, there are moments which were probably not representable and we probably don't want to repeat."


When asked to give yes or no, answer, he said: "I think you will see then. I went to school obviously so I know what I can answer and there was a lot of talk before this race.


"In the end the way the race unfolded it was all unnecessary. For me it is straightforward: I go to Abu Dhabi to try to do my best. We have a strong car.


"I can only tell you about the scenario you are talking about and it is something you will think of. As a kid I never liked it when my parents teased me when they wouldn't answer my question so now I am in a position to tease you for your questions."


----------------------------


Red Bull Racing will leave any decision on team orders wholly up to its drivers in the Abu Dhabi season finale, with the management convinced Sebastian Vettel will do the right thing off his own back if needed.


The Milton Keynes-based outfit has refused to throw its weight behind its leading driver Mark Webber in the closing stages of the season, which has left both him and Vettel in contention for the crown at the final race of the season.


Red Bull Racing's tactics have, however, left the team in a situation where if Vettel leads Webber home at the Yas Marina circuit - with main rival Fernando Alonso third - then the title will go to the Ferrari driver.


That means the team could be put in a situation where the only way it can guarantee itself the drivers' crown as well as its constructors' title is to get Vettel to sacrifice the lead to his team-mate.


Vettel himself drew short of confirming he would concede the win if required when asked by the media after the Brazilian Grand Prix, while Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner made it clear the team will not issue any team orders from the pitlane either.


"I don't think there are any difficult decisions to be made," Horner said about the situation. "We have two drivers that drive for the team, who have had tremendous support and equality this year. It would have been wrong to switch the drivers today, as both drivers have the chance of winning the world championship.


"Nobody has a crystal ball, nobody can foresee what will happen next weekend and all along we have tried to do the best to support them equally. And of course if they find themselves in a situation where one, because he cannot win, needs to help the other then of course I can only imagine that they will do that. But it will have to be a driver decision.


"You only have to look at the characters of the individuals that drive for us to recognise that they will do the best to ensure the best team results."


When asked if he was sure Vettel would do the right thing if required, Horner said: "Ultimately it is their decision. They both drive for the team and I know that they will both do the best that they can in that situation, should it arise, for the team. Nobody has a crystal ball and nobody can predict what will happen in a week's time. Both drivers go into the race weekend with a genuine chance of taking the world title."


He added: "We will back both drivers equally and both drivers drive for the team. They will do whatever is right I am sure, at the end of the day, for the team. I have zero doubt about that. Had that situation occurred today, if Fernando had been ahead, then of course Sebastian would have done what was right for the team.


"But that was not the situation. Both drivers have taken valuable points off Fernando today and both go into Abu Dhabi eight points and 15 respectively behind – which in today's scoring we have seen can change quite quickly."


Vettel will win the championship if he wins the race in Abu Dhabi and Alonso fails to finish fourth or higher, while Webber will be champion if he wins and Alonso is no higher than third.


Hmm....

[Lineker]

Away in Nottingham until Monday, so before I go, a few tidbits:

- Klien to stay in the HRT alongside Senna for the final race of the season

- Russian car makers Marussia purchase a big stake of Virgin; from next season onwards they'll be known as Marussia Virgin Racing

- Vettel has further hinted that he would be willing to support Webber's title bid, despite the powers-that-be in his team adamant that this cannot and will not happen.

- The Australian Grand Prix's place on next year's Formula 1 calendar is under threat because of a row over fees with CAMS, the country's motorsport governing body (Click to find out why).

- Renault's Eric Boullier continues talks with Group Lotus over possible collaboration

Finally, Lotus will be going back to their classic black/gold livery from next season (shame, I loved the green/yellow combination)... so expect somethng along these lines:

Season climax + the boxing = great sporting weekend.

[Adam]

That's lame, I love the green livery. Oh well. Are they even gonna be known as Lotus next year for definite?

[Slogger]

Hell Yeah, I LOVE the John Player Special paint scheme.

BMW ran it during Bathurst one year back in the 80's.

[Katsuya]

I'm not gonna lie, given the times from practice, I'm pretty much set in accepting we're gonna have Alonso walking away with the title this weekend. Oh well...

[Molly]

I'm just so nervous right now.

I would love so much for Mark to take the title.

[YI]

...old Lotus colours...FUCK YEAH!!! I have a little old school Lotus toy on a shelf in my room......as well as a Footwork.

[Sam]

Tomorrow is going to be one heck of a race, Webber really fucked up his qualifying, he's going to need an incident at that first corner to help him out and who would rule that out with the combustible nature of Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso going into that corner. I think Hamilton will be a man on a mission tomorrow and I expect he will win the race, I think he has genuinely better pace than Vettel and if he had done two laps instead of one at the end he'd probably be sat on pole. I think it's going to be an Alonso title win, although the way things have gone this season anything could happen.

[Lineker]

The first corner at Abu Dhabi is probably the easiest in F1 though, I don't think that there will be any incidents.

P1


Pos  Driver              Car                   Time       Gap       Laps

 1.  Sebastian Vettel    Red Bull-Renault      1m42.760s            18

 2.  Lewis Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes      1m43.369s  + 0.609s  16

 3.  Jenson Button       McLaren-Mercedes      1m43.785s  + 1.025s  19

 4.  Mark Webber         Red Bull-Renault      1m43.840s  + 1.080s  19

 5.  Robert Kubica       Renault               1m44.080s  + 1.320s  19

 6.  Fernando Alonso     Ferrari               1m44.121s  + 1.361s  17

 7.  Michael Schumacher  Mercedes              1m44.199s  + 1.439s  19

 8.  Kamui Kobayashi     Sauber-Ferrari        1m44.604s  + 1.844s  18

 9.  Nico Rosberg        Mercedes              1m44.718s  + 1.958s  19

10.  Nick Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari        1m44.737s  + 1.977s  19

11.  Felipe Massa        Ferrari               1m45.160s  + 2.400s  18

12.  Vitaly Petrov       Renault               1m45.445s  + 2.685s  21

13.  Rubens Barrichello  Williams-Cosworth     1m45.474s  + 2.714s  15

14.  Adrian Sutil        Force India-Mercedes  1m45.552s  + 2.792s  20

15.  Tonio Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes  1m45.585s  + 2.825s  14

16.  Jaime Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m46.003s  + 3.243s  20

17.  Nico Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth     1m46.644s  + 3.884s  19

18.  Sebastien Buemi     Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m47.105s  + 4.345s  22

19.  Timo Glock          Virgin-Cosworth       1m48.450s  + 5.690s  19

20.  Jarno Trulli        Lotus-Cosworth        1m48.472s  + 5.712s  17

21.  Lucas di Grassi     Virgin-Cosworth       1m49.375s  + 6.615s  13

22.  Bruno Senna         Hispania-Cosworth     1m49.590s  + 6.830s  18

23.  Christian Klien     Hispania-Cosworth     1m50.274s  + 7.514s  17

24.  Fairuz Fauzy        Lotus-Cosworth        1m51.705s  + 8.945s  18


All timing unofficial[/code]




[code]P2


Pos  Driver              Car                   Time       Gap

 1.  Lewis Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes      1m40.888s

 2.  Sebastian Vettel    Red Bull-Renault      1m41.145s  + 0.257s

 3.  Fernando Alonso     Ferrari               1m41.314s  + 0.426s

 4.  Mark Webber         Red Bull-Renault      1m41.315s  + 0.427s

 5.  Robert Kubica       Renault               1m41.576s  + 0.688s

 6.  Felipe Massa        Ferrari               1m41.583s  + 0.695s

 7.  Vitaly Petrov       Renault               1m42.096s  + 1.208s

 8.  Jenson Button       McLaren-Mercedes      1m42.132s  + 1.244s

 9.  Tonio Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes  1m42.203s  + 1.315s

10.  Nico Rosberg        Mercedes              1m42.222s  + 1.334s

11.  Michael Schumacher  Mercedes              1m42.246s  + 1.358s

12.  Nico Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth     1m42.449s  + 1.561s

13.  Adrian Sutil        Force India-Mercedes  1m42.535s  + 1.647s

14.  Kamui Kobayashi     Sauber-Ferrari        1m42.768s  + 1.880s

15.  Rubens Barrichello  Williams-Cosworth     1m42.914s  + 2.026s

16.  Nick Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari        1m42.950s  + 2.062s

17.  Jaime Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m43.128s  + 2.240s

18.  Sebastien Buemi     Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m43.584s  + 2.696s

19.  Heikki Kovalainen   Lotus-Cosworth        1m45.180s  + 4.292s

20.  Timo Glock          Virgin-Cosworth       1m45.259s  + 4.371s

21.  Jarno Trulli        Lotus-Cosworth        1m45.612s  + 4.724s

22.  Lucas di Grassi     Virgin-Cosworth       1m46.053s  + 5.165s

23.  Christian Klien     Hispania-Cosworth     1m47.210s  + 6.322s

24.  Bruno Senna         Hispania-Cosworth     1m47.434s  + 6.546s


All timing unofficial

P3


Pos  Driver              Car                   Time       Gap       Laps

 1.  Sebastian Vettel    Red Bull-Renault      1m40.696s            18

 2.  Mark Webber         Red Bull-Renault      1m40.829s  + 0.133s  15

 3.  Lewis Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes      1m41.280s  + 0.584s  13

 4.  Fernando Alonso     Ferrari               1m41.490s  + 0.794s  14

 5.  Jenson Button       McLaren-Mercedes      1m41.578s  + 0.882s  17

 6.  Vitaly Petrov       Renault               1m41.689s  + 0.993s  17

 7.  Michael Schumacher  Mercedes              1m41.690s  + 0.994s  18

 8.  Nico Rosberg        Mercedes              1m41.729s  + 1.033s  17

 9.  Robert Kubica       Renault               1m41.877s  + 1.181s  18

10.  Nick Heidfeld       Sauber-Ferrari        1m41.893s  + 1.197s  20

11.  Nico Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth     1m41.934s  + 1.238s  18

12.  Felipe Massa        Ferrari               1m41.978s  + 1.282s  14

13.  Rubens Barrichello  Williams-Cosworth     1m42.316s  + 1.620s  15

14.  Kamui Kobayashi     Sauber-Ferrari        1m42.566s  + 1.870s  16

15.  Adrian Sutil        Force India-Mercedes  1m42.587s  + 1.891s  18

16.  Tonio Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes  1m42.858s  + 2.162s  14

17.  Jaime Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m42.993s  + 2.297s  20

18.  Sebastien Buemi     Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m43.344s  + 2.648s  18

19.  Heikki Kovalainen   Lotus-Cosworth        1m44.876s  + 4.180s  15

20.  Jarno Trulli        Lotus-Cosworth        1m45.048s  + 4.352s  23

21.  Timo Glock          Virgin-Cosworth       1m45.050s  + 4.354s  20

22.  Bruno Senna         Hispania-Cosworth     1m45.490s  + 4.794s  16

23.  Lucas di Grassi     Virgin-Cosworth       1m45.629s  + 4.933s  22

24.  Christian Klien     Hispania-Cosworth     1m46.464s  + 5.768s  17


All timing unofficial[/code]




[code]Qualifying


Pos  Driver       Car                  Q1         Q2         Q3

 1.  Vettel       Red Bull-Renault     1m40.318s  1m39.874s  1m39.394s

 2.  Hamilton     McLaren-Mercedes     1m40.335s  1m40.119s  1m39.425s

 3.  Alonso       Ferrari              1m40.170s  1m40.311s  1m39.792s

 4.  Button       McLaren-Mercedes     1m40.877s  1m40.014s  1m39.823s

 5.  Webber       Red Bull-Renault     1m40.690s  1m40.074s  1m39.925s

 6.  Massa        Ferrari              1m40.942s  1m40.323s  1m40.202s

 7.  Barrichello  Williams-Cosworth    1m40.904s  1m40.476s  1m40.203s

 8.  Schumacher   Mercedes             1m41.222s  1m40.452s  1m40.516s

 9.  Rosberg      Mercedes             1m40.231s  1m40.060s  1m40.589s

10.  Petrov       Renault              1m41.018s  1m40.658s  1m40.901s

11.  Kubica       Renault              1m41.336s  1m40.780s

12.  Kobayashi    Sauber-Ferrari       1m41.045s  1m40.783s

13.  Sutil        Force India-Ferrari  1m41.473s  1m40.914s

14.  Heidfeld     Sauber-Ferrari       1m41.409s  1m41.113s

15.  Hulkenberg   Williams-Cosworth    1m41.015s  1m41.418s

16.  Liuzzi       Force India-Ferrari  1m41.681s  1m41.642s

17.  Alguersuari  Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m41.707s  1m41.738s

18.  Buemi        Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m41.824s

19.  Trulli       Lotus-Cosworth       1m43.516s

20.  Kovalainen   Lotus-Cosworth       1m43.712s

21.  Glock        Virgin-Cosworth      1m44.095s

22.  di Grassi    Virgin-Cosworth      1m44.510s

23.  Senna        Hispania-Cosworth    1m45.085s

24.  Klien        Hispania-Cosworth    1m45.296s


All timing unofficial

[Fry_4000]

this is it, anyone dare to predict what will happen?

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

I'm ABV right now...Anyone But Vettel. I hate that guy.

[Adam]

Renault are handing Vettel the title right now by keeping Hamilton & Alonso at bay. And I think Vettel deserves it. I'm still not happy with how Red Bull have blatantly favoured him over Webber when Webber has led him for most of the season, but between Vettel and Alonso as it seems now I think Vettel has been better for longer than Alonso this season.

[Gazz]

I'm ABV right now...Anyone But Vettel. I hate that guy.

I counteract with VETTEL!

Though I would prefer Kubica to get 120 bonus points for being awesome.

[Sam]

I cant believe it's taken Brundle so long to realise that Kubica will probably be able to get out in front of Alonso when he pits, Petrov is slowing Alonso up so much that the gap between Kubica and Alonso has been growing and growing. It's looking like it will be a title for Vettel.

[Lineker]

Big holy shit moment with Liuzzi almost decapitating Schumi! Very interesting race so far, wanted Webber to win the title but as that won't happen now I am ABA (anyone but Alonso). Go Vettel!

[Fry_4000]

Not a fan of Vettel but rather he wins the title over Alonso.