Auto Motor und Sport claims the STR4, a Ferrari-powered version of the Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull car, is to be shaken down at the Adria circuit in northern Italy on March 4, with Sebastien Buemi at the wheel.

Team boss Franz Tost confirmed that the first single seater is nearing completion in the Faenza factory, with only the “upper arm of the rear suspension” held up due to a “problem with production”. On Thursday at Toro Rosso’s Italian base, the Ferrari engine in the rear of the STR4 will be fired up for the first time.

Tost said he is happy with how the Newey chassis performed in Red Bull Racing’s hands recently. “It looks good,” he said. “I am very satisfied with what has been done so far. We must be optimistic, but we will get a better idea at Barcelona (for the forthcoming test).”

Red Bull Racing’s team boss Christian Horner confirmed that the car was debuted successfully. “Compared with our rollouts of previous years, (this) was our best. “There we no disasters,” the Briton added.

Read more

• Red Bull RB5 officially revealed – pictures (2009 F1 cars)
• Sebastien Bourdais officially confirmed by Toro Rosso for 2009 season

Late start won’t save GP says Ecclestone – The Australian Grand Prix organisers offered Ecclestone a compromise on his demand that the race be held at night, but ‘compromise’ has never been in Ecclestone’s vocabulary (just ask Tony George). There is public opposition to the night race on grounds of expense and pollution.

Sean Kelly’s F1 preview – Stats preview of the 2008 F1 season.

Ecclestone has little McLaren sympathy – Bernie Ecclestone questions whether Ron Dennis’s claim Fernando Alonso tried to blackmail the team last year is true.

No spy story effects, McLaren tester says – Pedro de la Rosa sayd: “Now I hardly ever send emails. I prefer much more to discuss things face to face.”

Champion Kimi warns Lewis he has the thirst to be first again – Kimi Raikkonen in ‘interesting quote’ shock: “Anyone who thinks I’m now happy and satisfied is mistaken. It has never been fun to drive for a fifth or sixth place. I’m here to win.”

IHT F1 season preview – A very comprehensive review with thoughts from Joe Saward, Brad Spurgeon and other top international F1 correspondents.

F1 Pitlane

F1 Pitlane is an ambitious new site with a number of contributors from top F1 blogs F1 Insight, Sidepodcast and La Canta Magnifico. I’m also doing the odd piece, the first of which should be up on Wednesday 12th.

GP Week

GP Week covers F1, Moto GP and others. I’m not a fan of the ‘virtual magazine’ format – it was something I dabbled with when I started F1 Fanatic and quickly dropped it. But the quality of the writing shines through beyond the design which looks disconcertingly similar to British lads mag Nuts.

GrandPrix+

It’s not brand new as it arrived during last season, but I’d be interested to hear what you think of it and whether anyone subscribes to it. GrandPrix+ is published by former Autosport scribe Joe Saward, who also writes GrandPrix.com. It’s subscription only at a cost of £25. The photography is particularly high quality and the magazine won the Guild of Motoring Writers Newspress New Media Award last year.

Super Aguri confirms new partner and drivers for 2008 season – The sums of money involved have not been declared but Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato have been retained. Now let’s see if they can pull off some of their trademark heroics in Melbourne.

More problems for Honda – Pitpass claims the RA108 has not passed its crash test.

ITV-F1 gets a redesign – But is it better than F1 Fanatic’s?

Family affair sees Nelsinho take the stage – Perhaps taking a leaf out of Briatore’s book, Nelson Piquet Jnr diagnoses McLaren’s problems in 2007: “Fernando had a crazy team boss last year who made crazy decisions, and we have a much more settled guy.”

F1 2008 – Where they stand – Mark Hughes reckons Kimi Raikkonen is becoming number one at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton will be under pressure from Heikki Kovalainen, and Robert Kubica will be ahead of Nick Heidfeld this year.

Blundell’s view – Australian GP part one – Mark Blundell tips Felipe Massa for the title.

F1′s winter championship, reloaded – A semi-serious attempt at using the winter testing times to predict who’ll be champion.

Ecclestone keen to see Korean involvement – With South Korea to join the F1 calendar in 2010, Bernie Ecclestone wants one of their three car manufacturers (Kia, Hyundai and Daewoo) to start an F1 team.

Reverse F1 grids – Williams boss – A rubbish, gimmicky idea at making racing better in F1 from Patrick Head. I remember a good few years ago it was Head who suggested having chicanes that drivers could bypass a few times per race to allow changes of position. This is just as bad an idea as that.

Dennis ready to take a new direction – The Ron Dennis career obituaries are starting. The Independent also interview him.

Michelin exit still hurts Alonso – According to Robert Kubica. I think that excuse has worn thin 12 months after their departure.

Alonso aims for Melbourne surprise - But admits the teams hopes are pinned on it raining. In which case the weather forecast for sun and 30C air temperature will disappoint him.

Silverstone urges fans to book early – British Grand Prix tickets selling quickly as Lewis Hamilton boosts interest in F1.

Takuma Sato signed up as UK-Japan goodwill ambassador – The Japanese driver raced in British Formula 3 and has always driven for British-based F1 teams.

The winning formula for Kimi Raikkonen – Ed Gorman’s interview with the world champion which he also mentioned in his blog. Of his encounter with Lewis Hamilton in qualifying at Brazil last year Raikkonen says: “Lewis could have made it a bit more easier but it’s difficult to say if it was fair or not. But it’s not going to change so I am only wasting my time and energy if I start trying to make a big thing out of it.”

Lewis: I won’t flash the cash – With a headline like that it can only be The Sun.

With the F1 season coming up soon I’m doing the news round-ups a bit more frequently. And the old post format is back by popular demand…

Photo copyright: Renault / LAT

Plus Ralf Schumacher comes clean about his claims of having an F1 seat for 2008, Kimi Raikkonen hints at his eventual retirement, and Bahrain International Circuit takes a swipe at the Spanish Grand Prix organisers.

Fernando Alonso’s Renault return discussed last March – Alonso first spoke to Flavio Briatore about returning to Renault in March last year as the 2007 F1 season was getting started.

Kimi to quit when fun stops – World champion Kimi Raikkonen promises to stop racing when he stops enjoying it. He also admitted to being ‘shy’.

Lewis Hamilton: Bahrain F1 is the best – Bahrain International Circuit are quick to use the F1 racism row to promote their race, saying: “[Hamilton] will certainly get a warmer welcome in Bahrain than he did in Spain. Spectators made abusive gestures and banners as well as shouting racist abuse at Hamilton when he moved between the McLaren motor home and the team’s garage at the Montmelo circuit.”

Ralf made up future F1 claims – Ralf Schumacher reveals he lied last year when he told journalists he had a deal for 2008. He also reacted to brother Michael Schumacher’s warning about racing in the DTM.

Damon Hill’s son to hit the tracks – Josh to follow in the footsteps of father Damon, 1996 world champion, and his father Graham, champion in 1962 and 1968.

Fuji to limit attendance for 2008 GP – But still no roof.

Brands boss rules out F1 return – Brands Hatch owner and former F1 driver and commentator Jonathan Palmer says Formula 1 will not come back to the track. The circuit is plagued by nearby residents’ complaints about the noise caused by racing which have forced him to revise his planned calendar of events for 2008.

Nelsinho’s first target is Alonso – Nelson Piquet Jnr talks openly about the deficiencies in his driving style and how he plans to work on them.

Lew took Swiss out of tax man – The Sun reports that Lewis Hamilton has moved to Switzerland to avoid paying British taxes – didn’t he admit to this months ago?

Heikki joins the exodus – Hamilton’s new team mate Heikki Kovalainen is joining him, Michael Schumacher, Alonso and Raikkonen in Switzerland.

McLaren sponsors dominate F1 exposure – Vodafone take over from Marlboro as the most visible sponsor in F1. I assume it helps there aren’t laws against putting the word ‘Vodafone’ on your car in some countries?

Keke Rosberg takes commentary role – 1982 world champion and father of Nico to attend every round.

Max Mosley still in driving seat – FIA president may stay in office beyond October 2009. See Max Mosley is an F1 blogs fan for more on this.

Formula 1 steers towards emerging markets – F1′s new owners CVC look at ways of making more money from the sport, which could be bad news for the British, French and Canadian Grands Prix.

Villeneuve out of work - 1997 champion dropped by NASCAR team.

Stepney calm after meeting Italian magistrate – Italian investigation into the 2007 spying affair gets under way.

Hamilton wins Laureus gong – Lewis Hamilton won the Breakthrough of the Year trophy but Kimi Raikkonen failed to win World Sportsman of the Year.

The 50 greatest sporting movies – “Le Mans” and “Grand Prix” are the two motor racing appearances.

Walter Totsching – The Toro Rosso logistics manager has died.

GP Week – New F1 ‘virtual magazine’ launched.

He has also revealed Hamilton was racially abused by Spanish spectators at the Chinese Grand Prix:

Anthony Hamilton told me that there were some people in China who were also appallingly abusive; not Chinese fans, but people who had travelled from Spain.

If Mosley had first heard of the problem back in October then one assumes the Spanish motor racing authority were warned about it. However he also pointed out only a small number of people have been involved so far:

If, as appears to be the case, a very small number of people are involved, it ought to be possible to stop it immediately. If it isn’t, then we have sanctions and we could pull the Grand Prix.

Although it does seem that the racist abuse was coming from a small section of the crowd, the FIA must show they are aware that tolerating it for any length of time will only encourage it to grow.

Furthermore if the FIA were to ignore it, Mosley could end up facing damaging questions relating to his father, who was the leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.

Judging by Max Mosley’s reaction so far I don’t think he has done anything to deserve it. Last week some members of the British press were calling for harsher penalties and suggesting the races were in no danger of being cancelled, but there seems to be a greater sense of perspective in recent reports.

McLaren and several other teams are testing at the Circuito do Jerez from Tuesday to Thursday this week (12-14th), and returning to the Circuit de Catalunya on the Tuesday to Thursday after (19-21st). (For more test dates see the F1Fanatic Google Calendar).

But it’s not just the organisers of the Spanish racers who need to be careful – racism is not only a problem Spain.

Photo copyright: FIA

More on racism in F1

• F1 blogs review – racism and more
• F1 news review: racism row
• F1 must take a stand against racism now
• F1 and racism: the 1985 South African Grand Prix
• In it for the hate
• Lewis Hamilton fans ‘racist’

It was outlawed in 1955 following the crash in that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours that killed over 80 spectators along with Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh.

Time trials have been the only legal form of motor sport since 1955. Five world championship Swiss Grands Prix were held at the Bremgarten circuit from 1950-4, and many Grands Prix were also held in the pre-championship years.

There was one Swiss Grand Prix during the ban, but that was held in France at the Dijon circuit at a time when French involvement in Grand Prix racing was particularly high.

But there remain great obstacles to a Swiss Grand Prix being held in Switzerland. The environmental lobby is strong in the country (the lifting of the ban passed by 97 votes to 77) and finding the support to build a new track would be difficult.

Related links

• F1 books

Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / motor sport

Plus the French Grand Prix is set to change venues, two world champions argue, and why Nico Rosberg is having a good season.

F1 Fanatics’ Post of the Week

Lewis Hamilton: Petulant child

A potentially controversial piece from Sidepodcast on why Gary Paffett should have got the 2007 McLaren drive instead of Lewis Hamilton. Should McLaren have gone for a less competitive driver than Hamilton?

I think passing up on a driver who has scored as many points as his double world champion team mate over the first five races would have been unwise.

More F1 in the blogs

Lewis Hamilton negotiating for $40m with Ferrari? – Will the golden boy quit McLaren is he keeps getting told to follow Alonso home?

Nico Rosberg – Looking beyond Hamilton last year’s promising rookie Nico Rosberg is having a good season.

No F1 for Volkswagen & Ford – Max Mosley may be gathering the input of manufacturers outside of F1 to shape its future – but that doesn’t mean they’re any more likely to get involved.

Formula 1 on Fox – British fans who don’t like ITV may be interested to hear the Americans aren’t much happier with their F1 coverage.

Monaco Grand Prix – No wonder nobody is interested in F1 any more & The Monte Carlo Parade – Sorry, “Grand Prix” – The 2007 Grand Prix of Monte Carlo was not the most scintillating race.

If Formula One boring? – The ‘dull debate’ continues.

Should team orders be allowed in Formula 1? – Former champions Alan Jones and Mario Andretti give their opinions.

Adieu Magny-Cours – 2007 could be F1′s last visit to the Circuit Nevers.

An hilarious moment of F1 déjà vu – Brad Spurgeon on Ferrari-only parking at Rascasse.

Bernie twists another government arm – Valencia is on for F1 – but what about Silverstone?

F1 Stamps: Gilles Villeneuve – Some rare commemorative Villeneuve stamps.

“We was robbed” – The British press throw their toys out of the pram as Hamilton is ‘prevented’ from winning.

Related links

• F1 in the blogs

Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / motor sport

Plus Suzuka is tipped to make a return in 2008, Red Bull will run a special livery at the British Grand Prix, the cars of the turbo era, and more.

Barrichello claims half a second gain – Have Honda finally turned a corner with the stubborn RA107?

A return for Suzuka? – The 2008 calendar could be the biggest ever as it is now tipped to feature a second race in Japan.

Red Bull to face their fans – Want to get your face on an F1 car? Red Bull are selling squares on their livery for the British Grand Prix at £10 each in a similar scheme to Honda’s Earth Car. The money raised will go to the Wings for Life foundation – a spinal paralysis charity.

Diamonds add to Monaco’s F1 sparkle – Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso get blinged up in McLaren’s now traditional Monaco diamond promotion.

Mario: Next Andretti in F1 can’t come soon enough – 1978 champion Mario Andretti wants grandson Marco in F1′s top flight as soon as possible.

Brazil’s lost world champion – Remembering Carlos Pace, the talented Brazilian racer of the ’70s after whom the Interlagos circuit is named.

Hidden Glory at the Green Hell – Did Nick Heidfeld really set a sub-6m lap of the Nordschleife? I’d take this with a pinch of salt.

1,400hp F1 turbo monsters – The greatest cars of F1′s turbo era.

Moss: Jenson’s time has passed – Stirling Moss on the four British F1 drivers.

Flying start for racer as promoter of equal opportunity – Lewis Hamilton meets the children of the Springfield Club.

Related links

• F1 in the news archive
• Video: Heidfeld on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
• F1 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife wallpapers

Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / motor sport

Hamilton is still a baby, so to speak, but dishing out loads of trouble already. I mean that in the nicest possible way. I cry he’s not in a Williams but I rejoice for F1. I really do.

But the Williams boss may already have found his own answer to Britain’s newest star.

Malaysian driver Jazeman Jaafar had a test in Williams’ F1 simulator. A real life test in an actual car was out of the question, since Jaafar is just 14 years old.

To date only one Malaysian driver has competed in Formula 1 – Alex Yoong, in 2001 and 2002. This year Fairuz Fauzy is a test drier for Spyker-Ferrari.

Jaafar did benefit from some useful backers to land the virtual test – the deputy CEO of Williams sponsor AirAsia accompanied him to the team’s Grove headquarters. But he has also shown promise on the track, scoring two wins and a second in the first four rounds of the Asian Formula BMW championship.

Snatching a bright young talent from under the noses of his former engine supplier BMW is exactly the sort of move that would put a broad smile on Williams’ face.

But that’s nothing compared to how proud he would be to land the next Lewis Hamilton.

Related links

• GP Update – Williams to test 14 year-old Malaysian (external)
• Pitpass – Williams to ‘test’ 14 year-old (external)

Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / motor sport