British GP
It looks like, after almost a year-and-a-half of ridiculous foolishness, the British GP has finally been saved.
It is being reported that the deal is pretty much done and that Silverstone will host it . The deal will apparently be officially announced mid next week.
It looks like the £12 million fee that Bernie wanted has become less of a sticking point than it was before…
While I am very glad that there will be a British GP and was horrified at the thought of Valencia and Singapore still getting a spot whilst Britain got the boot…I still feel a bit irritated that once again Bernie has used his media-aided bullying and his scare-mongering to get the British GP back on the calender. He did it with Donnington and he’s done it to Silverstone with better results. He’s an appalling little man.
But, on a happier note, it looks like we will have a British GP next year! Hurrah etc!
Kimi
Raikkonen is off to take part in the World Rally Championship. He has been announced this week as the second driver for the Citroen junior rally team.
His co-driver will be Kaj Lindstrom, a fellow Finn, and the man who partnered 4-time Rally World Champion, Tomi Makinen.
Citroen Rally Team boss, Olivier Quesnel, said in a statement earlier in the week that saw the Citroen junior and works teams’ drivers announced – “and last but not least, it is with immense joy that we welcome Kimi Raikkonen to our ranks. We are very proud that he has chosen Citroen.”
It’s a one-year deal with Citroen…who are conveniently sponsored by Red Bull…hmm…
In other news, Raikkonen – seemingly finally losing his patience with dealing with the media – has hired a spokesperson.
QUE?
Alonso
There have been a couple of Alonso “stories” this week.
The first was “a team member” making a thinly-veiled attack on Raikkonen after Alonso visited the Maranello factory last week by saying “In the two days he (Alonso) has seen more of the Maranello factory than others in two years”. Doesn’t take a genius to work out that he’s not talking about Shcumacher or Massa.
The second “story” appeared when Stefano Domenicali spoke up (always trouble) and said that in Alonso they were looking for and believed they had found a Schumacher-esque figure. He was quick to sort-of compliment Kimi Raikkonen, saying that when the car was good Kimi was “perfect” but “if the car needs to be developed and the team inspired, Alonso is better.”
Interestingly, he also added “I have spoken with Fernando about his problems with McLaren. He felt cheated and he admits it was not always right with his relationship with Lewis.” He went on to say that the same will not be true of Alonso and Massa at Ferrari.
I wonder how Alonso feels about their discussion being made public?
Quickies
Prodrive are rumoured to be buying out Renault by the end of the year. Predictably both pasties are keeping schtum at the moment but the rumours are flying without any help. The news comes in the same week that Toyota have announced they have found no-one to buy their entry for 2010 and are waiting to hear from the FIA as to how much they will have to pay NOT to compete next year in accordance with the Concorde agreement made last year between FOTA and the FIA.
Peter Sauber has bought back his old team and they have officially been given the last slot on the 2010 grid.
And, I am not going to give this much attention or focus at the moment because, frankly – the idea is too hideous to dwell on, but it is being widely reported that JACQUES VILLENEUVE will be the lead driver for the “Lotus” team.
*shudder*
That’s all for now folks.
