FIA president Todt visits recovering Kubica

On Saturday Robert Kubica was visited at the Santa Corona Hospital by FIA president Jean Todt.

Todt is one of several high profile Formula 1 related personalities who have been to see Kubica in Italy. The Pole is on the road to recovery after his horror accident during a club rally earlier this month.

Todt did not speak to media after his visit.

Meanwhile reports in Italy suggest that Kubica’s psychological state and physical condition are good.

His manager Daniele Morelli has also indicated that he is optimistic of a full recovery, however has called for the Lotus-Renault driver’s privacy to be respected as he starts his rehabilitation.

Kubica’s room is protected by security guards and cameras to ensure that he not be disturbed by fans, media and other patients.

Source: YallaF1

Kimi had a valuable guest at service break

FIA's president Jean Todt came to talk to Kimi Räikkönen, when the Finn arrived to Sunday's service break

Todt didn't offer any special advice to Räikkönen.

- No, he only came to say hi, Kimi said.

According to Räikkönen, the Sunday-morning's run went "pretty okay".

- Maybe not as well as yesterday, but I guess it's possible to improve for the afternoon.

For Räikkönen the afternoon is often better, because then the stages have already been driven once. It makes it considerably easier for an inexperienced driver.

Räikkönen doesn't see anything to complain about in his car.

- It's more about the driving. When I get the driving to hit well, the times improve.

There are extra WRC-points available on the last special stage of the race, but Räikkönen doesn't plan on a big attack.

- Well I don't know. In the morning it was at least difficult there, when the snow whirled a lot. Visibility was bad on that stage.

Source: Iltalehti
Courtesy: Leijona

Schumacher honoured by France

Michael Schumacher recieves his Legion d'honneur from the French prime minister

On Thursday evening at Paris' Hotel Matignon, Michael Schumacher accepted the Legion d'honneur prize from French prime minister Francois Fillon.

Among the guests at the ceremony were the seven time world champion's friend, former Ferrari boss and current FIA president Jean Todt, as well as ex-F1 driver Jean Alesi.

"To find a relevant comparison (to Schumacher), one must go back to the origins of Formula One and the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, your only rival," Fillon told Schumacher according to French reports.

Earlier this month, Lotus team principal and AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes received the same French decoration for his contributions to aviation. Established by Napoleon in 1802, the Officier of the Legion d'honneur is the highest honour the government of France can award to a non-French citizen.

Source: ESPNF1

Todt could bring back the 107% rule

Jean Todt is in favour of bringing back the 107 percent qualifying rule after watching F1's newcomers finish well off the pace in Bahrain.

Three new teams were in action for the first time in an official practice session with Lotus five seconds slower than the P1 time set by Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg. And Lotus were the quickest of the newcomers.

Hispania Racing, the slowest of the trio, were 11 seconds down after managing just 20 laps in both practice sessions.

Their lack of pace has raised some concerns in the paddock that they could be a danger to the rest of the field and prompted Todt to consider reintroducing the 107 percent qualifying rule.

"We are very in favour of reintroducing the 107 percent limit," said the FIA President. "The reason why it was abandoned was because of the change in qualifying which was happening with fuel to start the race in the car.

"Now to change that for 2010 you need to have the unanimous agreement of the teams, and to get the unanimous agreement of the teams the FIA will be supporting this solution."

But, he added: "I don't think it will happen so we have to wait until 2011 to introduce it."

Despite the fact that introducing the rule could hurt the newcomers, Todt insists F1 needs to support, not criticise, the new teams.

"You must have respect for a new team who is arriving in this particular economic crisis period and to invest money to be in F1," he said.

"I don't think it is a time to criticise but to support and help, and to help them, and it is in the interests of everybody.

"Everybody in the business should be supportive of these days. I was impressed today, they did quite well and we must give them a certain time to be ready."

Source: Planet F1

Drivers begin to arrive in sunny Bahrain

Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg have already touched down in warm and sunny Bahrain ahead of the weekend's 2010 season opener.

Spaniard Alonso's Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa is expected early on Tuesday morning, while Rosberg's Mercedes teammate Michael Schumacher is set to be accompanied by his wife Corinna on a private jet.

Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi's commercial flight is scheduled to touch down on Tuesday evening.

FIA president Jean Todt was spotted at Bahrain International Airport on Sunday, while at the Sakhir circuit, the pitlane and paddock are already abuzz with F1 personnel activity.

"My flight leaves on Tuesday," confirmed Williams' German rookie Nico Hulkenberg. "It is important to have a little time to settle in and get ready with the team for the weekend."

The returning Schumacher, 41, warmed up for Bahrain with a weekend on the Genk go-kart track near the Belgian-German border.

Also expected in Bahrain this weekend is the Spanish bank Santander's boss Emilio Botin, to witness the competitive debut of the Alonso-Ferrari-Santander sponsorship combination, as well as former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi.

Source: Motorsport

FIA launches officially WRC in event in Paris

The World Rally Championship showed its support for the Make Roads Safe campaign and the call for a Decade of Action for Road Safety at the official launch of the 2010 WRC season in Paris today.

The initiative forms part of the FIA’s continued commitment and support for the Commission for Global Road Safety and its Make Roads Safe campaign.

Jean Todt, FIA President said:

“We are one month away from one of the most important turning points in the history of Road Safety. In March the UN General Assembly is set to approve a Decade of Action for Road Safety, if this happens we could save five million lives over the next 10 years.

“I am pleased that WRC has also rallied itself behind the cause, helping give further exposure to the campaign and helping the Decade become a reality.”

Sébastien Loeb, six time World Rally Champion said:

“I support this campaign and other road safety initiatives. Road crashes kill on the same scale as Malaria, and it is important for long term action at the highest level in order to make roads safe.”

Kimi Räikkönen, former Formula One World Champion turned WRC driver said:

“I am pleased to be able to lend my support to this campaign. It is important for us to use the high profile of our sport to highlight the terrible accidents occurring on the world’s roads, and even more importantly for us to help find a solution to these problems.”

Source: RallyBuzz, FIA