Renault’s message to Kubica from Barcelona

The Renault F1 team gathered for a team photo with a pit board wishing Robert Kubica to get well soon.

Prior to start of the second day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, the team including drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna posed for a picture in the Circuit de Catalunya pitlane.

Kubica, who was injured in a freak rally accident earlier this month, was yesterday transferred from intensive care unit to the rehabilitation department to continue his recovery.

The Renault F1 team have appointed Nick Heidfeld to replace Kubica.

Source: YallaF1

Alonso feared for injured star Kubica; Heidfeld to replace Pole

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has spoken of his "shock and surprise" on hearing of his friend Robert Kubica's crash during a rally in Italy.

Ferrari ace Alonso has known the Pole for over 15 years as they competed against each other in go-karting before progressing through to the Formula One ranks.

"It was not so clear he was going to survive," the Spaniard told CNN as he recounted his initial conversation with Kubica's manager.

"I tried to drive to the hospital to find out exactly what his injuries were," before Alonso said he received more positive news.

"Now he is recovering well and we hope to see him back very soon in F1," he added.

Alonso also defended Kubica's decision to take part in a rally so close to the start of the season, which is due to begin in Bahrain next month.

"We need to have something to get some adrenalin out of our system and rallying is good training from an F1 driver's point of view."

He added: "I train on a bicycle ever day, and a couple of weeks ago a friend and myself were out riding and a truck cut in front us.

"A few meters nearer and we would have crashed into it. You cannot cut out risk."

Kubica is recovering after a series of operations at the Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure, following the serious injuries he sustained in the rally 10 days ago.

On Wednesday, his Lotus-Renault team announced that German Nick Heidfeld would take Kubica's drive while he continues his recuperation.

Heidfeld partnered Kubica at BMW Sauber for three and half years from 2006-09 and impressed in testing for Renault in Jerez last week.

The 33-year-old told the team's official website: "I would have liked to come back to Formula One in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance."

Renault's first reserve, Bruno Senna, and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi, were also linked with the drive.

source: CNN

Heidfeld confirmed at Lotus Renault

"I’m proud to have been given this chance"

Lotus Renault GP announced that Nick Heidfeld has joined the team, taking over driving duties from the injured Robert Kubica, starting at this week’s test session in Barcelona.

The 33-year-old German is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1 having started 172 races over the last 11 seasons. He will race alongside Vitaly Petrov when the season gets underway in Bahrain on 13 March.

Nick Heidfeld: “I would have liked to come back to Formula 1 in different circumstances, but I’m proud to have been given this chance. Everything has happened so quickly, but I’ve been very impressed by what I have seen so far in terms of the facilities and the dedication of the people at Enstone. I really enjoyed the test last week in Jerez and I’ve already settled in well with the guys at the track. I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I’m extremely motivated and can’t wait for the season to begin.”

Eric Boullier: “The team has been through a very difficult couple of weeks and we had to react quickly. We gave Nick a chance in Jerez last week and he really impressed us. He’s quick, experienced and is very strong technically with his feedback and understanding of the car. We always said the priority was to have an experienced driver in the car and we feel he is the ideal man for the job. We are pleased to welcome Nick to the team and look forward to a strong start to the season with him and Vitaly in Bahrain.”

Barcelona test session

The driving schedule for the upcoming Barcelona test (18-21 February) is as follows:

Friday morning: Nick and Vitaly for pit-stop practice
Friday afternoon: Vitaly
Saturday: Nick
Sunday: Vitaly
Monday: Nick

Source: Nextgen Auto

Kimi's Column: The Suomi-boy's element

Swedish Rally preview in Finnish

The winter is gone, the new cars came. We have trained and tested as much as possible. Spent time on the countryside, cottage and own privacy. The new season starts and we have been waiting for it for some time already - I guess as much as the thousands fans also have.

It has been even more cool to start the new season because everybody starts with new cars. The car feels good. Kaitsu will continue as co-driver and that's a cool thing because we have all the time been in such a good sync with each other.

So far we have agreed upon a 10 rally program.

It's good to start from Sweden. It's cool to drive on snow. Before last year snow was the surface I had most experience of but after last season I now have experience of all the roads.

However snow is a Suomi-boy's element. Now it's a completely different thing and experience to start this rally when we are in the traffic for the second time and we have old notes to rely on. Now we have some kind of impression and understanding over what happens there when we have last year's routes.

Let's just hope that the road bears and doesn't create any nasty surprises.

In the winter I got to carry out a longtime idea of helping Finnish motocross back to the level it belongs to in the world. In the team we drive and support two dudes in the in the WC-serie and six youngsters in Finland. We do this project together with Kari Tiainen.

I've been in Spain training a bit myself too. It's a really good and efficient form of training. I recommend it to everybody.

The sad thing for the whole motorsport-gang is Robert Kubica's rally accident. It's the worst nightmare for all racing drivers that something happens. Although the safety arrangements in the cars are better these days, the risks are still the same when you fasten your belt and put on your helmet. No matter in which genre. Something can always happen.

It's really sad that it now happened to Robert. Let's wish he recovers soon and gets back driving the same way like before.

Source: KimiRaikkonen.com
Courtesy: Nicole

Heidfeld and Senna in Lotus Renault shoot-out

Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna are set for a testing shoot-out to replace the injured Robert Kubica in the Lotus Renault team with the pair to be evaluated during the Jerez test

Heidfeld, who raced for Sauber towards the end of last season, had been seen as one of the favourites to replace Kubica, who is beginning a lengthy rehabilitation after being seriously hurt in a crash on the Ronde di Andora rally on Sunday.

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez hinted that Heidfeld or former Force India driver Tonio Liuzzi would drive for the team at Jerez, and 33-year-old Heidfeld has been given the nod to drive the R31 along with Senna on Saturday and Sunday as the team seek a team-mate to partner Vitaly Petrov.

A Lotus Renault statement read: "Lotus Renault GP has revised its driver line-up for this week's test session in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

"Vitaly Petrov will drive the R31 on Thursday and Friday, as originally scheduled. For Saturday and Sunday, the team will give mileage to Bruno Senna and will also evaluate Nick Heidfeld, who is a potential replacement for Robert Kubica as a race driver."

Senna, who along with Romain Grosjean is one of Lotus Renault's test drivers for the coming campaign, is seen as another potential replacement for Kubica, but the team are understood to be keen to move for an experienced driver to partner Petrov.

The Russian and Senna competed in Formula One for the first time last season, with the Brazilian enduring a particularly tough time at the struggling Hispania team.

Heidfeld, on the other hand, has been in the sport since racing for Prost in 2000, going on to have spells with Sauber, Jordan, Williams and BMW Sauber and racking up 172 starts.

Lotus Renault believe Petrov has plenty of potential, but his lack of development experience means Heidfeld would be a major asset to the squad, particularly as the R31 appears to be a competitive proposition, with Kubica topping the testing times with the new car in Valencia last week.

But Kubica is likely to miss the whole of the 2011 season after partially severing his right hand and suffering breaks to his elbow, shoulder and leg in his accident.

He has since undergone a seven-hour operation to re-attach his hand and was kept in an induced coma following the procedure.

The surgery to repair Kubica's hand has been hailed a success by specialist Igor Rossello.

"The operation was perfectly successful," he told Sky Italia.

"It's a great result because the operation was long and very complex."

Kubica, who took his only F1 win to date in Canada in 2008, will undergo further surgery on his leg and shoulder on Friday and Giorgio Barabino, head of intensive care at the Santa Corona hospital, said: "The phase of the final surgery operations is beginning: the double operation to foot and shoulder is planned for Friday morning, while the course of surgeries will end next week.

"The driver's right hand has completely stabilised. Now the delicate recovery of the functionalities begins."

Source: Planet-F1

What if Räikkönen replaces Kubica?

Would not be the Finn an excellent solution to overcome the absence of Robert Kubica?

Nick Heidfeld, Pedro de la Rosa, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Romain Grosjean or Bruno Senna ... The candidates to replace the injured Robert Kubica are numerous. What if at the end his name were Kimi Räikkönen?

Even if he’s just to begin a second season in the World Rally Championship in a Citroën WRC DS3 with his team ICE1 Racing, the Finn could be a serious candidate. According to Olivier Quesnel, the ex-driver of the Scuderia Ferrari must get a very appealing offer to encourage him to come back.

"If he wants to leave, I would not be able to say anything because he is a client” told RMC Sports’ Olivier Quesnel, the boss of Citroën Racing. “He rented us a car and is racing with his sponsors. He does what he wants. I suppose there may be considerable pressure from Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and the entire environment of F1 who wish to see him back because he keeps being a landmark driver for the sport.” He also added, "If Kimi Räikkönen is receiving phone calls, they would have to be very convincing to get him back to F1.”

Tomorrow will be a decisive day. The shakedown of Rally of Sweden takes place on Thursday. It is still possible for Räikkönen, if Lotus Renault GP asks him, to join them at the Jerez circuit in Spain, where from Thursday the second round of the pre-season tests will take place. More information tomorrow, live from Karlstad.

Source: Autohebdo
Courtesy: Mar

Davidson says no to Kubica replacement drive

Anthony Davidson has reportedly ruled himself out of contention to replace injured Robert Kubica in 2011.

The 31-year-old Briton was a well-respected Honda test driver who raced full-time for Super Aguri in 2007 and 2008.

He has recently been working with Mercedes GP in the Brackley based team’s simulator, but his main job is with Peugeot’s Le Mans team, and he has re-committed for this year.

According to Mirror correspondent Byron Young on Twitter, Davidson said Kubica’s replacement this year has "big shoes to fill and must be a title contender".

Young said Davidson had therefore ruled "himself out of (contention for the) Renault Lotus drive having signed Peugeot Le Mans deal".

Meanwhile, Observer correspondent and BBC radio commentator Maurice Hamilton revealed on Tuesday that "well-informed rally mates tell me Renault have been talking to Kimi (Raikkonen)’s management team".

"They ought to talk to Ant Davidson," he added.

Source: Nextgen

Will Lotus Renault call on Räikkönen?

While there are probably a few contracted race drivers up and down the pitlane who might envy the Renault seat, it would take a lot of shuffling around for anyone to jump ship.

The one name that keeps springing to mind is Kimi Räikkönen. He’s committed to a part WRC season with Citroën, and has been pretty ambivalent about a possible return to F1. He even had a bit of a war of words in the media with Renault last year after his name came up as a possible 2011 driver.

The difference is that the team didn’t need him then, and he would have been joining a team that already had Robert Kubica. Indeed Petrov was pretty much confirmed anyway, and the fact that the Russian always looked likely to stay means that any discussion of Kimi’s prospects was academic.

This time it’s different. He has the chance of a full season, with six days of testing, in a car that could turn out to be competitive. Group Lotus will certainly be keen to have a big name, and his presence will suit Dany Bahar, who was still at Ferrari when Kimi was there. He wants to be like Ferrari, so hiring the Italian team’s last World Champion is not a bad plan…

Bernie Ecclestone, who likes to get involved in these things, will also be keen to see Kimi back. The Finn still has a huge following, and it would mean yet another World Champion on the grid.

It’s probably not widely known that Kubica and Räikkönen are good friends off track – they share a dislike of the BS that floats around the sport, as well as a passion for rallying – and I am sure that Robert would be the first to tell Eric Boullier and Gerard Lopez that Kimi is the man for the job.

And Lotus Renault would have obvious appeal for Kimi, in that he won’t have the sort of PR commitments that he faced at McLaren and Ferrari. A one-year deal would at least get him back in the game – he could either walk off in 2012, or put himself in a position to go elsewhere.

It might seem a long shot, but then everyone laughed on Sunday morning in Hungary in 2009 when I suggested that Schumacher could stand-in for Massa, including Willi Weber…

There are complications in terms of his arrangements with Red Bull and Citroën, and the winter ‘misunderstanding’ would have to be cleared up. But in the end it’s likely to come down to one thing. Will Kimi want to do it?

Source: Adam Cooperf1
Courtesy: luieluv

Räikkönen can replace Kubica?

Examining the possible candidates for the injured Robert Kubica, Kimi Räikkönen, many are called, as the only rider who could immediately provide good results.

Among the five reserve pilots Lotus Renault - Bruno Senna, Roman Grosjean, Fairuza Fawzi, Ho-Pin Tung and Yang Harouza no rider capable of consistently earning points from the first Grand Prix. Everything depends on the task team - if the Lotus Renault firmly focused on progress and high position in the Constructors' Championship, the end justifies the means - to do everything possible to get a better racer.

As such, called Nick Heidfeld, Pedro de la Rosa and Nico Hulkenberg, but many believe that Kimi Räikkönen - the best option.

In the coming days the team will have to decide to not miss the opportunity to familiarize pilots with the car in winter testing.

Source: F1news.ru

Robert Kubica accident: Fernando Alonso rushes to the hospital

Fernando Alonso also came to the hospital Santa Corona in Pietra Ligure. Here, the Polish driver Robert Kubica is still in surgery, where surgeons are completing the delicate operation to rebuild muscles and tissues of the limb right. The staff of the specialist Igor Rossello and the team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli later communicate the results of the operation, which will continue up to 22. The larger official medical bulletin is expected for tomorrow morning instead.

The news of the terrible accident on the Rally Ronde of Andover has been around for athletes. Fernando Alonso was rushed in Pietra Ligure to closely monitor the conditions of fellow rider, who with his Skoda Fabia this morning he hit the guardrail and a half to four kilometers away from the special stage in Testico. The cusp of the metal barrier has pierced the car, crumpling the passenger compartment.

In October 2009, Kubica had switched to Renault with Alonso taking the place of their own, which was in turn passed to Ferrari for the 2010 season. Kubica would be granted a short term holiday patrols of Andover, then back behind the wheel of Renault at the start of the new Formula One season.

Source: IVG

Agent confident over Kubica surgery

Robert Kubica is expected to make a full recovery after he was airlifted to hospital following a high-speed crash in a rally event in Italy on Sunday morning.

Kubica had to be cut from the Skoda Fabia he was driving after his car crashed into a wall during the Rally Ronde di Andora. His co-driver, Jacub Gerber, walked away unscathed.

His Lotus Renault GP team confirmed that Kubica suffered "multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand" in the incident, and he underwent surgery at the Santa Corona Hospital near Genoa on Sunday afternoon.

Kubica's agent, Daniele Morelli, is confident his client will be able to return to action.

"The surgeons are trying to restore the functions of his right hand," Morelli said. "They have already revascularized the limb and repaired the bone structure.

"Now they have to think about the muscular functions but Robert has strong character and he will make it."

Fernando Alonso voiced his support for the Renault driver, who is expected to miss the start of the season which begins in Bahrain next month.

"Let's all support Robert Kubica, who suffered an accident today. Besides a great driver, he is a great person," Alonso wrote on his Twitter page.

"I'm thinking of Robert, wish him all the best and hope to see him soon on the track and especially off-track as a friend," Timo Glock said, while Williams' Rubens Barrichello Tweeted: "I would like to ask you for your best wishes to Kubica. He is being operated on right now. We all like him and he deserves all the best."

Source: ESPNF1

NEW: MORE PICTURES OF KUBICA HIMSELF ! Rally Andora 2011

Valencia day three: Kubica Is The Fastest Man In Spain

After three days of pre-season testing a third constructor top the timesheets, with Robert Kubica's Renault seeing off Adrian Sutil's Force India for the honours on Thursday

Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull ended the opening day on top before Fernando Alonso piped the German to the post on Wednesday, but it was Kubica who recorded the fastest time of the week, beating his more fancied competitors to the first 'win' of the season.

Felipe Massa stole the headlines during the morning session, albeit for the wrong reasons. Just half an hour and 12 laps into his first day of pre-season testing, the spun at turn five, and while he was able to collect the car, spoke billowed out the back of his Ferrari followed by flames. The Brazilian then entered into another spin after which the car came to a halt, Massa promptly exited the vehicle and the marshals will called to extinguish the blaze.

The patched up F150 did make an appearance later in the day, and having failed to impress for much of the afternoon, Massa posted a 1:14.073 late in the session to end the day fifth fastest.

After two days fraught with problems, matters look to be improving for Mercedes GP, with Schumacher posting the third fastest time of the morning session with a 1:14.537, 0.108 faster than team-mate Nico Rosberg's quickest lap yesterday.

Despite a long run in the afternoon, the German was unable to better his time, finishing the day as the in a disappointing ninth spot.

Kubica and Sutil were joined by Jenson Button and Mark Webber in breaking the 1:14 mark, with the later pair both putting in more than 100 laps. Webber endured a medicore start to the day in which he was unable to replicate the pass produced by Sebastian Vettel on the first two days at Valencia. However, with a reduced fuel load, the Australia improved in the afternoon to post a fastest lap of 1:13.936.

Button was there or thereabouts throughout the day, and will be happy to have recorded a 1:13.553 during his lengthy spell out on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Sutil was the fastest man on track after the morning's running, following the lead set by Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta on previous days by showing there is plenty of life left in the VJM03.

But while Sutil impressed in a 2010 model, Robert Kubica and his R31 served notice that Renault may well be on their way to narrowing the gap to the top teams.

While one can never read too much into pre-season times, the Pole appeared to spend the morning gathering data (his quickest time at the interval was four seconds off the pace) before proceeding to knock Sutil off the top of the timesheets with a 1:13.144.

On the other end of the spectrum, there were again problems for Lotus, with the power steering problem that ended their day prematurely on Wednesday again an issue, with Jarno Trulli only able to complete 38 laps all of which were without power steering.

While the Italian was unable to post a lap time, chief engineer Mike Gascoyne reported that the team was able to get all their "background tests done".

Having seemingly produced a shock result on Wednesday when he registered a 1:14.472, there were no timing errors or for that matter times of substance for Narain Karthikeyan, with his HRT more than three seconds off the pace.

There was some late improvement for Timo Glock and his VR-01, with the German finishing with a 1:14.207 to beat off the Williams of Pastor Maldonado (1:14.299) and the Sauber of Sergio Perez (1:14.458) for sixth spot. Schumacher and Sebastien Buemi (1:14.801) were still further behind.

Unofficial times:
01. Robert Kubica Renault 1:13.144 96 laps
02. Adrian Sutil Force India Mercedes 1:13.201 +0.057 117 laps
03. Jenson Button McLaren Mercedes 1:13.553 0.409 105 laps
04. Mark Webber Red Bull Renault 1:13.936 +0.792 105 laps
05. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:14.017 +0.873 80 laps
06. Timo Glock Virgin Cosworth 1:14.207 +1.063 114 laps
07. Pastor Maldonado Williams Cosworth 1:14.299 + 1.155 101 laps
08. Sergio Perez Sauber Ferrari 1:14.458 +1.314 104 laps
09. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:14.537 +1.393 110 laps
10. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso Ferrari 1:14.801 + 1.657 73 laps
11. Narain Karthikeyan HRT Cosworth 1:16.535 +3.391 63 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Kubica chasing race wins

Having finished on the podium three times during his maiden season with Renault, Robert Kubica is confident he will secure his first race win with the team this year

The Pole has one race victory to his name, having triumphed at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008 while driving for the BMW-Sauber outfit and he's now looking to add another one to his resume with the Enstone-based team.

After a tumultuous time behind the scenes at the end of 2009, Renault impressed many with their strong showing in 2010 which saw Kubica finish eighth on the Drivers' standings.

The 26-year-old is now looking to press on from the foundations laid last year, and believes that the team are well placed to do so.

"I am confident that 2011 will be a good season because during this winter the team were able to work with a more stable financial and management situation, compared to one year ago," Kubica told the official Formula One website.

"[Team principal] Eric Boullier said that he wants our car to win races this year - he expressed exactly what I feel!"

Kubica's assertion that the team is in a stable position may seem strange considering their ongoing legal wrangle with Tony Ferndanes' Team Lotus outfit, but Kubica insists that this does not affect the inner workings of the team.

"Well, I didn't drive for Renault in 2009 and all the changes happened during the winter, before I really started to work with my new team," he explained.

"There was an important reshuffle of shareholders, but the core of the team remained almost unchanged. This is what I have been told is happening again now."

Former Renault Director of Engineering, Pat Symonds, agrees that the team are looking impressive heading into the new season.

"I think we'll see the same old protagonists fighting it out at the front, but Renault are in a good position," Symonds told crash.net.

"I have my biases having worked there for a long while, but they're a great group of guys and they took a very bold step last year in updating their wind tunnel over the winter. That's not something where you just wake up one morning and say 'I'm going to do it' - you have to plan it a long way in advance, and of course they put in a huge CFD facility prior to that so under the resource restrictions they could switch their work from the wind tunnel to CFD while the wind tunnel was being improved.

"I know that the wind tunnel is a huge improvement, and I think that was shown in the progress they made through the year - but with Mercedes, I'm not so sure. It's a very downsized team from the team that made the Brawn. I think the jury is still out, but I would probably favour Renault going in front of Mercedes," he added.

Source: Planet-F1

No Renault rift as Kubica sits out Rally

Robert Kubica is not sitting out next week’s Monte Carlo rally due to contractual restrictions or a rift with Renault, it has been clarified.

It was reported this week that the Pole will miss the famous event because his full-time F1 employer did not give him permission to drive a car other than a Renault.

But Finland’s Turun Sanomat clarified that when it emerged that a four-wheel drive Renault would not be available for Kubica, he simply decided against contesting the rally.

The report said the 26-year-old did not enquire about finding another car to drive, adding that there is "no dispute" between Kubica and Renault.

Source: NextgenAuto

A Renault-Lotus deal could unlock Robert Kubica contract

Robert Kubica could be about to find himself free of his Renault contract, while Mike Gascoyne questions Group Lotus' F1 strategy.

Group Lotus is reportedly looking to get involved with the Enstone based team in a EUR 60 million deal that could involve the outfit being renamed Lotus-Renault in 2011 and beyond.

With the French carmaker Renault SA's involvement also reportedly changing, the situation could have knock-on effects for a range of existing team contracts, a report in Autosprint claims.

One of those contracts could be that of highly-rated Polish driver Kubica, who reportedly "would be free to choose another team".

On his hand, Mike Gascoyne has questioned Group Lotus' apparent intention to enter formula one next year in collaboration with the Renault team.

Mike Gascoyne is the technical boss at the team currently known as Lotus Racing, but the official naming license has been revoked by Group Lotus for 2011 and beyond.

This year's Lotus Racing cars have also run with branding of the Group Lotus owner Proton, but Gascoyne's boss Tony Fernandes is reportedly dismayed the sports car maker did not embrace the opportunity to tie up with his team, which will use Renault engines in 2011.

And Mike Gascoyne is now confused about the reports linking Group Lotus with a three-year EUR 60 million title sponsorship of Renault F1.

"If they want to advertise their road cars, why spend so much money on it? With us, they could do it free of charge," the Briton is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

The German report said Group Lotus is currently running at a loss, meaning it is essentially subsidised by Malaysian tax-payers due to its Proton ownership.

"The cynic might say they are going to blow away taxpayer money in formula one," said Auto Motor und Sport.

Source: Auto123

Practice Three: Kubica tops a wet session

Red Bull's rivals were relishing the rain in Sao Paulo on Saturday morning, although no one more than Renault's Robert Kubica

The Polish driver defied the odds to take the P1 slot in the Brazilian GP weekend's final practice session with a 1:19.191, beating Sebastian Vettel by 0.309s.

Next in line in the wet practice was Lewis Hamilton, who had already stated on Friday that he expected McLaren would do well on a wet Interlagos circuit.

Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were fourth and fifth, finishing ahead of Vitaly Petrov and Sebastien Buemi. Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button were the final two drivers to get within a second of Kubica's P1 time.

As for Mark Webber, the Aussie, who is second in the Drivers' Championship, could only manage the 11th best time in the rain.

Report: The third and final practice session for the Brazilian GP got underway under laden skies and on a rather wet Interlagos circuit with light rain falling. Heikki Kovalainen led the field out for the wet installation laps with plumes of spray trailing behind his Lotus. With all 24 drivers having ventured out for a lap or two, silence decended as they waited for the track conditions to improve at least a little bit.

With the rain easing up, Timo Glock put in the morning's first lap time, a 1:24.642 for the Virgin Racing driver. Nick Heidfeld was next into the P1 slot, followed by Sebastien Buemi, Vitaly Petrov and Nico Hulkenberg with the latter dropping the P1 time to a 1:21.277.

Jenson Button climbed to second place behind Hulkenberg, who was down to a 1:20.535. However, the reigning World Champ soon lost the position to Lewis Hamilton, who in turn lost out to Mark Webber. Sebastian Vettel claimed fifth place ahead of Michael Schumacher, Petrov and Rubens Barrichello.

But it was all chance as Fernando Alonso put his Ferrari up into the P1 slot, improving from 16th place. It was a 1:20.200 for the Championship leader. Webber followed him up the order, second quickest, 0.137s off the pace. Alonso continued lapping, lowering the benchmark while Hamilton took second place ahead of Webber and Nico Rosberg.

Felipe Massa took over from his team-mate at the top, a 1:19.735 for the Brazilian. Vettel climbed to fourth ahead of Sebastien Buemi, who was having a fantastic run on the wet track. Vettel moved up to the top of the timesheets, 0,235s up on Massa.

With the track drying out, there was plenty of action in the final few minutes with the drivers pushing hard, resulting in a few slides and a few off-track moments. Hamilton moved up to second place, 0.036s behind Vettel. However, it was Kubica who overhauled the Red Bull driver, posting a 1:19.191 to finish the session fastest of all.

Times
01. Kubica Renault 1:19.191 16 laps
02. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:19.500 + 0.309 16 laps
03. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:19.536 + 0.345 18 laps
04. Massa Ferrari 1:19.735 + 0.544 9 laps
05. Alonso Ferrari 1:19.791 + 0.600 9 laps
06. Petrov Renault 1:19.887 + 0.696 22 laps
07. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:20.009 + 0.818 24 laps
08. Rosberg Mercedes 1:20.056 + 0.865 13 laps
09. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:20.164 + 0.973 24 laps
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:20.320 + 1.129 13 laps
11. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:20.337 + 1.146 6 laps
12. Schumacher Mercedes 1:20.421 + 1.230 18 laps
13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.452 + 1.261 21 laps
14. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:20.535 + 1.344 12 laps
15. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:20.541 + 1.350 26 laps
16. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:20.546 + 1.355 19 laps
17. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:20.613 + 1.422 19 laps
18. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.985 + 1.794 25 laps
19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:22.326 + 3.135 17 laps
20. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.449 + 3.258 26 laps
21. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:22.874 + 3.683 20 laps
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:23.194 + 4.003 21 laps
23. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:23.358 + 4.167 20 laps
24. Klien HRT-Cosworth 1:23.650 + 4.459 19 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Kubica: Disappointed Kimi won't be joining

Robert Kubica says he's a "bit disappointed" that Kimi Räikkönen won't be joining him at Renault, as it would've been really good to have a World Champ as a team-mate

Rumours of Räikkönen's possible move to Renault, which created headlines after the Finn's management admitted they had contacted Renault to enquire about their 2011 line-up, came to naught when the 2007 World Champ lashed out at Renault.

According to the World Rally Championship driver, he "never seriously considered driving for Renault" and was "very disappointed with the way they have used my name for their own marketing."

One man who was left disappointed by the Finn's rejection of Renault was his potential 2011 team-mate, Kubica.

"I was a bit surprised because personally I thought that there was a chance," the Pole told ITV-F1. "But apparently it wasn't the case - what he's saying is completely different to what the picture was looking like.

"So I'm a bit disappointed because if there had been a chance I would've been very pleased to race together in the team with him, because he is a great driver.

"To have a World Champion driver as a team-mate would always be really good, and I think it's what Renault needs as well. But apparently it was completely not the case, so I don't really know what to think."

Source: Planet-F1

Lame explanations

Eric Boullier is talking himself into a corner so to speak because he still goes on about how seriously excited he was over the possibility to get Kimi Räikkönen as Robert Kubica's team mate.

First of all he claims that the initiative came from Räikkönen after Spa, when Kubica had drove his third podium position this season.

You don't have to be an Einstein to find Renault's first budding stories about their interest in hiring Räikkönen. They started particularly in Renault's camp. I myself asked Kubica in the press conference how it would feel to drive beside Räikkönen because of these rumours.

Then what about Boullier's justification that he didn't want to start any negotiations with Räikkönen until he clears up whether Vitali Petrov still would be skillful enough to continue in the team?

If even one top team gets the opportunity to snatch an active WDC to the team then they go for it with all they've got.

Logically thinking they would have proceeded with Petrov in this situation - where no better team is interested in him - so that they would have made it clear to the Russian driver that they are now negotiating with Räikkönen and if that doesn't happen they will discuss with him.

Summa summarum. When Bouillier is defending that the team did not use Räikkönen's name for their own marketing in order to bend Petrov's support groups to be more generous, they certainly succeeded very well especially by this way.

Thanks to Petrov Renault got in Singapore two new Russian sponsors for the rest of the season and now one more in Japan.

It feels like Renault's F1-team has charted out the maturity of Petrov's sponsors instead of his maturity before they would have started to discuss with Räikkönen.

TS/Heikki Kulta

Courtesy: Nicole

Rumour - Massa to Sauber, Kubica to Ferrari

Rumours of driver movements within the top teams are yet again gaining traction

Recently, a Spanish television station reported that, notwithstanding the existence of new contracts, Felipe Massa and Robert Kubica could be set to swap seats for 2011.

The Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell is now reporting a similar rumour, whereby Massa would leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make room for Pole Kubica.

But the report said Brazilian Massa would be accommodated not by Renault but by Ferrari powered Sauber, where he drove as a rookie in 2002 and again in 2004-2005.

"Of course I read all the rumours," Kubica said in an interview with spox.com, "but in the end the only thing is winning.

"We are all here because we want to win and you need the best car for that. Currently I'm at Renault and so I am focused on this team and on improving together.

"In 2011 we want to fight for the world title. We'll see what happens next," the 25-year-old added.

Kubica admitted that he would like to race for Ferrari one day.

"In karting, Formula Renault and F3, I've always been with Italian teams and I even lived for more than a year near Monza.

"Ferrari is a team unlike any other," he acknowledged. "The emotion and the history is unique. I think every driver would like to drive for Ferrari."

Source: Motorsport.com