Vettel worried about slow pay drivers in F1

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he is worried about the “pay driver” issue in formula one.

The global economic situation has led to an increase in the number of drivers who bring substantial financial backing to their teams.

World champion Vettel said on Austrian television Servus TV that the situation is compromising the quality of the F1 grid.

“There is a risk to us if the drivers being lapped are unpredictable,” answered the German when asked if the pay-drivers are dangerous.”

“There are some in the field that we know are moving obstacles,” added 23-year-old Vettel.

Complicating the issue, he said, is that the return of KERS and the debut of moveable rear wings causes drivers to take their eyes off the track.

“It’s a bit like driving a car while playing with your mobile phone,” said the German.

Source: YallaF1

Hamilton to drive NASCAR at Watkins Glen

Lewis Hamilton is set to drive a premier Sprint Cup NASCAR for the first time later in 2011.

American sports network ESPN reports that the McLaren driver will swap his formula one car for Tony Stewart’s Chevrolet.

The exhibition, organised by mutual sponsor Mobil 1, is set to take place some time in the summer at the famous Watkins Glen road course in New York.

The car provided by McLaren for the swap will be the British team’s 2010 model MP4-25, the report said.

Stewart-Haas Racing spokesman Mike Arning confirmed the report.

Source: Nextgen

Video: McLaren MP4-12C - Prototype drive with Jenson Button

Source: eurocarnews

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