Ferrari pushing to stay under own terms

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has said his team will do all it can to remain in Formula 1 under its own terms - after lodging legal action against the FIA on Friday.

Following the failure of teams to reach agreement with the FIA during crisis talks at a Heathrow airport hotel to discuss fears about a two-tier F1, Ferrari lodged an injunction against the sport's governing body's plans for 2010.

Ferrari believes that the FIA has breached a technical veto it has on future technical regulation changes by pushing through a voluntary £40 million budget cap - and has taken its complaint to the French courts.

Speaking after a number of meetings on Friday, Domenicali made it clear that the Maranello outfit was pushing hard to ensure that it could remain in an F1 it was happy to race in.

"For us it's very important, it's our life," said Domenicali. "We want to fight in order to make sure that we will be in the championship in the right way."

The legal action in France was taken after Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was given the authority by his company's board earlier this week to do all he could to protect Ferrari's interests.

Speaking about the action, Domenicali said: "What I can say is that there is nothing new in that. If you look at what was the outcome of our board, the Ferrari board, it was clearly indicated that the president has the mandate from the board to protect the rights of Ferrari."

Domenicali refused to confirm the specific existence of the technical veto - which was granted to the team back in 1998.

"I think I cannot go into these details. There are certain things that are in these rights and no more than that."

FIA president Max Mosley said he did not believe Ferrari's action, which is set to be heard next Tuesday, was valid because the team's veto was no longer in place.

"We will say first of all it is no longer in place and if they wanted to do a veto - they were in the [FIA] meeting on March 17 and they should have done it there if they didn't agree. Instead, they just sat there," said Mosley.

"Anyway, it will be our contention that they walked away from that agreement some time ago."

However, other teams said they were supportive of Ferrari's actions.

Toyota team principal John Howett said: "I understand Ferrari has taken some sort of action, and from Toyota's perspective we understand their position and we support them."

No agreement between teams and FIA

The FIA's crunch meeting with teams ended without agreement on Friday as the governing body refused to compromise over plans for a two-tier category.

Max Mosley said there had been 'friendly' discussions with teams but that the FIA was not willing to back down over its plans for a £40 million cap, or the 29 May deadline for entries to the 2010 world championship.

The teams have now gone into another meeting to discuss their response to the FIA's stance.

"It was quite a friendly meeting, but in the end all that happened was that the teams have gone off to see if they can come up with something better than the cost cap," Mosley told reporters after the Heathrow meeting.

"We explained we cannot put back the entry date, as this has all been published, and we cannot disadvantage the potential new teams who will come in. But we are prepared to listen to whatever they have to say.

"In the meantime, the regulations are as published. We have explained that we want everyone to race under the same regulations. We have explained that we would like all of the teams to come in under the cost cap and that is what they have gone off to consider.

"We have said that we cannot see why anyone wouldn't want to operate under the cost cap, and it would mean a gradual relaxation of the technical regulations - which all the engineers would want. We said in the end the choice was between intellectual freedom and financial constraint, or intellectual constraint and financial freedom - which is what they have had up until now.

"We have pointed out, and it is something the engineers have said, that current F1 consists of endless refinement at enormous expense and we want to move away from that and have invention and creativity, but we can only do that if we restrict the cost - because if we have unrestricted cost nobody would be able to afford it.

"I think some of the teams agree with that idea, and some don't, and they have gone away to discuss it."

Ferrari, Renault, Toyota and the Red Bull teams have already declared that they will not enter the 2010 season under the rules as presently proposed by the FIA, and when asked if that remained the case, Mosley replied: "Well, as things stand, yes that is the situation."

It also emerged today that Ferrari has lodged legal action in the French courts to block the 2010 rules - claiming their introduction was a breach of a technical veto the Italian team has.

"During the meeting it became apparent that Ferrari has made an application to the French courts, and I don't know the details, but it is to apply for an injunction to stop us doing what we want to do," Mosley explained. "So that is where the situation rests as far as Ferrari is concerned."

The FIA president added that the discussions had extended to talks on a new Concorde Agreement, but that this issue also remained unresolved.

"Then they asked about the Concorde Agreement, and we said that we would be prepared if there was agreement on all of the other issues to resign the 1998 Concorde Agreement, and extend it for another five years," said Mosley.

"But there was not agreement between them and Bernie [Ecclestone] on the commercial side, which is unsurprising because they have been talking about it for two and a half years and still not reached agreement."

Rosberg says his future remains open

Nico Rosberg says he remains open about his Formula 1 future, the German admitting he is already considering his options for 2010.

The Williams driver had said earlier this year that the form of his team during 2009 would be crucial in his decision on whether to continue at the British squad or move somewhere else.

Rosberg said in February that he wanted to be in a race-winning car by 2010 "at the latest."

Although Williams has enjoyed a promising start to the season, the German driver has scored just 4.5 points in the first five races.

Rosberg admits he feels at home at Williams, but he insisted he wants to be in car that can win races.

"I'm looking at it now. I'm trying to build an image in my head about what possibilities are for next year," said Rosberg when asked by AUTOSPORT about his future.

"That fact is I feel really good in this team. They support me, and we've grown together, so it's a nice feeling here. So it would be nice if I could stay, to develop the car together that would be great."

He added: "It would be great to have one (race-winning car) now, but in F1 there's only two teams that have race-winning machines if anything.

"So you just need to be patient. If you deserve it sooner or later it will come and next year is going to be an important stop for my career.

"I would like to find something which is a good, long-term solution. It's important to get it right.

The 23-year-old said he had been encouraged by the progress made by Williams this year, and he reckons his speed at the Spanish Grand Prix, the first race in Europe, is a good omen for the rest of the season.

"It's very encouraging that we are in this position at this track, because it means that we can definitely compete in terms of development with the other teams and we have a chance to stay where we are or maybe a little bit better for once. So it's okay," he added.

"It's a good platform. They have done a good job with the development to put us in this position again, so it's okay.

"Over the winter they have shown they can build a good car. They've developed well through the first few races. So we'll see."

AUTOSPORT understands Rosberg has already begun talking to other teams to find out what options there are for next year.

Brawn: Button can be a regular winner

Jenson Button's impressive start to the season has given the 29-year-old the self-belief to be a regular race winner in Formula 1, according to team boss Ross Brawn.

Button has won three of the four races in 2009 after two difficult seasons with Honda during which he scored only nine points.

Brawn says that although all the elements needed to be a consistent winner existed in Button before, his growing confidence has been crucial in his emerging as a championship contender.

"Jenson is driving so well this year," said Brawn. "He's had the ingredients and the skills that you need and now he is getting the confidence.

"He's realising that winning a race is something that he can do. It's not so easy that you could ever say that winning comes naturally, but he knows he can do it when the environment is right.

"Jenson is exceptional. Even last year with the car we had there were races when I saw flashes of things that were special, but it's about putting it together on a consistent basis.

"All the guys in the team told me he was pretty special, but I wasn't lucky enough to see much of it. Now I am. He's such a smooth driver. You watch him in the car and nothing's happening because everything is under control. He's not exciting in the car because everything is working well."

Brawn added that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher had always rated Button highly.

"I've spoken to Michael," said Brawn. "He always had lots of respect for Jenson when we were at Ferrari. He has the highest respect for him."

Brawn is cautious about his team's championship chances, despite Button having a 12-point lead over team-mate Rubens Barrichello with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel a further point adrift.

The team will introduce its first major set of updates at next week's Spanish Grand Prix, which Brawn hopes will ensure it is not overtaken by its rivals.

"We have got a long way to go in the championship - 13 more races," said Brawn. "This is a great start, but all we can do is push very hard for upgrades and improvements.

"You've seen the progress of some of the other teams, so we have to starting hitting our slopes of progress again."

Mallya cautious on FIA's new rules

Force India boss Vijay Mallya says he is cautious about the FIA's introduction of a budget cap for the 2010 season.

The governing body confirmed on Thursday that Formula 1 teams will be able to adhere to an optional £40 million budget cap from next year, with more technical freedom allowed for them.

McLaren and Williams have already reacted to the plan with scepticism, saying they are against a championship with two sets of rules.

Mallya said he was in favour of moves to reduce costs, but admitted the proposals have to be fully analysed.

"In principle Force India welcomes all cost cutting initiatives and budget caps, but we must fully investigate and understand the implications of the current measures proposed by both the FIA and FOTA," said Mallya.

"We will review the proposal internally and within the next FOTA meeting scheduled for Wednesday 6 May and until this point it would be inappropriate to comment further."

World champions Ferrari, meanwhile, refused to make any comments about the new rules.

"With regards to the press release put out by the FIA on the day after the WMSC meeting, at the moment, Ferrari does not intend to make any comment on the matter," a statement from Ferrari said.

Mosley hints at increased budget cap

FIA president Max Mosley has hinted that the World Motor Sport council has approved an increased budget cap figure in its meeting today.

Although the World Motorsport Council's decisions have yet to be published, Mosley told reporters after the meeting that the original £30 million budget cap figure has been increased following consultation with F1 teams.

"Everything is going ahead as planned," he said. "It's a little bit more than 30 million but we have been successful."

He added that the budget cap is crucial to maintaining competitor numbers in F1 at a healthy level. As well as safeguarding the future of the existing teams, a number of new outfits are looking at coming into F1

"People cannot in the current economic conditions get enough money to survive without it," he said.

A number of teams have expressed an interest in joining F1 next year should the budget cap go ahead, including USF1, Prodrive, Lola and iSport.

Rivals say no doubt diffusers illegal

Rivals of the Williams, Toyota and Brawn GP teams told the FIA's International Court of Appeal on Tuesday that there was no doubt the rear diffusers used by trio were illegal.

Ferrari, Renault, BMW Sauber and Red Bull have all appealed against the decision by the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix stewards to deem the 'diffuser gang's' cars within the scope of the 2009 technical regulations.

With the teams now having left for China, a final decision on the case will be announced on Wednesday afternoon. The full findings however, are not expected to be released until later in the week at the earliest.

While the 'diffuser gang' remained resolute in their defence that their designs conformed to the letter of the technical regulations, Ferrari's legal representative Nigel Tozzi told the court in Paris there was no doubt they have exploited a loophole in the regulations to use an illegal device.

"Anyone with a command of English will tell you it is a hole, so do not let someone attempting to be clever with words defeat the express purpose of the rules," Tozzi was quoted as saying by the Press Association.

"The appeal is not because we have not made the most of an opportunity, but because Brawn, Toyota and Williams have not acted within the regulations."

Renault's representative Andrew Ford said the sport's governing body had already concluded the design was illegal, and that was the reason why the French team decided not to use it.

"It is not that Renault missed the boat, as Brawn have pointed out, it is because the FIA said it was illegal. It was at that point the diffuser was abandoned," said Ford.

Ford confirmed that the team has its own prototype version, which could be ready to run as soon as China should the case be called in favour of the 'diffuser gang'.

Brawn GP has won the first two races of the season and the result of today's hearing could completely change the championship situation.

If the ICA decides the diffuser is legal, the British team looks certain to continue at the front until rivals copy the design and catch up.

If it's decided that the 'double-diffusers' contravene the rules, Jenson Button could face the prospect of losing his two victories.

Team boss Ross Brawn said he was optimistic the decision would favour his team.

"You can't be 100 percent confident," Brawn told the BBC. "But I hope that common sense prevails on our side and the appeal court judges that there is a mechanism, a procedure, a policy and that it was followed properly and we should be left to get on with it."

Hamilton apologised to FIA's Whiting

Lewis Hamilton privately apologised to FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Malaysia for having lied to stewards amid the controversy now engulfing his McLaren team, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

As the first detailed account of how the situation developed is published today, it has emerged that Hamilton felt remorse for how he behaved prior to his emotional press conference at Sepang on Friday.

Whiting, who was present in both hearings that debated whether or not Hamilton had let Jarno Trulli past behind the safety car in Australia, has told AUTOSPORT that he had noticed a change in the world champion's behaviour in the two meetings.

"I was distinctly uncomfortable about Lewis's demeanour on Sunday [in Australia], and on Thursday [in Malaysia] I would say he was just doing what he was told to do," said Whiting. "On Sunday it was completely clear that he was telling lies.

"The fact that he came and apologised to me in Sepang sums it up pretty much. He came to me and wanted to talk to me privately, and just said he wanted to apologise for everything he'd done, and he wouldn't do it again, that sort of thing."

Whiting has also provided fresh insight into the behaviour of Hamilton at the second hearing in Malaysia, which came four days after he admitted to having been 'misled' by the team into lying.

"We got into a little bit more detail of what happened when Trulli passed Lewis. Lewis did his best to fudge it, I would say, without responding completely and directly," said Whiting.

"I reminded him that I had asked him twice in Melbourne, 'Did you consciously let him past?' And he'd said no, Trulli had just passed him. I then said when the team asked you to let him past, you said ‘I've already let him past.' I said to him if you had been surprised by that, surely you would have said, ‘he's passed me,' instead of ‘I've let him past.'

"Lewis didn't really have an answer for that. They were trying very hard to get off the important bit of the subject, and trying to divert the stewards' attention elsewhere. That's the impression, I got anyway."

Whiting also said that he had never had any previous reason to question the behaviour of Ryan prior to that hearing in Australia, where he and Hamilton lied about not having let Trulli past.

"I've always found Dave to be very easy guy to deal with," said Whiting, "I've never thought that he was lying to me. There's no reason for me to suppose that he's like that all the time. But I do believe that he attempted to mislead the stewards, I don't think there's any doubt about that in my mind."

McLaren has been summoned to appear before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council to explain its behaviour, and could face sanctions for having brought the sport into disrepute.

Toyota welcomes diffuser verdict

Toyota team principal Tadashi Yamashina says he hopes Formula 1 can now put the diffuser despite behind it, following the FIA's ruling that his team's concept is legal.

The FIA's International Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected complaints from Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Renault that the double decker diffusers used by Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams were against the regulations.

In a statement issued by Toyota shortly after the announcement, Yamashina said he had every faith that his team was correct from the outset - having consulted the FIA from the start about what it was doing.

"I was confident the Court of Appeal would reach this verdict and I am satisfied with it," he said. "It is important to stress we studied the technical regulations in precise detail, consulting the FIA in our process, and never doubted our car complied with them.

"This has been a challenging period for Formula 1 and I am pleased this issue is now in the past and we can focus on an exciting season on the track."

The Toyota statement added: "As we have maintained throughout, our team studied the wording of the new 2009 regulations in precise detail to ensure we interpreted them correctly.

"We also made full use of the consultation procedure with the FIA which was a helpful process to ensure our interpretation of the technical regulations was correct.

"Therefore we had every confidence that the design of our car would be confirmed as legal, firstly by race stewards in Australia and Malaysia and subsequently by the Court of Appeal."

Abu Dhabi considers 'unique' start time

Abu Dhabi is considering a 'unique' start time for its first Formula 1 race this year, track boss Philippe Gurdjian has revealed.

The Yas Marina's event is currently scheduled to begin at 3pm, but Gurdjian has hinted that race chiefs are hoping they can move it.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Gurdjian said: "At this moment, the start time is 3pm. But the final decision depends on Mr. [Bernie] Ecclestone.

"We have a certain idea of what we would like to do, but I cannot tell you today what it is! We have a very specific idea, and I hope we will be able to do it - and it will be as unique as the track."

Gurdjian also dismissed as ‘ridiculous' speculation that emerged in recent weeks suggesting Abu Dhabi's track would not be ready in time - and that Canada could fill its slot.

"I don't know who made this wrong story, but on my side it was ridiculous," he explained. "I don't understand where it came from.

"On my side, we are progressing. Aldar, the people who are building the circuit, are doing a good job.

"They are making also a good job for the island, because we are starting from an island that only had sand - no bridges, no roads, no electricity and no water. But everything will be done on time."

Button says staying ahead will be tough

Jenson Button is expecting rival teams to put up a tough fight from now on following his two consecutive victories in Australia and Malaysia.

The Brawn GP driver has started from pole position and won both races as his team has enjoyed a dream start to the season following its problems during the winter.

But despite his dominance in the early part of the year, Button is aware that the opposition will catch up and make his life more difficult.

"After the excitement of the first two races, it has been great to have the chance to relax and reflect for a few days since the dramatic race in Malaysia," said Button ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

"I am understandably delighted with how our season has begun. However we are only two races in and everyone at the team is aware that our competitors will not stand still. We fully expect a tough fight from here if we want to continue our early successes.

"Looking ahead to next weekend, the Shanghai International Circuit is an enjoyable one for the drivers and a good technical challenge to find the right set-up.

"I particularly enjoy the high-speed sections and the overtaking opportunities going into the tight right-hander at turn five and at the end of the back straight."

Ross Brawn says the team has worked on solving some issues it had in the first two races and he is hopeful they will be in good shape in Shanghai.

"Whilst there have been no developments to the car, we have taken the opportunity to address a few small issues which arose over the first two races and we are in good shape for the next race in China," said Brawn. "We are expecting temperatures will be cooler and less humid this year with the race taking place six months earlier.

"Therefore as was the case in Malaysia, we will need to be prepared for the unexpected as rain has played its part in recent races at the Shanghai International Circuit."

China preview quotes: Renault

Fernando Alonso

Q. Fernando, a pretty eventful Malaysian Grand Prix for you. Tell us about your race...

FA: I made an amazing start and was up to third from ninth after the first couple of corners, which showed the clear benefit of our KERS system. However, I was heavy with fuel and it was difficult to defend my position from the cars behind me. Then it started to rain and I went off the circuit before I could change to wet tyres. After that it was all about being on the right tyres at the right time, but it wasn't easy predicting how heavy the rain would be. It was definitely the right decision to stop the race as it would have been dangerous to try and continue in those conditions.

Q. You've said the team needs to improve the car. Are you confident the team can do that?

FA: Absolutely. I believe in this team and we saw last year that they know how to fight back and find performance from the car. It's still very early days and everyone in the team is working hard to develop the R29 so that we can be more competitive in the next few races. I was disappointed not to score points in Malaysia as my aim is to score points at every race this season. Obviously it's difficult to change the car until we get back to Europe, but we have learnt a lot from the first two races and we certainly made progress in Malaysia. We need to take another step forward in Shanghai and hopefully score points.

Q. Are you looking forward to racing in Shanghai and what are your thoughts on the track?

FA: It's definitely a circuit that I enjoy and it's quite similar to Sepang with some quick corners, long straights and low-speed sections. You therefore have to find a compromise with the set-up to make sure you have enough downforce for the high-speed sections, but also good straight-line speed. I won the race there in 2005 when Renault also won the constructors' championship so it's a track with good memories for the team. I also enjoy being in China and the fans are really enthusiastic about Formula 1.

Nelson Piquet

Q. Nelson, it was a chaotic race in Malaysia - sum up your race for us?

NP: I had a good start and made up four positions, so things were looking quite good during the first stint, especially as I had a lot of fuel in the car. The car had a good balance in the dry, but then it rained and we had to pit early. The wet conditions were really bad and it was almost impossible to drive the car because of the poor visibility and aquaplaning. It was difficult to call the right strategy and the team did a good job, but races like that are always a lottery. It's a shame we couldn't restart the race, but the conditions were the worst I can remember at a Grand Prix.

Q. After two races what is the mood like in the team?

NP: The team is very motivated and determined to do a good job in China. We improved the car between Australia and Malaysia and we need to continue in this direction to try and get more from our package in China. I know the guys back at the factory are working really hard to prepare upgrades for later in the year and I'm sure we will continue to get stronger and stronger throughout the season.

Q. You finished in the points in China last year as a rookie - what are your targets for this year's race?

NP: After two races we've seen how close all the teams are, but I will still aim for the points this weekend. I need to make sure I improve my performance in qualifying so that I can reach Q2 or Q3 and have a good strategy for the race. We also need to see how the different tyres perform because Shanghai is quite a tough circuit for the tyres and we will need to do a lot of evaluation on Friday to make sure we are well prepared for the race.

China preview quotes: Toyota

Jarno Trulli: "I am really optimistic about the Chinese Grand Prix because we have started the season very strongly. It shows how much progress we have made since last season that in Malaysia I was a little disappointed with fourth because I wanted to finish on the podium and fight for the win. Last year in Malaysia I finished fourth and that was more than we expected.

"We are second in the Constructors' Championship so it's clear we are one of the top teams and both Timo and I have consistently been fighting at the front which is great. So the goal for me in China is to fight for the podium again and I think we have a really good chance. China is one of those circuits where I have never had much luck and it was the same last year when I was hit from behind at the first corner, so I'm determined to have a better weekend this time."

Timo Glock: "Malaysia was a crazy race but it was a great result for the team and it gives us a lot of confidence for the Chinese Grand Prix. We were really competitive in all conditions which is a good sign because it confirms we were right to be optimistic before the season started.

"We have had both cars finish in the top four in both races so far this season so we are definitely aiming to challenge for the podium again, but of course it's pretty close so we will have to do another good weekend. It seems strange to be going to China in April because it has always been later in the season; the weather looks like it could be a bit cooler than usual. I quite enjoy racing at Shanghai because it's an interesting track. Last year I went well there and scored points, but I'm hoping to get more than seventh place this weekend, that's for sure."

Pascal Vasselon, Senior General Manager Chassis: "Shanghai is a track which offers a very wide range of cornering speeds so you cannot optimise the car just for high-speed or low-speed corners; you have to find a good balance. The unique aspect to the Shanghai track is its very long corners; turn one and turn 13. It is extremely important to get the balance of the car right in turn 13 because it comes out on to the main straight and you want to exit at the highest possible speed.

"These two corners and the specific lay-out in general are also demanding on tyres so overall Shanghai is quite severe in terms of tyre wear. If you have a compound which is too soft it is likely to have graining issue. So it will be interesting to see how the super soft and medium compound tyres behave this weekend."

China preview quotes: Bridgestone

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China preview quotes: Renault

BMW pushes for lighter car for Kubica

BMW Sauber is hoping to introduce a lightweight version of its F1.09 for the Spanish Grand Prix in a bid to boost Robert Kubica's chances of using KERS.

The Polish driver has been unable to use the device up to now, because its added weight and the subsequent loss of ballast has a knock-on impact on his car's handling - especially when it comes to tyre degradation issues.

Team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who is much lighter than Kubica, has been able to race with KERS in the first two events of the season.

With BMW Sauber adamant that KERS does bring a benefit, it is understood that the Hinwil-based team has been working hard on a weight reduction programme that would overcome the issues Kubica has faced.

The improvements are expected to form part of a major package of updates scheduled for the race at Barcelona in May - where Kubica could even use KERS for the first time.

Although there is a minimum weight limit for the car, a lightweight chassis would allow BMW Sauber to fit ballast in a more suitable place to help with the car's handling.

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has drawn short of confirming the plans for a lightweight car, but he has made it clear that the team is doing all it can to get KERS onto Kubica's car.

"We are aiming to prepare the cars for KERS with him," said Kubica. "That includes development on the KERS side as well as the car side.

"The issue is weight and the lack of ballast then to properly balance the car. It is not the KERS [alone] that causes the problem and we are working on that. My view is that in the course of the season you will need KERS to be up front - not just on the grid, but also in the race."

When asked by AUTOSPORT about a weight reduction programme for the Spanish GP, Theissen said: "That would help exactly. We have some developments ongoing, but...wait and see. I don't want to go into detail now."

Heavier drivers like Kubica and Mark Webber have been pushing for an amendment to the minimum weight limit in F1 for next year to stop them being penalised by KERS. One suggestion is for the drivers, their race wear and their seat to have a minimum weight.

Gillick’s method produced success

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Kubica expects KERS to hamper him

Brawn: Diffuser row not affecting FOTA

Ross Brawn is confident that the unity of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) is holding together, despite the pressures being put on it by the wrangling over diffuser designs.

FOTA had always faced a challenge to keep all its members aligned amid the inevitable rows that erupt in the heat of competition.

And Brawn, who heads up FOTA's technical working group, believes the 'test case' of the diffuser controversy is showing that the body can come through such disputes without getting fractured.

"What I am pleased about is that FOTA is still operating well within its mandates, objectives and so on," said Brawn, whose team's diffuser design has been protested by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and Renault.

"This has not, as far as I can tell, damaged FOTA. We have to learn to work in that way, because we when we get on the track there will be instances where we will get very upset with each other.

"We have to put that to one side and say within FOTA we are trying to do something which is good for the sport.

"I draw this analogy with rugby, which is that you go out on the field and try and kill each other, then you come back and you have a beer. You have got to be able to separate those two things. And FOTA has got to be able to do that.

"We have got to be able to go out on the race track, objecting to someone's technical specs of the car is all part of it. It is part of the event, and we have got to able to put that to one side and say, 'okay we are having our situation there but let's work on trying to help Formula 1 improve and become better'.

"If we do that, and we seem to be able to do that, then that means FOTA can work. If the first time we fall out on the track it blows FOTA apart then that's no good and I don't think that will happen."

The FIA's International Court of Appeal hearing into the legality of the diffuser designs is to take place in Paris next Tuesday.

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McLaren summoned by FIA's WMSC

McLaren has been summoned to appear before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on April 29 to answer charges that it has brought Formula 1 into disrepute over the controversy surrounding Lewis Hamilton's Australian Grand Prix disqualification.

The team has been summoned after it 'deliberately misled' stewards at the Australian Grand Prix during a hearing into Jarno Trulli overtaking Lewis Hamilton behind the safety car in the closing stages of the Melbourne race.

The FIA announced on Tuesday that the team will appear before the extraordinary WMSC hearing in Paris on the Wednesday after the Bahrain GP to answer charges that it has breached Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.

The rule states that competitors are in breach of the regulations if they take part in: "Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally."

The FIA claims that McLaren may have broken the regulations on five counts, that:

* on 29 March, 2009, told the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix that no instructions were given to Hamilton in Car No. 1 to allow Trulli in Car no. 9 to pass when both cars were behind the safety car, knowing this statement to be untrue;

* procured its driver Hamilton the current World Champion, to support and confirm this untrue statement to the stewards;

* although knowing that as a direct result of its untrue statement to the stewards, another driver and a rival team had been unfairly penalised, made no attempt to rectify the situation either by contacting the FIA or otherwise;

* on 2 April, 2009, at a second hearing before the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix, (meeting in Malaysia) made no attempt to correct the untrue statement of 29 March but, on the contrary, continued to maintain that the statement was true, despite being allowed to listen to a recording of the team instructing Hamilton to let Trulli past and despite being given more than one opportunity to correct its false statement;

* on 2 April, 2009, at the second stewards' hearing, procured its driver Hamilton to continue to assert the truth of the false statement given to the stewards on 29 March, while knowing that what he was saying to the stewards was not true.

McLaren has already admitted that sporting director Dave Ryan and Hamilton lied to the stewards during the hearing in Australia, and a second meeting on the eve of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Ryan has been suspended by the team, and Hamilton made an open apology for his actions after revealing that he had been advised by Ryan not to tell the full truth.

"I've never felt so bad," he said during an emotional press conference in Malaysia last week. "Try and put yourself in my position and understand that, like I said, I am not a liar. I have not gone through my life being a liar or dishonest. And so for people to say I am dishonest and for the world to think that....what can I say?"

It is possible that Hamilton could be called to testify at the WMSC hearing to clarify his involvement in the matter.

His father-manager Anthony was understood to have been in contact with FIA president Max Mosley during the course of last week's Malaysian GP weekend as the fallout from the controversy spiralled out of control.

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Button says staying ahead will be tough

Jenson Button is expecting rival teams to put up a tough fight from now on following his two consecutive victories in Australia and Malaysia.

The Brawn GP driver has started from pole position and won both races as his team has enjoyed a dream start to the season following its problems during the winter.

But despite his dominance in the early part of the year, Button is aware that the opposition will catch up and make his life more difficult.

"After the excitement of the first two races, it has been great to have the chance to relax and reflect for a few days since the dramatic race in Malaysia," said Button ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

"I am understandably delighted with how our season has begun. However we are only two races in and everyone at the team is aware that our competitors will not stand still. We fully expect a tough fight from here if we want to continue our early successes.

"Looking ahead to next weekend, the Shanghai International Circuit is an enjoyable one for the drivers and a good technical challenge to find the right set-up.

"I particularly enjoy the high-speed sections and the overtaking opportunities going into the tight right-hander at turn five and at the end of the back straight."

Ross Brawn says the team has worked on solving some issues it had in the first two races and he is hopeful they will be in good shape in Shanghai.

"Whilst there have been no developments to the car, we have taken the opportunity to address a few small issues which arose over the first two races and we are in good shape for the next race in China," said Brawn. "We are expecting temperatures will be cooler and less humid this year with the race taking place six months earlier.

"Therefore as was the case in Malaysia, we will need to be prepared for the unexpected as rain has played its part in recent races at the Shanghai International Circuit."

China preview quotes: Renault

Fernando Alonso

Q. Fernando, a pretty eventful Malaysian Grand Prix for you. Tell us about your race...

FA: I made an amazing start and was up to third from ninth after the first couple of corners, which showed the clear benefit of our KERS system. However, I was heavy with fuel and it was difficult to defend my position from the cars behind me. Then it started to rain and I went off the circuit before I could change to wet tyres. After that it was all about being on the right tyres at the right time, but it wasn't easy predicting how heavy the rain would be. It was definitely the right decision to stop the race as it would have been dangerous to try and continue in those conditions.

Q. You've said the team needs to improve the car. Are you confident the team can do that?

FA: Absolutely. I believe in this team and we saw last year that they know how to fight back and find performance from the car. It's still very early days and everyone in the team is working hard to develop the R29 so that we can be more competitive in the next few races. I was disappointed not to score points in Malaysia as my aim is to score points at every race this season. Obviously it's difficult to change the car until we get back to Europe, but we have learnt a lot from the first two races and we certainly made progress in Malaysia. We need to take another step forward in Shanghai and hopefully score points.

Q. Are you looking forward to racing in Shanghai and what are your thoughts on the track?

FA: It's definitely a circuit that I enjoy and it's quite similar to Sepang with some quick corners, long straights and low-speed sections. You therefore have to find a compromise with the set-up to make sure you have enough downforce for the high-speed sections, but also good straight-line speed. I won the race there in 2005 when Renault also won the constructors' championship so it's a track with good memories for the team. I also enjoy being in China and the fans are really enthusiastic about Formula 1.

Nelson Piquet

Q. Nelson, it was a chaotic race in Malaysia - sum up your race for us?

NP: I had a good start and made up four positions, so things were looking quite good during the first stint, especially as I had a lot of fuel in the car. The car had a good balance in the dry, but then it rained and we had to pit early. The wet conditions were really bad and it was almost impossible to drive the car because of the poor visibility and aquaplaning. It was difficult to call the right strategy and the team did a good job, but races like that are always a lottery. It's a shame we couldn't restart the race, but the conditions were the worst I can remember at a Grand Prix.

Q. After two races what is the mood like in the team?

NP: The team is very motivated and determined to do a good job in China. We improved the car between Australia and Malaysia and we need to continue in this direction to try and get more from our package in China. I know the guys back at the factory are working really hard to prepare upgrades for later in the year and I'm sure we will continue to get stronger and stronger throughout the season.

Q. You finished in the points in China last year as a rookie - what are your targets for this year's race?

NP: After two races we've seen how close all the teams are, but I will still aim for the points this weekend. I need to make sure I improve my performance in qualifying so that I can reach Q2 or Q3 and have a good strategy for the race. We also need to see how the different tyres perform because Shanghai is quite a tough circuit for the tyres and we will need to do a lot of evaluation on Friday to make sure we are well prepared for the race.

China preview quotes: Toyota

Jarno Trulli: "I am really optimistic about the Chinese Grand Prix because we have started the season very strongly. It shows how much progress we have made since last season that in Malaysia I was a little disappointed with fourth because I wanted to finish on the podium and fight for the win. Last year in Malaysia I finished fourth and that was more than we expected.

"We are second in the Constructors' Championship so it's clear we are one of the top teams and both Timo and I have consistently been fighting at the front which is great. So the goal for me in China is to fight for the podium again and I think we have a really good chance. China is one of those circuits where I have never had much luck and it was the same last year when I was hit from behind at the first corner, so I'm determined to have a better weekend this time."

Timo Glock: "Malaysia was a crazy race but it was a great result for the team and it gives us a lot of confidence for the Chinese Grand Prix. We were really competitive in all conditions which is a good sign because it confirms we were right to be optimistic before the season started.

"We have had both cars finish in the top four in both races so far this season so we are definitely aiming to challenge for the podium again, but of course it's pretty close so we will have to do another good weekend. It seems strange to be going to China in April because it has always been later in the season; the weather looks like it could be a bit cooler than usual. I quite enjoy racing at Shanghai because it's an interesting track. Last year I went well there and scored points, but I'm hoping to get more than seventh place this weekend, that's for sure."

Pascal Vasselon, Senior General Manager Chassis: "Shanghai is a track which offers a very wide range of cornering speeds so you cannot optimise the car just for high-speed or low-speed corners; you have to find a good balance. The unique aspect to the Shanghai track is its very long corners; turn one and turn 13. It is extremely important to get the balance of the car right in turn 13 because it comes out on to the main straight and you want to exit at the highest possible speed.

"These two corners and the specific lay-out in general are also demanding on tyres so overall Shanghai is quite severe in terms of tyre wear. If you have a compound which is too soft it is likely to have graining issue. So it will be interesting to see how the super soft and medium compound tyres behave this weekend."

BMW pushes for lighter car for Kubica

BMW Sauber is hoping to introduce a lightweight version of its F1.09 for the Spanish Grand Prix in a bid to boost Robert Kubica's chances of using KERS.

The Polish driver has been unable to use the device up to now, because its added weight and the subsequent loss of ballast has a knock-on impact on his car's handling - especially when it comes to tyre degradation issues.

Team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who is much lighter than Kubica, has been able to race with KERS in the first two events of the season.

With BMW Sauber adamant that KERS does bring a benefit, it is understood that the Hinwil-based team has been working hard on a weight reduction programme that would overcome the issues Kubica has faced.

The improvements are expected to form part of a major package of updates scheduled for the race at Barcelona in May - where Kubica could even use KERS for the first time.

Although there is a minimum weight limit for the car, a lightweight chassis would allow BMW Sauber to fit ballast in a more suitable place to help with the car's handling.

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has drawn short of confirming the plans for a lightweight car, but he has made it clear that the team is doing all it can to get KERS onto Kubica's car.

"We are aiming to prepare the cars for KERS with him," said Kubica. "That includes development on the KERS side as well as the car side.

"The issue is weight and the lack of ballast then to properly balance the car. It is not the KERS [alone] that causes the problem and we are working on that. My view is that in the course of the season you will need KERS to be up front - not just on the grid, but also in the race."

When asked by AUTOSPORT about a weight reduction programme for the Spanish GP, Theissen said: "That would help exactly. We have some developments ongoing, but...wait and see. I don't want to go into detail now."

Heavier drivers like Kubica and Mark Webber have been pushing for an amendment to the minimum weight limit in F1 for next year to stop them being penalised by KERS. One suggestion is for the drivers, their race wear and their seat to have a minimum weight.

Brawn: Diffuser row not affecting FOTA

Ross Brawn is confident that the unity of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) is holding together, despite the pressures being put on it by the wrangling over diffuser designs.

FOTA had always faced a challenge to keep all its members aligned amid the inevitable rows that erupt in the heat of competition.

And Brawn, who heads up FOTA's technical working group, believes the 'test case' of the diffuser controversy is showing that the body can come through such disputes without getting fractured.

"What I am pleased about is that FOTA is still operating well within its mandates, objectives and so on," said Brawn, whose team's diffuser design has been protested by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and Renault.

"This has not, as far as I can tell, damaged FOTA. We have to learn to work in that way, because we when we get on the track there will be instances where we will get very upset with each other.

"We have to put that to one side and say within FOTA we are trying to do something which is good for the sport.

"I draw this analogy with rugby, which is that you go out on the field and try and kill each other, then you come back and you have a beer. You have got to be able to separate those two things. And FOTA has got to be able to do that.

"We have got to be able to go out on the race track, objecting to someone's technical specs of the car is all part of it. It is part of the event, and we have got to able to put that to one side and say, 'okay we are having our situation there but let's work on trying to help Formula 1 improve and become better'.

"If we do that, and we seem to be able to do that, then that means FOTA can work. If the first time we fall out on the track it blows FOTA apart then that's no good and I don't think that will happen."

The FIA's International Court of Appeal hearing into the legality of the diffuser designs is to take place in Paris next Tuesday.

McLaren summoned by FIA's WMSC

McLaren has been summoned to appear before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on April 29 to answer charges that it has brought Formula 1 into disrepute over the controversy surrounding Lewis Hamilton's Australian Grand Prix disqualification.

The team has been summoned after it 'deliberately misled' stewards at the Australian Grand Prix during a hearing into Jarno Trulli overtaking Lewis Hamilton behind the safety car in the closing stages of the Melbourne race.

The FIA announced on Tuesday that the team will appear before the extraordinary WMSC hearing in Paris on the Wednesday after the Bahrain GP to answer charges that it has breached Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.

The rule states that competitors are in breach of the regulations if they take part in: "Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally."

The FIA claims that McLaren may have broken the regulations on five counts, that:

* on 29 March, 2009, told the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix that no instructions were given to Hamilton in Car No. 1 to allow Trulli in Car no. 9 to pass when both cars were behind the safety car, knowing this statement to be untrue;

* procured its driver Hamilton the current World Champion, to support and confirm this untrue statement to the stewards;

* although knowing that as a direct result of its untrue statement to the stewards, another driver and a rival team had been unfairly penalised, made no attempt to rectify the situation either by contacting the FIA or otherwise;

* on 2 April, 2009, at a second hearing before the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix, (meeting in Malaysia) made no attempt to correct the untrue statement of 29 March but, on the contrary, continued to maintain that the statement was true, despite being allowed to listen to a recording of the team instructing Hamilton to let Trulli past and despite being given more than one opportunity to correct its false statement;

* on 2 April, 2009, at the second stewards' hearing, procured its driver Hamilton to continue to assert the truth of the false statement given to the stewards on 29 March, while knowing that what he was saying to the stewards was not true.

McLaren has already admitted that sporting director Dave Ryan and Hamilton lied to the stewards during the hearing in Australia, and a second meeting on the eve of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Ryan has been suspended by the team, and Hamilton made an open apology for his actions after revealing that he had been advised by Ryan not to tell the full truth.

"I've never felt so bad," he said during an emotional press conference in Malaysia last week. "Try and put yourself in my position and understand that, like I said, I am not a liar. I have not gone through my life being a liar or dishonest. And so for people to say I am dishonest and for the world to think that....what can I say?"

It is possible that Hamilton could be called to testify at the WMSC hearing to clarify his involvement in the matter.

His father-manager Anthony was understood to have been in contact with FIA president Max Mosley during the course of last week's Malaysian GP weekend as the fallout from the controversy spiralled out of control.

Di Montezemolo: Ferrari will respond

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is confident his Formula 1 team can respond to its current difficulties, after joining a lengthy crisis meeting at Maranello on Tuesday.

The reigning constructors' champion has failed to score a point so far this season, and di Montezemolo says he has been left unimpressed by the way its campaign has begun.

However, following talks that lasted for two-and-a-half hours at Maranello today, he thinks the message has now got through to team members that the situation needs to be turned around quickly.

"It would be a euphemism to say people here were very angry, but these same people are also very determined to react," said di Montezemolo after the meeting.

"I brought with me a monk's hood to make everyone understand that we have to tackle this season with humility and made the point that I don't want to find us on some sort of TV comedy video programme after each race.

"Joking apart, I know that this group is known for its strong sense of pride and that will help us get out of this situation."

Although Ferrari remains convinced that its form has not been helped by the fact that three rival teams have been using a double-decker diffuser design, the team knows that further aerodynamic improvements are needed.

Di Montezemolo also made it clear that despite intense talks, the team was as unified as it had been under the Jean Todt era.

"Our discussions are held in the locker room, as was the case in the days of Todt and [Ross] Brawn, when we were going through particularly tough times," he said. "The team remains united and I have every confidence in it."

Although Michael Schumacher's role at the team has been the subject of intense speculation over the past few days, it is understood there was no discussion about his involvement during the meeting.

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Drivers in push to change start times

Formula 1 drivers are to push Bernie Ecclestone to bring the start times of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix forward for next year, following safety issues that marred the first two events of this season.

Poor light and a low sun in Melbourne, allied to atrocious weather and fading light that forced the abandonment of the Sepang race, have forced the drivers into action to urge a shift in the start time of the 2010 races.

Although Ecclestone has said he is keen to keep the races running at 5pm local time, because it boosts the European television audience, the drivers believe that safety could be improved if the starts are shifted forward by just one hour.

Sources have revealed that part of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) regular post-race report to the FIA following the first two events will include a recommendation for the start times to be moved forward.

And it is understood that the GPDA will also write to Ecclestone to ask if he will consider shifting the start time so as to alleviate safety concerns for 2010.

A source within the GPDA told AUTOSPORT: "We already spoke to Charlie [Whiting, F1 race director] in the drivers' briefings to express our concerns about what could happen, and our fears came true. It was common sense that there would be problems

"In Australia it was very difficult. Because of the low sun, it was hard to see into Turn 1 and the pit lane exit line. While in Malaysia, the fading light made things very difficult.

"It wasn't the rain that was the problem in Malaysia, because it can rain just as heavily at 2pm as it did at 6pm. But there was no chance to restart the race when it started so late because it got too dark - and that was the problem.

"I think even if the races are shifted to one hour earlier it will make a difference. We understand that there are commercial reasons for running the races so late, but safety always has to come first."

Although Malaysian Grand Prix organisers have also expressed their desire to see the start time of their race moved forward, Ecclestone has so far remained adamant that things do not need to change.

When asked by AUTOSPORT at Sepang if he had regrets about the start time, because the race had to be abandoned, he said: "No. I just have regrets about the rain.

"I don't see anything wrong with the start time, we just didn't know about the rain. If we had started at 2pm then it would have rained as well."

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Raikkonen: Diffusers could decide title

Kimi Raikkonen says the FIA's ruling on the diffuser regulations ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix will have 'an enormous impact' on the outcome of this season's title battle.

Ferrari scored no points in Australia or Malaysia and the Finn does not think the F60 can keep pace with the likes of Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams - the three teams that have been protested - with the current levels of downforce.

"The FIA's Court of Appeal will decide about the diffuser and this decision will have an enormous impact on the championship," Raikkonen said.

"We're missing grip and downforce. You just need to analyse the performance in the three sectors at Sepang to understand that we're losing a lot compared to the best cars. You could see it especially in the middle sector where downforce is really crucial.

"We need more downforce and we're working very hard on it. We still don't have any points after two races and this is a very difficult moment. We've seen other moments like this, but we know how to react and we'll do it already at Shanghai."

Raikkonen believes KERS is one area where Ferrari can make up time to its rivals, but warned that the team is still having issues with the system.

"At the start KERS works really well, as we could see last Sunday. It can give much more on this track [China], but at the moment we've still got some teething problems - I could see that myself in Malaysia.

"On Friday the cockpit filled with smoke, while on Sunday water infiltrated the KERS which lead to the destruction of its insulation and I had to stop."

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Q and A with Philippe Gurdjian

Abu Dhabi has unveiled some exciting plans for the 2009 Formula 1 season finale - which is to take place on a circuit on Yas Island in November.

But that did not stop the rumour machine going into overdrive last week amid rumours that the circuit would not be ready on time, and that Canada was being lined up to replace it.

The speculation was quickly dismissed, and AUTOSPORT caught up with the Yas Marina circuit boss Philippe Gurdjian to find out how progress was going, what F1 could expect from Abu Dhabi and what his own future holds.

Q. How is progress going with the track?

Philippe Gurdjian: Very well. There are no problems.

Q. So it is all on course for the end of season race?

PG: Yes. I don't know who made this wrong story, but on my side it was ridiculous. I don't understand where it came from. On my side, we are progressing. Aldar, the people who are building the circuit, are doing a good job. They are making also a good job for the island, because we are starting from an island that only had sand - no bridges, no roads, no electricity and no water. But everything will be done on time.

Q. What does the track look like at the moment? What is finished at the moment?

PG: Nothing is finished yet, but this is normal. We are on schedule. When you are building something, some place, you have to follow a schedule - and that is what we are doing. Maybe on one day we have a problem, but the day after we solve it.

Q. Tickets went on sale last week. What has interest been like?

PG: We are progressing very well, although I don't know exactly the situation today. I know that it is working very well.

Q. Has there been a decision yet on when the start time of the race will be?

PG: At this moment, the start time is 3pm. But the final decision depends on Mr. [Bernie] Ecclestone.

Q. Would you like to keep it at that time, or would you like it to go later?

PG: We have a certain idea of what we would like to do, but I cannot tell you today what it is! We have a very specific idea, and I hope we will be able to do it - and it will be as unique as the track.

Q. There have been some rumours in recent weeks that you could be involved in the new South Korea F1 project. What can you say about that?

PG: I don't know, maybe you know more than me! Tell me if you know!

The problem is that I am the man who has created the most incredible race tracks all over the world. First of all, I did Paul Ricard - it was a wonderful track and unique in the world. Then I did Bahrain, I did it in 70 days but I was not in charge of the design. At Abu Dhabi, I have been in charge of the design and the concept - and it will be the most incredible, exclusive and unique place in the world.

So if people want to make something more creative than all of these other circuits, then maybe I will be involved. But to go to a circuit where there is no idea, I will not be involved. I am not a builder - I am a creative man.

Q. How long is your commitment to Abu Dhabi?

PG: Until the end of 2010.

Q. And after that?

PG: I am an old man. Maybe I have to stop one time. I have done 25 grands prix up until today. This year I am still involved in Barcelona and then Abu Dhabi - so that will be 27. I will certainly stop before 30.

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Brawn: Ferrari, McLaren will catch up

Ross Brawn thinks it inevitable that Ferrari and McLaren will recover from their disastrous start to the campaign and soon start putting his dominant team under pressure.

Jenson Button has taken victory in the first two races of the year for Brawn GP, with last year's title front-runners McLaren and Ferrari having scored just one point between them.

And although people are hailing a 'new world order' in F1 this year, Brawn is convinced that the current formbook is not indicative of how things will pan out for the rest of the season.

Instead, he believes that what is happening at the moment is simply the result of those teams who switched development onto their 2009 cars early having a head start on those that kept pushing with their 2008 machines until the end of the year.

"It is a reflection on what has gone on in the last year or two," said Brawn. "With such a big change in regulations, McLaren and Ferrari had a championship to fight and I can understand that it was very difficult for them to say, 'look we'll stop pushing this year and put our effort into next year'.

"For us it wasn't even a clever decision, it was a very easy one - we didn't have a very good car so why waste time on it? For them it was a much more difficult decision, but they are both very strong and fantastic engineering companies, so they will sort it out.

"I think they are just paying the price for winning the championship last year. Because normally you develop a car and, if you are fighting for the championship, that same car goes forward into the next championship, so you don't lose things.

"Everything they did last year for the championship was in the bin after the last race, so it was gone. We now have slick tyres and new aerodynamics, so everything they did at the end of last year they could virtually throw away."

Although Brawn is delighted by what his team has delivered in the first phase of the season, he admits the start to the year has been ‘difficult' off track – with the outfit needing to make 270 redundancies.

"It's a very unfortunate process," he explained. "Obviously it has been going on while I have been away so I have not been involved first hand in the process, but it is just very difficult.

"Especially with everyone at the factory having produced such a good car, to say to people 'We can't give you a future anymore' is very difficult. But we had over 700 people and that's not viable for us to continue at that level.

"We have treated everyone with respect and we have done everything that we can to give them a good chance of a future. We have all of our employees on the same terms and conditions as they would have got if Honda had closed the company.

"They were fairly reasonable, and certainly above statutory, but they deserved it. They have done a great job, it is just a shame that we can't justify keeping so many people.

"So it is a very difficult period. Just now try to look forward and put that side behind us and try and build the company for the future. I think in reality if we had kept 700 people we wouldn't have been around very long, it just was impossible."

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Q and A with Peter Windsor

Formula 1 has always viewed the United States as a key market, and it's fair to say that interest in the sport in America has taken an upswing in light of the announcement earlier this year that Team USF1 is planning to compete from 2010.

With more than one month passed since USF1's plans went public, AUTOSPORT caught up with sporting director Peter Windsor to find out how the team was coming along.

Q. How is progress going with the team? What's been going on since the team announcement was made?

Peter Windsor: The announcement was to say that we were doing it, and that we had the money to become a team in 2010. Having said, we have now been formalising becoming a team. That has meant a lot of work on our side, in terms of paperwork and administration work, and a lot of work with the FIA and FOM in terms of formalising that entry. We are still in the process of that.

From our side, we are up and ready to go. But as everybody in racing knows, the 2010 championship is still very much something that has not been defined in terms of technical regulations. We are doing everything we can in terms of formalising it and paying deposits, etc., but the reality is no team becomes a team, even the existing teams, until the FIA says these are the regulations, and these are the teams competing in 2010. So we are waiting for that, and that should be in the next month or so.

Q. Has your official entry been lodged yet?

PW: Yes. Absolutely. It has been accepted. In fact, it was lodged a long time ago - well before we even did the announcement. And it has been accepted in so far as it can be accepted - in that nobody's entry has been accepted it. Until the 2010 regulations are defined, there is no 2010 championship as such. But we are very confident that we are in great shape, in terms of the entry, and it is looking good.

Q. What is the situation with your team name? There were lots of wild reports recently suggesting it had been changed?

PW: The USF1 name was basically a place mark name that Ken [Anderson] came up with. It is a great name! It was a working title for a work in progress that we began four years ago.

Like everybody, we know that 'F1' is a protected name, and we always wanted to do the correct thing. But until we were an existing operation there was no point in doing that because it was just a working title. As soon as we had a position publicly, and we were going to become a team, then we needed to sit down and see what the situation was.

Ken had registered several domain names for that situation, so we immediately kept everything on ice with another domain name to keep it ticking over. The new name, which is not too far away from the original name, is due to be announced soon. When the entry is formalised, when the 2010 championship is announced by the FIA, that is when we will come on line with a team name and a few other really good announcements as well.

Q. Q. What is the next step for the team in terms of personnel?

PW: Personnel is an interesting one because a lot of the personnel that are involved in the design and build of the car, we are going to be hiring them very, very soon. And we will be up to full capacity by July/August in that area. In terms of marketing and other stuff like that, that will gradually rise as the year progresses. The interesting area is operations - which is basically race team and a little bit of testing.

That really, by definition, is something we cannot do until October/November. Virtually all the guys we get will be from existing teams - be that F1, or American racing - and we cannot get them until the current season is over. That is something that will happen much later in the year.

We can talk to guys, and we will be and we are, but it is quite a thing to build a new team from zero. It is not the same as Brawn GP taking over from Honda, or Midland taking over from Jordan. Actually creating something from zero, there are some things that you cannot actually do until a certain date arrives - and operational personnel is one.

Q. What about your engine situation?

PW: The engine decision is part of the whole rebirth that F1 is going through right now. The Cosworth engine is certainly an attractive proposition. It is homologated, those guys were doing a great job with Red Bull Racing when Red Bull suddenly switched to Renault.

A lot of people who were at Cosworth have left, but equally there are a lot of good people still there too. That is a really interesting thing for us. Apart from anything else, Cosworth is now owned by an American, Kevin Kalkhoven, and that is a nice little link for us as well. The idea of working with a small specialist company is kind of in-tune with the way we are operating as a race team as well.

Q. So is that your preferred option?

PW: I wouldn't say preferred, but it is definitely an option we are looking at very, very seriously.

Q. And what about your facilities in Europe? There has been talk about you using the Epsilon base in Spain, or even Paul Ricard now?

PW: We haven't defined that. It is a little bit further down the road because it only comes into play once we get towards the operational end of it. That will be the back end of the year.

We would like the logistics base in Europe to be in a nice place, that is the first thing we want. We want people to enjoy going there. That is not casting aspersions on Milton Keynes, but there are nicer places perhaps for Americans to go to! So Spain has a great facility that Joan Villadelprat and Sergio Rinland have got, near Bilbao.

Pedro de la Rosa has introduced us to a really interesting new facility in Aragon, between Barcelona and Madrid where there is a nice Tilke circuit which looks really interesting.

And equally with Toyota leaving Le Castellet, that looks really cool too. It is a great part of the world. There is a lot of history, and a great place to fly people into - not just for testing, but to do a couple of days with the drivers in road cars or Formula Renaults. Ricard has got a lot going for it.

That will be one of the nice decisions to make later this year.

Q. Drivers is, for a team, the thing that fans talk about the most. Is that your last priority now?

PW: No, no. We want to get on with it, as quickly as possible. Again it comes under the header of unchartered territory for a new team starting from zero. And in our case we are restricting our choice to nationality - and bearing in mind none of those guys are in F1 at the moment, it makes for an interesting situation in terms of who you go for. It means we can take a bit of a risk. By definition we are going to be running rookies so we can be a bit creative there.

Having said all that, I think you will find that the way the budget capped teams approach drivers, and the sort of drivers they hire and how they pay them, it will be changing dramatically over the next three to four years as well.

There are certainly some very good Americans out there who Ken and I are confident will do a good enough job for us in our first year and, if not, in our second year. Equally, the way the driver market could be going, there could be some really quick experienced guys out there who are going to have to drive for a lot less than they are being paid for at the moment.

If that happens, teams like ours are in a position to look at some quite serious names, so although we have been saying from the start that we want to run American drivers, I guess we need to add a precursor to that which is, if there is someone really good and really quick out there who is available at the right price, then we wouldn't just turn away from that option.

Q. So is it conceivable you have one American and one non-American?

PW: It would be - not because we want to have one experienced driver, but if there was a very, very good driver available, and it was a deal we could put together relatively easily in terms of finding the money that he would want, then we would definitely look at that for sure. There is no doubt at the moment that one of our biggest problems in the first year to two years is going to be, and it is not a bad thing, that we are driver limited because those guys are so new.

We are ready for that challenge, but equally if there is someone really good we would have to look at it - and the new regulations may create that situation. But I am only guessing.

Q. How has the interest in America been since the launch, especially when it comes from sponsors?

PW: Ever since the announcement, we have just started turning the wheels on that. The announcement marked the point where Ken and I stopped being guys putting together a start-up operation for which we needed to get investment, and from then onwards we have evolved into being a race team. When you have a race team you have things to buy, you have property that has equity, and we are getting to that point now.

As soon as we are formalised as a race team, then we can go out to the marketplace with the other race teams and be a part of that marketplace. Certainly in American we have had quite a few companies contact us and say, 'wow this looks interesting. What's it all about? Come and talk'. We've had several of those meetings, which have all been really positive.

The catch word in America now, especially on the East Coast, is that American companies need to globalise. And globalising is something that F1 teams do very well for multi-national companies. So my gut feeling is that I think we can do a really good job for some great companies out there.

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Sutil: Improvements will take time

Adrian Sutil believes it will take time for the full potential of Force India's technical partnership with McLaren-Mercedes to be exploited.

Sutil and team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella have failed to score a point or make it out of Q1 in the opening two races of the season, but the German is confident that the car will be improved significantly in the coming races.

"There is potential in this combination," Sutil told AUTOSPORT. "It's a difficult situation because there was not much testing as we built the car in about 120 days, so it's hard to pick up.

"We have a lot of things going on in the windtunnel and it looks promising. The question is whether it is enough to make steps because the others are not sleeping, they always develop.

"But I am confident. Right now I am quite happy that the car is working well. There are no reliability problems and that helps us a lot, we need mileage to understand the car."

Sutil, who narrowly missed out on a points finish with ninth place in Australia, believes that the spirit inside the team is better than it has been since he joined as a race driver at the start of 2007.

"There is a very positive spirit," Sutil added. "The atmosphere is good and that's why I'm very happy now. There are no problems in the team and that makes it stronger."

"It's always good if you feel good in a team. If there are some problems, yes of course you will start arguing and that doesn't help.

"But the baseline is very good right now. That means you can develop yourself well and have success more easily."

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Ecclestone: McLaren could face ban

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks McLaren could face a ban from races after being summoned to appear before FIA's World Motor Sport Council for lying to stewards.

McLaren is to face the FIA's WMSC in the week after the Bahrain Grand Prix to answer charges that the team deliberately misled race stewards about Jarno Trulli overtaking Lewis Hamilton behind the safety car at the Australian Grand Prix, and forced Hamilton to lie too.

Although there are a range of sentences available to the FIA, which could be as little as an official reprimand, Ecclestone has not ruled out the possibility of McLaren being suspended.

Speaking to The Daily Express, Ecclestone said: "We need to investigate closer what went on. It is about stealing a point and a place but those are worth money so basically it is fraud, although I am sure it started off more innocently without thought of the consequences.

"There are many options open if the charge sticks and it would be a terrible thing if any team were banned from races. But it could happen.

"It is not so long ago that McLaren were in front of the Council and it is never good for anyone if you are back in court quickly for something similar."

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Hamilton, Ryan refused to change story

Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's former sporting director Dave Ryan refused to change their story about having deliberately let Jarno Trulli through at the Australian Grand Prix, despite being played radio conversations and media interviews that suggested the contrary in their second stewards' hearing at Sepang.

This week's AUTOSPORT reveals that Hamilton and Ryan maintained their stance in that second hearing that Trulli had taken it upon himself to overtake the McLaren in the closing stages of the Melbourne race, even though the stewards presented them with fresh evidence to say they were lying.

In the first detailed account of the stewards' hearings that have resulted in McLaren being called before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, AUTOSPORT reports that Ryan and Hamilton stuck to their original story when recalled for the second hearing.

An FIA source told AUTOSPORT: "First of all, Lewis heard the radio exchange. It appeared that the strategy was to be extremely vague and not be very direct with the answers. Then the interview where he said, 'I was told to let him through' was played.

"At that point they both got very uncomfortable, but still denied that's what had actually happened.

"It was a bit surreal, this situation where you had the radio evidence and the interview, and they were putting a completely different interpretation on what the words actually meant. But the words were very, very clear."

FIA race director Charlie Whiting has also revealed that Hamilton denied more than once in the original hearing in Australia that he had let Trulli pass him.

Whiting said: "When asked very clearly, 'Did you consciously let him past, did you pull over to let him past', he [Hamilton] said, 'No'. The question was asked more than once. He was adamant that he hadn't slowed down and hadn't let Trulli past."

This week's AUTOSPORT contains a full analysis of what happened on track and in the stewards' room in the controversy, as well as a look at what the situation means for McLaren's future.

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One for all, all for one: Phils get it done

McLaren eyes step forward in China

McLaren is expecting to deliver a small step forward in pace at next week's Chinese Grand Prix thanks to the introduction of a number of updates on its MP4-24.

With the team openly admitting that its 2009 challenger is behind a number of its rivals, McLaren has been pushing hard with developments in a bid to get itself into the title hunt.

And although it is unclear whether a double-decker diffuser will be part of its upgrade package, should the concept be given the green light at next week's FIA Appeal Court hearing, the team is hoping for progress on track in Shanghai.

World champion Lewis Hamilton said: "Hopefully, some of the upgrades we've added to MP4-24 for this race will have a benefit: it would be very encouraging if we could qualify a little further up the grid and be regularly challenging for points."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "We have reasons to be both disappointed and optimistic about our performance in the opening races of the 2009 season: disappointed because we do not yet possess the necessary technical package to enable us to fight with the leaders, but optimistic that our rate of progress is sufficiently rapid that we should be able to fight for points finishes on a regular basis.

"This race will see a number of new components introduced to MP4-24, and while we do not expect them to radically transform the car's potential, they should move us a little closer to the front than we saw in the opening two races."

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McLaren parts company with Ryan

McLaren said on Tuesday it has parted company with sporting director Dave Ryan, while vowing to work with the FIA ahead of the World Motor Sport Council hearing later this month.

The Woking-based team has been summoned to appear before the WMSC on April 29 to answer charges that it brought the sport into disrepute after lying to race stewards at the Australian Grand Prix - and then at a second hearing in Malaysia last week.

Stating that it wanted to work with the FIA for the best interests of F1, McLaren also confirmed that Ryan, who was suspended for his involvement in the matter last Friday, had now parted company with the team.

"McLaren acknowledges receipt of an invitation to appear at an FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on April 29, received this afternoon," said McLaren in a statement issued on Tuesday.

"We undertake to co-operate fully with all WMSC processes, and welcome the opportunity to work with the FIA in the best interests of Formula 1.

"This afternoon McLaren and its former sporting director, Dave Ryan, have formally parted company. As a result, he is no longer an employee of any of the constituent companies of the McLaren Group."

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Malaysia Sunday quotes: Brawn GP

Jenson Button - 1st: "What a crazy race! It was really exciting out there and I'm delighted that we came out on top today. I didn't have the best of starts and was surprised at the lack of grip on my side of the grid. I went in deep at turn one and got a big snap of oversteer which dropped me to fourth but I was able to get past Alonso at the end of lap one and overtake Trulli and Rosberg at the first pit stops.

"I was happy with the car and our pace was good but the weather really threw the race wide open. Choosing the tyres was difficult but we made the right calls at the right time, particularly when it started raining so hard and so quickly. I have to say a massive thank you to my engineer Andrew Shovlin who was on the podium with me today and the whole team for their work on the strategy and in the pits. Last weekend we said that we had a fairytale start to the season and I am so proud that has continued here."

Rubens Barrichello - 5th: "It was a great race today and I was really happy with how the car was performing in the dry in the first stint of the race. After a good start, I felt that I had the pace to catch up with the front-runners and score some good points. Unfortunately once the conditions started to deteriorate, we lost a little too much time on my side of the garage with the pit stops which cost me a few places.

"However the important thing is that the car is going great and we have proved that it is competitive at different types of track. Congratulations to Jenson and the team for maintaining our fantastic start to the season and I look forward to continuing the challenge in Shanghai."

Ross Brawn: "A fantastic team performance today and a thoroughly deserved second victory of the season for Jenson and the team. It was an eventful race to say the least and I am pleased with how quickly we were able to react to the changing conditions to maintain the lead that Jenson had achieved in the first stint of the race.

"However it was not perfect as we could have had both cars in the top three if we had been a little bolder in bringing the drivers in for their third stops for intermediate tyres. We are delighted to have had such a successful start to the season with two pole positions and two victories in the opening races. You can't ask for more than that and it is a credit to the talent, attitude and dedication of our team that we have been able to achieve such results."

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