Frenchman Bianchi, a GP2 driver last year, will now sit on the sidelines at Force India in 2012. Like Sergio Perez, the 22-year-old is a Ferrari development driver, handled by Felipe Massa's manager Nicolas Todt. "For sure we want to invest (in Bianchi) because we believe in him," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said late last season. Force India said on Friday Bianchi, to make his test debut with the team next month, will also practice "in a minimum of nine Friday practice sessions" this season. "I hope it (the new role) will put me in a strong position to one day move into a race seat," he said.
Hill was particularly interesting on Bahrain. He was almost the only (Red Bull's Mark Webber was another notable exception) high-profile member of the motorsport fraternity to speak out last year and say that he felt it would be inappropriate to attend. “I think the trouble with Formula One is that it’s a bubble,” he said at the time. “It goes around the world and people live in this bubble and they seem to feel they’re immune to everything else that’s happening.” Tom Cary is The Telegraph's Formula One Correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter @tomcary_tel
Team Lotus are officially renamed Caterham F1, marking a formal end to the dispute over the Lotus name in F1. Team owner Tony Fernandes said: "The race team must improve and be a true showcase for our group of businesses. Yes, being in F1 implies that you are already ahead of the pack. However, ultimately we want to be leading that pack. It's not going to happen overnight, but if we set realistic targets, then it's something we will achieve."
The return of Mexico to the Formula 1 calendar should be a no-brainer, according to Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Domit. "I embrace the idea and believe that a new race for Mexico is what, in colloquial English, is referred to as a 'no-brainer'," "Mexico has long been close to Formula 1, closer to it indeed than it has been to many other racing series that have visited the country. "The rise of a new generation of Mexican racers has only served to boost the interest in Formula 1. We not only have Sergio Perez impressing at Sauber, but waiting in the wings is another star, Esteban Gutierrez. He is a Formula 1 star in the making.
Lewis Hamilton says he is confident he will sign a new contract to keep him at McLaren beyond 2012. The 2008 world champion has been with McLaren since he was 13 but his current deal expires at the end of next year. "I don't think there's any question of my commitment to the team," the 26-year-old said. "I just want to continue on this path." Asked whether he thought it was likely he would stay, Hamilton replied: "I do. I'm confident about that."
Paul Weaver: It has been a good season but there are five things that could make Formula One more exciting next year...Sebastian Vettel won his second world championship with a stifled yawn and four races still to go. Red Bull won the constructors' title in the next race. This has been another very exciting season in Formula One, with more overtaking manoeuvres (1,120 going into the Brazilian race on Sunday) than in any season in the 62-year history of the world championship thanks to DRS, Kers and fast-vanishing tyres. But it should have been more competitive.
Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi will be wearing a specially-designed helmet for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, created...
Rubens Barrichello fears Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix may be his last race..."Formula One is everything to me and I want to be here next year driving a more competitive car. It's not been much fun driving at the back this year. I want to step back forward. I'm a very experienced driver but my motivation is 200%. I am confident I will be back. I am doing this because I deserve to be here."
“This is a very important step in my sporting career and one of the most meditated ones I’ve taken,” said De la Rosa. “I’m at a very good stage in terms of maturity and am prepared to take on this challenge, which motivates me hugely.
Had to hitch hike to Delhi to see the President of India after the Grand Prix. India can hold its head high for a wonderful first Grand Prix. Many many congratulations to all Indians. Just after Marussia Virgin Racing driver Timo Glock was shunted off the track on the first corner, I was approached and told that the President of India would like to meet me and my son Sam back in Delhi. So abandoned the race. My driver wasn't expecting me for 3 hours so had to literally hitch hike back to make certain we got to the Palace on time to see her! Found hitch hiking easier with a recognisable face than when I was a teenager!
Austin Grand Prix officials says they are baffled by suggestions from Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that next year's race is in doubt - as they insist that preparations at the new track are well on course...Ecclestone informed team principals at the Indian Grand Prix that he had some concerns the Austin event may not happen, and he subsequently confirmed to reporters that there were issues within the promoting company. Speaking in Abu Dhabi this weekend, Ecclestone reiterated that Austin chiefs were facing an 'uphill struggle' and that he could not guarantee the race would take place. Steve Sexton, president of the Circuit of the Americas, responded on Saturday night to Ecclestone's comments. "Our funding is secured, and construction is on schedule, so we don't understand Mr Ecclestone's comments," Sexton said in a statement published by the Austin Statesman newspaper. "He has expressed great interest in the Austin race and in expanding the F1 brand into the United States."
There is a chilling BBC TV documentary you should watch called Grand Prix: The Killer Years. It follows a 12-year period from 1961 in which 57 drivers died. It begs the same questions you asked about the ethics of motor sport and how could it be called a sport. In the days when speed over safety was the accepted face of racing, you would have had a valid point, but thanks to the work of Stewart and those that have followed his example, F1 today sets the benchmark in safety. Of course it will never be entirely safe because like anything in life, accidents do happen. The truth is, I have more confidence in Mark being out on the track in his F1 car than out on the public roads on his push-bike. Mark has spent 10 years in F1 and many more in other forms of racing, and despite some very serious incidents, the worst injury that he has suffered was when he was accidentally hit by a car while riding his mountain bike. Ann Neal is the manager and partner of Formula One driver Mark Webber
The long-running, and extremely confusing row, over the Lotus name in Formula There is even speculation that the Renault team’s owners, Luxembourg-based Genii Capital, may have bought Group Lotus from Malaysian manufacturer Proton, thus maintaining a direct interest in both the car manufacturer and the team. As for Marussia, the Russian sports car manufacturer will now get the profile it hoped to get when it signed as Virgin Racing’s title sponsor last year. It struggled to make any inroads as long as the chassis name was Virgin since that is what commentators and journalists use to describe a team.
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The BBC is named top F1 global broadcaster at the official FIA prizegiving gala. The award was presented by Force India boss Vijay Mallya at an FIA gala event in Delhi on Friday, where the winners of the organisation's championships were given their trophies. The BBC has a contract to broadcast F1 in the UK until the end of 2018.
Kimi Raikkonen was taking part in the Swatch Snow Mobile race in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, near Salzburg in Austria. The newly-appointed Lotus F1 Team driver took a turn too quickly and fell off his skidoo and injured his hand. The injury is not believed to be serious but it is probably not the best idea for the Finn to be taking part in such events, given the potential to hurt himself. It is rather amazing in fact that the team allowed him to take part, given what happened to its previous star driver Robert Kubica last winter. In addition to Raikkonen, the field included Nick Heidfeld , Nico Hulkenberg, Sakon Yamamoto, Christian Klien and Patrick Friesacher, plus DTM driver Timo Scheider and motocross world champion Heinz Kinigadner.
Vitaly Petrov is keen to stay at Renault next season and would relish the chance to race alongside Kimi Raikkonen. "I think the team did a big construction, changed a lot of stuff with the team and drivers, and they want to be sure we can do it together," said Petrov "I know this year was a not a good example from my side but sorry, I am still a rookie. I did just two years in F1, so now I learn a lot so I can do the third season much, much better.
Ferrari and Red Bull quit the Formula One Teams Association (Fota), raising questions over the future of the organisation. "..It was taken reluctantly after analysing the current situation and the stalemate when it came to debate on some issues that were at the core of why the association was formed.." Ferrari statement
The BBC reveals its coverage plans for all F1 races in 2012. 15 April: China13 May: Spain27 May: Monaco24 June: Europe8 July: Britain2 September: Belgium23 September: Singapore14 October: Korea4 November: Abu Dhabi25 November: Brazil
Jenson Button almost missed the press conference in São Paulo after experiencing first-hand the tight security he had asked for...Button was the reigning world champion when he came here last year and he had just left the track with his father, personal trainer and manager when his reinforced Mercedes was approached by robbers carrying machine guns and baseball bats. The police-trained driver – described as a "legend" by Button – used his avoidance skills to force his way through traffic to safety. "It's a pity that things do happen. But I think that just shows the divide in Brazil," Button said this week.
Renault's radical approach to the design of their Formula One car has been a failure, said technical director James Allison...Petrov has not scored in his last three races while the Brazilian Bruno Senna, Heidfeld's replacement since Belgium, has managed two points from seven starts. Renault are fifth with 72 points and well behind fourth placed Mercedes on 159.The aerodynamic rules are changing next season and Allison hoped for an improvement. "We look forward to moving on in 2012 with all-new exhaust rules and a chance to wipe the slate clean," he said.
If you've been thinking that the idea of Formula 1 coming back to America a year from now at a world-class circuit near Austin, Texas, was too good to be true, F1 maestro Bernie Ecclestone says your concern may be justified.
Pirelli is still unsure what caused the puncture that put Sebastian Vettel out of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the opening lap...
The dynamic between Formula One team-mates is a fascinating one. “We all want to beat our team-mate, whatever we say, that is the way it is,” Button said with a smile. “You have the same equipment. You have to work with your team-mate or you won’t have a quick enough car to fight the top guys. But in the car, of course, you want to beat him and it is a real challenge to beat [Lewis]. He is unbelievably quick. “But that is the challenge I wanted when I came here. I wanted to find out where I really stand compared to Lewis.” Where Button stands at the moment is in a position of some strength.
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