F1 - BRAZILIAN GP 2ND PRACTICE TIMES

As per the morning session, the Red Bull Racing drivers set the fastest lap times, but on this occasion the Ferraris, McLarens and Renaults were all in the mix  

Pos. N° Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1'11.968 28
2 6 Mark Webber Red Bull 1'12.072 0.104 34
3 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1'12.328 0.36 36
4 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1'12.656 0.688 33
5 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1'12.677 0.709 19
6 11 Robert Kubica Renault F1 1'12.882 0.914 37
7 1 Jenson Button McLaren 1'13.206 1.238 33
8 22 Nick Heidfeld Sauber 1'13.222 1.254 40
9 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 1'13.333 1.365 34
10 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 1'13.346 1.378 36
11 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1 1'13.520 1.552 37
12 23 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1'13.610 1.642 41
13 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams F1 1'13.725 1.757 39
14 14 Adrian Sutil Force India 1'13.741 1.773 32
15 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault F1 1'13.818 1.85 26
16 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India 1'14.045 2.077 37
17 16 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1'14.304 2.336 33
18 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1'14.578 2.61 37
19 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus Racing 1'14.984 3.016 47
20 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus Racing 1'15.101 3.133 43
21 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin Racing 1'15.433 3.465 35
22 21 Bruno Senna HRT F1 1'16.070 4.102 42
23 20 Christian Klien HRT F1 1'16.082 4.114 38
24 24 Timo Glock Virgin Racing 1'16.150 4.182 35

F1 - BRAZILIAN GP FIRST PRACTICE TIMES

Red bull comfortably quickest while Ferrari struggle

Pos. N° Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1'12.328 23
2 6 Mark Webber Red Bull 1'12.810 0.482 28
3 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1'12.845 0.517 24
4 1 Jenson Button McLaren 1'13.267 0.939 24
5 11 Robert Kubica Renault F1 1'13.370 1.042 24
6 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 1'13.516 1.188 26
7 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1 1'13.546 1.218 26
8 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 1'13.643 1.315 25
9 14 Adrian Sutil Force India 1'13.918 1.59 26
10 22 Nick Heidfeld Sauber 1'14.000 1.672 23
11 23 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1'14.004 1.676 23
12 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams F1 1'14.155 1.827 29
13 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1'14.246 1.918 20
14 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1'14.267 1.939 26
15 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault F1 1'14.370 2.042 23
16 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India 1'14.487 2.159 26
17 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1'14.618 2.29 30
18 16 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1'14.734 2.406 29
19 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus Racing 1'15.603 3.275 25
20 24 Timo Glock Virgin Racing 1'15.860 3.532 20
21 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus Racing 1'16.057 3.729 26
22 25 Jerome d'Ambrosio Virgin Racing 1'16.707 4.379 28
23 20 Christian Klien HRT F1 1'16.839 4.511 18
24 21 Bruno Senna HRT F1 1'17.360 5.032 30

F1 - INTERLAGOS INTRIGUE

The reportedly 'strong rumour' in the Brazilian paddock is that Proton owned Group Lotus, contesting Tony Fernandes' right to call his team Lotus in 2011, could buy into the Renault team.

 

 

Two interesting rumours emerged on Friday during the opening Formula One practice session at Interlagos.

 During the BBC's radio coverage of the first 90 minute session, commentators discussed the likelihood that the team currently known as Lotus Racing will have to use a different name in 2011.

 But a team could still be called 'Lotus', they said. The reportedly 'strong rumour' in the Brazilian paddock is that Proton owned Group Lotus, contesting Tony Fernandes' right to call his team Lotus in 2011, could buy into the Renault team.

 Fascinatingly, the team currently known as Renault could then become known as Lotus-Renault in 2011.

 Lotus Racing has done an engine deal with Renault for 2011, so it also wants to be called Lotus-Renault next year.

Another rumour reported by the BBC on Friday morning is that Mark Webber, following his outbursts in the media 24 hours ago, could leave Red Bull after next Sunday's Abu Dhabi finale whether he is crowned World Champion or not. Webber on Friday would not categorically deny rumours he is set to quit Red Bull and possibly Formula One after next Sunday's season finale Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi.

 After making critical comments at Interlagos about the team's approach on Thursday, the big rumour in the paddock now is that the Australian is set to leave. The chance he will simply retire, particularly if he wins the World Championship, is considered high, although some believe he might be signed by Ferrari to replace the struggling Felipe Massa.

 When asked if he is leaving Red Bull for 2011 despite having signed a contract, the 34 year old told BBC Sport: "That's a pretty big step to take." "As long as I'm enjoying my driving and performing really well, then of course I'll be here next year," added Webber. But in a separate interview, Webber said only that there is "a good chance" he will still be at Red Bull next season.

 Team boss Christian Horner said during the practice session that he had been 'surprised' with the Australian's comments on Thursday. "He needs to get down and focus on the job," added the Briton. 

34 year old Webber has already agreed a contract to race with Red Bull next year, but has admitted he would like to retire whilst at the top. 

MOTO-GP - NEWS OF THE WEEK

Toni Elias Returns to Moto-GP 

LCR Honda MotoGP Team has announced its new co-operation with the Spanish Moto2 Champion Toni Elias and Honda HRC for the 2011 MotoGP Championship.

The LCR Team is ready to take part in their 6th season in the MotoGP class thanks to the support of the Japanese Constructor which has renewed its co-operation with the Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello.

Lucio Cecchinello: Team Manager
"First of all I want to thank Randy for his precious co-operation and for the several successes we have shared in the 250cc class and in the MotoGP class in the last three years. The chance to work with Toni Elias is a big incentive for us because this is a very important moment for presenting to our sponsors and partners a new project. The nice thing is that Toni and I raced together in the 125cc class, I was at the end of my career and he was at the beginning. I remember he was a very very hard rider and very resolute. As time goes by he has improved very much and I think he is a very talented rider with a lot of experience. All the staff and I give him our warmest welcome!"

Toni Elias: Rider
"I am thrilled to be back in MotoGP and I am happy to race with the LCR Team. I want to thank Lucio and Honda for their trust and I am anxious to return. I have known Lucio for a long time as we raced together in the 125cc class from 1999 to 2001. Although his Team is not an official one it is very professional and well organized. Being their only rider is a further warranty for me."

F1 NEWS - ROOKIE DRIVER TEST DRIVERS ANOUNCED

Mercedes has confirmed that Sam Bird will drive for the team at the Young Driver test days to be held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 November.

  

British racer Sam, 23, drives for ART and will be competing in the final GP2 Series races in Abu Dhabi over the Formula One weekend. Sam is currently in fifth place in the GP2 standings with one win and four podiums this season, including the feature race victory, sprint race podium and both fastest laps at the penultimate race in Monza.

 

 

Williams have confirmed GP2 Champion Maldonado and Dean Stoneman will be testing, 20-year old Briton Stoneman won this year's Formula Two Championship which earned him the Williams test drive. Williams test driver Finn Valtteri Bottas will remain Williams test driver, but he will not participate in the young driver test days.

 

Ferrari will test 21-year old Brazilian Cesar Ramos, winner of the 2010 Italian Formula Three Championship, and also the numbers two and three in the championship, Stephane Richelmi and Andrea Caldarelli. The 20-year old Monegasque Richelmi is the son of former World Rally Championship driver Jean-Pierre Richelmi, and the also 20-year old Italian Caldarelli was active in the Eurocup Formula Renault series and the Formula Three Euroseries.

 

Belgium Jerome d'Ambrosio and Brazilian Liuz Razia will be testing for Virgin Racing, Sauber will test Mexicans Perez and Esteban Gutierrez, Red Bull will test their reserve driver Australian Daniel Ricciardo, and Toro Rosso will test Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne. Renault will run Renault World Series champion Russian Mikhail Aleshin, and perhaps Dutch-Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung, McLaren hasn't released any names, but it is expected their reserve driver Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey will take the McLaren for a spin. Lotus and HRT haven so far not given any information about their test drivers.