F1: Todt happy with Interlagos safety for F1 finale

Jean Todt insists he is happy with the safety of Brazil's formula one circuit at Interlagos.

Following recent stock car fatalities at the Sao Paulo venue's high speed Cafe corner, organisers vowed to make significant changes that will involve demolishing a grandstand.

But the work will only be done after November's 2011 season finale, and it recently emerged that a temporary chicane in place for recent stock car races will not be used by the formula one cars.

FIA president Todt, however, insists he is not worried.

"We are aware of the incidents that occurred at Interlagos in another category," the Frenchman is quoted as saying by Agencia Estado.

"We made detailed inquiries about the cars (involved in the crashes), not the track. Everyone can rest assured that all measures will be taken to avoid repetition of such accidents," added Todt.

He insisted that, in general, the level of safety in F1 is "excellent".

"For 17 years there have been no deaths in formula one. We know it is a dangerous sport, but the FIA works constantly to avoid problems like accidents and to reduce the risks."

(GMM)

Red Bull only team with perfect reliability - analysis

Aug.17 (GMM) Red Bull is the only team in formula one with a perfect reliability record so far in 2011.

An analysis by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport shows that the team is not only dominating the drivers' and constructors' championships, but its two cars were the only ones in the field to complete the maximum 1,362 laps.

"Over the years it has been said that Adrian Newey's cars were always fast but not always reliable. Those days are over," read the analysis.

Team boss Christian Horner is quoted as saying: "We are now better at knowing how to deal with Adrian's extreme cars."

If Red Bull can maintain its perfect reliability through to November's Brazilian finale, it will be the first team in formula one history to do so.

In a surprising second place - with 96 per cent of the total laps complete - is Force India, who source technology from McLaren and race with a Mercedes engine.

Ferrari is third, with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa completing 89 fewer racing laps than the leading Red Bulls, closely followed by the works McLaren.

Matching McLaren's 92.6 per cent reliability record is Toro Rosso, followed by Renault, Sauber, Mercedes and Virgin.

Williams' tenth place represents a reliability record of just 84.2 per cent so far, or 215 fewer laps than Red Bull as Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado failed to finish a combined 7 races.

HRT and Lotus bring up the rear.

(GMM)

Tost names Grosjean as 'suitable' Toro Rosso driver

Aug.17 (GMM) Franz Tost has named three drivers he considers "suitable" for Toro Rosso to target.

The Austrian admitted that his premier choices - Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Rosberg - are "unlikely" to want to drive for Red Bull's secondary team.

"So when thinking of suitable guys I would pick three, if I may," the Toro Rosso team principal told F1's official website.

Tost mentioned Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg, and also Romain Grosjean, the former Renault driver who is on the cusp of winning the GP2 title and reportedly in talks with up to three teams for the 2012 season.

"Renault burned Grosjean when they teamed him up with Alonso (in 2009), but I still believe he's got huge potential," he said.

Tost acknowledged however that it is Toro Rosso's owner that selects the drivers for his team.

"Well, Red Bull are choosing the drivers from their pool. But that was always the intention and the reason for this team to exist," he said.

(GMM)