F1: Ferrari’s Test-Relaxation Proposal Voted Down

A proposal by Ferrari to ease F1's strict testing limits was voted down in Monaco.

The Italian team, the owner of the Mugello and Fiorano circuits, proposed that teams be allowed to trade wind tunnel hours, straightline testing and promotional days in exchange for more actual circuit testing.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims the proposal was narrowly defeated in a vote.

Rumours of Ferrari's proposal were soon deafened by the controversy about Mercedes' 'secret' Barcelona test, about which Ferrari and Red Bull protested.

But Ferrari is also being probed for its own Pirelli tyre test, also run at Barcelona but with a 2011 car and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel.

Red Bull's Christian Horner has defended the Italian team, saying only Mercedes' test with a 2013 car should be under the spotlight.

And O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper also quotes Red Bull designer Adrian Newey as saying: "A test with a 2011 car is legal."

The 'secret' Mercedes test is certain to be a big topic of conversation this weekend in Canada, where another good performance by the Monaco-winning team would be controversial.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff said the Brackley based team's improved performance at recent races is simply the result of hard work.

"Our car has been on pole position for the last four races, which shows our basic speed, so the focus in that time has been on improving our performance on Sunday afternoons," he said.

"We managed this in Monaco, partly thanks to the unique characteristics of the circuit.  This weekend will give us a more representative indication of how much progress we have made."

(GMM)

Williams sees long future for historic F1 team

Even at the age of 71, Sir Frank Williams sees a long future for his eponymous formula one team.

Asked by La Presse newspaper to reveal the secret of his team's longevity, Williams answered cheekily: "The simple answer is that we started earlier than many other teams."

Indeed, like Ferrari and McLaren, the name Williams is synonymous with formula one, and Sir Frank has no plans to change that.

"We can dream that we will continue indefinitely, and I sincerely hope so," said the Briton.

"As long as formula one exists, we will be there, and we will bring this team back on the path of success.

"Everyone is fascinated by cars, boats and planes, and that will never change.  Passion and competition in sport will not change, and we hope to be part of it for a long time to come," added Williams.

The current chapter in the life of the Oxfordshire based team, however, is a particularly difficult one.

But Williams argues: "There has never been an easy time for Williams.  The time when we were winning was the least difficult, but it was still very difficult.

"The time of active suspension was very difficult, but easier than it is now, because it was possible to have a definitive advantage," he explained.

"The technological gains of the 90s and 2000s have now been somewhat replaced by gains in aerodynamics, which has made it more difficult for all of the teams."

(GMM)

Rumour - Allison to replace Newey after 2014?

James Allison, the highly-rated F1 engineer who recently left Lotus, is being linked with Red Bull's future.

When Briton Allison left Lotus, he was most strongly linked with a move to Ferrari.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that, a month after Allison's departure from Enstone, it is "still not clear" where he is headed.

Correspondents Michael Schmidt and Bianca Leppert said: "Rumours are increasing that maybe he will go to Red Bull.

"Those speculating in the paddock believe that Adrian Newey will stop at the end of 2014.

"The design genius often expresses his frustration with the increasingly restricted regulations, and fears that the new turbo era will make F1 an engine formula."

(GMM)

Sutil happy with smooth F1 comeback

Adrian Sutil is happy his return to formula one this year has gone smoothly so far.

After sitting out last season in the wake of his 2011 assault conviction, the 30-year-old returned to Force India this year.

Some, like the great Michael Schumacher who returned to F1 after a three-year sabbatical, struggled on their grand prix comebacks.

"For me," Sutil told Spain's El Confidencial, "it took me a few laps of testing and then no one could have known it was my first day after a year and a half of not being in any (racing) car."

He admits he was "disappointed and angry" at the end of 2011, when it became clear he would be sitting out the following championship.

"The world of motor sport can be so unfair," said Sutil, "but then I asked myself what I wanted to do.  I thought about it slowly and decided that, at the age of 30, I could have a second career in formula one."

Meanwhile, Sutil sounds reluctant to heal his broken friendship with Lewis Hamilton, after the 2008 world champion refused to testify during the German's assault trial.

"You can generally only count your good friends on one hand, as good friends are hard to come by," said Hamilton in Monaco recently.

"I want to make sure we get things right."

Sutil replied: "As Lewis said, yes, it (the relationship) is different.  I'm still waiting for a coming together, and I can't say anything more."

(GMM)

Hamilton refuses to criticise McLaren

Lewis Hamilton has refused to join the list of former drivers who criticise the great McLaren team.

Some drivers, like Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya, have left the Woking based team with little complimentary to say.

The latest ex-McLaren driver is Lewis Hamilton, but he told Spain's Marca newspaper: "I don't know what other people say, but I can't say anything bad about McLaren.

"First of all, they brought me to formula one.  Without them I would not be here.

"I have a very good relationship with Martin (Whitmarsh), and also Ron (Dennis)," said the 2008 world champion, despite speculation he fell out badly with the latter during his sixth and final season with McLaren in 2012.

"In my time with them we always won at least one grand prix every year; it's a great team, one of the greatest in history.

"But now what I want is to be a part of a new team (Mercedes) that also wants to make history.

"At McLaren you were a part of their history, but just a little piece -- at Mercedes I can play a major role in their history.  That's why I chose this option."

Meanwhile, Hamilton revealed that once his F1 career finally ends, he will most likely retire rather than switch to another category, like Le Mans.

"I think when I stop F1, I will stop racing as well," he said.

"I'll dedicate myself to other things; my family, my dog," the 28-year-old laughed.

"I think I'll stop.  There is nothing like racing in F1 and I'll be too old for MotoGP," he laughed again.

(GMM)