Formula One News — August 2000

FERRARI and McLaren have expressed new concerns that race results can be affected by pit-lane blocking during a safety car period.

BERNIE ECCLESTONE, the FIA vice-president and Formula One ringmaster was presented with the Golden Key of Budapest on Saturday.

FERRARI invited Coca-Cola to a meeting at their motorhome in the Hungaroring paddock on Saturday, intensifying the likelihood that the American soft drinks company will sponsor the Italian team next year.

FERRARI president Luca Di Montezemolo has insisted that his primary aim is to see Ferrari win the Formula One drivers' World Championship and not give preference to either driver.

MCLAREN team boss Ron Dennis has dismissed recent reports suggesting that a new football-related 'Premier 1' formula was to be launched at the start of the 2001-2002 season.

FRENCHMAN Olivier Panis has signed a two-year deal to partner Jacques Villeneuve at British American Racing next season.

FERRARI technical chief Ross Brawn has sparked a new war of words in Formula One by clashing with British American Racing driver Jacques Villeneuve.

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA will drive for Benetton next season after the Italian team took up their option on the highly-rated driver.

CANADIAN Jacques Villeneuve has blasted back at Ross Brawn after the Ferrari technical director criticized him for his views on Michael Schumacher's starting techniques.

THE FIA may still punish Hockenheim for failing to prevent the protestor that made his way onto the circuit during the German Grand Prix.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO has insisted that Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told him to carry on fighting for the championship -- despite the Italian's comments in the press.

EDDIE IRVINE has warned Michael Schumacher that if he does not win this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix he can kiss goodbye to his world championship dream.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER is in cautious mood ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring -- insisting his main objective is to pass the first corner.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING driver Jacques Villeneuve has joined the barrage of criticism of championship leader Michael Schumacher -- and insisted the German couldn't take the heat.

MINARDI have announced that they have parted 'on friendly terms' with director Cesare Fiorio.

SOFT DRINKS giant Coca-Cola has confirmed that it is to enter Formula One for the first time next season as a major sponsor.

AUSTRIAN Gustav Brunner has rejected a substantial offer to switch from Minardi and join the Jordan team next season, a spokesman for the Italian outfit confirmed.

JEAN ALESI has declared himself ready to take part in this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix after recovering from the abdominal pains resulting from his high-speed crash in Germany two weeks ago.

JENSON BUTTON'S impending move to another leading Formula One team for the 2001 and 2002 seasons is 'not likely' to be announced until after the Hungarian Grand Prix, his manager David Robertson confirmed.

THE world's best known brand - Coca-Cola - has never been actively-involved in Formula 1 sponsorship but there have been signs in recent months that this could change.

THOMAS HAFFA is willing to sell his shareholding in the Formula One group of companies, but the German media baron is asking $2bn for the 50% share in Bernie Ecclestone's SLEC Holding company.

THE Toyota Formula 1 team in Cologne, Germany, is in the process of hiring new people for its planned team, which is due to enter Formula 1 in 2002.

PROST driver Jean Alesi has been suffering the side-effects of his huge accident at Hockenheim, complaining of dizziness, stomach pains and vomiting.

DAVID HUNT, the younger brother of the late 1976 World Champion James Hunt, is said to be launching a bid to acquire control of the ailing Prost F1 team.

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