Formula One News — December 2001

CART announced Wednesday that its Board of Directors has elected Long Beach Grand Prix founder Chris Pook as its new president and chief executive officer, effectively immediately.

The celebrations are over and the bunting has been taken down and stowed away until the team's next new F1 car launch.

Jaguar Managing Director Niki Lauda plans to get behind the wheel of his team's new championship contender, the R3, in January in order to better understand the car.

Perhaps lost in the excitement of a new car, a new Managing Director, a new long-term engine deal with Honda and a new test driver, BAR also announced at the launch of its BAR004 contender that sportswear manufacturer Brunotti has signed a sponsorship deal with the team.

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, could quit as team leader of British American Racing after his mentor Craig Pollock was forced to resign as managing director earlier this week.

French Formula 3 Champion Ryo Fukuda has been confirmed as one of British American Racing's test drivers, signing a long-term contract.

Leonid Kuchma, the president of Ukraine, has vetoed a November 15 law which was intended to stop all alcohol and tobacco advertising in the country.

The departure of Craig Pollock from British American Racing is likely to have a number of side-effects, not least the fact that Jacques Villeneuve's future with the team must now be questioned.

BAR revealed their 2002 chassis this morning, and it was announced, as expected, that David Richards is taking over as Team Principal.

The Tilke company, which designs and oversees the building of racing circuits around the world, has revealed its plans for a new track in Bahrain.

Bernie Ecclestone, the most powerful man in formula one, took his private jet from Biggin Hill to Cologne yesterday in order to be present at the official unveiling of the all-new Toyota grand prix challenger which Mika Salo and Scotland's Allan McNish will debut in the Australian grand prix on 3 March next.

BAR is to launch today and while there will be much attention on the name of the new team boss - David Richards - there will be some interest over who will be the test drivers for the team next season.

Toyota's competition headquarters at Cologne was the scene of the official unveiling of the new TF102 Grand Prix challenger this morning which will see World Championship competition for the first time on 3 March.

Takuma Sato has been busy lapping Brazil's Interlagos circuit in a Formula 3 car in readiness for his first appearance at the circuit in 2002 as a Formula 1 driver.

Craig Pollock announced Monday that he will step down as Managing Director and Team Principal of BAR to pursue other interests.

Williams BMW announced Monday that they have signed Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia as an official test driver for 2002 to assist Marc Gene with testing duties.

Toyota Motorsport announced during the launch of their TF102 Monday, that AOL Time Warner has become an official team partner.

Alex Zanardi has stood up with artificial limbs for the first time since his accident in September.

One has to feel a little bit sorry for Craig Pollock.

The Minardi team was very happy this year with the performances of Fernando Alonso and is now looking at a series of other young men who have done well in the Formula Euro Open Telefonica by Nissan series.

The FIA Prize-giving gala took place at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club on Friday night with all the FIA World Champions being honored for their achievements in 2001.

Formula 1 is not getting sponsorship from as many global brands at it should be getting, according to some of the top marketers in the sport.

The latest word from South Africa is that the Kyalami circuit in the suburbs of Johannesberg is to be redeveloped once again with half the current circuit being sold off for a housing development, leaving a track which will be only about two miles in length.

David Richards, the commercial rights holder of the World Rally Championship, is to step back from his day-to-day involvement in the organization of the series.

The Prodrive company and the British government are working together to examine new environmentally-friendly forms of national motorsport for the long term.