Formula One News — May 2002

The FIA has announced that it has discovered a serious problem with the current sports car and sports prototype designs - and that could have a dramatic effect on the sport in the months ahead.

There was much talk in the paddock at Monaco about suggestions of how the sport should react to the current problems with the recession.

Charles Nickerson, one of the people behind the Phoenix Finance Ltd. bid for Prost Grand Prix, says that Phoenix has not given up yet.

Danny Sullivan was much in evidence in the Formula 1 paddock in Monaco, continuing to wheel and deal to put together his plans for a scheme to find young American drivers to take to Formula 1.

On January 8, 1297 Francois Grimaldi, an Italian pirate disguised himself as a monk and wangled his way through the gates of the fortress of Monaco. As a result the castle was overrun by pirates.

Jacques Villeneuve has never been backwards in coming forward and the 1997 World Champion did not miss the opportunity to make his feelings known about the recent Ferrari team orders "scandal" in Austria.

Vincent Gaillardot has joined Jaguar Racing.

The new Dadford Road dual carriageway was opened yesterday by Formula 3000 Champion Justin Wilson driving a Jordan-Honda F1 car.

Toyota Motorsport announced Wednesday a that they have agreed to a multi-year deal with Avex that names the Japanese record company a sponsor partner of Panasonic Toyota Racing.

The case between Phoenix Finance Ltd. and the FIA, FOM and FOA was heard in the High Court in London at the start of last week by the Rt Hon Sir Andrew Morritt.

Tom Walkinshaw is to retire from his role as chairman of Premier Rugby.

You want to go to Monaco for the Grand Prix?

The supporters of Albert Park have something to shout about - in fact rather more than those who have been shouting about how the park needs to be saved.

Monaco has revealed details of its plans to upgrade its outdated pitlane.

Phoenix Finance Ltd. has lost their case in the High Court in London against the FIA and FOM.

The Williams team is not admitting it officially at the moment but there will be a "B" version of the FW24 which the team will introduce later this year.

The Motorsport Industry Association is to hold a two-day technology program on June 5-6 at the Jaguar Cars plant in Coventry.

Some of those who were involved in the now defunct Reynard Motorsport operation have got together to form a new company called Apollo Racing Design Limited.

The Minardi team has been forced to cut back on its staff numbers because of the squeeze in finances for the F1 teams.

The Monaco Grand Prix will have one well-known paddock figure missing.

NASCAR is to help fund a school which will train professional automotive service technicians.

This week is the biggest of the year in motor racing.

Yesterday we ran a story about the plan to host a Grand Prix in Beirut. The locals are optimistic and have even gone as far as to advertise their race in Bernie Ecclestone's Formula 1 Magazine.

Solidere, the company which is redeveloping central Beirut and is behind the plan to run a Grand Prix in the streets of the city, has announced that it made a profit of $1.9m last year.

Johnny Herbert failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, having to fly off to race an Audi sports car before being able to get up to speed at the Speedway.