Formula One News — February 2003

Seven teams gathered in Barcelona for testing Monday, where all except Ferrari ran new cars in preparation for the new season which kicks off in Melbourne on March 9th.

With his deal at Jordan now scuppered by the arrival of Ralph Firman Jr, it looks like Felipe Massa will end up as a test driver at Ferrari, a route which was first mentioned when Massa was dropped by Sauber last autumn. Massa has always enjoyed a rather mysterious link with the Italian team.

All the indications are that Ralph Firman Jr will join David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Justin Wilson to bring the total of British drivers in F1 back up to four. The 27-year-old, who has been exiled in Japan for several years, is expected to sign a contract today.

Britain's Gary Paffett is reported to still be in with a chance to race for Jordan this year. The 21-year-old McLaren protege, who won the German Formula 3 title last year is yet to decide what to do in 2003 with possibilities in Formula 3000 and the German Touring Car Championship.

Last summer Eddie Jordan was being accused of having lost interest in Formula 1. Jordan argued that this was not the case and said that he was as dedicated as ever to make his team a success. Whatever the case then it is now clear that Jordan has decided to go it alone.

For several months it has not been clear who would be the host broadcaster for the Australian Grand Prix. Channel Nine had given up on the rights to Formula 1 and Channel 10 was the only serious bidder but no deal was done.

The word from South America is that the deal for Felipe Massa to go to Jordan has fallen through at the last minute.

Red Bull is to remain a sponsor for the Sauber team for the 2003 season, bringing to an end all the speculation suggesting that the Austrian drinks company will but into the Jordan team. The deal is for just one year.

The Hungaroring is to be lengthened by just over 400m this year in an effort to make overtaking easier at various points on the track.

Former McLaren F1 driver Michael Andretti is to retire from racing after this year's Indianapolis 500.

Pedro Diniz has been working away in recent years as promoter of Formula Renault in Brazil and is now in the process of trying to convince the city of Rio de Janeiro to let him run a street race in the city.

General Motors is reported to be considering a proposal to Fiat to cancel its option to buy 80% of Fiat Auto in return for financial assistance for the company now.