Formula One News — August 2003

Most of the reports about the FIA letter to the teams last week warning about the contact patch of the front tires have implied that there is a new regulation involved. Changing the rules in F1 these days is not that easy.

The extra weekend off racing has given the Formula 1 teams the chance to show off their equipment to their fans with Sauber and Minardi both running exhibition events.

Michelin has issued a statement saying that "all Michelin's partners are concerned with this regulation change" and that it is not possible to do anything about the announcement because "the procedure to measure the width of a contact patch as required now is unknown".

Turkey has revealed that it will pay Formula One Management $13.5m a year for seven years for the rights to stage the Turkish Grand Prix between 2005 and 2011.

There are rumours in France that Nick Heidfeld could find a job next year as the second test driver at Ferrari, replacing Felipe Massa who is expected to take the second seat at Sauber, alongside Giancarlo Fisichella next year.

The FIA has sent the Formula 1 teams a letter warning them that it has been brought to the federation's attention that some cars may be running with front tires which have a tread width of more than the 270mm limit which is laid down in the FIA Sporting Regulations.

There are reports from Germany that DaimlerChrysler is about to announce major cost-cutting efforts, designed to trim $1.5bn by the end of the current year. The focus of the cuts will be the two automobile divisions Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler.

The Ford Motor Company has named Mazda executive Lewis Booth as the new chief executive of Ford Europe, replacing Martin Leach, who has moved to Fiat. Booth (54) has been at Mazda for only a year and prior to that was head of Ford's Asia Pacific operations.

Ousted Toyota F1 driver Mika Salo has spent most of this year looking for a job but has now been signed by Craig Pollock to drive for the Scotsman's PK Racing organisation in CART. Salo will replace another former F1 man Max Papis. Salo tested for the team at Mid-Ohio recently and impressed.

There is panic in Italy at the thought that Ferrari, for so long the national pride and joy, is losing its way in Formula 1. The humiliation of Michael Schumacher being lapped in Budapest is still sinking in and the reaction to it has been harsh.

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says that if Canada wants a Grand Prix it is going to have to change its laws

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is to construct infield seating rather than relying on its massive grandstands around the oval and earth banks in the infield section.

For years Carl Haas has been the ultimate supporter of CART, refusing to have anything to do with the Indy Racing League while other team owners have either switched sides or split their efforts, but now even Haas looks like he is wavering.

There was much rejoicing in Formula 1 circles after Fernando Allonso's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. It was great news for Renault and will help to bolster that company's commitment to the sport but more importantly it will probably be the breakthrough for Formula 1 in Spain.

Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran is to retire at the end of the year and he will be replaced at Penske Racing next year by American star Sam Hornish Jr. The news is a boost for the Indy Racing League as it had been thought that Hornish would quit open-wheeler racing for NASCAR.

Ralph Firman's spectacular accident at the Hungaroring resulted in the British driver being subjected to 46G in lateral forces but the absorbant materal which makes up the cockpit surround in a modern F1 car certainly did its job.

The management of Cadillac, General Motors's premium car brand, is reported to be considering the development of a luxury model specifically for the European markets.

The Federal Government in Canada says it will not bend its anti-tobacco laws in order to save the Canadian Grand Prix. There had been reports that an arrangement would be made to amend the law to allow tobacco backing at the F1 race.

The Whiteways Technical Centre in Enstone, the home of the Renault F1 team, is being expanded with the construction of a new logistics building for the team's race trucks.

Hungarian GP - Race Report

The Italian press has criticized Ferrari after a poor showing in this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix as Michael Schumacher placed eighth and Rubens Barrichello crashed out.

Hungarian GP - Race Notes

Hungarian GP - Sunday Photos

Hungarian GP - Race Results

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