Formula One News — September 2004

The prestigious British medical journal The Lancet has launched an attack on the Chinese Grand Prix, calling it "a race to the death" in its editorial.

Chinese GP - Practice Session 4 Results

Paul Stoddart has asked the FIA and the other F1 teams to consider granting the Minardi team an exemption from building a new car next year because it will make no difference at all to the grid order.

Jarno Trulli did not go to China with the Panasonic Toyota Racing team but it seems likely that the Italian will be driving for the team in Japan in two weeks.

Chinese GP - Practice Session 3 Results

Chinese GP - Practice Session 2 Report

Chinese GP - Friday Photos

Chinese GP - Friday Press Conference

Chinese GP - Practice Session 2 Results

Chinese GP - Practice Session 1 Report

Chinese GP - Practice Session 1 Results

The British American Racing team exists to publicize the activities of its parent British American Tobacco and it is logical that in the world's biggest cigarette market they company should want to concentrate on its most important brand.

Tony Purnell, the boss of Jaguar Racing says that there is "masses of interest" in the team, which the Ford Motor Company has decided to discontinue.

Flavio Briatore pulled out his six guns during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday in Shanghai and began blasting away when asked to talk about the problems facing the sport.

The Contract Recognition Board has been delayed and will now not take place until October 16.

Two weeks ago in Monza Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo launched a bitter attack on Bernie Ecclestone, saying that he was taking oo much out of the sport and not giving enough back.

Citibank China is to sponsor Jordan Grand Prix in the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix this week. The Jordans will feature prominent branding from Citibank China.

Jordan announced today that Timo Glock, their official third driver, will be taking over for Giorgio Pantano and will race car 19 in this weekends inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.

The Contract Recognition Board meets today in Geneva, Switzerland, to decide whether Jenson Button should drive for Williams or for BAR in 2005 and 2006.

The US Justice Department has launched a massive law suit against the major tobacco companies, arguing that the industry deliberately misled the US public about the harmful effects of smoking, starting in the 1950s.

Our sources suggest that we are likely to see a change of driver in Shanghai with Giorgio Pantano standing down and Timo Glock taking over.

While F1 is looking to China to boost its fortunes, the major car manufacturers are looking this week to Paris where the Mondial de l'Automobile is expected to attract more than 1.4m visitors in the course of the next two weeks.

Michelin may be taking a hammering this year in Formula 1 from its rival Bridgestone, but the French firm remains number one in the world for the third year running,

For most of 2004 there have been attempts going on behind the scenes to get the British government to do something about its Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act of 2002 which makes any person who is party to a sponsorship agreement guilty of an offence if the purpose is to promote tobacco products in the UK.

A last-minute switch of broadcasters for the Chinese Grand Prix has added a little spice to the lives of those trying to get things organized in time in Shanghai.