Formula One News — September 2004

Bernie Ecclestone says that he wants to see former World Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Mika Hakkinen back in the sport. Villeneuve and Hakkinen have both been mentioned in relation to drives for 2005 but at the moment neither seems likely to land a seat that would give them a chance to achieve very much.

Jenson Button has remained silent about his decision to switch from BAR-Honda to BMW Williams next year but he has clearly been unhappy with some of the media coverage he has been receiving and has now set the record straight indicating that "contractually we had some differences.

The FIA has presented members of the Formula 1 Technical Working Group with three packages of technical measures for consideration, following the failure of the teams to come up with a suitable agreement on how to cut back speeds in F1.

There may be reports that Bernie Ecclestone is buying back the Formula One group from the banks involved in the company but this does not make the story any more true than Ecclestone's comments suggesting that F1 is boring because the media reports that it is boring.

The BMW Williams team has decided to send its 2005 Jenson Button contract to the Contract Recognition Board in order to break the deadlock that exists at the moment.

NASCAR star Jeff Gordon will go head-to-head with Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher at the Race of Champions in Paris on December 4. The four-time NASCAR champion will take on the seven-time Formula 1 champion on a special course which will be laid own inside the Stade de France.

Fernando Alonso topped the times at 1:20.621 in the final day of testing at Monza this afternoon. Alonso is the third driver in the last three days to top the time sheets for the group test - following Michael Schumacher and Antonio Pizzonia.

The news that Dallara is working on a Formula 1 project for a mystery backer has led to all manner of speculation about the new team including some rather unlikely suggestions.

Richard Lyons hopes to get into Formula 1 next year but his hopes of winning the Formula Nippon series last weekend took a knock when he was punted out of the race at Mine on the final lap after dominating the event.

Michael Schumacher has escaped unhurt after a heavy crash during testing today in Monza.

Ralf Schumacher has stated that he is fit and prepared to return to Formula One after fracturing his back ten weeks ago during the United States Grand Prix. Although the German has met with medical examiners and feels fit enough to get back in the car, he says it is insurers that have prevented him from racing at the Italian Grand Prix next week.

The Sauber Formula One team announced today that they will be testing Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi in the coming weeks as the team seeks a replacement for Giancarlo Fisichella.

After the month long testing ban in August today kicked off the first day of a three day test at the Monza circuit. All ten teams were at the track working hard on their setup for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix on September 12.

The new Formula 3000 Champion Vitantonio Liuzzi met with Peter Sauber at Spa and is believed to have had a secret seat fitting with the Swiss team. It is anticipated that the Italian will be seen in one of the Swiss cars for a day of testing at Jerez after the Italian Grand Prix.

Renault F1 sporting director Steve Nielsen has agreed terms for a new contract with the team which will take him to the end of 2006.

Jenson Button has signed for Williams for 2005 but the latest suggestion doing the rounds at Spa was that British American Tobacco, the owner of BAR, has decided to break the current deadlock over Button by offering the rising British star a substantial payment