Formula One News — June 2009

The current lull in F1 activity has come about for several reasons. The FIA-FOTA dispute seemed to have been resolved but Max Mosley's suggestion that he might stand again in the FIA elections have reopened the possibility of conflict - and thus stopped all serious action in terms of sponsorships and driver movements.

Jean Todt, rumoured to be a potential candidate for the FIA presidency in October - if Max Mosley does not stand - has been in the newspapers in Malaysia in recent days as the result of a planned payment of $411,000 from the government for him to act as a tourism ambassador.

Max Mosley has written to FOTA President Luca di Montezemolo saying that he is reconsidering his decision to stand down as FIA President in October. In a letter leaked to the media he said that he has decided on this course of action because of FOTA's "deliberate attempt to mislead the media" after the deal was struck on Wednesday.

Brawn GP's chief designer Jorg Zander is leaving the team. This has led to speculation that he may be bound for another team but it would be unusual for a designer to be allowed to leave with immediate effect if he is off to join a rival outfit.

Today the talk is of who won the FIA-FOTA conflict and what will happen next. The reality is that it does not matter who won and who lost and it is wise for the winners to be generous in victory. There are more important things to do than gloat.

At the meeting of the World Sport Council in Paris today the FIA confirmed the 13 teams that will race in Formula 1 next season.

The FIA World Council meeting this morning in Paris produced a surprise settlement in the FIA-FOTA dispute. Yesterday Max Mosley was saying that he would stand again in the FIA elections in October and was preparing legal actions against the FOTA teams.

Max Mosley was never going to give up without a fight and he has responded to rumours of a coup d'etat against him at the FIA by writing to all the member clubs justifying his actions and seeking their support. Mosley says that "the dissident teams" (he has now stopped using the expression "loonies") aim to have him resign as FIA President.

According to rumours at Silverstone, the organisation of the new FOTA championship could be placed in the hands of the International Management Group (IMG), the world's premier and most diversified sports, entertainment and media company.

Liberty, equality and brotherhood are enshrined as concepts in the French psychology, but that generally means that the French have great difficulty agreeing on anything.

A supposed FOTA calendar has been appearing in the media in the last few hours, including Monaco, Monza, Suzuka, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. In addition there are former F1 venues in Buenos Aires, (Argentina), Mexico City, Jerez, Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis, Magny-Cours and potentially either Adelaide or Surfers' Paradise in Australia.

British GP - Race Report

British GP - Race Notes

British GP - Sunday Photos

British GP - Sunday Press Conference

British GP - Sunday Team Quotes

British GP - Race Results

Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the British Grand Prix, with a best lap that was three-tenths clear of the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello.

British GP - Saturday Photos

British GP - Saturday Press Conference

British GP - Saturday Team Quotes

Former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve was at Silverstone over the weekend, scouting around to see whether there is any interest from any of the teams for next year.

Bernie Ecclestone says that there will be a British GP in 2010, even if Donington Park is not ready.

British GP - Qualifying Results

The two Williams-Toyotas of Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima were 1-2 in the Saturday morning session at Silverstone, the team running with low fuel loads at the end of the session.