Formula One News — January 2011

The chief organiser of South Korea's first F1 Grand Prix race has been fired.

Fernando Alonso, surprisingly, rates Michael Schumacher as a big threat for the 2011 world championship despite the seven times champion's difficult F1 return.

Stefano Domenicali, speaking at Ferrari's media 'Wroom' ski event at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy, says the Scuderia is targeting a stronger start to its 2011 campaign than last year.

Martin Brundle has taken on the role of lead F1 TV commentator for the British BBC TV network and will be joined in the commentary box by David Coulthard.

Derek Gardner, the designer of Tyrrells in the 1970s, including the legendary six-wheeler, has died at the age of 79.

Hispania Racing has confirmed it is no longer a member of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) but there are conflicting reports about the way in which the split happened.

Even through the off-season Jenson Button continues to train hard.

Narain Karthikeyan has told the Indian press that he has signed a deal to race for the HRT team in 2011, although the Spanish-based team has yet to announce it.

German bank executive Gerhard Gribbowsky has been arrested for allegedly accepting a $US50m kickback from the sale of a large stake in the holding company of F1's commercial rights.

It seems that Chris Dyer has paid the price for Ferrari's strategic error in the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Work has begun on constructing the circuit in Austin to complete it in time for the inaugural 2012 race.

Everyone at Grandprix.com would like to thank our readers and we wish you all the best in the New Year.