Grandprix.com - News - October 2012

Chilton drives Marussia in Abu Dhabi FP1

Double GP2 race winner Max Chilton, recently promoted from the Marussia Young Driver Programme to reserve driver, will join Timo Glock in the first session of free practice for next weeks's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lotus tests Valsecchi

GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi will have an opportunity with Lotus in the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test, alongside the previously confirmed Nicolas Prost and Edoardo Mortara.

Progress made in 2013 Concorde talks?

A statement from the FIA claims that an 'important step' was made towards securing F1's future in a meeting between the governing body, commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 teams in Paris, and talks of a final settlement "in the coming weeks."

Andretti christens Circuit of the Americas

The 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, the last American to win the championship, cut a chequered banner before taking to the Circuit of the Americas track in his championship-winning Lotus 79 as celebrities and local dignitaries attended the Texas circuit's 'First Lap Ceremony.'

New Jersey postponed until 2014

America's second grand prix, provisionally scheduled on the 2013 F1 calendar for June 13, will not not now take place until a year later. The story broke in The Jersey Journal and has now been confirmed by F1 commerical rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.

Sauber runs Frins and Gutierrez in Abu Dhabi test

Esteban Gutierrez will have his fourth test with Sauber when he takes part in the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test on November 6-8. The 21-year-old Mexican is widely fancied to graduate to F1 with the team next year, although it could initially be as a Friday driver.

Cosworth seeks buyer

After abandoning plans for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) due to adverse market conditions, F1 engine supplier Cosworth is now actively seeking a buyer.

Coulthard to quit DTM

David Coulthard will drive his last DTM race in the season finale at Hockenheim this coming weekend (October 19-21), before concentrating more on his role as BBC F1 TV commentator/expert and his other personal and business interests. By Tony Dodgins (@TonyDodgins)

Ferrari confirms Massa

Ferrari has now officially confirmed a contract extension for Felipe Massa that takes the Brazilian into an eighth successive season at Maranello after he replaced Rubens Barrichello alongside Michael Schumacher for the 2006 season.

McLaren hails Hamilton drive

McLaren team principal Martin Whtmarsh hailed Lewis Hamilton's Korean GP drive 'tenacious and heroic' after Hamilton brought home a point in spite of a number of afflictions during the race.

Massa on verge of new Ferrari deal

Felipe Massa is expected to be confirmed as a Ferrari driver for an eighth successive season in 2013, as early as this week. The Brazilian, widely tipped to be replaced a few weeks ago, has rallied with impressive performances in the Japanese and Korean grands prix. By Tony Dodgins (@TonyDodgins)