''These things happen in this sport''
McLaren Mercedes' new British driver Lewis Hamilton walked away unscathed after an accident in testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit today.

The 22-year-old shrugged off the incident which inflicted serious damage on the MP4-22 - the car McLaren are pinning their hopes on challenging for the title with Hamilton and ... [ more ]

Vallelunga - Ferrari - Testing
After limited running on Wednesday, Ferrari had hoped for clear skies at Vallelunga today in what is the third day of testing for the team at the 4.085 km circuit.

Conditions were however changeable once again with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa unable to get in much dry running. The day started dry before rain began to ... [ more ]

“We're at a good stage right now”
There was a very positive vibe in the Team Roberts camp today after Kenny Jnr swapped machines with Carlos Checa and was really pleased with the feedback from Checa's LCR, as well as getting pointers to where the KR212V could be improved - particularly on the exit of the super-fast Turn 3 where is was unstable and hard to ride. ... [ more ]

Final day of testing at Sepang
Carlos Checa made a big step forward on the final day and announced himself satisfied with the results of the three-day test where he set his best time on race tyres with fifth fastest tie on race rubber.

Checa also took part in an unusual bike exchange with Kenny Roberts Jnr today. The 34 year old Spaniard rode the KR212V ... [ more ]

A short run in the new RA107
Jenson Button's first taste of the newly revealed Honda RA107 was very brief.
The Briton, returning to the test circuit on Thursday after a spell recovering from fractured ribs, was giving photographers at the Circuit de Catalunya one of their first glimpses of the striking black machine when it ground to a halt.

His Brazilian ... [ more ]

Aiming to secure Super License
Guido van der Garde will next Tuesday make his debut for the Super Aguri team.

The 21-year-old Dutchman was signed by the Japanese squad last month to become its reserve and Friday test driver in 2007.

Van der Garde will attempt to qualify for his FIA Super License on 30 January in Valencia, according to media reports ... [ more ]

Experience counts at Red Bull
David Coulthard, the oldest driver in Formula One, has taken a dig at a few of his colleagues.
The 35-year-old Scot, hitting out at pay-drivers and sons of famous fathers, was defending his decision to stick around for a fourteenth consecutive season in the sport this year.

"I don't pay for my cockpit or have a father who ... [ more ]

Maintaining solid relationship with Alonso
Flavio Briatore took a dig at his fiercest Formula One adversary on Wednesday as Renault launched its 2007 car with a modest event in Holland.
The revelation of the R27, which was delivered to the stage on an elevated platform suspended by wire, contrasted starkly to McLaren's reportedly multi-million dollar affair ... [ more ]

Happy following first test of the new car
Following a successful debut for the Honda Racing F1 Team’s new RA107 race car on the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona yesterday, the team’s management and drivers today provided a technical insight into the car and their first impressions of the new challenger from the track.

With the RA107 sporting its black ... [ more ]

BMW to show the way to Toyota?
Even with his famous brother now out of the picture, Ralf Schumacher does not think he'll be F1's quickest German this year.

Among the German field of four race drivers, the 31-year-old Toyota driver said BMW's Nick Heidfeld possesses the 'biggest possibility' to shine for their country.

"Nick's chances are better ... [ more ]

”We can only be happy with this start”
The third and final day of testing in Malaysia came to a close today in stifling heat, with Loris Capirossi successfully completing set-up work on his Desmosedici GP7, both on an engine and suspension level and with the tyres.

Loris in fact completed an eleven-lap race simulation at an excellent pace, similar to ... [ more ]

Newey continues his design philosophy
Adrian Newey has admitted that his first Red Bull, to be unveiled at Barcelona on Friday, is a continuation of his work at McLaren.

"You will see some elements of the last McLaren that I designed," the Briton, albeit describing the RB3 as an evolution rather than radical, revealed to motorline.cc.

He added: ... [ more ]

Ferrari to get '07 head-start - Kovalainen
Further to reports that the new Super Aguri failed to get a green light from the FIA, it now emerges that the car actually passed nine out of the ten mandatory crash tests.

The Japanese squad's 2007 car passed the new tougher front and rear impact tests, we have learned, and apparently only fell foul of the test ... [ more ]

On the Dakar and Monte-Carlo Rally
January was certainly a successful month for all the factory teams equipped by Stilo. As was the case last year, Stilo's partners were a familiar sight on the podium, thanks to wins for Stephane Peterhansel on the Dakar Rally and Sebastien Loeb on the Monte Carlo Rally...

MONTE-CARLO RALLY...
The opening round ... [ more ]

Expecting a short learning curve for former team-mate
Fernando Alonso will need time to get up to speed at McLaren Mercedes.

That is the opinion of the reigning world champion's former Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, who predicted a possible pause in Alonso's winning record in early 2007 due to his defection to McLaren.

"Unlike some others ... [ more ]

Kovalainen the next best thing to the departed Champ
Heikki Kovalainen has played down expectations ahead of his first ever Grand Prix.

The Finnish rookie has replaced twice world champion Fernando Alonso at Renault, but he refused to name himself as a certain contender for victory when 2007 kicks off in March.

"I am not thinking of going to Melbourne ... [ more ]

First pictures of the new RA107
Four teams were in test action on Wednesday.

Most noteworthy were the low-profile shakedowns of Honda - at Barcelona - and Red Bull's new cars for 2007, while Ferrari and McLaren resumed winter running.

At Vallelunga, the uncooperative Roman weather - featuring violent rain and hail - hindered Felipe Massa and Kimi ... [ more ]