Branson confirms Virgin’s involvement in 2011
Virgin Group owner Sir Richard Branson has pledged to continue his financial support of the F1 team bearing his company’s name in the 2011 season, and is willing to cede some real estate on the cars’ advertising space if the outfit is successful in bringing on more sponsorship next year.
Having re-entered Formula 1 as a sponsor last year with the championship-winning Brawn GP outfit – with the billionaire describing the exposure gained that year as “just ridiculously lucky” – Branson then set about lending his company’s name to supporting Manor Motorsport’s F1 operation as it made its debut in 2010.
STR mechanic sacked after Singapore GP
Reports in the Spanish press are claiming that the Toro Rosso team has fired one of its mechanics following the Singapore Grand Prix.
Viewers may recall Jaime Alguersuari qualified a career-high eleventh on the grid for the street race, but was forced to start from the pit lane after his STR5 developed a coolant leak.
It turns out that the leak apparently could have been prevented, with the AS newspaper claiming that an unnamed mechanic had discovered the leak some five hours before the race started, but did nothing other than regularly wipe the puddle of water forming underneath the car.
F1 budget cap agreed upon for 2011
Sources in the Italian media are reporting that the Formula One teams have agreed to further operational budget cuts for the 2011 season and beyond.
Despite budget caps being negotiated after the FIA-FOTA war in mid-2009, it would seem that some teams – most notably the privateer and rookie outfits – could still be struggling to stay afloat.
Italy’s Autosprint is reporting that the FOTA-aligned teams have agreed to further budget restrictions – excluding engine and transmission costs – capping operational costs at €20 million and staff numbers at 415 team members.
Three candidates out of the running at Renault
RichardsF1 
Driver Market, Formula 1 
Adrian Sutil, Kimi Raikkonen, Nick Heidfeld, Renault, Timo Glock, Vitaly PetrovSources within the German media are reporting that three possible candidates for a Renault berth in 2011 are now out of the running, which would seemingly sure up Vitaly Petrov’s prospects of retaining his seat at the Enstone-based outfit next year.
The sources claim that Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil are no longer in talks with Renault, with the French marque seemingly looking to re-sign the Russian driver for another season.
Finland’s Turun Sanomat is also reporting that Kimi Räikkönen’s interest may have waned, in the wake of Renault team boss Eric Boullier questioning the Finn’s motives in seeking a return to F1.
[Original image via LAT]
Cafés do Brasil Indy 300 Homestead Preview
Covering three continents, four countries, 17 races and 2214 race laps – countless more in testing, practice and qualifying, by up to 41 different drivers, it comes down to 12 points separating 2 men, fighting for 1 series championship. Our well-informed IndyCar correspondent Matt Lennon preview what it set to be one of the most thrilling title deciders in IndyCar history…
Stepney sentenced over ‘Spygate’ affair
The Reuters news agency is reporting that former Ferrari chief mechanic Nigel Stepney – the man who instigated the entire Spygate’ scandal that rocked F1 in 2007 – has been sentenced to 20 months’ prison for his role in the affair.
However, under the Italian legal system, it is believed he will be unlikely to actually have to serve any sentence.
Ferrari brought criminal proceedings against Stepney in June 2007, weeks before the scandal broke international news headlines, where it accused the Briton of attempting to sabotage Ferrari’s cars (through contaminating the fuel tanks) and releasing confidential data to McLaren, the outfit’s chief championship rival.
WTCC: Chevrolet retains driver line-up for 2011
The RML Chevrolet team has confirmed it has retained the services of its three 
drivers – Robert Huff, Alain Menu and Yvan Muller – for the 2011 World Touring Car Championship season.
The trio will contest next season at the wheel of a newly-designed 1.6-litre turbocharged version of the very successful Chevrolet Cruze, with the changes coming into effect for the series’ S2000 regulations.
RIP Trevor Taylor
Sad news to report today, with former Grand Prix driver Trevor Taylor passing away 
after losing his battle with cancer. He was 73 years old.
Taylor – known for always racing with a yellow helmet and overalls – is credited with originating the yellow stripe down the middle of Team Lotus racing cars in the 1960s – a tradition that the current Lotus Racing squad still adopts – after organisers of the 1963 Indianapolis 500 objected to all-green Lotus cars contesting the race.
More driver birthdays today!
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Three former F1 drivers are celebrating their respective birthdays today: Reine Wisell turns 69; Jochen Mass turns 64, and Eric van de Poele turns 49 (pictured left to right)!
Richard’s F1 in New York!
One of the contributors for Richard’s F1 is on holiday in New York, and paid a visit to the Madame Tussauds wax museum today.
It turns out that Ayrton Senna’s wax model is quite the fan of the website! And the likeness is particularly impressive too…
Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.
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