From GMM
Kimi sure to play spoiler role - HaugDespite
not looking quick all weekend at Fuji Speedway, the Ferrari driver was
suddenly competitive in the final fuel-affected segment of qualifying.
The turn of pace suggests that the Italian team has fuelled the Finn
light in order to disrupt title rival McLaren's charge. Felipe Massa
engineer Rob Smedley was quoted as saying he "expects" Raikkonen
to
play a spoiler role from the front.
"Naturally he will have the
task to disturb us as well as possible," told Mercedes' Haug. "I do not
consider Kimi to be at all unfair; he will not drive Lewis into the
wall. But he will definitely try to disrupt us if he can.
Carmakers unhappy with standard engine talksTeam bosses are not enthusiastic about moves to install a standard-specification engine formula by 2010. Heads of some manufacturer-based teams are concerned that standardising engines goes against the very foundations of the sport. Toyota's John Howett said "There is, I think, an important facet in maintaining formula one as the pinnacle of motorsport and how to achieve that will be the balance".
Force India admits Ferrari switch possibleA Force India chief has admitted the team is on the market to potentially
switch engine partners ahead of the 2009 season. Ian Phillips, the Silverstone based squad's director of business affairs, said: "Ferrari are being a bit non-committal about whether they are even going to start the season with KERS."
"Force India has to build a new car for the new regulations, and can't afford to build a non-KERS car and then have whoever turn around and say that KERS will be available from July or whatever." Force India, already linked with switches to Honda or
Mercedes-Benz.
Honda waiting for Alonso's answerHonda chief executive Nick Fry on Saturday
admitted Fernando Alonso is holding up the Japanese team's driver plans for 2009. Fry said at Fuji Speedway: "We want to announce both drivers at the same time, and at the moment we're not in a position to do that because we're awaiting a yes or a no from a certain person."
Pressed for confirmation that the "certain person" is former double world champion Alonso, Fry replied: "You're a good guesser."
McLaren push for di Resta debutAccording to a strong rumour in the Fuji paddock, McLaren-Mercedes is looking to give Paul di Resta his formula one debut as soon as possible. The speculation ties in with stories that McLaren is close to an agreement with Force India about 2009.
Di Resta, who races for Mercedes' premier effort in the DTM series, may also be part of the deal. The British driver recently made his test debut in a McLaren. "I feel I belong in F1. Sebastian Vettel was my (F3) teammate in 2006 and managed to beat me once in 20 races.