Flexi-wings also returned to the news with the
FIA putting in place ever more stringent tests following video footage that suggested that
Red Bull Racing was running a moveable rear wing in Spain. The wing had passed the previous tests, causing the governing body to introduce a new 1000 Newton static load check in time for the transatlantic races..
Hamilton and the championship contenders aside,
Ralf Schumacher continues to be the man in the news, with his place at
Toyota apparently under threat unless he starts to perform. Rumour suggests that he has Canada and America to impress his paymasters, but the German and his manager both deny that he is under pressure.
Although the 'customer car' row has gone quiet while Colin Kolles awaits a date for his hearing in Lucerne, it refuses to go away altogether, with Sir Frank
Williams advising the Spyker MD to drop the action on the grounds that a definitive result may not be forthcoming - at great expense to the teams involved.
The shape of future calendars also continues to make the news, with
Silverstone again the focus of
Bernie Ecclestone. This time, however,
F1's commercial guru has turned on the Olympics-obsessed UK government to share some funding with the circuit, rather than calling on the BRDC to shape up. Elsewhere, Valencia was finally confirmed as a second Spanish venue following local elections, while Suzuka is rumoured to be back on the agenda should it get a promised overhaul in time for the 2009 season. France, which will be missing next season, could also return in two years' time, but at a new temporary venue close to the capital Paris, rather than at the unloved Magny-Cours.
Finally, outgoing Toyota Racing chairman and team principal Tsutomu Tomita is to become the new chairman of Fuji Speedway. Tomita's exit from the Cologne-based operation was confirmed at the end of April, when it was revealed that he would return to Japan. The 63-year old will take the helm at the revamped Fuji as it prepares to host the Japanese Grand Prix for the first time since 1977.
NEWS FROM THE TEAMS:
McLaren – Fernando Alonso (#1), Lewis Hamilton (#2):
Having made the headlines for the wrong reasons after Monaco, McLaren departs for North America looking to gain coverage of its performance rather than its tactics. The team currently leads both the constructors’ and drivers' championships, with Fernando Alonso and rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton tied for first place in the latter, with 38 points.
