slick tyres

Sir Frank Williams believes 2009 represents his team's best opportunity in a decade to re-establish itself amongst Formula 1's front-runners - and in the wake of the sport's sweeping rule changes and cost-cutting initiatives, he is hopeful of being 'close to the top three' when the competitive ac

Though understandably overshadowed by the dramatic title fight, Giancarlo Fisichella produced one of the undoubted starring performances of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos at the weekend - at one point even threatening to challenge Kimi Raikkonen.

Fernando Alonso is on the verge of agreeing terms to a $15m USD (?7.6m) deal to race for Honda in Formula 1 in 2009 in place of veteran Rubens Barrichello - but whether it will be for just next season or for longer remains uncertain.

Martin Brundle says he believes the new 2009 technical regulations in Formula 1 are 'a move in the right direction' for the sport, though he echoed leading drivers' fears over the inherent dangers of a ban on tyre-warmers with the top flight set to return to slick rubber next year.