Symonds defends Heikki's progress

Renault's executive director of engineering Pat Symonds says people should not compare Heikki Kovalainen's progress with fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton's stunning achievements.

"It's an unfair comparison," he said in Renault's official podcast.

Symonds is convinced that Kovalainen would fare better if the car gave him more confidence.

"Perhaps the most important thing that you need to give a rookie is a car he can trust - a car that he can take to the limit and a bit beyond, and get it back," he said.

"And I think that's where we're probably letting Heikki down a little bit this year."

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Ron Dennis lost no sleep over Monaco row

Ron Dennis almost certainly did not lose a wink of sleep over the three nights it took the FIA to conduct their investigation into Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix - just as he said he wouldn't.

Dennis and his McLaren team emerged with reputations intact after being cleared of issuing team orders which resulted in the one-two processional finish for Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton around the streets of Monte Carlo.

The 59-year-old insisted immediately after the race his conscience was clear, maintaining that his team "are scrupulously fair at all times".

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Robert Kubica: We don’t want to stop at being ‘the third power’

Q: It was you first time in a Formula One car in Monaco. Racing there has produced many famous analogies - riding a bicycle in your bathroom, etc - but how would you describe it?

RK: I was not a complete Monaco virgin as I did the Friday sessions last year - and in ‘98 was racing a kart, although it was not the complete track that F1 uses - so I knew pretty well what to expect. I like street circuits – I’ve always performed well there and Monaco is a hell of a task. Of course they are not as safe as purpose-built tracks, but nothing can compare to the atmosphere. And with some more street circuits in the planning I am sure they will find the right balance between safety and urban character.

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Rules Makeover Will Improve Spectacle, Mosley Says

Max Mosley believes that moves to improve the spectacle of Formula 1 should be focused around boosting overtaking rather than a radical overhaul of the race weekend.

Earlier this year, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore suggested a shake-up to F1’s format, with a GP2-type double header instead of the traditional single race (click here for story). Mosley says the FIA will consider all possibilities, but he reckons making passing easier should be the first priority, rather than changes to the established race format.

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The English tradition of great expectations

by Cameron McMillan

It's not one of the first things you notice when you get to England.

Whether it's an indie band from Camden who are the next Arctic Monkeys, or a young West End actress who is the next Keira Knightley; they love to predict a future star. Usually you never hear about them again after they crumble under the huge expectations of the British public.

But this time the pundits just may have it right, because Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton looks the real deal.

The rise of Hamilton has come at the right time for England sports fans in desperate need of a national hero. The cricketers are trying to pick themselves up after losing the Ashes heavily followed by a poor performance at the World Cup, the footballers are dangerously close to not qualifing for the European Championships and the ?world champion' rugby team take up as many inches in the sports section as darts.

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Formula 1 days at Magny Cours over

The French Grand Prix's days at Magny-Cours are numbered according to Bernie Ecclestone, who is now looking to run the event closer to Paris.

Problems with access to the track, accommodation in the area and the lack of business opportunities prompted the decision, with the Briton adding: "It's a little bit disappointing because we organised this Grand Prix but it never evolved in the way that we would have like it to."

Instead, Ecclestone dreams of seeing a race through the streets of the French capital, even if that idea is unlikely.

"Why not Disneyland? There are hotels, (and) you can get there by train. It would ideal."

Ecclestone also hinted that the sport's most glamorous event might be a little different in the future.

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Hamilton sacrifices personal glory for team points

Lewis Hamilton sacrificed personal glory for team points at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Formula One sensation from Tewin was second around the challenging Monte Carlo street circuit.

He crossed the line four seconds behind team-mate Fernando Alonso as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes claimed their second one-two finish of the season.

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Adrian Sutil replacement for Ralf Schumacher?

Adrian Sutil has been touted as a possible replacement for the beleaguered Ralf Schumacher at Toyota.

Following a dismal weekend in Monaco, Schumacher has reputedly been given just two races to save his F1 career.

According to reports in the German press, the team have run out of patience with the 31-year-old and Sutil has been linked with a dramatic transfer from Spyker.

The unheralded Sutil has emerged as one of 2007's unlikely success stories.

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The day EJ beat them all

Now take your mind back to the start of Spa in 1998. Damon Hill's third on the grid, and it's been raining since the morning warm-up...

Damon [Hill]’s clutch snatched at the start and he spun his rear wheels on the wet track. He had dropped from third to seventh by the time the leaders reached the first corner.

Disappointment had barely taken hold when there was another surprise.

The television pictures showed mounting chaos as David Coulthard spun at the exit of the corner and car after car seemed to pile into the McLaren.

Wheels and bits of bodywork flew in all directions, leaving the organisers with no alternative but to stop the race. Damon was going to get a second chance – provided his car had not been damaged.

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Govt denies budget for night grand prix

The Victorian government has scoffed at concerns that an increase in its tourism budget is evidence of its secret preparation for a night-time Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Greens and Liberal MPs used a parliamentary committee on Thursday morning to quiz Tourism Minister Tim Holding on the government's intentions for the race and highlighted an increase in money spent on tourism from $53.7 million in 2005-06 to a target of $70.3 million for 2007-08.

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