Toyota hint Ralf’s days are numbered

Ralf Schumacher's days with Toyota seem to be numbered after reports in the German press yesterday suggest his employers are considering other options for next season.

After his 16th-placed finish at last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, German daily newspaper Bild reported Toyota team president John Howett is looking for a possible successor to the 31-year-old brother of seven-times world champion Michael.

In his three years with Toyota, Schumacher, who earns 17 million euros a year, has only finished in the top three on three occasions.

The Monaco of Britain

"Yes, well the poor chap is struggling a bit and if he's not careful they will be sticking Piquet in the car."

"Don't be silly," said Mrs Mole. "Piquet must be nearly 60."

The Mole paused for a moment but decided not to even attempt to explain about Nelson's children.

"I expect they will put Webber in one of the Renaults next year," he said.

"But Webber's at Williams," said Mrs Mole.

The Mole rolled his eyes.

"Well, maybe not for much longer."

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Indy is preparing for F1 race without Schumacher

The U.S. Grand Prix without Michael Schumacher is like the Indianapolis 500 without A.J. Foyt or Mario Andretti.


The race will go on. It just won't be the same.


As prominent as Foyt was in his four victories among 35 starts at Indy and as compelling as Andretti was in his lone victory and years of heartbreak thereafter, neither was as dominant on the track as Schumacher. The German retired last year as a seven-time Formula One champion and the only driver in any series to win at Indianapolis five times.

And with Schumacher gone this season, the F1 lineup looks a lot different.

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Ferrari caravan stops in Slovenia

The 60th anniversary of legendary Italian carmaker Ferrari prompted the sports car manufacturer to put together a caravan of its vehicles to transverse the globe.


A part of the caravan, twelve Ferraris in all, stopped in Ljubljana on Saturday, 19 May, to a welcome by Italian Ambassador to Slovenia Daniele Verga and Mayor Zoran Jankovic.

Slovenia contributed a doorknob, designed by the country's most celebrated architect Joze Plecnik for the National and University Library building.

The horse-shaped knob was chosen because Ferrari's symbol is a black prancing stallion on a yellow shield. The caravan had already visited most of the world and its tour is expected to end on 25 June in Maranello, the headquarters of Ferrari.

Ecclestone warns British government to help or lose F1 race

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned that Britain could lose the right to hold a grand prix after Silverstone's contract runs out in 2009 and has called on the Government help fund a redevelopment of the ailing circuit.

Ecclestone is to begin negotiations with Silverstone's owners BRDC soon but admits that the current state of the British race is not up to scratch.

"The Government could and should do something to help ensure the BRDC does not lose the F1 event," Ecclestone told the Daily Express.