FIA new rule package to be complete by 2011

The FIA has sent out a new briefing note to the Formula 1 Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee regarding the technical plans for Formula 1 in 2011 and beyond. The package was dreamed up by Tony Purnell and Peter Wright and reviewed by Professor Neville Jackson, the Technical Director of the Ricardo company. The FIA is working with Ricardo to run simulations and to review strategy in the light of Ricardo's experience in mainstream automotive research and development. The document we have obtained says that discussions are still going on and that a Power-train Working Group will be formed to assist the FIA in detailing the technical regulations. The aim is to have to 2011 regulations settled by the end of the year.

The FIA says that the changes are needed because they need to lower costs in F1 and to react to public concern about the environment. Research and development relevant only to Formula 1 will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road car development will be encouraged. The FIA says it will overtly encourage energy-efficient power-train development and contrain many other areas of the cars. It will also reduce waste by requiring parts to be used at more races.

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Did McLaren Favour Alonso Over Hamilton at the Monaco GP?

In the aftermath of a processional race in which the two McLaren drivers finished first and second with ease, but without fighting each other, Dennis said that McLaren did not favour the 25-year-old Spaniard against the 22-year-old British rookie.

He spoke out after being questioned strongly on the team's strategy and team orders, particularly as Alonso, on pole position, began the race in a car that carried five laps less fuel than Hamilton.

This meant that Alonso was not only in a lighter car for qualifying on Saturday, but also in a lighter, faster car for the first part of the race.

Hamilton accepted this after the race with a long face when he said: "I am in car number two so I am the number two driver."

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Gambling, Luck and the Formula 1 race in Monaco

Gambling will only get you so far. It is nice to win but a lot of the time luck has nothing to do with it. You win by working at it, doing the homework and not because the cards fell in your favour.

Monaco is a city built on a casino, on the foundation that luck can bring you everything you need. But on Sunday in Monte Carlo luck had nothing to with it. McLaren won the event because the team has worked for it. T

he fact that Fernando Alonso took victory in the event meant that Lewis Hamilton was second. He seemed happy with that. When you are in your fifth Grand Prix and have finished on the podium in all five, you are still excited to be there but there was something about the smiles and the body language involved that hinted that Lewis would have been happier to have won.

Everyone likes to win but there are times when luck has nothing to do with it.

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Formula One and fashion unite for charity

Formula One racing and fashion is a synergy that has worked smoothly for years, especially at the ultra-glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. On Friday evening they officially came together in the name of charity, for ‘Grand Prix and Fashion Unite’, to raise money for top model Tereza Maxova’s foundation for children in need.

The fashion: Tereza Maxova send out an SOS to her colleagues from the catwalk business and the likes of Petra Nemcova, Mari Tool and Jessica Sjöö came to her rescue to present evening dresses to die for by Isabell Kristensen. A special surprise was Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Bernie, who made a very personal donation by joining the professional models on stage. She blended in so perfectly that the rumour of the evening was that this could perhaps be the start of a new top modelling career.

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F1 race in the US?

Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) owner Eddie Gossage has approached Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone about the possibility of staging a night race in the United States.

With Formula One planning an inaugural night race in Singapore next year, Gossage said he had sent Ecclestone an invitation to attend a night-time oval Indy car race at TMS on June 9, the day before the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

TMS staged the first-ever night-time Indy car race in 1997.

"I think it would be of great interest to Mr. Ecclestone and his staff to visit Texas Motor Speedway and get an opportunity to witness and evaluate open-wheel cars running at high speeds under the lights," Gossage told reporters.

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Fernando Alonso Claims Victory at Monaco F1 Race

FERNANDO ALONSO

"This win means a lot to me and our World Championship Campaign. It’s a very nice surprise to see how the team’s hard work during the last couple of weeks has made our car so competitive. I have never had the experience of being more than one minute ahead of the competition which probably makes this one of my best victories. I didn’t get off the line brilliantly from pole position, but as there is such a short run to the first corner I was pretty sure that I would be able to keep the lead. However, as I was able to save fuel in my first stint I was able to stay out for two more laps than originally planned. After that the race was pretty quiet with only the backmarkers causing a few problems especially shortly before my second pitstop when I lost a lot of time. I will enjoy this victory and look forward to the races in North America."

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