Hamilton on verge of Beckham-like bucks - expert

Lewis Hamilton is on the cusp of superstardom, according to a famous British publicist.

Max Clifford, who has represented clients including the billionaire Harrods mogul Mohamed Al-Fayed, said the 22-year-old McLaren rookie is poised to become as big and as rich as David Beckham.

Football star Beckham recently signed a five year contract worth (US) $250m, and Clifford urged Hamilton to keep up his huge media profile if he wants to make the same sort of money.

Toyota to blame for Ralf trough - Howett

Toyota’s F1 team president John Howett has thrown a metaphorical arm around his beleaguered race driver Ralf Schumacher.

Mounting media speculation is predicting the imminent decline of former grand prix winner Schumacher’s formula one career, as he struggles at the wheel of the TF107 car.

Those rumours were not helped on Monday, when Toyota technical director Pascal Vasselon admitted in an official press document that Schumacher’s “general grip” problem at the recent Monaco grand prix was due to “no obvious limitation of one parameter” of the 2007 machine.

Hamilton ready for Canada

Lewis Hamilton is aiming to build on a 'dream result' scored at the Monaco GP when he takes part in his very first Canadian Grand Prix next weekend.


The Montreal race is the first in a double-header of transatlantic races in the coming fortnight, with the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis set to follow a week later.

Both will be breaking new ground for the young Briton, but with five podium finishes from his maiden five outings in the top flight, Hamilton has shown that he is anything but a slow learner.

Alonso in favour of Hamilton

Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has praised the start to the season made by his team-mate Lewis Hamilton after the furore over the McLaren team allegedly issuing team orders during the Monaco Grand Prix.

The FIA, the sport's governing body, investigated the race after Alonso and Hamilton finished first and second, with claims being made that the young British driver was ordered to back off so he did not put his stablemate under pressure.

But the Spaniard, whose team escaped punishment by the FIA, has welcomed the impact made by Hamilton.

Alonso said: "We need to wait and see how the championship develops but it has been a very good start for the team and Lewis as well."

Ferrari expecting more in Montreal

After a disappointing Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari are looking forward to a return to form at this weekend’s Canadian race. The Italian team are certain that their heavy defeat in Monte Carlo was more down to luck than lack of pace, and are optimistic that in Montreal they will reduce McLaren’s 20-point lead in the championship.

“We believe we will have a strong package for this event,” Ferrari’s sporting director, Stefano Domenicali, told the team's official website. “There is no reason why we should not be able to fight for the win in Montreal after a weekend in Monaco where our performance did not accurately reflect our potential.”

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NASCAR Pioneer Bill France Jr. Passes Away

NASCAR Vice Chairman William C. France, whose leadership helped turn a family-owned company into a national phenomenon, died today at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. at the age of 74.

France served as NASCAR’s president from 1972-2000, taking over from his father, NASCAR founder William H. G. “Big Bill” France.

In 2000, France – known as “Bill Jr. ” – became NASCAR’s CEO and the chairman of the newly created NASCAR Board of Directors.

In October 2003, the torch was again passed, with France’s son Brian France taking over as Chairman and CEO. France became Vice Chairman at that time, whereupon his influence and input remained considerable – and valuable.

“He had a remarkable career and an even-more remarkable life, ” said Brian France. “Words cannot express how much he’ll be missed by myself and the rest of our family and by the NASCAR industry overall. ”

Mike Helton became NASCAR’s president in 2000. He was the third president in the sport’s history and the first not named France.

“Coming in, I had two big pairs of shoes to fill, ” Helton said, talking about Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. “I was more familiar with Bill Jr. ’s way of doing business but that didn’t make it any easier. He blazed so many trails for our sport. He was determined to follow the vision of his father while also expanding on that vision. Over nearly four decades, he did a masterful job. ”

France is survived by his wife Betty Jane France, NASCAR’s assistant secretary; his son Brian; daughter Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR’s vice president and assistant treasurer; his brother James C. France, NASCAR’s vice chairman and executive vice president; and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.