F1: Latest News of the Formula 1 World

From GMM

Montezemolo joins Ecclestone in Italy
In the wake of Bernie Ecclestone's surprise arrival at Madonna di Campiglio, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo also made an unscheduled visit to the team's 'Wrooom' media event in the Italian Dolomites. The pair posed for a photograph and dined together.

But their positions are still diametrically opposed; the F1 chief executive has already indicated he is not budging over the issue of the sport's commercial revenue, and Montezemolo on Friday continued to question the British billionaire's dictator-like rule.

Raikkonen rests up with throat complaint
Kimi Raikkonen left Ferrari's media 'Wrooom' event at an Italian ski resort early due to a throat inflammation. He returned to his home in Switzerland to recover from his throat ailment over the weekend.

The team's Finnish race driver was also suffering from a fever at noon on Friday, but it is believed he will be fit to  test the new car over two days next week, with Felipe Massa set for a similar schedule.

The test will almost certainly be moved from the Algarve region back to Mugello in Italy. The rain is very likely to affect the opening days of the Portimao action, although weather at Mugello could also be bad.

Ferrari's Spanish test driver Marc Gene also left the 'Wrooom' event early to conduct an aerodynamic test with the F60 at Vairano, but the session was called off due to bad weather.

Hulkenberg to debut new Williams
Nico Hulkenberg, Williams' test driver, has been assigned to give the British team's new car its track debut on Monday.The Toyota-powered FW31 is scheduled to roll out of the Portimao circuit pitlane, with a media photocall to occur in the early morning.

The event is not a normal 'launch', given that the only driver in attendance will be Hulkenberg, and the car will be wearing an interim test livery. Technical director Sam Michael will also be in attendance, Williams said.

Fry denies conflict of interest
Nick Fry has denied reports that his dual-role in vetting bids for the Honda F1 team and also contemplating a management buyout is a conflict of interest.

Fry insists he has not been left alone by Honda to handle the negotiations with other potential buyers "and we have taken legal advice at all times to ensure no conflict of interest. It is evident that attempts are being made by certain parties to frustrate this process."

The process of attempting to secure the team's future continues.

Time running out for Honda-Merc deal
"Time is running out" for the team currently known as Honda to finalise a supply of engines for the 2009 season, but Mercedes-Benz is still willing to help the beleaguered outfit.

"The timing is anything other than fantastic obviously but we still could do it," the McLaren partner's competition chief told reporters at the launch of the MP4-24 at Woking. "There is not a deadline like tomorrow or next week but of course time is running out."

Haug also insisted that any arrangement with Honda would have to make sense for Mercedes, despite his desire to assist for the sake of the sport. "This is not a sponsorship deal, it is financial deal and we need to get the finances right and then we can help."

McLaren keeps same sponsors for 2009
McLaren has the strength to ride out the global financial crisis, team boss Ron Dennis insists, "the same brands" feature on this year's single seater in the wake of Lewis Hamilton's 2008 title at the wheel of its predecessor.

He added: "We have had a close relationship with Hugo Boss for 32 years which must be a record for any sport, let alone formula one. This is when you need that longevity and understanding to power you through the difficult times."