From GMM Montezemolo joins Ecclestone in Italy Inthe wake of Bernie Ecclestone's surprise arrival at Madonna diCampiglio, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo also made anunscheduled visit to the team's 'Wrooom' media event in the ItalianDolomites. The pair posed for a photograph and dined together.Buttheir positions are still diametricallyopposed ; the F1 chief executive has already indicated he is notbudging over the issue of the sport's commercial revenue, andMontezemolo on Friday continued to question the British billionaire'sdictator-like rule.
Raikkonen rests up with throat complaint KimiRaikkonen left Ferrari's media 'Wrooom' event at an Italian ski resortearly due to a throat inflammation. He returned to his home inSwitzerland to recover from his throat ailment over the weekend.Theteam's Finnish race driver was also suffering from a fever at noon onFriday, but it is believed he will be fit to test the new car over twodays next week, with Felipe Massa set for a similar schedule.Thetest will almost certainly be moved from the Algarve region back toMugello in Italy. The rain is very likely to affect the opening days ofthe Portimao action, although weather at Mugello could also be bad.Ferrari'sSpanish test driver Marc Gene also left the 'Wrooom' event early toconduct an aerodynamic test with the F60 at Vairano, but the sessionwas 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 NickFry has denied reports that his dual-role in vetting bids for the HondaF1 team and also contemplating a management buyout is a conflict ofinterest.Fry insists he has not been left alone by Honda tohandle the negotiations with other potential buyers "and we have takenlegal advice at all times to ensure no conflict of interest. It isevident that attempts are being made by certain parties to frustratethis process." The process of attempting to secure the team's future continues. Time running out for Honda-Merc deal "Timeis running out" for the team currently known as Honda to finalise a supply of engines for the 2009 season, butMercedes-Benz is still willing to help the beleaguered outfit."Thetiming is anything other than fantastic obviously but we still could doit," the McLaren partner's competition chief told reporters at thelaunch of the MP4-24 at Woking. "There is not a deadline like tomorrowor next week but of course time is running out."Haug alsoinsisted that any arrangement with Honda would have to make sense forMercedes, despite his desire to assist for the sake of the sport. "Thisis not a sponsorship deal, it is financial deal and we need to get thefinances 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."
Raikkonen rests up with throat complaint KimiRaikkonen left Ferrari's media 'Wrooom' event at an Italian ski resortearly due to a throat inflammation. He returned to his home inSwitzerland to recover from his throat ailment over the weekend.Theteam's Finnish race driver was also suffering from a fever at noon onFriday, but it is believed he will be fit to test the new car over twodays next week, with Felipe Massa set for a similar schedule.Thetest will almost certainly be moved from the Algarve region back toMugello in Italy. The rain is very likely to affect the opening days ofthe Portimao action, although weather at Mugello could also be bad.Ferrari'sSpanish test driver Marc Gene also left the 'Wrooom' event early toconduct an aerodynamic test with the F60 at Vairano, but the sessionwas 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 NickFry has denied reports that his dual-role in vetting bids for the HondaF1 team and also contemplating a management buyout is a conflict ofinterest.Fry insists he has not been left alone by Honda tohandle the negotiations with other potential buyers "and we have takenlegal advice at all times to ensure no conflict of interest. It isevident that attempts are being made by certain parties to frustratethis process." The process of attempting to secure the team's future continues. Time running out for Honda-Merc deal "Timeis running out" for the team currently known as Honda to finalise a supply of engines for the 2009 season, butMercedes-Benz is still willing to help the beleaguered outfit."Thetiming is anything other than fantastic obviously but we still could doit," the McLaren partner's competition chief told reporters at thelaunch of the MP4-24 at Woking. "There is not a deadline like tomorrowor next week but of course time is running out."Haug alsoinsisted that any arrangement with Honda would have to make sense forMercedes, despite his desire to assist for the sake of the sport. "Thisis not a sponsorship deal, it is financial deal and we need to get thefinances 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."