Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
11/02/2009
Abu Dhabi (ARE)
Reigning Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek hopes his new status will unlock the door to the Formula One grid. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
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Formula 2 Champion Soucek Eyes Move Up: Andy Soucek hopes his new status, as reigning Formula 2 champion, will unlock the door to the F1 grid. The 24-year-old has won a Williams test as a prize for his title, only a few years after testing a Toyota for winning the Spanish F3 crown. "I don't think many people can say they have driven Williams and Toyota F1 cars," said Soucek. "I am going to try to show that Formula 2 is a good gateway to formula one," he is quoted as saying by the Spanish sports newspaper Marca. "I'm working hard, not only in terms of negotiations, but also physically. I can't say anything more. Nothing is signed but things look good," said the Madrid born driver.
Webber To Drive GP3 Car, Kubica Considers Rally: Mark Webber will test the car of his new GP3 team MW Arden, a collaboration with Red Bull boss Christian Horner, on 17 November at Paul Ricard. "I'm intrigued to see what the cars are like to drive, while I also see this as an opportunity to get the series a bit of publicity," the Australian wrote in a column for the Sydney based Daily Telegraph. Future Renault driver Robert Kubica, meanwhile, is considering entering a Clio into the French championship Rallye du Var late this month. "It's not 100 percent certain, but there's a strong possibility," the Pole told French magazine Auto Hebdo.
Merc, Ville, Richards, Clinton In Yas Paddock: A swarm of members of the Mercedes-Benz executive board on Sunday were spotted in the Brawn garage shaking hands with the new world champions. It is reported that several key members of the carmaker's board, including its chairman Dieter Zetsche, travelled to Abu Dhabi for talks to speed up a closer collaboration with Brawn next year, and to step away from the current arrangement with McLaren. Other notable figures in the Yas Marina Circuit paddock are Jacques Villeneuve, who told reporters he is still hoping to be on the 2010 grid, and the Prodrive chief David Richards. The most powerful face at the vast facility however was Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state.
Force India Exercises Sutil’s Option: The option on Adrian Sutil's contract has been activated by Force India, the German news agency DPA reports. However, the 2010 clause is double-sided, meaning that Sutil must also sign it within a certain time frame. He is holding out for a better seat, amid rumors of talks with Toyota, Renault or even McLaren. Sutil, 26, told DPA he expects to know the outcome in "maybe two weeks".
