Ferrari's former head of aerodynamics and wind tunnel, John Iley has joined McLaren. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Ferrari's Ousted Iley Joins McLaren: John Iley has joined McLaren. The Briton left his role as Ferrari's head of aerodynamics and wind tunnel in July last year, with reports pointing to the lack of competitiveness of the F60 car. It is believed Iley, 42, has been on so-called 'gardening leave' for the past six months, with a McLaren spokesman confirming to Reuters that he began work at Woking this month. Iley's Ferrari role until now was assumed by chief designer Nicholas Tombazis, but a full-time aerodynamics replacement is now in place. Iley joined Ferrari from Renault in 2004, and previously worked with McLaren and Jordan.

Rossi's Barcelona Test Begins: Despite a recent medical scare, Valentino Rossi began his test in a 2008-spec Ferrari single seater at Barcelona Wednesday The reigning and multiple MotoGP champion visited hospital late last week with an inflamed appendix, but the Maranello based team said he today began his two-day run at the Circuit de Catalunya. To adhere with the current F1 testing ban, 30-year-old Rossi's car is being operated by the separate F1 Clienti department, and is fitted with GP2-spec slicks, Ferrari confirmed. The Italian team also said the session began in "adverse weather conditions".

Kubica Out Of Monte Carlo Rally: Robert Kubica's participation in the famous Monte Carlo Rally this week is on the skids, after the engine in his Renault Clio R3 failed. After the failure just 4km into the icy prologue stage on Tuesday night, the Polish driver was investigating whether he would be able to start Wednesday's action with a new engine, France's Auto Hebdo reported. But the engine will not be changed in time.

Button Trims Beard As McLaren Career Revs Up: As he turned 30 Tuesday, Jenson Button spoke to the British press without his characteristically scruffy beard. The reporters surmised that the 2009 world champion was either bidding to look as young as his 25-year-old teammate Lewis Hamilton, or had been ordered by McLaren to strike a more corporate image. "I thought I would have a trim because I have a younger teammate now. I need to look younger," the Briton is quoted as joking to the Daily Express at the team sponsor event in London. The Telegraph, however, said Button had confided that it was his girlfriend Jessica who persuaded him to shave. Neither Button nor Hamilton, who will sit together for the first time as teammates during meetings at Woking on Wednesday, will give the MP4-25 its track debut at Valencia on February 1. Even though main tester Pedro de la Rosa has switched to Sauber for 2010, the Guardian newspaper said "a test driver" would be the first at the wheel of the new car in Spain.