Mark Webber (Pictured) is making no apologies for his role in the incident with Sebastian Vettel at Istanbul Park. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
World Series Team To Race In Lotus F1 Colors: A team in the World Series by Renault category in 2010 will bear the same livery as the new F1 entrant Lotus. After Lotus' Malaysian reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy competed with MoFaz Racing in 2009, it will become the 'Lotus F1 Racing Junior Team' this year. MoFaz will also run the same livery as the F1 outfit, according to a World Series by Renault statement. Meanwhile, Renault F1 test driver Jan Charouz, a Czech and the reigning champion of the Le Mans Series, will race with P1 Motorsport. The Tech 1 lineup boasts Red Bull's full reserve driver contingent of Daniel Ricciardo alongside Brendon Hartley, while 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell's son Greg will drive for Comtec Racing.
Webber To Give New Red Bull Track Debut: Mark Webber will do the honors when Red Bull's 2010 car is given its track debut at Jerez next week. In order to maximize the RB6's factory development time, the Milton Keynes team was absent at Valencia when the winter testing ban lifted this week. But when the second test kicks off next Wednesday, the new car will hit the Jerez circuit alongside its key 2010 rivals, including Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes. It emerges that Australian Webber, 33, will be at the wheel for the opening two days, before Sebastian Vettel concludes the four-day test. Team boss Christian Horner told the BBC this week that watching Red Bull's 2010 rivals start testing at Valencia did not worry him. "We have had continuity across all aspects of the team. We follow with interest some of the other developments but we are happy focusing on ourselves," said the Briton. "I'd be more than happy for others to have the headlines at the moment.”
Rossi Says Switch Would Be 'Difficult': Valentino Rossi has indicated it is unlikely he will switch to Formula One. The multiple champion of MotoGP recently tested a Ferrari for the sixth time, reinvigorating persistent speculation he might switch codes as soon as in 2011. "If there was the possibility in 2011 and he wanted to do it and had the possibility for testing and adapting to F1, then why not?" Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said at the recent launch of the Maranello based team's new car. But even though his current Yamaha contract is set to expire, Rossi attempted to ease the rumors when he spoke to reporters on Thursday at Malaysia's Sepang circuit, where MotoGP testing began this week. "I had fun and it was a very good test, with good lap times, but I think that it will be very difficult to see me driving in F1," said the 30-year-old Italian, referring to his Barcelona test in Ferrari's 2008 car. He said he will not turn his full focus to next year and beyond until the summer.
