F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is glad to be in Valencia. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Todt Not Stepping Into To Solve McLaren Wing Saga: Jean Todt on Friday ruled out stepping in to end F1's new 'knee-gate' controversy. The FIA's Charlie Whiting this week declared legal an innovation on the 2010 McLaren that gives Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button a straight-line advantage. It is believed the drivers use their left knees to shut off airflow in order to 'stall' the rear wing of the car. Some teams - including Red Bull, Ferrari, Renault and Williams - believe the design contravenes the rules about moveable aerodynamic devices, even though the only moving part is the driver's body. 'Spirit of the regulations' or not, the situation means teams will now deploy resources to also exploit the loophole. "Everyone is going to go and do it, no one will have an advantage, we will go and spend loads of money -- and for what?" new team Lotus' technical boss Mike Gascoyne told PA. But at the Sakhir circuit, FIA president Todt said he had confidence in Whiting's ruling. "I think they did a very good job. I totally trust the people that have to judge it," added the Frenchman. Todt also told reporters that he is "very in favor" of reinstating a 107 per cent qualifying rule in formula one, but admitted that it might have to wait until 2011.
Ecclestone, Todt, Want Bridgestone To Stay In F1: Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to try to convince Bridgestone to remain in Formula One beyond 2010. The Japanese marquee has already decided to cease being the official tire supplier. "We could certainly find a replacement," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "but I hope that they will rethink their decision "We are working on it," the Briton added. FIA president Jean Todt admitted in an interview with the New York Times that Bridgestone's decision to join the carmaker exodus was "a shock". But the Frenchman said Bridgestone decided to quit because F1 is not seen to regard "sustainability, environment and climate change" as important. "So, will they change their mind in light of what we are trying to implement? I don't know," added Todt.
Ecclestone Says Rome Will Not Replace Monza: Bernie Ecclestone has given his personal assurance that Rome is not set to replace historic Monza on the Formula One calendar. "Don't worry: the Grand Prix of Italy is staying at Monza," Enrico Gelpi, president of the Italian sanctioning body ACI, is quoted as saying by Il Messaggero. Gelpi sought out Ecclestone, the F1 chief executive, at the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on Thursday. His informal meeting followed news that Ecclestone, 79, is set to add a Rome street race to the calendar in 2013, with the Italian capital rumored to be willing to pay significantly more than Monza for the hosting rights. "Ecclestone's assurance, as we have repeatedly confirmed, is that there has never existed the possibility to separate Monza from the Italian Grand Prix," said Gelpi. Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno said: "Ecclestone's clarification confirms what we have said for some time. There is no competition between the two races (Monza and Rome)."
