F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Formula 1

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore is reportedly in talks with Bernie Ecclestone about a new role...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted May 26, 2010 GMM Newswire

Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore (Right) and Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone (Left) are long-time friends. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Report - Briatore Set For FOM Role Alongside Ecclestone: Flavio Briatore's visit to the Monaco paddock earlier this month was reportedly part of a plan for the Italian to return to F1. Due to the crashgate scandal, the ousted former Renault boss is currently banned from holding a direct operational role in F1 until 2013, and he has ruled out returning as a team boss. But Finland's Turun Sanomat reports that Briatore held "subtle negotiations" with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone in Monaco. The article said Ecclestone, 79, is not planning to retire, but does intend to delegate some of his responsibilities and "sees Briatore as a natural successor." Turun Sanomat cites British sources as saying Briatore will shortly be responsible for the acquisition of new sponsors with the Ecclestone-led Formula One Management. The sources said Briton Ecclestone enjoys the negotiations with Grand Prix hosts, promoters and governments and does not intend to delegate those tasks. Ecclestone said last month that his personal friend and business partner Briatore could soon "take up a role in the promotion of Formula One." And at the height of the FOTA/FIA political war last year, when the teams were threatening to set up a rival series, departing president Max Mosley said Briatore "sees himself as the Bernie."

15 Teams Apply For Final Grid Place: No less than 15 teams have applied for the final place on the 2011 F1 grid. Italian website 422race.com reports that the governing FIA has now written to all those who expressed interest in the place made vacant by the demise of USF1. June 21 has been set as the deadline for the teams' actual application and dossier, at which time EUR12,750 must be paid. The frontrunners must be successful GP2 team ART, headed by FIA president Jean Todt's son Nicolas, and the Spanish Le Mans competitor Epsilon Euskadi. 422race.com claims that more than one team may be selected by the FIA, in case HRT or Sauber run further into financial trouble.

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Lotus Designing 2011 Car Without KERS: Lotus will not run a KERS system in 2011, despite the expected return to the grid of the energy-recovery technology for next year. Multiple sources are reporting that KERS will be back in Formula One in 2011, but the new team Lotus has begun designing its next car with no plans to incorporate the boost-button concept. "We will not use KERS next year and we have good reasons for this decision," team boss Tony Fernandes is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat. "This year we had to buy nearly all the (car) parts from other suppliers but now we are in a position to build the entire car in our factory." FOTA's technical group is finalizing the details of the KERS return, with Ferrari and Renault pushing for a 150 horsepower boost for 10 seconds each lap. In 2009, the boost was about 80 horsepower for less than 7 seconds. It is likely that KERS will remain voluntary in 2011 and 2012 until a new engine formula debuts in 2013. It is expected the return of KERS will be approved formally by the teams this weekend in Turkey, before the matter is referred to the FIA for inclusion in the technical regulations.

Herbert To Be Steward Again In Turkey: Johnny Herbert will this weekend once again act as F1's driver steward. The 45-year-old Briton, who won three Grands Prix during his career spanning 165 races until 2000, debuted in the role in Malaysia. Since the 2010 season opener, former drivers including Alain Prost, Alex Wurz, Derek Warwick and Damon Hill have also served alongside the three regular stewards. But former Benetton, Tyrrell, Lotus, Ligier, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar driver Herbert is the first driver to officiate at more than one Grand Prix. Also touted to appear in 2010 are Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Mika Salo and Nigel Mansell.

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