Jacques Villeneuve is the 1997 World Champion. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Villeneuve Confirms 'Working Hard On F1 Project': Jacques Villeneuve on Friday confirmed he is working on a "F1 project." Earlier, the 1997 World Champion and his spokeswoman declined to confirm reports he is bidding to return to the grid next year with Villeneuve Racing. "I've never made it a secret that I'm working hard on an F1 project," the 39-year-old French Canadian told BBC Sport. "But I've not discussed the details or what my plans were and I won't be drawn on it now. I'm not commenting." And his manager Rick Gorne, involved in the establishment of Brackley based BAR in 1999, added: "There is an element of truth in the rumors. F1 is a possibility - he does have the intention to get back. It's a project we're working on." The FIA did not comment on suggestions Villeneuve Racing is among three teams being considered for the last place in the 2011 pitlane.

Signs Grow That Raikkonen To Keep Rallying: The signs are growing that Kimi Raikkonen will keep rallying next year rather than return to Formula One. The 2007 World Champion has been linked with both Renault and Mercedes for 2011, but reports on Thursday said Raikkonen, 30, is close to agreeing a new deal with the Red Bull-sponsored world rally team Citroen. At the same time, Raikkonen's current co-driver Kaj Lindstrom has told Turun Sanomat newspaper that the Finn has all the necessary talents and "only lacks experience. ... The hard work is now beginning to pay off," he added.

Teams Clarify Ban To Prevent New Component Testing: The wording of F1's ban on in-season testing has been clarified. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recently said Ferrari's use of a filming and promotional track day to test updates for the F10 car was "naughty" and breached the "spirit" of the agreement. And FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh suggested that other teams including Mercedes and Renault have also made "some arguable decisions" with regard to the rules about in-season testing. "If people want to be more comfortable then I know there are discussions in order to tidy up the wording, and I have no problem with that," said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali. Italy's Autosprint reports that during a meeting at Silverstone last week, the teams drafted new wording to prevent the testing of new components during promotional or filming days.

Mercedes boss Ross Brawn was thought to be on a fishing trip this week but a team source has denied that claim. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Brawn At factory, Not On Fishing Holiday - Mercedes: Mercedes has denied reports that, while more than 150 points behind in the constructors' championship, its F1 team boss is missing in action. The Cologne tabloid Express reported this week that while Michael Schumacher has been testing motorcycles with friends in France, team principal Ross Brawn is on a four-day fishing trip with Jacques Laffite in Norway. But a source at the Brackley based team said the report is incorrect. "Ross has been at the factory this week," the source said.

All Four HRT Drivers Eligible To Race - Klien: Christian Klien on Friday hinted he might appear on the Formula One grid at the wheel of an HRT car in 2010. At Silverstone, Bruno Senna was mysteriously dropped by the struggling Spanish team, replaced for the British event by test driver Sakon Yamamoto. Austrian Klien, 27, is also a Hispania test driver. When asked why Senna was sidelined at Silverstone, team boss Colin Kolles told the Australian broadcaster One-HD: "We have four drivers." For now, Klien said he is hoping to make another appearance in the F110 car during Friday practice. "What is planned for Hockenheim, I don't know," he said in an interview with motorline.cc. "Who will sit in the car, I think, will be a short-term decision." When asked if he might race at some point in 2010, as his Japanese test colleague did in Britain, Klien answered: "That, I don't know. First I am thinking about the Friday testing - everything else is a team decision. Since the last race, it is the case that Hispania can nominate any of the four drivers for the race seat. And all four drivers are treated equally. After that, the decision rests with the team." Klien also confirmed that, despite earlier uncertainty about the future of Geoff Willis, the Briton is working on HRT's 2011 car.