French Grand Prix not dead

French sports minister says talks are still ongoing about potential racePlans for a French Grand Prix to return to the Formula One calendar are not dead, according to France's sports minister David Douillet.Earlier this year reports in France suggested that a deal was imminent, and officials met Bernie Ecclestone to discuss the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of the country...

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Marussia to miss Barcelona

Team now looking to be ready in time for Australian Grand PrixMarussia have pulled out of this week's final pre-season test in Barcelona after their new car, the MR01, failed the last of 18 FIA crash tests.The Banbury-based team were involved in the second test last week at the same circuit, albeit in last year's car as they evaluated the latest sets of Pirelli tyres....

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BRAWN DENIES SCHUMACHER TALK

Ross Brawn says there is "nothing on the table" after reports of a new Mercedes deal for Michael Schumacher.With the German great out of contract at the end of this season - and aged 43 - many are wondering whether he will want a fourth season with Mercedes. And although no-one appears to knows the answer, German newspaper Bild claims he will be at least be offered it by...

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Mixed day for di Resta

KERS and body-work issues blight day threePaul di Resta had an intense afternoon session on day three of the second test in Barcelona, after minimal running in the morning.The Force India driver suffered KERS problems and then lost a large part of the engine cover on the VJM05, which delayed the Scot's progress.However, he was pleased with how the team bounced back with...

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Vettel - It was a good day

German says car feels "fine" after opening day in BarcelonaSebastian Vettel reflected on a "good day" for Red Bull after he posted the fastest time at the start of the second pre-season test in Barcelona.The reigning world champion, who completed a total of 79 laps on Tuesday, was quickest in one minute 23.265secs around the Circuit de Catalunya.The German finished 0.175secs...

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JARNO TRULLI IS IN DEMAND

Jarno Trulli says he has been surprised by the amount of offers he has already received since being dropped by CaterhamThe Italian is eager to continue his career in motor sport, but it seems unlikely that the 37-year-old will be able to return to Formula One as a race driver. Trulli claims he does have opportunities outside F1, though, but will not rush into a decision...

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Ricciardo not fazed by pressure

Australian says it comes from within as well as from Red BullDaniel Ricciardo has insisted that proving himself to Red Bull will not cast a shadow over his debut season racing for Toro Rosso.The 22-year-old Australian graduates to a race seat at the Red Bull-backed team along with Jean-Eric Vergne after Toro Rosso's previous drivers, Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari,...

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PETROV 'HAPPY' TO HAVE SORTED FUTURE

Vitaly Petrov admits that he has endured a frustrating winter but is delighted to have been given the chance to prove his worth by the Caterham team.The Russian, who takes over from Jarno Trulli, becomes the last confirmed driver for the start of the new Formula One season which kicks off in Melbourne on March 18. "The winter was quite difficult for me," he told Sky...

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Massa: Ferrari need mileage

Brazilian insists the Scuderia are not "looking at the stopwatch"Felipe Massa has said it is vital that Ferrari put as much mileage on the F2012 as possible in the second pre-season test at Barcelona next week.The Scuderia's 2012 car, which is seen as a departure in terms of its design, had a subdued debut in the first test at Jerez, despite Fernando Alonso setting the...

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Vettel to kick off Barcelona test

World Champion driving RB8 on first two days in SpainWorld Champion Sebastian Vettel will kick off Red Bull's testing programme at Barcelona next week when the second pre-season test begins, the team have confirmed.The reigning two-time title winner will be in action in the new RB8 on the opening two days of the test - Tuesday and Wednesday - before team-mate Mark Webber...

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Step up for Magnussen

Dane continues development in McLaren's Young Driver ProgrammeMcLaren have announced that Kevin Magnussen has stepped up a level in their Young Driver Programme.The 19-year-old Dane is set to compete in Formula One's young driver test in Abu Dhabi later this year at the wheel of an MP4-27. Magnussen will also be given the opportunity to work under Gary Paffett and Oliver...

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CLOS LANDS HISPANIA TEST ROLE

Hispania have finally completed the final piece in this year's Formula One driver jigsaw by appointing Dani Clos as reserve. It was believed that after driving for Hispania in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi last November Clos would be given the race seat alongside fellow Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa for 2012.However, Hispania opted for Narain Karthikeyan 11 days ago due...

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Pirelli 'happy' with first test

Positive reaction from the drivers and teamsPaul Hembery is confident Pirelli are "on course" to meet their objectives after the first of the three pre-season tests.Formula One returned to action last week at Jerez where Pirelli supplied 1176 tyres for the four days. And with a total of 14,949 kilometres covered by the 11 teams over the course of the test, mainly on the new...

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Test pleases Caterham owner

Fernandes encouraged by early signs in JerezCaterham owner Tony Fernandes believes the good times are just around the corner for his improving team. After two years building up a marque formerly known as Lotus, the last few days have been some of the most encouraging Fernandes has enjoyed in Formula One. Caterham no longer appears a rookie team, and the pace of their...

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Fry voices Ferrari concerns

Technical chief admits there is still lots of work to do on F2012Ferrari have admitted they are far from happy with the overall performance of their car after three days of pre-season testing in Jerez. The Italian marque is one of the only teams yet to dip under the 1:20.00 mark at the Spanish circuit. Fernando Alonso had his first session in the car on Thursday and...

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Button unsighted by new car

2009 Champion likes struggling to see out of new car!McLaren failed to shine in the timesheets on day one of pre-season testing at Jerez but Jenson Button was content with their progress nonetheless. Button ended the day eighth fastest of 12 runners, having given the team's new MP4-27 - the only car so far launched not to feature a step in its nose - its official debut....

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Lopez expects Bahrain return

Boullier happy to leave final decision in the hands of the FIA Lotus team chairman Gerard Lopez is happy to see Formula One return to Bahrain this season, providing the promises made are not broken. Sakhir is set to host the fourth race of the new campaign on April 22, though at this stage it still remains unclear if this year's event will go ahead as scheduled....

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