Formula One News — August 2000

FERRARI general manager Jean Todt has dismissed claims that the Italian outfit are attempting to prise technical director Adrian Newey from McLaren.

AS David Coulthard firmly underlined his world championship challenge by setting fastest time here in the first free practice session for the Belgian grand prix, FIA president Max Mosley proposed a package of radical changes designed to counter accusations that the racing is just too dull and processional.

THERE was a touch of irony in his mode of arrival. FIA president Max Mosley swept into the drive of the Balmoral hotel, on the fringes of Spa, coccooned in the luxury of a Jaguar XJ6 to attend the official announcement of Toyota's plans to enter the F1 World Championship for the first time in 2002.

FIERCE rivals David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher were in rare agreement when both drivers opposed plans to turn qualifying into a two-day affair.

BMW-WILLIAMS have announced that Brazilian petroleum company Petrobras will continue to supply the Oxfordshire-based team with racing fuels for the next two years.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP leader Mika Hakkinen is under no illusions about his chances of landing a third consecutive title this season, despite moving to the top of the drivers' standings in Hungary two weeks ago.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER has said that he is unconcerned by McLaren's recent resurgence in form and appeared in a relaxed mood as he prepares for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

PROST GRAND PRIX confirmed on Thursday that their future will be decided after this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

After having their thunder stolen by Sauber on Wednesday night, Toyota have confirmed that Mika Salo will join the team at the end of the season to help prepare the Japanese marque for their Formula One bow in 2002.

THE careers of Michael and Ralf Schumacher are to become the subject of a German museum.

FINNISH driver Mika Salo will leave Sauber to join F1 newcomers Toyota next year -- his management team have announced.

FERRARI are taking an evolution version of their 049 engine to Spa in a bid to keep Michael Schumacher in the hunt for the World Championship.

BRIDGESTONE are breathing a sigh of relief after winning a long-running battle to keep the F1 tire rules from changing when Michelin enter the sport in 2001.

FRANK WILLIAMS has issued a warning that Formula One's racetracks are becoming clones and losing their character.

THE problem of how to prepare for the 2001 British Grand Prix is currently the major topic of discussion among the beleaguered management of Silverstone Circuit.

BRIDGESTONE MOTORSPORT, this year's sole Formula One tire supplier, have increased their development as they prepare for competition from Michelin next year.

DANISH racer Tom Kristensen is in talks with Jaguar about a possible testing role with the team for next year.

ARROWS driver Jos Verstappen is in talks with several teams over his Formula One future, and has now entered the running for a Sauber drive in 2001.

FERARRI is to get some more competition with the announcement at the recent Monterey Historic Races in California that former racer Steve Saleen is to build a $375,000 supercar aimed at the market currently dominated by Ferrari and Lamborghini.

JAGUAR'S technical director Gary Anderson has issued a vote of confidence to the team, and believes they will eventually get to grips with McLaren and Ferrari.

ALEXANDER WURZ is currently in discussions with a number of teams for a drive in Formula One next season, after losing his Benetton seat to Jenson Button.

JACKIE STEWART has now joined in the debate on who will fill the second seat at Jaguar, saying that it is now down to two drivers.

THE success of the Formula One gravel trap has been called into question after an investigation in America.

PEDRO DE LA ROSA, who is yet to secure his seat at Arrows for next season, has backed his team to improve as each race passes.