Zoom Sebastian "The Flash" Vettel

Sir Richard Branson is still refusing to confirm the open secret about his plans to leave Brawn and rename the new Manor Formula One team 'Virgin F1' in 2010. "In a month we'll let you know," the British billionaire said in a news conference in Italy earlier this week.

Referring to McLaren - which has in the past featured great multiple World Champions including Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna - Lewis Hamilton told reporters in Abu Dhabi last weekend: "I'm pushing my team harder than they've ever been pushed."

Amid rumours of a continuing deal with Renault, Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner says a decision about the team's 2010 engine supplier is now ready to be made. "We believe we have all the facts in front of us now and we will be looking to make a decision pretty much imminently," he said.

F1 insiders believed he had already parted the team, but Force India on Tuesday confirmed that former boss Colin Kolles' contract has now ended. "We thank Dr Kolles for his contributions during his term and wish him success in his future endeavours," a team statement said.

A British media source says Ross Brawn has indicated his 2010 F1 car will feature a Red Bull-style high nose, while reports in the Italian press say the new Ferrari - internally codenamed the 661 - will have a Brawn-like low nose.

F1's official logistics partner DHL has awarded its annual Fastest Lap Trophy to Sebastian Vettel, who captured the highest number of fastest laps throughout the 2009 season, ahead of his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber. "It means a lot to me to have my achievements recognised in this way," said the German.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM