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Page last updated at 16:04 GMT, Wednesday, 5 January 2011

F1 gossip and rumours from international media

BBC Sport brings you a regular round-up of the gossip in newspapers and on specialist websites around the world.


The Renault team will unveil their new black-and-gold 2011 livery on last year's car at the Autosport International racing car show on 13 January.
Full story: Autosport

Vitantonio Liuzzi says he has had no talks with Force India about ending his contract. It has been reported that the team will drop Liuzzi and promote their reserve driver Scot Paul di Resta into a race seat alongside German Adrian Sutil, with ex-Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg as reserve. But Liuzzi said: "Force India has not informed me of any change and for me only the words of the team are valid."
Full story: 422race.com (in Italian)

Renault's Vitaly Petrov is to receive funding from state-run high-tech company Rostekhnologii following a deal brokered by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. "The number of automobile sport lovers in Russia increases day by day," said Putin. "Petrov, who is very famous among Formula 1 fans here, has recently signed a new two-year contract with his team (Renault). He definitely needs support. Financial support most of all." (AFP)

McLaren's Jenson Button is enjoying some pre-season training in Hawaii. "Good 3.15km session in the pool this morning," he says, "Painful core work out in the gym this arvo!!"
Jenson Button on Twitter

Lotus veteran Jarno Trulli says "money plays too large a role" in young drivers graduating to Formula 1 these days. "It is difficult to come up for a young driver," said the Italian. "The lower series are too expensive, ranging from Formula Three. The next new champion will probably come from a wealthy family. I could not repeat my career any more."
Full story: Auto Motor und Sport (in German)

The Mediterranean island of Mallorca is planning to build a Formula 1 circuit in the town of Llucmajor, six miles outside the capital Palma, and hopes to host a grand prix in 2012. But the project still lacks the required funding.
Full story: Mallorca Zeitung (in German)

Gerhard Gribkowsky, the former chief risk officer of German state-owned bank Bayerische Landesbank, was arrested on Wednesday over allegations he accepted bribes during his tenure at the lender. Munich prosecutors are investigating him on bribery, breach of trust and tax evasion allegations. The probe is reviewing the sale of a stake in Formula 1's holding company, which Gribkowsky was responsible for overseeing. Prosecutors allege he received $50m in payments disguised via two consultancy arrangements.
Full story: Bloomberg

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see also
Tuesday's F1 gossip column
04 Jan 11 |  Formula 1


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