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

The Renault Formula 1 team will not use the French national anthem if the team wins a races in 2011 after announcing they will race under a British licence this season.
Full story: Autosport.com

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh says the team's plan not to take their new car to the first pre-season test is the right one. "We feel that timetable is optimal with regard to providing Jenson [Button] and Lewis [Hamilton] with the best possible package for the first race in Bahrain on 13 March," he said.
Full story: Formula1.com

Virgin are expecting a "very big step up" in performance in 2011.
Full story: Autosport

Lewis Hamilton is continuing his training in the mountains. "2 put things in perspective, I'm livin n trainin at 2,600m-3,700m. Its as tough as it can get. Trained almost evry day includin xmas n NYE. Burnt around 7-10k calories each week."
Lewis Hamilton on Twitter

Renault's new black-and-gold livery harks back to Lotus's history

Renault have revealed their definitive 2011 black-and-gold colour scheme, as they embark on a new era with title sponsor Lotus.
Full story: Autosport

Renault will switch to a British racing licence in 2011 following their tie-in with car manufacturer Lotus.
Full story: Autosport

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has written a letter to the mayor of Rome, ruling out a grand prix in the Italian capital, saying that no one wants two races in one country, Italy already has Monza, which everyone considers untouchable.
Full story: Le Repubblica (in Italian)

Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno, who wanted his city's event as well as a Monza grand prix, told reporters: "If there must be a choice between the two races we will take a step back."
Full story: Reuters

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali did his best to duck the issue but there can be little doubt that Felipe Massa has one season left to save his faltering Ferrari career.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Massa insists he will show better form in 2011. "I know I had a bad 2010," he says.
The Times's Kevin Eason on Twitter

Domenicali says the Italian squad is aiming to enjoy a "perfect" 2011 season in order to clinch both titles.
Full story: Autosport

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