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

Fernando Alonso believes his best friend in Formula 1, injured Renault driver Robert Kubica, will make a swift recovery from the injuries he sustained in a rallying accident. The Ferrari driver joined fellow F1 drivers including Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in sending a video of personal 'get well soon' messages to the Polish driver.
Full story: Formula1.com

Mercedes are already trying to salvage their season as the German team are two seconds off the pace of front-runners Red Bull and Ferrari in pre-season testing. Mercedes also struggled to pass mandatory crash tests needed to start the season with their new exhaust configuration.
Autosport

There has been more from Virgin driver Timo Glock as he recovers from appendicitis, including a message for McLaren driver - and fitness freak - Jenson Button. Glock writes: "Hi JB don't tweet so much about training can't do anything so get frustrated. Mega weather and I am just able to do a little walk how boring is this!!! My bike puts on rust already !!!!"
Full story: Virgin driver Timo Glock on Twitter

World champion Sebastian Vettel reckons there is no need to try to squeeze the Bahrain Grand Prix back onto the 2011 calendar. "The end of a season is already stressful enough, and we seem to have enough races," he said.
Turun Sanomat (in Finnish)

Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has backed Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's idea of spicing up the sport by introducing artificial wet races. Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said: "The idea is not as daft as it sounds. There is no difficulty in making suitable tyres."
Full story: Autosport

Williams driver Rubens Barrichello has revealed he has spoken to Sir Jackie Stewart after the 71-year-old Scot was taken ill on a plane on Wednesday. The Brazilian driver reported: "To my friends that got worried with Sir Jackie Stewart I can say that he is fine. He had a full check up and he feels good now."
Williams driver Rubens Barrichello on Twitter

Toro Rosso reserve Daniel Ricciardo is being lined up to make his F1 debut in the middle of 2011 if Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari cannot justify their places.
Autosport

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