Hamilton finished fourth in Sunday's British Grand Prix

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz says "a conversation about a contract never occurred" with Lewis Hamilton, despite the Englishman having a clandestine meeting with team principal Christian Horner at the Canadian Grand Prix. Mateschitz says he is convinced Mark Webber will sign a new contract for the team for 2012.
Full story: Autosport.com

Formula 1 is evaluating jet-fighter canopy technology to protect drivers from flying debris and airborne cars. (Autosport magazine)

Williams chairman Adam Parr believes Formula 1 could make better use of social media to promote the sport. He praised "the quality of the events" created by commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone but said: "The thing I do believe is that social media, the internet and even pay TV, how it has grown up in the last decade, must change the landscape. Not only how you communicate with people and how you distribute content, but also economically what is possible." Parr added: "[Williams driver] Rubens Barrichello has more than a million followers on Twitter, of whom a significant proportion are Brazilian... how do you quantify what that's worth?"Full story: attwilliams.com

Renault has begun talks about extending its deal with with engine supplier Renault Sport. The current agreement runs until the end of 2013, with the team keen to continue the partnership when F1 switches to the new V6 power units the following year. There were suggestions Renault could team up with Cosworth in 2012 but team principal Eric Boullier said: "Those are new rumours from the paddock that I can kill now if you want - our contract with Renault is ending at the end of 2013. We have already started the discussions about extending it, and now we have to negotiate." Full story: Autosport.com

Horner and Whitmarsh clashed at the FIA's official press conference ahead of the British Grand Prix

The FIA is confident the row over off-throttle blown diffusers will not cast a shadow over the rest of the season. The dispute, which came to a head at last weekend's British Grand Prix when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and McLaren counterpart Martin Whitmarsh argued over its intricacies, led to two extraordinary meetings of the Technical Working Group to find a solution. As a result, there will be a return to the engine-mapping ban brought in at the European Grand Prix in Valencia. In a Q&A on its website, the FIA said: "All cars will run under 'Valencia' conditions for the remainder of the season. "We are optimistic there will be no protests over any engine mapping and exhaust tailpipe issues this season." Full story: fia.com

This story will be updated throughout the day.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version