The Spanish double world champion had a quickest lap of 1 minute 18.877 seconds to go seven-tenths of a second faster than the field.

The Italians rebounded from a subdued start with the second fastest time this week among 2012 designs although Alonso's running was restricted to 39 laps due to a hydraulics problem.

Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:13:00 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/raikkonen-marks-return-with-fastest-test-session-46082.htm JEREZ Spain(AP) Kimi Raikkonen's Formula One comeback with Lotus got off to a perfect start as the former world champion was fastest on the first day of preseason testing on Tuesday.

The Finnish driver and 2007 F1 champion marked his first official ride since the end of 2009 with a fastest lap time of 1 minute 19.670 seconds at the Jerez circuit for the former Renault team.

``It was a positive first day of testing and everything went almost to plan'' Raikkonen said. ``We had no major...]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:12:59 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/new-look-williams-hails-fresh-start-for-2012-46044.htm LONDON(AP) With an overhauled car and a new driver Williams hailed a ``fresh start'' Tuesday as the team looks to bounce back from its worst season in Formula One.

The British-based team allowed a sneak peek of its new FW34 at preseason testing in Jerez Spain with the car designed by new technical director Mike Coughlan having fewer than 5 percent of the parts from last year's car and also a new engine supplier in Renault.

With Bruno Senna replacing Rubens Barrichello as the new...]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:42:59 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-predicts-tight-fight-for-f1-title-45995.htm MILTON KEYNES England(AP) Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has predicted a closer fight for the driver's title this year because of new regulations that will prevent his Red Bull team using its pioneering exhaust-blown diffusers.

The English-based team which has won the last two constructors' titles rolled out its 2012 car on Monday featuring a stepped nose and a different exhaust to accommodate the rule changes.

Vettel says ``it will be difficult because the cars will...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:43:02 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/key-leaves-as-technical-director-of-sauber-45769.htm LONDON(AP) Sauber's technical director stood down from his role at the Formula One team on Friday six weeks before the 2012 season.

James Key left the Swiss-based team to take up a new role in his native Britain with the responsibility for the design and development of Sauber's 2012 car passed to the department heads for aerodynamics design performance and operations.

The 40-year-old Key moved to Sauber ahead of the 2010 season having previously worked with the now-defunct Jordan...]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:43:04 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferrari-unveils-its-new-f1-car-on-the-internet-45750.htm MARANELLO Italy(AP) Ferrari unveiled its completely overhauled Formula One car in a low-key Internet presentation Friday after the full launch was canceled due to a snowstorm.

The car was named the F2012 which marks a return to the team's traditional jargon after last year's car was called the F150 in honor of the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification.

``It's a bit of a unique presentation due to the snow but I hope it brings us luck'' Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo...]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:13:04 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/sato-signs-with-rahal-letterman-racing-45719.htm TOKYO(AP) Japanese driver Takuma Sato has signed a deal with IndyCar team Rahal-Letterman Racing Honda Motorsports announced on Friday.

``Rahal-Letterman Racing has a proud tradition and I look forward to driving for them'' Sato said at a press conference. ``I wasn't able to get a win last season but look forward to winning this year with this new team.''

Sato competed in Formula One from 2002 to 2008 before moving to IndyCar in 2010 when he drove for KV Racing.

Sato is winless...]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:43:04 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/hamilton-button-prepare-differently-for-f1-season-45627.htm LONDON(AP) Lewis Hamilton has tried to clear his mind of personal troubles. Jenson Button has sought specialist nutritional advice.

During Formula One's winter break the McLaren teammates have been taking different approaches in their competing quests to become world champion again by breaking the dominance of Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton spent time in Colorado's Rocky Mountains after the 2008 world champion finished fifth last season. On-track incidents and accidents...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:43:01 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/former-f1-driver-adrian-sutil-convicted-for-fight-45536.htm MUNICH(AP) Former Force India driver Adrian Sutil was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a Formula One team owner in a nightclub confrontation in China and given an 18-month suspended sentence on Tuesday.

The Munich district court passed the verdict and the sentence after a two-day trial. The prosecutors had asked for a 21-month suspended sentence. Sutil was also fined 200000 ($262200) to be paid to charities.

``The defendant knew that he had this glass in his hand. The glass...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:13:01 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/former-f1-driver-sutil-to-stand-trial-over-fight-45522.htm MUNICH(AP) Former Force India driver Adrian Sutil says he tried to settle out of court following a dispute in which he allegedly attacked and injured a Formula One team owner with a glass during a nightclub fight in China.

Sutil told a Munich district court on Monday that he ``tried everything'' to settle the case brought against him by Renault F1 team executive Eric Lux according to the dapd news agency.

Sutil is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Lux at a party following...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:43:01 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/lotus-driver-raikkonen-returns-to-wheel-of-f1-car-45036.htm VALENCIA Spain(AP) Kimi Raikkonen was behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in over two years on Monday as the former world champion prepares for his return to the sport with Lotus.

Raikkonen who is returning from a two-year stint in rallying says ``I don't think I've lost any speed'' as he drove a Renault car at Valencia's Cheste circuit in preparation for the new F1 season.

The 2007 world champion who last raced at the close of 2009 is taking part in a two-day...]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:13:20 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/senna-name-returns-to-williams-f1-team-18-years-on-44616.htm MADRID(AP) Nearly eighteen years after the death of triple world champion Ayrton Senna in a high-speed crash the Senna name is returning to Williams Formula One team.

Senna's 28-year-old nephew Bruno signed a one-year deal to partner Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado and give the British team an all-South American lineup going into the March 18 opener in Australia.

While Bruno Senna doesn't carry the success or aura his uncle Ayrton commanded the Sao Paulo native does provide one...]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:46:26 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/kubica-back-in-hospital-after-slipping-on-ice-44258.htm VIAREGGIO Italy(AP) Italian news agency ANSA says Formula One driver Robert Kubica is back in the hospital after slipping on ice in the street.

The extent of his injury was not immediately clear.

ANSA says Kubica fell in Pietrasanta in northwestern Italy and was taken to a hospital in Versilia.

The Polish driver is still recovering from a serious rally car crash in Italy on Feb. 6 and missed the entire F1 season.

ANSA says doctors X-rayed his right leg which he fractured...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:15:13 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/michael-johnson-to-help-f1-speed-up-pit-stops-44248.htm LONDON(AP) Athletics great Michael Johnson will work with the Williams Formula One team to help its crew speed up drivers' pit stops.

Williams F1 said Wednesday that Michael Johnson Performance Inc. the training company founded by the retired 200 and 400-meter Olympic champion will devise a training program for its pit crew and evaluate the whole team's regime.

Shaving even a tiny amount from the time needed to change tires and make repairs can make a huge difference to a driver's...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:15:11 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/bahrain-f1-to-reinstate-dismissed-employees-44239.htm MANAMA Bahrain(AP) Bahrain Grand Prix officials will reinstate employees who have been purged from jobs as part of a crackdown on dissent in the Gulf kingdom the chief executive of the Bahrain International Circuit said Wednesday.

Sheik Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa said in a statement the decision is ``an important initiative towards national reconciliation and unity'' in the Gulf kingdom that has been roiled by opposition protests and government crackdowns since February.

Bahrain's season-opening...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:15:17 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferraris-entire-focus-is-on-technical-development-44231.htm MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO Italy(AP) By Ferrari's own admission Fernando Alonso got every bit of speed out of last year's F150.

If the greatest team in Formula One history wants to restore its leadership position it will have to develop a faster car and adapt better to the series' rapid rule changes.

``You always expect more and more from everyone but to be realistic expecting more from Fernando than what he did last year is difficult'' team principal Stefano Domenicali said on Wednesday...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:11:30 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferrari-f1-team-to-unveil-revised-2012-car-feb-3-44221.htm MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO Italy(AP) Attempting to move on after a highly disappointing 2011 Ferrari will introduce its completely revised 2012 car on Feb. 3.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali made the announcement on Wednesday at Ferrari's annual winter retreat in the Italian Dolomites.

The unveiling will be held at Ferrari headquarters in Maranello followed by a shakedown at the automaker's private track in Fiorano weather permitting.

Fernando Alonso took Ferrari's only victory last...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:45:16 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/red-bull-names-buemi-as-test-and-reserve-driver-43927.htm MILTON KEYNES England(AP) Red Bull has named Sebastien Buemi as a test and reserve driver for the 2012 season.

The 23-year-old Swiss driver was dropped by sister team Toro Rosso after finishing 15th in last season's standings with 15 points.

Buemi will support an unchanged Red Bull driver lineup of world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

He says he ``would prefer to be driving at the races of course but working with Red Bull Racing on the development of their car and...]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:15:08 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/att-ends-title-sponsorship-of-williams-f1-team-43877.htm LONDON(AP) Williams is searching for a new title sponsor after communications company AT&T's deal with the Formula One team ended.

Dallas-based AT&T which runs the second-largest wireless network in the United States was Williams' main sponsor for five years until the contract ended last month.

Williams says ``both parties decided not to renew for 2012.''

The British team has won 113 Grand Prix races nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' titles. But its...]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:14:57 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/williams-f1-co-founder-steps-down-from-board-43715.htm LONDON(AP) Williams says co-founder Patrick Head has stepped down from the Formula One team's board of directors.

Head who was the team's director of engineering established the F1 team alongside Frank Williams in 1977 and will continue working with the team's hybrid technology department.

Williams called Head's legacy ``remarkable'' saying he ``has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships.''

The British team has won 113...]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:44:59 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferrari-to-unveil-2012-car-in-early-february-43523.htm FIORANO Italy(AP) Coming off a miserable season in which it won only one race Ferrari plans to introduce its completely revised 2012 car during the ``the first few days of February.''

Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo announced the team's plans late Wednesday at the automaker's Christmas party.

Fernando Alonso took Ferrari's only victory this year at the British Grand Prix in July. In the drivers' standings Alonso placed fourth and teammate Felipe Massa was sixth.

``This...]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:15:01 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/kimi-raikkonen-feels-ready-for-f1-return-43496.htm PARIS(AP) Kimi Raikkonen expects to pick up right where he left off when he returns to Formula One despite two seasons away from the sport.

The Finnish driver who won the 2007 championship title when driving for Ferrari but quit in 2009 and switched to rally will make a comeback next season with the Lotus Renault team.

``I can't wait to get behind the wheel'' Raikkonen said Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Raikkonen is confident that he will make a smooth transition back to competing...]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:15:12 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/with-little-drama-vettel-easily-wins-f1-title-43493.htm BANGKOK(AP) Over the last five years Formula One fans have been spoiled by late-season championship deciders.

That wasn't the case in 2011 as Sebastian Vettel won his second straight title with four races to spare. The Red Bull driver did so with a dominance as complete as any driver since Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

Red Bull teammate Mark Webber had pushed Vettel all the way in 2010 but was very much in the shadows in 2011 the Ferraris were off the pace throughout McLaren left...]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:15:25 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/force-india-names-di-resta-and-hulkenberg-for-2012-43339.htm SILVERSTONE England(AP) Force India has announced Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg as its drivers for next year's Formula One world championship.

The Silverstone-based team dropped Adrian Sutil despite his career-best finish of ninth in the drivers' standings but retained Di Resta after the Scot finished his debut season strongly.

Di Resta earned points in seven of the final nine races to help Force India to a best position of sixth in the constructors' championship.

Team...]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:44:59 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/alguersuari-surprised-at-exit-from-toro-rosso-43297.htm MADRID(AP) Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari said he is ``very surprised'' by Toro Rosso's decision to drop him for the 2012 Formula One season.

Alguersuari said Thursday that team principal Franz Tost and adviser Helmut Marko had as recently as Monday ``told me to insist on our 2012 project in F1.''

Toro Rosso announced two days later that Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Jean-Eric Vergne of France would replace Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi in the Italian team's driver lineup for...]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:45:00 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/f1s-schumacher-linked-with-cologne-football-club-43247.htm COLOGNE Germany(AP) Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher could be a candidate to become the next president of Bundesliga football club Cologne.

German news agency dapd says Schumacher is one of about 20 names put forward for the position by an adviser to the club. However Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm says ``we don't want to comment on these mind games.''

Cologne is looking for a successor to Wolfgang Overath who stepped down on Nov. 13 after seven years...]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:45:04 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/red-bull-seeks-spending-limits-despite-fota-split-43107.htm MILTON KEYNES England(AP) Red Bull stressed its commitment to preventing a financial ``arms race'' in Formula One despite the reigning constructors' champion quitting the teams' association in a dispute over cost reductions.

Created in 2008 to help unify the series the Formula One Teams Association has also seen Ferrari and Sauber leave in the last week over the failure to agree on a strategy to curb expenditure.

``FOTA did a lot of good things when it was first created saving costs...]]> Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:45:34 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/grosjean-to-drive-for-f1s-lotus-renault-next-year-43059.htm PARIS(AP) Romain Grosjean will return to Formula One with another former world champion as his teammate when he pairs up with Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus next season.

Lotus Renault said in a statement Friday that Grosjean who was a reserve driver during last season's F1 championship got the seat after impressing during practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi and Brazil Grand Prix at the end of the season.

``I am thrilled to be one of the team's race drivers in 2012. There's a big grin on my...]]> Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:15:35 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/sauber-leaves-formula-one-teams-group-43020.htm GENEVA(AP) The Formula One Teams Association says Sauber has become the third racing team to withdraw its membership.

FOTA spokeswoman Barbara Thalmann says the group would not publish reasons why the Swiss-based team left.

Sauber follows constructors' champion Red Bull and Ferrari in pulling out of the umbrella organization which was formed in 2008.

Ferrari said last week that FOTA was unable to unify teams in agreeing cost-cutting strategies.

The governing body of the sport said Wednesday on its website that the 2012 ``calendar was confirmed as previously published.'' The unchanged F1 calendar was approved at a World Motor Sport Council meeting in New Delhi India.

The FIA's ratification of the 20 races also means that the Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled as the fourth race of the season on...]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:15:35 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferrari-red-bull-pull-out-of-fota-42664.htm ROME (AP) Ferrari and Red Bull are pulling out of the Formula One Teams Association saying the body is no longer effective in dealing with key issues such as reducing costs in the sport.

Ferrari said on its website Friday that it informed FOTA president Martin Whitmarsh about its decision which it said was made ``reluctantly'' and was caused by a ``stalemate'' among the teams on how to move ahead on several issues.

Red Bull then issued its own statement saying it was pulling out as...]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:45:39 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ferrari-pulls-out-of-fota-42657.htm ROME(AP) Ferrari says it is reluctantly pulling out of FOTA the association made up of teams competing in Formula One.

The Italian team says on its website on Friday that it has informed FOTA president Martin Whitmarsh.

The decision is partly over a ``stalemate'' on some issues at the core of the group's founding.

Ferrari says it will continue to work with other teams on the FOTA goal of cost reduction notably the Resource Restriction Agreement.

Ferrari says it is going...]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:15:40 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/maldonado-kept-on-for-2nd-season-at-f1s-williams-42635.htm LONDON(AP) Williams has confirmed Pastor Maldonado as one of the team's drivers for the 2012 Formula One season.

The Venezualan has been kept on by Williams after impressing team principal Frank Williams in his debut year despite claiming only one point overall thanks to a 10th-place finish in the Belgian GP in August.

Williams says on Thursday that ``Pastor has proven this year that he is not only quick but also that he is able to maintain a consistent and strong race pace.''

The...]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:15:41 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-red-bull-increase-dominance-in-f1-in-2011-42595.htm SAO PAULO(AP) What was good a year ago became even better in 2011 as Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull outclassed the competition to win their second consecutive title and increase their dominance in Formula One.

With a car labeled ``light years'' ahead of the others Vettel easily won the drivers' championship and Red Bull the constructors' title in a season that was also marked by exciting racing brought on by rule changes that succeeded in encouraging passing.

By the time the season...]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:45:40 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ecclestone-gives-us-another-week-to-save-gp-42564.htm Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has given organizers of next year's U.S. Grand Prix another week to save the Texas race by proving they have the finances in place.

Ecclestone had wanted organizers to sign a contract by Wednesday but extended his deadline to next Wednesday when the World Motor Sport Council will ratify the 2012 calendar.

``The deadline hasn't been met so we are still trying to make it happen'' Ecclestone told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday....]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:16:00 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/ecclestone-expects-europe-to-keep-5-f1-races-42522.htm MADRID(AP) Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says Europe will likely be left with only five Grand Prixs in the coming years as the sport moves into other places around the world.

The 81-year-old Ecclestone says in an interview in Marca newspaper that ``Europe is a good place for tourism and not much else. Europe is finished.''

Ecclestone did not say which races would remain only that he would like to take F1 to South Africa and Mexico and that he expects to maintain about 20 Grand...]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:45:51 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/raikkonen-returns-to-f1-with-lotus-renault-42489.htm LONDON(AP) Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will be back in a Formula One car next season after agreeing to return to action with the Lotus team.

Lotus Renault GP said Tuesday that the 2007 world champion who quit in 2009 and switched to rallying has signed a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old Raikkonen said he is keen to get back into action after experiencing mixed fortunes in the World Rally Championship and a subsequent stint in NASCAR.

``I wouldn't come back if I wouldn't...]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:15:52 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/williams-co-founder-head-to-end-f1-involvement-42460.htm LONDON(AP) Williams co-founder Patrick Head says he is ending his involvement in Formula One.

The 65-year-old Head set up the team with Frank Williams in 1977 and Williams went on to win nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' titles.

The team based in Oxfordshire England only managed to score five points this season though and Head says he has decided to step down as director of engineering ``to have a change of focus.''

Head will instead work on the company's...]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:15:43 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/pic-to-drive-for-f1-team-marussia-next-year-42446.htm PARIS(AP) Charles Pic will drive for Marussia in Formula One next year replacing Belgian driver Jerome d'Ambrosio.

Virgin Racing which will re-brand as Marussia Virgin Racing next season announced on its website late Sunday that the 21-year-old Frenchman will drive alongside Timo Glock of Germany in their new-look team.

D'Ambrosio drove with Glock at last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in the final race of the season. Neither managed to score a point during the entire F1 season.

``I'm...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:45:42 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/alonso-says-he-couldnt-get-more-out-of-ferrari-42440.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Fernando Alonso said he gave all he had at the Brazilian Grand Prix and the fourth place finish was the most he could get out of Ferrari at Interlagos on Sunday.

``Yet another race in which we did everything to perfection from the start to the strategy and the work of the team'' the two-time world champion said. ``The final result is more down to the performance of the others than our own because we could not have done more.''

Alonso had a chance to finish second in the...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:15:44 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/webber-wins-brazilian-gp-ahead-of-vettel-42437.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Mark Webber ended the season on a high note with his first win of the year at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday after Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel struggled with a gearbox problem.

Vettel who had already secured the Formula One title still finished second after letting Webber get past him almost halfway through the race at the 4.3-kilometer (2.6-mile) Interlagos track.

Jenson Button of McLaren finished third to secure second place in the drivers' standings.

Webber...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:15:43 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/hamilton-button-looking-forward-to-2012-f1-season-42438.htm SAO PAULO(AP) McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button started looking forward to the 2012 season as soon as the checkered flag dropped in Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

McLaren ended the year trailing the Red Bulls again but the team's performance improved significantly in the last few races and brought signs of improvement for next year.

Hamilton retired after gearbox problems at the Brazilian GP while Button ran well to finish third and secure second place...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:15:44 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-compares-his-drive-to-sennas-run-in-1991-42439.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Two-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel said he felt like the late Ayrton Senna at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday when he managed to finish second despite gearbox problems.

Vettel had to allow Red Bull teammate Mark Webber pass him for the lead nearly halfway through the race because of the faulty gearbox but was still able to hold on for second.

Like Senna did when he won in his McLaren at Interlagos in 1991 Vettel said he had to find ways to negotiate the...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:15:44 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/drivers-hoping-barrichello-returns-to-f1-next-year-42413.htm SAO PAULO(AP) If driver support counted Rubens Barrichello wouldn't have a problem finding a Formula One team next season.

The veteran Brazilian is yet to secure a deal to race in F1 in 2012 but is getting plenty of backing from fellow drivers who don't want to see him retiring just yet.

``It would be a real shame to lose Rubens for the future because he belongs here'' said Sebastian Vettel who has won his second consecutive F1 title. ``He has been here for a long time. Pretty crazy...]]> Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:45:44 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-fastest-in-final-practice-at-brazilian-gp-42383.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Sebastian Vettel was fastest in the final practice before qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Red Bull driver who has already won the F1 title will try to break the record for most pole positions in a season later Saturday. Vettel has won 14 poles ahead of the season-ending race tying Nigel Mansell's feat in 1992.

Vettel had a lap of 1 minute 12.460 seconds at the 4.3-kilometer (2.6-mile) Interlagos track. Jenson Button of McLaren was second with...]]> Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:15:49 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-fastest-in-final-practice-at-brazilian-gp-42381.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Sebastian Vettel was fastest in the final practice before qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Red Bull driver who has already won the F1 title will try to break the record for most pole positions in a season later Saturday. Vettel has won 14 poles ahead of the season-ending race tying Nigel Mansell's feat in 1992.

Vettel finished in 1 minute 12.460 seconds at the 4.3-kilometer (2.6-mile) Interlagos track. Jenson Button of McLaren was second in 1:12.547...]]> Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:45:46 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/vettel-trying-to-enjoy-f1-season-finale-in-brazil-42346.htm SAO PAULO(AP) At the end of a long and successful season Sebastian Vettel's main focus at the Brazilian Grand Prix is just to try to have a little bit of fun.

Aside from the chance of surpassing Nigel Mansell for the record of most pole positions in a season there isn't much else at stake for the 24-year-old German this weekend at the Interlagos track.

``We are a bit more open-minded going into the race'' Vettel said. ``The nice thing in the last couple of races is that we had the...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:15:47 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/f1-boss-not-optimistic-about-us-race-in-2012-42347.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says he is ``not really'' optimistic about the U.S. Grand Prix taking place next year and has set American organizers a Wednesday deadline to guarantee its long-term financial backing.

Organizers for the proposed race in Austin Texas say they have agreed to pay the sanctioning fee to secure a spot on next year's F1 calendar but that's not enough for Ecclestone.

Speaking Thursday at the Brazilian GP Ecclestone says ``they might pay something...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:15:47 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/webber-fastest-in-1st-practice-for-brazilian-gp-42343.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Red Bull driver Mark Webber set the pace in the first practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Friday.

Webber clocked 1 minute 13.811 seconds at the 4.3-kilometer (2.6-mile) Interlagos track ahead of McLaren duo Jenson Button 0.014 back and Lewis Hamilton 0.150 behind.

Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel who has already clinched the drivers' title was fourth fastest in 1:14.025.

With the title already decided Sunday's Brazilian GP features the fight...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:15:45 +0000 http://www.imaginef1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-optimistic-about-2012-f1-season-42340.htm SAO PAULO(AP) Despite only being in fifth place ahead of the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton describes 2011 as ``a year of growth'' and is expecting McLaren to field a competitive car from the start of the next Formula One season.

The 26-year-old Briton is coming off his third victory of the year after winning at the Abu Dhabi GP two weeks ago but he has struggled most of the season behind the Red Bulls and its winner of the drivers' championship Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:15:47 +0000