Bridgestone wary of street circuit’s bridge section

According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, Bridgestone is concerned that a small height gap between the two sides of Valencia’s swing bridge (see photo) may cause punctures.

The FIA’s technical boss, Charlie Whiting, walked around the track to inspect its layout. He is considering making changes to the bridge section prior to the race - although quite what those changes might be is anyone’s guess.

What F1 stars will get up to during summer break

After Hungary last weekend, the F1 circus has taken a well-deserved break for three weeks, before it all resumes with the European GP at Valencia’s new street circuit on 24 August.

So what will the star drivers get up to on their hols? Grid Crasher will tell you, after the jump…

Alonso’s murky future clears…

Nando Alonso is set to sign a £7.6m deal which will see him drive for Honda in 2009 - but the Japanese manufacturer won’t be able to stop the Spaniard joining Ferrari in 2010 - that is a done deal.

Honda chief Ross Brawn has been after Alonso for several months and now it seems he will get his man, if only for a stop-gap season. Alonso is the best development driver on the grid, and Brawn hopes that in one year, Alonso can be instrumental in transforming cash-rich Honda into a podium team.

Gamble! says Wee Bernie

Bernie Ecclestone walked in on a group of F1 drivers playing poker in the Force India motor home at Hockenheim last weekend. The card sharks included Fernando Alonso (he’s a massive poker fan, and reportedly hates to lose), Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and Michael Schumacher (he just can’t stay away, can he).

A brighter future for Ross Brawn and co.?

HONDA
Drivers Jenson Button (GB) & Rubens Barrichello (Brazil)
Championship points 14

Read Grid Crasher’s verdict on Honda below:

Honda boss Nick Fry hints at new driver line-up in 2009

Honda’s 2008 season is already a write-off. It’s no secret that they are already concentrating on next season. But how will they make the most of a presumably greatly improved car for 2009?

Both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello’s contracts expire at the end of this season, and so far neither driver has done enough to be certain that their services will be retained. Button has done a solid job, and Rubens is picking up the pace at last, after a very poor start to 2008.

Honda team boss Nick Fry made it clear, in an interview with online mag GPWeek, that both Rubens and Jenson need to step it up, or risk losing their seat.

F1 teams roll into Montreal. We’re on it

BMW Sauber drivers Bobby Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, who always seem to draw the short PR straw, pose with a couple of Mounties, by Montreal’s St. Lawrence River.

More photos below…

Grid Crasher looks at the big-name drivers yet to score in 2008

1. Nelson Piquet Jnr (Renault)

No points in five races is a tight spot to be in, especially when your team-mate is Fernando Alonso and your car is crap. Piquet Jnr looks the part and he has an impeccable pedigree, but his father’s name is not going to help him drive any faster. Alonso has massively outperformed the rookie Brazilian so far this season, and that’s not about to change. Renault is starting to think seriously about replacing its second-string driver. Its sporting manager, Steve Nielsen, said of Piquet: “He needs to start having more good bits than the bad bits, and he needs to start doing that as soon as he can.”

Verdict: More half Nelson than full Nelson. Won’t last the season.

Brazilian veteran may trade places with 21-year-old American

German newspaper Bild claims that Rubens Barrichello is being courted by the Andretti Green IndyCar team, with a view to racing for them in 2009. The Brazilian’s current contract with Honda (who also equip Andretti Green with engines) runs out at the end of this season.

Barrichello would go to IRL in exchange for Marco Andretti (pictured above), the 21-year-old son of former McLaren driver Michael Andretti. Michael had a terrible time in F1, but Marco is reportedly a more talented driver than his old man – he has already tested in a Honda F1 car, in December 2006 and then in February 2007. His lap times were not that far behind those set by Jenson Button.

Grid Crasher rounds up the key stories from testing in Spain

Day One (Monday): Ferrari’s Felipe Massa set the fastest pace at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on day one of the four-day F1 test session. Nine teams were in action, each fielding a single car, with the majority evaluating new components and aerodynamic packages ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. [Official F1 site]

Day Two (Tuesday): Force India driver Vitantonio Liuzzi hailed Bridgestone’s slick tyres as “amazing” after testing with them for the first time yesterday. The Italian test driver was also working with a 2009 aero configuration, with less downforce in his car. [Autosport]