F1 is going to sea

Given some of the controversies of the past 12 months it would come as no surprise if accusations were levelled of Formula One sinking to new depths. It still came as a surprise though to hear that the positively Atlantis-sounding Mediterranean Grand Prix will be on the calendar next season. The F1 championship is not going submarine just yet though. Valencia is to undergo a name change from its current guise of the European Grand Prix.

Pit-stop strategy comes under microscope

Ferrari’s semi-automated pit-stop routine has come in for some criticism in the wake of the European Grand Prix, and understandably so. The system landed Ferrari a €10,000 fine for the unsafe release of Felipe Massa in Valencia in an incident which could have caused a nasty pit-lane collision with Adrian Sutil. And the same system allowed Kimi Raikkonen to tear off down the pit-lane with mechanic and fuel hose in tow.

Kimi some compensation - Raikkonen takes out mechanic

One of the most dramatic moments in what was, on the whole, a pretty dire grand prix was provided by Kimi Raikkonen and his trigger-happy accelerator foot. The world champion hit a member of the Ferrari pit-team as he attempted to make a quick getaway from the Valencia pit-lane. The unfortunate man with the refuelling hose suffered a fractured toe after being run over by the overeager Finn.

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.

F1’s rising star quicker than title contenders

They say the younger you are, the easier it is to learn, and Seb Vettel, 21, proved that by lapping faster than older, more experienced drivers in the first open practice session at Valencia’s new street circuit. The odds on Vettel ending up at a top team in 2010 get shorter and shorter. Vettel’s team-mate, Sebastien Bourdais, also had a fine morning. He finished fourth in the rankings.

It’s perplexing that the Toro Rosso upstarts are suddenly going so well, while Red Bull Racing - supposedly the senior team to STR - are way off the pace: in contrast to the two Sebs, David Coulthard and Mark Webber were slowest this morning, finishing 19th and 20th respectively.

Lewis Hamilton looked like setting a faster time than Vettel, but the Englishman spun while on a quick lap, and so had to settle for third place. Sandwiched between Vettel and Hamilton was Felipe Massa, who again got the better of Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Lil’ Lewis wasn’t the only driver to find the going tough on the new track; several other drivers spun off, but no one crashed into the concrete walls.

Full morning timesheet below:

McLaren star punished for tardiness

Given that he’s sponsored by TAG Heuer, you’d think Lewis Hamilton would have been able to turn up on time for his Valencia press conference yesterday. But no: the McLaren driver was two whole minutes late, an offence that earned him a slap on the wrists from the FIA, in the form of a €5,000 fine.

That may seem a lot of cash for two minutes, but remember that Lewis can earn that much in a matter of minutes.

F1 pays respects at Valencia

As requested by Fernando Alonso, drivers and leading figures from F1 (including Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis and Frank Williams) held a three-minute silence in Valencia today as a tribute to the victims of the Spanair plane disaster.

The silence took place at midday, shortly after the conclusion of the first free practice session - we’re not sure from this photo if David Coutlhard is shedding a tear, or merely wiping sweat from his face after a hot morning in his car.

More photos after the jump…

Hamilton’s Olympic verdict

Lewis Hamilton has been taking time out from preparations for the European Grand Prix to answer questions on the Beijing Olympics. It seems that Lewis’ nifty use of gear paddles on his McLaren does not extend to paddles of the aquatic variety. Apparently the world championship leader’s racetrack pace does not help him on the river.

“When I watch rowing I always find the stamina they have incredible,” he told ITV-F1.com. ”I’ve been rowing recently and I completely suck at it! The balance that you need and the core stability and everything.”

Aside from belittling his rowing ability, Hamilton also singled out Olympians who hold down a day job as well as competing in their sport.