FIA perform random doping tests at Jerez

“Shit, this acid is strong”

The FIA carried out random anti-doping tests during testing at Jerez last week (In 2005, F1 improved its drugs testing programme to meet World Anti-Doping Agency standards).

On Thursday at the Spanish circuit, Ferrari’s two race drivers, McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen and Toro Rosso new boy Sebastien Buemi had to report to the FIA transporter to supply urine samples, the Swiss newspaper Blick reported.

Buemi revealed that he was also tested at the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, when he was a test driver for Red Bull.

“Some weeks later two physicians arrived at my parents’ house in Augle (Switzerland) at six in the morning and asked me for another sample.”

As far as we know, no F1 driver has ever failed a doping test. In 2002, F3000 driver Tomas Enge tested postitive for cannabis (yeah, that helps you drive faster); the points he was stripped of cost him the F3000 title that year.

Nando thinks he can win the title next season. Oh, does he indeed…

Take one delusional Spaniard and a new F1 rulebook… mix well, add olive oil and lightly fry for 2-3 minutes. The result, a third drivers’ title for Alonso.

Nando is bullish about his chances of winning a third title with Renault:

“I can’t allow myself to start the championship without thinking I’m going to win,” he told reporters at a Madrid charity event organised by team sponsors ING.

“My aim - and the team’s - is the title. It’s a very clear objective, even if as the year progresses one may have to adapt to circumstances.”

Is this in bad taste? Like we care…

F1 without crashes would be like Strictly without John Seargant… pointless, in other words.

We’ve compiled five of the most spectacular prangs of 2008, which you can enjoy - if that’s the right word - after the jump, as well as voting for which one you think is the most spectacular crash of the season…

Cards on the table - Lewis or Felipe?

On Sunday, F1 will get a new world champion - Lewis Hamilton or Felipe Massa. The odds are heavily stacked in Hamilton’s favour, but then they were last season, and he didn’t get the job done.

We’re sure most of you think that Lewis will make the most of his seven-point lead and be crowned world champion, for the first time in his short F1 career. But who do you want to win the title? Vote below:

Have your say…

Heikki is Lewis’s No.2, his wingman, his Goose, his gimp, his bitch.

Kovi seems very popular within McLaren - almost above criticism, it seems - because he is the perfect team-mate for Hamilton. In other words, he’s a nice guy who doesn’t speak out, and he always lets Lewis overtake him when the need arises.

But… the Finn has made it to the podium just once in ten races. In one of the best two cars on the grid. That’s the sort of performance that should see Kovi’s seat under threat. But it seems McLaren may take up an option on Heikki for 2009.