German Grand Prix - team and driver preview quotes

The tight and challenging Nurburgring circuit will host this weekend’s German Grand Prix, round nine of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. As the ‘home’ race for Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld, Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil, BMW, Mercedes and the Toyota team, the event has special significance for many on the grid. Here the drivers and senior team personnel explain why they can’t wait to head for the mountains to tackle the legendary track…

Jarno Trulli, Toyota
2008 Qualifying - 4th, 2008 Race - 9th
"The Nurburgring is such a famous track in motorsport and it is fantastic to go there and see the old Nordschleife. The new track is a bit different to say the least but in its own way it is still a challenge. It is actually a track I know really well and I have had some good days there, particularly in 1999 when I finished on the podium for the first time in Formula One. I am always optimistic and it would be great to fight for another podium 10 years on from that. We showed in qualifying at Silverstone that we are competitive, even though the race was frustrating as a result of the start, so I am hopeful for this weekend. It is an important race for the team with the factory only an hour away so that gives me even more motivation to succeed this weekend. I know we will have a lot of support so I hope I can give them the result we all want."

Timo Glock, Toyota
2008 Qualifying - 11th, 2008 Race - DNF
"This is my home track and it will be the first time I have raced a Formula One car there so I am really excited. Obviously the modern Nurburgring is nothing like the old Nordschleife, which is just an incredible circuit. I drove a Toyota Auris around it recently and it's so much fun but completely different from a modern Formula One circuit. I enjoy the modern NUrburgring and it is a track I am really familiar with after growing up in German racing. In fact, the first Formula One race I attended was at the Nurburgring in 2000 when I was competing in one of the support races so it will be a special feeling for me this weekend. It's surprising we are already at the halfway point of the season - it has gone so quickly. I've had some good races so far and it has been nice to be battling at the front quite often. This weekend is another chance to do that and I can't wait."

Pascal Vasselon, Toyota senior general manager chassis:
"The Nurburgring does not place any specific demand on a Formula One car; it requires an average aero efficiency level with average tyre severity and doesn't put any particular strain on brakes, suspension or engine. The main concern is with the weather and consequently with tyre warm-up because the track is close to the mountains and if you are unlucky you can experience cool temperatures and rain. We haven't raced at the Nurburgring since 2007 but the lay-out hasn't changed since then so our database is still valid, although obviously we have to make adjustments to take into account the aerodynamic changes and slick tyres. The British Grand Prix didn't go as well as expected but our qualifying performance was encouraging, as was Timo's pace out of traffic in the race, and we aim to be stronger this weekend."

Jenson Button, Brawn GP
2008 Qualifying - 14th, 2008 Race - 17th
"The Nurburgring is a tricky circuit but there are two key characteristics which should be good for our car. It is a relatively slow circuit with a lot of medium-speed corners which are one of the strengths of the BGP001. The Nurburgring is also one of the heaviest braking circuits on the calendar so you need a car which will be good through the four heavy braking zones. With the extra week's break, everyone at the factory and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines has been working extremely hard in preparation for the German Grand Prix to get the best package for the race and we're looking forward to showing what the car can do at the Nurburgring after a disappointing weekend by our standards at the British Grand Prix. My last stint at Silverstone showed that the pace of the car is really competitive so we're confident that we can turn it around at this race. I'm sure we will see a really intense fight with our closest competitors and hopefully a great race for the fans."

Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP
2008 Qualifying - 18th, 2008 Race - DNF
"I have always enjoyed racing at the Nurburgring and it provides a good challenge for the drivers. The layout and flow is nice which allows you to get into a rhythm and there are some interesting undulations and bumps to look out for. I won the race here back in 2002 so the circuit always holds some good memories for me. The weather can be a little unpredictable due to its location right in the Eifel Mountains but we'll be hoping for some warmer temperatures than we saw at Silverstone for the last race. The first corner here is really important to set yourself up for a good lap and it's a bumpy run down from the start line. You have to get your approach absolutely right and position yourself well for a good exit. However it is also one of the best overtaking opportunities if the cars around you slide straight on so you need to be alert to take advantage of any opportunities. Many of the corners at the Nurburgring are off-camber so getting the correct line for your corner entry is important all round the lap. We haven't raced here for a couple of years so it will be interesting to see how the circuit feels in a good car."

Ross Brawn, Brawn GP team principal
“The team is looking forward to returning to the race track at the German Grand Prix next weekend and the Nurburgring should be a good circuit for our car and play to its strengths. We have several new aerodynamic parts from Silverstone which were not used in qualifying and the race due to the issues that we faced there, along with additional improvements scheduled for the Nurburgring, which should position us well going into the weekend. Whilst coming away with third and sixth placed finishes from Silverstone was still a good outcome from our home Grand Prix, we would be the first to admit that the result did not meet our expectations. However we have always said that we would have a fight on our hands to maintain our excellent run of results at the start of the season and everyone at the factory and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brixworth is looking forward to that challenge. As a team, we have a good history of going away from a race, thinking about the outcome, identifying where we need to make improvements and then coming back stronger. As the home Grand Prix for Mercedes-Benz, we will be hoping to come away from the race in Germany next weekend with a successful result."

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 1st, 2008 Race - 1st
“The Nurburgring a fantastic circuit, a little older than a lot of the current tracks we currently visit and with quite a different feel to what we’re used to: it’s fast and flowing with some good spots for overtaking. And it’s in a fantastic part of the world too; deep in the forests of western Germany, where the fans seem to live and breathe Formula One. It’s always an amazing party atmosphere whenever we race in Germany. While we aren’t expecting any major upgrades for this weekend, I’m still looking forward to the race. It’s an honour to be part of the Silver Arrows and, while our results haven’t recently shown it, we’re still pushing incredibly hard and are all hopeful of moving closer to the front before the end of this difficult season.”

Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 3rd, 2008 Race - 5th
“The Nurburgring is a great circuit. It’s got a variety of different corners - some quite tricky, technical sections that need a good flowing rhythm and some faster bends, where the car needs to be well set up. Cresting the rise through the uphill esses after the hairpin just feels fantastic in a Formula One car. Coming to Germany is the perfect time to pay tribute to the efforts of everyone at Mercedes-Benz. Their engines are probably the most powerful and most reliable in the sport and their KERS is also fantastic. Mercedes-Benz has played such a big role in the success of our team, so I’m really hoping to have a strong race in front of all our supportive fans at our second home race of the season. Myself, Lewis and the rest of the team are working hard to develop this car - it’s a long process, but we are all pulling together and we’re hopeful of making some further steps soon.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal
“The Santander German Grand Prix is our team’s second home race of the year. Having had such a fantastic and close relationship with Mercedes-Benz for 15 years means we meet many old friends in Germany and we really enjoy the fantastic support we receive – not only from the many thousands of Mercedes-Benz employees who attend the race, but also from the hugely vocal crowd that always plays such a large part in making the atmosphere at a German racetrack so unique. While we can’t expect to match our previous record in Germany, where we’ve won the race for the past two seasons, we’re still pushing hard to develop MP4-24 into a more competitive proposition. Make no mistake, we’re hugely proud of having the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star on the front of our cars - and nothing would make us prouder than getting back to the front again as soon as we possibly can.”

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President
“We finished the previous Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in 2007 as winners, as well as last year’s Santander German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. This year, we will start without a chance of winning, because our work of improving the car did not bring the desired success. Therefore, we have to continue working extremely hard. At the Nurburgring, the Silver Arrows were born and we will commemorate their 75th anniversary with a parade on the racetrack and an exhibition at the paddock entrance to present their unique history to every Nurburgring visitor as well as to the world’s TV viewers.”

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 12th, 2008 Race - 4th
“It goes without saying that our verdict on the season at the half-way point is anything but positive. Especially when you compare our results so far with our aims going into the season. Of course I hope we will make improvements, and that’s what everybody in the team is working to achieve. A lot of fans and fan club members traditionally come to my home race. That is something I really enjoy and it gives me an extra shot of motivation. I will once again be lining up for my home race with a special helmet design. This year it has been created by a fan on my website, and he will present me with the helmet before the start of practice on Friday. I have many happy memories of the Nurburgring. I went there a lot with my parents when I was a child and the ’Ring is only an hour away from my home town of Monchengladbach. In winter we went sledging on the Hohe Acht slopes, I learnt to ride a bicycle at the Nurburgring and this was also where I sat in a kart for the first time - with a tyre and a blanket wedged behind my back so that I could reach the pedals.

“Since then I’ve competed in races at the ‘Ring in Formula Ford, Formula Three and Formula 3000 and celebrated many victories there. My best Nurburgring result in Formula One was in 2005 when I took pole position and finished second in the race itself. For me, the Nordschleife is the most sensational race track in the world. In April 2007 I drove our Formula One car on the circuit, which was just brilliant! It was amazing to turn off the Grand Prix course onto the Nordschleife and drive along this huge race track all alone in front of all those people.”

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 7th, 2008 Race - 7th
“The Nurburgring is our home race. Even though this season has not gone well for us so far, there will be a lot of BMW Sauber F1 Team fans there crossing their fingers for us. This is just the right time to put in a strong performance and record a good result. However, I have to admit that the track itself is not one of my favourites. Having said that, it does have a big variety of corners and also opportunities to overtake. The best of these is in the first corner, where you can take various different lines. So I expect we’ll see more passing moves again at the Nurburgring and enjoy an exciting race.”

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director
“Going into the German Grand Prix, we cannot be happy with the season so far. After three successful years, this recent period has been the first set-back for our team - and is one we will overcome. After all, this is the same team in Munich and Hinwil that has delivered continuous improvements since the team was founded. We are all absolutely determined to start moving forwards again and I expect us to experience an upturn in form. It is certainly not easy to make up lost ground without the chance to do any testing, but that is what we’re aiming to do. We are bringing a series of mechanical improvements to the Eifel mountains, as well as a further developed version of our double-decker diffuser.”

Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber head of engineering
“After our disappointing performance at Silverstone we have to turn things around at the Nurburgring. That’s something we owe our many fans who always come to the race here. The characteristics of the Nurburgring mean the cars tend to understeer here. The key question is: how do you set the car up to stop it pushing over the front wheels too much? That can be resolved by an optimal aero balance combined with the corresponding mechanical set-up. We will be bringing a modified version of our double-decker diffuser to the Nurburgring, and we have also made improvements on the mechanical side. Much will doubtless depend on how successful we are at getting the tyres to work.”

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Final Practice - Massa moves ahead at Istanbul Park

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa staked his claim to a fourth consecutive victory in Turkey when he became the only driver so far this weekend to lap below 1m 28s, during Saturday's final practice. His best of 1m 27.983s was 0.039s faster than Jarno Trulli, a late improver for Toyota, whose 1m 28.022s lap deposed team mate Timo Glock’s 1m 28.094s. Both TF109 drivers had off-track moments, Trulli in Turns Eight and 10, Glock spinning in Turn One.

Kazuki Nakajima made it a good day for Toyota power by taking fourth fastest time for Williams in 1m 28.122s, ahead of 11 more drivers below 1m 29s. They were led by BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica (1m 28.320s), Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button in the Brawns (1m 28.332s and 1m 28.360s respectively), Williams’ Nico Rosberg (1m 28.364s), Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen (1m 28.415s) Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel (1m 28.451s), Renault’s Nelson Piquet (1m 28.503s), McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton (1m 28.563s), Mark Webber in the second Red Bull (1m 28.678s), BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld (1m 28.715s) and McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen (1m 28.738s).

Behind them the times were still tight. Adrian Sutil took his Force India round in 1m 29.050s for 16th, ahead of the Toro Rossos of Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Buemi (1m 29.076s and 1m 29.167s respectively), Renault’s Fernando Alonso (1m 29.261s) and Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella (1m 29.421s).

Besides Trulli and Glock, Vettel, Kovalainen, Bourdais, Button and Raikkonen all visited the run-off areas. The scene is thus set for qualifying, and as things stand the contest to get into Q3 will be tougher than ever.

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Spanish Grand Prix - team and driver preview quotes

Although most teams tested in Barcelona during the season build-up, after four flyaway races nobody quite knows where their cars will now stand compared to their rivals as they head back to Europe and the Circuit de Catalunya. But with just days to go before the Spanish Grand Prix, the teams and drivers clearly can’t wait to find out…

Jenson Button, Brawn GP
2008 Qualifying - 13th, 2008 Race - 6th
"Although the team only completed four days of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in March this year, I know the track inside out and it feels very familiar to be heading back there for the start of the European season this weekend. You need to have a car with good downforce for a really quick lap there and we are fortunate that our car behaves so predictably which enables you to feel completely confident when committing to high speed corners. This can be a very difficult circuit for overtaking so you have to make the most of the run down to the first corner to capitalise on any opportunities at the start of the race. I visited the factory last week to join the team for a small celebration of our successes to date and catch up on the progress with our latest developments. We know that we have a real fight on our hands from here to maintain our lead in the championships but I am confident that we are well prepared for the challenges ahead."

Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP
2008 Qualifying - 11th, 2008 Race - DNF
"The Circuit de Catalunya feels like a home circuit for the drivers with so much of our pre-season testing taking place here over the winter. Although the track has lost some of the high speed challenge that it once had, it is still an interesting and physical lap to drive. You need to find a good rhythm to make the most of the combination of the high-speed corners, particularly at turn three which is very fast and demanding, and the slow corners in the final sector of the lap. The long pit straight requires good aerodynamic efficiency and we will be thankful for the power of our Mercedes-Benz engine there. The Spanish Grand Prix is always one of my favourite races on the calendar as it feels like this is where the season really begins."

Ross Brawn, team principal
"The short break which we have enjoyed since returning from Bahrain has enabled the whole team to regroup at our factory in Brackley and spend a little time reflecting upon our first four races. Jenson, Rubens and the team delivered a first class job to win the Bahrain Grand Prix which is the level of performance that we must sustain if we are to seriously challenge for the championships this year. The field has compressed considerably since the season-opening race in Australia and the performance margins at the front are now very tight indeed. Whilst we have been away racing over the past few weeks, the factory has been working extremely hard on our upgrade package for the BGP 001 and we look forward to seeing the results of our development work on track in Barcelona this weekend."

Jarno Trulli, Toyota
2008 Qualifying - 8th, 2008 Race - 8th
"It's good to be coming back to Europe again after the long-haul races as this makes things a little easier for everyone. The opening races of the season have shown the potential we have in our new car; to get pole position and the fastest race lap in Bahrain was a good achievement which gives us great encouragement. We'll see how it works out in Barcelona but we have to be optimistic after our strong performances so far. We tested in Barcelona before the season but I have to admit it's unusual to be preparing for the race having not driven at the track for a couple of months. In the past we have generally tested there just before the race so everything was quite predictable, but it could be different this time. I am enjoying this season because we are consistently fighting at the front so I am really looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix."

Timo Glock, Toyota
2008 Qualifying - 14th, 2008 Race - 11th
"Barcelona is one of the tracks I know best after all the testing and racing I've done there over the years and I'm feeling optimistic going into the Spanish Grand Prix. I have scored points in all the races so far - only two other drivers have done that - and I certainly expect to continue that run this weekend. But I hope to score a few more than in Bahrain; it was disappointing only to finish seventh after starting from the front row however the potential of the car is clear for everyone to see. That motivates everyone to keep pushing hard because we can see there is the possibility for some great results. We have an upgrade to the car this weekend so hopefully that can bring something extra but we will have to wait and see how the other teams develop as well."

John Howett, Toyota team President
"We have made a successful start to our season but there is no doubt we want more; we feel we are close to our first victory and this is our clear target for the remainder of the year. We narrowly missed out on winning in Bahrain but by starting from pole position and setting the fastest lap, we showed we are right on the pace and we are working hard to bring it about soon. Thanks to the fantastic job done by the team over the winter, our car has been one of the very fastest so far this season and we have some aerodynamic upgrades in Spain which will bring more performance. We have an aggressive development programme for the whole season so I'm confident we will be in good shape."

Kazuki Nakajima, Williams
2008 Qualifying - 12th, 2008 Race - 7th
“It’s been a tough start to the season for me. I’ve had three DNFs out of four races and I don’t want anymore. I’m going to put them behind me now though and concentrate on the work ahead. There’s still 12 more races to go and I’m determined to get some good results for myself and for the team.

“I really like Barcelona and have lots of racing experience there. Last year, I had a good qualifying session and scored two points for the team coming seventh in my debut race. As I haven’t had a great first few Grands Prix, I hope that this will mark the start of a new phase for me and I can do something good in Barcelona.

“I didn’t have the new parts on my car in Bahrain so I’m looking forward to trying those out in Spain and to see how the other new bits go. I’m sure that the upgraded package will be a step forward, we already know how much time it will give us, but it’s all relative compared to what the other teams have done.”

Nico Rosberg, Williams
2008 Qualifying - 15th, 2008 Race - DNF
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating start to the season. We should be going into Europe with more than 3.5 points from the first four races. We were looking competitive at the outset in Australia, but things just haven’t gone our way. It’s also so close out there, probably the closest season I’ve raced in. We’ll have some aero upgrades for Barcelona which I’m hoping will help us and push us further up the grid. It would be good to score some points to reward the team at Grove who have been pushing really hard.

“As we spend quite a lot of time testing at Barcelona, it’s a circuit we all know well. Last year was going really well for me and I was looking good for sixth place, but then a technical problem put me out of the race. The only concern with Barcelona is that track conditions are constantly changing, so knowing what direction to go with the set-up can prove hard.”

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 4th, 2008 Race - 4th
"I am looking forward to the race in Barcelona. After a block of four overseas races Formula One comes back to Europe, which I am happy about. As all Formula One teams have tested in Barcelona, I expect the pack to be very close together - even closer than up to now. We will bring a new aero package and we hope to improve significantly compared to our recent performance, as it is our goal to close the gap to the top teams.

"The track is nice to drive and quite challenging. There are some high-speed corners, some low-speed corners and a hairpin which requires very heavy braking. As we have all done a lot of kilometres here, I guess we could drive the circuit with our eyes closed."

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 9th, 2008 Race - 9th
"We know the Barcelona track like the back of our hands, as we used to test here a lot. I've been to the circuit so many times. As recently as last year we had 16 days of testing in Barcelona. This year we had four days in March, two for each driver, and there will not be any more. Barcelona is a tricky track to drive because it presents a variety of challenges and the circuit is very sensitive to changes in temperature. If the wind, temperature or grip levels change even slightly, a set-up which was fine one minute is suddenly all wrong the next.

"Like everybody in the team, I am also placing my hopes on our new aerodynamic upgrades. The team has put an incredible amount of energy into trying to close the gap to the leaders. I hope we will perform rather better against our rivals in Barcelona, but that's difficult to predict as all the teams will be bringing upgrade packages of varying degrees to the first race of the European season."

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director
"The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona signals the start of the European season after four races overseas. Traditionally this represents something of a second start to the season.

"For the BMW Sauber F1 Team this applies more so than usual this year, as we cannot be satisfied at all with the first four races of the season. After our positive winter testing, all of us at the BMW Sauber F1 Team envisaged a rather different start to the season. The car is not fast enough and we have recorded only one podium finish - Nick Heidfeld's second place in Malaysia.

"We are approaching this challenge in a positive way and are working intensively in Munich and Hinwil to get back to our old form. We will be lining up in Barcelona with an extensive aerodynamics-focused development package, and are already working on further upgrades to be introduced later on in the season."

Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber head of engineering
"Although the teams know the Barcelona track extremely well from all the testing they've done there in the past, this circuit frequently presents a new challenge. The problem is the track conditions can change very quickly here and the wind has a big impact on the cars' handling through corners.

"We will be lining up in Barcelona with an extensive development package for the F1.09, which we have put together for the start of the European season. The nose section, more deeply undercut sidepods and the rear wing are all totally new. Added to which, modifications have also been made to the front wing, engine cover and underbody. We expect these improvements to significantly reduce our lap times.

"Of course, we know that the other teams will also have made modifications to their cars for Barcelona. However, we expect to be able to close the gap to our rivals. We won't find this out for certain, though, until the race weekend. Up to then we will only have the results from the wind tunnel and simulations to go on and, of course, can no longer test in advance on the track. Seeing the full potential of the car reflected in results on the track will be a big challenge for the engineers."

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 5th, 2008 Race - 3rd
"The schedule for the first four races was very tough for everyone, so going back to Europe almost feels like a fresh start. After such a positive performance in Bahrain, we're fully aware that the characteristics of the Barcelona track won't suit our car so well. In addition, we won't have the bigger upgrades of some of the other teams as we already introduced several new parts during the opening flyaways, so it will be interesting to see where we sit in the order. Nevertheless, the engineers are optimistic that our new diffuser and front wing will once again help us to make progress towards the front of the grid."

Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 6th, 2008 Race - DNF
"Going back to the scene of last year's accident doesn't change anything for me: I really enjoy this track - I had a great race to fifth here in 2007 and I love the high-speed corners, where you've got to push hard to get the maximum from the car. It's also a circuit where you need to find the perfect balance to look after the tyres - and I really enjoy trying to find the best compromise for the race. Our pre-season test at Barcelona was not very encouraging, so we are going into this race with realistic expectations, but I'm optimistic the whole team can deliver once again this weekend."

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal
"Our decision to introduce performance updates at each race rather than concentrate all our developments into a single upgrade package has helped us score some reasonable points in the opening flyaway races. With our rivals expected to introduce some more substantial improvements in Barcelona this weekend, we once again expect a fight to score points. And while the high-downforce nature of the Circuit de Catalunya may show up some of MP4-24's shortcomings, everyone within the team remains confident and motivated that we can sustain the momentum we have gathered to push and close the gap to the front this weekend."

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President
"The first four flyaway races within only five weeks have been turbulent and downright demanding for everyone in Formula One, and particularly for us. The field has moved closer together than ever before in Formula One history. Unfortunately, we are still not competing in the right position and the beginning of the European Formula One season in Barcelona will be a true test for the future balance of power. I expect an extremely difficult race. We are in the middle of an intensive process of catching up and, in comparison to our competitiveness in the previous two seasons, we are still far from where we need to be. Our team is working extremely hard to achieve more significant improvements in aerodynamics and particularly in downforce, but to do so we still need more time."

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FIA readying ‘radical proposals’ for 2010 budgets

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, announced Friday that it is preparing radical rule change proposals for 2010, designed to allow teams to be competitive on a fraction of the current budgets.

The proposals, which will be considered by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council next month, are intended to enable new teams to join the sport, as well as securing the future of existing independent constructors.

The FIA statement in full:
"In view of the difficult economic conditions which continue to affect Formula One sponsors and major car manufacturers, the FIA is preparing radical proposals for 2010.

"If adopted by the World Motor Sport Council, the new regulations will enable a team to compete for a fraction of current budgets but nevertheless field cars which can match those of the established teams.

"These regulations will not affect the established teams which now have stable backing from the major car manufacturers, but will enable new teams to fill the existing vacancies on the grid for 2010 and make it less likely that any team will be forced to leave the Championship.

"The proposals will be submitted to the World Council on 17 March."

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Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Toyota testing again in Bahrain

Although they found their running in Bahrain thwarted by sandstorms last week, Ferrari Toyota and BMW Sauber are back testing at the Sakhir circuit on Monday. The trio of teams plan to be in action for four days, as they make the most of journeying to the Middle East and continue their preparations for the 2009 season.

Kimi Raikkonen is scheduled to take charge of Ferrari’s programme initially, before handing over the F60 to team mate Felipe Massa later in the week. Raikkonen will be joined on track on Monday by Toyota’s Jarno Trulli and BMW Sauber tester Christian Klien, although Timo Glock and Nick Heidfeld are both expected to make appearances too.

Whilst those in Bahrain continue their on-track development, the rest of the 2009 field, the bulk of whom tested at Jerez last week, have returned to their bases ahead of the next multi-team test at the Spanish circuit at the start of March.

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Toyota targeting wins with new TF109

Toyota unveiled their 2009 car in innovative fashion on Thursday, as the new TF109 made its world debut in a specially-made, big-screen movie trailer, made available to fans online.

With revisions to the Formula One regulations set to shake up the order, the Japanese team are hoping the TF109 can take them to their first win since entering the sport in 2002...

Work began on the TF109 last October, with the car’s new shape heavily dictated by the FIA’s regulation changes, with wider front wings, narrower rear wings and fewer additional aerodynamic devices.

“Our target this year is to fight to win the first race for Toyota in Formula One,” declared team principal Tadashi Yamashina at Thursday’s launch, a proclamation that comes in light of their improved showing last season, which included two podiums and top-ten starts at 14 of the 18 races.

“After eight years in Formula One we have gained a huge amount of knowledge and improved considerably,” said Toyota Racing President John Howett. “There are many elements of our team which are at the very highest level so the challenge now is to fill any gaps and ensure the entire organisation is performing at the very top. Then we must put all the elements together and deliver the success we are all fighting so hard for.”

Toyota continue with an unchanged driver line-up for 2009. Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock were critically-acclaimed co-stars for the team last season and they will again be supported by Japanese reserve driver Kamui Kobayashi.

"I still have plenty I want to achieve in Formula One but my dream now is to win the first race for Toyota," said 34-year-old Italian Trulli.“I have now spent longer racing for Toyota in Formula One than any other driver and I have seen the huge progress that has been made since I joined in 2004. It has been a long journey and we have had ups and downs but we have never given up or lost faith.”

Glock, whose Toyota race career began only last season, added: “If you look back at the cars I have been racing for the last five years they have all been quite different, with the 2004 Jordan, then Champ Car, GP2 and the Toyota TF108, and I have been competitive in each of them. That shows how quickly I can adapt to a different car so I don’t have any concerns at all about adjusting to the 2009-style Formula One cars.”

The 2009 changes have presented Toyota and all the Formula One team with a significant design challenge. “This complete programme has been more demanding on our company than any previous new car project I have been involved in,” said Pascal Vasselon, senior general manager (chassis).

To view Toyota’s online movie trailer, go to www.tf109-premiere.com.

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Exclusive Adrian Sutil Q&A - 2009 could be my season to shine

With the McLaren-Mercedes components for Force India’s new VJM02 car not due until March, the Silverstone-based team will be notable by their absence from the majority of Formula One testing this winter.

Recently confirmed race driver Adrian Sutil admits it’s difficult seeing everyone else heading off for the track, but with the promise of a stronger car in 2009 the German insists he is far from frustrated…

Q: Adrian, if you look back at the 2008 season what conclusions do you draw from those 18 races? You must have expected more…
Adrian Sutil: Yeah, for sure I expected more, but at the end of the day it was a season to forget. Our car was too slow and I wasn’t really lucky.

Q: That incredible Monaco race with P4 within your reach - and then nothing. Do you still bemoan what might have been?
AS: For all of us, the team and for me, it was a disaster and it took some time to forget it. For me I’m okay with it now. I was in P4 seven laps before the end of the race and it showed me that I’m able to drive with the top drivers if the car gives me the chance.

Q: How difficult is it for an ambitious young driver, who is aware of his abilities, to always end up on the last row of the grid?
AS: It’s not easy to stay motivated and focused all the time if you know that your car is not good enough for better positions. But at the end of the day I’m happy to be in F1 and I will get my chance in the future.

Q: You are a good friend of Lewis Hamilton. How does it feel to see that while circumstance has taken him all the way to the top you are struggling with a hard-to-handle car?
AS: It is as it is. I can’t change it and I’m happy for Lewis. I do have time to wait for my chance. Until then I will work hard and try to use my chances.

Q: There has been a major reshuffle recently at the Force India team. Is this the start of a new era?
AS: Yes, I believe it will be a start. The partnership with McLaren-Mercedes will help us have a much better car in 2009 and to have better results.

Q: With McLaren-Mercedes technology from 2009 on, do you believe it will be a breakthrough for Force India?
AS: Every one in our team is very positive about the partnership. We all believe that 2009 will bring us up to the midfield and that we will score points in 2009.

Q: At the last Barcelona test Pedro de la Rosa did some running in the VJM01. Were you surprised by his comparatively poor lap times?
AS: I have spoken to him and Pedro was really surprised how difficult it was to drive the car. I do not know a better car, as I have never driven a better one - Pedro has always driven a perfect car, so I was sure that it would be difficult for him. But it was very helpful to listen to his comments about the car. He knew very quickly about where the problems are and it will help us.

Q: Have you visited the McLaren facility in Woking to have a look at where the crucial parts for the VJM02 are to be produced?
AS: Not yet, but I do hope that I have the chance in the near future.

Q: There will be no more test sessions for you until the 2009 car, complete with McLaren components, is ready. This will probably not be until March. How does it feel that everybody else is going testing and you have to stay home?
AS: That’s for sure a problem. But I can’t change it. And if I’m honest, it’s better to start in March with a good car than to test in February with a bad one.

Q: What will you do during those long winter months?
AS: I will train and prepare for the ‘09 season. I know that 2009 will be the season to show what I’m able to do. I’m very motivated and will work very hard. I will be in our factory as often as possible to be close to the team.

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