Formula 1 NEWS

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Jenson Button believes the remainder of the season is all about momentum for McLaren.

Ahead of Sunday's potentially title-deciding Singapore Grand Prix, this year's Formula One world championships have become a foregone conclusion for Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing.

For McLaren, who remarkably have won just three drivers' crowns and one constructors' title in the last 20 years, it is another campaign in which they have fallen short.

With Button 117 points behind Vettel, and team-mate Lewis Hamilton 126 adrift, there is little to play for other than adding to their two wins apiece this season to at least bow out respectably.

"Finishing second is not really the aim is it, not when you've won a championship?" said 2009 champion Button. "If you haven't won the championship it is probably different, but when you have, you just want to win.

Championship

"It's not going to make any difference to the championship now, but it would be nice as a team to qualify on pole here, or at least the front row.

"Then if we can win the race and continue like that until the end of the season then that is a great starting point for next year."

It is a similar situation for Hamilton, who concedes that finishing second in the championship is, to use the old saying, the first of the losers.

For the 26-year-old, like Button, it is now about pushing on into 2012 with at least a sense that he gave it his all for the end of this year.

"I'm focusing on trying to win a few more races, that would make me happy," said Hamilton. "Sometimes it's important about how you finish, and now it's important about how we finish our season.

"It's about pushing to improve the car and the results, and for me as an individual it's about finishing all the remaining races in a good place so we can take any momentum from that into next year."

Crash out

Button, however, will be hoping Friday's minor aberration is not the start of the wrong kind of momentum.

The 31-year-old locked up heading into turn 14 in second practice, and with a barrier in front of him, was unable to select reverse to make his escape.

It meant Button missed the last 50 minutes of the session, depriving him of vital track time ahead of today's qualifying session.

"We looked at the gearbox once we got the car back to the garage, and happily it's been resolved," said Button.

"It was a little disappointing not to do any more running because I couldn't improve the package. Still, we have some good ideas and I'm confident we'll make more progress."

Hamilton v Button: Jenson Button 7/2

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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has sprung to the defence of Lewis Hamilton once again whilst insisting they give him all the support he needs.

Not for the first time this season, the aftermath of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix centred on Hamilton after his collision with Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

His driving style, personal conduct and apparent lack of direction have all come under the spotlight, with Lewis' father Anthony fanning the flames by accusing his management company, XIX Entertainment, of failing to adequately support the 26-year-old in his hours of need.

For only the second time this year, XIX did not have someone present at a race, although on this occasion it was understood to be on Hamilton's advice.

XIX have declined to comment on Anthony's remarks. Instead, Whitmarsh has once again been forced to throw a protective blanket around Hamilton, who has incurred five drive-through penalties this season for his misdemeanours.

The latest came at the Marina Bay Street Circuit where Hamilton drove into the right-rear tyre of Massa's car, causing an instant puncture and damaging his own front wing.

Given it was the fourth incident between the duo this season, it incurred Massa's wrath as they later clashed in the pen where post-race TV and radio interviews are conducted.

Whitmarsh has already suggested Massa was "slightly aggressive" in his approach, and has applauded Hamilton for showing "commendable restraint" in not retaliating.

As for Hamilton cutting a lonely figure at times, Whitmarsh said: "Lewis is having plenty of love from the team.

"I've known him since he was 11 and I've seen him go through great moments of elation, of achievement, also of disappointment.

"Naturally there is a big affinity between him, myself and various other members in this team."

Whitmarsh does, however, concede the current campaign "has not been a good one for Lewis Hamilton", who finds himself now definitively out of the title running, trailing Sebastian Vettel by 151 points.

The number of incidents he has been involved in have not helped, with Massa suggesting if he does not alter his ways he will never be world champion again.

Naturally, Whitmarsh disagrees with the Brazilian, although he does concede more needs to be done on both sides to help Hamilton.

"Various things have happened - the team can take some blame and Lewis can take some blame," added Whitmarsh.

"I think at various times in motor racing things just don't go your way, and you have these kind of runs. None of us are perfect.

"The team has made mistakes, we'll make more mistakes. We don't want to, but that's life.

"We're pretty open and honest about these things. We don't conceal them, which allows people to take a view on it and amplify it.

"So as a team we have to improve, and Lewis also has to improve as a race driver.

"Lewis is still a young guy, he is learning, he'll learn from all of these things, but Felipe is wrong because Lewis will win races, and I'm sure he is going to win more championships."

Superb

Controversies both on and off the track in Singapore overshadowed a superb comeback drive from Hamilton, who fell to 19th after three pit stops in the first 15 laps - for tyres, a new wing and the drive-through - to finish fifth.

The argument is, though, he should not have been in that position in the first place, but Whitmarsh at least gave him some credit.

"Lots of drivers who fall back that far at that stage of the race would likely give up," said Whitmarsh.

"But he showed great character, skill and decisiveness, with some fantastic overtaking, to come through and score valuable points.

"The test of a true character is to come through adversity, and Lewis will do that.

"He is a great driver, he will regroup and try to win over the next five races. I'm sure we will see some absolute classic drives."

Hamilton kept his head down after his post-race confrontation with Massa and did not speak until posting a message on Twitter.

It read: "Thanks 2 the fans this weekend, the support was incredible. Still got 5 races 2 go and I will give it my all until the end of the season!"

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Robert Kubica has promised Renault team principal Eric Boullier an answer early in November as to whether he will be able to return to Formula One next year.

The Pole's manager, Daniele Morelli, confirmed three weeks ago that Kubica would step up his rehabilitation by getting "behind the wheel of a road car or simulator at some stage next month".

Kubica, who required five operations following a serious rallying accident in February, has been making steady progress from his injuries.

The greatest concern, however, surrounds his right arm in which many nerves were severed, and at present he continues to struggle to grip.

But with Boullier requiring an answer as soon as possible regarding his chances of competing for the team next season, time is now pressing.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Morelli said: "Robert is exercising the right elbow by flexing and tensing it. Soon he will start twisting it.

"The hand is progressing. The movements are there, and that's the most important thing. Strength is lacking, but it's just a matter of time."

With regard to the future, Morelli added: "I often talk to Boullier.

"He'll have an answer, whether positive or negative, by early November when we'll all have a clearer idea. I'm optimistic."

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Formula One looks set to have two grands prix in the United States from 2013, with organisers in New Jersey reportedly on the brink of announcing a street race.

F1 has not visited the USA since 2007 when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last staged a grand prix. However, the country will return to the calendar next season upon completion of the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Now, though, the desire of the sport's stakeholders to re-establish a foothold in the United States - something F1 has long struggled to achieve - appears set to reap further dividends.

The new race is expected to be run in June along the banks of the Hudson River and would also offer a backdrop of New York's Manhattan skyline - something long craved by F1's commercial rights controller Bernie Ecclestone.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a press conference has been scheduled at Port Imperial in Weehawken for next Tuesday to announce the deal

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Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday that those responsible for the Buddh International Circuit, venue for this weekend's inaugural Indian Grand Prix, had done a "great job".

Just a fortnight ago, Formula One's commercial supremo had viewed a series of photos of the new venue and expressed concern that it would not be ready in time.

Two weeks on and it is ready - just - as track workers put the finishing touches with the first practice session just 48 hours away.

Vicky Chandhok, president of the Indian Motor Sports Federation, has described the venue as "rough and ready", and it is easy to see why as preparations and works are still being carried out.

But this is year one of a vast £250million 'Sport City' project being undertaken by industrial conglomerate the Jaypee Group.

Chandhok concedes there will be "endless teething problems" over the next few days, but insists the Jaypee Group are involved for the long haul.

He added that Ecclestone, who celebrates his 81st birthday on Friday, is happy with the 5.137km track 35km south east of Delhi.

"It's very significant something like this has come up to showcase India," Chandhok said. "It's not about Formula One, it's not about motorsport - India has never hosted something on this magnitude ever.

"When I say on this magnitude, I'm not talking about a cricket game or the Commonwealth Games.

"This is an opportunity of showcasing India to 570million viewers worldwide, to get India recognised as a player capable of hosting the most technologically-advanced sport in the world.

"Suddenly it's now a patriotic thing, to say 'hey guys, we can also do it'. It's more about that.

"This is our first year and there are bound to be endless teething problems per se, but despite that this place is fantastic. It is absolutely stunning.

"I had Charlie (FIA race director Whiting) drive me round the track this morning, and after Bernie came up, slapped my face and he said to me, 'How did you put up such rubbish?'

"I looked at him aghast and said, 'What are you saying?'.

"Then he laughed, gave me a big hug, a slap on the back and said, 'Great job'."

Vindicated

That was the vindication Chandhok had been seeking after 10 years of hard work trying to stage a race in his homeland.

Happily, there are no stories of scandal and corruption associated with the new race, unlike last year's Commonwealth Games - a government undertaking that was paid for by the taxpayers.

"Tell me, who watched the Commonwealth Games?" asked Chandhok.

"First of all I don't really see the purpose of the Commonwealth Games, with the viewership so low.

"Of course, it's a great thing for the athletes. It's great for them to compete and perform.

"But the amount of money that was spent on putting up facilities that are not going to be looked after is something this country could ill afford.

"That was taxpayers' money, our money that went into that, but this is private enterprise and it will be looked after.

"We need nothing from the government, except an acceptance of the sport.

"We have been given an opportunity to showcase India - let's not ruin it.

"We're getting this event for next to nothing, so all we have to do is show that India can work well with it."

Serious

The Jaypee Group, founded by Jaiprakash Gaur, would appear to be putting their money where their mouths are, and for Chandhok that is all the proof required that India is serious about F1.

"The circuit onwers, the Jaypee Group, are very new at this sort of thing, new to motor sport," added Chandhok, whose father founded the Indian Motor Sport Federation and Madras Motor Sports Club.

"So they have followed certain guidelines and experts from all over the world. It's an eye-opener for them.

"But nothing is stopping them from keeping going. They are willing to invest more money to make it even better, and I think very few promoters in the world exist like this.

"So for me, what they have done is overwhelming from a personal point of view, and they are giving out the right signs, making the right noises, and that is so encouraging."

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Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in signature style on Sunday from Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

The world champion, who claimed his 13th pole position of the season on Saturday, made it 11 victories in 2011 after once again appearing completely in control.

He took the chequered flag at the Buddh International Circuit over eight seconds ahead of Button, who in turn bolstered his attempt to claim second place in the drivers' championship.

Alonso took the final podium place ahead of Webber, with Red Bull's hopes that the Australian might finish second behind team-mate Vettel in the overall standings taking another hit.

Michael Schumacher finished fifth ahead of Mercedes GP team-mate Nico Rosberg, while Lewis Hamilton came home seventh having collided with Felipe Massa for the third time in four races.

Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari finished eighth ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil while Sauber's Sergio Perez claimed the final world championship point in 10th.

A feature of the weekend has been the dust thrown up as drivers get to grips with the new 5.125km track and there was plenty to be seen on the opening lap, with Rubens Barrichello spinning at the first corner after a nudge from Williams team-mate Pastor Maldonado.

Kamui Kobayashi was forced to retire his Sauber after also colliding with the Virgin of Timo Glock at turn one while, further up the road, Jarno Trulli's Lotus was hit by an HRT.

Clean start

The action at the front of the field was less fraught, with Vettel making a clean start while Button, who started fourth on the grid, passed Alonso at the first corner before taking second place from Webber on the long straight down to turn four.

Just as soon as he was able to, Webber tried to use his DRS to claw the place back with the pair side-by-side through turn four on lap five.

However, the McLaren used its superior straightline speed to keep the place, with Button then managing to pull clear of Webber and pegging Vettel's lead to around four seconds.

Behind Webber, Alonso led Massa, Hamilton, Rosberg and Schumacher - the top eight all holding station prior to the first round of stops which started on lap 17.

The order stayed the same as the frontrunners pitted for soft compound option tyres, although Button managed to take about a second out of Vettel's lead.

F1's feud of the season reignited on lap 24 after Massa ran wide out of turn three. Hamilton closed up as a result, but on the run to turn five he dived for the inside line and made contact with the Ferrari.

Massa spun but sheld on to fifth place ahead of the two Mercedes while Hamilton dropped to ninth after pitting for a new front wing on the following lap.

The Brazilian then fell down to seventh after stewards decided that, on this occasion, he was at fault by turning in on the McLaren. Massa served a drive-through penalty on lap 31 and was back in 11th after stopping for tyres the following lap.

However, Massa's race was run by lap 34 when, in a repeat on the incident which caused him to crash in qualifying, he hit one of the track's raised orange kerbs and broke his car's left-front suspension.

Vettel, meanwhile, had increased his lead from Button to over 6s by lap 38, when Webber became the first of the frontrunners to stop for a second time.

The Australian's car was fitted with Pirelli's hard compound tyre, which it was thought would prove significantly slower than the softer rubber.

Webber's times did not in fact drop off to any great extent, but he still lost third place to Alonso after Ferrari responded by bringing the Spaniard in on the following lap.

McLaren pitted Hamilton, now in seventh and suffering vibrations on his car after the earlier collision, and Button almost in tandem on laps 46/47, while Red Bull reacted to the latter's stop by bringing Vettel in for his final stop soon after.

The German rejoined with a 3s advantage, which he again increased during the closing laps.

Meanwhile, Schumacher made his final stop on lap 51 out of 60 and was able to take fifth place from team-mate Rosberg, who had already pitted.

Tribute

After a dark couple of weeks for motorsport with the deaths of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli, the drivers paid their own tribute shortly before the race.

Vettel also spoke of his sadness after taking the chequered flag. He said: "I've a little bit of mixed emotions.

"I'm very proud to be the first winner of the Indian Grand Prix, but then on the other hand we recently lost two of our mates.

"I didn't know Dan Wheldon, but he was big in motorsport, and then this year I got to know Marco Simoncelli, so our thoughts are with them at the moment."

Button and Alonso echoed the sentiments, with the former stating: "It's been a tough weekend for everyone after the two fatalities.

"I knew Dan very well, so this is a very sad day for motorsport.

"We should dedicate this first Indian race to Dan and Marco, a super-talented guy, the most amazing guy to ride on a bike."

Alonso added: "As Jenson and Sebastian said, a tough weekend, and out thoughts are with Dan and Marco."

Of his latest victory, Vettel added: "It was a very good race. I enjoyed the time in the lead, I had a little bit of a fight with Jenson who strangely kept closing in at the pit stops.

"All in all it was a very smooth race, the car was well balanced."

Further down the field, Sutil moved up to ninth after Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi retired while the point Perez earned came after he, like Renault's Vitaly Petrov and Force India's Paul di Resta, elected to pit early for softer tyres.

The Mexican stopped as early as lap two, with Petrov and di Resta following suit but they could only finish 11th and 13th respectively.

They sandwiched Petrov's team-mate Bruno Senna, who climbed to ninth place before a late pit stop. Barrichello finished 15th and Trulli 19th while Maldonado suffered a mechanical failure early on.

Meanwhile, Narain Karthikeyan, the only Indian driver to take part in his home race, finished three laps down in 17th place for HRT.

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Lotus Renault team principal Eric Boullier insists his team has not given up on Robert Kubica, despite signing Kimi Raikkonen for next year's world championship.

The Pole has been out of action since early February when he suffered horrific injuries in a rally accident.

At present it is not certain when Kubica will return to Formula One, although he did say last week that he could not give Lotus Renault a firm commitment for the 2012 season.

The team, whose name change from Renault is now official after their dispute with Tony Fernandes' outfit was settled, have since signed Raikkonen with the identity of their second driver yet to be announced.

Kubica is also out of contract with Lotus Renault at the end of this season, with reports claiming Ferrari has an option on his services from 2013.

Boullier has already said that if those reports are true, Renault will not spend the time and effort getting Kubica race-fit.

However, if the opposite is the case, Kubica could still be in line to race at some point next year.

"All the scenarios are possible," Boullier told Autosport.

"I need to sit down with Robert and his manager to understand what is the timescale for him to come back.

"We have confirmed Kimi and we will confirm the second seat when we are ready to confirm it."

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Lotus Renault GP have confirmed that Romain Grosjean will drive alongside former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen next season.

The 25-year-old Frenchman raced in seven grands prix for the team in the 2009 Formula One season - recording a best finish of 13th.

Grosjean, though, returns to F1 after claiming the 2011 GP2 Series crown.

"I am thrilled to be one of the team's race drivers in 2012," Grosjean told the team's official website.

"There's a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year's car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity.

"To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula One will be a great experience, and I'm sure will help raise my level of performance too.


Mature

"I feel that my successful season in GP2 Series has helped me mature a lot, and I am a much more complete driver than I was last time I was competing in this sport.

"Returning to Enstone as a race driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint and I wish to thank all the people without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible."

Grosjean beat off competition from Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna to claim the second seat.

And team principal Eric Boullier added: "I'm delighted that Romain Grosjean will join Kimi next year. Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past 12 months both through his GP2 Series victory and his development as third driver with us.

"We were impressed when he drove for us in the first practice sessions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. We are confident that drafting him in to one of our driver's seats will help us in our rebuilding process.

"I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team's performance this year and I wish them all the best for the future."

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McLaren have launched their MP4-27 car as they seek to challenge the dominance of World Champions Red Bull this coming season.

In an unveiling broadcast, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were on hand to pull the wrapping off the new chassis at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.

"I think the car is probably the most refined-looking car we've had for some time now, so I'm very excited to get back into it," Hamilton said.

Although at first glance the car can best be described as an evolution of last year's, there are obvious changes, notably in the nose and sidepods.

"We've changed the sidepods. We had the L-shaped sidepods last year but the car is generally the same," Hamilton explained, in reference to the distinctive sidepods on the MP4-26.

"Obviously the nose is a little bit different to last year," he added. F1 rules in 2012 stipulate a lower nose for safety reasons, although the MP4-27 does not have the step that, for example, the Caterham launched last week carries.

Hamilton, who was involved in a number of accidents with Ferrari's Felipe Massa last year, also said he was happy the car had new wing mirrors.

"We've changed the wing mirrors a little bit, so hopefully we'll be able to see a lot better," he quipped. "Felipe will be very happy with that."

McLaren unveil new car for 2012
Neater

With blown diffusers effectively outlawed for 2012, Hamilton also said that McLaren had concentrated on the rear of the car in an attempt to claw back lost downforce.

"Particularly, the back of the car is a lot neater than it was last year. It's much, much tighter so the focus has been on making it as tight as possible to improve aerodynamics," he said.

"The wing is a little bit better in terms of drag and we've tried our best to improve the rear floor, especially with no blown diffuser this year. It's going to be very tricky for us - we'll lose a lot of downforce.

"When we were off power last year we had an incredible amount of downforce with the exhaust blowing and we don't have that this year.

"It's the biggest loss for us and we're trying to regain it in all other ways, but I think the guys have done a fantastic job.

"It's a lot trickier to drive the way it is right now but I think that when we get to the season we will slowly begin to improve and find out where that downforce can come from."

Button, meanwhile, stressed that McLaren must "come out of the box and be strong" - a reference to their habit in recent seasons of making a relatively slow start.

Pre-season testing commences in Jerez next week and the 2009 World Champion, who will run for the first two days, said a strong showing was vital.

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"The important thing about testing is that it is what it says on the tin," he said. "Finding your feet throughout the days of testing before the first race, so you arrive at the first race with confidence in the people you work with and the car you're driving.

"We're excited. I'm sure every team is a little bit apprehensive when it comes to testing, but I can't wait to jump into the car."

With comment already being made that 2012's rule changes - particularly with regard to the nose - will lead to a number of 'ugly' cars, Button also predicted the MP4-27 would be one of the better-looking of the bunch.

"It's a beautiful car," he added. "Many of them you see will not be."

Technical director Paddy Lowe later said that first appearances might indeed be deceptive.

"This car looks quite similar [to last year's] but underneath there's a great deal of change," he said. "And when you add that up, you have a car that is quicker. We have done a lot of work round the back end, it's a lot tidier there."

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Caterham have named 26-year-old Dutchman Giedo van der Garde as their test and reserve driver for the 2012 Formula One season.

Van der Garde, who won the Formula Renault 3.5 title in 2008, has been competing in GP2 for the past three seasons.

And after recording a best-ever finish of fifth in the final standings last year, he was picked up by Caterham and becomes the only Dutch driver to have an official F1 role.

Van der Garde will participate in the pre-season tests and a number of Friday practice sessions ahead of grands prix, supplementing the work of race drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli.

"It's great for Holland we again have a Dutch driver who is connected to Formula One," van der Garde said.

"Being the only Dutch driver now is very good for the sport in Holland, as the interest was perhaps on the decline since the (Jos) Verstappen years.

Excitement

"However, I hope to generate the same excitement for my country and really bring Formula One to them."

He added: "I feel the team as a whole is very ambitious. They appear to be very positive people and I think they are building up, growing and developing very quickly.

"I think this year they will be strong contenders. We'll see after the test, but I really have a feeling it's a big family here and they are pushing very hard to move up the grid."

Team principal Tony Fernandes has described Van der Garde as "one of motorsport's brightest prospects".

Fernandes added: "Securing him as reserve driver is a real coup for our team. I am sure he will flourish on and off track

"We have been monitoring him since the early days of our team, and we are all looking forward to seeing how he can help us develop throughout the season as we take our next steps towards the established midfield teams ahead."