Robert Kubica is looking forward to testing in Barcelona at the end of November. He says he welcomed the short break away from Formula 1 but can’t wait to get back behind the wheel. “One month without driving is just a bit too much,” he explained. “The short break was, however, good because during the last two or three months, I took part in every testing session. Additionally, the last three races of 2006 took place in overseas locations”.  Read more... (172 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

The helmet is one of the most important safety devices in Formula 1. Although helmets through the years look roughly similar, the underlying technology has changed significantly.  Read more... (325 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Toyota have confirmed Kohei Hirate and Kamui Kobayashi will both test for them next season.

The Japanese pair will be testing alongside Franck Montagny and race drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli this season as the team aim to improve on their sixth place in the 2006 constructors championship.  Read more... (178 words, estimated 43 secs reading time)

Franco Lucchese, an Italian who is the president of the Automobile Club d’Italia, has been elected the new FIA Deputy President for Mobilty and the Automobile, replacing Sebastia Salvado. Salvado had only been in the position for a year but has stood down because he did not have enough time to dedicate to both the FIA and the Royal Automobile Club of Catalunya, which he runs.  Read more... (141 words, estimated 34 secs reading time)

Following on from Ecclestone’s proposal to alternate the British Grand Prix with the French Grand Prix (full story here), the British Grand Prix bosses have rejected the scheme.

It was proposed that the scheme would start in 2008 with Silverstone, and it was proprosed the scheme would be in place for 10 years. After examining the idea, the BRDC has told Ecclestone that they are not interested in the idea.  Read more... (166 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

Six months after Valentino Rossi turned down a spot in the Ferrari team, he has refused to rule out a future switch to Formula 1. “The F1 chapter is not yet closed,” he explained. “But I still don’t know at this time whether I’ll ever race on four wheels. Ferrar’s offer was a great one but I am highly motivated for the next season in MotoGP – particularly after my difficult time in ’06.”  Read more... (123 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

Dubai’s Union Properties, a leading UAE property investment development company, has won the rights to create Formula 1 theme parks around the world. Construction of the first theme park in Dubai is already underway and is scheduled to be opened in 2009. The project will be at the emirate’s existing MotorCity facility and will include hotels and conference centres.  Read more... (86 words, estimated 21 secs reading time)

After Red Bull Racing finished seventh in the Constructor’s Championship of 2005, expectations were high for 2006. However, the team did not really improve overall, again finishing seventh but with 18 points less than the previous season. A cooling problem hampered that car early on, and mid-season, the team chose to concentrate their efforts on their 2007 car, the RB3 and as a consequence, the RB2 became slightly neglected. Sporting Director Christian Horner admitted that the decision was a tough one, but he believes that in the long term, the decision was justified.  Read more... (304 words, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)

Heidfeld has claimed that the presence of only one tyre manufacturer will mean that there will be less overtaking in Formula 1 because overtaking will be more difficult. “When you’ve got different tyres, it’s more probable that the cars will take different turns at different speeds. In consideration of this fact, I expect overtaking to become slightly more difficult.” he explained.  Read more... (91 words, estimated 22 secs reading time)

According to Bloomberg, Ecclestone has said that some of the weaker Formula 1 events may have to make way for events in the emerging markets, no matter how established those events are.  Read more... (431 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)