The Weekly Grapevine


This week's Grapevine brings you
information fresh from the paddock on:

It's a question of Sport

With the world making such a fuss over team orders, the Grapevine is compelled to report on pitlane feeling on the subject – but is not going to say much on the subject.

Most of the paddock expected Barrichello to yield before the finishing line. When it happened, they duly took note, then packed up and went home. Just another day at the office – and a chance for some PR at the expense of Ferrari.

McLaren, as title protagonists, share the stage with Ferrari, and are well known to run on a different philosophy to the Maranello team. They make no bones of being whiter than white with their drivers, and put down Ferrari's as unsporting, and ultimately destructive.

That said, the whole team orders issue has been a significant factor in Formula One since the sport started. Just because it is no longer permitted for "number two" drivers to give up their car to the "number one" driver in a pit-stop does not mean the issue went away. Ferrari aim to win both championships, but place a premium on the Drivers crown – accordingly, they work to ensure the best possible chance within the rules of attaining this result. And everyone in the paddock know that's what happened on Sunday.


The cost of a Russian GP

With Bernie Ecclestone disclosing his interest in running a Russian Grand Prix in 2003, probably at the expense of a European fixture, paddock talk after Friday practice considered which of these circuits was most likely to get the chop.

Only one circuit saw consensus. All the teams were unanimous that the place they'd most like gone, and the least likely to go, was Monaco. The street circuit is considered the jewel in Formula One's crown, but is a seriously difficult place to go racing. The pits are overcrowded, with all bar the top four teams having to tow cars to and from "garage" space away from the track, and the crowds really get in the way. Once the spectacle has been experienced a few times, they really start to think there are better places to race...

Staple tracks on the calendar include the Austrian A1-Ring, France's Magny Cours (which is politically very correct, with the FIA based in Paris and embroiled in French politics) and Italy's Monza. There appears to be little danger of these being passed over... and few see it happening. But the remainder seem to have a significant chance of being given the boot.

Obvious targets include the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which is annually slated for awkward public access, and inadequate paddock standards. Belgium's Spa Francorchamps, despite the challenge as a driver's circuit, and numerous thrilling races, comes into dispute most years, courtesy of the politics of tobacco advertising. Less obvious targets include the Nurburgring, which gives Germany a second GP under the guise of "European," and Imola, whose contract was suspiciously only extended until next year...

All this concern, however, simply goes to demonstrate the manner by which Ecclestone is exercising pressure to control the calendar for 2003. By announcing a new circuit, and committing to keeping the number of races to 17 or fewer, Ecclestone has placed inordinate pressure on the European tracks to meet his requirements. All now know that failing to do so, and with some alacrity, make them a serious candidate for being dropped.

The irony, of course, is that Kyalami has been lined up in the same manner as the prospective Russian event, ready to host a race since 2000, and are also still waiting for Ecclestone to sign on the dotted line…


Silly Season Update

Every year, particularly around this time of the season, speculation about the future of all the key players in the sport takes off. For the most part, the rumours are contradictory, unlikely, or just plain untrue, but all too often there are gems hidden amongst the dross that bear consideration.

Over the remainder of the year, the Grapevine will be keeping tabs on the latest hot gossip from the Silly Season, to keep you up to date on who is going where, and why, in 2002:

  • Rubens Barrichello continues to feature highly in the speculation game, as his evident disappointment at team orders makes others believe they can tempt him away. Jordan are rated most likely to gain his services, should he leave Ferrari, but despite the noise concerning his place for 2002, the Brazilian is expected to remain with the team. They have the best car, and despite his "one-b" status, still offer the top chance to win races.

  • David Coulthard continues to make waves, as he appears to offer one of the most enticing drivers to snare for next year. Despite protestations they have not approached Coulthard, Jordan are rumoured to have made the Scot an offer he would struggle to refuse... McLaren, however, continue to think highly of Coulthard, rating him the second best driver for their team alongside Hakkinen. Furthermore, despite the Woking team never deciding their future so early in the season, there are hints of offering him double his earnings to remain with the team, should he take the Championship.

  • Jenson Button has denied any contact from Ferrari to drive for them in the future. And as he continues to struggle with the Benetton at the back of the grid – complaining privately the car is about as unsuited to his smooth style as anything with four wheels can be – many of the opportunities apparently open at the end of last season have closed.

  • Takuma Sato could be stepping up to Formula One in 2002, racing for Toyota. A double win in the British Formula 3 series has put him into the championship lead... and made a number of Formula One teams sit up. Toyota have been keeping half an eye open for a Japanese driver to run alongside Mika Salo next year, and many believe them to have arranged a test for the end of the F3 season.

  • Shinji Nakano has been linked with a test role at Jordan, following news that Honda are keen for better exposure back home. Considering his current role with CART's Fernandez Racing is not apparently threatened, it seems unlikely he will consider any testing role at this time.