The McLaren team has built the first two-seater Formula One car in the world. The MP4 98T. Ron Dennis stated: "We are just intending to have a bit of fun this year and we will have two new cars -- the MP4/13, our race car, and another which will be ready around the time of the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola (in April)."

He also stated that any earning of the two seater would go to charity.

Both the Stewart and the Prost team are still to pass the final FIA tests. Stewart's tests are not really a problem: "The cars were just not ready," said team manager Dave Stubbs. "We will have them checked before practice begins, but it's not a big problem."

Prost seems to be a bigger problem but the FIA stated that this may not be the case. The Prost cars still need to pass the final side impact crash test, but max Mosley said that even if they did not pass the test the teams could still allow them to race.

He said: "If a team fails to pass a crash test, the first thing they must do is see if the other teams will allow them to race. If they get unanimous support, they must then ask the race stewards for dispensation. If they get that, then they could run."

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve is seen as the underdog this season, although he has certainly earned his credits last year. But he doesn't view it as a problem, he even sees it as an advantage: "I enjoy being the underdog. It is a good position to be in because you just have to fight harder. Usually that works better, so I don't mind it."

Michael Schumacher also made it clear to the media that things were OK between him and Villeneuve. He stated about last Monday's meeting: "We just talked and sorted a few things out. If we can have a drink after a race, it will nice. If we don't, that is OK for me too."

He also added: "I think I've learned a lot -- that's what gaining experience is all about isn't it?"

The FIA have major problems getting the entire Formula One schedule, which starts in a matter of hours, together this year. First there were the tobacco issues then the television rights in France - there is just no official calendar yet.

The French Grand Prix may be back on the calendar after last year's dispute over the television rights, according to French law the local television stations also have the right to broadcast the Grand prix event.

The FIA announced a while back that the Grand Prix would not take place. Max Mosley now said: "There is a good chance it will take place. The necessary clarification of the law seems to be underway in France."

Dutchman Jos Verstappen got a lot of support in Formula One, but sometimes not at the right moment. He had some financial backing but not enough to get him another ride in the pinnacle of motorsports. Now it seems that he is back where he started: at Benetton. The rumour has it that he is in a serious stage of negotiating a test-driver contract with the team.