Ecclestone Protects McLaren

Despite finishing last in the 2007 constructors' championship, McLaren may this year avoid the indignity of occupying the last garage slot in the grand prix pitlanes of the world.As well as having the highest race numbers - in McLaren's case 22 and 23 in 2008 - finishing the previous year's teams' title last usually means having to take up residence in the farthest pit boxes at each circuit.

'Anyone Looking Remotely Like They Were Going To Cause Trouble Was Turned Away'

Two FIA transporters on Tuesday arrived at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, giving rise to rumours that F1's governing body intends to conduct some anti-doping tests this week.It is also being suggested that the strong presence of the Paris based Federation at F1's penultimate pre-season test is a reaction to the racism scandal that broke out ten days ago at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

'You Might Have To Just Rise Above It'

Having declared last week that the racism controversy had saddened him, Lewis Hamilton on Tuesday was quoted as saying he intends to "rise above" the sort of abuse he faced ten days ago in Spain.For the first time since avid Fernando Alonso fans donned black makeup, scrawled abusive messages on banners and shouted racial insults at him in Barcelona, the McLaren driver on Tuesday resumed Spanish pre-season test duties at Jerez.

Bahrain Night Race Now Unlikely

Organisers of the Bahrain grand prix have backed away from reports that they are considering staging a formula one night race.The Sakhir circuit's chief operating officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa told the local Gulf Daily News this week that, unlike race chiefs in Melbourne, Bahrain is "not opposed" to the concept of lighting up the track.

'We Believe That Every Fan Will Behave As They Should'

For the first time since the racism scandal broke out in Barcelona recently, Lewis Hamilton will return to the Spanish winter test tracks on Tuesday.McLaren has scheduled three days of running for the 23-year-old at Jerez, in the south of the country, and Mercedes' racing boss Norbert Haug is not anticipating any more problems.

Sauber F1 Cars Going to Auction

Fans of the grand prix team formerly run by Peter Sauber will soon be able to get their hands on one or more of the Swiss outfit's single seaters.It is reported by the German language news agency SID that several Sauber F1 cars will be up for grabs at Zurich's Kloten airport as of February 19.

Super Aguri To Start Season With Interim Car

Amid speculation about potential buyouts, financial trouble, test absences and an uncertain driver lineup, finally some good news about Super Aguri has emerged -- the team's 2008 car, the SA08, has reportedly passed the mandatory FIA crash and homologation tests.Japanese driver Takuma Sato said recently that the Honda-powered squad should be back in action at the upcoming Jerez test.