The future of Formula One Teams Association (Fota) has been questioned since both Ferrari and Red Bull quit the organisation.

Fota was unable to find an agreement on the Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) which places a cap on Formula 1 teams’ spending leading to both Ferrari and Red Bull becoming increasingly frustrated.

Both Ferrari and Red Bull believe that Fota has come to the end of an era and the teams will still be committed to finding an answer to savings in Formula 1. There was a stalemate in regard to some of the issues as to why Fota was formed in the first place.

Formed in 2008, Fota was set up with the purpose of acting in the interest of F1 teams when it came to negotiations with the with the aim of representing the interests of the teams when dealing with the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Bernie Ecclestone. Before Ferrari and Red Bull decided to leave, 11 of the 12 Formula 1 teams were members of Fota.

Fota was instrumental in defining a series of rules that limit spending on costs such as; aerodynamic research, staff numbers and external spending.

Fota’s document, which was agreed in 2009, was not part of FIA rules was a stepping stone towards a wide-ranging and detailed agreement. However Fota were called in when it was alleged that certain teams were thought to have over spent and has led to many rows in trying to sort the problems.

The team principals met after the Brazilian Grand Prix and failed to come to an agreement. The discussions lead to a stalemate on certain issues and brought into question the whole idea as to why the association was formed in the first place.

One such debate was to do with the number of days spent testing. It was argued that some drivers especially new and younger drivers who don’t have the experience need more time to be prepared for the coming season.

Another argument centred around spending. Even the biggest teams such as Ferrari realised that there has to be caps on spending in order to preserve F1 as a sport, to give everyone a more equal chance. Ferrari for one, even though they have left Fota, believes that cost cutting is essential and that young drivers need more time behind the wheel.

Ferrari says that they are still committed to controls in cutting costs and modifying the current RRA to become more stringent especially on areas not currently covered such as engines.
There is a two-month notice period that Ferrari and Red Bull have to change their decision if an agreement over the changes is reached.
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Formula 1 driver, Pastor Maldonado, will stay at Williams next season but we don’t know yet who his team-mate will be, with the veteran Brazilian, Rubens Barrichello expected to leave the team.

Maldonado, in his first season with Williams, scored just 1 point. However Williams boss Sir Frank Williams has faith in the 26 year old. He not only proved that he was quick but was able to maintain a consistent pace throughout races. He played a crucial role for the Williams team in his first season and will be expected to improve for the 2012 season.

The Venezuelan himself believes that his competitive streak will bear fruit and the steps the team have taken will stand them in good stead for 2012 and beyond.

Maldonado’s old partner, Rubens Barrichello during 2011is expected to leave the team and in effect end his F1 career which expanded 19 years. Barrichello the former Ferrari driver had a record 322 starts.

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Kimi Raikkonen, the former world champion, has signed a new two-year deal and will return to Formula 1 next season. The deal has been signed with Renault who will become Lotus next year. He also had talks with Williams to make his comeback, to replace Rubens Barrichello, but the deal fell through.

The 32 year-old Finn, who left Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season to take up rallying, said “My hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming. It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP.” He went on to say “My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver.”

Raikkonen won the title with Ferrari in 2007, added: “I have been impressed by the scope of the Renault’s ambition. Now I’m looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid.”

Last week Renault announced that Robert Kubica would not return to the sport next season. Kubica was injured in a rallying accident last February. The pole’s manager was still confident that he would return in 2012.

Raikkonen’s F1 Career
• F1 debut: 2001 Australian Grand Prix
• Former teams: Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari
• Poles: 16
• Podiums: 62
• Wins: 18
• Titles: 1
• Career points: 579

On Tuesday, Renault confirmed that Raikkonen, would return in the seat. He is likely to be partnered by Russian F1 driver Vitaly Petrov, who has just finished his second season with Renault.

Raikkonen started his F1 career with Sauber in 2001 scoring a single point on his first race at the Australian Grand Prix. He moved to McLaren in 2002 before moving to Ferrari in 2007 where he later became F1 Champion.

Raikkonen’s return means that a quarter of all the drivers in F1 will be current or former world champions. This will create such a depth of talent unmatched at any other time in F1. However it will be interesting to see if he still has the hunger to win in a car that may not be able to be able to compete with the big boys.

In the final F1 race of 2007 he trailed Lewis Hamilton by seven points. Hamilton suffered gearbox problems and finished seventh leaving Raikkonen to win the title by a single point.

He found it difficult to recapture the same form in the next two seasons, finding himself outperformed by team-mate Felipe Massa on many occasions. He left Ferrari at the end of 2009 when Ferrari bought in double world champion Fernando Alonso.

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On board the 40m+ super-yacht is the most exclusive way to watch the Monaco Grand Prix close to the race track and all the racing action. Lavish in the finest style and fantastic hospitality with fine cuisine and open Champagne bar. The super-yacht is positioned close to the track with plenty of space on the numerous sun decks to view the race right in the centre of all the action.

Super-Yacht Full VIP Hospitality includes:
• Access to the yacht on Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00
• Inclusive Bar with Champagne, wine, beer and other beverages
• Questions &Answer with a leading Formula 1 journalist
• Invitation the super-yacht party complete with gourmet canapes, DJ and open bar
• Buffet breakfast, gourmet canapes, gourmet lunch, plus high tea on Saturday and Sunday
• Fantastic view of the race complete with a giant screen opposite

Cost per person, fully inclusive, for Saturday & Sunday £2,600.00

All Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality Packages are a joint marketing venture. All flights will be provided by Jet Hire Direct and all hospitality will be provided by Edge Global Events. You will be entering into two independent agreements if you book both hospitality and flights. Please contact us for further information regarding Monaco Yacht Hospitality.

Group discounts and bespoke packages available. To build your exclusive Monaco Grand Prix package email or call us now:

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Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality offers The Formula 1 Paddock Club Team Suite Package. This allows you to be in amongst all the action and at the same time close to the teams. You will have the opportunity to enjoy; finest hospitality, time spent with the team, pit lane walks and access to the Team garage.

Paddock Club Team Suite package includes:
• Pastries, Tea and coffee on arrival
• Champagne bar open all day
• Exclusive “pit lane walks” at set times
• Grandstand ‘T’ for race viewing close to La Rascasse
• Hot and cold buffet luncheon served with a selection of wines
• Official Formula 1 program plus ear plugs
• Television screens in the suite plus giant screens to keep you informed of the whole race
• Access to the Formula 1 Paddock Club Marquee at the Monte Carlo Yacht Club

Team Extras:
• Team merchandise pack
• Guided tours of the paddock area
• Interviews with the Team drivers
• Access to the Team garage
• A chance to win a fantastic prize – the opportunity to view qualifying or the race from “inside” the garage

Fully inclusive cost per person for Saturday & Sunday from €5,250.00

Subject to confirmation.

All Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality Packages are a joint marketing venture. All flights will be provided by Jet Hire Direct and all hospitality will be provided by Edge Global Events. You will be entering into two independent agreements if you book both hospitality and flights. Please contact us for further information regarding Monaco Paddock Club Hospitality.

Group discounts and bespoke packages available. To build your exclusive Monaco Grand Prix package email or call us now:

UK: 0800 56 77 538

USA: 1 888 690 1967

Worldwide: +44(0)1202 33 17 21

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Mark Webber won the final race of the season at the Brazilian Grand Prix to take his first win of the 2011 season.

Sebastian Vettel led the race from the start but had gearbox problems. He let Mark Webber pass him and managed to finish the race in second place.

Jenson Button driving the McLaren and Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari battled it out for third with Button passing Alonso with 10 laps remaining while Hamilton retired with gearbox failure.
Button managed to seal second place in the championship with his third placed finish, while Mark Webber finished third in the championship ahead of Alonso by a single point.

Webber had faced the prospect of finishing the season without a win in a season that was dominated by Sebastian Vettel who took 11 wins and a record breaking 15 pole positions.

“It would have been nice to have a race with Seb all the way through. He’s had a bit of a gearbox problem, that’s bad luck, but that’s how motorsport goes sometimes.” Webber went on to say “Very important win for the team and me to end the year on a high.”

Vettel appeared to have a good lead until his engineer issued warnings to his driver that he had a gearbox problem. He was told to “short-shift” to make sure that he finished the race.

Vettel eventually waved Webber past on lap 30. Despite the gearbox problem and with further warnings from the engineer, Vettel continued to push hard as if to not be ready to accept that he had lost out to Webber.

Vettle after setting some excellent lap times was once again warned by his engineer, Guillaume Rocquelin “Sebastian, we have a serious gearbox problem, you need to do everything you can to save the car. The objective is to stay ahead of Alonso.”

Vettel did finally manage to ease off and asked about the gap he had ahead of Alonso.
Vettel said he felt like Ayrton Senna in Brazil in 1991, when the Brazilian achieved one of his greatest victories while battling a damaged gearbox.

“The difference is Senna won” said Vettel “I had a good start and was able to pull a gap, but very early I got the call to manage the problem. It was getting worse through the race and I ended up using higher gears everywhere, that’s where the comparison came into my head.”

Alonso started the race in fifth place and passed Lewis Hamilton on the first lap around the outside of the second corner and then set about closing the gap on Button. He managed to pass him on the outside of turn five on lap 11. Button later said that there was debris on the track and had to back off allowing Alonso to pass. However Button took third spot again later on lap 62 in the race as Ferraris problems with tyres continued to trouble them.

Button’s team prompted him to have a go and try to pass Vettel as it was apparent that he had gearbox problems. However the Red Bull had enough power to fend off the challenge.
Hamilton, whose own gearbox failed on lap 46 forcing him to retire from the race.

“I’m just happy the season’s done. It’s been an interesting year. I gave it my all today. It’s unfortunate we were unable to get the extra points.”

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The all-time world record for achieving the most number of pole positions in one season was beaten today by Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull. He managed to beat team-mate Mark Webber to pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Nigel Mansell set his record way back in 1992 managing 14 poles in a season. Vettel managed his 15th pole with a lap time which was 0.181 seconds faster than his Australian team-mate.

Jenson Button of McLaren was the third fastest, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was fifth.

“Oh, this feels good” Vettel scream down the radio to his team. “There has been quite some talk about this record and the best thing was not to think about it at all”. He went on to say “Really special. It took the master Nigel Mansell a couple of races less and now I am looking forward to the race.”

In many ways Mansell’s record is still superior to Vettel’s. Mansell took 14 poles from 16 races in the year he won the championship, while Vettel has taken 15 poles from 19 races.

The Red Bull team dominated qualifying with Webber nearly 0.2 seconds ahead of Jenson Button on a Brazilian track where margins are tighter than at many other tracks.

Lewis Hamilton had been the closest rival to Vetel through the practice sessions, but he slipped backwards in qualifying over 02 seconds behind Button and only 0.111 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Alonso.

These top five were well clear of the remaining pack with sixth placed Nico Rosberg was half a second adrift. Adrian Sutil of Force India took eighth place which was three places ahead of team-mate Paul di Resta. Brazilian Bruno Senna of Renault, at his home race, took ninth spot, ahead of Michael Schumacher.

The Brazilian Rubens Barrichello failed to get into the top 10 finishing 12th in what could well be his final grand prix, just behind Scotlands Paul di Resta.

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For the ultimate and complete Formula 1 experience then perhaps the F1 Immersion Package is just for you. You can live the F1 lifestyle and be at the centre of all the team action. Lavish in some of the finest hospitality around, spend time with the F1 teams and mingle with the teams and the drivers.

F1 Immersion Package Details:
• The four day package is from Thursday 24th May to Sunday 27th May 2012
• Access to the pit lane
• Tour of the Team garage
• Access to the Team’s garage during practice one
• Fantastic team merchandise
• Mingle with the Team and the drivers
• Invitations to the Team parties over the weekend
• Open bar with Wines, Beer and Champagne
• Lunch in the VIP area
• Team motor-launch providing transfers, possibly travelling with the drivers

Fully inclusive cost per person for Thursday through to Sunday £13,500.00

All Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality Packages are a joint marketing venture. All flights will be provided by Jet Hire Direct and all hospitality will be provided by Edge Global Events. You will be entering into two independent agreements if you book both hospitality and flights. Please contact us for further information regarding Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality.

Group discounts and bespoke packages available. To build your exclusive Monaco Grand Prix package email or call us now:

UK: 0800 56 77 538

USA: 1 888 690 1967

Worldwide: +44(0)1202 33 17 21

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Ermanno Palace provide a fantastic location for balcony suite hospitality with excellant race views on the third floor, situated just above turn one of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Ermanno Palace third floor hospitality and viewing includes:
• Tea, coffee and pastries on arrival
• The official F1 program highlighting all the action and ear plugs
• Complete access to the suite on Saturday & Sunday
• Great views of the race above turn one
• Keep up with all the action of the whole race from television screens in the suite
plus a giant screen on Casino Hill
• Cold buffet luncheon with wine
• A range of drinks including wine and beer

Cost per person, fully inclusive, for Saturday & Sunday €1,525.00

Our Monaco Grand Prix Packages are joint marketing ventures from Jet Hire Direct and Edge Global Events. Flight services will be provided by Jet Hire Direct and hospitality will be provided by Edge Global Events. You will be entering into independent agreements if you book flights and hospitality. Please contact us for further information regarding Monaco Formula 1 Hospitality

Group discounts and bespoke packages available. To build your exclusive Monaco Grand Prix package email or call us now:

UK: 0800 56 77 538

USA: 1 888 690 1967

Worldwide: +44(0)1202 33 17 21

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At the Ermanno Palace we can provide brilliant race views and the finest hospitality on balcony suites on the sixth, seventh or eighth floors which are located above the first turn on the Monaco Grand Prix race circuit.
Hospitality and Balcony views includes:

• Pastries, tea and coffee on arrival
• The official program highlighting all the F1 information and ear plugs on arrival
• Wines, Champagne, beer and other beverages
• Fantastic views of the race from your suite situated above turn 1
• Complete access to the suites on Saturday & Sunday
• Buffet luncheon served with a selection of wine
• Keep up to date with the whole race with the huge screen situated on Casino Hill plus television screens in the suites

Cost per person, fully inclusive, for Saturday & Sunday €2,400.00

All Monaco Grand Prix Hospitality Packages are a joint marketing venture. All flights will be provided by Jet Hire Direct and all hospitality will be provided by Edge Global Events. You will be entering into two independent agreements if you book both hospitality and flights. Please contact us for further information regarding Monaco F1 Hospitality.

Group discounts and bespoke packages available. To build your exclusive Monaco Grand Prix package email or call us now:

UK: 0800 56 77 538

USA: 1 888 690 1967

Worldwide: +44(0)1202 33 17 21

Contact Us