F1: Brazil Qualifying

First I have to comment on the quality of the pictures coming from Brazil, I don't know if it's all in my head but it seemed so much clearer and the colours more vibrant today, and there was a much better feeling of speed from the cars. Of course my interpretation of this could just be because I watched my VHS of 'Mansell And Williams 1992' yesterday!

Onto the action at hand, and obviously first topic is the failure of Michael Schumacher to finish Q3 due to a drop in fuel pressure - according to Ferrari. He will now start 10th at best and if they have to change his engine he will have to start from the back of the grid - NOT 20th as ITV claimed, as if an Engine is changed after Qualifying the driver must start the race from last place. The thing that shocked me about this error from ITV is the fact it came from Martin Brundle, he's the reliable, knowledgeable one! You expect it of James Allen as he seemingly knows nothing about Formula 1, and the sooner ITV get rid of him, the better.

Button didn't make Q3 as he struggled with his Traction Control to start way down the grid, and Coulthard apparently couldn't find a decent set up and failed to get through Q1.

Felipe Massa absolutely stormed the session and acted like he'd won the race when he pulled his car into Parc Ferme. Unfortunately spoiling it by complaining about being held up by Heidfeld - despite the fact that was on his Pole setting lap and he blatently got a tow off the German!

Somewhat related is the news that Juan Pablo Montoya will start his first NASCAR Busch Series race a week today at Memphis. As far as I can make out this race is not being shown live by MotorsTV, but highlights will be shown on Monday 30th at 2300hrs (11pm) on MotorsTV

F1: Latest News...

Fernando Alonso has attacked the Renault Team and his Teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, after the result in China. According to the Spanish Driver Renault are now concentrating on the constructor's title and don't want Alonso to take the number 1 to McLaren, he added that Massa would never have been allowed to overtake Michael Schumacher if the Ferrari's were in the same situation as the Renaults in China.

Sir Frank Williams has told Ron Dennis that he should have no doubts about putting GP2 Champion Lewis Hamilton in the Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes next year, adding that he has no regrets about signing Nico Rosberg, he commented that Hamilton was an "outstanding" driver.

As Predicted by Compton GP in August Jaques Villenueve has reportedly signed to drive for the Roush NASCAR Team next season, where he will drive a Ford. If truee, he joins former McLaren racer Juan Pablo Montoya who is driving for Chip Ganassi next year. No further news on the rumour that Mika Hakkinen will race in NASCAR too.

F1: Montoya Free From McLaren

Juan Pablo Montoya has finally been released from his contract with McLaren Mercedes allowing him to race in NASCAR before the end of the current season. Hopefully we'll see him in a few Busch Series races before he makes the jump into the Nextel Cup.

Montoya Out?

Rumours are going around this morning that Juan Pablo Montoya has breached his contract with McLaren-Mercedes by revealing what he will be doing next season, and that he will therefore not drive for the Woking based team again. Pedro de la Rosa will step up to the Race seat from the French Grand Prix this weekend.

Confirmation is expected from McLaren-Mercedes later today.

edit @ 10:46am

McLaren-Mercedes have confirmed that Montoya is to play no further part in the 2006 F1 Season.The following is a press release from McLaren Mercedes.

Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have mutually agreed for him to step down in the forthcoming races of this year's Formula 1 World Championship. The team has decided that Pedro de la Rosa will join Kimi Raikkonen in the race driver line-up.

Juan Pablo has been an energetic member of the team since 2005, but will now spend the next few months based in Miami with his family and wife Connie who is expecting their second child in September. Following his agreement with Chip Ganassi Racing for next year, Juan Pablo will also be making initial preparations for his debut in a Chrysler Dodge NASCAR.

Pedro will make his second race appearance for the team following a thrilling points scoring debut in the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Nothing about a breach of contract, just that they support his decision to move to NASCAR and have come to an agreement to give him time to adjust to his new life.

I'm a bit gutted, I've been a fan of JPM since his CART days, so I was hoping to relish his final outings in F1. I would like to wish him all the best for his future in NASCAR and beyond, who knows Jacques Villeneuve has expressed an interest in racing there and apparently Mika Hakkinen is also looking at the possibility so it could be quite interesting to watch in the next few years!

Montoya Leaves McLaren

To join Chip Ganassi's Nextel Cup team in NASCAR, according to Ganassi - with whom Montoya won the 1999 CART Championship - JPM said to him

I want to go racing again

I honestly think that JPM's underachieving since his coming to F1 meant that he could no longer continue after this season, but I'm surprised by a move to NASCAR.