Coulthard Destroys His RB4

Reb Bull driver David Coulthard's RB4 front end exploded into a shower of carbon fiber shards and rubble after hitting a small berm at turn 12.

The driver appeared uninjured in the incident. DC's crash was reminiscent of Timo Glock's crash last weekend in Melbourne where the car got air born and destroyed the suspension.

Red Bull must rebuild his car under new rules for 2008 that do not allow teams to run a spare car at an event. In previous years, the drivers could jump into the third car and begin setting it up for the race without penalty.

More Trouble For Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen's F2008 slowed and pulled off track after just under an hour of Friday Practice 1 in Malaysia.

Following a dismal showing for the Scuderia at round 1 in Australia, the Italians assured the public that their problems from Melbourne were behind them. All indications point to further problems for Ferrari.

No word yet on the official cause of Raikkonen's stoppage on track.

Alonso Returns Home To Renault

Double world champion Fernando Alonso announced his return to the French manufacturers Renault for the 2008 season according to the driver's personal website and an official press release from Renault.

Following months of speculation involving a variety of possible seats, team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed today that the former double champ will drive for the ING sponsored team next to former test driver Brazilian Nelsinho Piquet Jr. The later last raced in the GP2 championship against McLaren star Lewis Hamilton where he just lost out to the British driver.

The Spanaird, Alonso, won back to back world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. His experience with the team is vast and Briatore has promised Alonso clear number one status within the team.

Alonso's resigning comes just days after the verdict by the World Motor Sports Council who found Renault guilty of violating International Sporting Code 151(c) but handed out no punishment. The French team was found to be in possesion of detailed plans of the McLaren car, however, the council had no evidence that Renault gained any advantage.

Earlier in the season McLaren lost all constructor's points and were fined $100 million in a similar case. Had Renault faced the same fines it is likely that the French squad could not have swallowed the enormous financial penalty.

The announcement spells uncertainty for Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella who are left without race drives in 2008. Fisichella has tested with back runners Force India F1 and awaits a decision by team owner Vijay Mallya. In 2007 Fisichella was bested regularly by rookie Kovalainen who gave the team consistent points scoring finishes. Kovalainen is linked to possible drives at Toyota and McLaren but now faces an uncertain future in F1.

Heidfeld Quickest On Day 1

The final test of the season is packed with different opportunities and emotions as drivers headed out strapped in tightly for the a final taste of '07.

German Nick Heidfeld drove his BMW fastest in testing at Jerez today after his first taste of slick tires. Bridgestone provided slicks to all the teams for use at this final test. The Japanese rubber manufacture is collecting data in preparation for the proposed switch back to slicks in 2009. Currently the teams all use groved Bridgestone Potenzas and will continue through at least next season.

Behind Heidfeld, who set his time on slicks, was Honda star Jenson Button. The Briton, also on slicks, put his Honda ahead of both McLarens and both Ferraris. He enjoyed the outing as testing day of pure fun.

Day one was also a tryout day of sorts for the newly titled Force India F1 team. Adrian Sutil has been retained from the 2007 season but the seat next to him will host tryouts all week. Today saw Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, an expereinced veteran, push the back marker team to 14th overall. Other vets Ralf Schumacher, Vitantonio Liuzi and Frank Montagny all will have a drive this week in an attempt to save their careers as F1 racing drivers.

Throughout the week many youngsters will have their first tast of Formula 1 equipment. GP2 series champ Timo Glock began testing for his new team Toyota today and will continue this week, though he has had experience as a tester from last season. A1GP champion Nico Hulkenberg gets a test for Williams. Mike Conway, Javier Villa, Andres Zuber, and Marko Asmer will all be on hand this week for various tests for different teams all in hopes of securing a test driver roll or the sights of an F1 team.

A Retired Guy Goes Fastest In Testing

Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher returned to the seat of a Ferrari F1 car for the first proper session since his retirement following the 2006 season.

Schumacher made his return and quickly established that a one year absence has done little to stiffle his talent as a world class driver. He set the fastest time of the day in the F2007.

The German served to test the new regulations which ban traction control and debut a new electronic control system. When Schu began his career the cars featured fewer electronic gizmos to aid drivers on track.

Schumacher has no plans to return to F1 in any capacity beyond this test.

Barcelona hosts the teams this week and many new faces got behind the wheel. Toro Rosso welcomed Sebastian Bourdais, fresh off of a fourth Champ Car title.

GP2 drivers Zuber, Chandhok, and Rodriguez put their stamp on the field but failed to compete with the front runners on the time sheet.

Former Ferrari Joins Honda As Boss

Ten year Ferrari veteran Ross Brawn takes on the role of team principal for the Honda F1 racing team.

The Britain took a one year sabbatical from the Italian team that coincided with the departure of 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher at the end of the 2006 season.

Ross Brawn will take over the role alongside CEO Nick Fry beginning November 26th. Many speculated that Brawn would return to Ferrari as team principal to replace Jean Todt who is now president of the entire FIAT coportation - the parent company of Ferrari.

The announcement today was immediately followed by the announcement of the promotion of Stefano Domenicali to replace Todt beginning in 2008.

Following a terrible season by the Honda team, Nick Fry is beefing up the technical team in hopes to recuperate for 2008 and Brawn is an important figure to help draw more technical staff.

Could this be the final keystone in securing a drive by two time world champion Fernando Alonso in the future? Alonso has yet to sign with any team following the closure of a rocky relationship with McLaren after just one season and the fate of many drivers rests on Alonso's decision for next year.

Williams Announce 2008 Driver Line Up

In a move to quash rumors about the future of Nico Rosberg Williams announced today their driver line-up for 2008. Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima are paired for next season at the Toyota powered team.

Nakajima joins is promoted from team test driver. After a successful season in GP2 he hopes to follow in his father's footsteps as a Japanese F1 star.

The announcement means one option for the future of Fernando Alonso is sussed.