F12006-Class.Final-1ºAlonso2ºSchumacher3ºRaikkönen

[JRodrigues]

E ainda mais para o barulho lol

Pedro de la Rosa shines at Jerez
Jerez - Friday - Testing



Photo F1-Live.com
Zoom
Pedro de la Rosa
Seven teams continued testing at Jerez today. Despite a few interruptions (off track excursions, mechanical problems) with no serious consequences, the drivers were able to work under good conditions, including near perfect weather.

Pedro de la Rosa set the fastest lap of the day, driving an MP4-20 equipped with a V10 Mercedes engine. In the afternoon, McLaren focused on testing the V8 version offered by Mercedes.

Nico Rosberg continued to improve his pace compared with his results on the previous days and finished second on the time sheets. Jenson Button set the third quickest time and completed an impressive 122 laps in total.

Jerez - 9/12/05 :
1. Pedro de la Rosa (Mclaren V10) 1'17.303 (77 laps)
2. Nico Rosberg (Williams Cosworth V8) 1'19.174 (24 laps)
3. Jenson Button (Honda V8) 1'19.365 (122 laps)
4. Jarno Trulli (Toyota V8) 1'19.670 (89 laps)
5. Mark Webber (Williams Cosworth V8) 1'19.684 (55 laps)
6. Ricardo Zonta (Toyota V8) 1'19.859 (60 laps)
7. Jacques Villeneuve (BMW Sauber V8) 1'19.864 (86 laps)
8. Christian Albers (MF1 V10) 1'19.952 (70 laps)
9. Alex Wurz (Mclaren Mercedes V8) 1'20.105 (70 laps)
10. Anthony Davidson (Honda V8) 1'20.106 (102 laps)
11. Tiago Monteiro (MF1 V8) 1'20.300 (70 laps)
12. Marc Gené (Ferrari V8) 1'20.981 (79 laps)
13. David Coulthard (Red Bull) 1'21.114 (104 laps)

www.f1-live.com

[Johnny E.]

Tempos no F1-live:


Results of 07/12/2005
Weather : dry track (morning), dry track (afternoon)

01 F. Montagny Renault R25 1'19''468 -- 103
02 M. Gene Ferrari F2004M V8 1'19''687 +0''219 83
03 H. Kovalainen Renault R25 1'19''809 +0''341 118
04 A. Davidson Honda 007 V8 1'20''144 +0''676 103
05 N. Karthikeyan Williams FW27B 1'20''291 +0''823 49
06 P. De La Rosa McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''369 +0''901 102
07 R. Schumacher Toyota TF106 1'20''454 +0''986 65
08 C. Klien Red Bull RB1 1'20''581 +1''113 70
09 N. Rosberg Williams FW27B 1'20''644 +1''176 62
10 G. Paffett McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''760 +1''292 66
11 L. Badoer Ferrari F2005 1'20''845 +1''377 39
12 J. Rossiter Honda 007 V8 1'20''978 +1''510 81
13 R. Briscoe Toyota TF106 1'21''211 +1''743 78
14 T. Biagi Midland MF1 1'21''878 +2''410 90
15 C. Albers Midland MF1 V8 1'23''203 +3''735 52



Results of 08/12/2005
Weather : dry track (morning), dry track (afternoon)

01 L. Badoer Ferrari F2005 1'18''237 -- 13
02 J. Button Honda 007 V8 1'19''094 +0''857 71
03 F. Montagny Renault R25 1'19''219 +0''982 105
04 H. Kovalainen Renault R25 1'19''287 +1''050 110
05 R. Briscoe Toyota TF106 1'19''563 +1''326 65
06 J. Trulli Toyota TF106 1'19''935 +1''698 59
07 M. Webber Williams FW27B 1'20''343 +2''106 44
08 N. Rosberg Williams FW27B 1'20''464 +2''227 25
09 G. Paffett McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''484 +2''247 69
10 J. Rossiter Honda 007 V8 1'20''603 +2''366 68
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull RB1 1'20''854 +2''617 47
12 A. Wurz McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''895 +2''658 29
13 C. Klien Red Bull RB1 1'21''008 +2''771 10
14 M. Gene Ferrari F2004M V8 1'21''122 +2''885 13
15 J. Van Hooydonk Midland MF1 1'21''625 +3''388 78
16 J. Villeneuve BMW S. C24B 1'21''684 +3''447 64
17 T. Monteiro Midland MF1 V8 1'24''367 +6''130 23



Results of 09/12/2005
Weather : dry track (morning), dry track (afternoon)

01 P. De La Rosa McLaren MP4-20B 1'17''303 -- 77
02 N. Rosberg Williams FW27B 1'19''174 +1''871 24
03 J. Button Honda 007 V8 1'19''365 +2''062 122
04 J. Trulli Toyota TF106 1'19''670 +2''367 89
05 M. Webber Williams FW27B 1'19''684 +2''381 55
06 R. Zonta Toyota TF106 1'19''859 +2''556 60
07 J. Villeneuve BMW S. C24B 1'19''864 +2''561 86
08 C. Albers Midland MF1 V8 1'19''952 +2''649 70
09 A. Wurz McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''105 +2''802 70
10 A. Davidson Honda 007 V8 1'20''106 +2''803 102
11 T. Monteiro Midland MF1 V8 1'20''300 +2''997 70
12 M. Gene Ferrari F2004M V8 1'20''981 +3''678 79
13 D. Coulthard Red Bull RB1 1'21''114 +3''811 104



Best results

01 P. De La Rosa McLaren MP4-20B 1'17''303 -- 179
02 L. Badoer Ferrari F2005 1'18''237 +0''934 52
03 J. Button Honda 007 V8 1'19''094 +1''791 193
04 N. Rosberg Williams FW27B 1'19''174 +1''871 111
05 F. Montagny Renault R25 1'19''219 +1''916 208
06 H. Kovalainen Renault R25 1'19''287 +1''984 228
07 R. Briscoe Toyota TF106 1'19''563 +2''260 143
08 J. Trulli Toyota TF106 1'19''670 +2''367 148
09 M. Webber Williams FW27B 1'19''684 +2''381 99
10 M. Gene Ferrari F2004M V8 1'19''687 +2''384 175
11 R. Zonta Toyota TF106 1'19''859 +2''556 60
12 J. Villeneuve BMW S. C24B 1'19''864 +2''561 150
13 C. Albers Midland MF1 V8 1'19''952 +2''649 122
14 A. Wurz McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''105 +2''802 99
15 A. Davidson Honda 007 V8 1'20''106 +2''803 205
16 N. Karthikeyan Williams FW27B 1'20''291 +2''988 49
17 T. Monteiro Midland MF1 V8 1'20''300 +2''997 93
18 R. Schumacher Toyota TF106 1'20''454 +3''151 65
19 G. Paffett McLaren MP4-20B 1'20''484 +3''181 135
20 C. Klien Red Bull RB1 1'20''581 +3''278 80
21 J. Rossiter Honda 007 V8 1'20''603 +3''300 149
22 D. Coulthard Red Bull RB1 1'20''854 +3''551 151
23 J. Van Hooydonk Midland MF1 1'21''625 +4''322 78
24 T. Biagi Midland MF1 1'21''878 +4''575 90



Best lap on this track :
1'15''650 - M. Schumacher (Ferrari) - 30/09/2004

[Omega]

Parece que as minhas fontes estão erradas...

[Johnny E.]

Mas olha que as do F1-Racing não estão muito melhores...

[Johnny E.]

A FIA faz finca-pé no fornecedor único de pneus para 2008 e a Michelin faz saber que com tal medida abandonará a F1 no final de 2007...

[panpipe]

não sei o porquê de tanta preocupação com os tempo do monteiro serem inferiores aos de albers..

o ano passado o Narain tb não era mais rápido que o Tiago???

valeu-lhe de muito....

[SilverArrow]

O Alberts é bem superior ao Narain. Por isso de certeza que vai dar algum trabalho ao Tiago.

[3com]

citação:
Japan's Honda spent more money on F1 this year than any other carmaker. That is the information of 'BusinessF1' magazine, which claimed that a gigantic budget totalling (US) $560 million was splashed out on the Brackley based BAR-Honda team.

It must be remembered, however, that Honda recently acquired 100 per cent of its now eponymous grand prix outfit.

Major expenditure on a new state of the art wind tunnel would also account for a chunk of the more than half-billion dollar figure, and Honda reportedly also chipped in to help Jenson Button buy his way out of a Williams deal.


In a more normal year, Honda would have spent about $250 million in 2005, followed closely by Mercedes ($236m) and Toyota ($212m). BMW ploughed in $160 million, while Renault won both drivers' and constructors' titles by spending just $113m. These figures are estimated based on what the car manufacturer, rather than what the team on a whole, spent

:D:D:D:D

Mais uma vez, a prova que uma boa gestão e o investimento no sitio certo vale mais que orçamentos churudos

[Johnny E.]

A 1ª prova do GP Masters (F1 senior...) em Kyalami (África do Sul) foi ganha por Mansell, seguido de Fittipaldi e Patrese.

Alain Prost não pode correr no GP Masters, pois uma das condições é não correr ou testar monolugares, e Prost, como consultor da FIA e dos construtores de F1, testa regularmeente os F1 na procura da adaptação dos regulamentos sugeridos.

[fernando bento]

Super Aguri: futuro se define nesta semana

Warm Up
13/12/2005 - 10:51

Pessoas ligadas à Super Aguri revelaram nesta terça-feira (13) que o futuro da equipe deve ser definido até o fim desta semana. O segundo time de Honda não teve a inscrição aceita para o próximo Mundial e Aguri Suzuki pediu ao presidente da FIA, Max Mosley, uma segunda chance.

A escuderia espera o resultado das negociações entre Bernie Ecclestone e os diretores da MF1. O grupo de Alex Shnaider foi o único a votar contra a entrada da Super Aguri, já que a nova oportunidade de entrar na F-1 depende do apoio unânime das rivais. O não deve-se ao fato de apenas os dez primeiros ficarem com o dinheiro dos direitos de imagem.

Um rumor que surgiu nos últimos dias refere-se à pressão que a Toyota, que fornece motores à MF1, estaria fazendo para que a Honda só tenha uma equipe.

retirado de: www.grandepremio.com.br
__________________________________________________ ____________________
Hummm... Parece então que esta é uma briga caseira de "cahorros grandes", tomara que as marcas nipônicas se entendam para que tenhamos mais uma equipe alinhada no grid

[Johnny E.]

Mais fotos da «experiência Boneville» da BAR-Honda: 413.205 km/h

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_01.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_02.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_03.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_04.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_05.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_06.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_07.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_08.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_09.jpg

http://www.autogaleria.pl/fotografie...neville_10.jpg

[panpipe]

Michelin will leave F1 after 2006 season
The French tyre manufacturer confirms its decision


Michelin has on several occasions expressed the conditions of its involvement in Formula One: Michelin considers Formula One to be a highly technical motorsport in which the tyre is a very influential component in the scope of the performance of the vehicle.

The teams' freedom to choose their own tyres is essential. Therefore, competition between at least two tyre manufacturers is critical; this provides the basis for real competition between tyre suppliers which, in turn, stimulates progress for the public’s greater interest.

Today, it would appear as though Formula One rules will be modified to impose a single tyre supplier.

After consulting with its loyal partners (McLaren Mercedes, BMW Sauber F1, Renault F1, Honda Racing F1) as well as with Sir Frank Williams, Michelin is now convinced that the evolution towards a single tyre supplier is inevitable. Michelin expresses its regret to see F1 lose a part of its high technology.

In addition to this new direction in F1, there are constant changes to racing regulations without warning. Such practices also make planning for the future completely impossible.

In this context, continuing to make long-term investments in Formula One no longer presents the same interest.

Michelin has therefore decided not to extend its Formula One involvement beyond the 2006 season.

"This decision is the result of profound differences between Michelin’s long-standing sporting philosophy and the way Formula One is managed by the regulating authorities, which no longer provide a clear and sustainable environment to justify long-term investments,” commented Mr. Edouard Michelin.

"For Michelin, leaving Formula One in no way represents abandoning motorsports, to which the Michelin brand has been committed for 117 years. If F1’s ways of functioning were to be significantly modified, Michelin would not hesitate in proposing its services to the different teams once again."

Michelin’s withdrawal at the end of 2006 will almost certainly bring into play a single tyre supplier in 2007. In this new situation, it should be possible to verify if the FIA’s vaunted advantages of control tyres are proven and, in particular, if equality amongst teams really is guaranteed.

This decision is being made public in December 2005 to respect the FIA’s required notice period and to provide a maximum amount of preparation time to Michelin partners, with whom there was no firm commitment beyond 2006.

In conclusion, Mr. Edouard Michelin stated: "No matter what, Michelin will do everything possible to ensure that its partners receive the best service and the best tyres to help them win during the 2006 season, as has always been the case since our return to Formula One in 2001. Michelin would have liked to have extended its long-term Formula One involvement, because the demands of Formula One as well as the collaboration with partner teams have been such a source of progress and fruitful exchanges. Thank you to all of our partners for this.”

Press release
Michelin

[panpipe]

McLaren land Vodafone as title sponsor
Dominant title sponsorship branding in 2007


Vodafone and the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team today announce a long-term sponsorship agreement, commencing January 2007 which will last into the next decade. Vodafone will become Title Sponsor of the Team – ‘Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ and the ‘Official Mobile Partner’.

The sponsorship demonstrates Vodafone’s ongoing commitment to the Formula One World Championship, a sport which continues to deliver massive global television coverage and which has significant appeal for Vodafone’s consumer and business customers around the world.

Vodafone has sponsored the Ferrari team since 2002 and the contract expires at the end of next season.

Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group
“This is only the third time for more than 30 years that the opportunity to become the team’s Title Sponsor has existed. The status of the brand and the level of activation in support of the sponsorship were key criteria for our choice of Title Sponsor and Vodafone over-delivers in all respects. In addition, as our agreement is long-term, this provides important stability within the Team, allowing us to focus fully on our objective of winning races and Championships together. We are delighted to welcome Vodafone to the team and look forward to many future successes."

Peter Bamford, Vodafone Chief Marketing Officer
"We are excited about this new phase of involvement in motor racing. As Title Sponsor of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team it raises our association with Formula One to the ultimate level. The new agreement delivers a fantastic marketing platform; the associative rights we acquire as a result of this new sponsorship provide us with additional opportunities to continue to raise brand awareness, build brand preference and drive revenue. It will also provide our customers with unique and exciting content through Vodafone live! with 3G.”

Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"We welcome Vodafone as the new title sponsor to the team. The fact that a world renowned brand like Vodafone with such an impressive market performance has joined us is of significant importance not only for the team but also for all our world class sponsor partners. I am sure that each one will benefit from the respective activities of the other, which is a first class prospect for everybody involved."

E.A.
Source Vodafone / McLaren Mercedes

[panpipe]

Tempos de ontem em Jerez

1) Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari-V10/B), 1min19s070 (91 voltas)
2) Ricardo Zonta (BRA/Toyota-V8/B), 1min20s061 (92)
3) Gary Paffett (ING/McLaren-V8/M), 1min20s226 (66)
4) Pedro de la Rosa (ESP/McLaren-V8/M), 1min20s318 (84)
5) Nick Heidfeld (ALE/-BMW-V8/M), 1min20s794 (85)
6) Franck Perera (FRA/Toyota-V8/B), 1min21s337 (60)

[Johnny E.]

A Michelin assinou a sua sentença* em Indianapolis 2005.

A FIA já andava de olho neles desde Spa 2004 (Button afirmou então após uma sequência de falhas nos pneus Michelin que a marca francesa andava a brincar com a vida dos pilotos.)

*

[JCSTILO]

Boas,

Hoje lançei um tópico sobre o nosso Tiago Monteiro e a MF1...

http://forum.autohoje.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=65559


O que acham da entrevista do "relations manager" da MF1???

Cumpts,
JC_STILO

[imported_DêCêIi]

citação:Originalmente colocada por panpipe

McLaren land Vodafone as title sponsor
Dominant title sponsorship branding in 2007

Eh eh... Vamos agora telemóveis com as cores da McLaren [?]

Se calhar o melhor mesmo é começar a coleccioná-los... :D ;)

[Johnny E.]

Mika Hakkinen é mau...

« Je doute que l'un ou l'autre des pilotes soit capable de faire ce que Michael a fait. Ni Alonso ni Räikkönen n'en sont proches. Michael est tout simplement le plus grand. »
Mika Hakkinen

[Johnny E.]

Imaginem um dito tal por parte de Jean Todt ou ross Brawn...

O fogo da inquisição seria imediatamente requerido para a equipa Ferrari...


Fry: 'Rubens can help Jense win the title'

Rubens Barrichello is just the sort of team-mate Jenson Button needs if he wants to win the Formula One World title, that's according to their Honda team boss Nick Fry.
Barrichello announced earlier this year that he would not be extending his Ferrari deal for another season, opting instead to find a new team to race for in 2006.

It was later revealed that his new team would be the BAR-Honda outfit, now known as Honda Racing, where he was expected to replace Jenson Button who was off to Williams.

However, as a result of Button's successful buy-out from his Williams contract, the Brit retained his seat at Honda and will now partner Barrichello next season.

And this, Fry believes, is just what Button needs to bring out his full potential.

"Rubens is a great driver and will push Jenson very hard - and the other way around," he told The People.

"They will work together for the good of the team but they will also be battling very hard against each other."

"I am absolutely convinced that we have yet to see the best of Jenson. He is a superb driver as it is at the moment."

"But people forget that he is still only 25 years old. Michael Schumacher is ten years older and arguably the best driver in the world."

"So far I think Jenson has worked to about 80 percent of his ability, but I think Rubens will push that last bit out of him."

Back to top

[hpventura]

"They will work together for the good of the team"

Se fosse na Ferrari seria, "Barrichelo will work alone for the good of Michael Shumacher".

[Johnny E.]

citação:Originalmente colocada por hpventura

"They will work together for the good of the team"

Se fosse na Ferrari seria, "Barrichelo will work alone for the good of Michael Shumacher".

Estava Schumacher bem entalado se tivesse que ter dependido do trabalho e da ajuda de Barrichello para alcançar o que alcançou...

[Johnny E.]

O SOM na F1: (se não conseguirem ouvir por simples clique, guardem através do botão direito do rato e ouçam num editor media).


Mercedes V8 no Mclaren.... em Barcelona:

http://mclarenatharrods.tripod.com/v8.wma



Cosworth V10 no SRT/Minardi restringido!!... em Barcelona:

http://mclarenatharrods.tripod.com/v10.wma

[SilverArrow]

Já cá está. Já tenho algo para ver esta noite.
Veio fazer companhia aos de 03 e 04.

[SilverArrow]

citação:Originalmente colocada por hpventura

"They will work together for the good of the team"

Se fosse na Ferrari seria, "Barrichelo will work alone for the good of Michael Shumacher".

O RB. Pois quero ver o que é que vai fazer agora. Quero ver se sempre vai mostra a habilidade uqe supostamente tem...

O RB é um piloto mediocre que faz apenas bem uma coisa, ganha pontos para a equipa.

[VTEC]

Depois de Eddie Irvine, é do conhecimento geral que o RB é o melhor segundo piloto[}]

[Johnny E.]

Schumacher consegue ser o mais rápido em Jerez no seu retorno de férias:


1 M. Schumacher Ferrari 01:18.953 67
2 F. Massa Ferrari 01:19.060 97
3 F. Montagny Renault 01:19.066 20
4 H. Kovalainen Renault 01:19.100 119
5 A. Davidson BAR 01:19.877 114
6 R. Zonta Toyota 01:20.035 106
7 JP. Montoya McLaren 01:20.168 48
8 A. Carroll BAR 01:20.170 93
9 O. Panis Toyota 01:20.342 93
10 P. de la Rosa McLaren 01:20.492 117
11 N. Rosberg Williams 01:20.597 46
12 N. Heidfeld Sauber 01:20.700 38
13 M. Webber Williams 01:21.453 25

[SilverArrow]

Estou a prever um ano competitivo.

Os Ferrari melhores, Os renault continuam bem. Os McLaren de certeza que aprenderam a lição, os RedBull vão surpreender, e os Bar tb.

A desilusão vai voltar a se a Williams.

[panpipe]

citação:Originalmente colocada por Johnny E.

Schumacher consegue ser o mais rápido em Jerez no seu retorno de férias:

1 M. Schumacher Ferrari 01:18.953 67
2 F. Massa Ferrari 01:19.060 97
3 F. Montagny Renault 01:19.066 20
4 H. Kovalainen Renault 01:19.100 119
5 A. Davidson BAR 01:19.877 114
6 R. Zonta Toyota 01:20.035 106
7 JP. Montoya McLaren 01:20.168 48
8 A. Carroll BAR 01:20.170 93
9 O. Panis Toyota 01:20.342 93
10 P. de la Rosa McLaren 01:20.492 117
11 N. Rosberg Williams 01:20.597 46
12 N. Heidfeld Sauber 01:20.700 38
13 M. Webber Williams 01:21.453 25

falta aí quais os motores/chassis usados ;)

1. M. Schumacher - Ferrari F2004M V8
2. F. Massa - Ferrari F2005 V10
3. F. Montagny - Renault R25 V10
4. H. Kovalainen - Renault R25 V10
5. A. Davidson - Honda 007 V8
6. R. Zonta - Toyota TF106 V8
7. J.P. Montoya - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20B V8
8. A. Carroll - Honda 007 V8
9. O. Panis - Toyota TF106 V8
10. P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20B V8
11. N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW27 V8
12. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber C24B V8
13. M. Webber - Williams Cosworth FW27 V8

[panpipe]

McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh is a man who knows how to talk the corporate talk but at a media lunch yesterday he took the prize for one of the best remarks for months in F1 circles when discussing whether or not Super Aguri F1 will be granted the right to race in F1 in 2006.

"We have written to Super Aguri saying that we will not oppose their entry," he said. "We have done it because Honda requested it and I made it very clear to Honda that is the only reason.

"My understanding is that at least Midland (MF1) have dug in. If you are a turkey, you don't vote for Christmas and they haven't agreed."

MF1 has the most to lose if Super Aguri comes into F1 because rival tailender Minardi has been acquired by Red Bull and is investment is being made to improve the team. If Super Aguri comes in MF1 is likely to drop to 11th in the World Championship and the current structure of the sport (rightly or wrongly) means that only the top 10 receive Tv and travel money from FOM.

[panpipe]

Ferrari in Wonderland?

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro needs to find a big new sponsor to replace Vodafone in 2007 and there are whispers in Italy that the team is already well on its way to a big new deal with Alice, the broadband service of Telecom Italia. Alice is at the start of an aggressive expansion programme in Europe and Telecom Italia, a Ferrari sponsor a few years back with its TIM mobile brand, has earmarked $2.5bn in investment for the development of Alice in Italy and the plan is for the service to be in 8m homes by the end of next year. Alice has already entered the French and German markets, having bought up the broadband assets of Tiscali and others. The service offers music, games, movies, sports and onlone television, which offers the viewers the opportunity to watch what they want, when they want to on their home TV via a broadband connection offering direct access to a wide range of on-demand content, including over 350 movies and TV series, news, soccer matches and, in the near future, live concerts and reality shows.

Ferrari is the perfect fit for Alice for a number of reasons, not least because it reflects a high-technology image which telephone companies are interested in. There are clearly bigger bigger international ambitions for Alice and in addition to the America's Cup sponsorship there are already international sponsorships in the European rugby championship and in MotoGP in which Alice is the sponsor of several races and is an official partner of the Marlboro-funded Ducati motorcyle team (and previously involved with Aprilia). Oddly enough there have been rumours that the firm is moving on to fund Valentino Rossi in an Alice Yamaha team in 2006. Rossi, it should be remembered, is regularly testing for Ferrari at the moment and may have a future in F1 in 2007.

And it does not end there. Alice has been built up with a deliberate link with the colour red. Its Internet portal is called RossoAlice ("rosso" being red in Italian) and it is also the sponsor of the America's Cup yacht "Luna Rossa", which is entered in the sailing competition by Prada and the Yacht Club Italiano.

With Rossi at Ferrari (unlikely though that may seem) there could not be a better sponsor for "The Reds".