In a controversial statement, Martin Whitmarsh has called for the return of F1 to North America as soon as possible. What makes this controversial is that he is actually suggesting that Bernie Ecclestone be by-passed in the quest to put a US or Canadian GP back on the calendar. A clearer admission that Bernie's ridiculous demands of circuits are no longer acceptable could not be hoped for.
Robert Kubica in the BMW F1.09
Whitmarsh is calling for the teams to get involved; the North American market is too important to the manufacturers for Bernie to quibble about prices. In contrast to Ecclestone's constant demand for more money, consider the good sense and realism in this statement of Whitmarsh's:
We have got to have a new approach. Rather than who's going to give us the most money to rock up and race, it is to go there strategically, perhaps with FOTA offering to support the race, participate, send our drivers on a promotional tour one year before, six months before, to appear on shows and make investment.
I have said repeatedly that F1 should be prepared to give away GPs to American circuits, so important is it that the sport have a presence there. Now, at last, this has been recognized by someone who can do something about it. As long as Ecclestone is the sole arbiter of which circuits have GPs, the possibility of a North American race is remote indeed - no one will pay as much as he persists in asking for. But, if FOTA can assist with funding, it may be that Bernie could be sidelined; he does not care where the money comes from as long as it comes to him.
Hopefully, this will be just the first step in a process that sees reality invade the setting of the calendar. If F1 is truly to be a world championship, North America cannot be ignored; there should really be at least three GPs in that part of the world but I'll settle for one as a start.
Mention of Martin Whitmarsh turns one's thoughts to McLaren, of course. The saga of the MP4-24's lack of pace continues and Ron Dennis' evasive statement on the matter merely confirms Norbert Haug's more straightforward assessment. Although the two sound very different, they are saying the same thing in effect: McLaren will fix any problems that exist and be competitive when it matters. It would be a brave commentator who disagrees with that.
And so, to Barcelona for the last day of testing this week. The big news from the morning's session is that Barrichello is quick again, although Nico Rosberg grabbed the fastest time in the Williams. This is the day when the teams are supposed to put on a show with all-out qualifying simulations and so far it is living up to expectations, both Rubens and Nico breaking the 1'20 barrier.
Vettel, Massa, Kubica and Glock are not far behind but the McLaren continues to bring up the rear, nearly half a second behind the next man, Fernando Alonso. It all makes for a fascinating pre-season and I can hardly wait for the red lights to go off in Melbourne later this month.
Times for the final session will be posted when the test ends.
Final Session, Barcelona:
Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP 00:01'18''926
Nico Rosberg, Williams 00:01'19''774
Timo Glock, Toyota 00:01'20''091
Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull 00:01'20''576
Fernando Alonso, Renault 00:01'20''664
Felipe Massa, Ferrari 00:01'20''677
Robert Kubica, BMW-Sauber 00:01'20''740
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren 00:01'20''869
Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso 00:01'21''013
Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India 00:01'21''045
Sebastian Bourdais, Toro Rosso 00:01'21''629