MotoGP teams will begin official test in Sepang Tuesday

The first official test for the year at the circuit in Sepang today sets into motion what is predictable to be one of the most exciting seasons for MotoGP fans.

The 800cc engines will roar into achievement and taking top billing will be the track debuts of Valentino Rossi for Ducati and Casey Stoner for Honda.

Nine-time world champion Rossi joined Ducati after seven seasons with Yamaha and the test sessions until Thursday will mark the Italian’s first track form generous the familiar red colours with partner Nicky Hayden.

Australian top rider Stoner will do the same after moving out of Ducati to join forces with Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and Italian Andrea Dovizioso. Stoner won the world title with Ducati in 2007.

Attention will also be on reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain on the new Yamaha machine carrying the No. 1 racing number.

It is the first time since Wayne Rainey protected his title in 1993 for the third successive time with Yamaha that a reigning champion in the premier class is spanning the coveted No. 1 machine.

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer, Datuk Ahmad Razlan Razali, said that they looked onward to again host the world’s best riders for the first executive tests of the year.

“The new season looks set to be the most thrilling ever.

“There is Lorenzo with the new Yamaha liveries and it will be interesting to see potential strong rivals Rossi and Stoner with their new teams,” he said 

Alonso samples the F150 at Fiorano

Fernando Alonso (ESP) puts the fresh Ferrari F150 through its paces for the first time. Ferrari F150 First Run, Fiorano, Italy, 28 January 2011. Fernando Alonso (ESP) puts the new Ferrari F150 through its paces for the first time. Ferrari F150 First Run, Fiorano, Italy, 28 January 2011. Fernando Alonso (ESP) puts the new Ferrari F150 through its paces for the first time. Ferrari F150 First Run, Fiorano, Italy, 28 January 2011.

Fresh from its start on, Ferrari’s 2011 car hit the track for the very first time in Italy on Friday afternoon, for promotional filming purposes. The honour of putting the F150 through its debut paces at the Italian team’s Fiorano test circuit was bestowed on Fernando Alonso.

The car was obtainable to the world’s media during a glitzy launch at Ferrari's Maranello factory on Friday morning. Alonso was in attendance, alongside team mate Felipe Massa, team principal Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo and numerous other Maranello dignitaries.

Alonso will hand over the F150 to Massa on Saturday, who will take a turn in front of members of the team’s fan club. Debut runs over, the real test work will then start in Spain next week, with both the Brazilian and the Spaniard expected in action during the first authorized pre-season session of the year at Valencia from February 1-3. 

Schumacher targets eighth world F1 designation

Michael Schumacher believes he can sign off the bitter dissatisfaction of his comeback season and take a shock eighth world title this year at the wheel of his Mercedes.

The 42-year-old failed to arrive at the podium in 19 races in 2010 and was totally outshone by Nico Rosberg who finished the campaign 70 points in front of the German veteran.

But there were signs of development towards the end of 2010 and Schumacher's confidence has been boosted by team principal Ross Brawn overseeing an improved technical package.

Asked if he expected to be world champion at the end of the best campaign in F1 history with 20 races, Schumacher told F1 Racing magazine: "Absolutely.

"We have a three-year project. Very clearly right now, we are not where we want to be. We've put a lot of attempt into coming back and are hopeful we have a chance.

"But in the history of Formula One, when does it ever happen that you come back straightaway from this level to win in just one year? Very rarely.

"So I'm sure we can fight for wins this year and we might be able to fight for the title fight. I hope so.

"I'm here on a assignment and I want to succeed. I want to carry out and I'm going to put 100 percent into it. And if that's not the case in 2011, then we will contain to do it in the final year."

Schumacher will be back on track in Valencia for the first of the four pre-season tests from February 1 in front of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 13.

Rossi tests fitness at Misano

The Ducati rider completed a private test at the World Championship circuit on Wednesday, ahead of the Sepang Test next week. Watch footage of the day's events in the attached exclusive video.

Valentino Rossi rode a Ducati 1198 at the Misano circuit today (Wednesday) to test his physical condition ahead of the first official MotoGP Test at Sepang, which takes place next week from February 1st-3rd.

Riding the non-MotoGP machine to comply with the Testing restrictions, the Italian took to the track at around 1pm local time in cool conditions, with a maximum air temperature of 10ºC and a peak track temperature of 15ºC.

Still reporting pain in his shoulder, Rossi was accompanied at the track by Ducati Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi and two of his crew engineers Matteo Flamigni and Gabriele Conti as he took the latest step in his continuing recovery from shoulder surgery which he underwent last November.

“First of all, thanks to Filippo (Preziosi) and to Ducati, who organised this test,” said Rossi. “Misano Circuit let us use the track on a day when Mattia (Pasini) was planning to ride in order to confirm his own condition. The track more or less confirmed what we expected: the shoulder is painful, especially under braking, when the front area hurts, where they stitched the tendon. Movement is stable enough, and we’re also doing not so bad with endurance, but apart from that, it hurts a lot and isn’t very strong. Let’s hope it gets a little better in these next few days before the test in Malaysia.”

Indian GP organiser quits

Mark Hughes, a former No 2 at the Bahrain circuit, in accuse of building the Indian facility for the past 12 months, quit last month "due to personal reasons", the promoters said.

"Mark Hughes is no longer working with us, he gone due to his own personal reasons," Sameer Kumar, chief spokesman for the promoters, the Jaypee group, said.

Kumar did not complicated on Hughes's sudden departure, but said operations at the circuit were now being handled by Azhar Ghazali, a former race organiser in Sepang, Malaysia.

"Mr Ghazali is a very competent man and he's more than making up for Mr Hughes's absence," said Kumar.

India is due to hold the race on October 30 at an under-construction $350 million 5.14-kilometre circuit designed by famous German architect Herman Tilke in Greater Noida on the border of New Delhi.

The circuit is part of an ambitious 2 500-acre (1 000-hectare) sports complex being built by the Jaypee group that will comprise an international-standard cricket stadium.

Hughes established the development, telling AFP he was now working with the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

"While I am no longer based in India and I am working for the circuit in Abu Dhabi, I am still closely linked with Jaypee and am still advising them on the upcoming Indian Grand Prix," he said.

Rossi’s press conference from Ducati’s Wrooom 2011 appearance in full

Valentino Rossi gave his first press conference as a Ducati rider through Wrooom 2011, held last week at Madonna di Campiglio. Here you be capable of watching the full video of the Italian star’s reflections.

Wearing Ducati colours for the first time and amid the prospect of the international press and the fans, Valentino Rossi gave a press conference at Wrooom 2011 in which he offered his opinions and prospect for 2011, the campaign which sees his debut at the controls of the Ducati Desmosedici GP11. In the fond of video you can see the complete interview with the Italian.

MOTOGP: Rossi Tears Down The Wall

Walls in-between MotoGP pits have become commonplace in recent years and even teammates that get along, such as last year's Tech3 combination of Colin Edwards and Ben Spies, have preferred the divider. Spies has stated he felt it helped his guys cut down on the disorder in the garage.

“Good fences make good neighbors,” wrote Robert Frost a long time ago. And there’s amazing to it.

But as he so often does, Valentino Rossi astonished MotoGP observers by saying he wants to buck the trend this year. Rossi’s recent comments at the Ducati team statement in the Dolomite Mountains echoed Ronald Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech.

Rossi said he wants no wall and for the two riders to share data and to assist fully in Ducati’s 2011 assault. While Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner had very different setup preferences for the paddock’s most sole handling machine, Rossi and Nick are closer.

Teammate Hayden raced next to Rossi at Honda years ago and there is a level of admiration between the two riders that allowed them to coexist then and now.

Williams to start first test with new FW33

Williams has become the latest team to verify that its new car, the FW33, will make its track debut on the opening day of the Valencia test on February 1.

However, while the team will be receiving straight down to work with its 2011 challenger from the off in pre-season, the car will sport an interim livery with the squad to proclaim an official launch at a late date.

Rubens Barrichello will be given the honour of conducting the first day and a half of testing in the car, with new team-mate and Formula 1 rookie Pastor Maldonado to take over for the second half of the three-day test.

Williams joins Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Mercedes in rolling its new cars out on the morning on the first test, while Ferrari, Renault, Sauber and Lotus will all also definitely be in action with their 2011 cars.

MotoGP : Rossi & Hayden Ice Footage

Here's some recording of Ducati MotoGP team riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden racing different machines Friday at the Wroom occasion at Madonna di Campiglio in the Dolomites, Italy.

The traditional ice race finished the week-long event; Rossi and Hayden competed in go-karts and then Fiat Cinquecentos.

Rossi and Hayden represented the Ducati MotoGP team, and the famous Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were on behalf of the Italian icon Ferrari, along with three Ferrari F1 test drivers.

The nine-time World Champion Rossi, who signed with the Ducati Team after seven years of MotoGP racing with Yamaha, did not participate in any events like snowboarding at the Wrooom event, but still had some fun in the ice races.

The go-kart races were first, and although Rossi's contribution was dubious due to recovering from shoulder surgery, the Italian still raced.

Alonso, who has talked Rossi's four-wheel aptitude down before, got out front first, led all 20 laps. Rossi would finish fifth. But the American Hayden had different luck, and broken third behind Massa and race-winner, Alonso.

In the Fiat Cinquecentos ice race, the winner again was the Spaniard Alonso. Like his performance in the go-kart race, the Ferrari star Alonso led every lap of the race. Hayden ended second, and Rossi third. Last year at the ice race, the teams raced Fiat Pandas, and Hayden took the win.

Besides taking on Alonso, Rossi was also unveiled in 2011 Ducati Team MotoGP colors for the first time. The team's 2011 Ducati GP11 MotoGP motorcycles were also unvieled in 2011 colors.

Wrooom finishes with a stunning exhibition

Ducati Team riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden faced Scuderia Ferrari F1 stars Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in an ice-race on the final day of the Wrooom Press Meeting.

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden connected Ferrari’s Formula 1 drivers for a stunning exhibition on Madonna di Campiglio’s frozen lake in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 people.

“This week has been a fantastic event, and the races at the end were a lot of fun,” said Valentino. “In the end, I determined to take part because the atmosphere here at Wrooom was so fantastic, and because the fans deserved it. I got a few jolts from the holes, but nothing too bad. It was value it.”

"This was my third Wrooom, and I believe it was the best one yet," echoed Nicky Hayden. "It seems like they just make it better every year. They really treat us good, and we make a lot of friends, and it’s great to see them each year. This is a great way to kick things off, but there’s been sufficient talking about everything now. It’s time to get out there and do the real thing. I look forward to it."

F1's bad payers exposed

According to the Mail on Sunday, an self-governing study conducted by business information company Dun & Bradstreet reveals that only two teams pay earlier than the due date.

Red Bull Racing and sister team Toro Rosso, both bankrolled by Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, are the only clothes that pay their creditors - which comprise caterers, designers, equipment suppliers and haulage firms - on time. However, that is mainly down to Mateschitz's decision to boost the teams' budget.

'The data, which contrast the rate of payment between December 2009 to April 2010 and between April to November last year, reveal that even though the economy has begun to pick up, the creditworthiness of F1 teams has not,' the statement claims.

Despite having some of the biggest budgets in the sport, heavyweights Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren are typically late by between 11 and 17 days. The trio were upstaged by rookies Virgin - backed by Sir Richard Branson - who on standard settled their accounts eight days after the due date.

Force India are by far the worst of the recognized outfits as they usually take about a month to pay their bills despite being owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya.

The report adds: 'One supplier, who did not wish to be named, said his company has had to pay its own staff late as a result. 'If Vijay sold his yacht, it would keep the team going for a couple of years,' he said.'

The Northamptonshire-based team though don't get the award for worst overall offender. That honour goes to rookies Lotus who typically pay 180 days late. 

Rossi to be unveiled in Ducati colours at Wrooom 2011

Ducati’s 2011 MotoGP project will be formally presented this week at Madonna di Campiglio, with the celebration of the customary Wrooom event. The gathering, which takes place at the Italian ski resort at the turn of each new year, will offer media and fans a first detection of Valentino Rossi in Ducati red as the Italian joins team-mate Nicky Hayden for the week-long programme.

The riders, guests and media will arrive on Monday evening after which a busy schedule will begin. On Tuesday morning both Hayden and Rossi will be the focus of concentration as they field questions from the gathered press in person press conferences, following which they will pretense for photographs with Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi and then meet fans.

Then on Wednesday it will be the turn of Claudio Domenicali, boss of Ducati Corse, to answer enquiries about the new GP11 prototype after which the 2011 machine will be unveiled. Joining the MotoGP riders during the week will be Scuderia Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who will be on hand to present the Italian Formula 1 team’s 2011 car.

Narain Karthikeyan Makes Surprise Comeback to Formula 1

Narain Karthikeyan’s comeback into Formula One has surely astonished many. The fact that he is coming back after a five-season nonappearance from the top form of motorsport is not an easy attainment.

Seen as someone who has umpteen raw talent, the 33-year-old now has another possibility to prove his mettle with the best in the world.

His last spell in F1 with the Jordan Toyota team in 2005 was unassuming but with things having changed in the sport, it could be a different ball game.

However, he has had some good results and also wins in the now-defunct A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport and the Superleague Formula series (for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven). He has been driving in the Nascar World Camping Truck sequence in 2010 and in Le Mans.

With so much racing knowledge, his 2011 season with Hispania, who have complete his signing up, could indeed throw up something interesting. Daily News & Analysis

Karthikeyan said: “I am confident that I still have the pace, the health and the will to succeed in Formula 1.”

Team boss Colin Kolles said: “I am sure his knowledge and speed will be very useful for the team during the season.”

India will also host its first F1 Grand Prix in October, and Karthikeyan says he is honoured to be clever to race on home soil next season.

“I’ve been from beginning to end a lot in my career but to be a part of the first-ever Indian Grand Prix will a special moment for me,” Karthikeyan said.

MotoGP 2011: The new season

In less than one month’s time the first representative MotoGP Test of the year takes place at Sepang as the clash for the final 800cc title gets underway.

The 2010 crusade is still fresh in the memory but already the focus has turned to 2011. With the first Official Test in training for the new season coming right away after the final round of the year in Valencia back in November, the enthusiasm at the final 800cc season before the opening of a 1000c engine capacity limit in 2012 is merely adding to the expectation that the 2011 season will be one to savour.

Looking at the foremost contenders for the 2011 MotoGP title the defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will be at the front position, as he aims to underline his status as the new dominant force. Having been so consistent in 2010 and finishing 16 of the 18 rounds on the podium on his M1, the factory Yamaha rider displayed a level of adulthood that was very much improved in contrast to his previous premier class campaigns.

As Lorenzo opts for stability with Yamaha two of his chief rivals ride with new teams in 2011. Casey Stoner becomes a factory HRC rider and his show in the Valencia Test hinted at what was an instant similarity with the RC212V, whilst Valentino Rossi has filled the Australian’s seat at Ducati as an all-Italian match-up adds to the charming grid. Rossi may not have enjoyed as contented an introduction to his new machine as Stoner did to the Honda, but such is the nine-time World Champion’s established track record he can be predictable to be pushing hard on the Desmosedici come March 20th at Losail.

Along with Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa will hope to benefit from the constancy of residual with the same set-up in 2011, and for the 2010 runner-up it will be his sixth season on the factory Honda team. Having been Lorenzo’s longest contestant until injury struck towards the end of 2010, Pedrosa’s sights will be resolutely set on a first premier class title.

As much as the ‘top four’ carry on to be spoken of in one bracket, the gap at the back them is being closed all the time and there are a number of riders who will not only be sure of breaking into that elite, but who have proven they have the aptitude to run at the front.

Ferrari to reshuffle engineering department for 2011 season

Ahead of their 2011 campaign, Ferrari have opted to make several changes within their engineering department in an effort to boost efficiency. The reshuffle follows a tactical blunder at the Abu Dhabi season finale, which saw Fernando Alonso make an ill-timed pit stop and eventually miss out on the 2010 drivers’ title.

Pat Fry, who joined the team in July 2010 following an 18-year stint at McLaren, is to replace Chris Dyer as the head of race track engineering. Fry will continue in his role as Ferrari’s assistant technical director, whilst Dyer’s new position within the team will be clarified over the next few days.

Another change sees former Red Bull and McLaren engineer Neil Martin join Ferrari to head up their new operations research department. Martin will report directly to the team's technical director Aldo Costa.

Ducati don’t need a Yamaha copy

Ducati may be aiming to help Valentino Rossi duplicate his Yamaha success with its Desmosedici, but the Italian factory insists it doesn't need to construct a copy of the M1.

After a 15th place on Rossi's Ducati first appearance during testing at Valencia, Ducati confessed changes will be wanted to allow the seven time MotoGP champion to ride as he would like.

But in spite of so many team members moving with Rossi from Yamaha, team manager Vittoriano Guareschi insists that there is no force to change the Ducati plan philosophy.

"The [new team members from Yamaha] are settling in well. After so many years at Yamaha they be grateful for the soul of our brand," Guareschi told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Jerry [Rossi's crew chief] is reassuring. In universal there is peace of mind: we just need to get better the bike, not make a copy of the Yamaha.

"We're going in the way indicated by Valentino for 2011.

"The times [during testing at Valencia] were not very hopeful, it must be said, but after seeing the condition of his shoulder, we felt reassured. Our bike requires strong bodily input and Valentino wasn't fit sufficient in Valencia.”

Rossi has since undergone surgery for the shoulder wound and will be present for the presentation of the 2011 Ducati at the upcoming Wrooom press ski meeting. Rossi's first ride in Ducati red will then take place at Sepang, Malaysia, from February 1-3.

Ferrari not happy with engine changes

Last month the World Motorsport Council accepted the plan to switch from the normally-aspirated V8s that are at present in use and have been for a number of time to energy-efficient 1,6 litre, four-cylinder turbo units in 2013. The new scheme would also run in combination with KERS.

Before the choice was made, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone spoken his displeasure stating that: "We have a very good engine formula. Why should we alter it to something that is going to cost millions of pounds and that nobody wants and that could end up with one producer getting a big advantage?"

Di Montezemolo has now additional his voice to the chorus of discontent, and not for the first time either.

"We will not be structure any [four cylinder engines] for our street cars," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "For the top class of racing it sounds a bit pathetic. Why couldn't we have a V6 turbo? We should not confuse reasonable with cheap."

The Italian added that he would do anything he could to stop the 2013 implementation date, but admitted he needed support from other teams to make it happen.

"If there is the least possibility to delay the four cylinder, I will look for it. We see a chance. We need unity," he said.

Rossi and Yamaha: From start to finish

2010 brought a seven-year collaboration between the Italian rider and Japanese factory to a close, one which shaped four World Championship titles and wrote another chapter into the MotoGP history books you can revive the best moments of the partnership between the two, starting at Welkom in 2004.

Valentino Rossi’s entrance at Yamaha in 2004 was the start of a new era, both in the Italian rider’s career and the Japanese factory’s MotoGP history. Charming his first race on board the M1 at Welkom, Rossi confounded the critics who doubted his ability to transfer his success across from Honda and went on to safe the World Championship title that year.

Three further titles followed – in 2005, 2008 and 2009 – as Rossi underlined his status as one of the sport’s modern greats, and a stream of highlights were delivered along the way as a formidable force in MotoGP sustained to enjoy great success amassing 46 race victories along the way.

With the end of the 2010 season came the beginning of a change as Rossi prepared to make the switch to Ducati for 2011, and in the fond of motogp the 31 year-old’s finest moments on the M1 are compiled, from his first kiss subsequent victory at Welkom in 2004 to his farewell to the bike at Valencia in the final round of the 2010 campaign.

Appraisal the highlights of the Rossi-Yamaha years and enjoy the most recent chapter in the nine-time World Champion’s memorable career, before a new episode gets happening with Ducati…