Brits on Pole

We have quite a few readers from across the Pond who started following this site during the Indycar season - since then, one of the blue chip teams of the IRL, Andretti Green, has taken over the USA’s A1GP entry and plans to alternate two of American open wheel racing’s biggest names, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick, as its two drivers.

The British and Irish teams staked out the front row for A1GP’s two races in China tomorrow, Ireland’s Adam Carroll taking pole in the sprint race, then Team GBR’s Danny Watts qualifying top for the feature race with Carroll beside him.

A major shake-up at Force India has seen the departure of its engine supplier, team principal and technical director - could the drivers be next? And, if so, will it be Paul di Resta who gets his F1 break?

Bernie Ecclestone has told British F1 fans that not even a home champion will be enough to save their grand prix in 2010 should Donington Park fail to meet its obligation to stage the event.

The story about Lewis Hamilton featuring at this year’s Race of Champions just refuses to go away - despite receiving absolutely no public encouragement whatsoever from the driver or his team.

Finally, after the months of delays and disappointments, the Union Flag is again lapping with the rest of the A1GP field as Team GBR takes to the track in Chengdu, China.

Lewis Hamilton, 2008 F1 world champion, has said he doesn’t find racist abuse aimed at him funny in the least - but he has thanked his UK fans for supporting him through such negativity.

Jenson Button has won a ringing endorsement from his Honda team’s management, which reckons he could take on Lewis Hamilton with the right equipment. But they are not yet certain enough to give him a 2009 contract, it would appear…

Lewis Hamilton was greeted by 1000 cheering McLaren staff at the team’s high-tech HQ building when he made his triumphant homecoming after winning the F1 drivers’ championship.