Brits on Pole

He may yet get his man – but is the McLaren spying row about to blow up in Flavio Briatore’s face? Renault has today been summoned to explain itself in front of the FIA over allegations that it was in possession last season of confidential information belonging to McLaren.

So, if the pundits and insiders haven’t got much news for us on the 2008 F1 drivers’ saga, how about the bookies?

At the height of the Ferrari/McLaren spy row, Ron Dennis said: “I don’t need my character building any more.” You really do wonder if Jenson Button might soon be saying the same, if Honda don’t make some pretty rapid improvements in the off-season.

Brits on Pole would just like confirm that neither of its editorial team will be signing with McLaren to partner Lewis Hamilton next season. And if you’re not either, then that makes three of us. The rest of the world, we’re not so sure about.

The lack of hard information about Fernando Alonso’s 2008 plans has triggered a tidal wave of speculation – with most of it flooding Red Bull’s way.

You may not of heard of him before but Manfred Zimmerman, manager to Spyker driver Adrian Sutil, undoubtedly deserves the title.

David Coulthard is not the person most likely to leave Red Bull to make way for an incoming Fernando Alonso, according to one analysis of the newly-volatile drivers’ market. Instead, it is suggested, Mark Webber is finally on his way to Renault at the instigation of his manager – Flavio Briatore.

There was one nice moment in FIA president Max Mosley’s recent splenetic outburst against Lewis Hamilton, McLaren and anyone else with the audacity to believe Ferrari shouldn’t just be handed the drivers’ and constructors’ trophies on the podium in Albert Park next spring.

For those of you that are getting a bit sick of hearing about Lewis Hamilton – well, don’t make the mistake of thinking this young man has it easy.

Lewis Hamilton was a surprise guest at this year’s National TV Awards, where he appeared to hand over a special award to Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.