Ferrari has announced that Stefano Domenicali will replace Jean Todt as head of its Formula 1 team next year, as part of a significant reshuffle of its senior management and technical staff. On January 1 Domenicali – currently the team’s sporting director – will be promoted to director of the Gestione Sportiva, the Italian marque’s motorsport division. Other changes include technical director Mario Almondo stepping up into the role of operations director while Aldo Costa will become the new technical director. Gilles Simon has been promoted to engine director. Meanwhile it remains to be seen what role Todt will take at the team and whether he will stay on as the head of the Ferrari automobile company.  The announcement follows Honda’s revelation this morning that it has signed renowned former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as its team principal.

Honda Racing has announced that it has signed former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as its team principal. Brawn has been on sabbatical this year after a 10-year tenure at the Maranello squad, where he masterminded an unprecedented six consecutive constructors’ world championships and five drivers’ titles with Michael Schumacher. He will join Honda as team principal, working alongside Nick Fry, who will stay on as chief executive. Brawn will be given full responsibility for design, manufacture, engineering and race operations, allowing Fry to focus on the business and marketing side and managing the relationship with Honda’s board in Japan.

Throughout the summer Brawn was strongly linked with a return to Ferrari, but when negotiations broke down Honda quickly swooped for the Briton and the deal was reportedly signed off last week at a meeting with the company’s bosses in Japan. It is also likely to boost the team’s chances of retaining Jenson Button’s services beyond 2008. Fry said Brawn’s appointment was proof of Honda’s determination to reverse its slide down the grid and build a title-challenging outfit. “One of my main tasks over the past six months has been to attract new talent to the Honda Racing F1 Team and we have made a number of key appointments in the areas of aerodynamics, design, engineering, marketing and on the racing team,” he said. “Today’s announcement that Ross Brawn is to join our team is a very satisfying conclusion to the process of refreshing and revitalising a strong and determined team. Honda Motor Company’s Hiroshi Oshima added: “I am pleased with the structure we have put in place for the future success of our Formula 1 team.

“We look forward to a successful season ahead.” Brawn will begin work with Honda on November 26.

Kazuki Nakajima will make his full-time Formula 1 race debut in 2008 after being handed the second seat at Williams for next season.
The 22-year-old Japanese driver has been promoted from his role as the Grove squad’s official test driver to a race seat he first filled impressively at the 2007 season-finale in Brazil following the retirement of Alex Wurz.

The 22-year-old will partner Nico Rosberg at the Grove-based squad in 2008 after being promoted from his test and reserve driver role at the team which he started in January. He has dovetailed his F1 testing duties this year with an impressive rookie year in the sport’s GP2 feeder series – winning the category’s rookie of the year title after scoring six podium finishes. However while most of the grid’s current GP2 graduates have entered F1 after winning or battling for the championship, Nakajima comes in after finishing fifth in the series at the first attempt.

“I am delighted to confirm that Nico will be racing for the team for his third consecutive year after demonstrating impressive and widely applauded form in 2007,” said team owner Sir Frank Williams.

Fernando Alonso has agreed to split with the McLaren-Mercedes team by mutual consent.  The 26-year-old Spaniard has agreed terms to terminate his agreement with the Woking team after just one season of his three-year contract.
“Today’s decision allows all of us to focus on 2008, and I wish the team, Vodafone, Banco Santander, Mutua Madrileña and all the other team partners who I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future.” His relationship with team boss Ron Dennis is believed to have broken down after the Spaniard publicly criticised McLaren for not providing him with the support he felt he deserved as a double world champion. This was not helped by the unexpected pace of his rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who settled into the team faster and more successfully than Alonso did. The situation became irretrievable when the Spaniard threatened to reveal evidence of the team’s involvement in the ‘Spygate’ scandal during a heated row in Hungary.  In its statement announcing Alonso’s departure, McLaren admitted the relationship had not evolved in the way it had hoped and that both parties had agreed it was better to part ways. “Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes want to wish Fernando all the best for the future,” read the statement. Alonso is free to join another team in 2008, and his agent said neither party would pay a financial penalty. Alonso’s destination remains undisclosed, though he has been linked with a move to Red Bull Racing, a return to Renault and has received big money offers from Toyota and Honda. Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen and Williams’ Nico Rosberg are both believed to be in the frame to replace Alonso alongside Hamilton.

The Formula One Grand Prix in Monte Carlo is the annual Topclass Sports Event.
F1 Corporate Hospitality is delivered at its best in the principality of glamour and fashion on the mediterranean coastline.
We are Monaco Grand Prix specialists. Our staff have been hosting hospitality programmes in Monaco for more than 5 consecutive years. Amongst the most experienced travel management professionals in the UK, F1Corproate Travel is able to deliver bespoke corporate events as well as accommodation and transfers services on the French Riviera during the Formula One Grand Prix Monte Carlo  2008 . Our packages vary from general ticket, flight and hotel packages to VIP terrace and yacht hospitality experiences.

VVIP Yacht Hospitality
Be guests on the F1Corporate Super Yacht in Monaco and experience something very special during the F1 Grand Prix weekend. Book your own cabin on the yacht for 5 nights or join us on Saturday and Sunday for parties, race viewing and celebrating the event with F1 drivers, celebrities and other VIPs. Off track celebrity parties in the famous Amber Lounge 2008.
Availability is limited, prices from EURO 8000.00 per person

VIP Race Viewing Terrace
Panoramic port and race track views are the selling point of these fantastic hospitality packages. Enjoy 2 days on one of our roof terraces with 5 star race viewing facilities and even better catering and drinks. Free flow of champagne included in most packages.
Situated directly above the start/finish grid, you get to see the champagne spilled at the end of the race! The apartments have comfortable interiors where you can enjoy breakfast and lunch and watch live TV broadcasting the race. Each has an outside terrace for race viewing and a clear view of the giant screen. Prices start from EURO 1500.00 per person.

Contact F1Corporate on 0208 144 2010 or email vip @ f1corporate.com

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has granted approval, via the Singapore Motor Sports Association, for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix to hold the first night race in the sport’s history.

“We are well on our way to creating history – with two positive lighting tests under our belt, we are on track to delivering the first night-race in Formula One history,” commented Mr Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP. The electric night-time atmosphere will deliver a different perspective for F1 fans around the globe. The later start time will also ensure maximum exposure of the race to the important European television markets. “Given that one of our objectives is to showcase Singapore to Formula One fans around the world, our late start-time will help us achieve this. The stunning city skyline backdrop will be an added bonus” added Mr Syn.

Subject to final safety approvals, Formula 1 fans worldwide will be able to enjoy a race experience like no other in Singapore from next year – a dramatic night street race set against our beautiful city skyline.”

About F1 Singapore Grand Prix
The inaugural FORMULA ONE Singapore Grand Prix will take place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race will be the first held at night in FORMULA ONE history and is the first street race in Asia. Three-day Corporate Hospitality Suite packages are on sale from late November 2007 to early December, with sale of three-day passes to the public due to start in late December 2007. Single-day passes will be released for sale just before the Chinese New Year, subject to available inventory. 

 Spyker have been granted permission to change their name to Force India Formula One by motorsport’s governing body, the FIA.
The team, bought by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya for £61m, will race under the new name with a logo in the colours of the India flag from next season.  Spyker made little impact in this season’s championships, winning just one constructors’ point. But Mallya is determined to keep German rookie driver Adrian Sutil.  “I am very happy with Adrian Sutil and I’ve told team boss Colin Kolles that we need to keep him,” he said.  The team have undergone their third name change since 2005, when Silverstone-based Jordan was sold to Midland F1, which then became Spyker Cars when the Dutch sports car manufacturer paid £51m a season later. Mallya is chairman and controlling shareholder of the UB Group, which has beer, spirits and airline operations in India.  nd the ambitious businessman claims to have plenty of interest from potential Indian sponsors, although he said an Indian driver for the team was not an immediate priority.  India is set to host its first ever Grand Prix in New Delhi in 2010.

Tina and Nico Rosberg at China Grand Prix After Party

Another great event we hosted in Shanghai! Approx 50 guests joined us for the best Shanghai experience!

Its always been an exciting time visiting Shanghai. This fastest growing city never stop to amaze me. Food, shopping, nightlife, and unlimited business opportunites are the top reasons people love Shanghai, and of course, the Grand Prix After Party is definitely a must, celebrating with the formula 1 drivers with the Shanghai elite - the indisputable social event of the year!

Formula One officials are investigating Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix following complaints about erratic driving. Red Bull’s Mark Webber has accused the Englishman of doing a “bad job” behind the safety car after being knocked out of the race while following Hamilton. Hamilton’s win at Fuji gave him a 12-point lead and put him on the verge of winning the world championship. If he is found guilty, he could have his points from Japan erased.

 Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has confirmed the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix will take place at night as planned. The inaugural Singapore event is scheduled to take place on September 28. 
The second new venue for the 2008 season, Valencia, is also understood to have received track approval. The event, to be titled the European Grand Prix, will take place in August on a newly-constructed street circuit around the Spanish city’s redeveloped marina.

In its latest update to the 2008 schedule, the FIA also confirmed next season’s Canadian race, removing its previously provisional status. The Montreal event will take place on June 8.

The 2008 calendar in full:

16 Mar Australia
23 Mar Malaysia
6 Apr Bahrain
27 Apr Spain
11 May Turkey
25 May Monaco
8 Jun Canada
22 Jun France
6 Jul Great Britain
20 Jul Germany
3 Aug Hungary
24 Aug Europe
7 Sep Belgium
14 Sep Italy
28 Sep Singapore*
12 Oct Japan
19 Oct China
2 Nov Brazil

*Night race