BRISCOE TOPS WEBBER IN WORLD DRIVER “RANKINGS”

Indy Racing League driver Ryan Briscoe has topped Formula One star Mark Webber and 2009 Le Mans and ALMS winner David Brabham to be the top  ranked Australian driver in a new world driver ranking system. The Castrol Driver Ranking System claims to fairly compare drivers across a number of different race series and styles. The rankings analyse performances over 50 major National and International racing series, points are awarded based on a bewildering formula based on results from qualifying, racing and fastest laps. Events and series are also given a rating based on the number of rounds and the "importance" of the event or series. The rankings were revealed at the Autosport International Show in Great Britain by former F1 driver David Coulthard.

FORMULA ONE: AS SEEN ON TV

Australian free to air television network "Network Ten" have announced a five-year extension of its exclusive Australian broadcast rights to Formula 1. The new agreement commences at the start of the 2011season and extends through to the end of 2015. The new agreement with Formula One Management will see the network continue it's live F1 coverage on the digital only ONE HD Sports channel as well as with delayed coverage on TEN. The Australian Grand Prix race will also be broadcast live simultaneously on TEN as is required under Australia's anti-siphoning rules. For the first time the new deal also covers online, mobile and IPTV rights as well. Network Ten's general manager – sport, David White, said: "Formula 1 has always had a large, passionate and loyal following in Australia."

THE SUN SETS ON JAPAN

With the unsurprising announcement of the withdrawal of Toyota from Formula 1 effective immediately, along with the confirmation of Bridgestone of their withdrawal from 2010 onwards, it seems the bleak picture I painted towards the end 2008 of a mass withdrawal of Japanese interest in worldwide top flight motor sports has been finally realized. Japanese motor racing fans currently have very little to cheer about on an international scale.  Toyota has now followed Honda’s lead in withdrawing from Formula 1, Subaru and Suzuki no longer grace the World Rally Championship, and Kawasaki took its own hibernation from Moto GP also, save for providing a bike for Marco Melandri.  Kazuki Nakajima and Kamui Kobayashi have now joined the jobless Japanese Formula 1 driver’s queue, which already has claimed the popular Sakon Yamamoto and Japan’s most successful F1 driver Takuma Sato.

AU REVOIR RENAULT ?

Toyota's decision to leave F1 had prompted Renault to reassess their continued involvement in the sport. According to the BBC the French manufacturer held an emergency board meeting to discuss whether to remain in Formula One, become an engine supplier only, or exit the sport altogether. Renault president Carlos Ghosn is due to promote the Renault's zero-emissions policy during a special publicity event on Thursday. Ghosn is known to be less than enthusiastic about F1, seeing the sport as increasingly irrelevant in a changing economic and environmental landscape.

TOYOTA OUT AS JAPAN SAYS SAYONARA F1

A report in the Japanese English language newspaper "Mainichi Daily" claims that Toyota are about to announce their withdrawal from Formula One effective immediately. The company is due to annouce it's six monthly financial report this Thursday where it is expected to reveal a significant operating loss. Sales have dropped by just over 30 percent in the April to September period compared with the previous year, with exports falling 45.4 percent. The company had already announced it's decision to withdraw from hosting the Japanese Grand Prix at its' Fuji circuit and follows the news that Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone will pull out from F1 at the end of 2010.

THE FORMULA THAT CAN NOT BE CURED

With the latest scandal in Formula 1 involving race fixing claims splattered in all manners of media, I certainly was glad I’m no longer a Formula 1 fan. I very definitely do not want to be associated with those scammers, liars, cheats, nor any of the like-minded ego-maniacs that populate this field. However, I find it very disturbing the sort of level Formula 1 as a brand image and its integrity has sunk towards with scandal after scandal within and beyond the last ten years of its existence. If you’re still interested in this sport or entertainment, or whatever you’d like to call it. I’m sure you’d be asking when any of this will ever stop, so you can get to enjoy your Formula 1 racing again. Having watched and studied the field for almost 20 years, I really don’t like the prospects of any of these huge egos with limitless pockets being put in their place and coming to terms that honesty, sportsmanship and values are not just merely words in press releases and sponsorship proposals.

LOTUS TO RETURN WITH MALAYSIAN F1 PUSH ?

A Malaysian F1 team, possibly running under the famous Lotus name, could be on the grid for next years Grand Prix season according to the Malaysian media. The popular newspaper the Malay mail has carried several stories quoting well placed sources indication a desire to get on the grid for 2010. AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes is said to be part of a Malaysian-led consortium eager to bid for a spot on the grid. AirAsia currently sponsors the Williams team but the appeal of a home based F1 team would undoubtedly be very strong. The Malaysian petro-chemical giant Petronas is also said to be involved in the plan which could involve the purchase of the BMW-Sauber operation.

WHERE NOW FOR DANICA ?

MELBOURNE TO LOSE F1 OPENING RACE ?

Melbourne's traditional place as the opening round of the World Formula One Championship may be under threat with Bahrain rumoured to replace the Victorian capital as the season opener. According to SpeedTV.com & Autosport, team bosses have been shown a provisional calendar for 2010 in which Melbourne becomes the second round of the season. Melbourne GP boss Ron Walker has always put great value on Melbourne opening the season, often claiming his "special" relationship with Bernie Ecclestone would ensure the Australian race the prestigious first round. Media Spokesperson for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Laura McLachlan said that the Corporation had no comment to make at this stage "until the FIA releases the official calendar"

ACL IN LIQUIDATION: FAMOUS ENGINE BUILDER TO FOLD ?

Australian Automotive and aftermarket performance parts manufacturers ACL have gone in to voluntary liquidation. The company which was born out of the famous Repco brand - the people responsible for Sir Jack Brabham's world championship winning engine and Formula 5000 power units - filed for liquidation today leaving 200 jobs in doubt. The liquidation comes only two month after an injection of Seven Million dollars of taxpayer funds.