"JUST KEEP YOUR FOOT DOWN." That was all the advice being screamed at me by world touring cars ace Rob Huff as we teamed up for a kart race last week.

We joined Formula Two drivers Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jolyon Palmer and Edoardo Piscopo for a one-hour kart challenge at the Brands Hatch circuit ahead of its WTCC and F2 showdown next weekend.

As soon as I arrived it was straight down to business and as I jumped into my overalls and pulled on my helmet for 'Team Huff' - the only advice my wingman had for me was "try not to brake!".

I wouldn't say that I was the next Danica Patrick, although 'The Huff' seemed fairly impressed when I posted a lap just under a second off his fastest time.

But despite us topping the timesheets and being in the lead for the majority of the hour-long race we were pipped at the post by 'Team Palmer' who took the victory and the trophy.

Second place was good enough for me but not for my new team-mate who has come to Britain to win.

DRIVING FORCE - our Michelle takes control in the go-kart

The Chevrolet racer said: "I am really competitive and I know it's only a karting competition but I wanted to win! I blame Michelle for letting the side down! In all seriousness, obviously I am looking to win here next weekend and I won't be satisfied with anything less.

"Last year was a bit heart-breaking as I led for 13 laps before getting a puncture with a lap and a half to go, so we'll be out this year to try and mend that. You never know what is going happen - my aim is to stick it on pole and then take it from there.

"Realistically I am looking for third place in the championship now, but you only have to look at the last race to see that anything can happen. It will only take a few wins from me and a few DNF's from the other teams and the championship is wide open again."

Cambridge-born Huff is fifth in the drivers' standings, 37 points behind leader Yvan Muller.

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NO WAY BACK, JACQUES

JACQUES VILLENEUVE - slim chance

POP wannabe and retired F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve has admitted he has only a slim chance of an F1 return next year.

The 1997 world champ has been spotted in the paddock a few times this year, bending the ear of team bosses in a bid to restart his F1 career but the 38-year-old has now confessed there are no contracts on the table.

He said: "The chances of it happening are slim, very slim, I would return tomorrow if the opportunity was there, and there's not many years available to do F1 so I guess it's now or never."

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TIMO STAYING PUT

TIMO GLOCK - rumours

WHEN I received an email from the Toyota F1 press office headlined 'Timo Glock set to unveil new look' I was expecting an extreme-style makeover for the German.

Instead, he's only getting a new helmet.

But the new lid design was the least of his worries though as he rejected rumours he will be heading to McLaren next season as a replacment for Heikki Kovalainen.

Glock said: "I'm happy here and I've got a contract for 2010 so it's nothing, just a rumour I guess."

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NELSON BATTLES ON

NELSON PIQUET - contract

HOT gossip in the German paddock is that under-performing Renault driver Nelson Piquet is on his way out and today's German Grand Prix is his LAST race.

Insiders say that the 23-year-old - who has yet to score a point this season - will be replaced by the squad's French reserve driver Romain Grosjean at the next GP in Budapest.

It is believed the Brazilian signed a contract with a 'get-out' clause allowing the Enstone-based team to replace him if he failed to deliver results.

When asked about the rumours team boss Flavio Briatore simply said: "We don't know yet."

Further up the pit lane, Scuderia Toro Rosso are plagued by rumours that Sebastien Bourdais is also facing the axe after this weekend's GP.

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CHANDHOK IN FRAME

INDIAN motorsport chief Vicky Chandhok is putting himself in the frame to replace FIA president Max Mosley, who is stepping down in October.

Chandhok, father of GP2 driver Karun, said: "If I get the backing of Max Mosley, Bernie Ecclestone and the teams association, I am ready to take up the job.

"It is a 24/7 job and one needs to be fully prepared to do justification for a job like this."

Other names doing the rounds are former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, former McLaren boss Ron Dennis, FIA's deputy vice president Nick Craw, FIA senate Michel Boeri and former rally champ Ari Vatanen.

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