Vroom at the Top: News round-up

WRC LEADER Mikko Hirvonen has proved he will do anything to win against arch rival Sebastian Loeb by practicing in a PACE CAR!

Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen will pilot a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car in a non-competitive safety car during the Cambrian Rally in north Wales next weekend.

Just one point ahead of Loeb, the duo believe the extra practice, just seven days before the championship decider, will give them the edge they need and allow them to swipe the title.

"After three days competing on the asphalt roads of Rally de España last weekend, it's important for me to regain a good feel on gravel ahead of Rally of Great Britain," said 29-year-old Hirvonen.

"Driving on the Cambrian Rally in a competitive environment will improve my familiarity with the nature of the Welsh forests. It will be the perfect way to ready myself for what should be a thrilling final round of the WRC."

The Rally of Great Britain, the 12th and final round of the championship, covers almost 350km when the outcome of the 2009 drivers' championship will be known.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said: "Although Mikko won't actually be entered on the rally, his role as safety car means he will drive at competitive speeds so it's a great and unexpected opportunity for fans to see the Ford team in action. The Cambrian Rally will be the ideal way for Mikko and Jarmo to focus on the week ahead, which will be the most important few days of their rally career. They will take a one-point lead to Rally of Great Britain so we expect the most exciting title fight in recent years."

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BRITISH GP fans are still unable to make plans for next year's race after officials have refused to reveal who will host the favourite event.

A crisis meeting will be held tomorrow to see if the Donington circuit has managed to resolve its financial issues and whether the track has raised enough cash to carry out its compulsory multi-million-pound facelift to bring it up to FIA standards.

Rumours surfaced over the weekend that a decision had been taken to move next year's race back to Silverstone but no parties were prepared to comment.

Since the calculated announcement - which took place during the British GP at Silverstone in 2008 - that Donington would host the popular round, insiders and drivers have scoffed the idea as pure fantasy.

One motorsport insider said: "Have you been to Donington recently? It is a tip. Anyone who believes that the circuit will be fit and capable to hold an F1 race in eight months time needs their head looked at.

"I have been told there are no funds, so work cannot start, which means they cannot possibly be considered. I know the issue stems down to money. It always does. But fans love Silverstone. The traffic situation has improved and so has the facilities. I say if it ain't broke - it don't need fixing."

Ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has already U-turned, from saying the race would 'never-ever' return to the Northampton circuit, to hinting the race could go to back to Silverstone in 2010.

It is understood Ecclestone wants the BDRC-owned track to host the race next season but it would then switch back to Donington, which has won the contract to host the British Grand Prix for the next 17 years.

A spokeswoman for Donington Park said: "I can say there has been no official confirmation I have received to say we are not on course but at this moment we are not able to discuss."

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AS THE F1 season draws to a close the exciting game of musical chairs continues with Kimi Raikkonen the key to the biggest driver shake-up the sport has seen.

Reports that the surplus Ferrari driver could replace Australian Mark Webber at Red Bull next year have been squashed by the Finn's management - but that means nothing as just two weeks ago he was adamant his driver would be continuing with the Maranello squad.

Despite the fact Webber is under contract for 2010, along with his German teammate Sebastian Vettel, rumours that Raikkonen was to steal his seat surfaced earlier this week.

"There is only a connection (with Red Bull) as a beverage partner, we are talking with several teams and Red Bull is not among them." Said Raikkonen's manager and business partner Steve Roberts.

But adding fuel to the fire he chipped in: "We are negotiating even with teams that everybody thinks have no vacancies."

The 30-year-old is certainly not short of offers and has been linked with Mclaren, Toyota and Renault for next season as well as a host of proposals to compete in WRC next year.

The BP Ford World Rally Team have said they would offer the Iceman a test and Fiat have made no secret of the fact they want Raikkonen as its lead driver under the Abarth name if they re-enter the championship next season. The least likely offer is from the Managing Director of the Audi championship team Abt Sportsline, who wants him for his DTM team.

The favourite for the monosyllabic blonde is McLaren - but I would fancy an outside bet on the energy drink giant who have been outshining the big boys this season. With Raikkonens' raw speed, Adrian Newey's technical prowess and RedBull's relaxed attitude I think it would be a match made in heaven.

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