Essential Reading for December 1st, 2008

Recommended links for December 1st, 2008:

• Germans talk of troubles with Grand Prix - This all may have something to do with Bernie Ecclestone's desire to see Formula 1 race winners awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals - an Olympic concept - to try to create the perception that F1 is on the same kind of level as the Games. It is an interesting argument, but there is no doubt that at the moment F1 is finding itself increasingly marginalised to countries where there are no traditions in the sport and no real interest. Some argue that this is a bad thing and that F1 should remain where the fans exist, others take the view that in order to continue growing in the longer term F1 needs to be going into new markets and building audiences. This is a fine concept so long as the audiences can afford to go to the races, which is not the case in locations like China.
• McLaren to launch MP4-24 on January 16 - McLaren will reveal their 2009 car at their UK factory midway through next month. The MP4-24 - the machine in which Lewis Hamilton will defend his Formula One drivers’ title - will be unveiled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on January 16.

  McLaren are the third team to confirm a launch date for their 2009 car. Toyota will reveal the TF109 on January 15 with no traditional ceremony, while BMW Sauber’s F1.09 will step out in Valencia testing in Spain on January 20.

• McLaren drivers prepare for winter training camp - The human performance partner of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Kourtane has helped train some of the world’s top athletes, including Finland’s Olympic hopefuls, for more than 40 years. The training camp also acts as a useful team-building exercise, with mechanics and engineers joining the drivers for group exercises and tests at the Kuortane campus.

  Hamilton: "Travelling to Finland for our winter training camp is one of the best weeks of the year for me; it feels like you’re miles from anywhere and totally cut off from the outside world. It allows me to focus solely on my training, which is great."

• Briatore targets championship title in 2009 - Flavio Briatore believes the Renault Formula 1 team will be able to win races on a regular basis again next season as the flamboyant Italian aims for the championship title next season.

  "We have to offer him (Alonso) a championship winning car," Briatore told German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport. "We aim to win the championship with Fernando in 2009 and I believe we are already well under way for next year."