Essential Reading for January 8th, 2009

Recommended links for January 8th, 2009:

• Mosley pressures the teams – Max Mosley has written a letter to the Formula One Teams Association to tell them he wants action on the cost cutting measures agreed upon in December…and then some.

  Since when are we only interested in things we already know something about? I’d never heard of nanotechnology until it was presented to me as a journalist…and then I found it fascinating, and now it is a fairly commonly recognized phenomenon by the general public, and will be more recognized as the years go by.

  The teams are meeting today at Heathrow in a hotel, as they have done frequently in the past, and will discuss the Mosley letter. Interestingly, the teams are trying to play down any idea that there is friction between the FIA and the FOTA.

• Honda could have a dozen options for F1 team – Honda are considering about 12 serious offers for their Formula One team, Honda Racing chief executive Nick Fry said on Thursday.

  "We had, as you might expect, a huge amount of interest at the start — probably well in excess of 30 groups came to us.

  "We have narrowed that down to something in the region of a dozen, and we're currently talking to Honda about what is the best bet for the future."

• Motorland Aragon targets F1 testing – The new Motorland Aragon track being built in northern Spain has set it sights on securing Formula One testing, even if its boss admits ambitions to secure a grand prix will have to wait.

  Although F1 testing is facing a severe cutback, especially with no in-season running allowed, Motorland Aragon chiefs are still optimistic that their facilities will help convince teams to use them during the winter.

  Their track is being designed by Hermann Tilke and has used McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa as a consultant.

• Bridgestone downplays degradation issues – Bridgestone is confident that teams will quickly adapt to the challenges of setting up their cars to work with the new slick tyres, despite complaints of chronic rear degradation in earlier testing.

  "Tyre dimension is a factor, but tyre compound and construction play a big part too. The construction of the rear tyres was upgraded for the move to slicks to maintain the balance of fronts and rears.

  "The balance of the grip created by tyres is still a little on the oversteer side, but this is something which will be countered by car set-up as teams learn how best to use these tyres."

• Anticipation builds ahead of F1-X Dubai’s 2009 opening – As the passion for motorsport grows ever stronger in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is preparing for the launch of F1-X, the world’s first official Formula One theme park, which is due to open later this year.

  Leading Formula One teams have been actively involved in the design and development process and even the park maps resemble F1 circuit maps. F1-X will be a mix of live action, cinematic and multimedia experiences, interactive exhibits and extreme rides for the whole family, with 25 percent of the park footprint designed especially for children.

• De la Rosa still eyes race seat in F1 – McLaren's Formula 1 test driver Pedro de la Rosa is confident that he can return on the Formula One grid one day. The Spaniard is the team's test driver since 2003 and believes his only chance to return at the F1 grid is to wait for the right opportunity and in the meantime continue working with the best team in the sport.

  "I believe this is the only way for me to get back on the grid but I'm sure that one day I will come back."

• F1 : Etihad Airways unveils latest Formula 1 branded aircraft – Etihad Airways has painted one of its Airbus A340 aircraft with a special livery to mark the inaugural Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place on the 1st of November.

  The official Formula 1 logo is featured on the engines and a chequered flag is painted on the tail fin.

• Mosley’s letter in full – "First, even before the current crisis, Formula One was not viable. Costs have been so high that we have had vacancies in the Championship for some time. Secondly, it is impossible to cut costs substantially without significant change. Inevitably, cherished projects, facilities and sadly even people have to go. Thirdly, the fact of having recently invested in an expensive facility is not an argument for retaining it…"