Welcome to a special F1Minute for the 8th January – Day 1 of Autosport International.

News from the stage today includes some small hints from Prodrive boss Dave Richards. He has been one of the names linked with the team formerly known as Honda since news of their sale first broke. However, today he told the crowds in Birmingham: “The cost-cutting process that has been put in place has not yet seen its full benefit, and I don't think it will be until 2010 that you will see those issues roll out properly.” Autosport.com is reporting that sources say he is not interested in buying the team.

However, Nick Fry has buoyed hopes again by saying they are looking at offers from 12 parties, narrowed down from 30. That number just keeps going up and up!

Also at Autosport, the managing director of a new track in Spain – Motorland Aragon – has said they are hoping to secure F1 testing, despite knowing with two Grands Prix already, the chances of another Spanish race are pretty slim.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with more from the trade show.