interlagos

Former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has confirmed that he 'will return' to the top flight following a three-year hiatus in 2010 - as speculation intensifies that the French-Canadian either has signed or is soon to sign a deal with American newcomers USF1.

Rubens Barrichello has revealed that he never lost faith over the winter months that he would still be a fixture on the Formula 1 grid in 2009 - despite persistent and 'absurd' suggestions that the most experienced driver in the sport's history would be replaced by rookie compatriot Bruno Senna.

Red Bull Racing can sense 'a great opportunity' in Formula 1 in 2009 with the raft of technical and aerodynamic changes sweeping the top flight - and that could even stretch as far as winning its first race, reckons David Coulthard.

Timo Glock has admitted that the aftermath of last year's Brazilian Grand Prix was 'very tough and difficult to understand', as he found himself accused in some quarters of having helped Lewis Hamilton to win the Formula 1 World Championship title.

Despite having run Lewis Hamilton to within a point of the 2008 Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship, Felipe Massa still comes in for a good deal of unjustified criticism amongst paddock observers - that is the view of former grand prix star Johnny Herbert.

The 2008 Formula 1 campaign was a memorable one for many reasons, both good and bad, with the title contenders at times looking like they were doing everything possible not to win the championship.

It has been confirmed that Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone are to divorce - meaning the former is facing an unprecedented legal battle on his hands to keep hold of his ?2.4 billion amassed fortune.

The 2008 Formula 1 campaign saw some of the best on-track action in years, and 2009 - with its new aerodynamic regulations - promises to be even better still.

After asking you to vote for your leading drivers from the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship season, the time has come to start the countdown to the driver you voted the top star of 2008.

After asking you to vote for your leading drivers from the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship season, the time has come to start the countdown to the driver you voted the top star of 2008.

Fernando Alonso has dismissed suggestions that Timo Glock 'gifted' the 2008 Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship crown to Lewis Hamilton in the Brazilian Grand Prix season finale at Interlagos, insisting he doesn't know how the German 'managed to get to the finish at all'.

Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship through a combination of skill, luck, McLaren-Mercedes' expertise and having 'the perfect wingman' alongside him in the form of team-mate Heikki Kovalainen - that is the view of grand prix legend Niki Lauda.

David Coulthard has named Mika Hakkinen as his favourite team-mate from his 15 seasons in Formula 1 - even if he admits that the Finnish double world champion is 'such an unusual character'.

Following on from the racist insults directed at newly-crowned 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton in the build-up to the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos earlier this month, Timo Glock has found himself the latest driver to come in for abuse.

Eddie Irvine has joined David Coulthard and Mark Webber in insisting that Formula 1 does not have a problem with racism - agreeing the recent jibes aimed at newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton were in 'bad taste' but arguing they are not an issue 'as long as they physically don't hurt any

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has admitted to an extreme emotional reaction to Lewis Hamilton snatching the 2008 Formula One world championship from the hands of the Scuderia's Felipe Massa, but says he should not have expected another miraculous turn-around.

John Watson has suggested the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend will 'go down in the annals of history' as one of the most extraordinary sporting occasions of all time - and praised Lewis Hamilton as 'the rightful world champion' at the end of a thrilling Formula 1 campaign.

Formula 1's first black world champion Lewis Hamilton has rubbished Bernie Ecclestone's suggestion that the racist abuse aimed at him on a Spanish website in the run-up to last weekend's title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix was nothing more than 'a joke'.

Bernie Ecclestone has brushed off the racist attacks directed at newly-crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton on a Spanish website last week as' probably meant as a joke more than anything', arguing that 'people are entitled to support who they want to support'.

Lewis Hamilton's father has hit back at those who continue to use the family's colour as a target for abuse, warning that every insult and slur thrown their way only serves to make the McLaren driver stronger and more determined.

For the second time in as many races, Jarno Trulli and came to blows in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos at the weekend - only this time it was the Frenchman who came off worst.

Though understandably overshadowed by the dramatic title fight, Giancarlo Fisichella produced one of the undoubted starring performances of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos at the weekend - at one point even threatening to challenge Kimi Raikkonen.

Newly-crowned 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed that equalling or even surpassing the seven titles achieved by the record-breaking Michael Schumacher does 'not appeal' to him - as experts predict he could overtake the German legend in overall career earnings.

Timo Glock has repeated his claim that he did not intentionally influence the F1 world championship situation on the final lap of a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by passing the German.