Mark Webber believes Michael Schumacher's presence at Ferrari's test sessions must be as uncomfortable for Kimi Raikkonen as if his new love's ex was hanging around.

Although Schumacher quit his role as Ferrari race driver at the end of last season, the seven-times World Champion remains with the team as a 'super assistant' to Jean Todt.

And part of that role means he will be attending a few of the Scuderia's test sessions.

However, according to Webber, that's the wrong thing to do as having Schumacher, a long-time Ferrari favourite, hanging around could be very uncomfortable to new driver Raikkonen - just like when your new love invites his/her ex around.

"It's odd having him (Schumacher) at the tests, I think - really odd," Webber told ITV.

"It's like having your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend there. Kimi must go 'what the f***?'

"It must feel so strange to have the teacher's pet standing above you while you are trying to get on with your own new programme.

"Suffocation or what?"

The row over customer cars in F1 continues with Prodrive chairman Dave Richards saying he will go ahead with his plans to lease cars next season.

Richards is set to join Formula One in 2008 and has already made it clear that he will use customer cars in his team's first season in the sport.

However, Sir Frank Williams recently warned the former BAR team boss that chassis sharing and the use of customer cars has not yet been agreed for the 2008 season.

"In the presently issued rules for 2008, customer cars are not yet a done deal," said Williams, who has already threatened legal action against Super Aguri and Toro Rosso should they use cars they have not designed or built themselves in this year's Championship.

However, Richards, who may lease cars from McLaren for Prodrive's first season in Formula One, claims that the rule is as good as written.

"There is absolutely no question about it, customer cars are permitted in 2008," Richards told The Guardian.

"Williams have entered the 2008 World Championship accepting that condition. It all seems absolutely clear to me."

McLaren's Fernando Alonso clocked the quickest time at Tuesday's eventful test at Valencia, trumping Kimi Raikkonen by a second.

The Finnish Ferrari driver was working alongside test driver Luca Badoer who endured a miserable day in the wet conditions.

Luca Badoer worked on installing new components on the 248 F1 but ended the day at the bottom of the timesheets after an unspecified technical problem ended his session.

Earlier he was involved in an incident with Alonso which saw his Ferrari end up in the gravel trap.

The track dried out in the afternoon which meant that many of the nine teams did their serious running later in the day.

Alonso was impressive in the MP4-22 as the Woking team focused on gaining track time on Bridgestone rubber. An oil leak towards the end of the day was the only problem the team reported.

Raikkonen got his first taste of the F2007 but his fastest lap was a second slower than Alonso's.

Renault were third quickest on the timesheets as Nelson Piquet Jr put the R27 through its paces. Nelsinho was content with the way the day progressed,

"In the end, it wasn't such a busy day for us. We only began the programme towards the end of the day when the weather improved.

"Everything went OK from my point of view, and it feels like the real work has begun now: these are important tests for the team, and there is still a lot to do before the opening races."

The Anglo French team are looking to add mileage on their 2007 challenger and waited for track conditions to improve before serious testing.

The Toyota's of Franck Montagny and Jarno Trulli were slightly quicker than Giancarlo Fisichella.

The wet weather limited running time and ten red flags hampered the test. Renault have called for the test to be extended until Friday to make up for lost time.

Improved weather conditions are expected for Wednesday, but Fisi found it impossible to hide his frustration.

"It was pretty frustrating today, waiting for the track conditions to improve. We basically lost a day's work but that can happen at this time of year.

"We still have three days left though, and I am sure we can make some good progress during the rest of the week."

Valencia Test Times - 30/01/2007
1 . F. Alonso - McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 - 1:12.538 (+ 0.000 ) - 96 laps
2 . K. Raikkonen - Ferrari F2007 - 1:13.533 (+ 0.995 ) - 48 laps
3 . N. Piquet - Renault R27 - 1:13.550 (+ 1.012 ) - 31 laps
4 . F. Montagny - Toyota TF107 - 1:13.672 (+ 1.134 ) - 38 laps
5 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF107 - 1:13.722 (+ 1.184 ) - 54 laps
6 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.07 - 1:13.863 (+ 1.325 ) - 56 laps
7 . G. Fisichella - Renault R27 - 1:13.871 (+ 1.333 ) - 37 laps
8 . R. Barrichello - Honda RA107 - 1:14.018 (+ 1.480 ) - 35 laps
9 . S. Vettel - BMW Sauber F1.07 - 1:14.047 (+ 1.509 ) - 81 laps
10 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW28 B - 1:14.527 (+ 1.989 ) - 79 laps
11 . J. Rossiter - Honda RA106 - 1:14.638 (+ 2.100 ) - 43 laps
12 . T. Sato - Super Aguri Honda RA106 - 1:15.684 (+ 3.146 ) - 31 laps
13 . M. Webber - Red Bull Renault RB3 - 1:15.729 (+ 3.191 ) - 32 laps
14 . L. Badoer - Ferrari 248 F1 - 1:16.388 (+ 3.850 ) - 48 laps

Kimi must think "...menyibuk je..." 

Fernando Alonso continued to demonstrate the pace of the new McLaren MP4-22 at Valencia on Wednesday, topping the timesheets ahead of his former team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

Despite the clear skies in the morning when running began, the track was wet from overnight rain and took a long time to dry out.

However, the rain did little to dampen Alonso's charge and he completed 86 laps with a best time of 1:12.582 to beat Fisichella by 0.155 seconds.

Fisichella, though, had his running cut short when, after just 37 laps, his new Renault R27 suffered a mechanical failure.

"The weather dictated our running once again today. We waited for a long time, which ate into our programme, but these things happens," said the Roman.

"I had a mechanical problem but I'm not worried - the team is working to find out what happened, and it is always better to have these problems in testing... We will carry on with the programme tomorrow, hopefully with some better weather!"

His team-mate Heikki Kovalaien finished in third place, just 0.033 seconds off Fisichella's pace. "The track conditions today were changing all the time, and quite tricky, but we still made some progress with our work," said the Finn.

"We need to carry on in the same direction tomorrow, and hopefully we can do more laps. The performance of the car seems OK, but we want to put more miles on it -- and we need better weather to do so!"

Kimi Raikkonen clinched fourth place in the new Ferrari F2007. The Finn's best time for the day, a 1:12.869, was just 0.287s off Alonso's P1 time.

Fifth place went to BMW's Nick Heidfeld, while his team-mate Robert Kubica finished with the seventh fastest time. Kubica, though, only managed 42 laps as a hydraulic leak caused a fire in his car.

Jarno Trulli slotted in between the two BMW drivers, while Felipe Massa completed the top eight for Ferrari. The Brazilian was driving last year's 248 F1.

Times
1 F. Alonso McLaren 1:12.582 86 laps
2 G. Fisichella Renault 1:12.737 37 laps
3 H. Kovalainen Renault 1:12.770 43 laps
4 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:12.869 51 laps
5 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:13.012 50 laps
6 J. Trulli Toyota 1:13.297 47 laps
7 R. Kubica BMW 1:13.310 42 laps
8 F. Massa Ferrari 1:13.574 80 laps
9 R. Barrichello Honda 1:13.690 72 laps
10 J. Rossiter Honda 1:13.732 28 laps
11 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:13.839 31 laps
12 P. de la Rosa McLaren 1:14.286 41 laps
13 K. Nakajima Williams 1:14.401 116 laps
14 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:14.812 36 laps
15 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:15.939 26 laps
16 G. van der Garde Super Aguri 1:26.348 4 laps

this year F1 i think even without schumi but the race will stil be very interesting.... but i jus like to watch schumi race... mayb no one can go from 21 place to first place edi

i'm also damn boring about d 'support all except schumi ppl'....

i'm juz saying tat last time i dun hv interest in watching this racing sport...not until last 2 yrs whereby my sis force me to watch wit her becoz she like kimi....n i finally found how interesting izit...

u said ur open toward drivers...but last yr, u suuport renault, this yr u support mclaren....y dun juz admit that u support alonso....''bullshit!@'

got prb 1 leh...imagine gloves made from pig skin like Jordan shoes...err tak boleh sentuh lllll  

The most astonishing spat of all is the revelation from Ferrari's test and technical manager Nigel Stepney that he was 'open to offers'. Having served a thirteen year "apprenticeship" at the Scuderia clearly Nigel imagined that in the post-Schumacher era, with the sudden absence of Ross Brawn, that he would get some kind of promotion.

"I'm not currently happy with the situation within the team... I really want to move forward with my career and that's something that's not happening right now," he told Autosport magazine in a breathtakingly candid interview.
"Ideally, I'd like to move into a new environment here at Ferrari, but if an opportunity arose with another team, I would definitely consider it."

In football that would run under the headline: 'Stepney Issues Come And Get Me Plea' The fact that Nigel is prepared to go public with his concerns clearly indicates a huge fight with the team, and a difference between what he wants to do and what Ferrari are prepared to offer him. However the fact that he's talked about it indicates it might be a bit of a negotiating posture.

When Adrian Newey left McLaren for Red Bull, he didn't say he was unhappy with the team, he just got himself another job. A man with Stepney's experience could be invaluable at David Richards' new Prodrive F1 outfit and it wouldn't be hard for Nigel to get hold of David's phone number. Even we have it.

But the Dutch-owned Spyker team have now listed Van der Garde as one of their four test drivers sparking forth and indignation from Super Aguri.
In a statement, they said: "Super Aguri has a valid contract with Giedo van der Garde to drive for the team in the position of Friday and test driver for the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship. The contract was submitted by the SAF1 Team to the Contracts Recognition Board on 23 January 2007."

BRDC ANNUAL AWARDS 2006
Presented at the BRDC Clubhouse, Silverstone
Monday 4th December 2006
BRDC CLUB AWARDS 2006
  
BRDC GOLD STAR
First presented in 1929. The BRDC Gold Star is awarded annually. Dan Wheldon
  
BRDC SILVER STAR
The national equivalent of the BRDC Gold Star. Matt Neal
  
BRDC SPECIAL GOLD STAR Andy Priaulx
  
THE BRUCE McLAREN TROPHY
Awarded to the Commonwealth Driver who has established the most meritorious performances in international motor racing. Alex Yoong
  

THE CHRIS BRISTOW TROPHY
Awarded to the winner of the BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award Oliver Turvey
  

THE COLIN CHAPMAN TROPHY
A BRDC Special Award presented to an individual who has shown great team spirit, be it a driver, team owner, engineer or similar. Trevor Carlin
  

THE EARL HOWE TROPHY
Awarded to the highest placed British Driver in the Indy 500 race or to the British driver who has established the most meritorious performance of the year in North America. Dan Wheldon
  
THE ERA CLUB TROPHY
Awarded to the British Driver, who, driving a British car, established the most meritorious performance of the year outside the UK. Mike Newton
  
THE FAIRFIELD TROPHY
Awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member. Lewis Hamilton
  
THE GRAHAM HILL TROPHY
Awarded to the British Driver for the most meritorious performance in single-seater racing. Jenson Button
  
THE INNES IRELAND TROPHY
Awarded to the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomized by the late Innes Ireland. James Winslow
  

THE JOHN COBB TROPHY
Awarded to a British Driver, driving a British car, who has achieved success or successes of outstanding character. Andy Green
  

THE JOHN COOPER TROPHY
Awarded annually to a competitor within the British F3 Championship who has shown potential to become a future World Champion. Oliver Jarvis
  
THE JOHNNY WAKEFIELD TROPHY
Awarded to the driver setting the fastest race lap of the season on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. Fernando Alonso
  
THE NIGEL MOORES TROPHY
Awarded to the private entrant who has established the most meritorious performance(s) in international motor racing. Ray Mallock
  

THE RICHARD SEAMAN TROPHY
Awarded to the winner of the Gold Star points scoring system. Dan Wheldon
  

THE SILVERSTONE-LE MANS CHALLENGE
Awarded to the driver/s who achieved the highest combined finishing record in combined results of the Silverstone FIA GT race and the Le Mans 24-Hour Race. David Brabham
  
THE SIR JACKIE STEWART AWARD
Awarded to a motorsport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season. Ross Brawn
  
THE SPENCER-CHARRINGTON TROPHY
Awarded to the highest-placed British Driver in the British F3 Championship. Mike Conway
  
THE WALTER HAYES TROPHY
Awarded to the winner of the BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy for Formula Ford 1600 cars, held annually at Silverstone each November. Peter Dempsey
  
THE WOOLF BARNATO TROPHY
Awarded to the highest-placed finishing British and/or Commonwealth Driver, in a British car, in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race. Darren Turner
  

THE ACO AWARD
Presented on behalf of our friends at the ACO, the award is presented to the highest-placed British Driver finishing the Le Mans 24-Hour Race. Allan McNish
  
  

BRDC CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS 2006
  
BRDC HISTORIC SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP
WINNER AND CLASS A CHAMPION Graeme Dodd
RUNNER-UP AND CLASS B CHAMPION Peter Horsman
  
THE DENIS GANLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY
THIRD AND CLASS D CHAMPION Jamie McIntyre

CLASS C CHAMPION Ben Eastick

The McLaren team are playing down their chances of success this season despite their early season pace.

Ron Dennis has clearly issued a decree forcing team members to tow the party-line which 'plays down' the Woking team's chances of success.

World Champion Fernando Alonso told Spanish network Telecinco that the MP4-22 is, "Not even close to ready for Australia and time is running out".

Alonso's team-mate Lewis Hamilton echoed his team-mates view, "There are many things that we still have to do before we get to the first race, that is for sure."

This comes as some surprise as bar the occasional teething problems the 2007 challenger has been quick and reliable.

McLaren's chief operating officer Martin Whitmarsh is the latest member of McLaren's personnel to jump on the bandwagon.

Speaking of the rain hindered final day of testing at Jerez he said,

"We have a much better understanding of where we are, and more importantly on what work needs to be done between now and Australia to ensure that we arrive in Melbourne in the best possible position."

"Although the timesheets seem to be favouring us we are fully aware of where we need to improve the cars performance during the forthcoming tests in Barcelona and Bahrain."

Earlier Alonso had said, "I hope that in Barcelona and Bahrain we can get it (MP4-22) set up properly in two weeks time."

It seems as if members of the team are not allowed to stray too far from what they read in the team's internal memo.

Alonso has clearly let his newfound status in the paddock go to his head as he wrote off his former team's chances in the title race, "Renault will start the year well, but they will get worse, as usual," he said.

At least he is on good terms with Renault then.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa believes that based on pre-season testing BMW is the team to beat.

The Brazilian played down McLaren's excellent form while lauding the BMW F1.07.

"The McLaren surely looks fast, but in my opinion the BMW Sauber is the best of all at the moment," Massa told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The McLaren is the fastest over a single lap, but as far as consistency is concerned the BMW is impressive even though they perhaps haven't the best reliability yet.

"For now I put them ahead of Ferrari and McLaren."

Massa remains confident over the Maranello team's progress saying, "We are in the situation we had expected,

"The car is demonstrating to be certainly quick and reliable too, even though we had some problems. However, we know how to solve them.

"We leave Jerez with some good things and some others not as good. The car is quick and there's nothing to worry about".

Kimi Raikkonen has joined the likes of Robert Kubica in complaining that the 2007-spec Bridgestone tyres do not suit his driving style.

BMW's Kubica was the first driver to voice his concerns over the harder Bridgestone compounds after running the tyres in December tests.

And when Autosport asked Raikkonen at Jerez whether he thought that the tyres suited his driving style the Finn replied, "No, not really".

"I think we need to work on the car to make it work for me," he continued. "It is getting better all the time but it takes time to get used to (the tyres).

"We still have some work to do; every day it is getting easier."

The Ferrari driver appeared unfazed at McLaren's domination through testing saying that the real test will come at the opening race of the season.

"We will need to wait and see in the first race.

"Then we can say who is really quick. I think it will be quite close," said Raikkonen.