Source:
http://sport.id.msn.com
China is considering ditching its loss-making Formula One Grand Prix, according to a senior race official.
Qiu Weichang, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, told AFP a decision on the future of the event would be announced in 2009.
"We're doing the assessment. By next year, we should be able to give you the answer," Qiu is reported to have said.
Qiu, who appeared cool on the idea of a night race, added that organisers "would like at least to break even".
Shanghai, China's biggest city, spent $240m (£161m) building a track suitable for F1 and has hosted a Grand Prix since 2004.
It has a contract with F1 until 2010 and is said by F1 insiders to pay about $50m (£34m) annually for the race.
But the event has not proved popular with local people and attendances have been poor - even with some spectators being transported in specifically to give the appearance of a fuller venue.
The event has been lucrative for F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone, who is believed to charge China some of the highest fees to host a race.
China is one of a string of locations which have joined the F1 circuit at a heavy cost in recent years in an attempt to boost their global image, joining the likes of Malaysia, Bahrain and Singapore on the calendar.
With the exception of Singapore, which held its inaugural Grand Prix as a night race in September, all have failed to capture widespread interest among locals.
Qiu said: "We want to create a win-win situation, for our side and for Bernie [Ecclestone] and the F1 organisers as well.
"If this is something we can do, and our co-operation is very happy and smooth, we will consider it.
"Of course we would like at least to break even. But there are two factors - one is the assessment; the other part is the win-win situation that we can create."
Asia is a growth area for F1. Abu Dhabi is to host its first race in 2009, with South Korea and India scheduled to follow suit in 2010 and 2011.
Ecclestone is keen for locations in the eastern hemisphere to hold their races as late in the day as possible in order to make the start time more attractive for F1's core audience in western Europe.
But asked about the idea of night racing, Qiu said: "In Singapore... holding the event at night is a good way to attract tourists to a small country.
"Singapore is hosting this event in their own unique way but we have our own situation."
Qiu said that the Grand Prix had succeeded in creating "this huge wave of car fever, so in that sense it is good news".
He said the circuit would continue to exist if the Grand Prix dropped because it was already in use for most of the year by car clubs, who hosted private driving sessions.
China has already ditched its MotoGP race, which was also held at Shanghai.
Honda will give Renault's third driver Lucas Di Grassi the chance to test for them in Barcelona later this month.
The 24-year-old Brazilian will join the team for their first winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya on 17 November.
Honda plan to name their 2009 drivers before Christmas with both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello out of contract at the end of the year.
As well as Di Grassi, the team will also give Bruno Senna, the nephew of F1 legend Ayrton, a test in Barcelona.
The team will run this season's RA108 car in Barcelona for three days as they begin their build-up to next season.
Di Grassi will take part in the test after being overlooked by Renault, who have stuck with drivers Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr for 2009.
"After such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with Renault, we look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs."
Di Grassi has raced in GP2, which has provided several drivers for F1 since its incarnation in 2005, for the last three seasons, finishing second in 2007 and third this season.
The Brazilian has also been part of Renault's development programme since 2004 and was the team's third driver in 2008 but is now keen to take the next step in his career.
"The next two weeks will be a very important stage in my development," said the 24-year-old.
"I will be spending a lot of time at the Honda factory before the test to speak with the engineers and learn as much as possible in advance of the test.
"I am very excited to have the opportunity of testing with Honda in Barcelona and look forward to proving myself to the team."
Honda are expected to keep faith with British driver Button next season despite another difficult campaign for the 28-year-old.
Button collected just three points whilst team-mate Barrichello claimed eight in a season marred by a lack of pace and reliability.
Barrichello has spoken of his desire to stay with Honda but the Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the year and at 36 is the oldest active driver in F1.
Source:Brazil legend Carlos Alberto has no doubt that England will qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, pointing to the experience gained in recent years as the key.
The Three Lions have had a remarkable 2008 under the stewardship of Fabio Capello, putting behind them the disappointment of missing out on the European Championship in the summer to make a good start on their road to South Africa.
They currently sit top of Group Six in the UEFA qualifying zone with a five point lead over Croatia after just four games.
Carlos Alberto, regarded by many as one of the greatest defenders of all time and himself a World Cup-winning captain, feels that England can go on and achieve great things in 2010.
"I think they are coming together now and they can be a force at the World Cup," the Brazilian said. "This is mainly because of the experienced players that they have.
"They have been playing together for the last six or seven years at least. Now with a new coach, a winner, I believe that England will make the next World Cup."
Carlos Alberto, who is in South Africa to attend Soccerex 2008, also praised the Barclays Premier League saying it should be the catalyst for English success on the world stage.
He continued: "Today England has the best local championship, very famous all over the world, and they deserve it because of what they've done to football.
"They bring fans to the stadiums, every game we see full stadiums, so in my opinion they deserve to do well at the World Cup.
"So we'll see then what can happen. I wish them the best."
The 64-year-old has played alongside some of the best ever players during his time, with his 1970 team-mates including Jairzinho, Tostao, Pele and Gerson.
And the former Fluminense, Santos and Flamengo ace is hoping for more great names to come to the fore from his native South America at the 2010 finals, despite being concerned about the state of the game in that region.
He added: "I hope that South America can be successful at the next World Cup and with some new big players.
"But the big problem with football here is that the law of the transfer market allows our best players to leave their countries early in life to go and play in Europe.
"This is not good because these players lose the spirit to play in their country, to play for their youth teams and in front of their own fans.
"This is the biggest problem with South American football.
Source:
http://www.football365.com
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes referees in England should take a leaf out of Roberto Rosetti's book.
Ferguson was pleased with the way the Italian official dealt with some stiff challenges on Cristiano Ronaldo and other issues during United's 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal.
Rosetti did not hesitate to hand out a red card to Joan Capdevila for a high challenge on Ronaldo seven minutes from time.
And Ferguson claimed Ronaldo gets better protection in Europe than on the domestic scene.
He said: "The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul.
"The referee thinks he is diving all the time and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem.
"The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. He (Capdevila) may not have got that red card in England so there is a different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."
Ronaldo was left with stud marks above his knee following the challenge and Ferguson added: "When you see the tackle again, it was very high. When you go as high as that you risk a red card.
"There were three tackles on Cristiano and I think the referee has quite rightly booked the players and then dished out a red card."
Ferguson also revealed that Wayne Rooney had apologised for going to ground too easily believing he had won a penalty.
The striker's action incensed the crowd but he escaped without a booking.
Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge as he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that.
"I have seen it and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching (Robert) Pires too much.
"At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."
Ferguson was at a loss to explain why United and Villarreal have played out four successive 0-0 draws, but at least both sides have the consolation of going through to the next stage of the competition.
"It is amazing in these four games we have not had a goal. I bet the public are hoping we do not meet in Rome," Ferguson added.
"I do not know how that is because we are an attacking side and Villarreal have a great record themselves.
"It is unusual for four games to end up 0-0. I thought we carried a bigger threat than them tonight. We had better opportunities in the match.
"But we are satisfied we are into the next stage. That's want we wanted to achieve. We have an advantage over Villarreal now.
"We have a home game against Aalborg and they have to go to Celtic so hopefully we can win the group."
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini conceded United will finish the group as leaders.
He said: "They are not going to lose to Aalborg - that's for certain."
Pellegrini was cautious about his side's treatment of Ronaldo.
"It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge him," he said.
"Our objective is complete, and that is to qualify. However, we did notice the absence of some of our offensive players."
Source:
http://www.football365.com