World Champion Jenson Button looks forward to attending the Autosport International show at Birmingham's NEC (National Exhibition Centre) next weekend. For what will be his first public appearance as a McLaren driver, the Frome man will be available for autograph-signing as well as questions and interviews.

Following the sad death of Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft at the end of last October, his family is now determined to reorganise the legendary Leicestershire circuit, which had been left completely closed following the failed attempt to welcome the British Grand Prix by Simon Gillett's Donington Ventures Leisure Limited (DVLL).

Nick Heidfeld pushes on for 2010 seat while Sauber set launch date, plus other stories and rumours

Bernie Ecclestone is unsure as to whether Flavio Briatore will be returning to Formula 1, despite his lifetime ban having been lifted by French courts this week. A comeback for the former Renault team Managing Director is still subject to a likely FIA appeal although F1 commercial rights holder Ecclestone doubts Briatore's return, even if any FIA appeal proves unsuccessful.

Emboldened following a French court's ruling that his lifetime ban from motorsport be overturned, Flavio Briatore has admitted that he is considering legal action against former Renault driver Nelson Piquet and his father.

A rejuvenated Flavio Briatore has admitted that he is now considering legal action against the Piquet family as the 'Crashgate' race-fixing scandal bursts back into life. With his lifetime ban from Formula 1 lifted by French courts, Italian Briatore's F1 comeback is still subject to a likely appeal from governing body the FIA.                     

Sunday 31 January has been marked as the launch date for the Sauber team, as Peter Sauber prepares to present the Hinwil outfit for the first time since purchasing all shares back from BMW. With Kamui Kobayashi already confirmed as transferring from the departed Toyota, his team-mate is yet to be confirmed.

Sauber has confirmed that its 2010 contender will be unveiled at Valencia on January 31, the day before testing for the new season gets underway at the Spanish track.

With Nick Heidfeld having generally been regarded as a favourite to partner Nico Rosberg at Mercedes GP for the 2010 season, the signing of 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has come as a blow to the former BMW driver, whose race seat options have now been reduced. The 32-year-old is, however, now linked to Mercedes for a test and reserve position.

Following the FIA's reaction to the decision by a French court to overturn Flavio Briatore's lifetime ban from motorsport, Chris Sylt suggests there may be good reason that F1's governing body is taking such a hardline response from the outset.

Flavio Briatore admits that he will be in no rush to make a Formula 1 comeback following the overturning of his lifetime expulsion on Tuesday. With governing body the FIA having imposed the punishment back in September, the Italian saw the French courts overrule the decision, questioning the FIA's power to impose such a ban.