Hungarian GP: Thursday Press Conference

Lewis Hamilton insists there are no team orders governing how he and McLaren team-mate Jenson Button race.

As the controversy over last weekend's German Grand Prix continues, the man at the heart of it, Felipe Massa, claims that he is not Ferrari's number two driver and would retire if he thought that were the case.

Rubens Barrichello has expressed his sympathy for close friend and fellow countryman Felipe Massa, who lost the lead of the German Grand Prix on Sunday due to Ferrari team orders – raising various similarities to the situation the Williams driver found himself in at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.

Felipe Massa has insisted that he will not be playing a permanent supporting role to Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso, after being asked to give way to the Spaniard in last Sunday’s German Grand Prix.

Britain’s James Calado led the way as the two British Formula 3 practice sessions took place at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Thursday. The Carlin driver was forced to adapt to changeable conditions, though, as the Ardennes venue’s microclimate proved its worth once again.

Felipe Massa insists he is not playing second fiddle to Fernando Alonso, despite controversy surrounding the Ferrari drivers in last weekend's German Grand Prix.

Carlin’s Lucas Foresti will be unable to compete in this weekend’s two GP3 races at the Hungaroring as he will instead be racing in the British Formula 3 rounds at Spa-Francorchamps. Instead, Portugal’s António Félix da Costa will be present in Budapest.

Rain is likely to hit the Hungaroring at some point over the weekend and local forecasts dictate that downpours could particularly affect proceedings for qualifying day in Budapest.

The number of tethers required to hold lose Formula 1 wheels in place will be doubled ahead of the 2011 season, it has been confirmed by McLaren’s Paddy Lowe. The parts attempt to prevent wheels from flying off cars during accidents.

Michael Schumacher admits that he spoke with former team-mate Felipe Massa after the Ferrari driver was saddened to yield to team-mate Fernando Alonso in last Sunday’s German Grand Prix.

It has been confirmed that, following his Hockenheim crash, Manor Racing’s James Jakes will not be able to compete in Hungary this weekend. Instead, Adrien Tambay – son of former Formula 1 winner Patrick – will make his GP3 debut at the Hungaroring.

McLaren have won four of the last five Hungarian Grands Prix although the task promises to be more difficult for the Woking boys this weekend. Of the 24 twisty races on the outskirts of Budapest so far, 11 have been won from pole position. A case of déjà vu in 2010?

McLaren and Ferrari have both picked up seven pole positions at the Hungaroring, more than any other team, and each will now be looking to halt Red Bull by making it eight this weekend. However, confusion reigned last year when Fernando Alonso and Renault took the top spot as all timing systems failed…

GP3: Hungaroring - Official Preview

Race 12 of 19 in the 2010 season will mark the 25th time Formula 1 has visited Hungary. The Hungaroring track, a stone’s throw from capital city Budapest, has a reputation of providing processional races although it has in fact thrown up more than its fair share of high drama over the past two and half decades.

McLaren boss Whitmarsh can detect discord among title rivals, plus other news

Eddie Irvine has said that he would not be wishing to volunteer as an FIA race steward without confirmation that he would have a great influence over incidents on-track, bearing in mind previous decisions with which the Ulsterman disagrees.

It has emerged that Pirelli, which joins Formula 1 as the sport’s sole tyre supplier from 2011 onwards, is considering an imminent testing role for Nick Heidfeld which would involve taking to the track in a 2009 car.

Formula 1 governing body the FIA has confirmed that, for the second time this year, Britain’s Derek Warwick will be the racing driver in Race Control ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Monaco Grand Prix will be remaining on the Formula 1 calendar for at least another ten years, following a meeting between the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) and sporting commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.

Lotus Racing has confirmed a link-up with high-tech paint systems company DuPont Refinish, which becomes an Official Technical Supplier of the team after signing a deal at last weekend’s German Grand Prix.

The Hungaroring holds special memories for Michael Schumacher, having won at the Budapest track in 1994, 1998 and 2004 as well as clinching his fourth world title with race victory in 2001. However, the German is not likely to be contending for the top spot on his first Hungarian visit with Mercedes.