The McLaren Formula 1 team does not rule out that British young talent Lewis Hamilton could make his Formula One debut in Brazil in two weeks time. Hamilton will be testing for McLaren in Jerez this week.

Michael Schumacher still believes he can win the world title, according to the rival Renault team.

Renault UK has recently changed managing-directors with Philippe Talou-Derible disappearing off to France after five years in the UK. His new job is to become commercial director of Renault Sport Technologies, the company which is responsible for commercialising products derived from Renault's racing activities.

While F1 was busy in Japan, the NASCAR teams were at Talladega where there was drama and controversy as Hendrick Motorsport driver Brian Vickers (soon to depart to join Red Bull) won his first Nextel Cup victory on the last lap when he tapped his team mate - and Nextel Cup title contender - into an accident.

Pierre Dupasquier is to be honoured in December with his appointment to France's Legion d'Honneur for his services to French motorsport.

After winning the Japanese Grand Prix Renault's director of engineering, Pat Symonds, admitted the team won't be taking any risks in Brazil where the team can not only win the drivers championship, but also the constructors championship.

BMW had been considering running Timo Glock as a test driver in races this year but the German driver injured his wrist in the final round of the GP2 Series in Monza and has been out of action ever since.

A1 at Brno in Words and Pictures

We hear from our spies in Milton Keynes that Red Bull Racing has now acquired a building adjacent to the current factory and is planning to expand its operations. The new facility will eventually be linked to the current factory to enable ease of access between the two buildings.

Jacques Villeneuve is a busy man since he quit racing with BMW-Sauber in the beginning of August. Robert Kubica replaced Villeneuve, but the Canadian doesn't even think about racing at the moment.

Renault's Monday morning debrief

At the end of the Japanese GP Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo declared his support for his team, despite the disappointment of Michael Schumacher's engine failure which saw Renault and Fernanando Alonso take back the initiative in both championships.