Bob Barnard Track Engineering

You have to wonder at the lack of news when there is an item about how the FIA have made three teams change the labeling on the collar of their driving suits from screenprint to embroidered! I know that is what the rules say but seriously, is this news?

In a similar vein I personally do not care who sponsors Niki Lauda's cap, but journalists obviously do.

Meanwhile, back with the real world, Bernie has admitted he paid Gribkowsky the money. He insists it was not a bribe over the sale of the shares, but paid to keep Gribkowsky quiet about his financial dealings, mainly the Bambino Trust, and the British Inland Revenue, or tax man. Bernie says that there was nothing irregular, he had been dealing with the IRS and their enquiry over Bambino and did not want Gribkowsky making the IRS open that up again. His lawyers told him it would cost a lot of money. Well they were correct weren't they, it did, $44m worth! I can only imagine what Bernie's lawyers fees are, but is it possible they could be more than $44 m?  And why would Gribkowsky know anything of Bernie's financial dealings anyway? Bernie was a middle man in a sale of shares from the bank to CVC, not the buyer or seller. There is a lot more to this story yet to come.

In Germany Mark Webber topped the time sheets for Red Bull with the Ferraris of Alonso and Massa sharing the top four places with them. Next comes Mercedes, with McLaren not looking good at the moment. Ricciardo needs to find some time tomorrow to avoid missing the cut at 9 seconds, or 10% off the pace. Lotus are not showing their improved form with Kovalainen 4 seconds off the pace, but in front of the usual suspects at the rear.

I confess I did not watch much of this, the final day of the Tour de France in the Alps was on, and some great TV it was too. What these top riders do is nothing short of amazing. Their mental toughness let alone physical endurance is a yardstick for any athlete. I have to comment on Aussie Cadel Evans who has shown just how strong he is the last two days, and after Andy Schleck complaining about Contador not waiting last year when he had a machine problem I thought it a bit rich that he and Contador rode off and left Cadel today.

Anyway, back to the powered sports and Stoner is in his usual spot at the head of the first practice at Laguna. SPEED obviously prize having the coverage of the MotoGP with qualifying being shown at 11 pm EST tomorrow, and the race delayed to 5 pm Sunday, but we can show Grand Am live?