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Having entered Formula 1 at the start of the 1997 season, Bridgestone will bow out of the sport at the end of the upcoming campaign after announcing that it will no longer continue as the sport's sole tyre supplier, a role it has held since the departure of Michelin at the end of 2006.

World Champion Jenson Button heads to Bahrain as World Champion this weekend for the start of what promises to be one of the best seasons Formula 1 has ever had to offer. Having switched from Brawn to McLaren alongside fellow Champion Lewis Hamilton, the Frome driver risks making no predictions.

Nico Hülkenberg, one of five rookies in the field this year, has kept a close eye on Formula 1 ever since claiming the A1GP championship title for Team Germany in 2006. In 2007 he won the prestigous Masters of F3 title, the F3 Euro Series a year later and in 2009 the the GP2 championship, F1's feeder series. The statistics are positive for the 22-year-old but he will now have to prove himself in the highest class of motorsport, starting this weekend in Bahrain.

Williams driver Rubens Barrichello is already the most experienced driver Formula 1 has had since the start of the World Championship in 1950. This weekend the Brazilian will be entering his eighteenth season in the sport and, according to 'Rubinho', is in better shape than ever before.

While Ferrari was never too happy about three new teams entering the sport this year, rivals McLaren do welcome debutants such as Lotus, Virgin and HRT. McLaren Managing Director Jonathan Neale said on Tuesday that F1 must do the best it can to ensure the new names are soon up, running and stable.

Sweltering temperatures may seem a far cry from the wintry weather sweeping its way across Europe at present although that is exactly what the 12 teams can expect as they make the annual pilgrimage to Sakhir this weekend for what is the opening race of the 2010 World Championship.

There are now just three days to go before 7-time World Champion will be back in action in an official Grand Prix session. Michael Schumacher scored a total of 91 victories in Formula 1 between 1991 and 2006 and this weekend will return after being away for three years.

Bahrain preview quotes: Williams

Q and A with McLaren's Jonathan Neale

McLaren believes that it is critical that Formula 1's new teams are stabilised as quickly as possible, for the good of the sport.

McLaren says it is heading to Bahrain fully relaxed about the controversy that has surfaced over its rear wing design - and says it expects the concept to be given the green light by the FIA later this week.

BMW Sauber has a real chance of becoming a thorn in the side of Formula 1's 'big four' teams this year because its car is so good at looking after its tyres, Bridgestone analysis has revealed.

Michael Schumacher says he is raring to go and fully prepared for the challenges of his Formula 1 comeback in Bahrain this weekend - even though he is not expecting a strong start to his campaign.

Michael Schumacher will endure a very hard season on his return to Formula 1, according to Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber.

Work on the new grand prix circuit at Silverstone is nearing completion, British Grand Prix organisers said on Tuesday.

Bahrain preview quotes: Lotus

Interview with Mike Gascoyne

There are three new teams on the grid this season, but their presence is already causing alarm among the leading drivers

Sauber will go into the opening grand prix of the season in Bahrain without a new major sponsor

Timo Glock says he decided to join Virgin over Sauber and Renault because the new British team was a safer employment option

Mercedes' Nick Heidfeld has continued the recent trend of drivers downplaying their own team's hopes of success by stating Red Bull has the best car

France is unlikely to regain a grand prix in 2011 according to Nicolas Deschaux

Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes has said finishing the race will be the marque's main target for its return grand prix this weekend

Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed suggestions Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One action with a win in Bahrain this weekend

McLaren has got a 'plan B' on the off chance its rear aerodynamic package is deemed illegal by the FIA ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Gary Paffett will be McLaren's F1 reserve driver at least until the 2010 DTM season starts

Work on the new Arena Circuit at Silverstone is nearing completion and is set to be ready at the end of March

Stirling Moss (80) suffered a serious accident over the weekend as a result of a malfunctioning lift.

Force India has announced that Ian Phillips, the director of business affairs, is leaving the team.

Renault F1 has announced a sponsorship deal with the Russian car builder Lada, which will see the firm's logo on the car and team overalls.

The FIA has issued the final 2010 entry list, which does not include the USF1 Team - nor Stefan GP.

The FIA issued a statement today that the USF1 Team will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The Campos Meta 1 team will change it's name to HRT F1 - Hispania Racing F1 Team, and will announce their driver line-up Thursday afternoon at a press conference in Murcia, Spain.

Lotus Racing has announced a partnership with CNN International.

Button wins again! Jordan Wilman hijacks the feed at FormulaPod and posts this cast reviewing the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix.

The F1 Podcast from FormulaPod.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.

File Download (20:28 min / 28.2 MB)

Ned The Head and JMan hijack the feed and bring you a podcast on the FormulaPod F1 podcast airways. These guys bring you quali, race and post race highlights.

A great example of two F1 fans brought together by podcasting who became friends. Well done fellas.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: F1 Forums and Live Chat from FormulaPod. Get in the picture.

File Download (19:07 min / 13.2 MB)

Jordan Wilman has hijacked the FormulaPod feed and comes at you with an F1 Podcast featuring a rundown of the latest F1 news. Jordon also previews the 2009 Melbourne Grand Prix, just one week away.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: F1 Forums and Live Chat from FormulaPod.

File Download (6:41 min / 9.2 MB)

Formula 1 deals what may be the final blow for fans worldwide. Though nothing in the proposed plan is necessarily that outlandish, after years of scandals, financial abuse and disrespect its is a straw that breaks the camel’s back.

FormulaPod – The outside like of the ‘sport formerly known as F1’.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Twitter Posts from FormulaPod :: F1 Twitter posts with updates and communications surrounding the sport formerly known as F1.

File Download (75:05 min / 51.6 MB)

As anticipated, and for the 3rd year in a row, Felippe Massa lands atop the time sheets for home GP in Brazil. Lewis Hamilton will start 4th behind Jarno Trulli. Yes, that’s Truli on the front row! Kimi is P3. Details in this special podcast with guests Brodie W. And J Michael J.

Hey, and for all of you F1 Twitter followers, make sure you turn on your mobile alerts! We won’t abuse the privilege and you’ll stay informed.

The Original F1 Podcast from FormulaPod.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Blog from Formula Pod :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (50:51 min / 35 MB)

Hamilton glides to pole position for the Chinese GP in Shanghain. F1 rock star Kimi Raikkonen takes P2 and Massa will start along side Fernando Alonso on the second row. Get ready for the fireworks!

NOTE: 1 explicit word in podcast. F-bomb!

Call-Ins from Jman and Pengo of India. Make your Quali and Race Predictions at POD-219-1744.

The original F1 Podcast from FormulaPod.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Race Results and Standings :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (31:59 min / 22 MB)

Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen on the front row of the GP of Japan at Fuji. Kovy pulls third, Alonso 4th and Massa eeks out a 5th. Some major news in the previous week. Details in the F1 Podcast from FormulaPod.

Call-Ins (pod-219-1744) from JMan, Sunburnt Gringo and NedTheHead

Special podcaster energy boost provided by Steaz Organic Fuel.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Blog from Formula Pod :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (33:49 min / 23.3 MB)

Felippe Massa snatches P1 from under the lights of Singapore. Hamiltoe grabs second with Kimi a close P3. Some lurkers with heavy fuel sitting just outside the first few rows. Details in this F1 podcast from FormulaPod.

A special love-shout for The Queen of FormulaPod and her beloved Monkey-Boy. Call-ins from JMan and Sunburnt Gringo. And where is NedTheHead?

See you all in FP F1 Live Chat.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Race Results and Standings :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (36:21 min / 25 MB)

Sebastian Vettel stands atop the youngest podium in the history of F1! The rain in Italian GP washes out the old and brings in the new breed. Get the FormulaPod take in this F1 Podcast.

Don’t forget to check out the Kimi steering wheel, Lewis claiming Kimi has no balls, and the McLaren Singapore preview, all in the FormulaPod F1 Forums. http://4pod4.com

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Race Results and Standings :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (37:21 min / 25.7 MB)

Sebastian Vettel wins Italy for STR and becomes the youngest ever F1 GP winner. Kovalainen and Kubica follow up on the podium. Details in this F1 news brief with J Michael Johnson, aka Vegeta25RS.

• F1 Forums with FormulaPod :: Formula One discussions, chat, rants and laughs in the Formula Pod F1 Forum.
• F1 Blog from Formula Pod :: F1 anecdotes, updates and pictures from the original F1 podcast.
• F1 Photos from Sutton Images :: Formula 1 Photos, canvases, mugs, shirts and more.
• F1 Twitter Posts :: Follow up to the minute F1 news with the FormulaPod F1 Twitter RSS feed.

File Download (4:47 min / 3.3 MB)