In brief, October 2008

Formtech GmbH, a German company that builds parts for the F1 industry, has bought the fixed assets offered by the liquidators of Super Aguri. Included in the sale was the team’s Leafield Technical Centre where the design and construction firm will expand its business, employing a number of ex-Super Aguri personnel.

Dino Toso, the former director of aerodynamics at Renault F1, lost his long battle with cancer on August 13. The Italian was just 39 years old. Toso left Renault in June after eight years with the Enstone team. He had previously been a race engineer at Jordan, where he oversaw Damon Hill’s famous 1998 Belgian GP victory.

Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore believes the introduction of KERS in 2009 is too soon, following fears the device is not safe and the costs of applying the technology are escalating. But despite a BMW mechanic receiving an electric shock during a KERS test at Jerez earlier this year, Honda, Williams and BMW Sauber are still backing the new system. Unless all the teams reach an agreement over the issue, the introduction looks likely to go ahead as planned.

Eastern Creek in Australia will undergo improvements in a bid to secure the Australian GP when Melbourne’s contract runs out in 2015. Melbourne has so far refused to hold a night race, something that Bernie Ecclestone has been keen to introduce. Eastern Creek has admitted it is carrying out the improvements with this in mind.

Following flash fires during refuelling at the Hungarian GP, Honda has said its hose wasn’t fitted properly, Williams believes it suffered fuel pressure problems and Toro Rosso said there was no problem with the rig itself.

Highly-rated Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg lost out to team-mate Jules Bianchi in the prestigious Masters F3 event at Zolder in August. It was the first F3 win for Bianchi, the grandson of ex-Le Mans racer Mauro. Also, the fourth corner at Zolder is named after his great-uncle Lucien, winner of the 1968 24Hrs.