Formula One Times: 6th November: Change in F1 Timetable and F1 in the Air?

Welcome to the penultimate F1 times of this format. From Monday, the F1 Times will see a makeover and a growth spurt.  From Monday, the F1 times will see four authors combine to make one "super-times." Make sure you check this out from Monday; you won't want to miss it!

F1 in the Air from 2010

A slightly different approach to F1 will see a leg of the Red Bull Air Race fly high over Singapore on a "track in the sky."

Race organizers, currently in talks with Singapore tourism officials, said the prospect of Singapore hosting one round of the eight-leg world championships "looks very promising."

Mr. Stefan Lehrmayer, director of international relations and acquisitions at the Austrian-based organizer Red Bull Air Race GmbH, told The Straits Times "We are looking for a perfect backdrop to frame the race, as well as ensuring that planes fly safely."

F1 Time Table sees some Major Changes

Over the last 48 hours, the FIA has made changes to the F1 Calendar for 2009. The Chinese race will now be on April 19th—the third round of next season. The revised 2009 calendar looks like this.

March 29   Australia
April 5    Malaysia
April 19   China
April 26   Bahrain
May   10   Spain
May   24   Monaco
June  7    Turkey
June  21   Great Britain
July  12   Germany
July  26   Hungary
Aug.  23   Europe (Valencia)
Aug.  30   Belgium
Sept. 13   Italy
Sept. 27   Singapore
Oct.  4    Japan
Oct.  18   Brazil
Nov.  1    Abu Dhabi

Thanks to ITV for the calendar.

Ham-Majesty Sends Her Regards

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Drivers Champion, has received special recognition in the form of a telegram from Queen Elizabeth II. The message was passed to Lewis when he returned to McLaren's technology in Woking on Wednesday. The telegram read as follows.

"I am delighted that you have succeeded in winning the Formula 1 world championship to become the youngest ever champion. I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement."

Along with the telegram from the Queen, a crowd of 1,000 McLaren employees were in Woking to welcome the Champion back home. In an exclusive interview with McLaren, Hamilton joked about receiving an extension to his holiday and for a pay rise for everyone at McLaren.

Hamilton Wedding Rumors

There are some rumors doing the rounds at the moment regarding Lewis Hamilton and his girlfriend, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. The couple, who have been dating since last year, were spotted out and Nicole was wearing an expensive looking ring on her engagement finger. The Formula One times can reveal that the rumors are just that—rumors.

Besides the ring, other indications of wedding bells came after Scherzinger, 30, released a video on YouTube congratulating her man in which she said "I'm so excited. I feel like I'm on top of the world right now. Why? Because I want to congratulate my boyfriend Lewis Hamilton for being the official Formula One World Champion."

"Congratulations baby, I love you, I love you, I love you."

FIA to Make Decisions "More Transparent."

From next season, any decisions made by race stewards will be backed up with video footage and an explanation as to what influenced their decision.

The FIA have made this move after several complaints of un-fair treatment over the 2008 season.  The 2009 season will see video footage that influenced the officials' decision but was not broadcast on television published on the FIA and FOM sites.

Stirling Moss: "Hamilton's Win is Great for F1"

British racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss, believes Lewis Hamilton's World Championship win will help to change the face of Formula 1 and will help bring a new audience to the sport.

"Frankly, he's a racer and what color he is doesn't really matter," Moss told BBC Radio Five Live. "He drove to win the thing, he's an exciting man to watch, and I think he's a tremendous ambassador for our sport. He does bring a whole new thing to the sport."

Finally a Note from "Times HQ"

I am currently in talks with the "big dogs" at B/R about launching a campaign for the "Wings for Life" charity, as seen on David Coulthard's car at Brazil.

If all goes well and the campaign is approved, future editions of the "Formula One Times" will feature a graphical link which will allow readers to donate to the charity that supports people with Spinal Cord injuries. Many people involved in F1 support this charity including David Coulthard, Max Mosely, and Gerhard Berger.