In brief, March 2009

Romain Grosjean will serve as Renault’s reserve driver this year, taking over the role from fellow Renault Development Driver Lucas di Grassi. The Swiss, who has a French mother and therefore races under a French licence, will also compete in GP2 for the Campos team. Having lost his chance of a Honda job, di Grassi is weighing up options in GP2 and the IRL.

As Motor Sport closed for press there was still no news regarding the future of the former Honda team. In early January Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali made the surprising disclosure that it had no intention of supplying engines, as had been widely assumed. However Norbert Haug has indicated that, given the right circumstances, Mercedes might step in to help.

The Isle of Man is celebrating Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 Formula 1 World Championship win by issuing a set of six stamps featuring images of the Stevenage-born driver.

Hamilton has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his World Championship success. “It is a massive honour and an incredible privilege to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen,” said the McLaren driver.

Ferrari has continued its idiosyncratic type numbering by naming its new car the F60. The unusual designation celebrates the fact that 2009 represents the team’s 60th season of continuous participation in the World Championship.