In brief, August 2009

BMW has confirmed that it has abandoned its KERS project in order to focus on the rest of its F1 package. Team boss Mario Theissen said: “I’m disappointed, because I still think it would have been excellent to have a truly innovative piece to put forward and really foster the position of F1 as a technology innovator.” Ironically KERS would have been dropped by the FIA had BMW not voted against the other teams last year. A ban is now official FOTA policy.

McLaren veteran Tyler Alexander was back in team uniform at the British GP, despite having officially left last winter. After attending the Monaco GP as a frustrated spectator he told the team he was going to Silverstone and offered to help out if required.

Sir Jackie Stewart completed some demonstration laps in a Matra MS80 at Silverstone before the British GP. The Scot won five GPs in the MS80 in 1969 en route to his first World Championship. JYS was keen to look the part for the event, but was dismayed after finding that his wife had thrown out all his original race suits…

After a three-year absence the Cosworth name is set to return to F1 next year as US F1, Manor and Campos are all committed to using an updated version of the V8 run by Williams back in 2006. The engine was noted then for high fuel consumption, and thus with refuelling banned in 2010 the teams will have to build cars with sufficient fuel tank capacity.

Toyota’s GP team is selling a selection of parts from past racing cars including carbon fibre wings, engine covers, brakes, alloy wheels and suspension parts. Prices range from £175 to £4400. For details visit www.toyota-f1-shop.com.

The Formula 1 party on the Wednesday before the British Grand Prix at the V&A Museum raised an impressive £450,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s new Heart and Lung Centre. The evening – organised by Tamara Ecclestone and supported by Abbey and Santander – was hosted by satirist and F1 fan Rory Bremner.