F1 News in Brief

Rubinho heading for Honda exit?
The 2007 season has become the first year that Rubens Barrichello (above) hasn’t managed to score a point since he made his F1 debut in 1993. There are now rumours that bosses may be looking to replace him for next year.

McLaren keen on Prodrive deal
THE Prodrive team will have to wait to find out if it can enter F1 next year and run cars built by McLaren. A hearing by the FIA Court of Appeal this week has been postponed, but McLaren boss Ron Dennis said if Prodrive gets the go-ahead, the deal can be resurrected.

Team pays own tribute to Dennis
Meanwhile, Dennis has won at least one cup this year. Although his team was kicked out of the constructors’ championship after the spying scandal, McLaren staff gave him a cut glass vase engraved with the words ‘2007 Constructors’ Champion, from the team’.

Indies backing engine changes
F1’S engine makers are enlisting the support of the independent teams to lobby for new rules. From 2010 to 2013, the current V8s must last four races and run kinetic energy recovery systems. The FIA rejected the idea, but the engine firms hope to push it through.

Nakajima gets off to a fast start
Williams new boy Kazuki Nakajima had a good debut. Standing in for Alex Wurz, he started 20th, but battled through to finish 10th, setting a quick lap faster than team-mate Nico Rosberg’s.