Final News from the Paddock

Trulli Will Not be on the Run
Jordan driver Jarno Trulli has vowed to focus his attentions entirely on the Silverstone-based team. Fitness-fanatic Trulli ran the New York marathon last season, but this season he has decided to keep his running shoes in the cupboard.

"I did it last year but after the season we had I was completely exhausted. It was fantastic to do the distance but I didn't do it in the time I wanted because I wasn't fit enough. This year racing comes before anything and I want no distractions. It is a completely different type of training and I just don't have the time to do that."

Italian Trulli wanted to do the New York race in three hours and 20 minutes but did it in around four hours.

Bridgestone Wins First Battle
The expected wide variety of compound choice in the first qualifying session of the new tyre war between Bridgestone and Michelin failed to materialise as all 22 drivers opted for the softer of their respective tyre company's options.

All 22 lined-up on the grid shod with the softer of the two tyre types brought to Melbourne by both Michelin and Bridgestone. According to sources Michelin's fastest qualifier Ralf Schumacher tested the harder compound in the morning but found that the added lifespan of the tyre wasn't long enough to justify the loss of pace suffered in comparison with the soft tyre.

So far it looks as if Bridgestone have the upper hand as Ralf was the only Michelin supplied driver to break into the top ten, his fifth place being six places and a full second quicker than the next Michelin man, his team mate Juan Pablo Montoya. In the race, Jaguar's Luciano Burti was the best Michelin-shod finisher in eighth.

Stiff Upper Lip

One familiar face in the paddock looked slightly different as the teams gathered after the winter break in Melbourne. Mercedes-Benz Motorsport director Norbert Haug looked distinctly different as he sported a new look.

The German has shaved off his moustache for a new, younger look as he supports the McLaren team in their quest to win back the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Where's Your Ticket Young Man?
Kimi Raikkonen, one of the youngest drivers on the grid at 21, learned the hard way about the rules and regulations in and around Formula One. The Finnish driver turned up for the opening day of the Australian Grand Prix weekend with no tickets or passes.

He was duly turned away by officials at the Albert Park circuit and told to go home and get his VIP passes before he would be allowed entry. When will youngsters learn?

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(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia