RssGeni

With Bernie Ecclestone having confirmed a Grand Prix on the streets of Italian capital city Rome for 2013, the Formula 1 commercial rights holder has also said that the calendar will be increasing in length to a record 20 races in coming years, with Qatar hoping to add its name to the list.

Mercedes GP Team Principal Ross Brawn made the unique journey to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday in order to be awarded with his Order of the British Empire (OBE) award following his team's success last year.

Emerson Fittipaldi is confident that Michael Schumacher's abilities to win Formula 1 races will not have faded as the 7-time World Champion makes his return to the sport at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. The Brazilian believes that motivation is a greater factor towards victory than age.

LG, the official Technology Partner of Formula 1, has increased its commitment to the sport by moving into a partnership with Cosworth. The Northampton-based company returns to F1 this year following a break of three years and in doing so parners the Williams , Lotus, Hispania and Virgin teams.

Brawn GP title winners Jenson Button and Ross Brawn have been announced as winners of prestigious Laureus Awards, which they were shortlisted for a month ago. Seven gongs are handed out in all to a selection of sporting personalities.

Virgin Racing Technical Director Nick Wirth is confident that his car's downfalls from winter testing have been corrected as the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix nears ever closer. The new team encountered a number of problems in Spain last month, including a front wing breakage and several hydraulic-related issues.

Having missed out on a chance to rejoin the Formula 1 grid this year, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will be present in Bahrain over the weekend in order to contribute to the commentary for BBC Radio 5 live.

Like Michael Schumacher, Cosworth returns to Formula 1 following a 3-year break this season as it supplies the sport's three news teams as well as Williams, which it last worked with for a solitary campaign in 2006.

Nico Rosberg is optimistic that he will be able to hold his own against Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher this season and says that he is looking forward to proving himself against the seven-times world champion.

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug has called for patience for the new teams coming into Formula 1 this year, but he admits they will have to make big steps to put on a decent showing.

Jacques Villeneuve is set to join the BBC's Radio 5 Live commentary team for the Bahrain Grand Prix

Bruno Senna says there will not be a problem with disparity in speed between cars this weekend in Bahrain, as long as the drivers respect each other

Q and A with Bruno Senna

Bruno Senna says he can finally enjoy being a Formula 1 driver now - after admitting the uncertainty about his future that clouded the last few weeks had been hard to accept

Formula 1 will witness some truly 'titanic' battles on track this season with no team holding a clear advantage heading into the first race of the season

Bahrain preview quotes - Hispania

Q and A with Karun Chandhok

Formula 1 rookie Karun Chandhok thinks it unfair that the new teams are on the receiving end of criticism that their slow speed could cause trouble in Bahrain this weekend