Rowan Atkinson, comedian and car collector extraordinaire was released from hospital today with no serious injuries after losing control of his maroon McLaren F1 and crashing into a telephone pole, setting the car alight in the process.

Atkinson apparently walked away from the wreck and sat on the side of the road with another motorist, waiting for emergency services. He has hurt his shoulder but no long term injuries are expected.

The McLaren F1 is the pride of his enormous and secretive car collection, costing over 650 000 Great British Pounds more than a decade ago. He apparently bought it to celebrate the success of the international Mr Bean film.

The car is a bit of a TV star as well, having appeared on the BBC’s Top Gear numerous times over the years. Atkinson himself was recently a guest on Top Gear and defended the car to host Jeremy Clarkson, who has never liked the McLaren. Atkinson said you have to live with the car, he has done over 37 000 miles in the car, more than any other owner presumably.

Atkinson is no stranger to car accidents, he has crashed this car before (although it was minor) and has also crashed a rare 1954 Mercedes Gullwing, a car worth close to a million pounds depending on condition.

Atkinson is also a keen racing driver, and races his 1964 Ford Falcon. He is known to own a new Audi R8, and even a Honda Civic Hybrid for more mundane duties.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been pushing hard to drive all the Formula One mean machines into the African terrain for so many years now, and finally is seeing success on that front. Ecclestone believes that the deal is “weeks away from signing”. He has been quoted as saying that a decision might come as soon as F1 “lawyers have a good look at them… within the next couple of weeks”.

This, when it happens, will be Grand Prix’s return to South Africa.  The last South African Grand Prix was run at Kyalami in 1993, and was won by Alain Prost. Treading the path taken byDurban, F1 bosses will look forward to a track similar the one there.

Meanwhile, we also hear Motorsport SA has confirmed that aCape Townconsortium has approached it to run a Grand Prix. However, that will depend on getting the event find a place in the in FIA calendar by Motorsport SA.

The money part is still being debated. It would involve huge amounts of many to get the race going atCape Town. Government aid would have to be sought to make things roll.

Going by current estimates, getting F1 to Cape Townwould incur costs of at least $100-million. Hope Bernie Ecclestone will be smiling in the next two weeks’ time.

Eyewitness News has revealed that F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone has told them that Cape Town will host a Formula One street race in the next two years.

In February this year, the Cape Times reported that a local consortium had been invited to picth a racetrack to the FIA that was centred around the Waterfront, Greenpoint and even running through the Greenpoint stadium.

The proposal is apparently weeks away from being signed: ”I’m hoping we can make a decision as soon as our lawyers have a good look at them… within the next couple of weeks,” Ecclestone has been reported as saying.

EWN Reporter Jean Smyth, talking on 567 CapeTalk this afternoon, said he took a few weeks to get some time with Ecclestone. He added that Ecclestone was quite cagey with details, but was confident that the race will happen.

In the interview (recording posted below) a softly spoken Ecclestone said that as soon as there is a contract in place, things will happen within two years, in Cape Town.

Ecclestone would not be drawn on any further details about the track, or placement of the track. He said if the race could be organised in Johannesburg that would be good.

Reporter Smyth asks towards the end of the interview: “According to you, Cape Town has a real chance of holding an F1 Grand Prix in two years?” to which Ecclestone replies: “Yes”.

There is a tonne of paperwork, licensing and money that goes into staging an F1 Grand Prix, so there is much to iron out before this happens. But that sort of answer from that sort of person is good enough for me to get excited.

Listen to the interview here: Bernie Ecclestone on Cape Town Grand Prix

As you know, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 has been developed with Ricardo and was mated to the same Graziano seven-speed “pre-cog” dual-clutch gearbox. Further, the new variant is likely to be built around a carbon-fiber monocoque.

Dubbed “Mega Mac”, it will be possibly out sometime in 2014 carrying a price tag of around $600,000.

(Via Autoblog)

The new car was made by the Spanish team’s own group of engineers and designers under the guidance of Geoff Willis and Chief Designer Paul White. Colin Kolles said that the F111 will incorporate the adjustable rear wing as per Formula One norms.

Daniel Simon (Hollywood and former VW designer) is responsible for the outfit of the car, bringing in a fresh air of exuberance and enthusiasm and perfectly complementing the design and structure of the car.

There are lots of empty slots for advertisers with only Simon’s Cosmic Motors and Tata Motors with the help of Narain Karthikeyan, sharing the spoil.

The Indian driver raced for Jordan back in 2005 and can now look forward to the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this year.

But how long a stint will he get at HRT needs to be seen, HRT tried four different drivers last year and none of them secured a single point.

HRT is competing in its second Formula One season, after finishing 11^th in the Constructors Championship last year.

Officials at Renault have stated that there are technological innovations and that the competition is completely open.

The new formula is aimed at bringing car manufactures back into the F1 field, and the sources have said that they have been mindful that there are precise rules for the costs, the materials, the number of engines per season and the speed limit.

Renault has officially withdrawn from the position of being team owner of the Renault team, based in Enstone, but has affirmed that they will continue to supply engines for the coming three years.

During this period, the V8 engine formula will be transcended and the new four-cylinder turbos will debut in 2013.

Although the new formula was aimed at enticing car manufacturers back into the racing game, BMW will not be joining soon, and Volkswagen is not committed either.

Sources say that that Japanese have been expressing interest in the F1, and that Honda is seriously considering making a comeback.

Rumors about the Ferrari F1 three-seater have been circulating for a while now. Some spy photos taken at the Fiorano Circuit, in Italy, has revealed the Marlboro Red Rush cruising in the rain. Two passengers can accommodate themselves in the seats placed behind the driver’s seat. The car, capable of sprinting to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds, can reach 300 km/h (186 mph) in a mere 13 seconds. The car which is based on a Formula One F2002 653 chassis has an 800 PS (789 bhp / 588 kW) engine that operates at 17,000 rpm. It carries 50 liters of fuel, and weighs a total of 845 kilograms. The 5-meters long, 1.8 meters wide car has a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Red Bull tea management spoke about Webber’s fuel-saving engine setting which clearly indicated that Red Bull wants the younger Vettel to win the 2010 title. However, Dr Helmut Marko is denying any internal division as he mentioned that both the drivers were being handled in the same manner.

33-year old Webber is now the clear title leader even though Red Bull may want Vettel to be crowned champion. Meanwhile the Ferrari boss had a word to say about this ongoing internal spat as he mentioned that Red Bull management was trying to create tension between Massa and Alonso and interestingly, Red Bull is now facing the same situation in its camp.

Mark Webber who appeared to be the culprit behind the collision managed to finish third, as he left his team-mate Vettel in a furious state after the race. Even team boss Christian Horner was angry at both drivers as he stressed on the need of the drivers giving each other room and none of the two sadly yielded.

Lewis was followed by team-mate Button on the podium and Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher grabbed the fourth spot.

It’s not only Michael Schumacher who’s looking for an F1 comeback, the likes of 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve are also eyeing their return to the circuit. Villeneuve is still practicing to make his dream come true which is why he is maintaining his fitness condition by using a bespoke EUR400,000 machine which has been conceived by his famous trainer, Erwin Gollner. Villeneuve almost made it back to the F1 circuit with the Serbian outfit Stefan GP but sadly the Zoran Stefanovich headed unit was not granted an entry in this year’s competition. He also mentioned that he is ready to replace any current driver in the ongoing season and he is confident that there is still place for experienced contenders on the circuit.