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The FIA has banned US F1 from participating in any of its competitions after it failed to appear at the first round of the season in Bahrain. US F1 were also handed a fine of €309,000 (£254,000), which is the same as the entry fee they paid to join the world championship, and ordered to pay the costs of the FIA’s inquiry. However as the team closed down in March and its assets have been sold at auction it may be unable to pay.

Rubens Barrichello won last year’s European Grand Prix Have all the important information for this weekend’s European Grand Prix at your fingertips with the F1 Fanatic unofficial race programme including a video lap of the track: The race 2010 European Grand Prix preview – The three-way fight for supremacy between McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari is set to get even closer as Ferrary bring an important upgrade 2010 European Grand Prix – Session times, support race information and more 2010 European Grand Prix discussion – Going to the European Grand Prix this year? Find other fans who are going to be at the race. Circuito Urbano Valencia spectators’ experiences – Read about fans’ experiences of going to the European Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso tested the updated Ferrari F10 at Fiorano The McLaren -Red Bull fight for supremacy has largely occupied our attention in the last few races. But Ferrari are still in the hunt and are looking to propel themselves to the front with a significant upgrade package this weekend. Will it be enough to help Fernando Alonso score his first win at his other home track?

Repeats of Hamilton’s Montreal stunt will not be allowed The FIA’s World Motor Sports Council has announced a series of changes to the rules. These including clarifying the rule regarding the safety car which Michael Schumacher ran afoul of in the Monaco Grand Prix

Heinz-Harald Frentzen will be the drivers’ representative on the stewards’ panel for this weekend’s European Grand Prix. Frentzen raced in F1 from 1994 to 2003, starting 156 races for Sauber, Williams , Jordan (twice), Prost and Arrows. The German driver entered F1 having been on Mercedes’ young driver programme with Michael Schumacher and Karl Wendlinger

The promoters of the European Grand Prix at Valencia have reacted to criticism of the track’s appearance by painting parts of it green. They hope this will make it easier for television viewers to distinguish between the 25 corners on the 5.4km track. According to promoter Valmor Sports: Valencia Street Circuit this year has a new colour in its design, this colour is green to simulate the grass and to give more colour to the path.

Lotus will race with special logos on their car marking the team’s 500th Grand Prix start this weekend. Clive Chapman, son of team founder Colin, will be present at the European Grand Prix as part of the celebrations.

Ferrari will debut a new exhaust configuration in the European Grand Prix this weekend. It is likely the layout is influenced by Red Bull’s exhaust-driven diffuser configuration, which is credited with helping the RB6 achieve high levels of downforce. According to Ferrari: The most significant feature is a new configuration for the exhaust system, aimed at improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the car.

Vitantonio Liuzzi wants to demonstrate the improved pace he showed in the Canadian Grand Prix again at Valencia this weekend. The Force India driver says changing chassis before Montreal was the key to his stronger race: I feel that Canada was another start for me and for sure I will be pushing like crazy to keep that level of performance going