Nico Rosberg pipped the two McLarens for the fastest time in Valencia on Friday morning, stopping the clocks for Mercedes GP with 1m 41.175s. That was 0.164s faster than Lewis Hamilton’s 1m 41.339s, and 0.208s better than Jenson Button’s 1m 41.383s. It’s early days, however, as the number of drivers running wide in Turn Two testified to the ‘green’ nature of the track, which remained extremely slippery.

Ferrari are very optimistic that they will turn a corner this weekend and fight for victory, now that their F10 is fitted with the ‘blown’ diffuser that is one of the keys to Red Bull’s aerodynamic advantage. The system basically uses the positioning of the exhaust system to direct hot air over the double diffuser, increasing the level of downforce

One is the man who made Formula One racing the global force that it is today. The other is the most successful driver of the modern era. Together they know the sport inside out – and both are uniquely qualified to provide an insight into the enigma that is Ferrari.

Ferrari announced on Tuesday that Pat Fry will join their technical department.

Bridgestone will take the unusual step of bringing tyres from opposing ends of their dry-weather compound range to next month’s German Grand Prix. It means there will be two steps, rather than the usual one, between rubber types at Hockenheim.

As they looked ahead to their first season in Formula One racing, 2010′s three new teams faced a mountain to climb. It’s tough for any competitor to keep up, but when you’re up against rivals who have survived for decades, have seemingly unlimited resources at their disposal and have won countless championships, the nerves are bound to be jangling. But for one new team the weight of expectation must have felt particularly heavy.

For the first time this season, Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi left a Grand Prix feeling pleased with his result following last weekend’s Canadian round. Buemi’s strong Montreal race saw him finish eighth, which in turn boosted the solitary point he had gleaned from May’s Monaco Grand Prix to a total tally of five

Poland will become the latest stop for the Renault’s Roadshow event when national hero – and Renault driver – Robert Kubica visits the Poznan circuit for a special exhibition of his Formula One car on 17 July. The event will be Kubica’s first opportunity to put an F1 machine through its paces in his home country and will be a rare opportunity for Polish fans to experience the thrill of a Formula One car being driven at speed.

Poland will become the latest stop for the Renault’s Roadshow event when national hero – and Renault driver – Robert Kubica visits the Poznan circuit for a special exhibition of his Formula One car on 17 July. The event will be Kubica’s first opportunity to put an F1 machine through its paces in his home country and will be a rare opportunity for Polish fans to experience the thrill of a Formula One car being driven at speed. Entry to the event will be free, to allow as many people as possible to attend.

The Montreal weekend turned out to be something of a Hamilton-fest, with the McLaren driver translating an imperious pole position into a well-deserved win.