Luca Badoer: Ferrari’s substitute for a substitute Although it’s a disappointment that Michael Schumacher will not return to F1 in the European Grand Prix , Ferrari’s second choice of replacement – Luca Badoer – is an interesting one. Not everyone’s happy about it, though – Spanish motorsport federation president Carlos Gracia has criticised Ferrari’s decision to pick Badoer over their other test driver, Spaniard Marc Gene, who has more recent F1 experience: It is one of the most absurd things that the people in charge of Ferrari have ever decided

The McLaren Technology Centre Last week I had my first chance to visit the McLaren Technology Centre. I met Communications and PR head Matt Bishop (also former F1 Racing editor) for lunch and a tour of the factory – he pointed out some of its most extraordinary features and little-known facts.

Has the old boy got it in him to do another victory leap? At 40 years, seven months and 20 days, Michael Schumacher will be the oldest F1 driver to start a Grand Prix in 14 years when he makes his highly-anticipated return at Valencia next month. But that doesn’t bring him anywhere near the record for an oldest Grand Prix starter

F1 cars and rules have changed hugely in the three years Schumacher’s been away When Michael Schumacher makes his return to F1 in three weeks’ time , he’ll find a lot has changed since he parked his 248-F1 after his last race on October 22nd, 2006 .

F1 is looking for ways to give drivers better protection The terrible accidents suffered by Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa in the last eight days have left the motorsport world in general – and F1 in particular – asking questions about safety. It has reminded everyone that the oft-repeated mantra ‘motor racing is much safer than it used to be’ will only remain so if the sport remains open-minded enough to ask itself whether it needs to change. But there are no easy answers how it might be done

Massa’s condition is described as ‘serious but stable’ Contradictory reports of Felipe Massa’s condition following his crash in qualifying today are causing a lot of confusion. I’ve tried to collect some of the reports below in an effort to make sense of them and give as clear a picture as possible of what’s going on: Rubens Barrichelo via Twitter , 7:10pm on Sunday: Good news.Felipe had a good night and react ok when he saw his parents.For a better recovery they will keep him asleep Jonathan Noble via Twitter , 11:24am Sunday: Hospital officials say Felipe Massa will be kept in an artifical coma for the next 48 hours to help his recovery Ferrari press release, 10am Sunday: After undergoing an operation yesterday afternoon, Felipe Massa’s condition remains stable and there were no further complications through the night

Jaime Alguersuari gets ready for his first F1 practice session Despite the inevitable rows over him becoming the youngest F1 driver ever, Jaime Alguersuari made his first appearance in an official Formula 1 session today. He’s only the second new driver to arrive in F1 this year – joining his team mate Sebastien Buemi who, with nine Grand Prix starts to his name, looks like a veteran compared to the young Spaniard.