The past two weeks have been relatively quiet in terms of news, aside from the McLaren-Monaco-gate, that is. But as momentum builds towards the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, headlines are being dominated again by Formula One, some good and some less-good. Below is a brief summary of the interesting stories to come out the past week.
Jarno Trulli has changed his helmet design again, but this time it is just a one-off for the Canadian Grand Prix. Trulli’s lifelong friend Danilo di Luca, who comes from the same city as Jarno - Pescara in Italy - has won the Giro d’Italia cycling race, and to honour his friends achievement, Jarno will wear Danilo’s colours on his lid this weekend. Danilo raced his bike in pink, so Trulli should be easier to spot on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Switzerland has lifted its 52 year old ban on motor racing this week, and while that is good in itself, some drivers may be looking to move from the tax haven country in the near future. Switzerland banned motor racing after a terrible accident at Le Mans in 1955 where 80 spectators and one driver lost their lives. Since then, the country has not hosted a Grand Prix (the Swiss Grand Prix in 1982 was held in France) and because Racing Driver is not on the countries list of recognised occupations, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld are currently unemployed. Well, on paper anyway. And because these drivers are unemployed, they have less tax to pay. Michael Schumacher also enjoyed this benefit greatly, having built a castle on the banks of Lake Geneva for his family.
Earlier in the year the Swiss government decided to sort this out and have said that they hope to amend the issue within six months. It now seems that this was the solution, and many Formula One drivers could see a substantial increase in tax if they remain in the country.
Giancarlo Fisichella has launched a motorsport academy near the Vallelunga circuit just outside of Rome, Italy. The Italian driver currently owns a GP2 team with his manager Enrico Zanarini, but the school is dedicated to helping those seeking a career in motorsport. The academy will provide tuition for students to gain diplomas, which will help them gain employment as mechanics, engineers, team and driver managers, trainers and press officers. The Fisichella Motor Sport Academy is believed to be the first institution of its kind, solely dedicated to motor racing.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:20am
Very interesting news on Switzerland, haven’t seen that information anywhere else!
I did wonder what attracted Schumacher etc to live there, and now I know.
Fisichella’s Academy sounds like a superb idea, good on him for giving something back to the sport which has given him so much over the years.