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Formula One race teams have nominated reserve drivers for a number of years, some name a single driver but most have two on the roster, if not their payroll.

Mario Andretti on Saturday said he will get involved with the new Malaysian backed Formula One team Lotus. The Italian-American, in Bahrain for Saturday’s on-track display of F1’s 60 year history, won the world championship at the wheel of the famous black Lotus 79 in 1978.

Thank God, and Flavio for small miracles, Briatore has ruled out returning to Formula One. The 59-year-old Italian said the FIA is pushing ahead with appealing a French court’s overturning of his lifetime motor racing ban, in the wake of the ‘crashgate’ scandal.

Yet another world champion has stepped into the mix for this weekend’s sensational 2010 season opener in Bahrain. Active drivers’ title winners Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso posed for photographers in the FIA press conference.

Max Mosley may be gone from the president’s office at the FIA but he’s certainly not forgotten. A divisive figure (not to mention downright perverse) when he was running the show, it’s no surprise the process Mosley put in place to bring new teams into Formula One continues to cause friction in the paddock.

Lotus Racing and CNN International have announced a partnership deal that sees the newest Formula One team entering into a long-term agreement with the news network. CNN’s world famous logos will feature on the T127 race cars, the drivers’ overalls and on all team clothing.

As fans of Formula One know the FIA in their infinite wisdom, or lack thereof, have expanded the starting grid for the 2010 season. 2009 saw 10 teams with 20 cars/drivers, allegedly 2010 will see 13 teams with 26 car/driver combos.

F1 hopefuls Stefan GP have reportedly signed Indian GP2 driver Karun Chandhok as they bid for a spot on the 2010 grid.

Dr. Laurence J Peter authored the theory of the Peter Principle, a principle that states “In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence.”

The media in Argentina is reporting that the US F1 team has ground to a halt – and that Jose Maria Lopez is now trying desperately to find an alternative seat for this season.

Brazilian Felipe Massa insisted on Monday he felt no fear as he returned to the track after being seriously injured in an accident at last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix by setting the fastest time in pre-season testing.

Vitaly Petrov will make history by becoming the first Russian to compete in Formula One, after Renault confirmed the 25-year-old as their second driver for the 2010 season.

Question: What do you get when you cross a fledgling Formula One team with a dead Formula One team?

In the last few weeks speculation and mostly fueled by Bernie “The Gnome” Ecclestone two of the new F1 teams, USF1 and Campos Meta wouldn’t see the Starters Flag in Bahrain as the World’s Championship season opens.

Flavio Briatore, the disgraced former team manager of Renault, claims he’s through with F1, forever. Now, if you’re are a believer in the Easter Bunny you may also believe Flava Flavio, personally I don’t but that’s just me.

As one gets older there are many signs that give you a hint that hand to hand combat with Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson or a young Clint Eastwood isn’t the thing to do on a calm Sunday afternoon.

Nelson Piquet Jr, at the center of last seasons “Crashgate” storm, said on Tuesday he will compete in NASCAR next season having failed to obtain a drive in Formula One.

US F1 will make their official track debut in Alabama in February after being given a special dispensation by the FIA to test on home soil.

As back ground, the French legal system is based entirely on written civil law. The system of administrative law was laid down by Napoleon and is appropriately called the code Napoléon (Napoleonic code).

With end of year F1 news centered around new teams joining the 2010 grid noticeably absent has been F1’s only American based team USF1. While other teams have announced driver signings USF1 co-owners Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor have been under the radar, to say the least.