Grapevine: News from the Paddock - US GP

Tying the Knot

Exuberant Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya has become engaged to his ever-present girlfriend Connie Freydel. Long black-haired Colombian Connie has been studying law in Madrid, Spain, but she has seldom been away from Montoya's side at the races this season. The pair are virtually inseparable - it would not be a surprise if he insisted on taking her into briefings with him - and the engagement, which was made during the time after Montoya won his first-ever Grand Prix in Italy two weeks ago, comes as no surprise to paddock regulars.

F1 Stars Take a Break

Several of Formula One's famous names were seen lining the paddock at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire last weekend as they took a break from their Formula One duties to watch the American ChampCar racing series make its oval racing debut on British soil. McLaren driver David Coulthard paid a visit to the newly-build track to cheer on fellow Scot Dario Franchitti in front of his home crowd, but Franchitti could only manage a disappointing ninth place.

Also seen at the Rockingham oval was newest Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya, himself a CART champion in 1999, enjoying the chance to catch up with old friends from the series, Formula One hopeful Justin Wilson and Toyota test driver Allan McNish, who may have been grabbing a couple of names for his address book in case his Formula One hopes are dashed yet again.

Singing Tribute

World famous recording artists John Mellencamp and Patti Labelle each will take part in a grid presentation during the pre-race ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Labelle will sing "God Bless America" followed by Mellencamp performing "Peaceful World," the first single off his new "Cuttin' Heads" album. The pre-race festivities, entitled "United We Stand," will honour the international community as well as the United States and its heroes.

Local firefighters will be honoured, and the American Cabaret Theatre will sing a patriotic medley. The Indianapolis Children's Choir will sing the National Anthem.