Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - Japanese GP

Ferrari Announce Celebration Day

The Ferrari team confirmed in the Suzuka paddock that they will hold their annual 'Ferrari Day' at Monza, Italy, on October 19. The day will incorporate a display from Ferrari F1 drivers Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and test driver Luca Badoer, along with the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Finals, Shell Historic Ferrari-Maserati Challenge Finals and a display of old F1 cars from the Italian marque.

The day was a roaring success last year and is sure to be a sea of red this time around with the Tifosi expected to turn out in their thousands to help celebrate the team's retention of the Drivers' and Constructors' championships this year.

Trulli Respectful

Many Formula One drivers were rocked by the terrorist atrocities that hit the United States last month, and the Grand Prix Drivers' Association decided to donate drivers' memorabilia for auction to help victims of the tragedies. But Jordan driver Jarno Trulli went one step further, off his own back, as he sent his race helmet to New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani for auction.

"I must say that I wanted to do something for them, for the people," said Trulli. "I had a great time in America and got a very warm welcome last season. It was something to show that we all know what is going on, the suffering, the tragedy, and we are all close to them."

Alonso on the Move?

Paddock rumours suggest that Spanish hotshoe Fernando Alonso is set to become Benetton's new test driver next season because Paul Stoddart's Minardi team have no money to pay for his services. Alonso's move would pave the way for Narain Karthikeyan to become India's first ever Formula One driver as he steps into the vacant Minardi seat. But the situation could be bad news for Australian Mark Webber. Currently Benetton's test driver, he could find himself the one squeezed out by the merry-go-round.

Coulthard On The Button

British pair David Coulthard and Jenson Button are both intent on making sure that their 'could do better' report cards are expunged next season. Coulthard has admitted he will fly out of Japan for a week's holiday before coming straight back into work and into the cockpit in an attempt to go one better than this year. Similarly Button has pledged to work twice as hard during the off-season and also train twice as hard this winter to get his fitness up to a peak so that he can challenge for points with Benetton next season.