Grapevine: More News from the Paddock - Belgian GP

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

Niki Lauda could be forgiven for thinking he was back running his airline business after complaints of late arrivals and late departures on Friday. But it was just the FIA putting their foot down as three of the six people involved in the official press conference either turned up after it started or left before it had finished. The new Jaguar team boss got away with his wrongdoing as the FIA accepted his reasoning for leaving early, but drivers Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard were not so lucky, and both were fined $500 (US Dollars) for being a few minutes late - perhaps a tough penalty for making the journalists wait.

One day later, at the regular McLaren press conference, one journalist arrived late and was offered a watch by Ron Dennis to ensure he kept time, along with a jibe at the FIA as Dennis suggested the journalist should have been fined for his tardy appearance.

England Training Session

Just one day after a crushing defeat at the hands of Germany, the British journalists held a training session in Spa as they tried to work on their weaknesses and improve their team. After a busy working day at the circuit the squad, now with a new manager following the sacking of their previous leader, gathered in the nearby town for a de-brief of the match before tucking into some serious preparation for a possible clash with the Italians at Monza. A restaurant deep in the heart of Spa, however, may not have been the best place to work on their fitness, and one key member of the team was heard to remark: "Well, if the wine's not going to arrive yet, let's get the beers in." Confidence is still high for the Italian match in two weeks time.

Trouble at The Gates

Plans by a member of the Orange Arrows team to take a sneaky exit from the circuit after the Friday running were hit, literally, by a burly steward at the end of the day. To exit the Spa circuit by foot is a long process as the tunnel under the track is only for cars and media shuttles. And the orange-liveried man was left with a clashing red face when, after he had cheekily walked through the underground passage, he was faced by an unimpressed marshal at the other end. A struggle broke out, during which the ferocious heavyweight grabbed the offender and manhandled him through a large metal gate and out of the way. But the team member clearly found a way round as he was seen jumping into a car just minutes after the incident.

Past Masters

The Belgian paddock was filled with former Formula One regulars despite the off-putting weather at the forest track. Ex-Benetton boss David Richards was in attendance, while former Williams World Champion Nigel Mansell, Briton Mark Blundell and Finn JJ Lehto were all present, now working for different media. The slow start to Saturday's morning practice allowed them plenty of time to chat and reminisce, and Mansell was greeted with a hug by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone as he ambled around the garages. Former driver Jonathan Palmer was also in attendance, and as manager of newly-crowned F3000 champion Justin Wilson he was visiting the teams to get him into F1.