Grapevine: More News from the Paddock - Japanese GP

Philosophical Webber

Australian Minardi driver Mark Webber is well known for his easy-going and always entertaining attitude to life, and that persona was typified in an interview after Allan McNish's shocking crash during qualifying at Suzuka. While waiting for the session to resume, Webber was asked by F1 Digital+ about his Scottish rival's crash and coolly replied: "You have got to think that the big fella is up there watching at times like that - 10 out of 10 for trying for Allan!"

Boring Show

At a time when Formula One is struggling to draw in the television audiences, it was surprising to see Sky Digital's studio panel and their team of expert commentators not attempting to lure the few viewers (for surely there were few who rose at 5am British time to watch their show) but instead reminding viewers what Ferrari's dominance has done for the sport. The break in qualifying, forced by Allan McNish's accident, left them with a gap to fill so they sensibly showed a review of the season. And once the clips had finished, Matthew Lorenzo summed it up in a sentence when, with all seriousness, he said: "The good news is there is only one race to go."

Go West

Former Williams director of sponsorship and marketing Richard West made a long-awaited re-appearance in the Formula One paddock this weekend as he guided around a young, unnamed British driver. West is now involved with the running of the British Touring Car Championship and it is not known whether he would be interested in returning to the series. He first became involved, with Williams, as a sponsorship coordinator in 1984, but has also spent time working under Ron Dennis at McLaren and Tom Walkinshaw, during his sportscar days at TWR Jaguar. West said: "It is amazing how much it has changed since I was here last."

Berger Off

BMW motorsport boss Gerhard Berger suggested again on Saturday that he may call it a day when his contract comes to an end at the start of next season. Former Ferrari, Benetton and McLaren racer Berger never drove for Williams but has built up a strong bond with the team while at BMW and has been a major part of the close linking of the two companies which led team boss Frank Williams to recently suggest the motoring giant buying some of his shares. Berger said that he has not made his mind up yet whether he has had enough of "all the travel and stuff" that comes as baggage with a life in Formula One.