Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Austrian GP

Heidfeld Golf

German Nick Heidfeld may be more into his adventure sports but he also enjoys a quiet round of golf and he took time out ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix to get out his driver at the Grand Prix Golf Trophy. The Sauber driver joined Scot David Coulthard, among others, to take part in the event at the Golfclub Murtal in Spielberg, just a few minutes drive from the circuit, on Thursday - all in the aid of the Spine and Brain Foundation, the charity supported by Formula One medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins.

Ferrari Stopper

Ferrari have already been beaten by Toyota this weekend - in a race to win the best hotel rooms around the Austrian circuit. For the last few years the Italian giants have stayed in a Best Western hotel just ten minutes from the circuit but, according to paddock sources, they were refused rooms this season not because of their controversial team orders display last season but because they did not "provide enough spectator access" during last year's event. Toyota soon snapped up the opportunity and claimed the hotel for themselves - by offering to put on a full autograph session with drivers Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta and designer Gustav Brunner for Formula One fans on Friday evening.

Biking Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello returned to Spain last weekend just one week after racing his Ferrari around the Barcelona circuit to watch the MotoGP World Championship at Jerez - and was bitten by the bug of riding when he saw the bikes were travelling 3km/h faster than his Formula One machine. The series, which incorporates four-stroke machines this year, is one of the most popular sports in Spain and Barrichello said: "It was fantastic to see the new machines. The noise is just incredible, especially from the Ducatis. The new bikes are absolutely amazing and they lap Jerez hitting speeds which are 3 km/h faster than the F1 cars."

Barrichello has already experienced riding a 600cc road bike around the Sao Paulo circuit - finishing eight seconds slower than Alex Barros - and he is now keen to try one out at Ferrari's Mugello test track. "I have already been in contact with Ducati and Ferrari about riding a MotoGP bike round Mugello," he said. "That would be something special. I was thinking that in the future I would concentrate on golf, but now, who knows..."

Michelin Chocolate

The now annual Michelin chocolate fest in the A1-Ring paddock on Thursday ensured the French company's motorhome was jam-packed with journalists and team members for two hours as an astonishing amount of delicious chocolate was devoured. Delicacies ranged from small truffle chocolates and fresh strawberries to steaming pots of chocolate sauce and pancakes. Effervescent Michelin tyre chief Pierre Dupasquier was present to taste the treats and several Michelin-shod team press officers were seen making the most of the opportunity to get their chocolate fix.