Super Aguri will retain Sakon Yamamoto in 2007, as their second test driver.

“It is great news that I am able to stay in Formula One with Super Aguri F1 Team in 2007 and would like to thank everyone who has supported me, especially Aguri-san (Aguri Suzuki),” Yamamoto stated. “I will try to do my best in my new role and give the team good support from my time in the car next year.”

Giedo van der Garde will be the team’s nominated third driver in support of Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson. Yamamoto’s appointment therefore seems hardly a glowing appraisal of his 2006 form.

Michael Schumacher will be working from home in 2007, giving Ferrari the benefit of his experience over race weekends as well as contributing to the development of new cars and scouting for driver talent. Only the most cynical would infer from this that perhaps the Scuderia are less than convinced about Kimi Raikkonen’s work ethic.

55495.jpgThe 2007 Renault will sport a new colour scheme with the departure of Mild Seven from F1 after thirteen seasons and the arrival of ING as title sponsor. Mild Seven had been sponsors of the team since the Benetton days.

Given that ING’s corporate colours are orange and navy blue, expect to see a second set of orange cars on the grid in 2007.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has won the Automovilista Latinoamericano 2006, having been voted the outstanding Latin and South American driver of 2006 by a panel of journalists. IRL driver Helio Castroneves was runner-up.

GP2 championship runner-up and Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr, who finished tenth overall, won the under-21s category for the third time in four years ahead of series rival Ernesto Viso.