Ferrari will not be in a position to fight for podium finishes during the season opening Australian Grand Prix later this month. This is the view of the team's Technical Director, Pat Fry, who is 'disappointed' by the performance level of his new design

The Bahrain International Circuit, the regime-owned promoter of the controversial Formula One Grand Prix in the Persian Gulf kingdom, has paid up front and in full for its 2012 event, it has emerged. This has allowed Bernie Ecclestone, the CEO of the rights-holder, the Formula One Group, to assert that his insistence that the race should go ahead next month has nothing to do with money.

Senna, a documentary on the life of Brazilian driver and three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna, was released on DVD in the United States on Tuesday.

Spaniard Maria De Villota has become a Marussia F1 Team test driver. Maria has raced in a variety of single-seater and sports car categories, including Spanish F3, the Daytona 24 Hours, the Euroseries 3000 and Superleague Formula Championship.

Maria has also experienced a Formula One cockpit previously, having received a test drive courtesy of the team formerly known as Lotus Renault F1 Team at Paul Ricard in August of last year, where she achieved 300kms of running.

French sports minister David Douillet insists his country is ready to host a grand prix and is now waiting on Spa-Francorchamps to agree to share its slot on the calendar from 2013 onwards.

With official news about the injured Pole scarce, one of his friends said last week Kubica is close to returning to a normal life, raising hopes he might soon be back in formula one.

But former Toro Rosso driver Alguersuari has heard something very different.

"I think Robert is and was a fantastic driver, fast and complete. I am sure that he could have been a world champion without a doubt," he said this week when he was revealed as a co-commentator for British radio in 2012.

Caterham is expanding its stable of drivers, as American Alexander Rossi has been confirmed as Caterham's test driver, alongside Dutchman Giedo van der Garde, who has already been announced reserve driver.

Although no races have been listed, he will gain more F1 experience running in Friday practice sessions.

Rossi will continue to race in the Renault 3.5 series with Caterham.

Team principal Tony Fernandes said: “Today's announcement marks an important next step for [the] Caterham F1 Team and Alexander's career. As our official F1 test driver, Alexander is a key figure in our long-term plans, and the investment we are making in him now will help him make the most of the natural talent he has at his disposal.

The Formula One season is now tantalisingly close. The teams have well and truly arrived in Melbourne with most of the set up work completed already and just a few finishing touches remaining.

Many of the drivers were at the circuit on Wednesday - Fernando Alonso, Paul di Resta, both HRT pilots and Kimi Raikkonen - even though official proceedings don't begin until tomorrow afternoon. The first FIA Press Conference of the season will feature both local hero Mark Webber and world champion Sebastian Vettel (above at the heart of a scrum at a media event at St. Kilda a short while ago) .

The circuit itself looks to have changed little, aside from a few different logos on the walls. It's a spooky place, near deserted as the last of the set up crews finish off the countless tasks that need to be done before the gates open - they were adjusting the angle of the trackside light systems this afternoon.

Away from the track itself there is a grandstand in the middle of the circuit, set up for some motorcycle stunt riding over the course of the weekend. There's also an Education Centre and a number of sideshow rides to keep the crowds amused. V8 Supercars again feature on the supporting category, which will keep the locals happy.

Reassuringly the weather is warm, a far cry from the arctic conditions last March. Rain is forecast for Friday as the temperatures cool as the weekend progresses - 22 degrees the high predicted for Saturday and Sunday - though for the moment shorts and t-shirts are the order of the day.

To say that the sense of anticipation is palpable is stretching a truth, but there is a buzz in the air. Away from the track the city goes about its normal business, downtown Melbourne furnished only with a couple of merchandise stands to give any indication Formula One is in town, but within the confines of the circuit - and the paddock - a winter's worth of hard work is about to be tested.

The Formula One season starts here.