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Mike Coughlan is to return to F1 with Williams next month in the role of chief engineer.

Coughlan has not been involved with the top level of the sport since the McLaren ‘Spygate’ scandal in 2007, and has most recently been involved with the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR outfit.

Coughlan will overlap with the departing Sam Michael for the rest of the season, and it remains to be seen whether he then inherits the technical director role.

To their credit neither the team nor Coughlan himself have attempted to ignore his controversial history in making the announcement.

Frank Williams said in a statement: “Mike Coughlan is a fine engineer with extensive experience across Formula One and both civil and defence engineering. He left Formula One in 2007 because of conduct which he acknowledges was wrong and which he profoundly regrets. His two year ban from the sport expired some time ago and Mike is now determined to prove himself again.

“Williams is delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do this and we are very pleased to have one of the most talented and competitive engineers in the sport helping us to return to the front of the grid. This is the first step in re-building and strengthening our technical group. We will announce the next steps as they develop.”

Coughlan added: “I am grateful to Williams for giving me this opportunity. My experience in 2007 was life-changing. Since then, I have endeavoured to put my skills to good use in the design of the Ocelot vehicle whose purpose is to transport soldiers in safety. I have also enjoyed my time with Michael Waltrip Racing: they are an excellent race team and I wish them well for the future.

“Now, I am looking forward to returning to a sport which I love and to joining a team that I have admired for many years. I will dedicate myself to the team and to ensuring that we return to competitiveness while respecting the ethical standards with which Williams has always been synonymous.”

Williams technical director Sam Michael and chief aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson are to leave the team at the end of the season.

A statement said that both men had resigned but, in an unusual move, would stay on until the end of the year.

That gives Williams time to find replacements (in addition to Mike Coughlan, see next story) and also in effect stops either man from joining another team in the short term, and thus contributing to its 2012 car.

Frank Williams said: “Both Sam and Jon are talented and driven people who have worked hard for Williams over 10 and five years respectively. Nonetheless, they have recognised that the team’s performance is not at the level that it needs to be and have resigned in order to give the team the opportunity to regroup and undertake the changes necessary to get back to the front of the grid.

“Both will continue to work in their present positions through until the end of the year to ensure that the team maintains focus and momentum during the 2011 season. We are very grateful to Sam and to Jon for their professional approach.”

The Bahrain government has been given an extra month by the FIA to secure a place on the 2011 calendar.

The original deadline of May 1 passed on Sunday. A statement tonight said: “The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, has granted the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit an extension until June 3rd, date of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Barcelona.

“This decision was taken after consultation with the relevant Bahraini authorities and Formula One Management, the international promoter.”

It’s believed that Bahrain GP representatives and Jean Todt will both be in Turkey this weekend.

Heavy metal band Metallica will be playing Delhi under the banner of F1 Rocks at the Indian GP.

The US band – 30 years old this year – will play Delhi on the Friday of the GP, and will also be in Bangalore two days later. It is their first visit to India.

The group’s website says: “At this stage in the game, there are very few places in the world that we have not dragged our gear and crew to, so that makes this show announcement extra special . . . for the first time ever, we will be visiting India for two shows! It’s about time, wouldn’t you say?!?!

“Up first will be Delhi on October 28, 2011 at F1 Rocks, held in Leisure Valley, Sector 29, Gurgaon as we help to celebrate the first Grand Prix race ever held in India. Night number two will find us at the Bangalore Palace Ground, Main Palace, Bangalore, on October 30 as part of the Sonisphere Festival.”

Tickets go on sale on Thursday.

The Bahraini government has played its latest card in its attempt to host a GP in 2011 by releasing a statement a day before the May 1 deadline set by the FIA.

Clearly produced with the full support of Bernie Ecclestone, the statement – “regarding the rescheduling of the 2011 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix” – says nothing concrete but clearly suggests that the Bahrainis still have hopes of hosting a race this year, despite a widespread belief in F1 circles that it shouldn’t happen in 2011.

It’s not clear what the FIA’s position is on ignoring the May 1 deadline it set, although Jean Todt is very close to the authorities in the country and is clearly in the loop.

In the statement Bahrain International Circuit Chairman Zayed Rashid Alzayani said: “We gratefully acknowledge the understanding of Formula One Management and the FIA in what have been difficult times. We also thank the continued support of the international motorsport community and Formula one fans around the world.

“Clearly our national priority is to find a resolution to the difficulties that the kingdom of Bahrain has experienced. The national situation has moved on in a positive manner, the situation is evolving all the time; our day-to-day life is gradually improving under the current State of National Safety.

“Bahrain’s Grand Prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis.  It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula One back to Bahrain in the very near future.”

Meanwhile Ecclestone added: “Bahrain’s commitment to Formula one has been clear from the very outset. While obviously the kingdom has had to put its national affairs first I have never been in any doubts that restoring the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has been of paramount importance. In eight years with my relationship with Bahrain I have always been confident that they will produce something special.”

Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that Bahrain could be given more time to regain its place on the 2011 calendar.

That in turn means that we could still have to wait to see if any other races have to be moved to fit it in.

The FIA had given what appeared to be a firm a deadline of May 1 for the Bahraini government to be able to guarantee that the race could go ahead safely.

“We need to wait a little bit to see exactly how progress is made,” Ecclestone told Reuters today. “I suppose we’d be safe by early June or something like that. Things can change in a couple of weeks…so you don’t know. All of a sudden everything might be peaceful in a month’s time and they are happy to run the event and so we are happy to be there.”

Meanwhile Ecclestone was vague about the chances of Turkey remaining on the 2012 calendar after doubts about its financial viability: “I think Turkey is a bloody good circuit. All the facilities there are good, everything is good except we don’t have a big crowd. I would be disappointed if we lose it but we can’t keep subsidising it.

“When our first agreement was made, they subsidised ticket revenue so everyone was expecting a whole bunch of people to be there and if there wasn’t, the government was going to make up for the missing tickets.

“It looks very much like the crowd is going to be much bigger this year, so it means the government’s involvement will be considerably less.”

An F1-liveried Caterham poses with its new big brothers

Tony Fernandes has officially confirmed that Team Lotus Enterprises has taken over Caterham Cars.

The company – whose cars are based on the Lotus Seven with which Colin Chapman first made his name – has obvious appeal for Fernandes, who sees a link with road cars as a commercial opportunity.

Fernandes and partner Kamarudin bin Meranun were named as directors of Caterham Cars two weeks ago in official paperwork, having bought it from previous owners Corven.

Fernandes said: “Caterham has a unique place at the heart of the motoring world. As well as being proudly and staunchly British, it has an enviable and uniquely unblemished reputation within the industry for performance, handling and engineering excellence.

“Caterham Cars has remained wholly faithful to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of ‘less is more’, and the DNA of the original Seven can still be traced to the newest additions to Caterham’s product offering.

“It is already a successful business with sales across Europe, Japan, Australia and the Middle East, and under the guidance of the existing management team,we now have all the ingredients and the launch pad to further evolve that spirit and take Caterham to new exciting horizons with innovative products and greater global brand exposure.”

Caterham CEO Ansar Ali, who retains his role, said: “This is yet another exciting chapter in the Caterham story. Until now, the resources Caterham has had at its disposal have, naturally, limited the exposure of the Caterham experience and the legendary Seven has had to rely almost entirely on its remarkable reputation and legacy.

“We will remain entirely true to the philosophy that we, as custodians of one man’s motoring concept, have protected for nearly 40 years. However, the acquisition of the company by Team Lotus Enterprise will allow our existing management team to take Caterham’s core spirit of pure driving enjoyment to a hitherto un-served audience.”

It remains to seen whether Caterham also proved to be a fall back position should Team Lotus lose its legal fight to hang on to the name.

Fernando Alonso says that there’s a long way to go in the 2011 season, and insists that things can change quickly.

He cites the example of last year, when Ferrari’s campaign gained momentum during the year.

He concedes too that the team will have to get every element right in order to take on RBR and McLaren.

“It was definitely not the start of the season we were hoping for, for us and all our fans,” said Alonso on the Ferrari website. “Fifty points between the two of us is not much and we know our performance is not good enough at the moment, but we are aware that this can change very quickly.

“Formula 1 has always been like this. In one race you struggle to get into the top five and in the next, you’re fighting for the win. This year has been no exception to that rule. After the final test in Barcelona, everyone reckoned the McLarens were nowhere, and then they always got on the podium, ending up with a win in China.

“At the same time, others were saying Vettel was unbeatable and then in Shanghai, we all saw how things turned out in the end. Three races are not yet enough to give a definitive judgement.

“But this does not mean to say I am underestimating the seriousness of our situation, far from it. We have to work very hard to improve on every front. Success only comes when every element is operating at its best – the car, strategy, pit stops, drivers and everyone else included.”

Alonso says he has faith in the Ferrari team’s ability to turn things around.

“I’ve stayed in touch with the engineers these past few days and I know there is no let up in the development of the car at Maranello. We have to catch up, and we cannot allow ourselves to lose too much time, especially as the others won’t be twiddling their thumbs over the coming weeks. I trust in the team. I know what it’s made of, and I can feel the will to fight back from everyone at Maranello.

“In the past I have experienced, first as an opponent and then as an insider how capable the Scuderia is of staging a comeback. I well remember when I was at Renault in 2006, that in the first part of the season I had built up a big lead but then Ferrari made such a good job of developing its cars that Schumacher staged a great fight back, overtaking me with two races remaining.

“Then you only have to look at last year. First in Turkey and then in England, it was suggested we should already be looking to the following year, but we did not give up and we managed to be in the fight for the title right up to the final race. It sounds like a slogan, but it’s the absolute truth: never give up in Formula 1!”

Robert Kubica sounds positive and optimistic in a Q&A released on the Lotus Renault website today.

Kubica says he will leave hospital in 10 days, then continue rehabilitation under Riccardo Ceccarelli, the team doctor.

The Pole began with a message to fans before answering questions:

“Hello everybody, here I am. Sorry for the delay in contacting you but I preferred to wait until the moment I could finally share some positive news with you. First of all I would like to pay a huge amount of thanks to my fans whose support has been simply incredible since my accident in Italy back in February.

“I have been literally submerged by letters and various gifts and objects and it seems the flow is not slowing down. I also want to thank all the people in the world of F1 who showed in various manners their concern for the difficult situation I’m in.”

Robert, just over 10 weeks on from your accident – how are you feeling?

“I am starting to feel a lot better now. My recovery is moving in the right direction: my strength and weight are increasing day on day and as a result I will leave the Santa Corona hospital very soon.”

When exactly will you leave the hospital?

“I don’t have a precise date as yet but I hope to be able to leave within the next 10 days.”

Concerning the injury to your hand, how is the mobility now?

“The mobility of my hand is limited but this is pretty normal in this kind of situation, because the connected arm muscles are still very weak due to the long period of immobility. Things are definitely improving day by day.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your rehabilitation programme?

“As soon as I leave hospital, I’ll head to my home in Monaco for a short period of rest. Then I’ll move to Dr Ceccarelli’s facilities in Italy where I will start a deep rehabilitation program and a preliminary soft training programme. The two programmes will gradually cross over based on the speed of my recovery.”

There’s been an amazing reaction from the fans – how has the response helped your recovery?

“I must admit that it’s been overwhelming and, yes, it’s helped me a lot. I really didn’t realise that quite this many fans were supporting me. I’m very flattered and I promise them that, when I’m back, I’ll give them my absolute best.”

Have you been staying in regular touch with the team since you’ve been away?

“Yes, of course. Especially since the season started, I’ve been liaising with my engineers on what’s been going on over race weekends. They are sending me the race reports so I can remain up to date and fully informed, as if I were there at the tracks. Eric Boullier is also in constant contact, keeping up to date with my general condition.”

Q: Have you watched all the races so far this year, and what are you making of the new season and LRGP’s performances so far?

“Yes I’ve watched them, and there is no doubt that it’s been a strong start to the season. The potential of the car, which I already noticed in the February Valencia test, seems to be confirmed. As usual, it’s now important that the development done in Enstone continues to produce consistent updates for maintaining this level of performance. The guys did a great job with this car and I’m sure they’ll continue to improve.”

Finally, what messages would you like to pass on to your supporters in the Formula 1 world?

“Well, just continue to enjoy the F1 show even though I’m not there at the moment. From my side, I’ll try to use my difficult experience to come back as strong as I possibly can.”

Former Champcar medical chief and famed trauma expert Dr Stephen Olvey has been appointed as director of medical services for the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Olvey is best known as the medical chief of CART from 1978 to 2003, and is a consultant to the Indy 500. He is also a Founding Fellow of the FIA Institute for Motor Sports Safety.

COTA says that Olvey’s responsibilities “include securing medical equipment, personnel and resources for facility and event operations as well as building relationships with local hospitals, medical facilities and public safety officials. He will oversee a professional team of doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians and volunteers. Dr Olvey plans to be present at major races and events, commuting often to Austin prior to the first race to oversee the development of the medical operations.”

“I jumped at the chance to be in on the ground floor of developing what promises to be one of the most advanced rapid response trauma care systems in the world of sports,” said Olvey in a COTA statement.

“I believe Circuit of the Americas will become not only a centre where sports injuries will be effectively treated, but also a centre for research into the issues that can affect all athletes such as concussion, spinal cord injury, and severe traumatic brain injury.”

Race chairman Tavo Hellmund said: “Stephen Olvey is without question, one of the foremost experts in this arena. The rapid response system he designed with Dr Terry Trammel saved Alex Zanard’s life at Lausitzring in 2001 after a devastating crash amputated his legs. Every driver and team wants Dr Olvey at their race.”