The likelihood that F1 will be broadcast in high definition next year has taken a backwards step.

Bernie Ecclestone boosted the hopes of F1's global television audience in September when he indicated the sport will be moving to HD "probably next year".

But in an interview with Christian Sylt and Caroline Reid, the F1 chief executive now insists he is "not sure" the 2011 feed will be broadcast in HD.

One of the main problems, he indicated, is that high definition cameras are too big to be installed in the cars for the popular on-board footage.

That would mean the F1 feed is "50 per cent HD and 50 per cent standard definition", the 80-year-old Briton is quoted by Germany's motorsport-total.com.

Sylt and Reid hypothesise that Ecclestone's reluctance to embrace the new television technology could be related to the failure of his multi-channel digital feed for F1 in the 90s.

Pirelli has exceeded expectations on its return to Formula 1 after 19 years away, according to many of the leading drivers who sampled the Italian company's rubber for the first time in Abu Dhabi.

All 12 teams ran at Yas Marina today, the first time that Pirelli tyres have run on any car other that the Toyota TF109 test mule. With teams focusing on understanding the characteristics of the tyres and how they will change the aerodynamic and suspension requirements of their 2011 cars, most drivers were positive with their feedback.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa topped the timesheets at the opening Pirelli test day in Abu Dhabi, as all 12 Formula One teams got their first chance to try the new 2011 tyre.

Fernando Alonso showed no signs of a hangover following his agonising title loss last weekend, as he returned to action for the first time since Sunday's race to top the timings in testing.

Gary Paffett, McLaren, Abu Dhabi Pirelli testingPirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery has no doubts that the Italian tyre manufacturer will be ready for the start of next season after a successful first test of the 2011 development rubber.

Michael Schumacher was second fastest on the final day of testing Formula 1's new Pirelli tyres in Abu Dhabi.

After a poor 2010 season following his return to F1 with Mercedes, the former world champion was only 0.156 seconds slower than Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he has dreamt of driving for Mercedes or Ferrari, but stressed his focus for 2011 is to defend his Formula One world championship with Red Bull.

FIA President Jean Todt says Ferrari were not the only team to issue team orders this season, the only difference is that they were not subtle.

Ferrari were slapped with a $100,000 fine for issuing team orders through a coded message in Germany, prompting Felipe Massa to move aside, handing his team-mate Fernando Alonso the victory.

However, Todt is adamant Ferrari were not the only team issuing orders during the course of the Championship.

"Team orders are banned since 2002, however I've asked myself: how many times have orders been issued in a 'soft' way since then?" the former Ferrari team boss told La Stampa.

"They look for victims, they look for anyone who looks like a soft touch and not too bright," said the Briton in Sao Paulo. "People who look a bit soft and simple, they will always have a go at."

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone suffered minor injuries after falling victim to a mugging outside his London home on Wednesday morning.

The Sun newspaper reported that the 80-year-old was with his girlfriend Fabiana Flosi when he was punched and kicked by four attackers who stole watches and jewellery at around 10.30.

"There can be little doubt this was a targeted robbery because of who Mr Ecclestone is," said a senior police source. "The muggers were callous and showed little regard for the victims. They need to be caught."

Ecclestone was rushed straight to hospital afterwards and photographs of him returning to work on Thursday morning showed a red mark on his right hand.

Ironically, Ecclestone brushed off an attempted armed mugging or kidnapping involving F1's reigning world champion Jenson Button at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"They look for victims, they look for anyone who looks like a soft touch and not too bright," said the Briton in Sao Paulo. "People who look a bit soft and simple, they will always have a go at."

Vitaly Petrov has revealed that fans of Ferrari and Fernando Alonso littered his official Facebook page with insults and abuse.

"Many people cursed me, saying I had blocked Alonso," admitted the Russian driver.

Renault's Petrov played a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2010 world championship when points leader Alonso could not pass him during the Abu Dhabi finale earlier this month.

After the race, Alonso waved angrily at the 26-year-old rookie, and he now tells Germany's Bild newspaper that many of the Spaniard's supporters were similarly abusive.

But he insisted: "It's nonsense, I did nothing wrong. For 39 laps I was in front of him but no one told me on the radio that I was helping Sebastian be world champion.

"Even if he had (passed), he also had to pass Rosberg. I drove my own race and Ferrari made a tactical error," added Petrov, who dismissed Alonso's post-race gesticulations as "bad manners".

Alonso's failure to pass Petrov meant that Sebastian Vettel was able to close a big points margin to the Spaniard and secure the 2010 title.

"He deserves it," Petrov said, referring to Vettel. "The newspapers said it was a miracle, but it was his hard work."

Bild asked Petrov if the new world champion had congratulated him personally for his role in the title outcome.

"He doesn't have my phone number," answered the Russian. "But I saw that he wrote on his website to his fans that he was grateful to me."



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