Sauber is yet another team considering removing the F-duct system from its car for the forthcoming Italian grand prix.

McLaren intends to have a non-F-duct rear wing and engine cover at Monza next weekend, with simulations showing that weight saving and aerodynamic efficiency could mean a conventional setup is the more competitive option for the high speed circuit.

Robert Kubica has also hinted that his Renault will not have an F-duct at the Autodromo Nazionale, even though Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali indicated that the F10 will still be running the device at Monza.

It has now emerged that Sauber could be yet another team contemplating its F-duct options for Italy.

“We will have the option to take off the F-duct,” said the Swiss team’s new technical director James Key.

“We will only make the final decision at the track,” he added in an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

Key also said Sauber is already working on the 2011 car at its Hinwil base.

“There are some areas of the regulations that are not yet 100 per cent clear, such as the functionality of the (adjustable) rear wing.

“But there is already enough for the teams to move forward with the development for next year,” he revealed.

Key also said he is confident about Sauber’s financial situation for 2011 and beyond.

“That is not my area, but I have no great concerns,” he said.

“I know we are actively working on it and that at Spa we were able to show a new logo on the rear wing.

“The direction is positive. With the improvement of the car, we have shown what we are capable of. If we can maintain that, I expect a further step forward next year.

“I am planning for the long term with Sauber,” added Key.

Ferrari has confirmed that a new exhaust system is among the changes to its 2010 car to debut on the streets of Valencia this weekend.

It has been reported that the revised F10, tested by Fernando Alonso at Fiorano and seen on a fan video posted on the internet, features a Red Bull-like layout for the exhausts.

Ferrari also revealed that test driver Marc Gene was at the wheel of the car for an aerodynamic test at Vairano last week.

The low-mounted exhausts, located directly ahead of the double diffuser, are tipped to slice up to half a second off laptimes.

Maranello based Ferrari on Tuesday confirmed that the Valencia upgrade includes “several modifications and updates”, although “not quite as far-reaching or extensive as (the) reports have suggested!”

The team said: “The most significant feature is a new configuration for the exhaust system, aimed at improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the car.”
(GMM)

After the not very successful weekend in Canada is at Renault in reparations from Valencia. Then do it in Montreal, failed to make ground on Mercedes, but considers the silver arrows were not even going, it will run better in Spain. The R30 has been upgraded to catch up in the Spanish port city with new parts. Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov, who won there in GP2 already are confident at least for the weekend.

Kubica looks at the layout of lines similar to Montreal. “The biggest difference between the two circuits makes the asphalt. In Montreal, the new pavement proved to be extremely slippery. In this regard, should the tar in Valencia offer a higher level and play for us in the cards – even if the playing field equal for all” believes the poles, the speculation with a higher grip levels: “It is also in Spain, at a road course, we count on Friday again with low grip, in the course of the weekend but should be always better – especially in the framework more racing series at the Start walking with their tire wear should also create a firmer track. ”
Both Kubica and Petrov swarm in contrast to their colleagues about Valencia. “I was not only because of my GP2 victory of good memories of Valencia. I know the track inside out in terms of braking points, racing line, which curbs you can run over any problems and how the tires will behave in the race. Of course, that is in a Formula 1 all represent something different. But my starting point will be better than in Canada, “says the young Russian.

His Polish team-mate, it looks like this: “I know that many drivers assess this differently, but for me, I can say I like the track. The mixture of street circuit and a modern Grand Prix circuit makes the thing from my point of view so interesting. The basic layout reminiscent of the many rather slow corners at the Grand Prix of Canada. As in Montreal, it is in Valencia in the first place on a high braking stability and traction for accelerating out – and this should be our Renault R30. ”
Aerodynamics important than in Canada

However in Valencia, aerodynamics more into play, so Kubica: “We will go with a higher degree of aerodynamic downforce at the start than in Canada, yet comes to the aerodynamic efficiency is very important: As many as four times per round, we penetrate into very high speed ranges before. ” Petrov for the beloved Valencia comes after the disappointment of Canada just right. The Russian said, however, that he has learned from the weekend in his teaching overseas.
“First of all, I am of course aware that I have undermined during the race bug”, there are self-critical and Petrov said: “At the start I have made too much risk when I saw the grass beside the track in line with my incorporated. They paid off Unfortunately not, instead I was given a drive-through penalty. However, it was important to finish the race and collect more information – especially about the handling of the tires in different conditions. This experience I will help in the future, in certain situations better . respond ”

The focus at Renault but at the moment the duel with Mercedes. The French want to finish the season fail before the silver arrows. 29 points separate the two teams currently work from each other. For Kubica, the distance “to the stables, which are currently at the top is not so huge. But we must still make up a lot of ground. And so we will only succeed if we continue to work full steam ahead and improve ourselves constantly.”

The Pole is certainly top-motivated: “If it goes for me, after we beat everybody, not just Mercedes.” The new parts on the R30 will bring about change. “I wonder how much the car improved and if I need to adjust my driving style,” said Petrov, who also assesses other strong teams, “In Montréal Force India was very fast. We must see that we can beat them . In addition, enjoys the duel with Mercedes currently the highest priority for our team. “

Virgin Racing, is the first team -of the four that participate this year-, that reveals details of its first single-seater, the ‘VR-01′ that will be presented tomorrow in the racetrack driven by the German, Timo Glock and the Brazilian, Lucas di Grassi.

The ‘scuderia’ that had problems with the presentation of its car ‘online,’ but that shows details of it, tomorrow will test the single-seater in the British circuit of Silverstone.

The Technical Director of Virgin Racing, Nick Wirth, underlined that to join an F1 team, mount an engineering group and design a new car from scratch is “an epic pursuit after having such a short time.”

The new single-seater’s design has been entirely done with assisted systems (CFD), instead of a wind tunnel, and for Wirth “it is not surprising to see the skepticism created by the system we have used.”.

“We’re competing in sport that is experimenting a significant change to be able to face today’s tough economic reality.  I have absolute faith in the digital design’s process and in the opportunity to test a total CFD design at the highest level.  It means to show that this could well be the path for the Formula One future.  That’s very, very exciting,” he expressed.

“We have come up with a car that has a first class design and that will benefit from a high degree of aerodynamic efficiency and stability.  Reliability has been an important element in its design and together with all the key areas to comply with FIA’s safety rules and the crash test requirements,” assured Wirth.

Virgin’s Team Principal, John Booth, commented on all the difficulties involved in the process, being a “a counter clock race to design and develop a racing car, and simultaneously, putting together a new team of people and the installations.”

“I’ve always had absolute trust in Nick’s ability to design a good car, and I’m hopeful that the team will make a good job when they roll it out.  After working closely with technical team during the last 10 months, I know that the VR-01 is the result of a very intense and deep design, and I feel excited to think of its debut in the racetrack,” he added.

Tomorrow, it will be possible to see the VR-01 in the British Silverstone racetrack, even though there will be no other references of other single-seaters running through the British circuit.